The American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms
Page 21
cast down 1. Throw down, hurl to the ground, as in She cast down her coat on the grass. [Late 1400s] 2. Bend down, lower, as in He cast down his eyes. [Late 1300s]
cast in one’s lot → See CAST ONE’S LOT.
cast in stone Also, carved or etched in stone. Definite, fixed, as in We may choose to stay longer—our plans aren’t cast in stone, or When Carl sets an agenda you can safely assume it’s etched in stone.The first expression, from the early 1500s, uses the verb cast in the sense of pouring and hardening some material into a final form, and the variants allude to cutting or corroding a permanent design.
cast in the same mold Bearing a close resemblance, as in All his detective stories are cast in the same mold. This term uses the verb to cast in the sense of forming an object by running molten metal into a mold. [Late 1500s]
castles in the air Dreams about future success, as in Musing about the bestseller list, she was apt to build castles in the air. The idiom dates from the late 1500s. A variant, castles in Spain (or chateaux en Espagne), was recorded in the Roman de la Rose in the 1200s and translated into English about 1365.
cast loose Also, cast adrift. Let go, freed, as in After Rob was suspended from boarding school, he was cast loose with nowhere to go, or Selling her home meant she was cast adrift with no financial ties or responsibilities. Originally a nautical term for releasing a vessel, this idiom was being used figuratively by the late 1500s.
cast off 1. Discard, reject, as in He cast off his clothes and jumped in the pool. This term was already used figuratively in Miles Coverdale’s translation of the Bible (1535): “Thy mother... that hath cast off her housebonds and her children” (Ezekiel 16:45). 2. Let go, set loose, as in He cast off the line and the boat drifted from the dock. [Second half of 1600s] 3. In knitting, to finish the last row of stitches, that is, take the stitches off the needle and form a selvage. For example, Your sweater is finished; I just have to cast off. [Late 1800s] Also see CAST ON, def. 1.
cast on 1. Make the first stitches in knitting, putting them on the needle, as in Once you learn how to cast on, you can use either simple or complicated stitches. [Mid-1800s] 2. Hastily put on clothes, as in He cast on his coat and ran out. This usage is dying out. [Early 1800s]
cast one’s lot with Also, cast or throw in one’s lot with. Join or side with, no matter what the outcome, as in Bill cast his lot with the new company. [First half of 1500s]
cast out Forcibly drive out, expel, as in We have to cast out these old-fashioned ideas and methods. [Late 1200s]
cast pearls before swine Give something of value to someone who won’t appreciate it, as in The old professor felt that lecturing on Dante to unruly undergraduates would be casting pearls before swine. This term comes from the New Testament (Matthew 7:6), appearing in Tyndale’s translation (1526). It was repeated often by writers from Shakespeare to Dickens and remains current.
cast the first stone Also, throw the first stone. Be quick to blame, criticize, or punish, as in She’s always criticizing her colleagues, casting the first stone no matter what the circumstances. The term comes from the New Testament (John 8:7), where Jesus defends an adulteress against those who would stone her, saying “He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.” Also see PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN GLASS HOUSES SHOULDN’T THROW STONES; POT CALLING THE KETTLE BLACK.
cat → In addition to the idioms beginning with CAT, also see ALLEY CAT; BELL THE CAT; CURIOSITY KILLED THE CAT; FAT CAT; FIGHT TOOTH AND NAIL (LIKE CAT AND DOG); GRIN LIKE A CHESHIRE CAT; LET THE CAT OUT OF THE BAG; LIKE A CAT ON HOT BRICKS; LOOK LIKE SOMETHING THE CAT DRAGGED IN; LOOK LIKE THE CAT THAT ATE THE CANARY; MORE THAN ONE WAY TO SKIN A CAT; NOT ENOUGH ROOM TO SWING A CAT; PLAY CAT AND MOUSE; RAIN CATS AND DOGS; WHEN THE CAT’S AWAY, THE MICE WILL PLAY.
catbird seat A situation of advantage or superiority, as in His promotion put Charles in the catbird seat. This term is thought to allude to that noisy bird’s habitual high perch. It was popularized in the 1940s by sportscaster Red Barber.
catch → In addition to the idioms beginning with CATCH, also see EARLY BIRD CATCHES THE WORM; GET (CATCH) THE DRIFT; IT TAKES ONE TO KNOW ONE (A THIEF TO CATCH A THIEF). Also see under CAUGHT.
catch as catch can By whatever means or in any way possible, as in There was no formal language program; one simply learned Spanish catch as catch can. This term, in slightly varying versions but with the same meaning, dates from the late 1300s.
catch at Snatch, grasp, as in The beggars kept catching at their coats. [c. 1600] Also see GRASP AT STRAWS.
catch a Tartar Seek out something or someone that turns out to be unexpectedly unpleasant or formidable, as in Now that she finally agreed to meet with you, you just might find that you’ve caught a Tartar. In this term, Tartar signifies a difficult or sometimes violent individual, referring to Turkic and Mongolian invaders of Asia in the Middle Ages. [Mid-1600s]
catch cold Also, catch one’s death (of cold). Become infected with a cold virus, contract a bad cold, as in Jane manages to catch cold on every important business trip, or Put on your hat or you’ll catch your death. The first term originally (16th century) meant becoming chilled by exposure to cold and took on its present meaning in the late 1600s. The hyperbolic variant, often shortened, is somewhat newer.
catch fire 1. Be ignited, as in This wood is dry enough to catch fire. [c. 1600] Also see SET ON FIRE. 2. Become inflamed with enthusiasm or passion, as in His ideas caught fire all over the country. [Early 1700s]
catch in the act → See under CATCH RED-HANDED.
catch it Also, get it. Receive a punishment or scolding, as in If I forget anything on the shopping list, I’ll catch it, or I’m really going to get it when I turn in my paper late. [Colloquial; early 1800s]
catch more flies with honey than vinegar, one can One accomplishes more by being nice than by being nasty. This saying dates from the 1600s and has appeared in numerous languages, among them Spanish (in Cervantes’s Don Quixote) and French. Even Abraham Lincoln quoted a version of it in his 1842 speech to the Washingtonian Temperance Society: “It is an old and true maxim that a drop of honey catches more flies than a gallon of gall.”
catch napping Surprise, take unawares. This term is often used in the passive, as in The United States was really caught napping the day the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor. It originated in the mid-1500s as to be taken napping. Also see under OFF GUARD.
catch off guard → See under OFF GUARD.
catch on 1. Understand, as in Aunt Mary doesn’t catch on to any jokes. The verb to catch alone was used with this meaning from Shakespeare’s time, on being added in the late 1800s. Also see GET IT, def. 2. 2. Become popular, as in This new dance is really beginning to catch on. [Late 1800s]
catch one’s breath 1. Resume normal breathing after physical exertion of some kind, as in These stairs are steep; wait a minute till I catch my breath. This phrase sometimes means the same as HOLD ONE’S BREATH—that is, stop breathing momentarily. [Early 1800s] 2. Relax, take a rest, as in Events have been moving so fast I’d like to stop and catch my breath. [First half of 1900s]
catch one’s death (of cold) → See under CATCH COLD.
catch red-handed Also, catch in the act. Apprehend someone in the course of wrong-doing, as in The boys were trying to steal a car and the police caught them red-handed, or He tried to cheat on the exam, but his teacher walked in and caught him in the act. The first term referred to blood on a murderer’s hands and originally signified only that crime. Later it was extended to any offense. The variant (catch in the act) is a translation of the Latin in flagrante delicto, part of the Roman code and long used in English law.
catch sight of → See suddenly or unexpectedly, as in When I first caught sight of the Alps, I was overwhelmed. [First half of 1800s]
catch someone’s eye Attract someone’s attention, as in That window display really catches my eye. [Early 1800s]
catch some rays Sunbathe, as in I want a good tan so I think I’ll go catch
some rays. [Slang; second half of 1900s]
catch some z’s Take a nap, go to sleep, as in I stayed up all night studying so I’d better catch some z’s. This term alludes to the buzzing sound of snoring. [Slang; second half of 1900s]
catch the drift → See GET THE DRIFT.
Catch-22 A no-win dilemma or paradox, similar to DAMNED IF I DO, DAMNED IF I DON’T. For example, You can’t get a job without experience, but you can’t get experience unless you have a job—it’s Catch-22. The term gained currency as the title of a 1961 war novel by Joseph Heller, who referred to an Air Force rule whereby a pilot continuing to fly combat missions without asking for relief is regarded as insane, but is considered sane enough to continue flying if he does make such a request.
catch up 1. Suddenly snatch or lift up, as in The wind caught up the kite and sent it high above the trees. [First half of 1300s] 2. Also, catch up with. Come from behind, overtake. This usage can be either literal, as in You run so fast it’s hard to catch up with you, or figurative, as in The auditors finally caught up with the embezzler. [Mid-1800s] 3. Become involved with, enthralled by, as in We all were caught up in the magical mood of that evening. [Mid-1600s] 4. Also, catch up on or with. Bring or get up to date, as in Let’s get together soon and catch up on all the news, or Tonight I have to catch up with my correspondence. [First half of 1900s]
cat got one’s tongue A comment made when someone is unaccountably or unusually quiet, as in We haven’t heard from you all morning—has the cat got your tongue? Often put as a question, this term originally was used mainly with a child who did something wrong and refused to answer any questions. Today it is used more generally to ask anyone to speak. [Mid-1800s]
cat’s paw A dupe or tool for another, a sucker, as in You always try to make a cat’s paw of me, but I refuse to do any more of your work. This term alludes to a very old tale about a monkey that persuades a cat to pull chestnuts out of the fire so as to avoid burning its own paws. The story dates from the 16th century and versions of it (some with a dog) exist in many languages. Also see PULL THE CHESTNUTS OUT OF THE FIRE.
cat that swallowed the canary → See under LOOK LIKE THE CAT.
caught → In addition to the idioms beginning with CAUGHT, also see under CATCH.
caught dead, wouldn’t be Also, wouldn’t be seen dead. Would have nothing to do with, detest, as in I wouldn’t be caught dead in that outfit, or He’d not be seen dead drinking a cheap wine. This hyperbole is always put negatively. [Colloquial; first half of 1900s]
caught flat-footed Caught unprepared, taken by surprise, as in The reporter’s question caught the President flat-footed. This usage comes from one or another sport in which a player should be on his or her toes, ready to act. [c. 1900]
caught in the middle Also, caught in the cross-fire. Between two opposing sides, as in The writers are often caught in the middle between editor and publisher, who are political opponents, or When parents don’t get along, the children are often caught in the cross-fire. Long used in military situations, these terms began to be used figuratively in the second half of the 1800s.
caught short Found to be lacking something one needs, especially money, as in Can you pay the check? I seem to be caught short. This idiom uses short in the sense of “lacking money,” a usage dating from the early 1500s.
caught with one’s pants down, be Be surprised in an embarrassing or guilty posture, as in We spent a lot of time preparing for the inspection; we didn’t want to get caught with our pants down. This phrase presumably alludes to someone’s pants being lowered to attend to bathroom needs but is not considered particularly vulgar. It is similar to OFF GUARD and, if wrongdoing is discovered, CATCH RED-HANDED. [Colloquial; early 1900s]
cause → In addition to the idioms beginning with CAUSE, also see LOST CAUSE.
cause a commotion Also, cause a stir. Give rise to a disturbance, raise a fuss. For example, The opening debate was so bitter it caused a commotion in the legislature, or Her entrance always caused a stir.
cause raised eyebrows Also, raise eyebrows. Cause surprise or disapproval, as in At school his purple hair usually causes raised eyebrows. This transfer of a physical act (raising one’s eyebrows) to the feelings it may express took place in the early 1900s. Lytton Strachey used the term in The Eminent Victorians (1918): “The most steady-going churchman hardly raises an eyebrow at it now.”
caution → See THROW CAUTION TO THE WINDS.
cave in 1. Fall in, collapse, as in The earthquake made the walls cave in. [Early 1700s] 2. Give in, admit defeat, as in The prosecutor’s questions soon made the witness cave in. [Early 1800s] 3. Collapse, faint, or die from exhaustion, as in After a twenty-mile hike I caved in. [Mid-1800s]
cease → In addition to the idiom beginning with CEASE, also see WONDERS WILL NEVER CEASE.
cease and desist Stop, leave off doing something, as in: “Bliss excavated at least once on his own and Dr. Brand... told him to cease and desist” (Douglas Preston quoting Frank Hibben, The New Yorker, June 12, 1995). This legal term is a redundancy, since cease and desist mean virtually the same thing, but often appears in legal documents to avoid possible misinterpretation. [c. 1920]
ceiling → See GLASS CEILING; HIT THE CEILING.
cent → See FOR TWO CENTS; NOT WORTH A DAMN (RED CENT); PUT IN ONE’S TWO CENTS.
center → In addition to the idiom beginning with CENTER, also see FRONT AND CENTER.
center of attraction, the Something or someone that attracts the most interest or curiosity. For example, The Ferris wheel is always the center of attraction at our carnival, or Jan is the center of attraction wherever she goes. This expression comes from physics, where since about 1770 it has denoted the point to which bodies tend by gravity or the action of centripetal force.
century → See TURN OF THE CENTURY.
ceremony → See STAND ON (CEREMONY).
certain → See FOR CERTAIN.
c’est la vie That’s life, there’s nothing you can do about it. This French expression, often stated with a shrug, frequently is a response to some undesirable occurrence. For example, You were caught with an expired driver’s license; oh well, c’est la vie. [mid-1800s]
chain → In addition to the idioms beginning with CHAIN, also see BALL AND CHAIN; PULL SOMEONE’S CHAIN.
chain reaction A series of events in which each influences or gives rise to the next event, as in If one person collects substantial damages by suing a company, you can expect a chain reaction of such lawsuits. The term originated in the physical sciences, first (1920s) chemistry and later (1940) physics; in the latter it denotes a process of nuclear fission. By the 1940s it had been transferred to more general use.
chain smoker One who smokes continually by lighting a new cigarette from the one being finished, as in Before they forbade smoking in bridge tournaments, many players were chain smokers. [c. 1930]
chair → See MUSICAL CHAIRS.
chalk up 1. Score or earn, as in She chalked up enough points to be seeded first in the tournament. This term alludes to recording accounts (and later, scores) in chalk on a slate. [c. 1700] 2. Credit or ascribe, as They chalked their success up to experience. [First half of 1900s]
champ → In addition to the idiom beginning with CHAMP, also see LIKE A CHAMP.
champ at the bit Show impatience at being held back or delayed, as in The dismissal bell hadn’t rung, but they were champing at the bit to leave. This term transfers the action of a horse that impatiently bites the bit in its mouth to human behavior. [Mid-1600s]
chance → In addition to the idioms beginning with CHANCE, also see BY CHANCE; CHINAMAN’S CHANCE; EYE TO THE MAIN CHANCE; FAT CHANCE; FIGHTING CHANCE; JUMP AT (THE CHANCE); NOT HAVE AN EARTHLY CHANCE; ON THE (OFF) CHANCE; SNOWBALL’S CHANCE IN HELL; SPORTING CHANCE; STAND A CHANCE; TAKE A CHANCE; TAKE ONE’S CHANCES.
chance it Take the risk or hazard of, as in I don’t know if there’s a later bus but let’s chance it. The verb to chance alone was so used for a time, as i
n Let’s just chance the rain—I’m not buying a new umbrella! [Late 1800s] Also see TAKE A CHANCE.
chance on Also, chance upon. Happen upon, find or meet accidentally, as in In Paris we chanced on a wonderful little restaurant, or Andrew chanced upon his karate teacher in the health-food store. [Mid-1500s]
change → In addition to the idioms beginning with CHANGE, also see FOR A CHANGE; LEOPARD CANNOT CHANGE ITS SPOTS; PIECE OF CHANGE; RING THE CHANGES.
change hands Pass from one owner to another. For example, This house seems to change bands every other year, or The contract is valid only when money changes hands. [Second half of 1600s]
change horses in midstream, don’t Also, don’t swap horses in midstream. It’s unwise to alter methods or choose new leaders during a crisis, as in I don’t hold with getting a new manager right now—let’s not swap horses in midstream. This expression was popularized (although not originated) by Abraham Lincoln in a speech in 1864 when he discovered that the National Union League was supporting him for a second term as President.
change off Alternate, or take turns. This phrase is used either for two individuals alternately performing a task, as in Lifting cement blocks is such heavy work that they decided to change off periodically, or for one person alternately performing two tasks, as in I can concentrate on this book only for short periods so I frequently change off and work in the garden. Also see CHANGE OF PACE.
change of heart Altered feelings or attitude, as in Paul didn’t like his new job, but a raise prompted a change of heart and he became quite enthusiastic. [Early 1800s]
change of life Also, the change. Menopause. For example, After nine pregnancies, she was actually looking forward to the change of life, or She became quite moody during the change. [c. 1820]
change of pace A shift in normal routine, a variation in usual activities or pattern, as in She’s smiling in that one photo, just for a change of pace, or After six hours at my desk I need a change of pace, so I’m going for a swim. This term originated in a number of sports where strategy can involve altering the speed of, for example, a pitched or struck ball or a horse’s gait. By the mid-1900s it was being transferred to other enterprises.