The American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms

by Christine Ammer

  loud mouth → See BIG MOUTH.

  louse up Spoil, ruin, bungle. For example, The bad weather loused up our plans, or Your change of mind really loused me up. This slangy expression originated in World War I, when infestation with lice was the common lot of soldiers in the trenches; its figurative use dates from the 1930s.

  lousy with Abundantly supplied, as in He’s lousy with money. Like LOUSE UP, this expression alludes to being infested with lice. [First half of 1800s]

  love → In addition to the idioms beginning with LOVE, also see ALL’S FAIR IN LOVE AND WAR; COURSE OF TRUE LOVE NEVER RAN SMOOTHLY; FALL IN LOVE; FOR THE LOVE OF; LABOR OF LOVE; MAKE LOVE; MISERY LOVES COMPANY; NO LOVE LOST; NOT FOR LOVE OR MONEY; PUPPY LOVE; SOMEBODY UP THERE LOVES ME.

  love affair 1. An intimate sexual relationship, as in They had a torrid love affair many years ago. This expression dates from about 1600, when it referred merely to the experiences connected with being in love. The current sense dates from the second half of the 1800s. 2. A strong enthusiasm, as in We can’t ignore America’s love affair with the automobile. [Mid-1900s]

  love at first sight An instantaneous attraction to someone or something. For example, With Peter and Constance, it was a case of love at first sight, or When Dave saw that car, it was love at first sight. This expression was already used by Chaucer for romantic attraction in Troilus and Cressida: “She loved right from the first sight.” The transfer to objects dates from the first half of the 1900s.

  lovers’ lane A secluded road or area sought out by lovers seeking privacy. For example, The police loved to embarrass youngsters parked in lovers’ lane. [Late 1800s]

  loving → See TENDER LOVING CARE.

  low → In addition to the idioms beginning with LOW, also see AT A LOW EBB; (HAVE A LOW) BOILING POINT; HIGH AND LOW; KEEP A LOW PROFILE; LAY SOMEONE LOW; LIE LOW.

  low blow An unscrupulous attack; an insult. For example, When my roommate moved out without a word of warning, leaving me to pay the entire rent, that was a low blow, or She wanted to win the argument, but bringing up his failed marriage was a low blow. This term alludes to the illegal practice of hitting an opponent in boxing BELOW THE BELT. [c. 1950]

  low boiling point → See BOILING POINT, def. 2.

  lower one’s guard → See under OFF GUARD.

  lower one’s sights Reduce one’s goals or aspirations, as in Once he got the job I’d applied for, I had to lower my sights. This expression alludes to taking aim through the sights of a firearm. Also see RAISE ONE’S SIGHTS; SET ONE’S SIGHTS ON. [Second half of 1900s]

  lower the boom on Scold harshly or punish severely; also, put a stop to something. For example, If you’re caught smoking in school, the principal is bound to lower the boom on you, or The new radar equipment enabled the police to lower the boom on speeding. This expression refers to the boom of a sailboat—a long spar that extends from the mast to hold the foot of the sail. In a changing wind, the boom can swing wildly, leaving one at risk of being struck. [Slang; first half of 1900s]

  low man on the totem pole Low in rank, least important person, as in I just joined the board so I’m low man on the totem pole. This slangy expression is thought to have been invented by the American comedian Fred Allen about 1940 and caught on despite its lack of application to a genuine totem pole.

  low profile → See KEEP A LOW PROFILE.

  luck → In addition to the idioms beginning with LUCK, also see AS LUCK WOULD HAVE IT; BEGINNER’S LUCK; DOWN ON ONE’S LUCK; GOOD LUCK; HARD LUCK; IN LUCK; OUT OF LUCK; PUSH ONE’S LUCK; RUN OF LUCK; TAKE POTLUCK; TOUGH BREAK (LUCK); TRY ONE’S HAND (LUCK).

  luck into → See LUCK OUT.

  luck of the devil Also, luck of the Irish. Extraordinarily good fortune, as in You’ve the luck of the devil—that ball landed just on the line, or Winning the lottery—that’s the luck of the Irish. These superstitious attributions of good fortune date from the first half of the 1900s.

  luck of the draw Pure chance, as in It isn’t anyone’s fault—it’s just the luck of the draw. This expression alludes to the random drawing of a playing card. [Mid-1900s]

  luck out Also, luck into. Gain success or something desirable through good fortune. For example, We lucked out and found the same rug for half the price, or Nell and Dave lucked into a terrific apartment. [Colloquial; mid-1900s]

  lucky → See BORN UNDER A LUCKY STAR; STRIKE IT RICH (LUCKY); THANK ONE’S LUCKY STARS.

  lull into Deceive into trustfulness, as in The steadily rising market lulled investors into a false sense of security. The earliest recorded version of this term referred to wine: “Fitter indeed to bring and lull men asleep in the bed of security” (Philemon Holland, Pliny’s Historie of the World, 1601). Today it still often appears with the phrase a false sense of security.

  lump → In addition to the idiom beginning with LUMP, also see LIKE IT OR LUMP IT.

  lump in one’s throat A feeling of constriction in the throat caused by emotion, as in The bride’s mother had a lump in her throat. This expression likens the sense of a physical swelling to the tight sensation caused by strong feelings. [Mid-1800s]

  lunch → See EAT SOMEONE ALIVE (SOMEONE’S LUNCH); FREE LUNCH; LOSE ONE’S LUNCH; OUT TO LUNCH.

  lung → See AT THE TOP OF ONE’S LUNGS.

  lurch → See LEAVE IN THE LURCH.

  luxury → See LAP OF LUXURY.

  lying down → See TAKE LYING DOWN. Also see LIE DOWN.

  m

  mad → In addition to the idioms beginning with MAD, also see CRAZY (MAD) ABOUT; DRIVE SOMEONE CRAZY (MAD); HOPPING MAD; LIKE CRAZY (MAD); STARK RAVING MAD.

  mad about Also, mad for. → See CRAZY ABOUT.

  mad as a hatter Also, mad as a March hare. Crazy, demented, as in She is throwing out all his clothes; she’s mad as a hatter. This expression, dating from the early 1800s, alludes to exposure to the chemicals formerly used in making felt hats, which caused tremors and other nervous symptoms. The variant, dating from the 14th century, alludes to the crazy behavior of hares during rutting season, mistakenly thought to be only in March.

  mad as a hornet Also, mad as hell or hops or a wet hen. Very angry, enraged as in Mary was mad as a hornet when her purse was stolen, or Upset? Dan was mad as hell, or The teacher was mad as a wet hen. The use of mad for “angry” dates from about 1300, but these similes are of much more recent vintage (1800s, early 1900s). The allusions to a hornet, which can launch a fierce attack, and hell, with its furious fires, are more obvious than the other variants. Mad as hops was first recorded in 1884 and is thought to have been the writer’s version of HOPPING MAD; mad as a wet hen, first recorded in 1823, is puzzling, since hens don’t ­really mind water.

  made → In addition to the idioms beginning with MADE, also see HAVE IT MADE. Also see under MAKE.

  made for each other Also, made for one another. Perfectly suited, as in Pat and Peter were just made for each other, or, as Samuel Richardson put it in Clarissa (1751): “Her features are all harmony, and made for one another.” The use of made for in the sense of “fitted for” dates from the late 1100s.

  made of money Very rich, as in Afford a limousine? Do you think I’m made of money? This hyperbolic expression uses made of in the sense of “composed of,” a usage dating from about 1200.

  made to measure Also, tailor-made. Fashioned to fit a particular need or purpose, very suitable. For example, Jane finds her new position is made to measure for her, or This bridge club is tailor-made for Max. Originally referring to clothes made to fit a particular person very precisely, these terms have been used figuratively since the mid-1900s. Also see MADE TO ORDER.

  made to order Also, built to order. Very suitable, as in Her new assignment was built to order for her. In its literal use, this idiom refers to an item fashioned according to particular instructions. [Mid-1900s]

  madness → See METHOD IN ONE’S MADNESS.

  mad rush A wild hurry, as in I was in a mad rush to get to the bank on time to cash my check, or Why the mad rush? We
have lots of time before the concert starts. The use of in a rush for “being in a hurry” dates from the second half of the 1800s, and mad, for “frenzied,” serves merely as an intensifer.

  maiden voyage The first experience, as in This tennis tournament is my maiden voyage in statewide competition. This term, originally meaning the first voyage of a ship, was first recorded in 1901, but the use of maiden to signify “the first time” dates from the mid-1500s.

  main → In addition to the idioms beginning with MAIN, also see EYE TO THE MAIN CHANCE; IN THE MAIN; MIGHT AND MAIN.

  main drag The principal street of a city or town, as in Several stores on the main drag have closed. This slangy term was first recorded in 1851.

  main squeeze 1. One’s boss, the highest authority, an important person. For example, Who’s the main squeeze in this company? This slangy term was first recorded in 1896, and the precise allusion is unclear. 2. One’s sweetheart, as in Nancy is his main squeeze. This slangy usage, first recorded in 1970, alludes to the “squeeze” of a hug.

  make → In addition to the idioms beginning with MAKE, also see ABSENCE MAKES THE HEART GROW FONDER; ALL WORK AND NO PLAY (MAKES JACK A DULL BOY); CAN’T MAKE A SILK PURSE OUT OF A SOW’S EAR; CAN’T MAKE HEAD OR TAIL OF; KISS AND MAKE UP; MANY HANDS MAKE LIGHT WORK; MIGHT MAKES RIGHT; ON THE MAKE; PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT; PUT IN (MAKE) AN APPEARANCE; PUT THE MAKE ON; THAT MAKES TWO OF US; TWO WRONGS DO NOT MAKE A RIGHT; WHAT MAKES ONE TICK. Also see under MADE.

  make a beeline for Go straight to, as in He made a beeline for the refreshments. In this expression, beeline means “the shortest distance between two points,” alluding to the route of worker bees bringing nectar and pollen back to the hive. [c. 1830]

  make a break for Also, make a run for. Run toward something. For example, As soon as it ended, they made a break for the door, or I’ll have to make a run for the plane. The noun break here means “escape,” and both terms may be put as make a break or run for it, meaning “to escape or get away quickly.” For example, With the guards asleep, he decided to make a break for it, or The rain’s stopped; let’s make a run for it. [c. 1840]

  make a bundle Also, make a pile. Make a great deal of money, as in When the market went up they made a bundle, or He made a pile from that department store. The first term, dating from about 1900, comes from the somewhat earlier use of bundle for a roll of banknotes. The variant, alluding to a heap of money, was first recorded in 1864.

  make a clean break Conclusively remove oneself from a situation or relationship. For example, You have to make a clean break from this discussion group or you’ll never have a free Sunday evening. [Second half of 1800s]

  make a clean breast of Confess fully; as in Caught shoplifting, the girls decided to make a clean breast of it to their parents. This expression, first recorded in 1752, uses clean breast in the sense of baring of one’s heart, the breast having long been considered the seat of private or secret feelings.

  make a clean sweep 1. Remove or eliminate unwanted persons or things, as in The new owners made a clean sweep of the place, intending to replace all the equipment. This phrase replaced the much older general sweep. [Mid-1800s] Also see NEW BROOM SWEEPS CLEAN. 2. Win overwhelmingly, as in Our candidate made a clean sweep of all the districts. This usage is most often found with reference to success in a sports competition or election.

  make a comeback Also, stage a comeback. Achieve a success after retirement or failure, as in After years in mediocre movies, she made a comeback on Broadway, or The humble hamburger is about to stage a comeback. [Colloquial; c. 1920] Also see COME BACK, def. 1.

  make a crack Utter an impudent, sarcastic, or ironic remark, as in She’s constantly making cracks about the store’s management. The noun crack here alludes to a hunter’s shot at game. [Slang; late 1800s]

  make a date Arrange a meeting with someone, as in Let’s get the department heads together and make a date for lunch next week, or I’ve made a date with Jean; can you join us? At first alluding only to social engagements, especially with a member of the opposite sex, this term, first recorded in 1876, is now used more broadly.

  make a day of it Also, make a night of it. Devote a day (or night) to some pleasurable pursuit, as in Now that we’re at the beach, let’s make a day of it, or Since they missed the seven o’clock train, they ­decided to make a night of it. [Mid-1600s]

  make a dent in Begin to accomplish or consume something, as in I’ve barely made a dent in this pile of correspondence, or Help us put a dent in this pie. This metaphoric expression alludes to striking a blow to make a physical indentation in something.

  make a difference 1. Distinguish or discriminate. This phrase appears in the Bible (Leviticus 11:47): “To make a difference between the unclean and the clean.” [Late 1500s] 2. Also, make the difference. Cause a change in effect, change the nature of something, as in His score on this test will make the difference between passing and failing, or These curtains sure make a difference in the lighting. 3. Be important, matter, as in Her volunteer work made a difference in many lives. The antonym of this usage is make no difference, as in It makes no difference to me if we go immediately or in an hour. This usage appeared long ago in slightly different versions. Miles Coverdale’s translation of the Bible of 1535 had it is no difference, and the converse, it makes great difference, was first recorded about 1470.

  make advances 1. Attempt to make someone’s acquaintance or make overtures, as in The ambassador knew that the ministers would soon make advances to him. [Late 1600s] 2. Approach amorously or sexually, as in His wife accused him of making advances to the nanny. [c. 1700] Also see MAKE A PASS AT.

  make a face Grimace, distort the facial features, as in The teacher told Joan to stop making faces at Mary. This expression was first recorded in 1570.

  make a federal case of Also, make a big deal of. Give undue importance to an issue, as in I’ll pay you back next week—you needn’t make a federal case of it, or Jack is making a big deal of filling out his passport application. The first hyperbolic expression, almost always used in a negative context, alludes to taking a legal action before a high (federal) court. The second alludes to an important business transaction (see BIG DEAL, def. 1).

  make a fool of Also, make an ass or monkey out of. Cause someone or oneself to look foolish or stupid. For example, John doesn’t mind making a fool of himself at parties, or They made an ass of me by giving me the wrong instructions, or Just watch him make a monkey out of this amateur chess player. The use of fool and ass date from the early 1600s; the latter is sometimes put more rudely as make a horse’s ass of, alluding to a horse’s behind. The use of monkey dates from about 1900.

  make a fortune Also, make a small fortune. Earn a great deal of money, as in He made a fortune on the stock market. Similar expressions are be worth a fortune or small fortune, as in Now that their parents have died, they’re worth a small fortune. Make a fortune dates from about 1700, and its use with small from the second half of the 1800s.

  make a fuss 1. Cause a needless commotion or display, as in I’m sure he’ll be here soon; please don’t make a fuss. It is also often put as make a fuss about or over, as in He’s making a fuss about nothing, or If you make a fuss over the small budget items, what will it be like when we discuss the big ones? The idiom dates from about 1800, although the use of fuss in this sense is a century older. 2. make a fuss over someone. Treat someone with excessive attention, solicitude, or affection, as in Whenever they visit Grandma she makes a fuss over the children. [1920s]

  make a go of Achieve success in, as in He has made a go of his new business. This expression was first recorded in 1877.

  make a hash of Also, make a mess of. Ruin or spoil something, as in They’ve made a hash of their financial affairs, or She thought he’d make a mess of the garden. The first term, first recorded in 1833, uses hash in the sense of “a jumble of mangled fragments”; the variant, using mess in the sense of “a muddle” or “a state of confusion,” was first recorded in
1862.

  make a hit 1. Also, be a hit. Achieve (or be) a success, especially a popular one, as in She made a big hit in this performance, or In out-of-town tryouts the play was already a hit. This seemingly modern term, which transfers the literal meaning of hit as “a stroke or blow,” has been around since the early 1800s. It was used then, as now, for theatrical performances, books, songs, and the like 2. In underworld slang, commit a murder, as in Known for his deadly accuracy, he was about to make his third hit. This usage also has been extended to such terms as hit list, a roster of persons to be killed, and hit man, a killer who is usually hired by someone else. [Second half of 1900s]

  make a killing Enjoy a large and quick profit, as in They made a killing in real estate. This expression alludes to a hunter’s success. [Slang; late 1800s]

  make a laughingstock of Lay open to ridicule, as in They made a laughingstock of the chairman by inviting him to the wrong meeting-place, or She felt she was making a laughingstock of herself, always wearing the wrong clothes for the occasion. The noun laughingstock replaced the earlier mockingstock and sportingstock, now obsolete. The idiom was first recorded in 1667.

  make a living Earn enough to support oneself, as in Can he make a living as a freelance trumpeter? This term was first recorded in 1632.

  make allowance for Also, make allowances for. Take into account extenuating circumstances, as in We have to make allowance for Jeff; he’s very new to the business, or Grandma is always making ­allowances for the children’s bad manners. [c. 1700]

  make a long story short Get to the point, as in To make a long story short, they got married and moved to Omaha. Although the idea of abbreviating a long-winded account is ancient, this precise phrase dates only from the 1800s. Henry David Thoreau played on it in a letter of 1857: “Not that the story need be long, but it will take a long time to make it short.”