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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out of the corner of one's eye
What does out of the corner of one's eye mean? | with a quick glance at something |
I saw the big truck out of the corner of my eye.
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out of the corner of one's eye
What does out of the corner of one's eye mean? | at a glance, with a glimpse of someone or something |
I saw the car coming out of the corner of my eye and quickly moved away.
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Some Random Idioms
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put on a brave face
What does "put on a brave face" mean? | to try to appear happy when faced with a bad situation | My friend put on a brave face even though he had suddenly lost his job.
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Double Dutch
What does "Double Dutch" mean? | (UK) If something is double Dutch, it is completely incomprehensible. |
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quite a lot
What does "quite a lot" mean? | much or many | There are quite a lot of chairs in the meeting hall.
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Always a bridesmaid, never a bride
What does "Always a bridesmaid, never a bride" mean? | If someone is always a bridesmaid, never a bride, they never manage to fulfill their ambition- they get close, but never manage the recognition, etc, they crave. |
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See which way the cat jumps
What does "See which way the cat jumps" mean? | (AU) If you see which way the cat jumps, you postpone making a decision or acting until you have seen how things are developing. |
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naked eye
What does "naked eye" mean? | the human eye (with no binoculars etc.) | It was difficult to see the bird with the naked eye.
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take (something) to one's grave
What does "take (something) to one's grave" mean? | to carry a secret with you until you die | The woman plans to take the secret about her sister to her grave.
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on a par with
What does "on a par with" mean? | equal in importance or quality to something or someone (par is
the usual number of strokes that are needed to get around a golf
course) | equal in importance or quality to something or someone (par is the usual number of strokes that are needed to get around a golf course)The recent scandal involving steroids in sports was on a par with other major scandals of several decades ago.
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GJ
What does "GJ" mean? | grapefruit juice |
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too good to be true
What does "too good to be true" mean? | to be almost unbelievable | The offer was too good to be true and I did not believe that it was possible.
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