Play Idiom American Expressions and American Idioms

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. .

play What does play mean?	plan; strategy; tactic.	Okay, here's our next play. You fake left, you go deep.
	Some Random Idioms
wear out What does "wear out" mean?	use or wear something until it becomes useless	My shoes wore out during my trip to Paris.

antifreeze What does "antifreeze" mean?	liquor, usually strong
play one's cards close to one's chest What does "play one's cards close to one's chest" mean?	be extremely secretive and cautious about something (holding playing cards close to your chest so the other players can't see them)	be extremely secretive and cautious about something (holding playing cards close to your chest so the other players can't see them)My boss always plays his cards close to his chest when he is negotiating with another company.
lay (someone) to rest What does "lay (someone) to rest" mean?	to bury someone	We laid my uncle to rest in a nice ceremony last night.
buy (something) for a song What does "buy (something) for a song" mean?	to buy something cheaply	I was able to buy my first house for a song.
slow down What does "slow down" mean?	to go more slowly than usual, to cause something to reduce speed	You should slow down when you are driving on a wet road.
have (something) on the tip of one's tongue What does "have (something) on the tip of one's tongue" mean?	be almost able to remember a specific fact such as a name or place	I have the actor's name on the tip of my tongue but I can't remember it.

see the light at the end of the tunnel What does "see the light at the end of the tunnel" mean?	to foresee an end to something such as a problem or a task	I could finally see the light at the end of the tunnel and I knew that I would finish the work soon.
look at (someone) cross-eyed What does "look at (someone) cross-eyed" mean?	to do something or look at someone in a way that may make him or her angry	If you look at the man cross-eyed he will usually become angry.
call (someone) names What does "call (someone) names" mean?	to call a person unpleasant names	The children began to call the new student names.
have (something) up one`s sleeve What does "have (something) up one`s sleeve" mean?	to have a secret plan or solution for something, to be ready for a time when something is needed	I do not know what my friend has up his sleeve but I am sure that he is planning to say something at the meeting.
call it a day What does "call it a day" mean?	to finish work and go home	I called it a day and decided to go home early.

American Idioms and Expressions

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