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 the ball
What does On the ball mean? | To be paying attention, to respond promptly, to be
doing one's job. | If you were a bit more on the ball, we might have averted the reactor melt down.
From the early days of baseball, a pitcher who "had nothing on the ball" was one who was having a bad outing. The term implies that the pitcher has no control or speed on the ball. |
on the ball
What does on the ball mean? | to be intelligent, to be able to do things well | He is on the ball and can usually get his work done quickly.
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on the ball
What does on the ball mean? | intelligent, able to do things well |
The man is on the ball and can usually get his work done quickly.
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Some Random Idioms
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pick (someone`s) brains
What does "pick (someone`s) brains" mean? | to extract ideas or information from someone for one`s own use | They are always picking my brains to get new ideas for their business.
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get off to a flying start
What does "get off to a flying start" mean? | have a very successful beginning | have a very successful beginningThe meeting got off to a flying start when the company directors announced that they had won a large contract.
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shake up (something)
What does "shake up (something)" mean? | to reorganize something, to reorganize a group of people | The president decided to shake up the company in order to bring new energy into the organization.
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slow on the uptake
What does "slow on the uptake" mean? | to be slow to figure something out | The new employee is slow on the uptake and we must explain everything to him at least two times.
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to mean (something) to (someone)
What does "to mean (something) to (someone)" mean? | have an effect or feeling for someone | I always tell my mother about my job situation because it means a lot to her.
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mind over matter
What does "mind over matter" mean? | if you really want to you can do something that is very difficult or even impossible | "It is mind over matter. If you really want to succeed with your project you will be able to do it."
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You scratch my back and I'll scratch yours.
What does "You scratch my back and I'll scratch yours." mean? | if you do me a favor then I will do you a favor |
"You scratch my back and I'll scratch yours," is a common expression in the construction industry.
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At your wit's end
What does "At your wit's end" mean? | If you're at your wit's end, you really don't know what you should do about something, no matter how hard you think about it. |
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dive right into something
What does "dive right into something" mean? | begin to do something without hesitating | begin to do something without hesitatingWhen university started some of the students decided to dive right into their studies.
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keep one`s nose to the grindstone
What does "keep one`s nose to the grindstone" mean? | work very hard | He is keeping his nose to the grindstone these days and I haven`t had a chance to meet him.
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