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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reach first base
What does reach first base mean? | to make a good start, to succeed | We were unable to reach first base in the discussions.
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reach first base
What does reach first base mean? | to make a good start, to succeed |
We were unable to reach first base in the discussions.
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Some Random Idioms
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get the ax
What does "get the ax" mean? | to be fired | The man got the ax last week and now has no job.
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cannot see one's hand in front of one's face
What does "cannot see one's hand in front of one's face" mean? | to be unable to see very far (usually because of darkness or fog) | I could not see my hands in front of my face because of the heavy rain.
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fly by the seat of one`s pants
What does "fly by the seat of one`s pants" mean? | to do something by instinct rather than by knowledge or logic | I was forced to fly by the seat of my pants when my computer broke and I had to try and fix it.
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have dibs on (something)
What does "have dibs on (something)" mean? | demand a share of something, be in line to use something | I have dibs on the computer and would like to use it as soon as possible.
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to the letter
What does "to the letter" mean? | exactly, precisely | The police officer always follows the law to the letter.
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A little learning is a dangerous thing
What does "A little learning is a dangerous thing" mean? | A small amount of knowledge can cause people to think they are more expert than they really are.eg. he said he'd done a course on home electrics, but when he tried to mend my table lamp, he fused all the lights! I think a little learning is a dangerous thing |
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clip (someone`s) wings
What does "clip (someone`s) wings" mean? | to limit someone`s activities or possibilities | The company decided to clip the manager's wings and took away his expense account.
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Bad workers always blame their tools
What does "Bad workers always blame their tools" mean? | "A bad worker always blames their tools" -
If somebody does a job badly or loses in a game and claims that they were let down by their equipment, you can use this to imply that this was not the case. |
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holy cats
What does "holy cats" mean? | used to express strong feelings of astonishment, pleasure or anger | "Holy cats, the water is rising over the river bank."
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at this stage of the game
What does "at this stage of the game" mean? | currently, at the current point in some event |
At this stage of the game we cannot change the plans for the class trip.
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burst out
What does "burst out" mean? | to leave quickly, to depart quickly |
The girl became angry and burst out of the room.
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face value
What does "face value" mean? | the truth of something on the surface | The woman is a very nice person but you must take what she says at face value.
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