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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catch one's eye
What does catch one's eye mean? | attract one's attention/interest. | "This brochure about Tahiti caught my eye whenI was at the travel agency."
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Some Random Idioms
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get along in years
What does "get along in years" mean? | to grow older | My parents are getting along in years but they are still very healthy.
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to mean business
What does "to mean business" mean? | to be serious, to be ready to take action | He is working very hard and means business when he says that he is going to get the office organized.
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be to blame
What does "be to blame" mean? | to be responsible for something bad or unfortunate | He is not to blame for breaking the computer.
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monkey business
What does "monkey business" mean? | mischief | The kids were involved in some monkey business when the window was broken.
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way to (someone's) heart
What does "way to (someone's) heart" mean? | the best way to please someone or make them like you | The way to my grandfather's heart was through his stomach as he always liked good food.
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Knock the pins from under someone
What does "Knock the pins from under someone" mean? | If someone knocks the pins from under you, they let you down. |
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Go by the boards
What does "Go by the boards" mean? | If something goes by the boards, it fails to get approved or accepted. |
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take out a loan
What does "take out a loan" mean? | to get a loan of money | I had to take out a loan to buy the car.
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up front
What does "up front" mean? | honest, correct | He was very up front when giving me the information about the new office.
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whole ball of wax/shooting match
What does "whole ball of wax/shooting match" mean? | the whole thing or matter | I want to finish the redecorating project and be finished with the whole ball of wax.
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red tape
What does "red tape" mean? | rules and regulations that seem unnecessary (often from the government) | There is a lot of red tape when you try to start up a new business.
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come out in the wash
What does "come out in the wash" mean? | to work out all right | Everything came out in the wash as the students worked out their problems.
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