The American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms

by Christine Ammer

  fritz → See ON THE BLINK (FRITZ).

  fro → See TO AND FRO.

  frog in one’s throat Hoarseness or phlegm in the throat, as in Can you understand me? I’ve got a frog in my throat. This expression probably owes its origin to the froglike croaks produced by a person with a sore throat. [c. 1900]

  frog in a small pond → See under BIG FISH IN A SMALL POND.

  from bad to worse Unacceptable and getting more so, on a steady downward course. For example, Mary’s grades have gone from bad to worse. [Mid-1500s] Also see IF WORST COMES TO WORST.

  from day one From the very beginning; also, since long ago. Both meanings are current, depending on the context. The first is meant in She’s given me a hard time at the office from day one; the second in Poets have used iambic pentameter from day one. [1900s]

  from first to last → See under FIRST AND LAST.

  from hand to hand → See HAND TO HAND.

  from hand to mouth → See HAND TO MOUTH.

  from head to toe Also, from head to heels or foot; from tip or top to toe. Over the entire body, in its entirety. For example, He was dressed in black from head to toe, or She ached all over, from tip to toe. These expressions date from ancient times. The alliterative head to heels originated about 1400, and Shakespeare had “from top to toe” in Hamlet (1:2).

  from Missouri, I’m I’m extremely skeptical so you’ll have to prove it. For example, You won the lottery? Come on, I’m from Missouri. The full expression, I’m from Missouri and you’ll have to show me, dates from about 1880. Some authorities believe it alludes to the Missouri Compromise of 1820, whereby Missouri was admitted to the Union as a slave state and slavery was forbidden in certain other areas, but the connection, if any, is not clear.

  from pillar to post From one thing or place to another, hither and thither. For example, After Kevin joined the Air Force, the family kept moving from pillar to post. This expression began life in the early 1400s as from post to pillar, an order no longer used, and is thought to allude to the banging about of a ball in the game of court tennis.

  from rags to riches From being poor to being wealthy, especially through one’s own efforts. For example, The invention catapulted the scientist from rags to riches. Horatio Alger (1834–1899) popularized this theme in some 130 best-selling novels, in which the hero, through hard work and thrift, pulled himself out of poverty to wealth and happiness.

  from scratch From the very beginning, from the outset; from nothing. For example, I knew we’d have a problem from scratch. Similarly, to start from scratch means “to start from the very beginning,” as in After the business failed, they decided to reorganize and start from scratch. This term comes from racing, where a competitor starts from the line scratched into the ground (whereas others may start ahead with a handicap). [Mid-1800s] Also see FROM THE GROUND UP; FROM THE WORD GO.

  from soup to nuts Also, from A to Z or start to finish or stem to stern. From beginning to end, throughout, as in We went through the whole agenda, from soup to nuts, or She had to learn a whole new system from A to Z, or It rained from start to finish, or We did over the whole house from stem to stern. The first expression, with its analogy to the first and last courses of a meal, appeared in slightly different forms (such as from potage to cheese) from the 1500s on; the precise wording here dates only from the mid-1900s. The second expression alludes to the first and last letters of the Roman alphabet; see also ALPHA AND OMEGA. The third comes from racing and alludes to the entire course of the race; it dates from the mid-1800s. The last variant is nautical, alluding to the front or stem, and rear or stern, of a vessel.

  from the bottom of one’s heart Most sincerely, unreservedly. For example, I want to thank all of my supporters from the bottom of my heart, or She wished, from the bottom of her heart, that her daughter would get well. In English this term appeared in the Anglican Book of Common Prayer’s Communion service (1545): “If one ... be content to forgive from the bottom of his heart”; in Latin it dates back to Virgil.

  from the cradle to the grave From birth to death, throughout life, as in This health plan will cover you from cradle to grave. Richard Steele used the term in The Tatler (1709): “A modest fellow never has a doubt from his cradle to his grave.” [c. 1700]

  from the get-go → See under FROM THE WORD GO.

  from the ground up From the very beginning; also, completely, thoroughly. For example, We’ve had to learn a new system from the ground up, or The company changed all of the forms from the ground up. This expression alludes to the construction of a house, which begins with the foundation.

  from the horse’s mouth From a reliable source, on the best authority. For example, I have it from the horse’s mouth that he plans to retire next month. Also put as straight from the horse’s mouth, this expression alludes to examining a horse’s teeth to determine its age and hence its worth. [1920s]

  from the outset → See AT THE OUTSET.

  from the sublime to the ridiculous From the beautiful to the silly, from great to puny. For example, They played first Bach and then an ad jingle—from the sublime to the ridiculous. The reverse, from the ridiculous to the sublime, is used with the opposite meaning. Coined by Tom Paine in The Age of Reason (1794), in which he said the two are so closely related that it is but one step from one to the other, the phrase has been often repeated in either order.

  from the word go From the start, as in I’ve had trouble with this computer from the word go. This expression probably alludes to the start of a race, signaled by the word go. [Early 1800s] A more recent colloquial version that has become very widespread is from the get-go, dating from the 1960s. For example, Bill has been working on this project from the get-go. For a synonym, see FROM SCRATCH.

  from this day forward Also, from this day on; from now on. Beginning today and continuing forever, as in They promised to follow instructions from this day forward, or From now on I’ll do what you say. The first rather formal expression for this concept dates from about 1500. A form of the second was used by Thomas Hobbes in his 1675 translation of the Odyssey: “From that day on, centaurs and men are foes.” The last version is the most common today.

  from time to time Occasionally, once in a while. For example, From time to time we play bridge with the Carters. [Late 1300s] Also see AT TIMES; EVERY NOW AND THEN; ONCE IN A WHILE.

  from way back Since long ago; for a long time. For example, This painting has been in the family from way back, or We know the Smiths from way back. [Colloquial; late 1800s]

  front → In addition to the idioms beginning with FRONT, also see BRAVE FACE (FRONT); IN FRONT OF; OUT FRONT; UP FRONT.

  front and center In the most prominent position, as in You couldn’t miss John—he was front and center in that presentation. This expression alludes to the best and usually most expensive seats in a theater.

  front burner, on a Also, on the front burner. A position of relatively great importance or high priority. For example, The boss said this project is now on a front burner. This expression alludes to a cook’s putting the items requiring the most attention at the front of the stove. [1960s] Also see BACK BURNER.

  front office The policy-making or executive individuals in an organization, as in I’ll have to check with the front office before I can give you a discount. This term was originally underworld slang for police headquarters or the main detective bureau. It soon was extended to other administrative offices and their personnel. [c. 1900]

  frosting on the cake → See ICING ON THE CAKE.

  frown on Regard with disapproval or distaste, as in Pat frowns on bad language. This idiom transfers the disapproving facial expression to the thought it expresses. [Late 1500s]

  fruit → See BEAR FRUIT; FORBIDDEN FRUIT.

  fruitcake → See NUTTY AS A FRUITCAKE.

  fry, frying → See OTHER FISH TO FRY; OUT OF THE FRYING PAN; SMALL FRY.

  fuck around 1. Also, fart around. Engage in frivolous activity, as in Stop fucking around and get the job done,
or I’m tired of farting around—let’s go home. [Vulgar slang; 1920s] 2. fuck someone around. Cheat, treat badly or make trouble for someone, as in Stop fucking me around; I know what you’re up to. [Vulgar slang; mid-1900s] 3. Be sexually promiscuous, as in Doesn’t he have a reputation for fucking around? [Vulgar slang; c. 1930]

  fuck off 1. Go away, get out of here, as in Fuck off or I’ll call the police. This idiom is used only as a command. [Vulgar slang; 1920s] 2. Spend time idly, loaf or shirk one’s duty. For example, After twelve years of school some kids feel they’re entitled to fuck off, or You’re always fucking off instead of working. [Vulgar slang; 1940s] 3. be fucked off. To be furious, as in They didn’t show up, and I am really fucked off. [Vulgar slang; c. 1940] Also see PISS OFF.

  fuck over Treat unfairly, take advantage of, as in This so-called reform is really fucking over the homeless. [Vulgar slang; c. 1960]

  fuck up 1. Ruin, botch, spoil. For example, He fucked up the joke by forgetting the punch line. It is also put as be fucked up, meaning “be ruined or spoiled,” as in This entire project is fucked up. This vulgar usage dates from the early 1900s but did not become widespread until about 1940. 2. Act carelessly or foolishly, mess up, as in I’m sorry, I really fucked up when I invited them. [Vulgar slang; c. 1940] 3. Break down, fail, as in If the flash mechanism fucks up again, I won’t get a picture. [Vulgar slang; c. 1980] 4. be fucked up. Be very confused or mentally ill; also, intoxicated. For example, He was so fucked up they had to hospitalize him, or What a party—I sure got fucked up. [Vulgar slang; 1940s]

  fuck you Also get fucked; go fuck yourself. A curse meaning “go to hell.” For example, Fuck you—go get your own dinner! or Get out of here, get fucked! or, as John Dos Passos had it in 1919 (1931): “Joe got sore and told him to go fuck himself.” The first and third of these vulgar curses date from the late 1800s, and the second from about 1950. Also see GIVE THE FINGER.

  fuel → See ADD FUEL TO THE FIRE.

  full → In addition to the idioms beginning with FULL, also see GLASS IS HALF FULL; HAVE ONE’S HANDS FULL; IN FULL SWING; TO THE FULL. Also see under FILL.

  full blast Also, at full blast. At full power, with great energy; also, as loud as possible. For example, The committee is working full blast on the plans, or The fanfare featured the trumpets at full blast. This expression transfers the strong currents of air used in furnaces to anything being done at full power. [Late 1700s]

  full circle, come Also, go full circle. Complete an entire cycle; return to the original position or condition. For example, After a whole year of debate we have come full circle on this issue. Shakespeare may have originated this expression in King Lear (5:3): “The wheel is come full circle.” A 20th-century idiom with a similar meaning is what goes around comes around, as in I knew if I helped her now, she would help me later—what goes around comes around.

  full-court press An all-out effort to exert pressure. For example, She’d learned over the years how to deliver a full-court press of guilt. The term alludes to a basketball tactic in which the defenders put pressure on the opposing team over the entire court, trying to disrupt their dribbling and passing. [Late 1900s]

  full of beans 1. Lively, energetic, in high spirits, as in The children were full of beans today, looking forward to their field trip. This expression has no obvious explanation. [c. 1840] 2. Also, full of prunes. Acting foolish, talking nonsense, as in One cup of coffee won’t hurt you—you’re full of prunes. [c. 1930] Also see FULL OF CRAP.

  full of crap Also, full of bull; full of shit. Talking nonsense or rubbish, as in She doesn’t know what she’s talking about; she’s full of crap. All of these expressions alluding to excrement are considered vulgar. [First half of 1900s] Also see FULL OF IT, def. 2; HOT AIR.

  full of hot air → See HOT AIR.

  full of it 1. Also, full of the devil. Mischievous, naughty. For example, The youngsters were full of it today, giving the teacher a hard time, or Bill is full of the devil, hiding his roommate’s clothes and teasing him mercilessly. 2. Talking nonsense, as in He claims to have fixed the dock, but I think he’s full of it. This usage is a euphemism for ruder idioms like FULL OF CRAP.

  full of oneself Conceited, self-centered, as in Ever since she won the prize Mary’s been so full of herself that no one wants to talk to her. This expression uses full of in the sense of “engrossed with” or “absorbed with,” a usage dating from about 1600.

  full speed ahead Also, full steam ahead. As fast and as strongly as possible. For example, There’s only one way we’ll get there on time, so go full speed ahead, or Production would go full steam ahead as soon as the orders were confirmed. It is also put as with a full head of steam, as in She was traveling with a full head of steam—she was due there at noon. These expressions all allude to the steam engine, where full steam signifies that a boiler has developed maximum pressure. They became well known through an order allegedly given by Admiral David Farragut at the battle of Mobile Bay (1864): “Damn the torpedoes! Full steam ahead!”

  full swing → See IN FULL SWING.

  full tilt, at As fast or forcefully as possible, as in Running full tilt on that very uneven ground, she was bound to trip and fall or Trying to keep up with new orders, the factory was running at full tilt. Originally referring to the combatants’ thrust of a sword or lance, this term has been used figuratively since about 1700.

  full well Very well, exceedingly well, as in You know full well how much this costs. [c. 1700]

  fun → In addition to the idiom beginning with FUN, also see FOR FUN; LIKE FUN; MAKE FUN OF; MORE FUN THAN A BARREL OF MONKEYS. Also see under FUNNY.

  fun and games Activity for pure pleasure or diversion. For example, This job isn’t all fun and games, you know, or We’re just out for fun and games tonight. [Early 1900s]

  funeral → See IT’S YOUR FUNERAL.

  funny → In addition to the idioms beginning with FUNNY, also see under FUN.

  funny bone 1. A point on the elbow where the ulnar nerve runs close to the surface and produces a sharp tingling sensation when knocked against the bone. For example, Ouch! I just banged my funny bone. The expression is a pun on humerus (pronounced the same as humorous), the Latin name for the long bone of the arm. [Early 1800s] 2. A sense of humor, as in That comedian really tickles my funny bone. This expression is derived from def. 1.

  funny business Deceit, treachery, unethical conduct. For example, We suspect their outfit has been up to some funny business. [Colloquial; c. 1880]

  funny money Counterfeit money; also, money from an obscure or questionable source. For example, The police warned storekeepers that some funny money was being passed around town. This expression probably endures because of its rhyme. [1930s]

  fur → See MAKE THE DUST (FUR) FLY.

  furious → See FAST AND FURIOUS.

  further → See WITHOUT FURTHER ADO.

  fury → See HELL HAS NO FURY LIKE A WOMAN SCORNED.

  fuse → See BLOW A FUSE.

  fuss → In addition to the idiom beginning with FUSS, also see KICK UP A FUSS; MAKE A FUSS.

  fuss and feathers Needless commotion and display, as in There was so much fuss and feathers over the award ceremony that I decided not to attend. This expression probably survives because of its appealing alliteration. [Mid-1800s]

  future → See IN THE NEAR FUTURE.

  futz around Also, futz with. Waste time or effort on frivolities, play around. For example, He spent all morning futzing around with the report, or No more futzing with the car—we have to go now. This term may be a shortening and corruption of the Yiddish arumfartzen, for “fart around.” [Slang; 1920s]

  F-word,the A euphemism for the vulgar word “fuck.” Similar euphemisms are the adjectives frigging and freaking. Lexicographer Jesse Sheidlower wrote a book, The F-Word (1995), about the history of this ubiquitous word. Although it is very widely used in the media (especially on television and in films) it still does not have universal approval. At the 2011 Academy Awards ceremony Melissa
Leo, who won the award for best supporting actress, used the vulgarity in her acceptance speech and then apologized for it. The euphemism dates from the late 1900s. A similar euphemism from the same period is the N-word, N standing for “nigger,” considered an extremely offensive word for a black person. It was first recorded in 1985

  g

  gab → See GIFT OF GAB.

  gaff → See STAND THE GAFF.

  gain → In addition to the idiom beginning with GAIN, also see ILL-GOTTEN GAINS; NO PAIN, NO GAIN; NOTHING VENTURED, NOTHING GAINED.

  gain ground 1. Advance, make progress; also, win acceptance. For example, The new conservation policy is gaining ground among the voters. This expression alludes to a military advance in which an army literally takes territory from the enemy. Its figurative use dates from about 1800. For an antonym, see LOSE GROUND. 2. gain ground on or upon. Encroach on, advance at the expense of. For example, Door-to-door canvassing helped them gain ground on the opposition.

  gallery → See PLAY TO THE GALLERY; ROGUES’ GALLERY.

  game → In addition to the idioms beginning with GAME, also see AHEAD OF THE GAME; AT THIS STAGE (OF THE GAME); BADGER GAME; BEAT SOMEONE AT HIS OR HER OWN GAME; CONFIDENCE GAME; END GAME; FAIR GAME; FUN AND GAMES; LOSING BATTLE (GAME); NAME OF THE GAME; ONLY GAME IN TOWN; PLAY A WAITING GAME; PLAY GAMES; PLAY THE GAME; WAITING GAME; WHOLE NEW BALLGAME.

  game is not worth the candle, the The returns from an activity or enterprise do not warrant the time, money or effort required. For example, The office he is running for is so unimportant that the game’s not worth the candle. This expression, which began as a translation of a term used by the French essayist Michel de Montaigne in 1580, alludes to gambling by candlelight, which involved the expense of illumination. If the winnings were not sufficient, they did not warrant the expense. Used figuratively, it was a proverb within a century.

  game is up, the Also, the jig is up. The trick or deception has been exposed. For example, When they took inventory they realized what was missing, and the game was up for the department head. This expression dates from the mid-1800s and uses up in the sense of “over” or “lost.” The variant employs jig in the sense of “trickery,” a usage dating from about 1600.