Book Read Free

The American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms

Page 104

by Christine Ammer


  screw someone out of Cheat, deceive, or defraud someone, as in They screwed me out of my overtime pay again. It is often rendered in the passive, be or get screwed, meaning “be cheated, deceived, or defrauded.” For example, We’re getting screwed by this new income tax regulation. [Slang; c. 1900]

  screw up 1. Muster or summon up; see PLUCK UP ONE’S COURAGE. 2. Make a mess of an undertaking; also, make a mistake, as in I really screwed up this report, or She said she was sorry, admitting that she had screwed up. [Slang; c. 1940] 3. Injure, damage, as in I screwed up my back lifting all those heavy books. [Slang] 4. Make neurotic or anxious, as in Her family really screwed her up, but her therapist has helped her a lot. [Slang; mid-1900s] Some authorities believe the last three usages are euphemisms for FUCK UP.

  screw up one’s courage → See PLUCK UP ONE’S COURAGE.

  screw you Go to hell, as in You won’t help after all? Well, screw you! A euphemism for the still ruder FUCK YOU, this slangy term dates from the mid-1900s.

  scrimp and save Economize severely, spend as little as possible, as in For years we had to scrimp and save, but now we can enjoy life more. [Mid-1800s]

  scrounge around Forage about in an effort to obtain something at no cost, as in We scrounged around their kitchen looking for a snack. It derives from the dialectal scrunge, “steal.” [Colloquial; c. 1900]

  scrounge up Find or round up something, as in I’ll have to scrounge up another microphone for ­today’s speaker. [Colloquial; c. 1900]

  scrub up Thoroughly wash one’s hands and forearms, as before performing surgery. For example, The residents had to scrub up in case they were called on to assist with the operation. [c. 1900]

  Scylla → See BETWEEN A ROCK AND A HARD PLACE (SCYLLA AND CHARYBDIS).

  sea → In addition to the idiom beginning with SEA, also see AT SEA; BETWEEN A ROCK AND A HARD PLACE (DEVIL AND THE DEEP BLUE SEA); HIGH SEAS; NOT THE ONLY FISH IN THE SEA; PUT OUT (TO SEA).

  seal → In addition to the idioms beginning with SEAL, also see LIPS ARE SEALED; SET ONE’S SEAL ON; SIGNED, SEALED AND DELIVERED.

  sea legs The ability to adjust to a new situation or difficult conditions, as in She’s only spoken in public a few times; she hasn’t found her sea legs yet. This expression was first recorded in 1712 and then referred, as it still does, to the ability to walk steadily on board ship, especially in rough seas. By the late 1800s it was being transferred to other challenging situations.

  seal of approval An endorsement of something or someone, as in Our candidate doesn’t have the governor’s seal of approval, or The new management gave the old refund policy their seal of approval. This idiom was used, and perhaps invented, as an advertising gimmick of Good Housekeeping magazine, which gave its so-called “seal of approval” to products it endorsed; the products’ packaging in turn bore a small emblem attesting to this endorsement. The noun seal here is used in the same sense as in SET ONE’S SEAL ON.

  seal off Also, seal up. Close tightly or barricade to prevent entry or exit. For example, We’re sealing off the unused wing of the building, or The jar is tightly sealed up. Dating from the first half of the 1900s, this idiom uses seal in the sense of “close securely,” as one used to do with a seal of wax.

  seal one’s fate Decide what will become of one, as in The letter of rejection sealed his fate; he’d have to apply to other medical schools. This term employs seal in the sense of “permanently fix or fasten something,” a usage dating from the mid-1600s.

  seam → See BURST AT THE SEAMS; COME APART AT THE SEAMS.

  seamy side The sordid or base aspect of something, as in This nightclub certainly shows you the seamy side of the community. This term refers to the wrong side of a garment, revealing the stitched seams. Shakespeare used it figuratively in Othello (4:2): “That turn’d your wit the seamy side without.”

  search → In addition to the idiom beginning with SEARCH, also see HIGH AND LOW, SEARCH; IN SEARCH OF.

  search me I don’t know the answer to that, as in Where’s John?—Search me. I haven’t seen him for weeks. This expression in effect means “you can investigate me completely for the information you want but you won’t find it.” [Slang; c. 1900]

  season → See IN SEASON; OPEN SEASON ON.

  seat → In addition to the idiom beginning with SEAT, also see BACKSEAT DRIVER; CATBIRD SEAT; HOT SEAT; IN THE DRIVER’S SEAT; RINGSIDE SEAT; TAKE A BACK SEAT.

  seat of the pants, by the Using intuition and improvisation rather than method or experience, as in He ran the business by the seat of his pants. This expression was invented by World War II fliers, who used it to describe flying when instruments were not working or weather interfered with visibility. It was transferred to broader use soon ­after the war.

  second → In addition to the idioms beginning with SECOND, also see AT SECOND HAND; COME OFF (SECOND BEST); IN A FLASH (SECOND); IN THE FIRST (SECOND) PLACE; ON SECOND THOUGHT; PLAY SECOND FIDDLE; SPLIT SECOND; TOP (SECOND) BANANA.

  second banana → See under TOP BANANA.

  second best Also, second class. Next after the first in rank or quality, inferior to the best, as in We aren’t satisfied with being second best in sales, or This hotel is obviously second class. The first term dates from the first half of the 1400s, the variant from about 1800. Also see COME OFF, def. 2; SECOND CLASS.

  second childhood The dotage of old age; also, childlike playfulness in an adult. For example, Grandpa needs full-time care, now that he’s in his second childhood, or Since he retired and started learning to fly, he’s been in his second childhood. Depending on the context, this term may allude either to such problems of old age as losing one’s mental or physical capacities or to delighting in new pleasures in a childlike fashion. [c. 1900]

  second class 1. Inferior; see SECOND BEST. 2. Travel accommodations ranking below the highest or first class, as in Traveling second class on European trains is not only cheaper but gives you more contact with local people. [c. 1840] 3. In the United States and Canada, a category of mail consisting of periodicals and newspapers. [c. 1870] 4. second-class citizen. An individual regarded or treated as inferior to others in status or rights, an underprivileged person. For example, In many countries women still are considered second-class citizens. This term uses second class in the sense of “inferior.” [c. 1940]

  second cousin Something that is related or similar but not quite the same, as in This beef stew is second cousin to boeuf bourguignon. This expression transfers the literal sense of second cousin—that is, the child of the first cousin of one’s mother or ­father—a usage dating from the mid-1600s.

  second fiddle → See PLAY SECOND FIDDLE.

  second hand → See AT SECOND HAND.

  second nature A habit or mode of behavior so long practiced that it seems innate, as in Driving in heavy traffic is second nature to Chris. This expression is a shortened form of an ancient proverb, Custom (or usage) is a second nature, first recorded in 1390. It alludes to the fact that very frequently repeating something makes it seem completely natural or inborn.

  second sight Clairvoyance, as in Jane must have second sight; she knew exactly where Dad had mislaid his keys. This expression, alluding to the supposed power of someone to perceive an event in the future or distance as though actually present, dates from the early 1600s.

  second thoughts → See ON SECOND THOUGHT.

  second to none The best, as in Mom’s chocolate cake is second to none. Shakespeare was among the first to use this term in The Comedy of Errors (5:1), when Angelo speaks warmly of Antipholus of Ephesus: “Of credit infinite, highly belov’d, second to none that lives here.”

  second wind Restored energy or strength, enabling one to continue an activity or task. For example, I wasn’t sure how far they’d get in a week, but now they seem to have gotten their second wind and are making good progress painting the mural. This expression, dating from the late 1800s, was at first (and still is) used for returned ease in breathing after becoming out of breath during physical
exertion such as running. It soon began to be ­applied to nonphysical efforts as well.

  secret → See IN SECRET; OPEN SECRET.

  security → In addition to the idiom beginning with SECURITY, also see LULL INTO (A FALSE SENSE OF SECURITY).

  security blanket Something that dispels anxiety, as in I always carry my appointments calender; it’s my security blanket. This colloquial term, dating from about 1960, was at first (and still is) used for the blanket or toy or other object held by a young child to reduce anxiety.

  see → In addition to the idioms beginning with SEE, also see AS FAR AS I CAN SEE; BEGIN TO SEE DAYLIGHT; CAN’T SEE BEYOND THE END OF ONE’S NOSE; CAN’T SEE THE FOREST FOR THE TREES; I’LL BE SEEING YOU; I SEE; LET ME SEE; LONG TIME NO SEE; WAIT AND SEE. Also see under SEEN.

  see about 1. Also, see to. Attend to, take care of, as in I’ll see about the refreshments if you’ll handle the tickets, or Will you see to the outdoor chores? The variant is also put as see to it, as in Yes, I’ll see to it that everything’s done. [First half of 1800s] 2. Investigate, as in I’m not sure, but I’ll see about the cost of renting a van. Also see LOOK INTO.

  see after → See LOOK AFTER.

  see a man about a dog Excuse oneself without giving the real reason for leaving, especially to go to the toilet or have an alcoholic drink. For example, Excuse me, I have to see a man about a dog. This euphemistic term dates from the Prohibition days of the 1920s, when buying liquor was ­illegal, and, after repeal, was transferred to other circumstances.

  see beyond one’s nose → See CAN’T SEE BEYOND THE END OF ONE’S NOSE.

  seed → See RUN TO SEED.

  see daylight → See BEGIN TO SEE DAYLIGHT.

  see double See two images of one object, either as an illusion or owing to some visual aberration, ­especially one caused by intoxication. For example, Those twins look so much alike they make me think I’m seeing double, or One more drink and I’ll be seeing double. This idiom was first recorded in 1628.

  see eye to eye Agree completely, as in I’m so glad we see eye to eye on whom we should pick for ­department head. This expression appears in the Bible (Isaiah 52:8). [c. 1600]

  see fit Deem appropriate, as in He’s entitled to ­divide up his property as he sees fit, or If we see fit to attend, we’ll be there. This expression uses see in the sense of “view as,” a usage dating from about 1325.

  seeing is believing Only physical or concrete evidence is convincing, as in She wrote us that she’s lost twenty pounds, but seeing is believing. This ­idiom was first recorded in this form in 1639.

  seeing that Also, seeing as or seeing as how. In view of, inasmuch as. For example, Seeing that you’re coming anyhow, I decided not to take notes for you, or Seeing as they liked her first book, they were sure to make a good offer for the second one. The first expression was used by Shakespeare in Julius Caesar (2:2): “Seeing that death, a necessary end, will come when it will come.” The variants are colloquialisms and are recorded from the second half of the 1900s, although they probably have been in much longer use orally.

  seeing things Experiencing hallucinations or delusions, as in I thought I saw my father, but I must have been seeing things; he died twenty years ago. [First half of 1900s]

  see into 1. Investigate; see LOOK INTO. 2. Understand the true character or nature of, as in Mother could see into Mary very well and knew exactly what she was up to. Shakespeare used this idiom in 2 Henry VI (3:1): “Well hath your Highness seen into this duke.”

  seek → See PLAY HIDE AND SEEK.

  seen better days, have Be worn out, have fallen into a state of decline, as in This chair has seen better days, or The family business has seen better days. This term was first used by Shakespeare to describe a decline of fortune (Timon of Athens, 4:2) but soon was broadened to describe aging or deterioration in both humans and objects.

  seen one, seen them all One example suffices, as in I’m afraid I don’t care for home movies—seen one, seen them all. This world-weary expression was first recorded in 1811. A newer idiom expressing a very similar view is been there, done that, indicating that it is boring to repeat an experience once it has lost its novelty. For example, No, I don’t wan’t to climb Mount Washington; been there, done that. This idiom was first recorded in Australia in 1983 and was popularized in America in the 1990s through a widely aired commercial for a soft drink.

  see one’s way to Also, see one’s way clear to. Find it possible or feel free to do something, as in Can you see your way to lending me the car for the week? or I finally saw my way clear to taking a vacation in Costa Rica. This expression, which transfers seeing one’s path to something unobstructed, was first recorded in 1774.

  see out 1. Also, see someone out; see someone to the door. Escort someone to the door, as in The butler saw him out, or She refused to see him to the door. This usage was first recorded in Shakespeare’s Coriolanus (3:3): “Come, come, let’s see him out at gates.” Also see SEE SOMEONE OFF. 2. Remain with an undertaking to the end; see SEE THROUGH, def. 2.

  see reason Adopt a sensible course of action, let oneself be persuaded, as in At ninety Grandma ­finally saw reason and gave up driving her car. This expression, which uses reason in the sense of “good sense,” was first recorded in Shakespeare’s 1 Henry IV (1:2).

  see red Become very angry, as in I saw red when I learned they had not invited Tom and his family. The precise allusion in this term is not known, but it probably refers to the longstanding association of the color red with passion and anger. [Colloquial; c. 1900]

  see someone off Take leave of someone, as in We saw our guests off at the door, or They came to the airport to see us off. This expression was first recorded in 1809. Also see SEE OUT, def. 1.

  see stars Perceive flashing lights, especially after a blow to one’s head. For example, A swinging door hit me and I really saw stars. [Late 1800s]

  see the back of Be finished with, as in I hope we’ve seen the back of Betsy; she is terribly rude. This ­idiom transfers literally seeing someone’s back ­because they are leaving to a more figurative and permanent departure. Also see SEE THE LAST OF.

  see the color of one’s money → See COLOR OF ONE’S MONEY.

  see the elephant Experience more than one wants to, learn a hard lesson; also, see combat, especially for the first time. For example, After the ­expedition lost two climbers in an avalanche, they had seen the elephant and turned back, or On his first tour of duty he saw the elephant. This slangy expression, first recorded in 1835, alludes to having seen all the sights one can see, including that rare beast, and returning home unimpressed or disappointed.

  see the last of End one’s dealings with someone or something, as in I hope I’ve seen the last of those boring ice shows, or We haven’t seen the last of Jerry—he’ll be back. [Early 1800s]

  see the light Also, begin to see the light. Understand or begin to understand something; also, see the merit of another’s explanation or decision. For example, Dean had been trying to explain that tax deduction for fifteen minutes when I finally saw the light, or Pat was furious she and her friends were not allowed to go hiking on their own in the mountains, but she began to see the light when a group got lost up there. This term, dating from the late 1600s, originally referred to religious conversion, the light meaning “true religion.” By the early 1800s it was used more broadly for any kind of understanding. Also see LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL; SEE THE LIGHT OF DAY.

  see the light of day Be published, brought out, or born. For example, I wonder if her book will ever see the light of day, or The family reunion was a disaster, and I wish the idea for it had never seen the light of day, or When we visited Pittsburgh, we saw where Mom had first seen the light of day. [Early 1700s]

  see the sights View noteworthy features or objects, especially when visiting a place. For example, It’s impossible to see all the sights of Paris in just a week. [Mid-1700s]

  see things → See SEEING THINGS.

  see through 1.
see through someone or something. Understand the true character or nature of someone or something, as in We saw through his superficial charm: he was obviously a liar. [c. 1400] 2. Also, see out. Remain with an undertaking to the end; also, provide steadfast support to. For example, I saw the reorganization through and then I left the company, or We’ll see out the year in Florida and then decide if the move is permanent, or We’ll see you through medical school but then you’re on your own.

  see through rose-colored glasses Also, look through rose-colored glasses. Take an optimistic view of something, as in Kate enjoys just about every activity; she sees the world through rose-colored glasses, or If only Marvin wouldn’t be so critical, if he could look through rose-colored glasses once in a while, he’d be much happier. The adjectives rosy and rose-colored have been used in the sense of “hopeful” or “optimistic” since the 1700s; the current idiom dates from the 1850s.

  see to Also, see to it. → See under SEE ABOUT.

  see with half an eye Notice the obvious, tell at a glance, as in I could see with half an eye that he was sleeping through the entire concert. This hyperbolic expression, which presumably alludes to an eye that is only half-open, was first recorded in 1579.

  seize on Also, seize upon. 1. Grab or take hold of suddenly, as in He seized on the bell rope and started to pull vigorously, or She seized upon every opportunity to present her side of the story. [Late 1600s] 2. Resort to some action, especially out of dire necessity, as in He seized upon any excuse, no matter how farfetched.

  seize up Come to a halt, as in The peace talks seized up and were not rescheduled. Originally, from about 1870 on, this term was applied to a machine of some kind that jammed or locked, owing to excessive heat or friction. Its figurative use dates from about 1950.

  sell → In addition to the idioms beginning with SELL, also see HARD SELL; LIKE HOT CAKES, SELL.

  sell a bill of goods Deceive, swindle, take unfair advantage of, as in He was just selling you a bill of goods when he said he worked as a secret agent, or Watch out if anyone says he wants to trade bikes with you; he’s apt to be selling you a bill of goods. The bill of goods here means “a dishonest offer.” [c. 1920]

 

‹ Prev