American Idioms and Expressions

If It Ain't Broke, Don't Fix It Idiom

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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If it ain't broke, don't fix it
What does If it ain't broke, don't fix it mean?		 Any attempt to improve on a system that already works is pointless and may even hurt it.

Some Random Idioms
look down one`s nose at (someone)
What does "look down one`s nose at (someone)" mean?		 to look at someone with contempt or dislike, to feel that you are better than someone elseThe girl looks down her nose at people who she thinks are not as smart as she is.
X factor
What does "X factor" mean?		 The dangers for people in the military that civilians do not face, for which they receive payment, are known as the X factor.
cry one's eyes out
What does "cry one's eyes out" mean?		to cry very hard The little girl cried her eyes out when she lost her favorite doll.

decide in favor of (someone or something)
What does "decide in favor of (someone or something)" mean?		 to determine the winner of something, to decide who is right The city decided in favor of building a new bridge over the river.

split up
What does "split up" mean?		 to separateThey seemed like a nice couple but they suddenly decided to split up last month.
You scratch my back and I'll scratch yours.
What does "You scratch my back and I'll scratch yours." mean?		 if you do me a favor then I will do you a favor "You scratch my back and I'll scratch yours," is a common expression in the construction industry.

Blood Idioms

cause a stir
What does "cause a stir" mean?		 to cause people to become agitated and alarmed about somethingThe soccer player caused a stir when he began to criticize the referee.
put words into (someone`s) mouth
What does "put words into (someone`s) mouth" mean?		 to speak for another person without permissionMy boss put words into my mouth when he told me what he thought I wanted to do.
pull (some) strings
What does "pull (some) strings" mean?		 to secretly use influence and powerOur boss was able to pull some strings and get his son a job for the summer.
eat one`s words
What does "eat one`s words" mean?		 to admit being wrong in something that one has said The worker was forced to eat his words after his boss proved that he was wrong.

fall head over heels
What does "fall head over heels" mean?		 to fall down The little boy fell head over heels down the hillside.

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