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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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.
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Some Random Idioms
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fart
What does "fart" mean? | dumb, undesirable person (usually male). | Who's that old fart?
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claim a life
What does "claim a life" mean? | to take the life of someone | The accident on the freeway claimed the life of two people.
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pay for (something)
What does "pay for (something)" mean? | to pay money for something | I paid for dinner for my friends.
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Under the weather
What does "Under the weather" mean? | To be ill. | I'd love to help you move all your furniture next weekend, but I expect to be feeling a bit under the weather.
Passengers aboard ships become seasick most frequently during times of rough seas and bad weather. Seasickness is caused by the constant rocking motion of the ship. Sick passengers go below deck, which provides shelter from the weather, but just as importantly the sway is not as great below deck, low on the ship.
On a ship the greatest swaying action is on deck, and the most stable point is down near the keel. Hence seasick passengers tend to feel better below deck. |
ICU
What does "ICU" mean? | intensive care unit. | That car crash put him in the ICU for two weeks.
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Take your hat off
What does "Take your hat off" mean? | If you say that you take your hat off to someone, you are showing your respect or admiration. |
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with a jaundiced eye
What does "with a jaundiced eye" mean? | with a prejudiced or distorted way of seeing something |
My friend is very smart although he always looks at things with a jaundiced eye.
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like two peas in a pod
What does "like two peas in a pod" mean? | to be very close or intimate with someone | The sisters are like two peas in a pod and they do everything together.
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Put your thumb on the scales
What does "Put your thumb on the scales" mean? | If you put your thumb on the scales, you try to influence the result of something in your favour. |
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hit the road
What does "hit the road" mean? | leave - usually in a car | We should hit the road early tomorrow morning if we want to reach the seashore before evening.
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keep one's nose to the grindstone
What does "keep one's nose to the grindstone" mean? | stay diligent; steadily
work hard,
without breaks or an uneven pace. | "If I keep my nose to the grindstone, I shouldbe finished by the end of the day."
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fish for a compliment
What does "fish for a compliment" mean? | to try to get someone to say something nice about you | The man is fishing for a compliment about his new Italian suit.
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stand up for (someone or something)
What does "stand up for (someone or something)" mean? | to defend against attack, to fight for someone or something | The citizens of the town were ready to stand up for their rights.
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GPO
What does "GPO" mean? | good for parts only |
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