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. |
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Some Random Idioms
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take it or leave it
What does "take it or leave it" mean? | to accept something or forget it | The customer was told to take it or leave it when he began to complain about the product.
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stab (someone) in the back
What does "stab (someone) in the back" mean? | to betray someone | I dislike that man because he tried to stab me in the back during the last meeting.
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bore (someone) stiff/to death
What does "bore (someone) stiff/to death" mean? | to bore someone very much | Most of the guests at the wedding were bored stiff with the long speeches.
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rabbit food
What does "rabbit food" mean? | raw vegetables |
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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. |
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WIA
What does "WIA" mean? | wounded in action |
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take turns
What does "take turns" mean? | to do something alternately with others | We had to take turns using the dictionary because there was only one.
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every which way
What does "every which way" mean? | in all directions | The small children at the birthday party were running every which way.
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Murky waters
What does "Murky waters" mean? | Where people are behaving in morally and ethically questionable ways, they are in murky waters. |
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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.
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go ape (over someone or something)
What does "go ape (over someone or something)" mean? | to become highly excited or angry about someone or something | Our teacher will go ape if he sees that you have not finished the work that was due today.
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nickel and dime (someone)
What does "nickel and dime (someone)" mean? | to charge someone many small amounts of money | The constant small repairs to my car are beginning to nickel and dime me.
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string (someone) along
What does "string (someone) along" mean? | to deceive or fool someone | The man tried to string me along with the story about his sick mother.
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Burning question
What does "Burning question" mean? | A burning question is something we all want to know about. |
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