American Idioms and Expressions

Spanner In The Works 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. .

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Spanner in the works
What does Spanner in the works mean?		(UK) If someone puts or throws a spanner in the works, they ruin a plan. In American English, 'wrench' is used instead of 'spanner'.

Some Random Idioms
straight from the shoulder
What does "straight from the shoulder" mean?		 an open and honest way of speaking The manager was speaking straight from the shoulder when he told the workers about the factory closing.

Skin Idioms

On the right foot
What does "On the right foot" mean?		 If you start something or set off on the right foot, you get off to a good start.
turn on (something)
What does "turn on (something)" mean?		 to open/start something, to let water or electricity flow"Please turn on the radio so we can hear the evening news."
to hand it to (someone)
What does "to hand it to (someone)" mean?		 to give credit or praise to someoneYou have to hand it to our manager for working hard and being successful with his business.
a Mecca for (something)
What does "a Mecca for (something)" mean?		 a place that is popular with people for some reason (from the city of Mecca which is the religious center of Islam)The small area of lakes is a Mecca for people who like to fish.
get on in years
What does "get on in years" mean?		 grow old; become older
keep one`s chin up
What does "keep one`s chin up" mean?		 to be brave, to be determined, to face trouble with courageMy brother is trying to keep his chin up even though he has no job.
fall short of (something)
What does "fall short of (something)" mean?		 to not have enough of something The campaign fell short of the amount of money that it had hoped to gather.

fall through

- to fail, to not happen

My plan to
a miscarriage of justice
What does "a miscarriage of justice" mean?		 a wrong or mistaken decision (in a court of law)Everybody thought that the light sentence that the murderer received was a miscarriage of justice.
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