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.
.
near at hand
What does near at hand mean? | to be close or handy (to someone) | I looked for a pair of scissors that were near at hand.
|
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.
|
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.
|
near at hand
What does near at hand mean? | to be close or handy to someone |
I looked for a pair of scissors that were near at hand.
|
|
Some Random Idioms
| |
show one`s cards/hand
What does "show one`s cards/hand" mean? | to disclose one`s plans | The buyer has not shown us his cards yet so we do not know what he wants.
|
|
| |
No harm, no foul
What does "No harm, no foul" mean? | There's no problem when no harm or damage is done, such as the time my sister-in-law stole the name we'd chosen for a boy and we both ended up having girls. |
|
My heart bleeds
What does "My heart bleeds" mean? | If your heart bleeds for someone, you feel genuine sympathy and sadness for them. |
|
Crocodile tears
What does "Crocodile tears" mean? | Pretending to cry in an attempt to manipulate or
exploit, phony tears. | OJ gave his testimony through crocodile tears.
It was often thought that crocodiles shed tears that slid down into their mouths, moistening their food and making it easier for them to swallow. Hence the tears appear to be an expression of emotion but are in fact a means to make it easier to swallow (possibly the observer). |
give or take (a certain amount of something)
What does "give or take (a certain amount of something)" mean? | plus or minus a small amount | I think that the man is about 45 years old give or take five years.
|
Axe to grind
What does "Axe to grind" mean? | If you have an axe to grind with someone or about something, you have a grievance, a resentment and you want to get revenge or sort it out.
In American English, it is 'ax'. |
|
|
| |
Nail in the coffin
What does "Nail in the coffin" mean? | A nail in someone or something's coffin is a problem or event that is a clear step towards an inevitable failure. |
|
cock-and-bull story
What does "cock-and-bull story" mean? | a silly story that is not true |
The student told her teacher a cock-and-bull story about why she was absent.
|
red herring
What does "red herring" mean? | an unimportant matter that draws attention away from the main subject |
Talking about the other issue was a red herring that did not do anything to deal with today's problem.
|
come up in the world
What does "come up in the world" mean? | to improve one's status or situation in life | I knew that I had come up in the world when I was invited to dinner with the president of our company.
|