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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chow
What does chow mean? | food. | "How's the chow in the university cafeteria?"
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Some Random Idioms
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in contempt of court
What does "in contempt of court" mean? | disrespect for a judge or for courtroom procedures | The woman was in contempt of court when she refused to sit down quietly during the trial.
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squeak by (someone or something)
What does "squeak by (someone or something)" mean? | to just barely get by someone or something | I was able to squeak by the deadline and submit my scholarship application on time.
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to show cause
What does "to show cause" mean? | to give a reason or explanation for something | The lawyer was asked to show cause as to why the man was guilty of the crime.
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What will be will be
What does "What will be will be" mean? | The expression what will be will be is used to describe the notion that fate will decide the outcome of a course of events, even if action is taken to try to alter it. |
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swipe
What does "swipe" mean? | steal something (usually small) |
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call off (something)
What does "call off (something)" mean? | to cancel something | The game was called off because of the rain.
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ISTM
What does "ISTM" mean? | it seems to me |
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Patience of Job
What does "Patience of Job" mean? | If something requires the patience of Job, it requires great patience. |
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leave word with (someone)
What does "leave word with (someone)" mean? | leave a message with someone | I left word with my father to have my mother phone me tonight.
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head off (someone)
What does "head off (someone)" mean? | get in front of and stop someone, turn someone back | In the movie the soldiers tried to head off the gang at the mountain pass.
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paper over the cracks (in/of something)
What does "paper over the cracks (in/of something)" mean? | to try to hide faults or difficulties | Our boss is trying to paper over the cracks in the office and will not deal with the problems of the staff.
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OAP
What does "OAP" mean? | Old Age Pensioner | Old Age PensionerAt first I could not understand why I couldn't get the discount that was for OAPs only. Later I realized it was for senior citizens.
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something else
What does "something else" mean? | to be so good as to be beyond description, to be something entirely different | The movie was something else. It was the best movie that I have seen in many years.
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