Read Webster's New World American Idioms Handbook Online
Authors: Gail Brenner
The following idioms also mean to procrastinate or delay:
drag one’s feet
to delay; implies hesitancy or bureaucratic delay ♦
The city government is
dragging its feet
on a pay raise for sanitation workers.
♦
The company always
drags its feet
when it comes to responding to complaints.
take one’s (own sweet) time
to delay; implies thoughtless or leisurely delay ♦
I don’t like to shop with my wife because she always
takes her time
and must look at every item.
♦
She borrowed my camera and she’s
taking her own sweet time
returning it.
On the Back Burner
and Related Idioms
Traditionally, the back burner of the stove was the warming burner. It kept cooked food warm while other food was being prepared on the front burners. So, when something is
put on the back burner,
it means that it is kept or held until a later time. Something that’s
on the back burner
may be a low priority, but it’s not forgotten. People sometimes say that they
have something on the back burner,
meaning that they are thinking about doing it in the distant future. Here’s an example:
Here are some related idioms:
on hold (adj)
delayed until a later time; often used with the verb
to put
♦
The meeting is
on hold
because the foreign representatives have not arrived yet.
♦
Please
put
your questions
on hold
until Dr. Coltrain finishes her presentation.
on ice (adj)
delayed until a much later time or indefinitely; often used with the verb
to put.
Alludes to keeping something frozen. ♦
The project is
on ice
until we can get government approval.
♦
We need a new car, but we have to
put
that purchase
on ice
because of unexpected medical bills.
hold off (n)
to temporarily delay; often followed by the preposition
on
when the idiom has a direct object, as in the first example that follows ♦
I’m
holding off
on planting those tulips until November.
♦
I don’t want to buy my ticket yet, but if I
hold off
too long, it will cost more.
Grammar Note:
When
hold off on
is followed by a verb, the verb is in the gerund form (verb + -
ing
).
Dilly-dally
and Related Idioms
The following idioms also mean to purposely and leisurely delay. They imply that one is being unproductive:
waste time
to be unproductive when one needs to be productive ♦
He
wastes
a lot of
time
answering personal e-mails while he’s at work.
♦
Don’t
waste
so much
time
in front of the TV when you have work to do.
dilly-dally
to go very slowly, waste time, and be unproductive ♦
While the administrators are
dilly-dallying
over expensive lunches, the rest of us are hard at work.
♦
We can’t
dilly-dally.
We have to be ready to go in 20 minutes.
fuss (
or
mess
or
fart) around
to be unproductive, do nothing of value ♦
Employees waste a lot of time
fussing around
at their desks for the first hours of the day.
♦
Stop
messing around
and eat your dinner.
Note:
Fart around
is considered crude, but people say it occasionally.
Good Luck and Bad Luck
Some people say that success is simply a matter of good luck, and failure is the result of bad luck. Whether or not this is true, plenty of idioms use the word
luck
. Here is an example:
be in luck
to be fortunate; to be lucky regarding a specific effort or interest ♦
You’re
in luck!
We have one more ticket for that concert.
The direct opposite is this:
be out of luck
to be unfortunate, unlucky regarding a specific effort or interest ♦
You’re
out of luck.
We just sold the last ticket for that concert.
Types of Luck
Here are some idioms that describe different types of luck:
beginner’s luck:
said when a person has success in his or her first try at something
dumb luck:
unexpected luck; luck that a person is extremely fortunate to have
Here are two examples:
Luck Out
and Related Idioms
To
be out of luck
means that one is not lucky, but to
luck out
means just the opposite—to be very lucky. When a person experiences unexpected good luck, someone might say, “How did you
luck out?!”
meaning, “What did you do to bring such good luck?” Here’s another example:
The following expressions also refer to good luck and being lucky:
as luck would have it
luckily, fortunately ♦
I thought I had missed my bus, but
as luck would have it,
the bus was late.
♦
Our car broke down, but
as luck would have it,
the man who stopped to help us was an auto mechanic!
get a lucky break
to have an unexpected opportunity ♦
We
got a lucky break
on the price of this house. The owners wanted to sell it fast, and they accepted our first offer.
♦
It was just
a lucky break
that the film director was at our school play with his granddaughter. He saw me on stage and hired me for a part in his film.
A Run of Bad Luck
and Related Idioms
People often refer to occasional misfortune as
bad luck,
even if there is a logical reason for the trouble. For example, if you have an old car and it finally breaks down, you could still use
bad luck
to describe this event. But when one
has a run of bad luck
(a number of troubles over a short period of time), it may truly seem like fate. Here are some examples of this expression:
The following idioms also refer to bad luck:
be down on one’s luck
to be experiencing misfortune and difficult times, especially financially ♦
The welfare agency helps people who
are down on their luck. ♦
You gave me a loan when I
was down on my luck.
Now it’s my turn to help you.
Good Luck!
Saying, “Good Luck!” is a common way to wish someone success in any endeavor or effort. For example, a person might say “Good luck on your exam” or “Good luck in your new job.” In some cultures, wishing people good luck is a bit insulting because it implies that their skills or intelligence are not adequate, and therefore they need luck to succeed. But in American English, saying
good luck
is like saying, “I wish you much success; I wish you well.”
Sometimes people wish someone good luck when a situation seems hopeless, and the person really does need luck to succeed. In this case,
good luck
is said in a sarcastic or cautious tone. Sometimes the speaker adds “You’re going to need it.”
When people are going to try something new or make an effort, no matter how small, they might say, “Wish me luck!” Sometimes people add “I’m going to need it!” Here are a few examples:
Grammar Note:
When the idiom
good luck
is followed by a verb, the verb is in the gerund form (verb + -
ing
).
one’s luck run out
to stop being lucky, or having an advantage, or avoiding consequences; often used to describe someone who has previously avoided being punished for a crime or offense ♦
He escaped from prison and was hiding in another country for years. But finally
his luck ran out
and he was caught.
♦
I’ve always been able to get a flight without a reservation on Wednesday nights, but
my luck
finally
ran out.
This time the flights were full.
the cards stacked against one
to have a disadvantage that makes it difficult to succeed ♦
They were already in debt when they opened the new business, so
the cards were stacked against them
from the start.
♦
If you don’t have a good education, then
the cards are stacked against you
when you go out into the job market.
PART IV
IDIOMS BY KEY WORDS
Most idioms and idiomatic expressions have a key word or main word (often a noun or verb) that carries much of the inference or meaning. The key word could be almost anything, but some very common key words that are included in this part are body parts (get cold feet), colors (blue collar), numbers (two timer), negative words (not a chance), and question words (who knew). Using key words is also a good way to organize and think about idioms. Some people find it easier or more interesting to learn a group of idioms that have the same key word.
CHAPTER 13
BODY IDIOMS
Nearly every part of the body, inside and out, has been used in idioms. This is no surprise, as the body is with us all of the time. It can be our closest ally (and sometimes our worst enemy). With its many functions, capabilities, and frailties, it becomes a handy metaphor for expressing our thoughts, feelings, and ideas.
An idiom that includes the name of a body part is often related in meaning to the function, capability, inadequacy, appearance, or location of that part. For example, saying that someone is
all thumbs
(clumsy, awkward with one’s hands) alludes to the awkwardness of trying to manage with a hand that has five thumbs. Or having
butterflies in one’s stomach
(feeling nervous anticipation) is a very good description of that fluttery sensation one gets in the stomach when feeling a little nervous or excited.
There are enough idioms that use the names of body parts to fill a book the size of the entire
Webster’s New World American Idiom Handbook.
This chapter focuses on idioms that are related to the face and to the main appendages, with some common stomach and gut idioms also included.
Idioms with Head, Neck and Shoulders
In this section, you’ll find expressions with
head, neck,
and
shoulders.
In most cases, the meaning of the expression alludes to the function, capabilities, and vulnerabilities of the body part.
The Head
The head houses the brain and it rests at the very top of the body. So it’s not surprising that a number of idioms with
head
refer to intelligence, knowledge, and being at the top. Some idioms that use the word
head
refer to a sense of mental stability, or instability, while others make a completely different reference — to the head under the guillotine!
Heads That Are First or Better
As the head is situated at the top of the body, idioms using the word
head
often refer to the top, the best, or the first.
at the head of the class
to be the best student in the class or the best in a particular field ♦
She’s a great student, always
at the head of the class. ♦
They are definitely
at the head of the class
in animation technology.
head and shoulders above
clearly superior to all others. Alludes to the height of the head and shoulders. Often said as
head and shoulders above the rest.
♦
This organic brand of coffee is
head and shoulders above
the rest.
♦
As a pediatric surgeon, Dr. Carr is
head and shoulders above
the other doctors at the hospital.
a head start
to begin something before it is necessary, so that one can get ahead, be early or first; to have an advantage ♦
I decided to get
a head start
and begin my Christmas shopping early.
♦
Children whose parents read to them have
a head start
when they begin school.
Note:
Head Start is the name of a federal program that provides early schooling to low-income children.
Heads That Are Intelligent
The head is the place of intellect—the location of the brain. So, some idioms with
head
refer to thinking, having intelligence, and using one’s brain.
have a good head on one’s shoulders
to have good sense, to be intelligent and make good choices ♦
I don’t worry about my son; he
has a good head on his shoulders. ♦
You’ve
got a good head on your shoulders,
but you don’t always use it.
off the top of one’s head
to say something spontaneously without much thinking; to give a quick guess or estimate ♦ Off the top of my head,
I’d say it takes about 12 hours to get to Denver by car.
♦
Sorry, I can’t think of anyone,
off the top of my head,
who has a room for rent.
put ones’ heads together
to discuss a problem in order to find a solution, or to work together to make or formulate a plan ♦
I’m sure if we
put our heads together,
we can figure this out.
♦
We
put our heads together
and came up with a great idea for our drama project.
use one’s head
to think about something; to use logic and common sense ♦
Rock climbing takes skill, but you also have to
use your head. ♦ Use your head,
Allen. You can’t repair that water leak with tape!
[See also
keeping one’s head (about oneself)
later in this chapter.]
Heads That Are Confused
The head, or brain, can also be the place of confusion, or the place where there’s a lack of understanding. The following idioms relate to being confused.
make one’s head spin
to get confused or dazed ♦
Hearing about all the extra college costs
made my head spin. ♦
It
makes my head spin
to think about planning my daughter’s wedding.
over one’s head
too difficult or complex to understand ♦
That math lesson today went right
over my head. ♦
Keep the poetry reading simple for the kids. Otherwise it will go
over their heads.
Note:
To
go over one’s head
also means to skip over rather than to follow the normal chain of command or authority, as in “The manager was angry that we
went over his head
with our complaint.”
scratch one’s head
to be confused or unable to figure something out. This idiom comes from the actual gesture of scratching one’s head, which indicates that a person is trying to think or figure something out; the idiom is often used without one literally scratching one’s head. This idiom is almost always put in the continuous form (verb + -
ing
) ♦
The school board plans to end the after-school program, and we are all
scratching our heads
wondering why.
♦
I was
scratching my head
trying to figure out these tax forms
.
Heads That Stay in Control (or Lose Control)
Keeping a level head
and
keeping one’s head (about oneself)
mean to stay calm, rational, and in control, especially when it’s hard to do so. Here are some examples:
The following idiomatic expressions mean to lose control, to be mentally unstable, or to act in a crazy or foolish way.
head over heels
to lose control, typically because of love. This idiom is often stated as
head over heels in love.
♦
He is
head over heels
for your sister.
♦
They’ve been
head over heels
in love since the day they met.
lose one’s head
to be irrational, illogical, or to lose control of one’s senses or mental faculties, usually temporarily, over love, money, a problem, or a misfortune ♦
The coach
lost his head
and started yelling at his players.
♦
Be careful when traveling. Don’t
lose your head
and become too trusting.
out of one’s head
to act very irrationally, to be crazy; also put as to be
out of one’s mind
♦
You’ve been driving without insurance?! Are you
out of your head? ♦
You’re
out of your head
if you think I’m going to give you money again.
Note:
People can be
out of their heads with grief
or
worry,
as this example shows: “They were
out of their heads
with worry,
until they their son finally called.”
soft in the head
to be mentally deficient, foolish, irrational ♦
Maybe he’s a little
soft in the head,
but he’s a loyal dog.
♦
You’re driving with an expired license? Are you
soft in the head!?
Heads That Fall Off
The unpleasant notion of literally losing one’s head appears in idioms. The following expressions refer to having one’s head separated from one’s body.
heads will roll
means “people will get into trouble,” “people will be punished or reprimanded”; it can also mean that employees may be fired. Alludes to the use of the guillotine to chop off someone’s head as a punishment. ♦
When they discover the accounting error,
heads will roll. ♦ Heads will roll
if the project is not completed by June.
talk someone’s head off
to talk incessantly; to talk until others are tired of listening ♦
She’s an interesting person, but she’ll
talk your head off. ♦
We
talked our heads off
catching up on old times.
laugh someone’s head off
to laugh hysterically, to be very amused; to laugh sarcastically or out of spite ♦
Oh man, we
laughed our heads off
watching that comedy.
♦
If that team is disqualified,
I’ll laugh my head off
because they always try to bend the rules.
Heads That Describe People
A number of idioms using
head
are adjectives that describe personality and intelligence (or the lack of intelligence). Here are some of the most common expressions. All of these are adjectives:
hard-headed:
stubborn
thick-headed:
not able to understand things quickly
hot-headed:
easily or quickly angered
cool-headed:
always calm and in control
Other idioms that describe people are nouns:
knucklehead:
foolish, silly, not very smart
bonehead:
not intelligent (if the head is hard as a bone, nothing can go in)
sleepyhead:
someone who is very sleepy, groggy with sleep
pothead:
habitual marijuana smoker
Heads That Are Arrogant
The expressions
go to one’s head, get a big head,
and
get a swelled head
mean to think oneself very important or overly important. When people
get a big head,
they often act arrogant and prideful. Here are some examples:
Indicating Direction with Head
The word
head
also means to go in a specific direction or to leave. A number of idioms use
head
plus a preposition in this context. Here are the most common ones:
head off:
to go, leave on a journey or errand ♦
We
headed off
toward the city.
head on:
to continue to go ♦
We’ll stop for gas and then
head on.
head in:
to turn to go back in to home or shore ♦
We should
head in.
It’s getting dark.
head out:
to start on a journey ♦
We’ll
head out
at 6 a.m., so be ready.
head to
or
head for:
to go in the direction of ♦
When school is out, we
head to
the beach.
A Few Other Head Idioms
Following are a few other idioms with
head
that are unrelated to any of the preceding categories.
turn heads
to catch people’s attention; to make people turn their heads and look. Usually used when referring to an attractive, sexy, or famous person. ♦
If you wear that red sweater, you’ll
turn heads. ♦
They’re such an attractive couple that they
turn heads
wherever they go.
keep one’s head above water
to handle financial and other demands, often with great stress or difficulty. Alludes to not drowning. ♦
He works two jobs just
to keep his head above water. ♦
My workload has increased, but I’m keeping
my head above water.
The Neck
Though the neck is essential in holding up the head, it’s also vulnerable. Most idioms with
neck
refer to this vulnerability, but there are a few exceptions. To
go for the neck
means to attack, often verbally or legally, the weakest area with the intent to overpower or destroy. This expression, as well as to
get it in the neck,
allude to the behavior of animal predators that overcome and kill their prey by biting the jugular vein in the neck.
Necks That Are Vulnerable
The neck is a somewhat vulnerable part of the body. It’s easy to injure, it becomes stiff, sore, and gets kinks. In the past, one’s neck could meet up with the guillotine. A number of
neck
idioms refer to this vulnerable aspect of the neck. Here are some of the most common ones:
a pain in the neck
someone or something that is annoying or irritating; a lot of bother ♦
It was
a pain in the neck
getting all the permits to remodel our house.
♦
My little brother is
a pain in the neck,
but I love him.