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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set forth (something)
What does set forth (something) mean? | to explain something exactly or clearly | The manager carefully set forth the terms of the rental contract.
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Some Random Idioms
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monkey see, monkey do
What does "monkey see, monkey do" mean? | someone copies something that someone else does | It is always monkey see, monkey do for the boy. He copies everything that his friend does.
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mark up (something)
What does "mark up (something)" mean? | mess something up with marks | The child marked up the new table that her parents had just bought.
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by the handful
What does "by the handful" mean? | by the amount that one can measure in one handful | We were able to pick strawberries by the handful in the small field.
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flea in one`s ear
What does "flea in one`s ear" mean? | an annoying hint, an idea or answer that is not welcome |
Our boss has a flea in her ear about changing the way that our holiday schedule works.
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Hold your feet to the fire
What does "Hold your feet to the fire" mean? | To hold one accountable for a commitment, make
good on a promise. | You made a fair bet with me on the Superbowl and I am going to hold your feet to the fire for payment.
Pertains to torture used during the Crusade's. As a method for extracting confession for heresy, non-believers were positioned in a manner that allowed the inquisitor to apply flames to the feet of the accused. This was done until the accused confessed or died. |
As you sow, so shall you reap
What does "As you sow, so shall you reap" mean? | This means that if you do bad things to people, bad things will happen to you, or good things if you do good things. |
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every time one turns around
What does "every time one turns around" mean? | frequently |
Every time I turn around my little boy asks me a question.
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double-check (something)
What does "double-check (something)" mean? | to check again to be sure that something is correct | I double-checked the price of the airplane ticket.
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cook up (something) or cook (something) up
What does "cook up (something) or cook (something) up" mean? | to invent something, to plan or plot something |
I do not know what kind of plan the woman is cooking up but it will be interesting.
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first daddy
What does "first daddy" mean? | first sergeant |
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all dressed up
What does "all dressed up" mean? | dressed in one's best clothes |
The girls were all dressed up for the evening.
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grist for the mill
What does "grist for the mill" mean? | something that can be used for one's advantage | The information was grist for the mill of the salesman.
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