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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be all ears
What does be all ears mean? | be eager to hear what someone has to say. | A: "I just got an e-mail message from our old friendSally."B: "Tell me what she said. I'm all ears!"
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Some Random Idioms
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keep a stiff upper lip
What does "keep a stiff upper lip" mean? | be brave, face trouble bravely | The storm victims tried hard to keep a stiff upper lip in spite of the hardships of their situation.
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come/go away empty-handed
What does "come/go away empty-handed" mean? | to return without anything, to go away without anything | We returned from the department store empty-handed.
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save one`s breath
What does "save one`s breath" mean? | keep silent because talking will not do any good | "You can save your breath and not bother talking to him. He never listens to anyone."
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pokey
What does "pokey" mean? | slow; very slow |
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a hue and cry
What does "a hue and cry" mean? | an excited protest/alarm/outcry | The bank raised a hue and cry when we failed to notify them about our financial problems.
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crib
What does "crib" mean? | a dwelling or home. | Come on and check out my crib. It's just around the corner.
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look like the cat that ate/swallowed the canary
What does "look like the cat that ate/swallowed the canary" mean? | seem very self-satisified, look like you have just had some kind of success | He looked like the cat that ate the canary when he came in with a smile on his face after receiving his special bonus.
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lose face
What does "lose face" mean? | be embarrassed or ashamed by an error or failure, lose dignity | Our boss lost face when his employees decided not to support him during the meeting.
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greenhorn
What does "greenhorn" mean? | an untrained/inexperienced/naive person | The young man was a greenhorn and he had much to learn about his new job.
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klotz
What does "klotz" mean? | clumsy, often dumb, person |
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whistle a different tune
What does "whistle a different tune" mean? | change one`s attitude, contradict previous ideas | He is whistling a different tune now that he has been promoted and has more responsibility at his job.
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kill the goose that layed/lays the golden egg
What does "kill the goose that layed/lays the golden egg" mean? | spoil something that is good or something that one has by being greedy | He was always complaining about his job but now it is gone. He has killed the goose that layed the golden egg.
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hedge one's bets
What does "hedge one's bets" mean? | reduce one's loss on something by counterbalancing the loss in some way | We will hedge our bets and go to a movie if the weather isn't good enough for camping.
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sub
What does "sub" mean? | sandwich made with Italian bread sliced lengthwise, filled with cold cuts, cheese, and vegetables |
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