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1 of 10


ready money

Categories: hand money noun
A Dictionary of American Idioms
1 of 10
[ready money]  {n. phr.}
Cash on hand.
Frank refuses to buy things on credit, but, if he had the ready money, he would buy that lovely old house.
Categories: hand money noun
A Dictionary of American Idioms
2 of 10


leg to stand on

Categories: noun
A Dictionary of American Idioms
2 of 10
[leg to stand on]  {n. phr.}
A firm foundation of facts; facts to support your claim. — Usually used in the negative.
Jerry's answering speech left his opponent without a leg to stand on.
Amos sued for damages, but did not have a leg to stand on.
Categories: noun
A Dictionary of American Idioms
3 of 10


as good as

Categories: adverb
A Dictionary of American Idioms
3 of 10
[as good as]  {adv. phr.}
Nearly the same as; almost.
She claimed that he as good as promised to marry her.
He as good as called me a liar.
We'll get to school on time, we're as good as there now.
The man who had been shot was as good as dead.
- Often used without the first "as" before adjectives.
When the car was repaired, it looked good as new.
Categories: adverb
A Dictionary of American Idioms
4 of 10


hats off to

Categories: informal
A Dictionary of American Idioms
4 of 10
[hats off to] or [one's hat is off to]  {truncated phr.},  {informal}
Used to recognize and praise a job well-done.
Hats off to anyone who runs the twenty-six mile race.
My hat is off to the chef who created this delicious meal.
Compare: [TAKE OFF ONE'S HAT TO].
Categories: informal
A Dictionary of American Idioms
5 of 10


hang one's head

Categories: verb
A Dictionary of American Idioms
5 of 10
[hang one's head]  {v. phr.}
To bend your head forward in shame.
Johnny hung his head when the teacher asked him if he broke the window.
Compare: [HIDE ONE'S HEAD].
Categories: verb
A Dictionary of American Idioms
6 of 10


in a circle

Categories: adverb time
A Dictionary of American Idioms
6 of 10
[in a circle] or [in circles]  {adv. phr.}
Without any progress; without getting anywhere; uselessly.
The committee debated for two hours, just talking in circles.
If you don't have a clear aim, you can work a long time and still be going in circles.
He seemed to be working hard, but was just running around in circles.
Categories: adverb time
A Dictionary of American Idioms
7 of 10


of sorts

Categories: adjective
A Dictionary of American Idioms
7 of 10
[of sorts] or [of a sort]  {adj. phr.}
Not especially good; not very good; of common quality.
Joel was a magician of sorts, and popular at parties.
Categories: adjective
A Dictionary of American Idioms
8 of 10


hither and thither

Categories: adverb literary
A Dictionary of American Idioms
8 of 10
[hither and thither] or [hither and yon]  {adv. phr.},  {literary}
In one direction and then in another.
Bob wandered hither and thither looking for a playmate.
Compare: [HERE AND THERE].
Categories: adverb literary
A Dictionary of American Idioms
9 of 10


second-best

Categories: adjective
A Dictionary of American Idioms
9 of 10
[second-best]  {adj.}
Next to best; second in rank.
Mary wore her second-best dress.
Bob was the second-best player on the team.
"I am the second-best student in this school because I was second best in the Milwaukee competition."
Categories: adjective
A Dictionary of American Idioms
10 of 10


eat dirt

Categories: informal insulting verb
A Dictionary of American Idioms
10 of 10
[eat dirt]  {v. phr.},  {informal}
To act humble; accept another's insult or bad treatment.
Mr. Johnson was so much afraid of losing his job that he would eat dirt whenever the boss got mean.
Categories: informal insulting verb
A Dictionary of American Idioms