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 away with (something)
What does get away with (something) mean? | to do something that one should not do and not get caught | The criminal got away with stealing the money and was never caught.
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Some Random Idioms
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decked out
What does "decked out" mean? | to be dressed in fancy clothes |
My sister was decked out in her best clothes for the party.
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break the bank
What does "break the bank" mean? | to win all the money at a casino gambling table, to use all of one's money | The man broke the bank at the casino and walked away with a lot of money.
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quick buck
What does "quick buck" mean? | some money earned quickly and easily | The small company is only interested in making a quick buck and is not interested in product quality.
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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. |
run off copies of (something)
What does "run off copies of (something)" mean? | to produce copies with a printing press or a copy machine | We ran off many copies of the poster for the festival.
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on (someone`s) coat-tails
What does "on (someone`s) coat-tails" mean? | as a result of someone else doing something |
The woman was elected to city council on her husband`s coat-tails.
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breakthrough
What does "breakthrough" mean? | a success that comes after overcoming a difficulty | There was a breakthrough in the talks aimed at ending the teacher's strike.
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a cock-and-bull story
What does "a cock-and-bull story" mean? | a silly story that is not true | Our neighbor gave us a cock-and-bull story about how our window was broken.
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Weak at the knees
What does "Weak at the knees" mean? | If people go weak at the knees, they have a powerful emotional reaction to something and feel that they might fall over. |
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blow up in (someone`s) face
What does "blow up in (someone`s) face" mean? | to end abruptly/unexpectedly, to be ruined while you are working on it, to explode suddenly in front of you | The plan to have a party for our boss blew up in our face when he decided not to come.
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on the air
What does "on the air" mean? | being broadcast on radio or TV | That television program has been on the air for three years now.
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dollar for dollar
What does "dollar for dollar" mean? | considering the cost |
Dollar for dollar, going to the resort for a holiday is a good deal.
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