| Proverbially speaking, it "makes the heart grow fonder" |
absence |
200 |
February 21, 2020 |
| An org. failing due to bad leadership is said to be a case of one of these cold-blooded vertebrates "rotting from the head down" |
a fish |
400 |
February 21, 2020 |
| React in an over-the-top manner to a relatively harmless situation & you're said to be "clutching your" these valuables |
pearls |
800 |
February 21, 2020 |
| That concert was awesome & totally "off the" this, a word preceding gang or reaction |
chain |
1000 |
February 21, 2020 |
| "Passing" this "test" originated with using it to dissolve substances to see if they were really gold or not |
the acid test |
|
February 21, 2020 |
| Someone angry about a past event might be balancing a "chip" here |
their shoulder |
200 |
November 6, 2018 |
| Plans may not work out, so "don't" practice this act of poultry accounting |
don\'t count your chickens before they\'re hatched |
400 |
November 6, 2018 |
| To "throw someone under" this vehicle is to make him a scapegoat |
the bus |
600 |
November 6, 2018 |
| Trying again after a failure is going "back to" this, a synonym for drafting table or an item on a drafting table |
a drawing board |
800 |
November 6, 2018 |
| A possible origin for "living" this way is that upper cuts of pork are more a luxury item than the feet |
high on the hog |
1000 |
November 6, 2018 |
| Take it from me, this duo "Don't make a right" |
two wrongs |
200 |
November 23, 2016 |
| This beastly phrase of suspicion alludes to a feline's ability to sniff out a rodent that it can't see |
I smell a rat |
400 |
November 23, 2016 |
| Set Emeril, Wolfgang Puck & Alton Brown all to making vichyssoise & you'll sadly see the truth of this |
too many cooks spoil the broth |
600 |
November 23, 2016 |
| Found in "Macbeth", "at one" this refers to the action of a bird of prey |
at one fell swoop |
800 |
November 23, 2016 |
| The placement of men's wigs to block their vision might be the literal origin of this cliche about deception |
to pull the wool over your eyes |
1000 |
November 23, 2016 |
| To be reprimanded by a superior is to be "called on" this, since the boss' office had that feature |
on to the carpet |
200 |
April 28, 2016 |
| An ax head coming loose during use is said to have inspired this phrase about the loss of self-control |
flying off the handle (going off the handle accepted) |
600 |
April 28, 2016 |
| The first written record of "cleanliness is next to godliness" is in a 1778 sermon by this founder of Methodism |
John Wesley |
800 |
April 28, 2016 |
| This toast began in the British navy when seamen compared the mouth to certain openings in a ship |
down the hatch |
1000 |
April 28, 2016 |
| Number of the attempt that's the "charm"; the phrase is used as a means of encouragement |
the third time |
200 |
June 3, 2015 |
| "Pleased as" this refers to a 17th century puppet, not a fruit drink |
Punch |
400 |
June 3, 2015 |
| You can thank this poet's "Essay on Man" for the optimistic phrase "Hope springs eternal" |
Alexander Pope |
800 |
June 3, 2015 |
| The economic line "There ain't no such thing as" one of these is also known by the acronym TANSTAAFL |
a free lunch |
1000 |
June 3, 2015 |
| The title of a 1955 film, it's the inclination to become unfaithful after 84 months of marriage |
the seven-year itch |
|
June 3, 2015 |
| End someone's hopes & you've put the "last" this "in the coffin" |
nail |
200 |
March 13, 2014 |
| Situation here for Bill Tilden at the |
the ball is in his court |
400 |
March 13, 2014 |
| A document stating whether a ship carried disease; if not, it got a "clean" one |
a bill of health |
600 |
March 13, 2014 |
| This "man" is an irrelevant but convenient object to a attack in an argument |
a straw man |
800 |
March 13, 2014 |
| This 2-word phrase for a radical transformation comes from "The Tempest" |
sea change |
1000 |
March 13, 2014 |
| To avoid responsibility is to do this |
pass the buck |
200 |
March 3, 2010 |
| A proverb says, "a new broom" does this |
sweeps clean |
400 |
March 3, 2010 |
| It's the literal interpretation of a phrase meaning to relax or behave informally |
let your hair down |
600 |
March 3, 2010 |
| When insulted, you might turn a deaf ear or turn this, as advised in Luke & Matthew |
the other cheek |
800 |
March 3, 2010 |
| This 3-word phrase means to stretch the limits |
push the envelope |
1000 |
March 3, 2010 |
| A great fuss about something trivial is "a tempest in" this, like chip's mother |
a teapot |
200 |
February 4, 2009 |
| If we could find him, a soldier who's gone AWOL could tell us that AWOL stands for this |
Absent Without Leave |
400 |
February 4, 2009 |
| In a song he wrote during WWII Frank Loesser popularized the phrase, "Praise the lord and pass" this |
the ammunition |
600 |
February 4, 2009 |
| The future is inevitable, at least according to this phrase translated from the Latin "iacta alea est" |
the die is cast |
1000 |
February 4, 2009 |
| From "Casey at the Bat", when there's a letdown or disappointment "There is no joy in" this place |
Mudville |
|
February 4, 2009 |
| It's said that this implement "is mightier than the sword" |
the pen |
200 |
May 29, 2008 |
| It's what you're actually doing if you're just out of school & "pounding the pavement" |
looking for work |
400 |
May 29, 2008 |
| In "A Psalm of Life", Longfellow tells of leaving these behind "on the sands of time" |
footprints |
600 |
May 29, 2008 |
| Meaning "in trouble", the expression "in" this presumably refers to the briny liquid it's made in |
a pickle |
800 |
May 29, 2008 |
| Meaning "a greater return for your investment", it reportedly came from military expenditures in the 1950s |
more bang for your buck |
1000 |
May 29, 2008 |
| Also a magazine founded in 1923, it "is of the essence" |
Time |
200 |
December 7, 2006 |
| When you "bite the bullet" you do something unpleasant; when you "bite" this, you're dead |
the dust |
400 |
December 7, 2006 |
| It's what they say about rain in the fourth month of the year & its effect on growth in the fifth |
April showers bring May flowers |
600 |
December 7, 2006 |
| It's a writer or musician's last work, or the chant of a certain water bird |
swan song |
800 |
December 7, 2006 |
| Herbert Spencer coined this 4-word phrase to describe Darwin's theory of natural selection |
survival of the fittest |
1000 |
December 7, 2006 |
| "Born with" one of these "in one's mouth" is a reference to a high-end christening gift |
a silver spoon |
200 |
June 28, 2006 |
| (Sarah of the Clue Crew reports from a one-room schoolhouse in Old World Wisconsin.) If you want to make a fresh start of things, you need this 2-word expression, like students not too long ago |
a clean slate |
400 |
June 28, 2006 |
| The expression "Banned in" this city came from that city's enthusiastic censorship of books in the 1920s |
Boston |
600 |
June 28, 2006 |
| The area to the side of a stage gives us this 2-word phrase for performing without preparation |
wing it |
800 |
June 28, 2006 |
| Shakespeare's Cleopatra used this expression for her youth, "When I was green in judgment" |
salad days |
1000 |
June 28, 2006 |
| "Loose Lips" do this was a WWII catch phrase about defense plant workers watching their tongues |
sink ships |
200 |
January 16, 2006 |
| 2,000 years ago, the Roman Sextus Propertius said "absence" does this |
makes the heart grow fonder |
400 |
January 16, 2006 |
| In several games of pool, it's unlucky to have your cue ball "behind" it |
the eight ball |
600 |
January 16, 2006 |
| It completes the old maxim "Speech is silvern..." |
silence is golden |
800 |
January 16, 2006 |
| Meaning simple & basic, this 4-word phrase was never actually said by Sherlock Holmes in any of the Conan Doyle tales |
Elementary, my dear Watson |
1000 |
January 16, 2006 |
| In war & football, "The best defense is a good" this |
offense |
200 |
October 19, 2005 |
| When disappointed, we sometimes say "There's no joy in" this town--just like when Casey struck out |
Mudville |
400 |
October 19, 2005 |
| With skyrocketing medical costs, remember that this is "cheaper than treatment" & "better than cure" |
prevention |
600 |
October 19, 2005 |
| Arthur Fletcher coined this "mind"ful United Negro College Fund motto about living up to one's potential |
"A mind is a terrible thing to waste" |
800 |
October 19, 2005 |
| The phrase "handwriting on the wall" goes back to this book of the Old Testament |
Daniel |
|
October 19, 2005 |
| Get out the umbrella, because "When it rains, it" does this |
pours |
200 |
February 17, 2004 |
| (Cheryl of the Clue Crew presents the clue, using a small piece of wood, a nail, and a hammer.) Meaning to do or say exactly the right thing is the phrase I'm demonstrating here |
to hit the nail on the head (or hit the hammer on the head) |
400 |
February 17, 2004 |
| The bottom of the ocean is sometimes referred to as this man's "locker" |
Davey Jones |
600 |
February 17, 2004 |
| Alluding to a Samuel Taylor Coleridge poem, an annoying burden is like having this bird "around one's neck" |
an albatross |
800 |
February 17, 2004 |
| The phrase "The most unkindest cut of all" comes from this Shakespeare play where it describes a fatal wound |
<i>Julius Caesar</i> |
1000 |
February 17, 2004 |
| "Don't" do this "to spite your face" |
cut off your nose |
200 |
January 26, 2004 |
| Make a big deal over something little & you "make a mountain out of" this |
a molehill |
400 |
January 26, 2004 |
| As it often turns out, "Truth is stranger than" this |
fiction |
600 |
January 26, 2004 |
| In a bad mood today? I could tell by that "chip on your" this |
shoulder |
800 |
January 26, 2004 |
| Give up during a fight & you may be forced to "say" or "cry" this relative |
uncle |
1000 |
January 26, 2004 |
| When you make matters worse, you "add insult to" this |
injury |
200 |
February 11, 2002 |
| Traditional values in our country are often described as being "American as" this dessert |
apple pie |
400 |
February 11, 2002 |
| To bring an end to something is to "ring down" this, whether or not you're in the theatre |
the curtain |
600 |
February 11, 2002 |
| It means to make trivial distinctions, or what overbrushing might do |
split hairs |
800 |
February 11, 2002 |
| It's what you're actually doing if you're just out of school & "pounding the pavement" |
trying to find a job |
1000 |
February 11, 2002 |
| Save your tears because "it's no use crying over" this "spilt" beverage |
milk |
200 |
December 24, 2001 |
| If you're anxious to spend your money your dad might ask if it's "burning a hole" here |
your pocket |
400 |
December 24, 2001 |
| It's what you're "in" when you're in big trouble (or in a Jacuzzi) |
hot water |
600 |
December 24, 2001 |
| It's said that this "is mightier than the sword"; our writers would agree |
the pen |
800 |
December 24, 2001 |
| When faced with a tough decision you may find yourself "between" this "and a hard place" |
a rock |
1000 |
December 24, 2001 |
| If you have other, more important things to do, you "have other' of these "to fry" |
fish |
100 |
September 10, 2001 |
| Big throwing don'ts include "the baby out with the bathwater" & "caution to" this |
the wind |
200 |
September 10, 2001 |
| In "A Psalm of Life, " Longfellow tells of leaving these behind "on the sands of time" |
footprints |
300 |
September 10, 2001 |
| William Congreve expounded, "heav'n has no rage, like love to hatred turn'd, nor hell a fury like" this |
a woman scorned |
400 |
September 10, 2001 |
| This phrase meaning "to betray someone" came from slaves sent illegally via the Mississippi to New Orleans |
to sell them down the river |
500 |
September 10, 2001 |
| In the '60s this phrase for something that reduces anxiety was popularized by Linus Van Pelt |
security blanket |
100 |
March 5, 2001 |
| Ali Baba spoke these words to get into the cave of the 40 Thieves |
"Open, Sesame!" |
200 |
March 5, 2001 |
| The melodrama & the sponsors of certain early radio serials earned them this nickname |
soap operas |
300 |
March 5, 2001 |
| On "Star Trek", the Vulcan salute is accompanied by this 4-word phrase |
"Live Long and Prosper" |
400 |
March 5, 2001 |
| The Oracle at Delphi told Polycrates to look under every rock to find hidden treasure, hence this phrase |
to leave no stone unturned |
|
March 5, 2001 |
| Edible items you "spill" when you tell a secret |
the beans |
100 |
July 17, 1998 |
| Beware: someone who offers you this kind of "sandwich" wants to punch you |
a knuckle sandwich |
200 |
July 17, 1998 |
| "One fell" this refers to the quick, fierce move a hawk makes when seizing its prey |
swoop |
300 |
July 17, 1998 |
| The phrase "to come on like" these refers to the old-time radio program heard here |
<i>Gangbusters</i> |
400 |
July 17, 1998 |
| To give someone you dislike the credit he deserves is to "give the devil" this |
his due |
500 |
July 17, 1998 |
| If someone wants you to hurry, he tells you to "get" this metal out |
Lead |
100 |
June 30, 1998 |
| When too much attention to detail clouds your judgment, you "can't see the forest for" these |
The trees |
200 |
June 30, 1998 |
| A skeptic takes things this way; the Latin phrase for it was "cum grano salis" |
"With a grain of salt" |
300 |
June 30, 1998 |
| When you really botch something up, you "make" this meat & potatoes dish "of it" |
Hash |
400 |
June 30, 1998 |
| Thomas Gray originated the phrase "Far from" this tumultuous group; Thomas Hardy borrowed it |
Madding crowd |
500 |
June 30, 1998 |
| It's "The shortest distance between two points" |
Straight line |
100 |
June 18, 1998 |
| It's where something embarrassing is swept |
Under the rug/carpet |
200 |
June 18, 1998 |
| Pool table piece you don't want to be "behind" |
The 8 ball |
300 |
June 18, 1998 |
| Shifting your debts is "Robbing Peter to pay" this saint |
Paul |
400 |
June 18, 1998 |
| Alexander Pope criticized these who claimed to be authorities with "Fools rush in where angels" do this |
Fear to tread |
500 |
June 18, 1998 |
| It follows "When in Rome..." |
"Do as the Romans do" |
100 |
April 23, 1997 |
| Long ago this was "as good as an ell"; now it's "as good as a mile" |
A miss |
200 |
April 23, 1997 |
| It precedes "And master of none" |
"A jack of all trades" |
300 |
April 23, 1997 |
| It's another way to "add insult to injury" using a common seasoning |
"Rub salt in one\'s wound" |
400 |
April 23, 1997 |
| The phrase "Hope springs eternal in the human breast" sprang from his "Essay on Man" |
Alexander Pope |
500 |
April 23, 1997 |
| You may "put" this "on the line" or "where your mouth is" |
money |
100 |
February 20, 1997 |
| Those who play cricket know an awkward situation is this kind of "wicket" |
sticky wicket |
200 |
February 20, 1997 |
| David Copperfield knows to accomplish something that seems impossible is to "pull" this "out of the hat" |
a rabbit |
300 |
February 20, 1997 |
| Something superior is said to be "head and" these above the rest |
shoulders |
400 |
February 20, 1997 |
| A bright person knows "never" do this to "my door again" means stay away forever |
darken |
500 |
February 20, 1997 |
| A task that's nearly impossible is compared to "looking for a needle in" one of these |
a haystack |
100 |
February 10, 1997 |
| A person who's "easy to read" is described as "an open" this |
book |
200 |
February 10, 1997 |
| This adjective often precedes "as a hound's tooth" or "as a whistle" |
clean |
300 |
February 10, 1997 |
| When you're up late studying, you're said to be "burning the midnight" this |
oil |
400 |
February 10, 1997 |
| When you settle a bill, you "pay" this person, whether or not he's "pied" |
the piper |
500 |
February 10, 1997 |
| When a situation goes from bad to worse, it's the time "push comes to" this |
shove |
100 |
November 12, 1996 |
| Go over something with a fine tooth comb & you'll "leave no stone" this way |
unturned |
200 |
November 12, 1996 |
| Something on good authority is "straight from" this neigh sayer |
the horse\'s mouth |
300 |
November 12, 1996 |
| Number of the attempt that's "the charm" |
the third |
400 |
November 12, 1996 |
| The origin of this phrase is unknown, since chickens don't seem to get angry in the rain |
mad as a wet hen |
500 |
November 12, 1996 |
| To suffer a crushing defeat is "to meet your" this, as Napoleon did June 18, 1815 |
Waterloo |
100 |
October 9, 1996 |
| The old saying about having this and eating it, too appeared in a 1546 book of proverbs |
your cake |
200 |
October 9, 1996 |
| When you're really angry or just very noisy, you "raise" this part of a house |
the roof |
300 |
October 9, 1996 |
| Grease makes a fire blaze up and smoke, so when this "is in the fire" the damage has been done |
the fat |
400 |
October 9, 1996 |
| Some say the phrase about going "from" this "to post" comes from the old game of court tennis |
pillar |
500 |
October 9, 1996 |
| If you're out of favor, you're "in" this pet residence |
the doghouse |
100 |
May 23, 1996 |
| "Your days are" this is derived from the handwriting on the wall interpreted in Daniel 5:26 |
numbered |
200 |
May 23, 1996 |
| Putting one's affairs in order is called getting these birds "in a row" |
ducks |
300 |
May 23, 1996 |
| The Romans said "Praemonitus, praemunitus", which is similar to our phrase "Forewarned is" this |
forearmed |
400 |
May 23, 1996 |
| To lose one's job is to "get" this; workmen picked up their tools in one when they moved on |
sacked |
500 |
May 23, 1996 |
| Originally, smugglers said, "The coast is" this when there was no threat of interference from coastal guardians |
clear |
100 |
May 6, 1996 |
| When you're really, really happy you're "on" this number "cloud" |
9 |
200 |
May 6, 1996 |
| The phrase "No news is" this dates at least as far back as the 1600s |
good news |
300 |
May 6, 1996 |
| A person who shuts himself away from the outside world is said to live in an "ivory" one |
a tower |
400 |
May 6, 1996 |
| Students of Latin know that a person who's not welcome is persona non this |
grata |
500 |
May 6, 1996 |
| When you travel by the most direct route, you're going "as" this bird "flies" |
as the crow flies |
100 |
December 28, 1995 |
| An archaic word for the jaw gave us the phrase "to lick" these in anticipation |
the chops |
200 |
December 28, 1995 |
| In the 1920s this "feline sleepwear" term described something first-rate |
cat\'s pajamas |
300 |
December 28, 1995 |
| This phrase for an easygoing existence stems from a Vaudeville song about a man named O'Reilly |
the life of Reilly |
400 |
December 28, 1995 |
| Latin for "voice of the people", it refers to popular sentiment |
<i>vox populi</i> |
500 |
December 28, 1995 |
| The word roger, meaning a rouge, may have led to this term for a pirate flag |
Jolly Roger |
100 |
December 11, 1995 |
| A person who moves quickly doesn't let this grow under his feet |
grass |
200 |
December 11, 1995 |
| The term "dressed to" these may be a corruption of "dressed to then eyne", meaning "to the eyes" |
the nines |
300 |
December 11, 1995 |
| Pride in group endeavors is called this, French for "spirit of the body" |
esprit de corps |
400 |
December 11, 1995 |
| 19th c. poet William Ross Wallace wrote that "the hand that" does this "is the hand that rules the world" |
the hand that rocks the cradle |
500 |
December 11, 1995 |
| A person with a hidden flaw is said to have feet of this, from a dream image in Daniel 2:33 |
Clay |
100 |
November 16, 1995 |
| Many aquatic animals swim open-mouthed & appear to drink constantly, hence the phrase "to drink like" this |
a fish |
200 |
November 16, 1995 |
| The depressing expression "down in" these is probably derived from a Middle Dutch word for haze |
Dumps |
300 |
November 16, 1995 |
| Akin to "caught in the act", to be caught this way alludes to a murderer smeared with blood |
Caught red-handed |
400 |
November 16, 1995 |
| Frenchmen once assumed names in the military, hence this phrase, French for "name of war" |
Nom de guerre |
500 |
November 16, 1995 |
| To clear one's mind is to "blow away" these spider structures |
cobwebs |
100 |
November 3, 1995 |
| It's what "birds of a feather" do |
flock together |
200 |
November 3, 1995 |
| An unpolished person who shows promise is often called one of these "in the rough" |
a diamond |
300 |
November 3, 1995 |
| To do something superfluous is "to carry" these "to Newcastle" |
coals |
400 |
November 3, 1995 |
| This French phrase meaning "reason for being" has become part of the English language |
<i>raison dâêtre</i> |
500 |
November 3, 1995 |
| When you're ad-libbing, you're speaking "off the top of" this body part |
head |
100 |
May 4, 1995 |
| 18th c. statesman Edmund Burke said ungrateful people will do this to "the hand that fed them" |
bite |
200 |
May 4, 1995 |
| The phrase "cool your heels" goes back to the time when this animal was the major means of transportation |
horse |
300 |
May 4, 1995 |
| To be "pleased as" this refers to the puppet, not the beverage |
Punch |
400 |
May 4, 1995 |
| M.O. is an abbreviation for this Latin phrase that means "manner of working" |
modus operandi |
500 |
May 4, 1995 |
| Paying excessively is said to be "paying through" this facial organ |
nose |
100 |
May 10, 1993 |
| You're considered crazy if you have these mammals "in your belfry" |
bats |
200 |
May 10, 1993 |
| Something that arrives suddenly & unexpectedly is said to come from "out of" this color |
the blue |
300 |
May 10, 1993 |
| "Brevity is the soul of" this |
wit |
400 |
May 10, 1993 |
| The 3 main components of a gun gave rise to this phrase that means "the whole works" |
lock, stock & barrel |
500 |
May 10, 1993 |
| It often precedes "aleck" & "money" |
smart |
100 |
February 11, 1993 |
| Any musician can fell you that "He who pays" this person "calls the tune" |
the piper |
200 |
February 11, 1993 |
| This "lupine" phrase means to howl a false alarm |
cry wolf |
300 |
February 11, 1993 |
| Scotch whisky that was hidden in the Highlands was once called this kind of "dew" |
mountain dew |
400 |
February 11, 1993 |
| Some folks are as nervous as one of these; it's also the title of a Tennessee Williams play |
a cat on a hot tin roof |
500 |
February 11, 1993 |
| Someone who is just plain crazy is said to be "off" this piece of furniture |
his rocker |
100 |
May 11, 1992 |
| I Corinthians 15:52 gave us the phrase "In the twinkling of" one of these |
an eye |
200 |
May 11, 1992 |
| A medieval punishment gave rise to the phrase "tarred and" this |
feathered |
300 |
May 11, 1992 |
| Something that provokes anger is said to "make this" fluid "boil" |
your blood |
400 |
May 11, 1992 |
| In times of hardship you economize by "tightening" this accessory |
your belt |
500 |
May 11, 1992 |
| Knitted underwear that runs from your waist to your ankles |
long johns |
100 |
June 20, 1990 |
| Mr. Bench when he hits his mark, or anyone who is present when needed |
Johnny on the spot |
200 |
June 20, 1990 |
| In a 1712 satire, Dr. John Arbuthnot used this nickname for an Englishman |
John Bull |
300 |
June 20, 1990 |
| In Old English law this name was used to disguise the identity of the plaintiff in an eviction case |
John Doe |
400 |
June 20, 1990 |
| It can refer to a legendary black man of exceptional strength or your signature |
John Henry |
500 |
June 20, 1990 |
| In current scientific parlance this expression would be "warm the ventricles of your heart" |
cockles |
100 |
July 19, 1989 |
| It was comedian Fred Allen, not the Indians, who 1st concluded the low man on this was least significant |
the totem pole |
200 |
July 19, 1989 |
| Dove hunters tying live birds to backless chairs for lures gave us this expression |
a stool pigeon |
300 |
July 19, 1989 |
| This phrase doesn't refer to satan but to a plank on a ship from which you could easily fall |
to pay the devil |
400 |
July 19, 1989 |
| The original one was a youth given all punishment due England's crown prince |
a whipping boy |
|
July 19, 1989 |
| This phrase that means to feel blue comes from "domp", Dutch for mental haze or dullness |
down in the dumps |
100 |
January 24, 1989 |
| It means "in excellent condition" & is probably from Old English "fetel", a girdle worn by warriors |
in fine fettle |
200 |
January 24, 1989 |
| Name phrase that expresses an equal exchange as between Bochco & Spielberg for example |
even Steven |
300 |
January 24, 1989 |
| A pioneer phrase meaning very fast, it came from the speed with which their log cabins burned |
like a house on fire |
400 |
January 24, 1989 |
| Noblemen riding steeds taller than the average mounts gave us this phrase |
on their high horse |
500 |
January 24, 1989 |
| Trying to find similarities between New York & L.A. is like comparing these |
apples & oranges |
100 |
November 11, 1988 |
| The biblical phrase "give up the ghost" means this |
die |
200 |
November 11, 1988 |
| "He has more money than you can" do this "at" |
shake a stick (or poke a stick) |
300 |
November 11, 1988 |
| From the tradition of men fighting topless came this saying urging calm |
keep your shirt on |
400 |
November 11, 1988 |
| Originally a caption in silent Westerns, it returned your attention to the main house |
meanwhile, back at the ranch |
500 |
November 11, 1988 |
| Some 400 years ago, English jurist Sir Edward Coke stated, "A man's house is..." this |
his castle |
100 |
June 29, 1988 |
| Someone setting up a ruse might throw this colorful fish at you |
red herring |
200 |
June 29, 1988 |
| To the French, it's "a white paper"; to us, it's a white credit card that's merged with Diners Club |
carte blanche |
300 |
June 29, 1988 |
| The holes punched in free tickets reminded people of bullet holes she fired into small cards |
Annie Oakley |
400 |
June 29, 1988 |
| In some versions of rotation pool, a player with the cue ball in this position faces a tough shot |
behind the 8 ball |
500 |
June 29, 1988 |
| "All work & no play makes" him "a dull boy" & Jill's probably not a lot of fun either |
Jack |
100 |
February 24, 1987 |
| "If you want a thing done well..." this person should do it |
yourself |
200 |
February 24, 1987 |
| This "makes the heart grow fonder", though a dozen roses wouldn't hurt |
absence |
300 |
February 24, 1987 |
| A Cornish prayer asked God to "deliver us from goulies & ghosties...& things that" do this |
go bump in the night |
400 |
February 24, 1987 |
| "Brevity is the soul of..." this |
wit |
500 |
February 24, 1987 |
| Actors' good luck phrase which might come from fact that Sarah Bernhardt had only 1 "gam" |
break a leg |
100 |
September 19, 1985 |
| "Getting up on the wrong side" reflects belief that all good forces were on this side of the body |
right |
200 |
September 19, 1985 |
| Meaning "innocent as a babe", it comes from part of newborn animals that takes longest to dry |
wet behind the ears |
300 |
September 19, 1985 |
| This "all inclusive" phrase comes from Old English "bottel", meaning bundle, & kit, a soldier's bag |
kit & kaboodle |
400 |
September 19, 1985 |
| Referring to one who has a brief moment of glory, it comes from the misfire of a musket |
flash in the pan |
|
September 19, 1985 |