The American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms
Page 39
feel like death → See LOOK LIKE DEATH.
feel no pain Be intoxicated, as in After six beers he was feeling no pain. This expression alludes to being oblivious to pain because of the consumption of a large amount of liquor. [Slang; mid-1900s]
feel oneself → See FEEL LIKE ONESELF.
feel one’s oats 1. Feel frisky or animated, as in School was out, and they were feeling their oats. This usage alludes to the behavior of a horse after having been fed. [Early 1800s] 2. Display self-importance, as in He was feeling his oats, bossing everyone around. [Mid-1800s]
feel one’s way Proceed cautiously, as in Until we know who we’re dealing with, we’ll have to feel our way. This expression alludes to groping by touch when one is unable to see. [Early 1600s] Also see FEEL FOR, def. 1.
feel out Try cautiously or indirectly to ascertain someone’s viewpoint or the nature of something. For example, We’d better feel out the author before we commit him to a publicity tour. This term alludes to physical groping. [Late 1800s] Also see TAKE THE PULSE OF.
feel out of place → See under OUT OF PLACE.
feel put upon → See PUT UPON.
feel someone up Touch or fondle someone sexually, as in She complained that her boss tried to feel her up. [Early 1900s]
feel the pinch Be affected by hardship, especially straitened finances. For example, This job pays much less, so we’re bound to feel the pinch. [Mid-1800s]
feel up to Consider oneself capable or able to do something, as in Do you feel up to a three-mile run? or I don’t feel up to another evening out. [Late 1800s] Also see EQUAL TO; UP TO.
feet → In addition to the idioms beginning with FEET, also see AT SOMEONE’S FEET; BOTH FEET ON THE GROUND; COLD FEET; DEAD ON ONE’S FEET; DON’T LET THE GRASS GROW UNDER ONE’S FEET; DRAG ONE’S FEET; FALL ON ONE’S FEET; GET ONE’S FEET WET; GET THE LEAD OUT (OF ONE’S FEET); GET TO ONE’S FEET; HOLD SOMEONE’S FEET TO THE FIRE; OFF SOMEONE’S FEET; ON ONE’S FEET; PUT ONE’S FEET UP; SHAKE THE DUST FROM ONE’S FEET; SIX FEET UNDER; STAND ON ONE’S OWN FEET; TAKE THE LOAD OFF (ONE’S FEET); THINK ON ONE’S FEET; TWO LEFT FEET; UNDER ONE’S FEET; VOTE WITH ONE’S FEET. Also see under FOOT.
feet of clay A failing or weakness in a person’s character, as in The media are always looking for a popular idol’s feet of clay. This expression comes from the Bible (Daniel 2:31–33), where the prophet interprets Nebuchadnezzar’s dream of a statue with a head of gold and feet of iron clay. [c. 1600]
feet on the ground → See BOTH FEET ON THE GROUND.
fell → See ONE FELL SWOOP.
fellow → See REGULAR GUY (FELLOW); STRANGE BEDFELLOWS.
fence → In addition to the idioms beginning with FENCE, also see MEND ONE’S FENCES; ON THE FENCE; STRADDLE THE FENCE.
fence in Also, hem in. Restrict or confine someone, as in He wanted to take on more assignments but was fenced in by his contract, or Their father was old-fashioned and the children were hemmed in by his rules. Both expressions transfer a literal form of enclosure to a figurative one. The first gained currency from a popular song in the style of a cowboy folk song by Cole Porter, “Don’t Fence Me In” (1944), in which the cowboy celebrates open land and starry skies. The variant is much older, dating from the late 1500s.
fence with Avoid answering directly, try to evade, as in The mayor was very clever at fencing with the press about his future plans. This expression transfers the parry and thrust of fencing to a verbal exchange. [Second half of 1600s]
fend for oneself → See SHIFT FOR ONESELF.
ferret out Uncover and bring to light by searching, as in Sandy was a superb reporter, tireless in ferreting out whatever facts were needed for her story. This expression alludes to hunting with ferrets, weasel-like animals formerly used to drive rabbits out of their burrows. [c. 1600]
fetch and carry Do errands and other menial tasks, as in She was hired as administrative assistant, but all she does is fetch and carry for the department’s supervisor. This expression originally alluded to dogs that were taught to carry various objects for their masters. It has been applied to humans since the late 1700s.
fever → See CABIN FEVER; RUN A FEVER.
few → In addition to the idioms beginning with FEW, also see A FEW; (A FEW) BRICKS SHY OF A LOAD; OF FEW WORDS; PRECIOUS FEW; QUITE A BIT (FEW).
few and far between At wide intervals, scarce, as in Supporters of the amendment are few and far between. This expression originally was used very literally for physical objects such as houses appearing at widely separated intervals. Today it is also used more loosely. [Mid-1600s]
few bricks shy of a load → See BRICKS SHY OF A LOAD.
few words → See OF FEW WORDS.
fiddle → In addition to the idiom beginning with FIDDLE, also see FIT AS A FIDDLE; HANG UP (ONE’S FIDDLE); PLAY SECOND FIDDLE.
fiddle while Rome burns Occupy oneself with unimportant matters and neglect important ones during a crisis. For example, The account was falling through, but he was more worried about missing his golf game—talk about fiddling while Rome burns! This expression alludes to the legend that the Emperor Nero played his fiddle while watching the conflagration of Rome. [Mid-1600s]
field → In addition to the idiom beginning with FIELD, also see COVER THE FIELD; FAR AFIELD; OUT IN LEFT FIELD; PLAY THE FIELD; TAKE THE FIELD.
field day A time of great pleasure, activity, or opportunity, as in The press had a field day with this sensational murder trial. This colloquial expression, dating from the 1700s, originally referred to a day set aside for military maneuvers and exercises, and later was extended to a similar day for sports and games. Since the early 1800s it has been used more loosely.
fifth → In addition to the idioms beginning with FIFTH, also see TAKE THE FIFTH.
fifth column A secret subversive group that works against a country or organization from the inside, as in The right-to-life movement has established a fifth column among freedom-of-choice activists. This term was invented by General Emilio Mola during the Spanish Civil War in a radio broadcast on October 16, 1936, in which he said that he had una quinta columna (“a fifth column”) of sympathizers for General Franco among the Republicans holding the city of Madrid, and it would join his four columns of troops when they attacked. The term was popularized by Ernest Hemingway and later extended to any traitorous insiders.
fifth wheel An extra and unnecessary person or thing, as in He was the only one without a date, so he felt like a fifth wheel. This expression, which alludes to an unneeded wheel on a four-wheel vehicle, may have originated as long ago as 1631, when Thomas Dekker wrote Match Me in London: “Thou tiest but wings to a swift gray Hounds heel, And addest to a running Chariot a fifth wheel.”
fifty-fifty → See under GO HALVES.
fig → See under NOT GIVE A DAMN.
fight → In addition to the idioms beginning with FIGHT, also see CAN’T FIGHT CITY HALL.
fight fire with fire Combat an evil or negative circumstances by reacting in kind. For example, When the opposition began a smear campaign, we decided to fight fire with fire. Although ancient writers from Plato to Erasmus cautioned that one should not add fire to fire, this warning is not incorporated in the idiom, which was first recorded in Shakespeare’s Coriolanus.
fighting chance A possibility of winning, but only with a struggle. For example, It’s going to be hard to beat that record, but I think he has a fighting chance. [Late 1800s]
fighting words A statement bound to start a quarrel or fight. It is often expressed as them’s fighting words, as in You say your father’s smarter than
mine? Them’s fighting words. The ungrammatical use of them’s for “those are” emphasizes the folksy tone of this colloquialism, first recorded in Ring Lardner’s Gullible’s Travels (1917).
fight it out Settle a dispute by fighting, either physically or verbally. For example, The two sides couldn’t agree on a budget but were determined to fight it out to the end. [Mid-1500s]
fight off Defe
nd against, drive back, as in I’ve been fighting off a cold all week. This figurative use of the term, originally meaning “to repel an enemy,” dates from the early 1800s.
fight tooth and nail Engage in vigorous combat or make a strenuous effort, using all one’s resources. For example, I’m going to fight tooth and nail for that promotion. This expression, with its allusion to biting and scratching, was first recorded in 1576. A synonymous expression is fight like cat and dog. Their enmity was first recorded in S. Gosson’s Schoole of Abuse (1579) although it surely predates that time. It is sometimes hyphenated and used as an adjective, cat-and-dog. Sir Walter Scott so used it in Kenilworth (1821): “...a cat-and-dog life she led with Tony.”
figment of one’s imagination Something made up, invented, or fabricated, as in “The long dishevelled hair, the swelled black face, the exaggerated stature were figments of imagination” (Charlotte Brontë, Jane Eyre, 1847). This term is redundant, since figment means “product of the imagination.” [Early 1800s]
figure → In addition to the idioms beginning with FIGURE, also see BALLPARK FIGURE; GO FIGURE; IN ROUND NUMBERS (FIGURES); IT FIGURES.
figure in 1. Include, add in. For example, Did you figure in the travel expense? 2. Play a part in, as in His speaking ability definitely figured in his being chosen for the lead, or Their reduced income figures in all their recent decisions.
figure on 1. Depend on, count on, as in We figured on your support. 2. Take into consideration, expect, as in We figured on his being late. 3. Plan, as in We’ll figure on leaving at noon. All three colloquial usages date from about 1900.
figure out 1. Discover or determine, as in Let’s figure out a way to help. [Early 1900s] 2. Solve or decipher, as in Can you figure out this puzzle? [Early 1800s]
figure up Calculate, total, as in Please figure up just how many feet of lumber we need. [Late 1800s]
file → See IN SINGLE FILE; ON FILE; RANK AND FILE.
fill → In addition to the idioms beginning with FILL, also see BACK AND FILL; GET ONE’S FILL. Also see under FULL.
filled to the brim As full as possible; also, completely satisfied. For example, We’re filled to the brim with excitement. This expression transfers the idea of a container filled to the very top. W.S. Gilbert used it in the comic opera The Mikado (1885): “Three little maids from school are we, Filled to the brim with girlish glee.” [c. 1600]
fill in 1. Complete something, especially by supplying more information or detail. For example, Be sure to fill in your salary history. It is also put as fill in the blanks, as in We’ll rely on Mary to fill in the blanks. Yet another related usage is fill someone in, as in I couldn’t attend, so will you fill me in? The first term dates from the mid-1800s; the others from the first half of the 1900s. Also see FILL OUT. 2. Also, fill in for. Take someone’s place, substitute for. For example, The understudy had to fill in at the last minute, or I can’t come but my wife will fill in for me. Also see FILL SOMEONE’S SHOES.
fill out 1. Complete by supplying required information, especially in writing. For example, Please fill out the application form, or I don’t quite understand this drawing, so fill out the details. [Late 1800s] 2. Become enlarged, distended, or rounded in outline. For example, The wind filled out the sails, or He’s put on weight and really filled out. Applied to objects, this expression dates from about 1700, but to persons or animals becoming fatter, only from the late 1800s.
fill someone’s shoes Assume someone’s position or duties, especially in a satisfactory way. For example, It’ll be hard to find someone to fill her shoes when she retires, or John expects his son to fill his shoes at the store. Also see IN SOMEONE’S SHOES.
fill the bill Serve a particular purpose well, as in I was afraid there wasn’t enough chicken for everyone, but this casserole will fill the bill, or Karen’s testimony just fills the bill, so we’re sure to get a conviction. This expression alludes to adding less-known performers to a program (or bill) in order to make a long enough entertainment. [First half of 1800s]
filthy lucre Money; originally, money obtained dishonestly. For example, She didn’t like the job but loved the filthy lucre in the form of her weekly paycheck. This term comes from the Bible (Titus 1:11), where it refers to those who teach wrongly for the sake of money. In time it came to be used loosely, and usually jokingly, for money in general, and in the mid-1900s gave rise to the jocular slang term the filthy for “money.” Although both versions may be dying out, the expression filthy rich, for “extremely wealthy,” survives.
final → See IN THE FINAL ANALYSIS.
find → In addition to the idioms beginning with FIND, also see (FIND OUT THE) HARD WAY.
finders keepers A phrase meaning that whoever finds something is entitled to keep it. For example, Someone left a dollar bill in this rented car—finders keepers. This expression alludes to an ancient Roman law to that effect and has been stated in numerous different ways over the centuries. The modern version, often stated as finders keepers, losers weepers, dates from the mid-1800s and is no longer a legal precept.
find fault Criticize, express dissatisfaction with, as in She was a difficult traveling companion, constantly finding fault with the hotel, meal service, and tour guides. [Mid-1500s]
find it in one’s heart Persuade oneself to do something, as in They were an hour late, but I couldn’t find it in my heart to scold them. This expression, today generally put in the negative, alludes to searching self-examination. [Mid-1400s]
find one’s bearings → See GET ONE’S BEARINGS.
find oneself 1. Become aware of what one wishes and can best do in life. For example, At last he’s found himself—he really loves teaching. The same idea was sometimes put as to find one’s feet, transferring a baby’s new ability to stand or walk to a person becoming conscious of his or her abilities. [Late 1800s] 2. Discover where one is; also, how one is feeling. For example, He suddenly found himself on the right street, or To my surprise I find myself agreeing with you. [Mid-1400s]
find one’s way Reach a destination, especially with some difficulty or not as a matter of course. For example, She finally found her way to the remote cabin, or Some slang phrases have found their way into standard English. The literal use of this term dates from the 1200s, the figurative from the early 1800s.
find out 1. Discover through examination or inquiry, as in You can find out his phone number by looking in the book. [Mid-1500s] 2. Expose, detect the true nature or character of, especially in an offense. For example, Cheaters risk being found out. [c. 1700]
find true north Get on the right course, proceed in the right direction, as in We’d better find true north before our competitors do. This term alludes to locating the position of the North Pole from a particular point. [Slang; late 1900s]
fine → In addition to the idioms beginning with FINE, also see COME ON IN (THE WATER’S FINE); CUT IT FINE; IN FINE FEATHER.
fine and dandy All right, excellent, as in What you’re proposing is fine and dandy with the rest of us. This redundant colloquialism (fine and dandy both mean “excellent”) today is more often used sarcastically in the sense of “not all right” or “bad,” as in You don’t want to play bridge? Fine and dandy, you’ve left me without a partner.
fine art Something requiring highly developed techniques and skills, as in He’s turned lying into a fine art, or The contractor excels in the fine art of demolition. This term alludes to the fine arts, such as music, painting, and sculpture, which require both skill and talent. It is now often used to describe anything that takes skill to do. [First half of 1800s]
fine-tooth comb A method of searching or investigating in minute detail, as in He examined the figures with a fine-tooth comb but found no errors. The practice of using a comb with close-set teeth to comb out head lice was transferred to various kinds of investigation in the late 1800s.
finger → In addition to the idiom beginning with FINGER, also see AT ONE’S FINGERTIPS; BURN ONE’S FINGERS; CROSS ONE’S FINGERS; GIV
E THE FINGER; LAY A FINGER ON; LET SLIP (THROUGH ONE’S FINGERS); NOT LIFT A FINGER; POINT THE FINGER AT; PUT ONE’S FINGER ON; PUT THE FINGER ON; SNAP ONE’S FINGERS AT; STICKY FINGERS; TWIST AROUND ONE’S FINGER; WORK ONE’S FINGERS TO THE BONE.
finger in the pie, have a Have an interest in or meddle in something. For example, When they nominated me for the board, I’m sure Bill had a finger in the pie. Another form of this idiom is have a finger in every pie, meaning “to have an interest in or be involved in everything,” as in She does a great deal for the town; she has a finger in every pie. The precise origin of this metaphor, which presumably alludes either to tasting every pie or being involved in their concoction, has been lost. [Late 1500s]
fingertips → See AT ONE’S FINGERTIPS.
finish → See FROM SOUP TO NUTS (START TO FINISH); IN AT THE DEATH (FINISH).
finishing touch A small change or addition that serves to complete something. For example, The room still needed a few finishing touches, such as a flower arrangement. This expression is sometimes put as a finishing stroke. [c. 1700]
fire → In addition to the idioms beginning with FIRE, also see ADD FUEL TO THE FIRE; BALL OF FIRE; BAPTISM OF FIRE; CATCH FIRE; CAUGHT IN THE MIDDLE (CROSS-FIRE); DRAW FIRE; FAT IS IN THE FIRE; FIGHT FIRE WITH FIRE; GET ALONG (ON LIKE A HOUSE AFIRE); HANG FIRE; HOLD ONE’S FIRE; HOLD SOMEONE’S FEET TO THE FIRE; IRONS IN THE FIRE; LIGHT A FIRE UNDER; LINE OF FIRE; MISS FIRE; NO SMOKE WITHOUT FIRE; ON FIRE; OPEN FIRE; OUT OF THE FRYING PAN INTO THE FIRE; PLAY WITH FIRE; SET ON FIRE; SET THE WORLD ON FIRE; SPREAD LIKE WILDFIRE; TRIAL BY FIRE; UNDER FIRE; WHERE’S THE FIRE. Also see under FIRING.