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.
.
In the country of the BLIND, the ONE-EYED man is KING
What does In the country of the BLIND, the ONE-EYED man is KING mean? | A man of even limited ability is at a great advantage in
the company of those less able. | It doesn't matter if you don't completely understand how the Internet works! You know more than anyone else here. So, in the land of the blind, the one-eyed man is king.
An English proverb cited by John Ray in 1678 tells us that "a man were better be half blind than have both eyes out." Not only would he be able to avoid the ditch (fallen into by the blind leading the blind), he might find himself in a position if leadership. "In the kingdom of the blind, the one-eyed man is king" is quoted in Erasmus' "Adagia," in 1536. We also see it in John Palsgrave's translation of the "Comedy of Acolastus." In 1522, in his "Why Come Yet Not to Court?" John Skelton tells us that: "an one eyed man is Well sighted when is is amonge blynde men." |
|
Some Random Idioms
| |
as red as a ruby
What does "as red as a ruby" mean? | deep red | The office assistant was wearing lipstick that was as red as a ruby.
|
|
| |
cushy
What does "cushy" mean? | easy; soft; pleasant |
|
Both ends meet
What does "Both ends meet" mean? | If you make both ends meet, you live off the money you earn and don't go into debt. |
|
stick around
What does "stick around" mean? | to stay or wait nearby for something | We decided to stick around after the game and talk for awhile.
|
number one
What does "number one" mean? | urination (used mostly by and about children). | Mom, I gotta go number one real bad.
|
have a/the right to do something
What does "have a/the right to do something" mean? | have the freedom to do something | The apartment manager does not have the right to tell the tenants when they must leave the building.
|
|
| |
bright-eyed and bushy-tailed
What does "bright-eyed and bushy-tailed" mean? | to be eager and cheerful | Everybody was bright-eyed and bushy-tailed when we started out on the trip.
|
every living soul
What does "every living soul" mean? | everybody |
We gave a free newspaper to every living soul in the apartment building.
|
dwell on (something)
What does "dwell on (something)" mean? | to think or talk about something all the time |
I wish that my friend would not dwell on his personal problems.
|
hack
What does "hack" mean? | taxi; taxicab |
|
on the hot seat
What does "on the hot seat" mean? | to be subject to much criticism/questioning | I was on the hot seat when my supervisor began to ask what had happened to the broken computer.
|