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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Chew the fat
What does Chew the fat mean? | To talk about unimportant things. | Sit down, have a beer, and let's chew the fat.
The Inuit (different from Eskimos) used to chew on pieces of whale blubber almost like chewing gum. The blubber took quite a while to dissolve, so it just sort of helped pass the time while they were doing something else.
Some other cultures may have used bacon fat in a similar way. |
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Some Random Idioms
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as scarce as hen's teeth
What does "as scarce as hen's teeth" mean? | very scarce or nonexistent | Cheap apartment rentals are as scarce as hen's teeth in this city.
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do the honors
What does "do the honors" mean? | to perform the duty of a host (when serving a drink etc.) | "Would you like to do the honors and pour everybody a drink?"
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hang out (somewhere/with someone)
What does "hang out (somewhere/with someone)" mean? | spend one`s time with no great purpose, spend leisure time with friends | Recently my friend has been hanging out with a group of people who are not a good influence on him.
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time is a great healer
What does "time is a great healer" mean? | pain or sorrow will be less strongly felt as time passes | Time is a great healer and the parents could only hope that this was true as they tried to deal with the death of their only daughter.
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keep (something) under one`s hat
What does "keep (something) under one`s hat" mean? | keep a secret, do not tell something | He won`t say where he is going for his holiday. He wants to keep it under his hat.
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rain check
What does "rain check" mean? | a promise to repeat an invitation at a later date | I decided to take a rain check and will go to the restaurant with my friend another time.
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in round numbers/figures
What does "in round numbers/figures" mean? | an estimated number, a figure that has been rounded off | I was able to learn, in round numbers, how much it would cost to move to a larger apartment.
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Davy Jone's locker
What does "Davy Jone's locker" mean? | the bottom of the sea (as a grave) | When the boat sank all of the crew members went to Davy Jone's locker.
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turn one`s back on (someone or something)
What does "turn one`s back on (someone or something)" mean? | to refuse to help someone in trouble or need | The girl turned her back on her friend when her friend asked for help doing the homework.
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keep the wolves at bay
What does "keep the wolves at bay" mean? | to fight against some kind of trouble | The university students were angry and the administration had to work hard to keep the wolves at bay.
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hit
What does "hit" mean? | success; something approved of or highly regarded |
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in terms of (something)
What does "in terms of (something)" mean? | with regard to something | In terms of our agreement with the other company we were not allowed to sell the products online.
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nip out
What does "nip out" mean? | slip out; sneak out; leave secretly and briefly |
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