This
database is a comprehensive collection of all the American idioms and slang available.
American Idioms are many and varied. We hope you enjoy our collection. We are adding more all the time.
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A Burnt Child Dreads the Fire
What does A Burnt Child Dreads the Fire mean? | One does not repeat a painful lesson twice. | I've tried to get little Johnny to quit running and jumping on the furniture before he hurts himself, but only a burnt child dreads the fire.
Very similar in meaning to another proverb, "Once bitten, twice shy," today's proverb is an old one. It appeared in English literature as early as 1320, in "The Proverbs of Hendyng." Another proverb, which is similar, comes from the French: "A scalded dog fears cold water" carries an even stronger message; that those who have experienced a great deal of difficulty or pain will not only avoid it in the future, but will be afraid even where there is no cause.
Other languages also have like proverbs, such as, "One bitten by a serpent is afraid of a rope's end" (Jewish), "A man who has received a beating with a firebrand runs away at the sight of a firefly" (Singhalese), and "A dog which has been beaten with a stick fears its own shadow" (Italian). |
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Some Random Idioms
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implicate (someone) in (something)
What does "implicate (someone) in (something)" mean? | suggest that someone is involved in something | The man was implicated in the scheme to sell the illegal shares in the company.
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let out (clothes/a rope)
What does "let out (clothes/a rope)" mean? | make clothes longer or looser, allow a rope to slip out little by little | I had to go to the tailors to have them let out my sports jacket.
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shrooms
What does "shrooms" mean? | Psilocybin/psilocin |
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dead on one's feet
What does "dead on one's feet" mean? | to be exhausted | I was dead on my feet after working all day in my garden.
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Child's play
What does "Child's play" mean? | If something is child's play, it is very easy and simple. |
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sell (something) off
What does "sell (something) off" mean? | to sell much or all of something | The computer company decided to sell off some of their real estate business.
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mark time
What does "mark time" mean? | be idle, wait for something to happen | He has been marking time for over a month now as he waits to hear about the new job.
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break a habit
What does "break a habit" mean? | to end a habit | My sister worked very hard to break her habit of eating too much chocolate.
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take back (something)
What does "take back (something)" mean? | to admit to making a wrong statement | The man was asked to take back what he had said about his boss.
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