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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wedge
What does wedge mean? | sandwich made with Italian bread sliced lengthwise, filled with cold cuts, cheese, and vegetables |
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Some Random Idioms
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like father, like son
What does "like father, like son" mean? | a boy is often similar to his father | The boy always copied his father. It was very much like father, like son.
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tan (someone's) hide
What does "tan (someone's) hide" mean? | spank/beat someone | The angry mother threatened to tan her child's hide.
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close in on (someone or something)
What does "close in on (someone or something)" mean? | to overwhelm or surround someone or something |
The soldiers quickly closed in on the enemy position.
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How do you like them apples
What does "How do you like them apples" mean? | This idiomatic expression is used to express surprise or shock at something that has happened. It can also be used to boast about something you have done. |
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bona fide
What does "bona fide" mean? | "in good faith" (from Latin), without any element of dishonesty or fraud | The mediator asked the two sides in the dispute to make a bona fide effort to solve the dispute.
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variety is the spice of life
What does "variety is the spice of life" mean? | differences and changes make life interesting |
Variety is the spice of life and I enjoy doing many different things.
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Down to the wire
What does "Down to the wire" mean? | Undecided until the end, at the last minute | We almost missed our flight, it came right down to the wire. The traffic on the way to the airport was horrible and we had to run to our gate.
This phrase refers to races where the winner is determined by whoever crosses the finish line first. Think of horse racing and foot races. A string is stretched across the finish to help the judges see clearly who crosses first in a close race. That string is called the wire or tape, the winner is the one who breaks the wire first.
The "wire" is actually string, tape, or paper and not a metal wire at all. No need to be concerned about those horses tripping and getting themselves caught in the wire. |
bound and determined
What does "bound and determined" mean? | to be determined | The man's wife is bound and determined to visit her sister this summer.
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