[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 Dictionary of American Idioms

hang together

[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: […] A Dictionary of American Idioms

hang by a thread

[hang by a thread] or [hang by a hair] {v. phr.} To depend on a very small thing; be in doubt. * /For three days Tom was so sick that […] A Dictionary of American Idioms

hang in the balance

[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 […] A Dictionary of American Idioms

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into effect

[into effect] {adv. phr.} Into use or operation. * /The new rule was put into effect at once./ * /The judge ordered the old […]

skin and bones

[skin and bones] {n.} A person or animal that is very thin; someone very skinny. * /The puppy is healthy now, but when we […]

Irish curse

May she marry a ghost and bear him a kitten, and may the high king of glory permit it to get mange.

American Idioms

A starting point to explore free video lessons on American idioms.

corn ball

[corn ball] {n.}, {slang}, {informal} 1. A superficially sentimental movie or musical in which the word "love" is mentioned […]

tone down

[tone down] {v.} To make softer or quieter; make less harsh or strong; moderate. * /He toned down the sound of the TV./ * […]

Samuel Butler II

(1835-1902) A hen is only an egg's way of making another egg.

scally

[scally] {n.} A hooligan youth (Scouse), short for scallywag.