American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms
.pdfsettle someone's hash
Subdue or get rid of someone, deal with a troublemaker, as in If John starts another argument we know just how to settle his hash. This term, dating from about 1800, uses hash in the sense of "a mess."
settle up Also, settle with someone. Pay a debt or one's share of the cost, as in When can you settle up for the tickets I bought for us? or Jean said she'd settle with the bank next month.
set to
1. Apply oneself, begin, work energetically, as in We set to revamping our policy on child care, or
She set to studying for the bar exam. [Early 1400s] 2. Begin fighting, as in Both of them were furious, and they set to immediately. [First half of 1700s]
set tongues wagging
hand. see TONGUES WAG.
set to rights Also, put to rights. Place in proper condition or order. For example, The caterer promised to set the room to rights before he left, or Don't worry, the lawyer will put the will to rights. These terms date from the second half of the 1600s, although to rights in the sense of "in proper order" was first recorded about 1330. Also see SET RIGHT.
set up
1. Place in an upright position, as in I keep setting up this lamp but it won't stay up. [c. 1200] 2. Elevate, raise; also, put in a position of authority or power, as in They set him up as their leader. [Late 1300s] 3. Put oneself forward, claim to be, as in He set himself up as an authority on the banking system. [Mid1800s] 4. Assemble, erect, make ready for use, as in They set up the sound system last night. [c. 1200] 5. Establish, found, as in They set up a new charity for the homeless.
[Early 1400s] 6. Establish in business by providing capital or other backing, as in His father set her up in a new dental practice. [First half of 1500s] 7. Treat someone to drinks, pay for drinks, as in Please let us set you up tonight. [Colloquial; late 1800s] 8. Stimulate or exhilarate, as in That victory really set up our team. [c. 1600] 9. Lay plans for, as in I think they set up the kidnapping months ago. [First half of 1900s] 10. Prepare someone for a deception or trickery or joke, as in
They set up their victim for the usual real estate scam, or Her friends set her up so that she was the only person in costume. [Mid-1900s] 11. Cause, bring about, as in The new taxes set up howls of protest. [Mid-1800s]
set up housekeeping
Move in together, as in Couples today often set up housekeeping long before they marry.
[Mid-1800s]
set upon
hand. see SET ON.
set up shop
Open a business, start a profession, as in Now that you've got your degree, where do you plan to set up shop? This idiom was first recorded about 1570.
seven
hand. see AT SIXES AND SEVENS; IN SEVENTH HEAVEN.
sew up
1. Complete successfully, as in Our team has sewn up the championship. [Colloquial; c. 1900] 2.
Gain complete control of, monopolize, as in Our restaurant hopes to sew up the town's takeout business. [Colloquial; first half of 1900s]
sex
hand. see FAIR SEX.
shack up
1. Sleep together or live in sexual intimacy without being married. For example, They had been dating for two months and then decided to shack up. [Slang; first half of 1900s] 2. Stay or reside with, as in I'm shacking up with my cousin till I find a place of my own. [Slang; first half of 1900s]
shades of
A reminder of a person or situation in the past. For example, He really played a fine game for a fiftyyear-old??
shades of his high school triumphs, or They found themselves alone on the beachshades of their childhood summers together. [Mid-1800s]
shadow
hand. In addition to the idiom beginning with SHADOW, also see AFRAID OF ONE'S
OWN SHADOW; BEYOND A (SHADOW OF A) DOUBT.
shadow of one's self Also, shadow of one's former or old self. A person, group, or thing that has become weaker in physical or mental capacities or in power or authority. For example, After that long battle with the flu, he was just a shadow of his old self, or This new administration is but a shadow of itself, or The revised constitution is a shadow of its former self. The use of shadow for an emaciated person dates from the late 1500s, and by about 1800 the word began to be used for other kinds of attenuation.
shaggy-dog story
A long drawn-out anecdote with an absurd or anticlimactic ending. For example, At first he had us laughing wildly at his shaggy-dog stories, but after the third or fourth we found them tiresome. The term alludes to a well-known series of such stories, which involved a talking dog. [c. 1940]
shake
hand. In addition to the idioms beginning with SHAKE, also see ALL SHOOK (SHAKEN)
UP; FAIR SHAKE; IN TWO SHAKES; MORE THAN ONE CAN SHAKE A STICK AT; MOVERS AND SHAKERS; NO GREAT SHAKES; QUAKE (SHAKE) IN ONE'S BOOTS.
shake a leg
1.Dance, as in Whenever there was music he was eager to shake a leg. [Colloquial; first half of 1800s]
2.Hurry up, as in
Shake a leg or we'll miss the plane. [Colloquial; first half of 1800s]
shake a stick at
hand. see MORE THAN ONE CAN SHAKE A STICK AT.
shake down
1. Extort money from, as in They had quite a racket, shaking down merchants for so-called protection. [Slang; second half of 1800s] 2. Make a thorough search of, as in They shook down all the passengers, looking for drugs. [Slang; early 1900s] 3. Subject a new vehicle or machine to a tryout, as in We'll shake down the new model next week. 4. Become acclimated or accustomed, to a new place, job, or the like, as in Is this your first job? You'll soon shake down. [Mid-1800s]
shake hands
1. Also, shake someone's hand. Clasp another's hand in greeting, farewell, or congratulation or as a sign of friendship or goodwill. For example, Stop fighting, boys; shake hands and be done with it, or You won first prize? Let me shake your hand. [Early 1500s] 2. shake hands on. Confirm a promise or bargain, as in We didn't sign a contract; we simply shook hands on our agreement.
[Early 1900s]
shake in one's boots
hand. see QUAKE IN ONE'S BOOTS.
shake off
Free oneself or get rid of something or someone, as in I've had a hard time shaking off this cold, or
She forged ahead, shaking off all the other runners. It is also put as give someone the shake, as in We managed to give our pursuers the shake. The first term dates from the late 1300s; the slangy variant dates from the second half of the 1800s.
shake one's head
Express disapproval, dissent, or doubt, as in That announcement had us shaking our heads in dismay. This expression, which can be used both literally (for moving one's head from side to side) and figuratively, dates from about 1300.
shaker
hand. see MOVER AND SHAKER.
shake someone's tree
Arouse to action or reaction, disturb, as in He really shook Hollywood's tree. shake the dust from one's feet
Depart in a hurry, especially from an unpleasant situation; also, leave forever. For example, I couldn't wait to shake the dust from my feet; I never wanted to see either of them again. This metaphoric term, alluding to moving one's feet fast enough to shake off dust, appears in several books of the Bible. [c. 1600]
shake up
1. Agitate in order to mix or loosen, as in This cough medicine needs to be thoroughly shaken up, or Please shake up these pillows. 2. Upset greatly, as in Even though no one was hurt, he was greatly shaken up by the accident. This usage alludes to being agitated like a liquid being shaken.
ALL SHOOK UP. [Late 1800s] 3. Subject to drastic rearrangement or reorganization, as in New management was bent on shaking up each division.
shake with laughter
Convulse with the humor of something, as in When asked if he was planning to give away the bride, he shook with laughter at the very thought. [Early 1700s]
shame
hand. In addition to the idiom beginning with SHAME, also see CRYING SHAME; FOR
SHAME; PUT TO SHAME.
shame on you
hand. see under FOR SHAME.
shape
hand. In addition to the idiom beginning with SHAPE, also see BENT OUT OF SHAPE;
IN CONDITION (SHAPE); LICK INTO SHAPE; TAKE SHAPE.
shape up
1. Turn out, develop; see TAKE SHAPE. 2. Improve so as to meet a standard, as in
The coach told the team that they'd better shape up or they'd be at the bottom of the league. This usage was first recorded in 1938. 3. shape up or ship out Behave yourself or be forced to leave, as in The new supervisor told Tom he'd have to shape up or ship out. This expression originated in the 1940s, during World War II, as a threat that if one didn't behave in an appropriate military
manner one would be sent overseas to a combat zone. After the war it was transferred to other situations calling for improved performance.
share
hand. In addition to the idiom beginning with SHARE, also see FAIR SHARE; LION'S
SHARE.
share and share alike
Mete out or partake of something equally, as in Mom told the children to share and share alike with their Halloween candy. This term, first recorded about 1566, alluded to the equal apportioning of spoils and soon was broadened to include equal sharing in the costs of a venture and other undertakings or possessions.
sharp
hand. In addition to the idioms beginning with SHARP, also see KEEP AN EYE (A SHARP
LOOKOUT) FOR; LOOK SHARP.
sharp as a tack Also, sharp as a razor. Mentally acute. For example, She's very witty?
she's sharp as a tack. These similes are also used literally to mean "having a keen cutting edge" and have largely replaced the earlier sharp as a needle or thorn. The first dates from about 1900, the variant from the mid-1800s.
sharp practice
Crafty or deceitful dealings, especially in business. For example, That firm's known for its sharp practice, so I'd rather not deal with them. This expression, first recorded in 1836, uses sharp in the combined sense of "mentally acute" and "cutting."
shave
hand. see CLOSE CALL (SHAVE).
shed blood Also, spill blood. Wound or kill someone, especially violently. For example, It was a bitter fight but fortunately no blood was shed, or A great deal of blood has been spilled in this family feud. Both of these terms allude to causing blood to flow and fall on the ground. The first dates from the 1200s. The variant amplifies the verb spill, which from about 1300 to 1600 by itself meant "slay" or "kill"; it was first recorded about 1125.
shed light on Also, throw light on. Clarify or explain, as in I was hoping the professor would shed light on how he arrived at his theory, or Can anyone throw some light on where these plants came from? Originally, from about 1200, these expressions were used literally, in the sense of "illuminate," but they soon were used figuratively as well.
sheep
hand. see BLACK SHEEP; HANGED FOR A SHEEP; SEPARATE THE SHEEP FROM THE GOATS; WOLF IN SHEEP'S
sheet
hand. see THREE SHEETS TO THE WIND; WHITE AS A SHEET.
shelf
hand. see OFF THE SHELF; ON THE SHELF.
shell
hand. In addition to the idiom beginning with SHELL, also see IN ONE'S SHELL.
shellacking
hand. see TAKE A SHELLACKING.
shell out
Pay, hand over, as in We had to shell out $1,000 for auto repairs. This expression transfers taking a seed such as a pea or nut out of its pod or shell to taking money out of one's pocket. [Colloquial; c. 1800]
shift for oneself Also, fend for oneself. Provide for one's own needs, as in Don't worry about Anne; she's very good at shifting for herself, or The children had to fend for themselves after school. The first term, using shift in the now obsolete sense of "manage," was first recorded about 1513; the variant, using fend for in the sense of "look after," was first recorded in 1629.
shilling
hand. see CUT OFF (WITH A SHILLING).
shine
hand. In addition to the idiom beginning with SHINE, also see MAKE HAY WHILE THE
SUN SHINES; RAIN OR SHINE; RISE AND SHINE; TAKE A FANCY (SHINE) TO.
shine up to
Try to impress or please, be attentive to, as in George was always shining up to the teacher, or Her father warned her about men shining up to her for her money. [Colloquial; late 1800s]
shingle
hand. see HANG OUT ONE'S SHINGLE.
ship
hand. In addition to the idioms beginning with SHIP, also see DESERT A SINKING
SHIP; ENOUGH TO SINK A SHIP; SHAPE UP (OR SHIP OUT); TIGHT SHIP; WHEN ONE'S SHIP COMES IN.
ship of state
The nation, as in We can't help but wonder who will be steering our ship of state a hundred years from now. This metaphoric expression was first recorded in English in a translation of Niccolò Machiavelli's The Prince (1675).
ship out
1. Leave, especially for a distant place, as in The transport planes carried troops shipping out to the Mediterranean. Although this usage originally meant "depart by ship," the expression is no longer limited to that mode of travel. [c. 1900] 2. Send, export, especially to a distant place, as in The factory shipped out many more orders last month. [Mid-1600s] 3. Quit a job or be fired; see
SHAPE UP, def. 3.
ships that pass in the night
Individuals who are rarely in the same place at the same time. For example, Jan works the early shift and Paula the late shift?
they're two ships that pass in the night. This metaphoric expression comes from Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's poem "The Theologian's Tale" (published in Tales of a Wayside Inn, 1873).
shirt
hand. see GIVE THE SHIRT OFF ONE'S BACK; HAIR SHIRT; KEEP ONE'S SHIRT ON; LOSE ONE'S SHIRT; STUFFED SHIRT.
shit on
Treat with malice or disrespect, as in I'm tired of all these administrators shitting on me every time I want to try something new. This usage is vulgar slang.
shit or get off the pot
hand. see under FISH OR CUT BAIT.
shit will hit the fan, the Also, when or then the shit hits the fan. There will be major trouble, often following the disclosure of a piece of information. For example, When they find out they were firing on their own planes, the shit will hit the fan. This idiom calls up the graphic image of feces spread by a rapidly revolving electric fan. [Vulgar slang; c. 1930]
shock
hand. see CULTURE SHOCK.
shoe
hand. In addition to the idiom beginning with SHOE, also see COMFORTABLE AS AN
OLD SHOE; FILL SOMEONE'S SHOES; GOODY-TWO-SHOES; IF THE SHOE FITS; IN SOMEONE'S SHOES; STEP INTO SOMEONE'S SHOES; WAIT FOR THE OTHER SHOE TO DROP.
shoe is on the other foot, the
The circumstances have reversed, the participants have changed places, as in I was one of his research assistants, subject to his orders, but now that I'm his department head the shoe is on the other foot. This metaphoric term first appeared in the mid-1800s as the boot is on the other leg. Literally wearing the right shoe on the left foot would be quite uncomfortable, and this notion is implied in this idiom, which suggests that changing places is not equally beneficial to both parties.
shoestring
hand. see ON A SHOESTRING.
shook up
hand. see ALL SHOOK UP.
shoot
hand. In addition to the idioms beginning with SHOOT, also see LIKE SHOOTING FISH
IN A BARREL; SURE AS SHOOTING; WHOLE BALL OF WAX (SHOOTING MATCH). Also see under SHOT.
shoot down
1. Ruin the aspirations of, disappoint, as in Bill was hoping Sharon would go out with him, but she shot him down. 2. Reject, defeat; also, expose as false. For example, It was the best idea I could come up with, but they unanimously shot it down, or It was inevitable that they would shoot down any claim made by the opposing candidate. This colloquial expression, which alludes to bringing down an aircraft or game bird by shooting, is sometimes intensified as shoot down in flames, originally (in World War I) referring to bringing down enemy aircraft but by the late 1950s extended to decisively defeating anyone or anything.
shoot for
Strive or aim for, as in We're shooting for higher production by spring. This term, alluding to aiming at something with a weapon, has largely replaced the earlier shoot at, which dates from the 1400s.
shoot from the hip
Speak or act recklessly or impulsively, as in Steve isn't very tactful; indeed, he's known for shooting from the hip. This expression transfers the fast shooting accomplished by drawing a gun from a holster and shooting without raising it to quick speaking or acting. [Slang; mid-1900s] For a similar
transfer, see SHOOT OFF ONE'S MOUTH.
shoot off one's mouth
Speak indiscreetly; also, brag or boast. For example, Now don't go shooting off your mouth about it; it's supposed to be a surprise, or Terry is always shooting off his mouth about how many languages he speaks. [Slang; mid-1800s]
shoot one's bolt Also, shoot one's wad. Do all within one's power; exhaust one's resources or capabilities. For example, They were asking for more ideas but Bob had shot his bolt and couldn't come up with any, or Don't shoot your wad with that article or you won't have any material for the sequels. The first expression comes from archery and referred to using up all of one's bolts (short, heavy arrows fired with a crossbow); it was a proverb by the 1200s. The colloquial variant, dating from about 1900, comes from gambling and refers to spending all of a wad of rolled-up banknotes.
Also see SHOOT THE WORKS.
shoot oneself in the foot
Foolishly harm one's own cause, as in He really shot himself in the foot, telling the interviewer all about the others who were applying for the job he wanted. This colloquial term alludes to an accidental shooting as opposed to a deliberate one done so as to avoid military service.
shoot straight Also, shoot square. Deal fairly and honestly, as in You can't trust most car salesmen, but Jim always shoots straight, or We always shoot square with our customers. These colloquial terms use straight and square in the sense of ''straightforward and honest," and shoot in the sense of "deal with."
shoot the breeze Also, shoot or throw the bull. Talk idly, chat, as in They've been sitting on the porch for hours, just shooting the breeze, or The guys sit around the locker room, throwing the bull. The first of these slangy terms, alluding to talking into the wind, was first recorded in 1919. In the variant, first recorded in 1908, bull is a shortening of bullshit, and means "empty talk" or "lies."
shoot the works
Expend all one's efforts or capital, as in He's broke after shooting the works on that new office building. [Colloquial; first half of 1900s] Also see THE WORKS.
shoot up
1. Grow or get taller very rapidly, as in She's really shot up in the last year, and now she's taller than her mother. [First half of 1500s] 2. Riddle with bullets; damage or terrorize with gunfire. For example, I liked the scene in which the cowboy stomps into the saloon, gets drunk, and shoots the place up. [Late 1800s] 3. Inject a drug intravenously, especially an illegal drug. For example, The police caught him shooting up and arrested him. [Slang; first half of 1900s]
shop
hand. In addition to the idiom beginning with SHOP, also see BULL IN A CHINA SHOP;
CLOSE UP (SHOP); SET UP (SHOP); SHUT UP (SHOP); TALK SHOP.
shop around
1. Look for the best bargain, opportunity, or the like, as in This job offers only minimum wage so she decided to shop around for one with better pay. This expression alludes to looking in different stores in search of bargains or a particular item. [c. 1920] 2. Look for a buyer for, offer for sale to various parties, as in The company is now being actively shopped around. [Second half of 1900s]
shore up
Support, prop, as in The new law was designed to shore up banks in danger of failure. This expression derives from the noun shore, meaning "prop," a beam or timber propped against a structure to provide support. The verb shore dates from 1340 and was first recorded in a figurative context in 1581.
short
hand. In addition to the idioms beginning with SHORT, also see BY THE SHORT HAIRS;
CAUGHT SHORT; CUT SHORT; FALL SHORT; FOR SHORT; IN BRIEF (SHORT); IN SHORT ORDER; IN SHORT SUPPLY; IN THE LONG (SHORT) RUN; LIFE IS TOO SHORT; LONG AND SHORT OF IT; LONG (SHORT) HAUL; MAKE A LONG STORY SHORT; MAKE SHORT WORK OF; NOTHING SHORT OF; RUN SHORT; SELL SHORT; STOP SHORT.
short and sweet
Satisfyingly brief and pertinent, as in When we asked about the coming merger, the chairman's answer was short and sweet?
it wasn't going to happen. This expression was already proverbial in 1539, when it appeared in Richard Taverner's translation of Erasmus's Adagia. Over the years it was occasionally amplified, as in James Kelly's Scottish Proverbs (1721): "Better short and sweet than long and lax."
short end of the stick, the
The inferior part, the worse side of an unequal deal. For example, Helen got the short end of the stick when she was assigned another week of night duty. The precise analogy in this term, first recorded in the 1930s, has been lost. Some believe it comes from worse end of the staff, used since the early 1500s, which in the mid-1800s became, in some instances, short or shitty end of the stick, allegedly from a stick poked up one's rectum by another in command of the situation. Others believe it alludes to fighting with sticks, where having a shorter stick is a disadvantage. Also
see WRONG END OF THE STICK.
short for
hand. see FOR SHORT.
short haul
hand. see under LONG HAUL.