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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Hold your feet to the fire
What does Hold your feet to the fire mean? | To hold one accountable for a commitment, make
good on a promise. | You made a fair bet with me on the Superbowl and I am going to hold your feet to the fire for payment.
Pertains to torture used during the Crusade's. As a method for extracting confession for heresy, non-believers were positioned in a manner that allowed the inquisitor to apply flames to the feet of the accused. This was done until the accused confessed or died. |
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Some Random Idioms
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hide one's face in shame
What does "hide one's face in shame" mean? | cover one's face because of shame or embarrassment | The man wanted to hide his face in shame after he lost his job.
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Beauty is in the eye of the beholder
What does "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder" mean? | Beauty is in the eye of the beholder means that different people will find different things beautiful and that the differences of opinion don't matter greatly. |
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dog dags
What does "dog dags" mean? | very hot, sunny days in August |
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no-brainer
What does "no-brainer" mean? | to be easy to do or understand and not need much intelligence | It is a no-brainer that if you do not study then your marks will not be good.
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keep (someone) on tenterhooks
What does "keep (someone) on tenterhooks" mean? | keep someone anxious or in suspense | I was kept on tenterhooks as I waited to hear the results of my exam.
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born with a silver spoon in one`s mouth
What does "born with a silver spoon in one`s mouth" mean? | to be born to wealth and comfort, to be born rich | The boy was born with a silver spoon in his mouth and he has never worked in his life.
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game that two can play
What does "game that two can play" mean? | a good or bad strategy that two competing sides can both use | The insults from my friend are a game that two can play and if she wants to continue then so can I.
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Under someone's heel
What does "Under someone's heel" mean? | If you are under someone's heel, they have complete control over you. |
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a hard-and-fast rule
What does "a hard-and-fast rule" mean? | a rule that cannot be altered to fit special cases | There is no hard-and-fast rule that says you can`t use a cellular phone in the train.
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goofy
What does "goofy" mean? | silly; inanely |
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uptight
What does "uptight" mean? | nervous; anxious; edgy |
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say grace
What does "say grace" mean? | to say a prayer of thanks before or after a meal | The bride's father was asked to say grace before the wedding banquet.
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