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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collar
What does collar mean? | arresting of someone. | Any new collars last night, officer?
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collar
What does collar mean? | arrest someone. | The cops collared two pros over there yesterday.
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Some Random Idioms
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get/have the green light
What does "get/have the green light" mean? | to receive a signal to start or continue something | We got the green light to begin a study of the security problems at our school.
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exercise one's brain
What does "exercise one's brain" mean? | to exercise one's intelligence | I always do puzzles in order to exercise my brain.
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run around like a chicken with its head cut off
What does "run around like a chicken with its head cut off" mean? | to run around frantically and with no aim or purpose | I ran around like a chicken with its head cut off all morning as I prepared for my trip.
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Out of the frying pan, into the fire
What does "Out of the frying pan, into the fire" mean? | If you get out of one problem, but find yourself in a worse situation, you are out of the frying pan, into the fire. |
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put on the dog
What does "put on the dog" mean? | to dress or entertain in an extravagant manner | The couple put on the dog for the visit of their old college friend.
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Same old, same old
What does "Same old, same old" mean? | When nothing changes, it's the same old, same old. |
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tried-and-true
What does "tried-and-true" mean? | tested by time and proven to be sound | I know of a tried-and-true method to remove stains from the carpet.
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plastered
What does "plastered" mean? | drunk; intoxicated |
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litmus test
What does "litmus test" mean? | a test that tries to determine the state of one important question | The judge's opinion about the tax issue was the litmus test that was used to see if he would be able to work with the government.
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with open arms
What does "with open arms" mean? | warmly, eagerly, happily |
The author was welcomed with open arms when he came to visit the city.
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Major league
What does "Major league" mean? | Something major league is very important. |
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feel on top of the world
What does "feel on top of the world" mean? | to feel very good | I feel on top of the world and I plan to go dancing tonight.
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lay up (a vessel)
What does "lay up (a vessel)" mean? | take a vessel out of active service, put a boat in a boat dock or a garage | The weather was getting cold so they decided to lay up their boat for the winter.
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