The American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms
Page 86
one good turn deserves another A favor should be returned in kind, as in I’ll give you a ride next time—one good turn deserves another. This maxim was first recorded about 1400, and the converse, One bad turn deserves another, about 1500.
one-horse town A small and unimportant place, as in Ours was just a one-horse town until the nuclear plant was built. This expression, first recorded in 1857, presumably alluded to a town so small that a single horse would suffice for its transportation needs.
one in a million Also, one in a thousand or billion. Extraordinary, rare, as in She’s the kindest soul—she’s one in a million, or This ring is one in a thousand. All these terms are hyperbolic.
one jump ahead Anticipating and prepared for what will happen, as in We have to keep one jump ahead of the opposition. [First half of 1900s] Also see GET THE JUMP ON.
one-man show Also, one-man band. A person who does or manages just about everything, as in This department is a one-man show—the chairman runs it all, or John conducts the interviews, writes the articles, solicits ads, deals with the printer—he’s a one-man band. This idiom alludes to the actor or artist responsible for the entire performance or exhibit, or the musician who plays every instrument in the group. [First half of 1900s]
one man’s meat is another man’s poison What is good for or enjoyed by one is not necessarily so for someone else. This adage, first recorded in 1576, is so well known it is often shortened, as in Pat loves to travel to remote areas but that’s not for Doris—one man’s meat, you know. Also see NO ACCOUNTING FOR TASTES.
on end 1. Continuously, without interruption, as in It’s been raining for days on end. 2. Upright, having one end down, as in Set this carton on end. It also appears in one’s hair stands on end, meaning the hair sticks up instead of lying flat. Both usages date from about 1300.
one of a kind → See under OF A KIND.
one of these days Also, one day; some day. On some day in the future, as in One of these days I’m going to clean out my desk, or One day you’ll see what it’s like to have your child insult you, or They hoped to buy a brand-new car some day. [Mid-1500s] Also see ONE OF THOSE DAYS.
one of those days Also, just one of those days. A day when everything goes wrong, as in The car wouldn’t start, I lost my glasses—it was one of those days. This expression was first recorded in 1936.
one on one A direct encounter between two persons, especially a conflict, as in The two department heads went one on one regarding shelf space. This slangy expression almost certainly comes from sports. It is commonly used to refer to a two-person basketball game, but is also applied to the interaction of two players on opposing teams in football, soccer, and similar team sports. [c. 1960]
one picture is worth a thousand words → See PICTURE IS WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS.
oneself → See AVAIL ONESELF OF; BE ONESELF; BESIDE ONSELF; BURN (ONESELF) OUT; BY ONESELF; COVER ONE’S ASS (ONESELF); DO ONESELF IN; EXCUSE ME (ONESELF); EXERT ONESELF; EXPLAIN ONESELF; EXPRESS ONESELF; FALL ALL OVER (ONESELF); FEEL LIKE ONESELF; FIND ONESELF; FLATTER ONESELF; FLING ONESELF AT SOMEONE; FORGET ONESELF; FULL OF ONESELF; GET A GRIP ON (ONESELF); GIVE A GOOD ACCOUNT OF ONESELF; GIVE (ONESELF) AWAY; GIVE OF ONESELF; GIVE ONESELF UP; HAVE ONESELF; HEAR ONESELF THINK; HELP ONESELF; KEEP TO ONESELF; KICK ONESELF; KNOCK ONESELF OUT; LAW UNTO ONESELF; LAY (ONESELF) OPEN; LEAVE (ONESELF) OPEN; LET (ONESELF) GO; LIVE WITH (ONESELF); LOSE ONESELF IN; MAKE A LAUGHINGSTOCK OF ONESELF; MAKE A NAME FOR ONESELF; MAKE AN EXHIBITION OF ONESELF; MAKE A NUISANCE OF ONESELF; MAKE A PIG OF ONESELF; MAKE ONESELF AT HOME; MAKE ONESELF SCARCE; NOT ONESELF; PAINT ONESELF INTO A CORNER; PLUME ONESELF; PRIDE ONESELF ON; PULL ONESELF TOGETHER; PULL ONESELF UP BY THE BOOTSTRAPS; PUT ONESELF OUT; RELIEVE ONESELF; REPEAT ONESELF; SHIFT FOR ONESELF; SHOOT ONESELF IN THE FOOT; SPREAD ONESELF TOO THIN; SUIT ONESELF; SURE OF ONESELF; TAKE IT UPON ONESELF; THROW ONESELF AT; THROW ONESELF INTO; TIE ONESELF IN KNOTS; TROUBLE ONE’S HEAD WITH (ONESELF ABOUT).
one’s heart bleeds for one → See under HEART GOES OUT TO.
one-track mind A mind limited to only one line of thought or action, as in All you think about is sex—you have a one-track mind. This expression, alluding to a train that runs only on one track or in one direction, was first recorded in 1928.
one up Having an advantage or lead over someone, as in Sara is one up on Jane because she passed algebra in summer school. This expression comes from sports, where it means to be one point ahead of one’s opponents. It was transferred to general use about 1920.
one way or another Also, one way or the other. Somehow, in some fashion, as in One way or another I’m sure we’ll meet again, or He wasn’t sure how to build a wall, but he would manage in one way or the other. [Mid-1500s]
on faith, take it Trust, accept without proof, as in I have no firm evidence that Bob’s responsible for the errors—you’ll just have to take it on faith. This idiom employs faith in the sense of “belief or confidence in something,” a usage dating from about 1300.
on file In or as if in a record for easy reference. For example, There’s no job open right now, but we’ll keep your résumé on file. The use of file in the sense of “a collection of papers stored for ready reference” dates from the early 1600s.
on fire → See SET ON FIRE; SET THE WORLD ON FIRE.
on foot Walking or running, not using a vehicle. For example, There’s no road to the lodge; we have to get there on foot. [c. 1300] Also see HOOF IT; ON ONE’S FEET; ON THE RIGHT FOOT.
on good terms On a friendly footing, as in I’m on good terms with the manager, so I’ll ask him to help you. Shakespeare used the phrase slightly differently in King Lear (1:2): “Parted you in good terms?” The precise current usage was first recorded in 1669. Also see ON SPEAKING TERMS.
on guard → See under OFF GUARD.
on hand 1. In one’s possession, available, as in The business needs to have enough cash on hand. [c. 1100] 2. Present, as in Jim was always on hand to help. [Mid-1800s] 3. Soon, imminent. See AT HAND, def. 2.
on high 1. Up in the sky; also, in heaven. For example, They fixed their eyes on high, looking for the comet, or, in the Bible (Psalms 113:5), “The Lord our God who dwelleth on high.” [c. 1200] 2. In a position of authority, as in Those on high have decreed that we work every other weekend. This usage is an ironic transfer from def. 1. Also see POWERS THAT BE.
on hold 1. In a state of temporary interruption, but not disconnection, during a telephone call, as in While I was on hold, I checked my calendar for when I could schedule a meeting, or They had to put me on hold while they looked up my account. [c. 1960] 2. In a state of postponement or delay, as in When she was transferred, they had to put their romance on hold. This figurative usage is a broadened sense of def. 1. [Colloquial; c. 1970]
on ice 1. In reserve or readiness. This idiom often occurs with put, meaning “to place in reserve,” as in Let’s put that proposal on ice until we have the funds to implement it. This usage alludes to putting things in cold storage for preservation. [Slang; late 1800s] 2. In prison, as in He’s been on ice for ten years. This usage may be derived in part from the slang term cooler for “jail.” [slang; c. 1930] 3. With a good chance of success, as in I’m sure she’ll win—it’s on ice. [slang; early 1900s]
on in years → See ALONG IN YEARS.
onion → See KNOW ONE’S STUFF (ONIONS).
on its merits Also, on one’s merits or according to one’s merits. With regard only to the intrinsic quality of something or someone. For example, Who supports it doesn’t matter; we have to consider the idea solely on its merits, or The agency doesn’t care about her references but wants to hire candidates according to their merits. [Late 1800s]
on line 1. See IN LINE, def. 2. 2. Actively linked to or operating a computer, as in They haven’t got the printer on line yet, or Mark’s been on line all morning. [Late 1900s] Also see GO ON, def. 9.
only → In addition to the idioms beginning with ONLY, also see BEAUTY IS ONLY SKIN DEEP; HAVE AN EYE (EYES ONLY) FOR; IF O
NLY; IN NAME ONLY; NOT THE ONLY FISH IN THE SEA; ONE AND ONLY.
only game in town, the The only choice, which one must accept for want of a better one. For example, Out here, this bank is the only game in town when it comes to financial services. This term, dating from the early 1900s, originally alluded to a gambler looking for a game in a strange town.
only too 1. At the very least, as a matter of fact, as in I know only too well that I can’t win the lottery. This usage was first recorded in 1817. 2. Very, extremely, as in I am only too glad to help. This usage was first recorded in 1899.
on no account Also, not on any account. Under no circumstances, certainly not, as in On no account should you put a metal utensil in the microwave oven, or Dad said we can’t go, not on any account. [Mid-1800s]
on occasion From time to time, now and then, as in Nell has been known to eat meat on occasion. This usage, first in the form of upon occasion, replaced by occasion about 1600.
on one hand → See ON THE ONE HAND.
on one’s → In addition to the following idioms beginning with ON ONE’S, also see under ON SOMEONE’S.
on one’s account → See ON ACCOUNT; ON ONE’S OWN ACCOUNT.
on one’s behalf → See IN BEHALF OF.
on one’s best behavior Also, on one’s good behavior. Very polite, as in Mother told the children to be on their best behavior during Grandma’s visit, or The whole staff were on their good behavior while the client inspected the premises. [Late 1600s]
on one’s doorstep → See AT ONE’S DOOR.
on one’s ear → See OUT ON ONE’S EAR.
on oneself → See TAKE IT UPON ONESELF.
on one’s feet → In addition to the idiom (see the next entry) ON ONE’S FEET, also see DEAD ON ONE’S FEET; FALL (LAND) ON ONE’S FEET; GET TO ONE’S FEET; SET ONE BACK ON ONE’S FEET; STAND ON ONE’S OWN FEET; THINK ON ONE’S FEET.
on one’s feet 1. Standing, as in I’m tired—I’ve been on my feet all day. [Mid-1400s] Also see GET TO ONE’S FEET. 2. Also, back on one’s feet. Healthy, returned to good health, as in I hope you get back on your feet very soon. [c. 1800]
on one’s good behavior → See ON ONE’S BEST BEHAVIOR.
on one’s guard → See under OFF GUARD.
on one’s hands 1. In one’s possession or care, often as a responsibility, as in As long as she had three children on her hands she couldn’t get very much accomplished, or They had two houses on their hands because they hadn’t sold the first before having to move. This term was first recorded in 1528. For the antonym, see OFF SOMEONE’S HANDS. 2. time on one’s hands. Time in which one has nothing necessary to do, free time, as in She has a lot of time on her hands now that the kids have moved out. Also see IN ONE’S HANDS.
on one’s head Also, on one’s own head. As one’s responsibility or fault, as in If the police catch you speeding it’s on your own head. This idiom, dating from the 1300s, conjures up the image of blame or guilt falling on someone’s head. Also see OFF ONE’S HEAD.
on one’s heels → See AT SOMEONE’S HEELS.
on one’s high horse In an arrogant or condescending manner. For example, When they started talking about music, David got on his high horse and said that classical music was only fit for museums and archives. This expression, alluding to the use of tall horses by high-ranking persons, dates from the late 1700s. Similarly, off one’s high horse means “less arrogantly, more humbly,” as in I wish she’d get off her high horse and be more friendly. It dates from the early 1900s, but is heard less often today.
on one’s home ground Where one has the advantage of familiarity. For example, Teams generally find it easier to win on their home ground, or The candidate from Maine was speaking on his home ground.
on one’s honor Entrusted to behave honorably and honestly without supervision. For example, The students were on their honor not to consult notes during the exam. Originally alluding to a solemn oath, this idiom dates from the mid-1400s.
on one’s last legs Extremely tired, close to collapsing, as in We’ve been cleaning house all day and I’m on my last legs. This hyperbolic expression originally meant “close to dying,” and in John Ray’s 1678 proverb collection it was transferred to being bankrupt. Soon afterward it was applied to the end of one’s resources, physical or otherwise. It is sometimes applied to things, as in That furnace is on its last legs.
on one’s mind Also, on the brain. In one’s thoughts, preoccupying one. For example, The book prize has been on my mind, but I haven’t been able to discuss it with you. It is often put as have something on one’s mind (or the brain) meaning “be preoccupied with something,” as in I didn’t mean to be rude; I just have a lot on my mind right now, or John has nothing but girls on the brain. [Mid-1800s]
on one’s own 1. By one’s own efforts or resources, as in He built the entire addition on his own. [Mid-1900s] 2. Responsible for oneself, independent of outside help or control, as in Dave moved out last fall; he’s on his own now. [Mid-1900s]
on one’s own account Also, on one’s own hook or initiative. For oneself; also, by one’s own efforts, as in I’ve gone into business on my own account, or He called the police on his own hook, or She went job-hunting on her own initiative. The first term, first recorded in 1801, transfers the financial sense of account to one’s own interest or risk. The hook variant, a colloquialism, was first recorded in 1812 and the precise analogy is unclear. The second variant, using initiative in the sense of “enterprise,” was first recorded in 1858.
on one’s own time During non-working hours, especially when one is not being paid. For example, Marcia wrote poetry evenings and weekends, on her own time. This expression implies that the time one spends working for someone else is no longer one’s possession.
on one’s part → See FOR ONE’S PART.
on one’s say-so According to one’s authority, as in I’m reorganizing the files on the boss’s say-so, or You can skip the exam? On whose say-so? The noun say-so, dating from about 1630, originally meant simply “saying something,” that is, an assertion (without authority or proof). By the early 1800s it had acquired its present meaning.
on one’s shoulders As one’s responsibility, as in The king carries his entire country on his shoulders, or The success of the conference rests on Nancy’s shoulders. This metaphoric use of shoulders as the burden-bearing part of the body dates from the late 1300s.
on one’s soapbox Expressing one’s views passionately or self-importantly, as in Dexter can’t resist getting on his soapbox about school expenditures. This expression comes from the literal use of a soapbox as an improvised platform for a speaker, usually outdoors. [Mid-1600s]
on one’s tail → See GET OFF ONE’S TAIL; ON SOMEONE’S COATTAILS.
on one’s toes Alert, ready to act, as in Orchestra players must be on their toes all the time, so as not to miss an entrance. This metaphoric expression probably alludes to boxers or runners who must be on their toes in order to move or start quickly. It gained currency with Richard Rodgers’ and Lorenz Hart’s extremely popular musical, On Your Toes (1936). [Early 1900s]
on one’s uppers Poor, in reduced circumstances, as in as in The Smiths try to hide the fact that they’re on their uppers. First recorded in 1886, this metaphoric term alludes to having worn out the soles of one’s shoes so badly that only the top portions remain.
on one’s way 1. See ON THE WAY. 2. Also, be on one’s way. Leave, get going, as in “On your way,” said the officer, trying to move the crowd, or It’s been a wonderful party but we must be on our way now. [Early 1900s]
on order Requested but not yet delivered, as in Our new sofa is on order. This term is always used for goods of some kind, the noun order having been used in the sense of “a commission for goods” since the early 1800s.
on pain of Also, under pain of. Subject to the penalty of a specific punishment. For example, The air traffic controllers knew that going on strike was on pain of losing their jobs. At one time this idiom often i
nvoked death as the penalty, a usage that is largely hyperbolic today, as in We’d better be back on time, under pain of death. [Late 1300s]
on paper In theory, hypothetically, as in Considering casualties, on paper the Americans won the Vietnam War, or They are a good team on paper but not so in the field. This metaphoric expression contrasts something written down with concrete reality. [Late 1700s]
on pins and needles Nervously anxious, as in He was on pins and needles, waiting for the test results. The graphic expression pins and needles for the tingling sensation experienced in recovering from numbness was transferred to a feeling of marked mental uneasiness about 1800.
on principle 1. On moral or ethical grounds. As James Russell Lowell wrote about Alexander Pope in 1871, “There was a time when I could not read Pope, but disliked him on principle.” [First half of 1800s] 2. According to a fixed rule or practice. For example, The police were locking up the demonstrators on principle. [First half of 1800s] 3. on general principle. For no special reason, in general, as in Dean won’t touch broccoli on general principle. [First half of 1800s]
on purpose 1. Deliberately, intentionally, as in He left the photo out of the story on purpose. Shakespeare’s use of this idiom was among the earliest; it appears in The Comedy of Errors (4:3): “On purpose shut the doors against his way.” 2. accidentally on purpose. Seemingly accidentally but actually deliberately. It usually refers to intentionally discomfiting someone, as in I managed to delete all his negative comments, accidentally on purpose, or Mom let slip the date of the wedding, accidentally on purpose, or She stepped on his foot accidentally on purpose. This generally jocular phrase was first recorded in 1862.
on record → See GO ON RECORD.
on relief Also, on welfare; on the dole. Receiving public financial assistance, as in Half the people in this town are on relief, or Don hated the idea of going on welfare. The first two terms originated in the United States in the 1930s, when government assistance of this kind was first instituted. On the dole, used mainly in Britain but occasionally in America, dates from the 1920s, although the use of dole for a charitable gift dates from about 1200.