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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The phrase in question
What does The phrase in question mean? | The meaning of the phrase. | An example of how the phrase would be used.
An explaination (and/or discussion) of where or how the phrase originated. |
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Some Random Idioms
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Swings and roundabouts
What does "Swings and roundabouts" mean? | If something's swings and roundabouts, it has about as many disadvantages as it has advantages. |
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hog
What does "hog" mean? | use all of; use a great deal of; take up most or all of something. | Don't hog all the pizza. I want some too.
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play it cool
What does "play it cool" mean? | to act calm and not concerned | I tried to play it cool when the policeman stopped me when I was driving my car.
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kick around
What does "kick around" mean? | lie around and do nothing or only do small tasks | I was tired on Saturday so I kicked around the house all morning.
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Eye candy
What does "Eye candy" mean? | When a person is very attractive, they can be described as eye candy - sweet to look at! |
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beef
What does "beef" mean? | agrument; disagreement. | I've got a beef with him about the rent.
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drag
What does "drag" mean? | dull, annoying person |
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cream puff
What does "cream puff" mean? | a weak-willed person; a wimp. | He's a total cream puff. Why are you scared?
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tricky
What does "tricky" mean? | easily confused or misunderstood. | "This problem is tricky. I don't really understand it."
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say (something) right to (someone's) face
What does "say (something) right to (someone's) face" mean? | to say something unpleasant or important directly to someone | I said that the man was not telling the truth right to his face.
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come clean
What does "come clean" mean? | to tell the truth | The president of the company was forced to come clean and tell what really happened to the business.
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all right (2)
What does "all right (2)" mean? | (2): fair; not particularly good. | A: "How's your chemistry class?"B: "It's all right, I guess, but it's not the best class I'veever had."
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set back (someone or something)
What does "set back (someone or something)" mean? | to cause someone or something to get behind schedule, to slow down someone or something | The flood set back the efforts of the farmers to plant their crops.
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go whole hog
What does "go whole hog" mean? | to do everything possible | We plan to go whole hog to make the party successful.
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