field day
20
3.9
- noun
- /fiːld deɪ/
- Informal
:
festín
- So, of course, the press had a field day.
No, I'm sure conspiracy theorists will have a field day.
- No, I'm sure conspiracy theorists will have a field day.
- I really hope they do charge me because I will have a field day.
- And I've been reflecting about this, you know, and sociologists would have a field day about it.
- And the Air Force combat controllers that were with us had a field day dropping bombs and Kazak came in for Andy.
- Lawyers out there must have in a field day knowing if they're representing a wife, tearing apart what their husband's finances business.
Examples
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The press is going to have a field day with this one.
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Yes, the press and television have had a field day.
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This is a field day for artists.
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The press will have a field day.
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The media will have a field day.
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The papers have been having a field day at your expense.
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But after they've had their field day, one thing will be clear.
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The reporters had a field day with Amburgey's blunder.
Fiction book (1990) -
With delays, requests for documents, filing motions and countermotions, the legal beagles were having a field day.
Fiction book (1993) -
The art festival was a true field day for creative expression, drawing artists from around the country.
Synonyms
1
1.9
A special day for fun and games at school or with friends
A day to celebrate with music, food and games
Surface Forms
Morphology
The components 'field' (a place for activity) and 'day' (a set-aside time) give a partial cue to an occasion or event, but the specific sense of 'exceptional enjoyment, success, or opportunity' is a metaphorical extension not directly derivable from the parts. Because the meaning is somewhat related to a literal event yet requires figurative generalization beyond the constituents, it is only partially predictable for a B1 learner.
Etymology
Field day also became a friendly way to say someone had a great chance to enjoy or use something; one popular picture is reporters at a big event in the field having lots to write about, so they 'had a field day' — that's why it now means 'an occasion of great enjoyment or opportunity'.