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 believe
What does make believe mean? | act as if something is true although one knows that it is not, pretend | The children were playing make believe and pretended that they lived in a castle.
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Some Random Idioms
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manure
What does "manure" mean? | deceive; lie; con |
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talk (something) over
What does "talk (something) over" mean? | to discuss something | We asked for some time during the meeting to talk over the new proposal.
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on the bandwagon
What does "on the bandwagon" mean? | to do or join something because many others are doing it | Everybody in our company is on the bandwagon to eliminate smoking in the workplace.
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From pillar to post
What does "From pillar to post" mean? | If something is going from pillar to post, it is moving around in a meaningless way, from one disaster to another. |
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come between (two people)
What does "come between (two people)" mean? | to disrupt the relationship between (two people) | The mother's constant interfering finally came between the man and his wife.
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burden of proof
What does "burden of proof" mean? | the necessity to prove a disputed fact as required by the laws of evidence | The burden of proof during the trial fell on the man who had accused his employee of theft.
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an open-and-shut case
What does "an open-and-shut case" mean? | a legal matter that is simple and uncomplicated | It was an open-and-shut case after the lawyer presented the evidence to the judge.
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lean toward (doing something)
What does "lean toward (doing something)" mean? | tend toward doing something | At the moment we are leaning toward buying a laptop computer rather than a desktop computer.
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greasy spoon
What does "greasy spoon" mean? | restaurant with poor quality food and hygeine |
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run up (something)
What does "run up (something)" mean? | to pull something up on a rope | We ran up the flag early this morning before the parade began.
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sweetheart deal
What does "sweetheart deal" mean? | a deal made between friends/businesses so that both may receive a benefit | We made a sweetheart deal with our landlord to have our rent reduced.
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near at hand
What does "near at hand" mean? | easy to reach, nearby | If there is a grocery store near at hand I will buy some milk.
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bail (someone) out
What does "bail (someone) out" mean? | pay a sum of money that allows someone to get out of jail while waiting for a trial | The family of the accused criminal paid much money to bail him out.
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