thank one’s lucky stars Be grateful for good fortune, as in I thank my lucky stars that I wasn’t on that plane that crashed. This phrase, which reflects the ancient belief in the influence of stars over human destinies, appeared in slightly different form in Ben Jonson’s play Every Man Out of His Humour (1599): “I thank my Stars for it.” The exact locution dates from the 1800s and is more a general expression of relief than of belief in the stars’ protection. Also see THANK GOD.
thanks to On account of, because of, as in Thanks to your help, we’ll be done on time. This phrase alludes to gratitude being due to someone or something. It is also put negatively, no thanks to, meaning “without the benefit of help from,” as in We finally found your house, no thanks to the confusing map you drew. This usage, first recorded in 1633, is about a hundred years older than the first term, recorded only in 1737.
that → In addition to the idioms beginning with THAT, also see ALL’S WELL THAT ENDS WELL; ALL THAT; ALL THAT GLITTERS IS NOT GOLD; AND ALL (THAT); AS FAR AS THAT GOES; AT THAT; AT THAT POINT; AT THIS (THAT) RATE; AT THIS (THAT) STAGE; BE THAT AS IT MAY; BITE THE HAND THAT FEEDS YOU; CROSS A (THAT) BRIDGE WHEN ONE COMES TO IT; FOR THAT MATTER; GAME THAT TWO CAN PLAY; HOW ABOUT THAT; HOW DOES THAT GRAB YOU; HOW’S THAT; IN ORDER (THAT); IN THAT; IS THAT A FACT; IT (THAT) FIGURES; JUST LIKE THAT; JUST THE (THAT’S THE) TICKET; LAST STRAW (THAT BREAKS); LIKE THAT; LOOK LIKE THE CAT THAT ATE THE CANARY; NOT ALL THAT; NOT BUILT THAT WAY; NOW THAT; ON CONDITION THAT; ON THE CHANCE THAT; POWERS THAT BE; PUT THAT IN YOUR PIPE AND SMOKE IT; SEEING THAT; SHIPS THAT PASS IN THE NIGHT; SO THAT; SUFFICE IT TO SAY THAT; TEAR (THAT TEARS) IT; THIS AND THAT; TO THAT EFFECT; WHEN IT COMES TO (THAT); WOULD THAT; YOU CAN SAY THAT AGAIN.
that ain’t hay That’s a great deal, especially of money; also, that’s important. For example, He’s making ten thousand a month, and that ain’t hay. Originally used to describe a sum of money that is large, this phrase was later extended to other circumstances, as in She married a titled lord, and that ain’t hay. [Colloquial; first half of 1900s]
that does it 1. Also, that does the trick. The last requirement has been fulfilled; that accomplishes it. For example, That does it; we’re ready to send in the application now, or That last screw does the trick—it’s fully assembled. Grose’s Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue (1823) defines do the trick as “accomplish a robbery or other business successfully,” and presumably the it in the first term stands for the trick. [Early 1800s] Also see THAT’S THAT. 2. I’ve lost patience, as in That does it! I’m not revising this a fourth time! [Colloquial, 1900s] Also see LAST STRAW.
that is Also, that is to say. To explain more clearly, in other words, as in It’s on the first floor, that is, at street level, or We’re coming next month, that is to say, in November. [Early 1600s] Also see under THAT’S.
that’ll be the day That will never happen, that’s very unlikely, as in You think I’ll win the lottery? That’ll be the day! Presumably this phrase is short for that will be the day worth waiting for, but it is nearly always used ironically, as in the example. [Mid-1900s]
that makes two of us I agree, me too, as in I’m sure it’s going to rain.—That makes two of us. [First half of 1900s]
that’s about the size of it. That sums up the situation; that’s how things are. For example, So he’s going to resign next month?—Yes, that’s about the size of it, or Mary’s applying to all those colleges?—That’s about the size of it. A mid-19th century British expression that soon crossed the Atlantic, it appeared in Mark Twain’s A Tramp Abroad (1880): “‘Bloodshed!’ ‘That’s about the size of it,’ I said.”
that’s ____ for you This is the way something or someone is, as in She’s changed her mind again; that’s Mary for you, or They came close to winning but they lost; that’s tennis for you.
that’s how the ball bounces Also, that’s the way the ball bounces or the cookie crumbles. That is the way matters have worked out and nothing can be done about it. For example, I’m sorry you got fired but that’s how the ball bounces, or They wanted a baby girl but got a third boy—that’s the way the cookie crumbles. These phrases allude to an odd bounce or a crumbled cookie that cannot be put back together. [Colloquial; mid-1900s]
that’s one on me That’s a joke at my expense, as in And after all that discussion they didn’t show up—that’s one on me. This phrase must be distinguished from that’s a new one on me, which means “this is the first time I’ve heard of or seen that” (as in A checkerboard rug—that’s a new one on me). Both idioms can be used with other personal pronouns (for example, that’s one on you) and date from the early 1900s.
that’s right Yes; that’s correct; I agree. For example, Are you leaving early?—That’s right, I have to go now, or So you were classmates?—That’s right. [c. 1900]
that’s that Also, that takes care of that. There’s no more to be said or done; the matter is finished, the issue is settled. For example, Dad’s not buying you a television set, and that’s that, or We’ve paid all we owe, and that takes care of that. [Early 1800s]
that’s the beauty of This is the most satisfactory feature of, as in And our vacations fall at the same time; that’s the beauty of working in different law practices. [Mid-1700s]
that’s the ticket → See JUST THE TICKET.
that will do That is enough, that will suffice, as in Please don’t give me more peas; that will do, or That will do, children! There’s to be no running near the pool. [Late 1800s]
the beauty of → See under THAT’S THE BEAUTY OF.
the bigger they come → See BIGGER THEY COME.
the breaks Pieces of luck, turns of events, as in No matter how well he pitches, the team always makes fielding errors—that’s the breaks, I guess, or There’s not much you can do if the breaks are against you. In the singular and modified forms, this term becomes good or bad or lucky break. In the plural form, only the context determines its favorable or unfavorable meaning. [Slang; early 1900s] Also see TOUGH BREAK.
the business 1. Verbal abuse, scolding, or teasing; also, a beating. For example, At boarding school new kids always get the business, or The boxer faked and then gave his opponent the business. [Slang; c. 1940] 2. A harsh interrogation, as in The detectives gave each suspect the business. [Slang; c. 1940] 3. Dismissal from work or jilting, as in Once the new management takes over I’m sure to get the business, or Dorothy gave him the business and married someone else. [Slang; c. 1940]
the creeps Also, the willies, the heebie-jeebies. A sensation of horror or repugnance, as in That weird man gives me the creeps, or I get the willies when I hear that dirge music, or Science fiction fantasies give me the heebie-jeebies. The first of these colloquial terms alludes to a sensation of something crawling on one’s skin. Charles Dickens used it in David Copperfield (1849) to describe a physical ailment: “She was constantly complaining of the cold and of its occasioning a visitation in her back, which she called ‘the creeps.’” But soon after it was used to describe fear and loathing. The second variant dates from the late 1800s, and both its allusion and origin are unclear. The third is 1920s slang.
the damage The cost or price of something, as in So what’s the damage for this outfit? This seemingly modern slangy phrase, with damage alluding to the harm done to one’s pocketbook, was first recorded in 1755.
the hell with → See TO HELL WITH.
the horse’s mouth → See FROM THE HORSE’S MOUTH.
the idea Also, the very idea. → See under WHAT’S THE IDEA.
the latest Also, the latest thing. The most recent development, as in fashion or the news. For example, Wearing straw hats to the beach is the latest thing, or Have you heard the latest about the royal family? [Colloquial; late 1800s] Also see THE THING.
the likes of → See LIKES OF.
the limit The most extreme; someone or something that irritates, delights, or surprises to the ultimate degree. For example, Hiring and firing someone the same day—that’s the limit in employee relations! or That
excuse of yours for missing the wedding, that’s the limit, or He’s done wonders before but this last one is the limit. This idiom uses limit as “the last possible point or boundary.” [Colloquial; c. 1900]
the long and the short of it → See LONG AND SHORT OF IT.
the lowdown on The whole truth about something, as in We’re waiting to hear the lowdown on what happened after we left. This term uses lowdown in the sense of “the basic or fundamental part.” [Slang; early 1900s]
the masses The body of common people, or people of low socioeconomic status, as in TV sitcoms are designed to appeal to the masses. This idiom is nearly always used in a snobbish context that puts down the taste, intelligence, or some other quality of the majority of people. W.S. Gilbert satirized this view in the peers’ march in Iolanthe (1882), in which the lower-middle class and the masses are ordered to bow down before the peers. Prime Minister William Gladstone took a different view (Speech, 1886): “All the world over, I will back the masses against the [upper] classes.” [First half of 1800s]
the matter → See WHAT’S THE MATTER.
the more the merrier → See MORE THE MERRIER.
them’s fighting words → See FIGHTING WORDS.
then → In addition to the idioms beginning with THEN, also see AND THEN SOME; EVERY NOW AND THEN.
then again Also, but then. On the other hand, an opposite possibility. For example, I think it’ll arrive tomorrow; then again, it may not, or We think you’ll like this restaurant, but then again, not everyone does, or The play was a bit dull, but then she’s a great actress.
then and there Also, there and then. At that precise time and place; on the spot. For example, When the board questioned his judgment again, he resigned then and there. The first term was first recorded in 1442, the variant in 1496.
the other day → See OTHER DAY.
the other way round → See OTHER WAY ROUND.
the picture → See IN THE PICTURE.
the pits The worst possible situation, as in Spending your birthday working alone is the pits, or That job is the pits. The allusion in this term is unclear. Some think it refers to coal pits, others to armpits, and still others to the area beside an auto racecourse, also called the pits, where cars are serviced during a race. [Second half of 1900s]
there → In addition to the idioms beginning with THERE, also see ALL THERE; BE THERE FOR SOMEONE; GET THERE; HANG IN (THERE); HERE AND THERE; HERE, THERE, AND EVERYWHERE; IN THERE PITCHING; NEITHER HERE NOR THERE; NO SMOKE WITHOUT (WHERE THERE’S SMOKE THERE’S) FIRE; (THERE’S) NOTHING TO IT; SOMEBODY UP THERE LOVES ME; TAKE IT FROM HERE (THERE); THEN AND THERE; WHERE THERE’S A WILL, THERE’S A WAY; WHILE THERE’S LIFE THERE’S HOPE.
there but for the grace of God go I I also could be in that terrible situation, as in Seeing him with two flat tires on the highway, she said “There but for the grace of God go I.” This expression has been attributed to John Bradford, who so remarked on seeing criminals being led to their execution (c. 1553) and who in fact was executed himself as a heretic a few years later. A number of religious leaders, including John Bunyan, have been credited with it as well.
thereby hangs a tale That detail or incident reminds one of another story, as in So he went without supper, but thereby hangs a tale. This expression, embodying the pun on tail and tale, was used by Shakespeare in at least four of his plays and presumably was well known before that. [1500s]
there’s no accounting for tastes → See NO ACCOUNTING FOR TASTES.
there’s no fool like an old fool → See NO FOOL LIKE AN OLD FOOL.
there’s no smoke without fire → See NO SMOKE WITHOUT FIRE.
there’s no telling It’s impossible to determine, as in There’s no telling how many children will come down with measles, or There’s no telling what will happen in the next episode of that soap opera. This idiom uses telling in the sense of “reckoning,” a usage dating from the late 1300s.
there’s no time like the present → See NO TIME LIKE THE PRESENT.
the ropes → See KNOW THE ROPES; ON THE ROPES.
the rub The difficulty or problem, as in We’d love to come but there’s the rub—we can’t get reservations. This expression may come from lawn bowling, where rub refers to an unevenness in the ground that impedes the ball. Its most famous use is in one of Hamlet’s soliloquies (Hamlet, 3:1): “To sleep, perchance to dream—ay, there’s the rub, For in that sleep of death what dreams may come... Must give us pause.” [Late 1500s]
the score → See KNOW THE SCORE.
these → See ONE OF THESE DAYS.
the soul of → See SOUL OF.
the stake → See BURN AT THE STAKE.
the thing Also, the in thing. Something in style or vogue, the latest trend. For example, Wearing oversized clothes is the thing these days, or Vans and sports utility vehicles have been the in thing for some time now. The first term dates from the mid-1700s; the second, which uses in in the sense of “popular,” dates from the mid-1900s. Also see THE LATEST.
the thing is The issue, main point, or problem is, as in The thing is, we haven’t enough money for the tickets. [Colloquial; late 1800s]
the ticket → See JUST THE TICKET.
the wiser → See NONE THE WISER.
the works 1. Everything, the full range of possibilities, as in He ordered a pizza with the works, or All right, tell me, give me the works on it. This usage derives from works in the sense of “a complete set of parts for a machine or mechanism.” [Colloquial; late 1800s] 2. A beating or other severe treatment. This usage is often put as give someone the works, as in They took him outside and gave him the works. [Slang; first half of 1900s]
they → See BIGGER THEY COME; LET THE CHIPS FALL WHERE THEY MAY.
thick → In addition to the idioms beginning with THICK, also see BLOOD IS THICKER THAN WATER; IN THE THICK OF; LAY IT ON THICK; PLOT THICKENS; THROUGH THICK AND THIN.
thick and fast Rapidly crowding, coming so fast they run together, as in The questions came at him thick and fast. This term originated in the second half of the 1500s as thick and threefold and was replaced by the current version about 1700. For a synonym, see FAST AND FURIOUS.
thick and thin → See THROUGH THICK AND THIN.
thick as thieves Intimate, closely allied, as in The sisters-in-law are thick as thieves. This term uses thick in the sense of “intimate,” a usage that is obsolete except in this simile. [Early 1800s]
thick skin Insensitivity to criticism or insult, as in You can tell him exactly what you think of his new piece; unlike most composers he has a thick skin. This term transfers an impervious outer coating to mental or emotional toughness. [Mid-1500s] The converse is thin skin, meaning extreme sensitivity and being readily hurt. It dates from the 1600s.
thief, thieves → See IT TAKES ONE TO KNOW ONE (A THIEF TO CATCH A THIEF); THICK AS THIEVES.
thin → In addition to the idioms beginning with THIN, also see INTO THIN AIR; ON THIN ICE; SPREAD ONESELF TOO THIN; THROUGH THICK AND THIN; WEAR THIN.
thin as a rail Very slender, as in I do not know why she’s dieting; she’s thin as a rail already. This simile, which uses rail in the sense of “a narrow bar,” has largely replaced such other versions as thin as a lath or rake, although the latter is still common in Britain. [Second half of 1800s]
thin edge of the wedge A minor change that begins a major development, especially an undesirable one. For example, First they asked me to postpone my vacation for a week, and then for a month; it’s the thin edge of the wedge and pretty soon it’ll be a year. This term alludes to the narrow wedge inserted into a log for splitting wood. [Mid-1800s]
thing → In addition to the idiom beginning with THING, also see ALL THE RAGE (THING); ALL THINGS TO ALL PEOPLE; AMOUNT TO THE SAME THING; DO ONE’S THING; FIRST THING; FIRST THINGS FIRST; FOR ONE (THING); GET INTO THE SWING OF THINGS; GREATEST THING SINCE SLICED BREAD; HAVE A GOOD THING GOING; HAVE A THING ABOUT; JUST ONE OF THOSE THINGS; KNOW ALL THE ANSWERS (A THING OR TWO); LITTLE KNOWLEDGE I
S A DANGEROUS THING; NEAR THING; NO SUCH THING; NOT KNOW BEANS (THE FIRST THING); OF ALL THINGS; OTHER THINGS BEING EQUAL; SEEING THINGS; SURE THING; THE LATEST (THING); THE THING; THE THING IS; TOO MUCH OF A GOOD THING; VERY THING.
thing or two Quite a lot, as in You can count on Bob to tell you a thing or two about Iran. This term is nearly always an understatement. [Mid-1800s] Also see under KNOW ALL THE ANSWERS.
things are looking up Matters are improving; see under LOOK UP.
think → In addition to the idioms beginning with THINK, also see COME TO THINK OF IT; HAVE ANOTHER GUESS (THINK) COMING; HEAR ONESELF THINK; NOT THINK MUCH OF; PUT ON ONE’S THINKING CAP; WISHFUL THINKING. Also see under THOUGHT.
think a lot of Also, think highly or well or the world of. Have a good opinion of, regard very favorably, as in I think a lot of my daughter-in-law, or He didn’t think highly of this company, or Dean thought the world of his youngest. These expressions use think in the sense of “regard” or “value,” a usage dating from the late 1300s. For antonyms, see NOT THINK MUCH OF; THINK LITTLE OF.
think aloud Speak one’s thoughts audibly, as in We need flour, sugar, butter—I’m just thinking aloud. [Early 1700s]
think back Recall or reflect on, as in When I think back on my days as a summer camper, I really had a good time, or As he thought back to his father, long dead, tears came to his eyes. [Mid-1900s]
think better of Reconsider, change one’s mind about, as in I hope you’ll think better of it before you quit your job. [c. 1600]
think big Be ambitious, as in There’s no point in moving to a place the same size; we have to think big and plan for expansion. [Colloquial; mid-1900s]
thinking cap → See PUT ON ONE’S THINKING CAP.
think little of Have a poor opinion of, as in I think little of moving to Florida since none of us likes heat or humidity. This term uses think in the sense of “regard” or “value,” a usage dating from the 1300s. Also see NOT THINK MUCH OF.
The American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms Page 120