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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Rearrange the deckchairs on the Titanic
What does Rearrange the deckchairs on the Titanic mean? | (UK) If people are rearranging the deckchairs on the Titanic, they are making small changes that will have no effect as the project, company, etc, is in very serious trouble. |
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Some Random Idioms
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contrary to (something)
What does "contrary to (something)" mean? | in spite of something | Contrary to what everybody thought, my friend had already quit his job.
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raise a hand
What does "raise a hand" mean? | to do something, to do one's share, to help | I am angry at my friend because he did not raise a hand to help me clean up the mess in the kitchen.
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hard nut to crack
What does "hard nut to crack" mean? | a difficult person or thing to deal with or get to know |
My friend is a very serious person and is a very hard nut to crack.
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put one's thinking cap on
What does "put one's thinking cap on" mean? | to start thinking in a serious manner |
The boy put on his thinking cap and tried to think of a new name for the school newspaper.
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as thick as pea soup
What does "as thick as pea soup" mean? | very thick (can be used with fog as well as with liquids) |
The fog was as thick as pea soup along the beach.
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gang-bang
What does "gang-bang" mean? | group rape (men on one woman) |
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not all (someone or something) is cracked up to be
What does "not all (someone or something) is cracked up to be" mean? | to be not as good as someone or something is said to be | The new cook is not all that he is cracked up to be and we have received several complaints about his food.
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Slow boat to China
What does "Slow boat to China" mean? | This idiom is used to describe something that is very slow and takes a long time. |
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at the top of the hour
What does "at the top of the hour" mean? | at the beginning of the hour - 12:00, 1:00 etc. (at the top of a clock) |
The radio news always starts at the top of the hour.
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until the cows come home
What does "until the cows come home" mean? | until very late, for a long time |
We can talk until the cows come home this evening.
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write off (a debt/loan)
What does "write off (a debt/loan)" mean? | to remove a debt/loan from a business record, to cancel a debt |
It was impossible for the bank to collect the money so they were forced to write off the loan.
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buy (something) sight unseen
What does "buy (something) sight unseen" mean? | to buy something without seeing it first | My sister made a big mistake when she bought the used car sight unseen.
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