American Idioms and Expressions

Start Up (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. .

ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ
start up (something)
What does start up (something) mean?
to begin operating something, to begin to play/do somethingMy uncle started up a small business when he was 20-years old.

Some Random Idioms
Under the weather
What does "Under the weather" mean?
To be ill.I'd love to help you move all your furniture next weekend, but I expect to be feeling a bit under the weather.
Passengers aboard ships become seasick most frequently during times of rough seas and bad weather. Seasickness is caused by the constant rocking motion of the ship. Sick passengers go below deck, which provides shelter from the weather, but just as importantly the sway is not as great below deck, low on the ship.
On a ship the greatest swaying action is on deck, and the most stable point is down near the keel. Hence seasick passengers tend to feel better below deck.
(to be) hopped up on (something)
What does "(to be) hopped up on (something)" mean?
to be high on a drug or on alcoholThe man who tried to rob the store was hopped up on some kind of drug.
LOL
What does "LOL" mean?
little old lady. There's one LOL coming into the ER in five minutes.
look (someone) (right/straight) in the eye
What does "look (someone) (right/straight) in the eye" mean?
to face and look at someone directly I looked at the salesman right in the eye and asked for a lower price.

dog in the manger
What does "dog in the manger" mean?
someone who prevents others from doing what they themselves do not want to do (in Aesop's Fables a dog that cannot eat hay lays in the hayrack and prevents the other animals from eating the hay)My friend always acts like a dog in the manger and often tries to prevent us from enjoying ourselves.
the high seas
What does "the high seas" mean?
the ocean (away from the coast)The crew of the ship spent three months on the high seas before going to shore for a visit.
munchies
What does "munchies" mean?
hunger, usually for snack food
put (something) down in black and white
What does "put (something) down in black and white" mean?
to put the details of something down on paper, to write down the terms of an agreementI was told to put my proposal down in black and white.

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