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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Get the green light
What does Get the green light mean? | If you get the green light to do something, you are given the necessary permission, authorisation. |
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get the green light
What does get the green light mean? | to receive a signal to start or continue something |
We got the green light to begin a study of the security problems at our school.
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Some Random Idioms
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out of one's mind/head/senses
What does "out of one's mind/head/senses" mean? | to be crazy/irrational/silly | The woman is out of her mind and she is always doing something crazy.
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red herring
What does "red herring" mean? | something that draws attention away from the matter that is under consideration | The issue of salary is a red herring and is not related to the main issues of the negotiations.
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little pitchers have big ears
What does "little pitchers have big ears" mean? | little children often overhear things that they are not supposed to hear | "Little pitchers have big ears," the woman said when she saw her daughter standing at the door listening as she talked to her husband.
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If the cap fits, wear it
What does "If the cap fits, wear it" mean? | This idiom means that if the description is correct, then it is describing the truth, often when someone is being criticised.
('If the shoe fits, wear it' is an alternative) |
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whistle in the dark
What does "whistle in the dark" mean? | try to stay brave and forget one`s fear | Although he felt very frightened he began to whistle in the dark which helped to calm him down.
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cause tongues to wag
What does "cause tongues to wag" mean? | to give people something to gossip or talk about |
The woman caused tongues to wag when she came to the party without her husband.
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make an impression (on someone)
What does "make an impression (on someone)" mean? | produce a memorable effect on someone | The elderly man made an impression on me and I was very sad when I heard that he had died.
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foul one's own nest
What does "foul one's own nest" mean? | to harm one's own interests |
The union fouled their own nest with their dishonest behavior.
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at face value
What does "at face value" mean? | the apparent value of something, the value that is printed on a stamp or a bond |
At face value the old stamp was worth almost nothing.
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be on the rag
What does "be on the rag" mean? | be menstruating; be having one's period. | She's on the rag, so sex was out of th question.
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NASA
What does "NASA" mean? | National Aeronautics and Space Administration - the US space
organization | National Aeronautics and Space Administration - the US space organizationAccording to a spokesperson for NASA the rocket will be launched next week.
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