The American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms

by Christine Ammer

  on the receiving end In the situation of recipient, especially of something unpleasant, as in It seems I’m always on the receiving end of his bad moods. [c. 1930]

  on the right foot, get off Also, start off on the right foot. Make a good beginning, establish good relations, as in It’s important to get off on the right foot in this new job. This usage, alluding to walking correctly, was first recorded in 1909; the antonym, get off on the wrong foot, as in I’m afraid we got off on the wrong foot with our daughter’s in-laws, was first recorded in 1925.

  on the right tack Also, on the right track. Proceeding satisfactorily; also, following the correct line of reasoning. For example, He thinks the housing market is improving, and he’s on the right tack there or That’s not exactly so, but you’re on the right track. The first term alludes to the direction of a sailboat, the second to the direction of a path. The same is true of the antonyms, on the wrong tack and on the wrong track, indicating an erroneous assumption or course of action. For example, He’s on the wrong tack for finding a solution, or The ­researchers were on the wrong track altogether when they assumed the virus was transmitted by mosquitoes. The expressions using tack date from about 1900; those using track date from about 1880.

  on the road 1. Traveling, as in Our salesmen are on the road five days a week. [Mid-1600s] 2. on the road to. On the way to, following a course that will end in. For example, We could see Mary was on the road to recovery, or The business obviously was on the road to ruin. [Mid-1600s]

  on the rocks 1. Ruined, spoiled, as in Six months after the wedding, their marriage was on the rocks. This expression, alluding to a ship running aground on rocks and breaking apart, has been used figuratively for other disasters since the late 1800s. 2. Served over ice only, as in He always drinks whiskey on the rocks. The “rocks” here are the ice cubes. [Mid-1900s] 3. Destitute, bankrupt, as in Can I borrow next month’s rent? I’m on the rocks. This usage, from the late 1800s, is heard more often in Britain than America.

  on the ropes On the verge of defeat or collapse, helpless, as in They acknowledged that their campaign was on the ropes, and they could not possibly win the election. This expression, alluding to a boxer forced back to the ropes of the ring and leaning against them for support, has been used figuratively since the mid-1900s.

  on the run 1. In rapid retreat; also, attempting to escape from pursuers. For example, The guerrillas were on the run after the ambush, or The burglars were on the run from the police. [Early 1800s] 2. Hurrying from place to place, as in The company officers were always on the run from New York to Los Angeles and back. [Late 1800s]

  on the safe side Avoiding danger, with a margin for error, as in Just to be on the safe side, let’s order another hundred chairs. This idiom was first recorded in 1811.

  on the same page, to be To agree totally, to mutually understand one another. This term, which alludes to reading the same page of a book, dates from the second half of the 1900s and may be replacing the earlier ON THE SAME WAVELENGTH. For example, It’s important that all the players are on the same page before we go out on the field. [Second half of 1900s]

  on the same wavelength In complete accord, in rapport, as in Conductor, orchestra members, soloists, and chorus all were on the same wavelength, making for a wonderful performance. This term alludes to radio waves that carry a broadcast. [First half of 1900s]

  on the scene, be Also, arrive or come on the scene. Be or arrive where an action or event occurs, as in They won’t have a wild party because their parents will be on the scene, or Once Bob arrives on the scene, you can expect fireworks. Alluding to the theatrical scene, where a drama is being played, this phrase has been used more loosely since the early 1700s.

  on the shelf 1. Inactive, not employed, as in With mandatory retirement at 65, many useful employees are put on the shelf. [Second half of 1500s] 2. In a state of disuse, as in We’ll have to put her proposal on the shelf until we have more funds. [Late 1800s] 3. Without prospects of romance. For example, After she broke her third engagement, her parents were sure she’d be on the shelf. This usage was always said of a woman and today is considered offensive. It is probably obsolescent. [Early 1800s] All these usages allude to an article left on the shelf of a store, bookcase, or the like.

  on the side 1. In addition to the main portion of something; also, in addition to one’s regular job. For example, He ordered some French fries on the side, or She often prepared tax returns on the side. [Second half of 1800s] 2. See ON SOMEONE’S SIDE; ON THE SIDE OF THE ANGELS.

  on the sidelines Observing rather than taking part, out of the action, as in Bolivia’s neighbors ­remained on the sidelines, waiting to see which faction in the dispute would prevail. This idiom comes from sports. The sidelines are the two lines defining the sides of the court or playing field and the area immediately beyond them where, in such sports as football, the non-playing team members sit. [First half of 1900s]

  on the side of the angels Supporting the good side, as in Whatever you may think of him, on important issues he’s usually on the side of the angels. This expression was coined by Benjamin Disraeli in 1864 in a speech about Darwin’s theory that man is descended from apes: “The question is this: Is man an ape or an angel? Now I am on the side of the angels.” Before long it was extended to broader use, specifically to the moral view.

  on the skids In the process of decline or ruin, as in If she quit now, her career would be on the skids. The skids here are runners such as those on a sled, enabling one to go downhill quickly. [c. 1920]

  on the sly Furtively, secretly, as in She’s always eating cookies on the sly. The adjective sly, which means “cunning” or “crafty,” is here used as a noun. [c. 1800]

  on the spot 1. At once, without delay, as in When the boss learned Tom had been lying, he fired him on the spot. This usage suggests that one does not have time to move away from a particular spot. [Late 1600s] 2. At the scene of action, as in Whenever there’s a bad accident or fire, you can be sure the station will have a reporter on the spot. This usage also employs spot in the sense of “a particular location.” [Late 1600s] 3. Under pressure or in trouble, as in He’s on the spot, because he can’t pay back the loan. It is also phrased as put on the spot, meaning “put under pressure.” For example, The reporter’s question put her on the spot; she didn’t want to lie or to admit her part in the scandal. [First half of 1900s]

  on the spur of the moment Impulsively, without prior preparation, as in He decided to join a tour to England on the spur of the moment. This expression alludes to the goading action of a spur to a horse. [Late 1700s]

  on the square Honestly and openly, as in Our dealings with them have always been on the square. This expression literally means “at right angles.” Similarly the antonym out of square, literally signifying “not at right angles,” figuratively means “not in agreement” or “irregular.” For example, The lab’s report is out of square with the x-ray. The first recorded use of this term was in 1542.

  on the street Also, in the street. 1. Without a job, unemployed, as in After they fired her she was on the street for two years. [First half of 1900s] 2. Without a regular place of residence, homeless, as in It’s terrible to be on the street in winter. [Mid-1800s] 3. Released from prison, as in One more year and he’ll be back in the street. [First half of 1900s]

  on the strength of On the basis of, as in She was hired on the strength of her computer skills. [Early 1600s]

  on the surface Superficially, to all outward appearances, as in On the surface he appeared brave and patriotic, but his troops knew better. [Early 1700s]

  on the table 1. Up for discussion as in There are two new proposals on the table. [Mid-1600s] 2. Postponed or put aside for later consideration, as in When they adjourned, three items were put on the table until the next meeting. [First half of 1700s] The table in both idioms is a figurative conference table. Also see LAY ONE’S CARDS ON THE TABLE.

  on the take Accepting bribes or other illegal income, as in The
commission found a number of police officers on the take. [Colloquial; first half of 1900s]

  on the tip of one’s tongue, have Ready to utter something but unable to remember it at the moment, as in I met him last year and his name is on the tip of my tongue—it’ll come to me in a minute. [Early 1700s]

  on the town Also, out on the town. In spirited pursuit of entertainment offered by a town or city, as in We went out on the town last night. [Early 1700s]

  on the up-and-up Open and honest, as in Dad has always been on the up-and-up with them. The precise allusion in this term is unknown. [Colloquial; c. 1860]

  on the uptake In understanding or comprehension. This term is most often put as quick on the uptake, for readily understanding something, and slow on the uptake, for being slow to comprehend. For example, Shirley will have no trouble learning that new computer program—she’s very quick on the uptake. It alludes to absorbing (“taking up”) information. [Early 1800s]

  on the verge of Close to, on the brink of, as in I was on the verge of calling the doctor when he suddenly got better, or Sara was on the verge of tears when she heard the news. This term uses verge in the sense of “the brink or border of something.” [Mid-1800s]

  on the wagon Abstaining from drinking alcoholic beverages, as in Don’t offer her wine; she’s on the wagon. This expression is a shortening of on the water wagon, referring to the horse-drawn water car once used to spray dirt roads to keep down the dust. Its present meaning dates from about 1900. The antonym off the wagon, used for a resumption of drinking, dates from the same period. B.J. Taylor used it in Extra Dry (1906): “It is better to have been on and off the wagon than never to have been on at all.”

  on the warpath Furious and on a hostile course of action, as in When the meat wasn’t delivered, the chef went on the warpath. This expression was an English translation of a Native American term that literally means “a path used by a war party.” Go on the warpath thus meant “go to battle.” It was used in this way by James Fenimore Cooper in The Deerslayer (1841); its present hyperbolic use dates from the late 1800s.

  on the watch → See ON THE LOOKOUT.

  on the way 1. Also, on one’s way. In the process of coming, going, or traveling; also, about to come. For example, The mail plane is on the way, or She is on her way out the door, or Winter is on the way. 2. On the route of a journey, as in I met him on the way to town, or We ran into them on the way. [c. A.D. 1000] 3. on the way to; well on the way to. On the point of experiencing or achieving, as in James is on the way to becoming a full professor, or Nancy is well on her way to a nervous breakdown. [Late 1800s] Also see ON THE WAY OUT.

  on the way out 1. About to go out, as in We were on our way out when the phone rang. 2. Going out of fashion, becoming obsolete, as in Full-size cars are on their way out.

  on the whole Considering everything, as in On the whole we enjoyed our vacation, although the hotel was not perfect by any means. [Late 1600s] Also see the synonyms BY AND LARGE; FOR THE MOST PART.

  on the wing 1. In flight, usually referring to a bird as opposed to a plane. For example, Louise is very good at identifying birds on the wing. [Late 1400s] 2. Active, in motion, as in Coaches are always on the wing, trying to recruit talented athletes. This usage may be obsolescent. [c. 1500]

  on the wrong foot → See ON THE RIGHT FOOT.

  on the wrong side of bed → See GET UP ON THE WRONG SIDE OF BED.

  on the wrong tack Also, on the wrong track. → See under ON THE RIGHT TACK.

  on thin ice In a precarious or risky position, as in After failing the midterm, he was on thin ice with his math teacher. This metaphor is often rounded out as skate on thin ice, as in He knew he was skating on thin ice when he took his rent money with him to the racetrack. This idiom, which alludes to the danger that treading on thin ice will cause it to break, was first used figuratively by Ralph Waldo Emerson in his essay Prudence (1841): “In skating over thin ice our safety is in our speed.”

  on time 1. Punctually, according to schedule, as in I hope the plane will be on time. [Early 1800s] 2. By paying in installments, on credit, as in They are buying their car on time. The time here refers to the designated period in which payments must be made. [Mid-1800s]

  on tiptoe 1. Eagerly anticipating something, as in The children were on tiptoe before the birthday party. [Late 1500s] 2. Moving stealthily, warily, as in They went down the hall on tiptoe. [Mid-1700s] Both usages transfer standing on one’s toes to a particular reason for doing so; def. 2 alludes to moving more quietly in this fashion.

  on to → See BE ON TO.

  on top In a dominant or successful position. It is also put as come out on top, as in As we expected, Paul again came out on top in the chess tournament. [Mid-1500s] Also see ON TOP OF.

  on top of 1. In control of, fully informed about, as in The weeds were terrible, but the new gardener was soon on top of them, or Our senator always manages to be on top of the issues. 2. In addition to, following closely on, as in Several other benefits are being offered on top of a better salary, or On top of the flu Jane caught her sister’s measles. [c. 1600] 3. Also, on top of one another. Very close to, crowded, as in I didn’t see her until she was right on top of us, or In these condominiums people are living right on top of one another. [Mid-1900s]

  on top of the world Feeling very happy, delighted, as in She was on top of the world after her roses won first prize. This idiom alludes to the peak of success or happiness. [c. 1920]

  on trial 1. In the process of being tried, especially in a court of law. For example, He would be put on trial for the murder of his wife. [Early 1700s] 2. As a test of something, on probation, as in They said we could take the vacuum cleaner on trial and ­return it if it was too noisy. [Early 1700s]

  on view So as to be seen, as in They will put the antiques on view an hour before the auction begins. [Mid-1800s]

  on welfare → See ON RELIEF.

  on your life → See NOT ON YOUR LIFE.

  open → In addition to the idioms beginning with OPEN, also see KEEP A WEATHER EYE OUT (OPEN); KEEP ONE’S EYES OPEN; LAY OPEN; LEAVE OPEN; LEAVE THE DOOR OPEN; NOT OPEN ONE’S MOUTH; OUT IN THE OPEN; THROW OPEN; WIDE OPEN; WITH ONE’S EYES OPEN; WITH OPEN ARMS.

  open and aboveboard Also, honest and aboveboard. Candid and fair, without deceit or trickery, as in I’ll join you, but only if everything remains open and aboveboard. Both versions of this expression are redundancies, since they use open and aboveboard in the sense of “honest.” The latter word, dating from the early 1600s, comes from gambling and alludes to the fact that card players who do not keep their hands on the table (board) may be suspected of changing their cards under the table.

  open and shut case A simple, straightforward, easily solved situation, as in With three eyewitnesses, the prosecutor said this case was open and shut. This term suggests that one has immediate access to the facts of a situation. [c. 1840]

  open book Something or someone that can be readily examined or understood, as in His entire life is an open book. This metaphoric expression is often expanded to read someone like an open book, meaning “to discern someone’s thoughts or feelings”; variations of this metaphor were used by Shakespeare: “Read o’er the volume of young Paris’ face,” (Romeo and Juliet, 1:3) and “O, like a book of sport thou’lt read me o’er” (Troilus and Cressida, 4:5). [Mid-1800s] For an antonym, see CLOSED BOOK.

  open doors → See OPEN THE DOOR TO.

  open fire Begin a verbal attack, as in In her second letter to the editor she opened fire, saying the reporter had deliberately misquoted her. This idiom alludes to discharging a firearm. [Mid-1800s]

  open house, keep Provide hospitality for visitors, as in They loved company and kept open house virtually all summer long. This usage differs from the plain open house, which refers to a particular occasion or period when a home or institution is open to visitors or prospective buyers. [First half of 1500s]

  open mind A mind receptive to different opinions and ideas, as in Her open
mind could see merit in the new method. This phrase is often put as keep an open mind, as in The judge cautioned the jury to keep an open mind while hearing the evidence. [First half of 1800s]

  open one’s eyes Become or make someone aware of the truth of a situation, as in It’s time you opened your eyes to the politics of this office, or The trip to Zimbabwe opened her eyes to the difficulties faced by developing nations. [Second half of 1800s]

  open one’s heart to Confide in, reveal one’s thoughts and feelings to, as in Last night Meg opened her heart to her sister concerning her marriage. This expression uses heart in the sense of “the seat of thought and emotion,” a usage dating from the 9th century.

  open one’s mouth → See NOT OPEN ONE’S MOUTH.

  open question An unresolved issue, one that has not been finally determined. For example, Whether the town should pave all the unpaved roads remains an open question. In the mid-1800s this term ­acquired a specific meaning in the British Parliament, that is, “an issue on which members may vote independently, without respect to their party affiliation.”

  open season on A period of unrestrained criticism or attack on something or someone, as in During an election year it’s open season on all officeholders. This expression alludes to the period during which one may legally hunt or fish. [Colloquial; c. 1900]

  open secret Something that is supposedly clandestine but is in fact widely known, as in It’s an open secret that she’s been divorced four times. This expression originated as the title of a Spanish play by Calderón, El Secreto a Voces (“The Noisy Secret”), which was translated by Carlo Gozzi into Italian as Il pubblico secreto (1769). In English the term came into general use during the 1800s.

  open the door to Also, open doors. Create an opportunity for, as in Legalizing marijuana may open the door to all kinds of abuse, or Her statement opened the door to further discussion, or Dad’s connections at the hospital have opened doors for Richard’s colleagues at medical school. [Late 1600s]