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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Long in the tooth
What does Long in the tooth mean? | To be getting old. | Daddy needs a new Porsche. The old one is getting a bit long in the tooth.
Strange as it may seem this phrase's origin is closely related to the origin of the phrase "Don't look a gift horse in the mouth".
The age of a horse can be roughly determined by examining its teeth, since a horse's gums recede as they age. The longer the teeth of a horse appear to be, the older the horse. |
long in the tooth
What does long in the tooth mean? | old | The man was feeling a little long in the tooth and he did not have much energy.
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long in the tooth
What does long in the tooth mean? | old |
The man was feeling long in the tooth and he did not have much energy.
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Some Random Idioms
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beemer
What does "beemer" mean? | BMW automobile. | Nice beamer, how'd you afford it?
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nickel and dime (someone)
What does "nickel and dime (someone)" mean? | to charge many small amounts of money (which eventually equal a large amount of money) | The small repairs on my car are beginning to nickel and dime me.
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go (someone) one better
What does "go (someone) one better" mean? | to do something better than someone else, to do more than someone | I decided to go my friend one better and I bought a more expensive present for my girlfriend.
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deliver the goods
What does "deliver the goods" mean? | to succeed in doing a good job of something | The new manager is not very popular but he is able to deliver the goods.
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put (something) in mothballs
What does "put (something) in mothballs" mean? | to put something in storage | The government decided to put the old ferry in mothballs.
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keep one's fingers crossed
What does "keep one's fingers crossed" mean? | hope for the best. | A: "How did you do on the test?"
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settle on (something)
What does "settle on (something)" mean? | to decide on something | We finally settled on the fish dinner at the restaurant.
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until hell freezes over
What does "until hell freezes over" mean? | forever | He said that he would not talk to his girlfriend again until hell freezes over.
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no ifs, ands, or buts about it
What does "no ifs, ands, or buts about it" mean? | absolutely no discussion or doubts about something | "You are going to bed now - no ifs, ands, or buts about it," said the mother to her child.
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dupe
What does "dupe" mean? | target for deception, lying, or a con |
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fill the bill
What does "fill the bill" mean? | to be just what is needed | The new machine should fill the bill for what we need to finish the job.
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