American Idioms and Expressions

Light Into (someone) 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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light into (someone)
What does light into (someone) mean?		 scold someoneThe woman lit into her child when he came home from school late.

Some Random Idioms
the bottom line
What does "the bottom line" mean?		 the most essential information."The discussion lasted many hours. The bottomline was thatthe XYZ Company isn't for sale."
carry the ball
What does "carry the ball" mean?		 be in charge (from carry the ball in American football) be in charge (from carry the ball in American football)The director decided to let his assistant carry the ball on the assignment for the new sale's contract.
Asleep at the wheel
What does "Asleep at the wheel" mean?		 If someone is asleep at the wheel, they are not doing their job or taking their responsibilities very carefully. 'Asleep at the switch' is an alternative.
read the handwriting on the wall
What does "read the handwriting on the wall" mean?		 to anticipate what is going to happen by observing small hints and cluesEverybody in our department could read the handwriting on the wall and knew that the company would soon close our department.
make a play for (someone)
What does "make a play for (someone)" mean?		 try to make someone romantically interested in youI worked hard all term to make a play for a woman in my computer class.
"That's the way the ball bounces."
What does ""That's the way the ball bounces."" mean?		 that's life, there is nothing you can do about something that's life, there is nothing you can do about somethingThe man replied, "That's the way the ball bounces", when he told his friend about the job that he had lost.
feel up to (do something)
What does "feel up to (do something)" mean?		 to feel healthy enough or rested enough to do something I do not feel up to going to the game.

know (something) inside out
What does "know (something) inside out" mean?		 know something thoroughlyI know the history of our city inside out.
extend one's sympathy to (someone)
What does "extend one's sympathy to (someone)" mean?		 to express sympathy to someoneWe extended our sympathy to the family of the dead woman.
live beyond one's means
What does "live beyond one's means" mean?		 to spend more money than you can affordThe girl is living beyond her means and will soon have some serious financial problems.
put one's hands on (something)
What does "put one's hands on (something)" mean?		 to locate and acquire something I have not been able to put my hands on a good cookbook yet.

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