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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roll in
What does "roll in" mean? | to arrive in great numbers or quantity | The money has been rolling in since we started the new franchise.
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school of thought
What does "school of thought" mean? | a particular way or a philosophy of thinking about something | There are many schools of thought related to the different ways to learn a foreign language.
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vote with one's feet
What does "vote with one's feet" mean? | to express one's dissatisfaction with something by leaving or walking away | The students were voting with their feet when they began to withdraw from the science course.
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take hold of (someone or something)
What does "take hold of (someone or something)" mean? | to get in control of someone or something | Something seemed to take hold of the man and he began to act very strange.
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shoot up (someone or something)
What does "shoot up (someone or something)" mean? | to shoot at someone or something recklessly | In many western movies the outlaws come into town and shoot up everything.
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packed in like sardines
What does "packed in like sardines" mean? | packed very tightly, very crowded | We were packed in like sardines during the morning commute in the train.
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let (something) go
What does "let (something) go" mean? | pay no attention to something, neglect something | She seems to be letting her appearance go since she lost her job.
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hold a grudge against (someone)
What does "hold a grudge against (someone)" mean? | not forgive someone for something | He has been holding a grudge against the company manager for many years.
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butthole
What does "butthole" mean? | anus |
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bandit
What does "bandit" mean? | hostile aircraft |
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come to the point
What does "come to the point" mean? | to be direct | His speech was interesting but he never really came to the point.
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on (someone's) shoulders
What does "on (someone's) shoulders" mean? | someone's responsibility | I don't want to have the failure of the project on my shoulders.
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to a fault
What does "to a fault" mean? | to do something so very well or to be something so good that it is almost bad | My friend is honest to a fault and will not say anything unless it is the absolute truth.
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