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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Out in the sticks
What does Out in the sticks mean? | (UK) If someone lives out in the sticks, they live out in the country, a long way from any metropolitan area. |
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Some Random Idioms
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prey on/upon (someone)
What does "prey on/upon (someone)" mean? | to cheat/rob someone | Criminals often prey on people who are the weakest members of society.
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done to a T
What does "done to a T" mean? | to be cooked just right |
The steaks were done to a T and everybody was very happy with them.
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step up (something)
What does "step up (something)" mean? | to make something go faster, to increase something | Recently we had to step up our effort to hire some new computer programmers for our company.
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take to (someone or something)
What does "take to (someone or something)" mean? | to like someone or something at first meeting, to be pleased by or attracted to someone or something, to accept someone or something quickly | The team took to the new coach immediately and did very well during the season.
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not know enough to come in out of the rain
What does "not know enough to come in out of the rain" mean? | to be very stupid | The woman is not very smart and does not know enough to come in out of the rain.
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in touch
What does "in touch" mean? | talking or writing to each other, giving or getting news | We are still in touch even though we have been out of school for many years.
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piggyback
What does "piggyback" mean? | sitting or being carried on someone`s back and shoulders |
The boy was riding piggyback on his father`s shoulders.
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out of sight, out of mind
What does "out of sight, out of mind" mean? | something that is no longer visible will be easily forgotten | The little boy was out of sight and out of mind until his mother discovered that he had emptied all of the shampoo containers into the toilet.
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flunk out
What does "flunk out" mean? | fail a course or fail out of school | The boy was very smart but he always flunked out of his language class.
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Cut down the tall poppies
What does "Cut down the tall poppies" mean? | (AU) If people cut down the tall poppies, they criticise people who stand out from the crowd. |
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lead the way
What does "lead the way" mean? | go first and show others how to go somewhere, guide someone | I had to lead the way because nobody knew where the new office was located.
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learn (something) by rote
What does "learn (something) by rote" mean? | to learn or memorize something without thinking about it |
We learned many verbs by rote in the foreign language class.
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Like it's such a big deal!
What does "Like it's such a big deal!" mean? | It really isn't so important | "Like it's such a big deal!", the boy said when he told his friend about his lost book.
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