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1 of 10
Ready for action; prepared and eager.
Categories: adjective slang
A Dictionary of American Idioms
1 of 10

loaded for bear

[loaded for bear]  {adj. phr.},  {slang}
Ready for action; prepared and eager.
Frank liked the new merchandise and as he set out on his rounds as a salesman, he felt really loaded for bear.
The football team arrived Friday noon, loaded for bear.
Categories: adjective slang
A Dictionary of American Idioms
2 of 10
To talk or act differently, usually better because things have changed; be more polite or obedient because you are forced to do it.
Compare: [CHANGE ONE'S TUNE], [SING A DIFFERENT TUNE].
Categories: polite verb
A Dictionary of American Idioms
2 of 10

dance to another tune

[dance to another tune]  {v. phr.}
To talk or act differently, usually better because things have changed; be more polite or obedient because you are forced to do it.
Johnny refused to do his homework but punishment made him dance to another tune.
Compare: [CHANGE ONE'S TUNE], [SING A DIFFERENT TUNE].
Categories: polite verb
A Dictionary of American Idioms
3 of 10
Completely dead without the slightest hope of resuscitation.
Categories: adjective
A Dictionary of American Idioms
3 of 10

dead as a doornail

[dead as a doornail]  {adj. phr.}
Completely dead without the slightest hope of resuscitation.
This battery is dead as a doornail; no wonder your car won't start.
Categories: adjective
A Dictionary of American Idioms
4 of 10
An undeliverable letter that ends up in a special office holding such letters.
Categories: noun
A Dictionary of American Idioms
4 of 10

dead letter

[dead letter]  {n. phr.}
An undeliverable letter that ends up in a special office holding such letters.
There is a dead letter office in most major cities.
Categories: noun
A Dictionary of American Idioms
5 of 10
A total waste; a complete loss.
Categories: noun
A Dictionary of American Idioms
5 of 10

dead loss

[dead loss]  {n. phr.}
A total waste; a complete loss.
Our investment in Jack's company turned out to be a dead loss.
Categories: noun
A Dictionary of American Idioms
6 of 10
To keep secret; not tell.
- Often used as a command.
Syn.: [KEEP TO ONESELF].
Categories: informal verb
A Dictionary of American Idioms
6 of 10

keep under one's hat

[keep under one's hat]  {v. phr.},  {informal}
To keep secret; not tell.
Mr. Jones knew who had won the contest, but he kept it under his hat until it was announced publicly.
- Often used as a command.
Keep it under your hat.
Syn.: [KEEP TO ONESELF].
Categories: informal verb
A Dictionary of American Idioms
7 of 10
To maintain an outward show of prosperity in spite of financial problems.
Categories: death time verb
A Dictionary of American Idioms
7 of 10

keep up appearances

[keep up appearances]  {v. phr.}
To maintain an outward show of prosperity in spite of financial problems.
Mr. Smith's widow had a hard time keeping up appearances after her husband's death.
Categories: death time verb
A Dictionary of American Idioms
8 of 10
A varied set of people, ideas, objects, or circumstances, including both the good and the bad.
Categories: noun
A Dictionary of American Idioms
8 of 10

mixed bag

[mixed bag]  {n. phr.}
A varied set of people, ideas, objects, or circumstances, including both the good and the bad.
This report is a mixed bag of opinions.
There was a mixed bag of people at the press conference.
Categories: noun
A Dictionary of American Idioms
9 of 10
1. Confused in mind; puzzled.
Compare: [BALL UP] (1).
2. Disordered; disarranged; not neat.
3.  {informal}
Joined or connected (with someone or something bad).
Categories: adjective informal
A Dictionary of American Idioms
9 of 10

mixed up

[mixed up]  {adj. phr.},  {informal}
1. Confused in mind; puzzled.
Bob was all mixed up after the accident.
Compare: [BALL UP] (1).
2. Disordered; disarranged; not neat.
The papers on his desk were mixed up.
3.  {informal}
Joined or connected (with someone or something bad).
Harry was mixed up in a fight after the game.
Mary's father told her not to get mixed up with the students that always break school rules.
Categories: adjective informal
A Dictionary of American Idioms
10 of 10
A Monday when you have to work after a happy weekend.
Categories: noun
A Dictionary of American Idioms
10 of 10

blue Monday

[blue Monday]  {n.}
A Monday when you have to work after a happy weekend.
It was blue Monday and John nodded sleepily over his books.
Housewives sometimes wish they could sleep through blue Monday.
Categories: noun
A Dictionary of American Idioms