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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can't stand/stomach (someone or something)
What does can't stand/stomach (someone or something) mean? | to dislike someone or something very much | My uncle cannot stand his daughter's boyfriend.
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Some Random Idioms
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In the hot seat
What does "In the hot seat" mean? | If someone's in the hot seat, they are the target for a lot of unwelcome criticism and examination. |
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contrary to (someone or something)
What does "contrary to (someone or something)" mean? | in spite of something |
Contrary to what everybody thought, my friend had already quit his job.
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pull the wool over (someone`s) eyes
What does "pull the wool over (someone`s) eyes" mean? | to deceive someone, to fool someone, to trick someone |
The girl tried to pull the wool over her mother`s eyes when she said that she had been studying all weekend.
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a stick-in-the-mud
What does "a stick-in-the-mud" mean? | someone who is old-fashioned or does not want to join in with others and do something | The girl is a stick-in-the-mud and will never join in any of the activities at a party.
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in a pickle/in a pretty pickle
What does "in a pickle/in a pretty pickle" mean? | in a mess, in trouble | My friend is in a pickle now that she has lost her job.
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out of order
What does "out of order" mean? | to be against the rules, to be not suitable | His question was ruled out of order by the judge and he was not able to ask it.
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jump street
What does "jump street" mean? | start; beginning; outset (of something) |
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eyes pop out (of one's head)
What does "eyes pop out (of one's head)" mean? | one is very surprised | My eyes popped out of my head when I saw the new computer that I got for my birthday.
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toss one's cookies
What does "toss one's cookies" mean? | throw up; vomit |
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belt (something) out
What does "belt (something) out" mean? | to sing/play a song with lots of energy | The man stood up and belted out several old songs.
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have a foot in both camps
What does "have a foot in both camps" mean? | support each of two opposing groups of people | The mayor of the city has a foot in both camps of the opposing groups.
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Reading the riot act
What does "Reading the riot act" mean? | To complain or lecture loudly and with angry emotion.
| Upset about his neighbors load music at 3:00 am, Davis knocked on the door and proceeded to read the riot act.
"Reading the riot act" used to be a literal event. Bobbies in Britain used to read a prescribed proclamation, known as the Riot Act, before they could break up or arrest a crowd. The Riot Act is used in a fashion similar to the Miranda Rights in the US.
The Bobbies would approach the crowd, read the Riot Act aloud, and then disperse or arrest them. |