The American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms

by Christine Ammer

  beat back Force to retreat or withdraw, as in His findings beat back all their arguments to the contrary. This phrase was often used in a military context (and still is), as in Their armies were beaten back. [Late 1500s]

  beat down 1. Force or drive down; defeat or subdue. For example, “And finally to beat down Satan under our feet” (The Book of Common Prayer, 1552). [c. 1400] 2. Strike violently, as in the The sun kept beating down on us all day long. [Mid-1800s] 3. beat someone down. Make someone lower a price, as in He’s always trying to beat us down. Economist Jeremy Bentham used this idiom in 1793: “Thus monopoly will beat down prices.” [Slang; late 1700s]

  beaten track → See OFF THE BEATEN TRACK.

  beat hollow → See under BEAT THE PANTS OFF.

  beat into one’s head Also, knock or drum into one’s head. Force one to learn something. For example, Hard as I try, I can’t seem to beat the correct safe combination into my head, or He promised to drum the numbers into my head by morning, or Whether we liked it or not, the English department was determined to knock Shakespeare into our heads. Although beat implies violence, the first term, from the early 1500s, usually alludes more to a repeated striking of blows, that is, repetition or drilling; likewise with drum (alluding to drumbeats), which dates from the early 1800s.

  beat it Go away, as in We should beat it before the food’s all gone. This term is rude when used as an imperative, as in Stop pestering me—beat it! [Slang; late 1800s]

  beat off Repulse, drive away by blows, as in We tried to beat off the flying ants swarming about us. Originating in the mid-1600s in a military context, this term was being used for other activities by the mid-1700s.

  beat one’s brains out Make a great mental effort to understand, solve, or remember something, as in Joe’s beating his brains out to finish this puzzle. Christopher Marlowe used this hyperbolic idiom in The Massacre of Paris (1593): “Guise beats his brains to catch us in his trap.” Also see RACK ONE’S BRAIN.

  beat one’s head against the wall Also, bang or run one’s head against or into a brick wall. Waste one’s time in a hopeless enterprise, as in I have tried many times to convince him to stop smoking, but I’m beating my head against a brick wall. The metaphoric phrase alludes to a physical expression of frustration. [Late 1500s] Also see BEAT THE AIR.

  beat out 1. Knock into shape by beating, as in She managed to beat out all the dents in the fender. [c. 1600] 2. Surpass or defeat someone; be chosen over someone. For example, He got to the head of the line, beating out all the others. [Colloquial; second half of 1700s] Also see BEAT THE PANTS OFF. 3. beat out of. Cheat someone of something, as in He was always trying to beat the conductor out of the full train fare. [Slang; second half of 1800s]

  beats me This baffles or puzzles me, as in I don’t know how he does it—beats me! This term originally may have alluded to a winning poker hand. It may also be related to the even earlier usage of beat for “astonished” or “at a loss.” [Slang; mid-1800s]

  beat someone at his or her own game Surpass someone in his or her own specialty or undertaking. For example, Jean knew that if she matched the new store’s discount she would keep all her customers and beat the new competitors at their own game. The use of game for any kind of undertaking or scheme dates from the mid-1200s.

  beat the air Also, beat the wind. Continue to make futile attempts, fight to no purpose. For example, The candidates for office were so much alike that we thought our vote amounted to beating the air. These phrases call up a vivid image of someone flailing away at nothing. [Late 1300s]

  beat the band → See TO BEAT THE BAND.

  beat the bushes for Look everywhere for something or someone, as in I’ve been beating the bushes for a substitute but haven’t had any luck. This term originally alluded to hunting, when beaters were hired to flush birds out of the brush. [1400s] Also see BEAT AROUND THE BUSH.

  beat the clock Finish something or succeed before time is up, as in The paper went to press at five o’clock, and they hurried to beat the clock. The term comes from various sports or races in which contestants compete within a certain time limit.

  beat the drum for Praise, promote, publicize, as in He’s always beating the drum for his division, which actually has done very well. This term transfers the literal striking of a drum for ceremonial or other purposes to touting the virtues of a person, group, or product. [Mid-1900s]

  beat the Dutch → See under BEAT ALL.

  beat the living daylights out of Also, knock or lick the hell or living daylights or shit or stuffing or tar out of. Administer a merciless beating to; also, defeat soundly. For example, The coach said he’d like to beat the living daylights out of the vandals who damaged the gym floor, or Bob knocked the stuffing out of that bully, or He swore he’d beat the tar out of anyone who tried to stop him. These colloquial phrases nearly always denote a physical attack. In the first, daylights originally (1700) meant “the eyes” and later was extended to any vital (living) body organ. Thus Henry Fielding wrote, in Amelia (1752): “If the lady says such another word to me... I will darken her daylights” (that is, put out her eyes). Hell here is simply a swear word used for emphasis. The more vulgar shit and the politer stuffing allude simply to knocking out someone’s insides. Tar is more puzzling but has been so used since the late 1800s.

  beat the meat Masturbate, as in He was always beating the meat. This term, considered vulgar slang, is used for males, since it uses meat in the sense of “penis,” a usage dating from the late 1500s.

  beat the pants off Also, beat hollow. Win decisively over someone, outdo. For example, When it comes to the Patriots’ Day parade, Lexington beats the pants off the neighboring towns, or This beer beats the other brands hollow. Both phrases use beat in the sense of “surpass.” Pants off has served as an intensifier since about 1930; the variant dates from about 1775.

  beat the rap Escape punishment; win acquittal. For example, The youngsters were caught shoplifting, but somehow they were able to beat the rap. The rap in this idiom means “the legal charge against one.” [Slang; 1920s]

  beat the system, to To circumvent rules or regulations or other kinds of control. For example, Customs regulations forbid importing meats but Jane always managed to beat the system and hide a ham sandwich in her luggage. [1890]

  beat time Mark musical time by beating a drum, clapping, tapping the foot, or a similar means. For example, Even as a baby, Dave always beat time when he heard music. [Late 1600s]

  beat to it 1. Get ahead of someone to obtain something, as in There was only enough for one, so Jane ran as fast as she could in order to beat Jerry to it. [Colloquial; c. 1900] 2. Also, beat to the draw or punch. React more quickly than someone else. For example, The new salesman tried to serve one of my customers, but I beat him to the draw and Bill was determined to get there first and beat everyone else to the punch. The variants imply aggression to get ahead, draw alluding to the drawing of a pistol and punch to hitting with the fists. [Second half of 1800s]

  beat up 1. Strike repeatedly, as in She told the police her husband had beaten her up. [Slang; first half of 1900s] 2. Also, beat up on. Attack verbally, as in That newspaper article really beat up on the town council. [Slang; late 1900s]

  beautiful people, the Persons who are considered fashionable, prosperous, and widely envied. The title of a 1941 play by William Saroyan, the term has been used ever since. For example, This restaurant is known for being patronized by the beautiful people. [Mid-1900s] See also JET SET.

  beauty → In addition to the idiom beginning with BEAUTY, also see THAT’S THE BEAUTY OF.

  beauty is only skin deep External attractiveness has no relation to goodness or essential quality. This maxim was first stated by Sir Thomas Overbury in his poem “A Wife” (1613): “All the carnall beauty of my wife is but skin-deep.”

  beaver → See BUSY AS A BEAVER; EAGER BEAVER; WORK LIKE A BEAVER.

  be big on → See BIG ON.

  be bound to → See BOUND TO.

  be buste
d 1. Also, go bust. Become bankrupt, financially ruined. For example, Who knew that the brokerage firm would be busted? [Slang; early 1800s] Also see under GO BROKE. 2. Also, get busted. Be demoted, as in If you’re caught gambling you’ll get busted to private. This usage originated in the military and still most often denotes a reduction in rank. [c. 1800] 3. Also, get busted. Be arrested or turned over to the police, as in The gang members were sure they’d get busted. [Mid-1900s]

  beck → See AT SOMEONE’S BECK AND CALL.

  become → In addition to the idiom beginning with BECOME, also see idioms beginning with GET.

  become of Happen to, befall, be the fate of, as in I haven’t seen Joe in a year; what has become of his book? The King James Bible has this idiom (Genesis 37:20): “We shall see what will become of his dreams.” [Late 1500s]

  bed → In addition to the idioms beginning with BED, also see EARLY TO BED, EARLY TO RISE; GET UP ON THE WRONG SIDE OF BED; GO TO BED WITH; IN BED WITH; MAKE ONE’S BED AND LIE IN IT; MAKE THE BED; PUT TO BED; SHOULD HAVE STOOD IN BED; STRANGE BEDFELLOWS.

  bed and board Lodging and meals, as in Housekeepers usually earn a standard salary in addition to bed and board. This phrase was first recorded in the York Manual (c. 1403), which stipulated certain connubial duties: “Her I take... to be my wedded wife, to hold to have at bed and at board.” Later bed was used merely to denote a place to sleep.

  bed and breakfast Also, B and B. A hotel or other hostelry that offers a room for the night and a morning meal at an inclusive price. For example, Staying at a bed and breakfast meant never having to plan morning meals. This term and the practice originated in Britain and have become widespread. [Early 1900s]

  bed of roses A comfortable or luxurious position, as in Taking care of these older patients is no bed of roses. This metaphor, first recorded in 1635, is often used in a negative context, as in the example. Also see BOWL OF CHERRIES.

  be down 1. Be depressed, in low spirits, as in During the winter months Sue’s always down, but spring cheers her up. [Colloquial; mid-1800s] 2. Be knowledgeable, canny, or sophisticated, as in He was really down with the new group. This usage probably originated among jazz musicians. [Slang; mid-1940s]

  bee → In addition to the idiom beginning with BEE, also see BIRDS AND THE BEES; BUSY AS A BEAVER (BEE); MAKE A BEELINE FOR; NONE OF ONE’S BUSINESS (BEESWAX).

  beef → In addition to the idiom beginning with BEEF, also see WHERE’S THE BEEF.

  beef up Strengthen, reinforce, as in Mary wants us to beef up her part in the play. This phrase relies on an older slang sense of beef as “muscles” or “power.” [Colloquial; late 1800s]

  bee in one’s bonnet A strange idea or notion; also, an idea that is harped on, an obsession. For example, Bill’s got a bee in his bonnet about burglars; he’s always imagining strange noises. This term, which replaced the earlier have bees in one’s head, transfers the buzzing of a bee inside one’s hat to a weird idea in one’s head. [Second half of 1600s]

  beeline → See MAKE A BEELINE FOR.

  been around Been present or active; especially, gained experience or sophistication. For example, This book isn’t new; it’s been around for many years, or This strategy won’t fool Bill; he’s been around. [First half of 1900s] Also see GET AROUND.

  been had → See BE HAD.

  been there, done that → See under SEEN ONE, SEEN THEM ALL.

  been to the wars Show signs of rough treatment or injury, as in That car of yours looks as though it’s been to the wars. This term dates from the late 1300s, when, however, it tended to be used literally. The figurative usage is more recent.

  before → In addition to the idioms beginning with BEFORE, also see CART BEFORE THE HORSE; CAST PEARLS BEFORE SWINE; LOOK BEFORE YOU LEAP.

  before long Soon, in the near future, as in The baby will be teething before long. This idiom was first recorded in 1865.

  before the wind Driven ahead, hurried, as in The bikers are moving before the wind, so it’s hard to tell who will come in first. The literal meaning of this term is nautical, referring to a ship sailing in the same direction as the wind and being propelled forward. Its figurative use dates from the mid-1800s.

  before you can say Jack Robinson Also, quicker than you can say Jack Robinson. Almost immediately, very soon, as in I’ll finish this book before you can say Jack Robinson. This expression originated in the 1700s, but the identity of Jack Robinson has been lost. Grose’s Classical Dictionary (1785) said he was a man who paid such brief visits to acquaintances that there was scarcely time to announce his arrival before he had departed, but it gives no further documentation. A newer version is before you know it, meaning so soon that you don’t have time to become aware of it (as in He’ll be gone before you know it).

  before you know it → See under BEFORE YOU CAN SAY JACK ROBINSON.

  beg → In addition to the idioms beginning with BEG, also see GO BEGGING.

  beg, borrow, or steal Obtain by any possible means, as in You couldn’t beg, borrow, or steal tickets to the Olympics. This term is often used in the negative, to describe something that cannot be obtained; Chaucer used it in The Tale of the Man of Law. [Late 1300s]

  beggar description Defy or outdo any possible description, as in The stage set was so elaborate, it beggared description. This term, alluding to the idea that words are insufficient to do something justice, was already used by Shakespeare in Antony and Cleopatra (2:2), “For her own person it beggared all description.”

  beggars can’t be choosers Those in dire need must be content with what they get. For example, The cheapest model will have to do—beggars can’t be choosers. This expression was familiar enough to be included in John Heywood’s 1546 collection of proverbs.

  begin → In addition to the idioms beginning with BEGIN, also see CHARITY BEGINS AT HOME; (BEGIN TO) SEE THE LIGHT; TO START (BEGIN) WITH.

  beginner’s luck Good fortune in a first attempt or effort, as in I often use a brand-new recipe for a dinner party; I trust beginner’s luck. [Late 1800s]

  beginning of the end, the The start of a bad outcome (ruin, disaster, catastrophe, death), as in Joe’s failing two of his courses was the beginning of the end; he dropped out soon afterward. This phrase, at first (1500s) used only to describe an approaching death, gained a new meaning after the French lost the battle of Leipzig in 1813 and Talleyrand said to Napoleon, “C’est le commencement de la fin” (“It’s the beginning of the end”).

  begin to see daylight Realize that a task is finally nearing completion, that success or the right solution is near at hand. For example, I’ve been working on this experiment for two years and I’m finally beginning to see daylight. The noun daylight has been a metaphor for knowledge and solution since the late 1600s. Also see LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL; SEE THE LIGHT.

  begin to see the light → See SEE THE LIGHT.

  begin with → See TO START WITH.

  beg off Ask to be released from an obligation; turn down an invitation. For example, He’s asked me out to dinner three times already, but I have to beg off again, or Mother couldn’t take on another committee and so she begged off. [Early 1700s]

  beg the question Take for granted or assume the truth of the very thing being questioned. For example, Shopping now for a dress to wear to the ceremony is really begging the question—she hasn’t been invited yet. However, today it is often used to mean avoiding a straight answer, as in The seating arrangement begs the question of who has higher rank. Also, it occasionally is used as a synonym for “ask the question” (as in The article begs the question: “What are we afraid of?”).

  beg to differ Disagree with someone, as in John told me Max was sure to win, but I beg to differ—I don’t think he has a chance. This courteous formula for expressing disagreement echoes similar uses of beg in the sense of “ask,” such as I beg your pardon, so used since about 1600. Also see EXCUSE ME.

  be had 1. Be outwitted; also, be cheated, deceived. For example, This lawyer is a real shyster; you’ve b
een had, or I’ve become very cautious about these schemes; it’s too costly to be had more than once. This expression employs the verb to have in the sense of getting someone in one’s power or at a disadvantage. [Slang; early 1800s] 2. Be bribed or influenced by dishonest means. For example, Our senator’s incorruptible; be cannot be had. [Slang; early 1800s]

  behalf → See IN BEHALF OF.

  behavior → See ON ONE’S BEST BEHAVIOR.

  behind → In addition to the idioms beginning with BEHIND, also see COME FROM BEHIND; DROP BEHIND; FALL BEHIND; GET BEHIND; POWER BEHIND THE THRONE; PUT BEHIND ONE; WET BEHIND THE EARS; WITH ONE ARM TIED BEHIND ONE’S BACK.

  behind bars In prison, as in All murderers should be put behind bars for life. The bars here refer to the iron rods used to confine prisoners. [c. 1900]

  behind closed doors In secret, privately. For example, The nominating committee always meets behind closed doors, lest its deliberations become known prematurely. Also see BEHIND THE SCENES.

  behind in 1. Also, behind on. Late with; not progressing quickly enough with. For example, The builders are behind on this project, or I can’t take time out or I’ll be too far behind in my work. The same idea is also expressed as behind time, where time means a schedule or appointed time, as in The bus should have been here; it’s behind time. [Early 1300s] Also see FALL BEHIND. 2. In arrears, owing more than one should. For example, Jane and Bob are behind in their payments, so the interest will mount up. [Late 1300s]

  behind someone’s back Out of one’s presence or without someone’s knowledge, as in Joan has a nasty way of maligning her friends behind their backs. Sir Thomas Malory used this metaphoric term in Le Morte d’Arthur (c. 1470): “To say of me wrong or shame behind my back.” [Early 1300s]

  behind the eight ball In trouble or an awkward position, out of luck, as in His check bounced, leaving Jim behind the eight ball with his landlord. The term comes from pocket billiards or pool, where in certain games if the number eight ball is between the “cue ball” and “object ball” the player cannot make a straight shot. [Colloquial; c. 1920]