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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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. |
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Some Random Idioms
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scorcher
What does "scorcher" mean? | very hot, sunny day |
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shell out money
What does "shell out money" mean? | to pay money | I shelled out much money for the new stereo.
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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.
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slammer
What does "slammer" mean? | prison; jail |
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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.
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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.
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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.) |
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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.
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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.
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twenty-four/seven (24/7)
What does "twenty-four/seven (24/7)" mean? | all the time; 24 hours a day, 7 days a week |
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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.
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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.
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Amped-out
What does "Amped-out" mean? | fatigue after using amphetamine |
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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.
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