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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dance with death
What does dance with death mean? | to do something that is very risky | The teenagers were dancing with death when they began to race their cars.
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Some Random Idioms
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piece of work
What does "piece of work" mean? | person of unappealing or undesirable character |
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ambo
What does "ambo" mean? | ambulance |
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let out (clothes/a rope)
What does "let out (clothes/a rope)" mean? | make clothes longer or looser, allow a rope to slip out little by little | I had to go to the tailors to have them let out my sports jacket.
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You can choose your friends, but you can't choose your family
What does "You can choose your friends, but you can't choose your family" mean? | Some things you can choose, but others you cannot, so you have to try to make the best of what you have where you have no choice. |
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breathe down (someone`s) neck
What does "breathe down (someone`s) neck" mean? | watch someone closely (often by standing right behind them), pressure someone to do something | My boss has been breathing down my neck all day to try and get me to finish the report.
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place the blame on (someone or something)
What does "place the blame on (someone or something)" mean? | to blame someone or something | The teacher placed the blame on the boys for breaking the flower vase.
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AA
What does "AA" mean? | Alcoholic's Anonymous - a group that helps people recover from
alcohol abuse | Alcoholic's Anonymous - a group that helps people recover from alcohol abuseMy boss has been going to AA meetings for over a year.
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cut one's losses
What does "cut one's losses" mean? | to reduce one's losses of money or something else | The owners decided to sell the soccer team in order to cut their losses.
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get the nod
What does "get the nod" mean? | to be chosen for something | My favorite candidate got the nod to represent us in the election.
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split up
What does "split up" mean? | two people in a relationship decide to end their
relationship | two people in a relationship decide to end their relationshipMy sister's daughter and her boyfriend decided to split up after being together for seven years.
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crap
What does "crap" mean? | defacate; move one's bowls |
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skins
What does "skins" mean? | drums |
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