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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Rule of thumb
What does Rule of thumb mean? | A basic rule that is usually but not always correct. | As a rule of thumb, plant tomato seeds three inches deep.
Based on the use of ones thumb as a rough measurement tool. Generally correct for course measures.
Most old English measures of distance were based on the body measurements of the king -- the length of the foot, inch (thumb tip to first knuckle), cubit (elbow-to-fingertip), and yard (nose-to-fingertip). |
rule of thumb
What does rule of thumb mean? | a basic or accepted pattern or rule | It is a rule of thumb in our company that workers with the most seniority get bigger offices.
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rule of thumb
What does rule of thumb mean? | a basic or accepted pattern or rule |
It is a rule of thumb in our company that senior managers get bigger offices.
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Some Random Idioms
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baby catcher
What does "baby catcher" mean? | obstetrician |
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a kink in one's neck
What does "a kink in one's neck" mean? | a cramp in one's neck that causes pain | I have a kink in my neck and it hurts every time that I turn my head.
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schlep
What does "schlep" mean? | dumb, annoying person |
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bear the brunt of (something)
What does "bear the brunt of (something)" mean? | to withstand the worst part or the strongest part of something | The small island bore the brunt of the tropical storm.
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go straight
What does "go straight" mean? | to become an honest person, to lead an honest life | The man was in prison for two years but now he wants to go straight.
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Be up the spout
What does "Be up the spout" mean? | (UK) If a woman is up the spout, she is pregnant. |
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keep/stay in touch (with someone)
What does "keep/stay in touch (with someone)" mean? | (with someone): remain informed (about
someone) / in contact (with someone) by writing, calling, sending
e-mail, etc. on a regular basis. | "I haven't seen Frank for two or three years but wekeep (stay) in touch by e-mail."
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take a trip
What does "take a trip" mean? | to go for a journey | We plan to take a trip to Italy in November.
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fair-weather friend
What does "fair-weather friend" mean? | a person who is a friend only during good times |
The man is a fair-weather friend and you cannot rely on him if you have a problem.
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sit back
What does "sit back" mean? | to be built a distance away from a street | The large mansion sits back three hundred meters from the street.
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cream of the crop
What does "cream of the crop" mean? | the best of a group, the top choice |
Our company is always able to hire the cream of the crop of university graduates.
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on one's chest
What does "on one's chest" mean? | worrisome thoughts or feelings that one might need to share with someone else | I had a long talk with my friend last night because I had many problems on my chest.
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