American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms

tie up

1. Fasten securely; also, moor a ship. For example, Can you help me tie up these bundles? or The forecast was terrible, so we decided to tie up at the dock and wait out the storm. The first usage dates from the early 1500s, the nautical usage from the mid-1800s. 2. Impede the progress of, block, as in The accident tied up traffic for hours. [Late 1500s] 3. Keep occupied, engage, as in She was tied up in a meeting all morning. [Late 1800s] 4. Make funds or property inaccessible for other uses, as in Her cash is tied up in government bonds. [Early 1800s]

tiger by the tail

Something too difficult to manage or cope with, as in You know nothing about the commodities market; you'll end up catching a tiger by the tail. This colorful metaphor conjures up the image of grabbing a powerful but fierce animal by the tail, only to have it turn on one. [Second half of 1900s]

tight

hand. In addition to the idioms beginning with TIGHT, also see IN A BIND (TIGHT

CORNER); SIT TIGHT.

tight as a drum

Taut or close-fitting; also, watertight. For example, That baby's eaten so much that the skin on his belly is tight as a drum, or You needn't worry about leaks; this tent is tight as a drum. Originally this expression alluded to the skin of a drumhead, which is tightly stretched, and in the mid-1800s was transferred to other kinds of tautness. Later, however, it sometimes referred to a drumshaped container, such as an oil drum, which had to be well sealed to prevent leaks, and the expression then signified "watertight."

tight as a tick

Drunk, as in She was tight as a tick after just one glass of wine. This expression alludes to a tick engorged with the blood of the animals it feeds on. [Slang; mid-1800s]

tighten one's belt

Spend less, be more frugal, as in Business has been bad, so we'll have to tighten our belts. This metaphoric term alludes to pulling in one's belt after losing weight from not having enough to eat. [First half of 1900s]

tighten the screws

hand. see under TURN UP THE HEAT.

tight rein on, a

Strict control over, as in We told them to keep a tight rein on spending for the next year. This expression alludes to the nar

row strap (rein) attached to a bit and used to control a horse's movements. Rein has been used to

refer to any kind of restraint since the first half of the 1400s.

tightrope

hand. see WALK A TIGHTROPE.

tight ship

A well-managed organization, as in The camp director runs a tight ship. This metaphoric term alludes to a ship in which the ropes are taut and by extension the ship is strictly managed. [Second half of 1900s]

tight spot

hand. see under IN A BIND.

tight squeeze

A difficulty caused by too little time or space, or too little credit or funds. For example, It will be a tight squeeze to get there on time, or I don't know if the sofa will go through the door; it's a tight squeeze, or The company's in a tight squeeze because of poor cash flow. This idiom uses tight in the sense of ''too narrow or constricted." [c. 1900]

till

hand. In addition to the subsequent idioms beginning with TILL, also see HAND IN THE

TILL; UNTIL.

till all hours

hand. see ALL HOURS.

till hell freezes over

Forever, as in They said they'd go on searching till hell freezes over, but I'm sure they'll give up soon. This hyperbolic expression dates from the early 1900s. So does its antonym, not till hell freezes over, meaning "never," as in I'm not giving in, not until hell freezes over.

till the cows come home Also, when the cows come home. For a long time, as in You can keep asking till the cows come home, but you still may not go bungee-jumping. This term alludes to when the cows return to the barn for milking. [Late 1500s]

tilt at windmills

Engage in conflict with an imagined opponent, pursue a vain goal, as in Trying to reform campaign financing in this legislature is tilting at windmills. This metaphoric expression alludes to the hero of Miguel de Cervantes' Don Quixote (1605), who rides with his lance at full tilt (poised to strike) against a row of windmills, which he mistakes for evil giants.

time

hand. In addition to the idioms beginning with TIME, also see ABOUT TIME; AGAINST

THE CLOCK (TIME); AHEAD OF ONE'S TIME; AHEAD OF TIME; ALL THE TIME; AT ALL TIMES; AT ONE TIME; AT ONE TIME OR ANOTHER; AT THE SAME TIME; AT THIS POINT (IN TIME); AT TIMES; BEAT TIME; BEHIND IN (TIME); BEHIND THE TIMES; BIDE ONE'S TIME; BIG TIME; BUY TIME; CALL ONE'S (TIME ONE'S) OWN; CHOW DOWN (TIME); CRUNCH TIME; DO TIME; EVERY TIME ONE TURNS AROUND; FOR THE MOMENT (TIME BEING); FROM TIME TO TIME; GOOD-TIME CHARLIE; HALF THE TIME; HARD TIME; HAVE A GOOD TIME; HIGH TIME; IN BETWEEN TIMES; IN DUE COURSE (OF TIME); IN GOOD TIME; IN NO TIME; IN THE FULLNESS OF TIME; IN THE NICK OF TIME; IN TIME; KEEP TIME; KEEP UP (WITH THE TIMES); KILL TIME; LESS THAN (NO TIME); LONG TIME NO SEE; LOSE TIME; MAKE GOOD TIME; MAKE TIME; MAKE UP FOR LOST TIME; MANY IS THE (TIME); MARK TIME; NOT GIVE SOMEONE THE TIME OF DAY; NO TIME FOR; NO TIME LIKE THE PRESENT; OF ONE'S LIFE, TIME; ON BORROWED TIME; ONCE UPON A TIME; ONE BY ONE (AT A TIME); ON ONE'S OWN TIME; ON TIME; PASS THE TIME; PLAY FOR TIME; POINT IN TIME; PRESSED FOR TIME; SERVE TIME; SHOW SOMEONE A GOOD TIME; SMALL TIME; STITCH IN TIME; TAKE ONE'S TIME; TAKE UP SPACE (TIME); TELL TIME; WHALE OF A TIME.

time after time Also, time and again; time and time again. Repeatedly, again and again, as in Time after time he was warned about the river rising, or We've been told time and time

again that property taxes will go up next year. The first idiom dates from the first half of the 1600s, the variants from the first half of the 1800s.

time and a half

A rate of pay for overtime work that is one and one-half times higher than the regular hourly wage, as in I don't mind working Sunday so long as I get time and a half. This expression uses time in the sense of "the number of hours worked." [c. 1885]

time and tide wait for no man

One must not procrastinate or delay, as in Let's get on with the voting; time and tide won't wait, you know. This proverbial phrase, alluding to the fact that human events or concerns cannot stop the passage of time or the movement of the tides, first appeared about 1395 in Chaucer's Prologue to the Clerk's Tale. The alliterative beginning, time and tide, was repeated in various contexts over the years but today survives only in the proverb, which is often shortened (as above).

time bomb

A situation that threatens to have disastrous consequences at some future time, as in That departmental dispute is a time bomb just waiting to go off. This term alludes to an explosive device that is set to go off at a specific time. [First half of 1900s]

time flies

Time passes quickly, as in It's midnight already? Time flies when you're having fun, or I guess it's ten years since I last saw you?

how time flies. This idiom was first recorded about 1800 but Shakespeare used a similar phrase, "the swiftest hours, as they flew," as did Alexander Pope, "swift fly the years."

time hangs heavy Also, time hangs heavy on one's hands. Time passes slowly, as in She adjusted quite well to the nursing home, except that she says time hangs heavy on her hands. This metaphoric term, first recorded in the late 1760s, likens the passage of time to a burdensome weight.

time immemorial Also, time out of mind. Long ago, beyond memory or recall, as in These ruins have stood here since time immemorial, or His office has been on Madison Avenue for time out of mind. The first expression comes from English law, where it signifies "beyond legal memory," specifically before the reign of Richard I (1189-1199), fixed as the legal limit for bringing certain kinds of lawsuit. By about 1600 it was broadened to its present sense of "a very long time ago." The variant, first recorded in 1432, uses mind in the sense of "memory" or "recall.''

time is money

One's time is a valuable commodity, as in I can't stay home and wait any longer; time is money, you know. This proverbial term goes back to one first recorded in 1572, time is precious, in a discourse on usury.

time is ripe

This is the right moment for something, as in The time is ripe for a revival of that play. Shakespeare used this term (and may have originated it) in I Henry IV (1:3): "Letters shall direct your course when time is ripe."

time is up

The period of time allowed for something is ended, as in Turn in your papers, students; time is up. This idiom uses up in the sense of "completed" or "expired," a usage dating from about 1400.

time of day

The hour shown on a clock; also, a stage in any activity or period. For example, What time of day is the repairman coming? or This is hardly the time of day to ask for another installment when he's

just turned one in. [Late 1500s] Also see NOT GIVE SOMEONE THE TIME OF DAY.

time off

A break from one's employment or school, as in I need some time off from teaching

to work on my dissertation, or He took time off to make some phone calls. [First half of 1900s]

time of one's life

An extremely pleasurable experience; see under OF ONE'S LIFE.

time on one's hands

An interval with nothing to do; see under ON ONE'S HANDS; TIME HANGS HEAVY.

time out

A short break from work or play; also, a punishment for misbehavior in young children in which they are briefly separated from the group. For example, People rush around so much these days that I think everyone should take some time out now and then, or We don't throw food, Brian; you need some time out to think about it. This expression comes from a number of sports in which it signifies an interruption in play where the officials stop the clock, for purposes of rest, making a substitution, or consultation. Its figurative use dates from the mid-1900s.

time out of mind

see TIME IMMEMORIAL.

time warp

A stoppage in the passage of time; also, a distortion of time whereby an event or person could hypothetically move from one era to another. For example, Nothing in their lives has changed since the sixties; they're in a time warp, or Having a seventy-year-old actress portray a teenager?

that was some time warp! This term originated in science fiction, where it signifies "a supernatural movement from one era to another," and came to be used more loosely. [c. 1950]

time was

Formerly, in the past, as in Time was, the city streets were perfectly safe at night. [Mid-1500s]

time will tell

Sooner or later something will become known or be revealed, as in I don't know whether or not they'll like the reconstruction; only time will tell. This proverbial phrase dates from the early 1500s.

tin god

A self-important, dictatorial, petty person who imposes ideas, beliefs, and standards on subordinates. For example, The officials in these small towns often act like tin gods. The tin in this expression alludes to the fact that tin is a base metal with relatively little value. [Late 1800s]

tinker

hand. In addition to the idiom beginning with TINKER, also see NOT WORTH A DAMN

(TINKER'S DAMN).

tinker with

Try to repair, work aimlessly or unskillfully with, as in He tinkered with the engine all day but it still wouldn't start. This idiom, first recorded in 1658, alludes to working as a tinker, that is, mending metal utensils.

tip

hand. In addition to the idioms beginning with TIP, also see FROM HEAD (TIP) TO

TOE; ON THE TIP OF ONE'S TONGUE.

tip off

Supply with secret or private information; also, warn or alert. For example, The broker often tipped her off about stocks about to go down in price, or Somehow they were tipped off and left the country before the police could catch them. [Colloquial; late 1800s]

tip of the iceberg

Superficial evidence of a much larger problem, as in Laying off a hundred workers is only the tip of the iceberg. This idiom alludes to the structure of an iceberg, most of whose bulk lies underwater. [Mid1900s]

tip one's hand

Accidentally reveal one's intentions, as in He avoided any comments on birthdays for fear of tipping his hand about the surprise party. This idiom probably alludes to holding one's hand in such a way that others can see the cards one is holding. [Colloquial; early 1900s]

tip the balance Also, tip the scales; turn the scale. Offset the balance and thereby fa

vor one side or precipitate an action. For example, He felt that affirmative action had tipped the balance slightly in favor of minority groups, or New high-tech weapons definitely tipped the scales in the Gulf War, or Just one more mistake will turn the scale against them. Shakespeare used turn the scale literally in Measure for Measure (4:2): "You weigh equally; a feather will turn the scale." The idioms with tip are much younger, dating from the first half of the 1900s.

tiptoe

hand. see ON TIPTOE.

tired

hand. In addition to the idiom beginning with TIRED, also see DEAD ON ONE'S FEET

(TIRED); SICK AND TIRED.

tired out Also, tired to death. Exhausted, as in She looked tired out after that trip, or He came home tired to death. The first term dates from the second half of the 1500s; the second, a hyperbole, was first recorded in 1740. Also see SICK AND TIRED; TO DEATH.

tit for tat

Repayment in kind, retaliation, as in If he won't help with the beach clean-up, I won't run a booth at the bake sale; that's tit for tat. This term is believed to be a corruption of tip for tap, which meant "a blow for a blow." Its current form dates from the mid-1500s.

to a degree Also, to an extent. hand. See TO SOME DEGREE.

to advantage

hand. see SHOW TO ADVANTAGE.

to a fare-thee-well

To the most extreme degree, especially a condition of perfection. For example, We've cleaned the house to a fare-thee-well, or He played the part of martyr to a fare-thee-well. This term first appeared as to a fare-you-well in the late 1800s, and the more archaic-sounding present form replaced it about 1940.

to a fault

Excessively, extremely, as in He was generous to a fault. This phrase, always qualifying an adjective, has been so used since the mid-1700s. Indeed, Oliver Goldsmith had this precise usage in The Life of Richard Nash (1762).

to all intents and purposes Also, for all intents and purposes; for all practical purposes.

In every practical sense, virtually. For example, For all intents and purposes the case is closed, or

For all practical purposes the Vice-President is the chief executive while the President is in the hospital. The first phrase, dating from the 1500s, originated in English law, where it was to all intents, constructions, and purposes. A shorter synonym is IN EFFECT, def. 1.

to a man

Unanimously, without exception, as in The committee voted against the proposal to a man. This expression, first recorded in 1712, uses man in the sense of "everyone." It continues to be so used despite its sexist tone. To a woman is very occasionally used for unanimous actions in groups that include only women. Also see AS ONE; WITH ONE VOICE.

to and fro

Back and forth, as in He was like a caged animal, pacing to and fro. Strictly speaking, to means "toward" and fro "away from," but this idiom is used more vaguely in the sense of ''moving alternately in different directions." [First half of 1300s]

toast

hand. see WARM AS TOAST.

to a T Also, to a turn. Perfectly, exactly right, as in The description fitted him to a T, or The roast was done to a turn. The first expression, dating from the late 1600s, may allude to the T-square, used for accurate drawing, but some think it refers to crossing one's T's. The variant alludes to meat being turned on a spit until it is cooked to the proper degree. The variant was first recorded in 1780.

to beat the band Also, to beat all. To the greatest possible degree. For example, The baby was crying to beat the band, or The wind is blowing to beat the band, or John is dressed up to beat all.

This idiom uses beat in the sense of "surpass." The first term may, according to one theory, allude to a desire to arrive before the musicians who led a parade, so as to see the entire event. Another

theory holds that it means "make more noise than (and thereby beat) a loud band." [Colloquial; late 1800s]

to be sure

Undoubtedly, certainly, of course, as in The coat is expensive, to be sure, but it's bound to last longer than a cheap one. This idiom was first recorded in 1657.

to blame, be

Be responsible for or guilty of something wrong or bad, as in Obviously the teacher was to blame for the chaos in the classroom, or Mary was not to blame for these errors. [Early 1200s]

to boot

Besides, in addition. For example, It rained every day and it was cold to boot, or He said they'd lower the price of the car by $1,000 and throw in air conditioning to boot. This expression has nothing to do with footwear. Boot here is an archaic noun meaning "advantage," and in the idiom has been broadened to include anything additional, good or bad. [c. A.D. 1000]

to burn

hand. see MONEY TO BURN.

to date

Up to now, until the present time, as in To date we've received no word from them. [First half of 1900s]

today

hand. see HERE TODAY, GONE TOMORROW.

to death

To an extreme or intolerable degree, as in I am tired to death of these fundraising phone calls, or

That movie just thrilled me to death. This hyperbolic phrase is used as an intensifier. Also see

SICK AND TIRED; TIRED OUT. [c. 1300]

toe

hand. In addition to the idiom beginning with TOE, also see DIP ONE'S TOES INTO;

FROM HEAD TO TOE; ON ONE'S TOES; STEP ON SOMEONE'S TOES; TURN UP ONE'S TOES.

to each his own

One has a right to one's personal preferences, as in I'd never pick that color, but to each his own. Versions of this maxim appeared in the late 1500s but the modern wording was first recorded in 1713.

toe the line Also, toe the mark. Meet a standard, abide by the rules, as in The new director will make us toe the line, I'm sure, or At daycare Brian has to toe the mark, but at home his mother's quite lenient. This idiom refers to runners in a race placing their toes on the starting line and not moving until the starting signal. Its figurative use dates from the early 1800s.

together

hand. In addition to the idiom beginning with TOGETHER, also see GET ONE'S ACT

TOGETHER; GET TOGETHER; GO TOGETHER; HANG TOGETHER; KEEP BODY AND SOUL TOGETHER; KNOCK TOGETHER; LIVE TOGETHER; PIECE TOGETHER; PULL ONESELF TOGETHER; PULL TOGETHER; PUT OUR HEADS TOGETHER; PUT TOGETHER; PUT TWO AND TWO TOGETHER; SCARE UP (SCRAPE TOGETHER); STICK TOGETHER; STRING TOGETHER; THROW TOGETHER.

together with

In the company of; also, in addition to. For example, He arrived at the theater together with his girlfriend, or The lawyer found the will, together with other papers, in the murdered man's files.

[Late 1400s] For a synonym, see ALONG WITH.

to good purpose

To effective use, as in A donation to the homeless shelter will be put to good purpose. This idiom was first recorded in 1553. Also see TO LITTLE OR NO PURPOSE.

to hand

1. Also, at hand. Nearby, accessible, as in I don't have the right tools to hand but asked

her to get them for me. [c. 1300] 2. Also, in hand. In one's possession, as in He had their letter to hand, or She had the money in hand. The first term dates from the mid-1700s, the second from about 1200. Also see HAND TO HAND.

to heel

1. Close behind someone, as in The dog started chasing the car but Miriam called him to heel. This expression is used almost solely in reference to dogs. The heel in this idiom, first recorded in 1810, is the person's. 2. Under control or discipline, as in By a series of surprise raids the police brought the gang members to heel. This expression alludes to controlling a dog by training it to follow at one's heels. [Late 1800s]

to hell and gone

Far away, forever, as in I don't know where it is?

to hell and gone, or I can keep talking to hell and gone but it will do no good. This hyperbolic term dates from the first half of the 1900s.

to hell with Also, the hell with. I'm disgusted with, get rid of, as in To hell with that plan; it's ridiculous, or The hell with that so-called genius; he's made a serious mistake in this report. [Early

1900s]

token

hand. see BY THE SAME TOKEN; IN TOKEN OF.

told

hand. see ALL TOLD; I TOLD YOU SO; LITTLE BIRD TOLD ME. ALSO SEE UNDER TELL.

to little purpose Also, to no purpose. Of little or no use, in vain, as in Hiring a new lawyer will be to little purpose. The related phrases are sometimes combined in to little or no purpose and used as a general indicator of futility. To little purpose was first recorded in 1560. For a synonym,

see TO NO AVAIL; also see TO GOOD PURPOSE.

toll

see TAKE ITS TOLL.

Tom

hand. see EVERY TOM, DICK, AND HARRY; PEEPING TOM.

tomorrow

hand. In addition to the idiom beginning with TOMORROW, also see HERE TODAY,

GONE TOMORROW; PUT OFF (UNTIL TOMORROW).

tomorrow is another day

One may not accomplish everything today but will have another chance. For example, We've stuffed hundreds of envelopes and still aren't done, but tomorrow is another day. This comforting maxim was first put as Tomorrow is a new day about 1520, was widely repeated, and changed to its present form in the mid-1800s.

to my mind

As I see it, in my opinion, as in To my mind we have enough money to start building now. [First half of 1500s]

ton

hand. see LIKE A TON OF BRICKS.

tone down

Make less vivid, harsh, or violent; moderate. For example, That's a little too much rouge; I'd tone it down a bit, or Do you think I should tone down this letter of complaint? This idiom uses tone in the sense of "adjust the tone or quality of something," as does the antonym, tone up, meaning