Clichés, Phrases and Idioms

An exact duplicate

A ringer is a horse substituted for another to defraud the bookies. Dead here means exact rather than lifeless.

A small amount of knowledge can cause people to think they are more expert than they are and consequently make unwise choices.

A little learning is a dangerous thing; drink deep, or taste not the Pierian spring: there shallow draughts intoxicate the brain, and drinking largely sobers us again. Alexander Pope (1688-1744) - An Essay on Criticism. 

The full version is 'as happy as a clam at high tide'. Clams enjoy such times as they are free from the attentions of predators then.

John G Saxe, the American writer best known for his poem 'The Blind Men and the Elephant', used the phrase in his 'Sonnet to a Clam', in the late 1840s

The next move is up to you.

From tennis, where you must play the ball back to the opponent's court whenever it comes into yours.

Uninformed and incompetent people leading others who are similarly incapable.

From the Bible. Matthew 15:14. 'Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.'

Said to actors as a good luck token before going on stage.

Apparently wishing for something bad to happen is thought to be an insurance against it really happening. Another explanation is that 'breaking a leg' refers to bending at the knee in the act of bowing or curtseying when being applauded after a good performance. A further, rather fanciful, explanation suggests that it is an injunction to emulate the great Sarah Bernhardt, who had only one leg. 

In complete control of a situation. 

From the belief previously circulating in the US southern states that the Catbird gains dominance over others. Catbirds do seek the highest perches in trees.

Persevere no matter what difficulties are encountered.

Appears to be a 20th century version of the earlier 'between the Devil and the deep blue sea'.

Dressed flamboyantly.

Many theories as to the origin of this phrase. One has it that tailors used nine yards of material to make a suit (or according to some authors a shirt). The more material you had the more status. Nine yards seems generous even for a fop. Nine has been used as a superlative in other contexts. 

Drink heavily.

Clearly an allusion to fishes' close association with water. Rather fanciful-fish don't drink.

Please forgive my swearing.

A coy phrase where someone who has used a swearword attempts to pass it off as french.

Either do some useful work or leave and let others get on with it.

US origin. Cut bait means stop fishing.

I am to blame.

Latin

Relying on good fortune.

From the military. Aircraft that were sometimes returned to base in a badly damaged state with little but the prayers of the crew to keep them aloft.

Not thought of if not in sight.

From a poem by Arthur Hugh Clough

A promise of heaven in some vague future while suffering today.

From the song 'The Preacher and the Slave', which complains about the theology/philosophy of the Salvation Army. 'You will eat, by and by, in the glorious land way up high in the sky. Work and pray, live on hay, you'll get pie in the sky when you die, that's a lie!'.

Description of the practice of conforming to liberal opinion which avoids language or actions which might cause offence to social minorities.

Gradually entered the language beginning with the feminist and other left-wing movements of the 1970s. Used (first?) in H. V. Morton's In the Steps of St. Paul (1936). 'To use such words would have been equivalent to calling his audience 'slaves and robbers'. But 'Galatians', a term that was politically correct, embraced everyone under Roman rule...'.

Someone who criticises another but who is just as much at fault themselves.

From Cervantes' Don Quixote

Don Quijote complains about Sancho's overuse and abuse of proberbs by using a few of his own. Sancho points this out saying:
"...that what applies here is the old saying about the pot calling the kettle black."

A final gesture.

Derived from the supposed behaviour of swans singing just before they die.

Having been unsuccessful on the first two attempts, this is a good luck incantation for the third try.

American origin. The similar phrase 'third time lucky' is used in the UK.

A form of policing that allows no crime to be overlooked.

Came into use in the USA in the 1980's. Since used in other countries.

This expression may allude to the 13th-century legend of the Pied Piper of Hamelin in which the piper, upon being refused the payment promised for ridding the town of rats, played his pipe again; this time, however, it was the children who were led out of town to their death.

English, recorded for the first time in 1638-It might be added here that parallels from other European languages can easily be found.

The French have managed, without the help of foreign tradition, to give a proverbial form to the same idea. "Payer les violons" has long been used in the sense of paying the expense of something of which others have all the profit or pleasure.

The term dates from old calendars in which "high days and holidays" (i.e. Holy Days)were marked in red.

Unknown

To tell someone to leave or to get lost.

Example: She began to bore me so I told her to "take a hike".

All's well, Yes Correct

It's one of America's most popular exports, used just about everywhere, from Paris to Beijing, from Johannesburg to Calcutta.Linguists have pondered the question for years, arriving at many colorful -- but incorrect -- answers. the first instance of OK appearing in print was in the spring of 1839 by the Boston Morning Post:: "It is hardly necessary to say to those who know Mr. Hughes, that his establishment will be found to be 'A. No. One' -- that is, O.K. -- all correct."

Andrew Jackson, President of the United States, first used this familiar contraction of letters. His presidential opponents took advantage of his lack of education by suggesting he use O.K. for Orl Krect” all correct, but Andrew probably took it from the Choctaw Indian words OKE or HOKE meaning “it is so.” 
*suggested addition by Ashley Watson