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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nobody's home
What does nobody's home mean? | one`s attention is somewhere else, one has a simple mind | It seems like nobody`s home I thought, as I tried to have a conversation with the strange man.
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Some Random Idioms
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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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burn up
What does "burn up" mean? | to burn completely (usually things and not buildings) |
The uniforms burned up in the fire.
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second-guess (someone)
What does "second-guess (someone)" mean? | to try to guess what someone else intends to do or would have done in a situation | You should never try to second-guess the actions of the firefighters in a dangerous situation.
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Off colour
What does "Off colour" mean? | If someone looks off colour/color, they look ill. |
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stick to one`s guns
What does "stick to one`s guns" mean? | to defend an action or opinion despite an unfavorable reaction | Our boss is sticking to his guns on his decision to fire the manager of the store.
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come to life
What does "come to life" mean? | to become alive or lively | The party came to life when the host and hostess entered the room.
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Touch wood
What does "Touch wood" mean? | This idiom is used to wish for good luck.
('Knock on wood' is also used.) |
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dish out (criticism)
What does "dish out (criticism)" mean? | to criticize someone roughly, to treat someone roughly | Our supervisor likes to dish out criticism to others but he does not like to hear criticism about himself.
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make mincemeat out of (someone or something)
What does "make mincemeat out of (someone or something)" mean? | to beat up or destroy someone or something |
The older boxer made mincemeat out of the young boxer.
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Hold your tongue
What does "Hold your tongue" mean? | If you hold your tongue, you keep silent even though you want to speak. |
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iron
What does "iron" mean? | gun |
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