In the Loop: A Reference Guide to American English Idioms PDF

IN THE LOOP A Reference Guide to American English Idioms  In the Loop: A Reference Guide to American English Idioms Published by the Office of English Language Programs United States Department of State Washington, DC 20037 Firs...

IN THE LOOP A Reference Guide to American English Idioms  In the Loop: A Reference Guide to American English Idioms Published by the Office of English Language Programs United States Department of State Washington, DC 20037 First Edition 2010 Adapted from: Something to Crow About by Shelley Vance Laflin; ed. Anna Maria Malkoç, Frank Smolinski Illustrated American Idioms by Dean Curry Special thanks to Elizabeth Ball for copyediting and proofreading this 2010 edition. Office of English Language Programs Bureau of Cultural and Educational Affairs United States Department of State Washington, DC 20037 englishprograms.state.gov  Contents v Introduction vi How Each Entry is Arranged 1 Part 1: Idioms and Definitions 103 Part 2: Selected Idioms by Category 107 Part 3: Classroom Activities 121 Index  Introduction Idiom: a group of words that means something In the Loop is a collection of common idioms different than the individual words it contains updated and compiled from two previous books of As with any language, American English is full idioms published by the Office of English Language of idioms, especially when spoken. Idioms Programs: Illustrated American Idioms by Dean add color and texture to language by creating Curry and Something to Crow About by Shelley Vance images that convey meanings beyond those of Laflin. In the Loop combines the popular aspects of the individual words that make them up. Idioms the previous books, while also updating the content are culturally bound, providing insight into the by including idioms that have come into use more history, culture, and outlook of their users. This recently and eliminating those that are rarely used. is because most idioms have developed over When available, background information is included time from practices, beliefs, and other aspects about the origins of the idioms. Additionally, In the of different cultures. As a culture changes, the Loop includes categories of commonly used idioms words used to describe it also change: some and suggestions to the teacher to aid in developing idioms fall out of use and others develop to classroom exercises for learning the meanings and replace them. With idioms in particular, the beliefs uses of idioms. In essence, this book is intended to or practices leading to their use may disappear while be both a teaching tool and a reference. the idiom itself continues to be used. Idioms can be Organization of this Book. In the Loop is divided so overused that they become clichés; or they can into three parts: Part 1, “Idioms and Definitions”; become slang or jargon, expressions used mainly by Part 2, “Selected Idioms by Category”; and Part specific groups or professions. 3, “Classroom Activities.” The idioms are listed Idioms can be complimentary or insulting. They can alphabetically in Part 1. Part 2 highlights some express a wide range of emotions from excitement of the most commonly used idioms, grouped into to depression, love to hate, heroism to cowardice, categories. Part 3 contains classroom suggestions and anything in between. Idioms are also used to to help teachers plan appropriate exercises for express a sense of time, place, or size. The range of their students. There is also a complete index at uses for idioms is complex and widespread. the back of the book listing page numbers for both main entries and cross-references for each idiom. The complexity of idioms is what makes them so difficult for non-native speakers to learn. How to Locate an Idiom. In Part 1, “Idioms and However, this complexity is also what can make Definitions,” idioms are listed alphabetically by idioms so interesting to study and learn; they first word. The only first words not used to place are rarely boring. Learning about idioms, in this the idioms in order are articles (a, the, some) and case those used in the United States, provides a pronouns and possessives (someone, one). Instead, way to learn not only the language, but a little these are placed at the end of the idiom, separated about the people who use it. by a comma. v How Each Entry is Arranged idiom’s main entry definition of the idiom 1 FEATHER IN (ONE’S) CAP, A an exceptional achievement 2 1. Cassandra managed through hard work to win a big contract for her company. It was a real sample sentences 3 feather in her cap. using the idiom 2. The scholarship Lee won to attend the university was a feather in his cap. Synonym: something to crow about Antonym: nothing to write home about 4 cross-referenced Compare to: feather (one’s) nest idioms for comparison additional information about the idiom 5 The practice of placing a feather in one’s cap is centuries old and appears to have been practiced in many different cultures. The feather was awarded and worn as a sign of a signif icant achievement by the wearer. In some cultures, such as in 16th century Hungary, it was even a crime to wear a feather when one had not earned the right to wear it. The idiom (1) is given first, followed by its information (5), includes notes such as the definition (2). Then, two or three example origins of the expression, restrictions on usage, sentences (3) are provided to illustrate how or any additional information that might help a the idiom is used. Occasionally, an idiom has learner understand when and how a particular more than one meaning. Where this occurs, idiom is used. each meaning for the idiom is numbered with Symbols Used in the Entries. Some idioms may corresponding numbers in the sample sentences. have one or two alternate words that are used All entries include the idiom (1), definition (2), interchangeably without altering the meaning. and sample sentences (3). One example of this is in a fix/bind/jam. In this The f inal two elements—cross-referenced idiom, fix, bind, or jam can be used without idioms (4) and additional information (5)— changing the idiom’s meaning. In such cases the are included only where relevant or available. possible alternates are separated by a slash (/). There are three types of cross-references used: Some idioms require context-specific subjects synonym, antonym, and compare to. Synonyms or objects. In these cases someone, something, are expressions that have the same meaning as or one are placed in parenthesis within the the idiom. Antonyms are expressions that mean idiom. (Someone) or (something) is used when the opposite of the idiom. Compare to includes the idiom’s object is different than the subject. expressions that might be mistaken as similar For example, in beat (someone) to the punch, to, or related to, the idiom. In the illustrated someone is a different person than the subject entr y above, for example, feather (one’s) as in I beat him to the punch. The pronoun one nest has a completely different meaning than is used when the subject and object of the idiom feather in (one’s) cap, even though they both is the same person, as in ace up (one’s) sleeve refer to a feather. The final section, additional (He had an ace up his sleeve). vi  Part 1 Idioms and Definitions A ACID TEST the most crucial or important test of worth 1. Parents might be willing to buy this new toy for their children but the real acid test is whether or not the ACE IN THE HOLE children themselves like it. a hidden but effective means of winning a 2. The acid test for laundry soap is not how well it cleans conflict in hot water, but how well it cleans in cold water. 1. The other team thinks they can win this basketball The expression originates from the use of nitric acid on gold game, but that’s only because we haven’t put our to determine whether the gold was genuine. best player in yet. He’s our ace in the hole. 2. It looked like the politician would lose the debate ACROSS THE BOARD until he brought up his ace in the hole, an argument equally for everyone, for everything, or in all that nobody could refute. cases The expression originates from some forms of the card game 1. The boss made some people angry. He gave 5% pay poker, in which players have both community cards and raises across the board but some people thought they private (“hole”) cards in their hands. To have an ace in one’s should have gotten more than others. private hand means that one can win the game without others suspecting ahead of time. 2. The car dealership was cutting prices across the board. Every car was on sale, not just a few. ACE UP (ONE’S) SLEEVE to have an effective but hidden means to ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS accomplish something the things that people do (actions) are more important than the things they say (words) 1. It looks like Joanne is going to lose, but I wouldn’t be too sure. She may have an ace up her sleeve. 1. She’s promised to be nicer to her sister from now on, but actions speak louder than words. 2. No matter how many times I think Paul might lose to me in a game of chess, he never does. He always has 2. Every politician will claim that he or she cares about an ace up his sleeve and wins every game. the problems of the average person, but actions speak louder than words. The expression originates from card games like poker, in which players might hide an extra ace up their sleeves to use in case This expression implies that we can learn about a person’s they were losing the game and wanted to cheat. true intentions by looking at what they do rather than what they say. ACHILLES’ HEEL a person’s weakness or the vulnerable spot in his ALBATROSS AROUND (ONE’S) NECK or her character something or someone that is a burden and difficult to get rid of 1. We’ve got to find his Achilles’ heel if we hope to defeat him. 1. That car costs you so much to repair. It has become an albatross around your neck. Why don’t you get rid 2. John appears to be a highly respected citizen, but I’m of it? sure he has his Achilles’ heel. 2. I hired my wife’s brother to work in my business but Achilles was a figure in Greek mythology who was invulnerable he’s worthless. He doesn’t do anything. He really is in battle except for his heel. It was the one weak spot on his an albatross around my neck. body. Synonym: millstone around (one’s) neck 1 An albatross is a large sea bird. The expression comes from ARMED TO THE TEETH the poem “The Rime of the Ancient Mariner” by Samuel T. well-equipped with weapons Coleridge, in which a sailor shoots a helpful albatross with a crossbow, bringing bad luck on the crew of the ship. The other 1. The police won’t enter the bank where the thief is. sailors hang the bird around the sailor’s neck as punishment. He’s armed to the teeth. 2. The invading soldiers were armed to the teeth. There ALL KIDDING ASIDE was no way the defenders could hope to win. speaking seriously The expression suggests having weapons (arms) from one’s 1. That was a good joke, but all kidding aside, we have toes to one’s teeth. to get to work now. 2. What you’re telling me sounds unbelievable. All AS THE CROW FLIES kidding aside, are you serious? directly or in a straight line, without roads 1. The town is 25 miles from here as the crow flies, but ALL THUMBS it’s over 40 miles by car. uncoordinated and awkward, especially with 2. As the crow flies, the airport isn’t very far, but you one’s hands can’t get there directly. You have to drive around the mountains. 1. I’ve tried to put this toy together according to the instructions, but I’m all thumbs. I can’t seem to get The expression is used to describe the distance between two the parts to fit. points as an airplane or bird might fly, without taking into account the twists and turns in the road. 2. Peter seems to be all thumbs today. He keeps dropping his tools. AT LOGGERHEADS ALL WET in strong disagreement, in a quarrel; at an wrong to the point of being silly or unbelievable impasse 1. He’s all wet if he thinks I’m going to believe his lies. 1. They have been arguing all day about what to do. They really are at loggerheads. 2. Don’t listen to Maria. She doesn’t know what she’s talking about. She’s all wet. 2. John and Richard are at loggerheads about what would be a fair price for the car. John thinks Compare to: not know beans about (something); out to lunch; Richard’s price is far too low. for the birds; talk through (one’s) hat AT (ONE’S) WITS’ END ALONG FOR THE RIDE, GO/COME at a loss about what to do next; in a state of to be present for an activity without taking part frustration in it 1. When the woman looked around and couldn’t find 1. Janet’s brothers went up into the mountains to do her little daughter, she looked up and down every some fishing. Janet doesn’t fish, but she went along aisle in the store until she was at her wits’ end. She for the ride. was almost hysterical when another customer in the 2. I don’t need to do any shopping, but perhaps I’ll store suggested that she notify the store’s security come along for the ride if that’s okay with you. officer. The expression suggests that the ride itself is the extent of the 2. We can’t seem to persuade our son to stay in school. person’s participation in the activity, and that the person does We have tried every argument we can think of, but not take part in the activity that is the purpose of the ride. nothing seems to help. We don’t know what to do, and we’re at our wits’ end. APPLE OF (ONE’S) EYE Synonyms: at the end of (one’s) rope a person or thing that is precious or loved above Compare to: keep (one’s) wits about (oneself); use (one’s) wits; all else scared out of (one’s) wits 1. Richard is so attached to his daughter that he would The word wits means mental abilities. do anything for her. She’s the apple of his eye. 2. The boy won’t behave in school, but you can’t AT THE DROP OF A HAT convince his parents. He’s the apple of their eye. on any pretext; without needing an excuse or Centuries old, this expression stems from the ancient belief reason that the pupil of the eye was solid and shaped like an apple. 1. Those workmen look for any reason to stop working. The pupil was considered precious since one could not see They’ll put down their tools at the drop of a hat. without it. 2. Nancy really doesn’t want to stay in her present job. She’ll leave for another one at the drop of a hat. 2 AT THE END OF (ONE’S) ROPE no longer able to deal with a bad situation 1. I just don’t know what to do with my son. He has misbehaved all day. I’m at the end of my rope. 2. We can’t tolerate that dog anymore. We’re going to give it away because we’re at the end of our rope. Synonyms: at (one’s) wits’ end AX TO GRIND a hidden reason for wanting something or for not liking someone or something 1. Don’t listen to Claudia when she tells you how bad that teacher is. She has had an ax to grind since he failed her last year. 2. Why do you keep telling me not to buy anything from that store? Do you really think they sell bad products, or do you have some kind of an ax to grind? 3  B 2. Paul is not a very nice person. He is always giving people backhanded compliments that sound like he is being nice when he is really just insulting them. Compare to: damn with faint praise BACK TO SQUARE ONE, GO The term backhanded combines the meaning of back meaning return to the beginning insincere or malicious and hand meaning to give. 1. The editor didn’t like the article I wrote for the newspaper. She told me to redo it, so I guess I’ll have BACK-SEAT DRIVER to go back to square one. a person who gives driving orders when he/she 2. The builders constructed a building that didn’t meet is not the driver the city’s requirements. Now they’ll have to tear 1. Why must you tell me every time you see a red light it down and begin building again. They’re back to ahead? I’m the one who is driving. Stop being a back- square one. seat driver. Synonyms: start from scratch 2. Andy’s mother always made him nervous when he Compare to: back to the drawing board drove her to the store. She would tell him where to turn, how fast to drive, and where to park. She was a Whereas back to the drawing board is used for the idea of back-seat driver. re-planning or redesigning, back to square one can apply to starting any activity over. The expression originates from the When cars were first developed in the 1920s, wealthy car idea of a game board on which square one is the square where owners would often ride in the back seats, telling their drivers the game begins. where to go, where to turn, etc. Now such a practice by anyone is seen as intrusive and rude. BACK TO THE DRAWING BOARD, GO return to the planning stage of a project BAD BLOOD negative or ill feelings 1. Our plan to raise money for a new swimming pool didn’t work. Now we’re back to the drawing board and 1. The young man and woman knew their parents would trying to think of a better plan. not approve of their marriage because there was bad blood between the families. 2. The idea of buying computers for the public schools through the lottery failed. The city leaders had to go 2. Those two brothers will never get along. There is too back to the drawing board to think of another way to much bad blood between them. come up with the money. Compare to: back to square one BARK UP THE WRONG TREE to misdirect one’s efforts or argument The expression originates from the idea that plans and designs are developed on a drawing board. 1. If Frank is trying to get a pay raise from the assistant manager, he’s barking up the wrong tree. Only the manager can authorize a pay increase. BACK TO THE WALL, HAVE (ONE’S) to be in a difficult or desperate situation 2. Janice is angry at me because she thinks I took her books, but she’s barking up the wrong tree. I had 1. Gary lost his job over a month ago and he has spent nothing to do with it. all his savings paying his bills. Now he doesn’t have any more money, and his back is to the wall. This expression stems from the 19th century American frontier practice of hunting raccoons using hunting dogs. When the 2. My back was to the wall. It seemed like my only raccoon attempted to escape up a tree, the dog was supposed choices were to try to save the company with my to remain at the foot of the tree barking until the hunter personal savings or pull out and let the company go arrived. However, if the dog went to the wrong tree, especially while I still had some money left. at night, or the raccoon jumped to the branches of another Compare to: in a bind; in a fix; in a jam; behind the eight ball tree, the hunter would end up focusing on the wrong tree. BACKHANDED COMPLIMENT BATS IN (ONE’S) BELFRY, HAVE a criticism that is phrased in such a way that it harmlessly crazy or eccentric appears to be a compliment 1. You must have bats in your belfry if you think your 1. Patricia said she can’t wear fake gold jewelry the way parents will let you see that movie. I can because it turns her skin green, and I think she 2. Don’t listen to her. She doesn’t know what she’s was giving me a backhanded compliment. She was talking about. She has bats in her belfry. really letting everyone know that she wears real gold Synonym: have a screw loose, out to lunch, off one’s rocker jewelry while the jewelry I have on is fake. A belfry is the tower of a church where the bell hangs, and is analogous to one’s head. If a person has room for bats in his head, his head is full of space rather than brains. 4 BEAT A DEAD HORSE BEHIND THE EIGHT BALL to argue or pursue a point or topic without the in a difficult situation or position possibility of success 1. Barbara’s parents have told her to study medicine 1. They should give up trying to argue with the boss on but she really wants to study law. How is she going to that subject. They’re beating a dead horse. explain this to them? She’s behind the eight ball. 2. The boy kept asking for a motorcycle, but his mother 2. My wife wants me to hire my brother-in-law to work told him he could not have one and she would not in my company, but I don’t want to because he’s very change her mind. She told him he was beating a dead lazy. I’m behind the eight ball on this one. horse. Synonyms: back to the wall; in a bind/fix/jam; between the Synonyms: run (something) into the ground devil and the deep blue sea; between a rock and a hard place The expression is usually used to describe verbal communication. The expression comes from the game of billiards, or pool, in which the eight ball is always pocketed last. If one accidentally sinks the eight ball before the others, one automatically loses BEAT A HASTY RETREAT the game. Trying to hit another ball that is too close to the to run very fast in the opposite direction eight ball is seen as a risky situation. 1. The old man came out on the porch to chase away the small boys who were throwing rocks at his windows. BELOW THE BELT, HIT (SOMEONE) When they saw him, they beat a hasty retreat. to act unfairly 2. The cat wandered into the neighbor’s yard, but it 1. John told Robert about the job he was planning to beat a hasty retreat when it saw the dog. apply for and Robert went out and got it himself! Synonym: make tracks Robert doesn’t play fair. He hits below the belt. 2. Mary introduced Sally to her boyfriend, Mike, and BEAT ABOUT/AROUND THE BUSH before she knew it, Sally and Mike were dating. That to speak or write evasively; to talk around an was below the belt. issue The expression originates from the sport of boxing, in which it 1. Judy couldn’t come right out and tell her fiancé that is against the rules to hit one’s opponent below his or her belt. she no longer wanted to marry him. She had to beat around the bush until he understood. BEND (SOMEONE’S) EAR 2. If you disagree with my opinion, just tell me. Don’t to talk to someone for a long time beat around the bush. 1. I dread it every time that woman calls me on the Antonym: get to the point telephone because she bends my ear about how her children don’t appreciate her. Synonyms: stonewall; hem and haw 2. Don’t mention politics to Bill. He loves talking about The phrase originates from a hunting practice dating to the politics and he’ll bend your ear about it for hours. 15th century, in which hunters hired ‘beaters’ to drive small animals out of bushes where the hunters could more easily The expression usually has a negative connotation. get to them. The beaters would lightly beat around the edges of the bushes to lure the animals out without completely BESIDE (ONESELF) frightening them away. distraught; very anxious and troubled 1. When the mother couldn’t find her young son in the BEAT (SOMEONE) TO THE PUNCH crowd, she was beside herself with worry. to do something before someone else does it 2. I was beside myself when I realized the fire had 1. They decided to make an offer to buy the house, but destroyed my house. when they did, they found that someone else had already bought it. Someone beat them to the punch. BESIDE THE POINT 2. Linda was going to invite him out to lunch but he irrelevant beat her to the punch. He invited her before she had a chance to ask him. 1. Your excuse for not giving me your homework on Monday is beside the point. It was due the Friday before. BEAT THE BUSHES 2. Her argument that she needed a new dress for the to search exhaustively dance was beside the point. We simply couldn’t afford 1. We’ll have to beat the bushes if we want to find one. another editor as good as Arthur was. 3. The judge decided that the lawyer’s argument was 2. I’ve beat the bushes trying to find the right spare beside the point, and told the jury to disregard it. part for my old car, but I haven’t found it yet. This idiom stems from the idea of being separate from, or not Compare to: leave no stone unturned part of, the main idea (the point). 5 BET (ONE’S) BOOTS BEYOND THE PALE to be sure beyond or outside the limits of morally or 1. Paula’s never late. If she said she would be here at socially acceptable behavior 9:00, you can bet your boots she will be. 1. That remark Jerry made wasn’t simply in poor taste. 2. I’ll bet my boots that the salesman will try to get us to It was beyond the pale. buy a more expensive car. They always do. 2. Ron received an invitation to dinner and didn’t have Synonym: bet (one’s) bottom dollar the decency to let his hosts know he wouldn’t be able to attend. I think that kind of behavior is beyond the Whereas bet one’s bottom dollar can be used in both the pale. affirmative and negative, bet one’s boots is used only in the affirmative. The word pale in this expression should not be confused with the adjective meaning “colorless.” Here, pale means a region surrounded by a paling or fence and ruled by a governing body. BET (ONE’S) BOTTOM DOLLAR In British history, the pale was the area in and around Dublin, to be sure Ireland, which was colonized and ruled by the English. Beyond 1. I know you think you’re going to get that job, but the pale was anything outside this area. To the English, this don’t bet your bottom dollar on it. was synonymous with being outside law and order, i.e. outside civilization. 2. I’m sure they’ll be married before the end of the year. I’d bet my bottom dollar on it. BIG CHEESE Synonym: bet (one’s) boots an important, powerful or influential person Whereas bet one’s boots is used only in the affirmative, bet 1. You can tell he’s the big cheese in this city because one’s bottom dollar can be used in both the affirmative and everyone listens to what he says – even the mayor. the negative. 2. She must really think she’s a big cheese. She speaks to her co-workers as if they were her servants. BETWEEN A ROCK AND A HARD PLACE facing two difficult outcomes for the same Synonyms: bigwig; big shot; big wheel; head honcho situation BIG FISH IN A SMALL POND 1. Ralph found out that his brother cheated on an exam, and he knows he should tell the teacher, but a person who is considered important primarily he is hesitating because it’s his brother. He’s caught because the place or setting is small between a rock and a hard place. 1. I accepted a teaching position in a small village 2. The doctor told his patient that he had a very overseas because I will have responsibilities that I contagious disease and that it was important to tell wouldn’t be able to get for years in a big city. I like his family. When the man refused, the doctor didn’t the idea of being a big fish in a small pond. know whether he should call his patient’s family and 2. Diane was a big fish in a small pond in her hometown, tell them. He was between a rock and a hard place. but when she moved to New York City, nobody knew Synonym: between the devil and the deep blue sea who she was. Compare to: in a bind/fix/jam; over a barrel; behind the eight ball BIG SHOT an important, powerful, or influential person Between a rock and a hard place is more dramatic than in a bind and would be used when the problem of choice has no 1. The company’s big shots are getting free trips to apparent or easy solution. Hawaii this year. 2. Now that you’ve been made a vice-president, you’re BETWEEN THE DEVIL AND THE DEEP BLUE SEA really a big shot, aren’t you? facing two difficult outcomes for the same Synonyms: big wheel; bigwig; big cheese; head honcho, situation heavyweight 1. I consider both Paul and Mitch to be friends of mine. The expression big shot is of ten used sarcastically or Now they are mad at each other and each wants me disparagingly. to take his side against the other. No matter what I do I could lose one friend or both. I’m between the devil and the deep blue sea. 2. Dana’s really between the devil and the deep blue sea. The boss wants her to lie about the financial state of the company. If she does, it would be unethical, but if she doesn’t, the boss might find a way to fire her. Synonym: between a rock and a hard place 6 BIG WHEEL Whereas face the music focuses more on accepting an important, powerful, or influential person responsibility for some misdeed, bite the bullet and grin and bear it focus more on preparing oneself to accept something 1. All the big wheels get the use of company cars and painful or difficult. The expression originates from the practice parking spaces right next to the door of the building. where, before the days of anesthesia, a person undergoing an 2. Janet says she doesn’t want to become a big wheel operation might have been told to bite down on a bullet to in the company because she doesn’t want so much distract from the pain. responsibility. Synonyms: bigwig; big shot; big cheese; head honcho, BITE THE DUST heavyweight to be destroyed or ruined beyond repair; slang for “to die” BIGWIG 1. The boss didn’t like my proposal and he wants me to an important, powerful or influential person start over. Another good idea bites the dust. 1. Fred likes to think he’s a bigwig but he really doesn’t 2. I think this lamp just bit the dust. It broke and I have much power outside his own department. know it’s not worth fixing. 2. Did you see all the expensive cars in the parking lot outside? There must be a meeting of company bigwigs BITTER/HARD PILL TO SWALLOW today. a difficult or unpleasant reality to deal with Synonyms: big wheel; big shot; big cheese; head honcho 1. John discovered the hard truth about responsibility. He didn’t get his college application in on time and Compare to: heavyweight the school won’t reconsider. It was a hard pill to The expression bigwig is usually applied to a person high up swallow, but he had to learn the hard way. in a corporate structure. 2. Jill thought she was a good singer. When her brother told her she was tone-deaf, it was a bitter pill to BIRD’S-EYE VIEW swallow. a broad view or overview of something or The expression suggests something that, like a pill, is someplace unpleasant but cannot be avoided. 1. This outline will give you a bird’s-eye view of my new book. BLACK AND BLUE 2. The flight attendant said if we sit on the right side of discolored from a bruise; injured in a fight either the airplane, we’d get a bird’s-eye view of the Grand physically or verbally Canyon. 1. The girl fell out of the tree but didn’t break any The expression suggests the view that a bird gets when it bones. She just had a black and blue knee. flies overhead. 2. James came out of the meeting black and blue, since he had made so many mistakes preparing the report BITE OFF MORE THAN (ONE) CAN CHEW without consulting his boss. to take on more work or responsibility than one can accomplish BLACK MARKET 1. Sue plans to oversee the construction of her new a system of buying and selling illegal goods or house at the same time that she has taken on a lot of goods at illegal prices or quantities volunteer work at her son’s school. I think she has 1. During the war each household was allotted a small bitten off more than she can chew. amount of sugar and butter each month. If you 2. They can’t keep up with the number of classes wanted more, you had to buy it on the black market. they’re taking at the university. They bit off more 2. There is a growing black market for consumer goods than they can chew. that are difficult or impossible to find here. BITE THE BULLET BLACK OUT to face a difficult or unpleasant situation to lose consciousness temporarily 1. With our credit cards, we’ve been spending more 1. After my operation, the doctor told me not to drive money than we have. We’re going to have to bite for a few months because I might black out and have the bullet and figure out a way to pay for everything an accident. we’ve charged. 2. Tom was walking down the street in the hot sun. He 2. The doctor says you’re going to have to change your became dizzy and then blacked out. life style unless you want to become very sick. It’s time to bite the bullet, take a look at what you’re A blackout means a period of unconsciousness. The expression doing to yourself, and change before it’s too late. is also used when the electricity goes out in a city. As a noun, blackout is one word. Compare to: face the music; grin and bear it; take the bull by the horns 7 BLACK SHEEP BLOW OFF STEAM an outcast to express one’s anger, usually noisily and 1. I haven’t seen my uncle since I was a child, because harmlessly, thereby relieving one’s tension he isn’t in contact with my parents. He’s the black 1. Forgive me for yelling at you. I guess I just had to sheep of the family. blow off some steam. 2. All the girls in that family except Mary grew up to 2. When my mother needs to blow off steam, she slams become respected members of the community. She the cupboard doors. was the black sheep of the family. Synonyms: blow (one’s) stack; fly off the handle The expression probably originates from the fact that most sheep are white and only the very different ones are black. The expression suggests the noise created when a steam boiler releases excess pressure. BLACK TIE BLUE formal dress in which men wear black bow ties sad and dinner jackets or tuxedos and women wear formal, usually floor-length dresses 1. Rachel seems pretty unhappy these days. I wonder why she’s feeling blue. 1. The dinner was black-tie, so all the men wore black bow ties and dinner jackets. 2. Let’s try to cheer up the children. They’ve been pretty blue since their pet dog died. 2. The film star’s wedding was black-tie. It was a glamorous affair that I’ll never forget. Synonyms: down in the dumps; down in the mouth The expression originates from the black bow tie that is part of men’s formal dress. BLUE-BLOOD a person (or animal) that is an aristocrat or from BLOW (ONE’S) OWN HORN a noble family to boast or brag 1. The young man’s parents did not want him to marry the woman he had chosen because they considered 1. Keith lets everyone know that the boss is going to themselves blue-bloods and thought their son was make him the new assistant manager. He likes to too good for her. blow his own horn. 2. The racehorses raised on my father’s horse farm are 2. Ruth won’t make many friends if she keeps blowing blue-bloods—they come from a long line of Kentucky her own horn about her accomplishments. Derby winners. Dating back to at least the 16th century, this phrase is a reference to the practice of blowing horns to announce the BLUE LAW arrival of important officials such as kings. To blow one’s own horn is to boast or claim a position of superiority over others. a law which regulates personal behavior such as going to certain movies, dancing, or gambling BLOW (ONE’S) STACK 1. In the United States in 1920, a blue law was passed to become suddenly very angry prohibiting the sale of alcoholic beverages. It was later repealed. 1. When Emily’s father saw the damage she had done to the family car, he blew his stack. 2. Some cities have blue laws that limit or prohibit such activities as dancing and gambling. 2. I hope the boss doesn’t blow his stack when he finds out I didn’t finish this work on time. BLUE RIBBON Compare to: raise Cain; fly off the handle; get (one’s) dander renowned (sentence 1); first prize (sentence 2) up; blow off steam 1. The president assembled a blue ribbon panel of experts to study the problem. BLOW/RUN HOT AND COLD to have mixed or inconsistent feelings about 2. Sally’s science project won the blue ribbon because it was the best in the contest. something The expression originates from the blue ribbon that is often 1. I don’t understand Jack. One day he’s really nice to presented to the best entry in a contest. me, and the next day he couldn’t care less. He blows hot and cold. 2. Pam blows hot and cold about studying nursing. Sometimes she says she would enjoy it and sometimes she says it would be too much work. 8 BLUE-COLLAR WORKER BORN YESTERDAY a person who earns a living doing manual labor, naive or generally uses his or her body rather than his 1. Do you really think you can fool me? I’m not that or her mind to earn a living dumb. I wasn’t born yesterday, you know. 1. Sam works on an assembly line mass-producing clock 2. Philip is going to get hurt if he goes on trusting radios. He’s a blue-collar worker. everyone the way he does. He never suspects that people make friends with him just because he is rich. 2. People who work in factories doing heavy labor are He acts like he was born yesterday. usually blue-collar workers. Compare to: wet behind the ears Antonym: white-collar worker The expression suggests that someone who was born yesterday The expression originates from the color of the shirt generally has not learned to distrust or be suspicious of people and is worn by factory workers while on the job. therefore naive. Wet behind the ears suggests inexperience, while born yesterday suggests that the person is easily fooled. BOILING POINT the point at which one loses one’s temper BOTH FEET ON THE GROUND 1. You’ve just about pushed me to the boiling point. In a (to be) realistic and practical minute I’m going to lose my temper. 1. They’re getting married very suddenly. They say 2. Don’t push the boss too hard about taking time off they have both feet on the ground and that they have work. She hasn’t had much patience this week and it given it serious thought, but I have my doubts. wouldn’t take much to reach her boiling point. 2. You’re leaving school before you graduate? I don’t Compare to: make (one’s) blood boil think you know what you’re doing. Are you sure you The expression suggests heated water whose surface erupts have both feet on the ground? with bubbles when it reaches a particular temperature. Synonym: down-to-earth Antonym: head in the clouds BOMB to fail completely BOTTOM LINE, THE 1. The playwright’s new play closed on the first night. It the net result (sentence 1), or the simple and bombed. irrefutable truth (sentence 2) 2. They thought they had hired an exciting speaker but 1. You’ve told me about the down payment, the closing instead he really bombed. costs, the interest rate, and the price of the house. Compare to: lay an egg What’s the bottom line? How much money am I actually going to have to spend on this house? Whereas bomb is usually applied to creative activities (e.g., a play, a book, a movie, an idea) that fail on a grand scale, lay 2. You and I can argue around and around on this issue, an egg is usually applied to doing something that is socially but the bottom line is that our children will have to go to embarrassing on a smaller scale. college if they want to get well-paid jobs in the future. Synonyms: long and short of it, nitty-gritty BONE OF CONTENTION, A The expression is often used to describe a monetary figure a topic of dispute (sentence 1), but it also describes the basic, (supposedly) 1. The subject of politics is a bone of contention between undeniable truth of an argument (sentence 2). The expression Sandra and me—we never seem to agree. probably originates from the accounting practice of adding together the profits and subtracting the costs to arrive at a 2. John wants to send the children to a private school, final figure under the bottom line on a spreadsheet or in a and I think it’s unnecessary. It’s a bone of contention ledger or account book. between us. Compare to: bone to pick, a BOTTOM OF THE BARREL The expression suggests a bone thrown between two dogs that the least able member of a group; the least would naturally fight over it. desirable items from a collection 1. That’s probably the worst idea I’ve ever heard! You’ve BONE TO PICK, A really reached the bottom of the barrel, haven’t you? a dispute 2. I guess we can ask George to help. But in my opinion, 1. I have a bone to pick with Anne. She told the boss I we’re scraping the bottom of the barrel if we have to was looking for a new job and now he’s angry at me. turn to him. 2. You could tell by the angry look on their faces and Antonym: cream of the crop the way they walked in looking for Jane that they This idiom is often used with the verbs “to reach” or “to had a bone to pick with her. scrape,” as in the examples, and is used to express a negative Compare to: bone of contention opinion about a person or thing. 9 BOTTOMS UP! BRING DOWN THE HOUSE a call to drink; to empty one’s glass to be a great success 1. We had better finish our drinks because the bar is 1. The comedian at the dinner show is wonderful. He closing. Bottoms up! brings down the house every night. 2. Young Timmy did not want to drink his medicine, but 2. The music critic didn’t like the new symphony being bottoms up! his mother insisted as she pressed the presented at the concert hall. In his newspaper glass into his hands. review, he said it would never bring down the house. The expression suggests the idea that the bottom of one’s The expression is almost exclusively used to describe glass will be up when one drinks. It is informal. theatrical or musical performances, but it could also be used for any event that would generate applause. It suggests that BOXED IN/BOX (SOMEONE) IN when an artistic performance is a great success, the audience applauds so noisily as to make the ceiling and walls of the restricted; to restrict someone theater collapse. 1. David feels boxed in because he is stuck in a dead- end job and he doesn’t have any options. BRING HOME THE BACON 2. Don’t box yourself in by spending all your savings on to bring money into the household to support a the most expensive car and not having any money family left in case of an emergency. 1. It’s romantic to marry someone you love, but when you set up your household, you’re going to have bills BRAINSTORM to pay. You should think about marrying someone to generate many ideas quickly who will help bring home the bacon. 1. When faced with a complicated problem, it is often 2. Leo became ill and couldn’t work anymore, so his useful to brainstorm several possible solutions first wife went back to work. Now she’s the one who brings before deciding on which strategy you will apply. home the bacon. 2. Before we began writing, our teacher asked us to brainstorm topics for our compositions. BRUSH-OFF, GET/GIVE (SOMEONE) THE Brainstorming is often a formal step in problem solving. The to be dismissed casually and almost cruelly goal is to generate potential solutions without immediately 1. Sue accepted John’s invitation to the dance, but evaluating them. Evaluation is carried out as a subsequent when Wayne asked her to go, she gave John the step. The word “brainstorm” is a verb, but its –ing form, brush-off and told him she didn’t want to go with brainstorming, is often used as a noun (as in the first sentence him. in this paragraph). 2. The boss told me that he was busy right then and that I should come back later. I told him, “Don’t give BREADWINNER me the brush-off. I deserve an honest answer from somebody that provides financially for his or her you.” family The expression suggests the idea of brushing a small piece of 1. When Harold quit his job and went back to school, lint or dirt from one’s clothing. It is usually used where one he and his wife needed to adjust to having one person is superior to (or thinks he is superior to) the other. breadwinner instead of two. 2. When her family needed more money, Tara got a job BUG after school to help out. She became a breadwinner. to bother, annoy, or irritate mildly 1. I told you I would have that report done by the end BREAK THE ICE of the day, so stop bugging me about it. to get things started, particularly by means of a 2. The children bugged their mother about going to the social introduction or conversation movies until she lost her temper. 1. It didn’t take long for the guests at the party to Compare to: rub (someone) the wrong way; set (one’s) teeth break the ice. By the time dinner was served, almost on edge; get (someone’s) dander up; get (someone’s) goat everyone was chatting with someone they had just met. Whereas get someone’s dander up means to irritate in earnest, bug means to annoy harmlessly or perhaps humorously. The 2. I’m afraid we haven’t met. Let me break the ice by expression suggests a bug flying around one’s head. introducing myself. My name is John Taylor. The expression suggests the idea of breaking through an icy surface to clear a path for ships. 10 BULL IN A CHINA SHOP BURN THE MIDNIGHT OIL insensitive to delicate situations; to be so clumsy to stay up late at night studying or working that one breaks things inadvertently 1. If they expect to pass the test tomorrow, they’ll have 1. Tom was a bit of a bull in a china shop when he met to open their books and begin burning the midnight his girlfriend’s family, asking all the wrong kinds of oil. questions about her relatives. 2. The boss expects to see the new plans tomorrow. The 2. Larry can’t take his son into the glassware store only way I’m going to be able to finish them in time because he always manages to break things. He’s like is to burn the midnight oil tonight. a bull in a china shop. The expression suggests burning the oil in an oil lamp for light in order to work in the dark. BUM STEER, GIVE SOMEONE A bad advice or instructions BURNED OUT 1. My stockbroker really gave me a bum steer. I bought lacking enthusiasm due to overexposure or too a stock he recommended and it did nothing but go much of the same thing; completely used up; down. worn out 2. Kim stopped at a gas station for directions to city 1. Scott just couldn’t face another semester studying hall. The mechanic told her how to get there, but he chemistry. He had taken so many chemistry classes gave her a bum steer and she got lost again. that he was burned out. 2. Betty got burned out spending so much time BURN (ONE’S) BRIDGES volunteering at the hospital. She decided she needed to take a course of action that makes it a vacation. impossible to go back The expression suggests a device like a light bulb that burns 1. If you commit yourself to that course of action, you’ll out (stops shining) when all of its energy is used up. be burning your bridges and you won’t be able to start over. BURNING QUESTION 2. Anita decided she ought to leave herself the option a question that deserves or demands discussion of going back to school. She decided not to burn all 1. I don’t think there’s any doubt that he loves her, but her bridges. will he marry her? That’s the burning question. 2. It’s not a matter of which college he should apply BURN RUBBER to, since he can get into both of them. The burning to accelerate with tires so quickly from a stopped question is, what should he study once he gets there? position that the rubber tires make a loud squealing noise and leave a black mark on the BURY THE HATCHET street; slang expression meaning to hurry to end a dispute 1. The traffic light turned green. The car tires squealed 1. This argument has gone on too long. Why don’t we as the driver pushed the gas pedal to the floor and bury the hatchet once and for all? burned rubber. 2. I will always be sorry that my father and I fought 2. We’re going to have to burn rubber if we hope to get before he died and I never got a chance to bury the to the wedding on time. hatchet. This expression is also used as slang for “hurry.” Compare to: clear the air The expression may originate from a Native American custom BURN THE CANDLE AT BOTH ENDS of burying a hatchet as a sign of agreeing to peace. to overwork oneself 1. Marie works all day and goes to school every BUTT IN evening, then she has to get up early in order to to interfere (sentence 1) or literally to push one’s study. She’s wearing herself out. She’s burning the way in between other people (sentence 2) candle at both ends. 1. This argument is between your sister and me, and it 2. You really burn the candle at both ends. You’ve got to doesn’t concern you. Don’t butt in. start taking it easy or you’ll end up in the hospital. 2. We’ve been waiting patiently in this long line, and The expression suggests that one is wasting one’s resources that woman just butted in ahead of us. She should or energy. have gone to the end of the line to wait like the rest of us. The expression suggests a ram butting with its horns. 11 BUTTER (SOMEONE) UP BY THE SEAT OF (ONE’S) PANTS, DO to flatter someone, usually excessively, in order (SOMETHING) to gain a favor to accomplish something by luck and instinct 1. My husband brought me candy and sent flowers, and rather than skill now he’s telling me how good my cooking is. I think 1. At the last minute, the boss was taken ill and Kate he wants something and he’s trying to butter me up had to give the sales presentation. She was not so that I’ll agree. sure of the best way to proceed, but she used the 2. If you want the professor to do you a favor, just ask notes that the boss had prepared and followed her her. Don’t butter her up. instincts. She managed the presentation by the seat of her pants. This idiom is a reference to the act of ‘covering’ someone in praise or flattery, like covering a slice of bread with butter. 2. The children had never cooked a whole meal or used the washing machine before. When their mother left in an emergency, they kept things going at the house BUY (SOMETHING) FOR A SONG by the seat of their pants. to buy something very cheaply Synonyms: wing it; play it by ear 1. Sue and Dennis found an antique painting in that shop, but the salesman didn’t know its true value. It must be worth a small fortune, and they bought it for BY THE SKIN OF (ONE’S) TEETH a song. by a very narrow margin 2. The man was desperate to get rid of his car, so I was 1. The thief leaped from one building to another to able to buy it for a song. escape the police. He almost missed the second building, but he made it by the skin of his teeth. The expression suggests that one can buy something by just singing a song. 2. Dan and Mark were swimming in the ocean and spotted a shark coming toward them. They swam to their boat and pulled themselves out of the water BY HOOK OR BY CROOK just in time. They made it out of the water by the skin by one way or another; by any means possible of their teeth. 1. Margaret was determined to lose 25 pounds before Synonym: hair’s breadth summer by hook or by crook. Compare to: close shave 2. Bruce would be such an asset to this company, but there aren’t any positions open right now. By hook or The expression suggests that something is as narrow as the by crook, we’ll have to get him a job in this office. (nonexistent) skin on one’s teeth. The expression connotes that rules or convention may be broken in order to achieve the goal. BY WORD OF MOUTH the informal, verbal passing of information from BY THE BOOK, GO one person to another operate according to the rules 1. Walter heard about it from one of the company’s employees even though it had not been advertised 1. The pilot might have carried out some preflight in the newspaper. He got the information by word of procedures more quickly, but because he was mouth. training a new pilot, he did everything by the book so the trainee would learn the procedures. 2. Jane and Sarah will be very hurt if they aren’t invited to your party. You won’t be able to keep it a secret. 2. As a parent raising children, you can’t always go by They are sure to hear about it by word of mouth. the book and follow the rules. Sometimes you have to use your intuition. The expression probably originates from the idea that the procedure or accepted rules of an established game are set down in a book. 12  C CALL THE SHOTS to be in control or to give orders 1. In this classroom, the teacher is in control. The teacher calls the shots, not the students. CALL (SOMEONE) ON THE CARPET 2. The lawyer tried to take control of the courtroom, but to confront or hold someone responsible for the judge reminded him that it is the judge who calls some misdeed the shots. 1. The student tried to make the teacher think that his This idiom stems from use in sports that involve aiming. For report was original, but the teacher knew it wasn’t, example, in darts, the thrower might call out the exact spot and called him on the carpet. he/she expects to hit on the target. Calling the shots well 2. I got called on the carpet for being late again. shows the player to be in control of the outcome. Synonyms: rake (someone) over the coals; chew (someone) out; CAN OF WORMS, OPEN A read (someone) the riot act a situation that contains many unexpected and This phrase originates from the military, where it used to be unwanted problems and consequences that only senior officers had carpet in their offices. To be called on the carpet meant that a lower-ranking soldier was 1. The company’s management thought their new policy brought into the senior’s office to be formally reprimanded would increase employee productivity, but instead it for an offense. opened a whole new can of worms. 2. His situation is completely messed up; it’s a can of CALL (SOMEONE’S) BLUFF worms that I’m happy not to have to deal with. to challenge someone to carry out a threat or Synonym: Pandora’s box, open a prove the truth of a statement 1. I told my parents that I had gotten passing grades in CARRY A TORCH (FOR SOMEONE) all my classes, but they didn’t believe me. They called to be in love with someone, usually someone my bluff and asked to see my report card. who does not love in return 2. The bank robber threatened to shoot the bank guard, 1. Why don’t you find a new boyfriend? Don’t spend but the guard called the robber’s bluff by walking up your life carrying a torch for someone who doesn’t to him and taking away his gun. love you anymore. This idiom is based on the literal meaning of this phrase as 2. Sara will never remarry. She will always carry a torch used in card games such as poker. A player who is bluffing for Henry. may pretend to have a winning hand when in fact he or she does not. To call one’s bluff in poker is to challenge one to The expression suggests that love is a flame in the heart. show his or her cards. CARRY THE BALL CALL A SPADE A SPADE to take on work or responsibility in order to keep to speak plainly or call something by its right a project moving forward name, even if it is unpleasant 1. We need more people to help get this work done on 1. Some people say Ben is generous with his money, time. Are you going to sit there and do nothing or are but I call a spade a spade. He’s not generous, he’s you going to help carry the ball? foolish. 2. The people in the office were sorry to see Amira leave 2. It’s polite of you to refer to them as “lively” children, the company. She was such a dependable worker and but let’s call a spade a spade. They are actually very you could always count on her to carry the ball. naughty. Antonym: beat about/around the bush CAST PEARLS BEFORE SWINE to offer something to someone who cannot The expression is usually used when something is described more favorably than it deserves. Call a spade a spade is a appreciate it request for a more realistic description. The phrase dates 1, Buying our son an expensive car would be casting back to ancient Greece, where the words for “spade,” “boat,” pearls before swine. He would be just as happy with and “bowl” were very similar; the original translation my have an old used car. been ‘call a boat a boat.’ 2. Taking your young children to Europe would be like casting pearls before swine—they are too young to appreciate it. The expression originates from the Biblical Sermon on the Mount, in which he says “Do not throw your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under foot.” 13 CATCH (SOMEONE) RED-HANDED [GET CAUGHT CHARMED LIFE, LEAD A RED-HANDED] to be lucky or avoid danger to catch someone in the act of committing some 1. That boy leads a charmed life. He always manages to offense avoid getting into trouble. 1. The little girl’s mother caught her red-handed trying 2. Monica leads a charmed life—she’ll never have to to steal cookies from the cookie jar. work a day in her life. 2. The two men dropped the stolen goods when they heard the police car sirens. They didn’t want to get CHECKERED PAST caught red-handed. a personal history that includes both successes Dating from the 15th century, this idiom is a reference to the and failures, or ethical and unethical behavior notion of killers being caught with the blood of their victims 1. Larry has quite a checkered past, but things are on their hands. The meaning later expanded to being caught getting better. He has a new job and is saving for a in the act of any kind of wrongdoing. new apartment. 2. The personnel director of the company refused to CATCH (SOMEONE’S) EYE consider Mr. Dupont’s application for employment to attract someone’s visual attention because of his checkered past. 1. I was walking past some stores when a beautiful red The expression originates from the alternating black and white dress in one of the windows caught my eye. (opposite colors) of a checker board. It is generally used in 2. When the girls met their mother in front of the post a negative sense, focusing more on failures and unethical office, they could see her walking towards them in behavior than on successes and ethical behavior. the crowd, but couldn’t catch her eye. CHEW (SOMEONE) OUT [GET CHEWED OUT] CATCH (SOMEONE’S) FANCY to scold someone harshly to appeal to someone 1. When Peggy came home three hours late, her parents 1. Daniel arrived at the party not expecting to have a were very angry. They chewed her out and told her good time, but he met someone there who caught his she was restricted for two weeks. fancy and spent the entire evening talking to her. 2. The newspaper boy got chewed out by Mrs. James 2. Before you decide that you don’t want anything when he ran through her flower garden. for your birthday, let’s go to the jewelry store. You Compare to: read (someone) the riot act; rake (someone) over might see something there that catches your fancy. the coals; call (someone) on the carpet; give (someone) a piece Compare to: tickle (someone’s) fancy of (one’s) mind CHANGE HORSES IN MIDSTREAM CHEW (SOMETHING) OVER to change plans or leaders in the middle of some to think slowly and carefully about something action or event 1. I know the idea doesn’t seem appealing at first, but why don’t you chew it over for a few days before you 1. The president told the people that if they wanted the decide? country to continue to move forward, they should reelect him. He said that to elect his opponent would 2. Janice is not sure she is going on vacation in August. be like changing horses in midstream. She’s chewing it over. 2. The chairman of the board died suddenly before The idiom probably originates from another expression, chew he could complete his plans for the company. the cud, referring to the fact that a cow chews slowly and The stockholders were forced to change horses in regurgitates its food to chew it a second time. midstream and elect someone new. The expression connotes that trying to change horses in the CHICKEN middle of a stream is not a wise thing to do—it would be better scared; frightened to wait until one is on land. 1. When the boy wouldn’t jump from the high diving board into the pool below, his older brother called CHANGE OF HEART him chicken. a reversal of attitude 2. Are you too chicken to play a trick on the teacher? 1. Karen told her boss that she planned to leave the Compare to: chicken out company, but after the boss offered her a pay raise, she had a change of heart and agreed to stay. 2. The girl’s parents said no at first, but then they had a change of heart and let her go to the dance. The expression is usually applied to an emotional attitude. 14 CHICKEN OUT 2. If you pay me what you owe me, you’ll have wiped the to become too frightened to do something; to slate clean. lose one’s nerve Synonym: turn over a new leaf 1. The girls wanted to ask the movie star for his The expression originates from the idea of a slate, the autograph, but they got scared and chickened out. forerunner to the blackboard, which can be wiped clean to allow for new writing. 2. You said you wanted to try parachuting, so we came up in this airplane. The door is open and it’s time to jump. Don’t chicken out now. CLEAN (SOMEONE) OUT to take or steal everything someone has Synonyms: cold feet 1. The robbers broke into the bank at night and cleaned Compare to: chicken the place out. CHIP OFF THE OLD BLOCK, A 2. We needed to go to the grocery store after the party. Our guests really cleaned us out! very much like one’s parent(s) This expression is sometimes used to describe stealing, but 1. The young man likes to do the same things his father can also be used to describe legal situations where everything does. He’s a chip off the old block. is taken. 2. Now that Ralph has grown up, he and his father are as different as night and day. But when Ralph was CLEAR THE AIR younger, he was a chip off the old block. to resolve hidden resentment or uncover hidden Synonym: spitting image thoughts The expression probably originates from the idea that a chip 1. I must have done something to offend Louise—she’s off a block of wood or stone, though smaller, has the same been so unfriendly to me. I told her I wanted to clear characteristics as the block itself. A chip off the old block the air, but she just turned and walked away from usually refers to a likeness in character or personality. me. 2. The boss called a meeting because there were lots of CHIP ON (ONE’S) SHOULDER rumors flying around the office. He said he wanted to a feeling of bitterness caused by a sense that one clear the air. has been treated unfairly Synonym: bury the hatchet 1. I said good morning to Ed and he snapped back at The expression originates from the idea that when there is me. He sure has a chip on his shoulder today. smoke or fog in the air, it is difficult to see. 2. Carl has a chip on his shoulder because he was passed over for promotion in favor of Maria, although he CLIMB THE WALLS feels he was better qualified. to be uneasy or restless The sense of personal injustice is usually imagined. The 1. Peter had been studying for more than ten hours, expression originates from the custom of placing a chip on and he was beginning to have trouble concentrating one’s shoulder and daring another person to knock it off as a on his books. He was starting to climb the walls. way of challenging someone to fight. 2. That child’s behavior is intolerable. If I’m around him CLAM UP for more than a few minutes, he has me climbing the walls. to not say anything Synonyms: go bananas 1. The witness was ready to testify at the trial, but at the last minute she clammed up and wouldn’t say a thing. CLIMB/JUMP ON THE BANDWAGON to join the crowd in following a popular position, 2. The boy’s parents were sure he knew something about the theft at school, but when they asked him cause, activity, or fashion about it, he clammed up. 1. Susan was never one to follow the trends of the times The expression suggests that one keeps one’s mouth as tightly just because everyone else did. You couldn’t accuse closed as a clamshell. her of climbing on the bandwagon. 2. The senator was a supporter of medical care for CLEAN SLATE [WIPE THE SLATE CLEAN] everyone in the country long before it became a a new beginning, usually achieved by removing popular cause. Now, however, everyone is jumping on the bandwagon. any record of previous bad deeds (sentence 1) or debts (sentence 2) The expression is often uncomplimentary. A person who is described as climbing on the bandwagon has not joined the 1. The man had done some terrible things in the past, crowd out of commitment, but out of peer pressure. but he moved to a new town and changed his name. He was trying to make a new life with a clean slate. 15 CLOSE SHAVE This slang expression was originally used to describe a way of a narrow escape stopping the intake of addictive drugs, and is still used most often in reference to drugs, including cigarettes. 1. The driver was distracted for just a moment and nearly hit another car. He missed the other car, but it COME FULL CIRCLE was a close shave. to return (figuratively) to a point where one has 2. The spy had a close shave when she was nearly caught been before in the military camp. She had to climb a tree just to stay hidden. 1. Bruce practiced law in a small law firm, then taught law at a university, then gave up teaching and is The expression probably originates from the idea that a man practicing law again. He has come full circle. who shaves closely is narrowly escaping cutting his skin. 2. We started with a small, two-bedroom house, but