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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ways and means
What does ways and means mean? | the raising of money to pay for something | The woman doesn't have the ways and means to give her children a good education.
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Some Random Idioms
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get (someone or something) out of one's head/mind
What does "get (someone or something) out of one's head/mind" mean? | to stop thinking about or wanting someone or something, to forget someone or something | My friend is trying hard to get his former girlfriend out of his mind.
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a penny saved is a penny earned
What does "a penny saved is a penny earned" mean? | money saved through spending wisely is just as valuable as the money that you earn by working | money saved through spending wisely is just as valuable as the money that you earn by workingA penny saved is a penny earned and it is just as important to be careful spending money as it is to earn money.
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mention (someone or something) in passing
What does "mention (someone or something) in passing" mean? | mention someone or something casually | I mentioned a friend of mine in passing when I was talking to my father.
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weasel out of (something)
What does "weasel out of (something)" mean? | to get out of something or not have to do something (like a weasel which can move through small openings) | My friend was able to weasel out of going to the store for his mother.
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dig one's heels in
What does "dig one's heels in" mean? | to refuse to change one's course of action or opinions | Our boss dug his heels in and refused to give us time off.
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flip one`s lid
What does "flip one`s lid" mean? | to become very excited, to lose one`s temper | My father flipped his lid when I told him about the large telephone bill.
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eat like a horse
What does "eat like a horse" mean? | to eat a large amount of food | I usually eat like a horse after I work hard all day.
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stretch one's legs
What does "stretch one's legs" mean? | to walk around after sitting down or lying down for a period of time | The airplane passenger decided to stand up and stretch her legs.
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up the ante
What does "up the ante" mean? | increase what is at stake or under discussion in a dispute or
conflict (an ante is the amount of money that you put on the table before
beginning a card game) | increase what is at stake or under discussion in a dispute or conflict (an ante is the amount of money that you put on the table before beginning a card game)The actor upped the ante in his dispute with the movie studio when he refused to appear for the movie preparatio
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take it easy
What does "take it easy" mean? | to relax | I have been working hard recently so I have decided to take it easy for a few days.
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nuke
What does "nuke" mean? | heat in a microwave. | "If your coffee's cold, just nuke it for abouta minute."
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give oneself away
What does "give oneself away" mean? | to show guilt, to show that you have done wrong | The girl gave herself away when she said that she had not been downtown although her boyfriend had seen her there.
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