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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Hell in a handcart
What does Hell in a handcart mean? | If something is going to hell in a handcart, it is getting worse and worse, with no hope of stopping the decline. | After I lost my job at the plant, life went to hell in a handcart.
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Some Random Idioms
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move up (in the world)
What does "move up (in the world)" mean? | advance and become successful | The young man is working hard and is moving up in the world.
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keep body and soul together
What does "keep body and soul together" mean? | to stay alive, to survive |
The girl has been working very hard to keep body and soul together after her illness.
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in a rut
What does "in a rut" mean? | always doing the same thing | She feels that she is in a rut after doing the same job for seven years.
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schmoozer
What does "schmoozer" mean? | person who can chat or gossip effectively |
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scrounge around for (something)
What does "scrounge around for (something)" mean? | to look/search in many places for something | We did not have enough wood for the fence so we had to scrounge around the neighborhood to find some more.
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swear on a stack of Bibles
What does "swear on a stack of Bibles" mean? | to promise solemnly that what one is about to say is true | The man swore on a stack of Bibles that he did not take any money from the cash register.
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easy does it
What does "easy does it" mean? | doing something slowly or without sudden movements |
"Easy does it," I said as we moved the large piano.
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something/words to that effect
What does "something/words to that effect" mean? | something like what was just said | The apartment manager said that we could not bring a bicycle into the apartment lobby or something to that effect.
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smoke and mirrors
What does "smoke and mirrors" mean? | deception and confusion | The accounting department used a system of smoke and mirrors to hide their illegal activities.
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pump
What does "pump" mean? | heart |
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honor roll
What does "honor roll" mean? | a list of people or students with exceptional achievements |
My neighbor was on the honor roll during his last year in high school.
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blood, sweat and tears
What does "blood, sweat and tears" mean? | signs of great personal effort |
We put much blood, sweat and tears into building the house.
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play it by ear
What does "play it by ear" mean? | to decide what to do in a certain situation when you are already involved in the situation, to
not plan in advance for something, to improvise |
We can play it by ear and decide where to meet later.
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