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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off the subject
What does off the subject mean? | to be not concerned with the subject under discussion | Our teacher is often off the subject during our class lectures.
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Some Random Idioms
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tooth-to-tattoo ratio
What does "tooth-to-tattoo ratio" mean? | visual inspection to determine mental status; a higher ratio (more teeth than tattoos) is better |
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fiddle while Rome burns
What does "fiddle while Rome burns" mean? | to do nothing while a disaster is happening | The economy became worse as the government did nothing. They seemed to fiddle while Rome burned.
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as usual
What does "as usual" mean? | most of the time, following the usual pattern | As usual, the girl forgot to bring her book to class.
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Mover and shaker
What does "Mover and shaker" mean? | A person who is a mover and shaker is a highly respected, key figure in their particular area with a lot of influence and importance. |
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ESL
What does "ESL" mean? | English as a Second Language | English as a Second LanguageThe ESL classes at the college have been held for almost ten years now.
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make a difference
What does "make a difference" mean? | cause a change in a situation | It doesn`t make a difference whether he comes to the meeting or not.
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wheels
What does "wheels" mean? | transportation in a car; a car |
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the picture of (something)
What does "the picture of (something)" mean? | the perfect example of something | My father was the picture of health when I saw him last month.
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All talk and no trousers
What does "All talk and no trousers" mean? | (UK) Someone who is all talk and no trousers, talks about doing big, important things, but doesn't take any action. |
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hold one's nose
What does "hold one's nose" mean? | to accept that you have to do something that you do not want to do | I had to hold my nose and sign the legal contract which I did not want to sign.
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scream one's head off
What does "scream one's head off" mean? | to scream a lot and for a long time | The girl screamed her head off after the accident.
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barf
What does "barf" mean? | vomit |
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give (someone) a piece of one`s mind
What does "give (someone) a piece of one`s mind" mean? | to scold someone angrily, to say what one really thinks of someone (especially when they have behaved badly) | I gave the store manager a piece of my mind when I told him about the bad product.
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Paddle your own canoe
What does "Paddle your own canoe" mean? | If you paddle your own canoe, you do things for yourself without outside help. |
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