Scratch (someone`s) Back Idiom American Expressions and American Idioms - What does Scratch (someone`s) Back Idiom mean?

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. .

scratch (someone`s) back What does scratch (someone`s) back mean?	to do something nice for someone in the hope that they will do something for you	"You scratch my back and I`ll scratch yours," the customer said when we talked about the new sales contract.
scratch (someone`s) back What does scratch (someone`s) back mean?	do a favor for someone in the hope that they will do something for you	If you scratch the supervisor's back he will help you when you need help.
	Some Random Idioms
have had a good innings What does "have had a good innings" mean?	have enjoyed a long period of positive action or opportunity (from cricket where an innings is the time that a team spends batting and a good innings is when they score a lot of runs)	have enjoyed a long period of positive action or opportunity (from cricket where an innings is the time that a team spends batting and a good innings is when they score a lot of runs)The team had a very good innings and won the match easily.

Uneasy lies the head that wears the crown What does "Uneasy lies the head that wears the crown" mean?	This means that people with serious responsibilities have a heavy burden.
blow up in (someone's) face What does "blow up in (someone's) face" mean?	to be ruined while one is working on it (a plan/project etc.), to explode suddenly	The secret plan blew up in our face when we discovered that everybody already knew about it.
paint the town red What does "paint the town red" mean?	to go out and party and have a good time	When my cousin came to visit us we decided to go out and paint the town red.
only have eyes for (someone) What does "only have eyes for (someone)" mean?	to be loyal or interested in only one person	The man only has eyes for the woman who works in his office.
you can lead a horse to water (but you can't make it drink) What does "you can lead a horse to water (but you can't make it drink)" mean?	you can give someone the opportunity to do something but you cannot force him or her to do it if they do not want to	You can lead a horse to water but you can't make it drink and no matter how hard we try to help my cousin get a job he will not make any effort to find one.
Slip through one's fingers What does "Slip through one's fingers" mean?	If something slips through one’s fingers it escapes or is lost through carelessness.
get (something) over with What does "get (something) over with" mean?	to finish something (often something that you do not want to do)	I was very happy to get my exams over with.
look like the cat that ate/swallowed the canary What does "look like the cat that ate/swallowed the canary" mean?	seem very self-satisified, look like you have just had some kind of success	He looked like the cat that ate the canary when he came in with a smile on his face after receiving his special bonus.
do one`s thing What does "do one`s thing" mean?	to do what one wants to do and enjoys doing	My friend enjoys doing his thing when and where he chooses.

American Idioms and Expressions

Scratch (someone`s) Back Idiom