English Idioms: From under the Thumb of, under a Cloud to 1-Bear Out

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Under the Thumb Of

Controlled or dominated by someone he՚s been under his mother՚s thumb for years.
The allusion in this metaphoric idiom is unclear, that is, why a thumb rather than a fist or some other anatomic part should symbolize control. [Mid-1700s]

If someone is suspected of having done something wrong, they are under a cloud.

A personal stake in something she has a vested interest in keeping the house in her name.
This term, first recorded in 1818, uses vested in the sense of “established” or “secured.”

Make up vamp up an excuse for not attending the meeting

A white elephant is an expensive burden; something that costs far too much money to run, like the Millennium Dome in the UK.

Survive difficulties if she can just weather the storm of that contract violation, she՚ll be fine.
This expression alludes to a ship coming safely through bad weather. [Mid-1600s]

Someone who is worth their salt deserves respect.

In the end, nevertheless when all՚s said and done, the doctors did what they could for Gordon, but he was too ill to survive.
This term was first recorded in 1560.

Exercise controlling authority in a household Grandma or husband (in case of husband and wife) wears the pants at our house.

Cut away in small pieces, to cut or carve something away the carver whittled the wood away until only a small figure was left.
He whittled away the wood.

Force from a place or position the committee winkled out the unqualified candidates.

Enthusiastically, warmly they received their new daughter-in-law with open arms.
This term alludes to an embrace. [Mid-1600s]

Refuse to accept responsibility for; abandon or renounce I՚ve done all I can for him, and now I՚m washing my hands of him.
This expression alludes to Pontius Pilate՚s washing his hands before having Jesus put to death, saying “I am innocent of the blood of this just person” (Matthew 27: 24) .

The time when something important is to begin is zero hour.

Back up or confirm the results bear out what he predicted. His story bears me out exactly. [Late 1400s]
Back out/back out of something Move or retreat backwards without turning; same as back away; withdraw from a situation or break an agreement or engagement After the announcement appeared in the papers, Mary found it doubly difficult to back out of her engagement to Todd. [Early 1800s]