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 on (someone's) nerves
What does get on (someone's) nerves mean? | to irritate someone |
The constant complaints of my coworkers get on my nerves.
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Some Random Idioms
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Many a True Word is spoken in Jest.
What does "Many a True Word is spoken in Jest." mean? | A humorous, joking remark may hide a profound
insight or a serious criticism. An unintended comment may turn out to be true. | "You know Shirley, you might as well rub those cinnamon rolls directly on to your hips. That is where they're going to end up anyway." "Well Fred, many a true word is spoken in jest, but my hips are really none of your business."
In trying to be funny many people will relay on sarcasm. The most poignant (and often cutting, or hurtful) sarcasm is founded in truth. It is often determental to a relationship to pick on someone in front of others even if you are basically telling the truth. Conversely, if you are being picked on in jest, you can often get a true picture of how others view you and know then what to work on. The meaning behind this saying was used as early as in Chaucer's "Canterbury Tales," in which the cook says, "A man may seye full soothe in game and pley." Later, at the end of the sixteenth century, a Scottish saying was, "There are many sooth words spoken in bourding," and both French and Italian have equivalent sayings. |
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Economical with the truth
What does "Economical with the truth" mean? | (UK) If someone, especially a politician, is economical with the truth, they leave out information in order to create a false picture of a situation, without actually lying. |
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no prob
What does "no prob" mean? |
idiom. no worries or concerns; everything is fine |
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give some sugar
What does "give some sugar" mean? | kiss affectionately (used by older people toward children; not common) |
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neither fish nor fowl
What does "neither fish nor fowl" mean? | something that does not belong to a definite group |
The manager's idea was neither fish nor fowl. Nobody knew what to do about it.
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as mad as a hornet
What does "as mad as a hornet" mean? | very angry, in a fighting mood | Our boss was as mad as a hornet when he came to work this morning.
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as good as one's word
What does "as good as one's word" mean? | to be dependable in keeping one's promises | My friend is always as good as his word and you can always trust him.
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not give (someone) the time of day
What does "not give (someone) the time of day" mean? | to dislike someone so strongly that you totally ignore him or her | I dislike her and would not give her the time of day.
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rap (someone's) knuckles
What does "rap (someone's) knuckles" mean? | to punish someone slightly |
The judge decided to rap the young boy's knuckles for his crime.
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bee in one`s bonnet
What does "bee in one`s bonnet" mean? | to have an idea that continually occupies one`s thoughts. |
My friend has a bee in her bonnet about going to Europe next year.
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