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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White Elephant
What does White Elephant mean? | Something that is costly to obtain or maintain and
provides little benefit or value. | The London Bridge became a white elephant. The bridge was relocated to Havasu City Arizona, where it now remains as a tourist attraction.
From the Burmese belief that albino elephants are sacred. They can't be used for work and they must be lavished with the ultimate amount of care.
Giving a gift of a white elephant would be done to someone considered an enemy. The idea being that you would eventually wipe out your enemy's wealth with the care of the sacred elephant. |
white elephant
What does white elephant mean? | a useless possession that is a nuisance or expensive to keep | They are having a white elephant sale at the school next week.
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white elephant
What does white elephant mean? | a waste of money | The new airport was a white elephant which nobody liked to use.
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white elephant
What does white elephant mean? | a useless possession (that often costs money to maintain) | The new airport is a white elephant and nobody wants to use it.
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white elephant
What does white elephant mean? | a useless possession (that often costs money to maintain) |
The new airport is a white elephant and nobody wants to use it.
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white elephant
What does white elephant mean? | a useless possession that is a nuisance and often very expensive to keep |
They are having a white elephant sale at the school next week.
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white elephant
What does white elephant mean? | a waste of money |
The new airport was a white elephant which nobody wanted to use.
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Some Random Idioms
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stand a chance of (doing something)
What does "stand a chance of (doing something)" mean? | to have a possibility of doing something | Our team stands a good chance of winning the championship this year.
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give chase to (someone or something)
What does "give chase to (someone or something)" mean? | to chase or run after someone or something | The police gave chase to the man who robbed the store.
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as far as
What does "as far as" mean? | to the extent or degree of something | As far as I know the movie will start in a few minutes.
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up to par/scratch/snuff/the mark
What does "up to par/scratch/snuff/the mark" mean? | meeting normal standards, equal to the usual level or quality | His work was not up to par and he was asked to leave and look for another job.
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grounds for (something)
What does "grounds for (something)" mean? | the basis/reason for legal action or a complaint | The fact that the man stole the money was grounds for his dismissal from the company.
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all in
What does "all in" mean? | to be tired, to be exhausted | I am all in and will go to bed early tonight.
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Place in the sun
What does "Place in the sun" mean? | If you have your place in the sun, you find wealth, happiness or whatever you are looking for in life. |
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seize an opportunity
What does "seize an opportunity" mean? | to take advantage of an opportunity | I seized the opportunity to take the extra class as soon as I heard about it.
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to the victor belong/go the spoils
What does "to the victor belong/go the spoils" mean? | the winner of something achieves power over people and property | the winner of something achieves power over people and propertyIn ancient times a victory by an army usually meant that to the victor belong the spoils.
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keep an open mind about (something)
What does "keep an open mind about (something)" mean? | to be flexible and willing to listen to other people's opinions and change your own ideas | I tried to keep an open mind and was willing to listen to what others said about the problem.
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