The American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms

by Christine Ammer

  in some measure Somewhat, to a certain extent, as in In some measure we owe these privileges to our parents. Shakespeare used this term in A Midsummer Night’s Dream (1:2): “I will condole in some measure.” Similarly, in large measure, dating from the same period, means “to a considerable extent,” as in In large measure the two sides agree. [c. 1600]

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

  in someone’s bad graces Also, in someone’s bad books. Out of favor with someone. For example, Harry’s tardiness put him in the teacher’s bad graces, or Making fun of the director is bound to get you in his bad books. The use of grace in the sense of “favor” dates from the 1400s; the use of books dates from the early 1800s. Also see BLACK BOOK, def. 1; IN SOMEONE’S GOOD GRACES.

  in someone’s corner On someone’s side, supporting someone. The term originated in boxing, where a fighter’s trainer and assistant are in his or her corner (one of two diagonally opposite angles in a boxing ring) to provide advice between rounds. The figurative usage dates from the 1940s. For example, When it comes to a vote, you know I’m in your corner.

  in someone’s face 1. In front of or against someone directly, as in He slammed the door in her face. [First half of 1400s] Also see IN THE FACE OF. 2. Also, get in someone’s face. Annoy or pester someone. For example, He’s always getting in my face when I’m trying to meet a deadline. Closely related is the imperative, get out of my face, meaning “stop annoying me,” as in Get out of my face before I punch you! [Slang; 1920s] Also see IN YOUR FACE; THROW IN SOMEONE’S FACE.

  in someone’s good graces Also, in someone’s good books; in the good graces of. In someone’s favor or good opinion, as in Ruth is back in her mother’s good graces, or Bill is anxious to get in the boss’s good books, or She was always in the good graces of whoever happened to be in charge. The use of good grace dates from the 1400s, grace alluding to the condition of being favored; good books dates from the early 1800s. One antonym is out of someone’s good graces, as in Walking out on his speech got him out of the professor’s good graces. Another is IN SOMEONE’S BAD GRACES.

  in someone’s hair Annoying or bothering someone. For example, She was constantly in my hair, overseeing everything I did, or Dad was working on taxes, and the children were getting in his hair. This expression alludes to entangling one’s hair. [Mid-1800s] The antonym, out of someone’s hair, is often used as an imperative, as in Get out of my hair! [c. 1900]

  in someone’s shoes Also, in someone else’s shoes; in someone’s place or stead. Acting for another person or experiencing something as another person might; in another’s position or situation. For example, If you were in my shoes, would you ask the new secretary for a date? or In your shoes I wouldn’t accept the offer, or Can you go to the theater in my place? or He was speaking in her stead. The idioms alluding to shoes, with their image of stepping into someone’s shoes, date from about 1700 and are generally used in a ­conditional clause beginning with if. Stead, dating from the 1300s, and place, from the 1500s, are used more loosely. Also see FILL SOMEONE’S SHOES; PUT SOMEONE IN HIS OR HER PLACE.

  in someone’s stead → See IN SOMEONE’S SHOES; INSTEAD OF.

  insomuch as → See INASMUCH AS.

  in spades Considerably, in the extreme; also, without restraint. For example, They were having money problems, in spades, or Jan told him what he really thought of him, in spades. This expression alludes to spades as the highest-ranking suit in various card games, such as bridge, and transfers “highest” to other extremes. [Colloquial; 1920s]

  in specie 1. In coin, as in The balance was to be paid only in specie. [First half of 1600s] 2. In a similar manner, in kind, as in They repaid the offense in specie. [Mid-1500s] Both usages are derived from the Latin in specie, meaning “in the actual form.”

  in spite of Regardless of, in defiance of, as in They kept on in spite of their fears. [c. 1400]

  instance → See under FOR EXAMPLE.

  in state With pomp and ceremony, as in The foreign leaders were dining in state at the White House. This expression, dating from the late 1600s, also appears in lie in state, said of a dead body ceremoniously exposed to public view before being interred. This latter usage, dating from about 1700, is generally confined to important public figures, as in His Majesty lay in state in the palace.

  instead of Also, in lieu of; in place of. In substitution for, rather than. For example, She wore a dress instead of slacks, or They had a soprano in lieu of a tenor, or In place of soft drinks they served fruit juice. Instead of dates from about 1200; in lieu of, which borrows lieu, meaning “place,” from French, dates from the late 1200s; and in place of from the 1500s. Also see under IN SOMEONE’S SHOES.

  in step 1. Moving to a rhythm or conforming to the movements of others, as in The kids marched in step to the music. [Late 1800s] 2. in step with. In conformity or harmony with, as in He was in step with the times. The antonym to both usages is out of step, as in They’re out of step with the music, or His views are out of step with the board’s. [Late 1800s] Also see IN PHASE; OUT OF PHASE.

  in stitches Laughing uncontrollably, as in Joke after joke had me in stitches. Although the precise idiom dates only from about 1930, Shakespeare had a similar expression in Twelfth Night (3:2): “If you desire the spleen, and will laugh yourselves into stitches, follow me.” Stitches here refers to the sharp local pain (known as a stitch in the side) that can make one double over, much as a fit of laughter can.

  in stock Available for sale or use, on hand, as in We have several dozen tires in stock. The antonym, out of stock, means “not available for sale,” usually only temporarily. For example, This item is out of stock now, but we expect a new order next week. [Early 1600s]

  in store 1. In readiness, in preparation for future use, as in I’m keeping several videos in store for your visit. Edmund Spenser used this idiom in The Faerie Queene (1590): “Then for her son... In her own hand the crown she kept in store.” [1300s] 2. in store for. Forthcoming for, awaiting, as in There’s trouble in store for you. [Mid-1600s]

  in stride → See TAKE IN STRIDE.

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

  in substance 1. In reality, essentially, as in The Archbishop of Salzburg was in substance a temporal authority as well. [Late 1300s] 2. In essence, basically, as in I don’t remember all the details, but in substance this was the plan. [Late 1400s]

  insult → See ADD INSULT TO INJURY.

  intent → See TO ALL INTENTS AND PURPOSES.

  interest → See IN ONE’S INTEREST; TAKE AN INTEREST; VESTED INTEREST; WITH INTEREST.

  interim → See IN THE INTERIM.

  in terms of 1. As measured or indicated by, on the basis of. For example, How far is it in terms of miles? This usage originated in mathematics, where it alludes to numerical units. [Mid-1700s] 2. In relation to, with reference to, as in This film offers nothing in terms of satisfactory entertainment. [Late 1800s]

  in that For the reason that, because, as in In that you will be busy for the next few weeks, let’s go over your paper now. [Mid-1400s]

  in that case → See IN CASE, def. 2.

  in the act 1. In the process of doing something. For example, The police caught the robber in the act, or I was in the act of closing the window. [Second half of 1600s] 2. Performing sexual intercourse, as in Her father caught them in the act. [Late 1500s]

  in the aggregate Considered as a whole, as in Our profits in the aggregate have been slightly higher. [Late 1700s]

  in the air → In addition to the following idiom, also see CASTLES IN THE AIR; LEAVE HANGING (IN THE AIR); NOSE IN THE AIR; UP IN THE AIR.

  in the air 1. In circulation, in people’s thoughts. For example, There’s a rumor in the air that they’re closing, or Christmas is in the air. [Second half of 1800s] Also see IN THE WIND. 2. See UP IN THE AIR. [Mid-1700s]

  in the altogether Also, in or stripped to the buff; in the raw. Naked, nude, as in The art
class wanted a model to pose in the altogether, or She was stripped to the buff when the doorbell rang, or He always sleeps in the raw. The first of these colloquial terms dates from the late 1800s. In the buff, a seemingly modern locution dates from the 1600s, buff alluding to a soft, undyed leather, buffskin, that also gave its name to the color. The use of raw, presumably also alluding to raw (undressed) leather, dates from the early 1900s.

  in the back → See EYES IN THE BACK OF ONE’S HEAD; STAB IN THE BACK.

  in the bag Assured of success, virtually accomplished or won. For example, The coach thought the trophy was in the bag, or Our new contract is in the bag. The precise allusion in this idiom is unknown. One writer believes it refers to a completed transaction, that is, an item bought and wrapped in a bag. However, it may well refer to the game bag in which hunters place small game such as birds. [c. 1920] Also see under WRAP UP.

  in the balance → See HANG IN THE BALANCE.

  in the ballpark Also, out of the ballpark. → See under BALLPARK FIGURE.

  in the bargain → See INTO THE BARGAIN.

  in the black → See under IN THE RED.

  in the blood → See IN ONE’S BLOOD.

  in the boondocks Also, in the boonies. In a remote rural or provincial area, the backwoods. The term comes from the Tagalog noun bundok, for “hill,” and was coined by U.S. Marines fighting against Filipino guerrillas in rough hill country after the Spanish-American War. During World War II American troops in the Philippines shortened it to “boonies,” and in time it came to be used more generally and pejoratively. For example, His wife was opposed to the transfer, saying she didn’t want to live in the boonies. A slightly more recent synonym is in the sticks. For example, No theater or concert hall, no wireless connections—wild horses couldn’t get me to live in the sticks. [Early 1900s]

  in the bud → See NIP IN THE BUD.

  in the buff → See IN THE ALTOGETHER.

  in the can 1. In the lavatory, as in He can’t come to the phone; he’s in the can. The related on the can means “sitting on the toilet.” The noun can is used for both the room and the toilet. [Slang; c. 1900] 2. Completed, as in About a hundred pages of her next book are in the can. This usage originated in filmmaking to describe a completed motion picture, when film was literally put into a can or canister. [Slang; c. 1930] 3. As an out-of-the-money finisher in a horse race, where a horse comes in fourth or worse. For example, He had no luck that day—every bet ended up in the can. [1960s]

  in the cards Likely or certain to happen, as in I don’t think Jim will win—it’s just not in the cards. This term, originally put as on the cards, alludes to the cards used in fortunetelling. [Early 1800s]

  in the care of → See IN CHARGE, def. 3.

  in the case of → Regarding, in the matter of, in that instance. For example, In the case of James, they decided to promote him to the next grade. [Late 1300s] Also see IN CASE, def. 2.

  in the catbird seat → See CATBIRD SEAT.

  in the chips → See IN THE MONEY.

  in the circumstances → See UNDER THE CIRCUMSTANCES.

  in the clear 1. Free from danger or suspicion of wrongdoing, as in The evidence showed that the suspect was actually in the clear. [1920s] 2. Having enough money to make a profit, as in When they added up the box-office returns, they found they were several thousand dollars in the clear. [Slang; 1920s]

  in the clouds → See HEAD IN THE CLOUDS.

  in the cold light of day Dispassionately, unemotionally, especially at a later time. For example, They had a terrible fight about the mixup, but in the cold light of day they realized they were both at fault. This expression transfers the illumination of daylight to rational understanding and uses cold to emphasize the lack of passion.

  in the course of Also, during the course of. In the process or progress of, as in the famous phrase from the Declaration of Independence (1776), “When in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands ...” These phrases have been criticized as needlessly wordy (in or during alone are adequate), but they have an emphatic rhythm that keeps them alive. [Mid-1600s]

  in the dark 1. In secret, in concealment, as in This agreement was concluded in the dark. [Early 1600s] 2. In a state of ignorance, uninformed, as in I was in the dark about their plans. This metaphor often appears in the locution keep someone in the dark, meaning “deliberately keep someone uninformed,” as in They kept me in the dark about their plans. [Late 1600s] For an antonym, see IN THE KNOW.

  in the dock On trial, especially in a criminal case. For example, The accused stood in the dock through the entire proceeding. This expression employs dock in the sense of “an enclosed place for the defendant in a court of law,” a usage dating from the late 1500s, and is used even in American courts where no such enclosure exists.

  in the doghouse In disfavor, in trouble, as in Jane knew that forgetting the check would put her in the doghouse. This expression alludes to relegating a dog that misbehaves to its outdoor kennel. [c. 1900]

  in the doldrums Depressed; dull and listless. For example, Dean’s in the doldrums for most of every winter. This expression alludes to the maritime doldrums, a belt of calms and light winds near the equator in which sailing ships were often becalmed. [Early 1800s] Also see DOWN IN THE DUMPS.

  in the driver’s seat Also, in the saddle. In control, in a position of authority. For example, With the boss on vacation, Mr. Burns was in the driver’s seat and enjoying it, or She waited until after the election, knowing that she’d be in the saddle then. The first expression dates from the 1800s, the second from the early 1600s. Also see AT THE HELM.

  in the dumps → See DOWN IN THE DUMPS.

  in the dust, leave someone Leave one far behind, as in a race or competition. For example, This marketing strategy will leave the others in the dust. This metaphoric colloquialism alludes to the dust raised by a fast-moving horse or vehicle.

  in the end Eventually, ultimately, as in All will turn out well in the end. [Mid-1500s]

  in the event of Also, in the event that. → See under IN CASE, def. 2.

  in the eye → In addition to the idiom beginning with IN THE EYE, also see IN ONE’S MIND’S EYE; IN THE PUBLIC EYE; LOOK SOMEONE IN THE FACE (EYE).

  in the eye of 1. In the center or focal point of something, as in They were right in the eye of this controversy. This term employs eye in the sense of “a central spot,” a usage dating from the mid-1700s. 2. in the eyes of. In the view or opinion of, from the standpoint of. For example, In the eyes of his fans Elvis could do no wrong, or In the eyes of the law he was a fugitive. The eyes here allude to their function, seeing. [Late 1500s]

  in the face → In addition to the idiom beginning with IN THE FACE, also see BLUE IN THE FACE; FLY IN THE FACE OF; LOOK SOMEONE IN THE FACE; RED IN THE FACE; SLAP IN THE FACE; STARE IN THE FACE; TALK SOMEONE’S ARM OFF (UNTIL ONE IS BLUE IN THE FACE).

  in the face of 1. Despite the opposition of, notwithstanding, as in In the face of published statistics, they insist there is no flu epidemic. [Early 1800s] Also see FLY IN THE FACE OF. 2. When confronted with, as in It is hard for brokers to be cheerful in the face of a falling stock market. [Late 1800s]

  in the family way Pregnant, as in Mary’s in the family way again. This euphemistic expression dates from the late 1700s and may be dying out.

  in the final analysis Also, in the last analysis. When all things are considered. For example, In the final analysis we must find ways to improve our sales, or I can, in the last analysis, talk only about my own work. This expression was at first put as in the ultimate analysis. [Late 1700s]

  in the first place 1. From the beginning, at the outset, before anything else. For example, Why didn’t you tell me in the first place that you’ve decided to leave? or He could have bought a new one in the first place. 2. As the first of several items in order of importance. This phrase is usually accompanied by in the second place, third place, and so on, as in I’m not joining the health club
because, in the first place, I don’t like their hours, and in the second place, I can’t afford the dues. [First half of 1600s] Also see FOR ONE.

  in the flesh → See IN PERSON.

  in the flush of Also, in the first or full flush of. During a sudden rush of a strong positive feeling regarding something, as in In the first flush of victory he decided to take all his friends to dinner. This expression employs flush in the sense of “a bout of emotion or passion.” [c. 1600]

  in the fullness of time Within the appropriate or destined time, as in We’ll know if it’s a boy or a girl in the fullness of time. This expression employs fullness in the sense of “a complete or ample meas­ure or degree.” [Early 1600s]

  in the groove Performing very well, excellent; also, in fashion, up-to-date. For example, The band was slowly getting in the groove, or To be in the groove this year you’ll have to get a fake fur coat. This idiom originally alluded to running accurately in a channel, or groove. It was taken up by jazz musicians in the 1920s and later began to be used more loosely. A variant, back in the groove, means “returning to one’s old self,” as in He was very ill but now he’s back in the groove. [Slang; mid-1800s]

  in the gutter Appropriate to or from a squalid, degraded condition. For example, The language in that book belongs in the gutter: An antonym, out of the gutter, means “away from vulgarity or sordidness,” as in That joke was quite innocent; get your mind out of the gutter. This idiom uses gutter in the sense of “a conduit for filthy waste.” [Mid-1800s]

  in the hands of In the possession of; in the custody or under the authority of. For example, In the hands of the decorator the hall was completely transformed. [Late 1200s] Also see IN HAND; IN ONE’S HANDS.

  in the heat of In the most intense or active stage of some activity or condition. For example, One never knows how soldiers will behave in the heat of battle, or In the heat of the moment she accepted his proposal, or In the heat of the negotiations he forgot to call his wife. [Late 1500s]