Before Long Idiom American Expressions and American Idioms

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. .

before long What does before long mean?	soon.	A: "I'm really tired of working."B: "Just be patient. The weekend will be here before long."
before long What does before long mean?	soon	I had to wait a few minutes but before long my friend arrived to meet me.
before long What does before long mean?	soon	I had to wait a few minutes but before long my friend arrived.
	Some Random Idioms
freebasing What does "freebasing" mean?	smoking crack cocaine

Loose lips sink ships What does "Loose lips sink ships" mean?	To have loose lips means to have a big mouth, susceptible to talking about everything and everyone. Sinking ships refers to anything from small acquaintances to long and hearty relationships (with friends or a significant other). So when one says loose lips sink ships, one is basically saying if you can't shut up you are going to end hurting people, usually psychologically or emotionally.Loose lips sink ships comes from World War I and/or WWII, when sailors on leave from their ships might talk
take the stand What does "take the stand" mean?	sit in the witness chair in a courtroom	The main witness at the trial took the stand after the other witnesses were finished.
everything one can lay/get his or her hands on What does "everything one can lay/get his or her hands on" mean?	to use everything of a particular type that you can find	We used everything that we could lay our hands on to build the small storage building.
like a bump on a log What does "like a bump on a log" mean?	unresponsive	The boy spent the morning at home like a bump on a log.
Tears before bedtime What does "Tears before bedtime" mean?	(UK) This idiom is used when something seems certain to go wrong or cause trouble.
in pen What does "in pen" mean?	written or signed with a pen	The teacher asked the students to make sure that they wrote the essay in pen.

to one`s name What does "to one`s name" mean?	in one`s ownership	The man is a very good dresser although he does not have a penny to his name.
give a wide birth to (someone or something) What does "give a wide birth to (someone or something)" mean?	to keep away from someone or something, to keep a safe distance from someone or something	I usually give a wide birth to my boss when he is angry.
call a meeting to order What does "call a meeting to order" mean?	to officially start a meeting	The president called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM.
serve as a guinea pig What does "serve as a guinea pig" mean?	to allow some kind of test to be performed on someone	The students served as a guinea pig for the school board's plan to change the school curriculum.
better the devil you know than the devil you don't What does "better the devil you know than the devil you don't" mean?	it may be better to endure a situation that you are accustomed to than to risk a change for something that may be worse	My friend wanted to change banks but he felt that it was better the devil he knew than the devil he didn't so he stayed with his old bank.

American Idioms and Expressions

Before Long Idiom