American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms
.pdfcarry a torch for Also, carry the torch for. Continue to feel the pain of unreciprocated love for, as in Jane has been carrying the torch for Bill for at least a year. The torch in this term alludes to the heat of love or passion. [1920s]
carry a tune
Accurately sing a melody, as in 1800s]
Dean loves to listen to music but he can't carry a tune. [Early
carry away Move or excite greatly. This expression is usually used in the passive, be carried away, as in The eulogy was so touching we were carried away, or Take it easy; don't get carried away and overdo. [Late 1500s]
carry coals to Newcastle
Do or bring something superfluous or unnecessary, as in Running the sprinkler while it's raining, that's carrying coals to Newcastle. This metaphor was already well known in the mid-1500s, when Newcastle-upon-Tyne had been a major coal-mining center for 400 years. It is heard less often today but is not yet obsolete.
carry forward
1. Also, carry over. Transfer a bookkeeping entry to the next column, page, another account, or the next accounting period, as in Let's carry forward this loss to the next quarter for a saving in taxes, or She made an error in carrying over this column. The first term dates from the first half of the 1800s; the variant dates from the mid-1700s. 2. Make progress in, advance, as in His successor hoped to carry forward his work. Also see CARRY ON.
carrying charge
1. Interest charged on the balance owed when paying on an installment plan, as in What is the carrying charge for this credit card? The term denotes the amount charged for carrying the remaining debt. [Late 1800s] 2. The cost incurred when an asset is unproductive, as when aircraft are grounded during a strike, real estate cannot be developed owing to zoning laws, or similar circumstances. For example,
The carrying charge for owning this building may send us into bankruptcy.
carry off
1. Handle successfully, win, as in It was a difficult situation, but he managed to carry it off gracefully, or They carried off first prize. [First half of 1800s] 2. Cause the death of someone, as in
The new African virus carried off an entire village. This usage is less common today. [Late 1600s]
carry on
1. Maintain, conduct, as in The villagers carried on a thriving trade, or They carried on a torrid love affair. [c. 1600] 2. Continue or progress, persevere, as in I'm sure you can carry on without me. [Mid1600s] 3. Behave in an excited, improper, or silly manner, as in They laughed and sang and carried on rather noisily. [Early 1800s] 4. Flirt, engage in an illicit love affair, as in She accused her friend of carrying on with her husband. [Early 1900s]
carry out
1. Accomplish, bring to a conclusion, as in They carried out the mission successfully. Shakespeare had this term in King Lear (5:1): "And hardly shall I carry out my side, Her husband being alive." [Late 1500s] 2. Put in practice or effect, as in We will carry out the new policy, or Please carry out my instructions. [Mid-1800s]
carry over
CARRY FORWARD, def. 1. 2. To keep something, usually merchandise, for a subsequent period. For example, We'll carry over this summer's bathing suits for next winter's resort season. 3. Persist from one time or situation to another, as in
His leadership in sports carried over to the classroom. [Late 1800s]
carry the ball
Take charge, advance a cause, as in In our lab any of the assistants can carry the ball. This usage comes from such sports as football, where the ball-carrying player gives the team yardage or a touchdown. By the early 1900s it was being transferred to other endeavors.
carry the can
Take responsibility or accept blame, as in Joan felt she was always carrying the can for her boss's errors. [Slang; second half of 1900s]
carry the day
Win, prevail, as in At auctions the wealthiest bidders usually carry the day. [Late 1600s]
carry the torch
hand. see CARRY A TORCH.
carry through
1. Continue with or persevere to the end, as in She carried the project through despite being ill.
Shakespeare used this idiom in King Lear (1:4): "My good intent may carry through itself." [c. 1600] 2. Survive or persist, as in His excellent technique carries through all his work. 3. Also, carry one through. Enable to endure; sustain. For example, His faith helped carry him through this last ordeal.
[Mid-1700s]
carry too far Also, carry to excess. Extend too much in a single direction, as in One can carry the concept of mercy too far; these young thugs should be punished, or Humor in a sermon can be carried to excess. [Early 1700s]
carry weight Also, carry authority or conviction. Exert influence, authority, or persuasion, as in No matter what the President says, his words always carry weight. Shakespeare combined two
of these expressions in Henry VIII (3:2): "Words cannot carry authority so weighty." [c.
1600]
cart
hand. In addition to the idioms beginning with CART, also see UPSET THE APPLECART.
cart before the horse, put the
Reverse the proper order of things or events, as in Don't put the cart before the horse and give away the punch line. This expression has been used since antiquity but was first recorded in English in 1520.
cart off Also, cart away. Transport or remove in an unceremonious way, as in The police carted them all off to jail, or We'll call the town to cart away this trash. This term owes its meaning to cart, a humble conveyance compared to a carriage. [Second half of 1800s]
case
hand. In addition to the idiom beginning with CASE, also see BASKET CASE; GET
DOWN TO BRASS TACKS (CASES); HAVE A CASE ON; IN ANY CASE; IN CASE OF; IN NO CASE; IN THE CASE OF; JUST IN CASE; MAKE A FEDERAL CASE; OFF SOMEONE'S BACK (CASE); OPEN AND SHUT CASE.
case in point
A relevant example or illustration of something, as in A case in point was the collision of a cyclist with a pedestrian crossing the designated bike path. [Mid-1700s]
cash
hand. In addition to the idioms beginning with CASH, also see COLD CASH.
cash cow
A dependable source of profit, as in The small-appliance division is this company's cash cow.
Although this precise term dates only from about 1970, milch cow was used in exactly the same way from 1601.
cash in
1. Settle an account, close a matter, quit, as in I'm simply going to cash in and leave, or The countries of the former Soviet Union have cashed in. [Late 1800s] 2. Profit handsomely, as in When the stock price went up, we really cashed in. This phrase often is extended to cash in on, meaning to take advantage of. [Early 1900s] 3. Also, cash in one's chips. Die, as in If this new treatment fails, Bob may be cashing in his chips before long. This usage was a transfer from quitting a poker game. [Slang; late 1800s]
cash on the barrelhead
Immediate payment, as in They won't extend credit; it's cash on the barrelhead or no sale. The
lexicographer Charles Earle Funk surmised that this term originated in the days when upended barrels served as both seats and tables in bars, and customers were required to pay for their drinks immediately, literally putting their money on the top (head) of a barrel.
cast
hand. In addition to the idioms beginning with CAST, also see DIE IS CAST.
cast about
1. Also, cast around. Seek, make a search, as in We cast about for the necessary tools, but couldn't find them in the garage. [Late 1600s] 2. Devise means, contrive, as in They cast about for new ways to increase revenue. This usage was first recorded in 1867.
cast adrift
hand. see CAST LOOSE.
cast away
1. Also, cast aside. Discard, reject, as in He picked a book, then cast it aside, or She cast away all thoughts of returning home. [Early 1400s] 2. Squander, waste, as in She cast away a fortune on jewelry. Shakespeare
used this idiom in King John (2:1): "France, hast thou yet more blood to cast away?" [Early 1500s]
cast doubt on
Cause something or someone to be questioned. For example, The prosecutor cast doubt on the wife's alibi. This idiom uses cast in the sense of "throw," a usage dating from the early 1200s.
cast down
1. Throw down, hurl to the ground, as in She cast down her coat on the grass. [Late 1400s] 2. Bend down, lower, as in He cast down his eyes. [Late 1300s]
cast in one's lot
hand. see CAST ONE'S LOT.
cast in stone Also, etched in stone. Definite, fixed, as in We may choose to stay longer?
our plans aren't cast in stone, or When Carl sets an agenda you can safely assume it's etched in stone. Both expressions allude to sculpture, with the first, from the early 1500s, using the verb cast in the sense of pouring and hardening some material into a final form, and the second cutting or corroding a permanent design.
cast in the same mold
Bearing a close resemblance, as in All his detective stories are cast in the same mold. This term uses the verb to cast in the sense of forming an object by running molten metal into a mold. [Late
1500s]
castles in the air Also, castles in Spain. Dreams about future success, as in Musing about the bestseller list, she was apt to build castles in the air. The first term dates from the late 1500s. The variant, castles in Spain (or chateaux en Espagne), was recorded in the Roman de la Rose in the 13th century and translated into English about 1365.
cast loose Also, cast adrift. Let go, freed, as in After Rob was suspended from boarding school, he was cast loose with nowhere to go, or Selling her home meant she was cast adrift with no financial ties or responsibilities. Originally a nautical term for releasing a vessel, this idiom was being used figuratively by the late 1500s.
cast off
1. Discard, reject, as in He cast off his clothes and jumped in the pool. This term was already used figuratively in Miles Coverdale's translation of the Bible (1535): "Thy mother . . . that hath cast off her housebonds and her children" (Ezekiel 16:45). 2. Let go, set loose, as in He cast off the line and the boat drifted from the dock. [Second half of 1600s] 3. In knitting, to finish the last row of stitches, that is, take the stitches off the needle and form a selvage. For example, Your sweater is finished; I just have to cast off. [Late 1800s] Also see CAST ON, def. 1.
cast on
1. Make the first stitches in knitting, putting them on the needle, as in Once you learn how to cast on, you can use either simple or complicated stitches. [Mid-1800s] 2. Hastily put on clothes, as in
He cast on his coat and ran out. This usage is dying out. [Early 1800s]
cast one's lot with Also, cast or throw in one's lot with. Join or side with, no matter what the outcome, as in Bill cast his lot with the new company. [First half of 1500s]
cast out
Forcibly drive out, expel, as in We have to cast out these old-fashioned ideas and methods. [Late 1200s]
cast pearls before swine
Give something of value to someone who won't appreciate it, as in The old professor felt that lecturing on Dante to unruly undergraduates would be casting pearls before swine. This term comes from the New Testament (Matthew 7:6), appearing in Tyndale's translation (1526). It was repeated often by writers from Shakespeare to Dickens and remains current.
cast the first stone Also, throw the first stone. Be quick to blame, criticize, or punish, as in
She's always criticizing her colleagues, casting the first stone no matter what the circumstances.
The term comes from the New Testament (John 8:7), where Jesus defends an adulteress against those who would stone her, saying "He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at
her." Also see PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN GLASS HOUSES; POT CALLING THE KETTLE BLACK.
cat
hand. In addition to the idioms beginning with CAT, also see ALLEY CAT; BELL THE
CAT; CURIOSITY KILLED THE CAT; FAT CAT; GRIN LIKE A CHESHIRE CAT; LET THE CAT OUT OF THE BAG; LIKE A CAT ON A HOT BRICK; LOOK LIKE SOMETHING THE CAT DRAGGED IN; LOOK LIKE THE CAT THAT ATE THE CANARY; MORE THAN ONE WAY TO SKIN A CAT; NOT ENOUGH ROOM TO SWING A CAT; PLAY CAT AND MOUSE; RAIN CATS AND DOGS; WHEN THE CAT'S AWAY.
catbird seat
A situation of advantage or superiority, as in His promotion put Charles in the catbird seat. This term is thought to allude to that noisy bird's habitual high perch. It was popularized in the 1940s by sportscaster Red Barber.
catch
hand. In addition to the idioms beginning with CATCH, also see EARLY BIRD CATCHES
THE WORM; GET (CATCH) THE DRIFT; TAKES ONE TO KNOW ONE (A THIEF TO CATCH A THIEF). Also see under CAUGHT.
catch as catch can
By whatever means or in any way possible, as in There was no formal language program; one simply learned Spanish catch as catch can. This term, in slightly varying versions but with the same meaning, dates from the late 1300s.
catch at
Snatch, grasp, as in The beggars kept catching at their coats. [c. 1600] Also see GRASP AT
STRAWS.
catch a Tartar
Seek out something or someone that turns out to be unexpectedly unpleasant or formidable, as in
Now that she finally agreed to meet with you, you just might find that you've caught a Tartar. In this term, Tartar signifies a difficult or sometimes violent individual, referring to Turkic and Mongolian invaders of Asia in the Middle Ages. [Mid-1600s]
catch cold Also, catch one's death (of cold). Become infected with a cold virus, contract a bad cold, as in Jane manages to catch cold on every important business trip, or Put on your hat or you'll catch your death. The first term originally (16th century) meant becoming chilled by exposure to cold and took on its present meaning in the late 1600s. The hyperbolic variant, often shortened, is somewhat newer.
catch fire
1. Be ignited, as in This wood is dry enough to catch fire. [c. 1600] Also see SET ON FIRE. 2.
Become inflamed with enthusiasm or passion, as in His ideas caught fire all over
the country. [Early 1700s]
catch in the act
hand. see under CATCH RED-HANDED.
catch it Also, get it. Receive a punishment or scolding, as in If I forget anything on the shopping list, I'll catch it, or I'm really going to get it when I turn in my paper late. [Colloquial; early 1800s]
catch napping
Surprise, take unawares. This term is often used in the passive, as in The United States was really caught napping the day the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor. It originated in the mid-1500s as to be taken napping. Also see under OFF GUARD.
catch off guard
hand. see under OFF GUARD.
catch on
1. Understand, as in Aunt Mary doesn't catch on to any jokes. The verb to catch alone was used with this meaning from Shakespeare's time, on being added in the late 1800s. Also see GET IT,
def. 2. 2. Be
come popular, as in This new dance is really beginning to catch on. [Late 1800s]
catch one's breath
1. Resume normal breathing after physical exertion of some kind, as in These stairs are steep; wait a minute till I catch my breath. This phrase once meant the same as HOLD ONE'S BREATH?
that is, stop breathing momentarily?
a usage no longer current. [Early 1800s] 2. Relax, take a rest, as in Events have been moving so fast I'd like to stop and catch my breath. [First half of 1900s]
catch one's death (of cold)
hand. see under CATCH COLD.
catch red-handed Also, catch in the act. Apprehend someone in the course of wrong-doing, as in The boys were trying to steal a car and the police caught them red-handed, or He tried to cheat on the exam, but his teacher walked in and caught him in the act. The first term referred to blood on a murderer's hands and originally signified only that crime. Later it was extended to any offense. The variant (catch in the act) is a translation of the Latin in flagrante delicto, part of the Roman code and long used in English law.
catch sight of
hand. See suddenly or unexpectedly, as in When I first caught sight of the Alps, I was overwhelmed. [First half of 1800s]
catch someone's eye
Attract someone's attention, as in That window display really catches my eye. [Early 1800s]
catch some rays
Sunbathe, as in I want a good tan so I think I'll go catch some rays. [Slang; second half of 1900s]
catch some z's
Take a nap, go to sleep, as in I stayed up all night studying so I'd better catch some z's. This term alludes to the buzzing sound of snoring. [Slang; second half of 1900s]
catch the drift
hand. see GET THE DRIFT.
Catch-22
A no-win dilemma or paradox, similar to DAMNED IF I DO, DAMNED IF I DON'T. For
example, You can't get a job without experience, but you can't get experience unless you have a job?
it's Catch-22. The term gained currency as the title of a 1961 war novel by Joseph Heller, who referred to an Air Force rule whereby a pilot continuing to fly combat missions without asking for relief is regarded as insane, but is considered sane enough to continue flying if he does make such a request.
catch up
1. Suddenly snatch or lift up, as in The wind caught up the kite and sent it high above the trees.
[First half of 1300s] 2. Also, catch up with. Come from behind, overtake. This usage can be either literal, as in You run so fast it's hard to catch up with you, or figurative, as in The auditors finally caught up with the embezzler. [Mid-1800s] 3. Become involved with, enthralled by, as in We all were caught up in the magical mood of that evening. [Mid-1600s] 4. Also, catch up on or with. Bring or get up to date, as in Let's get together soon and catch up on all the news, or Tonight I have to catch up with my correspondence. [First half of 1900s]
cat got one's tongue
A comment made when someone is unaccountably or unusually quiet, as in We haven't heard from you all morning?
has the cat got your tongue? Often put as a question, this term originally was used mainly with a child who did something wrong and refused to answer any questions. Today it is used more generally to ask anyone to speak. [Mid-1800s]
cat's paw
A dupe or tool for another, a sucker, as in You always try to make a cat's paw of me, but I refuse to do any more of your work. This term alludes to a very old tale about a monkey that persuades a cat to pull chestnuts out of the fire so as to avoid burning its own paws. The story dates from the 16th century and versions of it (some with a dog) exist in many languages.
caught
hand. In addition to the idioms beginning with CAUGHT, also see under CATCH.
caught dead, wouldn't be Also, wouldn't be seen dead. Would have nothing to do with, detest, as in I wouldn't be caught dead in that outfit, or He'd not be seen dead drinking a cheap wine. This hyperbole is always put negatively. [Colloquial; first half of 1900s]
caught flat-footed
Caught unprepared, taken by surprise, as in The reporter's question caught the President flat-footed. This usage comes from one or another sport in which a player should be on his or her toes, ready to act.
[c. 1900]
caught in the middle Also, caught in the cross-fire. Between two opposing sides, as in The writers are often caught in the middle between editor and publisher, who are political opponents, or When parents don't get along, the children are often caught in the cross-fire. Long used in military situations, these terms began to be used figuratively in the second half of the 1800s.
caught short
Found to be lacking something one needs, especially money, as in Can you pay the check? I seem to be caught short. This idiom uses short in the sense of "lacking money," a usage dating from the early 1500s.
caught with one's pants down, be
Be surprised in an embarrassing or guilty posture, as in We spent a lot of time preparing for the inspection; we didn't want to get caught with our pants down. This phrase presumably alludes to someone's pants being lowered to attend to bathroom needs but is not considered particularly
vulgar. It is similar to OFF GUARD and, if wrongdoing is discovered, CATCH RED-HANDED. [Colloquial; early 1900s]
cause
hand. In addition to the idioms beginning with CAUSE, also see LOST CAUSE.
cause a commotion Also, cause a stir. Give rise to a disturbance, raise a fuss. For example, The opening debate was so bitter it caused a commotion in the legislature, or Her entrance always caused a stir.
cause raised eyebrows Also, raise eyebrows. Cause surprise or disapproval, as in At school his purple hair usually causes raised eyebrows. This transfer of a physical act (raising one's eyebrows) to the feelings it may express took place in the early 1900s. Lytton Strachey used the term in The
Eminent Victorians (1918): "The most steady-going churchman hardly raises an eyebrow at it now."
caution
hand. see THROW CAUTION TO THE WINDS.
cave in
1. Fall in, collapse, as in The earthquake made the walls cave in. [Early 1700s] 2. Give in, admit defeat, as in The prosecutor's questions soon made the witness cave in. [Early 1800s] 3. Collapse, faint, or die from exhaustion, as in After a twenty-mile hike I caved in. [Mid-1800s]
cease
hand. In addition to the idiom beginning with CEASE, also see WONDERS WILL NEVER
CEASE.
cease and desist
Stop, leave off doing something, as in: "Bliss excavated at least once on his own and Dr. Brand . . .
told him to cease and desist" (Douglas Preston quoting Frank Hibben, The New Yorker, June 12, 1995). This legal term is a redundancy, since cease and desist mean virtually the same thing, but often appears in legal documents to avoid possible misinterpretation. [c. 1920]
ceiling
hand. see GLASS CEILING; HIT THE CEILING.
cent
hand. see FOR TWO CENTS; NOT WORTH A DIME (RED CENT); PUT IN ONE'S TWO CENTS.
center
hand. In addition to the idiom beginning with CENTER, also see DEAD CENTER; FRONT
AND CENTER.
center of attraction, the
Something or someone that attracts the most interest or curiosity. For example, The Ferris wheel is always the center of attraction at our carnival, or Jan is the center of attraction wherever she goes.
This expression comes from physics, where since about 1770 it has denoted the point to which bodies tend by gravity or the action of centripetal force.
century
hand. see TURN OF THE CENTURY.