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 know (someone) from Adam
What does not know (someone) from Adam mean? | to not know someone at all | I did not know the man who came to our door from Adam.
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Some Random Idioms
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Three sheets to the wind
What does "Three sheets to the wind" mean? | Very drunk, highly intoxicated. | The groom made it to the alter, but he was three sheets to the wind.
The phrase comes from 18th - 19th century English Naval terminology. The original phrase was "three Sheets in the wind" and referred to the erratic behavior of a ship that has lost control of all of its sails.
In nautical terminology sheets are the ropes that adjust the position of the sails relative to the wind.
The speed and direction of a sailing ship is controlled by the number of sails raised on each mast, the angle of the sails to the wind (trim of the sails), and the position of the rudder. If the sheets used to control the sails are to break or are have been released, the sheet is said to be "in the wind".
One can imagine a sail thrashing wildly in a strong wind with its sheet (the control ropes) blowing about. It would be very difficult to regain control of such a sail.
Prior to the 1810's it was common for ships to have three masts, (fore, main, and mizzen). If the sheets on all three masts are "in the wind", the ship loses all steering control.
The ship's lack of control is likened to that of a stumbling drunk. |
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know (something) inside out
What does "know (something) inside out" mean? | know something thoroughly | I know the history of our city inside out.
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buck for (something)
What does "buck for (something)" mean? | to aim or try for a goal |
The soldier was bucking for a promotion.
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have a finger in the pie
What does "have a finger in the pie" mean? | to be involved in something, to have a role in something | The waitress has a finger in the pie of the new restaurant.
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have the cards stacked against you
What does "have the cards stacked against you" mean? | to have things arranged unfairly against you so that you have an unfair disadvantage |
I had the cards stacked against me when I went to the job interview.
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average out at
What does "average out at" mean? | to calculate something as an average |
The cost of our hotels averaged out at much more than we expected.
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(get/gain/have) the upper hand (on someone)
What does "(get/gain/have) the upper hand (on someone)" mean? | to get into a position that is superior or more advantageous than someone else | The union has the upper hand in their negotiations with the company.
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have a bee in one`s bonnet
What does "have a bee in one`s bonnet" mean? | to have a fixed idea that stays in one's mind |
The woman has a bee in her bonnet about starting a new business.
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You can't teach an old dog new tricks.
What does "You can't teach an old dog new tricks." mean? | people become used to their way of doing things and you can't get them to change | You can't teach an old dog new tricks and my grandfather will never miss drinking a glass of milk before he goes to bed.
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