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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ham it up
What does ham it up mean? | do something silly or try to exaggerate something in a funny way | I was hamming it up with my friend in front of the principal's office.
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Some Random Idioms
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hit the sauce
What does "hit the sauce" mean? | to drink alcohol (usually regularly) | I think that the woman began to hit the sauce after her husband lost his job.
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get back together
What does "get back together" mean? | return to a relationship or marriage after breaking
up | return to a relationship or marriage after breaking upThe man got back together with his girlfriend after separating for several months last winter.
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amount to (something)
What does "amount to (something)" mean? | to become successful | The boy will never amount to anything if he does not change his behavior.
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on probation
What does "on probation" mean? | to be serving a period of probation, to be serving a trial period | The new employee was on probation for several months before he became a regular member of the staff.
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to heel
What does "to heel" mean? | to be under control | The army brought the citizens to heel as soon as they entered the town.
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kevork
What does "kevork" mean? | ban a person from a Web site or other place online |
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for peanuts
What does "for peanuts" mean? | for very little money, for almost nothing | I was able to buy a used computer for peanuts.
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head and shoulders above (someone or something)
What does "head and shoulders above (someone or something)" mean? | to be superior to someone or something | The new principal is head and shoulders above those who have come before.
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Chew the fat
What does "Chew the fat" mean? | To talk about unimportant things. | Sit down, have a beer, and let's chew the fat.
The Inuit (different from Eskimos) used to chew on pieces of whale blubber almost like chewing gum. The blubber took quite a while to dissolve, so it just sort of helped pass the time while they were doing something else.
Some other cultures may have used bacon fat in a similar way. |
crash and burn
What does "crash and burn" mean? | fail dramatically (often in romance) |
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poetic justice
What does "poetic justice" mean? | the chance but appropriate receiving of rewards/punishments by those who deserve them | It was poetic justice when the man lost most of the money that he had got illegally.
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shut out (a team)
What does "shut out (a team)" mean? | to prevent the opposition team from scoring during a game | The national soccer team shut out the best team in the world last night.
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set (someone) up (in business)
What does "set (someone) up (in business)" mean? | to help establish someone in business | My father helped to set my sister's husband up in business.
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hoops
What does "hoops" mean? | basketball |
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