The American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms

by Christine Ammer

  devil’s advocate One who argues against a cause or position either for the sake of argument or to help determine its validity. For example, My role in the campaign is to play devil’s advocate to each new policy before it’s introduced to the public. This term comes from the Roman Catholic Church, where historically the advocatus diaboli (Latin for “devil’s advocate”) was an official who was appointed to present arguments against a proposed canonization or beatification. It was transferred to wider use in the mid-1700s.

  devil take the hindmost, the Let everyone put his or her own interest first, leaving the unfortunate to their fate. For example, I don’t care if she makes it or not—the devil take the hindmost. This expression, first recorded in 1608, probably originated as an allusion to a children’s game in which the last (coming “hindmost”) is the loser, and came to mean utter selfishness.

  devil to pay, the Serious trouble resulting from some action, as in There’ll be the devil to pay if you let that dog out. This expression originally referred to trouble resulting from making a bargain with the devil, but later was broadened to apply to any sort of problem. A variant, the devil to pay and no pitch hot, first recorded in 1865, gave rise to the theory that the expression was originally nautical, since pay also means “to waterproof a seam by caulking it with pitch,” and no pitch hot meant it was a particularly difficult job, since cold pitch is hard to use. However, the original expression is much older and is the one that survives. [c. 1400]

  diamond in the rough Also, a rough diamond. A person of exceptional character or potential but lacking polish and refinement. For example, Jack is intelligent and trustworthy but lacks manners—he’s a diamond in the rough. [Early 1600s]

  dibs → See HAVE DIBS ON.

  dice → See LOAD THE DICE; NO DICE.

  dice are loaded, the → See under LOAD THE DICE.

  dick → See EVERY TOM, DICK, AND HARRY.

  die → In addition to the idioms beginning with DIE, also see CURL UP (AND DIE); DO OR DIE; IT’S TO DIE; NEVER SAY DIE.

  die away Also, die down. Gradually diminish, fade, or subside; slowly come to an end. For example, As they moved higher up, their voices died away, or The rain seems to be dying down. The first term, from the late 1600s, today is most often applied to a diminishing sound and was originally used to describe the wind slowing down or ceasing to blow. The variant dates from the first half of the 1800s.

  die down → See DIE AWAY.

  die for Also, be dying for. Long for, desire excessively, as in I’m dying for some ice cream. This hyperbolic usage dates from the late 1500s. Also see DIE TO.

  die hard Take a long time to cease to exist or be dropped from consideration. For example, Old prejudices die hard, or The more radical parts of this proposal will die hard. This idiom alludes to struggling against physical death. [Late 1700s]

  die in harness → See DIE WITH ONE’S BOOTS ON.

  die is cast, the The decision or course of action has been determined and cannot be changed. For example, Now that I’ve announced my resignation, the die is cast. This expression comes from the Latin Iacta alea est, “the die has been thrown,” which according to Suetonius was said by Julius Caesar when he crossed the Rubicon and invaded Italy in 49 B.C. In English it dates from the first half of the 1600s.

  die laughing Experience extreme amusement, as in When his pants fell down, I thought I’d die laughing. This hyperbolic expression was used by Shakespeare in The Taming of the Shrew (3:2): “Went they not quickly, I should die with laughing.” Also see SPLIT ONE’S SIDES.

  die off Perish one by one, as in A celibate community, the Shakers are dying off. [Late 1600s]

  die out Gradually become extinct, as in As technology advances, and Western culture spreads, many folk traditions are dying out. [Mid-1800s]

  die to Also, be dying to. Long greatly to do something, as in I’m dying to go to Alaska. [c. 1700] Also see DIE FOR.

  die with one’s boots on Also, die in harness. Expire while working, keep working to the end, as in He’ll never retire—he’ll die with his boots on, or She knows she’ll never get promoted, but she wants to die in harness. Both phrases probably allude to soldiers who died on active duty. Until the early 1600s the noun boot denoted a piece of armor for the legs, which may have given rise to this usage; and Shakespeare used harness in the sense of armor when he wrote: “At least we’ll die with harness on our back” (Macbeth 5:5).

  differ → See BEG TO DIFFER. Also see under DIFFERENCE; DIFFERENT.

  difference → See MAKE A DIFFERENCE; SAME DIFFERENCE; SPLIT THE DIFFERENCE. Also see under DIFFERENT.

  different → In addition to the idioms beginning with DIFFERENT, also see HORSE OF A DIFFERENT COLOR; KETTLE OF FISH, DIFFERENT; MARCH TO A DIFFERENT BEAT (DRUMMER); SING A DIFFERENT TUNE; WEAR ANOTHER (A DIFFERENT) HAT.

  different as night and day Also, different as day and night. Totally unlike. For example, Although they are sisters, they are as different as night and day. Also see NIGHT AND DAY.

  different strokes for different folks → See under NO ACCOUNTING FOR TASTES.

  dig down Pay with money from one’s own pocket; be generous. For example, We’ve got to dig down deep to make the next payment. [Colloquial; c. 1940]

  dig in 1. Excavate trenches to defend oneself in battle and hold one’s position, as in The battalion dug in and held on. This usage gained currency in the trench warfare of World War I. [Mid-1800s] 2. Also, dig in one’s heels. Adopt a firm position, be obstinate and unyielding. For example, Arthur refused to argue the point and simply dug in, or The dog dug in its heels and refused to move. [Colloquial; late 1800s] 3. Begin to work intensively, as in If we all dig in it’ll be done before dark. [Colloquial; second half of 1800s] 4. Also, dig into. Begin to eat heartily, as in Even before all the food was on the table they began to dig in, or When the bell rang, the kids all dug into their lunches. [Colloquial; early 1900s]

  dig one’s own grave Seriously harm oneself, cause one’s own ruin or downfall. For example, If Sam pursues that course, he’ll be digging his own grave. [First half of 1900s]

  dig out 1. Extract, remove, as in He was determined to dig out every bit of metal he could find. [Late 1300s] 2. Find by searching for, as in He dug out his first contract from the file. [Mid-1800s]

  dig up 1. Search out, find, obtain, as in I’m sure I can dig up a few more supporters. [Mid-1800s] 2. dig up some dirt or the dirt. Find derogatory information about someone or something. For example, The editor assigned him to dig up all the dirt on the candidates. The slangy use of the noun dirt for “embarrassing or scandalous information” dates from about 1840, but this metaphoric expression is a century newer.

  dilemma → See HORNS OF A DILEMMA.

  dim → See TAKE A DIM VIEW OF.

  dime → In addition to the idiom beginning with DIME, also see DROP A DIME; GET OFF THE DIME; ON A DIME.

  dime a dozen So plentiful as to be valueless. For example, Don’t bother to buy one of these—they’re a dime a dozen. The dime was declared the American ten-cent coin in 1786 by the Continental Congress. [First half of 1900s]

  dine → In addition to the idiom beginning with DINE, also see EAT (DINE) OUT; WINE AND DINE.

  dine out on Be invited to dinner because of something one knows about and can discuss. For example, “In a couple of years you will be dining out on this murder” (Ngaio Marsh, A Man Lay Dead, 1934). [First half of 1900s] Also see EAT OUT; SING FOR ONE’S SUPPER.

  dint → See BY DINT OF.

  dip into 1. Investigate superficially, as in He began to dip into Chaucer, or She’s just dipping into psychology. This expression alludes to plunging briefly into a liquid. [Late 1600s] 2. Withdraw something in small amounts, usually money, as in I’ll have to dip into my savings. This usage employs dip into in the sense of plunging one’s hand or a ladle into a pot, water, or the like for the purpose of taking something out. [Early 1800s]

  dip one’s toes into Also, get one’s toes into or wet. Begin to do something novel
or unfamiliar, as in I have been dipping my toes into Asian cooking, or She’s eager to go to Europe and has been getting her toes wet by getting travel information. [Late 1900s] Also see GET ONE’S FEET WET.

  direction → See STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

  dirt → In addition to the idiom beginning with DIRT, also see DIG UP (DIRT); DISH THE DIRT; EAT CROW (DIRT); HIT THE DECK (DIRT); PAY DIRT; TREAT LIKE DIRT. Also see under DIRTY.

  dirt cheap Very inexpensive, as in Their house was a real bargain, dirt cheap. Although the idea dates back to ancient times, the precise expression, literally meaning “as cheap as dirt,” replaced the now obsolete dog cheap. [Early 1800s]

  dirty → In addition to the idioms beginning with DIRTY, also see DOWN AND DIRTY; WASH ONE’S DIRTY LINEN IN PUBLIC.

  dirty joke A smutty story, as in Teenagers love to tell dirty jokes. The use of dirty in the sense of “obscene” or “indecent” dates from the late 1500s, but its application to a joke began only in the 20th century. The same sense also appears in such expressions as dirty book, for a pornographic book; dirty old man, for a middle-aged or elderly lecher; and dirty word or talk dirty, for a lewd, offensive expression or sexually explicit conversation.

  dirty look, give a Scowl at someone, look disapproving. For example, When I started to tell the story, Carol gave me a really dirty look. This expression has largely replaced the earlier and more formal black look. [Colloquial; 1920s]

  dirty one’s hands Also, get one’s hands dirty or soil one’s hands. Do something shameful or illegal. For example, He refused to dirty his hands and give jobs to the big campaign donors, or Getting one’s hands dirty by lying to the boss will be severely punished, or She would not soil her hands by cheating. This expression is a metaphor for literally defiling or soiling oneself. [Mid-1600s]

  dirty tricks Undercover or clandestine operations and deceitful stratagems in politics and espionage. For example, This campaign has been dominated by the dirty tricks of both sides. The adjective dirty here is used in the sense of “unethical” or “unfair.” The term originally was applied to covert intelligence operations carried out by the Central Intelligence Agency, whose planning directorate was nicknamed “department of dirty tricks.” It later was extended to underhanded activity intended to undermine political opponents and commercial rivals. [1940s]

  dirty work An unpleasant, distasteful, or thankless task or job. For example, Jane complained that she had to do all the dirty work while her colleagues took long vacations. [First half of 1900s]

  disappear → See DO A DISAPPEARING ACT.

  discount → See AT A DISCOUNT.

  discretion → In addition to the idiom beginning with DISCRETION, also see THROW CAUTION (DISCRETION) TO THE WINDS.

  discretion is the better part of valor It is better to be prudent than merely courageous, as in I’m signing up for the easy course first; discretion is the better part of valor. This proverb, a synonym of LOOK BEFORE YOU LEAP, was first recorded in 1477. Charles Churchill put it in poetic form: “Even in a hero’s heart, Discretion is the better part” (The Ghost, 1762). Shakespeare also used a form of it: “The better part of valor is discretion” (1 Henry IV, 5:4).

  disguise → See BLESSING IN DISGUISE.

  dish → In addition to the idioms beginning with DISH, also see DO THE DISHES. Also see under DISHWATER.

  dish out 1. Deal out, dispense, as in He dishes out advice to one and all. This expression alludes to serving food from a dish. [Colloquial; first half of 1600s] 2. dish it out. Dispense abuse or punishment, as in He can dish it out with the best of them, but he can’t take it. [Slang; c. 1930]

  dish the dirt Gossip; spread scandal or derogatory information. For example, Unfortunately Bill’s secretary is always dishing the dirt about staff members. [Slang, 1920s].

  dishwater → See DULL AS DISHWATER.

  dispense with 1. Manage without, forgo, as in We can dispense with the extra help. Shakespeare had this idiom in Timon of Athens (3:2): “Men must learn now with pity to dispense.” [c. 1600] 2. Get rid of, do away with, as in The European Union is trying to dispense with tariff barriers. [Late 1500s] 3. Exempt one from a law, promise, or obligation, as in He asked the court to dispense with swearing on the Bible. This usage originally applied to religious obligations (to which the Pope granted dispensation). [Early 1500s]

  disposal → See PUT AT SOMEONE’S DISPOSAL.

  dispose of 1. Attend to, settle, deal with, as in He quickly disposed of the problem. [Early 1600s] 2. Transfer, part with, as by giving away or selling. For example, They wanted to dispose of the land as soon as possible. [Second half of 1600s] 3. Get rid of, throw out, as in Can we dispose of the trash in this barrel? Oliver Goldsmith had this idiom in She Stoops to Conquer (1773): “I’m disposing of the husband before I have secured the lover.” [Mid-1600s] 4. Kill or destroy; also, humorously, consume. For example, The king was determined to dispose of his enemies, or John disposed of the cake in no time. [Second half of 1800s]

  dispute → See IN DISPUTE.

  distance → See GO THE DISTANCE; KEEP ONE’S DISTANCE; SPITTING DISTANCE.

  ditch → See LAST-DITCH EFFORT.

  divide and conquer Also, divide and govern or rule. Win by getting one’s opponents to fight among themselves. For example, Divide and conquer was once a very successful policy in sub-Saharan Africa. This expression is a translation of the Latin maxim, Divide et impera (“divide and rule”), and began to appear in English about 1600.

  do, doing → In addition to the idioms beginning with DO, also see CAN DO WITH; CAN’T DO ANYTHING WITH; HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH; HAVE TO DO WITH; HOW DO YOU DO; LEFT HAND DOESN’T KNOW WHAT RIGHT HAND IS DOING; MAKE DO; NO CAN DO; NOTHING DOING; TAKE DOING; THAT WILL DO; TWO WRONGS DO NOT MAKE A RIGHT; UP AND ABOUT (DOING); WHAT DO YOU KNOW. Also see under DOES; DONE; DON’T.

  do a disappearing act Vanish, as in As soon as the teacher came outside, Mary did a disappearing act. This expression describes a sudden disappearance as if by magic and presumably alludes to a magician’s performance. [Colloquial; early 1900s] Also see FLY-BY-NIGHT.

  do a double take → See DOUBLE TAKE.

  do a job on Also, do a number on. Damage, harm, as in The cat really did a job on the upholstery, or The teacher did a number on the class with that assignment. This slangy idiom uses job (or number) in the sense of “something negative.”

  do an about-face Also, do a flip-flop or one-eighty. Reverse one’s opinion or course of action. For example, The board did an about-face on acquiring more land, or We expected Dad to do a flip-flop concerning our vacation plans, or They had relied on Jim to vote for Harry, but he did a one-eighty and cast his vote for the incumbent. The first term, alluding to the army command to turn around, dates from the first half of the 1900s, and the variants from the second half of the 1900s (the last refers to a 180-degree change of direction).

  do any good Improve a situation or effect a favorable result, as in Tell me if this new medicine does any good. [Early 1700s] A negative version, do no good, is slightly older (late 1600s); for example, All his explanations will do no good.

  do as I say Obey my instructions, as in Never mind about the other mothers—you do as I say. This admonitory order is sometimes followed by a self-deprecating phrase, Do as I say, not as I do, meaning “don’t imitate my behavior but obey my instructions.” This order first appeared in John Selden’s Table-Talk (c. 1654): “Preachers say, ‘Do as I say, not as I do.’”

  do away with 1. Make an end of, eliminate. For example, The town fathers have decided to do away with the old lighting system. 2. Demolish, destroy, kill, as in The animal officer did away with the injured deer lying by the side of the road. In the 13th century both usages were simply put as do away, the with being added only in the late 1700s.

  do blindfolded Also, do standing on one’s head. Perform very easily, as in Dave said he could do the income tax return blindfolded, or An excellent carpenter, he could do just about anything standing on his head. For a
synonymous hyperbolic expression, see WITH ONE ARM TIED BEHIND ONE’S BACK.

  do by Behave with respect to, treat, as in John was determined to do well by his children. This idiom was first recorded about 1175.

  dock → See IN THE DOCK.

  do credit to → See DO SOMEONE PROUD, def. 1.

  doctor → See JUST WHAT THE DOCTOR ORDERED.

  dodo → See under DEAD AS A DOORNAIL.

  does, doesn’t → See EASY DOES IT; HANDSOME IS AS HANDSOME DOES; HOW DOES THAT GRAB YOU; LEFT HAND DOESN’T KNOW WHAT THE RIGHT HAND IS DOING; THAT DOES IT.

  do for 1. Bring about the death, defeat, or ruin of, as in He swore he’d do for him. This usage is often put in the passive voice (see DONE FOR). [First half of 1700s] 2. Care or provide for, take care of, as in They decided to hire a housekeeper to do for Grandmother. This usage today is more common in Britain than in America. [Early 1500s]

  dog → In addition to the idioms beginning with DOG, also see COON’S (DOG’S) AGE; DEAD ON ONE’S FEET (DOG TIRED); EVERY DOG HAS ITS DAY; FIGHT TOOTH AND NAIL (LIKE CAT AND DOG); GO TO POT (THE DOGS); HAIR OF THE DOG THAT BIT YOU; HOT DOG; IN THE DOGHOUSE; LET SLEEPING DOGS LIE; PUT ON THE DOG; RAIN CATS AND DOGS; SEE A MAN ABOUT A DOG; SHAGGY-DOG STORY; SICK AS A DOG; TAIL WAGGING THE DOG; TEACH AN OLD DOG NEW TRICKS; THROW TO THE WOLVES (DOGS); TOP BANANA (DOG).

  dog-and-pony show An elaborate presentation to gain approval for a product or policy. For example, The administration loved putting on a dog-and-pony show for every minor change of policy. This term alludes to a traveling variety show. [1950s]

  dog days Hot, sultry summer weather; also, a period of stagnation. For example, It’s hard to get much work done during the dog days, or Every winter there’s a week or two of dog days when sales drop dramatically. The term alludes to the period between early July and early September, when Sirius, the so-called Dog Star, rises and sets with the sun. The ancient Romans called this phenomenon dies caniculares, which was translated as “dog days” in the first half of the 1500s.