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.
.
stand in (someone's) way
What does stand in (someone's) way mean? | to be a barrier to someone's desires or intentions | The woman did not want anyone to stand in her way of getting a promotion in the company.
|
|
Some Random Idioms
| |
I'll be damned
What does "I'll be damned" mean? |
idiom. no way; really; what a surprise. | I'll be damned. That really is true.
|
Make your blood boil
What does "Make your blood boil" mean? | If something makes your blood boil, it makes you very angry. |
|
from the word go
What does "from the word go" mean? | from the beginning |
From the word go, we knew that there would be problems with the new contract.
|
prick up one's ears
What does "prick up one's ears" mean? | to listen more carefully to something (like an animal that moves its ears up to hear better) | When I heard my friends talking about me I quickly pricked up my ears.
|
make do with (something)
What does "make do with (something)" mean? | substitute one thing for another | If there is no cream for the coffee we will have to make do with milk.
|
buy (something) for a song
What does "buy (something) for a song" mean? | to buy something cheaply |
We were able to buy the boat for a song.
|
|
| |
no ifs, ands, or buts about it
What does "no ifs, ands, or buts about it" mean? | absolutely no discussion or doubts about something | "You are going to bed now - no ifs, ands, or buts about it," said the mother to her child.
|
get (someone) down
What does "get (someone) down" mean? | to make someone unhappy, to cause discouragement |
The long commuting time is getting my friend down so she wants to quit her job.
|
sack
What does "sack" mean? | tackle a player in football (American) |
|
See you later
What does "See you later" mean? | A casual way of saying to friends I'll see you again, sometime, (without a definite date or time having been set) - this is often abbreviated to 'Later' or 'Laters' as an alternative way of saying goodbye. |
|