American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms

1. Contribute money, help, or advice, as in If we all chip in we'll have enough to buy a suitable gift, or Everyone chipped in with ideas for the baby shower. Mark Twain used this term in Roughing It

(1872): "I'll be there and chip in and help, too." [Mid-1800s] 2. In poker and other games, to put up chips or money as one's bet. For example, I'll chip in another hundred but that's my limit or, as Bret Harte put it in Gabriel Conroy (1876): "You've jest cut up thet rough with my higher emotions, there ain't enough left to chip in on a ten-cent ante." [Mid-1800s]

chip off the old block

A person who closely resembles a parent, as in Like her mother, Karen has very little patience?

a chip off the old block. This term, with its analogy to a chip of stone or wood that closely resembles the larger block it was cut from, dates from ancient times (Theocritus, Idyls, c. 270

B.C.). In English it was already a proverb by the 17th century, then often put as chip of the old block.

chip on one's shoulder

A belligerent attitude or grievance, as in Mary is easily offended; she always has a chip on her shoulder. This term actually was defined in a newspaper article (Long Island Telegraph, May 20, 1830): "When two churlish boys were determined to fight, a chip would be placed on the shoulder of one and the other demanded to knock it off at his peril." [Early 1800s]

chip and dip Also, chip'n dip. A snack food or an appetizer consisting of potato chips, crackers, or raw vegetables (like carrot sticks) that are used to scoop up a dip, a savory creamy mixture. For example, There wasn't much to eat; all they served was a chip and dip. The term is also used for the utensils employed for this dish?

a plate for the crackers and a small bowl for the dip. [Mid-1900s]

choice

hand. see BY CHOICE; HOBSON'S CHOICE; OF CHOICE; PAYS YOUR MONEY AND TAKES YOUR CHOICE. Also see under CHOOSE.

choke back

Suppress, as in He choked back his tears. [Late 1800s]

choke off

1.Put a stop to, throttle, as in Higher interest rates are choking off the real estate boom. [Early 1800s]

2.Stop someone from speaking or complaining, as in Throughout the debate the congressman had to be choked off to give the other candidate a chance to speak. [Slang; late 1800s]

choke up

1.Block a channel or other passage, as in Vegetation choked up the creek like a dam. [Late 1600s]

2.Be too emotional or upset to speak, as in She became so emotional

about winning that she choked up and was unable to give an interview. 3. Become too nervous or tense in a critical situation to perform, as in He's fine during practice but in a match he tends to choke up. This usage, also put as to choke alone, is especially common in sports. [Colloquial; mid-1900s]

choose

hand. In addition to the idiom beginning with CHOOSE, also see BEGGARS CAN'T BE

CHOOSERS; PICK AND CHOOSE. Also see under CHOICE.

choose up

Select players and form sides for a game or team, as in Jean was always afraid she'd be last when it was time to choose up. [First half of 1900s]

chops

hand. see BREAK ONE'S ASS (CHOPS); LICK ONE'S CHOPS.

chord

hand. see STRIKE A CHORD.

chorus

hand. see IN CHORUS.

chow down

Eat, as in He's always ready to chow down at dinner time. Originally military slang, this term is now more widely used. The noun chow in the sense of food, originating from either Chinese or pidgin English in the 18th century, also appears in such terms as chow line, a line of people waiting for food, and chow time, mealtime. [Slang; mid-1900s]

chump change

A trivial sum of money, a trivial matter. For example, Dave was sick of working for chump change; he wanted a decent salary, or Don't put that on the agenda; it's chump change. This expression uses chump in the sense of "a fool or sucker who should be ignored." [Slang; 1960s] Also see

CHICKEN FEED.

church

hand. see POOR AS A CHURCHMOUSE.

churn out

Produce in an abundant and automatic manner, as in He churned out a novel every six months. This idiom transfers the turning of milk into butter to other kinds of production. [Early 1900s]

cinder

hand. see BURNED TO A CINDER.

circle

hand. see FULL CIRCLE; GO AROUND (IN CIRCLES); RUN AROUND (IN CIRCLES); RUN RINGS (CIRCLES) AROUND;

circulation

hand. see IN CIRCULATION; OUT OF CIRCULATION.

circumstance

hand. see EXTENUATING CIRCUMSTANCES; UNDER THE CIRCUMSTANCES.

circus

hand. see THREE-RING CIRCUS.

civil tongue

hand. see KEEP A CIVIL TONGUE IN ONE'S HEAD.

claim

hand. In addition to the idiom beginning with CLAIM, also see LAY CLAIM TO; STAKE A

CLAIM.

claim check

A receipt for property that has been left or deposited, as in Give me your claim check and I'll pick up your laundry for you. This term most often refers to a receipt for such items as laundry (left for washing), clothes (for dry cleaning), a car (for servicing), or baggage (for short-term storage).

[First half of 1900s]

clam

hand. In addition to the idiom beginning with CLAM, also see HAPPY AS THE DAY IS

LONG (AS A CLAM).

clamp down on Also, put the clamps on. Become stricter or more repressive; put a stop to. For example, The company was clamping down on expenses like business lunches, or It's time we put the clamps on polluters. [Mid1900s]

clam up

Refuse to talk or respond, as in Whenever she asks her teenager about his activities, he clams up.

This term alludes to the tightly closed valves of a live clam. [Slang; early 1900s]

clap eyes on

hand. see under LAY EYES ON.

class

hand. see CUT CLASS.

clay

hand. In addition to the idiom beginning with CLAY, also see FEET OF CLAY.

clay pigeon

A person easily duped or taken advantage of, as in You're a clay pigeon for all of those telephone fund-raisers. The term alludes to the clay pigeon of trapshooting, which replaced the use of live birds in this sport in the 1860s. Its transfer to figurative use in the first half of the 1900s probably is explained by the much older slang use of pigeon for "dupe." Also see FALL GUY.

clean

hand. In addition to the idioms beginning with CLEAN, also see COME CLEAN; HAVE A

CLEAR (CLEAN) CONSCIENCE; KEEP ONE'S NOSE CLEAN; MAKE A CLEAN BREAST OF; MAKE A CLEAN SWEEP; NEW BROOM SWEEPS CLEAN; TAKE TO THE CLEANERS; WIPE THE SLATE CLEAN.

clean as a whistle

Completely, entirely, thoroughly, as in He chopped off the branch, clean as a whistle. The allusion in this simile is unclear. It may have been a replacement for the 18th-century clear as a whistle, which alluded to the pure, clean sound of a whistle (it has few overtones). However, it was adopted to describe something thoroughly done. [Early 1800s]

clean bill of health

A report confirming the absence of fault or guilt in a person or thing, as in Jeff checked every component and gave the computer a clean bill of health, or He had a foolproof alibi so the police had to give him a clean bill of health. This term comes from a 17th-century practice of requiring ships to produce a medical document (bill) attesting to the absence of infectious disease on board before landing.

clean breast

hand. see MAKE A CLEAN BREAST OF.

clean hands, have

Be innocent or guiltless, as in John's got clean hands; he had nothing to do with it. It is sometimes worded as one's hands are clean, meaning "one has done nothing wrong," as in Don't look at me?

my hands are clean. This metaphor for freedom from wrongdoing dates back to at least 1600.

clean house

1. Wipe out corruption or inefficiency, as in It's time the Republican Party cleaned house. This usage is most often applied to an organization. [Slang; c. 1900] 2. Punish, give a beating, as in

Whenever he was drunk he threatened to clean house on one and all. [Slang; c. 1900]

cleanliness is next to godliness

Being clean is a sign of spiritual purity or goodness, as in Don't forget to wash your ears?

cleanliness is next to godliness. This phrase was first recorded in a sermon by John Wesley in 1778, but the idea is ancient, found in Babylonian and Hebrew religious tracts. It is still invoked, often as an admonition to wash or clean up.

clean out

1. See CLEAN UP, def. 1. 2. Empty something of its contents, leave bare. For example, The crows cleaned out the whole field of corn, or At the shop's first sale the customers cleaned out the entire stock of shoes. [Mid-1800s] 3. Deprive of money or other material resources. This usage originated in gambling, where it signified losing one's last stake. Charles Dickens had it in Oliver Twist (1838): "He has cleaned me out, but I can go and earn some more." [Early 1800s] 4. Drive out by force, as in The new CEO tried to get away with cleaning out all employees over the age of 60. [Mid-1800s]

clean slate A fresh start; another chance after wiping out old offenses or debts. This idiom often appears as wipe the slate clean. For example, Henry's boss assured him that the matter was finished and he could start with a clean slate, or He wished he could wipe the slate

clean, but it was too late to salvage the relationship. This expression alludes to the slate boards on which school work or tavern bills were recorded in easily wiped-off chalk. Since 1850 or so the term has been used figuratively, and it has long outlived the practice of writing on slate.

clean someone's clock

Beat, thrash, or defeat someone decisively, as in He's much bigger than you and could easily clean your clock. This term originated in the military. The use of clock is unclear but possibly alludes to hitting someone in the face (for "clockface"). [Slang; mid-1900s]

clean sweep

hand. see MAKE A CLEAN SWEEP.

clean up

1. Also, clean out. Make clean or orderly, as in She cleaned up the cellar after the flood, or Dad said he cleaned out the garage. [First half of 1800s] 2. Also, wash up. Wash or tidy oneself, as in

Do I have time to clean up before dinner? 3. Settle or dispose of, as in He cleaned up all the bills that had arrived during his vacation. 4. Bring to a certain standard of order or morality, as in This script won't do; we'll have to clean up the language. Applied to personal behavior, it also is put as clean up one's act, as in He'll have to clean up his act and obey the rules. [c. 1900] 5. Succeed, especially financially, as in We had fantastic luck at the races and really cleaned up. [Slang; first half of 1800s] 6. Also, clean up on. Defeat or vanquish, kill, as in We're cleaning up all the other teams, or With enough ammunition we could clean up on this pocket of snipers. [Slang; mid-1800s]

clear

hand. In addition to the idioms beginning with CLEAR, also see COAST IS CLEAR; FREE

AND CLEAR; HAVE A CLEAR CONSCIENCE; IN THE CLEAR; LOUD AND CLEAR; OUT OF A CLEAR BLUE SKY; SEE ONE'S WAY (CLEAR); STEER CLEAR OF.

clear as a bell

Pure as the sound of a bell; also, readily understood. For example, Did you understand the message I left you??

Yes, clear as a bell. This simile, which alludes to the bell's clarity owing to lack of overtones, was already a proverb in John Ray's English Proverbs (1670).

clear as crystal

hand. see CRYSTAL CLEAR.

clear as mud

Murky, obscure, totally unclear, as in The translation of these directions is clear as mud. This ironic phrase always indicates that something is far from clear. [Early 1800s]

clear away

hand. see CLEAR OUT, def. 1.

clear off

1. See CLEAR OUT, def. 1. 2. Become clear after cloudiness, fog, etc., as in I hope this fog clears off before morning. This phrase, first recorded in 1816, is heard less often today, clear alone often sufficing (I hope the fog clears). Also see CLEAR UP.

clear one's name Also, clear oneself. Prove someone (or oneself) innocent. For example, She not only wanted to be acquitted, she wanted to clear her name entirely. This locution employs the verb clear in the sense of "purify" or "wash away a stain." [Late 1400s]

clear out

1. Also, clear away or off. Remove the contents, take something or someone away, as in I'll clear out this closet so you can use it, or Let me clear away these things, or Please clear off the table.

The first phrase dates from the mid-1600s, the second from the mid-1700s, and the third from the early 1700s. Sometimes away and out are omitted, as in Let me clear these things, or Please clear

the table. Also see CLEAN UP, def. 1. 2. Depart suddenly or run away, as in We cleared out before our landlord could stop us. [Early 1800s] 3. Drive or force out, as in The police

cleared out the restaurant in no time. [Mid-1800s]

clear the air

Eliminate confusion, dispel controversy or emotional tension, as in His letter has cleared the air; we now know where he stands. This idiom alludes to an atmosphere cleared of sultriness by a storm. [Late 1800s]

clear the decks

Prepare for action, as in I've finished all these memos and cleared the decks for your project, or Clear the decks?

here comes the coach. This expression originated in naval warfare, when it described preparing for battle by removing or fastening down all loose objects on the ship's decks. [Second half of 1800s]

clear the table

hand. see CLEAR OUT, def. 1.

clear up

1. Clarify, explain, solve, as in Let's try to clear up this misunderstanding. [Late 1600s] 2. Become clear, as in After the storm, it cleared up very quickly. [Early 1600s] 3. Return something to a normal condition, cure, as in This new salve will clear up your rash.

clear with

Obtain approval or permission. For example, Before you proceed, you'll have to clear it with the main office. [Mid-1900s]

climb the walls

Show extreme frustration, impatience, or anxiety, as in That long, boring banquet made me want to climb the walls, or If he says that one more time I'll be ready to climb the walls. Although describing a military maneuver dating from ancient times, this slangy phrase has been used figuratively to express strong negative feeling only since about 1970. Also see under DRIVE

SOMEONE CRAZY.

clinging vine

An overly dependent person, as in A clinging vine since her marriage, she's never made a decision on her own. Nearly always applied to a woman (or wife), this metaphor for a climbing plant today

A narrowly missed success, as in That ball was definitely out?

close but no cigar. This interjection alludes to awarding a cigar to the winner of some competition, such as hitting a target. [Slang; early 1900s]

close call Also, close shave. Narrow escape, near miss. For example, That skier just missed the tree?

what a close call, or That was a close shave, nearly leaving your passport behind. The first phrase dates from the late 1800s and comes from sports, alluding to an official's decision (call) that could have gone either way. The second, from the early 1800s, alludes to the narrow margin between closely shaved skin and a razor cut. (This latter usage replaced the much earlier equation of a close shave with miserliness, based on the idea that a close shave by a barber meant one would not have to spend money on another shave quite so soon.) Also see TOO CLOSE FOR COMFORT.

closed book, a

A secret, mystery, or puzzle, as in I can't figure her out; she's a closed book to me. This term alludes to information one can't obtain or comprehend (because the book is closed). [Early 1900s]

closed door

1. An obstacle or restriction, as in There are no closed doors in the new field of gene therapy. [First

half of 1900s] 2. close one's doors. See CLOSE DOWN. Also see BEHIND CLOSED DOORS; CLOSE THE DOOR.

close down

1. Also, close one's doors; shut down. Go out of business, end operations. For example, If the rent goes up we'll have to close down, or After fifty years in business the store finally closed its doors, or The warehouse had a clearance sale the month before it shut down for good. Also see

CLOSE UP, def. 2. 2. Force someone to go out of business, as in The police raided the porn shop and closed it down. Both usages date from the early 1900s, but shut down was first recorded in 1877.

close in

1. Surround, enclose, envelop, as in The fog closed in and we couldn't see two yards in front of us, or She felt the room was closing in. [c. 1400] 2. Also, close in on or upon. Draw in, approach, as in The police closed in on the suspect. [Early 1800s]

close one's eyes to Also, shut one eyes to. Deliberately ignore, refuse to notice. For example,

Jill closed her eyes to the danger and pushed off downhill, or The professor shut her eyes to students who read a book during her lecture. [Early 1700s] For a synonym see TURN A BLIND

EYE.

close out

1. Also, close something out. Dispose of a stock of goods; end a business. For example, We are closing out all our china, or They've decided to close out their downtown branch. This expression is

most often used in business and commerce but occasionally refers to other matters. [Late 1800s] 2. close someone out. Prevent someone's entry or inclusion, as in No one will tell us about the merger?

we've been closed out. [Second half of 1900s]

close ranks

Unite, work together, as in The members decided to close ranks and confront the president. This expression, dating from the late 1700s, comes from the military, where it denotes bringing troops into close order so there are no gaps in the fighting line. (A slightly earlier form was close lines.) It has been used figuratively since the mid-1800s.

close shave

hand. see CLOSE CALL.

closet

hand. see COME OUT OF THE CLOSET; SKELETON IN THE CLOSET.

close the books

Stop financial transactions; end a matter. For example, The entire estate went at the auction, so we can close the books on it, or He was glad to close the books on this case.

close the door on Also, shut the door on. End or exclude from consideration, discussion, or action. For example, His lack of qualifications closed the door on further promotions, or Last quarter's poor sales figures have shut the door on any expansion plans.

close the sale Also, close the deal; close on a sale or deal. Complete a transaction, as in Jack was delighted to close the sale. This term applies to such transactions as the sale of a house, also put as closing on a house, as well as negotiations leading up to a sale. The latter was also put as to close a bargain, a phrase used by Charles Dickens and other 19th-century writers: "He closed the bargain directly it reached his ears," Nicholas Nickleby, 1838.

close to home Also, where one lives. Affecting one intimately and personally, as in That description of orphans really was too close to home, or The teacher's criticisms of her work got her where she lives. The noun home here means "the heart of something," a usage dating from the late 1800s; the variant was first recorded in 1860. Both of these colloquialisms are sometimes preceded by hit, that is, something is said to hit close to home or hit one where one lives, as in That remark about their marriage hit close to home. Also see TOO CLOSE FOR COMFORT

(TO HOME).

close up Also,close up shop. Stop doing business, temporarily or permanently; also, stop working. For example, The bank is closing up all its overseas branches, or That's enough work for one day?

I'm closing up shop and going home. [Late 1500s]

cloth