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 out (money)
What does lay out (money) mean? | spend or pay some money | My friend will have to lay out a lot of money for his new apartment.
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Some Random Idioms
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have broad shoulders
What does "have broad shoulders" mean? | have the ability to work hard and take on responsibilities and accept criticism (because you are strong with broad shoulders) | The man has broad shoulders and does much more than his share of work in our company.
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on the bandwagon
What does "on the bandwagon" mean? | to do or join something because many others are doing it | Everybody in our company is on the bandwagon to eliminate smoking in the workplace.
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Fly the flag
What does "Fly the flag" mean? | If someone flies the flag, they represent or support their country.
('Wave the flag' and 'show the flag' are alternative forms of this idiom) |
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cold turkey
What does "cold turkey" mean? | abruptly and without medical aid (used when someone stops taking addictive drugs or tries to stop a bad habit) | The government program helped the drug addicts stop using heroin cold turkey.
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(to be) under a cloud (of suspicion)
What does "(to be) under a cloud (of suspicion)" mean? | to be suspected of doing something wrong or illegal | The manager of the coffee shop was fired from her job under a cloud of suspicion.
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as bald as a coot
What does "as bald as a coot" mean? | completely bald | The man in the gas station was as bald as a coot.
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keep time
What does "keep time" mean? | keep the beat, keep the same musical rhythm | It is difficult for the girl to keep time when she is playing in the band.
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knock on wood
What does "knock on wood" mean? | knock on something made of wood to keep from having bad luck | I don`t think that I will lose my job - knock on wood.
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put the kibosh on (something)
What does "put the kibosh on (something)" mean? | to put an end to something | I put the kibosh on my friend's plan to change our travel plans.
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cram
What does "cram" mean? | study at the last minute for a test |
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rear its ugly head
What does "rear its ugly head" mean? | to appear after being hidden (usually something unpleasant) | The problem between the two sisters rears its ugly head at the beginning of every year.
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backassed
What does "backassed" mean? | backward; poorly arranged or structured; awkward. | That was a backassed solution to the problem.
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Grey Cardinal
What does "Grey Cardinal" mean? | Someone who is a Grey Cardinal exerts power behind the scenes, without drawing attention to himself or herself. |
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by a long shot
What does "by a long shot" mean? | by a big difference | The soap company beat out the bids of the other companies by a long shot.
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