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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ugly duckling
What does ugly duckling mean? | an ugly or plain child who grows up to be attractive | She was an ugly duckling when she was a child but now she is very beautiful.
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Some Random Idioms
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on active duty
What does "on active duty" mean? | to be in battle or ready to go into battle | The soldiers were on active duty when the hurricane reached the shore.
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Double Dutch
What does "Double Dutch" mean? | (UK) If something is double Dutch, it is completely incomprehensible. |
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a rolling stone
What does "a rolling stone" mean? | a person who does not live or work in one place | The man is a rolling stone and I never know where to find him.
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capish
What does "capish" mean? | understand (usually as a question). | This is what you gotta do, capish?
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pig out
What does "pig out" mean? | gorge, overeat, eat to excess |
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go home in a box
What does "go home in a box" mean? | be transported back home in a coffin (i.e.: dead) |
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ill will
What does "ill will" mean? | hostile feelings or intentions | There is much ill will between the two departments in our company.
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take out a loan
What does "take out a loan" mean? | to get a loan of money | I had to take out a loan to buy the car.
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day in and day out
What does "day in and day out" mean? | regularly, all of the time | My father goes to that restaurant for lunch day in and day out and he never gets tired of it.
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go (someone) one better
What does "go (someone) one better" mean? | to do something better than someone else, to do more than someone | I decided to go my friend one better and I bought a more expensive present for my girlfriend.
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in one's blood
What does "in one's blood" mean? | built into one's personality or character | Riding a horse is in the girl's blood and she is an expert at it.
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give (someone) the low-down (on someone or something)
What does "give (someone) the low-down (on someone or something)" mean? | to tell someone the full story about someone or something | I gave my friend the low-down on our plans for the weekend.
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nothing of the kind
What does "nothing of the kind" mean? | to be nothing like that | My boss thought that my comments were complaints but I told him that they were nothing of the kind.
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