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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angel lust
What does angel lust mean? | death erection; male cadaver with an erection |
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Some Random Idioms
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count noses
What does "count noses" mean? | to count people | After the teacher finished counting noses everyone got on the bus.
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build up (someone or something) or build (someone or something) up
What does "build up (someone or something) or build (someone or something) up" mean? | to make someone or something bigger or stronger, to promote someone or something |
The woman is always trying to build up her boss.
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do without (something)
What does "do without (something)" mean? | to manage without something |
We will have to do without sugar because there is none left.
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clear-cut
What does "clear-cut" mean? | clearly stated, clear and certain |
The boy gave a clear-cut answer to the question.
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cow college
What does "cow college" mean? | a school where farming or agriculture is studied |
My cousin will go to a cow college when he finishes high school.
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Many a True Word is spoken in Jest.
What does "Many a True Word is spoken in Jest." mean? | A humorous, joking remark may hide a profound
insight or a serious criticism. An unintended comment may turn out to be true. | "You know Shirley, you might as well rub those cinnamon rolls directly on to your hips. That is where they're going to end up anyway." "Well Fred, many a true word is spoken in jest, but my hips are really none of your business."
In trying to be funny many people will relay on sarcasm. The most poignant (and often cutting, or hurtful) sarcasm is founded in truth. It is often determental to a relationship to pick on someone in front of others even if you are basically telling the truth. Conversely, if you are being picked on in jest, you can often get a true picture of how others view you and know then what to work on. The meaning behind this saying was used as early as in Chaucer's "Canterbury Tales," in which the cook says, "A man may seye full soothe in game and pley." Later, at the end of the sixteenth century, a Scottish saying was, "There are many sooth words spoken in bourding," and both French and Italian have equivalent sayings. |
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out of earshot
What does "out of earshot" mean? | too far from a sound/voice to hear it | I was out of earshot when my friends began to talk about me.
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at the expense of (someone or something)
What does "at the expense of (someone or something)" mean? | to be to the harm of (someone or something) | The man worked very hard and made much money but it was at the expense of his family life and health.
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in one ear and out the other
What does "in one ear and out the other" mean? | be heard and then immediately forgotten | Everything that the teacher says seems to go in one ear and out the other for my friend.
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