The Oxford Dictionary of Idioms

Idioms

Edited by Judith Siefring

OXPORD UNIVERSITY PRESS OXFORD UNIVERSITY PRESS Great Clarendon Street, Oxford 0x2 6DP Oxford University Press is a department of the University of Oxford. It furthers the University's objective of excellence in research, scholarship, and education by publishing worldwide in Oxford New York Auckland Bangkok Buenos Aires Cape Town Chennai Dar es Salaam Delhi Hong Kong Istanbul Karachi Kolkata Kuala Lumpur Madrid Melbourne Mexico City Mumbai Nairobi Sào Paulo Shanghai Taipei Tokyo Toronto Oxford is a registered trade mark of Oxford University Press in the UK and in certain other countries Published in the United States by Oxford University Press Inc., New York © Oxford University Press 1999, 2004 The moral rights of the author have been asserted Database right Oxford University Press (maker) First published 1999 Second edition 2004 All rights reserved. No part of this publication maybe reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, without the prior permission in writing of Oxford University Press, or as expressly permitted by law, or under terms agreed with the appropriate reprographics rights organization. Enquiries concerning reproduction outside the scope of the above should be sent to the Rights Department, Oxford University Press, at the address above You must not circulate this book in any other binding or cover and you must impose this same condition on any acquirer British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data Data available Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data Data available ISBN 0-19-852711-X 1 Designed by Jane Stevenson Typeset in Swift and Frutiger by Kolam Information Services India Printed in Great Britain by Clays Ltd. Contents

Preface vii

Dictionary of Idioms 1

Index 323

Preface

The aim of the Oxford Dictionary of Idioms is to provide clear definitions of phrases and sayings for those who do not know what they mean, but also to offer the curious reader interesting facts about the origins of phrases and examples of their use. This second edition of the Oxford Dictionary of Idioms is based on the first edition, edited by Jennifer Speake. It maintains the first edition's focus on contemporary and historical phrases, sayings, and proverbs, and uses a combination of definition and (where required) explanatory note and illustrative quotation to provide a rounded picture of idiomatic usage. The coverage of the previous edition has been extended by the inclusion of more than 350 new idioms, and a great many contemporary illustrative quotations have also been added. These quotations have been taken from a variety of sources: from novels to travel guides, broadsheet newspapers to teenage magazines. They help to give the reader a better understanding of how an idiom is used: a typical context, a certain tone, or a particular resonance. The formation of new phrases and sayings is one of the most colourful aspects of language development, and by adding idioms such as chew the scenery, be in like Flynn, and give someone the hairy eyeball, and quotations from the likes of Anthony Bourdain, Arundhati Roy, Melvin Burgess, and Tom Clancy, the new edition hopes to reflect this colour. A new index section at the end of the book groups together idioms which share a common theme or subject, so giving readers a vivid snapshot of those areas and aspects of life that have generated a particularly rich variety of figurativeexpressions . My thanks must go to Richard Jones for his work on sourcing quotations, to Georgia Hole for proofreading, and above all to Sara Hawker for her help and insight throughout the project.

JUDITH SIEFRING

Aa A abdabs A 1 excellent; first-rate. give someone the screaming abdabs induce an attack of extreme anxiety or irritation in i O The full form of this expression is >47 at ! Lloyd's. In Lloyd's Register of Shipping, the someone. j phrase was used of ships in first-class j O Abdabs (or habdabs) is mid 20th-century ! I condition as to the hull (A) and stores (1). The ! slang whose origin is unknown. The word is ! US equivalent is A No. 7; both have been in j sometimes also used to mean an attack of ; figurative use since the mid 19th century. j delirium tremens. from A to B from your starting point to your destination; from one place to another. abet 1987 K. Rushforth Tree Planting & Managementai d and abet: see AID. The purpose of street tree planting is to... make the roads and thoroughfares pleasant in their own right, not just as places about used to travel from A to B. know what you are about be aware of the from A to Z over the entire range; in every implications of your actions or of a particular. situation, and of how best to deal with 1998 Salmon, Trout & Sea-Trout In order to have them, informal seen Scotland's game fishingi n its entirety, 1993 Ski Survey He ran a 3-star guest house from A to Z, visiting 30 stretches of riveran d before this, so knows what he is about. 350 lochs a year, you would have to be travelling for a hundred years. above above yourself conceited; arrogant. aback 1999 Frank McCourt 'Tis Many a man made his take someone aback shock, surprise, or way in America by the sweat of his brow and disconcert someone. his strong back and it's a good thing to learn your station in life and not be getting above ! O The phrase is frequently used in the yourself. i passive form (be taken aback): this was not be above — be capable of stooping to an ; adopted in the mid 19th century from unworthy act. i earlier (mid 18th-century) nautical 1991 Maureen Duffy Illuminations The copyist i terminology, to describe the situation of a was not above turning author or forger and i ship with its sails pressed back against the ! mast by a headwind, preventing forward several MS S from this period must be viewed | movement. as highly suspect. 1991 Kathleen Jones Learning Not To Be First They were taken aback by the shabbiness of Abraham the hotel and lack of cleanliness in the city in Abraham's bosom in heaven, the place of generally. rest for the souls of the blessed, dated

j O The phrase is taken from Luke 16:22: 'And ! i it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was I ABC j carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom', j as easy (or simple) as ABC extremely easy or j In the Bible, Abraham was the Hebrew straightforward. i patriarch from whom all Jews traced their I descent. j I O From the 15th to the 17th century, a I child's first spelling and reading book was ! commonly called an ABC, and this led to the j acceptable j development of its metaphorical use, 'the the acceptable face of the tolerable or | basic elements or rudiments of something'. attractive manifestation or aspect of. accident 2

1996 New York Review of Books He presents i O The ace istne highest playing card in its himself as the acceptable face of I suit in many card games, so a cheating player j gambling... the man who, almost single- I mightwellhideonetouseagainstan unwary ; handedly, has turned a huckster's paradise j opponent. A North American variant is an ace \ into a gangster-free zone. I in the hole. The next two idioms are also j based on this meaning of ace. accident an accident waiting to happen Qa hold all the aces have all the advantages. potentially disastrous situation, play your ace use your best resource. usually caused by negligent or faulty within an ace of very close to. procedures. © a person certain to cause trouble. i O Ace here has the figurative meaning of 'a j 01997 Times Accidents are often said to be j tiny amount' and is used with reference to 'waiting to happen'. It does not take much i thesinglespotontheplayingcard.Thephrase i imagination to see that the chaotic start to the ; was first recorded in the early 18th century. Whitbread round-the-world race... could easily have ended in tragedy. Achilles accidents will happen however careful you an Achilles heel a person's only vulnerable try to be, it is inevitable that some spot; a serious or fatal weakness. unfortunate or unforeseen events will occur. j O In Greek mythology, the nymph Thetis j dipped her infant son Achilles in the water of j ! O This phrase is a shortened form of the i the River Styx to make him immortal, but the i i early 19th-century proverb'accidents will ! heel by which she held him was not touched j i happen in the best regulated families'. | by the water; he was ultimately killed in j battle by an arrow wound in this one a chapter of accidents: see CHAPTER. i vulnerable spot. 1998 Times The inclination to outlaw that of accord which it disapproves... is, if not the cloven of your own accord voluntarily or without hoof beneath the hem of Tony Blair's outside intervention. Government, certainly its Achilles heel. account acid give a good (or bad) account of yourself the acid test a situation or event which make a favourable (or unfavourable) finally proves whether something is good impression through your performance or or bad, true or false, etc. actions. i O The original use of the phrase was to settle {or square) accounts with someone I describe a method of testing for gold with 0 pay money owed to someone. Q have i nitric acid (gold being resistant to the effects j revenge on someone. i of nitric acid). 1990 Which? These deals are designed to accounting encourage impulse buying, so the acid test is there's no accounting for tastes it's whether you would have bought anyway. impossible to explain why different people come the acid be unpleasant or offensive; like different things, especially those things which the speaker considers speak in a caustic or sarcastic manner. unappealing, proverb put the acid on someone try to extract a loan or favour from someone. Australian & New 1 O Since the late 18th century, this has been j Zealand informal | the usual English form of the Latin expression I ! de gustibus non est disputandum 'there is no ! | disputing about tastes'. acquaintance have a nodding acquaintance with someone or something: see NODDING. ace scrape acquaintance with: see SCRAPE. have an ace up your sleeve have an effective resource or piece of information kept hidden until it is necessary to use it; have a acre secret advantage. God's acre: see GOD. 3 admirable

I O Originally, this was an order to naval across ; personnel to go to their allocated positions across the board applying to all. j ready to engage the enemy. ! O ,n the USA, this expression refers to a j horse-racing bet in which equal amounts are j man of action a man whose life is i staked on the same horse to win, place, or characterized by physical activity or deeds I show in a race. rather than by words or intellectual matters. 1999 Wall Street Journal The decline for the euro across the board was mainly attributed to a piece of the action: see PIECE. the further erosion of global investors' where the action is where important or confidence toward the euro-zone economy. interesting things are happening, informal be across something fully understand the 1971 Gourmet You can dine outside, details or complexity of an issue or weather permitting, or in the bar where situation. Australian the action is. act actual act your age behave in a manner appropriate your actual — the real, genuine, or to your age and not to someone much important thing specified, informal younger. 1968 Kenneth Williams Diary There's no doubt about it, on a good day, I look quite lovely in act the goat: see GOAT. your actual gamin fashion. act of God an instance of uncontrollable natural forces in operation. Adam I O This phrase is often used in insurance not know someone from Adam not know or j contracts to refer to incidents such as be completely unable to recognize the j lightning strikes or floods. person in question, informal a class act: see CLASS. the old Adam unregenerate human nature. clean up your act: see CLEAN. ! O In Christian symbolism, the old Adam do a disappearing act: see DISAPPEARING. ! represents fallen man as contrasted with the \ \ second Adam, Jesus Christ. get your act together organize yourself in the manner required in order to achieve 1993 Outdoor Canada It is the Old Adam in us. something, informal We are descendants of a long line of dirt 2002 New York Times There are still many who farmers, sheepherders... and so forth. think all that the dirty, homeless man on the corner talking to himself needs is just to get add his act together. add fuel to the fire: see FUEL. a hard (or tough) act to follow an add insult to injury: see INSULT. achievement or performance which sets a standard difficult for others to measure up to. adder 1996 Independent Her determination and deaf as an adder: see DEAF. championing of tourism will be a tough act to follow. admirable in on the act involved in a particular an admirable Crichton a person who activity in order to gain profit or excels in all kinds of studies and advantage, informal pursuits, or who is noted for supreme 1997 What Cellphone Conference calls are competence. becoming big business for the fixed-line operators, and now there are signs that the | O This expression originally referred to mobile networks are getting in on the act. j James Crichton of Clunie (1560-85?), a read someone the riot act: see READ. j Scottish nobleman renowned for his i intellectual and physical prowess. In J. M. ! Barrie's play The Admirable Crichton (1902), i action i the eponymous hero is a butler who takes action stations an order or warning to j charge when his master's family is ship- i wrecked on a desert island. prepare for action. adrift 4 adrift something because neither party will compromise or be persuaded. cast (or cut) someone adrift ©leave someone in a boat or other craft which has agreement nothing to secure or guide it. © abandon or isolate someone. a gentleman's agreement: see GENTLEMAN. 01998 Oldie The various dissenting move­ ments ... should be cut adrift and left to their own devices. ahead ahead of the game ahead of your advance competitors or peers in the same sphere of activity. any advance on —? any higher bid 1996 Daily Telegraph The smart money headed than —? for Chinatown, where you can pick up all j O This phrase is said by an auctioneer to those Eastern looks the designers are I elicit a higher bid, and so is used figuratively i promoting for next spring ahead of the j as a query about general progress in a game. I particular matter. ahead of your (or its) time innovative and radical by the standards of the time. advocate streets ahead: see STREET. play devil's advocate: see DEVIL. aid afraid aid and abet help and encourage someone to do something wrong, especially to afraid of your own shadow: see SHADOW. commit a crime. Africa j O Abet comes from an Old French term j meaning 'to encourage a hound to bite'. for Africa in abundance; in large numbers. South African informal 1986 Frank Peretti This Present Darkness She 1980 C. Hope A Separate Development An entire strained to think of... any friend who would museum of vintage stuff including... still aid and abet a fugitive from the law, Bentleys for Africa. without questions. after in aid of in support of; for the purpose of be after doing something be on the point of raising money for. chiefly British doing something or have just done it. Irish 1999 Teesdale Mercury A wine and savoury 1988 Roddy Doyle The Commitments I'm after evening in aid of cancer research will be rememberin'. I forgot to bring mine back. It's held... on Friday. under me bed. what's all this in aid of? what is the purpose of this? British informal age act your age: see ACT. air the awkward age: see AWKWARD. airs and graces an affected manner of come of age Q (of a person) reach adult behaving, designed to attract or impress. status, ©(of a movement or activity) British become fully established. give yourself airs act pretentiously or snobbishly. feel your age: see FEEL. 1948 Christopher Bush The Case of the Second a golden age: see GOLDEN. Chance It was said she gave herself airs, and it under age: see UNDER. was also hinted that she was no better—as they say—than she might be. agenda a hidden agenda: see HIDDEN. : O Air in the sense of 'an affected manner' j has been current since the mid 17th century; j agony I from the early 18th century the plural i form has been more usual in this derogatory i pile on the agony: see PILE. j sense. prolong the agony: see PROLONG. hot air: see HOT. agree up in the air (of a plan or issue) still to be agree to differ cease to argue about settled; unresolved. 5 all

1995 Scientific American Prospects for federal 1990 Times Thatcherism may be dying on its research and development are up in the air as feet in Britain, but it is alive and well in foreign Republicans looking for budget cuts take parts. control on Capitol Hill. on (or off) the air being {or not being) all broadcast on radio or television. all and sundry everyone. take the air go out of doors. 1991 Sunday Times In the manner of an Oscar- walk on air feel elated. winner, she thanks all and sundry for their 1977 Bernard MacLaverty Secrets 'I'm sure help. you're walking on air,' my mother said to Paul all comers anyone who chooses to take at his wedding. part in an activity, typically a aisle competition. 1992 AI Gore Earth in the Balance He has have people rolling in the aisles ©make an traveled to conferences and symposia in every audience laugh uncontrollably, ©be very part of the world, argued his case, and amusing, informal patiently taken on all comers. O1940 P. G. Wodehouse Quick Service I made all-in ©with everything included. the speech of a lifetime. I had them tearing up ©exhausted. British informal the seats and rolling in the aisles. all my eye and Betty Martin: see EYE. aitch all of as much as (often used ironically of an amount considered very small by the drop your aitches: see DROP. speaker or writer). Aladdin 1995 Bill Bryson Notes from a Small Island In 1992, a development company... tore down an Aladdin's cave a place full of valuable five listed buildings, in a conservation area, objects. was taken to court and fined all of £675. an Aladdin's lamp a talisman that enables its be all one to make no difference to owner to fulfil every desire. someone. ,n tr, i O e Arabian Nights tale of Aladdin, all out using all your strength or resources. i the hero finds a magic lamp in a cave. He i discoversthatrubbingitsummonsapowerful j all over the place in a state of confusion or j genie who is able to carry out all his wishes. disorganization, informal ! O Other variants of this phrase include a// alarm ! over the map and all over the lot which are alarms and excursions confused activity and ! North American, and all over the shop which i j is mainly British. uproar, humorous 1997 Spectator The government... proposed ! O Alarm was formerly spelled alarum, equalising standards and making them I representing a pronunciation with a rolling comparable... there could be no clearer I of the 'r'; the phrase was originally a call admission that standards are all over the j summoning soldiers to arms. The whole place. ; phrase is used in stage directions in j Shakespeare to indicate a battle scene. all the rage: see RAGE. all round ©in all respects, ©for or by each alight person. set the world alight: see SET. all-singing, all-dancing with every possible attribute; able to perform any necessary alive function. British informal alive and kicking prevalent and very active. O This phrase is used particularly in the area informal of computer technology, but it was originally 1991 Mark Tully No Full Stops in India You used to describe show-business acts. deliberately choose unknown actors, Ultimately, it may come from a series of 1929 although India is a country where the star posters which advertised the addition of system is very much alive and kicking. sound to motion pictures. The first alive and well still existing or active (often Hollywood musical, MGM's Broadway Melody, was promoted with the slogan All used to deny rumours or beliefs that Talking All Singing All Dancing. something has disappeared or declined). all-clear 6

1991 Computing Each of the major ! O Alpha and omega are respectively thefirst j independents launched an all-singing i and last letters of the Greek alphabet, all-dancing graphics-oriented version last i Christians use the phrase as a title for Jesus year. j Christ, taking it from Revelation 1:8: 'I am all systems go: see SYSTEM. i Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the j ending, saith the Lord'. be all that be very attractive or good. US informal 01994 BBC Holidays At Cambridge... you'll 2002 Guardian I can't believe how she throws find the alpha and omega of American herself at guys, she thinks she's all that. academic life: historic Harvard and space-age MIT (Massachusetts Institute of not all there not in full possession of your Technology). mental faculties, informal be all things to all men: see THING. altar — and all used to emphasize something sacrifice someone or something on the additional that is being referred to. altar of make someone or something informal suffer in the interests of someone or 1992 Kenichi Ohmae The Borderless World You something else. can whip up nationalist passions and stage- 1994 Post (Denver) The cherished goal of a manage protectionist rallies, bonfires and all. color-blind society... has been sacrificed on be all go: see GO. the altar of political expediency. be all up with: see UP. for all — in spite of—. altogether 1989 Independent For all their cruel, corrupt in the altogether without any clothes on; and reckless vices, the Maharajahs were naked, informal worshipped as gods by tens of thousands of 1991 Today The mothers... have agreed to their subjects. pose in the altogether. all of a sudden: see SUDDEN. on all fours: see FOUR. American as American as apple pie typically American all-clear in character. give (or get) the all-clear indicate {or get 1995 New York Times Magazine To reward people for something beyond merit is a sign) that a dangerous situation is now American as apple pie. safe. the American dream the ideal by which i O In wartime a signal or siren is often equality of opportunity is available to any j sounded to indicate that a bombing raid is American, allowing the highest aspirations i over. and goals to be achieved. alley amok a blind alley: see BLIND. run amok behave uncontrollably and up your alley: see up your street at STREET. disruptively. j O Amok, formerly also spelt amuck, comes ally I from the Malay word amuk, meaning 'in a pass in your ally: see PASS. j homicidal frenzy', in which sense it was first j ! introduced into English in the early 16th along ! century. i along about round about a specified time or 1990 New York Review of Books Hersh's article date. North American informal or dialect is sensationalism run amok. It does no credit 1989 Motor Trend Along about this time, it to him or to The New York Times Magazine. had started raining, so they red-flagged the race for a change to rain tires. analysis in the final analysis when everything alpha has been considered (used to suggest alpha and omega Othe beginning and the that the following statement expresses end. ©the essence or most important the basic truth about a complex features. situation). 7 appeal ancient ant ancient as the hills: see HILL. have ants in your pants be fidgety or restless. the ancient of Days a biblical title for God, informal taken from Daniel 7:9. any angel not be having any of it be absolutely the angel in the house a woman who is unwilling to cooperate, informal completely devoted to her husband and family. anyone

I O This was the title of a collection of poems ! anyone's game an evenly balanced contest. i on married love by Coventry Patmore be anyone's (of a person) be open to sexual : (1823-96), and it is now mainly used advances from anyone, informal j ironically. j anything on the side of the angels on the side of what is right. anything goes: see GOES.

j O In a speech in Oxford in November 1864 apart i the British statesman Benjamin Disraeli be poles apart: see POLE. i alluded to the controversy over the origins of ! ! humankind then raging in the wake of the come apart at the seams: see SEAM. j publication of Charles Darwin's On the Origin i j of Species (1859): 'Is man an ape or an angel? j ape j Now I am on the side of the angels' (The Times \ go ape go wild; become violently excited. \ 26 Nov. 1864). informal

i O Originally mid 20th-century North angry ! American slang, this expression possibly angry young man a young man who feels i refers to the 1933 movie King Kong, which and expresses anger at the conventional | stars a giant ape-like monster. values of the society around him. ! O Originally, this term referred to a member apology j of a group of socially conscious writers in an apology for a very poor example of. ! Britain in the 1950s, in particular the 1998 Imogen de la Bere The Last Deception of I playwright John Osborne. The phrase, the Palliser Wentwood It's an apology for a bridge, ! title of a book (1951) by Leslie Paul, was used built of left-over stones. j of Osborne in the publicity material for his ! play Look Back in Anger (1956), in which the with apologies to used before the name of I characteristic views of the angry young an author or artist to indicate that I men were articulated by the anti-hero something is a parody or adaptation of j Jimmy Porter. their work. 2001 This Old House With apologies to Robert Frost, boundary expert Walter Robillard says, answer 'Good fences on the proper line make good neighbours'. the answer's a lemon: see LEMON. a dusty answer: see DUSTY. appeal ante appeal from Philip drunk to Philip sober ask up (or raise) the ante increase what is at someone to reconsider, with the stake or under discussion, especially in a suggestion that an earlier opinion or conflict or dispute. decision represented only a passing mood. i O Ante comes from Latin, in which it means j i 'before'. As an English noun it was originally j j O This phrase comes from an anecdote told j ! (in the early 19th century) a term in poker and j j by the Roman historian and moralist Valerius j i similar gambling games, meaning'a stake j Maximus concerning an unjust judgement ; put up by a player before drawing cards'. i given by King Philip of Macedon: the woman | 1998 New Scientist This report ups the ante on j condemned by Philip declared that she would i the pace at which these cases need to be j appeal to him once again, but this time when ! identified and treated. j he was sober. appearance 8 appeal to Caesar appeal to the highest apple pie possible authority. as American as apple pie: see AMERICAN. ! O The allusion is to the claim made by the i apostle Paul to have his case heard in Rome, apropos ! which was his right as a Roman citizen: 'I apropos of nothing having no relevance to ; appeal unto Caesar' (Acts 25:11). any previous discussion or situation. appearance approval keep up appearances maintain an seal (or stamp) of approval an indication or statement that something is accepted or impression of wealth or well-being. regarded favourably. to (or by) all appearances as far as can be seen. I O This expression stems from the practice of j 1991 Eric Lax Woody Allen To all appearances, | putting a stamp (or formerly a seal) on official j theirs was a unique case of sibling amity. I documents. apple apron apple of discord a subject of dissension. tied to someone's apron strings too much I O This expression refers to the Greek myth under the influence and control of j in which a golden apple inscribed'for the someone (especially used to suggest that ! fairest'was contended for by the goddesses j a man is too much influenced by his j Hera, Athene, and Aphrodite. mother). the apple of your eye a person or thing of area whom you are extremely fond and proud. a grey area: see GREY. i O |n Old English, the phrase referred to j the pupil of the eye, considered to be a a no-go area: see NO-GO. I globular solid body; it came to be used as a ; symbol of something cherished and watched j argue i over. argue the toss dispute a decision or choice apples and oranges (of two people or things) already made, informal, chiefly British irreconcilably or fundamentally different. i O The toss in this phrase is the tossing of a North American I coin to decide an issue in a simple and j unambiguous way according to the side of a rotten (or bad) apple a bad person in a ; the coin visible when it lands. group, typically one whose behaviour is likely to have a corrupting influence on the rest, informal ark she's apples used to indicate that everything out of the ark extremely old-fashioned. is in good order and there is nothing to j O The ark referred to is the biblical Noah's worry about. Australian informal j ark (Genesis 6-7), in which Noah j endeavoured to save his family and two of i O Apples and spice or apples and rice is i every kind of animal from the Flood. ! Australian rhyming slang for nice. apple cart arm upset the apple cart wreck an advantageous a call to arms a call to make ready for project or disturb the status quo. confrontation. cost an arm and a leg be extremely i O The use of a cart piled high with apples as i expensive, informal j a metaphor for a satisfactory but possibly i precarious state of affairs is recorded in give an arm and a leg for pay a high price for. ! various expressions from the late 18th keep someone or something at arm's length i century onwards. avoid intimacy or close contact with 1996 Business Age The real test will be someone or something. instability in China... Another Tiananmen the long arm of coincidence the far-reaching Square could really upset the apple cart. power of coincidence. 9 as the long (or strong) arm of the law the resources or strategies that can be drawn police seen as a far-reaching or on or followed. intimidating power. arrow of time (ortime's arrow) the direction as long as your arm very long, informal of travel from past to future in time put the arm on attempt to force or coerce considered as a physical dimension. someone to do something. North American a straight arrow an honest or genuine informal person. North American up in arms about protesting angrily about something. arse vulgar slang 1994 Asian Times A lack of checks and go arse over tit fall over in a sudden or balances... or legal redress for workers have dramatic way. trade unions up in arms. kiss my arse: see KISS. with open arms with great affection or kiss someone's arse: see KISS. enthusiasm. lick someone's arse: see LICK. would give your right arm for be willing to not know your arse from your elbow be pay a high price for; greatly desire to have totally ignorant or incompetent. or do. informal a pain in the arse: see PAIN. armchair art an armchair critic a person who knows art for art's sake the idea that a work of art about a subject only by reading or has no purpose beyond itself. hearing about it and criticizes without active experience or first-hand I © This phrase is the slogan of artists who knowledge. j hold that the chief oronlyaimof aworkof art i : is the self-expression of the individual artist I O The phrase armchair critic is first recorded ; : who creates it. i in 1896, but the concept was around at least a i ! decade earlier: in 1886 Joseph Chamberlain be art and part of be an accessory or i sneered at opponents as 'arm-chair participant in; be deeply involved in. ! politicians'. Another common variant is ! armchair traveller, meaning 'someone who ! O Be art and part of was originally a Scottish I j travels in their imagination only'. I legal expression: art referred to the bringing j i about of an action and part to participation j ! in it. j armed armed at all points prepared in every have something down to a fine art: see FINE particular. ART. armed to the teeth Q carrying a lot of state of the art: see STATE. weapons, ©heavily equipped. article armpit an article of faith a firmly held belief. up to your armpits deeply involved in a I O Article is here used in the sense of 'a particular unpleasant situation or I statement or item in a summary of religious enterprise, chiefly US j belief. ! army 1994 Paul Ormerod The Death of Economics It is an article of faith in orthodox economics that you and whose army? used to express free trade between nations is wholly desirable. disbelief in someone's ability to carry out a threat, informal the finished article: see FINISHED. the genuine article: see GENUINE. around as have been around have a lot of varied as and when used to refer to an uncertain experience of the world, especially a lot of future event. sexual experience, informal 1996 She The single most important strategy you can adopt to boost your energy levels is to arrow learn to deal with an issue as and when it rears an arrow in the quiver one of a number of its head. ascendant 10 as if! used to express the speaker's belief that behave in a way that is likely to result in something is very doubtful or unlikely. difficulty for yourself, informal informal for the asking used to indicate that someone as it were in a way (used to be less precise). can easily have something if they want it. 1991 Atlantic jazz audiences permit older 1991 Mark Tully No Full Stops in India Second musicians to go on suiting up, as it were, until helpings come automatically, and third they drop. helpings are there for the asking. ascendant asleep in the ascendant rising in power or asleep at the wheel not attentive or alert; influence. inactive, informal

i O This expression has been in figurative use I I © The image here is of falling asleep while j j since the late 16th century. Literally, in | driving a car. A North American variant is ! technical astrological use, an ascendant is the j I asleep at the switch, which refers to the ! sign of the zodiac that is just rising above the j I points lever or switch on a railway. : eastern horizon at a particular moment. 2003 Guardian Rowling has not been asleep at the wheel in the three years since the last ash Potter novel, and I am pleased to report that she has not confused sheer length with dust and ashes: see DUST. inspiration. rake over the ashes: see RAKE. rise from the ashes: see RISE. aSS North American vulgar slang turn to ashes in your mouth become bitterly bust your ass try very hard to do something. disappointing or worthless. chew someone's ass reprimand someone ! O This phrase alludes to the Dead Sea fruit, I severely. ! a legendary fruit which looked appetizing cover your ass take steps to protect yourself. j but turned to smoke and ashes when j someone tried to eat it. The fruit are drag (or haul) ass hurry or move fast. ! described in the Travels attributed to the get your ass in gear hurry. ; 14th-century writer John de Mandeville. kick (some) ass (or kick someone's ass): see 1995 Guardian Those who marvelled at the KICK. phenomenal climbing feats of Pedro Delgado kiss ass:see KISS. in the 1988 Tour found words such as 'heroic' kiss someone's ass: see KISS. and 'Herculean' turn to ashes in their mouths during the probenecid (a masking agent) no skin off your ass: see SKIN. scandal. not give a rat's ass not care at all about something. ask a pain in the ass: see PAIN. ask for the moon: see MOON. a piece of ass: see PIECE. ask me another! used to say emphatically put someone's ass in a sling get someone in that you do not know the answer to a question, informal trouble. ask no odds: see ODDS. whip (or bust) someone's ass use physical force to beat someone in a fight. a big ask a difficult demand to fulfil. informal at don't ask me! used to indicate that you do at it engaged in some activity, typically a not know the answer to a question and that reprehensible one. you are surprised or irritated to be 1993 G. F. Newman Law b Order Oh, don't take questioned, informal me for a complete idiot, Jack. I know you're at it. I ask you! an exclamation of shock or disapproval intended to elicit agreement at that in addition; furthermore (used for from your listener, informal emphasis at the end of a statement). 1994 Sunday Times The sensitivity to social change may play its part, but in reality asking fashion is a business, and a hard-nosed one be asking for trouble (or be asking for it) at that. 11 aye where it's at the most fashionable place, get away with you! used to express possession, or activity, informal scepticism. Scottish 1990 Ellen Feldman Looking for Love New York is where it's at, stylewise. far and away: see FAR. out and away: see OUT. atmosphere an atmosphere that you could cut with a awkward knife a general feeling of great tension or the awkward age adolescence. malevolence. the awkward squad a squad composed of attendance recruits and soldiers who need further training. dance attendance on: see DANCE. i O Shortly before his death Robert Burns is auld I reported to have said, 'Don't let the awkward ! squad fire over me'. Nowadays, the expression for auld lang syne for old times' sake. j is often used to refer to a group of people ! who are regarded as tiresome or difficult to i © The phrase literally means'for old long i deal with. ; since', and is the title and refrain of a song by j ! Robert Burns (1788). auspice axe have an axe to grind have a private, under the auspices of with the help, sometimes malign, motive for doing or support, or protection of. being involved in something. ; O Auspice (since the late 18th century j O Tne expression originated in a story told ! ! almost always used in the plural), comes from j by Benjamin Franklin and was used first in the j ! the Latin word auspicium, which means the j USA, especially with reference to politics, but j ! act of divination carried out by an auspex in j it is now in general use. j ancient Rome. The auspex observed the flight j of birds in order to foretell future events. If 1997 Times I am a non-smoker, and have no | the omens were favourable he was seen as personal axe to grind. ! the protector of the particular enterprise ! foretold. aye the ayes have it the affirmative votes are in authority the majority. have something on good authority have ascertained something from a reliable j O /Aye is an archaic or dialect word meaning j ! 'yes', now used in standard speech only when j source. j voting. Compare with the noes have it away j (at NO). away with something used as an exhortation 2000 Guardian The arguments will continue. to overcome or be rid of something. But we think the 'ayes' have it. Bb

B date and who is no longer relevant or plan B an alternative strategy. useful. 1999 8 Days And if that doesn't work, well, back o'Bourke the outback. Australian informal there's always Plan B. j O Bourke is the name of a town in north- babe i west New South Wales. babes in the wood inexperienced people in a the back of beyond a very remote or situation calling for experience. inaccessible place. 1998 Sanjida O'Connell Angel Bird This is i O The babes in the wood are characters London, Niall, not some poky wee place in the ! in an old ballad The Children in the back of beyond. \ Wood, which dates from the 16th century, j The two children are abandoned in the wood back to the drawing board used to indicate i by their wicked uncle who wishes to steal that an idea or scheme has been j their inheritance. The children die of unsuccessful and a new one must be i starvation and robins cover their bodies devised. | with leaves; the uncle and his accomplice i are subsequently brought to justice. ; O An architectural or engineering project is j : at its earliest phase when it exists only as a baby j plan on a drawing board. be someone's baby (of a project) be 1991 Discover Even as Humphries fine-tunes instigated and developed by one particular his system, however, he realizes that NASA person; be someone's creation or special could send him back to the drawing board. concern, informal back to square one back to the starting be left holding the baby: see HOLDING. point, with no progress made. throw the baby out with the bathwater discard something valuable along with j O Square one may be a reference to a board j other things that are inessential or i game such as Snakes and Ladders, or may : come from the notional division of a football j undesirable. : pitch into eight numbered sections for the ! O This phrase is based on a German saying j purpose of early radio commentaries. | recorded from the early 16th century but not ! j introduced into English until the mid 19th back the wrong horse make a wrong or ! century, by Thomas Carlyle. He identified it as I inappropriate choice. j German and gave it in the form, 'You must be on (or get off) someone's back nag (or j empty out the bathing-tub, but not the baby i j along with it.' stop nagging) someone, informal by the back door using indirect or dishonest 1998 New Scientist It is easy to throw out the baby with the bathwater when it comes to means to achieve an objective. UFO books—there are some seriously bad get someone's back up make someone titles out there. annoyed or angry. I O This phrase developed as an allusion to back i the way a cat arches its back when it is angry i at the back of your mind not consciously ! or threatened. or specifically thought of or remembered but still part of your general awareness. get your own back: see GET. back in the day in the past; some time know something like the back of your ago. hand be entirely familiar with something. a back number Qan issue of a periodical not in my back yard: see NOT. before the current one. © a person on your back in bed recovering from an whose ideas or methods are out of injury or illness. 13 balance put your back Into approach a task with 01997 Spectator Mr Montgomery was able to sack Mr Hargreaves, who had evidently not vigour. brought home the bacon. see the back of be rid of an unwanted person or thing. British informal bad someone's back is turned someone's attention is elsewhere. bad blood: see BLOOD. 1989 Orson Scott Card Prentice Alvin That a bad quarter of an hour a short but very prentice of yours look strong enough to dig it unpleasant period of time; an unnerving hisself, if he doesn't lazy off and sleep when experience. your back is turned. ! O A bad quarter of an hour is a translation ! take a back seat take or be given a less ! of the French phrase un mauvais quart \ important position or role. Compare with i d'heure, which has also been current in in the driver's seat (at DRIVER). ! English since the mid 19th century. with your back to {or up against) the wall in a bad workman blames his tools: see a desperate situation. WORKMAN. backbone be bad news: see NEWS. put backbone into someone encourage my bad used to acknowledge responsibility someone to behave resolutely. for a mistake. North American informal turn up like a bad penny: see PENNY. j O Asa metaphor for 'firmness of character', ! | backbone dates from the mid 19th century. bag 1998 Spectator There is a widespread belief that if only Mrs Thatcher had still been in No. bag and baggage with all your belongings. 10, she would have put backbone into Bush a bag of bones an emaciated person or and got rid of Saddam. animal. Compare with be skin and bone back-seat (at SKIN). a bag {or bundle) of nerves a person who is a back-seat driver Q a passenger in a vehicle who constantly gives the driver unwanted extremely timid or tense, informal advice on how to drive. 0 someone who a bag {or whole bag) of tricks a set of lectures and criticizes the person actually ingenious plans, techniques, or resources. in control of something. informal backwards be left holding the bag: see be left holding the baby at HOLDING. bend over backwards to do something make every effort, especially to be fair or in the bag Q (of something desirable) as good helpful, informal as secured, ©drunk. US informal know something backwards be entirely pack your bag: see PACK. familiar with something. bait 1991 William Trevor Reading Turgenev People who lived in the town knew it back­ fish or cut bait: see FISH. wards. rise to the bait: see RISE. bacon baker save someone's bacon: see save someone's a baker's dozen thirteen. skin at SAVE. I O This expression arose from the former bring home the bacon Q supply material j bakers' practice of adding an extra loaf to a provision or support, ©achieve success. i dozen sold to a retailer, this representing the j I latter's profit. informal

i O This phrase probably derives from the i much earlier save your bacon, recorded from i balance j the mid 17th century. In early use bacon also j turn the balance: see turn the scales at j referred to fresh pork, the meat most readily \ SCALE. ; available to rural people. weigh something in the balance carefully bald 14

ponder or assess the merits and demerits of 1998 Romesh Gunesekera Sandglass It's big something. business now, you know. You have to be on the ball: go, go, go all the time. ! O The image is of a pair of old-fashioned play ball work willingly with others; ! scales with two pans in which the positive and j cooperate, informal ! negative aspects of something can be set i against each other. The expanded phrase ! O The literal sense is of play ball is 'play a i weighed in the balance and found wanting ! team ball game such as baseball or cricket'. j meaning'having failed to meet the test of a j ! particular situation'is also found, and is an start the ball rolling set an activity in motion; ! allusion to the biblical book of Daniel, where j make a start. i such a process formed part of the judgement j ! made on King Belshazzar. the whole ball of wax everything. North American informal a whole new ball game a completely new set bald of circumstances, informal as bald as a coot completely bald. i O The phrase originated in North America, j j O The coot {Fulica atra) has a broad white i where a ball game is a baseball match. ! shield extending up from the base of its bill, j The history of the word bald is somewhat 1989 Looks Making the film was a whole new I obscure, but analogies with other northern ball game... for Kylie. i European languages suggest a connection | with the idea of 'having a white patch or ballistic i streak'. go ballistic fly into a rage, informal 1998 New Scientist The French nuclear ball industry, local authorities around La Hague a ball and chain a severe hindrance. and some government agencies went ballistic. Viel was fiercelycondemne d for his findings. I O Originally, a ball and chain referred to a j heavy metal ball attached by a chain to the balloon j leg of a prisoner or convict to prevent their go down like a lead balloon: see LEAD. j escape. when (or before) the balloon goes up when the ball is in someone's court it is that (or before) the action or trouble starts. particular person's turn to act next. informal

j O This expression is a metaphor from tennis i ! O The balloon alluded to is probably one j or a similar ball game where different players j j released to mark the start of an event. j use particular areas of a marked court. 1959 Punch The international rules of war are a ball of fire a person who is full of energy apt to be waived when the balloon goes up. and enthusiasm. ballpark j O In the early 19th century this phrase was j in the ballpark in a particular area or range. j also used to mean 'a glass of brandy'. informal behind the eight ball: see EIGHT. i O The phrase originated in the USA, where a j have a ball enjoy yourself greatly; have fun. ! ballpark is a baseball ground. informal have the ball at your feet have your best bamboo opportunity of succeeding. the bamboo curtain an impenetrable have a lot on the ball have a lot of ability. political, economic, and cultural barrier US between China and non-Communist countries. keep the ball rolling maintain the momentum of an activity. j O Formed on the pattern of the iron curtain j j (see at IRON), this phrase dates back to the keep your eye on (or take your eye off) the j 1940s. ball keep (or fail to keep) your attention focused on the matter in hand. on the ball alert to new ideas, methods, and banana trends, informal banana republic a small tropical state, 15 bark

especially one in central America, get a bang out of derive excitement or whose economy is regarded as wholly pleasure from. North American informal dependent on its fruit-exporting trade. 1931 Damon Runyon Guys and Dolls He seems derogatory to be getting a great bang out of the doings. go bananas ©become extremely angry or go with a bang happen with obvious success. excited, ©go mad. informal 01992 Jim Lehrer A Bus of My Own I bank predicted John Erlichman would probably break the bank Q(in gambling) win more go bananas when he testified the next money than is held by the bank. Q cost day. more than you can afford, informal second banana the second most important person in an organization banner or activity, informal, chiefly North American under the banner of Q claiming to support a top banana the most important person in an particular cause or set of ideas. © as part of organization or activity, informal, chiefly North a particular group or organization. American baptism I O The two expressions above originated in i a baptism of fire a difficult introduction to a i US theatrical slang. The top banana was new job or activity. j originally the comedian who topped the bill ! I in a show, while the second banana was the j j O A baptism of fire was originally a soldier's ! i supporting comedian. j initiation into battle. 1998 Times Opposition spokesmen do not banana skin normally face a baptism of fire,bu t the Bank of slip on a banana skin: see SLIP. England's unexpected decision... provided the Shadow Chancellor with an opportunity to band make an early mark. when the band begins to play when matters bar become serious. bar none with no exceptions. bandwagon 1866 M.E. Braddon Lady's Mile Your 'Aspasia' is the greatest picture that ever was painted— jump on the bandwagon join others in 'bar none'. doing something or supporting a cause that is fashionable or likely to be bare successful. the bare bones the basic facts about j © Bandwagon was originally the US term something, without any detail. I for a large wagon able to carry a band of I musicians in a procession. bargepole would not touch someone or something bang with a bargepole used to express an emphatic refusal to have anything to do bang for your (or the) buck value for money; with someone or something, informal performance for cost. US informal 1995 Desktop Publishing Journal These additions j O A bargepole is used to propel a barge and i to RunShare... will surely give you the most I to fend off obstacles. The equivalent US productive network, the most 'bang for your i expression substitutes a ten-foot pole. buck'. bang goes — used to express the sudden or bark complete destruction of something, bark at the moon: see MOON. especially a plan or ambition. 1895 George Bernard Shaw Letter Somebody bark up the wrong tree pursue a mistaken or will give a surreptitious performance of it: and misguided line of thought or course of then bang goes my copyright. action, informal bang on exactly right. British informal j O The metaphor is of a dog that has bang people's heads together reprimand ! mistaken the tree in which its quarry has people severely, especially in the attempt j taken refuge and is barking at the foot of the j i wrong one. to make them stop arguing. barn 16

1969 Arnold Bennett Forty Years On For off base mistaken. North American informal sovereign states to conclude agreements on 1947 Time Your Latin American the basis of a mutual fondness for dogs seems department was off base in its comparison to me to be barking up the wrong tree. of the Portillo Hotel in Chile with our someone's bark is worse than their bite famous Sun Valley. someone is not as ferocious as they appear touch base briefly make or renew contact or sound. with someone or something, informal

A 1984 Armistead Maupin Babycakes In ! O similar association between barking search of a routine, he touched base with I and biting occurs in the proverb a barking his launderette, his post office, his nearest \ dog never bites, which can be traced back j through 13th-century French (chascuns market. i chiens qui abaie ne mort pas, dogs that bark i j O Base in these three phrases refers to each i i don't bite) to Latin (canem timidum j of the four points in the angles of the i vehementius latrarequam mordere, a timid j 'diamond' in baseball, which a player has to | dog barks more furiously than it bites). j reach in order to score a run. barn basic round Robin Hood's barn: see ROBIN HOOD. back to basics abandoning complication barred and sophistication to concentrate on the most essential aspects of no holds barred: see HOLD. something. barrel j O Back to basics is often used to suggest the i a barrel of laughs a source of fun or I moral superiority of the plain and simple, as i amusement, informal j in a speech made in 1993 by the British 1996 Mail on Sunday Seeing so many old people | Conservative leader John Major, who gathered all in one place was hardly a barrel of ! spearheaded the government's campaign for j i the regeneration of basic family and laughs. i educational values in the 1990s. get someone over a barrel get someone in a helpless position; have someone at your mercy, informal bat blind as a bat: see BLIND. i O This phrase perhaps refers to the have bats in the (or your) belfry be eccentric ! condition of a person who has been rescued i or crazy, informal i from drowning and is placed over a barrel to i i clear their lungs of water. j O This expression refers to the way in which I j bats in an enclosed space fly about wildly if scrape the barrel: see SCRAPE. j they are disturbed. with both barrels with unrestrained force or emotion, informal c-1901 G. W. Peck Peck's Red-Headed Boy They all thought a crazy man with bats in his belfry I O The barrels in question are the two barrels j had got loose. j of a firearm. like a bat out of hell very fast and wildly. informal 1995 Patrick McCabe The Dead School Like a bat barrelhead out of hell that Joe Buck gets on out of the on the barrelhead: see on the nail at NAIL. apartment and doesn't stop running till he reaches Times Square. barricade not bat an eyelid (or eye) show no emotional man (or go to) the barricades strongly or other reaction, informal protest against a government or other institution or its policy. ! O Satin this sense is perhaps a dialect and I USvariantoftheverbbatemeaning'loweror j base j let down'. The variant not blink an eye is also ! get to first base achieve the first step towards j found. your objective, informal, chiefly North American 1997 James Ryan Dismantling Mr Doyle She 1962 P. G. Wodehouse Service with a Smile She did not bat an eyelid when Eve spelled out the gives you the feeling that you'll never get to unorthodox details of the accommodation first base with her. they required. 17 be off your own bat at your own instigation; 1998 Oldie They endured the hard pounding of spontaneously. British the Seventies, when Labour battened down the hatches, and soldiered through the follies | O The bat referred to in this phrase is a of the early Eighties. ; cricket bat. battery 1995 Colin Bateman Cycle of Violence She doesn't have me doing anything, Marty. It's recharge your batteries: see RECHARGE. alloffmyownbat. battle right off the bat at the very beginning; battle of the giants a contest between two straight away. North American pre-eminent parties. bated | O This expression may be a reference to the j with bated breath in great suspense; very ! battle between the giants and gods in Greek j ; mythology. anxiously or excitedly.

i O Baited, which is sometimes seen, is battle royal a fiercely contested fight or i a misspelling, since bated in this sense is dispute. i a shortened form of abated, the idea being 1997 Fred Chappell Farewell, I'm Bound to : that your breathing is lessened under the Leave You The boys told no one about the ! influence of extreme suspense. fight... it was a battle royal and went on from two o'clock in the afternoon until sundown. bath battle stations used as a command or an early bath the sending off of a sports signal to military personnel to take up player during a game. British informal their positions in preparation for battle. chiefly US i © The allusion is to the bath or shower | taken by players at the end of a match. half the battle an important step towards achieving something. take a bath suffer a heavy financial loss. a losing battle: see LOSING. informal 1997 Bookseller When the yen drops in value, a pitched battle: see PITCHED. as it is doing rightnow , we take a bath. There is a running battle: see RUNNING. no way to change the prices fast enough. bay baton bay for blood demand punishment or pass (or hand) on the baton hand over a retribution. particular duty or responsibility. bring someone or something to bay trap or i O In athletics, the baton is the short stick or i corner a person or animal being hunted or ! rod passed from one runner to the next in a i chased. I relay race. The related phrases pick up or take \ | O This phrase was originally a medieval \ up the baton mean 'accept a duty or j hunting term, referring to the position of the j j responsibility'. Compare with hand on the j quarry when it is cornered by the baying I torch (at TORCH). i hounds.Ananimalcorneredinthiswayissaid ! i to stand at bay. under the baton of (of an orchestra or choir) conducted by. hold (or keep) someone or something at bay prevent someone or something from ! O The baton here is the rod used by the ; conductor. approaching or having an effect. be batten -to-be of the future. batten down the hatches prepare for a 1993 Mother 8 Baby Many mums-to-be difficulty or crisis. report that small frequentsnack s are easier to keep down than three large meals i O Batten down the hatches was originally a day. j a nautical term meaning 'make a ship's be there for someone be available to support i hatches secure with gratings and tarpaulins' j or comfort someone who is experiencing i in expectation of stormy weather. difficulties or adversities. bead 18 the be-all and end-all a feature of an activity know how many beans make five be or a way of life that is of greater importance intelligent; have your wits about you. British than any other, informal informal not have a bean be penniless, informal bead j O Bean was an early 19th-century slang draw (or get) a bead on take aim at with a i term for a golden guinea or sovereign. In the i gun. chiefly North American i sense of 'a coin', it now survives only in this 1994 Ontario Out of Doors Few moose will pose j phrase. majestically right at the water's edge while you draw a bead on them. spill the beans: see SPILL. beam bear a beam in your eye a fault that is greater in bear the brunt of: see BRUNT. yourself than in the person you are finding grin and bear it: see GRIN. fault with. have your cross to bear: see CROSS. ! O This phrase comes from Matthew 7:3: like a bear with a sore head (of a person) very i 'Why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy ! irritable. British informal i brother's eye, but considerest not the beam i that is in thy own eye?' For a mote in loaded for bear fully prepared for any i someone's eye, see MOTE. eventuality, typically a confrontation or challenge. North American informal broad in the beam: see BROAD. i O The image here may be of a hunting gun i off (or way off) beam on the wrong track; i loaded and ready to shoot a bear. mistaken, informal ! O Originally, this phrase referred to the beard i radio beam or signal used to guide aircraft. beard the lion in his den (or lair) confront 1997 Anthony Barnett This Time I sample or challenge someone on their own the press coverage to illustrate how large ground.

sections of the Fourth Estate were way off his beam in their conviction that voters want ; O T phrase developed partly from the the country steered back towards 'Great ! idea of being daring enough to take a lion Englishness'. j by the beard and partly from the use of beard \ j as a verb to mean'face', i.e. to face a lion in on your beam ends near the end of your j his den. resources; desperate. i O The beam referred to here is one of beat ! the main horizontal transverse timbers beat a hasty retreat withdraw, typically i of a wooden ship; compare with broad in the j ! beam (at BROAD). The phrase originated as in order to avoid something unpleasant. : the nautical term on her beam ends, and was j j O In former times, a drumbeat could be ! used of a ship that had heeled over on its side j j used to keep soldiers in step while they were j j and was almost capsizing. I retreating.

beat about the bush discuss a matter bean without coming to the point; be ineffectual full of beans lively; in high spirits, informal and waste time. i O This phrase was originally used by people j ! O This phrase is a metaphor which ! who work with horses, and referred to the I originated in the shooting or netting of birds; j i good condition of a horse fed on beans. j compare with beat the bushes below. give someone beans scold or deal severely 1992 Barry Unsworth Sacred Hunger I don't with a person, informal want to beat about the bush. Mr Adams is threatening to leave us. a hill (or row) of beans something of little importance or value, informal beat someone at their own game use 1999 SL (Cape Town) I think that what your someone's own methods to outdo them in friends and family think shouldn't amount to their chosen activity. a hill of beans. beat your breast: see BREAST. 19 bed beat the bushes search thoroughly. North beautiful American informal the beautiful people Qfashionable, ! O This expression originates from the way in \ glamorous, and privileged people, ©(in : which hunters walkthrough undergrowth the 1960s) hippies. I wielding long sticks which are used to force 01995 Singapore: Rough Guide The coolest I birdsoranimalsoutintotheopenwherethey j address in town, and a magnet for the ; can be shot or netted. beautiful people. beat the clock perform a task quickly or the body beautiful an ideal of physical beauty. within a fixed time limit. 1992 Mother Jones About 75,000 women a year beat the daylights out of: see DAYLIGHT. elect to have cosmetic surgery, spurred on by beat the drum for: see DRUM. ubiquitous images of the body beautiful. beat your (or the) meat (of a man) masturbate, vulgar slang beaver beat the pants off prove to be vastly superior work like a beaver work steadily and to. informal industriously, informal 1990 Paul Auster The Music of Chance 'Not badi, O The beaver is referred to here because kid,' Nashe said. 'You beat the pants off me.' j of the industriousness with which it beat a path to someone's door (of a large j constructs the dams necessary for its aquatic j number of people) hasten to make contact j dwellings. The image is similarly conjured j j up by the phrase beaver away meaning with someone regarded as interesting or j 'work hard'. inspiring. i © This phrase developed from the idea of a j beck ; large number of people trampling down I vegetation to make a path: compare with off j at someone's beck and call always having to ; the beaten track (at BEATEN). be ready to obey someone's orders immediately. beat the system succeed in finding a means j O Beck in the sense of 'a significant gesture i of getting round rules, regulations, or other j of command' comes from the verb beck, a means of control. j shortened form of beckon. It is now found beat someone to it succeed in doing j mainly in this phrase. something or getting somewhere before someone else, to their annoyance. bed if you can't beat them, join them if you are bed and breakfast O overnight unable to outdo rivals in some endeavour, accommodation and breakfast next you might as well cooperate with them and morning as offered by hotels etc. gain whatever advantage possible by doing © designating financial transactions in so. humorous. which shares are sold and then bought miss a beat: see MISS. back the next morning. to beat the band in such a way as to surpass a bed of nails a problematic or uncomfort­ all competition. North American informal able situation. 1995 Patrick McCabe The Dead School He was polishing away to beat the band. j O A bed of nails was originally a board with ! i nails pointing out of it, lain on by Eastern j fakirs and ascetics. beaten beaten (or pipped) at the post defeated at a bed of roses a situation or activity that is the last moment. comfortable or easy. get out of bed on the wrong side be bad- i O The post alluded to here is the marker at i tempered all day long. j the end of a race. in bed with ©having sexual intercourse off the beaten track (or path) Qui or into with, ©in undesirably close association an isolated place, ©unusual. with, informal © 1992 lain Banks The Crow Road 'Your Uncle 02000 Snowboard UK Jackson lies like an Hamish... ' She looked troubled. 'He's a bit off oasis of culture and good coffee in a state that the beaten track, that boy.' is otherwise firmly in bed with gun culture. bedpost 20 you have made your bed and must lie in it beg you must accept the consequences of your own actions. beg the question Q raise a point that has not been dealt with; invite an obvious bedpost question, ©assume the truth of an between you and me and the bedpost (or argument or of a proposition to be proved, the gatepost or the wall) in strict without arguing it. confidence, informal ! O The original meaning of the phrase beg \ the question belongs to the field of logic and ; ! O The bedpost, gatepost, or wall is seen as ! ! is a translation of Latin petitio principii, I marking the boundary beyond which the I literally meaning Maying claim to a principle', j j confidence must not go. j i.e. assume the truth of something that j ought to be proved first. For many ! traditionalists this remains the only correct bedside I meaning, but far commoner in English today ; bedside manner a doctor's approach or ! is the first sense here, 'invite an obvious attitude to a patient. j question'. 1993 Bill Moyers Healing & the Mind Are you just talking about the old-fashioned bedside manner of a doctor who comes around and beggar visits you when you need him? beggar belief (or description) be too extraordinary to be believed (or described). bee beggar on horseback a formerly poor person the bee's knees something or someone made arrogant or corrupt through outstandingly good, informal achieving wealth and luxury. i O The bee's knees was first used to refer to ! ! O Compare with the mid 17th-century ! something small and insignificant, but it ! proverb set a beggar on horseback and he'll \ j quickly developed its current, completely | ride to the devil, meaning that a person not j ! opposite meaning. j used to power will use it unwisely. have a bee in your bonnet have an obsessive beggars can't be choosers people with no preoccupation with something, informal other options must be content with what is j O This expression, along with have bees in offered, proverb i the head or bees in the brain, was first used to j j refer to someone who was regarded as crazy j begging I or eccentric. go begging Q(of an article) be available. 0 (of an opportunity) not be taken. beeline make a beeline for go rapidly and directly beginner towards. beginner's luck good luck supposedly experienced by a beginner at a particular ; O The phrase refers to the straight line j supposedly taken instinctively by a bee game or activity. j returning to its hive. beginning 1997 Bookseller And when he heard that people the beginning of the end the event or might like him to sign copies of his new development to which the conclusion or novel... he cut the small talk and made a beeline for the stall. failure of something can be traced. 1992 H. Norman Schwartzkopf It Doesn't Take a Hero I heard about D-Day on the radio. The been announcer quoted Ohio governor John been there, done that: see THERE. Bricker's now-famous line that this was 'the beer beginning of the end of the forces of evil'. beer and skittles amusement. British bejeSUS informal j O This phrase comes from the proverb life beat the bejesus out of someone hit ! isn't all beer and skittles. The game of skittles i someone very hard or for a long time. j is used as a prime example of a form of light- j scare the bejesus out of someone frighten j hearted entertainment. someone very much. 21 bend 2001 GQThis place is going to scare the bejesus out of the fuddy-duddy Sloaney-Pony belly set. go belly up go bankrupt, informal

| O Bejesus is an alteration of the exclamation ! j O The implied comparison is with a dead j by Jesus! It is often found in its Anglo-Irish i fish or other animal floating upside down in ! I form bejasus or bejabers. j the water. 1998 Times: Weekend The single currency bell could well go belly-up within two or three years. bell, book, and candle a formula for laying a curse on someone. bellyful j O This expression alludes to the closing have a bellyful of become impatient after ! words of the rite of excommunication, prolonged experience of someone or j 'Do to the book, quench the candle, ring something, informal ! the bell', meaning that the service book | is closed, the candle put out, and the j passing bell rung, as a sign of spiritual below j death. i below stairs in the basement of a house, in particular as the part occupied by servants. bell the cat take the danger of a shared British dated enterprise upon yourself.

! © Bell the cat alludes to the fable in which belt i mice or rats have the idea of hanging a bell below the belt unfair or unfairly; not in I aroundthecat'snecksoastohavewarningof ! keeping with the rules. ! its approach, the only difficulty being to find I ! oneof their number willing to undertake the j i O 'n boxing a blow below the belt is a low, j | task. i and therefore unlawful, blow. bells and whistles attractive additional belt and braces (of a policy or action) features or trimmings, informal providing double security by using two means to achieve the same end. i © The bells and whistles originally referred i British : to were those found on old fairground j organs. Nowadays, the phrase is often used in ! I O This meaning developed from the idea of i ! computing jargon to mean 'attractive but ! a literal belt and braces holding up a pair of j j superfluous facilities'. j loose-fitting trousers. saved by the bell: see SAVED. 2002 Digital Photography Made Easy Oddly, the as clear (or sound) as a bell perfectly clear {or manual is also on CD, which seems a bit belt and braces (though useful if you lose the sound). original). 1993 Independent We spent a few thousand on redecoration, but basically the place was tighten your belt cut your expenditure; live sound as a bell. more frugally. give someone a bell telephone someone. under your belt Q (of food or drink) consumed. © safely or satisfactorily British informal achieved, experienced, or acquired. ring a bell revive a distant recollection; sound familiar, informal bend with bells on enthusiastically. North American bend someone's ear talk to someone, informal especially with great eagerness or in order 1989 Mary Gordon The Other Side So, to ask a favour, informal everybody's waiting for you with bells on. bend your elbow drink alcohol. North belle American belle of the ball the most admired and bend over backwards: see BACKWARDS. successful woman on a particular occasion. round the bend (or twist) crazy; mad. informal 1998 Spectator She combines a fondness for i O Thebe//eoftheba//wasoriginallythegirl i holidays in Switzerland with an amiable j or woman regarded as the most beautiful husband... who saves her fromgoin g j and popular at a dance. completely round the bend. bended 22 bended besetting on bended knee kneeling, especially when besetting sin a fault to which a person or pleading or showing great respect. institution is especially prone; a characteristic weakness. I O Bended was the original past participle of j j bend, but in Middle English it was superseded i i O The verb beset literally means 'surround j in general use by bent. It is now archaic and j with hostile intent', so the image is of a sin j survives only in this phrase. ; besieging or pressing in upon a person. 1974 Donal Scannell Mother Knew Best Mother benefit said vanity was a besetting sin which Amy give someone the benefit of — explain or resented, to say the least of it. recount to someone at length (often used ironically when someone pompously or beside impertinently assumes that their beside yourself overcome with worry, grief, knowledge or experience is superior to or anger; distraught. that of the person to whom they are talking). 1999 Stage Our courses are delivered by 2 best current TV personalities who will give you the best bib and tucker: see BIB. benefit of their 6 years experience. the best thing since sliced bread: see BREAD. the benefit of the doubt a concession that put your best foot forward: see FOOT. someone or something must be regarded as with the best will in the world: see WILL. correct or justified, if the contrary has not been proved. the best of both worlds: see WORLD. the best of British used to wish someone well Benjamin in an enterprise, especially when you are a Benjamin's portion (or mess) the largest almost sure it will be unsuccessful, informal share or portion. i O This phrase is an abbreviation of the best I j of British luck to you. O In the Bible, Benjamin was the youngest son of the Jewish patriarch Jacob. When give someone or something best admit the Jacob's sons encountered their long-lost brother Joseph in Egypt, where he had superiority of; give way to. British become a high official, they failed to 1990 Birds Magazine He finally decided to give recognize him, but Joseph generously us best and took himself off. entertained them: 'And he took and sent make the best of it Q derive what limited messes [servings of food] unto them from advantage you can from something before him: but Benjamin'smesswasfivetimes so much as any of their's' (Genesis 43:34). unsatisfactory or unwelcome, ©use resources as well as possible. bent ! O The first sense is often found in the form j j make the best of a bad job, meaning 'do bent out of shape angry or agitated. North | something as well as you can under difficult i American informal : circumstances'. 1994 David Spencer Alien Nation 6: Passing Fancy Max Corigliano was there... and bent your best bet the most favourable option out of shape about having been made to wait available in particular circumstances. so long. six of the best a caning as a punishment, berth traditionally with six strokes of the cane. give someone or something a wide berth I O Six of the best was formerly a common stay away from someone or something. ! punishment in boys' schools, but it is ! now chiefly historical in its literal sense j O Berth is a nautical term which originally i and tends to be used figuratively or ! i referred to the distance that ships should I humorously. j keep away from each other or from the shore, j i rocks, etc., in order to avoid a collision. j Therefore, the literal meaning of the bet i expression is'steer a ship well clear of j something while passing it'. all bets are off the outcome of a particular situation is unpredictable, informal 23 bicky don't bet on it used to express doubt about go one better O narrowly surpass a previous an assertion or situation, informal effort or achievement. © narrowly outdo another person. you can bet your boots (or bottom dollar or no better than you should (or ought to) be life) you may be absolutely certain, informal regarded as sexually promiscuous or of bet the farm risk everything that you own on doubtful moral character. a bet, investment, or enterprise. North i O This phrase dates back to the early 17th American informal ! century. Used typically of a woman, it is now j a safe bet a certainty. j rather dated. I O >A safe bet originally referred to a horse j that was confidently expected to win a race. 1998 Spectator 'She's no better than she ought to be'. (British mothers of my generation... 2002 Observer It is a safe bet that as the often used that enigmatic phrase. They would Western world gets fatter, the people on its use it about female neighbours of whom they television screens will continue to get thinner. disapproved, or women in low-cut dresses on better television.) your better half your husband or wife. against your better judgement: see JUDGEMENT. humorous the — the better used to emphasize the seen better days: see DAY. importance or desirability of the quality or so much the better: see MUCH. thing specified. 1986 Patrick Leigh Fermor Between the Woods & betting the Water He had a passion for limericks, the the betting is that it is likely that, informal racier the better. better the devil you know it's wiser to deal between with an undesirable but familiar person or between the devil and the deep blue sea: see situation than to risk a change that might DEVIL. lead to a situation with worse difficulties or between a rock and a hard place: see ROCK. a person whose faults you have yet to discover. betwixt betwixt and between neither one thing nor ! 0 This phrase is a shortened form of the the other, informal i proverb better the devil you know than the | devil you don't know. i O Betwixt is now poetic or archaic and is j seldom found outside this phrase. better late than never it's preferable for something to happen or be done belatedly than not at all. beyond better safe than sorry it's wiser to be the back of beyond: see BACK. cautious and careful than to be hasty or it's beyond me it's too astonishing, puzzling, rash and so do something that you may etc. for me to understand or explain, informal later regret. bib i O Apparently the expression is quite recent j your best bib and tucker your best clothes. j in this form (mid 20th century); better be sure \ informal \ than sorry is recorded from the mid 19th ; century. i O Bib and tucker originally referred to 1998 New Scientist The meeting is to be i certain items of women's clothing. A bib commended for taking a 'better safe than ! is a garment worn over the upper front sorry' attitude, and drawing up a baseline list : part of the body (e.g. the bib of an apron), of measures to be put in place when disease i and a tucker was a decorative piece of lace breaks out. j formerly worn on a woman's bodice. the better to — so as to — better. stick (or poke) your bib in interfere. Australian 1986 Peter Mathiessen Men's lives Francis ran & New Zealand informal both motors with their housings off, the better to tinker with them. bicky get the better of win an advantage over big bickies a large sum of money Australian someone; defeat or outwit someone. informal bide 24

j O Bickies is an abbreviation of biscuits. 1998 Sunday Telegraph The notion that someone outside the so-called 'Big Four'—the 1981 Canberra Times Appearance money is ministerial group which meets before Cabinet another claim which we think will —might be given such status is uplifting. succeed.. .Just showing up is worth big big white chief: see CHIEF. bickies. give someone the big e reject someone, bide typically in an insensitive or dismissive way. British informal bide your time wait quietly for a good opportunity. ! O The e in the phrase is from elbow: give I someone the big elbow has the same i O Bide in the sense of await is now only j meaning. ! found in this expression. It has been | superseded by abide in most of its other make it big become very successful or i senses. famous, informal 1991 Gillian Slovo The Betrayal And so he bided talk big talk confidently or boastfully, informal his time, waiting, plotting, planning, looking for the signs that would be good for him. think big be ambitious, informal too big for your boots conceited, informal big bike Big brother: see BROTHER. get off your bike become annoyed. Australian & the big C: see C. New Zealand informal a big cheese an important and influential 1939 Xavier Herbert Capricornia 'I tell you I saw person, informal no-one.' 'Don't get off your bike, son.—I know you're tellin' lies.' ; O Other versions of this phrase substitute on your bike! ©go away! ©take action! British i fish, gun, noise, shot, or wheel for cheese. ; These are mainly self-explanatory, with the informal i exception of cheese itself, which is of j O Sense 2 became a catchphrase in 1980s ; doubtful origin but may be from Persian and | Britain, when it was used as an exhortation to j j Urdu chTz meaning 'thing'. As a phrase, big | the unemployed to show initiative in their ; cheese seems to have originated in early ! attempt to find work. It was taken from a ! 20th-century US slang, as did big noise. Big j speech by the Conservative politician | wheel in this metaphorical sense (as opposed | Norman Tebbit in which he said of his i to the fairground ride known as a Ferris j unemployed father: 'He did not riot, he got ! wheel) and big shot are similarly US in origin | on his bike and looked for work.' j (mid 20th century). Big fish may have ! connotations either of something it is ! desirable for you to catch or of the j metaphorical expression a big fish in a small bill j pond. bill and coo exchange caresses or affection­ ate words; behave or talk in a very loving big deal Q an important or impressive event. or sentimental way. informal, dated © used as an ironic exclamation to indicate i O The image is of two doves, a long- that you do not think something is as ; established symbol of mutual love. important or impressive as another person has suggested, informal a clean bill of health a declaration or the big five a name given by hunters to the confirmation that someone is healthy five largest and most dangerous African or something is in good condition. mammals: rhinoceros, elephant, buffalo, I O |n the mid 18th century, a bill of health lion, and leopard. I was an official certificate given to the master i the big lie a gross distortion or misrep­ j of a ship on leaving port; if clean, it certified i resentation of the facts, especially when j that there was no infection either in the port j used as a propaganda device by a politician ! or on board the vessel. or official body. fit (or fill) the bill be suitable for a particular the big smoke QLondon. British informal ©any purpose. large town, chiefly Australian the big Three, Four, etc. the dominant group i O fl/7/in this context is a printed list of items j I on a theatrical programme or advertisement, j of three, four, etc. informal 25 bit foot the bill be responsible for paying for finger up at someone as a sign of contempt something. or anger. US informal sell someone a bill of goods deceive or 1994 Washington Post Magazine We could swindle someone, usually by persuading simultaneously honour America, break the them to accept something untrue or law and flip the bird to all the do-gooders. undesirable. give someone (or get) the bird boo or jeer at someone (orbe booed or jeered at). British I © A bill of goods is a consignment of informal j merchandise. j O This phrase first appeared in early 19th- 1968 Globe & Mail (Toronto) There was no ! century theatrical slang as the big bird, production bonus... We were sold a bill of I meaning'a goose'. This was because the goods. j hissing of geese could be compared to the top (or head) the bill be the main performer i audience's hissing at an act or actor of which i or act in a show, play, etc. ! it disapproved. have a bird be very shocked or agitated. North billy-o American informal like billy-o very much, hard, or strongly. 1992 Globe & Mail (Toronto) The Washington British informal press corps would have a bird if the president- 1995 John Banville Athena This skin tone is the to-be appointed his wife to a real job. effect of cigarettes, I suspect, for she is a great kill two birds with one stone: see KILL. smoker... going at the fags like billy-o. a little bird told me used as a teasing way of saying that you do not intend to divulge bird how you came to know something. the bird has flown the person you are strictly for the birds not worth looking for has escaped or gone away. consideration; unimportant, informal a bird in hand something that you have securely or are sure of. ! O This expression was originally US army ! slang. Itmaybeanallusiontotheway in which I ! O This phrase refers to the proverb a bird in \ I birds eat the droppings of horses and cattle. I hand is worth two in the bush, current in i English since the mid 15th century. birthday a bird of passage someone who is always in your birthday suit naked, humorous moving on. biscuit I O Literally, a bird of passage is a migrant j bird. have had the biscuit be no longer good for anything; be done for. Canadian informal a bird's-eye view a general view from above. 1994 Equinox I thought I'd had the biscuit. I was more than 12 kilometres from camp, the birds and the bees basic facts about sex I didn't have a coat... and it was about and reproduction as told to a child, informal 40 below. birds of a feather people with similar tastes, take the biscuit: see TAKE. interests, etc. ! O This phrase comes from the proverb birds I bit i of a feather flock together, which has been a bit much somewhat excessive or i current in this form since the late 16th i century. Its origins may ultimately lie in the unreasonable. j Apocrypha:'the birds will resort unto their a bit of all right a pleasing person or thing, i like'(Ecclesiasticus 27:9). especially a woman regarded sexually. British informal do bird serve a prison sentence. British bit of fluff (or skirt or stuff) a woman informal regarded in sexual terms. British informal 1937 W. Somerset Maugham Theatre It was j O In this phrase b/rd comes from rhyming i slang birdlime 'time'. strangely flattering for a woman to be treated as a little bit of fluff that you just tumbled on to early bird: see EARLY. abed. flip someone the bird stick your middle bit of rough: see ROUGH. bite 26 bit on the side Q a person with whom you bite off more than you can chew take on a are unfaithful to your partner. © a commitment you cannot fulfil. relationship involving being unfaithful to bite your tongue make a desperate effort to your partner. © money earned outside avoid saying something. your normal job. informal put the bite on blackmail; extort money bits and pieces (or bobs) an assortment of from. North American & Australian informal small or unspecified items. 1955 Ray Lawler Summer of the Seventeenth Doll do your bit make a useful contribution to an Your money's runnin' out you know you can't effort or cause, informal put the bite on me any more. take a bite out of reduce by a significant ! O The exhortation to do your bit was much j ! used during World War 1, but the expression j amount, informal j was current in the late 19th century. biter get the bit between your teeth begin to the biter bit (or bitten) a person who has done tackle a problem or task in a determined or harm has been harmed in a similar way. independent way. ! O Biter was a late 17th-century term for a : O The metal bit in a horse's mouth should lie i I fraudster or trickster. In this sense it now j on the fleshy part of its gums; if a headstrong i I survives only in this phrase. i horse grasps the bit between its teeth it can i evade the control of the reins and its rider. 2000 Locus The most common plot device in Lee's stories is the classic 'biter bitten' to bits very much, informal resolution. 1998 Times A succession of elderly ladies bitten explained how, as young women, they had fancied him to bits. be bitten by the bug: see BUG. I could have bitten my tongue off used to convey that you profoundly and bite immediately regret having said something. bite someone's head off respond curtly or once bitten, twice shy: see ONCE. angrily. a bite at the cherry: see CHERRY. bitter bite the big one die. North American informal a bitter pill: see PILL. 1996 Tom Clancy Executive Orders The Premier to the bitter end persevering to the end, of Turkmenistan bit the big one, supposedly whatever the outcome. an automobile accident. bite the bullet face up to doing something black difficult or unpleasant; stoically avoid beat someone black and blue hit someone showing fear or distress. so severely that they are covered in bruises. be in someone's black books be in disfavour ! O This phrase dates from the days before j anaesthetics, when wounded soldiers were with someone. | given a bullet or similar solid object to clench j ! O Although a black book was generally an j ; between their teeth when undergoing ! official book in which misdemeanours and ! surgery. i their perpetrators were noted down, this 1998 Joyce Holms Bad Vibes Once he ! phrase perhaps originated in the black- accepted it as inevitable he usually bit the i bound book in which evidence of monastic bullet and did what was required of him with a j scandals and abuses was recorded by Henry good grace. ; VIH's commissioners in the 1530s, before the j I suppression of the monasteries. bite the dust Qbe killed, ©fail, informal bite the hand that feeds you deliberately beyond the black stump: see STUMP. hurt or offend a benefactor; act black box an automatic apparatus, the ungratefully. internal operations of which are 1994 Warren Farrell The Myth of Male Power mysterious to non-experts. When this is combined with the fact that women watch more TV in every time slot, i O Black does not refer to the colour of the shows can't afford to bite the hand that feeds ! device but to the arcane nature of its them. ; functions. Originally Royal Air Force slang for ; 27 bleeds

i a navigational instrument in an aircraft, the ! O A stone at Blarney Castle near Cork in I phrase is now used in aviation specifically to ! ! Ireland is said to give the gift of persuasive i refer to the flight recorder. j speech to anyone who kisses it; from this i comes the verb blarney, meaning 'talk in a a black mark against someone something ; flattering way'. that someone has done that is disliked or disapproved of by other people. blast Th i O e literal meaning of the phrase is a a blast from the past something powerfully ! black cross or spot marked against the name j nostalgic, especially an old pop song. j of a person who has done something wrong, j informal the black sheep a person considered to have 1997 Time Out N.Y. Tonight's act is a tribute to Curtis Mayfield, featuring three blasts from brought discredit upon a family or other the past: The Impressions... The Stylistics and group; a bad character. The Dramatics. a black spot a place that is notorious for something, especially a high crime or blaze accident rate. blaze a trail be the first to do something 1992 Radio Times Jonathon Porritt meets the and so set an example for others to 'green warriors' who are spearheading follow. campaigns to clean up some of the world's worst pollution black spots. ; O Blaze in this sense comes ultimately from j in the black not owing any money; solvent. ! an Old Norse noun meaning'a white mark on j | a horse's face'. In its literal sense, blazing a in black and white Qin writing or in print, \ tra/7 refers to the practice of making white and regarded as more reliable than by i marks on trees by chipping off bits of their word of mouth, ©in terms of clearly j bark, thereby indicating your route to those : defined opposing principles or issues. i who are following you. not as black as you are painted not as bad as like blazes very fast or forcefully, informal you are said to be. informal j O Blazes in this context refers to the flames i i O The proverb the devil is not as black as he \ j of hell; go to blazes! is a dated equivalent of j j is painted, first recorded in English in the mid j j go to hell! j 16th century, was used as a warning not to i base your fears of something on exaggerated j I reports. blazing with guns blazing: see GUN. blank bleed a blank cheque unlimited scope, especially bleed someone dry (or white) drain to spend money. someone of all their money or resources. i 0 A blank cheque is literally one in which ! the amount of money to be paid has not been ; | O Since the late 17th century bleeding has ! filled in by the payer. I been a metaphor for extorting money from j someone. White refers to the physiological draw a blank elicit no response; be i effect of losing blood. unsuccessful. 1982 William Haggard The Mischief-Makers Her husband had been a wealthy man, the lady's j O Ab/an/cwas originally a lottery ticket that i solicitors sharp and ruthless, and her husband | did not win a prize. had been bled white to get rid of her. firing blanks (of a man) infertile, informal bleeds blanket my heart bleeds for you I sympathize very born on the wrong side of the blanket deeply with you. illegitimate, dated j O This image was used by Chaucer and a wet blanket: see WET. ! Shakespeare to express sincere anguish. ! Nowadays, the phrase most often indicates blarney j the speaker's belief that the person referred I ! to does not deserve the sympathy they are have kissed the blarney stone be eloquent i seeking. and persuasive. bless 28 bless blind someone with science use special or technical knowledge and vocabulary to not have a penny to bless yourself with: see confuse someone. PENNY. go it blind act recklessly. blessing rob someone blind: see ROB. a blessing in disguise an apparent turn a blind eye pretend not to notice. misfortune that eventually has good results. ; O This phrase is said to be a reference to i Admiral Horatio Nelson (1758-1805), who count your blessings: see COUNT. i lifted a telescope to his blind eye at the a mixed blessing: see MIXED. j Battle of Copenhagen (1801), thereby i ensuring that he failed to see his superior's ! signal to discontinue the action. A less usual j blind i version, referring directly to this story, is turn \ a blind alley a course of action that does not ; a Nelson eye. deliver any positive results. 1997 New Scientist The next person looking for the same information has to go through blinder the process all over again—even if 1000 play a blinder: see PLAY. people have already been up the same blind alleys. blinding effing and blinding: see EFFING. as blind as a bat having very bad eyesight. informal blink ; O This expression probably arose from the in the blink of an eye very quickly, informal ! bat's nocturnal habits and its disorientated 1995 Daily Mail It also has an unnerving way of i flutterings if disturbed by day. The poor flipping over fromcomed y to tragedy, or from i eyesight of bats (and less frequently, moles) tragedy to comedy, in the blink of an eye. I has been proverbial since the late 16th i century. on the blink (of a machine) not working properly; out of order, informal a blind bit of — the smallest bit of—; no — at all. informal block 1995 Patrick McCabe The Dead School Not that it a chip off the old block: see CHIP. made a blind bit of difference what they a new kid on the block a newcomer to a thought, considering the way their lives were about to go. particular place or sphere of activity, informal a blind date a social meeting, usually with : © This phrase was originally American: the j the object of starting a romance, between j block referred to is a block of buildings two people who have not met each other j between streets. before. 1998 Times Andrew Flintoff has displaced Ben the blind leading the blind a situation in Hollioake as the new kid on the block. which the ignorant or inexperienced are have been around the block a few times (of instructed or guided by someone equally a person) have a lot of experience. North ignorant or inexperienced. American informal ! © This phrase alludes to the proverb when on the block for sale at auction, chiefly North ! the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into American ! the ditch, quoting Matthew 15:14. j O The block in this phrase was the platform j a blind spot Q an area into which you cannot i on which, in former times, a slave stood to be j see. © an aspect of something that I auctioned. someone knows or cares little about. put the blocks on prevent from proceeding.

! O These general senses appear to have I O A block of wood or other material placed i i developed from a mid 19th-century j in front of a wheel prevents forward i cricketing term for the spot of ground in j movement. i front of a batsman where a ball pitched by | the bowler leaves the batsman undecided put your head (or neck) on the block put j whether to play forward to it or back. your position or reputation at risk by 29 blot

proceeding with a particular course of j © A North American variant of this action, informal ! expression is///re geft/ng bloodoutofaturnip. \ ! O This phrase alludes to the block of wood j make your blood boil infuriate you. i on which a condemned person was formerly j i beheaded. make your blood curdle fill you with horror. make your blood run cold horrify you. blood ! © The previous three phrases all come from j blood and guts violence and bloodshed, | the medieval physiological scheme of the especially in fiction, informal j four humours in the human body ; (melancholy, phlegm, blood, and choler). i blood and iron military force rather than ! Under this scheme blood was the hot, moist diplomacy. ! element, so the effect of horror or fear in j © Blood and iron is a translation of German j j making the blood run cold or curdling ! Blut und Eisen, a phrase particularly j (solidifying) it was to make it unable to fulfil j j associated with a speech made by the ! its proper function of supplying the body i German statesman Bismarck (1815-98) in the j j with vital heat or energy. The blood boiling j Prussian House of Deputies in 1886. ; was a supposedly dangerous overreaction to I j strong emotion. blood and thunder unrestrained and violent action or behaviour, especially in sport or new (or young) blood new (or younger) fiction, informal members of a group, especially those admitted as an invigorating force. ! O Blood and thunder is often used to someone's blood is up someone is in a : describe sensational literature, and in the late j ; 19th century gave rise to penny bloods as a fighting mood. | term for cheap sensational novels. sweat blood: see SWEAT. blood is thicker than water family loyalties taste blood achieve an early success that are stronger than other relationships. stimulates further efforts. there is bad blood between — there is long­ blood on the carpet used to refer in an standing hostility between the parties exaggerated way to a serious disagreement mentioned. or its aftermath. 2001 Hugh Collins No Smoke There are 1984 Times The last thing I want now is blood occasional square-gos sometimes, but there's on the boardroom carpet. no bad blood between rival gangs. blood, sweat, and tears extremely hard work; unstinting effort. bloody

ln bloody (or bloodied) but unbowed proud of j O May 1940 Winston Churchill made a ! speech in the House of Commons in which he j what you have achieved despite having ! declared : 'I have nothing to offer but blood, ! suffered great difficulties or losses. i toil, tears, and sweat.' bloom blood will tell family characteristics cannot the bloom is off the rose something is no be concealed, proverb longer new, fresh, or exciting. North American first blood the first point or advantage blot gained in a contest. blot your copybook tarnish your good i O First blood is literally 'the first shedding of I reputation. British | blood', especially in a boxing match or I formerly in duelling with swords. ; © A copybook was an exercise book with i examples of handwriting for children to copy j have blood on your hands be responsible for j as they practised their own writing. the death of someone. a blot on the escutcheon something that in cold blood: see COLD. tarnishes your reputation. in your blood ingrained in or fundamental to your character. j © An escutcheon was a family's heraldic j shield, and so also a record and symbol of its i like getting blood out of a stone extremely j honour. difficult and frustrating. blouse 30 a blot on the landscape something ugly blow something sky-high destroy that spoils the appearance of a place; something completely in an explosion. an eyesore. informal 1962 Listener Charabancs and monstrous blow your top lose your temper. hordes of hikers are blots upon the landscape. I O Two, chiefly North American, variants are \ blouse i blow your lid and blow your stack. big girl's blouse a weak, cowardly, or blow up in your face (of an action, plan, or oversensitive man. British informal situation) go drastically wrong with damaging effects to yourself. blow blow the whistle on: see WHISTLE. blow someone away ©kill, destroy, or blow with the wind act according to defeat someone, ©have a very strong effect on someone, informal prevailing circumstances rather than a 01998 Times It blows me away the way she consistent plan. [a 13-year-old] is already moving through her soften (or cushion) the blow make it easier life. to cope with a difficult change or upsetting blow away the cobwebs: see COBWEB. news. blow your cool lose your composure; which way the wind blows how a situation become angry or agitated, informal is likely to develop. blow the doors off be considerably better or more successful than. North American blow-by-blow informal a blow-by-blow account a detailed narrative of events as they happened. blow a fuse (or gasket) lose your temper. informal blown be blown away be extremely impressed. i © The metaphor is of the failure of an i electrical circuit or engine as a result of informal j overheating. be blown off course have your plans blow the gaff: see GAFF. disrupted by some circumstance. I O This phrase is a nautical metaphor: blow great guns: see GUN. i contrary winds turn a sailing ship away from j blow hot and cold alternate inconsistently j its intended course. between two moods, attitudes, or courses of action; be sometimes enthusiastic, be blown out of the water (of a person, idea, sometimes unenthusiastic about some­ or project) be shown to lack credibility or thing. viability. 1997 Daily Mail Things finally seem to be i O This phrase refers to a fable involving a looking up for Kelly—which is more than can i traveller who was offered hospitality by a be said for Biff, whose romantic plans are i satyr and offended his host by blowing on his j blown out of the water by Linda. | cold fingers to warm them and on his hot ! soup to cool it. blue blow the lid off: see LID. between the devil and the deep blue sea see blow someone's mind affect someone very DEVIL. strongly, informal a bolt from the blue: see BOLT. do something until you are blue in the face j O Blow someone's mind was originally a I mid 20th-century expression for the effect of j persist in trying your hardest at an activity i hallucinatory drugs such as LSD. but without success, informal once in a blue moon very rarely; practically blow off steam: see STEAM. never, informal blow your own horn: see HORN. i © The colour blue was an arbitrary choice in j blow your own trumpet: see TRUMPET. I this phrase. To say that the moon is blue is blow a raspberry: see RASPBERRY. : recorded in the 16th century as a way of I indicating that something could not be true, j blow someone's socks off: see SOCK. 31 boat out of the blue without warning; very j value was weaker than their heavy betting unexpectedly, informal I suggested.

! O This phrase refers to a blue (i.e. clear) sky, j i from which nothing unusual is expected. blush spare (or save) someone's blushes refrain scream blue murder: see MURDER. from causing someone embarrassment. talk a blue streak speak continuously and at great length. North American informal board i O A blue streak refers to something like a above board honest; not secret. j flash of lightning in its speed and vividness. j O Above board was originally a gambling true blue genuine. j term, indicating fair play by players who kept j i their hands above the board (i.e. the table). j O The sense of someone being true blue j may derive from the idea of someone being across the board: see ACROSS. I genuinely aristocratic, or having'blue blood', j j In recent times, the term true blue has go by the board (of something planned or I become particularly associated with loyal previously upheld) be abandoned, rejected, i supporters of the British Conservative party. I or ignored. the wide (or wild) blue yonder the sky or j O In former times, go by the board was a i nautical term meaning'fall overboard'and sea; the far or unknown distance. j was used of a mast falling past the board (i.e. I j O The phrase comes from 'Army Air Corps' j the side of the ship). ! (1939), a song by Robert Crawford:'Off we go j j into the wild blue yonder, Climbing high into j on board as a member of a team or group. i the sun'. informal

i O On board literally means on or in a ship, blue-eyed j aircraft, or other vehicle, or (of a jockey) j j riding a horse. a blue-eyed boy the favourite of someone in authority. take something on board fully consider j O The significance of blue eyes may be their j or assimilate a new idea or situation. I association with the innocence and charm of j informal j a very young child. The term is first recorded j tread (or walk) the boards appear on stage as | in a novel by P. G. Wodehouse in 1924. an actor, informal 1998 Spectator Of the three, the arrest of Osborne, one of the blue-eyed boys of British racing, was the most striking. boat be in the same boat be in the same blue-sky unfortunate or difficult circumstances as blue-sky research research that is not others, informal directed towards any immediate or definite burn your boats: see BURN. commercial goal. 1997 New Scientist Bell Labs and IBM are well off the boat recently arrived from a foreign known for blue-sky research. They have country, and by implication naive or an people who are paid just to sit around and outsider, informal, often offensive think—not about products. push the boat out be lavish in your spending or celebrations. British informal bluff Pusn j O the boat out apparently originated j call someone's bluff challenge someone to ! as mid 20th-century naval slang meaning'pay i carry out a stated intention, in the j for a round of drinks'. expectation of being able to expose it as a false pretence. rock the boat say or do something to disturb an existing situation and upset other j O In the game of poker (which was formerly j people, informal j also known by the name of bluff), calling 1999 Times The six candidates are so j someone's b/ufY meant making an opponent j determined not to rock the boat that they are i show their hand in order to reveal that its in danger of saying nothing of interest. bob 32 bob bold bob and weave make rapid bodily as bold as brass confident to the point of movements up and down and from side impudence. to side. ! O Brass is used in this phrase as a Bob's your uncle everything is fine; problem j metaphorical representation of a lack of solved. British informal : shame, as it was in the old expression a brass \ \ face, meaning 'an impudent person'. ! O Bob isa familiar form of the name Robert. \ I The origin of the phrase is often said to be in ! I the controversial appointment in 1887 of bolt ! the young Arthur Balfour to the important a bolt from the blue a sudden and | post of Chief Secretary for Ireland by his unexpected event or piece of news. i uncle Lord Salisbury, whose first name was i Robert. The problem with this explanation is i ! O The phrase refers to the unlikelihood of a j ; that the phrase is not recorded until the j thunderbolt coming out of a clear blue sky. I 1930s. have shot your bolt have done all that is in 1996 Colin Bateman Of Wee Sweetie Mice and Men I couldn't believe how easy it was to get. your power, informal Just walked into a shop, signed a piece of ! O lnthisidiom,thebo/treferredtoisathick, j paper, and Bob's your uncle. j heavy arrow for a crossbow. bodkin 1998 Spectator The Britpop boom has ended, the Spice Girls have shot their bolt. ride bodkin travel squeezed between two other people, dated make a bolt for try to escape by moving suddenly towards something. body i O A Do/t here is a sudden spring or start into j body and soul involving every aspect of a j rapid motion, typically that made by a horse j | breaking into an uncontrollable gallop. person; completely. keep body and soul together manage to stay alive, especially in difficult bomb go down a bomb be very well received. British circumstances. informal know where the bodies are buried have i O This phrase is especially used of the security deriving from personal j entertainment and in this context is the knowledge of an organization's ; opposite of go down like a lead balloon (see j confidential affairs and secrets. : LEAD). informal go like a bomb ©be very successful, ©(of a over my dead body: see DEAD. vehicle or person) move very fast. British boil informal go off the boil pass the stage at which interest, excitement, activity, etc. is at its Bondi greatest. give someone Bondi attack someone it all boils down to it amounts to or is in savagely. Australian informal essence. i O A bondi (also spelled boondie, bundi, or i i O Boiling down a liquid means reducing i bundy) is a heavy Aboriginal club. i its volume and concentrating it by i evaporation. bone 1998 Times And why are deals getting more a bag of bones: see BAG. complex? Unsurprisingly it all boils down to profit. the bare bones: see BARE. a bone of contention a subject or issue over make your blood boil: see BLOOD. which there is continuing disagreement. boiling j O The idea is of a bone thrown into the keep the pot boiling maintain the momen­ i midst of a number of dogs and causing a fight i tum or interest value of something. j between them. 33 boot a bone in your leg (or head) a (feigned) 1948 P. G. Wodehouse Uncle Dynamite She looks on you as a... poor, spineless sheep who reason for idleness, informal can't say boo to a goose. close to (or near) the bone Q (of a remark) penetrating and accurate to the point of booay causing hurt or discomfort. Q (of a joke or up the booay completely wrong or astray. story) likely to cause offence because near Australian & New Zealand the limit of decency. cut (or pare) something to the bone j O Literally, the booay are remote rural j districts. The origin of the term is uncertain, reduce something to the bare minimum. i though Puhoi, the name of a district in North j have a bone to pick with someone have ! Auckland, New Zealand, has been suggested i reason to disagree or be annoyed with i as the source. someone, informal j O A bone to pick (or gnaw) has been a book I metaphor for a problem or difficulty to be I thought over since the mid 16th century. be in someone's black books: see BLACK. bring someone to book bring someone to in your bones felt, understood, or believed justice; punish someone. very deeply or instinctively. by the book strictly according to the rules. make no bones about something have no hesitation in stating or dealing with close the books make no further entries at something, however unpleasant, the end of an accounting period; cease awkward, or distasteful it is. trading. a closed book: see CLOSED. j © This expression, which dates back to the i 16th century, may originally have referred to I cook the books: see COOK. j eating a bowl of soup in which no bones in someone's bad (or good) books in ! were found and which was therefore easily disfavour (or favour) with someone. j eaten. make (or open) a book take bets and pay out winnings on the outcome of a race or other not a — bone in your body not the slightest contest or event. trace of the specified quality. 1999 Scott Turow Personal Injuries I mean, I like on the books contained in a list of members, Betty. Not a mean bone in her body. employees, or clients. point the bone at betray someone; cause read someone like a book: see READ. someone's downfall. Australian suit someone's book be convenient or acceptable to someone. British I O The phrase comes from an Australian ! Aboriginal ritual, in which a bone is pointed i take a leaf out of someone's book: see I at a victim so as to curse them and cause their \ LEAF. I sickness or death. j throw the book at charge or punish someone as severely as possible or to the bone 0(of a wound) so deep as to permitted, informal expose the victim's bone, ©affecting a person in a very penetrating way. boot to your bones (or to the bone) in a very boots and all completely. Australian & New fundamental way (used to emphasize that a Zealand informal person possesses a specified quality as an 1947 D. M. Davin The Rest of Our Lives The essential or innate aspect of their next thing he'll do is counter-attack, boots personality). and all. 2003 Eve Gloria is known today to be a conservative to her bones—a true monarchist. the boot is on the other foot the situation has reversed. work your fingers to the bone work very hard. i O A North American variant is the shoe is on \ I the other foot. boo die with your boots on: see DIE. wouldn't say boo to a goose (of a person) get the boot be dismissed from your job or very shy or reticent. position, informal bootstrap 34

I O Get the boot comes from the idea of booty ! being literally kicked out, as does give i someone the boot. A facetious expansion shake your booty dance energetically. ! of this idiom is get the Order of the Boot. informal hang up your boots: see HANG. borak put the boot in treat someone brutally, poke borak at make fiin of someone. Australian especially when they are vulnerable. British & New Zealand, dated informal I O Borak was used in 19th-century I Australian to mean 'nonsense or rubbish'. It ; O The literal sense is 'kick someone hard j was originally a pidgin term and was based : when they are already on the ground'. i on an Aboriginal word meaning 'no, not'. seven-league boots the ability to travel very 1960 Eric North Nobody Stops Me I... sub­ fast on foot. scribed to his ravings about women, while everybody else about the place poked borak ; O This phrase comes from the fairy story of i at him. I Hop o'my Thumb, in which magic boots i enable the wearer to travel seven leagues at j born j each stride. be born with a silver spoon in your mouth: to boot as well; in addition, informal see SILVER. born and bred by birth and upbringing. ; O Boot here has nothing to do with 1991 Sharon Kay Penman The Reckoning I was I footwear but comes from an Old English being tended by a most unlikely nurse, an Irish j word meaning 'good, profit, or advantage'. It j ! survives for the most part only in this phrase j sprite who spoke French as if she was Paris I and in bootless meaning 'unavailing or ! born and bred. j profitless'. born in the purple: see PURPLE. 1998 New Scientist It's an ideal first-year not know you are born be unaware how programming book, covering both Java and easy your life is. informal programming concepts clearly, with humour there's one (or a sucker) born every to boot. minute there are many stupid or gullible tough as old boots: see TOUGH. people about (used as a comment on a you can bet your boots: see BET. particular situation in which someone your heart sinks into your boots used to has been or is about to be deceived). express a feeling of sudden sadness or informal dismay. to the manner born: see MANNER. I wasn't born yesterday used to indicate ! O This idiom has given rise to the adjective j ! heartsink, used in the medical profession to that you are not foolish or gullible. ! describe a patient who causes their medical i practitioner to experience such a feeling, borrow j usually as a result of making frequent visits to j borrow trouble take needless action that j the surgery to complain of persistent but may have bad effects. North American j unidentifiable ailments. borrowed bootstrap living on borrowed time continuing to pull (or drag) yourself up by your own survive against expectations (used with the bootstraps improve your position by your implication that this will not be for much own efforts. longer).

A borrowed plumes a pretentious display not I O bootstrap is sometimes sewn into the rightly your own. I back of boots to help with pulling them on. ! This idiom has given rise to the computing | O This phrase refers to the fable of the jay ! term bootstrapping, meaning the process of ; j which dressed itself in the peacock's feathers, i j loading a program into a computer by means j I of a few initial instructions which enable the I introduction of the rest of the program from boss j aninputdevice.Wenowrefertotheprocessof i i starting a computer as booting or booting up. i show someone who's boss make it clear that it is yourself who is in charge. 35 box

both a dead cat bounce: see DEAD. cut both ways: see CUT. on the bounce Oas something rebounds, ©in quick succession, informal have it both ways benefit from two 0 2001 Greyhound Star He has now won twelve incompatible ways of thinking or behaving. races on the bounce, including three big 1998 New Scientist It is only now dawning on the legislators that they cannot have it both competitions. ways—that cleanliness and ecological friendliness are incompatible. bound duty-bound: see DUTY. bothered honour-bound: see HONOUR. hot and bothered in a state of anxiety or physical discomfort, especially as a result bounden of being pressured. a bounden duty a responsibility regarded by yourself or others as obligatory.

bottle i O Bounden as the past participle of bind is i have (or show) a lot of bottle have (or show) I now archaic in all contexts and is seldom boldness or initiative. British informal j found except in this phrase.

! O The mid 19th-century slang phrase no \ bottle, meaning 'no good or useless', is the bow i probable origin of bottle's current sense of bow and scrape behave in an obsequious ! 'courage or nerve'. Nowadays we also find way to someone in authority. ! the expressions lose your bottle meaning ; 'lose your nerve' and bottle out meaning 'fail j bow down in the house of Rimmon pay lip i to do something as a result of losing your service to a principle; sacrifice your i nerve'. I principles for the sake of conformity.

hit (or be on) the bottle start to drink alcohol | O R/mmon was a god worshipped in ancient j heavily, especially in an attempt to escape I Damascus; the source of this phrase is j Naaman's request in 2 Kings 5:18,'when I from one's problems, informal ; bow down myself in the house of Rimmon, j the Lord pardon thy servant in this thing'. bottom be bumping along the bottom (of an have a second string to your bow: see STRING. economy or industry) be at the lowest point make your bow make your first formal in its performance without improving or appearance in a particular role. deteriorating further. take a bow Q(of an actor or entertainer) bottom drawer: see DRAWER. acknowledge applause after a performance, ©used to tell someone that they should the bottom falls (or drops) out of something feel themselves worthy of applause. something fails or collapses totally. the bottom line: see LINE. a warning shot across the bows a statement or gesture intended to frighten someone from the bottom of your heart: see HEART. into changing their course of action. scrape the bottom of the barrel: see SCRAPE. touch bottom: see TOUCH. ! O Literally, a shot fired in front of the bows j i of a ship is one which is not intended to hit it j you can bet your bottom dollar: see you can | but to make it stop or alter course. bet your boots at BET. bought bowl have bought it be killed, informal a bowl of cherries: see CHERRY. box bounce black box: see BLACK. bounce an idea off someone share an box clever act so as to outwit someone. British idea with another person in order informal to get feedback on it and refine it. informal 1950 Alexander Baron There's No Home If you bounce off the walls be full of nervous box clever and keep your mouth shut... you excitement or agitation. North American ought to be able to count on a suspended informal sentence. box seat 36 be a box of birds be fine or happy. Australian & the brass ring success, especially as a reward New Zealand for ambition or hard work. North American informal a box of tricks an ingenious gadget, informal in the wrong box placed unsuitably or I © This phrase refers to the reward of a free j awkwardly; in difficulty or at a ! ride on a merry-go-round given to the person i j who succeeds in hooking a brass ring disadvantage. | suspended over the horses. i O This phrase perhaps arose with reference j j to an apothecary's boxes, from which a brass neck cheek or effrontery, informal ! mistaken choice might have provided poison i get down to brass tacks start to i instead of medicine. consider the essential facts or practical out of the box unusually good. Australian & New details; reach the real matter in hand. Zealand informal informal 1932 T. S. Eliot Sweeney Agonistes That's all the out of your box intoxicated with alcohol or facts when you come to brass tacks: Birth, and drugs. British informal copulation, and death. Pandora's box: see PANDORA. not a brass farthing no money or assets at all. think outside the box have ideas that are informal original, creative, or innovative, informal part brass rags with: see RAG. box seat brave in the box seat in an advantageous position. brave new world a new and hopeful period Australian & New Zealand in history resulting from major changes in boy society. boys in blue policemen; the police, informal I O This phrase comes ultimately from j Shakespeare's The Tempest, but is more often j boys will be boys childish, irresponsible, I used with allusion to Aldous Huxley's ironical j or mischievous behaviour is typical of j use of the phrase as the title of his 1932 novel j boys or young men. proverb j Brave New World. jobs for the boys: see JOB. put a brave face on something: see FACE. the old boy network: see NETWORK. one of the boys accepted by a group of breach men. step into the breach take the place of sort out the men from the boys: see MAN. someone who is suddenly unable to do a job or task. brain have something on the brain be obsessed ! O I" military terms a breach is a gap in | fortifications made by enemy guns or with something, informal j explosives. In this context, to stand in pick someone's brains: see PICK. | the breach is to bear the brunt of an attack I when other defences or expedients have rack your brains: see RACK. | failed. j brass brass monkey used in various phrases to bread refer to extremely cold weather. the best (or greatest) thing since sliced bread a notable new idea, person, or thing j O Brass monkey comes from the mid 20th- ! century vulgar slang expression'cold enough j (used to express real or ironic appreci­ j to freeze the balls off a brass monkey', the ation), informal j origin of which has been debated. One j ! O This phrase alludes to the mid 20th- j suggestion relates it to brass trays known as ! century advertising promotions for packed, ! monkeys on which cannon balls were once I pre-sliced loaves. ! I stowed aboard warships. 1994 Camping Magazine David will be doing hibreas d and circuses material benefits and best to show you how to keep warm under entertainment employed by rulers or canvas even if the temperature outside has political parties to keep the masses happy dipped to brass monkey level. and docile. 37 breath

! O Bread and circuses is a translation of the j break a butterfly on a wheel use i Latin phrase partem et circenses, which unnecessary force in destroying something i appeared in Juvenal's Satires, and which fragile or insignificant. i alludestothe Roman emperors'organization j ! of grain handouts and gladiatorial games for i i O ln former times, breaking someone upon i ; the populace. j the wheel was a form of punishment or j torture which involved fastening criminals to j break bread with share a meal with I a wheel so that their bones would be broken j someone, dated j or dislocated. j cast your bread upon the waters do good 1998 Times But why break a butterfly upon a without expecting gratitude or immediate wheel? What harm does the Liberal Democrat leader do? Unfortunately he may reward. be about to do a great deal. | O This expression comes from Ecclesiastes | 11:1:'Cast thy bread upon the waters: for break a leg! good luck! theatrical slang i thou shalt find it after many days'. break cover: see COVER. break the ice: see ICE. eat the bread of idleness eat food that you have not worked for. literary break the mould: see MOULD. break new (or fresh) ground do pioneering i O This phrase appears in the description of i j the virtuous woman in Proverbs 31:27: work. i 'She... eateth not the bread of idleness'. break rank: see RANK. break ship fail to rejoin your ship after have your bread buttered on both sides be absence on leave. in a state of easy prosperity. give me a break! used to express know on which side your bread is buttered contemptuous disagreement or disbelief know where your advantage lies. man cannot live by bread alone people have about something that has been said. spiritual as well as physical needs. give someone a break stop putting | O This phrase comes from Matthew 4:4 pressure on someone about something. I (quoting Deuteronomy 8:3), where the informal j passage continues 'but by every word that make a break for make a sudden dash i proceedeth out of the mouth of God'. in the direction of, usually in a bid to someone's bread and butter someone's escape. livelihood; routine work to provide an make a clean break remove yourself income. 1998 Times It is not that the smaller deal has completely and finally from a situation or disappeared—they remain the bread and relationship. butter of this industry. that's (or them's) the breaks that's the way take the bread out of people's mouths things turn out (used to express resigned deprive people of their livings, especially acceptance of a situation). North American by competition or unfair working informal practices. breakfast want your bread buttered on both sides a dog's breakfast: see DOG. want more than is practicable or than is have someone for breakfast deal with or reasonable to expect, informal defeat someone with contemptuous ease. informal bread-and-butter breast a bread-and-butter letter a guest's written thanks for hospitality. beat your breast make a great show of sorrow or regret. break make a clean breast of something: see CLEAN. break the back of Q accomplish the main or breath hardest part of a task, ©overwhelm or a breath of fresh air O a small amount of or a defeat. brief time in the fresh air. ©a refreshing break the bank: see BANK. change, especially a new person on the scene. breathe 38 the breath of life a thing that someone needs bridge or depends on. burn your bridges: see burn your boats at ! O Breath of life is a biblical phrase: 'And the ! BURN. ! Lord God formed man of the dust of the cross that bridge when you come to it deal ! ground, and breathed into his nostrils the with a problem when and if it arises. ! breath of life' (Genesis 2:7). 1998 Spectator As to what would happen to the case for non-proliferation when the Cold War don't hold your breath used to indicate that was won, the allies would cross that bridge something is very unlikely to happen. when they came to it, which seemed at the save your breath not bother to say time well beyond any foreseeable future. something because it is pointless. take someone's breath away inspire brief someone with awed respect or delight; hold no brief for not support or argue in astonish someone. favour of. 1988 Janet Frame The Carpathians The speed of j O Thebr/efreferredtoisthesummaryofthe j the process took everyone's breath away. j facts and legal points in a case given to a waste your breath talk or give advice j barrister to argue in court. without effect. bright breathe breathe down someone's neck Q constantly bright and early very early in the morning. check up on someone. © follow closely as bright as a button intelligently alert and behind someone. lively, informal breathe your last die. ; O There is a play here on bright in its Old I English sense of'shiny'(like a polished metal : I button) and bright in its transferred sense of I breed j 'quick-witted', found since the mid 18th a breed apart a kind of person or thing that is ! century. very different from the norm. the bright lights the glamour and excite­ a dying breed: see DYING. ment of a big city. brick bright spark a clever person (often used a brick short of a load (of a person) stupid. ironically to or of a person who has done informal something you consider stupid). British informal ! © This is one of a number of humorous bright young thing a wealthy, pleasure- ! variations on the theme of someone not ! possessing their proper share of brains or loving, and fashionable young person. ! intelligence; compare, for example, with I © The term was originally applied in the I a sandwich short of a picnic (at SANDWICH). I 1920s to a member of a young fashionable j group of people noted for their exuberant come down like a ton of bricks exert i and outrageous behaviour. crushing weight, force, or authority against someone, informal look on the bright side be optimistic or come up against (or hit) a brick wall cheerful in spite of difficulties. encounter an insuperable problem or obstacle while trying to do something. bright-eyed make bricks without straw try to accomplish bright-eyed and bushy-tailed alert and something without proper or adequate lively; eager, informal material, equipment, or information. bring I O The allusion here is to Exodus 5:6-19 bring home the bacon: see BACON. i where 'without straw' meant 'without j having straw provided', as the Israelites were ! bring the house down make an audience i required to gather straw for themselves in respond with great enthusiasm, especially j order to make the bricks required by their as shown by their laughter or applause. I Egyptian taskmasters. A misinterpretation bring something home to someone: see ! has led to the current sense. HOME. 39 buck bring something into play cause something i O Big brother comes from the slogan Big to begin to have an effect. | Brother is watching you in George Orwell's i novel 7984. bring someone to book: see BOOK. British brown the British disease a problem or failing as brown as a berry (of a person) very supposed to be characteristically British, suntanned. especially (formerly) a proneness to in a brown study in a reverie; absorbed in industrial unrest, informal your thoughts. broad ! O The earliest meaning of brown in English ; broad in the beam fat round the hips, informal i was simply'dark'. From this, an extended i sense of 'gloomy or serious' developed and it j i © A beam was one of the horizontal I is apparently from this sense that we get the j i transverse timbers in a wooden ship, and so I phrase in a brown study. j the word came to refer to a ship's breadth at j i its widest point. It is from this sense that the j 2001 New York Review of Books When he isn't j current meaning of broad in the beam stirring up mischief, or conniving for gold, or j developed. composing beautiful poetry, he's apt to be sunk in a brown study. in broad daylight used generally to express surprise or outrage at someone's daring brownie to carry out a particular act, especially a brownie point an imaginary award given to crime, during the day, when anyone someone who does good deeds or tries to could see it. please, informal it's as broad as it's long there's no significant difference between two possible i O The Brownies are the junior wing of the ; Guides; the organization awards points and alternatives, informal i badges for proficiency in various activities. broke go for broke risk everything in an all-out brunt effort, informal bear the brunt of be the person to suffer the most (as the result of an attack, broken misfortune, etc.). a broken reed: see REED. I O The origin of brunt is unknown, and may j broo ! be onomatopoeic. The sense has evolved ! from the specific ('a sharp or heavy blow') to j on the broo claiming unemployment ! the more general ('the shock or violence of an j benefit. Scottish informal ! attack').

! O Broo, also spelt buroo, is a colloquial I alteration of bureau, meaning a labour j exchange or social security office. bubble burst someone's bubble: see BURST. on the bubble (of a sports player or team) broom occupying the last qualifying position a new broom a newly appointed person who in a team or for a tournament, and liable is likely to make far-reaching changes. to be replaced by another. North American i O This phrase comes from the proverb a new j informal j broom sweeps clean. ! O This expression comes from sit on the j bubble, with the implication that the bubble j broth j may burst. a broth of a boy a lively boy. Irish too many cooks spoil the broth: see COOK. buck the buck stops here (or with someone) the brother responsibility for something cannot or Big brother the state perceived as a sinister should not be passed to someone else. force supervising citizens' lives. informal bucket 40

: O Famously, the buck stops here was the bug ! wording of a sign on the desk of US President ; ! Harry S.Truman. Compare with pass the buck I have (or be bitten by) the bug develop a i below. sudden strong enthusiasm for something.

buck up your ideas make more effort; bugger vulgar slang become more energetic and hardworking. bugger all nothing. informal bugger me used to express surprise or ! O Buck here refers to the lively action of a amazement. i horse jumping with all its feet together and play silly buggers act in a foolish way. j its back arched. Buck up in its modern senses j \ of'cheer up'and'hurry up'is first found in Buggins i late 19th-century school slang. Buggins' turn: see TURN. make a fast buck earn money easily and built quickly, informal built on sand without secure foundations; pass the buck shift the responsibility for liable to collapse. something to someone else, informal j O This phrase comes from the i O A buck is an object placed as a reminder in j j parable contrasting the wise man who built j front of the person whose turn it is to deal in i j his house on rock with the fool who built his I j the game of poker. j on sand (Matthew 7:24-7). 1998 New York Review of Books The legislation left the main decisions to the bulge individual states which may well pass the buck to the large cities where most of the have (or get) the bulge on have or get an problem is. advantage over. British informal bucket bulging bulging at the seams: see SEAM. a drop in a bucket: see DROP. kick the bucket: see KICK. bull like a bull at a gate hastily and without Buckley thought. Buckley's chance a forlorn hope; no chance like a bull in a china shop behaving at all. Australian & New Zealand informal recklessly and clumsily in a place or

Tne situation where you are likely to cause j O phrase is often shortened simply to ; Buckley's. Who or what Buckley was remains j damage or injury. I uncertain: the name is sometimes said to a red rag to a bull: see RED. j refer to William Buckley, a convict take (or grab) the bull by the horns deal ! transported to Australia in 1802 who escaped j bravely and decisively with a difficult, ! and lived with the Aborigines for many years, j dangerous, or unpleasant situation. ! despite dire predictions as to his chances of j survival. j 2000 Andrew Calcutt Brit Cult The government has failed to take the bull by the horns, thereby 1948 Vance Palmer Golconda Buckley's chance granting 'hunt sabs' a new lease of life. we have of getting our price if we're left to face the companies alone. bullet buff bite the bullet: see BITE. sweat bullets: see SWEAT. in the buff naked, informal

; O The original meaning of buff in English bully j was'buffalo', and it later came to mean'ox bully for —! well done! good for (you, them, i hide' or 'the colour of ox hide'. In the buff \ etc.)! j itself comes from buff leather, a type of j yellowish-beige ox hide formerly used in i O This expression takes its origin from ! military uniform, the colour of which was j the US colloquial sense of bully meaning j regarded as comparable to that of human ! 'first-rate', recorded since the mid 19th i skin. I j century. 41 burn bum bung bums on seats the audience at a theatre, go bung ©die. ©fail or go bankrupt. cinema, or other entertainment, viewed as Australian & New Zealand informal a source of income, informal | O In this sense bung comes from Yagara, an j give someone (or get) the bum's rush | extinct Aboriginal language. O forcibly eject someone (or be forcibly ejected) from a place or gathering. © 1951 J. Devanny Travel in North Queensland 0 abruptly dismiss someone (or be 'The stations would go bung without the abruptly dismissed) for a poor idea or ADOS', one of the missionaries told me. performance, chiefly North American 01998 Spectator When.. .James Cameron burden wrote an uproariously funny piece about the the white man's burden the task, believed hotel's iniquities... he was promptly given by white colonizers to be incumbent upon the bum's rush. them, of imposing Western civilization on on the bum travelling rough and with no the black inhabitants of European colonies. fixed home; vagrant. North American dated

! O The white man's burden comes from bump j Rudyard Kipling's poem of that title (1899), things that go bump in the night: see THING. | originally referring specifically to the United ! j States'role in the Philippines. bumper bumper-to-bumper ©very close together, burl as cars in a traffic jam. ©(chiefly of an insurance policy) comprehensive; all- give it a burl attempt to do something. inclusive. Australian & New Zealand informal 1953 T. A. G. Hungerford Riverslake Well you bun want to give it a burl—you want to come? have a bun in the oven be pregnant, informal burn take the bun: see TAKE. burn your boats (or bridges) commit yourself irrevocably. bunch bunch of fives ©a fist, ©a punch. British j O In a military campaign, burning your informal ! boats or bridges would make escape or j retreat impossible. bundle burn the candle at both ends ©lavish a bundle of nerves: see a bag of nerves at energy or resources in more than one BAG. direction at the same time, ©go to bed late a bundle of fun (or laughs) something and get up early. extremely amusing or pleasant, informal burn daylight: see DAYLIGHT. drop your bundle panic or lose one's self- burn your fingers: see FINGER. control. Australian & New Zealand informal burn the midnight oil read or work late into ! O This expression comes from an obsolete the night. ! sense of bundle meaning 'swag' or 'a burn rubber: see RUBBER. ! traveller's or miner's bundle of personal i belongings'. go for the burn push your body to the extremes when practising a form of go a bundle on be very keen on or fond of. physical exercise, informal British informal j O The burn referred to is the burning ; O |n this idiom, bundle is being used in the ; ; sensation caused in muscles by strenuous i late 19th-century US slang sense of a bundle j j exertion. ! of money, i.e. a large sum. To go a bundle on \ i was originally early 20th-century slang for have money to burn: see MONEY. j betting a large sum of money on a horse. someone's ears are burning: see EAR. 1968 Adam Diment Bang Bang Birds I don't go a slow burn a state of slowly mounting anger bundle on being told I'm a pro. or annoyance, informal burner 42 burner bush on the back {or front) burner having low {or beat about the bush: see BEAT. high) priority, informal beat the bushes: see BEAT. i O The metaphor here is from cooking on a j bush telegraph: see TELEGRAPH. i stove with several burners of varying heat: go bush leave your usual surroundings; run i food cooking at a lower temperature on a I back burner receives or requires less frequent i wild. j attention than that cooking at a high j O Bush in the sense of'wild, wooded, or : temperature on a front burner. Compare I uncleared country' became current among j with the mainly North American expression j English speakers during 19th-century British j cook on the front burner meaning 'be on the j ! colonial expansion. In South Africa it may j way to rapid success'. j have been adopted directly from Dutch bosch. \ burnt bushel burnt to a cinder {or crisp) completely burnt hide your light under a bushel: see HIDE. through, leaving only the charred remnant. business burr the business end the part of a tool, a burr under {or in) your saddle a persistent weapon, etc. that carries out the source of irritation. North American informal object's particular function, informal 1936 Richmal Crompton Sweet William The burst business end of a geometrical compass was burst someone's bubble shatter someone's jabbed into Douglas's arm. illusions about something or destroy their do the business ©do what is required or sense of well-being. expected; achieve the desired result. British informal Q have sexual intercourse, vulgar bursting slang bursting at the seams: see SEAMS. like nobody's business in no ordinary way; Burton to an extremely intense degree, informal 1991 Elspeth Barker 0 Caledonia They spread go for a Burton meet with disaster; be like nobody's business. They're a really ruined, destroyed, or killed. British informal pernicious weed. I O This phrase first appeared in mid 20th- i century air force slang, meaning'be killed in \ busman I a crash'. It has been suggested that it refers to i a busman's holiday a holiday or form of j Burton's, the British men's outfitters, or to recreation that involves doing the I Burton, a kind of ale, but these are folk same thing that you do at work. j etymologies with no definite evidence to j support them, and the origin of the phrase j O From the late 19th century, a popular j remains uncertain. I form of working-class recreation was to take : j an excursion by bus. bury bury the hatchet end a quarrel or conflict busted and become friendly. a busted flush someone or something that has not fulfilled expectations; a failure. ! O This expression makes reference to an US informal I Native American custom of burying a hatchet j | or tomahawk to mark the conclusion of a i O 'n the game of poker, a busted flush is a i peace treaty. j sequence of cards of one suit that you fail to ! | complete. bury your head in the sand ignore unpleasant realities; refuse to face facts. busy j O This expression alludes to the belief as busy as a bee very busy or industrious. i that ostriches bury their heads in the sand î when pursued, thinking that as they cannot i butcher j see their pursuers the pursuers cannot see the butcher, the baker, the candlestick- I them. maker people of all kinds. 43 bygones

! 0 This phrase comes from the traditional button i nursery rhyme Rub-dub-dub, Three men in a \ \ tub. button your lip remain silent, informal on the button Q punctually. © exactly right. have a butcher's have a look. British informal informal, chiefly US ; O Butcher's comes here from butcher's press the button initiate an action or train of ! hook, rhyming slang for 'look'. events, informal I O During the cold war period, this i expression was often used with reference to : butter | the possible action of the US or Soviet look as if butter wouldn't melt in your i presidents in starting a nuclear war. mouth appear deceptively gentle or innocent, informal push (or press) someone's buttons be successful in arousing or provoking a butterfingers reaction in someone, informal have (or be a) butterfingers be unable to catch deftly or hold securely. buy buy the farm die. North American informal ! O This phrase comes from the idea that i hands covered with butter will be slippery, i O This expression originated as US military ! making holding on to anything difficult, i slang, probably with the meaning that the i There was also a dialect sense of 'unable ! pilot (or owner) of a crashed plane owes i to handle anything hot', as if your fingers i money to the farmer whose property or land j ! were made of melting butter. i is damaged in the crash. I Butterfingers! is often jeeringly shouted at ! someone who has failed to catch a ball in a buy time adopt tactics which delay an event I game. temporarily so as to have longer to improve your own position. butterfly by the butterfly effect the phenomenon whereby a minute localized change in a by and large on the whole; everything complex system can have large effects considered. elsewhere. j O Originally this phrase was used in a i nautical context, describing the handling of a j ! O The expression comes from chaos theory, j ship both to the wind and off it. j In 1979, Edward N. Lorenz gave a paperto the i American Association for the Advancement by the by (or bye) incidentally; i of Science entitled 'Does the flap of a I butterfly's wings in Brazil set off a tornado in parenthetically. I Texas?' bygones have butterflies in your stomach have a let bygones be bygones forgive and forget queasy feeling because you are nervous. past offences or causes of conflict. informal Ce

! the French word cahute meaning 'a hut' or | from cohort. the big C cancer, informal 1998 Spectator Labour knows that. So do the caboodle Tories and that's why the two of them are in the whole caboodle (or the whole kit and cahoots. caboodle) the whole lot. informal Cain ! O Caboodle may come from the Dutch word j mark of Cain: see MARK. i boedel meaning 'possessions'. raise Cain create trouble or a commotion. informal cackle j © The sense of ra/se in this expression is that j cut the cackle stop talking aimlessly and j of summoning a spirit, especially an evil one; ; come to the point, informal j similar sayings include raise the Devil and ! raise hell. A mid 19th-century expression cadenza j originating in the USA, the particular form have a cadenza be extremely agitated. South i raise Cain is possibly a euphemism to avoid African informal j using the words Devil or hell. Cain, according j I to the biblical book of Genesis, was the first j i O Cadenza is an Italian term for a virtuoso I murderer. j solo passage near the end of a piece of music, i ! This informal sense probably comes from i Danny Kaye's humorous 1940s recording'The j cake i Little Fiddle'. cakes and ale merrymaking. 1601 William Shakespeare Twelfth Night Dost 1991 D. Capel Personality The Conservative thou think because thou art virtuous there party is having a cadenza about 'subliminal shall be no more cakes and ale? messages' on the SABC's news logo. you can't have your cake and eat it you can't Caesar enjoy both of two desirable but mutually appeal to Caesar: see APPEAL. exclusive alternatives, proverb Caesar's wife a person who is required to be the icing on the cake: see ICING. above suspicion. a piece of cake something easily achieved. O This expression comes ultimately from informal Plutarch's account of Julius Caesar's decision sell (or go) like hot cakes be sold quickly and to divorce his wife Pompeia. The libertine Publius Clodius, who was in love with in large quantities. Pompeia, smuggled himself into the house in a slice of the cake: see SLICE. which the women of Caesar's household were celebrating a festival, thereby causing a take the cake: see TAKE. ln m scandal. Caesar refused to bring charges i O ost of these idioms cake is used as a against Clodius, but divorced Pompeia; when j metaphor for something pleasant or questioned he replied 'I thought my wife i desirable. ought not even to be under suspicion'. calf cahoots a golden calf: see GOLDEN. in cahoots working or conspiring together, kill the fatted calf: see FATTED. often dishonestly; in collusion, informal call I O In cahoots is recorded in the early 19th call someone's bluff: see BLUFF. ; century, in the south and west of the USA, in | the sense of 'partnership'. The origin of call it a day: see DAY. j cahoot is uncertain; it may come either from call someone names: see NAME. 45 capital

call of nature: see NATURE. ! © The idea behind this idiom is that call the shots (or tune) take the initiative in j expenditureonacandletoprovidelightforan j deciding how something should be done; j activity would not be recouped by the profits ! i from that activity. The expression comes from i be in control, informal j the French phrase le jeu ne vaut pas la j O Call the shots was originally an American j I chandelle, 'the game is not worth the candle'. I ! phrase, first recorded in the 1960s. Call the 1998 New Scientist But what if, instead of one j tune comes from the saying he who pays the \ ... five, fifteen or fifty people... have to \ piper calls the tune, which dates from the late j endure such an existence? At what point does ! 19th century. the game cease to be worth the candle? 1996 Sunday Telegraph Britain is no longer run from Downing Street. It's Brussels that calls cannon the shots. a loose cannon: see LOOSE. don't call us, we'll call you used as a dismissive way of saying that someone has canoe not been successful in an audition or job paddle your own canoe: see PADDLE. application, informal canter good call (or bad call) used to express at a canter without much effort; easily. British approval (or criticism) of a person's decision or suggestion, informal I O At a canter is a horse-racing metaphor: a j i horse has to make so little effort that it can i O Originallyçjooc/ca//or/3ao'ca//referredto j j win at the easy pace of a canter rather than i decisions made by referees or umpires in a ! having to gallop. ; sports match. call a spade a spade: see SPADE. canvas too close to call: see CLOSE. by a canvas by a small margin. ! O The tapered front end of a racing boat can ! was formerly covered with canvas to prevent ! i water being taken on board. In this context, j carry the can: see CARRY. i to win by a canvas meant to win by the length j in the can completed and available for use. j between the tip of the bow and the first | oarsman. j O In recording or film-making, something | that is in the can has been captured on tape j ; or film. cap open up a can of worms discover or bring to cap in hand humbly asking for a favour. light a complicated matter likely to prove j O To have your cap in your hand, and awkward or embarrassing, informal i therefore to have your head uncovered, is a 1998 New Scientist UN officials readily accept i mark of respect and also of subordination, that they have opened a can of worms, and j The idea of a cap as a begging bowl into their guidelines will only have an effect, they j which coins can be dropped may also be say, if governments act on them. j present. A North American version of this j expression is hat in hand.

candle if the cap fits, wear it used as a way of burn the candle at both ends: see BURN. suggesting that someone should accept a cannot hold a candle to be nowhere near as generalized remark or criticism as good as. informal applying to themselves.

i O |n the 16th century, an assistant would j © Early examples of this saying show that j literally hold a candle to his superior by I the cap in question was originally a fool's cap. j j standing beside him with a candle to provide i I The variant if the shoe fits, wear it is also I enough light for him to work by. The modern j I found, mainly in North America. j version suggests that the subordinate is so far I ! inferior that he is unfit to perform even this set your cap at try to attract as a suitor, dated | humble task. capital not worth the candle not justifiable because with a capital — used to give emphasis to the of the trouble or cost involved. word or concept in question. card 46

1991 Nesta Wyn Ellis John Major He is not a personality with a capital P, not flamboyant, carpet not it seems an angry man. a magic carpet a means of sudden and effortless travel. card i O In fairy tales, a mag/'c carpet is able to get your cards be dismissed from your I transport a person sitting on it to any place employment. British informal j they desire.

i O Cards are the national insurance card and i on the carpet O (of a topic or problem) under ! other documents relating to an employee discussion, ©(of a person) being severely j that are retained by the employer during the j reprimanded by someone in authority. i period that the employee works for them. informal ! Give someone their cards means 'make j someone redundant'. ; O Carpet in both these senses originally I meant 'table covering', and referred to 'the have a card up your sleeve have a plan or ! carpet of the council table', a table around asset that is kept secret until it is needed. | which a problem was debated (as in sense 1) j British ! or before which a person would be j summoned for reprimand (as in sense 2). The i hold all the cards be in the strongest or most j informal use of carpet as a verb meaning advantageous position. i 'reprove' dates from mid 19th century. keep your cards close to your chest (or vest) be extremely secretive and cautious about sweep something under the carpet something, informal hide or ignore a problem or difficulty in the hope that it will be forgotten. j © The previous two idioms both refer to a 1996 lain Pears Death & Restoration Many others j hand of cards in a card game. If you hold all would merely have swept all our problems i the cards you have a winning hand, while under the carpet, and left them until they I card players who hold their cards close to became too difficult to solve. j their bodies ensure that no opponent can i look at them. carrot mark someone's card: see MARK. carrot and stick the promise of reward on the cards possible or likely. combined with the threat of force or punishment. i O This phrase, a North American variant of j j which is in the cards, probably refers to the i O The image in this expression is of offering ! i practice of using playing cards or tarot cards i j a carrot to a donkey to encourage it to move i j to foretell the future. ! and using a stick to beat it if it refuses to I budge. play the — card exploit the specified issue or 1998 New Scientist And if your powers of idea mentioned, especially for political persuasion prove insufficient, here's a carrot advantage. and stick policy. ! O This expression comes from the view ; expressed in 1886 by Lord Randolph Churchill j carry i that, concerning Irish Home Rule, 'the carry the can take responsibility for a j Orange card would be the one to play'. mistake or misdeed. British informal

1998 Edinburgh Student The SNP, who ; O The origin of this expression and the dominate the Scottish independence j nature of the can involved are both campaign, argue that they do not play the j uncertain, though the idiom appears to race card. j have started life as early 20th-century naval play your cards right make the best use of j or military slang. your assets and opportunities. 1998 Times Was this the same Mr Cook who put (or lay) your cards on the table danced on the Tories' graves for not carrying be completely open and honest in the can for errors of their officials? declaring your resources, intentions, carry the day: see DAY. or attitude. cart care in the cart in trouble or difficulty. British not care two straws care little or not at all. informal 47 cat

! O A cart was formerly used to take convicted ! ; O The concept was known to St Augustine ! criminals to the public gallows and to expose I i (354-430), who uses the phrase subtracto i prostitutes and other offenders to public \ fundamento in aere aedificare meaning ! humiliation in the streets. i 'build on air without foundation'. Castles in \ the air has been the version predominant in put the cart before the horse reverse the j English since the late 16th century, but castles proper order or procedure of something. \ in Spain, from Old French châteaux en \ Espagne, was used in the late medieval j O A medieval version of this expression was i : period and occasionally in more recent times, i set the oxen before the yoke. The version j The form of the saying in Old French, known i with horse and cart dates from the early 16th j ! from the 13th century, may refer to the fact j century. : that much of Spain in the Middle Ages was I under Moorish control, so any scheme to 1998 Spectator It's putting the cart before the I build castles there was clearly unlikely to horse. All history shows that if you want to i succeed. create a political union, you do that first and the single currency follows. cat carved all cats are grey in the dark the qualities that be carved in stone: see STONE. distinguish people from one another are obscured in some circumstances, and if case they can't be perceived they don't matter. proverb be on (or get off) someone's case start (or stop) criticizing or hounding someone. j O The US version of this proverb is at night \ informal ; all cats are gray. cash bell the cat: see BELL. cash in your chips die. informal the cat has got someone's tongue someone is remaining silent. j O The counters used in various gambling a cat may look at a king even a person of low ! games are called chips. They are converted I status or importance has rights, proverb i into cash at the conclusion of the game. 1998 Times A cat may look at a king. The cat cash in hand payment for goods and services may be wrong in its conclusions, but others, by money in the form of notes and coins. following its gaze, can draw their own. a dead cat bounce: see DEAD. ; O Cash in hand is mainly used to distinguish j enough to make a cat laugh extremely ! between cash payment and payment by j cheque, especially with reference to being ridiculous or ironic, informal ! paid in this way in order to avoid having to ! O This expression dates from the mid 19th j declare the amount earned to the tax I century and is associated with the story of j authorities. j Puss in Boots. I cast fight like cat and dog (of two people) be be cast in a — mould be of the type specified. continually arguing with one another. 1991 Jean Bow Jane's Journey He was certainly 1995 Edward Toman Dancing in Limbo Her not cast in a common mould. She had never desertion of him hadn't come as a total surprise... for the pair of them had been met anyone like him before. fighting like cat and dog for the best part of a cast someone adrift: see ADRIFT. year. cast your bread upon the waters: see BREAD. let the cat out of the bag reveal a secret, cast the first stone: see STONE. especially carelessly or by mistake. cast something in someone's teeth reject j O A similar metaphorical use of bag may be j defiantly or refer reproachfully to a I found in the French phrase vider le sac, person's previous action or statement. ! literally 'empty the bag', meaning 'tell the i whole story'. castle 1996 Bernard Connolly The Rotten Heart of build castles in the air (or in Spain) have a Europe Tim Renton... at odds with his leader visionary and unattainable scheme; on Europe, let the cat out of the bag when he daydream. told a television audience, 'we need a strong catbird 48

Europe to maintain our independence from that cat won't jump that suggestion is the United States and the Pacific Rim'. implausible or impracticable, informal like a cat on a hot tin roof {or on hot bricks) 1965 Simon Troy No More a-Roving If you're very agitated, restless, or anxious. telling me she fell in, just like that—oh no! like the cat that's got {or who's stolen) the That cat won't jump. cream self-satisfied; having achieved your turn cat in pan change sides; be a traitor. objective, informal, chiefly British i OTheoriginofthisphraseisunknown.lt like a scalded cat: see SCALDED. j was used in the 16th century in the form turn j like something the cat brought in (of a i the cat in the pan with the sense of 'reverse j the proper order or nature of things', butthis i person) very dirty, bedraggled, or j was replaced by the modern sense in the early j exhausted, informal j 17th century. 1996 Frank McCourt Angela's Ashes One of them says we look like something the cat when the cat's away, the mice will play brought in and Malachy has to be held back people will naturally take advantage of the from fightingthem . absence of someone in authority to do as no room to swing a cat: see ROOM. they like, proverb not a cat in hell's chance no chance at all. informal catbird in the catbird seat in a superior or more ; O This expression is often shortened to nota i advantageous position. North American informal i cat's chance. I O This expression is said to have originally 2001 James Hamilton-Paterson Loving Monsters j referred to a baseball player in the fortunate j There isn't, of course, a cat in hell's chance | position of having no strikes and therefore j that I shall ever see 1999 as you, I and Dr Faruli j three balls still to play (a reference made in know perfectly well. j James Thurber's short story The Catbird Seat). \ play cat and mouse with manoeuvre in a way designed alternately to provoke and thwart an opponent. catch-22 a catch-22 situation a dilemma or difficulty : O The image here is of the way that a cat from which there is no escape because of j toys with a mouse, pretending to release it mutually conflicting or dependent I and then pouncing on it again. conditions. put the cat among the pigeons say or do j O The classic statement of this situation is in I something that is likely to cause trouble or ! Joseph Heller's novel Catch-22 (1961), from controversy. British j which the expression is taken: 'Orr would be j I crazy to fly more missions and sane if he j O This expression was first recorded in J. : didn't.butif hewassanehehadtoflythem. If j j Stevens's Wew Spanish and English Dictionary ; i he flew them he was crazy and didn't have to; [ I (1706), where it is explained as referring to a j j but if he didn't want to he was sane and had j ! man coming into the company of a group of j ! to.' I women. The idiom flutter the dovecotes i (see FLUTTER) is based on the same idea of a 1997 New Scientist It's a catch-22 situation: i group of pigeons as a tranquil or harmless you cannot get the job without having the ! community. relevant experience and you cannot get the experience without having first done the job. 1998 New Scientist The... study has firmly put the cat among the pigeons by claiming that catch most of the therapeutic effects of expensive antidepressant pills... can be mimicked by catch at straws: see STRAW. dummy pills. catch a cold: see COLD. see which way the cat jumps see what catch your death: see DEATH. direction events are taking before catch the sun ©be in a sunny position, committing yourself. ©become tanned or sunburnt. British 1990 Dennis Kavanagh Thatcherism She borrowed Kipling's words: 'I don't spend catch a Tartar encounter or get hold of a a lifetime watching which way the cat person who can neither be controlled nor jumps. I know really which way I want the got rid of; meet with a person who is cat to go.' unexpectedly more than your match. 49 champ

! O The Tartars (or Tatars), a combined force ! I of central Asian people including Mongols cess i and Turks, established a vast empire during bad cess to a curse on. chiefly Irish I the Middle Ages under the leadership of the ! j O The origin of cess in this expression is j warlord Genghis Khan, and were a byword ! probably linked to the historical requirement j i for ferocity. i for Irish households to provide the soldiers of I I their English overlords with provisions at the i catch-up ; low prices 'assessed' by the government. play catch-up try to equal a competitor in a sporting event. chafe chafe at the bit: see champ at the bit at cat's whiskers CHAMP. the cat's whiskers an excellent person or thing, informal chaff be caught with chaff be easily deceived. I O Other similar phrases include the cat's \ pyjamas and the chiefly North American the ! O Chaff is the husks of corn separated from ! | cat's miaou. I the grain by threshing. Be caught with chaff \ I has been used since the late 15th century as j metaphor for being easily fooled or trapped, j cause make common cause with unite with in separate the wheat from the chaff: see order to achieve a shared aim. WHEAT. 1997 A. Sivanandan When Memory Dies I was sorry that the crows, proud kings of the dung- chain heap, should make common cause with pull (or yank) someone's chain tease house-sparrows under the eaves of roofs. someone, especially by leading them to a rebel without a cause: see REBEL. believe something that isn't true. US informal caution chalice throw caution to the wind (or winds) act in a a poisoned chalice: see POISONED. completely reckless manner. chalk cave as different as chalk and cheese funda­ keep cave act as lookout, school slang mentally different or incompatible. British j O Cave is a Latin word meaning'beware!' j O The opposition of chalk and cheese i Pronounced as one or two syllables, cave j hinges on their being totally different in all j was the traditional warning uttered by a ! qualities other than their rather similar i schoolchild to let others know that a teacher j j appearance. : was approaching. by a long chalk by far. British caviar j O This expression is based on the old custom I caviar to the general a good thing that is not I of marking up points scored in a game with appreciated by the ignorant. i chalk on a blackboard, as is its opposite not I by a long chalk meaning 'by no means; not j O This phrase comes from Shakespeare's j at all'. i Hamlet, where Hamlet commends a play with j ; the words: 'the play, I remember, pleased not j chalk and talk teaching by traditional i the million;'twas caviar to the general'. methods focusing on the blackboard and presentation by the teacher as opposed to Cerberus more informal or interactive methods. a sop to Cerberus: see SOP. British ceremony walk the chalk: see WALK. stand on ceremony insist on the observance champ of formalities; behave formally. champ (or chafe) at the bit be restlessly without ceremony without preamble or impatient, especially to start doing politeness. something. chance 50

i O Champ at the bit is used literally of a j O This expression was apparently coined by j j spirited horse that tugs at the bit in its mouth j j Lord Chesterfield in a letter to Solomon i in its eagerness to move. ! Dayrolles in 1753:'The chapter of knowledge i j is a very short, but the chapter of accidents is a j ! very long one'. chance chance your arm (or luck) undertake something although it may be dangerous charge or unsuccessful; take a risk. British informal return to the charge make a further attempt chance would be a fine thing used to express at something, especially in arguing a point. dated a belief that something desirable that has just been mentioned is unlikely to happen. ! O Charge here is used in the sense of a informal i headlong rush forward, usually associated j with attacking soldiers in a battle. in the last chance saloon: see LAST. not a cat in hell's chance: see CAT. not a chance in hell: see HELL. charity charity begins at home a person's first not a Chinaman's chance: see CHINAMAN. responsibility is for the needs of their own on the off chance just in case. family and friends, proverb 1992 Neal Stephenson Snow Crash They upload staggering quantities of useless information to cold as charity: see COLD. the database, on the off chance that some of it will eventually be useful. charm work like a charm be completely successful a sporting chance: see SPORTING. or effective.

! 0 Charm here means a magic spell or lucky j change i talisman. change horses in midstream: see HORSE. a change is as good as a rest a change of chase work or occupation can be as restorative or chase the dragon take heroin (sometimes refreshing as a period of relaxation, proverb mixed with another smokable drug) by a change of heart a move to a different heating it in tinfoil and inhaling the opinion or attitude. fumes through a tube or roll of paper. change your tune express a very different ; O Chase the dragon is reputedly a opinion or behave in a very different way, | translation from Chinese. The expression ! apparently refers to the undulating usually in response to a change in I movements of the fumes up and down the circumstances. | tinfoil, resembling those of the tail of a j dragon, a creature found in many Chinese get no change out of fail to get information ! myths. or a desired reaction from. British informal ring the changes vary the ways of go and chase yourself! go away! informal expressing, arranging, or doing something. chattering ! O In bell-ringing, the changes are the j different sequences in which a peal of bells the chattering classes articulate and I may be rung. educated people considered as a social group given to the expression of liberal chapter opinions about society and culture. chapter and verse an exact reference or derogatory authority.

i O Chapter and verse was originally used to cheap j refer to the numbering of passages in the cheap and cheerful simple and inexpensive. j Bible. It is now also used more generally to British j refer to any (usually written) authority for I something. cheap and nasty of low cost and bad quality. British a chapter of accidents a series of unfor­ cheap at the price well worth having, tunate events. regardless of the cost. 51 chestnut

i O A frequently heard variant of this hard cheese used to express sympathy over a i expression, cheap at half the price, while used i petty matter. British informal : to mean exactly the same, is, logically say cheese said by a photographer to i speaking, nonsense, since cheap at twice the i i price is the actual meaning intended. encourage the subject to smile. chequered flag check take the chequered flag finish first in a race. check someone or something skeef give someone or something a dirty look; look ! O In motor racing a chequered flag is used I to signify that the winner has passed the askance at someone or something. South j finishing post. African check you goodbye. South African informal cherry cheek a bite at the cherry an attempt or chance to do something. cheek by jowl close together; side by side. j O This phrase is often used in the negative, j ! O Jowl here is used in the sense 'cheek'; the \ ! to express the idea that you will not get a ! phrase was originally cheek by cheek. ! second chance (a second bite at the cherry). If i j you take two attempts to do something, turn the other cheek refrain from : especially some quite small task, this is taking i retaliating when you have been attacked ! two bites at the (same) cherry or another bite i or insulted. i at the cherry. j O This expression comes from Matthew a bowl of cherries a very pleasant or i 5:39: 'But I say unto you, That ye resist enjoyable situation or experience. i not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee ! on thy right cheek, turn to him the other the cherry on the cake a desirable feature i also'. perceived as the finishing touch to something that is already inviting or worth having. cheer pop someone's cherry have sexual of good cheer cheerful or optimistic, archaic intercourse with a girl or woman who is a ; O The exhortation to be of good cheer virgin, informal \ occurs in several passages of the New i Testament in the Authorized Version of the Cheshire ! Bible (for example in Matthew 9:2, John j 16:33, and Acts 27:22). In Middle English, grin like a Cheshire cat have a broad fixed j cheer had the meaning 'face'. This sense of smile on your face. i cheer is now obsolete, but the related senses ! of 'countenance' and 'demeanour as ! O The Cheshire cat with its broad grin is j reflected in the countenance' survive in a ! best known for its appearance (and i number of phrases, including in good ! disappearance) in Lewis Carroll's Alice's \ Adventures in Wonderland (1865), but the i cheer and the archaic what cheer! (how are j expression, which is of uncertain origin, is I you?). j recorded from the first half of the 19th three cheers for — three successive hurrahs j century. expressing appreciation or congratulation of someone or something. chest i O Qualified approval or mild enthusiasm is I hope chest: see HOPE. | sometimes expressed by two cheers for—, as I get something off your chest say some­ ! in the title of E. M. Forster's book Two Cheers \ thing that you have wanted to say for a j for Democracy (1951). long time, resulting in a feeling of relief. 1998 Zest So three cheers for The Body Shop's informal Community Trade programme, which is helping organic bergamot farms thrive once chestnut more. an old chestnut a joke, story, or subject that has become tedious and boring cheese as a result of its age and constant a big cheese: see BIG. repetition. chew 52

I © The most likely source for this sense of and not thinking clearly about what should ! chestnut is in the following exchange ; be done. ! between two characters, Zavior and Pablo, ; in William Dimond's play Broken Sword | O A decapitated chicken may continue to \ (1816): ZAVIOR... When suddenly from the j j flap about fora few moments before finally j j thick boughs of a corktree— ; expiring. ; PABLO. (Jumping up) A chesnut, Captain, a i chesnut... Captain, this isthetwenty- ! seventh time I have heard you relate this chief I story, and you invariably said, a chesnut, until i big white chief a person in authority, humorous I now. i O This expression supposedly represents pull someone's chestnuts out of the fire j Native American speech, and also occurs as succeed in a hazardous undertaking for j great white chief. someone else's benefit. 1971 Roger Busby Deadlock You'd think he was the bloody big white chief instead of an OB I O This expression refers to the fable of a technician. ! monkey using a cat's paw (or in some versions : I a dog's paw) to rake out roasting chestnuts chief cook and bottle-washer a person who ! from a fire. Car's paw is sometimes used as a i performs a variety of important but i term for someone who is used by another routine tasks, informal j person as a tool or stooge. too many chiefs and not enough Indians used to describe a situation where there are chew too many people giving orders and not chew the cud: see CUD. enough people to carry them out. chew the fat (or rag) chat in a leisurely way, usually at length, informal child 1986 Tom Clancy Red Storm Rising Four-star child's play a task which is very easily admirals didn't chew the fat with newly accomplished. frocked commanders unless they had nothing better to do. chin chew the scenery (of an actor) overact. keep your chin up remain cheerful in informal difficult circumstances, informal take it on the chin endure or accept chick misfortune courageously. neither chick nor child no children at all. j O The image here is of a boxing blow taken j North American or dialect j squarely on the chin. 1998 Times The occasional 'bad 'un' [i.e. chicken decision] is inevitable, and when it comes a chicken-and-egg problem an unresolved ... the players must take it on the chin. question as to which of two things caused the other. Chinaman i © This expression comes from the not a Chinaman's chance not even a very ; traditional riddle: 'which came first, the slight chance. I chicken or the egg?' 1952 Frank Yerby A Woman Called Fancy You haven't a Chinaman's chance of raising that chickens come home to roost your past money in Boston. mistakes or wrongdoings will eventually be the cause of present troubles. chink a chink in someone's armour a weak point in j O This phrase comes from the proverb ! curses, like chickens, come home to roost. someone's character, arguments, or ideas which makes them vulnerable to attack or 1997 Arundhati Roy The God of Small Things He criticism. knew, had known, that one day History's twisted chickens would come home to roost. chip count your chickens: see COUNT. a chip off the old block someone who running (or rushing) about like a headless resembles their parent, especially in chicken acting in a panic-stricken manner character, informal 53 cigar

O Ac/i/p in this expression means something chop logic argue in a tiresomely pedantic which forms a portion of, or is derived from, a way; quibble. larger or more important thing, and which retains the characteristic qualities of that j O Chop is here used in the 16th-century superior thing. In 1781 Edmund Burke ! sense meaning'bandy words'. This sense is commented on Pitt the Younger's maiden i now obsolete, and the sense of chop used in ! speech in Parliament by saying he was: 'Not ; this phrase was later wrongly understood as ! merely a chip of the old "block", but the old j 'cut something into small pieces'. block itself. not much chop no good; not up to much. a chip on your shoulder a strong and usually Australian & New Zealand informal long-standing inclination to feel resentful or aggrieved, often about a particular O The sense of chop in this expression originated in the Hindi word châp meaning thing; a sense of inferiority characterized 'official stamp'. Europeans in the Far East by a quickness to take offence, informal extended the use of the word to cover documents such as passports to which an I O In 1830 the Long Island Telegraph official stamp or impression was attached I described the practice which gave rise to this i and in China it came to mean 'branded I expression: 'When two churlish boys were goods'. From this, in the late 19th century, j determined to fight, a chip would be placed i chop was used to refer to something that had j on the shoulder of one, and the other 'class' or had been validated as genuine or i demanded to knock it off at his peril'. good. have had your chips be dead, dying, or out of 1947 Dan Davin The Gorse Blooms Pale I know contention. British informal it's not been much chop so far but we're only getting started. when the chips are down when you find yourself in a very serious and difficult chord situation, informal strike (or touch) a chord say or do something i 0 Chips in this phrase, and in have had your j which affects or stirs the emotions of I chips above, are gambling chips. others. strike (or touch) the right cord skilfully choice appeal to or arouse a particular emotion in Hobson's choice no choice at all. others.

j O Thomas Hobson, to whom this expression chuck j refers, was a carrier at Cambridge in the early chuck it down rain heavily, informal j 17th century, who would not allow his clients I their own choice of horse from his stables as chump ! he insisted on hiring them out in strict i rotation. They were offered the 'choice' of off your chump crazy. British informal i the horse nearest the door or none at all. ! O The literal sense of chump meaning 'a I Hobson's choice is also mid 20th-century ! broad, thick block of wood'led in the mid I British rhyming slang for voice. j 19th century to its humorous use to mean i 'head', with the implication of'blockhead'. chop bust someone's chops nag or criticize cigar someone. North American informal close but no cigar (of an attempt) almost but not quite successful. North American bust your chops exert yourself. North American informal informal chop and change change your opinions or j O This phrase possibly originated as a behaviour repeatedly and abruptly, often j consoling comment to or about a man who for no good reason. British informal j put up a good, but not winning, performance j i in a competition or contest of strength in j O B°th chop and change originally had the j i which the prize was a cigar. j sense of 'barter', 'exchange', or 'buy and sell', i i but as this sense of chop became dated the 1995 Nick Hornby High Fidelity But, you j meaning of the whole expression shifted to know... you did not represent my last and j its present one. best chance of a relationship. So, you know, nice try. Close, but no cigar. cinder 54

cinder clanger burnt to a cinder: see BURNT. drop a clanger: see DROP. circle clap circle the wagons (of a group) unite in clap eyes on: see EYE. defence of a common interest. North American clap hold of grab someone or something informal roughly or abruptly, informal i O In South Africa the Afrikaans word laager, \ clap someone in jail (or irons) put someone ! meaning 'a defensive circle of ox wagons', is ; in prison {or in chains). I used in similar metaphorical contexts. i j O The meaning of clap in these idioms is come (or turn) full circle return to a past ! somewhat removed from the original one of j ! 'make a sudden explosive sound'. Overtime position or situation, often in a way j the word developed the additional sense of I considered to be inevitable. ! 'make a sudden action', without necessarily go round in circles do something for a long j implying any sound. time without achieving anything but purposeless repetition, informal clapper run round in circles be fussily busy with little like the clappers very fast or very hard. British informal result, informal the wheel has turned (or come) full circle j © C/appersmayrefertothestrikingpartofa ; ; bell, or it may refer to a device in a mill for the situation has returned to what it was in ; striking or shaking the hopper in order to the past, as if completing a cycle. j make the grain move down to the millstones, j i O This phrase comes from Shakespeare's I The phrase like the clappers developed as j King Lear. 'The wheel is come full circle'. The j ! mid 20th-century RAF slang, and is sometimes j i wheel referred to is that which the goddess i found in the form like the clappers of hell. j Fortune was said to turn as a symbol of i random luck or change. 1992 Jeff Torrington Swing Hammer Swing! Why should a hearse be going like the clappers circus through the streets of Glasgow at this time of night? a three-ring circus Qa circus with three rings for simultaneous performances. © a claret public spectacle, especially one with little substance. tap a person's claret make a person's nose 01998 Spectator Along the way, these bleed by a blow with the fist, informal meetings have lost all that might have made them worthwhile... and have turned into a class travelling three-ring circus. a class act a person or thing displaying impressive and stylish excellence, informal citizen citizen of the world a person who is at home claw in any country. get your claws into enter into a possessive relationship with someone (used especially civilization of a woman who dominates or manipulates the end of civilization as we know it: see a man), informal END. clay claim have feet of clay: see FOOT. claim to fame a reason for being regarded as unusual or noteworthy (often used when clean the reason cited is comical, bizarre, or clean as a whistle ©extremely clean or trivial). clear, ©free of incriminating evidence. informal clam a clean bill of health: see BILL. happy as a clam: see happy as a sandboy at a clean sheet (or slate) an absence of existing HAPPY. restraints or commitments. 55 climbing

2003 Guardian Given a clean slate and an clear the decks prepare for a particular impressive budget, I would love to event or goal by dealing beforehand programme a festival... that exposed with anything that might hinder audiences to completely new forms of music- progress. making at their best and most diverse. clean someone's clock Ogive someone a I O |n the literal sense, clear the decks meant j beating. © defeat or surpass someone | to remove obstacles or unwanted items from j decisively. North American informal I the decks of a ship before a battle at sea.

i O Clock is used here in the slang sense of in clear not in code. ! 'face'. 1966 Robert Sheckley Mindswap Thus, he crosscircuited his fear of embarrassment, and clean house eliminate corruption or spoke to his oldest friend in clear. inefficiency. North American in the clear ©no longer in danger or clean up your act behave in a more suspected of something, ©with nothing to acceptable manner, informal hinder someone in achieving something. come clean be completely honest and frank. out of a clear (blue) sky as a complete informal surprise. have clean hands (or keep your hands clean) 1992 New Yorker The latest revelations... be uninvolved and blameless with regard about the marriage of the Prince and Princess of Wales may have induced disbelief, but they to an immoral act. did not come out of a clear blue sky. keep a clean sheet (in a football match) prevent the opposing side from scoring. cleft keep your nose clean: see NOSE. be (or be caught) in a cleft stick be in a difficult situation, when any action you make a clean breast of something (or of it) take will have adverse consequences, chiefly confess your mistakes or wrongdoings. British j O In former times, many people believed ! that the breast or chest was where a person's i j O Cleft is one of the forms of the past ; conscience was located. The breast is still used I ! participle of cleave, in its basic meaning of ; metaphorically to represent the seat of the ! 'divide with a cutting blow'or'split'. The j emotions. j other form still current in standard English is j ! cloven, and the two words tend to be used in j make a clean sweep Q remove all unwanted j different contexts: we find a cleft stick and a i people or things ready to start afresh, j cleft palate but a cloven hoof. i ©win all of a group of similar or related sporting competitions, events, or clever matches. too clever by half annoyingly proud of your Mr Clean an honourable or incorruptible intelligence or skill, informal politician. click cleaner click into place become suddenly clear and take someone to the cleaners ©take all of understandable. someone's money or possessions in a dishonest orunfairway. © inflict a crushing i O Click into place is used literally of an defeat on someone. j object, especially part of a mechanism, i to mean 'fall smoothly into its allotted clear i position'. clear the air defuse or clarify an angry, tense, click your fingers at: see snap your fingers at or confused situation by frank discussion. at FINGER.

i O This expression comes from the idea that a j i thunderstorm makes the air less humid. climb have a mountain to climb: see MOUNTAIN. clear as a bell: see BELL. as clear as day very easy to see or understand. climbing clear as mud not at all easy to understand. be climbing the walls feel frustrated, informal helpless, and trapped, informal clip 56 dip secretive or furtive way; hidden from public view. at a clip at a time; all at once. US informal 2000 Anthony Bourdain Kitchen Confidential a closed book a thing of which you have no I peeled 75 pounds of shrimp at a clip. knowledge or understanding. 1944 Frank Clune The Red Heart The desert is clip someone's wings prevent someone an open book to the man of the Vast Open from acting freely. Spaces, but to the schoolmaster it was a I O Clip someone's wings comes from the closed book. | phrase clip a bird's wings, which means 'trim j ! the feathers of a bird so that it cannot fly'. closet out of the closet out into the open, informal clock i O Closet, the normal North American term j round (or around) the clock all day and all i for 'cupboard' or 'wardrobe', is used in the night; ceaselessly. j Bible to typify privacy and seclusion (for 1992 Susan Sontag The Volcano Lover The j example in Luke 12:3:'that which ye have mountain was... guarded round the clock by a i spoken in the ear in closets shall be ring of armed soldiers mounted on nervous ! proclaimed upon the housetops'). Come out \ horses. ! of the closet means 'cease hiding a secret j about yourself or'make public your turn back the clock return to the past or to a j intentions'. It is now most commonly, though j previous way of doing things. ! not always, used in connection with someone j watch the clock wait eagerly for the end of | making their homosexuality public. working hours. 1998 Spectator The Prime Minister's entourage j O It is from this expression that the word could not conceal its glee at the results of their i dock-watcher has developed, referring to boss coming out of the closet. j someone who is determined not to work j more than their allotted hours. cloud on cloud nine extremely happy. clog j O On cloud nine refers to a ten-part clogs to clogs in three generations the I classification of clouds in which nine was return of a family to poverty after one I second highest. A dated variant of the generation of prosperity. I expression is on cloud seven. close a silver lining: see SILVER. close to the bone: see BONE. under a cloud under suspicion or dis­ close the door on: see DOOR. credited. 1992 Alasdair Gray Poor Things The career of close to home: see HOME. this once famous soldier began as well as close your mind to: see MIND. ended under a cloud. close ranks: see RANK. with your head in the clouds (of a person) close shave (or call) a narrow escape from out of touch with reality; daydreaming. danger or disaster, informal close to (or close on) (of an amount) almost; cloven hoof very nearly. a cloven hoof a symbol or indication of evil. run someone close almost match the same standards or level of achievement as I © Traditional pictures of the Devil show him i someone else. I with the head and torso of a man but the legs j too close for comfort dangerously or i and cloven hoofs of a goat. Therefore, a i cloven hoof is a giveaway sign of the Devil. uncomfortably near. too close to call (of a contest, race, etc.) so 1959 François Mauriac A Woman of Pharisees evenly balanced that it is impossible to She had been a trial to him from the predict the outcome with confidence. beginning, and now the cloven hoof was beginning to show. informal closed clover behind closed doors (of an action) done in a in clover in ease and luxury. 57 cock

j O This sense of the phrase is a reference to j j O This phrase is of biblical origin: 'if •: clover's being particularly attractive to j thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, i livestock, as in the expression happy as a pig \ ! give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt \ in clover. I heap coals of fire on his head' (Romans 12:20). I club coalface in the club (or the pudding club) pregnant. at the coalface engaged in work at an active British informal rather than a theoretical level in a 1993 Carl MacDougall The Lights Below Must be particular field. British serious if you're drinking with the old man. 1998 Town and Country Planning Workers at the Did you stick her in the club? coalface of sustainable development need join (or welcome to) the club used as a these success stories. humorous exclamation to express solidarity with someone else who is coast experiencing problems or difficulties that the coast is clear there is no danger of being the speaker has already experienced. observed or caught. I O The coast is clear originally meant that clutch | there were no enemies guarding a sea coast j clutch at straws: see STRAW. j who would prevent an attempt to land or ; embark. coach drive a coach and horses through make coat-tail something entirely useless or ineffective. on someone's coat-tails undeservedly British. benefiting from another's success. ; O An early example of this idiom is found in i 1964 Economist Mr Robert Kennedy cannot be | this statement by the Irish lawyer Stephen sure of ridingth e coat-tails of Mr Johnson in j Rice (1637-1715): 'I will drive a coach and six j New York. ! horses through the Act of Settlement'. Early j j versions of the phrase also referto a space big j cob ! enough to turn a coach and six (or four) (i.e. have (or get) a cob on be annoyed or in a bad j horses) in, but the context, following Rice's mood. British informal i declaration, is very often that of rendering a j | law or regulation ineffective. cobweb 1997 Spectator A coach and horses was driven blow (or clear) away the cobwebs banish a through one of the guiding principles of state of lethargy; enliven or refresh American statecraft. yourself. coal cock coals to Newcastle something brought or sent to a place where it is already a cock-and-bull story a ridiculous and plentiful. implausible story. j O The expression 'talk of a cock and a bull' is j ! O Coal from Newcastle-upon-Tyne in j recorded from the early 17th century, and j northern England was famously abundant in j j apparently refers to an original story or fable j i previous centuries, and carry coals to j which is now lost. ; Newcastle has been an expression for an j unnecessary activity since the mid 17th at full cock: see FULL. ; century. at half cock: see HALF. haul someone over the coals reprimand cock a snook at: see SNOOK. someone severely. cock of the walk someone who dominates j O This expression originated in a form of others within a group. i torture that involved dragging the victim j over the coals of a slow fire. j © The places in which cocks bred for ! fighting were kept were known as walks: heap coals of fire on someone's head go ! one cock would be kept in each walk out of your way to cause someone to feel i and would tolerate no other birds in its j space. remorse. British cocked hat 58 cock your ear listen attentively to or for 1986 Dudley Moore Off-Beat He was just one of something. a number of distinguished composers who have shuffled off their mortal coil in a variety ! O The image here is of a dog raising its ears j of unusual ways. i to an erect position. coin cocked hat the other side of the coin the opposite or contrasting aspect of a matter. Compare knock something into a cocked hat Qpiit a with the reverse of the medal (at MEDAL). definitive end to something, ©be very much better than someone or something. pay someone back in their own coin retaliate by similar behaviour. i O A cocked hat is a hat with the brim to coin a phrase ©said ironically when ! permanently turned up, especially a style of I three-cornered hat worn from the late 18th introducing a banal remark or cliché. i century to the early 19th century. 0 said when introducing a new expression or a variation on a familiar one. cockle coincidence warm the cockles of someone's heart give the long arm of coincidence: see ARM. someone a comforting feeling of pleasure or contentment. cold catch a cold (or catch cold) ©become i O Tnis phrase perhaps arose as a result of i the resemblance in shape between a heart infected with a cold. © encounter trouble i and a cockleshell. or difficulties, especially financial ones. informal 0 2001 Financial Times Most observers expect cocoa house prices to rise... depending on whether I should cocoa (or coco) I should say so. British the UK economy continues to grow smoothly rhyming slang or whether it catches a cold from the US. 1996 Melvin Burgess Junk He said, 'Someone'll as cold as charity very cold. really buy it and it'll be theirs then.' 'I should cold comfort poor or inadequate coco,' I said. consolation. code j O This expression, together with the bring something up to code renovate an old i previous idiom, reflects a traditional view building or update its features in line with j that charity is often given in a perfunctory or i the latest building regulations. North American ! uncaring way. The words cold (as the i opposite of 'encouraging') and comfort have j coign ! been associated since the early 14th century, i coign of vantage a favourable position for j but perhaps the phrase is most memorably observation or action, literary i linked for modern readers with the title of 1 Stella Gibbons's 1933 parody of sentimental i O Tne I itéra I sense of a coign of vantage is 'a j | novels of rural life, Cold Comfort Farm. j projecting corner of a wall or building'; the i phrase appears in Shakespeare's Macbeth in j cold feet loss of nerve or confidence. ! Duncan's description of the nesting places of j in the cold light of day when you have j the swifts at Macbeth's castle. The word i quoin meaning 'an external angle of a had time to consider a situation j building'still exists in English, butthe archaic j objectively. i spelling coign survives mainly in this phrase. the cold shoulder a show of intentional unfriendliness; rejection. coil : O The verb cold-shoulder, meaning 'reject shuffle off this mortal coil die. literary i or be deliberately unfriendly', comes from i this phrase. j O Shuffle off this mortal coil is a quotation j ! from Shakespeare's Hamlet. This mortal coil is j go cold turkey suddenly and completely stop ! sometimes used independently to mean 'the j taking drugs. j fact or state of being alive', with the ! suggestion that this is a troublesome state, i O The image is of one of the possible ! since coil retains here its archaic sense of j unpleasant side effects of this, involving j 'turmoil'. i bouts of shivering and sweating that cause 59 come

goose flesh o: goose pimples, a bumpy see the colour of someone's money receive condition of the skin which resembles the some evidence of forthcoming payment flesh of a dead plucked turkey. from a person. have someone cold have someone at your mercy. US informa! colours 1988 Rodney Hall Kisses of the Enemy He waited nail (or pin) your colours to the mast declare in his office for news of violence, knowing openly and firmly what you believe or that then he would have the troublemakers favour. cold. sail under false colours disguise your true in cold blood without feeling or mercy; nature or intentions. ruthlessly. show your (true) colours reveal your real ! O According to medieval physiology blood j character or intentions, especially when ! was naturally hot, and so this phrase refers to i these are disreputable or dishonourable. ! an unnatural state in which someone can ! carry out a (hot-blooded) deed of passion or j with flying colours: see FLYING. i violence without the normal heating of the i O The distinguishing ensign orflag of a ship j ! blood. Compare with make your blood curdle j j or regiment was known as its colours, and the j j and make your blood run cold (at BLOOD). j word is used in this sense in these four idioms, j j A ship on illegal business or in time of war leave someone cold fail to interest or excite j may fly a bogus flag in order to deceive and someone. j would therefore be sailing under false left out in the cold ignored; neglected. | colours. out cold completely unconscious. pour (or throw) cold water on be column discouraging or negative about a plan or suggestion. dodge the column: see DODGE. 1998 New Scientist When I put it to... the fifth column: see FIFTH. health minister, that perhaps all clinical trial results should be published, she threw cold come water on the idea. as — as they come used to describe someone or something that is a supreme example of collar the quality specified. feel someone's collar arrest or legally 1991 Daily Telegraph The petrol-engined V-8 was as silky as they come. apprehend someone. come the — play the part of; behave like. i O The image here is of using a person's informal j collar as a means of getting a secure grip on j 1992 Jeff Torrington Swing Hammer Swing! j them. Don't come the innocent with me. come the acid: see ACID. collision come apart at the seams: see SEAM. on a collision course adopting an approach come clean: see CLEAN. that is certain to lead to conflict with another person or group. come in from the cold gain acceptance. informal i O This phrase is also used literally to mean 1998 New Scientist Considering that the ! 'going in a direction that will lead to a intracavity technique got off to such a slow j violent crash with another moving object or start, it may, at last, have come in from the I person'. cold. come it over seek to impose on or to impress colour deceptively, informal lend (or give) colour to make something come it strong go to excessive lengths; use seem true or probable. exaggeration, informal 1991 J. Rusbridger The Intelligence Game come of age: see AGE. Nothing should be done that would lend colour to any suggestion that it [the Security come off it! said when vigorously expressing Service] is concerned with the interests of any disbelief, informal particular section of the community. come to grief: see GRIEF. comfort 60 come the old soldier over someone seek to ! may a Shakespearean phrase used in his play ! impose something on someone, especially | about the great exponent of the common on grounds of greater experience or age. \ touch, King Henry V, on the eve of the battle j ! of Agincourt:'a little touch of Harry in the informal j night'. come to that {or if it comes to that) said to introduce an additional significant point. 1910 Rudyard Kipling 1/If you can talk with informal crowds and keep your virtue, Or walk with Kings—nor lose the common touch ... 1998 Martin Booth The Industry of Souls I am sure you would not wish your son to hear of his father's waywardness. Or your wife, come to company that. be {or err) in good company be in the same come to think of it said when an idea or situation as someone important or point occurs to you while you are respected. speaking. compare come up smelling of roses: see SMELLING. compare notes exchange ideas, opinions, or information about a particular comfort subject. too — for comfort causing physical or mental unease by an excess of the specified quality. compliment 1994 Janice Galloway Foreign Parts They were return the compliment Ogive a compliment all too at peace with themselves, too in return for another. Q retaliate or respond untroubled for comfort. in kind. coming conclusion have it coming to you be due for retribution jump {or leap) to conclusions {or the on account of something bad that you have conclusion that) make a hasty judgement done, informal or decision before learning or considering all the facts. not know if you are coming or going be try conclusions with engage in a trial of skill confused, especially as a result of being or argument with, formal very busy, informal 1902 G. S. Whitmore The Last Maori War in New where someone is coming from someone's Zealand Te Kooti's prestige enormously meaning, motivation, or personality. increased by an apparent unwillingness to try informal conclusions with him, even with an immensely superior force and in the open commando plains. go commando wear no underpants, informal concrete common be set in concrete (of a policy or idea) be fixed common or garden of the usual or ordinary and unalterable. type. British informal

i O Common or garden was originally used conjure ! to describe a plant in its most familiar a name to conjure with a person who is j domesticated form, e.g. 'the common or important within a particular sphere of I garden nightshade'. activity.

1964 Leonard Woolf Letter I certainly do not ! O The image here is of magically agree that the unconscious mind reveals i summoning a spirit to do your bidding by deeper truths about someone else than ; invoking a powerful name or using a spell. plain common or garden common sense does. 1954 Iris Murdoch Under the Net His name, little known to the public, is one to conjure the common touch the ability to get on with with in Hollywood. or appeal to ordinary people.

j O An obsolete sense of common (which conspicuous j comes from Latin communis meaning conspicuous by your absence obviously j 'affable') may have influenced this phrase, as j not present in a place where you should be. 61 cookie

O This phrase was coined by Lord John of words associating objects or ideas which Russell in a speech made in 1859. He are incompatible. acknowledged as his source for the idea a 1994 Toronto Life Veggie burger?— a passage in Tacitus describing a procession of contradiction in terms I had no wish to argue images at a funeral: the fact that those of with: vegetables are fine and necessary, but in Cassius and Brutus were absent attracted a their place. great deal of attention. conviction conspiracy have the courage of your convictions: see a conspiracy of silence an agreement to say COURAGE. nothing about an issue that should be generally known. cooee j © This expression appears to have within cooee of within reach of; near to. i originated with the French philosopher I Auguste Comte (1798-1857). j O Cooee originated as an Aboriginal i word used as a shout to attract attention, j and was adopted by European settlers contempt ! in Australia. The literal meaning of the hold someone or something in contempt ! phrase within cooee of is 'within hailing ! distance of. consider someone or something to be unworthy of respect or attention.

i O •" formal legal contexts, holding cook | someone in contempt means that they cook the books alter records, especially | are judged to have committed the offence of accounts, with fraudulent intent or in i contempt of court, i.e. they are guilty of order to mislead, informal j disrespect or disobedience to the authority | of a court in the administration of justice. j O Cook has been used since the mid 17th ! century in this figurative sense of'tamper j with' or 'manipulate'. content to your heart's content to the full extent of cook on the front burner be on the right your desires. lines; be on the way to rapid success. North American informal ! O Heart's content was used by Shakespeare j j in Henry VI, Part2 (1593) and in The Merchant \ I O Another version of this phrase is cook I of Venice (1596) in the sense of 'complete i with gas. j inward satisfaction'. cook someone's goose spoil someone's plans; cause someone's downfall, informal contention j O The underlying idea of this phrase seems ! bone of contention: see BONE. ! to be that a goose was cherished and j fattened up for a special occasion, and contest ! therefore to cook it prematurely meant to i no contest O a decision by the referee to ! spoil the plans for a feast. declare a boxing match invalid on the too many cooks spoil the broth if too grounds that one or both of the boxers are many people are involved in a task not making serious efforts. Q a competi­ or activity, it will not be done well. tion, comparison, or choice of which the proverb outcome is a foregone conclusion. 1997 Times Too many cooks spoil the broth I O This expression is mainly found in the and at Apple there is now the equivalent of j USA, and is perhaps influenced by the plea of i Marco Pierre White, Anton Mosimann and ! nolo contendere (I do not wish to contend) in j Nico Ladenis. j US law, meaning that the defendant in a i criminal prosecution accepts conviction but I cookie ! does not admit guilt. the way the cookie crumbles how things turn out (often used of an undesirable contradiction but unalterable situation), informal, chiefly contradiction in terms a statement or group North American cool 62 with your hand in the cookie jar engaged in cord surreptitious theft from your employer. cut the cord cease to rely on someone or North American informal something influential or supportive and cool begin to act independently. cool as a cucumber perfectly cool or self- i O The image here is of the cutting of a possessed. ; baby's umbilical cord at birth. 1992 Randall Kenan Let the Dead Bury Their Dead How many men do you know, black or white, could bluff, cool as a cucumber, corn caught butt-naked in bed with a damn corn in Egypt a plentiful supply. whore? i © This expression comes from the aged cool your heels: see HEEL. i Jacob's instructionsto hissons in Genesis42:2: | ! 'Behold, I have heard that there is corn in coon i Egypt: get you down thither, and buy for us j j from thence'. for {or in) a coon's age a very long time. North American informal 1951 William Styron Lie Down in Darkness corner I haven't seen him in a coon's age. cut corners: see CUT. a gone coon a person or thing in fight your corner defend your position or desperate straits or as good as dead. US interests. informal the four {or far) corners of the world {or earth) remote regions of the earth, far I O Coon in these idioms is an informal j abbreviation of raccoon. Raccoons were away from each other. i hunted fortheirfur, and a gone coon was one i 1999 Katie Hickman Daughters of Britannia In i that had been cornered so that it could not amongst the fishing boats and the caiques... ! escape. sailed innumerable vessels from all four corners of the earth. in someone's corner on someone's side; coop giving someone support. fly the coop: see FLY. j © This idiom and fight your corner are coot ! boxing metaphorsand refertothediagonally i j opposite corners taken by opponents in a bald as a coot: see BALD. j boxing match. Trainers and assistants are in ! a boxer's corner to offer support and cop j encouragement between rounds. cop hold of take hold of. British paint yourself into a corner: see PAINT. I © A slang word meaning'catch', cop turn the corner: see TURN. i probably originated in northern English I dialect. corridor cop a plea engage in plea bargaining. North the corridors of power the senior levels American of government or administration, where covert influence is regarded as being it's a fair cop an admission that the speaker exerted and significant decisions are made. has been caught doing wrong and deserves punishment. ; © This expression comes from the title of i C. P. Snow's novel The Corridors of Power not much cop not very good. British informal \ (1964). Although most usual with power, the j i O Cop is used here in the sense of 'an j phrase can be more specifically applied to the j i acquisition'. j most influential levelsof the hierarchy within i i a particular place or organization, especially ; 1998 Spectator Suddenly everyone has noticed ! when they are regarded as operating that the rest of her album... isn't actually ! covertly. The French word coulisse (meaning i much cop after all. j 'the wings in a theatre' and 'corridor') has a j I similar figurative sense of the corridor as a copybook I place of negotiation and behind-the-scenes | scheming. blot your copybook: see BLOT. 63 courage cost j O A North American variant of the phrase is j j down for the count. In boxing, the count is cost an arm and a leg: see ARM. j the ten-second period, counted out loud by count the cost: see COUNT. i the referee, during which a boxer who has | been knocked to the ground may regain his cotton wool ! feet: if he fails to do so he must concede j victory to his opponent. A boxer who j wrap someone in cotton wool be over- j managestorisewithinthecountoften issaid j protective towards someone. j to'beat the count'. j couch take the count (of a boxer) be knocked out. couch potato someone who watches a lot of television, eats junk food, and takes little or countenance no physical exercise, informal out of countenance disconcerted or unpleasantly surprised. j O Couch potato was a humorous American i | coinage using the image of a person with the j I O Countenance here has the sense of ! physical shape of a potato slouching on a sofa j | 'confidence of demeanour or calmness of ! or couch. Originally, the phrase relied on a j expression'. j pun with tuber in the slang term boob tuber, i | which referred to someone devoted to i watching the boob tube or television. counter on the couch undergoing psychoanalysis or go counter run or ride against the direction psychiatric treatment. taken by an animal or person hunted or sought. counsel i O ln Britain, the variants hunt counter and a counsel of despair an action to be taken i run counter are also found. when all else fails. 2003 Guardian This is not a counsel of despair. over the counter by ordinary retail pur­ The argument in favour of the euro can be chase, with no need for a prescription won, as Winning From Behind, a pamphlet or licence. published today by Britain in Europe, argues. under the counter (or table) (with reference a counsel of perfection advice that is ideal to goods bought or sold) surreptitiously and but not feasible. usually illegally. 1986 E. Hall in Home Owner Manual Twice 1994 Coarse Fishing Today The obvious danger yearly desludging has been recommended but is that river fishwil l be pinched and flogged this is probably a counsel of perfection. 'under the counter'. count country count your chickens treat something that go (or appeal) to the country test public has not yet happened as a certainty, informal opinion by dissolving Parliament and i O This phrase refers to the proverb don't holding a general election. British ! count your chickens before they're hatched. line of country a subject about which a person is skilled or knowledgeable. count the pennies: see PENNY. British count sheep: see SHEEP. unknown country an unfamiliar place or count something on the fingers of one hand topic. used to emphasize the small number of a particular thing. ; O The Latin equivalent, terra incognita, is 1992 Fly Rod and Reel Two decades ago one i also used in English. could count on the fingerso f one hand the saltwater anglers who had caught a sailfish or a marlin on a fly. courage Dutch courage: see DUTCH. count to ten count to ten under your breath have the courage of your convictions act on in order to prevent yourself from reacting your beliefs despite danger or disapproval. angrily to something. 1998 Times The knives were out for us out for the count unconscious or soundly and we had to have the courage of our asleep. convictions. course 64 take your courage in both hands nerve 1991 Here's Health The British diet remains a yourself to do something that frightens sacred cow. you. till the cows come home for an indefinitely long time, informal course stay the course: see STAY. crab catch a crab (in rowing) effect a faulty stroke court in which the oar is jammed under water or hold court: see HOLD. misses the water altogether. crack Coventry crack heads together: see bang heads send someone to Coventry refuse to associate with or speak to someone, chiefly together at BANG. British crack a book open a book and read it; study. North American informal ; O This expression, which dates from the mid ; 18th century, is thought by some to stem crack a bottle open a bottle, especially of i from the extreme unpopularity of soldiers wine, and drink it. ! stationed in Coventry, who were cut off i socially by the citizens. Another suggestion is crack a crib break into a house. British informal | that the phrase arose because Royalist the crack of dawn very early in the morning. i prisoners were sent to Coventry during the ; O Crack here means the instant of time i English Civil War, the city being staunchly i occupied by the crack of a whip. i Parliamentarian. crack of doom a peal of thunder announcing the Day of Judgement. cover blow someone's cover discover or expose i © The idea of thunder announcing the Last i j Judgement comes from several passages in someone's real identity. i the book of Revelation (e.g., 6:1, 8:5). break cover emerge into the open; suddenly leave a place of shelter. a fair crack of the whip fair treatment; a chance to participate or compete on equal I O Brea/c cover originally referred to a j hunted animal emerging from the terms. British informal i undergrowth in which it had been hiding. 1989 T. M. Albert Tales of the Ulster Detective You might think that the police concocted the cover the waterfront cover every aspect of circumstances to deny these men a fair crack something. North American informal of the whip. 1999 Tony Parsons Man and Boy And I suddenly crack wise make jokes. North American informal realised how many father figures Luke has, paper over the cracks: see PAPER. father figures who seem to cover the waterfront of parental responsibilities. cracked cover your back foresee and avoid the cracked up to be asserted to be (used to possibility of attack or criticism, informal indicate that someone or something has cover your tracks conceal evidence of what been described too favourably), informal you have done. i O This expression stems from the use of ! crack as an adjective to mean 'pre-eminent', j COW j a sense dating from the late 18th century. have a cow become angry, excited, or 1986 Willy Russell Shirley Valentine Our Brian agitated. North American informal suddenly realised that the part of Joseph 1990 Susin Nielsen Wheels 'Don't have a cow,' wasn't as big as it had been cracked up to be. she said huffily. 'It's no big deal.' a sacred cow an idea, custom, or institution crackers held, especially unreasonably, to be above go crackers ©become insane; go mad. questioning or criticism. © become extremely annoyed or angry.

i O Sacred cow originally referred to the cracking I veneration of the cow as a sacred animal in get cracking act quickly and energetically. ! the Hindu religion. informal 65 cropper crackling creep a bit of crackling an attractive woman give someone the creeps induce a feeling of regarded as a sexual object. British informal fear or revulsion in someone. 1968 Peter Dickinson Skin Deep 'You know 1996 Roddy Doyle The Woman Who Walked Into her?' 'I do, sir. Nice bit of crackling, she is.' Doors It's the emptiness; there's no one on the street at that time, along the river. It gives me cramp the creeps. cramp someone's style prevent a person make your flesh creep (or crawl): see FLESH. from acting freely or naturally, informal crest crash on the crest of a wave at a very successful crash and burn fail spectacularly. North point. American informal 1994 Hispanic But if you use Spanish, be cricket careful not to crash and burn... the not cricket contrary to traditional standards language is booby-trapped for the unwary of fairness or rectitude. British informal PR professional. j O The game of cricket, with its traditional craw : regard for courtesy and fair play, has been a I stick in your craw make you angry or I metaphor for these qualities since at least the j irritated. : mid 19th century.

i O Literally, this phrase means'stick in your ! throat'. A craw is the crop of a bird or insect; crimp ! the transferred sense of the word to refer to a put a crimp in have an adverse effect on. I person's gullet, originally humorous, is now informal I almost entirely confined to this expression. 1990 Walter Stewart Right Church, Wrong ! Compare with stick in your gizzard Pew Well, that maybe puts a crimp in my i (at GIZZARD). theory. crazy crisp burnt to a crisp: see burnt to a cinder at crazy like a fox very cunning or shrewd. BURNT. creature creature of habit a person who follows an crocodile unvarying routine. shed (or weep) crocodile tears put on a display of insincere grief. credit j O This expression draws on the ancient credit where credit is due praise should be j belief that crocodiles wept while luring or given when it is deserved, even when you j devouring their prey. are reluctant to give it. i O This sentiment was earlier expressed in crook j the form honour where honour is due, be crook on be annoyed by. Australian & New \ following the Authorized Version of the j Bible:'Render therefore to all their dues: Zealand informal i tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to go crook ©lose your temper; become j whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to angry, ©become ill. Australian & New Zealand j whom honour'(Romans 13:7). informal j O Crook in late 19th-century Australian creek j slang meant 'bad' or 'unpleasant'. be up the creek without a paddle be in 01950 Coast to Coast 1949-50 What'd you do severe difficulty, usually with no means of if you were expelled? Y'r old man'd go crook, extricating yourself from it. informal I bet. i O Often shortened to be up the creek, this | expression is recorded in the mid 20th century i cropper j as military slang for 'lost' (for example, while ! come a cropper Q fall heavily. © suffer a | on a patrol). defeat or disaster, informal cross 66

i O Sense 1 appears to have originated in mid ! cross the Rubicon: see RUBICON. ! 19th-century hunting jargon, and possibly cross swords have an argument or j camefromthephrasenec/canc/cropmeaning i dispute. j 'bodily' or 'completely'. i O Originally, this expression had the literal 01980 Shirley Hazzard The Transit of Venus He j sense of 'fight a duel'. had seen how people came a cropper by giving way to impulse. have your cross to bear suffer the troubles that life brings. cross I O The reference here is to Jesus (or Simon of j at cross purposes misunderstanding or ; Cyrene) carrying the Cross to Calvary before having different aims from one another. I the Crucifixion. The image is also used cross as two sticks very annoyed or grumpy. I metaphorically in the New Testament (for British informal i example, in Matthew 10:38:'And he that j taketh not his cross and followeth after me is j j O This expression is a play on the two senses i I not worthy of me'). j of cross, firstly 'bad-tempered' and secondly j ; 'intersecting'. crossed cross your fingers (or keep your fingers get your wires (or lines) crossed have a crossed) hope that your plans will be misunderstanding. successful; trust in good luck. j O Wires being crossed originally referred to j j O The gesture of putting your index and ! a faulty telephone connection ('a crossed j middle fingers across each other as a sign of j I line'), which resulted in another call or calls j hoping for good luck is a scaled-down version i | being heard. ! of the Christian one of making the sign of the j ! Cross with your whole hand and arm as a ! request for divine protection. It is also crossfire j superstitiously employed when telling a be caught in the crossfire suffer damage i deliberate lie, with the idea of warding or harm inadvertently as the result of the I off the evil that might be expected to conflict between two other people or j befall a liar. groups. 1998 Spectator Since resources were limited j O The literal sense of the phrase, in a ... the only hope the clients had was to hang i military context, is 'be trapped (and possibly j in there, fingers crossed. j killed) by being between two opposing sides j cross the floor join the opposing side in i who are shooting at each other'. Parliament. British 1998 New Scientist This suggested that the I O The floor of the House of Commons is corneal cells are innocent victims caught in j the open space separating members of the the crossfire as T cells fight the viral infection. ! Government and Opposition parties, who sit j I on benches facing each other across it. crossroads at a (or the) crossroads at a critical point, cross my heart used to emphasize the when decisions with far-reaching con­ truthfAilness and sincerity of what you are sequences must be made. saying or promising, informal dirty work at the crossroads: see DIRTY. I O The full version of this expression is cross \ ! my heart and hope to die, and is sometimes crow I reinforced by making a sign of the Cross over j I your chest. as the crow flies used to refer to a shorter distance in a straight line across country cross someone's palm with silver pay rather than the distance as measured along someone for a favour or service, often a more circuitous road. humorous eat crow: see EAT.

j O Crossing someone's palm with silver was j i originally connected with the telling of crowd j fortunes, when the client would literally trace j crowd the mourners exert undue pressure i out the sign of a cross on the hand of the on someone. US informal j fortune-teller with a silver coin. pass in a crowd: see PASS. 67 cud crowning cry stinking fish disparage your own efforts or products. crowning glory ©the best and most notable aspect of something. 0 a person's hair. j O This expression stems from the practice of ! informal j street vendors crying their wares (i.e. j shouting and praising their goods) to attract j cruel ! customers. If a vendor were to cry'stinking be cruel to be kind act towards someone in a j fish', he could not expect to attract many. way which seems harsh but will ultimately 1991 Independent on Sunday I want to use the be of benefit. Home Affairs Committee Report for those in racing to go forward together and at last to i O In Shakespeare's Hamlet, 'I must be cruel i stop crying 'stinking fish'. i only to be kind'was Hamlet's explanation of \ ! his reasons for bullying his mother about her ! cry wolf: see WOLF. ! second marriage. in full cry expressing an opinion loudly and forcefully. cruising i O Full cry originated and is still used as a cruising for a bruising heading or looking for j hunting expression referring to a pack of trouble, informal, chiefly North American j hounds all baying in pursuit of their quarry. 1998 Times The problem... is the unrealistic value of the Hong Kong dollar... it has been great (or much) cry and little wool a lot of cruising for a bruising for most of last year. fuss with little effect; a lot of fuss about nothing. crumb ! © This expression comes from the idea of crumbs from someone's (or a rich man's) j shearing pigs, where the result could be table an unfair and inadequate or : expected to be great cry and little wool. unsatisfactory share of something. i O Luke 16:21 describes the beggar Lazarus j crying j as'desiring to be fed with the crumbs for crying out loud used to express your ! which fell from the rich man's table'. irritation or impatience, informal 1941 Rebecca West Black Lamb and Grey Falcon crunch For crying out loud, why did you do it? when (or if) it comes to the crunch when (or if) a point is reached or an event occurs crystal such that immediate and decisive action is crystal clear Q completely transparent and required, informal unclouded, ©unambiguous; easily understood. cruse a widow's cruse: see WIDOW. cuckoo cry cuckoo in the nest an unwelcome intruder in a place or situation. cry for the moon: see MOON. cry foul protest strongly about a real or j O The female cuckoo often lays its eggs in imagined wrong or injustice. i other birds'nests. Once hatched, the cuckoo i | fledgling pushes the other birds' fledglings i O Foul in this context means foul play, a j out of the nest. I violation of the rules of a game to which ; attention is drawn by shouting 'foul!' cucumber 1998 Times She can't cry foul when subjected cool as a cucumber: see COOL. to fair and standard competition. cry from the heart a passionate and honest cud appeal or protest. chew the cud Q (of a ruminant animal) I © The French equivalent en c/e coeur has further chew partly digested food, ©think i also been in use in English since the early 20th j or talk reflectively. ! century. 01992 D] We chewed the cud, drank a few beers and at the end of the meal, Malu asked if cry over spilt milk: see MILK. I wanted to hit a club. cudgel 68 cudgel not your cup of tea not what you like or are interested in. informal cudgel your brain (or brains) think hard about a problem. curate i O This expression was used by Shakespeare i a curate's egg something that is partly good I in Hamlet 'Cudgel thy brains no more about ! and partly bad. ! it'- ! j O This expression stems from a Punch take up the cudgels start to support I cartoon produced in 1895, showing a meek someone or something strongly. ; curate breakfasting with his bishop, BISHOP: j I'm afraid you've got a bad egg, Mr Jones. ; CURATE: Oh no, my Lord, I assure you! Parts cue i of it are excellent! on cue at the correct moment. take your cue from follow the example or curdle advice of. make your blood curdle: see BLOOD. ! O Cue in both of these idioms is used in the j I theatrical sense of 'the word or words that curiosity I signal when another actor should speak or curiosity killed the cat being inquisitive j perform a particular action'. about other people's affairs may get you into trouble, proverb cuff curl off the cuff without preparation, informal curl the mo succeed brilliantly; win. Australian | O This expression refersto impromptu notes j informal | made on a speaker's shirt cuffs as an aid to make someone's hair curl shock or horrify | memory. someone, informal on the cuff Oon credit. US informal ©beyond i O This expression may have developed in what is appropriate or conventional. New j the mid 20th century as a dramatic or Zealand j humorous variation of make someone's hair j 01992 Sandra Birdsell The Chrome Suite Their I stand on end (see HAIR). surveillance system keeps a beady eye open and they don't let you buy groceries on the out of curl lacking energy. British cuff. ! O This is an early 20th-century expression ! based on the idea that curly hair has vitality culture ! (as in 'bouncy curls'). Therefore, hair which culture vulture a person who is very ! has become limp or out of curl may be ! thoughtto indicate listlessness or enervation, j interested in the arts, especially to an obsessive degree. current j O The image of a i/u/rure here is of a greedy j j and often undiscriminating eater. pass current be generally accepted as true or genuine. British

i O Pass current originally referred to the cup ! currency of a genuine coin, as opposed to a in your cups while drunk, informal ; counterfeit one. I © 'n your cups is now used mainly to mean i 'drunk', but in former times the phrase could i ! also mean 'during a drinking bout'. Either curry j could be intended in the passage in the curry favour ingratiate yourself with j Apocrypha regarding the strength of wine: someone through obsequious behaviour. j 'And when they are in their cups, they forget j j their love both to friends and brethren, and a j i O Curry here means 'groom a horse or other j little after draw out swords' (1 Esdras 3:22). ! animal' with a coarse brush or comb. The i phrase is an early 16th-century alteration of 1948 Vladimir Nabokov Letter I have received j the Middle English curry favel, Favel (or your letter... and can only excuse its contents j Fauvel) being the name of a chestnut horse in by assuming that you were in your cups when j an early 14th-century French romance who you wrote it. i epitomized cunning and duplicity. From this 69 cut

i 'to groom Favel' came to mean to use on him cut both ways O (of a point or statement) ! the cunning which he personified. It is serve both sides of an argument, ©(of an i unclear whether the bad reputation of action or process) have both good and bad i chestnut horses existed before the French effects. i romance, but the idea is also found in 15th- i century German in the phrase den fahlen I © Theimagebehindthisexpressionisthatof j i hengst reiten (ride the chestnut horse) I a double-edged weapon (see double-edged ; meaning'behave deceitfully'. I sword at DOUBLE-EDGED). 01998 Sanjida O'Connell Angel Bird Words curtain have the power to cut both ways and I was not bring down the curtain on bring to an end. strong enough to wield them cut corners undertake something in what i © The curtain referred to is the one lowered ! appears to be the easiest, quickest, or I at the front of the stage in a theatre at the i end of a performance. cheapest way, often by omitting to do something important or ignoring rules. custom ! © "This phrase comes from cutting (off) the ! corner, which means 'taking the shortest old Spanish customs: see SPANISH. j course by going across and not round a cut j corner'. a cut above superior to. informal cut the crap get to the point; state the real 1998 Spectator Samuel was a scholar... and his situation, vulgar slang contributions are a cut above the rest. cut a dash be stylish or impressive in your an atmosphere that you could cut with a dress or behaviour. knife: see ATMOSPHERE. be cut out for (or to be) have exactly the I © As a noun, dash in the sense of 'showy right qualities for a particular role, task, or i appearance'is now found only in this ! expression, but this sense does also survive in i job. informal j the adjective dashing. j O The sense of cut out here is 'formed or i fashioned by cutting', as the pieces of a cut someone dead completely ignore ! garment are cut out from the fabric. someone. 1992 Paul Auster Leviathan Whenever I cut a deal come to an arrangement, stopped and examined my own behavior, I especially in business; make a deal. North concluded that I wasn't cut out for marriage. American informal cut and dried (of a situation, issue, or ideas) j © Cut here relates to the informal sense of j completely settled or decided. I the noun cut as 'a share of profits'.

! O A distinction was originally made cut someone down to size deflate someone's i between the cut and dried herbs sold in i herbalists' shops and growing herbs. exaggerated sense of self-worth, informal cut a — figure present yourself or appear in a cut and run make a speedy or sudden particular way. departure from an awkward or hazardous 1994 Vanity Fair David has cut a dashing figure situation rather than confront or deal on the international social scene. with it. informal cut from the same cloth of the same ! O Cut and run was originally an early 18th- j nature. i century nautical phrase, meaning'sever the 1999 Washington Post The last thing a franchise | anchor cable because of an emergency and needs is for the two most important men at I make sail immediately'. the top to be cut from the same cloth. cut in line jump the queue. US cut and thrust Qa spirited and rapid cut it meet the required standard, informal interchange of views, ©a situation or 1998 Spectator Heaven knows how such sphere of activity regarded as carried out people get jobs in universities; they would not under adversarial conditions. cut it on Fifteen-to-One. i O In fencing, a cut is a slashing stroke and cut it fine: see FINE. | a thrust one given with the point of the cut the Gordian knot solve or remove a ! weapon. i problem in a direct or forceful way, cylinder 70

rejecting gentler or more indirect j O This was originally a nautical expression methods. i suggested by the prominence and I characteristic form of the jib (a triangular ! O The knot referred to is that with which ; sail set forward of the foremast) as the ; Gordius, king of ancient Phrygia (in Asia i identifying characteristic of a ship. ! Minor), fastened the yoke of his wagon to the j ! pole. Its complexity was such that it gave rise i cut a (or the) rug dance, typically in an j to the legend that whoever could undo it energetic or accomplished way. North I would become the ruler of Asia. When American informal ! Alexanderthe Great passed that way en route j 1966 Sky Magazine The wide-open spaces I to conquer the East he is said simply to have j around the bar... mean, as it fillsup , the place I severed the knot with his sword. soon resembles a club and the punters are cut it out used to ask someone to stop doing itching to cut a rug. or saying something that is annoying or cut someone some slack: see SLACK. offensive, informal cut your teeth acquire initial practice or cut loose ©distance yourself from a person, experience of a particular sphere of activity group, or system by which you are unduly or with a particular organization. influenced or on which you are over- dependent. © begin to act without ! O The form cut your eye teeth is also found, j restraint, informal i The image is that of the emergence of a 01993 Isidore Okpewho Tides When the time j baby's teeth from its gums. comes that I feel my friends are not cut to the chase come to the point. North sufficiently behind me in what I'm trying to American informal do, I'm going to cut loose fromthem . cut your losses abandon an enterprise or ! O In this idiom, cut is being used in the course of action that is clearly going to be j cinematographicsense'movetoanothershot j j in a film'. Chase scenes are a particularly unprofitable or unsuccessful before you j exciting feature of some films, and the idiom j suffer too much loss or harm. j expresses the idea of ignoring any ! preliminaries and coming immediately to the j i O The sense of cut here is probably 'sever j most important part. ! yourself from' rather than 'reduce in size'. 1991 Jane Smiley A Thousand Acres Ginny is cut up rough behave in an aggressive, eternally hopeful, you know. She never cuts quarrelsome, or awkward way. British informal her losses. She always thinks things could change. I O Cut up is here being used in the sense of j ! 'behave'. The phrase cut up rough is used by j cut the mustard come up to expectations; j Dickens and the variant cut up savage (now meet the required standard, informal j no longer in use) by Thackeray.

! O Mustard appears in early 20th-century US j 1998 Spectator The jury, knowing full well that j slang with the general meaning of 'the best j Clodius' supporters could cut up rough, asked i of anything'. for and received state protection. 1998 New Scientist But if you want to go beyond cut your coat according to your cloth this into hypersonic flight... they just don't undertake only what you have the money cut the mustard. or ability to do and no more, proverb cut no ice have no influence or effect. have your work cut out: see WORK. informal make (or miss) the cut come up to (or fail to 1973 Joyce Porter It's Murder with Dover come up to) a required standard. MacGregor remembered... that logical argument didn't cut much ice with Dover and j O In golf, a player has to equal or better a he abandoned it. I particular score in order to avoid elimination j i from the last two rounds of a four-round cut someone off (or down) in their prime i tournament. If the player succeeds, they make \ bring someone's life or career to an abrupt | the cut. end while they are at the peak of their abilities. the cut of someone's jib the appearance or cylinder look of a person. firing on all cylinders: see FIRING. Dd

! your toes up to the daisies, both dating from ; dab ; the mid 19th century. be a dab hand at be expert at. j © Dab in this sense is recorded since the late ; damage ! 17th century, but its origin is unknown. what's the damage? used to ask the cost of 1998 Bookseller Stephanie Cabot... is something, informal apparently a dab hand at milking cows, according to one of those mystifying diary dammit items in Skateboarders' Weekly. as near as dammit (or damn it) as close to dagger being accurate as makes no difference. informal at daggers drawn in a state of bitter enmity.

i O The image here is of the drawing of damn : daggers as the final stage in a confrontation i not give a damn: see GIVE. i before actual fighting breaks out. Although ! damn someone or something with faint ! recorded in 1668, the expression only became i praise praise someone or something so i commonfromtheearly19thcenturyonwards. j unenthusiastically as to imply look daggers at glare angrily or venom­ condemnation. ously at. j O This expression comes from the poet i Alexander Pope's'Epistle to Dr Arbuthnot' I O The expression speak daggers is also j (1735):'Damn with faint praise, assent with ; found and is used by Shakespeare's Hamlet | civil leer, And without sneering, teach the ; in the scene in which he reproaches his i rest to sneer'. j mother. 1994 Canadian Defence Quarterly True there is dag the occasional condescending nod to those who served, but this frequently amounts to rattle your dags hurry up. Australian & New damning with faint praise. Zealand informal not be worth a damn have no value or j O Dags are the excreta-clotted lumps of validity at all. informal j wool at the rear end of a sheep, which, in ! heavily fouled animals, rattle as they run. damned damned if you do and damned if you don't daisy in some situations whatever you do is likely fresh as a daisy very bright and cheerful. to attract criticism. informal 1998 Spectator Some of the media were critical of the photo... That did not stop them all O This expression alludes to a daisy running it on the front page. You're damned if reopening its petals in the early morning or to you do and damned if you don't. its welcome appearance in springtime. The freshness of daisies has been a literary damnedest commonplace since at least the late 14th do (or try) your damnedest do or try your century, when it was used by Chaucer. utmost to do something. pushing up the daisies dead and buried. i O The superlative form of the adjective informal i damned is used here as a noun and can mean i j either'yourworst'or(moreusuallynow)'your i O This phrase, a humorous early 20th- i best', depending on the context. century euphemism, is now the most frequently used of several daisy-related expressions for being in the grave. Other Damon idioms include under the daisies and turn Damon and Pythias two faithful friends. damp 72

j O Phintias (the more correct form of the dander ; name) was condemned to death for plotting ; j against Dionysius I of Syracuse. To enable get your dander up lose your temper; j Phintias to go to arrange his affairs, Damon become angry. ! offered to take his friend's place in Dionysius' j j O The sense of dander in this originally US i prison and to be executed in his stead if he I expression is uncertain, as neither dandruff j failed to return. Phintias returned just in time i \ nor dunder (meaning 'the ferment of j to redeem Damon, and Dionysius was so j molasses') seems entirely plausible. i impressed by their friendship that he j pardoned and released Phintias as well. dangling damp keep someone dangling keep someone, especially a would-be suitor, in an a damp squib an unsuccessful attempt to uncertain position. impress; an anticlimax.

j O This expression stems from the idea that a \ dark I squib, a type of small firework, will not have j a dark horse a person, especially a | the desired explosive effect if it is damp. competitor, about whom little is known.

! O Theexpressionwasoriginallyhorse-racing i damper i slang. The earliest recorded use was by put a (or the) damper (or dampener) on have j Benjamin Disraeli in 1831:'A dark horse, a depressing, subduing, or inhibiting effect j which had never been thought of. ..rushed on someone or something. ! past the grand stand in sweeping triumph'. keep someone in the dark ensure that damsel someone remains in a state of ignorance damsel in distress a young woman in about something. trouble, humorous 2003 Village Voice It's payback time for an administration that... has ignored lawmakers ! O Damsel in distress makes humorous and... deliberately kept them in the dark. j reference to the ladies in chivalric romances keep something dark keep something secret ; whose sole purpose was to be rescued from from other people. j peril by a knight in shining armour (see 1993 New York Review of Books Ottoline was j KNIGHT). ! determined to keep her affair with Russell safe from Bloomsbury's prying eyes and she and dance Russell went to Feydeauesque lengths to keep their secret dark. dance attendance on do your utmost to please someone by attending to all their a shot (or stab) in the dark an act whose needs or requests. outcome cannot be foreseen; a mere guess.

i O The expression originally referred to j O The metaphorical use of in the dark to ! someone waiting'kicking their heels'until an j i mean'in a state of ignorance'dates from the j | important person summoned them or would i j late 17th century. j see them. 1999 Shyama Perera I Haven't Stopped Dancing darken Yet Tammy and I sat on a vinyl bench seat and never darken someone's door (or doorstep) watched the visiting flow while Jan disappeared to dance attendance on her keep away from someone's home mother. permanently. 1988 Salman Rushdie The Satanic Verses They dance to someone's tune comply couldn't lock her away in any old folks' home, completely with someone's demands and sent her whole family packing when they wishes. dared to suggest it, never darken her doorstep, lead someone a (merry) dance cause she told them, cut the whole lot off without a someone a great deal of trouble or worry. penny or a by your leave. British dash 1993 Isidore Okpewho Tides I will be content to lead my friends at the NSS a merry dance if cut a dash: see CUT. only to get even with them for messing me up do your dash exhaust your energies or the way they did. chances. Australian informal 73 daylight

1973 Chester Eagle Who Could Love the which they are unlikely to be successful. Nightingale? 'Keep going,' she said. 'Keep informal going.' 'I've done my dash, Marg, in every 1996 Charlie Higson Getting Rid of Mr Kitchen sense of the words.' 'You are the worst beggar I have ever encountered,' I said. 'Don't give up the day date job.' a blind date: see BLIND. from day one from the very beginning. pass your sell-by date: see PASS. 1996 Christopher Brookmyre Quite Ugly One Morning The system churns out junior doctors daunted who have paid bugger-all attention to the meat and two veg medicine they will find nothing daunted: see NOTHING. themselves up to their necks in from day one. Davy Jones's locker have had your (or its) day be no longer go to Davy Jones's locker be drowned at sea. popular, successful, or influential. if he (or she) is a day at least (added to a ! O Davy Jones is identified in Tobias statement about the age of a person or i Smollett'sPereg/7neP/dr/e(1751)as'thefiend i thing). j that presides over all the evil spirits of the 1992 Shashi Tharoor Show Business Lawrence i deep', buttheorigin of the name is uncertain. I must be fifty if he's a day. just another day at the office: see OFFICE. dawn make a day of it: see MAKE. the crack of dawn: see CRACK. make someone's day: see MAKE. a false dawn: see FALSE. not someone's day used to convey that day someone has suffered a day of successive misfortunes, informal all in a day's work (of something unusual or problematic) accepted as part of someone's 1997 A. Sivanandan When Memory Dies He sighed inwardly, this was not his day. normal routine or as a matter of course. one of those days a day when several things at the end of the day: see END. go wrong. call it a day decide or agree to stop doing a red letter day: see RED. something, either temporarily or seen (or known) better days be in a worse permanently. state than in the past; have become old, j O This expression comes from the idea of worn-out, or shabby. : having done a day's work; in the mid 19th that will be the day something is very i century, the form was call it half a day. unlikely to happen, informal 1991 Alistair Campbell Sidewinder 'Now for my carry (or win) the day be victorious or proposal, which you'll findirresistible. ' successful. "That'll be the day.' j © The sense of day used here is 'the day's those were the days used to assert that a j work on the field of battle'. particular past time was better in day in, day out continuously or repeatedly comparison with the present. 1997 Brenda Clough How like a God 'Those over a long period of time. were the days,' Rob said. 'B.C.—before day of reckoning the time when past children! Remember?' mistakes or misdeeds must be punished or paid for; a testing time when the degree of your success or failure will be daylight revealed. beat the living daylights out of give someone a very severe beating, informal i O This expression refers to the Day of j Judgement, on which, according to Christian j : O Daylight or daylights has been used from j j tradition, human beings will have to answer ! ! the mid 18th century as a metaphor for'eyes', j i to God for their transgressions. j and here has the extended sense of any vital j ! organ of the body. don't give up the day job used as a humorous way of recommending someone burn daylight use artificial light in daytime; not to pursue an alternative career at waste daylight. dead 74 frighten (or scare) the living daylights out 1990 Film Comment Steward subscribes to the of give someone a very severe fright. notion that all women are 'nitwits and lunkheads, dead from the neck up'. i O This expression was a mid 20th-century dead in the water unable to function ! development from beat the living daylights effectively. ! out of, on the premise that the effect of i extreme fear is as drastic as physical violence, I j O Dead in the water wasoriginallyusedof a ! 1955 Frank Yerby The Treasure of Pleasant Valley i ship and in this context means'unable to Didn't mean to hit him... Meant to throw i move'. close to him and scare the living daylights out 1997 Times And Oasis? Well, they are hardly of him. dead in the water, having sold three million see daylight begin to understand what was copies of Be Here Now. previously puzzling or unclear. a dead letter a law or practice no longer observed. dead dead and buried used to emphasize that ; O This phrase was originally used with something is finally and irrevocably in the ; reference to passages in the biblical epistles j in which St Paul compares the life-giving past. i spirit of the New Testament with what he sees ; dead as a (or the) dodo Qno longer alive. j as the dead 'letter' of the Mosaic law. Later 0 no longer effective, valid, or interesting. j (until the late 19th century) Dead-letter informal i Office was the name given to the i organization that dealt with unclaimed mail ! ; © The name dodo comes from Portuguese i or mail that could not be delivered for any ; duodo meaning 'simpleton'. It was applied to i i reason. The expression has been used i the large flightless bird of Mauritius because i I metaphorically for an obsolete or j the bird had no fear of man and so was easily ; j unobserved law since the mid 17th century. i killed, being quickly wiped out by visiting i European sailors. The dodo's fate has made it ; 1998 Spectator They were saying on the 1 proverbial for something that is long dead news... that some provision of the Stormont j and the name has been used metaphorically i agreement might end up a dead letter. i for an old-fashioned, stupid, or unenlight- dead meat in serious trouble, informal i ened person since the 19th century. 1989 Tracy Kidder Among Schoolchildren You're dead meat, I'm gonna get you after school. 2000 John Caughie Television Drama The once pleasant family hour is now as dead as a dodo. dead men's shoes: see SHOE. dead as a doornail (or as mutton) the dead of night the quietest, darkest part completely dead. of the night.

! O A doornail was one of the large iron the dead of winter the coldest part of ; studs formerly often used on doors for winter. I ornamentation or for added strength; the j O The sense of dead here and in the ! word occurred in various alliterative phrases ; j previous idiom developed in the 16th century j j (e.g. deaf as a doornail and dour as a ! from dead time of—, meaning the period i doornail) but dead as a doornail is now the j most characterized by lack of signs of life or j | only one in common use. ; activity. a dead cat bounce a misleading sign of dead on your feet extremely tired, informal vitality in something that is really moribund, informal i O This expression was a development from I : the phrase dead tired, as an exaggerated way I j O A dead cat might bounce if it is dropped j j of expressing a feeling of exhaustion. Dead is j i from a great height: the fact of it bouncing j sometimes also used on its own to mean ! does not reliably indicate that the cat is alive j j 'exhausted'. ! after all. The expression was coined in the late ; ! 20th century by Wall Street traders to refer to j dead to the world fast asleep; unconscious. i a situation in which a stock or company on a j informal ! long-term, irrevocable downward trend 2000 Michael Ondaatje Anil's Ghost The nurse j suddenly shows a small temporary tried to wake him, but he was dead to the i improvement. world. dead from the neck (or chin) up stupid. from the dead O from a state of death, informal ©from a period of obscurity or inactivity. 75 deep make a dead set at make a determined ; O Be the death of is generally used as an attempt to win the affections of. British ! exaggerated or humorous way of describing j | the effects of laughter, embarrassment, ! O Dating from the early 19th century, j boredom, or similar emotions. j this was originally a sporting idiom, j referring to the manner in which a dog such i 1999 Chris Dolan Ascension Day If her mother j as a setter or pointer stands stock still with its j ever found out that William Grant was in ; muzzle pointing in the direction of game. Glasgow, it'd be the death of her. be frightened to death be made very over my dead body used to emphasize that alarmed and fearful, informal you completely oppose something and would do anything to prevent it from be in at the death Qbe present when a happening, informal hunted animal is caught and killed, ©be present when something fails or comes to wouldn't be seen (or caught) dead in (or with or at) — used to express strong dislike an end. or disinclination for a particular thing or catch your death (of cold) catch a severe cold situation, informal or chill, informal 1997 Independent Kate's books, said one a death's head at the feast: see FEAST. literary editor, can be read happily by those die a (or the) death come to an end; cease or who wouldn't be seen dead with a Catherine fail to be popular or successful. Cookson. 1999 Linedancer Our industry must expand ... otherwise it will die a death with just deaf a few clubs remaining. deaf as an adder (or a post) completely or do something to death perform or repeat extremely deaf. something so frequently that it becomes tediously familiar. ! O The traditional deafness of an adder is i based on an image in Psalm 58:4: 'the deaf a fate worse than death: see FATE. ! adder that stoppeth her ear'. like death warmed up extremely tired or ill. informal fall on deaf ears (of a statement or request) be ignored by others. j O Like death warmed up was originally 1990 Ellen Kuzwayo Sit Down and Listen All i military slang, recorded from the 1930s. The j efforts by her husband to dissuade her from j North American version is like death warmed I wishing to leave fell on deaf ears. i over. deal a matter of life and death: see LIFE. a big deal a thing considered important. deck informal not playing with a full deck mentally big deal! used to express contempt for deficient. North American informal something regarded as impressive or important by another person, informal i O A deck in this phrase is a pack of playing i j cards. a raw (or rough) deal a situation in which someone receives unfair or harsh on deck ready for action or work. North treatment, informal American a square deal a fair bargain or treatment. j © This expression refers to a ship's main i O Square here has the sense of 'honest', i deck as the place where the crew musters to i I which as an adjective was associated ! receive orders for action. j ! originally with honourable play at cards. See ! j also on the square (at SQUARE). deep dig deep Ogive money or other resources death generously. 0 make a great effort to do at death's door so ill that you may die. something, informal 1994 S. P. Somtow Jasmine Nights How stupid of me to trouble her with my petty problems j O The idea here is of thrusting your hands when she's probably at death's door! I deep into your pockets to find money with I which to pay for something. be the death of cause someone's death. deliver 76

© 1991 Sports Illustrated You really have to dig 1948 David Ballantyne The Cunninghams She deep night after night to get up for every didn't like the Baptists though, had a derry on game. that crowd ever since Hilda took her to an go off (or go in off) the deep end give evening service. way immediately to anger or emotion. deserts informal get (or receive) your just deserts receive ! O This expression refers to the deep end of a j what you deserve, especially appropriate ! swimming pool, where the diving board is punishment. i located. In the USA the phrase has also j developed the meaning 'go mad', but in design i either sense the underlying idea is of a j have designs on aim to obtain something j sudden explosive loss of self-control. desired, especially in an underhand way. in deep water (or waters) in trouble or 2003 Economist Hardliners... think America difficulty, informal has designs on its oil, and will act against Iran once it has disposed of Saddam Hussein. ; O In deep water is a biblical metaphor; see, j j for example, Psalm 69:14:'let me be delivered I despite j from them that hate me, and out of the deep j despite yourself used to indicate that you did j waters'. not intend to do the thing mentioned. 1995 Ginu Kamani Junglee Girl Sahil chuckled, jump (or be thrown) in at the deep end face despite himself. a difficult problem or undertaking with little experience of it. informal detlCe informal a (or the) deuce of a — something very bad deliver or difficult of its kind. deliver the goods provide something 1933 John Galsworthy The End of the Chapter It promised or expected, informal seems there's a deuce of a fuss in the Bolivian papers. delusion the deuce to pay trouble to be expected. delusions of grandeur a false impression of like the deuce very fast. your own importance. ; O Deuce was first used in 17th-century j O This expression is the equivalent of the ; English in various exclamatory expressions in ; j French phrase folie de grandeur, which came i ! which it was equated with 'bad luck' or j into English in the late 19th century and is still j j 'mischief, because in dice-playing two ( = | used today. j deuce) is the lowest and most unlucky throw, j j From this there soon developed the sense of ; i deuce as 'the devil' (i.e. bad luck or mischief ! demon ! personified). Deuce as a euphemism for the like a demon: see like the devil at DEVIL. i devil occurs in a number of expressions, i including those above. depth hidden depths admirable but previously device unnoticed qualities. leave someone to their own devices leave out of your depth unable to cope due to lack someone to do as they wish without of ability or knowledge. supervision.

j O Literally, if you are out of your depth you j ; O Device in the sense of 'inclination' or | are in water too deep to stand in. ! 'fancy' now only occurs in the plural, and is j found only in this expression or in the phrase I devices and desires, as quoted from the derry j General Confession in the Book of Common have a derry on someone be prejudiced | Prayer. against someone. Australian & New Zealand j O This expression refers to the traditional devil j song refrain derry down, and was a late between the devil and the deep blue sea j 19th-century adaptation of have a down on caught in a dilemma; trapped between two j (see DOWN). equally dangerous alternatives. 77 dicky bird devil-may-care cheerfully or defiantly j © This phrase stems from the superstition reckless. | thatthe devil will manifest himself if his name j a {or the) devil of a — something very large I is spoken. or bad of its kind, informal sup (or dine) with the devil have dealings 1919 Katherine Mansfield letter We had with a cunning or malevolent person. the devil of a great storm last night, lasting for hours, thunder, lightning, rain & I had i O The proverb he who sups with the devil appalling nightmares! j should have a long spoon is used especially to j the devil's in the detail the details of a j urge someone dealing with a person of this matter are its most tricky or problematic i type to take care. aspect. the devil's own — a very difficult or great —. dialogue informal dialogue of the deaf a discussion in which 1991 Mavis Nicholson Martha Jane b Me It was each party is unresponsive to what the the devil's own job to get her to give me some others say. money for savings. j O Tne French equivalent dialogue des the devil to pay serious trouble to be \ sourds is also sometimes used in English. expected.

j © This expression refers to the bargain diamond i formerly supposed to be made between diamond cut diamond a situation in which a i magicians and the devil, the former receiving ! sharp-witted or cunning person meets i extraordinary powers or wealth in return for I their match. British i their souls. 1863 Charles Reade Hard Cash He felt... sure give the devil his due if someone or his employer would outwit him if he could; something generally considered bad or and resolved it should be diamond cut diamond. undeserving has any redeeming features these should be acknowledged, proverb rough diamond: see ROUGH. like the devil {or a demon) with great speed dice or energy. dice with death take serious risks. play devil's advocate take a side in an argument that is the opposite of what you ! © Dice with is used here in the general sense really want or think. ; of 'play a game of chance with'. In the mid j 20th century dice with death was a O A translation of the Latin phrase i journalistic cliché used to convey the risks advocatus diaboli, devil's advocate is the ! taken by racing drivers; the expression seems popular name for the official in the Roman j for some time to have been especially Catholic Church who puts the case against a i connected with motoring, although it is now candidate for canonization or beatification; i used of other risky activities. It gave rise to the he is more properly known as promotor ! use of dicing as a slang word among drivers fidei 'promoter of the faith'. I for 'driving in a race', and it can be j compared with dicey meaning 'dangerous', 1994 Jude Deveraux The Invitation She had I a word which originated in 1950s air-force played devil's advocate with herself a i slang. thousand times. play the devil {or Old Harry) with damage or load the dice against: see LOAD. affect greatly. no dice used to refuse a request or indicate that there is no chance of success. North j O Old Harry has been a nickname for the American informal j devil in northern England since the 18th 1990 Paul Auster The Music of Chance Sorry kid. j century. No dice. You can talk yourself blue in the face, but I'm not going. raise the devil make a noisy disturbance. informal dicky bird sell your soul (to the devil): see SELL. not a dicky bird not a word; nothing at all. speak {or talk) of the devil said when a informal person appears just after being mentioned. j © Dickybird is rhyming slang for 'word'. dictionary 78

1988 Glenn Patterson Burning Your Own j historianSuetonius:yactaa/eaesto'letthedie j Sammy put his ear to where he thought its i be cast'. heart ought to be: not a dickybird. die like flies: see FLY. dictionary die on the vine be unsuccessful at an early have swallowed a dictionary use long and stage. Compare with wither on the vine obscure words when speaking, informal {at WITHER). dido die on your feet come to a sudden or cut didoes perform mischievous tricks or premature end. informal deeds. North American informal die with your boots on die while actively die occupied. die a death: see DEATH. : O Die with your boots on was apparently i first used in the late 19th century of the deaths : die hard disappear or change very slowly. j of cowboys and others in the American West i j who were killed in gun battles or hanged. ; O This expression seems to have been used j ; first of criminals who died resisting to the last ; never say die used to encourage someone i on the Tyburn gallows in London. At the i battle of Albuera in 1811, during the not to give up hope in a difficult situation. ; Peninsular War, William Inglis, commander straight as a die ©absolutely straight. i of the British 57th Regiment of Foot, 0 entirely open and honest. ! exhorted his men to'die hard'; they acted 01920 Blackwood's Magazine The... Ganges | with such heroism that the regiment earned ; Canal... runs straight as a die between its i the nickname Die-hards. The name was wooded banks. i attached later in the century to various j groupings in British politics who were to die for extremely good or desirable. j determinedly opposed to change. The informal | word diehard is still often used of someone 1990 Los Angeles Farther down the street is j who is stubbornly conservative or Tutti's, an Italian deli-restaurant that serves i reactionary. up... hazelnut torte to die for. die in your bed suffer a peaceful death from differ natural causes. agree to differ: see AGREE. die in harness die before retirement.

i O This expression is drawing a comparison different ! between a person at work and a horse in different strokes for different folks ! harness drawing a plough or cart. different things please or are effective with 1992 Harper's Magazine Don't overly concern different people, proverb yourself with the union pension fund. Musicians mostly die in harness. i O This chiefly US expression was used as a 1 slogan in the early 1970s in a Texan drug die in the last ditch die desperately ! abuse project. defending something; die fighting to the last extremity. dig : O This expression comes from a remark dig the dirt (or dig up dirt) discover and j attributed to King William III (1650-1702). reveal damaging information about ; Asked whether he did not see that his country ; someone, informal i was lost, he is said to have responded:'There j j is one way never to see it lost, and that is to j O Dirt is commonly used as a metaphor for ; j die in the last ditch'. Last-ditch is often used as i i unsavoury gossip or scandal, as in, for i an adjective meaning 'desperately resisting | example, dish the dirt (see DISH). i to the end'. dig in your heels resist stubbornly; refuse to the die is cast an event has happened or a give in. decision has been taken that cannot be changed. i O The image here is of a horse or other j animal obstinately refusing to be led or I O This expression has its origins in Julius i ridden forwards. Dig in your heels is the i Caesar's remark as he was about to cross | commonest form, but dig in your toes and ; the Rubicon, as reported by the Roman j dig in your feet are also found. 79 dip dig yourself into a hole (or dig a hole for less than the amount of money or energy yourself) get yourself into an awkward or invested.

restrictive situation. i O This expression originated in the early dig your own grave do something foolish j 19th century with reference to the profits which causes you to fail or leads to your i from agriculture. downfall. 1995 Colin Bateman Divorcing Jack Then I dine thought about Patricia again and how much dine out on regularly entertain friends with I was missing her and how I'd dug my own a humorous story or interesting piece of grave over the phone. information. dig a pit for try to trap. 1998 Fannie Flagg Welcome to the World, Baby ! O This is a common biblical metaphor: for Girl! I didn't have a great childhood but I'm not i example, in Jeremiah 18:20 we find 'they going to dine out on it. I hate whiners. j have digged a pit for my soul'. dinkum fair dinkum Qgenuine or true, ©(of dignity behaviour) acceptable. Australian & New Zealand beneath your dignity of too little informal importance or value for you to do it. I O As a noun dinkum, recorded from the late j | O The Latin equivalent is infra dignitatem, i 19th century, was an English dialect word ! and the humorous abbreviation of this, infra \ j meaning'hard work, honest toil'; it now \ dig, is sometimes used in informal contexts. j mainly features as an adjective in various ; Australian and New Zealand expressions. stand on your dignity insist on being treated with due respect. dinner dim done like (a) dinner utterly defeated or take a dim view of: see VIEW. outwitted. Australian & Canadian informal 1978 C. Green The Sun Is Up I had old Splinters dime Maloney the fishing inspector knocking on me door wanting to see me licence. Of course I was a dime a dozen very common and of no done like a dinner. particular value. US informal more — than someone has had hot dinners i O A dime is a small US coin worth ten cents j someone's experience of a specified | which occurs in various US expressions as a activity or phenomenon is vastly greater j metaphor for cheapness or smallness. than someone else's. British informal 1998 Odds On Triplett has been second more 1998 New Scientist Of course, medical times than he's had hot dinners, and there breakthroughs are not a dime a dozen. must be a question about his bottle, but he has drop the dime on: see DROP. two qualities that will stand him in good stead get off the dime be decisive and show at the Olympic Club. initiative. US informal 2001 U.S. News b World Report Congress dinner pail must get off the dime and redeem the hand in your dinner pail die. informal commitments that President Bush made to New York City. ! O A dinner pail was the bucket in which a j workman formerly carried his dinner; on a dime O (of a manoeuvre that can be : compare with kick the bucket {at KICK). performed by a moving vehicle or person) within a small area or short distance, dint ©quickly or instantly. US informal by dint of by means of. ! O The British equivalent to sense 1 is on a i O Dint in the sense of 'blow' or 'stroke' is I sixpence (see SIXPENCE). I now archaic, and in the sense of'application j ; of force' survives only in this phrase. diminishing the law of diminishing returns used to dip refer to the point at which the level of dip your pen in gall write unpleasantly or profits or benefits to be gained is reduced to spitefully. dirt 80

j O Gall is another word for bile, the bitter talk dirty speak about sex in a way j secretion of the liver; it is used in many places j considered to be coarse or obscene. j in the Bible as a metaphor for bitterness or informal : affliction. See also wormwood and gall (at . ... ,. ... * ; wash your dirty linen in public: see LINEN. : WORMWOOD). J J r dip your toe into something begin to do or Disappearing test something cautiously. do a disappearing act go away without being seen to go, especially when someone is I O The image here is of putting your toe looking for you. j briefly into water in order to check the j temperature. \ © The suggestion here is that the person has I | vanished as completely and inexplicably as dirt j things vanish in a magician's act. do someone dirt harm someone maliciously. informal disaster 1939 Nathaniel West The Day of the locust be a recipe for disaster be almost certain to I remember those who do me dirt and those have unfortunate consequences. who do me favors. discretion drag someone through the dirt: see DRAG. discretion is the better part of valour it's eat dirt: see EAT. better to avoid a dangerous situation than treat someone like dirt treat someone to confront it. proverb contemptuously or unfairly. 1996 Just Seventeen He was only nice to me in dish private—as soon as he was around other dish the dirt reveal or spread scandalous people he'd treat me like dirt. information or gossip, informal dirty 1997 New Scientist We love revisionist biographies that dish the dirt on our icons. the dirty end of the stick the difficult or unpleasant part of a task or situation. dishwater informal dull as dishwater: see DULL. 2000 Sunday Times {Johannesburg) I still feel a bit sorry for Hugh, he always seems to get the distance dirty end of the stick. go the distance complete a difficult task or dirty work at the crossroads illicit or endure an ordeal. underhand dealing, humorous I © Go the distance is a metaphor from : O This expression is recorded from the early j ! boxing that means, when used of a boxer, j 20th century and may reflect the fact that j 'complete a fight without being knocked out' : j crossroads, the traditional burial site for ! or, when used of a boxing match, 'last the j people who had committed suicide, were j scheduled length'. In the USA there is an j once viewed as sinister places. I additional baseball-related sense: 'pitch for j the entire length of an inning'. 1914 P. G. Wodehouse The Man Upstairs A conviction began to steal over him that some 1998 Times 'Everyone wants to see an game was afoot which he did not understand, amateur who can go the distance,' another that—in a word—there was dirty work at the spectator said. Kuchar has certainly gone the crossroads. distance. do the dirty on someone cheat or betray within spitting distance within a very short someone. British informal distance. get your hands dirty (or dirty your hands) 1991 Time His reputation as a hard-boiled O do manual, menial, or other hard work. novelist is within spitting distance of @ become directly involved in dishonest or Hammett's and Chandler's. dishonorable activity, informal within striking distance near enough to hit 01998 Spectator Unlike its sister churches in or achieve. the West, the Catholic Church in the Philippines is not afraid to get its hands dirty. ditchwater play dirty act in a dishonest or unfair way. dull as ditchwater: see dull as dishwater at informal DULL. 81 dog

1992 Daily Star It's do or die for Britain's dive fearless Rugby League lads Down Under as take a dive Q(of a boxer or footballer) they prepare to face the Aussies in the Third pretend to fall so as to deceive an opponent and deciding Test. or referee. 0 (of prices, hopes, fortunes, do someone proud: see PROUD. etc.) fall suddenly and significantly, informal 01998 New Scientist When the DOJ do something to death: see DEATH. announced its action, Microsoft's stock price do the trick: see TRICK. took a dive, knocking $10 billion off the firm's dos and don'ts rules of behaviour. market value. 1999 Alumnus Volunteers are prepared well on... cultural dos and don'ts before they leave divide for the field to serve. divide and rule (or conquer) the policy of maintaining supremacy over your opponents by encouraging dissent dock between them, thereby preventing them in dock Q (of a ship) moored in a dock. © (of a from uniting against you. person) not fully fit and out of action. British informal ©(of a vehicle) in a garage for i O This is a maxim associated with a number j repairs. i of rulers, and is found in Latin as divide et i in the dock under investigation or scrutiny i impera and in German as entzwei und i gebiete. Since the early 17th century, English ! for suspected wrongdoing or harm caused. ! writers have often wrongly attributed it to \ British I the Italian political philosopher Niccolo j Machiavelli (1469-1527). i O In a court of law, the dock is the enclosure j j where the defendant stands during a trial. 1995 Times For once, Britain was not in the divided dock as others took the heat. divided against itself (of a group which should be a unified whole) split by factional doctor interests. be just what the doctor ordered be very i O This expression originates in Jesus's words j beneficial or desirable under the i in Matthew 12:25:'every city or house divided j circumstances, informal I against itself shall not stand'. 1948 Gore Vidal The City and the Pillar The waiter brought her a drink. 'Just what the Dixie doctor ordered,' she said, smiling at him. whistle Dixie engage in unrealistic fantasies; go for the doctor make an all-out effort. Australian informal waste your time. US ! O D/x/eisan informal nameforthe Southern j dodge ! states of the USA. The marching song 'Dixie' j dodge the column shirk your duty; avoid ! (1859) was popular with Confederate work. British informal | soldiers in the American Civil War. i O Column is a military term which refers to I 2001 New York Times These guys are just i the usual formation of troops for marching. whistling Dixie... They're ignoring the basic issues that everyone's been pointing out to them for a decade. dodo do dead as a dodo: see DEAD. do a — behave in a manner characteristic of a dog specified person or thing, informal 2001 Times One reporter even got the dog-and-pony show an elaborate display or brigadier in charge to 'do a Blair' and come performance designed to attract people's over all emotional while discussing the cull. attention. North American informal 1998 Spectator Happy as I always am to help do your head (or nut) in make you feel the Bank of England, I have... supplied the angry, worried, or agitated. British informal script for its euro dog and pony show. do the honours: see HONOUR. dog eat dog a situation of fierce competition do or die persist in the face of great danger, in which people are willing to harm each even if death is the result. other in order to succeed. dog 82

! O This expression makes reference to the lose a bad reputation, even if it is ! proverb dog does not eat dog, which dates unjustified. i back to the mid 16th century in English and Tnis is a ! before that to Latin canis caninam non est 'a \ i O shortened version of the proverb j ! dog does not eat dog's flesh'. j give a dog a bad name and hang him, which j i was known from the early 18th century. 1998 Rebecca Ray A Certain Age It's dog eat dog, it's every man for himself... Right from the go to the dogs deteriorate shockingly, start, fighting amongst ourselves for the few especially in behaviour or morals, informal decent wages left. dog in the manger a person inclined to i O This idiom derives from the fact that j attending greyhound races was once thought ; prevent others from having or using i likely to expose a person to moral danger and j things that they do not want or need j the risk of incurring great financial loss. themselves. 1997 Daily Telegraph If you read the English i O This expression comes from the fable of media or watch the cretinosities of television, i thedogthatlayinamangertopreventtheox j you would think that the country is going to i and horse from eating the hay. the dogs. the dog's bollocks the best person or thing of the hair of the dog: see HAIR. its kind. British vulgar slang help a lame dog over a stile come to the aid a dog's dinner (or breakfast) a poor piece of of a person in need. work; a mess. British informal in a dog's age in a very long time. North American informal ! O The image is of a dog's meal of jumbled- j j up scraps. keep a dog and bark yourself pay someone to work for you and then do the work 2000 Independent He was rightly sacked yourself. because he had made such a dog's dinner of an 1991 Purchasing and Supply Management He important job. does not solve the subcontractor's technical a dog's life an unhappy existence full of problems, keeping a dog and barking problems or unfair treatment. himself. 1987 Fannie Flagg Fried Green Tomatoes at the let the dog see the rabbit let someone get on Whistle Stop Cafe The judge's daughter had just with work they are ready and waiting to do. died a couple of weeks ago, old before her time informal and living a dog's life on the outskirts of town. dog tired extremely tired; utterly worn out. ; O This phrase comes from greyhound j racing, where the dogs chase a mechanical informal i rabbit around a track. i O The image here, and in the variant dog \ weary, is of a dog exhausted after a long let sleeping dogs lie: see SLEEPING. | chase or hunt. like a dog with two tails showing great pleasure; delighted. dogs of war Q the havoc accompanying military conflict, literary ©mercenary i O The image here isof a dog wagging itstail i soldiers. i as an expression of happiness.

i O This phrase is from Shakespeare's Julius not a dog's chance no chance at all. ! Caesar, 'let slip the dogs of war'. The image is j put on the dog behave in a pretentious or ! of hunting dogs being loosed from their j leashes to pursue their prey. ostentatious way. North American informal Do was 01998 Times The good guys... may have j O 9 late 19th-century US slang for broken the rules by employing dogs of war. j 'style' or a 'flashy display'. dressed (up) like a dog's dinner wearing 1962 Anthony Gilbert No Dust in the Attic ridiculously smart or ostentatious clothes. Matron put on a lot of dog about the hospital's British informal responsibility. every dog has his (or its) day everyone will rain cats and dogs: see RAIN. have good luck or success at some point in sick as a dog: see SICK. their lives, proverb throw someone to the dogs discard some­ give a dog a bad name it is very difficult to one as worthless. 83 door

you can't teach an old dog new tricks you ; O The nonsense word doodah is the refrain j cannot make people change their ways. i of the song 'Camptown Races', originally proverb i sung by slaves on American plantations.

doggo doom lie doggo remain motionless or quiet. British doom and gloom a general feeling of : O Lie doggo is of uncertain origin, but pessimism or despondency. ! probably arose from a dog's habit of lying j O This expression, sometimes found as i motionless or apparently asleep but i gloom and doom, was particularly pertinent i nonetheless alert. ! to fears about a nuclear holocaust during the ! cold war period of the 1950s and 1960s. It doghouse I became a catchphrase in the 1968 film ; Finian's Rainbow. in the doghouse (or dogbox) in disgrace or disfavour, informal 1963 Pamela Hansford Johnson Night & Silence doomsday He'd been getting bad grades, he was in the till doomsday for ever. dog-house as it was. i O Doomsday means literally 'judgement dollar i day', the Last Judgement of Christian be dollars to doughnuts that be a certainty j tradition. that. North American informal 1936 James Curtis The Gilt Kid If he were seen it door was dollars to doughnuts that he would be as one door closes, another opens you arrested. shouldn't be discouraged by failure, as you can bet your bottom dollar: see you can other opportunities will soon present bet your boots at BET. themselves, proverb done at death's door: see DEATH. close (or shut) the door on (or to) exclude a done deal a plan or project that has been finalized or accomplished. the opportunity for; refuse to consider. 1991 New Yorker The French are still 1999 South China Morning Post Fergie did not overreacting to German unification, even close the door on the couple reconciling some though it is a done deal. day. done for in a situation so bad that it is door to door Q(of a journey) from start to impossible to get out of it. informal finish. © visiting all the houses in an area to 1993 Catholic Herald Don't you realise that sell or publicize something. without that contract we're done for? lay something at someone's door regard or done in extremely tired, informal name someone as responsible for 1999 Chris Dolan Ascension Day Morag was too something. upset and Paris was too done in to try and work out what was happening. ! O This phrase may have arisen from the j practice of leaving an illegitimate baby on donkey ! the doorstep of the man who was identified j j as its father. for donkey's years for a very long time. informal leave the door open for ensure that there is still an opportunity for i O For donkey's years is a pun referring to the j j length of a donkey's ears and playing on a something. i former pronunciation of years as ears. open the door to create an opportunity for. 1998 Ardal O'Hanlon The Talk of the Town 1995 Kindred Spirit By recreating the space He'll be no loss, that's for sure. Sure his own in which you live or work, Feng Shui family haven't spoken to him for donkey's can open the door to abundance, wellbeing years. and a Renewed Sense of Purpose! doodah show someone the door dismiss all of a doodah very agitated or excited. someone unceremoniously from your informal presence. doornail 84 a toe in the door: see TOE. double-edged doornail a double-edged sword (or weapon) a course of action or situation having both positive dead as a doornail: see DEAD. and negative effects. doorstep 2000 Investor A rising pound is a double-edged sword when investing overseas. on your (or the) doorstep very near; close at hand. doubting 1998 New Scientist The solution to Underbill's problem was on his doorstep. a doubting Thomas a person who refuses to believe something without having dose incontrovertible proof; a sceptic. a dose of your own medicine: see ! O In the Bible, the apostle Thomas said that j MEDICINE. j he would not believe that Christ had risen in small doses experienced or engaged in a j from the dead until he had seen and touched j little at a time. j his wounds (John 20:24-9). 1994 American Spectator In small doses, ironical detachment is as necessary for getting dovecote along in life as... any of the other human flutter the dovecotes: see FLUTTER. qualities. like a dose of salts very fast and efficiently. down British informal down and dirty ©unprincipled; unpleasant. | O The salts referred to in this expression are i ©energetically earthy, direct, or sexually ! laxatives. explicit. North American informal 1991 Peter Carey The Tax Inspector She's going down and out beaten in the struggle of life; to go through your old man like a dose of salts. completely without resources or means of livelihood. dot j O The phrase down and out comes from dot the i's and cross the t's ensure that all j boxing, and refers to a boxer who is knocked i details are correct, informal j out by a blow. Since the early 20th century ! the noun down-and-out has been used to on the dot exactly on time, informal i describe a person without money, a job, or a i ! O The dot referred to is that appearing on a j ; place to live. j clock face to mark the hour. down in the mouth (of a person or 1998 Oldie The Conditions of Sale state that their expression) unhappy or dejected. the buyer has to pay the auctioneer on the dot. informal the year dot a very long time ago. British informal down on your luck experiencing a period of 1998 Spectator From the year dot there has bad luck, informal been an uneasy relationship between press down the road in the future; later on. informal, and police. chiefly North American j © An Australian variant of this phrase is double ! down the track. at (or on) the double at running speed; very fast. down the tube (or tubes) lost or wasted. informal | O This modern generalized sense has 2001 High Country News I've already lost my j developed from the mid 19th-century alfalfa crop; that's about $20,000 down the j military useof c/ouo/e pace to mean twice the j tubes. | number of steps per minute of slow pace. down to the ground completely; totally. double or nothing a gamble to decide informal whether a loss or debt should be doubled or 1997 Daily Mail Sly's better sense of comic cancelled. timing suits the tongue-in-cheek script down to the ground. | O A British variant of double or nothing is down tools stop work, typically as a form of j double or quits. industrial action. British informal 85 drawing have (or put) someone or something down drain as judge someone or something to be a down the drain totally wasted or spoilt. particular type or class of person or thing. 1914 M. A. Von Arnim The Pastor's Wife The informal other excursionists were all in pairs; they 1930 W. Somerset Maugham The Breadwinner thought Ingeborg was too, and put her down All his savings are gone down the drain. at first as the German gentleman's wife because he did not speak to her. drama make a drama out of exaggerate the have a (or be) down on disapprove of; feel importance of a minor problem or hostile or antagonistic towards, informal incident, informal downgrade on the downgrade in decline. North American draught feel the draught experience an adverse i O Downgrade was originally used literally ! of a downward slope. change in your financial circumstances. informal 1953 William Burroughs Letter As a matter of 1992 Daily Express Redland... felt the draught fact the whole region is on the downgrade. of George Wimpey's interim profits slide. The rubber business is shot, the cocoa is eat up with broom rot. draw downhill draw a bead on: see BEAD. be downhill all the way Qbe easy in draw a blank: see BLANK. comparison with what came before, draw someone's fire attract hostility or ©become worse or less successful. criticism away from a more important go downhill become worse; deteriorate. target. downwardly draw the (or a) line at set a limit of what you are willing to do or accept, beyond which downwardly mobile: see MOBILE. you will not go. dozen 1995 Kate Atkinson Behind the Scenes at the a baker's dozen: see BAKER. Museum She even manages to persuade Gillian not to cheat... although Gillian talk nineteen to the dozen: see TALK. draws the line at not screaming when she drag loses. draw the short straw: see STRAW. drag your feet (or heels) (of a person or organization) be deliberately slow or draw stumps cease doing something. reluctant to act. i O In the game of cricket, the stumps are 1994 Nature Conservancy We can't afford to i taken out of the ground at the close of play, i drag our feet until a species is at the brink of extinction. the luck of the draw: see LUCK. drag someone or something through the quick on the draw: see QUICK. dirt (or mud) make damaging allegations about someone or something. drawer 1998 Economist The deputy prime bottom drawer the collection of linen, minister... is having his name dragged clothes, and household items assembled through the mud. by a woman in preparation for her dragon marriage. chase the dragon: see CHASE. ! O Tne bottom drawer was the traditional sow (or plant) dragon's teeth take action i place for storing for such articles. The US that is intended to prevent trouble, but j equivalent is hope chest. which actually brings it about.

! O In Greek legend, Cadmus killed a dragon ! drawing i and sowed its teeth, which sprang up as back to the drawing board: see BACK. i armed men; these men then killed one on the drawing board (of an idea, scheme, or I another, leaving just five survivors who proposal) under consideration; not yet put ! became the ancestors of the Thebans. into practice. dream 86

j O To get something off the drawing board \ driving I is to put something into action or to realize j the first stages of a project. what someone is driving at the point that someone is attempting to make. 1986 Robert Sproat Stunning the Punters Martin dream is always saying things where I can't see what beyond your wildest dreams bigger, better, he's driving at. or to a greater extent than it would be reasonable to expect or hope for. drop dream in colour (or Technicolour) be wildly at the drop of a hat without delay or good unrealistic. reason, informal 1991 Independent These days Soviet visas are in your dreams used to assert that something issued at the drop of a hat. much desired is not likely ever to happen. 2002 New Yorker Before falling asleep, I try to drop your aitches fail to pronounce the 'h' imagine myself as... a savvy entrepreneur sound, especially at the beginning of with her own catering business. In your words. dreams, as they say. i O ln Britain, dropping your aitches is like a dream very well or successfully, informal j considered by some to be a sign of a lack of 1996 Good Food The spring lamb is stuffed I education or of inferior social class. ... laced with garlic and herbs, and carves like a dream. 1903 George Bernard Shaw Man & Superman This man takes more trouble to drop his never in your wildest dreams used to aitches than ever his father did to pick emphasize that something is beyond the them up. scope of your imagination. drop the ball make a mistake; mishandle 1996 Daily Star Never in his wildest dreams did he think the cheers were to welcome the things. North American informal opening goal of a match. drop a brick make an indiscreet or embarrassing remark. British informal dressed drop your bundle become very nervous or dressed to kill wearing attractive and upset; go to pieces. Australian flamboyant clothes in order to make a drop a clanger make an embarrassing or striking impression. foolish mistake. British informal ! O Dropping something that makes a drink ; loud clang attracts attention; this mid drink like a fish drink excessive amounts of j 20th-century expression is used especially alcohol, especially habitually. I in the context of a very embarrrassing or I tactless act or remark made in a social drink someone under the table consume j situation. more alcohol than your drinking companion without becoming as drunk. 1998 Spectator Yet he never escaped from informal his own nagging suspicion that he had somehow overachieved... and that he was likely to drop a huge clanger at any drive moment. drive a coach and horses through: see COACH. drop dead Q die suddenly and unexpectedly, drive something home: see HOME. ©used as an expression of intense scorn or let drive attack with blows, missiles, or dislike, informal criticism. 1926 Travel I let drive for the point of his | © This idiom is the source of the adjective j drop-dead, which is used to emphasize how j chin, and he went down and out for a full i attractive someone or something is, as in count. j drop-dead gorgeous. driver drop the (or a) dime on inform on someone in the driver's (or driving) seat in charge of a to the police. US informal situation. 1990 Scott Turow The Burden of Proof Dixon 1998 Times The deal would propel the says he's thought it over, the best course no-nonsense Lancastrian into the driving seat for him is just to drop the dime on John. at the UK's biggest generator. drop your guard: see GUARD. 87 duck drop a hint (or drop hints) let fall a hint or dry hints, as if casually or unconsciously. come up dry be unsuccessful. North American drop someone or something like a hot 1988 James Trefil The Dark Side of the Universe Attempts to see this decay with extremely potato: see HOT. sensitive experiments have so far come up dry. drop someone a line send someone a note or dry as dust ©extremely dry. ©extremely letter in a casual manner. dull. a drop in the ocean (or in a bucket) a very ! O Sense 2 is represented in the fictitious small amount compared with what is j character of the antiquarian Dr Jonas needed or expected. ! Dryasdust, to whom Sir Walter Scott 1995 Ian Rankin Let It Bleed A few million was a ! addressed the prefatory epistle of Ivanhoe drop in the ocean, hardly a ripple. ! and some other novels. drop names: see NAME. drop the pilot: see PILOT. there wasn't a dry eye in the house drop your trousers deliberately let your everyone in the audience of a film, play, trousers fall down, especially in a public speech, etc. was moved to tears. place. fit (or ready) to drop worn out; exhausted. duck break your duck Q score the first run of your have the drop on have the advantage over. Informal innings. Cricket ©make your first score or achieve a particular feat for the first time. ! O Have the drop on was originally a mid British ! 19th-century US expression used literally duck and dive use your ingenuity to deal ! to mean that you have the opportunity to j shoot before your opponent can use their with or evade a situation. i weapon. 1998 New Scientist You don't last for over 100 million years without some capacity to duck 2000 Clay Shooting He always seems to have and dive. the drop on me by one bird no matter how hard I try. fine weather for ducks: see WEATHER. get (or have) your ducks in a row get (or have) drown your facts straight; get [or have) everything drown your sorrows forget your problems organized. North American informal by getting drunk. 1996 Brew Your Own You really want to have all your ducks in a row before the drowned meeting. like a drowned rat extremely wet and like a dying duck in a thunderstorm bedraggled. having a dejected or hopeless expression. informal drug I O The miserable demeanour of ducks a drug on the market an unsaleable or I during thunder has been proverbial since the j valueless commodity. j late 18th century.

i O Drug in the sense of a commodity for 1933 Agatha Christie Lord Edgware Dies You did i which there is no demand' is recorded from look for all the world like a dying duck in a j the mid 17th century, but it is not clear from \ thunderstorm. \ the word's history whether it is the same j word as the medicinal substance. lame duck a person or thing that is powerless or in need of help, informal 1998 Spectator Merchant banks are a drug on ln the market these days. j O the mid 18th century, lame duck was j used in a stock-market context, with drum i reference to a person or company that could i ! not fulfil their financial obligations. Later, beat (or bang) the drum for (or of) be . ! from the mid 19th century, it was used ostentatiously in support of. I specifically with reference to US politicians in j I the final period of office, after the election of i march to a different drum: see MARCH. : their successor. drunk 1998 Spectator At some point in his second and drunk as a lord (or skunk) extremely drunk. final term, every president becomes a lame duckling 88

duck: as the man himself matters less, so does j O The image here is of making a knife's the office. j edge blunt. take to something like a duck to water take to something very readily. 1960 C. Day Lewis Buried Day I had taken to dummy vice like a duck to water, but it ran off me like sell someone a dummy (chiefly in rugby or water from a duck's back. soccer) deceive an opponent by feigning a pass or kick. like water off a duck's back a remark or incident which has no apparent effect on a person. dump play ducks and drakes with trifle with; treat down in the dumps (of a person) depressed frivolously. or unhappy, informal i O In early 16th-century English dump had ! © This expression comes from the game I the meaning'a fit of depression', a sense now j i of ducks and drakes, played by throwing i surviving only in this expression. j a flat stone across the surface of water ! in such a way as to make it skim and skip ! before it finally sinks. The game was dumper ! known by this name by the late 16th ! century, and it was already a metaphor for an j into the dumper into a bad or worse state or ! idle or frivolous activity in the early 17th condition. North American informal I century. 1991 Tucson Weekly]. Fife III peaked well before his run for governor... and has been sliding into the dumper ever since. duckling an ugly duckling: see UGLY. dust dudgeon dry as dust: see DRY. in high dudgeon in a state of deep dust and ashes used to convey a feeling of resentment. great disappointment or disillusion about something. ! O The origin of dudgeon in the sense of 'ill i i humour' is unknown, and it is almost always j I O Oftenfoundinthefullerformturntoc/ust i j found in this phrase. However, other ! and ashes in your mouth, the phrase is used in ; i adjectives are sometimes used instead of j theBibleasametaphorforworthlessness,for j j high, for example deep or great. j example in Genesis 18:27 andtheBookof Job ; i 30:19. It derives from the legend of the 1938 Zane Grey Raiders of the Spanish Peaks i Sodom apple, or Dead Sea fruit, whose Neale left in high dudgeon to take his case to ! attractive appearance tempted people, but his court of appeal—his mother. j which tasted only of dust and ashes when | eaten. duff the dust settles things quieten down. up the duff pregnant. British informal 1998 New Scientist The dust is settling on the 1994 Daily Telegraph At 19, he was married chaos which ensued when the French sold ('only because she was up the duff he explains 110,000 tickets to the World Cup football gallantly). matches by phone. eat someone's dust: see EAT. duke gather (or collect) dust remain unused. duke it out fight it out. North American informal not see someone for dust find that a person j O Dukes or dooks are 'fists', especially when i has made a hasty departure. j raised in a fighting position. The word comes j 1978 Patricia Grace Mutuwhenua You didn't see i from rhyming slang Duke of Yorks, 'forks' this Maori for dust... Out the door, on the i (i.e. fingers). bike, and away. raise (or kick up) a dust create a disturbance. dull British dull as dishwater (or ditch water) extremely dull. dusted dull the edge of make less sensitive, be done and dusted (of a project) be interesting, or effective. completely finished or ready, informal 89 dyke dusty Dutchman a dusty answer a curt and unhelpful reply. I'm a Dutchman used to express your British disbelief or as a way of underlining an emphatic assertion. British i O The source of this expression is probably 1994 Ian Botham My Autobiography I read ! a passage in George Meredith's Modern somewhere that Warne said he had been ! Love (1862): 'Ah, what a dusty answer gets possessed by demons. Well, in that case I'm i the soul when hot for certainties in this our j life!' a Dutchman. duty Dutch duty bound morally or legally obliged to do Dutch courage bravery induced by drinking something. alcohol. dwaal | O The phrase Dutch courage stems from a in a dwaal in a dreamy, dazed, or absent- i long-standing British belief that the Dutch ! are extraordinarily heavy drinkers. minded state. South African 1985 Paul Slabolepszy Saturday Night at the a Dutch uncle a kindly but authoritative Palace Yassas—Carstens!! Wake up, man. You figure. in a real dwaal tonight. i © Dutch here probably means no more than j dyed ! that the person described is not a genuine dyed in the wool (of a person) completely j blood relation. In the mid 19th century / will I and permanently fixed in a particular i talk to him like a Dutch uncle (meaning 'I will i j give him a lecture') was noted as being an belief or opinion; inveterate. j American expression. I O If yarn is dyed in the raw state, it produces I 1999 Daily Telegraph She was the kindest of ! a more even and permanent colour. Dutch uncles, always prepared to listen to one's troubles. dying go Dutch share the cost of something to your dying day for the rest of your life. equally. 1967 George Mackay Brown A Calendar of Love This one always was and ever will be to i O An outing or entertainment paid his dying day a garrulous long-winded old ! for in this way is a Dutch treat and sharing I I the cost of a meal in a restaurant is eating man. \ Dutch. dyke 1993 Vanity Fair He insists on buying his own put your finger in the dyke attempt to stem tickets, 'going Dutch', as he puts it. the advance of something undesirable in Dutch in trouble. US informal, dated which threatens to overwhelm you. informal 1939 Raymond Chandler The Big Sleep And for that amount of money you're willing to get j O This expression stems from the story of a j yourself in Dutch with half the law enforce­ ! small Dutch boy who saved his community ment of this country? i from flooding by placing his finger in a hole I I in a dyke. that beats the Dutch that is extraordinary or startling. US Ee eager set by the ears cause people to quarrel. an eager beaver a person who is very someone's ears are flapping someone is enthusiastic about work, informal listening intently in order to overhear something not intended for them. ear informal be all ears be listening eagerly and turn a deaf ear: see DEAF. attentively, informal up to your ears in very busy with or deeply bring something (down) about your ears bring something, especially misfortune, on involved in. informal yourself. wet behind the ears immature or dry behind the ears mature or inexperienced. experienced. someone's ears are burning someone is fall on deaf ears: see DEAF. subconsciously aware of being talked have someone's ear have access to and about, especially in their absence. influence with someone. ! O The superstition that your ears tingle 1993 Olympian About 50 of the freshman ! when you are being talked about is recorded i congressman's constituents had his ear for I from the mid 16th century. Originally it ! was the left ear only that was supposed to more than two hours. | do so. have something by the ears keep or obtain a secure hold on. 1949 Dylan Thomas Letter I am tangled in early hack-work. Depression has me by the ears. early bird a person who gets up, arrives, or have something coming out of your ears acts before the usual or expected time. have a substantial or excessive amount of j O This expression comes from the saying the i something, informal i early bird catches the worm, meaning that 1997 Daily Express In terms of advice.. .Jill's ! the person who takes the earliest had suggestions coming out of her ears. i opportunity to do something will gain an i advantage over others. have (or keep) an ear to the ground be well informed about events and trends. early doors early on, especially in a game or j O The idea behind this phrase is that by contest. British informal i putting your ear against the ground you | O Apparently this expression arose with ! would be able to hear approaching i reference to a period of admission to a music \ ; footsteps. i hall ending some time before the start of the ! ! performance and giving a better choice of in one ear and out the other heard but i seating. disregarded or quickly forgotten. 2003 Guardian Jeremy Vine, hosting Radio 2's lend an ear: see LEND. music industry debate last night, got a dig in listen with half an ear not give your full early doors about his hallowed predecessor on attention to someone or something. the station. make a pig's ear of: see PIG. it's early days it is too soon to be sure how make a silk purse out of a sow's ear: a particular situation will develop. British see SILK. informal take an early bath Obe sent off in a game of out on your ear dismissed or ejected football or other sport. © fail early on in a ignominiously. informal race or contest, informal 1997 Accountancy At the age of 47, he found himself out on his ear, victim of Lord Hanson's 01992 Bowlers' World Defending champion policy of taking over companies... and Dave Phillips took an early bath losing all his replacing senior management. three opening qualifying games. 91 easy

i © This expression was originally a mid 19th- j earn j century American one, but it is now in general j earn your corn put in a lot of effort for your ! use. It was used around the year 1880 by Mark j wages. British informal j Twain in the alternative form rolling off a log. \ earn your keep be worth the time, money, or easy as pie very easy, informal effort spent on you. | O P/'easa metaphor for something pleasant j earner i was originally late 19th-century US slang. a nice little earner a profitable activity or | Compare with nice as pie and pie in the sky business. British informal I (at PIE). 1996 Independent Today' s children know a nice little earner when they see one. easy come, easy go used to indicate that something acquired without effort or earth difficulty may be lost or spent casually and without regret. come back (down) to earth {or bring someone back (down) to earth) return ! O Although recorded in this exact form only i or make someone return suddenly to j from the mid 19th century, easy come, easy reality after a period of daydreaming or \ go had parallels in medieval French and in the j euphoria. j English sayings lightcome, light go (mid 16th j 2003 Guardian When you start to believe | century) and quickly come, quickly go (mid you're in with a shout, the big boys have a ! 19th century). nasty habit of bringing you down to earth with a bump. easy does it approach a task carefully and slowly, informal cost {or charge or pay) the earth cost {or easy meat a person or animal overcome, charge or pay) a large amount of money. outwitted, or persuaded without difficulty. British informal informal the earth moved (or did the earth move for easy on the eye (or ear) pleasant to look at you?) you had {or did you have?) an orgasm. {or listen to), informal humorous go to earth go into hiding. j O Easy on the eye originated in the late 19th j j century as a US expression describing a pretty j ! O Go to earth is used literally of a hunted ! woman, a context in which it is still often i animal hiding in a burrow or earth. Compare i j used. j with go to ground (at GROUND). go (or be) easy on someone be less harsh on like nothing on earth very strange, informal or critical of someone, informal 1994 Mixmag Once in a blue moon, a record tumbles down from the vinyl mountain that go easy on (or with) something be sparing sounds like nothing on earth and completely or cautious in your use or consumption of knocks you for six. something, informal promise someone the earth: see promise have it easy be free from difficulties, someone the moon at MOON. especially those normally associated run someone or something to earth: see RUN. with a particular situation or activity. informal earthly I'm easy said by someone when offered a not stand (or have) an earthly have no choice to indicate that they have no chance at all. British informal particular preference, informal of easy virtue (of a woman) promiscuous. easy : O Easy in the sense of 'sexually compliant' is j an easy touch: see a soft touch at TOUCH. i found in Shakespeare's Cymbeline: 'Not a j whit, Your lady being so easy'. come easy to present little difficulty to. 1989 Tony Parker A Place Called Bird College take the easy way out extricate yourself was a lot harder than High School, book work from a difficult situation by choosing a didn't come easy to me there. course of action offering the least effort, easy as ABC: see ABC. worry, or inconvenience, even though a easy as falling off a log very easy, informal more honourable alternative exists. eat 92 take it easy ©approach a task or activity I O This expression makes reference to the gradually or carefully. © relax. : regular movement of the tides, where ebb ; means move away from the land and flow eat \ move back towards it. eat someone alive Q (of insects) bite someone many times. Q exploit someone's echo weakness ruthlessly, informal applaud (or cheer) someone to the echo eat crow be humiliated by your defeats or applaud (or cheer) someone very mistakes. North American informal enthusiastically. I O In the USA'boiled crow'has been a eclipse I metaphor for something extremely ! disagreeable since the late 19th century. in eclipse Q(of a celestial object) obscured by another or the shadow of another. eat dirt suffer insults or humiliation, informal 0 losing or having lost significance, power, or prominence. ln ! O the USA eat dirt also has the sense of 01991 Atlantic Within a decade of his ! 'make a humiliating retraction'or'eat your death... he was in eclipse: not written about, i words'. undiscussed, forgotten in architecture schools. eat someone's dust fall far behind someone in a competitive situation. North American economical informal 1993 Fiddlehead She let everybody know she economical with the truth used was moving on to True Love and they could euphemistically to describe a person or eat her dust. statement that lies or deliberately withholds information. eat your heart out Q suffer from excessive longing, especially for someone or i O The phrase economy of truth was used something unattainable, ©used to ; in the 18th century by the orator Edmund indicate that you think someone will feel ; Burke (1729-97), while in the 19th century great jealousy or regret about something. ! Mark Twain observed 'Truth is the most 01997 Christina Reid Clowns Wait'll you see ; valuable thing we have. Let us economize my new frock. Joan Collins eat your heart out. j \t'(Following the Equator, 1897). The 1 present phrase became current after its eat someone out of house and home eat a | use in the'Spycatcher'trial in the New South I lot of someone else's food, informal i Wales Supreme Court: Robert Armstrong, i head of the British Civil Service, was eat humble pie: see HUMBLE. | reported as saying of a letter: 'It contains eat salt with: see SALT. ! a misleading impression, not a lie. It was eat your words retract what you have said, | being economical with the truth.' especially when forced to do so. 2003 Observer He is ruthless in pursuit of commercial goals, otherwise he would not eating have been so economical with the truth two have someone eating out of your hand months ago when he ruled out any notion of have someone completely under your signing Beckham. control. 1987 Bernard MacLaverty The Great Profundo edge One of my main difficulties is that I'm not on the edge of your seat (or chair) very good with an audience. There's guys can come excited and giving your full attention to out and have a crowd eating out of their hand something, informal right away with a few jokes. set someone's teeth on edge: see TEETH. what's eating you (or him or her)? what is worrying or annoying you (or him or her)? take the edge off something reduce the informal intensity or effect of something, especially something unpleasant or severe. ebb at a low ebb in an especially poor state. edgeways ebb and flow a recurrent or rhythmical get a word in edgeways contribute to a pattern of coming and going or decline and conversation with difficulty because the regrowth. other speaker talks almost incessantly. 93 enchilada effing up to your elbows in Q with your hands plunged into something. Q deeply effing and blinding using vulgar expletives; involved in. informal swearing.

j O Effing and blinding here stand for the element I initial letters of taboo or vulgar slang words. in {or out of) your element in (or out of) your accustomed or preferred environment, where you feel confident and at ease, often egg in performing a particular activity. a curate's egg: see CURATE. don't put all your eggs in one basket don't elephant risk everything on the success of one venture, proverb see the elephant see the world; get 1996 Mail on Sunday Having too many eggs in experience of life. US one basket—the British stock market—can be i O An elephant is used here to symbolize or j a bad idea. Overseas investments can add i typify something which is extremely balance to an investment portfolio. j remarkable or exotic. go suck an egg go away (used as an expression of anger or scorn). North American 1994 Fighting Firearms These men have all seen informal the elephant and represent a typical cross- section of the... staff in general. 1993 Virginian Pilot & Ledger-Star (Norfolk, Va.) A place [in the country] where you can a white elephant: see WHITE. drop a line in the water from your back yard and tell the rest of the world to go suck eleventh an egg. at the eleventh hour at the latest possible kill the goose that lays the golden egg: see moment. GOOSE. i © This expression originally referred to lay an egg be completely unsuccessful; fail i Jesus's parable of the labourers hired right at j badly. North American informal I the end of the day to work in the vineyard sure as eggs is eggs: see SURE. i (Matthew 20:1-16). with egg on your face appearing foolish or ridiculous, informal Elysian the Elysian Fields heaven, literary eight j O Homer describes the Elysian Fields (called j behind the eight ball at a disadvantage; ! Elysium by Latin writers) as the happy land in j baffled. North American j which the blessed spirits live in the afterlife.

j O The black ball is numbered eight in a i variety of the game of pool known as eight- \ empty \ ball pool. be running on empty have exhausted all your resources or sustenance. one over the eight slightly drunk. British 1998 New Scientist Bateson concluded that a informal hunted deer may be running on empty for 90 I O The idea behind this idiom is that a minutes, but Harris argues that this period ! drinker can reasonably be expected to will be just a few minutes. ! consume eight glasses of beer without empty nester a person whose children have j becoming drunk. The expression was grown up and left home, informal ! originally armed forces'slang from the early j j 20th century. empty vessels make most noise {or sound) those with least wisdom or knowledge are elbow always the most talkative, proverb give someone the elbow reject or dismiss j O Vessel here refers to a hollow container, j i such as a bowl or cask, rather than a ship. someone, informal

j O The image is of nudging someone aside in j j a rough or contemptuous manner. enchilada the big enchilada a person or thing of great lift your elbow consume alcohol to excess. importance. North American informal end 94

the whole enchilada the whole situation; the end of civilization as we know it ©the everything. North American informal complete collapse of ordered society. 1992 New York Times High-tech gadgetry is best 0 used to indicate that someone is being viewed as the spice, but not the whole alarmist or is overreacting to a trivial enchilada. inconvenience or blunder as if it were enormously significant and catastrophic. ! O An enchilada is an American Spanish ; word for a tortilla served with chilli sauce and i i O This expression is supposedly a cinematic i j a filling of meat or cheese. i cliché, and was actually used in the film i Citizen Kane (1941): 'a project which would end i mean the end of civilization as we know it'. all ends up completely, informal 1999 Select The giant, dreadlocked rapper's 1921 A. W. Myers Twenty Years of Lawn Tennis third album contains extensive deliberations Barrett beat him 'all ends up' in an early on the end of civilisation as we know it. round. the end of the road {or line) the point at the end of the day when everything is beyond which progress or survival cannot taken into consideration. British informal continue. 1995 Jayne Miller Voxpop Today I've been end of story used to emphasize that there is giving out leaflets. You don't have to, but at the nothing more to add on the subject just end of the day, it's worth it. mentioned, informal at the end of your tether having no patience, 1998 Times Parents are role models. Foot­ resources, or energy left to cope with ballers are picked for teams because they are something. good at football. End of story.

i O A North American variant of this the end of the world a complete disaster. i expression is at the end of your rope, and informal ! in both cases the image is that of a grazing : O This expression comes from the idea of i animal tethered on a rope that allows it a i the termination of life on earth as the : certain range in which to move but which at i j ultimate catastrophe, but is often used with i full stretch prohibits further movement. i the negative as a reassurance that a mistake i j or setback is not that important. at a loose end: see LOOSE. at your wit's end: see WIT. 1994 Face If people are buying my records that's good, but if they're not it's not the end of the beginning of the end: see BEGINNING. the world. be on the receiving end: see RECEIVING. get {or have) your end away have sex. British be thrown in at the deep end: see DEEP. vulgar slang burn the candle at both ends: see BURN. get the wrong end of the stick: see WRONG. the dirty end of the stick: see DIRTY. go off the deep end: see DEEP. end in tears have an unhappy or keep {or hold) your end up perform well unpleasant outcome (often used as a in a difficult or competitive situation. warning). British informal 1992 lain Banks The Crow Road Well, let them get married. The earlier the better; it would make (both) ends meet earn or have enough end in tears. Let them rush into it, let them money to live on without getting into repent at leisure. debt. end it all commit suicide. 1996 Amitav Ghosh The Calcutta Chromosome Actually I think she's having trouble making 1993 Ray Shell iCED Quentin thought... he'd jump off the Brooklyn Bridge and make the ends meet, now that she's retired. papers. At least he'd end it all in a blaze of make someone's hair stand on end: see HAIR. media glory. a means to an end: see MEAN. the end justifies the means wrong or unfair never {or not) hear the end of something be methods may be used if the overall goal is continually reminded of an unpleasant good. topic or cause of annoyance. 2002 Observer If it was Ireland or Wales we'd i O The Roman poet Ovid expresses this support them, but not England. It's a minority j concept in Heroides as exitus acta probat nations thing. If England was to win, we'd i meaning 'the outcome justifies the actions'. never hear the end of it. 95 err no end to a great extent; very much, informal envelope 1984 James Kelman The Busconductor Hines McCulloch gives him a go at the wheel at push the envelope (or the edge of the certain remote terminuses at specific times of envelope) approach or extend the limits of the late night and early morning and his what is possible, informal confidence grows no end. ! © This expression was originally aviation no end of something a vast number or j slang and related to graphs of aerodynamic amount of something, informal ! performance on which the envelope is the 1996 Frank McCourt Angela's Ashes If I could j boundary line representing an aircraft's have Mrs Leibowitz and Minnie for mothers at ! capabilities. the same time I'd have no end of soup and mashed potatoes. 1993 Albuquerque These are extremely witty and clever stories that consistently push the the sharp end: see SHARP. envelope of TV comedy. the thin end of the wedge: see THIN. épater to the bitter end: see BITTER. épater les bourgeois shock people who have a—to end all —s something so impressive of attitudes or views regarded as conventional its kind that nothing that follows will have or complacent. the same impact, informal ; O The French phrase is generally used in ; © The First World War was often referred to i j English, there being no exact English j as the war to end all wars, from the mistaken ! j equivalent.'Il faut épater le bourgeois'('one i ! belief that it would make all subsequent wars : j must astonish the bourgeois') was a comment j j unnecessary. j attributed to the French poet and critic ! Charles Baudelaire. 1971 Bessie Head Maru It was a wedding to end all weddings. 1995 Times Because it takes more than a urinal to épater les bourgeois now, the real things that are being hauled into galleries grow ever more enemy provocative: turds, frozen foetuses and used be your own worst enemy act contrary sanitary towels. to your own interests; be self- destructive. equal 1993 Richard Lowe & William Shaw Travellers first among equals the person or thing We convinced ourselves that everything was having the highest status in a group. against us but the truth was we were probably our own worst enemies. | ^^ Thisexpression is a translation of the Latin j I phrase primus inter pares, which is also used j public enemy number one: see PUBLIC. j in English. Englishman other (or all) things being equal provided that other factors or circumstances remain an Englishman's home is his castle an the same. English person's home is a place where 1996 E. D. Hirsch Jr. Schools We Need Other they may do as they please and from which things being equal, students from good-home they may exclude anyone they choose. schools will always have an educational British proverb advantage over students fromless-good-hom e schools. enough err enough is as good as a feast moderation is err on the right side act so that the most more satisfying than excess, proverb likely mistake to be made is the least enough is enough no more will be harmful one. tolerated. err on the side of act with a specified bias 1997 Earthmatters Unless we say 'enough is towards something. enough' and start to take habitat protection 1999 Nature Der Sundefall's message may err seriously, the future of the world's wildlife is on the side of alarmism, but it certainly is a in jeopardy. good read. enough said there is no need to say more; all to err is human, to forgive divine it is human is understood. nature to make mistakes yourself while enough to make a cat laugh: see CAT. finding it hard to forgive others, proverb escutcheon 96

would strain the capacity of every last brain- escutcheon cell to bursting point until he had solved it. a blot on your escutcheon: see BLOT. every man for himself everyone must take essence care of themselves and their own interests and safety. of the essence critically important. 1990 Louis de Bernières The War of Don j O This expression has been used since Emmanuel's Nether Parts Gentlemen, we have I medieval times, but from the mid 16th before us an important mission for which I century onwards it has often been expanded j speed and efficiency are of the essence, and I to every man for himself and the devil take where surprise is the key element. \ the hindmost or, less commonly, every man \ for himself and God for us all. eternal 1997 Daniel Quinn Mylshmael Tribes survive the Eternal City a name for the city of by sticking together at all costs, and when it's Rome. every man for himself, the tribe ceases to be a eternal triangle a relationship between three tribe. people, typically a couple and the lover of every which way in all directions; in a one of them, involving sexual rivalry. disorderly fashion. North American informal even evil an even break a fair chance, informal the evil eye a gaze or stare superstitiously

i O This phrase is perhaps best known from believed to cause harm. i W.C. Fields'scatchphrase'Never give a sucker j put off the evil day (or hour) postpone I an even break'. It is said to have originated something unpleasant for as long as j in the 1923 musical Poppy, and was also the possible. I title of one of Field's films (1941). even Stephens (or Stevens) an even chance. exception 1990 Alan Duff Once Were Warriors And I the exception that proves the rule a give her half. Clean down the middle. Even particular case that is so unusual that it is Stevens. I don't try and cheat her out of her evidence of the validity of the rule that share. generally applies. get (or be) even with inflict similar trouble O This phrase comes from the Latin legal or harm on someone as they have inflicted maxim exceptio probat regulum in casibus on you. informal non exceptis 'exception proves the rule in the on an even keel Q(of a ship or aircraft) not cases not excepted'. This in fact meant that tilting to one side. © (of a person or the recognition of something as an situation) functioning normally after a exception proved the existence of a rule, but the idiom is popularly used or understood to period of difficulty. mean 'a person or thing that does not 01991 Deirdre Purcell A Place of Stones Life ran conform to the general rule affecting others on an even keel in the house as both of them of that class'. came and went and became re-immersed in their own lives. 1998 Spectator The success of The Full Monty in the United States is an exception which ever proves the rule. On such lucky breaks, industries and economies are not built. it was ever thus (or so) used as a humorous way of suggesting that despite claims of things having been better in the past exeunt nothing much alters, informal exeunt omnes everyone leaves or goes away. 1998 Bookseller Curious and surprising (to say the least) and depressing things happen. But it j O The Latin phrase exeuntomnes means 'all ! was ever so. ! go out', and was used originally as a stage j direction in a printed play to indicate that all \ every j the actors leave the stage. every last (or single) used to emphasize every member of a group. exhibition 1991 Colin Dexter The Jewel That Was Ours Onemak e an exhibition of yourself behave in a clue unfinished in a Listener puzzle, and he very foolish or ill-judged way in public. 97 eye 1930 J. B. Priestley Angel Pavement He'd expect invented the job five minutes before, just to do what can (or do) you expect? used to mother in the eye. emphasize that there was nothing eyes out on stalks full of eager curiosity or unexpected about a person or event. amazement, informal ; O A more elaborate statement of the same I 1999 Escape This breathtaking graphics ; sentiment is the proverb what can you expect i accelerator takes 3D game play on PCI systems i from a pig but a grunt? to a whole new dimension of excitement with imagery so realistic your eyes will be out on stalks. eye give someone the (glad) eye look at an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth someone in a way that clearly indicates used to refer to the belief that retaliation in your sexual interest in them, informal kind is the appropriate way to deal with an 1992 James Meek Last Orders If it was an offence or crime. attractive woman, men would give her the ! O This expression refers to the law of eye. I retribution as set out in the Old Testament a gleam in someone's eye: see GLEAM. I (Exodus 21:24), known as lex talionis. go eyes out make every effort. Australian the eye of a needle a very small opening or informal space (used to emphasize the impossibility half an eye a slight degree of perception or of a projected endeavour). attention. 1962 Cyprian Ekwensi Burning Grass His j O This phrase comes from Matthew 19:24:'It i sandals were new because it was market day; i is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a i or perhaps he had half an eye to some maiden. | needle, than for a rich man to enter the ; kingdom of God'. have an eye for be able to recognize, appreciate, and make good judgements 2001 FourFourTwo Able to thread a pass about a particular thing. through the eye of a needle, he can play in the 2003 Observer Europe's oldest continually centre or on either flank. inhabited city is Cadiz, founded by the the eye of the storm Q the calm region at Phoenicians in 1100 BC, but those wily the centre of a storm or hurricane, ©the Phoenicians, with an eye for a good setting, most intense part of a tumultous founded 'Malaka' further along the situation. Andalucian coast a few hundred years later in 01998 Times He [Mr Yeltsin] was now our 800 BC heroic figure in the eye of the storm, have (or with) an eye for (or on or to) the preaching defiance... from the top of a tank main chance look or be looking for an outside the White House. opportunity to take advantage of a be all eyes be watching eagerly and situation for personal gain, especially attentively. when this is financial. 1958 Jessie Kesson The White Bird Passes Standing there all eyes and ears. Beat it before ; O This expression is taken from the use of j main chance in the gambling game of I take the lights from you! j hazard, where it refers to a number (5, 6, 7, or j clap (or lay or set) eyes on see. informal | 8)calledbyaplayerbeforethrowingthedice. j 1992 Barry Uns worth Sacred Hunger If we go by the indications of the play, these two charmers have eyes bigger than your stomach have have never clapped eyes on a man before, asked for or taken more food than you can never flirted,neve r known the sweets of actually eat. love. have eyes in the back of your head observe get (or keep) your eye in become {or remain) everything that is happening even when able to make good judgements about a task this is apparently impossible. or occupation in which you are engaged. 1991 Barbara Anderson Girls High They were British all in Miss Royston's class who said that she close (or shut) your eyes to refuse to notice had eyes in the back of her head and they half or acknowledge something unwelcome or believed it, because how else did she know. unpleasant. have square eyes: see SQUARE. do a person in the eye defraud, thwart, or hit someone in the eye (or between the humiliate a person. eyes) be very obvious or impressive, informal eyeball 98

2001 Independent When I saw the technology shut your eyes to be wilfully ignorant of. in operation, it hit me between the eyes. I was 1993 Isidore Okpewho Tides In the last few happy to give him £20,000, and became a non­ weeks, it has become clear to me that this executive director. peace and quiet may elude me if I shut my keep an eye out (or open) for look out for eyes to the all too obvious suffering of people something with particular attention. around me. 1996 Guardian Keep an eye open for kingklip, turn a blind eye: see BLIND. a delectable fish, and the superb local hake. up to your eyes in very busy with or deeply keep your eye on the ball: see BALL. involved in. informal keep your eyes open (or peeled or skinned) what the eye doesn't see, the heart doesn't be on the alert; watch carefully or grieve over if you're unaware of an vigilantly for something. unpleasant fact or situation you can't be make eyes at someone look at someone in a troubled by it. proverb way that makes it clear you find them with one eye on giving some but not all your attention to. sexually attractive. 1977 Craig Thomas Firefox With one eye on the more to someone or something than meets JPT (jet-pipe temperature) gauge he opened the eye: see MEET. the throttles until the rpm gauges were at fifty- my eye (or all my eye and Betty Martin) five percent and the whine had increased nonsense, informal, dated comfortably. i O Who or what Betty Martin was has never j with your eyes open in full awareness. ! been satisfactorily explained. Another 1999 Salman Rushdie The Ground Beneath Her j version of the saying also in use in the late Feet I've always liked to stick my face right up j 18th century was all my eye and my elbow. against the hot sweaty broken surface of what was being done, with my eyes open. 1991 Robertson Davies Murther & Walking Spirits Of course many of the grievances are all with your eyes shut (or closed) ©without my eye and Betty Martin (Anna has picked up having to make much effort; easily, this soldier's phrase from her husband and ©without considering the possible likes to use it to show how thoroughly British difficulties or consequences. she has become). 01994 New Scientist I can knock off pages of one in the eye for a disappointment or eco-babble for the UN with my eyes shut. setback for someone or something, especially one that is perceived as being eyeball well deserved. eyeball to eyeball face to face with someone, open someone's eyes enlighten someone especially in an aggressive way. about certain realities; cause someone to realize or discover something. give someone the hairy eyeball stare at 1998 Scoular Anderson 1314 & All That These someone in a disapproving or angry way, especially with your eyelids partially events opened his eyes to what had happened lowered. North American informal to his country. Now his one wish was that 1992 Guy Vanderhaeghe Things As They Are Scotland should be independent. The commissioner giving him the hairy pull the wool over someone's eyes: see WOOL. eyeball all through the service didn't do see eye to eye have similar views or attitudes anything for Reg's increasing bad humour to something; be in full agreement. either. 1997 A. Sivanandran When Memory Dies We up to the (or your) eyeballs used to don't see eye to eye about anything—work, emphasize the extreme degree of an having children, what's going on in the undesirable situation or condition, informal country. 2000 Time Consumers are up to their eyeballs —'s-eye view a view from the position or in debt, and the strain shows. standpoint of the person or thing specified.

j O The most common versions of this phrase j eyebrow i are bird's-eye view (see BIRD) and worm's-eye j raise your eyebrows (or an eyebrow) show j view (see WORM). surprise, disbelief, or mild disapproval. 1982 Ian Hamilton Robert Lowell There is a kind of double vision: the child's eye view judged eyelash and interpreted by the ironical narrator. by an eyelash by a very small margin. 99 eye teeth eye teeth O The eye teeth are the two canine teeth in i cut your eye teeth: see cut your teeth at the upper jaw. CUT. 1930 W. Somerset Maugham Cakes & Ale He'd give your eye teeth for go to any lengths in give his eye-teeth to have written a book half order to obtain something. as good. Ff face fact the acceptable face of: see ACCEPTABLE. a fact of life something that must be a face as long as a fiddle a dismal face. accepted and cannot be changed, however face the music be confronted with the unpalatable. unpleasant consequences of your actions. the facts of life information about sexual get out of someone's face stop harassing or functions and practices, especially as given annoying someone. North American informal to children or teenagers. have the (brass) face to have the effrontery fade to do something, dated do a fade run away, informal in your face aggressively obvious; assertive. 1990 Stephen King The Stand Two days ago, he informal would probably have done a fade himself if he 1996 Sunday Telegraph The... campaign had seen someone. reflects a growing trend of aggressive and 'in your face' advertisement that is alarming fail many within the industry. without fail absolutely predictably; with no lose face suffer a loss of respect; be exception or cause for doubt. humiliated. i O Fail as a noun in the sense of 'failure i O This expression was originally associated j i or deficiency'is now only found in this I with China and was a translation of the i phrase. i Chinese idiom tiu lien. make (or pull) a face (or faces) produce an faint expression on your face that shows dislike, a faint heart timidity or lack of willpower disgust, or some other negative emotion, preventing you from achieving your or that is intended to be amusing. objective. not just a pretty face: see PRETTY. off your face very drunk or under the j O Faint heart never won fair lady is a influence of illegal drugs, informal i proverb which dates in this wording from the j 1998 Times Magazine I've been accused of i early 17th century; the idea, however, was being off my face many times but you just go, ! around at least two centuries earlier. by osmosis, with the people that you're with. put a brave (or bold or good) face on faintest something act as if something unpleasant not have the faintest (idea) have no idea. or upsetting is not as bad as it really is. informal save face retain respect; avoid humiliation. 1994 Thomas Boswell Cracking Show And Rosfaie r got to save face, at least in his own eyes, with fair and square ©with absolute accuracy. one last brassy news conference. © honestly and straightforwardly. save someone's face enable someone to a fair crack of the whip: see CRACK. avoid humiliation. a fair deal equitable treatment. set your face against oppose or resist with determination. fair dinkum: see DINKUM. someone's face fits someone has the fair dos used to request just treatment or necessary qualities for something. to accept that it has been given. British informai 1992 Looks My face fits and I've got the job! a fair field and no favour equal conditions in throw something back in someone's face a contest. reject something in a brusque or fair play to someone used as an expression ungracious manner. of approval when someone has done 101 famous

something praiseworthy or the right thing 1996 Sunday Post Unlike most people in under the circumstances. Hollywood who starved to get there, I just fell on my feet. fair's fair used to request just treatment or assert that an arrangement is just, informal fall on stony ground: see STONY. 2000 Sallee Vickers Miss Garnet's Angel Jonah, fall over backwards: see BACKWARDS. the wandering prophet, reminded her too fall prey to: see PREY. much of her father. 'He was a bit of a misery, wasn't he?' But then, fair's fair, living in the fall short (of) Q(of a missile) fail to reach its belly of a whale must give one a different point target, ©be deficient or inadequate; fail to of view. reach a required goal. for fair completely and finally. US informal take the fall receive blame or punishment, 1997 John Barth The Sot-Weed Factor And when typically in the place of another person. the matter of hostages arose, the mother had North American informal said 'Pray God they will take Harry, for then we'd be quit of him for fair, and not a penny i O In late 19th-century criminals' slang fall poorer.' j could mean an 'an arrest', and this was later ; i extended to mean 'a term of imprisonment'. it's a fair cop: see COP. ! From this the US term fall guy meaning 'a no fair unfair (often used in or as a petulant i scapegoat' developed in the early 20th protestation). North American informal j century. fairy (away) with the fairies giving the false impression of being mad, distracted, or a false dawn a misleadingly hopeful sign. in a dreamworld. i O A false dawn is literally a transient light in ! ! the sky which precedes the rising of the sun fall ! by about an hour, commonly seen in Eastern j fall apart at the seams: see come apart at the j countries. seams at SEAM. 1992 Frank McLynn Hearts of Darkness After five fall between two stools: see STOOL. weeks Clapperton seemed to recover; it proved merely a false dawn for two days later fall from grace: see GRACE. Clapperton died. fall in (or into) line conform with others or with accepted behaviour. family i O This phrase originally referred to soldiers i the (or your) family jewels a man's genitals. i arranging themselves into military informal : formation. in the family way pregnant, informal fall off the back of a lorry (of goods) be sell the family silver part with a valuable acquired in illegal or unspecified resource in order to gain an immediate circumstances. advantage.

; O The traditional bogus excuse given to the i j O In 1985, the former British prime minister i j police by someone caught in possession of j Harold Macmillan made a speech to the Tory j ! stolen goods was that the items in question j Reform Group on the subject of privatization j | had 'fallen off the back of a lorry'. ! (the selling off of nationalized industries to : private companies). He likened it to the 1991 Time Out People buy so much stolen stuff j selling of heirlooms by impoverished that... you can... buy a video in Dixons and j aristocratic families:'First of all the Georgian j take it round the corner to a pub, say it fell off I silver goes...'. the back of a lorry and get 50 quid more than it cost you. fall on deaf ears: see DEAF. famous fall (or land) on your feet achieve a fortunate famous for being famous having no outcome to a difficult situation. recognizable reason for your fame other than high media exposure. i O This expression comes from cats' famous for fifteen minutes (especially of i supposed ability always to land on their an ordinary person) enjoying a brief i feet, even if they fall or jump from a very period of fame before fading back into i high point. obscurity. fancy 102

! O In 1968, the pop artist Andy Warhol farm i (1927-87) predicted that'in the future buy the farm: see BUY. | everybody will be world famous for fifteen j minutes'. Short-lived celebrity or notoriety is j fast I now often referred to as fifteen minutes of i fame. fast and furious lively and exciting. 2000 Independent We understand that the famous last words said as an ironic bidding was fast and furious right up to the last comment on or reply to an overconfident minute. assertion that may well soon be proved play fast and loose ignore your obligations; wrong by events. be unreliable.

i O This expression apparently originated as a j i O Fast and loose was the name of an old i catchphrase in mid 20th-century armed ; fairground game, in which a punter was i forces' slang. i challenged to pin an intricately folded belt, I garter, or other piece of material to a surface. \ 2000 Canberra Sunday Times Speaking from \ The person running the game would New York, he said 'I expect NASDAQ,to fall j inevitably show that the item had not more than another 5-10 per cent. Famous last ! been securely fastened or made 'fast', and so \ words, but I expect it to break 3000, that is j the punter would lose their money. The about a 20 per cent descent.' i phrase came to be used to indicate I inconstancy. fancy 1996 Time Out The big MGM production fancy your (or someone's) chances believe typically plays fast and loose with the facts, so that you (or someone else) are likely to be it's as much an action spectacular as a genuine successful. historical chronicle. in the fast lane where life is exciting or fantastic highly pressured. trip the light fantastic: see TRIP. pull a fast one try to gain an unfair advantage far by rapid action of some sort, informal be a far cry from be very different from. ! O This phrase was originally early 1987 National Geographic 'I walk out and hire a i century US slang and is also found as put over \ | a fast one. helicopter... an expensive way to mine.' And a far cry fromth e ancient Maori canoe 1993 What Mortgage We also know what expeditions... to hunt for jade. prices should be and will pull up any builder far and away by a very large amount. trying to pull a fast one. 1990 A. L. Kennedy Night Geometry b Garscadden Trains She enjoyed being far and fat away the best cook. the fat is in the fire something has been said or done that is about to cause trouble or far be it from (or for) me to used to express anger. reluctance, especially to do something which you think may be resented. i O This expression refers to the sizzling and j so far, so good progress has been satisfactory j spitting caused by a spillage of cooking fat up to now. : into an open flame. It was first used, in the 1998 New Scientist The project has just now j mid 16th century, to indicate the complete reached a rigorous testing phase, and the ; failure of a plan or enterprise. researchers say so far, so good. live off (or on) the fat of the land have the best of everything. fare-thee-well to a fare-thee-well to perfection; j O In Genesis 45:18, Pharaoh tells Joseph's ! brothers:'ye shall eat the fat of the land'. Fat j thoroughly. US j meaning 'the best part' or 'choicest produce' j j O This expression is of late 18th-century I is now found only in this expression. ! American origin, and is also found in the form j j to a fare-you-well. fate 1911 R. D. Saunders Colonel Todhunter The a fate worse than death a terrible fight's begun, and we've got to rally around experience, especially that of seduction or old Bill Strickland to a fare-you-well. rape. 103 feast

1991 Thomas Hayden The Killing Frost He 1993 Merv Grist Life at the Tip Do me a favour, dominated the conversation, holding the Webley couldn't even pass a mug of tea across Hackett and Townshend women spellbound the counter last season, let alone pass a ball. as he told of how he had broken up a white­ do someone a favour do something for slave ring in Dublin, and how he had rescued an innocent young girl from a fate worse than someone as an act of kindness. British informal death. seal someone's fate make it inevitable that favourite something unpleasant will happen to favourite son a famous man who is someone. particularly popular and praised for his tempt fate: see TEMPT. achievements in his native area. father j O In the USA, the term is used specifically j of a person supported as a presidential founding father: see FOUNDING. j candidate by delegates from the candidate's j how's your father sexual intercourse. British j home state. informal

i O A pre-World War I music-hall catchphrase, i fear i how's your father was earlier used to mean put the fear of God in (or into) someone ; 'nonsense'before acquiring its present sexual \ cause someone to be very frightened. i sense. It is now used also to refer to a man's without fear or favour not influenced by any ; penis. consideration of the people involved in a like father, like son a son's character or situation; impartially. behaviour can be expected to resemble 1996 Japan Times It should be possible if all that of his father. officials involved in the election process are allowed to work without fear or favour and ; O The Latin version of this expression is keep their impartiality. ! qualis pater, talis filius. The female i equivalent, like mother, like daughter, is i based on Ezekiel 16:44: 'Behold, every one feast j that useth proverbs shall use this proverb feast your eyes on gaze at with pleasure. i against thee, saying, As is the mother, so is ! the daughter'. feast of reason intellectual talk. i O This expression comes from the poet j Alexander Pope's description of congenial fatted j conversation in Imitations of Horace: 'The kill the fatted calf produce a lavish ; feast of reason and the flow of soul'. celebratory feast. feast or famine either too much of i O Theallusion is to the New Testament story i something or too little. i of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32), in which i i the forgiving father orders his best calf to be ! a ghost (or spectre) at the feast someone or i killed in order to provide a feast to celebrate j something that brings gloom or sadness to : the return of his wayward son. Fatted is an an otherwise pleasant or celebratory j archaic form of the verb fat meaning 'make occasion. j or become fat'. Nowadays we use the forms i fatten and fattened. j O The ghost or spectre of Banquo at the i feast in Shakespeare's Macbeth is the most : famous literary instance of this. There are fault I other versions of the expression. A skeleton — to a fault (of someone or something i at the feast dates from the mid 19th century ! displaying a particular commendable ! and probably refers to the ancient Egyptian quality) to an extent verging on excess. ! practice of having the coffin of a dead 1995 Bill Bryson Notes from a Small Island i person, adorned with a painted portrait Anyway, that's the kind of place Bournemouth i of the deceased, present at a funeral is—genteel to a fault and proud of it. i banquet. A death's head at the feast alludes j j to the use of a death's head or skull as a i memento mori (an object which serves as a favour ! reminder of death). do me a favour used as a way of expressing brusque dismissal or rejection of a remark a movable feast an event which takes place or suggestion. at no regular time. feather 104

i O In a religious context a movable feast is a i fence : feast day (especially Easter Day and the other i ! Christian holy days whose dates are related to I mend fences: see MEND. j it) which does not occur on the same calendar I over the fence unreasonable or unaccept­ ; date each year. able. Australian & New Zealand informal 1964 Sydney Morning Herald Some publications which unduly emphasize sex were 'entirely feather over the fence'. a feather in your cap an achievement to be sit on the fence avoid making a decision or proud of. choice. i O Originally (in the late 17th century), a I O The two sides of a fence are seen here as j ! feather in your cap was taken as a sign of I representing the two opposing or conflicting I ! foolishness. However, by the mid 18th century j i positions or interests involved in a particular ! ; the phrase was acquiring its modern positive j ; debate or situation. ! sense. i 1998 Times To take six wickets in the 1995 Duncan McLean Bunker Man Let's have a last innings of the game was a feather in proper decision—goal or no goal— none of his cap. this sitting on the fence. feather your (own) nest make money, fetch usually illicitly and at someone else's fetch and carry go backwards and forwards expense. bringing things to someone in a servile j O This phrase refers to the way in which fashion. i some birds use feathers (their own or another j j bird's) to line the interior of their nest. ; O This phrase was originally used to refer to j j a dog retrieving game that had been shot. 1998 Spectator It won't solve a damned thing except feather the nests of a lot of dodgy pen-pushers and party hacks. fettle in fine (or high) feather in good spirits. in fine fettle in very good condition. i O Fettle was recorded in a mid 18th-century ; I O The image here is of a bird in its : glossary of Lancashire dialect as meaning j breeding plumage, when it is in peak ! 'dress, case, condition'. It is now seldom ! condition. ! found outside this phrase and its variants, show the white feather: see WHITE. i which include in good fettle and in high fettle, i fed up few fed up to the teeth (or back teeth) extremely few and far between scarce or infrequent. annoyed. have a few drink enough alcohol to be slightly drunk, informal feel 1991 James Kelman Events in Yer Life In fact feel your age become aware that you are it's hard to talk politics at all down there. growing older and less energetic. I tend to keep my mouth shut. Unless I've feel someone's collar: see COLLAR. had a few. feel the draught: see DRAUGHT. fiddle feel your oats: see OAT. a face as long as a fiddle: see FACE. feel the pinch: see PINCH. fiddle while Rome burns be concerned with feel the pulse of: see PULSE. relatively trivial matters while ignoring the serious or disastrous events going on fell around you. in (or at) one fell swoop all in one go. I © This phrase comes from the Roman j biographer and historian Suetonius' i O This expression comes from Macduff's j description of the behaviour of the Roman j appalled reaction to the murder of his wife j emperor Nero during the great fire that I and children in Shakespeare's Macbeth : 'Oh j j destroyed much of Rome in AD 64. j hell-kite!. ..All my pretty chickens, and their j I dam At one fell swoop?' fit as a fiddle in very good health. 105 figure hang up your fiddle retire from business; i was claimed by General Mola as being i within Madrid when he besieged the city give up an undertaking, chiefly US i with four columns of Nationalist forces in hang up your fiddle when you come home j 1936. cease to be cheerful or entertaining when you are in the company of your family. take the fifth (in the USA) exercise the right of refusing to answer questions chiefly US in order to avoid incriminating yourself. on the fiddle engaged in cheating or swindling, informal I © The reference in this phrase is to Article V j i O Fiddle was late 19th-century US slang for j i of theten original amendments(1791)tothe j j Constitution of the United States, which i a 'swindle'. i states that'no person., .shall be compelled play second fiddle to take a subordinate role ! in any criminal case to be a witness against ! j himself. to someone or something.

; O The expression derives from the i respective roles of the fiddles or violins in an j fig i orchestra. Both play first fiddle and play third I in full fig wearing the smart clothes j fiddle are much less common. The implication j appropriate for an event or occasion. i of playing second fiddle is often that it is informal j somewhat demeaning. ! O Fig in the sense of 'dress or equipment' is j 1998 Times In A Yank at Oxford she played j now used only in this phrase, which was first j second fiddle to Vivien Leigh, which never got j recorded in the mid 19th century. anyone very far. not give (or care) a fig not have the slightest field concern about. a fair field and no favour: see FAIR. Î O Fig was formerly used in a variety of hold the field remain the most important. j expressions to signify something regarded as : 1991 Twentieth Century British History j valueless or contemptible. What analyses of AIDS policies hold the field? fight play the field indulge in a series of sexual fight fire with fire use the weapons or relationships without committing yourself tactics of your enemy or opponent, even to anyone, informal if you find them distasteful. 1936 L. Lef ko Public Relations He hasn't any 1998 New Scientist Many opponents of steady. He plays the field—blonde,brunette , biotechnology might say that they are or what have you. simply fighting firewit h fire.Afte r all, the biotechnology industry is not fierce averse to misquoting people when it suits something fierce to a great and almost them. overwhelming extent; intensely or fight like cat and dog: see CAT. furiously. North American informal 1986 Monica Hughes Blaine's Way Maud fight a losing battle be fated to fail in your had trapped my right arm against the efforts. chair and it was getting pins and needles fight or flight the instinctive physiological something fierce. response to a threatening situation, which readies you either to resist violently or to fifteen run away. famous for fifteen minutes: see FAMOUS. fight shy of be unwilling to undertake or become involved with. fifth 1992 Farmers Guardian Welsh companies fifth column an organized group of people often fight shy of dealing with the big sympathizing with and working for the multiples. enemy within a country at war or fight tooth and nail: see TOOTH. otherwise under attack.

i O Fifth column is a translation of the figure j Spanish phrase quinta columna: during the figure of fun a person who is considered i Spanish Civil War, an extra body of supporters j ridiculous. fill 106

1990 Richard Critchfield Among the British 1990 Wilfred Sheed Essays in Disguise If Sydney [Reagan] was the first American leader in my blew away one fine day, Melbourne could lifetime who was widely regarded over here as easily take its place as a center of mateship and a figure of fun. conspicuous democracy. fill fine art fill the bill: see BILL. have (or get) something down to a fine fill someone's shoes (or boots) take over art achieve a high level of skill, facility, or someone's function or duties and fulfil accomplishment in some activity through them satisfactorily, informal experience. final finer the final straw: see the last straw at STRAW. the finer points of the more complex or detailed aspects of. find finest find your feet Q stand up and become able to walk. © establish yourself in a particular your finest hour the time of your greatest success. situation or enterprise. 1940 W. S. Churchill Speech to House of Commons ©1990 V. S. Naipaul India In Calcutta he Let us therefore brace ourselves to that duty, stayed with some friend or distant relation and so bear ourselves that, if the British until he found his feet. Commonwealth and its Empire lasts for a find God experience a religious conversion thousand years, men will still say, 'This was or awakening. their finest hour'. find it in your heart to do something allow or —'s finest the police of a specified city. North force yourself to do something. American informal 1988 Richard Rayner Los Angeles Without a Map 2000 Nelson DeMille The Lion's Game As I Could you find it in your heart to lend me, say, indicated, I was a homicide detective, one of $2,500? New York's Finest. finder finger finders keepers (losers weepers) used, often be all fingers and thumbs be clumsy humorously, to assert that whoever finds or awkward in your actions. British something by chance is entitled to keep it informal (and the person who lost it will just have to i O ln the mid 16th century this idea was lament its loss), informal i expressed in the form each finger is a thumb. \ | All thumbs developed in the 19th century as j i O This expression has been widely used | an expression indicating a complete lack of ! since the early 19th century, although the i dexterity. i idea goes back much further and is found in i i the work of the Roman dramatist Plautus. A j ! variant sometimes heard is findings keepings. \ burn your fingers (or get your fingers burned/burnt) suffer unpleasant consequences as a result of your actions. fine 1998 Times An American buyer remains a cut it (or things) fine allow a very small possibility, although it is not entirely clear why any would want to risk getting their margin of something, usually time. fingers burnt twice. fine feathers beautiful clothes. cross your fingers: see CROSS. i O The proverb fine feathers make fine birds, i get (or pull) your finger out cease ! meaning that an eye-catching appearance j makes a person seem beautiful or impressive, \ prevaricating and start to act. British j has been known in England since the late informal ! 19th century. It is recorded in the early 16th give someone the finger make a gesture j century in French as les belles plumes font les \ j beaux oiseaux. with the middle finger raised as an obscene sign of contempt. North American informal not to put too fine a point on it to speak i O Since 1976, this gesture has sometimes bluntly. ! been called the Rockefeller Gesture after one fine day at some unspecified or j Nelson Rockefeller was seen making it on a unknown time. I news film. 107 fire have a finger in every pie be involved in a Abrams said that General Noriega was large and varied number of activities or clinging to power 'by his fingertips'. enterprises. to your fingertips totally; completely. 1991 Sun McMahon, a professional to his have a finger in the pie be involved in a fingertips, gave it his best shot even though matter, especially in an annoyingly an injury at this delicate stage could interfering way. have sabotaged the last big move of his career. have your fingers in the till: see TILL. have (or keep) your finger on the pulse be aware of all the latest news or develop­ finish ments. a fight to the finish a fight, contest, or match lay a finger on touch someone, usually with which only ends with the complete defeat the intention of harming them. of one of the parties involved. 1993 Tony Parker May the Lord in His Mercy be Kind to Belfast The one thing I'll say about my husband is he never laid a finger on the finished children and he never hit me in front of them. the finished article something that is point the finger openly accuse someone or complete and ready for use. apportion blame. 1998 Spectator Reason suggests that one fire should point the finger at those who whipped breathe fire be fiercely angry. up the emotion in the first place. put something on the long finger postpone i © The implied comparison in this expression i consideration of something; put | is with a fire-breathing dragon. something off. Irish catch fire ©begin to burn. G become put the finger on inform against someone to interesting or exciting. the authorities, informal 01994 Coloradoan I do not think this is put your finger on identify something something that's going to catch fire as a trend. exactly. fire and brimstone the supposed torments of 1988 Glenn Patterson Burning Your Own There hell. was something about the dinette that struck him as peculiar, but he couldn't quite put his I O In the Bible, fire and brimstone are the finger on it. ; means of divine punishment for the wicked i (see, for example, Genesis 19:24 or Revelation j snap (or click) your fingers make a sharp i 21:8). Brimstone (from the Old English word j clicking sound by bending the last joint of i brynstân meaning 'burning stone') is an the middle finger against the thumb and j archaic word for 'sulphur' and is now rarely suddenly releasing it, typically in order to | found outside this phrase. attract attention in a peremptory way or to accompany the beat of music. fire in the (or your) belly a powerful sense of ambition or determination. twist (or wind or wrap) someone around 1991 Vanity Fair Bennett is quick to deny your little finger have the ability to make feeling the fire in the belly generally someone do whatever you want. considered a prerequisite for tenancy at 1600 work your fingers to the bone: see BONE. Pennsylvania Avenue. your fingers itch you are longing or go through fire (and water) face any peril. impatient to do something. 1998 Patchwork & Quilting There's a good I O This phrase originally referred to the gallery towards the end of the book and it will j medieval practice of trial by ordeal, which ; could take the form of making an accused make your fingers itch to get started. ; person hold or walk on red-hot iron or of j throwing them into water. fingertip at your fingertips (especially of information) light a fire under someone stimulate readily available. someone to work or act more quickly or enthusiastically. North American by your fingertips only with difficulty; barely. play with fire: see PLAY. 1990 Current History In early 1988, United set the world on fire: see set the world alight States Assistant Secretary of State Elliott at SET. fireman 108 under fire Qbeing shot at. ©being selected by achievement of a simple rigorously criticized. majority. British © 1993 Albuquerque (New Mexico) Journal Zoe Baird, under fire for hiring illegal aliens to first thing early in the morning; before work in her home, has withdrawn her name as anything else. President Clinton's nominee for US Attorney first things first important matters should be General. attended to before anything else. where's the fire? used to ask someone why j O First Things First was the title of a book by j they are in such a hurry or in a state of j George Jackson, subtitled'Addresses to agitation, informal j young men' (1894). 1963 J. F. Straker Final Witness 'Where's the fire, dear boy?' he drawled. 'Do we really have first up O first of all. ©at the first attempt. to run for it?' Australian fireman get to first base: see BASE. of the first order (or magnitude) used to visiting fireman: see VISITING. denote something that is excellent or considerable of its kind. firing n firing on all (four) cylinders working or i O ' astronomy, magnitude is a measure of j functioning at a peak level. i the degree of brightness of a star. Stars of the i j first magnitude are the most brilliant. | O This expression is a metaphor from an ! internal-combustion engine: a cylinder is said j of the first water: see WATER. j to be firing when the fuel inside it is ignited. 1998 Entertainment Weekly Even when his fish imagination isn't firing on all cylinders, Amis big fish: see big cheese at BIG. is still worth picking up, if only to enjoy the jazzy rhythm of his prose. a big fish in a small (or little) pond a person seen as important and influential only firm within the limited scope of a small be on firm ground be sure of your facts or organization or group. secure in your position, especially in a drink like a fish: see DRINK. discussion. fish in troubled waters make a profit out of a firm hand strict discipline or control. trouble or upheaval. i O Often used in the the fuller form, a firm fish or cut bait stop vacillating and decide to \ hand on the reins, this phrase is employing act on or disengage from something. North i the image of controlling a horse by using the j j reins. j American informal a fish out of water a person who is in a completely unsuitable environment or first situation. first among equals: see EQUAL. 1991 Margaret Weiss King's Test He realized first blood: see BLOOD. that he was a fish out of water—a pilot in the first come, first served used to indicate that midst of marines. have other (or bigger) fish to fry have people will be dealt with strictly in the other or more important matters to order in which they arrive or apply. attend to. first off as a first point; first of all. informal, 1985 Gregory Benford Artifact Kontos can chiefly North American throw a fit back there, chew the rug, 1991 Globe & Mail (Toronto) First off, I wouldn't anything—it won't matter. His government worry about the 'fashionability' of any has bigger fish to fry. particular garment. If you'd like to wear like shooting fish in a barrel done very easily. something, then wear it. 1992 Laurie Colwin Home Cooking I fear first past the post Q(of a contestant, that's the urgency of greed. Picking cultivated especially a horse, in a race) winning a berries is like shooting fish in a barrel. race by being the first to reach the finishing neither fish nor fowl (nor good red herring) line. © denoting an electoral system of indefinite character and difficult to whereby a candidate or party is identify or classify. 109 flag

I © This expression arose with reference to five i dietary laws formerly laid down by the take five take a short break; relax. : Church during periods of fasting or ! abstinence. : O Five here is short for 'a five-minute break', i a pretty kettle of fish: see KETTLE. there are plenty more fish in the sea used to fix console someone whose romantic fix someone's wagon bring about relationship has ended by pointing out that someone's downfall; spoil someone's chances of success. US there are many other people with whom 1951 Truman Capote The Grass Harp She they may have a successful relationship in said her brother would fixm y wagon, the future. which he did... I've still got a scar where i O This expression alludes to the proverb he hit me. j there are as good fish in the sea as ever came \ get a fix on Q determine the position of an \ out of it. aircraft, ship, etc., by visual or radio bearings or astronomical observation. © assess or determine the nature or fishing facts of; obtain a clear understanding of. a fishing expedition a search or informal investigation undertaken with the hope, 01993 Independent on Sunday You do not though not the stated purpose, of necessarily get a fix on life by fooling around discovering information. with the fictive process. 1998 High Country News Agency insiders describe the inquiry as a fishing expedition to uncover evidence that Dombeck may have flag been a party to illegal lobbying. fly the flag Q (of a ship) be registered to a fist particular country and sail under its flag. 0 represent or demonstrate support for an iron fist in a velvet glove: see an iron your country, political party, or hand in a velvet glove at IRON. organization, especially when you are make a — fist of do something to a specified abroad. degree of success, informal 1998 Times An opening stand of 99 by Hancock ; O In sense 2, the forms show the flag, carry \ and Hewson helped Gloucestershire to make a \ the flag, and wave the flag are also found. decent fist of it yesterday. 01996 Hello/ She flewth e flagfo r British fit tennis in the Eighties. keep the flag flying ©represent your fit the bill: see fill the bill at BILL. country or organization, especially when fit as a fiddle: see FIDDLE. abroad. © show continued commitment to fit as a flea: see FLEA. something, especially in the face of fit for the gods excellent; extremely pleasing. adversity. fit like a glove: see GLOVE. i O This expression comes from the practice in i fit to be tied very angry, informal 1 naval warfare of lowering the flag on a 1988 Joan Smith A Masculine Ending He was fit ! defeated ship to signify a wish to surrender. to be tied when I separated fromHugh , and he put the flags (or flag) out celebrate publicly. seems to blame me for the whole thing. show the flag (of a naval vessel) make an fit to bust with great energy. official visit to a foreign port, especially as a 1992 Daphne Glazer The Last Oasis I'd be show of strength. rushing back at night, pedalling on my bike fit to bust. wrap yourself in the flag make an excessive show of your patriotism, give someone a fit greatly shock, frighten, especially for political ends, chiefly North or anger someone, informal American in fits in a state of hysterical amusement. 1993 Globe & Mail (Canada) For a politician at informal election time, wrapping oneself in the Canadian flag is a reflex action, as irresistible in (or by) fits and starts with irregular bursts as bussing a baby. of activity. flagpole 110 1998 Field Farming and forestry were both flagpole caught flat-footedwhe n fashion changed. run something up the flagpole test the popularity of a new idea or proposal. flatter i O The idea behind this expression is of flatter to deceive encourage on insufficient i hoisting a particular flag to see who salutes. grounds and cause disappointment. 1913 Field Two furlongs from home Maiden Erlegh looked most dangerous, but he flame flattered only to deceive. an old flame a former lover, informal flatting shoot someone or something down in go flatting leave the family home to live in a flames: see SHOOT. flat. Australian & New Zealand flapping flavour someone's ears are flapping: see EAR. flavour of the month someone or something flash that enjoys a short period of great flash in the pan a thing or person whose popularity; the current fashion. sudden but brief success is not repeated or ; O This phrase originated in a marketing repeatable. j campaign in American ice-cream parlours in i the 1940s, when a particular flavour of ice ! O This phrase developed from the priming | cream would be singled out each month for ! ; of a firearm, the flash being from an i special promotion. ! explosion of gunpowder within the lock. 1998 New Scientist But Java... may turn out to flea be flash in the pan: books on human- fit as a flea in very good health. computer interaction struggle to stay abreast of rapid developments in computing. | O The phrase makes reference to a flea's quick as a flash (especially of a person's ! agility. response or reaction) happening or made very quickly. a flea in your ear a sharp reproof. ; O Formerly a flea in your ear also meant flat i something that agitates or alarms you, as fall flat fail completely to produce the j does the French phrase avoir la puce à intended or expected effect. ; l'oreille. Nowadays, it is often found in the i phrases give someone a flea in the ear or send i fall flat on your face ©fall over forwards. j someone away with a flea in their ear. © fail in an embarrassingly obvious way. flat as a pancake: see PANCAKE. flesh flat out O as fast or as hard as possible, informal go the way of all flesh die or come to an end. ©without hesitation or reservation; unequivocally, chiefly North American i O In the Authorized Version of the Bible all \ i flesh is used to refer to all human and animal I 01995 Independent Since August 1993 she has been working flat out on her latest three ! I'fe. j part documentary. 01993 Coloradoan She flat in the flesh in person rather than via a out said she didn't trust her fellow board members. telephone, film, article, etc. on the flat ©on level ground as opposed make someone's flesh creep (or crawl) to uphill, ©(of a horse race) on an cause someone to feel fear, horror, or open course as opposed to one with disgust. jumps. put flesh on (the bones of) something add more details to something which exists flat-footed only in a draft or outline form. catch someone flat-footed take someone by your pound of flesh: see POUND. surprise or at a disadvantage, informal flesh and blood I O The opposite of flat-footed in this your (own) flesh and blood near relatives; j metaphorical sense is on your toes (see TOE). close family. 111 flush flex meeting or assembly, rather than by a flex your muscles give a show of strength or representative on the platform. power. take the floor ©begin to dance on a dance 1998 Times Mr Prescott is flexinghi s muscles floor. © speak in a debate or assembly. and the City is wondering just how far he is prepared to go. flotsam flotsam and jetsam useless or discarded flexible objects. flexible friend a credit card. j O Flotsam refers to the wreckage of a ship j O This phrase comes from the advertising i or its cargo found floating on or washed up ; slogan'Access—your flexible friend'. i bythesea, while/ersam is unwanted material j i thrown overboard from a ship and washed I ashore. The two nouns are seldom used flick j independently, almost always appearing give someone the flick (or get the flick) i together in this phrase. reject someone (or be rejected) in a casual or offhand way. informal, chiefly Australian flow flight go with the flow be relaxed; accept a situation, informal in full flight escaping as rapidly as possible. 1938 Life A week later General Cedillo was j O The image here is of going with the reported in full flight through the bush, with j current of a stream ratherthan trying to swim i Federal troops hot on his heels. j against it. I 1997]-l 7 Go with the flow today. You can't flip change the way things are going to pan out, so flip your lid suddenly go mad or lose your just let it all happen. self-control, informal in full flow ©talking fluently and easily and ; O A chiefly US variant of this phrase is flip showing no sign of stopping. © performing \ your wig. vigorously and enthusiastically. flower flit the flower of — the finest individuals out of do a moonlight flit: see MOONLIGHT. a number of people or things. float i O Middle and early modern English did not j float someone's boat appeal to or excite ! recognize the modern distinction in spelling ! someone, especially sexually, informal j and sense between flower and flour, and the j ; earliest instances of this expression relate to j flog i the sense that in modern English would be ! spelt flour, referring to the finest part of the i flog a dead horse waste energy on a lost i wheat. cause or unalterable situation. 1971 Cabinet Maker & Retail Furnisher If this is 1991 Pat Robertson New World Order This the case, we are flogging a dead horse in still vainglorious conqueror wasted the flowero f trying to promote the scheme. French youth on his own personal dreams of empire. flood fluff be in full flood Q(of a river) be swollen and bit of fluff: see BIT. overflowing its banks, ©have gained momentum; be at the height of activity. flush 01991 journal ofTheological Studies There is too a busted flush: see BUSTED. much detail for comfort... which is somewhat confusing when exposition is in full flood. in the first flush in a state of freshness and vigour. floor i O The exact origins of flush as a noun cross the floor: see CROSS. j are unknown; early senses share the idea of a j from the floor (of a speech or question) j sudden rush or abundance of something (e.g. j ; water, growth of grass, or emotion). delivered by an individual member at a flutter 112 1997 Tom Petsinis The French Mathematician A 1998 Times Before you conclude that I have month ago, in the first flusho f enthusiasm... I become a raging Europhile, let me say that tackled the classic problem of trisecting an there is a fly in the ointment. angle using only a compass and straightedge. fly a kite try something out to test opinion. informal flutter flutter the dovecotes alarm, startle, or upset ! O A historical sense of this phrase was 'raise ; ! money by an accommodation bill', meaning a sedate or conventionally minded | to raise money on credit, and this sense of community. I testing public opinion of your creditworthi- i ness gave rise to the current figurative ! O This expression may come from j sense. The US phrase go fly a kite! means i Shakespeare's Coriolanus: 'like an eagle in a | 'go away!'. ! dove-cote, I Fluttered your Volscians in : Corioli'. Compare with put the cat among the i fly the nest (of a young person) leave their ! pigeons (at CAT). parent's home to set up home elsewhere. 1992 Daily Telegraph It is however the arrival of informal Michael Heseltine at the DTI that will flutter the dovecotes most of all. ! O The image here is of a young bird's i departure from its nest on becoming able to I flutter your eyelashes open and close j fly. Compare with empty nester (at EMPTY). your eyes rapidly in a coyly flirtatious manner. fly off the handle lose your temper suddenly and unexpectedly, informal fly ! O This expression uses the image of a loose ! die (or drop) like flies die or collapse in large ! head of an axe flying off its handle while the j numbers. j axe is being swung. drink with the flies drink alone. Australian & New Zealand informal a fly on the wall an unnoticed observer of a 1963 D. Whitington Mile Pegs 'Have a drink?' particular situation. the larrikin invited. 'Or do you prefer drinking | O This expression is often used as an with the flies?' ! adjective, as in a fly-on-the-wall fly the coop make your escape, informal \ documentary, where it refers to a film- 1991 Julia Phillips You'll Never Eat Lunch In This i making technique in which events are merely j Town Again Has David left? Nah, he would want i observed and presented realistically with to make sure I'm really ensconced, or I might ! minimum interference, rather than acted out j fly the coop. ! under direction. fly the flag: see FLAG. a fly on the wheel a person who fly high be very successful; prosper. overestimates their own influence.

! O The noun high-flyer (or high-flier) : O This phrase stems from Aesop's fable of a j ! meaning 'a successful and ambitious person' ! I fly sitting on the axletree of a moving chariot i ; developed from this phrase in the mid 17th I and saying, 'See what a dust I raise'. I century. like a blue-arsed fly in an extremely hectic or a fly in amber a curious relic of the past, frantic way. British vulgar slang preserved into the present. j O The 'blue-arsed fly' referred to is a ! © The image is of the fossilized bodies of ! bluebottle, well known for its frenetic i insects which are often found preserved in j buzzing about. | amber. 1998 Rebecca Ray A Certain Age I'm not going fly in the face of be openly at variance with to run around like a blue-arsed fly pandering to you and your bloody room, alright? what is usual or expected. on the fly Qwhile in motion, ©while busy a fly in the ointment a minor irritation or or active. © (of an addition or modification other factor that spoils the success or in computing) carried out during the enjoyment of something. running of a program without interrupting i O This expression alludes to Ecclesiastes the run. i 10:1:'Dead flies cause the ointment of the there are no flies on — the person ; apothecary to send forth a stinking savour'. mentioned is very quick and astute. 113 foot

! O Early instances of this expression suggest j follow suit Q(in bridge, whist, and other i that it originated with reference to cattle card games) play a card of the suit led. ; who were so active that no flies settled on © conform to another's actions. i them. The phrase was noted in the mid 19th j © 2002 History of Scotland The first Earl of ; century as being very common in Australia as j Huntly was a Gordon by adoption. Many other i a general expression of approbation. In the lesser men followed suit, assuming the | USA it could also be used to convey that the i surname of so successful a family. i person in question was of superior breeding j j or behaved honestly. food wouldn't hurt (or harm) a fly used to food for thought something that warrants emphasize how inoffensive and harmless a serious consideration or reflection. person or animal is. fool flyer a fool and his money are soon parted a take a flyer take a chance, chiefly North foolish person spends money carelessly American and will soon be penniless, proverb 1998 Times Or we [i.e. journalists] can take fools rush in where angels fear to tread a flyer: share a hunch and risk coming people without good sense or judgement a cropper. will have no hesitation in tackling a flying situation that even the wisest would avoid. proverb with flying colours with distinction. be no (or nobody's) fool be a shrewd or ; O Formerly, in military contexts, flying prudent person. \ colours meant having the regimental flag fool's gold something deceptively attractive i flying as a sign of success or victory; a I conquered army usually had to lower (or and promising in appearance. j strike) its colours. I j O Fool's gold is the name popularly given to j ! any yellow metal, such as pyrite or Flynn ; chalcopyrite, that may be mistaken for gold. be in like Flynn seize an opportunity; be 2003 Nation Many good people have been successful. Australian euchred into falling for the current fool's gold—politicians and lobbyists calling for j O The Flynn referred to in this expression is j 'universal healthcare'. j Errol Flynn, the Australian-born actor, who j had a reputation as a notable playboy. more fool — used as an exclamation indicating that a specified person is unwise 1987 Kathy Lette Girls' Night Out Russell to behave in such a way. brightened. 'Really?' I'm in, he thought to 2002 Pride Any self-respecting female should himself. I'm in like Flynn. 'You really see it that be wise enough to steer clear of Romeo rats way?' He slid his arms around her. and, if you don't, then more fool you. foam there's no fool like an old fool the foolish behaviour of an older person seems foam at the mouth: see froth at the mouth at especially foolish as they are expected to FROTH. think and act more sensibly than a younger fog one. proverb in a fog in a state of perplexity; unable to foot think clearly or understand something. dig in your feet: see dig in your heels at DIG. foggiest drag your feet: see DRAG. not have the foggiest (idea or notion) have fall on your feet: see FALL. no idea at all. informal, chiefly British foot the bill: see BILL. get (or start) off on the right (or wrong) foot follow make a good [or bad) start at something, follow in someone's footsteps: see FOOTSTEP. especially a task or relationship. follow your nose ©trust to your instincts. 1998 Spectator This relationship got off on © move along guided by your sense of the wrong foot... when Mr Cook's scathing smell. © go straight ahead. attack on the government over the arms-to- footloose 114

Iraq affair was felt to include some officials made a point of not talking to me, I realized as well. that I'd put my foot in it. get your feet under the table establish put a foot wrong make any mistake in yourself securely in a new situation, chiefly performing an action. British 1999 Times For 71 holes of the Open he didn't put a foot wrong. get your feet wet begin to participate in an be run off your feet: see RUN. activity. six feet under: see six. have feet of clay have a fatal flaw in a character that is otherwise powerful or sweep someone off their feet quickly and admirable. overpoweringly charm someone. ; O This expression alludes to the biblical think on your feet: see THINK. i account of a magnificent statue seen in a vote with your feet: see VOTE. ! dream by Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, i ltwasconstructedfromfinemetals,allexcept i ! for its feet which were made of clay; when footloose ! these were smashed, the whole statue was footloose and fancy-free without any ! brought down and destroyed. Daniel commitments or responsibilities; free to i interprets this to signify a future kingdom act or travel as you please. i that will be'partly strong, and partly broken', j ! and will eventually fall (Daniel 2:31-5). j O Footloose was used literally in the late ! 17th century to mean'free to move the feet', j have a foot in both camps have an interest or ! The sense 'without commitments' originated j stake in two parties or sides without | in late 19th-century US usage. Fancy in fancy- \ commitment to either. ! free is used in the sense of'love'or'the object j 1992 Community Care As EWOs [Education | of someone's affections'. Welfare Officers] we have a foot in both camps. We work with the children and their families and the school and bring the two footsie together. play footsie with someone ©touch someone's feet lightly with your own feet, have (or get) a foot in the door have (or gain) usually under a table, as a playful a first introduction to a profession or expression of romantic interest, ©work organization. with someone in a cosy and covert way. have one foot in the grave be near death through old age or illness, informal, often footstep humorous follow (or tread) in someone's footsteps do have (or keep) your feet on the ground be as another person did before, especially in making a journey or following an (or remain) practical and sensible. occupation. have something at your feet have something in your power or command. for keep your feet: see KEEP. be for it be in imminent danger of put your best foot forward embark on an punishment or other trouble. British informal undertaking with as much speed, effort, 1997 Peter Carey Jack Maggs The master. He and determination as possible. reads to me. He would be reading to me now put foot hurry up; get a move on. South African but I said I was ill and must go back to my bed. informal I'm for it if he finds me gone. put your foot down ©adopt a firm policy there's (or that's) — for you used ironically when faced with opposition or to indicate a particularly good example of a disobedience. 0 make a motor vehicle go quality or thing mentioned. faster by pressing the accelerator pedal 1982 William Least Heat-Moon Blue Highways with your foot. British informal Satchel Paige—there's a name for you—old put your foot in it (or put your foot in your Satch could fire the pill a hundred and five mouth) say or do something tactless or miles an hour. embarrassing; commit a blunder or indiscretion, informal forbidden 1992 Deirdre Madden Remembering Light & forbidden fruit a thing that is desired all the Stone As the evening went on, and people more because it is not allowed. 115 fourth

i O The original forbidden fruit was that form j forbiddentoAdamintheGardenofEden:'But i a matter of form: see MATTER. j of the tree of the knowledge of good and ! evil, thou shalt not eat of it' (Genesis 2:17). fortune fortune favours the brave a successful force person is often one who is willing to take force someone's hand make someone act risks, proverb prematurely or do something they dislike. the fortunes of war the unpredictable force the issue compel the making of an events of war. immediate decision. a small fortune a large amount of money. force the pace adopt a fast pace in a race in order to tire out your opponents quickly. informal in force in great strength or numbers. soldier of fortune: see SOLDIER. 1989 Amy Wilentz The Rainy Season They forty turned out in force, armed with machetes and forty winks a short sleep or nap, especially cocomacaques. during the day. informal forelock j © This expression dates from the early 19th i take time by the forelock seize an j century, but wink in the sense of 'a closing of j i the eyes for sleep'is found from the late 14th i opportunity, literary j century. i O Tne Latin writer Phaedrus described i Opportunity or Occasion as being bald except i ! fora long forelock, a personification that was i foul ! illustrated in Renaissance emblem books and i foul your own nest do something damaging ; was applied also to Time. or harmful to yourself or your own interests. touch (or tug) your forelock raise a hand to your forehead in deference when meeting i O The proverb it's an ill bird that fouls its a person of higher social rank. \ own nest, used of a person who criticizes or i abuses their own country or family, has been i fork I found in English since the early 15th century, j Morton's fork: see MORTON. founding forked founding father someone who establishes with forked tongue untruthfully or an institution. deceitfully, humorous ! O FoundingFather\sused in particularof an j : O The image is of the forked tongue of a i American statesman at the time of the j snake, snakes being traditional symbols of ! Revolution, especially a member of the i treachery and deceit. ! Federal Constitutional Convention of 1787. 2002 New York Times Orpheus members have long spoken with forked tongues about four conductors. They... make sweeping on all fours with equal with; presenting an generalizations about them. exact analogy with. 1992 Independent President Saddam's forlorn occupation of Kuwait was, he declared, on all a forlorn hope a faint remaining hope or fours with Hitler's aggressions. chance; a desperate attempt. to the four winds: see to the wind at WIND. j O This expression developed in the mid 16th j ! century from the Dutch expression verloren fourth I hoop 'lost troop'. The phrase originally the fourth estate the press; the profession of I denoted a band of soldiers picked to begin an i journalism. ! attack, many of whom would not survive; the j ! equivalent French phrase is enfants perdus : O The three traditional Estates of the Realm j ! 'lost children'. The current sense, which dates j I (the Crown, the House of Lords, and the ! from the mid 17th century, arose from a I House of Commons) are now viewed as j misunderstanding of the etymology. j having been joined by the press, which is fox 116

regarded as having equal power. As early as j body (melancholy, phlegm, blood, and 1843 Lord Macaulay stated: The gallery in j choler), blood was the hot, moist element, so which the reporters sit has become a fourth i the effect of horror or fear in making the estate of the realm'. ! blood cold was to make it unable to fulfil its i proper function of supplying the body with i vital heat or energy. Compare with make fox I your blood run cold (at BLOOD). crazy like a fox: see CRAZY. frame French be in (or out of) the frame Qbe [or not be) excuse (or pardon) my French used to eligible or the centre of attention, ©under apologize for swearing, informal suspicion or wanted {or not) by the police. ; O French has been used since the late 19th j Frankenstein j century as a euphemism for bad language. Frankenstein's monster a thing that 1992 Angela Lambert A Rather English Marriage becomes terrifying or destructive to its A loony can change a bloody toilet-roll, pardon maker. my French. take French leave make an unannounced or i O Frankenstein was the title of a novel unauthorized departure. i written in 1818 by Mary Shelley. The scientist j i Frankenstein creates and brings to life a j O This expression stems from the custom i manlike monster which eventually turns on j prevalent in 18th-century France of leaving a \ i him and destroys him; Frankenstein is not the i i reception or entertainment without saying j name of the monster itself, as is often ; goodbye to your host or hostess. | assumed. 1991 John Kingdom Local Government & Politicsfres h in Britain The factories of the bourgeoisie had be fresh out of something have just created another dangerous by-product, a Frankenstein's monster posing a constant sold or run out of a supply of something. sense of threat—the working class. informal break fresh ground: see break new ground free at GROUND. for free without cost or payment; free of a breath of fresh air: see BREATH. charge, informal fresh as a daisy: see DAISY. 1957 Godfrey Smith The Friends Back home we pay if we're ill... You don't expect to be ill for fresh blood: see new blood at BLOOD. free. free and easy informal and relaxed. friend a fair-weather friend someone who cannot free, gratis, and for nothing without charge. be relied on in a crisis. humorous 1998 Spectator The Americans gave up free rein: see REIN. supplying gold on demand to other countries' it's a free country said when asserting that a central banks at £35 an ounce... when their fair-weather friends from London threatened course of action is not illegal or forbidden, to turn up and clean them out. often in justification of it. flexible friend: see FLEXIBLE. make free with treat without ceremony or proper respect; take liberties with. a friend at court a person in a position to use influence on your behalf. there's no such thing as a free lunch: see LUNCH. friends in high places people in senior positions who are able and willing to use freeze their influence on your behalf freeze the balls off a brass monkey: see brass monkey at BRASS. fright freeze your blood fill you with feelings of look a fright have a dishevelled or grotesque fear or horror. appearance, informal

j O According to the medieval physiological frighten I scheme of the four humours in the human frighten the daylights out of: see DAYLIGHT. 117 full frighten the life out of: see LIFE. fruit frightened bear fruit have good results. frightened of your own shadow: see I O This expression is a biblical metaphor, afraid of your own shadow at SHADOW. I found, for example, in Matthew 13:23:'But j he that received seed into the good ground is I be frightened out of your wits: see WIT. i he that heareth the word, and understandeth j be frightened to death: see DEATH. ! it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth i forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some j frightener j thirty'. j put the frighteners on threaten or intimidate. British informal frying out of the frying pan into the fire from a bad i O Literally, a frightener is a thug who i intimidates victims on behalf of a gang. situation to one that is worse. 1998 John Milne Alive & Kicking She decides fudgto e put the frighteners on him by hiring me as a fudge factor a figure which is included in a private detective. calculation in order to account for some unquantified but significant phenomenon fritz or to ensure a desired result. go (or be) on the fritz (of a machine) stop working properly. North American informal I O Fudge, apparently originating in the mid j ! 18th century as an exclamation of disgust or j ! O The nature of any connection with Fritz, I irritation, later acquired a specific verbal \ the derogatory nickname for a German, is I sense in printers' jargon, meaning to 'do i uncertain. The related phrase put the fritz on \ i work imperfectly or as best you can with the j i means'put a stop to something'. j materials available'. frog fuel have a frog in your throat lose your voice or add fuel to the fire (or flames) (of a person or find it hard to speak because of hoarseness circumstance) cause a situation or conflict or an apparent impediment in your throat. to become more intense, especially by informal provocative comments. front full front of house Q the parts of a theatre in at full cock (of a firearm) with the cock lifted front of the proscenium arch, ©the to the position at which the trigger will act. business of a theatre that concerns the at full stretch: see STRETCH. audience, such as ticket sales. come full circle: see CIRCLE. on the front burner: see on the back burner in full cry: see CRY. at BURNER. full as a goog: see GOOG. frosty the full monty: see MONTY. it'll be a frosty Friday (in July) used to full of beans: see BEAN. indicate that something is very unlikely to full of years having lived to a considerable happen. Canadian informal age. archaic 1990 Walter Stewart Right Church, Wrong Pew It would be a frosty Friday in the middle of July j O Full of years is an expression originating before he would discuss personal affairs with i in the Authorized Version of the Bible: 'an old j the press. j man, and full of years'(Genesis 25:8). full pelt: see PELT. froth full steam (or speed) ahead used to indicate froth (or foam) at the mouth be very angry. that you should proceed with as much i O This phrasestems from the involuntary speed or energy as possible. I production of large amounts of saliva from ! the mouth during a seizure or fit. in full fig: see FIG. in full flight: see FLIGHT. fullness 118 in full flow: see FLOW. the fur will fly there will be serious, perhaps in full swing: see SWING. violent, trouble, informal not the full quid: see QUID. i © This phrase originated in the early 19th not playing with a full deck: see DECK. i century, in the US. The image is of a furious ! fight between dogs or cats. on a full stomach: see STOMACH. to the full to the greatest possible extent. furiously full whack: see top whack at WHACK. give someone furiously to think: see THINK. fullness the fullness of your (or the) heart great or furniture overwhelming emotion, literary part of the furniture a person or thing that has been somewhere so long as to seem a in the fullness of time after a due length of permanent, unquestioned, or invisible time has elapsed; eventually. feature of the scene, informal fun fury poke fun at: see POKE. like fury with great energy or effort, informal fund i O This expression dates from the mid in funds having money to spend. British I 19thcentury, but fury has been used of things i i that operate with irresistible force since the funeral ! late 16th century (e.g.'the fury of the sea'). it's (or that's) someone's funeral used to 1994-5 Game Gazette I was to fish it [the warn someone that an unwise act or Zambesi] for the legendary Tiger decision is their own responsibility, informal fish... that... has a mouth of teeth like a 1996 Amitav Ghosh The Calcutta Chromosome canteen of cutlery and fights like fury. I'll turn a few pages for you; but remember, it was you who asked. It's your funeral. fuse light the fuse: see LIGHT. funny see the funny side of something appreciate future the humorous aspect of a situation or future shock a state of distress or experience. disorientation due to rapid social or technological change. fur be all fur coat and no knickers have an j O This phrase was coined by the American impressive or sophisticated appearance ! writer Alvin Toff 1er in Horizon (1965), where j which belies the fact that there is nothing i he defines it as 'the dizzying disorientation i brought on by the premature arrival of the to substantiate it. British informal j future'. fur and feather game animals and birds. Gg gad game on (or upon) the gad on the move. ahead of the game: see AHEAD. O The noun gad is archaic and is now used beat someone at their own game: see only in this expression. The verb gad meaning BEAT. 'go from one place to another in search of as game as Ned Kelly very brave. Australian pleasure', is more familiar today; both may have their origins in an obsolete ! O Ned Kelly (1855-80) was a famous word gadling, meaning 'a wanderer or ! Australian outlaw, the leader of a band of vagabond'. j horse and cattle thieves and bank raiders j operating in Victoria; he was eventually j hanged at Melbourne. gaff blow the gaff reveal or let out a plot or the game is up the plan, deception, or crime secret. is revealed or foiled. game on Qa signal for play to begin in a j O The word gaff is recorded from the early i game or match. © said when you feel that a j 19th century, but its origins are uncertain. situation is about to develop in your favour. informal gaiety 01999 FHM She soon invited me back to her the gaiety of nations general cheerfulness or place for the other. Game on! amusement. British game over said when a situation is regarded O In The Lives of the English Poets, Samuel as hopeless or irreversible. Johnson wrote about the death of the great j O This expression probably comes from the j actor David Garrick (1717-79), remarking j use of the phrase at the conclusion of a that it 'has eclipsed the gaiety of nations and j computer game. impoverished the public stock of harmless pleasure'. 2001 Wall Street Journal There's a finite amount of money available, and, if it runs out, game gait over. go your (or your own) gait pursue your own give the game away inadvertently reveal course, dated your own or another's intentions. 1940 Herbert Read Annals of Innocence These the name of the game: see NAME. are qualities to be enjoyed by non-poetic off (or on) your game playing badly (or well). people: the poet must go his own gait. on the game involved in prostitution. British gall informal dip your pen in gall: see DIP. O The phrase itself apparently dates from the late 19th century, but game in the sense wormwood and gall: see WORMWOOD. of 'sexual activity' is much older. Shakespeare talks of 'daughters of the game' in Troilus and gallery Cressida (1606) and from the early 17th play to the gallery act in an exaggerated or century gamester was a term used to describe histrionic manner, especially in order to a lewd person. appeal to popular taste. the only game in town the best or most O From the mid 17th century the highest important of its kind; the only thing worth seating in a theatre was called the gallery, concerning yourself with, informal and it was here that the cheapest seats—and 1998 Spectator But there is... a sense of the least refined members of the audience— resentment that the big set-piece political were to be found. This figurative expression interviews are not now the only game in dates from the late 19th century. town. gamut 120 play games deal with someone or something 1987 Washington Times The computer rule in a way that lacks due seriousness or 'garbage in, garbage out' applies to the human respect or deviates from the truth. mind just as much as it does to the computer. 2000 Mike Gayle Turning Thirty I couldn't stand him at first. I'd have a conversation garden with him and would come away feeling like everything in the garden is lovely (or rosy) he was playing games with me. all is well, informal play someone's game advance another's j O Everything in the garden is lovely was an ! plans, whether intentionally or not. ! early 20th-century catchphrase, originating play the game behave in a fair or honourable j in a song popularized by the English music- way; abide by the rules or conventions. ! hall artiste Marie Lloyd (1870-1922), and is j used as an expression of general satisfaction j 1993 Andy McNab Bravo Two Zero Shorncliffe i and contentment. was a nightmare, but I learned to play the game. I had to—there was nothing else lead someone up the garden path give for me. someone misleading clues or signals. two can play at that game: see TWO. informal what's your (or the) game? what's going on?; what are you up to? informal ; O The earliest (early 20th-century) examples j i of this phrase use just garden rather than j garden path, which suggeststhatthe original j gamut j context was of someone enticing a person run the gamut experience, display, or ! they wanted to seduce or flirt with out into a j perform the complete range of something. j garden. A North American variant of the ! phrase is lead someone down the garden ! O Gamut is a contraction of medieval Latin i i path. ! gamma ut, gamma being the lowest note in j i the medieval musical scale and ut the first i of the six notes forming a hexachord. Garnet i Together, therefore, they represent the full all Sir Garnet highly satisfactory, informal, dated j range of notes of which a voice or an i instrument is capable. | O Sir Garnet Wolseley (1833-1913), leader j I of several successful military expeditions, was ; 1996 Europe: Rough Guide Russia's hotels run i associated with major reforms in the army. He j the gamut from opulent citadels run as joint- j was the model for the 'modern Major- ventures with foreign firms to seedy pits | General' in Gilbert and Sullivan's The Pirates \ inhabited by mobsters. ! of Penzance. gangbusters gas go gangbusters proceed very vigorously or all gas and gaiters a satisfactory state of successfully. North American informal affairs, informal, dated j O Literally, a gangbuster is 'a person who | O This expression was first recorded in j assists in the vigorous or violent break-up of i j Charles Dickens' NicholasNickleby 0839): 'All | j criminal gangs', from which the more general j | is gas and gaiters'. j sense of 'a successful person' has developed. | The phrase like gangbusters means 1961 P. G. Wodehouse Ice in the Bedroom She j 'vigorously and successfully'. cries 'Oh, Freddie darling!' and flings herself into his arms, and all is gas and gaiters again. 1994 Wall Street Journal Sotheby's glamorous semi-annual black tie auction of contem­ run out of gas run out of energy; lose porary art was going gangbusters. momentum. North American informal step on the gas press on the accelerator to garbage make a car go faster. North American informal garbage in, garbage out incorrect or poor gasket quality input inevitably produces faulty output. blow a gasket Q suffer a leak in a gasket of an engine, ©lose your temper, informal j O This expression is often abbreviated as ! GIGO. The phrase originated in the mid 20th j gasp j century in the field of computing, but it can your (or the) last gasp the point of death, ! now have a more general application. exhaustion, or completion. 121 get

1996 Will Hutton The State We're In The failure O A genie or jinnee in Arabian stories is a of the 1994 rail strike was the last gasp of an spirit that can adopt various forms and take a old order. mischievous or benign hand in human affairs. The genie generally inhabits a lamp (compare gate with Aladdin's lamp at ALADDIN) or bottle from which someone can release it by the get (or be given) the gate be dismissed from appropriatewordsoractions. The Arabic word a job. North American informal appears in English in various transliterations; genie derives from French génie (from Latin gatepost genius meaning 'a tutelary spirit'), used by between you and me and the gatepost: see the French translators of The Arabian Nights between you and me and the bedpost at because it was similar in form and sense to the Arabic word. BEDPOST. 2002 Chicago Tribune Keeping the nuclear gauntlet genie in the bottle has not been easy. India and run the gauntlet go through an intimidating Pakistan have both developed nuclear or dangerous crowd, place, or experience weapons in recent years. in order to reach a goal. gentleman i O This phrase alludes to the former military ; ! practice of punishing a wrongdoer by forcing j a gentleman's agreement an arrangement ! him to run between two lines of men armed I or understanding which is based on the ; with sticks, who beat him as he passed. i trust of both or all parties, rather than i Gaunr/et here has nothing to do with a glove, I being legally binding. j but is a version of an earlier word gantlope, 1991 Charles Anderson Grain: Entrepreneurs I itself taken from Swedish gatloppe, which There had been a 'gentleman's agreement' j meant 'lane course'. by the Grain Growers not to enter the markets of Saskatchewan Wheat Pool's throw down (or take up) the gauntlet issue predecessor. (or accept) a challenge. the little gentleman in the velvet coat the j O In medieval times, a person issued a mole, humorous ; challenge by throwing their gauntlet (i.e. ! glove) to the ground; whoever picked it up ! O This expression was a toast used by the : was deemed to have accepted the challenge, j j Jacobites, supporters of the deposed James II ! j and his descendants in their claim to the j British throne. It referred to the belief that gear i the death of King William III resulted from j complications following a fall from his horse j change gear begin to move or act differently, j when it stumbled over a molehill. The phrase j usually more rapidly. j is found in various other forms, including the j ; O This expression derives from literally j wee gentleman in black velvet. ! engaging a different gear of a motor vehicle ; i in order to alter its speed. Compare with in ! gear (with a gear engaged, and so ready for I genuine I action) and its opposite out of gear. To j the genuine article a person or thing i move up a gear means literally 'change to a j considered to be an authentic and j higher gear'; the phrase is often used excellent example of their kind. j figuratively to mean 'put more effort into an j ! activity'. George give someone the gears harass or pester let George do it let someone else do the work someone. Canadian or take the responsibility. 1989 Guy Vanderhaeghe Homesick Whenever Daniel gave him the gears about overdressing, the old man grew sulky and get grouchy. as — as all get out to a great or extreme extent. North American informal genie 1990 M. Scott Peck A Bed by the Window She could be as huffy as all get out. let the genie out of (or put the genie back in) the bottle let loose (or bring back under be out to get someone be determined to control) an unpredictable force, course of punish or harm someone. events, etc. don't get mad, get even used to advise in ghost 122

favour of revenge rather than fruitless the gift of tongues: see TONGUE. rage, informal God's (own) gift to —: see GOD. j O This expression was a saying popularized j in the gift of (of a church living or official i by the US president John F. Kennedy, who appointment) in the power of someone to | called it'that wonderful law of the Boston award. j Irish political jungle'. look a gift horse in the mouth find fault with 1998 New Scientist The Wellcome Trust doesn't what has been given or be ungrateful for an get mad, it gets even. opportunity. get it together get yourself or a situation i O The Latin version of the proverb don't organized or under control, informal ! look a gift horse in the mouth (noli... equi get-up-and-go energy, enthusiasm, and \ dentés inspicere donati) was known to St initiative, informal j Jerome in the early 5th century AD. The 16th- ! ; century English form was do not look a given \ I © A mid 19th-century US colloquialism was i I horse in the mouth. i 'get up and get'. 1998 New Scientist The JAMA paper offers this get your own back have your revenge; advice to researchers involved in industry- retaliate British informal funded studies: 'At times it may be prudent... to look a gift horse in the mouth'. ghost gild the ghost in the machine the mind viewed as gild the lily try to improve what is already distinct from the body. beautiful or excellent. j © This phrase was coined by the British i O This phrase adapts lines from ! philosopher Gilbert Ryle in The Concept of ! Shakespeare's King John: 'To gild refined | Mind (1949) for a viewpoint that he ! gold, to paint the lily.. .Is wasteful and ; considered completely misleading. j ridiculous excess'. the ghost walks money is available and salaries will be paid. gill ! O This expression has been explained in green about the gills: see GREEN. j theatrical phrasebooks by the story that an j actor playing the ghost of Hamlet's father gilt j refused to'walk again'until the cast's take the gilt off the gingerbread make ; overdue salaries had been paid. something no longer appealing. give up the ghost Q (of a person) die. © (of a j O Gingerbread was traditionally made in machine) stop working; break down, i decorative forms that were then ornamented I especially permanently. © stop making an i with gold leaf. effort; give up hope.

i O The °ld English meaning of ghost, 'the ginger j soul or spirit as the source of life', survives ginger group a highly active faction within a i only in this idiom. party or movement that presses for stronger action on a particular issue, informal look as if you have seen a ghost look very pale and shocked. i O An old horse dealer's trick (recorded from j j the late 18th century) to make a broken- not have (or stand) the ghost of a chance ; down animal look lively was to insert ginger ; have no chance at all. i into its anus. From this developed the ! metaphorical phrase ginger up, meaning gift ! 'make someone or something more lively'; in : the gift of the gab the ability to speak with i the early 20th century the term ginger group \ eloquence and fluency. \ arose, to refer to a highly active faction in a ! party or movement that presses for stronger j i O Gab, dating from the late 18th century, j action about something. ! was an informal word for 'conversation or j chatter'. In Scotland it was associated with 1970 New Society The appearance of ginger ! gab, an early 18th-century dialect variant of j groups to fight specific proposals, is not j gob meaning 'the mouth'. necessarily a bad thing—particularly if the established bodies aren't prepared to fight. 123 glove gingerbread gizzard take the gilt off the gingerbread: see GILT. stick in your gizzard be a source of great and continuing annoyance, informal gird gird (up) your loins prepare and strengthen glad yourself for what is to come. give someone the glad hand offer someone a warm and hearty, but often insincere, i O This expression is of biblical origin, the j idea being that the long, loose garments greeting or welcome, informal j worn in the ancient Orient had to be hitched in your glad rags in your smartest clothes; in i up to avoid impeding a person's movement, formal evening dress, informal j In 1 Kings 18:45-6, we find: 'And Ahab rode, 1922 H. B. Hermon-Hodge Up Against It In j and went to Jezreel. And ... Elijah ... girded Nigeria We all turned out in our glad rags to j up his loins, and ran before Ahab to the join in the procession. ! entrance of Jezreel'. The phrase was also used j metaphorically in the New Testament: i 'Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be glassy I sober, and hope to the end for the grace the (or just the) glassy the most excellent i that is to be brought unto you ... ' (1 Peter person or thing. Australian informal | 1:13). ! O In mid 20th-century surfing slang, a g/assy i i is an extremely smooth wave offering girl I excellent surfing conditions. page three girl: see PAGE. gleam give a gleam (or twinkle) in someone's eye Qa give and take Q mutual concessions and barely formed idea. © a child who has not compromises, ©exchange of words and yet been conceived, humorous views. give as good as you get respond with glitter all that glitters is not gold the attractive equal force or vehemence when attacked. external appearance of something is not a give someone or something best: see BEST. reliable indication of its true nature, proverb give someone furiously to think: see THINK. give the game (or show) away inadvertently gloom reveal something secret or concealed. doom and gloom: see DOOM. give it to someone scold or punish someone. glory informal crowning glory: see CROWNING. give me — I prefer or admire a specified go to glory die or be destroyed. thing. in your glory in a state of extreme joy or 1998 BBC Vegetarian Good Food Iceberg lettuce is a massive Eighties con—give me a round exaltation, informal lettuce any day. give or take — to within — (used to express glove the degree or accuracy of a figure), informal fit like a glove (of clothes) fit exactly. 1991 Biyi Bandele-Thomas The Man who Came 1989 T. M. Albert Tales of an Ulster Detective in from the Back of Beyond Aged twenty-five give McNinch invited him to try the shoe on or take a few years, he spoke in a detached his foot, which he did—and it fitted him voice, like a judge passing the death sentence. like a glove. give up the ghost: see GHOST. the gloves are off (or with the gloves off or give someone what for punish or scold take the gloves off) used to express the someone severely. British informal notion that something will be done in an give yourself airs: see AIR. uncompromising or brutal way, without not give a damn (or hoot) not care at all. compunction or hesitation. informal I O The contrast implied in this phrase is with j 1998 Penelope Lively Spiderweb The boys knew I a gloved hand handling things gently or in a ! that the teachers didn't like them and they i civilized way. j didn't give a damn. glutton 124 glutton go down with (all) guns firing fail or be beaten, but continue to offer resistance a glutton for punishment a person who is always eager to undertake hard or until the end. unpleasant tasks. go figure said to express the speaker's belief that something is inexplicable. North ! O Glutton of— was used figuratively from American informal j the early 18th century for someone ! inordinately fond of the thing specified, 1999 Massive In the last election, the Tories i especially when translating the Latin phrase got 19 per cent of the votes in Scotland j helluo librorum 'a glutton of books'. The and have no MPs there at all, while the Lib ! possible origin of the present phrase is in Dems got 13 per cent and have 10 MPs. Go j early 19th-century sporting slang. figure. go great guns: see GUN. gnash go halves (or shares) share something equally. gnash your teeth feel or express anger or fury. go (to) it act in a vigorous, energetic, or dissipated way. British informal ! O The gnashing of teeth, along with 1995 Times While there is time, become j weeping or wailing, is used throughout the an activist, disrupt political meetings. Go j Bible to express a mixture of remorse and toit. j rage (for example, in Matthew 8:12: 'But the i j children of the kingdom shall be cast out into I go postal: see POSTAL. j outer darkness: there shall be weeping and go the way of all flesh: see FLESH. i gnashing of teeth'). go the whole hog: see HOG. 1998 Times Prepare yourself for the usual go well used to express good wishes to wailing and gnashing of teeth after someone leaving. South African tomorrow's retail price index figures. have a go O make an attempt; act gnat resourcefully. 0 take independent or single-handed action against a criminal or strain at a gnat: see STRAIN. criminals. gnome have a go at attack or criticize someone. chiefly British gnomes of Zurich Swiss financiers or bankers, regarded as having sinister make a go of be successful in something. influence, derogatory informal

I O This phrase stems from a remark made by j i O An Australian and New Zealand variant of j j the British politician Harold Wilson in a i this expression is make a do of it, which dates \ ! speech in 1956:'all the little gnomes in j from the early 20th century. I Zurich... about whom we keep on hearing'. 1987 Evelyn E. Smith Miss Melville Returns He'd been unable to make a go of life in the city, and so he'd returned to the small New England go village he came from. all systems go: see SYSTEM. on the go very active or busy, informal be all go be very busy or active, informal to go (of food or drink from a restaurant or from go to whoa from start to finish. cafe) to be eaten or drunk off the premises. from the word go from the very beginning. North American informal. 1997 Bridget O'Connor Tell Her You Love Her Mgoar l Parker was in love with me almost from the score an own goal Q(in football) score a word go. goal by mistake against your own side. go ape: see APE. 0 do something that has the unintended go-as-you-please untrammelled or free. effect of harming your own interests. 1998 Canal Boat and Inland Waterways Enjoy a informal go-as-you-please cruise aboard one of our all 01991 Brian MacArthur Despatches from the weather self drive luxury day boats. Gulf War Television's mission to explain was taken to its outer limit and at times scored an go ballistic: see BALLISTIC. own goal by developing a bias against go bananas: see BANANA. understanding. 125 golden goalpost goes move the goalposts unfairly alter the anything goes there are no rules about conditions or rules of a procedure during acceptable behaviour or dress. its course. j O This phrase appeared earlier, in the late 1989 Dimensions Many companies have, in | 19th century, as everything goes. recent years, moved the goalposts so that those who used to qualify no longer do so. as (or so) far as it goes bearing in mind its limitations (said when qualifying praise of goat something). get someone's goat irritate someone. what goes around comes around the informai consequences of your actions will have to 1998 Andrea Ashworth Once in a House on Vire It be dealt with eventually, proverb got his goat when he caught me... with my nose stuck in a book turned the wrong way up. who goes there? said by a sentry as a challenge. play (or act) the (giddy) goat fool around; act irresponsibly, informal going going, going, gone! an auctioneer's God traditional announcement that bidding is God's acre a churchyard, archaic closing or closed, and that this is the last chance to have something, informal i O This phrase comes from the German word j going on — (or going on for—) approaching i Gottesacker meaning 'God's seed field' in i which the bodies of the dead are 'sown'. a specified time, age, or amount, humorous 1994 Janice Galloway Foreign Parts Cassie, God's (own) gift to — the ideal or best carrying this bloody windsurfing board possible person or thing for someone or through customs. Thirty-one going on something (used chiefly ironically or in fifteen. negative statements). have — going for you have a specified factor 1998 Spectator Their [the English] hooligans, or factors in your favour, informal their pressmen, hell, even their footballers 1997 Marian Keyes Rachel's Holiday All we behave as if they were God's own gift to really had going for us was our hair; sport. mine was long and dark and hers was long God willing used to express the wish that you and blonde. will be able to do as you intend or that while the going is good while conditions are something will happen as planned. favourable. I O This is an expression found in many j cultures: compare with Latin deo volente or j gold I Arabic inshallah. fool's gold: see FOOL. go gold (of a recording) achieve sales in the lap of the gods: see LAP. meriting a gold disc. little tin god a self-important person. pot (or crock) of gold a large but distant or j O Tin is implicitly contrasted here with illusory reward. i precious metals. The phrase seems to have j originated in Rudyard Kipling's Plain Tales i O This expression alludes to the traditional j j from the Hills, where he described idols that j i story that a pot of gold is to be found by i he thought were given undeserved j anyone who succeeds in reaching the end of a j i veneration:'Pleasant it is for the Little Tin i rainbow. j Gods When great Jove nods; But Little Tin ! Gods make their little mistakes In missing the i worth your weight in gold: see WEIGHT. j hour when great Jove wakes'. gold dust 1987 Fannie Flagg Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe This little tin God in the like gold dust very valuable and rare. polyester suit and the three-pound shoes. So smug, so self-important, with the nurses golden fluttering around him like geisha girls. a golden age a period in the past when play God behave as if all-powerful or things were at their best, happiest, or most supremely important. successful. gone 126

! O According to Greek and Roman 1997 Cosmopolitan If you are famous, you ; mythology, the Golden Age was the earliest ; can't allow someone to diss you without | and best age of the world, when human retaliating—it's as good as admitting they're i beings lived in a state of perfect happiness. more important than you. i The Ages of Silver, Brass, and Iron as good as gold extremely well-behaved. I represented successive stages of a descent i into barbarism and misery. as good as new in a very good condition or state, especially close to the original state a golden calf something, especially wealth, after damage, injury, or illness. as an object of excessive or unworthy be good news: see NEWS. worship. be in good company: see COMPANY. i © In the Bible, the golden calf was a statue ! be — to the good have a specified amount of i of gold in the shape of a calf, made by Aaron ; profit or advantage. j in response to the Israelites'plea for a god 1992 Guardian By then Sheffield were a goal to : while they awaited Moses' return from the good. : Mount Sinai, where he was receiving the i Ten Commandments (Exodus, chapter 32). come up with (or deliver) the goods do what is expected or required of you. a golden handshake a sum of money paid by informal an employer to a retiring or redundant get (or have) the goods on someone obtain employee. (or possess) information about a person ; © On the same principle, the phrase a which may be used to their detriment. ! golden hello was coined in the late 20th informal i century. It is explained in an Appointments : section of the New Scientist in 1998: good and — used as an intensifier before an j 'Employers. ..especially in the financial adjective or adverb, informal i sector, are offering "golden hellos". These 1998 Barbara Kingsolver The Poisonwood Bible j are advances of up to £2000, sometimes given j As soon as I had her good and terrified I'd slip j on acceptance of a job offer or with the first j away. j month's salary.' good oil reliable information. Australian informal the golden mean the avoidance of extremes. j O This expression has behind it the image of i : O This phrase translates the Latin phrase j oil that is used to lubricate a machine and so j ! aurea mediocritas, which comes from the i ensure that it runs well. | Roman poet Horace's Odes. good Samaritan: see SAMARITAN. the golden section the division of a line so have a (good) mind to do something: see that the whole is to the greater part as that MIND. part is to the smaller part. in good time ©with no risk of being late. j O This is a mathematical term for a ©in due course but without haste. j proportion known since the 4th century and j | mentioned in the works of the Greek in someone's good books: see in someone's j mathematician Euclid. It has been called by bad books at BOOK. i several names, but the mid 19th-century make good be successful. | German one goldene Schnitt, translating no good to gundy no good at all. Australian i Latin sectio aurea, has given rise to the i current English term. informal 1955 Nina Pulliam I Traveled a Lonely Land Just cards and races and booze—and fightin'. No gone good to Gundy! gone with the wind: see WIND. one good turn deserves another: see TURN. gong take something in good part not be kick the gong around: see KICK. offended by something. up to no good doing or intending to do good something wrong, informal all to the good to be welcomed without 1997 lain Sinclair Lights Out for the Territory qualification. 'Here we are then,' he said, 'two boyos from the valleys up to no good in the big, wicked as good as — very nearly —. city.' 127 grain goog gospel full as a goog very drunk. Australian informal gospel truth the absolute truth, informal 1998 Mirror Any research that puts down men ! O Goog is slang for 'egg', but its origins are j is accepted as gospel truth these days. ; uncertain. Gotham goose a wise man of Gotham: see WISE. all someone's geese are swans someone gourd habitually exaggerates the merits of out of your gourd Q out of your mind; crazy, undistinguished people or things. ©under the influence of alcohol or drugs. ! O The goose is proverbially contrasted North American informal I with the swan as being the clumsier, 01988 Jay Mclnerney The Story of My Life After ! less elegant, and less distinguished bird; ten minutes I'm bored out of my gourd. i compare with turn geese into swans ©1993 Stephen King Gerald's Game I was 'on i below. medication' (this is the technical hospital term for 'stoned out of one's gourd'). cook someone's goose: see COOK. kill the goose that lays the golden egg(s) grab destroy a reliable and valuable source of up for grabs available; obtainable, informal income. ! O This phrase was originally mid 20th- i O 0r|e of Aesop's fables tells the tale of a ; century US slang, relating especially to a i man who owned a miraculous goose that laid j i woman who is open to sexual advances. ! eggs of gold. However, he grew dissatisfied i with its production of just one egg a day and j j killed it in the deluded expectation of finding j grace ; a large quantity of gold inside it. be in someone's good (or bad) graces be 1999 New York Times Change is needed in the regarded by someone with favour (or nation's drug policies... But we need to disfavour). address the problem carefully in a way fall from grace O fall into a state of sin. @ fall that doesn't kill the goose that lays the from favour. golden egg. 01998 Martin Booth The Industry of Souls He turn geese into swans exaggerate the merits was an officer in the local militia before he of people. arrested a young official... for corruption and fell from grace. what's sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander: see SAUCE. with good (or bad) grace in a willing and happy [or resentful and reluctant) manner. Gordian grade cut the Gordian knot: see CUT. make the grade succeed; reach the desired gorge standard, informal cast the gorge at reject with loathing, dated grain your gorge rises you are sickened or against the grain contrary to the natural disgusted. inclination or feeling of someone or something. : O Gorge is an obsolete term from falconry, i I meaning 'a meal for a hawk'; from this | O Tn's phrase alludes to the fact that wood j i derives the more general sense of 'the i iseasiertocutalongthelineofthegrainthan i I contents of the stomach'. j across or against it.

a grain of mustard seed a small thing gory capable of vast development. the gory details the explicit details of something. I O Black mustard seed grows to a great 1988 David Carpenter God's Bedfellows She i height. In Matthew 13:31-2 it is stated that starts telling me some of the gory details... it j 'mustard seed.. .indeed is the least of all i seeds: but when it is grown, it is the greatest i was cancer... and everybody knew he was I among herbs'. dying. grand 128 grand voter; among the rank and file of a political party. a (or the) grand old man of a man long and highly respected in a particular field. the grass is always greener other people's lives or situations always seem better than i O Recorded from 1882, and popularly your own. j abbreviated as GOM, Grand Old Man was the j i nickname of the British statesman William ! O This is a shortened form of the proverb j Ewart Gladstone (1809-98), who went on to j j 'the grass is always greener on the other side j j win his last election in 1892 at the age of j ofthefence', usually used as a caution against j j eighty-three. j dissatisfaction with your own lot in life. There ! ! area number of sayings about the attractions I j of something distant or inaccessible, for grandeur j example blue are the faraway hills. delusions of grandeur: see DELUSION. not let the grass grow under your feet grandmother not delay in acting or taking an teach your grandmother to suck eggs opportunity. presume to advise a more experienced put someone or something out to grass person. ©put an animal out to graze, ©force someone to retire; make someone ; O The proverb you can't teach your \ grandmother to suck eggs has been used redundant, informal j since the early 18th century as a caution i against any attempt by the ignorant or grasshopper j inexperienced to instruct someone wiser or knee-high to a grasshopper: see KNEE- j more knowledgeable. HIGH. grape grave sour grapes: see SOUR. dig your own grave: see DIG. have one foot in the grave: see FOOT. grapevine silent (or quiet) as the grave very quiet. hear something on the grapevine acquire take the (oryour etc.) secret to the grave die information by rumour or by unofficial communication. without revealing a secret. turn (or turn over) in their grave used to ! O This phrase comes originally from an ! American Civil War expression, when news express the opinion that something would j was said to be passed'by grapevine have caused anger or distress in someone i telegraph'. Compare with bush telegraph who is now dead. ! (at TELEGRAPH). 1998 Spectator There was a lot of buzz at JeffKoons's studio... But the grinding noise one heard was Peter Fuller turning in his grasp grave. grasp at straws: see clutch at straws at STRAW. graven grasp the nettle tackle a difficulty boldly. a graven image a carved representation of a British god used as an object of worship. j O This expression refers to a belief (recorded ; ! from the late 16th century onwards) ; O This expression is from the second of the j i enshrined in a rhyme quoted in Sean i Ten Commandments: 'Thou shalt not make ! 0'Casey's7i7noanc/thePaycoc/c(1925):'lfyou j ; unto thee any graven image' (Exodus 20:4). j gently touch a nettle it'll sting you for your j pains; grasp it like a lad of mettle, an'as soft j j as silk remains'. gravy 1998 New Scientist The problem was that board the gravy train obtain access to an governments failed to grasp the nettle and easy source of financialgain , informal scrap the system. I © Gravy is an informal term for 'money i easily acquired' and gravy train is perhaps an j grass j alteration of gravy boat, a long, narrow jug j used for serving gravy. at the grass roots at the level of the ordinary 129 grey

O This proverb refers to the Trojan priest grease Laocoon's warning in Virgil's Aeneid: 'timeo grease (or oil) someone's palm bribe Danaos et dona ferentes', in which he warns someone, informal his countrymen against taking into their city the gigantic wooden horse that the Greeks ; O This phrase comes from the practice of have left behind on their apparent ! applying grease to a machine to make it run j departure. The fall of Troy results from their i smoothly. The same expression exists in failure to heed this warning. j French as graisser la patte. The form with i palm is now predominant but hand appears j | in the earliest recorded versions of the idiom, j | dating from the 16th century. green green about (or around or at) the gills 1998 Economist Licences to run a shop [in Italy]... have caused many an official's palm to looking or feeling ill or nauseous. be greased. informal grease the wheels make things go smoothly, i O A person's gills are the fleshy parts especially by paying the expenses. j between the jaw and the ears: this sense of | the word dates from the early 17th century, i Other colours are occasionally used to greased I indicate a sickly appearance; much less like greased lightning: see like lightning at I common is rosy about the gills indicating LIGHTNING. ; good health. greasy green light permission to go ahead with a greasy spoon a cheap, run-down restaurant project. or cafe serving fried foods. i O The green light referred to is the traffic 1968 Len Deighton Only When I Larf Bob said he ; signal indicating that traffic is free to was hungry and wanted to pull up at every i move forward. Red and green lights were greasy spoon we passed. i in use from the late 19th century in railway j signals, but this figurative use of green great j light appears to date from the mid 20th the great and the good distinguished and j century. worthy people collectively, often ironic 1997 New Scientist Zemin even got the green 1998 New Scientist But last year, an ad hoc light to buy nuclear power plants. committee of the Internet's great and good unveiled its own plan. green with envy very envious or jealous. great and small of all sizes, classes, or types. the green-eyed monster jealousy, literary 1997 Times Education Supplement You are : O Green is traditionally the colour of strongly advised to keep well clear of all ! jealousy, as shown in the previous idiom creatures great and small. j green with envy and in this one, where the a great one for a habitual doer of; an j green-eyed monster is jealousy personified, enthusiast for. j This expression is a quotation from 1994 Romesh Gunesekera Reef Early on I I Shakespeare's Othello, where lago warns: learned the value of making lists from : 'O! beware my lord of jealousy; It is the watching Mister Salgado. He was a great one j green-eyed monster which doth mock The j meat it feeds on'. for lists. Greek it's all Greek to me I can't understand it at all. grey informal a grey area an ill-defined situation or field not readily conforming to a category or to j O Greek meaning 'unintelligible language an existing set of rules. ! or gibberish' is recorded from the 16th ! century. In Shakespeare's A///'us Caesar, Casca, j i O In the 1960s, grey areas in British planning j j having noted that Cicero speaks Greek, adds i j vocabularyreferredtoplacesthatwerenotin j i 'for mine own part, it was Greek to me'. j j as desperate a state as slums but which were j ; in decline and in need of rebuilding. beware (or fear) the Greeks bearing gifts if 2001 Rough Guide to Travel Health In theory, rivals or enemies show apparent it should be a cinch to diagnose appendicitis, generosity or kindness, you should be but in practice it's much more of a grey suspicious of their motives, proverb area. grief 130 grief move more and more slowly and then come to grief have an accident; meet with stop. disaster. 1999 Times Traffic is expected to grind to a halt 2000 R. W. Holden Taunton Cider & Langdons throughout the West Country as up to a The historian... will see no trace of the million sightseers make the trip. battlefield where Charles's grandson, the grindstone Duke of Monmouth, came to grief. keep your nose to the grindstone work hard give someone grief be a nuisance to and continuously. someone, informal 1998 Times One of the passengers who'd been j O A grindstone was a thick revolving disc giving the cabin crew grief started yelling, ! of stone on which knives and tools were 'We've had a near miss.' ! sharpened. Appearing in various forms j since the mid 16th century, this idiom grig ! originally referred to getting mastery over j someone else by forcing them to work merry (or lively) as a grig full of fun; I without a break. extravagantly lively. j O The meaning and origin of the word grig grip j are unknown. Samuel Johnson conjectured in j his Dictionary that it referred to 'anything come (or get) to grips with Qengage in j below the natural size'. A sense that physical combat with. © begin to deal with j fits in with the lively version of this idiom is 'a or understand. ! young or small eel in fresh water'. The get a grip keep or recover your self-control. ! phrases merry grig and merry Greek, 2000 Jo-Ann Goodwin Danny Boy I took a deep ! meaning 'a lively, playful person', were both breath, trying desperately to get a grip, to hold ! in use in the mid 16th century, but it is myself together. ! impossible to establish the precise i relationship between them or to be certain grist ! which may be an alteration of the other. grist to the mill experience, material, or knowledge which can be turned to good grim use. like (or for) grim death with intense determination. ! O Grist in the sense of 'corn that is to be | ground'is now used only in this phrase and in i 1989 Jonathan Gash Jade Woman Here and j the proverb all is grist that comes to the mill. \ there a greenish scumble of vegetation hung ! The word is related to Old Saxon gristgrimmo \ on for grim death. j meaning'gnashing of teeth'. the Grim Reaper a personification of death in the form of a cloaked skeleton wielding a large scythe. grit true grit strength of character; stamina. grin informal grin and bear it suffer pain or misfortune in a ! O Grit in this colloquial sense originated in stoical manner. ; early 19th-century US English. ; O The usual modern sense of grin is less ; sinister than its earliest senses: when it Grody j entered the language it primarily meant'an ; i act of showing the teeth'or'a snarl'. From the j Grody to the max unspeakably awful. US i mid 17th century to the mid 18th century, a informal i grin was generally used in a derogatory way ; j O Grody is probably an alteration of i or in unfavourable contrast to a cheerful j grotesque and to the max of to the maximum j I smile. The sense of grin in grin and bear it j point. \ retains the earlier associations with showing j I your teeth in a grimace of pain oranger. Grin \ I and abide is recorded as a proverb in the late j j 18th century; the modern version dates from j groove j the late 19th century. in (or into) the groove ©performing well or confidently, especially in an established pattern. @ indulging in relaxed and grind spontaneous enjoyment, especially grind to a halt (or come to a grinding halt) dancing, informal 131 guest

! O A groove is the spiral track cut in a j gramophone record that forms the path for grove I the needle. In the groove is first found in the j groves of Academe the academic i mid 20th century, in the context of jazz, and it j community, literary j gave rise to the adjective groovy, which : O This phrase alludes to the Roman poet j initially meant'playing or able to play jazz or j i Horace's Epistles, in which he says: Atque i similar music well'. i inter silvas Academi quaerere verum 'and j seek for truth in the groves of Academe'. The i Academia was a grove near ancient Athens gross ! where a number of philosophers, Plato by the gross in large numbers or amounts. j among them, taught their pupils. I O A gross was formerly widely used as a unit j i of quantity equal to twelve dozen; the word ! : comes from the French gross douzaine, which j grow i literally means'large dozen'. grow on trees be plentiful or easily obtained. 1996 Nozipo Maraire Zenzele Children these days think that money grows on ground trees! break new (or fresh) ground do something innovative which is considered an advance or positive benefit. guard lower (or drop or let down) your guard j O Literally, to break new ground is to do ©relax your defensive posture, leaving j preparatory digging or other work prior to yourself vulnerable to attack, ©reduce : building or planting something. In North your level of vigilance or caution. j America the idiom is break ground. j O Tnis is an expression connected in its cut the ground from under someone's feet j literal sense with boxing, as is its opposite do something which leaves someone j raise your guard meaning 'adopt a defensive j without a reason or justification for their j posture'. actions or opinions, informal get in on the ground floor become part of an enterprise in its early stages, informal guernsey get a guernsey ©be selected for a football get off the ground (or get something off team, ©gain recognition or approbation. the ground) start {or cause to start) Australian informal happening or functioning successfully. ! O & guernsey is a type of knitted shirt or go to ground Q(of a fox or other animal) j sweater; in Australia the word is specifically enter its earth or burrow to hide, especially ; applied to a football shirt. when being hunted. Q (of a person) hide or become inaccessible, usually for a prolonged period. guess have your feet on the ground: see FOOT. anybody's guess a totally unpredictable on the ground in a place where real, matter, informal practical work is done. 1999 Jason Elliot An Unexpected Light The most likely scenario was a government alliance on your own ground on your own territory with the forces of the north, although it was or concerning your own range of anyone's guess how long such a Faustian pact knowledge or experience. might last. by guess and by God without specific prepare the ground make it easier for guidance or direction. something to occur or be developed. run someone or something to ground: see j O This expression was originally used in a | nautical context, where it meant to steer run someone or something to earth at i blind, without the guidance of landmarks, RUN. i The alternative by guess and by Godfrey is thick (or thin) on the ground existing {or not j also sometimes found. existing) in large numbers or amounts. work (or run) yourself into the ground guest exhaust yourself by working or running be my guest please do. informal very hard, informal gullet 132

1988 Jay Mclnerney The Story of My Life I'll hurt top gun a (or the) most important person. myself, Mannie screams. Be my guest, says Rebecca. under the gun under great pressure. North American informal gullet with (all) guns blazing with great stick in your gullet: see stick in your throat determination and energy, often without at THROAT. thought for the consequences, informal gum tree gut up a gum tree in or into a predicament. —your guts out perform a specified action as informal hard or as fully as possible, informal 2000 Anthony Bourdain Kitchen Confidential I O This phrase is now found mainly in British j He'll take them out, get them liquored up so i English, but the phrase is recorded in the i they blab their guts out, and I'll have a full I early 19th century in the USA, where report by noon next. i possum up a gum tree was the title of a song i ! or dance. hate someone's guts feel a strong hatred for someone, informal 1992 Economist If they should end up seeking a deal with the Unionists, offers of have someone's guts for garters punish or devolution will lead ministers straight up a rebuke someone severely, informal gum tree. gun gutser come a gutser suffer a failure or defeat. a big gun: see a big cheese at BIG. informal blow great guns be very windy, informal go down with (all) guns firing: see GO. i O Gutser (also spelled gutzer) is explained in i ! Fraser and Gibbons' Soldier and Sailor Words i go great guns perform forcefully, i (1925) as'pre-war slang, and an old term vigorously, or successfully, informal ! among Scottish boys for falling flat on the 1913 Field A moment later Louvois shot ! water in diving, instead of making a clean out, passed Sanquhar and Fairy King, and j header'. In air-force slang come (or fetch) a going great guns... beat the favourite by a \ gutser meant 'crash'. head. jump the gun: see JUMP. gyp smoking gun: see SMOKING. give someone gyp cause pain or severe stick to your guns refuse to compromise or discomfort to someone. British informal change, despite criticism, informal I O Gyp may be a dialect contraction of I gee-up, a word of command used to urge a ; O The image here is of a soldier maintaining i j horse to move faster, the connection being I his position under enemy fire. j that, in this phrase, whatever is giving 1998 New Scientist Researchers have bravely i someone gyp is preventing them from resting stuck to their guns as they went about seeking ; or taking things easy. public funds. Hh habit SP''* 'ia'rs make small and overfine kick the habit: see KICK. ^1^!™.: i O This expression was first recorded in the hacklCS ! latel 7th century. Split straws, dating from make someone's hackles rise make someone [^e.^^^:^e^^^n.^°^:. angry or indignant.

! O Hackles are the long feathers on the neck i half

j of a fighting cock or the hairs on the top of a j a _ and a ha|f a particular person or thing : dog's neck, which are raised when the animal : -, , „„ „„ -^ • ^ .„„i„„ftu„ :-...., considered as an impressive example or the : is angry or excited. ... ._ , . , r . r ; : kind specified, informal 1998 Sarah Waters Tipping the Velvet The hail daughter must be a beauty and a half... if the mothe r is so ea er t0 kee her safe and close hail-fellow-well-met showing excessive fr § P ' ... fe away from young men s eyes. ^79 S^ven Levenkron The Best Little Girl in the at »Jalf COck when only Partly ready- World Harold was accustomed to hail-fellow- informal well-met salesmen and deferential secretaries ;"'^"'""'"'""' ' " ••••••••••••••• ••••• ••••• ; , . ^ ^ ^ : ft At half cock is used of a firearm with the : and even irate accountants. ; v. .... ,, . . , ...... • : cock lifted but not moved to the position at | which thetriggerwillact.lt is usually found in j haïr | go off at half cock or go off half-cocked hair of the dog a small quantity of i meaning 'go ahead without making proper j alcohol taken as a remedy for a hangover. L. P'eP^ra*io".a^.*he'efor^.falr: \ M°m^ half the battle: see BATTLE. j O The full form of this phrase is hair of the \ half a chance the slightest opportunity. j dog that bit you. Hair from a rabid dog was at j informal | one time thought to be a remedy against the j 197Q Njna Bawden ^ mds m ^ Tng$ Giye

: effects of its bite; m this expression, the ; her half a chanœ and she>u make think j recommended cure for a hangover is a small : black's white I amount of the cause of the problem. half an eye: see EYE. 19 B UCe ul [ A»en Powe The Ice Eaters Murray, ha|f a |oaf nQtasmuchas wantbutbetter still feeling the effects of the previous evening, , , . J had suggested they go into a bar because he . .a^.^°.. ^ needed a hair of the dog. [ OThisphraie aïludes'to'the proverb ha/fa''] in (or out of) someone's hair annoying (or \ loaf is better than no bread, which has been i ceasing to annoy) someone, informal ; in use since the mid 16th century. keep your hair on! used to urge someone not the'ha,f"of"jt the mos't important part or

to panic or lose their temper. British informal aspect of something. informa| let your hair down behave wildly or 1987 George Turner Sea & summer uninhibitedly. informal Mum... would ask, 'But is this true?' and make someone's hair stand on end alarm or Billy... would tell her that wasn't the half of it. horrify someone. have a mind to do something: see MIND. neither hide nor hair of: see HIDE. how the other half lives: see OTHER HALF. not turn a hair remain apparently unmoved not do things by halves do things or unaffected. thoroughly or extravagantly. pualcoholiinformat hairl (orc drink hairs)) revivon youe your chesr strengtht (of . noBritis©tt haloh afinforma nQ extrem nolt nearle degreey as. ©; ver noyt amuct allh. informaso. l halfway 134 too — by half used to emphasize something ; O A US variant of this phrase is all hands and \ bad. British i the cook, meaning 'absolutely everyone 1994 Independent on Sunday The idea that j available', since the cook would not moving a few pot plants around a room can ! normally be expected to do the work of other j bring its occupant prosperity and well- ! team members except in cases of dire being ... seems too superstitious by half. i emergency. All hands on deck or all hands to \ i the pumps, in addition to their literal your better half: see BETTER. j shipboard senses, are also used to indicate j that all members of a team are required to be j halfway j involved. a halfway house Oa compromise, ©the halfway point in a progression. © a place be a dab hand at: see DAB. where ex-prisoners, mental patients, etc. bind (ortie) someone hand and foot can stay while they become reaccustomed severely restrict someone's freedom to act to normal life. or make decisions.

n do something with one hand (tied) behind I O l the late 18th century, a halfway house \ \ was an inn or other establishment halfway your back do something easily. ! between two places or at the midpoint of a get (or keep) your hand in become (or I journey. remain) practised in something. get your hands dirty: see DIRTY. Hamlet give (or lend) a hand assist in an action or Hamlet without the prince a performance or enterprise. event taking place without the principal give someone the glad hand: see GLAD. actor. hand in glove in close collusion or ! O The phrase comes from an account given : association. i in the Morning Post of September 1775. The i ! member of a theatrical company who was to i j O This phrase appeared earlier (in the late j play Hamlet in a production of Shakespeare's ! j 17th century) as hand and glove; the current j ! play ran off with an innkeeper's daughter j form gained ground from the late 18th : before the performance; when the play was | i century. i announced to the audience, they were told i 'the part of Hamlet [was] to be left out, for a hand's turn a stroke of work, informal i that night'. 1982 Rodney Hall Just Relations Rich was she? A wallowing pig in jewels and wicked money she never did a hand's turn to earn for herself? hammer (from) hand to mouth satisfying only your come (or go) under the hammer be sold at an immediate needs because of lack of money auction. for future plans and investments. 1960 Lynne Reid Banks The L-Shaped Room I'm hammer something home: see drive twenty-eight years old and I'm still living from something home at HOME. hand to mouth like a bloody tramp. hammer and tongs with great energy and hands down (especially of winning) easily noise. and decisively. ; O The image here is of a blacksmith striking i j the hot iron removed from the forge with a j O Originally a horse-racing expression, win i i pair of tongs. j hands down meant that a jockey was so j certain of victory in the closing stages of a 1996 Emma Lathen Brewing Up a Storm The big j race that he could lower his hands, thereby fight she had with Sean Cushing. They were i relaxing his hold on the reins and ceasing to I going at it hammer and tongs. j urge on his horse. hammering hands off! used to warn someone against take a hammering ©be subjected to touching or interfering with something. harsh treatment, ©be heavily defeated. have your hand in the till: see have your informal fingers in the till at TILL. make (or lose or spend) money hand over hand fist make (or lose or spend) money very all hands the entire crew of a ship. rapidly, informal 135 hang

j O This phrase first appeared in the mid 18th handshake ; century as hand over hand. Found in nautical golden handshake: see GOLDEN. i contexts, it referred to the movement of a ! person's hands when rapidly climbing a rope handsome i or hauling it in. By the mid 19th century, hand ; over hand was being used to mean handsome is as handsome does character i 'advancing continuously and rapidly', and behaviour are more important than j especially of one ship pursuing another, good looks, proverb i Hand over fist is first recorded in the early i 19th century, also in a nautical context, but it i O In this particular form the proverb dates ; was soon used more generally to indicate ! from the mid 17th century. When used of j speed, especially in the handling of money. I behaviour, handsome really means ; 'chivalrous' or'genteel', though inthissaying j 1991 Simon Winchester Pacific Japan i it is taken to refer to good looks. The original i continued making money hand over fist,th e i sense is made clear in the earlier version: American trade deficit became steadily larger j goodly is he that goodly dooth. and larger. on (or off) someone's hands having (or not hang having) to be dealt with or looked after by get the hang of something learn how to the person specified. operate or do something, informal put your hands together applaud. 1990 Roddy Doyle The Snapper He was pretending to time them... because he put your hands up raise your hands in couldn't get the hang of the stop-watch surrender or to signify assent or Bertie'd got him. participation. hang by a thread: see THREAD. the right hand doesn't know what the left hang fire delay or be delayed in taking action hand's doing there is a state of confusion or progressing. or a failure of communication within a group or organization. i O In the late 18th century, hang f/Ve was set (or put) your hand to start work on. ! used to refer to the action of a firearm that | was slow in communicating the fire through i I O A fuller version of this phrase is set your j the vent to the charge and so did not go off j i hand to the plough, which alludes to Luke j immediately. j 9:62:'No man, having put his hand to the ! plough, and looking back, is fit for the hang a left (or right) make a left (or right) j kingdom of God'. turn. US informal sit on your hands: see SIT. hang loose: see LOOSE. take a hand in become influential in hang of a — (or a hang of) to a very high determining something; intervene. degree; very great. South African informal 1988 Shetland Times The amenity trust is also i O In this expression hang is probably being j taking a hand in restoring two old gravestones j used as a euphemism for hell. in the Ollaberry kirkyard. 1945 Frank Sargeson When the Wind Blows All turn your hand to something undertake an this was because Charlie was hang of a funny activity different from your usual to be with. occupation. 1994 Barbara Anderson All the Nice Girls hang someone out to dry leave someone in a Win had always told him he was an able man, difficult or vulnerable situation, informal a fixer,on e who could turn his hand to ! O The image here is of hanging wet anything. ; washing on a clothes line to dry. The idea of ! wait on someone hand and foot attend j 'flapping uselessly or ineffectually'like to all of someone's needs or requests, j clothes drying in the wind is also behind the : especially when this is regarded as i cricketing metaphor hanging your bat out to \ j dry, which dates from the late 19th century unreasonable. : and means'holding your bat away from your i 1955 L. P. Hartley A Perfect Woman He has I body at an ineffectual angle'. everything he wants and servants who wait on him hand and foot. 1998 Spectator We point out that another MP... has been hung out to dry for failing to wash your hands of: see WASH. declare what was (relative to this) a minuscule with your hand in the cookie jar: see COOKIE. interest. hanging 136 hang tough be or remain inflexible or firmly happy hunting ground a place where resolved. North American informal success or enjoyment is obtained. 1992 Randall Kenan Let the Dead Bury their Dead Obviously, he intended to hang tough i O This phrase originally referred to the at first, but apparently Miss Jesse's psychic i optimistic hope of Native Americans that the ! bullwhip lashed out and snap-crackled his j afterlife will be spent in a country where brain. i there are good hunting grounds. hang up your boots stop working; retire. 1991 Antique Collector With Old Master informal drawings still considered an undervalued genre, this should prove a happy hunting | O Boots are seen in this expression as part of i ground for those in search of a bargain. I a person's working clothes. A common ; Canadian variant is hang up your skates. hard 1997 Farmers Weekly The hard fact is that all be hard put to find it very difficult to. farmers, whether the pension scheme is 2001 Marc Blake 24 Karat Schmooze He wore an attractive or not, are, mostly, reluctant to Armani suit with a navy shirt, a club tie hang their boots up. (although the vintners would have been hard hang your hat be resident. North American put to name the actual club) and a Freemasonry informal pin. 2001 Kevin Sampson Outlaws End of the day hard as nails Qvery hard, ©(of people) though it ain't the Royal and that is where I insensitive or callous; without pity. want to hang my hat. hard as the nether millstone callous and let it all hang out be uninhibited or relaxed. unyielding. informal i O Tne nether millstone is the lower of the not care (orgive) a hang not care at all. informal ! two millstones by which corn is ground. The j i O Hang here is a late 19th-century ! phrase alludes to Job 41:24:'His heart is as I euphemism for damn. i firm as a stone, and as hard as a piece of the j | nether millstone'. hanging hard at it busily working, informal a hanging offence a fault or crime so serious 1997 Independent I leave home.. .just after that the perpetrator should be executed. 6am each day and I'm hard at it by 7.30. 1998 Spectator It is hardly a hanging offence to a hard case Qa tough or intractable person. overlook telegrams about a small African 0 an amusing or eccentric person. Australian country, but surely the Prime Minister must read JIC reports? & New Zealand a hard nut to crack a person or thing that is difficult to understand or influence, informal happy a hard row to hoe: see ROW. happy as a sandboy extremely happy; perfectly contented with your situation. the hard way through suffering or learning from the unpleasant consequences of O An 1823 dictionary describes a sandboy as mistakes. an urchin who sold sand in the streets, and 1996 Nozipo Maraire Zenzele I think she according to the same source the expression understands better than the rest of us that we jolly as a sandboy was already proverbial by are at heart one family, for she has had to learn that date for 'a merry fellow who has tasted a the hard way. drop'. A common British version of the phrase play hard to get deliberately adopt an aloof is happy as Larry, Larry being a pet name for Lawrence. This saying is sometimes or uninterested attitude, typically in order connected with the renowned boxer Larry to make yourself more attractive or Foley (1847-1917); on the other hand, it may interesting, informal owe something to larry, a dialect word used put the hard word on ask a favour of by Thomas Hardy, meaning 'a state of someone, especially a sexual or financial excitement'. The North American version is favour. Australian & New Zealand informal happy as a clam, which apparently originated in the early 19th century on the east coast, 1997 Derek Hansen Sole Survivor But if he'd where clams are plentiful: the full version come to put the hard word on her, why hadn't happy as a clam at high water explains the he picked a more appropriate time? source of the clam's satisfaction. Midmorning had never struck her as particularly conducive to romance. 137 hat a hard nut: see a tough nut at NUT. ! Rudyard Kipling alludes to such a situation: j 'The toad beneath the harrow knows Exactly j hare j where each tooth-point goes'. j mad as a March hare: see mad as a hatter at MAD. Harry run with the hare and hunt with the hounds play Old Harry with: see play the devil with try to remain on good terms with both at DEVIL. sides in a conflict or dispute. British hash I O This expression has been in use since the i make a hash of make a mess of; bungle. j mid 15th century. informal start a hare raise a topic of conversation. i O Hash comes from the French verb hacher \ British, dated ! meaning 'chop up small'. A hash is a dish of j cooked meat cut into small pieces and ! O The rapid twisting and running of a ! recooked with gravy; from this comes the ! hunted hare is here used as a metaphor for i derogatory sense of hash meaning 'a jumble j ! the pursuit of a topic in an animated ! of incongruous elements; a mess'. j conversation, especially one in which the j participants hold strong views. settle someone's hash deal with and subdue a person very forcefully, informal harm sling hash: see SLING. out of harm's way in a safe place. 1996 Frank McCourt Angela's Ashes Take haste down the Pope and hide him in the coal more haste, less speed you make better hole... where he won't be seen and he'll be progress with a task if you don't try to do it out of harm's way. too quickly, proverb someone or something wouldn't harm a fly: ! O The primary meaning of 'speed' in this see someone or something wouldn't hurt j proverbial saying was 'success in the a fly at FLY. I performance of an activity', rather than there is no harm in — the course of action I 'rapidity of movement', though it is the latter ! specified may not guarantee success but is : that is now generally assumed to be meant. at least unlikely to have unwelcome repercussions. hat 1997 Arundhati Roy The God of Small Thingsb e all hat and no cattle tend to talk He decided that since she couldn't have a boastfully without acting on your words. husband there was no harm in her having an education. US informal black hat (or white hat) used in reference to harness the bad {or good) party in a situation. in harness ©in the routine of daily work, j O This idiom refers to the colour of the hats j ©working closely with someone to I traditionally worn by the bad (or good) achieve something. I characters in cowboy films.

j © The image is of a horse or other animal keep something under your hat keep ! being used for driving or draught work. something a secret. pass the hat round collect contributions of harp money from a number of people for a harp on the same string dwell tediously on specific purpose. one subject. pick something out of a hat select harrow something, especially the winner of a under the harrow in distress. contest, at random. pull one out of the hat bring off an j O A harrow is a heavy frameset with iron i teeth or tines, drawn over ploughed land to i unexpected trick in an apparently i break up clods and root up weeds; an animal I desperate situation. i caught under a harrow would suffer extreme i j O The image here is of a rabbit pulled out of i : pain. In the poem'Pagett, MP'(1886), j a magician's hat. hatch 138

1971 James McClure The Steam Pig I must say 1998 Barbara Kingsolver The Poisonwood Bible you've really pulled one out of the hat this Those glassy museum stares have got nothing time. on you, my uncaptured favorite child, wild as take your hat off to state your admiration for the day is long. someone who has achieved something. have one too many: see MANY. British havoc throw your hat in (or into) the ring indicate play havoc with completely disrupt; cause willingness to take up a challenge or enter serious damage to. a contest. 1989 Vijay Singh In Search of the River Goddess 1998 Times We have been anticipating that I hate contractors who come from the plains, South Africa would throw its hat into the ring chop down trees, play havoc with our lives. for some time and have a high regard for the candidacy. hawk watch someone like a hawk keep a vigilant hatch eye on someone, especially to check that batten down the hatches: see BATTEN. they do nothing wrong. hatches, matches, and despatches the hay births, marriages, and deaths columns in a newspaper, humorous, dated hit the hay go to bed. informal under (the) hatches ©below deck in a ship. make hay make good use of an opportunity © concealed from public knowledge. while it lasts. ! O This is a shortened version of the proverb i hatchet i make hay while the sun shines, which dates do a hatchet job on criticize savagely. ! from the mid 16th century. haul 1998 Simon Winchester The Surgeon of Crowthorne The British papers, always eager to haul someone over the coals: see COAL. vent editorial spleen on their transatlantic rivals, made hay with this particular aspect of have the story. have had it Q be in a very poor condition; be make hay of throw into confusion. beyond repair or past its best. Q be extremely tired. © have lost all chance of head survival, ©be unable to tolerate someone bang (or knock) people's heads together or something any longer, informal reprimand people severely, especially in an have it away (on your toes) leave quickly. attempt to stop them arguing. British informal 1998 Community Care There are few signs yet that the SEU has been willing to bang have it away (or off) with have sexual government heads together over social intercourse with. British vulgar slang security policy. 1998 Oldie Today, young Billy would be having bang (or knock) your head against a brick it off with all three young ladies on a rota basis. wall doggedly attempt the impossible and have it both ways: see BOTH. have your efforts repeatedly and painfully have (got) it in for have a particular dislike of rebuffed. someone and behave in a hostile manner 1995 Jayne Miller Voxpop You're banging your towards them, informal head against a brick wall for years and still have (got) it in you to do something have getting nowhere. It's soul-destroying. the capacity or potential to do something. be hanging over your head (of something informal unpleasant) threaten to affect you at any have it out with someone attempt to resolve moment. a contentious matter by confronting be on someone's (own) head be someone's someone and engaging in a frank sole responsibility. discussion or argument, informal bite (or snap) someone's head off reply have (got) nothing on someone or sharply and brusquely to someone. something be not nearly as good as someone or something, especially in a do someone's head in cause someone to feel particular respect. annoyed, confused, or frustrated. British informal 139 head

1997 Sunday Telegraph Now psychobabble has keep your head above water avoid become part of our vocabulary—and it's doing succumbing to difficulties, especially Theodore Dalrymple's head in. falling into debt. do something standing on your head do keep your head down remain inconspicuous something very easily. in difficult or dangerous times, informal get your head down Q sleep, ©concentrate 1995 Edward Toman Dancing in Limbo All his on the task in hand. British informal instincts told him to keep his head down. He didn't need Lily's constant nagging to remind get your head round (or around) something him he was in deep trouble. understand or come to terms with something, informal King Charles's head: see KING. give someone their head allow someone knock someone or something on the head: complete freedom of action. see KNOCK.

i O The image is of allowing a horse to go as j make head or tail of understand at all. I fast as it wants rather than checking its pace j 1994 S. P. Somtow Jasmine Nights I'm... trying I with the bit and reins. Compare with allow to puzzle out why he has turned his animosity j free rein to (at REIN). on me instead of those who are clearly his enemies. I can't make head or tail of it. 1994 Charles Grant X-Files: Goblins Rather than need your head examined be foolishly try to derail him, however, it was better to give irresponsible. him his head and go along for the ride. go to your head Q (of alcohol) make you j O The implication here is that the dizzy or slightly drunk. © (of success) make j examination will reveal proof of insanity. j you conceited. 1992 Patrick McCabe The Butcher Boy Any man have your head screwed on: see SCREWED. thinks this work is easy needs his head examined—you want to be tough to work here ! head and shoulders above by far superior to. informal off (or out of) your head Qmad or crazy. 1996 Time Out The film stands head and © extremely drunk or severely under the shoulders above 99.9 per cent of post-70's influence of illegal drugs, informal Hollywood product. off the top of your head without careful head over heels upside down; turning over thought or investigation, informal completely in a forward motion, as in a 1988 Jamaica Kincaid A Small Place He apologises for the incredible mistake he has somersault. made in quoting you a price off the top of his j ^^ The earlier, more logical, version of this head which is so vastly different (favouring j phrase was heels over head; the normal him) from the one listed. j modern form dates from the late 18th over your head ©beyond your ability to ; century. It is often used figuratively of an ; extreme condition, as in head over heels in understand, ©without your knowledge or \ love, 'madly in love', or head over heels in involvement, especially when you have a \ debt, 'deeply in debt'. right to this. © with disregard for your own (stronger) claim. heads I win, tails you lose I win whatever put your heads together consult and work happens. together. heads will roll there will be some people dismissed or disgraced. put something into someone's head suggest 1975 Sam Selvon Moses Ascending It appears something to someone. he went back for reinforcements, and is stand (or turn) something on its head returning to make some drastic changes in the completely reverse the principles or administration of the Establishment. Heads interpretation of an idea, argument, etc. will roll, they say. take it into your head to do something hold (or put) a gun (ora pistol) to someone's decide impetuously to do something. head force someone to do something by 1991 Ben Okri The Famished Road Fearing that using threats. the supervisor might notice me as well and keep (or lose) your head remain (or fail to take it into his head to order me to break my remain) calm. neck carrying cement bags, I hurried on. 1990 Time He claims that Quayle rises to the turn heads attract a great deal of attention or challenge, takes chances but keeps his head. interest. headline 140 turn someone's head make someone heart of gold a generous nature. conceited. heart of oak a courageous nature. with your head in the clouds: see CLOUD. — your head off laugh, talk, shout, etc. with ! O Literally, the heart is the solid central part j a complete lack of restraint or without j of the oak tree traditionally used for timber i I for ships. The phrase was popularized by the ! stopping. ! words of an 18th-century song: 'Heart of oak j 1990 Paul Auster The Music of Chance Now that i are our ships, Heart of oak are our men'. the kid was out of danger, he began to show his true colors, and it wasn't long before he heart of stone a stern or cruel nature. was talking his head off. heart to heart candidly or intimately. headline hearts and minds used in reference to emotional and intellectual support or hit the headlines be written about or given commitment. attention as news. 1999 New Yorker In the battle between heap Darwinians and creationists for the hearts and minds of the uncommitted, it matters at the top (or bottom) of the heap (of a whether evolution by natural selection is person) at the highest (or lowest) point of a spiritually suggestive. society or organization. in your heart of hearts in your innermost be struck all of a heap be extremely feelings. disconcerted, informal my heart bleeds for you: see BLEEDS. heap coals of fire on someone's head: see take something to heart take something COAL. seriously; be much affected or upset by hear something. 1992 Ian Rankin A Good Hanging Suicidal, just be unable to hear yourself think be unable as actors can be. He took criticism to heart. He to think clearly as a result of an excessive was a perfectionist. amount of noise, informal to your heart's content: see CONTENT. heart wear your heart on your sleeve make your after your own heart of the type that you feelings apparent. like or understand best; sharing your tastes. ; O In medieval times, it was the custom for a ; 1988 Sebastian Barry Boss Grady's Boys He took ! knight to wear the name of a lady on his away every year I had to give a man, and then j sleeve during a tournament; the phrase was i took away himself for good measure. He was a j later popularized by Shakespeare in Othello: I man after my own heart so I will not blame i 'For I will wear my heart upon my sleeve, For j him. i daws to peck at'. from the bottom of your heart (or from the 1998 Spectator He... is not suffering from heart) with sincere feeling. compassion fatigue, yet neither does he wear his heart on his sleeve. have the heart be insensitive or hard-hearted enough. your heart's desire someone or something 1990 Neil Bissoondath On the Eve of Uncertain that is greatly wished for. Tomorrows Miguel doesn't have the heart to your heart sinks into your boots: see BOOT. force her to do what he knows she should be doing. heartbeat have (or put) your heart in be {or become) a heartbeat (away) from very close to; on the keenly involved in or committed to an verge of. enterprise. hearth have your heart in your mouth be greatly hearth and home home and its comforts. alarmed or apprehensive. have your heart in the right place be sincere heat or well intentioned. if you can't stand the heat, get out of the heart and soul great energy and enthusiasm. kitchen if you can't deal with the 1977 Michael Frayn Alphabetical Order She pressures and difficulties of a situation hasn't been here long, I know. But she's put or task, you should leave others to deal her whole heart and soul into this place. with it rather than complaining, proverb 141 hell in the heat of the moment while hedge temporarily angry, excited, or hedge your bets try to minimize the risk of engrossed, and without stopping for being wrong or incurring loss by pursuing thought. two courses of action at the same time. turn the heat on someone or something j O Hedging your financial liabilities, concentrate pressure or criticism on i especially bets or speculative investments, someone or something, informal ! meant limiting your potential losses by also turn up the heat intensify pressure or ! putting money on another outcome, in such a i criticism, informal i way as to balance, more or less, any potential j ! loss on the initial transaction. In betting heather ; terms, this specifically means putting money j j on more than one runner in a race. set the heather on fire be very exciting. Scottish 1992 Great Lakes Fisherman All three methods have their proponents, and most anglers are heave wise to hedge their bets by using more than one method. heave in sight (or into view) come into view. informal heel i O Heave meaning'rise up, as on the swell of j Achilles heel: see ACHILLES. i a wave'occurs in several nautical expressions; ! | here the allusion is to the way that objects at (or to) heel (of a dog) close to and slightly i appear to rise up over the horizon at sea. behind its owner. I O Bring someone to heel, meaning 'get ; someone under control and make them act heaven j subserviently', is taken from this expression. in seventh heaven in a state of ecstasy. cool your heels be kept waiting, ! O In late Jewish and Muslim theology, there j i were considered to be seven heavens, and the j j O A British variant of this is kick your heels. \ ; seventh of these was the highest, where a j state of eternal bliss was to be enjoyed. dig in your heels: see DIG. move heaven and earth make extraordinary down at heel Q(of a shoe) with the heel efforts. worn down. © (of a person, place, or thing) 1999 Dogs Today We may not be vets but we with a poor, shabby appearance. are owners who will move heaven and earth to drag your heels: see drag your feet at DRAG. help our dogs recover. kick up your heels have a lively, enjoyable stink (or smell) to high heaven have a very time, chiefly North American strong and unpleasant odour. set (or rock) someone back on their heels the heavens opened it started to rain suddenly and very heavily. astonish or discomfit someone. take to your heels (or legs) run away. heavy turn on your heel turn sharply round. heavy on using a lot of. under the heel of dominated or controlled 1984 Studs Terkel The Good War We were by. heavy on the Italian feeling in America. We 1990 Julian Fane Hope Cottage The exceptional were more Italian than Italians. sufferings of Russia under the heel of Marxism make heavy weather: see WEATHER. may in the long run have a redemptive effect. heck hell all hell broke (or was let) loose suddenly a heck of a — used for emphasis in various there was chaos or uproar, informal statements or exclamations, informal be hell on be unpleasant or harmful to. I O Of dialect origin, heck is a late 19th- come hell or high water no matter what i century euphemism for hell. difficulties may occur. 1989 Guardian It is not entirely true to say 1995 Ian Rankin Let It Bleed It was the one everyone who is anyone has been coached appointment he'd known all day he would there, but a heck of a lot have. keep, come hell or high water. hello 142 for the hell of it just for fun. informal hello — from hell an extremely unpleasant or a golden hello: see a golden handshake at troublesome instance or example of HANDSHAKE. something, informal 1998 Times As for Ellie Sykes, who calls herself help 'the skating mum from hell', she's pushier so help me (God) used to emphasize that you still. mean what you are saying. get the hell out (of) escape from a place or j O This phrase alludes to the oath taken by situation very quickly, informal i witnesses in court when they swear to tell give someone (or get) hell reprimand : 'the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but : someone {or be reprimanded) severely. j the truth, so help me God'. informal go to (or through) hell and back endure an hen extremely unpleasant or difficult like a hen with one chick (or chicken) experience. absurdly fussy and overanxious. rare (or scarce) as hen's teeth extremely go to hell in a handbasket undergo a rapid rare. process of deterioration. North American informal i O As hens do not possess teeth, the i O This expression has been recorded since ! implication is that something is rare to the i the early 20th century; variants of it include j point of non-existence. The phrase was ! go to hell in a handcart and go to hell in a ! originallya US colloquialism, dating from the ! j basket. j mid 19th century. 1990 Nature Conservancy I read widely on environmental issues and often feel that 'the her world is going to hell in a handbasket'. her indoors a humorous reference to a hell for leather as fast as possible. man's wife. British informal

i O This phrase dates from the late 19th herd I century, and originally referred to riding a ride herd on: see RIDE. ! horse at reckless speed. here a (or one) hell of a — used to emphasize here today, gone tomorrow soon over or something very bad or great, informal forgotten; short-lived or transient. 1990 Stephen King The Stand If someone on 1996 Sunday Telegraph Apparently when the committee has been leaking, we're in a people spend their money on things that are hell of a jam. here today gone tomorrow, like flowers, hell's half acre a great distance. North American food and Champagne, it tells you more about the state of the economy than when hell hath no fury like a woman scorned a they buy solid things. woman who has been rejected by a man neither here nor there of no importance or can be ferociously angry and vindictive. relevance. proverb 1993 Independent on Sunday The fact that not a hope (or chance) in hell no hope (or American audiences haven't recognised it as a chance) at all. informal great film and appreciated its outstanding acting is neither here nor there. | O An elaboration of this phrase is nota ! snowball's chance in hell. Herod out-Herod Herod behave with extreme play (merry) hell with throw into turmoil; cruelty or tyranny. disrupt, informal j O Herod, the ruler of Judaea at the time of i raise hell ©make a noisy disturbance. j Jesus's birth and the man responsible for Q complain vociferously, informal i ordering the massacre of boy babies in his there will be hell to pay serious trouble will j realm, was portrayed in medieval miracle occur as a result of a previous action. ! plays as a blustering tyrant. The phrase is j from Shakespeare's Hamlet: 'I would have informal i such a fellow whipp'd for o'erdoing until (or till) hell freezes over for an ! Termagant; it out-herods Herod'. extremely long time or forever, informal 143 high herring high and dry Q (especially of ships left stranded by the sea as the tide ebbs) out a red herring: see RED. of the water. ©in a difficult position, especially without resources. hewer 01996 Frank McCourt Angela's Ashes I hear he hewers of wood and drawers of water left you high and dry, eh? I don't know how a menial drudges; labourers. man in his right mind can go off and leave a wife and family to starve and shiver in a j O This expression refers to Joshua 9:21, j which tells the story of how the Israelites Limerick winter. j were tricked into sparing the lives of some of j high and low in many different places. i the indigenous inhabitants of the Promised 1993 Independent As the world's press hunted j Land: 'And the princes said unto them, Let for him high and low, he was holed up in a i them live; but let them be hewers of wood j country hotel. i and drawers of water unto all the i congregation'. high and mighty ©important and influential. © thinking or acting as though you are more important than others; hidden arrogant, informal a hidden agenda a person's real but high as a kite intoxicated. concealed aims and intentions. 1993 New Scientist I hear that the physics high days and holidays special occasions. community is fearful the government has a informal hidden agenda and intends eventually to close j O In the Church's calendar a high day was the Daresbury Laboratory. ! the day of an important festival. A holiday ! (originally holy day) was similar but less hide j specific. Holiday now refers to any day off, hide your light under a bushel keep quiet I without any sacred significance, and so holy \ about your talents or accomplishments. \ ofayisusedif a specifically religious occasion is I i intended. j O A bushel is a unit of measurement equal j j to eight gallons: in former times the word 1998 Pamela Jooste Dance with a Poor Man's j also referred to a container able to hold this j Daughter I was too busy looking out for all of j amount. The expression has its source in you. I only danced on high days and holidays. | Matthew 5:15:'neither do men light a candle, j high old (of a time or state) most enjoyable or j and put it under a bushel, but on a remarkable, informal i candlestick'. 1955 Jean Potts Death of a Stray Cat You 1997 Spectator Actors are not naturally people probably had a high old time chasing blondes. who believe in hiding their light under a bushel. high on the hog: see HOG. neither hide nor hair of someone not the high, wide, and handsome expansive and slightest trace of someone. impressive; stylish and carefree in manner. hiding informal on a hiding to nothing unlikely to succeed, j O This phrase originated in the USA, and or in a position to gain no advantage if you ! Yankee Slang (1932) identifies 'Ride him, do. British j Cowboy, high, wide and handsome' as a 1998 Spectator Which only goes to show that ! shout commonly heard at rodeos. even the most reflexive liberal panderer is on a 1990 Times Education Supplement Your eyes are hiding to nothing in this territory. often distracted by high quality displays of work, and the library is high, wide and high handsome. be for the high jump be about to be severely hit the high spots visit places of entertain­ punished. British informal ment, informal ! O This expression was first recorded in the in high feather: see in fine feather at j early 20th century as a military term meaning j FEATHER. ! 'be put on trial before your commanding j officer'. The image behind it is that of an on a high in a state of euphoria, informal I execution by hanging. j O This expression was originally mid 20th- from on high ©from a very high place. ! century US slang, referring specifically to the i j euphoria induced by drugs. © from remote high authority or heaven. hike 144 on your high horse used to refer to someone so well known that they need not be behaving in an arrogant or pompous recounted again. manner, informal run high: see RUN. hit hike hit and miss done or occurring at random; succeeding by chance rather than through take a hike go away (used as an expression of planning. irritation or annoyance), informal 1998 New Scientist But not all species of 1998 Dennis Danvers Circuit of Heaven I'm mosquitoes carry malaria and identifying the going to bed now. Why don't you take a hike? culprits is difficult, making control hit and miss. hill hit-and-run Q(of a person) causing a hill of beans: see BEAN. accidental or wilful damage and escaping ancient (or old) as the hills of very long before being discovered or stopped. @ (of standing or very great age. an incident or accident) in which damage is caused in this way. : O Hills are used in the Bible as a metaphor j for permanence. hit someone below the belt behave deviously towards someone, especially so over the hill past your best; declining, informal as to gain an unfair advantage. up hill and down dale: see UP. ! O In boxing, delivering a blow below an hilt j opponent's waistline is against the rules. (up) to the hilt completely. hit someone for six: see six.

j O The image is that of plungingthebladeof j hit the bottle: see BOTTLE. i a knife deeply into something, so that only hit the bricks go on strike. US informal ! the hilt is visible. hit the ground running start something and proceed at a fast pace with enthusiasm. hind informal on your hind legs: see LEG. j © This late 20th-century expression i achieved the status of a cliché in the 1990s. It j hint ! seems likely to refer to military personnel drop a hint: see DROP. j disembarking rapidly from a helicopter, j though it cannot be definitely traced back to i hip pocket j any particular 20th-century war. in someone's hip pocket completely under 1997 Independent Some targets move too fast, someone's control. North American even for a government that makes it clear it hire has hit the ground running. hit the hay: see HAY. hire and fire engage and dismiss, especially as indicating a position of established hit the headlines: see HEADLINE. authority over other employees. hit home: see HOME. 1992 Martin Anderson Impostors in the Temple hit it off with feel a liking for; be friendly Usually the trustees, and they alone, hire and fire the president. They have fiduciary with, informal responsibility. hit the jackpot: see JACKPOT. hit the mark be successful in an attempt or history accurate in a guess. be history Qbe perceived as no longer relevant to the present, ©used to indicate j O The mark referred to here is a target in imminent departure, dismissal, or death. j shooting. informal hit the nail on the head state the truth 01995 Country If Ducas does get the girl, you exactly; find exactly the right answer. can lay odds that she'll be history by the end of 1998 Spectator Yet his conceit and knack of the song. hitting nails on heads meant that even his best the rest is history used to indicate that the performances made him as many enemies as events succeeding those already related are friends. 145 hold hit or miss as likely to be unsuccessful as 01998 Spectator Our conservatoires are still in hock to the Germano-Austrian symphonic successful. tradition. hit the right note: see NOTE. hit the road set out on a journey; depart. hog informal go the whole hog do something completely or thoroughly, informal j O A US variant of this expression is hit the j trail. \ i © The origin of the phrase is uncertain, buta ; j fableinWilliamCowper'sThe/.oveof the hit the sack: see SACK. \ World: Hypocrisy Detected 0779) issometimes i hit the spot: see SPOT. ! mentioned: certain Muslims, forbidden ! to eat pork by their religion but tempted to hit where you live strike at your vital point. ! indulgeinsome,maintainedthatMuhammad ! 2002 New York Times The movies hit ! had had in mind only one particular part of [teenagers] where they live—in their own | the animal. They could not agree which part ; state of desperation and doubt. ! thatwas,andas'foronepiecetheythoughtit i ! hard From the whole hog to be debarred' hitch j between them they ate the whole animal, I each salving his conscience by telling himself j hitch horses together get on well together; j that his own particular portion was not the act in harmony. US j one that had been forbidden. Go the whole \ hitch your wagon to a star make use of \ hog is recorded as a political expression in the ; powers higher than your own. ; USA in the early 19th century; an 1835 source ; ; maintains that it originated in Virginia j O Th,s phrase was used by the American j 'marking the democrat from a federalist'. i philosopher and poet Ralph Waldo Emerson i j in 1870 in the context of idealistic aspiration; j live high on (or off) the hog have a luxurious ! modern usage generally has the more cynical j lifestyle. North American i implication of attaching yourself to someone j 1991 Norman Mailer Harlot's Ghost Even the j successful or famous in order to profit from Joint Chiefs' flunkies live high on the military i the association. hog. 1998 Spectator [Francis Bacon] was among the hog in armour a person who is ill at ease. first to hitch his wagon to the star of the hog on ice an insecure person. North American repulsive George Villiers.. James I's next informal favourite. hoist hob hoist with your own petard: see PETARD. play (or raise) hob cause mischief; make a fuss. North American hold don't hold your breath: see BREATH. j O Hob is short for hobgoblin and is used in i ! this mid 19th-century expression to mean the I hold someone or something at bay: see BAY. | devil. Compare with raise Cain (at CAIN) and hold the clock on time a sporting contest or | raise the devil (at DEVIL). similar event. 1993 Canadian Living When rain finally came, hold court be the centre of attention amidst a it wouldn't stop and played hob with the lentils that were growing there for the first crowd of your admirers. time in a big way. hold the field: see FIELD. hold the fort take responsibility for a Hobson situation while someone is absent. Hobson's choice: see CHOICE. hold someone's hand give a person comfort, hock guidance, or moral support in a sad or in hock ©having been pawned, ©in debt. difficult situation. hold hard used to exhort someone to stop or j O Hock here comes from the Dutch word wait. British i hok meaning 'hutch' or 'prison'. Originally ! O Hold hard was originally an exclamation j j mid 19th-century US slang, this sense of i warning riders in the hunting field to pull i hock is now found only in this phrase or, i hard on the reins to make their horses stop, j occasionally, in out of hock. | similar to hold your horses below. holding 146 hold the line Q not yield to the pressure of a especially a business or, in the USA, a place difficult situation. © maintain a telephone where alcoholic drinks are sold illegally. connection during a break in the © an automatic cash dispenser installed in conversation. the outside wall of a bank.

I O Sense 1 is a military metaphor, from the in a hole in an awkward situation from j idea of a line of soldiers withstanding an which it is difficult to escape, informal I attack without moving from their positions. i O This figurative use of ho/e has been in use i 01980 Shirley Hazzard The Transit of Venus But i since the mid 18th century (compare with dig j if we made one exception we would naturally ! yourself into a hole at DIG). The English be in no position to hold the line on similar j politician Denis Healey described the first law i cases. j of politics as 'when you are in a hole, stop j digging'. hold your horses wait a moment; restrain your enthusiasm, informal in the hole in debt. North American 1999 Colin Dexter The Remorseful Day Hold your horses! One or two things I'd like you money burns a hole in your pocket: see to check first, just to make it one hundred MONEY. per cent. need something like a hole in the head used hold your own: see OWN. to emphasize that someone has absolutely no need or desire for something, informal hold your peace: see PEACE. pick holes criticize. hold the stage: see STAGE. a square peg in a round hole: see PEG. hold your thumbs fold your fingers over your thumbs to bring good luck; hope for luck or success. South African holiday 1987 Sunday Times {South Africa) They say theay Roman holiday: see ROMAN. are holding thumbs for her and praying that the pregnancy will be trouble-free. holier hold your tongue remain silent, informal holier than thou characterized by an attitude of self-conscious virtue and piety. hold someone or something to ransom: see RANSOM. | O This phrase comes from Isaiah 65:5:'Stand i hold water (of a statement, theory, or line of j by thyself, come not near to me; for I am j holier than thou'. reasoning) appear to be valid, sound, or reasonable. no holds barred no rules or restrictions apply hollow in a particular conflict or dispute. beat someone hollow defeat or surpass someone completely or thoroughly. i O No holds barred was originally a phrase j used only in wrestling, where it indicated in the hollow of your hand entirely in your j that there were no restrictions on the kinds of j power. j holds used. holy holy of holies a place or thing regarded as holding sacrosanct. be left holding the baby be left with an unwelcome responsibility, often without | © The reference here is to the Hebrew warning. i phrasefortheinnerchamberofthesanctuary ! i in the Jewish Temple at Jerusalem, separated \ j O A US variant of this expression is be left j by a veil from the outer chamber. \ holding the bag. there is no holding someone someone is home particularly determined or cannot be bring something home to someone make prevented from doing something. someone realize the full significance of something. hole close (or near) to home (of a remark or topic blow a hole in ruin the effectiveness of of discussion) relevant or accurate to the something. point that you feel uncomfortable or hole in the wall Qa small dingy place, embarrassed. 147 hook come home to someone (of the significance money by fair means, especially by hard of something) become fully realized by work. someone. an honest broker a disinterested 1981 Fannie Flagg Daisy Fay & the Miracle Man It intermediary or mediator. came home to me that night that Momma has certainly lost her sense of humour. i O This expression is a translation of the drive something home make something j German ehrlicher Makler. In a speech in 1878 j j the German statesman Bismarck (1815-98) clearly and fully understood by the use of j recommended adopting this role in peace- repeated or forcefully direct arguments. ! making, and the phrase became one of his j sobriquets. i O The verbs hammer, press, and ram are also | i used in place of drive. make an honest woman of marry a woman, hit (or strike) home Q (of a blow or a missile) especially to avoid scandal if she is reach an intended target, ©(of a person's pregnant, dated or humorous words) have the intended, often unsettling i O Honest here originally meant or painful, effect on their audience. © (of j 'respectable', but was probably associated the significance or true nature of a i with the archaic sense'chaste or virtuous'. situation) become fully realized by someone. honour home and dry successful in achieving your do the honours perform a social duty or objective, chiefly British small ceremony for others. i O A fuller version of this phrase, which dates j honours are even there is equality in the ; from the mid 20th century, is home and dry contest. British | on the pig's back. (in) honour bound obliged by your sense of home and hosed successful in achieving honour. your objective, chiefly Australian & New Zealand 1998 Times The championship was over, hoof Manchester United were home and hosed. on the hoof Q (of livestock) not yet home free successful in achieving your slaughtered, ©without great thought or objective. North American preparation. a home from home a place where you are as © 1997 Times Are we not witnessing an happy, relaxed, or at ease as in your own example of Tony Blair making policy on the hoof... with a decision to match the home. circumstances, not the principle? j 0 The North American version of this i expression is a home away from home. hook home, James (and don't spare the horses)! by hook or by crook by one means or another; by fair means or foul. used as a humorous way of exhorting the driver of a vehicle to drive home quickly. O The hook referred to here is probably a dated billhook or heavy curved pruning knife; one of the earliest recorded instances of this ! O This was the title of a popular song by phrase is in Gower's Confessio Amantis i F. Hillebrand in 1934; it represents a parody (1390), which uses the rare word hepe i of the instruction given to a coachman in the j (meaning 'a pruning knife') in place of hook. | days of the horse and carriage. Various folk etymologies for the expression have been put forward, none of them who's — when —'s at home a humorously entirely convincing. In 1822 William Cobbett emphatic way of asking about someone's wrote of people who lived near woodland identity. British being allowed, under the ancient forest law 1991 Joseph O'Connor Mothers Were All the of England, to gather dead branches for fuel, Same The old lady said to tell that to Yuri which they may have brought down from the Gagarin, but the hostess just giggled and said, trees literally by hook or by crook. 'Who's he when he's at home?' 1998 Adèle Géras Silent Snow, Secret Snow Till then, she would hang on. By hook or by crook. honest Come what may. earn (or turn) an honest penny earn get (or give someone) the hook be dismissed hookey 148

from a job (or dismiss someone from a job). hoot North American informal not care (or give) a hoot (or two hoots) not hook It run away. British informal care at all. informal hook, line, and sinker used to emphasize 1990 Karen Lawrence Springs of Living Water that someone has been completely tricked Never think about anybody but yourself, do you? Never give two hoots about your poor or deceived, informal little sister following you around. i O This phrase isa fishing metaphor: all three j | are items attached to a fishing rod and likely j hop I to be gulped down by a greedy fish. The j phrase has been in use since the mid 19th hop the twig (or stick) Q depart suddenly. j century. @die. British informal 1996 Colin Bateman Of Wee Sweetie Mice & Meno n the hop unprepared. British informal Patricia wouldn't know what had hit her. 1991 M. S. Power Come the Executioner He went She'd fall for me hook, line and sinker once I'd down to the dining-room, catching the staff on reminded her what we were all about. the hop, but they greeted him cheerfully enough. off the hook O no longer in trouble or difficulty, informal ©(of a telephone hope receiver) not on its rest, and so not hope chest a chest containing linen, clothes, receiving incoming calls. and household items stored by a woman in ! O Hook in sense 1 is a long-standing (mid preparation for her marriage. North American i 15th-century) figurative use of the word to i mean'something by which a person is caught : i O The British equivalent of this expression is j j and trapped', as a fish hook catches a fish. : bottom drawer (see DRAWER). ! Sense 2 is a fossilized expression from the late j j 19th century, the early years of telephony, hope against hope cling to a mere j when the receiver literally hung on a hook. possibility. 1995 Bill Bryson Notes from a Small Island I on the hook for (in a financial context) plodded on, hoping against hope that there responsible for. North American informal would be a pub or cafe in Kimmeridge. 2001 High Country News Taxpayers are hope springs eternal it is human nature currently on the hook for anywhere from $32 always to find fresh cause for optimism. billion to $72 billion in abandoned mine cleanup costs. j O Th's is a shortened version of Alexander off the hooks dead. British informal i Pope's line in An Essay on Man (1733): 'Hope j j springs eternal in the human breast'. sling your hook leave; go away. British informal 1992 Angela Lambert A Rather English Marriage Hope springs eternal—she smiled wryly— ! O Sling your hook appears in a slang even in Tunbridge Wells. I dictionary of 1874, where it is defined as 'a ; polite invitation to move on'. horizon 1998 Times I now realise that Sylvia hasn't on the horizon just imminent or becoming heard from him since she told him to sling his apparent. hook. Horlicks hookey make a Horlicks of make a mess of. British play hookey stay away from school without informal permission or explanation; play truant. 1988 Joanna Trollope The Choir He thought North American informal privately that they would make a fearful horlicks of running the choir. hoop put someone (or go) through the hoops horn make someone undergo (or be made to blow (or toot) your own horn talk boastfully undergo) a difficult and gruelling test or about yourself or your achievements. North series of tests. American 1994 Legion The crew was as fast and efficient draw (or pull) in your horns become less as any they had put through the hoops. assertive or ambitious; draw back. 149 hot

! © The image here is of a snail drawing in its j horses for courses different people are ; retractile tentacles when disturbed. suited to different things or situations.

1991 Paul Grescoe Flesh Wound Hollywood's j O Tne earliest recorded instance of this major studios were pulling in their horns in i expression, in A. E. T. Watson's Turf (1891), the wake of a disastrous Christmas season. i suggests its origin:'A familiar phrase on the on the horn on the telephone. North American ! turf is "horses for courses". ..the Brighton | Course is very like Epsom, and horses that win j informal I atone meeting often win at the other'. on the horns of a dilemma faced with a decision involving equally unfavourable 1989 Guardian It's a question of horses for alternatives. courses, finding the best route forward and adopting the practices to fit that rather than j O A mid 16th-century source described a bulldozing your way through without perhaps ! dilemma as 'a horned argument' (after Latin i realising the wider environment in which this i argumentum cornutum), the idea being that j needs to work. i if you avoided one'horn'of the argument a Trojan horse: see TROJAN. ! you ended up impaled on the other. wild horses won't drag someone to something (or something from someone) hornet nothing will make someone go to a a hornets' nest a situation fraught with particular place (or divulge particular trouble, opposition, or complications. information), informal 1992 New Scientist The notion of these 'life 1998 Times As things stand, wild horses patents' has opened up a hornets' nest of wouldn't drag [children] to a symphony moral, legal, social and scientific concerns. concert. horse hostage a dark horse: see DARK. a hostage to fortune an act, commitment, or don't change horses in midstream choose a remark which is regarded as unwise sensible moment to change your mind. because it invites trouble or could prove proverb difficult to live up to.

| © This expression is quoted by Abraham j O The original hostages to fortune were a j Lincoln in 1864 as the saying of'an old Dutch I j man's family, the allusion being to Francis I farmer'. Early versions of it used swap instead j ! Bacon's essay on marriage (1625): 'He that | of change. i hath wife and children hath given hostages I to fortune'. eat like a horse eat heartily and greedily. frighten the horses cause consternation or dismay; shock. hot 1996 Independent No matter the inadvertent blow hot and cold: see BLOW. hurt or crass provocation or outright insult, drop someone or something like a hot bite your tongue, be pleasant, be polite, don't potato quickly abandon someone or frighten the horses. something, informal (straight) from the horse's mouth from the Dm person directly concerned or another j O p here is used literally, but also in the authoritative source. j figurative sense of 'end a social acquaintance j with someone'. A hot potato can be used ! O This expression refers to the presumed j independently as a metaphor for a j ideal source for a racing tip and hence of j controversial or awkward issue or problem j other useful information. ! that no one wants to deal with.

1998 New Scientist PhD students will be able to go hot and cold experience sudden feelings learn these subjects direct from the horse's of fear, embarrassment, or shock. mouth. 1973 Anthony Price October Men His wife had hitch horses together: see HITCH. said... that she had gone 'all hot and cold' a horse of another (or different) colour a after nearly being run over. thing significantly different. have the hots for be sexually attracted to. 1975 Sam Selvon Moses AscendingTwo or three informal is okay, but when you start bringing in a 1996 Janette Turner Hospital Oyster One battalion, it is a horse of a different colour. summer night, there was a man with a knife, a hour 150

man on my own surveying team, a man I ! O This phrase alludes to Matthew 12:25: fancied, a man I knew had the hots for me. i 'Every city or house divided against itself shall j hot air emptytalk that is intended to impress. | not stand', that is, will be unable to withstand j 1998 Times If a chief executive is convinced j external pressures. that a day spent hot-air ballooning is a more effective way of motivating the troops than a a house of cards an insecure or over- lot of hot air from him or her, then anything ambitious scheme. goes. j O Literally, a house of cards is a structure of j hot and heavy intense; with intensity. North i playing cards balanced together. American informal 1992 New York Times Book Review Integrated hot on the heels of following closely. Resources later proved to be a house of cards, hot to trot ready and eager to engage in an costing Drexel customers many millions activity, informal when it collapsed. hot under the collar angry, resentful, or on the house (of drinks or a meal in a bar or embarrassed. restaurant) free. 1995 Edward Toman Dancing in Limbo It seems put (or set or get) your house in order make that the gentleman in question has been necessary reforms. getting very hot under the collar of late about 2002 New York Times There will be no moral our public image. credibility for the bishops to speak about in hot water in a situation of difficulty, justice, truth, racial equality, war or trouble, or disgrace. immigration if they can't get their own house 1997 TV Quick Hunter findshimsel f in hot in order. water when a local TV reporter accuses him of safe as houses thoroughly or completely police brutality—and is later found dead. safe. British make it (or things) hot for someone make life difficult for someone. houseroom sell like hot cakes: see CAKE. not give something houseroom be unwilling too hot to hold you (of a place) not safe to to have or consider something. British remain in because of your past misconduct. I O The word houseroom, dating from the 1984 Gwyn Jones A History of the Vikings Of I late 16th century, literally means 'lodging or j Naddod we read that he was... a viking of note j accommodation in a house'. who seems to have made Norway and other 1986 Liz Lochhead True Confessions Course I do Norse settlements too hot to hold him. get the Woman and the Woman's Own plus I swap Options for the Cosmopolitan off our Joy. hour I wouldn't give Woman's Realm houseroom. keep late (or regular) hours do the same housetop thing, typically getting up and going to bed, proclaim (or shout) something from the late (or at the same time) every day. housetops announce something publicly. the small hours: see SMALL. Hoyle till all hours till very late, informal according to Hoyle according to plan or the rules. house ! O Edmond Hoyle (1672-1769) wrote a eat someone out of house and home: i number of authoritative books about whist see EAT. j and other card games; his name, at first get on (or along) like a house on fire have j synonymous with expert opinion on card ! games, became a metaphor for the highest a very good and friendly relationship. ; authority in all fields. go round (or all round) the houses ©take a circuitous route to your destination. © take 1989 Tom Bodett The End of the Road His divinely inspired plan had gone exactly an unnecessarily long time to get to the according to Hoyle. He'd fooled them. point. huff house and home a person's home (used for huff and puff ©breathe heavily with emphasis). exhaustion. 0 express your annoyance in a house divided a group or organization an obvious or threatening way. weakened by internal dissensions. 151 hustle hum hump hum and haw (or ha) hesitate; be indecisive. live on your hump be self-sufficient, informal British ! O The image here is of the camel, which is i © The word hum has been used as an i famous for surviving on the fat in its hump I i inarticulate syllable in hesitant speech since j without feeding or drinking. : Chaucer; ha appears in a similar role from the I i early 17th century. over the hump over the worst. humble hurt eat humble pie make a humble apology and someone or something wouldn't hurt a fly: accept humiliation. see FLY.

i O Humble pie is from a mid 19th-century i pun based on umbles, meaning 'offal', hustle | which was considered to be an inferior hustle your butt move or act quickly. North i food. American informal

1998 Spectator A white youth behind us did i O Other variants of this phrase include shout racial abuse. But... after the game was j hustle your buns and, in vulgar slang, hustle j over his companions forced him to come up to ! your ass. Darcus to eat humble pie. li I else's will, especially make a sexual advance, informal dot the i's and cross the t's: see DOT. ice if if anything used to suggest tentatively that break the ice do or say something to relieve something may be the case (often the tension or get conversation started at the opposite of something previously start of a party or when people meet for the implied). first time. on ice ©(especially of a plan or proposal) illusion held in reserve for future consideration. be under the illusion that wrongly believe © (of wine or food) kept chilled by being that. surrounded by ice. 0 (of an entertainment) 1998 Independent The keening harmonies of performed by skaters. the Brothers Gibb, a million naff dance 01995 Times Education Supplement In Kent routines by medallion men under the illusion plans for 10 more nursery classes next year are that they were John Travolta. on ice. be under no illusion (or illusions) be fully (skating) on thin ice in a precarious or risky aware of the true state of affairs. situation. 1992 Christian Scientist Monitor It is crucial to the nation's security... that we be under no iceberg illusions about reasons for this zero-loss rate. the tip of an (or the) iceberg the small perceptible part of a much larger image situation or problem which remains a graven image: see GRAVEN. hidden. imitation ! O This phrase refers to the fact that only ! about one fifth of the mass of an iceberg is imitation is the sincerest form of flattery i visible above the surface of the sea. copying someone or something is an implicit way of paying them a compliment. 1998 New Scientist This leaves pressure groups proverb wondering whether there are further breaches still waiting to be discovered. Sue Mayer of Gene Watch asks: 'Is it the tip of the improve iceberg?' improve the shining hour make good use of time; make the most of your time. icing literary the icing on the cake an attractive but j O This expression comes from Isaac Watts's inessential addition or enhancement. I Divine Songs for Children (1715): 'How doth j

A I the little busy bee Improve each shining ; O North American variant of this phrase is i i hour'. i the frosting on the cake. 1996 Independent State education is no longer always free. The jumble sale and the in summer fair, which used to provide the icing be in for have good reason to expect on the school cake, are now providing the (typically something unpleasant). staple fare. 1988 Hugh Scott The Shaman's Stone The weather will break soon, then we'll be in for a idea storm. get (or give someone) ideas become (or be in on be privy to a secret. make someone) ambitious, big-headed, or have it in for someone have hostile feelings tempted to do something against someone towards someone, informal 153 interest in with enjoying friendly relations with. j O In cricket, an innings is the period that a informal j team or batsman spends batting, and a good \ 1990 Jeffrey Masson Final Analysis I was in ! innings is one during which a lot of runs are j demand everywhere... simply because I was j scored. in with the right people. 2002 Oldie He keeps dropping heavy hints the ins and outs all the details of something. when he visits: he... said the other evening I have had a good innings (I am 86). inch give someone an inch once concessions have innocence been made to someone they will demand a in all innocence without knowledge of great deal. something's significance or possible consequences. i O The full form of the saying is the proverb j 1992 Jeff Torrington Swing Hammer Swing! I'd i give someone an inch and he will take a mile. \ given him the matches in all innocence but i In former times, ell (an obsolete measure of that didn't let me off the hook. | length equal to a little over a metre) was i sometimes substitued for mile. inside within an inch of your life almost to the on the inside in a position affording private point of death. information, informal 1997 Marian Keyes Rachel's Holiday He kept 1932 Daily Express I have chatted with men touching his hair, which, as well as being dyed who are believed to be on the inside, and they to within an inch of its life, was blowdried, have informed me that there will certainly be flicked and rigid with spray. changes at forward and in the three-quarter line. incline incline your ear listen favourably, literary inside out know someone or something inside out I O Incline thine ear is an expression used know someone or something very j throughout the Bible, for example in Psalms I I 17:6:'I have called upon thee, for thou wilt thoroughly. j hear me, O God: incline thine ear unto me, turn something inside out ©turn the inner j and hear my speech'. surface of something outwards. Q change something utterly. Indian 0 2002 New Republic My every preconception about Renaissance tapestry had been turned Indian summer Qa period of dry, warm inside out. weather occurring in late autumn. 0 a tranquil or productive period in someone's insult later years. add insult to injury do or say something that ©1930 Vita Sackville-West The Edwardians makes a bad or displeasing situation even Meanwhile she was quite content that worse. Sebastian should become tanned in the rays of Sylvia's Indian summer. j O Tr,is phrase comes from Edward Moore's I ; play The Foundling (1748): 'This is adding influence I insult to injuries'. under the influence affected by alcoholic drink, especially beyond the legal limits for intent driving a vehicle; drunk, informal to all intents and purposes in all important respects. Injun 1992 London Review of Books For if in 1976 honest Injun honestly; really, dated pianists really were about to lose the skill of polyphonic piano-playing, then to all intents injury and purposes the skill of playing the piano was do yourself an injury suffer physical harm or at an end. damage, informal interest innings declare an (or your) interest make known have had a good innings have had a long and your financial interests in an undertaking fulfilling life or career. British informal before it is discussed. interference 154 interference an iron hand {or fist) in a velvet glove firmness or ruthlessness masked by run interference intervene on someone's outward gentleness. behalf, typically so as to protect them from distraction or annoyance. North American iron out the wrinkles resolve all minor informal difficulties and snags.

! O Run interference is a metaphor from j O Iron out has been in figurative use ! American football, where it refers to the legal j j since the mid 19th century; it often occurs i blocking of an opponent to clear a way for i with other nouns, especially differences. ! the ball carrier. 1984 New Yorker Willa had sold her story to Universal Pictures and was in California iron ironing out some wrinkles in the deal. have many {or other) irons in the fire have new off the irons newly made or prepared; many {or a range of) options or courses of brand new. dated action available or be involved in many j O The irons here are engraved stamps used j activities or commitments at the same j for impressing a design or figure on time. i something, as in coining money, striking a | medal, or embossing paper. This sense is I O Various tools and implements made (or | now obsolete and survives only in this ; formerly made) of iron are called irons, for i phrase. ! example grappling irons or branding irons, i The metaphor is of a blacksmith or other ! worker who heats iron objects in a fire until strike while the iron is hot: see STRIKE. j they reach the critical temperature at which j i they can be shaped or used. itching an itching palm an avaricious or greedy an iron curtain an impenetrable barrier, nature. especially the Iron Curtain, the physical and 1937 Wyndham Lewis The Revenge for Love other barriers preventing the passage of Had Alvaro been bribed? Had such a man people and information between the an itching palm like the rest of them? Soviet bloc and the West during the cold war. itchy i O In the late 18th century, an iron curtain get {or have) itchy feet be restless; have a \ was literally a fire curtain in a theatre, butthe j strong urge to travel or move from place to I figurative sense was in use from the early place, informal I 19th century, well before Winston Churchill j observed in a speech in March 1946 that 'an item ! iron curtain has descended across the be an item (of a couple) be involved in j Continent [of Europe]'. an established romantic or sexual the iron entered into someone's soul relationship, informal 1997 Independent 'It is fair to say they are an someone became deeply and permanently item but they are not engaged,' said one of affected by imprisonment or ill-treatment. Mr Brown's closest confidantes. literary

I O This expression comes from a phrase in ivory I the Latin Vulgate version of the Bible, ferrum I tickle {or tinkle) the ivories play the piano. j pertransit animam ejus, a mistranslation of informal I the Hebrew which literally translates as 'his j person entered into the iron', meaning 'he | O The ivories are the white keys of the ! was placed in fetters'. i piano, traditionally made of ivory. Jj jack jam before you can say Jack Robinson very have jam on it have some additional quickly or suddenly, informal pleasure, ease, or advantage. •.--•••"• ••••••••-; 1974 Olivia Manning Rain Forest Hugh... j © This expression was in use inthe late 18th ; was free to leave at six... Pedley... said:

: century, but neither an early 19th-century ; TouVe jam Qn k. waM home [n ^ : popular song about Jack Robinson nor some ; sunset i mid 19th-century attempts to identify the j eponymous Jack Robinson shed any light on ; jam tomorrow a pleasant thing which is j its origins. often promised but rarely materializes. : : British every man Jack each and every person.

jnforma| ! O ThisexpressioncomesfromLewisCarroll's i ! Through the Looking-Glass (1871): 'The rule j O Jack is a pet name form of the forename ; | is jam tomorrow and jam yesterday—but : John. It was sometimes used in informal ; never jam today'. i American speech as a form of address to a i man whose name you did not know, and as a i . i generic name for any ordinary or working- Jane j class man. plain Jane an unattractive girl or woman. 2002 Guardian [The film]assemble s its I'm all right. Jack used to express or stereotypes (the sexy exchange student, the comment upon selfish complacency. plain Jane who's really a fox, the jock who is informal only dating her for a bet) then proceeds to : gunk them all with a ton of scatalogical j O I'm a// right. Jack was an early 20th- prankery. j century catchphrase which became the title i of a 1959 British film. • »»» JcIZZ jack of all trades (and master of none) and all that jazz and such similar things, a person who can do many different informal types of work (but has special skill in j "a'Sunkn'own'origin;'^ 'was'us'ed' none)- j informally to mean'meaningless talk'within ! '."•"."". ,"," " ,' j : a decade of the word's first appearance in its i Jack is used here to mean a general . . . ., . _.;T : , , , ,, . , , j *• = musical sense, in the early 20th century. : labourer or odd-job man , a sense dating ; _,. , ., ', . } : , .. .. ,_..' . 3 : This phrase was a mid 20th-century : from the mid 19th century. ; , 7 y ; development. : jackpoon your Jact k on your own. British informal Jekyl""196l0 pu^h"p0^cs"world affairs"film stars hiFt th© e Thi^n'ab'br'eviaïiojackpot ©win a jackpotn of the'rhymin, ©havge ilang' greatl Jekylblf an!f dan Hyd^fUe tha a persot &Z'thn^ thialternatel^ S5hay t *e o; r unexpected success. ,, .especiall y in : displayinadult worlg opposind seems gobsesse good dan withd evi, dlo not making a lot of money quickly, informal : expression on your Jack Jones. personalities. t t .^ „ i; O Originally, in the late 19th century, ; i Ointeres The t Strangeus at all Case. of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde i jackpot was a term used in a form of poker, \ (1886) is a novel by Robert Louis Stevenson, in j where the pot or pool accumulated until a j which the physician Jekyll, in orderto indulge ! player could open the betting with a pair of i j his evil instincts, uses a drug to create the ! jacks or higher cards. It is now used of any ! persona of Hyde, which at first he can assume ! large money prize that accumulates until it is j j at will but which gradually gains control of I won. i him. jerk 156

jerk jobs for the boys used in reference to the practice of giving paid employment to your put a jerk in it act vigorously, smartly, or friends, supporters, or relations. British quickly, informal, dated derogatory 1939 C. Day Lewis Child of Misfortune Put a jerk 2002 Guardian The James Report found the in it. I'm meeting my boy at the second house unit operated a 'jobs for the boys' recruitment at the Royal. policy favouring Reed's friends and political jewel acquaintances. the jewel in the (or someone's) crown the just the job exactly what is needed. British most attractive or successful part of informal something. make the best of a bad job: see make the best of it at BEST. I O In the early 20th century, this was used as j ! a term for the British imperial colonies as a more than your job's worth not worth ! whole. The Jewel in the Crown was risking your job for. ! subsequently used by Paul Scott as the title of i ! O This phrase has given rise to the term | the first novel of his Raj Quartet, which is set i ! Jobsworth, which is applied to the kind of | in the last days of British rule in India. i person, usually a minor official, who says'it's j j more than my job's worth'as a way of jib j justifying an insistence on petty rules, even at I \ the expense of common sense. the cut of someone's jib: see CUT. jig join in jig time extremely quickly; in a very short join the club: see CLUB. time. North American informal join the great majority die. euphemistic the jig is up the scheme or deception is j O This expression was first used by the poet j revealed or foiled. North American informal ; Edward Young (1683-1765): 'Death joins us i O The sense of jig here dates from the late ! to the great majority'. However, the idea of | 16th century and means 'jest' or 'trick'. Thejig \ j the dead being 'the majority' is a very old \ is over is recorded from the late 18th century j ! one; it is found, for example, in the writings ! ! in the USA and the usual modern version with j i of the Roman satirist Petronius as abiit ad j up appeared only slightly later. i plures: 'he's gone to join the majority'. jingbang joint the whole jingbang the whole lot. informal out of joint O (of a specified joint) out of position; dislocated. 0 in a state of disorder i O The origins of jingbang and its variant or disorientation. i jimbang, both found only in this phrase, are ©1601 William Shakespeare Hamlet The time j uncertain. is out of joint. Job joke a Job's comforter a person who aggravates get (or be) beyond a joke become (or be) distress under the guise of giving comfort. something that is serious or worrying. informal j O In the Bible, Job was a prosperous man 2002 Guardian The rogue animal is believed to j whose patience and piety was tested by a i series of undeserved misfortunes. The have attacked at least six residents in the past ! attempts of his friends to comfort him only week, and his antics are now described by i add to his sense of despair and he tells them: j residents as 'well beyond a joke'. i 'miserable comforters are ye all'(Job 16:2). the joke is on someone someone looks j Despite his ordeals, he remains confident of foolish, especially after trying to make j the goodness and justice of God and in the someone else look so. informal i end he is restored to his former situation. 1998 Spectator He turned out to be as right as rain... so the joke was on us. job do a job on someone do something which joker harms or defeats an opponent, informal the joker in the pack a person or factor 157 jump likely to have an unpredictable effect on jump events. get (or have) the jump on get (or have) an ! O In a pack of playing cards, a joker is an advantage over someone as a result of your i extra card which does not belong to one of prompt action. North American informal ! the four suits (clubs, diamonds, hearts, and 1912 George Ade Knocking the Neighbors Rufus I spades) and usually bears the figure of a was sinfully Rich... his Family had drilled into j jester. It is used in some card games as a trump j him the low-down Habit of getting the Jump I and in poker as a wild card. on the Other Fellow. 1973 George Sims Hunters Point Fred Wheeler go (and) jump in the lake go away and stop may be the joker in the pack. He might have being a nuisance, informal got Dave involved in something wild. 1998 New Scientist He is in some unexplained way independent of his genes... if they don't Joneses like what he does, his genes can go jump in the keep up with the Joneses try to maintain the lake. same social and material standards as your jump someone's bones have sex with friends or neighbours. someone. North American vulgar slang jump down someone's throat respond to I © This phrase originated as a comic-strip i title, 'Keeping up with the Joneses—by Pop' j what someone has said in a sudden and i in the New York Globe (1913). Jones, one of j angrily critical way. informal i the most common British family names, is jumpthegun act before the proper or j used as a generic name for neighbours or appropriate time, informal j presumed social equals. ! O ln athletics, a competitor who jumps the \ ! gun sets off before the starting pistol has j journey i been fired. The expression appears in the a sabbath day's journey: see SABBATH. ! early 20th century as beat the gun. joy jump on the bandwagon: see BANDWAGON. full of the joys of spring lively and jump out of your skin be extremely startled. cheerful. informal wish someone joy used to congratulate jump the queue ©push into a queue of someone on something. British, chiefly ironic people in order to be served or dealt with 2001 Daily Telegraph I... wish Lord Hamlyn, before your turn. © take unfair precedence Tony and Chérie every possible joy of sex, over others. money, and all the rest of it. i O The US version of this expression \sjump \ Judas I in line. I a Judas kiss an act of betrayal, especially one disguised as a gesture of friendship. jump the rails (or track) (of a train) become dislodged from the track; be derailed. ! O Judas Iscariot was the disciple who jump the shark (of a television series or film) j betrayed Jesus to the authorities in return for j ! thirty pieces of silver: 'And he that betrayed reach a point at which far-fetched events : him gave them a sign, saying, Whomsoever I : are included merely for the sake of j shall kiss, that same is he: hold him fast' novelty, indicative of a decline in quality. | (Matthew 26:48). US informal

I O This phrase issaid to referto an episode of j judgement I the long-running US television series Happy against your better judgement contrary to ! Days, in which the central character (the I Fonz) jumped over a shark while waterskiing. j what you feel to be wise or sensible. jugular jump ship 0(of a sailor) leave the ship on which you are serving without having go for the jugular be aggressive or obtained permission to do so. © suddenly unrestrained in making an attack. 1997 Cosmopolitan Once she decides she wants abandon an organization, enterprise, etc. a man, she goes for the jugular and doesn't jump through hoops be obliged to go give a hoot about any other woman (such as through an elaborate or complicated his girlfriend). procedure in order to achieve an objective. jumping 158

2002 Guardian For the Going Underground who are strong and apply ruthless self- single in 1980, the producer made Weller interest will be most successful. jump through hoops to deliver a convincing 1989 Bessie Head Tales of Tenderness & Power vocal performance. And at the beer tank the law of the jungle jump (or leap) to conclusions (or the prevailed, the stronger shoving the weaker. conclusion) form an opinion hastily, before you have learned or considered all the facts. jury jump to it take prompt and energetic action. the jury is out a decision has not yet been 1974 Marian Babson The Stalking Lamb When reached on a controversial subject. you hear my signal—jump to it! 1998 New Scientist The jury is still out, but it on the jump Qmoving quickly, ©abruptly; looks as if there are no significant changes in swiftly, informal the cosmic dust flux during past climate © 1972 Judson Philips The Vanishing Senator Get cycles. over here on the jump... Step on it, will you? one jump ahead one step or stage ahead of justice someone else and so having the advantage over them. do someone or something justice {or do justice to someone or something) treat or jumping represent someone or something with due fairness or appreciation. be jumping up and down be very angry, upset, or excited, informal do yourself justice perform as well as you are able to. jungle poetic justice: see POETIC. the law of the jungle the principle that those rough justice: see ROUGH. Kk kangaroo picnic itself. By the mid 18th century, the novelist Henry Fielding was using the phrase have kangaroos in the (or your) top to mean 'a muddle'. paddock be mad or eccentric. Australian informal 1985 Peter Carey Ulywacker 'And he was a key big man too, and possibly slow-witted.' in (or out of) key in (or out of) harmony. 'Leichhardt?' 'No, Bourke... He had kangaroos in his top paddock.' keen kibosh put the kibosh on put an end to; thwart the keen as mustard extremely eager or plans of. informal enthusiastic. British informal j O The meaning and origin of kibosh is j O Keen is used here to mean 'operating on ! ! uncertain. 'Putthekye-bosk on her' is used by j j the senses like a sharp instrument'. ; 'a pot-boy' in Charles Dickens's Sketches by j Boz (1836). keep keep the ball rolling: see BALL. kick keep open house provide general kick against the pricks hurt yourself hospitality. by persisting in useless resistance or 1950 Elizabeth Goudge Gentian Hill All well-to- protest. do Devon farmhouses keep open house on Christmas Eve. i O In the Bible, on the road to Damascus Saul I keep something under wraps: see WRAP. j heard the words:'It is hard for thee to kick j againstthepricks' (Acts9:5).The image isthat j keep up with the Joneses: see JONESES. ! of an ox or other beast of burden fruitlessly keep your eye on the ball: see BALL. j kicking out when it is pricked by a goad or ! spur. keep your feet (or legs) manage not to fall. keep someone on their toes: see on your kick someone's ass (or butt) dominate, beat, toes at TOE. or defeat someone. North American vulgar slang you can't keep a good man (or woman) down a competent person will always kick (some) ass (or butt) act in a forceful recover well from setbacks or problems. or aggressive manner. North American vulgar informal slang 1995 Martin Amis Information You got to come kettle on strong. Talk big and kick ass. a different kettle of fish a completely a kick at the can (or cat) an opportunity to different matter or type of person from the achieve something. Canadian informal one previously mentioned, informal kick the bucket die. informal 1993 Empire Meryl is the finest actress of her generation but Arnold is, er, a different kettle i O The buc/ret in this phrase may be a pail on j offish. j which a person committing suicide might the pot calling the kettle black: see POT. ! stand, kicking it away before they hanged | themselves. Another suggestion is that it a pretty (or fine) kettle of fish an awkward j refers to a beam on which something can be j state of affairs, informal i hung up; in Norfolk dialect the beam from j which a slaughtered pig was suspended by its j ln i O 'ate 18th-century Scotland, a kettle of \ j heels could be referred to as a bucket. I fish was a large saucepan of fish, typically j freshly caught salmon, cooked at Scottish kick someone down the ladder reject or j picnics, and the term was also applied to the j disown the friends or associates who have kid 160

helped you to rise in the world, especially kick your heels: see cool your heels at HEEL. with the idea of preventing them from kick yourself be annoyed with yourself for attaining a similar position. doing something foolish or missing an kick the gong around smoke opium, informal opportunity.

! O Gong is early 20th-century US slang for a j more kicks than halfpence more harsh i narcotic drug, especially opium. treatment than rewards, informal, dated kick the habit stop engaging in a habitual kid practice, informal handle (or treat) someone or something 1992 Economist Perhaps it is time for ex-French with kid gloves deal with someone or West Africa to choose its own forms of something very gently or tactfully. government... and kick the habit of turning to France whenever trouble starts. j O Kid gloves are those made with leather a kick in the pants (or up the arse or ! from a young goat's skin. backside) something that prompts or forces fresh effort, informal kids' stuff something that is childishly 1996 Southern Cross On Saturday night, Mr simple or naive, informal Groom said the party understood the 1982 Vivien Alcock The Sylvia Game He had electorate had given the Liberals a kick in the grown out of the game; it was kid's stuff. pants. Besides it always landed him in trouble. a kick in the teeth a grave setback or a new kid on the block: see BLOCK. disappointment, especially one seen as a betrayal, informal kill 1994 Daily Mirror The rates rise was a kick in be in at the kill be present at or benefit from the teeth for the housing market, which had the successful conclusion of an enterprise. been showing signs of recovery. dressed to kill: see DRESSED. kick over the traces become insubordinate go (or move in or close in) for the kill take or reckless. decisive action to turn a situation to your i O Traces are the straps by which a draught j advantage. i horse is attached to the vehicle it is pulling. If j if it kills you whatever the problems or j the animal kicked out over these straps, the difficulties involved, informal j driver would no longer be able to control it. 2001 Nancy Hope Wilson Mountain Pose I'm cracking that code if it kills me. kick someone upstairs remove someone from an influential position in a business kill the fatted calf: see FATTED. by giving them an ostensible promotion. kill the goose that lays the golden egg: see informal GOOSE. kick someone when they are down cause kill or cure (of a remedy for a problem) likely further misfortune to someone who is to either work well or fail catastrophically, already in a difficult situation. with no possibility of partial success. British kick something into touch remove some­ 1998 Richard Gordon Ailments through the Ages thing from the centre of attention or Mackenzie complained that the Germans' policy was 'kill or cure': if they tried an activity. British informal elaborate laryngectomy, it would turn them ! O In football and rugby, the touchlines from surgeons into assassins. j mark the sides of the playing area and if the j kill two birds with one stone achieve two j ball is kicked beyond these (into touch), it is i no longer in play. aims at once. kill someone with (or by) kindness spoil 1998 New Scientist The British public is more someone by overindulging them. interested in these matters than many politicians think. Such issues cannot be kicked I © This expression dates back to the mid 16th i into touch. I century; it famously appears in the title of kick up a fuss (or a stink) register strong | Thomas Heywood's play A Woman Killed \ with Kindness (1607). disapproval; object loudly to something. informal kill yourself laughing be overcome with kick up your heels: see HEEL. laughter. 161 kit killing kiss and tell recount your sexual exploits, especially to the media concerning a make a killing have a great financial success, especially on a stock exchange. famous person, chiefly derogatory kiss someone's arse (or ass) behave kilter obsequiously towards someone, vulgar slang out of kilter out of harmony or balance. kiss ass behave in an obsequious or i O Kilter, dating from the early 17th century, j sycophantic way. North American vulgar slang ! was a dialect word meaning'frame or order', j I It is now used only in this phrase. kiss my arse go away!; go to hell! vulgar slang kiss of death an action or event that causes certain failure for an enterprise. king i O Th'S expression may refer to the kiss of King Charles's head an obsession. j betrayal given by Judas Iscariot to Jesus in the j i Garden of Gethsemane (Matthew 26:48-9). i O Thisexpressionalludestothecharacterof j j 'Mr Dick', in Charles Dickens's novel David 1998 Spectator I commend the Commission's \ Copperfield, who could not write or speak on i recent Green Paper and its efforts to introduce ! any matter without the subject of King an enlightened, evolutionary discussion— | Charles's head intruding. although I hope my saying so will not be the kiss of death. king of beasts the lion. kiss of life Q mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. king of birds the eagle. © an action or event that revives a failing king of kings Qa king who has lesser kings enterprise. under him. Q God. 01997 Anthony Barnett This Time She gave a decrepit institution the kiss of life, when she king of terrors death personified. became its adversary. King or Kaiser any powerful earthly ruler. kiss the dust submit abjectly; be overthrown. a king's ransom a huge amount of money; a kiss the ground prostrate yourself as a token fortune. of respect. i O In feudal times prisoners of war were j O This phrase refers to the practice, found j freed for sums in keeping with their rank, so a j I particularly in courts of the ancient Eastern i king, as the highest-ranking individual, ! world, of throwing yourself on the ground in j I commanded the greatest ransom. | front of a monarch. take the King's shilling: see SHILLING. kiss the rod accept punishment meekly or kingdom submissively. come into (or to) your kingdom achieve j O This idiom refers to a former practice of recognition or supremacy. j making a child kiss the rod with which it was j till (or until) kingdom come forever, informal ! beaten. It is used by Shakespeare in Two i Gentlemen of Verona: 'How wayward is this ! to kingdom come into the next world, informal ! foolish love That, like a testy babe, will j scratch the nurse And presently all humbled I O Kingdom come is the next world or : kiss the rod'. I eternity; it comes from the clause in the Lord's ! j Prayer thy kingdom come. kiss something goodbye (or kiss goodbye 1996 Total Sport Graham Gooch may be fast to something) accept the certain loss of approaching his mid-forties but the old boy something, informal still clatters most bowlers to Kingdom come. kissy-face kiss play kissy-face (or kissy-kissy) behave in an have kissed the blarney stone: see BLARNEY. excessively friendly way in order to gain favour, informal a Judas kiss: see JUDAS. kiss and make up become reconciled. 1991 Economist [China] and Vietnam are kit preparing to kiss and make up in the cause of get your kit off take off all your clothes. British socialist solidarity. informal kitchen 162 kitchen knee-high everything but the kitchen sink everything knee-high to a grasshopper very small or imaginable, informal, humorous very young, informal, humorous

i O This expression was identified by Eric j O In this form the phrase apparently dates ! Partridge in his Dictionary of Forces' Slang i from the mid 19th century, but early 19th- I (1948) as being used in the context of an j century US versions include knee-high to a j intense bombardment in which the enemy j toad and knee-high to a mosquito. i fired everything they had except the kitchen \ I sink (or including the kitchen sink). knell 1965 Ed McBain Doll Brown began searching. ring the knell of announce or herald the end 'Everything in here but the kitchen sink,' he of. said. j O The image here is of the tolling of abellto j kite j announce a death or funeral. high as a kite intoxicated with drugs or alcohol, informal knickers i O This expression is a play on high meaning i get your knickers in a twist become upset or j 'lofty' and its informal sense 'intoxicated'. angry. British informal

! O This expression was originally used kith ! specifically of women, the humorous kith and kin your relations. j masculine equivalent being get your Y-fronts \ | in a twist. i O Kith, an Old English word meaning i 'native land' or 'countrymen', is now only 1998 Times I'm not as anxious as I was... Most i used in this phrase, which itself dates back to j things these days, I'm really not going to get j the late 14th century. The variant kith or kin is j my knickers in a twist about. | also sometimes found. knife an atmosphere that you could cut with a kitten knife: see ATMOSPHERE. have kittens be extremely nervous or upset. before you can say knife very quickly; British informal almost instantaneously, informal kitty get (or stick) the knife into (or in) someone scoop the kitty be completely successful; do something hostile or aggressive to gain everything. someone, informal go (or be) under the knife have surgery. i O lngamblinggames,the/c/rryisthepoolof j I money that is staked. j informal like a (hot) knife through butter very easily; knee without any resistance or difficulty. twist (or turn) the knife deliberately make at your mother's (or father's) knee at an someone's grief or problems worse. early age. 1991 Mavis Nicholson Martha Jane & Me While bring someone or something to their knees she and I were playing the cat-and-mouse reduce someone or something to a state game of these stories, I would sometimes, just of weakness or submission. to twist the knife a little further, ask about the 1997 Sunday Times Doom and gloom little girl's father. merchants everywhere are predicting all the knives are out (for someone) there is kinds of plagues befalling the world's open hostility (towards someone), informal computer systems anytime now, bringing business to its knees. knife-edge on bended knee: see BENDED. on a knife-edge (or razor's edge) in a tense on your knees O in a kneeling position. © on situation, especially one finely balanced the verge of collapse. between success and failure. weak at the knees overcome by a strong 2000 South African Times UK With the game emotion. poised on a knife-edge, the Wallabies won a 163 knocker

ruck and Gecrge Gregan's pass was floated to knock someone for six: see hit someone for the flyhalf, who picked his line perfectly. six at six. knight knock someone or something on the head decisively prevent an idea, plan, or a knight in shining armour an idealized or proposal from being held or developed. heroic person, especially a man who comes British informal to the rescue of a woman in distress or in a difficult situation. i O The image in this phrase is of stunning or I i killing a person or an animal by a blow to i O This expression, a variant of which is a j their head. i knight on a white charger, is often used i ironicallyof someone who presents himself in j knock someone sideways affect someone : this guise but is in fact inadequate to the role, i very severely; make someone severely j Compare with a white knight (at WHITE). depressed or unable to cope, informal 1998 Penelope Lively Spiderweb It's always knight of the road a man who frequents the knocked me sideways—the thought of what roads, for example a travelling sales we carry around, stashed away. representative, lorry or taxi driver, or knock someone's socks off: see SOCK. tramp. knock something into a cocked hat: see ! O Originally, in the mid 17th century, this COCKED HAT. j phrase was ironically applied to a highway- i man. knock spots off easily outdo, informal i O This expression may refer to shooting out j a white knight: see WHITE. i the pips (spots) on a playing card in a pistol- j j shooting competition. Although it is now I knitting j found chiefly in British English, the phrase stick to the (or your) knitting (of an I originated in America. organization) concentrate on a known core 1997 Spectator [Walter Laut Palmer's] area of business activity rather than 'Morning in Venice' is a tour-de-force... It diversify into other areas in which it has no knocks spots off the neighbouring, deeply experience, informal unattractive, Monet of a gondola. knock them in the aisles amaze and impress knob people, informal with knobs (or brass knobs) on and knock your head against a brick wall: see something more. British informal bang your head against a brick wall at 1998 Pi Magazine But all this would count for HEAD. zilch if the music didn't stand the test of time. knock someone or something into shape: But it does, with knobs on. see lick someone or something into knock shape at SHAPE. knock someone's block off hit someone very the school of hard knocks: see SCHOOL. hard in anger, informal take a knock suffer a material or emotional setback. j O Block is used here in its informal sense of j knock on wood: see touch wood at WOOD. j 'head'. knock someone dead greatly impress knocked someone, informal you could have knocked me (or her, him, 1991 Julia Philips You'll Never Eat Lunch In This etc.) down with a feather I (or she, he, etc.) Town Again I'm good at public speaking. I've was greatly surprised, informal been knocking them dead at seminars. I O A similar idiom is found in Samuel knock someone into the middle of next ! Richardson's novel Pamela (1741) ('you might j week hit someone very hard, informal ! have beat me down with a feather'); the knock it off used to tell someone to stop ! modern form of the expression with knock doing something that you find annoying or i dates from the mid 19th century. foolish, informal knock on (or at) the door seek to join a knocker particular group or sphere of action. on the knocker Q going from door to door, knot 164

usually canvassing, buying, or selling. © (of know something like the back of your hand: payment) immediately; on demand. see BACK. Australian & New Zealand informal know the ropes be thoroughly acquainted up to the knocker in good condition; to with the way in which something is done. perfection, informal informal knot ; O In its literal sense, this expression goes at a rate of knots very fast. British informal ! back to the days of sailing ships, when skill in j i handling ropes was essential for any sailor, ; O A knot here is a nautical unit of speed, i The idiom is found in various forms, from the i ; equal to one nautical mile per hour. | mid 19th century onwards, e.g. learn or j understand the ropes and show or teach cut the knot: see CUT. j someone the ropes tie the knot get married, informal know the score be aware of what is going on. tie someone (up) in knots make someone 2002 New York Times Magazine Nowadays, completely confused, informal everyone knows the score. Aside from 1996 Daily Star It looks like an open and shut discovering, say, that Tom Hanks is mean, case until the brilliant QC starts getting the what story of show business ugliness would prosecution witnesses tied up in knots. scandalize us? know know too much be in possession of too much important information to be allowed to live — as we know it as is familiar or customary or continue as normal. in the present. 1991 Scientific American Now that all-out know what's what have enough knowledge nuclear war seems to be receding as an or experience, informal imminent threat to life as we know it, 1992 More I know what's what at work, so no- the National Aeronautics and Space one's going to trip me up. Administration has come up with something know what you like have fixed or definite else to keep us worried: doomsday asteroids. tastes, without necessarily having the be in the know be aware of something knowledge or informed opinion to support known only to a few people. them. before you know where you are (or before 2002 Sunday Herald We adjourn to Starbucks where... I know what I like (grand skinny you know it) with baffling speed, informal latte, £2.15). know a thing or two be experienced or shrewd. know where the bodies are buried: see 1993 Rolling Stone Andy Shernoff... knows a BODY. thing or two about great glam punk. know where you are (or stand) with know know better than be wise, well-informed, or how you are regarded by someone; know well-mannered enough to avoid doing the opinions of someone on an issue. something specified. 1991 Julian Barnes Talking It Over Good old 1989 Anne Fine Goggle-Eyes Inspector McGee Stuart, he's so reliable. You know where you knows better than to tangle with Beth's are with Stuart. granny. know who's who be aware of the identity know (or not know) from nothing be totally and status of each person. ignorant, either generally or concerning know your own mind be decisive and something in particular. North American certain. informal not know someone from Adam: see ADAM. know little (or nothing) and care less be completely unconcerned about not know what hit you be hit, killed, or something; be studiously ignorant. attacked by someone or something know someone in the biblical sense have without warning. sex with someone, informal, humorous not know what to do with yourself be at a loss as to what to do, typically through ! O Know in this sense is an old use which is i particularly associated with language in the boredom, embarrassment, or anxiety. j Bible, e.g. Genesis 4:1: And Adam knew Eve not know where (or which way) to look feel I his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain'. great embarrassment and not know how to react. 165 knuckle knowing knuckle there is no knowing no one can tell. go the knuckle fight with the fists. Australian known informal near the knuckle verging on the indecent or have known better days: see have seen better days at DAY. offensive. British informal I O In the late 19th century this expression knows i was used more generally to mean 'close to for all someone knows used to express the | the permitted limit of behaviour'. limited scope or extent of someone's information. LI labour Lady Luck chance personified as a a labour of Hercules a task requiring controlling power in human affairs. enormous strength or effort. Lady Muck a haughty or socially pretentious woman. British informal O In Greek mythology, Hercules was a man of superhuman strength and courage laldy who performed twelve immense tasks or give it laldy do something with vigour or labours imposed on him as a penance for killing his children in a fit of madness. enthusiasm. Scottish After his death he was ranked among the i O Laldy or laldie, as in give someone laldy, gods. \ means'a punishment or beating'. a labour of love a task done for the love of a 1993 Irvine Welsh Trainspotting A chorus... person or for the work itself. echoes throughout the pub. Auld, toothless Willie Shane is giein it laldy. labour the point explain or discuss something at excessive or unnecessary lam length. on the lam in flight, especially from the ladder police. North American informal kick someone down the ladder: see KICK. lamb like a lamb to the slaughter as a helpless lady victim. it isn't over till the fat lady sings there is still time for a situation to change. i O This expression is found in the Bible in I Isaiah 53:7:'he is brought as a lamb to the O This phrase comes from the saying the j slaughter', an image later applied to Jesus. opera isn't over till the fat lady sings, which originated in the 1970s in the USA; it is doubtful whether any particular operatic lame production or prima donna was ever lame duck: see DUCK. intended. lamp ladies who lunch women with the money smell of the lamp: see SMELL. and free time to meet for social lunches. informal land

O This expression comes from the title of a land on your feet: see fall on your feet at 1970s song by Stephen Sondheim: 'A toast to FALL. that invincible bunch... Let's hear it for the how the land lies what the state of affairs is. ladies who lunch'. While it is often used of women who raise money for charity by in the land of the living alive or awake. organizing fashionable lunches, it is also humorous often used in a derogatory way of women ; O This is a biblical idiom: see, for example, with the money and leisure to lunch at ! Job 28:13: 'Man knoweth not the price expensive restaurants. ! thereof; neither is it found in the land of the : i living'or Psalms 52:5:'God shall likewise Lady Bountiful a woman who engages in i destroy thee for ever, he shall take thee away, i ostentatious acts of charity to impress i and pluck thee out of thy dwelling place, and i others. I root thee out of the land of the living'. i © Lady Bountiful is the name of a land of Nod a state of sleep. i character in The Beaux' Stratagem (1707), a i play by the Irish Restoration dramatist | O In the Bible, the Land of Nod was the i George Farquhar. ; place to which Cain was exiled after the 167 last

i murder of his brother Abel (Genesis 4:16). It j has been used punningly to refer to sleep large i since the 18th century, notably by Jonathan give (or have) it large go out and enjoy I Swift in Polite Conversation (1731-8): 'I'm yourself, typically with drink or drugs. | going to the Land of Nod'. British informal 1999 London Student Clubbers had it large to live off the land (or the country) live Americans Josh Wink and long-time Detroit on whatever food you can obtain by supremo Derrick May. hunting, gathering, or subsistence large as life: see LIFE. farming. 1995 Empire Harrison Ford is the frazzled lark father who ups his family from cosy suburbia up with the lark up very early in the in an effort to live off the land, get back to morning. nature, etc. no man's land: see NO. ; O References to the early-morning singing j of the lark date back to the 16th century: the i first recorded instance is found in John Lyly's landscape j Euphues. Early risers are often referred to as a blot on the landscape: see BLOT. ! larks, while their late-to-bed counterparts j may be described as owls. The phrase also language i employs a play on the word up, since the lark speak the same language understand one i sings on the wing while flying high above its I nest. another as a result of shared opinions and values. 1990 New Age journal I translate between Larry Greenpeace-speak and record industry-speak, happy as Larry: see happy as a sandboy at because the two groups just don't speak the HAPPY. same language. lash lap have a lash at make an attempt at; have a go fall (or drop) into someone's lap (of at. Australian & New Zealand something pleasant or desirable) come last someone's way without any effort having be the last word be the most fashionable or been made. up-to-date. in the lap of luxury in conditions of great 1989 Life Thanks to a built-in microchip, comfort and wealth. Teddy Ruxpin became the last word in talking in the lap of the gods (of the success of a plan dolls. or event) open to chance; depending on die in the last ditch: see DIE. factors that you cannot control. famous last words: see FAMOUS. I O This expression comes from one used in have the last word Q make or have the right ! several passages in the works of the Greek to make the final decision or pronounce­ i epic poet Homer. The original Greek refers to j ment about something. 0 carry out a final i the 'knees' of the gods, possibly because and conclusive action in a process or ! suppliants laid gifts on the knees of those course of events. i who were sitting in judgement upon them. (drinking) in the last chance saloon having been allowed one final opportunity to lares improve or get something right, informal lares and pénates the home. 1998 Times Gascoigne has finally found himself in the Last Chance Saloon. ! O ,n ancient Rome, the lares and pénates ! were the protective gods of a household, and last but not least last in order of mention or j they came to be used to signify the home occurrence but not of importance. ! itself. The phrase lares and pénates is the last of the Mohicans the sole survivor(s) j generally used to refer to those things of a particular race or kind. i that are considered to be the essential ! elements of someone's home; in 1775 j O The Last of the Mohicans is the title of an i j Horace Walpole wrote in a letter 'I am j 1826 novel by James Fenimore Cooper j returned to my own Lares and Penates—to j (1789-1851). The Mohicans, also spelled i my dogs and cats'. j Mohegans, were an Algonquian people who ; late 168

i formerly inhabited the western parts of the laugh someone or something out of court ! US states of Connecticut and Massachusetts. dismiss someone or something with the last straw: see STRAW. contempt as being obviously ridiculous. last thing late in the evening, especially as a laugh someone or something to scorn ridicule someone or something. final act before going to bed. on your last legs: see LEG. i © This is a biblical idiom: see, for example, i Job 12:4:'I am as one mocked of his pay your last respects: see PAY. | neighbour, who calleth upon God, and he I answereth him: the just upright man is late ! laughed to scorn'or Matthew 9:24:'He said late in the day at a late stage in proceedings, I unto them, Give place: for the maid is not especially too late to be useful. i dead, but sleepeth. And they laughed him to i j scorn.' ! i O A North American variant of this ! expression is late in the game. laugh up your sleeve be secretly or inwardly amused. the late unpleasantness: see UNPLEASANTNESS. i O The use of up in this expression is a i relatively recent development; the phrase laugh i dates from the mid 16th century in the form j enough to make a cat laugh: see CAT. j laugh in your sleeve. good for a laugh guaranteed to amuse or play something for laughs (of a performer) entertain. try to arouse laughter in an audience, 1998 Spectator I'm now ashamed to admit it, especially in inappropriate circumstances. but the fact remains that in 1979 voting Tory did seem good for a laugh. have the last laugh be finally vindicated, laughing thereby confounding earlier scepticism. be laughing be in a fortunate or comfortable situation, informal : O There are various proverbial sayings 2000 Ian Pattison A Stranger Here Myself i expressing this idea, such as he laughs best j I spotted a card in the window of a Lyons i who laughs last and he who laughs last, Tearoom. Dishwashers Wanted. No Exp. Nee. i laughs longest. 'That's it,' I said to Cotter, 'we're laughing.' laugh all the way to the bank make a great no laughing matter something serious that deal of money with very little effort, informal should not be joked about. 1998 Country Life In the Taw Valley they don't need to say 'cheese' to raise a smile—they just laurels whisper 'environment' and laugh all the way look to your laurels be careful not to lose to the bank. your superior position to a rival. laugh in someone's face show open rest on your laurels be so satisfied with what contempt for someone by laughing rudely you have already done or achieved that you at them in their presence. make no further effort. the laugh is on me (or you or him, etc.) the situation is reversed and now the other i O In ancient Greece, a wreath made of bay- i person is the one who appears ridiculous. I tree (laurel) leaves was awarded as a mark of i i distinction and, in particular, to victors at the j laugh like a drain laugh raucously; guffaw. i Pythian Games held at Delphi. British informal a laugh a minute very funny. lavender laugh yourself silly (or sick) laugh lay something up in lavender: see LAY. uncontrollably or for a long time. laugh on the other side of your face be law discomfited after feeling satisfaction or be a law unto yourself behave in a manner confidence about something. that is not conventional or predictable. ! O A North American variant of this the law of the jungle: see JUNGLE. I expression is laugh out of the other side of I your mouth. the law of the Medes and Persians: see MEDES. 169 leaf lay down the law issue instructions to other O This expression originated as mid 20th- people in an authoritative or dogmatic century jazz slang, meaning 'play at a brisk way. speed'. A fuller version is get the lead out of your pants. Renowned for its weight, the take the law into your own hands punish metal lead appears in a number of someone for an offence according to your expressions as a metaphor for inertness or own ideas of justice, especially in an illegal heaviness (see, for example, go down like a or violent way. lead balloon below and swing the lead take someone to law initiate legal at SWING). proceedings against someone. go down (or over) like a lead balloon there's no law against it used in (especially of a speech, proposal, or joke) spoken English to assert that you are fail; be a flop, informal doing nothing wrong, especially in 1996 Prospect Simon Jenkins's book, response to an actual or implied Accountable to None, has gone down like a lead criticism, informal balloon with most Conservative reviewers. lead someone a dance: see DANCE. lay lead someone by the nose control lay rubber: see burn rubber at RUBBER. someone totally, especially by deceiving lay eyes on: see clap eyes on at EYE. them, informal lay a charge make an accusation. j O The image here is of an animal being 1989 Tony Parker A Place Called Bird We have | controlled by a restraint round or in the nose, i domestic assaults. The complainant lays a | Shakespeare used this expression in Othello charge. i (1604):'The Moor... will astenderly be led by i j th'nose As asses are'. lay down the law: see LAW. lay a (or the) ghost get rid of a distressing, lead from the front take an active role in frightening, or worrying memory or what you are urging and directing others to thought. do. i O The image here is of exorcizing an lead in your pencil vigour or energy, i unquiet or evil spirit. especially sexual energy in a man. informal lay it on the line: see LINE. 1972 Dan Lees Zodiac The couscous is lay someone low Q(of an illness) reduce supposed to put lead in your pencil but with someone to inactivity, ©bring to an end Daria I needed neither a talking point nor an the high position or good fortune formerly aphrodisiac. lead someone up the garden path: see enjoyed by someone. GARDEN. lay something at someone's door: see DOOR. lead with your chin behave or speak lay something on the table: see TABLE. incautiously, informal lay something on thick (or with a trowel) | O This expression originated as mid 20th- grossly exaggerate or overemphasize i century boxing slang, referring to a boxer's something, informal ! stance that leaves his chin unprotected. lay something to rest soothe and dispel fear, anxiety, grief, and similar unpleasant swing the lead: see SWING. emotions. lay something up in lavender preserve leaf something carefully for future use. shake (or tremble) like a leaf tremble ! O The flowers and stalks of lavender were greatly, especially from fear. i traditionally used as a preservative for stored j take a leaf out of someone's book closely j clothes. imitate or emulate someone in a particular way. lay store by: see set store by at STORE. 1999 London Student Maybe the other colleges should take a leaf out of Imperial's book and lead try pub games instead of sports. get the lead out move or work more quickly; turn over a new leaf improve your conduct hurry up. North American informal or performance. leak 170

! O The leaf referred to here is a page of a Catullus's garçonnière but places that | book. The phrase has been used in this 'breathe History' have always left me cold. ! metaphorical sense since the 16th century, leave much (or a lot) to be desired be highly i and while it now always means 'change for ! the better', it could previously also mean just unsatisfactory. j 'change' or even 'change for the worse'. take French leave: see FRENCH. take leave of your senses: see SENSE. leak leech have (or take) a leak urinate, informal like a leech persistently or clingingly spring a leak (of a boat or container) develop present. a leak.

Tn i O This idiom refers to the way in which a i O e expression was originally a nautical ! leech attaches itself by suction to the person i i one, referring to the timbers of a wooden i or animal from which it is drawing blood: the j i ship springing out of position and so letting : ! parasites are very difficult to remove once i in water. i they are attached to the skin and feeding. lean leeway lean over backwards: see bend over make up (the) leeway struggle out of a bad backwards at BACKWARDS. position, especially by recovering lost time. leap British a leap in the dark a daring step or enterprise I O Leeway, which dates from the mid 17th whose consequences are unpredictable. j century, was the nautical term for the drift of j i a ship towards the side downwind of its leap to the eye (especially of writing) be I course. The figurative use of this phrase dates j immediately apparent. ; from the early 19th century. by leaps and bounds with startlingly rapid progress. left lease be left at the post fail to compete, informal a new lease of (or on) life a substantially j O The image here is of a racehorse that fails j improved prospect of life or use after ; to leave the starting post along with its rivals. I rejuvenation or repair. 1997 BBC Vegetarian Good Food Give salads, be left holding the baby: see HOLDING. sandwiches and jacket spuds a new lease of life hang a left: see HANG. with a spoonful of flavoured mayonnaise. have two left feet be clumsy or awkward. left, right, and centre (also left and right or leash right and left) on all sides. strain at the leash: see STRAIN. 1996 Loaded She relocated to New York... quickly finding herself heralded left, right least and centre as The Face Of The '80s. least said, soonest mended a difficult situation will be resolved more quickly if leg there is no more discussion of it. feel (or find) your legs become able to stand not least notably; in particular. or walk. to say the least (or the least of it) used as an get your leg over (of a man) have sexual understatement or euphemism to imply intercourse, vulgar slang that the reality is more extreme, usually have the legs of be able to go faster or worse. further than a rival. British 1997 Spectator References in Mr Cole's letter to the 'bottle' were, to say the least, distasteful. keep your legs: see keep your feet at KEEP. not have a leg to stand on have no facts or leave sound reasons to support your argument or leave someone cold fail to interest someone. justify your actions. 1993 James Merril A Different Person I might on your hind legs standing up to make a have waxed sentimental over the ruins of speech. British informal 171 letter on your last legs near the end of life, leopard usefulness, or strength. 1987 Eric Newby Round Ireland in Low Gear Ita i sleopar d can't change his spots people can't certainly difficult to imagine how anyone who change their basic nature, proverb is in any way infirm, and some of the pilgrims who make the climb are literally on their last less legs, can reach the top. in less than no time very quickly or soon. take to your legs: see take to your heels at informal HEEL. lesser legend the lesser evil (or the lesser of two evils) the a legend in their own lifetime a very famous less harmful or unpleasant of two bad or notorious person. choices or possibilities. legit go legit begin to behave honestly after a let period of illegal activity, informal let someone down gently seek to give someone bad news in a way that avoids j O Legit was originally a late 19th-century causing them too much distress or i theatrical abbreviation meaning 'a humiliation. I legitimate actor', that is, one who acts in i 'legitimate theatre'(conventional or serious I let it drop {or rest) say or do no more about a j drama). matter or problem. let it go {or pass) choose not to react to an leisure action or remark. lady (or man or gentleman) of leisure a let off steam: see STEAM. person who does not need to earn a living let yourself go ©act in an unrestrained or or whose time is free from obligations to uninhibited way. ©neglect yourself or others. your appearance; become careless or lemon untidy in your habits. the answer's a lemon the response or let or hindrance obstruction or impediment. outcome is unsatisfactory, informal formal i O Let in its Middle English sense of | O A lemon here is used to represent a bad, j | 'something that impedes' is now archaic and i j unsatisfactory, or disappointing thing, j rarely occurs outside this phrase, in which it i possibly because the lemon is the least ! duplicates the sense of hindrance. It is, j valuable symbol that can be achieved by i however, used in sports such as badminton j playing a fruit machine. j and tennis. hand someone a lemon pass off a 1999 Marion Shoard A Right to Roam Citizens substandard article as good; swindle can claim routes as new public paths on the grounds that they have been used without let someone. or hindrance for at least twenty years. lend let rip: see RIP. lend an ear {or your ears) listen to someone let slip: see SLIP. sympathetically or attentively. let something drop {or fall) casually reveal a lend your name to something allow yourself piece of information. to be publicly associated with something. letter Lenten a dead letter: see DEAD. Lenten fare meagre rations that do not a man {or woman) of letters a scholar or include meat. writer. i O Lentenfareisliterallyfoodappropriated ! to the letter with adherence to every detail. ! Lent, the Christian season of fasting between i ! Ash Wednesday and Easter Saturday in j O The French equivalent of this phrase is au \ ! commemoration of Jesus's forty days of ! pied de la lettre, which has been used in ; fasting in the wilderness. j English since the late 18th century. level 172 level flip your lid: see FLIP. do your level best do your utmost; make all keep a (or the) lid on ©keep an emotion or possible efforts. process from going out of control. © keep a level playing field a situation in which something secret, informal everyone has a fair and equal chance of put the (or a) lid on put a stop to. informal succeeding. 1996 Observer Nothing's final. I haven't put the 1998 Times Most damagingly, the Brussels- lid on anything. centred concept of the level playing field'ha d put the (tin) lid on be the culmination of a also proved a wonderfully convenient alibi for series of acts or events that makes things protectionist lobbies. unbearable. British informal on the level honest and truthful, informal 1999 Chris Dolan Ascension Day Mum found she was pregnant a month before the wedding, liberty then Dad put the tin lid on it by getting himself take liberties Q behave in an unduly familiar laid off. manner towards a person. © treat take (or lift) the lid off (or lift the lid on) something freely, without strict reveal unwelcome secrets about, informal faithfulness to the facts or to an original. take the liberty venture to do something lie without first asking permission. give the lie to something serve to show that something previously stated or believed to licence be the case is not true. licence to print money a very lucrative I tell a lie (or that's a lie) an expression used commercial activity, typically one to immediately correct yourself when you perceived as requiring little effort. realize that you have made an incorrect remark, informal lick let sleeping dogs lie: see SLEEPING. at a lick at a fast pace, informal let something lie take no action regarding a a lick and a promise a hasty performance of controversial or problematic matter. a task, especially of cleaning something. lie in state (of the corpse of a person of informal national importance) be laid in a public 2001 Andrew O'Hare Green Eyes Trying to place of honour before burial. scrub my teeth was just as disastrous as before, washing the face was no more than a lick and a lie like a trooper tell lies constantly and promise but it would have to do. flagrantly. Compare with swear like a lick someone's boots be excessively trooper {at SWEAR). obsequious towards someone, especially to lie through your teeth (or in your throat) tell gain favour. an outright lie without remorse, informal lick someone or something into shape: see live a lie lead a life that conceals your true SHAPE. nature or circumstances. lick your lips (or chops) look forward to nail a lie: see NAIL. something with eager anticipation. 1997 Guardian Headhunting agencies licked lies their chops at the prospect of the fat as far as in me lies to the best of my power. placement fees. how the land lies: see LAND. lick your wounds retire to recover your strength or confidence after a defeat or life humiliating experience. do anything for a quiet life make any concession to avoid being disturbed. lid the facts of life: see FACT. blow the lid off remove means of restraint for dear (or your) life as if or in order to and allow something to get out of control. escape death. informal 1992 Independent I made for the life raft and 1995 Daily Express Fleiss was taken to court on prostitution charges and threatened to blow hung on for dear life. the lid off Hollywood by revealing names of all for the life of me however hard I try; even if her superstar clients. my life depended on it. informal 173 light

1998 Robert Newman Manners I cannot for the to save your life even if your life were to life of me think what the name of the lead singer was. depend on it. frighten the life out of terrify. walk of life: see WALK. get a life start living a fuller or more within an inch of your life: see INCH. interesting existence, informal lifeline 1997J-17 All anybody seems to be talking throw a lifeline to (or throw someone a about today is school. These people need to get a life. lifeline) provide someone with a means of escaping from a difficult situation. large as life (of a person) conspicuously present, informal lifetime i O This expression was originally used of a lifetime (of a chance or experience) such ; literally, with reference to the size of a statue ! as does not occur more than once in a ! or portrait relative to the original: in the mid ; person's life; exceptional. i 18th century Horace Walpole described a ! painting as being'as large as the life'. The I lift ! humorous mid 19th-century elaboration of lift (or stir) a finger (or hand) make the ! the expression, large as life and twice as slightest effort to do something, especially i natural, used by Lewis Carroll and others, is ! still sometimes found; it is attributed to the to help someone. | Canadian humorist T. C. Haliburton (1796- 1992 Daily Telegraph If the public does not care | 1865). much for the interests of the press, it will not lift a finger to save a politician from sexual larger than life ©(of a person) attracting embarrassment. attention because their appearance or behaviour is more flamboyant than that of light ordinary people, ©(of a thing) seeming be light on be rather short of. disproportionately important. be light on your feet be quick or nimble. 1996 Face I feel that Keith from The Prodigy has been your best cover this year—he is go out like a light fall asleep or lose London, in your face, loud and larger than life. consciousness suddenly, informal life and limb life and all bodily faculties. hide your light under a bushel: see HIDE. 1993 Vanity Fair Castro is particularly irked by in (the) light of drawing knowledge or the bad press Cuba gets concerning... the information from; with regard to. rafters who risk life and limb to get to Florida. 1990 Times Education Supplement Proposals the life and soul of the party a person whose to build problem-solving into all A-level subjects may have to be re-examined in the vivacity and sociability makes a party light of new research commissioned by the enjoyable. Government. life in the fast lane an exciting and eventful light at the end of the tunnel a long-awaited lifestyle, especially a wealthy one. informal indication that a period of hardship or a matter of life and death a matter of vital adversity is nearing an end. importance. light a fire under someone: see FIRE. a new lease of life: see LEASE. light the (or a) fuse (or touchpaper) do not on your life said to emphasize your something that creates a tense or exciting refusal to comply with some request. situation. informal i © The image here is of lighting a fuse see life gain a wide experience of the world, I attached to gunpowder, fireworks, etc. in ! order to cause an explosion. A touchpaper, especially its more pleasurable aspects. ! which is used in the same way as a fuse, is a I take your life in your hands risk being I twist of paper impregnated with saltpetre to i killed. ; make it burn slowly. this is the life an expression of contentment 1998 Times The rejection of global capitalism with your present circumstances. may light a touchpaper in all those countries 1995 Nicholas Whittaker Platform Souls This is battered by the crisis. the life, nothing to do but read and look out of the window. the light of your life a much-loved person. to the life exactly like the original. make light (or little) of treat as unimportant. lightning 174

1990 Vanity Fair Ian says they still hope to ! O A limb here is the projecting branch of a j marry someday, and tries to make light of : tree. A related expression is go out on a limb, \ their non-wedding. \ meaning'take a risk'or'act boldly and make light work of accomplish a task I uncompromisingly'. quickly and easily. 1991 Times Education Supplement I don't always punch someone's lights out beat someone want to go out on a limb, or sound confron­ up. tational by flatlysayin g that the child has done this or that. lightning tear someone limb from limb violently lightning never strikes twice the same dismember someone. calamity never occurs twice. limit i © This expression refers to the popular be the limit be intolerably troublesome or ; belief that lightning never strikes the same irritating, informal j spot twice. line 1983 Penelope Lively Perfect Happiness It's nasty, isn't it?... Having to go to the same the bottom line the final reality; the airport. Though in a way you can't help important conclusion. thinking well lightning never strikes twice. i O Literally, the bottom line is the final total i i in an account or balance sheet. like lightning (or like greased lightning) very quickly. 1991 Sun The bottom line is that we would rather have Venables and Sugar than Gazza, like Maxwell and Scholar. like it or not used to indicate that someone come down to the line (of a race) be closely has no choice in a matter, informal fought right until the end. 1998 New Scientist Like it or not, people expect come (or bring someone or something) into more honesty from those who claim to be on line conform (or cause someone or the side of the environment. something to conform). like —, like — as — is, so is —. do a line with someone have a regular i © Two familiar sayings which appear in this j romantic or sexual relationship with I form are like father, like son, recorded in this \ someone. Irish & New Zealand informal I form from the early 17th century onwards, end of the line the point at which further | and like mother, like daughter. effort is unproductive or you can go no 1982 Anita Desai A Village by the Sea Did he further. teach you to tell me that—that rogue, your get a line on learn something about, informal father? Like father, like daughter. A family full 1939 Raymond Chandler The Big Sleep I was of liars, no-goods. trying to get a line on you, sure. the likes of a similar type of person or thing. lay (or put) it on the line speak frankly. informal 1989 Charles Shaar Murray Crosstown Traffic (draw) a line in the sand (state that you have They specialized in an odd combination of reached) a point beyond which you will not funk workouts and soulish adaptations of folk- go- rock hits by the likes of James Taylor and the the line of least resistance: see RESISTANCE. Doobie Brothers. line your pocket (or pockets) make money, likely usually by dishonest means. a likely story used to express disbelief of an out of line behaving in a way that breaks the account or excuse. rules or is considered disreputable or inappropriate. lily toe the line: see TOE. gild the lily: see GILD. linen limb wash your dirty linen in public: see WASH. life and limb: see LIFE. lion out on a limb Qisolated or stranded, a lion in the way a danger or obstacle, ©without support. especially an imaginary one. literary 175 live

! O This expression developed from a biblical ; live I phrase in Proverbs 22:13: The slothful man I saith, There is a lion without, I shall be slain in j live and breathe something be extremely ! the streets'. j interested in or enthusiastic about a particular subject or activity; spend a great the lion's den a demanding, intimidating, or deal of your time pursuing a particular unpleasant place or situation. interest. live and learn used, especially in spoken the lion's mouth a place of great peril. English, to acknowledge that a fact is new the lion's share the largest part of something. to you. 1998 Times Rich countries generally seize the 1998 Barbara Kingsolver The Poisonwood Bible lion's share of trade. A man who leaves his wife for his mistress is throw someone to the lions cause someone no catch, I was sorry to find out. Well, live to be in an extremely dangerous or and learn unpleasant situation. live and let live you should tolerate the I O |n ancient Rome, Christians and other opinions and behaviour of others so that j religious or political dissidents were thrown they will similarly tolerate your own. I to the lions in the arena to be killed. j O On its first appearance in English in 1622, j i this was referred to as a Dutch proverb (Leuen \ lip \ ende laeten leuen). bite your lip repress an emotion; stifle live by your wits: see WIT. laughter or a retort. live in the past ©have old-fashioned or curl your lip raise a corner of your upper lip outdated ideas and attitudes. Q dwell on or to show contempt; sneer. reminisce at length about past events. hang on someone's lips listen attentively to live it up spend your time in an extremely someone. enjoyable or extravagant way. informal lick (or smack) your lips look forward to live a lie: see LIE. something with relish; show your live off the fat of the land: see FAT. satisfaction. live off the land: see LAND. pass someone's lips be eaten, drunk, or live out of a suitcase live or stay somewhere spoken by someone. on a temporary basis and with only a pay lip service to something express limited selection of your belongings, approval of or support for something typically because your occupation requires without taking any significant action. a great deal of travelling. 1998 New Scientist Green organisations are having great difficulty maintaining their live over the shop live on the premises membership, and politicians pay lip service to where you work. environmental problems. live your own life follow your own plans and someone's lips are sealed a person is obliged principles; be independent of others. to keep a secret. live rough live and sleep outdoors as a lists consequence of having no proper home. enter the lists issue or accept a challenge. live to fight another day survive a certain j O ln medieval times, the lists were the experience or ordeal. i enclosed area in which knights fought each ! © This idea, found in the works of the Greek j ; other in tournaments. I comic playwright Menander, is expressed in j the English proverbial rhyme He who fights \ and runs away Lives to fight another day. little live to tell the tale survive a dangerous make little of: see make light of at LIGHT. experience and be able to tell others about quite the little — used when ironically or it. condescendingly recognizing that where you live at, to, or in the right, vital, or someone has a particular quality or most vulnerable spot. North American accomplishment. 2002 New York Times The movies hit them 1995 John Banville Athena She was being quite where they live—in their own state of the little home-maker, all bustle and frown. desperation and doubt. lively 176 lively loath look lively: see LOOK. nothing loath: see NOTHING. lively as a grig: see merry as a grig at GRIG. lock living have a lock on have an unbreakable hold or be (the) living proof that (or of) show by total control over. North American informal your or something's existence and I © Lock is here used in the sense of a hold in j qualities that something is the case. ! wrestling that prevents an opponent from live on borrowed time: see BORROWED. j moving a limb. in (or within) living memory within or 1974 Paul Erdman Silver Bears He would sooner during a time that is remembered by see the whole bank go down the drain... than get beaten by us. Unless we develop an even people still alive. better lock on him—and that won't be easy. the living image of an exact copy or likeness lock horns engage in conflict. of. j O The image here is of two bulls fighting load ! head-to-headwiththeirhorns.Boththeliteral j get a load of used to draw attention to j andfigurativesensesofthephraseoriginated j someone or something, informal ! in the USA, in the mid 19th century. 1994 Quentin Tarantino Pulp Fiction It's legal to lock, stock, and barrel including everything; carry it, but... get a load of this, alright—if the cops stop you, it's illegal for them to search completely. you. j O Lock, stock, and barrel refers literally to get (or have) a load on become drunk. US j the complete mechanism of a firearm. informal load the dice against (or in favour of) under lock and key securely locked up. someone put someone at a disadvantage locker (or advantage). go to Davy Jones's locker: see DAVY JONES'S 1995 Maclean's What global warming has LOCKER. done is load the dice in favor of warmer- than-normal seasons and extreme climatic a shot in the locker: see SHOT. events. take a (or the) load off your feet sit or lie log down. easy as falling off a log: see EASY. take a load off someone's mind bring loggerheads someone relief from anxiety. at loggerheads in violent dispute or disagreement. loaded loaded for bear: see BEAR. j O This expression is possibly a use of i loggerhead in the late 17th-century sense of j i 'a long-handled iron instrument for heating i loaf ! liquids and tar'; the tool was perhaps also half a loaf: see HALF. j used as a weapon. loaves and fishes personal profit as a motive for religious profession or public service. loins ; O This idiom developed from a biblical gird your loins: see GIRD. I passage in John 6:26: 'Jesus answered them i and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye seek j loiter i me, not because ye saw the miracles, but loiter with intent stand or wait around with i because ye did eat of the loaves, and were the intention of committing an offence. j filled'. British use your loaf use your common sense. British I O This is a legal phrase which derives from informal ! an 1891 Act of Parliament; it is also used i figuratively and humorously of anyone who i | O This expression probably comes from loaf \ j is waiting around for some unspecified \ of bread, rhyming slang for 'head'. j purpose. 177 loop

Lombard longbow all Lombard Street to a China orange great draw the longbow make exaggerated claims wealth against one ordinary object; virtual or statements, dated certainty, dated i O The longbowwasthe national weapon of I i O Lombard Street in London was originally ! j England from the 14th century until the ! occupied by bankers from Lombardy, and it | introduction of firearms, and prowess in its i still contains a number of London's principal j ! use was highly prized. The phrase has been : banks. This idiom dates from the early 19th j used in this metaphorical sense since the mid ! i century, but the use of a China orange to j 17th century. I mean 'a worthless thing' is recorded earlier. look London look before you leap you shouldn't act a London particular a dense fog formerly without first considering the possible affecting London, dated consequences or dangers, proverb ; O This expression originated in Charles look daggers: see DAGGER. i Dickens's Bleak House (1853). look down your nose at despise, informal look lively used to tell someone to be quick in lonesome doing something, informal by (or on) your lonesome all alone, informal | O A variant of this phrase is look alive, but long I this is now rather dated. by a long chalk: see CHALK. look someone in the eye (or face) look by a long shot: see SHOT. directly at someone without showing in the long run (or term) over a long period of embarrassment, fear, or shame. time; eventually. look someone up and down scrutinize 1997 New Scientist But as the economist someone carefully. Maynard Keynes pointed out, in the long run we are all dead. look the other way deliberately ignore wrongdoing by others. the long and the short of it all that can or need be said. 1998 EconomistThe Greek government looked the other way as lorries... switched 1999 Tim Lott White City Blue His mother takes documents the minute they crossed the a lot of looking after, his wage is worse than border. Nodge's, and the long and short of it is he hasn't got a pot to piss in. look sharp be quick. 1953 Margaret Kennedy Troy Chimneys I long in the tooth rather old. had... begun an idle flirtationwit h Maria, i O This phrase was originally used of horses, ! ... then, perceiving that I should be I referring to the way their gums recede with caught if I did not look sharp, I kept out of : age. her way. long time no see it's a long time since we last lookout met (used as a greeting), informal be on the lookout Qkeep searching for someone or something that is wanted, I O This idiom developed as a humorous I imitation of broken English spoken by a ©be alert to danger or trouble. 1 Native American. I O The word lookout, which originated in ! naval and military contexts, was first applied, i not be long for this world have only a short j in the late 17th century, to sentries or other time to live. i people employed to keep watch. The sense 1996 Frank McCourt Angela's Ashes Mrs. I of 'the action of keeping watch', as used in Finucane... says she's not long for this world i this expression, dates from the mid 18th and the more Masses said for her soul the j century. better she'll feel. not by a long chalk: see CHALK. loop not by a long shot: see SHOT. in (or out of) the loop aware (or unaware) of over the long haul over an extended period information known to only a limited of time, chiefly North American number of people, informal loose 178 1998 Times An insider suggests to a favoured, helpful journalist that the said minister is out losing of the loop and on the skids. a losing battle a struggle that is bound to end in failure. throw (or knock) someone for a loop surprise or astonish someone; catch lost someone off guard. North American all is not lost used to suggest that there is still some chance of success or recovery. loose be lost (or at a loss) for words be so hang (or stay) loose be relaxed; refrain surprised, confused, or upset that you from taking anything too seriously. cannot think what to say. informal be lost in the shuffle: see SHUFFLE. a loose cannon a unpredictable person or be lost on someone fail to influence or be thing likely to cause unintentional noticed or appreciated by someone. damage. 1990 Katherine Frank Emily Brontë Charlotte's I O A loose cannon was originally a cannon lovely surroundings and the steady unfurling | that had broken loose from its fastening or of one glorious summer day after the next ! mounting, an accident especially dangerous I were lost on her. i on wooden ships of war. give someone up for lost stop expecting that a missing person will be found alive. loose end a lost soul: see SOUL. at a loose end having nothing to do; not make up for lost time do something faster or knowing what to do. more often in order to compensate for not having done it quickly or often enough I O A North American variant of this | expression is at loose ends. before. lot lord all over the lot in a state of confusion or Lord of the Flies the Devil. disorganization. US informal ; O This expression is often used with fall to someone's lot become someone's task I allusive reference to the title of the 1954 or responsibility. I novel by William Golding (1911-93), in | which a group of schoolboys marooned throw in your lot with decide to ally yourself i on an uninhabited tropical island revert closely with and share the fate of a person j to savagery and primitive ritualistic or group. j behaviour. i O Both this and the previous idiom come ! from the process of deciding something by lorry j drawing or casting lots. fall off a lorry: see FALL. 1992 Michael Medved Hollywood vs. America Yuppie physician Michael J. Fox decides to give lose up his dreams of glitz and glory in L.A. and to throw in his lot with the lovable locals. lose face: see FACE. lose sleep worry. love lose your mind (or your marbles) become for the love of Mike used to accompany an insane or irrational, informal exasperated request or to express dismay. British informal lose your rag: see RAG. lose your shirt: see SHIRT. I O Mike is perhaps used here as a generic j name for an Irishman; compare with mickey \ lose your touch: see TOUCH. I in take the mickey out of (at MICKEY). lose your (or the) way no longer have a clear idea of your purpose or motivation in an love me, love my dog if you love someone, activity or business. you must accept everything about them, even their faults, proverb loser love's young dream Qttie relationship of be on (or on to) a loser be involved in a young lovers, ©the object of someone's course of action that is bound to fail. love. © a man regarded as a perfect lover. 179 lyrical

not for love or money not in any lucky) used to say that someone's wishes or circumstances, informal expectations are unlikely to be fulfilled. 1998 Spectator I am told that you cannot get a plasterer for love or money, but that the going lull rate is a big kiss and £1,000 a week. the lull before the storm: see STORM. there's no (or little or not much) love lost between there is mutual dislike between lump two or more people mentioned. a lump in the throat a feeling of tightness or lower dryness in the throat caused by strong emotion, especially grief. lower the boom on ©treat someone severely, ©put a stop to an activity, informal take (or get) your lumps suffer punishment; be attacked or defeated, informal, chiefly North ! O It has been suggested that this phrase American j originally meant'knocking out an adversary ; 1971 Bernard Malamud The Tenants Now I : with one punch' in a fight. take my lumps, he thought. Maybe for not satisfying Mary. lower the tone diminish the spirit or moral character of a conversation, place, etc. lunch i O Tone here is used to mean the general do lunch meet for lunch, informal, chiefly North ! character or attitude of a conversation, place, j American i piece of writing, etc. ladies who lunch: see LADY. lower your sights: see raise your sights at out to lunch: see OUT. SIGHT. there's no such thing as a free lunch you never get something for nothing; any lowest benefit received has eventually to be paid the lowest of the low those regarded as the for. most immoral or socially inferior of all. 1996 Washington Times Europeans are now 1995 Nicholas Whittaker Tlatform Souls And learning some hard facts of life about fare dodgers, well, they're the lowest of the socialized medicine: there's no such thing as a low, and should be strung up. free lunch. luck lurch as luck would have it used to indicate the leave someone in the lurch leave an fortuitousness of a situation. associate or friend abruptly and without 1994 Beryl Gilroy Sunlight on Sweet Water As assistance or support when they are in a luck would have it, one day they met in the difficult situation. door of the rum shop. ! O Lurch as a noun meaning 'a state of the luck of the draw the outcome of chance j discomfiture' dates from the mid 16th rather than something you can control. ! century but it is now used only in this idiom. the luck of the Irish very good luck. 1987 Eileen Dunlop The House on the Hill What make your own luck be successful through have Gilmores ever done but leave her in the your own efforts and opportunism. lurch? Poor Jane, she just can't run the risk of ride your luck let favourable events take being hurt again. their course without taking undue risks. try your luck (at something) do something lying that involves risk or luck, hoping to succeed. take something lying down accept an 1964 Mary Stewart This Rough Magic I finally insult or injury without attempting decided, after three years of juvenile leads in retaliation. provincial rep that it was time to try my luck in 1989 Shimmer Chinodya Harvest of Thorns She's boasting in front of me, laughing London. at me for being weak. Today she'll know your luck is in (or out) you are fortunate (or I'm not going to take it lying down any unfortunate) on a particular occasion. longer. lucky lyrical you, he, etc. will be lucky (or should be so wax lyrical about (or over) talk in an lyrical 180

effusive or enthusiastic way about i moon's monthly increase and decrease something. I (waxing and waning).

; O Wax (from Old English weaxan) was used 1998 New Scientist Even as they wax lyrical i to mean 'increase in size' right through until about the perils of a changing climate, Clinton | early modern English, but since then it has and Gore are presiding over the most massive ; been superseded in all general contexts by expansion of oil exploration and drilling ; grow. It now survives only in certain since... the Trans-Alaska Pipeline twenty ; expressions, especially with reference to the years ago. Mm mad I adjective meaning '(of strength or force) j exerted to the full', it is a very ancient usage: mad as a hatter (or a March hare) completely j maegenstrengo occurs in the Anglo-Saxon crazy, informal | epic Beowulf.

! © In this expression, a hatter refers to Lewis ; j Carroll's character, the Mad Hatter, in >4//ce's i majority i Adventures in Wonderland (1865). It is I thought that hatters suffered from the join the great majority: see JOIN. i effects of mercury poisoning because of the the silent majority: see SILENT. j fumes arising from the use of mercurous i nitrate in the manufacture of felt hats. The I March hare version refers to the way hares j leap about during the breeding season. make make a beeline for: see BEELINE. mad as a (cut) snake crazy or eccentric. make the cut: see CUT. Australian informal make someone's day make an otherwise madding ordinary or dull day pleasingly memorable far from the madding crowd secluded or for someone. removed from public notice. make a day (or night) of it devote a whole day (or night) to an activity, typically an j © The phrase was originally used in Thomas j I Gray's'Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard' i enjoyable one. j (1751). It is now better known as the title of i make do manage with the limited or ! one of Thomas Hardy's novels. inadequate means available. j O This phrase can be used alone or in make \ madness \ do and mend, a UK slogan from the 1940s. that way madness lies it is ill-advised to make like pretend to be; imitate. North American pursue a particular course of action as it informal will cause distress or anxiety. 1939 John Steinbeck The Grapes of Wrath This rich fella... makes like he's poor. i O This phrase is a quotation from King Lear, \ I taken from the speech in which Lear shies make or break be the factor which decides j away from contemplating the ingratitude of j whether something will succeed or fail. j his daughters Regan and Goneril. j O A variant of this phrase, found chiefly in j British English, is make or mar. The use of maggot ; make together with mar is recorded from the j act the maggot behave in a foolishly playful i early 15th century, but since the mid 19th way. Irish informal ; century break has become more common. 1998 Your Garden Neighbours can make magic or break a home and there's certainly a magic carpet: see CARPET. no keeping up with the Jones's mentality here. magnitude on the make ©intent on gain, typically in a of the first magnitude: see of the first order rather unscrupulous way. © looking for a at FIRST. sexual partner, informal put the make on make sexual advances to. main North American informal by main force through sheer strength. 1993 Anne River Siddons Hill Towns Put the make on you, did she, Joe? I should have ! O Main derives from the Old English warned you. Past a certain blood alcohol level j word maegen meaning 'physical force'. As an j Yolie gets snuggly. maker 182 maker the man in the moon ©the imagined likeness of a face seen on the surface meet your maker die. humorous or euphemistic of a full moon, ©used, especially in j O This expression alludes to the Christian comparisons, to refer to someone | belief that, after death, the soul goes to be regarded as out of touch with real life. j judged by God, its creator. 01991 Sight & Sound You thought... you could mention even the most famous classic films as reference points in script meetings making and not be looked at like the man in the moon. be the making of someone ensure some­ the man in (or on) the street an ordinary one's success or favourable development. person, usually with regard to their malice opinions, or as distinct from an expert. malice aforethought the intention to kill or i O A specifically British variation this harm which is held to distinguish unlawful j expression is the man on the Clapham killing from murder. j omnibus (see below). mammon man of the cloth a clergyman. the mammon of unrighteousness wealth ill- j O Jonathan Swift used doth as an informal i used or ill-gained. ! term for the clerical profession in the early I 18th century, but it was earlier applied to | O This biblical expression comes from Luke ; ! several other occupations for which I i 16:9: 'And I say unto you, Make to yourselves ; j distinctive clothing was worn, e.g. the legal i friends of the mammon of unrighteousness; j or military professions. ! that, when ye fail, they may receive you into j ! everlasting habitations'. Mammon ultimately j man of God Q a clergyman. © a holy man or I comes from Hebrew mâmôn meaning saint. I 'money or wealth'. In early use, it was used to j a man of letters: see LETTER. ! refer to the devil of covetousness; it later j was used as the personification of wealth man of the moment a man of importance at I regarded as an idol or an evil influence. a particular time. man of straw (or straw man) Q a person compared to an effigy stuffed with straw; a man sham. Q a sham argument set up to be as — as the next man as — as the average defeated, usually as a means of avoiding person. having to tackle an opponent's real 1998 Tom Clancy Rainbow Six I like red meat as arguments. much as the next man. 01991 Past b Present By making the be your own man (or woman): see OWN. representativeness of the case-studies into the every man for himself: see EVERY. crucial issue, Rubinstein is erecting a straw man which he can easily demolish without every man has his price: see PRICE. addressing the basic criticisms of his sources man about town a fashionable male socialite. and methodology. man and boy throughout life from youth. a man of the world: see WORLD. j O The Scottish poet William Dunbar used the man on the Clapham omnibus the j the phrase oa/'t/i man and/ad in the early 16th i average man, especially with regard to his i century, but the modern usage follows opinions. British i Shakespeare's Hamlet 'I have been sexton I here, man and boy, thirty years'. i © This expression is attributed to the ! English judge Lord Bowen (1835-94), who a man for all seasons a man who is ready to j used it as a metaphor for any ordinary cope with any contingency and whose i reasonable person—such as a juror is behaviour is always appropriate to every j expected to be. Clapham is a district in south j occasion. i London.

j O Robert Whittington applied this man's best friend an affectionate or i description to the English statesman and humorous way of referring to a dog. i scholar Sir Thomas More (1478-1535), and it i a man's man a man whose personality is such i was used by Robert Bolt as the title of his 1960 j that he is more popular and at ease with | play about More. other men than with women. 183 march

! O This expression was apparently first used j ; in George Du Maurier's story The Martian manse I (1897), where the man's man is defined as 'a i son (or daughter) of the manse the child of a i good comrade par excellence, a frolicsome minister, especially a Presbyterian. ; chum, a rollicking boon-companion, a ; jolly pal'. A man's woman, which dates from i many i the early 20th century, is a woman who is be too (or one too) many for outwit or baffle. I more at ease with men than with other have one too many become slightly drunk. j women. many's the — used to indicate that 1991 Men's Health Masculinity used to be something happens often. simple to define. If you had hair on your 2000 Taxi News Many's the happy hour I've chest and a deep voice, and belonged to a club spent listening to cabbies thrash that one out. that excluded women, you were masculine, or, as was the phrase of the time, 'a man's map man'. all over the map see all over the place at ALL. man to man in a direct and frank way between two men; openly and honestly. off the map (of a place) very distant or remote. Compare with off the beaten men in (grey) suits powerful men within an organization who exercise their influence track (at BEATEN). or authority anonymously. put something on the map make something men in white coats psychiatrists or prominent or important. psychiatric workers (used to imply that wipe something off the map obliterate someone is mad or mentally unbalanced). something totally. humorous marble 1995 Economist Mrs Thatcher was removed lose your marbles go insane; become from Ten Downing Street by men in grey suits. Judging by her hyperthyroidic performance irrational or senile, informal this week, it would now take men in white ! O Marbles as a term for 'a person's mental coats. i faculties'probably originated as early 20th- separate (orsort out) the men from the boys i century American slang. The underlying show or prove which people in a group are i reference is apparently to the children's truly competent, brave, or mature. j game played with multicoloured glass balls. 1968 House b Garden The Dry Martini... is a 1998 Spectator At least, that is how I recall the drink that will quickly separate the men from event, but I am losing my marbles. the boys and the girls from their principles. pick up your marbles and go home twelve good men and true: see TWELVE. withdraw petulantly from an activity after having suffered a setback, informal, chiefly US mangle put someone through the mangle: see put i O The image here is of a child who refuses someone through the wringer at j sulkily to continue playing the game of i marbles. WRINGER. manner March in a manner of speaking in some sense; so to mad as a March hare: see mad as a hatter at speak. MAD. ! O Manner of speaking is recorded from the j march i mid 16th century; compare with French façon i i de parler, which has been in use in English march to (the beat of) a different tune (or ; since the early 19th century. drum or drummer) consciously adopt a different approach or attitude to the to the manner born naturally at ease in a majority of people; be unconventional. specified way of life, job, or situation. informal

i O This comes from Shakespeare's Hamlet: I O The version with drummer comes | 'though I am native here And to the manner j ! ultimately from Henry David Thoreau's i born'. Punning on this expression, to the ! Walden (1854): 'If a man does not keep pace j ! manor born is used to refer to someone who j j with his companions, perhaps it is because he j j has aristocratic origins. i hears a different drummer'. mare 184

1997 New Scientist In formulating his ideas j O This idiom, which datesfrom the mid 20th j about the composition of the fundamental I century, derives from the world of horse building blocks of matter... Sternglass has I racing. The card is a race card, the list of marched to the beat of an entirely different j runners at a race meeting, so to mark drum. ; someone's card is to give them tips for j possible winners. mare a mare's nest a wonderful discovery which the mark of Cain the stigma of a murderer; proves or will prove to be illusory. a sign of infamy.

j O A mare's nest is here being used to i O According to the book of Genesis, God i symbolize something that does not exist, as i placed a mark on Cain after the murder of his j i horses do not make nests. The phrase is first j brother Abel, originally as a sign that he ! recorded in the late 16th century, as is the I should not be killed or harmed; this was later j I variant a horse's nest, although the latter is j taken to identify him as a murderer (Genesis \ i now no longer in use. j 4:15). mark time Q (of troops) march on the spot marines without moving forward. @ pass your time tell that to the marines {or the horse in routine activities until a more marines) a scornful expression of interesting opportunity presents itself. incredulity. mark something with a white stone: see ; O This saying may have originated in a WHITE. j remark made by Charles II, recommending near {or close) to the mark almost correct or j that unlikely tales should be referred to accurate. ; sailors who, from their knowledge of distant ; places, might be the people best qualified to I O The mark'm this and the two following ; judge their truthfulness. Horse marines, i idioms is a target or goal. \ dating from the early 19th century, were an ; imaginary cavalry corps, soldiers mounted on off {or wide of) the mark Q a long way away i horseback on board ship being a humorous from an intended target. © incorrect or j image of ineptitude or of people out of their inaccurate. ! natural element. In 1823 Byron noted that ! That will do for the marines, but the sailors on the mark correct or accurate. i won't believe it was an 'old saying', and the on your marks used to instruct competitors ! following year Walter Scott used Tell that to in a race to prepare themselves in the \ the marines—the sailors won't believe it! in j his novel Redgauntlet. correct starting position. up to the mark Oof the required standard. 1998 Times Truth is the issue, say the 0 (of a person) as healthy or cheerful as apologists, not the grope. You can tell that to usual. the marines. The issue is the grope. market mark be in the market for wish to buy. be quick {or slow) off the mark be fast (or a drug on the market: see DRUG. slow) in responding to a situation or understanding something. marriage marriage of convenience a marriage ! O The mark here is the line or marker concluded to achieve a practical purpose. i from which a competitor starts a race, as is I also the case in get off the mark and on 1 O This expression was used by Joseph | your marks. j Addison in the early 18th century, translating j j the French manage de convenance, which a black mark: see BLACK. i has itself been current in English sincethe mid I get off the mark get started. | 19th century. leave (or make) its {or your or a) mark have a 1949 George Bernard Shaw Buoyant Billions lasting or significant effect. The proportion of happy love marriages to make your mark become famous and happy marriages of convenience has never been counted. successful. mark someone's card give someone marrow information, informal to the marrow to your innermost being. 185 meaning

i O Marrow is the soft, fatty substance found j j in the cavities of bones. max to the max to the highest degree possible. 1994 Maurice Gee Crime Story Moral informal corruption, the lawyer said. Men who are greedy to the marrow of their bones. McCoy the real McCoy the real thing; the genuine marry article, informal marry money marry a rich person, informal ! O The origin is of this phrase is unknown, mat j but it appears in the form 'the real Mackay' in j j a letter by Robert Louis Stevenson in 1883. go to the mat vigorously engage in an ; McCoy \s glossed as 'genuine liquor' in a 1930 j argument or dispute, typically on behalf of j edition of the American Mercury. a particular person or cause. 1992 Jeff Torrington Swing Hammer Swing! i O The mat referred to is the thick mat in a 'How d'you know the armour's real?' 'Oh, I'm ! gym on which wrestling is practised. sure it's the real McCoy.' 1924 P. G. Wodehouse Leave it to Psmith meal I... heard... you and Aunt Constance going to make a meal of treat a task or occurrence the mat about poor old Phyllis. with more attention or care than on the mat being reprimanded by someone necessary, especially for effect. British informal in authority, informal 1961 Colin Willock Death in Covert Dyson... i O This idiom is a military reference: the was making a meal of everything. He had j orderly room mat was where a soldier carefully paced the distance... He had stuck i accused of some misdemeanour would stand j sticks in the ground. j before the commanding officer. mean match the golden mean: see GOLDEN. meet your match encounter your equal in mean business be in earnest. strength or ability. 1992 New York Times The protest is a matter of principle... and also a necessary act of the whole shooting match: see SHOOTING. assertiveness by the delegates to show they Matilda mean business. mean to say really admit or intend to say. waltz (or walk) Matilda carry a bundle of 1977 Jennifer Johnston Shadows on our Skin I your personal possessions as you travel the mean to say, Joe Logan, where are you if you roads. Australian can't resist putting a small white tube of poison into your mouth every half an hour? j O The name Matilda was one of a number of ! j names given to the swag or pack carried by a means to an end a thing that is not valued ! bushmen in Australia. The expression was or important in itself but is useful in i famously used by A. B. ('Banjo') Paterson achieving an aim. ! (1864-1941) in his 1903 song'Waltzing : Matilda'. I O End and means are compared or j contrasted in several proverbial sayings, ! for example the end justifies the means matter j (see END) and he who wills the end wills a matter of form a point of correct \ the means. procedure. no mean — a very good —.

Matthew ! O This expression was famously used by St the Matthew principle the principle that ! Paul:'I am., .a Jew of Tarsus... a citizen of no ! more will be given to those who are already j mean city'(Acts 21:39). provided for. 1990 LA. Style Surviving the rise and fall of art ; O This phrase stems from the gospel trends is no mean trick. j passage:'Unto every one that hath shall be j given, and he shall have abundance' meaning j (Matthew 25:29). not know the meaning of the word behave measure 186

as if unaware of the concept referred to or meet implied, informal meet the case be adequate. measure meet your eye (or ear) be visible {or for good measure in addition to what has audible). already been done, said, or given. meet someone's eye (or eyes or gaze) look get (or take or have) the measure of assess directly at someone. or have assessed the character, nature, or meet someone halfway make a compromise abilities of someone or something. with someone. measure your length (of a person) fall flat on meet your maker: see MAKER. the ground, dated meet your match: see MATCH. meat meet your Waterloo: see WATERLOO. be meat and drink to be a source of great there's more to someone or something than •pleasure or encouragement to. meets the eye a person or situation is more 2002 Total Film Sex, conspiracy theories, top complex or interesting than they appear. hats and 'orrible murder, the elements of the Jack The Ripper story are meat and drink to meeting film-makers. a meeting of minds an understanding or dead meat: see DEAD. agreement between people. easy meat: see EASY. meat and potatoes ordinary but megillah fundamental things; basic ingredients. the whole megillah something in its 1993 New York Times Mainstream rock acts like entirety, especially a complicated set of Van Halen and Bruce Springsteen are the meat arrangements or a long-winded story. North and potatoes of A.O.R. American informal medal j O Megillah is the Hebrew word for a 'scroll' j the reverse of the medal (or shield) the ! andrefersparticularlytoeachoffivebooksof i j the Jewish Scriptures (the Song of Solomon, opposite view of a matter. j Ruth, Lamentations, Ecclesiastes, and Esther) i | appointed to be read in the synagogue on Medes I certain important days. the law of the Medes and Persians something which cannot be altered. Melba i O This expression refersto Daniel 6:12: 'The j do a Melba ©return from retirement. | thing is true, according to the law of the I Medes and Persians, which altereth not'. 0 make several farewell appearances. Australian & New Zealand informal

i © The Australian operatic soprano Nellie medicine | Melba (the stage name of Helen Mitchell, a dose (or taste) of your own medicine the 1 1861-1931) made repeated 'farewell' same bad treatment that you have given to I appearances. others. i O The idea of taking or receiving your own \ melt \ medicine has been in metaphorical use since j melt in the mouth (of food) be deliriously i the mid 19th century. light or tender and need little or no 1994 Eoin McNamee Resurrection Man Every chewing. time you turn on the telly there's some politician talking the mouth off himself, dose memory of their own medicine's what they want. take a trip (or walk) down memory lane meek deliberately recall pleasant or sentimental memories. meek as Moses (or a lamb) very meek. i O This expression is a biblical allusion to mend I Numbers 12:3:'Now the man Moses was very ! mend (your) fences make peace with a j meek'. person. 187 Mickey Finn

I O This expression originated in the late 19th I j messenger of ill' and Shakespeare's Antony \ ! century in the USA, with reference to a i and Cleopatra, 'The nature of bad news j member of Congress returning to his home j infects the teller'. j town to keep in touch with the voters and to ! ; look after his interests there. Similar notions i I are conjured up by the saying good fences method \ make good neighbours. there is method in someone's madness there is a sensible foundation for what 1994 Louis de Bernières Captain Corelli's Mandolin He knew assuredly he should go and appears to be foolish or strange behaviour. mend his fences with the priest. ! O This expression comes from the scene in mend your pace go faster; alter your pace to ! Hamlet in which Hamlet feigns madness, ! causing Polonius to remark: 'Though this be j match another's. j madness, yet there is method in't'. on the mend improving in health or condition; recovering. mettle mentioned be on your mettle be ready or forced to prove be mentioned in dispatches be commended your ability to cope well with a demanding for your actions. British situation. j O In official military reports from the front j put someone on their mettle (of a i line any soldiers who have been responsible demanding situation) test someone's ! for particular acts of bravery are commended j ability to face difficulties in a spirited and j by name. resilient way.

; O Originally the same word as metal, mettle \ mercy \ was no more than a variant spelling that be thankful (or grateful) for small mercies be ! gradually became particularly associated ! with figurative uses of the word, meaning relieved that an unpleasant situation is i 'quality of temperament', and from that alleviated by minor advantages. ! 'natural spirit' or 'courage'. These senses i eventually developed so far from the literal merry j senses that it was no longer apparent that lead someone a merry dance: see DANCE. ! they were originally the same word. The merry as a grig: see GRIG. i distinctive spellings metal and mettle to ; distinguish the two were in use by the early mess I 18th century, though not necessarily j universally applied until the following mess with someone's head cause someone j century. to feel frustrated, anxious, or upset. US informal sell something for a mess of pottage: see Mexican POTTAGE. Mexican overdrive the neutral gear position used when coasting downhill. US informal message | O This expression originated in the mid 20th j get the message infer an implication from a j century, especially in language used by long- j remark or action, informal ; distance truck drivers. 1993 Isidore Okpewho Tides I think he got the message, because he flashed me a look from the corner of his eye. mickey send the right (or wrong) message make a take the mickey tease or ridicule someone, significant statement, either implicitly or especially in an unkind or persistent way. by your actions. informal, chiefly British : 0 The origin of this phrase is unknown; take \ messenger \ (or extract) the Michael is a humorously shoot (or kill) the messenger treat the bearer ! formal variant. of bad news as if they were to blame for it. i O Being the bearer of bad tidings has been a i Mickey Finn j traditionally thankless task, as indicated in slip someone a Mickey Finn give someone a I Sophocles' Antigone, 'No man loves the drugged or otherwise adulterated drink. microscope 188

i O Recorded from the 1920s, this expression ! Mike ! is of unknown origin, but it is sometimes said j for the love of Mike: see LOVE. i to be the name of a notorious Chicago ! barkeeper (c. 1896-1906). mile be miles away be lost in thought and so microscope unaware of what is happening around you. under the microscope under critical informal examination. go the extra mile be especially assiduous in your attempt to achieve something.

Midas ! O This origins of this expression can be the Midas touch the ability to make money i traced back to the New Testament injunction i out of anything that you undertake. i 'And whosoever shall compel thee to go a j mile, go with him twain'(Matthew 5:41). The j I O 'n classical legend, Midas was a king of ! revue song of 1957 by Joyce Grenfell, i Phrygia (in Asia Minor) who had the power to j j 'Ready... To go the extra mile', may have ! turn everything he touched into gold. i popularized its use.

a mile a minute very quickly, informal middle j O As a noun, mile a minute is a popular the middle of nowhere somewhere very ! nickname for the quick-growing climbing remote and isolated, informal i plant Russian Vine. ! O This is one example of several derogatory j i expressions concerning rural life as viewed run a mile used to show that someone is j from an urban perspective: compare with frightened by or very unwilling to do : the back of beyond (at BACK) and in the sticks j something, informal ; (at STICK). 1999 Chris Dolan Ascension Day She'll run a mile if you contact her direct. I'll do my go- steer (or take) a middle course adopt a policy between bit, for you and her, if you do the which avoids extremes. same for me. see (orteil or spot) something a mile off midnight recognize something very easily, informal burn the midnight oil: see BURN. stand (or stick) out a mile be very obvious or incongruous, informal midstream milk in midstream Oin the middle of a stream or cry over spilt (or spilled) milk lament or river. Q (of an activity or process, especially make a fuss about a misfortune that has one that is interrupted) part-way through happened and that cannot be changed or its course; unfinished. reversed. milk and honey prosperity and abundance. might might is right those who are powerful can do j O This expression alludes to the prosperity what they wish unchallenged, even if their j of the Promised Land of Israel in the Bible ! (Exodus 3:8). action is in fact unjustified.

i O This was an observation made by both milk and water feeble, insipid, or mawkish. : Greek and Latin writers and it was known in : milk the bull (or ram) engage in an enterprise ! this form in English as far back as the early doomed to failure. j 14th century. the milk in the coconut a puzzling fact or with might and main with all your force. circumstance. the milk of human kindness care and i O Main derives from the Old English word ; maegen meaning 'physical strength' (see also j compassion for others. I by main force at MAIN). The use of the two j O This phrase comes from Macbeth. In Lady i : nouns might and main together dates from i Macbeth's soliloquy on the subject of her ! the mid 15th century; main in this sense is no j i husband's character, she remarks: 'Yet I do j longer used in modern English except in this j j fear thy nature; It is too full o'the milk of i phrase. j human kindness To catch the nearest way'. 189 minute mill have something on your mind be troubled go (or put someone) through the mill by the thought of something. undergo (or cause someone to undergo) an in your mind's eye in your imagination or unpleasant experience. mental view. run of the mill: see RUN. mind over matter the power of the mind million asserted over the physical universe; the use gone a million (of a person) completely of willpower to overcome physical defeated or finished. Australian informal problems. 1976 Australian (Sydney) Gough's gone. Gonmine a d your Ps and Qs be careful to behave million. He's had it. well and avoid giving offence. look (or feel) (like) a million dollars (of a | O Various suggestions have been made person) look (or feel) extremely good. j concerning the significance of P and Q. One I informal ! obvious one is that a child learning to read or j ! write might have difficulty in distinguishing ! between the two tailed letters p and q. millstone I Another is that printers had to be very careful j hard as the nether millstone: see HARD. I not to confuse the two letters when setting a millstone round your neck a very severe ! type. impediment or disadvantage. mind the shop be temporarily in charge of

; O A millstone was a large circular stone used i affairs. i to grind corn. The phrase alludes to a method j mind your back (or backs) used to warn i of executing people by throwing them into inattentive bystanders that someone wants I deep water with a heavy stone attached to to get past, informal i them, a fate believed to have been suffered I by several early Christian martyrs. not pay someone any mind not pay someone any attention. North American mince on someone's mind preoccupying someone, especially in a disquieting way. not mince words (or matters) speak candidly open your mind to be prepared to consider and directly, especially when criticizing or acknowledge; be receptive to. someone or something. out of your mind ©having lost control of mincemeat your mental faculties; insane, ©used to express a belief in someone's foolishness make mincemeat of defeat decisively or or mental turmoil. © suffering from the easily in a fight, contest, or argument. specified condition to a very high degree. informal informal mind put your mind to something start to be in (or of) two minds be unable to decide concentrate on something. between alternatives. cast your mind back think back; recall an minor earlier time. in a minor key (especially of a literary work) understated. close (or shut) your mind to (or against) 1995 Independent He was a moralist in a minor refuse to consider or acknowledge. key. come (or spring) to mind (of a thought or idea) occur to someone; be thought of. mint give someone a piece of your mind: see PIECE. in mint condition (of an object) new or as if have a mind of your own Obe capable of new; in pristine condition. independent opinion or action, ©(of an inanimate object) seem capable of thought : O Theimagebehindthisphraseisofanewly j and desire, especially by behaving contrary j minted coin. to the will of the person using it. have a (or a good or half a) mind to do minute something be very much inclined to do one minute to midnight the last moment or something. opportunity, informal mirror 190 1998 New Scientist It's one minute to midnight for the discredited WHO. mistaking there is no mistaking someone or mirror something it is impossible not to recognize all done with mirrors achieved with an someone or something. element of trickery. mite i O This phrase alludes to the fact that a widow's mite: see WIDOW. i conjuring tricks are often explained as being ; i achieved through the skilful use of mirrors; ! mitt j compare with smoke and mirrors (at SMOKE). get your mitts on obtain possession of. informal mischief ! O Mitt, an abbreviation of mitten, is an do someone (or yourself) a mischief injure i informal term for a person's hand that dates \ someone or yourself, informal i back to the late 19th century. make mischief create trouble or discord. misery mix mix and match select and combine different put someone out of their misery release but complementary items, such as clothing someone from suspense or anxiety, or pieces of equipment, to form a especially by telling them something they coordinated set. are anxious to know, informal put something out of its misery end the mixed suffering of a creature in pain by killing it. a mixed blessing something good which nevertheless has some disadvantages. miss give something a miss decide not to do or mixture have something. British informal the mixture as before the same treatment miss the cut: see make the cut at CUT. repeated. British miss a beat hesitate or falter, especially in j © The mixture as before was an instruction ! demanding circumstances or when : which was formerly written on medicine making a transition from one activity to ! bottles. another. miss the boat (or bus) be too slow to take mobile advantage of an opportunity, informal downwardly (or upwardly) mobile moving 1987 Kathy Lette Girls'Night Out He'll never get to a lower (or higher) social position; losing divorced and marry her. She'll miss the boat. (or gaining) wealth and status. not miss much be alert to or aware of everything that is happening around you. mocker informal put the mockers on ©put an end to; thwart, not miss a trick never fail to take advantage ©bring bad luck to. of a situation, informal j O This expression originated as early 20th- 1965 Harper's Bazaar Fenwicks... never i century British slang. An Australian variant is j misses a trick when it comes to picking up a j put the mocks on. new accessory idea. 01966 Lionel Davidson A Long Way to Shiloh mistake Shimshon and the judo both seemed to have put the mockers on this particular idyll. We and no mistake without any doubt. left soon after. © 1970 Joyce Porter Dover informal Strikes Again This investigation had got the 1993 Sam McAughtry Touch & Go He was a mockers on it from the start. headcase and no mistake. make no mistake (about it) do not mockery be deceived into thinking otherwise. make a mockery of something make informal something seem foolish or absurd. 1974 Times Make no mistake. We had a major 1998 New Scientist In some fisheries,wast e work of television last night. makes up about half of the landed catch, 191 month

which makes a mockery of most population on the money accurate; correct, chiefly North models. American put money (or put your money) on Q place a molehill bet on something. © have confidence in make a mountain out of a molehill: see the truth or success of something. MOUNTAIN. put your money where your mouth is take action to support your statements or moment opinions, informal have your (or its) moments have short see the colour of someone's money: see periods that are better or more impressive COLOUR. than others. throw good money after bad incur further moment of truth a crisis; a turning point loss in a hopeless attempt to recoup a when a decision has to be made or a crisis previous loss. faced. throw money at something try to solve a ! © This expression is a translation of the problem by recklessly spending more i Spanish el momento de la verdad, which money on it, without due consideration of | refers to the final sword thrust in a bullfight, j what is required.

Monday monkey Monday morning quarterback a person who as artful (or clever) as a wagonload (or is wise after the event. North American cartload) of monkeys extremely clever or mischievous. British informal | © In American football, a quarterback is the I player stationed behind the centre who have a monkey on your back Qhave a ! directs the team's attacking play. In North burdensome problem, ©be dependent on j American English the word has also drugs, informal ! developed the sense of 'a person who directs j O Sense 2 originated as mid 20th-century US j j or coordinates an operation or project'. A j slang; it can also mean 'experience withdrawal I ! Monday morning quarterback is someone j symptoms after ceasing to take a drug'. ; who passes judgement on something or ! criticizes it when it is too late for their ! comments to be of any use, since the have (or get) your monkey up be angry. I particular game or project in question has like a monkey on a stick restless and agitated. ! finished or been completed. j © The image here is of a child's toy which ! consists of a figure of a monkey attached to a j money j stick up and down which it can be moved. be in the money have or win a lot of money. make a monkey of (or out of) someone informal humiliate someone by making them appear ridiculous. for my money Q in my opinion or not give a monkey's be completely judgement. © for my preference or taste. indifferent or unconcerned, informal have money to burn have so much money put a person's monkey up make someone that you can spend as lavishly as you want. angry. money burns a hole in your pocket (or purse) you have an irresistible urge to monster spend money as soon as you have it. Frankenstein's monster: see FRANKENSTEIN. money for jam (or old rope) Q money the green-eyed monster: see GREEN-EYED. earned for little or no effort. © an easy task. British informal month j © These expressions, which date back to the j a month of Sundays a very long, seemingly ! early 20th century, may have originated as endless period of time. | military slang. In 1919, the Athenaeum stated j | that money for jam arose as the result of the j j © This expression may be a reference to the j I 'great use of jam in the Army'. ; traditionally slow passage of Sundays as a money talks wealth gives power and j result of religious restrictions on activity or influence to those who possess it. proverb j entertainment. In a letter written in 1849, monty 192

! G. E. Jewsbury talked of the absence of mail i deliveries on Sundays, remarking: 'If I don't moonlight i get a better letter from you... you may pass do a moonlight flit make a hurried, usually j "a month of Sundays" at breakfast without nocturnal, removal or change of abode, | any letter from me'. especially in order to avoid paying your rent, informal 1998 Country Life All in all, the Ministry of Agriculture is gaining the no-nonsense, get- ! O Make a moonlight flitting is recorded your-coats-off atmosphere that Jack ! from the early 19th century and appears to Cunningham could not have managed in a i have originated in northern England or month of Sundays. j Scotland. The expression is now often j shortened to do a moonlight. monty the full monty the full amount expected, morning desired, or possible, informal morning, noon, and night all of the time; constantly. j O The origin of this expression is unclear. 1993 Tony Parker May the Lord in His Mercy be I Among various, though unsubstantiated Kind to Belfast It was the sort [of relationship] i theories, one cites as the source the phrase ! the full Montague Burton, apparently where nothing else matters for you except to ! meaning 'a complete three-piece suit' (from be with that other person morning, noon and j the name of a tailor of made-to-measure night. i clothing in the early 20th century). Another j theory recounts the possibility of a military mortal ! origin, with the full monty being 'the full shuffle off this mortal coil: see COIL. ! cooked English breakfast' insisted upon by j Field Marshal Montgomery. Morton Morton's fork a situation in which there are moon two choices or alternatives whose bark at the moon clamour or make an outcry consequences are equally unpleasant. to no effect. ! O John Morton (c. 1420-1500) was j O The barking of dogs at a full moon has ! Archbishop of Canterbury and chief minister ! j been a metaphor for futile activity since the i of Henry VII. Morton's fork was the argument ; | mid 17th century. i i used by him to extract contributions to the i royal treasury: the obviously rich must have cry (or ask) for the moon ask for what is ! money and the frugal must have savings, so unattainable or impossible. British i neither could evade his demands.

i O The moon in this expression, which dates ; j from the mid 16th century, stands for mote ! something distant and unattainable, as it ; does in promise someone the moon below. a mote in someone's eye a trivial fault in someone which is less serious than one in many moons ago a long time ago. informal someone else who is being critical.

j O The reference here is to the phases of the i | O A mote is a tiny speck of dust or a similar ; I moon marking out the months. ! substance. The phrase comes from Matthew ; ! 7:3-5: 'Why beholdest thou the mote that is j once in a blue moon: see BLUE. ! in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the : beam that is in thine own eye?': the over the moon extremely happy; delighted. j implication is that someone is ignoring a informal i glaring fault of their own while criticizing a i smaller one in someone else. i O This phrase comes from an old nursery ! rhyme which includes the lines Heigh diddle \ | diddle, the cat and the fiddle, the cow moth j jumped over the moon. like a moth to the flame irresistibly attracted promise someone the moon (or earth) to someone or something. promise something that is unattainable. British mothball 1998 New Scientist Scientists tend to promise in mothballs unused but kept in good taxpayers the moon, and then not deliver. condition for future use. 193 move motion move mountains O achieve spectacular and go through the motions Qdo something apparently impossible results, ©make perfunctorily, without any enthusiasm or every possible effort. commitment. Q simulate an action; act out ! O In sense 1, the phrase alludes to 1 something. i Corinthians 13:2:'And though I have the gift I i of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, motley j and all knowledge; and though I have all wear motley play the fool. j faith, so that I could remove mountains, and j I have not charity, I am nothing'. i O Motley was the name given to the j particoloured clothes worn by a court jester | in former times. mousetrap a better mousetrap an improved version of mould a well-known article. break the mould put an end to a pattern ; O This expression comes from an of events or behaviour, especially one i observation attributed to Ralph Waldo that has become rigid and restrictive, ! Emerson in 1889, though also claimed by ! Elbert Hubbard:'If a man write a better by doing things in a markedly different j book, preach a better sermon, or make a way. i better mousetrap than his neighbour, tho'he ; j build his house in the woods, the world ! O Originally this phrase referred to casting j will make a beaten path to his door'. j artefacts in moulds: destroying a mould ! ensured that no further identical examples i could be produced. The expression became a i catchphrase in Britain in the early 1980s with mouth i the foundation of the Social Democratic be all mouth (and no trousers) tend to talk ! Party. Its founders promoted the party as boastfully without any intention of acting i breaking the 'out-of-date mould' of British on your words, informal j politics, a phrase used by Roy Jenkins in a 1998 Oldie What was the point of the j speech in 1980. Sitwells?... The image was the point, transcending mere achievement... The mountain Sitwells were all mouth and no trousers. have a mountain to climb be facing a very make someone's mouth water ©cause someone to salivate at the prospect of difficult task. appetizing food. © cause someone to feel if the mountain won't come to Muhammad, an intense desire to possess something. Muhammad must go to the mountain if put words in (or into) someone's mouth one party will not compromise, the other O falsely report what someone has said. party will have to make the extra effort. © prompt or encourage someone to say O The story behind this expression is that something. Muhammad was once challenged to take the words out of someone's mouth say demonstrate his credentials as a prophet by summoning Mount Safa to come to him. what someone else was about to say. When the mountain did not move in response to the summons, Muhammad observed mouthful that had the mountain moved it would give someone a mouthful talk to or shout undoubtedly have overwhelmed him and at someone in an angry, abusive, or all his followers and that therefore he would go to the mountain to give thanks to God for severely critical way; swear at someone. his mercy in not allowing this disaster to British informal happen. say a mouthful make a striking or important statement; say something noteworthy. make a mountain out of a molehill foolishly North American informal or pointlessly exaggerate the importance of something trivial. movable j O The contrast between the size of a movable feast: see FEAST. i molehills and that of mountains has been j made in this and related expressions since the j move j late 16th century. move up a gear: see change gear at GEAR. mover 194 get a move on hurry up. informal drag someone through the mud: see drag 1992 Lisa Tuttle Lost Futures So stop worrying, someone through the dirt at DRAG. sweetheart, and let's get a move on... I don't fling (or sling or throw) mud make want to be late. disparaging or scandalous remarks or make a move ©take action. Qstart on a accusations, informal journey; leave somewhere. British j O The proverb throw dirt (or mud) enough, \ make a move on (or put the moves on) make j and some will stick, to which this phrase a proposition to someone, especially of a i alludes, is attributed to the Florentine sexual nature, informal j statesman Niccolô Machiavelli (1469-1527). move the goalposts: see GOALPOST. someone's name is mud someone is in move heaven and earth: see HEAVEN. disgrace or unpopular, informal move mountains: see MOUNTAIN. ! O Mud was a colloquial term for a fool from j move with the times keep abreast of current i theearlyl 8th century to the late 19th century. thinking or developments. 1998 Times Just because I smoked a few lousy the spirit moves someone: see SPIRIT. cigarettes every hour for 25 years, my name is mover mud in the insurance business. a mover and shaker someone at the centre of muddy events who makes things happen; a muddy the waters make an issue or a powerful person. situation more confusing and harder to ; O Movers and shakers is first recorded in understand by introducing complications. j Arthur O'Shaughnessy's 1874 poem 'Ode'. ! O The figurative use of muddy to mean 1998 Times Ten years from now his name will | 'make something hard to perceive or again be high on the list of movers and shakers | understand' occurs in Shakespeare; muddy to watch in the decade. \ the waters dates from the mid 19th century. much mug not much in it little difference between things being compared. a mug's game an activity which it is stupid to engage in because it is likely to be so much the better {or worse) it is better [or unsuccessful or dangerous, informal worse) for that reason. Mu was m 1995 Guardian If you can get a tropical fruit I O 9 'd 19th-century slang for a juice... so much the better. I fool, in particular someone who has been i duped by a card sharper or criminal. Mug's j game appeared in the early 20th century muchness | and has been applied to a wide variety of much of a muchness very similar; nearly the j activities, especially horse racing and betting same, informal j on horses.

i O Muchness, used in Middle English in the 1992 Economist From the way many western : sense 'large size, bigness', is now very seldom i businessmen talk, you would think j used outside this expression, which dates investing in eastern Germany was a mug's ! from the early 18th century. game. mullock muck poke mullock at ridicule someone. Australian & as common as muck of low social status. New Zealand informal British informal n make a muck of handle incompetently; j O ' Middle English, mullock meant 'refuse i i or rubbish', a sense which only survives in bungle. British informal I dialect use. In Australian English it came to be ! where there's muck there's brass dirty or j used of rock that either did not contain gold : unpleasant activities are also lucrative. I or from which the gold had been extracted, proverb i and it then developed the extended sense of j i 'worthless information or nonsense'. This mud j phrase dates from the early 20th century; j compare with poke borak at (at BORAK). clear as mud: see CLEAR. 195 mutton

Bulletin explained Murphy's Law as 'If an multitude aircraft part can be installed incorrectly, cover a multitude of sins conceal or gloss someone will install it that way'. over a lot of problems or defects. ! O This phrase refers to 1 Peter 4:8: 'For muscle i charity shall cover the multitude of sins'. flex your muscles: see FLEX. mum mushroom keep mum remain silent about something; like mushrooms suddenly and in great not reveal a secret, informal numbers. mum's the word say nothing; don't reveal a secret, informal music music to your ears something that is \ O In both of these idioms, mum stands for j an inarticulate sound made with pursed lips very pleasant or gratifying to hear or i indicating either unwillingness or inability to j discover. I speak. 1991 Atlantic City Mum's the word on who will mustard play the major figures in this tale of woe. cut the mustard: see CUT. a grain of mustard seed: see GRAIN. murder get away with murder succeed in doing muster whatever you choose without being pass muster be accepted as adequate or punished or suffering any disadvantage. satisfactory. informal murder will out murder cannot remain | © This was originally a military expression, undetected. ! meaning'come through a review or j inspection without censure'. It is found ; O This expression was used by Chaucer in I earlier (late 16th century to late 17th century) j The Prioress's Tale: 'Mordre wol out, certeyn, j j in the now obsolete form pass {the) musters i it wol nat faille'. | and has been in figurative use since the late i 16th century. scream (or yell) blue murder make an extravagant and noisy protest, informal mutton | O A North American variant of this phrase is j dead as mutton: see dead as a doornail at i scream bloody murder. DEAD. 1995 lain Banks Whit I was now left with the mutton dressed as lamb a middle-aged ticklish problem of how to let my great-aunt or old woman dressed in a style know there was somebody there in the room suitable for a much younger woman. with her without... causing her to scream British informal blue murder. j O Mutton occurs in various derogatory Murphy i contexts relating to women. It has been used j as a slang term for prostitutes from the early Murphy's law if anything can go wrong it j 16th century, for example, while the phrase will. i hawk your mutton means 'flaunt your sexual j attractiveness' or (of a prostitute) 'solicit for I O Murphy's law is said to have been the i clients'. i inspiration of a Californian project manager j ! for the firm Northrop, referring to a remark j 1988 Salman Rushdie The Satanic Verses i made in 1949 by a colleague, Captain Mutton dressed as lamb, fiftyplu s and j Edward Murphy of the Wright Field-Aircraft j batting her eyelashes like an eighteen- ! Laboratory. In 1955, Aviation Mechanics year-old. Nn nail people in such a way as to imply that they hard as nails: see HARD. are close acquaintances. hit the nail on the head: see HIT. 9ive your name toinven t discover, or found something which then becomes known by nail your colours to the mast: see COLOURS. ur name a nail in the coffin an action or event have to your name have in your posseSsion. regarded as likely to have a detrimental or , . .. . ^ . _ , ^ & i -^ ^ <. have your name in hqhts Q of an actor or

destructive effect on a situation, enter- J . , ." ,• -, A • performer) have their name displayed in _' p ' ™ xr . . xr !. lights outside a theatre, concert hall, etc.

1981 R. Lancaster Plant Hunting in Nepal A major °, f nail in the coffin of the plant hunter, so some U De ramous- people believe, is the growing importance in all but name existing in a particular state placed on plant conservation in the wild. but not formally recognized as such. nail a lie expose something as a falsehood or 1999 Chris Hulme Manslaughter United He had deception spent twenty-one out of twenty-five years in segregation (solitary confinement in all but i O The reference here is to shopkeepers name). j nailing forged coins to their shop counter to | jn name on|y by description but not in ; expose them and put them out of circulation, : reality i or to farmers pinning dead vermin to a barn i ..„'.. , .. , , ... „ , ! door as a deterrent to others. ! I993 Har?er s Ma^zm'In Western Europe the ! • Communist parties shrank year after on the nail (of payment) without delay. year. they had become small-bourgeois _ _.... capitalist parties, Communist in name only. i O The origins of this expression are make a name for yourself become famous. i uncertain. It may be related to the obsolete „ . ,u^~,« ;A HS, , n^^A^™ K , ,. j.u -i • .*. -x *• • name and shame identify wrongdoers by

; phrase to the nail, meaning to perfection or : .... • c , • \ 'to the utmost', which derived from the habit ! name ™th the intention of embarrassing ! of sculptors giving a finishing touch to their j them into improving their behaviour, j work with a fingernail, or to joiners testing 1998 New Scientist I'm all for naming and j the accuracy of a joint in the same way. shaming, as this is worth many times more ! A North American equivalent is on the than fines. j barrelhead. name names mention specific names, ''''l993'jonathanGash'paid^dL^^sïlkgal especially of people involved in something syndicates pay cash on the nail. wrong or "legal. right on the nail with complete accuracy. name no names refrain from mentioning the names of people involved in an incident. nalrAif 1999 New York Times Naming no names, two fia Ken familiar Presidential candidates... recently the naked truth the plain truth, without sought to get at the son by condemning the concealment or embellishment. j Ofather' Packs promisdrill is ae iorm of a 'kindeof militarr anyd punishmen gentler' t j : : i inationn which. an offender has to perform parade- i I liœSSS^in phrase I *•i groun-"-?•d

j used as an aside to recommend reticence i about a particular subject. nasty a nasty taste in the mouth: see a bad taste in put a name to know or manage to remember the mouth at TASTE. what someone or something is called. a nasty piece {or bit) of work an unpleasant someone's name is mud: see MUD. or untrustworthy person, informal something has your name on it you are something nasty in the woodshed: see destined or particularly suited to receive or WOODSHED. experience a specified thing. nation take someone's name in vain: see VAIN. one nation a nation not divided by social to name (but) a few giving only these as inequality. examples, even though more could be cited. j © One nation was a political slogan of the 1996 Mail on Sunday A choice of sundried j 1990s, associated especially with the debate j tomato bread, honey and walnut knots, dill i between the right and left wings of the and sesame knots, peppercorn rolls and ! British Conservative Party. croissants to name but a few. what's in a name? names are arbitrary labels. native go native (of a person living away from their i O This phrase comes from Shakespeare's own country or region) abandon their own i Romeo and Juliet. 'What's in a name? that j which we call a rose By any other name would i culture, customs, or way of life and adopt : smell as sweet'. those of the country or region they are living in. you name it whatever you can think of (used to express the extent or variety of some­ nature thing), informal call of nature used euphemistically to refer 1991 Angela Carter Wise Children The streets of to a need to urinate or defecate. tall, narrow houses were stuffed to the brim get {or go) back to nature return to the with stand-up comics; adagio dancers; type of life (regarded as being more in tune soubrettes; conjurers; fiddlers;specialit y acts with nature) that existed before the develop­ with dogs, doves, goats, you name it. ment of complex industrial societies. in the nature of things inevitable or inevitably. nana 2002 Economist The IMF sometimes makes do {or lose) your nana lose your temper. mistakes. It is in the nature of things: the Fund Australian practises battlefield medicine. off your nana mentally deranged. Australian in a state of nature ©in an uncivilized ! O Nana in these idioms is probably short or uncultivated state, ©totally naked. ! for banana; compare with go bananas © (in Christian theology) in a morally : at BANANA. unregenerate condition, unredeemed by divine grace. nap nature red in tooth and claw: see RED. go nap Q win all the matches or games in a the nature of the beast the inherent or series, ©risk everything in one attempt. essential quality or character of something, not go nap on not be too keen on; not care which cannot be changed and must be much for. Australian informal accepted, informal your better nature the good side of your i O Nap is the name of a card game character; your capacity for tolerance, j resembling whist in which a player attempts i generosity, or sympathy. i to take all five tricks. Its original name was 1995 Daily Mail Pollard is thrown out of the j Napoleon. Woolpack and tries to weasel his way back in by appealing to Caroline's better nature. napping catch someone napping (of an action or navel event) find someone off guard and contemplate your navel spend time unprepared to respond, informal complacently considering yourself or your near 198

own interests; concentrate on one issue at up to your neck in ©heavily involved in the expense of a wider view. something onerous or unpleasant, ©very busy with, informal near win by a neck succeed by a small margin. so near and yet so far a rueful comment on a situation in which you have narrowly Ned Kelly failed to achieve an aim. game as Ned Kelly: see GAME. nearest needle your nearest and dearest your close friends a needle in a haystack something that is and relatives. almost impossible to find because it is concealed by so many other similar necessary things. a necessary evil something that is 2002 New York Times Magazine Terrorists don't fit a consistent profile: you're looking for a undesirable but must be accepted. needle in a haystack, but the color and shape 1997 Internet World Advertising may be a of the needle keep changing. necessary evil. After all, someone has to support Internet ventures. sharp as a needle: see SHARP. neck needs break your neck to do something exert must needs do something O cannot avoid or yourself to the utmost to achieve help doing something. © foolishly insist on something, informal doing something. get (or catch) it in the neck be severely needs must sometimes you are forced to take criticized or punished, informal a course of action that you would have have the (brass) neck to do something have preferred to avoid. the impudence or nerve to do something. : O This is a shortened form of the proverb informal j needs must when the Devil drives, which is neck and neck level in a race, competition, or j first found in a work by the medieval author j j John Lydgate. comparison.

! O This phrase, together with win by a neck \ j below, originally developed with reference nelly ! to horse racing. A neck is the length of the not on your nelly certainly not. I head and neck of a horse as a measure of its i ! O This expression, modelled on the phrase I lead in a race. j not on your life, originated as not on your 1998 Spectator The Republicans had a 30-point \ Nelly Duff, which is British rhyming slang for i lead over the Democrats; today, the i 'puff', meaning 'breath of life'. Democrats are neck and neck on what's supposed to be a bedrock conservative issue. neck or nothing risking everything on nerve success. a bag of nerves: see BAG. 1934 Leslie Charteris The Saint Intervenes In get on someone's nerves irritate or annoy broad daylight, there was no chance of further someone, informal concealment; and it was neck or nothing at have nerves of steel not be easily upset or that point. frightened. the same neck of the woods the same small geographical area or community. live on your nerves (or your nerve ends) be extremely anxious or tense. | O A/ec/c in the sense of 'narrow strip of I woodland'is recorded from the late 18th strain every nerve make every possible j century. j effort. j O Nerve is used here in an earlier sense of 1998 Spectator Both [letters] come fromth e ! 'tendon or sinew'. same neck of the woods, both are on the same subject and both are cries for help which are touch (or hit) a (raw) nerve provoke a being ignored. reaction by referring to a sensitive topic. stick your neck out: see STICK. a war of nerves: see WAR. 199 nice

Nessus a new one on (me, him, etc.) an account, idea, or joke not previously encountered by the shirt of Nessus used to refer to a me, him, etc. informal destructive force or influence, literary turn over a new leaf: see LEAF. O In Greek mythology, Nessus was a centaur killed by Hercules. While dying, Nessus told a whole new ball game: see BALL. Deianira, Hercules' wife, that if she ever had cause to doubt her husband's love, she should news wrap him in a shirt soaked in Nessus' blood as be bad news be a problem or handicap. this would ensure his constancy. Deianira informal followed these instructions, but the centaur's blood was in fact a powerful poison that 1996 City Paper (Baltimore) From the moment corroded Hercules' body and as he tried to we see Mark Wahlberg... surrounded by remove the shirt chunks of his flesh were pool-hall scumbags, we know he's bad news. ripped away. be good news be an asset; be commendable or admirable, informal 1922 Edith Wharton The Glimpses of the Moon It was as if a sickness long smouldering in him no news is good news without information had broken out and become acute, enveloping to the contrary you can assume that all is him in the Nessus shirt of his memories. well, proverb nest New York a mare's nest: see MARE. a New York minute a very short time; a nester moment. US informal empty nester: see EMPTY. next net next in line immediately below the present holder of a position in order of succession. slip (or fall) through the net escape from or be missed by something organized to catch or deal with you. next door 1977 Margaret Drabble The Ice Age Britain is, the boy (or girl) next door a person or the after all, a welfare state, and not many slip type of a person perceived as familiar, through its net. approachable, and dependable, surf the net: see SURF. typically in the context of a romantic partnership. nettle grasp the nettle: see GRASP. nibs his nibs a mock title used to refer to a self- network important man, especially one who is in the old boy network: see OLD. authority, informal 1989 Guy Vanderhaege Homesick Whatever his never nibs prefers. I see that hasn't changed either. He still expects things to be organized to suit never-never land an imaginary Utopian him and only him. place or situation.

! © This expression is often used with allusion j nice ! to the imaginary country in J. M. Barrie's make nice (or nice-nice) be pleasant or polite ! Peter Pan (1904). The term was used earlierto i to someone, typically in a hypocritical way. ! denote the remote and unpopulated North American informal I northern part of the Northern Territory and ; Queensland in Australia (from which, it is nice one used to express approval. British I implied, a person might never return). informal 2001 Searcher Waving it aloft with delight, never say die: see DIE. I shouted a 'Howzat!' that merely elicited grudging grunts of 'Nice one' from the new Mexborough duo. a new broom: see BROOM. nice work if you can get it used to express a new kid on the block: see BLOCK. envy of what is perceived to be another new off the irons: see IRON. person's more favourable situation, nicety 200

especially if they seem to have reached it night of the long knives a treacherous with little effort, informal betrayal or ruthless action.

! O Nice work if you can get it was the title of ! O Night of the long knives is especially I an Ira Gershwin song from 1937. ! associated with the massacre of the ; Brownshirts on Hitler's orders in 1934. ; Traditionally, the phrase referred to the nicety j legendary massacre of the Britons by Hengist to a nicety precisely. j in 472, described by Geoffrey of Monmouth j in his Historia Regum Britanniae. In Britain ; it has been particularly used of the occasion nick j in 1962 on which Harold Macmillan dismissed in — nick in a specified condition. British j a third of his cabinet at the same time, of informal i which the Liberal politician Jeremy Thorpe j remarked 'Greater love hath no man than 1997 Ian Rankin Black b Blue Don't be j this, that he lay down his friends for his fooled by the wheezing old pensioner j life'. routine. Eve's around fifty, still in good nick. in the nick of time only just in time; just at nine the critical moment. dressed (up) to the nines dressed very smartly or elaborately. j O Nick is used here in the sense of 'the i precise moment of an occurrence or an I O This expression may come from the 99th j event'. This form of the phrase dates from the i I Wiltshire Regiment, a military unit who were I I mid 17th century, but in the (very) nick is j noted for their smart appearance. I recorded from the late 16th century. a nine days' wonder: see WONDER. 1985 Nini Herman My Kkinian Home Time and again, when all seemed lost, I somehow won nine to five typical office hours. through in the nick of time. nine times out of ten on nearly every nick someone for cheat someone out of occasion. something, typically a sum of money. North on cloud nine: see CLOUD. American informal 1962 Washington Daily News Taxpayers... have heard rumblings that they might ninepence be nicked for about a million dollars no more than ninepence in the shilling of each year to subsidize professional sports low intelligence, dated here. j O Since the decimalization of the British ! coinage, this phrase has gradually fallen out i nickel j of use, but there are numerous other accept a wooden nickel be fooled or j humorous variations on the theme of ! I someone not possessing their proper share swindled. US j of brains or intelligence, for example ! O A wooden nickel is a worthless or j a sandwich short of a picnic (see SANDWICH). i counterfeit coin. not worth a plugged nickel of no value. ninepin US go down {or drop or fall) like ninepins topple or succumb in large numbers. i O A plugged coin has had a part removed 1994 Beryl Gilroy Sunlight on Sweet Water They : and the space filled with base material. were falling like ninepins to the wizardry of our fast bowler, Bachan. 1991 R. Hawkey & R. Bingham Wild Card If as much as a whisper gets out... none of our lives are going to be worth a plugged nineteen nickel. talk nineteen to the dozen: see TALK. night nip make a night of it: see make a day of it at in the nip naked. Irish informal MAKE. nip something in the bud suppress or night and day all the time; constantly. destroy something at an early stage. 201 noise

i O This phrase refers to the horticultural noblesse I practice of pinching out plant buds to noblesse oblige privilege entails i prevent the development of shoots or ! flowers. Nip in this sense was used responsibility. i figuratively in the late 16th century, and nip \ \ in the bud in the early 17th century. nobody be nobody's fool: see FOOL. put in the nips cadge, borrow, or extort like nobody's business: see BUSINESS. money. Australian & New Zealand informal nit nod keep nit keep watch or act as a guard. get (or give someone or something) the nod ©be selected or approved (or Australian select or approve someone or something), ! O Nit here is possibly an alteration of nix, a j ©get (or give someone) a signal or ! warning signal by schoolchildren that a information. i teacher is approaching. a nod's as good as a wink there's no need for pick nits look for and criticize small or further elaboration or explanation. insignificant faults or errors. I © This is a shortened form of the proverb, j dating from the late 18th century, a nod is as j ! O The image here is of the painstaking j good as a wink to a blind horse, used to j removal of tiny parasitic nits (lice or lice eggs) I ! convey that a mere hint or suggestion can be j i from someone's hair. The phrase originated i or has been understood. A nod and a wink is j I in the mid 20th century, chiefly in North i also used to mean'a hint or innuendo'. I American usage. on the nod by general agreement and no without discussion. British informal no man's land an intermediate or ambiguous nodding area of thought or activity. be on nodding terms know someone ! O This phrase was used literally in the late slightly. | 16th century for a piece of land without an ! owner, but it is particularly associated with have a nodding acquaintance with | the terrain between the German trenches someone or something know ! and those of the Allied forces in World War I. someone slightly; know a little about ! The figurative use of the phrase dates from something. I the late 19th century. 1989 Donnie Radcliffe Simply Barbara Bush Their families had lived less than ten miles the noes have it the negative votes are in apart as they were growing up, and their the majority. Compare with the ayes have fathers almost certainly had a nodding it (at AYE). acquaintance on the golf course. no two ways about it used to convey that there can be no doubt about no-go something. a no-go area an area which is dangerous or not (or never) take no for an answer persist impossible to enter or to which entry is restricted or forbidden. in spite of refusals. no worries all right; fine, informal i O As a noun, no-go was first used in the late j — or no — regardless of the person, thing, or j 19th century in the sense of 'an impracticable i quality specified. I situation'. Its use in this phrase, with the 1995 Kazuo Ishiguro The Unconsoled I was i sense of 'no entry', is particularly associated j with Northern Ireland in the 1970s. thinking there's no reason we can't start doing all sorts of things together now, house or no 1971 Guardian For journalists and others, the house. Bogside and Creggan estates are 'no-go areas', with the IRA in total effective control. noble the noble art boxing, chiefly archaic noise a big noise: see a big cheese at BIG. A i O fuller version of this phrase is the noble \ make a noise speak or act in a way designed \ art (or science) of self-defence. \ to attract a lot of attention or publicity. none 202 get up someone's nose irritate or annoy none someone, informal be none the wiser: see WISER. give someone a bloody nose inflict a none the worse: see WORSE. resounding defeat on someone. will have (or want) none of something refuse to accept something (especially with keep your nose clean stay out of trouble. reference to behaviour). informal 2000 Joe Pemberton Forever & Ever Amen It keep your nose out of refrain from wasn't James's idea to board the Christina. He'd interfering in someone else's affairs. told Aunty Mary that it had sunk on the telly but she would have none of it. keep your nose to the grindstone: see GRINDSTONE. non-linear lead someone by the nose: see LEAD. go non-linear become very excited or angry, on the nose Qto a person's sense of smell. especially about a particular obsession. ©precisely, informal, chiefly North American informal ©distasteful; offensive. Australian informal put someone's nose out of joint upset or i O This expression may have originated as a j j humorous play on the phrase go off the rails j annoy someone, informal i (see RAIL). turn up your nose at show distaste or contempt for something, informal nonsense under someone's nose (of an action) make nonsense (or a nonsense) of reduce committed openly and boldly, but without the value of something to a ridiculous someone noticing or noticing in time to degree. prevent it. informal with your nose in the air haughtily. nook 1994 Time Charles de Gaulle arrived in the U.S. every nook and cranny every part or aspect with his nose in the air; he considered Jackie of something. empty and much too beau monde. noose not put your head in a noose bring about your not half: see HALF. own downfall. not in my back yard expressing an objection north to the siting of something regarded as up north to or in the north of a country. undesirable in your own neighbourhood, informal with the implication that it would be acceptable elsewhere. nose ; O This expression originated in the USA in by a nose (of a victory) by a very narrow i derogatory references to anti-nuclear margin. •; campaigners. In Britain it is particularly I associated with reports of the then ! O I" horse racing, by a nose is the narrowest I ! Environment Secretary Nicholas Ridley's ! margin by which a horse can win. i opposition in 1988 to housing developments i i near his own home. More recently, it has cannot see further than your nose be i been used in association with the siting of unwilling or fail to consider different j housing for refugees and asylum seekers, possibilities or to foresee the consequences i The phrase has given rise to the acronym of your actions. j nimby as a term for someone with these j attitudes. count noses count people, typically in order to determine the numbers in a vote. not least: see LEAST. cut off your nose to spite your face disadvantage yourself in the course of note trying to disadvantage another. hit (or strike) the right (or wrong) note say ! O This idea was proverbial for self- or do something in exactly the right (or | defeating malice in both medieval Latin and j wrong) way. ! medieval French, and has been found in j strike (or sound) a — note express a feeling I English since the mid 16th century. or view of a particular kind. 203 nudge

2000 Times John McCain... was expected to you ain't seen nothing yet there is strike a hawkish note last night, calling for the something even more extreme or upgrading of the Armed Forces. impressive in store, informal

j O This expression was popularized by AI nothing j Jolson's aside in the 1927 film The Jazz Singer, i be as nothing (compared) to be insignificant i 'you ain't heard nuttin' yet'. in comparison with. 1998 Oldie Believe me, being pronounced anathema is as nothing compared to the earful notice you get from a liberal who considers himself at short (or a moment's) notice with little insufficiently appreciated. warning or time for preparation. have nothing on someone or something put someone on notice (or serve notice) ©have much less of a particular quality or warn someone of something about or likely ability than someone or something; be to occur, often in a formal or threatening inferior to someone or something in a way. particular respect, ©(especially of the police) have no incriminating information now about someone, informal now or never used to convey urgency. nothing daunted without having been made 1994 James Kelman How Late It Was, How Late fearful or apprehensive. It's now or never, know what I'm saying; he's out this once, there's no gony be a second j O This use of nothing to mean 'not at all' is ! time. ! now archaic and is almost always found j either in this phrase or in nothing loath now you're talking an expression of I below. enthusiastic agreement or approval. 1992 Robert Black Orkney: A Place of Safety? Nothing daunted, the committee members nowhere set to. in the middle of nowhere: see MIDDLE. nothing doing ©there is no prospect of a road to nowhere: see ROAD. success or agreement. © nothing is happening, informal nth there's nothing (or nothing else) for it to the nth degree to any extent; to the there's no alternative. British utmost. 2002 Which? If there's nothing for it other than to get a shiny new appliance, the next i O In mathematics, nth denotes an question to ask is: 'Where does the old one go?' i unspecified member of a series of numbers or ! ! enumerated items. nothing less than used to express how extreme something is. 1994 i-D Along the way they argue, get 1990 Katherine Frank Emily Brontë Nothing harassed by ignorant locals, sing along to their less than the ultimate feminine destiny favourite tunes and camp it up to the nth of marriage had been within her reach, degree. and Charlotte had almost immediately spurned it. nudge nothing loath quite willing. a nudge and a wink encouragement given i O This expression was used by John Milton secretly or implicitly; covert support. j in Paradise Lost 'Her hand he seis'd, and to a j Botn a ! O nudge and a wink are covert signs j i shadie bank... He led her nothing loath'. i of complicity, with wink also having the ! implication of 'shutting your eyes' to nothing much in it: see MUCH. i something. nothing to it very simple to do. informal 1998 Times There was a nudge and a wink at stop at nothing: see STOP. some mercenary help that in the end proved sweet nothings words of affection unnecessary. exchanged by lovers. nudge nudge (wink wink) used to draw think nothing of it do not apologize or feel attention to an innuendo, especially a bound to show gratitude (used as a polite sexual one, in the previous statement. response). informal nuff 204

j O This expression is a catchphrase from i length of your life, for example in Job 38:21: j Monty Python's Flying Circus, a British j 'Knowest thou it, because thou wast then j television comedy programme. ! born? or because the number of thy days is j great?' nuff take care of (or look after) number one be nuff said there is no need to say any more. selfishly absorbed in protecting your own person and interests, informal i O Nuff is an informal or dialect shortening ; of enough. without number too many to count. 1990 Bill Bryson Mother Tongue The varieties of wordplay available in English are almost nuisance without number—puns, tongue-twisters, make a nuisance of yourself cause trouble anagrams, riddles,cryptograms . and annoyance, usually deliberately or avoidably. numbered someone's or something's days are number numbered someone or something will not a back number: see BACK. survive or remain in a particular position by numbers following simple instructions for much longer. identified by numbers; mechanically. nut j O This phrase alludes to painting by be nuts about (or on) be very enthusiastic j numbers, a painting kit with a canvas on about or fond of. informal ! which numbers have been marked to indicate j 1934 Dashiell Hammett The Thin Man j which colour of paint should be applied at She told me she had this job with Wynant ; which place. and he was nuts about her and she was 1992 Canadian YachtingWe discovered sitting pretty. navigation by numbers as our beamy flotilla do your nut be extremely angry or agitated. floated from buoy to buoy reading off the British informal charts like a road map. do a number on treat someone badly, j O In this phrase and in off your nut below, i typically by deceiving, humiliating, or ! nut means 'head'. criticizing them in a calculated and for nuts even tolerably well. British informal thorough way. North American informal 1934 Angela Thirkell Wild Strawberries That have someone's number understand a Miss Stevenson can't play for nuts. person's real motives or character and nuts and bolts the basic practical details of thereby gain some advantage, informal something, informal have someone's (name and) number off your nut out of your mind; crazy, informal on it (of a bomb, bullet, or other missile) be destined to hit a specified take (or use) a sledgehammer to crack a nut: person, informal See SLEDGEHAMMER. make your number report your arrival, pay a a tough (or hard) nut (to crack) someone courtesy call, or report for duty. who is difficult to deal with or hard to beat; a formidable person, informal i O This expression has nautical origins: when i ! ships made their number, they signalled to i others the number by which they were nutmeg | registered. The literal sense was first recorded i a wooden nutmeg a false or fraudulent j in the mid 19th-century, with the figurative thing. US ; extension developing soon afterwards. ! O A wooden nutmeg was a piece of wood public enemy number one: see PUBLIC. i shaped to resemble a nutmeg and i fraudulently sold as the real thing. This someone's number is up the time has come ; deception was particularly associated with when someone is doomed to die or suffer j the inhabitants of Connecticut, giving rise to j some other disaster or setback, informal i the nickname 'the Nutmeg State'.

; O This phrase may allude to a lottery j number or to the various biblical passages ; nutshell j referring to the'number of your days', i.e. the ; in a nutshell in the fewest possible words. 205 nutty

! O A nutshell is a traditional metaphor for a ! nutty as a fruitcake completely crazy, informal j very small space. It is used by Shakespeare in i i Hamlet: 'I could be bounded in a nutshell, i O Nutty meaning 'mad or crazy' dates from ! ! and count myself a king of infinite space, i the late 19th century, and this phrase, I were it not that I have bad dreams'. | punning on the sense of 'full of nuts', from i the 1930s. Fruitcake is also used on its own to i I mean 'a crazy or eccentric person'. nutty be nutty about like very much, informal Oo

ing something no more assumptions oar should be made than are necessary. rest on your oars Q cease rowing by leaning on the handles of your oars, thereby lifting j O This principle takes its name from to the them horizontally out of the water. © relax i English philosopher and Franciscan friar your efforts. j William of Occam (c. 1285-1349): the image is i j that of the razor cutting away all extraneous i ! O A US variant of this phrase is lay on your i j assumptions. i oars. stick (or poke or put) your oar in give an odd opinion or advice without being asked. odd one (or man) out ©someone or informal something that is different to the others. 1992 Daily Telegraph My only minor fault is I © someone who is not able to fit easily or sometimes like putting my oar in... and my comfortably into a group or society. advice can be a little brutal. odds oat ask no odds ask no favours. US feel your oats feel lively and buoyant. US by all odds certainly. North American informal it makes no odds it does not matter, informal, chiefly British | © Oats are used as feed for horses, making ! i them friskier and more energetic. ; O This phrase and what's the odds below ! come from an earlier use of odds to mean get your oats have sexual intercourse. ! 'difference in advantage or effect'. informal 1965 William Dick A Bunch of Ratbags I was lay (or give) odds Q offer a bet with odds kissing her excitedly and passionately favourable to the other person betting, ... Cookie, you're gonna get your oats tonight ©be very sure about something. for sure, I thought to myself. j O The opposite of lay odds in sense 1 is take i off your oats lacking an appetite, informal j odds which means 'offer a bet with odds sow your wild oats go through a period of j unfavourable to the other person betting'. wild or promiscuous behaviour while young. over the odds above what is generally considered acceptable, especially for a I O Wild oats are weeds found in cornfields price. British ; which resemble cultivated oats: spending ! time sowing them would be a foolish or shout the odds talk loudly and in an ! useless activity. The expression has been opinionated way. ! current since the late 16th century; from the j what's the odds? what does it matter? informal i mid 16th to the early 17th century, wild oat ; was also used as a term for a dissolute young j odour : man. be in good (or bad) odour with someone be in (or out of) favour with someone. object odour of sanctity Qa state of holiness, no object not influencing or restricting ©sanctimoniousness, derogatory choices or decisions. 1998 Independent I'm a very impulsive buyer, if O This expression is a translation of the I see something I buy it, money no object. French idiom odeur de sainteté. It refers to a sweet or balsamic odour which was reputedly emitted by the bodies of saints at or after Occam death, and which was regarded as evidence of their sanctity. Occam's razor the principle that in explain­ 207 on off the old boy network mutual assistance, especially preferment in employment, off and on intermittently; now and then. shown among those with a shared social off and running making good progress. and educational background. the old days a period in the past, often seen offence as significantly different from the present, a hanging offence: see HANGING. especially noticeably better or worse. old enough to be someone's father (or office mother) of a much greater age than good offices help and support, often given someone, informal by exercising your influence. 1997 Nelson DeMille Plum Island He was 2002 Daily Telegraph Mr Blair will probably old enough to be their father, but demonstratively use his good offices to bring girls paid attention to money, pure and simple. round the German and French leaders, thereby gaining prestige in Washington. an old one a familiar joke. just another day at the office boring routine. the old school tie the attitudes of group 1997 Times Professional cricket has been loyalty and traditionalism associated with reduced to just another day at the 'office'. wearing the tie of a particular public school. British offing old Spanish customs: see SPANISH. in the offing nearby; likely to happen or an old wives' tale a widely held traditional appear soon. belief that is now thought to be unscientific i O This expression originated as a nautical or incorrect. I term for a distance offshore, beyond a I O The phrase (and its earlier variant old i harbour or anchoring ground. It has been I wives' fable) is recorded from the early 16th i used figuratively since the late 18th century. j century, with the earliest example being from i ; Tyndale's translation of the Bible. oil play Old Harry with: see play the devil with burn the midnight oil: see BURN. at DEVIL. oil someone's palm: see grease someone's palm at GREASE. olive no oil painting not very attractive. British hold out (or offer) an olive branch offer a informal token of peace or goodwill. oil and water two elements, factors, or j O A branch of an olive tree is an emblem of I people that do not agree or blend together. i peace. In the Bible, it was the token brought j j by a dove to Noah to indicate that God's j O Water and oil are two liquid substances ! anger was assuaged and that the flood had j that repel each other and cannot be mixed i abated (Genesis 8:11). i together. oil the wheels help something go smoothly. on pour oil on troubled waters: see POUR. be on about talk about tediously and at old length. British informal be on at someone nag or grumble at any old how in no particular order. someone. British informal come the old soldier: see SOLDIER. be on to someone be close to discovering the make old bones: see BONE. truth about an illegal or undesirable of the old school traditional or old- activity that someone is engaging in. fashioned. informal 1998 Imogen de la Bere The Last Deception of PalliserWentwood He came of the old school, in be on to something have an idea or which men did not weep in front of other men. information that is likely to lead to an the old Adam: see ADAM. important discovery, informal old as the hills: see ancient as the hills at it's not on it's impractical or unacceptable. HILL. informal on and off intermittently; now and then. once 208 on it drinking heavily. Australian informal public enemy number one: see PUBLIC. on side supporting or part of the same team rolled into one: see ROLLED. as someone else. take care of number one: see NUMBER. 1997 Spectator And while clearly 'on side' with New Labour, he has never been a closely quartered insider. one-horse you're on said by way of accepting a one-horse race a contest in which one challenge or bet. informal candidate or competitor is clearly superior to all the others and seems certain once to win. 1995 Sun {Baltimore) The Rangers, who have once a —, always a — a person cannot won six of their last seven, could make it a one- change their fundamental nature. horse race in a hurry. 1993 Margaret Atwood The Robber Bride She was once a Catholic... and once a one-horse town a small town with few and Catholic, always a Catholic, according to poor facilities, informal her mother. once and for all (or once for all) now and for onion the last time; finally. know your onions be fully knowledgeable once and future denoting someone or about something, informal something that is eternal, enduring, or constant. I O Onions is perhaps short for rhyming slang j ! onion rings, meaning 'things'. The phrase ! O This expression comes from T. H. j dates from the 1920s. j White's The Once and Future King (1958), i a series of novels about the Arthurian i legends. open be open with speak frankly to; conceal once bitten, twice shy a bad experience nothing from. makes you wary of the same thing happening again. an open book: see a closed book at CLOSED. in (or into) the open Q out of doors; not under i O This expression dates from the late 19th cover, ©not subject to concealment or i century. A variant common in the USA is once \ i burned, twice shy. obfuscation; made public. open-and-shut (of a case or argument) once {or every once) in a while from time to admitting no doubt or dispute; time; occasionally. 1989 Annie Dillard The Writing Life Every once straightforward and conclusive. in a while Rahm saw a peephole in the clouds open sesame a marvellous or irresistible and buzzed over for a look. means of achieving access to what would normally be inaccessible. one ! O In the tale of Ali Baba and the Forty j Thieves in the Arab/an Nights, thedoorofthe ! get something in one understand or succeed I robbers' cave was made to open by uttering ! in guessing something immediately. | this magic formula. informal one on one (or one to one) denoting or with your eyes open (or with open eyes) referring to a situation in which two parties fully aware of the risks and other come into direct contact, opposition, or implications of an action or situation. correspondence. 1995 Represent I wanna speak to God one on opener one me and him. for openers to start with; first of all. the one that got away something desirable informal that has eluded capture.

i O This phrase comes from the angler's opium ! traditional way of relating the story of a large j the opium of the people (or masses) i fish that has managed to escape after almost j something regarded as inducing a false and i being caught:'you should have seen the one j unrealistic sense of contentment among j that got away'. people. 209 overdrive

i O This idiom is a translation of the German j 1997 A. Sivanandran When Memory Dies Now j phrase Opium des Volks, used by Karl Marx in i the land had been taken from him... He was i 1844 in reference to religion. at outs with the world. out and about (of a person, especially after opportunity an illness) engaging in normal activity. opportunity knocks a chance of success out and away by far. occurs. out at elbows: see ELBOW.

i O This expression comes from the proverb out for having your interest or effort directed i opportunity never knocks twice at any man's \ to; intent on. \ door or opportunity knocks but once. The j form of the saying with opportunity dates out-Herod Herod: see HEROD. ! from the late 19th century, but fortune was out of it O not used or included in j used in the early 19th century and a version of i something. © astray or distant from the | the saying is recorded in medieval French. centre or heart of anything, ©extremely drunk, informal option out of order: see ORDER. keep (or leave) your options open avoid out of pocket: see POCKET. committing yourself. 1996 Colin Bateman Of Wee Sweetie Mice and out to lunch crazy; insane, informal Men Have it your way. We'll go to Princetown. out with someone or something an But I'm keeping my options open. If there's exhortation to expel or dismiss someone or any more trouble... we're out, we're home. something unwanted. orange out with it say what you are thinking. all Lombard Street to a China orange: see 1993 Margaret Atwood The Robber Bride She would be so squirrelly with desire—out with LOMBARD. it, lust, capital L, the best of the Seven Deadlies squeeze (or suck) an orange take all that is —that she'd scarcely be able to sit still. profitable out of something. outdoors orbit the great outdoors the open air; outdoor life. informal into orbit into a state of heightened activity, performance, anger, or outside excitement, informal get outside of eat or drink something, informal 1988 Candia McWilliam A Case of Knives I am a 1981 Sam McAughtry Belfast Stories We'll get greedy girl, not merely swayed but waltzed outside of a feed of bacon and egg and black into orbit by appearances. pudding. on the outside looking in (of a person) order excluded from a group or activity. orders are orders commands must be obeyed, however much you may disagree over with them. over and done with completely finished. out of order Q not in normal sequence. © (of a machine) not working. @ (of behaviour) overboard improper or unacceptable, informal go overboard Q be highly enthusiastic. © behave immoderately; go too far. a tall order: see TALL. i O The idea behind this idiom is that of other half i recklesslyjumpingoverthesideof aship into i how the other half lives used to express or i the water. allude to the way of life of a different group in society, especially a wealthier one. British throw something overboard abandon or informal discard something. i O The idea here is that something thrown out ! over the side of a ship is lost forever. at outs at variance or enmity. ! O A North American variant of this overdrive i expression is on the outs. Mexican overdrive: see MEXICAN. over-egg 210 over-egg owe over-egg the pudding (or cake) go too far in owe someone one feel indebted to someone. embellishing, exaggerating, or doing informal something. 1990 Paul Auster The Music of Chance 'I guess I owe you one,' Floyd said, patting Nashe's back I O Excessive quantities of egg in a pudding | could either make it too rich or cause it not to i in an awkward show of gratitude. ; set or cook correctly. own 1998 Spectator This is a noble end, but in her as if you own the place in an overbearing or eagerness to reach it Duffy somewhat over- self-important manner, informal eggs the cake. be your own man (or woman or person) act overplay independently and with confidence. overplay your hand spoil your chance of come into its (or your) own become fully success through excessive confidence in effective, used, or recognized. your position. get your own back take action in retaliation I O In a card game, if you overplay your hand, : for a wrongdoing or insult, informal i you play a hand on the basis of an hold your own retain a position of strength i overestimate of your likelihood of winning. in a challenging situation; not be defeated or weakened. overshoot 1953 Margaret Kennedy Troy Chimneys A young overshoot (or overstep) the mark go man so gifted may hold his own very well. beyond what is intended or proper; go too oyster far. the world is your oyster: see WORLD. Pp p nude photograph appears as part of a mind your Ps and Qs: see MIND. ^^.^.^.ï^^*^^ i © This sort of photograph is featured on P**C6 ; page three of the British tabloid newspaper change of pace a change from what you are | The Sun. used to. chiefly North American off the pace behind the leader or leading paid

group in a race or contest. put paid to stop abruptly; destroy, informal put someone or something through their paces make someone or something pain

demonstrate their qualities or abilities. „„. „n „.„ „„«r •„„ ,• „„„„„„.,„, ,•„ M no pain, no gain suffering is necessary in set the pace Q start a race as the fastest. order to achieve something.

0 lead the way in doing or achieving ; something. ! © There has been a proverbial association , I between pain and gain since at least the late ! stand (or stay) the pace be able to keep up ; 16th centurV( and ,No PaineS( no Gaines- was ; with another or others. ; the title of a 1648 poem by Robert Herrick. : The modern form, which dates from the pack ! 1980s, probably originated as a slogan used in i go to the pack deteriorate; go to pieces. : f'tness classes.

Australian & New Zealand informal '""199?'^an 'speaaZAs'the'cliché goes"no

1980 Frank Moorhouse Days of Wine and Rage pain, no gain. In fact> in our confessional age,

All the places overseas where the British have you can make quite a lot of gains for very little pulled out are going to the pack. pain. pack your bag (or bags) put your belongings a pajn jn the neck an anno^ or tedious

in a bag or suitcase in preparation for your on or tM informa| imminent departure. pack heat carry a gun. North American informal I © Tnere are a number of vulgar slang . . . , , . '• alternatives to neck in this idiom, such as a pack it in stop what you are doing, informal j pa/n in the arse OT_ in the USA/ ass pack a punch ©be capable of hitting with skill or force. 0 have a powerful effect. naint packinq ''^ watching paint dry (of an activity or send someone packing make someone experience) extremely boring, leave in an abrupt or peremptory way. pa'"* the Forth Bridge used to indicate that a

informa| task can never be completed. • .. | O The steel structure of the Forth Railway paCWie j Bridge in Scotland has required continuous paddle your own canoe be independent and i repainting: it is so long that once the painters j self-sufficient, informal j reach one end, they have to begin again at : : j the other. j 1 O This expression has been in figurative use j j from the early 19th century: it was the title of j paint the town red go out and enjoy yourself I a popular song by Sarah T. Bolton in 1854. flamboyantly, informal paint yourself into a corner leave yourself no page means of escape or room to manoeuvre. on the same page (of two or more people) in pagagreemente three gir. Ul Sa model whose nude or semi- npaintino oil paintingg : see OIL. pair 212

i remained to ease the lot of humankind. In pair i another account, the box contained all the another pair of shoes: see SHOE. j blessings of the gods which, with the pair of hands a person seen in terms of their j exception of hope, escaped and were lost participation in a task. ; when the box was opened. 1997 Spectator Drummond's series... has pale opened a Pandora's box of complaints... beyond the pale outside the bounds of about the tide of mediocrity engulfing the art. acceptable behaviour. panic button j O A pa/e (from Latin palus meaning 'a press (or push or hit) the panic button ! stake') is a pointed wooden post used with respond to a situation by panicking or i others to form a fence; from this it came to taking emergency measures, informal j refer to any fenced enclosure. So, in literal ; use, beyond the pale meant the area beyond i O A panic button is a security device which j j a fence. The term Pale was applied to various j can be used to raise the alarm in an j territories under English control and j emergency. j especially to the area of Ireland under English j jurisdiction before the 16th century. The j earliest reference (1547) to the Pale in Ireland pants ! as such draws the contrast between the beat the pants off: see BEAT. i English Pale and the 'wyld Irysh': the area by the seat of your pants: see SEAT. ! beyond the pale would have been regarded catch someone with their pants (or I as dangerous and uncivilized by the English. trousers) down catch someone in an pale into insignificance lose importance or unprepared state or sexually value. compromising situation, informal scare (or bore etc.) the pants off someone palm make someone extremely scared, bored, cross someone's palm with silver: see CROSS. etc. informal grease someone's palm: see GREASE. wearing (or in) short pants very young. have (or hold) someone in the palm of your informal hand have someone under your control or j O A litt|e boy was traditionally dressed in i shorts before attaining a certain age, when influence. j he would be allowed to wear long trousers. read someone's palm tell someone's fortune by looking at the lines on their palm. paper pan make the papers be written about or given go down the pan reach a stage of abject attention as news. failure or uselessness. not worth the paper it is written on (of an 1997 Ian Rankin Black & Blue My company's just about given up trying to sell to the oil agreement, promise, etc.) of no value or industry. They'd rather buy Yank or validity whatsoever. Scandinavian... no wonder Scotland's down on paper Qui writing, ©in theory rather the pan. than in reality. pancake paper over the cracks disguise problems or flat as a pancake completely flat. divisions rather than trying to solve them. j O The phrase is a translation of a German Pandora j expression used by the statesman Otto von a Pandora's box a process that once begun j Bismarck in a letter of 1865, and early uses i refer to this. generates many complicated problems. a paper tiger an apparently dangerous but i O In Greek mythology, Pandora was the first j actually ineffectual person or thing. ; mortal woman. One story recounts that she j was created by Zeus and sent to earth with a j j O This expression became well known in the ; i box or jar of evils in revenge for the fact that ! I West from its use by Mao Zedong, the j Prometheus had disobediently given the gift j j Chinese Communist leader. In an interview in i j of fire to the earth. She let all the evils out of j j 1946, he expressed the view that 'all j the container to infect the earth; only hope I reactionaries are paper tigers'. 213 party

1998 Oldie We fear that the Rail Regulator and 1998 Times People who won the initial the Consultative Committee are paper tigers franchises have made the money... Any and a waste of time. movement from now on is just a game of pass the parcel, really. paper bag someone couldn't — their way out of a pare paper bag a person is completely unable to pare something to the bone: see cut do something, either through ineptitude or something to the bone at BONE. weakness, informal 1999 Time Out N.Y. The problem is, he also, at parenthesis the time, loved Victoria Tennant, and she can't in parenthesis as a digression or after­ act her way out of a paper bag even if you soak thought. it with a hose first. par part above par Oat a premium, ©better than be part and parcel of be an essential feature average. or element of.

I © Above par is a stock exchange idiom. In I © Both part and parcel ultimately come ! this and the following idioms, par is the Latin j j from Latin pars meaning 'part' and in this i for 'equal'. ! phrase they have virtually identical senses. ! The phrase is first recorded in mid 16th- at par at face value. I century legal parlance; it is now used in I general contexts to emphasize that the item j below (or under) par Oat a discount. ; mentioned is absolutely integral to the Q worse than usual, often in relation to a I whole. person's health. 1998 Spectator It's not enough for people just i O Asa golfing term, under par means to shrug their shoulders and say, 'Well, that is ! 'better than usual': see par for the course part and parcel of being in public life'. i below. a man of (many) parts a man showing great on a par with equal in importance or quality ability in many different areas. to; on an equal level with. part brass rags with: see RAG. 1998 Spectator Imagine learning that the MCC part company O (of two or more people) had been used for 200 years as a front for cease to be together; go in different procuring under-age boys... The scandal of the Tour de France is roughly on a par with directions, ©(of two or more parties) cease such a revelation. to associate with each other, usually as the result of a disagreement. par for the course what is normal or expected in any given circumstances. take something in good part: see GOOD.

j O In golf, par is the number of strokes that a i particular i first-class player would normally require to a London particular: see LONDON. i get round a particular course. parting up to par at an expected or usual level or quality. a (or the) parting of the ways a point at 1989 Randall Kenan A Visitation of Spirits Why which two people must separate or at not him? Did he not look okay? Did he smell which a decision must be taken. bad? Have bad breath? Were his clothes not up j © This phrase has its origins in Ezekiel 21:21: to par? i 'the king of Babylon stood at the parting of parcel I the way, at the head of the two ways'. pass the parcel a situation in which movement or exchange takes place, but no party one gains any advantage. the party's over a period of success, good fortune, or happiness has come to an end. i © Pass the parcel is the name of a children's j informal i game in which a parcel is passed round to the : i accompaniment of music. When the music 1998 Independent Until the Government j stops, the child holding the parcel is allowed j decided yesterday that the party's over, it was i to open it. seemingly routine procedure for our hospital consultants to have... the Committee on pass 214

Distinction Awards, which is dominated by j otherwise get through the obstacle {turn the \ the consultants, look after their interests. i pass). In the mid 19th century it was i considered to be an Irish expression meaning j I 'betray your fellow countrymen by selling pass j information to the authorities'. come to a pretty pass: see PRETTY. 1996 Economist Having sold the pass on the head (or cut) someone or something off at referendum, will he really be able to hold the the pass forestall someone or something, pass on responsible economics? especially at a critical moment or at the last possible moment. passage j O Pass is used here in the sense of a narrow j passage of {or at) arms a fight or dispute. i route through mountains. work your passage work in return for a free place on a voyage. pass the baton: see BATON. pass the buck: see BUCK. past pass by on the other side avoid having not put it past someone believe someone to anything to do with something that should be psychologically capable of doing demand your attention or concern. something, especially something you consider wrong or rash. ! O This expression refers to the parable of | the good Samaritan, recounted in Luke 10. A j past it too old to be of any use or any good at ! man travelling from Jerusalem to Jericho was ; anything, informal ; attacked and robbed during the course of his j j journey. He was left lying by the road and the j pasture | first two people who saw him 'passed by on put someone out to pasture force someone j the other side'of the road. It was the third to retire. ; traveller, the Samaritan (a man from Samaria) j | who helped him. pat pass the hat round: see HAT. have something off (or down) pat have pass in a crowd be not conspicuously below something memorized perfectly. the average, especially in terms of on your pat on your own. Australian informal appearance. I O This expression is from rhyming slang, Pat I pass in your ally die. Australian informal | Malone meaning 'alone'. i O In this phrase, an ally is a toy marble made i pat someone on the back express approval j of marble, alabaster, or glass. of or admiration for someone. pass muster: see MUSTER. stand pat stick stubbornly to your opinion or pass someone's lips: see LIP. decision, chiefly North American pass the parcel: see PARCEL. I O In the card games poker and blackjack, pass the time of day: see TIME. j standing pat involves retaining your hand as i j dealt, without drawing other cards. pass your sell-by date reach a point where you are useless or worn out. informal patch j O A sell-by date is that stamped on not a patch on greatly inferior to. British I perishable goods indicating the latest date informal I on which they may be sold. 1991 Mavis Nicholson Martha Jane & Me We 1998 Spectator He would probably have to turn thought the uniform of our soldiers was on them [his colleagues] when, in his view, 'pathetic', not a patch on the American they had passed their sell-by date. soldiers' uniform. sell the pass betray a cause. British a purple patch: see PURPLE. ; O Asinhead someone off at the pass above, : path i pass is here used in the sense of a narrow j route through mountains, viewed as a lead someone up the garden path: see j strategic point in time of war. Selling the pass j GARDEN. j was supplying information to the enemy that j the path of least resistance: see the line of j would enable them to circumvent or least resistance at RESISTANCE. 215 pebble patter pea the patter of tiny feet used to refer to the like peas (or like as two peas) in a pod so expectation of the birth of a baby. similar as to be indistinguishable or nearly 2002 Pride If, like me, you find yourself single so. in the penultimate year of your twenties and the only patter of tiny feet is your neighbour's peace cat, then chop, chop ladies—so much to do so hold your peace remain silent about little time. something. pause keep the peace refrain or prevent others give pause to someone (or give someone from disturbing civil order. pause for thought) cause someone to no peace for the wicked: see WICKED. think carefully or hesitate before doing something. peach a peach of a — a particularly excellent or pave desirable thing of the kind specified, informal pave the way for create the circumstances to enable something to happen or be done. j O Peach has been used since the mid 18th ! century as a colloquial term for an attractive j j young woman and more generally since the i pay i mid 19th century for anything of exceptional j it (always) pays to—it produces good results i quality. to do a particular thing. 1994 Guns & Shooting A custom handgun can 1998 Spectator Neil Pollard... rode a peach of a race... to win the two-mile marathon. be a big investment so it always pays to choose the right pistolsmith. peaches and cream (of a girl's complexion) pay its (or their) way (of an enterprise or of a cream colour with downy pink person) earn enough to cover its or their cheeks. costs. pearl pay the piper pay the cost of an enterprise. cast (or throw) pearls before swine give or informal offer valuable things to people who do not ! O This expression comes from the proverb appreciate them. j he who pays the piper calls the tune, and is i used with the implication that the person j O This expression is a quotation from i Matthew 7:6:'Give not that which is holy I who has paid expects to be in control of j unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls i whatever happens. ! before swine, lest they trample them under pay your respects make a polite visit to j their feet, and turn again and rend you'. someone.

i O A similar expression is pay your last pearly \ respects, meaning 'show respect towards a pearly whites a person's teeth. British informal j dead person by attending their funeral'. pear-shaped pay through the nose pay much more than a go pear-shaped go wrong, informal fair price, informal 1998 Country Life We pay a lot of money for a | O This phrase originated as RAF slang, as a fairly ordinary garment in order to advertise a j humorously exaggerated allusion to the name that is only well-known because we pay j shape of an aircraft that has crashed nose through the nose for the huge advertising I first. Today, however, people probably budget. I assume it derives from the idea of a woman ! gaining weight on her hips. you pays your money and you takes your choice used to convey that there is little to 1998 Spectator Unfortunately it all went pear- choose between one alternative and shaped because the programme to which I was another. going to peg my babblings.. .just wasn't interesting enough to sustain a whole review. I O Both pays and takes are non-standard, j colloquial forms, retained from the original pebble i version of the saying in a Punch joke of 1846. ! not the only pebble on the beach not the pecker 216

only person to be considered in a particular Pelion situation; (of a former lover) not unique or pile (or heap) Pelion on Ossa add an irreplaceable. extra difficulty or task to an already ! O This expression is from an 1897 song title: ! difficult situation or undertaking, literary j You're Not The Only Pebble On The Beach. j The original context was that of courtship: i O In Greek mythology, the mountain Pelion ; ! the way to advance your suit was to make it ! ! was held to be the home of the centaurs, and \ ! plain to the lady that'she's not the only I the giants were said to have piled Mounts i pebble on the beach'. It is now often used I Olympus and Ossa on its summit in their i more generally as a warning against selfish ; attempt to reach the heavens and destroy the j i egocentricity. | gods.

pecker pelt keep your pecker up remain cheerful. British at full pelt with great speed; as fast as informal • possible.

| O Pecker is probably being used here in the j in your pelt naked. Irish informal ! sense of 'a bird's beak or bill', and by i extension 'a person's face or expression'. The j pen i phrase has been current in British English dip your pen in gall: see DIP. j since the mid 19th century, but it has rather j the pen is mightier than the sword writing is i different connotations in the US, where more effective than military power or j pecker is an informal term for penis. violence, proverb pedal penny with the pedal to the metal with the count the (or your) pennies be careful about accelerator of a car pressed to the floor. how much you spend. North American informal j O Variants of this expression are watch the \ | pennies and, in the USA, pinch the pennies. peed peed off annoyed or irritated, informal earn an honest penny: see HONEST. in for a penny, in for a pound used to express : O Pee represents the initial letter of piss, someone's intention to see an undertaking \ and the phrase is used euphemistically as a through, however much time, effort, or i slightly less vulgar expression than pissed off. \ money this entails. not have a penny to bless yourself with be peg completely impoverished, dated off the peg (of clothes) ready-made as j O This expression refers either to the cross opposed to specially made for a particular j on the silver pennies which circulated in person, chiefly British ! England before the reign of Charles II or to ; O A North American variant of this phrase is j j the practice of crossing a person's palm with j j off the rack. j silver for luck. a peg to hang a matter on something used as the penny drops someone finally realizes a pretext or occasion for the discussion or or understands something, informal, chiefly British treatment of a wider subject. a square peg in a round hole a person in a i O The image here is of the operation of a situation unsuited to their abilities or I coin-operated slot machine. character. not have two pennies to rub together lack j O The variant a round peg in a square hole is j money; be very poor. j also found, although it is less common. a penny for your thoughts used to ask take someone down a peg or two someone what they are thinking about. make someone realize that they are less informal talented or important than they think pennies from heaven unexpected benefits, they are. especially financial ones. 217 pick

i O Pennies from Heaven was the title of a perspective I 1936 song by the American songwriter i Johnny Burke (1908-64). The expression is in (or out of) perspective O (of a work of art) ; also well known as the title of a BBC drama j showing the right {or wrong) relationship | series by Dennis Potter in the late 1970s. between visible objects, ©correctly (or incorrectly) regarded in terms of relative penny wise and pound foolish careful importance. and economical in small matters while being wasteful or extravagant in large petard ones. hoist with (or by) your own petard have a pretty penny: see PRETTY. your plans to cause trouble for others backfire on you. spend a penny urinate. British informal i O The phrase is from Shakespeare's Hamlet: \ ! O Atone time coin-operated locks were ! 'For'tis the sport to have the enginer Hoist I commonly found on the doors of public i with his own petard'. In former times, a i lavatories. The phrase is now rather dated. i petard was a small bomb made of a metal or j j wooden box filled with explosive powder, turn up like a bad penny (of someone or I while ho/sf here is the past participle of the something unwelcome) inevitably j dialect verb hoise, meaning 'lift or remove'. reappear or return. j O A bad penny is a counterfeit coin which phut j circulates rapidly as people try to pass it on to i go phut fail to work properly or at all. informal j someone else. ! O Phut is usually considered to be imitative j two (or ten) a penny plentiful or easily j of a dull, abrupt sound, like that made by a obtained and consequently of little value. i rifle or a machine breaking down. In fact, its ! chiefly British j earliest recorded use is by Rudyard Kipling in i i the late 19th century, and the context makes it I percentage ; likely that it was an Anglo-Indian word from I I Hindi and Urdu phatnâ meaning 'to burst'. play the percentages (or the percentage game) choose a safe and methodical course of action when calculating the odds in physical favour of success, informal get physical O become aggressive or violent. 0 become sexually intimate with someone, perch ©take exercise, informal knock someone off their perch cause someone to lose a position of superiority or physician pre-eminence, informal physician, heal thyself before attempting to correct others, make sure that you perish aren't guilty of the same faults yourself. perish the thought used, often ironically, to proverb show that you find a suggestion or idea 1 O This expression alludes to Luke 4:23: 'And j completely ridiculous or unwelcome. ! he said unto them, Ye will surely say unto me j informal I this proverb, Physician, heal thyself: 1993 Tablet Is he one of those people who file I whatsoever we have heard done in their own press cuttings and who even, perish j Capernaum, do also here in thy country'. the thought, write down their own witticisms? permitting pick pick and choose select only the best or most — permitting if the specified thing does not desirable or appropriate from among a prevent you from doing something. number of alternatives. 1997 Classic Boat Time and weather permitting rudderless sailing is also taught, along with pick someone's brains (or brain) question spinnaker and trapezing. someone who is better informed about a subject than yourself in order to obtain person information, informal be your own person: see be your own man at pick something clean completely remove OWN. the flesh from a bone or carcass. picnic 218 pick up the pieces restore your life or a someone what you think, especially when situation to a more normal state, typically you are angry about their behaviour. after a shock or disaster. go to pieces become so nervous or upset that pick up the threads resume something that you are unable to behave or perform has been interrupted. normally. in one piece unharmed or undamaged, picnic especially after a dangerous journey or be no picnic be difficult or unpleasant, informal 2001 Rant While Cheung looks elegant... in experience. the 25 different versions of the cheongsam dress pick (or pull or tear) someone or something she wears in the film,movin g in the garments to pieces criticize someone or something was no picnic. in a severe or detailed way. a piece (or slice) of the action Q a share picture in the excitement of something. © a be (or look) a picture (of a person or thing) be share in the profits from something. beautiful. informal get the picture understand a situation. a piece of ass (or tail) a woman regarded in informal sexual terms, vulgar slang in the picture fully informed about something. a piece of cake: see CAKE. out of the picture no longer involved; say your piece give your opinion or a irrelevant. prepared statement. a (or the) picture of — the embodiment of a pierce specified state or emotion. pierce someone's heart affect someone 1989 Woman's Realm The... little girl looks a keenly or deeply. picture of health in her blue dungarees and pig red boots. bleed like a (stuck) pig bleed copiously. pretty as a picture: see PRETTY. bring (or drive) your pigs to market succeed pie in realizing your potential. easy as pie: see EASY. in a pig's eye expressing scornful disbelief at a statement, informal, chiefly North American eat humble pie: see HUMBLE. 1987 Evelyn E. Smith Miss Melville Returns Under nice (or sweet) as pie extremely nice or other circumstances I think we could have agreeable. been friends. 'In a pig's eye,' Susan thought. a piece (or slice) of the pie a share in an make a pig of yourself overeat, informal amount of money or business regarded as 1991 Francis King The Ant Colony I do love chocolates. Always make a pig of myself over something to be divided up. them. pie in the sky something that is agreeable to make a pig's ear of bungle; make a mess of. contemplate but very unlikely to be British informal realized, informal j O This probably developed with humorous j I O This phrase comes from a 1911 song by ! reference to the phrase make a silk purse out j ! the American labour leader Joe Hill ! of a sow's ear (see SILK). ! (1879-1915), in which a preachertells a slave: i i 'Work and pray, live on hay. You'll get pie in j on the pig's back living a life of ease and j the sky when you die'. luxury; in a very fortunate situation. Irish informal piece pig (or piggy) in the middle a person who is all of a piece with something entirely placed in an awkward situation between consistent with something. two others, chiefly British 1997 Edmund White The Farewell Symphony This new disease seemed all of a piece with the j O This expression comes from the name of a j hate promulgated by know-nothing American ! game in which two people attempt to throw j fundamentalists. ! a ball to each other without a third person in j j the middle catching it. give someone a piece of your mind tell 219 pin a pig in a poke something that is bought or pile accepted without knowing its value or at the top of the pile: see at the top of the seeing it first. heap at HEAP. i O In this expression, a po/re is a small sack or j make a (or your) pile become rich, informal ; bag, a sense which is now found chiefly in i Scottish use. ; © P/7e here means'a pile of money'.

1996 John Doran Red Doran I didn't want pile it on exaggerate for effect, informal to sell the fellow a pig in a poke, so I pile on the agony exaggerate or aggravate a explained that the ducks were bred only for laying. bad situation, informal pigs might (or can) fly used ironically to pill express disbelief, chiefly British a bitter pill (to swallow) an unpleasant or painful necessity (to accept). i O Pigs fly in the air with their tails forward i i was a proverbial saying in the 17th century; 1996 European The move, while not entirely j the current version dates back to the late 19th ! unexpected, has been a bitter pill to swallow. ; century, and the first recorded use is by Lewis j sugar (or sweeten) the pill make an I Carroll. unpleasant or painful necessity more 1973 Jack Higgins A Prayer for the Dying acceptable. 'Something could come out of that line of enquiry.' 'I know... Pigs might also fly.' j © The image here is of making bitter-tasting ! j medicine more palatable by adding sugar. squeal (or yell) like a stuck pig squeal or yell loudly and shrilly. pillar j O A stuckpig is one that is being butchered i from pillar to post from one place to another j by having its throat cut; compare with bleed j in an unceremonious or fruitless manner. i like a stuck pig above. i O This expression may have developed with i sweat like a pig sweat profusely, informal j reference to the rebounding of a ball in a i real-tennis court. It has been in use in this j form since the mid 16th century, though its pigeon i earlier form, from post to pillar, dates back to j be someone's pigeon be someone's concern | the early 15th century. or affair. 2002 Independent There will be 'a single door to O 'n this phrase, the word pigeon derives knock on' so people with a point to make are from pidgin, as in pidgin English, the term for not passed endlessly from pillar to post. a grammatically simplified form of a a pillar of society a person regarded as a language used for communication between particularly responsible citizen. people not sharing a common language. Pidgin itself represents a Chinese alteration j O The use of p/7/ar to mean 'a person of the English word 'business': it entered the ! regarded as a mainstay or support for English language with the meaning j something'is recorded from medieval times; j 'occupation' or 'affair(s)' in the early 19th I P/7/ars of Society was the English title of an century, emerging from the hybrid of English I 1888 play by the Norwegian dramatist Henrik j and other languages used at that time j Ibsen. between Europeans and the Chinese for trading purposes. pilot drop the pilot abandon a trustworthy pike adviser. come down the pike appear on the scene; come to notice. North American ! O Dropping the Pilot was the caption of a j famous cartoon by John Tenniel, published in j j O In this expression, a p/Tce is short for ! Punch in 1890. It depicted Bismarck's j 'turnpike', the American term for a | dismissal as German Chancellor by the young j i motorway on which a toll is charged. I Kaiser Wilhelm II. 1983 Ed McClanahan The Natural Man He was, in a word, the most accomplished personage pin who'd yet come down the pike in all the days clean (or neat) as a new pin extremely clean of Harry's ladhood. or neat. pinch 220 for two pins I'd, she'd, etc. — used to 1976 Scotsman I feel it's my duty but I'm not indicate that you are very tempted to do keen. My grandchildren give me the pip. something, especially out of annoyance. pip someone at (or to) the post defeat 1997 Spectator Certainly it is a fierce someone at the last moment. dog... What is more, for two pins it would bite us again. j © P/'p was an informal late 19th-century ! term for 'defeat', but it is uncertain from pin your colours to the mast: see COLOURS. i which sense of the noun pip it derives. Post on pins and needles in an agitated state of j here isthe winning post in a race. suspense. squeeze someone until the pips squeak i O Pins and needles isthe pricking ortingling : extract the maximum amount of money i sensation in a limb recovering from j from someone. British I numbness. ! O This expression alludes to a speech made ; you could hear a pin drop there was absolute ! in 1918 by the British politician Sir Eric silence or stillness. i Geddes on the subject of Germany's payment ; i of indemnities after World War I:'The pin your ears back listen carefully. ! Germans... are going to pay every penny; j they are going to be squeezed as a lemon is pinch i squeezed—until the pips squeak'. More at a pinch if necessary; in an emergency. j recently, in the 1970s, the Labour Chancellor j j Denis Healey declared his intention to j O A North American variant of this j squeeze the rich until the pips squeaked. j expression is in a pinch. feel the pinch experience hardship, pipe especially financial. put that in your pipe and smoke it used to take something with a pinch of salt: see SALT. indicate that someone should accept what has been said, even if it is unwelcome. pineapple informal the rough end of the pineapple bad 1947 W. Somerset Maugham Creatures of treatment. Australian & New Zealand informal Circumstance I'm engaged to her, so put that in 1981 Peter Barton Bastards I Have Known There your pipe and smoke it. was no way that I was going to get 'the rough end of the pineapple' fromWally , so I kept out pipeline of his way. in the pipeline being planned or developed; about to happen. pink 1992 Sunday Times of India In effect, this means in the pink in extremely good health and that two bio-pics on Buddha are in the pipeline spirits, informal for release in 1993. j O Literally, a pink is a plant with sweet- piping i smelling pink or white flowers and slender piping hot very hot. ! leaves. In figurative use, the pink came to ! mean 'a supreme example of something', as I I O Piping describes the hissing or sizzling ! in Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. 'I am the j i noise made by food taken very hot from the i j very pink of courtesy'. This led to the j : oven. The phrase was earliest used by i development of the phrase in the pink of : Chaucer in The Miller's Tale: 'And wafres, \ condition, of which in the pink is a shortened j ! pipyng hoot out of thegleede'('gleede' is an ! ! version. I | obsolete word for a fire). 1997 Sunday Times Try the chilli cakes... pip served piping hot from food stalls on the give someone the pip make someone beach. irritated or depressed, informal, dated piss vulgar slang j O Pip is a disease of poultry or other birds. In ! not have a pot to piss in be very poor. North j the late 15th century the word came to be ! used, often humorously, of various ill- American i defined or minor ailments suffered by people i a piece of piss a very easy thing to do. British ! and so the informal sense of'ill humour' piss in the wind do something that is j developed. ineffective or a waste of time. 221 plate take the piss (out of) mock someone or ©1991 Francis King The Ant Colony Guido is something. British going to go places, I'm sure of it. He's not going 1998 Spectator It must be admitted, however, to be a labourer forever. that any child who tried nowadays to follow place in the sun a position of favour or my priggish example would, probably rightly, advantage. be accused at once of taking the piss. ; O In 1897 the German Chancellor, Prince | Bernhard Von Bulow, made a speech in the pisSGd vulgar slang i Reichstag in which he declared: 'we desire pissed as a newt (or fart) very drunk. j to throw no one into the shade [in East Asia], i pissed off annoyed; irritated. i butwealsodemandourplaceinthesun'.Asa j j result, the expression has become associated i j with German nationalism; it is in fact pit ! recorded much earlier and is traceable to the j be the pits be extremely bad or the worst of ! writings of the French mathematician and I philosopher Blaise Pascal (1623-62). its kind, informal 2002 India Weekly I think it is a great feeling, to ! O Pits is a mid 20th-century informal term know that after years of derision from the i for 'armpits' and has connotations of body world, the Hindi film industry is achieving its I odour; from this it came to refer generally to j place in the sun. I something regarded as bad or unpleasant. plain dig a pit for: see DIG. plain as day (or the nose on your face) very the pit of your (or the) stomach an ill- defined region of the lower abdomen seen obvious, informal as the seat of strong feelings, especially plain as a pikestaff ©very obvious. anxiety. ©ordinary or unattractive in appearance. j © This phrase is an alteration of plain as a pitch \ packstaff, which dates from the mid 16th make a pitch make a bid to obtain a contract j century, the staff being that of a pedlar, on j which he rested his pack of goods for sale. or other benefit. | The version with pikestaff had developed by ! i the end of the 16th century i O Pitch is used here in the late 19th-century j | colloquial sense of a sales pitch. plan pitched plan B: see B. a pitched battle afierce fight. planet | O Literally, a pitched battle is one fought on j what planet are you on? used to indicate ! a predetermined ground (the pitch), as that someone is out of touch with reality. i opposed to either a casual skirmish or a British informal i running battle (see RUNNING). plank pitchfork thick as two planks: see THICK. rain pitchforks: see rain cats and dogs at walk the plank lose your job or position. RAIN. ! O The image here is ofthetraditional fate of j ! the victims of pirates: being forced to walk pity j blindfold along a plank overthe side of aship j more's the pity used to express regret about a I to your death in the sea. fact that has just been stated, informal 1994 Amstrad Anion The full version of this game never got released. More's the pity, as if plate the demo's anything to go by, it would have on a plate with little or no effort from the been a stormer. person concerned, informal 1986 Max Egremont Dear Shadows They were handed an asset on a plate and treated it in a place totally uncreative way. go places ©travel, ©be increasingly on your plate occupying your time or successful, informal energy, chiefly British platinum 222

1999 Vikram Seth Equal Music At the moment, I play for time use specious excuses or may as well tell you, it'll be a relief not to do it. I've got a lot on my plate—too much. unnecessary manoeuvres to gain time. play the game: see GAME. platinum play the goat: see GOAT. go platinum (of a recording) achieve sales play God: see GOD. meriting a platinum disc. play havoc with: see HAVOC. play hell with: see HELL. play play hookey: see HOOKEY. play your cards close to your chest: see play a (or your) hunch make an instinctive keep your cards close to your chest at choice. CARD. play into someone's hands act in such a way make a play for attempt to attract or attain. as unintentionally to give someone an informal advantage. 1999 Independent Trade was seen... heading play it cool make an effort to be or appear to out for a club to make a play for a cute barman. be calm and unemotional, informal make (great) play of (or with) draw play the market speculate in stocks. attention to in an ostentatious manner, typically to gain prestige or advantage. play possum: see POSSUM. 2002 Daily Telegraph With the tabloids leading play (or play it) safe (or for safety) take the way, reporters digging into their precautions; avoid risks. backgrounds made great play of their play something by ear ©perform music unorthodox pasts. without having to read from a score. play your ace: see ACE. © proceed instinctively according to play ball: see BALL. results and circumstances rather than according to rules or a plan, informal play a blinder perform very well, informal G1992 Paul Auster Leviathan The only ; O Dating from the 1950s, blinder is a condition was that Sachs arrive at Maria's j colloquial term for'a dazzlingly good piece house promptly at ten o'clock, and from then I of play'in sport, especially in rugby or cricket, i on they would play it by ear. 2001 Sun Gilles will start and I would just love play to the gallery: see GALLERY. him to play a blinder and score a couple of play with fire take foolish risks. goals to knock Southampton out of the cup. play yourself in become accustomed play both ends against the middle keep your to the circumstances and conditions options open by supporting or favouring of a game or activity; get into a rhythm opposing sides. or pattern of working or performing. play by the rules follow what is generally British held to be the correct line of behaviour. playing play your cards right: see CARD. a level playing field: see LEVEL. play the devil with: see DEVIL. not playing with a full deck: see DECK. play ducks and drakes with: see DUCK. play fair observe principles of justice; avoid please cheating. as — as you please used to emphasize the play someone false prove treacherous or degree to which someone or something possesses the specified quality, especially deceitful towards someone; let someone when this is seen as surprising, informal down. 1989 Marilynne Robinson Mother Country play fast and loose behave irresponsibly or Hearing themselves expound as slick as you immorally. please on every great question of the age... 1998 Spectator Fingers may point at those they must feel that their gift to the world of custodians playing fast and loose with the enlightenment exculpates the racism. national treasure. play favourites show favouritism towards pleased someone or something, chiefly North American pleased as punch: see PUNCH. play the field: see FIELD. 223 pocket

pleasure plum at Her (or His) Majesty's pleasure detained have a plum in your mouth have a rich- in a British prison. sounding voice or affected accent. British like a ripe plum (or ripe plums) used to pledge convey that something can be obtained sign (or take) the pledge make a solemn with little or no effort. undertaking to abstain from alcohol. plumb plight out of plumb not exactly vertical. plight your troth pledge your word in 1984 T. Coraghessan Boyle Budding Prospects marriage or betrothal. His bad eye, I noticed, had gone crazy. Normally it was just slightly out of plumb. I O The verb plight is now virtually obsolete I except in this particular phrase, as is the noun i plumb the depths ©reach the extremes of j troth. evil or unhappiness. ©inquire into the most obscure or secret aspects of something. plot lose the plot lose your ability to understand plume what is happening; lose touch with reality. borrowed plumes: see BORROWED. informal 1997 Spectator The truth is that we've lost plunge the plot of great painting and have entered take the plunge commit yourself to a course a new phase in which the criteria for judging work are... demonstrably shallow of action about which you are nervous. and trivial. informal the plot thickens the situation becomes plus more difficult and complex. plus-minus more or less; roughly. South African j O This expression comes from The Rehearsal \ 1992 Weekend Post He expected 'plus-minus' \ (1671), a burlesque drama by George Villiers, j 1000 fileswoul d eventually be forwarded for j 2nd Duke of Buckingham:'now the plot 'possible prosecution'. | thickens very much upon us'. poach plough poach on someone's territory encroach on someone else's rights. plough a lonely (or your own) furrow follow a course of action in which you poacher are isolated or in which you can act poacher turned gamekeeper someone who independently. now protects the interests which they plough the sand labour uselessly. previously attacked. I O Ploughing the sand has been a proverbial i I image of fruitless activity since the late 16th pocket j century. have deep pockets have large financial resources, informal put (or set) your hand to the plough embark 1998 Spectator In any case, it was never in any on a task. danger of going out of business... there were i O This phrase alludes to Luke 9:62: 'And several other putative proprietors with deep i Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his pockets waiting in the wings. j hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit in pocket O having enough money or money I for the kingdom of God'. to spare; having gained in a transaction. © (of money) gained by someone from a plug transaction. pull the plug: see PULL. in someone's pocket dependent on someone financially and therefore under their plughole influence; closely involved with someone. go down the plughole be unsuccessful, lost, out of pocket having lost money in a or wasted, informal transaction. poetic 224 pay out of pocket pay for something with poke your own money. US poke fun at tease or make fun of. put your hand in your pocket spend or 1989 Basile Kerblay Gorbachev's Russia They provide your own money. used to poke fun at his boorish ways. poke your bib in: see stick your bib in at BIB. poetic poke your nose into take an intrusive poetic justice the fact of experiencing a interest in; pry into, informal fitting or deserved retribution for your actions. poke your oar in: see stickyour oar in at OAR. take a poke at someone Ohit or punch j O This phrase is from Alexander Pope's someone, ©criticize someone. ! satire The Dunciad: 'Poetic Justice, with her ! lifted scale'. pole be poles apart differ greatly in nature or point opinion. the finer points of: see FINER. in pole position in an advantageous position. point the bone at: see BONE. j O ln motor racing, pole position is the point of no return the point in a journey or i position on the front row of the starting grid i enterprise at which it becomes essential or ! which will allow the driver to take the first more practical to continue to the end. j bend on the inside. The phrase originated in i j the 19th century as a horse-racing term, score points (off) deliberately make yourself I referring to the starting position nearest the j appear superior to someone else by making j inside boundary rails. clever remarks. 1986 Jack Batten judges There's nothing condescending or cruel about his wit. He politics doesn't score points off the people in the play politics act for political or personal prisoners' box. He doesn't take advantage. gain rather than from principle. take someone's point accept the validity of derogatory someone's idea or argument, chiefly British win on points win by accumulating a series pomp of minor gains rather than by a single pomp and circumstance the ceremonial dramatic feat. formality surrounding a public event. : O ln boxing, a fighter wins on points by pony : having the referee and judges award him ! more points than his opponent, rather than on Shanks's pony: see SHANKS'S PONY. i by a knockout. poor poor as a church mouse (or as church mice) point-blank extremely poor. ask (orteil, etc.) someone point-blank ask (or tell, etc.) someone something very i O Church mice may be considered to be directly, abruptly, or rudely. j particularly poor or deprived in that they do i i not have the opportunity to find pickings i O In its literal sense point-blank describes a i j from a kitchen or larder. I shotorbulletfiredfromveryclosetoitstarget. j ! One of the earliest senses of the noun blank \ poor little rich girl (or boy) a wealthy young I was'the white spot in the centre of a target'. : person whose money brings them no contentment (often used as an expression poisoned of mock sympathy). a poisoned chalice something that is i O 'Poor Little Rich Girl'was the title of a apparently desirable but likely to be ! 1925 song by Noel Coward. damaging to the person to whom it is given. 1998 New Scientist Anyone who discovers a the poor man's — an inferior or cheaper superconductor that works at room substitute for the thing specified. temperature may be handing the world a 1991 Canberra Times Just as alarming is the poisoned chalice... the material might be too prospect of FAEs, Fuel-Air Explosives... toxic to be usable. known as the poor man's atom bomb. 225 pot poor relation a person or thing that is i O This expression, recorded from the early considered inferior or subordinate to ! 19th century in the USA, refers to the others of the same type or group. i opossum's habit of feigning death when 1997 Independent on Sunday Many downhillers I threatened or attacked (possum is an think of Nordic skiing as a poor relation—fit ! informal US term for an opossum). only for wimps who can't take speed. stir the possum stir up controversy; liven take a poor view of: see take a dim view of things up. Australian informal at VIEW. post pop beaten at the post: see BEATEN. — a pop costing a specified amount per item. be left at the post: see LEFT. North American informal 1999 Tim Lott White City Blue I never thought deaf as a post: see deaf as an adder at DEAF. I'd see the day when a curry house would do first past the post: see FIRST. Margaritas. The waiter looks delighted. I'm from pillar to post: see PILLAR. not surprised at six pounds a pop. pip someone at the post: see PIP. have (or take) a pop at ©physically attack, ©criticize, informal postal © 1995 Musik Two of the girls we rumbled go postal go mad, especially from stress. were so outraged that they put up flyersal l US informal over the country taking a pop at us. in pop in pawn. British informal j © This expression arose as a result of several j j recorded cases in the USA in which postal- pop the question propose marriage. British | service employees ran amok and shot informal j colleagues. j pop your clogs die. informal 1999 New Yorker A man two seats away 'went 1998 Oldie We cannot claim any credit for postal' when the battery on his cell phone foreseeing that Enoch was about to pop his gave out. A heavyset passenger had to sit on clogs. the man until the train finally pulled into Grand Central. pope Is the Pope (a) Catholic? used to indicate that posted something is blatantly obvious, informal keep someone posted keep someone informed of the latest developments. poppy a tall poppy: see TALL. i O Posted-up was a mid 19th-century j Americanism meaning 'well informed'. port any port in a storm in adverse circumstances pot any source of relief or escape is welcome. for the pot for food or cooking. 1992 Doris Lessing African Laughter That was I O Literally, this expression applies to a ship j when we shot for the pot, just shooting what i seeking shelter from rough weather; it has we needed. ! been in use as a proverb from at least the mid j : 18th century. go to pot deteriorate through neglect, informal

j O Tne 'dea here is of chopping ingredients j j up into small pieces before putting them in pose j the pot for cooking, and from this comes the j strike a pose: see STRIKE. i sense 'be ruined or destroyed'. possessed keep the pot boiling: see BOILING. like someone possessed very violently or the pot calling the kettle black someone wildly, as if under the control of an evil making criticisms about someone else spirit. which could equally well apply to themselves. possum 1998 Times Yet as Guardian insiders point out, play possum ©pretend to be asleep or the pot can't call the kettle black. She can't cry unconscious when threatened. Q feign foul when subjected to fair and standard ignorance. competition. potato 226 pot of gold: see GOLD. pour put someone's pot on inform on a person. it never rains but it pours: see RAIN. Australian & New Zealand informal pour cold water on: see COLD. shit (or piss) or get off the pot used to pour it on progress or work quickly or with convey that someone should stop wasting time and get on with something, vulgar slang all your energy. North American informal pour oil on troubled waters try to settle a potato disagreement or dispute with words intended to placate or pacify those couch potato: see COUCH. involved. drop someone or something like a hot potato: see HOT. powder keep your powder dry be ready for action; small potatoes: see SMALL. remain alert for a possible emergency.

Potemkin O When his troops were about to cross a a Potemkin village a sham or unreal thing. river, the English statesman and general Oliver Cromwell (1599-1658) is said to have ! O Count Potemkin (1739-91), a favourite of j exorted them: 'Put your trust in God; but i Empress Catherine II of Russia, reputedly mind to keep your powder dry'. The powder | ordered a number of fake villages to be built j referred to is gunpowder. ; for the empress's tour of the Crimea in 1787. 1998 Independent Instead of keeping its powder dry for the important things, New pot luck Labour's political fate is being inextricably take pot luck take a chance that whatever is bound up with events over which mere politicians can have no control. available will be good or acceptable. powder your nose (of a woman) go to the pottage lavatory. sell something for a mess of pottage sell i O This is an early 20th-century euphemism, j something for a ridiculously small amount. j which is now rather dated. The term j powder room has been used since the 1940s i ! O This expression comes from the biblical i to refer to a ladies' toilet in a hotel, I story of Esau, who sold his birthright to his j restaurant, or similar public building. I brother Jacob in return for a dish of lentil I broth (Genesis 25:29-34). Mess is a term for a 1972 L. P. Davies What Did I Do Tomorrow? I'll i serving of semi-liquid food and pottage is an use your bathroom. To powder my nose, as j archaic word for soup or stew. Although the nice girls say. ! phrase is recorded from 1526 it does not take a powder depart quickly, especially in j occur in the Authorized Version of the Bible order to avoid a difficult situation. North j (1611); it does, however, appear in chapter American informal j headings in the Bibles of 1537 and 1539 and 2002 New York Times Why don't you take a i in the Geneva Bible of 1560. powder, jerk, or how'd you like a knuckle sandwich? pound your pound of flesh an amount you are power legally entitled to, but which it is morally do someone or something a power of good offensive to demand. be very beneficial to someone or some­ thing, informal j O The allusion here istoShylock's bond with I more power to your elbow! said to i the merchant Antonio in Shakespeare's The j Merchant of Venice and to the former's encourage someone or express approval of j insistence that he should receive it, even at their actions. British i the cost of Antonio's life. power behind the throne a person who exerts authority or influence without pound the pavement move about on foot at having formal status. a steady, regular pace in a town or city. 1992 New York Times Put yourself in the shoes the powers that be the authorities. of someone who... is now out pounding the pavement wondering what to settle for in a ! O ThisphrasecomesfromRomans13:1:'the j j powers that be are ordained of God'. low-wage job. 227 prick practice suggest that something should be done old Spanish practices: see old Spanish now rather than later. present company excepted excluding those customs at SPANISH. who are here now. practice makes perfect regular exercise of an activity or skill is the way to become press proficient in it. press something home: see drive something practise home at HOME. practise what you preach do what you advise press (the) flesh (of a celebrity or politician) others to do. greet people by shaking hands, informal, chiefly North American prawn 2000 New Yorker Clinton seemed... a figure from the past—a politician made to press the come the raw prawn: see RAW. flesh, to give speeches in large halls and prayer negotiate with his opponents in small rooms. not have a prayer have no chance at all pretty of succeeding at something, informal 1998 Oldie Show them you can re-programme come to a pretty pass reach a bad or the computer to eliminate the Millennium regrettable state of affairs. Problem and you are in. Confess that you don't not just a pretty face intelligent as well as even know how to turn it on, and you haven't attractive. a prayer. a pretty penny a large sum of money, informal preach 1989 Russell Banks Affliction You can probably get a pretty penny for that place in a year or preach to the converted advocate something two. to people who already share your convictions about its merits or importance. pretty as a picture very pretty. sitting pretty in an advantageous position or precious situation, informal precious little (or few) extremely little (or few). prey fall prey to Qbe hunted and killed by. ©be pregnant vulnerable to or overcome by. a pregnant pause (or silence) a pause or silence that is laden with meaning or price significance. everyone has their price everyone can be premium won over by money. a price on someone's head a reward offered put (or place) a premium on regard as or make particularly valuable or important. for someone's capture or death. 1998 New Scientist Enormous forces would price yourself out of the market be unable to have acted upon the skull and neck, putting a compete commercially. premium on size and strength. what price —? Qused to ask what has become of something or to suggest that presence something has or would become presence of mind the ability to remain calm worthless, ©used to state that something and take quick, sensible action when faced seems unlikely. with difficulty or danger. 01991 New Scientist What price modern medicine with its reliance on the prescription present pad, and the slavish devotion to pills? all present and correct used to indicate that not a single thing or person is missing. prick 1982 Bernard MacLaverty A Time to Dance She kick against the pricks: see KICK. began to check it, scraping the coins towards prick up your ears ©(especially of a horse or her quickly and building them into piles. 'All dog) make the ears stand erect when on the present and correct,' she said. alert. © (of a person) become suddenly (there is) no time like the present used to attentive. pricking 228 a spare prick at a wedding a person who is woman) who is a prince (or princess) by out of place or has no role in a particular right of their royal descent. situation. British vulgar slang prisoner pricking prisoner of conscience a person detained or a pricking in your thumbs a premonition or imprisoned because of their religious or foreboding. political beliefs.

i O This expression comes from a speech by : O This phrase is particularly associated with j ! the Second Witch in Shakespeare's Macbeth: \ ! the campaigns of Amnesty International, a ! 'By the pricking of my thumbs, Something j human-rights organization. I wicked this way comes'. take no prisoners be ruthlessly aggressive or uncompromising in the pursuit of your pride objectives. pride goes (or comes) before a fall if 1998 Times The transition from Formula you're too conceited or self-important, One to front-wheel drive saloon cars was something will happen to make you look never going to be easy... especially in a foolish. series where drivers are not known for taking prisoners. i O This phrase is adapted from Proverbs : 16:18: 'Pride goeth before destruction, and i an haughty spirit before a fall'. Goes before pro ! here means 'precedes'. the pros and cons the arguments for and against something; the advantages and pride of place the most prominent or disadvantages of something. important position amongst a group of things. j O Pro is Latin for 'for'; con is an abbreviation j 1995 Abdulrazak Gurnah Paradise He was j of Latin contra, meaning 'against'. brought up in a devout Sikh household in which the writings of the great Gurus had Procrustean pride of place in the family shrine. a Procrustean bed something designed to your pride and joy someone or something of produce conformity by unnatural or which you are very proud and which is a violent means. source of great pleasure. ! O In Greek mythology, Procrustes was a prime j robber who tied his victims to a bed, either i stretching or cutting off their legs in order to j prime the pump stimulate or support the j to make them fit it. growth or success of something, especially by supplying it with money. 1998 Spectator Intellectuals often employ their intellects for foolish purposes, forcing facts I O This phrase is used literally of a onto a Procrustean bed of theory. i mechanical pump into which a small quantity j i of water needs to be poured before it can ; begin to function. prod on the prod looking for trouble. North American 1977 Tom Sharpe The GreatPursuit Significance informal is all... Prime the pump with meaningful hogwash. prodigal primrose prodigal son a person who leaves home to the primrose path the pursuit of pleasure, lead a spendthrift and extravagant way of especially when it is seen to bring life but later makes a repentant return. disastrous consequences. j O The biblical parable of the prodigal son in i ! Luke 15: 11-32 tells the story of the i O The allusion here is to 'the primrose ! spendthrift younger son of a wealthy man j path of dalliance' to which Ophelia refers in i ! who leaves home and wastes all his money. I Hamlet. ! When he repents of his extravagant ways and I j returns home, he is joyfully welcomed back i by his father. See also kill the fatted calf prince I (at FATTED). j prince (or princess) of the blood a man (or 229 pull production proud make a production of do something in an do someone proud Q act in a way that gives unnecessarily elaborate or complicated someone cause to feel pleased or satisfied, way. ©treat someone with lavish generosity or honour, informal profession the oldest profession the practice of providence working as a prostitute, humorous tempt providence: see tempt fate at ! O Politics or the law is sometimes TEMPT. ; humorously awarded the status of 'second i oldest profession', with the sarcastic prune I implication that their practitioners are as prunes and prisms used to denote a prim i immoral and mercenary as society and affected speech, look, or manner. i traditionally considered prostitutes to be. j O In Charles Dickens's Little Dorrit (1857), j Mrs General advocates speaking this phrase prolong ; aloud in order to give'a pretty form to the prolong the agony cause a difficult or ! lips'- unpleasant situation to last longer than necessary. public promise go public Obecome a public company. © reveal details about a previously private on a promise (of a person) confidently concern. assured of something, especially of having sexual intercourse with someone, informal in the public eye the state of being known or of interest to people in general, especially promise someone the moon: see MOON. through the media. promises, promises used to indicate that the public enemy number one Q a notorious speaker is sceptical about someone's stated wanted criminal. @ a person or thing intention to do something, informal regarded as the greatest threat to a group or community. proof © 1995 Independent So foods that pile on the above proof (of alcohol) having a stronger pounds are seen as Public Enemy Number than standard strength. One. the proof of the pudding is in the eating the real value of something can be judged only publish from practical experience or results and publish or perish used to refer to an attitude not from appearance or theory. or practice existing within academic ; O Proof here means 'test', rather than institutions, whereby researchers are I 'verification'. under pressure to publish material in order to retain their positions or to be deemed 1998 Nigella Lawson How to Eat Don't hide successful. the fact that you're microwaving it: they do say the proof of the pudding is in the pudding eating. in the pudding club pregnant. British informal prop puff prop up the bar spend a considerable time in all your puff in your whole life, informal, drinking in a pub. informal chiefly British protest pull under protest after expressing your like pulling teeth extremely difficult or objection or reluctance; unwillingly. laborious to do. informal 1997 Independent Jon Benet would come to the Griffin house for her lessons on 2002 Independent It was like pulling teeth in deportment, disappearing into the the first half. I thought we were never going to basement—sometimes under protest—to score. practise Dior turns. pull a face: see make a face at FACE. pulp 230 pull a fast one: see FAST. pulse pull in your horns: see draw in your horns at feel (or take) the pulse of ascertain the HORN. general mood or opinion of. pull someone's leg deceive someone play­ j O The image here is of literally determining j fully; tease someone. : someone's heart rate by feeling and timing pull the other one used to express a I the pulsation of an artery. suspicion that you are being deceived or teased. British informal 1994 Daily Mirror Our new Housing Monitor... will take the pulse of the housing ; O A fuller form of this expression is pull the \ market to keep you informed about the \ other one, it's got bells on. value of your most precious asset—your home. 1994 Sunday Times Michael Foot receive a warm ovation from the CBI? Norman Tebbit pump address a TUC conference? Pull the other one. pump iron exercise with weights, informal pull out all the stops: see STOP. punch pull the plug prevent something from happening or continuing; put a stop to beat someone to the punch anticipate or something, informal forestall someone's actions. pleased (or proud) as Punch feeling great i O This phrase alludes to an older type of delight or pride. ! lavatory flush which operated by the pulling i i out of a plug to empty the contents of the ! O This expression alludes to the self- i pan into the soil pipe. i congratulatory glee displayed by the ! grotesque, hook-nosed Punch, anti-hero of 1997 New Scientist And with the first elements j the Punch and Judy puppet show. of the IS S set for launch next year, it's hardly likely Congress will pull the plug on the pull punches: see PULL. project. punch above your weight engage in an pull rank: see RANK. activity or contest perceived as being pull strings make use of your influence and beyond your capacity or abilities. contacts to gain an advantage unofficially or unfairly. j © This is a metaphor from boxing, in which j j contests are arranged between opponents of i ! O An American variant of this expression is ! I nearly equal weight. i pull wires: the image here and in the next i idiom is of a puppeteer manipulating a I 1998 Spectator Post-imperial Britain retains an i marionette by means of its strings. imperial habit of mind... we entertain... an ambition to 'punch above our weight'. 1998 New Scientist Behind the scenes, there is punch the (time) clock Q(of an employee) invariably a democratic government or two pulling strings to keep the cigarette barons in clock in or out. ©be employed in a power. conventional job with regular hours. North American pull the strings be in control of events or of other people's actions. punch someone's lights out: see LIGHT. pull together cooperate in a task or under­ punch your ticket: see TICKET. taking. roll with the punches: see ROLL. pull the wool over someone's eyes: see WOOL. punt pull your punches be less forceful, severe, or take (or have) a punt at have a go at; attempt. violent than you could be. Australian & New Zealand informal pull your socks up: see SOCK. 1998 Times: Magazine However cheerfully pull your weight do your fair share of work. positive I can be about the future, the man from the Pru isn't going to take a punt on me pull yourself together recover control of living the full term. your emotions. pup pulp sell someone a pup swindle someone, beat (or smash) someone to a pulp beat especially by selling them something that someone severely. is worthless. British informal 231 put

i O This phrase originated in the early 20th a purple patch an ornate or elaborate passage i century; the idea behind it is presumably that i in a literary composition. i of dishonestly selling someone a young and i inexperienced dog when an older, trained i O This term is a translation of Latin i animal had been expected. ! purpureus pannus, and comes from the ! Roman poet Horace's Ars Poetica: 'Works of 1930 W. Somerset Maugham Cakes and Ale The j serious purpose and grand promises often public has been sold a pup too often to take I have a purple patch or two stitched on, to unnecessary chances. j shine far and wide'. purdah in purdah in seclusion. purpose accidentally on purpose apparently by i O Purdah comes from the curtain (parda) accident but in fact intentionally. \ used in traditional Hindu and Muslim humorous j households, especially in the Indian i subcontinent, to conceal women from the purse I eyes of strangers. The transferred use of this i hold the purse strings have control of i expression to refer to seclusion generally expenditure. i dates from the 1920s. make a silk purse out of a sow's ear: see SILK. 1998 Times Treasury ministers are, of course, in purdah. push at a push if necessary; in an emergency. British pure 1997 Trail It's roomy for one person, but can pure and simple and nothing else. take two at a push. 1991 Alabama Game & Fish They are bred for give someone (or get) the push (or shove) waterfowling, pure and simple. dismiss someone (or be dismissed) from a pure as the driven snow completely pure. job; reject someone (or be rejected) in a i O When used of snow, driven means relationship. British informal j that it has been piled into drifts or made push at (or against) an open door have ! smooth by the wind. The phrase was no difficulty in accomplishing a task; ! famously parodied by the actress Tallulah j Bankhead in 1947:'I'm as pure as the driven fail to realize how easy something is. i slush'. push the boat out: see BOAT. the real Simon Pure: see SIMON PURE. push someone's buttons: see BUTTON. push your luck act rashly or presumptuously purler on the assumption that you will come (or go) a purler fall heavily, especially continue to be successful or in favour. head first. informal when push comes to shove when action | © The verb purl was in dialect or colloquial j must be taken; if the worst comes to the : use in the mid 19th century in the senses worst, informal j 'turn upside down', 'capsize', or 'go head 2001 Financial Director When push comes to ! over heels'. shove, investors are not always impressed with promises of jam tomorrow. purple pushing born in (or to) the purple born into a reigning family or privileged class. pushing up the daisies: see DAISY. O In ancient times, purple garments were put worn only by royal and imperial families not know where to put yourself feel deeply because of the rarity and costliness of the dye. embarrassed, informal Born in the purple (rather than to) may have 1986 Robert Sproat Stunning the Punters He was specific reference to the fact that Byzantine empresses gave birth in a room in the palace begging and pleading with me... with tears at Constantinople whose walls were lined rolling down his cheeks so I didn't know with the purple stone porphyry. The title 'the where to put myself. Porphyrogenitos' or 'Porphyrogenita' was put backbone into someone: see BACKBONE. used for a prince or princess born in this room. put the boot in: see BOOT. putty 232 put a brave face on something: see FACE. put words in someone's mouth: see MOUTH. put the finger on: see FINGER. put your best foot forward: see FOOT. put it (or yourself) about be sexually put your finger on something: see FINGER. promiscuous. British informal put your foot down: see FOOT. put it to someone make a statement or put your foot in it: see FOOT. allegation to someone and challenge them put your hands together: see HAND. to deny it. put your hands up: see HAND. put one over on deceive someone into accepting something false, informal put your mind to: see MIND. put the screws on: see SCREW. putty put a sock in it: see SOCK. put something behind you get over a be like putty (or wax) in someone's hands bad experience by distancing yourself be easily manipulated or dominated by someone. from it. 1975 Sam Selvon Moses Ascending Bob was put two and two together: see TWO. there, and I gave him a little bit of crumpet, put up or shut up defend or justify yourself and afterwards he was like putty in my hands. or remain silent, informal 2003 New York Times Iraq's unexpected Pyrrhic willingness to grant access to United Nations Pyrrhic victory a victory gained at too great a weapons inspectors presented American cost. intelligence with a challenge to put up or shut up. j O Pyrrhus was a king of Epirus, who j defeated the Romans at Asculum in 279 BC, put the wind up: see WIND. ! but in doing so sustained heavy losses and lost i put someone wise: see WISE. i his finest troops. Qq nmfm queer someone's pitch spoil someone's chanc s of doi n on the q.t. secretly or secret; without anyone f 1 § something especially noticing, informal Se^.°"™^™^:.^ \"0"q"t\s a'humorou^abbre^'ation of quie7"\ ! ? This P^ase originated as 19th-century | I..._.... : slang; early examples of its use suggest that j the pitch referred to is the spot where a street i QUdke ^ performer stationed themselves or the site of | . . , , . . , i a market trader's stall. quake in your shoes: see shake inyourshoes at SHAKE. 1973 Elizabeth Lemarchand Let or Hindrance He's a decent lad... he would never have QUârt risked queering Wendy's pitch with Eddy. get (or fit) a quart into a pint pot attempt to do the impossible, especially when queSIIOn this takes the form of trying to fit be a question of time be certain to happen something into a space that is too small. sooner or later. British the sixty-four thousand dollar question: see SIXTY-FOUR. quarter a bad quarter of an hour: see BAD. quick be quick off the mark: see MARK. queen cut someone to the quick cause someone take the Queen's shilling: see take the deep distress by a hurtful remark or King's shilling at SHILLING. action. Queensberry ! © Quick means an area of flesh that is well j supp ied wit h ne es and therefore ver the Queensberry Rules standard rules of I ' + + ™ V 7-^ \ , , v , • : sensitive to touch or injury, polite or acceptable behaviour. : ...... :. !" © The Queensberr^Rules'are^ecode of ! <*uick and dirty makeshift; done or produced j rules which were drawn up in 1867 under the i hastily, informal, chiefly US | supervision of Sir John Sholto Douglas quick as a flash: see FLASH.

I (1844-1900), ninth Marquis of Queensberry, i . . .. . c . . ,. ! to govern the sport of boxing in Great \ *Uick °n the draW vei^ fast m actm§ 0r j Britain. j reacting. i O The draw is the action of taking a pistol or j QUeer l other weapon from its holster. in Queer Street in difficulty, especially by being in debt. British informal, dated. quid ;-"™ be quids in be in a position where you have : O Queer Street was an imaginary street ^.^fn-^A ™, „™ i;i™i„ +•„ ~™«<- *w™

• u , . ..«. u. J* : prohted or are likely to profit from : where people in difficulties were supposed to : ^ . . . ./ f ! live. The phrase has been used since the early j something. British informal j 19th century to indicate various kinds of rOQuids'ls'o^oundin^s phrase"the

j misfortune but its predominant use has been i ; norma| |ura| b ± j to refer to financial difficulty. The use of ...... /. I 'queer'to mean 'a male homosexual' is a not the full quid not very intelligent. Australian : separate development. , . j. , . J ° : !.. !7 : & New Zealand informal 1952 Angus Wilson Hemlock and After He ;...™..... •• •• •• enjoys a little flutter... and if he finds himself ! O As an informal term for a pound sterling ; woulinQueerStreetnowandagain,I'msurenoond grudge him his bit of fun. e ! Qu/(or, dm date formes fror mtimes the, lata sovereige 17th centuryn or gumea: its ) ; quiet 234

i origins are unknown. Compare with not the The phrase is recorded from the late 19th ! full shilling (at SHILLING). century, but an earlier form, cry quits, dates back to the mid 17th century. quiet anything for a quiet life: see LIFE. quiver quiet as a mouse (or lamb) (of a person or an arrow in the quiver: see ARROW. animal) extremely quiet or docile. 1982 Robertson Davies The Rebel Angels I shall qui vive be as quiet as a mouse. I'll just tuck my on the qui vive on the alert or lookout. box... in this corner, right out of your way. j O The French expression qui vive? (used in quiet as the grave: see silent as the grave at i English since the late 16th century) means GRAVE. ! literally'(long) live who?'In former times a ! sentry would issue this challenge to someone i quince ! approaching his post so as to ascertain where ! get on someone's quince irritate or I their allegiance lay. exasperate someone. Australian informal 1976 J. E. Weems Death Song They came in groups of four, five,o r six—'all on the qui vive, quits apprehensive of treachery, and ready to meet call it quits ©agree or acknowledge that it'. terms are now equal, especially on the settlement of a debt. © decide to abandon quote an activity or venture, especially so as to cut quote — unquote used parenthetically your losses. when speaking to indicate the beginning j O The origin of the -s in quits is uncertain: and end (or just the beginning) of a ! the word may be an abbreviation of the i statement or passage that you are i medieval Latin quittus, meaning ! repeating, especially to emphasize the I 'discharged', which was used on receipts to speaker's detachment from or j indicate that something had been paid for. disagreement with the original, informal Rr

1998 Oldie The allotment below mine looks set to go to rack and ruin from its previous well- the three Rs reading, (w)riting, and tended state. (a)rithmetic, regarded as the fundamentals off the rack: see off the peg at PEG. of elementary education. on the rack suffering intense distress or rabbit strain. breed like rabbits reproduce prolifically. rack your brains {or brain) make a informal great effort to think of or remember buy the rabbit fare badly; come off worse. something. informal O A rack was a medieval instrument of torture consisting of a frame on which a pull {or bring) a rabbit out of the {or a) hat victim was stretched by turning rollers to used to describe an action that is fortuitous, which their wrists and ankles were tied. and may involve sleight of hand or To rack someone was to torture them deception. on this device and the image in this work the rabbit's foot on cheat or trick. US idiom is of subjecting one's brains to a similar ordeal in the effort to remember ; O A rabbit's foot is traditionally carried as a i something. i good-luck charm. 1998 Spectator If I rack my brains for something nice to say about our weather, I suppose it does at least enable us to grow race better grass than they do in California. be in the race have a chance of success. Australian & New Zealand informal raft 1953 T. A. G. Hungerford Riverslake See a (whole) raft of — a large collection of that bloke?' He pointed down the road after the vanished car. 'A few years ago he something. wouldn't have been in the race to own a I O Kaft here is an alteration of a dialect word j car like that.' i raff, meaning 'a great quantity'. a race against time a situation in which someone attempts to do or complete 1998 Housing Agenda Since the election of something before a particular time or Labour last May, the social inclusion agenda before something else happens. has come to span a whole raft of Government initiatives. rack rag at rack and manger amid abundance or chew the rag: see chew the fat at CHEW. ?.. e.n.?.'. (from) rags to riches used to describe a j O A rack is a frame in which hay is placed, j person's rise from a state of extreme ! and a manger also holds food for horses. The j poverty to one of great wealth. ! use of rack and manger together dates from j 2000 Imogen Edwards-Jones My Canapé Hell j the late 14th century in both literal and Much was made of his East End roots, his j figurative senses. | chance discovery on Oxford Street. He was truly a modern day tale of rags to riches. go to rack and ruin gradually deteriorate in jn |arf ^ GLAD condition because of neglect; fall into disrepair 'ose y°ur ra9 l°se your temper, informal

: : 1998 New Scientist In boxing as in medieval i O Rack is a variant spelling of the word theology, anger is a sin. Lose your rag and you ! wrack, meaning 'destruction', but it is the j are likely to lose the match.

j standard one in this expression, which has j rf farass witf| d and break off a : been in use since the late 16th century. : r friendship_ . •,,.•., with, . rage 236

O This expression is explained in W. P. rain Drury's short story The Tadpole of an Archangel (1898): 'When [sailors] desire to it never rains but it pours misfortunes or prove the brotherly love... with which each difficult situations tend to follow each inspires the other, it is their... custom to keep other in rapid succession or to arrive all at their brasswork cleaning rags in a joint the same time. ragbag. But should relations... become rain cats and dogs rain very hard. strained between them, the bag owner casts forth upon the deck... his sometime ; O Despite much speculation, there is no brother's rags; and with the parting of the ! consensus as to the origin of rain cats and brassrags hostilities begin'. The phrase \ dogs. Suggestions range from the originated as late 19th-century nautical ; supernatural (cats being associated with slang. ! witches who were credited with raising i storms, dogs being attendants upon Odin, rag, tag, and bobtail a group of people i the Scandinavian storm god) to the down-to- I perceived as disreputable or undesirable. i earth (animals in medieval times drowning in j ! flooded streets in times of heavy rain and ; O A bobtail is a horse or dog with a i their bodies being assumed by the credulous j ! docked tail, while rag and tag both express j to have fallen from the skies). Other versions j i the idea of 'tattered clothes': the phrase i of the saying are rain pitchforks and, in | literally means'people in ragged clothes ! Britain, rain stair rods, which date from the ! together with their dogs and horses'. The j early 19th century and mid 20th century i forms tag, rag, and bobtail, ragtag and j respectively, and reflect the shaft-like \ bobtail, and tagrag and bobtail are also ; appearance of heavy rain. Rain cats and dogs \ ! found. | is first recorded in Jonathan Swift's Polite ; Conversation (1738). a red rag to a bull: see RED. take the rag off the bush (or hedge) surpass rain on somone's parade prevent everything or everyone, chiefly US someone from enjoying an occasion or event; spoil someone's plans, informal, chiefly North American rage (come) rain or shine whether it rains or not; all the rage very popular or fashionable. whatever the circumstances. i O R^ge is used here in the sense of a 1994 BBC Top Gear Magazine But come rain or i widespread (and often temporary) shine, there is a torrent of new convertibles ; enthusiasm or fashion. about to reach the UK. 1998 New Scientist The weather people call this right as rain (of a person) perfectly fit and repetition 'ensemble forecasting', and it has well, especially after a minor illness or been all the rage since an unexpected storm accident, informal blew in late one evening and ripped through 1995 Patrick McCabe The Dead School southern Britain in October 1987. You just make sure to give him this medicine and come tomorrow night he'll ragged be right as rain. run someone ragged exhaust someone by making them undertake a lot of physical rainbow activity. at the end of the rainbow used to refer to something much sought after but rail impossible to attain. go off the rails begin behaving in a strange, j O This phrase refers to the story of a crock of ! abnormal, or wildly uncontrolled way. i gold supposedly to be found by anyone who i informal ; succeeds in reaching the end of a rainbow. 1998 New Scientist If you had... asked him what he was doing, you might have thought chase rainbows (or a rainbow) pursue an he'd gone off the rails. illusory goal. on the rails Q behaving or functioning in a normal or regulated way. informal ©(of a rain check racehorse or jockey) in a position on the take a rain check said when politely refusing racetrack nearest the inside fence. an offer, with the implication that you may ride the rails: see RIDE. take it up at a later date. North American 237 rap

! O h rain check is a ticket given to spectators ; a rake's progress a progressive i at US sporting events enabling them to claim ; deterioration, especially through self- ! a refund of their entrance money or gain indulgence. i admission on another occasion if the event is ! j cancelled because of rain. The rain-check i O A rake is a fashionable or wealthy man i system js mentioned as operating in US sports j j with dissolute or promiscuous habits. A j grounds in the late 19th century; the j Rake's Progress was the title of a series of I figurative use of the word dates from the j engravings by William Hogarth (1697-1764). ! early 20th century. j They depicted the rake's life progressing ! from wealthy and privileged origins to debt, | despair, and death on the gallows. rainy a rainy day a possible time of need, usually thin as a rake (of a person or animal) very financial need, in the future. thin. : O The expression may originate from the ram i days when casual farm labourers needed to i save a proportion of their wages'for a rainy i ram something home: see drive something ; day', i.e. for occasions when bad weather home at HOME. j might prevent them from working and ; earning money. rank 2002 New York Times Book Review The Russianbrea k rank {or ranks) Q (of soldiers or police walked out of K.G.B. headquarters with officers) fail to remain in line, ©fail to 'insurance against a rainy day'—the K.G.B.'s maintain solidarity. file on its secret mole inside the F.B.I. close ranks Q (of soldiers or police officers) come closer together in a line, ©unite in raise order to defend common interests. raise Cain: see CAIN. 01998 Country Life The farming community raise the devil: see DEVIL. stands to lose those privileges unless it closes ranks against the few who let the side raise a dust ©cause turmoil, ©obscure the down. truth. British pull rank take unfair advantage of your raise your eyebrows: see EYEBROW. seniority or privileged position. raise your hat to someone admire or rise through {or from) the ranks Q(of a applaud someone. private or a non-commissioned officer) j O The image here is of the gesture of briefly j receive a commission. © advance from a i removing your hat as a mark of courtesy or lowly position in an organization by your ; respect to someone. own efforts. raise hell: see HELL. ransom raise the roof make or cause someone to hold someone or something to ransom make a lot of noise inside a building, for O hold someone prisoner and demand example through cheering. payment for their release, ©demand 1995 Daily Mail The fans were patient and concessions from a person or organization understanding and when I finallyscore d by threatening damaging action. against Swansea they raised the roof. a king's ransom: see KING. raise the wind obtain money for a purpose. British rap beat the rap escape punishment for or be j O When it first entered the language in acquitted of a crime. North American informal i medieval times, this phrase referred to the j belief that spirits or witches were able to rap someone on {or over) the knuckles j cause the winds to blow in order to help or rebuke or criticize someone. j hinder ships; the figurative use dates from j the late 18th century. take the rap be punished or blamed, especially for something that is not your fault or for which others are equally rake responsible. rake over (old) coals {or rake over the ashes) revive the memory of a past event which is j © The late 18th-century use of rap to mean i best forgotten, chiefly British j 'criticism' or 'rebuke' was extended in early raspberry 238

i 20th-century American English to include 'a with their radiant personalities and shining ! criminal charge' and 'a prison sentence', answers. i Compare with take the fall (at FALL) razor raspberry Occam's razor: see OCCAM. blow a raspberry make a derisive or on a razor's edge: see on a knife-edge at contemptuous sound with your lips. KNIFE-EDGE. : O This expression is from rhyming slang, read I where raspberry tart means a fart. read between the lines look for or discover a 1996 Observer It is unthinkable that, this close meaning that is hidden or implied rather to a general election, the party is going to blow than explicitly stated. a raspberry at its leader. 1994 American Spectator Those familiar with the virulent animosity in this element of black rat racism can read between the lines to get a rats deserting a sinking ship people fuller picture. hurrying to get away from an enterprise or read someone like a book be able to organization that is failing, informal understand someone's thoughts and motives clearly or easily. ration read my lips listen carefully (used to come up (or be given) with the rations (of a emphasize the importance of the speaker's medal) be awarded automatically and words or the earnestness of their intent). without regard to merit, military slang North American informal rattle j O Tnis expression was most famously used rattle someone's cage make someone feel j by the US Republican president George Bush j angry or annoyed, usually deliberately. i in an election campaign pledge in 1988: i 'Read my lips: no new taxes'. informal

i O A humorous comparison is implied read the riot act give someone a strong I between the person annoyed in this way and I warning that they must improve their i a dangerous animal taunted by spectators behaviour. ! outside its cage. j O The Riot Act was passed by the British rattle sabres threaten to take aggressive i government in 1715 in the wake of the action. ! Jacobite rebellion of that year and was ! designed to prevent civil disorder. The Act j made it a felony for a group of twelve or raw I more people to refuse to disperse after being j come the raw prawn attempt to deceive ! ordered to do so and having being read a someone. Australian informal j certain part of the Act by a person in j authority. It was not repealed until 1967. j O In Australian English, a stupid person can j I be referred to as a prawn. take something as read assume some­ thing without the need for further 1959 Eric Lambert Glory Thrown In Don't ever come the raw prawn with Doc, mate. He discussion. knows all the lurks. you wouldn't read about it used to express in the raw ©in its true state; not made to incredulity, disgust, or ruefulness. Australian seem better or more palatable than it & New Zealand informal actually is. ©(of a person) naked, informal touch someone on the raw upset someone ready by referring to a subject about which they ready for the off (of a person or vehicle) fully are extremely sensitive. prepared to leave, informal ready to roll (of a person or machine) ray fully prepared to start functioning or ray of sunshine someone or something that moving, informal brings happiness into the lives of others. 1997 Trail Don't worry... let our Knowledge real experts bring a ray of sunshine into your lives for real used to assert that something is 239 record

genuine or is actually the case. North American rebel informal a rebel without a cause a person who is 1992 Michael Bishop Count Geiger's Blues The man... radiated only bluster and deeply dissatisfied with society in general uncertainty. If challenged, he'd run. The but does not have a specific aim to fight other man facing Xavier was for real. for. He'd fight. | O Rebel Without A Cause was the title of a I get real! used to convey that an idea or j US film starring James Dean, released in 1955. j statement is foolish or overly idealistic. informal, chiefly North American 1995 Jayne Miller Voxpop You might think rebound living in a garret and starving for your art is on the rebound while still affected by the wonderful, but get real! emotional distress caused by the ending of the real McCoy: see MCCOY. a romantic or sexual relationship. the real Simon Pure: see SIMON PURE. receiving the real thing a thing that is absolutely be at (or on) the receiving end be subjected genuine or authentic, informal to something unpleasant, informal ream recharge ream someone's ass (or butt) criticize or recharge your batteries regain your strength rebuke someone. North American vulgar slang and energy by resting and relaxing for a reap time. reap the harvest (or fruits) of suffer the reckoned results or consequences of. a — to be reckoned with (or to reckon with) you reap what you sow you eventually have a thing or person of considerable to face up to the consequences of your importance or ability that is not to be actions. ignored or underestimated. j O This proverbial saying exists in various 2002 New Internationalist Now nearly 80, the I forms. Its biblical source is Galatians 6:7:'Be ex-Harvard Pro is still full of brio and a force to ! not deceived; God is not mocked: for be reckoned with. j whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also i ; reap'. record for the record so that the true facts are recorded or known. rear 1992 Sun There was no need to ask if I had rear its head (of an unpleasant matter) gone to the flat. For the record I have never emerge; present itself. been to the flat. The questions were calculated reason to make me look bad. for reasons best known to himself (or a matter of record something that is estab­ herself, etc.) used when recounting lished as a fact through being officially someone's behaviour to suggest that it is recorded. puzzling or perverse, chiefly humorous off the record not made as an official or attributable statement. see reason (or sense) realize that you have 1990 Charles Allen The Savage Wars of Peace I been wrong and adopt a sensible attitude. went to see him very much as somebody going (it) stands to reason it is obvious or logical. in just to have a chat with him off the record theirs (or ours) not to reason why it is not after the interrogation. someone's place to question a situation, on (the) record ©used in reference to the order, or system. making of an official or public statement. 0 officially measured and noted. ! © This phrase comes from Tennyson's poem j j 'The Charge of the Light Brigade' (1854), @ recorded on tape and reproduced on a ! which describes how, in a notorious incident j record or another sound medium. i in the Crimean War, the British cavalry put (or set) the record straight give the true ; unquestioningly obeyed a suicidal order to version of events that have been reported ; ride straight at the Russian guns. incorrectly; correct a misapprehension. red 240 red red-light better dead than red the prospect of nuclear red-light district an area of a city or town war is preferable to that of a Communist containing many brothels, strip clubs, and society. other sex businesses. j O This expression was a cold-war slogan; it I redress ! was reversed by the nuclear disarmament i campaigners of the late 1950s as better red redress the balance take action to restore ; than dead. equality in a situation. in the red in debt, overdrawn, or losing reduced money. in reduced circumstances used euphem­ istically to refer to the state of being poor i O Red ink was traditionally used to indicate j after being relatively wealthy. ! debit items and balances in accounts. ; Compare with in the black (at BLACK). reed paint the town red: see PAINT. a broken reed a weak or ineffectual person, red as a beetroot (of a person) red-faced, especially one on whose support it is foolish to rely. typically through embarrassment. a red herring something, especially a clue, j O This expression refers to Isaiah 36:6, in which is or is intended to be misleading or i which the Assyrian general taunts King ! Hezekiah of Jerusalem about the latter's distracting. j supposed ally, the Egyptian pharaoh: 'Lo, ! O This expression derives from the former j thou trusteth in the staff of this broken reed, j j practice of using the pungent scent of a dried j j on Egypt'. i smoked herring to teach hounds to follow a j j trail (smoked herrings were red in colour as a j : result of the curing process). rein (a) free rein complete freedom of action or red in tooth and claw involving savage or expression. merciless conflict or competition. | O The image here is of loosening grip on the i j O This phrase originated as a quotation ! reins of a horse, allowing it to choose its own ! i from Tennyson's 'In Memoriam' (1850): i course and pace, in contrast to the greater I 'Nature, red in tooth and claw'. I control implied by the next idiom.

1998 Spectator Life is sharper on the shop keep a tight rein on exercise strict control floor, too; and for small business it is red in tooth and claw. over; allow little freedom to. a red letter day a pleasantly memorable, reinvent fortunate, or happy day. reinvent the wheel waste a great deal of time : © In Church calendars, a saint's day or or effort in creating something that already ! church festival was traditionally exists or doing something that has j distinguished by being written in red letters, j already been done. (like) a red rag to a bull an object, relieve utterance, or act which is certain to relieve your feelings use strong language or provoke or anger someone. vigorous behaviour when annoyed. j O Thecolourredwastraditionallysupposed j j to provoke a bull, and is the colour of the religion i cape used by matadors in bullfighting. get religion be converted to religious belief and practices, informal 1998 Times Such talk is like a red rag to a bull at the Soil Association. remain reds under the bed used during the cold war it remains to be seen something is not yet with reference to the feared presence and known or certain. influence of Communist sympathizers in a 1996 Scientific American It remains to be seen society. how well Russian and U.S. spacefarers will see red become very angry suddenly, informal work together... in the more demanding 241 rid

environment of a space station under cold vengeance is often more satisfying if it construction. is not exacted immediately, proverb residence reverse — in residence a person with a specified the reverse of the medal: see MEDAL. occupation (especially an artist or writer) paid to work for a time in a college or other reward institution. 2002 Ashmolean Annual Report Artist in go to your reward die. Residence, Sarah Mulhall, demonstrates print- ! O This euphemisistic expression is based on I making techniques. j the idea that people receive their just deserts i ; after death. resistance the line (or path) of least resistance an option which avoids difficulty or rewrite unpleasantness; the easiest course of rewrite history select or interpret events action. from the past in a way that suits your own particular purposes. resort rewrite the record books (of a sports player) in the last resort whatever else happens or is break a record or several records. the case; ultimately. 1991 John Caldwell Oxford History of English rhyme Music In the last resort it was only Italian rhyme or reason logical explanation or singers who could command the attention of reason. the public in a large theatre. respect ribbon cut a (or the) ribbon perform an opening pay your respects: see PAY. ceremony, usually by formally cutting a ribbon strung across the entrance to a respecter building, road, etc. be no respecter of persons treat everyone cut (ortear) something to ribbons ©cut {or the same, without being influenced by tear) something so badly that only ragged their status or wealth. strips remain. © damage something ! O This expression refers to Acts 10:34: 'God j severely. i is no respecter of persons'. rich a bit rich used to refer to something that rest causes ironic amusement or indignation. give it a rest used to ask someone to stop 1998 Times It is also a bit rich for Mr Hames to doing or talking about something that the reprove Buckingham Palace for its 'new, slick, speaker finds irritating or tedious, informal emphasis on presentation', while speaking for no rest for the wicked: see no peace for the the organisation that invented 'rebranding wicked at WICKED. Britain'. rest your case Q conclude your presentation of evidence and arguments in a lawsuit. Richard 0 used humorously to show that you have had the Richard be irreparably believe you have presented sufficient damaged. Australian evidence for your views. j O This expression comes from rhyming slang i the rest is history: see HISTORY. ! Richard the Third, meaning 'bird'. In the rest on your laurels: see LAURELS. I theatre, get the bird means 'be booed and i hissed at'. retreat beat a retreat: see BEAT. rid be well rid of be in a better state for having revenge removed or disposed of a troublesome or revenge is a dish best served (or eaten) unwanted person or thing. riddance 242 riddance someone or something rides again used to indicate that someone or something has good riddance said to express relief at reappeared unexpectedly and with new having got free of a troublesome or vigour. unwanted person or thing. ride shotgun ©travel as a guard in the seat I O Sometimes a fuller form is used: good next to the driver of a vehicle. © ride in the : riddance to bad rubbish! passenger seat of a vehicle. © act as a protector, chiefly North American riddle a rough (or easy) ride a difficult (or easy) time talk (or speak) in riddles express yourself in doing something. an ambiguous or puzzling manner. take someone for a ride deceive or cheat ride someone, informal for the ride for pleasure or interest, rather rig than any serious purpose. (in) full rig (wearing) smart or ceremonial 2002 New York Times Women are now the clothes, informal primary force behind an explosion in new cocktail concoctions, and men are simply right going along for the ride, say bartenders and bang to rights (of a criminal) with positive liquor marketing executives. proof of guilt, informal let something ride take no immediate action j © A North American variant of this over something. ; expression is dead to rights. ride bodkin: see BODKIN. 1993 G. F. Newman Law & Order He hadn't got ride for a fall act in a reckless or arrogant way the most vital piece of information he needed that invites defeat or failure, informal in order to capture the blaggers bang to rights. i O This phrase originated as a late 19th- put (or set) someone right ©restore ! century horse-riding expression, meaning to j someone to health. © make someone i ride a horse, especially in the hunting field, in i understand the true facts of a situation. ! such a way as to make an accident likely. right as a trivet: see TRIVET. ride herd on keep watch over. right enough certainly; undeniably, informal a right one a silly or foolish person. British i O Literally, this North American expression j informal j means'guard or control a herd of cattle by ! riding round its edge'. 1988 Salman Rushdie The Satanic Verses Quite soon they burst out into uproarious guffaws, 1999 Coloradoan {Fort Collins) That, in turn, we've got a right one here and no mistake. would detract from his ability to ride herd on Washington special interests, allowing she's (or she'll be) right that will be all right; deficits to grow like mushrooms under a don't worry. Australian informal rotten log. somewhere to the right of Genghis Khan ride high be successful. holding right-wing views of the most ride off into the sunset achieve a happy extreme kind. conclusion to something. j O Genghis Khan (1162-1227), the founder j ln tne j of the Mongol empire, is used here as a j O closing scenes of westerns, the i supreme example of a repressive and j characters are often seen riding off into the ! tyrannical ruler. The name of the early 5th- ! sunset after everything has been resolved ! century warlord Attila the Hun is sometimes \ ! satisfactorily. \ substituted for that of Ghengis Khan in this ride on someone's coat-tails: see COAT-TAIL. j expression. ride the pine (or bench) (of an athlete) not participate in a game or event, Riley typically because of poor form. North the life of Riley (or Reilly) a luxurious or American informal carefree existence, informal ride the rails travel by rail, especially without j O Reilly or Riley is a common Irish surname, j i A popular song of the early 20th century a ticket. North American j entitled'My Name is Kelly'included the lines j ride roughshod over: see ROUGHSHOD. 243 Ritz

! 'Faith and my name is Kelly Michael Kelly, But j let something rip Q allow something, : I'm living the life of Reilly just the same'. This ! especially a vehicle, to go at full j may be the source of the expression but it is speed. © allow something to happen j possible that the songwriter, H. Pease, was forcefully or without interference. j drawing on an already existing catchphrase. © express something forcefully and noisily. 1978 Daily Telegraph It is simply not true that informal we don't pay tax and are living the life of Riley. rise Rimmon get (or take) a rise out of provoke an bow down in the house of Rimmon: see BOW. angry or irritated response from someone, especially by teasing them. rinderpest informal before (or since) the rinderpest a long time rise and shine get out of bed smartly; wake ago (or for a very long time). South African up. informal i O Rinderpest is a contagious vira I disease of j rise from the ashes be renewed after j cattle that periodically caused heavy losses in ; destruction. i much of Africa. The 1896 epidemic was so j devastating that it was treated as a historical i ; O In classical mythology, the phoenix was a j i landmark, so giving rise to this expression. j unique bird resembling an eagle that lived j for five or six centuries in the Arabian desert, j I After this time it burned itself on a funeral ring | pyre ignited by the sun and fanned by its own i hold the ring monitor a dispute or conflict j wings and was then born again from the without becoming involved in it. j ashes with renewed youth to live through ! another cycle of life. The simile like a phoenix \ 1991 Mark Tully No Full Stops in India The police j from the ashes is used of someone or no longer attempt to hold the ring between j something that has made a fresh start after the farmers and landless labourers fighting for j apparently experiencing total destruction. just the paltry minimum wage. ring a bell: see BELL. rise to the bait react to a provocation or ring the changes: see CHANGE. temptation exactly as intended. ring down (or up) the curtain mark the end i © The image here is of a fish coming to the i (or the beginning) of an enterprise or event. j surface to take a bait or fly.

i O The reference here is to the ringing of a 1966 Listener I should perhaps apologise for j bell in a theatre as the signal to raise or lower j having risen to the bait of Mr Wilkinson's i the stage curtain atthe beginning or end of a i provocative letter. i perfomance. Compare with bring down the rise with the sun (or lark) get up early in the j curtain on (at CURTAIN). morning. ring in your ears (or head) linger in the rising memory. someone's star is rising: see STAR. ring the knell of: see KNELL. ring off the hook (of a telephone) be rite constantly ringing due to a large number of rite of passage a ceremony or event marking incoming calls. North American an important stage in someone's life, run (or make) rings round someone especially birth, initiation, marriage, and outclass or outwit someone very easily. death. informal throw your hat in the ring: see HAT. Ritz put on the Ritz make a show of luxury or riot extravagance. read the riot act: see READ. i O The hotels in Paris, London, and New York j I founded by the Swiss-born hotelier César Ritz i rip | (1850-1918) became synonymous with great j let rip O do something or proceed vigorously j luxury. This expression dates from the heyday j or without restraint. © express yourself I of these grand hotels in the early 20th vehemently or angrily, informal j century. river 244

j phrase include unclothe Peter and clothe river ; Paul and borrow from Peter to pay Paul. sell someone down the river betray someone, especially so as to benefit 1997 New Scientist So far, NASA has been able yourself, informal to rob Peter to pay Paul, taking money from the shuttle and science programmes to keep ! O This expression originated in the USA, the ISS on track. i with reference to the practice in the slave- rob someone blind get a lot of money from ! owning states of selling troublesome slaves ! to owners of sugar-cane plantations on the someone by deception or extortion, informal ! lower Mississippi, where conditions were I ! harsher than those in the more northerly Robin Hood ! states. round Robin Hood's barn by a circuitous 1998 Bookseller Once you have lost it with the route. first three the last lot will sell you down the ! O Robin Hood isthe semi-legendary English i river so fast it isn't true. j medieval outlaw reputed to have robbed the i up the river to or in prison, informal, chiefly North ! rich and helped the poor. In this expression, American ; Robin Hood's barn represents an out-of-the- j I way place of a kind that might be used by an ; I O This phrase originated with reference to I outlaw or fugitive such as Robin Hood, j Sing Sing prison, which is situated up the i Recorded from the mid 19th century, the I Hudson River from the city of New York. I phrase seemsto have originated in the dialect j j speech of the English Midlands, the area in j which Robin Hood is said to have operated, j road all roads lead to Rome: see ROME. rock down the road in the future, informal between a rock and a hard place in a the end of the road: see END. situation where you are faced with two hit the road: see HIT. equally difficult or unpleasant alternatives. informal in {or out of) the {or your) road in (or out of) 1998 Times They are saying now, as they once someone's way. informal said of Richard Nixon, that Bill Clinton is one for the road a final drink, especially an 'between a rock and a hard place'. alcoholic one, before leaving for home. get your rocks off ©have an orgasm. informal ©obtain pleasure or satisfaction, vulgar slang a road to nowhere a situation or course of ontherocksQ(ofarelationshiporenterprise) action offering no prospects of progress or experiencing difficulties and likely to fail. advancement. 0 (of a drink) served undiluted and with ice take to the road {or take the road) set out on cubes, informal a journey or series of journeys. rock the boat: see BOAT. roaring rocker do a roaring trade {or business) sell large off your rocker crazy, informal amounts of something; do very good business, informal j O A rocker in this expression is a concave ! piece of wood or metal placed under a chair j rob j or cradle enabling it to rock back and forth. rob Peter to pay Paul take something away 1932 Evelyn Waugh Black Mischief'It's going to from one person to pay another, leaving be awkward for us if the Emperor goes off his the former at a disadvantage; discharge one rocker. debt only to incur another. rocket ; O This expression probably arose in j reference to the saints and apostles Peter and j not rocket science used to indicate that ; Paul, who are often shown together as equals j something is not very difficult to ; in Christian art and who therefore may be understand, humorous ; presumed to be equally deserving of honour j rise like a rocket (and fall like a stick) rise ; and devotion. It is uncertain whether a suddenly and dramatically (and j specific allusion is intended; variants of the subsequently fall in a similar manner). 245 rolling

: O The origin of this phrase is a jibe made by ; 1998 Oldie Western economists cottoned on to i Thomas Paine about Edmund Burke's oratory i basic 'flaws' in the [Indonesian] economy I in a 1792 House of Commons debate on the which they hadn't noticed (or didn't want to ! subject of the French Revolution. Paine notice) while it was on a roll. i remarked:'As he rose like a rocket, he fell like I a roll in the hay (or the sack) an act of sexual i the stick'. intercourse, informal 1998 Barbara Kingsolver The Poisonwood Bible rocky He just treats me like his slave-girlfriend- housemaid, having a roll in the hay the rocky road to — a difficult progression to when he feels like it and then running something. off doing God knows what for months at a 2001 Star So far Al haven't put a foot wrong time. on the rocky road to superstardom. a roll Jack Rice couldn't jump over a large rod quantity of money. Australian informal kiss the rod: see KISS. roll of honour Q a list of those who have died make a rod for your own back do something in battle, ©a list of people whose deeds or likely to cause difficulties for yourself later. achievements, typically in sport, are honoured. a rod in pickle a punishment in store. roll up your sleeves prepare to fight or work. i O In pickle means 'preserved ready for roll with the punches Q(of a boxer) move ! future use'. This form, which dates from the j mid 17th century, has superseded an earlier their body away from an opponent's i mid 16th-century variant a rod in piss. blows so as to lessen the impact, ©adapt yourself to difficult or adverse rule someone or something with a rod of circumstances. iron control or govern someone or some­ strike someone off the rolls (or roll) debar a thing very strictly or harshly. solicitor from practising after dishonesty j O This expression comes from Psalm 2:9: or other misconduct. | 'Thou shaltbreakthem with a rod of iron; thou j j O The rolls here are the official lists or ! shalt dash them in pieces I ike a potter's vessel', j j records, so called from the time when such j records were kept on parchment or paper spare the rod and spoil the child if children \ scrolls. i are not physically punished when they do wrong their personal development will suffer, proverb rolled (all) rolled into one (of characteristics drawn Roland from different people or things) combined a Roland for an Oliver an effective or in one person or thing. appropriate retort or response; tit for tat. 1907 George Bernard Shaw Major Barbara My archaic methods... would be no use if I were Voltaire, Rousseau, Bentham, Mill, Dickens, Carlyle, j O The phrase alludes to the evenly matched Ruskin, George, Butler, and Morris all rolled j single combat between Roland, the legendary into one. i nephew of Charlemagne, and Oliver, another I of Charlemagne's knights (paladins). Neither rolling i man was victorious and a strong friendship be rolling (in it or in money) be very rich. i subsequently developed between them, i According to the French medieval epic the informal ! Chanson de Roland, Roland was in command I O Rolling in (i.e. 'turning over and over in') i ; of the rearguard of Charlemagne's army ! here has the sense of 'luxuriating in'. The idea j i when it was ambushed at Roncesvalles (now ! of wallowing in riches has been current since j j Roncevaux) in the Pyrenees in 778; despite i the late 16th century. i the urging of Oliver that he should blow his ; horn to summon aid, Roland refused to do so j until too late, and they were slain along with have people rolling in the aisles: see AISLE. I the rest of the rearguard. a rolling stone a person who does not settle in one place for long. roll j O This expression comes from the proverb a i on a roll experiencing a prolonged spell of j rolling stone gathers no moss, meaning that a j success or good luck, informal ! person who is always moving on will not Roman 246

i accumulate wealth or status, or responsi- j bilities or commitments. roof go through (or hit) the roof Q(of prices or rolling drunk so drunk as to be swaying or figures) reach extreme or unexpected staggering. heights; become exorbitant, ©suddenly become very angry, informal Roman raise the roof: see RAISE. a Roman holiday an occasion on the roof falls in a disaster occurs; everything which enjoyment or profit is derived goes wrong. from the suffering or discomfort of others. rooftop j O This expression comes from the poet shout something from the rooftops talk j Byron's description of the dying gladiator in about something openly and jubilantly, i Childe Harold's Pilgrimage as having been especially something previously kept j 'butchered to make a Roman holiday'. secret.

j O Th's phrase is adapted from Luke 12:3: Rome j 'that which ye have spoken in the ear in all roads lead to Rome there are many ! closets shall be proclaimed upon the ! different ways of reaching the same goal or ! housetops'. conclusion. O This is an ancient saying which was based room on the fact that Rome was the point of in a smoke-filled room (of political convergence of all the main roads of the bargaining or decision-making) conducted Roman empire, and after that of the privately by a small group of influential medieval pilgrimage routes through Europe. people rather than more openly or It can be compared with the medieval Latin phrase mille vie ducunt hominem per secula democratically. Romam, meaning 'a thousand roads lead a j O This expression comes from a 1920 news man forever towards Rome'. ! report about the selection of the Republican j ! presidential candidate: '[Warren] Harding of j Rome was not built in a day a complex or j Ohio was chosen by a group of men in a ambitious task is bound to take a long time I smoke-filled room'. and should not be rushed. no (or not) room to swing a cat used in j O This warning against rashness and reference to a very confined space. j impatience has been current in English since j humorous j the mid 16th century. i O The cat in this expression is probably a when in Rome (do as the Romans do) when I 'cat-o'-nine-tails', a form of whip with nine abroad or in an unfamiliar environment ! knotted cords. In former times these you should adopt the customs or behaviour | whips were used to flog wrongdoers, of those around you. ! especially at sea.

O This proverbial expression may ultimately room at the top opportunity to join an elite derive from St Ambrose of Milan (d. 397), or the top ranks of a profession. who is quoted in one of St Augustine's letters as saying that when he was in Rome he fasted ! O The expression is attributed to the as they did there, on a Saturday, although ! American politician Daniel Webster when he was in Milan he did not do this. A ! (1782-1852), who was cautioned against medieval Latin saying expresses the idea as si i attempting to enter the overcrowded legal fueris Romae, Romano vivito more; si fueris I profession and is said to have replied: 'There ! alibi, vivito si cut ibi, 'if you are at Rome, livein I is always room at the top'. the Roman manner; if elsewhere, live as they do there'. root 1998 Pat Chapman 1999 Good Curry Guide put down roots begin to lead a settled life in Cutlery is still for wimps (though you no a particular place. longer have to ask for it). But when in Rome, eat the correct way, please, using a piece of root and branch used to express the Roti to scoop up your curry, in your right thorough or radical nature of a process or hand only. operation. 247 rough

1999 Which? Last year, the government i O This expression is taken from the first line j undertook a root and branch examination of i of Robert Browning's poem 'The Patriot' the home-buying process in England and i (1855), where it describes the throwing of Wales. j roses at a popular hero as he passed through j strike at the root (or roots) of have a I the streets. potentially destructive effect on. 1977 World of Cricket Monthly Although take root become fixed or established. Australia lost the Ashes, it was roses, roses, all the way for him. rope smell the roses: see SMELL. give someone enough rope (or plenty of under the rose in confidence; under pledge rope) give a person enough freedom of of secrecy, archaic action to bring about their own downfall. ! O The origin of the rose as an emblem of ! O The fuller form of this expression is the i secrecy is uncertain; the concept may have ! proverb give a man enough rope and he will \ i originated in Germany and there was a j hang himself, which has been in use in ! similar expression in early modern Dutch, i various forms since the mid 17th century. j Under the rosse appears in a 1546 State Paper j ; of Henry VIII, with a gloss that suggests that j know the ropes: see KNOW. I it was then a new or unfamiliar expression. money for old rope: see money for jam at ; The Latin equivalent sub rosa has also been j very commonly used in English since the mid ; MONEY. j 17th century in this metaphorical sense. on the ropes in a desperate position; in a state of near collapse or defeat. rot ! © This is an idiom from boxing, alluding to ; the rot sets in a rapid succession of (usually j the situation of a losing boxer who is forced i unaccountable) failures begins. i back by his opponent against the ropes that i j mark the sides of the boxing ring. First j recorded, in its literal sense, in the early 19th j rough j century, the phrase has been in figurative use i bit of rough a (usually male) sexual partner j since at least the 1920s. whose toughness or lack of sophistication is a source of attraction, informal a rope of sand used in allusion to something 1998 Spectator The programme dwelt at that provides only illusory security or length on the maestro's interest in coherence, literary extramarital sex, particularly with below- stairs women—what would be called these rose days a bit of rough. bed of roses: see BED. rough and ready Qrough or crude but effective, ©(of a person or place) come up roses (of a situation) develop in a unsophisticated or unrefined. very favourable way. informal rough around the edges having a few come up smelling of roses: see SMELLING. imperfections. everything's (or it's all) roses everything is going well, informal rough as bags lacking refinement; coarse. (there is) no rose without a thorn every Australian & New Zealand informal apparently desirable situation has its share a rough diamond a person who has of trouble or difficulty. genuinely fine qualities but uncouth manners, informal j © This expression has been proverbial since ! j the mid 15th century. The earliest recorded j O Literally, a rough diamond is a diamond I instance is in a work by John Lydgate i before it has been cut and polished. A North j ! (1430-40): 'There is no rose... in garden, but i j American variant of this expression is a ! there be sum thorne'. \ diamond in the rough. not all roses not entirely perfect or the rough edge (or side) of your tongue a agreeable, informal scolding. 1938 Graham Greene Brighton Rock Some­ rough edges slight imperfections in times he's bad to me... it's not all roses. someone or something that is basically roses, roses, all the way very successful or satisfactory. pleasant. rough justice Q treatment, especially roughshod 248

punishment, that is approximately fair. rub your hands show keen satisfaction or © treatment that is not at all fair or not in expectation. accordance with the law. rub someone's nose in something {or rub a rough passage {or ride) a difficult time or it in) emphatically or repeatedly draw experience. someone's attention to an embarrassing or painful fact, informal sleep rough sleep in uncomfortable i O This expression comes from the mistaken j conditions, usually out of doors. British I belief that the way to house-train a puppy or j take the rough with the smooth accept the j kitten is to rub their noses in their faeces or difficult or unpleasant aspects of life as well j urine if they have made a mess indoors. as the good. 1963 P. M. Hubbard Hush as May I'm sorry. I've roughshod said I'm sorry... Don't rub my nose in it. ride roughshod over carry out your own rub shoulders associate or come into contact plans or wishes with arrogant disregard for with another person. others. 1977 Times Literary Supplement Sociologists are ; O A US variant of this expression is rub notorious for their use of generalizing terms I elbows. that rideroughsho d over the particularities of 1943 Graham Greene The Ministry of Fear It history. wasn't exactly a criminal world, though eddying along its dim and muted corridors you round might possibly rub shoulders with genteel go the round {or rounds) (of a story or joke) forgers. be passed on from person to person. rub someone (up) the wrong way irritate or in the round O (of sculpture) standing free repel someone. with all sides shown, rather than carved in relief against a ground, ©treated fully and ! O The image here is of stroking an animal j against the lie of its fur. thoroughly; with all aspects shown or considered. © (of a theatrical performance) there's {or here's) the rub that is the crucial with the audience placed on at least three difficulty or problem, literary sides of the stage. j O This expression comes from Shakespeare's ; round the bend: see BEND. i Hamlet 'To sleep: perchance to dream: ay, a square peg in a round hole: see PEG. ! there'stherub;Forinthatsleepofdeathwhat : i dreams may come When we have shuffled off j row i this mortal coil, Must give us pause'. In the a hard {or tough) row to hoe a difficult task. i game of bowls, a rub is an impediment that j i prevents a bowl from running smoothly. j i O Hoeing a row of plants is used here as a i metaphor for very arduous work. 1998 Times Even worse, and here is the rub, nobody could say who put what paper in which tier of whose red box. royal rubber royal road to a way of attaining or reaching something without trouble. burn rubber drive very quickly, informal 1998 Times Monsanto is burning rubber on a i O This expression alludes to a remark racetrack to become world leader in life ; attributed to the Greek mathematician Euclid j sciences. | (c.300 BC). When the Egyptian ruler Ptolemy I ; I asked whether geometry could not be made ; Rubicon ; easier, Euclid is said to have replied: 'There is ; cross the Rubicon take an irrevocable step. j no royal road to geometry'. i O The Rubicon was a small river in north- ; east Italy which in the first century BC marked j rub j the boundary of Italy proper with the not have two — to rub together have none i province of Cisalpine Gaul. By taking his army i or hardly any of the specified items, j across the Rubicon into Italy in 49 BC, Julius j especially coins, informal ; Caesar broke the law forbidding a general to ; 1999 Independent Soon you realise you have as j lead an army out of his own province, and so j many troubles when you are richa s when you j committed himself to war against the ; Senate and Pompey. haven't two pennies to rub together. 249 run ruffle give someone or something a (good) run for their money provide someone or some­ ruffle someone's feathers cause someone to thing with challenging competition or become annoyed or upset. opposition. 1997 Rugby World Beaten Welsh Cup finalists ruffled Swansea gave them a good run for their smooth someone's ruffled feathers make money for much of the campaign before someone less angry or irritated by using fading away. soothing words. run to seed: see go to seed at SEED. rug have a (good) run for your money derive reward or enjoyment in return for your cut a rug: see CUT. outlay or efforts. pull the rug (from under someone) abruptly withdraw support from someone. (try to) run before you can walk attempt something difficult before you have rule grasped the basic skills required. rule of thumb a broadly accurate guide or run someone close almost defeat a person or principle, based on experience or practice team in a contest. rather than theory. run dry (especially of a source of money or 1998 New Scientist The best forecast of information) be completely used up. tomorrow's weather in any one place often comes not from a supercomputer, but from (make a) run for it attempt to escape the rule of thumb that says: tomorrow it will someone or something by running away. be similar to today. run foul of come into conflict with; go — rule(s), OK? used to express your against. enthusiasm for a particular person or : O This expression is nautical in origin: when j thing, informal, humorous j used of a ship it means'collide or become 2000 Elle Here at ELLE we've always been i entangled with an obstacle or another big fans of Kerrigan's urban babewear, j vessel'. Both literal and figurative uses were and this season... she really rocked. j current by the late 17th century. Daryl K rules, OK? rule the roost be in complete control. run the gauntlet: see GAUNTLET. run high be strong or tumultuous. ; O The original expression was rule the roast, \ j which was common from the mid 16th j O The image here is of waves or tides rising j i century onwards. Although none of the early j ! above their normal height, especially in ! examples of its use shed any light on its j stormy conditions. i source, we can surmise that it originally j referred to someone being the most 1993 Wall Street Journal Europe Everybody i important person at a banquet or feast. Rule i knows it is an exercise, but emotions ! the roost, found from the mid 18th century, nevertheless run high as the Army | has now replaced the earlier version. 'augmentées' warm to their roles. run into the sand come to nothing. run the rule over examine cursorily for 1994 Sunday Times The Ulster Unionists... are correctness or adequacy. British angry because they gave reluctant support to 1998 Spectator A committee of directors will December's initiative and it now seems to be run the rule over would-be bidders. running into the sand. rumour run a mile: see MILE. rumour has it it is rumoured. run off at the mouth talk excessively or 1993 Margaret Atwood The Robber Bride It's a indiscreetly. North American informal good thing Roz didn't invest in that one, run of the mill the ordinary or undistin­ rumour has it that the backers are losing a guished type. shirt or two. ! O In this expression, the run is literally the run I material produced from a mill before it has j been sorted or inspected for quality. be run off your feet be kept extremely busy. informal run someone out of town force someone to run it fine: see cut it fine at FINE. leave a place, chiefly North American runaround 250 run rings round: see RING. make the running set the pace in a race or run someone or something to earth (or activity. ground) find someone or something, a running battle a confrontation that has usually after a long search. gone on for a long time. i © This is an idiom from hunting, especially ; O Literally, a running battle is one that is i foxhunting, its literal meaning being ! constantly changing its location, the opposite I I 'chase a hunted animal to its lair and corner it i ! of a pitched battle (see PITCHED). The ! there'. ! expression running fight was used in the late j I 17th century to describe a naval engagement j run with the hare and hunt with the ! in which the fight was continued as one party j hounds: see HARE. : retreated or fled. Running battle appears to i run yourself into the ground: see work i have originated in the mid 20th century. yourself into the ground at GROUND. take a running jump used when angrily rejecting or disagreeing with someone. runaround 1998 Oldie Get back to the studio and tell the give someone the runaround deceive and focus groups to take a running jump! confuse someone; avoid answering take up the running take over as pacemaker someone's questions directly, informal in a race. rune rush read the runes try to forecast the outcome of a situation by analysing all the give someone the bum's rush: see BUM. significant factors involved. British rush your fences act with undue haste. British is a i O The runes were an ancient Germanic I O This metaphor from horse riding: in i alphabet once used in northern Europe, each ; ! the hunting field if you rush your fences, j character of which was supposed to have a ! rather than tackling the obstacles steadily, i secret magical significance. Small stones and i i you risk a fall. ! pieces of bone engraved with these I characters were used to try to foretell the a rush of blood (to the head) a sudden attack i future. of wild irrationality in your thinking or actions. runner rut do a runner leave hastily, especially to avoid in a rut following a fixed (especially tedious paying for something or to escape from or dreary) pattern of behaviour that is somewhere. British informal difficult to change. 1997 lain Sinclair Lights Out For The Territory Nobody seemed to know if the absentee i O The rutin this expression is the deep landlord had done a runner. ! groove worn by a wheel travelling many j times along the same track. running 1995 Nick Hornby High Fidelity I should have in (or out of) the running in (or no longer in) spotted that we were in a rut, that I had contention for an award, victory, or a place allowed things to fester to such an extent that in a team. she was on the lookout for someone else. Ss

Sabbath people makes you feel more confident or a sabbath day's journey a short and easy secure about takin§ action- Proverb

journey. saj| j O Rabbinical law allowed a Jew to travel a ! sail close to (or near) the wind Q sail as ; certain distance on the Sabbath (about a nearly against the wind as possible. I kilometre); in the Bible, Mount Olivet is © come close to breaking a rule or the law; j described as being'from Jerusalem a sabbath ! behave or operate in a risky way. : day's journey'(Acts 1:12). =.,.,, take the wind out of someone's sails: see WIND. sack hit the sack go to bed. informal Salad hold the sack bear an unwelcome Vour salad daVs O the period when you are responsibility. North American y°ung and inexperienced. © the peak or ...... , ^ heyday of something. a roll in the sack: see a roll in the hay at ROLL. i r. I O Tn's is a quotation from Shakespeare's sackcloth j Anthony and Cleopatra. Cleopatra is in sackcloth and ashes manifesting grief or ! commenting on her previous relationship renentance • with Ju''usCaesar:'My salad days, When I was : ' ! green in judgement, cold in blood To say as I j j O In the Bible, the wearing of sackcloth and j j saidthen!' j the sprinkling ashes on your head were signs j j of penitence or mourning. calnnn 1999 Athletics Weekly It was their first focal in the last chance saloon: see LAST. point, the moment of truth when their season could blossom further in Seville or end in Salt

sackcloth and ashes. eat sa|t wjth be a g^^ of British dated «arr-Aff like a c*ose °* sa,ts: see DOSE ,_ . _ put salt on the tail of capture. a sacred cow: see cow. ^ *;. i O This phrase alludes to the humorous saddle i advice traditionally given to young children in the saddle O on horseback. © in a position L..3^^.^6.^.^!°.^(;h.a..t)i'd:

of control or responsibility. , u. 4 iL , ,x . r J rub salt into the (or someone s) wound » make a painful experience even more painful for someone. better safe than sorry: see BETTER...... _ , . .. . ., ' salt the books fraudulently increase the safe as houses: see HOUSE. apparent value of an invoice or account. a safe bet: see BET. informal a safe pair of hands: see HAND. salt a mine fraudulently make a mine appear to be on the safe side in order to have a to be a paying one by placing rich ore into margin of security against risks. it- informal 2000 Tom Clancy The Bear and the Dragon To be the salt of the earth a person or group of on the safe side, the messages were super- people of great kindness, reliability, or Safetthere'encryptemadsy safete at dth yewit iNationanh number a 256-bil Securitst beinsystey'lg mAgency i nspeciall a grou. yp of i[..'^^^^^.^^'^.îhonesty arO e tnThisphrasecomesfrornMatthew5:13:'Ye sa. 't °fthe earth: bu8t!^ if th6e.^ sal1t hav^;:e e. Jj Samaritan 252 sit below the salt be of lower social standing : O The image here is of the sand in an or worth. j hourglass moving from the upper chamberto i i the lower. i © This expression derives from the former ! custom of placing a large salt cellar midway ! down a long dining table at which people sandboy | were seated in order of rank. happy as a sandboy: see HAPPY. take something with a pinch (or grain) of sandwich salt regard something as exaggerated; the meat (or filling) in the sandwich a believe only part of something. person who is awkwardly caught between 1998 Bookseller Meanwhile... readers should two opposing factions. take the quotes they see with a pinch of salt. a sandwich (or two sandwiches) short of worth your salt good or competent at the job or profession specified. a picnic (of a person) stupid or crazy. 2000 Saga Magazine Every place setting is informal measured with a ruler because no butler worth his salt wants to get to the end of a table sardine with say, four settings left, and nowhere to put packed like sardines crowded very close them. together.

Samaritan sauce what's sauce for the goose is sauce for the good Samaritan a charitable or helpful gander what is appropriate in one case is person. also appropriate in the other case in ; O ln the Bible, Jesus tells the parable of a question, proverb i man who 'went down from Jerusalem to i Jericho and fell among thieves'(Luke 10). The j ! O This expression is often used as a ! first two people who came across him lying j statement that what is right or wrong for one i i stripped and wounded by the side of the road j i sex is right or wrong for the other as well. ! 'passed by on the other side'. It was the third j j John Ray, who was the first to record this | man, a Samaritan (i.e. a man from Samaria) i saying (in his English Proverbs of 1670), I who took pity on him and helped him. ! remarked 'This is a woman's Proverb'. 1998 New Scientist What is sauce for the US same goose is sauce for the Iraqi gander! by the same token: see TOKEN. saucer one and the same the same person or thing have eyes like saucers have your eyes (used for emphasis). opened wide in amazement. 1999 David Mitchell Ghostwritten Everybody both in heaven and hell wanted one and the same thing: meat in their bellies. sausage not a sausage nothing at all. British informal same difference used to express the speaker's belief that two or more things are essentially the same, in spite of apparent save differences, informal be unable to do something to save your life same here the same applies to me. informal used to indicate that the person in question 1993 Andy McNab Bravo Two Zero 'I've still got is very incompetent at doing something. my map and compass,' I said. 'Yeah, same j O The first recorded use of this expression here.' ! is by Anthony Trollope in The Kellys and i 0'/Ce//ys(1848): 'If it was to save my life and j ! theirs, I can't get up small talk for the rector \ sand | and his curate'. built on sand: see BUILT. bury your head in the sand: see BURY. save your breath: see BREATH. rope of sand: see ROPE. save the day (or situation) find or provide a solution to a difficulty or disaster. run into the sand: see RUN. 1990 Richard Critchf ield Among the British the sands (of time) are running out the When the postwar social fabric started to tear, allotted time is nearly at an end. amid a stagnant economy and global 253 school

decline... Edward Heath... was supposed to turn the scales (or balance) alter the save the day. He failed to deliver. probability of the outcome. save face: see FACE. save someone's skin (or neck or bacon) scarce rescue someone from danger or difficulty. make yourself scarce surreptitiously disappear; keep out of the way. informal saved saved by the bell preserved from danger scare narrowly or by an unexpected inter­ scare the daylights out of: see frighten the vention. daylights out of at DAYLIGHT. i O In boxing matches a contestant who has scene ; been knocked to the floor can be saved from j behind the scenes in private; secretly. I being counted out by the ringing of the bell i ; to mark the end of a round. i O This expression alludes to the area out of i j sight of the public at the back of a theatre : stage. say have something (or nothing) to say for change of scene (or scenery) a move to yourself contribute (or fail to contribute) to different surroundings. a conversation or discussion. not your scene not something you are say the word give permission or instructions interested in. informal to do something. set the scene Q describe a place or situation in which something is about to happen. saying Q create the conditions for a future event. go without saying be too well known or obvious to need to be mentioned. scenery there is no saying it is impossible to know. chew the scenery: see CHEW. scabbard scent throw away the scabbard abandon all on the scent Q (of an animal) following the thought of making peace. scent of its quarry, ©in possession of a I O This expression derives from the proverb j useful clue in a search or investigation. i he who draws his sword against his prince put (or throw) someone off the scent j must throw away the scabbard. It impliesthat j mislead someone in the course of a search j the person in question has no choice but to ! or investigation. ! fight scheme scalded the scheme of things the organization of like a scalded cat at a very fast speed. things in general; the way the world is. 1997 T3 If you're in a desperate hurry you can bury the accelerator... and take off like a schmear scalded cat. the whole schmear everything possible or available; every aspect of something. North scale American informal the scales fall from someone's eyes someone is no longer deceived. j O Schmear (also spelled schmeer.shmear, or j ! shmeer) means 'bribery' or 'flattery', and i O In the Bible, this expression described i comes from the Yiddish verb schmirn i i how St Paul, blinded by his vision on the road I i meaning 'grease' or 'flatter'. j to Damascus, received his sight back at the j hand of God (Acts 9:18). 1970 Lawrence Sanders The Anderson Tapes I want a complete list... Any thing and throw something on (or into) the scale everything... The whole shmear. emphasize the relevance of something to one side of an argument or debate. school tip (or turn) the scales at have a weight of a of the old school: see OLD. specified amount. the old school tie: see OLD. science 254 the school of hard knocks painful or difficult ! would start from a position without any experiences that are seen to be useful in i advantage. The expression up to scratch teaching someone about life. j (see below) also comes from this sense of i the noun scratch: a competitor who was up to i school of thought a particular way of ; scratch was of a good enough standard thinking, especially one not followed by j to start a race. the speaker. scratch a — and find a — an investigation of science someone or something will soon reveal blind someone with science: see BLIND. their true nature. ! O The first version of this expression used in ; score j English, in the early 19th century, was a know the score be aware of the essential i translation of a remark attributed to facts about a situation, informal ! Napoleon: grattez le Russe et vous trouverez \ ; le Tartare, 'scratch the Russian and you will on that (or this) score so far as that (or this) is j find the Tartar'. concerned. 1924 George Bernard Shaw St Joan Scratch score an own goal: see GOAL. an Englishman and find a Protestant. score points: see POINT. scratch your head ©think hard in order to settle (or pay) a (or the) score take revenge find a solution to something. Q feel or on someone for something damaging that express bewilderment, informal they have done in the past. scratch the surface Q deal with a matter only Scout in the most superficial way. Q initiate the briefest investigation to discover some­ Scout's honour used to indicate that you thing concealed. have the honourable standards associated with Scouts, and so will stand by a promise up to scratch up to the required standard; or tell the truth, informal satisfactory. you scratch my back and I'll scratch yours if i O A Scout is a member of the Scout j Association, an organization for boys ! you do me a favour, I will return it. proverb i founded in 1908 by Lord Baden-Powell with j i the aim of developing their character by I screw ! training them in self-sufficiency and survival j have a screw loose be slightly eccentric or j techniques in the outdoors. mentally disturbed, informal put the screws on exert strong psychological scrape pressure on someone so as to intimidate them into doing something, informal scrape acquaintance with contrive to get to know, dated tighten (or turn) the screw (or screws) exert 1992 Atlantic I thought how lucky the Crimms strong pressure on someone, informal were to have scraped acquaintance with me, a (final or last) turn of the screw an for I seldom reveal my identity to ordinary additional amount of pressure or hardship people on my jaunts around the world. applied to a situation that is already scrape the barrel (or the bottom of the extremely difficult to bear, informal barrel) be reduced to using things or people of the poorest quality because screwed there is nothing else available, informal have your head screwed on (the right way) scratch have common sense, informal from scratch from the very beginning, especially without utilizing or relying on Scylla any previous work for assistance. Scylla and Charybdis used to refer to a situation involving two dangers in which I © In certain sports, the scratch was an attempt to avoid one increases the risk ; originally the line or mark drawn to indicate j from the other, literary j the point from which competitors had to start j j a race unless they had been awarded an \ O In classical mythology, Scy//a was a female ; i advantage and were able to start ahead of ; sea monster who devoured sailors when they j j thisline.So.acompetitorstartingfromscratc/) i j tried to navigate the narrow channel 255 seize i between her and the whirlpool Charybdis. In i second childhood a state of childishness I later legends, Scylla was a dangerous rock, that sometimes occurs in old age. ! located on the Italian side of the Strait of ! Messina, a channel which separatesthe island I second to none surpassed by no other. j of Sicily from the'toe'of Italy. 1961 Joseph Heller Catch-22 He would stand second to none in his devotion to country. sea section (all) at sea confused or unable to decide what the golden section: see GOLDEN. to do. 1993 Sheila Stewart Ramlin Rose She had a lotse e of bodily sufferin. Mr Statham and the Girls see the back of: see BACK. couldn't stand it; they was all at sea. see someone coming recognize a person seal who can be fooled or deceived, informal put (or set) the seal on put the finishing see eye to eye: see EYE. touch to. see a man about a dog used euphemistically set (or put) your seal to (or on) mark with when leaving to go to the lavatory or if you your own distinctive character. do not wish to disclose the nature of the errand you are about to undertake, humorous i © The reference in both of these idioms is i to the former practice of stamping your see reason: see REASON. j personal seal on a completed letter or other i see someone right make sure that a person is I document. appropriately rewarded or looked after. British informal sealed see something coming foresee or be someone's lips are sealed: see LIP. prepared for an event, typically an seam unpleasant one. bursting (or bulging) at the seams (of a place see your way clear to do (or doing) or building) full to overflowing, informal something find that it is possible or come (or fall) apart at the seams 0(of a convenient to do something. thing) fall to pieces. @ (of a person); have an seed emotional breakdown; collapse, informal go (or run) to seed Q(of a plant) cease j O Seams are the lines along which pieces of ! flowering as the seeds develop. | fabric or the planks of a boat are joined, 0 deteriorate in condition, strength, or i perceived as the points most likely to be I damaged or weakened. efficiency. sow the seed: see sow. season seeing a man for all seasons: see MAN. be seeing things be hallucinating. 1987 Rohinton Mistry Tales from Firozsha Baag seat How much fun they made of me. Calling me crazy, saying it is time for old ayah to go back by the seat of your pants by instinct rather to Goa... she is seeing things. than logic or knowledge, informal seeing is believing you need to see i O This expression was first used by pilots in j something before you can accept that it j the mid 20th century, in the form fly by the really exists or occurs, proverb \ seat of your pants, meaning 'fly a plane by seen I relying on human judgement rather than have seen better days: see DAY. j navigational instruments'. 1977 Martin Walker National Front Mussolini seize had governed by the seat of his pants, guided seize the day make the most of the present in part by his early Socialism, in part by moment. his... bombastic nationalism. ; O This expression is a translation of Latin second j carpe diem, originally a quotation from the i Roman poet Horace. play second fiddle to: see FIDDLE. sell 256 sell serve sell someone or something short fail to serve your time O hold office for the normal recognize or state the true value of period. © spend time in office, an someone or something. apprenticeship, or prison. 1998 Times Mr Ashdown may secure his seat in serve two masters take orders from two the Cabinet, but he will have bought it by superiors or follow two conflicting or selling liberal principles short. opposing principles or policies at the same sell someone a bill of goods: see BILL. time. sell someone a dummy: see DUMMY. ! O This phrase alludes to the warning given ; sell someone a pup: see PUP. i in the Bible against trying to serve both God : sell someone down the river: see RIVER. i and Mammon (Matthew 6:24). sell like hot cakes: see CAKE. sell the pass: see PASS. sesame sell your soul (to the devil) do or be willing to open sesame: see OPEN. do anything, no matter how wrong, in order to achieve your objective. set be set in stone: see be carved in stone at ! O The reference here is to a contract STONE. i supposedly made with the devil by certain set eyes on: see clap eyes on at EYE. i people: in return for granting them all their ! i desires in this life, the devil would receive make a dead set at: see DEAD. ! their souls for all eternity. The most famous set your face against: see FACE. i person reputed to have entered into such a ! contract was the 16th-century German set your hand to: see HAND. ! astronomer and necromancer Faust, who set your heart (or hopes) on have a strong j became the subject of plays by Goethe and desire for or to do. i Marlowe and a novel by Thomas Mann. set little (or much or a great deal) by consider to be of little (or great) value. send set out your stall ©display or show off send someone flying cause someone to be your abilities, attributes, or experience violently flung to the ground. in order to convince someone of your send someone packing: see PACKING. suitability for something. © make send someone to Coventry: see COVENTRY. your position on an issue very clear. British set the scene: see SCENE. sense set store by: see STORE. bring someone to their senses cause set your teeth © clench your teeth together, someone to think and behave reasonably ©become resolute. after a period of folly or irrationality. set the wheels in motion do something to come to your senses become reasonable begin a process or put a plan into action. after acting foolishly. set the world alight (or on fire) achieve see sense: see see reason at REASON. something sensational, informal take leave of your senses go mad. ! O A British variant of this expression is set \ the Thames on fire. separate go your separate ways Q leave in a different 1976 Dick Francis In the Frame He was the same direction from someone with whom you sort of man my father had been, middle-aged, middle-of-the-road, expert at his chosen job have just travelled or spent time. © end a but unlikely to set the world on fire. romantic, professional, or other relationship. settle separate the men from the boys: see MAN. settle someone's hash: see HASH. separate the sheep from the goats: see settle a score: see SCORE. SHEEP. separate the wheat from the chaff: see seven WHEAT. seven-league boots: see BOOT. 257 share seventh j O This expression comes from Jesus's in seventh heaven: see HEAVEN. j instructions to his disciples: 'And whosoever ! I shall not receive you... when ye depart out ! of that house or city, shake off the dust of shade j your feet'(Matthew 10:14). a shade — a little —. informal 1984 Armistead Maupin Babycakes Shall we go shake {or quake) in your shoes {or boots) a shade lighter... Pink it up a bit? tremble with apprehension. shades of — used to suggest reminiscence of shake a leg make a start; rouse yourself. or comparison with someone or something informal specified. 1995 Trevor Ferguson The Ere line Shake a leg. We're outta here. i O The sense of shade alluded to here is j 'shadow' or 'ghost'. shamrock 1991 Cordelia Mansall Discover Astrology drown the shamrock drink, or go drinking Perhaps it is shades of the way your mother on St Patrick's day. had to reject her own brilliance. You have a very finebrai n which you tend to put down. i O The shamrock with its three-lobed leaves ! j was said to have been used by St Patrick, the i shadow j patron saint of Ireland, to illustrate the be frightened of your own shadow be j doctrine of the Trinity. It is now used as the j national emblem of Ireland. unreasonably timid or nervous. wear yourself to a shadow completely exhaust yourself through overwork. Shanks's pony on Shanks's pony using your own legs as a shaggy means of transport. a shaggy-dog story a long, rambling story or j O Shanks (from the Old English word joke, especially one that is amusing only ! sceanca, 'leg bone') is now used as an because it is absurdly inconsequential or i informal term for 'legs'. The original form of ! pointless. | the expression was on Shanks's mare.

j © The expression, dating back to the 1940s, j ; comes from the subject of one such anecdote, I shape j a dog with shaggy hair. get into shape {or get someone into shape) 1993 New York Times Book Review The book has become (or make someone) physically the unhurried pace of the best of the shaggy fitter by exercise. dog stories; the pleasure is all in the journey lick {or knock or whip) someone or rather than the destination. something into shape act forcefully to shake bring someone or something into a fitter, more efficient, or better-organized state. get {or give someone) a fair shake get {or give someone) just treatment or a fair I O This expression originally referred to the ; chance, informal i belief, expressed in some early bestiaries, that ! ! bear cubs were born as formless lumps and in two shakes (of a lamb's tail) very quickly. ! were literally licked into shape by their more — than you can shake a stick at used to ! mother. A bestiary was a treatise about emphasize the largeness of an amount. ! different types of animal, popular especially I | in medieval times. informal 1996 Hong Kong & Macau: Rough Guide There thare shape of things to come the way the more organised tours of Hong Kong than you can shake a stick at and... some are worth future is likely to develop. considering. shape up or ship out used as an ultimatum to no great shakes not very good or significant. someone to improve their performance or informal behaviour or face being made to leave. 1989 Guy Vanderhaeghe Homesick I got specs informal, chiefly North American now. Catch better with them than before, but still am no great shakes at ball. share shake the dust off your feet leave a place share and share alike have or receive an indignantly or disdainfully. equal share; share things equally. sharp 258 sharp shelf look sharp: see LOOK. off the shelf not designed or made to order sharp as a needle extremely quick-witted. but taken from existing stock or supplies.

A on the shelf Q (of people or things) no longer | O North American variant is sharp as a useful or desirable. © (of a woman) past an J tack. \ age when she might expect to have the the sharp end ©the most important or opportunity to marry, ©(of a music influential part of an activity or process, recording or a film) awaiting release on the ©the side of a system or activity which market after being recorded. is the most unpleasant or suffers the chief impact, ©the bow of a ship. British shell humorous come out of (or retreat into) your shell become less (or more) shy and retiring. she who's she — the cat's mother? ©used as a shield mild reproof, especially to a child, for the other side of the shield: see the other impolite use of the pronoun she when a side of the coin at COIN. person's name would have been more well the reverse of the shield: see the reverse of mannered. © expressing the speaker's the medal at MEDAL. belief that a woman or girl has a high opinion of herself or is putting on airs. British two sides of a shield two ways of looking at informai something; two sides to a question. shift sheep make shift do what you want to do in spite of the black sheep: see BLACK. not having ideal conditions; get along count sheep count imaginary sheep jumping somehow. over a fence one by one in an attempt to send yourself to sleep. shift for yourself manage as best you can 1977 Harvey Pitcher When Miss Emmie without help. was in Russia Did you know that if you count shift your ground say or write something sheep, it is watching the sheep jump that that contradicts something you have sends you off? previously written or said. make sheep's eyes at someone look at someone in a foolishly amorous way. shilling not the full shilling not mentally alert or separate the sheep from the goats divide people or things into superior and inferior quick-thinking. groups. take the King's (or Queen's) shilling enlist as a soldier. British I © This expression alludes to the parable of j : O It was once the practice to pay a shilling to j ! the Last Judgement in Matthew 25:32-3: j a man who enlisted as a soldier. ! 'And before him shall be gathered all nations: j i and he shall separate them one from another, i j as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the shine j goats: and he shall set the sheep on his right j take the shine off spoil the brilliance or j hand, but the goats on the left'. excitement of; overshadow. take a shine to take a fancy to; develop a sheet liking for. informal two (or three) sheets to (or in) the wind drunk, informal shingle hang out your shingle begin to practise a I O The origins of this expression are nautical. ! Sheets here are the ropes attached to the profession. North American j corners of a ship's sail, used for controlling i O The main and oldest sense of shingle is 'a j the extent and direction of the sail; if they are j wooden roofing tile', but in the early 19th j hanging loose in the wind, the vessel is likely ; century the word developed the more j to be out of control or taking an erratic ; general sense of 'a piece of board', while in j course. ; the USA it also acquired the particular 259 shoot

j meaning 'a small signboard'. Literally, shithoiise vulgar slang i hanging out your shingle refers to hanging j up a sign that advertises your profession. be built like a brick shithouse (of a person) have a very solid physique. ship Shitless vulgar slang rats deserting a sinking ship: see RAT. be scared (or bored) shitless be extremely run a tight ship: see TIGHT. frightened (or bored). ships that pass in the night transitory shock acquaintances. future shock: see FUTURE. I © This expression comes from Henry short, sharp shock ©a brief but harsh ; Wadsworth Longfellow's poem Tales of a custodial sentence imposed on offenders in \ Wayside Inn (1874). an attempt to discourage them from when someone's ship comes in (or home) committing further offences, ©a severe when someone's fortune is made. measure taken in order to effect quick results. ! O This expression dates back to the period ! of Britain's maritime empire, when the safe j O The Home Secretary William Whitelaw | arrival of a valuable cargo meant an instant j advocated the short sharp shock as a form of I ! fortune for the owner and those who had : corrective treatment for young offenders at | shares in the enterprise. j the 1979 Conservative Party Conference; the j j deterrent value of such a regime was to be its j j severityratherthanthelengthoftimeserved. j shipshape shipshape and Bristol fashion with every­ thing in good order. shoe another pair of shoes quite a different ! O Recorded from the mid 19th century, this ! j term originally referred to the commercial matter or state of things. : prosperity of the port of Bristol and the good j be in another person's shoes be in another j condition of its shipping. person's situation or predicament. dead men's shoes property or a position shirt coveted by a prospective successor but keep your shirt on don't lose your temper; available only on a person's death. stay calm, informal if the shoe fits» wear it: see if the cap fits, lose your shirt lose all your possessions, wear it at CAP. especially as the result of unwise financial wait for the other shoe to drop wait for the transactions, informal next or final thing to happen. North American put your shirt on bet all you have on; be sure where the shoe pinches where your of. British informal difficulty or trouble is. the shirt off your back your last remaining shoot possessions as offered to another person. shoot the breeze (or the bull) have a casual shit vulgar slang conversation. North American informal be shitting bricks be extremely nervous or shoot your cuffs pull your shirt cuffs out to frightened. project beyond the cuffs of your jacket or not know shit from Shinola be very ignorant coat. or innocent. US shoot someone or something down in | O Shinola is the proprietary name of a US flames forcefully destroy an argument or j brand of boot polish. proposal. 1999 BBC Top Gear Magazine I've been shot up shit creek in an awkward predicament. down in flames by the boys in the Top Gear office for saying this, but I reckon the Porsche when the shit hits the fan when a situation Boxster has to be one of the most beautifully becomes critical; when the disastrous sculpted bits of artwork going. consequences of something become shoot from the hip react suddenly or public. without careful consideration of your words or actions, informal shooting 260 shoot it out engage in a decisive make short work of accomplish, consume, confrontation, typically a gun battle. or destroy quickly. informal a sandwich short of a picnic: see SANDWICH. shoot a line describe something in an short and sweet brief and pleasant. exaggerated, untruthful, or boastful way. the short end of the stick the disadvantage in British informai a situation; a bad deal. shoot your mouth off talk boastfully or 1994 Hispanic Latinas are getting the 'short indiscreetly, informal end of the stick' when it comes to equality in shoot yourself in the foot inadvertently the business world and seeking financing for make a situation worse for yourself; their businesses. demonstrate gross incompetence, informal short, sharp shock: see SHOCK. 1997 Spectator The only thing the Royal Opera seems to have done successfully is shoot itself shot in the foot. a big shot: see a big cheese at BIG. shooting by a long shot by far; outstandingly, informal the whole shooting match everything. call the shots: see CALL. informal get (or be) shot of get (or be) rid of. British 1989 Patrick O'Brian The Thirteen Gun Salute informal I have seen all the great houses brought down, give it your best shot try as hard as you can Coutts, Drummonds, Hoares, the whole shooting match. to do something, informal like a shot without hesitation; willingly. shop informal all over the shop (orshow) O everywhere; in not a shot in your locker no money or all directions, ©in a state of disorder or chances left. British confusion, ©wildly or erratically, informal | O The locker referred to in this expression i is a compartment in which ammunition is i O All over the shop was first recorded as ! kept. | j British 'pugilistic slang' in Hotten's Slang \ Dictionary of 1874: to inflict severe not by a long shot by no means. i punishment on an opponent was'to knock 1991 Zee Edgell In Times Like These Even though i him all over the shop'. we had a very good crowd at the meeting tonight we weren't at full strength, not by a live over the shop: see LIVE. long shot. talk shop discuss matters concerning your a shot in the arm stimulus or encourage­ work, especially in circumstances where this is inappropriate. ment, informal 1990 G. Gordon Liddy The Monkey Handlers a shot in the dark: see DARK. Lawyers talk shop, bounce ideas off one shot to pieces (or to hell) ruined, informal another all the time. shotgun short ride shotgun: see RIDE. be caught (or taken) short ©be put at a disadvantage, ©urgently need to urinate shoulder or defecate. British informal be on someone's shoulder keep a close a brick short of a load: see BRICK. check on someone, informal bring (or pull) someone up short make 1998 Times No England manager can control his players... I can't be on their shoulder week someone check or pause abruptly. in and week out. get (or have) someone by the short and look over your shoulder be anxious or curlies (or short hairs) have complete insecure about a possible danger. control of a person, informal 1990 Daily Star The chief executive... toasted in short order immediately; rapidly, chiefly the lifting of the takeover threat. 'Now they can get on with running the business while North American not looking over their shoulders,' says one city in the short run (or term) over a brief period analyst. of time. 261 shutter put your shoulder to the wheel set to work ! O The image here is of players revealing vigorously. j their cards in a card game. ! O The image here is of pushing with your show a leg get out of bed; get up. British i shoulder against the wheel of a cart or other j informal, dated ! vehicle that has become stuck. show of hands the raising of hands among rub shoulders with: see RUB. a group of people to indicate a vote for or a shoulder to cry on someone who listens against something, with numbers typically sympathetically to another person's being estimated rather than counted. problems. show your teeth reveal your strength; be shoulder to shoulder Q side by side. Q acting aggressive. British together towards a common aim. show someone the door dismiss or eject someone from a place. | O Sense 2 developed from the idea of 1991 Michael Curtin The Plastic Tomato Cutter j soldiers standing side by side in unbroken Mr Yendall, would you credit I had applicants ! ranks. who scorned the wages? I showed them the door. straight from the shoulder: see STRAIGHT. shower shout send someone to the showers fail early on in in with a shout having a good chance, informal a race or contest. North American informal shout the odds talk loudly and in an opinionated way. shred a thing of shreds and patches something shouting made up of scraps of fabric patched all over bar the shouting (of a contest) together, literary almost finished and therefore virtually I O In the third act of Wam/et, the prince decided, informal j describes his uncle Claudius, who has usurped I j the throne, as'a king of shreds and patches'; j shove j this description was parodied by W. S. Gilbert j i in The Mikado as 'a thing of shreds and if push comes to shove: see PUSH. j patches'. show all over the show: see all over the shop at shuffle SHOP. be (or get) lost in the shuffle be overlooked get (or keep) the show on the road start (or or missed in a confused or crowded keep going) an enterprise or organization. situation. North American informal informal shuffle the cards change policy or direction. 1997 Spectator Much rarer... is the journalist shuffle off this mortal coil: see COIL. who helps to keep the national show on the road. shut give the (whole) show away demonstrate be (or get) shut of be (or get) rid of. informal the inadequacies or reveal the truth of shut the door on: see close the door on at something. DOOR. the only show in town the only or most shut your mind to: see close your mind to at significant thing. MIND. 1998 New Scientist This should scupper the shut the stable door after the horse has laser idea, and yet, with no other explana­ tions on offer, it's the only show in town. bolted: see STABLE. show someone a clean pair of heels retreat shut up shop O cease trading, either temporarily or permanently. @ stop some speedily; run away, informal activity, informal show your colours: see COLOURS. show the flag: see FLAG. shutter show your hand (or cards) disclose your put up the shutters (of a business) cease plans. trading either for the day or permanently. shy 262 shy relationship in addition to your legal or have a shy at try to hit something, especially regular partner. © served separately from with a ball or stone. the main dish. the other side of the coin: see COIN. sick sidelines sick and tired annoyed about or bored with on (or from) the sidelines in (or from) a something and unwilling to put up with it position where you are observing a any longer, informal situation but are unable or unwilling to be sick as a dog extremely ill. informal directly involved in it.

sick as a parrot extremely disappointed. i O In sports such as football and basketball, i humorous i the sidelines mark the long edges of a playing ! i area, behind which spectators, coaches, and j ! O This expression is a late 20th-century i other non-players must remain. ! British catchphrase, often associated with i disappointed footballers or football I managers. sideways 1998 New Scientist Many of my MP colleaguesknoc k someone sideways: see KNOCK. are as sick as the proverbial parrot that Lord Sainsbury has been appointed to succeed John sight Battle as Britain's science minister. heave in sight: see HEAVE. the sick man of—a country that is politically in (or within) your sights within the scope or economically unsound, especially in of your ambitions or expectations. comparison with its neighbours in the I © The image in this phrase and in raise your j region specified. i sights and set your sights on below is of a ; O In the late 19th century, following a j target visible through the sights of a gun. i reported comment by Tsar Nicholas I of Russia ! j about the moribund state of the Turkish out of sight, out of mind you soon forget i empire, the Sultan of Turkey was described as ! people or things that are no longer visible i the Sick Man of Europe. The term was later or present, proverb ! extended to Turkey itself and subsequently raise (or lower) your sights become more (or i applied to other countries. less) ambitious; increase (or lower) your 1992 Independent He vilified the West as expectations. 'the sick man of the modern world' and set your sights on have as an ambition; hope attacked its institutions as 'the dictatorship strongly to achieve or reach. of the majority dressed up as democracy'. 1996 Home Within ten minutes I had made an sick to death very annoyed by something and offer... But another couple has also set their unwilling to put up with it any longer. sights on the cottage, so sealed bids were submitted. informal a sight for sore eyes a person or thing that is sick to your stomach O feeling nauseous. very attractive or that you are extremely © disgusted. pleased or relieved to see. informal worried sick so anxious as to make yourself a sight more — (or a sight — than or a sight ill. too —) someone or something has a great side deal or too much of a particular specified quality, informal let the side down fail to meet the 1994 New Scientist Some did bottle expectations of your colleagues or friends, experiments in the lab, under tightly especially by mismanaging something. controlled conditions but usually involving British just two species; real life is a sight more on the — side rather —. complicated than that. 1996 Wanderlust This is a serious jacket with big pockets and a well thought out design, sign though a little on the heavy side, sign of the times something typical of the on the side Qui addition to your regular job or nature or quality of a particular period, as a subsidiary source of income. © secretly, typically something undesirable. especially with regard to a sexual sign on the dotted line agree formally. 263 sin

1921 P. G. Wodehouse Indiscretions of Archie when newspapers often publish trivia I spoke to him as one old friendt o because of a lack of important news. another... and he sang a few bars from chiefly British 'Rigoletto', and signed on the dotted line. j O This concept and phrase date back to the j signed j mid 19th century. In high summer Victorian signed, sealed, and delivered (orsigned and ! London was deserted by the wealthy and sealed) formally and officially agreed and | important during the period in which i Parliament and the law courts were in recess, i in effect. silence silver silence is golden it's often wise to say be born with a silver spoon in your mouth nothing, proverb be born into a wealthy family of high social standing. i O The fuller form of the saying is speech is \ silver, but silence is golden. \ have a silver tongue be eloquent or persuasive. silent on a silver platter (or salver) without having silent as the grave: see GRAVE. been asked or sought for; without requiring any effort or return from the the silent majority the majority of people, recipient. regarded as holding moderate opinions but rarely expressing them. | O The image here is of a butler or waiter j presenting something on a silver tray. j O This phrase was first particularly ! associated with the US President Richard a silver lining a positive or more hopeful ! Nixon, who claimed in his 1968 presidential aspect to a bad situation, even though this j election campaign to speak for this segment j may not be immediately apparent. ; of society. j O The full form of the phrase is the proverb j 1998 Spectator Independent-thinking i every cloud has a silver lining. columnists claimed a silent majority loathed Di mania and maybe they were right. the silver screen the cinema industry; the silent treatment a stubborn refusal to cinema films collectively. talk to someone, especially after a recent argument or disagreement. I O In the early days of cinematography, a 2000 Independent Since the complaint, Ms i projection screen was covered with metallic Thomas, who has worked for the City police I paint to give a highly reflective, silver- i coloured surface. since 1994, claims she has been given the silent treatment. Simon Pure silk the real Simon Pure the real or genuine make a silk purse out of a sow's ear turn person or thing. something inferior into something of top i O Simon Pure is a character in Susannah quality. | Centlivre's A Bold Stroke for a Wife (1717), i O The observation that you can 'tmake a silk \ \ who for part of the play is impersonated by i purse out of a sow's ear has been proverbial I j another character. j since the late 16th century; there was an ! earlier version which featured a goat's fleece j I instead of a sow's ear. sin — as sin having a particular undesirable quality to a high degree, informal silly 1991 Robert R. McCammon Boy's Life — yourself silly be unable to act rationally Everybody knew Saxon's Lake was as deep as because of doing something to excess. sin. 1998 Time Out N.Y. Drink yourself silly at the for your sins used to suggest that a task or long bar or chow down at the large tables in duty is so onerous or unpleasant that it the back. must be a punishment, chiefly British the silly season the months of August 1994 John Birmingham He Died With Felafel In and September regarded as the time His Hand Then the extended family that is sing 264

Brisbane sent some people along to keep me sit on someone's tail drive extremely close company, and for my sins, I took them in. behind another vehicle, typically while like sin vehemently or forcefully, informal waiting for a chance to overtake. sit tight Oremain firmly in your place. sing Q refrain from taking action or changing sing a different tune (or song) change your your mind, informal opinion about or attitude towards someone 01984 Studs Terkel The Good War Our colonel or something. told everyone to sit tight, don't leave the camp. sing for your supper: see SUPPER. sit up (and take notice) suddenly start paying sing from the same hymn (or song) sheet attention or have your interest aroused. present a united front in public by not informal disagreeing with one another. British informal 2000 South China Morning Post We're all singing six from the same hymn sheet and there is a real at sixes and sevens in a state of total will to clean up the game, though it may confusion or disarray. take a life ban to restore cricket's credibility. i O Tn's phrase originated as gambling slang j ! and may be an alteration or corruption of Old j singe j French cinque (five) and sice (six), these being j singe your wings suffer harm, especially in a i the highest numbers on dice. The idea of risky attempt. j risking all your goods on the two highest I numbers led to the idea of carelessness and i neglect of your possessions and eventually to I singing I the development of the phrase's current all-singing, all-dancing: see ALL. j meaning. sink 1998 Oldie But if you arrive in the afternoon we may be a bit at sixes and sevens as we're everything but the kitchen sink: see doing a wedding reception. KITCHEN. hit (or knock) someone for six affect some­ sink or swim fail or succeed entirely by your one very severely; utterly overwhelm own efforts. someone. British informal sinking ! O In this expression, six stands for six runs, | referring to a hit in cricket which sends the a (or that) sinking feeling an unpleasant j ball clear over the boundary of the ground feeling caused by the realization that i for a score of six runs. something unpleasant or undesirable has happened or is about to happen. six feet under dead and buried, informal siren i O Six feet is the traditional depth of a grave, j siren song (or call) the appeal of something six of one and half a dozen of the other used that is also considered to be harmful or to convey that there is no real difference dangerous. between two alternatives. ! O In classical mythology, the Sirens were sea i ! nymphs whose beautiful singing lured sailors j sixpence i to their doom on submerged rocks. on a sixpence (of a stop or turn) within a small area or short distance. British informal sit ! O The old sixpenny coin was one of the sit at someone's feet be someone's pupil or I smallest in circulation prior to decimalization j j in 1971. follower. sit loosely on not be very binding. sixty-four sit on the fence: see FENCE. the sixty-four thousand dollar question sit on your hands take no action. something that is not known and on which 1998 Times The England selectors, historically, a great deal depends. find reasons to sit on their hands. Tn s sit (heavy) on the stomach (of food) take a j O ' expression dates from the 1940s and j long time to be digested. i was originally the sixty-four dollar question, i 265 slap

I from a question posed for the top prize in a © 1998 Times A student of the Method school, I broadcast quiz show. he has to get under the skin of the character he portrays. 1996 Independent Will conversion make the society a better business? That is the $64,000 give someone (some) skin shake or slap question. hands together as a gesture of friendship or solidarity. US black slang size have a thick (or thin) skin be insensitive (or that's about the size of it said to confirm a oversensitive) to criticism or insults. person's assessment of a situation, especially one regarded as bad. informal it's no skin off my nose it's a matter of indifference to me; I am unaffected by skate something, informal get your skates on make haste; hurry up. there's more than one way to skin a cat British informal there's more than one way of achieving your aim. skating ! O There are several traditional proverbs (skating) on thin ice: see ICE. j along these lines, for example there are more i i ways of killing a cat than choking it with \ cream. skeleton a skeleton at the feast: see a ghost at under the skin in reality, as opposed to the feast at FEAST. superficial appearances. a skeleton in the cupboard a discreditable or embarrassing fact that someone wishes to skirt keep secret. a bit of skirt: see a bit of fluff at BIT.

i O A US variant of this expression is a skull i skeleton in the closet. out of your skull ©out of your mind; crazy, ©very drunk, informal skid hit the skids begin a rapid decline or sky deterioration, informal the sky is the limit there is practically no limit. i O The origin of skid is uncertain, but it 1991 Nation He proudly proclaims that today j may be connected with the Old Norse word in Russia the sky is the limit to what a person i from which English ski is derived. It is ! used here and in the next two entries in the can earn. i sense of a plank or roller on which a heavy to the skies very highly; enthusiastically. ; object may be placed in order to move it 1989 Gay Daly Pre-Raphaelites in love Gabriel i easily. wrote to his little sister praising Lizzie to the skies. on the skids (of a person or their career) in a bad state; failing, informal slack 1989 Thomas Berger The Changing Past Jackie arrived at middle age with a career on the cut someone some slack allow someone skids. some leeway; make allowances for someone's behaviour. North American informal put the skids under hasten the decline or 1998 Times Most, though, are willing to cut failure of. informal Spielberg some slack for the sake of cinematic interpretation. skin take (or pick) up the slack O pull on the loose be skin and bone be very thin. end or part of a rope in order to make it by the skin of your teeth by a very narrow taut, ©use up a surplus or improve the use margin; only just. of resources to avoid an undesirable lull in get under someone's skin Q annoy or irritate business. someone intensely, ©fill someone's mind in a compelling and continual way. © reach slap a deep understanding of someone. a slap in the face (or eye) an unexpected informal rejection or affront. slate 266

1996 Independent The move was seen as situation that is currently causing no another slap in the face for the monarchy in problems, but may well do so as a Australia. consequence of such interference, proverb slap on the wrist a mild reprimand or punishment. I O In the early 14th century the French j phrase n'esveillez pas lou chien qui dort 1997 New Scientist Last week, in a Washington j advised 'do notwakethesleeping dog', while i district court, [a judge] ordered software giant ! Chaucer remarks in Troilus and Criseyde 'it is j Microsoft to stop forcing PC-makers to install both Windows 95 and its Web browser, ! nought good a slepyng hound to wake'. The j Internet Explorer. So far, though, it is just a i present form of the proverb seems to be slap on the wrist. I traceable to Walter Scott's novel Redgauntlet \ \ (1824). slap someone on the back congratulate someone heartily. sleeve slate have an ace up your sleeve: see ACE. on the (or your) slate to be paid for later; on have a card up your sleeve: see CARD. credit. British laugh up your sleeve: see LAUGH.

| O Shops and bars formerly kept a record of j roll up your sleeves: see ROLL. ! what a customer owed by chalking it on a up your sleeve (of a strategy, idea, or ! tablet made of slate. ! resource) kept secret and in reserve for use wipe the slate clean: see WIPE. when needed. wear your heart on your sleeve: see HEART. sledgehammer sleigh ride take (or use) a sledgehammer to crack a nut take someone for a sleigh ride mislead use disproportionately forceful means to someone. achieve a simple objective. I O Asleighridebere is an implausible orfalse ! i O As/ec/gehammerisa large, heavy hammer I I story or a hoax: if you take someone for a \ ! used for such jobs as breaking up rocks and \ sleigh ride you mislead or cheat them. Sleigh \ i driving in fence posts. \ ride can also mean 'a drug-induced high', so ! I take a sleigh ride means 'take drugs, 1998 New Scientist Fighting tooth decay by ! especially cocaine'. annihilating mostly harmless bacteria in your mouth is like taking a sledgehammer to crack a nut. sleight sleight of hand the display of skilful, sleep especially deceptive, dexterity or cunning. sleep easy: see EASY. I © Literally, the expression means'manual sleep like a log (or top) sleep very soundly. j dexterity in performing a conjuring trick'. the sleep of the just a deep, untroubled sleep. slice I O The idea here is that only those with clear i a slice of the action: see a piece of the action i consciences can expect to have a peaceful at PIECE. I night's sleep. a slice of the cake a share of the benefits or sleep rough: see ROUGH. profits, informal 1991 Robert Reiner Chief Constables Perhaps it's sleep with one eye open sleep very lightly so because they're such good spenders that our as to be aware of what is happening around slice of the cake is sufficient for all we want. you. slide someone could do something in their sleep let something slide negligently allow some­ someone could do or accomplish some­ thing to deteriorate. thing with no effort or conscious thought. informal sling put someone's (or have your) ass in a sling sleeping land someone (or be) in trouble. North let sleeping dogs lie avoid interfering in a American vulgar slang 267 smell sling beer work as a bartender. North American 1998 Spectator Those of us who feared that informal devolution would not assuage nationalist sentiment but turn out to be the slippery slope sling hash (or plates) serve food in a cafe or to separatism have a good chance of being diner. North American informal proved right. sling your hook: see HOOK. slings and arrows adverse factors or slow circumstances. slow but (or and) sure not quick but achieving the required result eventually. I O This expression is taken from the 'to be or I proverb ! not to be' speech in Hamlet: 'Whether tis j nobler in the mind to suffer the slings and ! arrows of outrageous fortune, Or to take smack j arms against a sea of troubles, And by have a smack at make an attempt at or attack j opposing end them'. on. informal 2001 Ian J. Deary Intelligence The genetic a smack in the face (or eye) a strong rebuff. lottery and the environmental slings and informal arrows influence the level of some of our mental capabilities. small the (wee) small hours the early hours slip of the morning immediately after give someone the slip evade or escape from midnight. someone, informal small is beautiful the belief that something let something slip ©reveal something small-scale is better than a large-scale inadvertently in the course of a equivalent. conversation. © fail to take advantage of ! O Small is Beautiful is the title of a book by j an opportunity. ! E. F. Schumacher, published in 1973. The let something slip through your fingers (or i phrase is best known through its adoption as j grasp) ©lose hold or possession of ! a slogan by environmentalists. something. @ miss the opportunity of gaining something. small potatoes something insignificant or 01925 W. Somerset Maugham Of Human unimportant. Bondage He was mad to have let such an i O This phrase originated in mid 19th- adventure slip through his fingers. | century American use, especially in the form ! a slip of a — a young, small, and slim ! small potatoes and few in the hill. person. 1980 Philip Larkin Letter After all you are a very 2002 Science Turner calls this budget a start but says it's 'small potatoes' compared to what young 51! Hardly 51 at all! A slip of a thing! will be needed to get fuel cell cars to market. slip of the pen (or the tongue) a minor mistake in writing (or speech). smart | O The equivalent Latin phrases, lapsus look smart be quick, chiefly British \ calami and lapsus linguae, are also sometimes j i used in formal English. smell live (or survive) on the smell of an oil rag live slip on a banana skin make a silly and in conditions of extreme want. Australian embarrassing mistake. smell blood discern weakness or vulnera­ there's many a slip ('twixt cup and lip) bility in an opponent. many things can go wrong between the start of something and its completion; smell of the lamp show signs of laborious nothing is certain until it has happened. study and effort. proverb j O The lamp here is an oil lamp, formerly I used for night-time work or study. slippery slippery slope an idea or course of smell a rat begin to suspect trickery or action which will lead inevitably to deception, informal something unacceptable, wrong, or smell the roses enjoy or appreciate what is disastrous. often ignored. North American informal smelling 268 smelling I involving the US President Richard Nixon. I When one of the Watergate tapes revealed come up (or out) smelling of roses (or i Nixon's wish to limit the FBI's role in the violets) make a lucky escape from a j investigation, Barber B. Conable famously difficult situation with your reputation ! commented: 'I guess we have found the intact, informal j smoking pistol, haven't we?'

! O The fuller form of this expression, fall in 1998 New Scientist This genetic smoking gun is \ the shit and come up smelling of roses, evidence of a migration out of Asia that is hard j explains the idea behind it. to refute. smooth smiling in smooth water in quiet and serene cir­ come up smiling recover from adversity and cumstances, especially after difficulties. cheerfully face the future, informal 1989 Woman's Realm But despite her ordeal smooth someone's ruffled feathers: see courageous Kelly has come up smiling and is RUFFLED. now looking forward to a bright future. snake smoke a snake in the grass a treacherous or go up in smoke Qbe destroyed by fire, ©(of deceitful person. a plan) come to nothing, informal j O Since the late 17th century this expression j no smoke without fire (or where there's I has entirely superseded the earlier idiom a smoke there's fire) there's always some j pad in the straw. Pad is an old dialect term for ; I a toad, an animal that was formerly thought j reason for a rumour, proverb I to be poisonous. 1998 Times This is not saying that there is no smoke without fire—whichsentimen t underlines why bogus claims can do so much snaky irrevocable damage—but that this is always, go (or drive someone) snaky lose (or cause necessarily, going to be an incendiary issue. someone to lose) their self-control. Canadian smoke and mirrors the obscuring or embellishing of the truth of a situation snap with misleading or irrelevant information. bite someone's head off: see HEAD. chiefly North American 1998 Sunday Telegraph Ministers accused in a snap in a moment; almost immediately. the Conservatives of a 'smoke and mirrors' informal, chiefly North American con trick. snap your fingers at: see FINGER. smoke like a chimney smoke tobacco incessantly. snappy make it snappy be quick about it. watch someone's smoke observe another 1994 Pete Hamill A Drinking Life Into bed! he person's activity. said. Make it snappy! I retreated into the I O The implication of this phrase is that the j darkness of the second floor from the kitchen. j activity in question will be so fast and furious i ; that smoke will be generated. sneezed 1947 P. G. Wodehouse Full Moon Look at Henry not to be sneezed at not to be rejected the Eighth... And Solomon. Once they started without careful consideration; worth marrying, there was no holding them—you having or taking into account, informal just sat back and watched their smoke. snook smoking cock a snook openly show contempt or a lack a smoking gun (or pistol) a piece of of respect for someone or something. incontrovertible evidence. informal, chiefly British

j O This phrase draws on the assumption, a ; O Literally, if you cock a snook, you place i staple of detective fiction, that the person i your hand so that your thumb touches your ; found with a recently fired gun must be the ! ; nose and your fingers are spread out, in order ; j guilty party. The use of the phrase in the late i : to express contempt. Recorded from the late ; j 20th century was particularly associated with j ; 18th century, the expression's origins are ; the Watergate scandal in the early 1970s j uncertain—as are those of the gesture itself, i 269 song

; which occurs under a variety of names and in j i many countries, the earliest definite mention j soda i of it being by Rabelais in 1532. from soda to hock from beginning to end. dated

i O In the card game faro, the 5oda is the snow i exposed top card at the beginning of a deal, i pure as the driven snow: see PURE. ! while the hock is the last card remaining in snowball j the box after all the others have been dealt. not a snowball's chance in hell: see not a hope in hell at HELL. soft have a soft spot for be fond of or affectionate snuff towards. up to snuff ©up to the required standard, ©in good health, informal soldier come (or play) the old soldier use your snug greater age or experience of life to deceive snug as a bug (in a rug) extremely someone or to shirk a duty, informal comfortable, humorous I O ln us nautical slang a soldier or an old \ soldier was an incompetent seaman. soap no soap no chance of something happening soldier of fortune an adventurous person or occurring. North American informal ready to take service under any person or state in return for money; a mercenary. j O The origin of this expression, used to I refuse a request, may lie in the mid 19th- j some I century US informal use of soap to mean and then some and plenty more than that. j 'money'. j informal, chiefly US 1929 Edmund Wilson I Thought of Daisy If he 1998 New Scientist But by simply sitting still tries to cut in on you, don't letum—I'll just and digesting, a chick could double this rate tellum, no soap. and then some. sober something sober as a judge completely sober. thirty-something (or forty-something, etc.) an unspecified age between thirty and sock forty (forty and fifty, etc.). informal knock (or blow) someone's socks off amaze or impress someone, informal son 1991 Barbara Anderson Girls High Years ago son of a gun a humorous or affectionate way she saw a Hockney... the few lines which of addressing or referring to someone. sketched the owlish face knocked her socks off. informal

knock the socks off someone beat or surpass j O The term arose with reference to the guns i someone, informal j carried on board ships: it is said to have been I j originally applied to babies born at sea by pull your socks up make an effort to improve j women accompanying their husbands. your work, performance, or behaviour. informal put a sock in it stop talking. British informal song for a song very cheaply, informal sock it to someone attack someone vigorously or make a forceful impression j © The ultimate origin of this phrase is on them in some other way. informal j probably the practice, in former times, of i selling written copies of ballads very cheaply j 1991 Baseball Today Chicago socked it to the i affairs. The expression was in common use by I other teams in the American league. j the mid 17th century. — your socks off do something with great energy or enthusiasm, informal 1985 Nini Herman My Kieinian Home The 1996 Premiere Ray Liotta strikes perfect notes place was going for a song, since anyone as Hill while Joe Pesci blows your socks off as in his right mind would have steered well sociopathic side-kick Tommy. clear of it. sop 270 on song performing well; in good form. British out of sorts O slightly unwell. Q in low informal spirits; irritable. 1996 Times The horse is in pretty good shape. I sort the men from the boys: see separate the rode him out at Haydock and he felt on song. men from the boys at MAN. song and dance Q a fuss or commotion. informal Q a long explanation that is pointless soul or deliberately evasive. North American informal the life and soul of the party: see LIFE. sop a lost soul Qa soul that is damned. Q a person who seems unable to cope with a sop to Cerberus something offered to appease someone. everyday life. sell your soul: see SELL. ! O |n Greek mythology, Cerberus was the i three-headed watchdog which guarded the work the soul case out of put someone j entrance of Hades. In the Aeneid Virgil under severe stress. j describes how the Sibyl guiding Aeneas to i the underworld threw a drugged cake to soup j Cerberus, thus enabling the hero to pass the i from soup to nuts from beginning to end; I monster in safety. completely. North American informal

j O Soup is likely to feature as the first course j sorcerer ! of a formal meal, while a selection of nuts I may be offered as the final one. sorcerer's apprentice a person who having instigated a process is unable to in the soup in trouble, informal control it. | O This is a translation of the French sour ! l'apprenti sorcier, the title of an 1897 sour grapes an attitude in which j symphonic poem by Paul Dukas based on der \ someone disparages or pretends to despise \ Zauberlehrling, a 1797 ballad by Goethe. In something because they cannot have it i this ballad the apprentice's use of magic themselves. j spells sets in motion a series of events which j j he cannot control. | O ln Aesop's fable The Fox and the Grapes, \ I the fox, unable to reach the tempting bunch I ; of grapes, comforts himself with the thought I sore ; that they were probably sour anyway. stand (or stick) out like a sore thumb be very 1998 New Scientist At 66,1 can be acquitted obviously different from the surrounding of any sour grapes, but I feel sorry for people or things. younger MPs... [who] have all been passed sorrow over. more in sorrow than in anger with regret or south sadness rather than with anger. down south to or in the south of a country. i O This is taken from Hamlet. When Hamlet j informal i asks Horatio to describe the expression on the j 1995 Bill Bryson Notes from a Small Island 'Ah, i face of his father's ghost, Horatio replies 'a you're the chap from down south,' he said, j countenance more in sorrow than in anger'. remembering, which threw me a little. It isn't often you hear Yorkshire referred to as down south. sort it takes all sorts people vary greatly in SOW character, tastes, and abilities, proverb have the right sow by the ear have the ! O The complete form of this expression is it \ correct understanding of a situation. i takes all sorts to make a world, often used as a i make a silk purse out of a sow's ear: see ; comment on what the speaker feels to be SILK. j unconventional behaviour. sow the seed (or seeds) of do something 1999 David Mitchell Ghostwritten We're a chat which will eventually bring about a show. It takes all sorts. You complain when particular result. they're too dull. You complain when they're 1991 Philip Slater A Dream Deferred Each too colourful. authoritarian government, groping toward 271 speak

modernization, would thereby sow the seeds \ works, a monkey wrench being a spanner or j of its own destruction. ! wrench with adjustable jaws: to throw a | spanner (.or a monkey wrench) into the works \ space \ is to deliberately wreck someone's plans or watch th is space used to indicate that further I activities. In his 1974 novel The Monkey I Wrench Gang, Edward Abbey used this as a developments are expected and more j metaphor for systematic industrial sabotage, j information will be given later, informal ; and monkey-wrenching is now a colloquial ! term for such activity. i O The space referred to here is a section of a ! ; newspaper available for a specific purpose, 1997 Spectator Pretty well all the i especially for advertising. newspapers... are now adversarial in tone, conceiving their basic purpose as throwing 1979 Julian Rathbone The Euro-Killers Where is spanners in the works almost as a matter of he? Watch this space for exciting revelations principle. in the next few days. spade spare go spare become extremely angry or call a spade a spade speak plainly or bluntly, distraught. British informal without avoiding issues which are 1991 Roddy Doyle The Van Remind me to unpleasant or embarrassing. replace this one... Veronica'll go spare if she I O A variation on this phrase, dating from goes to get it on Sunday and it's not there. I the early 20th century and used for humorous ! spare someone's blushes: see BLUSH. : emphasis, is call a spade a shovel. to spare left over. 1998 Spectator A man whom I might not agree with where politics are concerned, but one spark who calls a spade a spade. sparks fly a discussion becomes heated or in spades to a very high degree; as much as or lively. more than could be desired, informal strike sparks off each other {or one another) | O This expression derives from the fact that i (of two or more people) creatively i spades are the highest-ranking suit in the inspire each other while working on j card game bridge. something. 1996 Time Out Wit, vitality, heart, story-telling flair: the movie has each in spades. speak it speaks well for something places Spanish someone or something in a favourable old Spanish customs (or practices) long­ light. standing though unauthorized or irregular speak for yourself give your own opinions. work practices. j O The exclamation speak for yourself ! j O This expression has been in use in printing i j indicates to someone that an opinion they j circles since the 1960s; it is often used j have expressed is not shared by yourself and j : humorously to refer to practices in the British j : is resented. j I newspaper printing houses in Fleet Street, j London, formerly notorious for their speak in tongues speak in an unknown j inefficiency. The reason for describing such language during religious worship. ; practices as 'Spanish' is not known. ; O Speaking in (or with) tongues is a 1998 Spectator [Outsourcing] can do much for j phenomenon known more formally as flexibility and more for costs and it is a proven j glossolalia, which is regarded by some as a cure for quaint old Spanish customs. i gift of the Holy Spirit. The Bible records that j ! the apostles demonstrated this ability (e.g. spanner j Acts 10:46, 19:6), and it is a component of i present-day charismatic Christian worship. a spanner in the works an event, person, or thing that prevents the smooth or speak your mind express your feelings or successful implementation of a plan; a opinions frankly. drawback or impediment. 1982 Marion Z. Bradley The Mists ofAvalon Someday she would be too weary or too j O A variant, found chiefly in North unguarded to care, and she would speak her ! American English, is a monkey wrench in the \ mind to the priest. spec 272 speak of the devil: see DEVIL. spill speak volumes 0(ofa gesture, circumstance, spill the beans reveal secret information, or object) convey a great deal, ©be good especially unintentionally or indiscreetly. evidence for. informal 01998 New Scientist It was a minor scandal... but it spoke volumes about the world's shifting spill your guts reveal copious information to relationship with its favourite illicit drug. someone in an uninhibited way. informal speak as you find base your opinion of spin someone or something purely on personal experience. spin your wheels: see WHEEL. 1988 Hilary Mantel Eight Months on Ghazzah spin a yarn: see YARN. Street Look, I don't have any theories. I just go issue by issue. I just speak as I find. spirit enter into the spirit join wholeheartedly in spec an event. on spec in the hope of success but without 1994 Jonathan Coe What a Carve Up! His any specific plan or instructions, informal sarcasm was mischievous rather than icy, so I tried to enter into the spirit. ! O The informal abbreviation of speculation \ ! to spec was originally American, but it has the spirit is willing (but the flesh is weak) I been used in British English since the early someone has good intentions (but yields to I 19th century, and the phrase on spec itself temptation and fails to live up to them). I dates from the mid 19th century. ! O This expression quotes Jesus's words in 2000 Times As large sculpture is commis­ I Matthew 26:41, on finding his disciples sioned before being produced, Barbara's j asleep in the Garden of Gethsemane despite I routine became the opposite of Ben's, i his instructions that they should stay awake. whose work was produced on spec. the spirit moves someone someone feels spectre inclined to do something. a spectre at the feast: see a ghost at the feast at FEAST. j O This was a phrase originally used by | Quakers, with reference to the inspiration of j speed j the Holy Spirit. up to speed ©operating at full speed, ©(of a person or company) performing at an spit anticipated rate or level. © (of a person) be the spit (or the dead spit) of look exactly fully informed or up to date, informal 01998 Times Magazine Penati advises on menus like, informal and drops in occasionally to check that j O The full form of the phrase is be the spit I everything is up to speed. © 1998 New Scientist j and image of, perhaps coming from the idea j It's well known to anyone who is up to speed i of a person apparently being formed from with e-mail. j the spit of another, so great is the similarity ! j between them. This fuller form also lies spell ; behind the expression spitting image. under someone's spell so devoted to someone that they seem to have magic spit and polish extreme neatness or power over you. smartness. spit and sawdust (of a pub) old-fashioned, spend run-down, or dirty. British informal spend a penny: see PENNY. I O Until the mid 20th century, the general spike I bar of a pub would often have sawdust j sprinkled on the floor, on to which the spike someone's guns take steps to thwart j customers could spit. someone's intended course of action. spit blood be very angry. ! O First recorded in English in the late 17th | century, the expression referred literally to spit (out) the dummy behave in a petulant i the practice of hammering a metal spike into j way. Australian informal j a captured enemy cannon so that it could not i spit in the eye (or face) of show contempt or i be fired. scorn for. 273 spur spitting ! O This phrase alludes to the former practice j spitting in (or into) the wind a futile or i of making spoonsout of the horns of cattle or j j sheep. pointless activity. 1996 Daily Telegraph Both the Church win the wooden spoon be the least report and the atheist professor are spitting successful contestant; win the booby in the wind, of course, because the prize. incoming tide of superstition has a long way to rise yet. j O A wooden spoon was originally presented I i tothecandidatecominglastintheCambridge j splash I University mathematical tripos (the final make a splash attract a great deal of j honours examination for a BA degree). attention. 1996 Amitav Ghosh The Calcutta Chromosome This was just about the time that new sciences sport like bacteriology and parasitology were the sport of kings horse racing. beginning to make a splash in Europe. sporting split a sporting chance some possibility of split hairs: see HAIR. success. split your sides be convulsed with laughter. spot informal a blind spot: see BLIND. split the ticket {or your vote) vote for hit the spot be exactly what is required. candidates of more than one party. US informal split the vote (of a candidate or minority knock spots off: see KNOCK. party) attract votes from another candidate put someone on the spot force someone or party with the result that both are into a situation in which they must make a defeated by a third. British difficult decision or answer a difficult spoil question, informal too many cooks spoil the broth: see COOK. spout spoilt up the spout O no longer working or likely to be useful or successful. © (of a woman) be spoilt for choice have so many attractive pregnant. British informal possibilities to choose from that it is difficult to make a selection. British sprat spoke a sprat to catch a mackerel a small expenditure made, or a small risk taken, in put a spoke in someone's wheel prevent the hope of a large or significant gain. British someone from carrying out a plan. British j O Asprat is a small sea fish, while a mackerel i ! O It is not clear why a spoke, a normal ! is rather larger. The phrase has been in use i component of many wheels, should have i since the mid 19th century and is also found j ! such a negative effect. It has been suggested j ! with whale in the place of mackerel. i that spoke here is a mistranslation of the i Dutch word spaak, meaning 'a bar' or 'a j stave', which is found in the identical Dutch spread j idiom. spread like wildfire: see WILDFIRE. spread yourself too thin be involved in so sponge many different activities or projects that throw in the sponge: see THROW. your time and energy are not used to good effect. spoon spread your wings: see WING. greasy spoon: see GREASY. make a spoon or spoil a horn make a spur determined effort to achieve something, on the spur of the moment on a momentary whatever the cost. impulse; without premeditation. square 274

1988 Rodney Hall Kisses of the Enemy Now that j form shut the stable door after the steed is was a witticism, an inspiration on the spur of j stolen. the moment. win your spurs: see WIN. stage square hold the stage dominate a scene of action or forum of debate. back to square one: see BACK. set the stage for prepare the conditions for get square with pay a creditor. the occurrence or beginning of something. have square eyes habitually watch 1998 High Country News Udall had ruffled television to excess. uniforms, but he had also set the stage for the on the square ©honest; straightforward, glory years of the agency. ©having membership of the Freemasons. 01997 Guardian One non-Masonic stair rod officer... claims he was moved sideways... rain stair rods: see rain cats and dogs at RAIN. and subsequently he discovered that the corrupt officers and the commander were all stake 'on the square'. go to the stake for do anything to defend a square accounts with: see settle accounts specified belief, opinion, or person. with at ACCOUNT. i O In the past, especially during times of square the circle do something that is i religious persecution, heretics were liable to j considered to be impossible. ! be tied to a wooden stake and burned alive if j i they refused to recant their beliefs. j 0 In its literal sense, square the circle means i j 'construct a square equal in area to a given pull up stakes (of a person) move or go to live I circle'. Since this problem is incapable of a elsewhere. North American j purely geometrical solution, the phrase has ; developed a more general application and is ! ! O Tr,e stakes are the pegs or posts which ! used to refer to an attempt to do something j j secure a tent or which are put up as a palisade ! j impossible. j around a temporary settlement. 2000 Anthony Bourdain Kitchen Confidential squeeze Steven... has chosen to leave New York for Florida with his girlfriend, pulling up stakes, put the squeeze on someone coerce or giving up his apartment, even bringing along pressurize someone, informal his goldfish. 1993 Jonathon Green It Sex Since the Sixties One day two characters walked into my studio and stake a claim declare your right to some­ tried to put the squeeze on me for protection thing. money. j O This expression refers to the practice of squeeze someone until the pips squeak: see ! putting stakes around the perimeter of a PIP. j piece of land to which a claim is laid. It is ! American in origin, dating from the squib i California gold rush of 1849, when the a damp squib: see DAMP. j prospectors registered their claims to | individual plots of land in this way. stab a stab in the dark: see a shot in the dark at stall DARK. set out your stall: see SET. a stab in the back a treacherous act or statement; a betrayal. stand stand someone in good stead: see STEAD. stable stand on your own (two) feet be or become shut (or lock) the stable door after the horse self-reliant or independent. has bolted try to avoid or prevent some­ stand out like a sore thumb: see SORE. thing bad or unwelcome when it is already too late to do so. proverb stand out a mile: see MILE. stand pat: see PAT. j O This saying dates back to medieval times, j stand up and be counted state publicly j Until the late 19th century it was used in the i your support for someone or something. 275 steal will the real — please stand up used state of play Q the score at a particular time rhetorically to indicate that the in a cricket or football match. Q the specified person should clarify their current situation in an ongoing process, position or reveal their true character. especially one involving opposing or informal competing parties. British 1996 Maclean's There have been moments when I wanted to ask, 'Would the real Mr. stay Arafat please stand up', but these have been fleeting. stay loose: see hang loose at LOOSE. stay the course (or distance) ©hold out to standing the end of a race or contest, ©pursue a leave someone or something standing (of a difficult task or activity to the end. person or thing) be much better or faster stay your hand: see HAND. than someone or something else. a stay of execution a delay in carrying out a court order. stands stay put (of a person or object) remain it stands to reason: see REASON. somewhere without moving or being moved. star 1994 Sunday Times Despite firm intentions to have stars in your eyes be idealistically explore, campers tend to stay put, especially if hopeful or enthusiastic, especially about a there are lots of activities and a good pool. possible future in entertainment or sport. reach for the stars have high or ambitious stead aims. stand someone in good stead (of something see stars see flashes of light, especially as a learned or acquired) be advantageous or result of being hit on the head. useful to someone over time or in the someone's star is rising someone is future. becoming ever more successful or popular. steady starch go steady have a regular romantic or sexual take the starch out of someone shake relationship with a particular person. someone's confidence, especially by informal humiliating them. US 1905 Edith Wharton The House of Mirth I thought we were to be married: he'd gone staring steady with me six months and given me his mother's wedding ring. be staring someone in the face (of a fact or steady as she goes keep on with the same object) be glaringly apparent or obvious. careful progress, informal be staring something in the face (of a person) be on the verge of defeat, death, or I O In nautical vocabulary, steady is the ruin. i instruction given to the helmsman to keep j I the ship on the same course. \ start 1998 Bookseller His boss set him one task: start a hare: see HARE. 'steady as she goes, but more so'. starter steal under starter's orders (of horses, runners, or steal someone blind rob or cheat someone in other competitors) ready to start a race on a comprehensive or merciless way. informal receiving the signal from the starter. steal someone's clothes appropriate state someone's ideas or policies. British informal state of the art the most recent stage in the steal a march on gain an advantage over development of a product, incorporating someone, typically by acting before they the newest ideas and the most up-to-date do. features. steal the show attract the most attention state of grace a condition of being free from and praise. sin. steal someone's thunder win praise for steam 276

yourself by pre-empting someone else's step out of line behave inappropriately or attempt to impress. disobediently. ; O The critic and playwright John Dennis step on someone's toes: see tread on i (1657-1734) invented a new method of someone's toes at TREAD. i simulating the sound of thunder in the ! theatre, which he employed in his sterner | unsuccessful play Appius and Virginia. be made of sterner stuff (of a person) have a ! Shortly after his play had finished its brief j run, Dennis attended a performance of stronger character and be more able to j Macbeth in which the improved thunder overcome problems than others. j effect was used, and he is reported to have i exclaimed in a fury: 'Damn them! They will ; O This expression comes from Shakespeare's j | not let my play run, but they steal my ! Julius Caesar. 'When that the poor have cried, j i thunder.' i Caesar hath wept; Ambition should be made j i of sterner stuff: Yet Brutus says he was i ambitious; And Brutus is an honourable steam i man'. ! get up (or pick up) steam Q generate enough 1998 Spectator Unlike the Americans, who are pressure to drive a steam engine, ©(of a inclined to pull all their personnel out of a project, plan, or process in its early stages) country at the first hint of trouble, the gradually gain more impetus and driving British foreign service is made of sterner stuff. force. have steam coming out of your ears be stew extremely angry or irritated, informal stew in your own juice suffer the unpleasant let (or blow) off steam get rid of pent-up consequences of your own actions or energy or emotion, informal temperament without the consoling ! O The image here is of the release of excess i intervention of others, informal j steam from a steam engine through a valve. stick run out of (or lose) steam lose impetus or in the sticks in a remote rural area, informal enthusiasm, informal 1992 Jeff Torrington Swing Hammer Swing! stick out like a sore thumb: see stand out like Eventually I ran out of steam and came to a a sore thumb at SORE. halt. stick out a mile: see stand out a mile at under your own steam without assistance MILE. from others. stick at nothing allow nothing to deter you 1996 Colin Bateman Of Wee Sweetie Mice & Men from achieving your aim, even if it means She was starting to move under her own steam, hesitant Bambi steps which weren't acting wrongly or dishonestly. helped by being hurried along, but a good sign stick your bib in: see BIB. nevertheless. stick your chin out show firmness or steer fortitude. steer a middle course: see MIDDLE. stick in your craw: see CRAW. stick in your gizzard: see GIZZARD. stem stick in your throat: see THROAT. from stem to stern from the front to the stick it on ©make high charges, ©tell an back, especially of a ship. exaggerated story, informal step stick it to someone treat someone harshly or mind (or watch) your step be careful. severely, informal, chiefly US step into the breach: see BREACH. stick your neck out risk incurring criticism, step on it Q make a motor vehicle go faster anger, or danger by acting or speaking by pressing down on the accelerator pedal boldly, informal with your foot, ©hurry up. informal 1969 Bessie Head When Rain Clouds Gather Things are so bad that if anyone sticks his neck I O A US variant of this expression is step on out for a refugee, he's not likely to get i the gas. promoted for fiveyears . stick your oar in: see OAR. 277 stomach stick one (or it) on someone hit someone. I O Stump has been used as an informal term ; informal j for 'leg' since the 15th century; the a stick to beat someone or something with a I expression itself dates from the mid 16th i century. fact or argument held over someone or something as a threat or an advantage. stick to someone's fingers (of money) be stitch embezzled by a person, informal a stitch in time if you sort out a problem stick to your guns: see GUN. immediately, it may save a lot of extra work later, proverb stick to your ribs (of food) be very filling. up sticks go to live elsewhere. British informal i O The fuller form of the expression is a stitch I j in time saves nine. Nine here has no particular i i significance as a number but was chosen sticky j because of its similarity in sound with the sticky fingers a propensity to steal, informal i word time. a sticky wicket: see WICKET. in stitches laughing uncontrollably, informal stiff j O Stitch, in the sense of 'a sudden localized j a stiff upper lip a quality of uncomplaining : jabbing pain', such as might be caused by a stoicism. I needle, is recorded in Old English. It is now ! generally used of a muscle spasm in the side ; I O This is a characteristic particularly ! caused especially by exertion. Shakespeare i associated with the British but the phrase is i seems to have been the first to describe : apparently North American in origin, dating I i stitches brought on by laughter; in Twelfth I back to the mid 19th century. It is used, for j Night (1601) Maria invites her fellow j example, in Harriet Beecher Stowe's novel j conspirators to observe the lovelorn Malvolio I j Uncle Tom's Cabin, published in 1852. j with the words:'If you. ..will laugh j yourselves into stitches, follow me'. 1998 Spectator The Princess... as her finalgif t to the British people, had unstarched their 1981 D. M. Thomas The White Hotel She had stiff upper lips. them in stitches with her absurd—but true— anecdotes. still still small voice the voice of your conscience. stock on the stocks in construction or preparation. i O In 1 Kings 19:12, the voice of God is | described as a still small voice. j O During construction, a ship is supported j on a frame orscaffolding known asthestoc/cs. i still waters run deep a quiet or placid manner may conceal a passionate nature. put (or take) stock in believe or have faith in. proverb j O The earliest example so far recorded of j this expression is by Mark Twain in Galaxy sting ; (1870):'The "chance" theory. ..is... sting in the tail an unpleasant or problematic j calculated to inflict... pecuniary loss upon end to something. j any community that takes stock in it'. 1992 Ronald Wright Stolen Continents At last Hendrick came to the sting in the tail of his take stock Qmake an inventory of the speech. merchandise in a shop. 0 review or make an assessment of a particular situation, stink typically as a prelude to making a decision. like stink extremely hard or intensely, informal 2000 Steven Heighten The Shadow Boxer Let stomach him tire out a bit and then go to work on him upstairs. Jabs and straight rights now, got it? an army marches on its stomach soldiers or Go on. Get on him like stink. workers can only fight or function effectively if they have been well fed. stir \ O The saying has been attributed to both stir a finger: see lift a finger at LIFT. j Frederick the Great and Napoleon I. It is a stir your stumps (of a person) begin to move I version of the French phrase c'est la soupe qui \ \ fait la soldat. or act. British informal, dated stompie 278 on a full (or an empty) stomach having (or ! O This phrase comes from the proverb without having) eaten beforehand. j between two stools one falls to the ground, a strong stomach an ability to see or do j first referred to in English by the medieval ! writer John Gower in Confessio Amantis unpleasant things without feeling sick or \ (c.1390). squeamish. stompie stop pick up stompies break into a conversation pull out all the stops make a very great of which you have heard only the end. South effort; go to elaborate lengths. African j O The stops referred to here are those of ; O ln Afrikaans, a stompie is a cigarette butt, j ! an organ. Although this is an early 20th- ! century expression, Matthew Arnold, in ! the Preface to Essays in Criticism (1865) stone j refers to an attempt on his behalf'to pull out i i a few more stops in that... somewhat j be carved (or set or written) in stone be j narrow-toned organ, the modern fixed and unchangeable. j Englishman'. ! O The reference here is to the biblical Ten ! Commandments, written on tablets of stone i stop at nothing recognize no obstacles or j by God and handed down to Moses on Mount i reasons for not doing something; be utterly ! Sinai (Genesis 31:18). ruthless or determined. 1991 Time Seen simplistically and from afar, cast (or throw) the first stone be the first to Saddam Hussein comes across as... the villain accuse or criticize. who will stop at nothing.

j O The phrase comes from an incident stop your ears ©put your fingers in your i recorded in St John's Gospel. A group of men ! ears to avoid hearing. © refuse to listen. j preparing to stone an adulterous woman stop a gap serve to meet a temporary need. i to death were addressed by Jesus with ! the words:'He that is without sin among stop someone's mouth bribe or otherwise i you, let him first cast a stone at her' induce a person to keep silent about j (John 8:7). something. have kissed the blarney stone: see stop the show (of a performer) provoke BLARNEY. prolonged applause or laughter, causing an leave no stone unturned try every possible interruption. course of action in order to achieve stopper something. put a (or the) stopper on cause something to mark something with a white stone: see end or become quiet. WHITE. a stone's throw a short distance. store 1989 Joanna Trollope Village Affairs Can't tell set (or lay or put) store by (or on) consider you the difference it will make, having you a something to be of a particular degree of stone's throw away. importance or value. stony storm fall on stony ground (of words or a sugges­ go down a storm be enthusiastically tion) be ignored or badly received. received by an audience. j O The reference here istothe parable of the j the lull (or calm) before the storm a period of j sower recounted in both St Mark's and St unusual tranquillity or stability that seems j Matthew's Gospels, in which some of the seed j likely to presage difficult times. ! scattered by the sower fell on stony places j where it withered away. a storm in a teacup great excitement or anger about a trivial matter. stool j O A North American variant of this fall between two stools fail to be or to ; expression is a tempest in a teapot. take one of two satisfactory alternatives. 1998 Times A storm in a teacup? Who cares British about a bunch of seeds? 279 straw take something by storm Q capture a place strain by a sudden and violent attack. Q have strain at a gnat make a difficulty about great and rapid success in a particular place accepting something trivial, literary or with a particular group of people. 1998 Times Round-up Ready soya has taken i O The phrase derives from Matthew 23:24, America by storm. j 'Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and I j swallow a camel'. The word strain here — up a storm perform a particular action j appears to mean'make a violent effort', but j with great enthusiasm and energy, chiefly j it may in fact refer to the straining of a liquid j North American j to remove unwanted particles: the image is of j 1990 Harper's Magazine What I fear is that we j a person quietly accepting a difficulty or talk up a storm and never better the situation j problem of significant proportions while for the exploited or the poor. j baulking at something comparatively trivial. story strain at the leash be eager to begin or do something. end of story: see END. strain every nerve: see NERVE. it's (or that's) the story of my life used to lament the fact that a particular mis­ strange fortune has happened too often in your make strange (of a baby or child) fuss or be experience, informal shy in company. Canadian to cut (or make) a long story short used to 1987 Alice Munro The Progress of Love Her timid- end an account of events quickly. looking fat son... usually liked Violet, but today he made strange. stout a stout heart courage or determination. straw literary clutch (or grasp orcatch) at straws do, say, or believe anything, however unlikely or stove inadequate, which seems to offer hope in a slave over a hot stove work very hard desperate situation. preparing a meal, informal ! O This expression comes from the proverb a j i drowning man will dutch at a straw, which is j straight ! recorded in various forms since the mid 16th j keep a straight face manage to not show any j century. I facial expression, even though you are draw the short straw be the unluckiest of a amused. group of people, especially in being chosen the straight and narrow morally correct to perform an unpleasant task. behaviour. j O One method of drawing lots involves I © The full form of the expression is the i holding several straws of varying lengths I straight and narrow path or way. It ! with one end concealed in your hand and i developed from a misunderstanding of i then inviting other members of the group to j j Matthew 7:14, 'strait is the gate, and narrow j j take one each. j is the way, which leadeth unto life', where j strait is in fact being used as another word for j the last (or final) straw a farther difficulty or j narrow. \ annoyance, typically minor in itself but coming on top of a whole series of a straight arrow: see ARROW. difficulties, that makes a situation straight as a die: see DIE. unbearable. a straight fight a contest between just two opponents, especially in an election. I O The full version of this is the proverb the i | last straw breaks the camel's back. The British j modern form is traceable to Charles Dickens ! straight from the shoulder Q (of a blow) well ! in Dombey and Son (1848), but earlier delivered. @(of a verbal attack) frank or i versions are recorded, including a mid 17th- direct. I century reference to the last feather breaking \ \ a horse's back. straight off (or out) without hesitation or deliberation, informal a straw in the wind a slight but significant straight up truthfully; honestly, informal hint of future developments. streak 280 straws in your hair a state of insanity. has a reputation as an outspoken critic of China. ln I O "former times, the floors of mental stretch your legs go for a short walk, j institutions were covered with straw, and so j | having straw in the hair came to be regarded i typically after sitting in one place for some j as a characteristic of a deranged person. time. stretch a point allow or do something not streak usually acceptable, typically as a result of like a streak (of lightning) very fast, informal particular circumstances. 1998 Penelope Lively Spiderweb I seem to recall that you are agnostic, but I would suggest, stream with all respect, that you stretch a point and against (or with) the stream against (or with) attend Sunday Matins, at least on occasion. the prevailing view or tendency. stretch your wings: see WING. on stream in or into operation or existence; available. stricken stricken in years used euphemistically to street describe someone old and feeble. not in the same street far inferior in terms of ability. British informal stride streets ahead greatly superior. British informal take something in your stride deal with 1991 Alistair Campbell Sidewinder He has his something difficult or unpleasant in a calm shortcomings, sure, but he's streets ahead of and competent way. Dr Nada. up (or right up) your street well suited to strike your tastes, interests, or abilities, informal strike at the root of: see ROOT.

i © A North American variant of this strike it rich find a source of abundance or j expression is up your alley. success, informal strike lucky (or strike it lucky) have a lucky strength success. British go from strength to strength develop or strike oil attain prosperity or success. progress with increasing success. 1994 Nature S. P. Goldman... seems to have struck oil in the search for better ways of a tower (or pillar) of strength a person who computing electronic states. can be relied upon to be a source of strong strike while the iron is hot make use of an support and comfort. opportunity immediately. i O This phrase may come from the Book of j Common Prayer: '0 Lord ... be unto them a i O Iron can only be hammered into shape at j | tower of strength'. j a blacksmith's forge while it is hot. strengthen striking strengthen someone's hand (or hands) within striking distance: see DISTANCE. enable or encourage a person to act more vigorously or effectively. string have a second string to your bow have an stretch alternative resource that you can make use at full stretch O with a part of your body fully of if the first one fails. British extended, ©using the maximum amount j O This is a metaphor from archery; related of your resources or energy. j expressions include have several strings to at a stretch Q in one continuous period, \ your bow and add another string to your ©with much effort or difficulty. i bow. Second string can also be used on its j own to mean simply 'an alternative resource i by no (or not by any) stretch of the i or course of action'. imagination used to emphasize that something is definitely not the case. how long is a piece of string? used as a 1996 New Statesman Though it is by no stretch rejoinder to indicate that it is of the imagination a political paper, its owner unreasonable for someone to expect the 281 suffer

speaker to be more precise about some­ stuck thing, informal get stuck in (or into) start doing something no strings attached no special conditions or enthusiastically or with determination. restrictions apply to an opportunity or British informal offer, informal on a string under your control or influence. study in a brown study: see BROWN. I O The idea here is of a puppeteer i manipulating a puppet by its strings. stuffing pull strings: see PULL. knock (ortake) the stuffing out of someone severely impair someone's confidence or puli the strings: see PULL. strength, informal stroke stump different strokes for different folks: see beyond the black stump beyond the limits of DIFFERENT. settled, and therefore civilized, life. not (or never) do a stroke of work do no Australian work at all. put someone off their stroke disconcert i O This phrase comes from the custom of j using a fire-blackened stump of wood as a j someone so that they do not work or i marker when giving directions to travellers. perform as well as they might; break the pattern or rhythm of someone's on the stump going about the country work. making political speeches or canvassing. stroke of genius an outstandingly brilliant chiefly North American and original idea. ! O ln rural America in the late 18th century, j stroke of luck (or good luck) a fortunate I the stump of a felled tree was often used as j an impromptu platform for someone making j occurrence that could not have been I a speech. predicted or expected. stroke someone (or someone's hair) the up a stump in a situation too difficult for you to manage. US wrong way irritate a person. strong succeeds come it strong indulge in exaggeration. British nothing succeeds like success success leads informal to opportunities for further and greater successes, proverb come on strong O behave aggressively or assertively. 0 make great efforts or suck advances, informal suck someone dry exhaust someone's going strong continuing to be healthy, physical, material, or emotional resources. vigorous, or successful, informal suck it and see the only way to know if strong meat ideas or language likely to be something will work or be suitable is to try found unacceptably forceful or extreme. it. British informal British strong on Ogood at; expert in. ©possessing sudden large quantities of; rich in. (all) of a sudden suddenly. strut i O Asa noun sudden is now found only in strut your stuff dance or behave in a lively, ! this phrase, but from the mid 16th century to j confident way. informal i the early 18th century it was in regular use in j 1998 Country Life London is a place to hide in, j the sense 'an unexpected danger or to get lost in; New York is a stage on which to : emergency'. strut your stuff. suffer stubborn not suffer fools gladly be impatient or stubborn as a mule extremely stubborn. intolerant towards people you regard as informal unwise or unintelligent. sugar 282

I O This expression refers to 2 Corinthians i 11:19:'For ye suffer fools gladly, seeing ye supper | yourselves are wise'. ; sing for your supper earn a benefit or favour by providing a service in return. 2001 Daily Telegraph Such was her expertise as a Victorianist that her advice was widely i O This phrase comes from the nursery rhyme j sought, though she did not suffer fools gladly. j Little Tommy Tucker. sugar sugar the pill: see PILL. sure sure as eggs is eggs (also sure as fate) suit without any doubt; absolutely certain. follow suit: see FOLLOW. sure thing Qa certainty, ©certainly; of men in suits: see MAN. course, informal suit the action to the word carry out your O 2001 Business Week Any potential legal challenge to Microsoft's bundling decisions in stated intentions at once. XP is no sure thing. 01995 Chitra Banerjee ! O The expression comes from the scene in Divakaruni Arranged Marriage 'Would you?' I i Hamlet in which a troupe of actors arrive to said gratefully. 'That would make me feel so i présenta play to the king and queen. Hamlet j much better.'... 'Sure thing!' said Sharmila j instructs them to'suit the action to the word, j hurriedly as she hung up. i the word to the action'. surf suit someone down to the ground be surf the net move from site to site on the extremely convenient or appropriate for a Internet. particular person. British I O Surf here comes from channel-surfing, summer i the practice of switching frequently between j Indian summer: see INDIAN. i channels on a television set in an attempt to j j find an interesting programme. sun catch the sun: see CATCH. survival make hay while the sun shines: see HAY. survival of the fittest the continued someone's sun is set the time of someone's existence of organisms which are best prosperity is over. adapted to their environment, with the extinction of others, as a concept in the the sun is over the yardarm it is the time of Darwinian theory of evolution. day when it is permissible to drink alcohol. informal i O The phrase was coined by the English i philosopher and sociologist Herbert Spencer j | O Thiswasoriginallyanauticalexpression:a ! ! (1820-1903) in Principles of Biology (1865). ! yardarm is the outer extremity of a yard, a j Besides its formal scientific use, the phrase is j j cylindrical spar slung across a ship's mast for a j j oftenusedlooselyandhumorouslyincontexts i j sail to hang from. The time of day referred to : j relating to physical fitness (or the lack of it). j is noon, rather than 6 o'clock in the evening, j ; as is often supposed. SUSS 1992 Angela Lambert A Rather English Marriage Have a snifter? Sun's over the yardarm, as they on suss on suspicion of having committed a say in the senior service. crime. British informal under the sun on earth; in existence. i O Suss is an abbreviation of suspicion, j earlier and more correctly spelled sus. Until its j sunny side j abolition in 1981, a law nicknamed the sus sunny side up (of an egg) fried on one side I law allowed the police to arrest a person on ! j the suspicion that they were likely to commit j only. North American j a crime. sunset ride off into the sunset: see RIDE. swallow one swallow doesn't make a summer a sup single fortunate event does not mean that sup with the devil: see DEVIL. what follows will also be good, proverb 283 swim 1998 Spectator One swallow doesn't make a summer... nor one instance of police sweep dereliction of duty, incompetence, laziness make a clean sweep: see CLEAN. and stupidity a complete breakdown in law sweep the board win all the money in a and order. gambling game; win all possible prizes or rewards. swathe sweep something under the carpet: see cut a swathe through pass through some­ CARPET. thing causing great damage, destruction, or change. sweet keep someone sweet keep someone well ; O A swathe was the area cut by a single disposed towards yourself, especially by I sweep of a mower's scythe, and so the width j j of a strip of grass or corn cut in this way. j favours or bribery, informal she's sweet all's well. Australian informal 1964 Kylie Tennant Summer's Tales 'Everything swear O.K.?' 'Yep,' said the scrawny man beneath us. swear blind affirm something in an 'She's sweet' emphatic manner. British informal sweet Fanny Adams absolutely nothing at j O A North American variant of this all. informal ; expression is swear up and down. O Fanny Adams was the youthful victim in a famous murder case in 1867, her body being swear like a trooper swear a great deal. mutilated and cut to pieces by the killer. With gruesome black humour, her name came to i © A trooper was originally a private soldier j be used as a slang term for a type of tinned j in a cavalry unit. Troopers were proverbial for ; meat or stew recently introduced to the Royal i their coarse behaviour and bad language at j Navy; the current meaning developed early in i least as early as the mid 18th century: in the 20th century. Sweet Fanny Adams is often j Pamela (1739-40), Samuel Richardson writes j abbreviated in speech to sweet FA, which is ; 'she curses and storms at me like a Trooper', understood by many to be a euphemism for j Compare with lie like a trooper (at LIE). sweet fuck all. sweat the sweet spot a particularly fortunate or by the sweat of your brow by your own hard beneficial circumstance or factor. work, typically manual labour. : O The sweet spot on a tennis racket is the j point believed by players to deliver the ! O This idiom is often used with reference to j ! maximum power to the ball. In 1997 a j God's sentence on Adam after the Fall, | physicist in Australia claimed to have j ! condemning him to work for his food:'In the i ! disproved its existence. j sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread' j (Genesis 3:19). 1997 Times Enjoy the 'sweet spot' now, but don't expect a boom. don't sweat it don't worry. US no sweat without any difficulty or problem. sweeten informal sweeten the pill: see sugar the pill at PILL. 1998 GQ_Give me a date and I'll take it, no sweat. No problem. If I'm available. sweetness sweat blood Q make an extraordinarily sweetness and light ©social or political strenuous effort to do something, ©be harmony. © a reasonable and peaceable extremely anxious, informal person. sweat bullets be extremely anxious or j O This is a phrase used by Jonathan Swift in j nervous. North American informal ! The Battle of the Books (1704) and taken up j sweat it out Q endure an unpleasant j by Matthew Arnold in Culture and Anarchy experience, typically one involving I (1869):'The pursuit of perfection, then, is the ! extreme physical exertion in great heat, | pursuit of sweetness and light'. ©wait in a state of extreme anxiety for something to happen orbe resolved, informal swim sweat the small stuff worry about trivial swim with the tide: see go with the tide at things. US TIDE. swing 284 in the swim involved in or aware of current ! O The phrase was originally used with affairs or events. j allusion to an incident in the Garden of j Gethsemane. When the men came to arrest swing ! Jesus, one of his disciples drew his sword and i get (back) into the swing of things get used i cut off the ear of'the servant of the high I priest', earning this rebuke from Jesus: 'all to (or return to) being easy and relaxed ; they that take the sword shall perish with the i about an activity or routine you are j sword' (Matthew 26:52). In contemporary engaged in. informal I versions sword is sometimes replaced by gun, \ go with a swing (of a party or other event) be \ bomb, etc. lively and enjoyable, informal put someone to the sword kill someone, in full swing (of an activity) proceeding especially in war. vigorously. sword of Damocles an imminent danger. swing the lead malinger; shirk your duty. British informal ! O When the courtier Damocles described j Dionysius I, ruler of Syracuse (405-367 BC), as j i O This phrase originated in the armed forces ; i the happiest of men, Dionysius gave him a I and the lead in question is probably a i graphic demonstration of the fragility of his i ; sounding lead, a lump of lead attached to a ! | happiness: he invited Damocles to a banquet, j i line and slowly lowered to determine the I in the middle of which he looked up to see a j j depth of a stretch of water. The connection j naked sword suspended over his head by a i between this process and shirking one's duty j j single hair. I ! is not entirely clear. swings and roundabouts a situation in Sydney which different actions or options result in Sydney or the bush all or nothing. Australian no eventual gain or loss. British syllable j O This expression comes from the proverbial j in words of one syllable using very simple ! saying you lose on the swings what you gain \ language; expressed plainly. \ on the roundabouts. 1994 Canal & Riverboat Bear with me then, 1983 Penelope Lively Perfect Happiness I have if I use words of one syllable now and always reckoned on a fair share of that— again, in this series of articles for L drivers. swings and roundabouts, rough with smooth. sync swollen in (or out of) sync working well (or badly) have a swollen head be conceited. together; in (or out of) agreement. sword i O Sync (orsyncn) is an informal abbreviation i beat (or turn) swords into ploughshares j of synchronization. devote resources to peaceful rather than 1997 Sunday Times The most serious obstacle is aggressive or warlike ends. the fact that the British economy's cycle is out of sync with Europe. ! © The reference here is to the biblical image j j of God's peaceful rule: 'they shall beat their j system j swords into plowshares, and their spears into j j pruning hooks' (Isaiah 2:4). all systems go everything functioning properly, ready to proceed. cross swords: see CROSS. get something out of your system get rid of a double-edged sword: see DOUBLE-EDGED. a preoccupation or anxiety, informal he who lives by the sword dies by the sword 1988 Erich Segal Doctors First she let her get those people who commit violent acts the crying out of her system. must expect to suffer violence themselves. proverb Tt

tackie South African informal to a T (or tee) exactly; to perfection, informal a piece of old tackie an easy task. 1979 Cape Times Getting the news of the i © This origin ofthis idiom, which dates back ; Zimbabwe Rhodesian ceasefire to the... i to the late 17th century, is uncertain, guerillas might well make Paul Revere's i Attemptsto link Iwith either a golfer'stee or j famous midnight ride look like a piece of old i a builder's T-square are unconvincing. It is tackie. ! possible that the underlying idea is that of ! completing the letter T by putting in the cross i tread tackie drive or accelerate. j stroke, but the early 17th-century expression j 1989 Daily Dispatch By the time they finally i to a tittle was identical in meaning, and it is trod tackie on the road out, a full week had j possible that T may be an abbreviation of gone by. j tittle. i O Tackies are plimsolls. The origin of the 2000 Post (Denver) He's got Ralphie's same non- j word is uncertain, though there may be a charismatic charisma down to a T. j connection with the English adjective tacky, j meaning'slightly sticky', perhaps referring to i tab j the effect of extreme heat on the plimsolls' keep tabs (or a tab) on monitor the activities j rubber soles. or development of; keep under close observation, informal tag 1978 Mario Puzo Fools Die Jordan knew that tag, rag, and bobtail: see rag, tag, and Merlyn the Kid kept tabs on everything he did. bobtail at RAG. pick up the tab pay for something, informal, chiefly North American tail chase your (own) tail keep on doing table something futile, informal lay something on the table Qmake some­ a piece of tail: see a piece of ass at PIECE. thing known so that it can be freely and the tail wags the dog the less important or sensibly discussed. © postpone something subsidiary factor or thing dominates a indefinitely, chiefly US situation; the usual roles are reversed. turn the tables reverse your position relative 1997 Spectator What is wrong is the almost to someone else, especially by turning a total lack of artistic leadership, the position of disadvantage into one of administrative tail wagging the dog. advantage. with your tail between your legs in a state of dejection or humiliation, informal i O Until the mid 18th century, tables was j the usual name for the board game with your tail up in a confident or cheerful j backgammon. Early instances of the use mood, informal i of this phrase, dating from the mid 17th : century, make it clear that it comes from the j take i practice of turning the board so that a player ; have what it takes have the necessary j had to play what had previously been their qualities for success, informal i opponent's position. on the take taking bribes, informal under the table drunk to the point of 1990 Morley Torgov St. Farb's Day I seen plenty of cops drive Mercedes. The ones that're on the unconsciousness, informal take. 1921W. Somerset Maugham The Trembling of a Leaf Walker had always been a heavy drinker, take someone or something apart Qdis­ he was proud of his capacity to see men half mantle something. © defeat someone or his age under the table. something conclusively. © criticize someone or something severely, informal tack take something as read accept something come down to brass tacks: see BRASS. without reading or discussing it. British taking 286 take the biscuit {or bun or cake) be the most talk the hind leg off a donkey talk remarkable, informal incessantly. British informal 1925 P. G. Wodehouse Letter Of all the poisonous, foul, ghastly places, Cannes takes ! O In 1808 talking a horse's hind leg offwas the biscuit with absurd ease. i described as an 'old vulgar hyperbole' in ! Cobbett's Weekly Political Register, but the take it into your head: see HEAD. ! version with donkey was current by the mid take it on the chin: see CHIN. i 19th century. In 1879 Anthony Trollope i mentioned talk the hind legs off a dog as an take it or leave it said to convey that the i Australian variant. offer you have made is not negotiable and that you are indifferent to another's 1970 Nina Bawden The Birds on the Trees Talk, reaction to it. talk—talk the hind leg off a donkey, that one. take someone's name in vain: see VAIN. talk nineteen to the dozen talk incessantly. take no prisoners: see PRISONER. British take someone's point: see POINT. j O No convincing reason has been put take something lying down: see LYING. i forward as to why nineteen should have been ; take stock: see STOCK. i preferred in this idiom rather than twenty or i take something to heart: see HEART. i any other number larger than twelve. take to your heels: see HEEL. 1998 Pamela Jooste Dance with a Poor Man's take someone to the cleaners: see CLEANER. DaughterHe hasn't even got his foot in the door before she's talking nineteen to the dozen and take up the gauntlet: see throw down the hanging round his neck and asking if he's got gauntlet at GAUNTLET. sweets in his pocket. talk shop: see SHOP. taking talk the talk speak fluently or convincingly for the taking (of a person or thing) ready about something or in a way intended to or available for someone to take please or impress others, informal advantage of. 1997 Beautiful British Columbia We may not 1994 Jane Hamilton A Map of the World I try to look like true rock jocks yet, but we talk the imagine the land for the taking, and what it talk. must have meant to have space for as far as the talk through your hat talk foolishly, wildly, eye can see. or ignorantly. informal tale ! O Vulgar variants of this expression herein {or therein) lies a tale there is a story ; include talking through your backside, \ arse, and ass. connected with this. 1998 Spectator Now it has decided to fight back talk turkey: see TURKEY. and clear its name. And herein lies a tale, however ludicrous. tall an old wives' tale: see OLD. a tall order something that is difficult to accomplish. talk 1998 Times But the UK economy had to slow down somewhat, and gliding it down to chalk and talk: see CHALK. exactly the right spot was a tall order. talk big talk confidently or boastfully, informal a tall poppy a privileged or distinguished talk of the devil: see speak of the devil at person. DEVIL. talk a blue streak: see BLUE. i O The Roman tyrant Tarquin was reputed to ; have struck off the heads of poppies as a talk dirty: see DIRTY. ! gruesomely graphic demonstration of the talk a good game talk convincingly yet fail ! way in which the important men of a to act effectively. US informal ! captured city should be treated. In recent 2000 Sunday Times There were two types of j years, the term tall poppy syndrome has people in the industry: the consultants who I also developed, referring to a tendency j to discredit or disparage people who talk a good game but deliver little, and the j have become rich, famous, or socially wide boys and girls who get bums on seats but j prominent. sacrifice standards. 287 team

1991 Lynn Barber Mostly Men Journalists on the job interview, making the marriage proposal: whole tend to be egalitarian-minded and you think you've got it taped. contemptous of tall poppies, but I prefer the prima donnas. tapis on the tapis (of a subject) under considera­ tandem tion or discussion. in tandem ©one behind another. Q alongside each other; together. i O This expression is a partial translation of ! the French phrase sur le tapis, meaning ! O The Latin word tandem means 'at length': i j literally 'on the carpet'. A carpet in this i ! it was originally used in English as a term for a i ! context is a covering for a table rather than a j i carriage drawn by two horses harnessed one I i floor, as indeed it is in the English idiom on : in front of the other. Sense 1 preserves this I the carpet. It refers to the covering of the i late 18th-century sense, but since the mid i council table around which a matter would ! 20th century the phrase has been commonly ! i be debated. i used to mean simply'functioning as a team'. tar tangled beat {or whale) the tar out of beat or thrash a tangled web a complex, difficult, and severely. North American informal confusing situation or thing. tar and feather smear with tar and then : O This phrase comes from Sir Walter Scott's ; cover with feathers as a punishment. j epic poem Marmion (1808); 'O what a j O This practice was introduced in Britain in j I tangled web we weave, When first we ! 1189, when Richard I decreed that it should j practise to deceive!' | be the punishment for members of the navy j i found guilty of theft. It seems to have been j intermittently imposed on other wrongdoers j tango j in Britain and has sometimes been inflicted it takes two to tango both parties involved j on an unpopular or scandalous individual by j in a situation or argument are equally ; a mob. responsible for it. informal 1981 Anthony Price Soldier No More The i O Ta/ces 7Wo to fanç/o was the title of a 1952 j Russians... wouldn't have cared less if we'd j song by AI Hoffman and Dick Manning. tarred and feathered Nasser and run him out of Suez on a rail. 1996 Washington Post It takes two to tango in this... business. Both your computer's video tar people with the same brush consider card and your monitor must be capable of a specified people to have the same faults. given rate to achieve it. Tartar tap catch a Tartar: see CATCH. on tap O ready to be poured from a tap. 0 freely available whenever needed. taste informal ©on schedule to happen or occur. a bad {or bitter or nasty) taste in the {or North American informal someone's) mouth a strong feeling of distress or disgust following an experience. taped informal have {or get) someone or something taped a taste of your own medicine: see a dose of understand someone or something fully. your own medicine at MEDICINE. British informal taste blood: see BLOOD. i O Early examples ofthe phrase, dating from j tea ; the early 20th century, do not make its ! development clear: the sense could derive not for all the tea in China not at any price; ! either from the action of measuring someone j certainly not! informal i with a tape measure or from that of tying tea and sympathy hospitality and j someone or something up with tape (and j thereby getting them under control). consolation offered to a distressed person. team 2001 John Diamond C: Because Cowards Get Cancer Too After a few false starts you've a whole team and the dog under the wagon learned how to do sending the meal back, a person of superior ability; an outstand­ dropping the girlfriend, getting through the ingly gifted or able person. US tear 288

i about the movements of the police in tear ! the Australian bush or outback. Compare shed crocodile tears: see CROCODILE. j with hear something on the grapevine tear your hair out act with or show extreme : (at GRAPEVINE). desperation, informal 1991 Jill Churchill A Farewell to Yarns Someplace people were having nervous tell breakdowns and tearing their hair out in a tell it like it is describe the true facts of a desperate effort to please Phyllis. situation no matter how unpleasant they may be. informal tear someone off a strip (or tear a strip off someone) rebuke someone angrily. tell something a mile off: see see something informal a mile off at MILE. tell tales (out of school) gossip about or I O This expression was originally RAF slang, j reveal another person's secrets, wrong­ | first recorded in the 1940s. doings, or faults. tear someone or something to shreds (or | O As telling tales to school authorities is a pieces) criticize someone or something ! terrible offence in the eyes of schoolchildren, j aggressively, informal j this expression is often used in the context of j without tears (of a subject) presented so as to i declining to supply information or gossip. be learnt or achieved easily. 1991 William Fox Willoughby's Phoney War 1991 Mark Tully No Full Stops in India Indira trusted me throughout her life, and just [They] are going to be given their firstlesso n because she's dead it's not right that I this afternoon. Skiing without tears, I hardly should break that trust and tell tales about think. her. teeter tell that to the marines: see MARINES. tell someone where to get off (or where teeter on the brink (or edge) be very close to a difficult or dangerous situation. they get off) angrily rebuke someone. 1997 James Ryan Dismantling Mr Doyle informal Letting her secret teeter on the brink of tell someone where to put (or what to do becoming public was a game Eve played with) something angrily or emphatically more and more. reject something, informal teeth telling armed to the teeth: see ARMED. that would be telling that would be cast something in someone's teeth: see CAST. divulging confidential information. rare as hen's teeth: see HEN. informal set someone's teeth on edge cause someone 2000 Imogen Edwards-Jones My Canapé Hell 'Are you propositioning me?' I say, attempting to feel intense discomfort or irritation. to look provocative in my Devonshire home- i O This is an expression used in the Bible to knit and Angora Dutch cap. 'Now that would i describe the unpleasant sensation caused by j be telling,' he smiles. j eating something bitter or sour: 'every man there's no telling it's impossible to know j that eateth the sour grape, his teeth shall be j what has happened or will happen. j set on edge' (Jeremiah 31:30). 1997 Kate O'Riordan The Boy in the Moon Julia's tempest voice sustained a quavery note that set Brian's a tempest in a teapot: see a storm in a teacup teeth on edge. at STORM. sow dragon's teeth: see DRAGON. telegraph tempt tempt fate (or providence) act rashly. bush telegraph a rapid informal spreading of informal information or rumour; the network through which this takes place. tenterhook i O This expression orginated in the late 19th j on tenterhooks in a state of suspense or j century, referring to the network of agitation because of uncertainty about a ! informers who kept bushrangers informed future event. 289 thick

j O A tenter is a framework on which fabric there ! can be held taut for drying or other I treatment during the manufacturing process; j been there, done that used to express past ! in the past tenterhooks were hooks or bent experience of or familiarity with j nails fixed in the tenter to hold the fabric in something, informal j position. The metaphorical use of the phrase j I © This is often used as a flippant expression I ; for an agitated state of mind dates from the j j mid 18th century. j of boredom or world-weariness. A late 20th- j ; century elaboration parodies the blasé I tourist's attitude to experience: been there, term \ done that, got the T-shirt. in no uncertain terms: see UNCERTAIN. 1996 United Church Observer Having no partner on terms Qin a state of friendship or equal­ to pick up after me—been there, done that—I tend to, well, let things accumulate. ity. @(in sport) level in score or on points. be there for someone be available to provide territory support or comfort for someone, especially go (or come) with the territory be an at a time of adversity. unavoidable result of a particular situation. 1998 Spectator Elegant, determined and intelligent, she was the perfect tycoon's wife: j O Territory is probably used here in its early j always there for her husband and ready to j 20th-century US sense of'the area in which a j defend him. ; sales representative or distributor has the have been there (or here) before know all j right to operate'. about a situation as a result of previous experience, informal test thereby the acid test: see ACID. thereby hangs a tale used to indicate that test the water judge people's feelings or there is more to say about something. opinions before taking further action. 1948 Christopher Bush The Case of the Second Chance He and Manfrey were Brutus and tether Cassius respectively in that historic show at at the end of your tether: see END. the Coliseum and thereby hangs a tale, or rather a piece of scandal. thank thank your lucky stars feel grateful for your thick good fortune. a bit thick more than you can tolerate; unfair 1998 Times All Alec Stewart can do is thank his or unreasonable. British informal lucky stars that his main strike bowler is fit 1991 Alistair Campbell Sidewinder I thought again. this was a bit thick, and to begin with I tried to defend myself. thanks give someone (or get) a thick ear punish no thanks to not because of; despite. someone (or be punished) with a blow, 1993 Carl MacDougall. The Lights Below especially on the ear. British informal 'How's your mother?' 'Our mother's have a thick skin: see SKIN. fine. No thanks to you. She was worried sick.' the thick of something the busiest or most crowded part of something. thanks for the buggy ride used as a way of thanking someone for their help. North 1999 Christopher Brookmyre One Fine Day in the Middle of the Night They'd been in the thick American dated of it, sharing God-knows-what experiences i O A buggy was a light horse-drawn vehicle i together, from foreplay to gunplay. ; for one or two people. thick and fast rapidly and in great numbers. thick as thieves (of two or more people) very that close or friendly; sharing secrets, informal and all that (or and that) and that sort of thick as two (short) planks very stupid. thing; and so on. informal informal 1982 Simon Brett Murder Unprompted I know he's the star and all that, but I'm damned if I'm I O Variants of this expression include thick as \ going to be upstaged, even by him. ; a plank and thick as a brick. There is a play on j thin 290 ; thick in its basic sense 'of relatively great impart useful information or experience. | depth from side to side'and its colloquial informal i sense 'stupid'. 1998 Spectator A docker of the 1950s... a sailor thick on the ground: see GROUND. of any previous age could tell you a thing or two about job insecurity. through thick and thin under all a thing of shreds and patches: see SHRED. circumstances, no matter how difficult. things that go bump in the night ghosts; thin supernatural beings, informal have a thin skin: see have a thick skin at ! O This expression comes from The Cornish SKIN. ! or West Country Litany: 'From ghoulies and have a thin time have a wretched or I ghostiesand long-leggety beasties And I things that go bump in the night, Good Lord i uncomfortable time. British informal i deliver us!'The phrase is used as a humorous j into (or out of) thin air into (or out of) a state i way of referring to nocturnal disturbances of i of being invisible or nonexistent. i all sorts. on thin ice: see ICE. thin on the ground: see thick on the ground think at GROUND. give someone furiously to think give a the thin end of the wedge an action or person cause to think hard. procedure of little importance in itself, but j O This is a literal translation of the French which is likely to lead to more serious j phrase donner furieusement à penser. developments, informal thin on top balding. have (got) another think coming used to express the speaker's disagreement with thing or unwillingness to do something be all things to all men (or people) O please suggested by someone else, informal everyone, typically by regularly altering 2000 Sunday Herald (Glasgow) The your behaviour or opinions in order to accelerating pretender has another think conform to those of others, ©be able to be coming if it imagines that it has an easy shot at interpreted or used differently by different becoming world number one. people to their own satisfaction. think on your feet react to events quickly and effectively. ! O This expression probably originated in ! referenceto 1 Corinthians9:22:'lam madeall j think twice consider a course of action ; things to all men'. carefully before embarking on it. be on to a good thing have found a job or think the world of: see WORLD. other situation that is pleasant, profitable, thinking or easy, informal put on your thinking cap meditate on a a close (or near) thing a narrow avoidance of problem, informal something unpleasant. do the—thing engage in the particular form third of behaviour typically associated with third time lucky after twice failing to someone or something, informal, chiefly North accomplish something, the third attempt American may be successful. 1999 Tim Lott White City Blue I was going to ask j O Third time lucky has been proverbial since i Tony there, oil us all with a few bevvies, and i the mid 19th century; a US variant is third then do the best-man thing. j time is the charm. \ do your own thing follow your own interests or inclinations regardless of Thomas others, informal a doubting Thomas: see DOUBTING. have a thing about be obsessed with or prejudiced about, informal thorn no rose without a thorn: see ROSE. make a thing of ©regard as essential. a thorn in someone's side (or flesh) a source ©cause a fuss about, informal of continual annoyance or trouble. teach (or tell) someone a thing or two 291 thumb

; O At/iorn/nthes/c/ecomesfromthebiblical I on a person's attention by repeatedly ; book of Numbers (33:55):'those which ye let i putting them forward. i remain of them shall be pricks in your eyes, stick in your throat (or gullet) be difficult or ! and thorns in your sides, and shall vex you in j : the land wherein ye dwell'. A thorn in the impossible to accept; be a source of \ flesh quotes 2 Corinthians 12:7: 'And lest I continuing annoyance. i should be exalted above measure through ! O The literal sense refers to something i the abundance of the revelations, there was ! ! lodged in your throat which you can neither i i given to me a thorn in the flesh, the ! swallow nor spit out. See also stick in your i messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should i : craw (at CRAW) and stick in your gizzard j be exalted above measure'. j (at GIZZARD). on thorns continuously uneasy, especially in fear of being detected. throw thought throw cold water on: see pour cold water on a second thought a moment's further at COLD. consideration; any worry or concern. throw the baby out with the bathwater: see BABY. thread throw down the gauntlet: see GAUNTLET. hang by a thread be in a highly precarious throw dust in someone's eyes mislead state. someone by misrepresentation or lose the (or your) thread be unable to follow diverting attention from a point. what someone is saying or remember what throw good money after bad: see MONEY. you are going to say next. throw your hand in give up; withdraw from three a contest. three musketeers three close associates or j O ln carcl games, especially poker, if you inseparable friends. j throwyour hand in you retire from the game, i ! O The Three Musketeers is a translation of throw in your lot with: see LOT. I Les Trois Mousquetaires, the title of a novel throw in the towel (or sponge) abandon a j by the 19th-century French writer Alexandre j i Dumas père. struggle; admit defeat. I O Boxers or their trainers traditionally threescore : signal defeat by throwing the towel or | sponge used to wipe a contestant's face into j threescore and ten the age of seventy. j the middle of the ring. ! O ln the Bible, threescore and ten amounts j j to the allotted span of a person's life: 'The throw stones criticize someone or j days of our age are threescore years and ten' i something. j (Psalm 90:10). I O This expression is often used with ! reference to the proverbial saying those who \ thrill ! live in glass houses should not throw stones, I j the earliest variant of which is recorded in the i thrills and spills the excitement of dangerous | mid 17th century. sports or entertainments, especially as experienced by spectators. throw someone to the dogs: see DOG. throat throw someone to the wolves: see WOLF. be at each other's throats (of people or throw your weight behind someone use organizations) quarrel or fight persistently. your influence to help support someone. 1990 Rian Malan My Traitor's Heart 'It's not informal only difficult for people outside to understand 2000 South African Times U.K. Tony Blair why blacks are at each others' throats,' he and... Bill Clinton have thrown their weight says. 'It's difficult for ourselves.' behind a South African-engineered 'Marshall Plan' to rescue the developing world from cut your own throat bring about your own deepening poverty. downfall by your actions. force (or ram or shove) something down thumb someone's throat force ideas or material be all fingers and thumbs: see FINGER. thunder 292 thumb your nose at show disdain or tide contempt for. Compare with cock a snook go {or swim) with {or against) the tide act in (at SNOOK). accordance with [or against) the prevailing thumbs up {or down) an indication of opinion or tendency. satisfaction or approval {or of rejection or tie failure), informal i O The thumbs were used to signal approval i tie someone hand and foot: see bind i or disapproval by spectators at a Roman someone hand and foot at HAND. I amphitheatre, though they used 'thumbs the old school tie: see OLD. j down'to signify that a beaten gladiator had j tie the knot: see KNOT. j performed well and should be spared, and | 'thumbs up'to call for his death. tie one on get drunk. North American informal tie yourself in knots: see KNOT. twiddle your thumbs: see TWIDDLE. under someone's thumb completely under tied someone's influence or control. fit to be tied: see FIT. thunder tiger steal someone's thunder: see STEAL. have a tiger by the tail have embarked on a course of action which proves unexpect­ tick edly difficult but which cannot easily or on tick on credit, informal safely be abandoned.

j O Tick is an abbreviation of ticket, a note ! O An alternative way of referring to the j recording money or goods received on credit, i I same predicament is ride a tiger, which j ! alludes to the Chinese saying he who rides a j tight as a tick: see TIGHT. i tiger cannot dismount. A similar difficulty what makes someone tick what motivates ! confronts those who have a wolf by the ears j j (see WOLF). someone, informal a tiger in your tank energy, spirit, or ticket animation. be tickets be the end. South African informal i O This expression originated as a 1960s have tickets on yourself be excessively vain i advertising slogan for Esso petrol:'Put a tiger j or proud of yourself. Australian informal i in your tank'. punch your ticket deliberately undertake particular assignments that are likely to tight lead to promotion at work. US informal run a tight ship be very strict in managing an split the ticket: see SPLIT. organization or operation. work your ticket contrive to obtain your tight as a tick extremely drunk, informal discharge from prison or the army. ; O The simile as full as a tick occurs in a late i write your (own) ticket dictate your own j 17th-century proverb collection, referring to j terms. North American informal ! the way in which the blood-sucking insects j swell astheygorgethemselves. Inthe modern ; tickey | expression, there is a play on tight as an on a tickey in a very small area. South African I informal synonym for'drunk'and its literal | meaning 'stretched taut', like a tick satiated I j O In the period before South African ! with blood. ! ; coinage was decimalized, a tickey was a very I j small silver coin worth three pennies. a tight corner {or spot or place) a difficult situation. tickled 1994 Interzone The temptation to also invent be tickled pink (or to death) be extremely some kind of magical McGuffin to get his hero amused or pleased, informal out of a tight corner is something he works 1992 Guy Vanderhaeghe Things As They Are She hard to avoid. made a big show of not being taken in by him, but I could see that all six feet... of her was tighten tickled pink by his attentions. tighten your belt: see BELT. 293 tip tighten the screw: see SCREW. time so long ago that people have no knowledge or memory of it. tile I O ln le9a' terms in Britain, time immemorial \ on the tiles away from home having a wild or j refers to the time up to the beginning of the j enjoyable time and not returning until late j reign of Richard I in 1189. A variant of the in the evening or early in the morning. j phrase is time out of mind. informal, chiefly British time is money time is a valuable resource, j O Tne image here is of a cat out on the therefore it's better to do things as quickly ! rooftops at night. The expression has been in I as possible, proverb I use since the late 19th century. i O The present form of the expression | seems to originate in a speech made by till | Benjamin Franklin in 1748, but the sentiment j have (or with) your fingers (or hand) in the i is much older. The saying 'the most costly till stealing from your employer. Compare | outlay is time'is attributed to the 5th-century i with with your hand in the cookie jar (at i BC Athenian orator and politician COOKIE). ! Antiphon. time was there was a time. tilt 1998 Times Time was when venture capital (at) full tilt with maximum energy or force; was shunned by self-respecting, ambitious at top speed. corporate financiers... No longer. 1912 Edith Wharton letter Just after we left (only) time will tell the truth or correctness Modena a crazy coachman drove full tilt out of of something will only be established at a side road. some time in the future. tilt at windmills attack imaginary enemies or evils. tin have a tin ear be tone-deaf. ! O In Cervantes'17th-century mock-chivalric i little tin god: see GOD. i novel Don Quixote, the eponymous hero I attacked windmills in the deluded belief that j put the tin lid on: see put the lid on at LID. ; they were giants. tinker not give (or care) a tinker's curse (or cuss or time damn) not care at all. informal ahead of your (or its) time: see AHEAD. I O In former times, tinkers (itinerant give someone the time of day be pleasantly i menders of pots, pans, and other metal polite or friendly to someone. ! utensils) had a reputation for using bad 1999 Salman Rushdie The Ground Beneath Her j language. The expression is often shortened i Feet You can greet her courteously but she j to not give a tinker's. won't give you the time of day, you can speak to her nice as pie but she won't act polite. 1984 Patrick O'Brian The Far Side of the World When I was a squeaker nobody gave a tinker's in the nick of time: see NICK. curse whether my daily workings were right know the time of day be well informed or wrong. about something. tip pass the time of day exchange a greeting or be on the tip of your tongue Q be almost but casual remarks. not quite able to bring a particular word or take time by the forelock: see FORELOCK. name to mind, ©be about to utter a comment or question but then think better time and tide wait for no man if you don't of it. make use of a favourable opportunity, you 1977 Bernard MacLaverty Between Two Shores It may never get the same chance again. was on the tip of his tongue to ask her but he proverb didn't have the courage. j O Although the tide in this phrase is now i usually understood to mean'the tide of the tip your hand (or mitt) reveal your intentions i sea', it was originally just another way of inadvertently. US informal | saying 'time', used for alliterative effect. j © This expression is the opposite of keep time immemorial used to refer to a point of i your cards close to your chest (see CARD). tired 294

1966 Martin Woodhouse Tree Frog We 1921 John Dos Passos Three Soldiers If he just couldn't very well oppose it without tipping watched out and kept on his toes, he'd be sure our hand. to get it. tip your hat (or cap) raise or touch your hat a toe in the door a (first) chance of ultimately or cap as a way of greeting or acknow­ achieving what you want; a position from ledging someone. which further progress is possible. tip someone off give someone information informal about something, typically in a discreet or j O The image here is of placing yourfoot in a j confidential way. informal i doorway in such a way as to prevent the door j the tip of an iceberg: see ICEBERG. i being closed in your face. tip (or turn) the scales (or balance) (of a circumstance or event) be the deciding toe the line accept the authority, principles, factor; make the critical difference. or policies of a particular group, especially under pressure. tip someone the wink give someone private information; secretly warn someone of i O Competitors in a race toe the line by something. British informal j placing their toes on the starting line. tired 1998 Times An insider suggests... that the said tired and emotional drunk. minister is... on the skids. The minister smarts, and toes the line. ! O This is a humorous euphemism, used turn up your toes die. informal ! originally in newspapers in contexts where i the word drunk would lay the publication j O This originated as a mid 19th-century ! open to a libel charge. It is particularly | expression, a more elaborate version being ! associated with the British satirical magazine j ! turn your toes up to the daisies. i Private Eye. toffee tit not be able to do something for toffee be tit for tat a situation in which an injury or totally incompetent at doing something. insult is given in return or retaliation. British informal 2000 Times Wordsworth himself couldn't toast spell for toffee, and his punctuation was be toast be or be likely to become finished, extraordinarily bad. defunct, or dead, informal, chiefly North American 1998 Times A new star has entered the token financial firmament. Look to your laurels, by the same token in the same way; for the George Soros, Warren Buffett, you're toast. same reason. have someone on toast be in a position to 1975 Frederick Exley Pages from a Cold Island deal with someone asyou wish. British informal The student could ask anything he chose, and 1993 Esquire The more he thought, the more by the same token Wilson could if he elected I knew I had him on toast. choose not to answer. tod Tom on your tod on your own; alone. British informal Tom, Dick, and Harry used to refer to ordinary people in general. j O In rhyming slang, on your Tod Sloan j means'on your own'. The Tod Sloan in i O This expression is first recorded in an 18th- j ! question was a famous American jockey who j j century song:'Farewell, Tom, Dick, and Harry, j j made his name in horse racing in the 1890s. i Farewell, Moll, Nell, and Sue'. It is generally j used in mildly derogatory contexts (he didn't \ ! want every Tom, Dick, and Harry knowing toe I their business) to suggest a large number of j dig in your toes: see dig in your heels at DIG. | ordinary or undistinguished people. make someone's toes curl bring about an extreme reaction in someone, either of Tom Tiddler's ground a place where money pleasure or disgust, informal or profit is readily made. 1984 Paul Prudhomme Louisiana Kitchen This is | O Tom Tiddler's ground was the name of a j so good it'll make your toes curl! | children's game in which one of the players, ! on your toes ready for any eventuality. i named Tom Tiddler, marked out their 295 touch

! territory by drawing a line on the ground. The over the top to an excessive or exaggerated i other players ran over this line calling out degree, in particular so as to go beyond i 'We're on Tom Tiddler's ground, picking up reasonable or acceptable limits. j gold and silver'. They were then chased by j Tom Tiddler and the first (or, sometimes, the j O The phrase go over the top originated in i j last) to be caught took his or her place. j the First World War, when it referred to j troops in the trenches charging over the j parapets to attack the enemy. In modern use i tomorrow j over the top is often abbreviated to OTT. as if there was (or as though there were) no tomorrow with no regard for the future top and tail Q remove the top and bottom of consequences. a fruit or vegetable while preparing it as 1980 Guardian Weekly Oil supplies that food, ©wash the face and bottom of a baby Americans at home continue to consume as or small child. British though there were no tomorrow. top the bill: see BILL. tomorrow is another day the future will top dollar a very high price. North American bring fresh opportunities. informal i O This phrase was in use as long ago as the j 2000 Ralph Klein has invested millions in j early 16th century, in the form tomorrow is a ; building a non-conformist image... an image ; new day. that has enabled the company to charge top dollar. the top of the tree the highest level of a tongue profession or career. the gift of tongues the power of speaking in unknown languages, regarded as one of the gifts of the Holy Spirit. torch carry a torch for feel (especially unrequited) j O When the disciples of Jesus were filled love for. j with the Holy Spirit after Pentecost (Acts 1996 TV Times A dentist carrying a torch for j 2:1-4), the gift of tongues was one of the the local 'strawberry blonde' wonders if he j ways in which this phenomenon manifested i married the right woman. ! itself; compare with speak in tongues j (at SPEAK). j hand on (or pass) the torch pass on a tradition, especially one of learning or have a silver tongue: see SILVER. enlightenment. someone's tongue is hanging out someone j O The image here is that of the runners in a j is very eager for something, especially a ; relay passing on the torch to each other, as drink. j was the custom in the ancient Greek Olympic i (with) tongue in cheek speaking or writing ! Games. The tradition of the torch relay is j preserved as a prelude to the modern in an ironic or insincere way. I Olympics, with a team of runners carrying the j I O This expression originated in the fuller j Olympic torch vast distances across various j form put or thrust your tongue in your cheek, \ j countries until the site of the Games is \ meaning'speak insincerely'. At one time, j reached. j putting your tongue in your cheek could also j ; be a gesture of contempt, but that shade of ! put to the torch (or put a torch to) destroy by j meaning has disappeared from the modern burning. ; idiom. with forked tongue: see FORKED. toss give (or care) a toss care at all. British informal tooth 1998 Country Life I have swum in the Dart only a few yards from a mink, and the mink has not fight tooth and nail fight very fiercely. given a toss. top toss your cookies vomit. North American informal from top to bottom completely; touch thoroughly. lose your touch not show your customary off the top of your head: see HEAD. skill. on top of the world happy and elated. 1991 Times The guv'nor is a former pork informal butcher who has clearly not lost his touch. touchpaper 296 the Midas touch: see MIDAS. 1996 Dougie Brimson & Eddie Brimson Everywhere We Go: Behind the Matchday Madness a soft (or easy) touch someone who is easily When there is a major incident, the press still manipulated; a person or task easily go to town and we are bombarded with handled, informal graphic images of bloody faces.

i O A touch was mid 19th-century criminal on the town enjoying the entertainments, i slang for the act of getting money from a especially the nightlife, of a city or town. i person, either by pickpocketing or by informal i persuasion. Touch was later extended to refer j :• to the person targeted in this way, and a soft I paint the town red: see PAINT. ! touch was specifically a person from whom town and gown non-members and i money could easily be obtained. members of a university in a particular 1998 Times Henman can be something of a soft place. touch. For every leading player who touts his O The gown is the academic dress worn by potential, two from the basement would university members, now required only on relish his name in the draw. ceremonial or formal occasions. The touch base: see BASE. distinction between town and gown was made in these specific terms in early touch bottom Q reach the bottom of water 19th-century Oxford and Cambridge, but the with your feet, ©be at the lowest or worst traditional hostility between the native point, ©be in possession of the full facts. inhabitants of the two cities and the British incoming students has been a long-standing a touch of the sun a slight attack of sunstroke. phenomenon, as is evidenced by the St Scholastica's Day riot in Oxford in 1354. touch wood: see WOOD. would not touch someone or something trace with a bargepole: see BARGEPOLE. kick over the traces: see KICK. touchpaper track light the touchpaper: see light a fuse at cover your tracks: see COVER. LIGHT. jump the track: see JUMP. tough make tracks (for) leave (for a place), informal tough as old boots very sturdy or resilient. 1984 David Brin Practice Effect We have another big climb ahead of us and another pass to get i O Leather, of which boots are traditionally i through. Let's make tracks. i made, is notably strong and resistant to wear j off the beaten track: see BEATEN. I and tear. As tough as leather was in fact the I I earliest version of this phrase, although it has i the wrong side of the tracks a poor or less ! now been superseded by the current form. prestigious part of town, informal

1967 Listener This is no sweet old dolly... She i O The expression, American in origin, comes i is tough as old boots, working for a living. ! from the idea of a town divided by a railroad j tough it out endure a period of difficult ! track. In 1929, Thome Smith wrote 'In most i commuting towns... there are always two conditions, informal j sides of which the tracks serve as a line of 1998 Cosmopolitan Hang in there and tough it j demarcation. There is the right side and the i out. If you don't, you might be left with i wrong side. Translated into terms of modern ! permanent fears about starting in new jobs, I American idealism, this means, the rich side and that will stifle your career. j and the side that hopes to be rich.' towel 1977 Listener Eva Duarte Peron... came from the wrong side of the tracks. throw in the towel: see THROW. traffic tower as much as the traffic will bear as much as tower of strength: see STRENGTH. the trade or market will tolerate; as much as is economically viable. town go to town do something thoroughly or tragedy extravagantly, with a great deal of energy tragedy of the commons the inevitable and enthusiasm, informal damage done to a limited resource when 297 trick

too many people try to avail themselves someone, especially by encroaching on of it. their privileges. tread water Q maintain an upright position i O This phrase arose from the ancient English ! in the water by moving the feet with a i custom by which villagers were allowed to i graze their animals on common land; walking movement and the hands with a i thoughtless or greedy people put too many downward circular motion. © fail to i animals on the commons, impoverishing the ! advance or make progress. ! land and thereby the whole community. 01996 Financial Post The NAPM index... has been treading water since the spring, and that 1998 New Scientist All Web users are modern is making a lot of people nervous. players in an old social dilemma known as the tragedy of the commons. By blindly acting in tread on air: see walk on air at AIR. their own interests they are spoiling a valuable common resource. treat — a treat used to indicate that someone or trail something does something specified very blaze a trail: see BLAZE. well or satisfactorily. British informal trail (or drag) your coat deliberately provoke 1988 Ray Pickernell Yanto's Summer A flared a quarrel or fight. cream pleated skirt that complemented those long perfect brown legs, and a powder blue tee i O If you trail your coat behind you someone ; shirt that matched her eyes a treat. ! is likely to step on it, either intentionally or ! unintentionally, so enabling you to pick a tree ! fight. This behaviour was traditionally i grow on trees: see GROW. | associated with Irishmen at Donnybrook Fair, j : an annual fair once held in what is now a out of your tree completely stupid; mad. i suburb of Dublin. Charlotte M. Yonge, in the ! informal j novel Womankind (1877), alludes to this up a tree in a difficult situation without i association: 'Party spirit is equally ready to j give offence and to watch for it. It will trail its j escape; cornered, informal, chiefly North American | coat like the Irishman in the fair.' trial 1980 James Ditton Copley's Hunch I was trailingtria l and error the process of experimenting my coat... Trying to get the Luftwaffe to come with various methods of doing something up and fight. until you find the most successful. transom trial by television (or the media) discussion of a case or controversy on television or in over the transom offered or sent without the media involving or implying prior agreement; unsolicited. US informal accusations against a particular person. O A transom is a crossbar set above a door or window, and the word can also be used, trice especially in American English, as a term for a in a trice in a moment; very quickly. small window set above this crossbar. In former times, before the advent of air i O In late Middle English, ara fr/ce meant'at j conditioning, many offices would leave i one pull or tug', and it soon developed the these windows open for the purposes of j figurative meaning of 'in a moment, ventilation, thereby allowing an aspiring I immediately'. By the late 17th century the author to take their manuscript to an editor's I original form of the expression had given way j office and slip it through the open windowto j to the more familiar in a trice. Trice itself land on the floor inside. So, a manuscript that j comes from a Middle Dutch verb meaning arrived over the transom was one that was ; 'hoist'. unexpected. The phrase is still often used in publishing contexts, although it is no longer confined to them. trick 1976 Piers Anthony But What of Earth? Editors a bag of tricks: see BAG. claim to be deluged with appallingly bad a box of tricks: see BOX. material 'over the transom' fromunagente d do the trick achieve the required result. writers. informal 1990 Niki Hill Death Grows On You I figured a tread box of candy would do the trick, would tread (or step) on someone's toes offend bring some colour back. tried 298

every trick in the book every available Trojan method of achieving what you want, informal work like a Trojan work extremely hard. not miss a trick: see MISS. 1974 Winifred Foley A Child in the Forest She put me to clean out all the fowls' cotes, and the oldest trick in the book a ruse so I worked at it like a Trojan. hackneyed that it should no longer deceive a Trojan horse Q a person or device intended anyone. to undermine an enemy or bring about a trick worth two of that a much better plan their downfall. Q a program designed or expedient, informal to breach the security of a computer : O This phrase is from Shakespeare's Henry system, especially by ostensibly ; the Fourth, Part 1: 'I know a trick worth two i functioning as part of a legitimate i of that i'faith'. program, in order to erase, corrupt, or tricks of the trade special ingenious remove data. techniques used in a profession or craft, j O In Greek mythology, the Trojan horse was j especially those that are little known by i a huge hollow wooden statue of a horse in outsiders. ! which Greek soldiers concealed themselves in j turn a trick (of a prostitute) have a session j order secretly to enter and capture the city of i j Troy, an action which brought the ten-year with a client, informal i siege of the city to an end. up to your (old) tricks misbehaving in a characteristic way. informal trolley tried off your trolley crazy, informal tried and true proved effective or reliable by j O The trolley in this case is a pulley running : experience. ! on an overhead track that transmits power 1967 Listener Miss Aukin had the good j from the track to drive a tram; the idea is sense to use the tried and true concealment j similar to that in go off the rails (see RAIL). gambit by which eventually two young 1983 Nathaniel Richard Nash The Young and officers, bent on cuckolding a greengrocer, Fair If you suspect Patty, you're off your were compelled to hide in the same trolley. grandfather clock. trooper trim lie like a trooper: see LIE. in trim slim and healthy. swear like a trooper: see SWEAR. trim your sails make changes to suit your new circumstances. trot on the trot Q in succession. © continually i O Literally, trim a sail means 'adjust busy. British informal i the sail of a boat to take advantage of the j wind'. j troth plight your troth: see PLIGHT. trip trouble trip the light fantastic dance, humorous meet trouble halfway distress yourself ; O This expression comes from the invitation i unnecessarily about what may happen. j to dance in John Milton's poem'L'Allegro' j (1645):'Come, and trip it as ye go On the light j trousers j fantastic toe'. catch someone with their trousers down: see catch someone with their pants down at trivet PANTS. right as a trivet perfectly all right; in good wear the trousers be the dominant partner health. British informal in a marriage or the dominant person in a household, informal j O A trivet is an iron tripod placed over a fire i ! for a cooking pot or kettle to stand on. It is trout j used in this expression to represent firmness j old trout an unattractive or bad-tempered i and steadiness. old woman, informal 299 tunnel

1972 Victor Canning. The Rainbird Pattern She gospel truth: see GOSPEL. wasn't such a bad old trout. For all her money and position, life hadn't been all good to her. naked truth: see NAKED. the truth, the whole truth, and nothing trowel but the truth the full and unvarnished lay something on with a trowel: see lay truth. something on thick at LAY. i O These words are part of the statement ! sworn by witnesses giving evidence in court, truck i They are often used informally to emphasize j have (or want) no truck with ©avoid j the absolute veracity of a statement. dealing or being associated with. Q be unsympathetic or opposed to. try i O The earliest sense of truck was 'trading by ! try conclusions with: see CONCLUSION. I the exchange of commodities' (from French try a fall with contend with. j troquer, meaning 'barter'), from which ! developed the sense 'communication or try something for size try out or test I dealings'. something for suitability. try your hand see how skilful you are, especially at the first attempt. true 1994 John Barth Once Upon a Time Since such out of true (or the true) not in the correct or dreaminess appeared to be my nature... why exact shape. didn't I try my hand at writing fiction? 1984 Jonathan Gash The Gondola Scam They all look scarily out of true, and I do mean a tube terrible angle. Pisa's got one sloper. go down the tube (or tubes) be completely true as Bob (or God) absolutely true. South lost or wasted; fail utterly, informal African informal tug trumpet tug of love a dispute over the custody of a blow your own trumpet talk openly and child. British informal boastfully about your achievements. 1998 Spectator I only mention this to blow my tune own trumpet... it was a source of great pride call the tune: see call the shots at CALL. to be reinstated at the specific behest of Britain's most distinguished black radical change your tune: see CHANGE. journalist. there's many a good tune played on an old fiddle someone's abilities do not depend on their age. proverb trump 1997 Times Old Star remained as cool and come (or turn) up trumps Q(of a person or collected as if he had been training for this day situation) have a better performance or for months. Which only goes to show that outcome than expected, ©(of a person) be there is many a good tune played on an old especially generous or helpful, informal, fiddle. chiefly British to the tune of amounting to or involving the i O In bridge, whist, and similar card games, considerable sum of. informal I trumps are cards of the suit that has been 1996 LSE Magazine The average student also j chosen to rank above the other suits. The leaves in debt to the tune of several thousand i word trump is an alteration of triumph, pounds to the bank or the Student Loan \ which was once used in card games in the Company. I same sense. tuned tuned in aware of or able to understand trust something, informal not trust someone as far as you can throw 1994 Today's Parent It is more important to be them not trust or hardly trust a particular tuned in to your child's needs than to be the person at all. informal boss. truth tunnel economical with the truth: see ECONOMICAL. light at the end of the tunnel: see LIGHT. turkey 300 turkey j O In this expression, turn-up refers to the j turning up or over of a particular card in a go cold turkey: see COLD. j game, while the book in question is one kept j like turkeys voting for Christmas used to ; by a bookie to record bets made on a race. suggest that a particular action or decision is hopelessly self-defeating. informal turtle talk turkey talk frankly and straight­ turn turtle turn upside down. forwardly; get down to business. North ! O If a turtle is flipped over on to its back, it j American informal j becomes helpless and unable to move. The i phrase has long been used figuratively of I O This phrase was first recorded in the mid i j inanimate objects, especially boats, that have j j 19thcentury,whenitgenerallyhadtherather j j turned upside down or overturned. ! different sense of'say pleasant things or talk j | politely'. Although several theories have 1990 Stephen King The Stand His tractor i been put forward, its origins are not clear. turned turtle on him and killed him. twain turn never the twain shall meet two people or Buggins's turn appointment in rotation things are too different to exist alongside or rather than by merit. understand each other.

| O Buggins is used here to represent a typical i j O This phrase comes from Rudyard Kipling's j j or generic surname. j poem'The Ballad of East and West'(1892): | 'Oh, East is East and West is West, and never j not turn a hair: see HAIR. | the twain shall meet'. one good turn deserves another if someone does you a favour, you should take the chance to repay it. twelve to a turn to exactly the right degree (used twelve good men and true a jury, dated especially in relation to cooking). i O A jury in a court of law was traditionally 1931 Good Housekeeping The meal began with a! composed of twelve men. Nowadays, of magnificent bass, broiled to a turn over heart- i course, women also sit on juries, and so this wood coals. j phrase is falling out of use. turn cat in pan: see CAT. turn the corner pass the critical point and twice start to improve. be twice the man or woman that someone is turn your hand to: see HAND. be much better or stronger than someone. turn someone's head: see HEAD. think twice: see THINK. turn an honest penny: see HONEST. twiddle turn in your grave: see GRAVE. twiddle your thumbs be bored or idle turn on your heel: see HEEL. because you have nothing to do. turn the other cheek: see CHEEK. turn over a new leaf: see LEAF. twinkling turn the scales: see SCALE. in a twinkling (orthe twinkling of an eye) in turn the tables: see TABLE. an instant; very quickly. turn to ashes: see ASH. i O A twinkling is the time taken to wink or j blink an eye. The phrase can be traced back to \ turn a trick: see TRICK. j 1 Corinthians 15:52:'In a moment, in a turn turtle: see TURTLE. ! twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the j turn up your nose: see NOSE. j trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be I raised incorruptible, and we shall be I changed', and it has been in figurative sense j turn-up i since medieval times. a turn-up for the book a completely unexpected event or occurrence; a twist surprise. round the twist: see round the bend at BEND. 301 two-way twist someone's arm persuade someone to two heads are better than one it's helpful to do something that they are or are thought have the advice or opinion of a second to be reluctant to do. informal person, proverb twist in the wind be left in a state of suspense 1994 James Kelman How Late It Was, How Late or uncertainty. Cause it's hard to do it yerself Keith, two heads are better than one. twist someone round your little finger: see two a penny: see PENNY. FINGER. twist the lion's tail provoke the resentment of the British. US two-edged a two-edged sword: see a double-edged two sword at DOUBLE-EDGED. for two pins: see PIN. in two shakes: see SHAKE. twopenn'orth it takes two to tango: see TANGO. add (or put in) your twopenn'orth put two and two together draw an obvious contribute your opinion, informal conclusion from what is known or evident. I O The literal meaning of twopenn'orth is ! O An extension of this phrase \sputtwo and \ i 'anamountofsomethingthatisworthorcosts i ! two together and make five, meaning 'draw ! i two pence'; by extension it can also be used to j I a plausible but incorrect conclusion from I mean'a small or insignificant amount of I what is known or evident'. j something'. that makes two of us you are in the same position or hold the same opinion as the two-way previous speaker. two-way street a situation or relationship two can play at that game used to assert that between two people or groups in which one person's bad behaviour can be copied action is required from both parties; to that person's disadvantage. something that works both ways. Uu ugly under an ugly duckling a young person who turns under age not yet adult according to the law. out to be beautiful or talented against all expectations. university the university of life the experience of life i © The Ugly Duckling is a fairy tale by Hans regarded as a means of instruction. i Christian Andersen in which the 'ugly i duckling', mocked and jeered at by his I peers, eventually develops into a beautiful unpleasantness the late unpleasantness the war that took place recently. uncertain ! O This phrase was originally used of the in no uncertain terms clearly and force­ ! American Civil War (1861-5). fully. 1991 Kaye Gibbons A Cure for Dreams My untracked mother got the doctor back out to our house and told him in no uncertain terms to do what get untracked get into your stride or find he was paid to do. your winning form, especially in sporting contexts. US uncle unwashed cry (or say or yell) uncle surrender or admit defeat. North American informal the (great) unwashed the mass or multitude 1989 Guy Vanderhaeghe Homesick Beat of ordinary people, derogatory him six ways to Sunday and he still 1997 Spectator Early piers tried to be rather would never cry uncle or allow that there socially exclusive, but the need to maintain was an outside chance of his ever being revenue soon opened the gates to the great wrong. unwashed. Uncle Tom Cobley (or Cobleigh) and all up used to denote a long list of people. British it is all up with it is the end or there is no informal hope for someone or something, informal I O Uncle Tom Cobley is the last of a long 2002 Guardian The underlying problem is not I list of men enumerated in the ballad the science itself, but the fact that the science ! 'Widdicombe Fair', which dates from around i is telling politicians something they are j 1800. desperate not to hear: that it's all up with our current model of gung-ho globalisation. 1966 Guardian It seems clear that a be up on be well informed about a matter or compromise, half-way solution had equally been ruled out by Government, Opposition, subject. economists, press, TV, Uncle Tom Cobleigh on the up and up O steadily improving. and all. informal ©honest or sincere, informal, chiefly North American unco something is up something unusual or the unco guid strictly religious and undesirable is afoot or happening, informal moralistic people. Scottish, chiefly derogatory 1994 Marianne Williamson IUuminata It feels as though something is up, as though O Unco, a Scottish alteration of uncouth, something significant and big is about to means 'remarkably or extremely', while guid happen. is the Scottish form of good. The expression comes from Robert Burns's Address to the up against it facing some serious but Unco Guid, or the Rigidly Righteous (1787), unspecified difficulty, informal and it generally carries an implicit charge of hypocrisy. up and about {or doing) having risen from bed; active. 303 upwardly up and running taking place; active. I O In this expression, worn-out shoes are 1998 New Scientist The arms race may be up ! taken as an indication of someone's poverty; j and running again. ! the upper is the part of a shoe above the sole, i j which is all that is left after the sole has been ! up the ante: see ANTE. j worn away. up for it ready to take part in a particular activity, informal the upper crust the aristocracy and upper 2003 Observer If the chance ever arose to do my classes, informal singing and play football for Southampton, I'd be well up for it. O In Anne Elizabeth Baker's Glossary of Northamptonshire Words and Phrases (1854) up hill and down dale all over the place. 'Mrs Upper Crust' is explained as the 2001 Observer Why get ourselves bogged down nickname for 'any female who assumes with trials which may last many months and unauthorized superiority'. The term was also see our staff cross-examined up hill and down current in informal American speech in the dale as defence counsel play the game of hunt mid 19th century. The French word gratin has the informant? a similar pair of literal and metaphorical up in arms: see ARM. senses, being literally 'a crust of crumbs and cheese on top of a cooked dish' and up the spout: see SPOUT. metaphorically 'the highest class of society'. up sticks: see STICK. up to the mark: see MARK. upset up to your tricks: see TRICK. upset the apple cart: see APPLE CART. upgrade on the upgrade improving or progressing. uptake be quick (or slow) on the uptake be quick (or upper slow) to understand something, informal have (or gain) the upper hand have (or gain) advantage or control over someone or upwardly something. upwardly mobile: see downwardly mobile on your uppers extremely short of money. at MOBILE. informal Vv yaîu take the veil become a nun. take someone's name in vain use someone's annannrt* name in a way that shows a lack of respect. vengeance with a vengeance in a higher degree than

j O The third of the biblical Ten Command- was expected or desired; in the fullest I ments is: Thou shalt not take the name of the ! sense, j Lord thy God in vain'(Exodus 20:7). vent vale vent your spleen give free expression to your vale of tears the world regarded as a scene of anger or displeasure, trouble or sorrow, literary 2003 Guardian Woodgate's clumsy ;-^r ; challenge on the striker was not contested, j O This phrase dates from the mid 16th though the visitors wasted little time in j century; earlier variants included vale of j venting spleen at both the culpable Danish L..^^..^6.^^66^^..3^.^'6.^^06: ! midfielder and, erroneously, the young 1997 Shetland Times Then by God's grace we'll pretender, meet again, Beyond this vale of tears. the vale of years the declining years of a . . . ^ person's life; old age. keeP your cards close to your vest: see keep .„ your cards close to your chest at CARD. i O This expression comes from Shakespeare's ! j Othello: 'for I am declin'd into the vale of victory :...y.^.re.s..'. Pyrrhic victory: see PYRRHIC. vanishing view do a vanishing act: see do a disappearing act take a dim (or poor) view of regard at DISAPPEARING. someone or something with disapproval. 1996 C. J. Stone Fierce Dancing He says Variety that... the Home Office... take a dim view of variety is the spice of life new and exciting lifers talking to the press. experiences make life more interesting. village

j ©This proverbial expression comes from ; potemkin village: see POTEMKIN. ; William Cowper s poem The Task (1785): 3 i 'Variety's the very spice of life, That gives it all ! ... . j its flavour'. Villain the villain of the piece the main culprit. ve :i 1928 P. G. Wodehouse Money for Nothing I'm sure you're on the right track. This bird Twist beyond the veil in a mysterious or hidden [s the villain of the piece. place or state, especially the unknown state of existence after death. viper ro'The'phrase was'originally"a figurative a viPer in vour bosom a Person you have ; reference to the veil which concealed the helped but who behaves treacherously j innermost sanctuary of the Temple in towards you. | Jerusalem; it was later taken as referring to :•••"- I the mysterious division between the next j O The phrase comes from one of Aesop's i world and this. ! i fables, in which a viper reared in a person's ; j bosom eventually bites its nurturer. The idea j draw a veil over avoid discussing or calling ! is also found in Latin ('" sinu viperam habere) \ attention to something, especially because ! and the exPression appears in various forms : it is embarrassing or unpleasant. [..!". E^|ish.^.th.e.la^e.1&th.^n^u^ 305 vote

Virginia visiting make a Virginia fence walk crookedly visiting fireman a visitor to an organization because you are drunk. US given especially cordial treatment on account of their importance. US i O A Virginia fence is a fence made of split I rails or poles joined in a zigzag pattern with ; their ends crossing. voice still small voice: see STILL. a voice in the wilderness an unheeded virtue advocate of reform. make a virtue of necessity derive some credit or benefit from an unwelcome i O The phrase was originally used with obligation. ! reference to the words of John the Baptist, i who proclaimed the coming of the Messiah: 'I j ! O This is a concept found in Latin in the i am the voice of one crying in the wilderness' \ writings of St Jerome: facis de necessitate | (John 1:23). ! virtutem 'you make a virtue of necessity'. It i passed into Old French (faire de nécessité i vertu) and wasapparentlyfirst used in English vote ; around 1374 by Chaucer in Troilus and split the vote: see SPLIT. ; Criseyde. vote with your feet indicate an opinion by 1997 Spectator How important it is for being present or absent. humanity always to make a virtue out of 1982 Christian Order Uncounted thousands necessity. have 'voted with their feet', i.e., have left the Church. Ww

walk on eggs (or eggshells) be wag extremely cautious about your words the tail wags the dog: see TAIL. or actions. wagon walk the plank: see PLANK. fix someone's wagon: see FIX. walk Spanish be made to walk under hitch your wagon to a star: see HITCH. compulsion, informal on the wagon teetotal, informal ! O The origins of this expression are not ! clear. It may refer to the practice of pirates on j I © This expression originated in early 20th- : the Spanish Main, who forced their captives j ! century American use in the form on the \ j to walk in a particular direction by gripping ! water wagon, the implication being that a I their collar and trousers tightly. I person on the water wagon would eschew I ! alcohol in favour of water. I walk your (or the) talk suit your actions to 1989 Michael Norman These Good Men I'll just your words, informal, chiefly North American have a club soda with a twist of lime... I'm on I O This expression is also found as walk the the wagon. j walk. a whole team and the dog under the wagon: see TEAM. walk tall feel justifiable pride, informal 1992 Woman This week stop wishing you were wake somehow different. Start to walk tall! wake up and smell the coffee become aware walk Matilda: see waltz Matilda at MATILDA. of the realities of a situation, however unpleasant, informal, chiefly North American walkabout go walkabout wander around from place to wake-up place in a protracted or leisurely way. be a wake-up (or awake up) be fully alert or ! O In Australian English, a walkabout is a aware. Australian & New Zealand informal ! journey into the bush undertaken by an ! Aboriginal in order to live in a traditional walk j manner and re-establish contact with i spiritual sources. run before you can walk: see RUN. walk all over Qdefeat easily, ©take walkies advantage of. informal go walkies go missing, especially as a result walk before you can run grasp the basic of theft, informal skills before attempting something more difficult. walking walk the chalk have your sobriety tested. a walking — someone who notably j O A traditional method of ascertaining embodies the characteristics of some­ j whether someone is sober or not is to see thing, informal I whether they can walk along a line chalked 1989 Charles Shaar Murray Crosstown Traffic i on the ground without wobbling. He is... a dubious political philosopher and a walking disaster area as a businessman. walk someone off their feet (or legs) exhaust a person with walking. wall walk of life the position within society that a between you and me and the wall: see person holds or the part of society to which between you and me and the bedpost at they belong as a result of their job or social BEDPOST. status. drive someone up the wall make someone walk on air: see AIR. very irritated or angry, informal 307 wash go to the wall Q(of a business) fail; go out and the woodbox, I couldn't see that getting of business, ©support someone or something for nothing could be all that bad. something, no matter what the cost to warm the cockles of someone's heart: see yourself, informal COCKLE. off the wall ©eccentric or unconventional. 0 (of a person) crazy or angry. © (of an warn accusation) without basis or foundation. warn someone off tell someone forcefully to North American informai keep at a distance. up against the wall in an inextricable ; O This expression comes from horse racing. situation; in great trouble or difficulty. I Prior to 1969, the British Jockey Club had a j rule empowering it to warn someone off the \ i O The image here is of someone facing \ course, i.e. prohibit someone who had i execution by a firing squad. i broken Jockey Club regulations from riding i or running horses at meetings under the wall-to-wall ©(of a carpet or other floor ! club's jurisdiction. covering) fitted to cover an entire floor, ©of great extent or number; allowing no unfilled space or interval, informal warpath 01982 Sara Paretsky Indemnity Only "Why on the warpath ready and eager for would he agree to see me? He'd never heard of confrontation. me, he has wall-to-wall appointments. j O The phrase originated with reference to walls have ears used to warn someone to be ! American Indians heading towards a battle careful what they say as people may be j with an enemy. eavesdropping, proverb 1999 Cricketer This summer, England are on wallaby the warpath against New Zealand in a four test series. on the wallaby (or wallaby track) (of a person) unemployed and having no fixed address. Australian informal wart warts and all including features or qualities waltz that are not appealing or attractive. waltz Matilda: see MATILDA. informal i O This expression is said to stem from a war i request made by Oliver Cromwell to the a war of nerves a struggle in which i portrait painter Peter Lely: 'Remark all these j opponents try to wear each other down by j roughnesses, pimples, warts, and everything i ! as you see me'. psychological means. a war of words a prolonged debate which is 1998 Times We painted Fayed, warts and all; Fleet Street denounces us for not painting just conducted by means of the spoken or the warts. printed word. have been in the wars have been hurt or wash injured, informal come out in the wash be resolved eventually a war to end all wars a war, especially the with no lasting harm, informal First World War, regarded as making 1993 Canadian LivingWe could all benefit from subsequent wars unnecessary. borrowing her philosophy: be cheerful and worry sparingly. In the end, it will all come out warm in the wash. keep something warm for someone hold or wash your dirty linen in public discuss occupy a place or post until another person or argue about your personal affairs in is ready to do so. public. make it (or things) warm for someone cause : O This expression dates from the early 19th j trouble or make things unpleasant for j century in English; a similar French expression ! someone. i about linge sale is attributed to Napoleon. warm as toast pleasantly warm. 1991 W. P. Kinsella Box Socials Scrunched wash your hands of disclaim responsibility down, warm as toast, between the cookstove for. waste 308

I O This phrase originally alluded to the like water off a duck's back: see DUCK. ; biblical description of Pontius Pilate, who, of the first water extreme or unsurpassed of i when he was forced to condemn Jesus to kind. i death, sent for a bowl of water and ritually i washed his hands before the crowd as a sign ! i O The sense of water referred to in this I that he was innnocent of 'this just person' i expression is'the quality of brilliance and ! (Matthew 27:24). i transparency of a diamond or other gem': if a i i diamond or pearl is of the first water it won't wash will not be believed or accepted. i possesses the greatest possible degree of informal j brilliance and transparency. In its transferred j 1998 New Scientist In the end, however, this i use, however, the phrase often refers to argument won't wash. : someone or something regarded as i undesirable, e.g. a bore of the first water. waste on the wagon: see WAGON. waste not, want not if you use a commodity or resource carefully and without water under the bridge used to refer to extravagance you will never be in need. events or situations in the past that are proverb no longer to be regarded as important or a source of concern. j O ln this expression, want can be i understood to mean either'lack'or'desire' i O The related expression there's been a lot \ ; according to the context. ! of water under the bridge since — is used to i ! indicate that a lot of time has passed and a waste of space a person perceived as useless i great many events have occurred since a or incompetent, informal i particular event. A North American variant is j | water over the dam. watch watch someone's smoke: see SMOKE. Waterloo watch this space: see SPACE. meet your Waterloo experience a final and watch the time ensure that you are aware of decisive defeat. the time, typically in order to avoid being : O The battle of Waterloo in 1815 marked late. j the final defeat of Napoleon's army by the watch the world go by spend time observing j British and the Prussians. other people going about their business. 1996 Europe: Rough Guide Outdoor seating allows you to watch the world go by or to play a wave game of chess with giant chess pieces under make waves ©create a significant the trees. impression, ©cause trouble, informal 01997 Spectator Perhaps unsurprisingly, it is watch your step: see mind your step at STEP. the old pros disguised as new boys and girls watch your (or someone's) back protect who are making the biggest waves. yourself (or someone else) against danger wax from an unexpected quarter. be wax in someone's hands: see be putty in the watches of the night the hours of night, someone's hands at PUTTY. especially viewed as a time when you wax and wane undergo alternate increases cannot sleep, literary and decreases. ! O A watch was originally each of the three j 2002 New York Times The level of security that ! or four periods of time into which the night j people are psychologically able to accept ! was divided, during which a guard would be j changes as crisis situations wax and wane. i stationed to keep a lookout for danger or j wax lyrical about: see LYRICAL. I trouble. way water have it both ways: see BOTH. cast your bread upon the waters: see BREAD. go out of your way make a special effort to like water in great quantities. do something. 1991 Mark Tully No Full Stops in India Digvijay'so n the way out Q going down in status, supporters allege that George spent money estimation, or favour; going out of fashion. like water to bribe the local leaders. ©dying, informal 309 welly put someone in the way of give a person the weather opportunity of. dated fine (or lovely) weather for ducks wet, rainy the way of the world the manner in which weather, humorous people typically behave or things typically happen (used to express your resignation keep a weather eye on observe a situation to it). very carefully, especially for changes or way to go used to express pleasure, approval, developments. or excitement. North American informal make good (or bad) weather of it (of a ship) 1990 Robert Oliver Making Champions You had cope well (or badly) in a storm. Bechard shakin'. He wasn't gonna mess with you. Way to go! make heavy weather (or work) of have ways and means the methods and resources unnecessary difficulty in dealing with a at someone's disposal for achieving task or problem, informal something. j O In a nautical context, heavy weather I means 'violent wind accompanied by heavy I O ln the British parliamentary system this i rain or rough sea'. i phrase is used specifically of the various under the weather Qslightly unwell, ©in ; methods of raising government revenue. low spirits, informal 1982 Frank McGuinness The Factory Girls He said too he couldn't afford opposition and weaving there were ways and means of getting rid of it. get weaving set briskly to work; begin Everybody thinks there ' s definitely going to be action. British informal redundancies and pay-offs. 1992 George MacDonald Fraser Quartered Safe Out Here Come on, come on, come on!... Let's wayside get weaving! fall by the wayside ©fail to persist in an endeavour or undertaking, ©be left wedge without attention or help. the thin end of the wedge: see THIN. ! O In sense 1 the phrase alludes to the weigh I biblical parable of the sower in Mark 4:3-20, ; weigh something in the balance: see ; and in particular to verse 4:'And it came to ! pass, as he sowed, some fell by the way side, I BALANCE. ! and the fowls of the air came and devoured it i ! up'. ! weight be a weight off your mind come as a great relief after you have been worried. wazoo be worth your (or its) weight in gold be up (or out) the wazoo in great quantities. extremely useful or helpful. informal throw your weight about: see THROW. ; O Wazoo is an informal American term for i ; the buttocks or anus. Its origins are unknown, i welcome 2000 Eric Garcia Anonymous Rex The guy in thwelcome e to the club: see join the club at movie had business contacts up the wazoo. CLUB. outstay your welcome stay as a visitor longer weak than you are wanted. weak at the knees: see KNEE. welkin the weak link the point at which a system, sequence, or organization is most make the welkin ring make a very loud vulnerable; the least dependable element sound. or member. i O Welkin is a poetic term for 'the sky or i heaven', which is now found only in literary ! wear ; contexts and in this expression. wear your heart on your sleeve: see HEART. wear the trousers: see TROUSERS. welly wear (or wear your years) well remain give it some welly exert more effort or young-looking. strength, informal west 310

! O Welly or wellie, an informal abbreviation i wham-bam i of Wellington boot, acquired an informal wham-bam-thank-you-ma'am used in i sense of'power or vigour'in the 1970s. reference to sexual activity conducted 1997 BBC Top Gear Magazine Drop down a gear, roughly and quickly, without tenderness. give it some welly and that long bonnet rises towards the horizon in the best traditions what of... a traditional British Sports Car. and (or or) what have you and (or or) west anything else similar, informal go west be killed or lost; meet with disaster. 1997 Jonathan Coe The House of Sleep Most of the time he's out there, risking his life for his British informal country and defeating Communism and i O The image here is of the sun setting in the j what have you. j west at the end of the day. and what not and other similar things. informal wet 1992 Nalinaksha Bhattacharya Hem b Football Has anyone ever seen such a selfish daughter? all wet mistaken; completely wrong. North Gorging herself on eggs, milk and what not American while others in the house don't even get two wet the baby's head celebrate a baby's birth square meals? with a drink, usually an alcoholic one. British know what's what: see KNOW. informal what with because of (used typically to wet behind the ears lacking experience; introduce several causes of something). immature, informal 1990 Rosamund Clay Only Angels Forget She's had a difficult life, what with my father I O The image is of a baby or young animal j which is still damp after it has been born. skiving off when I was three and leaving her without a penny. a wet blanket someone who has a depressing or discouraging effect on others. wheat separate (or sort) the wheat from the chaff i O A dampened blanket can be used to distinguish valuable people or things from j smother a fire; the image here is of a person j worthless ones. ! extinguishing a lively or optimistic mood by j j their gloominess or negativity. O Chaff is the husks of corn or other seed separated out when the grain is winnowed 1991 Michael Curtin The Plastic Tomato Cutter or threshed. The metaphorical contrast When in the company of those of us who do between wheat and chaff is drawn in several succumb to the occasional dram Father Willie passages in the Bible, for example in was never a wet blanket. Matthew 3:12: 'he will thoroughly purge his wet your whistle have a drink, informal floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with whack unquenchable fire'. out of whack out of order; not working. North American & Australian 1998 Bookseller There's been a fair amount of wheel jeering... at the Sunday Times for getting its a big wheel: see a big cheese at BIG. figures so comprehensively out of whack, by a reinvent the wheel: see REINVENT. factor of about 100 if memory serves. grease the wheels: see GREASE. top (or full) whack the maximum price or silly as a wheel very silly. Australian rate. 1985 John Clanchy The Lie of the Land Father 1989 Holiday Which? Tour prices vary; you pay Tierney was mad. Cracked as an egg, some top whack if you book in large hotels. boys said, silly as a wheel. whale spin your wheels waste your time or efforts. a whale of a — an extremely good example North American informal of a particular thing, informal 2001 Time As long as our national energy 1993 Chicago Tribune This stuffed-shirt policy is demand-driven... we will continue to epitome of the East Coast Establishment of spin our wheels. his day had a whale of a time at Chicago's wheel and deal engage in commercial or World's Fair. political scheming. 311 white

: O The verb wheel is here used to mean clean as a whistle: see CLEAN. | 'control events'. The sense is related to the wet your whistle: see WET. | noun a big wheel, meaning 'an important i person who makes things happen'. whistle in the dark pretend to be confident or unafraid. the wheel of Fortune the wheel which the 1996 Bernard Connolly The Rotten Heart of goddess Fortune is said to turn as a symbol Europe Swedish authorities had, whistling in of random luck or change. the dark, spoken of ERM 'association'—but nothing had come of it. wheels within wheels used to indicate that a situation is complicated and affected whistle in the wind try unsuccessfully to by secret or indirect influences. influence something that cannot be changed. i © The image here is of the cogs found in whistle something down the wind let ! pieces of intricate machinery. something go; abandon something.

i OThisphrasecomesfromfalconry.lt whip j originally referred to the action of letting a a fair crack of the whip: see CRACK. I trained hawk loose by casting it off with the j j wind instead of against the wind in pursuit of I whip the cat ©complain or moan. @be j prey. sorry; show remorse. Australian & New Zealand informal whips of large quantities of. Australian & New white Zealand big white chief: see CHIEF. whirl bleed someone white: see bleed someone give it a whirl give it a try. informal dry at BLEED. 1979 Snoo Wilson A Greenish Man You've mark something with a white stone nothing to lose. Give it a whirl, try it for a regard something as especially fortunate month. or happy. whirlwind i O In ancient times a white stone was reap the whirlwind suffer serious j traditionally used as a memorial of a happy j event. consequences as a result of your actions. show the white feather appear cowardly. i O This expression alludes to the proverb ! they that sow the wind shall reap the British, dated i whirlwind, which is taken from Hosea 8:7. j O A white feather in a game bird's tail was j 1998 Spectator A [political] party that thought j considered to be an indication of bad all it had to do to keep Scotland happy was j breeding. deliver devolution is instead reaping the whirlwind it sowed in the Eighties. a white elephant a possession that is useless or troublesome, especially one that is whisker expensive to maintain or difficult to have (or have grown) whiskers (especially of dispose of. a story) be very old. informal ; O In former times, the rare albino elephant I within a whisker of extremely close or near I was regarded as holy. It was highly prized by j to doing, achieving, or suffering some­ j the kings of Siam (now Thailand) and its thing, informal j upkeep was extremely expensive. It was I apparently the practice for a king of Siam to I whistle j give one of the elephants to a courtier they i ! disliked: the unfortunate recipient would blow the whistle on bring an illicit activity to j usually be financially ruined by the attempt and end by informing on the person | to maintain the animal. responsible, informal a white knight a company that makes a Tnis ; O idiom comes from football, in which i welcome bid for a company facing an : the referee blows a whistle to indicate that a i unwelcome takeover bid. I player has broken the rules. Those who I inform on others engaged in an illicit activity j j O The image here is of the traditional figure ! i are now referred to as whistle-blowers. i from chivalric romances, who rides to the whited 312

i rescue of someone in danger. See also a | knight in shining armour (at KNIGHT). wick dip your wick (of a man) have sexual inter­ course, vulgar slang whited get on someone's wick annoy someone. a whited sepulchre a hypocrite; someone British informal who is ostensibly virtuous but inwardly corrupt, literary wicked i © This expression comes from Matthew no peace (or rest) for the wicked someone's ! 23:27: 'Woe unto you ... for ye are like unto heavy workload or lack of tranquillity is j whited sepulchres, which indeed appear punishment for a sinful life, humorous ! beautiful outward, but are within full of Tn s i dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness'. j O ' expression come from Isaiah 48:22: j A sepulchre is a room or monument, cut in i 'There is no peace, saith the Lord, unto the i rock or built of stone, in which a dead body is j wicked'. j laid or buried. wicket whiter a sticky wicket ©a pitch that has been whiter than white ©extremely white. drying out after rain and is therefore © morally beyond reproach. difficult to bat on. Cricket ©a tricky or awkward situation, informal who who goes there?: see GOES. wide give a wide berth to: see BERTH. whole go the whole hog: see HOG. widow out of (the) whole cloth wholly fabricated; a widow's cruse an apparently small supply with no basis in fact or reality. North American that proves inexhaustible. informal 1991 Ron Rosenbaum Travels with Dr. Death Î O In the Bible, 1 Kings 17 tells the story of The fact that her murder is officially ; the widow to whom Elijah was sent for 'unsolved' is irritating, yes, but not j sustenance. When he asked her for bread, she : justification for creating conspiracy theories | replied that all she had for herself andherson ; out of the whole cloth. j was'an handful of meal in a barrel and a little ! j oil in a cruse' (a cruse was a small earthen- a whole new ball game: see BALL. ! ware pot or jar). Elijah told herto make him a j the whole nine yards everything possible or i cake from these ingredients and then to available. North American informal ! make food for herself and her son as God had | j decreed that the containers should be 1999 Salman Rushdie The Ground Beneath Her i continually replenished. Feet Then the lovers throw a party, and what a party! Dancing, wine, the whole nine yards. a widow's mite a small monetary contribution from someone who is poor. whoop ! O This phrase comes from a story recounted j whoop it up ©enjoy yourself or celebrate j in Mark 12:41-4. A poor widow donated two : in a noisy way, usually in a group. Q create ! mites (coins of very low value) to the treasury i or show excitement or enthusiasm. US j of the Temple in Jerusalem, a sum which informal I constituted all the money she possessed, j Witnessingthisact, Jesus told his disciplesthat ; | she had given more than the richest contri- whoopee I butor because she had given all that she had. j make whoopee ©celebrate wildly, ©make love, informal wig why flip your wig: see flip your lid at FLIP. the whys and wherefores the reasons for or wigs on the green violent or unpleasant details of something. developments; ructions. 1991 Gramophone At this time I was desperate to know all the whys and wherefores of a | © The image here is of wigs becoming really advanced technique. j dislodged or being pulled off during a brawl, i 313 wind

1996 Frank McCourt Angela's Ashes Mam 01996 Guardian We're pursuing that old will threatens us from the bed that we're to help o' the wisp, Pacific Rim cooking, again. our small brother. She says, If ye don't fixyee r with the best will in the world however good brother's shoes an' I have to get out of this bed your intentions (used to imply that success there will be wigs on the green. in a particular undertaking, although wiggle desired, is unlikely). with a will energetically and resolutely. get a wiggle on get moving; hurry, informal 1984 Bernard MacLaverty Cal Dunlop told Cal wild to muck out the byre and because it was something he could do he went at it with a will. sow your wild oats: see OAT. wild and woolly uncouth in appearance or willow behaviour. wear the green willow Q grieve for the loss of a loved one. ©suffer unrequited love. i O This phrase was originally applied to the I literary ! American West. The adjective woolly I probably refers to sheepskin clothing worn : O A willow branch or leaves traditionally ! with the wool still attached to it, seen as ! symbolized grief or unrequited love. In ! characteristic clothing of the pioneers and j Othello, Desdemona sings the mournful I cowboys who opened up the western US. j 'willow song', about a maid forsaken by her I I lover, shortly before she is murdered. wilderness a voice in the wilderness: see VOICE. win win the day: see carry the day at DAY. wildfire win by a neck: see NECK. spread like wildfire spread with great speed. win (or earn) your spurs gain your first wild goose distinction or honours, informal a wild goose chase a foolish and hopeless ! O In the Middle Ages a knight who had won \ search for or pursuit of something ! his spurs had attained knighthood by unattainable. j performing an act of bravery: a pair of gilt j spurs were the distinguishing mark of a j © This expression is first recorded in the late ! j knight. ! 16th century. It was then the term for a kind j ! of equestrian sport in which all the win the wooden spoon: see SPOON. I competitors had to follow accurately the you can't win them all (or win some, lose i course of the leader at definite intervals, like j some) said to express consolation or j a flight of wild geese. Later, the term was resignation after failure in a contest, informal i applied to an erratic course taken by one i person or thing and followed by another. wind 1998 Spectator The 'struggle to align the clock between wind and water at a vulnerable and the heavens', then, is ultimately the story point. of mortal vanity, or at least a wild goose chase. ! O This is a nautical metaphor referring to will ! the part of a ship's side near the waterline I that is sometimes above the water and where there's a will there's a way I sometimes submerged; damage to the ship at j determination will overcome any obstacle. j this level is particularly dangerous. The proverb ! phrase is first recorded in its literal sense at I the time of the Spanish Armada (1588): 'One j rrn j O This f° °f the saying was quoted by j of the shot was betweenethe windeandthe ! j William Hazlitt in 1822, but George Herbert j ! water,whereoftheythoughtshewouldhaue i j recorded a variant as one of his Outlandish I sonke'. By the mid 17th century, it was also j Proverbs in 1640: To him that will, wais are j being used of people. I not wanting. 1967 Michael Gilbert The Dust and the Heat will o' the wisp Qa phosphorescent light Mallinson must have guessed what was seen hovering or floating over marshy coming. Nevertheless, it hit him between ground, perhaps due to the combustion of wind and water. methane. Q an elusive or deceptive person, get wind of begin to suspect that something idea, or goal. is happening; hear a rumour of. informal windmill 314 gone with the wind gone completely; mill^) act recklessly or unconventionally. having disappeared without trace. dated 1933 John Galsworthy One More River I suggest ! © This expression comes from Ernest that both of you felt it would be mad to fling ! Dowson's poem'Cynara'(1896):'I have your caps over the windmill like that? i forgot much, Cynara, gone with the wind', ! but it is best known as the title of Margaret tilt at windmills: see TILT. ! Mitchell's 1936 novel about the American j Civil War. I window go out (of) the window (of a plan or pattern it's an ill wind few things are so bad that no of behaviour) no longer exist; disappear. one profits from them, proverb informal ! O The full form of this nautical saying is it's \ 1998 Economist In the ensuing struggle i an ill wind that blows nobody any good or between the two groups [of councillors], the ! that profits nobody. Recorded since the mid j public interest goes out of the window. j 16th century, it is used especially as a comment j window of opportunity a favourable ! on a situation in which one person's bad luck j opportunity for doing something that must j is the cause of another's good fortune. be seized immediately if it is not to be put (or have) the wind up alarm or frighten missed. (or be alarmed or frightened). British informal window of vulnerability an opportunity to attack something that is at risk. I O One of the earliest recorded uses of this j expression was in a letter from the poet i O This expression is especially associated i Wilfred Owen in 1918:'Shells so close that i with a cold-war claim that America's land- j they thoroughly put the wind up a Life | based missiles were easy targets for a Soviet i Guardsman in the trench with me'. i first strike. raise the wind: see RAISE. sail close to (or near) the wind verge on windward indecency, dishonesty, or disaster, informal to windward of in an advantageous position in relation to. dated j O This originated as a nautical expression, i meaning'sail as nearly against the wind as is j wine j possible'. It has been in figurative use since new wine in old bottles something new or j the mid 19th century. innovatory added to an existing or 1996 Martin Dove How To Win Any Consumer established system or organization. Competition I like the extra thrill of writing to a tight deadline but sometimes I do sail a bit I © The proverb you can't put new wine into \ close to the wind with closing dates. \ old bottles is a reference to Matthew 9:17: j 'Neither do men put new wine into old take the wind out of someone's sails j bottles: else the bottles break, and the wine j frustrate a person by unexpectedly j runneth out, and the bottles perish'. anticipating an action or remark. 1977 Eva Figes Nelly's Version She could so wine and dine someone entertain someone easily have taken the wind out of my sails and by offering them drinks or a meal. put me in my place for good. wine, women, and song the hedonistic life to the wind(s) (or the four winds) Qin all of drinking, sexual pleasure, and carefree directions, ©so as to be abandoned or entertainment proverbially required by neglected. men. 01995 Kate Atkinson Behind the Scenes at the Museum My little flock scatters to the four wing winds and are hugged and congratulated by in the wings ready to do something or to be their respective parents for being so pretty, used at the appropriate time. charming, cute, delightful, and so on. wind someone round your little finger: see | O This idiom comes from the theatre, in twist someone round your little finger at I which the wings here are the areas screened j ; from public view where actors wait for their j FINGER. j cue to come on stage. windmill on a wing and a prayer with only the fling (or throw) your cap over the wind­ slightest chance of success. 315 wish

j O This expression comes from the title of a get your wires crossed: see CROSSED. ! 1943 song by the American songwriter under the wire at the last possible I Harold Adamson, 'Comin' in on a Wing and j a Prayer'. He himself took it from a opportunity, just before a time limit. North I contemporary comment made by a wartime j American informal ; pilot speaking to ground control before j making an emergency landing. wisdom in someone's wisdom used ironically to spread (or stretch or try) your wings extend suggest that an action is not well judged. your activities and interests or start new 1992 Rugby World b Post In their wisdom ones. Ciaran Fitzgerald and his selectors decided to under your wing in or into your protective dispense with the incumbent, Rob Saunders, care. and bring Aherne back for his thirteenth Irish 1991 Mickey Mantle My Favorite Summer He cap. kind of took me under his wing and showed me the ropes in my first year. wise be wise after the event understand and winged assess an event or situation only after its winged words highly significant or apposite implications have become obvious. words, literary j O The French version of this expression can i j be traced back to the late 15th century: the i O The image, taken from Homer's Iliad, is of j j chronicler Philippe de Commynes used the j the words travelling as directly as arrows to j phrase saiges après le coup in his Mémoires, j their intended target. \ remarking of it 'comme l'on dit des Bretons' I i (as the Bretons say). wink forty winks: see FORTY. put someone wise give someone important information, informal in the wink of an eye (or in a wink) very 1950 Graham Greene The Third Man He was a quickly. year older and knew the ropes. He put me wise not sleep {or get) a wink (or not get a wink to a lot of things. of sleep) not sleep at all. a wise man of Gotham a foolish person. dated winking as easy as winking very easy or easily, informal j O Gotham is a village in Nottinghamshire j which is associated with the folk story The \ Wise Men of Gotham, in which the wipe i inhabitants of the village demonstrate their j wipe someone's eye get the better of a j cunning by feigning stupidity. Gotham is now j person. British informal, dated j a nickname for New York City, used ! originally by Washington Irvine but later wipe the floor with inflict a humiliating I linked particularly with the Batman defeat on. informal i stories. wipe the slate clean forgive or forget past faults or offences; make a fresh start. wiser ! O In former times, shopkeepers and pub be none (or not any) the wiser know no ! landlords would keep a record of what was j owing to them by writing the details on a more than before. j tablet of slate; a clean slate was one on which j i no debts were recorded. wish if wishes were horses, beggars would ride if you could achieve your aims simply by wire wishing for them, life would be very easy. down to the wire used to denote a situation proverb whose outcome is not decided until the very last minute, informal j O This expression was first recorded in the i early 17th century as a Scottish proverb. i O This expression comes from horse racing | and originated in North America, where a the wish is father to the thought we j wire is stretched across and above the believe a thing because we wish it to be i finishing line on a racecourse. true. wit 316

! O This expression is used by Shakespeare in 2 i wolf i Henry IV: 'Thy wish was father, Harry, to that i ! thought'. However, observations on this kind : cry wolf call for help when it is not needed; i of self-delusion are found in much earlier raise a false alarm. i writings, including those of Julius Caesar and ! : © An old fable tells the tale of a shepherd i Demosthenes. j boy who constantly raised false alarms with 1980 Alice Thomas Ellis The Birds of the Air ! cries of 'Wolf!', until people no longer took Somewhere in that area of the human mind j any notice of him. When a wolf did actually where the wish is father to the thought I appearand attack him, his genuine cries activity was taking place. Hunter, Barbara j for help were ignored and no one came to his i decided, had wangled this invitation in order I aid- to be with her. have (or hold) a wolf by the ears be in a wit precarious position. be at your wits' end be overwhelmed with j O The saying became current in English in difficulties and at a loss as to what to do j the mid 16th century, but the Roman comic next. ! dramatist Terence (195-159 BC) mentions its | Latin equivalent, lupum auribus tenere, as be frightened (or scared) out of your wits be j already being an old saying in his time. extremely frightened. ; Compare with have a tiger by the tail gather (or collect) your wits bring yourself i (at TIGER). j back to a state of equanimity. 1984 Géraldine McCaughrean The Canterbury 1990 George Will Suddenly A Communist Party administering an economy is holding a wolf Tales Poor old man, he was too astonished by the ears. to speak. And before he could collect his wits, he was sitting at table... with his keep the wolf from the door have enough lord on one side and his daughter on the other. money to avert hunger or starvation. have (or keep) your wits about you be ! O The phrase has been used in this sense constantly alert and vigilant. j since the mid 16th century, but the image of i live by your wits earn money by clever and j the wolf as a symbol of a devouring and sometimes dishonest means, having no j destructive force is found much earlier j than this. In Matthew 10:16, for example, regular occupation. i Jesus tells his disciples:'Behold I send you pit your wits against compete with someone I forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye or something. j therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as 1996 Earl Lovelace Salt Michael... would be j doves'. the one to make money... there was no greater cause or adversary to pit his wits and throw someone to the wolves leave slickness and spite against. someone to be roughly treated or criticized without trying to help or defend them. witching informal the witching hour midnight. j O This phrase probably arose in reference to j i O In Shakespeare's Hamlet, Hamlet j tales about packs of wolves pursuing i declares: Tis now the very witching time of j travellers in horse-drawn sleighs, in which ! night, When churchyards yawn and hell itself j j one person was pushed offthesleigh to allow j i breathes out contagion to this world'. He is j ittogofaster.soenablingtheotherstomake j j referring to the popular superstition that j their escape. j witches and other supernatural powers are 1958 Listener This able and agreeable doctor i active at midnight. was thrown to the wolves by a Prime Minister who had good reason to know that his own wither position was desperate. wither on the vine fail to be implemented or a wolf in sheep's clothing a person or thing dealt with because of neglect or inaction. that appears friendly or harmless but is really hostile and dangerous. j O The image of grapes failing to grow is j probably a reference to various passages in j O This expression comes from Jesus's words j j the Bible in which a withered vine is used as a j i in Matthew 7:15: 'Beware of false prophets, ! metaphor for a state of physical or spiritual i which come to you in sheep's clothing, but i impoverishment. i inwardly they are ravening wolves'. 317 word

take someone to the woodshed reprove or woman punish someone, especially discreetly. US a woman of letters: see a man of letters at informal, dated LETTER. a woman of the world: see a man of the I O This expression referred to the former world at WORLD. i practice of taking a naughty child to a ! woodshed to be punished, out of sight of wonder | other people. a nine days' wonder something that attracts enthusiastic interest for a short while but is then ignored or forgotten. woodwork work (or do) wonders have a very beneficial vanish into (or come or crawl out of) the effect on someone or something. woodwork (of an unpleasant person or 1997 Paul Wilson Calm at Work While it is true thing) disappear into (or emerge from) that holidays work wonders for the relief of obscurity, informal stress, the relief is only temporary. ! O The implication here is that the people or j wood ! things concerned are like cockroaches or i other unpleasant creatures living in the cannot see the wood for the trees fail I crevices of skirting boards and cupboards. to grasp the main issue because of over- attention to details. wool i O The North American version of this all wool and a yard wide of excellent quality; I expression is cannot see the forest for the I trees. \ thoroughly sound. : O Literally, this expression refers to cloth of j out of the wood (or woods) out of danger or j the finest quality. difficulty. 1974 Anthony Gilbert A Nice Little Killing No one j O A proverbial warning against hallooing will ever catch her... with an alibi all wool and \ before you are out of the wood dates from a yard wide. | the late 18th century. pull the wool over someone's eyes deceive touch wood said in order to prevent a someone, especially by telling untruths. confident statement from bringing bad 1997 Spectator On no occasion do I remember luck. Ridsdale trying to pull the wool over my eyes but rather trying always to remove the wool | O A North American variant is knock on that journalists... pull over their own eyes. \ wood. The phrase refers to the traditional ! custom of touching something wooden to word ! avert possible bad luck. eat your words: see EAT. 1991 Rohinton Mistry Such a Long Journey have a word in someone's ear speak to Sohrab and Gustad did not shout or argue like someone privately and discreetly, usually they used to, touch wood. to give them a warning, informal wooden in words of one syllable: see SYLLABLE. accept a wooden nickel: see NICKEL. a man (or woman) of few words a taciturn win the wooden spoon: see SPOON. person. wooden nutmeg: see NUTMEG. a man (or woman) of his (or her) word a woodshed person who keeps the promises that they something nasty in the woodshed a make. shocking or distasteful thing kept secret. not the word for it not an adequate or British informal appropriate description. I O This expression is taken from Stella 1992 European Travel & Life The landscape of ! Gibbons's comic novel Cold Comfort Farm Alaska has the power to overwhelm. ! (1933), in which Aunt Ada Doom'sdominance j 'Beautiful' is not the word for it. i over her family is maintained by constant put words into someone's mouth: see i references to her having seen something MOUTH. | nasty in the woodshed in her youth. The someone's word is law someone must be i details of the experience are never explained, i obeyed without question. work 318 someone's word is their bond someone work your ass (or butt) off work extremely keeps their promises. hard. North American vulgar slang

| © A variant of this expression, now rather work your fingers to the bone: see BONE. I dated, is an Englishman's word is his bond. work like a beaver: see BEAVER. work to rule (especially as a form of take someone at their word interpret a industrial action) follow official working person's words literally or exactly, regulations exactly in order to reduce especially by believing them or doing as output and efficiency, chiefly British they suggest. work your ticket: see TICKET. take someone's word (for it) believe what someone says or writes without checking workman for yourself. a bad workman blames his tools someone too — for words extremely —. informal who has done something badly will 1990 Rosamund Pilcher September I'm seek to lay the blame on the equipment not saying 'Isn't it beautiful' all the time, rather than admit to their own lack of because if I do, it'll just sound too banal for skill, proverb words. winged words: see WINGED. ! © A similar 13th-century French proverb j observed mauveés ovriers ne troveraja bon \ word of mouth spoken language; informal : hostill, 'bad workmen will never find a good ; or unofficial discourse. j tool', and variants of this early saying can be j 1987 Bruce Duffy The World As I Found It His j found in English until the mid 19th century ideas were repeated by word of mouth or i until the emergence of the modern version. passed around as transcripts of the shorthand notes that his students doggedly took down during his lectures. world the word on the street a rumour or piece of the best of both (or all possible) worlds the information currently being circulated. benefits of widely differing situations, informal enjoyed at the same time. 1992 Victor Headley Yardie The word on j O The variant all possible worlds alludes to j the street was that Roy was hooked and j the catchphrase of the eternally optimistic had smoked a fair amount of the crack j philosopher Dr Pangloss in Voltaire's Candide \ himself. j (1759): Dans ce meilleur des mondes a word to the wise a hint or brief ! possibles... toutestaumieux, usuallyquoted j explanation given, that being all that is j in English as'Everything is for the best in the I j best of all possible worlds'. required.

i O The equivalent Latin phrase is verbum carry the world before you have rapid and i sapientisatest(a word to the wise is enough); j complete success. ! the abbreviation of this, verb, sap., is come up in the world rise in status, i sometimes used in English. especially by becoming richer. 1983 Penelope Lively Perfect Happiness A word go down in the world drop in status, to the wise. If you don't know the place I'm especially by becoming poorer. told the thing to do is steer clear of the guided look for all the world like look precisely like. tours. 1993 New Scientist Fossil imprints that look for all the world like motorcycle tracks have been work explained. give someone the works Ogive someone a man (or woman) of the world a person everything, ©treat someone harshly. who is experienced and practical in human informal affairs. have your work cut out be faced with a hard not be long for this world: see LONG. task. out of this world extremely enjoyable or in the works being planned, worked on, or impressive, informal produced, chiefly North American 1995 Daily Express I thought the rest of the 2003 N. Y. Magazine Movie-star-of-the-moment team, and especially the defence, were out of Jennifer Lopez... is in talks to star in Monster in this world. Law, a new comedy in the works at New Line Cinema. set the world alight: see ALIGHT. 319 wring think the world of have a very high regard so much the worse for used to suggest that a for. problem, failure, or other unfortunate event or situation is the fault of a person the world and his wife everyone; a large specified and that the speaker does not feel number of people. British any great concern about it. ; O This expression is first recorded in the worse for wear O damaged by use or i Jonathan Swift's Polite Conversation (1738). weather over time; battered and shabby, the world, the flesh, and the devil all forms ©(of a person) feeling rather unwell, of temptation to sin. especially as a result of drinking too much the world is your oyster you are in a position alcohol, informal to take the opportunities that life has to offer. worst be your own worst enemy: see ENEMY. | O This expression may come from i Shakespeare's The Merry Wives of Windsor. do your worst do as much damage as you can ; 'Why, then the world's mine oyster, Which I (often used to express defiance in the face j with sword will open'. of threats). 1998 Times I was never brought up thinking, get (or have) the worst of it be in the least 'You are an Asian woman so you can't do advantageous or successful position; suffer things.' I was always given the impression that the most. the world was my oyster. if the worst comes to the worst if the most a (or the) world of a very great deal of. serious or difficult circumstances arise. worm worth a worm's-eye view the view looking up at be worth your weight in gold: see WEIGHT. something from ground level. for all someone is worth ©as energetically j O This expression was formed on the or enthusiastically as someone can. © so as ! pattern of bird's-eye view (see BIRD). It to obtain everything you can from some­ j usually refers to the viewpoint of a humble or i one, informal i insignificant person who is witnessing 01995 Kate Atkinson Behind the Scenes at the ! important events or people. Museum In the kitchen, Brian, Adrian's lover, is wearing Bunty's pink rubber gloves and (even) a worm will turn even a meek person washing up for all he's worth. will resist or retaliate if pushed too far. proverb not worth a plugged nickel: see NICKEL. food for worms a dead person. worth your salt: see SALT. wormwood wrap wormwood and gall a source of bitter keep something under wraps conceal mortification and grief, literary or be secretive about something. j O Gall is bile, a substance secreted by the informal j liver and proverbial for its bitterness, while 1998 New Scientist The key to the fuel is a ! wormwood is an aromatic plant with a bitter j catalyst that the Navy is keeping under j taste. The expression originated in reference j wraps. j to various passages in the Bible, for example j wrap someone round your little finger: see i Lamentations 3:19: 'Remembering mine twist someone round your little finger at j affliction and my misery, the wormwood and j FINGER. j the gall'. wrap it up be quiet. British informal worse none the worse for Q not adversely affected wring by. © not to be considered inferior on wring someone's withers stir someone's account of. emotions or conscience. 01991 Alistair Campbell Sidewinder Two j O This phrase is taken from Hamlet. In the days have passed, and I am up and about, ; play-within-the-play scene, Hamlet remarks feeling none the worse for my attack of j ironically that there is no need for King sunstroke. wringer 320

i Claudius, his usurping uncle, to feel troubled j ! O This phrase comes from the biblical story j j by the plot, remarking:'let the galled jade j of Belshazzar's feast, at which a disembodied I j wince, our withers are unwrung'. The withers j I hand appeared and wrote a message on ! are the bony ridge between the shoulders of j j the wall foretelling the fall of the | a horse which is liable to be chafed by an ill- j ! Babylonian kingdom to the Medes and j fitting saddle. j Persians (Daniel 5:5, 25-8). A North j American variant is the handwriting is on wring your hands show great distress. | the wall. wringer 1998 Spectator We ought to have spotted put someone through the wringer (or the the writing on the wall when the dear old Ministry of Works became 'English mangle) subject someone to a very Heritage', packaging the past as a set of stressful experience, especially a severe limited-edition, special-offer collectables. interrogation, informal 1984 Louise Erdrich Love Medicine I saw that he had gone through the wringer. He was red- written eyed, gaunt, and he was drunk. be (or have something) written all over your face used to convey that the wrinkle presence of a particular quality or feeling iron out the wrinkles: see IRON. is clearly revealed by a person's expression. informal writ writ large clear and obvious. wrong j O Tne literal sense of written in large born on the wrong side of the blanket: see ! characters has long fallen out of use. As BLANKET. j the past participle of write, writ has been get in wrong with (or on the wrong side of) j superseded by written except in this phrase someone incur the dislike or disapproval j and analogous phrases such as writ small. of someone, informal 1994 Time Voters fear the future, which looks get out of bed on the wrong side: see BED. to them like the present writ large: more concern about crime, more economic get someone wrong misunderstand some­ pressure on their families, more of that one, especially by falsely imputing malice unnerving sound of something eating away at to them. the edges of their lives. get (hold of) the wrong end of the stick your writ runs you have authority of a misunderstand someone or something specified extent or kind. completely. go down the wrong way (of food) enter the write windpipe instead of the gullet. nothing to write home about of little in the wrong box: see BOX. interest or value, informal 1970 Nina Bawden The Birds on the Trees the wrong side of the tracks: see TRACK. I daresay what I did was nothing to write home about, but it put food in her belly and wrote shoes on her feet! (and) that's all she wrote used to convey write your ticket: see TICKET. that there is or was nothing more to be said about a matter. North American writing informal the writing is on the wall there are clear 2001 Chicago Tribune The snap was a little signs that something unpleasant or high, and... I tilted up for a second and that's unwelcome is going to happen. all she wrote... I took my eye off the ball. Yy yard yes by the yard in large numbers or quantities. yes and no partly and partly not. 2002 Guardian Culture became a 1981 Brian Murphy The Enigma Variations 'Do commodity: painters sold landscapes cut up you believe that if you continue seeing me by the foot for home decoration; booksellers you'll be damned?' 'Yes and no.' offered books by the yard; publishers traded copyrights. yesterday yarn yesterday's man a man, especially a politician, whose career is finished or spin a yarn tell a story, especially a long and past its peak. complicated one. yesterday's news a person or thing that is no • O Ayarn is one ofthe long fibresfrom which i longer of interest. i a rope is made. The expression is nautical in i origin and has been used in this figurative j sense since the early 19th century. yonder the wide blue yonder: see BLUE. year for donkey's years: see DONKEY. you you and yours you together with your family put years on (or take years off) someone and close friends. make someone feel or look older (or 1937 American Home So it's natural... to take younger). good care ofthe home that gives you and yours the vale of years: see VALE. this steadfast protection. the year dot: see DOT.

Index

This section contains groups of idioms which are linked by a common theme or subject. The themes are listed in alphabetical order and the word in bold print indicates where individual idioms may be found in the dictionary itself. For example, the idiom 'take the plunge' is listed in the dictionary at the main entry plunge.

Action have one foot in the grave start the ball rolling full of years get the bit between your teeth ancient (or old) as the hills at the coalface over the hill get cracking have had a good innings go for the doctor on your last legs get (or pull) your finger out long in the tooth keep your nose to the grindstone pass your sell-by date hammer and tongs past it second childhood hit the ground running stricken in years hot to trot threescore years and ten have many irons in the fire there's many a good tune played on an rest on your laurels lead from the front old fiddle the vale of years put your money where your mouth is put years on someone rest on your oars put your hand to the plough take the plunge Ambition press the button think big roll up your sleeves bite off more than you can chew set the wheels in motion fire in the belly shake a leg fly high put your shoulder to the wheel punch above your weight get the show on the road room at the top watch someone's smoke try to run before you can walk stir your stumps set your heart on strike while the iron is hot raise your sights get weaving set your sights on no peace for the wicked reach for the stars punch your ticket Age out of the ark Anger and annoyance have seen better days bent out of shape the bloom is off the rose get off your bike you can't teach an old dog new tricks make your blood boil there's no fool like an old fool blow your top Index

have a cob on on thorns count to ten meet trouble halfway have a cow twist in the wind go crook be a weight off your mind get your dander up give someone the hairy eyeball Appearance breathe fire the acceptable face of fit to be tied someone's bark is worse than their bite flip your lid bells and whistles fly off the handle borrowed plumes froth (or foam) at the mouth look as if butter wouldn't melt in your blow a gasket mouth make someone's hackles rise all cats are grey in the dark hot under the collar like something the cat brought in have your monkey up the cut of someone's jib do your nana dressed like a dog's dinner go non-linear a false dawn put someone's nose out of joint fool's gold do your nut be all fur coat and no knickers get on someone's quince take the gilt off the gingerbread give someone the pip all that glitters is not gold lose your rag handsome is as handsome does rattle someone's cage mutton dressed as lamb a red rag to a bull a paper tiger see red pass in a crowd go through the roof like peas in a pod rub someone up the wrong way a Potemkin village keep your shirt on under the skin go spare be the spit of spit blood still waters run deep vent your spleen have steam coming out of your ears Argument and conflict get on someone's wick agree to differ apple of discord Anxiety and worry battle of the giants screaming abdabs a bone of contention bag [or bundle) of nerves have a bone to pick with someone with bated breath fight like cat and dog hot and bothered chop logic have butterflies in your stomach at cross purposes have a cadenza cross swords like a cat on a hot tin roof take up the cudgels have your heart in your mouth cut and thrust like a hen with one chick at daggers drawn having kittens play devil's advocate like a monkey on a stick divide and rule live on your nerves add fuel to the fire on pins and needles lock horns sweat blood at loggerheads sweat bullets go to the mat on tenterhooks passage of arms 325 Index

pour oil on troubled waters bleed someone dry part brass rags with take someone to the cleaners hold the ring cook the books a running battle with your hand in the cookie jar shoot it out dirty work at the crossroads sparks fly grease someone's palm be at each others' throats feather your own nest fight tooth and nail on the fiddle trail your coat line your pockets try a fall with every man has his price a war of nerves put in the nips on the warpath rob someone blind wigs on the green salt the books stick to someone's fingers Beauty sticky fingers the body beautiful keep someone sweet belle of the ball on the take easy on the eye have your fingers in the till plain Jane no oil painting Caution peaches and cream belt and braces be (or look) a picture better safe than sorry plain as a pikestaff a bird in the hand not just a pretty face see which way the cat jumps pretty as a picture throw caution to the winds a sight for sore eyes dip your toe in something an ugly duckling discretion is the better part of valour don't put all your eggs in one basket Boastfulness and conceit lower your guard above yourself look before you leap talk big steer a middle course too big for your boots play it safe little tin god to be on the safe side be all hat and no cattle let sleeping dogs lie turn someone's head a stitch in time hide your light under a bushel one swallow doesn't make a summer blow your own horn think twice draw the longbow walk on eggs (or eggshells) be all mouth and no trousers drop names Certainty pride goes before a fall an article of faith shoot a line you can bet your boots shoot your mouth off a safe bet have a swollen head a bird in the hand have tickets on yourself in your bones blow your own trumpet I should cocoa count your chickens Bribery, corruption, and be dollars to doughnuts that extortion I'm a Dutchman put the bite on gospel truth Index 326

all Lombard Street to a China orange out of joint put your money on out of kilter no two ways about it all over the lot lay odds raise a dust open-and-shut rock the boat put your shirt on come apart at the seams as sure as eggs is eggs shipshape and Bristol fashion all over the shop Change be lost in the shuffle the boot is on the other foot at sixes and sevens a breath of fresh air Class a new broom ring the changes tug your forelock chop and change keep up with the Joneses cross the floor downwardly {or upwardly) mobile future shock as common as muck don't change horses in midstream one nation Jekyll and Hyde noblesse oblige turn over a new leaf born to the purple a leopard can't change his spots sit below the salt the law of the Medes and the Persians be born with a silver spoon in your break the mould mouth a tall poppy poacher turned gamekeeper the wrong side of the tracks rise from the ashes the great unwashed rite of passage the upper crust turn the scales shuffle the cards sing a different tune (or song) Clothes be carved (or set) in stone your best bib and tucker turn the tables dressed to kill dressed up like a dog's dinner trim your sails fine feathers variety is the spice of life in your glad rags new wine in old bottles fit like a glove Chaos and disorder in full fig mutton dressed as lamb alarms and excursions off the peg upset the apple cart in full rig raise Cain shoot your cuffs put the cat among the pigeons raise the devil the dust settles Cooperation every which way be art and part of flutter the dovecotes play ball play havoc with if you can't beat them, join them make hay of in cahoots all hell broke loose make common cause with play merry hell with cheek by jowl play hob circle the wagons make a Horlicks of play footsie with someone a hornet's nest give and take 327

a halfway house public enemy number one hand in glove beat the rap put your heads together up the river hitch horses together a rod in pickle meet someone halfway rough justice a meeting of minds short sharp shock oil and water a slap on the wrist the old school tie tar and feather the old boy network twelve good men and true on the same page close ranks Crisis you scratch my back, and I'll scratch when the balloon goes up yours when the band begins to play shoulder to shoulder burn your boats (or bridges) sing from the same hymn sheet when the chips are down it takes two to tango at the crossroads go with the tide when it comes to the crunch two-way street at the eleventh hour the fat is in the fire Courage on a knife-edge beard the lion in his den make or break bell the cat moment of truth bite the bullet neck or nothing have a lot of bottle the parting of the ways take the bull by the horns head someone or something off at the bury your head in the sand pass pull someone's chestnuts out of the fire point of no return cold feet when push comes to shove face the music cross the Rubicon as game as Ned Kelly the last [or final) straw gird your loins turn the corner grasp the nettle heart of oak Critics and criticism stick your neck out an armchair critic have nerves of steel a back-seat driver a stout heart if the cap fits,wea r it whistle in the dark be on someone's case show the white feather bust someone's chops a sacred cow Crime and punishment damned if you do and damned if you the long arm of the law don't six of the best dip your pen in gall do bird under fire bring someone to book have a go at throw the book at do a hatchet job on the boys in blue pick holes feel someone's collar jump down someone's throat crack a crib not mince words a hanging offence Monday morning quarterback take the law into your own hands give someone a mouthful at Her Majesty's pleasure get it in the neck Index 328

pick nits hop the twig have a pop at join the great majority the pot calling the kettle black kick the bucket rap someone over the knuckles king of terrors cast the first stone meet your maker straight from the shoulder pass in your ally tear someone off a strip pop your clogs go to your reward Danger six feet under put your head on the block turn up your toes a warning shot across the bows beyond the veil chance your arm go west close shave not be long for this world dice with death food for worms go through fire too hot to hold you Debt (skating) on thin ice on the cuff a lion in the way flexible friend the lion's den in hock the lion's mouth in the hole live to tell the tale your pound of flesh a loose cannon in Queer Street play with fire in the red ride for a fall rob Peter to pay Paul sail close to the wind on the slate saved by the bell get square with Scylla and Charybdis on tick siren song the sword of Damocles Deception and lying hang by a thread sell someone a bill of goods have a tiger by the tail be caught with chaff have a wolf by the ears sail under false colours a wolf in sheep's clothing sell someone a dummy out of the woods with forked tongue lead someone up the garden path Death beware the Greeks bearing gifts in Abraham's bosom hook, line, and sinker bite the big one hand someone a lemon bite the dust all done with mirrors go bung nail a lie cash in your chips accept a wooden nickel shuffle off this mortal coil do a number on pushing up the daisies a wooden nutmeg go to Davy Jones's locker sell someone a pup hand in your dinner pail work the rabbit's foot on buy the farm come the raw prawn go the way of all flesh take someone for a ride give up the ghost the scales fall from someone's eyes have one foot in the grave take someone for a sleigh ride the Grim Reaper sleight of hand off the hooks smell a rat 329

smoke and mirrors go cold turkey swing the lead kick the gong around pull the wool over someone's eyes slip someone a Mickey Finn have a monkey on your back Doubt and uncertainty all bets are off Duty and responsibility don't bet on it pass the baton a doubting Thomas the buck stops here it'll be a frosty Friday in July pass the buck a likely story carry the can tell that to the marines footloose and fancy-free in a pig's eye let George do it pigs might fly be on someone's (own) head pull the other one hold the fort take something with a pinch of salt be left holding the baby strain at a gnat on the hook for be someone's pigeon Drinking on your plate bend your elbow hold the sack hit the bottle wash your hands of in your cups drink like a fish Embarrassment, shame, and drown your sorrows humiliation drunk as a lord (or skunk) spare someone's blushes Dutch courage cut someone down to size one over the eight eat crow full as a goog eat dirt out of your gourd with egg on your face hair of the dog lose face put hairs on your chest fall flat on your face under the influence go hot and cold lift your elbow eat humble pie sign the pledge laugh on the other side of your face prop up the bar lick your wounds one for the road take someone down a peg or two drown the shamrock red as a beetroot two (or three) sheets to the wind sackcloth and ashes sober as ajudge shoot someone down in flames spit and sawdust a skeleton in the cupboard the sun is over the yardarm take the starch out of someone tie one on with your tail between your legs tight as a tick tired and emotional Equality make a Virginia fence a cat may look at a king walk the chalk all cats are grey in the dark wet the baby's head diamond cuts diamond wet your whistle first among equals even Stephens (or Stevens) Drugs a fair field and no favour chase the dragon meet your match Index 330

one nation top (or full) whack ask no odds a white elephant the pot calls the kettle black redress the balance Experience be no respecter of persons babes in the wood share and share alike know something like the back of your six of one and half a dozen of the other hand on terms cut your teeth be thrown in at the deep end Excess and extravagance see the elephant break a butterfly on a wheel find your feet burn the candle at both ends get your feet wet (at foot) coals to Newcastle teach your grandmother to suck eggs too many cooks spoil the broth grist to the mill have something coming out of your ears live and learn enough is as good as a feast once bitten, twice shy feast or famine the school of hard knocks gild the lily spread your wings been there, done that the golden mean the university of life jump the shark wet behind the ears lay something on with a trowel a man (or woman) of the world the Matthew principle sow one's wild oats go overboard Family over-egg the pudding the angel in the house pile Pelion on Ossa tied to someone's apron strings prodigal son born on the wrong side of the blanket take a sledgehammer to crack a nut blood is thicker than water in spades blood will tell over the top charity begins at home waste not, want not a chip off the old block a cuckoo in the nest Expense empty nester cost an arm and a leg like father, like son bang for your buck your own flesh and blood break the bank hatches, matches, and despatches not worth the candle hearth and home cheap at the price her indoors what's the damage? kith and kin go Dutch your nearest and dearest cost the earth tug of love on the house you and yours a king's ransom pay through the nose Fate and chance over the odds accidents will happen pay the piper the long arm of coincidence a pretty penny that's the way the cookie crumbles for a song in the lap of the gods time is money lightning never strikes twice top dollar have someone's (name and) number on it 331 Index

someone's number is up Forgiveness and reconciliation the wheel of Fortune bury the hatchet let bygones be bygones Food turn the other cheek break bread with to err is human, to forgive divine man cannot live by bread alone kiss and make up eat someone out of house and home mend your fences have eyes bigger than your stomach hold out an olive branch kill the fatted calf prodigal son eat like a horse water under the bridge ladies who lunch (at lady) wipe the slate clean Lenten fare melt in the mouth off your oats Friends and acquaintances get outside of Damon and Pythias make a pig of yourself hai l-fellow-well-met stick to your ribs man's best friend an army marches on its stomach part brass rags with wine and dine rub shoulders with scrape acquaintance with Fools and foolishness ships that pass in the night there's one born every minute give someone skin a brick short of a load thick as thieves bright spark three musketeers dead from the neck up not playing with a full deck empty vessels make most noise Futility fools rush in where angels a blind alley fear to tread like getting blood out of a stone play the giddy goat waste your breath need your head examined make bricks without straw act the maggot Buckley's chance wear motley not a cat in hell's chance no more than ninepence in go round in circles the shilling whistle Dixie not the full quid fight a losing battle a right one flog a dead horse a sandwich short of a picnic bang your head against a brick wall not the full shilling cry over spilt milk thick as two (short) planks milk the bull silly as a wheel bark at the moon a wise man of Gotham a needle in a haystack painting the Forth Bridge Foresight and the future cast pearls before swine cross someone's palm with silver plough the sand lay something up in lavender a Pyrrhic victory a pricking in your thumbs get a quart into a pint pot the shape of things to come chase rainbows a straw in the wind reinvent the wheel time will tell a rope of sand the writing is on the wall spitting in the wind Index 332

shut the stable door after the horse has on top of the world bolted walk on air chase your tail whoop it up tilt at windmills wine, women, and song spin your wheels whistle in the wind Haste and speed a wild goose chase like a bat out of hell in the blink of an eye Gossip and rumour like the clappers dish the dirt rattle your dags someone's ears are burning like a dose of salts hear something on the grapevine at the double no smoke without fire at the drop of a hat tell tales out of school put foot bush telegraph hell for leather get wind of hold your horses the word on the street hustle your butt before you can say Jack Robinson Happiness, pleasure, and put a jerk in it enjoyment in jig time walk on air on the jump have a ball before you can say knife beer and skittles at a rate of knots push the boat out get the lead out be a box of birds at a lick bread and circuses like greased lightning cakes and ale at full pelt a bowl of cherries quick and dirty the cherry on the cake burn rubber on cloud nine rush your fences warm the cockles of someone's heart like a scalded cat like a dog with two tails in two shakes (of a lamb's tail) forbidden fruit in short order the gaiety of nations get your skates on everything in the garden is lovely in a trice merry as a grig in a twinkling in seventh heaven get a wiggle on kick up your heels in the wink of an eye full of the joys of spring Health and illness over the moon the big C music to your ears catch your death paint the town red like death warmed up the party's over in fine fettle the primrose path fit as a fiddle ray of sunshine fit as a flea a red letter day green about the gills roses, roses, all the way give someone gyp with your tail up in the pink be tickled pink right as rain on the tiles 333 Index

sick as a dog blow hot and cold up to snuff see which way the cat jumps sick to your stomach sit on the fence right as a trivet put something on the long finger under the weather fish or cut bait run with the hare and hunt with the Honesty hounds a straight arrow hedge your bets above board hum and haw put your cards on the table the jury is still out make a clean breast of something be in two minds Mr Clean play both ends against the middle cross my heart all at sea straight as a die Intelligence and knowledge fair and square know how many beans make five on the level blind someone with science play fair the chattering classes the salt of the earth too clever by half Scout's honour culture vulture on the square feast of reason on the up and up there are no flies on (at fly) Hope and optimism a man (or woman) of letters brave new world know your onions look on the bright side not just a pretty face count your chickens be quick on the uptake cross your fingers not rocket science hope springs eternal have your head screwed on light at the end of the tunnel sharp as a needle a silver lining not suffer fools gladly come up smiling hand on the torch have stars in your eyes Jealousy and envy clutch at straws eat your heart out third time lucky the grass is always greener it's an ill wind the green-eyed monster the wish is father to the thought keep up with the Joneses the best of both (or all possible) worlds nice work if you can get it how the other half lives Hypocrisy sour grapes shed crocodile tears holier than thou Justice Lady Bountiful day of reckoning pay lip service to something get your just deserts make nice give the devil his due physician, heal thyself what goes around comes around the unco guid murder will out a whited sepulchre you reap what you sow a Roland for an Oliver Indecision and prevarication what's sauce for the goose beat about the bush is sauce for the gander Index 334

get a fair shake not the only pebble on the beach one good turn deserves another make sheep's eyes at someone carry a torch for Language, speech, and wear the green willow conversation Madness have kissed the blarney stone talk a blue streak have bats in the belfry chew the fat round the bend (or twist) have swallowed a dictionary off your chump the gift of the gab away with the fairies start a hare have kangaroos in the top paddock say a mouthful mad as a hatter in a nutshell lose your marbles the pen is mightier than the sword men in white suits (see man) have a plum in your mouth out of your mind prunes and prisms nutty as a fruit cake a purple patch out to lunch run off at the mouth off your nana shoot the breeze go postal have a silver tongue off your rocker call a spade a spade have a screw loose speak in tongues take leave of your senses pick up stompies straws in your hair in words of one syllable out of your tree talk the hind leg off a donkey off your trolley talk nineteen to the dozen Marriage the gift of tongues your better half Laziness bottom drawer her indoors a bone in your leg make an honest woman of eat the bread of idleness hope chest couch potato tie the knot cut corners dodge the column plight your troth rest on your oars pop the question come the old soldier on the shelf swing the lead Misfortune and adversity twiddle your thumbs with your back against the wall a bad quarter of an hour Love bed of nails bill and coo catch a Tartar set your cap at a chapter of accidents eternal triangle be caught in a cleft stick an old flame be up the creek without a paddle wear your heart on your sleeve have your cross to bear hell hath no fury like a woman scorned between the devil and the deep blue sea the light of your life the dirty end of the stick love's young dream sow dragon's teeth the boy (or girl) next door behind the eight ball sweet nothings out of the frying pan into the fire 335

up a gum tree have one's bread buttered on both sides under the harrow in clover come hell or high water corn in Egypt in hot water feel the draught the iron entered someone's soul have it easy a pretty (or fine)kettl e offish live off the fat of the land go through the mill board the gravy train a millstone round your neck live high on the hog a nail in the coffin in the lap of luxury go pear-shaped the Mammon of unrighteousness the rough end of the pineapple the Midas touch any port in a storm milk and honey buy the rabbit where there's muck there's brass on the rack pennies from heaven it never rains but it pours a piece of the action be on the receiving end on the pig's back between a rock and a hard place make your pile roll with the punches have deep pockets a hard row to hoe be quids in the short end of the stick at rack and manger slings and arrows the life of Riley a slippery slope a roll Jack Rice couldn't jump over a spanner in the works be rolling in it draw the short straw be born with a silver spoon in your up a stump mouth a thorn in someone's side Tom Tiddler's ground Mistakes Nakedness in the altogether throw the baby out with the bathwater in your birthday suit back the wrong horse in the buff bark up the wrong tree go commando off base in a state of nature off beam in the nip up the booay in your pelt put the cart before the horse in the raw chickens come home to roost get your wires crossed Opportunity drop a clanger an arrow in the quiver to err is human, to forgive divine the ball is in someone's court put your foot in it play your cards right score an own goal a bite at the cherry kill the goose that lays the golden egg a fair crack of the whip shoot yourself in the foot every dog has his day slip of the pen (or tongue) as one door closes, another opens slip on a banana skin take time by the forelock get hold of the wrong end of the stick not let the grass grow under your feet half a chance Money, wealth, and prosperity make hay while the sun shines an Aladdin's cave a kick at the can (or cat) a bed of roses kill two birds with one stone Index

a new lease of life have someone eating out of your hand miss the boat in the hollow of your hand not miss a trick men in grey suits (at man) in pole position a mover and shaker room at the top have someone in the palm of your hand seize the day in someone's pocket not a shot in your locker pull the strings there's more than one way to skin a cat hold the purse strings let something slip through your fingers rule the roost steal a march on in the saddle strike while the iron is hot under someone's thumb have a second string to your bow have someone on toast time and tide wait for no man wear the trousers a toe in the door twist someone round your little finger window of vulnerability the world is your oyster Pregnancy have a bun in the oven Poverty in the (pudding) club on your beam ends up the duff not have a bean in the family way keep body and soul together a gleam {or twinkle) in someone's eye from clogs to clogs in three generations the patter of tiny feet down and out up the spout from hand to mouth not have a penny to bless yourself with Preparation and readiness not have two pennies to rub together armed at all points poor as a church mouse asleep at the wheel in Queer Street keep your eye on the ball from rags to riches batten down the hatches in reduced circumstances loaded for bear live on the smell of an oil rag off the cuff on your uppers dot the i's and cross the t's keep the wolf from the door get all your ducks in a row at your fingertips Power firing on all (four) cylinders top banana gird your loins get someone over a barrel grease the wheels at someone's beck and call at half cock beggar on horseback on the hoof a big cheese jump the gun know where the bodies are buried catch someone with their pants down in the box seat keep your powder dry call the shots (or tune) prime the pump hold all the cards shoot from the hip play cat and mouse with on spec in the catbird seat on the spur of the moment big white chief set the stage for cock of the walk on the stocks dance to someone's tune all systems go in the driver's seat on your toes 337 Index

keep a weather eye on keep something under your hat in the wings under the hatches a hidden agenda Reputation and fame keep the lid on a black sheep someone's lips are sealed not as black as you are painted mum's the word blot your copybook on the q.t. a blot on the escutcheon shout something from the rooftops Caesar's wife in a smoke-filled room claim to fame under the rose under a cloud behind the scenes give a dog a bad name show your hand look to your laurels a skeleton in the cupboard a legend in their own lifetime spill the beans the mark of Cain tip your hand someone's name is mud blow the whistle on have your name in lights something nasty in the woodshed no smoke without fire a nine days' wonder Self-interest Revenge and retribution have an axe to grind bite the hand that feeds you settle accounts with someone bow down in the house of Rimmon bay for blood know which side your bread is buttered the biter bit fight your corner pay someone back in their own coin curry favour have it coming to you dog in the manger day of reckoning be your own worst enemy get your just deserts every man for himself get even with have an eye for the main chance an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth feather your nest don't get mad, get even take the fifth a dose (or taste) of your own medicine foul your own nest get your own back I'm all right, Jack poetic justice the law of the jungle revenge is a dish best served cold contemplate your navel settle a score put your head in a noose tit for tat cut off your nose to spite your face Secrecy not in my back yard an ace up your sleeve take care of number one between you and me and the bedpost paint yourself into a corner keep your cards close to your chest hoist with your own petard sweep something under the carpet make a rod for your own back let the cat out of the bag sell your soul to the devil behind closed doors cut your own throat a closed book cover your tracks Sex a dark horse the birds and the bees a fly on the wall a bit on the side blow the gaff pop someone's cherry give the game away of easy virtue Index 338

give someone the (glad) eye cook on the front burner the facts of life on the crest of a wave a fate worse than death curl the mo how's your father cut the mustard play the field carry the day have the hots for your finest hour know someone in the biblical sense a flash in the pan lead in your pencil be in like Flynn do a line with someone get a guernsey put the make on happy hunting ground nudge nudge (wink wink) hit the mark get your oats hit the jackpot get physical bring your pigs to market on a promise place in the sun put it about go places breed like rabbits sitting pretty red-light district ride high a roll in the hay on a roll a bit of rough come up roses turn a trick go down a storm wham-bam thank you ma'am the top of the tree make whoopee come {or turn) up trumps win your spurs Strength carry the world before you show the flag flex your muscles Surprise true grit bolt from the blue put hairs on your chest take someone's breath away hitch your wagon to a star out of a clear blue sky an iron hand (in a velvet glove) out ofcountenance a labour of Hercules that beats the Dutch the law of the jungle you could have knocked me down with a by main force feather with might and main catch someone flat-footed hold your own set someone back on their heels pack a punch throw someone a loop pump iron have eyes like saucers show your teeth knock someone's socks off be made of sterner stuff sting in the tail a tower of strength a turn-up for the book a tiger in your tank tough it out Thoroughness from A to Z Success boots and all bring home the bacon go for broke go with a bang from go to whoa go down a bomb go the whole hog the brass ring a lick and a promise work like a charm go the extra mile close but no cigar in for a penny, in for a pound 339 Index

root and branch seven-league boots from soda to hock a magic carpet from soup to nuts as the crow flies stay the course on the gad leave no stone unturned hit the road pull out all the stops go round the houses get itchy feet Time knight of the road arrow of time live out of a suitcase waltz Matilda once in a blue moon Mexican overdrive turn back the clock ride the rails till the cows come home ride shotgun in a dog's age round Robin Hood's barn donkey's years a rolling stone the year dot put down roots a movable feast a sabbath day's journey a fly in amber on Shanks's pony till hell freezesove r pull up stakes till kingdom come up sticks many moons ago on the stump a month of Sundays go walkabout a New York minute before the Rinderpest Unhappiness and round the clock time immemorial disappointment the watches of the night your heart sinks into your boots the witching hour beat your breast a dog's life Traitors and treachery down in the mouth point the bone at down in the dumps turn cat in pan dust and ashes do the dirty on someone eat your heart out fifth column end in tears a fair-weather friend a ghost at the feast beware the Greeks bearing gifts a kick in the teeth a Judas kiss a lump in your throat night of the long knives sick as a parrot sell the pass a slap in the face a poisoned chalice vale of tears play someone false wear the green willow put someone's pot on wormwood and gall sell someone down the river wring your hands a snake in the grass a stab in the back Violence a Trojan horse blood and guts a viper in your bosom blood and thunder have blood on your hands Travel and transport give someone Bondi a bird of passage bunch of fives ride bodkin tap someone's claret Index 340

beat the living daylights out of chuck it down duke it out the eye of the storm the gloves are off the heavens opened go the knuckle Indian summer punch someone's lights out a London particular tear someone limb from limb rain cats and dogs get physical lovely weather for ducks take a pop at a Procrustean bed Work and employment he who lives by the sword dies by the get the boot sword hang up your boots beat the tar out of someone's bread and butter have been in the wars on the broo burn the midnight oil Warfare a busman's holiday a call to arms get your cards blood and iron get the gate the dogs of war a golden handshake the pen is mightier than the sword put someone out to grass a pitched battle hit the bricks rattle sabres jobs for the boys a roll of honour live over the shop throw away the scabbard put someone out to pasture take the King's (or Queen's) shilling walk the plank beat swords into ploughshares the oldest profession the late unpleasantness punch the time clock the war to end all wars give someone the push Weakness hang out your shingle talk shop an Achilles heel put up the shutters besetting sin the smell of the lamp big girl's blouse old Spanish customs built on sand by the sweat of your brow a chink in someone's armour Buggins' turn a faint heart walk of life have feet of clay (see foot) on the wallaby track hit where you live a house of cards Youth a house divided angry young man man of straw the awkward age milk and water babes in the wood a paper tiger bright young thing a broken reed a broth of a boy fall apart at the seams at your mother's (or father's) knee knock the stuffing out of knee-high to a grasshopper poor little rich girl (or boy) Weather your salad days blow great guns ugly ducking brass monkey take years off someone