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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next of kin
What does next of kin mean? | one's closest living relative or relatives | The police notified the dead woman's next of kin after the accident.
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Some Random Idioms
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lock the barn door after the horse is stolen
What does "lock the barn door after the horse is stolen " mean? | to take care or try to make something safe after it is too late | to take care or try to make something safe after it is too lateThe stadium managers tried to stop people from entering the stadium. But thousands of people had already entered. They were locking the barn door after the horse was stolen.
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call off (something)
What does "call off (something)" mean? | to cancel something | The game was called off because of the rain.
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kick back
What does "kick back" mean? | bribe; money paid to effect an outcome |
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keep one's nose out of (someone's) business
What does "keep one's nose out of (someone's) business" mean? | refrain from interfering in someone else's business | I try hard to keep my nose out of my friend's business so he doesn't become angry with me.
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move heaven and earth (to do something)
What does "move heaven and earth (to do something)" mean? | try every way, do everything one can to do something | I will move heaven and earth to help you get a job with our company.
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black sheep (of a family)
What does "black sheep (of a family)" mean? | a person who is a disgrace to a family or group | The man is the black sheep in his family and has not made a success of his life.
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Keep your nose clean
What does "Keep your nose clean" mean? | If someone is trying to keep their Nose Clean, they are trying to stay out of trouble by not getting involved in any sort of wrong-doing. |
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intense
What does "intense" mean? | important, serious, significant |
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Was my face red!
What does "Was my face red!" mean? | I was very embarrassed. | "When I got to the meeting I noticed that I was wearing one black sock and one brown one. Was my face red!"
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nine-day wonder
What does "nine-day wonder" mean? | someone or something who briefly attracts a lot of attention | The man was a nine-day wonder but he was soon forgotten by most people at his former company.
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give me a break
What does "give me a break" mean? | that's enough; lay off; no more |
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the one and only
What does "the one and only" mean? | a famous and talented person, the unique and only "somebody" | Yesterday the newspaper published an interview with the one and only inventor of the new DVD player.
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Under the radar
What does "Under the radar" mean? | If something slips under the radar, it isn't detected or noticed. |
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