The following idioms or expressions all use proper names. Learn about the idioms Adonis, doubting Thomas, even-Steven, in like Flynn, Johnny-come-lately, Murphy’s law, Pandora’s box, smart Alec, and many more. There is even an idiom about the king of rock n’ roll, Elvis Presley! Achilles Heel An Achilles heel is a person’s (organization, country, etc.) weakness or vulnerability. Although it can refer to a physical weakness or limitation, this idiom can refer to any perceived weakness. It may also refer to someone who is successful, strong, or otherwise doing well, but which has one ‘fatal flaw’ or weakness that could bring about their failure or downfall. The weakness or flaw doesn’t necessarily have to be negative, in general. “The mayor’s womanizing was his Achilles heel.”
Adonis, an An Adonis is a young man of unusual physical beauty; an extremely sexually attractive young man, one who is well built and handsome. “Wow, that guy is really good looking,” said Mary. “Yeah, he’s a real Adonis,” said Mike, rolling his eyes.
Damocles’ Sword Damocles’ sword refers to an impending disaster; a danger or disaster that could occur at any moment. “Many of us have lived in the shadow of Damocles’ sword for decades, knowing that nuclear weapons could be used at any moment.”
Doubting Thomas, a A doubting Thomas is a person who is almost always doubtful and refuses to believe anything without strong proof or evidence; a skeptic. “Don’t listen to Walter about the new deal,” said Christina. “He’s always a doubting Thomas.”
Elvis Has Left the Building When we say Elvis has left the building we mean the show or event has come to an end. It’s over, that’s it, there’s no more, finito. The fat lady has sung. That’s all she wrote. This idiomatic phrase is often used in a half-joking way, usually to refer to endings that are not at all as interesting as Elvis himself, such as to refer to someone leaving a room, even though the fact they have left is not really noteworthy.
Even-Steven To be even steven means to be exactly equal, have an equal chance, or to have nothing owed on either side of a transaction or other arrangement. “I paid you what I owed you. We’re even-steven now.”
Hamlet without the Prince Hamlet without the prince refers to a performance or event taking place without the most important performer or central figure, such as the lead speaker. “We can’t do our school play until we find someone else to play the main character. Our teacher says it’s Hamlet without the Prince. I thought we were doing Our Town.”
Herculean Task A herculean task is an extremely difficult task; an almost impossible undertaking “The President informed the people that they had a Herculean task before them.”
In Like Flynn, to be To be in like Flynn is a fairly new idiom, only existing since only the mid-1900’s. Flynn is a proper name, and this expression is one of hundreds of proper-name idioms, most of which don’t survive for nearly as long as this one. When Sue came out of the board room, she didn’t show a hint of emotion. Did she get the promotion or not, wondered Terrence. “So, did you get it,” he asked. “I’m in like Flynn,” she replied, with a sly grin.
Johnny On The Spot A ‘Johnny on the spot’ is a person who is always available and willing to do whatever needs to be done. He or she is always in the right place when they are needed and great in an emergency. Someone who is the right person in the right place. This idiom is sometimes used sarcastically. “My best friend Terrence is always there when I need him—Johnny on the spot.”
Johnny-Come-Lately The idiomatic term Johnny-come-lately is meant to express disapproval. A johnny-come-lately is a person who joins something after it has already started and is more successful than warranted or expresses knowledge or expertise that their limited experience does not warrant. It usually refers to an undeserving newcomer or a novice who is arrogant, i.e. an ‘upstart.’ “I’ve been working for this company for fifteen years and today some Johnny-come-lately was promoted ahead of me.”
Katie Bar the Door When someone says Katie bar the door they mean get ready for trouble; something bad is about to happen. “If Rebekah catches you messing around with other women it’s Katie bar the door.”
Know Someone from Adam, to not To not know someone from Adam means to not know someone at all, having never met them, or to be completely unable to recognize them. “I don’t know him from Adam, yet he came to my party uninvited.”
Life Of Riley The life of Riley is an easy, carefree, comfortable life of luxury. “I love being an independent contractor for the government. I work three of four months and then the rest of the year I live the life of Riley.”
Midas Touch, the The Midas touch is the ability to make money no matter what idea one tries; a gift for easily making money or being financially successful. “Vance had the Midas touch. He started a business out of his garage and in a year he was a millionaire.”
Murphy’s Law Murphy’s law is a humorous and fictional “rule” that says anything that can go wrong will go wrong. In other words, if there is any possibility of something bad happening, it will. There can be other, more specific meanings for the idiom Murphy’s law such as nothing is ever as easy as it looks or everything always takes a lot longer than you think. However, all of these can be generalized to mean “if something can go wrong it will go wrong.” “I was almost out of gas and, of course, there was no gas station for miles—Murphy’s law.”
Nervous Nellie Someone who is a nervous Nellie is an excessively nervous, worried, apprehensive, or timid person. “Don’t be such a nervous Nellie. Just jump in the water and you’ll get used to the chill.”
Pandora’s Box Opening Pandora’s box is the same as opening a can of worms. It refers to a process that, once began, results in many unforeseen problems which were previously covered up. To open Pandora’s box is to let things get out of control. “Every time I do spring cleaning it’s like opening Pandora’s box, I just find more and more stuff to clean.”
Peeping Tom, a A peeping Tom is a man who secretly watches others, especially through windows, usually related to sexual gratification; a (sexual) voyeur. “My neighbor said I should keep all the curtains closed. There’s a peeping Tom in the neighborhood.”
Rob Peter to Pay Paul To rob Peter to pay Paul means to borrow money from one person or institution to pay back money owed to another person; to take from one person to give to another; to shift money or resources without accomplishing any gain or benefit. “Using credit cards to pay off a loan is like robbing Peter to pay Paul.”
Sisyphean Task A Sisyphean task is a pointless, fruitless, and unrewarding task that must be repeated over and over again; an endless task. “Francis was stuck with the Sisyphean task of trying to get warring factions to see each other’s point of view and strike a compromise.”
Slip Someone a Mickey (Finn) To slip someone a Mickey (Finn) is to surreptitiously drug someone’s alcoholic drink or to give someone a drink that had been drugged without their knowledge or consent with the intent of incapacitating them. A Mickey (Finn) is a drug placed in an alcoholic drink or a drugged alcoholic drink. “Women have to be careful today when they are out drinking. You never know when someone might slip a mickey into your drink.”
Smart Alec A smart alec is a conceited person who irritates others by always trying to be clever, sarcastic, etc.; a person who insists on showing off their knowledge in a way that is annoying. “Tommy was often scolded by his teacher for being a smart Alec but his teacher soon realized he was actually very gifted.”
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