American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms

"brighten or strengthen." For example, These curtains will tone up the whole room, or This exercise is said to tone up the triceps. [Mid-1800s]

tong

hand. see HAMMER AND TONGS.

tongue

hand. In addition to the idioms beginning with TONGUE, also see BITE ONE'S TONGUE;

CAT GOT SOMEONE'S TONGUE; HOLD ONE'S TONGUE; KEEP A CIVIL TONGUE; ON THE TIP OF ONE'S TONGUE; SLIP OF THE LIP (TONGUE).

tongue hangs out, one's

One is eagerly anticipating something, as in Their tongues were hanging out at the thought of seeing the movie stars in person. This expression alludes

to an animal's tongue hanging out of its mouth in anticipation of food. [Late 1800s]

tongue in cheek, with

Ironically or as a joke, as in Was he speaking with tongue in cheek when he said Sally should run for president? This term probably alludes to the facial expression produced by poking one's tongue in one's cheek, perhaps to suppress a smile. [First half of 1800s]

tongues wag

People are gossiping. For example, Tongues wagged when another police car was parked in front of their house, or Their arrival in a stretch limousine set the neighbors' tongues wagging. This metaphoric expression transfers the rapid movement of the tongue to idle or indiscreet chatter. [Late 1500s]

to no avail Also, of little or no avail. Of no use or advantage, ineffective, as in All his shouting was to no avail; no one could hear him, or The life jacket was of little or no avail. This idiom uses avail in the sense of "advantage" or "assistance," a usage dating from the mid-1400s. Also see TO

LITTLE PURPOSE.

too

hand. In addition to the idioms beginning with TOO, also see CARRY TOO FAR; (TOO)

CLOSE TO HOME; EAT ONE'S CAKE AND HAVE IT, TOO; GO TOO FAR; IRONS IN THE FIRE, TOO MANY; LIFE IS TOO SHORT; NONE TOO; NOT (TOO) BAD; ONLY TOO; SPEAK TOO SOON; SPREAD ONESELF TOO THIN; TAKE ON (TOO MUCH).

too bad

Unfortunate, as in Too bad the shoes don't fit you. [Late 1500s]

too big for one's britches Also, too big for one's boots. Conceited, self-important, as in Ever

since he won that tournament he's gotten too big for his britches, or There's no talking to Jill anymore?

she's just too big for her boots. This metaphoric idiom alludes to becoming so "swollen" with conceit that one's pants or boots no longer fit. [Late 1800s]

too close for comfort Also, too close to home. Dangerously nearby or accurate, as in That last shot was too close for comfort, or Their attacks on the speaker hit too close to home, and he left in a huff.

too close to call

Resulting in too narrow a margin to make a decision, as in That ball didn't miss by much but it was too close to call, or The election was too close to call, so they decided to have a runoff. This expression comes from sports, where call has signified "a judgment" since the mid-1600s. In the 1960s it began to be applied to pre-election polls and then to the outcome of elections.

too good to be true

So excellent that it defies belief, as in She loves all her in-laws? That's too good to be true. This term expresses the skeptical view that something so seemingly fine must have something wrong with it. The term was part of the title of Thomas Lupton's Sivquila; Too Good to be True (1580).

too little, too late

Inadequate as a remedy and not in time to be effective, as in The effort to divert the stream into a corn field was too little too late?

the houses were already flooded. This term originated in the military, where it was applied to reinforcements that were insufficient and arrived too late to be of help. [First half of 1900s]

tool up

1. Provide the equipment for a particular task, as in Now that we're all tooled up let's repair the boat. This term originated in industry, where it is used for supplying a factory with machinery or other equipment for production. [1920s] 2. Arm oneself, as in They tooled up for their encounter with the rival gang. [Second half of 1900s]

too many cooks spoil the broth

Too many persons involved in managing an activity can ruin it, as in Without a conductor, every player had an idea for how the music should go?

too many cooks spoil the broth. This expression alludes to each of many cooks adding something to a soup, which finally tastes awful. It was already considered a proverb in 1575 (by George Gascoigne in The Life of P. Care).

too much of a good thing

Too large an amount of a beneficial or useful thing or activity can be harmful or excessive. For example, The indoor decorations are fine but the outdoor Santa, sled, reindeer, gnomes?

it's just too much of a good thing. Expressed in slightly different form even earlier, Shakespeare used this precise wording in praise of moderation in As You Like It (4:1): "Can one desire too much of a good thing?"

to oneself

hand. see KEEP TO ONESELF.

to one's face

Openly, directly, as in I do not have the nerve to tell him to his face that he wasn't invited and shouldn't have come. This idiom alludes to a direct confrontation. [Mid-1500s]

to one's feet

hand. see GET TO ONE'S FEET.

to one's heart's content

To one's complete satisfaction, without limitation, as in I've been eating strawberries to my heart's content, or The youngsters played in the sand to their hearts' content. Shakespeare used this expression in a number of his plays. [Late 1500s]

to one's name

Owned by one, as in He has not got a nickel to his name, or She has only one pair of shoes to her name. This idiom was first recorded in 1876.

to order

hand. see MADE TO ORDER.

tooth

hand. In addition to the idiom beginning with TOOTH, also see FIGHT TOOTH AND

NAIL; FINE-TOOTH COMB; LONG IN THE TOOTH; SWEET TOOTH. Also see under TEETH.

tooth fairy

A mythical source of bounty, as in So who will finance this venture?

the tooth fairy? This expression refers to the fairy credited with leaving money under a child's pillow in place of a baby tooth that has fallen out, a practice popular with American parents since the first half of the 1900s.

top

hand. In addition to the idioms beginning with TOP, also see AT THE TOP OF ONE'S

LUNGS; AT THE TOP OF THE HOUR; BIG TOP; BLOW ONE'S TOP; BRASS HAT

(TOP BRASS); FROM HEAD TO TOE (TOP TO TOE); OFF THE TOP OF ONE'S HEAD; ON TOP; ON TOP OF; ON TOP OF THE WORLD; OVER THE TOP; SLEEP LIKE A LOG (TOP); THIN ON TOP.

top banana Also, top dog. The principal person in a group, organization, or undertaking, as in

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

top brass

hand. see UNDER BRASS HAT.

top dog

hand. see TOP BANANA.

top dollar

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

top drawer

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

to pieces

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

PIECES); THRILL TO PIECES.

top off

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

top out

1. Complete the top portion of a building, as in They were scheduled to top out the dome next week. This idiom was first recorded in 1834. 2. Fill up a ship or complete its cargo, as in The ship was topped out with scrap iron. This idiom was first recorded in 1940. 3. Cease rising, as in

Interest rates topped out at 10 percent. [Second half of 1900s] 4. Retire just as one becomes very successful, as in He decided that at sixty it was time to top out. [Colloquial; second half of 1900s]

top to toe

hand. see FROM HEAD TO TOE.

torch

hand. see CARRY A TORCH; PASS THE TORCH.

to rights

see DEAD TO RIGHTS; SET TO RIGHTS.

torn between, be

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

to save one's life

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

to say nothing of

hand. see under NOT TO MENTION.

to say the least

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

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

to spare

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

to speak of

Worth mentioning; see NOTHING TO SPEAK OF; NOT TO MENTION.

toss

hand. In addition to the idioms beginning with TOSS, also see THROW AWAY (TOSS

OUT); THROW (TOSS) ONE'S HAT IN THE RING.

toss off

1.Do readily or without effort, as in Asimov was amazing, tossing off book after book. [Mid-1800s]

2.Also, toss down. Consume quickly, especially a drink in one draft. For example, He tossed off the beer and headed for the door, or She tossed down one glass after another. [Late 1500s]

toss one's cookies

Vomit, as in A roller-coaster ride may make her toss her cookies. This

slangy euphemism dates from the first half of the 1900s.

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

totem

hand. see LOW MAN ON THE TOTEM POLE.

to that effect

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

to the best of

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

to the bitter end

hand. see BITTER END.

to the bone

hand. see CHILLED TO THE BONE; CUT TO THE BONE; WORK ONE'S FINGERS TO THE BONE.

to the contrary

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

to the core

hand. see ROTTEN TO THE CORE.

to the effect that

hand. see TO THAT EFFECT.

to the ends of the earth

hand. see ENDS OF THE EARTH.

to the fore

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

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

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

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

to the last

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

to the letter

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

to the life

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

to the manner born

Accustomed from birth to a particular behavior or lifestyle, as in At a high-society function she behaves as though to the manner born, but we know she came from very humble circumstances.

This term was invented by Shakespeare in Hamlet. Referring to the King's carousing in Danish style, Hamlet says (1:4): "Though I am native here And to the manner born, it is a custom More honor'd in the breach than the observance." The manner in this expression was later sometimes changed to manor, "the main house of an estate," and the idiom's sense became equated with "high-born'' (and therefore accustomed to luxury), a way in which it is often used today.

to the nines

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

to the nth degree

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

to the point

1. Relevant, concerning the matter at hand, as in Her remarks were brief and to the point, or He rambled on and on, never speaking to the point. [Early 1800s] For an antonym, see BESIDE THE

POINT. 2. Concerning the important or essential issue, as in More to the point, she hasn't any money. This usage is often put as come or get to the point, meaning "address the important issue." For example, Please come to the point; we haven't much time, or Do you suppose he'll ever get to the point of all this? [Late 1300s]

to the teeth

1. Completely, fully, as in Obviously new to skiing, they were equipped to the teeth with the latest gear. This idiom dates from the late 1300s. Also see ARMED TO THE TEETH; FED TO THE

GILLS. 2. Also, up to the or one's teeth. Fully committed, as in We're in this collaboration up to our teeth. [First half of 1900s] Both of these hyperbolic usages allude to being fully covered or immersed in something up to one's teeth.

to the tune of

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

to the victor belong the spoils

The winner gets everything, as in He not only won the tournament but ended up with numerous lucrative endorsements?

to the victor belong the spoils. This expression alludes to the spoils system of American politics, whereby the winner of an election gives desirable jobs to party supporters. [First half of 1800s]

to the wall

hand. see BACK TO THE WALL; GO TO THE WALL.

touch

hand. In addition to the idioms beginning with TOUCH, also see COMMON TOUCH;

FINISHING TOUCH; HIT (TOUCH) BOTTOM; IN TOUCH; LOSE ONE'S TOUCH; LOSE TOUCH; NOT TOUCH WITH A TEN-FOOT POLE; OUT OF TOUCH; PUT THE

ARM (TOUCH) ON; SOFT TOUCH.

touch and go

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

touch base with

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

touch bottom

Reach the lowest point, as in During the recession the economists kept saying that we hadn't touched bottom yet. This metaphor for reaching the ground under a body of water has been used since the mid1800s.

touch down

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

touched by, be Also, be touched with. Be affected by some emotion, especially a tender feeling like gratitude, pity, or sympathy. For example, She was very touched by his concern for her welfare. This idiom alludes to touching or reaching one's heart, the seat of emotions. [First half of 1300s] touched in the head Also, touched. A little bit crazy, somewhat deranged, as in I think the war left him a little touched in the head. [Late 1800s]

touch off

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

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

touch up

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

tough

hand. In addition to the idioms beginning with TOUGH, also see GET TOUGH; GUT

(TOUGH) IT OUT; HANG TOUGH; HARD (TOUGH) ACT TO FOLLOW; HARD (TOUGH) NUT TO CRACK.

tough break Also, tough luck. A trying or troublesome circumstance, bad luck, as in He got a tough break when he was denied a raise, or Tough luck for the team last night. This idiom uses tough in the sense of "difficult," a usage dating from the early 1600s. The variant is also used as a sarcastic interjection, as in

So you didn't make straight A's?

tough luck! A slangy variant of this interjection is tough beans, and a ruder version is tough shit. [Colloquial; c. 1900]

tough it out

hand. see GUT IT OUT.

tough nut

hand. see HARD NUT TO CRACK.

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

tough sledding

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

tow

hand. see IN TOW.

to wake the dead, loud enough

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

toward

hand. see GO A LONG WAY TOWARD.

towel

hand. see CRYING TOWEL; THROW IN THE SPONGE (TOWEL).

tower

hand. In addition to the idiom beginning with TOWER, also see IVORY TOWER