The American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms

by Christine Ammer

  John Q. Public → See under JOHN DOE.

  joined at the hip Inseparable, sharing the same ideas, opinions, or circumstances. The term, which alludes to Siamese (conjoined) twins, dates from about 1975. On February 28, 2011 a New York Times article comparing two states had “Yet in truth, New Jersey and Connecticut often seem joined at the hip. There is the same demography of wealthy suburbs surrounding poor, aging cities, the same struggle for elbow room in New York’s media orbit.”

  join forces Act together, combine efforts. For example, The public relations people joined forces to get better coverage for their candidates. This expression originally referred to combining military forces. [Mid-1500s] Also see IF YOU CAN’T BEAT ‘EM, JOIN EM.

  joint → See NOSE OUT OF JOINT; OUT OF JOINT.

  join the club A phrase used to express sympathy for a common experience. For example, You waited three hours for the doctor? Join the club! [c. 1940]

  joke → See CRACK A JOKE; DIRTY JOKE; NO JOKE; SICK JOKE; STANDING JOKE; TAKE A JOKE.

  joker in the pack An individual or factor whose behavior is unexpected or unpredictable. The term alludes to an odd card in a pack that in different card games may be assigned a particular value. It has been used figuratively since about 1960, as in They regard Tom as the joker in the pack; his vote is always a surprise.

  joking → See ALL JOKING ASIDE.

  Jones → See DAVY JONES’S LOCKER; KEEP UP (WITH THE JONESES).

  jowl → See CHEEK BY JOWL.

  joy → See PRIDE AND JOY.

  judge → In addition to the idiom beginning with JUDGE, also see SOBER AS A JUDGE. Also see JUDGMENT.

  judge a book by its cover, one can’t One can’t rely on outward appearances to know what something or someone is really like. For example, He seems very quiet, but you can’t judge a book by its cover. [First half of 1900s]

  judgment → See AGAINST ONE’S BETTER JUDGMENT; SNAP JUDGMENT.

  jugular → See GO FOR, def. 4.

  juice → In addition to the idiom beginning with JUICE, also see STEW IN ONE’S OWN JUICE.

  juice up 1. Give something energy, spirit, or interest. For example, They tried to juice up the party by playing loud music. 2. Change something to improve its performance, as in That old jeep’s motor got juiced up in the shop, or Lowering interest rates is one way to juice up the economy. [Slang; second half of 1900s]

  jump → In addition to the idioms beginning with JUMP, also see GET THE DROP (JUMP) ON; GO FLY A KITE (JUMP IN THE LAKE); HOP, SKIP AND A JUMP; NOT KNOW WHERE TO TURN (WHICH WAY TO JUMP); ONE JUMP AHEAD; SKIP (JUMP) BAIL.

  jump all over someone Also, jump or land on someone. Scold, reprimand or criticize someone. For example, Brian jumped all over his son for being late, or The editor jumped on Dennis for getting the names wrong, or He was always landing on me for something or other. The first metaphoric term dates from the mid-1800s, the second from the late 1800s. Also see JUMP DOWN SOMEONE’S THROAT.

  jump at Also, jump at the chance; jump at the bait. Take prompt advantage of, respond quickly to an opportunity. For example, When Dad said he’d help pay for my vacation, I jumped at the offer, or When the lead singer became ill, Sheila jumped at the chance to replace her, or They offered a large reward, hoping that someone would jump at the bait. [Mid-1700s]

  jump bail → See SKIP BAIL.

  jump down someone’s throat Strongly criticize, reprimand or disagree with someone. For example, Just because I admitted to being there, you needn’t jump down my throat. [Late 1800s] Also see JUMP ALL OVER SOMEONE.

  jump in Also jump in with both feet or into the ring. Enter into something enthusiastically; also, act precipitately. For example, When Don found out what his job was to be, he was ready to jump in immediately, or As soon as they asked me to join, I jumped in with both feet, or When buying securities, Anne’s apt to jump into the ring, no matter what the risks. The first two usages allude to jumping into water; the third alludes to entering the fray of the boxing ring. A similar usage is to jump in at (or off) the deep end. This idiom, also meaning to behave impulsively, alludes to jumping into the deep end of a swimming pool. [First half of 1900s]

  jumping-off place or point 1. A starting point for a journey or venture, as in This tiny village is the jumping-off place for our trek into the desert. This usage probably alludes to jumping into the water. [Early 1800s] 2. A very remote spot; also, the last place to be reached. For example, This was the jumping-off point for the first gold miners in Alaska. [Early 1800s]

  jump on → See JUMP ALL OVER SOMEONE.

  jump on the bandwagon → See ON THE BANDWAGON.

  jump out of one’s skin Be extremely startled or frightened. For example, When he crept up on me so quietly, I nearly jumped out of my skin. [Early 1900s]

  jump ship Leave suddenly. The term originally was applied to a sailor who leaves his ship unexpectedly and without permission. It soon was extended to anyone abandoning a business or organization without warning, as in No one expected the chairman’s secretary to jump ship, but that’s exactly what she did. [First half of 1900s]

  jump the gun Start doing something too soon, act too hastily. For example, The local weather bureau jumped the gun on predicting a storm; it didn’t happen for another two days. This expression alludes to starting a race before the starter’s gun has gone off, and supplants the earlier beat the pistol, which dates from about 1900. [Mid-1900s]

  jump the track Suddenly switch from one thought or activity to another. For example, Joe was describing his trip to Australia and, jumping the track, began complaining about the airline, or They couldn’t decide on the next step and now the whole reorganization plan has jumped the track. This expression alludes to a train going off the rails. [Colloquial; early 1900s]

  jump through hoops Do just about anything to please someone. For example, The boss expects the entire staff to jump through hoops for him, or This violinist will jump through hoops for the conductor. This metaphoric expression alludes to trained circus animals jumping through hoops. [Early 1900s]

  jump to a conclusion Form an opinion or judgment hastily, as in Wait till you have the facts; don’t jump to a conclusion. [c. 1700]

  juncture → See AT THIS POINT (JUNCTURE).

  jungle → See LAW OF THE JUNGLE.

  junk food Prepackaged snack food that is high in calories but low in nutritional value; also, anything attractive but negligible in value. For example, Nell loves potato chips and other junk food, or When I’m sick in bed I often resort to TV soap operas and similar junk food. [c. 1970]

  junk mail Third-class mail, such as unsolicited advertisements and flyers, that is sent indiscriminately. For example, While we were on vacation the front hall filled up with junk mail. [c. 1950]

  jury is still out, the No decision has been made; the public’s opinion is not known. For example, As for a possible merger, the jury is still out, or The jury is still out on the new spring fashions. This expression alludes to the jury that decides a legal case. [Colloquial; mid-1900s]

  just → In addition to the idioms beginning with JUST, also see ALL (JUST) THE SAME; (YOU JUST DON’T) GET IT; TAKE IT (JUST SO MUCH). Also see under JUSTICE.

  just about Almost, very nearly, as in This job is just about done, or At just about midnight we’ll uncork the champagne. This phrase is sometimes used alone, as in Are you finished yet?—Just about. It uses about in the sense of “nearly,” a usage dating from the early 1600s.

  just a minute Also, just a moment. 1. Wait a little bit. This expression is used before explaining oneself, as in Just a minute, I didn’t mean that he was wrong, or to stop someone from something, as in Just a moment, I was here first. Also see HOLD EVERYTHING. 2. Only a very short time, as in I’ll be with you in just a minute.

  just another day at the office Describing a boring occasion or routine. The term has been transferred to circumstances other than a business office and is often used sarcastically, as in He pitched another no-hitter—just another day at the office
for our team. [Late 1900s] See also SAME OLD, SAME OLD.

  just as 1. In precisely the same way as. For example, He’s signing his name just as he’s always done it. [Early 1600s] 2. Also, just so. To the same degree as. For example, Jim’s running just as fast as his friend, or He intended to give them just so much work as they could do in a day. [Late 1600s] Also see JUST SO.

  just as soon Also, as soon. Rather, more readily; also, equally. For example, I’d just as soon you took care of it, or I would as soon recover before I go and babysit, or I’d as soon have the lamb as the beef. [Late 1500s]

  just deserts A deserved punishment or reward, as in He got his just deserts when Mary jilted him. This idiom employs desert in the sense of “what one deserves,” a usage dating from the 1300s but obsolete except in this expression.

  just folks Friendly, unpretentious. For example, Politicians meeting the public like to pretend they are just folks, but that’s not always true. [First half of 1900s]

  just for the record Let’s get things straight; also, let me make myself clear. For example, Just for the record, we never endorsed this idea, or Just for the record, I didn’t vote for him. This usage employs record in the sense of “public knowledge.” [Mid-1900s] Also see GO ON RECORD; SET (THE RECORD) STRAIGHT.

  justice → See DO JUSTICE TO; MISCARRIAGE OF JUSTICE; POETIC JUSTICE.

  just in case → See IN CASE, def. 1.

  just in time → See IN THE NICK OF TIME.

  just like that 1. Suddenly and, sometimes, unexpectedly. For example, The alarm went off, just like that, or And then they walked out, just like that. 2. Also, like that. Very friendly or intimate with one another. For example, Bill and his boss often see each other socially; they are just like that, or Joe and Jane are always together; they’re like that. This expression is usually emphasized by the speaker’s holding up two fingers and either keeping them together or crossing them to show the closeness or intimacy of the parties being discussed. [Colloquial; early 1900s]

  just now 1. Exactly at this time, as in Harry isn’t here just now; can he call you back? [Late 1600s] 2. Only a moment ago, as in As she was saying just now, they are fully booked. [Early 1600s]

  just one of those things A random occurrence that can’t be explained. For example, It wasn’t their fault that the show failed; it was just one of those things. This expression was given greater currency as the title and refrain of one of Cole Porter’s most popular songs (“Just One of Those Things,” 1935). [c. 1930] Also see ONE OF THOSE DAYS.

  just so 1. Precisely in that way, very carefully and appropriately, as in The children had to be dressed just so for their aunt’s wedding. [Mid-1700s] 2. I agree, that is correct, as in The house was a mess.—Just so; I told her to clean the place up. [Mid-1700s] 3. See JUST AS, def. 2. 4. See AS LONG AS, def. 3.

  just the same → See ALL THE SAME, def. 2.

  just the ticket Also, that’s the ticket. Exactly what is needed; exactly right. For example, This van is just the ticket for carrying all our luggage, or That’s the ticket—you’re handling that chain saw very well. The second phrase dates from the early 1800s, and the first is slightly newer. The exact allusion is disputed—it could be to a winning lottery ticket, a price tag for merchandise, or, as one writer suggests, a corruption of the French word etiquette for “appropriate behavior.” For a synonym, see WAY TO GO.

  just what the doctor ordered Exactly what was needed. For example, This steak is just what the doctor ordered, or You’ve been a great help in our office—just what the doctor ordered. This expression alludes to a physician’s prescription for a cure. [First half of 1900s]

  k

  kangaroo court A self-appointed tribunal that violates established legal procedure; also, a dishonest or incompetent court of law. For example, The rebels set up a kangaroo court and condemned the prisoners to summary execution, or That judge runs a kangaroo court—he tells rape victims they should have been more careful. This expression is thought to liken the jumping ability of kangaroos to a court that jumps to conclusions on an invalid basis. [Mid-1800s]

  keel → In addition to the idiom beginning with KEEL, also see ON AN EVEN KEEL.

  keel over Collapse, as if in a faint; also, faint. For example, When she heard the awful news, she keeled over. This term alludes to a vessel rolling on its keel and capsizing. [Mid-1800s]

  keen about, be Be enthusiastic about. For example, He’s been keen about this whole endeavor for a long time. It is also put as be keen on, which has the additional meaning “to be ardent about or in love with,” as in Jim’s been keen on Jane for years. With other adverbs, such as keen at and keen of, keen has been so used since the early 1500s; the current locutions, however, date from the mid-1800s.

  keep → In addition to the idioms beginning with KEEP, also see EARN ONE’S KEEP; FOR KEEPS; IN KEEPING WITH; (KEEP SOMEONE) IN THE DARK.

  keep abreast of Stay or cause to stay up to-date with, as in He’s keeping abreast of the latest weather reports, or Please keep me abreast of any change in his condition. This term alludes to the nautical sense of abreast, which describes ships keeping up with each other. [Late 1600s]

  keep a civil tongue in one’s head Speak politely, as in The teacher won’t allow swearing; she says we must keep a civil tongue in our heads. This expression uses tongue in the sense of “a manner of speaking,” a usage dating from the 1400s. An early cautionary version was “Keep a good tongue in your head, lest it hurt your teeth” (1595).

  keep after Make a persistent effort regarding; also, persistently urge someone to do something. For example, We’ll have to keep after the cobwebs, or He won’t get anything done unless you keep after him. Also see KEEP AT, def. 2.

  keep a low profile Stay out of public notice, avoid attracting attention to oneself. For example, Until his appointment becomes official, Ted is keeping a low profile. This expression alludes to profile in the sense of “a visible contour,” a usage dating from the 1600s. [Late 1900s]

  keep an eye on → See HAVE ONE’S EYE ON, def. 1.

  keep an eye out for Also, keep a sharp lookout for. Be watchful for something or someone, as in Keep an eye out for the potholes in the road, or They told him to keep a sharp lookout for the police. The first expression, sometimes amplified to keep a sharp eye out for, dates from the late 1800s, the variant from the mid-1700s. Also see HAVE ONE’S EYE ON, def. 1; KEEP A WEATHER EYE OUT; KEEP ONE’S EYES OPEN; LOOK OUT.

  keep a sharp lookout → See KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR.

  keep a stiff upper lip Show courage in the face of pain or adversity. For example, I know you’re upset about losing the game, but keep a stiff upper lip. This expression presumably alludes to the trembling lips that precede bursting into tears. [Early 1800s]

  keep a straight face Don’t show one’s feelings, especially refrain from laughing. For example, The school orchestra played so many wrong notes that I had trouble keeping a straight face. [Late 1800s]

  keep at 1. Persevere or persist at doing something. For example, If you keep at your math, you’ll soon master it. It is also put as keep at it, as in He kept at it all day and finally finished the report. [Early 1800s] 2. keep at someone. Nag, harass, or annoy someone, as in You have to keep at Carl if you want him to do the work, or He keeps at Millie all the time. Also see KEEP AFTER.

  keep at arm’s length → See AT ARM’S LENGTH.

  keep a weather eye out Also, keep a weather eye on or open. Be extremely watchful or alert, as in We should keep a weather eye on our competitors in case they start a price war. The precise allusion in this expression is disputed, but presumably it refers to watching for a storm. [Early 1800s]

  keep back → See HOLD BACK.

  keep body and soul together Stay alive, support life, as in He earns barely enough to keep body and soul together. This expression alludes to the belief that the soul gives life to the body, which therefore cannot survive without it. Today it most often is applied to earning a living. [Early 1700s]

  keep company 1. Al
so, keep company with. Associate with; also, carry on a courtship. For example, He keeps company with a wild bunch, or Jack and Françoise kept company for two years before they married. [Mid-1500s] 2. keep someone company. Accompany or remain with someone, as in Mary kept Mother company while she shopped, or Do you want me to stay and keep you company? This term was originally put as bear someone company. [c. 1300]

  keep cool Also, keep a cool head; stay cool; be cool; take it cool. Remain calm and under control, as in Keep cool, they’ll soon show up, or Be cool, the surprise is not spoiled, or You have to keep a cool head in these volatile situations, or Sit tight, take it cool, they won’t bother you again. All these terms employ cool in the sense of “not heated by strong emotion,” a usage dating from the late 1300s or even earlier. The first three expressions are colloquial and date from the second half of the 1800s; both of the last two are slang, and the very last (take it cool) is the oldest, first recorded in 1841. Also see KEEP ONE’S COOL; PLAY IT COOL.

  keep down 1. Hold under control, repress; also, retain food. For example, Keep your voice down, or They vowed to keep down the insurgency, or With morning sickness, she had a hard time keeping down her breakfast. [Late 1500s] 2. Prevent from increasing or succeeding, as in The government was determined to keep prices down, or Joyce felt that her lack of an advanced degree kept her down in terms of promotions. [Early 1800s]

  keeper → See FINDERS KEEPERS.

  keep from 1. Withhold; also, prevent. For example, What information are you keeping from me? or Please keep your dog from running through our garden. [c. 1340] 2. Restrain oneself, hold oneself back, as in I can hardly keep from laughing. [c. 1340]

  keep house Manage a household, especially do the housework. For example, It’s difficult to find time to keep house when you work full-time. [c. 1600]

  keeping up with the Joneses → See KEEP UP, def. 1.

  keep in mind → See BEAR IN MIND.

  keep in the dark → See IN THE DARK, def. 2.