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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Some Random Idioms
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a penny saved is a penny earned
What does "a penny saved is a penny earned" mean? | money saved through being thrifty is the same as money earned by working | A penny saved is a penny earned and trying not to spend a lot of money is as good as trying to earn money.
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ivories
What does "ivories" mean? | piano keys |
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hit (someone) like a ton of bricks
What does "hit (someone) like a ton of bricks" mean? | surprise or shock someone | When the small school went out of business it hit everyone like a ton of bricks.
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have other/bigger fish to fry
What does "have other/bigger fish to fry" mean? | to have other more important things to do, to have other opportunities | I have other fish to fry and I do not plan to spend any more time talking about my friend's problems.
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stand corrected
What does "stand corrected" mean? | to admit that one has been wrong | I was forced to stand corrected when I made a mistake about the time of the train.
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sink one`s teeth into (something)
What does "sink one`s teeth into (something)" mean? | to have something real or solid to think about or struggle with, to take a bite from some kind of food | I was finally able to sink my teeth into the problem and find a solution.
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get a slap on the wrist
What does "get a slap on the wrist" mean? | to receive a light punishment for doing something wrong | The judge gave the boy a slap on the wrist and decided not to punish him severely for his crime.
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jack up (something)
What does "jack up (something)" mean? | raise prices, raise something with a lifting device | The gas station jacked up their prices during the snow storm.
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soft code
What does "soft code" mean? | cardiac arrest for which no particular measures are taken due to the moribund condition of the patient |
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have shit for brains
What does "have shit for brains" mean? | be extremely dumb |
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follow suit
What does "follow suit" mean? | play a card of the same suit, follow the example of another
| play a card of the same suit, follow the example of another The small university followed suit with the other universities and decided to raise their tuition fees.
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take the day off
What does "take the day off" mean? | to choose not to go to work for one day | I decided to take the day off because I was not feeling well.
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creature comforts
What does "creature comforts" mean? | things that make people comfortable | We had no creature comforts during our trip to South America.
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