American Idioms and Expressions

Ride On (someone's) Coattails Idiom

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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ride on (someone's) coattails
What does ride on (someone's) coattails mean?		 to have one's fortune or success depend on another personThe sales manager was riding on the coattails of his boss and hoped to achieve success in the company.

Some Random Idioms
call (something) in
What does "call (something) in" mean?		 to collect something for payment, to withdraw something from circulationThe bank decided to call in the business loan.
make a nuisance of oneself
What does "make a nuisance of oneself" mean?		 be a constant botherI didn't phone the apartment manager to complain about the sink because I didn't want to make a nuisance of myself.
make free with (someone or something)
What does "make free with (someone or something)" mean?		 take advantage or use something as if it were one's ownMy roommate always makes free with my clothes which I don't like at all.
Herding cats
What does "Herding cats" mean?		 If you have to try to co-ordinate a very difficult situation, where people want to do very different things, you are herding cats.
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
Bad taste in your mouth
What does "Bad taste in your mouth" mean?		 If something leaves you with a bad taste in your mouth, you feel there is something wrong or bad about it.
break the bank
What does "break the bank " mean?		 to win all the money at a casino gambling tableThe man did not break the bank but he did win a lot of money.
carry out (something)
What does "carry out (something)" mean?		 to do something, to put something (a plan) into action, to accomplish somethingWe were able to carry out the move with no problems.
feel on top of the world
What does "feel on top of the world" mean?		 to feel very goodI feel on top of the world and I plan to go dancing tonight.
bring (something) to (someone's) attention
What does "bring (something) to (someone's) attention" mean?		 to make someone aware of something There was a mistake in the textbook which the student brought to the teacher's attention.

in a nutshell
What does "in a nutshell" mean?		 briefly, in a few words We went to the meeting and they told us in a nutshell about the plans for our company.

pie Idioms



lend (oneself/itself) to (something)
What does "lend (oneself/itself) to (something)" mean?		 be adaptable to somethingThe small hall does not lend itself to having a very good musical performance.
take to one's heels
What does "take to one's heels" mean?		 to run awayThe young boys took to their heels when the man came out of the building.
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