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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sit on its/their hands
What does "sit on its/their hands" mean? | an audience refuses to applaud | The members of the audience sat on their hands after the performance by the singer.
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like a bump on a log
What does "like a bump on a log" mean? | unresponsive | The boy spent the morning at home like a bump on a log.
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at a loss
What does "at a loss" mean? | at less than the cost, at a financial loss |
The store was selling things at a loss so the prices were very low.
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re-up
What does "re-up" mean? | reenlist. | He re-upped? I thought he wanted out of the army.
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wide of the mark
What does "wide of the mark" mean? | far from the target, incorrect | His ideas for the company are wide of the mark from what everybody expected.
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after a fashion
What does "after a fashion" mean? | poorly, barely adequate |
The cleaning staff cleaned the lunchroom after a fashion but not very well.
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gat
What does "gat" mean? | gun; firearm |
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scriptkiddy
What does "scriptkiddy" mean? | young, inexperienced hacker with little programming ability who uses other's code for their own malicious purposes |
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trip the light fantastic
What does "trip the light fantastic" mean? | to go dancing | "It`s Friday night so let`s go downtown and trip the light fantastic."
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come into (some money)
What does "come into (some money)" mean? | to get possession of some money, to inherit some money |
The man came into much money which he later donated to charity.
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play innocent
What does "play innocent" mean? | to pretend to be innocent and not concerned about something | The little boy played innocent when the teacher asked him about the broken window.
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put on a performance/play
What does "put on a performance/play" mean? | to produce or arrange a play or other performance | My sister helped put on the school play.
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