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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ease off/up on (someone or something)
What does ease off/up on (someone or something) mean? | to put less pressure on someone or something, to relax | The president was asked to ease off on his efforts to cut staff in the company.
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Some Random Idioms
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no ifs, ands, or buts about it
What does "no ifs, ands, or buts about it" mean? | absolutely no discussion or doubts about something | "You are going to bed now - no ifs, ands, or buts about it," said the mother to her child.
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heart stands still
What does "heart stands still" mean? | to be very frightened or worried about something | My heart stood still when the truck on the highway almost hit our car.
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eyes are bigger than one's stomach
What does "eyes are bigger than one's stomach" mean? | taking more food than one can eat |
My eyes were bigger than my stomach when I went to the buffet table and took too much food.
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a fraidy-cat
What does "a fraidy-cat" mean? | someone who is easily frightened (usually used by children) | The little boy called his friend a fraidy-cat because his friend would not climb the tree.
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too good to be true
What does "too good to be true" mean? | to be almost unbelievable | The offer was too good to be true and I did not believe that it was possible.
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cut/slit one`s (own) throat
What does "cut/slit one`s (own) throat" mean? | experience certain failure, do something that will cause problems now or in the future | He is cutting his own throat if he doesn't make an effort to find a new job quickly.
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find (someone) guilty
What does "find (someone) guilty" mean? | to decide that someone is guilty in a court of law |
The judge found the young man guilty of breaking and entering a small store.
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take leave of one's senses
What does "take leave of one's senses" mean? | to become irrational | I think that my neighbor has taken leave of his senses. He has been acting very strange lately.
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rhyme or reason
What does "rhyme or reason" mean? | a good plan or reason, a reasonable purpose or explanation (usually used in negative/interrogative/conditional sentences) | There was no rhyme or reason as to why my friend suddenly decided to quit his job.
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