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.... |
| Some Random Idioms
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lox What does "lox" mean? | liquid oxygen |
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got/have a thing going (with someone) What does "got/have a thing going (with someone)" mean? | engaged in an activity with someone (in romance or business) | The man has got a thing going with his neighbor.
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have one foot in the grave What does "have one foot in the grave" mean? | be near death | My uncle is very sick and has one foot in the grave.
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goober What does "goober" mean? | pimple |
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macho What does "macho" mean? | super masculine / masculine to an extreme (in
appearance and behavior). | "Her husband would never agree to help with thehousework;he's too macho to do that."
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Beyond our ken What does "Beyond our ken" mean? | If something's beyond your ken, it is beyond your understanding. |
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nine-to-five job What does "nine-to-five job" mean? | a routine job in an office that involves standard office hours (usually 9:00 AM until 5:00 PM) | My father always worked at a nine-to-five job.
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fool around What does "fool around" mean? | to spend time playing rather than working, to waste time | If the man would spend less time fooling around he would be able to get more work done.
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a pep talk What does "a pep talk" mean? | a speech to encourage people to try harder and not give up | The coach gave his team a pep talk after they lost three games last month.
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the thought that counts What does "the thought that counts" mean? | the good intentions behind an action or a gift are more important than the action or the gift itself | Although the present that the man bought for his wife was not very expensive, it was the thought that counts and his wife was very happy.
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a pillar of strength/support What does "a pillar of strength/support" mean? | someone who provides strong support for someone, a strong/powerful person | The man is a pillar of strength in the community.
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elbow room What does "elbow room" mean? | enough space to be comfortable | The couple moved to the country in order to have more elbow room.
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from now on What does "from now on" mean? | from this moment forward | From now on I will study Italian every day.
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slap (someone or something) down What does "slap (someone or something) down" mean? | to rebuke/reject someone or something | My boss slapped my proposal down soon after the meeting started.
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