American English contains many odd words and expressions whose meaning is hard to understand.
Here are our favorite words and expressions.
This page was last updated April 11 2012.
Idiom: 1040 Meaning: The number of an IRS form. The standard form for declaring income.
Idiom: 1099 Meaning: The number of an IRS form. Business that pays money for services sends this to IRS.
In the arcane world of taxes, you can make this a verb and say "You going to 1099 me?" The answer might be
"No, I'm going to W2 you."
Idiom: 401(k) Meaning: Strange name for a retirement savings plan. Named after the chapter in the tax law code in which they are defined.
This is like saying "I'm going to my Title V Paragraph 571 now" (translation: I'm going home now.)
Idiom: 501(c) Meaning: Strange name for a political fund-raising group
Idiom: 501(c)3 Meaning: Very strange name for a non-profit entity
Idiom: 527 Meaning: Strange name for a political fund-raising group
Idiom: 529 Meaning: Strange name for a savings plan to pay college expenses
Idiom: A bar of soap Meaning: 'bar' is the unit of soap
Idiom: A blade of grass Meaning: 'blade' is the individual grass leaf
Idiom: A cat fight Meaning: A fight between 2 women
Idiom: A clove of garlic Meaning: 'clove' is the unit of garlic
Idiom: A head of lettuce Meaning: 'head' is the unit of lettuce
Idiom: A loaf of bread Meaning: 'loaf' is the unit of bread
Idiom: A pane of glass Meaning: 'pane' is the square of glass in a window
Idiom: A shoplifter Meaning: Someone who steals in a store
Idiom: A sitting duck Meaning: An easy target
Idiom: A snowball in hell Meaning: No chance at all
Idiom: A stick of butter Meaning: 'stick' is the unit of butter
Idiom: A tub of butter Meaning: a large blob of butter which is sold in a tub
Idiom: All the hoo ha Meaning: All the commotion, noise
Idiom: An ear of corn Meaning: 'ear' is the unit of corn
Idiom: Applicant must leap tall buildings Meaning: Applicant must be better than the guy we just fired
Idiom: At the end of the day Meaning: The bottom line is, when all is said and done, to sum it up
Idiom: At 2 sharp Meaning: At exactly 2 o'clock
Idiom: Back to back Meaning: Consecutive. One after another, with no interruption. (Back to back is not consecutive)
Idiom: Beam me up Scotty! Meaning: These people are nuts, get me out of here!
Idiom: Bill was the head honcho Meaning: Bill was the boss
Idiom: Black is the new green, or green is the new black, or orange is the new purple. Meaning: This new thing replaces that old thing
Idiom: Blue state. Meaning: A state whose electoral votes were for a Democrat
Idiom: Blue Meaning: Democrat
Idiom: Bone up before your test Meaning: Do a last-minute preparation
Idiom: Bozo Meaning: Someone who is real dumb
Idiom: Brush up before your test Meaning: Do a last-minute preparation
Idiom: Can I have your John Hancock? Meaning: Can I have your signature?
Idiom: Can you hit the ground running? Meaning: If you want this job you'll have to get to work right away without any training and act like an expert at once because we don't have any time to train you
Idiom: Can you take the ball and run with it? Meaning: I don't have time to be a good boss, so can you take responsibilities for me so that I will get the credit and you will get the shaft?
Idiom: Can you walk on water? Meaning: If you want this job you'll have to be an expert, work nights and weekends, perform perfectly without any mistakes and make me look good
Idiom: Carb-friendly Meaning: low in carbohydrates
Idiom: Carbon Footprint Meaning: A measure of the amount of carbon dioxide that a person or an activity puts into the atmosphere.
Idiom: Cat Got Your Tongue? Meaning: What? You can’t talk now? Why?
Idiom: Catch as catch can Meaning: Do something any way that works
Idiom: Check out Meaning: Pay for merchandise / leave a hotel and pay / validate or verify something
Idiom: Chicken little Meaning: Someone who gives warnings when there is no danger
Idiom: Chill out! Meaning: Calm down!
Idiom: Cloud computing. Computing in the "Cloud." Meaning: Very strange term used to name this process:
Your computer uses the internet to connect to a remote computer which contains the program that is being used,
and your data that it is processing.
With "Cloud" computing, you do not need to buy the program and you do not need to worry about losing your data
when your home computer crashes.
With non-"cloud" computing, the program being used is on your computer, along with the data.
Copyright 2012 Second Language, LLC. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited
Idiom: Cocooning Meaning: Staying at home more and more
Idiom: Coed, or co-ed Meaning: Woman who attends college or school. Also, a college that admits both men and women
Idiom: Cold is the new hot. Meaning: Type of expression used in advertising to attempt to convince people that something is what it isn't.
Idiom: Come in, we're having a bull session Meaning: Come in, we're having a long-winded discussion
Idiom: Con man Meaning: Someone who deceives you
Idiom: Connie had a personal agenda during the interview Meaning: Connie had a hidden purpose during the interview
Idiom: Co-pay or copay Meaning: The part of a doctor's, dentist's or pharmacist's bill that you pay, which the insurance doesn't pay.
Idiom: Cough up the money Meaning: Give me the money
Idiom: Crickets Meaning: Silence. (this is the latest fad - saying "crickets" when they mean to say "no one is saying anything.")
Idiom: Dad gets to foot the bill Meaning: Dad is expected to pay the bill
Idiom: Deep six it Meaning: Kill it
Idiom: Diddly Meaning: Nothing - You don't know diddly (short for diddly squat. I have no idea what that means)
Idiom: Don’t hold your breath waiting! Meaning: Waiting is futile!
Idiom: Don't beat around the bush Meaning: Don't avoid the main point
Idiom: Don't give me a snow job Meaning: Don't try to deceive or confuse me
Idiom: Don't jump the gun Meaning: Wait until the right time
Idiom: Don't lose your head, Marie-Antoinette Meaning: Don't do anything irrational, Marie-Antoinette
Idiom: Don't overdo it Meaning: Don't do it excessively
Idiom: Don't pass the buck Meaning: Don't refuse to take the responsibility
Idiom: Don't pull any punches when you criticize him Meaning: Do not give a weak criticism
Idiom: Don't push your luck Meaning: Don't put your accomplishment in risk, by doing something foolish
Idiom: Don't put the cart before the horse Meaning: Don't do things illogically
Idiom: Don't rain on my parade Meaning: Don't stop me from enjoying something
Idiom: Don't rub it in! Meaning: Don't mock me over the painful incident!
Idiom: Don't run out of steam Meaning: don't run out of energy
Idiom: Don't trip up Meaning: don't make a mistake
Idiom: Do not call list Meaning: A list of telephone numbers which telemarketers are not allowed to phone.
However, the politicians who wrote the law do not follow the law and continue calling and bothering people at home
Idiom: Dork Meaning: Someone who is real dumb
Idiom: Drive someone up a wall Meaning: Annoy someone very much
Idiom: Drop a dime Meaning: Make a phone call
Idiom: Dutch treat Meaning: Each one pays for his/her meal at a restaurant
Idiom: Easter Bunny/Tooth Fairy/Santa Claus Meaning: Believing in something that is not true
Idiom: Eat your heart out Meaning: It's too bad that you are envious, but you have no sympathy from me
Idiom: Eating high on the hog Meaning: Have enough money to buy the best food
Idiom: Face the music Meaning: Accept the consequences of one's actions
Idiom: Fair and square Meaning: Fair, by the rules
Idiom: Fake but accurate. Meaning: Believe it even though it's false
Idiom: Fat chance! Meaning: Not very likely! (see Slim chance)
Idiom: Footloose and fancy-free Meaning: Having no committments
Idiom: For the birds Meaning: Leftovers, not very good
Idiom: Free spirit Meaning: A person who makes no committments, and is attached to no relationships
Idiom: From the horse's mouth Meaning: From a reliable source
Idiom: Funny money Meaning: Counterfeit or untrustworthy money
Idiom: Gen X or generation X Meaning: Name created by the media to mean people born in the 60's and 70's
Idiom: Gen Y or generation YX Meaning: Name created by the media to mean people born in the 80's and 90's
Idiom: Get a leg up Meaning: To get a boost or advantage
Idiom: Get a life! Meaning: You are not interested in normal things, you spend too much time at work. Also means 'I don't like you'
Idiom: Get on the bandwagon Meaning: Everyone else is doing it, so make a fool of yourself and do it without thinking
Idiom: Get your act together! Meaning: Get organized, correct your problems!
Idiom: Give him a fair shake Meaning: Give him a reasonable opportunity
Idiom: Give me a ballpark figure Meaning: I need to tell my boss a number that he/she will believe.
Any number will do, just make one up
Idiom: Go to plan B Meaning: That didn't work, any ideas?
Idiom: Good grief! Meaning: Generalized exclamation
Idiom: Green Meaning: Environmentally friendly
Idiom: Have a nice day! Meaning: Done. Time for you to go!
Idiom: Heads up! Meaning: Warning!
Idiom: He bit the dust Meaning: He died
Idiom: He blew the whistle on his boss's illegal actions Meaning: He revealed his boss's illegal actions to the legal authorities.
Idiom: He can't see the forest for the trees Meaning: He is confused by the details and can't see the big picture
Idiom: He couldn't look me in the eyes Meaning: I don't care if he is shy, or if his culture discourages staring at eyes, if he can't look at my eyes he MUST be lying
Idiom: He gave 110% Meaning: He gave very enthusiastically
Idiom: He got all bent out of shape when I said I needed Saturday off from work Meaning: He got angry when I said I needed Saturday off from work
Idiom: He hangs around with John Meaning: He associates with John
Idiom: He has shifty eyes Meaning: Since he won't look at my eyes he must be lying, unreliable and untrustworthy.
Idiom: He has two left feet Meaning: He can't dance
Idiom: He has jumped the shark Meaning: He is no longer useful. He has outlived his usefulness.
Idiom: He knew he had passed the Rubicon when he wrote the deposit check for the hall for the wedding reception Meaning: He knew there was no turning back when he wrote the deposit check for the hall for the wedding reception
Idiom: He lives in a row of cookie-cutter houses Meaning: All the same. He lives in a row of houses that all look the same
Idiom: He looked me straight in the eye and told me he didn't steal it Meaning: I'm too stupid to discern if he is lying but since he looked at my eyes I think he told the truth.
Idiom: He lost his shirt Meaning: He lost all his money
Idiom: He said it tongue in cheek Meaning: He said it but didn't mean it
Idiom: He saw red Meaning: He got angry
Idiom: He stopped smoking cold turkey Meaning: He stopped smoking suddenly, without any help
Idiom: He went whole hog into taxidermy Meaning: He embraced taxidermy very enthusiastically
Idiom: He'll give you the shirt off his back Meaning: He is very generous
Idiom: He's a baby boomer Meaning: He was born after world war 2
Idiom: He's a blue blooded American Meaning: He's a real American (see red blooded American)
Idiom: He's a card-carrying Libertarian Meaning: He's a committed Libertarian
Idiom: He's a dark horse Meaning: He's a candidate who was not known until he/she decided to run for office
Idiom: He's a dyed-in-the-wool Libertarian Meaning: He's a committed Libertarian
Idiom: He's all thumbs Meaning: He is awkward
Idiom: He's an early bird Meaning: He gets up early; he arrives early
Idiom: He's crying crocodile tears Meaning: He's pretending to cry in an attempt to manipulate or exploit, phony tears
Idiom: He's got a chip on his shoulder Meaning: He's looking for an argument
Idiom: He's in the doghouse Meaning: His wife/girlfriend is mad at him
Idiom: He's the head honcho Meaning: He's the big boss
Idiom: He's the poster child for the (anything) Meaning: He's famous for (anything).
He's a prime example of (anything).
Idiom: He's the underdog Meaning: He's the one who is expected to lose
Idiom: Hot is the new cold. Meaning: Used in advertising to attempt to convince people that something is what it isn't.
Idiom: Horse around Meaning: Engage in tomfoolery, hooliganism, rough housing, horseplay.
Idiom: I bought it for a song Meaning: I bought it very cheap
Idiom: I busted my ass Meaning: I worked very hard
Idiom: I busted my butt Meaning: I worked very hard
Idiom: I busted my hump Meaning: I worked very hard
Idiom: I can't hold a candle to him Meaning: I am much less competent than him
Idiom: I don’t mean to get on my soap box here Meaning: I don't mean to start preaching to everyone, but here's how I feel ...
Idiom: I don't feel so hot Meaning: I don't feel very well
Idiom: I drew a blank Meaning: I couldn't remember something
Idiom: I feel like a million dollars Meaning: I feel very good
Idiom: I had a senior moment Meaning: I had a temporary lapse of memory or attention
Idiom: I had it down pat but I failed the spelling test anyway Meaning: I had learned it well but I failed the spelling test anyway
Idiom: I heard it through the grapevine Meaning: I heard it through a rumor
Idiom: I just need my space Meaning: You are in my way, You'll have to go
Idiom: I made him cry uncle Meaning: I made him admit defeat
Idiom: I made him eat crow Meaning: I made him retract his words
Idiom: I need elbow room Meaning: I need more freedom, more room, fewer restrictions
Idiom: I pull down a six figure salary Meaning: I earn a salary which is written with 6 numbers, $100,000 - $999,000
Idiom: I see you two are very sympatico Meaning: (bad Spanish) I see you two understand each other
Idiom: I smell a rat Meaning: I think something is wrong
Idiom: I think that congressman is hitting on his intern Meaning: I think that congressman is trying to get his intern to engage in personal activities outside of the world of work
Idiom: I want my piece of the pie Meaning: I want my share of the prosperity
Idiom: I was at the post mortem Meaning: I was at the long, painful meeting to talk about why the project failed and who is going to get fired
Idiom: I'll be right over, don't get antsy Meaning: I'll be right over, don't get impatient
Idiom: I'll fix your wagon Meaning: I'll give you what you deserve (some kind of negative action)
Idiom: I'll show you the ropes Meaning: I'll show you the things you need to know
Idiom: I'll take a rain check on that Meaning: I can't accept your offer now, but I'll accept it another day
Idiom: I'm at sea over Congress' inability to pass a tax cut Meaning: I don't understand Congress' inability to pass a tax cut
Idiom: I'm at the end of my rope Meaning: I have no more options
Idiom: I'm behind the 8-ball Meaning: I'm in a very difficult position
Idiom: I'm busting your chops Meaning: I'm teasing you
Idiom: I'm fit as a fiddle Meaning: I'm very healthy
Idiom: I'm getting married tomorrow but I've got cold feet Meaning: I'm getting married tomorrow but I'm scared
Idiom: I'm going bananas Meaning: I'm going mad
Idiom: I'm going to catch some Z's Meaning: I'm going to sleep a bit
Idiom: I'm happy as a clam Meaning: I'm very happy without any cares
Idiom: I'm not going to buy a pig in a poke Meaning: I'm not going to buy something that I can't verify
Idiom: I'm paying $1,200 in alimony each month, and then some Meaning: I'm paying $1,200 in alimony each month, and even more
Idiom: I'm running late Meaning: I'm so disorganized that I have missed all my appointments today and I'm going to miss yours too
Idiom: I'm sorry, Marie-Antoinette, I lost my head Meaning: I'm sorry, Marie-Antoinette, I did something irrational
Idiom: I'm toast Meaning: I'm very tired, worn out
Idiom: It dawned on me that Bill was a crook Meaning: I realized that Bill was a crook
Idiom: It doesn't cut the mustard Meaning: It doesn't meet one's needs; it's not good enough
Idiom: It has come a cropper Meaning: It has suffered a setback
Idiom: It just isn't working out Meaning: It is not showing signs of success
Idiom: It takes a licking and keeps on ticking Meaning: The watch can be abused but continues to work
Idiom: It was a hum drum day Meaning: It was a boring, routine day
Idiom: It'll knock your socks off Meaning: You'll be very favorably impressed
Idiom: It's a can of worms Meaning: It is full of problems
Idiom: It's a chicken and egg thing Meaning: It seems that each thing needs to be done first, before the other thing can be done.
Comes from the expression "Which came first, the chicken or the egg?"
Idiom: It's a game-changer Meaning: That is going to change the outcome of the game. That new factor will change the result of a game or a decision.
Idiom: It's a lemon Meaning: It doesn't work very well
Idiom: It's a mirror image of that Meaning: It's exactly the same as that [mirror images are NOT exactly the same as the object reflected]
Idiom: It's do or die Meaning: Time to act even if we fail
Idiom: It's dog eat dog Meaning: It's a ruthless battle with no mercy
Idiom: It's every man for himself Meaning: Save yourself. You're on your own. It's a ruthless battle with no mercy
Idiom: It's been hectic Meaning: I haven't had time to see you because I have other priorities more important than you
Idiom: It's not brain surgery Meaning: It's not hard (See It's not rocket science)
Idiom: It's not rocket science Meaning: It's not hard (See It's not brain surgery)
Idiom: It was just a computer glitch Meaning: Some employee of the company made a mistake while programming or using a computer.
Since the public doesn't understand what "computer glitch" means, we can blame it on a "computer glitch" and avoid taking the blame.
Idiom: I've got a bone to pick with you! Meaning: I have something serious to discuss with you!
Idiom: I've got half a mind to... Meaning: I've almost decided to...
Idiom: I've got to put my foot down Meaning: I've got to enforce the rules
Idiom: Jack Meaning: Nothing - You don't know jack (short for jackshit) You don't know anything.
Idiom: Jot it down Meaning: Make a note of it
Idiom: Just chewing the fat Meaning: Just talking
Idiom: Just shooting the breeze Meaning: Just talking
Idiom: Keep me posted Meaning: Keep me informed
Idiom: Keep the ball rolling Meaning: Continue to perform well
Idiom: Keep your nose to the grindstone Meaning: Continue working hard
Idiom: Kiddie corner Meaning: Diagonally opposite
Idiom: Kitchen sink Meaning: Everything, including some things that you would not normally expect.
The original expression was "Everything but the kitchen sink." They sold everything but the kitchen sink.
Then people started saying "kitchen sink" meaning "everything."
Idiom: Knock it off! Meaning: Stop what you are doing!
Idiom: La-la land Meaning: An imaginary place
Idiom: Let's call a spade a spade Meaning: Let's speak clearly, saying things as they are
Idiom: Let's do a dry run Meaning: Let's practice)
Idiom: Let's get down to brass tacks Meaning: Let's get to the important issues
Idiom: Let's go Dutch Meaning: Each one pays for his/her portion
Idiom: Let's table that proposal Meaning: Let's postpone discussion of that proposal. (In Britain, it means "let's place that proposal on the table and discuss it.")
Idiom: Let's take the bull by the horns Meaning: Let's face the important issue
Idiom: Let's touch bases Meaning: We don't have time to discuss this properly, so just tell me briefly if everything is all messed up or not
so that I can tell my boss and blame you if something goes wrong.
Idiom: The crook isn't here, he flew the coop. Meaning: The crook isn't here, he ran away.
Idiom: May I help you? Meaning: What are you doing in here disturbing my nap?
Idiom: Me myself and I Meaning: I
Idiom: Sally said to Joe, We’ve got to iron out our problems Meaning: Sally said to Joe, We've got to resolve our problems
Idiom: Musical chairs or musical anything Meaning: Moving things around unnecessarily
Idiom: My account is in the red Meaning: My account is losing money
Idiom: My book sold like hotcakes Meaning: My book sold very well
Idiom: My boss hit the ceiling Meaning: My boss got very angry
Idiom: My boss will foot the bill Meaning: My boss will pay the bill
Idiom: My hat is in the ring Meaning: I'm a candidate
Idiom: My two cents Meaning: My opinion
Idiom: Nada Meaning: Nothing
Idiom: Neat as a pin Meaning: Very neat
Idiom: Never-never land Meaning: An imaginary place
Idiom: Nip and tuck Meaning: A race in which it is difficult to predict the outcome. Sometimes applied to plastic surgery procedures
Idiom: No problemo Meaning: (bad Spanish) You are a pain in the arse for asking that, but I'll do it anyway (when I feel like it)
Idiom: No way, Jose Meaning: No
Idiom: Nutty as a fruitcake Meaning: Mentally unstable
Idiom: Off the top of your head, how many people work in Detroit? Meaning: Any number will do, just make one up. If it's wrong, I'll blame you
Idiom: Ok boss, you call the shots Meaning: Ok boss, you give the orders
Idiom: Ok, spill the beans Meaning: Ok, tell the truth
Idiom: Old is the new young. Meaning: Used in advertising to attempt to convince people that something is what it isn't.
Idiom: On-the-job-training (OJT). Meaning: If you want this job you had better know how to do it, because we don't have time to teach you how to do it.
Idiom: Out of the frying pan into the fire Meaning: Go from bad to worse
Idiom: PAC Meaning: Political Action Committee: a group which raises funds for politicians
Idiom: Paradigm shift. Meaning: A really big change
Idiom: Pencil in the meeting for 10 Tuesday Meaning: Reserve 10 o'clock Tuesday for the meeting, but it's not definite.
You had better be there, even if I forget to confirm it.
Idiom: People from all walks of life were there Meaning: People from many different 'categories', job, age, 'race', language were there.
Idiom: Perfect storm Meaning: a coincidence of several unfavorable events
Idiom: Phish Meaning: acquire passwords or other private information (of an individual, an account, a web site, etc.) via a digital ruse
Idiom: Piece of cake Meaning: It's really difficult, but I'm a genius so I can do it real fast
Idiom: Piggybacking Meaning: The image is of a pig entering some place, and some one sitting on top of the pig,
and coming in at the same time. It can mean that something gained unauthorized entry by coming in with someone
who was authorized to enter.
Idiom: Play it by ear Meaning: Do not prepare, do not practice, handle the problems as they arise. (See Wing it)
Idiom: Provider Meaning: doctor, dentist or pharmacist
Idiom: Purple state. Meaning: State that voted for roughly half for Democrats, half for Republicans
Idiom: Rainy day fund Meaning: Money set aside for times of real need, or when the politicians want a raise
Idiom: Rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic Meaning: Wasting time on something that is doomed
Idiom: Red blooded American Meaning: Real American (see blue blooded American)
Idiom: Red state. Meaning: A state whose electoral votes were for a Republican
Idiom: Red Meaning: Republican
Idiom: Reverse 911 Meaning: a system that some cities use to alert many residents of dangers such as fires and floods. Each resident receives a phone call that alerts of the danger.
Idiom: Reverse gear Meaning: Drive backwards
Idiom: Sandwich generation Meaning: Name created by the media to mean people who are caring for children and parents at the same time
Idiom: Scalable. Meaning: can get bigger
Idiom: Schedule C Meaning: The name of an IRS form. In the non-standard and arcane world of the IRS, "schedule" means "form."
Idiom: Sea change Meaning: Really big change
Idiom: Senator X is over the hill Meaning: Senator X has gone past his best performance and can not get better
Idiom: Separate checks Meaning: Asking your waiter in a restaurant to create one bill ("check") for each person in your group ("party").
So, if you have come to eat with 4 other people, you would like your waiter to create 5 bills.
Idiom: She wears the pants in that family Meaning: She tells her husband what to do and he does it
Idiom: She's clueless about his affair Meaning: She doesn't have any idea about his affair
Idiom: She's dressed to the nines Meaning: She's well dressed
Idiom: Sit tight Meaning: Wait patiently
Idiom: Slim chance! Meaning: Not very likely! (see Fat chance)
Idiom: Slush fund Meaning: Money set aside for times of real need or when the politicians want a raise
Idiom: Smoke and mirrors Meaning: Elaborate means of deceiving. The US Social Security System is all smoke and mirrors
Idiom: Soft money Meaning: money given to a political party that is not subject to federal regulations.
Idiom: Sorry, I got carried away Meaning: Sorry, I went to an extreme
Idiom: Sorry, I went overboard Meaning: Sorry, I went to an extreme
Idiom: Sounds fishy to me Meaning: I don't think that's true
Idiom: Soup to nuts Meaning: Everything. Supposedly because a "full meal" is said to start with soup and end with nuts.
Idiom: Stickiness. Meaning: something that keeps a person interested in a Web page
Idiom: Stop giving me the run-around Meaning: Give me what I want
Idiom: Surf and turf Meaning: Fish and beef
Idiom: Take the bull by the horns Meaning: face the problem and try to solve it
Idiom: Tell me in a nutshell Meaning: Tell me quickly, I don't have time
Idiom: Thanks for going to bat for me Meaning: Thanks for coming to my defense and aid
Idiom: That action will backfire Meaning: That action will have unpleasant, unintended consequences
Idiom: That ain't gonna work Meaning: That is not going to work. (ain't implies credibility: when you say ain't, people believe that you are telling the truth)
Idiom: That begs the question Meaning: What you are saying is not logical. You are assuming that your conclusion is true. For example: That suspect should be jailed for life because he's guilty.
This is often used incorrectly to mean "that makes me want to ask the question."
Idiom: That cuts no ice with me Meaning: It does not convince me
Idiom: That didn't work - back to square one Meaning: That didn't work - we will start again
Idiom: That gets my goat Meaning: That really annoys me
Idiom: That hit the spot Meaning: That was just what I needed
Idiom: That really fills the bill Meaning: That really is what I need
Idiom: That was a close shave Meaning: That was a narrow escape
Idiom: That was then. This is now Meaning: The standards by which you judged in the past do not apply now
Idiom: That will do the trick Meaning: That is exactly what is needed
Idiom: That's a cock and bull story Meaning: That's an unbelievable story
Idiom: That's a fine kettle of fish Meaning: What a mess
Idiom: That's a half-baked idea Meaning: That is an idea that has not been well thought out
Idiom: That's a humdinger Meaning: That's really remarkable
Idiom: That's a long shot Meaning: That's not very probable
Idiom: That's a no-brainer Meaning: That's very easy to understand
Idiom: That's a tough row to hoe Meaning: That will be hard to do
Idiom: That's a white elephant Meaning: It's an unusual item that few people want
Idiom: That's a whole 'nother ball game Meaning: I hadn't thought about that aspect of the situation, but I've got to now
Idiom: That's apples and oranges Meaning: That's a comparison that doesn't make sense
Idiom: That's close but no cigar Meaning: You didn't win, but almost. (almost doesn't count)
Idiom: That's it, in a nutshell Meaning: That's a summary
Idiom: That's pushing the envelope Meaning: That is attempting to go beyond the tested limits of the system
Idiom: That's the name of the game Meaning: That's a very good description of the matter
Idiom: That's the tip of the iceberg Meaning: There's a lot more below the surface
Idiom: That's the way the cookie crumbles Meaning: That's what happens and we can't do anything about it
Idiom: The American Dream Meaning: The quest for more and more possessions, big house with a deck, 1 and 3/4 kids, a dog and high credit card bills
Idiom: The ball is in their court Meaning: The responsibility is theirs
Idiom: The boss had a cow Meaning: The boss got very angry
Idiom: The boss literally had a cow Meaning: The boss gave birth to a calf
Idiom: The coast is clear Meaning: There are no obstacles to an escape
Idiom: The company is in Chapter 11 Meaning: Nothing to do with being mentioned in Chapter 11 of a book.
This means the company is in bankruptcy proceedings. The name "Chapter 11" comes from the place
where it is described in a book, known as the US Bankruptcy code. It is found in Chapter 11.
This is like saying that Bill and Sue are in "Matthew Chapter 5, Verse 32." (A verse about committing adultery.)
Idiom: The crook isn't here, he flew the coop. Meaning: The crook isn't here, he ran away.
Idiom: The die is cast Meaning: The decision has been made, although we may not know it
Idiom: The fur is going to fly Meaning: There will be a fight
Idiom: The geezer kicked the bucket Meaning: The old man died
Idiom: The glass is half empty or half full Meaning: If you say that the glass is half empty, you are considered to be a pessimist; if you say that it is half full you are considered to be an optimist.
Idiom: The hair of the dog that bit you Meaning: When one is drunk, drinking some of the alcohol that caused the drunkeness. Something that is sure to cause a bigger problem.
Idiom: The job requires a lot of elbow grease Meaning: The job requires a lot of muscle work
Idiom: The jury is still out Meaning: No one knows yet
Idiom: The manager pulled strings to get a job for a friend Meaning: The manager used unfair influence to get a job for a friend
Idiom: The movie was a tear jerker Meaning: The movie made people cry
Idiom: The optics are bad Meaning: There were some embarrassing photos in the press recently. (Only a journalist could invent such a strange expression)
Idiom: The police cracked down on crooked politicians Meaning: The police increased enforcement against crooked politicians
Idiom: The project bit the dust Meaning: The project failed
Idiom: The project got the green light Meaning: The project was approved
Idiom: The project is dead as a door nail Meaning: The project is dead, with no chance for recovery
Idiom: The project is dead in the water Meaning: The project is dead, with no chance for recovery
Idiom: The soda machine is out of whack Meaning: The soda machine is out of order
Idiom: The stock market skyrocketed Meaning: The stock market went up
Idiom: The stock market took a nose dive Meaning: The stock market went down
Idiom: The suggestion went over like a lead balloon Meaning: The suggestion was very poorly received
Idiom: The whole 9 yards Meaning: Everything
Idiom: The whole enchilada Meaning: Everything
Idiom: The world is my oyster Meaning: Everything is going very well
Idiom: The worm turns Meaning: Someone who was out of favor is beginning to regain favor
Idiom: There is a litmus test for Supreme Court appointees Meaning: Supreme Court appointees are subjected to a severe questioning about their views on certain matters
Idiom: There is too much red tape at the Registry of Motor Vehicles for obtaining a license Meaning: There are too many administrative procedures at the Registry of Motor Vehicles for obtaining a license
Idiom: There's a learning curve Meaning: That is hard to learn
Idiom: There's no love lost between them Meaning: They don't like each other
Idiom: There's no such thing as a free lunch. Meaning: You don't pay. Some other person pays, or the lunch is included in the price of the drink.
Idiom: Time to file your tax return Meaning: Time to submit, or send in, your declaration of income for taxes.
Idiom: They're going to bump up my salary. Meaning: They are going to give me a salary increase
Idiom: Uber Meaning: extreme
Idiom: Viral marketing. Meaning: marketing campaign that spreads fast
Idiom: W2 Meaning: The number of an IRS form. Business that pays employees sends this to IRS. A declaration of salary paid in one year.
Idiom: Waiter may I have a doggie bag? Meaning: Waiter, I want to take this food home to eat, please wrap it for me
Idiom: Wardrobe malfunction. Meaning: Failed attempt to avoid the blame for a stupid action
Idiom: Watch out! Meaning: Be careful!
Idiom: Watercooler Meaning: Rumor, current opinion. Office workers supposedly stand around the watercooler and exchange news.
Idiom: We had a falling out Meaning: We broke up
Idiom: Weasel words Meaning: Words that contain deliberate ambiguities, such as those used in TV advertisements
Idiom: Webinar Meaning: Seminar conducted over the internet
Idiom: We're going to name names Meaning: We're going to say peoples' names
Idiom: We're in the same boat Meaning: We're in the same situation
Idiom: We've got to talk turkey Meaning: We have to talk about difficult things
Idiom: What do you have up your sleeve? Meaning: What do you have that you aren't showing me?
Idiom: What goes around comes around Meaning: One will feel the consequence of his/her actions
Idiom: What's in the drawer? Odds and ends Meaning: What's in the drawer? I don't want to give you details
Idiom: When the chips are down Meaning: When the situation becomes critical
Idiom: Wing it! Meaning: Do not prepare, do not practice, handle the problems as they arise, (See Play it by ear)
Idiom: He told her with a straight face that he was just having lunch with his female co-worker
Meaning: He showed no emotion, no laughing, no smiling when he told her that he was just having lunch with his female co-worker. (The implication is that he lied skillfully)
Idiom: Woodshed. Meaning: punishment. The legend is that fathers take their sons to the woodshed to punish them physically. (Not true)
Idiom: X aced the police exam but failed the background check Meaning: X did very well on the police exam but failed the background check
Idiom: X bit off more than he can chew Meaning: X started something big and hard and will not be able to complete it
Idiom: X blew his top Meaning: X was very angry
Idiom: X came out on the short end of the stick Meaning: X experienced the unpleasant consequences of the situation
Idiom: X clammed up Meaning: X remained silent
Idiom: X cracked up Meaning: X laughed a lot
Idiom: X decided on the spur of the moment to go to Italy Meaning: X decided suddenly to go to Italy
Idiom: X freaked out Meaning: X got very emotional
Idiom: X got down to the nitty-gritty of the situation Meaning: X spoke about the real important details of the situation
Idiom: X got the shaft Meaning: X was fired, X was punished, X was treated unfairly
Idiom: X has a green thumb Meaning: X is a good gardener
Idiom: X has a nest egg Meaning: X has saved a lot of money
Idiom: X has a new lease on life Meaning: X has received a new chance to succeed
Idiom: X has covered all the bases Meaning: X has thought of everything and is ready to handle all possible problems
Idiom: X has one foot in the grave Meaning: X is very ill and will die
Idiom: X is a back seat driver Meaning: X gives unwanted and unneeded advice
Idiom: X is a chain smoker Meaning: X never stops smoking
Idiom: X is a picky eater Meaning: X dislikes many kinds of food
Idiom: X is a redneck Meaning: X is a bigoted American
Idiom: X is a wet blanket Meaning: X doesn't let people enjoy things
Idiom: X is chicken Meaning: X is a coward
Idiom: X is on the gravy train Meaning: X is making a lot of money
Idiom: X is playing the field Meaning: X is dating several people and doesn't want to get married
Idiom: X is running around with Y Meaning: X is cheating on his/her mate with Y
Idiom: X laid down the law Meaning: X gave a stern warning
Idiom: X Let the cat out of the bag Meaning: X revealed the secret
Idiom: X lives from hand to mouth Meaning: X is very poor
Idiom: X ran circles around Y Meaning: X was much more competent than Y
Idiom: X read them the riot act Meaning: X gave a stern warning
Idiom: X said go for broke! Meaning: X said give a strong effort and fight until you win or die
Idiom: X was foaming at the mouth Meaning: X got very angry and acted like an ass
Idiom: X was ticked off Meaning: X was angry
Idiom: X weighed in on the election Meaning: X gave his opinion on the election
Idiom: X went ballistic Meaning: X got very angry and acted like an ass
Idiom: X went off the deep end Meaning: X did something extremely foolish
Idiom: You are off base Meaning: Your assumptions are wrong
Idiom: You gave me a bum steer Meaning: You gave me bad advice
Idiom: You got the short end of the stick Meaning: You were treated unfairly
Idiom: You gotta haul ass Meaning: You must work very hard
Idiom: You have just scratched the surface Meaning: There's a lot more below the surface
Idiom: You have struck out Meaning: You have made too many mistakes
Idiom: You hit the jackpot Meaning: You won the big prize
Idiom: You hit the nail on the head Meaning: You are exactly right
Idiom: You lead a charmed life Meaning: You are lucky and seem to avoid trouble
Idiom: You lie like a rug Meaning: You are not telling the truth
Idiom: You made a home run Meaning: You were successful
Idiom: You outdid yourself Meaning: You have improved beyond expectations
Idiom: You take the cake Meaning: You win the prize, spoken ironically
Idiom: You want to have your cake and eat it, too Meaning: You want to enjoy all your wishes
Idiom: You were out in left field Meaning: You were not attentive
Idiom: You were out to lunch Meaning: You were not attentive to your job
Idiom: You won hands down Meaning: You won without any problem
Idiom: Your criticism hit home Meaning: Your criticism was right to the point, meaningful
Idiom: Your goose is cooked Meaning: You are going to be caught and punished
Idiom: Your work is just run of the mill Meaning: Your work is just mediocre
Idiom: You're all dolled up Meaning: You are dressed very finely
Idiom: You're barking up the wrong tree Meaning: Your assumptions are wrong
Idiom: You're batting 1000 Meaning: You haven't made any mistakes
Idiom: You're better off now than 5 years ago Meaning: Your situation is better now than 5 years ago
Idiom: You're chicken Meaning: You're a coward
Idiom: You're going to pay through the nose Meaning: You will pay a lot
Idiom: You're in the catbird seat Meaning: You're in a very favorable position
Idiom: You're not a team player Meaning: You had better stop thinking creatively and for yourself.
We're a team here, and we don't need any new ideas
Idiom: You're off your rocker Meaning: You're crazy
Idiom: You're outta here! Meaning: Get out of here
Idiom: You're putting me on, Mr Jones. Meaning: You are not speaking seriously, Mr Jones.
Idiom: Yours truly Meaning: I / me
Idiom: You've been had! Meaning: You were cheated
Idiom: You've got two strikes Meaning: One more mistake and you're finished
Idiom: Zilch Meaning: Nothing
Idiom: Zip Meaning: Nothing
Copyright 2012 Second Language, LLC. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited
Quite good. Shows idioms by subject matter, the most natural way for learning them
and using them with meaning.
Also shows them by the most significant word, for example "lend a hand" and "need a hand" are together.
Also gives the best explanation we have seen of "phrasal verbs" (a verb and a preposition).
Inspect/Order Webster's New World American Idioms Handbook
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