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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vinyl
What does vinyl mean? | phonograph record(s) (so called because they are made from vinyl) |
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Some Random Idioms
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squirrel away (some money)
What does "squirrel away (some money)" mean? | to save or keep some money | I was able to squirrel away much money from my previous job.
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back in the day
What does "back in the day" mean? |
idiom. a long time ago when style, fashion, and taste were different |
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take leave of one's senses
What does "take leave of one's senses" mean? | to become irrational/crazy | I believe that the woman in the store is beginning to take leave of her senses.
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top (someone or something)
What does "top (someone or something)" mean? | to do or be better than someone or something | The young woman topped everyone in her class with the excellent job that she did in her exam.
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if I had my druthers
What does "if I had my druthers" mean? | if I could do what I
wanted/preferred. | "If I had my druthers, I'd stay home from worktoday."
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footloose and fancy-free
What does "footloose and fancy-free" mean? | able to do whatever you want without any obligations | The couple have no children and they are footloose and fancy-free.
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lard ass
What does "lard ass" mean? | fat person, especially when the person has large buttocks |
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Let the cat out of the bag
What does "Let the cat out of the bag" mean? | To divulge a secret. | Don't let the cat out of the bag about Susan's Christmas present.
At medieval markets, unscrupulous traders would display a pig for sale. However, the pig was always given to the customer in a bag, with strict instructions not to open the bag until they were some way away. The trader would hand the customer a bag containing something that wriggled, and it was only later that the buyer would find he'd been conned when he opened the bag to reveal that it contained a cat, not a pig. Therefore, "letting the cat out of the bag" revealed the secret of the con trick. |
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down
What does "down" mean? | in a losing position; having the lesser score |
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on the spur of the moment
What does "on the spur of the moment" mean? | on a sudden wish or decision, suddenly | On the spur of the moment I bought a new bicycle.
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in the same league as someone
What does "in the same league as someone" mean? | be at the same level as someone | be at the same level as someoneThe boys soccer team was not in the same league at their opponents.
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loonie
What does "loonie" mean? | crazy; nuts; insane |
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choke (someone) up
What does "choke (someone) up" mean? | to make someone cry or become overemotional and speechless | I became choked up when I heard the story of the boy's illness.
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