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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in its entirety
What does in its entirety mean? | in a state of completeness | I read the novel in its entirety although it was very difficult to read.
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in its entirety
What does in its entirety mean? | in a state of completeness |
I read the novel in its entirety although it was very difficult to read.
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Some Random Idioms
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Three sheets to the wind
What does "Three sheets to the wind" mean? | Very drunk, highly intoxicated. | The groom made it to the alter, but he was three sheets to the wind.
The phrase comes from 18th - 19th century English Naval terminology. The original phrase was "three Sheets in the wind" and referred to the erratic behavior of a ship that has lost control of all of its sails.
In nautical terminology sheets are the ropes that adjust the position of the sails relative to the wind.
The speed and direction of a sailing ship is controlled by the number of sails raised on each mast, the angle of the sails to the wind (trim of the sails), and the position of the rudder. If the sheets used to control the sails are to break or are have been released, the sheet is said to be "in the wind".
One can imagine a sail thrashing wildly in a strong wind with its sheet (the control ropes) blowing about. It would be very difficult to regain control of such a sail.
Prior to the 1810's it was common for ships to have three masts, (fore, main, and mizzen). If the sheets on all three masts are "in the wind", the ship loses all steering control.
The ship's lack of control is likened to that of a stumbling drunk. |
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have a good eye for (something)
What does "have a good eye for (something)" mean? | to be able to judge something correctly, to have good taste in something |
The woman has a good eye for color and her apartment is very beautiful.
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all-in-one
What does "all-in-one" mean? | combined, all the necessary features of something in one unit | Many DVD players have a recording and playing function all-in-one.
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gain ground
What does "gain ground" mean? | to go forward, to make progress | The toy company is gaining ground in their effort to sell more products.
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biggie
What does "biggie" mean? | someone or something of significance or importance |
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in a fog (haze)
What does "in a fog (haze)" mean? | confused, not sure what is happening | He is always in a fog and never seems to know what is going on.
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have (someone or something) on one's mind
What does "have (someone or something) on one's mind" mean? | to be thinking a lot about someone or something | My friend has many school problems on his mind.
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give (someone) the boot
What does "give (someone) the boot" mean? | to fire someone, to force someone to leave a place | The manager gave our friend the boot when he began yelling in the restaurant.
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shoot up
What does "shoot up" mean? | to rise suddenly | The flames shot up over the top of the building when the wind started blowing.
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take it
What does "take it" mean? | to get an idea or impression, to understand something from what is said or done | "I take it that you are not going to come to the graduation ceremony next week."
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