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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one's feet are on the ground
What does one's feet are on the ground mean? | one has sensible ideas | My father is a good man and always has his feet on the ground.
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Some Random Idioms
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out on parole
What does "out on parole" mean? | out of jail but being supervised by the police | While the criminal was out on parole he was forced to meet with a social worker every two weeks.
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without batting an eye
What does "without batting an eye" mean? | casually | The criminal kept changing his story without batting an eye.
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in the meantime
What does "in the meantime" mean? | the period of time between now and the beginning of something | I can't go to university now so in the meantime I am going to a junior college.
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in the bargain
What does "in the bargain" mean? | in addition to what was agreed upon | There was a camping stove in the bargain when we bought the camping equipment at the store.
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a sacred cow
What does "a sacred cow" mean? | something that is never criticized or laughed at even if it sometimes deserves to be | The medical insurance system is a sacred cow of the government and is never criticized by anyone.
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serve notice on (someone)
What does "serve notice on (someone)" mean? | deliver a legal announcement or document to someone | The company served notice on the union that they would be closing their factory next year.
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money talks
What does "money talks" mean? | if you have lots of money you will be treated well, money can influence people | We learned that money talks when the rich couple got a reservation at the famous restaurant although we could not.
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Climb the greasy pole
What does "Climb the greasy pole" mean? | Advance within an organisation - especially in politics. |
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relative to (someone or something)
What does "relative to (someone or something)" mean? | in proportion to someone or something | The house was not very large relative to the amount of money that it cost.
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liquid bread
What does "liquid bread" mean? | beer |
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earful
What does "earful" mean? | a scolding, much talking in the form of complaints | The man gave his daughter an earful when she came home late.
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Gone to pot
What does "Gone to pot" mean? | If something has gone to pot, it has gone wrong and doesn't work any more. |
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down on (someone)
What does "down on (someone)" mean? | to be critical of someone, to be angry at someone | The girl is down on her friend but I do not know the reason.
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smoking gun
What does "smoking gun" mean? | irrefutable evidence of guilt |
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