Crystal, David. Begat: The King James Bible and the English Language. Oxford: Oxford UP, 2010.
The now commonly-used English idiom “the powers that be” (meaning the people who decide what is allowed or acceptable) was first coined in 1526 in the English New Testament translation of William Tyndale. In Tyndale it appears in Romans 13:2 but refers to exousia ousai in verse 13:1. (Source: Crystal 2010, p. 282)
For other idioms in English that were coined by Bible translation, see here.
The now commonly-used English idiom “the blind lead the blind” (as in when an inexperienced person is guiding someone a person who is equally inexperienced) was first coined in 1526 in the English New Testament translation of William Tyndale (in the spelling the blynde leede the blynde). (Source: Crystal 2010, p. 285)
In Russian, this phrase (Если слепой ведет слепого — Yesli slepoy vedet slepogo) is also widely used as an idiom. The wording of the quote originated in the Russian Synodal Bible (publ. 1876). (Source: Reznikov 2020, p. 12)
For other idioms in English that were coined by Bible translation, see here.
The now commonly-used English idiom “man cannot live by bread alone” (meaning people need more than material things to truly live) was first coined in 1582 in the Douay Rheims Version (in the spelling Man shall not liue by bread alone). (Source: Crystal 2010, p. 275)
In Russian, this phrase (He одним хлебом живет человек — Ne odnim khlebom zhivet chelovek) is also widely used as an idiom. The wording of the quote originated in the Russian Synodal Bible (publ. 1876). (Source: Reznikov 2020, p. 14)
In German the idiom Der Mensch lebt nicht vom Brot allein, is today often used as a way to express that only bread is not enough as food (Der Mensch lebt nicht vom Brot allein, es kann auch Wurst und Käse sein — “one does not live by bread alone, meat and cheese are also welcome”). It was coined in 1522 in the German New Testament translation by Martin Luther. (Source: Günther 2017, p. 90)
The now commonly-used English idiom “the way of all flesh” (meaning to die or to spoil) was first coined in 1582 in the Douay Rheims Version (but not in the King James Version / Authorized Version). (Source: Crystal 2010, p. 298)
For other idioms in English that were coined by Bible translation, see here.
The now commonly-used English idiom “turned the world upside down” (for a drastic change in one’s outlook, circumstances, or way of life) was first coined in 1611 in the King James Version/Authorized Version (spelled as turned the world vpside downe) in Job 19:20. (Source: Crystal 2010, p. 266)
For other idioms in English that were coined by Bible translation, see here.
The now commonly-used English idiom “the signs of the times” (meaning something that signifies the situation evident in the current times, often with a negative connotation) was first coined in 1526 in the English New Testament translation of William Tyndale (in the spelling ye signes of the tymes). (Source: Crystal 2010, p. 285)
Likewise, the German idiom Zeichen der Zeit (literally “signs of the times”) has also become an idiom with a similar meaning. This was coined in 1522 in the German New Testament translation by Martin Luther. (Source: Günther 2017, p. 90)
In French, the phrase signe des temps is likewise used as an idiom. (Source: Muller 1991, p. 61)
See also who know the laws.
The now commonly-used English idiom “be of good cheer” (be happy) was first coined in 1526 in the English New Testament translation of William Tyndale. (Source: Crystal 2010, p. 275)
For other idioms in English that were coined by Bible translation, see here.
In Low German it is translated as Kopp hoch, lit. “hold your head up high” (translation by Johannes Jessen, publ. 1933, republ. 2006).
See also be cheered.