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1 of 10


grow on

Categories: verb
A Dictionary of American Idioms
1 of 10
[grow on] or [grow upon]  {v.}
1. To become stronger in; increase as a habit of.
The habit of eating before going to bed grew upon John.
2. To become more interesting to or liked by.
The more Jack saw Mary, the more she grew on him.
Football grew on Billy as he grew older.
Categories: verb
A Dictionary of American Idioms
2 of 10


grow up

Categories: verb
A Dictionary of American Idioms
2 of 10
[grow up]  {v.}
1. To increase in size or height; become taller or older; reach full height.
Johnny is growing up; his shoes are too small for him.
I grew up on a farm.
The city has grown up since I was young.
2. To become adult in mind or judgment; become old enough to think or decide in important matters.
Tom wants to he a coach when he grows up.
Grow up, you're not a baby any more!
Categories: verb
A Dictionary of American Idioms
3 of 10


gut talk

Categories: noun
A Dictionary of American Idioms
3 of 10
[gut talk]  {n. phr.}
Sincere, honest talk.
We admire people who speak gut talk and tell exactly what they think and feet.
Categories: noun
A Dictionary of American Idioms
4 of 10


knockout

Categories: noun slang
A Dictionary of American Idioms
4 of 10
[knockout]  {n.},  {slang}
1. Strikingly beautiful woman.
Sue is a regular knockout.
2. A straight punch in boxing that causes one's opponent to fall and lose consciousness.
The champion won the fight with a straight knockout.
Categories: noun slang
A Dictionary of American Idioms
5 of 10


knotty problem

Categories: noun
A Dictionary of American Idioms
5 of 10
[knotty problem]  {n. phr.}
A very complicated and difficult problem to solve.
Doing one's income tax properly can present a knotty problem.
Categories: noun
A Dictionary of American Idioms
6 of 10


fall in

Categories: verb
A Dictionary of American Idioms
6 of 10
[fall in] or [into place]  {v. phr.}
To suddenly make sense; find the natural or proper place for the missing pieces of a puzzle.
When the detectives realized that a second man was seen at the place of the murder, the pieces of the puzzle began to fall into place.
Categories: verb
A Dictionary of American Idioms
7 of 10


fall on

Categories: formal verb
A Dictionary of American Idioms
7 of 10
[fall on] or [fall upon]  {v.}
1. To go and fight with; attack.
The robbers fell on him from behind trees.
2.  {formal}
To meet (troubles).
The famous poet fell upon unhappy days.
Categories: formal verb
A Dictionary of American Idioms
8 of 10


hang heavy

Categories: time verb
A Dictionary of American Idioms
8 of 10
[hang heavy] or [hang heavy on one's hands]  {v. phr.}
To pass slowly or uninterestingly; be boring with little to do.
The vacation time hung heavy on Dick's hands because all his friends were away at camp.
Compare: [ON ONE'S HANDS].
Categories: time verb
A Dictionary of American Idioms
9 of 10


hang in the balance

Categories: doubt verb
A Dictionary of American Idioms
9 of 10
[hang in the balance]  {v. phr.}
To have two equally possible results; to be in doubt; be uncertain.
Until Jim scored the winning touchdown, the outcome of the game hung in the balance.
She was very sick and her life hung in the balance for several days.
Compare: [HANG BY A THREAD].
Categories: doubt verb
A Dictionary of American Idioms
10 of 10


hang on to your hat

Categories: informal verb
A Dictionary of American Idioms
10 of 10
[hang on to your hat] or [hold on to your hat] or [hold your hat]  {v. phr.},  {informal}
1. Watch out; be prepared. — Used as a command, usually to warn of an unexpected action.
"Hold on to your hat," said Jim as he stepped on the gas and the car shot forward.
2. Get ready for a surprise. — Used as a command, usually to warn of unexpected news.
"Hold on to your hat," said Mary. "Jim asked me to marry him."
Categories: informal verb
A Dictionary of American Idioms