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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Nitty gritty
What does Nitty gritty mean? | If people get down to the nitty gritty, they concentrate on the most important and serious issues. |
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Some Random Idioms
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in one's blood
What does "in one's blood" mean? | built into one's personality or character | Riding a horse is in the girl's blood and she is an expert at it.
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put all one`s eggs in one basket
What does "put all one`s eggs in one basket" mean? | to place all one`s efforts/interests/hopes in a single person or thing | You should not put all your eggs in one basket and invest all of your money in the stock market.
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Toe the line
What does "Toe the line" mean? | Follow the group, don't disagree, do what others are
doing. | Your lifestyle has gone on for too long. It is time for you to toe the line - get a wife, a job, some kids, and be miserable just like everyone else.
Many mistakenly think the phrase is "tow the line", thus obscuring the meaning.
This term comes from military line-ups for inspection. Soldiers are expected to line up, that is put their toes on a line, and submit to the inspection. |
ship shape
What does "ship shape" mean? | in good condition; functioning well |
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Money laundering
What does "Money laundering" mean? | If people launder money, they get money made illegally into the mainstream so that it is believed to be legitimate and clean. |
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for my money
What does "for my money" mean? | used before you say something to show that it is your opinion | "For my money, I believe that the new company policy will not be successful."
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DNA
What does "DNA" mean? | Deoxyribonucleic Acid - main constituent of the chromosomes of
all organisms | Deoxyribonucleic Acid - main constituent of the chromosomes of all organismsThe large university has spent a lot of money in the study of DNA.
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high and low
What does "high and low" mean? | everywhere | We looked high and low for her watch but we couldn`t find it.
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pull out all the stops
What does "pull out all the stops" mean? | to use all of one's energy and effort to achieve something | My mother pulled out all the stops to make a great graduation party for my sister.
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out and about
What does "out and about" mean? | to be able to go out and travel/move/walk around | My aunt is out and about again after the operation for her knee.
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take advantage of (someone or something)
What does "take advantage of (someone or something) " mean? | to use someone or something for one`s own benefit | We took advantage of the beautiful weather and went to the beach.
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