The American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms

by Christine Ammer

  change one’s mind Alter one’s views or intentions, as in I can always change my mind about going on this trip. [Early 1600s]

  change one’s stripes → See under LEOPARD CANNOT CHANGE ITS SPOTS.

  change one’s tune Also, sing another or a different tune. Reverse one’s views or behavior, switch sides, as in When she realized she was talking to the bank president, she quickly changed her tune, or I bet Dan will sing a different tune when he finds out what the salary is. A version of this term, sing another song, dates from about 1300, and it has been theorized that it alludes to itinerant minstrels who changed the words of their songs to please their current audience. The first locution was already in use by 1600. Also see DANCE TO ANOTHER TUNE.

  change the subject Deliberately talk about another topic, as in If someone asks you an embarrassing question, just change the subject. This term uses subject in the sense of “a topic of conversation,” a usage dating from the late 1500s.

  channel → In addition to the idiom beginning with CHANNEL, also see GO THROUGH CHANNELS.

  channel surfing Switching from one television station (channel) to another frequently, either to search for an interesting program or to keep track of several programs at once. For example, What did you see on TV last night?—Nothing much; I was just channel surfing. The term transfers the surfer’s search for good waves to the viewer’s search for programs. This practice became widespread with the use of remote-control devices for changing channels while remaining seated some distance from the television set. [1980s] A 1990s version is Internet surfing, a similar process for searching cyberspace. Also see SURF THE NET.

  chapter and verse The precise authority backing up a statement or view; established rules for or detailed information about something. For example, You can’t withdraw a card after you’ve played it; I’ll cite you the rules, chapter and verse. The term alludes to the chapter and verse of a quotation from the Bible, long regarded as an ultimate authority. [Early 1600s]

  character → See IN CHARACTER; OUT OF CHARACTER.

  charge → In addition to the idioms beginning with CHARGE, also see CARRYING CHARGE; GET A BANG (CHARGE) OUT OF; IN CHARGE; TAKE CHARGE.

  charge off 1. Hurriedly depart, run away, as in After a few minutes, she charged off to the next exhibit. This term alludes to the military meaning of charge, “attack impetuously.” [Early 1500s] 2. Also, charge against. Consider or count as an accounting loss or expense, as in I’m charging off this purchase to overhead, or Let’s charge the new computer against office supplies. [Late 1800s] Also see WRITE OFF. 3. Attribute to, blame something for, as in We can charge off these errors to inexperience.

  charge up Excite, agitate, stimulate, as in The new preacher can really charge up the congregation, or Planning Beth’s wedding got her mom all charged up. This term originally was used for narcotic stimulation but now is used more broadly. [Slang; early 1900s]

  charge with 1. Impose a duty or task on, as in He was charged with getting this message to the commissioners. [c. 1300] 2. Accuse of a crime, as in He was charged with creating a disturbance. [Mid-1500s]

  charity begins at home One ought to be generous to one’s family before helping others. For example, She spends hours and hours on volunteer work and neglects the children, forgetting that charity begins at home. This proverb was first recorded in English, in slightly different form, in John Wycliffe’s Of Prelates (c. 1380): “Charity should begin at himself.”

  charley horse Cramp or stiffness in a muscle, most often in the thigh, as in After working in the garden I frequently get a bad charley horse. First used in the 1880s among baseball players, the term was soon extended to more general use. Its true origin is disputed. Among the more likely theories proposed is that it alludes to the name of either a horse or an afflicted ball player who limped like one of the elderly draft horses formerly employed to drag the infield.

  charm → In addition to the idioms beginning with CHARM, also see (CHARM THE) PANTS OFF; WORK LIKE A CHARM.

  charmed life An existence that seems protected by extreme good luck, as in Robert came out of that accident without a scratch; he must lead a charmed life. The adjective charmed once meant “magical,” which is no doubt what Shakespeare had in mind when he used the term in Macbeth (5:8): “Let fall thy blade on vulnerable crests, I bear a charmed life, which must not yield to one of woman born.” Later it was extended to anyone who narrowly escaped from danger or was similarly lucky. [Late 1500s]

  charm the pants off → See under PANTS OFF.

  chase → See AMBULANCE CHASER; CUT TO THE CHASE; GIVE CHASE; GO FLY A KITE (CHASE YOURSELF); LEAD A CHASE; RUN (CHASE) AFTER; WILD GOOSE CHASE.

  chat up 1. Talk flirtatiously to, as in Leave it to Charlie to chat up the girls. This usage is mostly but not entirely British. [Late 1800s] 2. Engage in light, friendly talk, as in He was soon chatting up all the board members. [Mid-1900s]

  cheap → In addition to the idioms beginning with CHEAP, also see DIRT CHEAP; ON THE CHEAP.

  cheap at twice the price Very inexpensive, a good value for the money. For example, Pete got a $3,000 rebate on his new car—it was cheap at twice the price. For a synonym see DIRT CHEAP.

  cheap shot An unfair or unsporting verbal attack, as in You called him an amateur? That’s really taking a cheap shot. The term originated in sports, ­especially American football, where it signifies ­deliberate roughness against an unprepared opponent. [Slang; second half of 1900s]

  cheat on Be sexually unfaithful to, as in They broke up right after she found he was cheating on her. [Colloquial; 1920s]

  check → In addition to the idioms beginning with CHECK, also see BLANK CHECK; CLAIM CHECK; IN CHECK; PICK UP (THE CHECK); RAIN CHECK; REALITY CHECK; RUBBER CHECK.

  checkered career A background that includes many changes, especially of employment. For example, Heather’s had a checkered career, hopping from one city to another and one job to another. This expression, first recorded in 1881, uses checkered in the sense of “constantly alternating,” much like the squares on a checkerboard.

  check in 1. Record one’s arrival at a hotel, conference, or other function, as in I asked the hotel if we could check in early. [Early 1900s] Also see CHECK INTO, def. 2. 2. Die, as in With the plane rapidly losing fuel, the pilot was sure he’d check in. [Slang; early 1900s] Also see CHECK OUT.

  check into 1. Investigate something, as in I don’t know when they open but I’ll check into it. Also see CHECK OUT. 2. Register one’s arrival at, as in She was about to check into the hospital. Also see CHECK IN, def. 1.

  check off Mark as entered, or examined and passed, as in He checked off their names as they arrived. [Early 1800s]

  check on Also, check up on; check over. Investigate, scrutinize, or inspect, as in I’ll check on the brakes and make sure they’re all right, or We need to check up on his work from time to time, or Let’s check over the books together. [Late 1800s] Also see CHECK OUT, def. 6.

  check out 1. Record one’s departure from a hotel by paying the bill, or from a conference or other function, as in As soon as my bags are packed I’ll check out of the motel. [Early 1900s] 2. Leave hurriedly, make a quick exit, as in The minute I get paid I’m checking out. [Slang; 1920s] 3. Die, as in When he got cholera, he was sure he’d check out. [Slang; 1920s] 4. Withdraw an item after recording the withdrawal, as in I’ll check out the DVDs on your library card. [1930] 5. Record, total the prices, and receive payment for a purchase, as in The cashier checked out and bagged my groceries in record time. 6. check something or someone out. Investigate or evaluate something or someone; observe carefully. For example, I don’t know if you’ll like the film; check it out yourself, or That man who’s staring is probably just checking us out. [Slang; mid-1900s] 7. Pass close inspection, as in That rattle made me suspicious, but the repairman said the machine checked out completely.

  check over → See CHECK ON.

  checks and balances A system whereby each branch of an organization can limit the powers of
the other branches, as in The union has used a system of checks and balances to prevent any large local from dominating its policies. This system was enacted through the Constitution of the United States in order to prevent any of its three branches from dominating the Federal government. The term is occasionally transferred to other mechanisms for balancing power.

  check up → See under CHECK ON.

  cheek → In addition to the idiom beginning with CHEEK, also see TONGUE IN CHEEK; TURN THE OTHER CHEEK.

  cheek by jowl Side by side, close together, as in In that crowded subway car we stood cheek by jowl, virtually holding one another up. This term dates from the 16th century, when it replaced cheek by cheek.

  cheer → In addition to the idioms beginning with CHEER, also see THREE CHEERS FOR.

  cheer on Encourage, as in The crowd was cheering on all the marathon runners. Originating in the 1400s simply as cheer, this usage was augmented by on in the early 1800s.

  cheer up Become or make happy, raise the spirits of, as in This fine weather should cheer you up. This term may also be used as an imperative, as Shakespeare did (2 Henry IV, 4:4): “My sovereign lord, cheer up yourself.” [Late 1500s]

  cheese → In addition to the idioms beginning with CHEESE, also see BIG CHEESE.

  cheesed off Angry, fed up, annoyed, as in I’m cheesed off about watering their plants twice a week. This term was originally military slang and sometimes put simply as cheesed. [Slang; mid-1900s]

  cheese it Stop, look out, as in Cheese it! Here come the cops! This term, generally stated as an imperative, may have been a replacement for the earlier “Stop at once.” Eric Partridge speculated that it may have been a corruption of Cease! but its true origin is not known. [Slang; mid-1800s]

  chest → See OFF ONE’S CHEST; PLAY IT CLOSE TO ONE’S CHEST.

  chestnut → See OLD CHESTNUT.

  chew → In addition to the idioms beginning with CHEW, also see BITE OFF MORE THAN ONE CAN CHEW.

  chew out Scold harshly, as in Dad will chew you out for taking the car without permission. Originating in the military, this slangy term began to be used during World War I and soon spread to civilian life. Several vulgar versions, such as chew someone’s ass out, should be avoided in polite speech. Also see EAT OUT, def. 2.

  chew the cud Also, chew over. Ponder over, meditate, as in John tends to chew the cud before he answers, or Let me chew that over and let you know. The first term, first recorded in 1382, transfers the appearance of a patiently ruminating cow to a person deep in thought. The variant was first recorded in 1696.

  chew the fat Also, chew the rag. Chat in a friendly, leisurely way, as in Let’s get together for coffee and chew the fat, or John and Dave spend hours just chewing the rag. Before the 1880s in Britain, chew the fat meant “to grumble or complain,” and chew the rag also has been used in this way. Today both expressions are largely synonyms for a friendly talk or gossip session. Why this idiom uses fat and rag is not known, but some speculate that fat refers to juicy items of gossip and rag to ladies’ sewing circles and the cloth they worked on while chatting.

  chicken → In addition to the idioms beginning with CHICKEN, also see COUNT ONE’S CHICKENS BEFORE THEY HATCH; GO TO BED WITH (THE CHICKENS); LIKE A CHICKEN WITH ITS HEAD CUT OFF; NO SPRING CHICKEN.

  chicken feed A trifling amount of money, as in I’m not going to mow lawns for $5 an hour—that’s chicken feed. This expression alludes to the fact that chickens can be fed corn and wheat grains too small for other uses. [Slang; early 1800s] Also see CHUMP CHANGE.

  chicken out Back out from fear, lose one’s nerve, as in In the end I chickened out and took the easier route down the mountain. Chicken is a popular synonym for “cowardly,” a usage arising in the 1600s and 1700s but then apparently abandoned until the 20th century. [Slang; c. 1930]

  chickens come home to roost The consequences of doing wrong always catch up with the wrongdoer, as in Now that you’re finally admitting your true age, no one believes you—chickens come home to roost. The fact that chickens usually come home to rest and sleep has long been known, but the idea was used figuratively only in 1809, when Robert Southey wrote, “Curses are like young chickens, they always come home to roost” (The Curse of Kehama).

  chicken shit 1. Contemptibly petty or insignificant. For example, He has spent his life making up chicken shit rules that nobody follows anyway. This expression gained currency during World War II, when it was often applied to the enforcement of petty and disagreeable military regulations. [Vulgar slang; c. 1930] 2. Cowardly, as in You’re not too chicken shit to come along, are you? [Vulgar slang; mid-1940s]

  chicken with its head cut off → See LIKE A CHICKEN WITH ITS HEAD CUT OFF.

  chief cook and bottlewasher A person in charge of numerous duties, both vital and trivial, as in We have no secretaries or clerks; the department head is chief cook and bottlewasher and does it all. [Slang; c. 1840]

  child → In addition to the idiom beginning with CHILD, also see SECOND CHILDHOOD.

  child’s play Something easily done, a trivial matter. For example, Finding the answer was child’s play for Robert, or The fight we had was child’s play compared to the one I had with my mother! Originating in the early 1300s as child’s game, the idiom was already used in its present form by Chaucer in The Merchant’s Tale: “It is no child’s play to take a wife.”

  chilled to the bone Also, chilled to the marrow. Extremely or bitterly cold, as in After skiing in the wind for five hours straight, I was chilled to the bone. These hyperboles replaced the earlier idea of one’s blood freezing and are more picturesque than the current synonym frozen.

  chill out Calm down or relax, as in Don’t let it bother you—just chill out, or Rex decided to come home and chill out for a while. [Slang; 1970s.] Also see COOL IT.

  chime in 1. Join in harmoniously or in unison, ­either literally (with music) or figuratively (joining a conversation to express agreement). For example, In this passage I want the altos to chime in with the tenors, or When Mary agreed, her sister chimed in that she’d join her. The literal usage was first recorded in 1681, the figurative in 1838. 2. chime in with. Be in agreement or compatible with, as in His views chime in with the paper’s editorial stance. [Early 1700s]

  chin → See KEEP ONE’S CHIN UP; LEAD WITH ONE’S CHIN; TAKE IT ON THE CHIN.

  china, China → In addition to the idiom beginning with CHINA, also see BULL IN A CHINA SHOP; NOT FOR ALL THE TEA IN CHINA.

  Chinaman’s chance Also, ghost of a chance. An extremely slim chance, a hopeless undertaking. Both versions are most often put negatively, as in He hasn’t a Chinaman’s chance of finishing the work in time, or They haven’t a ghost of a chance to get as far as the playoffs. The first term, now considered offensive, dates from the late 1800s when many Chinese immigrants came to work in California and were resented because they worked for lower wages. Its precise allusion is unclear. The variant, which relies on the meaning of ghost as an insubstantial shadow, dates from the mid-1800s. Also see the synonyms CHANCE; SNOWBALL’S CHANCE IN HELL.

  chink in one’s armor A vulnerable area, as in Putting things off to the last minute is the chink in Pat’s armor and is bound to get her in trouble one day. This term relies on chink in the sense of “a crack or gap,” a meaning dating from about 1400 and used figuratively since the mid-1600s.

  chip → In addition to the idioms beginning with CHIP, also see CASH IN (ONE’S CHIPS); IN THE MONEY (CHIPS); LET THE CHIPS FALL WHERE THEY MAY; WHEN THE CHIPS ARE DOWN.

  chip in 1. Contribute money, help, or advice, as in If we all chip in we’ll have enough to buy a suitable gift, or Everyone chipped in with ideas for the baby shower. Mark Twain used this term in Roughing It (1872): “I’ll be there and chip in and help, too.” [Mid-1800s] 2. In poker and other games, to put up chips or money as one’s bet. For example, I’ll chip in another hundred but that’s my limit or, as Bret Harte put it in Gabriel Conroy (1876): “You’ve jest cut up thet rough with my higher emotions, there a
in’t enough left to chip in on a ten-cent ante.” [Mid-1800s]

  chip off the old block A person who closely resembles a parent, as in Like her mother, Karen has very little patience—a chip off the old block. This term, with its analogy to a chip of stone or wood that closely resembles the larger block it was cut from, dates from ancient times (Theocritus, Idyls, c. 270 B.C.). In English it was already a proverb by the 17th century, then often put as chip of the old block.

  chip on one’s shoulder A belligerent attitude or grievance, as in Mary is easily offended; she always has a chip on her shoulder. This term actually was defined in a newspaper article (Long Island Telegraph, May 20, 1830): “When two churlish boys were determined to fight, a chip would be placed on the shoulder of one and the other demanded to knock it off at his peril.” [Early 1800s]

  chip and dip Also, chip’n dip. A snack food or an appetizer consisting of potato chips, crackers, or raw vegetables (like carrot sticks) that are used to scoop up a dip, a savory creamy mixture. For example, There wasn’t much to eat; all they served was a chip and dip. The term is also used for the utensils employed for this dish—a plate for the crackers and a small bowl for the dip. [Mid-1900s]

  choice → See BY CHOICE; HOBSON’S CHOICE; OF CHOICE; PAY YOUR MONEY AND TAKE YOUR CHOICE. Also see under CHOOSE.

  choke back Suppress, as in He choked back his tears. [Late 1800s]

  choke off 1. Put a stop to, throttle, as in Higher interest rates are choking off the real estate boom. [Early 1800s] 2. Stop someone from speaking or complaining, as in Throughout the debate the congressman had to be choked off to give the other candidate a chance to speak. [Slang; late 1800s]

  choke up 1. Block a channel or other passage, as in Vegetation choked up the creek like a dam. [Late 1600s] 2. Be too emotional or upset to speak, as in She became so emotional about winning that she choked up and was unable to give an interview. 3. Become too nervous or tense in a critical situation to perform, as in He’s fine during practice but in a match he tends to choke up. This usage, also put as to choke alone, is especially common in sports. [Colloquial; mid-1900s]