work one’s way Exert oneself to proceed in a particular direction; also, finance a project by working. For example, The painters are working their way from the top floor to the basement, or I’m trying to work my way into the publishing world, or She’s working her way through college. [Second half of 1800s]
work out 1. Accomplish by work or effort, as in I think we can work out a solution to this problem. [1500s] For work out all right, see TURN OUT ALL RIGHT. 2. Find a solution for, solve, as in They hoped to work out their personal differences, or Can you help me work out this equation? [Mid-1800s] 3. Formulate or develop, as in We were told to work out a new plan, or He’s very good at working out complicated plots. [Early 1800s] 4. Discharge a debt by working instead of paying money, as in She promised she’d work out the rest of the rent by babysitting for them. [Second half of 1600s] 5. Prove effective or successful, as in I wonder if their marriage will work out. 6. Have a specific result, add up, as in It worked out that she was able to go to the party after all, or The total works out to more than a million. [Late 1800s] 7. Engage in strenuous exercise for physical conditioning, as in He works out with weights every other day. [1920s] 8. Exhaust a resource, such as a mine, as in This mine has been completely worked out. [Mid-1500s]
work over Beat up, as in The secret police worked him over and he’s never been the same. [c. 1920]
work up 1. Arouse emotions; see WORKED UP. 2. Increase one’s skill, status, or responsibility through effort, as in He worked up to 30 sit-ups a day, or She worked up to bank manager. Also see WORK ONE’S WAY. [Second half of 1600s] 3. Intensify gradually, as in The film worked up to a thrilling climax. [Second half of 1600s] 4. Develop or produce by effort, as in Swimming always works up an appetite. [Second half of 1600s]
work wonders Succeed, produce a good outcome, as in The new coat of paint works wonders with this bedroom, or The physical therapy has worked wonders with these patients. Literally meaning “perform miracles,” this term has been used somewhat more loosely since the 1700s. Also see WORK LIKE A CHARM.
world → In addition to the idioms beginning with WORLD, also see ALL OVER THE PLACE (WORLD); BEST OF BOTH WORLDS; BRING INTO THE WORLD; COME UP (IN THE WORLD); DEAD TO THE WORLD; FOR ALL THE WORLD; GO OUT (OF THE WORLD); IN ONE’S OWN WORLD; IT’S A SMALL WORLD; LAUGH AND THE WORLD LAUGHS WITH YOU; MAN OF THE WORLD; MOVE UP (IN THE WORLD); ON EARTH (IN THE WORLD); ON TOP OF THE WORLD; OUT OF THIS WORLD; SET THE WORLD ON FIRE; THINK A LOT (THE WORLD) OF; THIRD WORLD; WITH THE BEST WILL IN THE WORLD.
world is one’s oyster, the Everything is going well, as in I was younger then, and the world was my oyster. In this term the oyster is something from which to extract great profit (a pearl). It was probably invented by Shakespeare in The Merry Wives of Windsor (2:2): “Why then, the world’s mine oyster, which I with sword will open.”
world of good, a A great benefit, as in A vacation will do you a world of good. This expression uses world in the sense of “a great deal,” a usage dating from the 1400s. [Late 1800s]
worm → In addition to the idioms beginning with WORM, also see CAN OF WORMS; EARLY BIRD CATCHES THE WORM.
worm into Insinuate oneself subtly or gradually, as in He tried to worm into her confidence. This idiom alludes to the sinuous path of a worm. [Early 1600s]
worm out of Elicit or make one’s way by artful or devious means. For example, He tried to worm the answer out of her, or She can’t worm out of this situation. This expression alludes to the sinuous passage of a worm. [Early 1700s]
worm turns, the Also, the worm has turned. Even a very tolerant person will one day lose patience. For example, He bullied his assistant for years, but one day the worm turned and he walked out without notice, taking along his best clients. This expression comes from the proverb Tread on a worm and it will turn, first recorded in John Heywood’s 1546 collection.
worn out → See WEAR OUT.
worn to a frazzle In a state of nervous exhaustion, as in The very idea of moving again has us worn to a frazzle. This expression transfers frazzle, which means “a frayed edge,” to one’s feelings. [Late 1800s]
worried sick Also, worried to death. Extremely anxious, as in Her parents were worried sick when she didn’t come home all night, or We’ve been worried to death about the drop in the stock market. These somewhat hyperbolic phrases (one could conceivably feel ill from worrying but would hardly die from it) date from the second half of the 1800s.
worse → In addition to the idiom beginning with WORSE, also see ALL THE WORSE; BARK IS WORSE THAN ONE’S BITE; FATE WORSE THAN DEATH; FOR BETTER OR FOR WORSE; FROM BAD TO WORSE; IF WORST (WORSE) COMES TO WORST; NONE THE WORSE FOR; SO MUCH THE WORSE; TAKE A TURN FOR THE BETTER (WORSE). Also see under WORST.
worse for wear Also, the worse for the wear. In poor physical condition owing to long use; also, drunk. For example, This television set is really worse for the wear; we’ll have to replace it, or He’d better not drive home; he’s definitely the worse for the wear. [c. A.D. 1000] For an antonym, see NONE THE WORSE FOR.
worship the ground someone walks on Regard someone reverently, as in Jim just worships the ground his father walks on. This hyperbole for deep admiration or romantic feeling was first recorded in 1848.
worst → See AT WORST; GET (HAVE) THE WORST OF IT; IF WORST COMES TO WORST; IN THE WORST WAY. Also see under WORSE.
worth → In addition to the idioms beginning with WORTH, also see FOR ALL ONE IS WORTH; GAME IS NOT WORTH THE CANDLE; GET ONE’S MONEY’S WORTH; NOT WORTH A DAMN; PICTURE IS WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS.
worth one’s salt Deserving of one’s wages; a good employee. In ancient Rome salt was a valuable commodity and was used to pay soldiers. From this came the Latin noun salarium and the English salary. In the mid-1800s the term was applied to current practices of employment, although salt had long since ceased to be a medium of pay. Thus, “Paul’s done a fine job so far; he’s really worth his salt.
worth one’s weight in gold Also, worth its weight in gold. Very valuable, as in John’s been extremely helpful; he’s worth his weight in gold, or That tractor’s been worth its weight in gold. This metaphoric term dates from Roman times and appeared in English by the early 1300s.
worth one’s while 1. Merit one’s time or efforts, as in It’s hardly worth your while to count the transactions; it can be done by computer. [Late 1600s] 2. make something worth one’s while. Compensate one for one’s time or efforts, as in If you take care of our yard while we’re away, I’ll make it worth your while. [Mid-1800s] Both usages employ while in the sense of “a period of time spent.”
worthy of the name Deserving a name or description, as in Any artist worthy of the name can draw better than that. This expression uses worthy of in the sense of “deserving by reason of merit,” a usage dating from about 1300.
would → In addition to the idioms beginning with WOULD, also see AS LUCK WOULD HAVE IT. Also see under WOULDN’T.
wouldn’t → In addition to the idiom beginning with WOULDN’T, also see BUTTER WOULDN’T MELT; CAUGHT DEAD, WOULDN’T BE. Also see under NOT.
wouldn’t dream of Would never consider, as in Even if it were lying open on my desk, I wouldn’t dream of reading another person’s letter. This expression uses dream of in the sense of “remotely think of.” [First half of 1500s]
would rather Prefer to, as in We would rather eat dinner before the movie. [Mid-1500s]
would that I wish that, as in Would that I could stop working and go hiking with you. For a synonym, see IF ONLY.
wound → See LICK ONE’S WOUNDS; RUB IN (SALT INTO A WOUND).
wrack → See under RACK.
wrap → In addition to the idiom beginning with WRAP, also see TWIST (WRAP) AROUND ONE’S FINGER; UNDER WRAPS.
wrapped up in Completely preoccupied by or absorbed in, as in She is wrapped up in her studies. [c. 1600] Also see WRAP UP.
wrap up 1. Bring to a conclusion, settle successfully, as in As soon as we wrap up this deal, we can go on vacation. [First hal
f of 1900s] 2. Summarize, recapitulate, as in To wrap up, the professor went over the three main categories. [First half of the 1900s]
wreak havoc → See PLAY HAVOC.
wrench → See THROW A MONKEY WRENCH INTO.
wringer → See under PUT THROUGH (THE WRINGER).
wring one’s hands Twist or clasp one’s hands together in distress. Shakespeare had it in Richard III (2:2), “Why do your wring your hands and beat your breast...” Both the term and the practice remain current. [Late 1200s]
wrist → See SLAP ON THE WRIST.
write → In addition to the idioms beginning with WRITE, also see NOTHING TO WRITE HOME ABOUT. Also see under WROTE.
write down 1. Set down in writing, record, as in Please write down your new address and phone number. [Late 1500s] 2. Reduce in rank, value, or price, as in They’ve written down their assets. [Late 1800s] 3. Write in a simple or condescending style, as in These science texts are written down for high-school students. [Second half of 1800s]
write in 1. Cast a vote by inserting a name not listed on the ballot, as in He asked them to write in his name as a candidate. [c. 1930] 2. Insert in a text or document, as in Please don’t write in your corrections on the printed pages, but list them separately. [Late 1300s] 3. Communicate with an organization by mail, as in Listeners are being asked to write in their requests. [1920s]
write off 1. Reduce an asset’s book value to zero because it is worthless, as in The truck was wrecked completely, so we can write it off. [Late 1600s] 2. Cancel from an account as a loss, as in Since they’ll never be able to pay back what they owe, let’s just write off that debt. [Late 1800s] Also see CHARGE OFF, def. 2. 3. Regard as a failure or worthless, as in There was nothing to do but write off the first day of our trip because of the bad weather, or She resented their tendency to write her off as a mere housewife. [Late 1800s] 4. Amortize, as in We can write off the new computer network in two years or less. Also see CHARGE OFF, def. 2.
write one’s own ticket Set one’s own conditions or course of action according to one’s wishes or needs. For example, This generous grant lets recipients write their own tickets. This term uses ticket in the sense of “something entitling the holder to a privilege.” [Colloquial; 1920s]
write out 1. Express in writing, especially in full form. For example, Write out your request on this form, or No abbreviations allowed; you have to write everything out. [Mid-1500s] 2. write oneself out. Exhaust one’s energies or abilities by writing too much, as in He’s been doing a novel a year for ages, but now he’s written himself out. [Early 1800s]
write up 1. Write a report or description, as for publication, as in She’s been writing up these local concerts for years. [Early 1400s] 2. Overvalue an asset, as in That accountant is always writing up our equipment, forgetting depreciation.
writing on the wall → See HANDWRITING ON THE WALL.
writ large Signified, expressed, or embodied with greater magnitude, as in That book on Lincoln is simply an article writ large. [Mid-1600s]
wrong → See BACK THE WRONG HORSE; BARK UP THE WRONG TREE; DO SOMEONE WRONG; GET SOMEONE WRONG; GET UP ON THE WRONG SIDE OF BED; GO WRONG; IN THE WRONG; ON THE RIGHT (WRONG) FOOT; ON THE RIGHT (WRONG) TACK; RIGHT (WRONG) SIDE OF THE TRACKS; RUB THE WRONG WAY; TAKE THE WRONG WAY; TWO WRONGS DO NOT MAKE A RIGHT.
wrong end of the stick, the A misunderstanding or distortion, as in We ordered a “full quart” of rice, but the clerk got hold of the wrong end of the stick and sent us “four quarts” instead. This expression refers to a walking stick held upside down, which does not help a walker much. It originated in the 1400s as worse end of the staff and changed to the current wording only in the late 1800s. Also see SHORT END OF THE STICK
wrong-foot Deceive by moving differently from what one expects, as in He won quite a few points by wrong-footing his opponent. This expression comes from tennis, where it means to hit the ball in the direction the opponent is moving away from. It was transferred to other applications in the late 1900s, as in Susan Larson’s review of a concert: “Music wrong-footing and deceiving the ear” (Boston Globe, November 1, 1994).
wrong scent, on the On a false trail or track, as in He managed to put the police on the wrong scent and got away. This term alludes to hunting with hounds. [c. 1600]
wrong side of someone → See under RIGHT SIDE, ON SOMEONE’S.
wrong side of the tracks → See under RIGHT SIDE OF THE TRACKS.
wrote the book on Knows nearly everything about, as in Ask Dr. Lock; he wrote the book on pediatric cardiology, or I wrote the book on job-hunting; I’ve been looking for two years. This expression is always put in the past tense. [Colloquial; second half of 1900s]
xyz
X marks the spot This mark shows the location, as in On the postcard, X marks the spot where we picked blueberries. Although the use of a cross or X is probably much older, this term was first recorded in 1813.
X-rated Sexually explicit, vulgar, or obscene, as in This film should be X-rated; it’s not suitable for children. This expression alludes to a former rating system established for motion pictures, in which films rated X could not be viewed by persons under the age of 17. [c. 1970]
yard → See ALL WOOL AND A YARD WIDE; IN ONE’S OWN BACKYARD; NOT IN MY BACKYARD; WHOLE NINE YARDS.
yarn → See SPIN A YARN.
year → In addition to the idiom beginning with YEAR, also see ALL YEAR ROUND; ALONG IN YEARS; BY THE DAY (YEAR); DONKEY’S YEARS.
year in, year out Regularly, every year, as in We’ve been going to the Cape, year in, year out, ever since we were children. This expression was first recorded in 1830.
yen → See HAVE A YEN FOR.
yes and no In some ways and not others, as in Did you enjoy yourself?—Yes and no, I liked the music itself but hated the conductor. This idiom, always a reply to a question, was first recorded in 1873.
yes man A person who agrees with everything his or her superior wishes, either from fear or in hopes of personal advancement. For example, a column by Joan Vennochi in the Boston Globe about the mayor’s appointment of an inexperienced friend for a head of the Boston Redevelopment Authority was headlined “A ‘yes’ man for the mayor’s city” (April 7, 2011).
yesterday → See NOT BORN YESTERDAY.
yet → See AS YET.
yon → See HITHER AND THITHER (YON).
you → In addition to the idioms beginning with YOU, also see ALL RIGHT FOR YOU; AS YOU PLEASE; BEFORE YOU CAN SAY JACK ROBINSON; BEFORE YOU KNOW IT; BETWEEN YOU AND ME; BITE THE HAND THAT FEEDS YOU; DO YOU READ ME; FOR SHAME (ON YOU); FUCK YOU; GOOD FOR (YOU); HOW DOES THAT GRAB YOU; HOW DO YOU DO; IF YOU CAN’T BEAT ‘EM, JOIN ‘EM; I’LL BE SEEING YOU; I TOLD YOU SO; LOOK BEFORE YOU LEAP; MY HEART BLEEDS FOR YOU; NO MATTER HOW YOU SLICE IT; NOT IF YOU PAID ME; NOW YOU’RE TALKING; PAY AS YOU GO; PRACTICE WHAT YOU PREACH; SAME TO YOU; SAYS WHO (YOU); SCREW YOU; THAT’S ___ FOR YOU; WHAT DO YOU KNOW; WHAT DO YOU TAKE ME FOR; WHAT HAVE YOU; WHAT OF IT (WHAT’S IT TO YOU); WHAT’S EATING YOU.
you better believe it → See YOU’D BETTER BELIEVE IT.
you bet your ass Also, you bet or you can bet your bottom or bottom dollar or (sweet) life. You can be absolutely sure, as in You bet your ass I’ll be there, or You can bet your sweet life that was Bill with another woman, or Are you coming?—You bet I am. All these phrases in effect mean that you can be so sure of something that you can wager your body or life or valuables on it; ass is considered vulgar, and bottom dollar means “last dollar.” [Colloquial; second half of 1800s]
you can lead a horse to water but you can’t make it drink Even favorable circumstances won’t force one to do something one doesn’t want to, as in We’ve gotten all the college catalogs but he still hasn’t applied—you can lead a horse to water. This metaphoric term dates from the 12th century and was in John Heywood’s proverb collection of 1546. It is so well known that it is often shortened, as in the example.
you can say that again Also, you said it. I totally agree with what yo
u said, as in What a relief that Brian didn’t get hurt.—You can say that again! or This is a huge house.—You said it. [Colloquial; first half of 1900s]
you can’t take it with you Enjoy material things while you’re alive, as in Go ahead and buy the fancier car; you can’t take it with you. This phrase gained currency as the title of a very popular play (1936) by George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart and of the 1938 film based on it. [First half of 1800s]
you can’t win Also, you just can’t win. Whatever one does is wrong or not enough, as in Every time I block one of the woodchuck’s holes, I find another; you just can’t win. [First half of 1900s] For a synonym, see DAMNED IF I DO, DAMNED IF I DON’T.
you can’t win ‘em all Success is not inevitable, as in They published your article but not your rebuttal to the reviewer? Well, you can’t win ’em all. [First half of 1900s] For a synonym, see WIN SOME, LOSE SOME.
you could cut it with a knife Alluding to something very thick, such as muggy air or a heavy accent; also, a very tense atmosphere. For example, The smoke was so thick you could cut it with a knife, or When I walked in they all stopped talking and you could cut the air with a knife. [Colloquial; late 1800s]
you’d better believe it Also, you better believe it. You may be assured, as in You walk ten miles every day?—You’d better believe it! This imperative is almost synonymous with YOU BET YOUR ASS. [Colloquial; mid-1800s]
you don’t say How surprising, is that true? Also, I find that hard to believe. For example, I’ve been working on this project for two years.—You don’t say, or The man who runs this soup kitchen is a real saint.—You don’t say! This expression, a shortening of you don’t say so, may be used straightforwardly or ironically. [Late 1800s]
you get what you pay for Inexpensive goods or services are likely to be inferior, as in That vacuum cleaner fell apart in a year—I guess you get what you pay for, or The volunteers take three times as long with the mailing, but you get what you pay for. This economic observation probably dates from ancient times but is disputed by those who do not equate high price with high quality.
The American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms Page 133