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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Irons in the fire
What does Irons in the fire mean? | Having or pursuing multiple opportunities
simultaneously. | I have been out of work for 6 months, but I have a number of irons in the fire.
Blacksmiths traditionally worked iron into shape by hammering. The iron being worked would be heated in the fire until it was red-hot and malleable. The Smith removes the iron from the fire and shapes it with repeated blows from a hammer. They need to work quickly before the iron cools. Once the iron is cool, it becomes brittle and cannot be hammered.
Once removed from the fire, the iron cools quickly. It takes longer to heat the iron to red-hot than it takes for it to cool. Blacksmiths work more efficiently by having multiple pieces of iron in the fire heating simultaneously. In that way, the Smith can always have a piece of iron red-hot and ready for hammering. The cooled piece would be returned to the fire if it needed more hammering. |
irons in the fire
What does irons in the fire mean? | things one is doing, projects with which a person is busy | Recently he has too many irons in the fire. That is why he has become sick.
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irons in the fire
What does irons in the fire mean? | the things that one is doing, the projects with which a person is busy |
Recently, my coworker has too many irons in the fire. That is why he became sick.
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Some Random Idioms
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able to breathe easily again
What does "able to breathe easily again" mean? | to be able to relax after a busy and stressful time |
I was able to breathe easily again when I knew that I would not miss my flight.
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bear fruit
What does "bear fruit" mean? | to yield or give results | The woman's hard work at her business finally began to bear fruit when she started to make money.
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Pin money
What does "Pin money" mean? | (UK) If you work for pin money, you work not because you need to but because it gives you money for extra little luxuries and treats. |
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gimp
What does "gimp" mean? | person who limps; a crippled person |
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To little avail
What does "To little avail" mean? | If something is to little avail, it means that, despite great efforts, something ended in failure, but taking comfort from the knowledge that nothing else could have been done to avert or avoid the result. |
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bite the hand that feeds you
What does "bite the hand that feeds you" mean? | to harm or oppose someone who does good things for you |
The man is biting the hand that feeds him when he criticizes and fights against his boss.
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Painted Jezebel
What does "Painted Jezebel" mean? | A painted Jezebel is a scheming woman. |
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no dice
What does "no dice" mean? | no, certainly not (this expression is used as a refusal to a request) |
"No dice. I will not lend you any money."
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feel sorry for (someone)
What does "feel sorry for (someone)" mean? | to pity someone | I feel sorry for my friend who recently lost his job.
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have shit for brains
What does "have shit for brains" mean? | be extremely dumb |
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Blow out of the water
What does "Blow out of the water" mean? | If something, like an idea, is blown out of the water, it is destroyed or defeated comprehensively. |
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go into hock
What does "go into hock" mean? | to go into debt | I do not want to go into hock in order to buy a new stereo system.
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keep one`s own counsel
What does "keep one`s own counsel" mean? | keep one`s ideas and plans to oneself | He always keeps his own counsel and never reveals his plans to anyone.
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