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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same as (someone or something)
What does same as (someone or something) mean? | to be identical to someone or something | My sister is exactly the same as the girl who lives down the block.
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Some Random Idioms
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bugly
What does "bugly" mean? | ugly (from butt and ugly) |
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in hock
What does "in hock" mean? | in a pawnshop | The man put his expensive stereo in hock to get some money for a holiday.
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laid-back
What does "laid-back" mean? | relaxed; at ease; unrufffled |
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run interference
What does "run interference" mean? | intervene on behalf of someone to protect them from something
(from American football) | intervene on behalf of someone to protect them from something (from American football)They ran interference on their top salesman to protect him from the scandal.
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mind one`s P`s and Q`s
What does "mind one`s P`s and Q`s" mean? | be very careful about what one does or says | You should mind your P`s and Q`s and not say anything to offend your aunt.
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Mind your Ps and Qs
What does "Mind your Ps and Qs" mean? | Behave properly. | Since his drunk driving arrest, he has been minding his Ps and Qs.
Comes from the early pub days when beer and ale was served in pint and quart containers. The tab was kept on a chalkboard used to count the pints and quarts consumed. To watch your Ps and Qs is to control your alcoholic intake and behavior. |
quick one
What does "quick one" mean? | a single drink of alcohol taken before one does something else | We stopped for a quick one on the way home from work.
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take in (someone)
What does "take in (someone)" mean? | to let someone come in, to admit someone | The farmer took the couple in for the night after their car broke down.
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put (something) on the back burner
What does "put (something) on the back burner" mean? | to delay or postpone something | We have put our plans for a holiday on the back burner as we try to do some repairs to our house.
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Kiss of death
What does "Kiss of death" mean? | Something that is a precursor to failure, that will lead to
future failure. | Even a hint by Greenspan that interest rates may rise is like a kiss of death to the stock market.
From the fabled Mafia practice. A kiss from the Don meant curtains (death) for the receiver. |
I've got a bone to pick with you
What does "I've got a bone to pick with you" mean? | If somebody says this, they mean that they have some complaint to make against the person they are addressing. |
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Throw your hat in the ring
What does "Throw your hat in the ring" mean? | If someone throws their hat in the ring, they announce that they want to take part in a competition or contest.
'Toss your hat in the ring' is an alternative. |
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touch off (something)
What does "touch off (something)" mean? | to start something | The arrest of the labor leader touched off a riot among the workers.
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