The American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms

by Christine Ammer

  cross as a bear Grumpy, ill-humored, annoyed, as in Stay away from Claire; she’s cross as a bear this morning. Unlike the earlier cross as two sticks, this survives even though the adjective cross for “ill-tempered” is otherwise not used much in America. It is sometimes amplified as cross as a bear with a sore head. [Early 1700s]

  cross my heart and hope to die I swear that I am telling the truth. For example, I did lock the door—cross my heart and hope to die! This phrase most likely originated as a religious oath based on the sign of the cross; it is generally accompanied by hand gestures such as crossing one’s hands over one’s breast and then pointing the right hand skyward (a variant is cross my heart and point to God). Today most often uttered by children, it was first recorded in 1908.

  cross one’s fingers Also, keep one’s fingers crossed. 1. Wish for luck by crossing two fingers of one hand. For example, I’m crossing my fingers that I get the job, or Keep your fingers crossed that the hurricane goes out to sea. This superstitious statement presumably alludes to the much older practice of making the sign of the cross to ward off evil. [Early 1900s] 2. Tell a white lie that doesn’t matter. For example, I told Mom I didn’t eat any cookies but I had my fingers crossed. The childish belief that if one keeps one’s fingers crossed one may lie with impunity probably comes from children’s games in which one was “safe” if one crossed one’s fingers, and the ultimate allusion may be the same as in def. 1.

  cross one’s mind Also, pass through one’s mind. Suddenly occur to one, as in It never crossed my mind that they would turn the proposal down, or It passed through her mind that he might have gotten lost. [Mid-1700s]

  cross over 1. Change from one field or affiliation to another, as in Graham Greene crossed over from the Anglican to the Roman Catholic Church, or If he doesn’t run I’m going to cross over to the Democratic Party. [First half of 1900s] 2. Also, cross over to the other side. Die, as in It’s a year since my grandmother crossed over to the other side. [c. 1930]

  cross someone’s palm with silver Pay for a service; pay in advance. For example, I’ll give you all the details, but first cross my palm with silver. This phrase alludes to the old practice of placing silver coins across a gypsy fortuneteller’s hand before having one’s fortune told. Today it is sometimes used in a jocular way to ask for a bribe or a tip, as in the example. [c. 1700] Also see GREASE SOMEONE’S PALM.

  cross someone’s path Encounter or meet someone, especially unexpectedly. For example, John didn’t know her name, so he was hoping she would cross his path again soon, or She swore she would scream if a snake crossed her path. This phrase originally implied that such an encounter meant obstructing or thwarting a person, but in current usage this is not necessarily true. [Early 1600s]

  cross swords Fight, either verbally or physically. For example, At every policy meeting the two vice-presidents crossed swords. This phrase alludes to the ancient form of combat using swords. Also see AT SWORD’S POINT.

  cross the Rubicon Irrevocably commit to a course of action, make a fateful and final decision. For example, Once he submitted his resignation, he had crossed the Rubicon. This phrase alludes to Julius Caesar’s crossing the Rubicon River (between Gaul and Italy) in 49 B.C., thereby starting a war against Pompey and the Roman Senate. Recounted in Plutarch’s Lives: Julius Caesar (c. A.D. 110), the crossing gave rise to the figurative English usage by the early 1600s.

  cross to bear A burden or trial one must put up with, as in Alzheimer’s is a cross to bear for the whole family, or in a lighter vein, Mowing that huge lawn once a week is Brad’s cross to bear. This phrase alludes to the cross carried by Jesus to his crucifixion. Today it may be used either seriously or lightly. [Second half of 1500s]

  cross up 1. Betray, double-cross, cheat, as in Jack crossed up his buddies and told the police they had broken in. Originally this usage often was put simply as to cross. [Early 1800s] 2. Confuse, muddle, as in We all planned to meet at the restaurant but several of us got crossed up as to time and place.

  crow → In addition to the idiom beginning with CROW, also see AS THE CROW FLIES; EAT CROW.

  crowd → See FOLLOW THE CROWD; THREE’S A CROWD.

  crown jewels 1. A prized possession or asset, as in The Iliad and Odyssey are the crown jewels of ancient literature, or The software products are the company’s crown jewels. This usage transfers the value of royal jewels to some other object. [Late 1800s] The term jewels in the crown similarly alludes to something of great value. In the early 1900s it was used for Great Britain’s colonies. In 1966 Paul Scott published the first novel of his Raj Quartet, about British rule in India, which he entitled The Jewel in the Crown. It became a very popular television series, launched in 1984. 2. Also, family jewels. The male genitals, especially the testicles. For example, She gave the would-be mugger a hard kick in the family jewels. A slang euphemism, the term dates from the early 1900s.

  crow over Exult loudly about, especially over someone’s defeat. For example, In most sports it’s considered bad manners to crow over your opponent. This term alludes to the cock’s loud crow. [Late 1500s]

  crumble → See THAT’S HOW THE BALL BOUNCES (COOKIE CRUMBLES).

  crunch numbers Perform numerous calculations or process a large amount of numerical data. For example, Preparing John’s presentation to the Federal Reserve Board required many hours of crunching numbers. This term originated with the computer age and indeed still applies mostly to the operations of computers. [Slang; second half of 1900s]

  crunch time A period when pressure to succeed is great, often toward the end of an undertaking. For example, It’s crunch time—we only have two more days to finish. This term employs crunch in the sense of “a critical situation or test.” [Slang; 1970s]

  crush → See HAVE A CRUSH ON.

  crust → See UPPER CRUST.

  crux of the matter Also, heart of the matter. The basic, central or critical point of an issue. For example, In this trial the bloodstains represent the crux of the matter, or We think the second clause is the heart of the matter. Although crux is Latin for “cross,” in English it means “difficulty” or “puzzle,” and it is from the latter that this expression is thought to be derived. The variant employs heart in the sense of “a vital part” (as it is in the body). The first term dates from the late 1800s, the variant from the early 1500s.

  cry, crying → In addition to the idioms beginning with CRY, also see BURST INTO (OUT CRYING); FAR CRY FROM; FOR CRYING OUT LOUD; HUE AND CRY; IN FULL SWING (CRY).

  cry for Also, cry out for; have a crying need for. Be in urgent need of, as in This wall cries for a second coat of paint, or This car is crying out for a good washing, or There is a crying need for order in this house. The figurative use of cry for, literally meaning “implore” or “weep for,” dates from the late 1500s, as does the use of crying for “demanding attention.” The first variant, alluding to actually shouting out one’s needs or desires, dates from the second half of the 1800s.

  cry havoc Sound an alarm or warning, as in In his sermon the pastor cried havoc to the congregation’s biases against gays. The noun havoc was once a command for invaders to begin looting and killing the defenders’ town. Shakespeare so used it in Julius Caesar (3:1): “Cry ‘Havoc’ and let slip the dogs of war.” By the 19th century the phrase had acquired its present meaning.

  crying shame, a An unfortunate situation, as in It’s a crying shame that Bob can’t find a job. This term may well come from the now obsolete to cry shame upon, meaning “express vigorous disapproval or censure,” current from about 1600 to the mid-1800s.

  crying towel A figurative towel for wiping the tears of a self-pitying individual. For example, So you didn’t make the first team? Get out the crying towel. This expression is always used sarcastically. [Slang; 1920s]

  cry off Break or withdraw from a promise or agreement, as in We thought we’d bought the car, but the owner cried off at the last minute. [Late 1700s]

  cry one’s eyes out Also, cry one�
��s heart out. Weep inconsolably. For example, Wendy was so homesick that she was crying her eyes out, or At funerals Ruth always cries her heart out. [c. 1700]

  cry on someone’s shoulder Tell one’s problems to someone so as to gain sympathy or consolation, as in When James had a problem at the office he generally cried on his sister’s shoulder. It is also put as a shoulder to cry on, as in When Mom came home, Jane had a shoulder to cry on. [Late 1930s]

  cry out for → See CRY FOR.

  cry over spilt milk, don’t Also, no use crying over spilt milk. Don’t regret what cannot be undone or rectified, as in The papers you wanted went out in last week’s trash, so don’t cry over spilt milk. This metaphor for the inability to recover milk once it has been spilled is very old indeed, already ­ap­pearing as a proverb in James Howell’s Paroi­mio­grafia (1659). It is sometimes shortened to spilt milk.

  crystal ball A means of predicting the future, as in So what does your crystal ball say about the coming election? The term is a figurative use of the crystal or glass ball used by fortune-tellers. [c. 1900]

  crystal clear, be Also, be clear as crystal. Be easy to understand, have a very obvious meaning. For example, The directions for installing the door are crystal clear, or Her intentions are clear as crystal. Allusions to crystal’s very high degree of transparency have been made since the 15th century.

  cry uncle Also, say uncle. Concede defeat, as in The Serbs want the Bosnians to cry uncle, or If you say uncle right now, I’ll let you go first in the next game. This phrase originated about 1900 as an imperative among schoolchildren who would say, “Cry uncle when you’ve had enough (of a beating).” By the mid-1900s it was being used figuratively, as in the examples.

  cry wolf Raise a false alarm, as in Helen’s always crying wolf about attempted break-ins, but the police can never find any evidence. This term comes from the tale about a young shepherd watching his flock who, lonely and fearful, called for help by shouting “Wolf!” After people came to his aid several times and saw no wolf, they ignored his cries when a wolf actually attacked his sheep. The tale appeared in a translation of Aesop’s fables by Roger L’Estrange (1692), and the expression has been applied to any false alarm since the mid-1800s.

  cuckoo → See CLOUD-CUCKOO LAND.

  cucumber → See COOL AS A CUCUMBER.

  cudgel one’s brains → See RACK ONE’S BRAIN.

  cue in Give information or instructions, for example, She said she’d cue us in on their summer plans. This verbal use of the noun cue in the sense of “guiding suggestion” dates from the 1920s.

  cuff → See OFF THE CUFF; ON THE CUFF.

  culture shock A state of confusion and anxiety experienced by someone upon encountering an alien environment. For example, It’s not just jet lag—it’s the culture shock of being in a new country. This term was first used by social scientists to describe, for example, the experience of a person moving from the country to a big city. It is now used more loosely, as in the example. [Late 1930s]

  culture vulture An individual with a consuming or excessive interest in the arts. For example, A relentless culture vulture, she dragged her children to every museum in town. This slangy term may have been originated by Ogden Nash, who wrote: “There is a vulture Who circles above The carcass of culture” (Free Wheeling, 1931). [1940s]

  cup → In addition to the idiom beginning with CUP, also see IN ONE’S CUPS.

  cupboard is bare, the The desired resources are not available, as in The schools are asking for a budget increase but the cupboard is bare. This metaphoric expression may have come from the nursery rhyme: “Old Mother Hubbard, went to the cupboard, to fetch her poor dog a bone, And when she went there, the cupboard was bare, and so the poor dog had none” (Sarah Catherine Martin, The Comic Adventures of Old Mother Hubbard, 1805).

  cup of tea, one’s Something that is in accord with one’s liking or taste. For example, Quiz shows are just my cup of tea, or Baseball is not her cup of tea. The origin of this metaphorical expression has been lost, but the positive version—“he’s my cup of tea”—has been used since the late 1800s and the negative—not one’s cup of tea—since the 1920s.

  cure → See KILL OR CURE; OUNCE OF PREVENTION IS WORTH A POUND OF CURE; SURE CURE.

  curiosity killed the cat It’s best to mind one’s own business. For example, Don’t ask about his divorce—curiosity killed the cat. This cautionary expression sounds like the moral of some fable or folktale, but any such origin for it has been lost. The first recorded use was in O. Henry’s Schools and Schools (1909).

  curl one’s hair → See MAKE ONE’S HAIR STAND ON END (CURL).

  curl up 1. Assume a position with the legs drawn up; settle down for sleep in this posture. For example, I love to curl up with a good book. [c. 1900] 2. curl up and die. Retreat, collapse, die, as in At first the horse was ahead but in the home stretch she curled up and died, or I’ll just curl up and die if he shows up. This colorful expression for collapsing or dying is often used hyperbolically (second example). [Early 1900s] 3. curl someone up. Kill someone, as in The sheriff said he’d curl up that outlaw. This usage originated as cowboy slang in the second half of the 1800s.

  curry favor Seek gain or advancement by fawning or flattery, as in Edith was famous for currying favor with her teachers. This expression originally came from the Old French estriller fauvel, “curry the fallow horse,” a beast that in a 14th-century allegory stood for duplicity and cunning. It came into English about 1400 as curry favel—that is, curry (groom with a currycomb) the animal—and in the 1500s took its current form.

  curtain → In addition to the idioms beginning with CURTAIN, also see DRAW THE CURTAIN; RAISE THE CURTAIN; RING DOWN THE CURTAIN ON.

  curtain raiser Preliminary event, as in This limited attack on the chairman is just a curtain raiser for the concerted effort to oust him. This term literally refers to a short play or skit presented before the main theatrical production. It began to be transferred to other preliminaries about 1940.

  curtains for, be. Also, it’s curtains. Be the end, especially death. For example, If he hadn’t worn a bullet-proof vest, it would have been curtains for him, or It’s curtains if she doesn’t finish on time. This expression is a metaphor for the falling curtain signifying the end of a performance. [Slang; c. 1900]

  curve → See THROW A CURVE.

  customer → See UGLY CUSTOMER.

  cut → In addition to the idioms beginning with CUT, also see (CUT) DOWN TO SIZE; FISH OR CUT BAIT; HAVE ONE’S WORK CUT OUT FOR ONE; LIKE A CHICKEN WITH ITS HEAD CUT OFF; UNKINDEST CUT; YOU COULD CUT IT WITH A KNIFE.

  cut above Someone or something that is superior to examples of a similar nature, as in This book is a cut above his previous one. This idiom uses cut in the sense of “a higher degree or stage.” [Early 1800s]

  cut across Go beyond, transcend, as in The new regulations cut across class lines. This figurative use of cut across, which literally means “run through” or “intersect,” dates from the 1920s.

  cut a deal Come to an agreement or compromise, as in The administration is hoping to cut a deal with Japan. This expression uses deal in the sense of “business transaction.” [Colloquial; 1970s]

  cut adrift Separated or detached; freed. For example, The dissenters were cut adrift from the denomination. This expression alludes to cutting the rope of a floating vessel so that it drifts without direction or purpose. The figurative use of adrift dates from the late 1600s.

  cut a long story short → See MAKE A LONG STORY SHORT.

  cut and dried Ready-made, predetermined and not changeable. For example, The procedure is not quite cut and dried—there’s definitely room for improvisation. This expression originally alluded to herbs for sale in a shop, as opposed to fresh, growing herbs. [c. 1900]

  cut and paste Describing a patched-up job or trivial work. For example, The revision was easy, just cut and paste, or The new assistant had expected some training, but all she got was cut and paste. This term alludes to simple
artwork done by small children—cutting out pictures and gluing them to paper. [Mid-1900s]

  cut and run Clear out, escape, desert, as in He wished he could just cut and run. This term originally (about 1700) meant to cut a vessels anchor cable and make sail at once. By the mid-1800s it was being used figuratively. Charles Dickens had it in Great Expectations (1861): “I’d give a shilling if they had cut and run.” Also see CUT OUT, def. 7.

  cut a wide swath Draw a lot of attention, make a considerable display, as in Although he was new to the company, he cut a wide swath. This metaphoric use of making a big sweep of the scythe in cutting grass survives despite the mechanization of farming and the declining use of the noun swath. [Mid-1800s]

  cut back 1. Shorten by cutting, prune, as in It’s time we cut back these bushes. [1860s] 2. Reduce, decrease, as in They are going to cut back defense spending, or We have to cut back production. [c. 1940] Also see CUT TO THE BONE.

  cut both ways Have a mixed effect, have advantages and disadvantages. For example, Their solution will cut both ways; it’ll take longer but is permanent. This metaphoric expression alludes to a double-edged sword. [c. 1600]

  cut capers Also, cut a caper. Frolic or romp, as in The children cut capers in the pile of raked leaves. The noun caper comes from the Latin for “goat,” and the allusion is to act in the manner of a young goat clumsily frolicking about. The expression was first recorded in Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night (1:3): “Faith, I can cut a caper.”

  cut class Absent oneself from a class or other, usually mandatory event, as in If he cuts one more class he’ll fail the course. [Late 1700s]

  cut corners Do something in the easiest or least expensive way; also, act illegally. For example, Cutting corners in production led to a definite loss in product quality, or If the accountant cuts corners the auditors are sure to find out. This term alludes to rounding a corner as closely as possible in order to shorten the distance traversed and/or save time. [Late 1800s]