The American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms

by Christine Ammer

  lay for Be waiting to attack; also, lie in wait for, as in The gang members were laying for him in that dark alley, or The reporters were laying for the Vice President when he came out of the meeting. [Late 1400s]

  lay hands on 1. Also, get one’s hands on. Get someone or something in one’s grasp, especially to do harm. For example, Tom’s gone off with the keys again; just wait till I lay my hands on him. [C. A.D. 1000] 2. Also, get or lay or put one’s hands on. Find, obtain, as in As soon as I lay hands on the book, I’ll call you, or He couldn’t seem to put his hands on last year’s sales figures. Also see GET HOLD OF.

  lay hold of Grasp, seize on, as in He clutched at branches, shrubs, anything he could lay hold of to break his fall. [First half of 1500s] Also see GET HOLD OF.

  lay in Also, lay up. Stock or store for future use, as in We laid in supplies for the winter, or Are you sure you’ve laid up enough material? The first term dates from the late 1500s, the second from about 1400. Also see LAY ASIDE, def. 2; LAY DOWN, def. 4.

  lay into 1. Attack physically, The boys ganged up and laid into Bobby. 2. Scold vigorously, as in The teacher laid into her aide when she learned he had left the children alone in the schoolyard. [Early 1800s] Also see PITCH INTO.

  lay it on the line → LAY ON THE LINE.

  lay it on thick Also, lay it on with a trowel. Exaggerate, overstate; also, flatter effusively. For example, Jane laid it on thick when she said this was the greatest book she’d ever read, or Tom thought he’d get the senator to waive the speaker’s fee if he just laid it on with a trowel. This idiom alludes to ­applying a thick coat of paint or plaster. [c. 1600]

  lay low → See LAY SOMEONE LOW; LIE LOW.

  lay odds Make a bet on terms favorable to the other party, as in I’ll lay odds that it will rain before the week is out. [c. 1600] The closely related lay a wager means “make a bet,” as in He laid a wager that Don would be late. [c. 1300]

  lay off 1. Terminate a person from employment. For example, When they lost the contract, they had to lay off a hundred workers. This expression formerly referred to temporary dismissals, as during a recession, with the idea that workers would be hired back when conditions improved, but with the tendency of businesses to downsize in the 1990s it came to mean “terminate permanently.” [First half of 1800s] 2. Mark off the boundaries, as in Let’s lay off an area for a flower garden. [Mid-1700s] 3. Stop doing something, quit, as in Lay off that noise for a minute, so the baby can get to sleep, or She resolved to lay off smoking. [Early 1900s] 4. Stop bothering or annoying someone, as in Lay off or I’ll tell the teacher. [Slang; c. 1900] 5. Place all or part of a bet with another bookmaker so as to reduce the risk. For example, Some bookmakers protect themselves by laying off very large bets with other bookmakers. [Mid-1900s]

  lay of the land, the The nature, arrangement, or disposition of something, the general state of affairs, as in Once we know the lay of the land, we can plan our advertising campaign. A related expression is how the land lies, as in Let’s be cautious till we know how the land lies. This usage originated in Britain about 1700 as the lie of the land and is still so used there.

  lay on 1. Cover with, apply; also, use. For example, He decided to lay on a second coat of primer, or She laid on a thick Southern accent. [c. 1600] Also see LAY IT ON THICK. 2. Inflict blows, attack, as in “Lay on, Macduff; and damn’d be him that first cries, ‘Hold, enough!’” (Shakespeare, Macbeth, 5:8). [Early 1200s] 3. Impose or cast something on someone, as in The government laid a tax on landholders, or Dad had a way of laying the guilt for his shortcomings on his partners. This usage is also found in lay or put the blame on someone, as in Nancy could always find someone to lay the blame on, or Jerry put the blame on Bill. [1300s]

  lay one’s cards on the table Also, put one’s cards on the table. Be open and honest, reveal one’s position or intentions, as in John laid his cards on the table and told her how much they could afford. This expression alludes to showing the hand one holds. [c. 1900] Also see SHOW ONE’S HAND.

  lay oneself out → See PUT ONESELF OUT.

  lay on the line 1. Make ready for payment, as in They laid hundreds of thousands of dollars on the line to develop the new software. [c. 1900] 2. lay it on the line. Speak frankly and firmly, make something clear. For example, The professor laid it on the line: either hand in a term paper or fail the course. [c. 1920] 3. Put something at risk, as in The troops sent overseas were laying their lives on the line. [Mid-1900s]

  lay open Expose; also, make vulnerable. For example, The audit laid open some suspicious dealings, or She had not laid herself open to any charge of wrongdoing. The first usage dates from the mid-1500s, the second from the mid-1800s. Also see LEAVE OPEN.

  lay out 1. Make a detailed plan, design, or explanation, as in They laid out the exact dimensions in order to construct the new display, or Robert laid out next year’s plans for his staff. [Mid-1700s] 2. Prepare a dead body for burial, as in He died that morning and was laid out for the wake by afternoon. [Late 1500s] 3. Rebuke harshly, as in She laid me out for breaking the vase. [Slang; late 1800s] 4. Knock unconscious or to the ground, render helpless, as in He laid him out with one good punch. [Late 1800s] 5. Expend, spend, as in She laid out a fortune on jewelry. [Mid-1400s] 6. Display or arrange, especially in a particular order, as in He asked her to lay out the merchandise in an attractive way. [Mid-1400s]

  lay over 1. Postpone, as in This issue will have to be laid over until our next meeting. [Late 1800s] 2. Make a stop in the course of a journey, as in They had to lay over for two days in New Delhi until the next flight to Katmandu. This sense gave rise to the noun layover for such a stopover. [Late 1800s]

  lay someone low Overcome someone, as in He laid him low with one good punch, or The flu laid us low for two weeks. [1300s]

  lay to rest 1. See LAY AT REST. 2. Bury someone, as in She wanted to be laid to rest beside her husband. This usage replaced the earlier go to rest. [Late 1800s]

  lay up → See LAID UP; LAY IN.

  lay waste Ravage, ruin, as in The hurricane laid waste the entire seashore. Originally referring to the devastation caused by attackers, this term has come to be used more generally.

  lead → In addition to the idioms beginning with LEAD, also see ALL ROADS LEAD TO ROME; BLIND LEADING THE BLIND; GET THE LEAD OUT; GO OVER (LIKE A LEAD BALLOON); PUT LEAD IN ONE’S PENCIL; YOU CAN LEAD A HORSE TO WATER BUT YOU CAN’T MAKE IT DRINK.

  lead a chase Also, lead a merry chase or dance. Mislead someone; waste someone’s time. For example, Mary refuses to commit herself and is leading John a merry chase, or Harry led us all a dance; we were waiting at the hotel and he’d gone to the movies. [First half of 1500s]

  lead a dog’s life → See DOG’S LIFE.

  lead a double life Live as if one were two persons, usually one good and one bad. For example, They learned that his frequent travels were actually fictitious, and he was leading a double life, with a second home on the other side of town. This phrase is frequently used for a married person who establishes a second household with a lover. [Late 1800s] Also see JEKYLL AND HYDE.

  lead by the nose Dominate or control someone, as in “The Moor... will tenderly be led by the nose as asses are” (Shakespeare, Othello, 1:3). This expression alludes to an animal being led by a ring passed through its nostrils. [Late 1500s]

  lead down the garden path Also, lead up the garden path. Deceive someone. For example, Bill had quite different ideas from Tom about their new ­investment strategy; he was leading him down the garden path. This expression presumably alludes to the garden path as an intentional detour. [Early 1900s] Also see LEAD ON.

  leading light An important or influential individual, as in Jim was a leading light in his community. This expression, alluding to moral guidance, dates from about 1870, but terms such as a shining light have been used for an outstanding person since the first half of the 1500s.

  leading question A question worded so as to elicit particular information or a particular answer, as in When ar
e you selling the business? This example assumes that the person is going to sell the business, an action that may not have been established or revealed. This expression originated with a specific meaning in law, that is, “a question that guides a witness toward a desired answer.” In court, this practice is called leading a witness and is forbidden. [Mid-1800s]

  lead off Begin, start, go first. For example, We have a panel of three speakers, so will you lead off? [c. 1800]

  lead on Entice someone into proceeding, mislead; also, deceive someone, especially pretending romantic interest. For example, He’s leading her on to reveal more of her family history, or She’s just leading him on; she has a serious boyfriend at home. [Late 1500s]

  lead one to Cause one to do something. For example, This report leads me to believe that we’re in an economic recession, or Her unexpected pregnancy led her to take a leave of absence. [First half of 1500s]

  lead-pipe cinch A certainty, an assured success. For example, “An engagement ain’t always a lead-pipe cinch” (O. Henry, The Sphinx Apple, 1907). This colloquial expression is of disputed origin. It may allude to the cinch that tightly holds a horse’s saddle in place, which can make it easier for the rider to succeed in a race; or it may allude to a cinch in plumbing, in which a lead pipe is fastened with a band of steel to another pipe or a fixture, making a very secure joint. [Late 1800s]

  lead the way 1. Act as a guide, go in advance of others. For example, We asked Tom to lead the way, since he’d hiked this mountain before. [c. 1200] 2. Be first or most prominent in some field or action, as in Our teacher led the way in finding new methods of teaching algebra. [Late 1600s]

  lead up the garden path → See LEAD DOWN THE GARDEN PATH.

  lead up to Prepare gradually for, result in gradually, as in These events clearly led up to the coup, or His remarks led up to the main point of the speech, that he was going to resign next year. [Mid-1800s]

  lead with one’s chin Take a risk, behave without caution. For example, Gordon always says exactly what he thinks; he never minds leading with his chin. This term alludes to a boxer leaving his chin, a vulnerable point, unprotected. [Mid-1900s]

  leaf → In addition to the idiom beginning with LEAF, also see QUAKE IN ONE’S BOOTS (LIKE A LEAF); TAKE A LEAF OUT OF SOMEONE’S BOOK; TURN OVER A NEW LEAF.

  leaf through Turn pages, as in browsing or searching for something. For example, There she sat, leafing through the various catalogs. This expression employs leaf in the sense of “turn over the leaves of a book,” a usage dating from the mid-1600s.

  league → See BIG LEAGUE; IN LEAGUE WITH; IN THE SAME LEAGUE.

  lean on 1. Rely on, depend on, as in He’s leaning on me for help. [Mid-1400s] 2. Exert pressure on one, especially to obtain something or make one do something against his or her will. For example, The gangsters were leaning on local storekeepers to pay them protection money. [Colloquial; Mid-1900s]

  lean over backwards → See BEND OVER BACKWARDS.

  leap → In addition to the idioms beginning with LEAP, also see BY LEAPS AND BOUNDS; LOOK BEFORE YOU LEAP; QUANTUM LEAP. Also see under JUMP.

  leap in the dark An act whose results cannot be predicted. For example, Given today’s high divorce rate, he considered marriage a leap in the dark. [Late 1600s]

  leap of faith A belief or trust in something intangible or incapable of being proved. For example, It required a leap of faith to pursue this unusual step of transplanting an animal’s heart into a human patient.

  learn → In addition to the idioms beginning with LEARN, also see BY HEART, LEARN; LITTLE KNOWLEDGE (LEARNING) IS A DANGEROUS THING; LIVE AND LEARN.

  learn by heart Also, learn by rote. → See under BY HEART.

  learn one’s lesson Profit from experience, especially an unhappy one. For example, From now on she’d read the instructions first; she’d learned her lesson. Also see HARD WAY.

  learn to live with Get used to or accustom oneself to something that is painful, annoying, or unpleasant. For example, The doctor said nothing more could be done about improving her sight; she’d just have to learn to live with it, or Pat decided she didn’t like the new sofa but would have to learn to live with it.

  lease → See NEW LEASE ON LIFE.

  least → In addition to the idioms beginning with LEAST, also see AT LEAST; IN THE LEAST; LAST BUT NOT LEAST; TO SAY THE LEAST.

  least of all Especially not. For example, No one cared, least of all the manager, or None of them will attend, least of all Jim. [Late 1800s]

  least resistance, line of Also, path of least resistance. The easiest method, way, or course of action. For example, He tends to do what most people seem to want, taking the line of least resistance. This term employs resistance in the sense of “the physical opposition of one thing or force to another,” a usage dating from the early 1600s. It has been used figuratively since about 1900.

  leather → See HELL-BENT FOR LEATHER.

  leave → In addition to the idioms beginning with LEAVE, also see ABSENT WITHOUT LEAVE; (LEAVE) HIGH AND DRY; (LEAVE) OUT IN THE COLD; TAKE IT OR LEAVE IT; TAKE LEAVE OF; TAKE ONE’S LEAVE. Also see under LET.

  leave a bad taste in one’s mouth Make a lingering bad impression on one, as in The argument left a bad taste in my mouth, so after that I avoided talking politics. This expression transfers the bad taste left by consuming bitter or otherwise unpleasant food to a distasteful experience. [Mid-1800s]

  leave alone → See LEAVE SOMEONE ALONE.

  leave a lot to be desired Also, leave a great deal or much or something to be desired. Be imperfect or unsatisfactory. For example, His account of the election leaves a lot to be desired. This usage can also be put in a more positive way, that is, leave nothing to be desired, meaning “to be perfectly satisfactory,” as in His ­account leaves nothing to be desired. [Late 1700s]

  leave flat Forsake or abandon completely, especially without warning. For example, He didn’t tell her he wasn’t picking her up; he just left her flat. [Colloquial; c. 1900] Also see HIGH AND DRY; LEAVE IN THE LURCH.

  leave hanging Also, leave hanging in the air or in midair. Keep undecided, uncertain, or in suspense. For example, Since we hadn’t found a big enough hall, we left the final date hanging, or She couldn’t figure out a good ending for the book, so her audience was left hanging in midair.

  leave holding the bag Abandon someone, force someone to bear the responsibility or blame. For example, Her friends said they were too busy to help with cleaning up, and left Lucy holding the bag. This expression is often put as be left holding the bag, as in When they quit the clean-up committee. Lucy was left holding the bag. This idiom grew out of the earlier give one the bag (to hold), which dates from about 1600 and alludes to being left with an empty bag while others have taken the valuable contents. Also see LEAVE IN THE LURCH.

  leave in the lurch Abandon or desert someone in difficult straits. For example, Jane was angry enough to quit without giving notice, leaving her boss in the lurch. This expression alludes to a 16th-century French dice game, lourche, where to incur a lurch meant to be far behind the other players. It later was used in cribbage and other games, as well as being used in its present figurative sense by about 1600.

  leave no stone unturned Make every possible effort, use every possible source or resource. For example, To raise ten thousand dollars to keep the shelter open, we must leave no stone unturned. This expression alludes to an ancient Greek legend about a general who buried a large treasure in his tent when he was defeated in battle. Those seeking the treasure consulted the Oracle of Delphi, who advised them to move every stone. The present form dates from the mid-1500s. Also see FINE-TOOTH COMB.

  leave off 1. Stop, cease; also, stop doing or using. For example, Mother told the children to leave off running around the house, or Please use a bookmark to show where you left off reading. [c. 1400] 2. leave something off. Omit, as in We found she had left off our names.

  leave one cold Disappoint one, fail to interest one. For example, This book le
aves me cold. This expression, first recorded in 1853, employs cold in the sense of “unenthusiastic” or “indifferent,” a usage dating from the late 1100s.

  leave open 1. Also, leave the door open. Keep undecided or unscheduled, as in We don’t know how much fabric will be needed; let’s leave that open, or The doctor leaves Fridays open for consultation. This expression uses open in the sense of “undetermined,” a usage dating from the mid-1500s. 2. leave oneself open. Remain vulnerable to; also, remain willing to consider. For example, Her actions left her open to widespread criticism, or I left myself open to further suggestions about how to proceed. Also see under LAY OPEN.

  leave out Omit, fail to include, as in This sentence doesn’t make sense; a key word has been left out. [Late 1400s]

  leave out in the cold → See OUT IN THE COLD.

  leave out of account → See TAKE INTO ACCOUNT.

  leave someone alone Also, let someone alone. Refrain from disturbing or interfering with someone. For example, She’ll manage very well if you just leave her alone, or Stop teasing the dog; let him alone. [c. 1400] Also see LEAVE SOMEONE IN PEACE; LET ALONE; LET BE.

  leave someone in peace Avoid disturbing or bothering someone, as in It’s best to leave Dean in peace when he’s paying the bills. This expression uses peace in the sense of “undisturbed,” a usage dating from the early 1200s. Also see LEAVE SOMEONE ALONE; LET BE.

  leave someone in the lurch → See LEAVE IN THE LURCH.

  leave someone to his or her resources Let one rely on oneself to do what he or she likes or to get out of trouble. For example, Left to his own resources, my four-year-old might well turn the hose on the dog, or Refusing to pay for Lydia’s traffic ticket, Dad insisted on leaving her to her resources.

  leave the door open Allow for further action or discussion. For example, This will’s terms leave the door open for fighting among the heirs. This metaphoric expression transfers the invitation implied by an open door to future events. Also see OPEN THE DOOR TO.

  leave to someone’s own devices Allow someone to do as he or she wishes. For example, Left to his own devices, he would hire someone to do the yard work. This expression, uses device in the sense of “a plan or scheme.” [Late 1800s]