The American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms

by Christine Ammer

  forget → In addition to the idioms beginning with FORGET, also see FORGIVE AND FORGET.

  forget it Overlook it, it’s not important; you’re quite mistaken. This colloquial imperative is used in a variety of ways. For example, in Thanks so much for helping—Forget it, it was nothing, it is a substitute for “don’t mention it” or YOU’RE WELCOME; in Stop counting the change—forget it! it means “stop doing something unimportant”; in You think assembling this swingset was easy—forget it! it means “it was not at all easy”; and in Forget it—you’ll never understand this theorem it means that the possibility of your understanding it is hopeless. [c. 1900]

  forget oneself Lose one’s reserve, temper, or self-restraint; do or say something out of keeping with one’s position or character. For example, A teacher should never forget herself and shout at the class. Shakespeare used it in Richard II (3:2): “I had forgot myself: am I not king?” [Late 1500s]

  forgive and forget Both pardon and hold no resentment concerning a past event. For example, After Meg and Mary decided to forgive and forget their differences, they became good friends. This phrase dates from the 1300s and was a proverb by the mid-1500s. For a synonym, see LET BYGONES BE BYGONES.

  for God’s sake Also, for goodness sake. → See FOR THE SAKE OF, def. 3.

  for good Also, for good and all. Permanently, forever. For example, I’m moving to Europe for good. [1500s] Also see FOR KEEPS.

  for good measure In addition to the required amount. For example, Whenever she bakes she adds a little more cinnamon for good measure, or He didn’t argue with my price, so I gave him some extra supplies for good measure.

  for heaven’s sake → See FOR THE SAKE OF, def. 3.

  forked tongue, with Deceitfully. It alludes to a snake’s forked tongue, snakes long being associated with treachery and deceit. The term first appeared in John Milton’s Paradise Lost (1667) and continues to be used. For example, The symphony musicians believed management’s supposedly generous new offer was made with forked tongue; their pay was to be cut.

  for keeps 1. For the winner to retain, as in You can’t take the marbles back; we were playing for keeps. [Mid-1800s] 2. For an indefinitely long time, forever, as in She is leaving town for keeps. 3. In earnest, seriously, as in We’re separating for keeps. [Late 1800s]

  fork over Also, fork out or up. Hand over, pay up. For example, It’s time you forked over what you owe, or He forked out a hundred for that meal, or Fork up or we’ll sue. [Slang; early 1800s]

  forlorn hope A lost cause, an attempt doomed to fail. The term is actually an anglicization of a 16th-century Dutch expression, verloren hoop, which signified an expendable squad of soldiers. The British mistook hoop for “hope” and hence the idiom’s present meaning, which dates from the 17th century. For example, With some of the country’s best players involved, winning this bridge tournament is a forlorn hope.

  for love or money → See NOT FOR LOVE OR MONEY.

  form → In addition to the idiom beginning with FORM, also see RUN TO FORM; TRUE TO FORM.

  form an opinion Make up one’s mind or decide what one thinks about something. For example, I need more facts before I can form an opinion about this issue, or Don’t tell me your views; I want to form my own opinion.

  for one Also, for one thing. As the first of several possible instances. For example, Everything seemed to go wrong; for one, we had a flat tire, and then we lost the keys, or I find many aspects of your proposal to be inadequate; for one thing, you don’t specify where you’ll get the money. For one can also be applied to a person, as in He doesn’t like their behavior, and I for one agree with him.

  for one’s money According to one’s opinion, choice, or preference. For example, For my money, a trip to Europe is not worth the trouble or expense. [Second half of 1500s]

  for one’s pains In return for the trouble one has taken, as in And all he got for his pains was a failing grade. This expression is nearly always used ironically to indicate that the return was not appropriate to the effort made. [First half of 1500s]

  for one’s part Also, on one’s part; on the part of one. 1. So far as one is concerned, as regards one’s share in the matter. For example, You may want to go out, but for my part I want to stay home, or On the part of the others, they expect a small share of the profits. [Mid-1400s] 2. Regarding or with respect to the one specified, as in For the Confederates’ part, a daring strategy accounted for their victory at Chancellorsville, or, as Thomas Macaulay put it in History of England (1849): “No excess of tyranny on the part of a prince can justify active resistance on the part of a subject.” [c. 1400]

  for one’s sake → See FOR THE SAKE OF.

  for one thing → See FOR ONE.

  for openers Also, for starters. To begin with. For example, Out of 50 possible jurors they eliminated 30, for openers, or She believed him, which indicated, for starters, that she was very gullible. The word starters is also used for the appetizer or first course of a meal, as in For starters we had shrimp cocktail. [Mid-1900s]

  for Pete’s sake Also, for pity’s sake. → See FOR THE SAKE OF, def. 3.

  for real Actually so, genuine, as in Are your plans to move away for real? [Slang; mid-1900s]

  for shame Also, shame on you. An expression that condemns someone for being dishonorable or disgraceful. For example, “For shame,” said Carol to the puppy, “You shouldn’t have done that,” or “Shame on you for cheating,” the teacher said. [c. 1300]

  for short Also, short for. As an abbreviation. For example, Richard prefers to be called Dick for short, or The Fed is short for the Federal Reserve Board of Governors. [Mid-1800s]

  for show For the sake of appearances or display. For example, They put on a lavish buffet, mainly for show, or The police pretended to jail the informer, for show. [c. 1700]

  for starters → See FOR OPENERS.

  for sure → See FOR CERTAIN.

  fort → See HOLD THE FORT.

  forth → See AND SO FORTH; BACK AND FORTH; BRING FORTH; HOLD FORTH; PUT FORTH; SET FORTH.

  for that matter As for that, so far as that is concerned, as in For that matter I’m not too hungry. William Congreve used it in his 1693 play The Old Batchelour (4:22): “No, no, for that matter, when she and I part, she’ll carry her separate maintenance.” [Late 1600s]

  for the asking On request, without charge, as in My brother is a lawyer, so for us his advice is free for the asking, or If you want to borrow the tractor, it’s yours for the asking. This expression dates from the early 1800s, although slightly different versions of it (such as at one’s asking) have been used since the late 1500s.

  for the best → See ALL FOR THE BEST.

  for the birds Worthless, not to be taken seriously, no good. For example, This conference is for the birds—let’s leave now. This term has been said to allude to horse droppings from which birds would extract seeds. This seemingly fanciful theory is borne out by a more vulgar version of this idiom, shit for the birds. [Slang; first half of 1900s]

  for the hell of it Also, for the heck of it; just for the hell of it. For no particular reason; on a whim. For example, We drove by the old place just for the hell of it. In the first variant, heck is a euphemism for hell. [First half of 1900s] Also see FOR FUN, def. 2.

  for the life of one Although trying hard, as in I can’t for the life of me remember his name. This expression is always used hyperbolically, that is, one’s life is not at all endangered. [Late 1700s]

  for the love of 1. For the sake of, in consideration of. For example, She signed up for all these volunteer jobs for the love of praise. [c. 1200] 2. for the love of Pete or Mike or God. An exclamation of surprise, exasperation, or some similar feeling, as in For the love of Pete, give me the money! James Joyce used this idiom in Ulysses (1922): “For the love of Mike listen to him.” Pete and Mike are euphemisms for God. [Early 1900s] Also see FOR THE SAKE OF, def. 3.

  for the moment Also, for the present; for the time being. Temporarily, during the period u
nder consideration, for now. For example, For the moment I am tied up, but I’ll get to it next week, or This room arrangement will do for the present, or Jim will act as secretary for the time being. The first term dates from the late 1800s, the first variant from the mid-1500s, and the second variant from the late 1400s.

  for the most part In general, usually. For example, For the most part she is very good-humored, or The committee members agree for the most part. [Late 1300s] Also see the synonyms BY AND LARGE; ON THE WHOLE.

  for the present → See FOR THE MOMENT.

  for the record → See GO ON RECORD; JUST FOR THE RECORD.

  for the sake of 1. Also for one’s sake. Out of consideration or regard for a person or thing; for someone’s or something’s advantage or good. For example, For Jill’s sake we did not serve meat, or We have to stop fighting for the sake of family unity. [Early 1200s] 2. For the purpose or motive of, as in You like to quarrel only for the sake of an argument [Early 1200s]. 3. for God’s sake. Also for goodness or heaven’s or Pete’s or pity’s sake. An exclamation showing surprise, impatience, anger, or some other emotion, depending on the context. For example, For God’s sake, I didn’t expect to see you here, or Hurry up, for goodness sake, or For heaven’s sake, how can you say such a mean thing? or For pity’s sake, finish your dinner. The variants are euphemisms for God. [c. 1300] For a synonym, see FOR THE LOVE OF, def. 2.

  for the time being → See FOR THE MOMENT.

  fortune → See MAKE A FORTUNE.

  for two cents For nothing; for a petty sum. For example, For two cents I’d quit the club entirely. Similarly, like two cents means “of little or no value or importance, worthless,” as in She made me feel like two cents. The use of two cents in this sense is thought to be derived from a similar British use of twopence or tuppence, which dates from about 1600. The American coin was substituted in the 1800s, along with two bits, slang for 25 cents and also meaning “a petty sum.” Similarly, put in one’s two cents or two cents’ worth, meaning “to express one’s unsolicited opinion for whatever it is worth,” dates from the late 1800s.

  forty winks A brief nap, as in There’s just time for forty winks before we have to leave. This expression supposedly was first recorded in 1828 and relies on wink in the sense of “sleep,” a usage dating from the 14th century.

  forward → See BACKWARD AND FORWARD; CARRY FORWARD; COME FORWARD; FROM THIS DAY FORWARD; KNOW LIKE A BOOK (BACKWARDS AND FORWARDS); LOOK FORWARD TO; PUT FORWARD; PUT ONE’S BEST FOOT FORWARD; SET FORWARD.

  for what it’s worth → See under FOR ALL ONE IS WORTH.

  foul → In addition to the idioms beginning with FOUL, also see RUN AFOUL OF.

  foul one’s nest Also, foul one’s own nest. Hurt one’s own interests, as in With his constant complaints about his wife, he’s only fouling his own nest. This metaphoric expression transfers a bird’s soiling of its nest to human behavior. [Mid-1200s]

  foul play Unfair or treacherous action, especially involving violence. For example, The police suspected he had met with foul play. This term originally was and still is applied to unfair conduct in a sport or game and was being used figuratively by the late 1500s. Shakespeare used it in The Tempest (1:2): “What foul play had we, that we came from thence?”

  foul up Blunder or cause to blunder; botch, ruin. For example, He’s fouled up this report, but I think we can fix it, or Our plans were fouled up by the bad weather. This expression is widely believed to have originated as a euphemism for FUCK UP. [Colloquial; c. 1940]

  four → In addition to the idioms beginning with FOUR, also see BETWEEN YOU AND ME AND (THE FOUR WALLS); ON ALL FOURS.

  four corners of the earth, the The far ends of the world; all parts of the world. For example, Athletes came from the four corners of the earth to compete in the Olympics. This expression appeared in the Bible (Isaiah 11:12): “And gather the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth.” Although the idea that the earth is a flat plane with actual corners has long been discarded, the term has survived.

  four-letter word Any of several short English words that are generally regarded as vulgar or obscene. For example, No four-letter words are permitted in this classroom. This expression is applied mostly to words describing excretory or sexual functions. [First half of 1900s]

  fowl → See NEITHER FISH NOR FOWL.

  fox → See CRAZY LIKE A FOX.

  frame of mind Mental or emotional attitude or mood, as in You have to be in the right frame of mind to enjoy hiking in the rain. This idiom was first recorded in 1665.

  fray → See ENTER THE LISTS (FRAY).

  freak out 1. Experience or cause to experience hallucinations, paranoia, or other frightening feelings as a result of taking a mind-altering drug. For example, They were freaking out on LSD or some other drug. [Slang; mid-1960s] 2. Behave or cause to behave irrationally and uncontrollably, with enthusiasm, excitement, fear, or madness. For example, The band’s wild playing made the audience freak out, or It was such a close accident, it really freaked me out, or She freaked out and ended up in the psychiatric ward. [Slang; 1960s] Also see FLIP ONE’S LID; WIG OUT.

  free → In addition to the idioms beginning with FREE, also see BREATHE EASY (FREELY); FEEL FREE; FOOTLOOSE AND FANCY-FREE; FOR FREE; GET OFF (SCOT-FREE); HOME FREE; MAKE FREE WITH; OF ONE’S OWN ACCORD (FREE WILL).

  free agent 1. A person not under compulsion or constraint, not responsible to any authority for his or her actions. For example, After he quit his job, he decided to pursue the same line of work as a free agent. Originally used to describe a person subject to the philosophic concept of free will (as opposed to determinism), this expression was first recorded in 1662. Later it was extended to mean “someone not under obligation to an authority.” 2. A professional athlete who is free to sign a contract with any team. For example, After he was released from the Yankees, he was a free agent and could shop around for the team that offered the most money. [Second half of 1900s]

  free and clear Without any legal encumbrance, such as a lien or mortgage. For example, After the mortgage was paid off they owned the house free and clear. [Mid-1800s]

  free and easy 1. Casual, relaxed, as in His style of writing is free and easy. In the 1930s and 1940s this phrase gained currency as part of a slogan for a brand of cigarettes, which were said to be “free and easy” to inhale. [c. 1700] 2. Careless, sloppy, morally lax, as in This administration was free and easy with the taxpayers’ money, or These girls hate to be considered free and easy. [First half of 1900s]

  free as a bird At liberty, without obligations, as in Can you join us tonight?—Yes, I’m free as a bird, or He’s free as a bird—he can travel wherever he chooses. [c. 1700]. Also see FOOTLOOSE AND FANCY-FREE.

  free enterprise Also, private enterprise. An undertaking on one’s own behalf, especially a shady or illegal one. For example, The city treasurer didn’t bother with competitive bids; the spirit of free enterprise just led him to his brother-in-law, or The sergeant indulged in a little private enterprise, selling cigarettes on the black market. This sarcastic application of a term that has meant, since about 1885, the freedom of private businesses to operate competitively for profit with a minimum of government control, dates from the mid-1900s.

  free fall A rapid, uncontrolled decline, as in The markets threatened to go into free fall and we came close to outright panic. This term transfers the aeronautical meaning of a free fall, that is, “a fall through the air without any impedance, such as a parachute,” to other kinds of precipitous drop. [Second half of 1900s]

  free hand Also, free rein. Freedom to do or decide as one sees fit. For example, The teacher gave her assistant a free hand with the class, or They gave me free rein to reorganize the department. The first expression dates from the late 1800s, the second from the mid-1900s.

  free lunch Something acquired without due effort or cost. For example, In politics there is no free lunch; every favor calls for repayment. This expression alludes to the custom of taverns offering
food free of charge to induce customers to buy drinks. It was soon extended to other kinds of gift but is often used in a negative way, as in the example. [First half of 1800s]

  free rein → See FREE HAND.

  freeze one’s blood → See MAKE ONE’S BLOOD RUN COLD.

  freeze out Shut out or exclude by unfriendly treatment; force to retire or withdraw from membership, a job, or the like. For example, They tried to freeze me out of the conversation, or After Bill was frozen out of the case, they hired a new lawyer. [Mid-1800s]

  French  → See PARDON MY FRENCH.

  fresh → In addition to the idioms beginning with FRESH, also see BREATH OF FRESH AIR.

  fresh as a daisy Well rested, energetic, as in I’m finally over my jet lag and feel fresh as a daisy. This simile may allude to the fact that a daisy’s petals fold at night and open in the morning. [Late 1700s]

  fresh out of Also, clean out of. Recently or completely used up or unavailable. For example, Sorry, I’m fresh out of sugar and can’t lend you any, or We’re clean out of small change. [Colloquial; late 1800s]

  friday → See BLACK FRIDAY; GIRL FRIDAY.

  friend → In addition to the idiom beginning with FRIEND, also see FAIR-WEATHER FRIEND; MAKE FRIENDS.

  friend in court Also, friends in high places. A person or persons who can help by virtue of their important position. For example, With a friend in court, he has a good chance of getting the contract, or Jim thinks he can get out of paying the fine; he has friends in high places. This expression alludes to the power of a person at the royal court. With the decline of monarchies, high places came into more common use. [c. 1400]

  frighten → See SCARE OUT OF ONE’S WITS.

  fritter away Squander or waste little by little; wear down gradually. For example, She frittered away her salary on odds and ends and saved nothing. This expression was first recorded in Alexander Pope’s Dunciad (1728): “How prologues into prefaces decay, And these to notes are fritter’d quite away.”