The American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms

by Christine Ammer

  in the hole 1. In debt; in trouble, especially financial trouble. For example, Joan is too extravagant; she’s always in the hole, or Buying all these Christmas presents will put us in the hole for the next few months. [Colloquial; early 1800s] Also see IN A BIND. 2. In trouble in a competitive sport. For example, At three balls and no strikes, the pitcher’s in the hole, or The batter’s got two strikes on him; he’s in the hole. [Slang; late 1800s] 3. In a card game, scoring lower than zero. For example, Only one hand’s been dealt and I’m already three points in the hole. This expression alludes to the practice of circling a minus score in the old game of euchre. The antonym for all three usages is out of the hole, as in It took careful financial management to get Kevin out of the hole, or An experienced pitcher often can manage to get out of the hole. Also see ACE IN THE HOLE.

  in the hope → See under IN HOPES OF.

  in the hot seat → See HOT SEAT.

  in the interest of → See IN ONE’S INTEREST.

  in the interim In the meantime, as in Arthur’s in Israel, so in the interim Judy will handle their business. [Second half of 1500s]

  in the know Privy to special or secret information, as in Not too many people are in the know about this project. [Late 1800s]

  in the lap of luxury → See LAP OF LUXURY.

  in the least Also, in the slightest. At all, in the smallest degree. These terms are nearly always used in a negative context. For example, I don’t care in the least what you do with the money, or It doesn’t matter in the slightest whether or not you attend. [c. 1600] In the least dates from about 1600; in the slightest has been used in the sense of “to a trifling degree” since the late 1500s.

  in the limelight Also, in the spotlight. At the center of public attention or notoriety. For example, John loves being in the limelight, or The reporters made sure the attractive new actress would be in the spotlight. Both terms come from the theater and allude to focusing light on an important person, the first from a lighting device used from about 1840 on, the second from the early 1900s. Also see IN THE PUBLIC EYE; STEAL THE SHOW.

  in the long run Over a lengthy period of time, in the end. For example, He realized that in the long run, their argument wouldn’t seem so awful. This expression, which originated as at the long run in the early 1600s, presumably alludes to a runner who continues on his course to the end. Economist John Maynard Keynes used it in a much-quoted quip about economic planning: “In the long run we are all dead.” The antonym, in the short run, meaning “over a short period of time,” dates only from the 1800s. The novelist George Eliot used both in a letter (October 18, 1879): “Mrs. Healy’s marriage is surely what you expected in the long or short run.”

  in the loop Provided with information and included in a decision-making process. For example, She’s new to the board, but he sure to keep her in the loop. This expression uses loop in the sense of “a circle of individuals among whom information or responsibility circulates.” The antonym out of the loop, meaning “left out of such a circle,” dates from the same period. For example, The chairman was consistently leaving Chris out of the loop. [1970s]

  in the lurch → See LEAVE IN THE LURCH.

  in the main For the most part, chiefly, as in It was an excellent conference in the main. [First half of 1600s]

  in the making In the process of developing or growing, being made, as in The editor believed this election signified history in the making. This term is frequently used to describe the course of events, as in the example. [Mid-1600s]

  in the market for Wanting to possess, eager to have, seeking. For example, The crowd was in the market for more entertainment, or I’m sure he’s in the market for another fast car. [Early 1900s]

  in the middle of 1. Also, in the midst of. During, while engaged in, as in He stopped him in the middle of his speech, or I’m in the midst of calculating my income tax. The first expression dates from about 1600, the second from about 1500. Also see IN THE MIDST. 2. in the middle of nowhere. In a very remote location, as in We found a great little hotel, out in the middle of nowhere. [Early 1900s]

  in the midst 1. Also, in one’s midst. Surrounded by, among, as in I saw a familiar face in the midst of the crowd, or To think there was a Nobel Prize winner in our midst! [c. 1500s] 2. See IN THE MIDDLE OF, def. 1.

  in the money 1. Also, in the chips. Rich, affluent. For example, When he’s in the money, he’s extremely generous to his friends, or After that box-­office bonanza, she’s in the chips. The chips in the variant presumably allude to poker chips. [Colloquial; late 1800s] 2. Placing first, second or third in a contest on which a bet has been placed, especially a horse race. For example, My luck held today, and I ended up in the money. [c. 1900]

  in the mood Disposed or inclined toward something, as in I’m in the mood for a good long walk. This phrase is also put in the negative, I’m not in the mood to argue. [Late 1500s]

  in the mouth → See DOWN IN THE DUMPS (MOUTH); LOOK A GIFT HORSE IN THE MOUTH.

  in the name of 1. By the authority of, as in Open up, in the name of the law! [Late 1300s] 2. On behalf of, as in She made a donation in her daughter’s name. [Late 1300s] 3. in God’s or heaven’s name; in the name of God or heaven. With appeal to, as in In the name of God, stop that noise! or What in heaven’s name are you doing? [c. A.D. 900] 4. Under the designation of, as in They burned witches at the stake in the name of piety. [Late 1300s] 5. Under the possession or ownership of, as in The certificate of ownership was rightfully in my name. [Mid-1900s] 6. in one’s own name. On one’s own behalf, as in Mary signed the check for John in her own name. [Late 1800s]

  in the near future Very soon, within a short time. For example, We’ll be needing a new car in the near future. This term employs near in the sense of “close at hand,” a usage dating from about 1300. Also see AT HAND, def. 2.

  in the neck → See PAIN IN THE NECK.

  in the neighborhood of Also, in the region of. Approximately, about, as in They paid in the neighborhood of a million dollars, or I don’t know exactly what the exchange rate is—somewhere in the region of 95 yen to the dollar. The first expression dates from the mid-1800s, the variant from the mid-1900s.

  in the nick of time Also, just in time. At the last moment, as in The police arrived in the nick of time, or He got there just in time for dinner. The first term began life as in the nick and dates from the 1500s, when nick meant “the critical moment” (a meaning now obsolete). The second employs just in the sense of “precisely” or “closely,” a usage applied to time since the 1500s. Also see IN TIME, def. 1.

  in the offing In the near or immediate future; soon to come. For example, Jan was delighted that exams were finished and graduation was in the offing. This expression originally meant “in the part of the ocean visible between shore and horizon”; its figurative use dates from the late 1700s. Also see IN THE WIND.

  in the picture, be Understand, be informed about or be involved in a particular situation or activity. For example, The new ambassador wanted to be in the picture for every event, small or large. This term is also used in such locutions as put someone in the picture, meaning “to inform or include someone,” as in Put me in the picture about the new staff, or out of the picture, meaning “to be left ignorant of or excluded from some activity,” as in The local authorities were out of the picture when it came to drug dealers. [Early 1900s] Also see GET THE MESSAGE (PICTURE).

  in the pink In good health, as in We’re glad to hear Bob’s in the pink again. In the 1500s pink meant “the embodiment of perfection,” but the current idiom dates only from about 1900.

  in the pipeline 1. In process, under way, as in The blueprints for the new machine are in the pipeline, but it will take months to get approval. [Colloquial; 1940s] Also see IN THE WORKS. 2. Budgeted for something but not yet spent, as in There’s $5 million more in the pipeline for the city schools. [Colloquial; second half of 1900s]

  in the public eye Under the attention and scrutiny of the public, as in The rock star’s
activities were very much in the public eye. This usage, which is similar to IN THE LIMELIGHT, dates from the late 1800s. It should not be confused with the similar-sounding in the eyes of the public, which means “in the opinion or views of the general public” (as in In the eyes of the public the mayor was guilty of perjury). Also see IN THE EYE OF, def. 2.

  in the raw → See IN THE ALTOGETHER.

  in the red In debt, as in Joshua can’t keep track of funds, so half the time his company is in the red. This expression alludes to the bookkeeping practice of marking debits in red ink and credits in black. It survives even in the age of computerized accounts. So does the antonym, in the black, for being financially solvent or out of debt, as in Bill was happy to say they were in the black. [Early 1900s]

  in there pitching Exerting one’s best effort, trying actively. For example, After the flood, everyone was in there pitching to clean up the streets. This metaphor alludes to the pitcher’s important role in baseball. [Colloquial; c. 1940]

  in the right, be Have the support of fact, justice, or reason. For example, Nancy’s parents were in the right when they took her teacher to task, or, as Shakespeare put it in Richard III (5:3): “He was in the right, and so indeed it is.” [Late 1400s] Also see the antonym IN THE WRONG.

  in the rough → See DIAMOND IN THE ROUGH.

  in the round Visible from all sides, as in Jerry’s done an excellent job in this interview, really portraying the senator in the round. This expression, which dates from about 1800, was at first used for a free-standing piece of sculpture (as opposed to a relief on a wall), and a century later for a theatrical stage (called theater-in-the-round) so placed that the audience could see a performance from all sides. Since the 1920s it has also been used figuratively for someone or something seen three-dimensionally, as in the example.

  in the running 1. Entered as a competitor in a contest. For example, Is Mary in the running for this election? The antonym, out of the running, means “not entered as a competitor,” as in Ian is out of the running for the job now that he’s living in another state. [Mid-1800s] 2. Having a chance to win, as in Mary’s still in the running for the promotion. Again, out of the running means the opposite, as in He’s too old—he’s out of the running. [Mid-1800s] Both usages allude to the entry and chances of a horse in a race.

  in the saddle → See IN THE DRIVER’S SEAT.

  in the same boat Also, all in the same boat. In a similar situation, in the same position. For example, Everyone’s got too much work—we’re all in the same boat. This expression alludes to the risks shared by passengers in a small boat at sea. [Mid-1800s]

  in the same breath 1. Also, in one breath. At or almost at the same time. For example, Ed complains about having too much homework and in the same breath talks about going out every night, or The twins said, in one breath, “More cake, please.” [Mid-1800s] 2. not in the same breath. Not to be compared. For example, Karen’s a good runner, but you can’t speak of her in the same breath as an Olympic athlete. Also see IN THE SAME LEAGUE.

  in the same league On the same level of skill, in the same class, as in As a woodworker, Bill wishes he were in the same league as Carl, who is a master carpenter. This metaphoric expression alludes to the leagues of baseball clubs, categorized as major or minor. It is often put negatively as not in the same league, as in This restaurant is not in the same league as the French café across the street. [Early 1900s]

  in the same mold → See CAST IN THE SAME MOLD.

  in the second place → See under IN THE FIRST PLACE.

  in the short run → See under IN THE LONG RUN.

  in the soup In trouble, as in She mailed all the checks with the wrong postage, and now she’s really in the soup. [Slang; late 1800s]

  in the sticks → See under IN THE BOONDOCKS.

  in the street → See under ON THE STREET.

  in the swim Actively participating, in the thick of things, as in He was new in town, but he soon got in the swim at school. This expression alludes to the fishing term for a large number of fish in one area, a so-called swim. [Mid-1800s]

  in the teeth of 1. Straight into, confronting, as in The ship was headed in the teeth of the gale. [Late 1200s] 2. In opposition to or defiance of, as in She stuck to her position in the teeth of criticism by the board members. [Late 1700s] Also see FLY IN THE FACE OF. 3. Facing danger or threats from, as in The tribe was in the teeth of starvation. [Early 1800s]

  in the thick of In the midst of, at the height of an action. Charlotte Brontë used it in Shirley (1849), “They are in the thick of a revival.” [Late 1600s]

  in the throes of In the midst of, especially of a difficult struggle. For example, The country was in the throes of economic collapse, or We were in the throes of giving a formal dinner when my in-laws arrived. The noun throe, meaning “a severe pang or spasm of pain,” was at first used mainly for such physical events as childbirth or dying. Today it is used both seriously (first example) and more lightly (second example). [Mid-1800s]

  in the twinkling of an eye In an instant, as in The breakup of Yugoslavia created many warring nations in the twinkling of an eye. This hyperbolic expression, which alludes to the very brief time it takes for an eye to blink, is heard less often today. [c. 1300]

  in the unlikely event If something improbable should occur. For example, In the unlikely event that I’m held up, please cover for me, or In the unlikely event that we should have snow in May, we’re still well equipped to cope with it. Also see under IN CASE, def. 2.

  in the wake of 1. Following directly on, as in In the wake of the procession, a number of small children came skipping down the aisle. This usage alludes to the waves made behind a passing vessel. [c. 1800] 2. In the aftermath of, as a consequence of, as in Famine often comes in the wake of war. [Mid-1800s]

  in the way 1. See IN ONE’S WAY, def. 3. 2. in the way of. In the nature of, as in He was getting nothing in the way of pay, or They had nothing in the way of an alibi. [Mid-1600s]

  in the wind Likely to occur, as in “He knew Gattis had guessed what was in the wind and was pretty unhappy about it” (Clive Egleton, A Different Drummer, 1985). This metaphoric expression alludes to perceiving something being brought or blown by the wind. [Late 1500s] Also see GET WIND OF; SOMETHING IN THE WIND.

  in the wings Also, waiting in the wings. Nearby in the background, available on short notice. For example, Some police were in the wings in case of trouble at the rally, or There are at least a dozen young managers waiting in the wings for Harold to retire. This expression alludes to the theater, where a player waits in the wings or backstage area, unseen by the audience, for his or her turn to come on stage. [Second half of 1800s]

  in the works In preparation, under development. For example, The agent said there was a movie deal in the works, or He assured her that a follow-up campaign was in the works. [Second half of 1900s] Also see IN THE PIPELINE.

  in the world → See COME UP (IN THE WORLD); ON EARTH; WITH THE BEST WILL IN THE WORLD.

  in the worst way Desperately, very much, as in He wanted a new trumpet in the worst way. This usage replaced worst kind. [Colloquial; second half of 1800s]

  in the wrong Mistaken, to blame. For example, The teacher was clearly in the wrong but refused to admit it, or Since he had driven straight through a red light, Jack was the one in the wrong. [c. 1400]

  in thing, the → See under THE THING.

  in this day and age Now, in the present, as in In this day and age divorce is a very common occurrence. This phrase is redundant, since this day and this age both mean “now”. [Early 1900s]

  in time → In addition to the idiom beginning with IN TIME, also see AT THIS POINT (IN TIME); IN DUE COURSE (TIME); IN GOOD TIME; IN THE NICK OF (JUST IN) TIME; ON TIME; STITCH IN TIME.

  in time 1. Before a time limit expires, early enough, as in His speech begins at eight, so we’ve arrived in time. It is often put as in time for, as in Please come in time for dinner. [Second half of 1400s] Also see IN GOOD TIME. 2. Eventually,
within an indefinite period, as in In time you’ll see that Dad was right. [c. 1450] Also see IN DUE COURSE. 3. In the proper musical tempo or rhythm, as in It’s important to dance in time to the music. [c. 1700]

  into → In addition to the idioms beginning with INTO, also see BE INTO.

  into account → See TAKE INTO ACCOUNT.

  into effect → See IN EFFECT, def. 2.

  in token of As a sign or symbol of, as in He gave her a ring in token of his love, or In token of our esteem, we dedicate this hospital wing to Dr. Lurie. [Early 1500s]

  into line → See FALL IN LINE.

  into one’s head → See BEAT INTO ONE’S HEAD; GET INTO ONE’S HEAD.

  into question → See CALL IN QUESTION.

  into the bargain Also, in the bargain. In addition, over and above what is expected. For example, The new researcher was an excellent chemist and a good programmer in the bargain, or It was very cold, and then rain and sleet were added into the bargain. These expressions transfer bargain in the sense of “a business agreement” to what is anticipated.

  into the blue → See under INTO THIN AIR.

  into the drink Into the water, especially the ocean. For example, One more wave and I thought I’d fall off the boat into the drink. [Slang; c. 1830]

  into thin air Also, into the blue. Completely disappeared, as in The report was here on my desk and now it’s gone, vanished into thin air; or I don’t know where they’ve gone—into the blue, for all I know. Both of these hyperbolic expressions, often preceded by vanish as in the first example, use the rarefied atmosphere far above the earth as a metaphor for an unknown location. Shakespeare wrote of ghosts that “melted ... into thin air” (The Tempest, 4:1). An antonym for both is out of thin air, meaning “from an unknown place or source.” For example, She made up this excuse out of thin air, or The car appeared out of thin air. However, out of the blue is not precisely an antonym (see under OUT OF A CLEAR BLUE SKY).

  in touch Also, in touch with. 1. Be in communication or contact (with), as in Be sure to be in touch once you’ve arrived, or Our representative is really in touch with her constituents. A related idiom is get in touch, meaning “initiate contact,” as in We tried to get in touch with you but you were out of town, and keep or stay in touch, meaning “remain in communication or contact,” as in With Jim stationed in Korea, it was hard to keep in touch, or Do stay in touch with us. This idiom transfers physical touch to communication. [Late 1800s] 2. Having awareness or understanding, as in This newscast keeps me in touch with the latest developments. Also see OUT OF TOUCH.