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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quick and dirty
What does quick and dirty mean? | fast and cheap, fast and careless | The method that the company chose to cut expenses was quick and dirty.
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Some Random Idioms
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two's company, three's a crowd
What does "two's company, three's a crowd" mean? | two people (often two people on a date) are happier when nobody else is around | The couple decided to go on a holiday with their friend but two's company and three's a crowd and none of the group were able to enjoy themselves.
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know the ropes
What does "know the ropes" mean? | know how to do something | I know the ropes at my job and I get along very well at work.
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as awkward as a cow on roller skates
What does "as awkward as a cow on roller skates" mean? | very awkward | The little girl was as awkward as a cow on roller skates when she first began riding her bicycle.
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give (someone) a head start
What does "give (someone) a head start" mean? | to allow someone to start earlier than others | We gave my friend a head start in the treasure hunting contest.
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railroad tracks
What does "railroad tracks" mean? | braces on the teeth (particularly metal ones with wires connecting them) |
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something of the sort
What does "something of the sort" mean? | something of the kind just mentioned | I do not know exactly what the man said but it was about his job or something of the sort.
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Ivy League
What does "Ivy League" mean? | a small group of older and famous eastern United States colleges and universities such as Harvard, Yale and Princeton | Several of the company executives had gone to an Ivy League school.
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have the floor
What does "have the floor" mean? | to have permission to speak in a meeting | The president had the floor for almost an hour during the meeting.
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a slow-down
What does "a slow-down" mean? | a type of work strike where you do not come to a complete stop | The workers had a slow-down at the post office last year.
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Twisting in the wind
What does "Twisting in the wind" mean? | If you are twisting in the wind, you are without help or support - you are on your own. |
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the hair of the dog that bit you
What does "the hair of the dog that bit you" mean? | a drink of alcohol taken when one is recovering from drinking too much | My friend got up early and had the hair of the dog that bit him to start the day.
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cruise
What does "cruise" mean? | drive around in search of friends or fun |
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for the life of (someone)
What does "for the life of (someone)" mean? | even if one's life were threatened (used with a negative and usually used when trying to remember something) | For the life of me I could not remember where I had put my house keys.
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penny for one`s thoughts
What does "penny for one`s thoughts" mean? | a request to tell someone what he or she is thinking about | "I will give you a penny for your thoughts," I said to my friend who was looking out of the window.
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