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 wire
What does Down to the wire mean? | Undecided until the end, at the last minute | We almost missed our flight, it came right down to the wire. The traffic on the way to the airport was horrible and we had to run to our gate.
This phrase refers to races where the winner is determined by whoever crosses the finish line first. Think of horse racing and foot races. A string is stretched across the finish to help the judges see clearly who crosses first in a close race. That string is called the wire or tape, the winner is the one who breaks the wire first.
The "wire" is actually string, tape, or paper and not a metal wire at all. No need to be concerned about those horses tripping and getting themselves caught in the wire. |
down to the wire
What does down to the wire mean? | to be nearing a deadline, to be running out of time | We went down to the wire but we were able to finish the job on time.
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down to the wire
What does down to the wire mean? | near a deadline, with little time remaining | They were down to the wire but the two sides finally agreed to a new contract.
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down to the wire
What does down to the wire mean? | at the very last minute (from the wire at the end of a horse
race) | at the very last minute (from the wire at the end of a horse race)The election went down to the wire but in the end the President was re-elected to another term in office.
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down to the wire
What does down to the wire mean? | at the very last moment, very close to the time when something is due (from the wire at the end of a horse race) |
The election went down to the wire but the candidate was re-elected to another term in office.
We went down to the wire but we were able to finish the project on time.
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down to the wire
What does down to the wire mean? | near a deadline, with little time remaining |
They went down to the wire but the two sides finally agreed to a new contract.
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down to the wire
What does down to the wire mean? | at the very last moment, very close to the time when something is due (from the wire at the end of a horse race) |
The election went down to the wire but the candidate was re-elected to another term in office.
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Some Random Idioms
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set the world on fire
What does "set the world on fire" mean? | to do something outstanding, to do something that makes one famous | The author has not been able to set the world on fire with his writing but he is trying very hard.
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flaky
What does "flaky" mean? | spacey; absentminded; unreliable |
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in one's spare time
What does "in one's spare time" mean? | in one's free time | My cousin likes to fix old clocks in his spare time.
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get the picture
What does "get the picture" mean? | to understand the whole situation | I did not get the picture of what my friend was saying about his new girlfriend.
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step down from (a job/position)
What does "step down from (a job/position)" mean? | to leave an important position | My father recently stepped down from his job as president of his company.
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wack off
What does "wack off" mean? | masturbate (men only) |
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high
What does "high" mean? | intoxicated from alcohol or drugs |
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knock down the price of (something)
What does "knock down the price of (something)" mean? | to decrease a price | The department store has knocked down the price of many of their products.
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