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.
.
Down to the short strokes What does Down to the short strokes mean? | Approaching the end of a long process. | Building a house is a long ordeal. Just when you think you are down to the short strokes something unexpected comes up. When a golfer begins at the tee, he hits the ball towards the green by driving, or using a long stroke. When the ball is on the green, he must get the ball in the hole by putting - or taking "short" strokes. |
| Some Random Idioms
| |
scorcher What does "scorcher" mean? | very hot, sunny day |
|
|
| |
shell out money What does "shell out money" mean? | to pay money | I shelled out much money for the new stereo.
|
on any account What does "on any account" mean? | for any purpose, for any reason | I am not going to talk to that woman on any account.
|
slammer What does "slammer" mean? | prison; jail |
|
stand out What does "stand out" mean? | to be more noticeable than those around you | He likes to wear clothes that make him stand out from the crowd.
|
vicious circle What does "vicious circle" mean? | unbroken sequence of cause and effect with bad results | He had fallen into a vicious circle of drinking too much and then losing his job and then drinking even more.
|
All hat, no cattle What does "All hat, no cattle" mean? | When someone talks big, but cannot back it up, they are all hat, no cattle.('Big hat, no cattle' is also used.) |
|
have a good eye for (something) What does "have a good eye for (something)" mean? | to be able to judge something correctly, to have good taste in something | The woman has a good eye for color and her apartment is beautiful.
|
|
| |
all to the good What does "all to the good" mean? | for the best, for one's benefit | It was all to the good that my sister left her job.
|
twenty-four/seven (24/7) What does "twenty-four/seven (24/7)" mean? | all the time; 24 hours a day, 7 days a week |
|
fall head over heels in love with (someone) What does "fall head over heels in love with (someone)" mean? | to fall deeply in love with someone | The girl fell head over heels in love with the boy on the basketball team.
|
make a pass at (someone) What does "make a pass at (someone)" mean? | make romantic advances to someone | The man was fired because he made a pass at one of the women who he works with.
|
Amped-out What does "Amped-out" mean? | fatigue after using amphetamine |
|
eleventh-hour decision What does "eleventh-hour decision" mean? | a decision that is made at the last possible minute | The government made an eleventh-hour decision to save the hospital.
|