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.
.
Can't hold a candle to
What does Can't hold a candle to mean? | To be far less competent or have far less skills than
someone else. | When it comes to performance, Corvette can't hold a candle to Porsche.
Before electric lights, someone performing a task in the dark needed a helper to hold a candle to provide light while the task was performed. Much as a helper might hold a flashlight today.
Holding the candle is of course the less challenging role. Someone who is not even qualified to hold the candle is much less competent than the person performing the actual task. |
|
Some Random Idioms
| |
make (someone's) head spin/swim
What does "make (someone's) head spin/swim" mean? | to confuse or overwhelm someone, to make someone dizzy | The speed of the day's events made my head spin.
|
|
| |
six feet under
What does "six feet under" mean? | dead and buried | My uncle has been six feet under for over five years now.
|
Step up to the plate
What does "Step up to the plate" mean? | If someone steps up to the plate, they take on or accept a challenge or a responsibility. |
|
Blow your stack
What does "Blow your stack" mean? | If you blow your stack, you lose your temper. |
|
dine out
What does "dine out" mean? | to eat a meal at a restaurant | I love to dine out at nice restaurants.
|
eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth
What does "eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth" mean? | a crime or injury should be paid back equally | The athlete believed in an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth and he attacked the player who had hurt him during the previous game.
|
heart is set on (something)
What does "heart is set on (something)" mean? | one desires and expects something | The boy's heart is set on getting a dog for his birthday.
|
mad as a hatter
What does "mad as a hatter" mean? | crazy | My neighbor is mad as a hatter and we never know what she will do next.
|
|
| |
send away for (something)
What does "send away for (something)" mean? | to write a letter asking for something | I sent away for some information but it has not arrived yet.
|
best bud
What does "best bud" mean? | a close friend |
|
eat one`s cake and have it too
What does "eat one`s cake and have it too" mean? | to use or spend something and still keep it, to have something both ways | The man refuses to give up anything and he always wants to eat his cake and have it too.
|
rest on one`s laurels
What does "rest on one`s laurels" mean? | to be satisfied with the success that one has already achieved | My boss is always willing to work hard and is not the type of person to rest on his laurels.
|
Hold your feet to the fire
What does "Hold your feet to the fire" mean? | To hold one accountable for a commitment, make
good on a promise. | You made a fair bet with me on the Superbowl and I am going to hold your feet to the fire for payment.
Pertains to torture used during the Crusade's. As a method for extracting confession for heresy, non-believers were positioned in a manner that allowed the inquisitor to apply flames to the feet of the accused. This was done until the accused confessed or died. |