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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hold back
What does hold back mean? | stay back or away, show unwillingness to do something | He always holds back during meetings and never says anything.
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hold back
What does hold back mean? | to stay back or away, to show unwillingness to do something |
Our boss always holds back during meetings and never says anything.
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Some Random Idioms
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dyed-in-the-wool
What does "dyed-in-the-wool" mean? | permanent, stubborn | My father is a dyed-in-the-wool conservative and will never change.
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come/go away empty-handed
What does "come/go away empty-handed" mean? | to return without anything, to go away without anything | We returned from the department store empty-handed.
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spook
What does "spook" mean? | scare; frighten, startle |
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crank out (something) or crank (something) out
What does "crank out (something) or crank (something) out" mean? | to produce or make something |
I was able to crank out two very good papers before the end of the year.
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Under your skin
What does "Under your skin" mean? | If someone gets under your skin, they really annoy you. |
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have (something) in one's hands
What does "have (something) in one's hands" mean? | to have control of or responsibility for something, to possess something | "When I have the documents in my hands I will call you."
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as busy as a bee
What does "as busy as a bee" mean? | very busy | I was as busy as a bee all weekend.
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fall ill
What does "fall ill" mean? | to become ill |
My father fell ill with a cold last week.
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take a crack at (something)
What does "take a crack at (something)" mean? | to try/attempt to do something | "Have you decided to take a crack at writing the entrance examination?"
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While the cat's away, the mouse will play
What does "While the cat's away, the mouse will play" mean? | People whose behaviour is strictly controlled go over the top when the authority is not around, which is why most teenagers have parties when their parents have gone on holiday. The parents are the scary authority figures, but the cat's away and the kids are the mice partying and enjoying their freedom. |
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