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

out of one’s tree—(sl.) crazy; lacking common sense: I do believe
that Bill was out of his tree when he made this decision.
at the trail • on the trail
at the trail —(Military) carrying a rifle in the right hand,
the arm at full length, and the gun horizontal: The volunteers
are in step, rifles are carried uniformly horizontal at the “trail.”
on the trail —
1
. following a path in a wild or uninhabited
region: In discrete valleys were a few cabins, and they stayed
in them or siwashed (camped on the trail). 2. following traces
or tracks in hunting: Jacob’s dog leads them into the woods
on the trail of a fox, and there they come upon the wreckage
of a small plane. 3. following smb.; in pursuit of a person:
The police are on the trail of a group of Satanists, believed to
have caused a young man’s death.
at the utmost • to the utmost
at the utmost—(also: at the most) not more than the number
or amount specified: The administration has promised to
spend one billion dollars at the utmost on the operation.
to the utmost—to the highest possible degree: The land and
the sea were exploited to the utmost for the islanders’ subsis-
tence.
at the view of someone • in the view of someone
at the view of someone— at the sight of smb.; on seeing a
person: He tried not to laugh out loud at the view of his son
dressed like a woman.
in the view of someone —
1
. near enough to be seen by smb.:
She stood in the view of everybody and uttered that strange
prediction. 2. in the opinion of a person: In the view of the
magistrate, the offence was not a serious one.
at the view of something • with the view of some-
thing
at the view of something —at the sight of smth.; on seeing
smth.: As you step into the courtyard you are amazed at the
view of the trees, grass and flowers.
with the view of something —for the purpose of doing smth.:
He commenced a tour of the continent, with the view of ac-
quiring a knowledge of European life.
See also: in view of something / on view of something.