Example: Beware any salesman that is dressed to a tea, smiles too much, and talks fast.
Origin: A short way of saying "dressed for a tea" or "dressed to go to a tea". In the Victorian era, high tea was a formal affair. All proper people dressed in appropriate attire.
Meaning: Undecided until the end, at the last minute
Example: We almost missed our flight, it came right down to the wire. The traffic on the way to the airport was horrible and we had to run to our gate.
Origin: This phrase refers to races where the winner is determined by whoever crosses the finish line first. Think of horse racing and foot races. A string is stretched across the finish to help the judges see clearly who crosses first in a close race. That string is called the wire or tape, the winner is the one who breaks the wire first.
The "wire" is actually string, tape, or paper and not a metal wire at all. No need to be concerned about those horses tripping and getting themselves caught in the wire.
Hence "down to the wire" means the event is not decided until the very end of the event.
Example: Building a house is a long ordeal. Just when you think you are down to the short strokes something unexpected comes up.
Origin: When a golfer begins at the tee, he hits the ball towards the green by driving, or using a long stroke. When the ball is on the green, he must get the ball in the hole by putting - or taking "short" strokes.
A painter (canvases not houses) begins on a clean canvas using large and broad strokes of the brush. As the painting progresses the brush strokes become shorter and finer as detail is filled into the painting.
Example: Enough talk, let's put some food down the hatch.
Origin: Here's a drinking expression that seems to have its origins in sea freight, where cargoes are lowered into the hatch for transport below deck. The freight appears to be consumed by the ship.
Example: During the Ted Kazinski trial, the big question was not his guilt but if the jury would drop the hammer and call for the death penalty.
Origin: The "hammer" is the hammer of a gun. When the gun is cocked, the hammer has been pulled back. Pulling the trigger drops the hammer onto the cartridge, firing the gun. Popularized by the seemingly tireless stream of police dramas on television.
