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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keep one's hands off (someone or something)
What does keep one's hands off (someone or something) mean? | refrain from touching or handling someone or something | My aunt asked her nephew to keep his hands off her furniture.
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Some Random Idioms
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Gnaw your vitals
What does "Gnaw your vitals" mean? | If something gnaws your vitals, it troubles you greatly and affects you at a very deep level.
('Gnaw at your vitals' is also used.) |
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now and then
What does "now and then" mean? | occasionally | I like to go to that restaurant now and then.
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say uncle
What does "say uncle" mean? | to surrender, to give in | The little boy was forced to say uncle and agree to do what the older boy wanted.
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GSW
What does "GSW" mean? | gunshot wound |
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schmooze
What does "schmooze" mean? | make relaxed, casual conversation. | "No, we weren't talking about anything important.We were just schmoozing."
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steal the show/spotlight
What does "steal the show/spotlight" mean? | to act or to do so well in a performance that you get most of the attention | The young musician stole the show at the music festival.
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on a splurge
What does "on a splurge" mean? | to spend much money extravagantly | We went on a splurge last weekend and spent a lot of money.
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have too many irons in the fire
What does "have too many irons in the fire" mean? | be doing too many things at once | I have too many irons in the fire at the moment and I am very tired.
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get a foothold (somewhere)
What does "get a foothold (somewhere)" mean? | to find a starting point somewhere | The new political party is beginning to get a foothold in the big cities.
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get the go-ahead
What does "get the go-ahead" mean? | to receive a signal to start something | The construction company got the go-ahead to begin work on the new stadium.
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have (something) up one`s sleeve
What does "have (something) up one`s sleeve" mean? | to have a secret plan or solution for something, to be ready for a time when something is needed | I do not know what my friend has up his sleeve but I am sure that he is planning to say something at the meeting.
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of benefit to (someone)
What does "of benefit to (someone)" mean? | to be good for someone, to be a benefit to someone | Another meeting to solve the problem would be of no benefit to myself so I decided not to attend.
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swear on (something)
What does "swear on (something)" mean? | to use something as the support or authority that what one is saying is the truth | The accused criminal was asked to swear on a religious text at the trial to make sure that he was telling the truth.
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