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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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." |
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Some Random Idioms
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let the buyer beware
What does "let the buyer beware" mean? | let the person who buys something check to see if the product is in good condition or has no problems | Consumers of electronic products should remember the motto of "let the buyer beware," when they buy something.
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show one's hand
What does "show one's hand" mean? | reveal one's plans | reveal one's plansI didn't want to show my hand but I was forced to tell my family about my plans to go overseas to study.
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a dirty look
What does "a dirty look" mean? | a look that shows dislike or disapproval | The boy's mother gave the boy a dirty look when he began to run in the kitchen.
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goof around
What does "goof around" mean? | waste time; mess around. | Stop goofing around and get some work done.
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strike at the heart of (something)
What does "strike at the heart of (something)" mean? | to do something that damages or destroys the basic idea or way of doing something that is very important to someone or to a group | The decision to change the zoning laws struck at the heart of the citizen's ideas of how they wanted to live.
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make a silk purse out of a sow's ear
What does "make a silk purse out of a sow's ear" mean? | to create something of value from something of no value | You cannot make a silk purse out of a sow's ear and there is no point in trying to teach the woman manners.
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kid (verb)
What does "kid (verb)" mean? | (verb): playfully say something that isn't true. | "I was kidding when I said my teacher was amonster. She's strict, but she's actually a very nice person."
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jump bail
What does "jump bail" mean? | run away and fail to come to trial and therefore give up the money that you have already paid to the court | The man jumped bail and went to live in a foreign country.
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fill (someone`s) shoes
What does "fill (someone`s) shoes" mean? | to substitute for someone and be able to do a satisfactory job | Although he is a good supervisor he is unable to fill the shoes of those who came before him.
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loom large (on the horizon)
What does "loom large (on the horizon)" mean? | something that could be coming as a possible problem/danger/threat | A large increase in transportation costs is looming large on the horizon.
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second wind
What does "second wind" mean? | energy that is regained after being tired | After we got our second wind we continued on our hike up the mountain.
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