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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read (something) over
What does read (something) over mean? | to read something | I read my presentation over before I had to deliver it to the class.
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Some Random Idioms
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close ranks
What does "close ranks" mean? | to come together for fighting, to unite and work together |
The political parties closed ranks and stopped arguing among themselves.
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a pillar of strength/support
What does "a pillar of strength/support" mean? | someone who provides strong support for someone, a strong/powerful person | The man is a pillar of strength in the community.
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not all there
What does "not all there" mean? | to be not mentally adequate, to be crazy or silly | The man is not all there and sometimes he does very strange things.
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Stem the tide
What does "Stem the tide" mean? | If people try to stem the tide, they are trying to stop something unpleasant from getting worse, usually when they don't succeed. |
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Rearrange the deckchairs on the Titanic
What does "Rearrange the deckchairs on the Titanic" mean? | (UK) If people are rearranging the deckchairs on the Titanic, they are making small changes that will have no effect as the project, company, etc, is in very serious trouble. |
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crash and burn
What does "crash and burn" mean? | fail dramatically (often in romance) |
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stick to one's ribs
What does "stick to one's ribs" mean? | to last a long time and fill one up (used for food) |
The rice and beans stuck to my ribs and I was not hungry for a long time.
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bat a thousand
What does "bat a thousand" mean? | to be successful in everything that you do |
The salesman was batting a thousand during his sales trip to Europe.
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have broad shoulders
What does "have broad shoulders" mean? | have the ability to work hard and take on responsibilities and accept criticism (because you are strong with broad shoulders) | The man has broad shoulders and does much more than his share of work in our company.
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My hands are full
What does "My hands are full" mean? | If your hands are full, you have so much to do that you cannot take on any more work, responsibilities and so on. |
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