American Idioms and Expressions

Peg Away (at Something) Idiom

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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peg away (at something)
What does peg away (at something) mean?
to keep working at something, keep trying somethingMy friend has been pegging away at his job for many years now.

Some Random Idioms
catch (someone) red-handed
What does "catch (someone) red-handed" mean?
to catch someone in the middle of doing something wrong The woman was caught red-handed when she tried to steal some cosmetics.

carry through with (something)
What does "carry through with (something)" mean?
to put a plan into action The company carried through with its plan to open a new factory.
Watching paint dry
What does "Watching paint dry" mean?
If something is like watching paint dry, it is really boring.
a crying shame
What does "a crying shame" mean?
a very unfortunate situation It was a crying shame that our class trip to Europe was cancelled.

you can lead a horse to water (but you can't make it drink)
What does "you can lead a horse to water (but you can't make it drink)" mean?
you can give someone the opportunity to do something but you cannot force him or her to do it if they do not want to You can lead a horse to water but you can't make it drink and no matter how hard we try to help my cousin get a job he will not make any effort to find one.

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straight
What does "straight" mean?
no longer using drugs or alcohol
Knock on wood
What does "Knock on wood" mean?
Tap on a wooden surface for gook luck or to keep from putting a jinx on yourself for having mentioned some hope or dream aloud.If good luck is willing. I am sure that your tax returns will not be audited, knock on wood.
One theory is that it originated in the middle ages when there were in circulation, pieces of the Holy Rood or Cross on which Jesus was crucified. To touch one of these was supposed to bring good luck hence touch wood for good luck.
vivor
What does "vivor" mean?
survivor
not give (someone) the time of day
What does "not give (someone) the time of day" mean?
to dislike someone so strongly that you totally ignore him or herI dislike her and would not give her the time of day.
come to naught
What does "come to naught" mean?
to end in failure Our efforts to find a new apartment have come to naught.

let sleeping dogs lie
What does "let sleeping dogs lie" mean?
to not make trouble if you do not have toYou should let sleeping dogs lie and not ask our boss any questions about the dispute.
bring down the house
What does "bring down the house" mean?
to cause much laughter in an audience The comedian brought down the house with his jokes.

for the time being
What does "for the time being" mean?
temporarily, for now, for awhile We really need a new car but for the time being we will continue to use our old one.

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