American Idioms and Expressions

A Left Handed Compliment 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 left-handed compliment
What does a left-handed compliment mean?
an ambiguous compliment interpreted as offensiveHe gave her a left-handed compliment when he said that her dyed hair looked nice.

Some Random Idioms
two wrongs don't make a right
What does "two wrongs don't make a right" mean?
you cannot justify doing something wrong or bad just because somebody else has done the same thing to youTwo wrongs don't make a right and just because the boy's friend was not punished for taking the equipment without permission, this did not make it right for others to do the same thing.
Prodigal son
What does "Prodigal son" mean?
A prodigal son is a young man who wastes a lot on money on a lavish lifestyle. If the prodigal son returns, they return to a better way of living.
a law unto oneself
What does "a law unto oneself" mean?
someone who makes his or her own laws or rulesThe manager was a law unto herself and thought that she could do whatever she liked.
put (someone or something) to sleep
What does "put (someone or something) to sleep" mean?
to cause someone to sleep/die through drugs or anesthesiaThe doctor put the woman to sleep before the operation began.
down on (someone)
What does "down on (someone)" mean?
to be critical of someone, to be angry at someoneThe girl is down on her friend but I do not know the reason.
on (someone's) account
What does "on (someone's) account" mean?
because of someoneWe went to the children's festival on our daughter's account.
bound and determined
What does "bound and determined" mean?
to be determined The man's wife is bound and determined to visit her sister this summer.

from day to day
What does "from day to day" mean?
one day at a time We did not know from day to day if the weather would be good for the birthday picnic.

get in
What does "get in" mean?
to arrive My friend got in at noon today.

as black as night
What does "as black as night" mean?
very dark and blackThe old house was as black as night when we entered it.
put ideas into (someone's) head
What does "put ideas into (someone's) head" mean?
to suggest something (often bad) to someoneMy mother was angry because I was putting ideas into my sister's head.
a hold-up
What does "a hold-up" mean?
a robberyI was involved in a hold-up when I was in the supermarket last weekend.

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