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.
.
Under your nose
What does Under your nose mean? | If something happens right in front of you, especially if it is surprising or audacious, it happens under your nose. |
|
|
Some Random Idioms
| |
get your ass in gear
What does "get your ass in gear" mean? | get moving; get going; get started. | Get your ass in gear. It's time for school.
|
|
| |
Run before you can walk
What does "Run before you can walk" mean? | If someone tries to run before they can walk, they try to do something requiring a high level of knowledge before they have learned the basics. |
|
hold one`s tongue
What does "hold one`s tongue" mean? | to be silent, to not talk | "Please hold your tongue," the teacher said to the young boy.
|
horse of a different color
What does "horse of a different color" mean? | something totally separate and different | I know that our boss would like to discuss that issue now but it is a horse of a different color and we should discuss it at another time.
|
double date
What does "double date" mean? | a date where two couples get together to do
something | a date where two couples get together to do somethingIt was a good idea to go on the double date even though everybody wanted to do something different.
|
Sure as eggs is eggs
What does "Sure as eggs is eggs" mean? | These means absolutely certain, and we do say 'is' even though it is grammatically wrong. |
|
Play for time
What does "Play for time" mean? | If you play for time, you delay something because because you are not ready or need more time to thing about it. Eg. I knew I had to play for time until the police arrived. |
|
|
| |
turn (something) on its head
What does "turn (something) on its head" mean? | to show that an idea or argument is wrong and means the opposite of what it first seemed to mean, to change the way that people think about a subject | The lawyer was able to easily turn the argument on its head.
|
better to be the head of a dog than the tail of a lion
What does "better to be the head of a dog than the tail of a lion" mean? | it is better to be the leader of a small group than a follower of a bigger one |
The young athlete always played for his hometown team rather than moving to a larger city with a bigger team. He thought that it was better to be the head of a dog than the tail of a lion.
|
bear/hold a grudge (against someone)
What does "bear/hold a grudge (against someone)" mean? | to continue to be angry at someone, to resent someone | The woman continued to bear a grudge against her friend for many years.
|
dope
What does "dope" mean? | drugs, especially marijuana or heroin |
|