American Idioms and Expressions

Litmus Test 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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litmus test
What does litmus test mean?
a test that tries to determine the state of one important questionThe judge's opinion about the tax issue was the litmus test that was used to see if he would be able to work with the government.
litmus test
What does litmus test mean?
a test that uses one single indicator to help make a decision (the scientific meaning of a litmus test is a test for basic chemical properties that uses litmus paper) The new sales policy was a litmus test for how the new manager would manage the department.


Some Random Idioms
ram (something) down (someone`s) throat
What does "ram (something) down (someone`s) throat" mean?
to force someone to do or agree to something that is not wantedOur teacher always tries to ram her ideas down our throats which makes us angry.
make (someone) eat crow
What does "make (someone) eat crow" mean?
to cause someone to admit an error or retract a statement We made our boss eat crow when we discovered the mistake that he made with our work schedule.

feel like a new person
What does "feel like a new person" mean?
to feel refreshed and renewedI felt like a new person after I had a shower.
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 trueI 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.
do one's duty
What does "do one's duty" mean?
to do one's job or what is expected of oneThe guard was only doing his duty when he began to ask the customer questions.
fish for a compliment
What does "fish for a compliment" mean?
to try to get someone to say something nice about you The man is fishing for a compliment about his new Italian suit.
go on a rampage
What does "go on a rampage" mean?
to rush around destroying thingsThe football fans went on a rampage and destroyed many things.

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