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 two shakes of a lamb's tail
What does in two shakes of a lamb's tail mean? | very quickly |
I promised that I would meet my friend in two shakes of a lamb's tail.
|
in two shakes of a lamb's tail
What does in two shakes of a lamb's tail mean? | very quickly |
"Wait one minute. I will help you in two shakes of a lamb's tail."
|
|
Some Random Idioms
| |
out to lunch
What does "out to lunch " mean? | to be crazy, to be uninformed |
The woman is out to lunch and you should never believe what she tells you.
|
|
| |
Absence makes the heart grow fonder.
What does "Absence makes the heart grow fonder." mean? | Our feeling for those we love increases when we are
apart from them. | "Cheer up Dude, everybody knows that absence makes the heart grow fonder."
In 1604, Shakespeare echoed this sentiment in "Othello" (Act 1, scene ii), when Desdemona confessed, "I dote upon his very absence." James Howell, in "Familiar Letters" (1650) says that, "Distance sometimes endears friendship, and absence sweeteneth it."
There are other references to this proverb in literature, but it was originally the first line of an anonymous poem which appeared in Davison's "Poetical Rhapsody" in 1602. |
yellow journalism
What does "yellow journalism" mean? | cheap and overly sensational newspaper writing | The article in the paper about the scandal was a good example of yellow journalism.
|
stick in (someone's) throat/craw
What does "stick in (someone's) throat/craw" mean? | an idea or situation that is difficult for you to accept and irritates or displeases you |
The customer's attitude sticks in my throat and I am happy to see him leave.
|
to the hilt
What does "to the hilt" mean? | to the maximum amount, completely | My friend has been in debt to the hilt since he bought his new car.
|
chips and salsa
What does "chips and salsa" mean? | computer hardware and software |
|
|
| |
in the running
What does "in the running" mean? | competing and having a chance to win | I think that I am in the running for a promotion at my company.
|
bug-eyed
What does "bug-eyed" mean? | to be wide-eyed with surprise | The little boy was bug-eyed when he got a new bicycle for his birthday.
|
in the saddle
What does "in the saddle" mean? | in command, in control | The president is back in the saddle again after being ill for several months.
|
slip through (someone's) fingers
What does "slip through (someone's) fingers" mean? | to get away from someone, to lose track of someone or something | The job opportunity slipped through my fingers which was very disappointing.
|
Great Scott
What does "Great Scott" mean? | An exclamation of surprise. |
|