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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make a run for it
What does make a run for it mean? | dash for safety, make a quick escape | I made a run for it as soon as the class finished.
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make a run for it
What does make a run for it mean? | to dash for safety, to make a quick escape |
I made a run for it when the class finished.
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Some Random Idioms
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clean bill of health
What does "clean bill of health" mean? | a report or certificate that a person or animal is healthy | The doctor gave me a clean bill of health when I visited him last month.
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come to a (grinding) halt
What does "come to a (grinding) halt" mean? | to stop completely |
The traffic on the bridge came to a grinding halt because of the accident.
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for one's (own) sake
What does "for one's (own) sake" mean? | for one's benefit | I told my aunt that for her own sake she must stop smoking.
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quick as a wink
What does "quick as a wink" mean? | very quickly | The woman turned around and quick as a wink her purse was stolen.
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birds-eye view
What does "birds-eye view" mean? | a view from high above, a brief look at something |
We had a birds-eye view of the playing field from our seats high up in the stadium.
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He that travels far knows much
What does "He that travels far knows much" mean? | People who travel widely have a wide knowledge. |
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inside and out
What does "inside and out" mean? | in every part, completely | We checked the room inside and out for my lost wallet.
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take (something) at face value
What does "take (something) at face value" mean? | to take something that is said exactly as it is said |
I took my friend's comment at face value.
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Cuckoo in the nest
What does "Cuckoo in the nest" mean? | Is an issue or a problem, etc, is a cuckoo in the nest, it grows quickly and crowds out everything else. |
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Hell in a handcart
What does "Hell in a handcart" mean? | If something is going to hell in a handcart, it is getting worse and worse, with no hope of stopping the decline. | After I lost my job at the plant, life went to hell in a handcart.
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pipe up
What does "pipe up" mean? | to speak louder | We asked the speaker to pipe up so that we could hear him.
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bad rap
What does "bad rap" mean? | a false criminal accusation or conviction. | He's got a bad rap as a drug dealer, but it's not true.
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hairy
What does "hairy" mean? | risky; difficult; tricky |
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