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.
.
Through the ceiling
What does Through the ceiling mean? | If prices go through the ceiling, they rise very quickly. |
|
|
Some Random Idioms
| |
in hand
What does "in hand" mean? | in one's possession |
The man arrived at the airport with much cash in hand.
|
|
| |
blade
What does "blade" mean? | knife, usually a larger, shiny one |
|
nip
What does "nip" mean? | Japanese; Japanese person |
|
come (someone's) way
What does "come (someone's) way" mean? | to come to someone |
A small blue car came my way while I was standing on the highway.
|
Gardening leave
What does "Gardening leave" mean? | (UK) If someone is paid for a period when they are not working, either after they have given in their notice or when they are being investigated, they are on gardening leave. |
|
monkey see, monkey do
What does "monkey see, monkey do" mean? | someone copies something that someone else does |
It is monkey see, monkey do for the boy. He copies everything that his friend does.
|
Touch-and-go
What does "Touch-and-go" mean? | If something is touch-and-go, it is very uncertain; if someone is ill and may well die, then it is touch-and-go. |
|
|
| |
yank somebody's chain
What does "yank somebody's chain" mean? | annoy; harass; irritate |
|
first love
What does "first love" mean? | the first person that one falls in love with | the first person that one falls in love withHer first love was with a boy in her high school art class.
|
have (something) at one's fingertips
What does "have (something) at one's fingertips" mean? | something is nearby and ready to be used | I always have a dictionary at my fingertips when I am reading a book.
|
dismiss/reject (something) out of hand
What does "dismiss/reject (something) out of hand" mean? | to immediately decide not to accept an idea/argument/plan without thinking about it | The company dismissed the union's offer to settle the dispute out of hand.
|
Like white on rice
What does "Like white on rice" mean? | If you do something like white on rice, you do it very closely:
When Bob found out I had front row tickets for the concert, he stuck to me like white on rice. |
|
a fish out of water
What does "a fish out of water" mean? | someone who does not fit in | The man was like a fish out of water at the expensive restaurant.
|