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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Crocodile tears
What does Crocodile tears mean? | Pretending to cry in an attempt to manipulate or
exploit, phony tears. | OJ gave his testimony through crocodile tears.
It was often thought that crocodiles shed tears that slid down into their mouths, moistening their food and making it easier for them to swallow. Hence the tears appear to be an expression of emotion but are in fact a means to make it easier to swallow (possibly the observer). |
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Some Random Idioms
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cross (someone's) palm with silver
What does "cross (someone's) palm with silver" mean? | to give money to someone in payment for a service | We had to cross the apartment manager's palm with silver in order to rent the apartment quickly.
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rain check
What does "rain check" mean? | a promise to repeat an invitation at a later date | I decided to take a rain check and will go to the restaurant with my friend another time.
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scarf
What does "scarf" mean? | eat greedily and quickly. | He was so hungry he scarfed the entire pizza.
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behind (someone`s) back
What does "behind (someone`s) back" mean? | without someone`s knowledge, secretly | The man is very angry because his friend borrowed his car behind his back.
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stand up for (someone or something)
What does "stand up for (someone or something)" mean? | to defend against attack, to fight for someone or something | The citizens of the town were ready to stand up for their rights.
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fix
What does "fix" mean? | bribe; money paid to effect an outcome. | The fix is in. We're sure to win.
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set up (something)
What does "set up (something)" mean? | to establish something, to provide the money for something | The newspaper company provided the money to set up the new travel magazine.
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keep one`s word
What does "keep one`s word" mean? | fulfill/keep one`s promise | She never keeps her word, so I don`t believe that she will come to the party as she said.
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Throw your toys out of the pram
What does "Throw your toys out of the pram" mean? | To make an angry protest against a relatively minor problem, in the process embarrassing the protester. The analogy is with a baby who throws toys out of the pram in order to get their parent to pay attention to them. The implication in the idiom is that the protester is acting like a baby. |
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squat
What does "squat" mean? | nothing; nothing at all |
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porky
What does "porky" mean? | fat, overweight |
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know (someone or something) like a book/like an open book
What does "know (someone or something) like a book/like an open book" mean? | know someone or something very well | I know the personality of my friend like a book.
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sell (someone) a bill of goods
What does "sell (someone) a bill of goods" mean? | to deceive someone, to get someone to believe something that is not true | I believe that the salesman sold me a bill of goods and the product does not have much value.
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in turn
What does "in turn" mean? | each following another | We went up to the front of the class in turn in order to pick up our diplomas.
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