American expressions and meaning | Simple Explanation

American expressions and meaning: American Idioms, phrases, and expressions are really cool and fun. It is so amazing that a language is so flexible that native speakers can add or do a shortcut to a certain word/phrase.

American expressions and meaning

These are the very American expressions that Americans use in daily conversation. Expressions and idioms are very important to help to understand native speakers.

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1. To table something= In the United States ‘To table something‘ means to postpone or suspend a discussion until a later time. 

“You don’t have time to discuss something now, but you might discuss one of them sometime in the future.”

🎁 Example:

▪ Whenever I mention a salary hike, my boss tables the discussion.

▪ They tabled the discussion in the absence of enough information.

▪ Let’s table this item for right now.

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2. To jump on the bandwagon= In the United States, it means “To join an activity that has become very popular.”

“To start supporting or involved in something that has gained popularity recently or doing something because it’s trendy or fashionable.”

Example:

▪ He quit smoking and jumped on the bandwagon.

▪ He just jumped on the bandwagon by buying Apple’s latest expensive iPhone.

▪ I just haven’t jumped on the bandwagon.

▪ I bought popular cryptocurrencies and jumped on the bandwagon.

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3. To fall through the cracks= In the United States, it means “To overlook something or to remain unnoticed or ignored.”

“To not receive the attention or the help that one needs.”

Example:

▪ The project failed because everything is just falling through the cracks.

▪ I need you to be sure that things don’t fall through the cracks.

Note: This idiom is often used to explain a situation that is mismanaged.

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4. To sound like a broken record= This means “Unnecessarily somebody is just repeating something again and again in an annoying fashion.”

“Repeating the same information again and again, especially when no one wants to hear it.”

Example:

▪ She sounds like a broken record.

▪ Sometimes corona announcements are like a broken record, but corona can be serious.

▪ I know I sound like a broken record, but please bear with me.

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5. To duke it out= This means “To fight, especially with fists.”

“To duke it out means, to fight but not always physically fight, it could verbally fight as well.”

Example:

▪ The American wrestling fans came to watch the wrestlers duke it out.

▪ Everyday politicians duke it out with each other on TV debate shows.

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6. To be pissed (off/at)= This means “You are really very angry, annoyed, or upset at someone or with something.”

Example:

▪ I was pissed off when I realized that he tried to cheat me.

▪ Are you still pissed at me?

▪ Sorry if I pissed you off.

▪ The fans were pissed at the referee for the bad call that cost them the game.

Note: In British English, the word pissed means you drank a lot of alcohol and now you are pissed (dead drunk).

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7. Bless your heart= In the United States ‘Bless your heart’ is a sly or sneaky way of saying “You’re so stupid or you are not so smart.”

Example:

▪ You are going to wear this transparent short dress. Oh, bless your heart.

▪ Are you still pissed at me? Well, Bless your heart.

▪ Oh, that’s such a silly thing to do. Bless your heart.

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8. Out the wazoo= It means “There is an overabundance of something, in great quantities or to a great extent. There were everywhere.”

Example:

▪ His church has cute coming out the wazoo.

▪ I planted a few seeds and had radishes out the wazoo within a month.

▪ There were kids out the wazoo at the park on holiday.

▪ I have Apples out the wazoo when I was sick.

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9. A buck= In the United States ‘A buck could be a Dollar (US dollar).’

Example:

▪ I spent 20 bucks on a hamburger for my friends.

▪ I paid 5 bucks for a movie ticket.

▪ I lend a few bucks to my friend yesterday.

Note: A buck could be a male Deer.’

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10. Pass the buck= It means “To transfer responsibility and blame or to transfer something from oneself onto someone else.”

Example:

▪ They just can’t pass the buck to another authority, without proper reason.

▪ He just passes the buck to somebody else.

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11. What the heck is going on? (informal phrase)= This expression means “You do not know what’s going on in the place.”

Example:

▪ What the heck is going on in Riverdale season 6?

▪ What the heck is going on with the stock market?

▪ What the heck is going on with a funny girl?

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12. Drop-dead gorgeous= In the United States ‘Drop-dead gorgeous’ means “extremely beautiful, very nice, or really good looking.”

Example:

▪ She is looking drop-dead gorgeous in a black dress.

▪ She is 50 years old, but still drop-dead gorgeous.

▪ You look drop-dead gorgeous.

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13. Kiss and fly= In the United States ‘Kiss and fly’ means “There is a train and an airport to the nearest city or to the nearest town and you can drop your car there and so you just go on the train and the train takes it to the airport.”

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14. To plead the 5th= In the United States ‘To plead the 5th’ means that ‘you have the right to remain silent, to not say anything.’

Note: This refers to the fifth amendment of the U.S. Constitution.

Example:

▪ Do you want to divorce her? I plead the fifth.

▪ Did you drink too much last night? “Oh, I plead the fifth.”

Note: usually in casual conversation, Even though you’re saying “(I plead the fifth) I want to remain silent, I don’t want to tell you” there is a little undertone here that, “yeah, you’re right.”

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15. To talk trash/ Trash talking= In the United States ‘To talk trash/ Trash talking’ means an insulting comment that is used intentionally to demoralize someone, especially to an opponent in a contest, game, etc.

Example:

▪ When someone trash-talks you, try ignoring it.

▪ Trash-talking is a huge part of every professional sport. 

▪ Your trash talk is needlessly complicated.

Note: Trash talk could be hurtful to serious people.

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16. Hit the books= In the United States ‘Hit the books’ means ‘to start studying seriously with concentration.’

Example:

▪ Students hit the books when the examination date is declared.

▪ My exam is next week so I am going to hit the books.

▪ I need to hit the books.

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17. Jonesing= In the United States ‘Jonesing’ means to want something badly.

“To have a strong desire for something.”

Example:

▪ I am jonesing for a cold drink, I am really thirsty.

▪ Jonesing for a cigarette.

▪ Jonesing for jewelry.

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18. It’s not rocket science= This idiom is used to say that “something is not difficult to understand.”

“The task is not difficult to perform but it’s easy to understand.”

When somebody wants to say to someone that, looks this task or subject is not difficult to perform or to understand, he used the expression ‘It’s not rocket science.’

Example:

▪ It’s not rocket science to learn computers.

▪ Keep practicing a little bit each and every day you will be an expert soon, It’s not rocket science to learn computers.

▪ Learning this skill is not rocket science.

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19. Insinuate= Basically ‘Insinuate’ means “suggest or imply something in a bad/ unpleasant way that may or may not be true.”

Example:

▪ The article insinuated that he is a corrupt person.

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20. In no time= This expression means “very quickly or really soon.”

Example:

▪ I am gonna call you in no time.

▪ I am gonna finish this task in no time.

▪ 1st person: When you are gonna call me my friend?

2nd person: In no time!

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21. Take your time= When you want somebody to act without any rush or hurry you can say “take your time.”

Example:

▪ I am taking my time and enjoying this holiday.

▪ Take your time and finish your task.

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22. Uptight= This means ‘you are not relaxed at all.’

When you don’t know, what to say or what to do and you’re really reserved- you are uptight!

Example:

▪ Why are today’s people so uptight?

▪ Why are schoolteachers so uptight?

▪ Students always feel uptight in exams.

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23. Pig out= In the United States expression ‘Pig out’ means “eating so much that you cannot move and you are feeling sick.”

Example:

▪ Best places to pig out in the United States.

▪ World’s Best Places to Pig Out.

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24. To go cold turkey= In the United States ‘To go cold turkey’ means to suddenly quit something that’s bad or dangerous for your health.

Example:

▪ I am not smoking, I went cold turkey. 

▪ first person: You are not smoking and drinking at the party?

second person: I went cold turkey.

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25. Full of crap= In the United States ‘Full of crap’ means “Someone who is not trustable at all because of his lies or something that doesn’t really make any sense.”

Example:

▪ Don’t trust him, he is full of crap!

▪ That costly product is full of crap.

▪ He lies all the time and does not check the facts at all, so he is full of crap.

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26. Bestie= In the United States ‘Bestie’ means a best friend.

When he or she is your best friend ‘you can call him bestie or her bestie.’

Example:

▪ He is my bestie.

▪ She is my bestie.

Note: Girls normally use the word ‘Bestie’.

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27. Squeaky clean= In the United States expression ‘Squeaky clean means ‘super-clean or really-really clean.’

Example:

▪ Apartment is squeaky clean after a water pressure wash.

▪ If you’re washing your face till it’s squeaky clean, you are doing it wrong

▪ How-to-get-your-house-squeaky-clean

Note: An apartment is squeaky clean which means that really-really clean.

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28. Loose cannon= “A person who changes his mind all the time, and you cannot trust him because he is unpredictable or uncontrolled and he can do somethng really unexpected” you can call this person a loose cannon.

“An uncontrolled person who causes problems, and embarrassment for others.”

Example:

▪ I don’t trust him, he’s such a loose cannon!

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29. You’re telling me= This means ‘come on, of course, I know that.’

Example:

▪ You are telling me that? I am aware of it.

▪ You are telling me that? I helped him many times.

Note: In certain situations instead of saying ‘Of course, you use the phrase “You are telling me that?”

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30. Chick flick= In the United States expression ‘Chick flick’ means “Something that is made especially for girls.”

Example:

▪ I don’t wanna see that movie, it’s a chick flick.

▪ I don’t wanna buy that car, it’s a chick flick.

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31. A bunch of= Instead of saying ‘a lot of’ you can say “a bunch of.”

Example:

▪ I have a bunch of friends who live in New york.

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32. Hotshot= When you want to emphasize that the person is extremely talented and brings a lot of value, you can call this person a ‘Hotshot’, which means that he is a really valuable person and has a lot of talents.

Example:

▪ He is a hotshot lawyer.

▪ He is a hotshot doctor from New york.

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33. Wicked= ‘Wicked’ is another way to say ‘Amazing.’

Example:

▪ This is a wicked car, I love it!

▪ This is a wicked sport, I love it!

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34. You bet= ‘You bet’ is another way to say yes / of course or certainly.

Example:

▪ Would you like to drink? ‘You bet!’

▪ You enjoy living in New york? ‘You bet!’

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35. To hit the spot= This means ‘to be exactly what is required.’

Example:

▪ Would you like to drink? ‘you hit the spot.’

▪ The hot coffee in cold weather would hit the spot.

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36. Heads up= In the United States, the expression ‘Heads up’ means ‘To warn somebody in advance.’

Example:

▪ Next time don’t visit, without giving heads-up.

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37. Play by ear= It means that you do not want to make special preparation about what will happen, you are going to wait and see how things unfold so you really don’t want to plan in advance.

“You have no advance plan to do something.”

Example:

▪ I don’t know how she will react to my marriage proposal, so I will just have to play it by ear and hope for the best.

▪ We have no plans for tomorrow’s party, we’ll just play it by ear.

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38. Top notch= Another way to say excellent” is top-notch.

Example:

▪ What a top-notch car.

▪ What a top-notch vehicle.

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39. Zero tolerance= ‘Zero tolerance is the phrase that you use ‘when you wouldn’t tolerate something.’

Example:

▪ Zero tolerance towards corruption.

▪ Zero tolerance drug policy in schools.
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40. There’s no such thing as a free lunch= This phrase describes that ‘everything is paid for, you never get something for nothing.’

Example:

▪ My son, in this cruel world, there’s no such thing as a free lunch.

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41. Gotta go= Instead of saying goodbye, you can say I ‘Gotta go.’

Example:

▪ I have an urgent meeting, I gotta go.

▪ Sorry, guys I gotta go, mom calling me.

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42. Take it easy= Instead of saying goodbye to someone, You can say ‘Take it easy.’

Example:

▪ Have a great day. take it easy.

▪ Ok, take it easy, friends. I’ll see you soon.

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43. I hear you= This is an expression that people will use when they’re trying
to empathize or agree with someone’s point of view or try to understand their opinion.

Example:

▪ I hear you, we can talk about the organization’s financial problems later.

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44. Close, but no cigar= This means that a person falls slightly short of a successful outcome and therefore he received no reward for his efforts.

Example:

▪ We tried our best to win the match, “Close, but no cigar.”

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45. An accident waiting to happen= This expression was coined in the United States and it really means what says it refers to a person, thing, or situation that is likely going to cause an accident.

Example:

▪ This old building is waiting to accident happen.

▪ An accident waiting to happen because of his ignorant nature.

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46. Throw a (monkey) wrench in the works= It means something that prevents an activity or plan from succeeding.

“To do something that prevents a plan or activity from succeeding.”

Example:

▪ My bad health threw a wrench into my daily work.

▪ The bad weather really threw a wrench into our project work.

▪ The attack threw a wrench into the peace negotiations between the two parties.

Note: You can use this expression in different ways.

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47. Not buying it= It means that ‘just you’re not willing to believe or accept that something is true.’

“To not accept or believe something is the truth.”

Example:

▪ I’m not buying that you quit smoking.

▪ Guy 1: My boss always appreciates my work.

Guy 2: “I’m not buying it.”

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48. Under the radar= If you do something without being noticed you are doing it under the radar.

“To go unnoticed or avoid unnecessary attention of someone.”

Example:

▪ She kept her wedding under the radar.

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49. Give me a hand= It’s one of the most common idioms used to ‘ask for help.’

When you ask someone to give you a hand means you are asking them for help with the task.

Example:

▪ Can you give me a hand carrying this box up the stairs?

▪ Can you give me a hand with my bag?

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50. Give it the old college try= When you are not sure that you can do some unfamiliar task that you haven’t done it before, but you’re going to try your best, you can say you are gonna give it the old college try.

Example:

▪ I am not very good on the stage but I decided to give it the old college try.

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51. Start from scratch= This phrase is used to say that “you are starting something from nothing and you haven’t worked on it before.”

“To start something from zero.”

Example:

▪ He began this business start from scratch.

▪ It’s not easy to start any business from scratch.

▪ I reached this position starting from scratch.

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52. Don’t add insult to injury= This phrase means “Don’t say or do something unfair to make a bad situation even worse.”

“Don’t make an already bad situation even worse with improper action.”

Example:

▪ I don’t want to add insult to injury, you are already facing lots of problems.

▪ I forget my umbrella, then, to add insult to injury, it started to rain.

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53. Hold your horses= In the United States, the expression ‘Hold your horses’ means “be patient and wait a little bit longer.”

“Stop being so eager.”

Example:

▪ Don’t panic, hold your horses for a moment.

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54. Hit the hay= It’s a common phrase that is used in the United States to say “I’m going to bed.”

Example:

▪ I need to gonna hit the hay, I m too tired.

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55. Draw a blank= It’s a very common way to just say “nothing comes into my brain, I have no idea.”

“To be unable to think of an answer.”

Example:

▪ Why do I draw a blank when asked a question?

▪ I’m drawing a blank on her name.

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56. Take a chill pill= In the United States expression ‘Take a chill pill’ means say to someone, ‘to relax, or to calm down.’

Example:

▪ Don’t be so panicky, take a chill pill bro.

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57. You nailed it= This is a compliment that you could give someone to say that ‘they did an excellent job.’

“To have done a great job.”

Example:

▪ In the maths exam, you nailed it, my son.

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58. You hit the nail on the head= This means you did a really good job.

“To have gotten the correct answer or solution.”

Example:

▪ I got the exact correct answer from you, friend you hit the nail on the head.

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59. That’s an old wives tale= If you describe something as an old wives tale, you are saying that it’s probably not true, it’s probably not backed up by scientific research. It’s just something that people have been saying for many many generations.

Example:

▪ It’s just an old wives’ tale, Yeti exits in the Himalayas mountains.

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60. A far cry from= If you say something is a far cry from something else it means that the two things are not closely related (very different from) or they don’t look alike or they don’t sound alike. 

Example:

▪ My acting is a far cry from Tom Cruise.

▪ My looks are a far cry from Tom Cruise.

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61. High and dry= If someone leaves you in a bad situation with no good resources, then you can say ‘

“Stuck in a difficult position with no resources.”

Example:

They left me high and dry in a remote area.

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62. Fish in a barrel= If you want to say something is very easy, you can say it’s like fish in a barrel or like shooting fish in a barrel.

“Something so easy it requires no effort or skill.”

Example:

▪ Horse riding is like a fish in a barrel for me.

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63. It doesn’t sit well with me= This means ‘it doesn’t sound like it was the right thing for you to do.’

“Something that sounds morally wrong to you.”

Example:

▪ Yesterday’s non-veg food, doesn’t sit well with me.

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64. Once in a blue moon= This expression describes, something that you don’t do frequently or often.

“Something that only happens rarely.”

Example:

▪ They do it only once in a blue moon.

▪ Those incidents took place only once in a blue moon.

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65. Bite the bullet= It means, ‘deciding to do something, that is difficult or unpleasant for you.’

Example:

▪ I just bite the bullet and sold my car to pay my loans.

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66. I’m so hungry I could eat a horse= This expression is used by you ‘when you are extremely hungry and badly needs food.’

“To be extremely hungry.”

Example:

▪ Please find a restaurant for me, I’m so hungry I could eat a horse.

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67. I’m at my wit’s end= This just means that ‘you will not deal with the situation anymore because it makes you angry.’

If you are just totally done with the situation and you don’t want to deal with it anymore because it angers you so much, you can say ‘I’m at my wit’s end.’

Example:

▪ I am at my wit’s end with my wife, she is a drug addict.

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68. Easier said than done= This means, it is easier for other people to talk about something than it is for the person actually doing it.

Example:

▪ Perfect cooking is not possible all the time, you try yourself,  its easier said than done.

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69. Why the long face?= It’s a way to ask someone why they look so sad.

Example:

▪ Why the long face? What happens with your car?

▪ Why the long face? Don’t worry, you will get another job.

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70. You can’t make an omelet without breaking eggs= This phrase means that it is impossible to achieve something important without making mistakes or having some bad things happen in a situation.

“You can’t make a positive change without obstacles or challenges.”

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71. A case of the Mondays= A way to describe the feeling of having to go to work on Monday after a fun weekend that you really enjoyed and now you’re at work and you have a feeling like you don’t want to be at work right now, you’re not enjoying it, Its called ‘A case of the Mondays.’

“A feeling of dread at the beginning of the workweek.”

Example:

▪ It was really hard to go to the office because I had a case of the Mondays.

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72. Sunday scaries= This phrase describes the feeling of dread on Sunday night before the workweek.

Example:

▪ I have the Sunday scaries before the workweek.

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73. Don’t make mountains out of molehills= It means you shouldn’t make a small problem into something big by making a big deal or worrying a lot about it.

“Don’t make a small problem bigger than it really is by overreacting.”

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74. Keep your chin up= In the United States, the expression ‘Keep your chin up’ means ‘remaining positive in a negative situation.’

“Don’t be discouraged, remain positive.”

Example:

▪ Don’t worry son, keep your chin up even in a bad situation.

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75. Go big or go home= This phrase describes that you should try to achieve something really great, even if it involves a little risk.

“Aim for large achievements or don’t try at all.”

Example:

▪ Go big or go home son, accept the challenge for success.

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76. Gotta risk it to get the biscuit= This phrase just means you should risk a lot for a big reward.

“Aim for large achievement or just don’t try at all.”

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77. I didn’t catch that= It means ‘I didn’t understand it.’

“You were unable to understand what was said.”

If you want to tell someone that you didn’t understand what they said, you can say ‘I didn’t catch that.’

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78. Down to the wire= This expression means there is not a lot of time left before the deadline.

“There is a small amount of time left before the ending of something (project or game etc.)”

Example:

▪ It’s getting down to the wire, let’s forget about game-winning.

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79. See the light= This expression means, you understand the truth or the true meaning of the situation.

Example:

▪ I really see the light now I understand why education is necessary for a successful life.

▪ I really see the light, why everyone called him a liar.

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80. It builds character= In the United States this expression is used to describe that “The negative experience is valuable because you will learn from it and it helps to build your character.”

Example:

▪ It’s getting down to the wire, let’s forget about game-winning.

If something bad has happened to someone or they have to deal with just a lot of hardship, you can say these worse experiences are helpful to build character means you learn a lot from these experiences.

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81. I am on top of the world= When things are going really well for you, you are feeling like you have been victorious, you can say I feel like ‘I am on top of the world.’

“A feeling of being invincible.”

You feel very superior and very lucky at the moment and you are in a really good mood, you can say I feel on top of the world.

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82. Caught you red-handed= This means ‘you have caught someone in the act of doing something wrong or illegal.

“To see someone directly break a rule or do something wrong.”

Example:

▪ It’s getting down to the wire, let’s forget about game-winning.

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83. The last straw= This means ‘This is the last thing or situation that I m going to deal with or I won’t deal with it anymore because of a series of bad events.”

“I am really very angry at this point and I won’t deal with something anymore.”

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84. The straw that broke the camel’s back= This means the situation that made you quit or give up something.

When something terrible happens and you give up the task, that means ‘The straw that broke the camel’s back.’

American expressions and meaning