The American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms

by Christine Ammer

  top banana Also, top dog; top gun. The principal person in a group, organization, or undertaking, as in His plan was to be top banana within ten years, or Now that she’s top dog you can’t get hold of her at all. The first term comes from show business, where from the early 1900s it has signified the leading comedian (possibly the original allusion was to Frank Lebowitz, a burlesque comedian who used bananas in his act). It also gave rise to second banana, for a supporting actor, usually a straight man. Both were transferred to more general use in the second half of the 1900s, as in executive Peter Barton’s statement, “There is a certain pain to being a second banana, but you have to have an ability to sublimate your ego,” quoted in the New York Times, May 15, 1996. The second variant, top dog, originated in sports in the late 1800s and signified the odds-on favorite or winner in a contest; it alludes to the dog who wins (comes out on top) in a dogfight. The third variant originated in the military in the late 1900s. In the 1990s it was a nickname for General Colin Powell, chairman of the joint chiefs of staff.

  top brass → See under BRASS HAT.

  top dog → See TOP BANANA.

  top dollar The highest price, as in They’ll have to pay top dollar at that resort. [Second half of 1900s]

  top drawer Of the highest quality, importance, or rank, as in The musicians in this pick-up orchestra were top drawer. It probably alludes to the uppermost drawer in a bureau or chest, where the most valuable objects (such as jewelry) are usually kept. [c. 1900]

  to pieces Into fragments, disorganized, or confused, as in I tore his argument to pieces. This metaphoric term has been so used since about 1600. Also see GO TO PIECES; PICK APART (TO PIECES); THRILL TO PIECES.

  top off 1. Fill a container, especially when it is almost full to begin with. For example, I don’t need much gas; just top off the tank, please. [First half of 1900s] 2. Finish, especially in a spectacular way, as in They topped off their trip with a visit to the White House. [First half of 1800s]

  top out 1. Complete the top portion of a building, as in They were scheduled to top out the dome next week. This idiom was first recorded in 1834. 2. Fill up a ship or complete its cargo, as in The ship was topped out with scrap iron. This idiom was first recorded in 1940. 3. Cease rising, as in Interest rates topped out at 10 percent. [Second half of 1900s] 4. Retire just as one becomes very successful, as in He decided that at sixty it was time to top out. [Colloquial; second half of 1900s]

  top to toe → See FROM HEAD TO TOE.

  torch → See CARRY A TORCH FOR; PASS THE TORCH.

  to rights → See DEAD TO RIGHTS; SET TO RIGHTS.

  torn between, be Be distracted by two conflicting choices, be in a dilemma, as in I’m torn between going to the mountains or going to the seashore; each appeals to me. This idiom was first recorded in 1871.

  to save one’s life Even if one’s life depended on it, as in I couldn’t eat another bite to save my life, or Betty wouldn’t climb a mountain to save her life. This hyperbolic expression nearly always follows a negative statement that one wouldn’t or couldn’t do something. Anthony Trollope used a slightly different wording in The Kellys and the O’Kellys (1848): “I shan’t remain long, if it was to save my life and theirs; I can’t get up small talk for the rector and his curate.”

  to say nothing of → See under NOT TO MENTION.

  to say the least Not to exaggerate, as in When the ring turned up in the lost and found, she was ­delighted, to say the least. This idiom was first recorded in 1809.

  to some degree Also, to a certain degree; to some or a certain extent; to a degree or an extent. Somewhat, in a way, as in To some degree we’ll have to compromise, or To an extent it’s a matter of adjusting to the colder climate. The use of degree in these terms, all used in the same way, dates from the first half of the 1700s, and extent from the mid-1800s.

  to spare In addition to what is needed, extra, left over, as in We paid our bills and still had money to spare. This expression uses spare in the sense of “leftover” or “unused,” a usage dating from the late 1500s.

  to speak of Worth mentioning; see NOTHING TO SPEAK OF; NOT TO MENTION.

  toss → In addition to the idioms beginning with TOSS, also see THROW AWAY (TOSS OUT); THROW (TOSS) ONE’S HAT IN THE RING.

  toss off 1. Do readily or without effort, as in ­Asimov was amazing, tossing off book after book. [Mid-1800s] 2. Also, toss down. Consume quickly, especially a drink in one draft. For example, He tossed off the beer and headed for the door, or She tossed down one glass after another. [Late 1500s]

  toss one’s cookies Vomit, as in A roller-coaster ride may make her toss her cookies. This slangy euphemism dates from the first half of the 1900s.

  to start with Also, to begin with. In the first place, initially, as in We’ll notify him by e-mail to start with, or To begin with, they haven’t paid their taxes in years. The first term dates from the second half of the 1800s, the variant from the mid-1500s. Also see FOR OPENERS.

  totem → See LOW MAN ON THE TOTEM POLE.

  to that effect With that basic or general meaning, as in He said he was very worried, or words to that effect. This term is also put as to the effect that when introducing a clause, as in She was a little vague but said something to the effect that she’d repay the loan very soon. [Mid-1600s]

  to the best of To the utmost extent of, especially of one’s ability, knowledge, or power. For example, I’m sure he’ll do it to the best of his ability, or To the best of my knowledge, they arrive tomorrow. [c. 1500]

  to the bitter end → See BITTER END.

  to the bone → See CHILLED TO THE BONE; CUT TO THE BONE; WORK ONE’S FINGERS TO THE BONE.

  to the contrary To the opposite effect, in denial, as in No matter what they say to the contrary, I am positive that he was present. This idiom was first recorded in 1512. Also see ON THE CONTRARY.

  to the core → See ROTTEN TO THE CORE.

  to the effect that → See TO THAT EFFECT.

  to the ends of the earth → See ENDS OF THE EARTH.

  to the fore In into, or toward a position of prominence, as in A new virtuoso pianist has come to the fore. [First half of 1800s]

  to the full Also, to the fullest. To the maximum extent, completely, as in He had always lived life to the full. [Late 1300s]

  to the good Also, all to the good. To an advantage or profit, as in We’ve got extra material and that’s all to the good, I think. This idiom was first recorded in 1882.

  to the hilt Also, up to the hilt. Completely, to the maximum degree, as in The house was mortgaged up to the hilt. This idiom alludes to the handle (hilt) of a sword, the only portion that remains out when the weapon is plunged all the way in. The figurative use of the term was first recorded in 1687.

  to the last To the end, especially to the end of one’s life. For example, The defenders held out to the last but the bombs finished them. [c. 1600]

  to the letter Precisely, as in If you follow the directions to the letter, you can’t go wrong. Letter here refers to the exact terms of some statement. [c. 1800]

  to the life Resembling exactly, as in She’s her sister to the life, or The play’s so realistic; the murder is acted out to the life. This idiom uses life in the sense of “a lifelike semblance.” [c. 1600]

  to the manner born Accustomed from birth to a particular behavior or lifestyle, as in At a high-­society function she behaves as though to the manner born, but we know she came from very humble circumstances. This term was invented by Shakespeare in Hamlet. Referring to the King’s carousing in Danish style, Hamlet says (1:4): “Though I am native here and to the manner born, it is a custom more honor’d in the breach than the observance.” The manner in this expression was later sometimes changed to manor, “the main house of an estate,” and the idiom’s sense became equated with “high-born” (and therefore accustomed to luxury), a way in which it is often used today.

  to the nines To perfection, to the highest degree; see under DRESSED TO KILL.

  to the nth
degree To the utmost, as in They’d decked out the house to the nth degree. This expression comes from mathematics, where to the nth means “to any required power” (n standing for any number). It was first recorded in 1852.

  to the point 1. Relevant, concerning the matter at hand, as in Her remarks were brief and to the point, or He rambled on and on, never speaking to the point. [Early 1800s] For an antonym, see BESIDE THE POINT. 2. Concerning the important or essential issue, as in More to the point, she hasn’t any money. This usage is often put as come or get to the point, meaning “address the important issue.” For example, Please come to the point; we haven’t much time, or Do you suppose he’ll ever get to the point of all this? [Late 1300s]

  to the teeth 1. Completely, fully, as in Obviously new to skiing, they were equipped to the teeth with the latest gear. This idiom dates from the late 1300s. Also see ARMED TO THE TEETH; FED TO THE GILLS. 2. Also, up to the or one’s teeth. Fully committed, as in We’re in this collaboration up to our teeth. [First half of 1900s] Both of these hyperbolic usages allude to being fully covered or immersed in something up to one’s teeth.

  to the tune of To the sum or extent of, as in They had profits to the tune of about $20 million. This ­idiom transfers tune, a succession of musical tones, to a succession of figures. [First half of 1700s]

  to the victor belong the spoils The winner gets everything, as in He not only won the tournament but ended up with numerous lucrative endorsements—to the victor belong the spoils. This expression alludes to the spoils system of American politics, whereby the winner of an election gives desirable jobs to party supporters. [First half of 1800s]

  to the wall → See BACK TO THE WALL; GO TO THE WALL.

  touch → In addition to the idioms beginning with TOUCH, also see COMMON TOUCH; FINISHING TOUCH; HIT (TOUCH) BOTTOM; IN TOUCH; LOSE ONE’S TOUCH; LOSE TOUCH; NOT TOUCH WITH A TEN-FOOT POLE; OUT OF TOUCH; PUT THE ARM (TOUCH) ON; SOFT TOUCH.

  touch and go Extremely uncertain or risky, as in It was touch and go after the surgery; we were not sure he’d survive it, or It was touch and go but they finally gave me a seat on the plane. This idiom implies that a mere touch may cause a calamity. [Early 1800s]

  touch base with Make contact or renew communications with, as in I’ll try to touch base with you when I’m in Ohio, or The candidate touched base with every ethnic group in the city. This idiom comes from baseball, where a runner must touch each base without being tagged before a run can be scored.

  touch bottom Reach the lowest point, as in During the recession the economists kept saying that we hadn’t touched bottom yet. This metaphor for reaching the ground under a body of water has been used since the mid-1800s.

  touch down Land on the ground, as in The spacecraft touched down on schedule. This idiom was first recorded in 1935.

  touched by, be Also, be touched with. Be affected by some emotion, especially a tender feeling like gratitude, pity, or sympathy. For example, She was very touched by his concern for her welfare. This idiom alludes to touching or reaching one’s heart, the seat of emotions. [First half of 1300s]

  touched in the head Also, touched. A little bit crazy, somewhat deranged, as in I think the war left him a little touched in the head. [Late 1800s]

  touch off 1. Cause to explode or fire; also, initiate, trigger. For example, The boys touched off a whole line of firecrackers, or These disclosures will touch off a public uproar. This idiom comes from early firearms, which were set off by putting a light to the touch-hole. Its figurative use dates from the late 1800s. 2. Depict very precisely, as in He touched off Teddy Roosevelt as well as it’s ever been done. [Mid-1700s]

  touch on Also, touch upon. 1. Mention briefly or casually in passing, as in He barely touched on the subject of immigration. [First half of 1600s] 2. Approach closely, verge on, as in This frenzy touched on clinical insanity. [Early 1800s]

  touch up Make minor changes or improvements, as in This wall needs some touching up but not complete repainting. [Early 1700s]

  tough → In addition to the idioms beginning with TOUGH, also see GET TOUGH WITH; GUT (TOUGH) IT OUT; HANG TOUGH; HARD (TOUGH) ACT TO FOLLOW; HARD (TOUGH) NUT TO CRACK.

  tough break Also, tough luck. A trying or troublesome circumstance, bad luck, as in He got a tough break when he was denied a raise, or Tough luck for the team last night. This idiom uses tough in the sense of “difficult,” a usage dating from the early 1600s. The variant is also used as a sarcastic interjection, as in So you didn’t make straight A’s—tough luck! A slangy variant of this interjection is tough beans, and a ruder version is tough shit. [Colloquial; c. 1900]

  tough it out → See GUT IT OUT.

  tough nut → See HARD NUT TO CRACK.

  tough row to hoe Also, hard row to hoe. A difficult course, hard work to accomplish, as in He knew he’d have a tough row to hoe by running against this popular incumbent. [First half of 1800s]

  tough sledding Difficult work or progress, as in This bill faces tough sledding in the legislature. This idiom transfers the route on which a sled can travel to other kinds of progress toward a goal. It was first recorded as hard sledding in 1839. For the antonym, see EASY SLEDDING.

  tow → See IN TOW.

  to wake the dead, loud enough Very loud, as in That band is loud enough to wake the dead. This hyperbolic expression dates from the mid-1800s.

  toward → See GO A LONG WAY TOWARD.

  towel → See CRYING TOWEL; THROW IN THE SPONGE (TOWEL).

  tower → In addition to the idiom beginning with TOWER, also see IVORY TOWER

  tower of strength A dependable person on whom one can lean in time of trouble, as in After Dad died Grandma was a tower of strength for the whole family. This expression, first recorded in 1549, originally was used most often to refer to God and heaven, but Shakespeare had it differently in Richard III (5:3): “Besides, the King’s name is a tower of strength.”

  to whom it may concern To the appropriate recipient for this message, as in I didn’t know who was responsible for these complaints so I just addressed it “to whom it may concern.” This phrase is a formula used in letters, testimonials, and the like when one does not know the name of the proper person to address. [Second half of 1800s]

  to windward Toward an advantageous position, as in We were hoping to get to windward of the situation. This expression transfers the nautical meaning of the phrase, “move in the direction from which the wind blows,” to other kinds of undertaking. Its figurative use dates from the late 1700s.

  to wit That is to say, namely, as in There are three good reasons for not going, to wit, we don’t want to, we don’t have to, and we can’t get a reservation. This expression comes from the now archaic verb to wit, meaning “know or be aware of,” not heard except in this usage. [Late 1500s]

  town → In addition to the idiom beginning with TOWN, also see ALL OVER THE PLACE (TOWN); GHOST TOWN; GO TO TOWN; MAN ABOUT TOWN; ONE-HORSE TOWN; ONLY GAME IN TOWN; ON THE TOWN; OUT OF TOWN; PAINT THE TOWN RED; TALK OF THE TOWN.

  town and gown The inhabitants of a college or university town and the students and personnel of the college, as in There used to be friction between town and gown but the new parking lots have eased it. The gown in this expression alludes to the academic robes traditional in British universities. [Early 1800s]

  toy with 1. Amuse oneself idly with, trifle, as in He teased her, toying with her as a cat toys with a mouse. [Early 1500s] 2. Treat casually or without seriousness, as in I’m toying with the idea of writing a novel. [Early 1800s]

  traces → See KICK OVER THE TRACES.

  track → In addition to the idioms beginning with TRACK, also see COVER ONE’S TRACKS; DROP IN ONE’S TRACKS; FAST TRACK; FOLLOW IN SOMEONE’S FOOTSTEPS (TRACKS); INSIDE TRACK; JUMP THE TRACK; KEEP (LOSE) TRACK; MAKE TRACKS; OFF THE BEATEN TRACK; OFF THE TRACK; ONE-TRACK MIND; ON THE RIGHT TACK (TRACK); RIGHT SIDE OF THE TRACKS; STOP COLD (IN ONE’S TRACKS).

  track down Follow successfully, locate, as in I’ve been trying to track down
that book but haven’t had any luck. This term alludes to the literal use of track, “follow the footsteps of.” [Second half of 1800s]

  track record A record of actual performance or achievements, as in This applicant has an excellent track record. This term probably comes from horse racing, where it signifies the best time a horse has ever achieved at a particular track or over a particular distance. However, some believe it alludes to track and field records. Its figurative use dates from the late 1940s.

  trade → In addition to the idioms beginning with TRADE, also see TRICKS OF THE TRADE.

  trade down Exchange for something of lower value or price, as in They bought a smaller boat, trading down for the sake of economy. Similarly, trade up means “make an exchange for something of higher value or price,” as in They traded up to a larger house. [First half of 1900s]

  trade in Give or sell an old or used item and apply the value or proceeds to a new item. For example, Some people prefer to trade in their old car to the dealer, but we feel we’ll do better by simply selling it. [First half of 1900s]

  trade off Exchange one thing for another, especially as a compromise. For example, They were willing to trade off some vacation for the freedom to work flexible hours. This idiom gave rise to tradeoff for “an exchange.” [First half of 1800s]

  trade on Profit by, exploit, as in The children of celebrities often trade on their family names. [Late 1800s]

  trade up → See under TRADE DOWN.

  trail → See BLAZE A TRAIL.

  train → In addition to the idiom beginning with TRAIN, also see GRAVY TRAIN.

  train of thought A succession of connected ideas, a path of reasoning, as in You’ve interrupted my train of thought; now what was I saying? This idiom, which uses train in the sense of “an orderly sequence,” was first recorded in 1651, in philosopher Thomas Hobbes’s Leviathan.

  trap → See FALL INTO A TRAP; MIND LIKE A STEEL TRAP.