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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neither fish nor fowl
What does neither fish nor fowl mean? | something that does not belong to a definite group | The man's opinions were neither fish nor fowl and nobody could put them into an identifiable category.
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neither fish nor fowl
What does neither fish nor fowl mean? | something that does not belong to a definite group | The manager's idea was neither fish nor fowl. Nobody knew what to do with it.
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neither fish nor fowl
What does neither fish nor fowl mean? | something that does not belong to a definite group/category | I do not know what you should call the strange food. It is neither fish nor fowl.
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neither fish nor fowl
What does neither fish nor fowl mean? | not in any recognizable category | The movie was neither fish nor fowl and I did not know what category to put it into.
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neither fish nor fowl
What does neither fish nor fowl mean? | something that does not belong to a definite group |
The manager's idea was neither fish nor fowl. Nobody knew what to do about it.
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neither fish nor fowl
What does neither fish nor fowl mean? | something that does not belong to a definite group or category |
I do not know what you should call the strange food. It is neither fish nor fowl.
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neither fish nor fowl
What does neither fish nor fowl mean? | not in any recognizable category |
I could not decide what the animal was. It was neither fish nor fowl.
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neither fish nor fowl
What does neither fish nor fowl mean? | something that does not belong to a definite group or category |
The man's opinions were neither fish nor fowl and nobody could put them into an identifiable category.
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Some Random Idioms
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odd man out
What does "odd man out" mean? | an unusual person or thing | I always feel that I am the odd man out when I go with my coworkers to a restaurant.
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Rake someone over the coals
What does "Rake someone over the coals" mean? | If you rake someone over the coals, you criticize or scold them severely. |
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stand out
What does "stand out" mean? | to be more noticeable than those around you | He likes to wear clothes that make him stand out from the crowd.
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give one's eye teeth (to do something)
What does "give one's eye teeth (to do something)" mean? | to want to do something very much | The little boy would give his eye teeth to have a little puppy.
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come with the territory
What does "come with the territory" mean? | to be expected under the circumstances (like something that comes with a sales territory) |
The fact that the man has no free time comes with the territory with his work as a news reporter.
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a Mecca for (something)
What does "a Mecca for (something)" mean? | a place that is popular with people for some reason (from the city of Mecca which is the religious center of Islam) | The small area of lakes is a Mecca for people who like to fish.
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Bee's Knees
What does "Bee's Knees" mean? | If something is the bee's knees, it's outstanding or the best in its class. |
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Dutch treat
What does "Dutch treat" mean? | a meal or movie etc. where each person pays his or her own way, to contribute equally to something |
When the boy goes out with his girlfriend it is always a Dutch treat as he does not have much money.
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hand over fist
What does "hand over fist" mean? | fast and in large amounts | We have been making money hand over fist in our new store.
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How come?
What does "How come?" mean? | why? | "How come you don`t telephone her if you want to talk to her?"
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in ink
What does "in ink" mean? | written or signed with a pen | We were asked to write down our names and addresses in ink.
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kingpin
What does "kingpin" mean? | leader of a criminal gang |
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out on one's ear
What does "out on one's ear" mean? | to be forced to (unwillingly) leave one's job/organization/home | The man did not pay his rent for two months and he was quickly out on his ear.
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