American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms

words around Brian?

little pitchers have big ears. This metaphoric expression, which likens the curved handle of a pitcher to the human ear, was already in John Heywood's proverb collection of 1546.

live

hand. In addition to the idioms beginning with LIVE, also see ALIVE (LIVE) AND

KICKING; AS I LIVE AND BREATHE; CLOSE TO HOME (WHERE ONE LIVES); (LIVE FROM) DAY TO DAY; FAT OF THE LAND, LIVE OFF THE; HIGH OFF THE HOG, LIVE; IN ONE'S POCKET (LIVE IN EACH OTHER'S POCKETS); LEARN TO LIVE WITH; PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN GLASS HOUSES.

live and learn

Profit from experience, as in I ignored the garden book, planted my beans in March, and they all rotted?

live and learn. [Second half of 1500s]

live and let live

Show tolerance for those different from yourself. For example, I'm not going to tell my sister what to do?

live and let live, I say. [First half of 1600s]

live by one's wits

Manage by clever expedience rather than hard work or wealth. For example, Alan's never held a steady job but manages to live by his wits. This expression uses wits in the sense of "keen mental faculties." [c. 1600]

live dangerously

Take numerous risks, be daring, as in Bill never knows if he'll have enough money to pay the next month's rent?

he likes to live dangerously. This expression figured in the work of such 19th-century German writers as Nietzsche, who regarded it as an admirable course of action. Today it is often used with mildly humorous effect, as in the example. [c. 1900]

live down

Overcome or reduce the shame of a mistake, misdeed, or the like. It is often put in the negative, as in I'm afraid I'll never live down that tactless remark I made. [Mid-1800s]

live for the moment

Concentrate on the present, with little or no concern for the future. For example, Instead of putting aside funds for the children's education, Jane and Jim live for the moment, spending whatever they

earn. [Mid-1900s] Also see FOR THE MOMENT; DAY TO DAY, def. 2.

live from day to day

hand. see DAY TO DAY, def. 2.

live from hand to mouth

hand. see HAND TO MOUTH.

live happily ever after

Spend the rest of one's life in happiness, as in In her romantic novels the hero and heroine end up marrying and then live happily ever after. This hyperbolic phrase ends many fairy tales. [Mid-1800s]

live high off the hog

hand. see HIGH OFF THE HOG.

live in

1. Reside in one's place of employment or schooling, as in They wanted a baby-sitter who could live in, or Joe was planning to live in at the college. This expression is used primarily for domestic servants or students. [Late 1800s] Also see LIVE OUT. 2. live in something. Continue in

existence, memory, or some feeling. This sense appears in such phrases as live in the past, meaning "to concentrate on past memories," or live in hope of, meaning "to continue anticipating that something will happen." For example, Alice lived in the past; she had no interest in current events, or Jim lived in hope of getting a teaching post. Also see LIVE IN SIN.

live in each other's pockets

hand. see IN ONE'S POCKET, def. 2.

live in sin

Cohabit outside marriage, as in Bill and Anne lived in sin for years before they got married. This term, dating from the early 1800s, is mostly used in a jocular fashion today, when customs and views are more liberal in this regard. Also see LIVE TOGETHER.

live it up

Enjoy oneself, often extravagantly. For example, They came into some money and decided to live it up with a trip around the world. [Colloquial; mid-1900s]

live like a king Also, live like a prince. Enjoy a lavish style of living, as in He spared no expense, preferring to live like a king as long as he could, or Since they got their inheritance, the Andersons are living like princes. This expression continues to be used despite the much

smaller role royalty plays in the present day. [Mid-1500s]

live on

1. Be financially supported by, subsist on, as in His pension is too small to live on. [Mid-1600s] 2. Continue to survive, especially unexpectedly, as in They thought the cancer would kill her, but Lucy lived on for another twenty years. 3. Remain in human memory, as in This book will live on long after the author's death.

live on borrowed time

hand. see ON BORROWED TIME.

live on the edge

hand. see ON THE EDGE.

live out

1. Complete or survive the end of a period of time, as in Grandpa wants to live out his days in a warmer climate. [First half of 1500s] 2. Reside away from one's place of employment, as in She's a fine housekeeper, but insists on living out. This expression is used primarily for domestic help.

[Mid-1800s] Also see LIVE IN, def. 1. 3. live out of. Lead a lifestyle characterized by a particular item. This phrase appears in such idioms as live out of a suitcase, meaning "to travel so much that one has no time to unpack one's belongings," or live out of cans, meaning "to eat only canned food for lack of other foods or time to prepare them." For example, Traveling for months on end, he got very tired of living out of a suitcase, or We had neither gas nor electricity for a week and had to live out of cans.

live through

Endure, survive. This idiom is used both seriously, as in Those who have lived through a depression never forget what it was like, or hyperbolically, as in That speech was endless?

I thought I'd never live through it.

live together

Cohabit, especially when not married. For example, "I . . . am only concerned that their living together before the marriage took place should be so generally known" (Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice, 1813). [c. 1800] Also see LIVE IN SIN.

live up to

1. Live or act in accordance with; also, measure up to. For example, Children rarely live up to their parents' ideals, or This new technology has not lived up to our expectations. [Late 1600s] 2. Carry out, fulfill, as in She certainly lived up to her end of the bargain. [First half of 1800s]

live wire

A highly alert or energetic person. For example, Sally's a real live wire; she brightens up any gathering. This metaphoric term transfers a wire carrying electric current to a lively individual. [c. 1900]

live with

1. Cohabit with, live as if married to, as in I don't approve of my daughter living with her boyfriend.

LIVE TOGETHER. 2. Put up with, come to terms with, as in I think I can live with this new agreement. [Colloquial; first half of 1900s] Also see LEARN TO LIVE WITH. 3. live with oneself. Keep one's self-respect, as in I don't know how he can live with himself after violating their trust. [Mid1900s]

living daylights

hand. see BEAT THE LIVING DAYLIGHTS.

living end, the

The utmost in any situation, something quite extraordinary, as in When he threw the stereo out the window?

well, that was the living end! or That performance was the living end. [Colloquial; late 1930s]

living soul

A person. For example, Every living soul in this town has a stake in the decision to ban smoking, or The place was empty?

not a living soul to be found. [First half of 1600s]

load

hand. In addition to the idioms beginning with LOAD, also see BRICKS SHY OF A

LOAD; CARBO LOAD; GET A LOAD OF; TAKE THE LOAD OFF.

loaded for bear

Fully prepared for action; also, spoiling for a fight. For example, Bill tackled his new sales route loaded for bear, or When Martin was three hours late, his wife was loaded for bear. This term, dating from the mid-1800s, alludes to the heavy charge of powder or lead that hunters use for large animals like a bear.

loaded question

A question heavy with meaning or emotional impact, as in When he inquired after Helen's ex-husband, that was a loaded question. This term employs loaded in the sense of "charged with hidden implication." [Mid-1900s]

load off one's feet

hand. see TAKE THE LOAD OFF.

load off one's mind, a

Relief from a mental burden or anxiety, as in Good news about the baby took a load off my mind.

This expression uses load in the sense of "a figurative burden." [Mid-1800s]

load the dice

Rig the odds so there is little chance for another person to win; cheat. For example, There's no way we can win this contest; they've loaded the dice. This expression is also put as the dice are loaded, as in There's no point in trying; the dice are loaded. This expression alludes to adding weight to one side or another of dice so that they will always come up with certain numbers facing upward. [Late 1800s]

loaf

hand. see HALF A LOAF IS BETTER THAN NONE.

local yokel

A native or inhabitant of a particular locale, as in She's only gone out with local yokels, so she's not used to more sophisticated

men. This disparaging rhyming term was first used by troops stationed away from home. [Slang; mid1900s]

lock

hand. In addition to the idioms beginning with LOCK, also see UNDER LOCK AND KEY.

locker

hand. see DAVY JONES'S LOCKER.

lock horns

Become embroiled in conflict, as in At the town meeting Kate and Steve locked horns over increasing the property tax. This expression alludes to how stags and bulls use their horns to fight one another. [First half of 1800s]

lock in

1. Enclose, surround, as in The ship was completely locked in ice. [c. 1400s] 2. Also, lock into. Fix firmly in position, commit to something. This phrase often occurs as be locked in or into, as in

She felt she was locked in a binding agreement, or Many of the stockholders are locked into their present positions. [Mid-1900s]

lock out

1. Keep out, prevent from entering. For example, Karen was so angry at her brother that she

locked him out of the house. [Late 1500s] Shakespeare had it in The Comedy of Errors (4:1): "For locking me out of my doors by day." 2. Withhold work from employees during a labor dispute, as in

The company threatened to lock out the strikers permanently. [Mid-1800s]

lock, stock, and barrel

The entirety; all of something. For example, Jean moved out of the house, lock, stock, and barrel.

This expression alludes to the three elements of a firearm?

the lock or firing mechanism, the stock or handle, and the barrel or tube. [Early 1800s]

lock the barn door after the horse has bolted Also, lock the stable door after the horse is stolen. Take precautions after damage has occurred. For example, After the burglary they installed an alarm system, but it's locking the barn door, or Deciding to negotiate now after they've been fired?

that's a matter of locking the stable door after the horse is stolen. These expressions of action that is useless because it comes too late have long been proverbs in many languages and first appeared in English in the mid-1300s.

lock up

1. Close a house or place of work, fastening all the doors and windows, as in The attendant locks up at eleven o'clock every night, or Did you remind Abby to lock up? [Late 1500s] 2. Invest in something not easily converted into cash, as in Most of their assets were locked up in real estate.

[Late 1600s] 3. lock someone up. Confine or imprison someone, as in The princes were locked up in the Tower of London.

[c. 1300]

log

hand. In addition to the idiom beginning with LOG, also see EASY AS PIE (ROLLING

OFF A LOG); LIKE A BUMP ON A LOG; SLEEP LIKE A LOG.

loggerheads

hand. see AT LOGGERHEADS.

log in Also, log on. Enter into a computer the information needed to begin a session, as in I logged in at two o'clock, or There's no record of your logging on today. These expressions refer especially to large systems shared by numerous individuals, who need to enter a username or password before executing a program. The antonyms are log off and log out, meaning "to end a computer session." All these expressions derive from the use of log in the nautical sense of entering information about a ship in a journal called a log book. [c. 1960]

loin

hand. see GIRD ONE'S LOINS.

lone wolf

A person who prefers to do without the company or assistance of others. For example, Her nursery school teacher described Beth as a lone wolf, an assessment her parents found astonishing. This expression alludes to the tendency of some species of wolf to hunt alone rather than in packs. [c. 1900]

long

hand. In addition to the idioms beginning with LONG, also see ALL DAY (LONG); AS

LONG AS; AT (LONG) LAST; BEFORE LONG; COME A LONG WAY; (LONG) DRAWN OUT; GO A LONG WAY TOWARD; HAPPY AS THE DAY IS LONG; IN THE LONG RUN; MAKE A LONG STORY SHORT; SO LONG. Also see under LONGER.

long ago

A time well before the present, the distant past. For example, I read that book long ago, or The battles of long ago were just as fierce. [Second half of 1300s]

long and short of it, the

The substance or gist of something, as in The first page of this report will give you the long and short of it. This expression, originally stated as the short and long of it, dates from about 1500, the present order being established by the end of the 1600s.

long arm of the law, the

The far-reaching power of the authorities. For example, You'll never get away with leaving work early; the long arm of the law is bound to catch you. This expression began as Kings have long arms (or hands) and was listed as a proverb in 1539. The current version, now often used lightly, was first recorded in 1908.

longer

hand. see ANY LONGER; NO LONGER.

long face

A facial expression showing sadness or disappointment, as in Greg's long face was a clear indication of his feelings. [Late 1700s]

long haul

1. A considerable distance over which something must travel or be carried. For example, It's a long haul from my house to yours. This usage dates from the late 1800s, as does the antonym, short haul, as in The movers charge just as much for a short haul as for a long one. 2. A considerable length of time, an extended period, as in This investment is one for the long haul. It is often put as over the long haul, as in Over the long haul we needn't worry about production. [c. 1930] Also

see IN THE LONG RUN.

long in the tooth

Getting on in years, old, as in Aunt Aggie's a little long in the tooth to be helping us move. This expression alludes to a horse's gums receding with age and making the teeth appear longer. [Mid-1800s]

long shot, a

A remote possibility of success, as in It's a long shot that Joan will actually finish the marathon, or He may be a good programmer, but he's a long shot for that job. This expression alludes to the inaccuracy of early firearms, which when shot over a distance rarely hit the target. It is commonly used in horseracing for a bet made at great odds. A related phrase is not by a long shot, meaning ''not even remotely," as in I'll never make it to California in three days, not by a long shot.

[Late 1800s]

long suit

One's strong point or advantage, as in Organizing has never been Nancy's long suit. This expression alludes to whist, bridge, and other card games in which holding numerous cards in a single suit may convey a strong advantage. [c. 1900]

long time no see

It's been a long time since we met, as in Hi Bob! Long time no see. This jocular imitation of broken English originated in the pidgin English used in Chinese and Western exchange. [Late 1800s]

look

hand. In addition to the idioms beginning with LOOK, also see (LOOK ON THE) BRIGHT

SIDE; DIRTY LOOK; MAKE SOMEONE LOOK GOOD; TAKE A LOOK AT; THINGS ARE LOOKING UP.

look after Also, look out for; see after. Take care of, attend to the safety or well-being of, as in

Please look after your little brother, or We left Jane to look out for the children, or Please see after the luggage. The first expression dates from the second half of the 1300s, the second from the mid-1900s, and the third from the early 1700s.

look a gift horse in the mouth

Be critical or suspicious of something received at no cost. For example, Dad's old car is full of dents, but we shouldn't look a gift horse in the mouth. This term, generally expressed as a cautionary proverb (Don't look a gift horse in the mouth), has been traced to the writings of the 4th-century cleric, St. Jerome, and has appeared in English since about 1500. It alludes to determining the age of a horse by looking at its teeth.

look alive

Act lively, hurry up, as in Look alive! This job has to be finished today. This phrase, often used as an imperative, today is more common in Britain than in America. [Mid-1800s]

look as if butter wouldn't melt

hand. see BUTTER WOULDN'T MELT.

look askance

View with mistrust, as in They looked askance at him when he said he'd just made a million in the stock market. The precise feeling conveyed by this expression has varied since it was first used in the 1500s, from envy to contempt to suspicion, although the literal meaning was "look obliquely, with a side glance." The present sense dates from about 1800. Also see LOOK SIDEWAYS.

look back

1. Remember or think about the past, as in When Mom looked back on the early days of their marriage, she wondered how they'd managed with so little money. [Late 1500s] 2. not look back; never look back. Never show signs of interrupted progress, never return to past circumstances. For example, Once he'd won the Pulitzer Prize, he never looked back. [Late 1800s]

look before you leap

Think of the consequences before you act, as in You'd better check out all the costs before you buy a cellular phone?

look before you leap. This expression alludes to Aesop's fable about the fox who is unable to climb out of a well and persuades a goat to jump in. The fox then climbs on the goat's horns to get out, while the goat remains trapped. [c. 1350]

look black

Appear threatening or unfavorable, as in The future looked black for Henry after he dropped out of school. This expression employs black in the sense of "boding ill," a usage dating from about 1700. Also see under DIRTY LOOK.

look blank

Be expressionless, appear dumb-struck or overwhelmed. For example, When I asked her how to get to the hospital, she looked blank. [c. 1700]

look daggers

Glare, stare fiercely, as in When she started to discuss their finances, he looked daggers at her.

This metaphoric term, likening an angry expression to a dagger's thrust, dates from ancient times and has appeared in English since about 1600.

look down on Also, look down one's nose at. Regard with contempt or condescension, consider oneself superior to. For example, When it comes to baking, Beth is a purist?

she looks down on anyone who uses a mix, or Seniors have a way of looking down their noses at juniors. The first expression dates from about 1700, the second from about 1900.

look for

1. Search for; also, seek out. For example, A search party was sent to look for the lost fliers, or Those kids are just looking for trouble. [Late 1500s] 2. Expect, anticipate, as in Look for a change of weather in March. [Early 1500s]

look forward to

Eagerly anticipate, as in I'm looking forward to their visit, or Jim looked forward to the day when he could retire. [First half of 1700s]

looking

hand. see LOOK (LOOKING) TO; LOOK (LOOKING) UP.

look in on

Pay a brief visit, as in I'm just going to look in on Gail and the new baby; I won't stay long. [c.

1600] Also see LOOK SOMEONE IN THE FACE.

look into Also, see into. Investigate, as in He promised to look into the new law, or We must see into the matter of the missing checks. The first term dates from the late 1500s, the variant from the mid-1800s.

look like

1. Have the appearance of, as in This letter looks like an acceptance. [c. 1400] 2. it looks like. It seems likely that, as in It looks like they'll invite us to dinner. [Colloquial; c. 1900] Also see the subsequent idioms beginning with LOOK LIKE.

look like a million dollars

Appear attractive or prosperous. For example, The painter did a good job?

the house looks like a million dollars. The related feel like a million dollars means "feel healthy," as in Helen came back from her winter vacation feeling like a million dollars. [c. 1920]

look like death Also, look or feel like death warmed over. Look or feel very ill or exhausted. For example, After two nights without sleep, Bill looked like death warmed over, or This cold makes me feel like death. [Colloquial; 1930s]

look like something the cat dragged in

Appear completely bedraggled, as in After running around in the rain for hours, I looked like something the cat dragged in. This expression alludes to a cat's bringing home birds or mice it has killed or savaged. [c. 1920]

look like the cat that ate the canary Also, look like the cat that swallowed the canary.

Appear smug and self-satisfied. For example, After she hit her third winning shot, Jeannie looked like the cat that ate the canary. [Second half of 1800s]

look on

1. Also, look upon. Regard in a certain way, as in I looked on him as a second father, or We looked upon her as a worthy successor. [Early 1600s] 2. Be a spectator, watch, as in She rode the horse around the ring as her parents looked on. [Late 1500s] 3. Also, look on with. Read from someone's book, paper, or music at the same time, as in I forgot my score; can I look on with you?