Serve (someone`s) Purpose Idiom American Expressions and American Idioms - What does Serve (someone`s) Purpose 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. .

serve (someone`s) purpose What does serve (someone`s) purpose mean?	to be useful to someone for a certain need	The small screwdriver should serve my purpose until I find the correct size.
	Some Random Idioms
examination for discovery What does "examination for discovery" mean?	an oral examination that is taken under oath in which each side to a lawsuit has the right to examine the other side's witnesses before a trial or hearing	The man spent several hours in an examination for discovery session in connection with his case.

act as a guinea pig What does "act as a guinea pig" mean?	to allow some kind of test to be performed on someone	I was not happy to act as a guinea pig for the new training material.
jump down (someone`s) throat What does "jump down (someone`s) throat" mean?	to suddenly become very angry at someone	The man's wife jumped down his throat when he came home late.
burst with joy What does "burst with joy" mean?	to be full of happiness and feel that you will explode or burst	My grandmother burst with joy when she saw her new baby granddaughter.
On your last legs What does "On your last legs" mean?	If someone's on their last legs, they're close to dying.
take a bow What does "take a bow" mean?	to bow and receive credit for a good performance	The violinist stopped to take a bow before she went backstage with the orchestra.
shoe is on the other foot What does "shoe is on the other foot" mean?	the opposite is true, places are changed	For a long time my friend laughed at my problems at work. Now, the shoe is on the other foot and he also has serious problems.

step into (someone's) shoes What does "step into (someone's) shoes" mean?	to take over a job or other role from someone	I will have to step into my supervisor's shoes while he is away on vacation.
asleep at the switch What does "asleep at the switch" mean?	to not be alert to an opportunity	I think I was asleep at the switch. I did not know that the job was available so I never applied for it.
hit (someone) below the belt What does "hit (someone) below the belt" mean?	to do something in an unfair or cowardly way	My friend was hitting below the belt when he criticized me after I told him my true feelings on the matter.
when the shit his the fan What does "when the shit his the fan" mean?	idiom. when the catastrophic results of something become known or discovered

American Idioms and Expressions

Serve (someone`s) Purpose Idiom