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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all that glitters is not gold
What does all that glitters is not gold mean? | many things that look attractive and valuable actually have no value at all | many things that look attractive and valuable actually have no value at allThe man learned that all that glitters is not gold when he invested his money in the stock market and lost much of it.
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Some Random Idioms
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slow on the uptake
What does "slow on the uptake" mean? | to be slow to figure something out | The new employee is slow on the uptake and we must explain everything to him at least two times.
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take the Fifth
What does "take the Fifth" mean? | to refuse to incriminate oneself because of the protection of the Fifth Amendment of the Constitution of the United States (in the U.S. a witness at a trial has this right) |
The business executive decided to take the Fifth rather than give testimony at the trial.
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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.
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get with it
What does "get with it" mean? | make one's ideas and actions current. | Come on, get with it. You're so behind the times.
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Open all hours
What does "Open all hours" mean? | If a shop or suchlike is open all hours, it only closes, if at all, terribly late. |
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talk (someone) out of (doing something)
What does "talk (someone) out of (doing something)" mean? | to persuade someone not to do something, to persuade someone to give something up | I spent an hour yesterday trying to talk my friend out of quitting his job.
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best bib and tucker
What does "best bib and tucker" mean? | one's best clothing |
The man wore his best bib and tucker to the meeting.
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cover for (someone)
What does "cover for (someone)" mean? | to make excuses for someone, to cover someone's errors | I covered for my friend when the boss saw that she was away from her desk.
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have a price on one's head
What does "have a price on one's head" mean? | to be wanted by the authorities who have offered money for your capture | The criminal has a price on his head and should soon be captured by the police.
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