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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Room to swing a cat
What does Room to swing a cat mean? | A confined space. | This bedroom doesn't even have enough room to swing a cat.
This colorful phrase evokes strange images of feline cruelty. In fact it has nothing to do with cats, but the real story is at least as cruel.
The "cat" is a cat-of-nine-tails, a type of whip used to discipline sailors on old sailing ships. The cat-of-nine-tails has one handle to which is attached nine thin strips of leather, each perhaps three feet long. The cat-of-nine-tails would be used to administer lashings that would sting and leave welts on the recipient.
The whippings would take place on the deck, because below deck there was not enough ceiling height to swing a cat-of-nine-tails. |
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Some Random Idioms
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hold all the cards
What does "hold all the cards" mean? | to be in a strong or advantageous position (like a winning hand of cards in a card game) |
The company held all the cards when the union members decided to go on strike to achieve their goals.
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took
What does "took" mean? | deceived; cheated; swindled |
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a slap on the wrist
What does "a slap on the wrist" mean? | a light punishment for doing something wrong |
The young man received a slap on the wrist for his crime.
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don sackcloth and ashes
What does "don sackcloth and ashes" mean? | to behave in a way that shows that you are very sorry for something that you have done wrong - in ancient Biblical times people wore very uncomfortable sackcloth (cloth for sacks) for mourning and al |
The man was asked to don sackcloth and ashes to repent for his terrible mistake.
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The penny dropped
What does "The penny dropped" mean? | When the penny drops, someone belatedly understands something that everyone else has long since understood. |
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at death's door
What does "at death's door" mean? | very near death | The sales manager was at death's door after having a heart attack.
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