American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms

iron out

Work out, resolve, settle. For example, They managed to iron out all the problems with the new production process, or John and Mary finally ironed out their differences. This expression uses ironing wrinkled fabric as a metaphor for smoothing differences. [Mid-1800s]

irons in the fire, too many

Too many activities or undertakings at once. For example, Bill's got too many irons in the fire to cope with moving this year. This expression originally referred to the blacksmith heating too many irons at once and therefore spoiling some in the forging. [Mid-1500s]

I see Also, I see what you mean. I understand, as in I see, you'd rather go running in the morning while it's cool, or It's too early to run an ad? I see what you mean. This idiom uses see in the sense of "perceive" or "comprehend," a usage dating from 1300. Also see AS FAR AS I CAN

SEE.

Is my face red!

hand. see under RED IN THE FACE.

issue

hand. see AT ISSUE; TAKE ISSUE WITH.

is that a fact? Also, is that so? Phrases indicating that one is following what another person is saying. These expressions, which require no reply, can be used either straight-forwardly, as in You mean you've flown to Paris three times just this month? Is that a fact? or sarcastically, expressing disbelief or contempt, as in Just wait, I'll be promoted over you before the year is out.?

Oh yeah, is that so? [Late 1800s]

I suppose so

I reluctantly agree, I guess so, as in Do you want tickets to the concert??

I suppose so, or Do you think it's going to rain??

I suppose so. [Mid-1500s]

it

hand. In addition to the idioms beginning with IT, also see THAT DOES IT.

itch for, have an Also, itch to. Have a persistent restless craving for, as in Dean has an itch for excitement, or Chris is itching to go around the world. [Late 1500s]

itchy palm Also, itching palm. A desire for money, greed; also, wanting a bribe. For example,

The porter has an itchy palm; he wants a big tip, or The mayor was known for his itchy palm. This expression alludes to placing money in the palm of the hand. [Late 1500s]

it figures Also, that figures. It's (or that's) reasonable; it makes sense. For example, Hanging it upside down sounds like a weird idea, but it figures, or It figures that they won't be coming this year, or So she's complaining again; that figures. This idiom alludes to reckoning up numbers. [Colloquial; mid-1900s]

it never rains but it pours

When something occurs it often does so to excess. For example, First Aunt Sue said she and Uncle Harry were coming for the weekend and then my sister and her children said they were coming too?it never rains but it pours. This expression may have come from either a book by Queen Anne's physician, John Arbuthnot, or an article by Jonathan Swift, both entitled It Cannot Rain But It Pours and both published in 1726.

I told you so

I warned you in advance, especially of a bad outcome. For example, It's too bad your guests didn't get along with each other, but remember, I told you so.

it's about time Also, it's high time. hand. See ABOUT TIME; HIGH

TIME.

it's all downhill Also, it's all uphill from here. hand. See under DOWNHILL ALL THE WAY.

it's all over with

Something or someone is completely finished, defeated, or dead. The precise meaning of this phrase depends on the context. In This loss means that it's all over with the company, it refers to defeat, whereas in The vet can do no more; it's all over with the dog, it refers to the dog's death, either approaching or actual. Also see ALL UP (WITH).

it's an ill wind

hand. see ILL WIND.

it's a small world

One encounters the same people, events or situations in unexpected places. For example, I never thought I'd run into Samantha at a ball game?

it's a small world. [c. 1900]

it's a zoo Also, what a zoo. This is a place or situation of confusion and/or disorder. For example,

Mary's got all these house guests with children and pets?

it's a zoo, or We're in the midst of moving our office and files are all over the place?

what a zoo! [Slang; late 1800s]

it's no use

hand. see NO USE.

it stands to reason

It's reasonable or to be expected. For example, It stands to reason that if we leave late we'll arrive late. [Early 1600s]

it's to die Also, it is to die for. It's extraordinary; it's deeply appreciated and/or greatly desired. For example, Her performance, it's to die! or That mink coat?

it's to die for! This hyperbole is usually put as an exclamation. [Slang; 1970s]

it's to laugh Also, it is to laugh. It is absurd, laughable, as in You think the trial will be over in a week?it's to laugh!

This expression is usually put as an exclamation, as in the example. [Second half of 1900s]

it's your funeral Also, it's or it's not his or her or my or our or their funeral. One must take the consequences of one's destructive or foolish actions. This expression is used to show one's contempt or lack of sympathy for another's actions. For example, Suppose they do get pulled over for taking a joy ride?

It's their funeral, or I don't care whether you quit your job?

it's not my funeral. This hyperbolic term implies that an action is so bad it will result in death. [Slang; mid-1800s]

it takes all sorts

Many different kinds of people make up the world. For example, I

would never go swimming in April, but it takes all sorts, or Gordon insists on wearing sunglasses indoors and out?

I guess it takes all sorts. This expression, originating in the 1600s as It takes all sorts to make a world, is often used in remarking one's own difference from others or tolerating someone else's

peculiarity. Also see NO ACCOUNTING FOR TASTES.

it takes getting used to

One needs to become accustomed to something. For example, We've always had a small car, so driving a big van like this?

well, it takes getting used to. This idiom employs used to in the sense of "accustomed to," a usage dating from the first half of the 1500s.

it takes one to know one

The person who expressed criticism has similar faults to the person being criticized. This classic retort to an insult dates from the early 1900s. For example, You say she's a terrible cook? It takes

POT CALLING THE KETTLE BLACK. A near equivalent is the proverbial it takes a thief to catch a thief, meaning "no one is better at finding a wrongdoer than another wrongdoer." First recorded in 1665, it remains current.

it takes two to tango

The active cooperation of both parties is needed for some enterprises, as in We'll never pass this bill unless both parties work out a compromise?

it takes two to tango. This expression dates from the 1920s, when the Latin American tango became a very popular dance. It was popularized by the singer Pearl Bailey in her 1952 hit song of that name written by Al Hoffman and Dick Manning.

ivory tower

A place or attitude of retreat, remoteness from everyday affairs, as in What does the professor know about student life, living as he does in an ivory tower? This term is a translation of the French tour d'ivoire, which the critic Saint-Beuve used to describe the attitude of poet Alfred de Vigny in 1837. It is used most often in reference to intellectuals and artists who remain complacently aloof.

J

jack

hand. In addition to the idioms beginning with JACK, also see BEFORE YOU CAN SAY

JACK ROBINSON.

jack off

hand. see JERK OFF.

jackpot

hand. see HIT THE JACKPOT.

Jack Robinson

hand. see BEFORE YOU CAN SAY JACK ROBINSON.

jack up

Raise or increase, as in The cartel is jacking up oil prices again. This term alludes to the literal meaning of jack up, that is, "hoist with a jack." [Colloquial; c. 1900]

jam

hand. see under GET IN A BIND.

jaybird

hand. see NAKED AS A JAYBIRD.

jazz up

1. Enliven, make more interesting, as in They jazzed up the living room with a new rug, or They decided to include a comedy act to jazz up the program. 2. Modify so as to increase its performance, as in Peter wanted to jazz up his motorbike with a stronger engine. Both usages are colloquialisms from the mid1900s. Also see JUICE UP.

Jekyll and Hyde

A personality alternating between good and evil behavior, as in You never know whether Bob will be a Jekyll or a Hyde. This expression comes from Robert Louis Stevenson's The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1886). Also see LEAD A DOUBLE LIFE.

jerk around

Take unfair advantage of, manipulate or deceive, as in Leave me alone; quit jerking me around! or

He was jerking you around when he said he was home all evening. [Slang; mid-1900s]

jerk off Also, jack off. Masturbate, as in His roomate was always jerking off. [Vulgar slang; first half of 1900s]

jetsam

see FLOTSAM AND JETSAM.

jib

hand. see CUT OF ONE'S JIB

jiffy

hand. see under IN A FLASH.

jig is up

hand. see GAME IS UP.

jinks

hand. see HIGH JINKS.

job

hand. see DO A JOB ON; HATCHET MAN (JOB); LIE DOWN (ON THE JOB); ON

THE JOB; PUT-UP JOB; SNOW JOB; SOFT JOB.

jockey for position

Maneuver or manipulate for one's own benefit, as in The singers are always jockeying for position on stage. This expression, dating from about 1900, originally meant maneuvering a race horse into a better position for winning. It was transferred to other kinds of manipulation in the mid-1900s.

Joe Six-pack

A lower-middle-class male. For example, I don't think opera will appeal to Joe Six-pack; he'd prefer a rock concert. This disparaging term, first recorded in 1977, conjures up the image of a man in undershirt and construction helmet who will down all of a six-pack (six cans or bottles of beer sold in a package) in an evening.

John Doe

1. Also, John Q. Public; Joe Blow; Joe Doakes; Joe Zilch. An average undistinguished man; also, the average citizen. For example, This television show is just right for a John Doe, or It's up to John Q. Public to go to the polls and vote. Originally used from the 13th century on legal documents as an alias to protect a witness, John Doe acquired the sense of "ordinary person" in the 1800s. The variants date from the 1900s. Also see JOE SIX-PACK. 2. Also, Jane Doe.

An unknown individual, as in The police found a John Doe lying on the street last night, or The judge issued a warrant for the arrest of the perpetrators, Jane Doe no. 1 and Jane Doe no. 2. [Second half of 1900s]

John Hancock Also, John Henry. One's signature, as in Just put your John Hancock on the dotted line. This expression alludes to John Hancock's prominent signature on the Declaration of Independence. The variant simply substitutes a common name for "Hancock." [Mid-1800s]

Johnny-come-lately

A newcomer, as in She may be a Johnny-come-lately on the board, but she's doing a fine job with publicity. [1830s]

Johnny-on-the-spot

A person who is available when needed, as in He always is there at the right time, a real Johnny-on-thespot. [Late 1800s]

John Q. Public

hand. see under JOHN DOE.

join forces

Act together, combine efforts. For example, The public relations people joined forces to get better coverage for their candidates. This expression originally referred to combining military forces. [Mid1500s]

joint

JUICE.

juice up

1. Give something energy, spirit, or interest. For example, They tried to juice up the party by playing loud music. 2. Change something to improve its performance, as in That old jeep's motor got juiced up in the shop, or Lowering interest rates is one way to juice up the economy. [Slang; second half of 1900s]

jump

hand. In addition to the idioms beginning with JUMP, also see GET THE DROP (JUMP)

ON; GO FLY A KITE (JUMP IN THE LAKE); HOP, SKIP AND A JUMP; NOT KNOW WHICH WAY TO JUMP; ONE JUMP AHEAD OF; SKIP (JUMP) BAIL.

jump all over someone Also, jump or land on someone. Scold, reprimand or criticize someone. For example, Brian jumped all over his son for being late, or The editor jumped on Dennis for getting the names wrong, or He was always landing on me for something or other. The first metaphoric term dates from the mid-1800s, the second from the late 1800s. Also see JUMP

DOWN SOMEONE'S THROAT.

jump at Also, jump at the chance; jump at the bait. Take prompt advantage of, respond quickly to an opportunity. For example, When Dad said he'd help pay for my vacation, I jumped at the offer, or When the lead singer became ill, Sheila jumped at the chance to replace her, or They offered a large reward, hoping that someone would jump at the bait. [Mid-1700s]

jump bail

hand. see SKIP BAIL.

jump down someone's throat

Strongly criticize, reprimand or disagree with someone. For example, Just because I admitted to being there, you needn't jump down my throat. [Late 1800s] Also see JUMP ALL OVER

SOMEONE.

jump in Also jump in with both feet or into the ring. Enter into something enthusiastically; also, act precipitately. For example, When Don found out what his job was to be, he was ready to jump in immediately, or As soon as they asked me to join, I jumped in with both feet, or When buying securities, Anne's apt to jump into the ring, no matter what the risks. The first two usages allude to jumping into water; the third alludes to entering the fray of the boxing ring.

jumping-off place or point

1. A starting point for a journey or venture, as in This tiny village is the jumping-off place for our trek into the desert. This usage probably alludes to jumping into the water. [Early 1800s] 2. A very remote spot; also, the last place to be reached. For example, This was the jumping-off point for the first gold miners in Alaska. [Early 1800s]

jump on

hand. see JUMP ALL OVER SOMEONE.

jump out of one's skin

Be extremely startled or frightened. For example, When he crept up on me so quietly, I nearly jumped out of my skin. [Early 1900s]

jump the gun

Start doing something too soon, act too hastily. For example, The local weather bureau jumped the gun on predicting a storm; it didn't happen for another two days. This expression alludes to starting a race before the starter's gun has gone off, and supplants the earlier beat the pistol, which dates from about 1900. [Mid-1900s]

jump the track

Suddenly switch from one thought or activity to another. For example, Joe was describing his trip to Australia and, jumping the track, began complaining about the airline, or They couldn't decide on the next step and now the whole reorganization plan has jumped the track. This expression alludes to a train going off the rails. [Colloquial; early 1900s]

jump through hoops

Do just about anything to please someone. For example, The boss expects the entire staff to jump through hoops for him, or This violinist will jump through hoops for the conductor. This metaphoric expression alludes to trained circus animals jumping through hoops. [Early 1900s]

jump to a conclusion

Form an opinion or judgment hastily, as in Wait till you have the facts; don't jump to a conclusion.

[c. 1700]

juncture

hand. see AT THIS POINT (JUNCTURE).

jungle

hand. see LAW OF THE JUNGLE.

junk food

Prepackaged snack food that is high in calories but low in nutritional value; also, anything attractive but negligible in value. For example, Nell loves potato chips and other junk food, or When I'm sick in bed I often resort to TV soap operas and similar junk food. [c. 1970]

junk mail

Third-class mail, such as unsolicited advertisements and flyers, that is sent indiscriminately. For example, While we were on vacation the front hall filled up with junk mail. [c. 1950]

jury is still out, the