American Idioms and Expressions

On The Ball Idiom

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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On the ball
What does On the ball mean?
To be paying attention, to respond promptly, to be doing one's job.If you were a bit more on the ball, we might have averted the reactor melt down.
From the early days of baseball, a pitcher who "had nothing on the ball" was one who was having a bad outing. The term implies that the pitcher has no control or speed on the ball.

Some Random Idioms
take it or leave it
What does "take it or leave it" mean?
to accept something or forget itThe customer was told to take it or leave it when he began to complain about the product.
stab (someone) in the back
What does "stab (someone) in the back" mean?
to betray someoneI dislike that man because he tried to stab me in the back during the last meeting.
bore (someone) stiff/to death
What does "bore (someone) stiff/to death" mean?
to bore someone very muchMost of the guests at the wedding were bored stiff with the long speeches.
rabbit food
What does "rabbit food" mean?
raw vegetables
Having a gas
What does "Having a gas" mean?
If you're having a gas, you are having a laugh and enjoying yourself in company.
WIA
What does "WIA" mean?
wounded in action
take turns
What does "take turns" mean?
to do something alternately with othersWe had to take turns using the dictionary because there was only one.
every which way
What does "every which way" mean?
in all directionsThe small children at the birthday party were running every which way.
Murky waters
What does "Murky waters" mean?
Where people are behaving in morally and ethically questionable ways, they are in murky waters.
catch-22
What does " catch-22" mean?
a situation which contradicts itself, a paradoxical situation It was a catch-22 situation and if I went to work there would be problems but if I did not go to work there would also be problems.
go ape (over someone or something)
What does "go ape (over someone or something)" mean?
to become highly excited or angry about someone or somethingOur teacher will go ape if he sees that you have not finished the work that was due today.
nickel and dime (someone)
What does "nickel and dime (someone)" mean?
to charge someone many small amounts of moneyThe constant small repairs to my car are beginning to nickel and dime me.
string (someone) along
What does "string (someone) along" mean?
to deceive or fool someoneThe man tried to string me along with the story about his sick mother.
Burning question
What does "Burning question" mean?
A burning question is something we all want to know about.

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