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 red
What does In the red mean? | To be losing money. | Putting kids through college is sure to put you in the red.
Standard practice for accounting is to record positive numbers in black ink and negative numbers in red ink. Operating "in the red" is to record negative numbers, that is to say losses.
No doubt red ink was chosen because it is a clear contrast for black and is not easily mistaken. However there is a bit more history to the red ink.
In medieval times the church, being the only center of literacy and learning in the west, maintained meticulous accounting records. Ink was rare and expensive. When monasteries and far-flung churches had little money and they could not afford ink, domesticated animals were bled to provide a substitute in the dipping wells. As a result, poor financial records were usually written "in the red. |
in the red
What does in the red mean? | unprofitable; showing a financial loss. | "We have to do something to increase profit anddecrease losses.We've been in the red for two months in a row."
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in the red
What does in the red mean? | lose money, not make a profit | The company has been in the red for three years now.
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in the red
What does in the red mean? | to be losing money, to be unprofitable | The company has been in the red since the price of oil began to rise rapidly.
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in the red
What does in the red mean? | to be in debt, to be unprofitable | The company has been in the red for three years now.
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in the red
What does in the red mean? | to be unprofitable, to be losing money, to be in debt | The company has been in the red for several months now and will soon go bankrupt.
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in the red
What does in the red mean? | to be losing money, to be unprofitable |
The company has been in the red since the price of oil began to rise rapidly.
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in the red
What does in the red mean? | to be in debt, to be unprofitable |
The company has been in the red for three years now.
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in the red
What does in the red mean? | losing money, not making a profit |
The company has been in the red for three years now.
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in the red
What does in the red mean? | to be unprofitable, to be losing money, to be in debt |
The company has been in the red for several months now and may soon go bankrupt.
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Some Random Idioms
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run into (something)
What does "run into (something)" mean? | to add up to something, to total something | If you decide to stay in expensive hotels during your holiday it will run into a lot of money.
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dead wrong
What does "dead wrong" mean? | to be totally wrong | I was dead wrong in my calculations to build the table.
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Down to the wire
What does "Down to the wire" mean? | Undecided until the end, at the last minute | We almost missed our flight, it came right down to the wire. The traffic on the way to the airport was horrible and we had to run to our gate.
This phrase refers to races where the winner is determined by whoever crosses the finish line first. Think of horse racing and foot races. A string is stretched across the finish to help the judges see clearly who crosses first in a close race. That string is called the wire or tape, the winner is the one who breaks the wire first.
The "wire" is actually string, tape, or paper and not a metal wire at all. No need to be concerned about those horses tripping and getting themselves caught in the wire. |
separate the men from the boys
What does "separate the men from the boys" mean? | to separate competent people from less competent people | Some people say that joining the military is a good way to separate the men from the boys.
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blood is thicker than water
What does "blood is thicker than water" mean? | family ties are stronger than other relationships | Blood is thicker than water and the man chose to help his family rather than his friends.
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do with (someone or something)
What does "do with (someone or something)" mean? | to be acquainted or involved or associated with someone or something |
"I do not know what that incident was to do with."
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wicked
What does "wicked" mean? | impressive; good; excellent |
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week in, week out
What does "week in, week out" mean? | week after week | Week in, week out the man takes his children to the lake to swim.
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shut one's face/trap
What does "shut one's face/trap" mean? | to be quiet, to shut up | "Please sit down and shut your trap."
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burn down
What does "burn down" mean? | to burn completely (usually used for buildings) | My neighbor`s house burned down last night.
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a wolf in sheep`s clothing
What does "a wolf in sheep`s clothing" mean? | a person who pretends to be good but really is bad |
"Be careful of that man. He is a wolf in sheep`s clothing."
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