A dictionary of Confusable Phrases: More Than 10,000 Idioms and Collocations

Note: 
The expression does not correlate in meaning with the
phrase cut and dried—(of a decision, arrangement, etc.) com-
– 173 –
high and dry

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pletely decided; fixed beforehand: Assuming that everything was
now cut and dried, I talked to Richard but he said he was still
unsure about committing himself.
high and low • up and down
high and low —
1
. in every conceivable place; everywhere:
We searched high and low for the best career coach to serve
our clients. 2. said of people of high and low station: In the
public forum he was outspoken and called both high and low
people to task. 3. the maximum and the minimum tempera-
ture, prices, etc. reached in a particular period: These values
represent yesterday’s high and low over the last 
1
2 hours.
up and down —
1
. to and fro; back and forth: Unable to bear
another night alone, they take to walking up and down Broad-
way. 2. in diverse places or directions: “So whereabouts is the
local surf break?” interrupted Jerry, looking up and down the
coast. 3. is used of a changeable or unstable disposition: Mrs.
Moore is up and down; very liable … to fits of bad jealousy.
4. (coll.) give smb. a quick examining look: He gave me the
up and down, and I saw that he remembered me. 5. (coll.) a
violent quarrel or fight: I had a bit of an up and down with
one of your ilk only about an hour ago.
See also: uppers and downers / ups and downs.
high ball • highball
high ball —(Sport) said of a ball that is thrown quite high:
All was well until Maya threw a high ball at me and I ran
backwards to get it.
highball —(U.S.) 
1
. liquor mixed with ice and water, usually
served in a tall glass: He offered to mix me a highball from a
decanter and siphon on a table. 2. a railroad signal indicating
that the way is clear: They would flick their lights and the en -
gineer would answer with a highball (two short blasts of the
whistle). 3. (coll., used as a verb) drive very fast: Cars, vans, and
delivery trucks were highballing along this very curvy road…