The American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms

by Christine Ammer

  empty → In addition to the idioms beginning with EMPTY, also see GLASS IS HALF FULL (HALF EMPTY); RUNNING ON EMPTY.

  empty calories Food that has little or no nutritional value. For example, Snacking on beer and potato chips makes for a lot of empty calories. [1960s]

  empty nest The home of parents whose children have grown up and moved out. For example, Now that they had an empty nest, Jim and Jane opened a bed-and-breakfast. This expression, alluding to a nest from which baby birds have flown, gave rise to such related ones as empty-nester, for a parent whose children have moved out, and empty-nest syndrome, for the state of mind of parents whose children have left. [c. 1970]

  empty suit An unimportant person; also, a phony. For example, Don’t pay any attention to him—he’s just an empty suit, or She acts as though she knows what she’s doing, but she’s really an empty suit. This graphic expression calls up the image of an empty suit of clothes. [c. 1970]

  enchilada → See BIG CHEESE (ENCHILADA); WHOLE BALL OF WAX (ENCHILADA).

  end → In addition to the idioms beginning with END, also see ALL’S WELL THAT ENDS WELL; AT LOOSE ENDS; AT ONE’S WIT’S END; BE-ALL AND END-ALL; BEGINNING OF THE END; BITTER END; BURN THE CANDLE AT BOTH ENDS; BUSINESS END; CAN’T SEE BEYOND THE END OF ONE’S NOSE; COME TO AN END; DEAD END; GO OFF THE DEEP END; HOLD ONE’S END UP; IN THE END; LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL; MAKE ENDS MEET; MAKE ONE’S HAIR STAND ON END; NEVER HEAR THE END OF; NO END; ODDS AND ENDS; ON END; ON THE RECEIVING END; PLAY BOTH ENDS AGAINST THE MIDDLE; PUT AN END TO; REAR END; SHORT END OF THE STICK; TAIL END; WRONG END OF THE STICK.

  endangered species A group threatened with extinction or destruction. For example, Workers willing to put in overtime without extra pay are an endangered species, or With the new budget cuts, public television has become an endangered species. This expression, originally referring to species of plants or animals in danger of dying out, began in the 1980s to be extended to anything or anyone becoming rare.

  end game The final stage of some process, as in The book discussed the diplomatic end game resulting in the treaty. This term, dating from about 1880, comes from chess, where it denotes the stage of a game when most of the pieces have been removed from the board. In the mid-1900s it began to be transferred to other activities.

  end in itself A purpose or goal desired for its own sake (rather than to attain something else). For example, For me, writing books is an end in itself; they don’t really make that much money. This expression employs the noun end in the sense of “final cause or purpose,” a usage dating from the early 1500s.

  end it all Commit suicide. Dating from the early 1900s, this term is occasionally used humorously for an inanimate object. For example, Now that the transmission has given out, my car has decided to end it all.

  end justifies the means, the A good outcome excuses any wrongs committed to attain it. For example, He’s campaigning with illegal funds on the theory that if he wins the election the end will justify the means, or The officer tricked her into admitting her guilt—the end sometimes justifies the means. This proverbial (and controversial) observation dates from ancient times, but in English it was first recorded only in 1583.

  end of one’s rope, at the Also, at the end of one’s tether. At the limits of one’s resources, abilities, endurance, or patience. For example, If that loan doesn’t come through, we’ll be at the end of our rope, or The workmen are driving me crazy; I’m at the end of my tether. This expression alludes to a tied-up animal that can graze only as far as the rope (or tether) permits. [Late 1600s]

  end of the line Also, end of the road. The conclusion or final outcome. For example, The editorial pointed out that it was the end of the line for the President; he’d never be reelected, or It was obviously the end of the road for this television series. This idiom alludes to the point where a railway line or a road stops. [c. 1900] The variant dates from the mid-1900s.

  end run Evasive action, as in The new department head was making an end run around the old hands who opposed her appointment. This term comes from American football, where it denotes an offensive play in which the ball carrier runs around one end of the opposing team’s line. [Mid-1900s]

  ends of the earth, the The utmost limit, as in She would go to the ends of the earth for him. This usage was once literal (referring to the farthest reaches of the planet) but now is used only figuratively.

  end to end 1. In a row with the ends touching. For example, The logs were laid end to end. [Mid-1800s] 2. from end to end. Throughout the length of something, as in We hiked the Appalachian Trail from end to end. [First half of 1600s]

  end up Arrive at, result in, finish. For example, He thought he’d end up living in the city, or We don’t know how Nancy will end up. [First half of 1900s] Also see WIND UP.

  English → See BODY ENGLISH; IN PLAIN ENGLISH.

  en masse In one group or body; all together. For example, The activists marched en masse to the capitol. This French term, with exactly the same meaning, was adopted into English about 1800.

  enough → In addition to the idioms beginning with ENOUGH, also see FAIR ENOUGH; HAVE HAD ENOUGH; LEAVE WELL ENOUGH ALONE; NOT ENOUGH ROOM TO SWING A CAT; SURE ENOUGH; (LOUD ENOUGH) TO WAKE THE DEAD.

  enough is enough One should be satisfied; stop, there should be no more. For example, No more speeches—enough is enough, or as Robert Southey put it (The Doctor, 1834): “As for money, enough is enough; no man can enjoy more.” This expression already appeared in John Heywood’s proverb collection of 1546 and is often used as an interjection (first example).

  enough rope, give someone Allow someone to continue on a course and then suffer its consequences. For example, The auditor knew something was wrong but decided to give the chief ­accountant enough rope. This expression, a shortening of enough rope to hang oneself, was already proverbial in John Ray’s English Proverbs (1678).

  enough said Say no more; also, I agree completely. For example, She didn’t even bother to call—enough said? or You’ll bring the wine—enough said. [Mid-1800s]

  enough to sink a ship Also, enough to sink a battleship. A more than sufficient amount, as in They brought enough food to sink a ship. [Colloquial; mid-1900s]

  en route On or along the way, as in We’ll pick up Dan en route to the restaurant, or We can finish our discussion en route. This French term was adopted into English in the late 1700s.

  enter into 1. Participate in, take an active role or interest in, as in We had to think twice before we entered into these negotiations. [Late 1700s] 2. Become party to (a contract), bind oneself, as in The nations entered into a new agreement. [First half of 1500s] 3. Become a component, form a part of, as in Finances soon entered into the discussion. [Early 1700s] 4. Also, go into. Consider, investigate, as in The report entered into the effect of high interest rates, or Let’s not go into that. [Mid-1500s]

  enter on Also, enter upon. Set out, begin, as in We are entering on a new era, or They entered upon the most difficult part of the research. [Early 1600s]

  enter one’s mind Also, enter one’s head. Occur to one, come into one’s consciousness. This expression is most often used negatively, as in It didn’t enter my mind that he’d want to join us, or Run for office? It never entered my head.

  enterprise → See FREE ENTERPRISE.

  enter the lists Also, enter the fray. Engage in a fight or competition, as in He said he’d be willing to enter the lists well before the primaries, or Whenever people disagreed, she was eager to enter the fray. The first term uses the noun lists in the sense of “a barrier around the arena enclosing medieval jousting tournaments” and was being used figuratively by the late 1500s. The variant uses fray in the sense of “a noisy skirmish or battle,” a usage from the late 1300s.

  envelope → See PUSH THE ENVELOPE.

  envy → See GREEN WITH ENVY.

  equal In addition to the idiom beginning with EQUAL, also see OTHER THINGS BEING EQUAL; SEPARATE BUT EQUAL.

  equal to Adequate or fit in
ability or extent, as in I’m not sure I’m equal to the task. [Late 1600s] Also see FEEL UP TO; UP TO.

  errand → See FOOL’S ERRAND; RUN AN ERRAND.

  error → See COMEDY OF ERRORS; TRIAL AND ERROR.

  escape → In addition to the idiom beginning with ESCAPE, also see NARROW ESCAPE.

  escape notice Elude attention or observation, as in It must have escaped the editor’s notice so I’ll write again. [c. 1700]

  essence → See OF THE ESSENCE.

  etched in stone → See CAST IN STONE.

  eternal triangle A relationship involving three lovers, such as two women involved with one man or two men with one woman. For example, The plot of the murder mystery revolved around the eternal triangle of a husband, wife, and another woman. [c. 1900]

  eve → See ON THE EVE OF.

  even → In addition to the idioms beginning with EVEN, also see BREAK EVEN; GET EVEN; NEVER GIVE A SUCKER AN EVEN BREAK; ON AN EVEN KEEL.

  evening → See GOOD DAY (EVENING).

  even money Equal odds that something will occur, as in It’s even money that he’ll get the contract. The term comes from gambling, where it signifies equal odds in a bet. [Late 1800s]

  even so Nevertheless, still, that being the case. For example, That may be true, but even so we will investigate further, or She claimed it contained no garlic, but even so I could taste it. [Late 1300s]

  even-steven Exactly equal; also, with nothing due or owed on either side. For example, I’ve paid it all back, so now we’re even-steven. This rhyming phrase is used as an intensive for even. [Mid-1800s]

  event → See BLESSED EVENT; IN ANY CASE (EVENT); IN CASE (IN THE EVENT OF); IN THE UNLIKELY EVENT.

  ever → In addition to the idiom beginning with EVER, also see HARDLY EVER; LIVE HAPPILY EVER ­AFTER.

  ever and again Now and then, occasionally. For example, We visit her ever and again. This phrase has largely replaced the earlier ever and anon, dating from the late 1500s, but is less common than EVERY NOW AND THEN. [Late 1800s]

  every → In addition to the idioms beginning with EVERY, also see AT EVERY TURN; EACH AND EVERY ONE; FINGER IN THE (EVERY) PIE; (EVERY) LIVING SOUL, EVERY; NOOK AND CRANNY, EVERY.

  every bit 1. All of something, as in Eat every bit of that broccoli! 2. In all ways, equally. For example, He is every bit as smart as his sister. Also see EVERY LITTLE BIT HELPS.

  every cloud has a silver lining → see SILVER LINING.

  every dog has its day Even the lowliest will sometimes come to the fore, as in They may not listen to me now, but just wait, every dog has its day. This proverbial saying alludes to the lowly status dogs once held. [Mid-1500s] Also see HAD ITS DAY.

  every inch Completely, wholly, as in He was every inch a leader, or I had to argue this case every inch of the way. [Early 1400s]

  every last one → See EACH AND EVERY ONE.

  every little bit helps Any contribution can be useful, as in He can only give us one day, but every little bit helps. This expression, with slightly different wording (everything helps), dates from the late 1500s.

  every man for himself Each individual puts his or her own interests foremost. For example, In this company no one helps anyone—it’s every man for himself. In Chaucer’s day this dictum was stated approvingly, meaning “if you don’t look out for yourself, no one else will,” but today such selfishness is usually censured. Despite the wording, the term applies to either sex.

  every man has his price Any person can be bribed in some way, as in They had trouble persuading her to join, but when they offered her a car—well, every man has his price. This cynical observation was first recorded in 1734 but may be much older, and it applies to either sex.

  every minute counts Also, every moment counts. Time is of the essence. For example, Hurry up with those tools—every minute counts, or In performing surgery every moment counts. This idiom uses count in the sense of “to enter into the reckoning” (and hence be important).

  every nook and cranny → See NOOK AND CRANNY, EVERY.

  every now and then Also, every now and again; every once in a while; every so often. Occasionally, from time to time; also, periodically. For example, Every now and then I long for a piece of chocolate, or We take long walks every now and again, or Every once in a while he’ll call, or Every so often she washes the car. The first term dates from the first half of the 1700s, the last from the mid-1900s. Also see FROM TIME TO TIME; ONCE IN A WHILE.

  everyone → See entries under EVERY MAN.

  every other Every second one in a series, as in I’m supposed to take this pill every other day. [c. 1400]

  every single one → See EACH AND EVERY ONE.

  every so often → See EVERY NOW AND THEN.

  everything → In addition to the idiom beginning with EVERYTHING, also see HOLD EVERYTHING.

  everything but the kitchen sink Also, everything under the sun. Including just about everything, whether appropriate or not. For example, Our new car has every feature—everything but the kitchen sink. This hyperbolic term may date from the early 1900s but only became widespread in the mid-1900s. The variant employs under the sun in the sense of “everything on earth,” a usage dating from about A.D. 1000.

  every time one turns around Very often; too often. For example, Every time I turn around he’s asking for more money, or Something in this house breaks down every time I turn around.

  every Tom, Dick, and Harry Also, every mother’s son; every man Jack. Everyone, all ordinary individuals, as in This model should appeal to every Tom, Dick, and Harry. The use of masculine names in this way dates from Shakespeare’s time (he used Tom, Dick, and Francis in 1 Henry IV), but the current one dates from the early 1800s. The two variants are largely British usage but occasionally are used in America. The first is recorded as early as 1583, whereas the second dates from the first half of the 1800s.

  everywhere → See HERE, THERE, AND EVERYWHERE; also under ALL OVER.

  every which way In all directions, as in Papers were blowing every which way. [Colloquial; mid-1800s]

  evidence → See IN EVIDENCE.

  evil → In addition to the idiom beginning with EVIL, see LESSER OF TWO EVILS; NECESSARY EVIL.

  evil eye The power to cause injury or misfortune, as in The tomatoes died shortly after planting—I must have an evil eye. The source of this expression is the ancient superstitious belief that some individuals could inflict harm on others simply by looking at them. Today the term is generally used figuratively or ironically, as above, and also in the form give someone the evil eye, which means “glare malevolently at someone.” For example, Helen gave his cat the evil eye, hoping it would stay out of her garden. [Late 1300s]

  example → See FOR EXAMPLE; MAKE AN EXAMPLE OF; SET AN EXAMPLE.

  except for Also, with the exception of. Other than, were it not for. For example, Except for Jack, everyone came to the party, or With the exception of the weather, everything went extremely well. [c. 1600]

  exception → In addition to the idiom beginning with EXCEPTION, also see EXCEPT FOR (WITH THE EXCEPTION OF); MAKE AN EXCEPTION; TAKE EXCEPTION TO.

  exception proves the rule, the An instance that does not obey a rule shows that the rule exists. For example, John’s much shorter than average but excels at basketball—the exception proves the rule. This seemingly paradoxical phrase is the converse of the older idea that every rule has an exception. [Mid-1600s]

  excess → See CARRY TOO FAR (TO EXCESS); IN EXCESS OF.

  exchange → See IN EXCHANGE.

  excuse me 1. Also, I beg your pardon, pardon me. Forgive me, as in Excuse me, please let me pass, or Pardon me for asking, or I beg your pardon, I don’t think so. These phrases are used as an apology for interrupting a conversation, bumping into someone, asking a speaker to repeat something, politely disagreeing with something said, and so on. The first dates from about 1600, the first variant from about 1800, the second from the mid-1700s. 2. Also, excuse oneself. Allow or ask to leave or be released from an ob
ligation. For example, Please excuse me, I have to leave now, or I asked the judge to excuse me from jury duty. [1920s]

  exert oneself Put oneself to strenuous effort, as in We exerted ourselves mightily to raise funds. [First half of 1700s]

  exhibition → See MAKE AN EXHIBITION OF ONESELF.

  expect → See WHEN LEAST EXPECTED.

  expedition → See FISHING EXPEDITION.

  expense → See AT THE EXPENSE OF; GO TO THE TROUBLE (EXPENSE); MONEY (EXPENSE) IS NO OBJECT.

  explain away Dismiss or minimize the importance of something, especially something detrimental. For example, “His words were taken down, and though he tried to explain them away, he was sent to the Tower” (Thomas Macaulay, The History of England, 1855). [c. 1700]

  explain oneself 1. Clarify what one has said or done, as in If you have a few minutes, I’ll try to explain myself. [First half of 1600s] 2. Demand or give an explanation or excuse for something wrong one has done. For example, You’re three hours late—can you explain yourself?

  express oneself Reveal or portray one’s feelings or views through speech, writing, some form of art, or behavior. For example, I find it hard to express myself in Italian, or Helen expresses herself through her painting, or Teenagers often express themselves through their attire, haircuts, and the like. [Mid-1500s]

  extend credit to Also, extend someone credit. Allow a purchase on credit; also, permit someone to owe money. For example, The store is closing your charge account; they won’t extend credit to you any more, or The normal procedure is to extend you credit for three months, and after that we charge interest. This idiom uses the verb extend in the sense of “offer” or “provide,” a usage dating from the mid-1500s.

  extent → See TO SOME DEGREE (EXTENT).

  extenuating circumstances A situation or condition that provides an excuse for an action, as in Although Nancy missed three crucial rehearsals, there were extenuating circumstances, so she was not dismissed. This expression was originally legal terminology, denoting circumstances that partly excuse a crime and therefore call for less punishment or damages. [c. 1600]