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 trial
What does stand trial mean? | to be tried in court |
The man had to stand trial for stealing the credit cards.
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Some Random Idioms
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set tongues wagging
What does "set tongues wagging" mean? | to cause people to start gossiping | The things that the woman does during her free time always sets tongues wagging at the office.
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Three sheets to the wind
What does "Three sheets to the wind" mean? | Very drunk, highly intoxicated. | The groom made it to the alter, but he was three sheets to the wind.
The phrase comes from 18th - 19th century English Naval terminology. The original phrase was "three Sheets in the wind" and referred to the erratic behavior of a ship that has lost control of all of its sails.
In nautical terminology sheets are the ropes that adjust the position of the sails relative to the wind.
The speed and direction of a sailing ship is controlled by the number of sails raised on each mast, the angle of the sails to the wind (trim of the sails), and the position of the rudder. If the sheets used to control the sails are to break or are have been released, the sheet is said to be "in the wind".
One can imagine a sail thrashing wildly in a strong wind with its sheet (the control ropes) blowing about. It would be very difficult to regain control of such a sail.
Prior to the 1810's it was common for ships to have three masts, (fore, main, and mizzen). If the sheets on all three masts are "in the wind", the ship loses all steering control.
The ship's lack of control is likened to that of a stumbling drunk. |
make a cold call
What does "make a cold call" mean? | to visit or telephone a potential but unknown customer from a list of people | When he first started to work at his company the salesman was asked to make cold calls from the telephone book.
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chance (something)
What does "chance (something)" mean? | to risk doing something |
We did not want to chance driving during the storm so we stayed home.
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beat one's head against the wall
What does "beat one's head against the wall" mean? | to waste one's time trying to do something that is hopeless | I was beating my head against the wall to try and convince my friend to come to the restaurant.
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Blood and thunder
What does "Blood and thunder" mean? | An emotional speech or performance is full of blood and thunder. |
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street
What does "street" mean? | real world (as opposed to jail, prison, or other confinement) |
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on the take
What does "on the take" mean? | to be accepting bribes | The border guard was discovered to be on the take and was immediately fired.
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follow up (something)
What does "follow up (something)" mean? | to make (one action) more successful by doing something more | The doctor followed up his phone call in the morning with a visit in the afternoon.
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in abeyance
What does "in abeyance" mean? | the temporary suspension of an activity or a ruling | My grandfather's estate settlement was in abeyance while the lawyers looked at his will in more detail.
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mitt
What does "mitt" mean? | hand |
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Like a bull at a gate
What does "Like a bull at a gate" mean? | If you tackle a job very quickly, without any real thought about what you are doing, you are going at it like a bull at a gate. |
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splurge on (something)
What does "splurge on (something)" mean? | to spend a lot of money for something | He splurged on a beautiful present for his girlfriend.
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