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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Let the cat out of the bag
What does Let the cat out of the bag mean? | To divulge a secret. | Don't let the cat out of the bag about Susan's Christmas present.
At medieval markets, unscrupulous traders would display a pig for sale. However, the pig was always given to the customer in a bag, with strict instructions not to open the bag until they were some way away. The trader would hand the customer a bag containing something that wriggled, and it was only later that the buyer would find he'd been conned when he opened the bag to reveal that it contained a cat, not a pig. Therefore, "letting the cat out of the bag" revealed the secret of the con trick. |
let the cat out of the bag
What does let the cat out of the bag mean? | reveal a secret | "Don`t let the cat out of the bag about the surprise party for our boss."
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let the cat out of the bag
What does let the cat out of the bag mean? | to tell something that is supposed to be a secret | The teacher let the cat out of the bag when she began talking about the plans for the new school.
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let the cat out of the bag
What does let the cat out of the bag mean? | to tell something that is supposed to be a secret |
The teacher let the cat out of the bag when she began talking about the plans to close the school.
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let the cat out of the bag
What does let the cat out of the bag mean? | to reveal a secret |
"Don`t let the cat out of the bag about the surprise party for our boss."
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Some Random Idioms
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actions speak louder than words
What does "actions speak louder than words" mean? | what you do is more important than what you say | The politician promised to do many things but he never did anything. But actions speak louder than words and he lost the next election.
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AD
What does "AD" mean? | Anno Domini - used to mark time that comes after the commonly
accepted beginning of the Christian era | Anno Domini - used to mark time that comes after the commonly accepted beginning of the Christian eraThe ancient city was founded in 125 AD.
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burn (oneself) out
What does "burn (oneself) out" mean? | to become very tired and almost sick from doing something for a long time or from working too hard |
After working long hours for many months the woman finally burned herself out.
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crack a book
What does "crack a book" mean? | to open a book to study (usually used in the negative) |
I did very well in the course even though I did not crack a book until the last week of classes.
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taken for dead
What does "taken for dead" mean? | to be assumed to be dead | The men in the coal mine were taken for dead after there was no contact for several days.
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carry a lot of weight with (someone or something)
What does "carry a lot of weight with (someone or something)" mean? | to be very influential with someone or a group of people | The man's education and experience carry a lot of weight in the university.
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treadhead
What does "treadhead" mean? | tank driver or crewman; soldier whose specialty is armor |
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rank and file
What does "rank and file" mean? | the members of a group and not the leaders, regular soldiers and not the officers | The rank and file of the large union were happy with their new contract.
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a fair shake
What does "a fair shake" mean? | honest treatment | The woman was not given a fair shake at the inquiry into her behavior.
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not set foot (somewhere)
What does "not set foot (somewhere)" mean? | to not go somewhere | We did not set foot in the old factory that we passed on our hike.
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