American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms

[Early 1800s] Also see AT ONE'S HEELS.

on the horizon

Within view, not too far away, as in The analysts see a huge rise in the stock market on the horizon.

on the horns of a dilemma

hand. see HORNS OF A DILEMMA.

on the hour

At every hour exactly; one o'clock, two o'clock, and so on. For example, The shuttle to New York departs on the hour. An extension of this idiom is every hour on the hour, meaning every time the clock's big hand reaches twelve, as in The bus passes by the house every hour on the hour.

on the house

At the expense of the establishment, as in This hotel serves an afternoon tea that's on the house.

This idiom uses house in the sense of "an inn, tavern, or other building serving the public." [Late 1800s]

on the in, be

Have inside information, as in She was too new to the firm to be on the in for policy changes.

[Colloquial; c. 1930] Also see IN ON; GET AN IN WITH.

on the increase

Growing, especially in frequency of occurrence, as in Violent crime is on the increase. [Mid-1700s]

on the inside

In a position of confidence or influence, as in The new reporter said he got his facts from at least one official on the inside. [c. 1930]

on the job

1. At work, busy, as in We've got three men on the job. [Late 1800s] 2. Paying close attention, alert, as in Trust Jim to find out the details?

he's always on the job.

on the lam

Running away, especially from the police, as in He's always in some kind of trouble and perpetually on the lam. The origin of this slangy term of the 1800s is not known.

on the level

Honest, straightforward, sincere, as in You can believe her?

she's on the level. This expression may have come from Freemasonry, where the carpenter's level symbolizes integrity. [Late 1800s]

on the line

hand. see LAY ON THE LINE.

on the lines of

hand. see ALONG THE LINES OF.

on the lookout Also, on the watch. Vigilant, alert, as in Be on the lookout for the twins?

they're somewhere on this playground, or He was on the watch for her arrival. Both phrases were originally used with upon. Upon the lookout was originally nautical usage, meaning "on duty being watchful" (as for another ship, rocks, or land); it appeared in the mid-1700s, and on replaced upon about a century later. Upon the watch was first recorded in Daniel Defoe's Robinson Crusoe (1719), and on the watch in Jane Austen's Sense and Sensibility (1797).

on the loose

1. At large, free, as in That dog of theirs is on the loose all the time. [Second half of 1800s] 2.

Acting without restraint, as in After the game the players were in town, on the loose. [Mid-1700s]

on the make

1. Seeking personal gain, as in Tom's a young man on the make?

he doesn't care whom he offends. [Slang; second half of 1800s] 2. Looking for sexual conquest, as in After several affairs, Peter got the reputation of being a man on the make. [Slang; c. 1920]

on the map

hand. see PUT ON THE MAP.

on the mark

hand. see under OFF THE MARK.

on the market

For sale; also, available for buying. For example, We've put the boat on the market, or This is the only tandem bicycle on the market right now. This phrase, first put as in the market, dates from the late 1600s; the first recorded use of the phrase with on was in 1891. Also see DRUG ON

THE MARKET.

on the mend

Recovering one's health, as in I heard you had the flu, but I'm glad to see you're on the mend.

This idiom uses mend in the sense of "repair." [c. 1800]

on the money Also, right on the money. Exact, precise, as in Your estimate is right on the money. This term alludes to a winning bet in horse racing. [Slang; 1940s]

on the move

1. Busily moving about, very active, as in A nurse is on the move all day long. [Mid-1800s] Also see

ON THE GO. 2. Going from one place to another, traveling, as in Our troops are on the move again, or Ruth and Dick are always on the move, never staying put for more than a month or two. [Late 1700s]

3. Making progress, advancing, as in Their technology is clearly on the move.

on the nail

1. Immediately, without delay, as in He paid us back on the nail. [c. 1600] 2. Under discussion or consideration, as in The subject of the budget deficit has been on the nail for some time. [Late 1800s] The precise allusion in these expressions has been lost. Neither has any connection to hit

the nail on the head (see under HIT THE BULL'S-EYE).

on the nose

Exactly, precisely; especially, at the appointed time or estimated amount. For example, The busload of students arrived at the museum at ten o'clock right on the nose, or He guessed the final

score on the nose. This term, like ON THE BUTTON, may come from boxing, where the opponent's nose is a highly desired target. [c. 1930]

on the off chance

see under ON THE CHANCE THAT.

on the one hand Also, on one hand. As one point of view, from one standpoint. This phrase is often paired with on the other hand to indicate two sides of an issue. For example, On the one hand this car is expensive; on the other hand, it's available and we need it right now. [First half of 1600s]

on the order of

1. Approximately, as in We need on the order of three cases of wine for the reception. 2. Like, of a kind similar to, as in Their house is on the order of a colonial saltbox. [c. 1900]

on the other foot

see SHOE IS ON THE OTHER FOOT.

on the other hand

see under ON THE ONE HAND.

on the outs

No longer on friendly terms, as in They've been on the outs with their in-laws for years. This idiom appeared in the early 1900s and derives from the synonymous at outs, first recorded in 1824.

on the part of

see FOR ONE'S PART.

on the point of Also, at the point of. On the verge of, close to, as in I was on the point of leaving when the phone rang. The first term dates from the late 1200s, the second from the first half of the 1500s.

on the prowl

Actively looking for something, as in Their underpaid computer programmers are always on the prowl for better jobs. This idiom transfers an animal's search for prey to human pursuits that are usually less bloodthirsty. [c. 1800]

on the qui vive

On the alert, vigilant, as in The police have been warned to be on the qui vive for terrorists. This expression, containing the French words for "[long] live who?" originated as a sentinel's challenge to determine a person's political sympathies. The answer expected of allies was something like vive le roi ("long live the king"). It was taken over into English with its revised meaning in the early 1700s, the first recorded use being in 1726.

on the Q.T.

Secretly, as in They told her on the Q.T. that she was being promoted. This slangy term, in which

Q.T. is an abbreviation for "quiet," was first recorded in 1884.

on the rack

Under great stress, as in I was on the rack while I waited for the test results. This expression, alluding to a medieval instrument of torture to which the victim was fastened and stretched, has been used figuratively since the late 1500s. Shakespeare had it in The Merchant of Venice (3:2): "Let me choose, for as I am I live upon the rack."

on the rebound

Reacting to or recovering from an unhappy experience, especially the end of a love affair. For example, A month after breaking up with Larry, Jane got engaged to Bob, a classic case of being on the rebound. This metaphoric term, alluding to the bouncing back of a ball, has been used in the present sense since the mid-1800s, although rebound alone had been used figuratively for much longer.

on the receiving end

In the situation of recipient, especially of something unpleasant, as in It seems I'm always on the receiving end of his bad moods. [c. 1930]

on the right foot, get off Also, start off on the right foot. Make a good beginning, establish good relations, as in It's important to get off on the right foot in this new job. This usage, alluding

to walking correctly, was first recorded in 1909; the antonym, get off on the wrong foot, as in

I'm afraid we got off on the wrong foot with our daughter's in-laws, was first recorded in 1925.

on the right tack Also, on the right track. Proceeding satisfactorily; also, following the correct line of reasoning. For example, He thinks the housing market is improving, and he's on the right tack there, or That's not exactly so, but you're on the right track. The first term alludes to the direction of a sailboat, the second to the direction of a path. The same is true of the antonyms, on the wrong tack and on the wrong track, indicating an erroneous assumption or course of action. For example, He's on the wrong tack for finding a solution, or The researchers were on the wrong track altogether when they assumed the virus was transmitted by mosquitoes. The expressions using tack date from about 1900; those using track date from about 1880.

on the road

1. Traveling, as in Our salesmen are on the road five days a week. [Mid-1600s] 2. on the road to.

On the way to, following a course that will end in. For example, We could see Mary was on the road to recovery, or The business obviously was on the road to ruin. [Mid-1600s]

on the rocks

1. Ruined, spoiled, as in Six months after the wedding, their marriage was on the rocks. This expression, alluding to a ship running aground on rocks and breaking apart, has been used figuratively for other disasters since the late 1800s. 2. Served over ice only, as in He always drinks whiskey on the rocks. The "rocks" here are the ice cubes. [Mid-1900s] 3. Destitute, bankrupt, as in

Can I borrow next month's rent? I'm on the rocks. This usage, from the late 1800s, is heard more often in Britain than America.

on the ropes

On the verge of defeat or collapse, helpless, as in They acknowledged that their campaign was on the ropes, and they could not possibly win the election. This expression, alluding to a boxer forced back to the ropes of the ring and leaning against them for support, has been used figuratively since the mid1900s.

on the run

1. In rapid retreat; also, attempting to escape from pursuers. For example, The guerrillas were on the run after the ambush, or The burglars were on the run from the police. [Early 1800s] 2. Hurrying from place to place, as in The company officers were always on the run from New York to Los Angeles and back. [Late 1800s]

on the safe side

Avoiding danger, with a margin for error, as in Just to be on the safe side, let's order another hundred chairs. This idiom was first recorded in 1811.

on the same wavelength

In complete accord, in rapport, as in Conductor, orchestra members, soloists, and chorus all were on the same wavelength, making for a wonderful performance. This term alludes to radio waves that carry a broadcast. [First half of 1900s]

on the scene, be Also, arrive or come on the scene. Be or arrive where an action or event occurs, as in They won't have a wild party because their parents will be on the scene, or Once Bob arrives on the scene, you can expect fireworks. Alluding to the theatrical scene, where a drama is being played, this phrase has been used more loosely since the early 1700s.

on the shelf

1. Inactive, not employed, as in With mandatory retirement at 65, many useful employees are put on the shelf. [Second half of 1500s] 2. In a state of disuse, as in We'll have to put her proposal on the shelf until we have more funds. [Late 1800s] 3. Without prospects of marriage. For example,

After she broke her third engagement, her parents were sure she'd be on the shelf. This usage is always said of a woman and today considered offensive. It is probably obsolescent. [Early 1800s] All these usages allude to an article left on the shelf of a store, bookcase, or the like.

on the side

1. In addition to the main portion of something; also, in addition to one's regular job. For example,

He ordered some French fries on the side, or She often prepared tax returns on the side. [Second

half of 1800s] 2. See ON SOMEONE'S SIDE; ON THE SIDE OF THE ANGELS.

on the sidelines

Observing rather than taking part, out of the action, as in Bolivia's neighbors remained on the sidelines, waiting to see which faction in the dispute would prevail. This idiom comes from sports. The sidelines are the two lines defining the sides of the court or playing field and the area immediately beyond them where, in such sports as football, the non-playing team members sit. [First half of 1900s]

on the side of the angels

Supporting the good side, as in Whatever you may think of him, on important issues he's usually on the side of the angels. This expression was coined by Benjamin Disraeli in 1864 in a speech about Darwin's theory that man is descended from apes: "The question is this: Is man an ape or an angel? Now I am on the side of the angels." Before long it was extended to broader use, specifically to the moral view.

on the skids

In the process of decline or ruin, as in If she quit now, her career would be on the skids. The skids here are runners such as those on a sled, enabling one to go downhill quickly. [c. 1920]

on the sly

Furtively, secretly, as in She's always eating cookies on the sly. The adjective sly, which means "cunning" or "crafty," is here used as a noun. [c. 1800]

on the spot

1. At once, without delay, as in When the boss learned Tom had been lying, he fired him on the spot. This usage suggests that one does not have time to move away from a particular spot. [Late 1600s] 2. At the scene of action, as in Whenever there's a bad accident or fire, you can be sure

the station will have a reporter on the spot. This usage also employs spot in the sense of "a particular location." [Late 1600s]

3. Under pressure or in trouble, as in He's on the spot, because he can't pay back the loan. It is also phrased as put on the spot, meaning "put under pressure." For example, The reporter's question put her on the spot; she didn't want to lie or to admit her part in the scandal. [First half of 1900s]

on the spur of the moment

Impulsively, without prior preparation, as in He decided to join a tour to England on the spur of the moment. This expression alludes to the goading action of a spur to a horse. [Late 1700s]

on the square

Honestly and openly, as in Our dealings with them have always been on the square. This expression literally means "at right angles." Similarly the antonym out of square, literally signifying "not at right angles," figuratively means "not in agreement" or "irregular.'' For example,

The lab's report is out of square with the x-ray. The first recorded use of this term was in 1542.

on the street Also, in the street. 1. Without a job, unemployed, as in After they fired her she was on the street for two years. [First half of 1900s] 2. Without a regular place of residence, homeless, as in It's terrible to be on the street in winter. [Mid-1800s] 3. Released from prison, as in One more year and he'll be back in the street. [First half of 1900s]

on the strength of

On the basis of, as in She was hired on the strength of her computer skills. [Early 1600s]

on the surface

Superficially, to all outward appearances, as in On the surface he appeared brave and patriotic, but his troops knew better. [Early 1700s]

on the table

1. Up for discussion, as in There are two new proposals on the table. [Mid-1600s] 2. Postponed or put aside for later consideration, as in When they adjourned, three items were put on the table until the next meeting. [First half of 1700s] The table in both idioms is a figurative conference

table. Also see LAY ONE'S CARDS ON THE TABLE.

on the take

Accepting bribes or other illegal income, as in The commission found a number of police officers on the take. [Colloquial; first half of 1900s]

on the tip of one's tongue

Ready to utter something but unable to remember it at the moment, as in I met him last year and his name is on the tip of my tongue?

it'll come to me in a minute. [Early 1700s]

on the town Also, out on the town. In spirited pursuit of entertainment offered by a town or city, as in We went out on the town last night. [Early 1700s]

on the up-and-up

Open and honest, as in Dad has always been on the up-and-up with them. The precise allusion in this term is unknown. [Colloquial; c. 1860] on the uptake In understanding or comprehension. This term is most often put as quick on the uptake, for readily understanding something, and slow on the uptake, for being slow to comprehend. For example, Shirley will have no trouble learning that new computer program?

she's very quick on the uptake. It alludes to absorbing ("taking up") information. [Early 1800s]

on the verge of

Close to, on the brink of, as in I was on the verge of calling the doctor when he suddenly got better, or Sara was on the verge of tears when she heard the news. This term uses verge in the sense of "the brink or border of something." [Mid-1800s]

on the wagon

Abstaining from drinking alcoholic beverages, as in Don't offer her wine; she's on the wagon. This expression is a shortening of on the water wagon, referring to the horse-drawn water car once used to spray dirt roads to keep down the dust. Its present meaning dates from about 1900. The antonym off the wagon, used for a resumption of drinking, dates from the same period. B.J. Taylor used it in Extra Dry (1906): "It is better to have been on and off the wagon than never to have been on at all."

on the warpath

Furious and on a hostile course of action, as in When the meat wasn't delivered, the chef went on the warpath. This expression was an English translation of a Native American term that literally means "a path used by a war party." Go on the war path thus meant "go to battle." It was used in this way by James Fenimore Cooper in The Deerslayer (1841); its present hyperbolic use dates from the late 1800s.

on the watch

hand. see ON THE LOOKOUT.

on the way

1.Also, on one's way. In the process of coming, going, or traveling; also, about to come. For example, The mail plane is on the way, or She is on her way out the door, or Winter is on the way.

2.On the route of a journey, as in I met him on the way to town, or We ran into them on the way.

[c. A.D. 1000] 3. on the way to; well on the way to. On the point of experiencing or achieving, as in James is on the way to becoming a full professor, or Nancy is well on her way to a nervous breakdown. [Late 1800s] Also see ON THE WAY OUT.

on the way out

1. About to go out, as in We were on our way out when the phone rang. 2. Going out of fashion, becoming obsolete, as in Full-size cars are on their way out.

on the whole

Considering everything, as in On the whole we enjoyed our vacation, although the hotel was not perfect by any means. [Late 1600s] Also see the synonyms BY AND LARGE; FOR THE MOST

PART.

on the wing

1. In flight, usually referring to a bird as opposed to a plane. For example, Louise is very good at identifying birds on the wing. [Late 1400s] 2. Active, in motion, as in Coaches are always on the wing, trying to recruit talented athletes. This usage may be obsolescent. [c. 1500]

on the wrong foot

hand. see ON THE RIGHT FOOT.

on the wrong side of bed

hand. see GET UP ON THE WRONG SIDE.

on the wrong tack Also, on the wrong track. hand. See under ON THE RIGHT

TACK.

on thin ice

In a precarious or risky position, as in After failing the midterm, he was on thin ice with his math teacher. This metaphor is often rounded out as skate on thin ice, as in He knew he was skating on thin ice when he took his rent money with him to the racetrack. This idiom, which alludes to the danger that treading on thin ice will cause it to break, was first used figuratively by Ralph Waldo Emerson in his essay Prudence (1841): "In skating over thin ice our safety is in our speed."

on time

1. Punctually, according to schedule, as in I hope the plane will be on time. [Early 1800s] 2. By paying in installments, on credit, as in They are buying their car on time. The time here refers to the designated period in which payments must be made. [Mid-1800s]

on tiptoe

1. Eagerly anticipating something, as in The children were on tiptoe before the birthday party.

[Late 1500s] 2. Moving stealthily, warily, as in They went down the hall on tiptoe. [Mid-1700s] Both usages transfer standing on one's toes to a particular reason for doing so; def. 2 alludes to moving more quietly in this fashion.

on to

hand. see BE ON TO.

on top In a dominant or successful position. It is also put as come out on top, as in As we expected, Paul again came out on top in the chess tournament. [Mid-1500s] Also see

OF.

on top of

1. In control of, fully informed about, as in The weeds were terrible, but the new gardener was soon on top of them, or Our senator always manages to be on top of the issues. 2. In addition to, following closely on, as in Several other benefits are being offered on top of a better salary, or On top of the flu Jane caught her sister's measles. [c. 1600] 3. Also, on top of one another. Very close to, crowded, as in I didn't see her until she was right on top of us, or In these condominiums people are living right on top of one another. [Mid-1900s]

on top of the world

Feeling very happy, delighted, as in She was on top of the world after her roses won first prize.

This idiom alludes to the peak of success or happiness. [c. 1920]

on trial

1. In the process of being tried, especially in a court of law. For example, He would be put on trial for the murder of his wife. [Early 1700s] 2. As a test of something, on probation, as in They said we could take the vacuum cleaner on trial and return it if it was too noisy. [Early 1700s]

on view

So as to be seen, as in They will put the antiques on view an hour before the auction begins.

[Mid-1800s]

on welfare

hand. see ON RELIEF.

on your life

hand. see NOT ON YOUR LIFE.

open

hand. In addition to the idioms beginning with OPEN, also see KEEP A WEATHER EYE

(OPEN); KEEP ONE'S EYES OPEN; LAY OPEN; LEAVE OPEN; LEAVE THE DOOR OPEN; NOT OPEN ONE'S MOUTH; OUT IN THE OPEN; THROW OPEN; WIDE OPEN; WITH ONE'S EYES OPEN; WITH OPEN ARMS.

open and aboveboard Also, honest and aboveboard. Candid and fair, without deceit or trickery, as in I'll join you, but only if everything remains open and aboveboard. Both versions of this expression are redundancies, since they use open and aboveboard in the sense of "honest." The latter word, dating from the early 1600s, comes from gambling and alludes to the fact that