The American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms

by Christine Ammer

  bottom of the ladder Lowest or most junior position in a hierarchy. For example, If we hire you, you’ll have to begin at the bottom of the ladder. The rungs of a ladder have been likened to a step-wise progression since the 1300s. Also see LOW MAN ON THE TOTEM POLE.

  bottom out Reach the lowest level, as in The recession appears to have bottomed out. This verbal use of bottom originated in the late 1800s and, with the addition of out in the mid-1900s, tends to be used mostly in the context of trade and finance.

  bought → See under BUY.

  bounce → In addition to the idioms beginning with BOUNCE, also see GET THE AX (BOUNCE); MORE BANG FOR THE BUCK (BOUNCE TO THE OUNCE); THAT’S HOW THE BALL BOUNCES.

  bounce around 1. Move around from one person or place to another. For example, The staff spent the morning bouncing around ideas to improve sales, or She had been bouncing around from one job to another. This term alludes to a ball bouncing among players. [Colloquial; mid-1900s] 2. Treat roughly or unfairly, as in Quit bouncing me around; I won’t stand for it. This usage is based on a somewhat earlier meaning of bounce, “to beat up” or “coerce.” [Slang; c. 1970]

  bounce back Recover quickly, as in She had pneumonia, but she bounced back in less than a week. This expression is a metaphor for the rebound of a ball or some elastic material.

  bound → In addition to the idioms beginning with BOUND, also see BY LEAPS AND BOUNDS; DUTY BOUND; HONOR BOUND; OUT OF BOUNDS; WITHIN BOUNDS. Also see under BIND.

  bound and determined Firmly resolved, as in He was bound and determined to finish the assignment before taking on another. This phrase is a redundancy used for emphasis, as bound and determined here both mean “resolved to.” Also see BOUND TO.

  bound for On the way to, heading for. For example, This bus is bound for Broadway. It is also found in a well-known gospel hymn in which the singer is “bound for the land of Canaan.” This phrase stems from the 12th-century meaning of bound as “ready” or “prepared.”

  bound hand and foot Wholly obligated, unable to free oneself. For example, These rules have us bound hand and foot; we can’t even discuss the matter. This term transfers the literal meaning, having one’s hands and feet tied and therefore unable to move, to legal, moral, or social obligations. The expression dates from the 10th century A.D.

  bound to, be Be certain or destined to; also, be determined or resolved to. For example, We are bound to hear from them soon, or No matter what they say, she is bound to run for mayor. This usage is derived from the older sense of bound as “obliged.” [Mid-1500s]

  bound up in Also, bound up with. Deeply or inextricably involved in. For example, Obviously the candidate was bound up with the negotiations on the party platform, or She is bound up in her church activities. This usage appears in the Bible (Genesis 44:30): “His life is bound up in the lad’s life.” [Late 1500s]

  bow → In addition to the idioms beginning with BOW, also see TAKE A BOW; TWO STRINGS TO ONE’S BOW.

  bow and scrape Behave obsequiously or too deferentially, as in In this fashionable store, the salespersons virtually bow and scrape before customers. This term alludes to the old-fashioned custom of bowing so deeply that one’s foot draws back and scrapes the ground. A cliché for a century or more, it may be dying out. [Mid-1600s]

  bowl of cherries, life is just a These are happy circumstances; life is wonderful. This phrase is often used ironically, as in My husband is about to get laid off—life is just a bowl of cherries, right? Originating as the title of a song (1931) by Lew Brown (lyrics) and composer Ray Henderson, this term expressed the idea that everything was going very well. However, its ironical use was established by the 1970s. Also see BED OF ROSES.

  bowl over Astonish, surprise greatly, overwhelm, as in I was simply bowled over by their wonderful performance. This term originated in cricket, where it means “to knock both the bails off the wicket.” [Mid-1800s]

  bow out Depart, withdraw, resign, as in After five years as chairman, I felt it was time I bowed out, or We’ll have to beat them; they’ll never bow out. [First half of 1900s]

  box → In addition to the idioms beginning with BOX, also see IN A BIND (BOX); ON ONE’S SOAPBOX; PANDORA’S BOX; STUFF THE BALLOT BOX.

  box office 1. The office where seats for a play, concert, or other form of entertainment may be purchased, as in Tickets are available at the box office. It is so called because originally (1600s) it was the place for hiring a box, a special compartment of theater seats set aside for ladies. [Second half of 1700s] 2. The financial receipts from a performance; also, a show’s relative success in attracting a paying audience. For example, You may not consider it great art, but this play is good box ­office. [c. 1900]

  box score 1. A detailed summary of actions or an event, as in The President wanted to base his reelection campaign on his box score. The term comes from baseball, where since about 1910 it has signified a statistical summary in table form of the essential details of a game. About 1930 it began to be used figuratively, especially by politicians referring to their own record while in office. 2. In military slang, the number of dead, wounded, or missing in action. For example, Never mind the details of the battle; just give the lieutenant the box score. [c. 1950]

  box the compass Make a complete turnabout or reversal, as in With a change of ownership, the editorial page boxed the compass politically, now supporting the Senator. Originally this was (and continues to be) a nautical term, meaning “repeat the 32 points of the compass in order.” In the early 1800s it began to be used figuratively.

  boy → In addition to the idiom beginning with BOYS, also see FAIR-HAIRED BOY; MAMA’S BOY; OLD-BOY NETWORK; SEPARATE THE MEN FROM THE BOYS; WHIPPING BOY.

  boys will be boys One can expect boys to act childishly or misbehave, as in We told the kids not to eat in the living room, but when we got home there was a big mess there—oh well, boys will be boys. This term came from a Latin proverb, translated as “Children [boys] are children [boys] and do childish things.” In English it was first recorded in 1589.

  brace up Also, brace oneself. Summon up one’s courage or resolve, as in Brace up, we don’t have much farther to go, or Squaring his shoulders, he braced himself for the next wave. This idiom uses brace in the sense of “to bolster” or “to strengthen.” The first term dates from the early 1700s, the ­variant from about 1500.

  brain → In addition to the idioms beginning with BRAIN, also see BEAT ONE’S BRAINS OUT; BLOW ONE’S BRAINS OUT; ON ONE’S MIND (THE BRAIN); PICK SOMEONE’S BRAINS; RACK ONE’S BRAIN.

  brain drain The departure of educated or talented persons for better pay or jobs elsewhere, as in The repression of free speech in Germany triggered a brain drain to Britain and America. The term originated about 1960, when many British scientists and intellectuals emigrated to the United States for a better working climate.

  brain someone Hit someone hard on the head. For example, The roof collapsed and a hunk of plaster brained him, or I’ll brain you if you don’t get to those dishes! This term is used both literally (first example) and hyperbolically (second example). [Slang; 1930s]

  brain trust A group of experts who serve as unofficial but vital advisers. For example, Each town manager seemed to have his or her own brain trust, which of course changed with every election. This term, closely associated with President Franklin Roosevelt’s advisers on domestic and foreign policy in the early 1930s, was first recorded in 1910.

  branch → In addition to the idioms beginning with BRANCH, also see OLIVE BRANCH; ROOT AND BRANCH.

  branch off Diverge, subdivide, as in It’s the house on the left, just after the road branches off, or English and Dutch branched off from an older parent language, West Germanic. This term alludes to a tree’s growth pattern, in which branches grow in separate directions from the main trunk. [Second half of 1800s] Also see BRANCH OUT.

  branch out Separate into subdivisions; strike off in a new direction. For example, Our software business is branching out into more interactive pro
ducts, or Bill doesn’t want to concentrate on just one field; he wants to branch out more. This term alludes to the growth habits of a tree’s limbs. [Early 1700s] Also see BRANCH OFF.

  brass → In addition to the idioms beginning with BRASS, also see BOLD AS BRASS; DOUBLE IN BRASS; GET DOWN TO BRASS TACKS.

  brass hat A high-ranking official, as in All the brass hats were invited to the sales conference. The terms big brass, top brass, and the brass all refer to high officials considered as a group. For example, John’s one of the top brass in town—he’s superintendent of schools. The origin of this term is disputed. Most authorities believe it originated in the late 19th-century British army, when senior officers had gold leaves on their cap brims. Another theory is that it referred to the cocked hat worn by Napoleon and his officers, which they folded and carried under the arm when indoors. In French these were called chapeaux à bras (“hats in arms”), a term the British are supposed to have anglicized as brass. By World War I brass hat referred to a high-ranking officer in Britain and America, and in World War II it was joined by the other brass phrases. After the war these terms began to be used for the top executives in business and other organizations.

  brass ring A chance to achieve wealth or success; a prize or reward. For example, “As a businessman he let the brass ring go by too many times. And it got him.” This quotation from the Boston Globe (July 31, 1995) refers to an executive who was forced to resign. The term comes from the practice of giving a free ride to the person who succeeded in picking a ring out of a box while riding a merry-go-round. [Slang; late 1800s]

  brave face, put on a Also, put up a brave front. 1. Face adversity cheerfully. For example, Even though she had been passed over for promotion, she put on a brave face. It was first recorded in 1605.  2. Try to appear brave even though very frightened. For example, Harry was terrified of animals, but his boss was a dog lover, so he put up a brave front. [Second half of 1800s]

  brave it out 1. Face danger or a difficult situation with courage. For example, They had far fewer votes than the opposition, but they decided to brave it out. [Late 1500s] 2. Also, brazen it out. Boast or swagger, act with impudent bravado. For example, They hadn’t been invited but decided to stay and brazen it out. [Mid-1500s]

  brave the elements Go out in stormy weather, as in We’ve just about run out of food; I’ll brave the elements and walk to the store. The use of elements for atmospheric agencies dates from the early 1500s but is rare today except in this expression, which is often used hyperbolically.

  bread → In addition to the idioms beginning with BREAD, also see BREAK BREAD; GREATEST THING SINCE SLICED BREAD; KNOW WHICH SIDE OF ONE’S BREAD IS BUTTERED; TAKE THE BREAD OUT OF SOMEONE’S MOUTH.

  bread and butter 1. The essential, sustaining element, as in The quality of the schools is the bread and butter of town property values. This idiom alludes to a basic food, bread spread with butter. [c. 1700] 2. Means of livelihood, as in John’s job is the family’s bread and butter. [First half of 1700s] 3. Ordinary, routine, as in Don’t worry about it; this is just a bread and butter assignment. [Second half of 1800s]

  bread-and-butter letter A thank-you letter from guest to host. For example, Mother always had to remind the children to send Grandma a bread-and-butter letter. [c. 1900]

  break → In addition to the idioms beginning with BREAK, also see GET A BREAK; GIVE SOMEONE A BREAK; MAKE A BREAK FOR; MAKE A CLEAN BREAK; MAKE OR BREAK; NEVER GIVE A SUCKER AN EVEN BREAK; TAKE A BREAK; TOUGH BREAK. Also see under BROKE.

  break a leg 1. Fracture one or more leg bones, as in She fell down the stairs and broke her leg in two places. [c. A.D. 1000] 2. Good luck! as in Play well, Rob—break a leg! The origin of this imperative to a performer about to go onstage is unclear; it may have been a translation of the German Hals und Beinbruch (“Break your neck and leg”), also of unknown origin. Equally mysterious is the Italian equivalent, In bocca di lupe, “Into the mouth of the wolf.” [c. 1900]

  break away 1. Leave hurriedly, escape, get loose. For example, The boy tried to break away, but his mother held onto his coat, or On the last lap the horse broke away from the pack. [First half of 1500s] 2. Sever connections with a group. For example, It was hard for me to break away from that organization, but I knew it was necessary. 3. Stop doing something, as in She broke away from work long enough to go out for lunch.

  break bread Have a meal, eat. For example, It’s hard to remain enemies when you’ve broken bread together. This term occurs in numerous places in the New Testament, where it sometimes means to share bread and other times to distribute food to others. In later usage it came to refer to the sacramental bread of Communion in Christian services. The latter survives in the spiritual hymn, “Let Us Break Bread Together.” [1300s]

  break camp Take down a tent and pack up other gear; also, leave a place, move out. For example, The landlord has to return my rent deposit before I’ll break camp. Originally camp denoted a military encampment, but by the mid-1500s the term had been transferred to temporary outdoor sites used by hunters and the like. By the 1800s, the current term was in use. Thus, “It is the hunter’s rule to see that the fire is extinguished... before breaking camp.” (F.H. Guillemard, Cruise of Marchesa I, 1886).

  break cover Suddenly emerge from a hiding place, as in The shots distracted our pursuers long enough so that we could break cover and make a run for it. This term originally alluded to animals being hunted, a frequent usage in the 1500s. Now that hunting is a less common pursuit, it is used for human beings.

  break down 1. Demolish, destroy, either physically or figuratively, as in The carpenters broke down the partition between the bedrooms, or The governor’s speeches broke down the teachers’ opposition to school reform. [Late 1300s] 2. Separate into constituent parts, analyze. For example, I insisted that they break down the bill into the separate charges for parts and labor, or The chemist was trying to break down the compound’s molecules. [Mid-1800s] 3. Stop functioning, cease to be effective or operable, as in The old dishwasher finally broke down. [Mid-1800s] 4. Become distressed or upset; also, have a physical or mental collapse, as in The funeral was too much for her and she broke down in tears, or After seeing all his work come to nothing, he broke down and had to be treated by a psychiatrist. [Late 1800s]

  break even Neither gain nor lose in some venture, recoup the amount one invested. For example, If the dealer sells five cars a week, he’ll break even. This expression probably came from one or another card game (some authorities say it was faro), where it meant to bet that a card would win and lose an equal number of times. It soon was transferred to balancing business gains and losses. Novelist Sinclair Lewis so used it in Our Mr. Wrenn (1914). The usage gave rise to the noun break-even point, for the amount of sales or production needed for a firm to recoup its investment. [Late 1800s]

  break ground Also, break new ground. 1. Begin digging into the earth for new construction of some kind. For example, When will they break ground for the town hall? This usage alludes to breaking up the land with a plow. [Early 1700s] 2. Take the first steps for a new venture; advance beyond previous achievements. For example, Jeff is breaking new ground in intellectual property law. [Early 1700s]

  break in 1. Enter by force, as in The thieves broke in through the back door. [Mid-1500s] Also see BREAK INTO. 2. Also, break in on. Interrupt or disturb something unexpectedly, as in His assistant broke in with the bad news just as we were ready to sign the agreement, or He broke in on our private talks. [Mid-1600s] 3. Train or instruct someone in a new job or enterprise, as in Every semester she had to break in a new teaching assistant. [Late 1700s] 4. Loosen or soften with use, as in It takes a while to break in a pair of new shoes.

  break into 1. Make a forcible entry into, as in The alarm went off as soon as they tried to break into the house. [1300s] Also see BREAK IN, def. 1. 2. Interrupt, as in I couldn’t help but break into your conversation. [Mid-1600s] 3. Suddenly begin some activity, as in Without warning she broke into tears. Also see under
BURST INTO. 4. Enter or be admitted to an occupation or profession, as in Without connections it is virtually impossible to break into acting. [Late 1800s]

  break it up → See under BREAK UP.

  break loose Escape from restraint, as in The boat broke loose from its moorings, or He finally broke loose from the school of abstract expressionism. This expression also appears in all hell breaks loose, which indicates a state of fury or chaos, as in When Dad finds out you broke his watch, all hell will break loose, or When the children saw the dead pigeon in the hall, all hell broke loose. [Early 1400s]

  break of day Dawn, early morning, as in We’ll leave at break of day, as soon as it’s light, or I feel as though I’ve been working since the break of day. This term uses break in the sense “burst out of darkness.” [First half of 1500s] A synonym from the same period is the noun daybreak.

  break off 1. Stop abruptly, as in The trade talks broke off yesterday. [First half of 1300s] 2. Separate, sever a connection, as in The baby broke off the tops of all the flowers, or The new sect has broken off from the established church. [First half of 1500s] 3. End a relationship or friendship, as in Mary broke off her engagement to Rob. [Mid-1600s]

  break one → In addition to the idioms beginning with BREAK ONE’S, also see under BREAK SOMEONE.

  break one’s ass Also, break or bust one’s ass or balls or butt or chops. 1. Exert oneself to the utmost, try extremely hard, as in I’ve been breaking my ass to finish early. This expression is considered vulgar slang; both ass, for backside or buttocks, and balls, for male genitals, are rude; butt, for buttocks, and chops, for either the mouth or the legs, are informal and emphatic but not quite as offensive. For a more polite synonym, see BREAK ONE’S BACK. [Slang; first half of 1900s] 2. break someone’s ass. Also, bust someone’s chops. Thrash or harass someone, as in Jim threatened to break Tim’s ass, or The boss broke his workers’ chops to improve service. [Vulgar slang; mid-1900s]