Commonly used American Idioms
American idioms
apply some elbow grease – put some physical effort into what you’re doing
armed to the teeth – in possession of a lot of weapons
bare bones – a very basic model or version, with no extras or add-ons
bundle of nerves – very nervous or anxious about something
by the skin of your teeth – just barely
get it off your chest – share information about something that has been bothering you
give me a hand – please help or assist me with something
go behind one’s back – to sneak and do something without telling someone who should be aware
go belly up – go out of business; to lose everything
green thumb – to be good at gardening; having good skills or luck with growing flowers or vegetables
I’m all ears – the person is prepared and ready to listen to what you have to say
it’s like pulling teeth – something that requires a lot of effort
itchy feet – someone is getting restless; being ready to move on to the next activity
joined at the hip – people who seem to be together all the time
keep at arm’s length – to deliberately not let someone get too close
long in the tooth – old; of advanced years
need elbow room – to prefer to have plenty of space between you and other people
no skin off my nose – something isn’t going to affect you, so you don’t really care
pick your brain – to ask questions to find out someone’s thoughts or opinions on a topic
play it by ear – to move forward without a specific plan; to figure things out along the way
slap on the wrist – a minor caution against doing something rather than an actual punishment
stick your neck out – to take a chance on another person in a way that could impact your reputation
wet behind the ears – doesn’t have very much experience; isn’t very skilled
your neck of the woods – the general area where someone lives
American idioms
ants in your pants – can’t sit still
barking up the wrong tree – having the wrong impression of a person or situation
bats in the belfry – indicates that someone is behaving in an eccentric or less than sane manner
beef up – to strengthen something
eager beaver – someone who is very eager or excited to do something
earworm – thinking about a song or lyrics from a song over and over
elephant in the room – something that everyone in the room is aware of that probably needs to be addressed
for the birds – something that is silly, ridiculous or ludicrous
get your ducks in a row – make proper plans; get things in order
gets my goat – something that really bothers or annoys someone
hair of the dog that bit you – whatever caused you to be in the situation you’re in, go get more of that
hold your horses – slow down; stop and think about what you’re doing
on a fishing expedition – trying to get information out of someone without being fully aware of what you’re looking for
monkey business – silliness or goofing off; breaking the rules
plenty of fish in the sea – there are plenty of other dating prospects out there
put lipstick on a pig – if you dress up ugly, there’s still ugly underneath
quit cold turkey – to give up something all at once rather than gradually weaning off it
running around like a chicken with your head cut off – being confused, disorganized, or unsure of where to get started or what to do next
sh** eating grin – a snarky, knowing smile
smell a rat – to get a sense that there is a problem with something
straight from the horse’s mouth – got information directly from the most knowledgeable source
to be a fly on the wall – to wish to witness what is going on without anyone being aware that you are there
zebras don’t change their stripes – don’t expect anyone to be anything other than who they really are
Idioms on mixed topics.
a dime a dozen – refers to something that’s very common, so it doesn’t have much value or worth
bang for your buck – get the most benefit possible out of the money you spend
bought the farm – to die unexpectedly
don’t let the inmates run the asylum – those who are in charge should make the decisions rather than those in subordinate rolls
freeze someone out – to deliberately leave someone out; to choose not to include someone who would expect to be included
go Dutch – to pay your own way when going somewhere with another person or a group of people
going forward – the next time or on a future occasion
graveyard shift – working through the overnight hours
jump on the bandwagon – to do something because everyone is doing it
hold the line – to stay on the telephone to wait for the party you are calling to become available
give something a fair shake – to try something for a while before deciding that it isn’t for you
looney tunes – someone who may not be mentally healthy
party pooper – someone who puts a stop to the fun
pass the buck – blame someone else for something or make someone else responsible for a difficult or unpleasant task
put a pin in this – stop discussing or working this now, with plans to come back to it later
reach out to someone – ask someone for information
riding shotgun – riding in the front passenger seat of a car or truck
shoot the breeze – make small talk; have a casual conversation
spill the beans – to reveal information you were not supposed to share
stick to something like white on rice – to cling tightly with no possibility of letting go
that really knocked my socks off – to be really impressed by something
to take a rain check – to say no to an invitation when it is given, but suggest that it is likely to be accepted in the future
top of the line – the best possible version of something; the most luxurious or expensive options
touch base – to communicate with someone regarding future plans
up my alley – something that you really like, or something that is within your skillset
wet blanket – someone who is dull and keeps others from having fun
your John Hancock – your official signature
aces – If something is “aces,” that means that it is great or fantastic. (We have a substitute teacher today in history class? Aces!)
bae -The slang term bae is used to refer to one’s sweetheart of any gender. This slang term is an example of an acronym; it stands for the phrase “before anyone else.” (Come on, bae, let’s go watch the sun come up at the beach.)
basic – One who is “basic” is unimpressive or boring, typically conforming to mainstream trends like pumpkin spice. (He comes to every party in the exact same outfit. He’s so basic.)
canceled – Likely derived from cancel culture, the slang term “canceled” indicates that something is no longer popular. (After that drunk video surfaced, the prom queen is canceled.)
capper – The slang term capper refers to someone who tells lies. It’s related to the slang word capping (or cappin’), which means to lie. (Don’t believe anything he says. That guy is a capper.)
chillax – Chillax is a portmanteau that fuses the words “chill” and “relax.” The combination means just to calm down. (Don’t worry about the exam; just chillax and come to the party.)
destroy – In modern American slang, “destroy” means the opposite of the literal meaning of the word. To destroy a thing means to do very well. (I destroyed that exam! A plus, baby!)
extra – To be “extra” is to be flamboyant or over the top. It’s not a compliment, but more of a snarky put-down. (Coming to the prom in white tie, tails and a top hat? He’s so extra.)
finna – Akin to “fixin’ to” in redneck slang, the slang term “finna” is modern slang for the phrase “about to.” (I’m finna be done with school.)
flexing – Showing off or being a braggart is what the modern American slang term “flexing” means. (Look at him flexing in his fancy new car.)
goat – The slang term is an acronym for the phrase “greatest of all time.” It can also be written as g.o. a. t or GOAT. This slang word is often used to refer to people or places that are outstanding. (Which NFL quarterback is the goat
More on American idioms
boo-boo – mistake or injury
cooler – jail, detention
garbage – nonsense
hood – the juvenile delinquent
neck – hug or kiss
Some Old American Slang
bread – money
chill – take it easy
crib – where you live
far out – amazing
spacey – odd, eccentric
vibes – feelings
bad – good
bounce – to leave, to depart
grody – disgusting
psyche – as an exclamation, “Not really!” or “I fooled you!”
rad – fun, exciting
word – “I agree,” or, as a question, “Really?”
bad – good
American idioms
bounce – to leave, to depart
grody – disgusting
rad – fun, exciting
word – “I agree,” or, as a question, “Really?”
as if – no way
bangin’ – awesome, exciting
bling – glitter, wealth
loot – money
po-po – police
senior moment – memory loss
cougar – older woman dating younger man
holla – call on the phone
paper – money
peeps – friends, people
ride or die – a friend or partner who’s with you no matter what
tat – tattoo
American idioms
American idioms
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Commonly used American Idioms
American idioms apply some elbow grease – put some physical effort into what you’re doing armed to the teeth – in possession of a lot of weapons bare bones – a very basic model or version, with no extras or add-ons bundle of nerves – very nervous or anxious about something by the skin of your teeth – just barelyContinue reading “Commonly used American Idioms”