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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Many a slip twixt cup and lip
What does Many a slip twixt cup and lip mean? | There's many a slip twixt cup and lip means that many things can go wrong before something is achieved. |
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Some Random Idioms
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make oneself heard
What does "make oneself heard" mean? | to speak loudly so that you can be heard | The speaker tried very hard in order to make himself heard.
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quiet as a mouse
What does "quiet as a mouse" mean? | very quiet, shy and silent | The little boy was quiet as a mouse as he moved around the kitchen.
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Nail in the coffin
What does "Nail in the coffin" mean? | A nail in someone or something's coffin is a problem or event that is a clear step towards an inevitable failure. |
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get one's hands on (someone or something)
What does "get one's hands on (someone or something)" mean? | to find someone or something (someone or something that may be difficult to find) |
I want to get my hands on a new gas tank for the camping stove.
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in good time
What does "in good time" mean? | a little early, sooner than necessary | I will try and get the information to you in good time so that you will be able to decide what to do.
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swing (something)
What does "swing (something)" mean? | to make something happen | I do not know if I can swing buying an expensive present for my girlfriend.
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creep up on (someone or something)
What does "creep up on (someone or something)" mean? | to crawl quietly toward someone or something |
The thief crept up on the woman in the supermarket.
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swing
What does "swing" mean? | be entertaining, exciting, or enjoyable |
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catch on
What does " catch on" mean? | to become popular |
Recently, ballroom dancing has begun to catch on with many people.
catch one`s breath
- to stop to rest and regain one`s normal breathing |
Rings a Bell
What does "Rings a Bell" mean? | To sound familiar, to spark a memory. | I don't remember meeting him, but the name John Smith rings a bell.
Bells such as the type used in churches are large and loud. Their sound can be heard from a great distance. Bells sound a single, clear note so their sound is distinctive and not easily confused.
Before electric sirens and amplification systems, bells were a valuable means of signaling people and alerting of important events.
Further, accurate timepieces were not always as available as they are today. Bells were used to signal people of the start of events such as a church session, the start of school, or a celebration. The bells acted as a reminder of the start of the event for people who had an out of synch timepiece or no timepiece.
Someone would literally ring a bell as a reminder.
As an aside bells were later used on clocks to mark the hour. A large clock usually in the town square could be heard throughout the town. This clock acted as a master time reference for the town. The hourly bell ringing gave people an opportunity to synchronize their respective timepieces, and early watches required frequent adjustment. |
Get your teeth into
What does "Get your teeth into" mean? | If you get your teeth into something, you become involved in or do something that is intellectually challenging or satisfying. ('Dig you teeth into' and 'sink your teeth into' are also used.) |
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Play into someone's hands
What does "Play into someone's hands" mean? | If you play into someone's hands, you do what they were expecting you to do and take advantage of this. |
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