The American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms

by Christine Ammer

  handy → See COME IN HANDY.

  hang, hanged → In addition to the idioms beginning with HANG and HANGED, also see DRAW AND QUARTER (HANGED, DRAWN AND QUARTERED); GET THE HANG OF; I’LL BE HANGED; LEAVE HANGING; LET IT ALL HANG OUT; NOT GIVE A DAMN (HANG); THEREBY HANGS A TALE; TIME HANGS HEAVY.

  hang a left Also, hang a right. Make a left (or right) turn, as when driving an automobile. For example, Hang a left at the traffic light and then hang a right at the next intersection. [Slang; mid-1900s]

  hang around 1. Spend time idly, loiter, as in Every afternoon they could be found hanging around the mall. [Mid-1800s] Also see HANG OUT, def. 4. ---2. Keep company or consort with someone, as in The younger campers loved to hang around the older ones. [Mid-1800s] Also see HANG OUT, def. 5.

  hang back Be reluctant to move ahead, hold back. For example, They hung back at the entrance, fearful that they wouldn’t be admitted, or We hung back to let our parents go in first. [Second half of 1500s]

  hang by a thread Also, hang by a hair. Be in a risky or unstable situation, as in His promotion was hanging by a thread, or With the lead actor sick, the success of our play hung by a hair. This expression, already proverbial in the early 1500s, alludes to Damocles, who vexed King Dionysius with constant flattery. The king invited him to a banquet where Damocles found himself seated under a naked sword suspended by a single hair, symbolizing his insecure position at court.

  hanged, drawn, and quartered → See DRAW AND QUARTER.

  hanged for a sheep as a lamb, might as well be Might just as well be punished for a big misdeed as a small one. For example, I might as well be hanged for a sheep as a lamb and have a third piece of cake — I’ve gone off my diet anyhow. Already a proverb in John Ray’s 1678 collection, this expression alludes to the old punishment for stealing sheep, which was hanging no matter what the age or size of the animal.

  hang fire Delay, as in The advertising campaign is hanging fire until they decide how much to spend on it. This expression originally referred to the 17th-century flintlock musket, where the priming powder ignited but often failed to explode the main charge, a result called hanging fire. [c. 1800]

  hang in Also, hang in there. Keep at something, persevere. For example, We decided to hang in until we had figured out why the experiment failed, or Hang in there! You’ll soon catch on to the language. [Slang; mid-1900s]

  hang in the balance Be in a precarious condition or in a state of suspense. For example, The doctor said her life was hanging in the balance. This expression alludes to the suspended balance scale where an object is placed in one pan and weights are added one by one to the other pan until the two are balanced. [First half of 1400s]

  hang it Also, hang it all. An expression of annoyance, probably a euphemism for hell or damn. For example, Hang it! I locked my keys inside the car, or Hang it all, you don’t need to push me.

  hang loose Relax, take it easy, as in Just hang loose and it will all work out. [Slang; mid-1900s]

  hang on 1. hang on to. Cling tightly to something, retain, as in Hang on to those papers before they blow away. [Mid-1800s] Also see HANG ON TO YOUR HAT. 2. Continue persistently, persevere, as in This cough is hanging on much longer than I expected, or He was hanging on, hoping business would improve when interest rates went down. This usage was sometimes embellished to hang on by one’s eyelashes or eyebrows or eyelids, meaning “to persist at any cost.” [Second half of 1800s] 3. Keep a telephone connection open, as in Please hang on, I’ll see if he’s in. [First half of 1900s] 4. Wait for a short time, be patient, as in Hang on, I’m getting it as fast as I can. [First half of 1900s] 5. Depend on, as in Our plans hang on their decision about the new park. [Colloquial; second half of 1900s] 6. Blame on, as in They’ll try to hang that robbery on the same gang, but I don’t think they’ll succeed. [Colloquial; first half of 1900s] 7. hang one on. Get very drunk, as in Come on, let’s go and hang one on. [Slang; mid-1900s] Also see the subsequent idioms beginning with HANG ON.

  hang one on → See HANG ON, def. 7.

  hang one’s head Express shame or contrition. For example, No need to hang your head—you’ve done the best you can. [c. 1200]

  hang on someone’s words Listen very attentively to someone. For example, You don’t need to hang on his words — just remember the gist of it. It is also put as hang on to every word, as in Whenever Mother read their favorite book to them, the children hung on to every word.

  hang on to your hat Also, hold your hat. An expression warning someone of a big surprise. For example, Hang on to your hat, we’re about to go public, or Hold your hat — we just won the lottery. This expression may allude, according to lexicographer Eric Partridge, to a wild ride on a rollercoaster. [Colloquial; first half of 1900s]

  hang out 1. Protrude downward, as in The dog’s tongue was hanging out, or The branches hung out over the driveway. [c. 1400] 2. Display a flag or sign of some kind, as in They hung out the flag on every holiday. [Mid-1500s] 3. Reside, live, as in I’ve found a place downtown, and I’ll be hanging out there beginning next week. [c. 1800] 4. Spend one’s free time in; also, loiter, pass time idly. For example, They hung out around the pool parlor, or They spent the evening just hanging out. [Slang; mid-1900s] 5. hang out with. Keep company with, appear in public with, as in She’s hanging out with her ex-boyfriend again. [Slang; second half of 1900s] Also see the subsequent idioms beginning with HANG OUT; LET IT ALL HANG OUT.

  hang out one’s shingle Open an office, especially a professional practice, as in Bill’s renting that office and hanging out his shingle next month. This American colloquialism dates from the first half of the 1800s, when at first lawyers, and later also doctors and business concerns, used shingles for signboards.

  hang out to dry Abandon someone to danger, as in The squadron withdrew and just let us hang out to dry. This expression alludes to hanging wet laundry on a clothesline. [Slang; 1960s]

  hang over 1. Remain suspended or unsettled, as in They plan to let the vote hang over until the next session. This usage alludes to something suspended or floating in the air. [c. 1200] 2. Also, hang over one’s head. Threaten or be imminent, as in I’ve got that test hanging over me, or A stiff fine is hanging over his head. [Mid-1500s] Also see HANG BY A THREAD.

  hang together 1. Stand united, stick together, as in We must all hang together and tell the same story. [c. 1400] 2. Cohere, constitute a consistent whole. For example, The plot lines in that movie don’t hang together. [Mid-1500s]

  hang tough Remain firmly resolved, as in We’re going to hang tough on this point and not give in. This slangy idiom uses tough in the sense of “aggressively unyielding,” a usage dating from the first half of the 1900s.

  hang up 1. Suspend on a hook or hanger, as in Let me hang up your coat for you. [c. 1300] 2. Also, hang up on. Replace a telephone receiver in its cradle; end a phone conversation. For example, She hung up the phone, or He hung up on her. [Early 1900s] 3. Delay or hinder; also, become halted or snagged, as in Budget problems hung up the project for months, or Traffic was hung up for miles. [Second half of 1800s] 4. Have or cause to have emotional difficulties; as in Being robbed at gunpoint can hang one up for years to come. [Slang; early 1900s] 5. hung up on. Obsessed with, as in For years the FBI was hung up on Communist spies. [First half of 1900s] 6. hang up one’s sword or gloves or fiddle. Quit, retire, as in He’s hanging up his sword next year and moving to Florida. The noun in these expressions refers to the profession one is leaving—sword for the military, gloves for boxing, and fiddle for music—but they all are used quite loosely as well, as in the example. 7. hang up one’s hat. Settle somewhere, reside, as in “Eight hundred a year, and as nice a house as any gentleman could wish to hang up his hat in” (Anthony Trollope, The Warden, 1855).

  happily → See LIVE HAPPILY EVER AFTER.

  happy → In addition to the idioms beginning with HAPPY, also see MANY HAPPY RETURNS; TRIGGER HAPPY.

  happy as the day is long Also, happy as a lark; happy as a clam (at high tide).
Extremely glad, delighted, very cheerful, as in He was happy as the day is long, or When she heard the news she was happy as a lark, or Once I got the test results I was happy as a clam at high tide. The first of these similes dates from the late 1700s. The second alludes to the lark’s beautiful, seemingly very happy, song. The third, from the early 1800s, alludes to the fact that clams can only be dug at low tide and therefore are safe at high tide; it is often shortened to happy as a clam.

  happy camper A satisfied participant, a contented person, as in She loved the challenge of her new job; she was one happy camper. This expression is also often put in the negative, as in She hated the heat and humidity of the southern summer; she was not a happy camper. [Slang; mid-1900s]

  happy hour A period in the late afternoon or early evening when a bar or lounge features drinks at reduced prices. For example, The hotel bar has a happy hour from five to seven every day. [1960s]

  happy hunting ground A place where one can find or do what one wishes without restriction. For example, The North Shore is a happy hunting ground for antique collectors. This term alludes to the Native American idea of an afterlife where hunters find unlimited game. [Early 1800s]

  happy medium The midway point between two extremes. For example, We need to find a happy medium between overdoing the holiday season and ignoring it entirely. This expression, first recorded in 1778, was once known as the golden mean and is based on ancient mathematical principles.

  hard → In addition to the idioms beginning with HARD, also see BETWEEN A ROCK AND A HARD PLACE; COLD (HARD) CASH; COME DOWN (HARD) ON; DIE HARD; DRIVE A HARD BARGAIN; GO HARD WITH; NO HARD FEELINGS; PLAY HARDBALL; PLAY HARD TO GET; SCHOOL OF HARD KNOCKS; TOUGH (HARD) ROW TO HOE.

  hard act to follow Also, tough act to follow. An outstanding performance or individual. For example, Lucy was a terrific group leader—hers is a hard act to follow, or Bob’s record is excellent—it will be a tough act to follow. This expression, dating from about 1900, was originally used for a particularly good vaudeville act that made the next act look poor by comparison. It soon was extended to other enterprises.

  hard and fast Defined, fixed, invariable, as in We have hard and fast rules for this procedure. This term originally was applied to a vessel that has come out of water, either by running aground or being put in dry dock, and is therefore unable to move. By the mid-1800s it was being used figuratively.

  hard as nails Unyielding, callous, unsympathetic, as in Don’t ask her for a contribution—she’s hard as nails. This expression has replaced the 14th-century simile hard as flint stone and presumably alludes to the rigidity of nails.

  hard bargain → See under DRIVE A HARD BARGAIN.

  hard cash → See COLD CASH.

  harden one’s heart Feel no sympathy for, as in We can’t afford to give them more; we’ll just have to harden our hearts when they ask. [Late 1300s]

  hard feelings → See NO HARD FEELINGS.

  hard hat A working-class ultraconservative. For example, They were counting on a large number of votes from the hard hats. This term alludes to the rigid protective headgear worn by construction workers, who were noted for their conservatism during the tumultuous 1960s. [c. 1960]

  hard hit, be Be adversely affected or be severely stricken, as in The walk-in clinics were hard hit by the new insurance laws. This idiom must be differentiated from the similar-sounding adjective hard-hitting, alluding to strenuous exertion, as in They were a hard-hitting team. [Second half of 1800s]

  hard line A firm, uncompromising policy or position. For example, The President was taking a hard line on the budget. [c. 1960]

  hard liquor Distilled alcoholic beverages, such as gin or whiskey. For example, We’re serving wine and beer but no hard liquor. The hard here refers to their high alcoholic content, which is also true for hard cider, although the latter is not distilled but has simply fermented.

  hard luck Misfortune, adversity, as in He’s had a lot of hard luck in his day. This expression is also used in the phrase hard-luck story, a tale of one’s misfortune that is related in order to get sympathy (or a donation). For example, We can’t ignore her hard-luck story, even if you doubt that it’s true. [Second half of 1500s] Also see TOUGH BREAK.

  hardly ever Also, rarely ever, scarcely ever. Very seldom, almost never, as in This kind of thief is hardly ever caught, or He rarely ever brings up his wartime experiences. The ever in these expressions, first recorded in 1694, serves as an intensifier.

  hard nut to crack Also, tough nut to crack. A difficult problem; also, an individual who is difficult to deal with. For example, This assignment is a hard nut to crack, or It won’t be easy getting her approval; she’s a tough nut to crack. This metaphoric expression alludes to hard-shelled nuts like walnuts. [Early 1700s]

  hard of hearing Somewhat deaf, having a partial loss of hearing. For example, You’ll have to speak distinctly; Dad’s a little hard of hearing. The use of hard in the sense of “difficulty in doing something” survives only in this expression. [Mid-1500s]

  hard on 1. Also, hard upon, hard by. In close proximity, as in The police were hard on the heels of the thieves, or It was hard upon three o’clock, or Their house is hard by ours. The variants are used less than hard on. [Second half of 1700s] 2. be hard on. Deal severely with, cause damage to. For example, He asked the teacher not to be too hard on those who forgot the assignment, or That cat has really been hard on the upholstery. [Second half of 1600s] Also see HARD TIME, def. 2.

  hard on someone’s heels → See AT SOMEONE’S HEELS.

  hard pressed Overburdened, put upon, as in With all these bills to pay we find ourselves hard pressed. [c. 1800]

  hard put, be Find something very difficult, as in The show was so bad that I was hard put to conceal my dismay, or Manufacturers will be hard put to meet the new standards. [c. 1700]

  hard row to hoe → See TOUGH ROW TO HOE.

  hard sell 1. An aggressive, high-pressure sales practice or promotion, as in Used-car salesmen tend to give you a hard sell. This expression gave rise to the antonym soft sell, a low-key sales approach that relies on gentle persuasion. [Colloquial; c. 1950] 2. A difficult sales prospect, one who resists sales pressure. For example, Those brokers who call us at dinnertime find me a hard sell—I usually just hang up on them. [Late 1900s]

  hard time 1. Also, hard times. A period of difficulty or hardship, especially financial hardship. For example, Since Mom died, Christmas has been a hard time for Dad, or It’s been hard times for both of them since they split up. It is also put as have a hard time, as in I’m having a hard time finishing this book. Charles Dickens used Hard Times as the title of a novel about poverty (1854). A more recent version is have a time of it, which despite its ambiguity (not specifying either “good” or “bad”) nearly always means “experiencing difficulty”; for example, We had quite a time of it in that hurricane. [Late 1300s] 2. give someone a hard time. Annoy or harass someone. For example, Don’t let him give you a hard time; he’s often late himself. [Colloquial; early 1900s]

  hard up In need, poor, as in Unemployment is rising and many families are hard up, or With widespread emigration, Russia is finding itself hard up for scientists and other professional people. [Colloquial; early 1800s]

  hard way, the By bad or difficult experiences; also, by one’s own efforts. For example, Bill found out the hard way that interest on his credit-card debt can mount up fast, or No one can teach you how—you’ll just have to learn it the hard way. This expression comes from shooting craps (a dice game), where it refers to making an even-numbered point such as six by throwing doubles (two three’s). Since there are more unmatching combinations that can produce the same number (four and two, five and one), the odds against throwing doubles are higher, hence the difficulty. [Early 1900s]

  hare → See MAD AS A HATTER (MARCH HARE); RUN WITH (THE HARE AND HUNT WITH THE HOUNDS).

  hark back Return to a previous point, as in Let us hark back briefly to my first statement. This expression originally
alluded to hounds retracing their course when they have lost their quarry’s scent. It may be dying out. [First half of 1800s]

  harm → See DO SOMEONE WRONG (HARM); OUT OF HARM’S WAY.

  harness → See DIE WITH ONE’S BOOTS ON (IN HARNESS); IN HARNESS.

  harp on Dwell on; talk or write about to a tedious and excessive extent. For example, She kept harping on the fact that she had no household help at all. This expression is a shortening of harp on the same string, meaning “to play the same note over and over.” It was first recorded in 1518.

  has → See under HAVE.

  hash → In addition to the idiom beginning with HASH, also see MAKE A HASH OF; SETTLE SOMEONE’S HASH; SLING HASH.

  hash over Also, hash out. Discuss carefully, review, as in Let’s hash over these plans again, or The department was hashing out the new syllabus. This idiom uses the verb hash in the sense of “cut into small pieces,” a usage dating from the mid-1700s.

  haste → In addition to the idiom beginning with HASTE, also see MAKE HASTE.

  haste makes waste Proceeding too quickly can spoil an enterprise, as in Stop trying to rush through three things at once—haste makes waste, you know. This rhyming warning, first recorded in this exact form in 1575, was in John Ray’s 1678 proverb collection, where the full text was: “Haste makes waste, and waste makes want, and want makes strife between the goodman and his wife.”

  hat → In addition to the idioms beginning with HAT, also see AT THE DROP OF A HAT; BRASS HAT; EAT ONE’S HAT; HANG ON TO YOUR HAT; HANG UP (ONE’S HAT); HARD HAT; KEEP UNDER ONE’S HAT; KNOCK INTO A COCKED HAT; PASS THE HAT; PULL OUT OF A HAT; TAKE ONE’S HAT OFF TO; TALK THROUGH ONE’S HAT; THROW ONE’S HAT IN THE RING; WEAR ANOTHER HAT. Also see under CAP.

  hatch → See BATTEN DOWN THE HATCHES; COUNT ONE’S CHICKENS BEFORE THEY HATCH; DOWN THE HATCH.

  hatchet → In addition to the idioms beginning with HATCHET, also see BURY THE HATCHET.

  hatchet job → See HATCHET MAN, def. 2.

  hatchet man 1. A person assigned or hired to carry out a disagreeable task or unscrupulous order. For example, When it came to firing an employee, Arthur was his boss’s hatchet man. This expression originally referred to a hired assassin but in the mid-1900s was transferred to less nefarious enterprises. 2. A person who attacks the reputation of others, especially a journalist hired to do so, as in You can count on Mary’s column to destroy the mayor—she’s the perfect hatchet man. This usage gave rise to hatchet job, meaning “harsh destructive criticism.” [Mid-1900s]