The American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms

by Christine Ammer

  leave to someone’s tender mercies Submit to another’s power or discretion, especially to an unsympathetic individual. Today this expression is always used ironically, as in We left him to the tender mercies of that stiffnecked, arrogant nurse. It ­alludes to a biblical passage (Proverbs 12:10): “A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast; but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.”

  leave well enough alone Also, let well enough alone. Do not try to change something lest you make it worse. For example, This recipe has turned out fine in the past, so leave well enough alone. The idea behind this expression dates from ancient Greek times, specifically Aesop’s fable about a fox who refused a hedgehog’s offer to take out its ticks lest, by removing those that are full, other hungry ones will replace them. Put as let well alone from the early 1700s, it was first recorded as let well enough alone in 1827. Also see LET SLEEPING DOGS LIE.

  leave without a leg to stand on → See WITHOUT A LEG TO STAND ON.

  leave word Leave a message, as in Please leave word at the desk when you check out, or I left word about my plans with the secretary; didn’t she tell you? This expression employs word in the sense of “information,” a usage dating from the 10th century.

  left → In addition to the idioms beginning with LEFT, also see HANG A LEFT; OUT IN LEFT FIELD; RIGHT AND LEFT; TAKE UP WHERE ONE LEFT OFF; TWO LEFT FEET.

  left field → See OUT IN LEFT FIELD.

  left hand doesn’t know what the right hand is doing, the The actions are uncoordinated, especially when they are contrary, as in Purchasing has placed the order and accounting says we can’t pay for more supplies this month; the left hand doesn’t know what the right hand is doing. Today this expression is nearly always used as a criticism. But it first appeared in the New Testament (Matthew 6:3) in an approving sense, when Jesus recommended not publicizing one’s good deeds—not letting the left hand know what the right hand does. [Early 1600s]

  left-handed compliment Also, backhanded compliment. An insult in the guise of an expression of praise. For example, She said she liked my hair, but it turned out to be a left-handed compliment when she asked how long I’d been dyeing it. This expression uses left-handed in the sense of “questionable or doubtful,” a usage dating from about 1600.

  left wing The liberal or radical faction of a political group, as in Many consider him a leader of the Democratic Party’s left wing. This expression originated in the seating practice of European legislatures, whereby those holding liberal views were assigned to the left side of the house. [First half of 1800s]

  leg → In addition to the idiom beginning with LEG, also see ARM AND A LEG; BREAK A LEG; ON ONE’S LAST LEGS; PULL SOMEONE’S LEG; SHAKE A LEG; STRETCH ONE’S LEGS; TAIL BETWEEN ONE’S LEGS; WITHOUT A LEG TO STAND ON.

  leg up, a 1. The act of assisting someone, giving someone a boost. For example, Studying with Jane, who knows French history well, will give you a leg up for the final exam. This usage alludes to helping a person get on a horse by getting a foot in the stirrup. [First half of 1800s] 2. A position of advantage, as in Because of the advertising campaign, we had a leg up on the competition.

  leisure → See AT LEISURE; AT ONE’S LEISURE.

  lend a hand Also, lend a helping hand. Be of assistance, as in Can you lend them a hand with putting up the flag, or Peter is always willing to lend a helping hand around the house. [Late 1500s] Also see GIVE A HAND.

  lend color to Embellish, especially to give the appearance of truth. For example, I’m sure he lied about reaching the summit; that detailed account about losing his pack merely lent color to the story. This expression uses color in the sense of “appearance of authenticity.” [Late 1700s]

  lend itself to Adapt to, be suitable for. For example, The Bible lends itself to numerous interpretations, or This plot of land lends itself to a variety of uses. [Mid-1800s]

  lend one’s ear Also, lend an ear. Pay attention, listen, as in “Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears” (Shakespeare, Julius Caesar, 3:2). This idiom may be obsolescent. [Late 1300s]

  length → See AT ARM’S LENGTH; AT LENGTH; GO TO ANY LENGTH.

  leopard cannot change its spots, a Also, the tiger cannot change its stripes. One can’t change one’s essential nature. For example, He’s a conservative, no matter what he says; the leopard cannot change its spots. These metaphoric expressions both originated in an ancient Greek proverb that appears in the Bible (Jeremiah 13:23): “Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots?” It was first recorded in English in 1546.

  less → In addition to the idiom beginning with LESS, also see COULDN’T CARE LESS; IN (LESS THAN) NO TIME; MORE OR LESS; MUCH LESS.

  lesser of two evils The somewhat less unpleasant of two poor choices. For example, I’d rather stay home and miss the picnic altogether than run into those nasty people—it’s the lesser of two evils. This expression was already a proverb in ancient Greek and appeared in English by the late 1300s. Chaucer used it in Troilus and Cressida.

  lesson → See LEARN ONE’S LESSON; TEACH A LESSON.

  less than Not at all or hardly at all. For example, He had a less than favorable view of the matter, or She had a less than adequate grasp of the subject. This expression uses less in the sense of “a smaller quantity, number, or extent than is implied,” a ­usage dating from about A.D. 1000. The same sense appears in less than no time, a hyperbolic term for a very short time (as in Don’t worry, he’ll be here in less than no time) that dates from about 1800.

  let → In addition to the idioms beginning with LET, also see BLOW (LET) OFF STEAM; DON’T LET THE GRASS GROW UNDER ONE’S FEET; GIVE SOMEONE (LET SOMEONE HAVE) HIS OR HER HEAD; (LET SOMEONE) HAVE IT; LIVE AND LET LIVE. Also see under LEAVE.

  let alone 1. See LEAVE SOMEONE ALONE. 2. Not to mention, as in We have no room for another house guest, let alone an entire family. [c. 1800]

  let be Leave undisturbed, refrain from interfering with. For example, Stop fussing with the tablecloth; let it be, or, as A.E. Houseman put it in A Shropshire Lad (1896): “Will you never let me be?” [Second half of 1100s] Also see LEAVE SOMEONE ALONE; LEAVE SOMEONE IN PEACE.

  let bygones be bygones What’s done is done; don’t worry about the past, especially past errors or grievances. For example, Bill and Tom shook hands and agreed to let bygones be bygones. [First half of 1600s]

  let daylight through or into Shoot or stab a person, especially fatally. For example, Stick up your hands or I’ll let daylight through you. This idiom alludes to making a hole in someone’s body. [Slang; early 1700s]

  let down 1. Cause to descend, lower, as in They let down the sails. [Mid-1100s] 2. Also, let up. Slacken, abate, as in Sales are letting down in this quarter, or They didn’t let up in their efforts until the end. The first term dates from the mid-1800s, the variant from the late 1700s. 3. See LET SOMEONE DOWN. Also see LET ONE’S HAIR DOWN.

  let down easy → See under LET SOMEONE DOWN.

  let down one’s hair → See LET ONE’S HAIR DOWN.

  let drop Also, let fall. Utter a word or hint, either casually or inadvertently. For example, He let drop the fact that he’d decided to run for office, or She let fall some bits of gossip about the other teachers. [Late 1500s]

  let fly Discharge a missile or fire a weapon; also, attack verbally. For example, He let fly a rotten egg at the speaker, or They let fly some insults laced with four-letter words. The first usage dates from about A.D. 1000, the second from the late 1500s.

  let go 1. Allow to escape, set free, as in The police decided to let him go. [c. 1300] 2. Also, let go of. Release one’s hold on, as in Please let go of my sleeve, or Once he starts on this subject, he never lets go. [Early 1400s] 3. let it go. Allow it to stand or be accepted. For example, Let it go; we needn’t discuss it further. This usage is sometimes amplified to let it go at that, meaning “allow matters to stand as they are.” [Late 1800s] 4. Cease to employ, dismiss, as in They had to let 20 workers go. 5. Also, let oneself go. Behave without restraint, ab
andon one’s inhibitions; also, neglect one’s personal hygiene and appearance. For example, When the music began, Jean let herself go and started a wild dance, or After her husband’s death she let herself go, forgetting to bathe and staying in her nightgown all day. The first sense dates from the late 1800s, the second from the early 1900s.

  let grass grow → See DON’T LET THE GRASS GROW UNDER ONE’S FEET.

  let in on Allow someone to know about or participate in something, as in I’m going to let you in on a little secret. This idiom was first recorded in 1904.

  let it all hang out Be totally candid in expressing feelings and opinions; hold nothing back. For example, The psychiatrist urged him not to spare any details, to let it all hang out. [Slang; late 1960s]

  let it lay Also, leave her lay. Allow it to rest; leave it alone. For example, Don’t discuss their gift anymore; let it lay. The use of her in the variant is a slangy version of “it.” [Slang; first half of 1900s]

  let it rip Also, let her rip. Go ahead, proceed unchecked. For example, Once you get the tractor started, let it rip. The use of her in the variant comes from a tradition of referring to vehicles as feminine. [Mid-1800s]

  let me see Also, let’s see. I’m thinking about it or trying to remember, as in Let me see, I’ll be in Boston tomorrow and the next day. This idiom was first recorded in 1520.

  let off 1. Release by exploding; see BLOW OFF STEAM. 2. Allow to go free or escape; excuse from punishment. For example, They let her off from attending graduation, or The headmaster let him off with a reprimand. [Early 1800s] Also see OFF THE HOOK.

  let off steam → See BLOW OFF STEAM.

  let on 1. Reveal one’s true feelings or a fact, allow something to be known, as in Don’t let on that you met her before. This usage is probably a shortening of let it on someone. [c. 1700] 2. Pretend, as in He let on that he was very angry, but in fact he didn’t care a bit. [First half of 1800s] Also see LET IN ON.

  let oneself go → See LET GO, def. 5.

  let one’s hair down Also, let down one’s hair. Drop one’s reserve or inhibitions, behave casually or informally, as in Whenever the two sisters get together, they let their hair down and discuss all their problems. This expression alludes to the practice of women taking down their pinned-up long hair only in the privacy of the bedroom. [c. 1900]

  let out 1. Allow to GET OUT; also see GET OUT OF. 2. Make known, reveal, as in I thought it was a secret—who let it out? [First half of 1800s] Also see LET THE CAT OUT OF THE BAG. 3. Come to a close, end, as in What time does school let out? [Late 1800s] 4. Increase the size of a garment, as in May’s coat needs to be let out across the shoulders. This usage refers to opening some of the seams. [Late 1700s]

  let ride Also, let slide. Allow something to be ignored or to take or continue in its natural course. For example, Bill disagreed with Mary’s description, but he let it ride, or He had a way of letting things slide. The first term, alluding to things moving along as though they were riding a horse or vehicle, dates from the early 1900s; the variant, using slide in the sense of “pass by,” dates from the late 1500s. Also see under LET SLIP.

  let’s face it → See under FACE UP TO.

  let sleeping dogs lie Allow inactive problems to remain so, as in Jane knew she should report the accident but decided to let sleeping dogs lie. This injunction to avoid stirring up trouble was already a proverb in the 13th century. It alludes to waking up a fierce watchdog and has been stated in English since the late 1300s.

  let slide → See LET RIDE; LET SLIP.

  let slip 1. Also, let slip or slide by; let slide. Miss an opportunity; waste time. For example, We forgot to buy a ticket and let our big chance slip by, or He let the whole day slide by. The first term dates from the mid-1500s, the variant from the late 1500s. 2. Also, let slip out. Reveal something, usually inadvertently, as in He let it slip out that he had applied for the vacant position. [Mid-1800s] 3. let slip through one’s fingers. Fail to seize an opportunity, as in We could have won the trophy but we let it slip through our fingers. [First half of 1600s]

  let someone → In addition to the idioms beginning with LET SOMEONE, also see under LET ONE.

  let someone down 1. Fail to support someone; also, disappoint someone. For example, I was counting on John to come, but he let me down, or The team didn’t want to let down the coach. [Late 1400s] A British phrase with the same meaning is let the side down, alluding to some kind of competition (sports, politics) and dating from the mid-1900s. It is occasionally used in America. 2. let someone down easy. Convey bad or disappointing news in a considerate way, so as to spare the person’s self-respect. For example, The teacher knew that Paul would have to repeat the course and that there was no way to let him down easy. [Colloquial; mid-1700s] Also see LET DOWN.

  let someone have it → See HAVE IT, def. 5.

  letter → In addition to the idiom beginning with LETTER, also see BREAD-AND-BUTTER LETTER; CRANK CALL (LETTER); DEAD LETTER; FOUR-LETTER WORD; POISON-PEN LETTER; RED-LETTER DAY; TO THE LETTER.

  letter of the law The precise wording rather than the spirit or intent. For example, Since it was the first time he’d broken the rules, the school decided to ignore the letter of the law and just give him a warning. [Late 1500s]

  let the cat out of the bag Give away a secret, as in Mom let the cat out of the bag and told us Karen was engaged. This expression alludes to the dishonest practice of a merchant substituting a worthless cat for a valuable pig, which is discovered only when the buyer gets home and opens the bag. [Mid-1700s] Also see PIG IN A POKE.

  let the chips fall where they may No matter what the consequences, as in I’m going to tell the truth about what happened, and let the chips fall where they may. This metaphoric term alludes to chopping wood and is usually joined to a statement that one should do what is right (that is, the woodcutter should pay attention to the main task of cutting logs and not worry about small chips). [Late 1800s]

  let the grass grow under one’s feet → See DON’T LET THE GRASS GROW UNDER ONE’S FEET.

  let the side down → See under LET SOMEONE DOWN, def. 1.

  let up 1. See LET DOWN, def. 2. 2. Cease, stop entirely, as in The rain has let up so we can go out. [Late 1700s] 3. let up on. Be or become more ­lenient with, take the pressure off, as in Why don’t you let up on the child? [Late 1800s]

  let well enough alone → See LEAVE WELL ENOUGH ALONE.

  level → In addition to the idioms beginning with LEVEL, also see DO ONE’S (LEVEL) BEST; ON THE LEVEL.

  level best → See under DO ONE’S BEST.

  level off Move toward stability or consistency, as in Prices have leveled off. This idiom transfers a physical flattening to a figurative one. [Mid-1900s]

  level with someone Speak frankly and openly to someone, as in His companions advised him to level with the customs inspector. [Colloquial; early 1900s] Also see ON THE LEVEL.

  liberty → See AT LIBERTY; TAKE THE LIBERTY OF.

  lick and a promise, a A superficial effort made without care or enthusiasm. For example, I haven’t time to do a good job of vacuuming, just enough for a lick and a promise. This expression is believed to allude to the quick lick a cat or other animal might give itself and a promise to do more or better at some future time. [Mid-1800s]

  lick into shape Also, whip into shape. Bring into satisfactory condition or appearance, as in The garden looks neglected, but Dad will soon lick it into shape, or We need at least three more practices before the team is whipped into shape. The expression using lick, which some think alludes to how bears treat their cubs, dates from about 1600. The variant alludes to the forceful use of a whip to accomplish something.

  lick one’s chops Also, lick one’s lips. Anticipate with great pleasure. For example, The kids were licking their chops as Mother described the family vacation plans, or I couldn’t help but lick my lips when she talked about the menu. Both expressions allude to anticipating a tasty morsel of food. The second is the older, dating from about 1500 and used
interchangeably with lick one’s fingers, now seldom heard. The first also served as 1930s jazz slang for warming up, chops meaning “the jaw or mouth” (a usage dating from the 1300s).

  lick one’s wounds Recuperate from injuries or hurt feelings. For example, They were badly beaten in the debate and went home sadly to lick their wounds. This expression alludes to an animal’s behavior when wounded. It was originally put as lick oneself clean or whole, dating from the mid-1500s.

  lick someone’s boots Act with extreme servility, as in This man wanted every employee to lick his boots, so he had a hard time keeping his staff. Shakespeare used this idiom in the form of lick someone’s shoe in The Tempest (3:2). [Late 1500s] A 20th-century vulgar equivalent is lick someone’s ass (in Britain, arse), dating from about 1970.

  lick the stuffing out of Also, lick the tar out of. → See under BEAT THE LIVING DAYLIGHTS OUT OF.

  lid → See BLOW THE LID OFF; FLIP ONE’S LID; PUT THE LID ON.

  lie → In addition to the idioms beginning with LIE, also see BAREFACED LIE; GIVE THE LIE TO; (LIE) IN STATE; LAY OF THE LAND (HOW THE LAND LIES); LET SLEEPING DOGS LIE; MAKE ONE’S BED AND LIE IN IT; TAKE LYING DOWN; WHITE LIE.

  lie down Also, lie down on the job. Be remiss or lazy. For example, They fired Max because he was always lying down on the job. This expression ­alludes to lying down in the sense of “resting.” [Early 1900s]

  lie in 1. Be in confinement for childbirth, as in She thought she’d be lying in by next week. This usage is probably dying out. The name of Boston’s Lying-In Hospital was changed to Women’s Hospital in the 1970s. [Mid-1400s] 2. Also, lie in one’s hands or in one’s power. Rest or depend on something or someone, as in The solution lies in research, or The decision lies in the President’s hands, or It does not lie in my power to turn this situation around. [Mid-1300s] Also see LIE IN WAIT; LIE THROUGH ONE’S TEETH.