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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pay (someone or something) a visit
What does pay (someone or something) a visit mean? | to visit someone or something | I paid the tax office a visit to try and resolve my tax problem.
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Some Random Idioms
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red ink
What does "red ink" mean? | debt (the red ink on a financial statement) | The automobile company has much red ink because of the bad economic conditions.
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above and beyond
What does "above and beyond" mean? | to be more than is required | The work that the man did on our house was above and beyond what was required.
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keep up with the news
What does "keep up with the news" mean? | keep informed | I read the newspaper every morning in order to keep up with the news.
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cut/pare (something) to the bone
What does "cut/pare (something) to the bone" mean? | cut down severely (on something) | The company had no money so all of the extra expenses were cut to the bone.
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turn one's hand to (something)
What does "turn one's hand to (something)" mean? | to start to do something that is different from what you usually do | After we finished cleaning the kitchen we turned our hand to the other rooms.
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break the news (to someone)
What does "break the news (to someone)" mean? | to tell someone some information first | He is planning to break the news about his transfer tomorrow.
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count (someone) out
What does "count (someone) out" mean? | to exclude someone from something | "Please count me out of your plans to go skiing for the weekend."
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tell (someone) to his or her face
What does "tell (someone) to his or her face" mean? | to tell something to someone directly | I told my friend to her face that I did not like her constant complaining.
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keep one`s cool
What does "keep one`s cool" mean? | to stay/remain calm | I tried to keep my cool during the argument with my neighbor.
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What have you been up to?
What does "What have you been up to?" mean? | What have you been doing? | "What have you been up to?", I asked my sister when I saw her.
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Cheap shot
What does "Cheap shot" mean? | A cheap shot is an unprincipled criticism. |
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with all one's heart and soul
What does "with all one's heart and soul" mean? | very sincerely | With all his heart and soul, the young man wished his friend good luck on his new adventure.
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ass bandit
What does "ass bandit" mean? | male homosexual |
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