Grass

Gone to grass. Dead. The allusion is to the grass which grows over the dead. Also, “Gone to rusticate,” the allusion being to a horse which is sent to grass when unfit for work.

Not to let the grass grow under one’s feet. To be very active and energetic.

“Captain Cuttle held on at a great pace, and allowed no grass to grow under his feet.”—Dickens: Dombey and Son.

To give grass. To confess yourself vanquished.

To be knocked down in a pugilistic encounter is to “go to grass;” to have the sack is also to go to grass, as a cow which is no longer fit for milking is sent to pasture.

A grass-hand is a compositor who fills a temporary vacancy.

· ·

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Entry taken from Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, edited by the Rev. E. Cobham Brewer, LL.D. and revised in 1895.