American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms
.pdfbeating the air. These phrases call up a vivid image of someone flailing away at nothing. [Late 1300s]
beat the band
hand. see TO BEAT THE BAND.
beat the bushes for
Look everywhere for something or someone, as in I've been beating the bushes for a substitute but haven't had any luck. This term originally alluded to hunting, when beaters were hired to flush birds out of the brush. [1400s] Also see BEAT AROUND THE BUSH.
beat the clock
Finish something or succeed before time is up, as in The paper went to press at five o'clock, and they hurried to beat the clock. The term comes from various sports or races in which contestants compete within a certain time limit.
beat the drum for
Praise, promote, publicize, as in He's always beating the drum for his division, which actually has done very well. This term transfers the literal striking of a drum for ceremonial or other purposes to touting the virtues of a person, group, or product. [Mid-1900s]
beat the Dutch
hand. see under BEAT ALL.
beat the living daylights out of Also, knock or lick the hell or living daylights or shit or stuffing or tar out of. Administer a merciless beating to; also, defeat soundly. For example, The coach said he'd like to beat the living daylights out of the vandals who damaged the gym floor, or Bob knocked the stuffing out of that bully, or He swore he'd beat the tar out of anyone who tried to stop him. These colloquial phrases nearly always denote a physical attack. In the first, daylights originally (1700) meant "the eyes" and later was extended to any vital (living) body organ. Thus Henry Fielding wrote, in Amelia (1752): "If the lady says another such words to me . . . I will darken her daylights" (that is, put out her eyes). Hell here is simply a swear word used for emphasis. The more vulgar shit and the politer stuffing allude simply to knocking out someone's insides. Tar is more puzzling but has been so used since the late 1800s.
beat the meat
Masturbate, as in He was always beating the meat. This term, considered vulgar slang, is used for males, since it uses meat in the sense of "penis," a usage dating from the late 1500s.
beat the pants off Also, beat hollow. Win decisively over someone, outdo. For example, When it comes to the Patriots' Day parade, Lexington beats the pants off the neighboring towns, or This beer beats the other brands hollow. Both phrases use beat in the sense of "surpass." Pants off has served as an intensifier since about 1930; the variant dates from about 1775.
beat the rap
Escape punishment; win acquittal. For example, The youngsters were caught shoplifting, but somehow they were able to beat the rap. The rap in this idiom means "the legal charge against one." [Slang; 1920s]
beat time
Mark musical time by beating a drum, clapping, tapping the foot, or a similar means. For example,
Even as a baby, Dave always beat time when he heard music. [Late 1600s]
beat to it
1.
Get ahead of someone to obtain something, as in There was only enough for one, so Jane ran as fast as she could in order to beat Jerry to it. [Colloquial; c. 1900] 2. Also, beat to the draw or punch. React more quickly than someone else. For example, The new salesman tried to serve one of my customers, but I beat him to the draw and Bill was determined to get there first and beat everyone else to the punch. The variants imply aggression to get ahead, draw alluding to the drawing of a pistol and punch to hitting with the fists. [Second half of 1800s]
beat up
1.Strike repeatedly, as in She told the police her husband had beaten her up. [Slang; first half of 1900s]
2.Also, beat up on. Attack verbally, as in That newspaper article really beat up on the town council. [Slang; late 1900s]
beauty
hand. In addition to the idiom beginning with BEAUTY, also see THAT'S THE BEAUTY
OF.
beauty is only skin deep
External attractiveness has no relation to goodness or essential quality. This maxim was first stated by Sir Thomas Overbury in his poem "A Wife" (1613): "All the carnall beauty of my wife is but skin-deep."
beaver
hand. see BUSY AS A BEAVER; EAGER BEAVER; WORK LIKE A BEAVER.
be big on
hand. see
be bound to
hand. see
BIG ON.
BOUND TO.
be busted
1. Also, go bust. Become bankrupt, financially ruined. For example, Who knew that the brokerage firm would be busted? [Slang; early 1800s] Also see under GO BROKE. 2. Also, get busted.
Be demoted, as in If you're caught gambling you'll get busted to private. This usage originated in the military and still most often denotes a reduction in rank. [c. 1800] 3. Also, get busted. Be arrested or turned over to the police, as in The
gang members were sure they'd get busted. [Mid-1900s]
beck
hand. see AT SOMEONE'S BECK AND CALL.
become
hand. In addition to the idiom beginning with BECOME, also see idioms beginning with
GET.
become of
Happen to, befall, be the fate of, as in I haven't seen foe in a year; what has become of his book?
The King James Bible has this idiom (Genesis 37:20): "We shall see what will become of his dreams." [Late 1500s]
bed
hand. In addition to the idioms beginning with BED, also see EARLY TO BED; GET UP
ON THE WRONG SIDE OF BED; GO TO BED WITH; MAKE ONE'S BED AND LIE IN IT; MAKE THE BED; ON ONE'S DEATHBED; PUT TO BED; SHOULD HAVE STOOD IN BED; STRANGE BEDFELLOWS.
bed and board
Lodging and meals, as in Housekeepers usually earn a standard salary in addition to bed and board. This phrase was first recorded in the York Manual (c. 1403), which stipulated certain connubial duties: "Her I take . . . to be my wedded wife, to hold to have at bed and at board." Later bed was used merely to denote a place to sleep.
bed and breakfast Also, B and B. A hotel or other hostelry that offers a room for the night and a morning meal at an inclusive price. For example, Staying at a bed and breakfast meant never having to plan morning meals. This term and the practice originated in Britain and have become widespread. [Early 1900s]
bed of roses
A comfortable or luxurious position, as in Taking care of these older patients is no bed of roses.
This metaphor, first recorded in 1635, is often used in a negative context, as in the example. Also
see BOWL OF CHERRIES.
be down
1. Be depressed, in low spirits, as in During the winter months Sue's always down, but spring cheers her up. [Colloquial; mid-1800s] 2. Be knowledgeable, canny, or sophisticated, as in He was really down with the new group. This usage probably originated among jazz musicians. [Slang; mid-1940s]
bee
hand. In addition to the idiom beginning with BEE, also see BIRDS AND THE BEES;
BUSY AS A BEAVER (BEE); MAKE A BEELINE FOR; NONE OF ONE'S BUSINESS (BEESWAX).
beef
hand. In addition to the idiom beginning with BEEF, also see WHERE'S THE BEEF.
beef up
Strengthen, reinforce, as in Mary wants us to beef up her part in the play. This phrase relies on an older slang sense of beef as "muscles" or "power." [Colloquial; late 1800s]
bee in one's bonnet
A strange idea or notion; also, an idea that is harped on, an obsession. For example, Bill's got a bee in his bonnet about burglars; he's always imagining strange noises. This term, which replaced the earlier have bees in one's head, transfers the buzzing of a bee inside one's hat to a weird idea in one's head. [Second half of 1600s]
beeline
hand. see MAKE A BEELINE FOR.
been around
Been present or active; especially, gained experience or sophistication. For example, This book isn't new; it's been around for many years, or This strategy won't fool Bill; he's been around. [First half of 1900s] Also see GET AROUND.
been had
hand. see BE HAD.
been there, done that
hand. see under SEEN ONE, SEEN THEM ALL.
been to the wars
Show signs of rough treatment or injury, as in That car of yours looks as though it's been to the
wars. This term dates from the late 1300s, when, however, it tended to be used literally. The figurative usage is more recent.
before
hand. In addition to the idioms beginning with BEFORE, also see BUSINESS BEFORE
PLEASURE; CART BEFORE THE HORSE; CAST PEARLS BEFORE SWINE; LOOK BEFORE YOU LEAP; PRIDE GOES BEFORE A FALL.
before long
Soon, in the near future, as in The baby will be teething before long. This idiom was first recorded in 1865.
before the wind
Driven ahead, hurried, as in The bikers are moving before the wind, so it's hard to tell who will come in first. The literal meaning of this term is nautical, referring to a ship sailing in the same direction as the wind and being propelled forward. Its figurative use dates from the mid-1800s.
before you can say Jack Robinson Also, quicker than you can say Jack Robinson. Almost immediately, very soon, as in I'll finish this book before you can say Jack Robinson. This expression originated in the 1700s, but the identity of Jack Robinson has been lost. Grose's Classical Dictionary (1785) said he was a man who paid such brief visits to acquaintances that there was scarcely time to announce his arrival before he had departed, but it gives no further documentation. A newer version is before you know it, meaning so soon that you don't have time to become aware of it (as in He'll be gone before you know it).
before you know it
hand. see under BEFORE YOU CAN SAY JACK ROBINSON.
beg
hand. In addition to the idioms beginning with BEG, also see GO BEGGING.
beg, borrow, or steal
Obtain by any possible means, as in You couldn't beg, borrow, or steal tickets to the Olympics. This term is often used in the negative, to describe something that cannot be obtained; Chaucer used it in The Tale of the Man of Law. [Late 1300s]
beggar description
Defy or outdo any possible description, as in The stage set was so elaborate, it beggared description. This term, alluding to the idea that words are insufficient to do something justice, was already used by Shakespeare in Antony and Cleopatra (2:2), "For her own person It beggared all description."
beggars can't be choosers
Those in dire need must be content with what they get. For example, The cheapest model will have to do?
beggars can't be choosers. This expression was familiar enough to be included in John Heywood's 1546 collection of proverbs.
begin
hand. In addition to the idioms beginning with BEGIN, also see CHARITY BEGINS AT
HOME; (BEGIN TO) SEE THE LIGHT; TO START (BEGIN) WITH.
beginner's luck
Good fortune in a first attempt or effort, as in I often use a brand-new recipe for a dinner party; I trust beginner's luck. [Late 1800s]
beginning of the end, the
The start of a bad outcome (ruin, disaster, catastrophe, death), as in Joe's failing two of his courses was the beginning of the end; he dropped out soon afterward. This phrase, at first (16th century) used only to describe an approaching death, gained a new meaning after the French lost the battle of Leipzig in 1813 and Talleyrand said to Napoleon, "C'est le commencement de la fin" ("It's the beginning of the end").
begin to see daylight
Realize that a task is finally nearing completion, that success or the right solution is near at hand. For example, I've been working on this experiment for two years and I'm finally beginning to see daylight. The noun daylight has been a metaphor for knowledge and solution since the
late 1600s. Also see LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL; SEE THE LIGHT.
begin to see the light
hand. see
begin with
hand. see
SEE THE LIGHT.
START WITH.
beg off
Ask to be released from an obligation; turn down an invitation. For example, He's asked me out to dinner three times already, but I have to beg off again, or Mother couldn't take on another committee and so she begged off. [Early 1700s]
beg the question
Take for granted or assume the truth of the very thing being questioned. For example, Shopping now for a dress to wear to the ceremony is really begging the question?
she hasn't been invited yet. This phrase, whose roots are in Aristotle's writings on logic, came into English in the late 1500s. In the 1990s, however, people sometimes used the phrase as a synonym of "ask the question" (as in The article begs the question: "What are we afraid of?").
beg to differ
Disagree with someone, as in John told me Max was sure to win, but I beg to differ?
I don't think he has a chance. This courteous formula for expressing disagreement echoes similar uses of beg in the sense of "ask," such as I beg your pardon, so used since about 1600. Also see
EXCUSE ME.
be had
1. Be outwitted; also, be cheated, deceived. For example, This lawyer is a real shyster; you've been had, or I've become very cautious about these schemes; it's too costly to be had more than once.
This expression employs the verb to have in the sense of getting someone in one's power or at a disadvantage. [Slang; early 1800s] 2. Be bribed or influenced by dishonest means. For example,
Our senator's incorruptible; he cannot be had. [Slang; early 1800s]
behalf
hand. see IN BEHALF OF.
behavior
hand. see ON ONE'S BEST BEHAVIOR.
behind
hand. In addition to the idioms beginning with BEHIND, also see COME FROM BEHIND;
DROP BEHIND; FALL BEHIND; GET BEHIND; POWER BEHIND THE THRONE; PUT BEHIND ONE; WET BEHIND THE EARS; WITH ONE ARM TIED BEHIND ONE'S BACK.
behind bars
In prison, as in All murderers should be put behind bars for life. The bars here refer to the iron rods used to confine prisoners. [c. 1900]
behind closed doors
In secret, privately. For example, The nominating committee always meets behind closed doors, lest its deliberations become known prematurely. Also see
behind in
1. Also, behind on. Late with; not progressing quickly enough with. For example, The builders are behind on this project, or I can't take time out or I'll be too far behind in my work. The same idea is also expressed as behind time, where time means a schedule or appointed time, as in The bus
should have been here; it's behind time. [Early 1300s] Also see FALL BEHIND. 2. In arrears,
owing more than one should. For example, Jane and Bob are behind in their payments, so the interest will mount up. [Late 1300s]
behind someone's back
Out of one's presence or without someone's knowledge, as in Joan has a nasty way of maligning her friends behind their backs. Sir Thomas Malory used this metaphoric term in Le Morte d'Arthur
(c. 1470): "To say of me wrong or shame behind my back." [Early 1300s]
behind the eight ball
In trouble or an awkward position, out of luck, as in His check bounced, leaving Jim behind the eight ball with his landlord. The term comes from pocket billiards or pool, where in certain games if the number eight ball is between the "cue ball" and "object ball" the player cannot make a straight shot. [Colloquial; c. 1920]
behind the scenes
In secret or private, away from public view, as in His struggle for the top position took place strictly behind the scenes. This term alludes to the various activities that go on behind the curtain in theaters, out of the audience's view. [Late 1700s] Also see BEHIND CLOSED DOORS.
behind the times
Not keeping up with current fashion, methods, or ideas, as in Your accounting methods are behind the times. Charles Dickens used this idiom in Dombey and Son (1848): "I'm old-fashioned, and behind the Time." [Mid-1800s]
behind time
hand. see under BEHIND IN.
being
hand. see FOR THE MOMENT (TIME BEING); OTHER THINGS BEING EQUAL.
be in on
be into Also, get into. Be interested in or involved with. For example, She's really into yoga, or
Once you retire, it's important to get into some hobby you've always wanted to try. [Colloquial; mid-1900s]
belabor the point
Repeat an argument or other issue over and over, harp on something, as in We've discussed her decision?
let's not belabor the point. This term dates from the mid-1900s and derives from belabor in the
sense of "assail with words," a usage dating from the late 1500s.
belfry
hand. see BATS IN ONE'S BELFRY.
believe
hand. In addition to the idioms beginning with BELIEVE, also see LEAD ONE TO BELIEVE;
MAKE BELIEVE; ' D BETTER BELIEVE IT. Also see SEEING IS BELIEVING.
believe it or not
It's true, whether or not you agree, as in Believe it or not, I finally finished painting the house.
Originating in the 1800s, this phrase gained currency as the title of a cartoon series begun in 1918 by Robert Ripley and continuing to run in American newspapers long after his death in 1949. Each drawing presented a strange but supposedly true phenomenon, such as a two-headed chicken.
believe one's ears Also, believe one's eyes. Trust one's own hearing or sight, as in We couldn't believe our ears when we heard that Gene was accepted at Stanford, or I couldn't believe my own eyes when the movie stars walked in. This expression of incredulity is nearly always stated negatively, as in the examples. [Early 1600s]
believing
hand. see SEEING IS BELIEVING.
bell
hand. In addition to the idiom beginning with BELL, also see CLEAR AS A BELL; RING A
BELL; SAVED BY THE BELL; SOUND AS A BELL; WITH BELLS ON.
bell the cat, who will
Who has enough courage to do a dangerous job? For example, Someone has to tell the teacher that her own son started the fire, but who will bell the cat? This expression originated in one of Aesop's fables as retold by William Langland in Piers Ploughman (c. 1377), in which the mice decide to put a bell around the cat's neck as a warning device but then can find none among them who will actually do it.
belly
hand. see GO BELLY UP.
belong
hand. see TO THE VICTOR BELONG THE SPOILS.
below par Also, under par. Not up to the average, normal, or desired standard. For example, I am feeling below par today, but I'm sure I'll recover by tomorrow. This term employs par in the sense of "an average amount or quality," a usage dating from the late 1700s.
below the belt, hit
Not behave according to the rules or decency, unfairly, as in Bring
ing up my mother's faults?
that's really hitting below the belt. The term comes from boxing, where according to the Marquis of Queensberry Rules (1865) a fighter may punch his opponent only in the upper body or head. For a
synonym, see LOW BLOW; also see UNDER ONE'S BELT.
belt
hand. In addition to the idioms beginning with BELT, also see BELOW THE BELT; BIBLE
BELT; SUN BELT; TIGHTEN ONE'S BELT; UNDER ONE'S BELT.
belt down
Swallow very quickly, as in After the race, he belted down a whole quart of water. This phrase is frequently used for guzzling whiskey or some other liquor. [Slang; mid-1800s]
belt out
1. Knock unconscious; beat up, trounce; murder. For example, The police officer was accused of belting out the teenager before taking him to the station, or The hold-up man belted out the storekeeper and fled with the money. This expression originated in boxing. [Slang; c. 1940] 2. Sing or play music very loudly, as in She belted out the national anthem before every game. [Colloquial; c. 1950]
be my guest
Do as you wish. For example, May I drive your car??
Sure, be my guest, or Do you mind if I go to the play without you??
No, be my guest. This expression not only literally invites someone to behave as one's guest (using one's house, belongings, etc.) but also figuratively tells someone to feel free to act as he or she pleases. [Colloquial; c. 1950] Also see FEEL FREE.
bench
hand. see ON THE BENCH; WARM THE BENCH.
bend
hand. In addition to the idioms beginning with BEND, also see AROUND THE BEND;
CROOK (BEND) ONE'S ELBOW; ON BENDED KNEE. Also see under BENT.