American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms
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hand. see MAKE ONE'S HAIR STAND ON END (CURL).
curl up
1. Assume a position with the legs drawn up; settle down for sleep in this posture. For example, I love to curl up with a good book. [c. 1900] 2. curl up and die. Retreat, collapse, die, as in At first the horse was ahead but in the home stretch she curled up and died, or I'll just curl up and die if he shows up. This colorful expression for collapsing or dying is often used hyperbolically (second example). [Early 1900s] 3. curl someone up. Kill someone, as in The sheriff said he'd curl up that outlaw. This usage originated as cowboy slang in the second half of the 1800s.
curry favor
Seek gain or advancement by fawning or flattery, as in Edith was famous for currying favor with her teachers. This expression originally came from the Old French estriller fauvel, "curry the fallow horse," a beast that in a 14th-century allegory stood for duplicity and cunning. It came into English about 1400 as curry favel??
that is, curry (groom with a currycomb) the animaland in the 1500s became the present term.
curtain
hand. In addition to the idioms beginning with CURTAIN, also see DRAW THE
CURTAIN; RAISE THE CURTAIN; RING DOWN THE CURTAIN.
curtain raiser
Preliminary event, as in This limited attack on the chairman is just a curtain raiser for the concerted effort to oust him. This term literally refers to a short play or skit presented before the main theatrical production. It began to be transferred to other preliminaries about 1940.
curtains for, be. Also, it's curtains. Be the end, especially death. For example, If he hadn't worn a bullet-proof vest, it would have been curtains for him, or It's curtains if she doesn't finish on time. This expression is a metaphor for the falling curtain signifying the end of a performance. [Slang; c. 1900]
curve
hand. see THROW A CURVE.
customer
hand. see UGLY CUSTOMER.
cut
hand. In addition to the idioms beginning with CUT, also see (CUT) DOWN TO SIZE;
FISH OR CUT BAIT; HAVE ONE'S WORK CUT OUT; LIKE A CHICKEN WITH ITS HEAD CUT OFF; MAKE (CUT) A LONG STORY SHORT; UNKINDEST CUT; YOU COULD CUT IT WITH A KNIFE.
cut above
Someone or something that is superior to examples of a similar nature, as in This book is a cut above his previous one. This idiom uses cut in the sense of "a higher degree or stage." [Early 1800s]
cut across
Go beyond, transcend, as in The new regulations cut across class lines. This figurative use of cut across, which literally means "run through" or "intersect," dates from the 1920s.
cut a deal
Offer or arrange an agreement or compromise, as in The administration is hoping to cut a deal with Japan. This expression uses deal in the sense of "business transaction." [Colloquial; 1970s]
cut adrift
Separated or detached; freed. For example, The dissenters were cut adrift from the denomination.
This expression alludes to cutting the rope of a floating vessel so that it drifts without direction or purpose. The figurative use of adrift dates from the late 1600s.
cut a long story short
see MAKE A LONG STORY SHORT.
cut and dried
Ready-made, predetermined and not changeable. For example, The procedure is not quite cut and dried?
there's definitely room for improvisation. This expression originally alluded to herbs for sale in a shop, as opposed to fresh, growing herbs. [c. 1900]
cut and paste
Describing a patched-up job or trivial work. For example, The revision was easy, just cut and paste, or The new assistant had expected some training, but all she got was cut and paste. This term alludes to simple artwork done by small children?
cutting out pictures and gluing them to paper. [Mid-1900s]
cut and run
Clear out, escape, desert, as in He wished he could just cut and run. This term originally (about 1700) meant to cut a vessel's anchor cable and make sail at once. By the mid-1800s it was being used figuratively. Charles Dickens had it in Great Expectations (1861): "I'd give a shilling if they had cut and run." Also see CUT OUT, def. 7.
cut a wide swath
Draw a lot of attention, make a considerable display, as in Although he was new to the company,
he cut a wide swath. This metaphoric use of making a big sweep of the scythe in cutting grass survives despite the mechanization of farming and the declining use of the noun swath. [Mid-1800s]
cut back
1. Shorten by cutting, prune, as in It's time we cut back these bushes. [1860s] 2. Reduce, decrease, as in They are going to cut back defense spending, or We have to cut back production.
[c. 1940] Also see CUT TO THE BONE.
cut both ways
Have a mixed effect, have advantages and disadvantages. For example, Their solution will cut both ways; it'll take longer but is permanent. This metaphoric expression alludes to a double-edged sword.
[c. 1600]
cut capers Also, cut a caper. Frolic or romp, as in The children cut capers in the pile of raked leaves. The noun caper comes from the Latin for "goat," and the allusion is to act in the manner of a young goat clumsily frolicking about. The expression was first recorded in Shakespeare's Twelfth Night (1:3): "Faith, I can cut a caper."
cut class
Absent oneself from a class or other, usually mandatory event, as in If he cuts one more class he'll fail the course. [Late 1700s]
cut corners
Do something in the easiest or least expensive way; also, act illegally. For example, Cutting corners in production led to a definite loss in product quality, or If the accountant cuts corners the auditors are sure to find out. This term alludes to rounding a corner as closely as possible in order to shorten the distance traversed and/or save time. [Late 1800s]
cut dead
hand. see CUT ONE DEAD.
cut down
1. Kill, as in The troops were cut down one by one as they crossed the field. [Early 1800s] 2. Also, cut down on. Reduce, decrease, as in I want to cut down my caffeine intake, or We have to cut down on our expenses. [Mid-1800s] 3. cut down to size; knock down to size. Reduce the self-importance of, humble, as in He's so arrogant?
I wish someone would cut him down to size, or She really got knocked down to size when her class ranking slipped. [Early 1900s]
cute as a button Also, cute as a bug's ear. Pretty or attractive in a dainty way, as in That baby is cute as a button. Cute originally was a shortening of acute, for "sharp-witted and clever," but in
the early 1800s it also took on its current meaning. Other than that buttons and bug's hearing organs can be small, there is no good explanation for these similes.
cut ice
hand. see CUT NO ICE.
cut in
1. Move oneself between others, take a place ahead of one's proper turn. For example, She was very aggressive, always cutting in the cafeteria line. [Early 1600s] 2. Also, cut in on or into.
Interrupt a conversation; also, interpose oneself between dancing partners and replace one of them. For example,
Before Walter was done talking, Marion cut into his conversation, or Jane was quite pleased when Arthur cut in on their dance. [First half of 1800s] 3. Also, cut in on. Include in a profitable business deal or share of the profit, as in Do you want to be cut in on this deal? or We plan to cut you in on this moneymaker. [Slang; late 1800s]
cut into
hand. see CUT IN.
cut it 1.Also, cut that. Stop, as in I won't stand for that?
cut it! or If you don't cut that, I'll tell. [Slang; first half of 1800s] Also see CUT IT OUT. 2.
Manage, tolerate, as in I don't know how he can cut it. [Slang; c. 1900]
3. Be effective, prove satisfactory, as in She's getting old and can no longer cut it. [Late 1900s] For
a synonym see CUT THE MUSTARD. Also see the subsequent entries beginning with CUT IT.
cut it fine
Do something closely with a very slight margin, as in Tom always cut it fine, arriving at the last minute. This term uses fine in the sense of "narrow." [Late 1800s]
cut it out
Stop, desist, as in Cut it out, stop teasing your sister. [c. 1900] Also see CUT IT, def. 1.
cut loose
1. Speak or act without restraint, as in He cut loose with a string of curses. [Early 1800s] 2. Leave, clear out, as in Let's cut loose right now. [Slang; 1960s]
cut no ice
Have no effect, make no impression, as in That excuse cuts no ice with me. This term predates modern refrigeration, when ice was obtained by cutting it from a large block with a sharp tool. [Late 1800s]
cut off 1.Separate from others, isolate, as in The construction debris cut off the workers from the canteen, or The new sect was cut off from the church. [Late 1500s] 2. Stop suddenly, discontinue, as in He quickly cut off the engine, or The drama was cut off by a news flash about tornado warnings. [Late 1500s] 3. Shut off, bar, Their phone was cut off when they didn't pay the bill, or Tom's father threatened to cut off his allowance. [c. 1600] 4. Interrupt the course or passage of, intercept, as in The operator cut us off, or The shortstop cut off the throw to the plate. [Late 1500s] 5. Also, cut off with a shilling or cent. Disinherit, as in Grandfather cut him off with a shilling. This usage dates from the early 1700s; the purpose of bequeathing one shilling (a small sum) was to indicate that the heir had not been overlooked but was intentionally being disinherited. In America cent was substituted from about 1800 on.
cut off one's nose to spite one's face
Injure oneself out of pique. For example, Staying home because Meg was invited first is cutting off your nose to spite your face. Similar hyperboles appeared in several Latin proverbs; in English the expression was first recorded in 1561.
cut off with a shilling
hand. see CUT OFF, def. 5.
cut of one's jib
One's general appearance or personality, as in I don't like the cut of Ben's jib. In the 17th century the shape of the jib sail often identified a vessel's nationality, and hence whether it was hostile or friendly. The term was being used figuratively by the early 1800s, often to express like or dislike for someone.
cut one's losses
Withdraw from a losing situation, as in They decided to close down the unprofitable branch and cut their losses. This expression uses cut in the sense of "reduce" (also see CUT DOWN, def. 2).
cut one's teeth on Also, cut one's eye-teeth on. Get one's first experience by doing, or learn early in life, as in I cut my teeth on this kind of layout or He cut his eyeteeth on magazine editing.
This term alludes to the literal verb to cut teeth, meaning "to have teeth first emerge through a baby's gums," a usage dating from the late 1600s.
cut out
1. Excise, remove as if by cutting; also, form or shape as if by cutting or carving. For example,
Young children love cutting out pictures from magazines, or The first step is cutting out the dress pattern. The first usage dates from about 1400, the second from the mid-1500s. 2. Oust, replace, or supplant someone, as in He cut out all her other boyfriends. [Mid-1600s] 3. Also, cut out for. Suited or fitted by nature, as in Dean's not cut out for lexicography. [Mid-1600s] 4. Also, cut out for. Assigned beforehand, prepared, predetermined, as in We have our work cut out for us. [Early 1600s] 5. Deprive, as in He cut her out of his will. [Early 1800s] 6. Stop, cease, as in He cut out
the motor, or Cut out that noise! [c. 1900] Also see CUT IT OUT. 7. Leave, especially in a
hurry; also, run away. For example, I'm cutting out right now, or At the first hint of a police raid they cut out. [Slang; first half of 1800s] Also see CUT AND RUN;
CUT THE COMEDY.
cut out of whole cloth
hand. see OUT OF WHOLE CLOTH.
cut short
Abbreviate, stop abruptly, as in The thunderstorm cut short our picnic, or She cut her short, saying she'd already heard the story of their breakup. Shakespeare used this term to mean "put a sudden end to someone's life": "Rather than bloody war shall cut them short" (2 Henry VI, 4:4), a less common usage today. The broader usage dates from the mid-1600s.
cut someone dead
Pretend not to see or recognize someone, as in "Any fellow was to be cut dead by the entire school" (Benjamin Disraeli, Vivien Grey, 1826). This idiom, in the first half of the 1600s, began as to cut one; in the early 1800s dead was added for greater emphasis.
cut someone's throat
1. Be the means of someone's ruin, as in Joe would cut her throat if she got in his way. One can also cut one's own throat, that is, spoil one's own chances, as in Alice cut her own throat by her repeated absences. This hyperbolic term alludes to actual murder (or suicide). [c. 1500] 2. cut one another's throats. Engage in destructive competition. For example, With their price war the two stores were cutting each other's throats. This usage gave rise, by 1880, to the idiom cutthroat competition, for vicious competitive practices.
cut teeth
hand. see CUT ONE'S TEETH.
cut the comedy Also, cut the crap. Stop talking or behaving foolishly, as in Cut the comedy! We have work to do, or It's time you cut the crap and got to work. The first of these slangy imperatives dates from the early 1900s, the ruder variant from the 1920s.
cut the ground from under
Unexpectedly withdraw support or destroy one's foundation, trip someone up. For example,
Overriding his veto, Congress cut the ground from under the President. This metaphoric phrase alludes to removing the solid earth from under someone. [Mid-1800s]
cut the mustard
Perform satisfactorily, as in We need a better catcher; this one just doesn't cut the mustard. The origin of this expression is disputed. Some believe it alludes to mustard in the sense of the best or main attraction (owing to its spicing up food), whereas others believe it is a corruption of PASS
MUSTER. Still others hold that it concerns the preparation of mustard, which involves adding vinegar to mustard seed to "cut" (reduce) its bitterness. The expression is often in negative form, as in the example. [Slang; c. 1900]
cutting edge, at the Also, on the cutting edge. In the forefront, in a position of greatest advantage or importance. For example, In my youth I was at the cutting edge of medical research, or Our company is on the cutting edge of gene therapy. This metaphoric phrase alludes to the sharp edge of a knife or other cutting tool.
[c. 1950]
cut to the bone
Severely reduced, as in During the Depression Grandmother's housekeeping money was cut to the bone. The phrase to the bone, literally meaning "through the flesh to the inmost part or core," dates from about 1400. This expression in effect means that everything extraneous has been cut away so that only bone remains.
cut to the chase
Get to the point, get on with it, as in We don't have time to go into that, so let's cut to the chase.
This usage alludes to editing (cutting) film so as to get to the exciting chase scene in a motion picture. [Slang; 1920s]
cut to the quick
Deeply wound or distress, as in His criticism cut her to the quick. This phrase uses the quick in the sense of a vital or a very sensitive part of the body, such as under the fingernails. It also appeared in such older locutions as touched to the quick, for "deeply affected," and stung to the quick, for "wounded, distressed," both dating from the early 1500s. The current expression was considered a cliché from about 1850 on.
cut up
1.
Divide into smaller parts, break the continuity of, as in These meetings have cut up my whole day. [c. 1800] 2. Severely censure or criticize, as in The reviewer cut up the book mercilessly. [Mid-1700s] 3. be cut up. Be distressed or saddened, as in I was terribly cut up when she left. [Mid-1800s] Charles Dickens used this idiom in A Christmas Carol (1844): "Scrooge was not so dreadfully cut up by the sad event." 4. Behave in a playful, comic, or boisterous way, as in On the last night of camp the children usually cut up. [Late 1800s] 5. cut up rough. Act in a rowdy, angry, or violent way, as in After a beer or two the boys began to cut up rough. [Slang; first half of 1800s]
cylinder
hand. see FIRING ON ALL CYLINDERS.
D
daddy
hand. see BIG DADDY; GRANDDADDY OF THEM ALL; SUGAR DADDY.
dagger
hand. In addition to the idiom beginning with DAGGERS, also see LOOK DAGGERS.
daggers drawn, at Also, with daggers drawn. About to or ready to fight, as in Are Felix and Oscar still at daggers drawn over the rent? Although daggers today are rarely if ever used to avenge an insult or issue a challenge to a duel, this idiom remains current. Its figurative use dates from about 1800.
daily dozen
Physical exercise, as in Helen walks two miles every morning?
that's her daily dozen. This term originally referred to a set of twelve specific calisthenic exercises to be performed every day. They were devised by a famous Yale University football coach, Walter Camp (1859-1925), and came into general use in the early 1900s. Despite the physical fitness craze of the late 1900s, these exercises and their name are no longer taken literally, but the term survives in a very general way.
daisy
hand. In addition to the idiom beginning with DAISY, also see FRESH AS A DAISY;
PUSH UP DAISIES.
daisy chain
1. A series of connected events, activities, or experiences. For example, The daisy chain of lectures on art history encompassed the last 200 years. This metaphorical term alludes to a string of the flowers linked together. [Mid-1800s] 2. A line or circle of three or more persons engaged in simultaneous sexual activity. For example, A high-class call girl, she drew the line at daisy chains.
[Vulgar slang; 1920s] 3. A series of securities transactions intended to give the impression of active trading so as to drive up the price. For example, The SEC is on the alert for
unscrupulous brokers who are engaging in daisy chains. [1980s]
dam
hand. see WATER OVER THE DAM.
damage
hand. In addition to the idioms beginning with DAMAGE, also see DO ONE WRONG
(DAMAGE); THE DAMAGE.
damage control
Measures to minimize or curtail loss or harm. For example, As soon as they discovered the leak to the press, the senator's office worked night and day on damage control. Used literally since the 1950s, specifically for limiting the effect of an accident on a ship, this term began to be used figuratively in the 1970s.
damaged goods
A person, especially an unmarried woman who is no longer a virgin, as in A person who has sex before marriage is not considered damaged goods in this day and age. This pejorative expression transfers the reduced value of materials (stock, provisions, etc.) marred in some way to women who have had a sexual experience. [Early 1900s]
damn
hand. In addition to the idioms beginning with DAMN, also see DO ONE'S DAMNEDEST;
GIVE A DAMN; NOT WORTH A DIME (TINKER'S DAMN).
damned if I do, damned if I don't
A situation in which one can't win. For example, If I invite Aunt Jane, Mother will be angry, and if I don't, I lose Jane's friendship?
I'm damned if I do and damned if I don't. Eric Partridge suggested this idiom may have come from the emphatic I'm damned if I do, meaning ''I definitely will not do something," but despite the similar wording the quite different meaning argues against this theory. [Colloquial; first half of 1900s] Also see CATCH-22.
damn well Also, damned well. Certainly, without doubt; emphatically. For example, You damn well better improve your grades, or I know damned well that he's leaving me out. The damn in this phrase is mainly an intensifier.
damn with faint praise
Compliment so feebly that it amounts to no compliment at all, or even implies condemnation. For example, The reviewer damned the singer with faint praise, admiring her dress but not mentioning her voice. This idea was already expressed in Roman times by Favorinus (c. A.D. 110) but the
actual expression comes from Alexander Pope's Epistle to Doctor Arbuthnot (1733): "Damn with faint praise, assent with civil leer, and, without sneering, teach the rest to sneer."
damper
hand. see PUT A DAMPER ON.
dance
hand. In addition to the idioms beginning with DANCE, also see LEAD A CHASE
(DANCE); SONG AND DANCE.
dance attendance on
Wait on attentively and obsequiously, obey someone's every wish or whim. For example, He expected his secretary to dance attendance on him so she quit her job. This expression alludes to the old custom of making a bride dance with every wedding guest. In the 1500s it was used first to
mean "await" an audience with someone, but by about 1600 it had acquired its present meaning. Also see
dance to another tune
Change one's manner, behavior, or attitude. For example, He'll be dancing to another tune when he finds out that the board means business. Also see CHANGE ONE'S TUNE.
dander
hand. see GET ONE'S BACK (DANDER) UP.
dandy
hand. see FINE AND DANDY.
dangerous
hand. see
dare say
hand. see
dark
LITTLE KNOWLEDGE IS A DANGEROUS THING; LIVE DANGEROUSLY.
I DARE SAY.
hand. In addition to the idioms beginning with DARK, also see IN THE DARK; KEEP
SOMEONE IN THE DARK; LEAP IN THE DARK; SHOT IN THE DARK; WHISTLE IN THE DARK.
darken someone's door
Come unwanted to someone's home, as in I told him to get out and never darken my door again.
The verb darken here refers to casting one's shadow across the threshold, a word that occasionally was substituted for door. As an imperative, the expression is associated with Victorian melodrama, where someone (usually a young woman or man) is thrown out of the parental home for some misdeed, but it is actually much older. Benjamin Franklin used it in The Busybody (1729): "I am afraid she would resent it so as never to darken my doors again."
dark horse
A little known, unexpectedly successful entrant, as in You never can tell?
some dark horse may come along and win a Senate seat. This metaphoric expression originally alluded to an unknown horse winning a race and was so used in a novel by Benjamin Disraeli (The Young Duke, 1831). It soon began to be transferred to political candidates, among the first of whom was James K. Polk. He won the 1844 Democratic Presidential nomination on the eighth ballot and went on to win the election.
dash off