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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bend over backwards (to do something)
What does bend over backwards (to do something) mean? | to try very hard to do something | "I will bend over backwards to help you get a job in this company."
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Some Random Idioms
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hit the deck
What does "hit the deck" mean? | get up from bed, start working | "Let`s hit the deck and get this work done before supper."
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fuck around
What does "fuck around" mean? | spend time doing minor, irrelevant things. | Don't fuck around anymore.
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Poacher turned gamekeeper
What does "Poacher turned gamekeeper" mean? | Someone who gets a legitimate job which is the opposite of their previous one. E.G a computer hacker who then helps to catch other hackers or an ex-bank robber who then advises banks on security. |
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regain one's feet
What does "regain one's feet" mean? | to stand up again after falling, to become independent after financial difficulties | I quickly regained my feet after almost falling on the sidewalk.
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Hit the ground running
What does "Hit the ground running" mean? | If someone hits the ground running, they start a new job or position in a very dynamic manner. |
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up in years
What does "up in years" mean? | old, elderly | Although our grandparents are up in years they still have much energy.
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can't do anything about (someone or something)
What does "can't do anything about (someone or something)" mean? | to be unable to manage or control someone or something |
I cannot do anything about the noise in our office.
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Like no one's business
What does "Like no one's business" mean? | If I say my children are growing like no one's business, it means they're growing very quickly. See also 'Like the clappers' and 'Like there's no tomorrow'. |
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give ground
What does "give ground" mean? | to move back, to retreat, to stop opposing someone | Our boss refused to give ground on his plan to change the system of office management.
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Method in his madness
What does "Method in his madness" mean? | If there's method in someone's madness, they do things in a strange and unorthodox way, but manage to get results. |
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round-robin tournament/contest
What does "round-robin tournament/contest" mean? | a game or contest in which each player or team plays every other player or team in turn | A round-robin tournament was held in order to choose the best team in the city.
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feel at home
What does "feel at home" mean? | to feel comfortable and relaxed (as if you were at your home) |
I always feel at home when I visit my friend.
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