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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hang tough
What does hang tough mean? | stick to one's position | I decided to hang tough and stop negotiating with the lawyer.
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Some Random Idioms
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thumb one`s nose at (someone or something)
What does "thumb one`s nose at (someone or something)" mean? | to look with disfavor or dislike at someone or something | The star player thumbed his nose at the fans when they began to yell at him.
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judge (someone or something) on its/their own merit(s)
What does "judge (someone or something) on its/their own merit(s)" mean? | judge or evaluate someone or something on their own achievements and virtues | We judged the man on his own merits and not by what other people were saying about him.
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make a beeline for (someone or something)
What does "make a beeline for (someone or something)" mean? | to go straight toward someone or something (like bees when they fly in a straight line) | Whenever my friend goes to a football game he makes a beeline for the food stand.
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hit the roof
What does "hit the roof" mean? | become very angry, go into a rage | He hit the roof when he found out that his son had wrecked the family car.
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About as useful as a chocolate teapot
What does "About as useful as a chocolate teapot" mean? | Someone or something that is of no practical use is about as useful as a chocolate teapot. |
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turn of the century
What does "turn of the century" mean? | the end of one century and the beginning of another | There were many large celebrations at the turn of the century.
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out of the running
What does "out of the running" mean? | eliminated from a contest, no longer being
considered | eliminated from a contest, no longer being consideredOur friend was out of the running for the director's job so she decided to return to school and continue her education.
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build a fire under (someone)
What does "build a fire under (someone)" mean? | to stimulate someone to do something | We keep trying to build a fire under our friend but he refuses to study or look for a job.
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time out
What does "time out" mean? | the time when a game or other event is temporarily stopped for some reason | During the game we took some time out to rest.
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True colours
What does "True colours" mean? | If someone shows their true colours, they show themselves as they really are.
('True colors' is the American spelling.) |
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TEETH
What does "TEETH" mean? | tried everything else, try homeopathy |
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count heads
What does "count heads" mean? | to count people | The teacher always counts heads in the morning.
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a rose by any other name would smell as sweet
What does "a rose by any other name would smell as sweet" mean? | what is important is what something or somebody is and not what they are called | "A rose by any other name would smell as sweet," is from Romeo and Juliet when Juliet said that although their families had different names and they could not marry, Romeo was still wonderful.
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fuck like rabbits
What does "fuck like rabbits" mean? | have sex regularly and repeatedly |
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