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.
.
Clear as a bell
What does Clear as a bell mean? | Clearly understood. | You don't have to repeat yourself. Your message is clear as a bell.
Bells such as the type used in churches are large and loud. Their sound can be heard from a great distance. Bells sound a single, clear note so their sound is distinctive and not easily confused.
Before electric sirens and amplification systems, bells were a valuable means of signaling people and alerting of important events like an impending attack. The bell and the message intended could be heard clearly over a large area.
Back in the 1910's, many companies were trying to get into the manufacturing and selling one the hottest items around, the phonograph. One of those companies was the Sonora Chime Company.
This company started the Sonora Phonograph Company and used "Clear as a Bell" as their slogan, touting the fidelity of their machine's sound reproduction. |
|
Some Random Idioms
| |
rophies
What does "rophies" mean? | rohypnol |
|
|
| |
a little frog in a big pond
What does "a little frog in a big pond" mean? | an unimportant person in a large group or organization | He transferred to the head office but he is a little frog in a big pond and nobody knows him now.
|
actions speak louder than words
What does "actions speak louder than words" mean? | what you do is more important than what you say | The politician promised to do many things but he never did anything. But actions speak louder than words and he lost the next election.
|
hit it off (with someone)
What does "hit it off (with someone)" mean? | get along well with someone (usually from the
beginning) | get along well with someone (usually from the beginning)I hit it off with a woman in my photography class and we have been dating for several months now.
|
eat (someone) out of house and home
What does "eat (someone) out of house and home" mean? | to eat much food in someone's home | The two teenage boys were eating their parents out of house and home.
|
a long haul
What does "a long haul" mean? | a long distance or trip | He is a long-haul trucker and is always out of town working.
|
move to (do something)
What does "move to (do something)" mean? | to propose to do something (usually at a meeting) | I moved to have another meeting next week when we can discuss the problem.
|
for the most part
What does "for the most part" mean? | mostly, in general | I was finished my work for the most part so I decided to go home.
|
|
| |
a little bird told me
What does "a little bird told me" mean? | learned from a mysterious or secret source | A little bird told me that I would be getting a nice present from my boyfriend next week.
|
jam on the brakes
What does "jam on the brakes " mean? | quickly put the brakes on in a car to stop | He jammed on the brakes and was able to avoid hitting the child.
|
school
What does "school" mean? | teach somebody something (usually said by a person in authority) |
|
laundry list
What does "laundry list" mean? | list of tasks to be done |
|
off the cuff
What does "off the cuff" mean? | to not prepare in advance what one will say | My father made a few remarks off the cuff when he was accepting the award from his company.
|
play hard to get
What does "play hard to get" mean? | to be coy and shy | The young woman was playing hard to get but actually she wanted to go on a date with the young man.
|