Read Webster's New World American Idioms Handbook Online
Authors: Gail Brenner
Webster's New World American Idioms Handbook (29 page)
a nerd
(slang) a person who is socially awkward or dull, preoccupied with schoolwork or intellectual hobbies; often said of men ♦
Come on, you
nerd!
Put down those books and let’s go to a club.
♦
He’s kind of
a nerd,
and awkward around people, but he’s really fun when he’s with just one person.
a geek
(slang) socially awkward; different from others in a bizarre way; often said of men ♦
He used to be
a
real
geek
and afraid to talk to people, but not anymore.
♦
The kids laughed at him and called him
a geek
just because he was awkward and shy.
Someone who is too serious in a social setting or ruins others’ fun might be called one of these idioms:
a wet blanket
or
a party pooper
a person who tries to spoil other people’s fun, refuses to join the fun or show enthusiasm ♦
What
a wet blanket!
He never wants to do anything fun.
a stick-in-the-mud
a person who refuses to have fun, doesn’t want to go out, is dull. Alludes to being caught unhappily in mud, unable to move. ♦
My ex-boyfriend was such
a stick-in-the-mud.
That’s why he’s my ex, and not my boyfriend anymore!
♦
Why be
a stick-in-the-mud
when there are so many fun things to do?
no fun
not fun, boring ♦
You don’t want to go camping? Well, you’re
no fun. ♦
He’s
no fun
to be around when he’s thinking about a work project.
CHAPTER 12
SUCCESS, FAILURE, AND LUCK
What are the
keys to success?
In other words, what criteria, actions, personal qualities, or characteristics lead one to success? Some might say hard work and determination, others might say that a lot depends on luck or opportunity. In this chapter, you’ll find idioms that describe all of these things: hard work, determination, opportunity, and luck, as well as idioms related to a lack of success and failure.
Success
The idioms and expressions in this section are used to talk about success and the various skills, talents, and conditions that contribute to success.
Have Made It
and Related Idioms
If someone
has made it,
the person has become successful financially, professionally, personally, or maybe all three. This idiom usually implies that one has worked hard and has made a success of life.
A similar expression with a slightly different connotation is
have it made.
This expression often implies that the help and influence of others or good fortune has put one in a successful position. It’s sometimes said as
have it made in the shade
using the word
shade
for a rhyme, and to imply having the luxury to relax in the shade. This idea can also be expressed by saying that a person
is set
(established successfully in life).
Here are some examples:
- She was honored as the top businesswoman in America. She’s
made it! - His parents set up a big trust fund for him. He certainly
has it made! - Man,
you’re set!
You have a great wife, nice kids, and your business is a success.
Grammar Note:
The expressions
have made it
and
have it made
are technically the same idiom with one small grammatical difference: In the first expression, the direct object,
it,
comes at the end; in the second expression,
it
comes in the middle, separating the two verbs. Generally the placement of the direct object doesn’t affect the meaning of an idiom, but in this case it can give the idiom a very different connotation.
Here are some other ways to describe someone who is, or will be, successful in life:
make a success of oneself
to have become successful as a result of one’s own hard work and talent ♦
He has so many talents, I’m sure he’ll
make a success of himself. ♦
Jane has
made a success of herself
as a scientist for NASA’s space program.
[See also
make something of oneself
later in this chapter.]
sitting pretty
in an advantageous position; financially successful. This idiom is always said in the continuous tense (verb +
-ing
). ♦
I would be
sitting pretty
if I could win the lottery!
♦
She’s
sitting pretty
since her promotion to CEO.
sitting on top of the world
at the top, in the most advantageous position; financially successful; very happy, pleased with one’s own success or recognition. This idiom is always said in the continuous tense (verb +
-ing
). ♦
We’ll be
sitting on top of the world
if this product is a success.
♦
When you’re
sitting on top of the world,
don’t forget to give credit to the people who helped you get there.
have the world by its tail
to have every opportunity; to be in a good position, very successful. Alludes to controlling a wild animal by holding on to its tail. ♦
With her intelligence and talent, she’ll
have the world by its tail. ♦
You
have the world by its tail.
Why do you want to throw it all away and quit your job?
Amount to Something
and Related Idioms
The following expressions mean to do well in life and improve one’s status, though not necessarily by being rich or famous:
amount to something
to develop into a self-sufficient, successful person ♦
His dad told him, “If you ever want to
amount to something,
then you have to stay in school and get an education.”
♦
I never thought he’d
amount to anything,
but look at what a success he is!
Note:
The opposite
of
amount to something
is often expressed as
never amount to anything,
meaning never develop one’s potential, never improve oneself or succeed. For example, “He had potential, but he was lazy and
never amounted to anything
.”
make something of oneself
to improve oneself, become self-sufficient; to develop a career ♦
Every one of her daughters
made something of herself.
One is a musician, one is a history professor, and the other is vice-president of a large company.
♦
He came from a very poor family, but he was determined to
make something of himself.
come up in the world
to improve one’s financial, social, and professional status from a lesser beginning; often used lightly ♦
You published a book of poetry? Hey, you’ve really
come up in the world! ♦
He was an immigrant who came here with nothing, but he’s
come up in the world
as a result of his hard work.
get ahead
to succeed socially and financially; to make good progress ♦
Without a good education it’s difficult to
get ahead
in life.
♦
He worked hard to
get ahead
in his profession, and now he’s highly respected in the field of geophysics.
[For more idioms on financial success see Chapter 6.]
Has What It Takes
and Related Idioms
A person who has the skill, talent, personality, and determination, or whatever else is necessary to succeed, is often described like this:
has what it takes
♦
She
has what it takes
to organize an event of any size.
has the right stuff
♦
He
has the right stuff
to run this youth outreach program.
A related expression is
has a lot going for him
or
her.
This is typically said in admiration for someone, and means that a person has a lot of great skills, characteristics, and potential. It differs from
has what it takes
and
the right stuff
in that it’s not quite as high a compliment. For example, you could say either of the following:
- Ray
has a lot going for him.
He will be promoted soon. - Even though Ray
has a lot going for him,
he won’t be promoted soon.
Small Town Boy (
or
Girl) Makes Good
When a person from a modest family background or a small town becomes famous or very successful, people often say “Small-town boy makes good” or “Small-town girl makes good.” This expression is not said about people from rich or privileged families, but people from more
humble beginnings
(a low- or middle-income family), or someone who, literally, came from a small town where there were few professional opportunities.
People vary this expression to fit the situation. For example, if a person who didn’t finish high school becomes the company president, he might say “High-school dropout
makes good!
”
The following idioms refer to meeting certain requirements, qualifications, standards, or expectations.
measure up
to prove equal to a high standard or to succeed in a demanding situation; compares to the quality or standard of something or someone else ♦
The standards at this university are very high, but I know you’ll
measure up. ♦
This job is demanding. If you don’t
measure up,
you’ll be asked to leave.
♦
How do the new engineers
measure up
to the others?
make the grade
to be successful or very successful. Alludes to a high academic score or a rank or grade in the military. ♦
There’s a lot of competition in this business, so if you can’t
make the grade
you’ll never survive.
♦
His managerial skills were tested when they opened the new theater, and he definitely
made the grade.
15 Minutes of Fame and Related Idioms
Getting one’s
15 minutes of fame
is an expression that means having a brief, temporary period of fame. It is also used jokingly when an ordinary person is recognized for an accomplishment. Here are some examples:
- The winner of the game show enjoyed his
15 minutes of fame. - Look! I finally got my
15 minutes of fame.
Here’s my picture in the newspaper.
A similar but slightly sarcastic expression is
every dog has its day,
meaning that even the lowest creature will have occasional success, perhaps by chance. This expression is also used humorously. Here are a few examples:
- I didn’t think he had a chance to win, but I guess
every dog has its day. - When I finally beat Jim at chess he said, “Well,
every dog has its day.”
Pull Something Off and Related Idioms
The following idioms mean to succeed even when there are obstacles and difficulties:
pull something off
to accomplish something impressive or unexpected; to succeed despite obstacles ♦
We didn’t think we could start our business in time for tourist season, but we managed to
pull it off. ♦
They
pulled off
several bank robberies before finally being caught.
make it (
or
things) happen
to accomplish something; implies special skills or the ability to get past a bureaucracy ♦
It won’t be easy getting approval for this project, but Adam can
make it happen. ♦
If you want to learn how to succeed in business, watch Elise. She really knows how to
make things happen.
come through
to do what is required, needed or expected, often in a time of particular need or difficulty; to succeed after appearing likely to fail ♦
I didn’t think that anyone could do so much work in so little time, but she always
comes through. ♦
Whenever the team needs to score, Jack
comes through. ♦
She’ll
come through
in the end, though her method appears disorganized.
[See
with flying colors
in Chapter 14.]
against all odds
despite overwhelming obstacles. This idiom is almost always placed at the beginning or end of a sentence. ♦ Against all odds,
they found a way to immigrate to this country and start a successful business.
♦ Against all odds,
he passed the other runners and won the marathon.
♦
He had many debilitating physical challenges, but he became self-sufficient
against all odds.
When you are successful in accomplishing something or reaching a specific goal, you might say:
I did it!
I made it!
Grammar Note:
I did it
is usually said after successfully completing a task;
I made it
is usually said when one is accepted into something or has passed a test. Here are some examples:
- You did it,
Liza. You learned to tie your own shoe! - I made it!
I got accepted on the varsity swim team.
[See slang expressions for congratulating someone’s success in Chapter 9.]
Business Is Booming
and Related Idioms
When
business is booming,
it is thriving and making a profit; it’s very successful. Following are some other expressions that mean the same thing, and can be used for business and personal success:
going great guns
♦
His construction business is
going great guns!
He never expected it to be so profitable.
going like gangbusters
♦
That taco bar is
going like gangbusters
all of the time. They’ve got the best tacos and a great price. There’s always a crowd there.
on a roll
♦
Her music career is definitely
on a roll;
she recorded three CDs last year and will soon release another one.
A related expression to the three above is
taking off.
Taking off
has the added implication that the business or endeavor was previously stagnant, or has just started to succeed for the first time: “When he started his business, it didn’t do well, but now it’s really
taking off.
”
If a product is very popular and the company is selling it as fast as it can be made, someone might say the product is selling:
like crazy
like mad
like hotcakes
like nobody’s business
like there’s no tomorrow
Here’s an example:
- Now that we’ve cut the price, these cell phones are selling
like crazy.
Note:
The expressions
like gangbusters, like crazy,
and so on can be applied to any activity that is done with great energy, enthusiasm, or speed. For example, “We worked
like crazy
to finish the house painting before the storm.”
