American Idioms and Expressions

Spell (something) Out Idiom

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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spell (something) out
What does spell (something) out mean?		 to explain something in very simple words, to explain something very clearlyI spelled out the conditions for renting the house very clearly.

Some Random Idioms
Never darken my door again
What does "Never darken my door again" mean?		 This is a way of telling someone never to visit you again.
On the never-never
What does "On the never-never" mean?		(UK) If you buy something on the never-never, you buy it on long-term credit.
in the short run
What does "in the short run" mean?		 for the immediate futureIn the short run I don't think that my uncle will make much money with his fast food business.
Thin line
What does "Thin line" mean?		 If there's a thin line between things, it's hard to distinguish them- there's a thin line between love and hate.
cop out
What does "cop out" mean?		 quit; give up; abandon
ham it up
What does "ham it up" mean?		 do something silly or try to exaggerate something in a funny wayI was hamming it up with my friend in front of the principal's office.
Perish the thought
What does "Perish the thought" mean?		 Perish the thought is an expression meaning that you really hope something will not happen.
read (someone) his or her rights
What does "read (someone) his or her rights" mean?		 to make the required statement of legal rights to a person who has been arrestedThe police officer read the bank robber his rights when he was arrested.
eyes pop out (of one's head)
What does "eyes pop out (of one's head)" mean?		 one is very surprised My eyes popped out of my head when I saw the computer that I got for my birthday.

UFO
What does "UFO" mean?		 Unidentified Flying Object Unidentified Flying ObjectThe number of UFO sightings has increased dramatically recently.
tell on (someone)
What does "tell on (someone)" mean?		 to reveal the activities or wrongdoings of someone by telling othersThe girl told on her brother for eating the cake.
get on the bandwagon
What does "get on the bandwagon" mean?		 to join a popular activity or campaign Everybody got on the bandwagon to support the popular candidate.

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