American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms

Begin flight, as in The spacecraft was due to lift off at ten o'clock. The off in this idiom means "off the ground." [Late 1800s]

lift the curtain

hand. see RAISE THE CURTAIN.

light

hand. In addition to the idioms beginning with LIGHT, also see BEGIN TO SEE

DAYLIGHT (SEE THE LIGHT OF DAY); BRING TO LIGHT; COME TO LIGHT; GO LIGHT ON; GREEN LIGHT; HEAVY (LIGHT) HEART; HIDE ONE'S LIGHT; IN A GOOD (BAD) LIGHT; IN THE COLD LIGHT OF DAY; IN THE LIGHT OF; LACE (LIGHT) INTO; LEADING LIGHT; MAKE LIGHT OF; MANY HANDS MAKE LIGHT WORK; ONCE OVER LIGHTLY; OUT COLD (LIKE A LIGHT); SEE THE LIGHT; SHED LIGHT ON; SWEETNESS AND LIGHT; TRAVEL LIGHT; TRIP THE LIGHT FANTASTIC.

light a fire under Also, build a fire under. Urge or goad to action, as in If we don't light a fire under that committee, they'll never do

any work. This hyperbolic colloquialism uses light in the sense of "ignite," a usage dating from the mid1100s.

light as a feather

Extremely lightweight. This simile can be used to refer either to physical weight, as in This load is light as a feather, or to texture, as in This cake is light as a feather. [Mid-1500s]

light at the end of the tunnel

The end of a difficult situation or task, the solution to a difficult problem. For example, It's taken three years to effect this merger, but we're finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. This metaphoric expression dates from the 1800s, but became widespread only in the mid-1900s.

light dawned, the

Understanding came at last, as in They couldn't figure out where they went wrong, but then the light dawned?

they'd turned right instead of left. This expression transfers the beginning of dawn to human perception. [c. 1800]

lighten up

Become or cause to become less serious or gloomy, and more cheerful. For example, Lighten up, Sam?

it'll turn out all right. This slangy expression transfers reducing a physical weight to a change of mood or attitude.

light heart

hand. see under HEAVY HEART.

light into

hand. see LACE INTO.

lightly

hand. see GET OFF (LIGHTLY); ONCE OVER LIGHTLY.

lightning

hand. In addition to the idiom beginning with LIGHTNING, also see LIKE GREASED

LIGHTNING; QUICK AS A WINK (LIGHTNING).

lightning never strikes twice in the same place

The same misfortune will never recur, as in Go ahead and try your luck investing in options again; lightning never strikes twice. This saying is based on a long-standing myth, which has been proved to be untrue. Nevertheless, it is so well known it is often shortened, as in the example. [Mid-1800s]

light on Also, light upon. Happen upon, come across, discover. For example, John was delighted to light on a new solution to the problem, or We were following the path when suddenly we lit upon a cave. [Second half of 1400s]

light out

Leave hastily, run away, as in Here comes the teacher?

let's light out. This slangy idiom may allude to the nautical sense, that is, to move or lift anything along. [Slang; mid-1800s]

light up

1. Become or cause to become more animated or cheerful, as in Her laughter lit up the whole room, or His face lit up when he saw her. This expression transfers physical illumination to human

moods. Also see LIGHTEN UP. [Mid-1700s] 2. Start smoking a cigar, cigarette, or pipe, as in The minute he got outside the church he lit up. [Colloquial; mid-1800s]

like

hand. In addition to the idioms beginning with LIKE, also see AND THE LIKE; AVOID

LIKE THE PLAGUE; COME UP (SMELLING LIKE) ROSES; CRAZY LIKE A FOX; DRINK LIKE A FISH; DROP LIKE FLIES; DUTCH UNCLE, TALK TO LIKE A; EAT LIKE A BIRD; FEEL LIKE; (LIKE A) FISH OUT OF WATER; FIT LIKE A GLOVE; FLY ON THE WALL, WOULD LIKE TO BE A; GET ON (LIKE A HOUSE AFIRE); GO OUT (LIKE A LIGHT); GO OVER (LIKE A LEAD BALLOON); GRIN LIKE A CHESHIRE CAT;

(DROP LIKE A) HOT POTATO; JUST LIKE THAT; KNOW LIKE A BOOK; LIVE LIKE A KING; LOOK LIKE A MILLION DOLLARS; LOOK LIKE DEATH; LOOK LIKE SOMETHING THE CAT DRAGGED IN; LOOK LIKE THE CAT THAT ATE THE CANARY; MAKE OUT LIKE A BANDIT; MANNA FROM HEAVEN, LIKE; MIND LIKE A STEEL TRAP; NEED LIKE A HOLE IN THE HEAD; NO FOOL LIKE AN OLD FOOL; NOT ANYTHING LIKE; NO TIME LIKE THE PRESENT; OUT LIKE A LIGHT; PACKED IN LIKE SARDINES; SLEEP LIKE A LOG; SOMETHING LIKE; SPREAD LIKE WILDFIRE; STICK OUT (LIKE A SORE THUMB); SWEAR LIKE A TROOPER; TAKE TO (LIKE A DUCK TO WATER); TELL IT LIKE IT IS; TREAT LIKE DIRT; TURN UP LIKE A BAD PENNY; WAIL LIKE A BANSHEE; WATCH LIKE A HAWK; WORK LIKE A BEAVER; WORK LIKE A CHARM.

like a bat out of hell

Moving extremely fast, as in She ran down the street like a bat out of hell. This expression presumably alludes to the rapid darting movement of bats and, Charles Earle Funk theorized, their avoidance of such light as might be cast by the fires of hell. [c. 1900] For a synonym, see LIKE

GREASED LIGHTNING.

like a bump on a log

Unmoving, inactive, stupidly silent. For example, Harry just sat there like a bump on a log while everyone else joined in the fun. This simile presumably alludes to the immobility of such a protuberance. [Colloquial; mid-1800s]

like a cat on hot bricks Also, like a cat on a hot tin roof. Restless or skittish, unable to remain still, as in Nervous about the lecture he had to give, David was like a cat on hot bricks. The first expression replaced a still earlier one, like a cat on a hot bake-stone, which appeared in John Ray's Proverbs (1678). The second was popularized as the title of Tennessee Williams's play, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (1955).

like a champ

Very well, very successfully, as in He got through that audition like a champ. This expression, in which champ is short for champion, alludes to the winner of a sporting competition. [Slang; c. 1960]

like a chicken with its head cut off

In a frenzied manner, distractedly, crazily. For example, She ran around the station looking for her lost bag like a chicken with its head cut off. This graphic simile alludes to the fact that the body of a chicken whose head has been cut off sometimes totters about crazily before succumbing.

like a drowned rat Also, wet as a drowned rat. Soaking wet and utterly bedraggled, as in

When she came in out of the rain she looked like a drowned rat. This simile appeared in Latin nearly 2,000 years ago, and in English about the year 1500.

like a fish out of water

hand. see FISH OUT OF WATER.

like a house afire

hand. see under GET ALONG, def. 1.

like a lamb to the slaughter Also, as lambs to the slaughter. Innocently and helplessly, without realizing the danger. For example, She agreed to appeal to the board, little knowing she would go like a lamb to the slaughter. This expression appears in several biblical books (Isaiah, Jeremiah), and the simile itself was used by Chaucer.

like anything

Extremely, vigorously, as in She cried like anything when the dog died. This idiom probably substitutes anything for a swear word. [Colloquial; late 1600s]

like a shot

Very rapidly, as in When they asked for volunteers, he raised his hand like a shot. This expression alludes to the rapidity of gunfire. [Colloquial; late 1800s]

like as not Also, as like as not; as likely as not. In all probability, with an even chance, as in

Like as not it'll rain by afternoon, or Likely as not the governor will run for a second term. In the first two terms, like is short for likely in the sense of "probably," that is, "It is as likely as it is not likely." [Late 1800s]

like as two peas in a pod

Very similar, bearing a close resemblance. For example, They're not even sisters, but they're like as two peas in a pod. This expression alludes to the seeds contained in a pea pod, which do indeed look very much alike. [Late 1500s]

like a ton of bricks

Very heavily, without subtlety. For example, If he doesn't like your work, he'll come down on you

COME DOWN ON (def. 1), replaced the earlier thousand of brick or hundred of brick. The allusion in all these is to the considerable weight of such a load. [Early 1900s]

like clockwork Also, regular as clockwork. With extreme regularity, as in Ruth arrives every Wednesday morning just like clockwork, or You can count on his schedule, which is regular as clockwork, or Their assembly line runs like clockwork. This idiom alludes to the mechanical and therefore very regular action of a clock. [Second half of 1600s]

like crazy Also, like mad; like nobody's business. With exceeding enthusiasm or speed, without restraint. For example, We shopped like crazy and bought all our furniture in one day, or Once he's out of the town limits he drives like mad, or The choir sang the Hallelujah Chorus like nobody's business. The first terms employ crazy and mad in the sense of "lunatic" as a hyperbole for lack of restraint; the third implies that no business could be conducted in such an extraordinary fashion. The first and third date from the 1920s, the second from the mid-1600s.

cooked. [Mid-1800s]

like it or lump it Also, if you don't like it you can lump it. Whether or not you want to, as in

Like it or lump it, we're staying home this summer. The origin of lump in this idiom is unclear; one

writer believes it to be a euphemism for STUFF IT, a not unreasonable conjecture. [Early 1800s]

likely as not

hand. see LIKE AS NOT. Also see under UNLIKELY.

like mad

hand. see LIKE CRAZY.

like nobody's business

hand. see LIKE CRAZY.

like nothing on earth

hand. see ON EARTH, def. 2.

like pigs in clover

Extremely contentedly, as in They had a handsome pension and lived like pigs in clover. This expression alludes to pigs being allowed to eat as much clover, a favorite food, as they wish. It appeared in the Boston Gazette of January 7, 1813: "Canadians! then in droves come over, And live henceforth like pigs in clover." [Early 1800s]

like pulling teeth

Very difficult, especially to extract information from someone. For example, It's like pulling teeth to get a straight answer from him.

like rolling off a log

hand. see EASY AS ROLLING OFF A LOG.

like shooting fish in a barrel

Ridiculously easy, as in Setting up a computer nowadays is like shooting fish in a barrel. This hyperbolic expression alludes to the fact that fish make an easy target inside a barrel (as opposed to swimming freely in the sea). [Early 1900s]

likes of, the Also, the like of one. An equivalent or very similar person or thing; an equal or match. For example, I've never seen the likes of this before, or We'll never see his like again. This expression today is almost always put in a negative context. [Mid-1500s]

like something the cat dragged in

line of fire, in the

In the path of an attack, as in Whenever Audrey and Jeff quarrel, I take care to get out of the line of fire. This expression, dating from the mid-1800s, originally referred to the path of a bullet or other projectile, a meaning also still current. Also see FIRING LINE.

line one's pockets

Accept a bribe or other illicit payment, as in The mayor and his cronies found dozens of ways to line their pockets. This expression dates from the mid-1500s, when it was also put as line one's purse.

line up

1. Arrange in or form a line, as in Betty lined up the books on the shelf, or The children lined up for lunch. [Late 1800s] 2. Organize, make ready, make the arrangements for, as in They lined up considerable support for the bill, or Nancy was supposed to line up a hall for the concert. [c. 1900]

lining

hand. see SILVER LINING.

lion

hand. In addition to the idiom beginning with LION, also see BEARD THE LION;

THROW TO THE WOLVES (LIONS).

lion's share

The greater part or most of something, as in Whenever they won a doubles match, Ethel claimed the lion's share of the credit, or As usual, Uncle Bob took the lion's share of the cake. This expression alludes to Aesop's fable about a lion, who got all of a kill because its fellow hunters, an ass, fox, and wolf, were afraid to claim their share. [Late 1700s]

lip

hand. In addition to the idioms beginning with LIP, also see BUTTON UP (ONE'S LIP);

KEEP A STIFF UPPER LIP; LICK ONE'S CHOPS (LIPS); PASS ONE'S LIPS.

lips are sealed, one's

One will reveal nothing, especially about a secret. For example, You can trust me with the details of the lawsuit?

my lips are sealed. [Early 1900s]

lip service Verbal but insincere expression of agreement or support. It is often put as pay or give lip service, as in They paid lip service to holding an election next year, but they had no intention of doing so. [Mid1600s]

list

hand. see BLACK LIST; ENTER THE LISTS; SUCKER LIST.

listen in

1. Hear or overhear the conversation of others; eavesdrop. It is also put as listen in on, as in She listened in on her parents and learned they were planning a surprise party. [Early 1900s] 2. Tune in and listen to a broadcast, as in Were you listening in the other night when they played Beethoven's Fifth? [1920s]

listen to reason

Pay heed to sensible advice or argument, as in We can't let him rush into that job?

it's time he listened to reason. [Mid-1700s]

little

hand. In addition to the idioms beginning with LITTLE, also see A LITTLE; EVERY

LITTLE BIT HELPS; IN ONE'S OWN (LITTLE) WORLD; MAKE LITTLE OF; PRECIOUS FEW (LITTLE); THINK LITTLE OF; TO LITTLE PURPOSE; TOO LITTLE, TOO LATE.

little bird told one, a

A source one cannot or will not identify gave this information, as in How did you learn they were getting a divorce??

Oh, a little bird told me. Versions of this idiom date from ancient times and appear in numerous proverb collections.

little by little

hand. see BIT BY BIT.

little frog in a big pond Also, small frog in a large pond. An unimportant or unqualified individual in a large organization or other setting. For example, Coming from a small school, Sandy felt lost at the state university?

a little frog in a big pond. This phrase is the counterpart of BIG FISH IN A SMALL POND.

little knowledge is a dangerous thing, a Also, a little learning is a dangerous thing.

Knowing a little about something tempts one to overestimate one's abilities. For example, I know you've assembled furniture, but that doesn't mean you can build an entire wall system; remember, a little knowledge. This maxim, originally a line from Alexander Pope's An Essay on Criticism (1709), has been repeated with slight variations ever since. It is still heard, although less frequently, and sometimes shortened, as in the example.

little pitchers have big ears

Young children often overhear something they should not. For example, Don't use any swear