American Idioms and Expressions

Swear By (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. .

swear by (something) What does swear by (something) mean?	to have complete confidence in something, to be sure of something	My father swears by the walk that he takes every morning.
	Some Random Idioms
pale around the gills What does "pale around the gills" mean?	to look sick	My colleague was looking a little pale around the gills when he came to work today.
sit up and take notice What does "sit up and take notice" mean?	to become alert and pay attention	The loud bang made everybody sit up and take notice at the concert.
not all (someone or something) is cracked up to be What does "not all (someone or something) is cracked up to be" mean?	to be not as good as someone or something is said to be	The new cook is not all that he is cracked up to be and we have received several complaints about his food.
For donkey's years What does "For donkey's years" mean?	(UK) If people have done something, usually without much if any change, for an awfully long time, they can be said to have done it for donkey's years.
hide/bury one`s head in the sand What does "hide/bury one`s head in the sand" mean?	keep from knowing something dangerous or unpleasant	He hates to talk about important matters and hides his head in the sand when I try to talk to him.
feel (something) in one's bones What does "feel (something) in one's bones" mean?	to sense something	I feel it in my bones that I will win the lottery this month.
butch What does "butch" mean?	masculine in appearance and behavior (usually used for lesbians)

out of condition What does "out of condition" mean?	to be not in good physical condition	I am out of condition and I need to exercise more.
Ten a penny What does "Ten a penny" mean?	(UK) If something is ten a penny, it is very common. ("Two a penny" is also used.)
talk until one is blue in the face What does "talk until one is blue in the face" mean?	to talk until one is exhausted	I talked until I was blue in the face but I could not change my teacher's opinion about my essay. gray Idioms<
end of one`s rope What does "end of one`s rope" mean?	the last of one`s ability or ideas about how to do something	I am at the end of my rope regarding what to do about my job.
Keep your pecker up What does "Keep your pecker up" mean?	If someone tells you to keep your pecker up, they are telling you not to let your problems get on top of you and to try to be optimistic.
give up What does "give up" mean?	to abandon/stop something	I have decided to give up my plan to work in Hong Kong for a year.

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