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.
.
quick one
What does quick one mean? | a single drink of alcohol taken before one does something else | We stopped for a quick one on the way home from work.
|
|
Some Random Idioms
| |
under the hammer
What does "under the hammer" mean? | up for sale at an auction | The painting went under the hammer and sold for a very high price.
|
|
| |
flash in the pan
What does "flash in the pan" mean? | someone or something that makes a flashy start and then fails | The man's sports career was a flash in the pan. Recently I have not heard of him at all.
|
have one's heart in the right place
What does "have one's heart in the right place" mean? | have good intentions (even if the results may be bad) | The woman has her heart in the right place and is always ready to help if she can.
|
scare (someone) out of his or her wits
What does "scare (someone) out of his or her wits" mean? | to frighten someone very much | The dog scared the little boy out of his wits.
|
quid pro quo
What does "quid pro quo" mean? | "something for something" (from Latin), mutual concessions made by the parties in a transaction | The government and the teachers gave up some of their contract demands in a quid pro quo effort to solve their dispute.
|
go into (something) with one's eyes (wide) open
What does "go into (something) with one's eyes (wide) open" mean? | to do something or make a choice knowing the problems that are involved and having all the necessary information | The city went into the construction contract with their eyes wide open.
|
Come again.
What does "Come again." mean? | Please repeat or say that again. | "Come again. I did not hear you the first time."
|
|
| |
Drive you spare
What does "Drive you spare" mean? | If someone or something drives you spare, it is extremely annoying. |
|
veggies
What does "veggies" mean? | vegetables. | Some veggies with your steak?
|
Jump on the bandwagon
What does "Jump on the bandwagon" mean? | Do what everybody else is doing, whatever is popular.
| When the Chicago Bears are winning, I will jump on the bandwagon and be a fan.
Old time political campaigns would attempt to gain supporters with what amounted to a small parade including a band for a candidate with sufficient support. Jumping on the bandwagon was akin to providing your support for this popular candidate. |
stand one's ground
What does "stand one's ground" mean? | stand up for one's rights | I stood my ground and refused to do anything that was not honest and the right thing to do.
|
have the Midas touch
What does "have the Midas touch" mean? | to have the ability to make money easily (King Midas turned everything that he touched into gold) | My uncle has the Midas touch and every business that he starts makes a lot of money.
|
sort of
What does "sort of" mean? | rather; somewhat. | "I think I'll lie down. I feel sort of dizzy."
|