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.
.
generous to a fault
What does generous to a fault mean? | to be too generous | My friend is generous to a fault and he sometimes gives too much to his friends.
|
|
Some Random Idioms
| |
dude
What does "dude" mean? | male friend; guy (also used to address a man) |
|
|
| |
make the cut
What does "make the cut" mean? | meet or come up to a required standard (from golf where a
player must do equal or better than a certain score to continue) | meet or come up to a required standard (from golf where a player must do equal or better than a certain score to continue)The young player did not make the cut and was unable to join the team that year.
|
in the wrong
What does "in the wrong" mean? | on the illegal or wrong side of an issue, guilty | The man was in the wrong and was easily found guilty by the court.
|
fish or cut bait
What does "fish or cut bait" mean? | to either do what you are supposed to do or quit and let someone else do it | It was time to fish or cut bait so I decided to let someone else handle the problem.
|
know where somebody is coming from
What does "know where somebody is coming from" mean? | understand or comprehend a person (their ideas, situation, etc.) |
|
trouble (someone) with/to do (something)
What does "trouble (someone) with/to do (something)" mean? | to bother someone to do something | I never like to trouble my teacher with some of my simple questions.
|
sit back
What does "sit back" mean? | to relax/rest, to take a break | We decided to sit back for the day and not do anything.
|
back on one`s feet
What does "back on one`s feet" mean? | to return to good financial or physical health | My friend is back on his feet after his company went out of business.
|
|
| |
keep an open mind about (something)
What does "keep an open mind about (something)" mean? | to be flexible and willing to listen to other people's opinions and change your own ideas | I tried to keep an open mind and was willing to listen to what others said about the problem.
|
party
What does "party" mean? | throw or have a party; celebrate |
|
on a shoestring
What does "on a shoestring" mean? | on a very low budget, with very little money | We went to Europe on a shoestring and we enjoyed it very much.
|
run hot and cold
What does "run hot and cold" mean? | to be sometimes good/useful/effective/positive and sometimes the opposite | The reviews of the new movie are running hot and cold and I do not know if I will go to see it.
|
to be safe
What does "to be safe" mean? | to be cautious, to be careful | I took some extra money out of the bank just to be safe and have enough money for the weekend.
|
A for effort
What does "A for effort" mean? | recognize that someone tries hard to do something even though they may not be successful | The students received an A for effort for their work on the class project.
|