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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chief
What does "chief" mean? | unofficial form of address for any Warrant Officer (CW-2 to CW-5 in the U.S. Army) |
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a kickback
What does "a kickback" mean? | money paid illegally for favorable treatment | The construction company gave the politician an illegal kickback in order to win the contract.
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g'day
What does "g'day" mean? |
idiom. hello; how are you; how's it going (abbreviated from "good day" but used in all contexts). | G'day, mate.
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bad-mouth (someone or something)
What does "bad-mouth (someone or something)" mean? | to say bad things about someone or something | The football player began to bad-mouth his coach.
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put in one's two cent's (worth)
What does "put in one's two cent's (worth)" mean? | to add one's comments to a discussion | I decided not to put in my two cents worth to the discussion about money.
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get ready
What does "get ready" mean? | to prepare yourself for something | "First I must get ready for work, then I will help you."
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make with the
What does "make with the" mean? | bring out; reveal |
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third time lucky
What does "third time lucky" mean? | the third time that you try something you will be successful | The man was third time lucky when he applied for the job at the film company and he finally got the job.
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Reading the riot act
What does "Reading the riot act" mean? | To complain or lecture loudly and with angry emotion.
| Upset about his neighbors load music at 3:00 am, Davis knocked on the door and proceeded to read the riot act.
"Reading the riot act" used to be a literal event. Bobbies in Britain used to read a prescribed proclamation, known as the Riot Act, before they could break up or arrest a crowd. The Riot Act is used in a fashion similar to the Miranda Rights in the US.
The Bobbies would approach the crowd, read the Riot Act aloud, and then disperse or arrest them. |
get the benefit of the doubt
What does "get the benefit of the doubt" mean? | to receive a decision in your favor when the evidence in neither for you nor against you | I got the benefit of the doubt when I complained about my parking ticket.
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get a raise
What does "get a raise" mean? | to get an increase in one's salary | My sister works hard and she recently got a raise in her new job.
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have the floor
What does "have the floor" mean? | to have permission to speak in a meeting | The president had the floor for almost an hour during the meeting.
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the time of one`s life
What does "the time of one`s life" mean? | a wonderful time | My cousin had the time of her life when she went to Rome last summer.
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at peace
What does "at peace" mean? | to be peaceful, to be happy | The woman was relaxed and at peace after her friend's funeral.
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