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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Blowing smoke
What does Blowing smoke mean? | To be boasting without being able to back it up,
talking about action without intent to follow through. | Do you really want to buy this car or are you just blowing smoke?
Magicians often use smoke in their performance to obscure your view and conceal a bit of trickery.
A person who is "blowing smoke" is tricking you and attempting to cover it up. |
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Some Random Idioms
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look like (something)
What does "look like (something)" mean? | to predict something | It looks like it is going to rain this evening.
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jam
What does "jam" mean? | play musical instruments together in an improvisational style |
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as conceited as a barber's cat
What does "as conceited as a barber's cat" mean? | very conceited, vain | My friend became as conceited as a barber's cat after she won the award at school.
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PA
What does "PA" mean? | Public Address System | Public Address SystemEvery morning the children listened to the latest school information over the PA.
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with ease
What does "with ease" mean? | without effort | We were able to find a parking spot with ease before the game.
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grass is always greener on the other side
What does "grass is always greener on the other side" mean? | a place that is far away or different seems better than where we are now | The man realized that the grass is greener on the other side when he saw that his new job had many problems too.
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turf
What does "turf" mean? | transfer a patient to another service (usually to get the patient out of your service). | She got turfed up here from the ER, and now we're stuck with her.
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poles apart
What does "poles apart" mean? | to be very different, to be far from coming to an agreement | The union and management were poles apart in their attempt to reach a contract agreement.
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cash cow
What does "cash cow" mean? | good source of income |
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button one's lip
What does "button one's lip" mean? | to become quiet | I decided to button my lip rather than give my opinion of our supervisor.
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for one's (own) part
What does "for one's (own) part" mean? | from one's point of view | For my part I do not plan to help with the staff dinner.
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(live) hand-to-mouth
What does "(live) hand-to-mouth" mean? | have only enough money for basic living | He was living a hand-to-mouth existence until he was finally able to find a job.
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come on the scene
What does "come on the scene" mean? | to appear in a certain area or place | When the new DVD player came on the scene everybody wanted one.
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a hold-out
What does "a hold-out" mean? | someone who refuses to give something up, a non-conformist | He was the last hold-out in our effort to make sure that everyone wore a necktie to work.
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