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riff
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  • The worst riff-raff in the galaxy are sent to Salusa Secundus.†   (source)
  • The tenor sax, alto sax, and trumpet throw in simple riffs every now and then.†   (source)
  • He put his drink down carefully on the balcony floor and beat a riff with his fingers on the stone parapet.†   (source)
  • Before, it had been an occasional crackle of gunfire, the steady rhythms of .50-caliber machine guns with the .60's answering in short riffs.†   (source)
  • She fished a pencil from the table drawer and began to overlay her own work on his, scrawling rapid chord progressions and melodic riffs where her father had left off.†   (source)
  • On the radio the muffled twang of a krar repeated a six-note riff from a pentatonic scale that seemed common to all Ethiopian music, fast or slow.†   (source)
  • Then Elijah started playing a great riff on his bass, which turned out to be the opening of "Seven Nation Army."†   (source)
  • He played a little riff of something, a Beatles song, then a few lines of the latest version of "The Potato Opus."†   (source)
  • "Will you get in?" begins Mr. Taylor, launching another discursive riff.†   (source)
  • One of these rapid, high-note riffs that black boys make up as they go while sweeping, shoveling, or just walking along.†   (source)
  • If the beats were receptive to Lenny's take on hypocrisy and related matters and if they regretted his drug busts and obscenity trials, they were probably unmoved by the Russian accents and other ethnic riffs and bits that came shpritzing out of him like seltzer from an old bottling plant in Canarsie.†   (source)
  • At first he just wrote variations on Russian folk songs mixed with Jewish riffs.†   (source)
  • It gave Jaime command of the Kingsguard and a seat on the small council, and allowed Riff to throw a bone to his dog.†   (source)
  • Jae and her cousin riffed back and forth as we played cards.†   (source)
  • Marc would laugh and join the riff whereas Steve would stop me, place a hand on my shoulder, and say, "You know that's not really funny, right?"†   (source)
  • Then the door opened and I looked past their heads into a small crowded room of men and women sitting in folding chairs, to the front where a slender woman in a rusty black robe played passionate boogie-woogie on an upright piano along with a young man wearing a skull cap who struck righteous riffs from an electric guitar which was connected to an amplifier that hung from the ceiling above a gleaming white and gold pulpit.†   (source)
  • The rock group Smashing Pumpkins was contributing mantralike riffs from a portable CD player.†   (source)
  • THE MISSION STATEMENT for the 2004 MATE Robotics Competition was a significant upgrade from the inaugural event's brief riff on The Rime of the Ancient Mariner.†   (source)
  • Their leader is Riff: glowing, driving, intelligent, slightly wacky.†   (source)
  • Then the music started—loud piano keys with an electric guitar riffing right behind it and an abrupt thump of drums.†   (source)
  • "Riff-raff," said Frederic.†   (source)
  • Joe was the only one of any Importance: the others were nonentities-the riff-raff one would expect any illegal movement to gather round itself The ideals of the Freedom League meant nothing to them: their only concern was earning a living with the minimum of work.†   (source)
  • FRANK: Upper-class riff-raff!†   (source)
  • RIFF.†   (source)
  • The term, riff, was popularized by a Charlie Parker song.
    riff = music:  a repeated series of notes that forms the basis or accompaniment of a rock music or jazz composition
  • RIFF Tony, the trouble is large: The Sharks bite hard!†   (source)
  • As the stage is cleared, Tony stands, horrified, over the still bodies of Riff and Bernardo.†   (source)
  • Riff steps forward and beckons to his girl, Velma.†   (source)
  • And what else is a room with half-breeds in it, eh, Riff?†   (source)
  • RIFF Bernardo hasn't learned the procedures of gracious livin'.†   (source)
  • [The store doorbell tinkles as Riff enters with Velma.†   (source)
  • RIFF [overlapping] If you characters want to settleGLAD HAND Please!†   (source)
  • RIFF We've got to stand up to the PRs, Doc.†   (source)
  • RIFF Your best man fights our best man-and we pick him.†   (source)
  • ACTION [to Riff] What're we poppin' around with dumb broads?†   (source)
  • Riff reaches for his back pocket, and at the same instant each forth a gleaming knife.†   (source)
  • RIFF [to Diesel, indicating Tony happily] I guess the kid's with us for sure now.†   (source)
  • He bends over Riff's body; then he rolls Bernardo's body over-and stares.†   (source)
  • ACTION [simultaneously] RIFF The commanders say yes or no.†   (source)
  • ACTION [to Riff] What d'ya think they're gonna ask for?†   (source)
  • Maria...TONY [He is unaware that Bernardo is crossing toward him, but Riff intercepts.]†   (source)
  • Tony is on the other with Riff and Diesel.†   (source)
  • Then Riff nods once to Bernardo, who nods to his gang.†   (source)
  • She slithers forward to take her place with Riff.†   (source)
  • RIFF TONY I don't want to, Bernardo...I'm sure.†   (source)
  • Riff loses his knife, is passed another by a Jet.†   (source)
  • RIFF The kick comes from the people, buddy boy.†   (source)
  • Anybodys is back, huddled by the jukebox, but Riff spots her.†   (source)
  • RIFF Whatever terms you're callin', buddy boy.†   (source)
  • Tony breaks from Diesel and, crying out, moves to stop Riff.]†   (source)
  • DIESEL Right, Daddy-o. RIFF Let's get the chicks and kick it.†   (source)
  • RIFF Now when the victims come in, you chicks cut out.†   (source)
  • Riff reaches for Velma; and the kids of both gangs follow suit.†   (source)
  • Then Bernardo and Diesel remove their jackets, handing them to their second: Chino and Riff.†   (source)
  • As the music peters away, the Jets withdraw to one side of the hall, around Riff.†   (source)
  • Everyone but Riff and Velma stops dancing.†   (source)
  • WE ALL KILLED HIIM; and my brother and Riff.†   (source)
  • RIFF No. GRAZIELLA [indicating Anybodys to Velma] An American tragedy.†   (source)
  • RIFF BERNARDO TONY Bottles, knives, guns!†   (source)
  • RIFF [to Tony] I'm counting on you to be there Tonight When Diesel wins it fair and square Tonight.†   (source)
  • ANYBODYS Riff-in a tight spot you need every man you†   (source)
  • BERNARDO RIFF [quiet, strong] The deal is a fair fight between and Diesel.†   (source)
  • SNOWBOY BERNARDO Come on, you yellow-bellied Polack bas[He never finishes, for Riff hauls off and hits him.†   (source)
  • RIFF BERNARDO You said call weapons.†   (source)
  • But Riff...Riff was like my brother.†   (source)
  • [Bernardo's move is checked by Riff   (source)
  • RIFF That's how it's done, buddy boy.†   (source)
  • Maria tries to reach Bernardo, Tony tries to stop Riff; the lovers try to reach each other, but they cannot.†   (source)
  • This turns into a challenge dance between Bernardo and Anita-cheered on by the Sharks-and Riff and Velma-cheered on by the Jets.†   (source)
  • [Riff hesitates a moment; the moments is enough for Bernardo-whose hand goes forward with a driving motion, running his knife into Riff†   (source)
  • RIFF DIESEL A-RAB ACTION Murder him!†   (source)
  • During it, Tony enters and is momentarily embraced by Riff, who is delighted that his best friend did turn up.†   (source)
  • RIFF Who jumped A-rab this afternoon?†   (source)
  • Spotlights pick out Riff and Sharks, Anita, Maria and Tony against different places in the neighborhood.†   (source)
  • The harsh shadows, the fire escapes of the real, tenement world cloud the sky, and the figures of Riff and Bernardo slowly walk on.†   (source)
  • BERNARDO RIFF RIFF BERNARDO ...Bats.†   (source)
  • RIFF [quietly] ...Or from bein buddies.†   (source)
  • Tony leaps forward to catch Riff.†   (source)
  • RIFF We challenge you to a rumble.†   (source)
  • RIFF We shook on it, Bernardo.†   (source)
  • RIFF [holding him] Easy, Action!†   (source)
  • DOC No, Riff, it's closing time.†   (source)
  • RIFF So I can count on you, boy?†   (source)
  • TONY No. RIFF What're you doing?†   (source)
  • Here we go, Riff: Womb to Tomb!†   (source)
  • RIFF Who asked you to moved here?†   (source)
  • RIFF Spread the word, Diesel.†   (source)
  • RIFF and JETS They began it.†   (source)
  • RIFF I want you, though.†   (source)
  • RIFF Go cool!†   (source)
  • RIFF [sharply] Cool!†   (source)
  • RIFF Sperm to worm!†   (source)
  • RIFF Womb to tomb!†   (source)
  • RIFF What is?†   (source)
  • RIFF Cool, boy.†   (source)
  • RIFF Doc's drugstore?†   (source)
  • Riff and Bernardo.†   (source)
  • RIFF Unwind, Action.†   (source)
  • RIFF You'll laugh!†   (source)
  • RIFF Cool, little men.†   (source)
  • SNOWBOY Riff, hey!†   (source)
  • TONY Riff, don't!†   (source)
  • TONY Riff, I've had it.†   (source)
  • RIFF Get with the gang.†   (source)
  • RIFF Who knows?†   (source)
  • RIFF Hold him!†   (source)
  • RIFF Kick it, Doc.†   (source)
  • RIFF ...Rocks.†   (source)
  • RIFF Let's go outside.†   (source)
  • RIFF A-RAB I wanna bust!†   (source)
  • RIFF No?†   (source)
  • RIFF OK.†   (source)
  • RIFF Bust cool.†   (source)
  • RIFF Set 'em up, Doc.†   (source)
  • RIFF [in darkness] Tony!†   (source)
  • Khufu ran his fingers down the frets of the guitar and ripped out a massive rock 'n' roll riff.†   (source)
  • No, no, Trivole said, and then knocked on the door, a quick and happy musical riff.†   (source)
  • What'd she say it is?" she riffs, leading on the others.†   (source)
  • BERNARDO [one with Riff] And Officer Krupke!†   (source)
  • RIFF Tony, don't just standBERNARDO Yellow-bellied chickenTONY!†   (source)
  • RIFF As a matter of factuality, sir, we suspicion the job was done by a cop.†   (source)
  • [A-rab looks to Riff, who takes over with great helpful seriousness.†   (source)
  • Riff goes at once to A-rab, like a protective father.†   (source)
  • RIFF I'm not finalizin' and sayin' they will: I'm only sayin' they might and we gotta be prepared.†   (source)
  • RIFF [sweet innocence] I'm gonna make nice there!†   (source)
  • ANYBODYS Riff, how about me getting' in the gang now?†   (source)
  • RIFF Against the Sharks we need every man we got.†   (source)
  • RIFF I say this turf is small, but it's all we got.†   (source)
  • [She lunges for A-rab, but Riff pulls her off and pushes her out.†   (source)
  • RIFF [such innocence] Why if it isn't Lieutenant Schrank.†   (source)
  • [This is Riff's summoning of the gang, and they surround him.†   (source)
  • He sees Alison's piano in the corner of the room, bolts over and bangs out a little jazz riff "I didn't know you ever played much piano," I say.†   (source)
  • People visited the ruins only by day, riff-raff from outside the city furtively slinking about with shovels over their shoulders, scattering through the cellars in search of loot.†   (source)
  • But a few minutes into it, the instrument seems more natural in Mr. Ayers's hands, and his left hand slides cleanly up and down the neck as his right hand plucks out a bluesy riff.†   (source)
  • I'd asked her recently after one of Gervais's visits, which I had spent alternately struggling with the power rule and sitting by, open-mouthed, as they riffed on the minute details of a recent sci-fi blockbuster, down to the extra scenes after the credits.†   (source)
  • And when the piano riff at the start of the New Pornographers' "Challengers" kicks in, I know I've put myself in good hands.†   (source)
  • Lenny followed this flurry with an erudite riff on the German word Sprachgefuhl, a feel for language, for what is idiomatically hip—he reads up on things like this in hotels and on planes and back home in the smoky dawn of L. A. while he's waiting for a woman or a pusher.†   (source)
  • We hardly need more riff-raff.†   (source)
  • —triumphantly; there was a brief spatter of applause, presumably for the dead Rufus; and the drummer bowed his head and did an oddly irreverent riff on the rim of his drum: klook-a-klook, klook-klook, klook-klook!†   (source)
  • Of late some Ethiopian music adopted a Western sound, with horns, snare drums, and a repeating electric guitar riff that took the place of the muffled strings of the krar and the hand clapping.†   (source)
  • He did psychoanalysis, personal reminiscence, he did voices and accents, grandmotherly groans, scenes from prison movies, and he finally closed the show with a monologue that had a kind of abridged syntax, a thing without connectives, he was cooking free-form, closer to music than speech, doing a spoken jazz in which a slang term generates a matching argot, like musicians trading fours, the road band, the sideman's inner riff, and when the crowd dispersed they took this rap mosaic with them into the strip joints and bars and late-night diners, the places where the nighthawks congregate, and it was Lenny's own hard bop, his speeches to the people that rode the broad Chicago night.†   (source)
  • Today she's doing a riff-mostly for the benefit of another girl with them in line-about Cedric's long-ago flirtation with Connie Mitchell, a gorgeous, light-skinned ingenue from the Boiling Air Force base area, who arrived here midway through tenth grade.†   (source)
  • They might swap stories of the laughs they'd had, gigs they'd played, riffs they remembered, or the trouble they'd seen.†   (source)
  • an African blackness, you know the saturate blacking of a bandwidth somewhere on the continent, some nomad swath of high desert grace and shape, but in gesture and stance, I saw, the way he tongued some spittle off his lip between riffs, a body demotic that was locally made—he was another scuffling trumpet from an inner city somewhere.†   (source)
  • The talk is fast, riffing between subjects and inside references, and Cedric gets seconds, then thirds.†   (source)
  • "And remember, all you kids out there," he riffs in a voice now closing in on his own, "you are our future, you can be anything you want, you can go anywhere your heart leads you."†   (source)
  • RIFF You told us the difference, sir.†   (source)
  • RIFF At the dance tonight at the gym.†   (source)
  • RIFF The road, little lady, the road.†   (source)
  • BERNARDO Weapons...RIFF You call.†   (source)
  • RIFF OK, buddy boys, we rumble!†   (source)
  • RIFF The Jets are the greatest!†   (source)
  • RIFF 'Cause your ma's hot for me.†   (source)
  • RIFF Because it's me askin': Riff.†   (source)
  • RIFF ACTION My old man says.†   (source)
  • Below, Riff is haranguing.†   (source)
  • Oh, Riff, Riff, I was murder!†   (source)
  • RIFF [shaking the ladder.]†   (source)
  • DIESEL What do you say, Riff?†   (source)
  • [Riff steps up.†   (source)
  • RIFF Ten?†   (source)
  • RIFF What's with you?†   (source)
  • RIFF Weapons!†   (source)
  • RIFF Cut it, Action boy.†   (source)
  • RIFF Afraid to call?†   (source)
  • RIFF It's brilliant.†   (source)
  • RIFF WE DO OWN IT!†   (source)
  • RIFF Great, Daddy-O!†   (source)
  • RIFF For what?†   (source)
  • RIFF Cut the frabbajabba.†   (source)
  • RIFF Right.†   (source)
  • RIFF Try me.†   (source)
  • RIFF But what?†   (source)
  • RIFF The river.†   (source)
  • RIFF Are.†   (source)
  • RIFF Riga tiga tum tum.†   (source)
  • RIFF That's Tony.†   (source)
  • RIFF Cool, Action boy.†   (source)
  • RIFF Kick it!†   (source)
  • RIFF Come on, Anybodys†   (source)
  • RIFF.†   (source)
  • RIFF.†   (source)
  • RIFF.†   (source)
  • I could ask her what kind of a jam they think they've gotten into in the Riff   (source)
  • Obviously, he was one of those men whom Mammy and Dilcey referred to as "de riff-raff whut Miss Melly pick up off de streets an' let sleep in her cellar.†   (source)
  • Then would be the time for discontented people, Lollards and Communists and Nationalists and all the riff-raff.†   (source)
  • —I repeat, are you not ashamed, to mix with such riff-raff?†   (source)
  • Drawn up haughtily, with her head held high, she gazed at the "riff-raff," with scornful curiosity.†   (source)
  • She arranged her cloak with hands that trembled with anger as she waited for the "riff-raff" to go.†   (source)
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