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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Three sheets to the wind
What does Three sheets to the wind mean? | Very drunk, highly intoxicated. | The groom made it to the alter, but he was three sheets to the wind.
The phrase comes from 18th - 19th century English Naval terminology. The original phrase was "three Sheets in the wind" and referred to the erratic behavior of a ship that has lost control of all of its sails.
In nautical terminology sheets are the ropes that adjust the position of the sails relative to the wind.
The speed and direction of a sailing ship is controlled by the number of sails raised on each mast, the angle of the sails to the wind (trim of the sails), and the position of the rudder. If the sheets used to control the sails are to break or are have been released, the sheet is said to be "in the wind".
One can imagine a sail thrashing wildly in a strong wind with its sheet (the control ropes) blowing about. It would be very difficult to regain control of such a sail.
Prior to the 1810's it was common for ships to have three masts, (fore, main, and mizzen). If the sheets on all three masts are "in the wind", the ship loses all steering control.
The ship's lack of control is likened to that of a stumbling drunk. |
three sheets to the wind
What does three sheets to the wind mean? | to be unsteady from drinking too much alcohol, to be drunk | I saw my neighbor walking down the street last night but he seemed to have three sheets to the wind.
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three sheets to the wind
What does three sheets to the wind mean? | drunk | The man walked down the street with three sheets to the wind.
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three sheets to the wind
What does three sheets to the wind mean? | drunk |
The man walked down the street with three sheets to the wind.
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three sheets to the wind
What does three sheets to the wind mean? | to be unsteady from drinking too much alcohol, to be drunk |
I saw my neighbor walking down the street last night. He seemed to have three sheets to the wind.
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Some Random Idioms
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It's no use crying over spilt milk
What does "It's no use crying over spilt milk" mean? | This idiom means that getting upset after something has gone wrong is pointless; it can't be changed so it should be accepted. |
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lay (something) on the table
What does "lay (something) on the table" mean? | to present a matter for discussion |
I went to the meeting and laid my concerns about the new product on the table.
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Not give a monkey's
What does "Not give a monkey's" mean? | (UK) If you couldn't give a monkey's about something, you don't care at all about it. |
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Chinese walls
What does "Chinese walls" mean? | Chinese walls are regulatory information barriers that aim to stop the flow of information that could be misused, especially in financial corporations. |
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in full swing
What does "in full swing" mean? | in progress | The campaign to stop people from smoking is in full swing.
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let (someone) have it
What does "let (someone) have it" mean? | hit someone hard, scold someone angrily | He let the other man have it when they had a fight on the bus.
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break the bank
What does "break the bank " mean? | to win all the money at a casino gambling table | The man did not break the bank but he did win a lot of money.
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burn up
What does "burn up" mean? | to burn completely (usually things and not buildings) |
The uniforms burned up in the fire.
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get off one's high horse
What does "get off one's high horse" mean? | to become less arrogant | The manager was forced to get off his high horse and act better toward the employees.
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ICU
What does "ICU" mean? | intensive care unit. | That car crash put him in the ICU for two weeks.
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