The American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms

by Christine Ammer

  packed in like sardines Extremely crowded, as in I could barely breathe—we were packed in like sardines. This term, alluding to how tightly sardines are packed in cans, has been applied to human crowding since the late 1800s.

  pack it in Stop working or abandon an activity, as in Let’s pack it in for the day. This usage alludes to packing one’s things before departing, and during World War I became military slang for being killed. It also is used as an imperative ordering someone to stop, as in Pack it in! I’ve heard enough out of you. In Britain it is also put as pack it up. [Colloquial; early 1900s]

  pack off Also, pack someone or something off. Send someone (or something) away unceremoniously, as in As soon as the children are packed off to bed, I’ll call you back, or She told Anne she’d pack her things off as soon as she had a chance. [First half of 1700s]

  pack them in Attract a large audience, as in A big star will always pack them in. This idiom alludes to tightly filling a hall. [c. 1940]

  paddle → In addition to the idiom beginning with PADDLE, also see UP THE CREEK (WITHOUT A PADDLE).

  paddle one’s own canoe Be independent and self-reliant, as in It’s time Bill learned to paddle his own canoe. This idiom alludes to propelling one’s own boat. [c. 1800]

  paid → See under PAY.

  pain → In addition to the idioms beginning with PAIN, also see AT PAINS; FEEL NO PAIN; FOR ONE’S PAINS; GROWING PAINS; NO PAIN, NO GAIN; ON PAIN OF.

  pain in the neck Also, pain in the ass or butt. A source of annoyance, a nuisance, as in Joan is a real pain in the neck, with her constant complaining, or Jack told his brother to stop being a pain in the ass. The first of these colloquial expressions dates from about 1900 and originated as a euphemism for the two less polite variants.

  paint black Represent someone or something as evil or harmful. This idiom is most often used in a negative context, as in He’s not so black as he’s been painted. [Late 1500s]

  paint oneself into a corner Get oneself into a difficulty from which one can’t extricate oneself. For example, By volunteering to do more work in the ­office and then taking a freelance job, George has painted himself into a corner. This idiom uses the graphic image of painting all of the floor except for the corner one stands in, so that one cannot leave without stepping on wet paint.

  paint the town red Go on a spree, as in Whenever they go to New York they want to paint the town red. The precise allusion of this term is disputed. Some believe it refers to setting something on fire; others point to a vague association of the color red with violence. [Late 1800s]

  pair → In addition to the idiom beginning with PAIR, also see SHOW ONE’S (A CLEAN PAIR OF) HEELS.

  pair off 1. Put two persons together; also, become one of a couple, as in Jean mentally paired off her guests whenever she planned a party, or All the ­tennis players had to pair off for a round of doubles matches. [Late 1600s] 2. Also, pair up. Make a pair of, match, as in I always have trouble pairing up their socks. [Early 1900s]

  pal around Associate as friends or chums, as in Bill and Jim have been palling around for years. This expression makes a verb of the noun pal, which comes from the Gypsy word for “brother.” [c. 1900]

  pale → See BEYOND THE PALE.

  palm → In addition to the idiom beginning with PALM, also see CROSS SOMEONE’S PALM WITH SILVER; GREASE SOMEONE’S PALM; ITCHY PALM.

  palm off Pass off by deception, substitute with ­intent to deceive, as in The salesman tried to palm off a zircon as a diamond, or The producer tried to palm her off as a star from the Metropolitan Opera. This expression alludes to concealing something in the palm of one’s hand. It replaced the earlier palm on in the early 1800s.

  pan → In addition to the idiom beginning with PAN, also see FLASH IN THE PAN; OUT OF THE FRYING PAN INTO THE FIRE.

  pancake → See FLAT AS A PANCAKE.

  Pandora’s box A source of unforeseen trouble, as in Revising the tax code is opening a Pandora’s box. This equivalent for the modern CAN OF WORMS comes from the Greek legend in which Pandora, entrusted with a box containing the world’s ills, is overcome by curiosity and opens it, thereby ­releasing them. [Late 1500s]

  panic → See PUSH THE PANIC BUTTON.

  pan out Turn out well, succeed, as in If I don’t pan out as a musician, I can always go back to school. This expression alludes to washing gold from gravel in a pan. [Mid-1800s]

  pants → In addition to the idiom beginning with PANTS, also see ANTS IN ONE’S PANTS; BEAT THE PANTS OFF; CAUGHT WITH ONE’S PANTS DOWN; GET THE LEAD OUT (OF ONE’S PANTS); KICK IN THE PANTS; SEAT OF THE PANTS; TALK SOMEONE’S ARM (PANTS) OFF; WEAR THE PANTS.

  pants off, the This phrase is used to intensify the meaning of verbs such as bore, charm, kid, scare, or talk. For example, That speech bored the pants off us, or It was a real tornado and scared the pants off me. Playwright Eugene O’Neill used it in Ah, Wilderness! (1933): “I tell you, you scared the pants off him,” and Evelyn Waugh, in A Handful of Dust (1934), had a variation, “She bores my pants off.” [Colloquial; early 1900s] Also see BORE TO DEATH; BEAT THE PANTS OFF.

  paper → In addition to the idiom beginning with PAPER, also see ON PAPER; PUSH PAPER; WALKING ­PAPERS.

  paper over Also, paper over the cracks. Repair ­superficially, conceal, especially flaws. For example, He used some accounting gimmicks to paper over a deficit, or It was hardly a perfect settlement, but they decided to paper over the cracks. The German statesman Otto von Bismarck first used this analogy in a letter in 1865, and the first recorded ­example in English, in 1910, referred to it. The ­allusion is to covering cracked plaster with wallpaper, thereby improving its appearance but not the underlying defect.

  par → In addition to the idiom beginning with PAR, also see BELOW PAR; ON A PAR WITH; UP TO PAR.

  parade → See HIT PARADE; RAIN ON ONE’S PARADE.

  paradise → See FOOL’S PARADISE.

  parcel → In addition to the idiom beginning with PARCEL, also see PART AND PARCEL.

  parcel out Divide into parts and distribute, as in She parceled out the remaining candy among the children. This idiom uses parcel in the sense of “divide into small portions.” [Mid-1500s]

  pardon → In addition to the idiom beginning with PARDON, also see BEG TO DIFFER (I BEG YOUR PARDON); EXCUSE ME (I BEG YOUR PARDON).

  pardon my French Excuse my strong language, pardon me for swearing. It is not known why French should signify profane language but the expression dates from the late 1800s. Given the ubiquitousness of utterances like the F-WORD, this usage may be becoming obsolete.

  par for the course An average or normal amount; just what one might expect. For example, I missed three questions, but that’s par for the course. This term comes from golf, where it refers to the number of strokes needed by an expert golfer to finish the entire course. Its figurative use for other kinds of expectation dates from the second half of the 1900s.

  part → In addition to the idioms beginning with PART, also see BEST PART OF SOMETHING; BETTER HALF (PART); DISCRETION IS THE BETTER PART OF VALOR; DO ONE’S BIT (PART); FOOL AND HIS MONEY ARE SOON PARTED; FOR ONE’S PART; FOR THE MOST PART; IN GOOD PART; IN PART; TAKE PART; TAKE SOMEONE’S PART.

  part and parcel An essential or basic element, as in Traveling is part and parcel of Zach’s job. Used since the 15th century as a legal term, with part meaning “a portion” and parcel “something integral with a whole,” this idiom began to be used more loosely from about 1800. Although both nouns have the same basic meaning, the redundancy lends emphasis.

  part company Go separate ways; also, disagree about something. For example, After they reached the park Jeff and Jane parted company, or They parted company on their views of foreign policy. [Early 1700s]

  particular → See IN PARTICULAR.

  parting of the ways A point of divergence, especially an important one, as in When Jim decided to travel with the band and Jill wanted a more normal home life, they came to a parting of the ways. This term, which t
ransfers a fork in a road to alternative courses of action, appears in the Bible (Ezekiel 21:21), where the king of Babylon must decide whether or not to attack Jerusalem: “[He] stood at the parting of the way.” [c. 1600]

  parting shot A final insult or last word in an argument, as in As she stalked out, Jane hurled as a parting shot, “And I quit!” This idiom apparently originated as a corruption of Parthian shot, referring to the practice of ancient Parthian warriors of turning back to shoot at their pursuers. [Late 1800s]

  part with Give up, let go of, relinquish, as in Janice hated to part with her cat, but the landlord wouldn’t allow pets. [Mid-1300s]

  party → In addition to the idioms beginning with PARTY, also see LIFE OF THE PARTY.

  party line The official policy of an organization or government, as in The current party line opposes legalized abortion in all cases. This term, dating from about 1830, was originally used for a political party’s official policy but in the mid-1900s was ­almost exclusively applied to the rigid dicta of the Soviet Communist Party. Since then it has returned to looser use.

  party’s over, the It’s time to be serious; carefree times have ended. For example, Now that he’s been promoted the party’s over; he has to write a report every week. This expression uses party in the sense of “a pleasant social gathering.” [c. 1930]

  pass → In addition to the idioms beginning with PASS, also see BRING ABOUT (TO PASS); COME ABOUT (TO PASS); CROSS (PASS THROUGH) ONE’S MIND; HEAD (SOMEONE) OFF (AT THE PASS); IN PASSING; MAKE (TAKE) A PASS AT; SHIPS THAT PASS IN THE NIGHT.

  pass away Also, pass on or over. Die, as in He passed away last week, or After Grandma passes on we’ll sell the land, or I hear he’s about to pass over. All these terms are euphemisms for dying, although the verb pass alone as well as pass away have been used in the sense of “pass out of existence, die” since the 1300s. The two variants—adding on [c. 1800] and over [c. 1900]—allude to moving to some other-worldly realm.

  pass by 1. Proceed past something, as in If you pass by a white house, you’ve gone too far. [c. 1300] 2. Also, pass over. Disregard, overlook, as in Just pass by the first few pages and you’ll get to the basics, or Ralph was passed over for promotion. [1300s]

  pass for Be accepted as or believed to be, usually something that is not so. For example, Jean is 23 but could pass for a teenager, or They thought that copy would pass for an original. [Late 1500s]

  pass muster Meet a required standard, as in That yard cleanup won’t pass muster with Mom. This ­expression originally meant “to undergo a military review without censure,” muster referring to an assembling of troops for inspection or a similar purpose. [Late 1500s]

  pass off 1. Misrepresent something or someone, as in They tried to pass off that piece of glass as a gemstone, or Bill passed her off as his sister. [Late 1700s] Also see PALM OFF. 2. Be completed or carried out, take place, as in The meeting passed off without incident. [Late 1700s]

  pass on 1. See PASS AWAY. 2. Transfer something, as in Sign the card and then pass it on to the others, or Grandpa passed his tools on to his favorite grandson. Also see PASS THE TORCH.

  pass one’s lips Speak, utter, as in Not a word of it will pass my lips, I promise. [Mid-1700s]

  pass out 1. Distribute, as in He passed out the papers. [Early 1900s] 2. Also, pass out cold. Faint, as in When she heard the news she passed out cold. [Early 1900s] Also see OUT COLD.

  pass over 1. See PASS BY, def. 2. 2. See PASS AWAY.

  pass the buck Shift responsibility or blame elsewhere, as in She’s always passing the buck to her staff; it’s time she accepted the blame herself. This expression dates from the mid-1800s, when in a poker game a piece of buckshot or another object was passed around to remind a player that he was the next dealer. It acquired its present meaning by about 1900.

  pass the hat Ask for financial contributions, as in Let’s pass the hat so we can get her a nice going-away gift. This expression alludes to the actual practice of passing a hat around a gathering, but it is also used more figuratively, as in The board decided to pass the hat again among the corporate sponsors. [Late 1800s]

  pass the time 1. Occupy oneself for an interval, as in The plane was six hours late but I passed the time reading a book. 2. pass the time of day. Exchange greetings, engage in pleasantries, chat, as in Whenever I met her we would stop to pass the time of day. [First half of 1800s]

  pass the torch Also, hand on the torch. Relinquish responsibilities, a tradition, practice, or knowledge to another. For example, When the company’s founder became too ill to continue, he passed the torch to his nephew. This metaphoric expression alludes to the ancient Greek torch race, in which a lighted torch was passed from one runner to the next. A translation from both Greek and Latin, the English version dates from the late 1800s.

  pass through one’s mind → See CROSS ONE’S MIND.

  pass up Let go by, reject, as in I can’t believe Betty passed up the chocolate cake, or This opportunity is too good to pass up. [Colloquial; late 1800s]

  pass with flying colors → See WITH FLYING COLORS.

  past → In addition to the idioms beginning with PAST, also see LIVE IN (THE PAST); NOT PUT SOMETHING PAST SOMEONE.

  past master A person who is thoroughly experienced or exceptionally skilled in some activity or craft. For example, We’re lucky to get Ella, because she’s a past master at fundraising. This expression probably alludes to the original literal meaning, that is, one who formerly held the post of master in a lodge or other organization. Although past mistress was used for an exceptionally skilled woman in the mid-1800s, it is heard less often ­today, master serving for both sexes. [Mid-1800s]

  past one’s prime Beyond the peak of one’s powers, as in Jean still plays tennis but at 79 she’s obviously past her prime. Also see the synonym OVER THE HILL; PRIME OF LIFE.

  pasture → See PUT OUT TO GRASS (PASTURE).

  pat → In addition to the idiom beginning with PAT, also see STAND PAT.

  patch up Mend or repair, make whole. For example, He managed to patch up the lawn mower so it’s running, or John cut his hand badly, but they patched him up in the emergency room, or Mike and Molly have patched up their differences. This term alludes to mending something by putting patches of material on it. [Second half of 1500s]

  path → See BEAT A PATH TO SOMEONE’S DOOR; CROSS SOMEONE’S PATH; LEAD DOWN THE GARDEN PATH; LEAST RESISTANCE, PATH OF; ON THE WARPATH.

  patience → See TRY ONE’S PATIENCE.

  pat on the back A word or gesture of support, ­approval, or praise, as in The bonus she gave her assistant was a pat on the back for doing a good job. [Early 1800s]

  Paul → See ROB PETER TO PAY PAUL.

  pause → See GIVE PAUSE.

  pavement → See POUND THE PAVEMENT.

  pave the way Make progress or development easier, as in Her findings paved the way for developing a new vaccine. This expression alludes to paving a road so it is easier to travel on. [Late 1500s]

  pawn off Dispose of by deception, as in They tried to pawn off a rebuilt computer as new. This expression may have originated as a corruption of PALM OFF, although it was also put as pawn upon in the 1700s, when it originated.

  pay → In addition to the idioms beginning with PAY, also see CALL (WHO PAYS THE PIPER CALLS) THE TUNE; CRIME DOES NOT PAY; DEVIL TO PAY; HELL TO PAY; LIP SERVICE, PAY; ROB PETER TO PAY PAUL; YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR.

  pay a call Also, pay a visit; pay one’s respects. Make a short visit, especially as a formal courtesy or for business reasons. For example, Bill asked her to pay a call to his ex-mother-in-law, or Each salesman was told to pay a visit to every new doctor in town, or We went to the wake to pay our respects. Also see CALL ON, def. 2.

  pay a compliment Express praise or commendation to someone, as in Meredith wanted to pay Christopher a compliment so she told him she liked his new haircut. This expression uses pay in the sense of “give something that is due.” [c. 1700]

  pay as you go Pay for purchas
es immediately instead of deferring payment. For example, Ruth and Bob had no credit cards; they believed in paying as you go. [First half of 1800s]

  pay attention Heed, be attentive to, as in Now pay attention to these instructions. [Second half of 1700s]

  pay a visit → See PAY A CALL.

  pay back 1. Repay a debt or a loan, as in I’ll pay you back next month. 2. Also, pay back in someone’s own coin. Revenge oneself, repay in kind, as in He thought he could get away with copying my plans, but I’ll pay him back in his own coin. This expression refers to repaying a debt in exactly the same currency in which the money had been lent. [c. 1600]

  pay court to Solicit the favors or affection of, as in If you want to win the daughter, you’ll have to pay court to her mother. [Late 1500s]

  pay dirt, hit Also, strike pay dirt. Make a valuable discovery or large profit, as in We’ve been researching the source of that quotation for a month and we finally hit pay dirt in the Library of Congress. This idiom, from the mid-1800s, refers to a miner’s finding gold or other precious metals while sifting soil. By the late 1800s it had been transferred to other lucrative discoveries.

  pay for 1. Cover the expenses of, defray the cost of, as in I’ll pay for your movie ticket, or This truck will pay for itself within a year. [Mid-1300s] 2. Atone for, suffer for, as in He may have looked like a good manager, but his successor will end up paying for his mistakes. [Late 1600s]

  pay off 1. Pay the full amount on a debt or on wages, as in The car’s finally paid off, or Les pays off the workers every Friday evening. [Early 1700s] 2. Produce a profit, as in That gamble did not pay off. [Mid-1900s] 3. Also, pay off an old score. Get revenge on someone for some grievance, requite, as in Jerry was satisfied; he’d paid off his ex-partner when he bought him out at half-price, or Amy went out with her roommate’s boyfriend, but she was paying off an old score. 4. Bribe, as in The owner of the bar paid off the local police so he wouldn’t get in trouble for serving liquor to minors. [Colloquial; c. 1900]