alley
A narrow way between or behind buildings where people can walk or where cars and trucks may go behind houses or shops.
A narrow passage or lane, usually between or behind buildings in a town or city, used for walking or for service access.
A place you go to play bowling, with long lanes and pins at the end.
A building, room, or business where people go to play bowling on long wooden lanes.
In sports like tennis and badminton, the long, narrow area along the side of the court that is used for some games, usually doubles.
In some sports, a narrow marked strip along the side of the court or field that is used or not used depending on the rules, especially in doubles play.
- Base: alley
- Plural: alleys
alley cat
1stray cat living in streets
A cat with no home that lives outside in city streets and alleys.
- An alley cat was searching through the trash for food.
- The shelter takes in alley cats and tries to find them homes.
- We heard alley cats fighting outside the apartment late at night.
back alley
1narrow passage behind buildings
A narrow street or path behind houses or buildings, often used for service or as a quiet way.
- They met in a back alley to avoid being seen.
- The garbage trucks come through the back alley every morning.
- The shop has a small door that opens onto a back alley.
blind alley
1unproductive or hopeless path
A way of doing something that cannot succeed and will not lead to any good result.
- The research turned out to be a blind alley and they had to start again.
- Arguing about whose fault it was is a blind alley; we should focus on fixing the problem.
- The police followed several blind alleys before finding the real suspect.
dark alley
1poorly lit narrow passage
An alley that does not have much light and may feel unsafe.
- She avoided walking down the dark alley at night.
- The movie opens with a chase through a dark alley.
- Police lights suddenly lit up the dark alley.
right up [someone]'s alley
1exactly suited to someone
To be exactly the kind of thing that a person likes or is good at.
- This mystery novel is right up your alley; I know how much you love crime stories.
- Cooking for a big group is right up his alley because he enjoys hosting parties.
- That math competition would be right up her alley, since she loves solving problems.
up [someone]'s alley
1well suited to someone
To be the kind of thing that a person likes or is good at.
- Video games aren’t really up my alley, but my brother loves them.
- That science camp sounds right up your alley.
- This job is more up his alley than office work.
bowling alley
1place where people play bowling
A place with special lanes and equipment where people go to play bowling.
- The city’s oldest bowling alley is closing next month.
- We took the kids to the bowling alley on Saturday afternoon.
- We met at the bowling alley and played two games.
- The old bowling alley closed and a supermarket opened in its place.
- This shopping mall has a cinema, a bowling alley, and a food court.
- He works evenings at the local bowling alley.