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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have a physical (examination)
What does have a physical (examination) mean? | to get a medical check-up | Our company sent all the employees to have a physical last week.
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Some Random Idioms
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wack off
What does "wack off" mean? | masturbate (said of men) |
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bag of tricks
What does "bag of tricks" mean? | a collection of special techniques or methods | The teacher has a bag of tricks to keep her students occupied.
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a hop, skip and a jump
What does "a hop, skip and a jump" mean? | a short distance | The hospital was a hop, skip, and a jump from our new apartment.
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all rolled up in one
What does "all rolled up in one" mean? | combined in one person or thing | The man is president and vice-president all rolled up in one.
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pull rank on (someone)
What does "pull rank on (someone)" mean? | to assert one`s superior position or authority on a person of lower rank in order to get a privilege or favor | The navy officer pulled rank on the other officers and was able to stay in the best room in the hotel.
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fill the bill
What does "fill the bill" mean? | to be just what is needed | The new machine should fill the bill for what we need to finish the job.
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out of the frying pan and into the fire
What does "out of the frying pan and into the fire" mean? | to go from something bad to something worse |
The woman jumped out of the frying pan and into the fire when she quit her job. Now her problems are much worse.
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fly in the face of (someone or something)
What does "fly in the face of (someone or something)" mean? | to disregard or defy someone or something |
The demands of the woman were beginning to fly in the face of anything that was reasonable.
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Toe the line
What does "Toe the line" mean? | Follow the group, don't disagree, do what others are
doing. | Your lifestyle has gone on for too long. It is time for you to toe the line - get a wife, a job, some kids, and be miserable just like everyone else.
Many mistakenly think the phrase is "tow the line", thus obscuring the meaning.
This term comes from military line-ups for inspection. Soldiers are expected to line up, that is put their toes on a line, and submit to the inspection. |