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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mad as a hornet
What does mad as a hornet mean? | very angry | Our boss was mad as a hornet when we saw him at the meeting yesterday.
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mad as a hornet
What does mad as a hornet mean? | very angry |
Our boss was as mad as a hornet when we saw him yesterday.
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Some Random Idioms
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curry favor with (someone)
What does "curry favor with (someone)" mean? | to flatter someone to get his or her help or friendship | Our boss has been working hard to curry favor with the other members of the committee.
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first hand
What does "first hand" mean? | to see or experience or learn about something by direct personal experience |
We saw the car accident first hand when we were driving down the highway.
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get a toehold (somewhere)
What does "get a toehold (somewhere)" mean? | to find a starting point somewhere |
The new political party is beginning to get a toehold in rural areas.
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up one`s sleeve
What does "up one`s sleeve" mean? | kept secretly ready for the right time or for a time when needed | He probably has something up his sleeve and will be able to find a job when he needs one.
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scuzzy
What does "scuzzy" mean? | disgusting; repulsive; vulgar |
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In the red
What does "In the red" mean? | To be losing money. | Putting kids through college is sure to put you in the red.
Standard practice for accounting is to record positive numbers in black ink and negative numbers in red ink. Operating "in the red" is to record negative numbers, that is to say losses.
No doubt red ink was chosen because it is a clear contrast for black and is not easily mistaken. However there is a bit more history to the red ink.
In medieval times the church, being the only center of literacy and learning in the west, maintained meticulous accounting records. Ink was rare and expensive. When monasteries and far-flung churches had little money and they could not afford ink, domesticated animals were bled to provide a substitute in the dipping wells. As a result, poor financial records were usually written "in the red. |
shellac
What does "shellac" mean? | defeat somebody (often in a game or other contest) |
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nutty as a fruitcake
What does "nutty as a fruitcake" mean? | to be very crazy | The woman who lives next door to us is nutty as a fruitcake.
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rule the roost
What does "rule the roost" mean? | to be the boss or manager somewhere - often at home (a roost is a place where birds can perch or sit) |
My grandfather ruled the roost in his family.
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get out of line
What does "get out of line" mean? | to disobey or ignore the rules of something |
The children were getting out of line when the teacher returned.
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die down
What does "die down" mean? | to come slowly to an end, to grow weaker |
When the sound of the music died down we were able to go to sleep.
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