American English Idioms

Directions: Students can learn over 300 American English Idioms by clicking on the links below.

1. ACE IN THE HOLE, ACE UP (ONE’S) SLEEVE, and ACHILLES’ HEEL: American English Idioms #1
2. ACID TEST, ACROSS THE BOARD, and ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS: American English Idioms #2
3. ALBATROSS AROUND (ONE’S) NECK, ALL KIDDING ASIDE, and ALL THUMBS: American English Idioms #3
4. ALL WET, ALONG FOR THE RIDE, GO/COME, and APPLE OF (ONE’S) EYE: American English Idioms #4
5. ARMED TO THE TEETH, AS THE CROW FLIES, and AT LOGGERHEADS: American English Idioms #5
6. AT (ONE’S) WITS’ END, AT THE DROP OF A HAT, and AT THE END OF (ONE’S) ROPE: American English Idioms #6
7. AX TO GRIND, BACK TO SQUARE ONE, GO, and BACK TO THE DRAWING BOARD, GO: American English Idioms #7
8. BACK TO THE WALL, HAVE (ONE’S), BACKHANDED COMPLIMENT, AND BACK-SEAT DRIVER: American English Idioms #8
9. BAD BLOOD, BARK UP THE WRONG TREE, and BATS IN (ONE’S) BELFRY, HAVE: American English Idioms #9
10. BEAT A DEAD HORSE, BEAT A HASTY RETREAT, BEAT ABOUT/AROUND THE BUSH: American English Idioms #10
11. BEAT (SOMEONE) TO THE PUNCH, BEAT THE BUSHES, BEHIND THE EIGHT BALL: American English Idioms #11
12. BELOW THE BELT, HIT (SOMEONE), BEND (SOMEONE’S) EAR, and BESIDE (ONESELF): American English Idioms #12
13. BESIDE THE POINT, BET (ONE’S) BOOTS, and BET (ONE’S) BOTTOM DOLLAR: American English Idioms #13
14. BETWEEN A ROCK AND A HARD PLACE, BETWEEN THE DEVIL AND THE DEEP BLUE SEA, and BEYOND THE PALE: American English Idioms #14
15. BIG CHEESE, BIG FISH IN A SMALL POND, and BIG SHOT: American English Idioms #15
16. BIG WHEEL, BIGWIG, and BIRD’S EYE VIEW: American English Idioms #16
17. BITE OFF MORE THAN (ONE) CAN CHEW, BITE THE BULLET, and BITE THE DUST: American English Idioms #17
18. BITTER/HARD PILL TO SWALLOW, BLACK AND BLUE, and BLACK MARKET: American English Idioms #18
19. BLACK OUT, BLACK SHEEP, and BLACK TIE: American English Idioms #19
20. BLOW (ONE’S) OWN HORN, BLOW (ONE’S) STACK, and BLOW/RUN HOT AND COLD: American English Idioms #20
21. BLOW OFF STEAM, BLUE, and BLUE-BLOOD: American English Idioms #21
22. BLUE LAW, BLUE RIBBON, and BLUE-COLLAR WORKER: American English Idioms #22
23. BOILING POINT, BOMB, and BONE OF CONTENTION: American English Idioms #23
24. A Bone to Pick, Born Yesterday, Both Feet on the Ground: American English Idioms #24
25. BOTTOM LINE, THE, BOTTOM OF THE BARREL, BOTTOMS UP! : American English Idioms #25
26. BOXED IN/BOX (SOMEONE) IN, BRAINSTORM, BREADWINNER: American English Idioms #26
27. BREAK THE ICE, BRING DOWN THE HOUSE, BRING HOME THE BACON: American English Idioms #27
28. BRUSH-OFF, GET/GIVE (SOMEONE) THE, BUG, BULL IN A CHINA SHOP: American English Idioms #28
29. BUM STEER, GIVE SOMEONE A, BURN (ONE’S) BRIDGES, BURN RUBBER: American English Idioms #29
30. BURN THE CANDLE AT BOTH ENDS, BURN THE MIDNIGHT OIL,BURNED OUT: American English Idioms #30
31. BURNING QUESTION, BURY THE HATCHET, BUTT IN: American English Idioms #31
32. BUTTER (SOMEONE) UP, BUY (SOMETHING) FOR A SONG, BY HOOK OR BY CROOK: American English Idioms #32
33. BY THE BOOK, GO, BY THE SEAT OF (ONE’S) PANTS, DO (SOMETHING),BY THE SKIN OF (ONE’S) TEETH: American English Idioms #33
34. BY WORD OF MOUTH, CALL (SOMEONE) ON THE CARPET, CALL (SOMEONE’S) BLUFF: American English Idioms #34
35. CALL A SPADE A SPADE, CALL THE SHOTS, CAN OF WORMS, OPEN A: American English Idioms #35
36. CARRY A TORCH (FOR SOMEONE), CARRY THE BALL, CAST PEARLS BEFORE SWINE: American English Idioms #36
37. CATCH (SOMEONE) RED-HANDED [GET CAUGHT-RED HANDED], CATCH (SOMEONE’S) EYE, CATCH (SOMEONE’S) FANCY: American English Idioms #37
38. CHANGE HORSES IN MIDSTREAM, CHANGE OF HEART, CHARMED LIFE, LEAD A: American English Idioms #38
39. CHECKERED PAST, CHEW (SOMEONE) OUT [GET CHEWED OUT], CHEW (SOMETHING) OVER: American English Idioms #39
40. CHICKEN, CHICKEN OUT, CHIP OFF THE OLD BLOCK, A: American English Idioms #40
41. CHIP ON (ONE’S) SHOULDER, CLAM UP, CLEAN SLATE [WIPE THE SLATE CLEAN]: American English Idioms #41
42. CLEAN (SOMEONE) OUT, CLEAR THE AIR, CLIMB THE WALLS: American English Idioms #42
43. CLIMB/JUMP ON THE BANDWAGON, CLOSE SHAVE, CLOSED-MINDED: American English Idioms #43
44. CLOWN AROUND, COCK-AND-BULL STORY, COLD FEET: American English Idioms #44
45. COLD TURKEY, COME FULL CIRCLE, COME HOME TO ROOST: American English Idioms #45
46. COME OFF IT!, COME OUT OF (ONE’S) SHELL, COME OUT SMELLING LIKE A ROSE: American English Idioms #46
47. COOK (SOMEONE’S) GOOSE, COOK UP, COOL (ONE’S) HEELS: American English Idioms #47
48. CORNERED, COST (SOMEONE) A MINT/ AN ARM AND A LEG, COUCH POTATO: American English Idioms #48
49. CREAM OF THE CROP, CROCODILE TEARS, CROSS (ONE’S) FINGERS: American English Idioms #49
50. CRY OVER SPILLED MILK, CRY/SAY UNCLE, CRY WOLF: American English Idioms #50
51. CUT AND DRIED, CUT CORNERS, CUT OFF (ONE’S) NOSE TO SPITE (ONE’S) FACE: American English Idioms #51
52. CUT (SOMEONE) TO THE QUICK, CUT THE MUSTARD, DAMN (SOMEONE) WITH FAINT PRAISE: American English Idioms #52
53. DARK HORSE, DAWN ON (SOMEONE), DAYS ARE NUMBERED (SOMEONE’S/SOMETHING’S): American English Idioms #53
54. DEAD TO THE WORLD, DEAL (SOMEONE) IN/OUT, DIAMOND IN THE ROUGH: American English Idioms #54
55. DIVIDE THE SPOILS, DO AN ABOUT-FACE, DO OR DIE: American English Idioms #55
56. DOG DAYS (OF SUMMER), DOG-EARED, DOG-EAT-DOG: American English Idioms #56
57. DO (SOMEONE) A GOOD TURN, DOT THE I’S AND CROSS THE T’S, DOWN AND OUT: American English Idioms #57
58. DOWN IN THE DUMPS, DOWN IN THE MOUTH, DOWN TO EARTH: American English Idioms #58
59. DOWN TO THE WIRE, DRAW A BLANK, DRAW THE LINE AT (SOMETHING): American English Idioms #59
60. DRESSED TO KILL, DROP IN THE BUCKET, A, DRUM (SOMEONE)/GET DRUMMED OUT OF THE CORPS: American English Idioms #60
61. DUTCH TREAT {GO DUTCH}, DYED IN THE WOOL, EAGER BEAVER: American English Idioms #61
62. EAT CROW/HUMBLE PIE, EAT (ONE’S) HAT, EAT (ONE’S) HEART OUT: American English Idioms #62
63. EAT OUT OF (SOMEONE’S) HAND, EGG ON (ONE’S) FACE, HAVE, ELEVENTH HOUR: American English Idioms #63
64. ETERNAL TRIANGLE, EVERY TOM, DICK, AND HARRY, FACE THE MUSIC: American English Idioms #64
65. FAIR AND SQUARE, FAIR SHAKE, GET/GIVE (SOMEONE) A, FAIR TO MIDDLING: American English Idioms #65
66. FAIR-WEATHER FRIEND, FALL BY THE WAYSIDE, FALL FOR (SOMETHING): American English Idioms #66
67. FALL FOR (SOMEONE), FALL OFF THE WAGON, FALL ON DEAF EARS: American English Idioms #67
68. FAR CRY FROM (SOMETHING), FAT CAT, FEATHER IN (ONE’S) CAP: American English Idioms #68
69. FEATHER (ONE’S) NEST, FEEL (SOMETHING) IN (ONE’S) BONES [HAVE A FEELING IN (ONE’S) BONES], FEEL THE PINCH: American English Idioms #69
70. FIELD DAY, FIGHT TOOTH AND NAIL, FILL/FIT THE BILL: American English Idioms #70
71. FILTHY RICH, FINE KETTLE OF FISH, FINE-TOOTH COMB: American English Idioms #71
72. FIRST-RATE, FISH OUT OF WATER, FISHY: American English Idioms #72
73. FITS AND STARTS, FIX (SOMEONE’S) WAGON, FLASH IN THE PAN: American English Idioms #73
74. FLAT BROKE, FLY-BY-NIGHT, FLY IN THE FACE OF (SOMETHING): American English Idioms #74
75. FLY IN THE OINTMENT, FLY OFF THE HANDLE, FLY THE COOP: American English Idioms #75
76. FOLLOW IN (SOMEONE’S) FOOTSTEPS, FOOD FOR THOUGHT, FOOL AROUND: American English Idioms #76
77. FOOL’S GOLD, FOOTLOOSE AND FANCY-FREE, FORBIDDEN FRUIT: American English Idioms #77
78. FORCE TO BE RECKONED WITH, A, FOR CRYING OUT LOUD, FOR GOODNESS’ SAKE: American English Idioms #78
79. FOR HEAVEN’S SAKE, FOR THE BIRDS, FORTY WINKS: American English Idioms #79
80. FOURTH-RATE, FROM DAY ONE, FROM THE WORD GO: American English Idioms #80
81. FULL STEAM AHEAD, GET A HANDLE ON (SOMETHING), GET (A) HOLD OF (ONESELF): American English Idioms #81
82. GET (A) HOLD OF (SOMEONE), GET (A) HOLD OF (SOMETHING), GET A LEG UP: American English Idioms #82
83. GET CAUGHT/BE LEFT HOLDING THE BAG [LEAVE (SOMEONE) HOLDING THE BAG], GET DOWN TO BRASS TACKS/BUSINESS/THE NITTY GRITTY, GET IT IN THE NECK: American English Idioms #83
84. GET OFF (ONE’S) HIGH HORSE, GET OFF/GO SCOT-FREE, GET (ONE’S) ACT/IT TOGETHER: American English Idioms #84
85. GET (ONE’S) SECOND WIND, GET (SOMEONE’S) DANDER/HACKLES UP, GET (SOMEONE’S) GOAT: American English Idioms #85
86. GET (SOMETHING) OFF (ONE’S) CHEST, GET/HIT (SOMETHING) ON THE NOSE, GET (SOMETHING) THROUGH (ONE’S) HEAD: American English Idioms #86
87. GET/GIVE THE GO-AHEAD, GET THE MESSAGE, GET THIS SHOW ON THE ROAD: American English Idioms #87
88. GET TO THE BOTTOM OF (SOMETHING), GET TO THE POINT, GET-UP-AND-GO: American English Idioms #88
89. GET UP ON THE WRONG SIDE OF THE BED, GET/GIVE (SOMEONE/SOMETHING) SHORT SHRIFT, GET/GIVE (SOMEONE) THE COLD SHOULDER: American English Idioms #89
90. GET/GIVE (SOMEONE) THE GO-AHEAD, GET/GIVE (SOMEONE) THE GREEN LIGHT, GET/GIVE (SOMEONE) THE SACK: American English Idioms #90
91. GET/GIVE (SOMEONE) THE SHORT END OF THE STICK, GET/GIVE (SOMEONE) THE THIRD DEGREE, GET/HAVE (SOMETHING) DOWN PAT: American English Idioms #91
92. GET/LEND (SOMEONE) A HAND, GIFT OF GAB, THE, GIVE IN: American English Idioms #92
93. GIVE (ONE’S) RIGHT (BODY PART) FOR/TO DO (SOMETHING), GIVE (SOMEONE) A HARD TIME, GIVE (SOMEONE) A PIECE OF (ONE’S) MIND: American English Idioms #93
94. GIVE (SOMEONE) A RING, GIVE (SOMEONE) A SNOW JOB, GIVE (SOMEONE) A/SOME SONG AND DANCE: American English Idioms #94
95. GIVE (SOMEONE) A TASTE OF (HIS/HER) OWN MEDICINE, GIVE (SOMEONE/SOMETHING) A WIDE BERTH, GIVE (SOMEONE) THE COLD SHOULDER: American English Idioms #95
96. GIVE (SOMEONE) THE SHIRT OFF (ONE’S) BACK, GO AGAINST THE GRAIN, GO AROUND IN CIRCLES: American English Idioms #96
97. GO BANANAS [DRIVE (SOMEONE) BANANAS], GO BROKE, GO FOR BROKE: American English Idioms #97
98. GO HAYWIRE, GO IT ALONE, GO OFF HALF-COCKED: American English Idioms #98
99. GET OFF THE DEEP END, GO OUT ON A LIMB, GO OVER WITH A BANG: American English Idioms #99
100. GO OVERBOARD, GO OVER LIKE A LEAD BALLOON, GO TO PIECES: American English Idioms #100
101. GO TO POT/SEED,GO TO THE DOGS,GO TO TOWN: American English Idioms #101
102. GO UP IN SMOKE, GO WHOLE HOG, GO WITH THE FLOW: American English Idioms #102
103. GOLDEN AGE, GOOD EGG, GOOD GRIEF!: American English Idioms #103
104. GOOD SAMARITAN, GRASP AT STRAWS, GRAVY TRAIN: American English Idioms #104