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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to be on the safe side
What does to be on the safe side mean? | to take no chances | It may rain so to be on the safe side I think that I will bring my umbrella.
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to be on the safe side
What does to be on the safe side mean? | to be safe, to be cautious, to be very well prepared | I decided to take my umbrella to school to be on the safe side.
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(to be on the) safe side
What does (to be on the) safe side mean? | to take no chances |
It may rain so to be on the safe side I think that I will bring my umbrella.
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to be on the safe side
What does to be on the safe side mean? | to be safe, to be cautious, to be very well prepared |
I decided to take my umbrella to school to be on the safe side.
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Some Random Idioms
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stack
What does "stack" mean? | pile of toast, French toast, or pancakes |
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break down (something)
What does "break down (something)" mean? | to divide into parts, to separate into simpler substances | We tried to break down the sentence for further study.
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pan out
What does "pan out" mean? | to end or finish favorably, to work out well | "I hope that your plans to go back to school pan out."
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as conceited as a barber's cat
What does "as conceited as a barber's cat" mean? | very conceited, vain | My friend became as conceited as a barber's cat after she won the award at school.
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an albatross (around someone's neck)
What does "an albatross (around someone's neck)" mean? | a problem that prevents someone from succeeding or making progress |
The man's lack of a university degree is an albatross around his neck and it prevents him from being promoted.
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an open-and-shut case
What does "an open-and-shut case" mean? | something (often a legal matter) that is simple and clear | It was an open-and-shut case when the judge decided the case where the man had stolen the computer.
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take off
What does "take off" mean? | to leave (used for an airplane) | The flight took off right on time.
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dumb bunny
What does "dumb bunny" mean? | a stupid gullible person |
He is a dumb bunny and you never know what he will do next.
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not enough room to swing a cat
What does "not enough room to swing a cat" mean? | not very much space |
There was not enough room to swing a cat in the small apartment.
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as black as night
What does "as black as night" mean? | very dark and black | The old house was as black as night when we entered it.
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die down
What does "die down" mean? | to come slowly to an end, to grow weaker | When the sound of the music died down we were able to go to sleep.
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