American Idioms and Expressions

Turn The Crack 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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Turn the crack
What does Turn the crack mean?
(Scot) If you turn the crack, you change the subject of a conversation.

Some Random Idioms
take (something) at face value
What does "take (something) at face value" mean?
to take something that is said on its surfaceI took my friend's comments at face value.
cat burglar
What does "cat burglar" mean?
a burglar who enters a building by climbing a wall etc. A cat burglar entered our apartment and stole our television.

Room to swing a cat
What does "Room to swing a cat" mean?
A confined space.This bedroom doesn't even have enough room to swing a cat.
This colorful phrase evokes strange images of feline cruelty. In fact it has nothing to do with cats, but the real story is at least as cruel.
The "cat" is a cat-of-nine-tails, a type of whip used to discipline sailors on old sailing ships. The cat-of-nine-tails has one handle to which is attached nine thin strips of leather, each perhaps three feet long. The cat-of-nine-tails would be used to administer lashings that would sting and leave welts on the recipient.
The whippings would take place on the deck, because below deck there was not enough ceiling height to swing a cat-of-nine-tails.
to be reminiscent of (someone or something)
What does "to be reminiscent of (someone or something)" mean?
to remind someone of someone or something, to seem like someone or somethingThe music festival is reminiscent of the large music festivals of fifty years ago.
off to a running start
What does "off to a running start" mean?
to have a good and fast beginningWe were off to a running start with our preparations for the autumn festival.
mineral rights
What does "mineral rights" mean?
the right to take minerals or money from the minerals on one's propertyThe farmer owned all of the mineral rights on his property.
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.

long arm of the law
What does "long arm of the law" mean?
the police and laws that are so powerful that no matter where you are you will be found and punished The long arm of the law finally was able to capture the criminal.

test market a product
What does "test market a product" mean?
to research whether or not a product will be successful by selling it in a particular market or by choosing people to use the product for a specified period of time and receiving comments from them The computer company will begin to test market their new computer in several cities soon.

frighten the living daylights out of (someone)
What does "frighten the living daylights out of (someone)" mean?
to frighten someone very badlyThe horror movie frightened the living daylights out of the young girl.

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