The American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms

by Christine Ammer

  nutshell → See IN A NUTSHELL.

  nutty as a fruitcake Crazy, idiotic, as in Mary’s nutty as a fruitcake if she thinks she can get away with that. The adjective nutty meaning “insane” was first recorded in 1821; the similarity to fruitcake, which literally contains nuts as well as fruit, was first recorded in 1935.

  N-word → See under F-WORD.

  o

  oar → See PUT ONE’S OAR IN.

  oats → See FEEL ONE’S OATS; SOW ONE’S WILD OATS.

  object → See MONEY IS NO OBJECT.

  objection → See RAISE AN OBJECTION.

  Occam’s razor The idea that the simplest explanation is probably the best. William of Occam was a Franciscan friar and philosopher (c. 1280-1349) whose writings so angered the Pope that he was excommunicated. His original statement was Entia non sunt multiplicanda praeter necessitatem (Entities should not be multiplied more than necessary). It was a French philosopher, Etienne Bonnot de Condillac, who in 1746 likened the idea to a razor, that is, cutting through complex ideas to reach the truth, and nearly a century later Sir William Hamilton, in an 1836 lecture, coined the present idiom. While it is not often heard today, it is not obsolete. Archer Mayor used it as the title of his 1999 mystery novel.

  occasion → See ON OCCASION; RISE TO THE OCCASION.

  occur to one Come to mind, as in It never occurred to me that he might refuse. [Early 1600s]

  odd couple → See under STRANGE BEDFELLOWS.

  odd man out 1. A person who is left out of a group for some reason, as in The invitation was for couples only, so Jane was odd man out. [Mid-1800s] 2. Something or someone who differs markedly from the others in a group, as in Among all those ranch-style houses, their Victorian was odd man out. [Late 1800s]

  odds → In addition to the idioms beginning with ODDS, also see AGAINST ALL ODDS; AT ODDS; BY ALL ODDS; LAY ODDS.

  odds and ends Miscellaneous items, fragments and remnants, as in I’ve finished putting everything away, except for a few odds and ends. This expression may have originated as odd ends in the mid-1500s, meaning “short leftovers of some material” (such as lumber or cloth). It had acquired its present form and meaning by the mid-1700s.

  odds are, the The chances are, as in The odds are that they’ll serve turkey for Thanksgiving. Replacing it is odds by the late 1600s, this phrase refers to betting.

  odor of sanctity Exaggerated or hypocritical piety, an assumption of moral superiority, as in This candidate puts off some voters with his odor of sanctity. This expression, originating in the medieval idea that the dead body of a saintly individual gives off a sweet smell, was used to describe saintliness in the mid-1700s. Today it is generally used ironically.

  of age 1. Old enough, according to the law, to be eligible for something, as in In this state he’s not of age for buying liquor, but he may vote, or Next year Jane’s coming of age and will get her driver’s license. This usage was first recorded about 1430. The term under age signifies being too young to be ­eligible, as in It’s against the law to serve alcohol to anyone under age. 2. come of age. Mature or develop fully, as in The school’s bilingual program has finally come of age.

  of a kind 1. Of some sort, but not a typical or perfect specimen. For example, They have a backyard of a kind, but it’s tiny. This usage was first recorded in 1895. For a synonym, see OF SORTS. 2. one of a kind. A unique instance, as in There are no others like it; this hybrid daylily is one of a kind, or She’s extremely generous, one of a kind. Also see TWO OF A KIND.

  of all things From all the possibilities, as in I said I’d help in any way I can, and of all things they want me to handle publicity. This term, generally expressing surprise, was first recorded in 1925.

  of a piece Also, all of a piece. Of the same kind, as in This legislation is of a piece with the previous bill, or Her rude behavior was all of a piece. The piece in this idiom alludes to a single mass of material. [Early 1600s]

  of a sort → See OF SORTS.

  of choice Preferred above others, as in A strike is the union’s weapon of choice. Used with other prepositions (by, for, with), all meaning “by preference,” this idiom dates from about 1300. Also see BY CHOICE.

  of consequence Important, as in For all matters of consequence we have to consult the board, or Only scientists of consequence have been invited to speak. This idiom was first recorded in 1489.

  of course 1. In the customary or expected order, naturally, as in The new minister did not, of course, fire the church secretary. This usage, first recorded in 1548, employs course in the sense of “ordinary procedure.” 2. Certainly, as in Of course I’ll answer the phone, or Are you going to the meeting?—Of course. [Early 1800s] Also see MATTER OF COURSE.

  off, be → See BE OFF.

  off again, on again → See OFF AND ON, def. 2.

  off and on Also, on and off. 1. Intermittently, from time to time. For example, I read his column off and on, or We’ve been working on the garden all summer, on and off. [Early 1500s] 2. Also, off again, on again; on again, off again. Uncertain, vacillating, as in Theirs is an off again, on again relationship, or The peace talks are on again, off again. Some believe this term originally referred to minor railroad accidents, where a train went off track and then on again. [Mid-1800s]

  off and running Making a good start, progressing well, as in After the first episode the new soap opera was off and running. Originating in horse racing, as the traditional announcement at the beginning of a race (“They’re off and running”), this phrase began to be used more broadly in the second half of the 1900s.

  off balance 1. Out of equilibrium, unsteady, as in When learning how to ride a two-wheeler, it’s easy to get off balance and fall, or She stood up and threw the canoe off balance. [Mid-1900s] 2. Surprised, unprepared, as in The teacher gives unannounced tests to keep the class off balance. [Second half of 1900s]

  off base Wrong, relying on a mistaken premise, as in His description of the accounting system was ­totally off base. This metaphoric term originated in baseball, where a runner who steps off a base can be put out. [c. 1940]

  off duty → See under ON DUTY.

  offense → See NO OFFENSE; TAKE OFFENSE.

  of few words, man. Also, woman of few words. A person who does not speak much; also, a person of action rather than words. For example, A woman of few words, Susan hardly seemed like a successful lawyer, or Harry’s a man of few words but he gets things done. This characteristic has been considered praiseworthy since Homer’s time, but the precise idiom dates only from about 1600. Shakespeare had it in Henry V (3:2): “Men of few words are the best men.”

  off guard Also, off one’s guard. Not watchful, easily surprised. It is often put as catch (or be caught) off guard, meaning “take (or be taken) by surprise.” For example, The securities analyst was caught off guard by that financial report, or With any luck the boss will be off guard when I come in late. [Late 1600s] Two alternative idioms are to lower or drop one’s guard, which allude to boxing. The fighter who lowers his guard is more vulnerable to his opponent’s punches. The antonym, on guard or on one’s guard, meaning “watchful or prepared, especially to defend oneself,” was first recorded in 1577. For example, In this crowd we must be on guard against pickpockets, or I’m always on my guard when I’m asked how I voted.

  office → See BOX OFFICE; FRONT OFFICE; JUST ANOTHER DAY AT THE OFFICE; LAND-OFFICE BUSINESS; TAKE OFFICE.

  offing → See IN THE OFFING.

  off of Away from, from, as in Don’t take your eyes off of the road, or Can I borrow ten dollars off of you? This seemingly ungrammatical idiom has been used since the 1500s and remains current, but more in oral than written communications. Also see under GET OFF, def. 9.

  off one’s chest, get Relieve one’s mind by confessing or saying something that has been repressed. For example, I’ve got to get this off my chest—I can’t stand his parents, or He admitted taking the dollar and said he was glad to get it off his chest. This expression uses chest for the seat of
the emotions. [c. 1900]

  off one’s feed Having no desire to eat, having lost one’s appetite, as in Even though Mom’s gone only for a week, her absence puts Dad off his feed. Originating in the early 1800s and first used only for animals, this colloquial term later was applied to humans as well.

  off one’s guard → See OFF GUARD.

  off one’s head Also, off one’s nut or rocker or trolley or chump. Crazy, out of one’s mind, as in You’re off your head if you think I’ll pay your debts, or I think Jerry’s gone off his nut over that car, or When she said we had to sleep in the barn we thought she was off her rocker, or The old man’s been off his trolley for at least a year. The expression using head is colloquial and dates from the mid-1800s; nut has been slang for “head” since the mid-1800s; rocker, dating from the late 1800s, may allude to an elderly person falling from a rocking chair; trolley, also dating from the late 1800s, may be explained by George Ade’s use of it in Artie (1896): “Any one that’s got his head full of the girl proposition’s ­liable to go off his trolley at the first curve.” The last, chump, is also slang for “head” and was first recorded in 1859.

  off one’s high horse → See ON ONE’S HIGH HORSE.

  off one’s rocker Also, off one’s nut or trolley. → See OFF ONE’S HEAD.

  off someone’s back Also off someone’s case. No longer harassing or bothering someone. It is often put as get off someone’s back or case, as in I told her to get off my back—I’ll mow the lawn tomorrow, or I wish Dad would get off my case about grades. The first of these slangy terms dates from the 1880s although it became frequent only in the 1940s, and its antonym, on one’s back (as in He’s been on my back about that report all morning) dates from about 1960. The variant off someone’s case was first recorded only in 1970, and its antonym, on someone’s case (as in He’s always on my case) in 1971. Also see GET OFF, def. 9.

  off someone’s feet 1. sweep or carry or knock off someone’s feet. Overwhelm someone emotionally; infatuate someone; make a very favorable impression on someone. For example, Winning first prize knocked her off her feet, or With his little gifts and gallant behavior, he swept her off her feet, or That fine speech carried him off his feet. The term using sweep dates from about 1900, carry from the mid-1800s, and knock from the early 1900s. 2. run or rush someone off his or her feet. Work someone to the point of exhaustion, hurry or pressure someone, as in With all the preparations, they’ve been running me off my feet, or The waiters were rushed off their feet. These hyperbolic expressions allude to running or hurrying so much that one falls down. The first dates from the mid-1800s; the second was first recorded as rushed off one’s legs in 1916.

  off someone’s hands Out of or removed from someone’s charge, possession, or responsibility. It is often put as take off someone’s hands, as in We hoped that once they saw the kittens they would take them off our hands, or I’m glad that swing set is finally off our hands. [First half of 1600s] It is also put as out of someone’s hands, specifically meaning beyond one’s purview, as in I can’t change the dealine; it’s out of my hands.

  off the air Not being broadcast, as in Once they knew they were off the air, the panelists burst out laughing. This idiom, along with the antonym on the air (“being broadcast”), dates from the 1920s, air being considered a medium for radio-wave transmission.

  off the beam Off course, on the wrong track, as in He’s way off the beam with that argument. This colloquial term and its antonym, on the beam, meaning “on the right track,” allude to directing aircraft by means of radio beams. [Colloquial; mid-1900s]

  off the beaten track An unusual route or destination, as in We found a great vacation spot, off the beaten track. This term alludes to a well-worn path trodden down by many feet and was first recorded in 1860, although the phrase beaten track was recorded in 1638 in reference to the usual, unoriginal way of doing something.

  off the cuff Impromptu, extemporaneous, as in His speech was entirely off the cuff. This term supposedly alludes to the practice of speakers making last-minute notes on the cuff of a shirtsleeve. [1930s]

  off the deep end → See GO OFF THE DEEP END.

  off the ground → See GET OFF THE GROUND.

  off the handle → See FLY OFF THE HANDLE.

  off the hook Also, get or let off the hook. Released (or be released) from blame or annoying obligation, as in He was out of town during the robbery so he was off the hook, or I don’t know how the muggers got off the hook, or Once they found the real culprit, they let Mary off the hook. This idiom alludes to the fish that manages to free itself from the angler’s hook and get away. [Mid-1800s]

  off the mark Also, wide of the mark. Inaccurate, wrong, as in The forecast was off the mark, since unemployment is down, or His answers on the test were just wide of the mark. It is also put as miss the mark, meaning “be mistaken,” as in The minister missed the mark when he assumed everyone would contribute to the supper. All these terms allude to mark in the sense of “a target,” as do the antonyms on the mark and hit the mark, meaning “exactly right,” as in He was right on the mark with that budget amendment, or Bill hit the mark when he accused Tom of lying. [Mid-1300s]

  off the rack Ready-made, as in She has all her clothes made; she never buys a dress off the rack. The rack here is a frame from which clothes are hung. [Mid-1900s] A British synonym is off the peg, similarly alluding to a knob from which clothes are hung and dating from the late 1800s. Also see OFF THE SHELF.

  off the rails In an abnormal or malfunctioning condition, as in Her political campaign has been off the rails for months. The phrase occurs commonly with go, as in Once the superintendant resigned, the effort to reform the school system went off the rails. This idiom alludes to the rails on which trains run; if a train goes off the rails, it stops or crashes. [Mid-1800s]

  off the record Unofficially, in confidence, not for publication, as in What he was about to say, he told the reporters, was strictly off the record. Probably alluding to striking evidence from a court record (because it is irrelevant or improper), this term came into wide use in the mid-1900s, especially with reference to persons who did not wish to be quoted by journalists. For antonyms, see GO ON RECORD; JUST FOR THE RECORD.

  off the shelf Ready-made, available from merchandise or in stock, as opposed to a special order. For example, Sometimes you can get a better discount by buying an appliance off the shelf. [First half of 1900s] Also see OFF THE RACK; ON THE SHELF.

  off the top of one’s head In an impromptu way, without much thought, as in Off the top of my head I’d say we’ll double our profits in a year. This idiom suggests one has not used the inside of one’s head before making some statement. [Mid-1900s]

  off the track Away from one’s objective, train of thought, or a sequence of events, It is often put as get or put or throw off the track, as in Your question has gotten me off the track, or The interruption threw Mom off the track and she forgot what she’d already put into the stew. This term comes from railroading, where it means “derailed.” Its figurative use was first recorded in 1875.

  off the wagon → See ON THE WAGON.

  off the wall Eccentric, unconventional, as in That idea of opening a 100-seat theater is off the wall. This expression probably originated in baseball or some other sport in which the ball can bounce off a wall in an erratic way. [Colloquial; 1960s]

  of it → See COME TO THINK OF IT; FOR FUN (THE FUN OF IT); FOR THE HELL OF IT; FULL OF IT; HALF OF IT; LONG AND SHORT OF IT; MAKE A DAY OF IT; ON THE FACE OF IT; OUT OF IT; SNAP OUT OF (IT); THAT’S ABOUT THE SIZE OF IT; WHAT OF IT.

  of late Recently, lately, as in She’s been very quiet of late; is something wrong? This idiom uses late as a noun instead of an adjective, a usage dating from about 1250. The idiom dates from the early 1400s.

  of necessity Also, out of necessity. As an inevitable consequence, unavoidably, as in the New Testament: “Of necessity he must release one unto them at the Feast” (Luke 23:17). [Late 1300s]

  of note Importa
nt, of distinction, famous, as in I have nothing of note to report, or The speaker was a man of note. This idiom uses note in the sense of “importance” or “fame.” [Late 1500s]

  of old Formerly, long since, at an earlier time, as in In days of old the whole town turned out to watch the parade. This somewhat archaic idiom dates from about 1400.

  of one’s life Being the greatest, worst, or best occasion of a lifetime, as in She was having the time of her life at the party, or The threatened takeover of the company put the president in the fight of his life.

  of one’s own accord Also, of one’s own free will. Voluntarily, without prompting or coercion, as in The entire audience rose of their own accord, or No, I’m climbing this mountain of my own free will. The first term dates from about 1450, the variant from about 1600.

  of service to someone, be Help someone, as in How can I be of service to you? This idiom uses service in the sense of “supplying someone’s needs.” [c. 1700]

  of sorts Also, of a sort. Of a kind, especially a mediocre or somewhat different kind. For example, He was wearing a jacket of sorts but no tie, or They established a constitutional government of a sort. [c. 1900]

  often → See EVERY NOW AND THEN (SO OFTEN); MORE OFTEN THAN NOT.

  often as not → See under MORE OFTEN THAN NOT.

  of the devil → See SPEAK OF THE DEVIL.

  of the essence Of the greatest importance, crucial, as in Time is of the essence. This idiom, which uses essence in the sense of “the most important element of something,” was first recorded in 1873, although the phrase the essence of... was already being used in the mid-1600s.

  of the first water Of the finest quality, as in That was a play of the first water. This idiom refers to a grading system for diamonds for their color or luster (compared to the shininess of water). The system is no longer used but the term, used figuratively since the early 1800s, has survived it.