American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms

misery, dates from the mid-1600s. down on

Hostile or negative toward, ill-disposed to. For example, All the reviewers were down on this play, or Ever since he was injured, he's been down on skiing. [Mid-1800s] Also see DOWN ON ONE'S

LUCK.

down one's alley

hand. see RIGHT UP ONE'S ALLEY.

down one's neck

hand. see BREATHE DOWN SOMEONE'S NECK.

down one's nose

hand. see LOOK DOWN ONE'S NOSE.

down on one's luck

Afflicted by misfortune, as in They've been down on their luck ever since they moved out West.

[Colloquial; second half of 1800s]

down someone's throat

hand. see JUMP DOWN SOMEONE'S THROAT; RAM DOWN SOMEONE'S THROAT.

down the drain

On the way to being lost or wasted; disappearing. For example, Buying new furniture when they can't take it with them is just pouring money down the drain, or During the Depression huge fortunes went down the drain. This metaphoric term alludes to water going down a drain and being carried off. [Colloquial; c. 1920] For a synonym, see DOWN THE TUBES.

down the hatch

Drink up, as in ''Down the hatch," said Bill, as they raised their glasses. This phrase, often used as a toast, employs hatch in the sense of "a trap door found on ships." [Slang; c. 1930]

down the line

1. Also, all along the line. All the way, throughout. For example, We've found numerous errors down the line. The first term dates from the mid-1900s, the variant from the second half of the 1800s. 2. Also, down the road. At a future point or end. For example, Somewhere down the road I think he'll be elected to high office. [Second half of 1900s]

down the pike

Do you understand me? For example, I'm sick of all these meetings?

do you read me? This phrase originally applied to messages received by radio or telephone. [c. 1930]

dozen

hand. see BAKER'S DOZEN; BY THE DOZEN; DAILY DOZEN; DIME A DOZEN; SIX OF ONE, HALF DOZEN OF THE

doze off

Fall into a light sleep, as in Watching the ballet always made her doze off. [Mid-1800s]

drab

hand. see DRIBS AND DRABS.

drag

hand. In addition to the idioms beginning with DRAG, also see A DRAG; IN DRAG;

KNOCK DOWN, DRAG OUT; LOOK LIKE SOMETHING THE CAT DRAGGED IN; MAIN DRAG; WILD HORSES WOULDN'T DRAG ME.

drag in

Introduce unnecessarily or forcefully. For example, The defense tried to drag in every scrap of evidence, relevant or not. [Mid-1800s] Also see LOOK LIKE SOMETHING THE CAT

DRAGGED IN.

drag on Also, drag out. Prolong or be prolonged tediously. For example, The speech dragged on for another hour, or He dragged out the story in an excruciating manner. [First half of 1800s]

drag one's ass

1. Also, drag ass or drag it or drag tail. Leave, depart, as in I'm dragging my ass out of this place, or It's really late, let's drag ass! [Vulgar slang; 1920s] 2. Also, drag one's tail. Move or act with deliberate slowness, as in Hurry up, stop dragging your tail. [Vulgar slang; c. 1930] For a more polite synonym, see DRAG ONE'S FEET.

drag one's feet Also, drag one's heels. Act or work with intentional slowness, deliberately hold back or delay. For example, The British had been dragging their feet concerning a single European currency. This metaphor for allowing one's feet to trail dates from the mid-1900s.

dragon lady

A domineering or belligerent woman, as in They called her the neighborhood dragon lady?

she was always yelling at the children. This slangy term was originally the name of a villainous Asian woman in Milton Caniff's popular cartoon strip Terry and the Pirates (1934-1973), which ran

in many newspapers. It was transferred to more general use in the mid-1900s.

drag queen

A male transvestite; also, a female impersonator. For example, He was surprised to find out that Roxanne was actually a drag queen. This term uses the slang noun drag in the sense of "female attire worn by a man" (a usage dating from about 1870; also see IN DRAG). [Offensive slang;

c. 1940]

drain

hand. see BRAIN DRAIN; DOWN THE DRAIN.

draw

hand. In addition to the idioms beginning with DRAW, also see BACK TO THE

DRAWING BOARD; BEAT TO IT (THE DRAW); DAGGERS DRAWN; LUCK OF THE DRAW; QUICK ON THE DRAW.

draw a bead on

Take careful aim, as in The debater drew a bead on his opponent. This term, dating from about 1830, alludes to the bead on a revolver or rifle, that is, a small knob in the foresight. [c. 1930]

draw a blank

Fail to find or remember something, as in He looks familiar but I've drawn a blank on his name.

This expression alludes to drawing a lottery ticket with nothing on it (so one cannot win a prize). [Early 1800s]

draw a line between Also, draw the line between. Define a limit between two groups, courses of action, or the like. For example, Legally it's important to draw a line between private and public enterprises, or We'll have to draw the line between our department's different jurisdictions. This metaphoric idiom was first recorded in 1793. Also see DRAW THE LINE AT.

draw and quarter

Punish severely, as in Mom'll draw and quarter me if even one scratch appears on her new car.

This expression alludes to two brutal forms of execution practiced in the past. In one the victim was drawn by a horse to a gallows, hanged, and then cut into four pieces and scattered; in the other the victim was hanged, disemboweled while still alive (drawn), and then beheaded and dismembered. In both the victim was said to be hanged, drawn, and quartered. Today the term is usually used hyperbolically.

draw an inference

Conclude, as in From his wording, we can draw the inference that he disapproves. This idiom is a long-winded way of saying infer. [Late 1600s]

draw a veil over

Conceal or avoid discussing something; keep from public knowledge. For example, Louise drew a veil over the accounting errors. [c. 1700]

draw away

1. Pull off or back, as in He drew his chair away from the fire. 2. Move ahead of competitors, as in

On the last lap Jim drew away from the other runners.

draw back

1. Retreat, as in The heckler drew back into the crowd to avoid being identified. [c. 1300] 2.

Withdraw from an undertaking, as in I was too deeply committed to draw back now. [Mid-1800s]

draw blood

Injure someone physically or emotionally. For example, The bullet skimmed his shoulder and barely drew any blood, or That reviewer really knows how to draw blood. This term alludes to drawing blood for diagnostic purposes.

draw down

Deplete by consuming or spending, as in The government worries about drawing down our oil reserves.

drawer

hand. see TOP DRAWER.

draw fire

Encounter criticism, as in His recent article was bound to draw fire. This expression uses the verb draw in the sense of "attract" or "provoke," and transfers fire in the sense of "gunfire" to a somewhat milder attack.

draw in

Induce to enter or participate; inveigle. For example, They tried to draw in as many new members as possible, or I refused to be drawn in to his scheme. [Mid-1500s]

drawing board

see BACK TO THE DRAWING BOARD.

drawing card

A feature or event that attracts a large audience. For example, This Italian tenor is always a good drawing card. Card in this idiom refers to a large poster containing an advertisement for something, often some sort of entertainment. [Late 1800s]

draw in one's horns

hand. see PULL IN ONE'S HORNS.

draw in the reins

Come to a halt, back down. For example, During a recession, many businesses are forced to draw in the reins on expansion. This expression transfers the means of stopping a horse to other kinds of restraint.

draw on

1. Approach, as in As evening draws on, we'll make our way back to the house. [First half of 1500s] 2. Put on a piece of clothing, as in She drew on her gloves. [Early 1700s] 3. Also, draw upon. Make use of something or someone. For example, This dictionary draws on many different sources, or The chair

man was good at drawing upon the various members for their expertise. [Mid-1600s]

draw out

1. Pull out, extract, remove, as in She drew out her pen, or Let's draw some money out of the bank. [c. 1300] 2. Prolong, protract, as in This meal was drawn out over four hours. The related expression long-drawn-out means "greatly extended or protracted," as in The dinner was a long-drawn-out affair. [1500s] 3. Induce to speak freely, as in The teacher was good at drawing out the children. [Late 1700s]

draw straws Also, draw lots. Decide by a lottery using straws of different lengths. For example,

Let's draw straws to see who will write the first draft. The lots version dates from the 1400s, whereas straws dates from the 1800s. Both have replaced the still older draw cuts. Another variant is draw the short straw, meaning to be the one so selected for a particular task.

draw the curtain

1. Pull a curtain back or to one side to let in more light or to discover what is behind it. For example, The sun was so pleasant I drew the curtains. [c. 1500] 2. Block or conceal something. For example, Let's draw the curtain over this matter; no one needs to know more. [c. 1500] Also

see DRAW A VEIL.

draw the line at

Refuse to go any further than, as in I draw the line at giving them more money. This expression alludes to a line drawn at a stopping point of some kind. [Late 1700s]

draw up

1.Compose or write out in a set form, as in The lawyer drew up the contract. [First half of 1600s]

2.Arrange in order or formation, put in position, as in The band-leader drew up his players, or The officer drew up the troops. [c. 1600] 3. Bring or come to a halt, as in The car drew up to the curb.

[Early 1800s] 4. draw oneself up. Assume an erect posture to express dignity or indignation. For example, She drew herself up and protested. [Mid-1800s]

dream

hand. In addition to the idioms beginning with DREAM, also see LIKE A DREAM; PIPE

DREAM; SWEET DREAMS; WOULDN'T DREAM OF.

dream come true, a

A wild fancy or hope that is realized. For example, Winning a trip to Paris is a dream come true.

dream up

Invent, concoct, as in Count on her to dream up some explanation for her absence. This expression replaced the somewhat earlier dream out. [c. 1940]

dress down

1. Scold, reprimand, as in The sergeant will dress down the entire unit. In the 15th century the verb dress alone was used in the sense of "punish," down being added several centuries later. It also gave rise to the noun dressing down for punishment with blows or words. For example, The teacher gave the girls a severe dressing down. 2. Wear informal clothes, as in It's best to dress down for a party like a barbecue. [Mid-1900s] For the antonym, see DRESS UP.

dressed to kill Also, dressed to the nines. Elaborately attired, as in For the opening of the restaurant she was dressed to kill, or At the opera everyone was dressed to the nines. The first of these hyperbolic expressions dates from the early 1800s and uses kill in the sense of "to a great or impressive degree." The phrase to the nines in the sense of "superlative" dates from the late 1700s and its original meaning has been lost, but the most likely theory is that it alludes to the fact that nine, the highest single-digit numeral, stands for "best." Also see GUSSIED UP.

dress up

1. Wear formal or elaborate clothes, as in I love to dress up for a party. [Late 1600s] For the

DRESS DOWN, def. 2. 2. Put on a costume of some kind, as in The children love dressing up as witches and goblins. [Late 1800s] 3. Adorn or disguise something in order to make it more interesting or appealing. For example,

She has a way of dressing up her account with fanciful details. [Late 1600s]

dribs and drabs

Bits and pieces, negligible amounts, as in There's not much left, just some dribs and drabs of samples. The noun drib is thought to be a shortening of driblet, for "drop" or "tiny quantity," dating from the early 1700s, whereas drab meaning "a small sum of money" dates from the early 1800s.

drift

hand. see GET THE DRIFT.

drink

hand. In addition to the idioms beginning with DRINK, also see DRIVE SOMEONE

CRAZY (TO DRINK); EAT, DRINK, AND BE MERRY; INTO THE DRINK; MEAT AND DRINK TO; NURSE A DRINK.

drink like a fish

Consume large amounts of alcoholic beverages, as in He always drinks like a fish at holiday dinners. The expression, first recorded in the mid-1600s, alludes to the way fish obtain oxygen, which causes them to be open-mouthed and appear to be constantly drinking.

drink to

Salute a person or occasion with a toast, as in Let's drink to our continued success. [Early 1500s]

drive a hard bargain

Be severe in negotiating a transaction, make an agreement to one's advantage. For example, It's more than I planned to pay, but you drive a hard bargain. This expression, first recorded in 1836, uses the verb drive in the sense of "forcefully carry through."

drive at

Mean to do or say, as in I don't understand what he's driving at. Today this idiom, first recorded in 1579, is used mainly with the participle driving.

drive home

Make clearly understood, make a point, as in The network news programs drive home the fact that violence is part of urban life. This expression uses the verb drive in the sense of "force by a blow or thrust" (as in driving a nail). Samuel Hieron used it in Works (1607): "That I may . . . drive home the nail of this exhortation even to the head."

driven

hand. see PURE AS THE DRIVEN SNOW.

driver

hand. see BACKSEAT DRIVER; IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT.

drive someone crazy Also, drive someone mad or bananas or bonkers or nuts or up the wall; drive someone to drink. Greatly exasperate someone, annoy to distraction. For example,

His habitual lateness drives me crazy, or Apologizing over and over drives me bananas, or These slovenly workmen drive me up the wall, or Your nagging is driving me to drink. All of these hyperbolic expressions describe a person's extreme frustration, supposedly to the point of insanity (crazy, mad, nuts, bonkers, and bananas all mean "insane"); up the wall alludes to climbing the walls to escape and to drink to imbibing alcohol to induce oblivion.

drive to drink

hand. see under DRIVE CRAZY.

driving force

The impetus, power, or energy behind something in motion, as in He was clearly the driving force

in the new administration. This term transfers the force that sets in motion an engine or vehicle to other enterprises. Ralph Waldo Emerson was among the first to use it figuratively (English Traits, 1856): "The ability of its journals is the driving force."

drop

hand. In addition to the idioms beginning with DROP, also see AT THE DROP OF A

HAT; BOTTOM DROPS OUT OF; GET THE DROP ON; HEAR A PIN DROP; LET DROP; WAIT FOR THE OTHER SHOE TO DROP.

drop a bombshell

Make an unexpected or shattering announcement. For example, Bill dropped a bombshell when he said he was quitting. This expression, which alludes to the destruction caused by a falling bomb, dates from World War I.

drop a brick Also, drop a clanger. Say something indiscreet, commit a social gaffe. For example,

John dropped a brick when he called her by his ex-wife's name. [Slang; 1920s]

drop a dime

Inform on or betray someone, as in No one can cheat in this class?

someone's bound to drop a dime and tell the teacher. This expression, alluding to the ten-cent coin long used for making a telephone call, originated as underworld slang for phoning the police to inform on a criminal and occasionally is extended to any kind of betrayal. [1960s]

drop a line

Correspond, write a short letter or note. For example, I hope you'll drop me a line soon. This idiom uses line in the sense of "a few words in writing," a usage first recorded in 1647.

drop back

Step back, retreat. For example, When it was time for a group picture, Mary dropped back.

drop behind

Fall short of the normal pace or progress. For example, The teacher said Greg was dropping behind the class and needed extra help.

drop by Also, drop in or over. Pay a brief, casual, and usually unannounced visit. For example, I asked her to drop by whenever she was in the neighborhood, or Joan loves to have friends drop in, or We'd love to drop over but we haven't time on this trip. The first term dates from the first half of the 1900s; drop in is from the mid-1600s and drop over from the late 1800s.

drop dead

An expression of anger, rejection, or indignation toward someone. For example, I should do all that work for you? Drop dead! This rude imperative is usually hyperbolic, that is, the speaker is not literally asking someone to die on the spot. [c. 1930] Curiously, the adjective (and adverb)

drop-dead is not at all insulting. Rather, it means "dazzling" or "awe-inspiring," as in She wore a drop-dead outfit that all the other women admired. This usage originated in slangy journalism in the 1960s.

drop in one's tracks

Collapse from weariness or illness; also, die suddenly. For example, I packed all day until I could have dropped in my tracks, or Grandfather's died; he just dropped in his tracks. The phrase in one's tracks has meant "where one is at the moment," and by extension, "instantly," since the early 1800s.

drop in someone's lap

Give to someone suddenly or without warning. What is given may be desirable, as in I'm just going to drop the promotion in her lap this afternoon, or it may be burdensome, as in They simply dropped the employment problem in our laps. The former usage dates from the mid-1500s, the latter from the mid1900s.

drop in the bucket

A very small quantity, especially one that is too small. For example, These contributions are just a drop in the bucket; the new church wing will cost thousands more. John Wycliffe's followers used this seemingly modern phrase in their translation of the Bible (1382), and it also appears in the 1611 King James version (Isaiah 40:15): "Behold, the nations are as a drop of a bucket, and are counted as the small dust of the balance."

drop like a hot potato

hand. see HOT POTATO.

drop like flies

Rapidly collapse, die, or drop out, usually referring to a group rather than an individual. For example,

The words

were so difficult that the spelling bee contestants were dropping like flies. The simile like flies has meant "in large numbers," as it does in this expression, since about 1600.

drop names

Refer to important persons as acquaintances in order to impress the listener. For example, Her habit of dropping names made everyone very skeptical about her veracity. [Mid-1900s]

drop off

1. Fall asleep, as in When I looked at Grandma, she had dropped off. [Early 1800s] 2. Decrease; also, become less frequent. For example, Sales have dropped off markedly, or Over the year her visits dropped off. [Early 1800s] 3. Deliver, unload, as in Bill dropped off the package at the office. 4. Die, as in He is so ill he could drop off any time. [Early 1800s]