[play one's cards right] or [play one's cards well] {v. phr.}, {informal} To use abilities and opportunities so as to be successful; act cleverly; make the best use of your […] A Dictionary of American Idioms

card

[card] See: [CREDIT CARD], [FLASH CARD], [HOUSE OF CARDS], [IN THE CARDS] or [ON THE CARDS], [LAY ONE'S CARDS ON THE TABLE], [PLAY ONE'S CARDS RIGHT], [PUT ONE'S CARDS ON […] A Dictionary of American Idioms

hail-fellow-well-met

[hail-fellow-well-met] (1) {adj. phr.} Talking easily and in a friendly way to everyone you meet. * /John won the election as class president because he was hail-fellow-well-met./ A Dictionary of American Idioms

hail-fellow-well-met

[hail-fellow-well-met] (2) {n. phr.} A good friend and companion; buddy; pal. * /John just moved to town but he and the boys in the neighborhood are already hail-fellows-well-met./ 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.