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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vicious circle
What does vicious circle mean? | unbroken sequence of cause and effect with bad results | He had fallen into a vicious circle of drinking too much and then losing his job and then drinking even more.
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Some Random Idioms
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How so?
What does "How so?" mean? | how is it so? | "I know that you think that the answer is wrong but how so?"
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hickey
What does "hickey" mean? | love bit; mark on skin from biting or sucking | My girlfriend gave me a huge hickey the other night...but it was worth it!
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try out for (something)
What does "try out for (something)" mean? | to attempt to join or take part in a team or a play etc. | My friend has decided to try out for the football team this summer.
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no holds barred
What does "no holds barred" mean? | with no restraints | There were no holds barred during the debate between the politicians.
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blind date
What does "blind date" mean? | a date where the two people have never met before | a date where the two people have never met beforeI went on a blind date in university but it did not work out very well.
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fat is in the fire
What does "fat is in the fire" mean? | something unwise has been said or done which may cause problems or trouble | The woman said that her colleague was stealing office materials. Now, the fat is in the fire and a serious problem may be developing.
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GI
What does "GI" mean? | Government Issue - stamped on US military equipment and often
means US soldier | Government Issue - stamped on US military equipment and often means US soldierThe man went to the store and bought a GI Joe doll for his son.
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paper trail
What does "paper trail" mean? | evidence in written or document form that proves somebody did something |
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schmuck
What does "schmuck" mean? | penis |
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make ends meet
What does "make ends meet" mean? | to have enough money to pay one`s bills | I have been having trouble making ends meet because the rent for my apartment is very high.
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not hold a candle to (someone or something)
What does "not hold a candle to (someone or something)" mean? | to not be nearly as good as someone or something | The new secretary does not hold a candle to the one who just quit.
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by a whisker
What does "by a whisker" mean? | just barely, by a very small distance | I won the race by a whisker.
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live within one's means
What does "live within one's means" mean? | spend no more money than one has | The young couple work hard to live within their means and they always have lots of money to spend.
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Get my drift
What does "Get my drift" mean? | If you get someone's drift, you understand what they are trying to say.
('Catch their drift' is an alternative form.) |
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