Rule Of Thumb Idiom American Expressions and American Idioms

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. .

Rule of thumb What does Rule of thumb mean?	A basic rule that is usually but not always correct.	As a rule of thumb, plant tomato seeds three inches deep. Based on the use of ones thumb as a rough measurement tool. Generally correct for course measures. Most old English measures of distance were based on the body measurements of the king -- the length of the foot, inch (thumb tip to first knuckle), cubit (elbow-to-fingertip), and yard (nose-to-fingertip).
rule of thumb What does rule of thumb mean?	a basic or accepted pattern or rule	It is a rule of thumb in our company that workers with the most seniority get bigger offices.
rule of thumb What does rule of thumb mean?	a basic or accepted pattern or rule	It is a rule of thumb in our company that senior managers get bigger offices.
	Some Random Idioms
neither fish nor fowl What does "neither fish nor fowl" mean?	something that does not belong to a definite group	The man's opinions were neither fish nor fowl and nobody could put them into an identifiable category.

touch off (something) What does "touch off (something)" mean?	to cause something to fire or explode by lighting the fuse	The fire at the oil refinery touched off an explosion that destroyed many tanks.
get set What does "get set" mean?	to get ready to start something	Everybody is getting set for the wedding ceremony.
go a long way toward (something) What does "go a long way toward (something)" mean?	to be almost enough, to contribute much to something	The money from the government will go a long way toward building a new library.
scum What does "scum" mean?	disgusting, worthless person

banker's hours What does "banker's hours" mean?	short work hours (similar to when a bank is open)	My sister's husband owns his own company and works banker's hours most days.
lost in the shuffle What does "lost in the shuffle" mean?	to be overlooked in a confused or crowded situation	When we moved to a new office all of our sales receipts were lost in the shuffle during the move.
circumstantial evidence What does "circumstantial evidence" mean?	indirect evidence	My court case was difficult to win as most of my evidence was circumstantial evidence.
get one`s rear in gear What does "get one`s rear in gear" mean?	to hurry up, to get going	"Let`s get our rear in gear before it is too late to go to a movie."

American Idioms and Expressions

Rule Of Thumb Idiom