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1 of 10


turn one's head

Categories: informal verb
A Dictionary of American Idioms
1 of 10
[turn one's head]  {v. phr.},  {informal}
To make you lose your good judgment.
The first pretty girl he saw turned his head.
Winning the class election turned his head.
Categories: informal verb
A Dictionary of American Idioms
2 of 10


saber rattling

Categories: military noun
A Dictionary of American Idioms
2 of 10
[saber rattling] or [sword rattling]  {n.}
A show of military strength usually to frighten; a threat of military force.
The dictator marched his troops and tanks along the border of our country and did some saber rattling.
Categories: military noun
A Dictionary of American Idioms
3 of 10


pick one's teeth

Categories: verb
A Dictionary of American Idioms
3 of 10
[pick one's teeth]  {v. phr.}
To clean one's teeth with a toothpick.
It is considered poor manners to pick one's teeth in public.
Categories: verb
A Dictionary of American Idioms
4 of 10


on easy street

A Dictionary of American Idioms
4 of 10
[on easy street]  {adj. phr.},  {informal}
Having enough money to live very comfortably; rather rich.
After years of hard work, the Grants found themselves on easy street.
Jim's novel was a success and put him on easy street.
Compare: [IN CLOVER], [IN THE CHIPS], [WELL-TO-DO].
A Dictionary of American Idioms
5 of 10


scrape together

Categories: verb
A Dictionary of American Idioms
5 of 10
[scrape together]  {v. phr.}
To quickly assemble, usually from scanty ingredients.
We were so hungry we had to scrape together some lunch from all kinds of frozen leftovers.
Categories: verb
A Dictionary of American Idioms
6 of 10


not to know one from Adam

Categories: verb
A Dictionary of American Idioms
6 of 10
[not to know one from Adam]  {v. phr.}
To not know a person; be unable to recognize someone.
I have no idea who that guy is that Jane just walked in with; I don't know him from Adam.
Categories: verb
A Dictionary of American Idioms
7 of 10


play footsie

Categories: informal slang verb
A Dictionary of American Idioms
7 of 10
[play footsie]  {v. phr.},  {slang},  {informal}
1. Touch the feet of a member of the opposite sex under the table as an act of flirtation.
Have you at least played footsie with her?
2. To engage in any sort of flirtation or collaboration, especially in a political situation.
The mayor was suspected of playing footsie with the Syndicate.
Categories: informal slang verb
A Dictionary of American Idioms
8 of 10


on the hour

Categories: adverb time
A Dictionary of American Idioms
8 of 10
[on the hour]  {adv. phr.}
Each time the hour has zero minutes and zero seconds.
The uptown bus goes past the school on the hour.
The woman must take her pill on the hour.
Categories: adverb time
A Dictionary of American Idioms
9 of 10


parcel out

Categories: verb
A Dictionary of American Idioms
9 of 10
[parcel out]  {v.}
To give out in parts or shares; divide.
He parceled out the remaining food to the workers.
Categories: verb
A Dictionary of American Idioms
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party to

Categories: adjective
A Dictionary of American Idioms
10 of 10
[party to]  {adj. phr.}
Concerned with; participating in.
The prosecution has been trying to show that the defendant was party to a fraud.
Categories: adjective
A Dictionary of American Idioms