Old Wive's Tale Idiom American Expressions and American Idioms

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. .

Old wive's tale What does Old wive's tale mean?	A proverb or piece of advice that is commonly accepted as truth and is handed down the generations, but is normally false.
	Some Random Idioms
have a vested interest in (something) What does "have a vested interest in (something)" mean?	have a personal interest (often financial) in something	The mayor of the city has a vested interest in building the new stadium.

kissyface What does "kissyface" mean?	kissing
A Burnt Child Dreads the Fire What does "A Burnt Child Dreads the Fire" mean?	One does not repeat a painful lesson twice.	I've tried to get little Johnny to quit running and jumping on the furniture before he hurts himself, but only a burnt child dreads the fire. Very similar in meaning to another proverb, "Once bitten, twice shy," today's proverb is an old one. It appeared in English literature as early as 1320, in "The Proverbs of Hendyng." Another proverb, which is similar, comes from the French: "A scalded dog fears cold water" carries an even stronger message; that those who have experienced a great deal of difficulty or pain will not only avoid it in the future, but will be afraid even where there is no cause. Other languages also have like proverbs, such as, "One bitten by a serpent is afraid of a rope's end" (Jewish), "A man who has received a beating with a firebrand runs away at the sight of a firefly" (Singhalese), and "A dog which has been beaten with a stick fears its own shadow" (Italian).
throw the book at (someone) What does "throw the book at (someone)" mean?	to punish someone as severely as possible, to make as many charges as possible against someone	The criminal was not sorry for his crime so the judge decided to throw the book at him.

ripe old age What does "ripe old age" mean?	a very old age	My uncle was able to live to a ripe old age.
hold off What does "hold off" mean?	keep away by force	The man was able to hold off the police for several hours before he was arrested.
rag What does "rag" mean?	ugly clothing
ask (someone) out What does "ask (someone) out" mean?	to ask a person for a date	My friend finally asked out the woman at the bank.

American Idioms and Expressions

Old Wive's Tale Idiom