mother of The best or greatest of a type, as in That was the mother of all tennis matches. This expression originated during the Gulf War as a translation of Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein’s term umm al-ma’arik, for “major battle”; the Arabic “mother of” is a figure of speech for “major” or “best.” It was quickly adopted and applied to just about any person, event, or activity. [Slang; late 1980s]
motion → See GO THROUGH THE MOTIONS; SET IN MOTION; SET THE WHEELS IN MOTION.
mountain → See IF THE MOUNTAIN WON’T COME TO MUHAMMAD, MUHAMMAD MUST GO TO THE MOUNTAIN; MAKE A MOUNTAIN OUT OF A MOLEHILL.
mouse → See PLAY CAT AND MOUSE; POOR AS A CHURCHMOUSE; QUIET AS A MOUSE. Also see under MICE.
mouth → In addition to the idiom beginning with MOUTH, also see BAD MOUTH; BIG MOUTH; BUTTER WOULDN’T MELT IN ONE’S MOUTH; DOWN IN THE DUMPS (MOUTH); FOAM AT THE MOUTH; FOOT IN ONE’S MOUTH; FROM THE HORSE’S MOUTH; HAND TO MOUTH; HEART IN ONE’S MOUTH; KEEP ONE’S MOUTH SHUT; LAUGH OUT OF THE OTHER SIDE OF ONE’S MOUTH; LEAVE A BAD TASTE IN ONE’S MOUTH; LOOK A GIFT HORSE IN THE MOUTH; MAKE ONE’S MOUTH WATER; MELT IN ONE’S MOUTH; NOT OPEN ONE’S MOUTH; OUT OF THE MOUTHS OF BABES; PUT ONE’S MONEY WHERE ONE’S MOUTH IS; PUT WORDS IN SOMEONE’S MOUTH; RUN OFF AT THE MOUTH; SHOOT OFF ONE’S MOUTH; TAKE THE BIT IN ONE’S MOUTH; TAKE THE BREAD OUT OF SOMEONE’S MOUTH; TAKE THE WORDS OUT OF SOMEONE’S MOUTH; WORD OF MOUTH.
mouthful → See SAY A MOUTHFUL.
mouth off 1. Complain or express one’s opinions loudly and indiscreetly, as in She was always mouthing off about the other members. [Slang; 1960s] 2. Speak impudently, talk back, as in He got in trouble by mouthing off to his teacher. [Slang; 1960s]
move → In addition to the idioms beginning with MOVE, also see GET A MOVE ON; ON THE MOVE. Also see under MOVER.
move a muscle Bestir oneself even slightly. This idiom is usually put negatively, either with implied criticism, as in She won’t move a muscle to help get dinner, or not, as in When I saw the deer, I stayed quite still, not daring to move a muscle. It was first recorded in 1889.
move heaven and earth Exert the utmost effort, as in I’d move heaven and earth to get an apartment here. This hyperbolic expression was first recorded in 1792.
move in 1. Begin to occupy a residence or working place, as in We are scheduled to move in next month, or Helen is moving in with her sister. [Late 1800s] 2. move in on. Intrude on; also, try to take over or get control of. For example, Their sales force is moving in on our territory, or The police moved in on the gang. [Mid-1900s]
move on Continue moving or progressing; also, go away. For example, It’s time we moved on to the next item on the agenda, or The police ordered the spectators to move on. [First half of 1800s]
mover → In addition to the idiom beginning with MOVER, also see PRIME MOVER.
mover and shaker A person who wields power and influence in a particular activity or field, as in He’s one of the movers and shakers in the art world. At first the two nouns referred specifically to God, alluding to the belief that a divine force was responsible for all events. The current usage refers only to human beings. [Second half of 1800s]
move the goal posts Also, shift the goal posts. Change the rules unexpectedly and unfairly. This term alludes to sports such as soccer and hockey, which involve goal posts. It began to be used figuratively for changing the rules in the second half of the 1900s, as in The company’s moved the goal posts for applicants, so many no longer qualify.
move up Also, move up in the world. Advance, rise to a higher level, succeed, as in Gene hoped he would move up in the new division, or That new house and car show they are moving up in the world. Also see COME UP, def. 4.
mow down 1. Destroy in great numbers, especially in battle, as in The machine gun mowed them down as they advanced. [Late 1500s] 2. Overwhelm, as in He mowed down the opposition with his arguments. This usage, like the first, alludes to mowing, the cutting of grass with a scythe or other implement.
much → In addition to the idioms beginning with MUCH, also see AS MUCH; AS MUCH AS; MAKE MUCH OF; NOT MISS A TRICK (MUCH); NOT THINK MUCH OF; PRETTY MUCH; SO MUCH; SO MUCH FOR; SO MUCH THE; (MUCH) SOUGHT AFTER; TAKE IT (JUST SO MUCH); TAKE ON (TOO MUCH); TOO MUCH OF A GOOD THING; WITHOUT SO MUCH AS.
much ado about nothing A big fuss over a trifle, as in Jerry had everyone running around looking for his gloves—much ado about nothing. Although this expression is best remembered as the title of Shakespeare’s comedy, the phrase much ado was already being used for a big commotion or trouble in the early 1500s.
much as → See AS MUCH AS, def. 2.
much less And certainly not, as in He rarely talks about his outside activities, much less his family. The earliest record of this idiom is in John Milton’s Paradise Lost (1671): “The world thou hast not seen, much less her glory.”
much sought after → See SOUGHT AFTER.
muck up Bungle, damage, make a mess of, as in Don’t let him write the review; he’s sure to muck it up. This idiom alludes to the verb muck in the sense of “spread manure on.” [Early 1900s] For a synonym, see FOUL UP.
mud → See CLEAR AS MUD; NAME IS MUD; SLING MUD AT.
muddle through Blunder through something, manage but awkwardly, as in The choir never knows how to line up, but we muddle through somehow. [Early 1900s]
muddy the waters Confuse the issue, as in Bringing up one irrelevant fact after another, he succeeded in muddying the waters. This metaphoric expression, alluding to making a pond or stream turbid by stirring up mud from the bottom, was first recorded in 1837.
mule → See STUBBORN AS A MULE.
mull over Ponder, think about, as in She mulled over the offer for some time and then turned it down. [Late 1800s]
multitude of sins, cover a Compensate for numerous evils, as in You may not be offering to help with the fair, but that big donation covers a multitude of sins. This expression originated in the New Testament (I Peter 4:8): “And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.”
mum’s the word Say nothing about this, it’s a secret, as in Mum’s the word on tonight’s surprise party. This expression dates from about 1700, but mum, meaning “silence,” is much older. In 2 Henry VI (1:2) Shakespeare wrote, “Seal up your lips, and give no words but mum.”
murder → In addition to the idiom beginning with MURDER, also see GET AWAY WITH (MURDER); SCREAM BLOODY MURDER.
murder will out Certain news cannot be suppressed, as in He’s being charged with embezzlement and fraud—murder will out, you know. This expression already appeared in Chaucer’s The Nun’s Priest’s Tale: “Murder will out that we see day by day.” [Late 1300s]
Murphy’s law If anything can go wrong, it will, as in We may think we’ve covered all the details for the benefit, but remember Murphy’s law. The identity of Murphy, if ever a real person, is unknown. Some think it alludes to (but was not invented by) a feckless Irishman named Murphy. [c. 1940]
muscle → In addition to the idiom beginning with MUSCLE, also see FLEX ONE’S MUSCLES; MOVE A MUSCLE.
muscle in Also, muscle in on. Forcibly intrude on or interfere with something, as in The children were determined not to allow the school bully to muscle in, or No more muscling in on our policy decisions! [Colloquial; 1920s]
museum piece An elderly or old-fashioned item or person, as in When are you going to sell that museum piece of a car? or Aunt Jane comes from another era—she’s a real museum piece. This expression originated about 1900 for an article valuable enough for museum display but began to be used disparagingly from about 1915.
music → In addition to the idiom beginning with MUSIC, also see FACE THE MUSIC.
musical chairs, play Move around from position to position, such as the jobs in an organization. For example, Bob took over for Tom, who took over for Mary, who got Bob’s title—the boss loves to play musical chairs with the staff. This expression alludes to the children’s game in which children wa
lk around a number of seats while music plays, and there is one less chair than players. When the music stops the players must sit down, and the player who is left standing is eliminated. Then another chair is removed, and the game goes on until only one player is left sitting. [c. 1900]
music to one’s ears Very pleasing information, excellent news, as in So they’re getting married? That’s music to my ears.
must → See A MUST; SHOW MUST GO ON.
mustard → See CUT THE MUSTARD.
muster → In addition to the idiom beginning with MUSTER, also see PASS MUSTER.
muster in Enlist in military service. For example, They were mustered in at Fort Dix. The antonym is muster out, meaning “to leave or be discharged from military service,” as in He was mustered out and given a dishonorable discharge. [First half of 1800s]
mutual admiration society A relationship in which two people have strong feelings of esteem for each other and often exchange lavish compliments. The term may signify either genuine or pretended admiration, as in Each of them praised the other’s book—it was a real mutual admiration society. The expression was invented by Henry David Thoreau in his journal (1851) and repeated by Oliver Wendell Holmes and others.
Muzak → See under EAR CANDY.
my eye Like hell, that’s nonsense, as in You were at the library all day? My eye, you were! This slangy expression of disbelief was first recorded in 1842. From about 1800 to the 1930s the same term was used to indicate surprise (My eye, she’s been promoted after all.) but this usage seems to be obsolete.
my God Also, my goodness. Expressions of shock, surprise, or dismay, as in My God, don’t tell me he’s dying, or My goodness, what an awful outfit. The first term dates from about 1800; goodness in the variant is a euphemism for God.
my heart bleeds for you → See under HEART GOES OUT TO.
my name is mud → See under NAME IS MUD.
my pleasure You don’t need to thank me because I enjoyed it, as in “Thanks for joining our panel.”—“My pleasure.” This formulaic phrase is equivalent to “you’re welcome.” [Mid-1900s] Also see NO PROBLEM, def. 2; THINK NOTHING OF, def. 2.
n
nail → In addition to the idioms beginning with NAIL, also see BITE ONE’S NAILS; FIGHT TOOTH AND NAIL; HARD AS NAILS; HIT THE BULL’S-EYE (NAIL ON THE HEAD); ON THE NAIL.
nail down Establish conclusively, as in The reporter nailed down the story by checking all the facts. This metaphoric expression alludes to fixing or fastening something down with nails. [c. 1600]
nail in one’s coffin Something that might hasten or contribute to one’s death, as in Every cigarette you smoke is another nail in your coffin. This expression, alluding to fastening down a coffin lid, is today almost always used for a harmful habit such as tobacco use (giving rise to the slang term coffin nail for a cigar or cigarette). The idea was first expressed in an ode by Pindar (the pseudonym of John Wolcot) in 1792: “Care to our coffin adds a nail, no doubt.”
naked as a jaybird Bare, unclothed, as in I came straight out of the shower, naked as a jaybird. This simile replaced the 19th-century naked as a robin and is equally unclear, since neither bird is normally stripped of its feathers. Further, the bird it refers to is more often called simply “jay” rather than “jaybird,” yet the latter is always part of the simile. [c. 1940]
naked eye Sight unassisted by an instrument such as a microscope or telescope. For example, These insects are too small to be seen with the naked eye. This expression was first recorded in 1664.
naked truth Plain unadorned facts, without concealment or embellishment. For example, What I’ve told you is the naked truth. This expression supposedly alludes to a fable in which Truth and Falsehood went bathing, Falsehood then dressed in Truth’s clothes, and Truth, refusing to take another’s clothes, went naked. [Late 1500s]
name → In addition to the idioms beginning with NAME, also see CALL NAMES; CLEAR ONE’S NAME; DROP NAMES; GIVE A BAD NAME TO; GO BY (THE NAME OF); HANDLE TO ONE’S NAME; IN NAME ONLY; IN THE NAME OF; MAKE A NAME FOR ONESELF; ON A FIRST-NAME BASIS; TAKE SOMEONE’S NAME IN VAIN; TO ONE’S NAME; WORTHY OF THE NAME; YOU NAME IT.
name after Also, name for. Give someone or something the name of another person or place. For example, They named the baby after his grandfather, or The mountain was named for President McKinley.
name is mud, one’s One is in trouble, disgraced, or discredited, as in If they find out I broke it, my name will be mud, or If his estimate is completely wrong, his name will be mud. A popular theory for this expression’s origin derives it from Dr. Samuel Mudd, the physician who was convicted as conspirator after he set the broken ankle of President Lincoln’s assassin, John Wilkes Booth. But the expression was first recorded in 1823, when mud was slang for a stupid person or fool, a usage dating from the early 1700s. Later the term mud simply alluded to discredit.
name names Specify persons by name, especially those who are accused of something. For example, More than one person was involved in the robbery, and his lawyer said he would get a shorter sentence if he named names. It is also put negatively, name no names, as in Some of our neighbors disobey the town’s leash law, but I’m naming no names. The negative form was first recorded in 1792.
name of the game, the The crux of the matter; also, the main goal. For example, Getting them to admit they’re wrong—that’s the name of the game, or Parents don’t approve of a coach who insists that winning any way one can is the name of the game. This rhyming idiom uses name in the sense of “identity.” [Mid-1900s]
name the day Fix the date for a wedding, as in Her parents pressed her to name the day. This expression was first recorded in 1766. However, similar usages for specifying a time, such as name the time, date from the late 1500s.
napping → See CATCH NAPPING.
narrow → In addition to the idiom beginning with NARROW, see STRAIGHT AND NARROW.
narrow escape A barely successful flight from or avoidance of danger or trouble, as in He had a narrow escape, since the bullet came within inches of his head. This expression uses narrow in the sense of “barely sufficient.” [Late 1500s] For a newer synonym, see CLOSE CALL.
nary a Not one, as in There’s nary a mention of taxes in that speech, or Nary an officer could be seen. This archaic-sounding contraction of “never a” remains in current use. [Mid-1700s]
natural → See under BIG AS LIFE.
nature → See CALL OF NATURE; GOOD NATURE; SECOND NATURE.
naught → See COME TO NOTHING (NAUGHT).
near → In addition to the idioms beginning with NEAR, also see FAR AND NEAR; IN THE NEAR FUTURE; NOT ANYTHING LIKE (ANYWHERE NEAR).
near at hand → See AT HAND.
nearest and dearest One’s closest and fondest friends, companions, or relatives, as in It’s a small gathering—we’re inviting only a dozen or so of our nearest and dearest. This rhyming expression has been used ironically since the late 1500s, as well as by Shakespeare in 1 Henry IV (3:2): “Why, Harry, do I tell thee of my foes, which art my nearest and dearest enemy?”
near miss A narrowly avoided mishap; also, an attempt that falls just short of success. For example, It was a near miss for that truck, since the driver had crossed the center strip into oncoming traffic, or Her horse kept having a near miss in every race, so she decided to sell it. This expression originated during World War II, when it signified a bomb exploding in the water near enough to a ship to damage its hull. Soon afterward it acquired its present meanings.
near thing Something just barely effected, as in That election was a near thing—he won by a handful of votes. [Mid-1700s]
near to one’s heart Also, close to one’s heart. Loved by or important to one, as in This last painting was very near to her heart, or His first grandson is close to his heart. [Late 1800s]
necessary evil An undesirable circumstance, person or thing that is useful enough to be tolerated. The OED cites a 1547 treatise that calls woman a necessary evil. The term remains current, as in P
olitical parties tend to consider independent, unaffiliated voters a necessary evil.
necessity → In addition to the idiom beginning with NECESSITY, also see MAKE A VIRTUE OF NECESSITY; OF NECESSITY.
necessity is the mother of invention Inventiveness and ingenuity are stimulated by difficulty. For example, The first prisoner to tie together bedsheets to escape knew that necessity was the mother of invention. This proverb first appeared in English in 1519 in slightly different form, “Need taught him wit,” and exists in many other languages as well.
neck → In addition to the idioms beginning with NECK, also see ALBATROSS AROUND ONE’S NECK; BREAK ONE’S BACK (NECK); BREATHE DOWN SOMEONE’S NECK; DEAD FROM THE NECK UP; MILLSTONE AROUND ONE’S NECK; PAIN IN THE NECK; RISK LIFE AND LIMB (ONE’S NECK); SAVE ONE’S BACON (NECK); STICK ONE’S NECK OUT; UP TO ONE’S EARS (NECK).
neck and neck So close that the advantage or lead shifts from one to the other or is virtually indistinguishable, as in The two are neck and neck in developing a new operating system for the computer. The term comes from horse racing, where the necks of two horses in competition appear to be side by side. [Early 1800s] For a synonym, see NIP AND TUCK.
neck of the woods A neighborhood or region, as in He’s one of the wealthiest men in our neck of the woods. Originally (mid-1800s) alluding to a forest settlement, this colloquial term is now used more loosely, for urban as well as rural locales.
need → In addition to the idiom beginning with NEED, also see CRY FOR (CRYING NEED FOR).
needle → In addition to the idiom beginning with NEEDLE, also see ON PINS AND NEEDLES.
needle in a haystack An item that is very hard or impossible to locate, as in Looking for that screw in Dean’s workshop amounts to looking for a needle in a haystack. Originating in the early 1500s, with meadow instead of haystack, this metaphor exists in many other languages as well.
needless to say It is very likely or obvious, self-evident, as in Needless to say, the availability of assault weapons is closely connected with crime. Although nonsensical at first glance (if unnecessary to say, why say it?), this phrase is generally used for emphasis. It originated as needless to speak in the early 1500s. Also see GO WITHOUT SAYING.
The American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms Page 80