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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knock one`s head against the wall
What does knock one`s head against the wall mean? | waste time trying to do something with no success | They have been knocking their heads against the wall for years trying to find a solution to the problem.
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Some Random Idioms
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devil take the hindmost
What does "devil take the hindmost" mean? | everybody must look after their own interests or safety | The man's attitude was the devil take the hindmost and he never helped his friends when they needed help.
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at hand
What does "at hand" mean? | easy to reach, nearby |
There were no tools at hand so I could not fix the stove.
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from cradle to grave
What does "from cradle to grave" mean? | from birth to death | The government looks after its citizens with good medical care from cradle to grave.
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bring up the rear
What does "bring up the rear" mean? | to be at the end of the line or in the last position | The runner from the other school was bringing up the rear in the school relay race.
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Room to swing a cat
What does "Room to swing a cat" mean? | A confined space. | This bedroom doesn't even have enough room to swing a cat.
This colorful phrase evokes strange images of feline cruelty. In fact it has nothing to do with cats, but the real story is at least as cruel.
The "cat" is a cat-of-nine-tails, a type of whip used to discipline sailors on old sailing ships. The cat-of-nine-tails has one handle to which is attached nine thin strips of leather, each perhaps three feet long. The cat-of-nine-tails would be used to administer lashings that would sting and leave welts on the recipient.
The whippings would take place on the deck, because below deck there was not enough ceiling height to swing a cat-of-nine-tails. |
smell a rat
What does "smell a rat" mean? | to become suspicious | I do not know what my colleague is doing but something seems strange and I think that I smell a rat.
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make up
What does "make up" mean? | when two people forgive each other after an argument or begin
to see each other again after ending a relationship | when two people forgive each other after an argument or begin to see each other again after ending a relationshipThe couple had a big fight at the restaurant but they quickly made up and things quickly got back to normal.
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no joke
What does "no joke" mean? | a serious matter | The mistake with the meeting time was no joke. It caused many of us very serious problems.
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let well enough alone
What does "let well enough alone" mean? | leave things as they are | I decided to let well enough alone and not ask my supervisor for extra time off.
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few and far between
What does "few and far between" mean? | not many, rare, unusual |
The gas stations were few and far between on the mountain highway.
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on the whole
What does "on the whole" mean? | in general | On the whole I think that it is a good idea but I would like to study it further.
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prey on/upon (something)
What does "prey on/upon (something)" mean? | to catch something for food, to kill and eat something | Cats usually prey on mice and small birds for food.
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