Chips Are Down Idiom American Expressions and American Idioms

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. .

chips are down What does chips are down mean?	the time when one faces the greatest obstacles	When the chips are down the boy goes to his father for advice and encouragement.
chips are down What does chips are down mean?	the time when one faces the greatest obstacles	When the chips are down the boy goes to his father for help.
	Some Random Idioms
strike out at (someone or something) What does "strike out at (someone or something)" mean?	to hit at or attack someone or something	The boy struck out at his friend in the playground.

in some/many respects What does "in some/many respects" mean?	with regard to some or many details	In many respects our new house is much more convenient than our previous one.
in time What does "in time" mean?	not late.	"I thought I was going to be late for my flight, butit was delayed, so I was still in time."
look like a million dollars What does "look like a million dollars" mean?	to look very good	The woman looked like a million dollars when she went to accept the award.
nuts about (someone or something) What does "nuts about (someone or something)" mean?	to be enthusiastic about something	He has been nuts about cars ever since he was a little boy.
build (something) to order What does "build (something) to order" mean?	to make something especially for a customer	The family wanted to build their kitchen table and chairs to order.
hang out one's shingle What does "hang out one's shingle" mean?	to open one's own business (usually as a professional in some field)	My friend decided to hang out his shingle as a dentist soon after he finished school.

Make a monkey of someone What does "Make a monkey of someone" mean?	If you make a monkey of someone, you make them look foolish.
a mix-up What does "a mix-up" mean?	an error, confusion	There was a mix-up at the airline ticket counter and I was given the wrong ticket.
first hand What does "first hand" mean?	to see or experience or learn about something by direct personal experience	We saw the car accident first hand when we were driving down the highway.
break the law What does "break the law" mean?	fail to obey the law	The woman was forced to quit her job after it was discovered that she had broken the law.
neuro What does "neuro" mean?	neorology; neurological service in a hospital.	Call neuro. We won't figure this out on our own.

American Idioms and Expressions

Chips Are Down Idiom