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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wear more than one hat
What does wear more than one hat mean? | have more than one set of responsibilities | Our teacher wears more than one hat and is the head of the school board as well as the coach of the swim team.
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Some Random Idioms
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Join the club!
What does "Join the club!" mean? | an expression used when the other person is in the same situation (usually bad) as the speaker | "Join the club. None of us have enough money to go on a holiday."
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on the wrong track
What does "on the wrong track" mean? | to be following the wrong set of assumptions, to be going the wrong way | The police were on the wrong track when they went to question the owner of the small store.
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tail between one`s legs
What does "tail between one`s legs" mean? | feeling beaten or humiliated (like a frightened dog as it walks away) | The salesman was forced to leave the company with his tail between his legs after he lied about his sales figures.
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cut the crap
What does "cut the crap" mean? | stop talking nonsense; cease lying |
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Wouldn't touch it with a bargepole
What does "Wouldn't touch it with a bargepole" mean? | (UK) If you wouldn't touch something with a bargepole, you would not consider being involved under any circumstances.
(In American English, people say they wouldn't touch it with a ten-foot pole) |
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black eye
What does "black eye" mean? | a bruise near one's eye which makes it appear black | The man received a black eye when he bumped into the closed door.
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wack
What does "wack" mean? | stupid; embarrassing. | That's just wack. No way it's real.
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set foot (somewhere)
What does "set foot (somewhere)" mean? | to step or go somewhere | I have never set foot in that restaurant and I never will in the future.
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come to a head
What does "come to a head" mean? | to come to a point where a problem must be solved | The issue came to a head and everyone was forced to talk about the problem.
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can of worms
What does "can of worms" mean? | a complicated situation or problem | The lawsuit opened up a can of worms for the company.
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in contempt of court
What does "in contempt of court" mean? | disrespect for a judge or for courtroom procedures | The woman was in contempt of court when she refused to sit down quietly during the trial.
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itchy/itching palm
What does "itchy/itching palm" mean? | to be greedy, to have a desire for money/tips | The police officer had an itching palm and took much money from criminals before he was arrested.
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chow down
What does "chow down" mean? | eat; consume food and drink |
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keep one's feet (firmly) on the ground
What does "keep one's feet (firmly) on the ground" mean? | to remain firmly established | The man is trying hard to keep his feet firmly on the ground with his new job and new apartment.
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