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.
.
second-guess (someone)
What does second-guess (someone) mean? | to try to guess what someone else intends to do or would have done in a situation | You should never try to second-guess the actions of the firefighters in a dangerous situation.
|
|
Some Random Idioms
| |
clear out (of somewhere)
What does "clear out (of somewhere)" mean? | to leave, to get out (usually quickly or abruptly) | We cleared out of the building as soon as our class was over.
|
|
| |
bright and early
What does "bright and early" mean? | very early |
The woman likes to get up bright and early every morning.
|
take in (something)
What does "take in (something)" mean? | to go and see or visit something | We decided to take in a movie last night.
|
scratch
What does "scratch" mean? | money; cash |
|
collar
What does "collar" mean? | arrest someone. | The cops collared two pros over there yesterday.
|
Under a flag of convenience
What does "Under a flag of convenience" mean? | If a ship sails under a flag of convenience, it is registered in a country where taxes, etc, are lower than in the country it comes from, so if someone does something under a flag of convenience, they attempt to avoid regulations and taxes by a similar means. |
|
|
| |
Clear as a bell
What does "Clear as a bell" mean? | Clearly understood. | You don't have to repeat yourself. Your message is clear as a bell.
Bells such as the type used in churches are large and loud. Their sound can be heard from a great distance. Bells sound a single, clear note so their sound is distinctive and not easily confused.
Before electric sirens and amplification systems, bells were a valuable means of signaling people and alerting of important events like an impending attack. The bell and the message intended could be heard clearly over a large area.
Back in the 1910's, many companies were trying to get into the manufacturing and selling one the hottest items around, the phonograph. One of those companies was the Sonora Chime Company.
This company started the Sonora Phonograph Company and used "Clear as a Bell" as their slogan, touting the fidelity of their machine's sound reproduction. |
out cold
What does "out cold" mean? | to be unconscious, to be in a faint | When the patient entered the operating room he was out cold because of the anesthesia.
|
Abject lesson
What does "Abject lesson" mean? | (India) An abject lesson serves as a warning to others.
(In some varieties of English 'object lesson' is used.) |
|
like taking candy from a baby
What does "like taking candy from a baby" mean? | something is very easy to do | I asked the department store to refund the money for my goods and they quickly agreed. It was like taking candy from a baby.
|
on the other hand
What does "on the other hand" mean? | from another point of view, from the other side of an issue | I am very tired but on the other hand I must do some work tonight.
|