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.
.
out of hand
What does out of hand mean? | to be uncontrollable/wild | The party got out of hand and we had to call the police to quiet things.
|
out of hand
What does out of hand mean? | immediately and without consulting anyone | The police dismissed my complaint about my neighbors out of hand.
|
out of hand
What does out of hand mean? | out of control | The party got out of hand so we called the police.
|
out of hand
What does out of hand mean? | immediately and without consulting anyone, without delay | Our teacher dismissed our excuses out of hand.
|
out of hand
What does out of hand mean? | out of control |
The party got out of hand so we called the police.
|
out of hand
What does out of hand mean? | immediately and without consulting anyone, without delay |
Our teacher dismissed our excuses out of hand.
|
out of hand
What does out of hand mean? | wild, not able to be controlled |
The party got out of hand and we had to call the police to quiet things.
|
out of hand
What does out of hand mean? | immediately and without consulting anyone |
The police dismissed my complaint about my neighbors out of hand.
|
|
Some Random Idioms
| |
trash
What does "trash" mean? | damage; vandalize |
|
|
| |
at the appointed time
What does "at the appointed time" mean? | at the time that has been decided |
We went to meet our lawyer at the appointed time.
|
No can do
What does "No can do" mean? | No can do means that the speaker can't do whatever it is that has been asked of him or her. |
|
cash in (something)
What does "cash in (something)" mean? | to exchange coupons or bonds for their value in money | I cashed in a large number of my savings bonds in order to get some money to buy a car.
|
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. |
a case in point
What does "a case in point" mean? | an example that proves something or helps to make something clear |
What our boss said is a case in point about what I have also been saying.
|
in abeyance
What does "in abeyance" mean? | the temporary suspension of an activity or a ruling | The final estate settlement was in abeyance while the lawyers looked at the will in more detail.
|
swallow (something) hook, line, and sinker
What does "swallow (something) hook, line, and sinker" mean? | to believe something completely | I swallowed everything hook, line, and sinker when my friend told me the story about how he lost his car keys.
|
|
| |
to hand it to (someone)
What does "to hand it to (someone)" mean? | to give credit or praise to someone | You have to hand it to our manager for working hard and being successful with his business.
|
killer
What does "killer" mean? | very unusual or extraordinary |
|
bought it
What does "bought it" mean? |
idiom. be killed. | He bought it when we raided that house.
|
Drag your heels
What does "Drag your heels" mean? | If you drag your heels, you either delay doing something or do it as slowly as possible because you don't want to do it. |
|
get a suntan
What does "get a suntan" mean? | to make your skin browner or darker by exposing it to the rays of the sun |
The girl went to the beach to get a suntan.
|