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.
.
hazard a guess/opinion
What does hazard a guess/opinion mean? | make a guess | I would not want to hazard a guess as to the age of the woman.
|
|
Some Random Idioms
| |
lie low
What does "lie low" mean? | stay quietly out of sight, try not to attract attention | "The man is very angry at you so I think that you should lie low for a few days until he calms down."
|
|
| |
Loose lips sink ships
What does "Loose lips sink ships" mean? | To have loose lips means to have a big mouth, susceptible to talking about everything and everyone. Sinking ships refers to anything from small acquaintances to long and hearty relationships (with friends or a significant other). So when one says loose lips sink ships, one is basically saying if you can't shut up you are going to end hurting people, usually psychologically or emotionally.Loose lips sink ships comes from World War I and/or WWII, when sailors on leave from their ships might talk |
|
come out of left field
What does "come out of left field" mean? | be completely unexpected | be completely unexpectedHis idea about going to Turkey came right out of left field.
|
plastic
What does "plastic" mean? | fake; false; unreal |
|
within calling distance
What does "within calling distance" mean? | close enough to hear someone call | We were within calling distance of the men in the boat.
|
have butterflies in one`s stomach
What does "have butterflies in one`s stomach" mean? | to have a feeling of fear or anxiety in one's stomach |
The little boy had butterflies in his stomach when he gave the speech in front of the class.
|
Up to your eyes
What does "Up to your eyes" mean? | When you've got too much work to do, you're up to your eyes in it. |
|
Penny wise, pound foolish
What does "Penny wise, pound foolish" mean? | Someone who is penny wise, pound foolish can be very careful or mean with small amounts of money, yet wasteful and extravagant with large sums. |
|
up to (someone) to decide/do (something)
What does "up to (someone) to decide/do (something)" mean? | to be responsible to choose or decide something | It is up to the president to decide when the meeting will start.
|
hammer
What does "hammer" mean? | accelerator pedal in a vehicle |
|
Man of parts
What does "Man of parts" mean? | A man of parts is a person who is talented in a number of different areas or ways. |
|
take (someone) at his or her word
What does "take (someone) at his or her word" mean? | to believe what someone says and act accordingly | I decided to take the woman at her word when she invited me to see her pottery demonstration.
|