American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms

fry, frying

hand. see OTHER FISH TO FRY; OUT OF THE FRYING PAN; SMALL FRY.

fuck around

1. Fool around, engage in frivolous activity, as in Stop fucking around and get the job done, or I'm tired of fucking around?

let's go home. [Vulgar slang; 1920s] 2. fuck someone around. Cheat, treat badly or make trouble for someone, as in Stop fucking me around; I know what you're up to. [Vulgar slang; mid1900s] 3. Be sexually promiscuous, as in Doesn't he have a reputation for fucking around?

[Vulgar slang; c. 1930]

fuck off

1. Go away, get out of here, as in Fuck off or I'll call the police. This idiom is used only as a command. [Vulgar slang; 1920s] 2. Spend time idly, loaf or shirk one's duty. For example, After twelve years of school some kids feel they're entitled to fuck off, or You're always fucking off instead of working. [Vulgar slang; 1940s] 3. be fucked off. To be furious, as in They didn't show up, and I am really fucked off. [Vulgar slang; c. 1940] Also see PISS OFF.

fuck over

Treat unfairly, take advantage of, as in This so-called reform is really fucking over the homeless.

[Vulgar slang; c. 1960]

fuck up

1. Ruin, botch, spoil. For example, Don't tell me you're going to fuck up again. It is also put as be fucked up, meaning "be ruined or spoiled," as in This entire project is fucked up. This vulgar usage dates from the early 1900s but did not become widespread until about 1940. 2. Act carelessly or foolishly, mess up, as in I'm sorry, I really fucked up when I invited them. [Vulgar slang; c. 1940] 3. Break down, fail, as in If the flash mechanism fucks up again, I won't get a picture. [Vulgar slang; c. 1980] 4. be fucked up. Be very confused or mentally ill; also, intoxicated. For example, He was so fucked up they had to hospitalize him, or What a party?

I sure got fucked up. [Vulgar slang; 1940s] fuck you Also get fucked; go fuck yourself. A curse meaning "go to hell." For example, Fuck you?

go get your own dinner! or Get out of here, get fucked! or, as John Dos Passos had it in 1919

(1931): "Joe got sore and told him to go fuck himself." The first and third of these vulgar curses date from the late 1800s, and the second from about 1950. Also see GIVE THE FINGER.

fuel

hand. see ADD FUEL TO THE FIRE.

full

hand. In addition to the idioms beginning with FULL, also see GLASS IS HALF FULL;

HAVE ONE'S HANDS FULL; IN FULL SWING; TO THE FULL. Also see under FILL.

full blast Also, at full blast. At full power, with great energy; also, as loud as possible. For example, The committee is working full blast on the plans, or The fanfare featured the trumpets at full blast. This expression transfers the strong currents of air used in furnaces to anything being done at full power. [Late 1700s]

full circle, come Also, go full circle. Complete an entire cycle; return to the original position or condition. For example, After a whole year of debate we have come full circle on this issue.

Shakespeare may have originated this expression in King Lear (5:3): "The wheel is come full circle." A 20th-century idiom with a similar meaning is what goes around comes around, as in I knew if I helped her now, she would help me later?

what goes around comes around.

full-court press

An all-out effort to exert pressure. For example, She'd learned over the years how to deliver a full-court press of guilt. The term alludes to a basketball tactic in which the defenders put pressure on the opposing team over the entire court, trying to disrupt their dribbling and passing. [Late 1900s]

full of beans

1. Lively, energetic, in high spirits, as in The children were full of beans today, looking forward to their field trip. This expression has no valid explanation. [c. 1840] 2. Also, full of prunes. Acting foolish, talking nonsense, as in One cup of coffee won't hurt you?

you're full of prunes. [c. 1930] Also see FULL OF CRAP.

full of crap Also, full of bull; full of shit. Talking nonsense or rubbish, as in She doesn't know what she's talking about; she's full of crap. All of these expressions alluding to excrement are considered vulgar. [First half of 1900s] Also see FULL OF IT, def. 2; HOT AIR.

full of hot air

hand. see HOT AIR.

full of it

1. Also, full of the devil. Mischievous, naughty. For example, The youngsters were full of it today, giving the teacher a hard time, or Bill is full of the devil, hiding his roommate's clothes and teasing him mercilessly. 2. Talking nonsense, as in He claims to have fixed the dock, but I think he's full of it. This usage is a euphemism for ruder idioms like FULL OF CRAP.

full of oneself

Conceited, self-centered, as in Ever since she won the prize Mary's been so full of herself that no one wants to talk to her. This expression uses full of in the sense of "engrossed with" or "absorbed with," a usage dating from about 1600.

full speed ahead Also, full steam ahead. As fast and as strongly as possible. For example,

There's only one way we'll get there on time, so go full speed ahead, or Production would go full steam ahead as soon as the orders were confirmed. It is also put as with a full head of steam, as in She was traveling with a full head of steam?

she was due there at noon. These expressions all allude to the steam engine, where full steam signifies that a boiler has developed maximum pressure. They became well known through an order allegedly given by Admiral David Farragut at the battle of Mobile Bay (1864): "Damn the torpedoes! Full steam ahead!"

full swing

hand. see IN FULL SWING.

full tilt, at

As fast or forcefully as possible, as in Running full tilt on that very uneven ground, she was bound to trip and fall or Trying to keep up with new orders, the factory was running at full tilt. Originally referring to the combatants' thrust of a sword or lance, this term has been used figuratively since about 1700.

full well

Very well, exceedingly well, as in You know full well how much this costs. [c. 1700]

fun

hand. In addition to the idiom beginning with FUN, also see FOR FUN; LIKE FUN;

MAKE FUN OF; MORE FUN THAN A BARREL OF MONKEYS. Also see under FUNNY.

fun and games

Activity for pure pleasure or diversion. For example, This job isn't all fun and games, you know, or

We're just out for fun and games tonight. [Early 1900s]

funeral

hand. see IT'S YOUR FUNERAL.

funny

hand. In addition to the idioms beginning with FUNNY, also see under FUN.

funny bone

1. A point on the elbow where the ulnar nerve runs close to the surface and produces a sharp tingling sensation when knocked against the bone. For example, Ouch! I just banged my funny bone. The expression is a pun on humerus (pronounced the same as humorous), the Latin name for the long bone of the arm. [Early 1800s] 2. A sense of humor, as in That comedian really tickles my funny bone. This expression is derived from def. 1.

''fart around." [Slang; 1920s]

G

gab

hand. see GIFT OF GAB.

gaff

hand. see STAND THE GAFF.

gain

hand. In addition to the idiom beginning with GAIN, also see ILL-GOTTEN GAINS; NO

PAIN, NO GAIN; NOTHING VENTURED, NOTHING GAINED.

gain ground

1.Advance, make progress; also, win acceptance. For example, The new conservation policy is gaining ground among the voters. This expression alludes to a military advance in which an army literally takes territory from the enemy. Its figurative use dates from about 1800. For an antonym, see LOSE GROUND.

2.gain ground on or upon. Encroach on, advance at the expense of. For example,

Door-to-door canvassing helped them gain ground on the opposition.

gallery

hand. see PLAY TO THE GALLERY; ROGUES' GALLERY.

game

hand. In addition to the idioms beginning with GAME, also see AHEAD OF THE GAME;

AT THIS STAGE (OF THE GAME); BADGER GAME; BEAT SOMEONE AT HIS OR HER OWN GAME; CALL SOMEONE'S BLUFF (GAME); CONFIDENCE GAME; END GAME; FAIR GAME; FUN AND GAMES; GIVE AWAY (THE GAME); LOSING BATTLE (GAME); NAME OF THE GAME; ONLY GAME IN TOWN; PLAY A WAITING GAME; PLAY GAMES; PLAY THE GAME; WAITING GAME; WHOLE NEW BALL GAME.

game is not worth the candle, the

The returns from an activity or enterprise do not warrant the time, money or effort required. For example, The office he is running for is so unimportant that the game's not worth the candle. This expression, which began as a translation of a term used by the French essayist Michel de Montaigne in 1580, alludes to gambling by candlelight, which involved the expense of illumination. If the winnings were not sufficient, they did not warrant the expense. Used figuratively, it was a proverb within a century.

game is up, the Also, the jig is up. The trick or deception has been exposed. For example,

When they took inventory they realized what was missing, and the game was up for the department head. This expression dates from the mid-1800s and uses up in the sense of "over" or "lost." The variant employs jig in the sense of "trickery," a usage dating from about 1600.

game that two can play, that's a Also, two can play at that game. Another can behave in the same way or do the same thing. For example, He refused to tell us whether he would go or stay, but that's a game two can play. This expression is generally used as a threat of retaliation. [Early 1800s]

gander

hand. see TAKE A GANDER AT.

gang

hand. In addition to the idiom beginning with GANG, also see LIKE GANGBUSTERS.

gang up

1. Also, gang up with. Act together as a group. For example, The residents ganged up to make the neighborhood safer. [Colloquial; c. 1920] 2. gang up on or against. Join in opposition or attack against, as in The big kids were always ganging up on the little ones, or They all ganged up against the substitute teacher. [1920s]

garden

hand. In addition to the idiom beginning with GARDEN, also see LEAD DOWN THE

GARDEN PATH.

garden variety

Ordinary, common, as in I don't want anything special in a VCR?

the garden variety will do. This term alludes to a common plant as opposed to a specially bred hybrid. [Colloquial; 1920]

hand. In addition to the idiom beginning with GAS, also see COOK WITH GAS; RUN OUT

OF STEAM (GAS).

gasket

hand. see under BLOW A FUSE.

gasp

hand. see LAST GASP.

gas up

Supply a vehicle with gasoline, as in I want to be sure to gas up before we go. James M. Cain used this term in The Postman Always Rings Twice (1934): "I went to gas up a car." [Colloquial; c. 1930] Also see TANK UP.

gate

hand. see CRASH THE GATE; GIVE SOMEONE THE AIR (GATE).

gather

hand. see ROLLING STONE GATHERS NO MOSS.

gauntlet

hand. see RUN THE GAUNTLET; THROW DOWN THE GAUNTLET.

gear

hand. see HIGH GEAR; SLIP A COG (GEAR).

gee whiz

An expression of surprise, dismay, or enthusiasm. For example, Gee whiz, Dad, I thought you'd let me borrow the car, or Gee whiz, they finally won the Series! This term is thought to be a euphemism for "Jesus Christ." [Slang; 1870s]

gender gap

A broad difference between men and women, as in There is still an enormous gender gap in the wages of unskilled labor. This expression at first referred to the difference between men and women in voting preferences. It has since been extended to other areas. [1970s]

general

hand. see IN GENERAL; ON (GENERAL) PRINCIPLE.

generation gap

A broad difference in values and attitudes between one generation

and another, especially between parents and their children. For example, There's a real generation gap in their choice of music, restaurants, clothing?

you name it. [1960s]

generous to a fault

hand. see TO A FAULT.

get

hand. In addition to the idioms beginning with GET, also see BE (GET) BUSTED; CATCH

(GET) IT IN THE NECK; COME AND GET IT; DIP (GET) ONE'S TOES INTO; EARLY BIRD CATCHES (GETS) THE WORM; GIVE AS GOOD AS ONE GETS; GROUND FLOOR, GET IN ON THE; IT TAKES GETTING USED TO; LAY (GET) ONE'S HANDS ON; LET SOMETHING GET OUT; MARCHING ORDERS, GET ONE'S; PLAY HARD TO GET; SQUEAKY WHEEL GETS THE GREASE; TELL SOMEONE WHERE TO GET OFF; WHEN THE GOING GETS TOUGH; YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR. Also see under BECOME; GIVE; HAVE.

get a bang out of Also get a charge or kick out of. Get a feeling of excitement from, get a thrill from. For example, I get a bang out of taking the kids to the amusement park, or I get a charge out of her imitations. The first two terms allude to the jolt of an electrical charge. The first dates from the 1920s; Damon Runyon had it in Guys and Dolls (1929): "He seems to be getting a great bang out of the doings." The second dates from the mid-1900s. The third probably alludes to the stimulating effect of a strong alcoholic drink?

kick

was used in this sense from the 1840s on?

but the precise wording dates from the early 1900s. Cole Porter used it for one of his most popular songs, "I Get A Kick Out of You" (1934).

get about

1. Also get around. Move around, be active, especially after an illness. For example, At 85 Jean still gets around very well, or Arthritis makes it hard for him to get about. [Mid-1800s] 2. Become known, circulate, as in The news of her engagement got about very quickly. [Early 1800s] Also see

GET AROUND, def. 4. 3. Be socially active, as in After her husband died, she didn't get about much for a year. Also see GET AROUND, def. 3 and 4.

get a break

Obtain a favorable opportunity; get special consideration or treatment. For example, The understudy finally got a break when the star became ill, or The new price is higher, but you are getting a break on service. [c. 1900] Also see GIVE SOMEONE A BREAK.

get a charge

hand. see GET A BANG.

get across

1. Also, get it across. Make understandable or clear, as in I tried to get my point across, or He'll have to get it across to the others. [Late 1800s] 2. Also, come across. Be convincing, impress on others, as in How can I get across to the students? or The headmaster's announcement comes

across as a criticism of the faculty. [c. 1920] Also see PUT ACROSS. get a dirty look

hand. see DIRTY LOOK.

get a fix

Obtain a needed dose of something, especially but not necessarily a narcotic drug. For example,

Heroin addicts will do anything to get their fix, or Chris referred to her daily swim in the pool as her chlorine fix. The noun fix has been used for a narcotic dose since the 1930s, and was extended to other compulsively sought things about two decades later. Also see GET A FIX ON.

get a fix on Also, have a fix on; get or have a handle on; get or have a grasp of. Obtain (or have) a clear determination or understanding of something. For example, I was finally able to get a fix on the specifics of this problem, or No one in the press room had a handle on Balkan history, or

Do you have a grasp of the situation? Similarly, give a fix means "provide a clear understanding," as in This briefing will give us a fix on the current situation. The usages with fix and handle are colloquialisms

dating from the 1920s; those with grasp are more formal and date from the late 1600s.

get a free hand

hand. see FREE HAND.

get after

Urge or scold someone about doing something. For example, Dad should get after Billy to mow the lawn, or Mary got after Jane for forgetting her house key. Also see KEEP AFTER.

get a grip on Also, have a grip on. Obtain mastery or control over something or someone. For example, Get a grip on yourself or the reporters will give you a hard time, or, as Arthur Conan Doyle put it in Sherlock Holmes (1894): "I have a grip on the essential facts of the case." This expression transfers a firm physical hold to emotional or intellectual control. [Late 1800s]

get a hand

hand. see GIVE A HAND, def. 2.

get a handle on

hand. see under GET A FIX ON.

get ahead

1. Succeed or make progress, especially in one's career or in society. For example, She put in many hours of overtime in order to get ahead. [c. 1800] 2. Save a little money, as in After we settle the hospital bill, we hope to get ahead enough to buy a new car. 3. get ahead of. Move in front of, as in I got ahead of her in line. 4. get ahead of. Outdo, surpass, as in We were determined to get

ahead of the competition. Also see AHEAD OF THE GAME.

get a head start

hand. see HEAD START.

get a kick out of

hand. see GET A BANG OUT OF.

get a life

Acquire some interests or relationships of one's own. For example, Stop sitting around and complaining?

get a life. [Slang; late 1900s]

get a line on Also, have a line on. Acquire information about something or someone, come to know. For example, Sue got a line on some possible tennis partners, or The realtor has a line on a number of vacant apartments. Similarly, give someone a line on means "provide information about," as in The librarian gave me a line on the books I would need. This idiom uses line in the sense of "a direct course." [c. 1900] Also see

get a load of

Look at or listen to, as in Get a load of Mike feeding the baby, or Through those thin walls we really got a load of their fight. [Slang; early 1900s]

get along

1. Also, get on. Be or continue to be on harmonious terms. For example, She finds it hard to get along with her in-laws, or He gets on well with all of his neighbors except one. The use of along dates from the late 1800s; the use of on dates from the early 1800s. A colloquial synonym for get along well is get on like a house afire, in effect comparing increasingly good relations to the rapid progress of a fire. 2. Also, get on. Manage, fare with some success; also, prosper. For example, I can just get along in this town on those wages, or Her way of getting on in the world was to marry a rich man. The use of on dates from the late 1700s; the variant dates from the early 1800s. 3. get along without. Manage without something, as in With that new car loan, he can't get along without a raise. [Early 1800s] 4. Also, get on. Progress; advance, especially in years. For example, How are you getting along with the refinishing? or Dad doesn't hear too well; he's getting

ALONG IN YEARS; GET ON, def. 5. 5. get along with you. Go away; also, be quiet, drop the subject, as in "Leave me. Get along with you" (Charles Dickens, Barnaby Rudge, 1837). [First half of 1800s] Also see GET ON.

get a move on Also, get cracking or going or rolling. Hurry up; also, start working. For example, Get a move on, it's late, or Let's get cracking, kids, or It's time we got going, or The alarm went off ten minutes ago, so get rolling. The first colloquial expression dates from the late 1800s. The second term, also colloquial, employs the verb to crack in the sense of "travel with