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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fish or cut bait
What does "fish or cut bait" mean? | to either do what you are supposed to do or quit and let someone else do it | It was time to fish or cut bait so I decided to let someone else handle the problem.
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not for love nor money
What does "not for love nor money" mean? | not for anything (no matter what the amount/price) | I will not meet with that woman for love nor money.
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Back foot
What does "Back foot" mean? | (UK) If you are on your back foot, you are at a disadvantage and forced to be defensive of your position. |
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No ifs or buts
What does "No ifs or buts" mean? | Ifs and Buts is a term used to describe the reasons people give for not wanting to do something. To show that you don't wish to accept any excuses, you can tell somebody that you wish to hear no ifs or buts Here IF & BUT have become nouns |
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have one's hands full with (someone or something)
What does "have one's hands full with (someone or something)" mean? | be totally occupied with someone or something | The mother has her hands full with the two young children.
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meet one's end/death
What does "meet one's end/death" mean? | die | The elderly man met his death in an accident while walking across the street.
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step right up
What does "step right up" mean? | to move forward toward someone/something | The clerk told me to step right up when I was waiting to order some food.
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kewl
What does "kewl" mean? | good; great; excellent (alternate spelling for "cool") |
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above and beyond
What does "above and beyond" mean? | to be more than is required | The work that the man did on our house was above and beyond what was required.
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invasion of privacy
What does "invasion of privacy" mean? | the act of doing something so that someone loses his or her privacy | Some people think that it is an invasion of privacy when there are video cameras in public places.
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creep up on (someone or something)
What does "creep up on (someone or something)" mean? | to crawl quietly toward someone or something | The thief crept up on the elderly woman in the supermarket.
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meet one's match
What does "meet one's match" mean? | meet one's equal | Our team met their match when they had to play the best team in the city.
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pick one's way through (something)
What does "pick one's way through (something)" mean? | to work slowly through written material | I picked my way through the material that I had to study for the exam.
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fair and square
What does "fair and square" mean? | completely fair, honestly | The British team won the game fair and square.
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