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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Horse of a different color
What does Horse of a different color mean? | Unlike the subject at hand. | Bush and Reagan are both credible, but Clinton is a horse of a different color.
Horses are registered at birth and the registration includes a record of their color. When a horse trades hands due to sale, the registration is also transferred. Sometimes the color recorded on the registration may not match the actual color of the horse leading one to suspect the horse is not the one in the registration.
Horses sometimes change color as they age, just as some people's hair changes color. More likely the horse is not the one represented on the registration but is actually an entirely different horse. |
horse of a different color
What does horse of a different color mean? | something totally separate and different | I know that our boss would like to discuss that issue now but it is a horse of a different color and we should discuss it at another time.
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horse of a different color
What does horse of a different color mean? | something totally separate and different |
I know that our boss would like to discuss that issue now but it is a horse of a different color and we should discuss it at another time.
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Some Random Idioms
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keep the wolf from the door
What does "keep the wolf from the door" mean? | maintain oneself at a basic level | My job pays just enough money to keep the wolf from the door.
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John Henry/John Hancock
What does "John Henry/John Hancock" mean? | one's signature | "Please sign your John Henry here and we will process your order right away."
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lock, stock, and barrel
What does "lock, stock, and barrel" mean? | everything | The small corner store went out of business and sold everything lock, stock, and barrel.
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live off the fat of the land
What does "live off the fat of the land" mean? | grow and live on one's own food | The early pioneers went to the mountain valley and were able to live off the fat of the land.
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account for (something)
What does "account for (something)" mean? | to provide an answer/explanation for something |
The bad weather accounts for the fact that only a few people came to the meeting.
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like shooting fish in a barrel
What does "like shooting fish in a barrel" mean? | one side in a competition is so weak that they have no chance of winning |
The contest was like shooting fish in a barrel. It was very easy to win.
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banana
What does "banana" mean? | Asian person who adopts the lifestyle, attitudes, and such of White people |
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clear the table
What does "clear the table" mean? | to remove the dishes and eating utensils from a table |
After we finished eating we cleared the table.
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go belly up
What does "go belly up" mean? | to go out of business because of financial problems |
The small computer company went belly up several months ago.
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base one's opinion on (something)
What does "base one's opinion on (something)" mean? | to form an opinion from something |
I based my opinion on the man's previous work and decided not to give him a job.
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add fuel to the fire
What does "add fuel to the fire" mean? | to make a problem worse, to make an angry person more angry |
The company added fuel to the fire when they criticized the workers.
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