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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wanabe
What does "wanabe" mean? | somebody who aspires to greatness or to a particular position or achievement |
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a play-by-play description
What does "a play-by-play description" mean? | a description of an event as it is taking place | The announcer gave a play-by-play description of the championship game.
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Across the ditch
What does "Across the ditch" mean? | (NZ) This idiom means on the other side of the Tasman Sea, used to refer to Australia or New Zealand depending on the speaker's location. |
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give a shit
What does "give a shit" mean? | care; have an interest in (usually used with a negative connotation). | Like I give a shit. 2. I don't give a shit.
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roger
What does "roger" mean? | understood (used primarily for radio communication) |
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thing
What does "thing" mean? | activity; undertaking (used after a noun to emphasize the particular nature of the noun or create a general idea about that noun). | It's a girl thing; you wouldn't understand.
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Dress to kill
What does "Dress to kill" mean? | When someone is dressed to kill, they are dressed very smartly. |
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baster baby
What does "baster baby" mean? | baby resulting from artificial insemination |
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single digit midget
What does "single digit midget" mean? | solider with less than ten days left in a combat zone |
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inside track
What does "inside track" mean? | an advantage, shortest distance around a racetrack | I think that he has the inside track on getting the new job at the computer company.
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make a night/evening of (doing something)
What does "make a night/evening of (doing something)" mean? | do something for the entire night/evening | We decided to stay home and make a night of playing cards.
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Tread water
What does "Tread water" mean? | If someone is treading water, they are making no progress. |
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