Time Idiom American Expressions and American Idioms

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. .

time What does time mean?	stop; stop talking; cease
	Some Random Idioms
Slow but sure What does "Slow but sure" mean?	If something or someone is slow but sure, they may take their time to do something, but they are reliable.

draw first blood What does "draw first blood" mean?	the first point or advantage gained in a contest (often in boxing or fighting with swords)	the first point or advantage gained in a contest (often in boxing or fighting with swords)The heavyweight champion drew first blood in the boxing match but in the end was defeated by his opponent.
quick on the uptake What does "quick on the uptake" mean?	to be quick to understand something	The student is quick on the uptake and understands most scientific theories very quickly.
lame duck What does "lame duck" mean?	a politician who has only a little time left in office and therefore has little power	The politician is a lame-duck leader and he is not effective at all.
as weak as a kitten What does "as weak as a kitten" mean?	weak, sickly	The girl is as weak as a kitten and cannot carry the pile of books.
on hold What does "on hold" mean?	to be waiting, to be temporarily halted	The construction of the building is on hold while the city engineers finish their inspection.
strictly on the up-and-up What does "strictly on the up-and-up" mean?	honest, fair and straight	I only plan to do business with my friend if everything is strictly on the up-and-up.

Fair crack of the whip What does "Fair crack of the whip" mean?	(UK) If everybody has a fair crack of the whip, they all have equal opportunities to do something.
Stiff as a poker What does "Stiff as a poker" mean?	Something or someone that is stiff as a poker is inflexible. ('Stiff as a board' is also used.)
fit (someone) to a T What does "fit (someone) to a T" mean?	to fit a person very well	My cousin's new job fits her to a T.
date back to (a previous time) What does "date back to (a previous time)" mean?	to go back to a previous time	The old building dates back to 1850.
take (someone's) pulse What does "take (someone's) pulse" mean?	measure the frequency of the beats of a person's pulse	The ambulance driver took the pulse of the woman in the car accident.

American Idioms and Expressions

Time Idiom