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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Gramps
What does Gramps mean? | Grand-father | Hey Gramps, "Will you take me fishing today?"
Grand-father is often shortened to Gran'pa or simply Gramps.
Take care not to refer to an older male in this fashion unless you have a relationship that permits this type of slang to be used or you might end up offending the older person. |
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Some Random Idioms
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ditzy
What does "ditzy" mean? | spacey; flakey; absentminded person |
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put (someone) on hold
What does "put (someone) on hold" mean? | to leave someone waiting during a telephone call | I phoned the bank and the receptionist put me on hold.
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Bite off more than you can chew
What does "Bite off more than you can chew" mean? | If you bite off more than you can chew, you take on more responsibilities than you can manage. 'Don't bite off more than you can chew' is often used to advise people against agreeing to more than they can handle. |
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putty in (someone's) hands
What does "putty in (someone's) hands" mean? | to be easily influenced by someone else | The children are like putty in the hands of the new teacher.
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keep house
What does "keep house " mean? | look after a house or a household | She has been keeping house for her father while he is sick.
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take kindly to (someone or something)
What does "take kindly to (someone or something)" mean? | to be pleased by someone or something, to be agreeable to someone or something | The man does not take kindly to people telling him how to run his business.
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taper off
What does "taper off" mean? | to come to an end little by little, to become smaller toward the end | The rain began to taper off early in the afternoon.
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stick (something) out
What does "stick (something) out" mean? | to endure/continue something | She does not like her new job but she plans to stick it out until she saves enough money to go to Europe.
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stink
What does "stink" mean? | commotion; argument; dispute |
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catch (someone) off balance
What does "catch (someone) off balance" mean? | to surprise someone who is not prepared | We were caught off balance when we discovered that our business license was no good.
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think the world of (someone or something)
What does "think the world of (someone or something)" mean? | to be very fond of someone or something | The woman thinks the world of the little girl who lives next door.
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caught in the middle/cross fire
What does "caught in the middle/cross fire" mean? | to be caught between two opposing people or groups so it is difficult to remain neutral | I was caught in the middle when my friend and his girlfriend had a big fight.
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see red
What does "see red" mean? | to become very angry | My boss saw red when I told him that I would not be coming to work today.
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