14 ADV [ADV before v] You can use only in front of a verb to indicate that the result of something is unfortunate or undesirable and is likely to make the situation worse rather than better. □ The embargo would only hurt innocent civilians. □ She says that legalising prostitution will only cause problems.
15 PHRASE If you say you only have to or have only to do one thing in order to achieve or prove a second thing, you are emphasizing how easily the second thing can be achieved or proved. [EMPHASIS ] □ Any time you want a babysitter, dear, you only have to ask. □ We have only to read the labels to know what ingredients are in foods.
16 PHRASE You can say that something has only just happened when you want to emphasize that it happened a very short time ago. [EMPHASIS ] □ I've only just arrived. □ The signs of an economic revival are only just beginning.
17 PHRASE You use only just to emphasize that something is true, but by such a small degree that it is almost not true at all. [EMPHASIS ] □ For centuries farmers there have only just managed to survive. □ I am old enough to remember the Blitz, but only just.
18 PHRASE You can use only too to emphasize that something is true or exists to a much greater extent than you would expect or like. [EMPHASIS ] □ I know only too well that plans can easily go wrong. □ When the new baby comes along, it is only too easy to shut out the others.
19 PHRASE You can say that you are only too happy to do something to emphasize how willing you are to do it. [EMPHASIS ] □ I'll be only too pleased to help them out with any queries.
20 if only → see if
21 not only → see not
22 the one and only → see one
o n-me ssage ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] If a politician is on-message , they say something that follows the official policy of their party.
o.n.o. In advertisements, o.n.o. is used after a price to indicate that the person who is selling something is willing to accept slightly less money than the sum they have mentioned. o.n.o. is a written abbreviation for 'or near offer'. [BRIT ]
ono|mato|poeia /ɒ nəmætəpiː ə/ N‑UNCOUNT Onomatopoeia refers to the use of words which sound like the noise they refer to. 'Hiss', 'buzz', and 'rat-a-tat-tat' are examples of onomatopoeia. [TECHNICAL ]
ono|mato|poe|ic /ɒ nəmætəpiː I k/ ADJ Onomatopoeic words sound like the noise they refer to. 'Hiss', 'buzz', and 'rat-a-tat-tat' are examples of onomatopoeic words. [TECHNICAL ]
on|rush /ɒ nrʌʃ/ N‑SING The onrush of something is its sudden development, which happens so quickly and forcefully that you are unable to control it. □ [+ of ] The onrush of tears took me by surprise. □ [+ of ] She was screwing up her eyes against the onrush of air.
on|rush|ing /ɒ nrʌʃ I ŋ/ ADJ [ADJ n] Onrushing describes something such as a vehicle that is moving forward so quickly or forcefully that it would be very difficult to stop. □ He was killed by an onrushing locomotive. □ …the roar of the onrushing water.
o n-scree n also onscreen
1 ADJ [ADJ n] On-screen means appearing on the screen of a television, cinema, or computer. □ …a clear and easy-to-follow menu-driven on-screen display. □ Read the on-screen lyrics and sing along.
2 ADJ [ADJ n] On-screen means relating to the roles played by film or television actors, in contrast with their real lives. □ …her first onscreen kiss. ● ADV On-screen is also an adverb. □ He was immensely attractive to women, onscreen and offscreen.
on|set /ɒ nset/ N‑SING The onset of something is the beginning of it, used especially to refer to something unpleasant. □ [+ of ] Most of the passes have been closed with the onset of winter.
on|shore /ɒ nʃɔː r /
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Onshore means happening on or near land, rather than at sea. □ …Western Europe's biggest onshore oilfield. ● ADV [ADV after v] Onshore is also an adverb. □ They missed the ferry and remained onshore.
2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Onshore means happening or moving towards the land. □ The onshore wind blew steadily past him. ● ADV [ADV after v] Onshore is also an adverb. □ There was a bit of a wind and it was blowing onshore.
on|side /ɒ nsa I d/
1 ADJ In games such as football and hockey, when an attacking player is onside , they have not broken the rules because at least two players from the opposing team are between them and the goal when the ball is passed to them.
2 ADJ [v-link ADJ ] If a person or group of people is onside , they support you and agree with what you are doing. □ The company is phoning shareholders in an attempt to bring them onside.
o n-si te → see site
on|slaught /ɒ nslɔːt/ (onslaughts )
1 N‑COUNT An onslaught on someone or something is a very violent, forceful attack against them. □ [+ against ] The rebels responded to a military onslaught against them by launching a major assault. [Also + by ]
2 N‑COUNT If you refer to an onslaught of something, you mean that there is a large amount of it, often so that it is very difficult to deal with. □ [+ of ] …the constant onslaught of ads on American TV.
on|stage /ɒ nste I dʒ/ ADV [ADV after v, be ADV ] When someone such as an actor or musician goes onstage , they go onto the stage in a theatre to give a performance. □ When she walked onstage she was given a standing ovation.
o n-the-jo b → see job
o n-the-spo t ADJ [ADJ n] On-the-spot things are done at the place that you are in at the time that you are there. □ Rail travellers who try to avoid paying their fares could face on-the-spot fines.