The American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms

by Christine Ammer

  betwixt and between Undecided, midway between two alternatives, neither here nor there. For example, I’m betwixt and between canceling my trip entirely or just postponing it, or Jane is betwixt and between about accepting the offer. The adverb betwixt, originally meaning “by two,” is seldom heard except in this expression, first recorded in 1832.

  beware of Greeks bearing gifts Do not trust enemies who pretend to be friends. The idiom alludes to the incident in the ancient Trojan Wars, when the Greeks sent the Trojans a gift of a large wooden horse which was actually filled with soldiers who attacked Troy. It was quoted by the Roman poet Virgil in the Aeneid (19 B.C.) and has been repeated ever since.

  be with someone, to 1. To date someone regularly, to be intimately involved with someone, as in Jane’s been with Bob for three years. [Slang, second half of 1900s] Also see GO WITH, def. 1. 2. Agree with someone, as in You hate the beach? I’m with you on that. Also see GO WITH, def. 3. [Colloquial, mid-1900s]

  beyond → In addition to the idioms beginning with BEYOND, also see ABOVE AND BEYOND; BACK OF BEYOND; CAN’T SEE BEYOND THE END OF ONE’S NOSE.

  beyond a doubt Also, beyond the shadow of a doubt. Certainly so, undoubtedly so, as in Beyond a doubt this is the best view of the valley. This phrase, along with the earlier without doubt (dating from c. 1300), asserts the truth of some statement. W.S. Gilbert’s version, in The Gondoliers (1889), is: “Of that there is no manner of doubt—no probable, possible shadow of doubt—no possible doubt whatever.” In this context shadow means “a trace or slight suggestion.” Another variant is beyond a reasonable doubt. This phrase is often used in court when the judge instructs the jury that they must be convinced of the accused’s guilt or innocence beyond a reasonable doubt; reasonable here means “logical and rational.” Also see BEYOND QUESTION; NO DOUBT.

  beyond comparison Also, without comparison or beyond compare. Too superior to be compared, unrivaled, as in This view of the mountains is beyond comparison, or That bakery is without comparison. The first term, more common today than the much older variants, was first recorded in 1871. Without comparison goes back to 1340, and without compare to 1621.

  beyond measure To an extreme degree; exceedingly. For example, Her attitude annoys me beyond measure. This term was first recorded in 1526.

  beyond one’s depth → See OUT OF ONE’S DEPTH.

  beyond one’s means Too costly for one, more than one can afford. For example, A second vacation this year is well beyond our means. The noun means here signifies “resources at one’s disposal,” a usage current since Shakespeare’s time, as in Measure for Measure (2:2): “Let her have needful, but not lavish means.” [Late 1800s]

  beyond question Also, beyond all or without question. Definitely, certainly, as in Beyond question he is the best man for the job. This idiom indicates that something is so sure it cannot be questioned. So used since the late 1500s, it was also put as past question, by Shakespeare and others. Also see BEYOND A DOUBT.

  beyond reach → See under IN REACH.

  beyond recall Irreversible, irretrievable, as in We can’t repair this screen—it’s beyond recall, or It’s too late to cancel our plans—they’re beyond recall. This idiom employs recall in the sense of revoking or annulling something. [Mid-1600s]

  beyond reproach Blameless, faultless, as in Jean’s conduct at school is beyond reproach. The phrase employs the verb to reproach in the sense of “censure or rebuke,” a usage dating from the early 1500s.

  beyond the call of duty → See under ABOVE AND BEYOND.

  beyond the pale Outside the bounds of morality, good behavior or judgment; unacceptable. For example, She thought taking the boys to a topless show was beyond the pale. The noun pale, from the Latin palum, meant “a stake for fences” or “a fence made from such stakes.” By extension it came to be used for an area confined by a fence and for any boundary, limit, or restriction, both of these meanings dating from the late 1300s. The pale referred to in the idiom is usually taken to mean the English Pale, the part of Ireland under English rule, and therefore, as perceived by its rulers, within the bounds of civilization. The phrase itself originated in the mid-1600s.

  beyond the shadow of a doubt → See BEYOND A DOUBT.

  Bible belt An area noted for religious fundamentalism; specifically, parts of the American South and Midwest. For example, You wouldn’t dare try to sell a sex manual in the Bible belt. This term alludes to the prevalence of evangelical revivals, strict morals, belief in the literal truth of the Bible, and similar traits. [c. 1920]

  bid adieu Say goodbye, take leave of, as in It’s beyond my bedtime, so I bid you all adieu, or I’ll be glad to bid adieu to these crutches. French for “goodbye,” adieu literally means “to God” and was part of à dieu vous commant, “I commend you to God.” Adopted into English in the 1300s, it was first recorded in Chaucer’s Troilus and Cressida (c. 1385). Today it is considered quite formal, ­although it also is used humorously.

  bide one’s time Wait for the opportune moment, as in The cat sat in front of the mousehole, biding its time. This phrase employs the verb to bide in the sense of “to wait for,” a usage dating from about A.D. 950 and surviving mainly in this locution.

  bid up Raise a price by raising one’s offer, as in We were hoping to get an Oriental rug cheaply, but the dealer kept bidding us up. This phrase is used in business and commerce, particularly at auctions. [Mid-1800s]

  big → In addition to the idioms beginning with BIG, also see GO OVER (BIG); GREAT (BIG) GUNS; HIT IT BIG; IN A BIG WAY; LITTLE FROG IN A BIG POND; MAKE A FEDERAL CASE (BIG DEAL) OF; TALK BIG; THINK BIG; TOO BIG FOR ONE’S BRITCHES; WHAT’S THE (BIG) IDEA. Also see under BIGGER.

  big and bold Large and striking, as in His ties tended to be big and bold in color and pattern, or This big and bold design for a book jacket is sure to catch the casual browser’s eye. This phrase, used mostly to describe things rather than persons, is a kind of visual analog of LOUD AND CLEAR.

  big as life Also, large as life. In person, as in And there was Mary, big as life, standing right in front of me. This phrase transfers the same size as in real life (life-size) to an actual appearance. Sometimes this term is embellished with and quite as natural, presumably alluding to a likeness of a person or thing that closely resembles the real thing. A similar addition is and twice as natural, which doesn’t make sense. [Late 1800s] 2. Also, larger than life; big as all outdoors. On a grand scale, as in The soap opera could well be called a larger-than-life drama, or That friend of his was as big as all outdoors. This phrase can be used either literally, for larger than life-size (second example) or figuratively. The phrase all outdoors has been used to compare something or someone to an immensity since the early 1800s.

  big bucks A great deal of money, as in A swimming pool—that means you’re spending big bucks. Buck has been slang for “dollar” since the mid-1800s. [Slang; second half of 1900s]

  big cheese Also, big shot or gun or wheel or enchilada. An important, powerful person; the boss. For example, She loved being the big cheese of her company; the big guns in Congress are bound to change the President’s bill; you’d better not act like a big shot among your old friends; Harry was the big wheel in his class; and You’ll have to get permission from the big enchilada. The first term dates from the late 1800s and its origin is disputed. Some think it comes from the Urdu word chiz or cheez for “thing,” but others hold it plays on the English word “chief.” Big gun is much older, dating from the early 1800s; big shot became very popular in the late 1920s, particularly when used for underworld leaders of gangsters; big wheel dates from about the same period. Big enchilada, often put as the big enchilada, is the newest, dating from the early 1970s.

  big daddy 1. An influential man, a big shot (see under BIG CHEESE), as in You’ll have to get permission from big daddy. [Slang; mid-1900s] 2. A male sweetheart or friend, often a man considerably older than his female companion; a SUGAR DADDY. [Slang; mid-1900s] 3. Grandfather. This usage originated in the
South among African-Americans. 4. The largest or most important person or thing of its kind. For example, The United States has long been the big daddy of the Western Hemisphere, or The blue whale was the big daddy of the ocean. [Slang; 1960s]

  big deal 1. A matter of great interest or importance, as in Performing in Symphony Hall is a big deal for everyone in the chorus. [c. 1940] Also see under MAKE A FEDERAL CASE OF. 2. So what? Who cares? For example, So you got the job after all—well, big deal! This use of the phrase as an ironic interjection dates from approximately the same time.

  big enchilada → See under BIG CHEESE.

  big fish in a small pond Also, big frog in a little pond. A person who is important in a limited arena; someone overqualified for a position or in relation to colleagues. For example, Steve has both a Ph.D. and an M.D., yet he’s content with his practice at a rural hospital; he prefers to be a big fish in a little pond. The expression big fish has been slang for an important or influential person since the early 1800s. The addition of in a small pond as a metaphor for an unimportant organization is more recent, as is the substitution of frog. Another variant is the proverb Better a big fish in a little puddle than a little fish in a big puddle.

  bigger → In addition to the idiom beginning with BIGGER, also see EYES ARE BIGGER THAN ONE’S STOMACH.

  bigger they come, the harder they fall, the Persons in important positions lose more when they fail, as in Impeaching a President is very painful—the bigger they come, the harder they fall. This expression is believed to come from boxing and gained currency when boxer Robert Fitzsimmons used it in a 1902 newspaper interview before fighting the much heavier James J. Jeffries. It was probably derived from similar adages, such as “The bigger the tree, the harder she falls.”

  big head, have a Be conceited; have an exaggerated sense of one’s own importance or ability. For example, The constant flattery of his subordinates is bound to give Thomas a big head. [c. 1800] Also see SWELLED HEAD.

  big league An area of tough competition and high rewards; the largest or foremost of its kind. For example, Winning an Oscar put this unknown actress in the big league. The term alludes to the major (big) leagues of American baseball. [Late 1800s] Also see BIG TIME, def. 2.

  big mouth, have a Also, have or be a loud mouth. Be loquacious, often noisily or boastfully; be tactless or reveal secrets. For example, After a few drinks, Dick turns into a loud mouth about his accomplishments, or Don’t tell Peggy anything confidential; she’s known for having a big mouth. [Slang; late 1800s]

  big of one Generous of one, as in It was big of Bill to give his brother his entire paycheck. This expression may be used either straight-forwardly (as above) or sarcastically, as in How big of you to save the absolute worst seat for me. [c. 1940]

  big on Enthusiastic about, as in Dad is big on Christmas with the whole family. [Slang; mid-1800s]

  big shot → See under BIG CHEESE.

  big stink A major scandal or furor. For example, If they don’t improve the women’s facilities, Marjorie will make a big stink about it. [Early 1800s]

  big time 1. An enjoyable or exciting time, as in The children came home exhausted but happy; they really had a big time at the circus. [Mid-1800s] 2. The highest or most important level in any enterprise, as in I knew that when I made it through the last audition, I was finally in the big time. [Colloquial; c. 1900] Also see BIG LEAGUE.

  big top 1. The main tent of a circus, as in The high-wire act is almost always in the big top. [c. 1840] 2. Underworld slang for a maximum-security prison, as in He was sentenced to ten years in the big top. [1950s]

  big wheel → See under BIG CHEESE.

  bill → See CLEAN BILL OF HEALTH; FILL THE BILL; FOOT THE BILL; SELL A BILL OF GOODS.

  bind → In addition to the idioms beginning with BIND, also see IN A BIND. Also see under BOUND.

  bind hand and foot → See BOUND HAND AND FOOT.

  bind over Oblige someone to do or not do something; hold on bail or keep under bond. For example, The sheriff will bind over the murder suspect to the homicide division. This phrase is nearly always used in a legal context. [Late 1500s]

  binge → See GO ON, def. 9.

  bird → In addition to the idioms beginning with BIRD, also see CATBIRD SEAT; EARLY BIRD CATCHES THE WORM; EAT LIKE A BIRD; FOR THE BIRDS; FREE AS A BIRD; KILL TWO BIRDS WITH ONE STONE; LITTLE BIRD TOLD ME; NAKED AS A JAYBIRD; RARE BIRD.

  bird has flown, the The individual sought has gone away, as in Jean hoped to meet her editor at long last, but when she arrived the bird had flown. This idiom has been used for an escaped prisoner, and more generally, as in 1655 by William Gurnall (The Christian in Complete Armour): “Man... knows not his time... he comes when the bird is flown.” [Mid-1600s]

  bird in the hand A benefit available now is more valuable than some possibly larger future benefit. For example, Bob thinks he might do better in a bigger firm, but his wife insists he should stay, saying a bird in the hand. This expression, which in full is A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush, was an ancient Greek proverb. It was well known in English by about 1400 and has been repeated so frequently that it is often shortened.

  bird of passage A transient, one who is here today and gone tomorrow. For example, Mary moves nearly every year; she’s a true bird of passage. This phrase transfers the literal meaning of a migrating bird to human behavior. [Second half of 1700s]

  birds and the bees, the A euphemism for sex education, especially when taught informally. For example, It’s time Father told the children about the birds and the bees. Cole Porter alluded to this expression in his witty song, “Let’s Do It, Let’s Fall in Love,” (1928) when he noted that birds, bees, even educated fleas fall in love. This idiom alludes to sexual behavior in animals to avoid explicit explanation of human behavior. [Second half of 1800s]

  bird’s-eye view An overview, as in This balcony gives us a bird’s-eye view of the town, or This course gives you a bird’s-eye view of history—from Eolithic man to the Gulf War in one semester. This expression can be used literally, for a panoramic view such as a bird might see, as well as figuratively. [c. 1600]

  birds of a feather (flock together) Individuals of like character, taste, or background (tend to stay together), as in The members of the club had no trouble selecting their yearly outing—they’re all birds of a feather. The idea of like seeks like dates from ancient Greek times, and “Birds dwell with their kind” was quoted in the apocryphal book of Ecclesiasticus. The full saying in English, Birds of a feather flock together, was first recorded in 1545.

  birth → See GIVE BIRTH TO.

  birthday suit Nakedness, as in The doorbell rang, and here I was in my birthday suit. In 18th-century Britain this term originally referred to the clothes one wore on the king’s birthday. Later it was jocularly transferred to bare skin, alluding to the condition of a new-born baby.

  bit → In addition to the idiom beginning with BIT, also see A BIT; CHAMP AT THE BIT; DO ONE’S BIT; EVERY BIT; NOT A BIT; QUITE A BIT; TAKE THE BIT IN ONE’S MOUTH; TWO BITS.

  bit by bit Also, little by little. Gradually, by small degrees, slowly. For example, The squirrels dug up the lawn bit by bit, till we had almost no grass, or Little by little be began to understand what John was getting at. The first term was first recorded in 1849, although bit in the sense of “small amount” is much older; the variant dates from the 1400s.

  bite → In addition to the idioms beginning with BITE, also see BARK IS WORSE THAN ONE’S BITE; PUT THE ARM (BITE) ON; SOUND BITE. Also see BITTEN.

  bite off more than one can chew Take on more work or a bigger task than one can handle, as in With two additional jobs, Bill is clearly biting off more than he can chew. Cautions against taking on too much appear in medieval sources, although this particular metaphor, alluding to taking in more food than one can chew, dates only from about 1870.

  bite one’s nails Exhibit signs of anxiety, impatience, or nervousness, as in We’ll be biting our nails till the jury comes back. Bitin
g one’s fingernails is a time-honored sign of emotional tension. The Roman satirist Horace described it about 35 B.C.: “As he wrought his verse he would often... gnaw his nails to the quick” (Satires, Book 1).

  bite one’s tongue Also, bite one’s lip. Refrain from speaking out, as in A new grandmother must learn to bite her tongue so as not to give unwanted advice, or I’m sure it’ll rain during graduation.—Bite your tongue! This term alludes to holding the tongue between the teeth in an effort not to say something one might regret. Shakespeare used it in 2 Henry VI (1:1): “So York must sit and fret and bite his tongue.” Today it is sometimes used as a humorous imperative, as in the second example, with the implication that speaking might bring bad luck. [Late 1500s] Also see HOLD ONE’S TONGUE.

  bite someone’s head off Also, snap someone’s head off. Scold or speak very angrily to someone, as in Ask her to step down from the board? She’d bite my head off! The first expression, dating from the mid-1900s, replaced the much earlier bite someone’s nose off (1500s); the variant was first recorded in 1886.

  bite the bullet Behave bravely or stoically when facing pain or a difficult situation, as in If they want to cut the budget deficit, they are going to have to bite the bullet and find new sources of revenue. This phrase is of military origin, but the precise allusion is uncertain. Some say it referred to the treatment of a wounded soldier without anesthesia, so that he would be asked to bite on a lead bullet during treatment. Also, Francis Grose’s Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue (1796) holds that grenadiers being disciplined with the cat-o’-nine-tails would bite on a bullet to avoid crying out in pain.

  bite the dust Suffer defeat or death, as in The 1990 election saw both of our senators bite the dust. Although this expression was popularized by by American Western films of the 1930s, in which ­either cowboys or Indians were thrown from their horses to the dusty ground, it originated much earlier. Tobias Smollett had it in Gil Blas (1750): “We made two of them bite the dust.”