American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms

everyone

hand. see entries under EVERY MAN.

every other

Every second one in a series, as in I'm supposed to take this pill every other day. [c. 1400] every single one

hand. see EACH AND EVERY.

every so often

hand. see EVERY NOW AND THEN.

everything

hand. In addition to the idiom beginning with EVERYTHING, also see HOLD

EVERYTHING.

everything but the kitchen sink Also, everything under the sun. Including just about everything, whether appropriate or not. For example, Our new car has every feature?

everything but the kitchen sink. This hyperbolic term may date from the early 1900s but only became widespread in the mid-1900s. The variant employs under the sun in the sense of "everything on earth," a usage dating from about A.D. 1000.

every time one turns around

Very often; too often. For example, Every time I turn around he's asking for more money, or Something in this house breaks down every time I turn around.

every Tom, Dick, and Harry Also, every mother's son; every man Jack. Everyone, all ordinary individuals, as in This model should appeal to every Tom, Dick, and Harry. The use of masculine names in this way dates from Shakespeare's time (he used Tom, Dick, and Francis in 1 Henry IV), but the current one dates from the early 1800s. The two variants are largely British usage but occasionally are used in America. The first is recorded as early as 1583, whereas the second dates from the first half of the 1800s.

everywhere

hand. see ALL OVER (EVERYWHERE); HERE, THERE, AND EVERYWHERE.

every which way

In all directions, as in Papers were blowing every which way. [Colloquial; mid-1800s]

evidence

hand. see IN EVIDENCE; MUCH IN EVIDENCE.

evil eye

The power to cause injury or misfortune, as in The tomatoes died shortly after

planting?

I must have an evil eye. The source of this expression is the ancient superstitious belief that some individuals could inflict harm on others simply by looking at them. Today the term is generally used figuratively or ironically, as above, and also in the form give someone the evil eye, which means "glare malevolently at someone." For example, Helen gave his cat the evil eye, hoping it would stay out of her garden. [Late 1300s]

example

hand. see FOR EXAMPLE; MAKE AN EXAMPLE OF; SET AN EXAMPLE.

except for Also, with the exception of. Other than, were it not for. For example, Except for Jack, everyone came to the party, or With the exception of the weather, everything went extremely well. [c. 1600]

exception

hand. In addition to the idioms beginning with EXCEPTION, also see EXCEPT FOR

(WITH THE EXCEPTION OF); MAKE AN EXCEPTION; TAKE EXCEPTION TO.

exception proves the rule, the

An instance that does not obey a rule shows that the rule exists. For example, John's much shorter than average but excels at basketball?

the exception proves the rule. This seemingly paradoxical phrase is the converse of the older idea that every rule has an exception. [Mid-1600s]

excess

hand. see CARRY TOO FAR (TO EXCESS); IN EXCESS OF.

exchange

hand. see IN EXCHANGE.

excuse me

1. Also, I beg your pardon, pardon me. Forgive me, as in Excuse me, please let me pass, or Pardon me for asking, or I beg your pardon, I don't think so. These phrases are used as an apology for interrupting a conversation, bumping into someone, asking a speaker to repeat something, politely disagreeing with something said, and so on. The first dates from about 1600, the first variant from about 1800, the second from the mid-1700s. 2. Also, excuse oneself. Allow or ask to leave or be released from an obligation. For example, Please excuse me, I have to leave now, or I

asked the judge to excuse me from jury duty. [1920s]

exert oneself

Put oneself to strenuous effort, as in We exerted ourselves mightily to raise funds. [First half of 1700s]

exhibition

hand. see MAKE AN EXHIBITION OF ONESELF.

expect

hand. see WHEN LEAST EXPECTED.

expedition

hand. see FISHING EXPEDITION.

expense

hand. see AT THE EXPENSE OF; GO TO THE TROUBLE (EXPENSE); MONEY (EXPENSE) IS NO OBJECT.

explain away

Dismiss or minimize the importance of something, especially something detrimental. For example, "His words were taken down, and though he tried to explain them away, he was sent to the Tower" (Thomas Macaulay, The History of England, 1855). [c. 1700]

explain oneself

1. Clarify what one has said or done, as in If you have a few minutes, I'll try to explain myself.

[First half of 1600s] 2. Demand or give an explanation or excuse for something wrong one has done. For example,

You're three hours late?can you explain yourself?

express oneself

Reveal or portray one's feelings or views through speech, writing, some form of art, or behavior. For example, I find it hard to express myself in Italian, or Helen expresses herself through her painting, or Teenagers often express themselves through their attire, haircuts, and the like.

[Mid-1500s]

extend credit to Also, extend someone credit. Allow a purchase on credit; also, per

mit someone to owe money. For example, The store is closing your charge account; they won't extend credit to you any more, or The normal procedure is to extend you credit for three months, and after that we charge interest. This idiom uses the verb extend in the sense of ''offer" or "provide," a usage dating from the mid-1500s.

extent

hand. see TO SOME DEGREE (EXTENT).

extenuating circumstances

A situation or condition that provides an excuse for an action, as in Although Nancy missed three crucial rehearsals, there were extenuating circumstances, so she was not dismissed. This expression was originally legal terminology, denoting circumstances that partly excuse a crime and therefore call for less punishment or damages. [c. 1600]

eye

hand. In addition to the idioms beginning with EYE, also see ALL EYES; APPLE OF

ONE'S EYE; BELIEVE ONE'S EARS (EYES); BIRD'S-EYE VIEW; BLACK EYE; BRIGHT-EYED AND BUSHY-TAILED; CATCH SOMEONE'S EYE; CLOSE ONE'S EYES; CRY ONE'S EYES OUT; EAGLE EYE; EASY ON THE EYES; EVIL EYE; FEAST ONE'S EYES ON; GIVE SOMEONE THE ONCE-OVER (EYE); GREEN-EYED MONSTER; HAVE AN EYE FOR; HAVE ONE'S EYE ON; HIT BETWEEN THE EYES; HIT THE BULL'S-EYE; IN A PIG'S EYE; IN ONE'S MIND'S EYE; IN THE EYE OF THE WIND; IN THE PUBLIC EYE; IN THE TWINKLING OF AN EYE; KEEP AN EYE ON; KEEP AN EYE OUT; KEEP A WEATHER EYE; KEEP ONE'S EYE ON THE BALL; KEEP ONE'S EYES OPEN; LAY EYES ON; LOOK CROSS-EYED AT; LOOK SOMEONE IN THE FACE (EYE); MAKE EYES AT; MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE; MY EYE; NAKED EYE; ONE EYE ON; OPEN ONE'S EYES; OUT OF THE CORNER OF ONE'S EYE; PRIVATE EYE; PULL THE WOOL OVER SOMEONE'S EYES; RUN ONE'S EYES OVER; SEE EYE TO EYE; SEE WITH HALF AN EYE; SIGHT FOR SORE EYES; STARS IN ONE'S EYES; THROW DUST IN SOMEONE'S EYES; TURN A BLIND EYE; UP TO ONE'S EARS (EYES); WITH AN EYE TO; WITH ONE'S EYES OPEN; WITHOUT BATTING AN EYE.

eyeball to eyeball

Face to face; especially, about to begin a conflict. For example, We are eyeball to eyeball with the enemy, or In the playoffs we go eyeball to eyeball with the Yankees, or In the first debate our candidate's going eyeball to eyeball with his opponent. This term was originally used only in a military context but later entered civilian language, particularly in political or sports confrontations. [Colloquial;

c. 1950]

eyebrow

hand. see CAUSE RAISED EYEBROWS.

eye for an eye, an

Punishment in which the offender suffers what the victim has suffered, exact retribution, as in Joe

face

hand. In addition to the idioms beginning with FACE, also see AT FACE VALUE; BLUE

IN THE FACE; BRAVE FACE; DO AN ABOUT-FACE; EGG ON ONE'S FACE; FEED ONE'S FACE; FLY IN THE FACE OF; HIDE ONE'S FACE; IN SOMEONE'S FACE; IN THE FACE OF; IN YOUR FACE; KEEP A STRAIGHT FACE; LAUGH OUT OF THE OTHER SIDE OF ONE'S MOUTH (FACE); LONG FACE; LOOK SOMEONE IN THE FACE; LOSE FACE; MAKE A FACE; ON THE FACE OF IT; PLAIN AS DAY (THE NOSE ON YOUR FACE); POKER FACE; PUT ONE'S FACE ON; RED IN THE FACE; SAVE FACE; SET ONE'S FACE AGAINST; SHOW ONE'S FACE; SLAP IN THE FACE; STARE IN THE FACE; STUFF ONE'S FACE; TALK ONE'S ARM OFF (UNTIL BLUE IN THE FACE); THROW IN SOMEONE'S FACE; TO SOMEONE'S FACE.

face down

1. With the upper surface put down, as in Please put these papers face down. This usage appears to come from cardplaying. [First half of 1600s] The antonym, "with the upper surface uppermost," is face up. 2. Overcome, intimidate, or browbeat someone in a bold confrontation. This verbal expression dates from the 16th century. Shakespeare used it in The Comedy of Errors (3:1): "Here's a villain that would face me down."

face it

hand. see FACE UP TO.

face the music

Confront unpleasantness, especially the consequences of one's errors. For example, When the check bounced, he had to face the music. The precise allusion in this expression has been lost. Most authorities believe it refers to a theater's pit orchestra, which an actor must face when he faces what can be a hostile audience, but some hold it comes from the military, where a formal dismissal in disgrace would be accompanied by band music. [Second half of 1800s] Also see FACE

UP TO.

face to face

1. In each other's presence, opposite one another; in direct communication. For example, The two chairmen sat face to face, or It's time his parents met the teacher face to face. [Mid-1300s] 2. Confronting each other, as in We were face to face with death during the avalanche. [Late 1800s]

face up

hand. see under FACE DOWN.

face up to Also, face it. Confront or accept an unpleasant or difficult situation. For example, Jane had to face up to the possibility of being fired, or Face it?

you were wrong. [Late 1700s] Also see FACE THE MUSIC.

face value

hand. see AT FACE VALUE.

face with

Confront, as in When he was faced with the evidence, he admitted it. [Late 1500s]

fact

hand. In addition to the idiom beginning with FACT, also see AFTER THE FACT; HARD

FACTS; IN FACT; IS THAT A FACT; MATTER OF FACT.

factor in

Figure in, include as a basic element. For example, In preparing the schedule we factored in vacation and sick days. This term comes from mathematics. [Mid-1900s]

facts of life

Knowledge of sexual reproduction, as in Some people feel that the facts of life should not be taught in school. [Late 1800s] Also see BIRDS AND THE BEES.

fade away

hand. see FADE OUT, def. 2.

fade out

1. Gradually disappear or become inaudible; also, cause to disappear or become inaudible gradually. For example, He let the final chord fade out completely before he played the next movement. The antonym is fade in, "to appear gradually or become audible," as in The images on the screen faded in until they could be seen clearly. These terms originated in the motion-picture and broadcasting industries, where they apply to images and sounds. [c. 1915] 2. Also, fade away. Quietly depart, as in "Florence Scape, Fanny Scape and their mother faded away to Boulogne" (William Makepeace Thackeray, Vanity Fair, 1848). [Mid-1800s]

fail

hand. see WITHOUT FAIL; WORDS FAIL ME.

faint

hand. see DAMN WITH FAINT PRAISE.

fair

hand. In addition to the idioms beginning with FAIR, also see ALL'S FAIR IN LOVE AND

WAR; PLAY FAIR; TURNABOUT IS FAIR PLAY.

fair and square

Just and honest, as in He won the race fair and square. This redundant expression? fair and square mean essentially the same thing?

probably owes its long life to its rhyme. [Early 1600s]

fair enough

That's reasonable; I agree. For example, I'll wait just one more day.?

Fair enough, you've been very patient. [Colloquial; early 1900s]

fair game

A legitimate target for attack or ridicule. For example, On his talk show, authors are considered fair game. This expression alludes to hunting. [Early 1800s]

fair-haired boy

A favorite, a person who is given special treatment. For example, Today the attorney general is the governor's fair-haired boy. This term alludes to the preference of blond ("fair") hair over dark hair. [Late 1800s]

fair play

Conformity to established rules; upright conduct and equitable conditions. For example, The coach insists on fair play. Shakespeare used this idiom in King John (5:2): "According to the fair play of the world, let me have audience." [Late 1500s] Also see TURNABOUT IS FAIR PLAY.

fair sex

Girls or women, as in Many women would object to being called the fair sex nowadays. This euphemism uses fair in the sense of "physically beautiful" and is probably dying out. [Mid-1600s]

fair shake, a

An equitable bargain or opportunity, as in You can always count on the boss to give his crew a fair shake. This expression probably alludes to the shaking of dice. [Colloquial; early 1800s]

fair to middling

Mediocre, pretty good, so-so, as in I asked them how they liked their new home and John answered, "Fair to mid

dling." This phrase, often a reply to an inquiry about one's health, business, or the like, is redundant, since fair and middling both mean "moderately good." [Mid-1800s] Also see CAN'T

COMPLAIN.

fair-weather friend

A person who is dependable in good times but is not in times of trouble. For example, You can't rely on Sarah?

she's strictly a fair-weather friend. This expression likens fair weather to good times. [Early 1700s]

fairy

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

fairy godmother

A generous benefactor, as in An anonymous fairy godmother donated the money for the new organ. This expression alludes to a stock character in fairy tales such as Cinderella, who gives unexpected and much needed assistance. [Late 1800s]

faith

hand. see ACT OF FAITH; IN BAD (GOOD) FAITH; IN FAITH; LEAP OF FAITH; ON FAITH; PIN ONE'S HOPES (FAITH)

fall

hand. In addition to the idioms beginning with FALL, also see BOTTOM DROPS (FALLS)

OUT; BREAK ONE'S FALL; EASY AS PIE (FALLING OFF A LOG); LET DROP (FALL); LET THE CHIPS FALL WHERE THEY MAY; RIDE FOR A FALL; TAKE THE FALL.

fall all over oneself Also, fall over backwards. Make an inordinate effort to do something, try very hard or eagerly. For example, They fell all over themselves to be helpful, but only got in the way, or She fell over backwards trying to please her boss, but it got her nowhere. The first of these hyperbolic expressions dates from the late 1800s, the second from the mid-1900s.

fall apart

Collapse, break down, either physically or mentally and emotionally. For example, This chair is about to fall apart, or After his wife died, he fell apart. For synonyms for the latter usage, see

COME APART AT THE SEAMS; GO TO PIECES.

fall asleep

Go to sleep; also, cease paying attention. For example, As soon as the lights were dimmed he fell asleep, or His lectures are so dull that I fall asleep. The literal usage, which uses the verb fall in the sense of "succumb," dates from about 1300; the figurative is several centuries newer. Also see

ASLEEP AT THE SWITCH.

fall away

1. Also, fall off. Withdraw one's friendship, support, or allegiance. For example, After the divorce, her friends slowly fell away. [Early 1500s] 2. Also, fall off. Gradually decline in size or strength, as

in The breeze slowly fell away, or, as Shakespeare put it (King Lear, 1:2): "Love cools, friendship falls off, Brothers divide." [Early 1500s] 3. Drift from an established faith, cause, or principles. For example, I fell away from the Catholic Church when I was a teenager. [Early 1500s]

fall back

1. Give ground, retreat, as in The troops fell back before the relentless enemy assault, or He stuck to his argument, refusing to fall back. [c. 1600] 2. Recede, as in The waves fell back from the shore. [c. 1800]

fall back on Also, fall back upon. Rely on, have recourse to, as in I fall back on old friends in time of need, or When he lost his job he had to fall back upon his savings. [Mid-1800s]

fall behind Also, get behind. 1. Lag, fail to keep up, as in You really must keep up with the others; if you fall behind you could get lost. [First half of 1500s] 2. Be financially in arrears, as in

He fell behind in his payments. [Mid-1800s]

fall between the cracks Also, fall through the cracks or between two stools. Be neglected or overlooked; also, not fit either of two alternatives. For example, Please make sure that either our department or yours deals with this account, lest it fall between the cracks, or Trying to be both teacher and parent, she fell between two stools. The variant using stools, with its image of a person falling to the ground between two chairs instead of sitting down on one or the other, was already a proverb in ancient times; in English it was first recorded about 1390.

fall by the wayside

Fail to continue, drop out, as in At first she did well on the tour, but with all the pressure she soon fell by the wayside. This phrase appeared in William Tyndale's translation of the New Testament (1526; Luke 8:5).

fall down

Fail to meet expectations; lag in performance. For example, It was disappointing to see him fall down on the job. This expression transfers a literal drop to a figurative one. [Second half of 1800s]

fall flat

Fail, prove to be ineffective, as in His jokes nearly always fell flat?

no one ever laughed at them. [First half of 1800s]

fall for

1. Become attracted to, as in I was sure he'd fall for her. [Slang; early 1900s] 2. Be deceived or swindled by, as in He fell for the con artist's scheme and lost a great deal of money. [Slang; early 1900s]

fall from grace

Experience reduced status or prestige, cease to be held in favor, as in The whole department has fallen from grace and may well be dissolved entirely. This expression originally alluded to losing the favor of God. Today it is also used more loosely, as in the example. [Late 1300s]