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 down the law
What does lay down the law mean? | tell someone what to do by using your power or influence | The new manager plans to lay down the law to the workers regarding long lunch breaks.
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Some Random Idioms
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full of it
What does "full of it" mean? | lying; dumb (from "full of shit"). | He's so full of it, no one should believe anything he says.
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work off
What does "work off" mean? | make something go away (especially by working or exercise) | He was able to work off much weight and is now feeling better.
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Wake up and smell the coffee
What does "Wake up and smell the coffee" mean? | When someone doesn't realise what is really happening or is not paying enough attention to events around them, you can tell them to wake up and smell the coffee. |
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get a fix on (something)
What does "get a fix on (something)" mean? | to receive a reading of a distant object by electronic means | We were able to get a fix on the island and took the boat safely to the harbor.
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relative to (someone or something)
What does "relative to (someone or something)" mean? | in proportion to someone or something | The house was not very large relative to the amount of money that it cost.
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jonesing
What does "jonesing" mean? | need for drugs; need for anything in particular. | He was jonesing for some smack.
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Good Samaritan
What does "Good Samaritan" mean? | A good Samaritan is a persoon wh helps others in need. |
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have a chip on one's shoulder
What does "have a chip on one's shoulder" mean? | have a tendency to try to get in a conflict with others | Our supervisor has a chip on his shoulder and is not an easy person to work with.
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surf n' turf
What does "surf n' turf" mean? | common way of referring to a platter with meat and seafood |
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in tow
What does "in tow" mean? | being taken from place to place, going along with someone | She spent the morning at the shopping center with her child in tow.
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spoon-feed (someone)
What does "spoon-feed (someone)" mean? | to make something very easy for someone | He is a very strict teacher and never likes to spoon-feed his students.
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break the back of (something)
What does "break the back of (something)" mean? | to reduce the power of something | The company tried very hard to break the back of the union.
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get a slap on the wrist
What does "get a slap on the wrist" mean? | get light punishment for a crime or wrongdoing | The boy got a slap on the wrist for causing the damage to the public washroom.
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take (something) to heart
What does "take (something) to heart" mean? | to be strongly affected by something that someone says to you so you take it seriously or are upset by it | I did not expect my friend to take my criticism to heart when I complained that he was always late.
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