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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Close, but no cigar
What does Close, but no cigar mean? | Nearly achieving success, but not quite. | That free throw was close, but no cigar.
Carnival games of skill, particularly shooting games, once gave out cigars as a prize. A contestant that did not quite hit the target was close, but did not get a cigar. |
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Some Random Idioms
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from dawn to dusk
What does "from dawn to dusk" mean? | from the rising of the sun to the setting of the sun | The farmworkers worked from dawn to dusk everyday in order to pick the lettuce crop.
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eary-bird special
What does "eary-bird special" mean? | meal at reduced price in a restaurant for patrons who arrive early |
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flunk out
What does "flunk out" mean? | fail a course or fail out of school | The boy was very smart but he always flunked out of his language class.
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give (someone) a blank check
What does "give (someone) a blank check" mean? | to give someone the freedom or permission to do what they think is necessary | The new coach was given a blank check by the university to try and improve the team.
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Easy peasy
What does "Easy peasy" mean? | (UK) If something is easy peasy, it is very easy indeed.
('Easy peasy, lemon squeezy' is also used.) |
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ding
What does "ding" mean? | dent; damage; bump into (something) |
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herd cats
What does "herd cats" mean? | do the impossible |
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butt in (on someone or something)
What does "butt in (on someone or something)" mean? | to interrupt someone or something | I do not like that woman because she always butts in on our conversations while we are talking.
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pie in the sky
What does "pie in the sky" mean? | an idea or plan that you think will never happen | My cousin's plans are usually pie in the sky and will never happen.
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ass
What does "ass" mean? | a person (used in reference to the entire person). | Get your ass in here right now.
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not worth a hill of beans
What does "not worth a hill of beans" mean? | worthless | The man is a liar and what he says is not worth a hill of beans.
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level with (someone)
What does "level with (someone)" mean? | be honest with someone | I tried to level with my friend and tell her what I thought about her new hairstyle.
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spread like wildfire
What does "spread like wildfire" mean? | to spread rapidly and without control | The panic over the bad drinking water spread like wildfire throughout the city.
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