American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms

me death." Also see

AS TO.

as good as

hand. see GOOD AS.

aside

hand. see ALL JOKING ASIDE; LAY ASIDE; SET ASIDE; TAKE ASIDE.

aside from

hand. see under APART FROM.

as if Also, as though. As it would be, as in He decided to accept, as if it really mattered, or John scowled as though he were really angry. The first idiom dates from the late 1500s, the variant from the late 1700s. Also see MAKE AS IF.

as I live and breathe

For sure, definitely, as in As I live and breathe, I've never seen a more beautiful view. This expression is generally used to emphasize the truth of a statement and has been so used since the mid-1600s, although sometimes it was put simply as as I live. However, the complete phrase was also used early on, as in Arthur Murphy's 1756 play The Apprentice (2:1): "As I live and breathe, we shall both be taken, for heaven's sake let us make our escape."

as is

Just the way it is, with no changes. For example, We saved a few dollars by buying the floor sample on an as is basis. This expression is used of goods to be sold that may be slightly worn, damaged, or otherwise less than perfect.

as it were

Seemingly, in a way, as in He was living in a dream world, as it were. A shortening of "as if it were so," this idiom has been in use since Chaucer's time (he had it in his Nun's Priest's Tale, c. 1386). Also see so TO SPEAK.

ask

hand. In addition to the idioms beginning with ASK, see DON'T ASK; FOR THE ASKING.

askance

hand. see LOOK ASKANCE.

ask a stupid question and you'll get a stupid answer Also, ask a silly question. Your query doesn't deserve a proper answer, as in Am I hungry? ask a stupid question! One authority believes

this idiom is a variant of ask me no questions and I'll tell you no fibs, which appeared in Oliver Goldsmith's play She Stoops to Conquer (1773) and was frequently repeated thereafter. [Early 1800s]

ask for Also, ask for it. To persist in an action despite the likelihood that it will bring trouble on oneself, as in Speeding as much as he does, he has been asking for a ticket and Mary deserved that low grade; in effect, she asked for it by not studying. [c. 1900] Also see ASK FOR THE

MOON.

ask for the moon

Make an unreasonable demand, request the unattainable, as in $1,000 for her birthday? Mary might as well be asking for the moon. This hyperbolic idiom appeared in the mid-1800s in slightly different form. Charles Dickens had it as cry for the moon (in Bleak House, 1852) and William Makepeace Thackeray as wish for the moon (in Lovell the Widower, 1860). Today ask is the most common version.

ask out

Invite someone to something, such as dinner, the theater, or a date. For example, We've been asked out to dinner twice this week, or Mary felt shy about asking John out. [Late 1800s]

asleep

hand. In addition to the idiom beginning with ASLEEP, also see FALL ASLEEP.

asleep at the switch Also, asleep at the wheel. Inattentive, not doing one's job, as in At the critical moment the watchman was asleep at the switch and only called the fire department when it was too late. This term came from 19th-century American railroading, when it was the trainman's duty to switch cars from one track to another by means of manually operated levers. Should he fail to do so, trains could collide. It was later transferred to any lack of alertness. The wheel in the variant is a steering wheel; similarly disastrous results are implied.

as likely as not

see LIKE AS NOT.

as long as

1. For the period of time that, as in You may keep the book as long as you want, that is, keep it for whatever time you wish to. [Early 1400s] 2. Also, so long as. Since, because, as in Please pick up some milk as long as you are going to the store, or So long as you're here, you might as well stay for dinner.

3. Also, so long as; just so. Provided that, as in As long as you don't expect it by tomorrow, I'll make the drawing, or So long as sales are greater than returns, the company will make a profit, or You may have another cookie, just so you don't take the last one. [Early 1800s]

as luck would have it

How things turned out, as it happened, as in As luck would have it he missed his train, or The

check arrived in time, as luck would have it. The luck referred to can mean either good fortune or bad. [Late 1500s]

as many

1. The same number of. For example, He changed jobs four times in as many years means he changed jobs four times in four years. [c. 1400] 2. as many as. A phrase used to qualify the meaning of many as a very large number, depending on what follows it. For example, You can take as many pens as you need. [Late 1300s] Also see AS . . . AS; AS MUCH AS.

as much

The same or virtually the same. For example, He's resigning? I thought as much means I thought he was doing just that. [Late 1300s] Also see AS MUCH AS.

as much as

1. The same quantity as. As with AS MANY (def. 2), the meaning of much as a large amount here is qualified by what follows. For example, Please help yourself to as much of the meat as you want indicates whatever amount you wish. [Late 1100s] 2. Also, however much, much as. Even though, no matter how much, as in As much as I hate to, I must stay home tonight, or However much it hurts, you ought to admit you were wrong, or Much as Karen would love to see us, she can't get out of her prior commitment. [Late 1500s] 3. Also, so much as. In effect, nearly the same as, as in Mom as much as told Jane she couldn't go, or The clerk so much as accused the customer of shoplifting. These expressions intensify the meaning of the verb and indicate that the action is unexpected. [Late 1300s]

as of

From, at, or until a given time. For example, As of five o'clock the store will be closed for inventory, or As of last December our meetings have been open to the public, or As of now I'm not sure how I'll vote. This idiom was first used in business but came into more general use. [c. 1900]

as one Also, as one man or woman. All together, unanimously. For example, The marchers shouted as one, "We shall overcome!" or They replied as one woman, "Of course we'll stay and help." This term appeared in the Bible (Judges 20:8): "And all the people arose as one man.'' [Late 1500s] For synonyms, see

as regards

hand. see IN REGARD TO.

ass

hand. In addition to the idiom beginning with ASS, also see BREAK ONE'S ASS; CHEW

OUT (ONE'S ASS OFF); COVER ONE'S ASS; DRAG ONE'S ASS; KICK ASS; KICK IN THE PANTS (ASS); KISS ASS; MAKE A FOOL (AN ASS) OF; PAIN IN THE ASS;

STICK IT (UP ONE'S ASS); YOU BET YOUR ASS.

ass in a sling, have one's Also, get one's ass in a sling. Be (or get) in trouble, in a painfully awkward position, as in When the news about the slump in sales gets out he'll have his ass in a sling. Probably originating in the American South, this idiom may refer to so vigorous a kick in the buttocks (for which ass is a rude synonym) that the injured person requires a sling of the kind used to support a broken arm. [Vulgar slang; c. 1930]

as soon

hand. see AS SOON AS; JUST AS SOON.

as soon as

1. When, just after, as in Please call me as soon as dinner is ready, or As soon as the sun goes down, the temperature drops dramatically. [Late 1200s] 2. At the earliest moment that, as in Telephone me as soon as you can. It often takes the form as soon as possible, meaning at the earliest possible moment, as in He'll finish the work as soon as possible. This expression employs possible in the sense of "if it can or could be," a usage dating from the late 1600s.

as such

1. In itself, as in The job as such was easy, but required a lot of time. [Mid-1600s] 2. In that capacity, as in In the director's absence the assistants, as such, were in charge. [c. 1700]

as the crow flies

In a straight line, by the shortest route, as in It's only a mile as the crow flies, but about three miles by this mountain road. This idiom is based on the fact that crows, very intelligent birds, fly straight to the nearest food supply. [Late 1700s]

as though

hand. see AS IF.

as to

1. According to, as in They were asked to sort the costumes as to color. [Mid-1700s] 2. See AS

FOR.

astray

hand. see BEST-LAID PLANS GO ASTRAY; GO ASTRAY.

as usual

In the normal, habitual, or accustomed way, as in As usual, he forgot to put away the milk. This idiom was first recorded in 1716. Also see

as well

1. In addition, besides, also. For example, Mary is going to Italy and to France as well, or A fine conductor, he plays the violin as well. [1300s] 2. With an equal or similar result, as in Since he can't get there in time, he might as well stay at home, or It's just as well that you came today, since Harry is here, too. [1400s]

as well as

1. In as satisfactory or good a way as. For example, After the operation, she was supposed to walk around as well as she could without limping. [c. 1400] 2. To the same extent as, as much as. For example, He is an excellent teacher as well as being a fine musician. [c. 1440] 3. In addition to, as in The editors as well as the proofreaders are working overtime. [c. 1700]

as yet

So far, up to now, as in No one has found a solution as yet. [Late 1300s]

as you please

1. However you wish, whatever you choose, as in We can have meat or fish tonight, as you please, or Go or don't go?

do as you please. This idiom was introduced about 1500 and inverted what was then the usual order, which was "as it pleases you." 2. Very, extremely, as in After winning the contract he was smug as you please, or She sat there in her new dress, as pretty as you please. [First half of 1900s]

at about

At approximately, as in We'll start at about nine. This phrase, most often used with respect to time (as at about four o'clock), is sometimes criticized for being redundant. Although one of the two words sometimes can be omitted without changing the meaning?

for example, About four o'clock is when most guests will arrive?

in other instances both are needed, as in This stock is now selling at about its original offering price. [Early 1800s]

at a discount

At a lower than usual price; also, held in low esteem. For example, I'm holding off on buying a computer until I can get one at a discount, or Liberals are at a discount in the present administration. The first usage, mainly found in business and commerce, dates from about 1700. The figurative usage is about a century newer.

at all

1. In any way or manner, as in Is she able to sing at all? 2. To any extent, as in Was she at all surprised? 3. For any reason, as in Why bother at all? 4. In the slightest degree, under any circumstances, as in She simply refused to walk at all. This construction often occurs in the negative, as in He was not at all frightened. All four senses of this phrase date from the mid-1300s.

at all costs Also, at any cost or price. Regardless of the expense or effort involved, by

any means. For example, Ann told the doctor to preserve her mother's sight at all costs, or It seems the company plans to develop the product at any cost, or I'm determined to get vacation time at any price. [Mid-1800s]

at all times

Continuously, without interruption, as in At the airport Mary was warned to keep her carry-on bag in sight at all times.

at a loss

1. Below cost, as in The store was doing so badly that it was selling merchandise at a loss. 2.

Puzzled, perplexed, in a state of uncertainty, as in When his letters were returned unopened, John was at a loss as to what to do next. This usage was originally applied to hounds who had lost the scent or track of their prey. [Mid-1600s] 3. at a loss for words. Unable or uncertain as to what to say. For example, Father's tirade left us all at a loss for words. [Late 1600s]

at a low ebb

At a low point, in a state of decline or depression. For example, The current recession has put our business at a low ebb. This idiom transfers the low point of a tide to a decline in human affairs. [Mid1600s]

at any cost Also, at any price. hand. See AT ALL COSTS.

at any rate

In any event, whatever the case may be; also, at least. For example, At any rate, I promise to be there even if I'm a little late, or It may not pay well, but at any rate it's a job. [Early 1600s] Also

see IN ANY CASE.

at a premium

At a higher price than usual owing to scarcity; also, considered more valuable, held in high esteem. For example, Since that article came out, the firm's stock has been selling at a premium and Space is at a premium in most stores. This idiom uses premium in the sense of "bounty" or "bonus."

[Mid-1800s] Also see PUT A PREMIUM ON.

at arm's length

At a distance, avoiding intimacy or familiarity, as in Bill hated seeing his colleagues outside the office, preferring to keep all of them at arm's length, or She was friendly only when he was safely at arm's length. Now often used with the verb keep, this term for distancing oneself from a person, organization, or issue originated as at arm's end but developed its current form by the mid-1600s.

at a sitting

At one time, during one period. For example, The cruise ship could feed about 500 passengers at a sitting, or We read the entire poem at a sitting. Since the word sitting implies just that posture, the term means "during a period when one is seated and engaged in a single continuous activity."

at a stretch Also, at one stretch. At one time, during one period. For example, Working quickly, she hoped to finish all the drawings at a stretch. In contrast to the nearly synonymous AT A

SITTING, this idiom, first recorded in 1774, does not imply being seated while engaging in a single continuous activity. Rather, it transfers the meaning of stretch as "a continuous length to a continuous time period."

at a time

hand. see AT ONE TIME, def. 1.

at a word

In immediate response, at an instant. For example, At a word from the captain they lined up in order. [c. 1300]

at bat

Taking one's turn. For example, At this conference, with so many interruptions, it's hard to tell which speaker is at bat, or I was nervous while waiting to testify, but once at bat I felt better. This idiom, from baseball, was already being transferred to other enterprises by the 1880s. Also see ON

DECK.

at bay

Cornered, in distress, as in Angry bystanders chased the thief into an alley and held him at bay until the police arrived. This idiom originally came from hunting, where it describes an animal that has been driven back and now faces pursuing hounds. Its use for other situations dates from the late 1500s.

at best

Under the most favorable circumstances, as in At best we'll be just one week behind schedule, or

Cleaning out the attic is a tedious job at best. This idiom, formerly also put as at the best, today is most often used in situations that are actually far from ideal, as in the examples above. [First half of 1300s] For an antonym, see AT WORST.

at bottom

Fundamentally, basically; also, in reality. For example, He may speak somewhat bluntly, but at bottom he's always honest. Charles Dickens used this idiom in Nicholas Nickleby (1838): "He's a good pony at bottom." [Early 1700s]

at close quarters

Crowded, in a confined space, as in We could use a lot more room; this tiny office puts us at close quarters. This idiom makes figurative use of quarters in the sense of "military lodgings" but originated in 18th-century naval warfare. When the enemy boarded a ship, the crew would retreat behind wooden barriers erected for this purpose and would continue to fire through loopholes. They thus were very near the enemy, fighting in close quarters. [c. 1800]

at close range

Very nearby, as in At close range, the rock band was unbearably loud. Derived from shooting?range

denotes the distance that missile or projectile can be made to travel?

this expression soon came to mean anything in close proximity.

at cross purposes

With aims or goals that conflict or interfere with one another, as in I'm afraid the two departments are working at cross purposes. This idiom, first recorded in 1688, may have begun as a 17th-century parlor game called "cross-purposes," in which a series of subjects (or questions) were divided from their explanations (or answers) and distributed around the room. Players then created absurdities by combining a subject taken from one person with an explanation taken from another.

at death's door

On the point of dying, very ill, as in Whenever she had a bad cold she acted as though she were at death's door. The association of death with an entry way was first made in English in the late 1300s, and the phrase itself dates from the mid-1500s. Today it is often used as an exaggeration of ill health.

at each other's throats

Arguing or fighting. For example, It was a very dramatic trial, with the prosecutor and the defense attorney constantly at each other's throats. This idiom, with its vivid image of two persons trying to strangle each other, is often applied to less physical forms of disagreement.

at ease

1. Also, at one's ease. Comfortable, relaxed, unembarrassed, as in I always feel at ease in my grandmother's house. The related idiom put at ease means "make comfortable, reassure," as in I was worried that the letter would not arrive in time, but the postmaster put me at ease. [1300s]

For the antonym, see ILL AT EASE. 2. In a relaxed position in military ranks. The phrase is often used as a command for troops standing at attention to relax, as in At ease, squadron. The command stand at ease is slightly different. A British military dictionary of 1802 described it as standing with the right foot drawn back about six inches and one's weight put on it. An American version is to stand with one's feet slightly apart and the hands clasped behind one's back.

at every turn

Everywhere; also, continually, at every moment. For example, He found trash strewn about at every turn, or Life holds surprises at every turn. The turn here does not signify change of direction but change of circumstances, and the phrase generally is something of an exaggeration. [Late 1500s]

at face value, take

Accept from its outward appearance, as in You can't always take a manufacturer's advertisements at face value; they're bound to exaggerate. Literally this id

iom has referred to the monetary value printed on a bank note, stock certificate, bond, or other financial instrument since the 1870s. The figurative usage is from the late 1800s.

at fault

Responsible for a mistake, trouble, or failure; deserving blame. For example, At least three cars were involved in the accident, so it was hard to determine which driver was at fault, or He kept missing the target and wondered if the sight on his new rifle was at fault. In Britain this usage was formerly considered incorrect but is now acceptable; in America it has been widespread since the mid-1800s. Also see IN THE WRONG.

at first

Initially, at the start, as in At first the berries were green, but when they ripened they turned bright red. [Second half of 1500s]

at first blush Also, at first glance or sight. When first seen. For example, At first blush we thought it was an elegant restaurant, but it soon became obvious that it was hardly the place for a special dinner, or At first glance the contract looked just fine. All three phrases date from the 1300s. The noun blush is used with the obsolete meaning "glimpse" or "momentary view" and in this idiom has nothing to do with showing embarrassment. Also see LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT.

at first hand

Directly from the origin, without intervention or intermediary. For example, I prefer to hear his criticism at first hand, rather than having it passed on by my boss. This phrase uses hand in the sense of "person" (coming directly from one person). [First half of 1700s] Also see AT SECOND

HAND.

at full tilt

hand. see FULL TILT.

at gunpoint Also, at knifepoint. Under coercion, as in I'm going to hold him at gunpoint for that raise he promised me last year. Both these phrases were at first used literally and later also figuratively. [Mid-1900s]

at half-mast

Halfway up or down, as in The church bells tolled off and on all day and the flags were at half-mast. This term refers to placing a flag halfway up a ship's mast or flagpole, a practice used as a mark of respect for a person who has died or, at sea, as a distress signal. Occasionally the term is transferred to other objects, as in Tom's pants were at half-mast as he raced around the playground, or The puppy's tail was at half-mast. [First half of 1600s]

at hand

1. Also, close or near at hand. Within easy reach, nearby, as in I like to keep my tools close at

hand. [1300s] 2. Also, on hand. Nearby in time, soon, as in The day of judgment is at hand, or A change of administration is on hand. Also see ON HAND.

at heart

1. Fundamentally, basically, as in He's a good fellow at heart. It was first recorded in Alexander Pope's Epistle to a Lady (1735): "But every Woman is at heart a Rake." 2. In one's deepest feelings, as a great concern, as in The governor has the party's best interests at heart. [Early 1700s]

at home

1. In one's own residence, town, or country. For example, Mary was not at home when I called, or

Tourists in a foreign country often behave more rudely than they do at home. This idiom was first recorded in a ninth-century treatise. 2. Ready to receive a visitor, as in We are always at home to our neighbor's children. This usage gave rise to the noun at-home, meaning a reception to which guests are invited on a specific day at specific hours (also see OPEN HOUSE). [c. 1600] 3.

Also, at home with. Comfortable and familiar, as in Mary always makes us feel at home, or I've never been at home with his style of management. [Early 1500s] Also see AT EASE,

def. 1. 4. Also, at home with. Proficient, well-versed in, as in Young John is so much at home with numbers that he may well become a mathematician, or Chris is really at home in French. [Late 1700s]

5. In team sports, playing on one's own field or in one's own town. For example, The Red Sox always do better at home than they do at away games.

at issue

1. In question, under discussion; also, to be decided. For example, Who will pay for the refreshments was the point at issue. [Early 1800s] 2. In conflict, in disagreement, as in Physicians are still at issue over the appropriate use of hormone therapy. This usage, from legal terminology, was defined by Sir William Blackstone (Commentaries on the Laws of England, 1768), who said that when a point is affirmed by one side and denied by the other, "they are then said to be at issue."

at it

Vigorously pursuing an activity, especially a fight, but also sex or some other activity. For example,

Whenever they play bridge they really go at it (fight), or The new job keeps Tom at it day and night (works hard), or In the spring the dogs are always at it (sex). Shakespeare used this seemingly modern idiom for "fighting" in Troilus and Cressida (5:3): "They are at it, hark!" [Late 1500s]

at large

1. Free, unconfined, especially not confined in prison, as in To our distress, the housebreakers were still at large. [1300s] 2. At length, fully; also, as a whole, in general. For example, The chairman talked at large about the company's plans for the coming year, or, as Shakespeare wrote