The American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms

by Christine Ammer

  in demand Sought after, as in The general was in demand as an after-dinner speaker. [Early 1800s]

  in depth Profoundly, thoroughly, as in It will take years to cover the entire subject in depth. [Mid-1900s]

  in detail With close attention to particulars; thoroughly. For example, She explained her theory in detail. It is also put as go into detail, meaning “to describe thoroughly,” as in You know what I mean, so I needn’t go into detail. The first expression dates from about 1600, the second from the late 1800s.

  Indian file → See SINGLE FILE.

  Indian giver One who takes or demands back one’s gift to another, as in Jimmy wanted to take back Dan’s birthday present, but Mom said that would make him an Indian giver. This term, now considered offensive, originally alluded to the Native American practice of expecting a gift in return for one that is given. [Colloquial; early 1800s]

  Indian summer A period of mild, sunny weather occurring in late autumn, usually following a seasonable cold spell. For example, We had two whole days of Indian summer this year, and then it turned cold again. [Late 1700s]

  in dispute Disagreed about, in controversy. For example, This parcel of land is in dispute, claimed by several persons, or The origin of this phrase is in dispute. [Mid-1600s]

  in drag Wearing clothes normally worn by the opposite sex, as in All of the actors in the revue were in drag. This expression originally alluded to male actors wearing women’s apparel on stage, especially for comic purposes, but can refer to cross-dressing of any kind. [Colloquial; c. 1870]

  in due course Also, in due course of time; in due time; in time; all in good time. After an appropriate interval, in a reasonable length of time. For example, In due course we’ll discuss the details of this arrangement, or In due time the defense will present new evidence, or You’ll learn the program in time, or We’ll come up with a solution, all in good time. Chaucer used in due time in the late 1300s, and the other usages arose over the next few centuries. However, also see IN GOOD TIME for another meaning.

  in Dutch In trouble or disfavor, as in If I don’t finish on time I’ll really be in Dutch. This expression may allude to the stern reprimands of a DUTCH UNCLE. [Slang; c. 1850]

  in earnest 1. With purposeful or sincere intent, as in We settled down to study in earnest. [c. A.D. 1000] 2. Also, in dead earnest. Serious, determined, as in We thought he was joking, but he was in earnest, or I’m in dead earnest about selling the business. In the variant, from the late 1800s, dead means “complete” or “thorough” and is used purely for emphasis. [c. A.D. 1000]

  in effect 1. For all practical purposes, as in This testimony in effect contradicted her earlier statement. [Late 1500s] 2. In or into operation, as in This law will be in effect in January. Related phrases include go into effect and take effect, which mean “become operative,” as in This law goes into effect January 1, or It takes effect January 1. Similarly, put into effect means “make operative,” as in When will the judge’s ruling be put into effect? [Late 1700s] Also see IN FORCE, def. 2.

  in effigy Symbolically. For example, That umpire was completely unfair—let’s burn him in effigy. Now used only figuratively, this term formerly signified a way of carrying out the sentence of a criminal who had escaped, such as burn in effigy or hang in effigy. A dummy was made of the criminal or a detested political figure and subjected to the prescribed punishment. [c. 1600]

  in escrow In trust with a third party for delivery after certain conditions are fulfilled. For example, Our down payment on the house is in escrow until the current owner makes the promised repairs. This legal term dates from the late 1800s.

  in essence Basically, by nature, as in He is in essence a very private person or In essence, they were asking the wrong question. This term employs essence in the sense of “intrinsic nature,” a usage dating from the mid-1600s.

  in evidence 1. Also, much in evidence. Plainly visible, conspicuous, as in The car’s new dents were very much in evidence. [Second half of 1800s] 2. As testimony in a court of law, as in The attorney submitted the photograph in evidence. [c. 1700]

  in excess of Greater than, more than, as in The book sold in excess of a million copies. [Early 1600s]

  in exchange Also, in exchange for. In return (for something or someone), as in Jim lent Bill his motorcycle, and Bill offered his car in exchange, or At the party, the guests were given cookies in exchange for the ones they brought. [Late 1500s]

  in fact Also, in point of fact. In reality, in truth; actually. For example, She was, in fact, eager to join the club, or In point of fact, his parents never had much influence on him. The first term dates from about 1700, and the variant from about 1800.

  in fashion Also, in style. → See under GO OUT, def. 5.

  in favor of Also, in one’s favor. 1. In support of, approving, as in We are in favor of her promotion, or All the reviews were in his favor. [Mid-1500s] 2. To the advantage of, as in The court decided in favor of the defendant. [Mid-1500s] 3. Inscribed or made out to the benefit of, as in The check was made out in favor of the charity. [Mid-1500s] 4. Out of a preference for, as in The commissioner turned down the new road in favor of improved sewers. [Late 1800s]

  in favor with Held in friendly regard by, as in She’s really in favor with the press. This idiom uses favor in the sense of “approval.” The same is true of the antonym, out of favor with, as in He was out of favor with the board. [Early 1500s] Also see IN FAVOR OF.

  inference → See DRAW AN INFERENCE.

  in fine feather Also, in good or high feather. In excellent form, health, or humor. For example, He was in fine feather, joking with all his visitors. These expressions all allude to a bird’s healthy plumage, a usage dating from the late 1500s and no longer very common. Another synonym is in fine fettle, dating from the mid-1700s. The noun fettle means “condition.” This term, too, is not heard much today.

  influence → See UNDER THE INFLUENCE.

  in for 1. Guaranteed to get or have, as in We’re in for a difficult time. [Late 1500s] 2. in for it. Certain to encounter trouble or punishment, as in When Harry finds out we left early, we’ll be in for it. [Late 1600s] 3. Involved or entered for some purpose, as in We’re in for the profits. [Mid-1800s] Also see HAVE IT IN FOR; IN FOR A PENNY, IN FOR A POUND.

  in for a penny, in for a pound Once involved, one must not stop at half-measures. For example, All right, I’ll drive you all the way there—in for a penny, in for a pound. This term originally meant that if one owes a penny one might as well owe a pound, and came into American use without changing the British monetary unit to dollar. [Late 1600s] For a synonym, see HANGED FOR A SHEEP AS A LAMB.

  in force 1. In full strength, in large numbers, as in Demonstrators were out in force. This usage originally alluded to a large military force. [Early 1300s] 2. Operative, binding, as in This rule is no longer in force. This usage originally alluded to the binding power of a law. [Late 1400s]

  information → See under GOLD MINE.

  in front of 1. Facing someone or a group, as in He was shy about speaking in front of a large audience. [Early 1600s] 2. In someone’s presence, as in Let’s not fight in front of the children. [Mid-1800s]

  in full Completely, as in His talk covered the subject in full, or The debt was repaid in full. [Mid-1500s]

  in full swing Also, in full cry. In full operation, at the highest level of activity. For example, After the strike it would be some time before production was in full swing, or His supporters were out in full cry. The first expression, dating from the mid-1800s, alludes to the vigorous movement of a swinging body. The second employs full cry in the sense of “vigorous pursuit,” a usage dating from the late 1500s that may be dying out.

  in general 1. Referring to a group of persons or a subject as a whole, as opposed to particular ones. For example, I am speaking about contracts in general, or Girls in general mature at a younger age than boys. [Late 1300s] For an antonym, see IN PARTICULAR. 2. For the most part; commonly, usually. For example, In genera
l the children behaved very well, or Our winters are quite mild in general. [Early 1700s]

  in good condition Also, in good shape. → See IN CONDITION.

  in good faith → See under IN BAD FAITH.

  in good hands In competent or safe care. For example, I know the children are in good hands when they visit my mother. The term good hand has been used in the sense of “skill” or “ability” since the late 1300s.

  in good part 1. take in good part. Accept good-naturedly or with good grace; without taking offense. For example, She took her brother’s teasing in good part. [Mid-1500s] 2. Mostly, to a great extent, as in Their failure is in good part the result of poor management. Also see FOR THE MOST PART.

  in good spirits Also, in high spirits. Happy, cheerful, as in Jane was in good spirits today. [Early 1700s] However, high spirits also can indicate liveliness and vivacity, as in The children were in high spirits at the prospect of a trip to the circus.

  in good stead → See STAND IN GOOD STEAD.

  in good time 1. See IN DUE COURSE. 2. In a short time, quickly; also, earlier than expected. For example, We want to get home in good time for the broadcast, or They submitted the bids in good time. [Late 1500s]

  in good with, be Also, be in with. Be in someone’s favor, be well liked by someone. For example, He’s in good with the higher-ups so we can expect approval of our application, or I’d love to be in with that popular crowd, but I don’t quite know how. Both terms date from the 1900s. Also see GET ON SOMEONE’S GOOD SIDE; IN BAD WITH; IN FAVOR WITH; IN SOMEONE’S GOOD GRACES.

  in half In two equal or roughly equal parts. For example, Let’s cut this sheet in half. [Late 1500s]

  in hand 1. Accessible at the present time, as in The company has very little cash in hand. [Late 1300s] 2. Under one’s control or authority, as in The police had the situation well in hand. [Early 1600s] 3. In process, being settled, as in He was willing to give full attention to the matter in hand. [Late 1300s] Also see IN ONE’S HANDS.

  in harness On duty or at work. For example, Despite his illness he’s determined to continue in harness. It also is put as be back in harness, meaning “to return to duty or work,” as in After a long vacation she’s finally back in harness. This expression alludes to horses harnessed to perform work. [First half of 1800s] Also see DIE WITH ONE’S BOOTS ON (IN HARNESS).

  in heat In a state of sexual excitement immediately preceding ovulation. For example, Our cat’s in heat so we have to keep her inside. This expression applies to most female mammals and indicates the period when the animal is fertile and most receptive to mating. [Mid-1700s]

  in high dudgeon Furiously, resentfully, as in He stormed out in high dudgeon. This term is the only surviving use of the word dudgeon, whose origin has been lost. [c. 1600]

  in hock Pawned. The noun hock comes from the Dutch hok, for “prison.” In the mid-1800s the current idiom meant “in prison,” but today it generally means having pawned something. Retrieving it from the pawnbroker is described as getting it out of hock. Jack London so used it in a letter of 1896, “I got my watch out of hock.” Occasionally it may mean “in debt” but this usage is not common. [Late 1800s]

  in honor of In celebration of, as a mark of respect for, as in We are holding a banquet in honor of the president. [c. 1300]

  in hopes of Also, in hopes that; in the hope of or that; in high hopes of or that. Expecting and wishing for, as in We met in the hope of finding a vacancy, or They met in the hope of bringing about a peaceful settlement. The phrases with that are used with clauses, as in In hopes that something good might come of it, he began to work, or We are in high hopes that a cure for leukemia will be found soon. [c. 1600]

  initiative → See ON ONE’S OWN ACCOUNT (INITIATIVE); TAKE THE INITIATIVE.

  in itself → See under IN AND OF ITSELF.

  injury → See ADD INSULT TO INJURY.

  in keeping with Conforming to, in harmony with, as in The new wing is in keeping with the house’s original architecture, or His actions are not in keeping with his words. This expression uses keeping in the sense of “harmony,” as does its antonym, out of keeping with, as in The funeral arrangements were out of keeping with the family’s wishes. [c. 1800] Also see IN KEY; IN LINE.

  in key In harmony with other factors, in a matching style, as in This furniture is perfectly in key with the overall design. This term uses key in the musical sense, that is, “a scheme of notes related to one another.” The antonym, out of key, means “not in harmony with other factors,” or “unsuitable,” as in He is out of key with his time. [c. 1900]

  in kind 1. With produce or commodities rather than money. For example, I edited Bob’s book for payment in kind; he gave me voice lessons in exchange. [c. 1600] 2. In the same manner or with an equivalent, as in He returned the insult in kind. [Early 1700s]

  in large measure → See under IN SOME MEASURE.

  in league with Also, in cahoots with. In close cooperation or in partnership with, often secretly or in a conspiracy. For example, “For anybody on the road might be a robber, or in league with robbers” (Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities, 1859), or We suspect that the mayor is in cahoots with the construction industry. The first term dates from the mid-1500s. The variant, a colloquialism dating from the early 1800s, may come from the French cahute, “a small hut or cabin,” and may allude to the close quarters in such a dwelling.

  in left field → See OUT IN LEFT FIELD.

  in lieu of → See INSTEAD OF.

  in light of Also, in the light of; in view of. In consideration of, in relationship to. For example, In light of recent developments, we’re postponing our meeting, or In the light of the weather forecast we’ve canceled the picnic, or He got a special bonus in view of all the extra work he had done. The first two of these terms date from the late 1600s, the third from about 1800.

  in like Flynn Successful. The “Flynn” here alludes to motion picture actor Errol Flynn(1909-59), who not only was a successful actor but was renowned for his sexual prowess. The term has been used more generally since the mid-1900s and presumably survives because of its rhyme. For example, He easily made it to the semifinals, saying he was in like Flynn.

  in limbo 1. In a condition of oblivion or neglect, as in They kept her application in limbo for months. [Early 1600s] 2. An intermediate or transitional state, as in After his editor left the firm, his book was in limbo. [Early 1600s] Both usages allude to the theological meaning of limbo, that is, a place outside hell and heaven to which unbaptized infants and the righteous who died before Christ’s coming were traditionally consigned.

  in line 1. Also, in line with. In conformity or agreement; within ordinary or proper limits. For example, The new policy was intended to keep prices in line with their competitors, or It’s up to the supervisor to keep the nurses in line. Also see FALL IN LINE. 2. Also, on line. Waiting behind others in a row or queue. For example, The children stood in line for their lunches, or There were at least 50 persons on line for opera tickets. 3. in line for. Next in order for, as in He is next in line for the presidency. All of these terms employ line in the sense of “an orderly row or series of persons or objects,” a usage dating from the 1500s.

  in love → See FALL IN LOVE.

  in luck Fortunate, enjoying success, as in You’re in luck—we found your car keys. [Mid-1800s]

  in memory of As a reminder of or memorial to. For example, In memory of Grandma we put flowers on her grave every Easter, or In memory of our happy times here we’ve planted a little garden. [First half of 1300s]

  in mind → See BEAR IN MIND; PUT ONE IN MIND OF.

  in name only Also, only in name. Nominally, not actually. For example, He’s the chief executive in name only; his vice-president makes all the decisions, or Theirs was a marriage only in name; they lived on different continents. [Late 1300s]

  in no case Never, under no circumstances, as in She should in no case be told that he has a terminal illness. [First half of 1400s] For an antonym, see IN ANY CAS
E.

  in nothing flat → See under IN NO TIME.

  in no time Also, in no time at all; in less than no time; in nothing flat. Almost instantly, immediately, as in The train will be here in no time at all, or He’ll be finished in less than no time, or I’ll be there in nothing flat. All these hyperbolic terms equate a very short time with “at once.” [First half of 1800s]

  in no uncertain terms Emphatically, definitely so. For example, Jane told them in no uncertain terms that she wanted no part of their practical joke. The double negative in this idiom serves for emphasis. [Mid-1900s] Also see IN SO MANY WORDS.

  in on, be Also, get in on. Be or become a participant; be or become one of a group who have information. For example, Is she in on our secret? or I’d like to get in on this venture. [c. 1920] Also see BARGE IN (ON); GROUND FLOOR (GET IN ON THE); IN GOOD WITH.

  in one blow → See AT ONE STROKE.

  in one breath → See IN THE SAME BREATH.

  in one ear and out the other Quickly forgotten, as in Their advice to her just went in one ear and out the other. This expression, a proverb in John Heywood’s 1546 collection, conjures up a graphic image of sound traveling through one’s head. [Late 1300s]

  in one fell swoop → See ONE FELL SWOOP.

  in one piece → See ALL IN ONE PIECE.

  in one’s → In addition to the idioms beginning with IN ONE’S, also see under IN SOMEONE’S; OUT OF ONE’S.

  in one’s behalf → See IN BEHALF OF.

  in one’s blood Also, in the blood. Part of one’s essential nature. For example, The whole family loves music; it’s in their blood, or Sailing somehow gets in your blood. Also see RUN IN THE BLOOD.

  in one’s book According to one’s opinion or way of thinking. For example, In my book he’s a wonderful father. This expression alludes to a book containing a personal list of some kind. [Slang; mid-1900s] Also see BLACK BOOK.

  in one’s cups Drunk, as in You can’t believe anything he says when he’s in his cups. [Early 1600s]