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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Worth its salt
What does Worth its salt mean? | To be competent, reasonably skilled. | Not to worry about your new suit, any detergent worth its salt can remove blood stains.
Today salt is inexpensive and universally available, but that wasn't always the case. Salt has been a valuable commodity in many cultures throughout history.
Salt is sodium chloride. It can be obtained from mines or the oceans. Today salt is commonly mined from large deposits left by dried salt lakes. Modern mining and transportation methods have made salt an inexpensive commodity.
Salt is an effective food preservative and before refrigeration was widely available, the demand for salt as a preservative was much greater. The human body requires salt for the regulation of fluid balance. Salt used as a seasoning adds to the taste of many foods.
Because of salt's high value, it was used as a method of exchange. Roman soldiers received a salt allowance as part of their pay. In fact the word "salary" is derived from the Latin "salarium" meaning "of salt".
To say that someone is "worth his salt" is to say they have earned their pay. |
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Some Random Idioms
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sight unseen
What does "sight unseen" mean? | before seeing a thing or a person | My friend bought the car sight unseen and now he is having trouble with it.
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Mutton dressed as lamb
What does "Mutton dressed as lamb" mean? | Mutton dressed as lamb is term for middle-aged or elderly people trying to look younger. |
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due process (of law)
What does "due process (of law)" mean? | the rights that each individual has to be protected by the law | Although the man was accused of theft by his employer, he knew that he was entitled to due process of law and would have no problems proving his innocence.
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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.
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give (someone) the green light
What does "give (someone) the green light" mean? | to give someone permission to go ahead or proceed with something |
Our boss gave us the green light to begin work on the new sales campaign.
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bright-eyed and bushy-tailed
What does "bright-eyed and bushy-tailed" mean? | to be eager and cheerful |
Everybody was bright-eyed and bushy-tailed when we started out on the trip.
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know one's stuff
What does "know one's stuff" mean? | know about something well | The man know's his stuff and is a very good plumber.
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broke
What does "broke" mean? | to have no money |
I spent all of my money on my holiday and I am now broke.
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make it to first base
What does "make it to first base" mean? | successfully taking the first step with someone or when doing something | successfully taking the first step with someone or when doing somethingI was not able to make it to first base in my attempt to have my boss change my work schedule.
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come about
What does "come about" mean? | to happen |
Everybody believes that the plans for the new community center will never come about.
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