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 cloud has a silver lining What does every cloud has a silver lining mean? | there is something good in every bad thing | Every cloud has a silver lining and although I lost my job other good things have happened.
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every cloud has a silver lining What does every cloud has a silver lining mean? | there is always something good in every problem or bad event | Although the fire destroyed the small business, every cloud has a silver lining and the business owners were able to build a new building which was better than the original one.
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every cloud has a silver lining What does every cloud has a silver lining mean? | there is something good in every bad thing |
Every cloud has a silver lining and although I lost my job other good things have happened.
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| Some Random Idioms
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jack up (the price) What does "jack up (the price)" mean? | to raise the price of something | The store jacked up the prices of their summer stock at the beginning of the summer.
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baby catcher What does "baby catcher" mean? | obstetrician |
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to wit What does "to wit" mean? | namely, that is to say | There were several important people at the dinner, to wit the mayor, the city manager, and the chief financial officer of the city.
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ring down the curtain on (something) What does "ring down the curtain on (something)" mean? | to bring something to an end | The famous singer rang down the curtain on an evening of wonderful music.
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At the end of your rope What does "At the end of your rope" mean? | If you are at the end of your rope, you are at the limit of your patience or endurance. |
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run the good race What does "run the good race" mean? | to do the best that one can | The politician ran the good race but in the end he lost the election.
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box What does "box" mean? | a large, portable stereo system |
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get along What does "get along" mean? | to leave |
It`s late so I must get along now.
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split hairs What does "split hairs" mean? | to make unnecessary distinctions about something | The manager makes many good points but he has a tendency to split hairs and waste a lot of our time.
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go public What does "go public" mean? | to become a public company and to sell the company stock to the public | The stock of the Internet company rose very quickly after the company went public.
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second-rate What does "second-rate" mean? | to be not of the best quality | The performance of the school choir was second-rate and they need more practice to improve.
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the straight and narrow What does "the straight and narrow" mean? | a straight and law-abiding route through life | The young man was back on the straight and narrow after his discussions with the police officer and social worker.
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High on the hog What does "High on the hog" mean? | Extravagantly. | If you choose to live high on the hog, you will be low in the wallet. The best meat is on the upper portion of the pig. Rich people have always been afforded this luxury while the servants, slaves and poor have always had to eat pig's feet, chitterlings, cracklings, etc. - low on the hog. |