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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not able to go on
What does not able to go on mean? | to be unable to continue | I felt that I was not able to go on so I stopped running in the marathon.
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not able to go on
What does not able to go on mean? | to be unable to continue |
I was not able to go on so I stopped running in the marathon.
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Some Random Idioms
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Pros and cons
What does "Pros and cons" mean? | Pros and cons are arguments for or against a particular issue. Pros are arguments which aim to promote the issue, while cons suggest points against it. The term has been in use since the 16th century and is a shortening of a Latin phrase, pro et contra, which means “for and against.” Considering the pros and cons of an issue is a very useful way to weigh the issue thoughtfully and reach an informed decision. |
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think out loud
What does "think out loud" mean? | to say out loud what one is thinking | "I am sorry. I was thinking out loud."
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pay lip service to (something)
What does "pay lip service to (something)" mean? | to express loyality or support for something insincerely | The city council paid lip service to the concerns of the taxpayers.
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layaway plan
What does "layaway plan" mean? | a plan in which someone pays part of some money that is owed and then pays the rest later and the store keeps the item until the full price has been paid | I decided to buy the television set on the department store`s layaway plan.
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ghost of a chance
What does "ghost of a chance" mean? | very little chance, the smallest chance | The boy does not have a ghost of a chance to finish his homework before class.
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a pay-off
What does "a pay-off" mean? | the results of one`s work, a bribe | The young man expects to get a big pay-off from his university education when he begins to look for a job.
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Playing to the gallery
What does "Playing to the gallery" mean? | If someone plays to the gallery, they say or do things that will make them popular, but which are not the right things to do. |
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catch one's death of cold
What does "catch one's death of cold" mean? | to become very ill (with a cold/flu etc.) | The little boy was told to be careful in the rain or he would catch his death of cold.
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mitt
What does "mitt" mean? | hand |
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stink
What does "stink" mean? | commotion; argument; dispute |
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get around
What does "get around " mean? | to go to different places, to move about | My friend gets around and has been to many different cities.
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twiddle one`s thumbs
What does "twiddle one`s thumbs" mean? | to not be busy, to not be working | We twiddled our thumbs all morning and did not get any work done.
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a klutz
What does "a klutz" mean? | an awkward, uncoordinated person. | "Don't ask Jeff to dance with you. He's a realklutz and will probably step on your feet!"
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