The American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms

by Christine Ammer

  hot potato A problem so controversial and sensitive that it is risky to deal with. For example, Gun control is a political hot potato. This term, dating from the mid-1800s, alludes to the only slightly older expression drop like a hot potato, meaning “to abandon something or someone quickly” (lest one be burned). The idiom alludes to the fact that cooked potatoes retain considerable heat because they contain a lot of water.

  hot rod An automobile modified to increase its speed and acceleration, as in Kids love to tinker with cars and try to convert them into hot rods. [Mid-1900s] Also see HOPPED UP.

  hot seat, in the In a position of extreme stress or discomfort, as when subjected to harsh criticism. For example, When merger negotiations broke down, he was in the hot seat with the stockholders. This expression extends hot seat in the sense of “the electric chair” (for effecting an execution) to wider use. [c. 1930]

  hot stuff → See HOT NUMBER.

  hot to trot 1. Ready and willing, eager. For example, We should let them start putting up posters; they’re hot to trot. 2. Sexually avid, lascivious, as in He’s hot to trot and asked her out almost as soon as he met her. Both slangy usages allude to a horse eager to get going.

  hot under the collar Angry, as in She is quick to get hot under the collar, but once the problem is ironed out she forgets it entirely. This expression alludes to the heat of anger. [c. 1900]

  hot water Trouble or difficulty, as in She’s deep in political hot water, or We got in hot water over the car deal, or He’s finally paid his tuition and is out of hot water with the school. This metaphoric term alludes to water hot enough to burn one. [First half of 1500s] Also see IN A FIX; IN TROUBLE WITH.

  hound → See RUN WITH (THE HARE, HUNT WITH THE HOUNDS).

  hour → See AFTER HOURS; ALL HOURS; BY THE DAY (HOUR); ELEVENTH HOUR; HAPPY HOUR; KEEP LATE HOURS; ON THE HOUR; SMALL HOURS.

  house → In addition to the idioms beginning with HOUSE, also see BOARDINGHOUSE REACH; BRING DOWN THE HOUSE; CLEAN HOUSE; EAT SOMEONE OUT OF HOUSE AND HOME; GET ALONG (ON LIKE A HOUSE AFIRE); KEEP HOUSE; ON THE HOUSE; OPEN HOUSE; PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN GLASS HOUSES SHOULDN’T THROW STONES; PUT ONE’S HOUSE IN ORDER; SAFE AS HOUSES.

  house arrest Forcible detention in one’s own home. This policy tends to be used when putting the detained person in jail is not expedient either legally or politically. It is particularly common for a political opponent, but occasionally it is used for a person’s protection. A notorious example was the house arrest of Aung San Suu Kyi, a Nobel Peace Price winner and pro-democracy dissident of the Myanmar regime, who was under house arrest for fifteen of the years between 1989 and 2010. [1930s]

  house of cards A weak and fragile structure, plan, or organization, as in Her scheme to reorganize the school sounds like another house of cards, or Jerry built his entire business on what turned out to be a house of cards. This metaphoric expression alludes to the structure made by balancing playing cards against one another. [First half of 1600s]

  how → In addition to the idioms beginning with HOW, also see AND HOW.

  how about What is your thought, feeling, or desire concerning. For example, How about a cup of tea? or How about joining us for lunch? It is also put as how about it? as in How about it? Do you want to come along? [Mid-1800s] Also see WHAT ABOUT.

  how about that? Isn’t that surprising, remarkable, or pleasing? For example, They’re engaged—how about that? [Colloquial; first half of 1900s]

  how are you? → See HOW DO YOU DO.

  how come? How is it that, as in How come you’re not attending the conference? Sometimes how come? follows a statement and asks the question “Why?” or “In what way?” as in You’re not going? How come? The related phrase how so? functions the same way, as in You say she’s changed her mind—how so? How come? is short for how did it come about that and dates from the mid-1800s; how so? is short for how is it so? or how is it that? and dates from about 1300.

  how does that grab you? What do you think of that? For example, They want to put his name at the top of the masthead—how does that grab you? This expression employs the verb grab in the sense of “excite one’s interest or attention.” [Slang; early 1900s]

  how do you do A conventional greeting used mostly after being introduced to someone, as in And this is our youngest—say “How do you do” to Mr. Smith. Although it is a question, it requires no reply. Originally, in the 1600s, this expression was an inquiry after a person’s health or standing, how do you do? meaning “how do you fare?” Today we usually express this as how are you? or how are you doing? or how goes it? or how’s it going? Even more general are the slangy locutions how are things? or how’s tricks? All of these greetings date from the first half of the 1900s.

  however much → See AS MUCH AS, def. 2.

  how goes it? → See HOW DO YOU DO.

  howling success A tremendous triumph, as in Their first play was a howling success. This colloquial expression employs howling in the sense of “very pronounced” or “glaring,” a usage dating from the mid-1800s.

  how so? → See under HOW COME.

  how’s that? Also, how’s that again? What did you say? Please repeat it. For example, How’s that? I didn’t quite hear you.

  how’s tricks? → See HOW DO YOU DO.

  how the land lies → See LAY OF THE LAND.

  how the wind blows → See WAY THE WIND BLOWS.

  Hoyle → See ACCORDING TO HOYLE.

  huddle → See GO INTO A HUDDLE.

  hue and cry A public clamor, as of protest or demand. For example, The reformers raised a hue and cry about political corruption. This redundant expression (hue and cry both mean “an outcry”), dating from the 1200s, originally meant “an outcry calling for the pursuit of a criminal.” By the mid-1500s it was also being used more broadly, as in the example.

  huff → In addition to the idiom beginning with HUFF, also see IN A HUFF.

  huff and puff Make noisy, empty threats; bluster. For example, You can huff and puff about storm warnings all you like, but we’ll believe it when we see it. This expression uses two words of 16th-century origin, huff, meaning “to emit puffs of breath in anger,” and puff, meaning “to blow in short gusts,” and figuratively, “to inflate” or “make conceited.” They were combined in the familiar nursery tale, “The Three Little Pigs,” where the wicked wolf warns, “I’ll huff and I’ll puff and I’ll blow your house down”; rhyme has helped these idioms survive.

  human → See MILK OF HUMAN KINDNESS.

  humble → See EAT CROW (HUMBLE PIE).

  humor → See OUT OF SORTS (HUMOR).

  hump → See OVER THE HUMP.

  hundred → See BY THE DOZEN (HUNDRED).

  hung up → See under HANG UP.

  hunt → See HAPPY HUNTING GROUND; HIGH AND LOW, (HUNT); RUN WITH (THE HARE, HUNT WITH THE HOUNDS).

  hurry up and wait Move quickly and then have to wait for something or someone. For example, We did our share in good time, but the others were several days behind so we couldn’t finish—it was another case of hurry up and wait. This expression dates from the 1940s and probably originated in the armed services.

  hurt → See NOT HURT A FLY.

  hush money A bribe paid to keep something secret, as in No amount of hush money will keep that scandal from coming out. [c. 1700]

  hush up Keep from public knowledge, suppress mention of. For example, They tried to hush up the damaging details. [First half of 1600s]

  Hyde → See JEKYLL AND HYDE.

  i

  i → See DOT THE I’S AND CROSS THE T’S.

  I beg your pardon → See under BEG TO DIFFER.

  ice → See BREAK THE ICE; CUT NO ICE; ON ICE; ON THIN ICE; PUT ON ICE; TIP OF THE ICEBERG.

  icing on the cake Also, frosting on the cake. An additional benefit to something already good. For example, All these letters of congratulation are icing on the cake, or After that beautiful sunrise, the rainbow is just frosting on the cake. This metaphoric expression alludes to the sweet crea
my coating used to enhance a cake. [Mid-1900s]

  I dare say 1. I venture to assert or affirm, as in I dare say my point of view will be heard. [c. 1300] 2. Also, I daresay. I presume or assume to be likely, as in I daresay you’ll be invited. This usage is more common in Britain than in America. [Mid-1700s]

  idea → See BRIGHT IDEA; PUT IDEAS INTO SOMEONE’S HEAD; WHAT’S THE IDEA.

  idiot box A television set, as in There they sit in front of the idiot box, hour after hour. This slangy and pejorative expression dates from about 1960.

  if → In addition to the idioms beginning with IF, also see AS IF; DAMNED IF I DO, DAMNED IF I DON’T; MAKE AS IF; NO IFS OR BUTS; NOTHING IF NOT; (IF) PUSH COMES TO SHOVE; WHAT IF.

  if anything If at all, if in any degree. For example, If anything, we have too much food rather than too little. [Early 1800s]

  if at first you don’t succeed, try, try again Don’t let a first-time failure stop further attempts. For example, I know it’s hard at first to shift gears without stalling but if at first you don’t succeed... This seemingly ancient adage was first recorded only in 1840 but has become so well known that it is often shortened.

  if it ain’t broke don’t fix it Don’t meddle with something that’s functioning adequately. For example, So long as they like our proposal let’s not change it; if it ain’t broke don’t fix it. This folksy and deliberately ungrammatical expression dates from the mid-1900s. For a synonym, see LEAVE WELL ENOUGH ALONE.

  if only I wish that. For example, If only I had known you were coming I would have met your plane, or If only it would snow on Christmas Eve. [c. A.D. 1000] For a synonym, see WOULD THAT.

  if the mountain won’t come to Muhammad, Muhammad must go to the mountain If one can’t have one’s way, one must give in. For example, Since you can’t come here for the holiday, I’ll go to your house—if the mountain won’t come to Muhammad, Muhammad must go to the mountain. This expression is based on a tale that Muhammad once sought proof of his teachings by ordering a mountain to come to him. When it did not move, he maintained that God had been merciful, for if it had indeed moved they all would have been crushed by it. [Late 1500s]

  if the shoe fits, wear it Also, if the cap fits, wear it. If something applies to you, accept it, as in These problems are hard to solve, and most people would need help, so if the shoe fits, wear it! This expression originated as if the cap fits, which alluded to a fool’s cap and dates from the early 1700s. Although this version has not died out entirely, shoe today is more common and probably gained currency through the Cinderella fairy tale, in which the prince sought her out by means of the slipper she lost at the ball.

  if wishes were horses If one could readily have what one wanted, life would be easy. For example, Wendy would love a brand-new car for her sixteenth birthday but—if wishes were horses. This expression is a shortening of If wishes were horses, beggars would ride, first recorded about 1628 in a collection of Scottish proverbs.

  if worst comes to worst Also, if worse comes to worst. In the least favorable situation, if the worst possible outcome occurs. For example, If worst comes to worst and the budget is not approved, the government will shut down, or Go ahead and go to school with a cold; if worse comes to worst the teacher will send you home. This expression is nearly always followed by a solution. [Late 1500s]

  if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em Also, if you can’t lick ‘em, join ‘em. If you can’t defeat your opponents you might be better off by switching to their side. For example, Seeing that no one else was willing to stick with the old software program, Marcia learned the new one, noting if you can’t beat ’em, join ’em, or I opposed a new school library, but the town voted for it, so I’ll support it—if you can’t lick ’em, join ’em. This expression dates from about 1940 and originally alluded to political opponents. The opposite idea is expressed in an advertising slogan used in the 1960s and 1970s by a cigarette company, in which the smoker would fight rather than switch brands.

  if you can’t stand the heat, get out of the kitchen If the pressure or stress is too great, leave or give up. For example, It’ll take a lot of weekend overtime to finish, so if you can’t stand the heat, get out of the kitchen. This folksy adage has been ascribed to President Harry S. Truman, who certainly said it and may have originated it. [c. 1950]

  ignorance is bliss What you don’t know won’t hurt you. For example, She decided not to read the critics’ reviews—ignorance is bliss. Although its truth may be dubious at best, this idea has been expressed since ancient times. The actual wording, however, comes from Thomas Gray’s poem, “Ode on a Distant Prospect of Eton College” (1742): “Where ignorance is bliss, ’tis folly to be wise.”

  ill → In addition to the idioms beginning with ILL, also see under GET SICK.

  ill at ease Uncomfortable, uneasy, as in Large parties made him feel ill at ease. [c. 1300] For an antonym, see AT EASE.

  I’ll be hanged 1. I am very surprised, as in, Well, I’ll be hanged; there’s Susan. 2. I’ll be hanged if I. Under no circumstances will I, as in I’ll be hanged if I let you do that. Both of these hyperbolic colloquial usages allude to being executed by hanging.

  I’ll be seeing you Also, see you. Goodbye, as in I have to go now; I’ll be seeing you, or All right, see you. These colloquial formulas do not necessarily imply a future meeting. [Late 1800s]

  ill-gotten gains Benefits obtained in an evil manner or by dishonest means, as in They duped their senile uncle into leaving them a fortune and are now enjoying their ill-gotten gains. [Mid-1800s]

  I’ll say Absolutely, I strongly agree. For example, Did you enjoy the film?—I’ll say. This phrase is generally used alone and for emphasis. [First half of 1900s] For a synonym, see YOU CAN SAY THAT AGAIN.

  ill wind that blows no one any good, it’s an A loss or misfortune usually benefits someone. For example, They lost everything when that old shed burned down, but they got rid of a lot of junk as well—it’s an ill wind. This expression appeared in John Heywood’s 1546 proverb collection and remains so well known that it is often shortened. It also gave rise to a much-quoted pun about the difficulty of playing the oboe, describing the instrument as an ill wind that nobody blows good.

  image → See SPITTING IMAGE.

  imagination → See FIGMENT OF ONE’S IMAGINATION.

  I’m from Missouri → See FROM MISSOURI.

  immemorial → See TIME IMMEMORIAL.

  impose on 1. Force something on someone; also, levy a tax or duty. For example, Don’t try to impose your ideas on me, or The British crown imposed a tariff on tea. [Late 1500s] 2. Force oneself on others; take unfair advantage of. For example, Am I imposing on you if I stay overnight? or He’s always imposing on us, dropping in unexpectedly with numerous friends. [Early 1600s]

  impression → See MAKE AN IMPRESSION; UNDER THE IMPRESSION.

  improve on Make beneficial additions or changes to, as in The company is trying to improve on the previous model. [Late 1600s]

  in → In addition to the idioms beginning with IN, also see HAVE IT IN FOR and the idioms beginning with OUT OF.

  in a bad light → See IN A GOOD LIGHT.

  in a bad mood In an irritable or depressed state of mind. For example, Dad’s in a bad mood, so don’t ask for anything right now. The antonym, in a good mood, refers to a cheerful, well-disposed state of mind, as in When the boss is in a good mood our whole day goes well. The phrase in a mood, meaning “disposed” or “inclined,” dates from about A.D. 1000. Also see IN THE MOOD.

  in a bad way In trouble; also, deteriorating. For example, If he can’t get that bank loan he’ll be in a bad way, or The business is in a bad way, with profits declining every month. [Early 1800s]

  in a big way To a great extent, conspicuously. For example, I could go for a hamburger in a big way, or This hotel chain is expanding in a big way. [Slang; late 1800s]

  in a bind Also, in a box or hole or jam or tight corner or tight spot. In a difficult, threatening, or embarrassing position; also, un
able to solve a dilemma. For example, He’s put us in a bind: we can’t refuse, but at the same time we can’t fill the order, or Jim’s in a box; he can’t afford to pay what he owes us, or He quit without giving notice and now we’re really in a hole, or We always end up in a jam during the holiday season, or He’s in a tight corner with those new customers, or We’ll be in a tight spot unless we can find another thousand dollars. All these colloquial terms allude to places from which one can’t easily extricate oneself. The phrase using bind was first recorded in 1851; box, 1865; jam, 1914; tight spot, 1852. Also see IN A FIX.

  in a breeze → See under HANDS DOWN.

  in absentia While not present, as in He was tried and convicted in absentia, or He was awarded his degree in absentia. This expression is Latin for “in absence”; its use in English dates from the late 1800s.

  in a cold sweat Feeling nervous or terrified, as in When I looked over the cliff, I broke out in a cold sweat. This expression refers to perspiring accompanied by a feeling of cold, which can be induced by acute fear as well as by fever. [Late 1700s]

  in addition 1. Also, as well as. For example, They study their instruments and, in addition, theory and music history. 2. in addition to. Over and above, besides, as in In addition to a new muffler, the truck needs new brakes. [c. 1900]

  in a dither Also, all of a dither; in a flutter or tizzy. In a state of tremulous agitation, as in Planning the wedding put her in a dither, or He tried to pull himself together, but he was all of a dither, or She showed up in such a flutter that our meeting was useless. The noun dither dates from the early 1800s and goes back to the Middle English verb didderen, “to tremble”; in a flutter dates from the mid-1700s; in a tizzy dates from about 1930 and is of uncertain origin.