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.
.
diamond in the rough
What does diamond in the rough mean? | a good person or thing that is hidden by a rough exterior | The man is a diamond in the rough and a very gentle person under his harsh exterior.
|
|
Some Random Idioms
| |
flush with (something)
What does "flush with (something)" mean? | to be even with something | The two pieces of wood were flush with each other so we glued them together.
|
|
| |
keep a secret
What does "keep a secret " mean? | to not tell a secret to others | I have been trying to keep a secret about my friend's boyfriend for a long time now.
|
had
What does "had" mean? | deceived; cheated; swindled |
|
Behind someone's back
What does "Behind someone's back" mean? | If you do something behind someone's back, you do it without telling them. |
|
fall behind
What does "fall behind" mean? | to fail to keep up with work/studies/payments etc. | I fell behind with my homework at the beginning of the term and had problems throughout the year.
|
wanabe
What does "wanabe" mean? | somebody who aspires to greatness or to a particular position or achievement |
|
S.O.B.
What does "S.O.B." mean? | son of a bitch; despicable person (typically male) |
|
bummer
What does "bummer" mean? | something or someone unappealing or unpleasant. | Major bummer, losing your job like that.
|
|
| |
what`s (up) with (someone)
What does "what`s (up) with (someone)" mean? | what is happening/wrong, how is everything | "What`s up with the new supervisor? He seems very angry this morning."
|
bounceback
What does "bounceback" mean? | patient who repeatedly returns to the hospital |
|
have a say/voice (in something)
What does "have a say/voice (in something)" mean? | to have a part in making a decision | I want to have a say in the decision of whether or not we must begin to work in the evenings.
|
come clean
What does "come clean" mean? | to tell the truth | The president of the company was forced to come clean and tell what really happened to the business.
|
Cooking with gas
What does "Cooking with gas" mean? | To be working fast, proceeding rapidly. | After working with those old hand tools, power tools will make you feel like you are really cooking with gas.
Although common place today, gas stoves have not always been the norm. Gas stoves started to be available in the 1800's, and until that time wood stoves were the standard.
Now you're "cooking with gas" comes from an old advertisement for gas stoves. The phrase suggests that gas is faster, easier, cleaner, better than cooking with wood. |
pay one's last respects
What does "pay one's last respects" mean? | to attend the funeral of someone | Our family gathered to pay their last respects to our grandmother.
|