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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every Tom, Dick and Harry
What does every Tom, Dick and Harry mean? | the average person | The man said that he is not the same as every Tom, Dick and Harry.
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Some Random Idioms
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monkey business
What does "monkey business" mean? | unethical or illegal activity, cheating | The company was involved in some monkey business with the tax department and have hired a lawyer to defend themselves.
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get/have a frog in one's throat
What does "get/have a frog in one's throat" mean? | get soreness in your throat that prevents you from talking well | I got a frog in my throat just as I answered the phone to talk to my professor.
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gravy train
What does "gravy train" mean? | a job or some work that pays more than it is worth | The job was a gravy train and I made a lot of money when I worked there.
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bottom out
What does "bottom out" mean? | to reach the lowest point | The value of the company's stock has recently appeared to bottom out.
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grasp at straws
What does "grasp at straws" mean? | to try something with little hope of success | The man is grasping at straws with his weak excuse for his bad behavior.
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drop the ball
What does "drop the ball" mean? | make an error or mistake, handle things badly | make an error or mistake, handle things badlyThe government dropped the ball on their decision to expand the airport runway without consulting the local residents.
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slow on the draw
What does "slow on the draw" mean? | to be slow in drawing a gun or in doing something | The man is slow on the draw and never takes advantage of opportunities that he sees.
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zero hour
What does "zero hour" mean? | the exact time when an attack or other military action will start | The air force planes waited until zero hour in order to start out on their bombing mission.
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live beyond one's means
What does "live beyond one's means" mean? | to spend more money than you can afford | The girl is living beyond her means and will soon have some serious financial problems.
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give away (something)
What does "give away (something)" mean? | to give something to someone | I decided to give away my bicycle because I did not need it anymore.
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to boot
What does "to boot" mean? | in addition, also | Our hot water tank is not working and to boot our kitchen stove is also having problems.
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face value
What does "face value" mean? | the value or price printed on a stamp/bond/note/paper money | The face value of the stamp was very low but it was worth a lot of money.
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invest someone with the power or legal right to (do something)
What does "invest someone with the power or legal right to (do something)" mean? | give someone the power or right to do something | The police were invested with the power to enforce the decision of the court.
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