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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the morning after (the night before)
What does the morning after (the night before) mean? | a hangover | He is not feeling well because it is the morning after the night before.
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Some Random Idioms
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Hold your tongue
What does "Hold your tongue" mean? | If you hold your tongue, you keep silent even though you want to speak. |
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bad rap
What does "bad rap" mean? | a false criminal accusation or conviction. | He's got a bad rap as a drug dealer, but it's not true.
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knock (someone or something) out
What does "knock (someone or something) out" mean? | make someone unconscious, make something unworkable or unusable | The storm last night knocked out power in most of the town.
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Clear as a bell
What does "Clear as a bell" mean? | Clearly understood. | You don't have to repeat yourself. Your message is clear as a bell.
Bells such as the type used in churches are large and loud. Their sound can be heard from a great distance. Bells sound a single, clear note so their sound is distinctive and not easily confused.
Before electric sirens and amplification systems, bells were a valuable means of signaling people and alerting of important events like an impending attack. The bell and the message intended could be heard clearly over a large area.
Back in the 1910's, many companies were trying to get into the manufacturing and selling one the hottest items around, the phonograph. One of those companies was the Sonora Chime Company.
This company started the Sonora Phonograph Company and used "Clear as a Bell" as their slogan, touting the fidelity of their machine's sound reproduction. |
give one`s right arm (for someone or something)
What does "give one`s right arm (for someone or something)" mean? | to give something of great value for someone or something | I would give my right arm to be able to go to Florida with my friend next month.
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get one's start
What does "get one's start" mean? | to receive the first major opportunity of one's career | The newspaper owner got his start by selling papers when he was a child.
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By the seat of your pants
What does "By the seat of your pants" mean? | If you do something by the seat of your pants, you do it without help from anyone. |
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swamped with (something)
What does "swamped with (something)" mean? | to be overwhelmed with something | "I am swamped with work at the moment so I can`t meet you tonight."
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make light of (something)
What does "make light of (something)" mean? | treat something as not being important, minimize something | My friend made light of my efforts to learn how to speak and write Chinese.
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Dropped like a hot cake
What does "Dropped like a hot cake" mean? | If something is dropped like a hot cake, it is rejected or disposed of very quickly. |
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boogie
What does "boogie" mean? | type of dance to rock music |
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wedge
What does "wedge" mean? | sandwich made with Italian bread sliced lengthwise, filled with cold cuts, cheese, and vegetables |
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