Grey Cardinal Idiom American Expressions and American Idioms

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. .

Grey Cardinal What does Grey Cardinal mean?	Someone who is a Grey Cardinal exerts power behind the scenes, without drawing attention to himself or herself.
	Some Random Idioms
jump start What does "jump start" mean?	starting one car by using power (via jumper cables) from another car
dish out (criticism) What does "dish out (criticism)" mean?	to criticize someone roughly, to treat someone roughly	Our supervisor likes to dish out criticism to others but he does not like to hear criticism about himself.
pay (someone) a left-handed compliment What does "pay (someone) a left-handed compliment" mean?	to give someone a false compliment that is actually an insult	The service at the store was poor so the customer paid the clerk a left-handed compliment.
a fine kettle of fish What does "a fine kettle of fish" mean?	a situation that is not satisfactory, a mess	"This is a fine kettle of fish. Now I will be late for the next meeting."
bird in hand is worth two in the bush What does "bird in hand is worth two in the bush" mean?	do not risk losing something that you have by trying to get something that is not certain	"You should accept the job offer with the lower salary now rather than waiting for a better job. Remember that a bird in hand is worth two in the bush."
ring true What does "ring true" mean?	to sound or seem true or likely	The predictions by the scientists are beginning to ring true.
bounceback What does "bounceback" mean?	patient who repeatedly returns to the hospital

Oldest trick in the book What does "Oldest trick in the book" mean?	The oldest trick in the book is a well-known way of deceiving someone, though still effective.
back to square one What does "back to square one" mean?	to go back to the beginning of something	The city went back to square one in their effort to build a new bridge.
sink one's teeth into (something) What does "sink one's teeth into (something)" mean?	to take a bite of some kind of food, to get really involved in something	I am trying hard to sink my teeth into the project at work.
screw What does "screw" mean?	person available for sex
fast mover What does "fast mover" mean?	high-speed aircraft or ground vehicles

American Idioms and Expressions

Grey Cardinal Idiom