American Idioms and Expressions

Stand Off (someone Or Something) 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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stand off (someone or something)
What does stand off (someone or something) mean?		 to keep someone or something from coming near or winningWe were able to stand off the other teams and win the tournament.

Some Random Idioms
black and white
What does "black and white" mean?		 either good or bad, either one way or the other way, oversimplified Our boss sees everything in black and white.

behind (someone`s) back
What does "behind (someone`s) back" mean?		 without someone's knowledge, secretly, when someone is absent I do not like people who talk behind my back.

get it all together
What does "get it all together" mean?		 to be in full control of oneself My friend got it all together and applied for the job at the supermarket.

come clean
What does "come clean" mean?		 to tell the truthThe president of the company was forced to come clean and tell what really happened to the business.
rat out on (someone)
What does "rat out on (someone)" mean?		 to desert or betray someoneThe boy ratted out on his friends and now they won`t talk to him.
in a world of one`s own
What does "in a world of one`s own" mean?		 in deep thought or concentration, not caring about other peopleHe is always in a world of his own and doesn`t notice what other people say or think.
piddle around
What does "piddle around" mean?		 work slowly and without focus
think a lot/great deal/highly/much of (someone or something)
What does "think a lot/great deal/highly/much of (someone or something)" mean?		 to like or think well of someone or somethingMy grandmother thinks a lot of her grandchildren.
live within one's means
What does "live within one's means" mean?		 spend no more money than one hasThe young couple work hard to live within their means and they always have lots of money to spend.
drag one`s feet/heels
What does "drag one`s feet/heels" mean?		 to act slowly or reluctantlyOur company is dragging their feet in making a decision to hire new workers.
fine kettle of fish
What does "fine kettle of fish" mean?		 a mess, an unsatisfactory situationIt was a fine kettle of fish that I was in when I lost the keys to my apartment.
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