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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neck and neck
What does neck and neck mean? | to be equal or nearly equal in a race or contest | The two teams were neck and neck in the race to win the national championship.
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neck and neck
What does neck and neck mean? | exactly even in a race or contest | The two horses were running neck and neck at the end of the race.
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neck and neck
What does neck and neck mean? | exactly even (as in a horse race) | exactly even (as in a horse race)The two candidates were running neck and neck in the election until the last ballots were counted late in the evening.
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neck and neck
What does neck and neck mean? | exactly even in a race or contest |
The two horses were neck and neck at the end of the race.
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neck and neck
What does neck and neck mean? | to be equal or nearly equal in a race or contest |
The two teams were neck and neck in the race to win the national championship.
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neck and neck
What does neck and neck mean? | exactly even (in a horse race the horses sometimes run neck and neck) |
The two candidates were neck and neck in the election until the last ballots were counted.
The two horses were running neck and neck in the race.
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Some Random Idioms
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burn a hole in one`s pocket
What does "burn a hole in one`s pocket" mean? | to stimulate someone to spend money quickly | My money is burning a hole in my pocket and I will probably spend it quickly.
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come by (something)
What does "come by (something)" mean? | to get or obtain or acquire something |
My aunt came by much money recently and is now enjoying her life.
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upper crust
What does "upper crust" mean? | rich and famous people, the highest class of people | The private club was full of what looked like the upper crust of the city.
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Many a True Word is spoken in Jest.
What does "Many a True Word is spoken in Jest." mean? | A humorous, joking remark may hide a profound
insight or a serious criticism. An unintended comment may turn out to be true. | "You know Shirley, you might as well rub those cinnamon rolls directly on to your hips. That is where they're going to end up anyway." "Well Fred, many a true word is spoken in jest, but my hips are really none of your business."
In trying to be funny many people will relay on sarcasm. The most poignant (and often cutting, or hurtful) sarcasm is founded in truth. It is often determental to a relationship to pick on someone in front of others even if you are basically telling the truth. Conversely, if you are being picked on in jest, you can often get a true picture of how others view you and know then what to work on. The meaning behind this saying was used as early as in Chaucer's "Canterbury Tales," in which the cook says, "A man may seye full soothe in game and pley." Later, at the end of the sixteenth century, a Scottish saying was, "There are many sooth words spoken in bourding," and both French and Italian have equivalent sayings. |
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newbie
What does "newbie" mean? | person who is new to the Internet. | Too many newbies in this chat room today.
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rub salt in (someone's) wound
What does "rub salt in (someone's) wound" mean? | to try to make someone's unhappiness or misfortune worse |
I did not mention the car accident to my friend because I did not want to rub salt in his wound.
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smell a rat
What does "smell a rat" mean? | to be suspicious, to feel that something is wrong | I smell a rat. There is something wrong with the offer of a free credit card.
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give the devil his due
What does "give the devil his due" mean? | to give credit to someone who deserves it even if you dislike him or her | I do not like to work with my coworker because he is lazy. However, you have to give the devil his due. He always gets the job done.
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