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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on a dime
What does on a dime mean? | to do something in a very small space, to do something quickly | His new car has very powerful brakes and is able to stop on a dime.
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Some Random Idioms
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with one/both hand(s) tied behind one's back
What does "with one/both hand(s) tied behind one's back" mean? | easily | I can look after the computer system with both hands tied behind my back.
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beg to differ with (someone)
What does "beg to differ with (someone)" mean? | to politely disagree with someone | "I'm sorry but I beg to differ with you about what happened."
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toe the line
What does "toe the line" mean? | accept the authority or policies of a particular group
(competitors in a race line up with their toes on the starting
line) | accept the authority or policies of a particular group (competitors in a race line up with their toes on the starting line)The worker refused to toe the line and was fired from his job.
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knock (someone's) block off
What does "knock (someone's) block off" mean? | hit someone very hard (in the head), beat someone up | He was very angry and threatened to knock the block off of anyone who came near him.
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boggle (someone's) mind
What does "boggle (someone's) mind" mean? | to confuse or overwhelm someone | The amount of waste in the city program really boggles my mind.
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out on bail
What does "out on bail" mean? | to be out of jail after bail money has been paid | The man is out on bail after being arrested for stealing money from his company.
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jump/climb/get on the bandwagon
What does "jump/climb/get on the bandwagon" mean? | join a popular activity/campaign | Everybody jumped on the bandwagon to try and stop smoking in the workplace.
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kooky
What does "kooky" mean? | eccentric, peculiar, strange |
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as wild as a tiger
What does "as wild as a tiger" mean? | very wild | The little boy was as wild as a tiger when we were trying to look after him.
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once in a blue moon
What does "once in a blue moon" mean? | very rarely | We only go out for Italian food once in a blue moon although we enjoy it very much.
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fruits of one's labor
What does "fruits of one's labor" mean? | the results of one's work | We decided to enjoy the fruits of our labor so we went on a long holiday to Europe.
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chip off the old block
What does "chip off the old block" mean? | a person who looks or acts like one of his parents | The boy is a chip off the old block and acts exactly like his father.
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Watch it!
What does "Watch it!" mean? | be careful (usually used as a command) | "Watch it! That truck is going very fast and may hit you."
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Fall on our feet
What does "Fall on our feet" mean? | If you fall on your feet, you succeed in doing something where there was a risk of failure. |
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