A Hard And Fast Rule Idiom American Expressions and American Idioms - What does A Hard And Fast Rule Idiom mean?

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. .

a hard-and-fast rule What does a hard-and-fast rule mean?	a rule that cannot be altered to fit special cases	There is no hard-and-fast rule that says you can`t use a cellular phone in the train.
a hard-and-fast rule What does a hard-and-fast rule mean?	a rule that cannot be altered to fit special cases	There is no hard-and-fast rule that says you cannot use a cell phone on the bus.
	Some Random Idioms
Thin end of the wedge What does "Thin end of the wedge" mean?	The thin end of the wedge is something small and seemingly unimportant that will lead to something much bigger and more serious.

Know full well What does "Know full well" mean?	When you know full well, you are absolutely sure that you know.
on behalf of (someone) What does "on behalf of (someone)" mean?	representing someone	The lawyer went to the meeting on behalf of his client.
rough it What does "rough it" mean?	to live in uncomfortable conditions without the usual comforts (such as on a camping trip)	We were forced to rough it for a few days when the storm knocked out the electricity supply.
set (someone) back What does "set (someone) back" mean?	to cost a certain amount of money	My friend asked me how much my new coat had set me back.
cap and gown What does "cap and gown" mean?	the academic cap and the gown that is worn during graduation ceremonies	Everybody was wearing their cap and gown for the university graduation ceremonies.
make oneself heard What does "make oneself heard" mean?	speak loudly so you will be heard above the noise	I had to speak loudly in order to make myself heard while the loud music was playing.

call it quits What does "call it quits" mean?	to stop, to finish	I called it quits and went home for the day.
by a whisker/hair What does "by a whisker/hair" mean?	just barely, by a very small amount	The marathon runner won the race by a whisker.
drop by the wayside What does "drop by the wayside" mean?	to give up or fail before the finish of something	Many runners dropped by the wayside during the marathon.
up and at 'em/them What does "up and at 'em/them" mean?	get active and get busy	We will be up and at 'em very early tomorrow morning.
read the handwriting on the wall What does "read the handwriting on the wall" mean?	to anticipate what is going to happen by observing small hints and clues	Everybody in our department could read the handwriting on the wall and knew that the company would soon close our department.

American Idioms and Expressions

A Hard And Fast Rule Idiom