American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms

on a pedestal, put Also, set on a pedestal. Greatly admire, magnify in importance, as in

Youngsters tend to put rock stars on a pedestal, forgetting that they're human. This expression alludes to the raised position of a statue on a pedestal. [Mid-1800s]

on approval

To be returned if not satisfactory, as in They're offering custom-made shoes, manufactured from a computer design, on approval. This expression, applied nearly always to the purchase of goods, was first recorded in 1870.

on a rampage

Behaving violently, as in There was a near riot after the game, when some of the spectators went on a rampage. This term comes from the Old Scots verb ramp, meaning "to storm and rage." [Mid-1800s]

on a roll

On a streak of success or intense activity, as in The team's scored three runs in the last inning and they're really on a roll, or Once the experiment succeeded, Tim was on a roll. This slangy term, alluding to the momentum in the act of rolling, dates from the second half of the 1900s, but roll alone has been used in this sense since the early 1800s.

on a shoestring

With very limited financial means, as in The newlyweds were living on a shoestring. The precise allusion in this term is unclear. One fanciful theory is that debtors in British prisons would lower a shoe by its laces from a window so as to collect funds from visitors or passers-by. A more likely theory is that it alludes to the slender shape of a shoelace, likening it to slender resources. [Late 1800s]

on a string

Under someone's control, as in She'll drop everything whenever Sam asks for something?

he's got her on a string. This expression, alluding to pulling an animal on a leash, dates from the late 1500s, when it was put as in a string.

on a tangent

On a sudden digression or change of course, as in The professor's hard to follow; he's always off on a tangent. This phrase often occurs in the idioms fly off or go off on a tangent, as in The witness was convincing until he went off on a tangent. This expression alludes to the geometric tangent?

a line or curve that touches but does not intersect with another line or curve. [Second half of 1700s]

on balance

Taking everything into consideration, as in On balance I think we've had a very good year. This expression, which in effect means "balancing all the factors involved," was first recorded in 1719.

on behalf of

hand. see IN BEHALF OF.

on bended knee

Humbly, pleading, as in They're desperate for funds; they're asking for contributions on bended knee. This expression

alludes to a traditional attitude of supplication. Bended, the past tense of bend, survives only in this idiom, elsewhere having been replaced by bent. [Mid-1600s]

on board

Joining in or participating, as in The department head addressed the new employees, saying ''Welcome on board," or The opera company has a new vocal coach on board to help the soloists.

This expression alludes to being on or in a vessel, airplane, or other vehicle. [Colloquial; second half of 1900s]

on borrowed time, live

Outlive reasonable expectations, as in Our twenty-year-old car is living on borrowed time, or The vet said our dog is living on borrowed time. This expression alludes to time borrowed from death. [Late 1800s]

on call

Available if summoned, as in Medical residents are required to be on call at least three nights a week. This expression originated as at call in the late 1500s. Also see AT SOMEONE'S BECK

AND CALL.

on camera

Being filmed, as in When the talk-show host began, I wasn't sure if we were on camera. This usage dates from the first half of the 1900s, soon after the birth of motion-picture and television filming. The same is true of the antonym off camera, meaning "outside the view of a movie or TV camera," as in Go ahead and scratch?

we're off camera now.

once

hand. In addition to the idioms beginning with ONCE, also see ALL AT ONCE; AT

ONCE; EVERY NOW AND THEN (ONCE IN A WHILE); GIVE SOMEONE THE ONCE-OVER; YOU' RE ONLY YOUNG ONCE.

once and for all

As a settled matter, finally, permanently, as in Once and for all, we're not hiring that organist again, or We've settled that question once and for all. This expression is in effect an abbreviation for "one time and for all time." [Late 1400s]

once bitten, twice shy

Once hurt, one is doubly cautious in the future, as in He was two days late last time, so she's not hiring him again?

once bitten, twice shy. This seemingly old observation, presumably alluding to an animal biting someone, was first recorded in 1894.

once in a blue moon

Rarely, once in a very long time, as in We only see our daughter once in a blue moon. This term is something of a misnomer, because an actual blue moon?

that is, the appearance of a second full moon in the same calendar month?

occurs every 32 months or so. Further, the moon can appear blue in color at any time, depending on weather conditions. [Early 1800s]

once in a lifetime

Extremely rare, especially as an opportunity. For example, An offer like that will come just once in a lifetime. This phrase, often used hyperbolically, was first recorded in 1854. Also see OF ONE'S

LIFE.

once in a while

Occasionally, not very often, as in Once in a while I enjoy going fishing. [Mid-1800s] Also see

EVERY NOW AND THEN; FROM TIME TO TIME.

once over lightly

Cursorily, quickly, as in I did go over the program once over lightly, but perhaps I should read it more carefully. [Colloquial; mid-1900s]

once upon a time

On some past occasion, as in I may have sung this piece once upon a time, but I don't really remember it. This phrase, first recorded in 1595, is frequently used as the opening line of fairy tales and stories told to children, as in Once upon a time there was a king who had three beautiful daughters.

on cloud nine

Blissfully happy, as in Ever since he proposed to her, her parents have been on cloud nine. The exact allusion of nine in this term is unclear, and different figures, especially seven (perhaps

alluding to SEVENTH HEAVEN), are sometimes substituted. [Colloquial; mid-1900s]

on commission

Making money based on sales or services rendered, as in Real estate agents rarely get a salary; they work largely on commission. This use of the noun commission, which generally refers to a

percentage of the total price, dates from the early 1700s.

on condition that

Provided that, with the restriction that, as in She said she'd help with the costumes on condition that she would get ten free tickets to the play. The use of the noun condition in the sense of "stipulation" dates from the late 1300s, and the precise phrase from the early 1500s.

on consignment

Turning over goods for an agent to sell, with the provision that payment is made only on completed sales and that unsold goods may be returned to the consignor. For example, This secondhand shop accepts items of clothing on consignment. [c. 1700]

on deck

1. Available, ready for action, as in We had ten kids on deck to clean up after the dance. [Slang; second half of 1800s] 2. In baseball, scheduled to bat next, waiting near home plate to bat, as in Joe was on deck next. [1860s] Both usages allude to crew members being on the deck of a ship, in readiness to perform their duties.

on demand

When needed or asked for, as in She's always ready to sing on demand, or Nowadays infants are generally fed on demand. This usage is a broadening of this phrase's meaning in finance, that is, "payable on being requested or presented," as in This note is payable on demand. [Late 1600s]

on draft

Drawn from a large container, such as a keg (as opposed to bottles). For example, We much prefer the taste of beer on draft. [Mid-1800s]

on duty

At one's post, at work, as in The new nurse was on duty that evening, or The watchman was fired because he was drunk on duty. [Mid-1600s] The antonym, off duty, means "not engaged in one's work," as in Captain Smith was much more amiable when he was off duty. [Mid-1800s]

one

hand. In addition to the idioms beginning with ONE, also see ALL IN ONE PIECE; ALL

THE SAME (ONE); A-1 (AONE); AS ONE; AT ONE; AT ONE STROKE; AT ONE TIME; AT ONE TIME OR ANOTHER; BACK TO THE DRAWING BOARD (SQUARE ONE); EACH AND EVERY (LAST ONE); EACH OTHER (ONE ANOTHER); FAST ONE; FOR ONE, I; GO ONE BETTER; HANG (ONE) ON; HARP ON (ONE STRING); HOLE IN ONE; IN ONE EAR AND OUT THE OTHER; IN THE SAME (IN ONE) BREATH; IRONS IN THE FIRE, MORE THAN ONE; IT TAKES ONE TO KNOW ONE; JUST ONE OF THOSE THINGS; LOOK OUT FOR (NUMBER ONE); MORE THAN ONE WAY TO SKIN A CAT; NOT ONE IOTA; NUMBER ONE; ON THE ONE HAND; (ONE) PICTURE

IS WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS; PUT ALL ONE'S EGGS IN ONE BASKET; QUICK ONE; SEEN ONE, SEEN THEM ALL; SIX OF ONE, HALF DOZEN OF THE OTHER; THAT'S ONE ON ME; TIE ONE ON; WEAR ANOTHER (MORE THAN ONE) HAT; WITH ONE ARM TIED BEHIND ONE'S BACK; WITH ONE VOICE; WORDS OF ONE SYLLABLE. (Note that this listing does not include those idioms where ONE is a personal pronoun meaning "someone" or "oneself.")

one and all

Everyone, as in She's told one and all about their quarrel. [c. 1375]

one and only

One's only love; one's only sweetheart. For example, He swore she was his

one and only, but the detective following him knew better. [c. 1900]

one and the same

Identical, as in Gloria's grandfather had been, at one and the same time, a physician at the court and a general in the army. This expression is an emphatic form of "the same." [Mid-1800s]

one another

hand. see EACH OTHER.

one-armed bandit

A slot machine, as in It's amazing how many people think they can make money playing a one-armed bandit. This term refers to both appearance and function: the operating lever looks like an arm, and the machine in effect robs players, since it "wins" and keeps the player's money in an overwhelming majority of instances. [c. 1930]

on earth

1. Also, in creation; in the world. Ever, anywhere, of all possible things. These phrases are all used for emphasis in questions or, less often, in a negative context. For example, What on earth is he doing with a spade? or Where in creation did that child go? or How in the world do you expect me to carry all those bags? [Late 1700s] 2. like nothing on earth. Incomparable. For example,

That perfume smells like nothing on earth, or Her new hair color is like nothing on earth. [c. 1900]

on easy street

hand. see EASY STREET.

one by one Also, one at a time. Individually in succession, as in The ducklings jumped into the pond one by one, or One at a time they went into the office. Formerly also put as one and one and one after one, this idiom dates from about A.D. 1000.

on edge

Tense, nervous, irritable, as in We were all on edge as we waited for the surgeon's report. This expression transfers the edge of a cutting instrument to one's feelings. [Late 1800s] Also see ON

THE EDGE; SET ONE'S TEETH ON EDGE.

one eye on

Paying some but not full attention to, as in He ran the rehearsal with one eye on the clock. Also

see HAVE ONE'S EYE ON; OUT OF THE CORNER OF ONE'S EYE; SEE WITH HALF AN EYE.

one fell swoop, in Also at one fell swoop. All at once, in a single action, as in This law has lifted all the controls on cable TV in one fell swoop. This term was used and probably invented by Shakespeare in Macbeth (4:3), where the playwright likens the murder of Macduff's wife and children to a hawk swooping down on defenseless prey. Although fell here means "cruel" or "ruthless," this meaning has been lost in the current idiom, where it now signifies "sudden."

one foot in the grave, have

Be close to death or in terrible condition, as in Jane looks as though she has one foot in the grave.

This picturesque hyperbolic phrase was first recorded in 1566.

one for the books Also, one for the book. An outstanding or unusual achievement or event, as in All of the main awards went to one picture?

that's one for the books. This expression originally alluded to record books kept for sports but soon was applied to other endeavors. [Colloquial; c. 1900]

one for the road

A final drink before leaving, as in Won't you have just one for the road? This term always alludes to an alcoholic drink and a practice that, if the person is going to drive away, is not only frowned on but in many places illegal. [First half of 1900s]

one good turn deserves another

A favor should be returned in kind, as in I'll give you a ride next time?

one good turn deserves another. This maxim was first recorded about 1400, and the converse, One bad turn deserves another, about 1500.

one-horse town

A small and unimportant place, as in Ours was just a one-horse town until the nuclear plant was built. This expression, first recorded in 1857, presumably alluded to a town so small that a single horse would suffice for its transportation needs.

one in a million Also, one in a thousand or billion. Extraordinary, rare, as in She's the kindest soul?

she's one in a million, or This ring is one in a thousand. All these terms are hyperbolic.

one jump ahead

Anticipating and prepared for what will happen, as in We have to keep one jump ahead of the opposition, or A clever embezzler, Charles was just one jump ahead of the police. [First half of 1900s] Also see GET THE JUMP ON.

one-man show Also, one-man band. A person who does or manages just about everything, as in This department is a one-man show?

the chairman runs it all, or John conducts the interviews, writes the articles, solicits ads, deals with the printer?

he's a one-man band. This idiom alludes to the actor or artist responsible for the entire performance or exhibit, or the musician who plays every instrument in the group. [First half of 1900s]

one man's meat is another man's poison

What is good for or enjoyed by one is not necessarily so for someone else. This adage, first recorded in 1576, is so well known it is often shortened, as in Pat loves to travel to remote areas but that's not for Doris?

one man's meat, you know. Also see NO ACCOUNTING FOR TASTES.

on end

Continuously, without interruption, as in It's been raining for days on end. This term, which might just as well be put "seemingly without end," dates from about 1300.

one of a kind

hand. see under OF A KIND.

one of these days Also, one day; some day. On some day in the future, as in One of these days I'm going to clean out my desk, or One day you'll see what it's like to have your child insult you, or They hoped to buy a brand-new car some day. [Mid-1500s] Also see ONE OF THOSE

DAYS.

one of those days Also, just one of those days. A day when everything goes wrong, as in The car wouldn't start, I lost my glasses?

it was one of those days. This expression was first recorded in 1936.

one on, that's

hand. see THAT'S ONE ON ME.

one on one

A direct encounter between two persons, especially a conflict, as in The two department heads went one on one regarding shelf space. This slangy expression almost certainly comes from sports.

It is commonly used to refer to a two-person basketball game, but is also applied to the interaction of two players on opposing teams in football, soccer, and similar team sports. [c. 1960]

one picture is worth a thousand words

hand. see PICTURE IS WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS.

oneself

hand. see AVAIL (ONESELF) OF; BE ONESELF; BESIDE ONESELF; BURN (ONESELF) OUT; BY ONESELF; COVER ONE'S ASS (ONESELF); CRANK (ONESELF) UP; DO ONESELF IN; EXCUSE ME (ONESELF); EXERT ONESELF; EXPLAIN ONESELF; EXPRESS ONESELF; FALL ALL OVER (ONESELF); FEEL LIKE ONESELF; FIND ONESELF; FLATTER ONESELF; FLING ONESELF AT; FORGET ONESELF; FULL OF ONESELF; GET A GRIP ON (ONESELF); GIVE A GOOD ACCOUNT OF ONESELF; GIVE OF ONESELF; GIVE (ONESELF) AWAY; GIVE ONESELF UP; HAVE ONESELF; HEAR ONESELF THINK; HELP ONESELF; KEEP TO ONESELF; KICK ONESELF; KNOCK ONESELF OUT; LAW UNTO ONESELF; LAY (ONESELF) OPEN; LEAVE (ONESELF) OPEN; LET (ONESELF) GO; LIVE WITH (ONESELF); LOSE ONESELF IN; MAKE A LAUGHINGSTOCK OF ONESELF; MAKE A NAME FOR ONESELF; MAKE AN EXHIBITION OF ONESELF; MAKE A NUISANCE OF ONESELF; MAKE A PIG OF ONESELF; MAKE ONESELF AT HOME; MAKE ONESELF SCARCE; NOT ONESELF; PAINT ONESELF INTO A CORNER; PLUME ONESELF; PRIDE ONESELF ON; PULL ONESELF TOGETHER; PULL ONESELF UP; PUT ONESELF OUT; RELIEVE ONESELF; REPEAT ONESELF; RESIGN ONESELF TO; SHIFT FOR ONESELF; SHOOT ONESELF IN THE FOOT; SPREAD ONESELF TOO THIN; SUIT ONESELF; SURE OF ONESELF; TAKE IT UPON ONESELF; THROW ONESELF AT; THROW ONESELF ON THE MERCY OF; TIE ONESELF IN KNOTS; TROUBLE ONE'S HEAD (ONESELF) ABOUT.

one-track mind

A mind limited to only one line of thought or action, as in All you think about is sex?

you have a one-track mind. This expression, alluding to a train that runs only on one track or in one direction, was first recorded in 1928.

one up

Having an advantage or lead over someone, as in Sara is one up on Jane because she passed algebra in summer school. This expression comes from sports, where it means to be one point ahead of one's opponents. It was transferred to more general use about 1920.

one way or another Also, one way or the other. Somehow, in some fashion, as in One way or another I'm sure we'll meet again, or He wasn't sure how to go about building a wall, but he was sure he would manage in one way or the other. [Mid-1500s]

on faith, take it

Trust, accept without proof, as in I have no firm evidence that Bob's responsible for the errors?

you'll just have to take it on faith. This idiom employs faith in the sense of "belief or confidence in something," a usage dating from about 1300.

on file

In or as if in a record for easy reference. For example, There's no job open right now, but we'll keep your resume on file. The use of file in the sense of "a collection of papers stored for ready reference" dates from the early 1600s.

on fire

hand. see SET ON FIRE; SET THE WORLD ON FIRE.

on foot

Walking or running, not using a vehicle. For example, There's no road to the lodge; we have to get

there on foot. [c. 1300] Also see HOOF IT; ON ONE'S FEET; ON THE RIGHT FOOT.

on good terms

On a friendly footing, as in I'm on good terms with the manager, so I'll ask him to help you.

Shakespeare used the phrase slightly differently in King Lear (1:2): "Parted you in good terms?" The precise current usage was first recorded in 1669. Also see ON SPEAKING TERMS.

on hand

1.In one's possession, available, as in The business needs to have enough cash on hand. [c. 1100]

2.Present, as in Jim was always on hand to help. [Mid-1800s] 3. Soon, imminent. See AT HAND,

def. 2.

on high

1. Up in the sky; also, in heaven. For example, They fixed their eyes on high, looking for the comet, or, in the Bible (Psalms 63:5), "The Lord our God who dwelleth on high." [c. 1200] 2. In a position of authority, as in Those on high have decreed that we work every other weekend. This usage is an ironic transfer from def. 1. Also see POWERS THAT BE.

on hold

1. In a state of temporary interruption, but not disconnection, during a telephone call, as in While I was on hold, I checked my calendar for when I could schedule a meeting, or They had to put me on hold while they looked up my account. [c. 1960] 2. In a state of postponement or delay, as in

When she was transferred, they had to put their romance on hold. This figurative usage is a broadened sense of def. 1. [Colloquial; c. 1970]

on ice

1. In reserve or readiness. This idiom often occurs with put, meaning "to place in reserve," as in

Let's put that proposal on ice until we have the funds to implement it. This usage alludes to putting

things in cold storage for preservation. [Slang; late 1800s] 2. In prison, as in He's been on ice for ten years. This usage may be derived in part from the slang term cooler for "jail." [Slang; c. 1930] 3. With a good chance of success, as in I'm sure she'll win?

it's on ice. [Slang; early 1900s]

on in years

hand. see ALONG IN YEARS.

onion

hand. see KNOW ONE'S STUFF (ONIONS).

on its merits Also, on one's merits or according to one's merits. With regard only to the intrinsic quality of something or someone. For example, Who supports it doesn't matter; we have to consider the idea solely on its merits, or The agency doesn't care about her references but wants to hire candidates according to their merits. [Late 1800s]

on line

1. See IN LINE, def. 2. 2. Actively linked to or operating a computer, as in They haven't got the printer on line yet, or Mark's been on line all morning. [Late 1900s] Also see GO ON, def. 9.

only

hand. In addition to the idioms beginning with ONLY, also see BEAUTY IS ONLY SKIN

DEEP; HAVE AN EYE (EYES ONLY) FOR; IF ONLY; IN NAME ONLY; NOT THE ONLY FISH IN THE SEA; ONE AND ONLY; YOU' RE ONLY

YOUNG ONCE

only game in town, the

The only choice, which one must accept for want of a better one. For example, Out here, this bank is the only game in town when it comes to financial services. This term, dating from the early 1900s, originally alluded to a gambler looking for a game in a strange town.

only too

1. At the very least, as a matter of fact, as in I know only too well that I can't win the lottery. This usage was first recorded in 1817. 2. Very, extremely, as in I am only too glad to help. This usage was first recorded in 1899.

on no account Also, not on any account. Under no circumstances, certainly not, as in On no account should you put a metal utensil in the microwave oven, or Dad said we can't go, not on any account. [Mid-1800s]

on occasion