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.
.
off the mark
What does off the mark mean? | to be not quite exactly right | The cost estimate for the new train station was off the mark.
|
off the mark
What does off the mark mean? | not quite exactly right |
The cost estimate for the new train station was off the mark.
|
|
Some Random Idioms
| |
fall apart at the seams
What does "fall apart at the seams" mean? | to break into pieces, to fall apart | My backpack was falling apart at the seams so I bought a new one.
|
|
| |
shoot the breeze
What does "shoot the breeze" mean? | make relaxed, casual conversation. | "No, we weren't talking about anything important.We were just shooting the breeze."
|
don sackcloth and ashes
What does "don sackcloth and ashes" mean? | to behave in a way that shows that you are very sorry for something that you have done wrong - in ancient Biblical times people wore very uncomfortable sackcloth (cloth for sacks) for mourning and al |
The man was asked to don sackcloth and ashes to repent for his terrible mistake.
|
crispy critter
What does "crispy critter" mean? | burn victim, usually with second- or third-degree burns. | One crispy critter coming in from that apartment fire.
|
Spick and span
What does "Spick and span" mean? | If a room is spick and span, it is very clean and tidy. |
|
chief
What does "chief" mean? | form of address (to a friend or other familiar person; not often used). | Hey, chief, what's doing?
|
a shot in the arm
What does "a shot in the arm" mean? | something inspiring, something that gives someone energy |
The latest opinion polls are a shot in the arm for the mayor's re-election campaign.
|
|
| |
MP
What does "MP" mean? | Member of Parliament - used in the United Kingdom and Canada
etc. | Member of Parliament - used in the United Kingdom and Canada etc.There were several MPs at the restaurant where we had dinner.
|
bring home the importance of (something) to (someone)
What does "bring home the importance of (something) to (someone)" mean? | to make someone fully realize something | I was unable to bring home the importance of arriving early for the meeting.
|
see eye to eye (with someone)
What does "see eye to eye (with someone)" mean? | to agree with someone, to have the same opinion as someone else |
I never see eye to eye with my friend about which television program to watch.
|
Chinese walls
What does "Chinese walls" mean? | Chinese walls are regulatory information barriers that aim to stop the flow of information that could be misused, especially in financial corporations. |
|