American Idioms and Expressions

A Firm Hand 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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a firm hand
What does a firm hand mean?		 strict control of someone or somethingThe company uses a firm hand in managing their financial resources.
a firm hand
What does a firm hand mean?		 strict control of someone or something The company uses a firm hand in managing their financial resources.


Some Random Idioms
Keep your head above water
What does "Keep your head above water" mean?		 If you are just managing to survive financially, you are keeping your head above water.
show-off
What does "show-off" mean?		 a person who brags a lotThe girl is a show-off and is always trying to impress other people.
You scratch my back and I'll scratch yours.
What does "You scratch my back and I'll scratch yours." mean?		 if you do me a favor then I will do you a favor "You scratch my back and I'll scratch yours," is a common expression in the construction industry.

Blood Idioms

done in
What does "done in" mean?		 to be tired, to be exhausted I was done in so I went to bed early.

Cupboard love
What does "Cupboard love" mean?		(UK) To show love to gain something from someone
bring (something) to a head
What does "bring (something) to a head" mean?		 to cause a situation with problems to reach the point where something must be done to solve/deal with the problemsThe union brought the issue of working hours to a head when they threatened to go on strike.
in short order
What does "in short order" mean?		 very quicklyI finished my work in short order and joined my friends at the restaurant.
spoken for
What does "spoken for" mean?		 to be taken/reservedAll of the tickets to the concert are spoken for.
go into effect
What does "go into effect" mean?		 to become effective (a law or a rule), to start to functionThe new parking regulations will go into effect next week.
strike up a conversation with (someone)
What does "strike up a conversation with (someone)" mean?		 to start a conversation with someoneI decided not to strike up a conversation with the man at the bus station.
a tempest in a teapot
What does "a tempest in a teapot" mean?		 great excitement about something that is not very importantThe problem was a tempest in a teapot and after a few days everyone forgot about it.
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