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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Irons in the fire
What does Irons in the fire mean? | Having or pursuing multiple opportunities
simultaneously. | I have been out of work for 6 months, but I have a number of irons in the fire.
Blacksmiths traditionally worked iron into shape by hammering. The iron being worked would be heated in the fire until it was red-hot and malleable. The Smith removes the iron from the fire and shapes it with repeated blows from a hammer. They need to work quickly before the iron cools. Once the iron is cool, it becomes brittle and cannot be hammered.
Once removed from the fire, the iron cools quickly. It takes longer to heat the iron to red-hot than it takes for it to cool. Blacksmiths work more efficiently by having multiple pieces of iron in the fire heating simultaneously. In that way, the Smith can always have a piece of iron red-hot and ready for hammering. The cooled piece would be returned to the fire if it needed more hammering. |
irons in the fire
What does irons in the fire mean? | things one is doing, projects with which a person is busy | Recently he has too many irons in the fire. That is why he has become sick.
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irons in the fire
What does irons in the fire mean? | the things that one is doing, the projects with which a person is busy |
Recently, my coworker has too many irons in the fire. That is why he became sick.
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Some Random Idioms
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follow up (something) or follow (something) up
What does "follow up (something) or follow (something) up" mean? | to make (one action) more successful by doing something more |
The doctor followed up his phone call in the morning with a visit in the afternoon.
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X factor
What does "X factor" mean? | The dangers for people in the military that civilians do not face, for which they receive payment, are known as the X factor. |
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measure up to (someone or something)
What does "measure up to (someone or something)" mean? | be equal to someone or something, be of the same quality as someone or something | The new accounting manager does not measure up to the previous accounting manager.
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Pyrrhic victory
What does "Pyrrhic victory" mean? | A Pyrrhic victory is one that causes the victor to suffer so much to achieve it that it isn't worth winning. |
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tell it to the marines/Sweeney
What does "tell it to the marines/Sweeney" mean? | I do not believe you, stop trying to fool me | My friend said that she was going to start her own business but I told her to tell it to the marines as I did not believe her.
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Avowed intent
What does "Avowed intent" mean? | If someone makes a solemn or serious promise publicly to attempt to reach a certain goal, this is their avowed intent. |
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the die is cast
What does "the die is cast" mean? | something has been decided and you cannot change the decision |
The die is cast and now that we have sold our house we must move.
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Parrot fashion
What does "Parrot fashion" mean? | If you learn something parrot fashion, you learn it word for word. A parrot is a bird from South America that can talk. |
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Grass roots
What does "Grass roots" mean? | This idioms is often used in politics, where it refers to the ordinary people or voters. It can be used to mean people at the bottom of a hierarchy. |
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hold still
What does "hold still" mean? | to not move | "Please hold still while I fix your jacket zipper."
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shake (someone) down
What does "shake (someone) down" mean? | to get money by threatening someone | The gangsters shook the small shop owners down to get some money.
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