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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part and parcel of (something)
What does part and parcel of (something) mean? | a necessary or important part of something | The house that we bought is part and parcel of a much larger piece of property.
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Some Random Idioms
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A Burnt Child Dreads the Fire
What does "A Burnt Child Dreads the Fire" mean? | One does not repeat a painful lesson twice. | I've tried to get little Johnny to quit running and jumping on the furniture before he hurts himself, but only a burnt child dreads the fire.
Very similar in meaning to another proverb, "Once bitten, twice shy," today's proverb is an old one. It appeared in English literature as early as 1320, in "The Proverbs of Hendyng." Another proverb, which is similar, comes from the French: "A scalded dog fears cold water" carries an even stronger message; that those who have experienced a great deal of difficulty or pain will not only avoid it in the future, but will be afraid even where there is no cause.
Other languages also have like proverbs, such as, "One bitten by a serpent is afraid of a rope's end" (Jewish), "A man who has received a beating with a firebrand runs away at the sight of a firefly" (Singhalese), and "A dog which has been beaten with a stick fears its own shadow" (Italian). |
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take (someone or something) in hand
What does "take (someone or something) in hand" mean? | to try to take control of a situation and improve it or deal with it | Our teacher quickly took the situation in hand when the class became too noisy.
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as red as a lobster
What does "as red as a lobster" mean? | very red |
The girl was as red as a lobster after sitting in the sun all day.
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Fat head
What does "Fat head" mean? | A fat head is a dull, stupid person. |
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rough-and-tumble
What does "rough-and-tumble" mean? | to be rough, a hard fighting or arguing style that does not follow any rules or laws | It was a rough-and-tumble meeting at the city planning office last night.
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Sprat to catch a mackerel
What does "Sprat to catch a mackerel" mean? | If you use a sprat to catch a mackerel, you make a small expenditure or take a small risk in the hope of a much greater gain. |
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fair and impartial
What does "fair and impartial" mean? | fair and unbiased |
The criminal was given a fair and impartial trial by the court.
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Broke as a joke and it ain't funny
What does "Broke as a joke and it ain't funny" mean? | This idiom in my opinion describes how it's not funny to be without a cent and just uses broke and joke as rhyming words that help explain this idiom a lot better. |
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out of the mouths of babes
What does "out of the mouths of babes" mean? | something that a child says shows that they understand more about a situation than you thought that they did | The statement was right out of the mouths of babes. The little boy knew everything that was going on.
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by way of (something or somewhere)
What does "by way of (something or somewhere)" mean? | passing through or by a place |
We drove to the airport by way of the small town.
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on hold
What does "on hold" mean? | to be left waiting on a telephone line | I phoned the bank but I was quickly put on hold.
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