“It Depends on What the Definition of ‘It’ Is”
“Take it outside,” if you’re a certain age (I am), invariably means there’s about to be a fight somewhere inside, and the proprietor of the establishment/bartender/host of the party wants nothing to do with it.
Contrast that definition with the original, literal one:
Dad, grilling on patio, to someone in Kitchen: “I don’t have any barbecue sauce.”
Mom, to nearby kid: “here it is — please take it outside.”
Wanna guess what the inspiration for that one was?? 🙂
See also, “You Take the Cake!” (& Other Ruined Expressions)” ; “It Takes One to Know One” (and Other Ruined Phrases)“; and “Plural of Stir-Fry?!?”
Also: “Synonyms for “the check’s in the mail“; “Why is Calling Someone a “Piece of Work’ an Insult?”; “That Guy’s a Real Ottoman”; and “How to Tell if an Electrician ” or ANY Contractor ” Knows Their Stuff.”
