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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unfamiliar territory
What does unfamiliar territory mean? | an area of knowledge unknown to the speaker | Trying to pilot an airplane was unfamiliar territory for the flight attendant.
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Some Random Idioms
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die of a broken heart
What does "die of a broken heart" mean? | to die of emotional distress, to suffer from emotional distress (from a failed romance) | The man almost died of a broken heart several times when he was a teenager.
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good riddance
What does "good riddance" mean? | used to express happiness when you lose/break something that you do not like or want, used when someone that you don't like leaves | I said good riddance when my old computer stopped working and I had to buy a new one.
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take out (someone)
What does "take out (someone)" mean? | to go on a date with someone | I finally had a chance to take out the new woman from my class last week.
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conspicuous by one's absence
What does "conspicuous by one's absence" mean? | to have one's absence noticed | The teacher was conspicuous by her absence and everyone asked where she was.
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All mod cons
What does "All mod cons" mean? | If something has all mod cons, it has all the best and most desirable features. It is an abbreviation of 'modern convenience' that was used in house adverts. |
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bring (something) off
What does "bring (something) off" mean? | to achieve something | We were unable to bring off a deal to buy the new computer system for our company.
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swing
What does "swing" mean? | be current; modern; with it |
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as a matter of fact
What does "as a matter of fact" mean? | actually | As a matter of fact we have been to the history museum many times.
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rub salt in (someone's) wound
What does "rub salt in (someone's) wound" mean? | to deliberately make someone's unhappiness/shame/misfortune worse | My supervisor rubbed salt in my wound when he continued to criticize me for my mistake.
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foxy lady
What does "foxy lady" mean? | sexy woman |
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horse's ass
What does "horse's ass" mean? | obnoxious, dumb person |
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chicken
What does "chicken" mean? | coward. | Don't be chicken, just give it a try.
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find one's tongue
What does "find one's tongue" mean? | to be able to talk | The man could not find his tongue when he was asked to speak at the banquet.
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Kiss of death
What does "Kiss of death" mean? | Something that is a precursor to failure, that will lead to
future failure. | Even a hint by Greenspan that interest rates may rise is like a kiss of death to the stock market.
From the fabled Mafia practice. A kiss from the Don meant curtains (death) for the receiver. |