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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back to the salt mines
What does back to the salt mines mean? | to return to work or return to something else that you do not want to do | We finished our lunch and went back to the salt mines.
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Some Random Idioms
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fine and dandy
What does "fine and dandy" mean? | all right, okay | It is fine and dandy for me that the sale will be held next Saturday.
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speak for itself/themselves
What does "speak for itself/themselves" mean? | to not need explaining | The actions of the men speak for themselves and there is no point talking about it.
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Heads-up
What does "Heads-up" mean? | A heads-up is advanced information or a warning |
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hang on by one's fingernails
What does "hang on by one's fingernails" mean? | to continue or manage to do something in a difficult situation | The man is continuing at his job but he is only hanging on by his fingernails.
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able to take a joke
What does "able to take a joke" mean? | to be able to let others laugh and joke about you | Our boss is not able to take a joke and we must be careful what we say to him.
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make it worth (someone's) while to do (something)
What does "make it worth (someone's) while to do (something)" mean? | make something profitable enough for someone to do | Our company always makes it worth our while to work on Saturday evenings.
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fit (someone) to a T
What does "fit (someone) to a T" mean? | to fit a person very well | My cousin's new job fits her to a T.
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tomorrow is another day
What does "tomorrow is another day" mean? | there will be another opportunity to do something in the future | The boy gave up his plans to get on the basketball team but tomorrow is another day and he will try again next year.
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let (something) pass
What does "let (something) pass" mean? | let something go unnoticed or unchallenged | I didn't like what my friend said to me but I decided to let it pass.
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strike out
What does "strike out" mean? | in baseball a player is "out" after three strikes | The baseball player did not strike out at all during the game.
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keep (someone or something) in check
What does "keep (someone or something) in check" mean? | keep under control, restrain | The economic policy was designed to keep inflation in check.
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throw in the towel/sponge
What does "throw in the towel/sponge" mean? | admit defeat, stop fighting (in a boxing match a towel is
thrown into the ring to admit defeat) | admit defeat, stop fighting (in a boxing match a towel is thrown into the ring to admit defeat)The candidate threw in the towel early in the evening of the election when it became impossible for her to win.
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in favor of
What does "in favor of" mean? | in agreement with | The members of the panel voted in favor of postponing the meeting.
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burn (something) to a crisp
What does "burn (something) to a crisp" mean? | to burn something very badly | I burned the eggs to a crisp when I left the stove on while I was talking on the telephone.
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