know which side of one’s bread is buttered Be aware of where one’s best interests lie, as in Jerry always helps out his boss; he knows which side of his bread is buttered. This expression alludes to the more favorable, or buttered, side of bread and has been used metaphorically since the early 1500s.
knuckle → In addition to the idioms beginning with KNUCKLE, also see RAP SOMEONE’S KNUCKLES.
knuckle down 1. Apply oneself seriously to some task or goal, as in The professor insisted that we knuckle down and get our papers in by Friday. Both this term and the rhyming synonym buckle down date from the 1860s, but the precise allusion in either is unclear. 2. See KNUCKLE UNDER.
knuckle under Also, knuckle down. Give in, acknowledge defeat, as in The dean refused to knuckle under to the graduate students’ demands, or He was forced to knuckle down before their threats of violence. Presumably this idiom alludes to a kneeling position with hands on the ground, knuckles down. [Mid-1700s].
l
labor of love Work done for one’s satisfaction rather than monetary reward. For example, The research took three years but it was a labor of love. This expression appears twice in the New Testament (Hebrews 6:10, Thessalonians 1:3), referring to those who do God’s work as a labor of love. [c. 1600]
lace into Also, light into. Attack, assail, as in He laced into me for arriving late, or She lit into him for forgetting the tickets. The first of these colloquial terms employs lace in the sense of “beat up or thrash,” a usage dating from the late 1500s. The idiom with light dates from the late 1800s and stems from the verb alight, meaning “descend.”
ladder → See BOTTOM OF THE LADDER.
ladies’ man Also lady’s man. A man who enjoys and attracts the company of women. For example, Because women seemed to seek him out at parties, Brian got the reputation for being quite a ladies’ man. [Late 1700s]
laid up 1. Also, sick in bed. Ill and confined to bed, as in I was laid up for a week with the flu, or Sally can’t come outside; she’s sick in bed. [Mid-1500s] 2. Put in a safe place, as in The ship was laid up in dock with engine trouble, or The hikers were laid up in a cave during the storm. [Mid-1600s] Also see under LAY IN; LAY SOMEONE LOW.
la-la land 1. Los Angeles, California (often abbreviated L.A.). This expression pokes fun at the alleged eccentricities of the city’s inhabitants. For example, What do you expect? Frederick has lived in la-la land for ten years and it has rubbed off on him. [Slang; c. 1980] 2. A state of being out of touch with reality, as in I don’t know what’s going on with Amy—she seems to be in la-la land. [Slang; c. 1980] Also see CLOUD-CUCKOO LAND; NEVER-NEVER LAND.
lam → See ON THE LAM.
lamb → See HANGED FOR A SHEEP AS A LAMB; IN TWO SHAKES (OF A LAMB’S TAIL); LIKE A LAMB TO THE SLAUGHTER.
lame duck An elected officeholder whose term of office has not yet expired but who has failed to be re-elected and therefore cannot garner much political support for initiatives. For example, You can’t expect a lame duck President to get much accomplished; he’s only got a month left in office. This expression originated in the 1700s and then meant a stock-broker who did not meet his debts. It was transferred to officeholders in the 1860s. The Lame Duck Amendment, 20th to the U.S. Constitution, calls for Congress and each new President to take office in January instead of March (as before), thereby eliminating the lame-duck session of Congress.
land → In addition to the idioms beginning with LAND, also see CLOUD-CUCKOO LAND; FALL (LAND) ON ONE’S FEET; FAT OF THE LAND; LA-LA LAND; LAY OF THE LAND; NEVER-NEVER LAND.
land in Also, land up. Arrive at, end in something. For example, This situation could land you in a terrible mess, or I never thought I’d land up with a reward for excellence. These expressions both employ land in the sense of “to end,” a usage dating from the late 1600s.
land-office business A thriving, expanding, or very profitable concern or volume of trade. For example, After the storm they did a land-office business in snow shovels and rock salt. This term, dating from the 1830s, alludes to the throng of applicants to government land offices through which Western lands were sold. It has been used for other booming business since the mid-1800s.
land on → See under JUMP ALL OVER SOMEONE; for land on one’s feet, see FALL ON ONE’S FEET.
land up → See LAND IN.
lane → See FAST LANE; LOVERS’ LANE.
lap → In addition to the idioms beginning with LAP, also see DROP IN SOMEONE’S LAP.
lap of luxury, in the In affluent circumstances, equipped with anything money can buy. For example, Jane grew up in the lap of luxury. This expression alludes to the lap as a place of comfort. [Late 1700s]
lap of the gods, in the Beyond one’s control, in the hands of providence. For example, She’s done what she can to expedite matters; now it’s in the lap of the gods. This expression is a translation from Homer’s Iliad, in which Automedon, the charioteer of Achilles and Patroclos, said the battle’s outcome was “in the lap of the gods.” Lap of the gods has also been translated as knees of the gods.
lap up Take in or receive very eagerly, as in She loves to travel—she just laps it up, or The agency is lapping up whatever information their spies send in. This expression alludes to an animal drinking greedily. [Late 1800s]
large → In addition to the idiom beginning with LARGE, also see AT LARGE; BIG (LARGE) AS LIFE; BY AND LARGE; COG IN THE (A LARGE) WHEEL; IN SOME (LARGE) MEASURE; LOOM LARGE; WRIT LARGE.
large as life Also, larger than life. → See BIG AS LIFE.
lark → See HAPPY AS THE DAY IS LONG (AS A LARK).
lash out Make a sudden blow or fierce verbal attack. For example, The mule lashed out with its hind legs, or After listening to Dad’s criticism of his driving, Arthur lashed out at him. [Second half of 1500s]
last → In addition to the idioms beginning with LAST, also see AT LAST; AT THE LAST MINUTE; BREATHE ONE’S LAST; EACH AND EVERY (LAST) ONE; FAMOUS LAST WORDS; FIRST AND LAST; HEAD FOR (THE LAST ROUNDUP); IN THE FINAL (LAST) ANALYSIS; ON ONE’S LAST LEGS; SEE THE LAST OF; STICK TO ONE’S LAST; TO THE LAST.
last analysis → See IN THE FINAL ANALYSIS.
last but not least Last in sequence but not least in importance, as in Last but not least, I want to thank all the people who sent me copies of my article in the paper. [Late 1500s]
last-ditch effort A desperate final attempt, as in We’re making a last-ditch effort to finish on time. This expression alludes to the military sense of last ditch, “the last line of defense.” Its figurative use dates from the early 1800s.
last fling A final enjoyment of freedom. For example, He’s planning to have one last fling before joining the army. This expression employs fling in the sense of “a brief period of indulging one’s impulses,” a usage dating from the first half of the 1800s.
last gasp The moment before death; also, the end. For example, “Fight till the last gasp” (Shakespeare, 1 Henry VI, 1:2), or He was determined to stay at the party until the last gasp. This idiom alludes to taking one’s last breath, literally (first example) or figuratively (second example). [Late 1500s]
last hurrah A final effort or performance, particularly in a politician’s career. It was the title of E. O’Connor’s 1956 novel about a politician and was soon extended to other kinds of SWAN SONG. For example, The senator was in the last few months of his final term of office and proposed the education bill as a last hurrah.
last laugh, have the Succeed in the end, after some earlier reverses. For example, We’ll have the last laugh when they learn we got the contract. This expression, alluding to laughing at the loser, appeared in slightly different form in the mid-1500s and gave rise to the modern proverbial phrase, He who laughs last laughs best (or He laughs best who laughs last).
last resort A final expedient or recourse to achieve some end or settle a difficulty. For example, If you don’t improve, we’ll try this new medication as a last resort. This term originally referred to a court of law from which there was no app
eal. [Late 1600s]
last straw, the The final annoyance or setback, which even though minor makes one lose patience. For example, I could put up with his delays and missed deadlines, but when he claimed the work was unimportant—that was the last straw! This term is a shortening of the straw that broke the camel’s back, which conveys a vivid image of an overloaded animal being given one slight additional weight. The expression dates from the mid-1800s, and replaced the earlier the last feather that breaks the horse’s back.
last word, the 1. The final statement in a verbal argument, as in Karen is never satisfied unless she has the last word. [Late 1800s] 2. A conclusive or authoritative statement or treatment; also, the power or authority of ultimate decision. For example, This report is considered to be the last word on genetic counseling, or In financial matters, the treasurer has the last word. [Late 1800s] 3. The latest thing; the newest, most fashionable of its kind. For example, Our food processor is the last word in kitchen gadgetry. [c. 1930]
latch onto Also, latch on to. 1. Get hold of, grasp; also, understand, grasp mentally. For example, They latched onto a fortune in the fur trade, or Carol quickly latched on to how the sewing machine works. [c. 1930] 2. Attach oneself to, join in with, as in Rob didn’t know the way so he latched on to one of the older children. [c. 1930]
late → In addition to the idioms beginning with LATE, also see AT THE LATEST; BETTER LATE THAN NEVER; JOHNNY-COME-LATELY; KEEP LATE HOURS; OF LATE; THE LATEST; TOO LITTLE, TOO LATE. Also see under LATER.
late in life In old age. For example, Isn’t it rather late in life for your grandmother to go trekking in Nepal?
late in the day Far advanced; also, too far advanced. For example, It’s late in the day to change the kitchen layout, since we’ve already ordered the cabinets, or It’s a bit late in the day for apologizing. [Late 1700s]
later → See In addition to the idiom beginning with LATER, also see SOONER OR LATER. Also see under LATE.
later on Subsequently, afterward, as in They served the main course, and later on, the dessert, or When can I use the sewing machine?—Later on, when I’m done. [Late 1800s]
lather → See IN A LATHER.
laugh → In addition to the idioms beginning with LAUGH, also see BARREL OF MONKEYS (LAUGHS); CANNED LAUGHTER; DIE LAUGHING; IT’S TO LAUGH; LAST LAUGH; NO JOKE (LAUGHING MATTER); SHAKE WITH LAUGHTER.
laugh all the way to the bank Also, cried all the way to the bank. Exult in a financial gain from something that had either been derided or thought worthless. For example, You may not think much of this comedian, but he’s laughing all the way to the bank. Despite the seeming difference between laugh and cry, the two terms are virtually synonymous, the one with cry being used ironically and laugh straightforwardly. [c. 1960]
laugh and the world laughs with you Keep your sense of humor and people will sympathize with you, as in She’s always cheerful and has dozens of friends; laugh and the world laughs with you. This expression actually is part of an ancient Latin saying that concludes, weep and the world weeps with you. The current version, with the ending weep and you weep alone (meaning “you’ll get no sympathy in your sorrow”), first appeared in 1883 in Ella Wilcox’s poem “Solitude.” O. Henry used a slightly different version: “Laugh, and the world laughs with you; weep, and they give you the laugh” (The Count and the Wedding Guest, 1907).
laugh at Treat lightly, scoff at. For example, He said the other children all laughed at his jacket, or They stopped laughing at his theory when it proved to be correct. [Late 1300s]
laughing matter → See under NO JOKE.
laughing stock The butt of ridicule. The term, first recorded in 1533, is most often used for an individual who is the object of mockery. For example, Mary told her mother if she forced her to wear those shoes she’d be the laughing stock of the whole class.
laugh off Also, laugh away. Dismiss as ridiculous or trivial, as in He laughed off the suggestion that his career was over. [Early 1700s]
laugh one’s head off → See SPLIT ONE’S SIDES.
laugh out of court Dismiss with ridicule or scorn, as in When he told them the old car could be repaired, they laughed him out of court. This expression, which originally referred to a case so laughable or trivial that a court of law would dismiss it, originated in ancient Roman times but has been used in English, without its former legal significance, since the late 1800s.
laugh out of the other side of one’s mouth Also, laugh on the wrong side of one’s mouth or face. Change from happiness to sadness, disappointment, or vexation. For example, He’ll be laughing out of the other side of his mouth when he learns that he’ll have to pay for the business trip he sought. [Late 1700s]
laugh up one’s sleeve Rejoice or exult secretly, hide one’s amusement, as in When she tripped over her bridal train, her sister couldn’t help laughing up her sleeve. This expression replaced the earlier laugh in one’s sleeve, used by Richard Sheridan in The Rivals (1775): “‘Tis false, sir, I know you are laughing in your sleeve.” The expression, which alludes to hiding one’s laughter in big loose sleeves, was already a proverb in the mid-1500s.
laundry → See WASH (AIR) ONE’S DIRTY LINEN (LAUNDRY).
laurel → See LOOK TO ONE’S LAURELS; REST ON ONE’S LAURELS.
law → In addition to the idioms beginning with LAW, also see ABOVE SUSPICION (THE LAW); LAY DOWN THE LAW; LETTER OF THE LAW; LONG ARM OF THE LAW; MURPHY’S LAW; POSSESSION IS NINE POINTS OF THE LAW; TAKE THE LAW INTO ONE’S HANDS; UNWRITTEN LAW.
law and order Strict enforcement of laws, especially for controlling crime. For example, Our candidate is always talking about law and order. The concept behind this term was stated by Aristotle. Today, however, it also carries the implication of infringing on civil rights in the course of too arduous law enforcement. [Late 1500s]
law of averages The idea that probability will influence all occurrences in the long term, that one will neither win nor lose all of the time. For example, If it rains every day this week, by the law of averages we’re bound to get a sunny day soon. This colloquial term is a popular interpretation of a statistical principle, Bernoulli’s theorem, formulated in the late 1600s.
law of the jungle Survival of the strongest, as in The recent price war among airlines was governed by the law of the jungle. This term, alluding to the jungle as a place devoid of ethics where brutality and self-interest reign, was first used by Rudyard Kipling in The Jungle Book (1894).
law unto oneself A person who is totally independent, especially one who ignores established rules. For example, You can’t tell Marge how to punctuate; she’s a law unto herself. [Second half of 1800s]
lay → In addition to the idioms beginning with LAY, also see LET IT LAY. Also see under LAID; LIE; PUT.
lay about one 1. Strike blows on all sides, as in When the dogs cornered the old man, he laid about him with his cane. [Early 1400s] 2. Act vigorously, make strenuous efforts, as in When there was an opportunity for profit, he laid about him. [c. 1600]
lay a finger on Also, put a finger on. Barely touch, as in You’d better not lay a finger on those documents! or If you put a finger on me, I’ll sue. This expression is nearly always used as a prohibition. [Mid-1800s] Also see PUT ONE’S FINGER ON.
lay an egg Fail, especially in a public performance; make a humiliating error. For example, Carol really laid an egg last night when she forgot her lines, or, as Variety had it in October 1929: “Wall Street Lays An Egg.” The term originated in the late 1800s in vaudeville and was extended to nontheatrical failures in the early 1900s.
lay aside 1. Give up, abandon, as in He laid aside all hopes of winning first prize. [First half of 1400s] 2. Also, lay away; lay by. Set apart for a reason, save for the future, as in They lay aside enough to pay the rent, or Because coffee prices were rising, she laid by enough for a month, or The store laid away the winter coat I wanted. [Early 1700s] The first variant gave rise, about 1970, to the term layaway plan, in which merchandise is laid away for a buyer who p
ays a deposit and receives it when payment is made in full. Also see LAY DOWN, def. 4; SET ASIDE.
lay at rest Also, lay to rest; set at rest. Satisfy, settle, as in I’ll take care of it; you can set your mind at rest, or The arbitrator is sure to lay these questions to rest. [Late 1300s] Also see AT REST; LAY TO REST.
lay at someone’s door Impute or lay the blame on someone; make someone responsible for something (usually discreditable). For example, That this law failed to pass can be laid at your door, Senator. [c. 1700]
lay a wager → See under LAY ODDS.
lay away → See LAY ASIDE, def. 2.
lay by → See LAY ASIDE, def. 2.
lay claim to Assert one’s right to or ownership of, as in “What claim lays she to thee?” (Shakespeare, The Comedy of Errors, 3:2). [Late 1500s] Also see STAKE A CLAIM.
lay down 1. Give something up, surrender, as in They laid down their arms. [c. 1300] 2. Formulate, specify, as in The club laid down new membership rules. [Late 1400s] 3. Also, lay down one’s life. Sacrifice one’s life, as in He would willingly lay down his life for his children. [c. 1600] 4. Store for the future, as in It was a great vintage year for burgundy, and Mark laid down several cases. [Early 1800s] Also see LAY ASIDE, def. 2.
lay down the law Assert something positively and often arrogantly, state something dogmatically. For example, Dad laid down the law about locking up the house. This colloquial expression, first recorded in 1762, uses LAY DOWN in the sense of def. 2.
lay eyes on Also, clap or set eyes on. Look at, see, as in As soon as I laid eyes on him I knew he would be perfect for the lead in our play, or I’d never set eyes on such a beautiful gown. The first term dates from the early 1200s and the third from the late 1300s; the second, using clap in the sense of “a sudden movement,” dates from the first half of the 1800s.
The American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms Page 69