The American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms

by Christine Ammer

  behind the scenes In secret or private, away from public view, as in His struggle for the top position took place strictly behind the scenes. This term alludes to the various activities that go on behind the curtain in theaters, out of the audience’s view. [Late 1700s] Also see BEHIND CLOSED DOORS.

  behind the times Not keeping up with current fashion, methods, or ideas, as in Your accounting methods are behind the times. Charles Dickens used this idiom in Dombey and Son (1848): “I’m old-fashioned, and behind the Time.” [Mid-1800s]

  behind time → See under BEHIND IN.

  being → See FOR THE MOMENT (TIME BEING); OTHER THINGS BEING EQUAL.

  be in on → See IN ON.

  be into Also, get into. Be interested in or involved with. For example, She’s really into yoga, or Once you retire, it’s important to get into some hobby you’ve always wanted to try. [Colloquial; mid-1900s]

  belabor the point Repeat an argument or other issue over and over, harp on something, as in We’ve discussed her decision—let’s not belabor the point. This term dates from the mid-1900s and derives from belabor in the sense of “assail with words,” a usage dating from the late 1500s.

  belfry → See BATS IN ONE’S BELFRY.

  believe → In addition to the idioms beginning with BELIEVE, also see LEAD ONE TO BELIEVE; MAKE BELIEVE; YOU’D BETTER BELIEVE IT. Also see SEEING IS BELIEVING.

  believe it or not It’s true, whether or not you agree, as in Believe it or not, I finally finished painting the house. Originating in the 1800s, this phrase gained currency as the title of a cartoon series begun in 1918 by Robert Ripley and continuing to run in American newspapers long after his death in 1949. Each drawing presented a strange but supposedly true phenomenon, such as a two-headed chicken.

  believe one’s ears Also, believe one’s eyes. Trust one’s own hearing or sight, as in We couldn’t believe our ears when we heard that Gene was accepted at Stanford, or I couldn’t believe my own eyes when the movie stars walked in. This expression of incredulity is nearly always stated negatively, as in the examples. [Early 1600s]

  believing → See SEEING IS BELIEVING.

  bell → In addition to the idioms beginning with BELL, also see CLEAR AS A BELL; RING A BELL; SAVED BY THE BELL; SOUND AS A BELL; WITH BELLS ON.

  bells and whistles Extra non-essential features, often extravagant in nature. It may allude to products, as in This new model car has all the bells and whistles, including seat warmers, or to services, as in The airline now provides on-demand entertainment and full-size beds – all the bells and whistles but for a price. The term’s origin may be an allusion to the noise-making features of old fairground organs and theater organs accompanying silent films. [Colloquial, early 1900s]

  bell the cat, who will Who has enough courage to do a dangerous job? For example, Someone has to tell the teacher that her own son started the fire, but who will bell the cat? This expression originated in one of Aesop’s fables as retold by William Langland in Piers Ploughman (c. 1377), in which the mice decide to put a bell around the cat’s neck as a warning device but then can find none among them who will actually do it.

  belly → See GO BELLY-UP.

  bellyful, to have a To have enough of something, as in John said he’d had a bellyful of those rude memos. Originally alluding to having more than enough to eat, the term has been used figuratively since the late 1600s and often negatively, as in the example above.

  belong → See TO THE VICTOR BELONG THE SPOILS.

  below par Also, under par. Not up to the average, normal, or desired standard. For example, I am feeling below par today, but I’m sure I’ll recover by tomorrow. This term employs par in the sense of “an average amount or quality,” a usage dating from the late 1700s.

  below the belt, hit Not behave according to the rules or decency, unfairly, as in Bringing up my mother’s faults—that’s really hitting below the belt. The term comes from boxing, where according to the Marquis of Queensberry Rules (1865) a fighter may punch his opponent only in the upper body or head. For a synonym, see LOW BLOW; also see UNDER ONE’S BELT.

  belt → In addition to the idioms beginning with BELT, also see BELOW THE BELT; BIBLE BELT; SUN BELT; TIGHTEN ONE’S BELT; UNDER ONE’S BELT.

  belt down Swallow very quickly, as in After the race, he belted down a whole quart of water. This phrase is frequently used for guzzling whiskey or some other liquor. [Slang; mid-1800s]

  belt out 1. Knock unconscious; beat up, trounce; murder. For example, The police officer was accused of belting out the teenager before taking him to the station, or The hold-up man belted out the storekeeper and fled with the money. This expression originated in boxing. [Slang; c. 1940] 2. Sing or play music very loudly, as in She belted out the national anthem before every game. [Colloquial; c. 1950]

  be my guest Do as you wish. For example, May I drive your car?—Sure, be my guest, or Do you mind if I go to the play without you?—No, be my guest. This expression not only literally invites someone to behave as one’s guest (using one’s house, belongings, etc.) but also figuratively tells someone to feel free to act as he or she pleases. [Colloquial; c. 1950] Also see FEEL FREE.

  bench → See ON THE BENCH; WARM THE BENCH.

  bend → In addition to the idioms beginning with BEND, also see AROUND THE BEND; CROOK (BEND) ONE’S ELBOW; ON BENDED KNEE. Also see under BENT.

  bend one’s elbow → See CROOK ONE’S ELBOW.

  bend over backwards Also, lean over backwards. Exert oneself to the fullest extent, as in Dad bent over backwards so as not to embarrass Stasia’s new boyfriend. This phrase transfers the gymnastic feat of a backbend to taking a great deal of trouble for someone or something. [c. 1920] Also see under FALL ALL OVER ONESELF.

  bend someone’s ear Talk about a matter at tedious length; monopolize someone’s attention. For example, Aunt Mary is always bending his ear about her financial problems. This term may have come from the much older to bend one’s ear to someone, meaning “to listen to someone,” although the current phrase implies a less than willing audience. [Colloquial; c. 1940]

  benefit → See GIVE THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT.

  bent on Also, bent upon. Determined, resolved, as in Jamie is bent on winning the math prize. This phrase, first recorded in 1762, always uses the past participle of the verb bend in the sense of “tend toward.”

  bent out of shape 1. Infuriated, annoyed, as in Don’t let Paul get you bent out of shape—calm down. 2. Shocked, astonished, as in That conservative audience was bent out of shape by his speech. [Slang; second half of 1900s] Also see IN GOOD CONDITION (SHAPE).

  be off 1. Leave, depart, as in I’m off to the races; wish me luck. This phrase, first recorded in 1826, was once commonly used as an imperative, meaning “go away”—as in Be off or I’ll call the police—but today is rare in this context. 2. Be in poor condition; be stale or spoiled; not work properly. For example, This milk must be off; it tastes sour, or The kitchen clock is off by at least five minutes. [Early 1900s] 3. Be free from work, school, or some other regular occupation, as in The secretary is off today, but perhaps I can find it. [Mid-1800s] 4. Decline, as in The industrial stocks are off 50 points today. This usage, nearly always applied to securities or other prices, was first recorded in 1929, the year of the great stock market crash.

  be on 1. Be taking medication or an illegal drug, as in Are you on some antibiotic? or He was definitely on narcotics when it happened. [1930s] 2. Be in favor of something or willing to participate, as in We’re going dancing after the play—are you on? [Colloquial; late 1800s] 3. Be engaged in some action, especially on the stage, as in Hurry up, you’re on in five minutes. [Late 1700s] 4. Perform extremely well, as in I can’t return Dan’s serve—he’s really on today. [Slang; second half of 1900s] 5. Be scheduled, as in Is tonight’s rally still on? [Colloquial; second half of 1900s] 6. be on one. Be at one’s expense, either as a treat or the butt of a joke. For example, This round of drinks is on me, or He enjoys a good laugh, even when the joke�
��s on him. [Colloquial; second half of 1800s] 7. not be on. Be unacceptable, not allowable, as in I can’t believe you’d cancel; that’s just not on. This usage is more common in Britain than America. [Colloquial; 1930s] For a synonym, see NOT DONE. Also see BE ON TO.

  be oneself 1. Act in one’s usual fashion; be in one’s normal physical or mental state. For example, Peter’s finally recovered from the accident and is himself again, or I was completely distracted; I just ­wasn’t myself. 2. Act without pretense; be unaffected, sincere. For example, I really enjoy their company because I can be myself with them.

  be on to 1. Be aware of or have information about, as in They can’t pull that trick again; we’re on to them now. [Colloquial; second half of 1800s] 2. Discover something important or profitable, as in The researchers claim they are really on to something big. [Colloquial; mid-1900s]

  berth → See GIVE A WIDE BERTH.

  beside oneself In a state of extreme agitation or excitement, as in She was beside herself when she found she’d lost her ring, or Peter was beside himself with joy—he’d won the poetry award. This phrase appears in the New Testament (Acts 26:24): “Paul, thou art beside thyself; much learning makes thee mad.” [Late 1400s]

  beside the point Also, beside the mark or question. Irrelevant, off the subject. For example, Whether you had insurance is beside the point; the accident is your fault. These terms came into common use in the mid-1800s. Also see NEITHER HERE NOR THERE.

  best → In addition to the idioms beginning with BEST, also see ALL FOR THE BEST; ALL THE BEST; AS BEST ONE CAN; AT BEST; AT ONE’S BEST; COME OFF (SECOND-BEST); DO ONE’S BEST; GET THE BETTER (BEST) OF; GIVE IT ONE’S BEST SHOT; HAD BETTER (BEST); HONESTY IS THE BEST POLICY; MAKE THE BEST OF IT; ON ONE’S BEST BEHAVIOR; PUT ONE’S BEST FOOT FORWARD; SECOND BEST; SUNDAY BEST; TO ONE’S (BEST) INTEREST; TO THE BEST OF ONE’S ABILITY; WITH THE BEST OF THEM; WITH THE BEST WILL IN THE WORLD. Also see under BETTER.

  best bet, one’s One’s most satisfactory choice. For example, If you want the check to arrive tomorrow, your best bet is to send it by express mail. [c. 1900]

  best bib and tucker One’s finest clothes, dressed up, as in The men were told to put on their best bib and tucker for the dinner dance. Although wearing either a bib (frill at front of a man’s shirt) or a tucker (ornamental lace covering a woman’s neck and shoulders) is obsolete, the phrase survives. [Mid-1700s] For a synonym, see SUNDAY BEST.

  best-laid plans go astray, the Also, the best-laid schemes go astray. Even very careful designs do not always succeed. For example, Mary spent all day preparing this elaborate dish but forgot the most ­important ingredient—oh well, the best-laid plans go astray. This particular turn of phrase comes from Robert Burn’s poem “To a Mouse” (1786): “The best-laid schemes o’ mice an’ men gang aft a-gley [go often astray].” It is so well known that it is often abbreviated to the best-laid plans.

  best of both worlds, the Benefits from two seemingly opposed alternatives, as in Jenny taught in the morning only and worked on her book afternoons, so she had the best of both worlds. Charles Kingsley used this idiom in Westward Ho! (1855): “Make the best of both worlds.” Also see MAKE THE BEST OF IT.

  best part of something Nearly all of something, the majority, as in The dentist was late; I waited for the best part of an hour. The adjective best here does not concern quality but quantity. [First half of 1500s] Also see BETTER HALF, def. 1.

  best shot → See GIVE IT ONE’S BEST SHOT.

  best thing since sliced bread → See GREATEST THING SINCE SLICED BREAD.

  bet → In addition to the idioms beginning with BET, also see ALL BETS ARE OFF; BACK (BET ON) THE WRONG HORSE; BEST BET; HEDGE ONE’S BETS; YOU BET YOUR ASS.

  bête noire A person or thing that is particularly disliked. For example, Calculus was the bête noire of my freshman courses. This phrase, French for “black beast,” entered the English language in the early 1800s. For synonyms, see PAIN IN THE NECK; THORN IN ONE’S FLESH.

  be that as it may Nevertheless, it may be true but, as in Be that as it may, I can’t take your place on Monday. This phrase has its roots in be as be may, used from Chaucer’s time for about four centuries. [Mid-1800s]

  be the death of Cause the death of something or someone, as in This comedian is so funny, he’ll be the death of me. Although this phrase can be used literally, meaning “to kill someone or something,” it has also been used hyperbolically (as in the example) since the late 1500s. Shakespeare used it in 1 Henry IV (2:1): “Since the price of oats rose, it was the death of him.”

  be the end of one Be one’s downfall, as in His heavy drinking may well be the end of him, or That math assignment will be the end of me. This phrase originally alluded to something that would cause someone’s death. Today, while it may be used seriously (as in the first example), it more often is used more lightly (as in the second).

  be the making of Be the means or cause of progress or success, as in Marriage will be the making of him. This idiom, using making in the sense of “advancement,” was first recorded about 1470.

  be there for someone, to To offer one’s friendship or support to someone, especially in times of adversity. For example, After her husband died, her sister said she’d always be there for her. [Colloquial, 1930s]

  be toast, to To be in deep trouble, to be ousted, as in With only 10 percent of the votes, he’s toast. It may allude to the earlier slang usage, to be cooked, with the same meaning and dating from the early 1800s. [Slang, 1980s] See also DEAD MEAT.

  bet one’s ass Also, bet one’s boots or bottom dollar or life. → See YOU BET YOUR ASS.

  bet on the wrong horse → See BACK THE WRONG HORSE.

  better → In addition to the idioms beginning with BETTER, also see AGAINST ONE’S BETTER JUDGMENT; ALL BETTER; ALL THE BETTER; DISCRETION IS THE BETTER PART OF VALOR; FOR BETTER OR FOR WORSE; GET BETTER; GET THE BETTER OF; GO ONE BETTER; HAD BETTER; KNOW BETTER; SEEN BETTER DAYS; SO MUCH THE (BETTER); SOONER THE BETTER; TAKE A TURN FOR THE BETTER; THINK BETTER OF; YOU’D BETTER BELIEVE IT. Also see under BEST.

  better half 1. Also, better part. The larger amount or majority of something, as in I won’t be long; the better half of this job is complete, or I have spent the better part of my life in this city. Sir Philip Sidney used the first term in Arcadia (1580): “I... shall think the better half of it already achieved.” The variant appears in a well-known proverb, DISCRETION IS THE BETTER PART OF VALOR. 2. Also, my better half. One’s (my) spouse, as in I’m not sure if we can go; I’ll have to check with my better half. Originally this expression meant “a close friend or lover,” and by the 1500s it referred to either a wife or lover. Sidney used it in this way, again in Arcadia: “My dear, my better half (said he), I find I must now leave thee.” Today it tends to be used lightly for either husband or wife. [Late 1500s]

  better late than never Being tardy is better than not at all, as in We’ve been waiting for you for an hour—but better late than never. This phrase, first recorded about 1200, appears in several early English proverb collections, often with the added but better never late. Today it is often used in exasperation over a delay, as in the example.

  better off In a more favourable position or financial circumstances. For example, They were better off flying than driving there, or They were better off than most of their neighbors. This phrase is the comparative form of WELL OFF. [Mid-1800s]

  better part of → See BETTER HALF, def. 1.

  better safe than sorry Being careful may avoid disaster, as in I’m not taking any shortcuts—better safe than sorry. This cautionary phrase appeared as better sure than sorry in 1837.

  better than 1. Superior to, as in He’s no better than Tom at writing a memo. [9th century] 2. More than, larger in amount or greater in rate, as in My new car can do better than 100 miles an hour, or The new plan will cut better than 15 percent of costs. Some authorities consider this usage colloquial and advise that it be avoided in formal writing. [Late 1500s] Also see BETTER HALF, def. 1.<
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  better the devil you know A shortening of an old proverb, which continues “than the one you don’t know.” You’re better off dealing with an undesirable situation or individual whose drawbacks you know than risk an unknown one with worse traits. Anthony Trollope quoted it in Barchester Towers (1857), calling it an old saying.

  between → In addition to the idioms beginning with BETWEEN, also see BETWIXT AND BETWEEN; COME BETWEEN; DRAW A LINE BETWEEN; FALL BETWEEN THE CRACKS; FEW AND FAR BETWEEN; HIT BETWEEN THE EYES; IN BETWEEN; IN BETWEEN TIMES; READ BETWEEN THE LINES; TAIL BETWEEN ONE’S LEGS.

  between a rock and a hard place Also, between the devil and the deep blue sea or Scylla and Charybdis. Between two equally difficult or unacceptable choices. For example, Trying to please both my boss and his supervisor puts me between a rock and a hard place. The rock and hard place version is the newest of these synonymous phrases, dating from the early 1900s, and alludes to being caught or crushed between two rocks. The oldest is Scylla and Charybdis, which in Homer’s Odyssey signified a monster on a rock (Scylla) and a fatal whirlpool (Charybdis), between which Odysseus had to sail through a narrow passage. It was used figuratively by the Roman writer Virgil and many writers since. The devil in devil and deep blue sea, according to lexicographer Charles Earle Funk, referred to a seam around a ship’s hull near the waterline, which, if a sailor was trying to caulk it in heavy seas, would cause him to fall overboard. Others disagree, however, and believe the phrase simply alludes to a choice between hellfire with the devil and drowning in deep waters.

  between the lines → See READ BETWEEN THE LINES.

  between you and me Also, between ourselves; just between you and me and the bedpost or four walls or gatepost or lamppost. In strict confidence. For example, Just between you and me, it was Janet who proposed to Bill rather than vice versa. This phrase, dating from about 1300, is generally followed by some informative statement that the listener is being asked to keep secret. The variant with bedpost, also shortened to post, dates from the early 1800s; four walls, also shortened to the wall, dates from the early 1900s, as does the gatepost.