| 1 |
and so on |
Indicates that a list continues in a similar manner. |
| 2 |
drill in and drill out |
To work on something for a small time, before ultimately giving up. |
| 3 |
rib-tickler |
a humorous joke. |
| 4 |
everyone and their brother |
A large number of people; most people. |
| 5 |
kick the bucket |
What's the meaning of the phrase 'Kick the bucket'?
‘Kick the bucket’ is a colloquial expression for... |
| 6 |
theres no fool like an old fool |
What's the meaning of the phrase 'There's no fool like an old fool'?
People of mature years, who are... |
| 7 |
asaltacunas |
cradle snatcher, cradle robber |
| 8 |
wack out |
To become deranged. |
| 9 |
hold on- |
To hold, grasp, or grip. |
| 10 |
hold somebody's hand- |
To guide somebody through the basics or assist with excessively small details. |
| 11 |
sweep aside |
To push or brush to the side |
| 12 |
back onto- |
To overlook something from the rear. |
| 13 |
iron maiden |
A medieval torture device consisting of a chamber lined with spikes which encloses upon and impales ... |
| 14 |
all-over oneself |
Feeling self-satisfied. |
| 15 |
to the hilt |
completely, fully, to one's limit |
| 16 |
chain up |
To put in chains |
| 17 |
guinea-pig |
What's the meaning of the phrase 'Guinea-pig'?
A person or animal who is used as the subject of an e... |
| 18 |
a riddle wrapped up in an enigma |
Something very mysterious and hidden. |
| 19 |
gift that keeps on giving- |
A sexually transmitted disease. |
| 20 |
bunch of fives |
What's the meaning of the phrase 'A bunch of fives'?
‘A bunch of fives’ is a slang term for
a fist, ... |
| 21 |
chalk up to |
To attribute or account for something. |
| 22 |
keep someone posted |
To inform (someone) regularly of the latest developments. |
| 23 |
the call of nature |
What's the meaning of the phrase 'The call of nature'?
Euphemism for the desire to urinate or defeca... |
| 24 |
give someone the chair |
To execute a person by means of the electric chair. |
| 25 |
dont go there |
What's the meaning of the phrase 'Don't go there'?
I don’t want to discuss that.
What's the origin o... |
| 26 |
knock it out |
To complete the given task. |
| 27 |
Portuguese man-of-war |
Used other than as an idiom: see Portuguese, man-of-war. |
| 28 |
lean and mean |
Efficient because of having nothing in excess of what is needed, and single-minded in one's objectiv... |
| 29 |
the man in the street |
average person |
| 30 |
blowing hot and cold |
Individual expressing frenetic enthusiasm one moment and minutes later showing, expressing extreme m... |
| 31 |
na-na na-na na-na |
Alternative form of na-na na-na boo-boo |
| 32 |
all holiday |
A saying signifying that it is all over with the business or person spoken of or alluded to/. |
| 33 |
beside oneself |
Overcome; consumed by an emotion. |
| 34 |
spill the beans |
What's the meaning of the phrase 'Spill the beans'?
To divulge a secret, especially to do so inadver... |
| 35 |
out of order- |
Out of normal sequence. |
| 36 |
go by |
To pass, to go past, without much interaction. |
| 37 |
salt away |
To save or preserve (especially money) for future use. |
| 38 |
bag of wind |
A windbag. |
| 39 |
company- |
Keep the house clean, I have company coming. |
| 40 |
double down |
To double one's wager. |
| 41 |
press into service |
To make someone perform a task or duty, especially one they are not prepared or willing to do; to ma... |
| 42 |
keep hope alive |
Even if something seems to become more and more unlikely, do not stop believing in it. |
| 43 |
zoom out |
To focus a zoom lens in order to obtain a smaller image, or a more distant view. |
| 44 |
rubber match |
What’s the meaning of the phrase ‘Rubber match’?
A sporting event in a series, such as a tournament,... |
| 45 |
turn off |
To power down; to stop a device by switching it off. |
| 46 |
bussin- |
Good, awesome |
| 47 |
IPML |
Initialism of I pissed myself laughing : used to indicate great amusement, usually exaggerated. |
| 48 |
harpoon is good for the whale, painful for humans. |
The phrase usually refers to how people treat each other. Borrowed from native tribes, it translates... |
| 49 |
swords to ploughshares |
swords to plowshares |
| 50 |
on the house- |
A complimentary item beverage, dessert. |
| 51 |
a thorn in the flesh |
What's the meaning of the phrase 'A thorn in the flesh'?
A persistent difficulty or annoyance.
What'... |
| 52 |
garner up |
To store up; to build up a store of an emotion or passion; to recall or make a note of a certain tra... |
| 53 |
round table- |
Used other than as an idiom: see round, table. |
| 54 |
hot and bothered |
aroused, especially sexually |
| 55 |
be after- |
To try to capture. |
| 56 |
what does XX mean |
Used to ask the meaning of a word. |
| 57 |
smell test- |
An informal method for determining whether something is authentic, credible, or ethical, by using on... |
| 58 |
boots on the ground |
The ground forces actually fighting in a war or conflict, rather than troops not engaged or other mi... |
| 59 |
yellow state |
A state of the United States where the Libertarian Party is influential. |
| 60 |
lubrication payment |
A bribe or extorted money, usually relatively small in amount, provided to a low-level government of... |
| 61 |
top notch |
What's the meaning of the phrase 'Top notch'?
Other phrases with
American origin
Excellent.
What's t... |
| 62 |
nine days' wonder |
What's the meaning of the phrase 'Nine days' wonder'?
A novelty that loses its appeal after a few da... |
| 63 |
half-hearted |
What's the meaning of the phrase 'Half-hearted'?
Having one’s intentions divided; not fully committe... |
| 64 |
cool down |
To become cooler, to be reduced in temperature. |
| 65 |
hush puppies- |
when not capitalized, hush puppies are deep fried balls of cornmeal batter, a side dish popular in t... |
| 66 |
turn back- |
To refuse to allow someone to pass a border or enter a place. |
| 67 |
stuck fast |
What's the meaning of the phrase 'Stuck fast'?
To be stuck fast is to be firmly fixed in place and u... |
| 68 |
with open arms |
With enthusiasm, as if embracing. |
| 69 |
give the devil his due |
To acknowledge the positive qualities of a person who is unpleasant or disliked. |
| 70 |
take up |
That which takes up or tightens; specifically, a device in a sewing machine for drawing up the slack... |
| 71 |
blue chamber |
A forbidden room. |
| 72 |
great unwashed |
What's the meaning of the phrase 'The great unwashed'?
The common, lower classes; the hoi polloi.
Wh... |
| 73 |
never mind that. where's that big, fat billiken of mine? |
Said by Oliver Hardy's wife in a sequence of the movie Block-Heads (1938) |
| 74 |
perfect is the enemy of good |
What’s the meaning of the phrase ‘Perfect is the enemy of good’
The phrase encourages its recipient ... |
| 75 |
grow apart |
To gradually become estranged. |
| 76 |
horizontal refreshments |
sexual intercourse |
| 77 |
fast |
What's the meaning of the word 'Fast'?
Stable and firmly fixed in place; not easily moved.
What's t... |
| 78 |
let it all hang out! |
An expression of caring less. Withdrawing usual restraints relative to self control. |
| 79 |
Number Ten |
Alternative form of 10 Downing Street. |
| 80 |
button one's lip |
To remain silent, especially in order to keep a secret or to avoid saying something inappropriate. |
| 81 |
ones hearts content |
What's the meaning of the phrase 'Heart's content'?
To one’s (or your) heart’s content means to one’... |
| 82 |
to die for |
Very good; exquisite; excellent; particularly desirable. |
| 83 |
spike up- |
to increase sharply |
| 84 |
Throw in the Towel |
Admitting your defeat; quit from something or giving up |
| 85 |
stir-crazy- |
Restless, uncomfortable, or impatient due to inactivity or confinement. |
| 86 |
pile on |
to gain (weight) quickly. |
| 87 |
talk someone into something |
To persuade someone to do something by talking to them. |
| 88 |
long as my arm |
Very long. |
| 89 |
cook- |
A fish, the European striped wrasse, Labrus mixtus. |
| 90 |
Appendix:Snowclones/if Eskimos have N words for snow, X have Y words for Z |
Used to suggest by analogy that Y has frequent interaction with Z or spends substantial time thinkin... |
| 91 |
YBYSAIA |
Initialism of you bet your sweet ass I am : a strong affirmative response. |
| 92 |
have a good one- |
formula used when parting. |
| 93 |
pull back- |
To retreat |
| 94 |
more than you can shake a stick at |
Alternative form of more than one can shake a stick at. |
| 95 |
beyond words |
Disbelief |
| 96 |
cheat sheet- |
A sheet of paper containing notes used to assist on a test. |
| 97 |
it's better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all |
What's the meaning of the phrase 'It's better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all... |
| 98 |
i love you to death |
What is the meaning of the phrase ‘I love you to death’?
I love you very much.
What is the origin of... |
| 99 |
as white as a sheet |
Very neat and clean |
| 100 |
Mad As a Wet Hen |
Seething, umbrageous, choleric, fuming |