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.
.
Corner a market
What does Corner a market mean? | If a business is dominant in an area and unlikely to be challenged by other companies, it has cornered the market. |
|
|
Some Random Idioms
| |
buy a lemon
What does "buy a lemon" mean? | to buy something that is worthless or does not work well |
The used car that I bought is not very good. I think that I bought a lemon.
|
|
| |
not for anything in the world
What does "not for anything in the world" mean? | not for anything | I will not for anything in the world go to the restaurant with that woman.
|
spin (something) off
What does "spin (something) off" mean? | to create something as a by-product of something else | The computer company plans to spin off some new products from their original invention.
|
keep the wolf from the door
What does "keep the wolf from the door" mean? | to earn enough money to maintain oneself at a minimal level of existence | The job does not pay very well but it is enough to keep the wolf from the door.
|
The smoking lamp is out
What does "The smoking lamp is out" mean? | No smoking! | California is a strange place. In restaurants and bars the smoking lamp is out, but in the cannabis buyers club you can smoke all you like.
The smoking lamp probably came into use during the 16th Century when seamen began smoking on board vessels. The lamp was used to light the smoke before matches were invented.
The smoking lamp was also a safety measure. It was devised mainly to keep the fire hazard away from highly combustible woodwork and gunpowder.
Most navies established regulations restricting smoking to certain areas on board. Usually, the lamp was located in the forecastle or the area directly surrounding the galley indicting that smoking was permitted in this area. |
Cut from the same cloth
What does "Cut from the same cloth" mean? | To be similar, usually in terms of behavior. | You and your father are cut from the same cloth; fat, drunk, and stupid is no way to go through life son.
If you're making a suit, the jacket and trousers should be cut from the same piece of cloth to ensure a perfect match, since there may be differences in color, weave etc. between batches of fabric. Only if the whole suite is cut from the same piece of cloth can we be sure of the match. |
boogie
What does "boogie" mean? | dance in a particular style |
|
get a run for one's money
What does "get a run for one's money" mean? | to receive a challenge, to receive what one deserves | The man got a run for his money when he decided to volunteer for the cleaning project.
|
a rain check
What does "a rain check" mean? | a free ticket to an event that replaces a ticket that was cancelled because of rain or for some other reason | We received a rain check for the concert that was suddenly cancelled.
|