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.
.
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.
|
white elephant
What does white elephant mean? | a waste of money | The new airport was a white elephant which nobody liked to use.
|
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.
|
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.
|
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.
|
white elephant
What does white elephant mean? | a waste of money |
The new airport was a white elephant which nobody wanted to use.
|
|
Some Random Idioms
| |
Note
What does "Note" mean? | "What" and "for" can be separated--with
"for" at the end of the question: |
|
|
| |
goof off
What does "goof off" mean? | waste time | My sister spent most of the week goofing off and was not prepared for her test.
|
lost on (someone)
What does "lost on (someone)" mean? | wasted or having no effect on someone | My attempt at telling a joke was lost on my former girlfriend.
|
made to measure
What does "made to measure" mean? | clothing that is made especially to fit the measurements of someone |
When I was working in Hong Kong I purchased several suits that were made to measure.
|
shoot
What does "shoot" mean? | start to explain something |
|
|
| |
Stop cold
What does "Stop cold" mean? | To stop suddenly out of surprise. |
|
barge in on (someone or something)
What does "barge in on (someone or something)" mean? | to interrupt someone or something, to intrude on someone or something | My sister often barges in on me when I am with my friends.
|
bum (something) off
What does "bum (something) off" mean? | ask or beg something (usually small or minor) |
|
slutty
What does "slutty" mean? | a sexually promiscuous or alluring appearance (used only in reference to women). | She always looks slutty, even when she goes to church.
|
red tape
What does "red tape" mean? | excessive formalities in official business | Many businesses complain about the red tape that they must deal with in order to get anything done with the government.
|