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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call a spade a spade
What does call a spade a spade mean? | to speak bluntly | The supervisor called a spade a spade when he criticized the employee for being lazy.
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call a spade a spade
What does call a spade a spade mean? | call a person or thing a name that is true, speak in plain
language | call a person or thing a name that is true, speak in plain languageI decided to call a spade a spade and tell our supervisor what was wrong with our workplace.
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call a spade a spade
What does call a spade a spade mean? | to describe something as it really is, to speak plainly |
I decided to call a spade a spade and tell our supervisor what I think is wrong with our workplace.
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call a spade a spade
What does call a spade a spade mean? | to speak bluntly |
The supervisor called a spade a spade when he criticized the employee for being lazy.
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Some Random Idioms
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be bummed about
What does "be bummed about" mean? | be depressed. | I'm so bummed that I ddin't get a raise.
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keep one's chin up
What does "keep one's chin up" mean? | remain brave and confident in a
difficult situation;
don't despair or worry too much. | "I know that things have been difficult for yourecently, but keep your chin up. Everything will be better soon."
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Thrilled to bits
What does "Thrilled to bits" mean? | If you are thrilled to bits, you are extremely pleased or excited about something. |
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make sure
What does "make sure" mean? | to make certain, to establish something without a doubt | I want to make sure that my friend is going to meet me tomorrow.
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in any case/event
What does "in any case/event" mean? | no matter what happens, surely, without fail | I may not be able to meet you next week but in any case I will still give you the books before then.
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run down
What does "run down" mean? | explanation or description of an event |
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pull someone's leg
What does "pull someone's leg" mean? | tease someone by trying to make her/him
believe something
that's exaggerated or untrue. | A: "Wow! Carl has done some really amazingthings!"B: "Don't believe everything he tells you. He was probably pullingyour leg."
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cheek by jowl
What does "cheek by jowl" mean? | side by side, in close intimacy |
The fans entered the stadium cheek by jowl.
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soaked to the skin
What does "soaked to the skin" mean? | with one's clothing wet right through to the skin | We were soaked to the skin when we got home from the picnic.
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lay it on thick
What does "lay it on thick" mean? | praise someone too much | My friend began to lay it on thick when I told him about my new job.
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day-to-day
What does "day-to-day" mean? | daily, everyday | The president was not involved in the day-to-day running of the university.
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thumb one`s nose at (someone or something)
What does "thumb one`s nose at (someone or something)" mean? | to look with disfavor or dislike at someone or something | The star player thumbed his nose at the fans when they began to yell at him.
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Put some dirt on it
What does "Put some dirt on it" mean? | This means that when you get hurt, you should rub it off or shake it off and you'll be ok. |
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