[above all] Of first or highest importance; most especially. * /Children need many things, but above all they need love./ Syn.: FIRST AND LAST.
[above suspicion] Too good to be suspected; not likely to do wrong. * /The umpire in the game must be above suspicion of supporting one side over the other./
[absent without leave (AWOL)] Absent without permission; used mostly in the military. * /Jack left Fort Sheridan without asking his commanding officer, and was punished for going AWOL./
[absentia] See: IN ABSENTIA.
[Acapulco gold] Marijuana of an exceptionally high quality. * /Jack doesn't just smoke pot, he smokes Acapulco gold./
[accord] See: OF ONE'S OWN ACCORD or OF ONE'S OWN FREE WILL.
[according as] 1. Depending on which; whichever. * /You may take an oral or written exam according as you prefer./ 1. Depending on whether; if. * /We will play golf or stay home according as the weather is good or bad./
[according to] 1. So as to match or agree with; so as to be alike in. * /Many words are pronounced according to the spelling but some are not./ * /The boys were placed in three groups according to height./ 2. On the word or authority of. * /According to the Bible, Adam was the first man./
[according to one's own lights] In accordance with one's conscience or inclinations. * /Citizens should vote according to their own lights./
[account] See: CALL TO ACCOUNT, CHARGE ACCOUNT, LEAVE OUT OF ACCOUNT, ON ACCOUNT, ON ACCOUNT OF, ON ONE'S ACCOUNT, ON ONE'S OWN ACCOUNT, SAVINGS ACCOUNT, TAKE INTO ACCOUNT.
[ace] See: WITHIN AN ACE OF.
[ace in the hole] 1. An ace given to a player face down so that other players in a card game cannot see it. * /When the cowboy bet all his money in the poker game he did not know that the gambler had an ace in the hole and would win it from him./ 2. Someone or something important that is kept as a surprise until the right time so as to bring victory or success. * /The football team has a new play that they are keeping as an ace in the hole for the big game./ * /The lawyer's ace in the hole was a secret witness who saw the accident./ Compare: CARD UP ONE'S SLEEVE.
[Achilles' heel] , A physical or psychological weakness named after the Greek hero Achilles who was invulnerable except for a spot on his heel. * /John's Achilles' heel is his lack of talent with numbers and math./
