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1800s
First recorded 1800s
mad as a hatterTo be mad as a hatter is to be completely crazy or eccentric, behaving in a wildly irrational and unpredictable way.
Unproven1829
First recorded 1800s
pull out all the stopsTo pull out all the stops is to make every possible effort and use all available resources to achieve something.
Attested1865
Legal
caught red-handedTo be caught red-handed is to be discovered in the very act of doing something wrong, with the evidence undeniable.
Attested1819
First recorded 1800s
paint the town redTo go out and celebrate boisterously, enjoying an energetic night of drinking, entertainment and revelry around a town's bars and venues.
Folk Etymology1883
Sporting
hands downEasily and by a clear margin; without effort, dispute or serious competition, as in an unquestioned winner.
Attested1832
First recorded 1800s
once in a blue moonVery rarely; only on the infrequent occasions when something long-awaited or unusual actually happens to occur.
Attested1833
First recorded 1800s
red herringA deliberately misleading clue or piece of information introduced to distract attention from the real question or issue.
Folk Etymology1807
Military
bite the bulletTo force yourself to endure a painful or unpleasant situation with courage, accepting it because it can no longer be avoided.
Partly True1890