average

a cut above average

Considered not the best but a little above average. The quality of this dress isn't the finest that I've seen, but it is a cut above average. Your essay was only a cut above average, and you really need to wow the judges to win the top prize. I haven't been that impressed with any of the candidates for the sales position—they've been just a cut above average.

above average

Better than most people or things in a certain area. Because Jerry's SAT scores were well above average, he was able to attend the college of his choice. Our sales were above average for this market. I haven't been that impressed with the crop of candidates for the sales position—only a few have been above average.

average bear

The average person or thing. It is typically used as a point of comparison in the phrase "than the average bear." Originates from the animated character Yogi Bear, whose catchphrase is that he is "smarter than the average bear." He's certainly tougher than the average bear. I don't excel at all my subjects, but I still think I'm smarter than the average bear. There's no way you're beating that guy at wrestling—he's stronger than the average bear.

average down

To purchase more shares of a particular stock as its price decreases, as to reduce the average price. Ideally, one can then profit when they sell the stock once the price goes back up (though that is not always possible). Why do you keep buying more stocks from this declining company? You know that it's a gamble to average down, right? What a fool—he averaged down, and the price of those stocks still hasn't gone back up. Can you really make a lot of money by averaging down like this?

average Jane

An average, unexceptional, or ordinary girl or woman. Derived from the more common phrase "average Joe," which generally refers to a boy or man. What sets me apart from your average Jane, though, is my tenacity and ferocity in business. I'm as much a fan of the show as the average Jane, but I don't watch it religiously. Hey, you're an average Jane—what did you think of the presidential debate?

average Joe

An average, unexceptional, or ordinary person, especially a boy or man. So many movies try to cater to as many people as possible, watered down for the average Joe. I like to think I'm a bit more intelligent than your average Joe. Hey, you're an average Joe—what did you think of the presidential debate?

average out

1. To come to an average amount or value over time. Often followed by "to." The cost of hosting the extravagant event averages out to nearly $4,000 per day for the company. The results will probably seem quite extreme at first, but they should average out over time. If I do better on the next two tests, I think my grade will average out to a C—and I'm OK with that.

2. To divide up (something) proportionally among other people. Be sure to average out the earnings to everyone involved. We'll get this done quicker if we average out the workload between us. Once the house sells, my siblings and I are going to average out the money between us.

3. To achieve average or mediocre results among various different activities, as in school or university. Kids are led to believe that they'll never amount to anything if they simply average out between all their classes. I had been hoping to get into Harvard Law School, but I've been averaging out this semester, so I don't think my chances are very good. Dude, you'll never get into an Ivy League school if your whole academic transcript is just you averaging out.

average out (to)

1. To calculate the median number of a set of figures. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "average" and "out." You need to average out your expenses and make a budget for yourself. I haven't averaged the kids' test scores out yet, but I don't think it will be a very high number, as most of them failed. Have you averaged out departmental spending for the quarter yet?

2. To reach an amount that is indicative of an overall situation (rather than the occasional high or low points). In this usage, "to" is commonly part of the phrase. I've had both high and low test scores this semester, but I think it will average out to a decent overall grade. The results will probably seem quite extreme at first, but they should average out to a reasonable number over time. The cost of hosting the extravagant event averages out to nearly $4,000 per day for the company.

average up

To calculate the median number of a set of figures. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "average" and "up." You need to average up your expenses and make a budget for yourself. I haven't averaged the kids' test scores up yet, but I don't think it will be a very high number, as most of them failed. Have you averaged up departmental spending for the quarter yet?

be not your average Joe

To be an above-average, exceptional, or distinguished person, especially a boy or man. A: "Hey, I'm not your average Joe—I have a great many accomplishments under my belt." B: "Sure, Uncle Ned." Stu's not your average Joe. He actually has the political clout to get things done, so you might want to try to work with him. I'm not your average Joe, so I have no interest in the watered down fare most movie studios churn out these days.

below average

Subpar. You'll never get into a top college with below average grades like these. Our food was rather uninteresting, and the service was really below average. I honestly don't understand why this restaurant is so popular! A submission that's below average like this isn't going to get you far in the contest.

Joe Average

The average, ordinary, or typical person. Primarily heard in US. The inner workings of Congress might be familiar to a political science student like yourself, but to Joe Average, it is often a completely unknown process. We strive to ensure that our computers can handle the highest demands of an IT professional but still remain accessible to Joe Average.

law of averages

The idea that no one result will happen all the time. Don't worry, you'll score a goal eventually. It's just the law of averages.

not your average Joe

An above-average, exceptional, or distinguished person, especially a boy or man. A: "Hey, I'm not your average Joe—I have a great many accomplishments under my belt." B: "Sure, Uncle Ned." Stu's not your average Joe. He actually has the political clout to get things done, so you might want to try to work with him on this issue.

on an average

Typically. On an average, how many cupcakes does your shop sell daily?

on average

Typically; in general. How many cupcakes does your shop sell daily, on average? I know he has had some awkward moments, but, on average, Tim is a nice guy.

on the average

Typically; in general. How many cupcakes does your shop sell daily, on the average? I know he has had some awkward moments, but, on the average, Tim is a nice guy.

than the average bear

A comparative phrase meaning more/less, better/worse, etc., than the average person or thing. Originates from the animated character Yogi Bear, whose catchphrase is that he is "smarter than the average bear." He's certainly tougher than the average bear. I don't excel at all my subjects, but I still think I'm smarter than the average bear.

above average

higher or better than the average. Max's grades are always above average.

average out (at something)

and average out (to something)

to equal something as the average of a set of figures. The figures averaged out at what was expected. Will the charges average out to a reasonable figure? Over time, our expenses will average out to a low monthly outlay.

average something up

to calculate the average of a set of figures. Please add these figures and average them up. Please average up all the monthly expenses for the previous year. Will you please average these figures up on the calculator?

below average

lower or worse than average. Tom's strength is below average for a child his size. Dad asked why my grades are below average.

a cut above average

better than average. John isn't the best mechanic in town, but he's a cut above average.

on the average

and on average

generally; usually. On the average, you can expect about a 10 percent failure rate. This report looks OK, on average.

law of averages

The idea that probability will influence all occurrences in the long term, that one will neither win nor lose all of the time. For example, If it rains every day this week, by the law of averages we're bound to get a sunny day soon . This colloquial term is a popular interpretation of a statistical principle, Bernoulli's theorem, formulated in the late 1600s.

on the average

As a rule, usually, as in On the average, about 15 percent of the freshmen class will drop out before graduation. This expression uses average in the sense of "a norm or standard." [First half of 1700s]

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

the ˌlaw of ˈaverages

the principle that one thing will happen as often as another if you try enough times: Keep applying for jobs and by the law of averages you’ll get one sooner or later.

average out

1. To calculate the average of something: Let's average out the students' scores to see how well the class did overall. We took the rainfall figures for every summer since 1950 and averaged them out.

2. To have some amount as an average: The time you spend on the phone averages out to three hours each day. Though there are some very high prices here, there are some low ones, too, and they average out.

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