The Exception That Proves The Rule Idiom American Expressions and American Idioms - What does The Exception That Proves The Rule Idiom mean?

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. .

the exception that proves the rule What does the exception that proves the rule mean?	an exception to a rule proves that the rule exists	The salesman is very quiet and shy and he is the exception that proves the rule in his company. Everybody else is very talkative.
the exception that proves the rule What does the exception that proves the rule mean?	an exception to a rule proves that the rule exists	The salesman is very quiet and shy and he is the exception that proves the rule in his company. Everybody else is very talkative.
	Some Random Idioms
play (someone) for (something) What does "play (someone) for (something)" mean?	to treat/handle someone as something else	He was trying to play me for a fool but I could easily see what he was doing.

what with What does "what with" mean?	because, as a result of	We wanted to go away for a holiday but what with moving to a new house we are too busy to go anywhere.
at will What does "at will" mean?	whenever one wants, freely	The little boy was able to do what he wanted at will.
town and gown What does "town and gown" mean?	the two distinct communities of a university town - the town is the inhabitants of the town and the gown is the university community	The relations between town and gown in the small university town were terrible.
by the sweat of one`s brow What does "by the sweat of one`s brow" mean?	by hard work	He managed to make enough money to buy the farm by the sweat of his brow.
boys in the backroom What does "boys in the backroom" mean?	a group of men making decisions behind the scenes	The boys in the backroom told us that the factory will close next year.
run into (someone or something) What does "run into (someone or something)" mean?	to hit someone or something, to crash into someone or something	The car ran into the truck on the highway.
Run rings around someone What does "Run rings around someone" mean?	If you run rings around someone, you are so much better than them that they have no chance of keeping up with you.
Head is in the clouds What does "Head is in the clouds" mean?	If a person has their head in the clouds, they have unrealistic, impractical ideas.
trounce What does "trounce" mean?	defeat somebody (often in a game or other contest)

American Idioms and Expressions

The Exception That Proves The Rule Idiom