SOLVED IDIOMS SINCE 1971.doc

8/13/2019 SOLVED IDIOMS SINCE 1971.doc

1/85

SOLVED IDIOMS SINCE 1971

1- Carry out

Accomplish, bri! to a coclusio

"h#y carri#$ out th# missio succ#ss%ully&

Sha'#sp#ar# ha$ this t#rm i (i! L#ar )*+1+ A$ har$ly shall I carry out my si$#, h#r

husba$

b#i! ali.#

/ut i practic# or #%%#ct,

0# ill carry out th# # policy&

/l#as# carry out my istructios&

2- "a'# o.#r

Assum# cotrol, maa!#m#t, or poss#ssio o%

"h# pilot tol$ his copilot to ta'# o.#r th# cotrols&

"h#r#3s a s#cr#t bi$ to ta'# o.#r our compay& 4Lat# 1566s

8- ri! about

caus#

Sh# hop#s to bri! about a cha!# i his attitu$#&

:- #at out

(oc' ito shap# by b#ati!

Sh# maa!#$ to b#at out all th# $#ts i th# %#$#r& 4c& 1;66

Surpass or $#%#at som#o#, b# chos# o.#r som#o#


2/85


3/85

1972

1- "o %all bac' o som#thi! %all bac' upo

@#ly o, ha.# r#cours# to

I %all bac' o ol$ %ri#$s i tim# o% ##$&

0h# h# lost his >ob h# ha$ to %all bac' upo his sa.i!s

2- "o %all throu!h

ail, miscarry

"h# propos#$ am#$m#t %#ll throu!h&

I hop# our plas o=t %all throu!h& 4Lat# 1766s

8- O ri!ht #ar#st

:- V#st#$ it#r#sts

A p#rsoal sta'# i som#thi!

Sh# has a .#st#$ it#r#st i '##pi! th# hous# i h#r am#&

"his t#rm, %irst r#cor$#$ i 1515, us#s .#st#$ i th# s#s# o% #stablish#$ or s#cur#$&

*- M#ai!%ul $ialo!u#

:


4/85

1978

1- "ur to accout

?s# %or o#=s b##%it


5/85

*- "o '##p op# hous#

"o #t#rtai %ri#$s at all tim#s, to b# hospitabl#

;- "o put out o% cout#ac#

7- Got up to 'ill

5- "o ha.# a %i!#r i th# pi#


6/85

197:

1- 0h# all is sai$ a$ $o# A%t#r all is sai$ a$ $o#

I th# #$, #.#rth#l#ss

0h# all=s sai$ a$ $o#, th# $octors $i$ hat th#y coul$ %or Gor$o, but h# as too ill

to

sur.i.#&

"his t#rm as %irst r#cor$#$ i 1*;6&

2- A a# to !ri$

A s#l%ish aim or moti.#

"h# articl# criticiJ#$ th# # so%tar#, but th# author ha$ a a# to !ri$, as its

mau%actur#r

ha$ %ir#$ his so&

"his %r#Ku#tly us#$ i$iom com#s %rom a story by Charl#s Mi#r, publish#$ i 1511,

about a boy

ho as %latt#r#$ ito turi! th# !ri$sto# %or a ma sharp#i! his a#&


7/85

;

:- ur th# ca$l# at both #$s

Ehaust o#=s ##r!i#s or r#sourc#s by l#a$i! a h#ctic li%#

os#ph=s b## buri! th# ca$l# at both #$s %or ##'s, or'i! to >obs $uri! th#

##' a$ a

thir$ o ##'#$s&

"his m#taphor ori!iat#$ i rac# a$ as traslat#$ ito E!lish i @a$l# Cot!ra.#=s

Dictioary )1;11, h#r# it r#%#rr#$ to $issipati! o#=s #alth& It soo acKuir#$ its

pr#s#t

broa$#r m#ai!&

*- L#a.# i th# lurch

D#s#rt or l#a.# alo# a$ i troubl#, r#%us# to h#lp or support som#o#


8/85


9/85

"his #pr#ssio com#s %rom th# ibl# )Dai#l *+*-81, i hich th# proph#t it#rpr#ts

som#

myst#rious riti! that a $is#mbo$i#$ ha$ has iscrib#$ o th# palac# all, t#lli! (i!

#lshaJJar that h# ill b# o.#rthro

197*

1- "o so o#=s il$ oats

#ha.# %oolishly, immo$#rat#ly or promiscuously h# you!

ra$ has sp#t th# last coupl# o% y#ars soi! his il$ oats, but o h# s##ms r#a$y to

s#ttl#

$o&

"his #pr#ssio allu$#s to soi! i%#rior il$ oats ist#a$ o% !oo$ culti.at#$ !rai, th#

.#rb

soi!Bthat is, plati! s##$Bi particular su!!#sti! s#ual promiscuity& 4Mi$-

1*66s

2- Storm i a t#a cup

I% som#o# #a!!#rat#s a probl#m or ma'#s a small probl#m s##m %ar !r#at#r tha it

r#ally is,

th# th#y ar# ma'i! a storm i a t#acup

8- "o '##p lat# hours

Stay aa'# util lat# at i!ht

N#.#r call Eth#l b#%or# ooH sh# '##ps lat# hours a$ sl##ps all mori!&

:- "o thro col$ at#r o


10/85

to $iscoura!#, to r#mo.# hop#, $#t#r

St#.# at#$ to #pa$ th# busi#ss ito Chia, but his boss thr# col$ at#r o th#

i$#a, a$

tol$ him to %ocus o th# $om#stic busi#ss&

Cutti! my y#ar-#$ bous pour#$ col$ at#r o my loyalty to th# compay&


11/85

"his i$iom us#s brut i th# s#s# o% th# mai %orc# o% a ##my=s attac', hich as

sustai#$

by th# %rot li#s o% th# $#%#$#rs& 4S#co$ hal% o% 1766s

7- "i#$ to apro-stri!s o%

0holly $#p#$#t o or cotroll#$ by a oma, #sp#cially o#=s moth#r or i%#&

At 2*, h# as still too ti#$ to h#r apro stri!s to !#t a apartm#t o% his o&

"his #pr#ssio, $ati! %rom th# #arly 1566s, probably allu$#$ to apro-stri! t#ur#, a

17th-c#tury la that allo#$ a husba$ to cotrol his i%#=s a$ h#r %amily=s prop#rty

$uri! h#r

li%#tim#&

5- "o mo.# h#a.# a$ #arth

E#rt th# utmost #%%ort

I=$ mo.# h#a.# a$ #arth to !#t a apartm#t h#r#&

"his hyp#rbolic #pr#ssio as %irst r#cor$#$ i 1792&

9- "o blo o#3s o trump#t blo o#=s trump#t

Vast i a boast%ul, s#l%-promoti! ma#r , bra! about o#s#l%

0ithi to miut#s o% m##ti! som#o# #, ill as bloi! his o hor& 4Lat#

1*66s

16- "o r#st o o#=s laur#ls

@#ly o o#=s past achi#.#m#ts, #sp#cially as a ay o% a.oi$i! th# or' ##$#$ to

a$.ac#

o#=s status&

No that ulia=s i his #i!hti#s, h#=s $#ci$#$ to r#st o his laur#ls a$ l#t som# o% th#

you!#r

a!#ts $o th# or'&


12/85


13/85

0h# p#opl# ar# at cross purpos#s, th#y misu$#rsta$ #ach oth#r or ha.# $i%%#r#t or

opposi!

ob>#cti.#s

0ith aims or !oals that co%lict or it#r%#r# ith o# aoth#r

I=m a%rai$ th# to $#partm#ts ar# or'i! at cross purpos#s&

"his i$iom, %irst r#cor$#$ i 1;55, may ha.# b#!u as a 17th-c#tury parlor !am# call#$

cross-purpos#s, i hich a s#ri#s o% sub>#cts )or Ku#stios #r# $i.i$#$ %rom th#ir

#plaatios )or

as#rs a$ $istribut#$ arou$ th# room& /lay#rs th# cr#at#$ absur$iti#s by

combii! a

sub>#ct ta'# %rom o# p#rso ith a #plaatio ta'# %rom aoth#r&

;- Ch#c' by >ol

i clos# itimacy, si$# by si$#

+a ro o% hous#s ch##' by >ol

7- Succictly

16

Charact#riJ#$ by cl#ar, pr#cis# #pr#ssio i %# or$sH cocis# a$ t#rs#

a succict r#plyH a succict styl#&

5-


14/85

Allu$i! to a.i!ati! at#rs %r## o% haJar$s, such as roc's or oth#r obstructios, this

t#rm as

tras%#rr#$ to oth#r acti.iti#s i th# #arly 1566s&

1977

1- "o b#ar th# brut o%

/ut up ith th# orst o% som# ba$ circumstac#

It as th# s#cr#tary ho ha$ to b#ar th# brut o% th# $octor=s a!#r&


sustai#$


2- "o call a spa$# a spa$#

A p#rso ho calls a spa$# a spa$# is o# sp#a's %ra'ly a$ ma'#s littl# or o att#mpt

to

coc#al th#ir opiios or to spar# th# %##li!s o% th#ir au$i#c#&

8- "o %i!ht shy o%

A.oi$ m##ti! or co%roti! som#o#

I ha.# ha$ to %i!ht shy o% i.itatios that oul$ #haust tim# a$ spirits)0ashi!to

Ir.i!,


15/85

Li%# a$ L#tt#rs, 1521&

"his usa!# may allu$# to a military r#luctac# to m##t or #!a!# ith th# ##my& 4Lat#

1766s

11

:- "o cry o.#r th# spilt mil'

"his i$iom m#as that !#tti! ups#t a%t#r som#thi! has !o# ro! is poitl#ssH it ca=t

b#

cha!#$ so it shoul$ b# acc#pt#$&

*- "o bur th# ca$l# at both #$s

Som#o# ho burs th# ca$l# at both #$s li.#s li%# at a h#ctic pac#, $oi! thi!s

hich ar#

li'#ly to a%%#ct th#ir h#alth ba$ly&

Ehaust o#=s ##r!i#s or r#sourc#s by l#a$i! a h#ctic li%#&

os#ph=s b## buri! th# ca$l# at both #$s %or ##'s, or'i! to >obs $uri! th#

##' a$ a

thir$ o ##'#$s&

"his m#taphor ori!iat#$ i rac# a$ as traslat#$ ito E!lish i @a$l# Cot!ra.#=s

Dictioary )1;11, h#r# it r#%#rr#$ to $issipati! o#=s #alth& It soo acKuir#$ its

pr#s#tbroa$#r m#ai!&

;- "o rob p#t#r to pay /aul

I% you rob /#t#r to pay /aul, you try to sol.# o# probl#m,


16/85


17/85

"his usa!# as %irst r#cor$#$ i 1526&

?$#rsta$

I ca=t ma'# out hat sh# is tryi! to say& 4Mi$-1;66s

Establish or pro.#


18/85


19/85

"h# #pr#ssio is som#tim#s it#si%i#$ as har$ o som#o#=s h##ls or hot o

som#o#=s h##ls

*- "o $i# i har#ss

Epir# hil# or'i!, '##p or'i! to th# #$


20/85

1:

clich#$ o th# isi$# o% th# $oor a$ th#r#%or# #r# $#a$, that is, coul$ ot b# us#$

a!ai&

D#a$ as a h#rri! $at#s %rom th# 1;th c#tury a$ o $oubt allu$#s to th# ba$ sm#ll this

$#a$

%ish !i.#s o%%, ma'i! its $#ath Kuit# ob.ious&

D#a$ as a $o$o, r#%#rri! to th# #tict bir$, $at#s %rom th# #arly 1966s&

7- "o rais# coi

5- "o stri'# o#=s colours

9& "o carry th# $ay

0i, pr#.ail

At auctios th# #althi#st bi$$#rs usually carry th# $ay& 4Lat# 1;66s

1979

1- "a'# $o at p#!

I% som#o# is ta'# $o a p#! )or ta'# $o a p#! or to, th#y los# status i th##y#s o%

oth#rs b#caus# o% som#thi! th#y ha.# $o# ro! or ba$ly&

2- "o mo'#y ith


21/85

8- I hot at#r

i troubl#

:- /#tticoat Go.#rm#t

*- "o pull o#s#l% to!#th#r

@#!ai o#=s composur# or s#l%-cotrol

A%t#r that %ri!ht#i! #piso$#, it too' h#r a hil# to pull h#rs#l% to!#th#r& 4S#co$ hal% o%

1566s

;- "o ris# %rom th# ra's com# up throu!h th# ra's

0or' o#=s ay to th# top


22/85

1956

b ri! out th# m#ai! o% ay %i.# o% th# %olloi! i appropriat# s#t#c#s+

1- /oc'#t th# a%%rot

2- "hi #$ o% th# #$!#

"h# thi #$ o% th# #$!# is som#thi! small a$ s##mi!ly uimportat that ill l#a$ to

som#thi! much bi!!#r a$ mor# s#rious&

8- lash i th# pa

I% som#thi! is a %lash i th# pa, it is .#ry otic#abl# but $o#s=t last lo!, li'# most

si!#rs,

ho ar# .#ry succ#ss%ul %or a hil#, th# %or!ott#

:- "o '##p at

/#rs#.#r# or p#rsist at $oi! som#thi!&

I% you '##p at your Math, you=ll soo mast#r it&

It is also put as '##p at it


23/85

@#a$y to comply ith ay ish or comma$

1;

;- Go a!aist th# !rai

A p#rso ho $o#s thi!s i a uco.#tioal ma#r, #sp#cially i% th#ir m#tho$s ar#

ot

!##rally appro.#$ o%, is sai$ to !o a!aist th# !rai& Such a i$i.i$ual ca b# call#$ a

ma.#ric'&

7- ri! !rist to th# mill

Som#thi! that you ca us# to your a$.ata!# is !rist %or th# mill&

)=Grist to th# mill= is also us#$&

5- ?ps#t th# appl# cart

Spoil car#%ully lai$ plas

No $o=t ups#t th# appl# cart by r#.#ali! h#r# #=r# !oi!&

"his #pr#ssio start#$ out as ups#t th# cart, us#$ sic# @oma tim#s to m#a spoil

#.#rythi!&

"h# pr#cis# i$iom $at#s %rom th# lat# 1766s&

9-


24/85

"h# b#st or rich#st o% aythi!

"h# tiy upp#r class li.#$ o%% th# %at o% th# la$ hil# may o% th# poor #r# star.i!&

"his #pr#ssio allu$#s to %at i th# s#s# o% th# b#st or rich#st part&

"h# ibl# has it as #at th# %at o% th# la$ )G##sis :*+15&

1951

1- "o ha.# your ca'# a$ #at it too

I% som#o# ats to ha.# th#ir ca'# a$ #at it too, th#y at #.#rythi! th#ir ay,

#sp#cially

17

h# th#ir ish#s ar# cotra$ictory&

2- #t## th# $#.il a$ th# $##p blu# s#a

I% you ar# cau!ht b#t## th# $#.il a$ th# $##p blu# s#a, you ar# i a $il#mmaH a

$i%%icultchoic#&

8- "o b# i hot at#r

I% you !#t ito hot at#r, you !#t ito troubl#


25/85

:- "o b# o th# carp#t

Summo#$ b#%or# som#o# i authority %or puishm#t

*- It #.#r rais but it pours

h# thi!s !o ro!, th#y !o .#ry ro!&

;- A miss is as !oo$ as a mil#

Comi! clos# to succ#ss but %aili! is o b#tt#r tha %aili! by a lot

ust o# .ot#, but a miss is as !oo$ as a mil#&

"his pro.#rbial #pr#ssio, %irst r#cor$#$ i 1;1:, is a short#i! o% th# ol$#r %orm, A

ich o%

a miss is as !oo$ 4or ba$ as a mil# o% a miss&

7- "o !i.# o#s#l% airs

Assum# a hau!hty ma#r, pr#t#$ to b# b#tt#r tha o# is

I=m sic' o% Clair# a$ th# ay sh# puts o airs&

Airs h#r# m#as a ma#r o% sup#riority& 4c& 1766

5- "o ha.# th# coura!# o% o#3s co.ictios

#ha.# accor$i! to o#=s b#li#%s

Carl oul$=t !i.# his b#st %ri#$ ay o% th# t#st as#rsH h# ha$ th# coura!# o% hisco.ictios&

"his #pr#ssio is b#li#.#$ to ha.# ori!iat#$ as a traslatio o% th# r#ch l# coura!#

$# so


26/85

opiio )th# coura!# o% his opiio, $ati! %rom th# mi$-1566s a$ at %irst so us#$& y

th#

lat# 1566s it ha$ cha!#$ to th# pr#s#t %orm&

15

9- "h# oloo'#r s##s most o% th# !am#

16- Out o% si!ht out o% mi$

It is us#$ to su!!#st that som#o# ill ot thi' or orry about som#thi! i% it is=t

$ir#ctly

.isibl# or a.ailabl# to th#m

1952

1- "o com# to a $#a$ #$

A passa!# that has o #it

"his str##t=s a $#a$ #$, so tur bac'& 4Lat# 1566s

A impass# or bli$ all#y, alloi! o pro!r#ss to b# ma$#"his >ob is a $#a$ #$H I=ll #.#r b# abl# to a$.ac#& 4c& 1926

2- "o tur a $#a% #ar

I% som#o# turs a $#a% #ar to you, th#y $o=t list# to you&


27/85


28/85

s#.#ral purpos#s)"h# @#li!io o% /rot#stats, 1;85&

*- "o l#t th# cat out o% th# ba!

I% you acci$#tally r#.#al a s#cr#t, you l#t th# cat out o% th# ba!, Gi.# aay a s#cr#t

Mom l#t th# cat out o% th# ba! a$ tol$ us (ar# as #!a!#$&

"his #pr#ssio allu$#s to th# $isho#st practic# o% a m#rchat substituti! a orthl#ss

cat %or a

.aluabl# pi!, hich is $isco.#r#$ oly h# th# buy#r !#ts hom# a$ op#s th# ba!&

4Mi$-1766s

;- "o put th# cart b#%or# th# hors#

@#.#rs# th# prop#r or$#r o% thi!s or #.#ts

Do=t put th# cart b#%or# th# hors# a$ !i.# aay th# puch li#&

"his #pr#ssio has b## us#$ sic# atiKuity but as %irst r#cor$#$ i E!lish i 1*26&

7- "o sail i th# sam# boat

I% p#opl# ar# i th# sam# boat, th#y ar# i th# sam# pr#$icam#t or troubl#&

5- A Sa So!

A %ial accomplishm#t or p#r%ormac#, o#=s last or'&

I=m r#si!i! tomorroH this pro>#ct as my sa so!&

"his t#rm allu$#s to th# ol$ b#li#% that sas ormally ar# mut# but burst ito b#auti%ulso!

mom#ts b#%or# th#y $i#& Althou!h th# i$#a is much ol$#r, th# t#rm as %irst r#cor$#$ i

E!lish

oly i 1596


29/85

195:

a "o loo' a !i%t hors# i th# mouth

# critical or suspicious o% som#thi! r#c#i.#$ at o cost

Da$=s ol$ car is %ull o% $#ts, but # shoul$3t loo' a !i%t hors# i th# mouth&

"his t#rm, !##rally #pr#ss#$ as a cautioary pro.#rb )Do=t loo' a !i%t hors# i th#

mouth, has

b## trac#$ to th# riti!s o% th# :th-c#tury cl#ric, St& #rom#, a$ has app#ar#$ i

E!lish

sic# about 1*66& It allu$#s to $#t#rmii! th# a!# o% a hors# by loo'i! at its t##th

26

b "o ha.# a a# to !ri$

I% you ha.# a a# to !ri$ ith som#o# or about som#thi!, you ha.# a !ri#.ac#,

r#s#tm#t

a$ you at to !#t r#.#!# or sort it out& I Am#rica E!lish, it is =a=

c "o ash o#3s $irty li# i public air o#=s $irty li# or lau$ry

Epos# pri.at# matt#rs to public .i#, #sp#cially usa.ory s#cr#ts

"h#s# m#taphors ar# r#or'i! o% a r#ch pro.#rb, IL %ault la.#r so li!# sal# #

%amill#

)O# shoul$ ash o#=s $irty li# at hom#, hich as Kuot#$ by Napol#o o his

r#tur

%rom Elba )151*& It as %irst r#cor$#$ i E!lish i 15;7&


30/85

$ "o poc'#t a isult

# "o ta'# to o#=s h##ls

@u aay

0h# th# bur!lar alarm #t o%% th#y too' to th#ir h##ls&

"his #pr#ssio allu$#s to th# %act that th# h##ls ar# all o# s##s o% a %u!iti.# rui!

aay %ast&

Althou!h similar #pr#ssios tur#$ up %rom Sha'#sp#ar#=s tim# o, th# #act i$iom

$at#s oly

%rom th# %irst hal% o% th# 1566s

% "o i laur#ls

! A !#tl#ma at lar!#

r##, uco%i#$, #sp#cially ot co%i#$ i priso

"o our $istr#ss, th# hous#br#a'#rs #r# still at lar!#& 41866s

At l#!th, %ullyH also, as a hol#, i !##ral

"h# chairma tal'#$ at lar!# about th# compay=s plas %or th# comi! y#ar

Sha'#sp#ar# rot# i Lo.#=s Labour=s Lost )1+1+ So to th# las at lar!# I rit# my

am# )that

is, I uphol$ th# las i !##ral& "his usa!# is som#hat l#ss commo& 41:66s

El#ct#$ to r#pr#s#t a #tir# !roup o% .ot#rs rath#r tha thos# i a particular $istrict or

oth#rs#!m#t

Al$#rma at lar!#, r#pr#s#ti! all th# ar$s o% a city ist#a$ o% >ust o#, or $#l#!at# at

lar!# to a

labor uio co.#tio& 4Mi$-1766s


31/85

21

195*

a y a$ by

A%t#r a hil#, soo

Sh#=ll b# alo! by a$ by&

"h# #pr#ssio probably r#li#s o th# m#ai! o% by as a succ#ssio o% Kuatiti#s )as i

to by

to& "his a$.#rbial phras# cam# to b# us#$ as a ou, $#oti! #ith#r procrastiatio

or th#

%utur#&

0illiam Cam$# so us#$ it %or th# %orm#r )@#mais, 1;6*+ "o aos a$ a by a$ by

is a

hour a$ a hal%& A$ 0&S& Gilb#rt us#$ it i th# latt#r s#s# h# La$y a# si!splaiti.#ly

that littl# ill b# l#%t o% h#r i th# comi! by a$ by, that is, as sh# !ros ol$ )/ati#c#,

1551&

4Early 1*66s


32/85

b "h# lio=s shar#

"h# !r#at#r part or most o% som#thi!

0h##.#r th#y o a $oubl#s match, Eth#l claim#$ th# lio=s shar# o% th# cr#$it&

As usual, ?cl# ob too' th# lio=s shar# o% th# ca'#&

"his #pr#ssio allu$#s to A#sop=s %abl# about a lio, ho !ot all o% a 'ill b#caus# its

%#llo

hut#rs, a ass, %o, a$ ol%, #r# a%rai$ to claim th#ir shar#&

c I blac' a$ hit#

0h# it is .#ry cl#ar ho or hat is ri!ht a$ ro!, th# th# situatio is blac' a$

hit#&

$ "o bri! to boo'

Call to accout, i.#sti!at#


33/85


34/85

1- "o bac' out bac' aay bac' out o% som#thi!

Mo.# or r#tr#at bac'ar$s ithout turi!, ith$ra %rom a situatio, or br#a' a

a!r##m#t

or #!a!#m#t&

A%t#r th# aouc#m#t app#ar#$ i th# pap#rs, Mary %ou$ it $oubly $i%%icult to bac'

out o% h#r

#!a!#m#t to "o$$& 4Early 1566s

2- "o '##p out o%

8- a! ito

28

Crash oisily ito, colli$# ith

A clumsy %#llo, ill as alays ba!i! ito %uritur#& 4Early 1766s

Stri'# h#a.ily so as to $ri.# iH also, p#rsua$#

I=.# b## ba!i! ails ito th# si$i! all $ay&

I ca=t s##m to ba! it ito his h#a$ that tim# is pr#cious&

"h# lit#ral usa!# $at#s %rom th# mi$-1*66s, th# %i!urati.# %rom th# s#co$ hal% o% th#

1566s&

:- "o sm#ll a rat

I% you sm#ll a rat, you 'o isticti.#ly that som#thi! is ro! or that som#o# is lyi!

to you&

*- "o bur o#=s %i!#rs


35/85


36/85

#com# i.ol.#$ ith, #thrall#$ by

0# all #r# cau!ht up i th# ma!ical moo$ o% that #.#i!& 4Mi$-1;66s

catch up o or ith

ri! or !#t up to $at#

L#t=s !#t to!#th#r soo a$ catch up o all th# #s&

"oi!ht I ha.# to catch up ith my corr#spo$#c#& 4irst hal% o% 1966s

5- "o sta$ up %or

@#mai .ali$, sou$, or $urabl#


37/85

I% som#o# ats to ha.# th#ir ca'# a$ #at it too, th#y at #.#rythi! th#ir ay,

#sp#cially

h# th#ir ish#s ar# cotra$ictory

c I a /ic'l#

I% you ar# i a pic'l#, you ar# i som# troubl# or a m#ss&

$ "a'# a ca'#

# th# most outsta$i! i som# r#sp#ct, #ith#r th# b#st or th# orst&

"hat a$.#rtisi! slo!a r#ally too' th# ca'#&

0hat a m#ss th#y ma$# o% th# coc#rtBthat ta'#s th# ca'#

2*

"his #pr#ssio allu$#s to a cot#st call#$ a ca'#al', i hich a ca'# is th# priJ#& Its

%i!urati.#

us#, %or som#thi! #ith#r #c#ll#t or outra!#ously ba$, $at#s %rom th# 1556s&

# S#ll li'# hot ca'#s

I% som#thi! is s#lli! li'# hotca'#s, it is .#ry popular a$ s#lli! .#ry #ll&

% As %lat as a /aca'#

It is so %lat that it is li'# a paca'#- th#r# is o h#a$ o that b##r it is as %lat as a

paca'#&

! "a'# som#thi! ith a !rai o% salt pich o% salt


38/85


39/85

2;

0or$s caot carry authority so #i!hty& 4c& 1;66

c "o %all bac' upo

@#ly o, ha.# r#cours# to

I %all bac' o ol$ %ri#$s i tim# o% ##$, or 0h# h# lost his >ob h# ha$ to %all bac' upo

his

sa.i!s& 4Mi$-1566s

$ "o b# ta'# abac'

Surpris#, shoc'


40/85


41/85

$ Appl# o% $iscor$

Aythi! causi! troubl#, $iscor$, or >#alousy

# I !oo$ boo's

I% som#o# is i your !oo$ boo's, you ar# pl#as#$ ith or thi' hi!hly o% th#m at th#

mom#t&

% #t## th# $#.il a$ th# $##p s#a


$i%%icult

choic#&

! Star# i th# %ac# loo' i th# %ac#

# !lari!ly ob.ious, althou!h iitially o.#rloo'#$

"h# solutio to th# probl#m ha$ b## stari! m# i th# %ac# all alo!&

I oul$=t 'o a "ib#ta t#rri#r i% it loo'#$ m# i th# %ac#& 4Lat# 1;66s

h Ma'# o%% ith

D#part i hast#, ru aay

"h# cat too' o# loo' at @ichar$ a$ ma$# o%%& 4c& 1766

"a'# som#thi! aayH also, st#al som#thi!

I ca=t rit# it $oH "om ma$# o%% ith my p#&"h# bur!lars ma$# o%% ith th# st#r#o a$ comput#r as #ll as >##ll#ry& 4Early 1566s


42/85

1991

25

i Damocl#s= sor$

Imp#$i! $isast#r

"h# li'#lihoo$ o% lay-o%%s has b## a sor$ o% Damocl#s o.#r th# $#partm#t %or

moths&

"his #pr#ssio allu$#s to th# l#!#$ o% Damocl#s, a s#r.il# courti#r to (i! Dioysius I

o%

Syracus#& "h# 'i!, #ary o% Damocl#s= obs#Kuious %latt#ry, i.it#$ him to a baKu#t

a$ s#at#$

him u$#r a sor$ hu! by a si!l# hair, so as to poit out to him th# pr#carious#ss o%

his

positio&

"h# i$iom as %irst r#cor$#$ i 17:7& "h# sam# story !a.# ris# to th# #pr#ssio ha!

by a

thr#a$&

ii E.#ry ich

Compl#t#ly, holly


43/85

ou ca alays trust Mary to call a spa$# a spa$#&

"his t#rm com#s %rom a Gr##' sayi!, call a bol a bol, that as mistraslat#$ ito

Lati by

Erasmus a$ cam# ito E!lish i th# 1*66s&

i. O th# s'y

. /alm o%%

/ass o%% by $#c#ptio, substitut# ith it#t to $#c#i.#

"h# sal#sma tri#$ to palm o%% a Jirco as a $iamo$&

"h# pro$uc#r tri#$ to palm h#r o%% as a star %rom th# M#tropolita Op#ra&

"his #pr#ssio allu$#s to coc#ali! som#thi! i th# palm o% o#=s ha$& It r#plac#$

th# #arli#r

palm o i th# #arly 1566s&

.i Lip s#r.ic#

0h# p#opl# pay lip s#r.ic# to som#thi!, th#y #pr#ss th#ir r#sp#ct, but th#y $o=t act

o th#ir

or$s, so th# r#sp#ct is hollo a$ #mpty&

.ii A tur coat

29

O# ho !o#s to or' %i!ht play %or th# opposi! si$#, traitor

.iii A il$ !oos# chas#


44/85

A %util# s#arch or pursuit

I thi' sh# s#t us o a il$ !oos# chas# loo'i! %or th#ir b#ach hous#&

"his i$iom ori!ially r#%#rr#$ to a %orm o% 1;th-c#tury hors# raci! r#Kuiri! ri$#rs to

%ollo a

l#a$#r i a particular %ormatio )pr#sumably r#s#mbli! a %loc' o% !##s# i %li!ht& Its

%i!urati.#

us# $at#s %rom about 1;66&

1992

i #t## th# $#.il a$ th# $##p s#a


$i%%icult

choic#

ii A il$ !oos# chas#

A orthl#ss hut or chas#H a %util# pursuit

iii O.#r h#a$ a$ #ars

i. "im# a$ ti$#

O# must ot procrastiat# or $#lay

L#t=s !#t o ith th# .oti!H tim# a$ ti$# o=t ait, you 'o&

"his pro.#rbial phras#, allu$i! to th# %act that huma #.#ts or coc#rs caot stop

th#

passa!# o% tim# or th# mo.#m#t o% th# ti$#s, %irst app#ar#$ about 189* i Chauc#r=s

/rolo!u# to

th# Cl#r'=s "al#&


45/85

"h# allit#rati.# b#!ii!, tim# a$ ti$#, as r#p#at#$ i .arious cot#ts o.#r th# y#ars

but

to$ay sur.i.#s oly i th# pro.#rb, hich is o%t# short##$ )as abo.#&

. "o li.# %rom ha$ to mouth

0ith oly th# bar# #ss#tials, #isti! pr#cariously

A%t#r sh# lost h#r >ob sh# as li.i! %rom ha$ to mouth&

"his #pr#ssio allu$#s to #ati! imm#$iat#ly hat#.#r is at ha$& 4c& 1*66

86

.i "o b#at about th# bush

I% som#o# $o#s=t say cl#arly hat th#y m#a a$ try to ma'# it har$ to u$#rsta$,

th#y ar#

b#ati! about )arou$ th# bush&

.ii "o %ish i troubl#$ at#rs

"ry to ta'# a$.ata!# o% a co%us#$ situatio


46/85


47/85


48/85

N#!otiatio mar'#$ by har$ bar!aii! a$ shr#$ #cha!#

"h# r#staurat o#r is %amous %or his hors# tra$i!H h#=s >ust #cha!#$ a moth o%

%r## $i#rs

%or a moth o% %r## t#l#.isio comm#rcials&

"his #pr#ssio allu$#s to th# otorious shr#$#ss o% hors# tra$#rs, ho lit#rally

bou!ht a$

sol$ hors#s& 4c& 1526

199:

)i #t## Scylla a$ Charybi$is

I a positio h#r# a.oi$ac# o% o# $a!#r #pos#s o# to aoth#r $a!#r&

)ii


49/85

Ethusiastically, armly

"h#y r#c#i.#$ th#ir # $au!ht#r-i-la ith op# arms&

"his t#rm allu$#s to a #mbrac#& 4Mi$-1;66s

). 0ash o#=s ha$ o% )"o

@#%us# to acc#pt r#sposibility %orH aba$o or r#ouc#

I=.# $o# all I ca %or him, a$ o I=m ashi! my ha$s o% him&

"his #pr#ssio allu$#s to /otius /ilat#=s ashi! his ha$s b#%or# ha.i! #sus put to

$#ath,

sayi! I am ioc#t o% th# bloo$ o% this >ust p#rso )Matth# 27+2:&

).i Cout o#=s chic'#s )"o

Ma'# plas bas#$ o #.#ts that may or may ot happ#

ou mi!ht ot i th# priJ# a$ you=.# alr#a$y sp#t th# mo#yF Do=t cout your

chic'#s

b#%or# th#y hatch

I 'o you ha.# bi! plas %or your cosulti! busi#ss, but $o=t cout your chic'#s&

"his #pr#ssio com#s %rom A#sop=s %abl# about a mil'mai$ carryi! a %ull pail o h#r

h#a$& Sh#

$ay$r#ams about buyi! chic'#s ith th# mil'=s proc##$s a$ b#comi! so rich %rom

s#lli!

#!!s that sh# ill toss h#r h#a$ at suitorsH sh# th# toss#s h#r h#a$ a$ spills th# mil'&

0i$#ly traslat#$ %rom th# ori!ial Gr##', th# story as th# sourc# o% a pro.#rb a$ as

us#$

%i!urati.#ly by th# 1;th c#tury& "o$ay it is still so #ll 'o that it o%t# app#ars

short##$

a$ usually i #!ati.# cautioary %orm )$o=t cout your chic'#s&


50/85

).ii ur mi$i!ht oil )"o

Stay up lat# or'i! or stu$yi!

"h# s#m#st#r is almost o.#r a$ #=r# all buri! th# mi$i!ht oil b#%or# #ams&

"his #pr#ssio allu$#s to th# oil i oil lamps& 4Early 1;66s

88

199;

1- #ar out

ac' up or co%irm

"h# r#sults b#ar out hat h# pr#$ict#$&


51/85

0#=ll carry o.#r this summ#r=s bathi! suits %or #t it#r=s r#sort s#aso&

/#rsist %rom o# tim# or situatio to aoth#r


52/85

Sol.# or $#ciph#r

Ca you %i!ur# out this puJJl#F 4Early 1566s

"o b#!i to compr#h#$ som#o# or som#thi!H to com# to u$#rsta$ som#o# or

som#thi!

b#tt#r

I >ust ca=t %i!ur# you out&

I ca=t %i!ur# out Kui#t p#opl# r#a$ily&

7- l#ar to li.# ith

G#t us#$ to or accustom o#s#l% to som#thi! that is pai%ul, aoyi!, or upl#asat

"h# $octor sai$ othi! mor# coul$ b# $o# about impro.i! h#r si!htH sh#=$ >ust ha.#

to l#ar to

li.# ith it&

/at $#ci$#$ sh# $i$=t li'# th# # so%a but oul$ ha.# to l#ar to li.# ith it&

5- S#t i

Is#rt, put i

I still ha.# to s#t i th# sl##.#s a$ th# th# s#at#r ill b# $o#& 4Lat# 1866s

#!i to happ# or b#com# appar#t

Dar'#ss as s#tti! i as I l#%t& 4c& 1766

Mo.# toar$ th# shor#, sai$ o% i$ or at#r

"h# ti$# s#ts i .#ry Kuic'ly h#r#& 4Early 1766s

9- Co.#r up

0rap up or #%ol$ i or$#r to prot#ct

# sur# to co.#r up th# out$oor %uritur# i cas# o% rai&

It=s col$, so b# sur# to co.#r up th# baby& 4Lat# 1566s


53/85


54/85


55/85

oth usa!#s #mploy cap i th# s#s# o% toppi! som#thi!& 4irst hal% o% 1566s

% "o clip o#=s i!s

"o #$ a p#rso=s pri.il#!#sH to ta'# aay som#o#=s po#r or %r##$om to $o

som#thi!

My %ath#r sai$ that i% I $i$=t start b#ha.i!, h# as !oi! to clip my i!s&

I aci#t @om# thousa$s o% y#ars a!o, p#opl# clipp#$ th# i!s o% p#t bir$s so that

th#y

coul$=t %ly aay& or c#turi#s p#opl# ha.# us#$ th# i$iom Clip o#=s i!s to m#a

bri!s a

p#rso u$#r cotrol&

! "o cross th# @ubico

Irr#.ocably commit to a cours# o% actio, ma'# a %at#%ul a$ %ial $#cisio&

Oc# h# submitt#$ his r#si!atio, h# ha$ cross#$ th# @ubico&

"his phras# allu$#s to ulius Ca#sar=s crossi!

th# @ubico @i.#r )b#t## Italya$ Gaul i :9

&C&, th#r#by starti! a ar a!aist /omp#y a$ th# @oma S#at#& @#cout#$ i

/lutarch=s

Li.#s+ ulius Ca#sar )c& A&D& 116, th# crossi! !a.# ris# to th# %i!urati.# E!lish usa!#

by th#

#arly 1;66s&

h "o %##l th# puls# %##l th# puls# o%

"ry to $#t#rmi# th# it#tios or s#tim#ts o% a p#rso or !roup

"h#s# #it polls all#!#$ly ta'# th# puls# o% th# .ot#rs, but I $o=t b#li#.# th#y=r# .#ry

m#ai!%ul&

4irst hal% o% 1;66s


56/85

i "o %ly i th# %ac# o% %ly i th# t##th o%

Act i $ir#ct oppositio to or $#%iac# o%

"his $#cisio %li#s i th# %ac# o% all pr#c#$#t&

"h#y #t out ithout p#rmissio, %lyi! i th# t##th o% hous# rul#s&

"his m#taphoric #pr#ssio allu$#s to a physical attac'& 4Mi$-1*66s

> "o ris# li'# a pho#i %rom its ash#s

I li%# # shoul$ all l#ar %rom th# mista'#s that # ha.# ma$# a$ try ot to r#p#at

th#m& 0#

shoul$ ot l#t sorro o.#rcom# us a$ sta$ i our ay& L#ar to o.#rcom# har$ships

i li%# is

all hat li%# is orth li.i! about& A%t#r all that=s th# $#%iitio o% li%#&


57/85

"his #pr#ssio allu$#s to th# military s#s# o% last $itch, th# last li# o% $#%#c#& Its

%i!urati.#

us# $at#s %rom th# #arly 1566s&

2- A sKuar# m#al

A substatial or compl#t# m#al

"h#s# airli#s #.#r %##$ youH I ha.#=t ha$ a sKuar# m#al o o# y#t& 4Mi$-1566s

8- Go public

#com# a publicly h#l$ compay, that is, issu# o#rship shar#s i th# %orm o% stoc'&

As soo as th# compay !ros a littl# bi!!#r a$ b#!is to sho a pro%it, # it#$ to

!o public&

4Mi$-1966s

:- @u riot )il$

#ha.# i a %r#Ji#$, out-o%-cotrol, or ur#strai#$ ma#r

I as a%rai$ that i% I l#%t th# to$$l#r alo# sh# oul$ ru amo' a$ ha.# a har$ tim#

calmi!

$o&

"h# ##$s ar# rui! riot i th# la

"h# chil$r# #r# rui! il$ i th# play!rou$&

Amo' com#s %rom a Malay or$ %or %r#Ji#$ a$ as a$opt#$ ito E!lish, a$ at %irst

sp#ll#$

amuc', i th# s#co$ hal% o% th# 1;66s&

@u riot $at#s %rom th# #arly 1*66s a$ $#ri.#s %rom a #arli#r s#s#, that is, a hou$=s

%olloi!

a aimal sc#t& @u il$ allu$#s to a aimal r#.#rti! to its atural, uculti.at#$ stat#H

its

%i!urati.# us# $at#s %rom th# lat# 1766s&


58/85

*- "h# bac'room boy

M# ho play po'#r a$ smo'# i a room at th# bac' o% th# stor#

85

0h# th# polic# rai$#$ Gio=s th#y arr#st#$ %our o% th# bac'room boys&

;- oot th# bill

"h# p#rso ho %oots th# bill pays th# bill %or #.#rybo$y, s#ttl# th# accouts

"h# bri$#=s %ath#r as r#si!#$ to %ooti! th# bill %or th# #$$i!&

"his #pr#ssio us#s %oot i th# s#s# o% a$$ up a$ put th# total at th# %oot, or bottom,

o% a

accout& 4ColloKuialH #arly 1566s

7- S#t th# pac#

Establish a sta$ar$ %or oth#rs to %ollo

im has s#t th# pac# %or th# $#partm#t, #c##$i! th# mothly Kuota #.#ry tim#&

"his #pr#ssio com#s %rom raci!, h#r# it is sai$ o% a hors# that pass#s th# oth#rs

a$ l#a$s th#

%i#l$& It as tras%#rr#$ to oth#r acti.iti#s i th# #arly 1966s&

5- At tim#s

Occasioally, som#tim#s

Aay %rom hom# %or th# %irst tim#, Mary as hom#sic' at tim#s& 4Early 1*66s

9- St#al th# sho st#al th# spotli!ht


59/85


60/85

about 1;66&

)c "h# ruli! passio

A it#r#st or coc#r that occupi#s a lar!# part o% som#o#=s tim# a$ #%%ort

)$ "o#r o% str#!th

Som#o# ho ca b# r#li#$ o to pro.i$# support a$ com%ort&

)# St#al a march o som#o#

"o !#t ah#a$ o%, #sp#cially by Kui#t #t#rpris#&

)% I o#=s bo#s


61/85


62/85

smo'#stac'&

Go craJyH b#com# isa#

0h# sh# r#!ais coscious#ss, sh# >ust may blo h#r top&

)ii A coc'-a$-bull story

A %aci%ul a$ ub#li#.abl# tal#

)iii i$ o#=s %##t

"o !ro i co%i$#c# i a # situatio as o# !ais #p#ri#c#&

I% you as' %or h#lp h# you ##$ it, you ill soo %i$ your %##t&

)i. Call it a i!ht

"o !o to b#$ to sl##p

). "h# tip o% th# ic#b#r!

"h# tip o% th# ic#b#r! is th# part o% a probl#m that ca b# s##, ith %ar mor# s#rious

probl#ms

lyi! u$#r#ath

:1

).i #lo par u$#r par

Not up to th# a.#ra!#, ormal, or $#sir#$ sta$ar$

I am %##li! b#lo par to$ay, but I=m sur# I=ll r#co.#r by tomorro&


63/85

"his t#rm #mploys par i th# s#s# o% a a.#ra!# amout or Kuality, a usa!# $ati!

%rom th#

lat# 1766s&

).ii rom pillar to post

I% som#thi! is !oi! %rom pillar to post, it is mo.i! arou$ i a m#ai!l#ss ay, %rom

o#

$isast#r to aoth#r&

).iii


64/85

!lo.#s %or boi!, a$ %i$$l# %or musicBbut th#y all ar# us#$ Kuit# loos#ly as #ll, as i

th#

#ampl#&

ha! up o#=s hat

S#ttl# som#h#r#, r#si$#

Ei!ht hu$r#$ a y#ar, a$ as ic# a hous# as ay !#tl#ma coul$ ish to ha! up his

hat i

)Athoy "rollop#, "h# 0ar$#, 15**&

:2

)i "ur som# o# o

"o cr#at# %##li! o% #cit#m#t, it#r#st, lust, pl#asur# #tc

)i "ur som# o# o%%

"o cr#at# %##li!s o% $isli'#, r#pulsio, $is!ust #tc

) y a$ by

A%t#r a hil#, soo

Sh#=ll b# alo! by a$ by&

"h# #pr#ssio probably r#li#s o th# m#ai! o% by as a succ#ssio o% Kuatiti#s )as ito by

to&

"his a$.#rbial phras# cam# to b# us#$ as a ou, $#oti! #ith#r procrastiatio or th#

%utur#&

0illiam Cam$# so us#$ it %or th# %orm#r )@#mais, 1;6*+


65/85

"o aos a$ a by a$ by is a hour a$ a hal%&

A$ 0&S& Gilb#rt us#$ it i th# latt#r s#s# h# La$y a# si!s plaiti.#ly that littl#

ill b#

l#%t o% h#r i th# comi! by a$ by, that is, as sh# !ros ol$ )/ati#c#, 1551& 4Early

1*66s

2661

)i "h# t#ami! m#ai!s

"h# t#ami! m#ai!s +++ /r#s#t a umb#r o% m#ai!s

#ampl# + Duri! th# l#ctur#, th# pro%#ssor !a.# th# t##mi! m#ai!s o th# topic&

)ii "o 'ic' th# buc'#t

0h# som#o# 'ic's th# buc'#t, th#y $i#

)iii "o push to th# alls

"o plac# i a $#sp#rat# or #tr#m# positio

)i. "o r#a$ b#t## th# li#s

I% you r#a$ b#t## th# li#s, you %i$ th# r#al m#ssa!# i hat you=r# r#a$i! or

h#ari!, a

m#ai! that is ot a.ailabl# %rom a lit#ral it#rpr#tatio o% th# or$s&

). "o b# at $a!!#rs $ra

I% p#opl# ar# at $a!!#rs $ra, th#y ar# .#ry a!ry a$ clos# to .iol#c#&

:8


66/85

).i "o thro $o th# !autl#t

D#clar# or issu# a chall#!#

"h# s#ator thr# $o th# !autl#t o th# abortio issu#&

"his #pr#ssio allu$#s to th# m#$i#.al practic# o% a 'i!ht throi! $o his !autl#t,

or m#tal

!lo.#, as a chall#!# to combat&

Its %i!urati.# us# $at#s %rom th# s#co$ hal% o% th# 1766s, as $o#s th# l#ss %r#Ku#tly

h#ar$ ta'#

up th# !autl#t, %or acc#pti! a chall#!#&

).ii "o b# a Gr##' it=s all Gr##' to m#

It is b#yo$ my compr#h#sio

"his # comput#r pro!ram is all Gr##' to m#&

"his #pr#ssio as coi#$ by Sha'#sp#ar#, ho us#$ it lit#rally i ulius Ca#sar )1+2,

h#r#

Casca says o% a sp##ch by S##ca, $#lib#rat#ly !i.# i Gr##' so that som# oul$ ot

u$#rsta$ it+

or mi# o part, it as Gr##' to m#&

It soo as tras%#rr#$ to aythi! uit#lli!ibl#&

).iii "o sta$ o c#r#moy

Sta$ o c#r#moy, to b#ha.# i a %ormal or c#r#moious ma#r&

)i rom th# hors#=s mouth

I% you h#ar som#thi! %rom th# hors#=s mouth, you h#ar it $ir#ctly %rom th# p#rso

coc#r#$ or

r#sposibl#&


67/85

) "o carry th# cross

2662

Ma'# s#t#c#s ith th# !i.# I$iomatic phras#s so that th#ir m#ai! b#com# cl#ar+

)16

)1 ta'# abac'

Surpris#, shoc'

ust my luc' to !#t sic' o .acatio&


68/85

0h# as sh# ta'# illF 4Nith c#tury

#com# $is!ust#$

0# !ot sic' as # l#ar#$ ho much mo#y as ast#$&

I !#t sic' h# I h#ar about his $#bts& 4Early 1*66s

ma'# o# sic'&

!#t sic' to o#=s stomach

b# sic', b#com# aus#at#$, .omit

I% you #at ay mor# ca$y you=ll !#t sic'&

Sic' to h#r stomach #.#ry mori!F Sh# must b# pr#!at& 4Early 1;66s

)* ta'# o%%

@#mo.#

"a'# o%% your coat a$ stay %or a hil#&

I too' my %oot o%% th# bra'#& 4c& 1866

D#$uct, $#cr#as#


69/85

:*

as a imp#rati.#

"a'# yours#l% o%% ri!ht o 4irst hal% o% 1566s

Mo.# %orar$ Kuic'ly

"h# $o! too' o%% a%t#r th# car&

#com# #ll 'o or popular, or achi#.# su$$# !roth

"hat actor=s car##r has r#ally ta'# o%%&

Sal#s too' o%% arou$ th# holi$ays& 4Mi$-1966s

@is# i %li!ht

"h# air pla# too' o%% o tim#& 4Mi$-1566s

Discotiu#

"h# rail roa$ too' o%% th# commut#r sp#cial& 4Mi$-1766s

Imitat# humorously or satirically


70/85

Do you ta'# m# %or a %oolF

"o cosi$#r mista'#ly

Do=t ta'# sil#c# %or appro.al&

)5 ta'# i

"o !rat a$mittac# toH r#c#i.# as a !u#st or a #mploy##

"o r#$uc# i siJ#H ma'# small#r or short#r

too' i th# aist o th# pair o% pats&

"o iclu$# or costitut#&

:;

"o u$#rsta$

Coul$=t ta'# i th# m#ai! o% th# or$&

"o $#c#i.# or si$l#

as ta'# i by a co%i$#c# artist&

"o loo' at thorou!hlyH .i#

too' i th# si!hts&

"o acc#pt )or' to b# $o# i o#=s hous# %or pay

too' i typi!&

"o co.#y )a priso#r to a polic# statio&

)9 ta'# to tas'


71/85


72/85

)1 (ic' th# buc'#t

:7

"o $i#

)2 olt %rom th# blu#

I% som#thi! happ#s u#p#ct#$ly a$ su$$#ly, it is a bolt %rom th# blu#&

)8 /ut your %oot $o

0h# som#o# puts th#ir %oot $o, th#y ma'# a %irm sta$ a$ #stablish th#ir authority

o a

issu#&

): 0orth your salt

Som#o# ho is orth th#ir salt $#s#r.#s r#sp#ct&

)* Do th# $rai

O th# ay to b#i! lost or ast#$H $isapp#ari!

uyi! # %uritur# h# th#y ca=t ta'# it ith th#m is >ust pouri! mo#y $o th#

$rai&

Duri! th# D#pr#ssio hu!# %ortu#s #t $o th# $rai&

"his m#taphoric t#rm allu$#s to at#r !oi! $o a $rai a$ b#i! carri#$ o%%&

); All cars

)7 Sa so!


73/85


74/85

Som#thi! that you ca us# to your a$.ata!# is !rist %or th# mill&

2& S#t o#=s cap at

/ursu# som#o# romatically

0# all thou!ht A# ha$ s#t h#r cap %or o#, but # #r# ro!&

I th# 1766s this t#rm, hich may ha.# allu$#$ to $oi! o#=s b#st h#a$!#ar, as

appli#$ to

m#mb#rs o% #ith#r s#, but by th# #arly 1566s it !##rally $#scrib#$ a oma chasi! a

ma& It is

probably obsol#sc#t&

8& "o $ra th# lo! bo

I% som#o# $ras a lo! bo, th#y li# or #a!!#rat#&

:& "o s#$ a p#rso to Co.#try

"o ostraciJ#, or syst#matically i!or# som#o#

*& ##r a$ s'ittl#s

/#opl# say that li%# is ot all b##r a$ s'ittl#s, m#ai! that it is ot about s#l%-

i$ul!#c# a$

pl#asur#&

;& "h# aci$ t#st

A aci$ t#st is som#thi! that pro.#s h#th#r som#thi! is !oo$, #%%#cti.#, #tc, or ot&

7& A s'#l#to i th# cupboar$&


75/85

I% you ha.# a s'#l#to i th# cupboar$, or i th# clos#t, you ha.# a s#cr#t i your past

hich

coul$ $ama!# you i% it b#cam# 'o&

5& "o $isco.#r a mar#=s #st

:9

266*

1& (##p o#s os# to th# !ri$sto#

Stay har$ at or'

0# #p#ct oh to !#t !oo$ !ra$#s a!ai, sic# h# r#ally '##ps his os# to th#

!ri$sto#&

"his #pr#ssio, %irst r#cor$#$ i 1*89, allu$#s to a tool that must b# sharp##$ by

b#i! h#l$ to

a !ri$sto#&

2& "hro som#o# %or a loop thro %or a loop

'oc' $o or o.#r ith a %#ath#rH 'oc' si$#ays, o.#rcom# ith surpris# or

astoishm#t

"h# #s o% his $#ath 'oc'#$ m# %or a loop&

#i! %ir#$ ithout ay ari! thr# m# %or a loop&a# as 'oc'#$ si$#ays h# sh# %ou$ out sh# o&

"h# %irst to o% th#s# hyp#rbolic colloKuial usa!#s, $ati! %rom th# %irst hal% o% th# 1966s,

allu$#


76/85

to th# comic-strip ima!# o% a p#rso push#$ har$ #ou!h to roll o.#r i th# shap# o% a

loop&

"h# thir$ hyp#rbolic t#rm, o%t# put as ou coul$ ha.# 'oc'#$ m# $o ith a %#ath#r,

itimati! that som#thi! so li!ht as a %#ath#r coul$ 'oc' o# $o, $at#s %rom th#

#arly

1566sH th# %ourth as %irst r#cor$#$ i 192*&

8& L#tt#r p#r%#ct

"h# pr#cis# or$i! rath#r tha th# spirit or it#t&

Sic# it as th# %irst tim# h#=$ bro'# th# rul#s, th# school $#ci$#$ to i!or# th# l#tt#r o%

th# la

a$ >ust !i.# him a ari!& 4Lat# 1*66s

:& O%% th# all

Som#thi! that is o%% th# all is uco.#tioal&

*& Out to luch

I% som#o#=s out to luch, th#y ar# craJy or out o% touch&

;& Salt som#thi! aay

(##p i r#s#r.#, stor#, sa.#


77/85

"a'# or ch#at o# out o% all o% o#=s mo#y or poss#ssios


78/85


79/85

2667

1 "o put th# li$ o '##p th# li$ o

Suppr#ss

I $o=t 'o ho but #=ll ha.# to put th# li$ o that rumor about h#r&

L#t=s '##p th# li$ o our suspicios&

"h# or$ li$ h#r# is us#$ i th# s#s# o% a co.#r %or a cotai#r& 4Early 1966s

2 la.our i% th# mouth

Som#thi! that is promi#t i th# public #y# %or a short tim# th# %a$#s out o% it#r#st&

Ori!ially a t#rm o% appro.al %or som#thi! that as up to th# miut# a$ $#sirabl#& It

has b##

us#$ iroically %rom th# lat# 26th c#tury to pass $is$ai%ul comm#t o thi!s hich

pass out o%

%ashio Kuic'ly& or #ampl#, th# o# hit o$#rs o% th# music busi#ss&

8 Q#ro hours

"h# tim# h# som#thi! importat is to b#!i is J#ro hour&

*2


80/85


81/85

0&S& Gilb#rt us#$ it i "h# #om# o% th# Guar$ )1555, h#r# ac' /oit a$ 0il%r#$

th# ail#r

ma'# up a story about th# h#ro=s %ictitious $#ath+ "#ll a tal# o% coc' a$ bull, O%

co.ici!

$#tail %ull& 4c& 1;66

iii& i$ o#=s %##t

"o b# co%i$#t, b#com# a$>ust#$H b#com# #stablish#$

i.& Call it a i!ht

"o stop hat o# has b## $oi!, %or th# r#mai$#r o% th# i!ht&

*8

.& "h# tip o% th# ic#b#r!

.i& #lo par

L#ss tha a.#ra!#, l#ss tha ormal

.ii& rom pillar to post

rom o# plac# or thi! to aoth#r i rapi$ succ#ssio

.iii&


82/85

& y a$ by

/r#tty soo, it o=t b# lo! oH !ra$ually, #.#tually

2669

)i L#a.# i th# lurch

Aba$o or $#s#rt som#o# i $i%%icult straits

a# as a!ry #ou!h to Kuit ithout !i.i! otic#, l#a.i! h#r boss i th# lurch&

0h#r# #r# you (arma, you r#ally l#%t m# i th# lurch

"his #pr#ssio allu$#s to a 1;th-c#tury r#ch $ic# !am#, lourch#, h#r# to icur a

lurch

m#at to b# %ar b#hi$ th# oth#r play#rs& It lat#r as us#$ i cribba!# a$ oth#r !am#s,

as #ll as

b#i! us#$ i its pr#s#t %i!urati.# s#s# by about 1;66&

)ii


83/85

Sur.i.# $i%%iculti#s

I% sh# ca >ust #ath#r th# storm o% that cotract .iolatio, sh#=ll b# %i#&

"his #pr#ssio allu$#s to a ship comi! sa%#ly throu!h ba$ #ath#r& 4Mi$-1;66s

)i. #ar th# brut

/ut up ith th# orst o% som# ba$ circumstac#

It as th# s#cr#tary ho ha$ to b#ar th# brut o% th# $octor=s a!#r&

I ha$ to b#ar th# brut o% h#r scr#ami! a$ y#lli!


sustai#$


). M##t hal%ay

I% you m##t som#o# hal%ay, you acc#pt som# o% th#ir i$#as a$ ma'# coc#ssios&

I% you at to s#ttl# th# issu#s you ha.# to m##t m# hal%ay

).i "urcoat

o# ho !o#s to or' %i!ht play %or th# opposi! si$#, traitor

"hat turcoat


84/85


85/85

*& A casti! .ot#

$#cisi.# .ot#

"h# sp#a'#r us#$ his casti! .ot# i th# %a.our o% propositio

;& Loo' $o upo

thi' othi! o%,b# cot#mptuous o%

Do ot loo' $o upo th# $o a$ out

7& Icooclast

O# ho attac's a$ s##'s to o.#rthro tra$itioal or popular i$#as or istitutios&

O# ho $#stroys sacr#$ r#li!ious ima!#s&

Documents

SOLVED IDIOMS SINCE 1971.doc