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.
.
worthy of the name
What does worthy of the name mean? | good enough to enjoy a specific name | The restaurant is fantastic and more than worthy of the great chef's name.
|
worthy of the name
What does worthy of the name mean? | to be good enough to enjoy a specific name |
The restaurant is fantastic and worthy of the great chef's name.
|
|
Some Random Idioms
| |
U-turn
What does "U-turn" mean? | If a government changes its position radically on an issue, especially when they have promised not to do so, this is a U-turn. |
|
|
| |
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. |
sit idly by
What does "sit idly by" mean? | to sit and watch something while others work, to ignore a situation that calls for help | The man sat idly by while the others worked hard.
|
get a grip of oneself
What does "get a grip of oneself" mean? | to take control of one`s feelings | The man got a grip of himself and calmed down.
|
strike a match
What does "strike a match" mean? | to light a match | I struck a match and tried to start the fire.
|
call on (someone)
What does "call on (someone)" mean? | to visit someone |
I plan to call on my brother during my holidays.
|
pussy
What does "pussy" mean? | female genitalia |
|
Take the heat
What does "Take the heat" mean? | If you take the heat, you take the criticism or blame for something you didn't do, normally to protect the guilty person. |
|
|
| |
pull (some) strings
What does "pull (some) strings" mean? | to secretly use influence and power | Our boss was able to pull some strings and get his son a job for the summer.
|
rub (someone's) nose in (something)
What does "rub (someone's) nose in (something)" mean? | to remind someone of something that they have done wrong |
The girl's supervisor always rubs the girl's nose in it when she makes a mistake.
|
get/have the blues
What does "get/have the blues" mean? | to become sad or depressed | The dull cloudy weather has caused me to get the blues.
|
unaccustomed to (someone or something)
What does "unaccustomed to (someone or something)" mean? | not used to someone or something | The man was unaccustomed to waking up early in the morning.
|
zapper
What does "zapper" mean? | remote control; TV remote | Hand me the zapper, will you, I want to change the channel.
|