American Idioms and Expressions

In The Doldrums Idiom

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. .

In the doldrums What does In the doldrums mean?	To be depressed or unmotivated.	I'd like to provide a good example, but I'm feeling in the doldrums. Doldrums is the name of a place in the ocean that is located near the equator and is characterized by unstable trade winds. A sailing ship caught in the Doldrums can be stranded due to lack of wind.
in the doldrums What does in the doldrums mean?	sluggish, in low spirits	My mother has been in the doldrums since she came back from her holidays.
in the doldrums What does in the doldrums mean?	sluggish, in low spirits	My mother has been in the doldrums since she came back from her holidays.
	Some Random Idioms
on impulse What does "on impulse" mean?	something that is done without planning	I bought the DVD player on impulse.

paint oneself into a corner What does "paint oneself into a corner" mean?	to get into a bad situation that is difficult or impossible to escape	The negotiations became easier when the other side painted themselves into a corner over the old insurance policy.
when the cat's away, the mice will play What does "when the cat's away, the mice will play" mean?	when you are not watching someone they may get into trouble	When the cat's away, the mice will play and when the teacher left the classroom the students began to play around. pig/hog Idioms
red tape What does "red tape" mean?	rules and regulations that seem unnecessary (often from the government)	There is much red tape when you try to start up a new business.
be of the persuasion that (something) is so What does "be of the persuasion that (something) is so" mean?	to believe that something is true or exists	My grandfather is of the persuasion that it is more important to work than to go to school.

have eyes in the back of one`s head What does "have eyes in the back of one`s head" mean?	to have the ability to know what is happening behind one's back	Our teacher has eyes in the back of her head and she always knows what is going on in the classroom.
drop/dump (something) in (someone's) lap What does "drop/dump (something) in (someone's) lap" mean?	give a problem that you have to someone else to solve	My supervisor dumped some extra work in my lap just before I was going to go home.

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