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.
.
air one`s dirty laundry/linen in public
What does air one`s dirty laundry/linen in public mean? | to make public something embarrassing that should be kept secret | The dinner party became uncomfortable when the host began to air his colleague's dirty laundry in public.
|
|
Some Random Idioms
| |
university of life
What does "university of life" mean? | learning from daily life and work rather than going to university | My grandfather began to work on the family farm when he was fourteen and learned everything from the university of life.
|
|
| |
go bananas
What does "go bananas" mean? | to go crazy or become silly, to become angry | The father went bananas after he discovered that his son had taken the family car.
|
Be true blue
What does "Be true blue" mean? | If a person/object/situation is considered to be 'true blue', it is considered genuine. |
|
dwell on (something)
What does "dwell on (something)" mean? | to think or talk about something all the time |
I wish that my friend would not dwell on his personal problems.
|
eyes are bigger than one's stomach
What does "eyes are bigger than one's stomach" mean? | the amount of food that one takes is greater than what one could possibly eat |
My eyes were bigger than my stomach and I took too much food at the buffet dinner.
|
lash out (at someone)
What does "lash out (at someone)" mean? | attack someone with words | They were walking along the beach when the girl suddenly lashed out in anger at her boyfriend.
|
polish the apple
What does "polish the apple" mean? | to try to win someone's favor by flattering him or her | The teacher does not like students who try to polish the apple with her.
|
|
| |
To little avail
What does "To little avail" mean? | If something is to little avail, it means that, despite great efforts, something ended in failure, but taking comfort from the knowledge that nothing else could have been done to avert or avoid the result. |
|
square up to (someone or something)
What does "square up to (someone or something)" mean? | to face someone or something bravely | The young man was forced to square up to the mistakes that he had made.
|
get one's act together
What does "get one's act together" mean? | to become more organized |
My sister finally got her act together and was able to find a new job.
|
fast talker
What does "fast talker" mean? | a con artist, a clever talker who convinces others easily |
The man is a fast talker and you should be careful not to believe everything that he says.
|
like father, like son
What does "like father, like son" mean? | a son usually acts like his father | "Like father, like son," the man said as he watched the boy playing baseball exactly like his father.
|
bear fruit
What does "bear fruit" mean? | to yield or give results |
The woman's hard work at her business finally began to bear fruit when she started to make money.
|