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. |
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Some Random Idioms
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double-talk
What does "double-talk" mean? | talk or words that appear to mean something but do not | The speaker gave the audience much double-talk and nobody knew what he wanted to say.
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beat the gun
What does "beat the gun" mean? | do something before the ending signal of a game
etc. | do something before the ending signal of a game etc.We were able to beat the gun and applied before the final deadline to get the free basketball tickets.
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Indian summer
What does "Indian summer" mean? | If there is a period of warmer weather in late autumn, it is an Indian summer. |
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take in (something)
What does "take in (something)" mean? | to grasp something with the mind | The course was very difficult but I tried to take in as much as possible.
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go toe-to-toe with (someone)
What does "go toe-to-toe with (someone)" mean? | to try hard to beat someone in a fight/competition/argument | Our lawyer went toe-to-toe with the lawyer from the other side.
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Words fail me
What does "Words fail me" mean? | If words fail you, you can't find the words to express what you are trying to say. |
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grit
What does "grit" mean? | verve; courage. | "True Grit" (movie title). 2. Show some grit and fight.
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gravy train
What does "gravy train" mean? | a job or some work that pays more than it is worth | For many years my father's job was a gravy train but now the company has become very strict about paying extra money.
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stark raving mad
What does "stark raving mad" mean? | to be completely crazy | The woman who lives next door is stark raving mad.
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have one's finger in the pie
What does "have one's finger in the pie" mean? | to be involved in something | The man has his finger in the pie of everything at his workplace.
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talk down to (someone)
What does "talk down to (someone)" mean? | to use words or ideas that make you seem smarter or better than others | I do not like that woman because she is always talking down to the people around her.
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turn (something) to good account
What does "turn (something) to good account" mean? | to make good use of a situation/experience | We were able to turn our experience with the income tax office to good account when we began to look at our business practices.
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