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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like father, like son
What does like father, like son mean? | a son usually acts like his father | "Like father, like son," the man said as he watched the boy playing baseball exactly like his father.
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like father, like son
What does like father, like son mean? | a boy is often similar to his father | The boy always copied his father. It was very much like father, like son.
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Some Random Idioms
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sit on its hands
What does "sit on its hands" mean? | an audience refuses to applaud | The audience sat on its hands after the terrible performance by the singer.
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cast around for (someone or something)
What does "cast around for (someone or something)" mean? | to look for someone or something |
We are casting around for a new secretary in our company.
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sharp
What does "sharp" mean? | handsome; attractive; nicely dressed |
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round-robin tournament/contest
What does "round-robin tournament/contest" mean? | a game or contest in which each player or team plays every other player or team in turn | A round-robin tournament was held in order to choose the best team in the city.
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make overtures to (someone)
What does "make overtures to (someone)" mean? | approach someone in a friendly way to begin talking about something or dealing with something, make a formal proposal or offer | The woman made overtures to her friend to try and solve some of their recent problems.
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Over-egg the pudding
What does "Over-egg the pudding" mean? | (UK) If you over-egg the pudding, you spoil something by trying to improve it excessively. It is also used nowadays with the meaning of making something look bigger or more important than it really is. ('Over-egg' alone is often used in this sense.) |
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need (something) like a hole in the head
What does "need (something) like a hole in the head" mean? | to not need something at all | My friend needs a new stereo system like he needs a hole in the head.
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pardon me for living
What does "pardon me for living" mean? |
idiom. no; no way (a strong, sarcastic rebuke) |
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With child
What does "With child" mean? | (UK) If a woman's with child, she's pregnant. |
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for the record
What does "for the record" mean? | a record of a particular fact is made |
For the record, I told the police officer about the events of the previous year.
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negatory
What does "negatory" mean? | no; not at all; not now |
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