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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Show your true colors
What does Show your true colors mean? | To reveal your true intentions, personality, or
behaviors. | Everyone is on best behavior on the first date, but soon enough you will show your true colors.
Color(s) has numerous meanings. An early use of the word is flag, pennant, or badge. Early warships often carried flags from many nations on board in order to elude or deceive the enemy. The rules of civilized warfare called for all ships to hoist their true national ensigns before firing a shot.
Someone who finally "shows his true colors" is acting like a warship which hails another ship flying one flag, but then hoisted their own when they got in firing range. |
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Some Random Idioms
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drag on
What does "drag on" mean? | to pass very slowly, to make something longer |
The speech was dragging on so we decided to leave early.
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sooner or later
What does "sooner or later" mean? | eventually | "Sooner or later you must give me my money so you should do it soon."
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hot
What does "hot" mean? | sexy (for women in particular) |
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out to lunch
What does "out to lunch " mean? | to be eating lunch away from one's work | The bank manager was out to lunch when I went to see him at the bank.
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no picnic
What does "no picnic" mean? | not pleasant, difficult | It was no picnic trying to drive to the lake during the storm.
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wear on (someone)
What does "wear on (someone)" mean? | anger or annoy (someone) | His constant complaining is beginning to wear on me.
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nail down (someone or something)
What does "nail down (someone or something)" mean? | to make certain/sure of something | I am trying to nail down the exact time that we can meet with our supplier.
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make it as far as
What does "make it as far as" mean? | travel as far as somewhere, endure something until you must stop | We made it as far as the city limits before our car began to have problems.
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take (someone's) temperature
What does "take (someone's) temperature" mean? | to measure someone's body temperature | The nurse took my temperature when I went to the hospital yesterday.
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take a hard line (with someone)
What does "take a hard line (with someone)" mean? | to be firm with someone, to have a firm policy for dealing with someone | The company takes a hard line with people who come to work late.
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Mind the gap
What does "Mind the gap" mean? | Mind the gap is an instruction used on the Underground in the UK to warn passengers to be careful when leaving the tube or train as there is quite a distance between the train and the platform. |
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