bet on the same horse to win a race, to place second, or third. •/I bet $6 onthe white horse across the board./ — Often used with hyphens as anadjective. •/I made an across-the-board bet on the white horse./ 2.{informal} Including everyone or all, so that all are included. •/ThеPresident wanted taxes lowered across the board./ — Often used with hyphensas an adjective. •/Thе workers at the store got an across-the-board payraise./

[across the tracks] See: THE TRACKS.

[act] See: READ THE RIOT ACT.

[act high and mighty]{v. phr.} To wield power; act overbearingly;order others around; look down on others. •/Paul is an inexperienced teacherand he acts high and mighty with his students./

[actions speak louder than words] What you do shows your character betterand is more important than what you say. — A proverb. •/John promised tohelp me, but he didn’t. Actions speak louder than words./ •/Joe is veryquiet, but actions speak louder than words. He is the best player on theteam./

[act of faith]{n. phr.} An act or a deed that shows unquestioningbelief in someone or something. •/It was a real act of faith on Mary’s partto entrust her jewelry to her younger sister’s care./

[act of God]{n.} An occurrence (usually some sort of catastrophe) forwhich the people affected are not responsible; said of earthquakes, floods,etc. •/Hurricane Andrew destroyed many houses in Florida, but some types ofinsurance did not compensate the victims, claiming that the hurricane was anact of God./ See: FICKLE FINGER OF FATE.

[act one’s age] or [be one’s age] {v. phr.} To do the things thatpeople expect someone of your age to do, not act as if you were much youngerthan you are. •/Mr. O’Brien was playing tag with the children at the party.Then Mrs. O’Brien said, "Henry! Act your age!" and he stopped./