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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past (someone or something's) prime
What does past (someone or something's) prime mean? | to be beyond the most useful or productive period of someone or something | The young skater is past her prime as a figure skater.
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Some Random Idioms
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thrash (something) out
What does "thrash (something) out" mean? | to discuss something thoroughly and solve any problems | We spent most of the meeting thrashing the new plan out.
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lip service
What does "lip service" mean? | support shown by words only and not by action | They paid lip service to the proposal but I don`t think that they really support it.
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GNP
What does "GNP" mean? | Gross National Product - the total value of goods and services
produced by a country in one year | Gross National Product - the total value of goods and services produced by a country in one yearThe GNP of the country that I visited last year has been decreasing for several years.
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live in an ivory tower
What does "live in an ivory tower" mean? | not be aware of the realities of everyday life | The university professors lived in an ivory tower and had no idea what was going on around them.
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take place
What does "take place" mean? | to happen, to occur | The soccer game took place on the coldest day of the year.
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ahead of the game
What does "ahead of the game" mean? | to do more than necessary | We worked hard all week in order to be ahead of the game on Monday morning.
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until all hours (of the day or night)
What does "until all hours (of the day or night)" mean? | until very late | We stayed up until all hours playing cards.
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Best thing since sliced bread
What does "Best thing since sliced bread" mean? | If something is the best thing since sliced bread, it is excellent.
('The greatest thing since sliced bread' is also used.) |
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Bit part
What does "Bit part" mean? | If someone has a small or unimportant role in something, they have a bit part. |
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let (someone) go
What does "let (someone) go" mean? | free someone from prison or from an arrest | The courts decided to let the man go because there was no evidence to keep him in prison.
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let off steam
What does "let off steam" mean? | get rid of your extra energy or strong feelings by doing some activity | He was very angry at first but he has let off steam and has calmed down now.
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eyes are bigger than one`s stomach
What does "eyes are bigger than one`s stomach" mean? | to take or want more food than you can eat | The man's eyes are bigger than his stomach. He will never finish all of the food that he took.
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pour cold water on (something)
What does "pour cold water on (something)" mean? | to discourage something | My boss poured cold water on my idea to change the time of our coffee breaks.
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