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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Crossing the Rubicon
What does Crossing the Rubicon mean? | When a decisive and irrevocable step has been taken.
To commit to a given course of action that permits no return is to cross the Rubicon. | Paul knew he had passed the Rubicon when he wrote the deposit check for the hall for the wedding reception.
The actual Rubicon is a river in Northern Italy that flows into the Adriatic Sea. It is 15 miles (24 kilometers) long. The river is renowned because Julius Caesar prompted a three year civil war when he crossed this river in 49 B.C. to march against Pompey. Julius knew that "crossing the Rubicon" with his army in tact would be considered an act of aggression.
Using the word Rubicon as a figurative boundary, limiting action was first seen in the 1600s. |
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Some Random Idioms
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hold out on (someone)
What does "hold out on (someone)" mean? | refuse to give something to someone, refuse to agree | The players are holding out on the owners and will not sign their contract.
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lay one's hands on (someone)
What does "lay one's hands on (someone)" mean? | do violence to someone, harm/hurt someone | The man said that if he ever lays hands on the person who stole his car he will take him directly to the police.
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Fair shake of the whip
What does "Fair shake of the whip" mean? | If everybody has a fair shake of the whip, they all have equal opportunities to do something. |
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shove one's way somewhere
What does "shove one's way somewhere" mean? | to make a path through a crowd by pushing | We shoved our way into the department store for the big sale.
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book
What does "book" mean? | leave; go; depart. | Gotta book, I'm meeting some friends soon.
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have been had
What does "have been had" mean? | have been cheated, deceived, or fooled |
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hold back (someone)
What does "hold back (someone)" mean? | prevent someone from doing something | The police officers tried to hold back the angry woman.
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let the chance slip by
What does "let the chance slip by" mean? | lose the opportunity for something | My coworker let the chance slip by to learn a lot from his old job.
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go through with (something)
What does "go through with (something)" mean? | to finish something, to do something as planned or agreed | My friend has decided to go through with his plans to finish university.
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hang up (something)
What does "hang up (something)" mean? | place something on a hook/peg/hangar | Everyone was forced to hang up their jackets before they entered the room.
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honkie
What does "honkie" mean? | white (Caucasian) |
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let (someone) off (easy)
What does "let (someone) off (easy)" mean? | release someone with little or no punishment | The judge let the man off easy because he seemed to be sincere in his apology for his crime.
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excellent
What does "excellent" mean? | good, great, terrific |
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