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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eat away at (something)
What does eat away at (something) mean? | to rot/destroy something | The mildew has been eating away at the window frame all year.
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Some Random Idioms
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out from under (someone or something)
What does "out from under (someone or something)" mean? | to be free and clear of someone or something | My friend is out from under her critical older sister who has gone to live in a different city.
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sink one's teeth into (something)
What does "sink one's teeth into (something)" mean? | to take a bite of some kind of food, to get really involved in something | I am trying hard to sink my teeth into the project at work.
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blimey
What does "blimey" mean? | wow; oh (used to express surprise or excitement) |
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well hung
What does "well hung" mean? | having large testicles and penis |
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in the wrong
What does "in the wrong" mean? | wrong, against justice/truth/fact | The driver was in the wrong and was arrested by the police after the accident.
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Kick your heels
What does "Kick your heels" mean? | (UK) If you have to kick your heels, you are forced to wait for the result or outcome of something. |
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have a head for (something)
What does "have a head for (something)" mean? | have the mental capacity for something | My father has a head for numbers and is very good at mathematics.
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a hard-and-fast rule
What does "a hard-and-fast rule" mean? | a rule that cannot be altered to fit special cases | There is no hard-and-fast rule that says you can`t use a cellular phone in the train.
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mess
What does "mess" mean? | feces; dung. | The dog left a mess by the door.
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Wrap yourself in the flag
What does "Wrap yourself in the flag" mean? | If someone wraps themselves in the flag, they pretend to be doing something for patriotic reasons or out of loyalty, but their real motives are selfish.
('Drape yourself in the flag' is an alternative form of this idiom) |
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take a bow
What does "take a bow" mean? | to bow and receive credit for a good performance | The violinist stopped to take a bow before she went backstage with the orchestra.
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kiss of death
What does "kiss of death" mean? | an act that puts an end to someone or something | When the girl learned that I knew her teacher, it was the kiss of death. She didn't want to talk to me anymore.
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know all the tricks of the trade
What does "know all the tricks of the trade" mean? | possess the skills and knowledge necessary to do something | My cousin knows all the tricks of the trade and is a very good plumber.
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