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 Copyright © 1996 by Scholastic Inc.
All rights reserved. Published by Scholastic Inc.

Scholastic, Scholastic Reference, and associated logos are trademarks and/or registered
trademarks of Scholastic Inc.

No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or

transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying,
recording or otherwise, without written permission of the publisher. For information
regarding permission, write to Scholastic Inc., Attention: Permissions Department,
557 Broadway, New York, NY 1oo12.

LIBRARY OF CONGRESS CATALOGING-IN-PUBLICATION DATA

Terban, Marvin.

Scholastic dictionary of idioms : more than 600 phrases,

sayings & expressions / Marvin Terban.
p. cm.
Includes index.

Summary: An alphabetical listing of common figures of

speech, along with their definitions and origins.
ISBN 978-0-439-77083-5
1. English language — Terms and phrases — Dictionaries,
Juvenile. 2. English language — Idioms — Dictionaries, Juvenile.
3. Figures of speech — Dictionaries, Juvenile.
[1. English language — Idioms — Dictionaries. 2. Figures of
speech — Dictionaries.] |. Title.
PE1689.T45 1996

E23 0G20 95~16593

CIP
AC

Cover Design: Tatiana Sperhacke

Art Direction: Tatiana Sperhacke
Interior Design: Kay Petronio
Cover Illustration: Dave Klug

We We WG SUR Me} 2 15 16 17 18 19/0

Printed in the U.S.A. 23

This edition first printing, July 2006

 For my wife, Karen
Idiomatically and alphabetically, she is the Apple of my eye,
Bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, Cool as a cucumber,
Down-to-earth, an Eager beaver, and Full of beans.
She has a Green thumb, a Heart of gold, and she’s always
In the pink. She’s a Jack-of-all-trades,
Keeps a stiff upper lip, always Lends an ear and
Minds her p’s and q’s. She’s Nothing to sneeze at,
On the ball, the Power behind the throne, and
Quick on the uptake. She Runs rings around others,
is a Sight for sore eyes, and always Tickles my funny bone.
She’s Up to date, Very va-va-voom, Worth her salt,
extraordinarily Young at heart and Zingy.
Acknowledgments
The following educators carefully reviewed the master list of idioms and gave
invaluable suggestions regarding the content of this book:

Joni Chadkin
Bilingual Elementary
School Teacher
Los Angeles, California

Kimberly Colen
Children’s Book Author
Dallas, Texas

Raul Hernandez
Cecilia Walker
English as a Second
Language Teachers
Key West, Florida

Bobbie and David Hobson

Fifth Grade Teachers
Boise, Idaho

Marianne Pei
Elementary/Middle School Librarian
New York, New York

Burrell Ross
High School Principal (retired)
Los Lunas, New Mexico

Becky Shepard
Reading Specialist
Burlington, Massachusetts

Grateful acknowledgment is made to Barbara Kipfer, Ph.D., for bringing her

lexicographical expertise to the Scholastic Dictionary of Idioms.
Introduction
What are idioms?
Idioms appear in every language, and English has thousands of them. They are often
confusing because the meaning of the whole group of words taken together has little,
often nothing, to do with the meanings of the words taken one by one.
For instance, to “let the cat out of the bag” means to reveal a secret. Today the phrase
has nothing to do with a cat or a bag, but hundreds of years ago it actually did.
In order to understand a language, you must know what the idioms in that language
mean. Ifyou try to figure out the meaning of an idiom literally, word by word, you will
get befuddled. You have to know its “hidden” meaning.

Where did all these idioms come from?

Idioms come from all different sources, from the Bible to horse racing, from ancient
fables to modern slang. Sometimes famous authors and storytellers such as Homer,
Aesop, Geoffrey Chaucer, or William Shakespeare made them up to add spark to their
writings. The authors were popular, so the expressions they created became popular.
Often, however, we don’t know the name of the first author or speaker who used a
particular expression.
Some idioms came from Native-American customs (“bury the hatchet”) and others
from African-American speech (“chill out”). Some became popular because they rhyme
(“snug as a bug in a rug”) or have alliteration (“spick-and-span”).
Some idioms originated as colloquialisms (informal speech) or slang (casual, playful,
nonstandard language). Some were well-known proverbs and adages (short sayings
that express practical, basic truths). Some popular idioms began as folksy sayings
used in particular regions of the country and spoken in local dialects. Many came
from other countries, although most of the idioms in this book are Americanisms. Some
idioms go back in time to the ancient Greeks and Romans, thousands of years ago.
Others are more recent.
Word experts who study origins of idiomatic expressions don’t always agree on
exactly where each one came from. In this book, I’ve included the most accepted
explanations.
What is a cliche?
if an expression becomes overused, we call it a cliché, and many of the sayings in this
book are clichés. Once these expressions were fresh and original, but today they are stale
and trite. You should try to avoid using clichés in your own writing (unless you can put
an imaginative new twist on them), but you will hear and read clichés all the time.

What’s in this book?

This book will explain the meanings and origins behind more than 700 idioms that you
might hear or read in English every day. Our panel of teachers helped me choose the
most commonly confusing idioms.
English is a beautiful and rich language, but its many idioms are often tough nuts
to crack. This dictionary of idioms should help make understanding these sayings as
easy as pie.
Marvin Terban

How to Use This Dictionary

This dictionary is organized from AZ.
If you are looking for the meaning or origin of an idiom, you can begin by looking
under the first letter of the first word of that idiom. For example, the idiom “throw a
monkey wrench into the works” can be found under the letter T.
But what if you know only one or two words of an idiom? You’re in luck! At the back
of this book, all the idioms are indexed both alphabetically and also by key words. In
the Key Word Index, “Throw a monkey wrench into the works” also can be found under
“throw” or “monkey” or “wrench” or “works.”
Many idioms are similar in meaning. Sometimes, an idiom is included in the entry for
another, similar idiom. When you look it up, it will say “See —” and show another idiom
to turn to. There is no separate entry for this idiom, but reading about the other, similar
idiom can guide you.
Whether you've been speaking English all your life or are just learning, this book can
help you read and speak with new understanding and a lot more fun!
Ace up your sleeve
| don’t know how Henry is going to get his mom to buy him a bike, but.
I’m sure he has an ace up his sleeve.
Meaning: a surprise or secret advantage, especially something tricky that is kept
hidden until needed
Origin: Back in the 1500s most people didn’t have pockets in their clothes, so they
kept things hidden in their sleeves. Later on, magicians hid objects, even small live
animals, up their sleeves and then pulled them out unexpectedly to surprise their
audiences. In the 1800s dishonest card players secretly slipped a winning card, often
an ace, up their sleeves and pulled it out to win the game when nobody was looking.

Achilles’ heel
I'm an A student in math and science, but English is my Achilles’ heel.
Meaning; the one weakness, fault, flaw, or vulnerable spot in one’s otherwise
strong character
Origin: In The Iliad, the famous story about the Trojan War by the Greek poet Homer,
Achilles was a great hero and warrior. However, he had one weak spot, the heel of one
foot. When he was a baby, his mother wanted to be certain that her son could never be
harmed, so she dipped little Achilles upside-down in the magical River Styx. Wherever
the water touched his body, he became invulnerable. But since she was holding him
by his heel, that part of him never got wet. Years later Achilles was killed in the Trojan
War by an enemy who shot a poisoned arrow into his heel.
Add fuel to the fire
| was already angry with you, and when you forgot to pick me up, that
really added fuel to the fire.
Meaning: to make a bad situation worse; to do or say something that causes more
trouble, makes someone angrier
Origin: Thousands of years ago the famous Roman historian Livy used this expression.
If you pour water on a fire, it goes out. But if you put fuel (like coal or wood) on a
fire, you make it burn hotter and brighter. If “fire” represents any kind of trouble, then
anything you do to make that trouble worse is “fuel.” A similar expression is “fan the
flames.”

Afraid of your own shadow

My dog was afraid of its own shadow when it was a puppy, but now it
barks fearlessly at the biggest dogs.

Meaning: very easily frightened, especially of small or imaginary things

Origin: Shadows can be scary. Horror movies, for instance, are full of fearsome
shadows. They sometimes make you hold your breath and jump out of your seat
in terror. No wonder that umbra, the ancient Latin word for “shadow,” also means
“ghost.” There are real things in this world to be fearful of, but if someone is afraid of
his own shadow, then he’s a very jumpy, nervous person who panics easily.

Air your dirty laundry in public

My upstairs neighbors fight a lot and air their dirty laundry in public.
Meaning: to talk about your private disagreements or embarrassing matters in
public, usually while quarreling
Origin: Picture this: Instead of hanging your freshly washed laundry on a clothesline,
you hang your dirty clothes out there in the air for all the world to see. Wouldn’t
that be embarrassing? Imagine that your “dirty laundry” represents secret personal
matters and that “to air” them means to discuss them out loud for anyone to hear.
Some people use “air your dirty linen in public.”
Albatross around your neck
Everywhere | go, my mother makes me take my bratty little sister.
She’s an albatross around my neck.
Meaning: a very difficult burden that you can’t get rid of or a reminder of
something you did that was wrong
Origin: In 1798 the English poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge wrote his most famous poem,
“The Rime of the Ancient Mariner.” In the poem a young sailor shoots a large seabird
called an albatross. In those days that was considered very unlucky. Sure enough, a
lot of bad things happen to the ship, and the crew blames the young sailor. They hang
the dead bird around his neck.

All ears
You said you had something important to tell me. I’m all ears!
Meaning; eager to listen; sharply attentive; curious
Origin: The ear is the organ by which a person hears. So, if we figuratively say that
you’re “all ears,” it means that at that moment you're keenly listening to whatever is
being said. It’s as if no other part of your body mattered except your ears. This idiom
is about three centuries old.

All that glitters is not gold

Denise bought a bracelet that looked great online, but when she got it,
she realized that all that glitters is not gold.
Meaning: something that seems attractive and valuable at first might turn out to
be worthless
Origin: This expression comes from the late Middle Ages (the 1400s) and teaches us
that appearances can be deceiving. This famous saying appears in various forms in
many other languages. The great American author O. Henry (1862-1910) wrote a short
story about people fooled by what they thought would be a quick way to make lots of
money. The story was called “The Gold That Glittered.” Gold miners in the old West in
the mid-1800s discovered this lesson the hard way. Some spotted chunks of glittering
yellowish rock and thought that it was gold, but it was only fool’s gold, an almost
worthless brass-colored mineral called iron pyrite. They were very disappointed, as
anyone would be who was attracted by something that appeared to be beautiful or
precious but that turned out to be useless junk.
All thumbs
Marco can’t build the model of the atom for the science project. He’s all
thumbs.
Meaning: awkward and clumsy, especially with the hands
Origin: Human beings and apes have thumbs; most other animals don’t. A thumb
helps the other fingers pick things up, turn dials, and do other fine motor tasks. But
what if all your fingers were thumbs? You'd have a hard time picking up small objects,
keyboarding a computer, doing art projects, and so on. That’s why this expression
means clumsy at doing physical tasks with your hands.

Ants in your pants

You never sit still. You must have ants in your pants.
Meaning; extreme restlessness; overactivity
Origin: We can easily imagine where this saying came from. What if you actually had
ants in your pants? You'd find it difficult to settle down. You'd keep squirming to get
rid of the ants.

Apple of your eye

Katey is the apple of my eye.
Meaning: a person or thing that is greatly loved, treasured, and adored
Origin: This saying is used in the Bible. Ancient people thought that the pupil of the
eye was solid and shaped like an apple. The pupil (“apple of the eye ”) was precious
because without it, you couldn't see.
As the crow flies
Jennifer lives only a few blocks from school as the crow flies.

Meaning: by the shortest and most direct route; measured ina straight, direct line
between two places
Origin: Most birds, including crows, fly to their destination in a straight, direct line.
They don’t zigzag or take detours. Therefore, they get where they’re going by the most
direct route. People can’t always travel as directly as a crow flying through the air.
They must walk, drive, or ride following the twists and turns. Measuring distances “as
the crow flies” is often unrealistic because five miles between two points in a straight
line might be ten miles of twists and turns, hills, and obstacles.

Asleep at the switch

Tootsie lost her job because she was asleep at the switch.
Meaning; not attending to one’s job or failing to react quickly; not being alert
Origin: This saying comes from the early days of the railroad (the mid-1800s). One
of a trainman’s most important duties was to switch a train from one track to another
at exactly the right moment. If he fell asleep at the switch, the train might go off the
tracks or crash. Today the meaning has been extended to anyone who isn’t paying
attention and fails to do a job at the right time.

At the drop of a hat

Lou would have gone to the football game at the drop of a hat.
Meaning: right away; at once; without delay; willing at any moment
Origin: There are many ways to start a race or other sporting event: Shoot a gun,
wave a flag, yell “Ready, set, go!” and so on. Years ago someone would drop a hat as
the starting signal, and the contest would begin immediately. Today if anyone does
anything (not just something athletic) eagerly and on the spur of the moment, we say
it’s done “at the drop of a hat.”
At the end of your rope
I've tried everything, but nothing’s worked. I’m at the end of my rope.

Meaning: at the limit of your ability, endurance, or patience to do something

Origin: Imagine that you’re trying to use rope to climb a mountain or a tree. You’re
at the end of your rope, and you can’t achieve what you set out to do. Now just think
of this expression in terms of any goal you are trying to accomplish, with or without
an actual rope. You've run out of strength, power, or ideas on how to do more. Another
possible origin of this saying is the fact that some farm animals are tied to a rope that
will allow them to feed in a limited area, but not beyond.

Ax to grind
Crystal always flatters me, but | think she has an ax to grind.

Meaning: something to gain for yourself for a selfish reason; flattery or trickery
used to get a favor from another person
Origin: In the early 1800s a man wrote a story in a newspaper about how, when he was
a boy, a man used flattery to trick him into sharpening the man’s ax. The boy turned the
heavy grindstone while the man held his ax against it because the man said the boy was
a great ax grinder, smart and strong. The man didn’t pay the boy or even thank him.
Instead he scolded him for wasting time and being late for school. After that, people
started using the expression “have an ax to grind” when they meant that anyone was
seeking a particular goal solely for himself by flattering or tricking another person.
Sometimes people say that they don’t have an ax to grind to show that they are honest
and aren’t trying to trick you into doing anything for them.
Babe in the woods
Peter knew his way around junior high, but now in high school he’s just
a babe in the woods. |
Meaning; a person who is inexperienced; a naive, trusting person
Origin: In 1595 a story called “The Children in the Wood” was published in England.
It was about a greedy uncle who was supposed to be taking care of his rich niece and
nephew. Instead, he hired two men to kill them so he could inherit their money. One
of the men took pity on the children and left them in the woods rather than kill them.
They did not survive. That’s why we can say that inexperienced people or people that
can’t take care of themselves and can easily be misled or exploited are “babes in the
woods.”

Back to square one

Our design for a solar-powered washing machine didn’t work, so it’s
_back to square one.
Meaning: return to the beginning because of a failure to accomplish the desired
result
Origin: There are many board and street games that have squares or boxes. Each
player must start at the first square and try to advance to the finish line or last box to
win. If, for any reason, you have to go back to square one, you're starting over from
the beginning. A similar saying is “back to the drawing board” (see page 9).
Back to the drawing board
“Back to the drawing board,” said the inventor after his automatic
dog-washing machine flooded the kitchen.

Meaning; to start planning a failed project all over from the beginning
Origin: In the 1940s a cartoon in the New Yorker magazine showed a man holding
blueprints and watching an airplane he had designed blow up on the ground. The
caption under the cartoon was “Back to the drawing board.” The phrase became
popular. Imagine an architect, inventor, designer, or artist working on her drawing
board, sketching, measuring, revising, etc. And then the project doesn’t work. She
doesn't give up. It’s “back to the drawing board” to start all over. A story is told about
Thomas Edison. He tried for years to invent the lightbulb. Thousands of experiments
failed, but he kept going “back to the drawing board.” Finally, in 1879, a bulb lit up
and stayed glowing! Asked about those failed attempts, Edison replied that now he
knew thousands of ways that didn’t work. A similar expression is “back to square one”
(see page 8).

Backseat driver
| can fix this computer myself, but she always tries to be a backseat
_ driver.

Meaning: a bossy person who tells another person what to do; a person who gives
unwanted advice and directions
Origin: When automobiles became popular in the United States in the 1920s, many
rich people rode around in the backseats of chauffeur-driven cars. The backseat
passenger gave orders to the front-seat driver: where to go, what road to take, how
fast to drive, and so on. Today “backseat driver” refers to any aggressive person, in or
out of a car, who tries to tell others what to do.
 Baker’s dozen
At the garage sale, we charged 756 per baseball card or e fora eee
dozen. oe

Meaning: thirteen ofeanute for the price of twelve

Origin: Adozenofanythingis twelve. Then why isa “baker's dozen” thirteen? Hundreds
of years ago some English bakers cheated their customers by baking air pockets into
loaves of bread, making them lightweight. In 1266 the English Parliament passed a law
that said that bakers who sold underweight bread would be severely punished. To be
sure they were selling enough bread to meet the new weight regulations, the bakers
started giving thirteen loaves for every dozen a customer ordered.

Ballpark figure
The spoiled boy gave his parents a ballpark iw for how much his
birthday presents should cost.

Meaning: a rough estimate

Origin: In the early days of baseball, sports reporters would ask owners of teams how
many people were at the game. The owners knew how many tickets had been sold, but
they didn’t always want to tell the exact number. If all the seats weren’t filled, they
wanted to pretend that more people had come to the game than actually had. They
wanted to make baseball seem more popular, so they gave broad estimates that came
to be known as “ballpark figures.” Today anytime you give an approximate, not exact,
number about anything, you're giving a “ballpark figure.”

Bark is worse than your bite

The new director yells a lot, but her bark is worse than her bite.

Meaning: the way a person sounds is much more frightening than the way she or he
acts; the threat is often worse than the action taken
Origin: This expression was used as far back as the mid-1600s. A dog barking
ferociously sounds like he could actually bite your head off. But if the dog does not
hurt you, then his “bark is worse than his bite.”

10
Bark up the wrong tree
Maria’s uncle wanted to make her into a magician, but he was barking
up the wrong tree. Her brother, Juan, was the one who loved tricks.

Meaning; to direct your attention or efforts toward the wrong person or thing;
to have the wrong idea about something
Origin: During colonial times in America, raccoon hunting was a popular sport.
Trained dogs would chase a raccoon up a tree and bark furiously at the base until
the hunter came. Sometimes a raccoon could escape to the branches of another tree,
leaving the dog barking up the wrong tree. Today, you can “bark up the wrong tree” if
you’re on a wrong course of action, have your attention redirected from your intended
object, or choose the wrong person to deal with.

Batten down the hatches

We’d better batten down the hatches. The weather service says a
tropical storm is headed our way.
Meaning: to get ready for trouble; prepare for any emergency
Origin: This is a nautical term that comes from the early 1800s. On a ship, sailors
prepared for stormy weather by nailing waterproofed pieces of canvas and wood
(battens) over the entryways (hatches) to the cargo area below the main deck. Today
you “batten down the hatches” when you prepare for any kind of trouble.

Beat a dead horse

He tried to convince his sister, but he was beating a dead horse.

Meaning: to pursue a useless goal; to continue fighting a battle that has been lost;
to keep arguing a point that has already been decided
Origin: This saying goes back to the ancient Roman playwright Plautus who used
it in 195 B.C. in one of his plays. The dramatic performance was of trying to whip a
dead horse to get up and carry the load it was supposed to be moving. This action
was shown to accomplish nothing. Today we say that anyone pursuing an issue that is
already settled is “beating a dead horse.”

11
 Beat around the bush
Stop beating around the bush. Whom are you taking to the dance?
Meaning: to avoid answering a question; to approach something carefully or in a
roundabout way
Origin: This expression goes all the way back to the 1500s when hunters hired people
called beaters to drive small animals out of the bushes so the hunters could get a
better shot at them. The problem for the beaters was that they might drive the birds
or rabbits or foxes out too soon. They had to be careful not to drive the animals into
the open before the hunters arrived. So the beaters might use their long sticks “around
the bush” rather than directly on it. Today, the expression “to beat around the bush”
means talking about things in a roundabout way without giving clear answers or
coming to the point.

Beat the band

When my sister told us that she was marrying Manny, everyone cheered
to beat the band. : |
Meaning: with much noise, excitement, or commotion; very much, very fast;
outdoing all others
Origin: This saying started in the late 1800s in Britain and then traveled across the
Atlantic Ocean to the United States. One explanation of its origin is that since a band
is usually loud, exciting, and colorful, anything that “beats the band” must be louder,
more exciting, and more colorful. The other explanation is that people sometimes run
ahead of a marching band to beat it to a certain spot. This idiom can also be used to
express amazement for any astonishing achievement, as in “She can drive the tractor
and she’s only eight years old. If that doesn’t beat the band!”

12
Beat your swords into plowshares
The prime minister would like them to beat their swords into
plowshares and abandon all plans for war.
Meaning: to stop fighting and turn your attention toward peaceful activities
Origin: This is another of the many famous sayings that come from the Bible. In
Isaiah 2:4 there appears the following sentence: “And they shall beat their swords into
plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against
nation, neither shall they learn war any more.” Swords and spears represent weapons
of war. Plowshares and pruning hooks represent farming tools, which are symbols for
all peaceful activities. So when a modern nation “beats its swords into plowshares,”
it could be manufacturing passenger planes instead of bombers, or camera phones
instead of military radar systems.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder

Lenny thinks his dog’s haircut is cool. | guess beauty is in the eye of
the beholder.
Meaning: there is no standard for beauty, so what one person likes or sees in
someone or something is not necessarily what others see; different people have
different opinions
Origin: Many writers in the past have stated the idea that what one person thinks is
ugly, another person may think is beautiful. The “eye” is really the mind, thoughts,
feelings, and emotions of the “beholder,” or the person who is looking at the person
or thing.

Bed of roses
Compared with my old school, this one is a bed of roses.

Meaning: a wonderful, pleasant situation or position; an easy, comfortable life

Origin: English poets have used this phrase for centuries. Roses are such lovely,
sweet-smelling, soft-petaled flowers that a bed of them suggests a lovely, sweet,
and soft condition. The meaning was stretched to mean any easy and comfortable
situation in life. However, if you really think about it, roses have thorns and a real
bed of roses would probably be anything but comfortable. A similar expression used
today is “bowl of cherries.”
13
 Bee in your bonnet
Mr. Davis thinks he can teach us the trombone. He must have a bee in
his bonnet. — htc tae
Meaning: a crazy idea; an obsession with an idea
- Origin: This 16th-century expression was originally “to have a head full of bees,”
but it changed to “bee in one’s bonnet” in Robert Herrick’s “Mad Maid’s Song,” a
poem written in 1648. It sounds better this way because of alliteration — both words
beginning with the same letter. If you have a crazy idea and can’t talk about anything
else, it’s like having a bee stuck in your hat. A similar expression is to have “bats in
your belfry.”

Beggars can’t be choosers

Beggars can’t be choosers. If you don’t have money to go out for
pizza, you'll have to eat in the cafeteria.
Meaning: needy people have to take whatever they can get and cannot be
concerned about the quality if they cannot afford to buy it for themselves
Origin: This proverb has been around since the mid-1500s. It means that people who
need something but who have little or no control over their situations can’t choose
what they get. They have to accept what is offered.

Behind the eight ball

My father caught me napping in the hammock instead of mowing the
lawn. I’m really behind the eight ball now.
Meaning: in trouble or out of luck; in a difficult position or in a bad situation with
little hope of winning
Origin: This American idiom from the early 1900s comes from billiards. In the game
kellypool you have to hit numbered balls into pockets of a billiard table in numerical
order, except for ball number eight, which is to be pocketed last. However, if the eight
ball is very close to the ball you’re trying to hit, you're in trouble. That’s a bad position
to be in. Today we say that anyone “behind the eight ball” is experiencing a lot of bad
luck. Other similar idioms are “in a pretty kettle of fish,” “up a creek,” “in a pickle,”
“in the doghouse,” and “in hot water.”

14
Bells and whistles
Our teacher says we’re getting a new computer with all the latest
bells and whistles: CD-burner, stereo speakers, color printer,
and full multimedia.

Meaning: impressive accessories, especially flashy, high-technology features and

frills, which may sometimes be more decorative than necessary
Origin: This modern phrase became popular with the development of many kinds of
new electronic and computerized equipment. The “bells and whistles” represent all
sorts of super high-tech features that you don’t really need in a basic model but which
make a product more fun to use (and more expensive). Note: “Bells and whistles”
don’t have to make any sounds.

Below the belt

Saying he wasn’t very good in math just because he got a 99 on the test
was really hitting below the belt.
Meaning: cruel, unfair, hurtful; against the rules of sportsmanship
Origin: The sport of boxing can be dangerous. Prizefighters can get seriously injured
if the official rules of the game are not followed. Most of the rules in effect today are
based on those proposed in 1867 by the Marquis of Queensberry, a British nobleman.
He said there could be no wrestling or hugging, shoes couldn't have springs in them,
and no punches below the belt would be allowed. Today boxers wear trunks with
waistbands, not belts, but the rule is still followed. In the late 1800s this saying took
on a meaning outside the boxing ring (which, curiously enough, is actually square).
Hitting someone “below the belt” has come to mean committing an act of foul play
that is unkind and nasty, like an illegal punch in boxing.

15
 Better half
I’m not making a decision until | check with my better half.

Meaning; either partner in marriage

Origin: Puritans were English Protestants in the 16th and 17th centuries who favored
strict religious discipline. They said that each person was made up of two halves, body
and soul, and that the soul was the better half because it was the spiritual side. Sir Philip
Sidney, an English writer, said that a marriage was made up of two halves, and that the
better half was the better spouse. Today when the phrase “better half” is used, it almost
always means someone’s wife, although there’s no reason why a wife can’t use the term
to describe her husband. In either case, “better half” is a compliment.

Better safe than sorry

Terri told Alexandra to put on her seat belt, even for a short drive.
“Better safe than sorry,” she said.
Meaning: be careful; avoid risks and possible injury that you'll regret
Origin: As early as 400 years ago, when a version of this expression started to be
used, people were cautioning others to go slowly, be cautious, don’t get into trouble,
avoid accidents. By the early 1800s the phrase was “better sure than sorry,” but a half
century later “sure” was out and “safe” was in. Imagine that it’s snowing outside
and your mother advises you to leave for school early and walk carefully on slippery
sidewalks. She’s saying it’s better to be safe and get to where you’re going in one
piece than to be sorry that you ran, slipped, and broke your leg.

Between a rock and a hard place

It’s a tough choice between getting to the big game on time or waiting
for Mr. Smith to call. I'm stuck between a rock and a hard place. -
Meaning: being in a very tight spot and faced with a difficult decision
Origin: In this American saying from the early 2oth century, you can picture someone
actually squeezed between a rock and a hard place. He or she has to turn one way or
the other, but neither way is very pleasant. A similar expression from an earlier time is
“between the devil and the deep blue sea” (see next entry).

16
Between the devil and the deep blue sea
Glenn had to choose between confessing that he hadn’t studied or
trying to fake it. He was between the devil and the deep blue sea.

Meaning: between two great dangers and not knowing what to do; in a very
difficult position
Origin: In the early 17th century the heavy plank fastened to the side of a vessel as
a support for guns was called the devil. Sometimes a sailor had to go out onto this
plank to do repairs to the boat. In heavy seas he would be in a great danger of falling
overboard and drowning because he was between “the devil and the deep blue sea.”
Over the centuries the meaning of this expression expanded to include being between
two equally difficult perils of any kind.

Beware of Greeks bearing gifts

Natasha is just giving you that present because she wants one of your
puppies. Beware of Greeks bearing gifts.
Meaning: be suspicious of presents from certain people who are just looking for
something from you; be on guard against treachery in the disguise of a gift
Origin: The great ancient Roman writer Virgil used a similar sentence in his famous
story of the Trojan War, The Aeneid. For ten years the Greek army tried in vain to
conquer Troy. Finally the Greeks pulled a rotten (but clever) trick on the Trojans. They
pretended to sail back to Greece and left behind a huge wooden horse as a “gift.” The
Trojans brought the horse into their city, but many Greek soldiers were hidden inside
the horse. They came out at night, defeated the Trojans, and conquered Troy.

17
 Bird in the hand is worth two in the bush
Take this job now because you don’t know if you'll get another one.
Remember that a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. ~___
Meaning: what you already have is better than what you might or might not get in
the future; a guarantee is worth more than a promise
Origin: This saying began as an ancient Greek proverb. Aesop used it in some of his
fables. The ancient Romans repeated it, and in the 1400s it was translated into English.
It comes from the sport of hunting birds. Hunters thought that a bird that you had
already captured (“in the hand”) was better than two you hadn’t yet caught (“in the
bush”). Today we often hear the same advice: It is better to be content with what you
already have than to reject it because you hope that something better will turn up.

Birds of a feather flock together

Everyone at that table plays soccer. | guess that birdsof a feather flock
together.
Meaning: people who have things in common, such as interests and ideas, usually
hang out together; people who are alike often become friends
Origin: This saying, which is over 2,000 years old and comes from the Bible, is based
on the observation that birds of the same species flock together on the ground as well
as in the air. The meaning has been broadened over the years, so that “birds” means
“people” and “of a feather” means “of the same type.”

Bite off more than you can chew

You can’t captain the team, edit the paper, and star in the play.
Don’t bite off more than you can chew. |
Meaning; to take on a task that is more than you can accomplish; to be greedy,
overconfident, or too ambitious by taking on more jobs or responsibilities than you
can deal with at one time
Origin: Versions of this saying were used in Europe in the Middle Ages and ancient
China. If you take a bite of food that’s too big for your mouth, you won't be able to
chew it. This idea came to mean undertaking (“biting off”) a job that’s too much for
you to handle (“more than you can chew”).

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Bite the bullet
The principal wants to see you in her office. Get ready to bite the bullet.
Meaning; prepare for an unpleasant experience; brace yourself to endure with
courage something painful but necessary
Origin: Many word experts think that this expression came from the 19th century
medical practice of giving a wounded soldier a bullet to bite before he was operated
on without anesthetics on the battlefield. Biting on the soft lead bullet was the way
of dealing with pain. It kept the soldier from screaming, which could distract the
surgeon during the operation.

Bite the dust

The spy bit the dust at the end of the book.
Meaning; to die; to fall in defeat; to fail to succeed
Origin: This cliché, which was often heard in early Western movies, is actually more
than 2,000 years old and comes from a line in Homer’s Iliad. This saying describes
many dying warriors in the Trojan War falling to the earth and “biting the dust.” If
people fall with their faces in the dirt, you can think of them getting dust in their
mouths. The idiom became popular in English in the mid-1800s.

Bite the hand that feeds you

Eve just insulted the girl who is teaching her to ice-skate. That’s biting
the hand that feeds you.
Meaning: to turn against someone who helps you; to do harm to someone who
does good things for you
Origin: This saying, which has been used at least since the early 1700s, originally
referred to a foolish and ungrateful dog that actually bit the hand of the owner who
was feeding it. The meaning of this expression today has been extended to include
people who tum against anyone who helps them. It has nothing to do with real food
or actually biting anyone’s hand.

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 Bite your tongue
Don’t you dare say that to me! Bite your tongue, young man!

Meaning: take back or be ashamed of what you have said; struggle not to say
something you want to say
Origin: It’s easy to see where this saying came from. If you really put your tongue
between your teeth as if you were biting it, you couldn’t talk. So when people tell you
to “bite your tongue,” they are telling you to force yourself to be silent before you say
something you shouldn’t. Sometimes people say it after they've already blurted out
what they shouldn’t have. Then it means to take back the statement and keep quiet. A
similar expression is “hold your tongue,” which means you should remain silent.

Black sheep of the family

Geraldine’s the black sheep of the family. She’s always causing trouble.
Meaning; the most unsuccessful, least admirable member of a family or similar
group; a disgraced person
Origin: This expression has been used at least since the early 1800s to describe a
person who is a disgrace to a community or family. Shepherds did not like rare black
sheep since their fleece could not be dyed any color and there weren't enough of them
to sell black wool. Some people also thought that the black sheep frightened the rest of
the flock and came from the devil. The saying changed over time to mean disfavored
people in a family or group.

Bleeding heart
Rob is such a bleeding heart. He'll donate to any charity that asks him
for money!

Meaning: an extremely softhearted person who feels compassion or pity toward all
people, including those who may not deserve sympathy
Origin: This controversial term comes from America in the 2oth century. Some people
say that government or private charities should do more to help relieve the suffering
of the sick, the homeless, or the unemployed. These well-meaning citizens might be
called “bleeding hearts” by others who feel that many people on welfare or charity
should stop taking so much from others.

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Blessing in disguise
Summer school may be a blessing in disguise. Next year you'll be
ahead of your class.
Meaning: something that at first seems bad but turns out to be good; a hidden
benefit
Origin: This saying was first used in a poem 200 years ago by a writer names James
Hervey, and people have been using it since. When something looks like bad luck, it
may turn out to bea false appearance (a “disguise” that hides something that’s really
useful or fortunate (a “blessing”). Of course, you don’t know that at first because the
blessing is in disguise.

Blind as a bat
When the heavy fog rolled in, she was as blind as a bat because she
couldn’t see an inch in front of her.

Meaning; totally blind

Origin: This saying from the 1500s is based on a mistake. There are many similes
about animals that make sense, like “sly as a fox” and “gentle as a kitten.” However,
“blind as a bat” isn’t one of them because bats are not blind. Some bats, like the flying
fox bat, have very good eyesight. Many years ago, people observing bats might have
thought they were blind because they fly about at night in irregular paths. Now we
know that they’re using sonar. Bats give off ultrahigh frequency sounds that bounce
back and help them avoid obstacles and find food. That’s called “echolocation.” (It
works because bats can eat more than 600 mosquitoes an hour!) Today the US Office
of Naval Research is studying bat sonar so it can adapt it to antisubmarine warfare. If
a person could see as well as a bat in the dark, he would never be called blind.

21
 Blind leading the blind
Kurt, who spent his allowance in one day, is showing Bonnie how to
budget her money. That’s a case of the blind leading the blind!
Meaning: the uninformed attempting to inform others
Origin: This saying comes from a sentence in the King James Bible (Matthew i514);
“and if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.” Today we use it to
describe people who are not actually blind, but who don’t know how to do something
and are trying to explain it to other people who don’t know how to do it either.

Blood is thicker than water

Mrs. Penn chose her grandson instead of me to work in her store.
| guess blood is thicker than water.
Meaning: one can expect more kindness from a family member than from a
stranger; a person will do more for a relative than for anyone else
Origin: This saying, which means that family ties count more than friendship, comes
from’Germany in the 1100s. It might come from the idea that water evaporates without
a trace, but blood leaves a stain and is more permanent. This suggests that relatives
(“blood”) are more important (“thicker”) than people who are not related (“water”).

Blow your own horn

When you fill out an application for a job, blow your own horn.
Meaning; to praise yourself; to call attention to your own merits (intelligence,
skills, success, or abilities); to brag about yourself
Origin: In ancient Roman times, a blare of trumpets announced the arrival of a
great hero. So the blowing of horns meant someone important was coming. Today
people who blow (or toot) their own horns are boasting about their superior qualities.
Sometimes you have to do that a little (when you apply for a job, for instance), but if
you do it too much, you could be called a braggart.

22
Blue blood
Mr.Rimler is marrying a very rich girl from high society, a real blue
blood.

Meaning: of high or noble birth; an aristocrat; from the upper class of society
Origin: Though this expression has been used in English since the early 1800s, it
actually comes from an older Spanish saying. Old, aristocratic Spanish families used
to boast that their skin was fairly light because they had not intermarried with the
darker-skinned Moors. The Spaniards’ veins showed through their skin as visibly blue
in color. If their skin was darker because they had intermarried, the blood would not
appear so blue. “Blue blood” is a translation of the Spanish words sangre azul. Today
anyone can be called a blue blood if he or she is of noble birth, a member of high
society, and so on. A related phrase is “upper crust” (see page 238).

Bolt from the blue

Mr. Barnes’s
pop quiz hit us like a bolt from the blue.
Meaning: something sudden, unexpected, and shocking
Origin: This expression has been used since at least the early 1800s. Picture a calm,
clear, blue sky. You’d probably be surprised, even startled, if a bolt of lightning suddenly
cracked down. In the same way, any big surprise is like lightning shooting out of a clear,
blue sky. You just don’t expect it to happen. (Note: This expression usually refers to very
bad news.) A related idiom is “out of the clear blue sky” (see page 168).

Born with a silver spoon in your mouth

Fran always wanted the finest, most expensive things. Was she born
with a silver spoon in her mouth?
Meaning: born to wealth, comfort, and privilege
Origin: A spoon made out of pure silver is expensive. Sometimes a silver spoon is
given as a gift to a newborn baby. If a rich baby has many expensive things from the
start of life, like a silver spoon (almost as if he or she were born with the spoon in his or
her mouth), we can use this well-known idiom to describe that person. The phrase was
used by Cervantes, the Spanish writer, in the early 1600s in the book Don Quixote.

23
 Born yesterday
How could he be so easily tricked by this phony scheme? Was he born
yesterday? ee
Meaning: inexperienced and easily fooled; not alert to trickery
Origin: This expression was born in the early 1800s. An infant “born yesterday” hasn’t
lived long enough to be smart, experienced, sophisticated, and knowledgeable in the
ways of the world. The phrase is used today to describe a naive, unsuspecting person
who can be cheated or deceived without much trouble. “Born yesterday” became a
popular expression when it was used as the title of a hit Broadway play (1946) that
was made into two movies (1950 and 1993). The play was about a woman who fooled
everybody who thought she was not very smart by being a whole lot smarter than she
looked or sounded at first.

Bottom line
Ifwe don’t win this ball game, we’re out of the playoffs. That’s the
bottom line.

Meaning: the most crucial fact; the net result

Origin: For hundreds of years accountants have added up the profits and losses
of companies. The sum appears at the bottom line of a column of numbers. While
“bottom line” still means a bookkeeping figure showing profit or loss, it has taken on
a more general meaning since the mid-1900s, and now refers to any crucial decision
or final result, financial or not.

Break a leg
On the night of the play, Anne’s father told her to break a leg.
Meaning: good luck; do a great job in the show
Origin: Saying this to a performer before a show has long been a theatrical tradition.
It comes from the old German saying, Hals- und Beinbruch (break your neck and leg),
and was shortened to just the leg. Perhaps it exists because of an old show business
superstition that wishing someone good luck might cause just the opposite to happen,
so you wish the performer bad luck to assure the opposite of that.

24
Break the ice
John was very shy when he met Cindy. He didn’t know how to break the ice.
Meaning: to overcome the first awkward difficulties in a social situation by a
friendly gesture; to ease the nervousness in a situation
Origin: As early as the late 1500s and early 1600s, writers like Shakespeare were using
this expression. It originally came from navigation through waterways frozen over
with ice. Special boats had to break through the ice, clearing the way before any ships
could sail. The meaning was transferred to getting a conversation started or making
an acquaintance. “Ice” in this idiom represents a cold or awkward feeling among
people, especially strangers.

Breath of fresh air

When Christopher came into their dull lives, he was like a breath of
fresh air.
Meaning: someone or something new, stimulating, invigorating, and refreshing
Origin: This idiom from the mid-1800s may have been influenced by the Industrial
Revolution, which some historians blame as an early cause of air pollution. Starting
in England in the mid-1700s, many people moved from the clean air of the country
to work in the new, smoke-belching factories of crowded cities. Today the air you
breathe can be filled with pollutants like smog or carbon monoxide. So a breath of
clean, refreshing air is something really rousing and energizing. In the same way,
anything or anyone that is revitalizing — like a restful vacation from a dull job or an
exciting new teacher among your old ones — can be a “breath of fresh air.”

Bright-eyed and bushy-tailed

Isla woke up bright-eyed and bushy-tailed after a good night’s sleep.

Meaning: healthy, fit, cheerful, bright, and lively

Origin: This expression, which dates back to the 19th century, refers to animals, like
cats or squirrels, with bushy tails. Their tails fluff up when they get excited. Bright eyes
are a sign of someone who’s wide-awake, alert, and ready to go. So if you describe
people as “bright-eyed and bushy-tailed,” you're not saying they look like cats or
squirrels, but that they look “fit as a fiddle” (see page 79), “in the pink” (see page
120), and “on top of the world” (see page 164).
25
 Bring down the house
When our principal came out on stage dressed like a chicken, she
brought down the house. ) oes

Meaning; to get an audience to clap enthusiastically or laugh loudly

Origin: This saying, which comes from the theater, has been in common use since
the 1700s. Performers have long referred to the audience in a theater, and the theater
itself, as the “house.” When a performer is a huge success, and the excited audience is
cheering, laughing, and applauding so wildly that the roof of the theater seems to be
shaking and about to fall in, he or she has “brought down the house.”

Bring home the bacon

Both Richard and Stephanie got jobs to bring home the bacon for their
children.

Meaning; to support a family by working; to earn a living

Origin: There are two theories about where this expression came from. One was from
the contest at early American county fairs of chasing after a greased pig. If you caught
it, you could take it home as your prize. Another possibility is that it came from a
practice in the early 1300s. A baron willed that if any married persons in Dunmow,
England, swore at the church door that they had not had a single quarrel for a whole
year and a day, they would get a free side of bacon to take home. The idiom “bring
home the bacon” has, for hundreds of years, meant to score a point, win a game, or
earn something of value, such as your salary.

Bug off
Helen told Max to bug off because he was being such a pest.

Meaning: to leave someone alone; go away; stop annoying someone

Origin: There was an expression in the late 1800s, “bugger off,” that meant the
same thing. Today’s slightly shorter version is a rude slang expression, usually said
by someone who is highly annoyed and wants the other person to leave him or her
alone.

26
Bug someone
| wish you would just stop bugging me and leave me in peace!

Meaning; to irritate, annoy, and bother someone a lot

Origin: This popular African-American idiom comes from the 1960s and is a handy
expression when people are pestering you. It comes from baga and bugal, words in
West African languages (Mandingo and Wolof) that mean “to annoy.” By the way, in
certain situations, “bug” can also mean to wiretap someone’s phone so that his or her
conversations can be listened in on.

Bull in a china shop

Inviting the wrestling team to the ceramics exhibit was like letting
bulls into a china shop.
Meaning: a clumsy person who deals too roughly with a delicate situation; a rough
person who is near breakable things; a tactless person who says or does something
that angers people or upsets their plans
Origin: Aesop, the famous ancient storyteller, once wrote a fable about a donkey in
a potter's shop. Aesop’s image was changed to a bull in a china shop when fine plates
and dishes, called china, were first introduced into Europe in the 1500s. (Why was
“donkey” changed to “bull”? Probably because a bull is so much bigger.)

Burn the candle at both ends

Mrs. Millan goes to college during the day and works in a restaurant at
night. She’s burning the candle at both ends.
Meaning: to overwork yourself mentally or physically and until you’re exhausted
Origin: This was a French expression that came into English in the late 1500s. If you
really took a candle and burned it at both ends, it would be used up twice as fast. That
image changed to refer to people who work hard night and day and use up all their
strength. We also say that you can “burn yourself out” this way.

27
 Burn the midnight oil
| have a big test tomorrow morning, so | plan to burn the midnight oil
tonight. ann

Meaning: to stay up very late at night studying or working

Origin: This saying goes back to the days when lamps were lighted by oil and people
went to bed earlier than they do today. When you burned the midnight oil in those
days, you were up late working or reading by the light of an oil lamp.

Burn your bridges behind you

Ifyou drop out of school now, you'll be burning your bridges behind
you. i ae |

Meaning: to make a decision you cannot change; to commit yourself to a course of

action
Origin: In ancient military history, soldiers actually burned down the bridge they
had just crossed so they wouldn’t be tempted to turn back in a cowardly way. (It
also. kept the enemy from following them over the same bridge.) Julius Caesar burned
bridges to toughen up his troops.

Bury the hatchet

Stop fighting, and bury the hatchet!
Meaning; to settle an argument; end a war; make peace; become friends after
being enemies
Origin: This saying probably comes from Native American nations who would make
peace with their enemies by holding a ceremony. They would actually bury tomahawks,
hatchets, and other war weapons to show that the fight was over. If war broke out again,
they would dig up those weapons. By the end of the 1800s the meaning of “bury the
hatchet” was extended to include settling any kind of argument and making friends
with your enemy.

28
Bury your head in the sand
You're burying your head in the sand ifyou think that smoking isn’t
bad for your health.

Meaning; to ignore danger by pretending you don’t see it; to hide from obvious
signs of danger
Origin: An ostrich is a big, tough bird, but long ago people got the wrong idea
about it. Since they saw ostriches with their heads in the dirt, they thought the ostrich
was hiding from its enemies in the false belief that if you can’t see your enemy, your
enemy can’t see you. The ostriches were actually looking for seeds or berries on the
ground, or eating bits of sand, which help the birds digest their food. Today “bury
your head in the sand” has come to mean refusing either to notice a problem or face
up to reality.

Busman’s holiday
Victor went back to his carpentry shop after spending all weekend
building our treehouse. What a busman’s holiday!
Meaning: spending your free time doing the same thing you do during working hours
Origin: In London, during the late 1800s and early 1900s, buses were pulled by
horses. Some bus drivers loved their horses so much that on their days off from work,
they would ride on their own buses just to make sure that other bus drivers took good
care of the horses. This habit got to be called a “busman’s holiday,” and today it can
be applied to anybody who does the same thing on free time as he or she gets paid to
do at work.

Busy as a beaver
Jeni is as busy as a beaver setting up her new computer.

Meaning: working very hard; extremely industrious

Origin: This saying comes from the 17th century. For hundreds of years the beaver
has been a symbol of diligent work. Watch a beaver bustling about, busily cutting
down trees with its teeth and energetically building a dam, and you'll easily see why.
Alliteration (busy as a beaver) adds to the popularity of this simile. Related sayings:
“busy as a bee” and “eager beaver.”

29
 Butter someone up
Maybe ifyou butter up the math teacher, she'll raise your final grade.
Meaning; to flatter someone; to try to get a favor by praising someone

Origin: This saying comes from the simple act of buttering a slice of bread. When you
take plain bread and lay on a thick coating of creamy butter, it’s sort of like covering
a person with praise and flattery. People often “butter” other people up when they
want special help or favored treatment. Similar sayings: “to soft-soap” and “to sweet-
talk.”

Butterflies in the stomach

I can’t sing a solo without getting butterflies in my stomach.
Meaning; a fluttery feeling in the stomach, usually caused by nervousness
Origin: If people are anxious, have stage fright, or are troubled about what will
happen next, they often experience dull spasms in their stomachs. Some people call
this sensation the flutters. Others say they have a nervous stomach. Once a clever writer
imagined butterflies in his stomach when he felt panicky or uneasy, and that creative
metaphor caught on.

Button your lip

Renae talked about her vacation so much that we nay told her to
button her lip.
Meaning: to stop talking; be quiet
Origin: It’s easy to picture where this zoth-century American expression came from.
Imagine buttons on people’s lips. Someone who wanted you to stay quiet, keep a
secret, and not say a word would tell you to button your lip. Today some people also
use the expressions “button it up,” “zipper your mouth,” and “put a cork in it.”

30
Buy a pig ina poke
Have the used car looked over by a mechanic before you pay for it.
Don’t buy a pig in a poke.
Meaning; to buy something without seeing or examining it
Origin: A long time ago in England, a small bag or sack was called a poke. Farmers
carried their pigs in pokes to sell at markets and county fairs. Sometimes customers
were cheated by dishonest farmers who had actually put a runt (an undersized pig) or
even a cat in the sack. The farmer said he couldn’t open the bag to show the customer
the pig because it might run away. So if you bought a “pig in a poke,” you paid for
something without examining it. Today the expression applies to any kind of item you
buy sight unseen. A similar phrase is “let the cat out of the bag” (see page 136).

By hook or by crook
Justin is grounded, but he’ll find a way to get to my party by hook or
by crook.
Meaning: by any means possible (legal or not)
Origin: Perhaps this idiom, which has been around at least since the 1300s, came
from the idea that, as a last resort, you could get what you wanted by reaching it with
a long hook or by stealing it like a crook. This expression owes some of its popularity
to the fact that it rhymes.

By the book
Tania wants all her employees to do everything by the book— her book.
Meaning: exactly according to the rules; precisely as instructed
Origin: Centuries ago, children were taught by the book. The “book” was a book of
moral or religious principles that guided people’s behavior. Children were supposed
to learn these lessons and to live by them. Today new employees often get a pamphlet
or book of regulations (working hours, dress code, etc.). If they want to keep their
jobs, they had better go “by the book.” Schools, too, often have rules in a student
handbook (no skateboarding in the halls, no listening to music during class, etc.),
and students would be wise to behave “by the book” to stay out of trouble.

31
 By the skin of your teeth
Lucky Lorraine ran out of the zoo and escaped the stampede of toe
monkeys by. the skin of her teeth. ~
Meaning; just barely; by the narrowest of margins
Origin: Some ancient Hebrew idioms appear in modern English, including this
expression. In the Book of Job in the Bible (19:20), Job says, “I have escaped with the
skin of my teeth.” Your teeth don’t have skin, of course, but they do have a very thin
film, especially when you wake up. If you just barely get out of a dangerous situation
with very little room to spare, the difference between safety and disaster can be as
microscopic as the film on your teeth. Similar meanings are conveyed by the phrases
“by a whisker” and “by a hair’s breadth.” The famous American writer Thornton Wilder
won a Pulitzer Prize in 1942 for his play The Skin of Our Teeth, which tells how an
imaginary family barely escapes one catastrophe after another throughout history.

32
Call it a day
You've been working on that history report since before breakfast.
Why don’t you call it a day?
Meaning; to stop work for the day; to bring a project to an end for the time being
Origin: The idea expressed in this idiom is that a certain amount of work is enough
for one day. When you've done that amount, you should “call it a day,” meaning to
declare that you’ve done a fuli day’s work and that you’re stopping.

Call the shots

You may know all about glassblowing, but here in the gym, | call the
shots.
Meaning: to make the decisions; to be in charge; to give orders
Origin: The origin of this expression is unclear, but it might refer to the officer in
charge of soldiers in a battle. He gives the commands and calls the (gun) shots. The
phrase also suggests the role of a coach of a basketball team who tells the players what
plays to make and what (basketball) shots to take. Today we say that the person in
charge of any kind of activity “calls the shots.”

Call you on the carpet

My piano teacher called me on the carpet today. He could tell | hadn't
practiced all week.

Meaning: to call a person before an authority for a scolding

Origin: There was an expression in Britain in the early 1800s, “to walk the carpet.”
That referred to a servant’s being called into the parlor (which was always carpeted,
unlike the servants’ quarters) to be scolded by the master or mistress of the house.
Later the saying was applied to an unlucky employee being called to the boss’s office
(also carpeted) to be bawled out. Today, if anyone in authority scolds you, you are
being “called on the carpet” no matter how the floor is actually covered.
33
 Call your bluff
They're bragging they can beat us badly. C’mon. Let’s call their bluff.
Meaning: to demand that someone prove a claim; to challenge someone to carry
out a threat
Origin: This early 19th-century American saying comes from card playing. In poker,
a player bets according to what his hand is, compared with what he thinks others’ are.
When you bluff, you pretend you have a great hand of cards even when you don't,
and you raise the bet to fake out the other players. If someone “calls your bluff,” he or
she challenges you by meeting or raising your bet (“to call” means to match a bet) to
make you show the cards you really have.

Calm before the storm

The meeting may be peaceful now, but this is only the calm before the
storm. |

Meaning: a period of peace before a disturbance or crisis; an unnatural or false

calm before a storm
Origin: There was an ancient Greek proverb that said “Fair weather brings on cloudy
weather.” Though that’s not always true, people have noticed since the 1500s that
there often was a period of stillness before a big storm. For over four centuries the
meaning of this saying has been broadened to include any time of false peacefulness
right before a violent outburst.

Can’t fight city hall

The school board is determined to make the school year last longer.
You can’t fight city hall.
Meaning: an ordinary person cannot win a struggle against an administrative system
Origin: In the United States, “city hall” represents the local government: the mayor,
the legislative body, as well as the various agencies and departments. Today when we
say “city hall” we mean any large organization such as a government, school system,
or corporation. This expression claims that you can’t fight city hall, but that’s not
always true. You can protest, picket, circulate petitions, make speeches, write letters,
support candidates who express your views, or even run for mayor yourself!

34
Can’t get blood from a stone
Don’t ask her for a cookie. She never shares her food, and you can’t get
blood from a stone.
Meaning: you cannot ask for or do the impossible
Origin: A stone is solid rock and has no blood in it, of course. And that’s just the
point of this saying. Just as you can’t get blood out of a stone, you can’t accomplish
something that’s hopeless or impossible. You can’t borrow money from someone who’s
broke. You can’t expect mercy from someone who is hard-hearted. Xenophanes, a
Greek philosopher who lived in the 6th century B.c., used a phrase similar to this that
meant “from nothing comes nothing.” Charles Dickens, the great British author, liked
this idiom so much he used it several times in his books in the mid-1800s.

Can’t hit the side of a barn

Don’t worry about being the target in the booth at the school carnival.
These kids can’t hit the side of a barn.
Meaning: to have terrible aim; to not be able to throw well enough to hit even a
large target
Origin: The side of a barn is a large area, and if you can’t hit something as big as
that, your pitching arm must be terrible. This idiom became popular in the United
States in the early 1900s. It described baseball pitchers who couldn't throw a ball into
the strike zone. Variations on this expression are “can’t hit the broad side of a barn”
and “can’t hit a barn door.”

Can’t hold a candle to

Anita can’t hold a candle to Jon when it comes to tap dancing.

Meaning; to be second-rate in a certain skill; to be greatly inferior

Origin: In the 1500s, long before the days of good lighting, a servant called a “link-
boy” held candles for people. This was considered a lowly job done by those who were
thought to be inferior. If a link-boy did not know the roads or the layout of a theater,
then he was said to be “not worthy to hold a candle to someone.” Thus, the expression
“can’t hold a candle to” came to mean lower in order, rank, quality, or value.

35
 Can’t see the forest for the trees
My teacher catches all my grammar mistakes, but he misses my brilliant
writing. He can’t see the forest for the trees. :
Meaning: to overlook the overall situation because of a focus on small details; to be
so involved in details that you miss the whole picture
Origin: This idiom, which has been popular for many years, created this picture in
the mind of the writer who invented it: a person in the country focuses so intently
on each individual tree, leaf, branch, and twig, that she misses the splendor of the
huge forest she’s in. Afterward, if someone asks her, “How did you like the forest?”
she might answer, “What forest? All I saw were some trees.” This saying means to be
unable to understand the whole situation because you pay too much attention to the
small parts.

Carry coals to Newcastle

Taking flowers to the florist’s daughter is like carrying coals to
Newcastle. |
Meaning: to do something unnecessary; to bring something to a place where it is
already plentiful
Origin: There are many coal mines in the English city of Newcastle. Coal is shipped out
from this port to other places. Newcastle definitely doesn’t need extra coal, so if you
carry coals there, you are doing something totally unnecessary. Today the meaning of
this expression includes similar situations like taking snowballs to people living near
the North Pole.

Carry the ball

As for organizing the ski trip, Susan will carry the ball.

Meaning; to be in charge or be responsible; to make sure that a job gets done right
Origin: This idiom comes from the world of sports, especially football. In many ball
games, the most important person is the one who has the ball at the moment. This
phrase expanded to include other areas of life, such as school, business, or government.
The person holding the ball is the one responsible for the task.

36
Carry the weight of the world on your shoulders
Since Jennifer became head of the art department, she looks as if she’s
carrying the weight of the world on her shoulders.
Meaning: to be burdened by all the problems in the world
Origin: In ancient Greek mythology there was a family of giants called Titans who
wanted to rule heaven, but they were beaten out by Zeus (called Jupiter in Roman
mythology). Zeus became king of the Olympian gods and punished Atlas, one of the
Titans, by forcing him to support all the heavens on his shoulders. Maybe you've seen
a statue of Atlas, bent over, struggling to carry the world. Today when we see a person
who looks really worried, tired, and overworked with responsibilities, we say that he
looks as if he were “carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders.”

Carved in stone
The teacher’s rule about no cell phones in class is carved in stone.
Don’t even think about making a call here.
Meaning; not able to be changed in any way; permanent and unalterable
Origin: If something is written in pencil, it can be erased. If something is written in
ink, it can be whited out. If something is written on a computer, it can be deleted. But if
something is written or carved in stone, it cannot be changed. This expression may have
been suggested by the story of Moses in the Old Testament in the Bible. He came down
from Mount Sinai carrying the Ten Commandments, which were carved in stone so that not
one word, not one syllable, not one letter could be altered. Today when we say that a rule,
law, or pronouncement from an authority is “carved in stone,” we mean it’s permanent.

Cast pearls before swine

Serving gourmet food to Marc is like casting pearls before swine.
He likes fast food and jelly sandwiches.
Meaning: to waste something good or valuable on someone who won’t appreciate
or understand it
Origin: This expression comes from the Bible (Matthew 7:6) and was later used by
famous writers such as William Shakespeare and Charles Dickens. Giving pearls to
swine, or pigs, would be foolish. The pigs want mud and food, not precious jewels. In
a similar way, wasting something good on someone who won't be thankful for it is like
“casting pearls before swine.”
37
 Cast the first stone
Don’t criticize. You've done it yourself, so you shouldn't cast thefirst
stone. 5 is:

Meaning; to be the first to attack, blame, or criticize someone; to lead accusers

against a wrongdoer
Origin: This is another saying that comes from the Bible. The apostle John writes that
when people wanted to stone to death a woman accused of something immoral, Jesus
said, “He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.” In other words,
you shouldn’t criticize how others behave unless you're perfect yourself.

Cat got your tongue

Why don’t you answer me? Cat got your tongue?

Meaning; Is there a reason that you're not speaking?

Origin: By the mid-1800s this expression was popular in both the United States and
Britain. No one is sure where it came from, but you can imagine that if a cat really got
hold’of your tongue, you wouldn’t be able to say a word. Probably someone thought up
this saying to ask, “Why don’t you talk?” in a clever way, and it caught on.

Cat that swallowed the canary

When Ashley found out she was the only one who had gotten 100 on the
big test, she looked like the cat that swallowed the canary.
Meaning: very self-satisfied
Origin: This idiom comes from the second half of the 1800s. Pity the poor canary
who lives in the same house as a cat. That cat would just love to have that canary for
breakfast, lunch, or dinner. (Think of the cartoon characters Sylvester the Cat and
Tweety Bird, the canary he’d love to gobble up.) A canary is usually protected by its
cage, so if by chance the cat does manage to swallow the canary one day, it would be
very happy with itself because it got exactly what it wanted. Cats are also popular in
other idioms: “copycat,” “curiosity killed the cat,” “scaredy-cat,” “let the cat out of
9 ee 99. ee

the bag” (see page 136), “play cat and mouse” (see page 175), and “it’s raining cats
and dogs” (see page 188).

38
Catch more flies with honey than with vinegar
Ask her nicely. Remember, you can catch more flies with honey than
with vinegar.

Meaning: more can be accomplished by being pleasant than by being

disagreeable
Origin: As early as the 1600s people were using different versions of this expression
in many European languages. If you've ever had a fly buzzing around your house,
you know that it is attracted to sweet things like honey. It doesn’t like sour things like
vinegar. In the same way, you’re more likely to get what you want from people (“catch
more flies”) by being sweet and agreeable (like honey), rather than bitter and sharp
(like vinegar).

Catch someone red-handed

Loraine’s brother was caught red-handed at the scene of the crime.
Meaning; to catch someone in the act of doing something wrong
Origin: At first this expression referred to someone caught in the middle of a murder
with blood on his or her hands (“red-handed”). Later the saying grew to mean any
kind of wrongdoing, not just a criminal action. If you were nabbed sneaking one
of your grandmother’s freshly baked brownies, for instance, your fingers might be
covered with chocolate, but you'd still be caught “red-handed.”

Catch you later

I’ve got to get right home to babysit my sister. I'll catch you later.

Meaning: good-bye, I'll see or speak to you at another time

Origin: The verb “catch” has many meanings, including to capture, to trap, and to
grasp or take hold of forcibly. In this late 2oth-century African-American expression,
“catch” means to see or hear from you at a later time.

39
 Champ at the bit
Steve couldn’t wait to go into sixth grade. On the first day of school,
he was champing at the bit at 6:00 a.m. ae

Meaning: to be impatient to start; to be ready and enthusiastic to do something

Origin: This saying, which has been used for at least 200 years, comes from horse
racing. An eager racehorse champs, or bites, on the bit in its mouth at the start of a
race. That shows that it is impatient with any delay and wants to be off and running.
Today the meaning has been broadened to include not only horses at the starting gate
but also anyone eager to start doing something.

Cheek by jowl
| thought that Omar and Mike had a fight, but | saw them today in the
gym, cheek by jowl.

Meaning: very close together, side by side

Origin: William Shakespeare used a similar expression, “cheek by cheek,” in his
famous romantic comedy A Midsummer Night’s Dream, written about 1595. “Cheek by
jowl” was a variation invented two centuries later. “Jowl” is another word for the jaw or
cheek. So if two people are together with one person’s cheek right by another person’s
jowl, they’re pretty close indeed.

Chew someone out

When Laurie’s parents saw her report card, they really chewed her out.
Meaning; to scold severely or roughly; to bawl someone out
Origin: Did you ever watch someone’s mouth and lips moving furiously when they
were harshly scolding you? Perhaps it reminded a writer years ago of fast chewing,
and that’s how this expression was born.

40
Chew the fat
My friend and | sat up half the night just chewing the fat.

Meaning: to have a friendly, informal talk; to chat in a relaxed way

Origin: In the late 1800s this expression was popular in the British army, and then it
came to the United States. One possible origin might be that military and naval people
were given tough meat to eat and they had to chew the fat of the meat as they talked.
The action of chewing is like the action of speaking (see “chew someone out”). At any
rate, if you’re just hanging out, talking with your friends in an easy, relaxed way,
you're “chewing the fat” (or “rag”). A similar expression is to “shoot the breeze.”

Chew up the scenery

Stan was chewing up the scenery in the principal’s office, crying and
screaming that he didn’t do it.

Meaning; to overact; to exaggerate your emotions

Origin: This idiom comes from show business. Some actors carry on wildly, and in
exaggerated, overemotional ways. A critic once wrote that this kind of uncontrolled
theatrical behavior was like chewing up the scenery, and the criticism soon became
a popular phrase. Today people can “chew up the scenery” whenever they show too
much emotion to achieve a special effect.

Chew your cud

Don’t bother your father right now. He’s in the den chewing his cud
over problems at work. :

Meaning: to think deeply to oneself; to turn a matter over and over in your mind
Origin: In the mid-1500s a lot of people owned cows, sheep, and goats. These are
animals that chew their cuds (food that is spit up from the stomach to the mouth
and chewed again). It’s a long process. A person lost in deep thought — pondering,
reflecting, speculating — made a clever 16th-century writer think of an animal
chewing its cud, and this saying was born. Sometimes it’s shortened just to “chew
over” a matter.

41
 Chicken feed
Mr. Tan loves his job at the museum, even though they pay only
chicken feed. ee

Meaning: a very small or insignificant amount of money

Origin: This American bammyard saying came from the pioneer days. The grain for
the chickens to eat had to be inexpensive. At one point in our country’s history,
“chicken feed” came to mean small coins. Today people use “chicken feed” when
something costs only a little bit of money or they’re getting low pay at work. “Chicken
feed” sometimes means misleading information that is given to throw someone off
the track.

Chickens come home to roost

You'd better be careful what you say when you’re angry. Chickens
come home to roost.
Meaning: words or actions come back to haunt a person; evil acts will return to
plague the doer
Origin: In 1810 the English poet Robert South wrote, “Curses are like young chickens;
they always come home to roost.” If you live on a farm, you'll know that chickens
allowed to run around the barnyard come back to the chicken coop to sleep. In this
expression the “chickens” are angry words or thoughtless actions. When they “come
home to roost,” they come back to cause trouble. In other words, everyone has to deal
with the results of his or her own actions.

Chill out
When Chris threw down the paddle after he lost the Ping-Pong game,
the counselor told him to chil! out.
Meaning: relax, calm down
Origin: When a person starts to get angry, we often use expressions like “steamed
up” and “hot under the collar” to describe his or her emotions. If being heated up
suggests being overly excited, then it’s easy to see how the opposite means calm.
“Chill out” is a recent African-American idiom, and so are other similar expressions
like “take a chill pill” and “cool it” (see page 51).

42
Chip off the old block
| never realized how much Felix looks like his father. He’s a real chip off
the old block.
Meaning: a child who resembles a parent in behavior, looks, or abilities
Origin: This is an old expression. It’s been popular for hundreds of years, and it may
go back as far as the ancient Greeks. A “block” can be of wood or stone. If you chipped
off a little piece of it, the chip would resemble the big block — for instance, in color
and texture. In the same way, a child (“chip”) might act or look like the parent (“the
old block”).

Chip on your shoulder

Avoid Calvin today. He has a real chip on his shoulder.
Meaning: to be quarrelsome, aggressive, or rude; to be ready to fight
Origin: In the early 1800s American boys played the following game: One boy put a
chip of wood or stone on his shoulder and dared another boy to knock it off. If he did,
the two boys would fight. Today, if a person is edgy or looking for an argument, we
say that he has a “chip on his shoulder,” in reference to that old game.

Chips are down

Girls, the chips are down. If we don’t win this game, we’re out of the
playoffs.

Meaning; the situation is urgent and has to be dealt with now

Origin: This saying appeared in the United States in the early 19th century and comes
from gambling, probably poker. Chips are small plastic disks used like money for
betting. A gambler puts his chips in front of him to show that he is willing to risk a
certain amount of money on a bet. When his pile of chips is down (that is, his money
is low), his situation is bad, maybe even desperate. Today the expression “chips are
down” refers to any critical situation in life, such as in sports, business, or politics,
and not just card playing.

43
 Clam up
When the boss asked who had left the copy machine on all night, Caitlin
clammed up. 3 | east

Meaning; to refuse to talk; to become silent

Origin: An imaginative writer once thought that a person’s lips were like the two
halves of a clamshell. When it wants to, a clam can shut its shell tightly. That's what
gave that writer the idea to write “clam up” to mean “to shut your lips, and keep
information to yourself.” Other similar idioms are “button up,” “button your lip” (see
page 30), and “zip your lips.”

Clean as a whistle
The science lab is as clean as a whistle. °

Meaning: completely free from dirt; perfectly neat

Origin: In one of his poems in the late 1700s, Robert Burns, a great Scottish poet,
used a similar phrase, “as toom’s a whissle” (“toom” meant “empty” then). The idea
is that you can get the best, clearest, purest sound out of a whistle or any other wind
instrument if you keep the reed (the part that makes the sound when you blow into it)
completely free of dust and dirt. A similar expression is “clean as a hound’s tooth.”

Clean bill of health

The gas station that inspected Dad’s old car gave it a clean bill of
health.
Meaning; declaration of satisfactory, healthy condition, or proven innocence
Origin: In the 19th century people were often fearful that there might be diseases
on ships that would dock in their cities. So health authorities had to inspect each
ship before it could come near the wharf. If a ship was found to be free of disease, an
official document called a “bill of health” was handed to the captain. Then the ship
could dock. Today the expression refers to more than just medical health. If you’ve
been accused of a crime, and then, after an investigation, were found not guilty,
you're said to have been given “a clean bill of health.”

a
Clear as a bell
When Stephen asked Mary to the school prom, her answer was as clear
as a bell. “Yes!”
Meaning: easily and clearly understood with no confusion whatsoever
Origin: Bells have been ringing for thousands of years to celebrate happy occasions
like weddings or to warn people of impending dangers like an enemy attack or a fire.
In order to be effective, a bell has to have a clear, loud bong that can be heard and
understood without question from long distances. That’s why we say that anything —
an explanation, a message, or an answer to a question — that can be comprehended
with absolute certainty is as “clear as a bell.” People have been using this saying
for over 400 years. It became especially well known when it became the slogan of
a phonograph company in the 1910s. There is an expression that means just the
opposite: “clear as mud.”

Clear the decks

Before we can build our model for the science fair, we have to clear the
decks of other homework.
Meaning: to get all of the minor details out of the way in order to focus on a major
project
Origin: This is another of the many idioms that began at sea. In the times of wooden
sailing ships, before the 1700s, crews got ready for a battle at sea by fastening down
all loose objects on the cluttered deck that might get in the way or cause injuries. By
the 18th century the expression had a broader meaning: deal with and get rid of all
small matters that might stand in the way of getting a big job done.

Climb the walls

The assembly was so dull that all the kids were climbing the walls.

Meaning: to be frustrated or anxious during a challenging situation; to be unable

to endure
Origin: Perhaps this expression came from the days when soldiers attacking a castle
climbed the walls of the stronghold. They wanted to get out of the situation they were
in and get on with the battle. Today we say that any person can be “climbing the
walls” when he or she feels the need for relief from a frustrating situation.
45
 Clip your wings
My father said that if |didn’t start behaving, he was going to clip my
wings. : tien

Meaning: to end a person’s privileges; to take away someone’s power or freedom to

do something
Origin: In ancient Rome thousands of years ago, people clipped the wings of pet
birds so that they couldn’t fly away. For centuries people have used the idiom “clip
one’s wings” to mean bringing a person under control.

Cloak-and-dagger
Dad reads books on gardening, while Mom loves a good cloak-and-
dagger story.
Meaning: conceming or involving spies, secret agents, intrigue and mystery;
involving plotting and scheming
Origin: As early as the 1600s theatergoers in Spain and other countries loved seeing
melodramas filled with exciting adventures, especially daring sword fights. Many of
the characters in these dramas hid daggers or swords under their cloaks. After a while,
these shows were called “cloak-and-dagger” plays. Now the term is used to describe
any kind of entertainment that involves espionage, suspense, or other dramatic
adventures.

Close shave
Roberto had a close shave. His coach almost caught him sneaking out
of practice.

Meaning: a very narrow escape from danger

Origin: This American idiom comes from the early 19th century. The writer who coined
this phrase saw the similarity between a close shave and a narrow escape from hazard.
A close shave left your skin smooth, but if the blade came just a tiny bit closer, you'd
be cut. Today “close shave” implies a slender margin between safety and danger.

46
Cold feet
Gerry wanted to ask Lynette to the party, but he got cold feet.
Meaning: a fear of doing something; a loss of nerve or confidence; second
thoughts
Origin: Since the early 1800s people have been saying that someone who lost his
courage had cold feet. Maybe it came from the idea of soldiers running away from
battle. Fear can cause a person to feel quickly chilled, especially in the feet. Also,
“hot” has always suggested eagerness to do something. A “hot-blooded” person, for
instance, is always ready for a fight or an adventure. So, it’s easy to see how “cold
feet” can suggest cowardice and fear.

Cold shoulder
After Frank refused to take Jitka to the dance, she gave him the cold
shoulder every time they met.
Meaning: unfriendly treatment of a person by ignoring him or her
Origin: If you ignore someone, turn your back on him, or refuse to answer his
questions, you are giving him the “cold shoulder.” You might think that this expression
comes from being cold and unwelcoming when you turn your shoulder and snub
someone. But that’s not the origin at all. Hundreds of years ago in Europe, when a
knight in shining armor knocked on a castle door looking for a little hospitality, he
was usually given a nice hot meal. But when a common traveler came knocking, he
was often given a cold shoulder of sheep (called mutton). It was the unfriendly host’s
way of saying that the traveler’s visit was unwelcome and he should be gone as soon
as possible. For that reason, a snub today is called a “cold shoulder.”

47
 Cold turkey
| kicked the TV habit cold turkey. | took five books out of thelibrary
and covered my set with a blanket. en

Meaning; the sudden stopping of any habit

Origin: This 2oth-century American expression describes an instant withdrawal
from any kind of habit, such as smoking, alcohol, drugs, or high-fat foods. If you
totally quit your harmful behavior without any help, then you've quit “cold turkey.”
No one is quite sure why the words “cold” and “turkey” were joined this way. Since
“cold” sometimes describes something unpleasant (“She gave me a cold stare,” or
“A cold chill ran down my spine,” for example), then suddenly ending your bad, but
pleasurable, habit could leave you cold. How the “turkey” gobbled its way into this
idiom is anybody’s guess.

Come again
He had a heavy accent, so when he told me his name, | had to say,
“Come again?”
Meaning; I don’t understand what you’re saying, so please repeat yourself
Origin: The verb “to come” has always meant to arrive or appear. In this zoth-century
African-American expression, “come” takes on the meaning of “speak.”

Come apart at the seams

When Miriam found out that she wasn’t going back to camp this —
summer, she came apart at the seams.
Meaning: to become so upset that all self-control is gone
Origin: A person doesn’t actually have seams, of course, but think ofa piece of
clothing under great strain. Imagine a person trying to squeeze into a suit that was
smaller than his or her size. The garment might come apart at the seams and rip open.
Similarly, a nervous person under stress could “come apart at the seams,” or fall apart
and break down.

43
Come out of your shell
At first Mr. Greenblatt was shy, but when he felt more comfortable at
his new job, he came out of his shell. ~
Meaning; to stop being so shy; to become more friendly
Origin: Tortoises hide from danger by withdrawing their heads, legs, and tails into
their shells. Snails also retreat into their shells for safety when they feel threatened.
Newly hatched birds have to come out of their protective shells in order to grow up
in the outside world. Human beings don’t have shells, of course. But if you’re shy or
easily frightened and don’t feel comfortable with other people, and then you overcome
your shyness, lose your inhibitions, and become more sociable, you've “come out of
your shell.”

Come up smelling like a rose

Even though my sister forgot to do her chores last week, she still came
up smelling like a rose.
Meaning: to get out of a possibly embarrassing or disgraceful situation without
hurting your reputation, and maybe even improving it
Origin: This is a colorful 2oth-century American expression. The writer who created
it had in mind the image of a person who falls into a pile of garbage but manages to
come up “smelling like a rose.” Symbolically, this means the person gets into some
kind of trouble, and through good fortune or cleverness, gets out again without
damaging his or her good name.

49
 Cook your goose
When Sandra’s brother wouldn’t let her join his team, she cooked his
goose by letting the air out of the basketballs before the game...

Meaning: to wreck someone’s plans; to ruin someone’s project; to spoil someone's

happiness
Origin: This saying, which today has nothing to do with cooking, comes from an old
story. In the mid-1500s, Eric XIV, the Mad King of Sweden, came to a town with his
soldiers. To insult him, the townspeople hung a goose (the symbol of stupidity) outside
the town’s gates so it would be the first thing the king saw. That made the mad king
even madder than his regular mad self, so he ordered his soldiers to burn the town down.
When the townspeople asked what was happening, the king said that he was cooking
their goose. Today if you spoil someone’s plans, projects, hopes, or expectations, often
in spite or for revenge or punishment, you can say that his “goose is cooked.”

Cooking with gas

Yesterday, he didn’t score a single point. But in tonight’s game, he was
really cooking with gas.

Meaning: performing with skill, energy, enthusiasm, and excellence

Origin: Years ago when people wanted to cook food, they first had to gather wood
and get a fire going. When gas cooking became popular in the 2oth century, so did
this African-American expression. Today all you have to do is turn a dial. It’s fast,
clean, and effortless. The same idea can be applied to people’s actions. When someone
says you're “cooking with gas,” he or she is complimenting you about whatever you’re
doing. You’re getting the job done with great expertise and energy.

Cool as a cucumber
Roslyn was as cool as a cucumber when she got the award from the
President of the United States.

Meaning: very calm, not nervous or emotional

Origin: As early as the 1500s this expression was used to describe calm and composed
people. When thermometers were invented, scientists showed that cucumbers are
often 20 degrees cooler inside than the outside air.

50
Cool it
| told Meryl and Micki to cool it and stop arguing.
Meaning; to relax, calm down; to stop being so excited or angry
Origin: This example of American slang, usually spoken as an irritated command,
originated in the 1950s. When a person starts getting angry, a good piece of advice is
to “cool it.” Get control of yourself and relax.

Cool your heels

Poor Damien. I just saw him cooling his heels outside the
principal’s office.
Meaning: to be kept waiting for a long time, usually by someone in power or
authority
Origin: Your feet become warm or hot when you run or walk. But when you are forced
to sit for a long time or stand in one place, the heels of your feet stay cool. That’s
why, since the early 1600s, the saying is that when someone keeps you waiting, you’re
“cooling your heels.”

Cost an arm and a leg

It cost him an arm and a leg to go to Hawaii, but Mr. Wong really
needed the vacation.

Meaning: very expensive; high-priced, though possibly not worth the cost
Origin: This popular mid-zoth-century American expression gets a lot of use as
things get more expensive. Naturally, one’s arms and legs are priceless, so what this
saying implies is that if something is really expensive, then it’s like paying for it with
one of your limbs.

51
 Couch potato
He won’t come out to play because he’s a couch potato.

Meaning: a person who spends a lot of time watching television

Origin: People started buying television sets in the late 1940s, and by the mid-1970s
practically every household in America had at least one. That’s when this phrase was
invented. It describes a person who doesn’t do much in his or her free time except
watch television. Why “couch”? Because that’s where a lot of people sit when they’re
watching TV (especially if they want to lie down). Why “potato”? Because to the person
who coined this description, a person who lies around all day and night in front of the
television set reminded him of a potato — a dull, lumpy vegetable with “eyes.”

Cream of the crop

As a cook and hostess, Audrey is the cream of the crop.
Meaning; the best person or thing of all; the top choice; the best part
Origin: The first bottle of homogenized milk was sold in 1919. The fat particles were
made smaller and dispersed so the cream didn’t separate as it does in milk that comes
straight from a cow. But in the 1600s, when people first started using this idiom, the
cream, the richest, thickest part of the milk, always rose to the top. It was considered the
best part. So why didn’t “cream of the milk” become the phrase to describe anything
that’s the best? Because people like the sound of alliteration in their sayings (like
“bee in your bonnet” and “fit as a fiddle”). “Cream” and “crop” sound good together
because they both begin with “cr.” In France people say “Ja créme de la créme” (“the
cream of the cream”). Same thing.

Crocodile tears
| begged and cried to go to the party, but Dad said | was crying
crocodile tears.
Meaning; fake tears; false grief
Origin: Way back in ancient Rome (about A.D. 300), people were using this expression.
About 1,000 years later, people enjoyed listening to a popular folktale about how
crocodiles make loud weeping sounds to trap innocent prey who come close to see
what all the wailing is about. The crocodiles supposedly weep fake tears even as they
eat their victims. Later, British writers such as Shakespeare, Bacon, and Tennyson used
“crocodile tears” to suggest insincere sympathy and pretended sorrow.
52
Cross that bridge when you come to it
How do you know they won't let you into the concert? Cross that
bridge when you come to it.
Meaning; don’t predict problems until they actually happen; don’t worry about
future events now; don’t deal with a difficulty until you have to
Origin: This expression is old, and no one today is sure of exactly when or where it
originated. However, it’s easy to see the idea behind it. If a bridge is ten miles down
the road, you can’t worry about whether it is dangerous to cross until you get there.
In the same way, there’s no sense worrying about something ahead of time. Wait until
it happens and then deal with it.

Cry over spilled milk

I’m sorry your wallet fell overboard, but there’s no use crying over
spilled milk.
Meaning; to cry or complain about an event that has already taken place and can’t
be changed
Origin: This famous saying was first used by writers in the mid-1600s and popularized
by Canadian humorist Thomas Haliburton around 1836. The idea behind it is that if
milk spills out of a container, you can’t get it back in again, so you might as well not
cry over it. Note: Sometimes you'll see “spilled” spelled as “spilt.” That’s because this
is an old idiom and “spilt” is an old spelling.

Cry wolf
Don’t worry if my little brother starts screaming that there’s a ghost in
his room. He always cries wolf.
Meaning: to give a false alarm of danger; to warn of a peril that you know is not real
Origin: One of Aesop’s most famous fables tells of a bored shepherd boy who falsely
cried that a wolf was killing his sheep. When people came and found out there was
no wolf threatening the sheep, they were annoyed. The shepherd did this once too
often; one day when a real wolf came, no one came when he called out, and the wolf
ate the sheep.

53
 Cut off your nose to spite your face
Don’t stay home because your ex-girlfriend is going to the sates with
juan. Why cut off your nose to spite your face? .

Meaning; to injure yourself out of anger toward another; to make a situation worse
for yourself when angry with someone
Origin: Some people were using this proverb in Latin as early as 1200. There may
have been a story about cutting off part of a long, ugly nose, only to succeed in
disfiguring the whole face. Apply that same idea to any spiteful action you commit
against another person that ends up harming only you.

Cut the mustard

He was forty and many people thought he was too old to cut the
mustard, but he hit over fifty home runs.
Meaning: to be able to handle a job or fulfill the requirements
Origin: This is an example of late 9th-century American slang. “Mustard” meant the
main attraction. If you could “cut the mustard,” you could do something well. Why is it
“cut” the mustard? Perhaps because mustard grows as a plant that has to be cut down,
and if you can cut the mustard plant down, you must be a capable person. Another
theory is that this expression comes from the military. There, “to pass muster” means
to pass inspection, which may have changed over the years to “cut the mustard.”

Cut to the quick

The chef was cut to the quick when the food critic said his steak stunk,
his fish flopped, and his omelet laid an egg.

Meaning; to hurt someone’s feelings very deeply; to be extremely unkind or nasty

Origin: Many centuries ago there was an Old English word, cwicu (today it’s “quick”),
which meant “living.” (Another old expression, the “quick and the dead,” means the
living and the dead.) Cwicu referred to the most sensitive flesh on your body, right
under the nails on your fingers and toes. If you trim these nails too short, you can
pierce the skin underneath, and that can be really painful. A long time ago, people
started using this expression to mean more than just cutting someone with a knife or
sword. It meant offending a person so deeply with a cutting remark that he felt sharp
inner pain, as if he had been emotionally stabbed.
54
Cut your eyeteeth on something
Shana’s been fooling around with cars since she was a kid. She cut her
eyeteeth onthem. —
Meaning: to acquire wisdom; to gain valuable experience, often at a young age
Origin: When a baby’s first teeth start growing in, the teeth are actually cutting
through the gums. Children also chew on things in order to help new teeth break
through the gums. Years ago the analogy of cutting teeth and having experiences
early in life probably led a writer to create this expression. We think eyeteeth got their
name because they are right under the eyes in the upper jaw. But no one knows why
eyeteeth are mentioned in this expression since they’re not the first teeth to grow in.
Sometimes the saying is shortened to “cut your teeth” on something.

Cutting edge
My brother works in nuclear physics. He’s on the cutting edge of some
pretty amazing discoveries.

Meaning: the forefront; the most advanced or important position, usually in

science and technology
Origin: Scientific discoveries and technological advances throughout the 2oth
century have been incredible. Just as the cutting edge of a sharp knife makes contact
before the rest of the knife when slicing through objects, a highly advanced discovery
is said to be on the “cutting edge.”

55
 Dark-horse candidate
Everyone was surprised when Pedro won the election because he was a
dark-horse candidate.
Meaning; a contestant about whom little is known and who wins unexpectedly
Origin: There are at least three possible origins to this idiom and all come from horse
racing in the early 1800s. The first is that a dark horse was a fast runner whose speed
was kept secret (“dark”) until the race started, and who, to everyone’s surprise, won.
The second is that an owner of a fast horse sometimes dyed its hair black as a disguise
before a big race. The third is that a certain American horse trader fooled people by
disguising his fast black stallion as an ordinary saddle horse. He rode the horse into
town, arranged for a race, took bets on it, and always won. The term was introduced
into American politics with the surprise win of President James Polk in 1844.

Dead as a doornail
When Monica quit the show, the class play was as dead as a doornail.
Meaning; totally dead or hopeless; without a chance of success
Origin: A book in the mid-1300s first used this expression. Perhaps its origin was the
image of a metal plate (called a doornail) being hit so many times by the door knocker
that it had its life knocked out of it. Also, “dead as a doornail” contains alliteration, and
so does this variation on the saying: “dead as a dodo” (an extinct bird). Either expression
is a good way to describe something that is out of date or no longer in existence.

Dead duck
When Jeddy finds out that Sandee lost the money, she’s a dead duck.
Meaning; a person who is ruined; a person or project unlikely to continue or survive
Origin: This expression dates from the mid- to late 1800s. “Dead” has often referred to
an idea, plan, project, or person that is ruined or hopeless. “Duck” added alliteration
to help the saying become popular.
36
Diamond in the rough
“This old car is a diamond in the rough,” said Ryan. “I'll tap out her
dents, slap on a coat of paint, and she'll be a real beauty.”
Meaning: someone or something that doesn’t look so good now, but that has great
merit and the potential to be beautiful
Origin: When you see a smooth, polished diamond in a jewelry store, you see it
in its finished form. When it was dug out of the mine, it was a rough, dull chunk of
carbon. You could never put it into a ring, necklace, or bracelet like that. But then
the diamond cutters and polishers got to work, and soon that rock was an exquisite
and expensive sparkling gem. In the same way, persons or things may look crude
or coarse at first. But if fixed up, they can be beautiful. Here are some examples of
possible “diamonds in the rough”: the first draft of a story that needs to be revised; a
dilapidated, run-down house that needs a makeover; a potentially great singer who
needs singing lessons. One of the best examples is Eliza Doolittle, a poor, dirty flower
seller on the streets of London who was educated to become “My Fair Lady.”

Dime a dozen
He thought his old books were rare, but they were a dime a dozen.
Meaning: very common and inexpensive; easy to get and available anywhere
Origin: In 1786 the U.S. Continental Congress officially named the ten-cent coin a
“dime.” The dime soon became a popular coin. Millions were minted. Everyone had
them. Since they were so cheap, so abundant, and so common, the phrase “a dime a
dozen” became a natural way to describe any everyday thing that was easy to get and
of small value. And “dime” and “dozen” begin with the same letter, which makes the
saying catchy through alliteration.

Do or die
Marcy was determined to win the gold medal, do or die!

Meaning: to succeed or fail completely; to take the chance of ruining oneself in

trying to succeed
Origin: “Do” means to achieve or get something done. “Die” doesn’t necessarily
mean that your life will end if you don’t accomplish what you set out to do. It is an
exaggeration. If you make a do-or-die effort, you're trying your hardest to succeed,
no matter what obstacles might be in the way. 57
 Dog days of summer
Sales of air conditioners are usually highest during the dog days of
summer. ie t

Meaning; the hottest and most humid days of summer, usually much of July and
August
Origin: In ancient Roman times people who studied astronomy knew that Sirius,
the Dog Star, rose and set with the sun during the hottest weeks of the year, July
through mid-August. People thought that the heat from the Dog Star combined with
the heat from the sun to make those weeks extra hot. That’s why people today call this
uncomfortable time the “dog days.” People tend to get bored and tired at this time
because it’s so hot outside.

Dog-eat-dog world
When Helene got her first job, she realized what a dog-eat-dog world
it was. — .

Meaning: a way of life marked by fierce competition in which people compete

ruthlessly for survival or success
Origin: This saying might go back as far as the 1500s. Sometimes savage dogs that
were desperately hungry would fight bitterly for the same piece of food. A writer who
observed this created the expression “dog-eat-dog world” to describe the willingness
of some people to fight and hurt others in a merciless competition to get what they
wanted. Today this phrase is usually used to describe the worlds of business and
politics.

Dog’s life
Poor Mrs. Youngman. With that miserable job and those screaming
children, she leads a dog’s life.
Meaning: a bleak, harsh, terrible existence without much happiness or freedom
Origin: Erasmus, a Dutch scholar and theologian, used this expression in his writings
around 1542. Today there is a great effort to treat dogs humanely, so many dogs lead
good lives. But dogs generally don’t live as well as people. In some countries dogs are
not kept as pets, and, in fact, it is common to eat them. So this expression has come to
mean leading a poor or unhappy life.
58
Don’t count your chickens before they hatch
| spent the money | planned to earn and then the job was canceled.
| shouldn’t have counted my chickens before they hatched.
Meaning: don’t count on profits before you earn them or have them in hand
Origin: Aesop once wrote about a woman carrying a basket of eggs. In her mind she
figured how much she would get for the chickens when the eggs hatched and exactly
how she would spend the money. She got so excited, she dropped her egg basket. Every
egg smashed. Today we use this fable to warn people not to be confident of getting a
result, realizing an ambition, or making a profit before it actually happens.

Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth

When Sandy complained about her present, her dad told her not to
look a gift horse in the mouth.
Meaning: don’t complain if a gift is not perfect; take what you've been given
without criticism or emphasis on its worth
Origin: You can tell how old a horse is by looking at the size and shape of its teeth.
What “don’t look a gift horse in the mouth” means is that if you find too many faults
with a gift by examining it too closely, you’re sure to be disappointed and possibly
insult the person who gave it to you.

Don’t take any wooden nickels

Have a good trip to Chicago, and don’t take any wooden nickels.

Meaning: Don’t let anyone cheat you or take advantage of you

Origin: This popular American expression was first used in the early 1900s during the
great migration from rural areas to the big cities. The phrase meant that one should
beware of city slickers, people who would sometimes pass out counterfeit coins
(“wooden nickels”). Soon wooden nickels came to represent any kind of trickery or
double-dealing.

59
 Dose of one’s own medicine
After he soaked Josh with the hose, Timmy got a dose of his own
medicine when he fell into a puddle. . a
Meaning: the same or a similar bad thing done back to the person who did it first
Origin: Sometimes a dose of medicine is hard to swallow. Mary Poppins, in the 1964
Disney movie, tried to make the vile-tasting stuff go down more easily by adding a
spoonful of sugar. The person giving the medicine doesn’t suffer because he or she
doesn’t have to taste it. But if, after someone makes you drink the awful liquid, he
has to swallow it himself, he'll have the same unpleasant experience he inflicted on
you. In the same manner, if anyone does something mean and then has a similar
nasty thing happen to him, he’d be getting a “dose (some people say ‘taste’) of his
own medicine.” Cicero, the great writer, philosopher, statesman, and orator of ancient
Rome, used a phrase similar to this one in Latin over 2,000 years ago.

Dot your i’s and cross your t’s

Mrs. Potter wants us to proofread our papers and dot all the i’s and
cross all the t’s.
Meaning; to take great care over details
Origin: An expression similar to this first appeared in books in the early 1500s. If you
want good penmanship, you’d better be careful with things like the dots over the i’s
and the lines crossing the t's. Today this widely used saying refers to being extremely
thorough by paying close attention to details in whatever you do.

Down in the dumps

After she lost the election, Kim was down in the dumps.
Meaning: sad and depressed
Origin: You might think that “dumps” in this saying refers to a garbage dump, but
it doesn’t. Some word experts think that “dumps” comes from old German words that
meant “mental haze,” “dullness,” or “gloomy.” So, if you’re in a mental fog because
you're so unhappy, you’re definitely “down in the dumps.” Note the alliteration in this
idiom. Similar, older expressions are “down in the mouth” and “down-at-the-heels.”

60
Down the drain
When her company went out of business, her money went down the
drain.
Meaning: lost forever; wasted
Origin: In some places, water is more precious than oil or gold. Without water, crops
can't grow and people can’t live. Once water goes down the drain, it’s gone and
cannot be retrieved. Today we say that anything precious that’s been wasted or lost
has gone “down the drain.”

Down the hatch

Grandma handed me a glass of smelly medicine and said, “Down the
hatch.”
Meaning: swallow a drink in one gulp
Origin: People have used this expression for centuries. A ship’s passengers, crew,
and cargo pass through an opening in the deck called the hatch. Sometime in the
mid-1500s a clever toastmaker, probably a sailor, realized that a drink going into a
person’s mouth was like things going into the hatch of a ship. He lifted a glass to his
lips and said, “Down the hatch,” and a new toast was born.

Down-to-earth
Even though Judi’s parents are millionaires, they don’t act snobbishly.
They are really quite down-to-earth.

Meaning: practical; sensible; realistic

Origin: This expression dates from the first half of the 2oth century. A person with his
or her “head in the clouds” might be absentminded or full of daydreams. But a person
who is “down-to-earth” is direct and practical. Earth is where useful things grow. It’s
where sensible people have their two feet firmly planted.

61
 Down-to-the-wire
| can’t talk to you now. I’m down-to-the-wire on this research report.
Meaning: running out of time; at the very last minute
Origin: This saying started in the early 1900s and became popular by the 1940s. It
comes from horse racing and the realorimaginary wire marking the end of the race.
Today we refer to that finish line when we say that a person working until the last
possible moment on a project is coming down-to-the-wire. Sometimes this expression
can also describe a person who is very low on money.

Draw the line at

My parents give me a lot of freedom, but they draw the line at letting
me stay out late on school nights. aoe

Meaning; to set a specific limit, especially about behavior

Origin: For thousands of years, whenever land was being divided, a line was drawn
to show the end of one person’s property and the beginning of another person's. There
might be trouble if people were not sure of the boundary lines. There are other possible
origins from sports like cricket and tennis.

Dressed to the nines

When Ramon came into the gym on the night of the dance, he was
dressed to the nines.
Meaning: wearing fashionable clothing; dressed to attract attention
Origin: There are a number of theories about the word “nines” in this idiom that
dates back at least to the 18th century. Two possibilities are that nine is a mystical
or sacred number in numerology (3 x 3) and represents perfection. Another theory is
that the saying comes from an Old English expression “dressed to then eyne,” which
meant dressed fashionably from your toes right up to your eyes (“to then eyne”). Over
time the letter “n” shifted one space to the right and “eyne” became “neyne” and
eventually “nines.” The saying is sometimes expressed as “dressed to the teeth” or
“dressed to kill.” Kill means to impress someone, not to murder them.

62
Drive a hard bargain
| had to trade him three of my best comic books for just one baseball
card. He sure drives a hard bargain.
Meaning; to insist on hard terms in making an agreement that is often to your
advantage; to buy or sell at a good price
Origin: This idiom goes back to Greek writings of A.D. 950. It made its way into
English about 500 years later. To “drive” means to vigorously carry through some task;
“hard” means tough.

Drive you crazy

It drives me crazy ifmy little brother bangs on his drum when I’m on
the phone. .
Meaning: to make someone angry or confused; to make somebody very annoyed or
frustrated
Origin: This popular expression originated in America in the 1900s. To “drive” has
long meant to be in control of a situation (see “in the driver’s seat,” page 119, and
“backseat driver,” page 9). So if someone is doing something so annoying that it’s
making you lose your wits, then you’re being driven “crazy, mad, nuts” — or even
“up a wall.”

Drop in the bucket

I’ve saved all month for a skateboard, but | still have only a drop in the
bucket.
Meaning: a very small, insignificant amount
Origin: Sometimes this expression, which comes from the Bible (Isaiah 9:15), is “a
drop in the ocean.” It’s easy to see that one little drop of water is close to nothing
when compared with all the water in a bucket. In the same way, a small amount of
anything is like a drop in the bucket when compared with the full amount that is
needed or desired.

63
 Drop you like a hot potato
When she found out that Mark was lying to her, she dropped him like
a hot potato. ae
Meaning; to get rid of something or somebody as quickly as possible
Origin: A hot potato stays hot for a long time because it contains a lot of water. If
someone actually handed you a hot potato, you’d drop it quickly. If you didn’t, you'd
burn your hand. A writer in the early 19th century used this simile to mean to abandon,
or drop, someone or something as fast as possible. “Hot potato” by itself means any
embarrassing or dangerous problem.

Dull as dishwater
Programs on that channel are as dull as dishwater.
Meaning: not inspiring; uninteresting
Origin: An earlier form of this English expression was “dull as ditchwater,” meaning
the muddy water of a ditch. Charles Dickens used it that way in a book in 1865 to describe
something boring and tedious. Ditchwater is cloudy, and definitely not exciting. So is
dishwater. The change in words probably occurred as a mispronunciation or mistake
in printing.

Dutch treat
Lorrie and Al went Dutch treat to the movies.

Meaning: each person pays for his or her own food and entertainment
Origin: This expression came from American slang in the late 1800s. Some word
experts think it was first used by people who observed the habits of Dutch immigrants,
who were thrifty and saved their money. When people paid for their own food and
entertainment, especially on a date, the practice was dubbed “Dutch treat.” “Go
Dutch” means the same thing.

64
 Mr. Freedman is a Republican and has never voted
for a Democrat in his life.

complete, permanent; stubborn

If wool is dyed while still in its raw state, the dye lasts longer than wool dyed
after being spur: or woven. At least since 1579 the idea of something being so deeply
a part of something else that it wouldn’t be easily changed was applied to people
who had strong, unchangeable beliefs with the expression “dyed-in-the-wool.” This
saying was first used in the political sense in 1830 during the administration of Andrew
Jackson.

Clothing Idioms
Everybody wears clothes, from a small shoestring to a humongous hat. Many
idioms contain the names of clothing items. Some clothing idioms in this
book are

Air your dirty laundry in public Old hat

Ants in your pants On a shoestring
At the drop of a hat Pass the hat
Eat your hat Pull a rabbit out of a hat
Feather in your cap Shoe is on the other foot
Fly by the seat of your pants Stuffed shirt
Give someone the shirt off your back Take off your hat to someone
Goody Two-shoes Talk through your hat
Handle with kid gloves Throw your hat into the ring
Hat in hand Tied to someone’s apron strings
Hit below the belt Tighten your belt
Hot under the collar Too big for your britches
If the shoe fits, wear it Waiting for the other shoe to drop
Keep something under your hat Wear your heart on your sleeve
Keep your shirt on Wolf in sheep’s clothing
Lose your shirt
 Early bird catches the worm
Sue slept overnight in front of the stadium in order to get concert.
tickets. The early bird catches the worm.
Meaning: a person who gets up early and starts a project ahead of others has the
best chance of accomplishing his or her goal
Origin: Birds like to eat worms. If a bird arrives late where the worms are, it will
probably go hungry. But the bird who gets there early is sure to get some food. In the
1600s the proverb “the early bird gets the worm” was written to show that human beings
who don’t delay in starting an undertaking will most likely get what they want.

Easy as pie
|thought that getting my teacher to raise my grade would beaseasy __
as pie. Sess

Meaning: not difficult; requiring practically no effort

Origin: There are two similar modern idioms that mean extremely easy: “easy as pie”
and “piece of cake.” Why should they both relate to baked desserts? Perhaps to the
people who coined the phrases, desserts were easier to make than other foods.

Easy as rolling off a log

Blanca told me that learning how to work the ceramics kiln was as easy
as rolling off a log. .
Meaning: very, very easy; requiring little or no effort
Origin: In the United States in the 1830s, when this idiom was first used, logs were
often floated down rivers from the forests to the lumber mills. Men held contests to
see who could stand upright on a floating log the longest. Most men fell into the river
because it’s extremely difficult to remain standing on a floating log and extremely
easy to fall off one. So anything that’s effortless is “as easy as rolling off a log.” This
expression is related to “easy as pie” (above). :
66
Easy come, easy go
You spent all your birthday money in one morning? With you, it’s easy
come, easy go.
Meaning: something that is easily obtained, as money, can be lost or parted with
just as easily
Origin: This saying goes all the way back to the famous Canterbury Tales, written in
the 1300s. The author, Geoffrey Chaucer, was saying that if you get something quickly
and easily without really working hard for it, you’ll probably spend or lose it just as
quickly.

Eat crow
| made Jon admit that he was wrong, and now he has to eat crow.

Meaning: to be forced to do something very disagreeable; to acknowledge a

mistake or defeat
Origin: This is a saying from the War of 1812 when an American officer was forced to
eat a dead crow. People who have actually eaten a crow say that it tastes horrible. To
be forced to “eat crow” is humbling and humiliating, like having to admit that you’ve
done ox said something terribly wrong. It’s a little like eating humble pie (below).

Eat humble pie

When he finds out how wrong he’s been, he’ll eat humble pie!
Meaning: to be apologetic or suffer humiliation; to act humble or admit guilt
Origin: This expression is very similar to “eat crow,” but it comes from medieval
times, when there really was a pie called an “umble” or “numble” pie. Umbles were
the heart, liver, and entrails of deer and other animals, and only servants ate a pie
made out of animals’ guts. “Umble pie” was changed to “humble,” which means
lowly and meek. By the early 1800s the expression “eat humble pie” meant profusely
apologizing for a humiliating error.

67
 Eat out of your hand
That kid will be eating out of my hand when | show him my new video
game. | | nee

Meaning; to be very cooperative or submissive; to believe and obey someone

without question
Origin: This expression, from the 2oth century, describes what a tame or trusting
animal will do if you treat it right. The person who created this idiom applied the same
idea to human beings who trust fully and obey without question. People don’t actually
eat out of anyone’s hand, but they do behave like obedient animals sometimes.

Eat you out of house and home

Matias grew four inches, and he’s eating his parents out of house and
home.

Meaning; to be so expensive to feed and keep that the person paying cannot afford it
Origin: William Shakespeare used this famous saying in one of his plays around
the year 1600, but it probably goes back as far as 2,000 years. “House” and “home”
mean about the same thing, of course. Using them both in one expression doubles the
meaning.

Eat your hat

Ifwe don’t win this basketball game by at least twenty points, I'll eat
my hat.
Meaning; a statement made when you are positive that something will happen
Origin: Many great writers, including Charles Dickens, have used this expression. The
idea behind it is that you are 100 percent certain that some event will take place (or
not take place). If the opposite of what you publicly predict unexpectedly happens,
you will do something ridiculous like eat your hat. Since you expect your prediction to
come true, you feel safe in promising that you'll do something stupid if it doesn’t.

68
Eat your heart out
After Serena lost the plane tickets, she ate her heart out over the
mistake.

Meaning: to feel extremely unhappy about a hopeless situation; to make yourself

sick with grief and worry
Origin: This expression goes all the way back to the ancient Greeks. The poet Homer
used it in his famous epic poem The Odyssey. A person’s heart has always been considered
the center of his or her emotions. For instance, a person can be “brokenhearted,” or have
a “heart of gold.” This idiom is saying that if you become thin and weak from sorrow, if
your misery is making you sick, then it’s as if you are figuratively eating your heart out.
The expression can also mean to be extremely jealous. “When Marika got the lead in the
school play, Fiona ate her heart out because she wanted it.”

Eat your words

He predicted that I’d fail biology, but | got a D. Now he'll have to eat
his words.
Meaning; to have to take back what you said; to admit humbly that you were wrong
Origin: Words come out of your mouth. Food goes in to be eaten. If you've said
something that turns out to be not true, maybe you wish you could take back those
wrong words, put them back into your mouth, and eat them. A similar expression is
“eat crow” (see page 67), but “eat your words” makes more sense.

Egg on your face

When Doug found out he had scored a touchdown for the other team,
he had egg on his face.
Meaning: to be very embarrassed or humiliated for something foolish that you did
or said
Origin: This American saying is probably from the 1950s. It could have come from
the image of a sloppy eater, humiliated because he or she has food, like egg, on his
or her face. Or it could have come from the custom of rude audiences in the old days
throwing raw eggs at performers they didn’t like. To be standing on a stage in front of
an angry crowd with egg on your face must have been mortifying.

69
 Elbow grease
Put a little elbow grease into that job. Polish that car until it shines!
Meaning: hard, energetic manual labor
Origin: In Britain in the late 1600s people were using the term “elbow grease” to
jokingly refer to the sweat worked up by strong, fast-moving work with one’s arms,
such as rubbing, polishing, and scraping.

Eleventh hour
At the eleventh hour, just seconds before the curtain rose, Sybil
finished painting the scenery.

Meaning; at the latest possible time, just before the absolute deadline
Origin: This idiom comes from the Bible. The eleventh hour is the last hour before the
end of the world. In the Bible, it was the last hour of sunlight with the twelfth hour
bringing darkness. Some people delay so much, they sometimes finish a project at the
last minute, or even the last second, just before the deadline passes.

Every cloud has a silver lining

Pamela missed the school bus, but every cloud has a silver lining.
She also missed the math test.

Meaning; there is something good in every bad situation

Origin: This expression of hope was used by the English poet John Milton in 1634. He
must have noticed that if the sun is behind a dark cloud, light shines out around the
edges like a silver lining. With this idiom, Milton said that even the worst situation
(“cloud”) has something hopeful or more positive about it (“silver lining”).

70
 Every Tom, Dick, and Harry
| wanted this to be a small, private party, but Victoria invited every
Tom, Dick, and Harry.
Meaning: every person possible, especially very ordinary people
Origin: William Shakespeare used a phrase like this in one of his plays around 1600,
but the last of the three names he used was Francis. In the early 1800s a lot of men
were named Harry; that name replaced Francis and joined Tom and Dick, also common
names, to stand for anybody and everybody, including ordinary people of low social
status. “Tom, Dick, and Harry” is a put-down, usually spoken by a person who thinks
that he or she is better than other people.

Everything but the kitchen sink

When Erin went away to college, she took everything but the kitchen
sink.
Meaning: practically everything there is; every possible object whether needed or not
Origin: This expression was born in the early 2oth century and became popular
after World War II (the late 1940s). The kitchen sink is heavy, connected to pipes, and
usually bolted down, so it’s not easily movable. But if you took everything but the
kitchen sink, you’d be taking virtually all there was. Related sayings are “from soup
to nuts” (see page 84) and “from A to Z.”

Eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth

Amanda took Gene’s bicycle after he took her skateboard. That’s what
| call an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.
Meaning; revenge or punishment exactly like the original crime or offense
Origin: This idea appears in the Old Testament of the Bible (Exodus 21:23) and is often
used to sum up its stern code. This idiom suggests that every crime or injury should be
punished or paid back with an equal exchange of hurtful actions.

71
 AERP PRR eee eee ee eee

fi7
ée

My teacher always knows when we’re passing notes. He must have

ability to sense what is happening outside of one’s field of vision;

ability to know what happens when one’s back is turned
People’s eyes are on the front of their faces, but there are people who seem to
know what’s going on behind them, as if they had eyes in the back of their heads.

Food Idioms

Everyone loves to eat, from a simple snack to a humongous dinner. Many

idioms contain the names of foods. Some food idioms in this book are
Apple of your eye Nutty as a fruitcake
Bowl of cherries Pie in the sky
Butter someone up Piece of cake
Chew the fat Proof of the pudding is in the eating
Gool as a cucumber Put all your eggs into one basket
Cry over spilled milk Rotten apple spoils the barrel
Cut the mustard Salt of the earth
Drop you like a hot potato Sell like hotcakes
Easy as pie Sing for your supper
Eat humble pie Sling hash
Egg on your face Sow your wild oats
Feel your oats Spill the beans
Food for thought Take the cake
From soup to nuts Take with a grain of salt
Full of beans That’s the way the cookie crumbles
Go bananas Through the grapevine
Go fry an egg Too many cooks spoil the broth:
Gravy train Top banana
Hard nut to crack Upper crust
Have your cake and eat it too Upset the applecart
In a pickle Walk on eggs
Like two peas in a pod Worth your salt
Not your cup of tea
Face the music
| was caught cheating and now | have to face the music.

Meaning; to endure the consequences of one’s actions; to take what you have
coming to you
Origin: This American saying was common in the mid-1800s. There are two theories
about its origin. It could have come from the world of theater. Sometimes an audience
didn’t like a show. It took courage for a performer to stand on the stage and face the
hostile audience and also the orchestra pit (“the music”). This idiom could also have
come from the military world. If a soldier did something dishonorable, he was often
dismissed from the army as the band played, “facing the music.” Similar expressions
are “pay the piper” and “take one’s medicine.”

Fair-weather friend
You can’t count on Liz to help you when you're in trouble. She’s just a
~ fair-weather friend.
Meaning: a person who is a faithful friend only when everything is going well but
who deserts you in times of difficulty
Origin: It’s good when the weather is fair and lovely, with blue skies and mild
breezes. It’s bad when the weather turns foul. Apply the same idea to a friendship and
you can see where this idiom came from. A fair-weather (good-time only) friend is the
opposite of a foul-weather (bad-time only) friend. The best kind of friend is a “friend
in need” who will support you all the time.

73
 Famous last words
Our music teacher said that we were sure to win the state choral
championship — famous last words. 2
Meaning: a sarcastic response to a foolish statement that suggests that the speaker
doesn’t know what he or she is talking about
Origin: It is thought that people in the military made this phrase popular during
World War II (in the 1940s) and that other people began using it after that. Throughout
history, people have made declarations (“This is the war to end all wars”) that were
later proven to be untrue and perhaps even silly to have been said in the first place.
Simpleminded statements were sometimes referred to as ‘famous last words of history.”
The phrase was shortened to “famous last words.”

Fat cat
Maybe we can get some fat cats to contribute money for the new gym.

Meaning; a wealthy person; a rich benefactor

Origin: This term, which goes back to the 1920s in America, used to refer to rich
people who gave big contributions to political candidates. “Fat” described both the
size of their waistlines (because they could afford big meals) and the size of their
wallets (stuffed with money). Where did “cat” come from? It rhymes with “fat,” and
rhyming sounds often help a saying become popular.

Feast or famine
Last week we made over $100 on our car wash; this week only one car
came. It’s either feast or famine. .
Meaning: great success or total failure; either too much or too little of something
Origin: This catchy phrase suggests the opposites of having too much or too little of
something. “Feast” and “famine” are antonyms (words with opposite meanings) and
also begin with the same sound (alliteration). This expression started out as “feast or
fast” in the 1730s, but later “fast” was changed to “famine,” which means about the
same thing but doesn’t sound as good with “feast.” Why the switch of words? Nobody
today really knows.

74
Feather in your cap
Winning the competition was quite a feather in my cap.
Meaning: a great achievement or special honor; an accomplishment to be proud of
Origin: It has been a custom of many different groups of people all over the world,
including American Indians, to put a feather in the headgear of a warrior for each
enemy defeated in battle. The more feathers in your cap, the greater your number of
victories. Although the practice goes back to medieval times, the expression “feather
in your cap” dates from just the early 17th century.

Feather your nest

The senator was accused of using his office to feather his own nest.

Meaning: to be more interested in taking care of yourself, providing for your own
comfort, and making money rather than doing good for others
Origin: For millions of years birds have been lining their nests with soft feathers
to make comfortable homes. Since the 1500s the expression “feather your nest” has
been used to refer to greedy people who use the power of high positions to make life
comfortable for themselves before they think of the well-being of others. The saying
can also be used in a more positive way to mean decorating your home to make it
more pleasant and comfortable.

Feel your oats

Ms. Blumenthal was dancing, laughing, and feeling her oats.

Meaning; to be in high spirits, energetic; to act in a proud way

Origin: This American expression from the early 19th century originated when a writer
noticed that his horse always acted more lively and vigorous when it was well-fed with
oats. The writer applied the idea to people, often older ones, and wrote that a peppy,
active person was “feeling his oats.”

75
 Feet of clay
In American history we learned that many presidents had feet of clay.
Meaning: a hidden fault of character; a weak point
Origin: In the Bible (Daniel 2:31-32), the king of a great empire once dreamed of a
statue with a head of gold, a body of silver and brass, legs of iron, and feet of iron
and clay. The statue broke and its pieces blew away in the wind. The king’s prophet
interpreted the dream to mean that the empire would eventually break up. Even today,
people who are highly regarded may have secret flaws of character (“feet of clay”) that
could ruin their reputations.

Fiddle while Rome burns

The governor fiddled while Rome burned, doing nothing about crime,
poverty, and pollution.

Meaning; do nothing or busy yourself with unimportant matters instead of taking

action in an urgent situation
Origin: There’s a famous legend that in A.D. 64, Emperor Nero stood on a high tower
and played his lyre (“fiddle”) while he watched Rome burn. The story may not be true,
but it yielded this idiom that describes the behavior of anyone who, ina crisis, doesn’t
take action right away.

Field day
Andrew has a field day playing with all the new toys in his uncle’s store.

Meaning: to have unlimited opportunities; to have it all your own way; to go all out
and experience success at something
Origin: In the 1800s people from schools, fire companies, businesses, and other
organizations would participate in wholesome outdoor sports on a big playing field.
They would play to their heart’s content. Soon, to have a field day meant to indulge
yourself in any way you wanted. Even today, some schools have a “field day.”

76
 Fifth wheel
Ifhe comes with us, he’ll just be a fifth wheel.
Meaning: an unneeded, extra person
Origin: This is a proverb that was first used in France in the 16th century. A unicycle
has one wheel; a bicycle has two wheels; a tricycle has three wheels; and wagons and
cars have four wheels. No vehicle needs five wheels. The fifth wheel is a surplus thing,
good for nothing. In the same way, if two couples are going out on a double date, an
extra person who tags along could be called a “fifth wheel.”

Fight tooth and nail

The counselor had to separate two campers who were fighting tooth
and nail.
Meaning; to fight fiercely, furiously, and ferociously
Origin: This vivid expression goes far back to a Latin proverb that became a French
saying centuries later and finally came into English in 1562. When wild animals fight,
they bite and claw each other. Sometimes people fight fiercely, as if they were animals
fighting a deadly battle “tooth and nail.”

Fill the bill

The decorator said that a tall potted palm in this corner would fill the
bill.

Meaning; to be just the perfect thing that is needed; to be very competent,

effective
Origin: One of the many meanings of “bill” is a list of acts being presented in a
theater. In the 1800s an audience expected to enjoy a full bill of singers, dancers,
jugglers, and comedians. To be sure that the audience was satisfied with the evening’s
lineup, the theater manager sometimes added acts to “fill the bill.” Today the meaning
has broadened to anything or anyone that meets a need or is just right for a purpose.

77
 Finger in every pie
Mrs. Simon has her finger in every pie when it comes to music, dance, —
and theater. — :

Meaning: to have a part in something; to be involved in many matters, businesses,

or activities
Origin: The person who made up this saying might have been thinking of people who
can’t decide what pie they want — blueberry, pecan, peach — so they stick a finger in
every pie to get a taste of each. Think of each pie as a different business or project,
and when you put your finger into a “pie,” you have a part interest or responsibility
in that activity. People often participate in many activities to make extra profit for
themselves.

Fish or cut bait

Are you using that microscope or not? Fish or cut bait.

Meaning: do one thing or another, but stop delaying; make a choice; act now or
give someone else a turn
Origin: This idiom, popular since the 1800s, is a metaphor that refers to a person who
holds a fishing rod but doesn’t fish. Someone else could use that rod and catch some
fish. The procrastinator might be asked to either drop the line into the water and fish,
or cut the bait from the line and let another angler have a chance.

Fish out of water

| want to help the new girl wn Russia. She must feel like a fish out of
water.

Meaning; a person who is out of his or her usual place; someone who doesn’t fit in
or is helpless in a situation
Origin: For thousands of years people have known that a fish belongs in water. That’s
its natural habitat. So a person who is in an unfamiliar or uncomfortable setting will
feel like a fish out of water.

78
Fit as a fiddle
My great-grandfather is nearly ninety, but he’s still fit as a fiddle.
Meaning; in good health; in fine shape
Origin: This expression dates from at least the early 1600s. “Fit” has always meant
“in good health.” But why was it joined with “fiddle” in this simile? Probably because
“fit” and “fiddle” are a good example of alliteration, and a fiddle that’s fit (well tuned
and in good shape) can play terrific music.

Fit like a glove

These new curtains match your bedspread perfectly. They fit your
bedroom like a glove.
Meaning: to fit a person or thing perfectly; to be exactly right
Origin: This expression from the 18th century first referred only to gloves. If a glove
fit, it wasn’t so loose that it fell off, and it wasn’t so tight that it was hard to pull on. It
fit perfectly and kept your hands warm. Today, not just a glove can “fit like a glove.”
A shirt that goes well with your outfit or a chair that complements your living room
can fit like a glove. One person can be so right for another person that you can say,
“She fits him like a glove.” An expression with a similar meaning is “suits you to a T.”
The T probably refers to the T-square a draftsperson uses to measure things precisely.
However you say it, if something “fits you like a glove” or “suits you to aT,” it’s a
perfect match.

Fix your wagon

Nicole borrowed my homework sheet and then left it at home. I'll fix
her wagon.
Meaning: to get even with or punish someone; to thwart or frustrate another or
cause his or her failure in something
Origin: Some people think this idiom may have come from the days of the great
westward migration in America in the 1800s, when the covered wagon was the main
means of transportation. One meaning of the word “fix” is to take revenge upon or get
even with. It might also mean tying up and holding secure, as in tying up a wagon so
it cannot roll away. Today, “fix someone’s wagon” means to plot against that person
to do something bad to him or her.
79
 Flash in the pan
People thought she was going to be a great concert violinist, but Dana
was just a flash in the pan. oe
Meaning: a temporary success which yields no long-term results; a person who fails
to live up to earlier potential
Origin: In the 1600s there was a popular gun called a flintlock musket. When the
trigger was pulled, sparks were supposed to make the gunpowder in a small pan on
the gun go off and explode the main charge. But sometimes there was only a flash in
the pan and no big explosion. Today a “flash in the pan” is any person who showed
great early promise (“sparks”) but who never lived up to his or her full potential
(“explosion”).

Flotsam and jetsam

I'm clearing out my room of all the flotsam and jetsam.
Meaning: a collection of mostly worthless and useless objects; odds and ends; any
objects found floating or washed ashore; rubbish and refuse
Origin: The words “flotsam” and “jetsam” date from the early 1500s. Flotsam means
all the wreckage and cargo floating in the ocean after a shipwreck. Jetsam is cargo
and equipment floating in the water that was thrown overboard to lighten a ship in
danger of sinking. By the 19th century these words meant any kind of junk or debris
on land or sea, thrown out or not. The near-rhyming sound of the words helped make
this idiom popular.

Fly-by-night
The store where | bought that defective computer was a fly-by-night.
operation.
Meaning: selling for quick profit, then disappearing; a swindler or unreliable
person
Origin: Fly-by-night was an ancient term that described a woman who was thought
to be like a witch. Witches were supposed to fly at night on brooms, and the term came
to mean anyone who flies hurriedly from an activity. In the late 1800s this expression
was made up to describe a person or business that sneaked away in the middle of the
night to avoid paying bills or making good on promises to customers.
80
Fly by the seat of your pants
| had to entertain Dad’s friends from Italy. | didn’t know their
language, so |just flew by the seat of my pants.
Meaning; to do something by instinct and feel without any earlier experience or
instruction
Origin: This phrase was popular among members of the U.S. Army Air Corps in
the 1930s. Often, there were few or no instruments on the planes and sometimes the
instruments didn’t work. So a pilot had to sit tight (on the seat of his pants) and
fly an airplane by instinct. Today if you’re doing any kind of project and there are
no instructions, you may have to “fly by the seat of your pants.” You proceed by
intuition, natural talent, or common sense.

Fly in the ointment

The food, the music, and the decorations were perfect, but her camera
broke. That was the fly in the ointment.
Meaning; a small annoyance that spoils an otherwise pleasant situation
Origin: This saying comes from the Bible (Ecclesiastics 10:1). Thousands of years
ago, people realized that a tiny nuisance can sometimes ruin something pleasant.
Ointment is a creamy substance that soothes, softens, or heals the skin. Finding a fly
in the ointment would certainly ruin it.

Fly off the handle

When Dr. Anthony discovered that someone had sneaked a look at the
report cards, he really flew off the handle.
Meaning: to lose your temper; to become furiously angry
Origin: Many Americans in the early 1800s used handmade tools with axheads to
chop down trees and build houses. The tools were often crudely made and the axhead
would fly off the handle during furious chopping. The flying axhead is much like an
angry person out of control.

81
 Fly the coop
| tucked my little brother into bed, but the next time | looked, he had
flown the coop. Suey

Meaning: to escape; to leave suddenly and secretly

Origin: A coop is an enclosure or cage for poultry or small animals. If a chicken “flew
the coop,” it escaped its pen. In the late 1800s and early 1900s “coop” was also a slang
word for jail, so this expression often referred to what an escaped prisoner did. Today
it is used in connection with any person or animal that secretly escapes or runs away.

Foam at the mouth

Dad was foaming at the mouth when he found out that Gerry had
slipped out of the house.

Meaning: to be uncontrollably furious, like a mad dog

Origin: A dog with rabies or distemper foams at the mouth. A bubbly saliva forms
around the lips, and the dog behaves in a crazy manner. As long ago as the 1400s
people began describing furious people as “foaming at the mouth,” as if they were
mad dogs.

Follow your nose

When he asked me the way to the cafeteria, | told him to follow his
nose. |
Meaning; to go straight ahead in the same direction
Origin: This saying was being used as early as the 15th century, maybe even earlier.
Your nose is in the middle of your face, pointing straight ahead of you. So, if you
“follow your nose,” you proceed directly ahead. This saying usually has nothing to do
with the nose’s ability to smell things. However, someone directing you to the school
cafeteria, a perfume factory, or a skunk farm might also tell you to “follow your nose,”
even if you have to take three lefts and a right.

82
Food for thought
The sign said, “If all else fails, read the instructions.” That was food for
thought.
Meaning: an interesting idea worth thinking about carefully
Origin: People have used this metaphorical saying since the early 1800s. In it, we
think of the mind as a mouth that “chews” not food, but ideas. So ideas are the “food
for thought.” We sometimes use a related idiom, “to chew over an idea,” which means
to think about it seriously.

Footloose and fancy-free

He doesn’t have a girlfriend right now. He’s just footloose and fancy~free.
Meaning; not attached to anyone; not involved with anyone romantically; free
Origin: In the 16th century, “fancy” meant love and “fancy-free” meant that you
weren't in love with anyone. In the late 17th century, “footloose” meant you were free
to go anywhere. (Your foot was “loose,” not tied to something.) Today the expression
means you’re not bound to any one place, job, or person.

For the birds

That movie was for the birds. I’m sorry | wasted my money on it.
Meaning: worthless; useless; stupid
Origin: This American slang was popular among soldiers during the first half of
the 1900s. Think of bits of food left on the ground after a picnic. They’re not worth
anything, except, of course, to birds looking for crumbs. In the same way, we say that
anything or anyone bad or silly is “for the birds.”

83
 Forty winks
| just need forty winks and I'll be able to work all night.

Meaning: a short nap

Origin: Since the 1300s, “wink” has referred to sleep, but probably just a short period
of sleep because when you wink you close and open your eyelids quickly. In the Bible
and the works of William Shakespeare, the number forty didn’t always mean the number
after thirty-nine. It meant an indefinite number or “few.” The phrase “forty winks”
was first used in 1872 in an issue of the famous British humor magazine Punch.

Four corners of the earth

When John F. Kennedy died, people came to his funeral from the four
corners of the earth.

Meaning; from all over the planet; all parts of a place

Origin: This saying first appeared in the New Testament of the Bible. Some ancient
peoples thought that the planet Earth was flat and had corners. So when they referred
to the “four comers of the earth,” they meant some place near the edge of a rectangular
map, the farthest ends of the world.

From soup to nuts

We've got acts in this talent show from soup to nuts: jugglers,
acrobats, singers, magicians, tap dancers, you name it!

Meaning: the whole thing from beginning to end

Origin: For centuries any foods served at the beginning or end of a meal stood for the
entire thing: the start and finish and everything in between. This expression was “from
eggs to apples” and “from pottage to cheese.” In the United States, in the middle of the
zoth century, the expression developed into “from soup to nuts.” At many meals, soup
is often the first course and a dessert with nuts is sometimes the last. The expression
does not have to refer only to meals, however. It could be the selection of goods for
sale or classes offered.

B34
From the word go
Her mother did not like her boyfriend from the word go.
Meaning; from the very beginning
Origin: At the start of many races, someone shouts, “Ready, set, GO!” So, since the
mid-1800s in the United States, “from the word go” has meant from the outset of
something.

Full of beans
After final exams, some of us were exhausted and others were full of beans.
Meaning; lively, happy and energetic, high-spirited
Origin: Just as the expression “feel your oats” means to be lively and frisky, being “full
of beans” is a similar food-related idiom. Eating lots of beans has a gastrointestinal
effect on some people that may make them a little more lively. The origin may also
be from the days when the racehorses were fed beans. This lively expression has been
bouncing around since the 1800s.

Full of hot air

| don’t believe a word he says. He’s full of hot air.
Meaning: being foolish and talking nonsense; pompous; vain
Origin: When you talk, warm air comes out of your mouth. Large balloons that carry
people in baskets are kept afloat by hot air. This idiom from the mid-1800s puts those
two ideas together. If you want to describe a pompous person who is all puffed up
(like a balloon), you could say he or she is “full of hot air” (that’s coming out of his
or her mouth).

85
 Full steam ahead
The captain of the team shouted, “Full steam ahead!” to get his tired
players out onto the field. os

Meaning; proceed with all possible speed and power

Origin: In the early days of trains, about 150 years ago, locomotives were powered
by steam engines. Ocean liners crossed the seas propelled by steam. Thousands of
steamboats sailed up and down America’s major rivers. Mark Twain was a pilot on
a steamboat on the Mississippi. There was even a car that ran on steam. When the
captain of a ship or the engineer of a train shouted, “Full steam ahead!” it meant “Put
the steam boiler up to maximum pressure so we can go faster.” (For that reason, the
captain could also shout, “Full speed ahead!”) This expression became very popular
after Rear Admiral David G. Farragut used it at the Battle of Mobile Bay during the Civil
War in August 1864 to get his fleet moving forward quickly. Today you can use this
expression while working on any project. The opposite of “full steam ahead” is to “run
out of steam” when you're exhausted and can’t go another step.

86
Get a handle on something
Rachel had a lot of trouble with geometry, but I think she’s getting a
handle on it.
Meaning; to find a way to understand or deal with something; to start to overcome
a difficult problem or situation
Origin: This bit of American slang became popular in the mid-1900s. Did you ever try
to lift up a heavy, bulky object that had no handles? How do you get a secure grip on
it? The answer is to attach a handle to it. Today this expression refers to any difficulty
you need to deal with or get control of. When you finally “get a handle on it,” you
start to solve the problem.

Get a kick out of something

My grandmother really gets a kick out of playing these video games
with me.

Meaning: to enjoy doing something; to get a thrill out of something

Origin: A famous songwriter, Cole Porter, made this 2oth-century American saying
popular in his 1934 song, “I Get a Kick Out of You.” The title means “I really enjoy
being with you.” In this expression “kick” has to do with a thrill, not striking
something with your foot. There are two variations on this idiom: “get a bang out of
something” and “get a charge out of something.” All three words — “kick,” “bang,”
“charge” — suggest something that will really shake you up.

87
 Get away with murder
It’s a darling cocker spaniel, but they let it get away with murder.
Meaning: to do something bad, wrong, or illegal and not get caught or punished
Origin: This American expression from the late 2oth century is really an exaggeration.
It can refer to any offense, major or minor, that you’re not punished for, such as
chewing gum in class, cheating on a test, or stealing. But, figuratively speaking, if
you can get away without being punished for murder, you can probably get away with
less serious crimes.

Get down to brass tacks

Let’s get down to brass tacks. How much does this computer cost?
Meaning: to go straight to the basic facts of the matter; begin the most important
work or business; to get started with the essentials
Origin: Although this idiom has been widely used since the early 1900s, word experts
are not sure what “brass tacks” stand for. The phrase might refer to copper bolts on a
boat that have been scrubbed clean, or to brass-topped tacks used in the upholstery
trade. If you get down to business by discussing the most basic, essential, and practical
realities, then you're “getting down to brass tacks.”

Get in on the ground floor

Miss Cohen got in on the ground floor with a new women’s clothing
company.
Meaning; to be part of some big or important project or business at its start
Origin: This saying probably originated in the financial world of the late 1800s. It’s an
advantage to get in at the beginning of an enterprise. As the company succeeds and
prospers, so will you. After all, you were there at the start and helped it grow. The ground
floor is where you enter a big building. After that, there’s no place to go but up.

8&
Get into the swing of things
Barrie didn’t join in many activities at first, but now she’s gotten into
the swing of things.

Meaning: to become accustomed to routine activities

Origin: In the 1500s the phrase, “in full swing,” meant to be very active in something.
“Swing” could have come from the motion of a children’s swing or a clock pendulum.
In the 1800s a new expression developed that was based on the old one: “get into the
swing of things.” That meant getting involved with whatever was going on, especially
socially.

Get off the hook

| don’t want to babysit tonight, so | hope my sister will get me off the
hook.

Meaning; to free yourself or someone from a distasteful obligation; to get out of

trouble; to evade a punishment
Origin: This expression comes from fishing. If a fish is caught ona hook, it desperately
wants to be off the hook. In the same way, if people are in trouble, have unwanted
obligations, or are about to be punished, they want to “get off the hook” by ridding
themselves of all these burdens.

Get out of my face

You'd better get out of my face right now or you'll be sorry!
Meaning: stop standing in front of me in a provocative manner, close to my face,
arguing with me, or disapproving of my actions
Origin: This recent, vivid African-American expression means exactly what it says.
Stop facing me in a way that causes trouble between us. Get away! Leave me alone! It
is usually said in anger with the understanding that if the other person doesn’t stop
talking and move away fast, he or she will suffer consequences.

89
 Get real
Mrs. Gerson isn’t going to believe that weird excuse you gave her.
Get real. : ee | ee

Meaning; face reality; think and act in a serious fashion; stop fantasizing
Origin: In just two words, this strong, modern African-American expression is an order
to give up illusions and white lies. Stop pretending and confront the real world.

Get something off your chest

Something is bothering me, and | want to get it off my chest. Please
don’t smoke here. Be ‘< .

Meaning: to make known something that is bothersome, angering, or irritating,

but kept secret for a time
Origin: Your heart is in your chest, and the heart “feels” emotions such as love and
fear. So if some worry, criticism, or secret has been troubling you and you finally tell
someone, you're getting it “off your chest” (out of your heart) at last.

Get the green light

Mrs. Mucha hoped to get the green light from the principal to redesign —
her science lab. ; ce Me te a

Meaning: get permission to go ahead with a project

Origin: The world’s first traffic light was installed in London in the horse-and-buggy
days of 1868. A revolving gas lantern with red and green panels told drivers when to
stop (red) and proceed (green). It was a good idea until it exploded a year later. When
motorcars became popular on the streets of America in the early 1900s, traffic signals
kept the flow of cars and pedestrians moving safely. At first they were mechanical
signs, like those found at early railroad crossings, which said “stop” and “go.” The
first electric traffic light in America was installed in Detroit in 1920. When motorists or
pedestrians saw a green light, they knew they could move on. Today when you propose
a project to someone in authority (like your teacher, your parents, or your boss), you
hope to “get the green light,” the permission to go and do what you want to do.

90
Get the lead out of your feet
C’mon, you guys. Get moving. Get the lead out of your feet!
Meaning: to get busy; to move or work more quickly
Origin: This expression, which was used a lot in the American armed forces during the
Second World War, suggested that if you were moving sluggishly or working slowly, it
was as if you had lead, a heavy metal, in your feet. If you got it out, you could speed
up your actions. Another version of this idiom is “Get the lead out of your pants.”

Get the sack

| had a great job at Heavenly Hamburgers, but the boss gave me the
sack.
Meaning; to be fired
Origin: There are many expressions that mean to be dismissed from work, including
“get the ax,” “get a pink slip,” and “get your walking papers.” “Get the sack” might
go back as far as the 1500s. In those days workmen who traveled around from job to
job carried all their tools in a sack. If a man was fired, he was told to get his sack, pack
up his tools, and move on.

Get this show on the road

Every morning, Dad shouts, “Let’s get this show on the road.
You don’t want to be late for school.”

Meaning: get going; move forward; get the work started; do it

Origin: Centuries ago, ordinary people didn’t have cars, buses, trains, or planes to
take them to faraway places, so things came to them. In those days, there were many
traveling shows that journeyed from town to town. Carnivals, circuses, fairs, itinerant
acting companies, medicine shows, even showboats would arrive at a place, set up
stages and tents, and put on performances. When it was time to travel on, the boss
might yell, “Let’s get this show on the road!” which meant work quickly and pack up
because we’ve got to move on to the next place. Today you can say “get this show
on the road” to anyone you want to hurry up and get going, not just to a traveling
performer. A similar saying is “get the ball rolling.”

91
 Get to the bottom of something
The principal vowed to get to the bottom of the graffiti on the walls.

Meaning; to find out the real cause of something; to uncover the hidden reason for
something
Origin: Writers were using this expression in the late 1500s. The bottom is usually
the base or root. If you search and investigate enough, you'll get to the bottom of
something. Then you'll know how it got started.

Get under your skin

It really gets under my skin when my parents clean up my room.

Meaning; to bother or upset someone

Origin: If something irritating like a bug gets under your skin, it can cause a bad
rash and itching. In the same way, if a person does something that irritates or upsets
you, he’s “getting under your skin.” The famous American songwriter Cole Porter put
a different twist on this expression when he wrote “I’ve Got You Under My Skin” in
1936. He changed the expression to suggest romantic addiction instead of annoying
irritation.

Get-up-and-go
Since Grandmother joined that health club, she’s had a lot more
get-up-and-go.

Meaning; energy and motivation; pep; enthusiasm; ambition

Origin: This early zoth-century American expression means just what it says: Get up
and go rather than sit still and do nothing. It probably started as a verb phrase (“I
wish she would get up and go”) and eventually turned into a noun (“She needs more
get-up-and-go”).

92
Get up on the wrong side of the bed
Watch out! Mother got up on the wrong side of the bed.
Meaning: to awake with a bad temper or mood, feeling cross or grouchy
Origin: In the time of the ancient Romans the left side of anything was considered
evil or menacing. In fact, the word “sinister” comes from the Latin word for “left.”
The ancient Romans thought bad luck would come to anyone who put his or her left
foot down first when getting out of bed. The expression began as “got up left foot
forward.” The superstition that left was bad continued for centuries and gave birth to
today’s expression “get up on the wrong side of the bed.”

Get your feet wet

Maisha had never been in a play, but she took a small part just to get
her feet wet.
Meaning; to have a first experience in something; to begin to do something for the
first time
Origin: This expression has been used for centuries, as far back as the 1500s. Imagine
a swimmer who is afraid of diving into the water. He tiptoes in slowly, just getting his
feet wet so he can get used to the water. Then he can plunge in when he’s ready. In
the same way, we “get our feet wet” when we venture into new territory by having our
first experience with something.

Get your goat

It really got his goat when he cooked for three hours and no one ate
the meal.

Meaning; to annoy very badly; to make a person angry

Origin: This American expression dates from about 1900. It was a common practice to
put a goat in the stall of a nervous racehorse to be its friend and keep it calm. If people
wanted the horse to lose a race, they would sneak the goat out of the stall to upset the
horse. There are several expressions that also mean to disturb or annoy someone: “get
your dander up,” “get your back up,” and “get your hackles up.”

93
 Gift of gab
Uncle Frank really had the gift of gab.
Meaning: skill in talking, especially in an interesting and colorful way
Origin: As early as the late 1600s and early 1700s, British writers and speakers were
using this phrase. There are a few theories about its origin. Middle Dutch was a
language used from the middle of the 12th century through the 15th, and the word
for foolish chatter was gabbelen. In the Gaelic language (spoken by some people in
Scotland and Ireland) the word for mouth is gob, and over the years it may have
changed to gab, the English word that today means to talk a lot about small matters.
So today, somehow, between gabbelen and gob, we get the “gift of gab.”

Gild the lily

Ms. Kilmer really doesn’t need all that makeup. That’s like gilding the lily.
Meaning: to spoil something that is already beautiful by adding something extra
or not needed
Origin: William Shakespeare used a similar expression in his play King John: “to gild
refined gold, to paint the lily .. . is wasteful and ridiculous excess.” Over the years
the saying got shortened to just “gild the lily.” “Gild” means to cover with a thin layer
of gold. Why did Shakespeare use “lily”? Because it is already a beautiful flower, and
covering it with gold to make it more beautiful would be unnecessary.

Give me five
My little cousin always yells, “Give me five!”
Meaning; to slap a person’s hand as a hearty greeting or a sign of solid agreement
Origin: “Five” in this 2zoth-century African-American expression refers. to fingers
on your hand. Giving someone your five fingers (and your palm, too) is a common
gesture when meeting. (A similar saying is “give me some skin.”) This way of saying
hello, showing harmony, or celebrating victory comes from a style of communication
used in West Africa.

94
Give someone the shirt off your back
Mr. Perez would give you the shirt off his back ifyou needed it.
Meaning; to be extremely generous
Origin: First used in the 1770s, this idiom is almost self-explanatory. If you saw a
needy person in the street who was cold because he had no shirt, and you actually
took your own shirt off and gave it to him, it would be an act of great kindness. Today,
if you perform any act of self-sacrifice, we say it’s like “giving the shirt off your back”
to someone.

Give someone the third degree

The teacher gave the third degree to every student to find out who
had glued his briefcase shut.

Meaning: use mental or physical pressure to get information or a confession from

someone
Origin: If you've ever watched a TV crime show, you’ve seen a prisoner getting the
“third degree.” He’s sitting in a small room. A bright light is in his eyes. The police are
asking him tough questions in loud voices. “Who did it?” “Where’s the money?” “Who
drove the car?” Why is this kind of grueling interrogation called “the third degree”?
There is an international organization called the Freemasons that started centuries ago.
It has three levels of membership, called degrees. To get to the third, or highest, degree
a person must undergo strong questioning. By the late 1800s “third degree” came to
mean any kind of intense interrogation, and by the early 1900s it was being applied to
police “grilling” (as if the prisoner were a piece of barbecue meat). Note: Third-degree
burns, although also very painful, have nothing to do with this expression.

Give up the ghost

On the way to the theater, Ernesto’s old car just gave up the ghost.
Meaning: to die; to stop running
Origin: This saying started in the Bible (Job 14:10). “Ghost” in this idiom doesn’t
mean a dead person. It means the soul, which is thought to leave the body when a
person dies. So if somebody “gives up the ghost,” he or she stops living; if something
“gives up the ghost,” it stops working.

95
 Give your eyeteeth for something
I'd give my eyeteeth to own a motorcycle like that.

Meaning; to want something very badly; to be willing to give up something

valuable to get something else
Origin: Some people think eyeteeth got their name in the 1500s because the nerves of
these teeth are close to the eyes. Eyeteeth are important because they’re used for biting
and chewing. If you want something so much that you are willing to sacrifice your
eyeteeth for it, that thing must be extremely important to you. A similar expression is
“to give your right arm” for something.

Go against the grain

He really goes against her grain when he says that a woman can’t be
president. |

Meaning: to say or do something in an unconventional way that annoys people; to

anger a person by going against his/her wishes or feelings
Origin: This saying has been in common use since at least the 17th century. William
Shakespeare popularized it in one of his plays. The parallel fibers in wood grow in a
certain direction. That’s the wood’s natural grain. When you work with wood, it’s easier
to saw or plane in the direction of the grain. If you went against the grain, you’d probably
rough the wood up, not smooth it down. You might get splinters. Applied to life, not just
carpentry, “going against the grain” means doing or saying things in a way that upsets
or angers people. A similar saying is “rub someone the wrong way” (see page 196).

Go along for the ride

Harriet swore that she didn’t trash any lawns. She just went along for
the ride.

Meaning; to watch but not take part in an activity; to keep someone company
Origin: This idiom was born in the late 1890s, at the beginning of the automobile age.
Originally, it meant exactly what it said. If you had nothing better to do, you might go
along with people for a ride in their car. The driver was doing something (driving the
car) for a purpose (to get somewhere). You weren’t doing anything, just sitting there in
the car, looking out the window. Today we say that you’re “going along for the ride” if
you're joining an activity just to have something to do or just to be with other people.
96
Go bananas
Come quick! Your brother has gone bananas.
Meaning; to be or go crazy
Origin: This saying comes from 2oth-century America. Bananas are the food most
associated with monkeys. When people think of monkeys (“monkey business,” “more
fun than a barrelful of monkeys,” etc.), they think of silly, uncontrolled behavior. If a
person is in a weird mood because he or she feels frustrated or bored with a situation,
he or she might “go bananas” and start acting like a monkey.

Go fly a kite
When he asked for her help, she told him to go fly a kite.
Meaning: go away; leave; stop bothering me
Origin: Imagine you're trying to do homework, and someone is really annoying you.
There are a lot of expressions that you could shout at him that are similar to “Go fly
a kite!”: “Go jump in a lake!” “Go climb a tree!” “Go fry an egg!” You're telling
the kid that he is a pest, and you're commanding him to go away and do something
else. Flying a kite is an activity that should keep him busy so that you can get your
work done.

Go for broke
Instead of applying to several colleges, he went for broke and applied
only to his first choice.

Meaning; to risk everything on one big goal or effort; to try as hard as possible
Origin: Since the 17th century “broke” has meant “without money.” Two hundred
years later, this idiom was created at the gambling tables. When a gambler “went for
broke,” he risked all his money at once in a wager. If he won, he was rich. If he lost,
he was broke. Today, people who “go for broke” try as hard as possible to achieve a
single goal.

97
 Go over like a lead balloon
| asked to go to Antarctica for vacation, but my idea went over likea
lead balloon. i
Meaning; to fail miserably
Origin: This is a fairly recent expression. The writer who first used it imagined what
would happen if you tried to float a balloon filled with lead. It would never get off
the ground. In the same way, any project or attempt that fails miserably is like a lead
balloon that doesn’t go over a blade of grass, let alone a treetop. This expression is
often applied to a joke that gets no laughs.

Go over with a fine-tooth comb

She went over the lawn with a fine-tooth comb, oe she couldn't find
her contact lens.

Meaning; to search with great care or attention

Origin: A fine-tooth comb has teeth spaced very closely together. It is often used to
help find and comb lice, which are very tiny, out of people’s hair. Figuratively speaking,
if you search an area with a fine-tooth comb, you’re examining and inspecting it with
great care so you won't miss a thing, no matter how small. A related idiom is “leave no
stone unturned” (see page 134).

Go to bat for someone

Ivan went to bat for his friend when he defended him in front of the
investigations committee.

Meaning: to help someone out; to defend someone

Origin: There are a number of sports, like baseball or cricket, that you play with
a bat. That’s where this expression comes from. When a baseball player can’t play
because he’s sick or injured, a pinch hitter helps him out by taking his place in the
game and literally “going to bat” for him. Off the playing fields, if you support people
in time of need, especially by defending them when they’re in trouble, you’re “going
to bat” for them, even though you might have nothing at all in your hands.

98
Go to the dogs
_ He used to be a handsome movie star, but now he’s gone to the dogs.

Meaning; to decline in looks or health; to be ruined or destroyed; to ruin oneself

Origin: As far back as the 1500s, food that was not thought suitable for human
consumption was thrown to the dogs. The expression caught on and expanded to
include any person or thing that came to a bad end, was ruined, or looked terrible.
For a similar phrase, see “gone to pot” (below).

Gone to pot
This was once a beautiful park, but now it’s all gone to pot.
Meaning: become ruined; to get worse and worse
Origin: This idiom from the 1500s originally referred to old or weak animals that
couldn’t breed, lay eggs, give milk, or pull wagons. They were more useful on the
dinner plate than in the barnyard, so they were slaughtered and cooked in a pot. Now
we describe anyone or anything as having “gone to pot” if the person or thing has
worn out, is in bad shape, or can’t do its job properly. Other similar expressions are
“go to wrack and ruin” and “go to the dogs.”

Goody Two-shoes
Tamika is such a Goody Two~shoes that everyone hates her.
Meaning: a person who thinks he or she is perfect and tries to be
Origin: In the middle 1700s there was a nursery tale called “The History of Little Good
Two-Shoes.” In it, a little girl who owned only one shoe was given another one. She
went all over, showing off her pair of shoes, saying, “Two shoes.” Today a person who
thinks he or she is perfect is sarcastically described as a “Goody Two-shoes,” after the
title character of that book. A similar phrase is “goody-goody.”

99
 Grasp at straws
| guessed at half the answers on the biology test. | was just grasping at
straws. sie?

Meaning; to depend on something useless in a time of trouble; to make a hopeless

effort to save yourself; to try something with little hope of succeeding
Origin: Ancient people made up this expression. They thought of a drowning person.
He clutched frantically at reeds (hollow, strawlike grass) that grew on the banks of
the river in a desperate, futile attempt to save himself. By the 1600s “clutching (or
grasping) at straws” had become a popular proverb to express the idea of depending
on something useless to help when there is trouble or danger.

Gravy train
The kid was already asleep when he went to babysit. What a gravy train.
Meaning; a job that pays well for little work
Origin: This bit of American slang originated in the 1920s, when “gravy” was a slang
word for easy money often gotten by illegal means. People who worked on railroad
trains made up the phrase “gravy train.” It referred to a good-paying job that
was easy.

Grease someone’s palm

You may have to grease his palm to get the usher to give you the best
seats for the Bloodsimple concert.
Meaning; to bribe someone; to pay someone in the hope that he’ll do something
for you in return
Origin: Grease is a lubricant. It makes machinery operate smoothly and wheels roll
quickly. In this expression, when you “grease someone’s palm,” you don’t actually
smear it with a thick oily substance. Money is the “grease” that gets things moving.
Some people think that in order to get the best table at a restaurant you have to grease
the headwaiter’s palm, and to get the repairman to come on a Sunday, you have to
grease his palm. You have to give the person some money, often secretly, sometimes
illegally, to get what you want. The ancient Romans used a similar expression in
Latin,
so there must have been some bribery going on back then, too.

100
Greek to me
The computer saleswoman explained how to install the DVD burner, but
it was Greek to me.
Meaning; too difficult to understand; unknown
Origin: William Shakespeare used this phrase in one of his plays, Julius Caesar. In
the play, which takes place in 44 B.c., a Roman who spoke only Latin said that he had
heard another man speaking Greek, but he could not understand what he was saying.
It was “Greek to him.” The expression caught on. Today, if you don’t understand
something you’ve heard or read because it is so complicated or technical, then it’s
“Greek to you.”

Green thumb
My uncle has a green thumb. You should see his roses.
Meaning: having a special talent for making flowers and green plants grow well
Origin: If you rubbed green plant leaves or parts between your fingers, you'd
probably get chlorophyll, the green pigment of plants, on them. If a person loves
gardening and has great ability to make plants grow, it’s easy to see why people
would say that he or she has a “green thumb.”

Green with envy

When Sun Lee sees my new Rollerblades, he’ll be green with envy.

Meaning: extremely jealous

Origin: Colors often take on descriptive meanings. Red sometimes means angry. Blue
describes sad and lonely feelings. And since about 1600, thanks to William Shakespeare,
green has been associated with jealousy and desire. He referred to jealousy as “the
green sickness” in his play Antony and Cleopatra.

101
 Grit your teeth
have to remove this splinter from your finger, so just grit your teeth. —
Meaning: to not show one’s feelings; to put up with difficulty; to bear pain
courageously
Origin: In 18th-century America this expression was becoming popular. The ancient
Greeks had used a similar expression that translated as “set your teeth.” One of the
definitions of the verb “grit” is to clamp your teeth together tightly. When people are
faced with a tough or painful job that demands a lot of physical or emotional strength,
they may grit their teeth in determination. Related sayings are “bite the bullet” (see
page 19) and “face the music” (see page 73).

Gum up the works

| had set my alarm clock to wake me up on time, but my little cousin
gummed up the works.

Meaning; to cause a machine or system to break down; make something go wrong

or throw it into confusion
Origin: This expression was first used in the 1800s, when a lot of new machines were
being invented. Most machinery had to be oiled well to work properly. Sometimes
the oil got so thick and gummy that, instead of helping the machine run smoothly,
it actually interfered with — or even stopped — the working of the machine. Today
anyone or anything that “gums up the works” ruins someone’s plans or spoils any
kind of undertaking.

102
Handle with kid gloves
When you’re speaking to Courtney, handle the subject of summer
vacation with kid gloves.

Meaning; to treat gently and carefully

Origin: Kid gloves are made from the smooth hide of a young goat and are gentle
to the touch. If you handle anything (like a fragile sculpture) or anyone (like your
grumpy uncle) “with kid gloves,” you’re being careful and gentle. The last thing you
want to do is break the sculpture or anger your uncle. You're making every attempt to
avoid all possible problems.

Hand-to-mouth existence
He lives a hand-to-mouth existence doing odd jobs around town.

Meaning: to spend your salary as fast as it’s earned without saving any for the
future
Origin: Writers were using this saying in the 16th century. Imagine a starving person
who is given food. If he could, he’d save some for later, but because he’s so hungry, he
gobbles it all down. Every morsel goes directly from his hands into his mouth. Today
we say that a person lives a “hand-to-mouth existence” (or “from hand to mouth”)
when he or she lives from day to day, spending every dollar earned without being able
to put aside any savings for the future.

103
 Hands are tied
I'd like to help you with your homework, but the teacher said we had to
work alone, so my hands are tied.

Meaning: not able to act; held back from doing what you want to do; powerless to
do anything
Origin: People started using this expression in the 1600s. It calls up the image of a
person whose hands are actually tied together. Can she paint a picture? No. Can she
change the tires on a car? No. Can she do anything meaningful with her hands tied?
No. Today this saying has nothing to do with your hands actually being tied up. If you
want to do something but are prevented or forbidden by forces or people beyond your
control, your “hands are tied,” figuratively speaking.

Handwriting on the wall

When the police questioned him, Phil saw the handwriting on the wall
and confessed.

Meaning: a sign that something bad is going to happen; a warning of danger or

trouble
Origin: This idiom originated in the Old Testament of the Bible. The King of Babylonia
had a vision in which he saw a mysterious message written on the palace wall, “Mene,
mene, tekel, upharsin.” Daniel was sent for to explain the meaning of the strange
words. When he arrived, he told the king that it was a warning that his kingdom would
be conquered. In time the prophecy came true. Today we say that you can read or see
the “handwriting on the wall” when you can see signs that misfortune is coming.

Hang in there
My brother kept calling, “Hang in there, you can do it!” And | did!

Meaning; to continue without giving up; to not lose faith or courage

Origin: This American slang expression probably came from boxing. A fighter who’s
exhausted but doesn’t want to give up might hang on the arms of his opponent or on
the ropes around the ring. That way he'll stop getting punched and be able to rest
for a few seconds so he can get himself back up and continue the fight. By using this
expression, you don’t actually have to be hanging onto something physical in order
to make it through a tough situation or a difficult project.
104
Hang out your shingle
After many years of training, she hung out her shingle, “Nilda Ubiles,
Animal Doctor.”

Meaning: to open a private office, especially a doctor’s or lawyer’s office,

by putting a sign over the door
Origin: In 19th-century America, when professional people opened private offices,
they hung out signs that were often painted on a shingle, a thin piece of wood used
to cover the roof or sides of a building. Today we use the phrase “hang out your
shingle” to refer to the whole process of opening up your own office: renting the
space, filling it with furniture, hiring help, and hanging up the sign that announces
you're in business.

Hanging by a thread
You are not quite failing, but you are hanging by a thread.

Meaning: to be in a dangerous or unsafe position; to depend on something very

small to save you
Origin: There’s a myth that tells of a king in the 5th century B.c. who grew tired of
being told how wonderful he was by a flatterer named Damocles. The king threw a
magnificent banquet for Damocles, who was having a grand time until he looked at
the ceiling. He was shocked to see a large, sharp sword hanging by a single, thin hair,
and pointing straight down at his head! He quickly learned his lesson: Power and
happiness are not secure and usually depend on the will or favor of someone else.
Today, when people are in risky situations, we say they’re “hanging by a thread.”

Hat in hand
Hat in hand, | went to the judge pleading for mercy.

Meaning: to behave in a humble and sorry way; to beg or plead for a favor or a
pardon
Origin: For centuries people have begged for money in public by holding out a
container to passersby. Often it was a hat. Taking off your hat in the presence of others
is an act of respect. So a person, even one without a hat, who is begging for favors
or forgiveness is a person with his or her “hat in hand.” A related saying is “pass the
hat” (see page 172).
105
 Have a bone to pick with you
My new boss said she had a bone to pick with me and called me into
her office. :

Meaning: to have an argument or unpleasant matter to settle with someone

Origin: This saying goes back to the early 16th century, and is based on the image of
people arguing over fine points like dogs picking over bones to get every last bit of
meat. Others think it may have originated in the 19th century from the idea that two
people can argue the way two dogs can fight over a bone. In either case, if someone
has “a bone to pick” with you, it means he or she has a complaint about something
you said or did.

Have a screw loose

That substitute gym teacher must have a screw loose.
Meaning; to behave or look in a strange or foolish manner; to be odd and not
ordinary
Origin: During the machine age beginning around 1860, many contraptions were
held together by nuts, bolts, and screws. If a screw came loose, the machine would
not operate as it was supposed to. It might start to do all sorts of bizarre things.
People aren't held together with screws, of course, but if they start acting weirdly, this
expression might fit them perfectly.

Have your cake and eat it too

You can either go to a movie or get pizza, but you can’t have your
cake and eat it too.
Meaning; to spend or use something up but still have it; to have two things when
you must choose one
Origin: This saying started sometime in the 1540s. Once you ve eaten a piece of cake,
you don’t have it anymore. So you have to make a decision to eat it or save it. In
the same way, money that you've spent is money that you no longer have in your
pocket. You have to choose what to do with what you have. The original version of this
expression is “you can’t eat your cake and have it too.”

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Have your heart in your mouth
My heart was in my mouth when | reached the top of the roller coaster.
Meaning; to be extremely frightened about something
Origin: Homer used this expression thousands of years ago in his famous epic poem
The Iliad. When you are terrified, your heart starts pounding violently and there’s a
choking feeling in your throat. Homer referred to that feeling as having “your heart in
your mouth.” For centuries that’s the way many people have described the feeling of
extreme terror or dread.

Head and shoulders above someone

When it comes to catching fish, Lew is head and shoulders above
everyone else.
Meaning: far superior; much better than
Origin: When it was first used in the 1800s, this saying referred to height: a very tall
person towers over a very short one. But over the years the meaning has been stretched
to include any skill one has that is better than someone else's. So a five-foot person
may be head and shoulders above a six-foot person in math, tap dancing, and writing
stories.

Head honcho
Do what the head honcho tells you ifyou want to keep your job.

Meaning: the person in charge; the chief, boss, leader

Origin: The Japanese word hanchu means “squad leader” (han=squad, chu=chief).
During the Korean War (1950-53), American soldiers changed the spelling to honcho,
and added “head,” probably because head honcho made a catchy phrase. Today
a head honcho is the principal of a school, the owner of a business, or anyone in
charge.

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 Head in the clouds
My report card said that | should pay more attention in class — that my
head was usually in the clouds.

Meaning: absentminded; daydreaming; lost in thought

Origin: In the mid-1600s the idea was first written that if you weren't aware of what
was going on, if your mind was ina dreamy state, then your head was in the air. Later
“air” was changed to “clouds” because air goes all the way down to the ground but
clouds are usually high up. When your “head is in the clouds,” it means your mind is
definitely somewhere else.

Head over heels in love

He fell head over heels in love with his piano teacher.
Meaning: completely and helplessly in love
Origin: This expression goes back to the ancient Romans and means that being in
love with someone makes one’s emotions topsy-turvy, upside-down. For nearly 500
years, it was “heels over head.” Then, the saying grew to suggest that being in love is
like somersaulting.

Hear a pin drop

During study period, the teacher wanted the room so quiet she could
hear a pin drop.

Meaning; so silent you can hear very soft things happening; without sound; noiseless
Origin: If a lamp fell and smashed to the floor, you'd hear it from another room. But
if a pin dropped, you might not hear it land, even if you were standing right there. In
the early 1800s when this expression was first used, women sewed most of their own
clothing. Pins and needles were expensive and sometimes hard to come by, so if a pin
dropped, you'd hope that the room was silent enough so that you could hear it hit the
floor. Then you could find it more easily. A room so quiet that you could “hear a pin
drop” would be a very quiet room indeed. Nowadays we can use this phrase for any
very hushed place, with or without dropping pins.

108
Heart of gold
Lynda has a heart of gold, and everyone loves her for it.
Meaning: an extremely kind, generous, humane, and forgiving nature
Origin: William Shakespeare used this expression, which comes from the 1500s.
Your heart couldn’t pump blood if it were made of something hard like gold. But
“heart” has always stood for more than just an organ in your body. In poetry and
song it means your basic character, your ability to feel affection and love, and the
place where your deepest feelings are. Gold has always had a special meaning in our
language, too. Expressions like “good as gold,” “the gold standard,” and “worth your
weight in gold” suggest that gold is highly desirable. So when you say that someone
has a “heart of gold,” it means that the person is lovely, thoughtful, compassionate,
considerate, concerned, kind, generous, forgiving, caring, unselfish, helpful, and
magnanimous. That’s a nice person!

Heart’s in the right place

Kevin messes up sometimes, but his heart’s in the right place.
Meaning: to be well-meaning and kindhearted; to have good intentions even
though mistakes occur
Origin: Everyone’s heart is right in the middle of the chest. Since the heart is often
considered the center of one’s emotions and feelings, this expression means that even
if what you try to do comes out wrong, your intentions are right.

Heavens to Betsy
A 100-year-old woman just flew a plane by herself from New York to
California. Heavens to Betsy!
Meaning: an expression of astonishment, amazement, and disbelief
Origin: This expression is a real mystery. We know what it means, and we think it
originated in the United States in the late 1890s. But nobody today is 100 percent
certain where it came from. Why “heavens”? Who was “Betsy”? Even the word expert
who titled his book of curious sayings Heavens to Betsy! couldn’t name the source.

109
 Hide or hair
Jade is playing hide-and-seek with us, and we haven’t seen hide or
hair of her since breakfast.
Meaning: not a single sign or trace of someone or something that is gone, lost,
missing, or hiding
Origin: “Hide and hair” is an expression that dates from the time of Geoffrey Chaucer,
the great English poet of the 1300s. The negative version, “neither hide nor hair,” has
been used since the mid-1800s to describe the situation in which an animal completely
escapes a hunter. The outside of an animal is made up of skin (hide) and fur (hair).
If the animal disappears into the bushes, and the hunter cannot see an inch of the
animal’s skin or a tuft of its fur, in other words “neither hide nor hair,” then it’s gone!
Today the expression can be applied to people and things as well as to animals.

High horse
| wish that new girl in drama class would get down off her high horse.
Meaning: acting superior and arrogant as if you were better than other people
Origin: This saying goes back at least to the early 1700s. In the 14th century, during
ceremonial marches and royal exhibitions, well-known people of high rank and
superior position in society often rode on large horses that were taller than the average
horse. From that custom grew the idea that a person who acts haughty, proud, or
snobby is on a “high horse.”

Highway robbery
Five hundred dollars for one night in a hotel? That’s highway robbery!
Meaning: an extremely high price or charge for something
Origin: During the time of William Shakespeare and the early 16th century, it
was common for travelers on the open road to be held up and robbed by armed
highwaymen. With time, the phrase “highway robbery” came to be associated with
charges for goods and services that were so expensive that the buyer felt that he or she
was being robbed by the seller.

110
Hit a brick wall
She hit a brick wall when she tried to get the principal to ban
homework for a year.

Meaning: encounter an obstacle that’s impossible to overcome

Origin: Imagine you're running a race, trying hard to reach the finish line. Suddenly
you run smack into a brick wall blocking the road. Ouch! That would certainly stop
you dead in your tracks. You couldn’t take another step forward. It’s sometimes the
same in life. You work hard to get a job done, and then someone or something stands
in your way and prevents your further progress. Your parents say no. You run out
of money. Nobody will help you. The time is too late. The goal is too far. The doors
are closed. The train has left the station. The obstruction is impossible to surmount.
Some people say “run into a stone wall” instead of “hit a brick wall,” but they’re both
barriers you can’t hurdle.

Hit below the belt

Saying that | shouldn’t be president of the Health Club because I’m a
little overweight is really hitting below the belt.
Meaning: to use unfair tactics or be unsportsmanlike
Origin: In 1865 in England, the Marquis of Queensberry laid down strict rules for
boxing. One of the strictest was that you were not permitted to hit anyone below
the belt line. Today that rule still holds in boxing, but the saying also means to act
unfairly in any kind of contest, relationship, or activity.

Hit the books

I've got a major test tomorrow, so |better hit the books.

Meaning: study school assignments carefully; prepare for classes by reading and
doing homework
Origin: This idiom says that when you really study hard, you “hit” the books. Why
hit? Hit has many meanings. Among them are to come into contact with something
forcefully (“The bomb hits its target”) and to achieve something you desire (“He hit
upon the right formula”).

111
 Hit the hay
It’s been a long day, and now it’s time to hit the hay.

Meaning; to go to bed
Origin: This slang expression was first used by homeless people who traveled from
place to place on foot in the United States in the 1930s. In those days wanderers asked
for odd jobs, often begged for money, and were always looking for a place to spend
the night. Sometimes they slept on a pile of hay in a field or barn. When their heads
“hit the hay,” they were probably so tired that they fell asleep quickly. Today, wherever
you sleep or whatever you sleep on, when you go to bed, you’re hitting the hay.

Hit the jackpot

Today | hit the jackpot: | got the highest grade on the spelling test.
Meaning; to be very lucky; to achieve amazing success
Origin: In 19th-century America, when this phrase was first used, if you “hit the
jackpot” in a card game, you won all the money. Today the saying refers to any kind
of lucky success in any area of life.

Hit the nail right on the head

When she said that Kirk had the face of a movie star and the brain apa
flea, she hit the nail right on the head.
Meaning; to be exactly correct about a description or come to the right conclusion
Origin: The ancient Romans had a similar saying in Latin, and the expression first
appeared in English in a book printed in 1508. When hammering, if you hit the nail right
on the head, and the nail goes straight in, you've done the job. So if you speak the most
accurate words or come to the most sensible conclusion, you “hit the nail on the head.”

112
Hit the road
Campers, it’s time to hit the road on our fifteen-mile hike.
Meaning; to begin a journey, to leave
Origin: One definition of hit is “to make contact with.” Unless you can fly, something
must be in contact with the road when moving on it — the rubber on the tires, the
soles of shoes, the hooves of the horse. So, when you start out on a journey overland,
youre “hitting the road.”

Hit the roof

When Chad’s grandmother saw that he had used her fur coat in his
science experiment, she hit the roof.
Meaning; to lose your temper suddenly; to become violently angry
Origin: This frequently used expression comes from early 2oth-century America.
Imagine a person becoming so angry that she explodes and her body actually hits the
roof. It creates a dramatic picture of anger. Other similarly explosive expressions are
“hit the ceiling,” “blow your top,” and “blow your stack.”

Hit the spot

After that long hike through the desert, a cold soda hit the spot.

Meaning; to fully satisfy and refresh, especially with food or drink

Origin: This bit of American slang from the mid-1900s reminds one of “hit the nail
right on the head” (see page 112). Imagine that there’s a spot inside of you that is
the main source of hunger and thirst. Whatever you eat or drink that satisfies your
appetite and dry throat “hits the spot.” It refreshes your spirits and picks up your
strength.

113
 Hitch your wagon to a star
Even though Joseph was small, he hitched his wagon to a star and
made it to the top of the league.

Meaning: to aim high; to try to reach the highest level; to follow a great ambition
Origin: Some word experts think that the famous American writer Ralph Waldo
Emerson first used this expression in an essay he wrote in 1870. “Hitch” means attach.
“Wagon” stands for any vehicle that takes you places. “Star” symbolizes the highest
place to which a person can aspire. So if you’re ambitious and set high goals for
yourself, you're “hitching your wagon to a star.”

Hold a candle to
No other singer can hold a candle to Tim when he’s singing with his band.

Meaning: be inferior; not in the same class with; not fit to be compared with
Origin: In the 1500s, long before electric lights, servant boys held large candles or
torches to light the way for their masters when they went out at night along the dark
streets to theaters, clubs, inns, and other places. The torches were called links and the
boys were called linkboys. They had to hold their candles and walk with their masters
just right so that their masters could see where they were going. Even though they
were performing an important job, they were among the lowest level of servants. But
there could actually be someone even lower: a person who wasn’t qualified to hold the
candle. Today we use the phrase to describe someone we consider inferior to someone
else in some characteristics, talent, or ability.

Hold the fort

Our teacher was late, so the teacher next door held the fort in our room
until he showed up.

Meaning: to temporarily be responsible for watching over a place; to fight off

trouble or keep watch
Origin: This expression comes from the military. It is widely used in books and movies
about the old West. Often when a fort was being attacked on the frontier or during the
Civil War, the soldiers defending it were told, “Hold the fort. Don’t give up. Help is on
its way.” Today you can “hold the fort” by watching the children in someone’s house
until a parent returns or by taking care of a store while the owner’s away.
114
Hold your horses
Hold your horses. Why are you walking so fast?
Meaning: slow down; wait a minute; be patient
Origin: This 19th-century Americanism originated as an instruction to a carriage
driver who was letting his team of horses go too fast. By pulling back on the reins, the
driver could slow the horses to a stop. This was called “holding the horses.” The saying
might also have come from harness racing. Rookie drivers often started their horses
too soon, and the starter had to yell, “Hold your horses!” Today the phrase refers to
slowing down and being patient in whatever you’re doing.

Horse of a different color

| gave her a bus token, but when she wanted me to pay for the movies,
too, that was a horse of a different color.
Meaning: a different matter altogether; something of a different nature than that
being noticed
Origin: William Shakespeare used a similar phrase in his play Twelfth Night, written
in 1601. Some people think this expression may have come from betting on a racehorse
of one color and then a horse of another color won. Whatever the origin of the saying,
“horse” stands for an idea and “different color” (sometimes “another color”) means
a new thought. In the famous movie The Wizard of Oz (1939), Dorothy actually rode
around in the Emerald City in a buggy pulled by a horse that kept changing colors.
She was told that it was the “horse of a different color.”

Hot under the collar

Better say good night. My father is starting to get hot under the collar.
Meaning: very angry; upset
Origin: Though this expression became popular in the 1800s, it has been observed for
centuries that when people become angry, their faces and necks tend to turn red. And
under their collars, their necks are getting hot. You’d better watch out! They might
blow their stacks.

115
 If the shoe fits, wear it
Some students never clean up after art class. I’m not mentioning
names, but if the shoe fits, wear it.

Meaning: If a remark applies to you, you should admit that it is true

Origin: This proverb comes from an older expression popular in the 1700s, “If the cap
fits, put it on.” The “cap” referred to was a dunce cap. As the years went by, the “cap”
in the saying changed to “slipper,” perhaps because of the popularity of the story of
Cinderella. A playwright in the early 1900s wrote, “If the slipper fits, wear it.” Later
“slipper” changed to “shoe.” The idea is clear: Accept a comment that refers to you as
you would wear a shoe that fits your foot.

Ignorance is bliss
The bad news can wait until tomorrow. Sometimes, ignorance is bliss.
Meaning; it is better not to know bad news sometimes, especially if you’re happy
Origin: Many writers over the centuries have expressed this idea. The Greek playwright
Sophocles wrote it around 400 B.c. Nineteen hundred years later Erasmus, a Dutch
scholar, quoted it. Then Thomas Gray, the British poet of the 1700s, used it in one of his
poems. He wrote: “Where ignorance is bliss, ‘tis folly to be wise.” It has been a popular
saying ever since.

In a nutshell
In a nutshell, tell me what the show was about.

Meaning; in very few words; briefly; clearly and to the point

Origin: A nutshell, even a big nutshell, is a small space. Not many words can fit into
a nutshell, even if you write them in your smallest handwriting or type them.

116
In hot water
_ Raul was in hot water with the coach when he missed three practices
in a row.

Meaning: in serious trouble or in an embarrassing situation with someone of

authority
Origin: This popular expression was being used as early as the 1500s. It may refer to
the fact that if you’re cooking and you accidentally spill scalding water on yourself,
you'll be in trouble. Or it could refer to the ancient custom of pouringa pot of boiling
water on intruders as a way of chasing them off. In any case, hot water is definitely
something you want to stay out of — unless it’s a bubble bath!

In one ear and out the other

| warned him about bringing his pet tarantula to school for show-and-
tell, but my advice went in one ear and out the other.
Meaning; not listening to what is being said; not attentive
Origin: This old-time saying goes back thousands of years to Quintilian, the famous
Roman orator (public speaker) of the first century A.D., who wrote in Latin, “The things
he says flow right through the ears.” Geoffrey Chaucer, the English poet of the 1300s,
and other great writers picked up this saying and used variations of it. By the mid-
1500S, people used to say (in old-fashioned English), “Went in tone eare and out at
the tother.” Of course, nothing, not even wind, can go right through your head from
one ear to the other. There’s plenty of squishy stuff in there to stop it. But if someone
doesn’t pay attention or forgets everything he’s been told, then you can say that the
words just went through his head, in one ear and out the other, without stopping long
to visit his brain.

117
 In the bag
Our soccer team had the championship in the bag when the other
team’s best player got sick.

Meaning: absolutely certain to be won, gotten, or achieved; sure, definite; certain

of success
Origin: This expression has two possible sources. Calling a sure thing “in the bag”
might go back to the days in the British Parliament when there was a bag near the
chair of the Speaker (the presiding officer of the House of Commons). If a member of
Parliament had a petition he wanted to be discussed, he put it into the bag, and the
rules said that it had to be acted on that day. That was a certainty. Some language
experts think this expression could also have come from the hunting of animals. Once
the game was shot, the hunter put it into a bag. It was definite that the poor animal
in the bag was dead. An idiom with a similar meaning is “all sewed up” because if
something is “in the bag” and then the bag is sewed up, that something is definitely
a sure thing.

In the catbird seat

Ambassador Sam was in the catbird seat at the treaty talks because he
spoke both French and Japanese perfectly.

Meaning: ina position of advantage or superiority

Origin: This is an expression from the southern part of the United States in the 1800s.
A catbird, whose song sounds like the meowing of a cat, sits high up in trees, watching
potential prey from its lofty vantage point. In the early 1940s a famous baseball
sportscaster named Red Barber began using this saying on the radio to describe a
strong pitcher facing a weak batter or a strong batter facing a weak pitcher. Then James
Thurber, a famous writer, used the phrase as the title of a short story. A character in the
story said it because she had heard Barber say it on the radio. It really caught on then.
Today we say that anybody who is “in the catbird seat” is in a highly advantageous
position over other people. It’s a good place to be. A similar expression is “sitting
pretty” (see page 208).

118
In the doghouse
My mother forgot it was my father’s birthday, so she’s in the
doghouse.
Meaning; in disgrace or dislike; facing punishment
Origin: This might have come from the old custom of banishing a bad dog outside
to its doghouse. Or it could have originated with the story of Peter Pan, in which
Mr. Darling treats the beloved pet dog badly and his children fly off with Peter Pan. Mr.
Darling feels so guilty that he lives in the doghouse until his children return home.

In the driver’s seat

Now that Mr. Tecumseh is retired from the company, his son is in the
driver’s seat.
Meaning; in control; in the position of authority
Origin: The person sitting in the driver’s seat of a car is in charge of the driving. This
American idiom from the 2oth century, when cars became popular, can be extended
from automobiles to any area of life. Whoever is in the driver’s seat — the principal,
the owner of the company, the President of the United States, and so on — is the
person who “calls the shots” (see page 33). A related expression is “backseat driver”
(see page 9).

In the lap of luxury

Sandee lives in the lap of luxury in her mansion in London.
Meaning: surrounded by luxuries; having the most lavish things that money
can buy
Origin: Luxury means high quality, high-priced, lavish surroundings with all the
material comfort and the extravagant lifestyle they provide. But why the “lap of
luxury”? Why not the hand of luxury or the nose of luxury? Because lap just doesn’t
mean the front part of a seated person’s body from the waist to the knees. It’s the place
you go for comfort or love, like your mother’s lap. When you're in someone’s lap, you
feel safe and relaxed. So a person living in the “lap of luxury” is supposed to feel
soothed and happy when surrounded by all the sumptuous trappings that money can
buy. Plus, “lap” and “luxury” both begin with the L sound. That's called alliteration,
and expressions with alliteration often catch on fast and become popular.
119
 In the limelight
James loves to be in the limelight. Wait until he sees his picture on the
front page.
Meaning; atthe center of attention
Origin: All theaters today have powerful electric spotlights that throw bright beams of
light on featured performers. In many theaters, beginning in the 1840s, the beam was
created by heating lime, a form of calcium oxide, until it produced brilliant white light.
A strong lens directed it onto the dancer, juggler, actor, or singer onstage. Anyone “in
the limelight” was the center of the audience’s attention. Today, we say that a person
who gets a lot of attention, especially from the media, is “in the limelight.”

In the nick of time

Luckily David backed up his crucial files in the nick of time. A minute
later, his computer crashed.

Meaning; just at the exact right time; almost too late but still soon enough; at the
precise moment required
Origin: More than three centuries ago, some records and accounts were kept by
cutting little V-shaped notches into sticks of wood with sharp knives. For instance,
every time you owed a certain amount of money to a merchant, the stick would
be notched. Every time you scored a point in a game, your team’s stick would be
notched. The stick was called a tally, and the precise notches were called “nicks.” If, in
a competitive sport, one team won the game by one point at the last possible second
of play, they would have won in the “nick of time,” and the last nick would be notched
in the tally stick.

In the pink
| was pleased to see that Lester is in the pink. -

Meaning: in excellent health physically and emotionally

Origin: Centuries ago “pink” was the name for a popular garden flower. The meaning
of the word changed over the years to mean a thing or person at its best. Then William
Shakespeare used “pink” in one of his plays (around 1600) to mean perfection. And by
the early 1900s, “pink” referred to health, probably because a rosy or pink complexion
is a sign of good health.
120
In the same boat
Look, we’re all in the same boat, and we’ve got to work together.
Meaning: in the same bad situation; sharing the same problem or difficulty
Origin: Ever since this saying was first used by ancient Greeks, people have known
that all passengers in the same boat, from a sailboat to an ocean liner, share the same
possible risks. Over the centuries, the meaning of the expression came to include all
people in similar, unpleasant circumstances on land, on sea, or in the air.

In two shakes of a lamb’s tail

When the fire alarm sounded, the teacher told us to leave the classroom
in two shakes of a lamb’s tail.

Meaning: extremely fast; right away; with no delay

Origin: In the early 1800s there was a saying about something happening fast, in the
time it took for “two shakes.” But people wondered: Two shakes of what? Two shakes
of a mop? Two shakes of the head? Two handshakes? Finally an imaginative person
thought of “two shakes of a lamb’s tail.” He or she must have observed that a lamb
shakes its tail very quickly. If you happen to see a lamb today, observe its tail closely
and you'll see. Now we say that anything that happens “in two shakes of a lamb’s
tail” happens with no time lost, immediately, very rapidly. Other idioms with the same
meaning are “in a flash,” “quick as a wink,” and “in the twinkling of an eye.”

It takes two to tango

It takes two to tango. Who was your accomplice?

Meaning: two people are required to accomplish this deed

Origin: In the United States in the 1920s, the Latin American dance called the tango
became popular, and so did this expression. Just as it takes two dancers to do the
tango, there are certain activities that need the cooperation of two people in order to
work. For many books, one person writes the words and another draws the pictures.
There are a lot of other activities in which “it takes two to tango.”

121
 Jack-of-all-trades
Our handyman is a jack-of-all-trades. He can fix anything.

Meaning: a person who can do many different kinds of work well

Origin: A worker who is capable of doing many craft-type tasks well (painting,
electrical work, plumbing, and so on) has been called a “jack-of-all-trades” since
the 1600s. “Jack” is an informal word for “trade laborer.” A longer version of this
expression is “A jack of all trades and master of none,” which means someone who
knows how to do a lot of things pretty well but who is not an expert at any of them. The
longer version started being used in the latter half of the 19th century.

jet set
My aunt Ida, on her farm in lowa, loves to read about the jet set.
Meaning: the wealthy, fashionable, and famous people who travel frequently
Origin: “Jet” refers to jet planes. “Set” is a group of people. After the introduction of
travel by swift jet planes in the late 1950s, the term “jet set” caught on to describe rich
and fashionable people who rarely stayed in one place for any length of time. They
were always flying off to a party in Hollywood, or to a luxurious home in Spain. Today,
to be a member of the jet set, you just have to be a member of high society. The fact
that “jet” and “set” rhyme helped make this a widely used phrase.

122
Johnny-come-lately
The older teachers in the math department call the new teacher a
Johnny-come-lately.
Meaning: someone who is new to a place or group; an inexperienced person
Origin: In the early 1800s the British called a newly recruited sailor a “Johnny
Newcome” because he had just newly come aboard the ship. American sailors later
switched the saying around a bit and made it “Johnny-come-lately” to refer to
anyone who was new in the navy and had just come lately. Nowadays we can call any
newcomer or someone inexperienced who has just arrived at a job, in an organization,
in a school, etc., a “Johnny-come-lately.”

Jump down your throat

All | said was, “Could you not give us homework tonight, Mr. Brill,”
and he jumped down my throat.
Meaning: to talk or scream at someone in a sudden, angry way
Origin: This saying has been popular since the early 1800s. If someone jumps at
you, they suddenly and quickly spring off the ground. Your larynx and vocal chords,
which produce speech, are located in your throat. So if you say something that
angers someone, then he or she would be “jumping down your throat” by suddenly
scolding you.

Jump off the deep end

Ed and Esther just met, but they’re getting married. They're jumping
off the deep end. |

Meaning: to act emotionally without carefully thinking about the end result;
to become deeply involved before you're ready to
Origin: People should not jump into the deep end of a swimming pool if they are not
100 percent sure that they can swim. It’s better to start in the shallow end and swim to
the deeper side. (See “get your feet wet,” page 93.) But if people follow their emotions
without much thought, they could be in deep water and in over their heads. Since
the early 1900s “jump off the deep end” has also meant going into a rage or having a
mental breakdown.

123
 jump on the bandwagon
Last year nobody liked my idea of a school camival. Now everyone
wants to jump on the bandwagon.
Meaning: to become part of the newest activity because many other people are
Origin: Many years ago candidates for political office in the United States often rode
through town in horse-drawn wagons on which a band was playing music to attract
a crowd. If the candidate was popular, people would jump up onto his bandwagon to
show their support. Today we say that people who are getting involved in any activity
that looks like it’s going to succeed are “jumping on the bandwagon.”

Jump the gun

| couldn't wait to give my mother her Mother’s Day gift, so | jumped
the gun and gave it to hera week early.

Meaning; to do or say something before you should; to act prematurely or hastily

Origin: In the early 1900s this expression was “to beat the pistol.” It referred to
someone starting a race before the starter’s pistol was fired. Later the saying changed
to “jump the gun,” perhaps because of the repetition of the “u” sound in the middle
of “jump” and “gun.”

Just deserts
He got his just deserts when he overslept and missed the lasttrain.
Meaning; the punishment a person deserves
Origin: If you failed a test because you forgot to study, you got your “just deserts.”
When you missed the party because you lost the invitation, you got your “just deserts.”
If you couldn’t ride in the bike race because you didn’t put air in your tires, you
got your “just deserts.” “Just” means fair and suitable. Think of “justice.” “Deserts”
sometimes confuses people. The “deserts” in “just deserts” means “a punishment
that is deserved.” It comes from a Latin word which means “to deserve.” It is spelled
with one “s” and pronounced with the stress on the second syllable, “des-erts,” just
like “de-serve.” Don’t mix it up with “des-serts” (sweet things at the end of a meal)
and “des-erts” (barren, sandy places). People who get the words confused after this
deserve their “just deserts.”

124
Keep a stiff upper lip
Even when the boss yelled at Brenda for dropping the soup in the
lady’s lap, she kept a stiff upper lip.

Meaning: to be brave and not show emotion in a time of trouble

Origin: This American expression was first used in the early 1800s. When a person
is frightened or angry or ready to burst into tears, his or her lips often tremble. So if
you're told to “keep a stiff upper lip,” someone wants you to hide your feelings. You
may wonder why the idiom refers only to the upper lip and not to both lips. It might
have to do with the fact that in the 1800s, when many men grew mustaches, a trembling
upper lip was more noticeable. A similar expression is “keep your chin up.”

Keep a straight face

When you see Ms. Navarro’s new haircut, try to keep a straight face.

Meaning: to keep from laughing

Origin: This is a recent idiom. When you laugh, your face wrinkles, your mouth
opens wide, your eyebrows rise, and your facial muscles twist and tum. Your face is
anything but “straight.”

Keep body and soul together

He got a job that paid so little, he was barely able to keep body and
soul together.
Meaning: to keep alive; to have just enough to survive
Origin: In the early 18th century, people were beginning to use this expression. Those
who lose their money and possessions often also lose their self-respect. But if they
earn just enough money to clothe, house, and feed themselves, though they may not
have a fancy house or expensive things, at least they will always have their body and
soul. A related idiom is “keep the wolf from the door” (see page 126).

125
 Keep something under your hat
I'll tell you who won the election, but you’ve got to keep the results
under your hat.
Meaning; to keep something secret
Origin: This expression comes from the late 1800s, when many more men and women
wore hats than they do today. Your head is under your hat. So if someone tells you to
keep a bit of news under your hat, he or she is telling you to keep it in your head and
not reveal it to anyone else.

Keep the wolf from the door

He got two extra jobs just to keep the wolf from the door.
Meaning; to keep from suffering poverty or starvation
Origin: Wolves have always been extremely hungry, hunting animals. People are
rightfully afraid of the big, bad wolf. Poverty and starvation are as scary as a wolf.
Since the 16th century, people have been saying that if you have just enough to
get by, you're “keeping the wolf from the door.” A related idiom is “keep body and
soul together” (see page 125).

Keep up with the Joneses

The man next door got a new car, so my cousin got one too. He has to
keep up with the Joneses.

Meaning; to try to keep up with what your neighbors have socially and financially;
to work hard to have possessions as good as your neighbors
Origin: In 1913 a popular comic strip called “Keeping Up with the Joneses” appeared
in many American newspapers, starting with the New York Globe. The cartoon was
about the experiences of a newly married young man, and the cartoonist based it on
his own life. He chose the name Jones because it was a popular name in America. The
name of the comic strip became a popular expression that meant to try hard to follow
the latest fashion and live in the style of those around you.

126
Keep your ear to the ground
Dennis always keeps his ear to the ground and knows who’s who and
what’s what.
Meaning: know what's going on; pay attention and be well informed
Origin: In a scene popularized by many Hollywood Westerns (movies about the West
in the 1800s), a Native American puts his ear to the ground to figure out whether or not
horses are approaching. The horses are too far away to be seen, but the man can detect
the vibrations of the horses’ hooves in the earth. This practice gave birth to the phrase
“keep your ear to the ground.” It comes from the late 1800s and means paying close
attention to details and being well informed. And you don’t actually have to have
your head near the earth to “keep your ear to the ground.” Just read newspapers and
magazines, watch television news, listen to the radio, and speak with people in order
to learn what’s happening now and what's likely to happen in the future.

Keep your fingers crossed

We need a home run to win. Keep your fingers crossed.
Meaning: to wish for good luck and success for someone or something
Origin: This old American expression may come from the superstition that the cross
works to keep away evil and bad luck. It may also come from children’s games in
which the players crossed their fingers to keep safe. Today some people believe that if
they cross their fingers when they tell a lie, the lie doesn’t “count.”

Keep your head above water

Business is bad this season, and Dad is barely keeping his head above
water,
Meaning: to eam enough to stay out of debt and avoid financial ruin; to do just
enough to keep up with all of one’s responsibilities
Origin: In several idioms, water represents possible trouble. Think of “jump off the
deep end” (see page 123), “between the devil and the deep blue sea” (see page 17),
and “pour oil on troubled waters” (see page 178). The idiom “keep your head above
water” hints at the risk of drowning. “Water,” in this case, represents going bankrupt
or being ruined financially.

127
 Keep your nose to the grindstone
My grandfather told me that if | wanted to succeed | had better keep
_ my nose to the grindstone. .

Meaning: to force oneself to work hard all the time; to always keep busy
Origin: Erasmus, a Dutch scholar, used a similar saying in the 1500s. A grindstone is
a revolving stone disk used for polishing or sharpening tools or grinding grain. To see
what youre doing while you work a grindstone you have to bend over it with your face
close to the stone. The image of a person with his or her “nose to the grindstone” has
come to mean working nonstop over a long period of time, often at a long and tiring
job. The nose is used in many idioms: “by a nose,” “keep your nose clean,” “no skin
off one’s nose” (see page 153), “nose around in something,” “ nose out of joint,” “on
97 ee

the nose,” “pay through the nose” (see page 172).

Keep your shirt on

The referee saw the two players shouting at each other and told them to
keep their shirts on.
Meaning; to remain cool; to not become angry; to be patient
Origin: In the mid-1800s, when this saying first came into use, a man who was going
to get into a fistfight with someone often took his shirt off. It wasn’t easy to fight ina
stiff, starched shirt, and if you took it off, it wouldn’t get wrinkled, dirty, or bloody.

Kick the bucket

During the summer my Mom’s 1970 Thunderbird kicked the bucket.
Meaning; to die
Origin: This expression was used in England as early as the 16th century. It came
from the practice of hanging a criminal by having him stand on a bucket, putting a
noose around his neck, and then kicking the bucket out from under him. Prisoners who
committed suicide by hanging themselves in their cells sometimes kicked a bucket out
from under their own legs. Today this slang expression can be applied to any manner
of death.

128
Kick up your heels
On graduation night, Bart is going to kick up his heels until dawn.

Meaning; to celebrate and have a wonderful time

Origin: This way of describing a happy person having great fun dates from the late
19th or early 20th century. The person who made it up was probably thinking of a lively
horse prancing on its hind legs, or of a dancer lifting his or her legs as if jumping
for joy.

Kill the goose that lays the golden eggs

Don’t be obnoxious to Aunt Ruthie when she gives you money. You'll
kill the goose that lays the golden eggs.
Meaning; to spoil or destroy something good out of stupidity, greed, or impatience
Origin: There’s a fable by Aesop about a farmer who owns a goose that lays one
golden egg at a time. The greedy farmer becomes impatient and kills the goose so
he can get all the eggs from the goose at once. Of course, a dead goose can’t lay any
more eggs, as the foolish farmer soon finds out. In 15th-century England, the plot of
this well-known story helped create the famous phrase, “kill the goose that lays the
golden eggs.”

Kill two birds with one stone

At the library, Niko can kill two birds with one stone. He does his
schoolwork and sees his friends.

Meaning; to do two things by one action; to get two results with just one effort
Origin: There was a similar expression in Latin about 2,000 years ago, and “kill two
birds with one stone” became popular in English many centuries later. It comes from
hunting birds by throwing stones at them or shooting stones at them with a slingshot.
If you actually killed two birds with just one stone, a practically impossible feat, you'd
be carrying out two tasks with just a single effort.

129
 Knee-high to a grasshopper
Mr. Fernandez always reminds me that he knew me when | was just :
knee-high to a grasshopper.

Meaning: very young and, therefore, very short

Origin: This American expression was first recorded in 1814 as “knee-high to a toad.”
Some people said knee-high to a toad, mosquito, bumblebee, or duck. Some even said
“splinter,” which definitely doesn’t have knees but is small. “Grasshopper” caught on
about 1850 because they definitely have knees, and the saying stuck. To come up to
the knee of a grasshopper, one would be less than an inch tall!

Knock on wood
So far, the new teacher doesn’t give too much homework. Knock
on wood.

Meaning: an expression that superstitious people say when they knock on any kind
of wood so that they won’t have bad luck
Origin: In England people say “touch wood” when they want to head off bad luck.
Although “knock on wood” is a popular expression, nobody today is certain of where
it came from. Experts think it may have originated from the time of the ancient Druids,
an order of Celtic priests in Ireland and Britain. Whatever the origin, you’ll often see
people knocking on wood to keep away bad luck or help prevent a change of fortune
from good to bad.

Knock your socks off

T-Dubbs’s astonishing singing will knock your socks off.
Meaning; thrill, amaze, delight, overwhelm, startle, excite, shock
Origin: This expression originates from the image of being hit so hard that you are
knocked right out of your socks. And before that, your shoes have to be knocked off.
So whatever it is that’s making you barefoot has to be exceptionally intense, powerful,
and dynamic. It has to thrill, electrify, surprise, or overwhelm you to “knock your
socks off” (even though your footwear really stays on your feet). An amazing video
game. A fantastic car. An incredible movie. A winning lottery ticket. A spectacular
sight. Other sayings that express the same idea are “knock you for a loop” and “knock
you off your feet.”
130
SER RRRER RR RER RRR RRR RR RRR

She’s a great asset to this company because she really

around here.

to be well informed; to know your way around; to know how to get a

complicated job done
There are a lot of occupations that require skill in handling ropes. For
example, a cowboy has to lasso the cattle and a stagehand has to raise and lower the
scenery. But this expression, which dates from the mid-1800s, refers mostly to sailors.
A fully rigged sailing ship has a mazelike arrangement of hundreds of ropes, and
an experienced sailor has to know how to work all of them in order to get the sails
up and down and turned in the right direction. By the late 1800s, people were using
this saying to refer to non-nautical people. If you have any special skills or inside
knowledge and you are familiar with complex details so that you can get a task done,
you certainly “know the ropes.”

Color Idioms

People like color, from a little “green thumb” to a humongous “red-letter

day.” Many idioms contain the names of colors. Some color idioms in this
book are
Between the devil and the deep Red herring
blue sea Red tape
Black sheep of the family Red-carpet treatment
Blue blood Red-letter day
Bolt from the blue Show your true colors
Catch someone red-handed Tickled pink
Green thumb True blue
Green with envy With flying colors
In the pink
 Labor of love
He didn’t get paid for painting the nursing home. It was a labor of love.
Meaning: work done not for money but for love or a sense of accomplishment
Origin: In the New Testament of the Bible there is a phrase about work done for
pleasure without profit, “your work of faith and labor of love.” The English expression
“labor of love” became popular around the 17th century, when many people worked
at something because they loved doing it and not for money. Also, “labor” and “love”
both begin with the letter “I,” and that alliteration helped make the expression easy
to remember.

Lame duck
After he was defeated in the election, the mayor was a lame duck for
the remainder of his term.

Meaning; an elected official in the last days of his or her time on the job
Origin: This expression came from England in the 1700s. It described a person on the
London Stock Exchange who had lost all his money and couldn’t pay his debts. People
said that he had to waddle out of the stock exchange like a lame duck. In America
since the mid-1800s, it has referred only to public officials waiting out the balance
of their terms in office. Why “lame ducks”? Did you ever see a flock of wild ducks
flying overhead? Their legs are stretched out behind them. But a duck with an injured
leg can’t keep up with the rest of the fowl. He can’t take off, fly, or land properly.
He’s pretty ineffectual. Now switch your thinking to politics. Most elections for mayor,
governor, president, etc., take place in November. However, the new term of office
doesn’t usually begin until the following January. $o a public official who has lost an
election or is not continuing in office for any reason has about three months before
her replacement takes over. The outgoing official is called a “lame duck” because she
is usually not too effective while serving out what’s left of her term.

132
Laugh out of the other side of your mouth
Once the news gets out that Sid bought votes to win the election,
he’ll be laughing out of the other side of his mouth.
Meaning: to be made to feel sorrow, annoyance, or disappointment after you felt
happy; to cry at a change in luck after experiencing some happiness
Origin: This saying was being used in England in the 17th century. This expression
might not seem to make much sense. When a person laughs, he or she does it from
both sides of the mouth. You wouldn’t laugh at all if you didn’t feel happy. The key
words in this phrase are “other side.” The other side of happiness is sadness, and the
idiom suggests that by laughing on the other or wrong side of your mouth, or face,
your fortune has gone bad and your moment of happiness is over.

Lay an egg
Who told Olga she could sing? She really laid an egg at the talent show.
Meaning; to give an embarrassing performance
Origin: This idiom comes from Britain, where cricket has been a popular game for
centuries. If a team failed to score a single point, people said it had laid a duck’s
egg, an object that has the same shape as the zero on the scoreboard. In the United
States, toward the end of the 1800s, the saying “laid an egg” was applied to performers
in vaudeville shows who bombed in front of the audience. In baseball slang, the
expression for “zero” is “goose egg,” and to get no score is to “lay a goose egg.” Today
you can “lay an egg” if you do anything that fails totally because nobody likes it.

Lay your cards on the table

The mayor laid the cards on the table about his secret campaign
funds.
Meaning: to reveal all the facts openly and honestly; to reveal one’s purpose
and plans
Origin: This is another idiom that comes from playing cards. There are many games
in which players have to put their cards on the table faceup to show what cards they
have been holding. When that happens, there are no secrets, the truth is out.

133
 Lead you by the nose
My grandfather thinks he’s boss, but everyone knows that Grandma
really leads him by the nose.
Meaning: to dominate or control someone
Origin: Animals, like cattle in the field or trained bears in a circus, are often led
about by a rope attached to a ring in their noses. Phrases about being led by your nose
first appeared in the Bible (Isaiah 37:29) and in a Greek book written about A.D. 170. By
the 1500s the saying was used to refer to people who were controlled by other people.

Leave no stone unturned

She vowed that she would leave no stone unturned in imouigysout who
let the air out of her tires.

Meaning; to make all possible efforts to carry out a task or search for someone
or something
Origin: Euripides, a great playwright of ancient Greece, once told the legend of a
Persian general who left a treasure in his tent and then lost a major battle. Someone
went looking for the treasure but couldn’t find it, so he went to the Oracle of Delphi
for advice. The oracle said, Movere omnem lapidum, which means “Move every stone”
in Latin.

Leave someone holding the bag

When the teacher demanded to know who wrote the joke on the
blackboard, Diego was left holding the bag.
Meaning; to force someone to take blame when it should be shared
Origin: This expression was known by many Americans in the 1780s. It might have
come from a mean trick boys played on a new boy in town. They’d take him to the
woods at night, give him a lantern and a bag, and tell him to wait for a bird that,
attracted by the light, would fly into the bag. The rest of the boys would return home,
knowing no bird would appear.

134
Left out in the cold
Christina told everyone else about the party, but she left me out in
the cold.
Meaning; to not tell someone something; to exclude someone from a place or
activity
Origin: If someone locked the door and left you outside on a cold night, you would
feel excluded and ignored. When this expression first became popular, it meant
exactly that: literally being left outside in cold weather.

Lend an ear
| know you’re very busy, but could you just lend me your ear for
a minute?
Meaning; to listen and pay attention to
Origin: This saying, of course, doesn’t really mean to lend someone your ears as you
would lend him or her a pencil. In William Shakespeare’s time, around 1600, it was a
common way of asking that you listen to the person speaking. Shakespeare used this
expression in the play Julius Caesar when he had his character Mark Antony shout to
a noisy crowd of Romans at the funeral of the assassinated Julius Caesar, “Friends,
Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears.” The crowd quickly quieted and listened to
what Mark Antony had to say. The expression caught on.

Let sleeping dogs lie

Don’t remind the director that you missed two rehearsals. Better to let
sleeping dogs lie. :
Meaning; to not make trouble if you don’t have to; to not make someone angry by
stirring up trouble
Origin: This well-known proverb was used by many people in the 1200s. English
writer Geoffrey Chaucer used it in one of his books in 1374, saying it was not good to
wake a sleeping dog. Imagine that you come upon a sleeping dog. Since you don’t
know what will happen if you wake it up (it may pounce on you and bite you!), it
would be much smarter to just let the hound dream on. In the same way, if right now
everything is calm, it’s better not to stir up anything that could cause trouble or
danger. Leave well enough alone!
135
 Let the cat out of the bag
Carol’s little brother let the cat out of the bag about her surprise party.
Meaning: to give away a secret
Origin: Centuries ago in England you might have bought a costly pig at a farmer's
market. But if the merchant was dishonest and put a worthless cat into the bag instead
of a piglet, you might not find out until you got home and let the cat out of the bag.
Related expressions are “buy a pig ina poke” (see page 31) and “spill the beans” (see
page 213).

Let the chips fall where they may

| will speak out against the new dress code and let the chips fall where
they may.
Meaning; to do the right thing, as you see it, whatever the consequences might be
Origin: This idiom was first used in the 1880s and referred to woodcutters who needed
to concentrate on doing a good job instead of on where the small chips of wood fell
from their axes.

Let your hair down

At my sleepover party, Jane really let her hair down.
Meaning; to behave freely and naturally; to relax and show your true self
Origin: This idiom started in the 1800s when many women wore their long hair pinned
up in public and only let it down in private, especially just before they went to bed.

136
Life in the fast lane
Kathy is always on the go, go, go! She really lives her life in the
fast lane.
Meaning: a fast, busy way of life
Origin: This idiom is from the second half of the 1900s. Highways have lanes for
slower drivers, lanes for HOVs (high occupancy vehicles), exit lanes, breakdown lanes,
and express lanes for drivers who want to move along without delay. Today, if you’re
living a life that’s exciting and busy, we say you’re living “in the fast lane,” even if
you don’t have a car and you're far away from a highway. You’re doing everything
quickly; you’re active and highly competitive. You’re speeding along, rushing from
place to place, working hard for success and promotions, while looking for pleasure in
your personal life. You never have a dull moment or much spare time. But watch out.
Life “in the fast lane” can also be stressful. You could be headed for a crash.

Light at the end of the tunnel

After many years of experiments on the phonograph, Edison saw the
light at the end of the tunnel with the wax cylinder.
Meaning: a long-searched-for answer, goal, or success
Origin: Imagine driving through a long, dark tunnel. You wonder when you'll ever
get out. Then, far ahead, you see a tiny spot of light that marks the end of the tunnel.
You know that if you keep going forward, the light will grow bigger and you will come
out into the sunlight again. Now imagine that the tunnel represents a long period of
hard work. The light represents the end of that work. It’s still up ahead, but it gives
you hope to continue your quest.

Like a bump on a log

Don’t just sit there like a bump on a log. Help me move this piano.

Meaning: inactive and not responding

Origin: Mark Twain, the author of The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and The Adventures
of Huckleberry Finn, among other great books, used this simile (a comparison often
using “like” or “as”) in 1863. A bump on a log is an immovable lump of wood. In this
idiom it represents a fixed, motionless person.

137
 Like it or lump it
Ifyou miss one word, you're out of the spelling bee. Like it or lump it.

Meaning: whether you like it or not; certain to happen

Origin: This American saying comes from the early 1800s. Where does “lump” come
from? Perhaps from a verb in British dialect, “to lump,” which means to look gloomy,
sulky, and cranky. You can resent what happens, or you can try to like, or at least
accept, something because it is certain to happen.

Like pulling teeth

Getting my little brother Jeff to clean up his room islike pulling teeth.

Meaning: something very hard to do

Origin: This expression isn’t too old compared with others, and it has a meaning far
beyond those hard bony objects in your mouth that you bite and chew with. Who likes
to go to the dentist and have his or her teeth pulled? Having your teeth pulled is a very
hard, painful, and difficult thing to endure, and being the dentist who does the pulling
is not much easier, especially if the patient clamps his mouth shut, buries his head in
the chair, or bolts out of the room. In the same way, doing anything hard or getting
someone to do something they definitely don’t want to do is like “pulling teeth.”

Like two peas in a pod

Antonio and his brother are like two peas in a pod.
Meaning; identical; alike in looks and behavior
Origin: A pod is a seedcase that holds beans or peas. When it is ripe, the pod splits open
to let go of what’s inside. Peas lying cozily in a pod seem alike in shape and color.

138
Little pitchers have big ears
My big sister and her friends never tell secrets around me. They say
that little pitchers have big ears.
Meaning: little children, listening to conversations of older people, often hear and
understand a lot more than people give them credit for
Origin: The creator of this ancient saying imagined that the handles on the sides of
a two-handled pitcher looked like human ears. The little pitchers in this idiom stand
for small children, and having big ears means they are able to hear and understand
things adults think they’re too young to know.

Live high off the hog

Since Norma got a new job, she’s been living high off the hog.

Meaning; to live in a rich style and own lots of expensive things

Origin: This African-American expression suggests that eating pork chops and ribs,
which come from the upper parts of a hog, are better than eating pig feet, chitlins
(intestines), and other things that come from the lower parts.

Lock, stock, and barrel

He sold everything — lock, stock, and barrel — and moved
to California.
Meaning: the whole of something; all the parts of a thing; everything
Origin: This saying originally referred to just the three main parts of a gun: the lock
(the firing mechanism), the stock (the handle), and the barrel (the tube the bullet is
fired through). By the early 19th century the expression came to mean all of anything
or the whole works. The origin might also be in the old general store, which had a lock
on the door to the stock, or goods, and a barrel on which business took place.

139
 Lock the barn door after the horse is out
Ifyou failed the quiz, why study? That’s locking the barn door after
the horse is out!

Meaning; to take careful precautions to do the right thing after it is too late
Origin: This popular proverb can be found in many languages. It was first used in
French in the 1100s and later appeared in English. If you put a prize horse into the barn
for the night and then forgot to lock the door, it is possible that the next day you'll
find the horse is gone or stolen. It would be pretty foolish to lock the barn door then,
because the horse is already gone.

Long in the tooth

Both Uncle Adam and his 1949 Pontiac are getting a bit long in the
tooth.

Meaning; old; aged; elderly

Origin: This saying, which goes back at least to the 1850s, came originally from
horses, but now it can apply to people and things as well. As horses and people get
older, their gums sometimes recede. That makes their teeth look longer. The teeth
aren’t really longer, of course. There’s just more of them showing. Veterinarians and
others who take care of horses can tell approximately how old a horse is by how much
of its teeth are showing. Today when we say that a person or a thing is getting “long
in the tooth,” we’re spreading the meaning of the idiom beyond the stables to anyone
or anything that looks old.

Look down your nose at someone

The eleventh-graders looked down their noses at us.

Meaning; to think of and treat people as if they were lower in quality or ability
Origin: From about 1700 “to look down” at someone meant to believe that you were
better in quality or rank than another. “Nose” was added about 200 years later. The
saying creates a clear image: A person who thinks he or she is above others actually
looks down his or her nose at someone in a proud and self-important way.

140
Loose cannon
He got fired because he was a loose cannon and caused everybody a
lot of trouble.
Meaning: a person who is unpredictable and sometimes out of control
Origin: A couple of centuries ago, being a sailor on a warship called a man-of-war
was dangerous. You could fall overboard or get hurt by enemy fire. One of the biggest
dangers came from cannons on your own ship. They were mounted on wheels and
lashed down tightly. But sometimes a huge cannon could break loose from its ties in
stormy seas. If the loose cannon slid across the slippery deck as the ship tossed and
turned, it could crash into people or things and cause serious injury and damage.
Today a person, on or off a ship, who's called a “loose cannon” can cause a lot of
trouble with his fierce temper, uncontrolled tongue, and unrestrained behavior. You
don’t know what he’s going to do or say next, so get out of the way!

Lose your shirt

Harry lost his shirt betting against me in the frog-jumping contest.

Meaning; to lose everything, especially money

Origin: This 2oth-century phrase refers to a huge loss of money or property because
of a bad bet or poorly managed money. If you end up losing your shirt, it means
you've lost practically everything. But the idiom started out meaning “to be very
angry” and ready to fight.

Low man on the totem pole

| may be low man on the totem pole, but someday | plan to be Chief
Executive Officer.

Meaning: the lowest-ranking, least important person in a group or organization

Origin: Some Native American groups carve symbols, one on top of the other, into
tall poles of wood. The symbols, called totems, are often human faces or figures, and
the pole is called a totem pole. Although “lowest” often means “least” in phrases
like “lowest pay” and “lowest score,” the lowest face on a totem pole is not the least
important. The person who created this idiom must have thought so by mistake. But
few people realize the error when they use this popular saying.

141
 BEB RBBB ERR RRR Ree eee eee ee eee
y
iia

When the counselor saw that the campers had put frogs in his bed,
he on them.

to scold or punish strictly; to make someone follow the rules

A boom is a long pole used on ships that stretches upward to lift cargo high
in the air. Booms are also used backstage in theaters to move scenery. If someone
actually lowered a boom on your head, you might be knocked out!

Animal Idioms
Most people love animals, from adorable kittens to humongous bulls. Many
idioms contain the names of animals. Some animal idioms in this book are

As the crow flies Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth

Bats in your belfry Early bird catches the worm
Beat a dead horse Eat crow
Bee in your bonnet Fat cat
Bird in the hand is worth two in Fish out of water
the bush Fly in the ointment
Birds of a feather flock together For the birds
Bug off Get your goat
Bull in a china shop Go to the dogs
Busy as a beaver High horse
Busy as a bee Hold your horses
Buy a pig in a poke Horse of a different color
Chickens come home to roost In a pretty kettle of fish
Clam up Kill the goose that lays the
Clean as a hound’s tooth golden egg
Cold turkey Kill two birds with one stone
Crocodile tears Knee-high to a grasshopper
Cry wolf Let sleeping dogs lie
Dark-horse candidate Let the cat out of the bag
Dead as a dodo Lock the barn door after the horse
Dead duck is out
Dog days of summer Mad as a wet hen
Dog-eat-dog world Make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear
Don’t count your chickens before (also in clothing)
they hatch Monkey business
Mad as a hatter
Oswald is as mad as a hatter, but he’s my most interesting friend.

Meaning: completely crazy, strange, eccentric

Origin: Lewis Carroll created the character of the Mad Hatter in his classic book Alice
in Wonderland. The expression “mad as a hatter” comes from the early 1800s. One
possible origin is a snake called an adder. People in England thought that if they were
bitten by an adder, its poison would make them insane. Some people pronounced
“adder” as “atter,” so if you acted crazy, you were as “mad as an atter,” which later
became “hatter.” Another explanation of the expression’s origin is that people who
worked in felt-hat factories in the 1800s inhaled fumes of mercuric nitrate, and, as a
result, developed twitches, jumbled their speech, and grew confused. The condition
was sometimes mistaken for madness and may have given birth to the saying “mad
as a hatter.”

Mad as a wet hen

When Judy realized that her brother had eaten all the cookies, she was
as mad as a wet hen.
Meaning: very upset; extremely angry; ready to fight
Origin: It doesn’t really bother hens much when they get wet. This early 19th century
expression probably resulted from a mistake or someone’s imagination. It is not a
barnyard reality.

143
 Make a federal case out of something
| was looking at your test paper to see the date. Don’t make a federal
case out of it. | ek ~

Meaning: to exaggerate the seriousness of something small; to make a big deal out
of something
Origin: The federal courts and Supreme Court of the United States handle the most
important issues of the law. So, if you overreact to something said or done, you're
“making a federal case out of it,” or making it more important than it needs to be.

Make a mountain out of a molehill

Your “broken arm” was only a sprained wrist. Don’t make a mountain
out of a molehill.

Meaning; to tum a small, unimportant issue into a big, important one;

to exaggerate the importance of something
Origin: A mountain is huge; a molehill is small. The ancient Greeks had a saying,
“make an elephant out of a fly,” which became a proverb in French and German. By
the mid-1500s people in England were saying “make a mountain out of a molehill,”
probably because “make,” “mountain,” and “molehill” all begin with “m,” and
alliteration helps make an expression fun to say and easier to remember.

Make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear

Owen thinks that by polishing his old car, he can make a silk purse out
of a sow’s ear.

Meaning; to create something valuable or beautiful out of something practically

worthless or ugly
Origin: There are similar expressions in many languages; these sayings also use
“good thing-bad thing” combinations (for instance, “good coat out of poor cloth,”
and “hunting horn out of a pig’s tail”). An English version close to this idiom has been
around since 1700. A silk purse is an elegant, expensive item made of fine, shiny fibers.
A sow is an adult female pig. So if anyone can take a sow’s ear and turn it into a silk
purse, he or she might be able to take a bad situation and make something good out
of it.

144
Make ends meet
On her salary, Jackie can hardly make ends meet.

Meaning; to earn just enough to live within one’s income

Origin: What does “ends” mean in this expression? Some word experts think that in
the 1600s it could have meant the sum total, the end of a column of figures that were
added up. Others think that in the mid-1700s it meant the beginning and end of the
financial year.

Make hay while the sun shines

If you want a part in the show, you’d better put on your tap shoes and
make hay while the sun shines.
Meaning: to make the best of a limited opportunity
Origin: This proverb dates from the early to mid-1500s. Hay is made from grass that
has been cut and dried. Rain will spoil cut grass, so farmers have to time it right and
make hay on days when the sun is shining. This expression includes anything that
should be done when the time is right, taking full advantage of an opportunity before
it passes.

Make heads or tails out of something

Dad couldn’t make heads or tails out of the instructions for
assembling his new weather-forecasting machine.

Meaning: to understand how something works; to figure something out

Origin: Cicero, a Roman statesman and public speaker of the first century B.c., used
a similar expression, “neither head nor feet.” The current English saying comes from
the 1600s. The head is the front or top of something. The tail is the end or bottom. So if
you can make heads or tails out of something, you can understand it from beginning
to end, from top to bottom. This expression is usually used in the negative (“They
can’t make. ..”) because there are a lot of things in this world that are difficult to
understand.

145
 Make no bones about something
The substitute teacher made no bones about not liking hats worn
in class.

Meaning: to speak directly, plainly, honestly, and without hesitation or doubt

Origin: The origin of this old idiom, first used in print in 1548, is not clear. Some word
experts have suggested that it came from the fact that if there are no bones in your
soup, you can just swallow it without worrying about choking. That’s like speaking
plainly without worrying.

Make waves
| don’t mean to make waves, but | don’t agree with my curfew.
Meaning; to cause trouble; to upset matters; to create a disturbance
Origin: This 2oth-century American saying refers to keeping waters still. If you want
to sail peacefully on in your sailboat or float calmly on a raft, you don’t want anybody
making waves. That might rock the boat or even flip your raft over. A related idiom is
“rock the boat” (see page 193).

Make your mouth water

Seeing those posters of Hawaii made my mouth water for a vacation
on a beach.

Meaning; to look so attractive and desirable that it makes you want to have it very
much; to want to eat or drink something that looks or smells delicious
Origin: This expression was used as early as the mid-1500s, but since time began,
people have known that the sight, smell, or even thought of food can make a person’s
salivary glands start up, causing the mouth to water. Though this saying is often
used in connection with food or drink, it can really be used when looking forward to
something that you want a lot.

146
March to the beat of a different drummer
Valentine, with his outlandish clothes and weird hairdo, marches to
the beat of a different drummer.
Meaning: be an individual; do your own thing; don’t do what everybody else does;
be original and creative
Origin: Members of a marching band keep step to the beat of a drum. In life, not
in a parade, those who dress, behave, or think differently are out of step with most
other people and march to the tune of their own drummer. They live according
to their own rules. This expression was made popular by Henry David Thoreau, a
writer and naturalist of the mid-1800s. Thoreau strongly believed in individual
rights. He lived for two years in a one-room cottage by the shores of Walden Pond
in Massachusetts to get closer to nature. In his famous book Walden, published in
1854, Thoreau wrote: “If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it
is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music he hears.”

Mess with someone

Don’t even think of messing with the new teacher. She’s tough.

Meaning: to annoy, argue with, hassle, or otherwise anger and irritate a person
Origin: This modern African-American expression is similar in meaning to “bug
someone” (see page 27). “To mess” is to butt into other people’s business or interfere
with other people’s lives.

Midas touch
Darren has the Midas touch and is making millions in the fashion
design business.
Meaning: to make a lot of money at whatever you do
Origin: Anyone who has an uncanny ability for making tons of money in any job
or enterprise is said to have the “Midas touch.” This phrase comes from the story of
greedy King Midas, who wanted all the riches he could get. The god Dionysus rewarded
Midas for being kind to the god’s friend by granting him one wish. Midas wanted
everything he touched to turn to gold. At first the king was overjoyed. But then, when
his food and his daughter turned to gold, he realized how foolish he had been. Lucky
for him, Dionysus reversed the wish. Today anyone who is able to make lots of money
at whatever he or she does is said to have the “Midas touch.” 147
 Mince words
Please don’t mince words. Tell me exactly what you think of
my painting.

Meaning: not to come right to the point; to be less than 100% honest; to use mild or
vague words so as not to offend or hurt someone
Origin: William Shakespeare used this expression in some of his plays in the late
15008, but it might have been in use before that. Originally “mince” meant to soften
or lessen the force of certain words in order to be polite. Today, if you mince words or
mince matters, you are not being honest and open.

Mind over matter

Alden ran in the track meet with a twisted ankle — a perfect example of
mind over matter.
Meaning; the power of your mind is stronger than the body
Origin: Virgil, a Roman poet who was born in 70 B.c., used this expression in his
famous poem, The Aeneid. “Mind” means brain, thoughts, and willpower. “Matter”
means a physical object, and it can also mean trouble or difficulty. Notice also that
“mind” and “matter” both begin with “m,” and alliteration helps make a saying more
popular.

Mind your p’s and q’s

Please try to mind your p’s and q’s when the princess visits the school.

Meaning; to be extremely exact; be careful not to say or do anything wrong;

mind your manners
Origin: This term was beginning to be used in the 1600s, and by the late 1700s it was
very popular. The letters “p” and “q” can often be confused, so children learning
to read and printers selecting type have to be careful with these letters. Another
possibility comes from old English pubs where a list of the pints (“p’s”) and quarts
(“q’s”) a drinker consumed were written on a blackboard to be paid for later. Finally,
pieds and queues are dance steps that a French dancing instructor would teach
his students to perform with care. There’s no proof as to where this catchy saying
originated, though.

148
Miss the boat
Ifyou’re late to the interview, you'll miss the boat for the job.

Meaning: to lose an opportunity; to arrive too late and miss out on something
Origin: This expression has been used by many people since about 1900, when there
were no airplanes and many people traveled to far-off places by boat. If you arrived
at the dock after the boat had sailed because you lost track of time, overslept, or were
delayed, then you missed out.

Money burns a hole in your pocket

Howard is broke again because money burns a hole in his pocket.
Meaning; can’t stop yourself from spending whatever money you have
Origin: Naturally, you’d want to get something like a lit candle out of your pocket if
you thought it could really burn a hole in it. This saying calls up an image of money
setting fire to your pants pocket if you don’t find something to buy with it fast. Some
people feel that they have to spend whatever coins or bills are in their pockets at the
moment, sometimes on something totally frivolous, just to spend them. This expression
goes back to the 1500s because there have always been people who have difficulty
saving their money. Don’t confuse this idiom with “having money to burn,” which
means being so rich that you can burn some of your money and still have plenty left.

Monkey business
No more monkey business! Settle down.
Meaning: silliness or fooling around; dishonest or illegal activities; idiotic pranks
Origin: This expression has two meanings. One concerns comical behavior like that
of a playful monkey. The other refers to sneaky, unlawful actions. So a student could
be sent to the principal's office for monkey business, and a politician can be sent to
jail for monkey business. This idiom, from 2oth-century America, is like many other
expressions that relate human behavior to animal behavior ("sly as a fox,” “wise as
an owl,” and so on), and probably comes from an older expression, “monkeyshines,”
which dates from the 1820s.

149
 More than meets the eye
Sherlock Holmes realized immediately that there was more to the
murder than met the eye. Sek

Meaning: there are hidden facts that can’t be seen or understood right away
Origin: This British cliché from the 1800s says that often things have deeper levels of
meaning and importance than you can see at first. The full truth of a situation has to
be thoroughly investigated. You might have to use a microscope to research skills to
uncover the real facts of something.

More than one way to skin a cat

Scott tried every solution to the puzzle he could think of because he
knew there was more than one way to skin a cat.
Meaning: there are several different ways of reaching the same goal
Origin: This American idiom has been in use since the mid-1800s, when removing
animals’ pelts was more common than it is today. Each person who skinned a cat or
animal had his or her own particular way of doing it. Over the years the saying took on
broader meaning, and now it can refer to the many methods of accomplishing goals.
The original British expression was “there are more ways of killing a cat than choking
it with cream.”

Mum’s the word

Don’t tell anyone about the surprise for Mr. Edward. Remember,
mum’s the word.

Meaning: you must keep silent; don’t tell anyone the secret
Origin: Since at least 1350 “mum” has meant silent. The word itself sounds like a
person trying to talk with her lips shut tight. “Mum’s the word” has been a popular
expression since about 1700.

150
Name is mud
Everyone knows that it was Tiger who started the fight during the
game. Now that we’re disqualified, his name is mud.
Meaning: the person is in trouble, possibly doomed, and worthless
Origin: In the 1700s “mud” was a slang word for “fool” or “stupid person” in England.
Starting in the early 1800s, the saying “His name is mud” was used in the British
Parliament to point out any member of Parliament who had disgraced himself.

Necessity is the mother of invention

He created shoes with stilts so he could reach the ceiling. Necessity is
the mother of invention.
Meaning; inventiveness or creativity stimulated by need or difficulty
Origin: A phrase similar to this was used by people in ancient Greece, and today it
is a proverb in Italian, French, German, and some other languages. The first use of it
in English was in a British play in 1672. It’s very popular all over the world, probably
because it states a universal truth. If you urgently need something that you don’t have,
you will discover or invent it by using your imagination and skill. In this expression,
“mother” means the creative source that gives birth to the invention.

Need something like a hole in the head

Conchita needed a battery-operated, revolving-head spaghetti fork
like she needed a hole in the head.
Meaning: to have no need for something at all
Origin: This bit of American slang comes from the 1940s. It is similar to older sayings
that used the idea of not needing something that is totally unnecessary such as “I
need this like I need a disease... a cough...a toad....” and so on. The words
“hole in the head” come from a Yiddish expression, Joch in kop.

151
 Needle in a haystack
Looking for your contact lens in this shaggy rug will be like looking for
a needle in a haystack.
Meaning: something hard or impossible to find; anything hopeless (in a search)
Origin: Since the early 1500s there have been similar expressions to describe things
difficult to find: “like finding a needle in a meadow of hay” and “like finding a pin’s
head in a cartload of hay.” In the mid-1800s the expression became “needle in a
haystack.” Sayings like these are popular in other languages, too. Finding anything in
a haystack is hard, but finding a needle in one is nearly impossible.

Nickel-and-dime
He said he worked for a big corporation, but it was really only a
nickel-and-dime company.
Meaning: unimportant, small-time, trivial, petty
Origin: In this 2oth-century African-American saying, “nickel-and-dime” refers to
two of the smallest units of United States money. Anything that’s “nickel-and-dime’” is
the opposite of “big bucks.” Note: This expression can also be used as a verb meaning
to act in a cheap manner, as in “He never takes her to fancy restaurants. He always
nickels and dimes her.”

Nitty-gritty
When you write your report, stick to the nitty-gritty.

Meaning: the specific heart of the matter; the practical details; the fundamental
core of something
Origin: Grit means tiny, rough granules of stone or sand. Imagine you’re trying to
examine or explain something. Instead of wasting time on unimportant subjects,
you concentrate on the grit, the small but basic and necessary points. “Nitty-gritty,”
a 2oth-century African-American phrase, is a rhyming extension of the word “grit.”
“Grit” was stretched to “gritty” and was rhymed with “nitty” to make a colorful,
fun phrase.

152
No dice
| asked my father for a raise in my allowance, but he said, “No dice!”

Meaning: refused; no! absolutely not!

Origin: This zoth-century American saying must come from gambling games that
use dice, but no one is sure about the original meaning. If there are no dice, there’s no
game, which should explain how this phrase came to mean “no!”

No skin off your nose

He doesn’t care if |make the football team or not. It’s no skin off
his nose.

Meaning: of totally no concern to you whatsoever; it doesn’t matter to you one way
or the other
Origin: This American idiom dates to the 1920s. Originally, the expression was
“no skin off my back.” “Nose” is more suitable because if you stick your nose into
somebody’s business, you can get it hurt.

No spring chicken
Grandma can’t run and play ball the way she used to. She’s no
spring chicken.

Meaning: not young anymore

Origin: This saying has been around since the early 1800s, and it almost always
applied to women, although there’s no reason it couldn't refer to men, too. A spring
chicken is a really young chick, like a baby. The expression began as “now past a
chicken,” and the saying today is a variation of the original.

153
 Nose out of joint
When Alice’s scarf didn’t win first prize in the knitting contest, her nose
was out of joint for a week. :
p2 poate

Meaning: angry, jealous, or annoyed at someone

Origin: The peculiar thing about this expression is that your nose doesn’t have a
joint. It has funny-sounding stuff like the infratip lobule, upper lateral cartilage,
pyriform aperture, medial crural footplate, and osseocartilaginous junction. But it
does not have a joint. People in England knew that in the 1580s when this saying
was first used, but they used it anyway. It means to be angry because your plans are
spoiled or because somebody has taken something away from you or done something
you don’t like. Maybe another person got the part you wanted in the play, or stole
away your best friend, or got a higher grade on the final exam. That might hurt a lot,
almost as much as if someone had punched you in your nose and put it out of joint (if
it had a joint, which it doesn’t).

Not your cup of tea

Please show me another hat. This one’s not my cup of tea.
Meaning; not what one likes or prefers; not suitable; not to your taste
Origin: In Britain, tea has been an extremely popular drink since the mid-1700s. Even
now many English people have a cup of tea every mid-afternoon, and there are many
different flavors to choose from. In the late 1800s, people in England started saying
that something they liked was their “cup of tea.” Later, probably in the 1920s, the
expression took on its present meaning.

154
Nothing new under the sun
This expensive pasta is really just macaroni. There’s nothing new
under the sun.
Meaning; everything is just a little different but pretty much the same as an earlier
invention
Origin: This expression was more fitting when it first appeared in the Bible. Then,
amazing scientific discoveries weren’t being announced almost every day. Today
you learn about new things in the world (“under the sun”) all the time. This saying
can also be used when you see something that’s supposed to be new but is really
a variation of something old. Advertisers try to convince us that their products are
different from earlier items. But if you look closely, you may discover that in some
cases there’s “nothing new under the sun.”

Nothing to sneeze at
He won the silver medal, not the gold, but that’s still nothing to
sneeze at.
Meaning: not small or unimportant; something to be taken seriously
Origin: In the early 1800s people were already using this saying. Perhaps it comes
from the idea of turning your nose up at something or someone to express scorn or
contempt. Since sneezes come from your nose, something that’s “not to be sneezed
at” should be treated as important and worthy.

Nothing ventured, nothing gained

C’mon, try making that dive. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

Meaning: If you don’t try to do something, you'll never accomplish it

Origin: This old proverb states a commonsense truth: If you don’t make an
effort — even though you may be risking failure — you will never reach your goal.
Nothing risked or dared (“ventured”), nothing attained (“gained”).

155
 BERBER EERE RE RBRRREe eee, SEeEE

| was convinced that Bill’s uncle was as

crazy or extremely strange in behavior or dress

This widely used saying originated in America in the late 1920s. “Nutty” was
slang for crazy; a “nut” was an eccentric person who seemed abnormal in the way he
or she appeared or dressed. Fruitcakes are made with plenty of nuts, so if a person is
as “nutty as a fruitcake,” he or she is really strange.

Body Part Idioms

Everyone's body has parts, from a tiny tooth to humongous feet. Many idioms
contain the names of body parts. Some body part idioms in this book are
Achilles’ heel Fight tooth and nail
All ears Foam at the mouth
All thumbs Get out of my face
Bite the hand that feeds you Get something off your chest
Bite your tongue Get the lead out of your feet
Bleeding heart Get under your skin
Blood is thicker than water Get your back up
Break a leg Get your feet wet
Bury your head in the sand Give your eyeteeth for something
Button your lip Give your right arm
By the skin of your teeth Grit your teeth
Cheek by jowl Hand-to-mouth existence
Chip on your shoulder Have your heart in your mouth
Cold feet Head and shoulders above someone
Cool your heels Head in the clouds
Cost an arm and a leg Head over heels in love
Cut off your nose to spite your face Heart’s in the right place
Cut your eyeteeth on something Hold your tongue
Down at the heels Jump down your throat
Down in the mouth Keep a stiff upper lip
Eat out of your hand Keep a straight face
Eat your heart out Keep body and soul together
Elbow grease Keep your chin up
Eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth Keep your ear to the ground
Eyes in the back of your head Keep your fingers crossed
Off the beaten track (path)
That restaurant’s really off the beaten track but worth the trip.
Meaning: not well-known or used; an unfamiliar location; unusual; different
Origin: In the 1600s, when this idiom was first used, there were many dirt roads. As
people walked or rode over them, the paths were beaten down by feet, horses’ hooves,
and wagon wheels. They looked well used. But if something was “off the beaten track”
(or “path”), then few people traveled that way. We now use this expression to describe
anything unusual, not often used, or not seen by many people.

Off the top of your head

Right off the top of his head he listed all the state capitals in
alphabetical order.
Meaning: stating something quickly and without thinking hard about it
Origin: In the middle of the zoth century, Americans started using this expression.
Thoughts come from your brain, which is in the top of your head. So if you blurt out
facts quickly without having to think about them, then you’re talking “off the top of
your head,” as if right out of your brain.

Off-the-wall
That new talk-show host is definitely off-the-wall.

Meaning: shocking; very unusual

Origin: In handball, racquetball, and squash, a player hits the ball against the wall.
When it comes off the wall, you don’t always know where it’s headed or what it’s
going to do. Some word experts think that’s how this new expression, which describes
unpredictable people or odd behavior, may have been thought up.

157
 off your rocker
My boss is off his rocker. He wants me to be at work early the morning
after the dance.

Meaning: crazy; silly; foolish; not thinking correctly

Origin: People have been using this phrase since the mid-1800s. “Rocker” in this
idiom refers to a rocking chair, and there are at least two theories about how being
“off your rocker” came to mean “crazy.” If you fell off your rocking chair, it was a sign
of being mentally unstable. “Rockers” are also the two curved pieces upon which the
chair rocks. A rocking chair with a missing rocker moves strangely, like a person whose
thinking is mixed-up. Other expressions with similar meanings are “off your nut” and
“off your trolley.”

Old hat
Let’s try a new place for our next vacation. Dooley’s Dude Ranch is so
old hat.

Meaning: out-of-date; not new; too familiar; uninteresting

Origin: In the late 19th and early 2oth centuries, when this phrase became popular,
men and women wore hats much more than they do today. Most people wanted to
keep up with the latest styles, and an old hat was no longer fashionable.

Old wives’ tale

Wearing garlic around your neck won't scare off evil. That’s just an old —
wives’ tale.
Meaning: a superstition; a belief or practice not based on fact
Origin: This idiom has a long history. Plato, a famous Greek philosopher who lived
around 300 B.C., first used this phrase. In the 1300s it appeared in English. Then
Erasmus, a Dutch scholar, put it in his writings in the 1500s. The “old wives” in this
idiom refer to people during the olden days who gave advice based on superstitions.
Some examples of these “tales” are “feed a cold and starve a fever,” “don’t touch a
frog or you'll get warts,” and “it’s bad luck to walk under a ladder.”

158
On a shoestring
They tried to start a school band on a shoestring.
Meaning; on a strict budget; with or using very little money
Origin: No one today is quite sure about the origin of this idiom, although we know
it started in America in the late 1800s. A “shoestring” is what we call a shoelace today.
Perhaps the writer who first used this expression was comparing a tiny amount of
money to a piece of string like a shoelace.

On cloud nine
Lizette is on cloud nine since being named Junior Scientist of the Year.
Meaning: blissfully happy; joyous
Origin: Though this saying comes from the late 19th century, nine has been a
mystical number for thousands of years, back to the time of the ancient Greeks. The
saying originally was “on cloud seven,” probably coming from “seventh heaven,”
the highest of the heavens in Jewish religious literature. Nine was then substituted,
perhaps because it is a sacred Christian number. This is because three is a trinity and
represents perfect unity, and nine is a trinity of trinities (3 x 3). Other idioms that
express great joy also suggest being up high: “on top of the world” (see page 164),
“walking on air” (see page 240), and so on.

On pins and needles

| was on pins and needles until | got the phone call that the plane had
landed safely.
Meaning: waiting anxiously for something; extremely nervous
Origin: This saying was first used in the late 1800s. When you're waiting nervously
for something to happen, you sometimes feel as if you can’t sit still — like needles or
pins are sticking you. A writer once said it was like being “on pins and needles,” and
the phrase stuck. Other expressions of nervousness are “butterflies in the stomach”
(see page 30) and “on tenterhooks” (see page 160).

159
 On someone’s case
His girlfriend was on his case because he started smoking again.
Meaning; to nag, find fault with, badger or scold someone constantly about his or
her business, situation, circumstances
Origin: In this popular African-American idiom, “case” means your business or
current situation in life. You often hear or read this expression either as a complaint
that someone is on your case about something, or as a demand that someone get off
your case about something.

On tenterhooks
Tommy waited on tenterhooks to see if he would win the award.
Meaning: uncertain, anxious, very tense; in painful suspense about how something
will turn out
Origin: In the mid-1700s, when this saying originated, a tenter was a frame for
stretching newly woven cloth. The “tenterhook” was a hook or bent nail that held
the cloth to the tenter. At that time a person who was worried sick not knowing the
outcome of a situation was said to be “on tenters,” meaning that their emotions were
stretched out tensely. Later the phrase became “on tenterhooks,” which expressed
even sharper and more intense feeling.

On the ball
Mr. Hsu hired me because he thinks I’m really on the ball.
Meaning: alert; effective; skillful; knowledgeable
Origin: This saying originated with British football — what we call soccer. It could
also be said that a person is “on top of things.” Also, in the all-American sport of
baseball, a pitcher who was able to get something “on the ball” (like great speed)
would be more likely to win the game. As ball games, including basketball, became
more popular, so did this expression.

160
On the cuff
Cosmo couldn't pay his bill, so he asked the owner to put it on the cuff.
Meaning: on credit; to be paid later
Origin: This expression probably came from the days when bartenders in old saloons
wore stiff cuffs that detached from the end of their shirtsleeves. When customers
wanted to pay for their drinks at a later date, the bartender often wrote the charges
down on his cuffs. There is another, similar idiom, “off the cuff,” that has a totally
different meaning: to speak about or do something freely without thinking about
it first.

On the double
The coach told the players to get onto the field on the double.
Meaning: very quickly; immediately; at a fast pace
Origin: This is an old army command. When the person in charge wanted the soldiers
to march twice as fast as normal, he’d holler, “On the double!” which meant to double
the speed. Today, anyone can use this expression when he or she wants someone to
hurry up.

On the fence
Are you for or against the new honor code, or are you still on the fence?

Meaning: neutral; undecided; not choosing one way or the other

Origin: This popular expression from the early 1800s makes you think of a person
actually sitting on a fence, body right in the middle, not completely on one side or the
other, with one leg dangling over each side. In the same way, if a person straddles an
issue without committing himself or herself, that’s a person “on the fence.”

161
 On the fritz
We can’t watch the game at my house because my TV is on the fritz.

Meaning: broken; out of order; not working

Origin: Though this expression is a recent one (the early 1900s), nobody today is quite
sure how it got started. One word expert gave the following possible explanation.
During World War I, a degrading term for a German soldier was “Fritz,” a common
German name (short for Friedrich). Something not working or ruined could be
compared to the defeated Germans.

On the horns of a dilemma

José didn’t like either girl who asked him to the dance, but he had to ee
with one of them. He was on the horns of a dilemma.

Meaning: having to choose between two undesirable courses of action or

unpleasant things
Origin: A bull can be a fierce animal, and nobody wants to be stuck on the sharp
points of a bull’s horns. But you feel that you’re in that position if you are forced
to decide between two possibly dangerous choices. A similar saying was used by
people in the Middle Ages and by the Dutch scholar Erasmus around the year 1500.
In medieval times a “dilemma” was a way of arguing in which one of two statements
must be proved to be true.

On the hot seat

Fran was caught eating a candy bar at the weight loss class — Now she’s
really on the hot seat.
Meaning: ina difficult or uncomfortable position and subject to a lot of Unpe
questions and personal attacks
Origin: The “hot seat” in this expression refers to the electric chair. But you can be
on — or in — the hot seat in a freezing cold room if you’ve been accused of doing
something bad, or you’ve been caught in an embarrassing situation and people are
questioning and criticizing you.

162
On the rocks
| need a loan because my dog-walking business is on the rocks.

Meaning: financially ruined or wrecked; near disaster; finished

Origin: An unfortunate ship that has run aground and is on the rocks will eventually
sink. In the 1800s the phrase “on the rocks” (meaning headed for disaster) was
expanded to describe many areas of life, not just ships at sea. Note: There’s also a
totally different meaning for this saying. A person can order a drink “on the rocks.” In
this case, “rocks” means ice cubes.

On the ropes
Last summer, my ice cream store did a lot of business, but now, in the
middle of winter, it’s on the ropes.
Meaning: almost failing; on the verge of collapse; nearly ruined
Origin: This phrase was first used in the 1800s and referred to boxers who were almost
knocked out. They hung onto the ropes around the boxing ring so they wouldn’t
totally collapse. Later the saying was expanded to include any person, business, or
situation that was in great difficulty or nearly ruined.

On the spur of the moment

On the spur of the moment, | rode my bike fifteen miles for a slice of
my favorite pecan pie.
Meaning: suddenly; acting without thinking about it first, impulsively
Origin: In the early 1800s, when this idiom was first being used, many people rode
horses to get where they were going. Riders often wore short, spiked wheels, called
spurs, on the heels of their boots. When they wanted to urge a horse to go faster, they
pressed the spurs against its body. If an opportunity is like a spur that gets a person
to do something impulsively without waiting, you can easily see how “on the spur of
the moment” originated. Now, of course, it relates to any sudden decision to act and
has nothing to do with horses.

163
 On the tip of your tongue
_ The name of the song was on the tip of her tongue, but Jeannie
couldn’t remember it fast enough to win the contest. a

Meaning: temporarily forgotten but at the point where one can almost say it;
ready to say something but unable to remember it precisely
Origin: This saying was first used in a British novel (Moll Flanders by Daniel Defoe)
in the early 1700s, and it became very popular by the mid-1800s. Where do spoken
words come from? First from your brain, then to your mouth, and just before they
emerge from your lips they pass over the tip of your tongue. Sometimes, when you just
can’t remember something like a name, place, or date but you know you know it, and
you can almost utter it, you say that the words are stuck “on (or ‘at’) the tip of your
tongue.” They can’t get through your lips to the waiting world.

On the warpath
Mr. Ozawa is on the warpath because his car broke down again.
Meaning; in a very angry mood; infuriated
Origin: This phrase is from the mid-1800s and originally referred to Native Americans
who were often at war with settlers or other nations about land rights. The expression
meant “going to war.” By the end of the 19th century, the meaning had grown to mean
being in a rage about something.

On top of the world

When Grandpa's girlfriend said that she’d marry him, he was on top of
the world.
Meaning: feeling extremely happy
Origin: Many writers have used this famous expression since the early 1900s with the
verb “sitting.” “Down” has always suggested downhearted feelings such as sadness
and depression (see “down in the dumps,” page 60). But being “up” or “on top” has
meant emotions such as delight and joy (see “walking on air,” page 240, and “on
cloud nine,” page 159). “The world” represents everything, such as your life, your job,
and your family. So, if you’re sitting “on top of the world,” you're overjoyed because
of good health, success, and so on.

164
Once in a blue moon
The teacher is tough, but once ina blue moon she doesn’t give
us homework.

Meaning: almost never; very seldom; hardly ever

Origin: On some nights when the bright part of the moon is a crescent, some people
say the other part has a bluish color to it. This “blue moon” is rare. A similar expression
was first used in the early 1500s and has been popular ever since.

One good turn deserves another

| helped Lin fix her flat tire, and she gave mea ride. One good turn
deserves another.

Meaning: one good deed should be paid back with another

Origin: This is an adage, a general truth that people have come to accept over many
years. It dates as far back as the early 1400s and means that if you receive help from
someone, it’s only fair and proper that you help that person in return. The meaning of
“turn” here is a deed or action. The same idea, but in a negative sense, appears in the
idiom “eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth” (see page 71).

One-horse town
They got fed up with the noisy, crowded city, so they moved to a
one-horse town out West.
Meaning: a place with few comforts and activities; a dull rural town
Origin: This expression was first used in the 1850s when there were more horses than
people in some American towns. If a town had only one horse, it must have been really
small, with very little happening. This exaggerated saying became popular even
though it is insulting. Now it can describe any business or project that’s considered
rather minor or dull.

165
 One-track mind
Paul has a one-track mind. All he ever thinks about is eaesd |
football, football. me

Meaning: always thinking about only one subject

Origin: Most railroads have at least two tracks so trains can go in different directions
without crashing into one another. However, on a single-track railroad line, train
traffic can move in only one direction at a time.

Open a can of worms

Ifyou mention my report card to my mother, you'll open a can
of worms.
Meaning; to cause trouble; to set unpleasant events in motion
Origin: A can of worms might be fine to open if you are by the banks of a river on a
summer’s day getting ready to fish. But you wouldn’t want to open it anywhere else;
the situation might cause a lot of trouble! In this expression, “worms” are difficult or
delicate issues. A related idiom is “let sleeping dogs lie” (see page 135).

othe: side of the coin

The new building is wonderful, but on the other side of the coin,
it cost $10 million.

Meaning: opposite side or point of view

Origin: This metaphor has been around since the beginning of the zoth century and
is widely used. Every coin has two sides, but you can see only one side at a time. Like a
coin, every issue has more than one side to it. You have to know the “other side of the
coin” to get the full story.

166
Out in left field
Mary’s suggestion, a “dress as your favorite vegetable” party, was way
out in left field.
Meaning: unusual; crazy; totally wrong
Origin: Baseball became a popular sport in the United States in the 2oth century,
and this expression is based on one of the field positions. Left field is a long way
from home plate and is one of the farthest outfield positions to which fewer balls are
hit. If home plate is called “home” because it’s a safe place where a player starts out
from and hopes to come back to, then “left field” means something far from what's
considered normal. It’s really weird!

Out in the boondocks

She lives way out in the boondocks.
Meaning: in remote places; in rural regions; in sparsely populated areas
Origin: Tagalogs are native Filipinos who live in or near Manila, the capital city of
the Philippines. In the Tagalog language, bundok means “mountain.” The United
States military forces stationed in the area of the Philippines in the first half of the
2oth century extended the meaning of the word from mountain to any place that is
far from heavily populated centers. Today, the saying is sometimes shortened to “in
the boonies.”

Out like a light

Given a strong anesthetic, the patient was out like a light.

Meaning; fast asleep; suddenly unconscious

Origin: In America in the 2oth century, when the wonders of electricity spread across
the land, people could turn on and shut off lights with just a flick of a switch. By the
middle of the century, “out like a light” was a way of saying that a person had fallen
asleep very quickly or had been knocked out or drugged into unconsciousness in a
matter of seconds.

167
 Out of here
Just one more slice of cake and I’m out of here. |

Meaning: good-bye; I’m going; I’m leaving

Origin: This catchy, modern African-American saying means just what it says.

Out of sight, out of mind

She thought she'd miss her boyfriend when he went away, but it was
out of sight, out of mind.
Meaning: if you don’t see something for a long time, you'll eventually stop
thinking about it
Origin: Homer, an ancient Greek poet, used this proverb in his famous epic The
Odyssey in about 850 B.c. A similar saying was popular in English as early as the
1200s. The image is clear: What is missing from your view will soon be missing from
your thoughts. The expression “absence makes the heart grow fonder” states the
opposite idea.

Out of the clear blue sky

Out of the clear blue sky, he asked her to marry him.

Meaning: suddenly and without any warning; totally unexpectedly

Origin: This late 19th-century expression is related to another saying, “a bolt from
the blue” (see page 23). A bolt of lightning or sudden shower from a clear blue sky
would be unexpected. Sometimes this idiom is shortened to “out of the blue.”

Out of the frying pan and into the fire

First, you were late. Now, you spilled glue all over the teacher’s desk.
You've jumped out of the frying pan and into the fire. _

Meaning: from a bad situation into one that is worse

Origin: This proverb, popular in many languages, was used in English in the early
1500s. A piece of food being fried in a pan is hot enough, but falling out of the frying
pan and into the fire is even worse!
168
Out of the mouths of babes
The four-year-old said, “Aunt Roslyn, your dress is as pretty as a
garden.” Out of the mouths of babes, you know.
Meaning: children can unexpectedly say very intelligent things
Origin: The full version of this saying is something like “out of the mouths of babes
come smart ideas,” but you don’t have to say the whole thing for people to get the
idea. Similar expressions originated in the Bible.

Out of the woods

The doctor says Bruce’s condition has improved slightly, but he’s not
out of the woods yet.
Meaning: safe from trouble or danger
Origin: For centuries, at least back to ancient Roman times, people thought of the
woods as a dark, mysterious, possibly dangerous place. If you were stuck in the
woods, you could be in trouble. But if you got “out of the woods,” you were safe.
This expression can be used to mean being past any kind of critical phase in a risky
situation or getting free of danger or trouble.

Out on a limb
The mayor went out on a limb when he opposed the new sports center.
Meaning: taking a chance; in a dangerous position from which it is hard to
withdraw or change
Origin: This American saying dates from the late 1800s, when hunting animals in the
woods was a more common activity than it is today. It probably referred to a hunted
animal that climbed a tree and got itself stranded out on a limb where it could easily
be shot. Later the idiom grew to describe any person who takes a risk that might lead
to trouble.

169
 Over a barrel
Jack is really over a barrel since he lost the only copy of the book he
needed for his report. ; .

Meaning: helpless; in someone's power; at a disadvantage

Origin: There are a couple of possible explanations for this idiom. One is that a person
rescued from drowning was often laid over a barrel to help empty his or her lungs of
water. The other is that a person about to be flogged, or whipped for a crime, was often
tied over a barrel to hold him down.

Over the hill

A ninety-two-year-old man finished the marathon and proved he _
wasn’t over the hill yet.
Meaning: past one’s prime; unable to function as one used to; too old
Origin: Since at least the middle of the 2oth century, writers have made comparisons
between living your life and climbing a hill or mountain. When you're young and full
of energy, you climb up the hill and head for the top. After that, as you come upon
middle age and old age, your body slows and you go down the hill, no longer able
to do all the things you could do before. You’re “over (the top of) the hill.” But some
old-timers would say, “I'd rather be over the hill than under it.”

Over your head

| warned Charles that he was in over his head, but he wouldn't stop.
Meaning; a risky situation that will lead to certain failure; beyond your ability to
understand something
Origin: This widely used expression has two meanings. One is that if you invest more
money than you can afford in a risky business venture, then you're in “over your
head” and probably on the road to financial disaster. In this case, you should try to
“keep your head above water” (see page 127). The other meaning is that if a person
tells a joke or makes a remark that you don’t understand, it goes “over your head”
rather than into your brain.

170
Par for the course
Mr. Hernandez gave me a “C.” The way he’s been grading lately, that’s
about par for the course.
Meaning; just what was expected; normal; typical
Origin: In the 1920s this expression, which came from golf, was broadened to include
other activities in life. In golf, “par” is the number of golf strokes it usually takes for
a golf expert to play a course. That’s how “par for the course” came to mean a typical
or expected result. It usually has a slightly negative tone to it: “It took me three hours
to get home in this blizzard, about par for the course.” Related expressions are “up to
par” (satisfactory) and “below par” (unsatisfactory).

Pass the buck

You’ve got to make the decision yourself. You can’t pass the buck on
this one.

Meaning; to pass on or make another person accept responsibility or blame for

something one does not want to accept for his or her own
Origin: In a 19th-century American poker game, “buck” was a piece of buckshot
(a shotgun pellet) or a pocketknife with a buckhorn handle. It was passed to you if
you were the next dealer. By 1900, “passing the buck” meant shifting responsibility
for something to another person. In 1949 President Harry Truman put a sign on his
desk that read “The Buck Stops Here.” That meant that he was accepting personal
responsibility for all decisions that needed to be made and all actions that needed to
be taken. He wasn’t going to direct his problems to anybody else.

171
 Pass the hat
| need money for the amusement park. | may just have to pass the hat.
Meaning: to ask for contributions; to beg
Origin: At one time, hats were passed around at entertainment events by people
asking for money. The custom might have originated with street minstrels who
entertained people and then requested payment. And a hat is an excellent container
in which to collect money. A related expression is “hat in hand” (see page 105).

Pay through the nose

In that restaurant, you'll pay through the nose for a meal.

Meaning: to pay too much for something

Origin: Here’s an idiom from the 1600s. “Rhino” was once a slang word for money,
but originally it was the Greek word for nose. The two words are similar in sound and
their meanings might have come together to make this expression. Another possibility
comes from Danish authorities charging Irish people a poll tax in the 9th century and
cutting off or slitting the noses of those who failed to pay their taxes. There’s also
a gambling origin tied to “bleeding” a player — duping him to lose all his money.
Now, if you “pay through the nose,” you'd be paying an extremely expensive price for
something. A related body part idiom is “pay an arm and a leg.”

Pen is mightier than the sword

I'd rather be a writer than a general because the pen is mightier than
the sword.

Meaning: writing is more powerful than fighting

Origin: This famous saying was first used in the 1600s. It started out as “the pen is
worse than the sword.” A pen and a sword have certain characteristics in common.
Both are thin, pointed, and handheld. But history has shown that writers and statesmen
using their pens have often had a greater effect on the course of events than military
leaders and conquerors wielding swords. Think of the Magna Carta, the Declaration of
Independence, and other important writings that have changed the course of history
more than wars have.

172
Penny for your thoughts
You seem so serious. A penny for your thoughts.
Meaning: What are you thinking? Tell me what is on your mind.
Origin: Early in the 1500s, when people first started using this expression, a penny
was worth more than it is today. So if you offered a penny to a person who was either
thinking or daydreaming, you’d be offering a lot to know what was going on in his
or her mind.

Penny-wise and pound-foolish

That was penny-wise and pound-foolish. You saved a dollar in car fare
when you walked all the way home, but now you need new sneakers.
Meaning; careful in small matters but careless about important things; saving
small amounts of money while wasting large amounts
Origin: This was a well-known proverb by the early 1600s in England, where a
pound is a unit of money. A penny was always worth much less than a pound. So the
expression meant you were smart about things that were small and careless about
things that were big.

People who live in glass houses shouldn't

throw stones
He complained about her driving, but he’s already had two accidents.
People who live in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones.
Meaning; you should not criticize others if you are just as bad as they are
Origin: This saying became popular in the 1300s during the time of the English poet
Geoffrey Chaucer, who used it in one of his books. If you lived in a glass house, you'd
better hope that no one would throw stones at it! You should not judge other people if
you have the same faults as they do.

173
 Pie in the sky
Consuela thinks that if she goes to Washington, she'll meet the
president and tell him her ideas. What a pie~in-the-sky idea!
Meaning: something not possible; an unrealistic hope
Origin: In 1906 an American union organizer wrote a song called “The Preacher and
the Slave” that had the words:
Work and pray,
Live on the hay,
You'll get a pie in the sky when you die!
(That’s a lie.)
“Pie” meant decent working conditions and good wages. Union workers wanted those
things while they were alive, not after they died. The song was popular, and the phrase
“pie in the sky” came to mean promised pleasures that probably won't come true, or
rewards that are given after you die.

Piece of cake
Don’t worry. Skateboarding down this hill is a piece of cake.
Meaning: an especially easy and pleasant task
Origin: This phrase could have come from an African-American dance contest in the
mid-1g9th century. Contestants made up complex strutting movements, usually with
high steps, and the winner won a cake. The dance was called the cakewalk, and the
expression “that takes the cake” came from it. A related expression is “easy as pie”
(see page 66).

Play both ends against the middle

Evan got the other two candidates to call each other names, and he got
elected. How's that for playing both ends against the middle.
Meaning; to pit two opponents against each other in such a way as to benefit
yourself; to use each of two sides for your own purpose
Origin: In the 1800s there was a popular card game in America called faro, in which
the dealer allowed a double bet by a player. The phrase was later applied to ce
using two opposing sides for one’s selfish purposes.
174
Play cat and mouse
She plays cat and mouse with her little brother, pretending to hand
him a lollipop, then taking it away when he reaches for it.

Meaning; to tease or fool someone

Origin: If you’re in a room with both a cat and a mouse, you might observe the way
the sneaky cat treats the poor little rodent. The cat tricks the mouse into thinking
it’s safe, then catches it, lets it go, then catches it again. It’s a game of capture and
release. Today, anyone who toys with a helpless victim is playing “cat and mouse”
with him or her. This expression became popular in 1913 in England when suffragettes
(women fighting for the right to vote) were arrested for their civil disobedience and
went on hunger strikes in jail. Parliament passed a law releasing prisoners who refused
to eat. When a suffragette got healthy, she was arrested again. People called the law
the “Cat and Mouse Act.”

Play fast and loose

You told Linda you’d help her, but then you didn’t show up. You
shouldn’t play fast and loose with your friends.
Meaning: to do whatever pleases you without caring about what will happen to
others; to be unpredictable and careless; to act irresponsibly
Origin: This saying might have come from a 14th-century game in which tricksters
cheated people at country fairs by challenging them to perform impossible tricks
and then taking their money when they couldn’t. The game involved loops in a piece
of string or folds in a belt. In the late 1500s William Shakespeare used this phrase in
some of his plays. People who “play fast and loose” promise to do one thing and then
do another.

175
 Play it by ear
The toga costumes aren’t ready, and the performance is tonight, so
we'll just have to play it by ear. Use the bedsheets for togas because
the show must go on. é

Meaning; to figure out what you’re going to do as you go along instead of

beforehand
Origin: Ever since the 1600s people have been using this expression to mean playing
a song by remembering the melody, not by reading the sheet music. You hear the song
in your head, and you don’t need to look at the notes to perform it. But 300 years later,
the saying took on an additional meaning: to improvise what to do without planning
ahead. Suppose you decide to go to a new place without learning about it. Then you
have to “play it by ear” when you get there and decide where you're going to stay and
what you're going to do without knowing what to expect in advance. In emergency
situations, people often have to “play it by ear.”

Play second fiddle

Why should Jesse play second fiddle to him? She’s as smart as he is.

Meaning; to be a follower; to be in an inferior position

Origin: In an orchestra, there are the roles of first violin (or fiddle) and second fiddle.
The person who plays “first violin” is supposed to be the most important musician
in an orchestra. So, since at least the middle 1700s, when this saying was first used,
“playing second fiddle” has meant to act the smaller part or be in a lower position
rather than to be the leader.

Play the field

| don’t plan to date just one man. I’m going to play the field.
Meaning; to have many sweethearts or dates without going steady or committing
yourself to one person
Origin: During the 19th century, gamblers who wanted to increase their chances of
winning money at a horse race bet on every horse except the favorite. This was called
“playing the field” (of horses). Later the phrase was extended to other areas of life,
especially dating.

176
Play with fire
Threatening the bully in the neighborhood is really playing with fire.

Meaning; to take an unnecessary and dangerous risk; to court danger

Origin: This expression has been commonly used for hundreds of years, at least since
the late 1500s. The metaphor is clear: If you’re being irresponsible about something
dangerous and inviting disaster, it’s like playing with fire. You’re taking a big risk.

Point of no return
We can’t cancel the show now. We’ve reserved the theater and sold
tickets. We've reached the point of no return.
Meaning: the position or time after which it is impossible to go back, change your
mind, or do something different
Origin: During World War II, pilots knew that they had only enough fuel to fly a
certain number of miles. The point when they would reach the crucial mark was called
the point of no return. If they continued to fly on, they would not have enough fuel to
return to their home base.

Poor as a church mouse

The Richards used to be wealthy, but after the stock market crash in
1987, they were as poor as church mice.
Meaning: very poor; poverty-stricken
Origin: This simile first appeared in English in the 17th century. Originally it was
“hungry as a church mouse” because a mouse that was so unlucky as to live in a
church would find no food there. Churches in the 1600s had no kitchens to cook meals
and no pantries to store food. A smart mouse would take up residence in the cellar
of a house, restaurant, or grocery store. As years went by, “hungry” was changed to
“poor,” and the idiom became popular in many countries.

177
 Pot calling the kettle black
For you to say that | can’t throw a ball is like the pot calling the kettle
black. You're a terrible pitcher! See

Meaning: the person criticizing another person’s faults is guilty of the same faults
himself or herself
Origin: The theory about the origin of this idiom goes back to the early 1600s. It
suggests that a pot and a kettle both got black from standing too long over an open
fire. The pot couldn't fault the kettle for being blackened by smoke because the pot
was the same color. In the same way, you can’t criticize a person for something if the
fault is one of yours, too. A similar idea is contained in the saying “People who live in
glass houses shouldn’t throw stones” (see page 173).

Pour oil on troubled waters

My brothers were having a terrible fight in the car, but my mother
poured oil on troubled waters by saying they were both right.

Meaning; to calm an angry quarrel; to have a soothing effect through tact or skill
in dealing with people
Origin: As early as A.D. 731 this expression referred to the belief that if you poured
oil on rough, stormy ocean waves, it would calm them. Now it means to smooth over a
stormy or disturbed situation of any kind on land or sea.

Power behind the throne

The president’s wife had so much influence on him that people knew
she was the real power behind the throne.
Meaning; the actual, but unrecognized, person in charge
Origin: This saying was being used in England by the 1770s. “Throne” does not
always stand for a royal position. It could mean the office of any leader. If someone
else is telling the leader what to do, he or she could be called the “power behind
the throne.”

178
Proof of the pudding is in the eating
The car looks gorgeous, but the only way to know how it runs is to test-
drive it. The proof of the pudding is in the eating.
Meaning: success is measured by the final result
Origin: This proverb has been enormously popular since at least the 1600s, especially
with British writers. The only way to know if a pudding is good and has turned out
right is to taste it.

Pull a fast one

My sister pulled a fast one. She asked me to hold the brush. Then she
left, and | had to finish painting the room.

Meaning: to deceive; to mastermind a trick or deception

Origin: This expression originated in the English sport of cricket and meant to bowl
a fast ball. It probably became popular in the United States either in reference to a
fast shuffle of cards or to the fastball in baseball, which usually comes when you're
not expecting it.

Pull a rabbit out of a hat

We were very hungry, and suddenly Mr. Mooser took some cookies out
of his pocket. It was like pulling a rabbit out of a hat.
Meaning: to produce something that is needed as if by magic; to unexpectedly
find a solution to a problem
Origin: The magician’s trick of pulling a live rabbit out of an empty top hat is very
old, but this expression is relatively new (from about the 1930s). The meaning has been
transferred from the specific (a magic trick) to the general (producing by surprise the
answer to a difficulty). Sometimes this idiom is shortened, as in, “We didn’t think we
had a jack to fix the flat tire, but he just pulled one out of a hat.”

179
 Pull no punches
Tell me what you thought of my acting. Don’t pull any punches.

Meaning; to hit as hard as possible; to attack with full force; to be perfectly honest;
to not hold back
Origin: This saying came originally from the sport of boxing. If a fighter pulled back
on a punch, he held back, didn’t hit as hard as he could, and landed a soft blow. By
the 1930s this expression was being used about all sorts of activities. If you pulled your
punches, you were careful not to hurt anybody. If you pulled no punches, you were
completely honest, even if it might hurt someone's feelings.

Pull out all the stops

Tonight I’m pulling out all the stops: candlelight dinner, violin music,
champagne, the works! Then I'll ask her to marry me.

Meaning; to do everything possible to succeed; to do something as enthusiastically

as you can
Origin: This saying comes from the second half of the 19th century and refers to the
workings of big organs. Church organs had many pipes that an organist played by
pulling out knobs called stops. If you pulled out all the stops, you got the fullest,
loudest, most ear-filling sound possible. That idea was carried over to other activities
in life where one goes all out to succeed or enjoy an activity.

Pull strings
The movie is sold out, but since your uncle runs the theater, maybe you
could pull strings and get us tickets.
Meaning; to exert behind-the-scenes influence; to secretly control others from a
distance as if they were puppets
Origin: Marionettes (string puppets) have been used to entertain people for
centuries. A puppeteer, out of sight of the audience, pulls the strings that make the
puppets move.

180
Pull the rug out from under you
| asked Arnold to be my campaign manager, but he decided to support
someone else and pulled the rug right out from under me.
Meaning: to unexpectedly withdraw support; to suddenly place somebody at a
disadvantage; to ruin someone’s plans, hopes, or dreams
Origin: An American writer in the middle of the 2oth century imagined a person
standing on a rug, and then, all of a sudden, the rug pulled right out from under him
or her. The person would be hurt or at a disadvantage lying on the floor. The writer
applied that image to destroying someone’s expectations or activities.

Pull the wool over your eyes

Lynn tried to pull the wool over her eyes by saying that Mrs. Jarvis’s
dog had eaten her homework.

Meaning: to fool, deceive, or trick someone

Origin: In 19th-century Europe many men wore wigs made of wool. In British courts
today, some lawyers and judges still wear them. If you pulled the wig over a person’s
eyes, he or she couldn’t see what was happening and could easily be tricked. It was
said that if a clever lawyer fooled a judge, he was “pulling the wool” over the judge’s
eyes. Now, we use this expression to describe any act of cheating or trickery.

Pull up stakes
After | finish this project, I'm pulling up stakes and moving to
New Hampshire.

Meaning: to leave your home, job, or country and move to another location
looking for something better
Origin: This has been a well-used saying since at least the 17th century. Stakes
(pointed pieces of wood) were often driven into the ground as markers to show the
boundaries of an area of land. When you went out and pulled up the stakes, it often
meant you were moving to a new location. This expression now refers to making a big
move in one’s life. When a circus left one town for another, the stakes that held the
circus tents were pulled up, too.

181
 Pull your leg
Oh, don’t get so annoyed at them for teasing you. They're ee mes
your leg.
Meaning: to ee or fool someone; to jokingly try to lie to somebody
Origin: By the late 1800s people sometimes tripped other people by catching their
legs with a cane or running a string across the sidewalk. Sometimes it was just for fun;
at other times robbers did it to steal from the victim after he or she had fallen.

Pull yourself together

Calm down, pul! yourself together, and fly this plane!

Meaning; to regain control over one’s emotions and become calm after being
very upset
Origin: There are many modern idioms that relate to becoming emotionally
upset: “blowing one’s top,” “breaking down,” “falling apart,” “going to pieces,”
“losing one’s head,” and so on. All of them suggest that you lose control of your
feelings. So, when people regain their composure and are calm again, they have
pulled themselves together.

Put all your eggs into one basket

Adrian used all his savings to start a fishing business, but | told him not
to put all his eggs into one basket.

Meaning; to risk everything you have at once on a single idea or plan; to commit
all your resources at one time
Origin: The idea for this idiom goes back to the 1600s when someone realized that
if you put all your eggs into one basket and then dropped that basket, all your eggs
would be smashed at once. Figuratively speaking, if you place all of your hopes and
efforts on just one thing, you might lose everything.

182
Put the cart before the horse
Ifyou pull your shoes on before your socks, you’re putting the cart
before the horse.
Meaning: do things in backward or reverse order
Origin: This popular idiom was used in ancient Greece and Rome, has been used by
great writers like Shakespeare, and appears in many languages. Early on, everybody
realized that the right order of horse and cart was horse in front, cart behind. If you
reversed that order, you wouldn’t get very far, unless you could teach the horse to
push rather than pull. For centuries this expression has meant more than just wagons
and equines (horses). If you do anything in reverse order — like get dressed and then
take your shower, or get into bed and then put on your pajamas, or take the test and
then do the studying — you're “putting the cart before the horse.” An idiom with a
similar meaning is “lock the barn door after the horse is out” (or “has been stolen”)
(see page 140).

Put your best foot forward

When you go in for your interview, try to put your best foot forward.

Meaning: to make the best attempt possible; to do your best to make the greatest
impression you can
Origin: Although this saying has been around since at least 1500, no one today is
quite sure how it originated. One possibility is that if one leg of your pants is torn or
dirty and you’re meeting someone new, you'd put the good foot forward to make the
best first impression.

Put your finger on something

Hannah knew the Civil War had taken place in the 1800s, but she
couldn’t put her finger on the exact dates.
Meaning: to identify something precisely; to point out or describe exactly
Origin: This idiom is easy to imagine: If you can actually put your finger right onto
something, then you know exactly where it is. If you can recall something exactly
(name, date, or specific fact), then you’re “putting your finger on it.”

183
 Put your foot down
Max’s mother put her foot down and demanded he be home by 10 p.m.
Meaning: to be firm or rigid about something
Origin: Versions of this expression started in the 1500s, but it became popular in the
1800s. Stomping your foot down to get someone’s attention sometimes expresses a
strong position or demand. If you state a rule and expect someone to obey it, you've
“put your foot down.”

Put your foot in your mouth

You really put your foot in your mouth when you told Jenny you didn’t
like Fernando’s performance without knowing that he’s her boyfriend.

Meaning; get into trouble for saying the wrong thing at the wrong time to the
wrong person, often without realizing it
Origin: This saying was first used in the late 1800s and early 1900s, and may have
been suggested by “foot-and-mouth disease,” a serious infectious sickness that
affects cattle, sheep, pigs, and goats. But today this expression has nothing to do
with a disease. A baby can easily put her foot into her mouth, but older people can’t
do it unless they’re contortionists. It’s a good thing, too, because they'd look pretty
ridiculous. We use this expression when someone makes a verbal blunder by saying
what he should not say just when he should not say it. So if you tell your friend that
the cake had made you sick without knowing that he had baked it, you “put your foot
in your mouth.” Of course, if your foot were really in your mouth, you couldn’t say the
foolish thing to begin with, and that would be good.

184
Put your money where your mouth is
Ifyou’re so certain that you'll win the violin contest, why don’t you put
your money where your mouth is?

Meaning; to be willing to bet or invest your money in something you support or

believein
Origin: Since about 1930 people in the United States have been challenging other
people with this expression. “Mouth” represents talk. “Money” means action or
investing. It’s a way of saying that you should back up your words with action, often
a bet or an investment of money, to prove that you really believe what you're saying.
A ruder version of this idea is “Put up or shut up.”

Put your shoulder to the wheel

Irving didn’t give up when the work got hard. He put his shoulder to
the wheel and finished.
Meaning: to make a great effort; to begin to work hard
Origin: This idiom first appeared in the 1600s. The writer who thought it up imagined
a wagon stuck in the mud. As the horse pulled, the driver would have to put his
shoulder to one of the back wheels and push to get the wagon rolling again. Starting
in the 1700s, the saying included any kind of hard labor necessary to accomplish a
task.

185
 Q.T. (also QT and q.t.)
She doesn’t know about the surprise party, so keep it on the Q.T.
Meaning; quietly; secretly; without anyone knowing
Origin: Sometimes we abbreviate words by using their first and last letters. For
example, the standard post office abbreviation for Maryland is MD, and for Kentucky,
it’s KY. In 1870 there was a popular ballad called “The Talkative Man from Poplar.”
In one of the lines the word “quiet” was shortened to “q.t.” Some people think this
abbreviation could have been used in earlier writings, but after 1870 “on the q.t.”
became a common phrase for “keep it quiet.”

Quick on the draw

In math, she’s always quick on the draw.
Meaning: ready, alert, and quick to respond or react; mentally fast; quick to grasp
information; touchy, sensitive
Origin: In the American West of the mid-1800s many gunslingers prided themselves
on how fast they could draw their pistols from their holsters and shoot. The idea of a
“quick draw” caught on and was transferred to any kind of fast action, physical or
mental, such as responding quickly, answering questions rapidly, or solving problems
swiftly. Similar expressions are “quick on the trigger” and “quick on the uptake.”

Quiet as a mouse
Quiet as a mouse, she slipped back into her dormitory after hours.

Meaning: silent or still; making very little noise; saying nothing; hushed, subdued
Origin: There are many similes in English that use animal traits, such as “sly as a
fox” and “wise as an owl.” “Quiet as a mouse” goes back to the late 1500s. Mice are
quiet little animals that scurry almost noiselessly in search of food, especially in the
dark of night.

186
Rain check
The store had run out of the guitars that were on sale, so they gave us a
rain check.
Meaning: a ticket stub allowing attendance at a future event in place of one that
was canceled; a piece of paper from a store for buying a sold-out item at the sale
price at a later date
Origin: Rain checks were first issued at baseball games in the 1800s, and that’s when
this phrase became popular. If the game was rained out, you took your rain check
ticket and used it to get a ticket for a future game at no extra cost.

Rain on your parade

Kelly has been planning the animal talent show for months, so | hope
everything goes perfectly and nothing rains on her parade.
Meaning: to spoil someone’s day, performance, special occasion, celebration,
plans, etc.
Origin: This idiom has been around since the early 1900s. Picture this: a big parade
with marching bands, elaborate floats, and gaily costumed people. Then the heavens
open up and a torrential downpour ruins the parade and everybody’s good time.
The bands are drenched. The floats are soaked. The people have to run for cover. The
happy event is spoiled. Now imagine that “parade” stands for any special event, like
a wedding, party, or picnic, and that “rain” stands for any unfortunate event, like
the groom breaking his leg skiing on the day before the wedding, or the birthday
cake smashing to the floor, or a swarm of mosquitoes attacking the picnic guests. The
bad happening (“rain”) has spoiled the happy happening (“parade”). That’s why it’s
always good to carry an umbrella.

187
 Rain or shine
Roberta is going to her sister's wedding next Thursday, rain or shine.

Meaning: no matter what happens; whatever the weather is like

Origin: Since at least the early 1600s people have been using this expression to
declare that some activity will definitely take place regardless of the weather or any
other unpredictable circumstances, bad or good.

Raining cats and dogs

It’s raining cats and dogs, and our picnic is ruined.
Meaning: to rain very heavily; to pour
Origin: There are several theories about the origin of this popular idiom, which goes
back at least to the mid-1700s in England. One comes from Norse mythology, in which
dogs were associated with windy storms and cats were associated with rain. Also, in
England in the 17th and 18th centuries, many cats and dogs drowned in floods caused
by torrential rainstorms, and their bodies were found in the streets afterward as if they
had fallen from the sky with the rain.

Raise an eyebrow
It raised quite a few eyebrows when Sarah showed up with her hair
dyed purple and green.

Meaning: to surprise or shock people by doing or saying something outrageous;

to cause somebody to show disapproval in his or her facial expression
Origin: This fairly modern idiom represents what happens to a lot of people’s faces
when they see something that really startles them: They raise their eyebrows. This
expression can suggest a person’s emotional reaction to something surprising or
shocking, even if it doesn’t show on his or her face.

188
Raise Cain
He raised Cain when he realized he had been overcharged.

Meaning; to be very angry, complain loudly, and make trouble

Origin: Though this saying originated in the mid-1800s, it refers to the story in the
Bible about wicked Cain, who killed his brother Abel. Cain’s name became associated
with wild behavior. If you get furious enough to cause a loud disturbance and make
trouble, then you’re “raising Cain.” Related sayings are “kick up a fuss,” “raise the
devil,” and “raise the roof.”

Rally round the flag

To show we still love our team, let’s rally round the flag, even if
they lose.

Meaning: to come together to show support; especially in bad times

Origin: General Andrew Jackson first used this phrase at the Battle of New Orleans
in 1815 when he wanted his troops to come together (“rally”) to fight the British Army
in the War of 1812. The “flag” Jackson referred to was the U.S. flag, of course. (The
United States won the war, and Jackson went on to become the seventh president
of the country, 1829-37.) Then the saying was included in the words to a song sung
during the Civil War: “Yes, we’ll rally round the flag, boys, we'll rally once again.
Shouting the battle cry of freedom.” Today people use the expression to show support
for anyone or anything in any situation.

Rat race
Let’s quit this rat race and backpack around the world.
Meaning: a fierce, unending, stressful competition in business or society
Origin: Rat racing isn’t a sporting event. Rats do have a reputation for relentlessness,
competitiveness, and speed. This expression’s origin is a nautical phrase for a fierce
tidal current; “rat” and “race” are forms of the French ras, which means “tide-
race.” “Rat race” suggests a confusing, crowded, useless scramble for survival, and,
unfortunately, many people use the phrase to describe their jobs and lives.

189
 Rats abandoning a sinking ship
Like rats abandoninga sinking ship, they switched to the other
candidate when theirs began to lose.
Meaning: disloyal people who desert a failing enterprise before it’s too late
Origin: This idiom has been known since at least the 1500s. There was an old
superstition among sailors that if they saw rats jumping off a ship that was still tied up
in port, that was an omen that the ship would end in disaster. We now use this phrase
to describe cowardly, unfaithful human beings who forsake something or someone
they once supported because they think bad times are coming.

Read between the lines

When Mr. Allen said he’d find a good part for me, | knew he meant |
didn’t get the leading role. | can read between the lines.
Meaning; to discern the true, hidden meaning or fact in any document or action
Origin: There are forms of cryptography (secret-message writing) in which
cryptographers have to read between the lines of writing or read every other line to
decode the real meaning of a message. This idiom suggests that sometimes people write
or talk in such a way that their true intentions are hidden. If you “read between the
lines,” you will figure out the true, unexpressed meaning in an action or document.

Read the riot act

When | saw what my little sister had done to my stereo, | read her the
riot act. :
Meaning: to severely scold or warn someone
Origin: In 1714 the British Parliament passed what was called the Riot Act. It said if
twelve or more people gathered “illegally, riotously, and tumultuously,” a magistrate
could command them to break up and leave just by reading the opening words of the
Riot Act. If they didn’t leave within an hour, they were guilty of breaking the law and
were given a severe punishment. As the years went by, “reading someone the riot act”
came to mean warning a person in the strongest possible terms of severe punishment
if he or she did not stop a certain activity.

190
 Real McCoy
That is a fake antique. This one’s the real McCoy.

Meaning: the genuine article; something of good quality, compared to others; not
a fake or copy
Origin: There are two good possibilities of this idiom’s origin. One is a boxer in the
late 1800s who called himself Kid McCoy. (His real name was Norman Selby.) He was a
great fighter and so popular that other boxers started calling themselves Kid McCoy.
So Mr. Selby had to bill himself as “the real McCoy.” Other word experts trace this
idiom to Elijah McCoy (1843-1929), an African-American inventor who was best known
for inventing lubricating parts for steam engines.

Red-carpet treatment
When the president arrived, he was given the red-carpet treatment.
Meaning: great respect and hospitality given to someone important;
special treatment
Origin: There is an ancient custom of putting down a red carpet over which an
important dignitary would walk when he or she arrived someplace. Even today the
red carpet is rolled out at public buildings to welcome important people. But if you
welcome a person extravagantly, you're “rolling out the red carpet” even if you don’t
have a carpet at all.

Red herring
In the scavenger hunt, “See the bee in the old oak tree,” was a false
clue, a red herring to throw us off the trail.
Meaning: something deliberately misleading to divert your attention from the main
subject; something irrelevant that confuses an issue
Origin: A red herring is a fish that has been pickled (preserved in vinegar and spices)
in such a way that it turns reddish. It has a strong smell. Centuries ago it was used
to teach hunting dogs to follow a trail. It was dragged on the ground and the dogs
followed its scent. Later, people who hated hunting dragged a red herring across the
path of the fox the dogs were chasing. The dogs would get confused, stop following
the fox, and follow the smell of the herring. Sometimes escaping crooks also used red
herrings to cover up their own scents so the bloodhounds couldn’t find them. “Red
herring” has been a popular idiom since the 19th century.
191
 Red-letter day
My father said that the day |was born was a red-letter day for him.

Meaning: a day remembered as especially happy and significant

Origin: In medieval times, religious festivals, holidays, and saints’ days were printed
in red ink on church calendars. (The other days were in black.) The “red-letter days”
were the really special ones. Any day remembered because it’s particularly pleasant
or important can be called a red-letter day no matter what color ink it’s printed in on
your calendar.

Red tape
Why can’t the mayor just cut all the red tape and let us have a parade
without a permit? :

Meaning: excessive formality and time-consuming, rigid adherence to rules and

regulations
Origin: Red ribbon was once used by lawyers and government employees to tie
up bundles of legal documents. Before any official business could be transacted,
the red tape had to be cut. We use “red tape” to refer to any kind of trivial and
needless delay caused by time-consuming, bureaucratic work and office routines in
an organization.

Right off the bat

All she said was, “How are you?” and right off the bat he told her all
his troubles. |

Meaning: immediately, spontaneously, and without delay

Origin: This saying comes from the game of baseball in the late 1800s. As soon as a
ball is hit by a bat, it flies away instantly, without a second’s delay.

192
Ring a bell
| don’t remember her face, but her name rings a bell.

Meaning: to sound familiar; to call something to mind; to stir a vague memory

Origin: This American idiom from the early 1900s suggests that there are many bells
that ring to remind or instruct us to do things: doorbells (open the door), telephone
bell (pick up the phone), school bell (come to class), toaster bell (take out the toast),
clothes dryer bell (take out the clothes), and so on. So, if something such as a face, a
name, a number, or a date “rings a bell,” it causes you to remember something.

Rock the boat

Jacob and Sherman got along just fine until Sherman rocked the boat
by lighting up a cigar.
Meaning: to make trouble and disrupt a stable situation; to risk spoiling a plan;
to create a disturbance
Origin: Since the 1920s this saying has been popular in both the United States and
England. Imagine you’re in a small boat. Everything’s peaceful. Suddenly, someone
or something rocks the boat. The boat may capsize or even sink! People who “rock the
boat” cause trouble wherever they are.

Roll with the punches

Try not to be too discouraged with your new job. Just roll with the
punches awhile.

Meaning; to adjust to a difficult situation; to not let little annoyances bother you,
in order to survive
Origin: Every good boxer knows how to take evasive action to avoid the full force of
an opponent’s blow: He rolls with the punches. If he can’t duck the blow entirely, he
shifts his body and moves it in the direction of the punch to soften the impact. This
boxing lesson can be applied to any situation in life.

193
 Rolling stone gathers no moss
He’s moved three times in three years, so he doesn’t have any furniture
or close friends. A rolling stone gathers no moss. = are

Meaning; a person who is always on the move or who changes jobs often will not
be able to save or keep much
Origin: This ancient proverb, which appears in many languages, was made more
popular when Erasmus, the famous Dutch theologian and scholar, used it in 1523. Moss
is a green plant that usually grows in patches on a stone if it remains in one place for a
long time. If the stone rolls, no moss will grow on it. “A rolling stone gathers no moss”
is a warning to restless wanderers that they had better settle down somewhere or they
might not have much to show for themselves over time.

Rome was not built in a day

Don’t give up on your model for the Young Inventors contest. Rome
wasn’t built in a day.
Meaning; a difficult or important goal or task cannot be achieved quickly or all at once
Origin: Rome, the beautiful city on the Tiber River in Italy, was the capital of the
Roman Empire. It took centuries for Rome to be built to its full glory. If “Rome wasn’t
built in a day,” then you should be willing to persevere when you’re working on a
project. Major accomplishments don’t happen overnight. Similar proverbs are, “where
there’s a will, there’s a way” and “if at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.”

Rose-colored glasses
Mr. and Mrs. Greenblatt look at the noisy, crowded, dirty city through
rose-colored glasses. They see only the good, not the bad.
Meaning; a positive outlook on life; an attitude of cheerful optimism; seeing
everything in a lovely, pleasant light
Origin: Eyeglasses can be tinted almost any color you like. The color of roses is
especially lovely. Back in the mid-1800s, people used the expression “looking at
the world through rose-colored spectacles” to refer to a person who saw everyone,
everything, and every place as fine and pleasant, never bad. Today we call spectacles
“glasses,” but the meaning of the idiom is the same. Wouldn’t it be nice if the world
really were the way it looked through “rose-colored glasses”?
194
Rotten apple spoils the barrel
A tiny group of kids starts fights in our school, and people think that
one rotten apple spoils the barrel.
Meaning: one bad person or thing may spoil an entire group
Origin: Benjamin Franklin included this saying in his Poor Richard’s Almanack in
1736, but it goes all the way back to the mid-1500s. It is true that if you allow one
apple in a barrel to rot, it may rot the other apples. Rottenness sometimes spreads.
This thought has been transferred to people. One dishonest individual in a group can
sometimes corrupt others.

Round peg in a square hole

Although Matt got a job in an auto repair shop, he’s a round peg ina
square hole. He doesn’t know how to fix cars.
Meaning: a person whose abilities, character, or personality are not suited to his or
her position
Origin: This familiar saying has been used since at least 1800 to describe people
who just don’t fit the situations they’re in. They don’t have the skills, the knowledge,
or maybe the temperament. Sometimes the words in this expression are switched to
“square peg in a round hole.”

Rub elbows with someone

On her last vacation Rita went to Hollywood, where she says she rubbed
elbows with a lot of stars.
Meaning; to be in the same place with others; to associate with people
Origin: In England people say “rub shoulders,” but since about the middle 1800s
Americans say “rub elbows.” No matter, because if you’re close enough to anyone so
that your elbows or shoulders touch, you’re pretty close. People today often brag that
they “rubbed elbows” with someone famous.

195
 Rub the wrong way
It certainly rubbed Mary Jane the wrong way when Jason asked her if
she got her hair cut in a pet shop. sa

Meaning; to annoy and irritate someone; to handle someone insensitively

Origin: Since the mid-1800s people have been using this idiom to express the act
of really irritating someone with something you said or did. This phrase may have
originated from cleaning or preparing wood and making the mistake of going against
its grain. Rubbing it the wrong way would make it rough and streaked. A related
idiom is “go against the grain” (see page 96).

Rule with an iron hand

Mr. Morss rules his class with an iron hand.

Meaning; to be a strict, stern, sometimes harsh ruler

Origin: Iron is a hard, unyielding, unbending metal. Robots, not people, are made
of iron, but tough people who withstand all sorts of punishment, like a prizefighter
who gets pounded by his opponent and doesn’t fall down, are sometimes said to be
“made of iron.” Today we say that anyone who rules a family, a school, a company,
even a whole country with an “iron hand” does so with stern domination and absolute
firmness. Tyrants and dictators are sometimes described this way, but is it always
bad to “rule with an iron hand”? Sometimes it’s necessary. It might be essential for a
principal to rule a rowdy school or a warden to rule a disorderly prison “with an iron
hand.” The expression dates back to a sentence in a 1526 English translation of the
New Testament from the Bible: “And he shall rule them with a rodde of yron.” “Rodde
of yron” became “iron hand” in modern English.

Run circles around someone

Isaac thinks he’s a good math student, but Margaret could run circles
around him.

Meaning; to easily do something far better than someone else

Origin: In the late 1800s the writer who made up this saying might have imagined
two runners. One was so fast that he could actually run circles (“rings”) around his
slower competitor and still win the race. Today if you can “run rings around” someone
else, you’re much better than he or she is in a skill.
196
 Ms. Rosario was again about the kids playing
basketball in her backyard.

to talk too much; to talk nonstop

This is a colorful, modern African-American expression. It calls to mind one
definition of the verb “to run” that relates to water: to flow quickly. Imagine a flood of
words gushing rapidly out of someone's mouth and you get the idea.

Action-Verb Idioms

Most people want action-packed lives, from “splitting hairs” to a humongous

“hitting of the jackpot.” Many idioms contain the names of action verbs.
Some action-verb idioms in this book are

Beat around the bush Pull a fast one

Beat the band Pull no punches
Carry the ball Pull out all the stops
Climb the walls Pull strings
Drive a hard bargain Pull the rug out from under you
Drive you up the wall Pull up stakes
Hit the books Pull yourself together
Hit the ceiling Raise Cain
Hit the hay Raise the devil
Hit the jackpot Raise the roof
Hit the nail right on the head Run circles around someone
Hit the road Saw logs
Hit the roof Scratch the surface
Hit the spot Sling hash
Jump off the deep end Strike a happy medium
Jump on the bandwagon Strike while the iron is hot
Jump the gun Throw a curve
Kick the bucket Throw a monkey wrench into the
Kick up a fuss works
Play both ends against the middle Throw caution to the wind
Play fast and loose Throw cold water on something
Play second fiddle Throw in the towel
Play the field Throw the baby out with the
Play with fire bathwater
 Salt of the earth
Caron is considered the salt ofthe earth. She volunteers for any job.
Meaning: a person or group considered to be the finest, most admirable, and noble
Origin: For thousands of years salt has been one of the most valuable, useful, and
desired things. At one time, Roman soldiers were paid part of their salaries in salt (see
“worth your salt,” page 247). The expression “salt of the earth” is even found in the
Bible (Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, Matthew 5:13). It is a metaphor that describes the
finest people on earth as being as significant as the extremely important commodity
of salt.

Same old song and dance

Arlene gave the teacher the same old song and dance about her gerbil
eating her homework, but the teacher had heard that excuse before.

Meaning; dull nonsense that’s been said many times before; a lie or excuse that’s
been told before
Origin: This idiom comes from the world of show business. If you go to a concert or a
musical show, you usually want to see and hear something new, something different
and fresh. You don’t always want to hear the same old songs or see the same old dances
over and over again. It would be boring. That’s how “same old song and dance” came
to refer to any kind of foolish or uninteresting talk that you’ve heard many times
before. It can also refer to a lie or an excuse that someone has used before to try to get
out of trouble. A similar expression is “the same old rigmarole.”

198
Save for a rainy day
Ads from the bank keep advising people to save some money for a
rainy day.
Meaning; to save for a time of need; to put something away for the future
Origin: Since the 16th century “rainy day” has meant a time of need, misfortune,
hardship, and affliction. So if things are “sunny” for you now, don’t waste everything
you have. Put some away for a “rainy day” because circumstances may change.

Saved by the bell

My sister was just about to show everyone an embarrassing picture of
me when I was saved by the bell. The lights went out.
Meaning: rescued at the last possible moment from an embarrassing or
dangerous situation
Origin: If a boxer is being badly beaten or has been knocked down and the referee is
counting to ten, the sound of the bell means he doesn’t have to continue the fight. The
round is over and he can rest for a little while. In the middle of the 2oth century, this
exclamation was transferred to any happy, last-minute rescue from a bad situation.

Saw logs
I could hear Dad sawing logs on the living room couch.
Meaning; to snore; to breathe loudly through your nose while you're
sleeping soundly
Origin: This is a sound-effect idiom. In the early 1900s a writer with a good ear for sounds
was looking for an imaginative way to describe someone snoring with gusto. The sound
of snoring reminded him of wood being sawed. Even today, cartoonists sometimes draw
a picture of logs with a saw in them above the heads of sleeping people.

199
 Say (cry) uncle
The schoolyard bully twisted Nick’s arm until he said uncle.
Meaning; to give up; to surrender; to concede defeat
Origin: This American expression probably started in the early 1900s, and by the
middle of the last century it was quite popular. Nobody knows why crying “uncle”
instead of “aunt” or “goldfish” or any other words means “surrendering,” but word
experts think it may have come from either Ireland or ancient Rome. The old Irish
word for “the act of protecting” is anacol (which sounds like “uncle”). So, if you
cry or say “uncle,” you’re crying out for protection. An old Latin expression, Patrue
mi patruissime, means “Uncle, my best of uncles.” Maybe a Roman child shouted
this when he got into trouble hoping his uncle would rescue him. But nobody really
knows for sure. By the way, a person can “say uncle” without actually saying the
word “uncle.” Just by saying he’s had enough of a fight or argument, he has “said
uncle” (given up). Another expression with the same meaning is “throw in the towel
(or ‘sponge’)” (see page 227).

Scarce as hen’s teeth

During the holidays, seats on any flight were as scarce as hen’s teeth.

Meaning: very, very rare or totally nonexistent

Origin: This 19th-century American expression — sometimes expressed as “scarcer
than a hen’s tooth” — comes right from the chicken coop, where hens are found. Hens
don’t have teeth. They grind up their food in their gizzards (stomachs). Since hen’s
teeth don’t exist, what could be rarer than that?

200
School of hard knocks
Mrs. Gylanders never went to college, but she learned how to be
successful in the school of hard knocks.
Meaning; challenging experiences that can teach you a lot
Origin: This expression from the 1800s refers to learning life’s tough lessons by
making mistakes, doing strenuous work, or suffering hardships. School is a place
where you learn English, math, science, etc. There can be another kind of “school”
that is not a building, but where you can learn valuable lessons about life. That’s
the “school of hard knocks.” It doesn’t actually exist anywhere. It’s imaginary, but
people who are successful at something, and who maybe didn’t have much of a formal
school education, sometimes say they learned what they know from the “school of
hard knocks.” They feel that when life knocks you around, you can learn important
lessons that make you a smarter, stronger person.

ene the bottom of the barrel

| rented the last car, and they really scraped the bottom of the barrel
to find that one.
Meaning: to use whatever is left after the best have been taken; to be forced to use
the remnants of something; to choose among the worst of something
Origin: Many things are stored in barrels, and the dregs sink to the bottom. So, if you
need something urgently and most of it has already been taken, you have to scrape
the bottom of the barrel to get whatever you can. This idiom applies to having to take
the worst of something because there’s nothing good left.

201
 Scratch the surface
Doctors have only scratched the surface in finding the cure for this
disease. as aes ue

Meaning: to just begin to deal with a problem; to deal with only a very small part
of a subject
Origin: This well-used saying comes from the 1800s. In farming, to prepare the soil
for planting you have to dig deeply. In archaeology, to uncover ancient treasures you
often have to dig deeply. If, in any area, you only “scratch the surface,” you'd be doing
the task superficially. By the 1900s, this saying was transferred to all areas of life.

Security blanket
My little brother took his old stuffed penguin to school. It was his.
security blanket.
Meaning; a person or a thing that an insecure individual holds on to for emotional
comfort or psychological reassurance
Origin: Many young children cling to something (a blanket or favorite stuffed
toy, for instance) because it makes them feel safe and gives them confidence.
Charles M. Schulz, the American cartoonist who drew the popular comic strip
“Peanuts,” created a character named Linus who always drags around his “security
blanket,” a term that Schulz coined.

See eye to eye

My parents and | don’t always see eye to eye about my allowance.

Meaning; to agree fully; to have the same opinion

Origin: This expression can be found in the Bible (Isaiah 52:8). Imagine two people,
side by side, watching the same thing. Since they have the same view in mind, and
since they're eye to eye (right next to each other), they will probably agree on what
they're both experiencing. In the same way, people on opposite sides of the world can
“see eye to eye” on an issue if they both think the same way about it.

202
Sell like hotcakes
The footballs autographed by the state champion were selling like
hotcakes.
Meaning; to sell quickly, effortlessly, and in quantity
Origin: Today at carnivals, circuses, and amusement parks, people can buy hot dogs,
hamburgers, and ice cream. In the late 1600s, however, hotcakes (pancakes) made on
a griddle were the best-selling item at fairs, benefits, and events. By the middle of the
1800s the expression “selling like hotcakes” was transferred to any product that was
being rapidly bought up by the public.

Set your teeth on edge

When my grandfather listens to the governor talk about the economy,
it sets his teeth on edge.
Meaning: to cause annoyance or discomfort to someone
Origin: You can find this saying in several places in the Bible. Have you ever bitten
on a piece of tinfoil? Did someone ever scratch his or her fingernails on the chalkboard
while you were close by? You probably felt a sharp, shuddering feeling that made you
gnash your teeth together.

Settle an old score

It took her two years, but Shirley finally settled an old score
with Roger.

Meaning: to get back at; to get revenge for past wrongs

Origin: In 17th-century England, a bill was known as a “score.” So if you settled
your score, you paid what you owed on your back bills. This phrase is now applied
to clearing up any problems with people, usually by getting even with them for bad
things that they once did to you.

203
 Shake a leg
shake a leg or you're going to miss the bus.
Meaning: to hurry up; to go faster; to speed up
Origin: This lively American expression from the late 1800s is an order to someone
who is moving too slowly. When you remain still, your legs are motionless. So when
somebody tells you to “shake a leg,” that’s a command to get going. This expression
comes from the navy.

Shape up or ship out

After the new waiter had dropped his third tray of food, the owner told
him that he’d better shape up or ship out.
Meaning; to correct your behavior, improve your performance, do your job
satisfactorily, or get out
Origin: This sharp command was first uttered in the United States Armed Forces
during World War II. It meant that a soldier, sailor, or marine had better conform to
regulations and perform his tasks well (“shape up”) or he would be sent overseas to a
combat zone (“ship out”). After the war the expression was extended to include any
area that demanded improved performance — or else!

Shoe is on the other foot

Once you drove right by me in the rain and didn’t stop. Now the shoe
is on the other foot. I’m driving, you’re walking.
Meaning; the situation is now the opposite of what it once was; places are reversed
Origin: In the mid-19th century this expression was “the boot is on the other leg.”
You'll probably be surprised to learn that until the 1800s, there were no left or right
boots or shoes. You could put either one on either foot, and if you kept putting the
same shoe on the same foot, eventually the shoe would conform to the shape of that
foot. If one day you accidentally put the wrong shoe on the wrong foot, the situation
would be the opposite of what it had been. In the same way, if the boss becomes an
employee and the employee becomes the boss, then “the shoe is on the other foot.”
The conditions are reversed.

204
 Shoot from the hip
In the interview, Perry just shot from the hip and got himself into a lot
of trouble.
Meaning; to speak or act without first thinking about the consequences
Origin: In the olden days of the Western gunfighters, it was quicker to shoot your
revolver from the side of your hip as soon as you pulled it from the holster than it
was to raise it higher and shoot. If you had a good aim, this method was fast and
accurate. Later the idea was transferred to talking or acting aggressively, recklessly,
and impulsively without thinking of the effect of your actions.

Shot in the arm

Mr. Reynolds was feeling pretty low in the hospital, but your card really
gave him a shot in the arm.

Meaning: something that lifts your spirits, energy, and confidence

Origin: This 1900s idiom originated with drug use involving hypodermic needles.
Then, the saying meant a short boost or false hope. A shot of medicine can make
someone feel better. In the same way, anything that renews your spirits, gives you a
boost, and inspires, stimulates, or encourages you is like a shot in the arm.

Show must go on
The bride had planned a wedding outdoors, and even when it rained,
she insisted that the show must go on.

Meaning: the proceedings must continue regardless of any catastrophe or

difficulty; nothing can stop what has been planned
Origin: The idea that you shouldn’t let anything interrupt your big plans no matter
what misfortune happens originated among stage performers. William Shakespeare
wrote “Play out the play” in one of his works, and it has been a tradition in show
business to put on the performance even if a lead actor is sick or the scenery has fallen
down. In the 2oth century this theatrical determination was transferred to anything in
life that has to take place, no matter what.

205
 Show your true colors
We thought Carl was a great guy until he showed his true colors by
kicking his dog.

Meaning; to reveal what you are really like

Origin: For centuries ships have flown colorful flags to identify themselves.
Sometimes a ship could fool an enemy by flying a false flag that looked friendly. That
was Called sailing “under false colors.” Then, if the deceitful ship “showed its true
colors,” it hoisted its real flags and showed the enemy who it really was. In the same
way, people who show their true colors today are exposing their real traits, qualities,
and character.

Sick as a dog
Naomi can’t come to class today. She’s as sick as a dog.
Meaning: very sick; suffering miserably with an ailment
Origin: This popular simile dates from the 1500s or even earlier. Dogs are among
the most popular animals in the world of idioms. Think of “a dog’s life,” “going to
the dogs,” “in the doghouse,” “let sleeping dogs lie,” “raining cats and dogs,” “you
can’t teach an old dog new tricks,” and so on. Since a dog is a common household pet
that often eats things it shouldn’t and gets sick, it’s a natural choice for this idiom.

Sight for sore eyes

Thomas was lost in the woods and getting hungry. All of a sudden he
saw a sight for sore eyes — a park ranger at a hot-dog stand.

Meaning: a most welcome, unexpected sight; a pleasant surprise

Origin: In the 1700s an imaginative writer wrote that a welcome sight could
figuratively cure sore eyes. What made the eyes “sore”? Some painful, worrisome, or
distressing situation, most likely. Today, if you’re in some kind of trouble, and into
your view comes someone or something that can help, that’s a “sight for sore eyes.”

206
Sing for your supper
Dad said I'd have to sing for my supper: Before he’d take me to the
tennis match, | had to finish my homework.

Meaning; to perform a service in return for something one needs or wants

Origin: Starting in medieval times, it was common for a wandering, hungry minstrel
to arrive at an English tavern and offer to sing poetry in exchange for a meal. By the
early 1600s “sing for your supper” meant doing a favor of some kind of work in order
to earn something you needed or desired.

Sink or swim
| moved to a faraway city and had to sink or swim without my
- parent’s help.

Meaning; to fail or succeed by one’s own efforts without anyone’s help or

interference
Origin: If you fail at learning to swim, you'll sink, of course. If you succeed, you'll
swim. A related idiom for managing to succeed is to “keep your head above water”
(see page 127). There was also a cruel and bizarre old-time practice of throwing a
person suspected of being a witch into deep water. The accused were usually women.
If the woman sank (and drowned), she was innocent. If she floated, then the devil
must have helped her and she was guilty. Geoffrey Chaucer, an English poet, used the
phrase “float or sink” in his writings in the 1300s.

Sitting duck
Don’t stay by yourself in the schoolyard after school. You'll be a sitting
duck for all the bullies.
Meaning: someone or something likely to be attacked and unable to put up
a defense
Origin: A duck hunter knows that if a duck is sitting still, it’s a much easier target
than a duck in flight. By the first half of the 2zoth century, the phrase “sitting duck”
was transferred to any person who was an easy mark for someone who wanted to cheat
or do him or her harm.

207
 Sitting pretty
Margo finished her book report and now she’s sitting pretty.
Meaning; to be in a lucky, superior, or advantageous position
Origin: This American colloquialism comes from the early 1900s. “Sitting” is a
comfortable position and “pretty” is an adjective suggesting beauty or favor. To
the person who made up this phrase, “sitting pretty” must have suggested an easy,
favorable position.

Six of one and a half dozen of the other

| don’t care if we eat Italian or Chinese food. To me, it’s six of one and
a half dozen of the other.
Meaning: one and the same thing; nothing to choose between; equal
Origin: Charles Dickens, an English novelist, used this phrase in one of his books in
1852, but it has been known since the early 1800s. Six equals a half dozen, no matter
which way you say it. So we can use this expression to refer to two things that offer no
real choice because there’s no real difference between them.

Skate on thin ice

You'll be skating on thin ice ifyou wake me up tonight.

Meaning; to take a big chance; to risk danger; to start out on a hazardous course
of action
Origin: Sometimes foolish people skate on thin ice just for the thrill of it. They think
if they skate really fast, the ice might not crack. We use this expression to refer to any
risky situation you might get yourself into. You could be in danger of suffering serious
consequences. (Sometimes this expression is shortened to just “on thin ice.”)

208
Skeleton in your closet
Janet was close to being elected until her opponent exposed the
skeleton in her closet.
Meaning: a shameful and shocking secret that people try to keep hidden
Origin: Nobody today really knows where this expression came from, although many
i9th-century British writers used it in their books. There is a story about a man who
killed his rival and hid the body in his closet to keep the secret from his neighbors.
Eventually, they found out he had a “skeleton in the closet.”

Sky’s the limit

Order anything on the menu — the sky’s the limit.
Meaning: there’s no limit to what you can spend or how far you can go or what you
can achieve
Origin: The idea of the sky being the limit goes back to at least the 1600s; even then
people saw no limit to the sky. The exact wording of this idiom in English is from the
1900s. It might have been used in gambling to indicate that there was no limit to the
size of a bet someone could make. Today, you can apply this description to many other
situations in life.

Sleep on it
The boss said he’d tell me tomorrow if | got the job or not. He had to
sleep on it.
Meaning; to put off making a decision until at least the next day so that you can
think about it overnight
Origin: For thousands of years people have wanted to have extra time to make up their
minds about issues. In the early 1500s someone decided to call this process “sleeping
on it,” and the expression has been popular ever since.

209
 Sling hash
To earn money for college, Maggie got a job slinging hash.

Meaning: to work as a waiter, waitress, or cook in a cheap, small restaurant serving

inexpensive fast food
Origin: This saying from the mid-1800s describes a type of job. Waiters and waitresses
insmall diners, drive-ins, and fast-food restaurants didn’t serve expensive, beautifully
prepared meals. They would often quickly throw (“sling”) plates of cheap food, such
as browned meat, potatoes, and vegetables (“hash”), on the table. There are plenty of
places today where servers are still slinging hash.

Slow on the draw

Some of Albert Einstein’s teachers thought he was a little slow on
the draw.
Meaning: slow to understand or figure something out; slow to respond or react;
not alert; not a deep thinker
Origin: In the American West of the 1800s you often had to be quick on the draw (get
your pistol out of the holster fast) to stay out of trouble. If you drew your revolver
slowly, you were a candidate for the undertaker. Eventually, the term “slow on the
draw” was extended to include actions of the mind and not just the hand. Similar
expressions are “slow off the mark” and “slow on the uptake.”

Smell a rat
Although everything looked all right, the investigator smelled a rat.

Meaning; to be suspicious; to feel that something is wrong

Origin: Rats are among the most unpopular animals. When most people think of rats,
they think of disgusting, wicked, horrible images. Cats have been sniffing out rats for
thousands of years, and in the mid-15oos the phrase “smell a rat” was used for human
beings who suspected (“smelled”) that something illegal, evil, or sinful (“a rat”) had
taken place.

210
Smell like a rose
Even though Sam causes all the trouble, he comes up smelling like
a rose.
Meaning; to look good in a bad situation; to avoid a damaged reputation when
involved with corruption; to appear pure and innocent
Origin: Most people love the smell of roses, and there are many perfumes that try to
capture their fragrance. The American writer who thought up this early zoth-century
expression must have imagined someone who falls into something filthy such as a
swamp and amazingly manages to come out smelling sweet.

Snake in the grass

_ What a snake in the grass he was! He was only pretending to be
my friend.

Meaning: an unfaithful, untrustworthy, underhanded, and deceitful person;

a traitor
Origin: For thousands of years people have feared and hated snakes — at least since
37 B.c., when the great Roman poet Virgil used this expression. A snake is often not out
in the open where you can see it; it’s hiding in the grass.

Snug as a bug in a rug

Grandma tucked her in, as snug as a bug in a rug, shut off the lights,
and tiptoed out of the room.

Meaning: cozy and comfortable; safe and secure

Origin: For centuries writers have looked for clever ways to express feelings of warm
comfort and contentment. In William Shakespeare’s time (around the year 1600),
people said “snug as pigs in pease-straw.” But “snug as a bug in a rug” is a perfect
expression because it contains three rhyming words. Benjamin Franklin used the
phrase in a letter he wrote in 1772. The “bug” referred to was probably moth larvae or
a carpet beetle peacefully snoozing inside a rolled-up rug (which in Franklin’s time
could have meant either a carpet or a blanket).

211
 Soft-soap
Alison thought that ifshe soft-soaped the teacher, he’d cancel the test.

Meaning; to try to persuade by flattery or gentle urging

Origin: This phrase comes from the first half of the 1800s when an imaginative writer
saw a figurative similarity between slithery, slippery soft soap and insincere flattery
and coaxing. Trying to get people to do what you want by sweet-talking them is like
coating them with soft, smooth soap. A related expression is to “butter someone up”
(see page 30).

Sow your wild oats

Can you believe that our quiet, dignified grandfather sowed his wild
oats when he was just out of college?

Meaning; to behave wildly and foolishly, especially when young

Origin: The wild oat that grows is actually a weed. It is useless and, since at least
194, B.c., has been correlated to young people frittering their time away with silly or
reckless activities.

Spare the rod and spoil the child

I’m glad | wasn’t brought up in the old days when “spare the rod and
spoil the child” was acceptable.
Meaning; to physically punish children when they misbehave so they’ll learn to
behave properly in the future
Origin: This call for strict discipline appears in various wordings at least six different
times in the Bible. It made its way into English in about the year 1000. Corporal
punishment (hitting or whipping) with a stick, cane, or paddle used to be a popular
way to rear a child. It was legal for schoolmasters to do it not too long ago. The fear
among parents was that if they “spared the rod” and didn’t swat their offspring when
he or she was bad, they would “spoil the child.”

212
Spick-and-span
The counselor wanted the bunk spick-and-span before we could get
our snacks.
Meaning: extremely clean, tidy, neat
Origin: There are two possible explanations about the origin of this famous phrase.
One comes from the Old Norse language. “Spick” meant trim or neat. “Spanny” was
a word that meant absolutely new. In the 1500s the two words might have been put
together to mean “new and neat.” Another theory comes from the days of the great
sailing ships. “Spick” was a spike or nail. “Span” was a wood chip. A “spick and
span new” ship (the original wording) was one on which every spike and chip was
brand-new. By the mid-19th century this idiom was popular in the United States. Its
popularity was helped by its alliteration (spick-and-span).

Spill the beans

Don’t spill the beans, but Hadele is getting the art award.
Meaning: to give away a secret to someone who is not supposed to know it
Origin: A popular theory about the origin of this idiom goes back to the ancient
Greeks and their secret societies. People voted you into these clubs by putting a white
bean or a black bean into a jar (white = yes; black = no). The beans were supposed to
be counted in secret, but if somebody accidentally (or purposefully) knocked over
the jar and spilled the beans, the secret vote would be revealed. Another theory holds
that this is an example of American slang from the early 1900s that combined two old
words, “spill” (meaning “talk,” from the 1500s) and “beans” (meaning “information,”
from the 1200s), into a new phrase. A related expression is “let the cat out of the bag”
(see page 136).

213
 Spitting image
You must be David’s father. He’s the spitting image of you.
Meaning: a perfect resemblance; an exact likeness
Origin: Originally this saying was “spit and image.” (“Spit” was an old word that
meant “likeness,” but the original word might have been “spirit,” shortened into
“spit.”) As the years went by, “spit and” was pronounced “spittin” and later became
“spitting.” The word seemed to fit because people said that a boy who looked a lot
like his father could have been spit out of his father’s mouth. Today any relative can
be the “spitting image” of any other relative. A related expression is “chip off the old
block” (see page 43).

Split hairs
Aaron and his sister are always splitting hairs. He said there were
forty-seven explosions in the movie, she said forty-six.

Meaning; to argue about small, unimportant differences

Origin: William Shakespeare used an expression similar to this in about 1600 in one
of his plays, and “splitting hairs” has been widely used since the late 1600s. When the
saying originated, it was thought to be impossible to split anything as fine as a hair.

Stick-in-the-mud
We wanted a giant-screen TV, but Dad said the little one was good
enough. What a stick-in-the-mud.
Meaning: a person with old-fashioned ideas who avoids anything new, ignores
progress, and fights change
Origin: Although the idea behind this idiom goes back at least 500 years, the exact
phrase “stick-in-the-mud” was first heard in the early 1700s. It probably came from
the image of a wagon stuck in the mud. Soon people started describing a dull, overly
careful person as a “stick-in-the-mud.”

214
Stick to your guns
You may be the only kid who thinks we need a longer school day, but
| admire the way you stick to your guns.
Meaning; to stand firm and hold to one’s position in the face of opposition;
to stand up for your rights no matter what trouble you get into
Origin: At first this was a command to sailors manning the guns on military boats to
stay at their posts even when the boat was besieged by enemies. Later, in the middle
1700s, the saying was extended to include anybody who persisted in holding on to
his or her convictions. We usually have a good opinion of people who “stick to their
guns,” even if we don’t always agree with them.

Stick your neck out

You shouldn’t have to be the only one to complain. Why should you
stick your neck out?
Meaning; to take a bold or dangerous risk; to expose yourself to criticism
Origin: This 2oth-century Americanism probably originated in the 1930s and
referred to a chicken or turkey that got its neck stretched out when put on the
chopping block.

Still waters run deep

Dorothy was a quiet student, but she was also brilliant. Still waters
run deep.
Meaning: somebody can be more knowledgeable or emotional than he or she first
appears to be; a silent person may be intelligent
Origin: This English proverb has been used since the 15th century. It’s similar to
expressions that have been used by other people in other countries and that date
back to the ancient Romans. It’s based on a fact of nature: The shallow water in a
river runs fast but deep water is usually calmer. This expression is sometimes applied
to quiet people who you think are safe, but who may be dangerous plotters, spies,
and saboteurs.

215
 Stir up a hornet’s nest
Please don’t stir up a hornet’s nest with ee proposal to ban gum
chewing in school. |

Meaning: to make many people furious; to cause trouble

Origin: This popular saying originated in ancient Rome; by the 1700s people were
saying it in English. There’s a sensible warning that says, “Let sleeping dogs lie” (see
page 135). “Don’t stir up a hornet’s nest” is a good piece of advice, too. Provoking a
nest full of dangerous, stinging hornets would be foolish and dangerous. If you stir
people up with your ideas or opinions, they might be as furious.

Straight from the horse’s mouth

| got it straight is the horse’s mouth that there’s going to be a pop
quiz today.
Meaning: directly from the person or place that is the most reliable source or the
best authority
Origin: If you want to know the age of a horse, you should examine the size and
shape of its teeth. Someone trying to sell you a horse may say it’s young, but if you get
your information “straight from the horse’s mouth,” you should know for sure. This
expression is relatively modern, dating only from the 1920s.

Straight from the shoulder

This is straight from the shoulder: | don’t want to room with you
because you smoke.

Meaning; frankly, honestly

Origin: This is another well-known saying that comes from boxing. A prizefighter
knows that a punch thrown straight from the shoulder is a full-force punch. It is quick,
effective, and to the point. In the late 1800s this expression took on a wider meaning.
If someone speaks to you in a sincere, honest way, even though it may upset you, he
or she is speaking “straight from the shoulder.” Other idioms that come from boxing
are “hit below the belt” (see page 111), “on the ropes” (see page 163), and “pull no
punches” (see page 180).

216
Straighten up and fly right
Learning to drive is serious business, so straighten up and fly right if
you want your license.
Meaning; to stop behaving foolishly and start acting serious
Origin: This popular modern African-American expression could relate to birds or
even airplanes. Instead of flying in a curved or crooked way, perhaps as a joke, the bird
or pilot should readjust his flight pattern, straighten out his course, and fly directly
to his destination. People who waste their time in aimless pursuits could be given the
same advice, figuratively speaking. Stop fooling around and try to achieve your goal.

Straw that broke the camel’s back

That last mistake was the straw that broke the camel’s back.

Meaning; one final problem or misfortune that, added to previous troubles,

proves more than a person can bear
Origin: In 1677 there appeared the expression, “the last feather that breaks the horse’s
back,” which suggested that a horse could carry only so much weight on its back. If
the weight of even one feather was added, it might make the horse collapse. Charles
Dickens, the famous English novelist of the 1800s, changed the saying to “the straw
that broke the camel’s back,” and today it means that people can take only so much
trouble before they reach the limit of their endurance. One additional burden on top of
many others might be all it takes to overwhelm a person. This idiom is so well known
that it is often shortened to just the “last straw” or “final straw.”

Strike a happy medium

She wanted ice cream, but her father wanted cake, so they struck a
happy medium. They bought an ice-cream cake.

Meaning: to find a compromise to a problem; to find a sensible solution midway

between two opposite desires
Origin: To strike often means to hit upon something. The medium is the position that
is midway between two extremes. So when people want different things, and they hit
upon a compromise solution halfway between their opposite wishes, they’ve found a
medium point that makes them both happy.

217
 Strike while the iron is hot
_ Ms. Oliver’s standing there all alone. Why not sine while ibsiron is9:
hot and as her to the dance? ee —

Meaning: to act at the most favorable time or moment to get the best results;
to take advantage of favorable conditions
Origin: This metaphor goes back to ancient times. Geoffrey Chaucer, a poet of the
1300S, was one of many English authors who used it. Blacksmiths all know that iron
is most workable when it is red hot. In order to form the right shape on the anvil, the
blacksmith has to strike while the iron is hot. A related saying is “make hay while the
sun shines” (see page 145).

Stuffed shirt
The chairman of the board is such a stuffed shirt.
Meaning: a self-important person who shows a lot of phony dignity
Origin: Although William Shakespeare used a similar expression (“stuffed man”),
the version with “shirt” is from the early 1900s. It suggests a person who has a falsely
high opinion of his or her own worth and who shows it. People like that are puffed
up with their own grandiose feelings about themselves. It’s as if they're stuffed with
exaggerated self-importance.

Swallow hook, line, and sinker

| told him a ghost story, and he swallowed it hook, line, and sinker.
Meaning; to believe a story completely without questioning it; to be very gullible
Origin: This American expression from the 1800s may be based on an older British
saying from the 1500s, “to swallow a gudgeon.” A gudgeon is a small fish, like a
minnow, that was often used as bait by fishermen. An unlucky fish usually swallows
just the bait and the hook, but if it also swallows the fishing line and the lead sinker as
well, it has gobbled up a lot. That’s like a trusting person who accepts anything and
everything he or she is told without thinking about whether or not it’s true.

218
Swan song
We are going to the opera to hear Madame Scotto’s swan song.

Meaning: the final, farewell performance of an actor or singer; one’s last words
or actions
Origin: In the myths of ancient Greece and in some poetry by William Shakespeare,
you will find references to a swan that is mute or almost totally silent all its life, but
that sings a lovely, sweet song just before it dies. In real life it doesn’t happen that way
(swans make sounds all their lives), but the story is nice and people enjoy it. Today,
a performer’s final appearance, an artist’s last work, a scientist’s last discovery, or an
athlete’s last game is often called a “swan song.”

Sweep under the rug

Her parents found out about her failing grades, even though she tried
to sweep them under the rug.
Meaning; to hide or ignore unpleasant matters
Origin: Imagine that your house is a mess and you’re not expecting company.
Unexpectedly an important person rings your doorbell. Quickly you lift up the rug and
sweep the mess under it before you open the door. Since the mid-1900s, “sweeping
something under the rug (or ‘carpet’)” has had a meaning that has nothing to do with
brooms or floor coverings. It means hiding or not dealing with unpleasant issues. If
the mayor doesn’t want to publicly discuss some potentially embarrassing topics like
crime or pollution, he might want to sweep them under the rug, hide the facts about
them, refuse to deal with them, and move on to more pleasant subjects. But sweeping
something under the rug doesn’t help you deal with it.

219
 Sweep you off your feet
Lourdes married Carlos, her millionaire boss. She just swept him off
his feet. Lee:
Meaning: to make a favorable impression; to affect with strong emotion or
enthusiasm; to overcome someone with feelings of love or happiness so strong
that he or she can’t resist you
Origin: This idiom comes from the 19th century and joins a list of sayings that relate to
being overwhelmed by feelings of love with being knocked down: “She’s a knockout”;
“He bowled her over”; “They got carried away with each other.” These expressions
suggest that sometimes emotions are so intense that you can’t even remain standing
when you're hit by one of them.

Sweet tooth
With his sweet tooth, it will be nearly impossible for Jim to stay on
a diet.

Meaning; a great desire to eat sweet foods, especially those with lots of sugar,
such as jams, candies, and pastries
Origin: Even in the 1500s, when this famous idiom was first used, people loved sweets.
This yearning was called having a “sweet tooth.” Perhaps people thought that one
tooth had a craving for salty foods, another for sour foods, and one for sweet foods. At
first, “sweet tooth” referred to sweetmeats, wines, and pastries, but today it is used to
describe only a craving for cakes, pies, and other sugary foods.

220
Take a backseat
When it cornes to pottery, | take a backseat to Shelley. She’s a whiz.

Meaning; to be in an inferior position; to take second place to another person

who is in control
Origin: This idiom became popular in the United States in the middle 1880s. It comes
from being in the backseat of a vehicle. When you’re in the driver’s seat, you're the
boss, and in control. When you’re in the backseat, you’re in a secondary position. It’s
like “playing second fiddle” (see page 176).

Take a powder
He saw the teacher he’d had an argument with in the restaurant, so he
took a powder.
Meaning: to leave quickly; to sneak or run out of a place
Origin: Many people were using this expression in the United States by 1925. Earlier,
they said, “dust out of here” or “take a run-out powder” to mean to depart in a rush.
The “dust” in the earlier saying referred to dust kicked up by one’s shoes in running
away. The expression may have changed to “powder” because of the explosiveness
of gunpowder. If you flee so you won’t get caught for something, you’re “taking
a powder.”

Take a shine to
Amazing. My mother really took a shine to my new pet iguana.
Meaning: to become fond of; to form a quick liking of someone or something
Origin: This American saying dates back to the 1880s and probably came from the
earlier expression “to shine up to someone.” That meant to behave nicely so someone
will like you. Then they “take a shine” to you because of your appearance or personality.
A similar saying is “to take a fancy to.”

221
 Take it to the hoop
He announced his candidacy for class president and took it to the hoop.
Meaning: to accomplish a project successfully; to do a great and thorough job
Origin: This modern African-American expression comes from the game of basketball.
If a player gets possession of the ball and takes it all the way to the hoop and makes
a basket, he or she is succeeding perfectly at what he or she set out to do. The saying
is also applied to any area of life in which you carry out an undertaking all the way to
its successful conclusion.

Take off your hat to someone

Even with her arm in a sling, she cooked a marvelous meal. | have to
take my hat off to her.
Meaning; to admire or praise someone for a notable accomplishment
Origin: In the middle of the 1800s, when this expression was born, many men wore
hats. When a gentleman met a lady on the street, he tipped his hat as a gesture of
respect. Today, even if you’re not wearing a hat, you can say that you're “taking your
hat. off” to someone whose achievements you admire.

Take someone under your wing

Each senior will be assigned a freshman to take under his or her wing
during the first month of school. |

Meaning; to help, guide, or protect someone

Origin: The idea of a person offering protection to another person just as a mother
bird takes her babies under the security of her wing was first mentioned in the Bible.
In 1885 the famous Englishmen who wrote comic operas, Gilbert and Sullivan, further
popularized the expression in a song from their musical The Mikado.

222
Take the bitter with the sweet
The track meet was a bust, but you made a new friend. Learn to take
the bitter with the sweet.
Meaning; to accept the bad things that happen along with the good
Origin: The famous English poet of the 14th century Geoffrey Chaucer first used this
idea in one of his poems, and many other writers have since adopted the phrase. Of
course, “bitter” represents bad happenings and “sweet” stands for good. Some people
say that you have to take “the rough with the smooth,” and that expression gets the
message across just as effectively.

Take the bull by the horns

Take the bull by the horns. March into the office and explain
what happened.

Meaning; to act bravely in a troublesome situation; to face up to a difficult

challenge by taking decisive action
Origin: For centuries daring bullfighters called matadors have been seizing bulls by
the horns to wrestle them to the ground. It happens on ranches and in rodeos, too. By
1800 this brave, but risky, action had been expanded symbolically to other areas of
life. The “bull” stood for any kind of trouble or challenge.

Take the cake

Fatima’s amazing triple play really took the cake.
Meaning; to deserve the highest award or prize
Origin: A cake has been a popular prize at contests for many centuries. In the time
of the ancient Greeks, the winner of the cake was the person who could stay awake
the longest at an all-night party. In the late 1800s in the United States, the cake
winners were the couple judged best in a dance contest. (The winning dance was
called the cakewalk.) Since then, this African-American saying has meant being the
best in any endeavor.

223
 Take the words right out of your mouth
When Maya said, “I love Grandpa,” her grandma said, “You took the
words right out of my mouth.” ee me

Meaning; to say what another person was thinking or was just going to say
Origin: Of course, nobody can actually reach right into your mouth and take words
out because spoken words are just in the air. But imagine that you were about to say,
“I think it’s going to rain,” and your friend says, “I think it’s going to rain.” She’s just
“taken the words right out of your mouth.” You agree with what she just said because
that’s what you were thinking. You thought it. She said it. This idiom goes back at
least 500 years. Even back then people were saying what others were thinking.

Take with a grain of salt

Sally tends to exaggerate.
Take what she says with a grain of salt.
Meaning; to not believe completely; to be doubtful
Origin: Some word experts think this expression first appeared in Latin by a Roman
scholar in the 1st century B.c. The report was of the discovery of an antidote to poison:
Takeitwith a grain of salt (cum grano salis). Perhaps the saying refers to food that’s
not so tasty (like a story that’s not so believable) being swallowed more easily with a
little salt. Another possibility is that a single grain of salt isn’t worth much, just like a
story you don’t think is completely true.

Talk through your hat

Don't let what Eric said upset you. He’s just talking through his hat.
Meaning; to talk nonsense; to say something without really knowing what you’re
talking about
Origin: The origin of this idiom is not clear. Some people think that if people really
talked through their hats, they’d look ridiculous, like the nonsense they were saying.
If people tell you that you’re talking through your hat, they obviously don’t have a
high opinion of your words.

224
That’s the way the ball bounces
You promised to babysit on the night of Win’s party? Oh, well, that’s
the way the ball bounces.
Meaning; that’s the way life is; that’s fate; things sometimes turn out a certain way
and you can’t do anything about it
Origin: This American idiom dates back to the 1950s. A similar idiom is “that’s the
way the cookie crumbles.” The alliteration in both sayings (ball bounces, cookie
crumbles) contributed to the word choices. This saying makes clear that unpredictable
things often happen in life, and you have to learn to live with and accept them. The
French have a similar saying, C’est la vie (“That’s life.”) We also say, “That’s the way
it goes.”

Through the grapevine

She heard through the grapevine that she was being considered for a
big promotion.

Meaning; through the informal spreading of messages, gossip, rumors, or other

confidential information from one person te another
Origin: A grapevine is a long-stemmed plant that winds, climbs, and creeps from
grape to grape. In a similar way, news can travel from person to person to person,
either spoken or written. This zoth-century African-American idiom could go as far
back as the 1600s.

Throw a curve
My boss threw me a curve when he said I’d have to work late the night
of the basketball play-offs.
Meaning: to surprise someone in an unpleasant way; to mislead or lie
Origin: We get this expression from the American game of baseball in the 2oth
century. A tricky pitcher sometimes throws a curve ball that catches the batter off
guard. This idiom can also mean lying to people to confuse or deceive them.

225
 Throw a monkey wrench into the works
All the plans for the party were going yo until Tricia threw a
monkey wrench into the works. hes

Meaning: to interfere with a smoothly running operation; to upset something in

progress
Origin: In 1856 a tool was invented by a man named Monk and called Monk’s wrench.
Later the name was changed to monkey wrench. The sliding jaw of the tool reminded
people of a monkey, and the nickname stuck. This American saying of the late 1800s
presents the image of someone throwing a monkey wrench into machinery that’s
working perfectly and “gumming up the works” (see page 102).

Throw caution to the wind

Pablo threw caution to the wind and went on the roller coaster. —

Meaning; to be extremely daring; to take a huge risk; to act recklessly and hastily
Origin: The image of a brave person taking “caution” and fearlessly throwing it into
the wind, where it’s blown away, is an old one. We also use this expression to refer to
the actions of a person who puts aside his or her fears to perform a brave deed.

Throw cold water on something

| was looking forward to my vacation until you threw cold water on it”
by saying the place is loaded with mosquitoes.

Meaning; to say or do something discouraging; to dampen one’s enthusiasm

for something
Origin: For thousands of years the best way to put out a fire was to douse it with
water. If fire, heat, and warmth all represent enthusiasm, excitement, and passion,
then cold water must stand for whatever lessens those emotions. So, if you throw cold
water on someone's plans, you're a “wet blanket” (see page 242).

226
Throw in the towel
You mustn't throw in the towel when the other team puts up
great arguments.

Meaning: to give up; to admit that you're defeated; to quit

Origin: There are always towels or sponges near a boxing ring to wipe the sweaty
boxers between rounds. In Britain, in the middle 1800s, the manager or friend of a
boxer who was being badly beaten would often throw the towel or sponge into the
boxing ring or up into the air as a signal of surrender. That meant the fight was over.

Throw the baby out with the bathwater

When Gil cleaned the garage, he threw away a new set of wrenches.
That was throwing out the baby with the bathwater.
Meaning; to lose or throw something valuable or useful when getting rid of
something that is useless
Origin: This expression might have come from an old German proverb. By the turn
of the 2oth century, writers were using it in English. Imagine a parent who finishes
bathing a baby in a tub and then throws the bathwater out with the baby still in
it! That’s like throwing away the most important part (“the baby”) at the same time
you're getting rid of whatever is not needed (“the bathwater”).

Throw the book at someone

Dan was expelled for writing on the walls. They really threw the book
at him.
Meaning: to punish severely for breaking rules or the law; to give the
maximum penalty
Origin: In this idiom the “book” is the law book, filled with all the penalties that a
judge can impose on the wrongdoer. Imagine a judge figuratively throwing that whole,
heavy law book at an offender of the law, hitting him or her with the worst possible
punishments. That image was in the mind of the writer who coined this expression
many years ago.

227
 Throw your hat into the ring
Dave threw his hat into the ring today. He’s running for
class secretary.
Meaning: to announce one’s candidacy for election to office; to issue a challenge
Origin: Men used to challenge each other to prizefights in the United States in the
early 19th century by taking off their hats and throwing them into a ring on the ground.
That custom became the basis for this idiom. People who state that they are running
for any elective office are “throwing their hats into the ring.”

Throw your weight around

That kid is the new school bully. He likes to throw his weight around.
Meaning; to use one’s power in a mean, threatening way; to be bossy or rough
Origin: This popular saying from the early 1900s reminds us that big, heavy, or tall
people can often be intimidating, especially if you’re lightweight or short. Wrestlers,
football players, and gangsters in movies are often heavyweights. So this saying came
to mean to be bossy or tough.

Tickle the ivories

| hope that he will join our jazz band because he can really tickle
the ivories.

Meaning; play the piano skillfully

Origin: This expression comes from back in the days when “ivories” meant piano keys
because they were made of ivory. But ivory can crack or discolor over time. And natural
ivory comes from animal tusks, so now piano keys are made of synthetic materials.
Some piano players bang on the keys and sound horrible. But really talented pianists
know how to “tickle the ivories” by touching the keys sensitively, almostas if they
were caressing them affectionately. That makes beautiful music for your ears.

228
Tickle your funny bone
Jessica’s hilarious antics always tickle my funny bone.
Meaning; to make you laugh; to amuse somebody
Origin: There’s a bone in your upper arm at the back of your elbow that has the Latin
name humerus. Since that sounds like “humorous,” people have been calling it the
“funny bone” for many years. If you accidentally bump it, the sensitive nerve in your
elbow tingles as if electricity were running through it. If you laugh at a joke, then,
according to this expression, it’s tickling your funny bone. (Sometimes the funny
bone is called the “crazy bone.”)

Tickled pink
Bob was tickled pink when he got a valentine from his dog.
Meaning: to be very amused or pleased; to be delighted, entertained,
extremely happy
Origin: If you tickle someone, his or her face often turns pink. So, if someone is
tickling you by doing or saying something so that you're giggling and your skin is
getting reddish, then you’re probably having a good time being “tickled pink.” A
similar expression is “tickled someone’s fancy.”

Tied to someone’s apron strings

You can’t be tied to your mother’s apron strings all your life.

Meaning: to be dependent on someone, such as one’s mother; to not be able to do

anything without asking your mother
Origin: Years ago many women stayed home to work and care for the children and
house. To keep their clothes clean, they wore aprons tied in the back with strings. If
a grown man was controlled by his mother, it was often said that he was “tied to his
mother’s apron strings.” Later, if he was under the strong influence of his wife, he was
tied to her apron strings.

229
 Tighten your belt
Wally’s boss won’t give him a pay raise, and his rent went up. Now he
has to tighten his belt. Se

Meaning; to live on less money; to make sacrifices and lower one’s standard of
living
Origin: If you have less money to spend, you'll probably buy less food. If you eat
less, you'll probably lose weight. If you lose weight, you’ll have to tighten your belt.
That’s what the person who created this saying had in mind.

Till the cows come home

I'll stand here till the cows come home unless you pay me back the
money | lent you.

Meaning; for a long, long time

Origin: This late 16th-century idiom probably refers to how cows take their sweet time
to return from the fields to the barn. When you use this expression, you're describing
a . passage of time using a barnyard image.

Tip of the iceberg

In chemistry, learning the symbols for the elements is just the tip of
the iceberg.
Meaning: just a small part of a larger problem or a worse situation
Origin: An iceberg is a huge body of ice that has broken away from a glacier and is
floating in the ocean. The “tip of the iceberg” is a well-known 2oth-century metaphor
that points out that the top is only a tiny part of a mountain of floating ice. An
estimated 90 percent of an iceberg is hidden underwater.

230
Toe the line
The boss told Kyle to toe the line and follow all the regulations Of the
company or he’d be out of a job.

Meaning: do what you are supposed to do; obey all rules and orders; conform,
don’t disagree
Origin: When people hear “toe the line,” they might think it’s “tow the line,” as if
there were some kind of rope that has to be pulled. The “toe” in this expression is
the one that grows at the end of your foot. This saying dates back to the early 1800s
in England. It refers either to the line that runners stood at before a race began (if
your toe went over the line, you were kicked out of the race) or to sailors and soldiers
standing rigidly at attention waiting for inspection, every toe on a straight line. Now
“toe the line” means to conform, to do what everyone else does, to follow the rules
and fulfill your obligations even if you’re not a runner or soldier. It’s similar to doing
things “by the book” (see page 31).

Tongue-in-cheek
Don’t be insulted by what Roz said. She meant it tongue-in-cheek.
Meaning; intended as a joke; not serious; insincere; mocking
Origin: This phrase may have been made up by an English humorist in the mid-
1800s. You would have difficulty saying anything with your tongue in your cheek.
Some people actually do poke their cheek with their tongue after making an insincere
remark to show they were only kidding. It’s a facial expression similar to winking after
saying something that’s meant to be taken as a joke.

Too big for your britches

| used to like George, but now | think he’s grown too big for his britches.
Meaning: conceited; swelled with self-importance; haughty
Origin: This is an old American expression that goes back more than 200 years. Britches
(also spelled “breeches”) is an old word for pants. If a person swelled with feelings of
self-importance, he or she might burst right out of his or her clothes. Another version of
this saying is “too big for your boots.” A related idiom that captures the same puffed-
up-with-self-worth idea is “stuffed shirt” (see page 218). Of course, you could also be
rightfully proud of yourself or a loved one, and therefore be “bursting at the seams.”
231
 Too many cooks spoil the broth
The decorations look terrible because the committee couldn’t agree on
anything. Too many cooks spoil the broth. el

Meaning: a project is set back rather than helped by too many organizers; the more
people who work on one project, the worse it will turn out
Origin: This old proverb goes back to the 1500s. The creator of this saying knew that
one master chef can create a delicious meal. But if a whole bunch of people try to cook
the meal at the same time, the food (broth) is sure to be ruined.

Top banana
Since the early days of vaudeville, Uncle Henry has been a top banana.

Meaning; the leading comedian in a variety show; a boss

Origin: Some word experts think this phrase may have started with an old comedy
routine involving the sharing of bananas, but nobody is really sure. Today people
call the chief comic in a musical comedy or television show the “top banana.” Some
people may also use the term humorously to refer to the boss in any group.

Top drawer
Aunt Shirley always takes the family out to some top-drawer
restaurant.

Meaning; the highest quality; the best

Origin: The most likely origin of this 2oth-century phrase is the top drawer of a
dresser or bureau. Many people put their jewelry and other valuable possessions in the
top drawer so that they can get them easily. From that custom comes this expression,
which is used to describe people of the highest social status or anything that’s the best
in rank or quality.

232
Touch and go
It was touch and go for a while, but the vet says my rabbit will live.

Meaning: very risky, uncertain, or critical

Origin: This saying was first used in the 1800s and may have come from ships that
came close to touching the bottom of the sea while in shallow water, or to touching
other things that could sink them. These dangerous situations sometimes ended with
narrow escapes. If the ship touched bottom but managed to go on, it had survived
a “touch-and-go” situation. The term also referred to horse-drawn carriages, when
there was a narrow escape from an accident after the wheels of two coaches touched.
Today we use this phrase to describe any uncertain situation that could end either
horribly or unhappily.

Touch something with a ten-foot pole

| won’t touch that controversy with a ten-foot pole.
Meaning: to avoid at all costs; to stay far away from a difficult problem
Origin: A writer in the mid-1800s wanted a lively way to describe someone who didn't
want to deal with a troublesome issue. The image of a person not wanting to touch
something nasty even with a pole ten feet long came to mind, and this famous idiom
was created. This saying is sometimes “touch something with a ten-foot bargepole.”
It is always used in the negative, with words such as “won't,” “wouldn’t,” or “don’t,”
because it refers to something you don’t want to have anything to do with.

233
 Tough nut to crack
Figuring out how to get the elephant into Jed’s cabis a tough nut
to crack. . 2 Se)
Meaning: something very complicated to understand or to do; an extremely tough
or thorny problem to solve
Origin: Did you ever try to crack open a really hard nut? It’s not easy. Sometimes
you have to use all your strength plus a strong nutcracker or a heavy hammer. Some
nuts seem to be made of iron. That’s why we say that any decision that’s difficult to
make or any problem that’s hard to solve is a “tough nut to crack.” This expression
from the 1700s was used by Benjamin Franklin in a letter to his brother. In 1745 some
American colonists were trying to capture a French fortress in Canada. Franklin wrote
that “fortified towns are hard nuts to crack; and your teeth have not been accustomed
to it.” But a ragtag band of hardy New Englanders captured the fortress! And that
proves that some nuts are easier to crack than others.

Trip the light fantastic

The kids in the tap-dance class know how to trip the light fantastic.
Meaning; to dance
Origin: John Milton, the great English poet of the 1600s, made up this phrase in his
poem, “L’Allegro” in 1632. Readers thought that the phrase “trip the light fantastic” was
a delightful way to describe dancing, and more than 370 years later, we’re still using it.

True-blue
The true~blue supporters of our team cheer for us even when we lose.

Meaning: very loyal, dependable, and faithful

Origin: This expression comes from an old proverb and has at least two possible
origins. In the 17th century, blue was the color of many British groups: Scottish
Covenanters, the Whig party, and even the varsity teams at Oxford and Cambridge
universities. Anyone loyal and true to those groups wore something blue. Blue was
also known as a true color because the blue thread made in Coventry, England, during
the Middle Ages was highly regarded for holding its color. The blue dye didn’t run,
and so blue came to stand for faithfulness. Note also that “true” and “blue” rhyme,
and rhymes often help an idiom become more widely used.

234
Turn over a new leaf
Ifyou haven’t been feeling fit, maybe it’s time to turn over a new leaf
and start exercising.

Meaning: to correct one’s behavior or attitude; to begin anew; to make a fresh start
Origin: In the 16th century, when this idiom was born, people referred to pages in
a book as leaves. “Turning over a leaf” meant tuming to a blank page in a workbook
to begin a new lesson. What the expression suggested was that you can change
your behavior for the future and begin again as if turning a new page in the book of
your life.

Turn the other cheek

Patty keeps insulting you, and all you do is turn the other cheek.
Meaning; to let someone do something bad to you and not defend yourself or hit
back; to merely ignore abuse or injury
Origin: This is a Biblical expression. In the New Testament, Jesus urged his followers to
refuse revenge when someone provoked, insulted, or physically hurt them. If someone
slapped you on one side of your face, you should not fight back with angry words or
blows. Instead, be patient and turn your head to the other side.

Turn the tables

Notre Dame was beating us badly, but then we turned the tables on
them and won!
Meaning; to reverse the situation; to make the opposite happen
Origin: This saying probably came from the early 1600s and has two possible origins.
In some tabletop board games such as chess, checkers, and backgammon, the table
was actually turned as part of the play. There were also tables that had two-sided tops.
One side was polished smooth and used for eating; the other side was rougher and
used for working on. You would turn the tabletop over when you needed to. Now when
you “turn the tables” on someone, you're causing a complete reversal in the situation,
usually to your advantage.

235
 Turn up your nose at someone
Since Barbara moved to the city, she turns up her nose at her old pals.
Meaning: to regard something with haughtiness; to be snobby; to show that
someone or something is not good enough for you
Origin: Even in the 1500s, when this idiom was created, people showed scorn for
things they considered beneath them by sneering or putting their noses in the air in
a snooty way. That arrogant facial expression created the saying “turn your nose up,”
because that’s what people did if they thought they were better than everyone else.

Two cents
Karen didn’t want to hear what he had to say, so she told him to keep
his two cents to himself.

Meaning; an opinion; what someone thinks

Origin: The phrase “two cents” came from the game of poker in the late 1800s. You
had to put in at least a two-cent (or “two-bit”) bet in order to play. Today when you
put your “two cents” in, you state your opinion or give some advice, even if it hasn’t
been asked for. Your two cents gets you into the conversation. However, people may
tell you to keep your two cents out because they don’t want to hear what you think.
Your two cents aren't really worth anything to them. Other expressions with similar
meanings are “put your oar into another’s boat” and “stick your nose into another
person’s business.”

Two-faced
How can you trust her? Vera’s two-faced, ifyou ask me.
Meaning: false; dishonest
Origin: This expression comes from Roman mythology. The god Janus was the keeper
of the gates of heaven. He had two faces so that he could be a better watchman.
(It’s like the expression, “two heads are better than one.”) In the early 1600s a writer
referred to someone who was a double-crosser as “two-faced.” This captured the
image of a lying person who tells you one thing and then tells your friend something
else, or who smiles at you and then criticizes you to others.

236
Under the table
The boxer was accused of accepting money under the table to lose
the fight.

Meaning: in secret, dishonestly; not out in the open

Origin: Sometimes people who wanted to unlawfully influence public officials passed
money under the table (not out in the open) as a bribe or payoff. Cheating card players
often slipped cards under the table to their partners. During Prohibition in the United
States (1920-33) selling liquor was illegal, but people could buy it secretly under the
counter (where the police couldn’t see). During World War II, the sale of many daily
items was rationed (strictly limited), but some shopkeepers kept things under the
counter (not out on the shelves) for their friends and relatives. So from many sources,
the phrase “under the table” has come to describe any dishonest transactions done on
the sly. An idiom that has the same meaning is “under the counter.”

Under the weather

Ms. Capers will not be in today. She’s feeling a little under the weather.

Meaning: sick; not well; in trouble with money

Origin: In the mid-1700s many people in the United States traveled by boat. In stormy
weather, when the water was rough, a lot of people got seasick and were said to be
suffering under the influence of bad weather. Soon the phrase was shortened to just
“under the weather.” The saying first appeared in a novel in 1850.
seeseeepceneneeseeee eee eee eee eee eee eee ae aera eee eee eee eee eee eee eee

Up a creek without a paddle

Holly lost her costume, and the play is tonight. She’s up a creek
without a paddle.

Meaning: in deep trouble and unable to do anything about it; in serious trouble
Origin: Imagine being in a rowboat on a river or creek far from home and you lose
your oar! That’s the picture painted by this early 2zoth-century idiom.
237
 Up against the wall
Ben’s up against the wall. He lost his job and can’t make the payments
on the house. ;

Meaning: in big trouble; in a difficult or desperate situation

Origin: This example of American slang from the late 19th century probably refers
to the practice of lining people up against walls for a variety of reasons. Suspected
criminals stand against a wall in a police lineup. The police often make a person being
arrested lean forward with his or her hands up against a wall. A robber may also hold
his or her prey at gunpoint up against a wall to prevent the victim from escaping.

Upper crust
The poor student fell hopelessly in love with a girl from the
upper crust.

Meaning; high society; social or financial elite; important people

Origin: This expression began to be widely used in the mid-1800s. The upper crust
of a loaf of bread was considered the best, tastiest part. “Upper crust” came to mean
the best class of people, the most elite in society, those with the highest intellectual,
social, or economic status.

Upset the applecart

Don’t let Barry know about our plans for the ski trip or he'll upset
the applecart. :

Meaning; to spoil or interfere with a plan; to obstruct progress; to mess everything

up by surprise or accident
Origin: From ancient Roman times comes this famous saying, although the Romans
just said “cart.” “Apple” was added to “cart” in the late 1800s because it helped create
a metaphor for ruining something that was carefully arranged. Imagine a farmer or a
vendor pushing a large cart piled high with apples on the way to market. Along comes
some clumsy oaf who knocks over the cart and spills all the apples. The farmer’s plan
to sell his apples is spoiled.

238
Waiting for the other shoe to drop
After my forgetful sister told me that she had taken my camera cell
phone on the class trip, | waited for the other shoe to drop. | expected
her to say that she had lost it.
Meaning; anticipating the second half of a two-part unpleasant action to
take place
Origin: This expression from the early 1900s refers to waiting for something bad to
happen after learning that something else bad has happened. It might come from
an old joke about a man who lived in a boardinghouse. Late one night while getting
undressed, he dropped one shoe loudly on the floor and woke up his downstairs
neighbor. Then, trying to be quieter, he put his second shoe down silently and went
to bed. After a long time, the downstairs neighbor woke him up by shouting, “When
are you going to drop the other shoe so I can get back to sleep?” So if you hear about
the first part of something not-so-good happening (your cat ate a rubber band),
you'll probably expect to hear that the second part happened, too (she threw up on
the rug).

Walk on eggs
Jen was walking on eggs when she tried to return the necklace she had
borrowed without asking.
Meaning: to be very cautious; to proceed warily
Origin: This saying first appeared in Italy in the late 1500s. The writer who came up
with the idiom must have had the following image in mind: A person stepping very
carefully on a floor of eggs trying not to break a single shell. It can’t be done, of
course, even with hard-boiled eggs, but it gets across the idea of doing something
with great caution.

239
 Walking on air
When she found out that she was having a baby, Nancy left the
doctor’s office walking on air. ee
Meaning: to be exuberantly happy, excited, and joyful
Origin: This 2oth-century expression plays on the idea that feeling down means
you're sad or depressed, while feeling up means you're cheerful and glad. What's the
highest you can be? Up in the air, of course. Similar idioms that equate being in the
air with being happy are “on cloud nine” (see page 159) and “on top of the world”
(see page 164).

Wash your hands of something

I’m tired of arguing with my lab partners, so I’m washing my hands of
the science project.
Meaning: to withdraw from something; to end one’s association or responsibility
for something; to disavow, disclaim, or disown
Origin: This expression comes from the Bible. Pontius Pilate, a Roman official in
Judea, announced that he could not save Jesus from being executed. He then washed
his hands right in front of a crowd of people, saying that he was not guilty of Jesus’
death. When you “wash your hands of something,” you’re not actually at a sink with
soap and water. You’re just saying that it’s not your responsibility, or you don’t want
to be involved further.

Watched pot never boils

Waiting for the mail carrier isn’t going to make the letter come any
sooner. A watched pot never boils.
Meaning: when waiting anxiously or impatiently for something to happen,
it seems to take much longer
Origin: If you put a fire under a pot of water, it will eventually boil, of course. But
if you just stand there and watch the pot, it will seem to take forever for the boiling
bubbles to first appear. Anxiety and impatience do not speed things up; they make
them seem slower.

240
Water over the dam
Lost your ring last week? It’s water over the dam now.
Meaning: something that is past and cannot be changed
Origin: Sometimes people say it’s “water under the bridge,” but wherever the water
’ e

is going, once it has flowed on, it cannot come back. That’s why an irretrievable,
irreversible situation is described with this watery expression.

Wear your heart on your sleeve

Everyone in the school knows Mel is in love with Eleanor, because he
wears his heart on his sleeve.
Meaning; to show one’s emotions and feelings openly
Origin: William Shakespeare used this expression in his famous tragedy Othello
around the year 1600. In those days, it was the custom for a young lady to tie a ribbon
around the arm of her boyfriend. The boy then wore this favor on his sleeve, one of the
most visible parts of his clothing, to display the feelings of his heart for all the world
to see. Today, the feelings that you reveal by “wearing your heart on your sleeve” are
often of love, but they could be another emotion, too.

Wet behind the ears

Lisa wouldn’t hire him as a manager because he was too wet behind
the ears.
Meaning: young, inexperienced, and immature
Origin: When a baby colt or calf is first born, it’s wet all over with birth fluid.
It quickly starts to dry, but the little indentation behind its ears stays wet the longest.
Farmers always knew this, but some word experts think that in the early 2oth century,
officers in the American armed forces began using this barnyard expression to describe
new soldiers. The saying is also a reference to a young animal that was washed by
its mother.

241
 Wet blanket
| hope Terry doesn’t come to the amusement park with us — he’s such a
wet blanket. | Bad

Meaning: a person who spoils other people’s fun by being depressing, dull, sour,
nagging, or humorless
Origin: This is an early 19th-century expression. Native Americans and others often
put out their campfires with blankets they had dipped in the nearest river. If fire
represents enthusiasm, excitement, passion, and joy, then the wet blanket that puts
out the fire stands for a pessimist or spoilsport. A person acting like that will rain on
your parade.

What’s good for the goose is good for the gander

If the girls team can’t travel to the championship, neither should the
boys team. What’s good for the goose is good for the gander.
Meaning; a rule or method of treatment that applies to one person or group must
also apply to others, especially your mate
Origin: A gander is a male goose, and according to this saying, what’s appropriate
for the female of the species is appropriate for the male, too. At first it may have been
a call for equality between the sexes, but today “goose” and “gander” don’t stand for
“female” and “male” so much as any one person and another person. And “good” in
this idiom can have a negative meaning.

Wheel and deal

Sasha’s uncle is an international businessman who wheels and deals
all over the world.

Meaning; to skillfully and aggressively make big plans with important business,
usually to earn a lot of money
Origin: The slang expression for an important person is “big wheel.” A “wheeler-
dealer” is an important person who makes substantial deals. The saying originated in
gambling houses of the American West, where there were gamblers who were heavy
betters at cards (“deal”) and roulette (“wheel”). Sometimes this phrase refers to
people who are big-time operators in tricky, perhaps dishonest, ways.

242
When the cat’s away, the mice will play
When the counselor left, we had a pillow fight. When the cat's away,
the mice will play.
Meaning: when the person in charge is absent, people will usually do as they
please and take advantage of the freedom
Origin: This proverb appears in many languages and has been in use in English
since the 1600s. If there’s a cat in the house, the mice will tend to stay hidden. But if
the cat is gone, the mice will feel safer and venture out. It’s the same with people.
When the authority figure (the “cat”) is not there, the people being supervised (the
“mice”) run free.

Where there’s smoke, there’s fire

Jayne bought a new can of spray paint the day the graffiti appeared.
She must have done it. Where there’s smoke, there’s fire.
Meaning: there is always a basis for a rumor, no matter how untrue it appears;
suspicious things usually mean that something is wrong
Origin: In some form or other, this expression has been around since at least 43 B.C.,
and started getting popular in the mid-1500s. There can never be a fire without some
smoke. In this metaphorical saying, the smoke represents the suspicious clues to
some wrongdoing and the fire is the dirty deed itself. So when there’s evidence that
something bad happened, it probably did.

243
 Which way the wind blows
Before Mayor Youngman would give her opinion on the issue, she
wanted to find out which way the wind was blowing.
Meaning; the direction in which something is going or may go; how matters stand;
what may happen; what people think
Origin: For over 700 years, wind has been used as a symbol of the course of events.
Wind blows things (a flag on a pole, laundry on a line, sails on a boat) in different
directions. And the direction in which a powerful wind blows can sometimes make a
difference in people’s lives. In this expression, “the way the wind is blowing” stands
for the way that events are happening or the way most people are thinking at the
moment. For instance, suppose you are campaigning for public office. Most of the
voters are against a new highway, and that’s “the way the wind is blowing.” As a
candidate, you have to go in the direction of the “wind” (in this case, follow the
wishes of the most people) or go against it and risk losing the election. You'd better
button up your overcoat.

White elephant
There’s a white-elephant sale on Saturday. Bring all your junk to sell.

Meaning: any possession that is useless, unwanted, or costs a lot of money to keep
Origin: There is a legend that in ancient Siam (now Thailand) a king once gave a rare
white elephant to a person at his court whom he didn’t like. Sounds like a nice gift,
but the white elephant was considered sacred, couldn’t be made to do any work, and
cost a fortune to feed and tend. The courtier couldn’t get rid of this big drain on his
money because it was a gift from the king. In a short time, the unfortunate man was
poor. That’s probably what the king intended. The expression was first used in English
in the late 1800s.

244
Whole kit and caboodle
On his new car Irwin wanted everything — sunroof, heated seats,
navigation system, a DVD player — the whole kit and caboodle.
Meaning: everything; nothing left out; the whole lot
Origin: For over 100 years Americans have been using this funny-sounding expression.
People were talking about “the whole kit” in the late 1700s, and “the whole boodle” in
the early 1800s. “Kit” means a set of things, like a tool kit or a sewing kit. “Boodle” (or
boedel) was a Dutch word that meant a collection of objects (sort of like “kit”). Then
some clever person combined them into “the whole kit and boodle,” which meant
100 percent of everything. But Americans like alliteration, where words start with the
same consonant sounds, so an even cleverer person changed “whole kit and boodle”
to “whole kit and caboodle” and everybody was happier. Other sayings with the same
meaning are “the whole shebang” and “the whole nine yards.”

Wild-goose chase
It’s a wild-goose chase trying to discover who gave you this cold.

Meaning: a useless or hopeless search, especially because something does not exist
or can’t be found
Origin: William Shakespeare used this famous phrase in his play Romeo and Juliet,
and it’s been widely used since about 1600. It’s practically impossible to catch a wild
goose. It’s like trying to capture a greased pig or find a “needle in a haystack” (see
page 152). It also may refer to a kind of horse race in which each horse had to follow
the erratic course of the leader. Such a race looks like wild geese following the leader
in formation.

With flying colors

As expected, Peggy passed her tests with flying colors.

Meaning: with ease and great success; in triumph

Origin: Sometimes a naval ship or other vessel will sail into a port with many
colorful flags (its “colors”) gloriously flying from its masts. What a thrilling sight!
That image was extended to describe people who do something marvelous and
spectacularly successful.

245
 Without batting an eyelash
Ellen accepted the award without batting an eyelash.

Meaning: without showing emotion or interest; impassive

Origin: To “bat” an eye was a way of saying “blink” in the early 1900s when this
phrase first appeared. Usually a person who sees, hears, or experiences something
unusual, scary, or fantastic will show some feeling, or at least blink. If that person is
so cool, calm, and collected that he or she doesn’t even bat an eyelash, then there's
no outward show of emotion at all.

Wolf in sheep’s clothing

The new landlord acts friendly, but he might be a wolf in
sheep’s clothing.
Meaning: somebody who appears to be harmless but is really dangerous
Origin: The idea behind this saying appears in one of Aesop’s fables and in the
New Testament (Matthew 7:15). When most people think of a wolf, they think of a
dangerous animal. A sheep is thought of as friendly, gentle, and harmless. So if a
wicked wolf wanted to fool people into thinking he was a nice guy, he might disguise
himself in a sheep costume.

Word of mouth
The movie got bad reviews, but it became popular by word of mouth.
Meaning: by one person telling another; by speaking, rather than writing
Origin: If people see something they like or don’t like, such as a movie, TV show,
play, or book, and they tell their friends about it, the news is being spread by “word
of mouth” instead of by television commercials, newspaper advertising, billboards,
and other kinds of publicity.

246
Worth your salt
In order to get a raise, you have to prove that you’re worth your salt.

Meaning: deserving the pay or reward that you get

Origin: This 19th-century expression comes from an ancient practice. For thousands
of years, salt, a common thing today, was rare and highly prized. The Roman army
paid part of a soldier’s wages in salt. Our word “salary” comes from the Latin word
salarium, which means “salt money.” So if you were a good, loyal, brave, hardworking
soldier, you were worth what they paid you — salt. Now all hardworking employees
are “worth their salt,” regardless of how they’re paid.

Wrong side of the tracks

Alex’s mother was horrified when he started dating a girl from the
wrong side of the tracks.
Meaning: from a less socially desirable part of town; the poor, unfashionable
Origin: In the early days of the railroads, about the middle of the 1800s, train tracks
often divided a town into rich and poor sections. The better-off neighborhoods were
sometimes built on the side of town where the smoke from trains didn’t blow. So
the “wrong side of the tracks” was a phrase that came to describe the socially and
economically undesirable part of town.

247
 You can lead a horse to water but you can’t
make him drink
We gave him a new shirt, but he still wears the ripped one. You can
lead a horse to water, but you can’t make him drink.

Meaning: you can encourage, but not force, someone to do something

Origin: This expression was first used in the 12th century, when riding a horse was the
main way of traveling long distances. A horse owner knew that an animal needed to
drink water, especially after a long ride on a hot day. But even though you could take
your horse right to the banks of a cool, fresh spring, that didn’t mean the stubborn
horse would drink. For centuries that truth has been applied to people who do what
they want to even though you try to persuade them otherwise.

You can’t teach an old dog new tricks

| tried to give Grandma my new recipe for spaghetti sauce, but she ,
_ refused. You can’t teach an old dog new tricks.

Meaning: people who find it difficult or impossible to change their ways or adjust
to new ideas .
Origin: This is an old proverb based on some truth. Animal trainers have known for
centuries that it’s best to try to train an animal when it’s young and not too set in its
ways. An older animal likes doing things a certain way and will resist new methods.

248
 Alphabetical

Index
@
A to Z (see Everything but
Ballpark figure .......
Bark is worse than your
Diten Sadan gee. hier 0s 10
10

the kitchen sink)... .. 7I Bark up the wrong tree . . 1!

Ace up your sleeve ..... 2 Bats in your belfry (see Bee
Bite off more than you can
BCMMNES “Nelo
wk Gos 2 in your bonnet)...... 1h
Chew eee ey CeresUe
Add fuel to the fire ..... 3 Batten down the hatches. 1!
Bite the bullet 19, 102
Afraid of your own Beat a dead horse (See also Grit your teeth)
SHAIGOWRS Bos) win oh 134 3 Beat around the bush . .12 Bite tne .Ustiak eee 19
Air your dirty laundry in Beat the band... . 2. a: 2 Bite the hand that
PUD CH paid. a AN as wen ad 3
Beat your swords into Feeds VOU. «fuentes 19
Albatross around your plowshares .......... 13 Bite your tongue...... 20
Nola ap TD ee ym
Beauty is in the eye of the Black sheep of the family2o
UCAS awe
iv eet is benolderun sss:ae 13 Bleeding heart ....... 20
All that glitters is not BEGAO[MGSES . vy ee 3 os 13
Cie l(e As Re See 4 Blessing in disguise. .... 21
Bee in your bonnet.... 14 Blind asaDat. oe son 21
PNDPRURIATVONS atte, nn ecktote 5
Beggars can’t be
Ants in your pants ..... 5 Blind leading the blind. 22
chogsers<. 94). fee: 1h
Apple of youreye...... 5 Blood is thicker than
Behind the eight ball... 14
; AC liter Sc cetras. p
As the crow flies ....... 6 Bells and whistles...... 15 bean 4

Asleep at the switch ... . 6 Below par (see Par for the Blow your own horn . .. 22
COUTSE Oe A ok 171 * Blow your stack (see Hit the
At the drop of ahat..... 6
Below the belt......... IS = ites. Speen 113
FOOf.) srk.
At the end of your rope. . 7
Betlerhialt.nut.c cee. 16 _ Blow your top (see Hit the
jee oh dae bed ae aoa ig 7 ees eee 13
Better safe than sorry .. 16 . TOOf)... 2...
Betweenarockandahard * Blue blood ...... 23, 238
a) oe 3 16 . (See also Upper crust)
@)
Pcen e mcai
Between the deviland the = Bolt from the blue. . 23, 168
Babe(s) in the woods ...8 deep blue sea....... '7 * (See also Out of the clear
(see also Between a rock blue sky)
Back to square one..... 8 and a hard place) « Born with a silver spoon in
Back to the drawing Beware of Greeks bearing VOUTHMIOUUI otstas Aa are 23
Oats et cies 9 gifts Gite) eke Te) Ben biys pete he. ieee
Born yesterday ....... 24
Backseat driver..... 9, 119 Bird in the hand is worth
(See also In the driver's two in the bush see eee Bottomline. « . » .d-cwk 24
seat) Birds of a feather flock Bowl of cherries (see Bed of
Bakers dozen oA). +6 10 together ve eee Gay se SB roses)
 Break a leg Akt 2h Button your lip... . 30, 44 Cat that swallowed the

Break theice Jie

«2..2: 25 (See also clam up) CANATY ong a. - eae 38

Breath of freshair..... 25 Buy a pig ina poke. 31, 136 Catch more flies with
(See also Let the cat out of honey than with
Bright-eyed and vinegarens. 74«ay.
Gk 39
bushy-tailed siasacee « 25 the bag)
By hook or by crook ... .3! Catch someone red-handed
Bring down the house. . 26
By the: booker: temas 280) 31 vil duesaehocks glen ag eee 39
Bring home the bacon. . 26
By the skin of your teeth 32 Catch you later 2 «9298 39
BUG NO,fers se: Gea 26
C’est la vie (see That’s the

©
Bug someone: =... Parl WG] way the ball bounces) 225
(See also Mess with
someone) Champ at the bit...... 40

Bull in a china shop. ... 27 Callit-a aver Sie as Cheek’by jowl 2.2 ee 40

Burn the candle at both Call the shots ..... 33, 119 Chew over (see Chew your
ONOS tee een eke tee, 27 (See also In the driver’s cud) sa.2r. nee Al
seat)
Burn the midnight oil . . 28 Chew someone out .... 40
Call you on the carpet. . 33
Burn your bridges behind Chew the fat. ......4; 4
28 Call your bluffan e.. 34
Chew up the scenery... 4!
Burn. yourself out (see Calm before the storm. . 34
Chew your-cud .220 Wee Al
Burn the candle at both Can't fight city hall ... 34
CYICS ) eueee eta ns 27 Chicken feeday. sane 42
Can't get blood from a
Bursting at the seams Stone Te eee ee 35 Chickens come home to
(see Too big for your VOOSU re< seeeetc ere 42
Can't hit the side of a
Britches) see 231 Dalt.e acts Moe 35 Chillout es. = ese. 42
Bury the hatchet...... 28 Can’t hold a candle to. . 35 Chip off the old block....
Bury your head in the POR eke Pe 43; 21
Can't see the forest for the
Sana he ok ae eee 29 (See also Spitting image)
trees Ce ee 36
Busman’s holiday..... 29 . Carry coals to Newcastle 36 Chip on your shoulder. . 43
Busy asa beaver...... 29 Carry the ball........ 36
ey

Busy as a bee (see Busy as Carry the weight of the S:ca Sa: (6 Jel ©. 0) 6)hey ese 6

a beaver) ee 29 ey
world on your Clean as a hound’s tooth
Butter someone up . 30, 212 shovidersianite elas 37 (see Clean as a whistle) 44
(See also Soft-soap)
Carved instone....... 37 Clean as a whistle See fig
Butterflies in the
Cast pearls before swine 37 Clean bill of health... . 44
stomach 6,50) <0: ee.) co 8 30, 159
(See also On pins and Cast the first stone .... 38 Clearasabell........ 45
needles) Cat got your tongue... 38 Clear the decks....... 45
250
Climb the walls....... 45 Cuvto the quick: 45 .aer var Down-to-earth....... 61
Clip your wings....... 46 Cut your eyeteeth on ; Down-to-the-wire. .... 62
Cloak-and-dagger.... 46 something dae paaee 55" Draw the lineat....... 62
Close shave vit) scr. 4 7, 46 aru Mice Rfela| en eres 55 Dressed to kill (see Dressed
Clutch at straws (see Grasp to the nines) Ce ecm Ss 62
alstraws) Ss: Sia ehs 100 Dressed to the nines ... 62
COMA Ce tiny stay mana.we ET Drive a hard bargain... 63
Dark-horse candidate . 56
Coldishouldey...,... . 47 Drive YOu CYaZzy sizes sus
Dead as a dodo (see Dead
COldtUrKey. 2.2... - 48 Drive you mad (see Drive
as a doornail) .....-. 56 |
WOLCTA ZY) aereke eae
OMe aGal sic.
te oss 48 Dead asadoornail .... 56 ;
Drive you nuts (see Drive
Come apart at the seams 48 Deadiduck Sr ar Per 56. NOULCTAZY Visi ia. tte
Come out of your shell . 49 = Diamond inthe rough . 57 :
Drive you up the wall (see
Come up smelling like a Dime adozen........ ee Drive you crazy) ..... 63
(Poe Meee ne, Sas 49
DO ONG eerie aseaniole Sas Drop in the bucket .... 63
Cook your goose...... 50
Dog days of summer .. 58 * Drop you like a hot potato
Cooking with gas ..... 50 RRSene ae area Oe gh eet tectaea 64
Dog-eat-dog world.... 58 *
Cool as acucumber.... 50 Dull as dishwater ..... 64
DOGS Cites i.e:
ono soi 58
COOP IVS as eee es 51, 42 Duich treat... ieee 64
Don’t count your chickens
(See also Chill out) before they hatch .... 59 Dyed-in-the-wool..... 65
Goolryouriheels {ars 4... SI
Don’t look a gift horse in
Cost an arm anda
ee 51, 172
(See also Pay through the
leg tnesmOuth ees,
Don’t take any wooden
WICKClSims 7a tated vssaac
59

59
©
Eager beaver (see Busy as
nose) a Deaveryi.. an eee 29
Dose of one’s own
€ouch potato .. .. a9. 52 MMCCICIN Gat 52'saecleus 60 Early bird catches the
Cream of the crop..... 52 Dot your i’s and cross WOT. a> Ss eet ae 66
Crocodile tears ....... 52 MOLL Se. atta,we a ea ei 60 EasVeas Ole wie. 66, 174
Cross that bridge when you Down-at-the-heels (see (See also Easy as rolling
GOMOCstOult cas cies oa ees 53 Down in the dumps) . . 60 off a log; Piece of cake)
Cry over spilled milk... 53 Down in the dumps. . . . 60 Easy as rolling off alog 66
Cry Wolly baesceats
nats « 53 Down in the mouth (see Easy come, easy go ... 67

Cut off your nose to spite Down in the dumps) . . 60 EgviChOW es: we. ees 67, 69
your face t\6 bet € ey a exic: (FS Down the drain si.e ce Wome. ers (see also Eat your words)
Cut the mustard et ete Tes Down the hatch....... Eat humble pie....... 67
 Eat out of your hand .. 68 ; Fat cat.cti een eae Th For the birds
Eat you out of house and " Feast or famine....... Th Forty winks ey

DOMCNS teeta thanks Gc 68 * Feather in your cap.... 75 Four corners of the earth 84
BatiVOur Mat inres
arspsc 68 _ Feather your nest... .. 75 From A to Z (see Everything
Eat your heart out .... 69 = Feeliyour oats... ou. 75, 85 but the kitchen sink). . 71
Eat your words ....... 69 * (See also Full of beans) From soup to nuts Bisyhy 7/1

Egg on your face ..... 69 * Feet OlClaVicee ee 76 (See also Everything but
the kitchen sink)
Elbow grease ........ 70 ; Fiddle while Rome burns 76
From the wordgo..... 85
Eleventh hour........ 70 " Fieldday............ 76
Full of beans (see Feel
Every cloud has a silver : FitthiWHC) preneiy,
de me eee Tah
YOU Od1S): use: 85, 75
IiniGest arte wee: 70 : Fight tooth and nail ... 77
PUISOF TGs aly ree ee 85
Every Tom, Dick, and = Filtre hinverte
ete eucvel ae 77
HWY 5 eye ccse eteaie 7I Full steam ahead...... 86
Final straw (see Straw that
Everything but the kitchen broke the camel’s back)
SUT RaTide waa RU 71, 84 £6 Se Re AOE 217
(See also From soup to Finger in every pie .... 78
nuts) Get a handle on
Fishior. cut Dalteacms a00 78 something sien a nate 87
Eye for an eye and a tooth
Fish out of water...... 78 Get a kick out of
fora tooth eee wee 7I, 165
Fits ati Cle pe steneht 79 something jc.5 .2ee 87
(See also One good turn
deserves another) Fit likeaglove........ 79 Get a pink slip (see Get the
Fix your wagon....... 79 SOCK ussiateva ae eee 91
Eyes in the back of your
ead Awacerts
har. 72 Flashin the pan....... 80 Get away with murder. . 88

Flotsam and jetsam... . 80 Get down to brass tacks 88

Fly=by-nigiit. <a ane 80 Get in on the ground

floor 723 5 ee 88
Fly by the seat of your
Face the music . 73, 19, 102 Panlshsece
cer rae 81 Get into the swing of
(See also Bite the bullet; things... omen aie 89
Fly in the ointment .... 81
Grit your teeth) Get off the hook ...... 89
Fly off the handle ..... 81
Fair-weather friend... . 73 Get out of my face..... 89
FIVE COOP oe ee ata 82
Falling apart (see Pull Get reali. sa Reon, 90
yourself together). . . .182 Foam at the mouth .... 82
Get something off your
Famous last words. .... 7h Follow your nose...... 82 Chest). 48. vet Cee 90
Fan the flames (see Add Food for thought...... 83
Get the ax (see Get the
fuel to the fire) ....... 3 Footloose and fancy-free . 83 SACK ins.chee
ets at 91
252
 Get the green light .... 90 Something) anew. .g. Grit your teeth . 102, 19, 73
Get the lead out of your Go against the grain 96, 196 (See also Bite the bullet:
CEA ec ea ae Face the music)
(See also Rub the wrong
Get the sack Si(eis) ¢ @ ee, 10 91 way) Gum up the works. 102, 226
Get this show on the roadg Go along for the ride .. 96 (See also Throw a monkey
Get to the bottom of Go bananas ee Y
wrench into the works)
SOMOCUIMO aloe wdivosn 92 Go climb a tree (see Go fly
Get under your skin ...
Getsuprand=go. 2.4.5. 92
92 BO KIKC) Petaneimetedps.
®
Handle with kid gloves .103
Fee, KER ROREONR eee 5 64
Get up on the wrong side
Gofives kite, . tase
a tae 97 Hand-to-mouth-existence
of the bed Cy ON ie ae ett mec ec]
BE Aare) Ae 103
Get your back up (see Get Goforibrokewted oe 25 97
Hands aretied ....... 104
VOUT COAL) tie eve
ic:a2 93 Go fry an egg (see Go fly a
kite) 97 Handwriting on the wall io4
Get your dander up (see Oe, alie vests see eee 8 @

Go jump ina lake (see Go Hang inthere........ 104

Get your goat)....... 93
Wy cukite)cotrn eet ee 97 Hang out your shingle. .105
Get your feet wet . . 93, 123
(See also Jump off the Go over like a lead Hanging by a thread. . .105
deep end) DallGOny ce. eh ccscae 98 Hard nut to crack (see
GEL YOURGOAL. arnisos 93 Tough nut to crack). . 234
comb Hatin hand. bach 105, 172
Get your hackles up (see
Get your goat)....... 93 (See also Leave no stone (See also Pass the hat)
unturned)
Get your walking papers Have a bone to pick with
Go to bat for someone. . 98
(see Get the sack) .... 91
Go to the dogs .....4..%
AIL OUGaO hen
oe tes: 94 Have a screw loose ... .106
(See also Gone to pot) Have your cake and eat it
CPTIfoEW CALL Woot ete 94
Go to wrack and ruin (see SOOM sa tess cccbetce Sites 106
GIVEME JIVE... bits
s ww 9h Gone to pot)... 55355 99
Have your heart in your
Give someone the shirt off COTE NO DOTS asst 99 WOUU cies ae 107
VWelli gale) Geena ears 95
Goody Two-shoes..... 99 Head and shoulders above
Give someone the third
Grasp atstraws...... 100 someane 7 Re See 107
BROTCO ey con Sauer 95
GRAV VANGIM 5 aceatarena 100 Head honcho......... 107
Give up the ghost..... 95
Grease someone’s palm 100 Head in the clouds ... 108
Give your eyeteeth for
SOMetHING wees skew ne 96 Greexto me ....-...+o« 101 Head over heels in love 108

Give your right arm (see GYCOYPAMUITID i. + 01x +. Bie 101 Hearapindrop...... 108
Give your eyeteeth for Green withenvy...... 101 HEAT OL OOId garniis«109
 Heart’s in the right place
Saba Mady?, ait tach coh y aig109 0,
If the shoe fits, wear it. . 16
Johnny-come-lately . . .123
Heavens to Betsy...... 109 Jump down your throat. 123
PIGEOn MANS ustnt6Ba Tre) Ignorance is bliss ..... 116 Jump off the deep end .123
High horse .. LE ed Toh 110 Mea nutsnelli? 2s. eee 16 Jump on the bandwagon
Highway robbery ..... 110 - Ina pickle (see Behind the te LAO CARLA RG 12h
eight ball) gaa ecm 1h Jump the gun........ 124
Hiva brick wall ©... 34. MT
In a pretty kettle of fish just deserts ra seo.= 124
Hit below the belt. . I, 216 (see Behind the eight

®
(See also Straight from bya le Sette kes 14
the shoulder) In hot water ....... 7, 14
Hitthe-books. 2.2. ..7. (See also Behind the eight Keep a stiff upper lip . .125
Hit the ceiling (see Hit the ball)
Keep a straight face .. .125
TOO) Tenet ie Meyer ee ae 113 In one ear and out the
OCG te ake ee 17
Keep body and soul
minthe May we.
os se 112 together: 0209. 125, 126
Hit the jackpot ....... 2 fatheDagisn en sectaetes 18
(See also Keep the wolf
Hit the nail right on the In the catbird seat..... 18 from the door)
head seen eae 2, 113 In the doghouse ... .119, 14 Keep something under
(See also Hit the spot) (See also Behind the eight your hat. dace tte 126
HIE (ne rOads. aiccas
oe 113 ball) Keep the wolf from the
In the driver’s seat . 119, 33, 9 GOON. ze hee 126, 125
Hitthe roofs acsc;.- 113, 189
(See also Calls the shots; (See also Keep body and
(See also Raise Cain) soul together)
Backseat driver)
Hitthe spots. aan. 113, 112 Keep up with the
In the lap of luxury... . 119
(See also Hit the nail right In the limelight....... 120
Joneses
on the head) Keep your chin up (see
In the nick of time..... 120
Hitch your wagon to a Keep a stiff upper lip) .125
SUAT pees eects
at eee Wh
In thesia stake ena 120
Keep your ear to the
Holdacandleto...... Wh
In the same boat...... 121 Qrolind j=. 7s eee 127
In two shakes of a Keep your fingers
Holdithe'fortic.. eee Nh
LAMD'S\ (Bl ieee
cers exote25 21 ChOSS@di? eae we,See 127
Hold your horses...... NS
It takes two to tango .. 121 Keep your head above
Hold your tongue (see Bite Water. oaqtenfertes tere 127
your tongue)........
Keep your nose to the
Horse of a different color . 115 grindstone. si dairees 128
Hot under the collar ... 115 Jack-of-all-trades..... 122 Keep your shirt on... . .128
254
Kick the bucket....... 128 Let sleeping dogs lie. . .135 Make a federal case out
Kick up a fuss (see Raise Let the cat out of the of something........ hd
Cain) ee bag (sits! ei oe, © wel s 136, 31, 213 Make a mountain out of
Kick up your heels... .. 129 (See also Buy apigina esmolehill cise sendsMe hb

Kill the goose that lays the poke; Spill the beans) Make a silk purse out of
goldeneggs........ 129 Let the chips fall where QuSOW SsCAT a eaten eeu. 14d
TEV Mav see vas hoes 136 Make ends meet...... 145
Kill two birds with one
StONC, cs cies aie eee 129 Let your hair down . . .136 Make hay while the sun
Knee-high toa Life in the fast lane . . . .137 shinesin..s ces 145, 218
grasshopper........ 130 Light at the end of the (See also Strike while the
Knock on wood....... 130 RVING) css. cnsacmaie eae 137 iron is hot)
Like a bump ona log . .137 Make heads or tails out
Knock your socks off. . .130
of something........ 145
Like it or lumpit...... 138
Know the ropes....... 131
Make no bones about
Like pulling teeth ..... 138
SOMEINING <<.< «aspen 146
Like two peas in a pod
55.8 a Ce ee 138 Make waves ..... 146, 193

Little pitchers have big (See also Rock the boat)

Labor of love ........ 132
CaS een ee ae 139 Make your mouth
Lame OuUCKe ee: cee 132 Wal Yartet cnrre 11,6
Live high off the hog . .139
Last straw (see Straw that March to the beat of a
broke the camel’s back) Lock, stock, and barrel .139 *
different drummer .. .147
Lock the barn door after
Mess with someone . 147, 27
Laugh out of the other the horse is out...... 140 .
side of your mouth . . .133 Longinthe tooth ..... in; -2
(See also Bug someone)
WMGAS TOUCH oa ek ae 147
Pa VET COG iy tg si: tg oa 133 Look down your noseat —..
Lay your cards on the SOMEONE ay utes 140 * Mince words........ 148

| 0) ee
li hak A 133 oosecannOnitw ssa. 141 E Mind over matter .... 148

Lead you by the nose . .134 Lose your shirt ....... IAI * Mind your p’s and q’s. 148

Leave no stone Low man on the totem : Miss the boat

ENUrRee! cate
se 134, 98 olen: Seeker
Pac ai: ral Money burns a hole in your
(See also Go over witha Lower the boom...... (yz 2 pocketsece suhieoe
Adis 149
fine-tooth comb) Monkey business. ..... 149
Leave someone holding More than meets the
the bags wavactewsls «134 BV csc x AME 150
Left out in the cold... .135 Mad asahatter....... 143 More than one way to skin
Leridavieaty:. or. set74 135 Madasawethen..... 143 a cat
255
 Mum’s the word...... 150 > Off yourtocker 2.222% 158 (See also Eye for an eye
’ Off your trolley (see Off and a tooth for a tooth)
# Syourrocker) se n05 a8 158 One-horse town ...... 165

; Ol hat eek ee eS 158 One-track mind ...... 166

Nameismud......... 15 - Old WIVES ta ler ans. eee: 158 Open a can of
Necessity is the mother of WOTTIS seis eieneneie 166, 135
Onashoestring....... 159
invention CC ee er ery (See also Let sleeping
On cloud nine. 159, 164, 240 =
Need something like a hole dogs lie)
in the head ee) (See also On top of the Other side of the coin . .166
world; Walking on air)
Needle in a haystack Out in left fieldaeareae 167
On pins and needles
Cr 152, 245 Out in the boondocks . .167
ee er 159, 30, 160
(See also Wild-goose Out likea lights 4 .os.ts.167
chase) (See also Butterflies in the
stomach; On tenterhooks) Outof- here ye aes 168
Nickel-and-dime ..... 152
* On someone's case . . . .160 Out of sight, out of
NITIWSORIT Yr eters saa 152
| On,tenreniooksyenn 160 WIG SE cee ee ee 168
Nodiceeeeine fant 153
, On, the belly a eewiens
«5; 160 Out of the clear blue
No skin off your nose . .153 SKY SS Slee aero 168, 23
5 On the cutie atom
cox tan 161
No spring chicken..... 153 (See also Bolt from the
= Onuine COuDlog a: cea: 161
Nose out of joint...... 154 blue)
2 OOnne fences ane 161
Out of the frying pan and
Not your cup of tea... .154
+ OnithesfritZie
ets eek 162 = slMtOr the fate w sane 168
Nothing new under
the sun On the horns of a * Out of the mouths of
Cilemmame tate 162 3 .DaDCST eaters, “eee 169
Nothing to sneeze at. . .155
On the hot seat....... 162 - Out of the woods...... 169
Nothing ventured, nothing
gained Onsthe rocks... .ueeenee 163 7 OUtonalimb . 0208 169
Nutty as a fruitcake... .156 On the topes meaner 163 s Overa barrel...) sae 170
On the spur of the f Over thei | mee eee 170

©
MOMMA. > aon soon ues 163 : Over your head....... 170
On the tip of your
Off the beaten track LOVIQUC HiteLoan
ente bans164
(Dall). aceentadtamee IS7 * On the warpath....... 164
Off the top of your head. 157 On top of the world... .164 . Par for the course ..... 71
Off-the-wall = Once ina blue moon. . .165 . Pass the buck ........ 71
Off your nut (see Off your « One good turn deserves > Pass the hate, at. 172, 105
rocker) another: te eee 165, 7I (See also Hat in hand)
256
Pay an arm and a leg (see Proof of the pudding is in Put your shoulder to the
Pay through the nose; Cost Thee STING wedretante
vp. 179 wheel
an arm anda leg). 172, 5!
Pullafastone........ 179

@
Pay the piper (see Face the Pull a rabbit out of a
music)
Ra es are hae
Tar ua. 179
Pay through the nose 172, 51 *
Pull no punches . 180, 216 Q.T. (also QT and q.t.). 186
(See also Cost an arm and Quick on the draw.... 186
(See also Straight from
a leg) Quick on the trigger (see
the shoulder)
Pen is mightier than the Quick on the draw) .. 186
Pull out all the stops .. 180
sword
Pues TiO Seems invita
bo 180 Quick on the uptake (see
Penny for your thoughts 173 Quick on the draw) .. 186
* Pull the rug out from under
Penny-wise and Quiet asa mouse..... 186
VOU Renin Mav clits tae.eta tus 181
pound-foolish....... 173
People who live in glass
Pull the wool over your
BV.OS aioe ods hice nicuigepe t 181
houses shouldn’t throw
SLOMCSisrepe eieten. nastier 173 Pull Up:Stakes reo¢-.-.--01< 181
Rain chectucs a. aa ae 187
Piette the Sky ©... + sscsels 74 Pull Yourleq: . .osac<ers182
. Rain on your parade. . .187
Piece of cake...... 174, 66 Pull yourself together . .182
- Rainvornshine. mae.
ae 188
(See also Easy as pie) Put a cork in it (see Button
VOUT AIO, cesta sige aes 30 ~ Raining cats and dogs 188
Play both ends against the
WON Ges cs che ark I74 Put all your eggs into one ~ Raise an eyebrow .... 188
Play cat and mouse. .. .175 basketitacd ate Ce 182 Raise Cain 189, 113

Play fast and loose ....175 Put the cart before the (See also Hit the roof)
HOTSC. rata
Te aes 183 Raise the devil (see Raise
Play it byear ........ 176
Put up or shut up (see Put Cain) o, ie cee. whe kehor eles 189
Play second fiddle . 176, 221
your money where your Rally round the flag .. 189
(See also Take a backseat) WOU AS) tana
c siseawens 185
Rat race 189
Play the pieidca:.
.-va. 176 Put your best foot Rats abandoning a sinking
PIA; WIth MYC ds sxaccers =177 {ONWATO Sas nelrenee 183
ship
Point of no return Put your finger on Read between the lines .190
Poor as a church mouse. 177 SOWIE: ons vy, 183
Read the riotact...... 190
Pot calling the kettle Put your foot down... 184
Real McCoy site rt. ie 191
lack Pee
ee ee 178 Put your foot in your
Red-carpet treatment . 19!
Pour oil on troubled
WateYSiue ae sm iye dudra!. 178 Red herring. Qe eae. 191
Put your money where
Power behind the throne 178 your mouth is . Red-letter day
 Reditape: igus suse) wietey, 192 School of hard knocks. .201 Sling hash Jue. jae ake 210
Right off the bat...... 192 Scrape the bottom of the Slow off the mark (see Slow
Rinigna Delt t.ar.6 Gener 193 barrel on the draw)........ 210
Rock the boat .... 193, 146 Scratch the surface ... 202 Slow onthe draw ..... 210

(See also Make waves) Security blanket..... 202 Slow on the uptake (see
Roll with the punches . .193 See eye toeye....... 202 Slow on the draw)... .210
Rolling out the carpet (see Sell like hotcakes..... 203 Smell a'rat tenes. 210
Red-carpet treatment) . 191 Set your teeth on edge 203 Smell like arose ...... 211
Rolling stone gathers no Settle an old score... . 203 Snake in the grass..... 211

Shake aleg. gave os 204 Snug as a bug ina rug . 2il

Shape up or ship out . 204 Soft-soap . baawane 212, 30
Shoe is on the other (See also Butter someone
Rose-colored glasses. . .194
ROOU con ewe 204 up)
Rotten apple spoils the
Shoot from the hip ... 205 Sow your wild oats ... .212
Dares:
ot6 oc 195
Shoot the breeze (see Chew Spare the rod and spoil the
Round peg in a square
he tater nme ee eas AI Child. 22 +2 PRPs 212
ROIES. eBacpacr Urcsere ke195
Rub elbows with Shotin:the arm. .... 205 Spick-and-Sparis ana) 213
SOME ONC EEE rene 195 Show must goon .... 205 Spill the beans ... 213, 136
Rub the wrong way... .196 Show your true colors . 206 (See also Let the cat out of
Rule with an iron hand .196 the bag)
Sick as dOG. s0..ae4 206
Spitting image ....214, 43
Run circles around
Sight for sore eyes... . 206
someone (See also Chip off the old
» Sing for your supper. . 207 block)
Run off at the mouth. . .197
- Sink orswim..... 207, 127 Split hairs

©
(See also Keep your head Square peg in a round hole
above water) (see Round peg ina
Salt of the earth ..... 198 Sitting duck 8h\8)fol, le;Sui ie.118, square hole)........ 195
Same old song and Sitting pretty re er Stick-in-the-mud..... 21h
ances «ea tee 198 Six of one and a half dozen Stick to your guns..... 215
Save for a rainy day .. .199 Oj the other.2.5...«. 208 Stick your neck out... .215
Saved by the bell ..... 199 Skate on thinice..... Still waters run deep ..215
Saw logsseiat
|Tiina, 199 Skeleton in your closet 209 Stir up a hornet’s nest. .216
Say (cry) uncle...... 200 Sky’s the limit....... Straight from the horse’s
Scarce as hen’s teeth. . 200 Sleep on it
258
er?
Straight from the Take it to the hoop ... 222 the bathwater...... 227
shoulder Ci ee ee ee SEC) 216, 180 Take off your hat to Throw the book at
(See also Pull no punches) someone ee? SOMEONE < see nae: 227
Straighten up and fly » Take one’s medicine (see Throw your hat into the
VIG Misael Peoud Sured 217 Face the music) HANS fear ees cae Wee 228
Straw that broke the Throw your weight
Camels Dack.. ost 217 is (ee 222 AVOUT Be Sore nt Shots 228
Strike a happy medium. 217 Take the bitter with the Tickle the ivories..... 228
SWeelar AS cept
se « 223
Strike while the iron Tickle your fancy (see
218, 145 Take the bull by the Tickled pink)....... 229
(OYTISsNiiae perdicestads 223
(See also Make hay while Tickle your funny bone 229
the sun shines) MaKe tne Cake). seed 223
Tickled. pinkst..
.+cies 229
Stuffed shirt wee ree 218, 231 Take the rough with the
Tied to someone’s apron
smooth (see Take the
(See also Too big for your BASINS fous a 22a
aeeies 229
bitter with the sweet) 223 «=
britches)
Take the words right out of * Tighten your belt .... 230
Swallow hook, line, and
your mouth, ......+ 224 *| Till the cows come
sinker
Take with a grain of salt. 224 ect #5)4|Se ete
DA Rana a 230
Swan song
Talk through your hat. 224 » Tip of the iceberg .... 230
Sweep under the rug. . .219 ROO NE MMC. conc.
car ae 231
That’s the way the ball
Sweep you off your feet 220 bounces olta alie) sue ah Gralla « Tongue-in-cheek ..... 231
Sweet-talk (see Butter That’s the way the cookie « Too big for your
someone up)........ 30 crumbles (see That’s the mE OLMCNeS. et; coho 231
Sweet tooticimut ee. 220 way the ball bounces) 225 * Too many cooks spoil the
Through the grapevine 225 Rr RTOUN? Saperrnantce 232
Throw a curve ee ee eee = Top banana .«.<...5 232
Throw a monkey wrench « Top drawer. 2... 50%: 232
Take a backseat .. 221, 176 into the works... 226, 102 “
= Touch and gO ....... 233
(See also Play second (See also Gum up the
= Touch something with
fiddle) works)
* aten-foot pole..... 233
Take a chill pill (see Chill Throw caution to the
Tough nut to crack ... 234
rel oak we area ieee 42 VINCE eae aslo a tie: che 226
Trip the light fantastic 234
Take a fancy to (see Take Throw cold water on
WSMNCNO)en ee ov 0s 22l SOMPtRING..s.0 22. -% 226 THUGsDIUE 7cve ae
Take a powder ....... 221 Throw in the towel ... 227 Turn over a new leaf .. 235

Takeashineto....... 221 Throw the baby out with Turn the other cheek. . 235
259
 Turn the tables ae: 235 Walking on air.240, 159, 164 Wild-goose chase . 245, 152
Turn up your nose at (See also On cloud nine; (See also Needle ina
SOMMCOMCHycpem tateneie ts 236 On top of the world) haystack)
TWO CENTS ets
sia eee 236
Wash your hands of - With flying colors. ... 245
something een aes 240
TWOslaced sant em 236 Without batting an
Watched pot never eyelashic ame was 2 246
oistcesie oe 240
Wolf in sheep’s
Water over the dam . .24| clothinga ee As 24,6
Wear your heart on your Word of mouth...... 246
Under the table...... 237
sleeve SrtA
ke tit 24!
Under the weather ... 237 Worth your salt...... 247
Wet behind the ears .. .241
Up a creek without a Wrong side of the
Wet blanket ..... 242, 226
Wades eters
wat aes 237 tYACKS ee eee 247
(See also Throw cold
Up against the wall... 238

sO,
water on something)
Up to par (see Par for the What's good for the goose
course) is good for the gander 242
You can lead a horse to
Upper Crusitnn aa. 238, 23 Wheel and deal...... 242 * water but you can’t make
(See also Blue blood) * When the cat’s away, the * him drink 6 4 8 0 ers 6 8 we 248
Upset the applecart... 238 » mice will play...... 243 »
You can’t teach an old dog
- Where there’s smoke, ; new tricks 248

W
ee

5 tHeTe:S ING. earns en 243°

@
* Which way the wind :
Waiting for the other shoe wi DIOWS? aac aes cieere 24h =
ROMA OD Cee
et nee 239 » White elephant...... Mali : Zipper your mouth (see
Walk oneggs....... 239 Whole kit and caboodle 245 Button your lip)

260
® Walking on air
See tees Sarge 240, 159, 164
(See also On cloud nine;
A From A to Z (see
On top of the world)
Everything but the
kitchen sink) rene As Albatross Albatross F Shot fei
around your neck..... jee flee tre geig we
Abandoning Rats
* Asleep Asleep at the
abandoning a sinking AUS Alliearseean. kee ars y 6
ship
All that glitters is not ;
Above Head and a(oOUR ea eee cP 4. Away Get away with
aii tated hance 5 : MUTA pemewn wires 88
shoulders above
someone
Along Go along for the a.
»
POISE erana oeiie
micewillplay..... 2
Keep your head above Vie ee tonn, eatvate ow Sik 96 . Pax oe
= Axi “Ax to'grinds 6 7° 7
Another Onegoodturmn ;
Ace Aceup your sleeve . 2 deserves another..... 165 - Get the ax (see Get
* *pthesack)cee wets . 91
Achilles’ Achilles’ heel. 2 Ants Ants in your pants 5 :
Act Read the riot act . 190 Apart Comeapartatthe |
SCamMSa dan Soe Eee 48 =
Add _ Add fuel to the fire.3
Falling apart (see Pull patie: EMSS: ;
Afraid Afraid of your VOUTSEIPLOOCTNET aki G2 oo) hse Wibeekcake ies
own shadow Out of the mouths of
Apple Apple of your babes. a rau bes169
Again Comeagain... 48 EVE een
tne 5
Baby Throw the baby out
Rotten apple spoils the
Against Go against the with the bathwater .. 227
DAYLE! o Site oe hoes 195

Applecart Upset the Back Back to square

(See also Rub the wrong ONC Fle che neecee 8
way) apPpleCart soces ss. 238
Play both ends against Back to the drawing
Apron Tiedtosomeone’s =
the middlese: tau... I74 Jevapetgetp Cee Pam ae oyde 9
apron strings 4 Obes 229
Up against the wall. . 238 Eyes in the back of your
Arm Cost an arm and EAC aie i eic. ate & 72
Air Air your dirty Get your back up (see Get
laundry in public ..... 3 YOu GOatjiy. ick 93
Give your right arm (see
Breath of fresh air... . 25 Give your eyeteeth for Give someone the shirt off
Full of hotair........ 85 something) ©) Say etJb ie: 6 your back
261
 Straw that broke the bandwagon ........ 124 Beans Full of beans 85, 75
camel’s back (See also Feel your oats)
Bargain Drive ahard
Baral cc eee co ae 63 Spill the beans .. 213, 136
(See also Let the cat out
(see also In the driver’s Bark Bark is worse than of the bag)
seat) VOUT Oll@ me Speen Sete
Bearing Beware of Greeks
Take a backseat...... 221 Bark up the wrong tree . 1 bearing gifts........ I7
Bacon Bring home the " Barn Can’t hit the side of
bacon Beat Beata dead horse. 11

Bag Inthebag...... Beat around the bush . .i2

Lock the barn door after
Leave someone holding Beat the band........ 12
the horse is out
ine bag’. Pek
es wee 134 Beat your swords into
Barrel Lock, stock, and plowshatesi. 1. aa 13
Let the cat out of the
barrel. st ee 139
DAG eaters ase 136, 31, 213 March to the beat of a
(See also Buy apigina Overabarrel........ 170 different drummer. . .147
poke; Spill the beans) Rotten apple spoils the Beaten Off the beaten
Bait Fish or cut bait .. 78 barrel track
Scrape the bottom of the
Baker’s Baker’s dozen. 10 barrel Beauty Beauty is in the
eye of the beholder... .13
Ball Behind the eight Basket Putall your eggs
Dall Beas ere eee 1h into one basket...... 182 Beaver Busy asa
beaver
Carry the ball ....... 36 o/(q) Te) e,(6 a (epee) ete @

Bat(s) Blindasabat.. 21
Onithe pallens
a. ae 160 Eager beaver (see Busy as
That’s the way the ball Go to bat for someone. 98 aibeaver).), 7 on ves
ounces. 6 use, 225 Right off the bat..... 192 Bed Bed of roses
Balloon Gooverlikea Bats in your belfry (see
Get up on the wrong side
lead balloon........ 98 Bee in your bonnet). . 14
of the bed
Ballpark Ballpark figure .10 Bathwater Throw
Bee Beein your bonnet 14
the baby out with the
Banana(s) Top banana bathwatera.5.47
ee Busy as a bee (see Busy as
CT Ree eso 232 & Deaver) once agen 29
Batten Batten down the
Go bananas......... 97 Before Calm before the
hatches
SLOVIMN fs ie oe 34
Band Beattheband ..12
Batting Without batting Cast pearls before
Bandwagon Jump on the an eyelash 24.6 SWINGiee Uterotee 37
262
 Don’t count your chickens forwardaAnan
Mee et 183 Bite Bark is worse than
before they hatch ... 59 VOULDITG vans.
0% OY TUR
Betsy Heavens to
Beggars Beggars can’t BESY Aas hie mia«8% 109
Bite off more than you
DE CHOOSETS: a teeiah stags canchew acidic tnx
Better Betterhalf.... 16 Bite the bullet.... 19, 102

ball © 6 (6 (6 8) 0 a ‘e's ince 8's

Better safe than sorry . . 16 (See also Grit your teeth)
Bite the dust........ 19
Between Between the
BEI tees S 28 devil and the deep blue Bite the hand that feeds
17, 16
VOU chs cut Ae ee 19
Power behind the throne Sd) (9.6) @)Le (98) pias ei a

Bite your tongue..... 20

Ce ey 178 (See also Between a rock
Wet behind the ears . 24 and a hard place) Bitter Take the bitter
Read between the with the sweet...... 223
Beholder Beauty is in the
eye of the beholder... .13 linies
Black Black sheep of the
Beware Beware of Greeks FOIONY oto tace te ats be 20
Belfry Bats in your
Dearing gifts... ..<: Pot calling the kettle
belfry (see Bee in your
bonnet) La)Eel ada Pin aes 178
oye) e) i & Jolie ‘6 ie) 8)
Big _ Little pitchers have
big ears Blanket Security blanket
Bell(s) Clearasabell. 45
202
Too big for your britches
Rijigvarpellesy seth 193
Wet blanket ....242, 226
Saved by the bell ....199
Bill Clean bill of health
(See also Throw cold
Bells and whistles ..... 15 water on something)
> 6, Gist )\6) ee) 6) 6) ene 8.0 (8s ei 1,

Below Below par (see Par Bleeding Bleeding

for the course)....... Rear cise ea eo 20
Below the belt Bird(s) Bird in the
hand is worth two in the Blessing Blessing in
Hit below the belt . 11, 216
Sisal epcetce) th (owed, 6. a aureus,
CISGUISGaae lad cutOe 2I
(See also Straight from
Early bird catches the « Blind Blind asa bat.. .21
the shoulder)
worm ig) Owe! ‘el @1c@) 6 010) ee, ©
Blind leading the blind 22
Belt Belowthe belt... .15 Birds of a feather flock
Hit below the belt . 111, 216 togetheties. eush.. x 18 Bliss Ignorance is
Dlissapieel see ay 116
(See also Straight from For tne Divdsen nt cee 83
the shoulder) Kill two birds with one Block Chip off the old
Tighten your belt ... 230 SUOMC aaaivurane
ses ais 129 BiB ete wantin LS ROVE

Best Put your best foot Bit Champ atthe bit . 40 (See also Spitting image) 263
 Blood Blood is thicker Rock the boat ... 193, 146 Play both ends against
than Watery a... seins 22 (See also Make waves) the middle-cse saeta- 7h

Bluecbloods saci
180 52 23 Bottom Bottomline... 24
Body Keep body and
Can’t get blood froma soul together. ... 125, 126 Get to the bottom of
SIONE. < . ated
awe ee 35
(See also Keep the wolf SOMETHING 5) sane
Blow Blow your own from the door) Scrape the bottom of the
OTN aa ta eas
ae oe 22 barrel
Boils Watched pot never
Blow your stack (see Hit 24,0 Bounces That’s the way
thiesO0f)) dee ow cee 113 the ball bounces .... 225
Blow your top (see Hit the Bolt Bolt from the
FOO; eeeoe emai 13 blue ee ey Bowl(ed) Bowl of
cherries (see Bed of
Which way the wind (See also Out of the clear
VOSS iis cae
Se apes 13
Diows meee ee 2hh blue sky)
Bowled over (see Sweep
Blue Between the devil Bone(s) Havea bone to you off your feet) .. 220
and the deep blue PICK WIIIVOUs. sie .0os106
SCO: partied
seen aervaam 17, 16 Brass Get down to brass
Tickle your funny bone
tacks: 50". eee 88
(See also Between a rock bse virin are eae 8 al 8 229
and a hard place) Make no bones about Break Breakaleg.... 24
Blue blood ..... 23, 238 SOMCMING <hr. Sec, 146
Break, the ice... oun 25
(See also Upper crust) Bonnet Bee in your
Bolt from the blue . 23, 168 Breath Breath of fresh
bonnets. eee 1h
CV ee Sectae ML 2 25
(See also Out of the clear
blue sky) Book(s) By the book. .31
Breeze Shoot the breeze
Once ina blue moon. .165 Throw the book at (see Chew the fat)... . 4!
Out of the clear blue SOMCONC ie. eee 227
SKY See: Oe 168, 23 Brick Hita brick wall . 11

(See also Bolt from the = Boom Lower the boom 142 Bridge(s) Cross that
blue) bridge when you come
TUC=
blUG eines 234 Boondocks Out in the (0 epee ee derailer 53
boondocks
Bluff Call your bluff. . 34 Burn your bridges behind
Born Born witha silver VOU. ohtuisS cusetne cea at 28
Board Back to the spoon in your mouth. . 23
drawing board Bright-eyed Bright-eyed
Born yesterday fet alter te. ols and bushy-tailed .... 25
Boat Inthe same boat 121
Both Burn the candle at Bring Bring down the
Miss the-boats) games 149 both ends Cy house 2 oO ee we ee wl
264
 Bring home the bacon. 26 Burn your bridges behind . (See also On pins and
©) (e, 0 0) © 6, ee 8; & ie, e) 6 0 28 = needles)
Britches Too big for your
Drtchese, ete! 231 Burn yourself out (see - Button Button it up (see
Burn the candle at both
= Button your lip)
Broke Go for broke. . . 97 ONS) is mtn
sa, ds 28
Fiddle while Rome Button your lip ... 30, 44
Straw that broke the
Camels.OaCk wae. 217 DUNS anaes ce eee 76 * (See also Clam up)
Money burns a hole in Buy Buyapigina
Broth Too many cooks your pocket... ...... 149 poke saver aveitee. 3. 31, 136
spoil the broth ..... 232
Bursting Bursting at the (See also Let the cat out of
Buck Pass the buck... 171 . seams (see Too big for the bag)
your britches) oe ee eee

Bucket Drop in the By Bythebook....... 31

DUCKCte ee
eat t's 63 Bury Bury the hatchet . 28 By hook or by crook. . . .3!
Kick the bucket...... 128 Bury your head in the By the skin of your
Bug? 16ug offen. 26 sand...
ss sees - teeth seee aae. 32
Bush Beat around the Bye by-niCht yearncae. 80
Bug someone ....27, 147
Dus SRY Re Me f es 12 « Fly by the seat of your
(see also Mess with
someone) Bird in the handis worth «= Pants ........-..: 81
two inthe bush..... 18 |
Snug as a bug ina rug 2i!
Bushy-tailed Bright- ° ©
Built Rome was not built
WeeOS Vuded wate tet ass 194
eyed and bushy-tailed. 25 -
é * Caboodle Whole kit and
Business Monkey
Bull Bull inachina ; aE LCADODOGIC. a. cttipes 245
ISISITIeSS: yeas
oe Se 149 =
BROODS Rian bokstts
ous&4 27
GremaTte Tolman s ; Cain RaiseCain.... 189
Take the bull by the
ORNS eet.
tes ct 223 LIE shoe 29 ° cake(s) Have your cake
= Pand eat itioo... are 106
Bullet Bite the bullet Busy Busy asa beaver 29 =
WAG Seah Tee. 19, 102 "Piece of cake..... , 66
Busy as a bee (see Busy as * Piece of cake te
(See also Grit your teeth) PDCAVeT Te ae ee 29 ° (See also Easy as pie)
" Take the cake ...... 223
Bump Likea bump ona Butter Buttersomeone * y
log * Sell like hotcakes.... 203

Burn(s) Burn the candle (See also Soft-soap) : Calling) Callitaday . 33

at both ends toes tome
Butterflies Butterflies in Call you on the carpet . 33
Burn the midnight oil . 28 the stomach 30, 159 Call the shots.....
33:9 965
 (see also In the driver’s world on your shoulders Catch you later...... 39
seat) fal fs) OY er selteh wlle" oUt 9) tue: \6) (sre re’ 37 Early bird catches the
Call your-bluff =.-2.. 34 WOTIT) 4 acseharees-
speek eke 66

Pot calling the kettle Caution Throw caution

OES eee RA 178 to the wind ee ee ed 226

Calm Calm before the Ceiling Hit the ceiling

StONMM@escerare
tae aor 34
(see Hit the roof)..... 13
Case Makea federal case *
Camel’s Straw that broke out of something. .... 1d Cents Twocents.... 236
the’camel’s back... «. 217
On someone’s case . . .160
Cest C'est la vie (see
Can Openacan of That’s the way the ball
Cast Cast pearls before
WOTIMS aac. aiken: 166 bounees).0 See tac 225
swine ee

Canary Cat that Cast the first stone... . 38 Champ Champ at the
swallowed the canary . 38 DItM Surette
oeeae ae 4,0
Cat(s) Cat got your
Candidate Dark-horse tongue Cer fa etSa Yen a Ce etae
Chase Wild-goose
candidate ChaSes ete
«nee eae 245
Cat that swallowed the
Candle Burn the candle CANAL share ricgddene | 38
Check Rain check... .187
at both ends ae, 27 FatiCat. (ee oe-cory coe. Th

Can’t hold a candle to . 35 Let the cat out of the Cheek Cheek by jowl . 40
Hague ee 136, 213 Tongue-in-cheek. .... 231
Holdacandleto..... Wh
(See also Spill the beans) Turn the other cheek . 235
Cannon Loose cannon. 141
More than one way to skin
a cat Cherries Bowl of cherries
Cap Feather in your (see Bed of roses)
Capa ea ae. 75 Play cat and mouse. . .175
When the cat’s away, the Chest Get something off
Cards Lay your cards on mice will play eee ee 243 your chest o..ee-svaee
the.table stat. eee 133
Raining cats and dogs 188
Chew _ Bite off more than
Carpet Call you on the youcanchew....... 18
Catbird In the catbird
CAYPCt ae Rete, haute 33
Chew over an idea (see
Red-carpet treatment . 191
Chew your cud)...... Al
Catch(es) Catch more
Carry Carry coals to flies with honey than with Chew someone out ... 40
Newcastle Hi... ka). 36 VINCGaY in: cites
sietn ae 39 Chew the fat........ Al
Carry the ball ....... 36 Catch someone Chew up the scenery... 4I
Carry the weight of the red-handed ....... 39 Chew your cud .. " wry
266
Chicken(s) Chicken Clam Clamup eter ce jem (e' * Coin Other side of the
feed Bi 9,0" a8 alr sh wis! eo wikia’ ie!ie:¥e COIN a ley ee 166
Clay Feetofclay.....
No spring chicken... .153
Cold Coldfeet...... 47
Chickens come home to Clean Clean asahound’s
tooth (see Clean asa Cold shoulder....... 47
©) #0) ence) (@) 01\ef alo) eixeite

whistle), << oscen6 .ee COMTULKeY : acaceo ei. 48

Don’t count your chickens
before they hatch ... 59 Clean as awhistle .... 44 Left out in the cold .. .135
Clean bill of health ... 44 Throw cold water on
Child Spare the rod and SOMeMNINGS. cee ae 226
spoil the child....... 212 Clear Clearasabell.. 45
Collar Hot under the
Clear the decks ...... 45
Chill Chillout....... 42 COulal cause
are ees NS
Out of the clear blue
Take a chill pill (see Chill SRYOme he cons hy ee 168 Color(s) Horse of a
1 DOR ee eee 42 different color....... NS
Climb Climb the walls 45
Chin Keep your chin up Rose-colored glasses .194
Go climb a tree (see Go fly
(see Keep a stiff upper Show your true colors . 206
a kite)
Deere
tn. vover 2:125
With flying colors ... 245
Clip Clip your wings. . 46
China Bullinachina Comb Go over witha
SOD « Stekve Rieter: 27 Cloak Cloak-and-dagger fine-tooth comb..... 98
ee 46
Come Comeagain... 48
block O10] woh of ey ons) okie Close Closeshave.... 46
Come apart at the
(See also Spitting image) Closet Skeleton in your ese) e's s/s) cel w ie ie 48
Chip on your shoulder . 43 closet 209 Come out of your shell . 49
Chips aredown...... 43
Clothing Wolf in sheep’s Come up smelling like
Let the chips fall where clothing ce ee Vs te we 246 ANYOSC Ma tie eres were 49
Shey Mayne AM 136 Cross that bridge when
Cloud(s) Every cloud has YOU COME NOM. oe 5 53
Choosers Beggars can’t a silver lining
Easy come, easy go... 67
Bae COOSCYS 05 dry, xf
On cloud nine Johnny-come-lately . .123
Church Poor asa church tN ee 159, 164, 240 .
Till the cows come
(See also On top of the HOMIES tre cae 230
world; Walking on air)
Circles Run circles around Head in the clouds... 108 Cook(ed) Cook your
someone Piae 6 vrei oe ers 196 Oe a ae ee 50
Coals Carry coals to
City Can't fight city hall. 34 Newcastle o) eoniem so) Byre) 6.48 Cookie That’s the way
267
€
 the cookie crumbles (see Crack Tough nut to Cry uncle (see Say (cry)
That’s the way the ball Uncles ate 200
HOUNCeS ease aa. Cry Wolfincratiaseitemed 53
Crazy Drive you crazy . 63
Cucumber ~Cool asa
Sure) 16.je:(e, ) (@ im! 8) oie, ele dele
Cream Cream of the CuCctnriben. .¢.8 ee 50
crop @;feyie) eh 0:16 16) (0) (8) © Te) e)ce re:

Cooks Too many cooks Cud Chew yourcud.. 4

spoil the broth 232 Creek Upacreek without
pra paddies ae ae 237 Cuff Onthecuff..... 161
Coo! Cool as a cucumber
* Crocodile Crocodile Cup Not your cup of
eet oie © Oe eee 0 4 ot
tO PLCAYS apc hetertetas 52 NCQ en eee eee ee Sh
OOM tere tics bat Biee
(See also Chill out) . Crook By hook or by Curve Throwacurve. 225
Co COOK A irae ante Rear 3!
Cool your heels Cut(ting) Cut off your
= Crop Cream of the nose to spite your face . 54
Coop Fly thecoop ... 82
BP SCYOD Icanc eee 52
~ Cutthe mustard ..... 54
Cork Putacork in it (see
" Cross(ed) Cross that . Cutt the quick....5) 5k
Button your lip)
* bridge when you come ‘Cut your eyeteeth on
Corners Four corners of 2 sOltghehadets
— ie 53 something. «tases 54
RIPOSCAYUMIG sat sotee anc 84 - Dot your i’s and cross « Fish Oncutpalte nme. 78
VOUT; US 3 aia a teuoaitas 60
Cost Costanarmanda * Cutting edges aaa 55
* Keep your fingers crossed
LCC artes eee SI
« FON Aa eee 127
Couch Couch potato . 52 * Crow As the crow flies . 6
Count Don’t count your e SEALCTOW sb ons cae 67, 69
* Dagger Cloak-and-
chickens before they "(See also Eat your words) « adaggero.. .. 9G.ven 46
HatGiatann fins
te fie 59
* Crumbles _ That’s the way
. Dam Water over the
Counter Under the - the cookie crumbles (see
=: Jaiicys secu 24l
counter (see Under the * That’s the way the ball
een eee 237 «
tA De) see @bOUNCES) Myon es 225 - Dance Same old song
and dance... 7 a) ane 198
Course Par for the . Crust Upper crust 238, 23
COUNSCa ramtae ie 71 . (See also Blue blood) Dander Get your dander
up (see Get your goat) . 93
Cows Till the cows come Cry Cry over spilled
home milk Cy Dark Dark-horse
268
CCM a aCe TC Me fantsa)
 candidate Raise the devil (see Raise Sickasadog.......
Cain) 189 You can’t teach an old
Day(s) Callitaday .. 33
Diamond Diamond in the dog new tricks.....
PCI OAV crane
csrsrentan
FOUGIIN EERIE rh edt J 3x 57 Go to the dogs
Red-letter day....... 192
(See also Gone to pot)
Rome was not built in Dice: “No:dicewwe. a: 153
Let sleeping dogs lie
Dick Every Tom, Dick, : eel, 6, 6)to Sere) folie, (elie) alia 135, 166
Save for a rainy day . .199 ana Hatry wae eee. Tee (See also Open a can of
Dog days of summer. . 58 worms)
Die Doordie....... 57°
Dead Beat a dead horse. 11 Raining cats and dogs
Different Horse of a : siete! © 6)19; 1.6) elle; ej(se) aq) 6
Dead as a dodo (see Dead
different color....... us Doghouse Inthe
asadoomall) «..:s. 56
March to the beat of a : doghouse
Dead as adoornail ... 56
different drummer ..147 * (See also Behind the eight
DeACCUCK iano.
tow noo: 56
Dilemma Onthe horns of | ball)
Deal Wheel and deal . 242
arcilemmaac
5 oes s/-162 * Door Keep the wolf from
Decks Clear the decks . 45 the door 126, 125
Dime Dimeadozen.. 57

Deep Between the devil Nickel-and-dime ....152

(See also Keep body and
- soul together)
and the deep blue sea . 17
Dirty Air your dirty - Lock the barn door after
Jump off the deep end. . 123 laundry in public ..... 3 = the Norse §s OUL 42.2. 140
Still waters run deep. .215 .
Disguise Blessing in - Doornail Deadasa
Degree Give someone the GISGUISE tmnt er eee 21 COOL ALlt pete uanthemop 56
third degree vile) -a) os)"e" is ‘e) 1
Dishwater Dull as * Dose Dose of one’s own
Deserves One good turn n cles: 64 s
GISMWANCY spr. Amedicinense ode wae 60
deserves another. . 165, 7!
BOO Olea sian: 57 * Dot Dot your i’s and
(See also Eye for an eye
m ECYOSS YOUN tiseun Ror ae 60
and a tooth for a tooth) Dodo Deadasa dodo
Deserts Just deserts . .124 (see Dead as a doornail) Double On the double. 161

Devil Between the devil Down Batten down the

and the deep blue sea Dog(s) Dog days of hatchesta eragientis. Sas T
17, 16 BUICK ocr a ee alk
Breaking down (see Pull
(See also Between a rock Dog-eat-dog world... 58 yourself together) . . .182
and a hard place) Dog’s life Bring down the house . 26
269
 Chips are down Sel sie.) Dressed to the nines). 62 Dumps Downin the
GUMS. a2. bc eee 60
Down-at-the-heels (see Drink Youcanleada
Down in the dumps) . 60 horse to water but you Dust Bite thedust ... 19
Down in the dumps. . . 60 can’t make him drink . 248
Down in the mouth (see Dutch Dutchtreat ... 64
Drive Driveahard
Down in the dumps) . 60 Go Dutch (see Dutch
Dargaitis 4 sabe aeraean.
Down the drain...... 61 treat) ee ee PCIe a yee at eh Ya Teer

Drive you crazy......

Down the hatch...... 61 Dyed Dyed-in-the-wool
Drive you mad (see Drive
Down-to-earth...... 61 oe @|(6: © .4) <a) i601 18! jw! el10 4 0) e)(6): 65
VOULCTaZY ee peersan 63
Down-to-the-wire. ... 62
Drive you nuts (see Drive
Get down to brass tacks .88 VOU Chaz) aie eeeee 63
Jump down your throat Drive you up the wall (see
Drive you crazy) .... 63
Eager Eager beaver (see
Look down your nose at Busy as a beaver) .... 29
Driver(’s) Backseat
someone
OUIVED mares: 9, 119
Put your foot down. . 184 Ear(s) Inone ear and out
(See also In the driver’s the othermcicd so 117
Dozen Baker’s dozen. 10 seat)
Keep your ear to the
Dime a dozen In the driver’s seat ... 119 Ground I es ote 127
Six of one and a half Drop Atthe drop of a Lendiarrear sc... on: 135
dozen of the other. . 208 hat! Satherewe 6 Make a silk purse out of a
Drain Down the drain . 61 Drop in the bucket ... 63 SOW Stearn. DaLawse 1h
Drop you like a hot Play,it DY Ca¥. ce, ccaaas 176
Draw Draw the line at . 62
POtatod Dig chenek 64 Allears™.... werepe
eee 4
Quick on the draw... 186 Hearapindrop..... 108
Slow on the draw..... 210 Waiting for the other shoe CaS eee eee 139
Drawing Back to the 10: OTOOIe fee, ae 239 Wet behind the ears . .241
drawing board Drummer March to the Early Early bird catches
beat of a different the worm eik@) ie) (@) iS oNla, emia 66
Drawer Top drawer . 232
Otlimmesn eae 147
Earth Down-to-earth. 61
Dressed Dressed to kill
Duck Dead duck..... 56
(see Dressed to the Four corners of the
nines) OP Were crete ety) Oty Lame.duck: 2 eee 132 earth ..in<. +oeed ee 84

Dressed to the nines .. 62 Sitting, ducks. eae. 207 Salt of the earth. .... 198

Dressed to the teeth (see Dull Dull as dishwater 64 Easy Easyaspie . 66, I7h
270
 (See also Easy as rolling Elbow(s) Elbow grease Bright-eyed and bushy-
off a log; Piece of cake) BS Stsi termes So Ae 5 70 tailed BPs \ApOtee euete is lan
Easy as rolling off a log 66 Rub elbows with Eye for an eye anda tooth
Easy come, easy go... 67 SOMEONE. eet48 ws195 for a tooth 71, 165
(See also One good tum
Eat(ing) Dog-eat-dog Elephant White elephant
deserves another)
WTC tects ose sant iia 58 TEN OTINE coc eke ek! 2hk
More than meets the
EQUiGVOWeo ocustosns 67, 69
Eleventh Eleventh CV Oss stants oes 150
(See also Eat your words) Ct eee
ee 70 seeeyeto ever cen 202
Eat humble pie ...... 67 Eyes in the back of your
End(s) At the end of
Eat out of your hand . . 68 NeAdY sarc chee mae 72
VOUT TOpe wo ueee nr: 7
Eat you out of house and Pull the wool over your
HOM Carmetet wrens; 68 Jump off the deep end 123
CYCie Meare eerie 181
Eatiyour Natt. euaks. 68 Light at the end of the Sight for sore eyes... 206
ROMMEL tele oot vs 137
Eat your heart out... . 69
Burn the candle at both Eyebrow Raise an
Eat your words ...... 69 eyebrow
COS Ehneate ss cree cate 27 eas eee) etfe: etlo

Have your cake and eat it

Make ends meet ..... 145 Eyelash Without batting
too
Play both ends against an eyelash | 246
Proof of the pudding is in
che middiext.ne
. ex 74
the eating Eyeteeth Cut your
Envy Green with envy tol eyeteeth on something . 55
Edge Cutting edge... 55
Set your teeth on Every Every cloud has a Give your eyeteeth for
POGC sek 2 ets: 203 silver lining 72a, es. something@aae =<. -%

'®
Egg(s) Eggon your Every Tom, Dick, and
fACeeteee tiem
Geis. << 69
Go fry an egg (see Go fly Finger in every pie... . 78
a kite) 97 . Face(d) Cut off your
COA a ae Sec en Soe Wk De I
Everything Everything
nose to spite your face . 54
Lay an egg but the kitchen sink... 71!
Kill the goose that lays the Egg on your face.....
golden eggs Existence Hand-to- Face the music . 73, 19, 102
mouth existence ..... 103
Put all your eggs into one (See also Bite the bullet;
Gasket aus sue. ote 182 Eye(s) Apple of your Grit your teeth)
Walk on eggs Ses ees CY nN Rn ee Ic Bo 5 Get out of my face... . 89

Eight Behind the eight Beauty is in the eye of the Keep a straight face. . .125
allman We beholder AWO-FaCeOnt tivs sal
 Fair-weather
Fair Federal Makea federal Fill Fillthe bill ...... 77
Aenea eels 73 case out of something .144
Final Final straw (see
Fall(ing) Let the chips - Feed(s) Chicken feed. 42 Straw that broke the
fall where they may. . .136 ° camel'siback) a."
2: & 217
Bite the hand that feeds
Falling apart (see Pull wi ©.(a) w]e) (@| 91 @ eo)\e 6 6 16, 6)
Fine Go over with a fine-
yourself together) . . 182 tooth comb
Feel Feel youroats . 75, 85
Family Black sheep of the - (See also Full of beans) (See also Leave no stone
fermi. 2°. ceseweeomee 20 * unturned)
Feet Coldfeet.......
Famine Feast or ; Finger(s) Finger in every
TAMING tatepnnanee Ths Feet of clay © ie) 8 fe. fapisle. 9: 6
DIGS a. 3.5 a eyes eae ae 78
Get the lead out of your
Famous Famous last . Put your finger on
feet 9).8t (© 0:0) .0 10] e\(ee. 8 elie! os:
WOTStos te Mee ets ee SOMO UIT Herne ene 183
Get your feet wet. . 93, 123 Keep your fingers
Fan Fantheflames(see * (See also Jump off the CYOSSEC neateee 127
Add fuel to the fire)... 3 = deep end)
Fire Add fuel to the fire . 3
Fancy Footloose and Sweep you off your
fancy=free. . ssn .u. 3. 83° feet............. 220 Out of the frying pan and
INTO, thE Five owt)
an he 168
Take
afancy to (see Take “ Fence Onthe fence .. 161 Play With jiré-prmaneee177
@ Shine (Oyen, nee 221 «
; * Fiddle Fiddle while Rome Where there’s smoke,
Fantastic Tripthelight pum, feu, 76 there's jive... caer 243
etitastiCu em tere eee 234 »
® Fhitias a fiddlee mae sev 79 First Cast the first
Fast Life in the fast - Play second fiddle 176, 221 SOME a. us wardee 38
doe ae es fe Ma
= (See also Take a backseat) Fish Fish or cut bait . . 78
Play fast and loose ...175 °
Pullafastone....... 179° Field Fieldday...... 76 Fish out of water..... 78
fap echewuneqa one oe Out in left field. ..... 167 Fit(s) Fitasafiddle..79
« Play the field. 2...+. 176 Fit likeaglove ...... 79
RatiCatcdreepercmeete
een ee Th = Y i E
. Fifth Fifth wheel..... If the shoe fits, wear it . 116
Feast Feast or famine. 74 ° if pea Use
Five Give me five....94
Feather Birds of a feather = a Sin siete is3
flock together....... iB oe ee 34 Fix Fix yourwagon .. 79
Feather in your cap... 75 Fight tooth and nail. . . 77
Flag Rally round the
Feather your nest... .. Figure Ballpark figure . 10 Nagata tere Se 189
272
Flames Fan the flames (Onward ReHe Be 183 (See also Feel your oats)
(see Add fuel to the fire). 3 Fulliof hoteale yin
es. *
Put your foot down.. 184
Flash Flashin the pan . 80 Shoe is on the other Fullsteam ahead.....
JOOCA Tr eee. wien ee 204
Funny Tickle your funny
Flies As the crow flies. . 6
Footloose Footloose and boned. tee ates st 229
Catch more flies with FANCY [Vee a Aeyecen= 83
honey than with Fuss Kick upa fuss (see
vinegar Forest Can't see the Raise Cainijac nae tee 189
forest for the trees... . 36
Flock Birds of a feather
mock together. aes. 18
Fort Hold the fort.... 114
Floor Get inon the
Forty Forty winks.... 84
ground floor... 7... 88 Gab Giftofgab..... 94
Forward Put your best
Flotsam Flotsam and Gained Nothing
foot forward ..—. 1. -183
HOUSOMM tern SOkeretke whe 80 ventured, nothing
Four Four corners of the Gained. . asad sede 155
Fly(ing) Fly-by-night 80
Cartlt. 5.> sca 8h
Fly by the seat of your Gander What's good for
OTS eee ede re 81 Free Footloose and the goose is good for the
fancysjreery eee ts St 83 gander 242
Flyin the ointment ... 81
Fly off the handle .... 81 Fresh Breath of fresh Gas _Cooking with gas . 50
Ely the cOOpan way os 82
Gathers Rolling stone
CO VyeuKite dane.
re: ae 97
Friend Fair-weather * gathers no moss ..... 194
Straighten up and fly Cela ierticen
RUCK cetpants a8 ia
MiQHPeOe 1 Gee a 217
With flying colors ... 245 Fritz On the fritz..... 162 - something.......... 87
Get a kick out of
Foam Foam at the
Fruitcake Nun yas 2 SOME TMA phacet cus wie 87
WOU cea keen a ees 82 PRU CAKe on 8 .re ateiers156
* Geta pink slip (see Get
Follow Follow your Fry(ing) Go fry an egg : He SACK) ons c.dvene 9|
PIC Matty ato’ ‘hic ee 82
(see Go flyakite) ....97 . Get away with murder. 88
Food Food for thought 83 Out of the frying pan and - Get down to brass
into the finer: seas 168) MACKS 2 OG. as 88
Foolish Penny-wise and
pound-foolish....... 173 Fuel Add fuel to the fire. 3 se Se the ground
joey Sea eran cnay ae 88
Foot Put your best foot Full Full of beans . 85, 75 Get into the swing of
273
 et ee 89 - horse in the mouth ... 59 Go along for the ride. . 96
Get off the hook...... 89 2 .Giftofgabeen ae 9h Go bavlanas: . - 6 7

Get out of my face....89 | Beware of Greeks bearing Go climb a tree (see Go fly
GOUT A | ea eea ee etd. 5 90° 5 geGi]tS cle cc eect I7 akitesac. jee 97
Go flyta Kite) a 97
Get something off your * Gilg Gild thelily..... 94 Go for broke. ariuseie 97
Chestacm wets eee 90 .«
Get the ax (see Get the * Give Give me five.... 94 Go fry an egg (see Go fly
akite)s 2.0 geaeene 97
sack).....- +--+ +e, 9!” Give someone the shirt off
Get the green light ... 90 VOUY DaCKuaens
ee cre 95 Go jump ina lake (see Go
Get the lead out of your fly a kite) DPD, therid edie
Give someone the third
fCOUE coe Shes 91 degree. wwe. 95 Go over like a lead
balloon ee eee 6 wee 6
Get the sack Give up the ghost .... 95
Go over with a fine tooth
Get this show on the Give your eyeteeth for
TOA: RRO eae 91 something jateaaase
(See also Leave no stone
Get to the bottom of Give your right arm (see
unturned)
somemingas..cesss 92 Give your eyeteeth for
something) Go to bat for someone .98
Get under your skin... 92 °
Gotothedogs ......
Get-up=and-Gosc. ace 92 . Glass(es) People who
Get.up on the wrong side live in glass houses
(See also Gone to pot)
of the bed Scke, e!(ef 6,16 10: a:<e: shouldn't throw stones 173 Go to wrack and ruin (see
Gone to pot)
Get your back up (see Get
er)

Rose-colored glasses . 194

VOULGOataeme 1m e Touch and go e 0 se © 6 233
Glitters All that glitters is Going to pieces (see Pull
Get your dander up (see
Get your goat)...... NOUGCIO care cement h yourself together) . . .182
Get your feet wet. . 93, 123 Glove(s) Fit likea Goat Get your goat .. 93
(See also Jump off the GIOVE see teres 79
deep end) Gold All that glitters is
Handie with kid gloves 103 NOt GOI: .4....0. 7aan 4
Get your goat’ 7... .. 93
Goling) Easy come, easy Heart. Of gold: <2. aon 109
Get your hackles up (see
GOs. petoupert areca 67
Get your goat)...... 93 - Golden Kill the goose
Get your walking papers From the word go .... 85 that lays the golden
(see Get the sack) ... 91 : Get-up-and-go ee eee COOS mrad wweneteee 129
Ghost Give up the Go against the
Gone Gone to pot....99
ghost 6,Set Jet (0) “ee 8) eco Ta ie) ot a

(See also Rub the wrong Good One good turn

Gift(s) Don’t look a gift way) deserves another. . 165, 71
 (See also Eye for an eye Grease someone’s Hair(s) Hide orhair .. 110
and a tooth for a tooth) ANT nets Bercneyece
eee 100
Let your hair down . . .136
What's good for the
Greek(s) Beware of Split hairs. isco oaee 214
goose is good for the
Greeks bearing gifts .. 17
gander Cue Pr sear eCfee ad Half Betterhalf...... 16
GY CEK IO MICS ate hycane 101
Goody Goody Two-shoes
Hall Can't fight city
Ce } Green Get the green
allay. vot ees:ate 34
Ont e vas oko 90
Green tnamby ciseGes 101 Hand(s) Bird in the hand
i 2 D

Green withenvy ..... 101 is worth two in the bush 18

Kill the goose that lays the
Bite the hand that feeds
golden-eggs’... ..\): 129 Grind Axtogrind ....7
CD

What’s good for the

Grindstone Keep your Eat out of your hand . . 68
goose is good for the
nose to the grindstone. 128 Hand-to-mouth
(ophareCdPOs ae aneme 242
existences alkane 103
Wild-goose chase. 245, 152 Grit(ty) Grit your teeth
Hatin hand..... 105, 172
(See also Needle ina 102, 19, 73
haystack) (See also Pass the hat)
(See also Bite the bullet;
Face the music) Rule with an iron hand 196
Grain Go against the
96, 196 Nitty-gvitty aisle 152 Hands are tied....... 104
Wash your hands of
(See also Rub the wrong Ground Get in on the
something........ 240
way) ground floor seas 88
Take with a grain of Keep your ear to the Handle Fly off the
salt i ie ty ve ROL: (e) eh(eMue’ ce) cet a SHOU, scar chsores 127 Nandan. vee? 81

Grapevine Through the Get a handle on

Gum Gumup the
grapevine 225 something......... 87
wis) wm) O.1& 16 14) or 6
WOTKS See permisae: 102, 226
Handle with kid
Grasp Grasp at straws (See also Throw a monkey GIOVES Sek che ae. 103
lala iar Moa me ar and ee 100 wrench into the works)
Handwriting Handwriting
Grass Snake in the Gun(s) Jump the gun 124
on the Wall ..........+ 104
GlaSSack nash arene os 21 Stick to your guns... .215
Hang(ing) Hangin
Grasshopper Knee-high

®
Theres here wera 104
to a grasshopper..... 130
Hang out your shingle 105
Gravy Gravy train .. 100 Hanging by a thread. .105
Hackles Get your hackles
Grease Elbow grease . 70 up (see Get your goat) 93 Happy Strike a happy
275
 medium Hatter Madasa Hear Hearapindrop . 108
EY A] Pe oe 143
Hard Betweena rock and Heart Bleeding heart . 20
a hard place Hay Hitthehay..... 112 Eat your heart out... . 69
Drive a hard bargain. . 63 Make hay while the sun Have your heart in your
shines 145, 218 (MOU thiheehee 107
School of hard knocks . 201 ee

(See also Strike while the Heart of gold ........ 109

Harry Every Tom, Dick, iron is hot) Heart’s in the right
and Harry Bf ainweres! (9) lie! ‘sale
. Haystack Needle ina placee toe poee 109
Hash Sling hash haystack 152, 245 Wear your heart on your
sleeve Ril Sie 24
Hat At the drop of a hat .6 (See also Wild-goose
chase) Heavens Heavens to
Eat your hat BetSYirs eiehewa
etaietee 109
Hatin hand..... 105, 172
Head(s) Bury your head
in the sand ee 29 Heel(s) Achilles’ heel. . 2
(See also Pass the hat)
Eyes in the back of your Cool your heels
Keep something under
Head ket Shen tre ran 72
VOUTa lia ter ate Aeeine 126 Down-at-the-heels (see
Head and shoulders . Down in the dumps) . 60
Old Naleuca oo eisod 158
above someone..... 107 *
Pass-the hat..... 172, 105 Head over heels in love . 108
Head honcho........ 107) =
(see also Hat in hand) Kick up your heels. . . .129
Head in the clouds... 108
Pull a rabbit out of a Hen(’s) Mad asa wet
Head over heels in love . 108
Ha tas wih
Goon ene 179
Hit the nail right on the
Take off your hat to Scarce as hen’s teeth. 200
Neadiewn.0.
aa ae 112, 113
SOMCONC Mane va, 222
(See also Hit the spot) Here Outofhere.... 168
Talk through your hat 224
Keep your head above
Throw your hat into the Herring Red herring. . 191
228 =
Need something like a Hide Hideorhair.... 110
Hatch(es) Don’t count hole in the head..... Ly
your chickens before they Off the top of your * High Highhorse.....
MatChiWe seh
snc doa ad 59 head... Sans aie ot oe 157 Live high off the hog . .139
Down the hatch...... 61 Over yourhead...... 170
Highway Highway
Batten down the Make heads or tails out robbery
hatches teense see Mm of something ...... 1A5
Hill Overthehill..... 170
Hatchet Bury the Health Clean bill of
hatchets ses gacotae 28 health... 2,ak Sees hh Hip Shoot from the
 Oe CCNICmC me Neca ec iarya secuecy Ole Mens ft) 195 Dark-horse candidate . 56

Hit Can’t hit the side Holiday Busman’s Don’t look a gift horse in
Of ae DaMr ss ug. 35 MONdaYy ea ee 29 THE MOUTh aitartare 59
HIG -hOse.a4 nee Tre)
Hit a brick wall ...... WI Home Bring home the
Horse of a different
Hit below the belt .... 11 baconis oan osc; 26
colori Grunt
e sere MS
Hit the books, ........; MT
Lock the barn door after
De NAY mr ee oe: 12 VOOSTERAAR BAe bee eae 42
the horse is out ..... 14.0
Hit the jackpot ...... 2 Eat you out of house and
One-horse town ..... 165
NOMA. oy te eee 68
Hit the nail right on the Put the cart before the
head Cd 112, 113 Till the cows come
NOYSCAa haces ae ee 183
HOM: conse cSee 230
(See also Hit the spot) Straight from the horse’s
Hitithe road... ..... ue 113 Honcho Head honcho.107 mouth
HIT tHE TOO, Resa a 113, 189 You can lead a horse to
Honey Catch more flies
(See also Raise Cain) with honey than with water but you can’t
Hit the spot...... 113, 12 VINE QAI e a tercan
alenee 39 make him drink... . 248

(See also Hit the nail right Hold your horses

Hook By hook or by
on the head)
CXOUK gsen ees 31 Hot Drop you like a hot
Hitch Hitch your wagon POTATO, eve:t: ond, caneets 64
Get off the hook ..... 89
NONASTAN Yeas ices
ane, aytets Wh Fulof hot gine, setae 85
Swallow hook, line, and
Hog Live high off the SINKEr eee,
, AOTR 218 Hot under the collar .. 115
DOC anaemia’
Gode 139 In hot water ...... 117, 14
Hoop Take it to the
ROOD dicencwlabamar 222 (See also Behind the
Hold(ing) Can't hold
eight ball)
acandle to. 2 san “eer 35
Horn Blow your own On the hotseat...... 162
Holdacandleto..... Wh ie)aaa shySe gs Le 22
Sell like hotcakes. ... 203
Hoidithe forte, He. 2 Id
Hornet’s Stirupa Strike while the iron
Hold your horses..... NS
hornet’s nest........ 216 ISO CSrsn dbase: 218, 145
Leave someone holding
he Dattaes 134
(See also Make hay while
Horns On the horns of a
the sun shines)
diteminia aeae oy 28". 162
Hole Need something
Take the bull by the Hound Cleanasa
like a hole in the head. 151
OWISc eee pee et 223 hound’s tooth (see Clean
Money burns a hole in as a whistle) © 8 (et) aie wee
your pocket....°:..% 149
Round peg in a square Hour Eleventh hour .
‘T 277
 House(s)
house oy 6 fe
Bring down the
ve; ¢ oh witel ie) aus) 26
Ivories
ivories
Tickle the
®)
Eat you out of house and

@
68 125

People who live in glass Keep a straight face. . .125

houses shouldn’t throw
Keep body and soul
STONES pati oe ok: 173° Jack Jack-of-all-trades together eee eee 125, 126
Me ae Ie 122
Humble Eat humble : (See also Keep the wolf
Plea oe ceSaviet weee es 67 " Jackpot Hit the jackpot from the door)
ene Penh SRR OD ae 112 Keep something under
Your hat. ssn 126
G) 2 (etemiol-set. cuts ee 122
Keep the wolf from the
’ f matey . Jetsam Flotsam and dO0r Ak.2..ee 126, 125
fe BO Re ee ti. fetsatinn rsa wees 80 (See also Keep body and
VOUS cot te cee: 60 *
soul together)
; = Johnn ohnny-come- Keep up with the
Ice Break theice..... 25 4 ae Y
Bh lalelV swing
ee ee 123 PONCSCS. he nate 126
Skate on thinice.... 208 *
; ; . Joint Nose out of joint Keep your chin up (see
Keep a stiff upper
eae Wek ani (see Keep your nose to the °
lip) JA Tae 125
Ree Oeal eae a e308; Grindstone)’ ee en... IS
Keep your ear to the
ignorance Ignorance is 4 Joneses Keep up with the
OTOUNC)) aoe eet 127
Discs eee nee 6 .
JONCSCS eke thar
teak: 126 Keep your fingers
Image Spittin CFOSsed) ae ee 127
g Reng " Jowl Cheek by jowl .. 40
images ah alae 21h, 43° Keep your head above
Water twine.
oe ees 127
(See also Chip off the old "Jump Go jump ina lake
block) (see Go flyakite) .... 97 Keep your nose clean (see
Keep your nose to the
Invention Necessity is Jump down your throat grindstone)........ 128
the mother of invention . 151 becuase tetas Pe 123
Keep your nose to the
Jump off the deep end grindstone
lron Rule with an iron
ye Sie Bee a as 123 Keep your shirt on... .128
Jump on the bandwagon
bf ay is Mies re ara 124 Kettle Ina pretty kettle
218, 145 of fish (see Behind the
Jump the gun....... 124 CLGhit Dall): aiinviccevmatae 15
(See also Make hay while
the sun shines) Just Just deserts . 124 Pot calling the kettle
278
 blackaieee
ott fer 178 @) younferte aes igi 91
Kick Geta kick out of » Go over like a lead
somethingvs. 2.92... 87 Labor Labor of love..132 ° balloon........... 98
Kick the bucket...... 128 Lake Gojumpinalake ° Lead(ing) Lead you by
Kick up a fuss (see Raise (see Go flyakite) ....97 . REMOS CUE Aasaiait 134
Cain) ee 189
?
: "You can lead a horse to
Kick up your heels... .129 Lamb’s Intwoshakesof . water but you can’t
a lamb:s tall 2, es 21" make him drink ... 248
Kid Handle with kid
gloves Lame Lame duck ....132 - Blind leading the
1 Diind bbc
rs, Sores 22
Kill Dressed to kill (see
Pia AES, * Leaf Turn over a new
Dressed to the nines). . 62 lanen.! (Rae
rie ee: 137 AG ;
aE OMe eae art see 35
Kill the goose that lays the
goldeneggs....... 129 site Deeb) j - Leave Leave no stone
RSS aes ai oe 9 = untumed....... 134, 98
Kill two birds with one
STOMeCAeee crests oye.stees129 Last Famous last words.74 ° (See also Go over witha
» fine-tooth comb)
Kit Whole kit and Last straw (see Straw that =
ECADOOUIC.Y ceare.
aa ok 245 ; » Leave someone holding
broke the camel’s back)
Sp uAN® DAG na aaa 134
Se ON ee Bate CES ne” 217
Kitchen Everything but
» Left Left out in the
the kitchen sink... .71, 84 .
Lately Johnny-come- ot COIL. stares tones: stern can 135
(See also From soup to EATEN aapene Nernee ies [23 2
. goucin left field 2.47 167
nuts)
tch you later . 39 *
ares Galen yey a Leg Breakaleg..... 24
Kite Goflyakite ....97
Laugh Laugh out of * Cost an arm anda leg. .51
Knee-High Knee-high to the other'sideiof your Pull yourleg=ansy 02): 182
a grasshopper....... 130 * WOQUM Se ee a hoeara: 133°
s Shake a legis Uone. 204
Knock(s) Knock on Laundry galeiae ahs) ‘ Lend Lendanear... .135
wood laundry in public ..... a
Knock your socks off . .130 . * Let Let sleeping dogs
Lay(s) Layanegg...133° Jie he.. . 135, 166
School of hard knocks .201
Lay your cards on the - (See also Opena can of
Knockout That person TaD CialWagn.s
beste bets bs133 * Worms)
is a knockout (see Sweep Kill the goose that lays the - |44 the cat out of the
you off your feet) ... 220 goldeneggs....... 129 ° bee Dis 136, 31, 213

Know Know the ropes . 131 Lead Get the lead out of (See also Buy a pig ina
279
 poke; Spill the beans) Swallow hook, line, and horse in the mouth ... 59
Let the chips fall where SiNKe Vie. ees acetates
ee 218
Look down your nose at
joe thejin@. 5.2 cae 23! SOMEONE... « eeyeraee 140
Let your hair down . . .136 Read between the
Loose Haveascrew
lies ee ee Meeeare 190
Letter Red-letter day .192 lOOSe's a840itea?
wai: Se 106
Lining Every cloud has a Loose cannon ....... 14I
Lie Let sleeping dogs SiIVermIINGee en. ake e 70
135, 166 Play fast and loose . .175
Lip(s) Button your Lose Lose your shirt . . 141
(See also Open a can of
worms)
(See also Clam up) Love Head over heels in
Life Dog’slife....... OVO cn aes
teeres 108
Keep a stiff upper lip. .125
Life in the fast lane . . .137 Zip your lips (see Clam LaDOr Oj} 1OVen a aces 132
Light Get the green up)
Low Low man on the
lighten: 90 Little Little pitchers have totem pole -etani.cuet i 14
Light at the end of the big ears
Lower Lower the
tunnel Seta ete 137
Live Live high off the boom: S80.)
ee ee 142
Out like alight ...... 167
Trip the light fantastic Lump Like it or lump
People who live in glass
Spee an Sate 234 ithe eee Ba ee eee 138
houses shouldn’t throw
WOU es coe sures
one 173
Like Like a bump on Luxury In the lap of
BUG UT. r Sree
ween we 137 Lock Lock, stock, and IUXUTY a oo. ee 119
Likeitoplimpites...< 138 barrel nee hemereinic 139

Like pulling teeth .. . .138 Lock the barn door after

Like two peas ina pod . 138 the horse is out

Lily Gild the lily Log(s) Easy as rolling off Mad _ Drive you mad (see
BIO a igearaeh
2 se66, I74 Drive you crazy) ..... 63
Limb . Out onalimb . .169 (See also Easy as pie; Mad asahatter...... 143
Piece of cake)
Limelight In the lime- Mad as awethen ... .143
Like a bump on a log. .137
light
SaW10QS a craercs
tre foe 199 Make Make a federal
Limit Sky’s the limit. . 209 case out of something .144
Long Long in the
Make a mountain out of a
Line(s) Bottomline .. 24 SOON) Sn ceeere eae 140
MOON oars
ene €van
Draw the lineat...... Look Don’t look a gift Make a silk purse out of a
280
 COWS Cat ey eiicals
tke be Meet(s) Make ends Money Money burns a
Make ends meet MCE ean ame cee ts 145 hole in your pocket. . .149
Make hay while the sun More than meets the Put your money where
shines 145, 218 OVO tert baste caer sats 150 your mouthis ...... 185
(See also Strike while the Mess Mess with Monkey Monkey
iron is hot) SOMCONE sae oe (ET, 27 DUSINeSS sm sie eee te 149
Make heads or tails out of
(See also Bug someone) Throw a monkey wrench
SOM UNINC pene bee ee foie145
into the works . . 226, 102
Make no bones about Mice When the cat’s
SOME Guietence rrane: 146 away, the mice will (See also Gum up the
DlaVere peanc as 243 works)
Make waves. .... 146, 193
(See also Rock the boat) Midas Midas touch . .147 Moon. Once ina blue
Make your mouth Middle Play both ends
against the middle .. .174 More Bite off more than
Man Low man on the youcanchew....... 18
Midnight Burn the
totem pole midnight oll 2)tare29 28 Catch more flies with
honey than with
Many Too many cooks Mightier Pen is mightier
VIVIEQAT fore vs ieaetna 39
spoil the broth eee ee 232 than the sword...... 172
More than meets the
Milk Cry over spilled RVC Cine iret eter 150
March March to the beat
Ail, ApSNaeRS 53
of a different drummer More than one way to skin
Mince Mince words. 148 EWGr Whar tary
5vance 150

Mark Slow off the mark Mind Mind over Moss Rolling stone
(see Slow on the matter ee gathers no moss ..... 194
Craw) We cate
ve .bie: 210
Mind your p’s and q’s . 148 Mother Necessity is the
Matter Mind over One-track mind...... 166 mother of invention .. 151
TMs WHA! 6 ened is ad olen 148 Out of sight, out of
Mountain Makea
Wn ee a,ee on 168
McCoy Real McCoy... 191 mountain out of a
Miss Miss the boat. . .149 POLST ne eeeae 14d
Medicine Dose of one’s
own medicine Kia 8 ee a 6 60 Molehill Makea Mouse Play cat and
mountain out of a TROUSER ier afdete criesfh 175
Take one’s medicine (see
Face the music) OPENUN ie, besideos 14d
se eee Poor as a church
(HOUSE fey benc eat 177
Medium Strike a happy Moment On the spur of
medium tresrmomentiy sini: ..!: 163 Quiet asa mouse.... 186
281
 Mouth(s) Born with murders eee 88
a silver spoon in your Stir up a hornet’s nest . 216
Music Face the
MMOS 456 Alea o 73, 19, 102 Never Watched pot
Don’t look a gift horse in
(See also Bite the bullet; never Dols? eee 240
the mouthieu.serocee, « 59
Grit your teeth)
Down in the mouth (see New Nothing new under
Down in the dumps) . 60 Mustard Cut the the:SUiiss 4; sobre
eae 155
Foam at the mouth ... 82 MuUstatdies se. ech Sh Turn over a new leaf . 235
Hand-to-mouth You can’t teach an old

®
CxIStenCear serene es 103 dog new tricks..... 248
Have your heart in your
Newcastle Carry coals to
MOUthe ae. teens «oe 107
Nail Fight tooth and Newcastle.......... 36
Laugh out of the other
Tallies eteat artes ares 77
side of your mouth . .133
Make your mouth Hit the nail right on the
Neacaie ete. cae 2, 113

Put your foot in your (See also Hit the spot)

THOU eer ae 184 Name Nameis mud. . 15!
Put your money where Don’t take any wooden
your mouthis ...... 185 Necessity Necessity is the mickelsiuaahgn cians 59
Run off at the mouth . .197 mother of invention .. 151 Night Fly-by-night .. 80
Straight from the horse’s Neck Albatross around Nine(s) Oncloud
MOU reso ee 216 VOUT NCC. SIS R tame«2 4
NIMC A tee 159, 164, 240
Take the words right out
Stick your neck out. . .215
of your mouth..... 22h (See also On top of the
Word of mouth..... 2146 Need Need something world; Walking on air)
like a hole in the head. 151 Dressed to the nines .. 62
Zipper your mouth (see
Button your lip)..... 30 Needle(s) Needleina Nitty Nitty-gritty. ...152
Out of the mouths of haystack... .. «0. 152, 245
babes?.2 7. Sete 169 No. Novdice:ss2..75° 153
(See also Wild-goose
chase) No skin off your nose. .153
Mud Nameis mud... 15!
On pins and needles No spring chicken... .153
Stick-in-the-mud ... .214
2 Shs Re 159, 30, 160 Nose Cut off your nose to
Mum’s Mum's the (See also Butterflies in the spite your face ...... 54
stomach; On tenterhooks)
Follow your nose..... 82
Murder Get away with Nest Feather your Keep your nose to the
282
 Grindstone 22 maAlie 128 (See also Full of beans) - Old Chip off the old
Lead you by the Sow your wild oats . . .212 bleckate nae? ated 43
BOS ee Corea Dern a 134 Ol ater en ae afc ee. 158
Off Bite off more than
Look down your nose at Old wives’ tale ...... 158
you can chew Spese ws » »
SOIMCONe wweea. |,140
Same old song and
No skin off your nose. .153
2 eH MHC e SO 6 0 e
dance: et ee 198
Chip off the old block . . 43
Nose out of joint..... 154 Settle an old score... 203
Cut off your nose to spite
Pay through the nose You can’t teach an old
VOURNAGE ae ley ee 54
Bent aks 172, 51 dog new tricks..... 248
Easy as rolling off a log. 66
(See also Cost an arm and
Fly off the handle ..... 81 Once Onceina blue
a leg) MOONM > 3 Cea eee 165
Turn up your nose at Get off the hook ...... 89
someone Get something off your One Back to square
CHEST a'r quth'c dutta < ° 90 ONGr ess hider onecetee
eae 8
Nothing Nothing new
Jump off the deep end. 123 In one ear and out the
under the sun
Off the beaten track Other sea ees to7 ae 17
Nothing to sneeze at. .155
(path) cmcet eget 157 One good turn deserves
Nothing ventured, Off the top of your another
nothing gained Neadat a AEM. 2k 157
One-Horse One-horse
Nut(s) Off your nut (see Off-the-wall 7.00... 157 TOWN hase ae ares 2 tek. 165
Off your rocker) Off your nut (see Off your
rocker) » One-Track One-track
Tough nut to crack .. 234
SIDING Ag See tae ee 166
Drive you nuts (see Drive Off your rocker
VOUCIGZV EN) cre a) ss 63 Slow off the mark (see * Open Openacan of
From soup to nuts . .84, 7! Slow on the draw) . . .210 SE WOLMNSie es cere 166, 135

(See also Everything but Sweep you off your (See also Let sleeping
the kitchen sink) JCCLU eee t tae. 220 dogs lie)
Take off your hat to
Nutshell Ina nutshell. 116 Other In one ear and out
SOMEONE sisatG oe 222
RHe.OMne Tate: 2 tke oe
Nutty Nutty asa Oi! Burn the midnight Other side of the coin. 166
fruitcake (ot Righetti 28
Shoe is on the other
Pour oil on troubled

© Wal lOYSisc cicaomaeiete. 3178

Ointment Fly in the

Turn the other cheek . 235
Waiting for the other shoe
Oats Feel your oats . 75, 85 Orirnienitey. Wearyoh 4 81 to drop slevens * 6.8 6 » ©
3? 983
 Out Burn yourself out the bathwater course): oneal eee 71
(see Burn the candle at
bothends) <1.
« ace: 27 Over Bowled over (see Parade Rain on your
Sweep you off your parade wire co 187
Chew someone out ... 40 feeb eee ee 220
ChilhGuie tac asd at 42 Pass Pass the buck... 171
Overa barrels. waa. 170
Come out of your Pass the hat..... 172, 105
Over the null... neue 170
Shel Meee wise aie 49 (See also Hat in hand)
Over your head...... 170
Eat out of your hand . . 68
Turn over a new leaf . 235 Path Off the beaten
Eat you out of house and
Water over the dam. . .24| path
68
Eat your heart out... . 69 Pay Pay the piper (see
Fish out of water
Get a kick out of
© Face the music)
Pay through the nose
something sceao oe P’s Mind your p’s and © safe a me}ce! 6) ol elliat coseine), 172, 51
Get out of my face... . 89 (See also Cost an arm and
In one ear and out the a leg)
Onley eas toeaL! 7 =
Paddle Up acreek
without a paddle. ... 237 Pearls Cast pearls before
Out injleft field 22. 167 ;
SWINE *s20 A ene 37
Out in the boondocks .167 : Palm Grease someone’s
Out likealight ...... 167 100 Peas Like two peas ina
Od)... eyakh ere ae138
Out omer a. aaa 168 . Pan Flash in the pan. . 80
Out of sight, out of 5 Peg Round pegina
Out of the frying pan and
AUG ae ee rine eee 168 = square hole. ......-. 195
HO the fie eee 168
Out of the clear blue ;
SKV Rihana cn ese 168, 23 ° Pants Ants in your Pen Pen is mightier than
(See also Bolt from the |CA LEON Pa Me yy eS Aa 5 the sword
blue) Fly by the seat of your Penny Penny for your
Out of the frying pan and Dats cgi cee ar aes 81 thoughts* ys. kee 173
mtorthe firew. 2... 168
Papers Get your walking Penny-wise and pound-
Out of the mouths of
papers (see Get the foolish sAtacus sehen! 173
abeSa veredl teen’ sun 169
SACK) miata
«ees aes 91
Out of the woods..... 169 People People who live
Outonalimb:.... 28 169 Par Below par (see Par for in glass houses shouldn’t
the, course), Gc cseeeeas I71 throw stones
Take the words right out
of your mouth CC. On Om 22), Par for the course .... 171 Pick Have a bone to pick
Throw the baby out with Up to par (see Par for the with you
284
Pickle Ina pickle (see Play Play both ends Potato Couch potato. . 52
Behind the eight ball) . 14 against the middle .. .174
Drop you like a hot
Pie Easyaspie...66, 174 Play cat and mouse. . .175
Play fast and loose .. -I75 Pound Penny-wise and
(See also Easy as rolling
off a log; Piece of cake) Play tt DY @atac a. 3 as: 176 pound-foolish....... 173
Eat humble pie ...... 67 Play second fiddle 176, 221
Pour Pour oil on troubled
Finger in every pie... . 78 (See also Take a backseat) WatelS® fete cme. ae 178
Plein the skys. ots + 74 Play the field........ 176
Play with fire........ 177 Powder Take a powder 221
Piece(s) Piece of
aK Cnem Meri a ott. 174, 66 When the cat’s away, the Power Power behind the
mice will play se eee 243 NATO GcAeveys tecya oe 178
(See also Easy as pie)
Plowshares Beat your
Pig Buyapigina poke . 31 Pretty Sitting pretty .. 208
swords into plowshares .13
Pill Take a chill pill (see Proof Proof of the
Pocket Money burns a
CHIH OUT), Var catesa 42 pudding is in the
hole in your pocket. . .149
CATING! 2.5 ouccee Gaeeme 179
Pink Get the pink slip Pod Like two peas in
(see Get the sack) .... 91 Public Air your dirty
iA Wes |gk anton
pred trap138
laundry in public ..... 3
lithe pinksey Ge . <5120
. Point Point of no
Fickied pink ’.......: 229 Pudding Proof of the
+ ACCOM ae rie. aes a: 177
pudding is in the
Pin(s) Hearapin Cat og stent
ien tons 179
OOP. mee eee.
PR 108 * Poke Buyapigina
DOK Geeeccerie
ae ete 31
On pins and needles Pull(ing) Pull a fast
Dee 6 8s See We 159, 30, 160 Pole Low man on the
One. eons sae 179
(See also Butterflies in the NOTCH) DOE cc aa 14 Pull a rabbit out of a
stomach; On tenterhooks) Hates ocue wie eee 179
Touch something with a
ten-foot pole...... 233 Pull no punches . . 180, 216
Piper Pay the piper (see
Face the music)...... 73 (See also Straight from
Poor Poorasachurch
the shoulder)
MOUSESs wus Me ats 177
Pitchers Little pitchers Pull out all the stops . 180
have bigears ....... 139 Pot Gonetopot..... 99 Pull Strings «2 cha: 180
Place Between a rock Pot calling the kettle Pull the rug out from
and ahard place..... 16 |3)5 (st Oe ee A eee 178 UNGEGVOU? Misteroe 181
Heart’s in the right Watched pot never Pull the wool over your
PIACORE Maratea 109 isle] ao)
oot eee 24,0 OVCS hwocast, e 181
 Pull up stakes pe sale 181 Q.T. Q.T. (also QT and Smell avat. 6 «ae 210
Pull yourleg) <2 cas.c0 182 q.t.) ee ee Rats abandoning a
sinking.ship: .. =... «190
Pull yourself together . 182 Quick Cut to the quick. 54
Like pulling teeth .. . .138 Read Read between the
Quick on the draw... 186
hopes em OR es aber or 190
Punches Pull no Quick on the trigger (see
UNCNES sie race, 180, 216 Quick on the draw). . 186 Read the riot act..... 190

(See also Straight from Quick on the uptake (see Real Getreal’>.. 22. 90
the shoulder) Quick on the draw). . 186 Real MCCOY ete. one 191
Roll with the punches . 193 Quiet Quietasa
Red Catch someone
Purse Makeasilk purse red-Nanced! oxmecey 39
out of asow’sear ... .144 Red herrings. -..smoa 191
Put Put all your eggs Reditape se) 2S Sass+:192
into one basket...... 182 Red-carpet treatment . 191
Rabbit Pull a rabbit out Red-letter day....... 192
Put the cart before the
ofa haters eee 179
NOLS s ot eee ela ee 183 Return Point of no
Put up or shut up (see Put Race Ratrace...... 189 YOCUYII ce ieee
eee eee 177
your money where your
TOUT 1S eer ete are te 185 Rag Chew the fat (rag) . 4 Ride Go along for the
Yi@2 ss 2 nee eee 96
Put your best foot Rain(ing) Rain check.187
forward 1b eee 183 Right Give your right
Rain on your parade . .187
Put your finger on arm (see Give your
SOMEtHING. 2. oes cee 183 Rain or shine 0, a Je; eos ate 188 eyeteeth for something)
Put your foot down.. 184 Raining cats and dogs 188 Ce ee 96

Put your foot in your Save for a rainy day .. 199 Heart’s in the right place
WOU se nana 184
Raise Raise an eyebrow
Put your money where a!(sie) “9. te)Ye “s) ‘© ie) ce) 6)ie “ois; (el(0:Ke 188
your mouthis ...... 185 head Come ee Tt Ye Ya TO SO Ta

Raise Cain ee ery 189, 113

Put your shoulder to the
(See also Hit the roof)
SVN CCl Und, canine planeee 185 Straighten up and fly
Raise the devil (see Raise right
Cain) ree 189
Take the words right out
Rally Rally round the of your mouth 22h
ENS Rice ee yoke 189
Q’s_ Mind your p’s and Ring(s) Ringabell . .193
'S sun hee ea he t aeeee 148 Rat(s) Ratrace..... 189 Throw your hat into the
 Rome Fiddle while Rome Snug as a bug ina rug 2i!
Run rings around burns 9! | jw 10 -o © Se es), 6)(0 0.8
Sweep under the rug . 219
someone (see Run circles
around someone) .. .196 Ruin Goto wrack and
ruin (see Gone to pot) . 99
Riot Read the riot act .190 Roof Hit the roof . 113, 189
Rule Rule withan iron
Road Get this show on (See also Raise Cain)
RnevOads Lea. Pane 91
Roost Chickens come
Run Run circles around
Hit the road......... 113 home to roost....... 42
someone
Robbery Highway Rope(s) At the end of Run off at the mouth . .197
RODDELY tel Niag oh sna: 110 YOUN TOPS aienett walies 7
Still waters run deep . .215
Rock(s) Between a rock Know the ropes...... 131

©
and a hard place. . . 16, 17 On the ropes........ 163

(See also Between the Rose(s) Come up

devil and the deep blue smelling like arose... 49 Sack Getthesack.... 91
sea)
Rose-colored glasses. .194
Rock the boat ... 193, 146 Safe Better safe than
Smell like arose ..... 211
(See also Make waves) SOY «a victor ccodeuiiers 16
Bed of-rosess/s.\..c0 0/8 13
On the rocks Salt Saltoftheearth 198
Rotten Rotten apple
Rocker Off your rocker spoils the barrel ..... 195 Take with a grain of
SAIts eee
Me cee 22h
Rough Diamond in the
Worth your salt..... 247
Rod Spare the rod and rough Ce

spoil the child Same _ Inthesame boat. 121

Round Rally round the
Roll(ing) Roll with the flag Ce 189 Same old song and
punches dance ee
Round peg in a square
Easy as rolling off a Sand Bury your head in
log the sand 29
Rub Rub elbows with
(See also Easy as pie; someone Save(d) Save fora rainy
Piece of cake) MUAY Gent
Anas See 199
Rub the wrong way . 196, 96
Rolling out the carpet (see
Red-carpet treatment) (See also Go against the * Saved by the bell ... .199
grain)
We OL ORIG, 8 6 B18, 18. 0 16 i!
; Saw Sawlogs....... 199
Rug Pull the rug out
from under you...... Say y Say y (cry)\cryuncle . 200 287
 Scarce Scarce as hen’s Take a backseat. . 221, 176 Shine(s) Rain or shine 188
(See also Play second Takeashineto ...... 221
fiddle) Make hay while the sun
Scenery Chew up the
Scenery a. ya. Nip Se AI Second Play second Shines eae cae 145, 218
fiddle © 10, (0)! Ie: te. © 10) 0 176, 221 (See also Strike while the
School School of hard iron is hot)
RELOCKS ooo oes 201 (See also Take a backseat)
Shingle Hang out your
Security Security
Score Settle anold shingle
blanket .....0uae
wt ae
SCOMEAA wee 203
* Ship Rats abandoning a
See Can'tsee the forest
Scrape Scrape the sinking ship
Tor the treeSa...meleae
bottom of the barrel . .201
Shape up or ship out. 204
See eye to eye eee ewe

Scratch Scratch the - Shirt Give someone the

SurpaCee so .degs vo sores 202 Sell Sell like hotcakes 203
shirt off your back... . 95
Screw Have a screw Set Keep your shirt on... .128
[OOSORE Grace Suet ne 106 Set your teeth on edge 203 Lose your shirt....... 14
Stuffed shirt .... 218, 231
Sea Between the devil Settle Settle anold
and the deep blue (See also Too big for your
sea O iotsO ay OO died wach Oe
britches)
Shadow Afraid of your
(See also Between a rock * Shoe(s) If the shoe fits,
own shadow
and a hard place) wear it Cr )

Seams Bursting at the Shake(s) Shakealeg 204 «

seams (see Too big for foot: S271.40 aie 204
In two shakes of a lamb’s
your britches) ...... 2314 tail #16 Sole io 6 16 el ew we sie « Waiting for the other shoe
COW Hf6)»Pager ay
ae Ne 239
Come apart at the i
SCAMS. veh mene car Jie} = Goody Two-shoes .... 99
out
Seat Fly by the seat of : Shoestring Ona
Shave Closeshave... 46 shoestringiss 5a"
is 9 159
YOUN Paniseieraa eae cle

In the catbird seat....118 | Sheep(’s) Black sheep of Shoot Shoot from the
In the driver’s seat ; the, Farmily cmran eked 20 IND its occa, eee ae 205
abr ak Bed ef. 119, 33,9 * Wolf in sheep’s Shoot the breeze (see
(See also Call the shots; = clothing <.7,.4.ee 246 Chew the fat)....... Al
Backseat driver) ; Shell Come out of your Shop Bull inachina
On the hot seat ...... 162 . shell SROD Esra ee 27
288
Oe eel teens tet wis lelts aa
Shot(s) Shot in the Laugh out of the other : Skate Skate on thin
side of your mouth . .133 Le cate peti caren
wth 208

Call the shots. .. 33, 119, 9 Other side of the coin . 166
Skeleton Skeleton in
(See also In the driver’s Wrong side of the VOUNICIOSET onus keene 209
seat; Backseat driver) tracks
Skin By the skin of your
Shoulder(s) Chip on Sight Out of sight, out of =
teeth. Pose
oe areas a2
your shoulder 168
Get under your skin. . . 92
Cold shoulder Sight for sore eyes... 206
More than one way to skin
Put your shoulder to the Silk Make a silk purse out a cat
Wie lite at, Jhaaie. 185
of a sow’s ear No skin off your nose. .153
Straight from the
SHOUT ae salen 216, 180 Silver Born witha silver Sky(’s) Out of the clear
(See also Pull no punches) spoon in your mouth. . 23 Ditvesky See
eee res 168
Carry the weight of the Every cloud has a silver PIC IT Ine SKY) oc. a 7h
world on your NTC meee. ane 70 Sky’s the limit ..... 209
SMOLMCL ETS tits sche « 37
* Sing Sing
for your Sleep(ing) Sleep on
Head and shoulders
F SUpDeI A ore ee ak 207 Hs tne eer eet arti 209
above someone..... 107
- Sink Everything
but the Let sleeping dogs lie
Shouldn’t People who
kitchen sink Bea Gare atten amie 135, 166
live in glass houses
shouldn’t throw (See also From soup to (See also Open a can of
SUOWCSz ue aa eeeeet: 173 nuts) worms)
Sink or swim... . 207, 127 Sleeve Ace up your
Show Get this show on
tHe YORU es wee 91 (See also Keep your head sleeve
above water) Wear your heart on your
Show must goon ... 205
Sinker Swallow hook, sleeve
Show your true colors . .206
line, andsinker...... 218
Sling Sling hash..... 210
Shut Put up or shut up
(see Put your money Sinking Rats Slip Geta pink slip (see
where your mouth is) . 185 abandoning a sinking Get thesack) ea cur.
ship
Sick Sickasadog .. 206 Slow Slow off the mark
Sitting Sitting duck. . 207 (see Slow on the draw) 210
Side Can't hit the side of
35
Sitting pretty Slow on the draw..... 210

Get up on the wrong side Six Six of one and a half Slow on the uptake (see
of the bed 93 dozen of the other... 208 Slow on the draw) . . .210
me as) wet oo te
289
Smell(ing) Smellarat. 210 Soul Keep body and soul Spoil(s) Spare the rod
together 125, 126 and spoil the child . . .212
Smell like a rose Cea Ge

(See also Keep the wolf Too many cooks spoil the
Come up smelling like a
from the door) 232
Rotten apple spoils the
Smoke Where there’s Soup From soup to
barrel
smoke, there’s fire... 243 nuts
Spoon Born witha silver
(See also Everything but
Snake Snake in the spoon in your mouth. . 23
the kitchen sink)
Crass mites
cee a 211
Sow Sow your wild Spot Hit the spot . 113, 112
Sneeze Nothing to OatS Faavn
cee eae ree 212 (See also Hit the nail right
SMICCZC: AT. eeousce
es cia = 155 on the head)
Sow’s Make a silk purse
Snug Snugasabugina out of asow’s ear... 144 Spring No spring
Chickevit. cs ocres 153
Span Spick-and-span
Soap Soft-soap . . 212, 30 Spur On the spur of the
MOM eewewnays eeeyaete te163
(See also Butter someone
Spare Spare the rod and
up) Square Back to square
spoil the child....... 212
Socks Knock your socks One 25.5 ce Sia Spee 8
Spick Spick-and-span Round peg in a square
hole... . Ueietetieye
fas 195
Soft Soft-soap.. . 212, 30
Spill(ed) Spill the beans Stack Blow your stack
(See also Butter someone BLE TN hc ete 213, 31, 136 (see Hit the roof)..... 113
up)
(See also Buy apigina Stakes Pull up stakes . 181
Someone Bug someone poke; Let the cat out of
Wie Lviciels et) sacd en) is: e190, joie ented @liame
the bag) Star Hitch your wagon to
Butter someone up ... 30 = Cry over spilled milk . . 53 a star Si ele stie. we 0) =, ee Je)L6,

Song Same old song and Spite Cut off your nose Steam Fullsteam
ANCOR inn.he ee 198 » tospite your face .... 54 CY

SWENESONG 0s. eee 219

; Spitting Spitting
Sore Sight for sore _. “UMaQe tursea. 21h, 43
CVOS ite team e 206 - (See also Chip off the old Stick to your guns... .215
* block) Stick your neck out. . . 215
Sorry Better safe than
SOVTY.s slats aeratee 16 : Split Splithairvs ..... 214 Stiff Keep a stiff upper
 Lie, eae ones 125 MOU ase. Ws216 Summer Dog days of
Straight from the SULTINITICE cage, eee
Still Still waters run
SHOUICeYieeeve 216, 180
aleg Reaghie "ditNan Std Pu 215 Sun Make hay while the
(See also Pull no punches) sun shines 145, 218
Stir Stir up a hornet’s Straighten up and fly (see also Strike while the
RCS UR te annie
waco math 216 right iron is hot)
Stock Lock, stock, and Straw(s) Final straw Nothing new under the
barrel (see Straw that broke the See eer te ee 155
camel’s back)
Stomach Butterflies in Supper Sing for your
the stomach . . 30, 159, 160 Last straw (see Straw that CTS es a eres 207
broke the camel’s back)
(See also On pins and Surface Scratch the
Pty key ek iene 217
needles; On tenterhooks) SUPACEE See: 5: 202
Straw that broke the
Stone(s) Can’t get blood camel's back... ..... 217 Swallow(ed) Swallow
from a stone 35 hook, line, and sinker
Clutch at straws (see
a: @:Sallie: oi wi(9 >

Carved instone...... Grasp at straws) ... 100 Meal a.si Pe a ale ee 218
Cast the first stone... . 38 Grasp at straws..... 100 Cat that swallowed the
Kill two birds with one COM AUY ee ete «mee
ane 38
Strike Strike a happy
WCC en
oa ee 217 Swan Swansong....2!9
Leave no stone unturned
ee 134, 98 Strike while the iron is Sweep Sweep under the
HOleasre oiascaee 218, 145 UG 2 eee wae oe ee 219
(See also Go over witha
fine-tooth comb) (See also Make hay while Sweep you off your
Rolling stone gathers no the sun shines) (eltete are 220
Strings Pullstrings .. 180 Sweet Sweet-talk (see
People who live in glass Butter someone up)... 30
Tied to someone’s apron
houses shouldn’t throw
SS ut aoe 229 Sweet tooth........
STONCS sec,
cae ta 173
Take the bitter with the
Stuffed Stuffed shirt
Stops Pull out all the sweet etic) Cae ete Dc
218, 231
StOUS ian any
oe do 180
6 we 8 ee oh 88 oe ee

(see also Too big for your Swim Sink or swim

Storm Calm before the britches) 4 ee we 8) Oe
ie em ee 207, 127
SUOUE ae pte
oye ea 34
(see also Keep your head
Succeed If at first you
above water)
Straight(en) Keepa don’t succeed, try, try
StVaigitt {aCe ook awe 125 again (see Rome was not Swine Cast pearls before
Straight from the horse’s built inaday)....... iol, s
7 9901
Hick Wen Oe wae Hs
 Swing Get into the swing Take a powder
OTAHINGS avcaencnse cae 89 Take a shine to Dressed to the teeth (see
Take it to the hoop .. 222 Dressed to the nines). 62
Switch Asleep at the
Switch.
ee Der 6 Take off your hat to Grit your teeth . 102, 19, 73
someone oe) is: ‘w,'e)16: (© ie: <@ (see also Bite the bullet;
Sword(s) Penis mightier Take one’s medicine (see Face the music)
than the sword Face the music) Like pulling teeth ... .138
Beat your swords into Take someone under your Scarce as hen’s teeth 200
plowshares WING os. de biaetcanngs 222
Set your teeth on
Take the bitter with the
edge Pe

@ SW ECan. acetss
atin atage 223
Take the bull by the
HOrnSenyae tee en 223
= Ten-Foot Touch
something with a ten-foot
T’s Dot your i’s and cross Ole roo. qoeae steee 233
60 Take the cake
Take the words right out Tenterhooks On
Table(s) Lay your cards of your mouth..... 224 tenterhooks .. 160, 30, 159
Ontnemaple: wom ac. 133 Take with a grain of
(See also Butterflies in
Under the table (counter) Salt see Met hie eee 22h
the stomach; On pins and
Ae ee eons te 227 It takes two to tango. . 121 needles)
Turn the tables ..... 235
* Tale Old wives’ tale . .158 Thicker Blood is thicker
than water ......... 22
= Talk Sweet-talk (see
Butter someone up). . . 30 Thin Skate on thin
Tail(s) Bright-eyed and iCerreegl
aS sate 208
Talk through your hat . 224
bushy-tailed 0:781)(6p 6.8/8), 6. 25
In two shakes of a lamb’s Tango It takes two to Things Get into the
UL Irn SR ee a 121 TaNGOs.2, Gaitainnk
ae we 121 swing of things...... 89
Make heads or tails out of Tape Redtape...... 192 Third Give someone the
somethingtn a. te 145
third degrees a0.. 95
Tea Not your cup of
Take(s) Don’t take any
wooden nickels Go Oo Ono)
Care eee ean eeeoeras 15h Thought(s) Food for
thodght has eentee 83
Take a backseat .. 221, 176 Teach Youcan’t teach an
old dog new tricks . . Zhou Penny for your
(See also Play second
thoughtse..
#2 tess. 173
fiddle) Tears Crocodile tears . 52
Take a fancy to (see Take Thread Hanging bya
ashine tO). sca ene 221 Teeth By the skin of your threadtentt nek See #3105
292
Throat Jump down your Tickle your funny Tongue-in-cheek..... 23!
tras 207 = caineAns123 bone Sie, 6 ‘as, .2 Je foe! 9) ein\0
Too Too big for your
ee
Throne Power behind the britchestranemtie.a. 231
RTVODCR GES ee fet ck178 Tied Hands are tied . .104
Tied to someone’s apron 232
Through Talk through
SITINGS<.sagtesate yorrees) « 229
your hat Tooth Clean as ahound’s
Through the grapevine . 225 Tighten Tighten your tooth (see Clean asa
whistle)
Throw People who live
Eye for an eye and a tooth
in glass houses shouldn’t Till Till the cows come
for a tooth 71, 165
throw stones er ee ROmiem otsSn 230
(See also One good turn
Throw a curve Time In the nick of
see eee
deserves another)
Throw a monkey wrench 1)Ege RNR
ere a ec120
Fight tooth and nail. . . 77
into the works . . 226, 102
Tip On the tip of your Go over with a fine-tooth
(See also Gum up the
tongue COMD eee 98, 134
works)
Tip of the iceberg ... 230 , (See also Leave no stone
Throw caution to the
unturned)
WIIG neete seer once 226
Toe Toe the line
Throw cold water on Long in the tooth..... 140
something..... 226, 242 Together Birds of a Sweet tooth........
(See also Wet blanket) feather flock together . 18
Top Blow your top (see
Throw in the towel ... 227 Keep body and soul Hit the roof) * wales 113, 182
together 125, 126
Throw the baby out with (See also Pull yourself
the bathwater..... 227 (See also Keep the wolf
together)
Throw the book at
from the door)
Off the top of your
SOMICONG ac eons 227 Pull yourself together . 182
head
Throw your hat into the Tom Every Tom, Dick, On top of the world
TAIN son We here oie 228 BNC HA UTY, cae live a 7I sek nla 164, 159, 240, 60
Throw your weight
Tongue Bite your (See also On cloud nine;
SrOuUndene mis.ys oe 228
RONGUC Mace eesttewe
vis rs 20 Walking on air; Down in
Thumb(s) Green thumb the dumps)
Cat got your tongue . . 38
TESA, Apert 6S 0 101 fopbanand..ia
. 0 232
Hold your tongue (see
AU EIIITOS eae
e wks os 5 Top drawer........ 232
Bite your tongue) ... 20
Tickle(d) Tickle the On the tip of your Totem Low manon the
IVOLIESsme ee ae 228 RON GUEretetem
ele waves 164 totem pole ee
 Touch Midas touch . .147 dvaw) (ener eee ee 186 Like two peas ina pod . 138

Touch and go Twocentsiametae eae 236

eee eee
Trip Trip the light
Touch something with a Two-jaced: 236
fantastiCema
=o oc. 23h
ten-foot pole...... 233
Troubled Pour oil on
Tough Tough nut to troubled waters...... 178
CraGK arr Saat, 2 Pye
True Show your true Uncle Say (cry)
Towel Throw in the COIOTS orn antes cut(aes eee 206 UNCle* ac-Seeee Sears 200
towel Wren oe 227
UC= OIC pis eee 23h
Under Get under your
Town One-horse town
Try If at first you don’t ah are Mea ee 92
Sic hate eratmet onc: Seat ote165
succeed, try, try again Nothing new under the
Track(s) Off the beaten (see Rome was not built in SUN..2 cate erentnome 155
ea eee ones 157 Pull the rug out from
One-track mind...... 166 Tunnel Light at the end UNGEN YOU «cries 181
Wrong side of the of the tunnel Sweep under the rug. .219
RACKS pace ele e eet 2E7 Take someone under your
Turkey Cold turkey .. 48 ee 222
Rredes..staaeh
Beer fersutt 122 Turn One good turn
deserves another. . 165, 7! Under the weather. .. 237
Train Gravy train... 100
(See also Eye for an eye Unturned Leave no stone
Treat Dutchtreat.... 64 and a tooth for a tooth) unturned se ee wwe 134, 98
Turn over a new leaf . 235 (See also Go over witha
Treatment Red-carpet
treatment <= ta. retne 191
Turn the other cheek . 235 fine-tooth comb)
Turn the tables ..... 235
Up Butter someone
Tree(s) Bark up the Turn up your nose at
wrong tree SOMCON Chere 236
Go climb a tree (see Go fly
Two Bird in the hand is
a kite) ies Sw eee oe 6 ©
©)1e. 0) onlay cei 6,Lelie: ie,Le

worth two in the bush . 18

Can’t see the forest for the
trees CY 36 Goody Two-shoes .... 99
In two shakes of a lamb’s Get-up-anid=G0 eee
Tricks You can’t teach an tail #,TO) OL dal j6i-0) Iela.e:, opie 1scep se
old dog new tricks .. 248 Get up on the wrong side
It takes two to tango. . 121 of the bed %, je #16) 18) 50 Be. ete
Trigger Quick on the Kill two birds with one Keep your chin up (see
trigger (see Quick on the Keep a stiff upper lip) 125
294
 Kick up a fuss (see Raise bounces) iht ken, of something.......
Cain) =. sacs 189
Put up or shut up (see Put Vinegar Catch more flies Watched Watched pot
your money where your with honey than with never boils ee ee ) 240
WOU ISI. et ee 185 VINEates want ce ss
Water(s) Blood is thicker
Straighten up and fly

W
tatiWateiee 4 ok 22
DIQH te at. eae, 217
Fish out of water..... 78
Turn up your nose at
SOMCONCIS ae seas 236 In. hot water’ 2 Sareea 17
Wagon Fix your wagon
Up a creek without a Keep your head above
Pe Ty EN eer Pe Mord 79
paddlevasiy. 2." 237 Ale Walesa.
ie Ws oes 127
Hitch your wagon toa Make your mouth
(See also Behind the eight SVB are s/n, Seat Wh
ball) WoOtCT Sey gers (cen.sen: 146

Up against the wall. . 238 Waiting Waiting for the Throw cold water on
other shoe to drop .. 239 something..... 226, 242
Up to par (see Par for the
course) (See also Wet blanket)
Walk(ing) Walk on
Water over the dam. . .241
You can lead a horse to
125 Get your walking papers
water but you can’t
Upper crust. . 2a. 238, 23 (see Get the sack) ... 91
make him drink ... 248
(See also Blue blood) Walking on air
Pour oil on troubled
Settle eae 240, 159, 164
Waters ieee 178
Upset Upset the (See also On cloud nine;
applecart Oniei (eh Stint “eis, foKe Still waters run deep . .215
On top of the world)
Waves Make waves
Uptake Quick on the Wall(s) Drive you up the
uptake (see Quick on the wall (see Drive you
ed 146, 193
draw) 186 CVAD) Aa etn tec ar: 63 (See also Rock the boat)
Slow on the uptake (see Handwriting on the Way More than one way
Slow on the draw). . .210 Wal lnsmomh seek race sow ers1lO4 to skin a cat

Y
Hit
a brick wall ...... I Rub the wrong way . 196, 96
Offa mne= Wallets ns ttas 157 (See also Go against the
Up against the wall. . . 238 grain)
Ventured Nothing Climb the walls...... 45 That’s the way it goes (see
ventured, nothing
That’s the way the ball
gained Warpath On the
bounces) ieee. 225
Walpathiied Wow. . 33% 164
Vie Cvest la vie (see That’s the way the ball
That’s the way the ball Wash Wash your hands Bounces ean pee oF 225
 That’s the way the cookie “ Where Where there’sa Wise Penny-wise and
crumbles (see That’s the will, there’s a way (see pound-foolish....... 173
way the ball bounces) Rome was not built in
e 6 @ @ 6 0 0 6 6 6 ee © 6 225 aday)e.seeemeeeer 19k Without Up a creek
without a paddle. ... 237
Where’s there’s a will, Where there’s smoke,
there’s a way (see Rome there Siiv@ar at.aot 243 Without batting an
was not built in a day) eyelasi. <1 a= <a 246
sian OES MO SEE 194 Which Which way the
wind blows Wives’ Old wives’ tale
Which way the wind
© 6) 0 9 8 6 8,io:

RS LN oe 158
DIOWS Le Sengeet
ae een 25%
. Whistle(s) Cleanasa
Wear If the shoe fits, whistle a0 @ 0 se 6 we 8 6 Wolf Cry wolf....... 53
Wear it Manee see oes 116 Bells and whistles Keep the wolf from the
Wear your heart on your door. 4 ee 126, 125
White White elephant. 244
Sleeve. (Ser ere. 24 (See also Keep body and
Whole Whole kit and soul together)
Weather Fair-weather
LCSLeNetame erataaa 73 caboodlemermawts 245 Wolf in sheep’s clothing
Ce 246
Under the weather ... 237 Wild Sow your wild
OalSiAnieese
ae orn G 212 Wood Knock on wood
Weight Carry the weight
of the world on your Wild-goose chase 245, 152
shouldersen.t eed 37 (See also Needle ina Wooden Don’t take any
Throw your weight haystack) * wooden nickels...... 59
avOUNICL saan ieee ¢ 228
Will Where there’s a will, = Woods Babe in the
Wet Get your feet wet there’s a way (see Rome » (WOOdS tease ut 8
tates OR Ae 93, 123 was not built in a
day) = Out of the woods..... 169
(See also Jump off the
deep end) "Wool Dyed-in-the-wool
Wind Throw caution to
a Le ee ee ee 65
Mad as awethen ....143 MREWINGY: 5 onsda 226
Wet behind the ears . .241 = Pull the wool over your
Which way the wind
a CYOSes ae oes, eine gee 181
Wet blanket ....242, 226 ° DIOW Gis serene ees 21h
(See also Throw cold - Wing(s) Take someone Word(s) From the word
water on something) under your wing... . 222 (ea RAR St NEO Src 6 85

Wheel Fifth wheel... . 77 Clip your wings...... Mum’s the word ..... 150

Put your shoulder to the Word of mouth..... 246

Winks Forty winks ... 84
wheel Eat your words ... 69, 67
Wheel and deal 242 Wire Down-to-the-wire . 62 (See also Eat crow)
296
o 6 @ wile
 Famous last words... . 74 Open a can of worms
Mince words....... 148 ice alah y)Stati aalls 166, 135
(See also Go against the
Take the words right out (See also Let sleeping grain)
of your mouth..... 224 dogs lie)
Wrong side of the
Works Gum up the Worse Bark is worse than PACKS. wei sesh eee 247
WOKS ot eee 102, 226 VOUT DIte set
ee ex. 10

(See also Throw a monkey

wrench into the works)
Worth Bird in the hand is
worth two in the bush . 18
10,
Throw a monkey wrench Worth your salt... .. 247 Yesterday Born
into the works . . 226, 102 Vesterday Je) cnSeen
(See also Gum up the - Wrack Go to wrack and
ruin (see Gone to pot). 99

@
works)
World Carry the weight Wrench Throw a monkey
of the world on your wrench into the
WOrke B220058. 2 226, 102 Z FromA to Z (see
BHOUIOEYS: 4). we. 5 oe 37
Everything but the
Dog-eat-dog world... 58 (See also Gum up the Kitchen sink): se> 7.
On top of the world » works)
ese Pa sonce he hd 164, 159, 240 Wrong Bark up the Zip Zip your lips (see
(See also On cloud nine; Be WIONG M1eCi wgys fase oe Ti Claty Up) 2c se
Walking on air) Get up on the wrong side Zipper Zipper your
Worm(s) Early bird Opane bed esa 03. mouth (see Button your
catches the worm .... 66 . Rub the wrong lip)

297
 About the

alled a “master of wordplay” and “Mr. English for

Kids,” Marvin Terban is Known as Dr. Grammar
on Scholastic.com. He was born in Chelsea,
Massachusetts, and his first writing job was a column for
the local newspaper when he was still in high school. He
was also the editor of his school newspaper and literary
magazine. He went on to Tufts and Columbia Universities,
where he received Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees respectively. For over 40 years,
he has taught English, Latin, Public Speaking, and theater to grades 5 to 12 at the
Columbia Grammar and Preparatory School in New York City.
Terban took a break from teaching to produce audio-visual educational
programs. Returning to the classroom with renewed energy, he developed teaching
games that used humor to help students understand and enjoy the mystifying
idiosyncrasies of the English language. Those games grew into the highly original
series of funny books on English for which he is known. Terban’s books are used
as far away as China to teach English to adults. Two of his books were turned into
computer games. He and his wife, Karen, a special education teacher, also wrote
two activity books for teachers. His Scholastic book, Checking Your Grammar, has
sold well over one million copies, and the Scholastic Dictionary of Idioms has
been translated into Japanese and Korean.
Terban acts in local community theater plays to raise money for charitable
causes. He also had small parts in several movies directed by Woody Allen.
For many summers he directed plays at a children’s sleepaway camp. He has paid
“Meet the Author” visits to schools and colleges all over the United States, South
America, Europe, Israel, and Japan. Marvin and Karen Terban live in New York City
across from Central Park and have two children (David, a computer digital artist,
and Jennifer, an art teacher and jewelry designer) and a cat named Tiger.
298
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Cat got your tongue? Penny for your thoughts? Also Available
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This essential resource features:

Explanations for more than seas

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