AMERICAN IDIOMS SLANGS COLLOQUIALISMS
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- Category: Understanding American Slangs & Expressions AMERICANISMS
- Published on Saturday, 01 January 2011 00:00
- Written by erly
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American Idioms Slangs Colloquialisms are common local expressions that express familiar meaning(s).
An IDIOM is a figurative meaning word, or phrase that is not literally understood and means something other than what the words literally convey.
An idiom isn’t always a cliché; a cliché is usually an idiom.
A slang is a kind of language/words usually understood by a specific group of people that express common meaning(s) and knowledge.
Colloquialisms are primarily casual, informal words and phrases, such as ”ain’t,” “gonna,” “wanna”, “youse”. They are often limited to a geographical area. For example, soft drink is called “pop” in the upper midwest, “soda” in the west and northeast, and “Coke” in the South
(regardless of the brand name).
Idiom example:
"The cat was let out of the bag" means "the secret was revealed."
A
a bone to pick (with you
a bundle of nerves
a cruel hoax
a drop in the bucket
a green thumb
a harsh reality of life
a house divided against itself cannot stand
a house is not a home
a little knowledge is a dangerous thing
a me-too company/device
a rose by any other name is still a rose
a rose is a rose is a rose
a thorn in the flesh
a time and place for everything
about face
above and beyond the call of duty
above board
absence makes the heart grow fonder
absolutely
accept the consequences
accepted practice
accidentally on purpose
ace in the hole
ace up my sleeve
achilles' heel
acid test
across-the-board
act (acting) up
act in cold blood
act of God
act the fool
act your age
action
actions speak louder than words
adam's apple
adjust to the situation
after-the-fact
afterthoughts
against all odds
alive and kicking
all a twitter
all agog
all bets are off
all corners of the world
all downhill from here
all dressed up and nowhere to go
all ears
all fed up
all fired up
all get out
all hell broke loose
all in a day's work
all in all
all present and accounted for
all shook up
all skin and bone
all squared away
all that glitters is not gold
all the bells and whistles
all the way
all the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players
all ticked off
all washed up
all wrapped up
all's well that ends well
almost forgot
also-ran
always on the go (move)
am I my brother's keeper?
American dream
an albatross round his neck
an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth
analysts shrugged off concerns
and on that note
and that's that
and then some
and thereby hangs a tale
angel of mercy
anytime now
apple of my (your/her/his/their) eye
appropo
April fool’s day
are we having fun yet?
are we our brother's keeper?
are we there yet?
are you feeling OK?
are you positive?
are you sure about that?
area of expertise
as a matter of fact
as bald as a coot
as big as life
as broad as is long
as busy as a beaver
as busy as a bee
as cold as any stone
as cool as a cucumber
as dead as a doornail
as easy as pie
as far as I (can) recall (remember)
as far as that goes
as fit as a fiddle
as good a time as any
as good luck would have it
as green as grass
as happy as Larry
as mad as a hatter
as near as I (can) recall (remember)
as near as I can tell
as old as Methuselah
as old as the hills
as pleased as Punch
as pure as driven snow
as ready as one can be
as snug as a bug in a rug
as stiff as a wet noodle
as strong as an ox
as tough as nails as they come
as you sow so shall you reap
ashes to ashes dust to dust
ask and you shall receive
ask me no questions and I’ll tell you no lies
at a snail's pace
at arm’s length
at face value
at his wits end
at loggerheads
at long last
at my wits end
at odds with
at one fell swoop
at someone’s beck and call
at the drop of a hat
at the end of the line
at the end of your rope
at the heart of the matter
at will
auld lang syne
aura of authenticity
awesome
awful lot of people would love (are waiting for) your job
B
babe in arms
baby boomer
baby face
back (with) to you
back hander
back off
back office
back to basics
back to square one
bad egg
bad hair day
badge of courage
badge of honor
bag of bones
baker's dozen
balance of payments
balance of power
balance of trade
ball’s in your court
bang up job
banged up
baptism of fire
bare bones
bare it all
barking dogs seldom bite
barking up the wrong tree
basket case
bats in the belfry
batten down the hatches
batteries not included
be all and end all
be excused
be happy
be here
be in someone’s good books
be right back
be that as it may
be there for me
be up against it
bear arms
bear down
bear in mind
bear of a day
bear the brunt
beat a hasty retreat
beat about the bush
beat around the bush
beat hell out of
beat it!
beat swords into ploughshares
beauty is in the eye of the beholder
beauty is only skin deep
beauty to behold
bed of nails
bed of roses
beef jerky
beefcake
beefing up
been a longtime
been a while
been great knowing you
been there, done that
before my time
before we all jump on you
beg off
beg the question
beg to differ
beggars can’t be choosers
beginner's luck
behind the eight ball
below the belt
benefit of the doubt
best deal at the right price
best deal in town
best of both worlds
bet your bottom dollar
better get used to it
between a rock and a hard place
betwixt and between
beware of Greeks bearing gifts
beware the ides of March
beyond the call of duty
bide your (my) time
big Apple
big bucks
big cheese
big wig
bigger than life itself
bird in the hand is worth two in the blush
bit much
bit of alright
bit of fluff
bite someone’s head off
bite the bullet
bite the dust
bite the hand that feeds it
bitter end
bitter pill to swallow
bitter sweet
black sheep of the family
blast from the past
blast off
blaze a trail
blessing in disguise
blew me away
blind as a bat
blonde bombshell
blood is thicker than water
blow me down
blow the whistle
blow your mind
blow your own trumpet
blowing in the wind
blowing into the wind
blowing off steam
blown out of proportions
blue sky proposition
body language
boilerplate
bolt from the blue
bonkers
bone up on
booby prize
booby trap
boondoggle
born again
born with a silver spoon in their (his, her) mouth(s)
bosom pals
bottleneck
bottom line
bought the farm
bragging rights
brass tacks
bread of life
break a leg
break it up
break out the good stuff
brick-and-mortar stores/grocers
bridging the gap
bright eyed and bushy tailed
bring home the bacon
bring it on
bring to bear
broad base sell off
brow beaten
brownie points
b-to-b commerce
b-to-c commerce
buck up
buckle down
buggy whip
build castles in the sky
bull
bunch of baloney
bunch of hooey
bunk
burn the candle at both ends
burning the midnight oil
bury the hatchet
bury your head in the sand
business as usual
business-to-business
bust a gut
bust your chops
butter wouldn't melt in her/his mouth
buy now, pay later
buying into
buying up
by all accounts
by all means
by and by
by and large
by George
by hook or by crook
by popular demand
by the same token
by the skin of your teeth
by the sweat of your brow
by trial and error
by-the-by (bye-the-bye)
C
cabin fever
cable ready
call a spade a spade
call it
call me back on this
call the shots
call to action
calm, cool collected
came to the same conclusion
can be a blessing or a curse
can I get back to you in a couple?
can I get back to you in a few?
can I get back to you on that?
can it
can of worms
can you live with that?
can, and they do
can’t get there from here
can't let you go on a fishing expedition
can't make head or tail of it
can't miss
can’t stop now
can't we all just get along?
capitol hill
carnal knowledge
carrying a torch for you
cart before the horse
cartoons from the sharpest pens in the industry
case-sensitive
cash cow
cashing in on it
cast a shadow of doubt
call in sick
cast your faith to the wind
castles in the air
catch phrases
cat got your tongue?
catch 22
catch as catch can
catching a (cash) wave
caught by the short and curlies
caught going the wrong way
caught in the act
caught napping
caught short
caught with your hands in the cookie jar
caught with your pants down
cease and desist
chain is only as strong as its weakest link
chains of command
change (changing) your tune
change of heart
change your spots
chart your own course
cheap date
cheapskate
check this (it) out
cheesecake
cherry picker (picking)
chew the fat
chicken
chicken feed
chicken out
chip off the old block
chip on his shoulder
chip shot (chipping)
chow down
chugging along
chummy chummy
clam up
clean slate
cleaning house
clear as a bell
clear as mud
clear blue water
climb on the bandwagon
clip your wings
cloak and dagger
close call
close quarters
close shave
close, but no cigar
clueless
coast is clear
cock and bull story
cogito ergo sum
cold as ice
coin a phrase
cold day in hell
cold shoulder
cold turkey
come hell or high water
come in from the cold
come on down
come out swinging
come to baby
come to terms
come up and see me sometime
come what may
comes around again
coming around
coming down the pike (pipeline)
coming to terms
coming up roses
coming up short
common refrain
compete at home
compete with the big guys
conditional love
conventional wisdom
cook your goose
cool!
cost-effective
couldn't be easier
count it out
counting the ways
cover all bases
crack a joke
crack of dawn
cream always rises to the top
cream of the crop
crocodile tears
cross wind
crossing the line
cruel and unusual punishment
crying shame
curtain call
customer is always right
cut (give) me some slack
cut and run
cut off your nose to spite your face
cut the fat
cut the mustard
cut the small talk
cut to the chase
cut your losses and move on
cutting through the small ltalk
D
dark and stormy night
dark horse
darn near
darn tootin’
date rape
Davy Jones' locker
day late and a dollar short
dead cat bounce
dead giveaway
dead in its tracks
dead ringer
dead wrong
deadly force
deal!
dearly departed
deemed necessary
deeply seated
delighted the world
dial up
dance around
day in, day out
dead as a doornail
devil and the deep blue sea
dicey
didn’t bat an eye
do away with
doctor the books
do in
dog tired
do one’s own thing
do justice to
do right by
down on one’s luck
duke it out
diamond in the rough
diamond is forever
did I do (say) that?
dime a dozen
discombobulate .
discretionary money
dish it out
do one thing and do it well
do that again
do your business
doctor, lawyer, Indian chief
doesn’t let you off the hook
dog ‘n pony show
dog days
dog eat dog
dog leg (curves to the right, left)
doggie bag
dogma
doing their bit
don’t burn your bridges
don’t rock the boat
don’t we all
don’t’ let the door hit you on the way out
done deal
donkey's years
don't (you) bet on it
don't bite off more than you can chew
don't count on it
don’t drag your feet while crossing the street
don't fire until you see the whites of their eyes
don't let them push you around like that
don't let things get you down
don't look a gift horse in the mouth
don't overdo it
don't press your luck
don't push it
don't push your luck
don't rub it in
don't sweat the small stuff
don't upset the apple-cart
don't wait too long to decide
don't you know it's not good for you?
don't you think?
double clutch
double down
double dutch
double edged sword
double or nothing
double whammy
down and out
down but not out
down in the dumps
down in the mouth
down pat
down the hatch
down the tubes
down to earth
dozed off
drag out, knock down fight
drink like a fish
drink up me hearties
drive for show, putt for dough
drive them nuts
drop a line
drop dead
drop down
drop in the ocean
dropping like flies
dry as a bone
dry run
duck soup
dumb bunny
dumbo
dust down
dust up
dysfunctional
E
eager beaver
easy come, easy go
easy street
easy to use
eat drink and be merry
eat humble pie
eat your heart out
eaten out of house and home
e-biz
e-commerce
eeny meeny miny moe
either with me or agin' (against) me
elementary my dear Watson
empty cans make the most noise
end of story
end of the rainbow
end of the rope
end-to-end
enough already
enough's enough
epitome of laziness
ethnic, cleansing
every day is so fun
every other day thing
every which way but up
everybody out
everyman's home is his castle
exactly
exceedingly well read
exception which proves the rule
excuse my French
exacerbated
expect the best, prepare for the worst
experience is what you get when you don't get what you want.
F
face it
face that could stop a clock
face that only a mother could love
face the music
face the truth
fact of the matter is
faker
fall asleep
fall flat on your face
fall guy
fall on deaf ears
fall through the cracks
fallen on hard times (going out of business)
fan the flames
fancy that
fanny pack
far be it from me
far from the madding crowd
far out
faster than a blink of your eye
faster than ever
faster time to market
fat chance
fate worse than death
feared dead
feast or famine
feeding frenzy
fell through the cracks
fellow traveler
few and far between
fiddled with their books
fiddling while Rome burns
field day
fifth column
fight the good fight
fighting fit
fighting tooth and nail
figment of your imagination
figures
filthy rich
finders, keepers losers, weepers
finger licking good
fink
fire-in-the-belly
firing on all cylinders
first do no harm
first up
fishing for answers
flash in the pan
flashback
fleet of foot
flesh and blood
flesh out
floor it
flora and fauna
flummoxed
fly by the seat of your pants
fly off the hook
fly on the wall
foam at the mouth
follow in someone’s footsteps
follow your gut feelings
follow your dreams
follow your nose
fool's gold
fool's paradise
footloose and fancy free
for a little bit
for all it's worth
for crying out loud
for each his/her own
for ever and a day
for everything there is a season
for GOD’s sake
for good or ill (evil)
for goodness sake(s)
for heaven’s sake
for Pete's sakes
for sure
for the hell of it
for the long haul
for what it's worth
for whom the bell tolls
forbidden fruit
fore
foregone conclusion
forever, my love
forget it
forget me not
forget your troubles, c'mon and get happy
forgive and forget
forgive me
forgive me not
fork it over
forking over
for the birds
fortune smiles
forty winks
foul mouthed
four and twenty years ago
four banger
four stroke (engine)
face up to something
put a good face on it
keep a straight face
face the music
fair and square
fish out of water
fly in the ointment
food for thought
have a foot in both camps
make a fool of someone
play with fire
put foot in your mouth
put your foot down
twist someone around your little finger
sail under false colors
take a fancy to
go too far
fool’s errand
fast and furious
feather in your cap
feather your nest
land on your feet
stand on your own feet
sweep off one’s feet
sit on the fence
few and far between
fit as a fiddle
have a field day
fight tooth and nail
finger in the pie
framers
fraught with danger
freeze your petuti
French letter
friend in need is a friend indeed
friends, Romans, Countrymen, lend me your ears
frog in the throat - got a
from bad to worse
from here on in
from left field
from sea to shining sea
from the frying pan into the fire
front runners
full Monty
full of beans
full of piss and vinegar
full plate
full strength
full tilt
funny farm
funny feeling
funny thing happened on the way to the theatre
fuzzy wuzzy wasn't fuzzy was he
G
gadzooks
gee whiz
geek
generally accepted/acceptable accounting principles
genius is one percent inspiration and 99 percent perspiration
get (take) your head out of the sand
get a grip on yourself
get a life
get a move on
get away from me
get down
get down to brass tacks
get in the mood
get it right
get it?
get moving
get on with it
get out of bed on the wrong side
get out of here if you can’t take the heat
get out of here!
get out of the wrong side of the bed
get over it
get real, man
get someone’s back up
get something across
get something off your chest
get the better of someone
get the checkered flag
get the sack
get the word out
get thee behind me satan
get to the bottom of this
get under my skin
get with it
get with the program
get cold feet
gets my goat every time
gets ugly
getting around
getting down and dirty
getting good at this (real good)
giant sucking sound
giggling hysterically on the sidelines
give him an offer he can't refuse
give it a shot
give it up
give it your best shot
give me a break
give me a holler (if I can help)
give me a minute
give me a sec
give me first crack at it
give someone hell
give the devil his due
give up
give up the ghost
giving the cold shoulder
glass ceiling
glitch
globetrotting
go all the way
go at it alone
go baby
go bananas
go by the board
go by the book
go figure
go for broke
go for it
go off at half cock
go out on a limb
go over to the other side
go where no man has gone before
go with the flow
goes ballistic
going against the grain
going down the wrong road
going live
going soft in the head
going, going, gone
gold digger
golly gee
gone on to win
gone to the dogs
goner
go-no-go
good head on his shoulders
good heavens
good shot at it
goodness gracious
good-old boys club
gosh darn it
got a bead on it
got it!
got to carry on
gotta go
grab a bite to eat
grab a hold of yourself
grass-roots
great expectations
great guns
great minds think alike
great Scott
great stuff!
great! now what?
grin and bear it
gun it
gung ho
gut reaction
H
hacking cough
hair-raising shriek
hair-splitting situation (incident)
hale and hearty
hammered home the message
hand me downs
hand over heels
handful
hand-holding
handle with kid’s gloves
hand-picked
hands down
hand-to-hand
handwriting’s on the wall
handy person
hankie pankie
happy as a clam
happy camper
happy event
hard act to follow
hard hearted Hanna
hard man is good to find
hard nosed
hare brained
harp on
hasta la vista baby
haul over the coals
have a bee in your bonnet
have a bone to pick with someone
have a good one ['un]
have a great day (weekend)
have a heart
have a nice day
have an ace up your sleeve
have an axe to grind
have fun
have it your way
have someone over a barrel
have something down cold
have words with
he hath eaten me out of house and home
head over heels
headhunter
heads up
hear hear
hear me out on this
heard it on the grapevine
heart of gold
heart to heart talk
heaven forbid
heaven sent
heaven to Betsy
heavy metal
hedge your bets
hell bent
hell for leather
hell has no fury like a woman scorned
hell hole
hell with it
hell’s bells
hell-bent to destroy
hell's bells
helter skelter
hen pecked
here comes the judge
here today, gone to Maui (tomorrow)
here's mud in your eye
hey there
high five
high flyers (rollers)
high hopes
high horse
highbrow
highly implausible
hint of disaster
hint, hint, wink, wink, nod, nod
his bark is worse than his bite
hit or miss
hit the deck
hit the ground (turf) running
hit the nail on the head
hog wash
hoi polloi
hold a meeting
hold the fort
hold your horses
holes in the story
holy cow
holy moley
holy smoke
home alone
home run
honest Injun
honest to goodness
honey bun
hook, line and sinker
hooks up with
hopelessly dysfunctional
horny as all get out
horse, a horse, my kingdom for a horse
hostile and inhospitable
hot button
hot diggitty
hot flashes
hot off the press
hot stuff
hot under the collar
hotfooting
house of ill repute
how about (it, that)
how are you (today)?
how is this different
how long have I known you guys?
how much of a crush do you expect today?
how now brown cow?
hush puppies
hypnotic trance (dance)
I
I beg to differ
I beg your pardon
I can't believe my eyes
I didn't see that
I didn't sleep a wink last night
I don't understand
I feel your pain
I get the first shot at it
I have gotten way behind
I have nothing to offer but all my love
I have nothing to offer but blood sweat and tears
I knew it all along
I knew that
I need one too
Inquiring minds
I rest my case
I scratch your back, you scratch mine
I should have listened to you
I think that’s it for now
I wear my heart upon my sleeve
I’ll take it from here
I’m fixing to do just that
ideally
if all else fails, punt
if I had my druthers
if it quacks like a duck and walks like a duck, then it's a duck
if music be the food of love, play on
if only we had
if the shoe fits, wear it
ill afford to
I'll be a monkey's uncle
I'll be darned
I'll be right over
I'll give you a piece of my mind
I'll go it over
I'll see you guys around
I'll think it through .
I’m all choked up
I’m all ears
I’m good and mad now
I’m lost
I’m good
I’m pooped all right
I’m stuck
imitation is the sincerest form of flattery
in a dead heat
in a heartbeat
in any way, shape, or form
in a quandary
in a tail spin
in and of itself
in like flint
in like flynn
in limbo
in my mind's eye
in no man’s land
in of its own
in seventh heaven
in the bag
in the balance
in the beginning
in the black
in the bunker
in the dark recesses of my mind
in the fairway
in the limelight
in the nick of time
in the offing
in the pink of health
in the red
in the right place at the right time
in the same boat
in the twinkling of an eye
in trouble
in two shakes
in your bag of tricks
in your face
Indian giver
Indian summer
inside job
into orbit
into the sunset
is (he) she coming down with something?
is it all done, yet?
is it hot (sweet, warm) enough for you
is that it?
is the pope Catholic?
is the pope Polish?
is this where the line ends (starts)?
is this your final answer
isn't this great?
it ain't necessarily so
it came like a bolt from the blue
it catches up with you
it couldn't have come (happened) at a worst time
it gets easier from here on in
it goes on and on and on
it has been a long day, hasn't it?
it must be Spring
it never rains but it pours
it never stops
it says so in the fine print
it’s done, alright
it’s a gonner
it’s a sorry (sad) state of affairs
it’s a toss up
it’s all up here where it counts
it’s all up to you
it’s as tough as leather
it’s crazy out there tonight (today)
it’s getting hot in here
it’s in the works
it’s not the most comfortable situation
it’s up in the air right now
it's a (crying) shame
it's a dog's life
it's a jungle out there
it's a killer
it's a living
it's a mess
it's a topsy-turvy world (life) out there
it's a toss up
it's an epidemic
it's backing up (traffic, water, etc.)
it's been too long
it's coming down like the blazes out there
it's crunch time
it's driving me crazy
it's for you to guess and me to know
it's going to work, right?
it's happened before and will again
it's in the bag
it's in your favor
it's interesting that someone looking so INNOCENT can be so EVIL
it's lonely at the top
it's no skin off my back
it's now or never
it's out there, somewhere
it's painless
it's passe
it's payback time
it's showtime
it's that feeling again
it's that man (woman, person) again
it's the ill wind that blows a man no good
it's within your grasp (reach)
it's worse than I thought
it's your turn booboo
it's yours (your money) to do with as you please
it's yours to forget and mine to forget
I've had it up to here with you
ivory tower
J
jerk
jerk chicken
jerk pork
jet lag
jimminy Cricket
jockeying for position
join the club
join the crowd
join up
judge not, lest you be judged
jumping jehosefat
jumping to conclusion
just around the bend
just around the corner
just deserts
just for grins (fun)
just in time
just leave
just leave me alone
just up (down) the road a bit
just you wait and see
K
kangaroo court
keep a low profile
keep a stiff upper lip
keep at it
keep cracking
keep going
keep it clean
keep it coming
keep it to yourself
keep me in mind
keep me posted on what's happening (going on, going down)
keep on top of it
keep out of trouble
keep pace with
keep plugging away
keep the ball rolling
keep the party going
keep under wraps
keep up with the Joneses
keep your chin up
keep your nose to the grindstone
keep your pecker up
keeping a straight face
keeping up appearances
kick the bucket
kill the fatted calf
killer program of sorts
killjoy
Kilroy was here
kind of a trend (setter) setting thing
kinda got away from you, didn't it?
kindest cut of all
kindred spirit
king's ransom
kiss and tell
kiss it off
kiss off
kit and kaboodle
kludge
knee-jerk [reflex/automatic] reaction
knock off
knock on wood
know how
know something backward and forward
know the ropes
know where it leads to?
know which side your bread is buttered on
know-all
knuckle sandwich
L
labor of love
lackluster performance/event
lady of the night
lady's man
laid off
lamb to the slaughter
land of hope and glory
land of milk and honey
landing a job
last but not least
last call
last chance
last one in is a rotten egg
late rally
latest business-babble
laugh a minute
laughing all the way to the bank
law of unintended consequences
lay it on thick
lay low
lead a charmed life
lead foot
leap of faith
learn the ropes
leave me alone
leave well enough alone
left hand doesn't know what the right hand is doing
left in the lurch
left out in the cold
left standing
legend in his own life time
leopard cannot change its spots
let bygones be bygones
let me be
let me count the ways
let me know what’s going on
let me sleep on it
let off steam
let the cat out of the bag
let the good times roll
let there be light
let you off the hook
let your hair down
let’s get out of here
let's get going
let’s give it some time
let's hear it again
let’s move on
let's not get ahead of ourselves
let's rumble
let's see what turns up
let sleeping dogs lie
let's take a look at
let’s wait and see
level playing field
lickety split
life goes on
life in the fast lane
life is no bed of roses
life of riley
life’s too short
lighten up
lighter side of love
lightning never strikes twice
like a bat out of hell
like a bull in a china shop
like a hole in the head
like a shooting star
like a ton of bricks
like lamb to the slaughter
like putting a square peg into a round hole
like shooting fish in a barrel
like shooting up a flare
like taking candy from a baby
like the dickens
like water off a duck's back
lip service
live it up
live report
living from hand to mouth
living high on the hog
living it up
living off the fat of the land
living on borrowed time
load of crap
location, location, location
lock stock and barrel
long gone
long lost love
long overdue
long-shot
look on the bright side
looking at the world through rose colored glasses
looking good
loose cannon
loose lips sink ships
lose your bearings
lose your temper
loser
lost in the shuffle
lost in the translation
lost their appeal
lost your shirt (penniless)
love is blind
love me or leave me
love of money is the root of all evil
love-hate relationship
low-key
luck of the draw
lucky break
lush
M
mad house
magnetic personality
main squeeze
major catalyst
make a beeline for
make a clean breast of it
make a uie (u-turn)
make allowances for
make haste
make my day
make no bones about
make someone’s blood boil
make someone’s blood run cold
make your life work for you
makes a whistle stop
makes us even
makes your hair stands on end
making a big fuss
making out
male pattern baldness
man after my own heart
man does not live by bread alone
man's best friend
man's got to do what a man's got to do
man's inhumanity to man
many are called but few are chosen
marked man
marriage on a shoe string
match your wits
matter of life and death
mea culpa
meaningful level
meat and potatoes sort of people
medium well
menage a trois
mere trifle
method in your madness
me-too company/device
micromanagement
mid life crisis
middle of the road
mighty oaks from little acorns grow
milk of human kindness
mind over matter
mind your p's and q's
misery attracts strange bedfellows
missed it by that much
mission impossible
Molotov cocktail
money is the root of all evil
Montezuma's revenge
more than a game
morning, noon, and night
most popular guy
mouth watering morsel
move heaven and earth
move it
much to do about nothing
multifaceted
multiple meanings
multitude of sins
mumbo jumbo
mum's the word
my cup of soup
my cup of tea
my cup runneth over
my gut tells me that
my mind's eye
my word!
N
name dropper
name-calling
narly pictures
nearing the end
needle in a haystack
neither a borrower nor a lender be
neither here nor there
nest egg
nets big bucks
never crossed my mind
never give a sucker an even break
never giving up
never in a million years
never look a gift horse in the mouth
never say die
never say never
never stops ringing
never the twain shall meet
never thought it would come to this
never you mind now
new kid on the block
new to the war
next to nothing
nice, real nice
nip it in the bud
nitty gritty
no cruising zone
no dice
no holds barred
no kidding!
nolo contendere
no man is an island
no man's land
no more, no less
no pain, no gain
no regrets
no solicitation
no two ways about it
no way
no way Jose
no way out
no way, baby
nobody's fool
nod and a wink
non descript
none of your beeswax
non-Engineer
nonplused
non sequitor
nose for crime
nose-to-nose encounter
not a happy camper
not a problem
not a thing going on (happening)
not bad
not in a million (years)
not in any way, shape or form
not my cup of tea
not playing with a full deck
not worth a plugged nickel
nothing could be further from the truth
nothing doing
nothing to be sneezed at
now is the winter of our discontent
now we're square
now you tell me
now, where were we
number-crunching
O
o ye, of little faith
odometer rollback
of course
of epic proportions
of your own accord
off base
off beat
off his rocker
off kilter
off the beaten track
off the hook
off the record
off the wall
off with his (her) head
off-course
off-shoot
oh Gees
oh my
oh my goodness
oh no, Oh no
oh! Really!
oh! what a tangled web we weave
oh, stop whining
okay
okey dokey
old lang syne
on a roll
on a wild goose chase
on a wing and a prayer
on an individual basis
on bended knee
on fire
on his (her) way
on pins and needles
on shaky ground
on the back burner
on the bandwagon
on the cheap
on the dole
on the double
on the fairway
on the front burner
on the green
on the hairy edge
on the house
on the last leg (of the journey)
on the light side
on the move
on the outside looking in
on the ropes
on the take
on the tip of my tongue
on the wings of a dove
on thin ice (on shaky ground)
on tip-toes
on to bigger and better things
on to you
on your toes
once and for all
once around
once in a blue moon
once in a lifetime
once is enough
one after the other
one at a time
one for the road
one man's trash is another man's treasures
one more time
one of a kind
one step at a time
one too many
one-stop source
online
only the good die young
only to the extent that
on-track
oops a daisy
opined [opinion]
opportunity knocks
our best guess/guesstimate
out of (his, her, their) class
out of bounds
out of commission
out of it
out of kilter
out of left field
out of line
out of order
out of place
out of pocket
out of sight
out of sight, out of mind
out of sorts
out of the jaws of death
out of thin air
out of this world
out of whack
out on a limb
out on a tangent
out to lunch
outcast
out-of-pocket
outrageous
outta this world
over easy
over the hump
over the top
P
paddle your own canoe
paint the town red
paper tiger
par for the course
par none
pardon me
party crasher
party pooper
pass it on
pass over to the other side
pass the buck
pass with flying colors
patience may be running out
pay back time
pay dirt
pay it forward
paying guest
PED XING
peel off
peeping tom
peg out
pencil pusher
penny for your thoughts
people who break a sweat lead a longer life
perchance
peter out
photo opportunity
physician heal thyself
pick and choose
pick me up
pie in the sky
piece of cake
pieces of eight
pig in a poke
pile up
pilot error
pink slip
pin-pint landing
pipe down
pipe dream
piss on it
pitter patter
placed their bets earlier on
play along with
play ball
play by the (its) rules
play hell
play hookey
play it again sam
play itself out
play on words
play out its course
play the fool
play the game
play the race card
play your cards right
playing the field
playing with a full deck
please correct me if I’m wrong
please correct them as you see fit
plug and play
poetic justice
poker face
pole position
policy driven
politically correct
politics should stop at the water's edge
popping out of your mouth
popular hangout
posh
postmortem
pot calling the kettle black
pot of gold
powerful resource for the truly informed
powers that be
pretty damn close that time too
pretty darnn close
pretty fun
pretty funny
pretty good clip
pretty kettle of fish
pretty much
pretty soon
price on his head
pricey
prick up your ears
primadonna
primum non nocere
printer-friendly version
private parts
promise? Cross your heart and hope to die!
proof of the pudding is in the eating
pucker up
pull it off
pull my finger
pull out all the stops
pull the plug
pull the wool over one's (our) eyes
pull yourself together
pull yourself up by (with) your bootstraps
pulling someone’s leg
punch drunk
punching into the wind
push comes to shove
push the envelope
pushover
pussy footing about
put a sock in it
put a spanner in the works
put it here
put on your thinking cap
put the cart before the horse
put the pedal to the metal!
put to sleep
put to the test
put your back up
put your best foot forward
put your hands together
put your hands together and welcome…
put your hands together for…
putting (rolling) out the welcome mat
Q
quality time
quasi-candidates
quick 'n easy
quick one
quicker than lager turns to piss
quickie
quid pro quo
quit while you're ahead
quit whining like a baby
R
rabbit food
rack and ruin
rags to riches
rain check
raining cats and dogs
raise Cain
raise hell
ramping up
rank and file
rat race
reach for the moon
reach for the sky
read your customers' minds
ready as ready be
ready for prime time
ready, willing, and able
real mcCoy
really
reasonable sure
red badge of courage
red carpet treatment
red herring
red letter day
red tape
refrain from using
regular exercise brings long-term health benefits
reinvigorate
relief is in sight
rest on your laurels
reverse engineering
rhyme nor reason
ride the wave
riding high
riding out the storm
right from the get go
right from the start
right on
right up someone’s alley
ring down the curtain
ring my bell
ring out the old and ring in the new
ringing off the hook
rip-roaring
rise and shine
rise from the ashes
rising son
rising star
rising to the occasion
risk averse
road rage
rock and roll
rock solid
roller coaster ride repelled many investors
romance you out of your money
root for
root of the matter
rootin-tootin
rosy cheeks
rough and ready
rough and tumble
rough diamond
rough rider
round robin
round the bend
rub a dub
rubbernecker
rude awakening
rue the radical shift
rug rat
ruin my reputation
rule of thumb
run aground
run amok
run amuck
run for your money
run it up the flagpole and see who salutes
run its course
run like the dickens
run like the wind
run of the mill
run out of steam
run that by me again
running amok
running around
running neck and neck
running out of time
S
safe sex
safety valve
sailing under false colors
salt of the earth
sand trap
sandbagger
sandbagging
saved by the bell
say again
say goodnight Gracie
say it again Sam
say it like you mean it
sayonara
Scot free
scrappy warrior
screw up
scrounge
'scuse me
second chance
second wind
see here
see if it pans out
see there
see things on a whole different level
see what you can do (make) with (of) it
see you then (there)
seed money
seek and you will find knock and it shall be open for you
self destruct
self-fulfilling prophecy
self-paced or instructional-led training
self-perpetuating
sell like hotcakes
semper fidelis (Latin: always faithful)
senseless waste of a life
shake a leg
shakedown
shape up or ship out
share and share alike
sharp tongue
shazaam
sheepish
sheer thrill
shiftless
shifty
ship it
ship shape
shoe-in
shoot for the moon
shoot to kill
shoot yourself in the foot
shooting from the hip
shop ‘til you drop
short and sweet
shot in the arm
shot in the dark
shot to hell
shotgun wedding
shoulder the responsibility
show off
show stopper
showing your true colors
shucks 'n tarnation
shut your face
sight for sore eyes
sign me up
sign of the times
sign on the dotted line
silent witness
single file
sink or swim
sizzlin' and fizzlin'
skinflint
sky's the limit
slapstick comedy
sleep tight
sleeping giant
slim pickings
slip of the tongue
slippery customer
slippery elm
slippery slope
slowly but surely
small step for man, a giant leap for mankind
smallest room in the house
smarty pants
smell the roses
smile and the world smiles with you cry and you cry alone
smile, you're on candid camera
smiling like a Cheshire cat
smoke and mirrors
smoke gets in my eyes
smoking gun theory
smooth sailing
smooth sailing
snake in the grass
snap it up
snowball’s chance in hell
so, what's new?
soft touch
sold down the river
solid as a rock
some are born great, some achieve greatness,
and some have greatness thrust upon 'em
some like it hot
somewhere along the way
son of a gun
sorry sight
sound as a bell
sound off
sounding off again
sounds good
sounds like a plan
sour grapes
spanner in the works
spare the rod and spoil the child
speak softly and carry a big stick
speechless
spend a penny
spend more time with my family
spending quality time
spick and span
spill the beans
spin your wheels
spinning your wheels
spin-off
spit and shine
spitting image
splitsville
spoiler
sport of kings (horseracing)
spread the word
spreading like wildfire
spreading oil over troubled waters
spring cleaning
sprung for it
square meal
square peg in a round hole
stand (standing) tall
stand tall
stand up and fight
stand up for your rights
stand-alone
star power
stark raving mad
startup
stash it
state-of-the-art
status quo
stay tuned
staying power
step on it
stereotypical
stick shift (transmission)
stick to the facts
sticky wicket
still up in the air on this
still water runs deep
stir crazy
stomp on it
stone's throw
stood the test of time
stool pigeon
stopped dead in its tracks
storm in a teacup
straight from the horse's mouth
straight-talking, straight-shooter
straining at the leash
strange notions
stretch limo(sine)
stretch your legs
stretching the truth
strike a deal (or bargain)
strike while the iron is hot
striking it rich
string along
stroke of genius stroke of luck
strong as an ox
struggling for answers
stuck up
stuffed shirt
stumbling blindly through
stumbling block(s)
stumped
subject to interpretation
sucker
sucking up
sunny side up
super duper
sure bet
sure thing
sure, we'd love to (that)
surely you jest
surf's up
swan song
sweep under the rug
sweet spot
T
tad (too) late
tail wagging the dog
take a back seat
take a crack at it
take a gander
take a liking to
take a mulligan
take a shot at it
take a stab at it
take advantage of the situation
take care
take down a peg or two
take heart
take her (him, it) out
take it as it comes
take it between the eyes
take it like a man
take it on the chin
take my foot out of my mouth
take the bit between your teeth
take the cake
take the good with the bad
take with a grain of salt
take with a pinch of salt life's too short
take your breath away
take your time
taken aback
taken for a ride
takes a stand for
taking it in the shorts
talk is cheap
tantamount to nothing
taters
taxing time
teflon president
tell it like it is
tell me about it
tempus fugit
thank you very much
that does it for me
that gets me going
that gets my goat every time
that is for sure
that just about does it
that makes two of us
that really gets my goat
that will grow hair on your chest
that’s a stretch
that’s how the cookie crumbles
that’s it
that’s the way it is
that's about the size of it all
that's all folks
that's as good as it gets
that's good to know
that's how it goes
that's how the cookie crumbles
that's it babe (folks)
that's mean
that's nasty
that's pretty good
that's super
that's the flip side
that's the gist of it all
that's the problem
that's the way it is
that's the way it oughta be
that's what you think
the (worst, dirtiest, ) cut of all
the be-all and end-all
the benefits are terrific
the best is yet to come
the best things in life are free
the buck stops here
the call of nature
the call of the wild
the company sought to defuse a looming controversy
the course of true love never did run smooth
the crucial element
the cupboard’s empty
the die has been cast
the down and out
the engineer kept a worried eye on fuel use
the female of the species
the fruit never falls far from the tree
the game is underway help the cause
the game’s in full swing
the game’s over
the game’s up
the glass is half empty (pessimist)
the glass is half full (optimist)
the going gets better (and better)
the honeymoon's over
the issue at hand
the language of love
the live-long day
the nerve of it all
the old saw [saying]
the oldest profession
the other way around
the pleasure’s all mine
the plot thickens
the powers that be
the powers that be
the real McCoy
the right hand doesn't know what the left hand is doing
the road to hell is paved with good intentions
the road to the best of intentions is paved with bad decisions
the scales are tipped
the shape of things to come
the shoe's on the other foot
the silence is deafening
the skinny on
the slings and arrows of fortune
the third degree
the truth comes out
the view from here is breathtaking (incredible)
the wages of sin is death
the weather’s bad out there
the well is dry
the whole ball of wax
the whole enchilada
the whole nine yards
the whole shebang
the whole thing
the word is (runs) out
the world at my feet
the worm will turn
the wrong side of the blanket
there abouts
there ain't such a thing
there are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies, and statistics
there it goes
there she blows
there’s no way
there’s no way
thereby hangs a tale
there's more than one way to skin a cat
there's no such thing
they went that a way
thick ears (skin)
thin walls
things are looking up
things that go bump in the night
think again
think big - move fast
third time's a charm
third-party
thirty something
this ain’t nothing
this is as good as it gets
this is good for starters
this is it baby
this is not big enough for the both of us
this is the short and the long of it
this is where it's at
this is your life
this neck of the woods
this puppy (baby)
those are the rules
though last, not least in love
three dog night
three strikes and you are out
through it all
through rose colored glasses
through the revolving door
through thick and thin
throw away items
throw more punches
throwing out the baby with the bath water
thus far
ticked off
tide is turning
tie the knot
tighten your belt
'til hell freezes over
time - the great equalizer
time and again
time and tide waits for no one
time flies
time heals
time is money
time is of the essence
time on your hands
time saving device(s)
time stands still
time will tell
time, the irreplaceable resource
time-honored conventions
timeout
time's up
time-stamping
timing is everything
tinkling the ivories
to be or not to be, that is the question
to boldly go where no man has gone before
to bolt
to boot
to cast the first stone
to each his/her own
to gild refined gold, to paint the lily
to hell and back
to make do
to no avail
to pick someone’s brains
to the bone
tom foolery
tomorrow is another day
tongue in cheek
too big for your boots
too big for your britches
too close for comfort
too far gone
too far too fast
too much too soon
too often to the well
took my breath away
took on a new dimension
took the stand
top gun
top notch
top talent
tornadoes cut a swath of destruction
totally
totally useless
touchy feely
tough battles ahead
tough going
tough love
tough road ahead
tourist trap
tower of strength
toyed with the (idea)
traditional female behavior
tread lightly
treading on thin ice
trick or treat
trip the light fantastic
trip to Capitol Hill
tripped up
true measure of success
trust me
trust me on that
truth of the matter
turn a blind eye
turn on
turn on, tune in, drop out
turn over a new leaf
turn the other cheek
turn up the heat
turned on and tuned out
twain shall meet
twenty-four carat plan
twist (hint) of contempt
twist of fate
twist of lemon
two cents worth
U
unbeknownst
under the auspices of
under the influence
under your breath
undermine
unfortunately
until hell freezes over
up a blind alley
up a gum tree
up in the air
up the river without a paddle
up to our (my) ears
up to scratch
up to snuff
up to snuff [on par]
uphill struggle
upper crust
upstream without a paddle
up to the minute
use at your own risk
use it or lose it
user-friendly
V
V-8 (engine)
veg out
vege burger
verbal diarrhea
very controversial at best
very fun
verily I say unto you
videoconferencing
vim and vigor
vis-a-vis
vision thing
W
wait a couple
wait a few seconds
wait a minute or so
wait and see
wait up
wait, wait I’ve got it
wake up and smell the coffee
wake up call
walk the plank
walk this way
wall Street pocketed gains
wannabee
want the word out
war of attrition
war of words
warm fuzzies
wash out
wash your mouth out with soap
waste of space
watch it (out)
watch it fella
watching us watching them
way off base
way out
way out yonder
way out, man
way past
way past due
way to go
way up there
way up there somewhere
way with words
we are not amused
we have seen better days
we will be back with you
we’ll get back to you
we’ll get back to you
wear your heart on your sleeve
wearing thin
wearing your heart on your sleeve
week's run-up in the market
weight off my mind
well almost
well done
well endowed
well heeled
well hung
well I’ll be
well, blow me down
well, that does it for me
well, you got a lot of balls
well, you got a lot of competition
well, you got a lot of nerve
well, you got nerve
well-connected
well-heeled
well-positioned
went nuts
we're almost there
we're in the money
we're out of here
wet behind the ears
wet blanket
wet your whistle
we've got it pretty damn good
whale of a time
what (this is) a rush
what a crackup
what a guy
what a mess you've made here
what a piece of work
what a stroke of luck
what am I saying?
what did you do that for?
what do you have to say for yourself?
what do you make of it?
what do you mean by that?
what gives?
what goes around comes around
what goes up must come down
what goes up usually comes down
what if
what should they take away with them?
what spells relief
what the heck is this?
what the hell
what went wrong?
what’s with you (today)?
what’s a matter?
what’s a mother/father to say?
what’s my options
what's the down side
what's the skinny?
what's up (new)?
what's up doc?
what's your pleasure?
what's your take on it (this)?
when all is said and done
when push comes to shove
when the going gets tough, the tough gets going
where the opportunity presents itself
where there’s smoke, there’s fire
where there's muck there's brass
where would I (we) be without you (them)
where's the beef
whippersnapper
whipping boy
whistle and flute
whistle blower
whistle while you work
white elephant
whittling down
whiz
whizbang
whizzy
who are you anyway?
who cares
who do they think they’re kidding
whole enchilada
whole lot of rocking going on
whole new ballgame
whole nine yards
why do you keep doing that?
why the long face?
widespread expectations
wiggle room
wild and woolly
wild one
willy nilly
win by a nose
win one for the gipper
win some, lose some
win the war lose the battle
window shopper (shopping)
wing it
winner
wiseacre
wise crack
with alacrity
with an iron fist
with baited breath
with child
with your tail between your legs
woe is me
wolf in sheep's clothing
woman by his side
woman without a man is like a fish without a bicycle
won't mean a thing
wooed in haste, wed at leisure
word association football
word for word
word in a nutshell
work-around
wow! Did you see that?
writing is on the wall
X
x-it out
Y
Yea
Yeah
you ain't seen nothing yet
you bet
you betcha
you can bet your bottom dollar
you can count on me (it)
you can lead a horse to water but you can't make it drink
you can say that again
you can take it to the bank
you crack me up
you don’t have a prayer
you don't get it do you?
you figure it out
you got it (baby)
you got me
youse guys
you kill me
you know it, I know it, but she doesn't know it
you know the feeling
you look as if you've been dragged through a hedge backwards
you need it like a hole in the head
you never know
you owe me big time
you should (shouldn’t) have listened to me
you snooze you lose
you stink
you wait just a damn minute (second)
you’re as good as dead
you’re as white as a ghost
you’re faking it
you’re making me nervous
you’re too much
you’re up
you'll be the death of me
you'll pay for this
your guess is as good as mine
your money or your life
your name is mud
your picture doesn't do you justice
you're a great help
you're a whole lot of help
you're all wet
you're crazy, you know it
you're one sick baby
you're out of your gourd
yours for the asking
youthful vigor
Z
zero tolerance
zest for living
zest for life
zip it up
zoot suit