American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms

Give way, collapse owing to stress, as in One more heavy snowfall and the roof may buckle under, or She buckled under the strain of two jobs. [Late 1500s]

buckle up

Fasten a seat belt, as in All the children must learn to buckle up as soon as they get in a car. This term came into wide use in the second half of the 1900s, when seat belts became mandatory automobile equipment. Earlier they had been used mainly in airplanes.

buck stops here, the

I'll take full responsibility, as in You needn't call my boss; the buck stops here. This saying gained fame as a sign on the desk of President Harry S. Truman. It alludes to another expression that

means the opposite, PASS THE BUCK. [Mid-1900s]

buck up

Cheer up, become encouraged, as in Buck up! We'll soon have it done, or Even the promise of a vacation did not buck her up. This term was first recorded in 1844.

bud

hand. see NIP IN THE BUD.

buddy up

Be very friendly, as in He is always wanting to buddy up with me, but I don't really like him.

[Slang; early 1900s]

buff

hand. see IN THE BUFF.

bug

hand. In addition to the idioms beginning with BUG, also see CUTE AS A BUTTON

(BUG'S EAR); PUT A BUG IN SOMEONE'S EAR; SNUG AS A BUG IN A RUG; WHAT'S EATING (BUGGING) YOU.

bugger off

hand. see BUG OFF.

bug off Also, bugger off. Go away, as in Bug off before I call the police. Both terms are often used as an imperative, as in the example, and the variant is heard more in Britain than in America. [Slang; c. 1900] For a synonym, see BUZZ OFF.

bug out 1.Bulge, as in The news will make her eyes bug out with astonishment. This expression was originally used literally for bulging eyes and later used more loosely as a sign of astonishment. [Colloquial; mid1800s] 2.

Leave, run out, as in This conference is a bore; I think I'll bug out. This usage originated as military slang for deserting and today is used more loosely. [Slang; c. 1950]

build

hand. In addition to the idioms beginning with BUILD, also see LIGHT (BUILD) A FIRE

UNDER. Also see

build down

Reduce, diminish, as in Owing to increased vigilance, traffic in narcotics is finally building down.

This term, the antonym of BUILD UP, came into use about 1980 with regard to reducing the stockpile of nuclear weapons and soon was applied more widely.

build in Also, build into. Construct or include as an integral part; also, make automatic, concomitant, or inherent. For example, Frank Lloyd Wright liked to build in as much furniture as possible, not just bookcases but desks, tables, and the like, or We've got to build some slack into the schedule for this project. The literal usage referring to physical objects dates from the late 1920s. The figurative arose a decade or so later. Both are frequently used in past participle form, that is, built in.

build on Also, build upon. Add as an extension; use as a basis or foundation. For example, They decided to build on an addition, or She was building all her hopes on passing the exam. John Locke had this idiom in his treatise on government (1689): "Sovereignty built on 'property' . . . comes to nothing." [Late 1600s]

build on sand

Use an unstable foundation, as in If you buy nothing but high-risk stocks, your portfolio will be built on sand. This metaphor appears in the New Testament, where Jesus likens those who do not heed his sayings to a foolish man who builds his house on sand, which then is washed away by rain, flood, and wind (Matthew 7:24-27). [c. 1600]

build up

1. Fill an area with houses or other buildings, urbanize. For example, We want to protect the wetlands against those who want to build up the area. [c. 1400] 2. Gradually develop, increase in stages. For example, I want to build up my endurance for the race. [Early 1700s] 3. Accumulate or collect, as in A lot of rust has built up on the farm machinery. [Mid-1900s] 4. Increase, strengthen, develop toward, as in The sound built up until it was nearly deafening, or His argument was building up to a grand climax.

[c. 1930] 5. Establish or enhance a reputation; praise or flatter. For example, Months before the official campaign could begin, they had been building up the senator's image. [c. 1930]

built

hand. see MADE (BUILT) TO ORDER; NOT BUILT THAT WAY; ROME WASN'T BUILT IN A DAY. Also see under

bulk

hand. see IN BULK.

bull

hand. In addition to the idioms beginning with BULL, also see COCK AND BULL STORY;

HIT THE BULL'S-EYE; SHOOT THE BREEZE (BULL); TAKE THE BULL BY THE HORNS.

bullet

hand. see BITE THE BULLET; SWEAT BULLETS.

bulletin board Also, electronic bulletin board. A computer service that provides facilities for people to leave messages by phone or telecomputing. For example, The National Writers Union has a bulletin board through which members communicate via their modems. Both the device and the term, alluding to the older board for posting notices, date from the late 1970s.

bull in a china shop

An extremely clumsy person, as in Her living room, with its delicate furniture and knickknacks, made him feel like a bull in a china shop. The precise origin for this term has been lost; it was first recorded in Frederick Marryat's novel, Jacob Faithful (1834).

bull session

An informal discussion, as in College students love late-night bull sessions about anything and everything, from professors to poetry to politics. This expression originally referred to an exchange of opinions and anecdotes, including stories of sexual prowess, by men, and then came to be used more broadly. [Slang; c. 1915]

bullshit artist Also, bull artist. A person who habitually exaggerates, flatters, or talks nonsense. For example, Don't believe a word of it?

he's a bullshit artist. Both versions are considered vulgar slang. The first dates from the 1940s, the second from the World War I period.

bum

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

bum around

1.Loaf, wander idly, as in After graduating he decided to bum around Europe for a year.

[Mid-1800s]

2.Frequent bars or nightclubs, as in Her father accused her of bumming around half the night and threatened to cut off her allowance. In the mid-1800s to bum was slang for going on a drinking spree. A century later, with the addition of around, it simply meant going to saloons or clubs.

bum out

1. Depress, sadden, dispirit, as in He's been really bummed out since his girlfriend moved to California. [Slang; late 1960s] 2. Annoy, irritate, vex, as in That haircut will really bum out his parents. [Slang; c. 1970] 3. Fail badly, as in I got through the midterm, but I bummed out totally on the final exam. This usage is student slang. [Late 1960s]

bump

hand. In addition to the idioms beginning with BUMP, also see GOOSE PIMPLES

(BUMPS); LIKE A BUMP ON A LOG.

bump into

1. Also, bump against. Collide, come in contact with; same as BANG INTO. For example,

It's easy to bump into furniture in the dark. [Mid-1800s] 2. Encounter, meet by chance, as in While I was downtown, I bumped into George. [Colloquial; 1880s] Also see RUN INTO.

bump off

Kill, murder, as in The convict bragged about bumping off his partner, or The first fighter plane bumped off three enemy aircraft. This term was at first principally criminal slang and somewhat later military jargon. [Slang; c. 1900]

bump up

1. Suddenly increase, as in Oil-producing nations decided to bump up the price of oil. This term is used mainly for prices or other figures. [Colloquial; 1930s] 2. Give a promotion. For example, Kevin hoped to be bumped up to first class, or After five years, she expected they would bump her up to vice-president. [Slang; second half of 1900s]

bum rap

A false accusation or conviction; also, unfair criticism or action. For example, He claimed he was in prison on a bum rap, or The theater critics gave her last play a bum rap. This expression originated in the 1920s as underworld slang, and by the mid-1900s it was also used figuratively for other kinds of injustice.

bum's rush

Forcible ejection, abrupt dismissal. For example, When Henry started shouting, the bouncer gave

him the bum's rush, or Within hours of being fired, Alice was given the bum's rush. This idiom uses bum in the sense of "a vagrant or tramp." [Slang; early 1900s]

bum steer

False or misleading information; poor advice. For example, Gene felt his doctor had given him a bum steer, as he hadn't lost any weight on the diet. [Slang; c. 1920]

bundle

hand. In addition to the idiom beginning with BUNDLE, also see MAKE A BUNDLE.

bundle of nerves

Extremely jittery, tense, or fearful person, as in For months after the accident, Aunt Jane was a bundle of nerves. [1930s]

burden of proof

Obligation of proving a disputed charge or allegation. For example, Are you sure you mailed the tax return on time? The burden of proof's on you. A legal term dating from the late 1500s, it has also been used more loosely in recent times.

burn

hand. In addition to the idioms beginning with BURN, also see CRASH AND BURN;

EARS ARE BURNING; FIDDLE WHILE ROME BURNS; (BURN) IN EFFIGY; KEEP THE HOME FIRES BURNING; MONEY BURNS A HOLE IN ONE'S POCKET; MONEY TO BURN; SLOW BURN.

burn at the stake

Execute someone by tying to a stake and burning; also, punish severely. This expression refers to a method used in the Middle Ages for putting heretics to death, but now it is used as a hyperbolic metaphor for harsh punishment, as in She was sure she'd be burned at the stake for losing the contract. In fact, the stake can be used loosely for any extreme punishment. William Makepeace Thackeray so used it in Henry Esmond (1852): "I know I would go to the stake for you,' said Harry."

burn down

1. Completely consume by fire, burn to the ground, as in Their house burned down and they had nowhere to go. [Mid-1800s] 2. Diminish for lack of fuel, as in The fire will soon burn down. [Late 1800s]

burned up

hand. see BURN UP.

burn in effigy

chestnuts out of the fire (see

hand. see IN EFFIGY.

burning question

An urgent or crucial issue under heated discussion. For example, Real estate taxes are always a burning question for the town leaders. This term has exact equivalents in French (question brûlante) and German (brennende Frage). [Mid-1800s]

burn into

Make an indelible impression on, as in An event like the Holocaust burns into the minds of all the survivors, or The scene was burned into her memory. This expression alludes to such processes as etching or engraving, where a caustic substance bites into a solid plate to make a design. [Early 1800s]

burn off

1. Dissipate by heat, as in The sun will soon burn off the morning fog. 2. Clear land by burning vegetation, as in They've decided to burn off part of the field to prepare it for another planting.

This practice has long been common in many parts of the world, but the precise term dates only from the first half of the 1800s.

burn one's bridges Also, burn one's boats. Commit oneself to an irreversible course. For example, Denouncing one's boss in a written resignation means one has burned one's bridges, or Turning down one job before you have another amounts to burning your boats. Both versions of this idiom allude to ancient military tactics, when troops would cross a body of water and then burn the bridge or boats they had used both to prevent retreat and to foil a pursuing enemy. [Late

1800s] Also see CROSS THE RUBICON.

burn oneself out

hand. see BURN OUT, def. 3.

burn one's fingers

Harm oneself, as in I'm staying away from risky stocks; I've burned my fingers often enough.

Some believe this expression came from a legend about a monkey who gets a cat to pull its

CAT'S PAW); others hold it is from an English proverb: "Burn not thy fingers to snuff another's candle" (James Howell, English Proverbs, 1659). [c. 1700]

burn out

1. Stop functioning because something, such as fuel, has been used up. For example, There's nothing wrong with the lamp; the light bulb just burned out. [Late 1300s] 2. be burned out. Lose one's home, place of work, or school as the result of a fire. For example, Hundreds of tenants are burned out every year because of negligent landlords. 3. Also, burn oneself out. Make or become exhausted or disaffected, especially with one's work or schooling. For example, Many young lawyers burn themselves out after a few years of 70-hour weeks. This metaphoric term alludes to a fire going out for lack of new fuel. Robert Southey used it in an 1816 essay: "The spirit of

Jacobinism was burnt out in France." [1970s]

burn rubber

Drive very fast, as in We'll have to burn rubber to get there in time. In this bit of automotive jargon, the rubber refers to tires that heat up when they rotate suddenly at great speed. [Slang; mid-1900s]

burn someone up

hand. see BURN UP, def. 1.

burn the candle at both ends

Exhaust one's energies or resources by leading a hectic life. For example, Joseph's been burning the candle at both ends for weeks, working two jobs during the week and a third on weekends.

This metaphor originated in France and was translated into English in Randle Cotgrave's Dictionary (1611), where it referred to dissipating one's wealth. It soon acquired its present broader meaning.

burn the midnight oil

Stay up late working or studying, as in The semester is almost over and we're all burning the midnight oil before exams. This expression alludes to the oil in oil lamps. [Early 1600s]

burn to a cinder Also, burn to a crisp. Destroy by fire; overcook. For example, If I stay in the sun too long, I'll be burnt to a cinder, or He's an awful cook?

dinner was burnt to a crisp. Although both expressions can be used literally, they also function as hyperbole, as in the examples.

burn up 1. burn someone up.

Make angry or very irritated, as in Arthur was really burned up at his son for denting the new car, or Those careless drivers just burn me up. [Colloquial; c. 1920] 2. Travel very fast, as in This car will burn up the road. [1940s] 3. Easily surpass or outdo, as in They'll burn up the other teams.

[Slang; late 1970s]

burst at the seams

Be filled to or beyond normal capacity. For example, On her wedding day the church was bursting at the seams, or That was a wonderful meal, but I'm bursting at the seams. This expression alludes to rupturing the seams of a garment too tight for the wearer and is generally used hyperbolically.

Also see COME APART AT THE SEAMS.

burst into

1. Also, burst out in or into. Break out into sudden activity. For example, burst into flames means "break out in a fire," as in This dry woodpile may well burst into flames. A version of this term, which dates from the 16th century, was used figuratively by John Milton: "Fame is the spur .

. . But the fair guerdon [reward] when we hope to find, and think to burst out into sudden blaze" (Lycidas, 1637). 2. Also, burst out. Give sudden utterance to. For example, burst into tears,

laughter, song, speech or burst out crying, laughing, singing, etc. mean "begin suddenly to weep, laugh, sing,'' and so on, as in When she saw him, she burst into tears, or I burst out laughing when I saw their outfits, or When they brought in the cake, we all burst into song. These terms have been so used since the late 1300s.

burst out

hand. see under BURST INTO.

burst with

Be overfull with something, be unable to contain oneself with an emotion. For example, Jane's award made her parents burst with pride, or Harry is bursting with the news about his promotion.

[Early 1600s]

bury one's head in the sand

hand. see HIDE ONE'S HEAD IN THE SAND.

bury the hatchet

Make peace; settle one's differences. For example, Toward the end of the year, the roommates finally decided to bury the hatchet. Although some believe this term comes from a Native American custom for declaring peace between warring tribes, others say it comes from hang up one's hatchet, a term dating from the early 1300s (well before Columbus landed in the New World). The word bury replaced hang up in the 1700s.

bush

hand. see BEAT AROUND THE BUSH; BEAT THE BUSHES FOR; BRIGHT-EYED AND BUSHY-TAILED.

bushel

hand. see HIDE ONE'S LIGHT UNDER A BUSHEL.

business

hand. In addition to the idiom beginning with BUSINESS, also see FUNNY BUSINESS;

GET DOWN TO (BUSINESS); GO ABOUT (ONE'S BUSINESS); HAVE NO BUSINESS DOING; LAND-OFFICE BUSINESS; LIKE MAD (NOBODY'S BUSINESS); MAKE IT ONE'S BUSINESS; MEAN BUSINESS; MIND ONE'S OWN BUSINESS; MONKEY BUSINESS; NONE OF ONE'S BUSINESS; OUT OF BUSINESS; SEND SOMEONE ABOUT HIS OR HER BUSINESS; THE BUSINESS.

business as usual

The normal course of some activity, as in The fire destroyed only a small section of the store, so it's business as usual. This term originated as an announcement that a commercial establishment

synonym, see

was continuing to operate in spite of fire, construction, or some similar interruption. It had been extended to broader use by 1914, when Winston Churchill said in a speech: "The maxim of the British people is 'Business as usual,'" which became a slogan for the rest of World War I. Today it may be used in this positive sense and also pejoratively, as in Never mind that most civilians are starving to death?

the ministry regards its job to be business as usual. [Late 1800s]

busman's holiday

Free time spent in much the same pursuit as one's work. For example, Weather permitting, the lifeguard spent all her days off at the beach?

a real busman's holiday. The term alludes to a bus driver spending his day off taking a long bus ride. [Late 1800s]

bust

hand. In addition to the idioms beginning with BUST, also see BREAK (BUST) ONE'S

ASS; GO BROKE (BUST).

bust a gut Also, burst a gut. 1. Exert oneself to the utmost. For example, He was busting a gut trying to please her. This hyperbolic term alludes to hurting one's mid-section through physical straining. The first slangy term dates from the early 1900s, the variant from about 1700. For a

BREAK ONE'S ASS. 2. Explode with strong feeling, especially laughter or anger. For example, Gene almost bust a gut laughing, or The foreman will burst a gut when he learns that the machine isn't repaired. The former dates from the late 1800s, the latter from about 1940.

bust one's ass

hand. see BREAK ONE'S ASS.

busy

hand. In addition to the idioms beginning with BUSY, also see GET BUSY.

busy as a beaver Also, busy as a bee. Hardworking, very industrious, as in With all her activities, Sue is always busy as a bee, or Bob's busy as a beaver trying to finish painting before it rains. The comparison to beavers dates from the late 1700s, the variant from the late 1300s. Also

see EAGER BEAVER; WORK LIKE A BEAVER.

busy work

Activity meant to take up time but not actually be productive. For example, We have to put in an eight-hour day, even if we do nothing but busy work. [c. 1840]

but

hand. In addition to the idioms beginning with BUT, also see ALL BUT; ALL OVER BUT

THE SHOUTING; ANYTHING BUT; CAN'T HELP BUT; CLOSE BUT NO CIGAR; EVERYTHING BUT THE KITCHEN SINK; GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN; IT NEVER RAINS BUT IT POURS; LAST BUT NOT LEAST; NO IFS OR BUTS; NOTHING BUT; SADDER BUT WISER; SEPARATE BUT EQUAL; SLOW BUT SURE; SPIRIT IS WILLING BUT THE FLESH IS WEAK; THERE BUT FOR THE GRACE OF GOD.

but for

Except for, were it not for. For example, But for the afternoon shower, it was a perfect day, or But for the children, they would have gotten a divorce long ago. [c. 1200]

but good

Emphatically, thoroughly, as in Ruth decided to clean up the whole yard but good.

The word but in this colloquialism functions as an intensive. Also see AND HOW.

butter

hand. In addition to the idioms beginning with BUTTER, also see BREAD AND BUTTER;

BREAD-AND-BUTTER LETTER; KNOW WHICH SIDE OF BREAD IS BUTTERED.

butterflies in one's stomach

Fluttering sensations caused by a feeling of nervous anticipation. For example, I always get butterflies in my stomach before making a speech. This term likens a nervous feeling to that resulting from swallowing live butterflies that fly about inside one. [c. 1900]

butter up

Excessively praise or flatter someone, usually to gain a favor. For example, If you butter up Dad, he'll let you borrow the car. This term transfers the oily, unctuous quality of butter to lavish praise. [c. 1700]

butter wouldn't melt in one's mouth

Be overly coy or demure; be insincere. For example, She looked quite innocent, as though butter wouldn't melt in her mouth, but we knew better. Already a proverb in John Heywood's collection of 1546, this metaphoric expression alleges that one is literally so cool that butter inside the mouth would not melt.

butt in

Interfere, interrupt, intrude. For example, Mom is always butting in on our conversations, or It's against the law for employers to butt in on personal matters. This term alludes to the thrusting of an animal with its horns. [Slang; 1890s]

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