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 road
What does on the road mean? | to be travelling (especially as a salesman or performer) | Her husband is a salesman and is often on the road.
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on the road
What does on the road mean? | travelling somewhere (especially as a salesman or performer) |
The man is a salesman and is often on the road.
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Some Random Idioms
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take kindly to (someone or something)
What does "take kindly to (someone or something)" mean? | to be pleased by someone or something, to be agreeable to someone or something | The man does not take kindly to people telling him how to run his business.
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at the drop of a hat
What does "at the drop of a hat" mean? | without waiting or planning, immediately, promptly |
Our boss will stop working and help someone at the drop of a hat.
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Work your tail off
What does "Work your tail off" mean? | If you work your tail off, you work extremely hard. |
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GAL
What does "GAL" mean? | get a life |
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count noses
What does "count noses" mean? | count the number of people | The teacher stopped to count noses several times during the field trip.
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get credit for (a course)
What does "get credit for (a course)" mean? | receive official recognition and credits after passing a course | I was able to get credit for the course even though I had taken a similar course before.
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eat high on/off the hog
What does "eat high on/off the hog" mean? | to eat good or expensive food |
We were eating high off the hog during our ocean cruise.
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Passed with flying colors
What does "Passed with flying colors" mean? | To exceed expectations, to do better than expected. | The California smog test is tough, but my car passed with flying colors.
Color(s) has numerous meanings. An early use of the word is flag, pennant, or badge.
"Passed with flying colors" comes from sailing ships that, when passing other ships at sea, would fly their colors (flags) if they wanted to be identified. |
get out of hand
What does "get out of hand" mean? | to get out of control | The party was beginning to get out of hand so we asked everyone to leave.
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scratch the surface
What does "scratch the surface" mean? | to only begin to do or learn something | My friend is interested in classical music but she has only begun to scratch the surface of what is available.
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