The American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms

by Christine Ammer

  kill the goose that lays the golden eggs Destroy a source of riches through stupidity or greed, as in If he never gives his loyal customers a break on some items in his store, he’ll kill the goose that lays the golden eggs. This expression, already a proverb in the late 1400s, alludes to Aesop’s fable about a farmer whose goose lays one golden egg a day, and who kills the goose in the mistaken belief that he’ll get all the eggs at once.

  kill time Pass time aimlessly. For example, There was nothing to do, so I sat around killing time until dinner was ready. This idiom was first recorded about 1768.

  kill two birds with one stone Achieve two ends with a single effort, as in As long as I was in town on business, I thought I’d kill two birds and visit my uncle too. This expression is so well known that it is often shortened, as in the example. [c. 1600]

  kill with kindness Overwhelm or harm someone with mistaken or excessive benevolence. For example, Aunt Mary constantly sends Jane chocolates and cake and other goodies, even though she’s been told Jane’s on a diet—nothing like killing with kindness. This expression originated as kill with kindness as fond apes do their young (presumably crushing them to death in a hug) and was a proverb by the mid-1500s.

  kilter → See OUT OF KILTER.

  kin → See KITH AND KIN.

  kind → In addition to the idiom beginning with KIND, also see ALL KINDS OF; IN KIND; NOTHING OF THE KIND; OF A KIND; TWO OF A KIND.

  kindly → See TAKE KINDLY TO.

  kindness → See KILL WITH KINDNESS; MILK OF HUMAN KINDNESS.

  kind of Also, sort of. Rather, somewhat, as in I’m kind of hungry, or The bird looked sort of like a sparrow. [Colloquial; c. 1800] This usage should not be confused with a kind of or a sort of, which are much older and refer to a borderline member of a given category (as in a kind of a shelter or a sort of a bluish color). Shakespeare had this usage in Two Gentlemen of Verona (3:1): “My master is a kind of a knave.” Also see OF A KIND.

  kindred spirit Also, kindred soul. An individual with the same beliefs, attitudes or feelings as oneself. For example, Dean and I are kindred spirits when it comes to spending money—we’re both tight. [Mid-1800s]

  king → In addition to the idiom beginning with KING, also see LIVE LIKE A KING.

  king’s ransom A huge sum of money, as in That handmade rug must have cost a king’s ransom. This metaphoric expression originally referred to the sum required to release a king from captivity. [Late 1400s]

  kiss and make up Settle one’s differences, reconcile, as in The two friends decided to kiss and make up. This colloquial expression has largely replaced kiss and be friends, dating from the 1400s. [Mid-1900s]

  kiss and tell Betray a confidence, as in A real lady doesn’t kiss and tell. This idiom originally alluded to betraying an amorous or sexual intimacy. First recorded in 1695, it is still so used, as well as more loosely, as in Don’t ask how I voted; I don’t kiss and tell.

  kiss ass Also, kiss up to. Seek or gain favor by fawning or flattery, as in I am not going to kiss ass to get the raise I deserve, or If I could find a good way to kiss up to the publisher, my book would be well promoted. The first, a vulgar slangy usage, was first recorded in 1705 as kiss arse, which is still the British usage. The variant, a euphemistic blend of kiss ass and SUCK UP TO, dates from the late 1900s.

  kiss good-bye Be forced to regard as lost, ruined, or hopeless, as in Now that both kids are sick, we’ll have to kiss our vacation in Florida good-bye. This usage ironically alludes to a genuine good-bye kiss. [Colloquial; c. 1900] Also see KISS OFF, def. 2.

  kissing cousins Two or more things that are closely akin or very similar. For example, They may be made by different manufacturers, but these two cars are kissing cousins. This metaphoric term alludes to a distant relative who is well known enough to be greeted with a kiss. [c. 1930]

  kiss of death An action or relationship that is ultimately ruinous. For example, Some regard a royal divorce as a kiss of death to the monarchy. This term alludes to the betrayal of Jesus by Judas Iscariot, who kissed him as a way of identifying him to the soldiers who came to arrest him (Matthew 26: 47–49). It dates only from about 1940 but was previously called a Judas kiss.

  kiss off 1. Dismiss or reject, as in He kissed off their offer. This usage alludes to kissing something goodbye [Slang; c. 1900] 2. Be forced to give up or regard as lost, as in You can kiss off that promotion. [Slang; late 1940s] 3. Get out, go away, as in She told the reporters to kiss off. [Slang; early 1900s]

  kit and caboodle → See WHOLE KIT AND CABOODLE.

  kitchen → See EVERYTHING BUT THE KITCHEN SINK; IF YOU CAN’T STAND THE HEAT, GET OUT OF THE KITCHEN.

  kite → See GO FLY A KITE; HIGH AS A KITE.

  kith and kin Friends and family, as in Everyone was invited, kith and kin as well as distant acquaintances. This expression dates from the 1300s and originally meant “countrymen” (kith meant “one’s native land”) and “family members.” It gradually took on the present looser sense.

  kitten → See HAVE A FIT (KITTENS); WEAK AS A KITTEN.

  knee → In addition to the idiom beginning with KNEE, also see BRING TO ONE’S KNEES; ON BENDED KNEE.

  knee-high to a grasshopper Quite young, as in I haven’t seen him since I was knee-high to a grasshopper. This hyperbolic expression, dating from about 1850 and alluding to someone’s youth, replaced the earlier knee-high to a mosquito or bumblebee or splinter.

  knell → See DEATH KNELL.

  knife → See AT GUNPOINT (KNIFEPOINT); UNDER THE KNIFE; YOU COULD CUT IT WITH A KNIFE.

  knight in shining armor A rescuer or defender, as in What this political party needs is a knight in shining armor to change its tarnished image. This metaphoric expression alludes to a medieval knight. [Mid-1900s] A newer term for rescuer is white knight, used for a company that defends a corporation against a hostile raider and prevents a takeover. For example, When ABC launched a bid for Micro Corporation, they found a white knight and ABC dropped their bid. [Late 1900s]

  knock → In addition to the idioms beginning with KNOCK, also see BEAT (KNOCK) INTO ONE’S HEAD; BEAT (KNOCK) THE LIVING DAYLIGHTS OUT OF; CUT (KNOCK) DOWN TO SIZE; (KNOCK) OFF SOMEONE’S FEET; SCHOOL OF HARD KNOCKS.

  knock about Also, knock around. 1. Be rough or brutal with, maltreat, as in He was known to knock his wife about on a regular basis. [c. 1800] 2. Wander from place to place, as in They were knocking around Europe all summer. [Colloquial; c. 1830] 3. Discuss or consider, as in They met to knock about some new ideas. [Mid-1900s] Also see KICK AROUND.

  knock back Also, knock it back. Gulp down an alcoholic beverage, as in He knocked back glass after glass of wine, or I hear you’ve been knocking it back a bit. [First half of 1900s]

  knock cold → See KNOCK OUT, def. 1.

  knock dead Greatly amuse, astonish, or thrill someone, as in This new song will knock them dead. This slangy hyperbolic expression was first recorded in 1889. Also see KNOCK THE SOCKS OFF.

  knock down 1. Take apart for storage or shipping, as in We need to knock down this chest to ship it safely overseas. [Mid-1900s] 2. Declare sold at an auction, as by striking a blow with a gavel. For example, That was the last bid, and the first edition was knocked down for only three hundred. [Mid-1700s] 3. Reduce the price of, as in They knocked it down by another hundred dollars, or An overabundant harvest will knock down corn prices. [Colloquial; mid-1800]. 4. Earn as wages, as in She knocks down a hundred grand a year. [Slang; 1920s] 5. Steal, embezzle, as in He was caught knocking down the box-office receipts. This usage may be obsolescent. [Slang; mid-1800s] Also see KNOCK OVER, def. 2.

  knock down with a feather → See under KNOCK FOR A LOOP.

  knock for a loop Also, throw for a loop; knock down or over with a feather; knock sideways. Overcome with surprise or astonishment, as in The news of his death knocked me for a loop, or Being fired without any warning threw me for a loop, or Jane was knocked sideways when she found out she won. The first two of these hyperbolic colloquial usages, dating
from the first half of the 1900s, allude to the comic-strip image of a person pushed hard enough to roll over in the shape of a loop. The third hyperbolic term, often put as You could have knocked me down with a feather, intimating that something so light as a feather could knock one down, dates from the early 1800s; the fourth was first recorded in 1925.

  knock into a cocked hat Debunk, render useless or unbelievable. For example, His findings knocked our theory into a cocked hat. This expression alludes to a style of hat with the brim turned up on three sides—the three-cornered (tricorne) hat worn by officers in the American Revolution—giving it a distorted look. [Early 1800s]

  knock it off Quit or stop doing something, as in Knock it off, boys! That’s enough noise. This term is often used as an imperative. [Colloquial; c. 1900] Also see KNOCK OFF.

  knock off 1. Take a break or rest from, stop, especially quit working. For example, He knocked off work at noon, or Let’s knock off at five o’clock. [Colloquial; mid-1600s] Also see KNOCK IT OFF. 2. Also, knock out. Dispose of or produce easily or hastily, finish, as in A writer of detective novels, he knocks off a book a year, or We can knock out a rough drawing in a few minutes. The first colloquial usage dates from the early 1800s, the variant from the mid-1800s. 3. Get rid of, reduce, as in She knocked off twelve pounds in a month, or They knocked off one-third of the original price. [Colloquial; early 1800s] 4. Kill, murder, as in They decided to knock off the old lady. [Slang; early 1900s] Also see KNOCK SOMEONE’S BLOCK OFF. 5. Copy or imitate, especially without permission, as in They are knocking off designer Swiss watches and selling them for a few dollars. [Colloquial; late 1800s] 6. Hold up, rob, as in The gang knocked off two liquor stores in half an hour. [Slang; early 1900s] Also see KNOCK THE SOCKS OFF.

  knock oneself out 1. Make a great effort, as in I was knocking myself out to finish on time. This expression also is put negatively, Don’t knock yourself out, meaning “don’t exert yourself; it’s not worth that much effort.” [c. 1930] 2. Enjoy yourself, have a good time, as in You’re off to Europe? Knock yourself out. [Slang; mid-1900s] Both usages allude to knocking oneself unconscious (see KNOCK OUT). For a synonym see BREAK ONE’S ASS.

  knock on wood Also, touch wood. Express a wish that something will or will not occur, as in This last round of treatment should have cured her, knock on wood. This expression alludes to an ancient superstition that literally knocking on or touching wood will ward off evil spirits. [c. 1900]

  knock out 1. Also, knock out cold. Render unconscious by a blow or some other means. For example, It was just a swinging door, but it knocked her out, or Just one of those sleeping pills can knock you out cold. [Late 1500s] 2. Make tired, exhaust, as in That sightseeing tour knocked me out. 3. Render useless or inoperative, as in The storm knocked out the power. 4. See KNOCK OFF, def. 2. 5. See KNOCK ONESELF OUT.

  knock over 1. Astonish, overcome, as in Their resemblance completely knocked me over. [Mid-1800s] Also see KNOCK FOR A LOOP. 2. Rob or burgle, as in They knocked over one bank and headed for another. [Slang; 1920s]

  knock over with a feather → See under KNOCK FOR A LOOP.

  knock someone’s block off Beat up someone, as in If he doesn’t leave at once, I’ll knock his block off. This hyperbolic term employs block in the sense of “head,” a usage dating from the 1600s. The idiom, however, dates only from about 1900. Also see BEAT THE LIVING DAYLIGHTS OUT OF.

  knock someone’s socks off → See KNOCK THE SOCKS OFF.

  knock the bottom out of Also, knock the props out from under. Render invalid, undermine. For example, The discovery of another planet that might support life knocks the bottom out of many theories, or Jane’s skilled debating knocked the props out from under her opponent. The first expression dates from the late 1800s, the variant from the first half of the 1900s.

  knock the living daylights out of Also, knock the shit or stuffing or tar out of. → See BEAT THE LIVING DAYLIGHTS OUT OF.

  knock the socks off Also knock someone’s socks off. 1. Overwhelm, bedazzle, or amaze someone, as in The young pianist knocked the socks off of the judges, or That display will knock their socks off. [Slang; mid-1800s] 2. Also, knock the spots off. Surpass or outdo completely, defeat. For example, These large chains have been knocking the socks off the small independent grocers, or Our team knocked the spots off them. The spots most likely allude to target practice with playing cards where the object is to shoot through all the pips, spots, or marks indicating the suit or numerical value of a playing card, but one authority holds that they were used in a horse-breeding context and meant “to be in the vanguard.” [Mid-1800s]

  knock together Make or assemble quickly or carelessly, as in We knocked together the bookcases in about half an hour. [Late 1800s]

  knock up 1. Make pregnant, as in The young girl said she was afraid of getting knocked up. [Slang; early 1800s] 2. Injure or damage, as in This coffee table got all knocked up in the moving van.

  knot → See TIE INTO KNOTS; TIE THE KNOT.

  know → In addition to the idioms beginning with KNOW, also see BEFORE YOU KNOW IT; (KNOW) BY HEART; COME IN OUT OF THE RAIN, KNOW ENOUGH TO; COMING OR GOING, NOT KNOW IF ONE IS; FOR ALL (ONE KNOWS); GOD KNOWS; (KNOW) INSIDE OUT; IN THE KNOW; IT TAKES ONE TO KNOW ONE; LEFT HAND DOESN’T KNOW WHAT RIGHT HAND IS DOING; NOT KNOW BEANS; NOT KNOW FROM ADAM; NOT KNOW WHERE TO TURN (WHICH WAY TO JUMP); WHAT DO YOU KNOW; WHAT HAVE YOU (WHO KNOWS WHAT); WHICH IS WHICH, KNOW; YOU KNOW.

  know all the answers Also, know a thing or two; know it all; know one’s way around. Be extremely knowledgeable or experienced. These idioms may be used somewhat differently, expressing overconfidence, as in Helen always knew all the answers, or thought she did, or competence, as in Bob knows a thing or two about battery technology, or ruefulness, as in I thought I knew it all about plants and then I got poison ivy, or genuine expertise, as in John knows his way around tax forms. The first term dates from the early 1900s, the second from the later 1700s, the third from the later 1800s, and the fourth, also put as know one’s way about, dates from the 1500s. Also see KNOW ONE’S STUFF; KNOW THE ROPES; under TRICKS OF THE TRADE.

  know a thing or two → See KNOW ALL THE ANSWERS.

  know beans → See NOT KNOW BEANS.

  know better Be able to recognize something as wrong or not possible, as in Mary should know better than to leave her child alone in the house, or Try to get in without a ticket? You know better. [c. 1700]

  know by heart → See BY HEART.

  know by sight Recognize someone or something by appearance but not know the name or other details. For example, I know a lot of people by sight from the tennis courts. [1200s]

  know enough to come in out of the rain → See COME IN OUT OF THE RAIN.

  know from Adam → See NOT KNOW FROM ADAM.

  know from nothing, to To be totally ignorant, either in general or about something specific, as in Don’t ask Mom about the picnic—she knows from nothing. This colloquialism comes from the Yiddish visn nisht fun gornisht (“know nothing about anything”) and has been used since about 1930.

  know if one is coming or going → See COMING OR GOING.

  know it all → See KNOW ALL THE ANSWERS.

  knowledge → See LITTLE KNOWLEDGE IS A DANGEROUS THING; TO THE BEST OF (ONE’S KNOWLEDGE).

  know like a book Also, know like the back of one’s hand or know backwards and forwards. Be extremely familiar with or knowledgeable about; understand perfectly. For example, I know Greg like a book—I’m sure he’ll come, or I know this town like the back of my hand, or John knew his part backwards and forwards. The first of these hyperbolic idioms, dating from the early 1800s, has a close cousin in read like a book, which means “to discern someone’s intent,” as in I can read Greg like a book; also see under OPEN BOOK. The second (back of hand) dates only from the mid-1900s. Also see BACKWARD AND FORWARD, def. 2; INSIDE OUT, def. 2; KNOW ALL THE ANSWERS.

  know one’s own mind Be certain about what one wants; be decisive. For example, Don’t ask him; he’s so tired that
he doesn’t know his own mind, or She certainly knows her own mind when it comes to giving stage directions. This term was first recorded in 1824.

  know one’s place Behave suitably for one’s position, rank, or status. This idiom often has the sense of “to behave humbly, not criticize one’s superiors,” as in Sorry, I know my place and I can’t tell you more about my supervisor’s plans. [Late 1500s] Also see PUT SOMEONE IN HIS OR HER PLACE.

  know one’s stuff Also, know one’s onions. Be experienced or knowledgeable in one’s field or in the matter at hand. For example, Patrice knows her stuff when it comes to Mexican history, or We need a handyman who knows his onions. The allusion in the variant is unclear. [First half of 1900s]

  know one’s way around → See under KNOW ALL THE ANSWERS.

  know only too well → See under ONLY TOO.

  know the ropes Be informed about the details of a situation or task. For example, Don’t worry about Sara’s taking over that reporter’s job—she already knows the ropes. This expression alludes to sailors learning the rigging so as to handle a sailing vessel’s ropes. It was being used figuratively by the late 1800s. The same allusion is present in show someone the ropes, meaning “to familiarize someone with the details,” as in Tom’s very experienced—he’ll show you the ropes.

  know the score Also, know what’s what. Understand what is happening; be familiar with the real story or the full situation. For example, It will take the new legislators some time to know the score, or When it comes to teaching youngsters to read, Nell knows what’s what. The first expression, dating from about 1930, alludes to score as a tally of points in a game. The variant dates from about 1400.

  know where one stands 1. Be aware of one’s position relative to others, or how one is regarded by others, as in I’d love to know where I stand with the new board. 2. Be aware of one’s own opinion or feelings about something, as in He knows where he stands on the issue of public housing. [Mid-1800s] Both senses can be expressed in know where you are. For example, I know where I am with the board, or Howard knows where he is on all these issues.