On An Even Keel Idiom American Expressions and American Idioms

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. .

on an even keel What does on an even keel mean?	to be in a well-ordered situation/condition	We got the new department running on an even keel before we took some time off.
on an even keel What does on an even keel mean?	calm and not likely to change suddenly, in a steady and well-balanced situation (the keel is the bottom of a boat or ship and when the boat is on an even keel it is balanced)	The new department was running on an even keel soon after it opened.
	Some Random Idioms
beat (someone) to the draw What does "beat (someone) to the draw" mean?	to do something before others do it	I beat my friend to the draw and got the remaining tickets for the basketball game.

Hindsight is twenty-twenty What does "Hindsight is twenty-twenty" mean?	After something has gone wrong, it is easy to look back and make criticisms.
Pull up your socks What does "Pull up your socks" mean?	If you aren't satisfied with someone and want them to do better, you can tell them to pull up their socks.
live off the fat of the land What does "live off the fat of the land" mean?	grow and live on one's own food	The early pioneers went to the mountain valley and were able to live off the fat of the land.
wear thin What does "wear thin" mean?	become thin from use or the passing of time	The silver dollar began to wear thin after it was in use for many years.
on credit What does "on credit" mean?	without paying cash	We usually buy most of our furniture on credit.
heart is in the right place What does "heart is in the right place" mean?	be kindhearted/sympathetic, have good intentions	He sometimes makes mistakes but his heart is in the right place.
call a spade a spade What does "call a spade a spade" mean?	to speak bluntly	The supervisor called a spade a spade when he criticized the employee for being lazy.

lifer What does "lifer" mean?	career military person
drop out of school What does "drop out of school" mean?	stop attending school	My friend dropped out of school when he was seventeen and began to drive a truck.
Dwell on the past What does "Dwell on the past" mean?	Thinking too much about the past, so that it becomes a problem is to dwell on the past.

American Idioms and Expressions

On An Even Keel Idiom