flunk out 1. Expel or be expelled from a school because one’s work does not meet the required standard. For example, He flunked out of Harvard after just one year. [Slang; early 1800s.] 2. Fail at anything, as in The camera ran out of film so we flunked out as photographers. [Slang; late 1800s]
fly, flying → In addition to the idioms beginning with FLY or FLYING, also see GET OFF THE GROUND (TO A FLYING START); GO FLY A KITE; LET FLY; MAKE THE DUST FLY; NOT HURT A FLY; ON THE FLY; SEND FLYING; TAKE A FLYER; WHEN PIGS FLY; WITH FLYING COLORS. Also see under FLIES; FLIGHT.
fly at Attack fiercely, assault. For example, The dogs flew at each other’s throats. [Late 1500s]
fly blind Feel one’s way, proceed by guesswork, as in There are no directions for assembling this furniture, so I’m flying blind. This hyperbolic expression dates from World War II, when it was used by pilots who could not see the horizon and therefore had to rely on instruments. It was transferred to broader use soon afterward.
fly-by-night Untrustworthy, irresponsible, especially applying to an unreliable debtor or a shaky business enterprise. The term, which alludes to runaways escaping a debt by fleeing at night, was first recorded in the present sense in 1822. It is used both as a noun and as an adjective. For example, Dad warned us that the outfit selling vacuum cleaners was a fly-by-night business, and we’d never get paid. However, in the late 1700s the term was used to describe an old woman accused of being a witch (and flying about at night), a usage that has died out.
fly high Be elated, as in They were flying high after the birth of their first baby. This expression alludes to a high pitch of feeling. [Mid-1600s]
flying start → See under GET OFF THE GROUND.
fly in the face of Also, fly in the teeth of. Act in direct opposition to or defiance of. For example, This decision flies in the face of all precedent, or They went out without permission, flying in the teeth of house rules. This metaphoric expression alludes to a physical attack. [Mid-1500s]
fly in the ointment A drawback or detrimental factor. For example, The new library is wonderful but there’s a fly in the ointment: their catalog isn’t complete yet. This term probably alludes to a biblical proverb (Ecclesiastes 10:1): “Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth a stinking savour.” [c. 1600]
fly off the handle Lose one’s temper, as in Tom flies off the handle at the slightest setback. This metaphoric expression alludes to the loosened head of a hammer flying off after a blow. [Early 1800s]
fly on the wall An unseen observer or listener, as in I wish I could be a fly on the wall when she tells him she’s pregnant. [Mid-1900s]
fly the coop Escape, run away, as in After years of fighting with my mother, my father finally flew the coop. This term originally meant “escape from jail,” known as the coop in underworld slang since the late 1700s. [Late 1800s]
foam at the mouth Be extremely angry, as in She was foaming at the mouth over the judge’s ruling. This hyperbolic term uses the verb foam in the sense of “froth at the mouth,” a usage generally applied to animals such as horses and dating from about A.D. 950. [1400s]
fob off 1. Sell or dispose of goods by fraud or deception, as in They tried to fob off the zircon as a diamond. [c. 1600] 2. Put off or appease by deceitful means, as in We needed her help but were fobbed off by promises. [c. 1600]
fog → See IN A FOG.
fold → In addition to the idioms beginning with FOLD, also see RETURN TO THE FOLD.
fold one’s tent Quietly depart, as in It’s late, so let’s fold our tents. This term is a partial quotation of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s poem “The Day is Done” (1844): “And the night shall be filled with music, And the cares that infest the day, Shall fold their tents, like the Arabs, And quietly steal away.”
fold up 1. Fail, especially go out of business. For example, Three stores on Main Street have folded up. 2. Collapse, break down. For example, When she told him about the dog’s death, she folded up. This idiom alludes to closing or bringing an object into more compact form. [Early 1900s]
folk → See JUST FOLKS.
follow → In addition to the idioms beginning with FOLLOW, also see AS FOLLOWS; CAMP FOLLOWER; HARD ACT TO FOLLOW.
follow along Move or proceed in accord or in unison with someone. For example, The children followed along with the song, or They followed along with the crowd.
follow in someone’s footsteps Also, follow in someone’s tracks. Follow someone’s example or guidance. For example, Dean hoped his son would follow in his footsteps and become an economist, or Jane tried to follow in her mentor’s tracks. [Mid-1500s]
follow one’s nose Go straight ahead, as in To get to the restaurant, just follow your nose down Baker Avenue. [Late 1600s]
follow out Bring to a conclusion, carry out. For example, The second volume simply followed out the theories presented in the first, or He instructed them to follow out their orders to the letter. This idiom is dying out. [Mid-1700s]
follow suit Imitate or do as someone else has done, as in Bill decided to leave for the rest of the day, and Mary followed suit. This term comes from card games in which one must play a card from the same suit as the one led. [Mid-1800s]
follow the crowd Go along with the majority, do what most others are doing. For example, Make your own decision—don’t just follow the crowd.
follow through 1. In sports such as tennis or golf, carry a stroke to completion after striking the ball. For example, You don’t follow through on your backhand, so it goes into the net. [Late 1800s] 2. Carry an object, project, or intention to completion; pursue fully. For example, She followed through on her promise to reorganize the department. Also see FOLLOW UP, def. 1.
follow up 1. Carry to completion. For example, I’m following up their suggestions with concrete proposals. Also see FOLLOW THROUGH. 2. Increase the effectiveness or enhance the success of something by further action. For example, She followed up her interview with a phone call. [Late 1700s]
food for thought An idea or issue to ponder, as in That interesting suggestion of yours has given us food for thought. This metaphoric phrase, transferring the idea of digestion from the stomach to mulling something over in the mind, dates from the late 1800s, although the idea was also expressed somewhat differently at least three centuries earlier.
fool → In addition to the idioms beginning with FOOL, also see MAKE A FOOL OF; NOBODY’S FOOL; NO FOOL LIKE AN OLD FOOL; NOT SUFFER FOOLS GLADLY; PLAY THE FOOL; TAKE FOR (A FOOL). Also see under FOOLISH.
fool and his money are soon parted, a A silly or stupid person readily wastes money. For example, Albert is known for giving waiters enormous tips—a fool and his money are soon parted. This proverbial expression has been cited again and again since the mid-1500s.
fool around 1. Also, monkey around. Engage in idle or casual activity, putter. For example, Jim loved to fool around with his computer, or She was monkeying around with some figures in hopes of balancing the budget. [Second half of 1800s] 2. Engage in frivolous activity, waste time. For example, Instead of studying, he spends all his spare time fooling around. Also see FOOL AWAY. 3. Engage in casual sexual acts; also, engage in adultery. For example, He caught the two teenagers fooling around in the basement. [1830s]
fool away Squander, waste money or time, as in He was fooling away the entire afternoon. [Early 1600s] Also see FOOL AROUND, def. 2.
foolish → See PENNY WISE AND POUND FOOLISH.
fool’s errand A fruitless mission or undertaking, as in Asking the bank for yet another loan was clearly a fool’s errand. [c. 1700]
fool’s paradise State of delusive contentment or false hope. For example, Joan lived in a fool’s paradise, looking forward to a promotion she would never get. This expression was first recorded in 1462.
fools rush in where angels fear to tread Ignorant or inexperienced individuals get involved in situations that wiser persons would avoid, as in I’ve never heard this symphony and here I am conducting it—oh well, fools rush in wh
ere angels fear to tread, or He tried to mediate their unending argument—fools rush in. This expression, so well known it is sometimes shortened as in the second example, is a quotation from Alexander Pope’s Essay on Criticism (1709): “No place so sacred from such fops is barr’d ... Nay, fly to altars; there they’ll talk you dead; For fools rush in where angels fear to tread.”
foot → In addition to the idioms beginning with FOOT, also see BOUND HAND AND FOOT; CAUGHT FLAT-FOOTED; GET OFF ON THE WRONG FOOT; NOT TOUCH WITH A TEN-FOOT POLE; ONE FOOT IN THE GRAVE; ON FOOT; ON THE RIGHT FOOT; PLAY FOOTSIE; PUT ONE’S BEST FOOT FORWARD; PUT ONE’S FOOT DOWN; PUT ONE’S FOOT IN IT; SET FOOT; SHOE IS ON THE OTHER FOOT; SHOOT ONESELF IN THE FOOT; WAIT ON HAND AND FOOT. Also see under FEET.
foot in both camps, have a Support or have good relations with two opposing sides. For example, He had a foot in both camps, making donations to candidates in both parties. In this expression camp alludes to encampments of enemy troops in a battle. [First half of 1900s]
foot in one’s mouth, put one’s Say something foolish, embarrassing, or tactless. For example, Jane put her foot in her mouth when she called him by her first husband’s name. This notion is sometimes put as having foot-in-mouth disease, as in He has a bad case of foot-in-mouth disease, always making some tactless remark. The first expression dates from about 1900. The variant, dating from the mid-1900s, is a play on the foot-and-mouth (sometimes called hoof-and-mouth) disease that afflicts cattle, causing eruptions to break out around the mouth and hoofs.
foot in the door, get one’s Also, get one’s toe in the door. Achieve an initial stage; succeed with a first step. For example, I think I could do well in an interview once I get my foot in the door with an appointment. This term alludes to the door-to-door salesperson or canvasser who blocks the door with one foot so it cannot be closed. [First half of 1900s]
footloose and fancy-free Having no attachments, especially romantic ones, and free to do as one pleases. For example, When I was in my twenties, footloose and fancy-free, I would travel at the drop of a hat. Both of these words have long been used separately; their pairing dates only from the 1900s.
footstep → See FOLLOW IN SOMEONE’S FOOTSTEPS.
foot the bill Pay the bill, settle the accounts, as in The bride’s father was resigned to footing the bill for the wedding. This expression uses foot in the sense of “add up and put the total at the foot, or bottom, of an account.” [Colloquial; early 1800s]
for → In addition to the idioms beginning with FOR, also see ALL FOR; AS FOR; BUT FOR; DO FOR; DONE FOR; EXCEPT FOR; GO FOR; GOOD FOR; HAVE GOING FOR ONE; IN FOR; OUT FOR; UNCALLED FOR; WHAT FOR.
for a change For the sake of variety or novelty, as in Let’s take a taxi for a change, or So you’re on time for a change. This phrase is sometimes used in a straightforward way, as in the first example, or to express the same sentiment as ABOUT TIME, that is, “it’s high time something different happened,” as in the second example. [First half of 1900s]
for all 1. Also, for all that. In spite of, notwithstanding. For example, For all her protests she still loved the attention, or He’s too old for the part but he did a good job for all that. [Early 1300s] 2. for all one cares or knows. So far as one knows; also, one doesn’t really care or know. These phrases are employed like a negative. For example, He can buy ten houses for all I care, meaning one doesn’t care at all, or For all he knows she’s gone to China, meaning he doesn’t really know where she is. [Mid-1700s]
for all intents and purposes → See TO ALL INTENTS AND PURPOSES.
for all one is worth 1. To the utmost of one’s power or ability, as in Coming onto the homestretch she ran for all she was worth. [Second half of 1800s] 2. for all or for what it’s worth; for whatever it’s worth. Even though it may not be important or valuable. For example, Here’s my opinion, for what it’s worth, or For whatever it’s worth I’ve decided to take the train. [Late 1800s]
for all that → See under FOR ALL.
for all the world 1. In all respects, precisely, as in She looked for all the world like Greta Garbo. [Late 1300s] 2. Also, not for the world. Not for anything, not at any price. For example, I wouldn’t give up chocolate for all the world, or Not for the world would I reveal your secret. This hyperbolic expression is generally part of a negative statement. [First half of 1800s] For a synonym, see NOT FOR LOVE OR MONEY.
for a loop → See KNOCK FOR A LOOP.
for a song Very cheaply, for little money, especially for less than something is worth. For example, “I know a man ... sold a goodly manor for a song” (Shakespeare, All’s Well That Ends Well, 3:2). This idiom alludes to the pennies given to street singers or to the small cost of sheet music. [Late 1500s]
for a wonder Surprisingly, strange to say, as in For a wonder he didn’t argue with the waiter about the bill. [Late 1700s]
for better or for worse Under good or bad circumstances, with good or bad effect. For example, For better or for worse he trusts everyone. This term became widely familiar because it appears in the marriage service of the Book of Common Prayer (1549): “With this ring I thee wed, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, for better or worse, till death do us part.” [Late 1300s]
forbid → See GOD FORBID
forbidden fruit Unlawful pleasure or enjoyment; illicit love. For example, After Mary moved in with John, Tom began courting her—forbidden fruit is sweet, I guess, or Smoking behind the woodshed, that’s a case of forbidden fruit. This expression alludes to Adam and Eve’s violation of God’s commandment not to touch fruit from the tree of knowledge, which resulted in their expulsion from the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:6). In the form forbidden fruit is sweet it appeared in numerous early English proverb collections.
force → In addition to the idioms beginning with FORCE, also see BRUTE FORCE; DRIVING FORCE; IN FORCE; JOIN FORCES; RECKON WITH (FORCE TO BE RECKONED WITH).
for certain Also, for sure. Without doubt. For example, I can’t tell for certain if this is the right color, or I know for sure that she has a new car. The first term dates from the early 1300s. The variant, dating from the late 1500s, is also used colloquially to express agreement or assert the truth of a statement, as in Mary is really bossy.—That’s for sure, or Are you coming to the party?—For sure I am.
force someone’s hand Compel someone to act or speak prematurely or against his or her will. For example, He didn’t want to decide just then, but the board forced his hand. This expression probably alludes to the hand (the cards) held in a game such as whist or poker, in which a player is compelled to play some card from his hand or to reveal his hand. [Mid-1800s]
force to be reckoned with → See under RECKON WITH.
for chicken feed → see CHICKEN FEED.
for crying out loud An exclamation of anger or exasperation, as in For crying out loud, can’t you do anything right? This term is a euphemism for “for Christ’s sake.” [Colloquial; early 1900s]
for days on end → See ON END.
for dear life Also, for one’s life. Desperately, urgently, so as to save one’s life. For example, When the boat capsized, I hung on for dear life, or With the dogs chasing them they ran for their lives, or She wanted that vase but I saw it first and hung on to it for dear life. These expressions are sometimes hyperbolic (that is, one’s life may not actually be in danger). The first dates from the mid-1800s, the variant from the first half of the 1600s. Also see FOR THE LIFE OF ONE.
fore → In addition to the idioms beginning with FORE, also see TO THE FORE.
fore and aft Both front and back, everywhere, as in The children clung to the teacher fore and aft. This expression is nautical terminology for the bow, or front, and the stern, or back, of a vessel. Today it is also used more broadly. [First half of 1600s]
foregone conclusion, a 1. An outcome regarded as inevitable, as in The victory was a foregone conclusion. 2. A conclusion formed in advance of argument or consideration, as in The jury was warned to consider all of the evidence and
not base their decision on a foregone conclusion. This idiom probably was invented by Shakespeare (Othello, 3:3) but scholars are not agreed as to his precise meaning. [c. 1600]
foremost → See FIRST AND FOREMOST.
forest → See CAN’T SEE THE FOREST FOR THE TREES.
forever and a day 1. For a very long time, as in He’s been working on that book forever and a day. This hyperbolic expression probably originated as a corruption of the now obsolete for ever and ay. Shakespeare used it in The Taming of the Shrew (4:4): “Farewell for ever and a day.” Today it is mainly a substitute for “very long time.” [c. 1600] 2. Incessantly, ceaselessly, as in Will this racket never end? It’s been going on forever and a day. [Colloquial; first half of 1900s]
forewarned is forearmed Knowledge in advance enables one to be prepared, as in Let me know when he’s in town so I can take the phone off the hook—forewarned is forearmed. This expression originated as a Latin proverb, Praemonitus, praemunitus, which was translated into English by the early 1500s. It soon was put to broader use than its original military applications.
for example Also, for instance. As an illustration of something, as in Dress casually, in blue jeans, for example, or This program has problems—for instance, it’s hard to retrieve lost data. The first expression, which dates from the late 1500s, is used throughout this book to illustrate how an idiom is used. The variant dates from the mid-1600s.
for fear of Also, for fear that. In order to avoid or prevent, in case of. For example, They closed all the windows for fear of rain. The variant is always used before a clause, as in She wouldn’t let her children climb trees for fear that they would fall. The first term dates from the late 1400s, the second from about 1600.
for free Without charge, gratis, as in You can’t expect the doctor to treat you for free. [Colloquial; c. 1900]
for fun 1. Also, in fun. As a joke, not seriously. For example, For fun the children told the teacher it was a holiday, or Their teasing was just in fun. [Mid-1800s] 2. for the fun of it; for kicks. For pleasure or excitement. For example, He played basketball for the fun of it, or They drove around for hours, just for kicks. Also see FOR THE HELL OF IT.
The American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms Page 41