Flash Idiom American Expressions and American Idioms

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. .

flash What does flash mean?	a sudden idea or memory.	I had a flash of inspiration this morning.
flash What does flash mean?	very brief amount of time.	It happened in a flash.
flash What does flash mean?	show or reveal something briefly
	Some Random Idioms
get a lump in one's throat What does "get a lump in one's throat" mean?	to feel like there is something in one's throat (like you are going to cry)	My sister got a lump in her throat when she watched her daughter's graduation.

Reinvent the wheel What does "Reinvent the wheel" mean?	If someone reinvents the wheel, they waste their time doing something that has already been done by other people, when they could be doing something more worthwhile.
pull somebody's chain What does "pull somebody's chain" mean?	annoy; harass; irritate
shine up to (someone) What does "shine up to (someone)" mean?	to try to please someone, to try to make friends with someone	He is always shining up to his boss in the hopes of getting an increase in salary.
joint What does "joint" mean?	marijuana cigarette
Notch on your belt What does "Notch on your belt" mean?	A success or achievement that might help you in the future is a notch on your belt.
get a slap on the wrist What does "get a slap on the wrist" mean?	to receive a light punishment for doing something wrong	The judge gave the boy a slap on the wrist and decided not to punish him severely for his crime.
know when one is not wanted What does "know when one is not wanted" mean?	sense when one's presence is not welcome	I know when I am not wanted so I decided not to go to the restaurant.

dick around What does "dick around" mean?	waste time; mess around
take great pains to do (something) What does "take great pains to do (something)" mean?	to make a great effort to do something	The painters took great pains not to spill any paint on the carpet.
crack up What does "crack up" mean?	to burst into laughter	I cracked up when the man started talking about the incident with the taxi driver.
throw (something) back in (someone's) face What does "throw (something) back in (someone's) face" mean?	to use something that someone has said previously to harm or upset him or her	I immediately threw the question back in the lawyer's face.
piggyback What does "piggyback" mean?	sitting or being carried on someone`s back and shoulders	The boy was riding piggyback on his father`s shoulders.
slap (someone or something) down What does "slap (someone or something) down" mean?	to rebuke/reject someone or something	My boss slapped my proposal down soon after the meeting started.

American Idioms and Expressions

Flash Idiom