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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for instance
What does for instance mean? | for example | "For instance, you can go to the island by boat, plane or helicopter."
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for instance
What does for instance mean? | for example |
a) "What kind of food do they serve there"
b) "They have everything. Pasta, for instance and sushi and hamburgers."
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Some Random Idioms
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on one's feet
What does "on one's feet" mean? | recovering from sickness or trouble | I was sick for a couple of weeks but now I am on my feet again.
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for good
What does "for good" mean? | permanently | We have decided to move to Los Angeles for good.
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Too big for your britches
What does "Too big for your britches" mean? | If someone is too big for their britches, they are conceited and have an exaggerated sense of their own importance. |
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snap
What does "snap" mean? | snapshot |
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Snake oil salesperson
What does "Snake oil salesperson" mean? | A person who promotes something that doesn't work, is selling snake oil. |
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make off with (someone or something)
What does "make off with (someone or something)" mean? | take someone or something away | The thief made off with a new television set from the store.
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cut (someone) to the quick
What does "cut (someone) to the quick" mean? | to hurt someone's feelings very badly | The woman cut her friend to the quick when she criticized her new clothes.
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have oneself something
What does "have oneself something" mean? | use or consume something | I decided to have myself a drink before leaving for the movie.
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Blow off some steam
What does "Blow off some steam" mean? | To enjoy oneself by relaxing normal formalities. | He is a true workaholic who has misguided priorities, when he wants to blow off some steam he comes to work on Saturday wearing blue jeans.
Boilers are commonly used in steam heating systems and steam engines such as those used in a steam locomotive. The boilers contain water that is heated by burning some fuel such as oil. The heated water turns to steam, which is then sent through a system of radiators (in the case of heating systems) or harnessed by a steam engine.
The steam creates considerable pressure in the boiler. If the pressure becomes too great, there is a danger of the boiler exploding. Hence boilers are equipped with safety valves called blow off valves that open if the pressure becomes to great.
"Blowing off steam" prevents explosions by relieving the pressure in a boiler by venting excess steam and pressure. |
pinch pennies
What does "pinch pennies" mean? | to be careful with money, to be thrifty | He has been pinching pennies for many months in order to save money for his vacation.
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play on/upon (something)
What does "play on/upon (something)" mean? | to cause an effect on something, to influence something | The company played on the feelings of loneliness of the people to get them to buy more products.
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