American Idioms and Expressions

Not Make Head Nor Tail Of (something) Idiom

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. .

not make head nor tail of (something) What does not make head nor tail of (something) mean?	not be able to understand something	We could not make head nor tail of what he was trying to say during his speech.
	Some Random Idioms
a known quantity What does "a known quantity" mean?	someone or something that is known and understood	The new employee is a known quantity in our office because he worked here before.

stone's throw away from (something) What does "stone's throw away from (something)" mean?	to be very close to something	The new vegetable store is a stone's throw away from the large supermarket.
at the mercy of (the court/someone) What does "at the mercy of (the court/someone)" mean?	having no defense against the court/someone	My friend was at the mercy of the court when he went before the judge.
a firm hand What does "a firm hand" mean?	strict control of someone or something	The company uses a firm hand in managing their financial resources.
beat What does "beat" mean?	exhausted, very tired; worn out.	I'm beat, it's been a long day.
have a leg to stand on What does "have a leg to stand on" mean?	to have no support/excuse/evidence for something	The criminal does not have a leg to stand on in his defense of his actions.
Heart in your mouth What does "Heart in your mouth" mean?	If your heart is in your mouth, then you feel nervous or scared.

in a nutshell What does "in a nutshell" mean?	briefly, in a few words	We went to the meeting and they told us in a nutshell about the plans for our company. pie Idioms
out of the blue What does "out of the blue" mean?	without any warning, by surprise (like something that comes out of a blue sky)	My friend decided out of the blue to quit his job and go to Europe.
muster up the courage What does "muster up the courage" mean?	build up one's courage to do something	I plan to muster up the courage and ask the woman for a date.
propose a toast What does "propose a toast" mean?	to make a toast before drinking	We proposed a toast to our friend who was going away to study for a year.
Let the best be the enemy of the good What does "Let the best be the enemy of the good" mean?	If the desire for an unattainable perfection stops someone from choosing good possibilities, they let the best be the enemy of the good.
out of spite What does "out of spite" mean?	with the desire to harm someone or something	My friend would not help me out of spite for what he thought that I had done to him.

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