American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms
.pdfterms are so often used interchangeably that this distinction no longer has a basis.
in between
In an intermediate situation, as in My roommates disagreed and I was caught in between. [Late 1500s]
in between times
During an intervening period, as in He has written several books, and in between times he teaches.
in black and white
hand. see BLACK AND WHITE, def. 3.
in brief Also, in short; in a word. Concisely, in few words, to sum up. All three phrases usually precede or follow a summary statement, as in In brief, we didn't get much out of his speech, or
There was no agenda; in short, they could discuss whatever they wanted to, or The sun was shining, the sky was clear?
in a word, it was a beautiful day. The first expression dates
from the early 1400s; in short dates from the 1300s but the present usage dates from the 1700s; the hyperbolic in a word (since there is nearly always more than one word) dates from the late 1500s.
in bulk
1. Unpackaged, loose, as in It's cheaper to buy rice in bulk. [Late 1600s] 2. In large amounts or volume, as in The ship was carrying wheat in bulk. [Mid-1700s]
in cahoots
hand. see IN LEAGUE WITH.
in care of
Through someone, by way of someone, as in I sent the gift in care of your parents. This phrase indicates that something is to be delivered to someone at someone else's address. [Mid-1800s]
Also see IN CHARGE, def. 3.
in case
1. Also, just in case. If it should happen that. For example, In case he doesn't show up, we have a backup speaker. The variant also is used without a following clause to mean simply "as a precaution," as in I took an umbrella just in case. [c. 1400] 2. in case of; in the event of. If there should happen to be. For example, Here is a number to call in case of an emergency, or In the event of a power failure, we'll have to shift our plans. Similarly, in that case means "if that should happen," as in You're alone in the store? In that case I'll bring your lunch. The first usage dates from the early 1700s, the second (with event) from about 1600, and the third from the
mid-1800s. Also see IN ANY CASE; IN NO CASE; IN THE CASE OF.
in cement
Firmly settled or determined; unalterable. For example, Their policy on taxes was set in cement despite opposition. For a synonym, see
inch
hand. In addition to the idioms beginning with INCH, also see BY INCHES; EVERY
INCH; GIVE AN INCH; WITHIN AN ACE (INCH) OF.
inch along
hand. see under BY INCHES.
in character
Consistent with someone's general personality or behavior. For example, Her failure to answer the invitation was completely in character. This usage dates from the mid-1700s, as does the antonym, out of character, as in It was out of character for him to refuse the assignment.
in charge
1. In a position of leadership or supervision, as in Who's in charge here? or He's the agent in charge at the ticket counter. [Early 1500s] 2. in charge of. Having control over or responsibility for, as in You're in charge of making the salad. [Late 1500s] 3. in the charge of; in the care of.
Under someone's care or supervision, as in We left the children in the charge of their grandparents. [Mid-1800s]
inch by inch
hand. see BY INCHES.
in check
Restrained from moving or acting; under control. For example, The first division held the enemy in check, or Mary kept her emotions in check. This term replaced at check and out of check, which date from the mid-1500s.
in chorus
All together, in unison, as in The voters answered the legislators in chorus. This expression transfers group singing to simultaneous utterance of any kind. [c. 1800]
in circles
hand. see GO AROUND IN CIRCLES.
in circulation Also, into circulation. In business or social life, especially after a period of absence. For example, After a month in the hospital Bill was eager to get back in circulation. The antonym is out of circulation, as in Since we had twins we've been out of circulation, but we're hoping to get out more often soon. These expressions, dating from the first half of the 1900s,
employ circulation in the sense of "making the rounds among people," a usage dating from the 1600s.
inclined to
Tending or disposed toward, as in I'm inclined to give him the benefit of the doubt. [Mid-1300s]
in clover
Prosperous, living well. For example, After we make our first million, we'll be in clover. This expression alludes to cattle happily feeding on clover. Slightly different versions are like pigs in clover and rolling in clover. [c. 1700]
in cold blood
In a purposely ruthless and unfeeling manner, as in The whole family was murdered in cold blood. This expression alludes to the notion that blood is the seat of emotion and is hot in passion and cold in calm. The term therefore means not "in the heat of passion," but "in a calculated, deliberate manner." [Late 1500s]
in cold storage
In a state of abeyance or postponement. For example, We can't consider these design changes now; let's put them in cold storage for a year or so. This expression alludes to the literal storage of food, furs, or other objects in a refrigerated place. [Colloquial; late 1800s]
in commission
hand. see under OUT OF COMMISSION.
in common
Shared characteristics, as in One of the few things John and Mary have in common is a love of music. [Mid-1600s] 2. Held equally, in joint possession or use, as in This land is held in common by all the neighbors. [Late 1300s]
in concert
Together, jointly, as in They worked in concert on the script, or When mind is in concert with body, one can accomplish a great deal. This expression uses concert in the sense of "an agreement of two or more persons." [Early 1700s]
in condition Also, in good condition or shape; in shape. Physically fit; also, in a state of readiness. For example, I've got to get in condition before the next road race, or This project's in good shape now, or Is this report in shape to show to the president? The first expression dates from the late 1700s; the use of shape for "a state of health or repair" dates from the mid-1800s. The antonyms of these expressions, out of condition and out of shape, date from the mid-1800s. For example, Their stock was out of condition and not suitable for selling, or I'm so out of shape that I can barely run a mile.
in confidence Also, in strict confidence. Privately, on condition that what is said will not be revealed. For example, The doctor told her in confidence that her mother was terminally ill, or He
told us in strict confidence that Gail was pregnant. This idiom was first recorded in 1632. Also see
TAKE INTO ONE'S CONFIDENCE.
in conscience Also, in all good conscience. In all truth or fairness, as in I can't in conscience say that the meeting went well, or In all good conscience we can't support their stand on disarmament. [Late 1500s]
in consequence
As a result, therefore, as in She was away for years and in consequence has few friends here. The prepositional phrase in consequence of means "as a result of," as in In consequence of this finding, there is sure to be further investigation. [Late 1600s]
in consideration of
1. In view of, on account of, as in We turned back in consideration of the worsening weather. [First half of 1500s] 2. In return for, as in She received an honorarium in consideration of her key contributions.
[c. 1600]
in creation
hand. see under ON EARTH.
incumbent on Also, incumbent upon. Imposed as an obligation or duty on, obliga
tory for. For example, He felt it was incumbent on us all to help the homeless. [Mid-1500s]
indeed
hand. see FRIEND IN NEED IS A FRIEND INDEED.
in deep
1. Seriously involved; far advanced. For example, He was in deep with the other merchants and couldn't strike out on his own, or She used her credit cards for everything, and before long she was in deep. 2. in deep water. Also, in over one's head. In trouble, with more difficulties than one can manage, as in The business was in deep water after the president resigned, or I'm afraid Bill got in over his head. These metaphoric expressions transfer the difficulties of being submerged to other problems. The first appears in Miles Coverdale's 1535 translation of the Book of Psalms (68:13): "I am come into deep waters." The second, which also can signify being involved with more than one can understand, dates from the 1600s. Also see OVER ONE'S HEAD.
in default of
Through the failure, absence, or lack of, as in In default of a better solution, we'll have to make do with this one. This term was originally put as for default of, but John Gower had the current wording in Confessio Amantis (1397): "The fish, if it be dry, might in default of water die." [Late 1200s]
in defiance of
In spite of, with outright disregard for, as in They went on strike in defiance of union policy. This term was first recorded in 1750.
in demand
Sought after, as in The general was in demand as an after-dinner speaker. [Early 1800s]
in depth
Profoundly, thoroughly, as in It will take years to cover the entire subject in depth. [Mid-1900s]
in detail
With close attention to particulars; thoroughly. For example, She explained her theory in detail. It is also put as go into detail, meaning "to investigate thoroughly," as in You know what I mean, so I needn't go into detail. The first expression dates from about 1600, the second from the late 1800s.
Indian file
hand. see SINGLE FILE.
Indian giver
One who takes or demands back one's gift to another, as in Jimmy wanted to take back Dan's birthday present, but Mom said that would make him an Indian giver. This term, now considered offensive, originally alluded to the Native American practice of expecting a gift in return for one that is given. [Colloquial; early 1800s]
Indian summer
A period of mild, sunny weather occurring in late autumn, usually following a seasonable cold spell. For example, We had two whole days of Indian summer this year, and then it turned cold again.
[Late 1700s]
in dispute
Disagreed about, in controversy. For example, This parcel of land is in dispute, claimed by several persons, or The origin of this phrase is in dispute. [Mid-1600s]
in drag
Wearing clothes normally worn by the opposite sex, as in All of the actors in the revue were in drag. This expression originally alluded to male actors wearing women's apparel on stage, especially for comic purposes, but also refers to cross-dressing by homosexuals. [Colloquial; c. 1870]
in due course Also, in due course of time; in due time; in time; all in good time. After an appropriate interval, in a reasonable length of time. For example, In due course we'll discuss the details of this arrangement, or In due time the defense will present new evidence, or You'll learn
the program in time, or We'll come up with a solution, all in good time. Chau
cer used in due time in the late 1300s, and the other usages arose over the next few centuries. However, also see
in Dutch
In trouble or disfavor, as in If I don't finish on time I'll really be in Dutch. This expression may allude to the stern reprimands of a DUTCH UNCLE. [Slang; c. 1850]
in earnest
1. With purposeful or sincere intent, as in We settled down to study in earnest. [c. A.D. 1000] 2.
Also, in dead earnest. Serious, determined, as in We thought he was joking, but he was in earnest, or I'm in dead earnest about selling the business. In the variant, from the late 1800s, dead means ''completely" or "thoroughly" and is used purely for emphasis. [c. A.D. 1000]
in effect
1. For all practical purposes, as in This testimony in effect contradicted her earlier statement. [Late 1500s] 2. In or into operation, as in This law will be in effect in January. Related phrases include go into effect and take effect, which mean "become operative," as in This law goes into effect January 1, or It takes effect January 1. Similarly, put into effect means "make operative," as in
When will the judge's ruling be put into effect? [Late 1700s] Also see
in effigy
Symbolically. For example, That umpire was completely unfair?
let's burn him in effigy. Now used only figuratively, this term formerly signified a way of carrying out the sentence of a criminal who had escaped, such as burn in effigy or hang in effigy. A dummy was made of the criminal or a detested political figure and subjected to the prescribed punishment. [c. 1600]
in escrow
In trust with a third party for delivery after certain conditions are fulfilled. For example, Our down payment on the house is in escrow until the current owner makes the promised repairs. This legal term dates from the late 1800s.
in essence
Basically, by nature, as in He is in essence a very private person or In essence, they were asking the wrong question. This term employs essence in the sense of "intrinsic nature," a usage dating from the mid-1600s.
in evidence
1. Also, much in evidence. Plainly visible, conspicuous, as in The car's new dents were very much
in evidence. [Second half of 1800s] 2. As testimony in a court of law, as in The attorney submitted the photograph in evidence. [c. 1700]
in excess of
Greater than, more than, as in The book sold in excess of a million copies. [Early 1600s]
in exchange Also, in exchange for. In return (for something or someone), as in Jim lent Bill his motorcycle, and Bill offered his car in exchange, or At the party, the guests were given cookies in exchange for the ones they brought. [Late 1500s]
in fact Also, in point of fact. In reality, in truth; actually. For example, She was, in fact, eager to join the club, or In point of fact, his parents never had much influence on him. The first term dates from about 1700, and the variant from about 1800.
in fashion 
hand. Also, in style. See under GO OUT, def. 5.
in favor of Also, in one's favor. 1. In support of, approving, as in We are in favor of her promotion, or All the reviews were in his favor. [Mid-1500s] 2. To the advantage of, as in The court decided in favor of the defendant. [Mid-1500s] 3. Inscribed or made out to the benefit of, as in The check was made out in favor of the charity. [Mid-1500s] 4. Out of a preference for, as in The commissioner turned down the new road in favor of improved sewers. [Late 1800s]
in favor with
Held in friendly regard by, as in She's really in favor with the press. This idiom uses favor in the sense of "approval." The same is true of the antonym, out of favor with, as in He was out of favor with the board. [Early 1500s] Also see IN FAVOR OF.
inference
hand. see DRAW AN INFERENCE.
in fine feather Also, in good or high feather. In excellent form, health, or humor. For example, He was in fine feather, joking with all his visitors. These expressions all allude to a bird's healthy plumage, a usage dating from the late 1500s and no longer very common.
influence
hand. see UNDER THE INFLUENCE.
in for
1. Guaranteed to get or have, as in We're in for a difficult time. [Late 1500s] 2. in for it. Certain to encounter trouble or punishment, as in When Harry finds out we left early, we'll be in for it. [Late 1600s] 3. Involved or entered for some purpose, as in We're in for the profits. [Mid-1800s] Also
see HAVE IT IN FOR; IN FOR A PENNY.
in for a penny, in for a pound
Once involved, one must not stop at half-measures. For example, All right, I'll drive you all the way
there?
in for a penny, in for a pound. This term originally meant that if one owes a penny one might as well owe a pound, and came into American use without changing the British monetary unit to dollar. [Late 1600s] For a synonym, see HANGED FOR A SHEEP.
in force
1. In full strength, in large numbers, as in Demonstrators were out in force. This usage originally alluded to a large military force. [Early 1300s] 2. Operative, binding, as in This rule is no longer in force. This usage originally alluded to the binding power of a law. [Late 1400s]
information
hand. see under GOLD MINE.
in front of
1. Facing someone or a group, as in He was shy about speaking in front of a large audience. [Early 1600s] 2. In someone's presence, as in Let's not fight in front of the children. [Mid-1800s]
in full
Completely, as in His talk covered the subject in full, or The debt was repaid in full. [Mid-1500s]
in full swing Also, in full cry. In full operation, at the highest level of activity. For example, After the strike it would be some time before production was in full swing, or His supporters were out in full cry. The first expression, dating from the mid-1800s, alludes to the vigorous movement of a swinging body. The second employs full cry in the sense of "vigorous pursuit," a usage dating from the late 1500s that may be dying out.
in general
1. Referring to a group of persons or a subject as a whole, as opposed to particular ones. For example, I am speaking about contracts in general, or Girls in general mature at a younger age
than boys. [Late 1300s] For an antonym, see IN PARTICULAR. 2. For the most part; commonly, usually. For example, In general the children behaved very well, or Our winters are quite mild in general. [Early 1700s]
in good condition 
hand. Also, in good shape. See IN CONDITION.
in good faith
hand. see under IN BAD FAITH.
in good hands
In competent or safe care. For example, I know the children are in good hands when they visit my mother. The term good hand has been used in the sense of "skill" or "ability" since the late 1300s.
in good part
1.take in good part. Accept good-naturedly or with good grace; without taking offense. For example, She took her brother's teasing in good part. [Mid-1500s]
2.Mostly, to a great extent, as in Their failure is in good part the result of poor management.
Also see FOR THE MOST PART.
in good spirits Also, in high spirits. Happy, cheerful, as in Jane was in good spirits today. [Early 1700s] However, high spirits also can indicate liveliness and vivacity, as in The children were in high spirits at the prospect of a trip to the circus.
in good stead
hand. see STAND IN GOOD STEAD.
in good time
1. See IN DUE COURSE. 2. In a short time, quickly; also, earlier than expected. For example, We want to get home in good time for the broadcast, or They submitted the bids in good time. [Late 1500s]
in good with, be Also, be in with; get on someone's good side. Be in someone's favor, be well liked by someone. For example, He's in good with the higher-ups so we can expect approval of our application, or I'd love to be in with that popular crowd, but I don't quite know how, or I don't know how he got on her good side after that fight they had. The first two terms date from the 1900s, the third from the late 1600s. Also see IN BAD WITH; IN FAVOR WITH; IN
SOMEONE'S GOOD GRACES.
in half
In two equal or roughly equal parts. For example, Let's cut this sheet in half. [Late 1500s]
in hand
1. Accessible at the present time, as in The company has very little cash in hand. [Late 1300s] 2. Under one's control or authority, as in The police had the situation well in hand. [Early 1600s] 3. In process, being settled, as in He was willing to give full attention to the matter in hand. [Late 1300s] Also see IN ONE'S HANDS.
in harness
On duty or at work. For example, Despite his illness he's determined to continue in harness. It also is put as be back in harness, meaning "to return to duty or work," as in After a long vacation she's finally back in harness. This expression alludes to horses harnessed to perform work. [First
half of 1800s] Also see DIE WITH ONE'S BOOTS ON (IN HARNESS).
in heat
In a state of sexual excitement immediately preceding ovulation. For example, Our cat's in beat so
we have to keep her inside. This expression applies to most female mammals and indicates the period when the animal is fertile and most receptive to mating. [Mid-1700s]
in high dudgeon
Furiously, resentfully, as in He stormed out in high dudgeon. This term is the only surviving use of the word dudgeon, whose origin has been lost. [c. 1600]
in honor of
In celebration of, as a mark of respect for, as in We are holding a banquet in honor of the president. [c. 1300]
in hopes of Also, in hopes that; in the hope of or that; in high hopes of or that. Expecting and wishing for, as in We went in hopes of finding a vacancy, or They met in the hope of bringing about a peaceful settlement. The phrases with that are used with clauses, as in In hopes that something good might come of it, he began to work, or We are in high hopes that a cure for leukemia will be found soon. [c. 1600]
initiative
hand. see ON ONE'S OWN ACCOUNT (INITIATIVE); TAKE THE INITIATIVE.
in itself
hand. see under IN AND OF ITSELF.
injury
hand. see ADD INSULT TO INJURY.
in keeping with
Conforming to, in harmony with, as in The new wing is in keeping with the house's original architecture, or His actions are not in keeping with his words. This expression uses keeping in the sense of "harmony," as does its antonym, out of keeping with, as in The funeral arrangements were out of keeping with the family's wishes. [c. 1800] Also see IN KEY; IN LINE.
in key
In harmony with other factors, in a matching style, as in This furniture is perfectly in key with the overall design. This term uses key in the musical sense, that is, "a scheme of notes related to one another." The antonym, out of key, means "not in harmony with other factors," or ''unsuitable," as in He is out of key with his time. [c. 1900]
in kind
1. With produce or commodities rather than money. For example, I edited Bob's book for payment in kind; he gave me voice lessons in exchange. [c. 1600] 2. In the same manner or with an equivalent, as in He returned the insult in kind. [Early 1700s]