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.
.
pray to the porcelain god
What does pray to the porcelain god mean? | vomit; throw up |
|
|
Some Random Idioms
| |
get into (something)
What does "get into (something)" mean? | to become interested or involved in something |
I do not want to get into an argument with my friend.
We will get into the details of the plan tomorrow.
|
|
| |
take a turn for the worse
What does "take a turn for the worse" mean? | to start to get worse | The condition of the patient suddenly took a turn for the worse.
|
beat the gun
What does "beat the gun" mean? | do something before the ending signal of a game
etc. | do something before the ending signal of a game etc.We were able to beat the gun and applied before the final deadline to get the free basketball tickets.
|
none of (someone's) beeswax
What does "none of (someone's) beeswax" mean? | none of someone's business |
It was none of my beeswax so I did not ask my friend about his problems.
|
cook (something) up
What does "cook (something) up" mean? | to invent something, to plan or plot something | I do not know what kind of plan she is cooking up but it should be quite interesting.
|
set upon (someone or something)
What does "set upon (someone or something)" mean? | to attack someone or something violently | The three young boys set upon the man on the city bus.
|
keep one`s eye on the ball
What does "keep one`s eye on the ball" mean? | be watchful and ready for something | "You should keep your eye on the ball or you will make a mistake."
|
|
| |
Absence makes the heart grow fonder.
What does "Absence makes the heart grow fonder." mean? | Our feeling for those we love increases when we are
apart from them. | "Cheer up Dude, everybody knows that absence makes the heart grow fonder."
In 1604, Shakespeare echoed this sentiment in "Othello" (Act 1, scene ii), when Desdemona confessed, "I dote upon his very absence." James Howell, in "Familiar Letters" (1650) says that, "Distance sometimes endears friendship, and absence sweeteneth it."
There are other references to this proverb in literature, but it was originally the first line of an anonymous poem which appeared in Davison's "Poetical Rhapsody" in 1602. |
lead (someone) on
What does "lead (someone) on" mean? | insincerely encourage someone | I think my friend was leading me on when he told me about the new job.
|
all thumbs
What does "all thumbs" mean? | to be awkward and clumsy, a difficulty in fixing things or working with one's hands |
The man is all thumbs and he can never fix something without making it worse.
|
shitsky
What does "shitsky" mean? | dumb, rude person (usually said of men) |
|
put a cap on (something)
What does "put a cap on (something)" mean? | to put a limit on something | The university was forced to put a cap on the number of new students that they could accept.
|