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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Eyes are bigger than your stomach What does Eyes are bigger than your stomach mean? | When a person wants more than is good for
them. | Be careful not to pile the food up too high on your plate. I think your eyes are bigger than your stomach and you'll have to throw much of it away. A person seeing a table piled high with sumptuous food has a tendency to get too many and/or too large a portion. Since the problem is brought on by the eyes and a lack of reason, the person is portrayed a one whose eyes are bigger than their stomach. This statement can indicate that a person is immature or greedy. One who is not in control of wants, feelings, or emotions. One who does not consider the needs or feelings of those around them. |
| Some Random Idioms
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CBNC What does "CBNC" mean? | close but not cigar |
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He who pays the piper calls the tune What does "He who pays the piper calls the tune" mean? | the person who pays for something has control over how the money is used | He who pays the piper calls the tune and the owner of the sports team can decide who will play on the team.
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have to live with (something) What does "have to live with (something)" mean? | have to endure something | Although the house is very cold we will have to live with it.
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fall back What does "fall back" mean? | to move back, to go back | The runner fell back from the other runners during the race.
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WC What does "WC" mean? | Water Closet - toilet | Water Closet - toiletAs soon as we entered the park we went directly to the sign that said WC.
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blue in the face What does "blue in the face" mean? | to be very angry or upset, to be excited and emotional | The man argued with the supervisor until he was blue in the face.
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off the wall What does "off the wall" mean? | to be odd/silly/unusual | The recent remarks by our boss were very much off the wall.
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even steven What does "even steven" mean? | even with (someone or something) | Both teams were even steven by the middle of the game.
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rhyme or reason What does "rhyme or reason" mean? | a good plan or reason, a reasonable purpose or explanation (usually used in negative/interrogative/conditional sentences) | There was no rhyme or reason as to why my friend suddenly decided to quit his job.
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hands down What does "hands down" mean? | easily, unopposed | I won the election hands down for the position of class president.
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eager beaver What does "eager beaver" mean? | someone who works very hard and is very enthusiastic | The young girl was an eager beaver and always came to class before the other students.
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lay (something) on the line What does "lay (something) on the line" mean? | speak directly and firmly about something | The librarian finally had to lay it on the line and told everyone not to bring drinks into the library.
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chow What does "chow" mean? |
idiom. good-bye (from Italian). | I'm off now, chow.
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to head up What does "to head up" mean? | to be at the head of (a group), a leader | The president headed up a group of people going overseas to promote trade.
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