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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fall flat (on one's face)
What does fall flat (on one's face) mean? | to be unsuccessful, to fail |
My attempt at humor fell flat and now the girl does not like me.
I fell flat on my face when I tried to impress the girl with my story.
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fall flat on one's face
What does fall flat on one's face mean? | to be completely unsuccessful |
I fell flat on my face when I tried to make a speech at the wedding.
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Some Random Idioms
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in a stew about/over (someone or something)
What does "in a stew about/over (someone or something)" mean? | to be worried or upset about someone or something | My father is in a stew over the fact that his order of car parts has not arrived.
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play cat and mouse with (someone)
What does "play cat and mouse with (someone)" mean? | to tease or fool someone, to change between different types of behavior when dealing with someone | The man is playing cat and mouse with his company about his plans to quit or not.
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field questions
What does "field questions" mean? | to answer questions | The speaker began to field questions as soon as he finished talking.
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blow (someone or something) off
What does "blow (someone or something) off" mean? | to avoid someone, to not attend something |
We blew off the chance to go to the general meeting.
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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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Fat head
What does "Fat head" mean? | A fat head is a dull, stupid person. |
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buy
What does "buy" mean? | approve; accept; believe |
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go back on (something)
What does "go back on (something)" mean? | to not be faithful or loyal to one's word or an agreement | The company directors went back on their word to give the employees a salary increase.
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make (someone) eat crow
What does "make (someone) eat crow" mean? | to cause someone to admit an error or retract a statement |
We made our boss eat crow when we discovered the mistake that he made with our work schedule.
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keep one`s nose out of (something)
What does "keep one`s nose out of (something)" mean? | to not become involved in something or in someone else's business | I wish that our secretary would keep her nose out of my personal affairs.
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hold back (someone)
What does "hold back (someone)" mean? | prevent someone from doing something | The police officers tried to hold back the angry woman.
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Jog my memory
What does "Jog my memory" mean? | If you jog someone's memory, you say words that will help someone trying to remember a thought, event, word, phrase, experience, etc. |
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