[in the hole]{adv.} or {adj. phr.}, {informal} 1a. Having a score lower than zero in a game, especially a card game; to a score below zero. •/John went three points in the hole on the first hand of the card game./ 1b. Behind an opponent; in difficulty in a sport or game. •/We had their pitcher in the hole with the bases full and no one out./ Compare: ON THE SPOT. 2. In debt; behind financially. •/John went in the hole with his hot dog stand./ •/It’s a lot easier to get in the hole than to get out again./ Compare: IN A HOLE, IN THE RED. Contrast: OUT OF THE HOLE.

[in the know]{adj. phr.}, {informal} Knowing about things that most people do not know about; knowing secrets or understanding a special subject. •/Tina helped Professor Smith make some of the exam questions, and she felt important to be in the know./ •/In a print shop, Mr. Harvey is in the know, but in a kitchen he can’t even cook an egg./ Compare: GET WISE. Contrast: IN THE DARK.

[in the lap of luxury]{adv. phr.} Well supplied with luxuries; having most things that money can buy. •/Mike grew up in the lap of luxury./ Compare: ON EASY STREET, WELL-TO-DO.

[in the lap of the gods] also [on the knees of the gods] {adv. phr.}, {literary} Beyond human control; not to be decided by anyone. •/Frank had worked hard as a candidate, and as election day came he felt that the result was in the lap of the gods./ •/The armies were evenly matched and the result of the battle seemed to be on the knees of the gods./

[in the least]{adv. phr.} Even a little; in any degree or amount. — Used in negative, interrogative, and conditional sentences. •/Sue did not understand physics in the least./ •/Are you in the least interested in sewing?/ •/Mother won’t be upset if you come for supper; I’ll be surprised if she cares in the least./ •/Mike was not upset in the least by the storm./ •/It is no trouble to help you. Not in the least./ Compare: AT ALL.

[in the line of duty]{adj. phr.} Done or happening as part of a job. •/The policeman was shot in the line of duty./ •/The soldier had to clean his rifle in the line of duty./

[in the long run]{adv. phr.} In the end; in the final result. •/John knew that lie could make a success of the little weekly paper in the long run./ •/You may make good grades by studying only before examinations, but you will succeed in the long run only by studying hard every day./

[in the lurch] See: LEAVE IN THE LURCH.

[in the main]{adv. phr.}, {formal} In most cases; generally; usually. •/In the main, small boys and dogs are good friends./ •/In the main, the pupils did well on the test./

[in the market for]{adj. phr.} Wishing to buy; ready to buy. •/Mr. Jones is in the market for a new car./ •/People are always in the market for entertainment./

[in the middle]{adv.} or {adj. phr.} In between two sides of an argument; caught between two dangers. •/Mary found herself in the middle of the quarrel between Joyce and Ethel./ •/John promised Tom to go fishing, but his father wanted him to help at home. John was in the middle./

[in the middle of nowhere]{adv. phr.} In a deserted, faraway place. •/When my car stopped on the highway in the middle of nowhere, it took forever to get help./

[in the money] See: IN THE CHIPS.

[in the mood (for)]{adj. phr.} 1. Interested in doing something. •/Sorry, I’m just not in the mood for a heavy dinner tonight./ 2. Feeling sexy. •/I am sorry, darling, I am just not in the mood tonight./

[in the mouth] See: LOOK A GIFT HORSE IN THE MOUTH.

[in the neck] See: CATCH IT IN THE NECK or GET IT IN THE NECK.

[in the nick of time]{adv. phr.} Just at the right time; barely soon enough; almost too late. •/The doctor arrived in the nick of time to save the child from choking to death./ •/Joe saw the other car in the nick of time./ Compare: IN TIME.

[in the pink] or [in the pink of condition] {adj. phr.}, {informal} In excellent health; strong and well; in fine shape. •/Mr. Merrick had aged well; he was one of those old men who always seem in the pink of condition./ •/After a practice and a rubdown, Joe felt in the pink./

[in the --- place]{adv. phr.} As the (first or second or third, etc.) thing in order or importance; first, second, or third, etc. — Used with "first", "second", "third", and other ordinal numbers. •/No, you cannot go swimming. In the first place, the water is too cold; and, in the second place, there is not time enough before dinner./ •/Stealing is wrong, in the first place, because it hurts others, and, in the second place, because it hurts you./ Compare: FOR ONE THING.

[in the prime of life]{adv. phr.} At the peak of one’s creative abilities; during the most productive years. •/Poor John lost his job due to restructuring when he was in the prime of his life./

[in the public eye]{adj. phr.} Widely known; often seen in public activity; much in the news. •/The senator’s activity kept him in the public eye./ •/A big league ballplayer is naturally much in the public eye./

[in the raw]{adj.} or {adv. phr.} 1. In the simplest or most natural way; with no frills. •/Henry enjoyed going into the woods and living life in the raw./ 2. {informal} Without any clothing; naked. •/In the summer the boys slept in the raw./

[in the red]{adv.} or {adj. phr.}, {informal} In an unprofitable way; so as to lose money. •/A large number of American radio stations operate in the red./ •/A rich man who has a farm or ranch often runs it in the red, but makes his money with his factory or business./ Contrast: IN THE BLACK. (From the fact that people who keep business records usually write in red ink how much money they lose and in black ink how much money they gain.)

[in the right]{adj. phr.} With moral or legal right or truth on your side; in agreement with justice, truth, or fact; correct. •/When the cars collided, John was clearly in the right./ •/In going before his wife down the stairs, Mr. Franklin was in the right./ •/In many disputes, it is hard to say who is in the right./ Contrast: IN THE WRONG.

[in the rough] See: DIAMOND IN THE ROUGH.

[in the running]{adj.} or {adv. phr.} Having a chance to win; not to be counted out; among those who might win. •/At the beginning of the last lap of the race, only two horses were still in the running./ •/A month before Joyce married Hal, three of Joyce’s boyfriends seemed to be still in the running./ •/Al was in the running for the trophy until the last hole of the golf tournament./ Contrast: OUT OF THE RUNNING.

[in the saddle] adv. or {adj. phr.} In command; in control; in a position to order or boss others. •/Mr. Park was in the saddle when he had over half the company’s stock./ •/Getting appointed chief of police put Stevens in the saddle./

[in the same boat]{adv.} or {adj. phr.} In the same trouble; in the same fix; in the same bad situation. •/When the town’s one factory closed and hundreds of people lost their jobs, all the storekeepers were in the same boat./ •/Dick was disappointed when Fern refused to marry him, but he knew others were in the same boat./

[in the same breath]{adv. phr.} 1. At the same time; without waiting. •/John would complain about hard times, and in the same breath boast of his prize-winning horses./ •/Jane said Bill was selfish, but in the same breath she said she was sorry to see him leave./ 2. In the same class; in as high a group. — Usually used in the negative with "mention", "speak", or "talk". •/Mary is a good swimmer, but she should not be mentioned in the same breath with Joan./