American Idioms and Expressions

Lay/light Into (something) 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. .

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lay/light into (something)
What does lay/light into (something) mean?		 do/eat something with much energy and enthusiasmHe laid into the steak as soon as the waiter brought it to his table.

Some Random Idioms
pin (something) on (someone)
What does "pin (something) on (someone)" mean?		 to place the blame for something on someoneMy friend tried to pin the blame for breaking the computer on me.
fall over oneself to (do something)
What does "fall over oneself to (do something)" mean?		 to be extremely eager to do something or please someone The couple fell over themselves in their effort to please their host.

watch (someone or something) like a hawk
What does "watch (someone or something) like a hawk" mean?		 to watch someone or something very carefully The mother watched her young child like a hawk.

look like the cat that swallowed the canary
What does "look like the cat that swallowed the canary" mean?		 to look very self-satisfied, to look as if you have just had a great successThe boy looked like the cat that swallowed the canary after he won the relay race.
copycat
What does "copycat" mean?		 someone who copies the work of another The children called the girl a copycat when they saw her copying the test of another student.

come out for (someone or something)
What does "come out for (someone or something)" mean?		 to announce one's support for (someone or something) The mayor recently came out for legal gambling in the city.

on hold
What does "on hold" mean?		 to be waiting, to be temporarily haltedThe construction of the building is on hold while the city engineers finish their inspection.
have one's heart go out to someone
What does "have one's heart go out to someone" mean?		 have compassion for someoneWe had our heart go out to the woman who lost her child in the fire.
deliver the goods
What does "deliver the goods" mean?		 to succeed in doing a good job of something The new manager is not very popular but he is able to deliver the goods.

scarf down
What does "scarf down" mean?		 eat greedily and quickly
balls
What does "balls" mean?		testicles
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