at it
See also: ätit
English
[edit]Pronunciation
[edit]- (Received Pronunciation) IPA(key): /ˈat ɪt/
- (General American) IPA(key): /ˈæt ɪt/, [ˈæɾɪt̚]
Prepositional phrase
[edit]- Occupied with a given activity; busy with something. [from 17th c.]
- c. 1608–1609 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedy of Coriolanus”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, (please specify the act number in uppercase Roman numerals, and the scene number in lowercase Roman numerals):
- Mart. Oh they are at it.
Lart. Their noise be our instruction.
- 1893, Edwin H Porter, The Fall River Tragedy:
- We were at it until three o'clock in the morning.
- Engaged in sexual intercourse or other sexual activity.
- I came home early and caught them at it in the front room.
- 1977, Buzzcocks (lyrics and music), “Orgasm Addict”:
- He's always at it
You're always at it
'Cause you're an orgasm addict
We're all orgasm addicts
- 2015 April 16, Richard P. Grant, “Sex and the successful fundraiser”, in The Guardian[1]:
- It’s Spring, and everybody’s at it. ¶ The neighbours’ cats stroll into my garden, mewling and hoping for a little bit of in flagrante. Honey bees brazenly assault the cherry blossom.
Related terms
[edit]Translations
[edit]in the middle of a given activity