The American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms

by Christine Ammer

  go to waste Fail to be used or taken advantage of. For example, I hate to see such talent go to waste, or We bought so much food that some will be going to waste. [c. 1500]

  got to → See HAVE TO.

  go under 1. Suffer defeat or destruction; fail. For example, We feared the business would go under after the founder died. [Mid-1800s] 2. Lose consciousness. For example, Ether was the first anesthetic to make patients go under quickly and completely. This usage dates from the 1930s. 3. Submerge, sink, as in This leaky boat is about to go under.

  go up 1. Be put up, as in New buildings are going up all over town. 2. Rise; increase. For example, His temperature is going up at an alarming rate, or The costs of construction are going up all the time. [Late 1800s] 3. Also, be gone up. Be destroyed, ruined, done for; also, die, be killed. For example, If we’re not back in a week, you’ll know we’ve gone up, or In spite of our efforts, the plans for a new library are gone up. [Slang; mid-1800s] 4. Forget one’s lines on the stage or make a mistake in performing music. For example, Don’t worry, you know your part and you won’t go up, or He went up in the last movement of the sonata. [Slang; 1960s] Also see the subsequent idioms beginning with GO UP.

  go up in flames Also, go up in smoke. Be utterly destroyed, as in This project will go up in flames if the designer quits, or All our work is going up in smoke. This idiom transfers a fire to other kinds of destruction. [Early 1900s]

  go west Die, as in He declared he wasn’t ready to go west just yet. This expression has been ascribed to a Native American legend that a dying man goes to meet the setting sun. However, it was first recorded in a poem of the early 1300s: “Women and many a willful man, As wind and water have gone west.”

  go whole hog Also, go the limit. Do something completely or thoroughly; proceed as far as possible. For example, Instead of just painting the room, why not go whole hog and redecorate it completely? or Let’s go the limit and dig up the entire garden. Although the precise source of whole hog is disputed, this colloquialism was first recorded in 1828 (in Japhet by Frederick Marryat) as go the whole hog. Today the article is usually omitted. Go the limit, also a colloquialism, dates from the mid-1900s. Also see ALL OUT.

  go wilding Also, go out wilding. Go on a rampage, as in The convention delegates have arrived in town, and after deliberating all day they are ready to go out wilding at night. This term originally referred to teenage gang violence directed against randomly chosen victims, impulsive mugging or rape, and similar terrorizing. It also has been transferred to unruly but less violent outings, as in the example. [1980s]

  go with 1. Also, go out with. Accompany; also, date regularly. For example, When I leave, do you want to go with me? or Jerry has been going out with Frieda for two years. [Mid-1500s] 2. Be associated with, as in His accent goes with his background. [c. 1600] 3. Take the side of someone, as in I’ll go with you in defending his right to speak freely. [Mid-1400s] Also see GO ALONG, def. 2. 4. Also, go well with. Look good with, match. For example, This chair goes well with the rest of the furniture, or That color doesn’t go with the curtains. [Early 1700]

  go without saying Be self-evident, a matter of course. For example, It goes without saying that success is the product of hard work. This expression is a translation of the French cela va sans dire. [Second half of 1800s]

  go with the flow Also, go with the tide. Move along with the prevailing forces, accept the prevailing trend, as in Rather than striking out in new directions, I tend to go with the flow, or Pat isn’t particularly original; she just goes with the tide. The flow in the first and more colloquial term, which dates from the late 1900s, alludes to the ebb and flow of tides and probably gained currency because of its appealing rhyme.

  gown → See CAP AND GOWN; TOWN AND GOWN.

  go wrong 1. Go astray, make a mistake. For example, We made a left turn and somehow went wrong from then on, or You won’t go wrong if you follow the directions in the dress pattern. [c. 1300] 2. Take to evil ways, become a criminal, as in As soon as he turned thirteen, Billy fell in with a gang and began to go wrong. [c. 1500] 3. Fail, turn out badly, as in Everything about this party has gone wrong. [Late 1500s] 4. Fail to work properly, as in The car starts fine, but as soon as you put it in gear, the transmission goes wrong. [Late 1800s]

  grab → In addition to the idiom beginning with GRAB, also see HOW DOES THAT GRAB YOU; UP FOR GRABS.

  grab bag A miscellaneous collection, as in The meeting amounted to a grab bag of petty complaints. This term alludes to a container offered at a party or fair, where one dips in for a party favor or prize without knowing what one will get. [Mid-1800s]

  grace → See FALL FROM GRACE; IN SOMEONE’S BAD GRACES; IN SOMEONE’S GOOD GRACES; SAVING GRACE; SAY GRACE; THERE BUT FOR THE GRACE OF GOD GO I; WITH BAD GRACE; WITH GOOD GRACE.

  gracious → See GOODNESS GRACIOUS.

  grade → See MAKE THE GRADE.

  grain → See AGAINST THE GRAIN; WITH A GRAIN OF SALT.

  granddaddy of them all The first, oldest, or most respected of its kind, as in That computer is the granddaddy of them all. [Colloquial; c. 1900]

  grand slam A sweeping success or total victory, as in This presentation gave us a grand slam—every buyer placed an order. This term originated in the early 1800s in the card game of whist (forerunner of contract bridge), where it refers to the taking of all thirteen tricks. It later was extended to bridge and various sports, where it has different meanings: in baseball, a home run hit with runners on all the bases, resulting in four runs for the team; in tennis, winning all four national championships in a single calendar year; in golf, winning all four major championships. In the 1990s the term was used for four related proposals presented on a ballot at once.

  grandstand play, make a Show off, act ostentatiously, as in His colleagues were annoyed with Tom for constantly making a grandstand play at sales conferences. This expression was first used for a baseball play made to impress the crowd in the grandstand (the section of high-priced seats at ballparks). [Second half of 1800s] For a synonym, see PLAY TO THE GALLERY.

  grand tour A comprehensive tour, survey, or inspection. For example, They took me on a grand tour of their new house, or The new chairman will want to make a grand tour of all the branches. Starting in the late 1600s this term was used for a tour of the major European cities, considered essential to a well-bred man’s education. In the mid-1800s it was extended to more general use.

  granted → See TAKE FOR GRANTED.

  grant no quarter Show no mercy or indulgence. Originally a military term, it was the antonym of “granting quarter,” that is, sparing the life of an enemy, whereas “no quarter” meant they would be killed. The allusion of “quarter” has been lost, but it probably meant “barracks” or “housing.” Although the idea appeared in Plato’s Republic, the current term dates from the late 1500s. See also NO MORE MR. NICE GUY.

  grape → See SOUR GRAPES.

  grasp → In addition to the idiom beginning with GRASP, also see GET A FIX ON (GRASP OF).

  grasp at straws Also, clutch at straws. Make a desperate attempt at saving oneself. For example, He had lost the argument, but he kept grasping at straws, naming numerous previous cases that had little to do with this one. This metaphoric expression alludes to a drowning person trying to save himself by grabbing at flimsy reeds. First recorded in 1534, the term was used figuratively by the late 1600s.

  grass → In addition to the idioms beginning with GRASS, also see DON’T LET THE GRASS GROW UNDER ONE’S FEET; PUT OUT TO GRASS; SNAKE IN THE GRASS.

  grasshopper → See KNEE-HIGH TO A GRASSHOPPER.

  grass is always greener on the other side, the A different situation always seems better than one’s own. For example, Bob always thinks the grass is greener elsewhere, which accounts for his constant job changes. This expression, an ancient proverb cited by Erasmus in the 15th century, is so well known that it is often shortened.

  grass roots The basic level, the origin; specifically, the RANK AND FILE of
voters in a political party. The second sense is the one most commonly used today. For example, The senator is conscientious about engaging the voters in his home state—the grass roots. [c. 1900]

  grass widow A woman who is separated from her husband, either by divorce or temporary absence. For example, She’s a grass widow these days, with Herb traveling to golf tournaments all over the country. The expression dates from the 16th century, when it referred to the mother of an illegitimate child, grass presumably alluding to the open-air setting of the child’s conception.

  grave → See DIG ONE’S OWN GRAVE; FROM THE CRADLE TO THE GRAVE; ONE FOOT IN THE GRAVE; TURN IN ONE’S GRAVE.

  gravy train, ride the Experience excessive ease, success, or profit, especially undeservedly. For example, Now that his brother is paying all his bills, Jim is riding the gravy train. The word gravy has long meant “easy profits,” and the term is believed to come from 19th-century railroad slang, although the earliest recorded use dates from the early 1900s. W.C. Handy used it in one of his famous blues songs written in 1914, in which he bemoans falling off the gravy train. Also see EASY STREET.

  gray → In addition to the idioms beginning with GRAY, also see GET GRAY HAIR FROM.

  gray area Indeterminate territory, undefined position, neither here nor there. For example, There’s a large gray area between what is legal and what is not. This term, which uses gray in the sense of “neither black nor white” (but somewhere between the two), dates only from the mid-1900s.

  gray matter Brains, intellect, as in If you’d only use your gray matter, you’d see the answer in a minute. This expression refers to actual brain tissue that is gray in color. Agatha Christie’s fictional detective, Hercule Poirot, constantly alludes to using the little gray cells for solving a crime. [Late 1800s]

  grease → In addition to the idioms beginning with GREASE, also see ELBOW GREASE; LIKE GREASED LIGHTNING; SQUEAKY WHEEL GETS THE GREASE.

  grease someone’s palm Also, oil someone’s palm or hand. Give someone money in exchange for a favor; also, bribe someone. For example, If you want your luggage to make the plane, be sure to grease the porter’s palm. This term uses grease in the sense of “enrich.” [First half of 1500s]

  grease the wheels Also, oil the wheels. Make things run smoothly, as in You can count on Ben to grease the wheels so we’ll be waited on promptly. This metaphoric expression transfers literal lubrication to figurative. [Mid-1600s]

  greasy spoon A cheap restaurant, especially one serving short-order fried foods. For example, College students short of cash tend to eat a lot in that greasy spoon. This expression also implies that the restaurant is not very clean. [c. 1900]

  great → In addition to the idioms beginning with GREAT, also see GOOD (GREAT) DEAL; GOOD (GREAT) MANY; GO TO ANY LENGTH (GREAT LENGTHS); HAVE A GOOD (GREAT) MIND TO; MAKE GREAT STRIDES; NO GREAT SHAKES; SET (GREAT) STORE BY.

  great deal → See GOOD DEAL.

  greatest thing since sliced bread Also, best thing since sliced bread. An excellent new invention, as in Harry swears that this new program is the greatest thing since sliced bread. This phrase, used either straightforwardly or sarcastically, alludes to the convenience of buying bread that is already sliced. [Mid-1900s]

  great guns 1. Very energetically or successfully. This colloquial expression usually occurs in the phrase go great guns, as in They’re going great guns with those drawings. The expression comes from British naval slang of the late 1700s, when blowing great guns meant a violent gale. Harry Truman used the term in Dear Bess (1945): “We have been going great guns in the last day or two.” 2. great gun. Also big gun. An important person, as in All the great guns came to the reception. This usage is heard less often today. [Slang; early 1800s] Also see BIG CHEESE. 3. Great guns! An expletive expressing surprise or astonishment, as in Great guns! You’re not leaving now? [Late 1800s]

  great many → See under GOOD MANY.

  great minds run in the same channel, all Intelligent persons think alike or come up with similar ideas. For example, I see you brought your tennis racket—thank goodness for great minds. This term is often uttered (sometimes jokingly) when two persons seem to find the same answer simultaneously, and is frequently shortened. [Late 1500s]

  great shakes → See NO GREAT SHAKES.

  great white hope Something or someone that is expected to succeed. For example, Mark is the great white hope of the international division. This expression dates from the early 1900s, when heavyweight boxing champion Jack Johnson, who was black, seemed invincible and the term was used for any white opponent who might defeat him. It gained currency as the title of a Broadway play and later (1970) a film. By then it had been transferred to anyone of whom much was expected.

  Greek to me, it’s Also, it’s all Greek to me. It is beyond my comprehension, as in This new computer program is all Greek to me. This expression was coined by Shakespeare, who used it literally in Julius Caesar (1:2), where Casca says of a speech by Seneca, deliberately given in Greek so that some would not understand it, “For mine own part, it was Greek to me.” It soon was transferred to anything unintelligible.

  green → In addition to the idioms beginning with GREEN, also see GRASS IS ALWAYS GREENER ON THE OTHER SIDE.

  green, to be 1. To be young and inexperienced. The analogy here is to an unripe fruit and the idiom has been so used since the 1400s. 2. Supporting environmentalism or ecological concerns. This usage apparently arose in the 1970s in Germany, with the Grüne Aktion Zukunft (Green Campaign for the Future)and Grüne Liste (Green List) of candidates supporting environmentalism and opposing nuclear power stations. In English the adjectival version quickly gained currency, mainly politically. For example, The party is determined to field some green candidates.

  green about the gills Also, green around the gills. Looking ill or nauseated, as in After that bumpy ride she looked quite green about the gills. The use of green to describe an ailing person’s complexion dates from about 1300, and gills has referred to the flesh around human jaws and ears since the 1600s. Although in the 1800s white and yellow were paired with gills to suggest illness, the alliterative green has survived them.

  green-eyed monster Jealousy, as in Bella knew that her husband sometimes succumbed to the green-eyed monster. This expression was coined by Shakespeare in Othello (3:3), where Iago says: “O! beware, my lord, of jealousy; it is the green-eyed monster which doth mock the meat it feeds on.” It is thought to allude to cats, often green-eyed, which tease their prey. Also see GREEN WITH ENVY.

  green light, the Permission to go ahead, as in The chief gave us the green light for starting this project. This term originated in the late 1800s for the signal used by railroads to indicate that a train could proceed. It was transferred to more general use in the first half of the 1900s.

  green thumb A knack for making plants grow well, as in Just look at Louise’s plants—she really has a green thumb. This term presumably alludes to the stained fingers of an avid gardener. [First half of 1900s]

  green with envy Full of desire for someone’s possessions or advantages; extremely covetous. For example, Her fur coat makes me green with envy. Shakespeare described envy as the green sickness (Anthony and Cleopatra, 3:2), but the current phrase, dating from the mid-1800s, is the one most often heard. Also see GREEN-EYED MONSTER.

  grey → See GRAY.

  grief → See COME TO GRIEF; GOOD GRIEF.

  grievance → See AIR ONE’S GRIEVANCES.

  grin and bear it Put up good-humoredly with adversity, with good humor, as in It’s no fun being sick for the holidays, but you might as well grin and bear it. Also put as grin and abide in the 19th century, this expression became so well known that Sam Walter Foss (1858–1911) made a pun on it in his poem, “The Firm of Grin and Barrett”: “Never yet was any panic Scared the firm of Grin and Barrett.”

  grind → In addition to the idiom beginning with GRIND, also see AX TO GRIND; MILLS OF THE GODS GRIND SLOWLY.

  grindstone → See NOSE TO THE
GRINDSTONE.

  grind to a halt Also, come to a grinding halt. Gradually come to a standstill or end. For example, Once the funding stopped, the refurbishing project ground to a halt, or She’s come to a grinding halt with that book she’s writing. This expression alludes to a clogged engine that gradually stops or a ship that runs aground.

  grin like a Cheshire cat Smile broadly, especially in a self-satisfied way. For example, John ended the set with a beautiful serve, an ace, and couldn’t help grinning like a Cheshire cat. The ultimate origin of this expression, appearing in print since the late 1700s, is disputed, but its most famous exponent was Lewis Carroll, in whose Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland the grinning cat gradually vanished from view, with its grin the last part to vanish.

  grip → See COME TO GRIPS WITH; GET A GRIP ON; LOSE ONE’S GRIP.

  grist for the mill Something that can be used to advantage, as in These seemingly useless data will be grist for the mill when he lodges a complaint. This expression alludes to grist, the amount of grain that can be ground at one time. [Late 1500s]

  grit one’s teeth Summon up one’s strength to face unpleasantness or overcome a difficulty. For example, Gritting his teeth, he dove into the icy water. This expression uses grit in the sense of both clamping one’s teeth together and grinding them with effort. [Late 1700s]

  groove → See IN THE GROOVE.

  gross one out Disgust or revolt one, as in Chewing gum in church grosses me out, or His explicit language grossed her out. [Slang; mid-1900s]

  ground → In addition to the idioms beginning with GROUND, also see BOTH FEET ON THE GROUND; BREAK GROUND; COMMON GROUND; COVER GROUND; CUT THE GROUND FROM UNDER; DOWN TO THE GROUND; EAR TO THE GROUND; FROM THE GROUND UP; GAIN GROUND; GET OFF THE GROUND; GIVE GROUND; HAPPY HUNTING GROUND; HIT THE GROUND RUNNING; LOSE GROUND; ON ONE’S HOME GROUND; RUN INTO THE GROUND; RUN TO EARTH (GROUND); STAMPING GROUND; STAND ONE’S GROUND; WORSHIP THE GROUND SOMEONE WALKS ON.