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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farm (something) out
What does farm (something) out mean? | to have someone else do something, to send something away to have it done | We farmed out the printing to another company in order to save money.
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Some Random Idioms
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by the way
What does "by the way" mean? | incidentally |
"By the way, could you please bring your computer tomorrow."
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zapper
What does "zapper" mean? | remote control; TV remote | Hand me the zapper, will you, I want to change the channel.
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have a lump in one's throat
What does "have a lump in one's throat" mean? | to feel like there is something in your throat as if you were going to cry |
The man had a lump in his throat during his daugher's graduation.
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fat lip
What does "fat lip" mean? | swollen lip resulting from a blow to the mouth |
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get going
What does "get going" mean? | to begin, to act, to go |
"Let's get going and begin to clean the house."
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get off (someone`s) back
What does "get off (someone`s) back" mean? | to stop criticizing or nagging someone |
I wish that my mother would get off my back about trying to find a better job.
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Curve ball
What does "Curve ball" mean? | If something is a curve ball, it is deceptive. |
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kid (verb)
What does "kid (verb)" mean? | (verb): playfully say something that isn't true. | "I was kidding when I said my teacher was amonster. She's strict, but she's actually a very nice person."
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leave oneself wide open for (something)
What does "leave oneself wide open for (something)" mean? | fail to protect oneself from criticism or ridicule | The actions of our manager left him wide open for criticism from everybody in our company.
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You don't say!
What does "You don't say!" mean? | : Really? / Is that really true? | A: "Have you heard the news? Jessica got married!"B: "You don't say!"
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bio
What does "bio" mean? | biology (class or subject in school). | Bio is all right because we get to dissect
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Upper Hand
What does "Upper Hand" mean? | Control of a situation. | If you are wondering who has the upper hand in your relationship, the next time you get up to fetch drinks, take a look on the sofa. There you will find that person.
This phrase originated with the advent of sandlot baseball. In order to determine which team would bat first, one player would grasp the baseball bat at the lower end. A player from the opposing team would then place his hand directly above the first player's hand. They would alternate hands up the bat until the end was reached and one of the players had the "upper hand". |