American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms

hand. see under BEG TO DIFFER.

ice

hand. see BREAK THE ICE; CUT NO ICE; ON ICE; ON THIN ICE; PUT ON ICE; TIP OF THE ICEBERG.

icing on the cake Also, frosting on the cake. An additional benefit to something already good. For example, All these letters of congratulation are icing on the cake, or After that beautiful sunrise, the rainbow is just frosting on the cake. This metaphoric expression alludes to the sweet creamy coating used to enhance a cake. [Mid-1900s]

I dare say

1. I venture to assert or affirm, as in I dare say my point of view will be heard. [c. 1300] 2. Also, I daresay. I presume or assume to be likely, as in I daresay you'll be invited. This usage is more common in Britain than in America. [Mid-1700s]

idea

hand. see BRIGHT IDEA; PUT IDEAS IN SOMEONE'S HEAD; WHAT'S THE IDEA.

idiot box

A television set, as in There they sit in front of the idiot box, hour after hour. This slangy and pejorative expression dates from about 1960.

if

hand. In addition to the idioms beginning with IF, also see AS IF; DAMNED IF I DO,

DAMNED IF I DON'T; MAKE AS IF TO; NO IFS OR BUTS; NOTHING IF NOT; (IF) PUSH COMES TO SHOVE; WHAT IF.

if anything

If at all, if in any degree. For example, If anything, we have too much food rather than too little.

[Early 1800s]

if at first you don't succeed, try, try again

Don't let a first-time failure stop further attempts. For example, I know it's hard at first to shift gears without stalling but if at first you don't succeed . . . This seemingly ancient adage was first recorded only in 1840 but has become so well known that it is often shortened.

if it ain't broke don't fix it

Don't meddle with something that's functioning adequately. For example, So long as they like our

proposal let's not change it; if it ain't broke don't fix it. This folksy and deliberately ungrammatical expression dates from the mid-1900s. For a synonym, see LEAVE WELL ENOUGH ALONE.

if only

I wish that. For example, If only I had known you were coming I would have met your plane, or If

only it would snow on Christmas Eve. [c. A.D. 1000] For a synonym, see WOULD THAT.

if the mountain won't come to Muhammad, Muhammad must go to the mountain

If one can't have one's way, one must give in. For example, Since you can't come here for the holiday, I'll go to your house?

if the mountain won't come to Muhammad, Muhammad must go to the mountain. This expression is based on a tale that Muhammad once sought proof of his teachings by ordering a mountain to come to him. When it did not move, he maintained that God had been merciful, for if it had indeed moved they all would have been crushed by it. [Late 1500s] if the shoe fits, wear it Also, if the cap fits, wear it. If something applies to you, accept it, as in These problems are hard to solve, and most people would need help, so if the shoe fits, wear it! This expression originated as if the cap fits, which alluded to a fool's cap and dates from the early 1700s. Although this version has not died out entirely, shoe today is more common and probably gained currency through the Cinderella fairy tale, in which the prince sought her out by means of the slipper she lost at the ball.

if wishes were horses

If one could readily have what one wanted, life would be easy. For example, Wendy would love a brand-new car for her sixteenth birthday but?

if wishes were horses. This expression is a shortening of If wishes were horses, beggars would ride, first recorded about 1628 in a collection of Scottish proverbs.

if worst comes to worst Also, if worse comes to worst. In the least favorable situation, if the worst possible outcome occurs. For example, If worst comes to worst and the budget is not approved, the government will shut down, or Go ahead and go to school with a cold; if worse comes to worst the teacher will send you home. This expression is nearly always followed by a solution. [Late 1500s] if you can't beat 'em, join 'em Also, if you can't lick 'em, join 'em. If you can't defeat your opponents you might be better off by switching to their side. For example,

Seeing that no one else was willing to stick with the old software program, Marcia learned the new one, noting if you can't beat 'em, join 'em, or I opposed a new school library, but the town voted for it, so I'll support it?

if you can't lick 'em, join 'em. This expression dates from about 1940 and originally alluded to political opponents. The opposite idea is expressed in an advertising slogan used in the 1960s and 1970s by a cigarette company, in which the smoker would fight rather than switch brands.

if you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen

If the pressure or stress is too great, leave or give up. For example, It'll take a lot of weekend overtime to finish, so if you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen. This folksy adage has been ascribed to President Harry S. Truman, who certainly said it and may have originated it. [c. 1950]

ignorance is bliss

What you don't know won't hurt you. For example, She decided not to read the critics' reviews?

ignorance is bliss. Although its truth may be dubious at best, this idea has been expressed since ancient times. The actual wording, however, comes from Thomas Gray's poem, "Ode on a Distant Prospect of Eton College" (1742): "Where ignorance is bliss, 'tis folly to be wise."

ill

hand. In addition to the idioms beginning with ILL, also see under GET SICK.

ill at ease

Uncomfortable, uneasy, as in Large parties made him feel ill at ease. [c. 1300] For an antonym,

see AT EASE.

I'll be hanged

1. I am very surprised, as in, Well, I'll be hanged; there's Susan. 2. I'll be hanged if I. Under no circumstances will I, as in I'll be hanged if I let you do that. Both of these hyperbolic colloquial usages allude to being executed by hanging.

I'll be seeing you Also, see you. Goodbye, as in I have to go now; I'll be seeing you, or All right, see you. These colloquial formulas do not necessarily imply a future meeting. [Late 1800s]

ill-gotten gains

Benefits obtained in an evil manner or by dishonest means, as in They duped their senile uncle into leaving them a fortune and are now enjoying their ill-gotten gains. [Mid-1800s]

I'll say

Absolutely, I strongly agree. For example, Did you enjoy the film??

I'll say. This phrase is generally used alone and for emphasis. [First half of 1900s] For a synonym,

see YOU CAN SAY THAT AGAIN.

ill wind that blows no one any good, it's an

A loss or misfortune usually benefits someone. For example, They lost everything when that old shed burned down, but they got rid of a lot of junk as well?

it's an ill wind. This expression appeared in John Heywood's 1546 proverb collection and remains so well known that it is often shortened. It also gave rise to a much-quoted pun about the difficulty of playing the oboe, describing the instrument as an ill wind that noboby blows good.

image

hand. see SPITTING IMAGE.

imagination

hand. see FIGMENT OF ONE'S IMAGINATION.

I'm from Missouri

hand. see FROM MISSOURI.

immemorial

hand. see TIME IMMEMORIAL.

impose on

1. Force something on someone; also, levy a tax or duty. For example, Don't try to impose your ideas on me, or The British crown imposed a tariff on tea. [Late 1500s] 2. Force oneself on others; take unfair advantage of. For example, Am I impos

ing on you if I stay overnight? or He's always imposing on us, dropping in unexpectedly with numerous friends. [Early 1600s]

impression

hand. see MAKE AN IMPRESSION; UNDER THE IMPRESSION.

improve on

Make beneficial additions or changes to, as in The company is trying to improve on the previous model. [Late 1600s]

in

hand. In addition to the idioms beginning with IN, also see under OUT OF.

in a bad light

hand. see IN A GOOD LIGHT.

in a bad mood

In an irritable or depressed state of mind. For example, Dad's in a bad mood, so don't ask for anything right now. The antonym, in a good mood, refers to a cheerful, well-disposed state of mind, as in When the boss is in a good mood our whole day goes well. The phrase in a mood, meaning "disposed" or "inclined," dates from about

in a bad way

In trouble; also, deteriorating. For example, If he can't get that bank loan he'll be in a bad way, or

The business is in a bad way, with profits declining every month. [Early 1800s]

in a big way

To a great extent, conspicuously. For example, I could go for a hamburger in a big way, or This

hotel chain is expanding in a big way. [Slang; late 1800s]

in a bind Also, in a box or hole or jam or tight corner or tight spot. In a difficult, threatening, or embarrassing position; also, unable to solve a dilemma. For example, He's put us in a bind: we can't refuse, but at the same time we can't fill the order, or Jim's in a box; he can't afford to pay what he owes us, or He quit without giving notice and now we're really in a hole, or We always end up in a jam during the holiday season, or He's in a tight corner with those new customers, or We'll be in a tight spot unless we can find another thousand dollars. All these colloquial terms allude to places from which one can't easily extricate oneself. The phrase using bind was first recorded in 1851; box, 1865; jam, 1914; tight spot, 1852. Also see IN A FIX.

in a breeze

hand. see under HANDS DOWN.

in absentia

While not present, as in He was tried and convicted in absentia, or He was awarded his degree in absentia. This expression is Latin for "in absence"; its use in English dates from the late 1800s.

in a cold sweat

Feeling nervous or terrified, as in When I looked over the cliff, I broke out in a cold sweat. This expression refers to perspiring accompanied by a feeling of cold, which can be induced by acute fear as well as by fever. [Late 1700s]

in addition

1. Also, as well as. For example, They study their instruments and, in addition, theory and music history. 2. in addition to. Over and above, besides, as in In addition to a new muffler, the truck needs new brakes. [c. 1900]

in a dither Also, all of a dither; in a flutter or tizzy. In a state of tremulous agitation, as in

Planning the wedding put her in a dither, or He tried to pull himself together, but he was all of a dither, or She showed up in such a flutter that our meeting was useless. The noun dither dates from the early 1800s and goes back to the Middle English verb didderen, "to tremble"; in a flutter dates from the mid-1700s; in a tizzy dates from about 1930 and is of uncertain origin.

in advance

1. Beforehand, ahead of time. For example, He insisted on being paid half his fee in advance. 2. in advance of. In front of, as in The point man moved in advance of the squad. [Mid-1600s]

in a fix Also, in a pickle or spot. In a difficult or embarrassing situation, in a dilemma. For example, I was really in a fix when I missed the plane, or Lost and out of gas?

how did we get in such a pickle? or John had lost all his money in the crap game?

now he was in a spot. The first of these colloquial usages dates from the early 1800s; pickle in the sense of a mess or quandary, sometimes put as in a pretty pickle, dates from the 1500s; spot, also put as in a bad spot or tough spot, dates from the early 1900s. Also see IN A BIND; IN

DEEP, def. 2; IN THE SOUP; IN TROUBLE; ON THE SPOT.

in a flash Also, in a jiffy or second or trice. Quickly, immediately. For example, I'll be with you in a flash, or He said he'd be done in a jiffy, or I'll be off the phone in a second, or I felt a drop or two, and in a trice there was a downpour. The first idiom alludes to a flash of lightning and dates from about 1800. The word jiffy, meaning "a short time," is of uncertain origin and dates from the late 1700s (as does the idiom using it); a second, literally one-sixtieth of a minute, has been used vaguely to mean "a very short time" since the early 1800s; and trice originally meant "a single pull at something" and has been used figuratively since the 1500s.

in a flutter

hand. see IN A DITHER.

in a fog Also, in a haze. Preoccupied, not paying attention; also, at a loss, confused. For example,

After the accident he went about in a fog, even though he had not been injured, or Millie always seems to be in a haze; she never knows what's going on. These expressions allude to fog or haze obscuring one's view; the fog usage dates from about 1600, haze from about 1800.

in a good light

Under favorable circumstances, as in They thought he'd make a wonderful mayor, but they'd only seen him in a good light, or The book portrayed their actions in a good light. Both this expression and its antonym, in a bad light, transfer physical light in which something can (or cannot) be seen clearly to figurative use. The literal terms date from the early 1500s.

in a hole

hand. see IN A BIND.

in a huff

In an offended manner, angrily, as in When he left out her name, she stalked out in a huff. This idiom transfers huff in the sense of a gust of wind to a burst of anger. [Late 1600s] Also see IN A

SNIT.

in a jam

hand. see IN A BIND.

in a lather Also, in a state. Agitated and anxious, as in Don't get yourself in a lather over this, or

She was in a state over the flight cancellation. The first term alludes to the frothy sweat of a horse, the second to an upset state of mind. [Early 1800s] For a synonym, see IN A STEW.

in all

All together, considering everything, as in There are four cars in all, or They won ten games and lost two, doing very well in all. [Late 1300s] Also see ALL IN ALL.

in all one's born days

Ever, as in I've never seen so much snow, not in all my born days. This folksy colloquial usage literally means "since I was born." [Mid-1700s]

in all probability Also, in all likelihood. Most likely, almost certainly. For example, In all probability we'll be home for Christmas. This expression was first recorded in 1617, the variant in 1664.

in a manner of speaking

In a way; so to speak. For example, He was, in a manner of speaking, asked to leave the group.

[Late 1800s]

in and of itself

Intrinsically, considered alone. For example, In and of itself the plan

might work, but I doubt that it will be approved. It is also put simply as in itself, as in This account may be true in itself. [First half of 1600s]

in a nutshell

Concisely, in a few words, as in Here's our proposal?

in a nutshell, we want to sell the business to you. This hyperbolic expression alludes to the Roman writer Pliny's description of Homer's Iliad being copied in so tiny a hand that it could fit in a nutshell. For a time it referred to anything compressed, but from the 1500s on it referred mainly to written or spoken words.

in any case Also, at all events; in any event. No matter what happens, certainly; also, whatever the fact is, anyway. For example, In any case, I plan to go, or Call me tomorrow, at all events, or He may not be getting a raise, but in any event his boss thinks highly of him. In any case dates from the second half of the 1800s, at all events from about 1700, and in any event from the 1900s. For an antonym, see IN NO CASE.

in a pig's eye

Under no condition, not at all, as in In a pig's eye he'll pay me back, or You think he's competent? In a pig's eye! This expression, a euphemism for in a pig's ass, is generally used as a strong negative. [Slang; late 1800s]

in a pinch

In an emergency, when hardpressed, as in This music isn't what I would have chosen, but it will do in a pinch. This term dates from the late 1400s, when it was put as at a pinch (a usage still current in Britain); pinch alludes to straitened circumstances.

in arms

hand. see BABE IN ARMS; UP IN ARMS.

in arrears

Late or behind, especially in payment of money. For example, He's been in arrears on his rent so often that he may be evicted. [First half of 1600s]

in a rut

In a settled or established habit or course of action, especially a boring one. For example, We go to the seashore every summer?

we're in a rut, or After ten years at the same job she says she's in a rut. This expression alludes to having a wheel stuck in a groove in the road. [Early 1800s]

in a sense Also, in some sense. Sort of, in some ways but not others. For example, In a sense our schools are the best in the state, but the test scores don't always show that, or In some sense I agree with you, but not entirely. [Late 1500s] Also see IN A WAY.

inasmuch as Also, insomuch as. 1. Since, because of the fact that, as in Inasmuch as I have to go anyhow, I'll pick up the book for you, or Insomuch as they are friends, we can seat them together. The first usage dates from the late 1300s, the second from the late 1400s. 2. Also, insofar as. To the extent or degree that, as in You will become a good pianist only inasmuch as you keep practicing, or He's lost interest insomuch as he has stopped attending church altogether, or Insofar as this is a temporary measure, we can't complain. [Late 1500s]

in a snit In a state of agitation or irritation, as in He is in a snit over the guest list. It is also put as get in or into a snit, as in She tends to get in a snit every time things don't go her way. The origin of this expression is uncertain. [Colloquial; first half of 1900s]

in a state

hand. see under IN A LATHER.

in a stew

Agitated, alarmed, or anxious. For example, Mary was in a stew about how her cake was going to turn out. It is also put as get in or into a stew, as in Every Saturday the minister got in a stew about Sunday's sermon. This expression transfers the mixture of meat and vegetables constituting a stew to overheated mixed emotions. [c. 1800]

in a tight corner hand. Also, in a tight spot. See under IN A BIND.

in a tizzy

hand. see IN A DITHER.

in at the death Also, in at the finish or kill. Involved in or present at the end, especially a disastrous end but sometimes merely the climax of an important event. For example, He had a hand in their breakup, but he didn't want to be in at the death, or They've done really well this year, and we want to be in at the kill. These expressions originally alluded to hunters and hounds being present at the death of a fox they had run to ground. [First half of 1700s]

in a walk