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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Don't look a gift horse in the mouth
What does Don't look a gift horse in the mouth mean? | Do not be critical of a gift. | Okay, so the '72 Gremlin grandma gave you is not your idea of a babe magnet, but it was free - so don't look a gift horse in the mouth.
Horses have gum lines that recede with age. Hence older horses have longer teeth than young horses.
To "look a horse in the mouth" is to examine the horse's mouth closely to determine its age (and therefore its usefulness and/or worth). To immediately judge a gift based on its worth or usefulness rather than the "thought" behind it considered rude, and ungrateful (it is a gift after all, and didn't cost the receiver anything).
The phrase is apparently quite old, a Latin version of it appeared in a work by St. Jerome in 420 AD, and it also exists in many languages. An Early english version (1510 AD) appears in John Standbridge's "Vulgari Standbrigi": "A gyuen hors may not (be) loked in the tethe." |
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Some Random Idioms
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be that as it may
What does "be that as it may" mean? | even if what you say is true |
"Be that as it may, we are not going to permit the school dance to take place."
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binge and purge
What does "binge and purge" mean? | to overeat and then to vomit | The young woman had eating problems and she would often binge and purge her food.
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get down to brass tacks
What does "get down to brass tacks" mean? | to begin discussing/doing something immediately | "Let`s get down to brass tacks and finish this job quickly."
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feast one's eyes on (someone or something)
What does "feast one's eyes on (someone or something)" mean? | to look at someone or something with pleasure |
We stood at the top of the canyon to feast our eyes on the most beautiful scenery in the world.
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play one's ace
What does "play one's ace" mean? | to use one's best resources (the ace is the most powerful card), to use all of one's power | I played my ace when I asked my boss for more money.
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quiet as a mouse
What does "quiet as a mouse" mean? | very quiet, shy and silent | The little boy was quiet as a mouse as he moved around the kitchen.
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Agony aunt
What does "Agony aunt" mean? | An agony aunt is a newspaper columnist who gives advice to people having problems, especially personal ones. |
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know all the tricks of the trade
What does "know all the tricks of the trade" mean? | possess the skills and knowledge necessary to do something | My cousin knows all the tricks of the trade and is a very good plumber.
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lead (someone) to believe (something)
What does "lead (someone) to believe (something)" mean? | imply something to someone | The salesman led me to believe that he would be able to deliver the product within a week.
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tapped out
What does "tapped out" mean? | tired; fatigued; exhausted |
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easy come, easy go
What does "easy come, easy go" mean? | something that you easily acquire may be easily spent/lost/wasted | The man always found a new job easily but then he would often quit the job quickly. For him it was always easy come, easy go.
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