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1 of 10


after one's own heart

Categories: adjective informal
A Dictionary of American Idioms
1 of 10
[after one's own heart]  {adj. phr.},  {informal}
Well liked because of agreeing with your own feelings, interests, and ideas; to your liking-agreeable. Used after "man" or some similar word.
He likes baseball and good food; he is a man after my own heart.
Thanks for agreeing with me about the class party; you're a girl after my own heart.
Compare: [SEE EYE TO EYE].
Categories: adjective informal
A Dictionary of American Idioms
2 of 10


saw wood

Categories: slang southern verb
A Dictionary of American Idioms
2 of 10
[saw wood] also  {Southern} [saw gourds]  {v. phr.},  {slang}
To breathe loudly through the nose while sleeping; snore.
John was sawing wood.
In Alabama a boy who snores saws gourds.
Categories: slang southern verb
A Dictionary of American Idioms
3 of 10


straight face

Categories: noun
A Dictionary of American Idioms
3 of 10
[straight face]  {n.}
A face that is not laughing or smiling.
Mary told all the funny stories she knew to try to make Joan laugh, but Joan kept a straight face.
It is hard to tell when Jim is teasing you. He can tell a fib with a straight face.
When Bob fell into the water, he looked funny and I could hardly keep a straight face.
Categories: noun
A Dictionary of American Idioms
4 of 10


weigh on

Categories: verb
A Dictionary of American Idioms
4 of 10
[weigh on] or [weigh upon]  {v.}
1. To be a weight or pressure on; be heavy on.
The pack weighed heavily on the soldier's back.
2. To make sad or worried; trouble; disturb; upset.
Sadness weighed on Mary's heart when her kitten died.
John's wrongdoing weighed upon his conscience.
The teacher's advice weighed upon Tom's mind.
3. To be a burden to.
His guilt weighed heavily upon him.
Categories: verb
A Dictionary of American Idioms
5 of 10


goodness gracious

A Dictionary of American Idioms
5 of 10
[goodness gracious]  {interj.},  {slightly archaic}
Exclamation of surprise and a certain degree of disapproval.
"Can my boyfriend stay overnight, Dad?" Melanie asked. "Goodness gracious, most certainly not!" her father replied. "What would the neighbors think?"
A Dictionary of American Idioms
6 of 10


make a big deal about

Categories: informal verb
A Dictionary of American Idioms
6 of 10
[make a big deal about]  {v. phr.},  {informal}
To exaggerate an insignificant event.
Jeff said, "I'm sorry I banged into you in the dark. Don't make a big deal out of it."
Categories: informal verb
A Dictionary of American Idioms
7 of 10


fool away

Categories: informal time verb
A Dictionary of American Idioms
7 of 10
[fool away] or [fritter away]  {v.},  {informal}
To waste foolishly.
Paul failed history because he fooled away his time instead of studying.
The man won a lot of money, but he soon frittered it away and was poor again.
Categories: informal time verb
A Dictionary of American Idioms
8 of 10


nobodys fool

Categories: noun
A Dictionary of American Idioms
8 of 10
[nobody's fool]  {n. phr.}
A smart person; a person who knows what he is doing; a person who can take care of himself.
In the classroom and on the football field, Henry was nobody's fool.
Contrast: [BORN YESTERDAY].
Categories: noun
A Dictionary of American Idioms
9 of 10


give in

Categories: verb
A Dictionary of American Idioms
9 of 10
[give in]  {v.}
To stop fighting or arguing and do as the other person wants; give someone his own way; stop opposing someone.
Mother kept inviting Mrs. Smith to stay for lunch, and finally she gave in.
After Billy proved that he could ride a bicycle safely, his father gave in to him and bought him one.
Compare: [GIVE UP], [SAY UNCLE].
Categories: verb
A Dictionary of American Idioms
10 of 10


where the shoe pinches

Categories: informal noun
A Dictionary of American Idioms
10 of 10
[where the shoe pinches]  {n. phr.},  {informal}
Where or what the discomfort or trouble is.
Johnny thinks the job is easy, but he will find out where the shoe pinches when he tries it.
The coach said he wasn't worried about any position except quarterback; that was where the shoe pinched.
Categories: informal noun
A Dictionary of American Idioms