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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batten down the hatches
What does batten down the hatches mean? | to prepare for difficult times, to close the hatches in a boat before a storm | A big storm was coming so we decided to batten down the hatches and stay home.
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batten down the hatches
What does batten down the hatches mean? | to prepare for difficult times, to close the hatches in a boat before a storm |
A big storm was coming so we decided to batten down the hatches and stay home.
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Some Random Idioms
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rag
What does "rag" mean? | clothing in general (of any quality) |
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have a good command of (something)
What does "have a good command of (something)" mean? | know something well | The girls have a good command of French.
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chop shop
What does "chop shop" mean? | place where stolen cars are cut apart, the resulting parts sold individually |
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fall through
What does "fall through" mean? | to fail, to not happen | My plan to go abroad fell through when my father refused to lend me some money.
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until the cows come home
What does "until the cows come home" mean? | until very late, for a long time | We can talk until the cows come home this weekend.
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capish
What does "capish" mean? | understand (usually as a question). | This is what you gotta do, capish?
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scuzzy
What does "scuzzy" mean? | disgusting; repulsive; vulgar |
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twofer
What does "twofer" mean? | two items for the price of one |
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hammer out (something)
What does "hammer out (something)" mean? | work something out by discussion and debate | The union and managers were able to hammer out an agreement before midnight last night.
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Nothing to crow about
What does "Nothing to crow about" mean? | If something's nothing to crow about, it's not particularly good or special. |
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plea bargain
What does "plea bargain" mean? | plead guilty to a crime or decide not to fight against a charge in order to try and receive a light punishment (usually done in a negotiation between the defendant and his or her lawyer and the prosecutor) | The man decided to plea bargain in order not to have to endure a long trial with an uncertain result.
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no kidding
What does "no kidding" mean? | honestly, really | "No kidding, are you really going to buy a house."
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Fall off the back of a lorry
What does "Fall off the back of a lorry" mean? | (UK) If someone tries to sell you something that has fallen of the back of a lorry, they are trying to sell you stolen goods. |
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