lid (redirected from lifted the lid off)

*lid on something 

1. Lit. a cover on something, such as a pot, pan, etc. (*Typically: get ~; keep ~; put ~.) Keep the lid on the pot until the stew is almost done. Put the lid on the skillet for just a little while.

2. Fig. a scheme to suppress a scandalous or embarrassing situation and keep it secret. (*Typically: get ~; keep ~; put ~.) We can't keep the lid on this any longer. The press has got wind of it.

blow a fuse 

1. to burn out the fuse on an electrical circuit and lose power. The microwave oven blew a fuse, so we had no power. You'll blow a fuse if you use too many appliances at once.

2. and blow one's fuse; blow a gasket; blow one's cork; blow one's lid; blow one's top; blow one's stack Fig. to explode with anger; to lose one's temper. Come on, don't blow a fuse. Go ahead, blow a gasket! What good will that do?

See also: blow, fuse

blow the lid off (something)

Sl. to expose something to public view. The police inspector blew the lid off the work of the gang of thugs. The investigation blew the lid off the scandal.

See also: blow

flip one's wig and flip one's lid

Sl. to suddenly become angry, crazy, or enthusiastic. Whenever anyone mentions taxes, Mr. Jones absolutely flips his wig. Stop whistling. You're going to make me flip my lid.

See also: flip, wig

take the lid off (of) something and take the lid off 

1. Lit. to remove the lid from something. (Of is usually retained before pronouns.) I took the lid off the box and set it aside. Karen took off the lid.

2. Fig. to reveal a set of previously concealed problems. (Of is usually retained before pronouns.) You took the lid off this mess. You straighten it out! You took off the lid, so you have to settle it.

See also: take

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blow a fuse/gasket  (informal)

to become very angry and shout or behave in a violent way Jim'll blow a fuse if he finds you here. When her husband realised how much she'd spent he blew a gasket.

See also: blow, fuse

blow/take the lid off something   also lift the lid on something

to cause something bad that was previously kept secret to be known by the public In 1989 they started an investigation that was to blow the lid off corruption in the police force.

See flip lid, keep a lid on, Put a lid on it!, put the lid on

See also: blow

flip your lid 

1. (humorous) to become crazy I thought he'd finally flipped his lid when he bought that old helicopter.

2. (informal) to suddenly become very angry She'll flip her lid when she finds out what's been going on.

See flip the bird

See also: flip

keep a lid on something

to control the level of something in order to stop it increasing Economic difficulties continued and the government intervened to keep a lid on inflation.

See also: keep

Put a lid on it!  (mainly American informal)

something that you say in order to tell someone to stop talking Put a lid on it, you two! You've been shouting all afternoon.

See also: put

put the lid on something   (British old-fashioned)

if something that happens puts the lid on a plan, it causes the plan to fail When James resigned that put the lid on the whole project.

See also: put

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blow the lid off (something)

to make public something that was previously not known or was hidden He blew the lid off modern photography by publishing gritty, realistic pictures at a time when most photos showed a clean, happy world.

Usage notes: sometimes used with other verbs meaning "remove": Her novel tore the lid off small-town life.

See also: blow

keep a lid on (something)

to maintain control over something His forces kept a lid on unrest for nearly eight years.

See also: keep

put a lid on (something)

to stop something from increasing The mayor wants to put a lid on spending. Diplomats hope to put a lid on rising tensions between the two countries.

Usage notes: sometimes used in the form put a lid on it (stop complaining): Put a lid on it, Jeff, would you please?

See also: put