The American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms

by Christine Ammer

  apple polisher → See POLISH THE APPLE.

  apples and oranges Unlike objects or persons, as in Assessing the problems of the neighborhood grocery by examining a giant supermarket is comparing apples and oranges. This metaphor for dissimilarity began as apples and oysters, which appeared in John Ray’s proverb collection of 1670. It is nearly always accompanied by a warning that one cannot compare such different categories.

  appointment → See MAKE AN APPOINTMENT.

  approval → See ON APPROVAL; SEAL OF APPROVAL.

  apron strings → See TIED TO APRON STRINGS.

  apropos of Concerning, in connection with, as in Apropos of keeping in touch, I haven’t heard from her in months. This idiom was a borrowing of the French à propos de (“to the purpose of”) in the 1600s. At first it was used without of and meant “fitting” or “opportune,” as in Their prompt arrival was very apropos. By the 1700s it was also being used with of, as in the current idiom, for “concerning” or “by way of.”

  area → See GRAY AREA.

  argument → See under PICK A QUARREL.

  arm → In addition to the idioms beginning with ARM, also see AT ARM’S LENGTH; BABE IN ARMS; FOREWARNED IS FOREARMED; GIVE ONE’S EYETEETH (RIGHT ARM); LONG ARM OF THE LAW; ONE-ARMED BANDIT; PUT THE ARM ON; SHOT IN THE ARM; TAKE UP ARMS; TALK SOMEONE’S ARM OFF; TWIST SOMEONE’S ARM; UP IN ARMS; WITH ONE ARM TIED BEHIND ONE’S BACK; WITH OPEN ARMS.

  arm and a leg An exorbitant amount of money, as in These resort hotels charge an arm and a leg for a decent meal, or Fixing the car is going to cost an arm and a leg. According to Eric Partridge, this hyperbolic idiom, which is always used in conjunction with verbs such as “cost,” “charge,” or “pay,” and became widely known from the 1930s on, probably came from the 19th-century American criminal slang phrase, if it takes a leg (that is, even at the cost of a leg), to express desperate ­determination.

  arm candy → See EYE CANDY.

  armed to the teeth Overly well equipped or prepared, as in With her elaborate gown and makeup, she was armed to the teeth for her first New York ­appearance. The expression to the teeth meant “well equipped” in the 14th century, when knights often wore head-to-foot armor. The idiom, however, only gained currency in the mid-1800s, at first still applied to weapons or other military equipment. Today it is used still more figuratively.

  arm in arm With one person’s arm linked around another’s; also, closely allied or intimate, as in Both couples walked arm in arm around the grounds of the estate, and This candidate is arm in arm with the party’s liberal wing. The literal expression dates from the late 1300s, when Chaucer so used it: “They went arm in arm together into the garden” (Troilus and Cressida). The figurative usage dates from about 1600. Also see HAND IN HAND.

  armor → See CHINK IN ONE’S ARMOR; KNIGHT IN SHINING ARMOR.

  around → In addition to the idioms beginning with AROUND, also see BEAT AROUND THE BUSH; BEEN AROUND; BOSS AROUND; BRING AROUND; CAST ABOUT (AROUND); COME AROUND; EVERY TIME ONE TURNS AROUND; FOOL AROUND; FUCK AROUND; FULL CIRCLE (WHAT GOES AROUND COMES AROUND); GET AROUND; GO AROUND; HANG AROUND; HORSE AROUND; KICK AROUND; KID AROUND; KNOCK ABOUT (AROUND); KNOW ONE’S WAY AROUND; MESS AROUND; NOSE ABOUT (AROUND); PAL AROUND; PLAY AROUND; POKE AROUND; PUSH AROUND; RALLY AROUND; ROLL AROUND; RUN AROUND; RUN AROUND IN CIRCLES; RUN AROUND LIKE A CHICKEN; RUN RINGS AROUND; SCREW AROUND; SCROUNGE AROUND; SHOP AROUND; SLEEP AROUND; STICK AROUND; TALK AROUND; TEAR AROUND; THROW ONE’S WEIGHT AROUND; TURN AROUND; TWIST AROUND ONE’S FINGER; UP AND ABOUT (AROUND). Also see under ROUND.

  around the bend 1. Around a curve or corner on a road or pathway, as in Peter’s house is just around the bend. Also see AROUND THE CORNER, def. 1. 2. Also, round the bend. Crazy, insane, as in Throwing out that perfectly good steak? Have you gone round the bend? [Colloquial; early 1900s]

  around the corner 1. On the other side of a street corner, as in The doctor’s office is around the corner from our house. [First half of 1800s] 2. Nearby, a short distance away, as in The nearest grocery store is just around the corner. [Early 1800s] 3. Very soon, imminent, as in You never know what stroke of luck lies just around the corner. [First half of 1900s]

  arrangements → See MAKE ARRANGEMENTS FOR.

  arrears → See IN ARREARS.

  arrest → See HOUSE ARREST; UNDER ARREST.

  arrive at Reach an objective, as in We arrived at the party right on time, or It took Harry only a few minutes to arrive at a solution. [Early 1500s]

  art → See FINE ART; STATE OF THE ART.

  as . . . as Also, so . . . as. Used with an adjective or adverb to show similarity or equality of one thing with another. The as . . . as construction appears in numerous similes, including the idioms as rich as Croesus, as big as life, as good as done. (In this book, when such idioms occur without the first as, they can be found under the adjective or ­adverb, RICH AS...; BIG AS...; GOOD AS...; etc.; those that do not, like as far as, as long as, as well as, are found under AS below.) The construction so . . . as is often preferred in negative statements like I couldn’t sleep, not so much as a wink, a usage dating from the 1200s. Also see AS FAR AS.

  as all getout To the ultimate degree, as in She made him furious as all getout. The American writer Joseph C. Neal had it in his Character Sketches (1838): “We look as elegant and as beautiful as get out.” Today it always includes all. [Colloquial; first half of 1800s]

  as a matter of course → See MATTER OF COURSE.

  as a matter of fact → See MATTER OF FACT.

  as a rule In general, usually, as in As a rule Irene does not eat meat. [Mid-1800s]

  as a whole All parts or aspects considered, altogether, as in I like the play as a whole, though the second act seemed somewhat slow. [Early 1800s] Also see ON THE WHOLE.

  as best one can To the ultimate of one’s ability, as in We’ll have to get along without it as best we can. [Mid-1800s] Also see DO ONE’S BEST.

  as big as life → See BIG AS LIFE.

  as far as Also, so far as. To the extent, degree, or amount that. This phrase alone is always used to modify a verb, as in As far as I can tell it’s an authentic antique, or It’s a good job as far as it goes, but it may need more work, or James said that, so far as he can remember, he’s never met Mike. [c. 1300] Also see the subsequent idioms beginning with AS FAR AS.

  as far as I can see Also, so far as I can see. According to my judgment or understanding, as in As far as I can see you’ve got an excellent chance of getting that job. This idiom was first recorded in 1577.

  as far as possible Also, so far as possible. To the greatest extent, degree, or amount that is attainable. For example, I want to drive as far as possible today, or It was very complicated, but he promised to explain it so far as possible.

  as far as that goes Also, so far as that goes; as or so far as that is concerned. Concerning that, actually, moreover. For example, As far as that goes, Bill doesn’t understand it, or My husband has never gotten along with Henry, and so far as that goes, Henry doesn’t like him either, or As far as that is concerned, Patrice can take care of herself. Also see AS FOR.

  as follows What comes next, usually in the form of a list. For example, Mary planned her day as follows: returning all phone calls; a department meeting; lunch with her colleagues; library research. This term is always put in the singular (“follows”) even though it applies to numerous items and is frequently followed by a colon. It was first recorded in 1548.

  as for Also, as to. With regard to, concerning. For example, As for dessert, I’d better skip it today and We are not sure as to how to pay the bill. A particularly well-known use of this idiom is in Patrick Henry’s speech before the Virginia Convention in 1775: “As for me, give me liberty or give me death.” Also see AS TO.

  as good as → See GOOD AS.

  aside → See ALL JOKING ASIDE; LAY ASIDE; SET ASIDE; TAKE ASIDE.

  aside from → See under APART FROM.

  as if Also, as though. As it would be, as in He d
ecided to accept, as if it really mattered, or John scowled as though he were really angry. The first ­idiom dates from the late 1500s, the variant from the late 1700s. Also see MAKE AS IF.

  as I live and breathe For sure, definitely, as in As I live and breathe, I’ve never seen a more beautiful view. This expression is generally used to emphasize the truth of a statement and has been so used since the mid-1600s, although sometimes it was put simply as as I live. However, the complete phrase was also used early on, as in Arthur Murphy’s 1756 play The Apprentice (2:1): “As I live and breathe, we shall both be taken, for heaven’s sake let us make our escape.”

  as is Just the way it is, with no changes. For example, We saved a few dollars by buying the floor sample on an as is basis. This expression is used of goods to be sold that may be slightly worn, damaged, or otherwise less than perfect.

  as it were Seemingly, in a way, as in He was living in a dream world, as it were. A shortening of “as if it were so,” this idiom has been in use since Chaucer’s time (he had it in his Nun’s Priest’s Tale, c. 1386). Also see SO TO SPEAK.

  ask → In addition to the idioms beginning with ASK, see DON’T ASK; DON’T ASK, DON’T TELL; FOR THE ASKING.

  askance → See LOOK ASKANCE.

  ask a stupid question and you’ll get a stupid ­answer Also, ask a silly question. Your query doesn’t deserve a proper answer, as in Am I hungry? ask a stupid question! One authority believes this idiom is a variant of ask me no questions and I’ll tell you no fibs, which appeared in Oliver Goldsmith’s play She Stoops to Conquer (1773) and was frequently repeated thereafter. [Early 1800s]

  ask for Also, ask for it. To persist in an action despite the likelihood that it will bring trouble on oneself, as in Speeding as much as he does, he has been asking for a ticket and Mary deserved that low grade; in effect, she asked for it by not studying. [c. 1900] Also see ASK FOR THE MOON.

  ask for the moon Make an unreasonable demand, request the unattainable, as in $1,000 for her birthday? Mary might as well be asking for the moon. This hyperbolic idiom appeared in the mid-1800s in slightly different form. Charles Dickens had it as cry for the moon (in Bleak House, 1852) and William Makepeace Thackeray as wish for the moon (in Lovell the Widower, 1860). Today ask is the most common version.

  ask out Invite someone to something, such as dinner, the theater, or a date. For example, We’ve been asked out to dinner twice this week, or Mary felt shy about asking John out. [Late 1800s]

  asleep → In addition to the idiom beginning with ASLEEP, also see FALL ASLEEP.

  asleep at the switch Also, asleep at the wheel. Inattentive, not doing one’s job, as in At the critical moment the watchman was asleep at the switch and only called the fire department when it was too late. This term came from 19th-century American railroading, when it was the trainman’s duty to switch cars from one track to another by means of manually operated levers. Should he fail to do so, trains could collide. It was later transferred to any lack of alertness. The wheel in the variant is a steering wheel; similarly disastrous results are implied.

  as likely as not → See LIKE AS NOT.

  as long as 1. For the period of time that, as in You may keep the book as long as you want, that is, keep it for whatever time you wish to. [Early 1400s] 2. Also, so long as. Since, because, as in Please pick up some milk as long as you are going to the store, or So long as you’re here, you might as well stay for dinner. 3. Also, so long as; just so. Provided that, as in As long as you don’t expect it by tomorrow, I’ll make the drawing, or So long as sales are greater than returns, the company will make a profit, or You may have another cookie, just so you don’t take the last one. [Early 1800s]

  as luck would have it How things turned out, as it happened, as in As luck would have it he missed his train, or The check arrived in time, as luck would have it. The luck referred to can mean either good fortune or bad. [Late 1500s]

  as many 1. The same number of. For example, He changed jobs four times in as many years means he changed jobs four times in four years. [c. 1400] 2. as many as. A phrase used to qualify the meaning of many as a very large number, depending on what follows it. For example, You can take as many pens as you need. [Late 1300s] Also see AS... AS; AS MUCH AS.

  as much The same or virtually the same. For example, He’s resigning? I thought as much means I thought he was doing just that. [Late 1300s] Also see AS MUCH AS.

  as much as 1. The same quantity as. As with AS MANY (def. 2), the meaning of much as a large amount here is qualified by what follows. For example, Please help yourself to as much of the meat as you want indicates whatever amount you wish. [Late 1100s] 2. Also, however much, much as. Even though, no matter how much, as in As much as I hate to, I must stay home tonight, or However much it hurts, you ought to admit you were wrong, or Much as Karen would love to see us, she can’t get out of her prior commitment. [Late 1500s] 3. Also, so much as. In effect, nearly the same as, as in Mom as much as told Jane she couldn’t go, or The clerk so much as accused the customer of shoplifting. These expressions intensify the meaning of the verb and indicate that the action is unexpected. [Late 1300s]

  as of From, at, or until a given time. For example, As of five o’clock the store will be closed for inventory, or As of last December our meetings have been open to the public, or As of now I’m not sure how I’ll vote. This idiom was first used in business but came into more general use. [c. 1900]

  as one Also, as one man or woman. All together, unanimously. For example, The marchers shouted as one, “We shall overcome!” or They replied as one woman, “Of course we’ll stay and help.” This term appeared in the Bible (Judges 20:8): “And all the people arose as one man.” [Late 1500s] For synonyms, see TO A MAN; WITH ONE VOICE.

  as regards → See IN REGARD TO.

  ass → In addition to the idiom beginning with ASS, also see BREAK ONE’S ASS; CHEW (SOMEONE’S ASS) OUT; COVER ONE’S ASS; DRAG ONE’S ASS; KICK ASS; KICK IN THE PANTS (ASS); KISS ASS; MAKE A FOOL (AN ASS) OF; PAIN IN THE NECK (ASS); STICK IT (UP ONE’S ASS); YOU BET YOUR ASS.

  ass in a sling, have one’s Also, get one’s ass in a sling. Be (or get) in trouble, in a painfully awkward position, as in When the news about the slump in sales gets out he’ll have his ass in a sling. Probably originating in the American South, this idiom may refer to so vigorous a kick in the buttocks (for which ass is a rude synonym) that the injured person requires a sling of the kind used to support a broken arm. [Vulgar slang; c. 1930]

  as soon → See AS SOON AS; JUST AS SOON.

  as soon as 1. When, just after, as in Please call me as soon as dinner is ready, or As soon as the sun goes down, the temperature drops dramatically. [Late 1200s] 2. At the earliest moment that, as in Telephone me as soon as you can. It often takes the form as soon as possible, meaning at the earliest possible moment, as in He’ll finish the work as soon as possible. This expression employs possible in the sense of “if it can or could be,” a usage ­dating from the late 1600s.

  as such 1. In itself, as in The job as such was easy, but required a lot of time. [Mid-1600s] 2. In that capacity, as in In the director’s absence the assistants, as such, were in charge. [c. 1700]

  as the crow flies In a straight line, by the shortest route, as in It’s only a mile as the crow flies, but about three miles by this mountain road. This ­idiom is based on the fact that crows, very intelligent birds, fly straight to the nearest food supply. [Late 1700s]

  as though → See AS IF.

  as to 1. According to, as in They were asked to sort the costumes as to color. [Mid-1700s] 2. See AS FOR.

  astray → See BEST-LAID PLANS GO ASTRAY; GO ASTRAY.

  as usual In the normal, habitual, or accustomed way, as in As usual, he forgot to put away the milk. This idiom was first recorded in 1716. Also see BUSINESS AS USUAL.

  as well 1. In addition, besides, also. For example, Mary is going to Italy and to France as well, or A fine conductor, he plays the violin as well. [1300s] 2. With an equal or similar result,
as in Since he can’t get there in time, he might as well stay at home, or It’s just as well that you came today, since Harry is here, too. [1400s]

  as well as 1. In as satisfactory or good a way as. For example, After the operation, she was supposed to walk around as well as she could without limping. [c. 1400] 2. To the same extent as, as much as. For example, He is an excellent teacher as well as being a fine musician. [c. 1440] 3. In addition to, as in The editors as well as the proofreaders are working overtime. [c. 1700]

  as yet So far, up to now, as in No one has found a solution as yet. [Late 1300s]

  as you please 1. However you wish, whatever you choose, as in We can have meat or fish tonight, as you please, or Go or don’t go—do as you please. This idiom was introduced about 1500 and inverted what was then the usual order, which was “as it pleases you.” 2. Very, extremely, as in After winning the contract he was smug as you please, or She sat there in her new dress, as pretty as you please. [First half of 1900s]

  at about At approximately, as in We’ll start at about nine. This phrase, most often used with respect to time (as at about four o’clock), is sometimes criticized for being redundant. Although one of the two words sometimes can be omitted without changing the meaning—for example, About four o’clock is when most guests will arrive—in other instances both are needed, as in This stock is now selling at about its original offering price. [Early 1800s]

  at a discount At a lower than usual price; also, held in low esteem. For example, I’m holding off on buying a computer until I can get one at a discount, or Liberals are at a discount in the present administration. The first usage, mainly found in business and commerce, dates from about 1700. The figurative usage is about a century newer.

  at all 1. In any way or manner, as in Is she able to sing at all? 2. To any extent, as in Was she at all surprised? 3. For any reason, as in Why bother at all? 4. In the slightest degree, under any circumstances, as in She simply refused to walk at all. This construction often occurs in the negative, as in He was not at all frightened. All four senses of this phrase date from the mid-1300s.