The American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms
Page 129
war → In addition to the idioms beginning with WAR, also see ALL’S FAIR IN LOVE AND WAR; AT WAR; BEEN TO THE WARS; DECLARE WAR ON; TUG OF WAR.
ward off 1. Turn aside, parry, as in He tried to ward off her blows. [Second half of 1500s] 2. Try to prevent, avert, as in She took vitamin C to ward off a cold. [Mid-1700s]
war horse → See under GOLDEN OLDIE.
warm → In addition to the idioms beginning with WARM, also see COLD HANDS, WARM HEART; LOOK LIKE DEATH (WARMED OVER).
warm as toast Comfortably warm, as in It was freezing outside, but we were warm as toast in front of the fire. Despite the British custom of serving toasted bread in a rack that rapidly cools it, this idiom originated in England, at first as hot as toast (c. 1430) and by the mid-1800s in its present form.
warm heart → See COLD HANDS, WARM HEART.
warm the bench Also, ride the bench. Be a secondary or substitute participant; wait one’s turn to participate. For example, I can’t wait till the head of accounting retires; I’ve been warming the bench for years. This expression comes from such sports as baseball and football, and their standard practice of having substitute players sit on a bench in case they are needed in a game. [Slang; early 1900s]
warm the cockles of one’s heart Gratify one, make one feel good, as in It warms the cockles of my heart to see them getting along so well. This expression uses a corruption of the Latin name for the heart’s ventricles, cochleae cordis. [Second half of 1600s]
warm up 1. Prepare for exercise or an athletic event by stretching or practicing beforehand, as in It’s important to warm up before you play any sport. The idiom is also applied to musicians getting ready to perform. [Late 1800s] 2. Make enthusiastic, excited, or animated, as in He was good at warming up an audience for the main speaker. [Mid-1800s] 3. Also, warm up to. Become friendlier or more receptive toward, as in I had a hard time warming up to my mother-in-law. [Early 1800s] 4. Reach a temperature high enough to work efficiently, as in I’ll go out and warm up the car. [Mid-1900s] 5. Reheat food, as in If we warm up the leftovers, we’ll have enough for everyone [Mid-1800s] 6. Approach a state of violence or confrontation, as in Racial tension was rapidly warming up. Also see HEAT UP.
warm welcome A hearty, hospitable reception or greeting, as in We got a very warm welcome when we finally arrived. This expression, dating from the mid-1700s, should not be confused with the similar warm reception, which from about 1700 signified a hostile welcome, as in His rivals were planning a warm reception for him.
war of nerves A conflict characterized by psychological pressure such as threats and rumors, aiming to undermine an enemy’s morale. For example, Her lawyer said the university had waged a war of nerves to persuade his client to resign. This expression alludes to tactics used in World War II. [Late 1930s]
warp → In addition to the idiom beginning with WARP, also see TIME WARP.
warp and woof The underlying structure or foundation of something, as in He foresaw great changes in the warp and woof of the nation’s economy. This expression, used figuratively since the second half of the 1500s, alludes to the threads that run lengthwise (warp) and crosswise (woof) in a woven fabric.
warpath → See ON THE WARPATH.
warrant → See SIGN ONE’S OWN DEATH WARRANT.
warts and all Including all blemishes, faults, and shortcomings, as in Rather unwisely, they decided to buy the house, warts and all. This expression supposedly alludes to Oliver Cromwell’s instruction to portrait painter Sir Peter Lely to “remark all these roughness, pimples, warts, and everything as you see me, otherwise I will never pay a farthing for it.” [First half of 1600s]
wash → In addition to the idioms beginning with WASH, also see COME OUT IN THE WASH; WON’T WASH.
wash down 1. Clean by washing from top to bottom, as in He always washes down the walls before painting. [Second half of 1800s] 2. Drink a liquid after eating food or taking medicine, as in He washed down the pills with a glass of water. [c. 1600]
washed out Faded in color; also, lacking animation. For example, This carpet is all washed out from the sun, or He looks all washed out. [Late 1700s; early 1800s] Also see WASH OUT, def. 3.
washed up → See WASH UP, def. 3.
wash one’s dirty linen in public Also air one’s dirty linen or laundry. Expose private matters to public view, especially unsavory secrets. These metaphors are reworkings of a French proverb, Il faut laver son linge sale en famille (“One should wash one’s dirty linen at home”), which was quoted by Napoleon on his return from Elba (1815). It was first recorded in English in 1867.
wash one’s hands of Refuse to accept responsibility for; abandon or renounce. For example, I’ve done all I can for him, and now I’m washing my hands of him. This expression alludes to Pontius Pilate’s washing his hands before having Jesus put to death, saying “I am innocent of the blood of this just person” (Matthew 27:24).
wash out 1. Remove or be removed by washing; also, cause to fade by laundering. For example, Give it to me; I’ll wash out that stain, or The bleach has really washed out that bright print. [Mid-1700s] 2. Wear away or be worn away by the flow of water, as in The river rose and washed out the dam, or The road has completely washed out. [Mid-1700s] 3. Deplete or be depleted of energy, as in Working on her feet all day just washed her out, or I just washed out after that long tennis match. [Mid-1800s] 4. Eliminate or be eliminated as unsatisfactory, as in He washed out of medical school after just one year, or After only two months as chairman I washed out. [Colloquial; early 1900s] 5. Cancel owing to bad weather, as in The picnic was washed out. [Colloquial; early 1900s] Also see WASHED OUT.
wash up 1. Wash one’s hands and face, as in It’s time to wash up for dinner. [First half of 1900s] Also see CLEAN UP, def. 2. 2. Clean the utensils after a meal, as in I’ll cook dinner if you promise to wash up. [Mid-1700s] Also see DO THE DISHES. 3. Bring about the end or ruin of; finish. This usage is often used put in the passive, be washed up, as in She’s all washed up as a singer. [Colloquial; early 1900s]
waste → In addition to the idioms beginning with WASTE, also see GO TO WASTE; HASTE MAKES WASTE; LAY WASTE.
waste away Lose energy and vigor, become enfeebled and weak, as in She was wasting away before our eyes. [Late 1300s]
waste not, want not Wise use of one’s resources will keep one from poverty. For example, I just hate to throw out good food—waste not, want not. This proverbial saying was first recorded in 1772 but had an earlier, even more alliterative version, willful waste makes woeful want (1576).
waste one’s breath Speak in vain (because no one agrees), as in Don’t waste your breath complaining to the supervisor—it won’t help. This notion was first recorded about 1400 as wasting words. The exact idiom was first recorded in 1667. Also see SAVE ONE’S BREATH.
watch → In addition to the idioms beginning with WATCH, also see KEEP WATCH; LOOK (WATCH) OUT; ON THE LOOKOUT (WATCH).
watched pot never boils, a Anxious waiting does not speed up matters, as in Stop running downstairs for every mail delivery—a watched pot never boils, you know. This hyperbolic adage reflects the experience of anyone who has ever been in a hurry to bring water to a boil, which eventually occurs but can seem to take forever. [Mid-1800s]
watch it Also, watch out. Be careful, as in Watch it as you go down that ladder, or Watch out, there are a lot of cars on this road. The first term dates from the early 1900s, the variant from the mid-1800s. Also see LOOK OUT.
watch like a hawk Observe very closely, as in I was watching him like a hawk, but I never did see him take your wallet. This simile alludes to the hawk’s exceptionally keen sight.
watch my dust Also, watch my smoke. See how fast I am, or how quickly I’ll succeed. For example, I’m going to turn that investment into my first million, just you watch my dust, or I’ll make it, just watch my smoke. The first term alludes to the dust raised by a galloping horse, the second to the smoke generated by an engine. [Colloquial; late 1800s]
watc
h one’s step Exercise caution, as in You’d better watch your step talking to them about a merger. Often put as an admonition, this phrase transfers taking care in walking to other kinds of caution. [First half of 1900s]
watch out → See LOOK OUT; WATCH IT.
watch over Guard for protection or safekeeping, as in There were only two aides watching over that large group of children. This idiom was first recorded in 1526.
water → In addition to the idioms beginning with WATER, also see BACK WATER; BLOOD IS THICKER THAN WATER; BLOW OUT (OF THE WATER); COME ON IN (THE WATER’S FINE); DEAD IN THE WATER; FISH IN TROUBLED WATERS; FISH OUT OF WATER; HEAD ABOVE WATER; HELL OR HIGH WATER; HIGH-WATER MARK; HOLD WATER; HOT WATER; IN DEEP (WATER); KEEP ONE’S HEAD (ABOVE WATER); LIKE WATER OFF A DUCK’S BACK; MAKE ONE’S MOUTH WATER; MUDDY THE WATERS; OF THE FIRST WATER; POUR COLD WATER ON; POUR OIL ON TROUBLED WATERS; STILL WATERS RUN DEEP; TAKE TO (IT LIKE A DUCK TO WATER); THROW OUT THE BABY WITH THE BATH WATER; TREAD WATER; YOU CAN LEAD A HORSE TO WATER BUT YOU CAN’T MAKE IT DRINK.
water down Dilute or weaken, as in He watered down that unfavorable report with feeble excuses. [Mid-1800s]
waterfront → See COVER THE FIELD (WATERFRONT).
Waterloo → See MEET ONE’S WATERLOO.
water over the dam Also, water under the bridge. Something that is over and done with, especially an unfortunate occurrence. For example, Last year’s problems with delivery are water over the dam, or Never mind that old quarrel; that’s water under the bridge. These metaphoric phrases allude to water that has flowed over a spillway or under a bridge and thus is gone forever. The first term was first recorded in 1797; the variant dates from the late 1800s.
waterworks → See TURN ON THE WATERWORKS.
wave → See MAKE WAVES.
wax → In addition to the idiom beginning with WAX, also see WHOLE BALL OF WAX.
wax and wane Increase and decrease, as in size, number, strength, or intensity, as in Enrollments in these programs wax and wane from year to year. This expression alludes to the phases of the moon, with its periodic changes in size. It was first recorded in the 1300s.
way → In addition to the idioms beginning with WAY, also see ALL THE WAY; BY THE WAY; BY WAY OF; CAN’T PUNCH ONE’S WAY OUT OF A PAPER BAG; COME A LONG WAY; COME ONE’S WAY; CUT BOTH WAYS; DOWNHILL ALL THE WAY; EVERY WHICH WAY; FEEL ONE’S WAY; FIND ONE’S WAY; FROM WAY BACK; GET ONE’S WAY; GIVE WAY; GO ALL THE WAY; GO A LONG WAY TOWARD; GO ONE’S WAY; GO OUT OF ONE’S WAY; GO THE WAY OF ALL FLESH; HARD WAY; HAVE A WAY WITH; HAVE IT BOTH WAYS; HAVE ONE’S WAY WITH; IN A BAD WAY; IN A BIG WAY; IN A WAY; IN ONE’S WAY; IN THE FAMILY WAY; IN THE WAY; IN THE WORST WAY; KNOW ALL THE ANSWERS (ONE’S WAY AROUND); LAUGH ALL THE WAY TO THE BANK; LEAD THE WAY; LOOK THE OTHER WAY; MAKE ONE’S WAY; MAKE WAY; MEND ONE’S WAYS; MORE THAN ONE WAY TO SKIN A CAT; NOT BUILT THAT WAY; NO TWO WAYS ABOUT IT; NO WAY; ONE WAY OR ANOTHER; ON ONE’S WAY; ON THE WAY; ON THE WAY OUT; OTHER WAY ROUND; OUT OF THE WAY; PARTING OF THE WAYS; PAVE THE WAY; PAY ONE’S WAY; PICK ONE’S WAY; PUT IN THE WAY OF; RIGHT OF WAY; RUB THE WRONG WAY; SEE ONE’S WAY TO; SET IN ONE’S WAYS; SHOW THE WAY; TAKE THE WRONG WAY; THAT’S HOW (THE WAY) THE BALL BOUNCES; UNDER WAY; WEND ONE’S WAY; WORK ONE’S WAY.
wayside → See FALL BY THE WAYSIDE.
way the wind blows, which Also, how the wind blows. How matters stand, as in Let’s see which way the wind blows before we decide, or He’s going to find out how the wind blows concerning a promotion. This metaphoric term for the course of events first appeared in John Heywood’s proverb collection of 1546.
way to go Well done, as in That was a great lecture—way to go! This exclamation of approval and encouragement originated in sports, addressed to athletes who are performing well. In the 1960s it began to be used for any kind of achievement.
wazoo → See under UP TO ONE’S EARS.
weak → In addition to the idioms beginning with WEAK, also see SPIRIT IS WILLING BUT THE FLESH IS WEAK.
weak as a kitten Feeble and fragile, as in After that bout with flu she was weak as a kitten. This simile has largely replaced weak as a cat, from the early 1800s.
weak link The least dependable member of a group, as in The shipping department, slow in getting out orders, is our weak link in customer service, or They’re all very capable designers except for Ron, who is clearly the weak link. This expression alludes to the fragile portion of a chain, where it is most likely to break. [Mid-1800s]
weak moment, in a At a time of weakness or little resistance, as in In a weak moment I agreed to let our son rent a truck.
weakness → See HAVE A WEAKNESS FOR.
wear → In addition to the idioms beginning with WEAR, also see HAIR SHIRT, WEAR A; IF THE SHOE FITS, WEAR IT; NONE THE WORSE FOR (WEAR); WORSE FOR WEAR.
wear and tear Damage and deterioration resulting from ordinary use and exposure, as in This sofa shows a lot of wear and tear; we should replace it. [Second half of 1600s]
wear another hat Also, wear a different hat or two hats; wear more than one hat. Function in a different or more than one capacity or position, as in I’m wearing another hat today; yesterday I was a housewife, today I’m an attorney, or I wear two hats—are you asking me as a member of the city council or as a storeowner? This metaphoric expression alludes to headgear worn for different occupations. [Mid-1900s]
wear down Diminish, weaken, or tire by relentless pressure, as in The heels of these shoes are quite worn down, or Her constant nagging about getting a new car wore down his resistance. [First half of 1800s]
wear off Diminish gradually, lose effectiveness, as in We’ll wait till the drug wears off. [Late 1600s]
wear one’s heart on one’s sleeve Also, pin one’s heart on one’s sleeve. Openly show one’s feelings, especially amorous ones. For example, You can’t help but see how he feels about her; he wears his heart on his sleeve. This expression alludes to the former custom of tying a woman’s favor to her lover’s sleeve, thereby announcing their attachment. Shakespeare had it in Othello (1:1): “But I will wear my heart upon my sleeve for daws to peck at.”
wear out 1. Become or cause to become unusable through long or heavy use, as in She wears out her shoes in no time, or The coupling in this device has worn out. [Early 1400s] 2. Exhaust, tire, as in I was worn out from packing all those books. Also see TIRED OUT. [First half of 1500s]
wear out one’s welcome Visit for longer than one’s host wants, as in She wanted to stay another few days but feared she would wear out her welcome. This expression uses wear out in the sense of “exhaust” or “use up.” [Mid-1800s]
wear the pants Exercise controlling authority in a household, as in Grandma wears the pants at our house. This idiom, generally applied to women and dating from the mid-1500s, a time when they wore only skirts, equates pants with an authoritative and properly masculine role. Originally put as wear the breeches, it remains in use despite current fashions.
wear thin 1. Be weakened or diminished gradually, as in My patience is wearing thin. [Late 1800s] 2. Become less convincing, acceptable, or popular, as in His excuses are wearing thin. [First half of 1900s] Both usages transfer the thinning of a physical object, such as cloth, to nonmaterial characteristics.
wear two hats → See WEAR ANOTHER HAT.
wear well Last under continual or hard use; also, withstand criticism or the test of time. For example, These boots have worn well, or His poetry wears well. [Mid-1500s]
weasel out Back out of a situation or commitment, especially in a sneaky way. For example, I’d love to weasel out of serving on the board. This expression alludes to the stealthy hunting and nesting habits of the weasel, a small, slender-bodied predator. [Colloquial; mid-1900s]
weasel word A word used to deprive a statement of its force or evade a direct commitment, as in Calling it “organized spontaneity” is using a weasel word; “organized” has sucked the meaning out of “spontaneity.” This idiom may allude to the weasel’s habit of sucking the contents out of a bird’s egg, so that only the sh
ell remains. [Late 1800s]
weather → In addition to the idiom beginning with WEATHER, also see FAIR-WEATHER FRIEND; HEAVY GOING (WEATHER); KEEP A WEATHER EYE OUT; UNDER THE WEATHER.
weather the storm Survive difficulties, as in If she can just weather the storm of that contract violation, she’ll be fine. This expression alludes to a ship coming safely through bad weather. [Mid-1600s]
weave in and out Move by twisting and turning or winding in and out, as in The motorcycle wove in and out of traffic, leaving us far behind. This expression is a redundancy, since weave literally means “intertwine strands of thread.”
wedding → See SHOTGUN WEDDING.
wedge → See THIN EDGE OF THE WEDGE.
wedlock → See OUT OF WEDLOCK.
weed out Eliminate as inferior, unsuited, or unwanted, as in She was asked to weed out the unqualified applicants. This expression transfers removing weeds from a garden to removing unwanted elements from other enterprises. [First half of 1500s]
wee hours → See SMALL HOURS.
weep buckets Cry copiously, as in That sad tale of unrequited love always made her weep buckets. [Colloquial]
weeper → See under FINDERS KEEPERS.
weigh down Burden, oppress, as in Their problems have weighed them down. This expression transfers bowing under a physical weight to emotional burdens. [c. 1600]
weigh in Be weighed; also, be of a particular weight. For example, Because it was such a small plane, the passengers and their luggage had to weigh in before takeoff, or The fish weighed in at 18 pounds. [Late 1800s]
weigh on Also, weigh upon. Depress, as in His criticism weighed on her, or The long silence began to weigh upon us. This idiom was first recorded in 1775.
weigh one’s words Speak or write with deliberation or considerable care, as in The doctor weighed his words as he explained her illness. This term was first recorded in 1340.
weight → See BY WEIGHT; CARRY WEIGHT; DEAD WEIGHT; PULL ONE’S WEIGHT; PUT ON WEIGHT; THROW ONE’S WEIGHT AROUND; WORTH ONE’S WEIGHT IN GOLD.