American Idioms and Expressions

Shrinking Violet Idiom

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. .

Shrinking violet What does Shrinking violet mean?	A shrinking violet is a shy person who doesn't express their views and opinions.
	Some Random Idioms
get off (a bus/train/plane etc.) What does "get off (a bus/train/plane etc.)" mean?	to leave or exit from a bus or train etc.	We will get off the train at the next station.
snake eater What does "snake eater" mean?	U.S. Army Special Forces personnel; Green Beret
waiting in the wings What does "waiting in the wings" mean?	ready to do something such as take over someone's job	The vice-president was waiting in the wings to help the president.
keep (someone) posted What does "keep (someone) posted" mean?	keep someone informed or up-to-date	I asked my friend to keep me posted on his new job and address.
feed the kitty What does "feed the kitty" mean?	to contribute money to a special collection	Everybody had to feed the kitty in order to collect money for the party.
come out ahead What does "come out ahead" mean?	to improve one's situation	Although our new car was expensive, we came out ahead as it is very cheap to operate.
worm one's way out of (something) What does "worm one's way out of (something)" mean?	to squeeze or wiggle out of a problem or a responsibility	My friend was able to worm her way out of her problems at work. Bee Idioms

horse sense What does "horse sense" mean?	common sense, practical thinking	The boy does not have any horse sense and often makes the wrong decision.
grin like a Cheshire cat What does "grin like a Cheshire cat" mean?	to grin or smile broadly	The little boy was grinning like a Cheshire cat when he entered the room.
come down hard on (someone) What does "come down hard on (someone)" mean?	to scold or punish someone severely	The police have been coming down hard on drunk drivers recently.
trump card What does "trump card" mean?	something that is kept back to be used to win success if other things do not work	The man's trump card was his knowledge of the sales figures that nobody else knew.
stick one's nose into (something) What does "stick one's nose into (something)" mean?	to interfere with something, to be nosey about something	I wish that my neighbor would stop sticking his nose into my business.

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