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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yellow streak
What does yellow streak mean? | cowardice in a person`s character | He has a yellow streak and will not help defend his friends.
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Some Random Idioms
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FOB
What does "FOB" mean? | forward operating base |
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ghetto blaster
What does "ghetto blaster" mean? | large, portable stereo radio/cassette/CD player. | Turn down that damn ghetto blaster.
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hardware
What does "hardware" mean? | weapons; guns |
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precious few/little
What does "precious few/little" mean? | very few, very little | I had precious little time to prepare for my final exam.
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have nothing to do with (someone or something)
What does "have nothing to do with (someone or something)" mean? | not be involved with someone or something | My aunt will have nothing to do with most members of her family.
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Throw your toys out of the pram
What does "Throw your toys out of the pram" mean? | To make an angry protest against a relatively minor problem, in the process embarrassing the protester. The analogy is with a baby who throws toys out of the pram in order to get their parent to pay attention to them. The implication in the idiom is that the protester is acting like a baby. |
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meet one's Waterloo
What does "meet one's Waterloo" mean? | meet one's final and most insurmountable challenge (Napoleon was defeated at Waterloo) | The team met their Waterloo when they went to the tournament to meet the best teams in the country.
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train wreck
What does "train wreck" mean? | patient with multiple medical problems |
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on a first-name basis (with someone)
What does "on a first-name basis (with someone)" mean? | to be good friends with someone | I am not on a first-name basis with my neighbor.
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pissant
What does "pissant" mean? | person of no value |
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keep the lid on (something)
What does "keep the lid on (something)" mean? | restrain something, keep something quiet | The hospital worked hard to keep the lid on the drug scandal.
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tri's
What does "tri's" mean? | triceps (muscles on the back of the arm) |
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mind over matter
What does "mind over matter" mean? | if you really want to you can do something that is very difficult or even impossible | "It is mind over matter. If you really want to succeed with your project you will be able to do it."
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