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.
.
Give someone a run for their money
What does Give someone a run for their money mean? | If you can give someone a run for the money, you are as good, or nearly as good, as they are at something. |
|
give (someone) a run for their money
What does give (someone) a run for their money mean? | to give someone a challenge |
Our team gave the stronger team a run for their money during the championship finals.
|
give (someone) a run for their money
What does give (someone) a run for their money mean? | to give someone a challenge, to give someone what they deserve |
The young candidate for the city park board gave the more experienced candidate a run for his money during the election.
|
|
Some Random Idioms
| |
While the cat's away, the mouse will play
What does "While the cat's away, the mouse will play" mean? | People whose behaviour is strictly controlled go over the top when the authority is not around, which is why most teenagers have parties when their parents have gone on holiday. The parents are the scary authority figures, but the cat's away and the kids are the mice partying and enjoying their freedom. |
|
Scales fall from your eyes
What does "Scales fall from your eyes" mean? | When the scales fall from your eyes, you suddenly realise the truth about something. |
|
spoon-feed (someone)
What does "spoon-feed (someone)" mean? | to help someone too much when you are trying to teach him or her something |
We had to spoon-feed the new employee who we were teaching about the new computer system.
|
get a suntan
What does "get a suntan" mean? | to make your skin browner or darker by exposing it to the rays of the sun |
The girl went to the beach to get a suntan.
|
fall in love with (someone or something)
What does "fall in love with (someone or something)" mean? | to begin to love someone or something | I fell in love with the girl the first time that I saw her at the restaurant.
|
|
| |
Vent your spleen
What does "Vent your spleen" mean? | If someone vents their spleen, they release all their anger about something. |
|
Put your foot in your mouth
What does "Put your foot in your mouth" mean? | If you put your foot in your mouth, you say something stupid or embarrassing. |
|
AFK
What does "AFK" mean? | away from keyboard |
|
monkey around (with someone or something)
What does "monkey around (with someone or something)" mean? | play with or waste time with someone or something | I spent the morning monkeying around with my new computer.
|