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 doldrums
What does In the doldrums mean? | To be depressed or unmotivated. | I'd like to provide a good example, but I'm feeling in the doldrums.
Doldrums is the name of a place in the ocean that is located near the equator and is characterized by unstable trade winds. A sailing ship caught in the Doldrums can be stranded due to lack of wind. |
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Some Random Idioms
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fools rush in where angels fear to tread
What does "fools rush in where angels fear to tread" mean? | inexperienced people with little knowledge often become involved in difficult situations that smarter people would avoid | inexperienced people with little knowledge often become involved in difficult situations that smarter people would avoidFools rush in where angels fear to tread and when house prices became very high many people decided to buy a house.
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street smart
What does "street smart" mean? | knowledgable about life in the city, particularly in dangerous parts of a city. | She's street smart and knows how to get things done.
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down to earth
What does "down to earth" mean? | to be sensible and practical | My mother is very down to earth.
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book
What does "book" mean? | leave; go; depart. | Gotta book, I'm meeting some friends soon.
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measure up to (someone or something)
What does "measure up to (someone or something)" mean? | be equal to someone or something, be of the same quality as someone or something | The new accounting manager does not measure up to the previous accounting manager.
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go apeshit
What does "go apeshit" mean? | become excited or upset. | He went apeshit when he heard he was going to be laid off.
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hardly have time to breathe
What does "hardly have time to breathe" mean? | be very busy | I hardly had time to breathe while I was preparing for the summer barbecue.
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hang loose
What does "hang loose" mean? | relax, remain calm | I want to stay at home this weekend and hang loose.
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rap
What does "rap" mean? | chat; talk; discuss something |
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a cut-and-dried (case/decision)
What does "a cut-and-dried (case/decision)" mean? | fixed, determined beforehand | The case was cut-and-dried and it ended in less than an hour.
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cook (something) up
What does "cook (something) up" mean? | to cook something, to make some kind of plan | I do not know what my girlfriend is cooking up for the weekend but we will probably do something interesting.
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not worth a hill of beans
What does "not worth a hill of beans" mean? | to be worthless | Anything that our supervisor says is not worth a hill of beans so nobody trusts him.
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supposed to do (something)
What does "supposed to do (something)" mean? | to be expected or intend to do something | I was supposed to meet my friend but I forgot.
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burn a hole in one`s pocket
What does "burn a hole in one`s pocket" mean? | to stimulate someone to spend money quickly | The money was burning a hole in the man's pocket when he decided to go to the casino.
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