Ace Up Your Sleeve Idiom American Expressions and American Idioms

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. .

Ace up your sleeve What does Ace up your sleeve mean?	If you have an ace up your sleeve, you have something that will give you an advantage that other people don't know about.
	Some Random Idioms
put oneself in (someone) else's place What does "put oneself in (someone) else's place" mean?	to allow oneself to see or experience something from someone else's point of view	It was difficult to put myself in the woman's place after she had lost her only child.

tickle (someone's) fancy What does "tickle (someone's) fancy" mean?	to interest someone, to make someone curious	Going to the restaurant did not tickle my fancy so I decided to stay home.
cap and gown What does "cap and gown" mean?	the special cap called a mortarboard and the robe that is worn during academic ceremonies such as graduation	All of the students wore a cap and gown to the graduation ceremony.
dicey What does "dicey" mean?	uncertain; taking too much of a chance.	A: A friend of mine says I can make a lot of moneyif Ibuy stockin the XYZ company. Should I do it?
for the better What does "for the better" mean?	an improvement	It was for the better that the old hospital was closed down.
let the buyer beware (from the Latin - caveat emptor) What does "let the buyer beware (from the Latin - caveat emptor)" mean?	the buyer of something is responsible to research the quality of a purchase before buying it	The idea to let the buyer beware is important when you buy something.
clamp down on (someone or something) What does "clamp down on (someone or something)" mean?	to become strict with someone or about something	The police plan to clamp down on drivers who drive too fast.

keep one`s head above water What does "keep one`s head above water" mean?	have the ability to pay one`s bills	He is having trouble keeping his head above water since his salary decreased.
first-run What does "first-run" mean?	new, shown for the first time	There are many first-run movies that I have not seen.
keep one`s shirt on What does "keep one`s shirt on" mean?	to keep from losing one`s temper or from getting excited, to be calm or patient	"Keep your shirt on. You shouldn`t get so excited about such a small problem."
drink What does "drink" mean?	use gasoline (said of cars)
devil of a job What does "devil of a job" mean?	a very difficult job	Everybody thought that unloading the truck was a devil of a job.
cross (someone`s) mind What does "cross (someone`s) mind" mean?	to be a sudden or passing thought, to occur to someone (an idea)	It suddenly crossed my mind that the store would be closed all day on Monday.

American Idioms and Expressions

Ace Up Your Sleeve Idiom