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.
.
quiet as a mouse
What does quiet as a mouse mean? | very quiet, shy and silent | The little boy was quiet as a mouse as he moved around the kitchen.
|
|
Some Random Idioms
| |
lesser of two evils
What does "lesser of two evils" mean? | the less bad thing of two bad things | The voters had to choose the lesser of two evils when they had to choose between the two candidates for mayor.
|
|
| |
have one foot in the grave
What does "have one foot in the grave" mean? | to be near death | Our neighbor has one foot in the grave and I do not expect him to live past this winter.
|
eyeball-to-eyeball
What does "eyeball-to-eyeball" mean? | face to face | I had an eyeball-to-eyeball encounter with an angry dog at the park.
|
a play on words
What does "a play on words" mean? | a humorous use of a word to suggest a different meaning | Newspaper headlines often use a play on words to give a different meaning to a sentence.
|
Bury your head in the sand
What does "Bury your head in the sand" mean? | If someone buries their head in the sand, they ignore something that is obviously wrong. |
|
blow one's top/stack
What does "blow one's top/stack" mean? | to become very angry | The customer blew his stack when they refused to exchange his purchase at the store.
|
stand in for (someone)
What does "stand in for (someone)" mean? | to be a substitute for someone | The other actor stood in for the famous actor when he was sick.
|
have one's back to the wall
What does "have one's back to the wall" mean? | be in a defensive position | The boy has his back to the wall and must pass his exam or leave school.
|
nix
What does "nix" mean? | stop; halt; prohibit. | Wait, nix that idea. It's no good.
|
have (someone's) number
What does "have (someone's) number" mean? | to get the key information to be able to understand someone | "I have that man's number. He is a liar and cannot be trusted."
|
separate but equal
What does "separate but equal" mean? | to be segregated but of equal value or quality | The teaching staff and adminstration were separate but equal regarding decisions that were made at the school.
|
sponge off
What does "sponge off" mean? | live off somebody without paying for rent, food, or other costs |
|
fly the coop
What does "fly the coop" mean? | to escape | The prisoner was able to fly the coop when the guard was not looking.
|