American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms

Use makes mastery, but by 1560 the present form had become established.

practice what you preach

Behave as you would have others behave, as in You keep telling us to clean up, but I wish you'd practice what you preach. This idiom expresses an ancient idea but appeared in this precise form only in 1678. Also see DO AS I SAY.

praise

hand. In addition to the idiom beginning with PRAISE, also see DAMN WITH FAINT

PRAISE; SING SOMEONE'S PRAISES.

praise to the skies

Commend lavishly or excessively, as in The critics praised the new soprano to the skies. This expression, alluding to lofty praise, was in the 1600s put as extol to the skies but acquired its present form in the early 1800s. Also see SING ONE'S PRAISES.

prayer, not a

hand. see under NOT A HOPE IN HELL.

preach

hand. In addition to the idiom beginning with PREACH, also see PRACTICE WHAT YOU

PREACH.

preach to the converted

Try to convince someone who is already convinced, as in Why tell me smoking is bad when I gave it up years ago? You're preaching to the converted. [Mid-1800s]

precedent

hand. see SET A PRECEDENT.

precious few Also, precious little. Very few, very little, as in There are precious few leaves left on the trees, or We have precious little fuel left. In these idioms precious serves as an intensive, a colloquial usage dating from the first half of the 1800s.

premium

hand. see AT A PREMIUM; PUT A PREMIUM ON.

presence of mind

The ability to act sensibly, promptly, and appropriately, especially in a difficult situation or emergency. For example, Distraught about losing her wallet and passport, she had the presence of mind to notify the authorities at once. This idiom in effect says that one's mind is present and

press in the

Force someone or something to perform or function, as in Can I press you into service to help people find their coats? or The funeral drew such a large crowd that more chairs were pressed into service. This idiom transfers press in the sense of "seize and force someone to serve," as seamen once were, to other activities. It was first recorded in 1871.

press on

hand. see PUSH ON.

press one's luck

hand. see PUSH ONE'S LUCK.

press the flesh

Shake hands and mingle with people, especially when running for public office. For example, The candidate went through the crowd, pressing the flesh. [1920s]

pretty

hand. In addition to the idioms beginning with PRETTY, also see IN A FIX (PRETTY

PICKLE); KETTLE OF FISH, PRETTY; SITTING PRETTY.

pretty as a picture

Very attractive, as in She looked pretty as a picture in her new hat. The noun picture alone was used to describe beautiful objects from the early 1800s on; this locution, however, dates from

about 1900.

pretty much

Almost, nearly, approximately, as in Our homework was pretty much finished. This adverbial usage differs from the use of pretty for "considerable" (as in PRETTY PENNY). [c. 1800]

pretty penny, a

A considerable sum of money, as in That fur coat must have cost a pretty penny. [Early 1700s]

prevail on

Successfully persuade or influence, as in They prevailed on me to speak at their annual luncheon.

This term uses prevail

in the sense of "exert superior force." It replaced prevail with in the mid-1600s.

prey on

1. Plunder or pillage; also, make a profit at someone else's expense, victimize. For example,

Vikings preyed on the coastal towns of England, or The rich have been preying on the poor for centuries. [Late 1500s] 2. Hunt, especially in order to eat, as in Their cat preys on all the rodents in the neighborhood.

[c. 1600] 3. Exert a baneful or injurious effect, as in Guilt preyed on his mind. [c. 1700]

price

In addition to the idioms beginning with PRICE, also see AT ALL COSTS (AT ANY PRICE); CHEAP AT TWICE THE PRICE; EVERY MAN HAS HIS PRICE.

price is right, the

The price is very reasonable, it is a good value. This term is often used jokingly to describe something that is free but otherwise not particularly praise-worthy. For example, These golf balls we found in the pond may not look new, but the price is right. [Second half of 1900s]

price on one's head

A reward for capturing or killing someone, usually someone guilty of a crime. For example, He was a serial killer, and they put a price on his head. The head in this term presumably alludes to the older punishment of beheading. [Mid-1700s]

price out of the market

Charge so much for a product or service that no one will buy it, as in Asking $10 each for those old records is pricing yourself out of the market. [First half of 1900s]

prick up one's ears

Listen carefully, pay close attention, as in When she heard them mention her boyfriend she pricked

up her ears. This term alludes to horses raising their ears at a sudden noise. [Late 1500s]

pride

hand. In addition to the idioms beginning with PRIDE, also see BURST WITH (PRIDE);

SWALLOW ONE'S PRIDE.

pride and joy

The object of one's great pleasure, as in Our new grandson is our pride and joy, or Dana's car is his pride and joy. This term was probably invented by Sir Walter Scott in his poem Rokeby (1813), where he described children as "a mother's pride, a father's joy."

pride of place

The highest or most prominent position, as in His trophy had pride of place on the mantelpiece.

[Early 1600s] pride oneself on Also, take pride in. Be proud of, take satisfaction in, as in We pride ourselves on always being punctual, or She took pride in her flower garden. The first term dates from the late 1300s, the second from the late 1500s.

prime

hand. In addition to the idioms beginning with PRIME, also see PAST ONE'S PRIME.

prime mover

The initial source of energy directed toward a goal, someone or something that sets others in motion. For example, Jean was the prime mover in getting us more laboratory space, or Patriotism was the prime mover of the revolution. [Late 1600s]

prime of life

The best years of one's life, when one is at the peak of one's powers, as in She was in the prime of life when she began to lose her sight. The related phrase in one's prime can be applied to objects as well as persons. For example, The roses were in their prime when you last saw them. In both idioms prime means "first in quality or character." [Early 1700s] Also see PAST ONE'S PRIME.

prime the pump

Encourage the growth or action of something, as in Marjorie tried to prime the pump by offering some new issues for discussion. In the late 1800s this expression originally was used for pouring liquid into a pump to expel the air and make it work. In the 1930s it was applied to government efforts to stimulate the economy and thereafter was applied to other undertakings.

principle

hand. see IN PRINCIPLE; ON PRINCIPLE.

print

hand. In addition to the idiom beginning with PRINT, also see GO OUT (OF PRINT); IN

see KNOCK THE BOTTOM (PROPS) OUT FROM.

proportion

see OUT OF PROPORTION.

pros and cons

Arguments or considerations for and against something, as in We'd best weigh all the pros and cons before we decide to add a new wing to the library. This idiom is taken from the Latin pro for "for" and con for "against." [Late 1500s]

proud

hand. In addition to the idiom beginning with PROUD, also see DO SOMEONE PROUD.

proud as a peacock

Having a very high opinion of oneself, filled with or showing excessive self-esteem. For example,

She strutted about in her new outfit, proud as a peacock. This simile alludes to the male peacock, with its colorful tail that can be expanded like a fan, which has long symbolized vanity and pride. Chaucer used it in The Reeve's Tail: "As any peacock he was proud and gay." [1200s]

prove

hand. In addition to the idiom beginning with PROVE, also see EXCEPTION PROVES

THE RULE.

prove out

Succeed, turn out well, as in Farm-raised trout has proved out so well that the fish industry plans to experiment with other species. [Mid-1900s]

prune

hand. see FULL OF BEANS, def. 2.

psych out

1. Analyze or understand something; also, anticipate the intentions of someone, as in It's hard to psych out the opposition's thinking, but we have to try. 2. Undermine the confidence of, intimidate. For example, The basketball team managed to psych out their opponents' guards. This expression is often used in the passive and can mean "lose one's nerve," as in After I learned that he had two doctorates in the field, I was completely psyched out. Both slangy usages date from the second half of the 1900s and allude to influencing someone psychologically.

psych up

Excite emotionally, as in The chorus was really psyched up for performing in Symphony Hall.

[Slang; c. 1970]

public

hand. see GO PRIVATE (PUBLIC); IN PUBLIC; IN THE PUBLIC EYE; JOHN DOE (Q. PUBLIC); WASH ONE'S DIRTY LINEN IN PUBLIC.

publish or perish

Produce published work or fall into disfavor. For example, The younger members of the department have a heavier teaching load, but they also know it's publish or perish. This expression is nearly always used for college or university teachers, for whom advancement frequently is predicated on publishing research in their field. [Mid-1900s]

pudding

hand. see PROOF OF THE PUDDING.

puff piece

An approving or flattering article, as in That was really a puff piece about the conductor, written by her cousin. The use of puff for "exaggerated praise" dates from about 1600; piece was added in the mid1900s.

pull

hand. In addition to the idioms beginning with PULL, also see FAST ONE, PULL A;

HAVE PULL WITH; LIKE PULLING TEETH.

pull a boner

Make a blunder, as in I pulled an awful boner when I mentioned his ex-wife. This expression is derived from the noun bonehead, for "blockhead" or "stupid person." [Slang; early 1900s]

pull a fast one Also, put over a fast one. Engage in a deceitful practice or play an unfair trick. For example, He pulled a fast one when he gave me that fake employment record, or She tried to put over a fast one, but we found out in time to stop her. [Slang; c. 1920]

pull away

1. Move away or withdraw, as in The car pulled away from the curb. [Mid-1900s] 2. Move ahead or forward, as in His horse pulled away and took the lead.

pull back

Retreat, as in The troops gradually pulled back. [Mid-1500s]

pull down

1.Demolish, destroy, as in They pulled down several old office buildings downtown. [Early 1500s]

2.Lower, reduce; also, depress in health or spirits. For example, The bumper wheat crop is bound to pull down prices, or The flu really pulled him down. [Late 1500s] 3. Draw as wages, as in He pulled down a hefty salary. [Colloquial; early 1900s]

pull in

1. Arrive at a destination, as in The train pulled in right on time. [c. 1900] 2. Rein in, restrain, as in

She pulled in her horse, or The executives did not want to pull in their most aggressive salesmen.

[c. 1600]

3. Arrest a suspect, as in The police said they could pull him in on lesser charges. [Late 1800s]

pulling teeth

hand. see LIKE PULLING TEETH.

pull in one's horns Also, draw in one's horns. 1. Retreat, back down, restrain oneself, as in

The town manager wanted higher taxes but public reaction made him draw in his horns. This expression alludes to the snail's habit of drawing in the soft projecting parts of its body when it is threatened. The idea was first expressed in the 15th century as shrink one's horns, and the idiom with draw developed about the same time. The idiom with pull did not appear until a century later.

2. Reduce expenses, as in That drop in profits will force the company to pull in its horns. [Late 1800s]

pull no punches

Behave unrestrainedly, hold nothing back, as in The doctor pulled no punches but told us the whole truth. This expression comes from boxing, where to pull one's punches means "to hit less hard than one can." This idiom, too, has been applied more generally, as in They decided to pull their punches during these delicate negotiations. [First half of 1900s]

pull off

Accomplish, bring off, especially in the face of difficulties or at the last minute. For example, I never thought we'd ever stage this play, but somehow we pulled it off. [Colloquial; second half of 1800s]

pull oneself together

Regain one's composure or self-control, as in After that frightening episode, it took her a while to pull herself together. [Second half of 1800s]

pull oneself up by the bootstraps

Succeed by one's own efforts, as in She was homeless for nearly two years, but she managed to pull herself up by the bootstraps. This expression alludes to pulling on high boots by means of the straps or loops attached to them at the top. [Early 1900s]

pull one's punches

hand. see PULL NO PUNCHES.

pull one's weight Also, pull one's own weight. Do one's share, as in We have a small organization, so we all must pull our own weight. This term comes from rowing, where each crew member must pull on an oar at least enough to propel himself or herself. Its figurative use dates

from about 1900.

pull out

1. Leave, depart, as in The bus pulled out at noon. [Mid-1800s] 2. Withdraw from an undertaking, as in After the crash many investors pulled out of the market. [Late 1800s]

pull out all the stops

Use all the resources or force at one's disposal, as in The police pulled out all the stops to find the thief. This term comes from organ-playing, where it means "bring into play every rank of pipes," thereby creating the fullest possible sound. It has been used figuratively since about 1860.

pull out of a hat

Produce suddenly and surprisingly, as if by magic. For example, We can't just pull the answers out of a hat. This expression alludes to the magician's trick of pulling some unexpected object out of a hat. That object is often a rabbit, and the expression pull a rabbit out of a hat is often used to mean "get magical results," as in Much as I would like to be able to pull a rabbit out of a hat, I doubt if I can find further funding for this project.

pull over

Bring a vehicle to the side of the road; also, instruct a motorist to stop. For example, We pulled over to ask a passerby for directions, or The state trooper pulled the speeding motorist over. [First half of 1900s]

pull rank

Use one's higher status to compel obedience or obtain privileges, as in She hated pulling rank in the office, but sometimes it was necessary. This term comes from the military. [c. 1920]

pull round

Restore or be restored to good health, as in It was good nursing that pulled him round so quickly, or Once on antibiotics, he pulled round quickly. [Late 1800s]

pull someone's chain

1. Make someone speak out of turn, as in Who pulled your chain??

It's none of your business. [1920s] 2. Make someone angry, especially deliberately, as in

Teenagers really know how to pull their parents' chains. [c. 1960] Both usages allude to the literal sense of chain-pulling, that is, "causing someone to do something, as though activated by a chain."

pull someone's leg

Play a joke on, tease, as in Are you serious about moving back in or are you pulling my leg? This term is thought to allude to tripping someone by so holding a stick or other object that one of his legs is pulled back. [Late 1800s]

pull something

Play a trick, deceive someone, as in We thought he was trying to pull something when he claimed he had never picked up our tickets. It is often put as pull something on someone, as in I knew he was pulling something on me when he told me the wrong date. Also see PULL A FAST ONE.

pull strings Also, pull wires. Use one's influence, as in By pulling strings he got us house seats to the opening, or His father pulled some wires and got him out of jail. Both terms allude to manipulating a marionette. The first dates from the second half of the 1800s, the second from the early 1800s.

pull the plug on

1. Discontinue, end, as in The government pulled the plug on that program. [First half of 1900s] 2.

Remove all life-supporting equipment, as in The family debated whether it was time to pull the plug on him. [Second half of 1900s] Although this idiom undoubtedly alludes to cutting off electricity to an electrical device, it originally referred to the removal of a stopper that flushed an old-style toilet.

pull the rug out from under

Remove all support and assistance from, usually suddenly. For example, Stopping his allowance pulled the rug out from under him, forcing him to look for a job. This metaphoric term alludes to pulling on a rug a person is standing on so that he or she falls. [Mid-1900s]

pull the wool over someone's eyes

Deceive or hoodwink someone, as in His partner had pulled the wool over his eyes for years by keeping the best accounts for himself. This term alludes to the former custom of wearing a wig, which when slipping down can blind someone temporarily. [c. 1800]

pull through

Survive a difficult situation or illness, as in We've had to declare bankruptcy, but I'm sure we'll pull through. [Mid-1800s]

pull together

1. Make a joint effort, cooperate, as in If we pull together, I'm sure we'll meet our quota. [Late 1700s] 2. pull something together. Assemble or gather together, as in Once we pull together all the facts, we'll understand the situation. [Late 1800s] Also see PULL ONESELF TOGETHER.

pull up

1. Stop or cause to stop, as in He pulled up his horse, or They pulled up in front of the door. [Early 1600s] 2. Catch up, advance in relation to others, as in a race. For example, She was behind at the start, but she quickly pulled up. [Late 1800s] Also see PULL ONESELF UP BY ONE'S

BOOTSTRAPS.

pull up stakes

Move away, leave one's home, job, or country. For example, We've lived here for years, but now it's time to pull up stakes. This expression alludes to the stakes that mark property boundaries.