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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sit around (somewhere)
What does sit around (somewhere) mean? | to sit somewhere and relax and do nothing | I spent the morning sitting around my apartment while I waited for a phone call.
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Some Random Idioms
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New man
What does "New man" mean? | (UK) A New man is a man who believes in complete equality of the sexes and shares domestic work equally. |
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put (something) on ice
What does "put (something) on ice" mean? | to delay or postpone something | The city put the plans for the new stadium on ice as they tried to get more money for the project.
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ravished with delight
What does "ravished with delight" mean? | to be overcome with happiness or delight | I was ravished with delight when I heard that my friend had decided to get married.
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lay out (money)
What does "lay out (money)" mean? | spend or pay some money | My friend will have to lay out a lot of money for his new apartment.
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have (something) in mind
What does "have (something) in mind" mean? | have a plan or idea in one's mind | I don't know what my friend has in mind so I will ask him later.
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ring up (someone)
What does "ring up (someone)" mean? | to telephone someone | You should ring up the police if you see a strange person around your house.
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Get my drift
What does "Get my drift" mean? | If you get someone's drift, you understand what they are trying to say.
('Catch their drift' is an alternative form.) |
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Shades of meaning
What does "Shades of meaning" mean? | Shades of meaning is a phrase used to describe the small, subtle differences in meaning between similar words or phrases; 'kid' and 'youth' both refer to young people, but carry differing views and ideas about young people. |
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dirt
What does "dirt" mean? | worthless, pathetic people |
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draw up (something)
What does "draw up (something)" mean? | to put something in writing | They were able to draw up the contract while we were waiting.
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throw (someone) to the wolves
What does "throw (someone) to the wolves" mean? | to send someone into danger without protection, to sacrifice someone |
The salesman decided to throw his coworker to the wolves when he asked him to meet the angry customer.
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snap
What does "snap" mean? | lose control; go crazy. | When he heard the news, he just snapped.
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to be on easy street
What does "to be on easy street" mean? | to have enough money to live comfortably | He has been on easy street since he sold his house and invested the money.
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Rearrange the deckchairs on the Titanic
What does "Rearrange the deckchairs on the Titanic" mean? | (UK) If people are rearranging the deckchairs on the Titanic, they are making small changes that will have no effect as the project, company, etc, is in very serious trouble. |
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