"in the know", "at the ready"...

[Torsten]

Hi, is there a specific term for those expressions in which a verb or an adjective is followed by the definite article? For example:

"put somebody in the know",
"have your passport at the ready" etc.

Thanks. Torsten

TOEFL listening discussions: What are the two students doing?

[Alan]

Hi Torsten,

It's a bit of a mouthful but what about substantivise - turn something into a noun?

Alan
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English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story Present Simple

[Tom]

[Yankee]

Hi Tom

I think you've misinterpreted Alan's comment.

Both "at the ready" and "in the know" are idioms. The words "ready" and "know" are both used as nouns in these idioms.

Amy
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"Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power." ~ Abraham Lincoln