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 wit
What does to wit mean? | namely, that is to say | There were several important people at the dinner, to wit the mayor, the city manager, and the chief financial officer of the city.
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to wit
What does to wit mean? | namely, that is to say |
There were several important people at the dinner; to wit, the mayor, the city manager, and the chief financial officer of the city.
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Some Random Idioms
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white elephant
What does "white elephant" mean? | a useless possession (that often costs money to maintain) | The new airport is a white elephant and nobody wants to use it.
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to be talked out
What does "to be talked out" mean? | to be tired of talking, to be unable to talk anymore | I was talked out and had little to say for the rest of the dinner party.
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donorcycle
What does "donorcycle" mean? | motorcyle to medical practitioners, so called because of the hate rate of death which results in organs available for donation |
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friendlies
What does "friendlies" mean? | allies, whether civilian or military |
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on the defensive
What does "on the defensive" mean? | to be trying to defend oneself | I always feel that I am on the defensive when I talk to my friend about money.
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loose cannon
What does "loose cannon" mean? | blabbermouth; someone who says too much, often at the wrong time |
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again and again
What does "again and again" mean? | repeatedly |
I told my friend again and again not to phone late at night.
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have one's heart in the right place
What does "have one's heart in the right place" mean? | have good intentions (even if the results may be bad) | The woman has her heart in the right place and is always ready to help if she can.
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next-door neighbor
What does "next-door neighbor" mean? | the person living in the house or apartment next to you | My next-door neighbor often brings over fresh bread that she has baked.
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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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in charge of something
What does "in charge of something" mean? | to be responsible for an activity or group of people | Our teacher is in charge of selling tickets for the school dance.
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six of one or half-a-dozen of the other
What does "six of one or half-a-dozen of the other" mean? | to be the same, to have no difference between two things | It was six of one or half-a-dozen of the other as to whether we should take the train or the airplane. They both arrived at the same time and cost the same.
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