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 across (something)
What does get across (something) mean? | to explain something, to make something understood | I always try to get across the importance of taking care of one's computer.
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Some Random Idioms
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gotcha
What does "gotcha" mean? | you are caught; I see what you are doing; I understand what you are saying |
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real McCoy
What does "real McCoy" mean? | the genuine thing | My new camera is the real McCoy and it will let me take any kind of picture that I want.
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not lay a finger/hand on (someone)
What does "not lay a finger/hand on (someone)" mean? | not touch someone, not do something to someone | The man was told by the police never to lay a finger on his wife again.
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turn out (something)
What does "turn out (something)" mean? | to turn something inside out, to empty something | The man turned out his pockets when he was looking for his car keys.
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on order
What does "on order" mean? | ordered with the delivery expected at some future date | The store has several computer printers on order.
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hold one`s tongue
What does "hold one`s tongue" mean? | to be silent, to not talk | "Please hold your tongue," the teacher said to the young boy.
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down to the last detail
What does "down to the last detail" mean? | considering all of the details | We fixed up everything on the boat, right down to the last detail.
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rule the roost
What does "rule the roost" mean? | to be the dominant figure in a family | The woman seems rather quiet but she rules the roost in her family.
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in times past
What does "in times past" mean? | long ago, in previous times | In times past many people would attend the sports festival in the small town.
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split hairs
What does "split hairs" mean? | to make unnecessary distinctions about something | The manager makes many good points but he has a tendency to split hairs and waste a lot of our time.
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play around/about with (someone or something)
What does "play around/about with (someone or something)" mean? | to engage in some play with someone or something | The little boy was playing around with the dog when his mother entered the room.
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in two minds about (something)
What does "in two minds about (something)" mean? | to be undecided about something | My niece is in two minds about whether or not she will visit me this summer.
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feel put upon
What does "feel put upon" mean? | to feel that someone is taking unfair advantage of you | My sister always feels put upon when her husband's friends visit.
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come across (someone or something)
What does "come across (someone or something)" mean? | to find something or meet someone by chance | I came across an interesting story in the newspaper last week.
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