American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms

figuratively since the early 1800s, this term alludes to the dwelling place of God in highest of the seven concentric spheres that surround the earth in the system recognized by both Muslims and ancient Jews.

in shape

hand. see IN CONDITION.

in short

hand. see IN BRIEF.

in short order

Quickly, without delay, as in The children got ready in short order to go to the mall. [First half of 1800s]

in short supply

Less than is needed, lacking. For example, Skilled operators were in short supply, or The hotels are all full, and beds are in short supply. [First half of 1900s]

inside

hand. In addition to the idioms beginning with INSIDE, also see ON THE INSIDE; STEP

IN (INSIDE).

inside of

Within, in less than the whole of, referring especially to a period of time. For example, They promised to return it inside of a month. Although some authorities believe inside alone conveys the same meaning, the full term is widely used. [Early 1800s]

inside out

1. With the inner surface turned out or revealed, as in He wore his shirt inside out. This expression dates from about 1600 and was soon used figuratively, as in He turned the verses inside out and revealed their hidden sense. 2. Extremely well, thoroughly, especially alluding to knowing something. For example, He knows this system inside out. [First half of 1900s]

inside track, the

A position of special advantage, as in His relationship with Walter put him on the inside track with the company. This metaphoric expression, which alludes to the inner, shorter track of a race course, has been used figuratively since the mid-1800s.

in sight

1. Within one's range of vision, as in The sailboat was still in sight on the horizon. [c. 1200] 2. Also, in one's sight or sights. Before one's eyes; also, within one's awareness. For example, In the world's sight he was at fault, or Harold had that promotion firmly in his sights. [c. 1200]

in single file

hand. see SINGLE FILE.

insofar as

hand. see INASMUCH AS, def. 2.

in so many words

In those precise words; also, plainly, directly. For example, He didn't tell me in so many words, but I understood that he planned to apply, or, as Charles Dickens put it in Sketches by "Boz" (1836): "That the Lord Mayor had threatened in so many words to pull down the London Bridge." [Late 1600s]

in some measure

Somewhat, to a certain extent, as in In some measure we owe these privileges to our parents.

Shakespeare used this term in A Midsummer Night's Dream (1:2): "I will condole in some measure." Similarly, in large measure, dating from the same period, means "to a considerable extent," as in In large measure the two sides agree. [c. 1600]

in someone's

hand. In addition to the idioms beginning with IN SOMEONE'S, also see under IN

ONE'S.

in someone's bad graces Also, in someone's bad books. Out of favor with someone. For example, Harry's tardiness put him in the teacher's bad graces, or Making fun of the director is bound to get you in his bad books. The use of grace in the sense of "favor" dates from the 1400s; the use of books dates from the early 1800s. Also see

GOOD GRACES.

in someone's face

1. In front of or against someone directly, as in He slammed the door in her face. [First half of

1400s] Also see IN THE FACE OF. 2. get in someone's face. Annoy or pester someone. For example, He's always getting in my face when I'm trying to meet a deadline. Closely related is the imperative, get out of my face, meaning "stop annoying me," as in Get out of my face before I punch you! [Slang; 1920s] Also see IN YOUR FACE; THROW IN SOMEONE'S FACE.

in someone's good graces Also, in someone's good books; in the good graces of. In someone's favor or good opinion, as in Ruth is back in her mother's good graces, or Bill is anxious to get in the boss's good books, or She was always in the good graces of whoever happened to be in charge. The use of good grace dates from the 1400s, grace alluding to the condition of being favored; good books dates from the early 1800s. One antonym is out of someone's good graces, as in Walking out on his speech got him out of the professor's good graces. Another is IN

With pomp and ceremony, as in The foreign leaders were dining in state at the White House. This expression, dating from the late 1600s, also appears in lie in state, said of a dead body ceremoniously exposed to public view before being interred. This latter usage, dating from about 1700, is generally confined to important public figures, as in His Majesty lay in state in the palace.

instead of Also, in lieu of; in place of; in someone's stead. In substitution for, rather than. For example, She wore a dress instead of slacks, or They had a soprano in lieu of a tenor, or In place of soft drinks they served fruit juice, or The chairman spoke in her stead. Instead of dates from about 1200; in lieu of, which borrows lieu, meaning "place," from French, dates from the late 1200s; in place of dates from the 1500s; and in someone's stead from the 1200s. Also see

under IN SOMEONE'S SHOES.

in step

1. Moving to a rhythm or conforming to the movements of others, as in The kids marched in step to the music. [Late 1800s] 2. in step with. In conformity or harmony with, as in He was in step with the times. The antonym to both usages is out of step, as in They're out of step with the music, or His views are out of step with the board's. [Late 1800s] Also see IN PHASE; OUT OF

PHASE.

in stitches

Laughing uncontrollably, as in Joke after joke had me in stitches. Although the precise idiom dates only from about 1930, Shakespeare had a similar expression in Twelfth Night (3:2): "If you desire the spleen, and will laugh yourselves into stitches, follow me." Stitches here refers to the sharp local pain (known as a stitch in the side) that can make one double over, much as a fit of laughter can.

in stock Available for sale or use, on hand, as in We have several dozen tires in stock. The antonym, out of stock, means "not available for sale," usually only temporarily. For example, This item is out of stock now, but we expect a new order next week. [Early 1600s]

in store

1. In readiness, in preparation for future use, as in I'm keeping several videos in store for your visit. Edmund Spenser used this idiom in The Faerie Queene (1590): "Then for her son . . . In her own hand the crown she kept in store." [1300s] 2. in store for. Forthcoming for, awaiting, as in

There's trouble in store for you. [Mid-1600s]

in stride

hand. see TAKE IN STRIDE.

in style

hand. see under GO OUT, def. 5.

in substance

1. In reality, essentially, as in The Archbishop of Salzburg was in substance a temporal authority as

well. [Late 1300s] 2. In essence, basically, as in I don't remember all the details, but in substance this was the plan. [Late 1400s]

insult

hand. see ADD INSULT TO INJURY.

intent

hand. see TO ALL INTENTS AND PURPOSES.

interest

hand. see IN ONE'S INTEREST; TAKE AN INTEREST; VESTED INTEREST; WITH INTEREST.

interim

hand. see IN THE INTERIM.

in terms of

1. As measured or indicated by, on the basis of. For example, How far is it in terms of miles? This usage originated in mathematics, where it alludes to numerical units. [Mid-1700s] 2. In relation to, with reference to, as in This film offers nothing in terms of satisfactory entertainment. [Late 1800s]

in that

For the reason that, because, as in In that you will be busy for the next few weeks, let's go over your paper now. [Mid-1400s]

in that case

hand. see IN CASE, def. 2.

in the act

1. In the process of doing something. For example, The police caught the robber in the act, or I was in the act of closing the window. [Second half of 1600s] 2. Performing sexual intercourse, as in Her father caught them in the act. [Late 1500s]

in the aggregate

Considered as a whole, as in Our profits in the aggregate have been slightly higher. [Late 1700s]

in the air

hand. In addition to the following idiom, also see CASTLES IN THE AIR; LEAVE

HANGING (IN THE AIR); NOSE IN THE AIR; UP IN THE AIR.

in the air

1. In circulation, in people's thoughts. For example, There's a rumor in the air that they're closing, or Christmas is in the air. [Second half of 1800s] Also see IN THE WIND. 2. See UP IN THE

AIR. [Mid-1700s]

in the altogether Also, in or stripped to the buff; in the raw. Naked, nude, as in The art class wanted a model to pose in the altogether, or She was stripped to the buff when the doorbell rang, or He always sleeps in the raw. The first of these colloquial terms dates from the late 1800s. In the buff, a seemingly modern locution dates from the 1600s, buff alluding to a soft, undyed leather, buffskin, that also gave its name to the color. The use of raw, presumably also alluding to raw (undressed) leather, dates from the early 1900s.

in the back

hand. see EYES IN THE BACK OF ONE'S HEAD; STAB IN THE BACK.

in the bag

Assured of success, virtually accomplished or won. For example, The coach thought the trophy was in the bag, or Our new contract is in the bag. The precise allusion in this idiom is unknown. One writer believes it refers to a completed transaction, that is, an item bought and wrapped in a bag. However, it may well refer to the game bag in which hunters place small game such as birds. [c. 1920] Also see under WRAP UP.

in the balance

hand. see HANG IN THE BALANCE.

in the ballpark Also, out of the ballpark. hand. See under BALLPARK FIGURE.

in the bargain

hand. see INTO THE BARGAIN.

in the black

hand. see under IN THE RED.

in the blood

hand. see IN ONE'S BLOOD.

in the bud

hand. see NIP IN THE BUD.

in the buff

hand. see IN THE ALTOGETHER.

in the can

1. In the lavatory, as in He can't come to the phone; he's in the can. The related on the can means "sitting on the toilet." The noun can is used for both the room and the toilet. [Slang; c. 1900] 2. Completed, as in About a hundred pages of her next book are in the can. This usage originated in filmmaking to describe a completed motion picture, when film was literally put into a can or canister. [Slang; c. 1930] 3. As an out-of-the-money finisher in a horse race, where a horse comes in fourth or worse. For example, He had no luck that day?

every bet ended up in the can. [1960s]

in the cards

Likely or certain to happen, as in I don't think Jim will win?

it's just not in the cards. This term, originally put as on the cards, alludes to the cards used in fortune-telling. [Early 1800s]

in the care of

hand. see IN CHARGE, def. 3.

in the case of

Regarding, in the matter of, in that instance. For example, In the case of James, they decided to promote him to the next grade. [Late 1300s] Also see IN CASE, def. 2.

in the chips

hand. see IN THE MONEY.

in the circumstances

hand. see UNDER THE CIRCUMSTANCES.

in the clear

1. Free from danger or suspicion of wrongdoing, as in The evidence showed that the suspect was actually in the clear. [1920s] 2. Having enough money to make a profit, as in When they added up the box-office returns, they found they were several thousand dollars in the clear. [Slang; 1920s]

in the clouds

hand. see HEAD IN THE CLOUDS.

in the cold light of day

Dispassionately, unemotionally, especially at a later time. For example, They had a terrible fight about the mixup, but in the cold light of day they realized they were both at fault. This expression

transfers the illumination of daylight to rational understanding and uses cold to emphasize the lack of passion.

in the course of Also, during the course of. In the process or progress of, as in the famous phrase from the Declaration of Independence (1776), "When in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands . . ." These phrases have been criticized as needlessly wordy (in or during alone are adequate), but they have an emphatic rhythm that keeps them alive. [Mid-1600s]

in the dark

1. In secret, in concealment, as in This agreement was concluded in the dark. [Early 1600s] 2. In a state of ignorance, uninformed, as in I was in the dark about their plans. This metaphor often appears in the locution keep someone in the dark, meaning "deliberately keep someone uninformed," as in They kept me in the dark about their plans. [Late 1600s] For an antonym, see

IN THE KNOW.

in the dock

On trial, especially in a criminal case. For example, The accused stood in the dock through the entire proceeding. This expression employs dock in the sense of "an enclosed place for the defendant in a court of law," a usage dating from the late 1500s, and is used even in American courts where no such enclosure exists.

in the doghouse

In disfavor, in trouble, as in Jane knew that forgetting the check would put her in the doghouse.

This expression alludes to relegating a dog that misbehaves to its outdoor kennel. [c. 1900]

in the doldrums

Depressed; dull and listless. For example, Dean's in the doldrums for most of every winter. This expression alludes to the maritime doldrums, a belt of calms and light winds north of the equator in which sailing ships were often becalmed. [Early 1800s] Also see DOWN IN THE DUMPS.

in the driver's seat Also, in the saddle. In control, in a position of authority. For example, With the boss on vacation, Mr. Burns was in the driver's seat and enjoying it, or She waited until after the election, knowing that she'd be in the saddle then. The first expression dates from the 1800s, the second from the early 1600s. Also see AT THE HELM.

in the dumps

hand. see DOWN IN THE DUMPS.

in the dust, leave someone

Leave one far behind, as in a race or competition. For example, This marketing strategy will leave the others in the dust. This metaphoric colloquialism alludes to the dust raised by a fastmoving horse or vehicle.

in the end