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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down one`s alley
What does down one`s alley mean? | to be suited to one`s tastes and abilities | Computers are down my alley so I am sure that I will be interested in the job.
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Some Random Idioms
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tied up
What does "tied up" mean? | to be busy | I was tied up yesterday and did not have enough time to telephone my friend.
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Many a True Word is spoken in Jest.
What does "Many a True Word is spoken in Jest." mean? | A humorous, joking remark may hide a profound
insight or a serious criticism. An unintended comment may turn out to be true. | "You know Shirley, you might as well rub those cinnamon rolls directly on to your hips. That is where they're going to end up anyway." "Well Fred, many a true word is spoken in jest, but my hips are really none of your business."
In trying to be funny many people will relay on sarcasm. The most poignant (and often cutting, or hurtful) sarcasm is founded in truth. It is often determental to a relationship to pick on someone in front of others even if you are basically telling the truth. Conversely, if you are being picked on in jest, you can often get a true picture of how others view you and know then what to work on. The meaning behind this saying was used as early as in Chaucer's "Canterbury Tales," in which the cook says, "A man may seye full soothe in game and pley." Later, at the end of the sixteenth century, a Scottish saying was, "There are many sooth words spoken in bourding," and both French and Italian have equivalent sayings. |
stir (someone or something) up
What does "stir (someone or something) up" mean? | to make someone angry or excited, to cause trouble | The man`s angry words stirred up the crowd and made them very angry.
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take in (money)
What does "take in (money)" mean? | to receive/get money | We were able to take in a lot of money at the charity auction.
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food for thought
What does "food for thought" mean? | something to think about, something that provides mental stimulation |
The advice from the bank manager was food for thought when I made my financial plan.
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arrive on the scene
What does "arrive on the scene" mean? | to appear in a certain place | When the fire department arrived on the scene the fire was almost out.
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armed to the teeth
What does "armed to the teeth" mean? | to be armed with many weapons |
The police were armed to the teeth during the raid.
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white-knuckle
What does "white-knuckle" mean? | very tense, anxious, or stressed |
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dig (something) out or dig out (something)
What does "dig (something) out or dig out (something)" mean? | to locate something |
I dug out last year's income tax forms to look at.
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stick to one's ribs
What does "stick to one's ribs" mean? | to last a long time and to fill one up (used for food) | The meal that my grandmother made stuck to my ribs.
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