American Idioms and Expressions

The Three R's 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
the three R's
What does the three R's mean?		 the three basic skills for a basic education - reading, (w)riting, and (a)rithmeticMy father studied in a small country school where they studied the three R's and almost nothing else.

Some Random Idioms
lay one's hands on (something)
What does "lay one's hands on (something)" mean?		 find something, acquire somethingIf I can lay my hands on a slide projector, I will show you the pictures of my holiday tonight.
not enough room to swing a cat
What does "not enough room to swing a cat" mean?		 not very much spaceThere was not enough room to swing a cat in the small apartment.
GAL
What does "GAL" mean?		 get a life
pass for/as (someone or something)
What does "pass for/as (someone or something)" mean?		 to succeed in being accepted as someone or somethingThe young woman was trying to pass for a reporter when she went to the concert.
on the rocks
What does "on the rocks" mean?		 to be breaking up (a relationship), to be ruinedHe has been married for seven years but his relationship is now on the rocks.
to huff and puff
What does "to huff and puff" mean?		 to breathe very hardI was huffing and puffing after I walked up several floors in our apartment building.
air rage
What does "air rage" mean?		passenger on an airplane, who is out of control
have one's nose in (something)
What does "have one's nose in (something)" mean?		 to have unwelcome interest in something, to have impolite curiosity about something My boss always has his nose in the business of other people and he is not very well-liked.

get the go-ahead
What does "get the go-ahead" mean?		 to receive a signal to start somethingThe construction company got the go-ahead to begin work on the new stadium.
Over the counter
What does "Over the counter" mean?		 Medicines and drugs that can be sold without a doctor's prescription are sold over the counter.
Search

Searching for?
 

Sponsors

Valid HTML 4.01 Transitional Valid HTML 4.01 Transitional Valid HTML 4.01 Transitional Valid HTML 4.01 Transitional