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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Armed to the teeth
What does Armed to the teeth mean? | To be heavily armed. | Don't even think about going into Chicago's housing projects unless you are armed to the teeth.
This is a pirate phrase originating in Port Royal Jamaica in the 1600's. Having only single shot black powder weapons and cutlesses, they would carry many of these weapons at once to keep up the fight.
In addition they carried a knife in their teeth for maximum arms capability. |
armed to the teeth
What does armed to the teeth mean? | to be armed with many weapons | The police were armed to the teeth during the drug raid.
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armed to the teeth
What does armed to the teeth mean? | to be fully armed, to have many weapons | The robbers were armed to the teeth when they robbed the bank.
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armed to the teeth
What does armed to the teeth mean? | to be armed with many weapons |
The police were armed to the teeth during the raid.
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armed to the teeth
What does armed to the teeth mean? | fully armed, having many weapons |
The robbers were armed to the teeth when they robbed the bank.
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Some Random Idioms
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verge on (something)
What does "verge on (something)" mean? | come close or approach something | The accident verged on becoming a major disaster but luckily it was not.
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count noses
What does "count noses" mean? | to count people |
The teacher stopped to count noses before the students got on the bus.
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thousand and one
What does "thousand and one" mean? | very many | I can think of a thousand and one reasons why I do not want to travel with my friend.
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take one`s time
What does "take one`s time" mean? | to do something without hurrying | My friend took his time to return the book that he had borrowed.
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eager beaver
What does "eager beaver" mean? | a person who is always eager to work hard or do extra work | My colleague is an eager beaver and is always ready to work hard when we need him.
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read someone's mind
What does "read someone's mind" mean? | know what someone is thinking. | A: "I'll be you're thinking of what you're going tohave for dinner."
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take the Fifth
What does "take the Fifth" mean? | in the United States a witness at a trial has the right to refuse to incriminate him or herself because of the protection of the Fifth Amendment of the Constitution of the United States | The business executive decided to take the Fifth rather than give testimony at the trial.
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keep one`s eye on the ball
What does "keep one`s eye on the ball" mean? | be watchful and ready for something | "You should keep your eye on the ball or you will make a mistake."
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not lay a finger/hand on (someone)
What does "not lay a finger/hand on (someone)" mean? | not touch someone, not do something to someone | The man was told by the police never to lay a finger on his wife again.
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thin-skinned
What does "thin-skinned" mean? | easily upset or hurt, very sensitive |
My friend is thin-skinned and is always upset about something that someone says to her.
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