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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cram
What does cram mean? | try to learn as much as possible in a very short
time. | "Sidney did well on the test because he crammed forit. However, he probablywon't remember any of the information a couple of days from now."
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Some Random Idioms
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old hat
What does "old hat" mean? | to be old-fashioned, to be not new or different | My job has become old hat and I am becoming tired of it.
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circle the drain
What does "circle the drain" mean? | be moribund; be in the process of dying or failing |
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stand for (something)
What does "stand for (something)" mean? | to speak in favor of something, to show that one supports something | All of the candidates stand for a platform of law and order.
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sleazoid
What does "sleazoid" mean? | sleazy; disgusting; having a bad reputation |
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not set foot (somewhere)
What does "not set foot (somewhere)" mean? | to not go somewhere | We did not set foot in the old factory that we passed on our hike.
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send (someone) to the showers
What does "send (someone) to the showers" mean? | to send a player out of the game and off the field/court etc. | The coach decided to send the player to the showers after his poor performance during the game.
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in a lather
What does "in a lather" mean? | excited and agitated | My friend was in a lather when she heard that she would be transferring to another department.
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hustle
What does "hustle" mean? | make efforts (usually with one's own abilities) to earn money |
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get a kick out of (someone or something)
What does "get a kick out of (someone or something)" mean? | to enjoy someone or something | My father got a kick out of seeing his old school friend.
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learn (something) by heart
What does "learn (something) by heart" mean? | memorize something | I quickly learned my library card number by heart.
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flea market
What does "flea market" mean? | a place where antiques or secondhand goods are sold | We went to a flea market last Saturday to try and buy some dishes.
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stare (someone) in the face
What does "stare (someone) in the face" mean? | to be very likely to happen, to be clear and easy to recognize | Defeat was staring the runner in the face right from the beginning of the race.
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go into effect
What does "go into effect" mean? | a law or rule becomes effective or in use | The new parking law will go into effect at midnight.
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play one's cards close to one's chest
What does "play one's cards close to one's chest" mean? | be extremely secretive and cautious about something (holding
playing cards close to your chest so the other players can't see
them) | be extremely secretive and cautious about something (holding playing cards close to your chest so the other players can't see them)My boss always plays his cards close to his chest when he is negotiating with another company.
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