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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Cat bird seat
What does Cat bird seat mean? | A highly advantaged position, to have it all. | Some might describe Bill Gates as sitting in the cat bird seat.
Mocking birds are sometimes referred to as cat birds. Mocking birds typically sit at the top of a tree. Hence the cat bird seat is at the top. |
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Some Random Idioms
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get one's hands on (someone or something)
What does "get one's hands on (someone or something)" mean? | to find someone or something (that may be difficult to find) | I am trying hard to get my hands on a new gas tank for the camping stove.
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get an earful
What does "get an earful" mean? | to hear much talk/criticism/complaints about something | Our boss got an earful when he asked the employees if they had any complaints.
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on the verge of (doing something)
What does "on the verge of (doing something)" mean? | to be just about to do something | I was on the verge of quitting my job when I suddenly changed my mind.
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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.
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strike a bargain
What does "strike a bargain" mean? | to reach an agreement on a price for something | I was able to strike a bargain with my neighbor to buy his car.
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Walk the green mile
What does "Walk the green mile" mean? | Someone or something that is walking the green mile is heading towards the inevitable. |
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run up against (something)
What does "run up against (something)" mean? | to encounter something | The city ran up against many problems when they were building the freeway.
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two wrongs don't make a right
What does "two wrongs don't make a right" mean? | you cannot justify doing something wrong or bad just because someone else did the same thing to you | Two wrongs don't make a right and if someone does something bad you should not try and hurt them as well.
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go Dutch
What does "go Dutch" mean? | to each pay for themselves (used for two people) | We always go Dutch when we go on a date.
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on call
What does "on call" mean? | to be available to be called to go to work | His job is to repair computers and he is always on call.
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get one's fill of (someone or something)
What does "get one's fill of (someone or something)" mean? | to receive enough of someone or something | Recently, I have got my fill of fresh corn and I do not want to eat any more.
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see through (someone or something)
What does "see through (someone or something)" mean? | to understand someone`s true character or motivation, to understand the real reason for something | I could easily see through the supervisor's attempt to fire the woman from her job.
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in custody of (someone or something)
What does "in custody of (someone or something)" mean? | being looked after by someone or something, under guard by someone | The child was placed in custody of the state while her mother got treatment for her substance abuse problem.
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tip the scales at (something)
What does "tip the scales at (something)" mean? | to weigh a certain amount | The wrestler tipped the scales at over 200 kilograms.
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