[arrest] See: UNDER ARREST.
[as] See: FOR AS MUCH AS, IN AS MUCH AS.
[as a last resort] In lieu of better things; lacking better solutions. * /"We'll sleep in our sleeping bags as a last resort," John said, "since all the motels are full."/
[as a matter of fact] Actually; really; in addition to what has been said; in reference to what was said. - Often used as an interjection. * /It's not true that I cannot swim; as a matter of fact, I used to work as a lifeguard in Hawaii./ * /Do you think this costs too much? As a matter of fact, I think it is rather cheap./
[as an aside] Said as a remark in a low tone of voice; used in theaters where the actor turns toward the audience as if to "think out loud." * /During the concert Tim said to his wife as an aside, "The conductor has no idea how to conduct Beethoven."/
[as a rule] Generally; customarily. * /As a rule, the boss arrives at the office about 10 A.M./
[as an old shoe] See: COMFORTABLE AS AN OLD SHOE, COMMON AS AN OLD SHOE.
[as --- as ---] - Used with an adjective or adverb in a comparison or with the effect of a superlative. * /John is as tall as his father now./ * /I didn't do as badly today as I did yesterday./ * /John's father gave him a hard job and told him to do as well as possible./ * /The sick girl was not hungry, but her mother told her to eat as much as she could./ - Also used in the form "so --- as" in some sentences, especially negative sentences. * /This hill isn't nearly so high as the last one we climbed./ - Often used in similes (comparisons that are figures of speech). * /The baby mouse looked as big as a minute./ * /Jim's face was red as a beet after he made the foolish mistake./ Most similes in conventional use are cliches, avoided by careful speakers and writers.
[as best one can] As well as you can; by whatever means are available; in the best way you can. * /The car broke down in the middle of the night, and he had to get home as best he could./ * /George's foot hurt, but he played the game as best he could./ * /The girl's mother was sick, so the girl got dinner as best she could./
[as catch can] See: CATCH AS CATCH CAN.
[as far as] or [so far as] 1. To the degree or amount that; according to what, how much, or how far. * /John did a good job as far as he went, but he did not finish it./ * /So far as the weather is concerned, I do not think it matters./ * /As far as he was concerned, things were going well./ 2. To the extent that; within the limit that. * /He has no brothers so far as I know./ Compare: FOR ALL(2).
