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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nice and (some quality)
What does nice and (some quality) mean? | lots of some quality | The bed was nice and warm and I fell asleep immediately.
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Some Random Idioms
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wet one's whistle
What does "wet one's whistle" mean? | have a drink (one's whistle is one's throat) | I stopped at a small cafe near the beach in order to wet my whistle.
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a kickback
What does "a kickback" mean? | an amount of money that is paid illegally for favorable treatment | The construction company was giving kickbacks to the local politicians.
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have a one-track mind
What does "have a one-track mind" mean? | think only about one thing | My friend has a one-track mind and he is only interested in making money.
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meet (someone) half-way
What does "meet (someone) half-way" mean? | make a compromise with someone | He is very stubborn and is never willing to meet his friends half-way.
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burst into flames
What does "burst into flames" mean? | to catch fire suddenly | The curtains burst into flames after touching the small stove.
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fair play
What does "fair play" mean? | justice, equal and correct action toward someone | The company has a reputation for fair play when they are bargaining with their employees.
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Passed with flying colors
What does "Passed with flying colors" mean? | To exceed expectations, to do better than expected. | The California smog test is tough, but my car passed with flying colors.
Color(s) has numerous meanings. An early use of the word is flag, pennant, or badge.
"Passed with flying colors" comes from sailing ships that, when passing other ships at sea, would fly their colors (flags) if they wanted to be identified. |
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play down (someone or something)
What does "play down (someone or something)" mean? | to give less emphasis to someone or something, to make someone or something seem less important | The politician played down the survey that showed that he was becoming less popular.
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get off one`s butt
What does "get off one`s butt" mean? | to get busy, to start working | My friend should get off his butt and try to find a job.
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slow-witted
What does "slow-witted" mean? | to be not very smart | The girl is slow-witted and she has trouble doing simple things.
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Reading the riot act
What does "Reading the riot act" mean? | To complain or lecture loudly and with angry emotion.
| Upset about his neighbors load music at 3:00 am, Davis knocked on the door and proceeded to read the riot act.
"Reading the riot act" used to be a literal event. Bobbies in Britain used to read a prescribed proclamation, known as the Riot Act, before they could break up or arrest a crowd. The Riot Act is used in a fashion similar to the Miranda Rights in the US.
The Bobbies would approach the crowd, read the Riot Act aloud, and then disperse or arrest them. |
A watched pot never boils
What does "A watched pot never boils" mean? | Some things work out in their own time, so being impatient and constantly checking will just make things seem longer. |
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VP
What does "VP" mean? | Vice-President | Vice-PresidentAfter serving faithfully as vice-president for many years my father was appointed to the position of company president.
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