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 it quits
What does call it quits mean? | to stop, to finish | I called it quits and went home for the day.
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call it quits
What does call it quits mean? | to stop, to finish |
I called it quits and went home for the day.
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Some Random Idioms
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Hat trick
What does "Hat trick" mean? | The accomplishment of three successes or wins. | Pam has pulled off a hat trick, three divorces, three big settlements.
"Hat trick" originated from the English game of Cricket. The term originally referred to a bowler retiring three consecutive batsman with three consecutive balls.
This is roughly equivalent to a pitcher in baseball striking out three consecutive batters using only three pitches to each! This was considered quite an accomplishment and was traditionally rewarded with a hat.
The term is now used for other sports, always referring to an accomplishment of three. A popular use today is three goals by a single player in one game of hockey or soccer. |
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wash one`s hands of (someone or something)
What does "wash one`s hands of (someone or something)" mean? | to withdraw from or refuse to be responsible for something, to stop one's association with someone | I decided to wash my hands of the problem with the new secretary and let someone else deal with it.
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split one's sides (with laughter)
What does "split one's sides (with laughter)" mean? | to laugh so hard that one's sides almost split |
I split my sides with laughter when I heard the story about my friend.
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butthole
What does "butthole" mean? | anus |
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Same here!
What does "Same here!" mean? | Me too! I agree! | "Same here," I replied when someone said that they were having problems with their Internet provider.
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thin-skinned
What does "thin-skinned" mean? | easily upset or hurt, very sensitive | My friend is rather thin-skinned and is always upset about something that someone may have said to her.
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a leading question
What does "a leading question" mean? | a question to a witness that is designed to suggest or produce the reply that is wanted by the questioner |
The judge criticized the lawyer for asking leading questions during the trial.
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split (someone) up
What does "split (someone) up" mean? | to separate two or more people (from one another) | The teacher had to split the two boys up because they were fighting.
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two-time (someone)
What does "two-time (someone)" mean? | to cheat on one's partner by seeing someone else | The couple separated when the man began to two-time his wife.
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Streets ahead
What does "Streets ahead" mean? | If people are streets ahead of their rivals, they are a long way in front. |
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edge (someone) out
What does "edge (someone) out" mean? | to win a competition against someone and get a job or position | I was able to edge out the other applicants to get the job.
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in a nutshell
What does "in a nutshell" mean? | briefly, in a few words | We went to the meeting and they told us in a nutshell about the plans for our company.
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lean on (someone)
What does "lean on (someone)" mean? | pressure someone by blackmail or threats of physical violence to make him or her do something | The gang decided to lean on the small shop owner to get him to sell his property.
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