American Idioms and Expressions

Up And About Idiom

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. .

ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ
up and about
What does up and about mean?
recovered from an illnessHe has been up and about for a couple of days since he left the hospital.
up and about
What does up and about mean?
healthy and moving around, not sick in bed My uncle has been up and about for a couple of days since he left the hospital.


Some Random Idioms
hurting
What does "hurting" mean?
in great pain
back down (from someone or something)
What does "back down (from someone or something)" mean?
to fail to carry through on a threat to do something The government backed down from their plan to sell the national airline.

By the numbers
What does "By the numbers" mean?
If something is done by the numbers, it is done in a mechanical manner without room for creativity.
Squeaky wheel gets the grease
What does "Squeaky wheel gets the grease" mean?
When people say that the squeaky wheel gets the grease, they mean that the person who complains or protests the loudest attracts attention and service.
slam dunk
What does "slam dunk" mean?
forcing a basketball into the basket from above
The smoking lamp is out
What does "The smoking lamp is out" mean?
No smoking!California is a strange place. In restaurants and bars the smoking lamp is out, but in the cannabis buyers club you can smoke all you like.
The smoking lamp probably came into use during the 16th Century when seamen began smoking on board vessels. The lamp was used to light the smoke before matches were invented.
The smoking lamp was also a safety measure. It was devised mainly to keep the fire hazard away from highly combustible woodwork and gunpowder.
Most navies established regulations restricting smoking to certain areas on board. Usually, the lamp was located in the forecastle or the area directly surrounding the galley indicting that smoking was permitted in this area.
as busy as popcorn on a skillet
What does "as busy as popcorn on a skillet" mean?
very activeThe children were as busy as popcorn on a skillet when the teacher entered the classroom.
Writ large
What does "Writ large" mean?
If something is writ large, it is emphasised or highlighted.
keep one's hands off (someone or something)
What does "keep one's hands off (someone or something)" mean?
refrain from touching or handling someone or somethingMy aunt asked her nephew to keep his hands off her furniture.
preach to the converted
What does "preach to the converted" mean?
to praise or speak to those who already agree with youI was preaching to the converted when I told my friends about the advantages of the new car.

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