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1 of 10
[hang ten] {v.}, {slang}
1. To be an outstanding performer on a surfboard or on a skateboard (referring to the user's ten toes).
I bet I am going to be able to hang ten if you let me practice on your skateboard.
2. To be a survivor despite great odds.
Don't worry about Jack, he can hang ten anywhere!
A Dictionary of American Idioms
2 of 10
[hang together] {v.}
1. To stay united; help and defend one another.
The club members always hung together when one of them was in trouble.
Syn.: [STICK TOGETHER].
Compare: [STAND BY], [STAND UP FOR].
2. {informal}
To form a satisfactory whole; fit together.
Jack's story of why he was absent from school seems to hang together.
A Dictionary of American Idioms
3 of 10
[hang up] {v.}
1. To place on a hook, peg, or hanger.
When the children come to school, they hang up their coats in the cloakroom.
2a. To place a telephone receiver back on its hook and break the connection.
Carol's mother told her she had talked long enough on the phone and made her hang up.
2b. To put a phone receiver back on its hook while the other person is still talking. — Used with "on".
I said something that made Joe angry, and he hung up on me.
3a. {informal}
To cause to be stuck or held so as to be immovable. — Usually used in the passive.
Ann's car was hung up in a snowdrift and she had to call a garageman to get it out.
3b. {informal}
To stick or get held so as to be immovable.
A big passenger ship hung up on a sandbar for several hours.
4. {informal}
To cause a wait; delay.
Rehearsals for the school play were hung up by the illness of some of the actors.
5. {informal}
To set (a record.)
Bob hung up a school record for long distance swimming.
A Dictionary of American Idioms
4 of 10
[hang-up] {n.}, {informal} (stress on "hang")
1. A delay in some process.
The mail has been late for several days; there must be some hang-up with the trucks somewhere.
2. A neurotic reaction to some life situation probably stemming from a traumatic shock which has gone unconscious.
Doctor Simpson believes that Suzie's frigidity is due to some hang-up about men.
A Dictionary of American Idioms
5 of 10
[make no bones] {v. phr.}, {informal}
1. To have no doubts; not to worry about right or wrong; not to be against. — Used with "about".
Bill makes no bones about telling a lie to escape punishment.
The boss made no bones about hiring extra help for the holidays.
2. To make no secret; not keep from talking; admit. — Used with "about" or "of the fact".
John thinks being poor is no disgrace and he makes no bones of the fact.
Mary made no bones about her love of poetry even after some of her friends laughed at her.
A Dictionary of American Idioms
7 of 10
[make something of] {v. phr.}
1. To make (something) seem important.
When girls see another girl with a boy, they often try to make something of it.
2. To start a fight over; use as an excuse to start a quarrel.
Bob accidentally shoved Bill in the corridor, and Bill made something of it.
Ann didn't like what Mary said about her. She tried to make something of what Mary said.
Compare: [START SOMETHING].
A Dictionary of American Idioms
9 of 10
[pitch into] {v.}, {informal}
1. To attack with blows or words.
He pitched into me with his fists.
He pitched into the idea of raising taxes.
Syn.: [LAY INTO] (1),(2), [RIP INTO].
2. To get to work at; work hard at.
She pitched into the work and had the house cleaned up by noon.
He pitched into his homework right after dinner.
Compare: [LAY INTO], [SAIL INTO].
A Dictionary of American Idioms
10 of 10
[play with fire] {v. phr.}
To put oneself in danger; to take risks.
Leaving your door unlocked in New York City is playing with fire.
The doctor told Mr. Smith that he must watch his diet if he doesn't want to play with fire.
Compare: [SKATE ON THIN ICE].
A Dictionary of American Idioms