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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penny-wise and pound-foolish
What does penny-wise and pound-foolish mean? | wise or careful in small things/purchases but not wise or careful about bigger things/purchases | He is penny-wise and pound-foolish and is always wasting his money on things that he does not need.
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penny-wise and pound foolish
What does penny-wise and pound foolish mean? | to be careful or thrifty in small expenditures but careless or wasteful in large ones | My friend is penny-wise and pound foolish and she economizes on small things but wastes all of her money on big things.
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penny wise and pound foolish
What does penny wise and pound foolish mean? | to be careful with small amounts of money but to waste large amounts of money on unnecessary things | The woman was penny wise and pound foolish and would hesitate to spend money on fruits and vegetables for her family but would buy very expensive desserts.
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penny-wise and pound foolish
What does penny-wise and pound foolish mean? | to be careful or thrifty in small expenditures but careless or wasteful in large ones |
My friend is penny-wise and pound foolish and she economizes on small things but wastes much money on big things.
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penny-wise and pound-foolish
What does penny-wise and pound-foolish mean? | wise or careful in small things or purchases but not wise or careful about bigger things or purchases |
The man is penny-wise and pound-foolish and he wastes his money on things that he does not need.
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Some Random Idioms
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sock it to (someone)
What does "sock it to (someone)" mean? | to give everything that one is capable of to do something | The president socked it to the audience during his speech at the convention.
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BS
What does "BS" mean? | Bullshit - lies or other information that is
false | Bullshit - lies or other information that is false We heard a lot of BS at the meeting last night which nobody believed.
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put one's thinking cap on
What does "put one's thinking cap on" mean? | start thinking in a serious manner | The boys put on their thinking caps and tried to think of a new name for the school newspaper.
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Hard cheese
What does "Hard cheese" mean? | (UK) Hard cheese means hard luck. |
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make hay while the sun shines
What does "make hay while the sun shines" mean? | to take advantage of opportunities and good conditions while you can | We wanted to make hay while the sun shines so we tried to finish the outside work while the weather was good.
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lion's share of (something)
What does "lion's share of (something)" mean? | the larger part/share of something | We found the lion's share of the lost tickets but some are still missing.
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drop in the bucket
What does "drop in the bucket" mean? | a small amount | The money that my friend repaid me was a drop in the bucket compared to what he owes.
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keep books
What does "keep books" mean? | keep records of money gained and spent, do the work of a bookkeeper | My first job was to keep books for a small company in my hometown.
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grow on (someone)
What does "grow on (someone)" mean? | to become acceptable to someone or liked by someone | At first I did not like the strange music but it is beginning to grow on me.
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kink in my neck
What does "kink in my neck" mean? | a cramp in one's neck that causes pain | I woke up this morning with a kink in my neck.
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