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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Cold turkey
What does Cold turkey mean? | To quit something abruptly. | You will not lose weight until you give up chocolate, and I suggest you go cold turkey.
The expression originates from the goose bumps and palor which accompany withdrawal from narcotics or tobacco. One's skin resembles that of a plucked, cold turkey.... |
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Some Random Idioms
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crack down on (someone or something)
What does "crack down on (someone or something)" mean? | enforce a rule or law more strictly | The police recently decided to crack down on speeding cars.
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cover one`s tracks
What does "cover one`s tracks" mean? | to hide where one has been, to hide what one has done | The man was trying to cover his tracks but it was easy to see where he had been.
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head over heels in debt
What does "head over heels in debt" mean? | to be deeply in debt | My cousin is head over heels in debt and has no money at all.
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(not) bat an eye/eyelid
What does "(not) bat an eye/eyelid" mean? | to show no surprise or reaction even when something bad happens | Our boss did not bat an eye when we told him that we were going home early today.
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these things are sent to try us
What does "these things are sent to try us" mean? | some difficulties appear in order to test our courage or patience | The woman had very strong religious beliefs and although she faced many difficulties, she believed that those things were sent to try her and she continued on.
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feed one's face
What does "feed one's face" mean? | to eat | We stopped at the small restaurant to feed our face.
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C/O
What does "C/O" mean? | Care Of - used when you want to send something to someone at
the address of another person | Care Of - used when you want to send something to someone at the address of another personI didn't know my friend's address so I sent a letter to him C/O another friend of mine.
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keep one`s mouth shut
What does "keep one`s mouth shut" mean? | to be/stay silent | I tried hard to keep my mouth shut during the boring speech.
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hang in the balance
What does "hang in the balance" mean? | be in an undecided state | The future of the criminal was hanging in the balance as he waited for the judge's decision.
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on a par with
What does "on a par with" mean? | equal in importance or quality to something or someone (par is
the usual number of strokes that are needed to get around a golf
course) | equal in importance or quality to something or someone (par is the usual number of strokes that are needed to get around a golf course)The recent scandal involving steroids in sports was on a par with other major scandals of several decades ago.
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Have your fill
What does "Have your fill" mean? | If you have had your fill, you are fed up of somebody or something. |
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drop the ball
What does "drop the ball" mean? | blunder; fail |
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get off the hook
What does "get off the hook" mean? | to become free from an obligation | I got off the hook and I did not have to clean the classroom after school.
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