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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thumb one`s nose at (someone or something)
What does "thumb one`s nose at (someone or something)" mean? | to look with disfavor or dislike at someone or something | The star player thumbed his nose at the fans when they began to yell at him.
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daffy
What does "daffy" mean? | mildly eccentric; silly |
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get (something) out of one's system
What does "get (something) out of one's system" mean? | to get rid of the desire to do something | I went on a short holiday so that I could get travelling out of my system.
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in good hands
What does "in good hands" mean? | in the safe and competent care of someone | My dog was in good hands when I gave him to my father to look after.
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talk (someone) into (doing something)
What does "talk (someone) into (doing something)" mean? | to persuade someone to agree to do something, to persuade someone to do something | My friend talked her father into lending her the family car.
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roll around
What does "roll around" mean? | to return at a regular or usual time, to come back | Every time that his birthday rolls around he has a big party.
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poop out
What does "poop out" mean? | stop; quit; become tired and stop |
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have in mind
What does "have in mind" mean? | intend, plan | "What do you have in mind for your wife`s birthday?"
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shoot oneself in the foot
What does "shoot oneself in the foot" mean? | to make a mistake or a stupid decision that makes a situation worse | The man shot himself in the foot when he refused to work the extra hours that his boss wanted him too.
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have a heart
What does "have a heart" mean? | to be a generous and forgiving person | I wish that our boss would have a heart and try to help other people.
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walk out of (something)
What does "walk out of (something)" mean? | leave suddenly | Three people walked out of the meeting yesterday.
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make a clean breast of (something)
What does "make a clean breast of (something)" mean? | get something off one's chest, confess something | I talked to my supervisor and I tried to make a clean breast of my past problems at the company.
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