American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms
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hand. see under ABOVE AND BEYOND.
call off
1. Summon away, restrain, as in Please call off your dog. [Early 1600s] 2. Cancel some plan or undertaking, as in She decided to call off their engagement, or In case of rain the picnic will be called off. [Late 1800s]
call of nature
Need to urinate or defecate, as in He left to answer the call of nature. This euphemism may be dying out. [Mid-1800s]
call on Also, call upon. 1. Make a request, ask for, choose, as in We are calling upon you to run for chairman, or The teacher called on Joe to answer. [c. 1400] 2. Pay a brief visit, as in The salesman said he'd call on me in the morning. Shakespeare had this usage in Antony and Cleopatra
(1:4): "I'll call upon you ere you go to bed." [Late 1500s]
call one's own
Claim or regard something as one's possession or under one's control, as in Victorian wives had almost nothing to call their own. This expression, dating from about 1600, today is often used in a negative context, as in the example. It also appears in can't call one's time one's own, which dates from the 18th century and means one spends much of one's time in someone else's service, as in The hours in this job are terrible; I can't call my time my own.
call on the carpet
Summon for a scolding or rebuke, as in Suspecting a leak to the press, the governor called his press secretary on the carpet. This term began as on the carpet, which in the early 1700s referred to a cloth (carpet) covering a conference table and therefore came to mean "under consideration or discussion." In 19th-century America, however, carpet meant "floor covering," and the expression, first recorded in 1902, alluded to being called before or reprimanded by a person rich or powerful enough to have a carpet.
call out
1. Summon into action or service, as in The governor called out the militia. [Mid-1400s] 2. Challenge to a fight, as in To avenge the insult, Arthur called him out. This term originated with dueling and is dying out. [Early 1800s]
call someone's bluff
Expose someone's deception, invite a showdown, as in I don't believe they have enough capital; I'm going to call their bluff. This term comes from poker, where bluffing (pretending) that one has better cards than one's opponents is an intrinsic part of the game, and calling someone's bluff means forcing them to show their cards. By the late 1800s it was being applied to other enterprises. Also see SHOW ONE'S HAND.
call the shots
Exercise authority, be in charge, as in It's up to the boss to call the shots. This term probably alludes to determining accuracy in target practice. [Mid-1900s] Also see CALL THE TUNE.
call the tune
Make important decisions, exercise authority, as in Nancy said that it's her turn to call the tune. The full term is Who pays the piper calls the tune, meaning whoever bears the cost of an enterprise should have authority over it. [Late 1800s] Also see the synonym
call to account
1.Hold answerable, as in One day soon we'll be called to account for the child's behavior.
[Mid-1500s]
2.Challenge or contest, as in The IRS is bound to call us to account on these
deductions. [First half of 1800s]
call to mind
Remember, recall, as in I've tried but I can't call his name to mind. This idiom was first recorded in 1472.
call to order
Formally open a meeting; also, bid people to obey the rules. For example, The chairman used his gavel to call everyone to order, or The judge called the spectators to order and threatened to make them leave. [Early 1800s]
call up
1. Summon to military service, as in He was called up for active duty. [Late 1600s]. 2. Cause to remember, bring to mind, as in These stories call up old times. [c. 1700] Also see CALL TO
MIND. 3. Telephone someone, as in I'll call up the theater and find out about tickets. [Late 1800s] 4. Retrieve data from a computer memory, as in I asked him to call up the last quarter's sales figures. [Second half of 1900s]
call upon
hand. see CALL ON.
camel
hand. see under LAST STRAW.
camp
hand. In addition to the idioms beginning with CAMP, also see BREAK CAMP; FOOT IN
BOTH CAMPS; HAPPY CAMPER.
camp follower
1. A civilian who follows or settles near a military camp, especially a prostitute who does so. For example, The re
cruits were told not to associate with camp followers. [Early 1800s] 2. A person who sympathizes with a cause or group but does not join it. For example, She's only a camp follower so we can't count on her for a contribution.
camp it up
Make an extravagant, affected, or vulgar display, as in Amateur actors often camp it up, trying to be more dramatic. Originating in the 1950s as slang for flamboyant behavior stereotypically associated with gay men, this term began to be used more loosely by about 1970. Also see HAM IT UP.
camp out
Sleep outdoors; also, stay somewhere for an unusually long time. For example, "We camped out in a field this night" (George Washington, Journal, March 18, 1748). In the early 1900s, the expression was extended to figurative uses, meaning simply "to stay somewhere for an unusually long time," as in She camped out at the stage door, hoping for an autograph.
can
hand. In addition to the idioms beginning with CAN, also see AS BEST ONE CAN; BEFORE YOU CAN SAY JACK ROBINSON; BITE OFF MORE THAN ONE CAN CHEW; CARRY THE CAN; CATCH AS CATCH CAN; GAME THAT TWO CAN PLAY; GET THE AX (CAN); IN THE CAN; MORE THAN ONE CAN SHAKE A STICK AT; NO CAN DO; YOU CAN BET YOUR ASS; YOU CAN LEAD A HORSE TO WATER; YOU CAN SAY THAT AGAIN; YOU NEVER CAN TELL. Also see under CAN'T.
canary
hand. see LOOK LIKE THE CAT THAT ATE THE CANARY.
cancel out
Neutralize the effect of, offset, render void. For example, Anne's kindness to her neighbor could not cancel out her irritability. The verb cancel was used in this way by itself from the late 1400s; out was added in the early 1900s.
candle
hand. see BURN THE CANDLE AT BOTH ENDS; GAME IS NOT WORTH THE CANDLE; HOLD A CANDLE TO.
can do with Also, could do with. Might profit from, needs, as in This room can
do with a good cleaning, or Harry could do with a new suit. [Colloquial; late 1700s] Also see DO WITH.
canned laughter Also, canned music. Prerecorded sound effects that can be played repeatedly, as in That canned laughter doesn't make his jokes any funnier, or Canned music is greatly reducing the number of musical jobs available. O. Henry had the term in his story, Cabbages and Kings (1903): "We'll export canned music to the Latins." Canned laughter today is often used in broadcasting to simulate the reaction of a nonexistent live audience. [c. 1900]
cannot
hand. see under CAN'T.
canoe
hand. see PADDLE ONE'S OWN CANOE.
can of worms
A complex unexpected problem or unsolvable dilemma, as in Tackling the budget cuts is sure to open a can of worms. This expression alludes to a container of bait used for fishing, which when opened reveals an inextricable tangle of worms.
[1920s]
can't
hand. In addition to the idioms beginning with CAN'T, also see BEGGARS CAN'T BE CHOOSERS; IF YOU CAN'T BEAT THEM, JOIN THEM; YOU CAN'T BE SERIOUS; YOU CAN'T TAKE IT WITH YOU; YOU CAN'T WIN THEM ALL. Also see under CAN.
can't abide
hand. see CAN'T STAND.
can't but Also, cannot but. 
hand. See CAN'T HELP.
can't complain
Used as a response meaning fairly good or well, to questions such as "How are you?" or "How is business?" For example, How've you been??
Can't complain.
This term means that nothing serious is wrong. [Mid-1800s]
can't do anything with
Unable to cope with or manage someone or something. For example, I can't do anything with my hair, or My teenage daughter is very difficult?
I can't do anything with her. This expression uses do in the sense of "deal with," a usage dating from the early 1500s.
can't fight City Hall
Unable to overcome bureaucratic rules, as in Brad couldn't get a permit without going through channels?
you can't fight City Hall! This term transfers the seat of city government to a more general sense of bureaucracy in any sphere. [Mid-1800s]
can't help Also, can't help but or cannot but. Be unable to do otherwise. For example, I can't help thinking that the keys will turn up eventually, or He couldn't help but believe he would pass the entrance exam, or I cannot but applaud his efforts. The first of these phrases, can't help, is always followed by a present participle whereas the others take an infinitive. [c. 1700]
can't hit the broad side of a barn
Have very poor aim. For example, That rookie can't hit the broad side of a barn, let alone strike anyone out or, as put in The New Republic
(February 19, 1990): "Their missiles couldn't hit the broad side of a barn." This hyperbolic term, dating from the mid-1800s, at first denoted poor marksmanship. Around 1900 it also began to be used in baseball, for a pitcher with poor aim.
can't make head or tail of Also can't make heads or tails of. Fail to understand, be quite confused about, as in I can't make head or tail of these directions. A version of this term dates back to Roman times, when Cicero wrote Ne caput nec pedes ("neither head nor feet") to describe confusion. In the current idiom the precise allusion is unclear: head and tail may mean top and bottom, beginning and end, or the two sides of a coin. [Second half of 1600s]
can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear
Be unable to turn something ugly or inferior into something attractive or of value, as in No matter how expensive his clothes, he still looks
sloppy?
you can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear. This expression was already a proverb in the mid-1500s.
can't punch one's way out of a paper bag
Be inept, as in Ask him to program the VCR? He can't punch his way out of a paper bag. This hyperbolic term for extreme ineptitude originally was an expression of contempt for a weak or cowardly boxer. [Slang; c. 1910] can't see beyond the end of one's nose. Also, can't see farther than the end of one's nose. Lack foresight, envisioning only immediate events or problems, as in Thomas hasn't hired an orchestra for the Christmas concert; he just can't see beyond the end of his nose. This expression originated as a French proverb that was frequently cited in English from about 1700 on. Alexander Pope used a similar expression in his Essay on Man (1734): "Onward still he goes, Yet ne'er looks forward further than his nose."
can't seem to
Be apparently unable to, as in No matter how hard I try, I can't seem to concentrate on this book. This phrase gives added emphasis to a negative statement, as in the example. [Late 1800s]
can't see the forest for the trees Also, can't see the wood for the trees. Focus only on small details and fail to understand larger plans or principles, as in Alex argues about petty cash and overlooks the budget?
he can't see the forest for the trees. This expression was al
ready a proverb in John Heywood's 1546 collection.
can't stand Also, can't abide or bear or stomach. Thoroughly dislike; be unable to put up with something or someone. For example, I can't stand the sight of her; she's obnoxious, or I can't bear to leave the country, or I can't stomach a filthy kitchen. The oldest of these synonymous expressions is can't abide, which Shakespeare used in 2 Henry IV (3:2): "She could not abide Master Shallow." Can't stand dates from the early 1600s; can't bear dates from about 1700 and often but not always is used with an infinitive; can't stomach dates from the late 1600s and today is less common than the others.
can't wait
Be very eager, anxious, or impatient, as in We can't wait for the baseball season to begin or I can't wait to see Dad?
it's been a year. While the literal sense of being unable to wait (for lack of time) is much older, this figurative usage dates only from about 1930.
cap
hand. In addition to the idioms beginning with CAP, also see FEATHER IN ONE'S CAP; HAT (CAP) IN HAND; IF THE SHOE (CAP) FITS, WEAR IT; PUT ON ONE'S THINKING CAP; SET ONE'S CAP FOR. Also see under HAT.
cap and gown
Ceremonial dress worn at graduation exercises; by extension, the academic community (also see TOWN AND GOWN). For example, Mary was very proud when she received her cap and gown for commencement. [Mid-1800s]
cap in hand
hand. see under HAT IN HAND.
capital
hand. see MAKE CAPITAL OUT OF.
cap it all
1. Also, cap it all off. Finish or complete something, as in To cap it all off they served three kinds of dessert. 2. Surpass or outdo something, as in This last story of Henry's caps them all. Both usages employ cap in the sense of "topping" something. [First half of 1800s]
captive audience
Listeners or onlookers who have no choice but to attend. For example,
It's a required course and, knowing he has a captive audience, the professor rambles on endlessly. This expression, first recorded in 1902, uses captive in the sense of "unable to escape."
carbo load
Consume a large amount of carbohydrate food, as in Karen began carbo
loading three days before the road race. This term, a clipping of "carbohydrate loading," originated among marathon runners, who were advised to build up their strength before a race by eating quantities of foods like spaghetti. [1970s]
carbon copy
A person or thing that closely resembles another, as in Our grandson is a carbon copy of his dad. Originally this term meant a copy of a document made by using carbon paper. The linguistic transfer to other kinds of duplicate survived the demise of carbon paper (replaced by photocopiers, computer printers, and other more sophisticated devices). [c. 1870]
card
hand. In addition to the idioms beginning with CARD, also see HOLD ALL THE ACES (THE TRUMP CARD); HOUSE OF CARDS; IN THE CARDS; LAY ONE'S CARDS ON THE TABLE; PLAY ONE'S CARDS CLOSE TO ONE'S CHEST; PLAY ONE'S CARDS RIGHT; TRUMP CARD; WILD CARD.
card in
Sign in to one's place of business by use of a magnetic card, as in I told him I'd card in for him if he was late tomorrow. Similarly, card out means to sign out of one's place of business, as in I want to sneak out early, so could you please card out for me at the end of the day? This term arose in the 1940s with the invention of automated check-in systems.
cards are stacked against
Many difficulties face someone or something, as in The cards are stacked against the new highway project. This term originated in gambling, where to stack the cards or stack the deck means to arrange cards secretly and dishonestly in one's own favor or against one's opponent. [Mid-1800s]
card up one's sleeve Also, ace up one's sleeve. A hidden or secret advantage or resource, as in Before we make a decision, let's see if management has another card up its sleeve, or You can count on John to have an ace up his sleeve. The practice of storing something in one's sleeve dates from the 16th century, when clothes rarely had pockets. The current term comes from gambling, where a dishonest player might
so conceal an ace or other winning card. [Mid-1800s]
care
hand. In addition to the idiom beginning with CARE, also see COULDN'T CARE LESS; DEVIL-MAY-CARE; FOR ALL (I CARE); IN CARE OF; IN CHARGE (THE CARE OF); TAKE CARE; TAKE CARE OF; TENDER LOVING CARE; THAT'S (TAKES CARE OF) THAT.
career
hand. see CHECKERED CAREER.
care package
A gift package of food or other items not readily available to the recipient, as in While I was in college, Mom sent me a care package of homemade cookies just about every month. This term
originated after World War II with CARE, an organization founded to send needed food, clothing, and other items to war-torn nations. By the 1960s the term had been transferred to sending packages of treats to children at camp, students away at school, and the like.
carpe diem
Enjoy the present and don't worry about the future, as in It's a beautiful day, so forget tomorrow's test?
carpe diem! Latin for ''seize the day," an aphorism found in the Roman writer Horace's Odes, this phrase has been used in English since the early 1800s.
carpet
hand. see CALL ON THE CARPET; RED CARPET. Also see under RUG.
carried away
hand. see CARRY AWAY.
carrot and stick
Reward and punishment used as persuasive measures, as in Management dangled the carrot of a possible raise before strikers, but at the same time waved the stick of losing their pension benefits.
This term alludes to enticing a horse or donkey to move by dangling a carrot before it and, either alternately or at the same time, urging it forward by beating it with a stick. [Late 1800s]
carry
hand. In addition to the idioms beginning with CARRY, also see FETCH AND CARRY;
(CARRY) OFF SOMEONE'S FEET.