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 one`s cards on the table
What does lay one`s cards on the table mean? | let someone know one`s position and feelings openly, deal honestly with something | He decided to lay his cards on the table and tell his boss about the job offer from the other company.
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Some Random Idioms
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as thick as pea soup
What does "as thick as pea soup" mean? | very thick (can be used with fog as well as with liquids) | The fog was as thick as pea soup when we walked along the beach.
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caught in the middle
What does "caught in the middle" mean? | to be caught between two opposing people or groups so it is difficult to remain neutral |
I was caught in the middle when my friend and his girlfriend began to fight.
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come out in the wash
What does "come out in the wash" mean? | to work out all right, to turn out well in the end, to become understood eventually |
Everything came out in the wash as the students discussed their problems.
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Who wears the trousers?
What does "Who wears the trousers?" mean? | (UK) The person who wears the trousers in a relationship is the dominant person who controls things. |
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scale (something) down
What does "scale (something) down" mean? | to make something smaller by a certain amount or proportion | The government decided to scale down their plans for the sports stadium.
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by check
What does "by check" mean? | by using a check | I paid for the hotel room by check.
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Left hand doesn't know what the right hand is doing
What does "Left hand doesn't know what the right hand is doing" mean? | If the left hand doesn't know what the right hand is doing, then communication within a company, organisation, group, etc, is so bad that people don't know what the others are doing. |
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smell a rat
What does "smell a rat" mean? | to be suspicious of someone or something, to feel that something is wrong |
I smell a rat. There is something wrong with the free credit card offer.
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eat one`s words
What does "eat one`s words" mean? | to take back something that one has said, to admit that something is not true |
I told my boss that I would soon quit my job but later I had to eat my words and tell him that I wanted to stay.
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conclusive evidence
What does "conclusive evidence" mean? | evidence that is so strong that it proves the point in question beyond reasonable doubt | The witness offered conclusive evidence that led to the conviction of the criminal.
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buck
What does "buck" mean? | one dollar. | That costs two bucks.
buck
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