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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Pot Calling the Kettle Black
What does Pot Calling the Kettle Black mean? | Someone who criticises another but who is just as
much at fault themselves. | George complaining that I talk too much is kind of like the pot calling the kettle black.
From Cervantes' classic: Don Quixote. |
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Some Random Idioms
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naked eye
What does "naked eye" mean? | the human eye (with no microscope/binoculars/telescope etc.) | It was difficult to see the star with the naked eye.
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tooth and nail
What does "tooth and nail" mean? | fiercely, as hard as possible | The man decided to fight tooth and nail to transfer to another department of the company.
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ditzy
What does "ditzy" mean? | spacey; flakey; absentminded person |
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intense
What does "intense" mean? | important, serious, significant |
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Throw your hat in the ring
What does "Throw your hat in the ring" mean? | If someone throws their hat in the ring, they announce that they want to take part in a competition or contest.
'Toss your hat in the ring' is an alternative. |
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Back foot
What does "Back foot" mean? | (UK) If you are on your back foot, you are at a disadvantage and forced to be defensive of your position. |
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crash and burn
What does "crash and burn" mean? | fail dramatically (often in romance) |
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in labor
What does "in labor" mean? | a woman going through childbirth | The man's wife was in labor for three hours.
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Zip your lip!
What does "Zip your lip!" mean? | : keep something secret; promise not to tell
what has just been said. | "What I told you is really important, so zip yourlip!"
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Push the envelope
What does "Push the envelope" mean? | This means to go to the limits, to do something to the maximum possible. |
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sever ties with (someone)
What does "sever ties with (someone)" mean? | to end a relationship or agreement with someone or something | The large company decided to sever ties with the small advertising company.
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sweep under the rug
What does "sweep under the rug" mean? |
idiom. hide; conceal; remove evidence. | Just sweep that problem under the rug. We'll worry about it if we have to.
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clunder
What does "clunder" mean? | old car in poor condition |
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up to par/scratch/snuff/the mark
What does "up to par/scratch/snuff/the mark" mean? | meeting normal standards, equal to the usual level or quality | His work was not up to par and he was asked to leave and look for another job.
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