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bingo card
[bingo card] {n.}, {slang} A response card, bound into a periodical, […]

bird watcher
[bird watcher] {n.} A person whose hobby is to study birds […]

birthday suit
[birthday suit] {n.} The skin with no clothes on; complete nakedness. […]

bitter pill
[bitter pill] {n.} Something hard to accept; disappointment. * /Jack was […]

black day
[black day] {n.} A day of great unhappiness; a disaster. * […]

black eye
[black eye] {n.} 1. A dark area around one's eye due […]

black sheep
[black sheep] {n.} A person in a family or a community […]

blackout
[blackout] {n.} 1. The darkening of a city curing an air […]

blank check
[blank check] {n.} 1. A bank check written to a person […]

blind alley
[blind alley] {n.} 1. A narrow street that has only one […]

blind date
[blind date] {n.} An engagement or date arranged by friends for […]

blind spot
[blind spot] {n.} 1. A place on the road that a […]

blockhead
[blockhead] {n.}, {informal} An unusually dense, or stupid person whose head […]

blowout
[blowout] {n.} 1. An explosion of a tire or a fuse. […]

blue Monday
[blue Monday] {n.} A Monday when you have to work after […]

bobby-soxer
[bobby-soxer] {n.} A teen-aged girl. (1940s idiom) * /My two daughters, […]

body blow
[body blow] {n.}, {informal} A great disappointment; a bitter failure. * […]

body English
[body English] {n.}, {informal} The wishful attempt to make a ball […]

boiling point
[boiling point] {n.} 1. The temperature at which a liquid boils. […]

bonehead
[bonehead] {n.}, {slang} An unusually dense or stupid person. * /John […]

boot hill
[boot hill] {n.} A cemetery in the old Wild West where […]

bottle blond
[bottle blond] {n.}, {slang} A person who is obviously not a […]

bottleneck
[bottleneck] {n.} A heavy traffic congestion. * /In Chicago the worst […]

bottom dollar
[bottom dollar] {n.}, {v. phr.}, {informal} One's last penny, one's last […]

bottom line
[bottom line] {n.}, {informal} (stress on "line") 1. The last word […]

box office
[box office] {n.}, {informal} 1. The place at movies and theaters […]

boyfriend
[boyfriend] {n.}, {informal} 1. A male friend or companion. * /"John […]

brain bucket
[brain bucket] {n.}, {slang} A motorcycle helmet. * /If you want […]

brain drain
[brain drain] {n.}, {informal} 1. The loss of the leading intellectuals […]

brain trust
[brain trust] {n.} A group of specially trained, highly intelligent experts […]

brainstorm
[brainstorm] {n.} A sudden insight; a stroke of comprehension. * /Listen […]

brass hat
[brass hat] {n.}, {slang} 1. A high officer in the army, […]

bread-and-butter letter
[bread-and-butter letter] {n.} A written acknowledgment of hospitality received. * /Jane […]

break-even
[break-even] {n.} The point of equilibrium in a business venture when […]

break-in
[break-in] {n.} (stress on "break") A robbery; a burglary. * /We […]

break-up
[break-up] {n.} The end of a relationship, personal or commercial. * […]

breakthrough
[breakthrough] {n.} A point of sudden success after a long process […]

bringdown
[bringdown] {n.}, {slang}, {informal} 1. (from "bring down", past "brought down"). […]

brown paper bag
[brown paper bag] {n.}, {slang}, {citizen's band radio jargon} An unmarked […]

brown-bagger
[brown-bagger] {n.}, {slang}, {informal} A person who does not go to […]

bubble gum music
[bubble gum music] {n.}, {slang} The kind of rock'n'roll that appeals […]

bubble trouble
[bubble trouble] {n.}, {slang}, {citizen's band radio jargon} Tire trouble, flat […]

bucket of bolts
[bucket of bolts] {n.}, {slang} A very old and shaky car […]

buggy-whip
[buggy-whip] {n.}, {slang} An unusually long, thin radio antenna on a […]

bughouse
[bughouse] (1) {n.}, {slang} An insane asylum. * /They took Joe […]

bull session
[bull session] {n.}, {slang} A long informal talk about something by […]

bullet lane
[bullet lane] {n.}, {slang}, {citizen's band radio jargon} The passing lane. […]

bullshit
[bullshit] {n.}, {vulgar, but gaining in acceptance by some} Exaggerated or […]

bullshit artist
[bullshit artist] {n.}, {slang}, {vulgar, but gaining in social acceptance} A […]

bum steer
[bum steer] {n.} Wrong or misleading directions given naively or on […]

burn-out
[burn-out] {n.} A point of physical or emotional exhaustion. * /There […]

busy work
[busy work] {n.} Work that is done not to do or […]

buzz word
[buzz word] {n.} A word that sounds big and important in […]

C.E.O.
[C.E.O.] {n.} Abbreviation of "Chief Executive Officer." The head of a […]

calculated risk
[calculated risk] {n.} An action that may fail but is judged […]

call girl
[call girl] {n.}, {slang} A prostitute catering to wealthy clientele, especially […]

camp follower
[camp follower] {n.} 1. A man or woman who goes with […]

can of worms
[can of worms] {n.}, {slang}, {informal} 1. A complex problem, or […]

cancer stick
[cancer stick] {n.}, {slang} A cigarette. * /Throw away that cancer […]

canned heat
[canned heat] {n.} Chemicals in a can which burn with a […]

canned laughter
[canned laughter] {n.}, {informal} The sounds of laughter heard on certain […]

canned music
[canned music] {n.} Recorded music, as opposed to music played live. […]

car pool
[car pool] {n.} A group of people who own cars and […]

carriage trade
[carriage trade] {n.}, {literary} Rich or upper class people. * /The […]

carry weight
[carry weight] {n.} To be influential; have significance and/or clout; impress. […]

carrying charge
[carrying charge] {n.} An extra cost added to the price of […]

cash crop
[cash crop] {n.} A crop grown to be sold. * /Cotton […]

cat's meow
[cat's meow] or [cat's pajamas] {n.}, {slang} Something very wonderful, special, […]

catch-22
[catch-22] {n.}, {informal} From Joseph Heller's novel "Catch-22", set in World […]

cathouse
[cathouse] {n.}, {slang} A house of ill repute, a house of […]

cease-fire
[cease-fire] {n.} A period of negotiated nonaggression, when the warring parties […]

chain gang
[chain gang] {n.} A group of convicts or slaves in the […]

chain letter
[chain letter] {n.} A letter which each person receiving it is […]

chain stores
[chain stores] {n.} A series of stores in different locations, joined […]

chain-smoke
[chain-smoke] {v.} To smoke cigarettes or cigars one after another without […]

charge account
[charge account] {n.} An agreement with a store through which you […]

charmed life
[charmed life] {n.} A life often saved from danger; a life […]

cheapskate
[cheapskate] {n.}, {informal} A selfish or stingy person; a person who […]

check-up
[check-up] {n.} A periodic examination by a physician or of some […]

cheesebox
[cheesebox] {n.}, {slang} A small, suburban house built by a land […]

cheesecake
[cheesecake] {n.}, {slang}, {informal} A showing of the legs of an […]

cherry farm
[cherry farm] {n.}, {slang} A correctional institution of minimal security where […]

chicken feed
[chicken feed] {n.}, {slang} A very small sum of money. * […]

chicken switch
[chicken switch] {n.}, {slang}, {Space English} 1. The emergency eject button […]

China syndrome
[China syndrome] {n.}, {informal} From the title of the movie with […]

chow line
[chow line] {n.}, {slang} A line of people waiting for food. […]

Christmas card
[Christmas card] {n.}, {slang}, {citizen's band radio jargon} A speeding ticket. […]

Christmas club
[Christmas club] {n.} A plan for putting money in the bank […]

claim check
[claim check] {n.} A ticket needed to get back something. * […]

clay pigeon
[clay pigeon] {n.}, {slang}, {informal} 1. A popular target at practice […]

clean-up
[clean-up] {n.} 1. An act of removing all the dirt from […]

cliffdweller
[cliffdweller] {n.}, {slang}, {informal} A city person who lives on a […]

clifihanger
[clifihanger] {n.}, {informal} A sports event or a movie in which […]

clinging vine
[clinging vine] {n.} A very dependent woman; a woman who needs […]

clip joint
[clip joint] {n.}, {slang} A low-class night club or other business […]

close-up
[close-up] {n.} A photograph, motion picture, or video camera shot taken […]

closed book
[closed book] {n.} A secret; something not known or understood. * […]

cluck and grunt
[cluck and grunt] {n.}, {slang}, {avoid it in restaurants} The familiar […]

coffee break
[coffee break] {n.} A short recess or time out from work […]

coffee hour
[coffee hour] {n.} A time for coffee or other refreshments after […]

coffee table
[coffee table] {n.} A low table used in a living room. […]

coffin nail
[coffin nail] {n.}, {slang} A cigarette. * /"I stopped smoking," Algernon […]

cold cash
[cold cash] or [hard cash] {n.} Money that is paid at […]

cold comfort
[cold comfort] {n.} Something that makes a person in trouble feel […]

cold fish
[cold fish] {n.}, {informal} A queer person; a person who is […]

cold shoulder
[cold shoulder] {n.}, {informal} Unfriendly treatment of a person, a showing […]

cold snap
[cold snap] {n.} A short time of quick change from warm […]

cold turkey
[cold turkey] {adv.}, {slang}, {informal} 1. Abruptly and without medical aid […]

cold war
[cold war] {n.} A struggle that is carried on by other […]

collective farm
[collective farm] {n.} A large government-run farm made by combining many […]

collector's item
[collector's item] {n.} Something rare or valuable enough to collect or […]

College Boards
[College Boards] {n.} A set of examinations given to test a […]

color guard
[color guard] {n.} A military guard of honor for the flag […]

color scheme
[color scheme] {n.} A plan for colors used together as decoration. […]

come-on
[come-on] {n.}, {slang} An attractive offer made to a naive person […]

comeback
[comeback] {n.}, {v. phr.}, {slang}, {citizen's band radio jargon} A return […]

comedown
[comedown] {n.} Disappointment; embarrassment; failure. * /It was quite a comedown […]

command module
[command module] {n.}, {Space English} 1. One of the three main […]

common ground
[common ground] {n.} Shared beliefs, interests, or ways of understanding; ways […]

common touch
[common touch] {n.} The ability to be a friend of the […]

company man
[company man] {n.}, {informal} A worker who always agrees with management […]

congregate housing
[congregate housing] {n.}, {informal} A form of housing for elderly persons […]

consumer goods
[consumer goods] or [consumer items] {n.} Food and manufactured things that […]

control room
[control room] {n.} A room containing the panels and switches used […]

control tower
[control tower] {n.} A tower with large windows and a good […]

conversation piece
[conversation piece] {n.} Something that interests people and makes them talk […]

cool customer
[cool customer] {n.} Someone who is calm and in total control […]

copy cat
[copy cat] {n.} Someone who copies another person's work or manner. […]

corn ball
[corn ball] {n.}, {slang}, {informal} 1. A superficially sentimental movie or […]

corn belt
[corn belt] {n.} 1. The Midwest; the agricultural section of the […]

couch case
[couch case] {n.}, {slang}, {informal} A person judged emotionally so disturbed […]

couch doctor
[couch doctor] {n.}, {slang}, {colloquial} A psychoanalyst who puts his patients […]

couch potato
[couch potato] {n.} A person who is addicted to watching television […]

countdown
[countdown] {n.}. {Space English}, {informal} 1. A step-by-step process which leads […]

county mounty
[county mounty] {n.}, {slang}, {citizen's band radio jargon} Sheriff's deputy. * […]

cover girl
[cover girl] {n.} A pretty girl or woman whose picture is […]

cover-up
[cover-up] {n.}, {slang} A plan or excuse to escape blame or […]

cow college
[cow college] {n.}, {slang} 1. An agricultural college; a school where […]

cow's tail
[cow's tail] {n.}, {dialect} A person who is behind others. * […]

cowboy
[cowboy] {n.}, {slang}, {informal} A person who drives his car carelessly […]

crackpot
[crackpot] {n.}, {attrib. adj.}, {informal} 1. {n.} An eccentric person with […]

crash dive
[crash dive] {n.} A sudden dive made by a submarine to […]

credibility gap
[credibility gap] {n.}, {hackneyed phrase}, {politics} An apparent discrepancy between what […]

crew cut
[crew cut] or [crew haircut] {n.} A boy's or man's hair […]

crocodile tears
[crocodile tears] {n.} Pretended grief; a show of sorrow that is […]

cross fire
[cross fire] {n.} 1. Firing in a fight or battle from […]

cross street
[cross street] {n.} A street that crosses a main street and […]

cross-check
[cross-check] (2) {n.} The testing of the truth of by checking […]

crystal ball
[crystal ball] {n.} A ball, usually made of quartz crystal (glass) […]

crystal gazing
[crystal gazing] {n.} The attempt to predict future events. * /The […]

cub scout
[cub scout] {n.} A member of the Cub Scouts, the junior […]

culture vulture
[culture vulture] {n.}, {slang}, {informal} A person who is an avid […]

curb service
[curb service] {n.} Waiting on customers while they sit in their […]

cut offs
[cut offs] {n.}, {colloquial} Pants cut to the length of shorts […]

cut rate
[cut rate] (1) {n.} A lower price; a price less than […]

cutback
[cutback] {n.} An act of decreasing monetary sources. * /The cutback […]

daily dozen
[daily dozen] {n.}, {informal} Gymnastic exercises; especially, several different exercises done […]

dark horse
[dark horse] {n.}, {informal} A political candidate little known to the […]

dash light
[dash light] {n.} A light on the front inside of a […]

day off
[day off] {n.} A day on which one doesn't have to […]

daylight saving time
[daylight saving time] also [daylight saving] or [daylight time] or [fast […]

dead center
[dead center] {n.} The exact middle. * /The treasure was buried […]

dead duck
[dead duck] {n.}, {slang} A person or thing in a hopeless […]

dead pedal
[dead pedal] {n.}, {slang}, {citizen's band radio jargon} A slow moving […]

dead-end
[dead-end] {n.} A street closed at one end; a situation that […]

deadbeat
[deadbeat] {n.}, {slang} A person who never pays his debts and […]

deadhead
[deadhead] {n.}, {slang} An excessively dull or boring person. * /You'll […]

deadline
[deadline] {n.} A final date by which a project, such as […]

death knell
[death knell] {n.}, {formal} 1. The ringing of a bell at […]

deep water
[deep water] {n.} Serious trouble or difficulty. * /When Dad tried […]

delta wave
[delta wave] {n.}, {informal}, {semi-technical} A brain wave 1-3 cycles per […]

dirty look
[dirty look] {n.}, {informal} A look that shows dislike. * /Miss […]

disk jockey
[disk jockey] {n.} An employee at a radio station or in […]

dog-eat-dog
[dog-eat-dog] (1) {n.} A way of living in which every person […]

dogs age
[dog's age] or [coon's age] {n.}, {informal} A very long time. […]

double check
[double check] {n.} A careful second check to be sure that […]

double date
[double date] {n.}, {informal} A date on which two couples go […]

double duty
[double duty] {n.} Two uses or jobs; two purposes or duties. […]

double-header
[double-header] {n.} Two games or contests played one right after the […]

double-talk
[double-talk] {n.} 1. Something said that is worded, either on purpose […]

down east
[down east] or [Down East] {n.} The northeast coastal part of […]

down payment
[down payment] {n.} A retainer paid to a prospective seller. * […]

drag race
[drag race] {n.}, {slang} An automobile race in which the drivers […]

drag strip
[drag strip] {n.}, {slang} A place where drag races are held. […]

drawback
[drawback] {n.} Disadvantage; obstacle; hindrance. * /The biggest drawback of Bill's […]

drawing card
[drawing card] {n.} The most important figure in a multi-person event; […]

dressing down
[dressing down] {n.}, {informal} A scolding. * /The sergeant gave the […]

drive-in
[drive-in] {adj.}/{n.} A kind of movie theater, fast food restaurant, or […]

dropout
[dropout] {n.} Someone who did not finish school, high school and […]

duck soup
[duck soup] {n.}, {slang} 1. A task easily accomplished or one […]

dumb bunny
[dumb bunny] {n.}, {slang}, {informal} Any person who is gullible and […]

dumbwaiter
[dumbwaiter] {n.} A small elevator for carrying food, dishes, etc., from […]

dutch treat
[dutch treat] {n.}, {informal} A meal in a restaurant or an […]

eagle eye
[eagle eye] {n.} Sharp vision like that of an eagle; the […]

early bird
[early bird] {n} An early riser from bed. * /Jane and […]

easy mark
[easy mark] {n.} A foolishly generous person; one from whom it […]

easy money
[easy money] {n.}, {informal} Money gained without hard work; money that […]

elbow grease
[elbow grease] {n.} Exertion; effort; energy. * /"You'll have to use […]

elbow room
[elbow room] {n.} Adequate space to move around or to work […]

end run
[end run] {n.} A football play in which a back tries […]

end zone
[end zone] {n.} Either of the marked areas behind the goal […]

eye-catcher
[eye-catcher] {n.} Something that strongly attracts the eye. See: [CATCH ONE'S […]

face value
[face value] {n.} 1. The worth or price printed on a […]

fair catch
[fair catch] {n.} A catch of a kicked football by a […]

fair play
[fair play] {n.} Equal and right action (to another person); justice. […]

fair shake
[fair shake] {n.}, {informal} Honest treatment. * /Joe has always given […]

fair-haired boy
[fair-haired boy] {n.}, {informal} A person that gets special favors; favorite; […]

fair-weather friend
[fair-weather friend] {n.} A person who is a friend only when […]

fairy godmother
[fairy godmother] {n.} 1. A fairy believed to help and take […]

fairy tale
[fairy tale] or [story] {n.} An inaccurate, even false account of […]

fall guy
[fall guy] {n.}, {slang} The "patsy" in an illegal transaction; a […]

falling-out
[falling-out] {n.} Argument; disagreement; quarrel. * /Mary and Jane had a […]

fallout
[fallout] {n.} 1. Result of nuclear explosion; harmful radioactive particles. * […]

family tree
[family tree] {n.} Ancestry. * /My family tree can be traced […]

fancy pants
[fancy pants] {n.}, {slang} A man or boy who wears clothes […]

far cry
[far cry] {n.} Something very different. * /His last statement was […]

fast talker
[fast talker] {n.}, {slang}, {informal} A con artist or a swindler, […]

fat city
[fat city] {n.}, {slang} A state of contentment due to wealth […]

Father Christmas
[Father Christmas] {n.}, {British} The joyful spirit of Christmas; Santa Claus. […]

Fathers Day
[Father's Day] {n.} The third Sunday in June set aside especially […]

faultfinding
[faultfinding] {n.} Recrimination; nagging; criticism. * /All of this constant faultfinding […]

favorite son
[favorite son] {n.} A man supported by his home state for […]

fellow traveller
[fellow traveller] {n.} A sympathizer with a political movement who does […]

fence-sitter
[fence-sitter] {n.} A person unable to pick between two sides; a […]

fence-sitting
[fence-sitting] {n.} or {adj.} Choosing neither side. * /You have been […]

field goal
[field goal] {n.} 1. A score in football made by kicking […]

filthy lucre
[filthy lucre] {n.}, {informal} Money, especially when thought of as bad […]

firebug
[firebug] {n.} An arsonist; one who willfully sets fire to property. […]

firing squad
[firing squad] {n.} A group of soldiers chosen to shoot a […]

first class
[first class] {n.} 1. The first rank; the highest class; the […]

first cousin
[first cousin] {n.} The child of your aunt or uncle. * […]

first string
[first string] (1) {n.}, {informal} 1. The best group of players […]

fish fry
[fish fry] {n.} An outdoor party or picnic at which fish […]

flakeball
[flakeball] or [flake] {n.}, {slang}, {drug culture} A disjointed, or "flaky" […]

flanker back
[flanker back] {n.} A football back who can play far to […]

flare-up
[flare-up] {n.} The reoccurrence of an infection or an armed conflict. […]

flash card
[flash card] {n.} A card with numbers or words on it […]

flatfoot
[flatfoot] {n.}, {slang}, {derogatory} A policeman. * /"What does Joe do […]

flesh and blood
[flesh and blood] {n.} 1. A close relative (as a father, […]

flip-flop
[flip-flop] (2) {n.}, {informal} A complete change; a switch from one […]

floorwalker
[floorwalker] {n.} A section manager in a department store. * /To […]

flower child
[flower child] {n.}, {slang}, {informal} 1. A young person who believes […]

flower power
[flower power] {n.}, {slang} The supposed power of love and nonviolence […]

fluff stuff
[fluff stuff] {n.}, {slang}, {citizen's band radio jargon} Snow. * /We […]

fly ball
[fly ball] {n.} A baseball hit high into the air. * […]

fly-by-night
[fly-by-night] (2) {n.}, {informal} 1. A company that sells many cheap […]

flying tackle
[flying tackle] {n.}, {informal} A tackle made by jumping through the […]

flying wedge
[flying wedge] {n.}, {informal} 1. An offensive formation in football in […]

foggy bottom
[foggy bottom] {n.}, {slang} An area in downtown Washington, D.C. where […]

follow-up
[follow-up] {n.} Additional work or research by means of which an […]

force play
[force play] or [force-out] {n.} A play in baseball in which […]

forward wall
[forward wall] {n.} The line of a football team. * /Princeton […]

foul ball
[foul ball] {n.} A batted baseball that lands outside the foul […]

foul line
[foul line] {n.} 1. Either of two lines separating fair from […]

foul play
[foul play] {n.} Treachery; a criminal act (such as murder). * […]

foul shot
[foul shot] {n.} A free throw given in basketball to a […]

foul-up
[foul-up] {n.} (stress on "foul") 1. {informal} A confused situation; confusion; […]

foundation garment
[foundation garment] {n.} A close-fitting garment designed for women to wear […]

four bits
[four bits] {n.}, {slang} Fifty cents. * /Tickets to the play […]

four corners
[four corners] {n.} All parts of a place. * /People came […]

four-eyes
[four-eyes] {n.}, {slang} A person who wears glasses. - A rude […]

four-leaf clover
[four-leaf clover] {n.} A small green plant with four leaves which […]

fourth class
[fourth class] {n.} A class of mail that is not sealed […]

fourth world
[fourth world] {n.}, {informal} The poor nations of the world, as […]

fraidy-cat
[fraidy-cat] or [fraid-cat] or [scaredy-cat] or [scared cat] {n.}, {informal} A […]

freak
[freak] {n.}, {slang} 1. A good, or well-liked person, the opposite […]

freak-out
[freak-out] (1) {n.}, {slang} An act of losing control; a situation […]

free agent
[free agent] {n.} A professional player who does not have a […]

free ball
[free ball] {n.} A ball in football that is in play, […]

free hand
[free hand] {n.} Great freedom. * /The teacher had a free […]

free rein
[free rein] {n.} Freedom to do what you want. * /The […]

free throw
[free throw] {n.} A shot at the basket in basketball without […]

free-for-all
[free-for-all] {n.} 1. Unlimited, free access to something everybody wants. * […]

French fried potato
[French fried potato] or [French fry] {n.} A narrow strip of […]

French leave
[French leave] {n.} The act of slipping away from a place […]

friction tape
[friction tape] {n.} Black cloth tape with one sticky side used […]

front court
[front court] {n.} The half of a basketball court that is […]

front office
[front office] {n.}, {informal} The group of persons who manage a […]

fuck-up
[fuck-up] {n.}, {vulgar}, {avoidable} A mess; a badly botched situation. * […]

fuddy-duddy
[fuddy-duddy] {n.} A person whose ideas and habits are old-fashioned. * […]

fun and games
[fun and games] {n.}, {slang}, {informal} 1. A party or other […]

fun house
[fun house] {n.} A place where people see many funny things […]

funny bone
[funny bone] {n.} 1. The place at the back of the […]

fuss and feathers
[fuss and feathers] {n.}, {informal} Unnecessary bother and excitement. * /She […]

G.I.
[G.I.] or ["government issue"] {n.} An American soldier. * /After the […]

garden apartment
[garden apartment] {n.} An apartment with a garden near it. * […]

gay nineties
[gay nineties] {n.} The years between 1890 and 1900; remembered as […]

generation gap
[generation gap] {n.}, {informal}, {hackneyed phrase} The difference in social values, […]

get-together
[get-together] {n.} A party; a gathering. * /I hate to break […]

get-up
[get-up] {n.} (stress on "get") Fancy dress or costume. * /Some […]

ghost-writer
[ghost-writer] {n.} A writer whose identity remains a secret and who […]

gin mill
[gin mill] {n.}, {slang} A bar where liquor is sold. * […]

girl Friday
[girl Friday] {n.} A very dependable and helpful female office worker; […]

girl friend
[girl friend] {n.}, {informal} 1. A female friend or companion. * […]

giveaway
[giveaway] or [dead giveaway] {n.} (stress on "give") 1. An open […]

glad hand
[glad hand] {n.}, {informal} A friendly handshake; a warm greeting. * […]

glad rags
[glad rags] {n.}, {slang} Clothes worn to parties or on special […]

glass jaw
[glass jaw] {n.}, {slang} The inability of a boxer to get […]

globe-trotter
[globe-trotter] {n.} One who has travelled far and wide. * /Tim […]

go-between
[go-between] {n.} An intermediary. * /They expect Mr. Smith to act […]

go-getter
[go-getter] {n.} A person who works hard to become successful; an […]

goal line
[goal line] {n.} A line that marks the goal in a […]

goal line stand
[goal line stand] {n.} A strong defensive effort right in front […]

goldfish bowl
[goldfish bowl] {n.}, {slang}, {informal} 1. A situation in which it […]

golf widow
[golf widow] {n.}, {informal} A woman whose husband is often away […]

gone goose
[gone goose] also [gone gosling] {n.}, {slang} A person for whom […]

good buddy
[good buddy] {n.}, {slang}, {citizen's band radio jargon} Salutation used by […]

good deal
[good deal] or [great deal] {n.}, {informal} A large amount; much. […]

good faith
[good faith] {n.} 1. Belief in another person's honesty; trust. * […]

good many
[good many] or [great many] {n.} or {adj.} A large number […]

good nature
[good nature] {n.} Readiness to please others and to be pleased. […]

good riddance
[good riddance] {n.} A loss that you are glad about. Often […]

gopher ball
[gopher ball] {n.}, {slang} A baseball pitch that is hit for […]

grab bag
[grab bag] {n.} 1. A bag from which surprise packages are […]

grace period
[grace period] or [period of grace] {n.} The time or extra […]

grand slam
[grand slam] {n.} A home run hit when there are three […]

grandstander
[grandstander] {n.}, {slang}, {informal} A showoff, a person who likes to […]

gravy train
[gravy train] {n.}, {slang}, {informal} The kind of job that brings […]

grease monkey
[grease monkey] {n.}, {slang} 1. A person who greases or works […]

grease-ball
[grease-ball] {n.}, {slang}, {derogatory} (avoid) An immigrant from a southern country, […]

greasy spoon
[greasy spoon] {n.}, {informal} Any small, inexpensive restaurant patronized by workers […]

green power
[green power] {n.}, {slang}, {informal} The social prestige or power money […]

green thumb
[green thumb] {n.}, {informal} A talent for gardening; ability to make […]

gross-out session
[gross-out session] {n.}, {slang}, {avoidable} A verbal contest between teen-agers in […]

ground ball
[ground ball] {n.} A ball batted onto the ground in baseball; […]

ground floor
[ground floor] {n.} 1. First floor of a house or building. […]

ground rule
[ground rule] {n.} 1. A rule in sports that is made […]

growing pains
[growing pains] {n.} 1. Pains in children's legs supposed to be […]

haircut place
[haircut place] {n.}, {slang}, {citizen's band radio jargon} Bridge or overpass […]

hairdo
[hairdo] {n.} Style or manner of arranging, combing, or wearing one's […]

half a chance
[half a chance] or [a half chance] {n.} An opportunity; a […]

half-and-half
[half-and-half] (2) {n.} A mixture of milk and cream in equal […]

half-holiday
[half-holiday] {n.} A day on which you get out of school […]

half-time
[half-time] {n.} A rest period in the middle of certain games. […]

hand-me-down
[hand-me-down] {n.}, {informal} Something given away after another person has no […]

handout
[handout] {n.} 1. A free gift of food, clothes, etc. * […]

hang-up
[hang-up] {n.}, {informal} (stress on "hang") 1. A delay in some […]

hangover
[hangover] {n.} A bad feeling of nausea and/or headache the day […]

happy hour
[happy hour] {n.}, {informal} A time in bars or restaurants when […]

hard feeling
[hard feeling] {n.} Angry or bitter feeling; enmity. - Usually used […]

hard sell
[hard sell] {n.}, {informal} A kind of salesmanship characterized by great […]

hard sledding
[hard sledding] or [rough sledding] or [tough sledding] {n.}, {informal} Difficulty […]

hard way
[hard way] {n.} The harder or more punishing of two or […]

hard-liner
[hard-liner] {n.} A politician who takes the hard line. See: [HARD […]

hard-on
[hard-on] {n.}, {vulgar}, {avoidable}. An erection of the male sexual organ. […]

hard-top
[hard-top] {n.} 1. A car that has a metal roof; a […]

hash house
[hash house] {n.}, {slang} An eating place where cheap meals are […]

hatchet face
[hatchet face] {n.} A long narrow face with sharp parts; also, […]

hatchet man
[hatchet man] {n.}, {colloquial} 1. A politician or newspaper columnist whose […]

he-man
[he-man] {n.}, {informal} A man who is very strong, brave, and […]

head start
[head start] {n.} 1. A beginning before someone; lead or advantage […]

head-hunting
[head-hunting] {n.}, {slang}, {informal} 1. The custom of seeking out, decapitating, […]

headshrinker
[headshrinker] {n.}, {slang}, {informal} A psychoanalyst, also called a shrink. * […]

heart and soul
[heart and soul] (1) {n.} Eager love; strong feeling; great enthusiasm. […]

heartbreaker
[heartbreaker] {n.} One with numerous admirers of the opposite sex; one […]

hell-on-wheels
[hell-on-wheels] {n.}, {slang} A short-tempered, nagging, or crabby person especially one […]

here and now
[here and now] (2) {n.} The present time and place; today. […]

hideout
[hideout] {n.} A place where one hides. * /The wanted criminal […]

high camp
[high camp] {n.}, {slang}, {show business} 1. Kitsch, or pretentious material […]

higher education
[higher education] {n.} Schooling after graduation from high school, especially in […]

higher-up
[higher-up] {n.}, {informal} One of the people who has one of […]

hit parade
[hit parade] {n.} 1. A list of songs or tunes arranged […]

holdout
[holdout] {n.} A rebel who refuses to go with the majority. […]

holdover
[holdover] {n.} 1. A successful movie or theater production that plays […]

holdup
[holdup] {n.} 1. Robbery. * /John fell victim to a highway […]

holistic health
[holistic health] {n.}, {informal}, {semi-technical} The maintenance of health and the […]

holy terror
[holy terror] {n.}, {informal} A very disobedient or unruly child; brat. […]

home plate
[home plate] {n.} The base in baseball where the batter stands […]

home run
[home run] {n.} A hit in baseball that allows the batter […]

honky-tonk
[honky-tonk] {n.} A cheap nightclub or dance hall. * /There were […]

hookup
[hookup] {n.} A connection, electrical or otherwise, between two instruments or […]

horse sense
[horse sense] {n.}, {informal} A good understanding about what to do […]

horse trade
[horse trade] {n.} 1. The sale of a horse or the […]

horseplay
[horseplay] {n.} Rough, practical joking. * /The newlyweds couldn't get a […]

hot air
[hot air] {n.}, {informal} Nonsense, exaggerated talk, wasted words characterized by […]

hot number
[hot number] {n.}, {slang} A person or thing noticed as newer, […]

hot one
[hot one] {n.}, {slang}, {informal} Something out of the ordinary; something […]

hot potato
[hot potato] {n.}, {informal} A question that causes strong argument and […]

hot rod
[hot rod] {n.}, {informal} An older automobile changed so that it […]

hot seat
[hot seat] {n.}, {slang} 1. The electric chair used to cause […]

hot stuff
[hot stuff] {n.}, {slang}, {citizen's band radio jargon} Coffee. * /Let's […]

hot water
[hot water] {n.} {informal} Trouble. - Used with "in", "into", "out", […]

house detective
[house detective] {n.} A detective employed by a hotel, store, or […]

howling success
[howling success] {n.}, {informal} A great success; something that is much […]

hue and cry
[hue and cry] {n.} 1. An alarm and chase after a […]

idiot box
[idiot box] {n.} A television set. * /Phil has been staring […]

Indian sign
[Indian sign] {n.}, {informal} A magic spell that is thought to […]

industrial park
[industrial park] {n.} A complex of industrial buildings and/or businesses usually […]

inner city
[inner city] {n.}, {colloquial} Densely populated neighborhoods in large metropolitan areas […]

iron horse
[iron horse] {n.}, {informal} A railroad locomotive; the engine of a […]

itching palm
[itching palm] {n.}, {slang} A wish for money; greed. * /He […]

Ivy League
[Ivy League] {n.} A small group of the older and more […]

jack of all trades
[jack of all trades] {n.}, {informal} (Often followed by "master of […]

jack-rabbit start
[jack-rabbit start] {n.}, {informal} A very sudden start from a still […]

jailbait
[jailbait] {n.}, {slang} A girl below the legal age of consent […]

jailbird
[jailbird] {n.}, {informal} A convict; someone who is in jail or […]

jake flake
[jake flake] {n.}, {slang} A boring person whose company is usually […]

jawbreaker
[jawbreaker] {n.} 1. A large piece of hard candy or bubblegum. […]

Jesus boots
[Jesus boots] or [Jesus shoes] {n.}, {slang} Men's sandals, particularly as […]

jim-dandy
[jim-dandy] {n.}, {slang} Something wonderful; something very good. * /Tommy's new […]

Joe Doakes
[Joe Doakes] {n.} A name used informally for the average man. […]

John Doe
[John Doe] {n.} A name used for an unknown person, especially […]

John Hancock
[John Hancock] or [John Henry] {n.}, {informal} Your signature; your name […]

John Q. Public
[John Q. Public] {n.} A name used informally for the average […]

Johnny-come-lately
[Johnny-come-lately] {n.} Someone new in a place or group; newcomer; also: […]

judgment seat
[judgment seat] {n.} A place where you are judged; a place […]

juice dealer
[juice dealer] {n.}, {slang} An underworld money lender who charges exorbitant […]

jump ball
[jump ball] {n.} The starting of play in basketball by tossing […]

jump pass
[jump pass] {n.} A pass (as in football or basketball) made […]

kangaroo court
[kangaroo court] {n.} A self-appointed group that decides what to do […]

kickback
[kickback] {n.}, {slang}, {informal} Money paid illegally for favorable treatment. * […]

kickoff
[kickoff] {n.} The start of something, like a new venture, a […]

kiddie car
[kiddie car] {n.}, {slang}, {citizen's band radio jargon} A school bus. […]

kneeling bus
[kneeling bus] {n.}, {informal} A bus equipped with a hydraulic device […]

knockout
[knockout] {n.}, {slang} 1. Strikingly beautiful woman. * /Sue is a […]

know-how
[know-how] {n.}, {slang} Expertise; ability to devise and construct. * /The […]

know-it-all
[know-it-all] {n.} A person who acts as if he knows all […]

labor movement
[labor movement] {n.} Groups which form, strengthen, and increase membership in […]

lady friend
[lady friend] {n.} 1. A woman friend. * /His aunt stays […]

lady's man
[lady's man] {n.} A man or boy who likes to be […]

lady-killer
[lady-killer] {n.}, {informal} 1. Any man who has strong sex appeal […]

lame duck
[lame duck] {n.}, {informal} An elected public official who has been […]

land-office business
[land-office business] {n.}, {informal} A great rush of business. * /It […]

landing ship
[landing ship] {n.} A ship built to land troops and army […]

landslide
[landslide] {n.} An overwhelming victory during a political election. * /Ronald […]

lardhead
[lardhead] {n.}, {slang} A stupid or slow-witted person. * /You'll never […]

last ditch
[last ditch] {n.} The last place that can be defended; the […]

last word
[last word] {n.} 1. The last remark in an argument. * […]

latch string
[latch string] {n.} 1. A string that opens an old-fashioned door […]

laughing matter
[laughing matter] {n.} A funny happening; a silly situation. - Usually […]

launch window
[launch window] {n.}, {Space English}, {informal} 1. A period of time […]

lay-away plan
[lay-away plan] {n.} A plan for buying something that you can't […]

layoff
[layoff] {n.} A systematic or periodical dismissal of employees from a […]

layout
[layout] {n.} General situation; arrangement; plan. * /The layout of their […]

layover
[layover] {n.} A stopover, usually at an airport or in a […]

lazybones
[lazybones] {n.} {informal} A lazy person. * /Seeing him return so […]

lean-to
[lean-to] {n.} 1. A shed for tools, such as spades, hoes, […]

leap year
[leap year] {n.} Every fourth year during which the month of […]

leatherneck
[leatherneck] {n.}, {slang}, {informal} A member of the United States Marine […]

left field
[left field] {n.} 1. The part of a baseball out-field to […]

leg man
[leg man] {n.}, {informal} 1. An errand boy; one who performs […]

leg work
[leg work] {n.}, {informal} The physical end of a project, such […]

letdown
[letdown] {n.} A disappointment; a heartbreak. * /It was a major […]

light housekeeping
[light housekeeping] {n.}, {slang} An arrangement in which an unmarried couple […]

line drive
[line drive] {n.} A batted baseball that is usually hit hard […]

lineup
[lineup] {n.} 1. An alignment of objects in a straight line. […]

lip service
[lip service] {n.} Support shown by words only and not by […]

litterbug
[litterbug] {n.}, {slang}, {informal} A person who leaves garbage in a […]

little theater
[little theater] {n.} A theater, usually with nonprofessional actors and actresses, […]

local yokel
[local yokel] {n.}, {slang}, {citizen's band radio jargon} City police officer, […]

lone wolf
[lone wolf] {n.} A man who likes to work or live […]

long ball
[long ball] {n.} A baseball hit far enough to be a […]

long face
[long face] {n.} A sad look; disappointed look. * /He told […]

long haul
[long haul] or [long pull] {n.}, {informal} 1. A long distance […]

long pull
[long pull] See: [LONG HAUL].

long shot
[long shot] {n.} 1. A bet or other risk taken though […]

longhair
[longhair] (1) 1. {n.}, {slang} A male hippie. * /Who's that […]

look-in
[look-in] {n.}, {informal} A chance or hope. - Usually used with […]

loose ends
[loose ends] {n.} 1. Parts or things that should be finished […]

loud mouth
[loud mouth] or [big mouth] {n.}, {slang} A noisy, boastful, or […]

love affair
[love affair] {n.} A friendship between lovers; a romance or courtship. […]

love game
[love game] {n.} A game of tennis which is won without […]

love-in
[love-in] {n.}, {slang}, {informal} A festival or occasion to celebrate life, […]

lover's lane
[lovers' lane] {n.} A hidden road or walk where lovers walk […]

lowbrow
[lowbrow] {n.} A person of limited culture; a nonintellectual. * /Some […]

lowdown
[lowdown] {n.}, {slang}, {informal} The inside facts of a matter; the […]

lucky star
[lucky star] {n.} A certain star or planet which, by itself […]

lump sum
[lump sum] {n.} The complete amount; a total agreed upon and […]

lunar module (L.M.)
[lunar module (L.M.)] or [Lem] {n.}, {Space English} That portion of […]

magic carpet
[magic carpet] {n.} 1. A rug said to be able to […]

main drag
[main drag] {n.}, {colloquial} 1. The most important street or thoroughfare […]

main squeeze
[main squeeze] {n.}, {slang} 1. The top ranking person in an […]

majority leader
[majority leader] {n.} The leader of the political party with the […]

make-believe
[make-believe] {n.} False; untrue; created by illusion. * /The creatures of […]

makeup
[makeup] {n.} (stress on "make") 1. Cosmetics. * /All the actors […]

man
[man] or [the man] {n.}, {slang} 1. The police; a policeman. […]

markdown
[markdown] {n.} A reduction in price. * /Joan asked, "Do you […]

masking tape
[masking tape] {n.} A paper tape that is stuck around the […]

master copy
[master copy] {n.} 1. A perfect text to which all copies […]

master of ceremonies
[master of ceremonies] or [M.C.] or [emcee] {n.} The person in […]

mastermind
[mastermind] {n.} A person who supplies the intelligence for a project […]

meatball
[meatball] {n.}, {slang} A dull, boring, slow-witted, or uninteresting person. * […]

mickey mouse
[mickey mouse] (2) {n.} ({derogatory}) A stupid person; a policeman; a […]

middle ground
[middle ground] {n.} A place halfway between the two sides of […]

middleman
[middleman] {n.} A person or small business standing in an intermediary […]

midfield stripe
[midfield stripe] {n.} The line across the center of a football […]

mile markers
[mile markers] {n.}, {slang}, {citizen's band radio jargon} Small signs along […]

missing link
[missing link] {n.} 1. Something needed to complete a group; a […]

mixed blessing
[mixed blessing] {n.} Something good that has bad features. * /John's […]

monkey business
[monkey business] {n.}, {slang}, {informal} 1. Any unethical, illegitimate, or objectionable […]

moonshine
[moonshine] {n.} Illegally distilled alcoholic beverage made at home, mostly on […]

morning after
[morning after] {n.}, {slang} The effects of drinking liquor or staying […]

name day
[name day] {n.} The day of the saint for whom a […]

name of the game
[name of the game] {n.}, {informal} The crux of the matter; […]

necktie party
[necktie party] {n.}, {slang} A hanging by a mob; lynching. * […]

nervous breakdown
[nervous breakdown] {n.} A mild or severe attack of mental illness; […]

Nervous Nellie
[Nervous Nellie] {n.}, {informal} A timid person who lacks determination and […]

nervous prostration
[nervous prostration] {n.} An illness of the mind that makes you […]

nest egg
[nest egg] {n.} Savings set aside to be used in the […]

new blood
[new blood] {n.} Something or someone that gives new life or […]

new deal
[new deal] {n.}, {informal} 1. A complete change; a fresh start. […]

new man
[new man] {n.} A person who has become very much better. […]

newshawk
[newshawk] {n.} A newspaper reporter. * /There are always a lot […]

nice Nelly
[nice Nelly] (1) or [nice Nellie] {n.}, {informal} Someone who acts […]

night letter
[night letter] {n.} A telegram sent at night at a cheaper […]

nightcap
[nightcap] {n.} A good-night drink; a drink taken just before bedtime. […]

no use
[no use] {n.} 1. No purpose; no object; no gain. * […]

no-show
[no-show] {n.}, {informal} A person who makes a reservation, e.g., at […]

nodding acquaintance
[nodding acquaintance] {n.} Less than casual acquaintance. * /I have never […]

nonstarter
[nonstarter] {n.} An idea, plan, or project that doesn't work or […]

oddball
[oddball] {n.}, {slang}, {informal} An eccentric person; one who doesn't act […]

offshoot
[offshoot] {n.} A derivative; a side product. * /The discovery of […]

old boy
[old boy] or [old chap] {n.}, {chiefly British} One of the […]

old story
[old story] {n.} An everyday occurrence; something that often happens. * […]

old-timer
[old-timer] {n.} An old person who remembers bygone days, matters, and […]

once-over
[once-over] {n.}, {slang} 1. A quick look; a swift examination of […]

one on the city
[one on the city] {n.}, {slang} A glass of water (which […]

one-armed bandit
[one-armed bandit] {n.}, {slang} A slot machine, like those used in […]

one-two
[one-two] {n.} 1. A succession of two punches, the first a […]

open heart
[open heart] {n.} 1. No hiding of your feelings; frankness; freedom. […]

open one's eyes
[open one's eyes] or [open up one's eyes] {v. phr.} To […]

open secret
[open secret] {n.} Something that is supposed to be a secret […]

optional origin
[optional origin] {n.} Stipulation in international commodities contract whereby the seller […]

outback
[outback] {n.} 1. The remote and uncultivated wilderness areas of Australia […]

outer space
[outer space] {n.} What is outside of the earth's air. * […]

overhead
[overhead] {n.} Expenses incurred in the upkeep of one's plant and […]

pack rat
[pack rat] {n.}, {informal} A person who cannot part with old, […]

paddy wagon
[paddy wagon] {n.}, {informal} A police van used for transporting prisoners […]

pain in the ass
[pain in the ass] or [pain in the neck] {n.}, {slang}, […]

pan gravy
[pan gravy] {n.} Gravy made with meat drippings with seasoning and […]

parade rest
[parade rest] {n.} A position in which soldiers stand still, with […]

parallel bars
[parallel bars] {n.} Two horizontal bars the same distance apart, that […]

parliamentary law
[parliamentary law] {n.} The rules for legislative or other meetings. * […]

pass the buck
[pass the buck] {v. phr.}, {informal} To make another person decide […]

passed ball
[passed ball] {n.} A pitched baseball missed by the catcher when […]

pat-a-cake
[pat-a-cake] {n.} A clapping game that keeps time to a nursery […]

pay dirt
[pay dirt] {n.}, {slang} 1. The dirt in which much gold […]

payoff
[payoff] {n.} Culmination point; climax. * /After many months of patient […]

pecking order
[pecking order] {n.} The way people are ranked in relation to […]

peeping Tom
[peeping Tom] {n.} A man or boy who likes sly peeping. […]

pen pal
[pen pal] {n.} A friend who is known to someone through […]

penalty box
[penalty box] {n.} A place where penalized hockey players are required […]

pep talk
[pep talk] {n.}, {informal} A speech that makes people feel good […]

pickpocket
[pickpocket] {n.} A thief; a petty criminal who steals things and […]

pickup
[pickup] {n.}, (stress on "pick") 1. A rugged, small truck. * […]

piecework
[piecework] {n.} Work paid for in accordance with the quantity produced. […]

pigeonhole
[pigeonhole] {n.} 1. Small compartment for internal mail in an office […]

piggy bank
[piggy bank] {n.} A small bank, sometimes in the shape of […]

pile-up
[pile-up] {n.} 1. A heap; a deposit of one object on […]

pin curl
[pin curl] {n.} A curl made with a hair clip or […]

pinch pennies
[pinch pennies] {v. phr.}, {informal} Not spend a penny more than […]

pinch-hit
[pinch-hit] {v.} 1. To substitute for another player at bat in […]

pip-squeak
[pip-squeak] {n.}, {informal} A small, unimportant person. * /If the club […]

pipe dream
[pipe dream] {n.}, {informal} An unrealizable, financially unsound, wishful way of […]

plain white wrapper
[plain white wrapper] {n.}, {slang}, {citizen's band radio jargon} Unmarked police […]

point of view
[point of view] {n.} Attitude; opinion. * /From the American point […]

polish the apple
[polish the apple] {v. phr.}, {slang} To try to make someone […]

pop fly
[pop fly] {n.} A baseball batted high into the air but […]

potboiler
[potboiler] {n.} A book, play, or film written for the primary […]

potshot
[potshot] {n.} A direct shot at an easy, stationary target from […]

powder room
[powder room] {n.} The ladies' rest room. * /When they got […]

press box
[press box] {n.} The place or room high in a sports […]

private eye
[private eye] {n.}, {colloquial} A private investigator; a detective. * /Buddy […]

public speaker
[public speaker] {n.} A person who speaks to the public. * […]

public-address system
[public-address system] {n.} A set of devices for making a speaker's […]

pull date
[pull date] {n.}, {informal} The date stamped on baked goods, dairy […]

pull one's leg
[pull one's leg] {v. phr.}, {informal} To get someone to accept […]

pull strings
[pull strings] or [pull wires] {v. phr.}, {informal} To secretly use […]

pullout
[pullout] {n.} An evacuation. * /The pullout of the American military […]

puppy love
[puppy love] also [calf love] {n.}, {informal} The first love of […]

purse strings
[purse strings] {n.} Care or control of money. * /Dad holds […]

push-up
[push-up] {n.} An exercise to build strong arms and shoulders, in […]

pushover
[pushover] {n.} 1. Something easy to accomplish or overcome. * /For […]

put-on
[put-on] {n.} An act of teasing; the playing of a practical […]

putdown
[putdown] {n.} An insult. * /It was a nasty putdown when […]

quarterback sneak
[quarterback sneak] {n.} A football play in which the quarterback takes […]

queer fish
[queer fish] {n.} A strange or unusual person who does odd […]

quite a few
[quite a few] or [quite a number] also {formal} [not a […]

quite a little
[quite a little] or {informal} [quite a bit] also {formal} [not […]

rag doll
[rag doll] {n.} A doll made of cloth and filled with […]

rain check
[rain check] {n.} 1. A special free ticket to another game […]

rainy day
[rainy day] {n.} A time of need; especially: a time when […]

rat race
[rat race] {n.}, {slang} A very confusing, crowded, or disorderly rush; […]

razzle-dazzle
[razzle-dazzle] {n.}, {slang} Fancy display; showing off. * /He is such […]

read one's mind
[read one's mind] {v. phr.} To know what someone else is […]

rear end
[rear end] {n.} 1. The back part (usually of a vehicle) […]

redcap
[redcap] {n.} A porter at an airport or at a railroad […]

regular guy
[regular guy] or [regular fellow] {n.}, {informal} A friendly person who […]

rest room
[rest room] {n.} A room or series of rooms in a […]

right field
[right field] {n.} The part of a baseball outfield to the […]

rip-off
[rip-off] {n.}, {slang} (Stress on "rip") An act of stealing or […]

road gang
[road gang] {n.} A group of men who work at road […]

road hog
[road hog] {n.}, {informal} A car driver who takes more than […]

road show
[road show] {n.} A theatrical play that is performed for a […]

road sign
[road sign] {n.} A sign on which there is information about […]

road test
[road test] {n.} 1. A test to see if you can […]

roasting ear
[roasting ear] {n.} An ear of corn young and tender enough […]

rob the cradle
[rob the cradle] {v. phr.}, {informal} To have dates with or […]

rock hound
[rock hound] {n.}, {slang} A person who studies and collects rocks […]

rock'n'roll
[rock'n'roll] or [rock and roll] {n.} A style of popular music […]

rock-bottom
[rock-bottom] {n.} The lowest possible point. * /The nation's morale hit […]

Roman collar
[Roman collar] {n.} The high, plain, white collar worn by priests […]

room clerk
[room clerk] or [desk clerk] {n.} A person who is responsible […]

room service
[room service] {n.} Service provided to hotel guests in their rooms. […]

rotten egg
[rotten egg] {n.}, {informal} A person whose character or way of […]

rough-and-tumble
[rough-and-tumble] 1. {n.} Very rough, hard fighting or arguing that does […]

roughhouse
[roughhouse] {n.} Riotous play or commotion. * /? told the boys […]

roughneck
[roughneck] {n.} A low, coarse fellow. * /The only boys in […]

round trip
[round trip] {n.} A return trip; passage to a place and […]

roundup
[roundup] {n.} A muster; an inspection; a gathering together. * /The […]

rub-a-dub
[rub-a-dub] {n.} The sound made by beating a drum. * /We […]

rubber check
[rubber check] {n.}, {informal} A check written without enough money in […]

rubdown
[rubdown] {n.} A massage. * /The chiropractor gave his patient a […]

run-in
[run-in] {n.} 1. A traffic accident. * /My car was wrecked […]

run-off
[run-off] {n.} A second election held to determine the winner when […]

runner-up
[runner-up] {n.} The person who finishes second in a race or […]

Russian roulette
[Russian roulette] {n.} A game of chance in which one bullet […]

saber rattling
[saber rattling] or [sword rattling] {n.} A show of military strength […]

sacred cow
[sacred cow] {n.} A person or thing that is never criticized, […]

sacrifice fly
[sacrifice fly] {n.} A baseball hit high in the air that […]

saddle shoe
[saddle shoe] {n.} A white shoe with a black or brown […]

safety blitz
[safety blitz] {n.} A defensive play in football in which the […]

safety glass
[safety glass] {n.} Two panes of glass with a sheet of […]

safety island
[safety island] or [safety zone] {n.} A raised area in a […]

sailor collar
[sailor collar] {n.} A large square collar like those worn by […]

sales check
[sales check] or [sales slip] {n.} A paper which the clerk […]

sales talk
[sales talk] {n.} A speech made to point out all the […]

Salisbury steak
[Salisbury steak] {n.} A broiled or fried hamburger patty sometimes containing […]

salt pork
[salt pork] {n.} Very fat pork that has been packed in […]

sand lot
[sand lot] {n.} A field, vacant lot, or other open place […]

sand trap
[sand trap] {n.} A low place on a golf course that […]

sandwich board
[sandwich board] {n.} Two advertising signs worn by a man, one […]

save face
[save face] {v. phr.} To save your good reputation, popularity, or […]

savings account
[savings account] {n.} An account in a bank, where people put […]

savings bond
[savings bond] {n.} A government certificate given for money and saved […]

say-so
[say-so] {n.} Approval; permission; word. * /Father got angry because I […]

scandal sheet
[scandal sheet] {n.} A newspaper that prints much shocking news and […]

scotch broth
[scotch broth] {n.} A thick barley soup with vegetables and mutton […]

screen test
[screen test] {n.} A short movie made to see if an […]

screw-up
[screw-up] {n.} A mistake; an error; a confusing mess. * /"What […]

search one's heart
[search one's heart] or [search one's soul] {v. phr.}, {formal} To […]

seat belt
[seat belt] {n.} A strong strap used to protect a person […]

second best
[second best] {n.} Something that is lower than or not quite […]

second class
[second class] {n.} 1. The second best or highest group; the […]

second cousin
[second cousin] {n.} A child of your father's or mother's first […]

second nature
[second nature] {n.} Something done without any special effort, as if […]

second thought
[second thought] {n.} A change of ideas or opinions resulting from […]

second wind
[second wind] also [second breath] {n.} 1. The easier breathing that […]

section gang
[section gang] or [section crew] {n.} A group of railroad workers […]

section hand
[section hand] {n.} A worker who repairs railway track; one of […]

security blanket
[security blanket] {n.}, {slang}, {colloquial} An idea, person, or object that […]

sellout
[sellout] {n.} 1. A betrayal or act of treason. * /The […]

senior citizen
[senior citizen] {n.} An older person, often one who has retired […]

set the pace
[set the pace] {v. phr.} To decide on a rate of […]

setback
[setback] {n.} A disadvantage; a delay. * /We suffered a major […]

shake-up
[shake-up] {n.} A change; a reorganization. * /After the scandal there […]

shakedown
[shakedown] {n.} 1. A test. * /Let's take the new car […]

sheepskin
[sheepskin] {n.} Diploma. * /Dr. Miller has half a dozen different […]

shoestring catch
[shoestring catch] {n.} A catch of a hit baseball just before […]

shoo-in
[shoo-in] {n.}, {informal} Someone or something that is expected to win; […]

shoot straight
[shoot straight] or [shoot square] {v.}, {informal} To act fairly; deal […]

shoplifter
[shoplifter] {n.} A thief who steals things from a store. * […]

shopping center
[shopping center] {n.} A place usually for neighborhood shopping, where there […]

shore leave
[shore leave] {n.} Permission given to a man in the Navy […]

shore patrol
[shore patrol] {n.} The police of a navy. * /The sailors […]

short end
[short end] {n.} The worst or most unpleasant part. * /The […]

short haul
[short haul] {n.} A short distance; a short trip. * /The […]

short shrift
[short shrift] {n.} Little or no attention. - Usually used with […]

short-order cook
[short-order cook] {n.} A person who prepares food that cooks quickly. […]

shortcut
[shortcut] {n.} A road shorter than the one that people normally […]

showdown
[showdown] {n.} A final challenge or confrontation during which both sides […]

showgirl
[showgirl] {n.} One who works as an entertainer in a bar […]

showoff
[showoff] {n.} A boastful person. * /Jim always has to be […]

shut-eye
[shut-eye] {n.}, {slang} Sleep. * /It's very late. We'd better get […]

side street
[side street] {n.} A street that runs into and ends at […]

sidekick
[sidekick] {n.} A companion; a close friend of lesser status. * […]

silent majority
[silent majority] {n.}, {informal} The large majority of people who, unlike […]

Simon Legree
[Simon Legree] {n.}, {informal} A strict person, especially a boss, who […]

sit-up
[sit-up] {n.} A vigorous exercise in which the abdominal muscles are […]

six bits
[six bits] {n.}, {slang} Seventy-five cents. * /"Lend me six bits […]

skating rink
[skating rink] {n.}, {slang}, {citizen's band radio jargon} Slippery road. * […]

skid lid
[skid lid] {n.}, {slang} A crash helmet worn by motorcyclists and […]

skid row
[skid row] {n.} The poor part of a city where men […]

skin and bones
[skin and bones] {n.} A person or animal that is very […]

slap in the face
[slap in the face] (1) {n.} An insult; a disappointment. * […]

slave driver
[slave driver] {n.} A cruel, merciless boss or employer who makes […]

slipup
[slipup] {n.} A mistake. * /"I'm sorry, sir. That was an […]

slow burn
[slow burn] {n.}, {informal} A slowly increasing feeling of anger. * […]

slowdown
[slowdown] {n.} A period of lesser activity, usually in the economic […]

small fry
[small fry] {n.} 1. Young children. * /In the park, a […]

smash hit
[smash hit] {n.}, {informal} A very successful play, movie or opera. […]

smoke-out
[smoke-out] {n.} A successful conclusion of an act of investigative journalism […]

Smokey Bear
[Smokey Bear] or [Smokey-the-Bear] or [the Smokies] {n.}, {slang}, {citizen's band […]

snail's pace
[snail's pace] {n.} A very slow movement forward. * /Time moved […]

snapshot
[snapshot] {n.} A small photograph, unlike a professional portrait. * /We […]

snow job
[snow job] {n.}, {slang}, {informal} 1. Insincere or exaggerated talk designed […]

so-and-so
[so-and-so] (2) {n.}, {informal} A person of a special kind and […]

sob story
[sob story] {n.} A story that makes you feel pity or […]

social climber
[social climber] {n.} A person who tries to mix with rich […]

soda jerk
[soda jerk] or [soda jerker] {n.}, {informal} A person who serves […]

soft touch
[soft touch] {n.} A person with a sympathetic disposition from whom […]

song and dance
[song and dance] {n.}, {informal} 1. Foolish or uninteresting talk; dull […]

sonic boom
[sonic boom] {n.} A loud noise and vibration in the air, […]

sore spot
[sore spot] or [sore point] {n.} A weak or sensitive part; […]

sound effects
[sound effects] {n.} The noises made to imitate real sounds in […]

sound sheet
[sound sheet] {n.}, {slang}, {informal} A thin low-quality phonograph recording frequently […]

space probe
[space probe] {n.}, {Space English} An unmanned spacecraft other than an […]

speakeasy
[speakeasy] {n.} A bar during Prohibition where illegal alcoholic beverages were […]

speed trap
[speed trap] {n.} A place where police hide and wait to […]

spending money
[spending money] or [pocket money] {n.} Money that is given to […]

spinoff
[spinoff] {n.} A byproduct of something else. * /The television soap […]

spitting image
[spitting image] {n.} or [spit and image] {informal} An exact likeness; […]

split end
[split end] {n.} An end in football who plays five to […]

split second
[split second] {n.} A very short time; less than a second. […]

split ticket
[split ticket] {n.} A vote for candidates from more than one […]

split-up
[split-up] {n.} A separation or division into two or many smaller […]

sponge bath
[sponge bath] {n.} A bath with a cloth or sponge and […]

sporting blood
[sporting blood] {n.} Willingness to take risks; spirit of adventure. * […]

spring chicken
[spring chicken] {n.}, {slang} A young person. - Usually used with […]

square peg in a round hole
[square peg in a round hole] {n.}, {informal} A person who […]

stamping ground
[stamping ground] {n.}, {informal} A place where a person spends much […]

standard time
[standard time] also [slow time] {n.} Clock time that is set […]

stash bag
[stash bag] or [stuff bag] {n.}, {slang}, {informal} 1. A small […]

stick-in-the-mud
[stick-in-the-mud] {n.}, {informal} An overcareful person; someone who is old-fashioned and […]

stick-up
[stick-up] {n.}, {informal} A robbery by a man with a gun. […]

stool pigeon
[stool pigeon] {n.} A criminal who informs on his associates. * […]

stop street
[stop street] {n.} A street where cars must come to a […]

straight face
[straight face] {n.} A face that is not laughing or smiling. […]

straight ticket
[straight ticket] {n.} A vote for all the candidates of a […]

straw boss
[straw boss] {n.} 1. The boss of a few workers who […]

strikebreaker
[strikebreaker] {n.} One who takes the place of workers on strike […]

stuff and nonsense
[stuff and nonsense] {n.} Foolish or empty writing or talk; nonsense. […]

sucker list
[sucker list] {n.}, {slang} A list of easily-fooled people, especially people […]

sugar daddy
[sugar daddy] {n.}, {slang}, {semi-vulgar}, {avoidable} An older, [well-to-do] man, who […]

sum total
[sum total] {n.} The final amount; everything taken together; total. * […]

sunbelt
[sunbelt] {n.}, {informal} A portion of the southern United States where […]

sure thing
[sure thing] 1. {n.}, {informal} Something sure to happen; something about […]

SWAT team
[SWAT team] {n.}, {informal} Police unit trained for especially hazardous or […]

sweet talk
[sweet talk] 1. {n.}, {informal} Too much praise; flattery. * /Sometimes […]

sweetie pie
[sweetie pie] {n.}, {informal} A person who is loved; darling; sweetheart. […]

swelled head
[swelled head] {n.}, {informal} A feeling that you are very important […]

T-bone steak
[T-bone steak] {n.} A steak with a bone in it which […]

tag end
[tag end] or [tail end] {n.}, {informal} The end, farthest to […]

taillight
[taillight] {n.} The rear red light of a car. * /My […]

take one's leave
[take one's leave] or [take leave of] {v. phr.}, {formal} To […]

takeoff
[takeoff] {n.} 1. Departure of an airplane; the act of becoming […]

talent show
[talent show] {n.} An entertainment in which new entertainers try to […]

talking book
[talking book] {n.} A book recorded by voice on phonograph records […]

talking point
[talking point] {n.} Something good about a person or thing that […]

tax trap
[tax trap] {n.}, {informal} Predicament in which taxpayers in middle-income brackets […]

tearjerker
[tearjerker] {n.} A sentimental novel or movie that makes one cry. […]

ten gallon hat
[ten gallon hat] {n.}, {informal} A tall felt hat with a […]

the business
[the business] {n.}, {slang} - Usually used with "give" or "get". […]

the creeps
[the creeps] {n.}, {informal} 1. An uncomfortable tightening of the skin […]

the edge
[the edge] {n.}, {informal} The advantage. - Usually used in the […]

the lid
[the lid] {n.}, {slang} Something that holds back or holds out […]

the picture
[the picture] {n.} The way things are or were; the facts […]

the pits
[the pits] {n.}, {slang} 1. A low class, blighted and ill-maintained […]

the score
[the score] {n.}, {slang} The truth; the real story or information; […]

the ticket
[the ticket] {n.} Exactly what is needed. - Often used with […]

the tracks
[the tracks] {n.} The line between the rich or fashionable part […]

think piece
[think piece] {n.}, {slang} 1. The human brain. * /Lou's got […]

think tank
[think tank] {n.} A company of researchers who spend their time […]

third base
[third base] {n.} The base to be touched third in baseball. […]

third class
[third class] {n.} 1. The third best or highest group; the […]

third sex
[third sex] {n.}, {euphemism}, {slang}, {informal} Homosexual individuals who are either […]

third world
[third world] {n.} 1. The countries not aligned with either the […]

three-ring circus
[three-ring circus] {n.} A scene of much confusion or activity. * […]

through street
[through street] {n.} 1. A street on which cars can move […]

tie-in
[tie-in] {n.} A connection; a point of meeting. * /John's essay […]

tie-up
[tie-up] {n.} A congestion; a stoppage of the normal flow of […]

tight end
[tight end] {n.} An end in football who plays close to […]

tongue twister
[tongue twister] {n.} A word or group of words difficult to […]

tongue-lashing
[tongue-lashing] {n.} A sharp scolding or criticism. * /Jim's mother gave […]

top banana
[top banana] or [top dog] {n.}, {slang}, {informal} The head of […]

touchup
[touchup] {n.} 1. A small repair; a small amount of paint. […]

tough cat
[tough cat] {n.}, {slang} A man who is very individualistic and, […]

town and gown
[town and gown] {n.} The residents of a college town and […]

trade-in
[trade-in] {n.} Something given as part payment on something better. * […]

trading stamp
[trading stamp] {n.} One of the stamps that you get (as […]

trial and error
[trial and error] {n.} A way of solving problems by trying […]

trial balloon
[trial balloon] {n.} A hint about a plan of action that […]

trick or treat
[trick or treat] {n.} The custom of going from house to […]

triple threat
[triple threat] {n.} A football player who is able to pass, […]

trump card
[trump card] {n.} Something kept back to be used to win […]

tryout
[tryout] {n.} An audience at a theater or opera for would-be […]

tug-of-war
[tug-of-war] {n.} 1. A game in which two teams pull on […]

tune-up
[tune-up] {n.} 1. The adjusting or fixing of something (as a […]

turnout
[turnout] {n.} The number of people in attendance at a gathering. […]

turnover
[turnover] {n.} 1. The proportion of expenditure and income realized in […]

two bits
[two bits] {n.}, {slang} Twenty-five cents; a quarter of a dollar. […]

two cents
[two cents] {n.} {informal} 1. Something not important or very small; […]

ugly duckling
[ugly duckling] {n.} An ugly or plain child who grows up […]

unknown quantity
[unknown quantity] {n.} Someone or something whose value and importance are […]

up front
[up front] (1) {n.}, {slang}, {informal} The managerial section of a […]

upper crust
[upper crust] {n.}, {informal} The richest, most famous, or important people […]

upper hand
[upper hand] or [whip hand] {n.} Controlling power; advantage. * /In […]

upper story
[upper story] {n.} 1. A floor or level of a building […]

urban homesteading
[urban homesteading] {n.}, {informal} Renovation and occupation through cooperative ownership by […]

utility room
[utility room] {n.} A room in a house or building for […]

vanishing cream
[vanishing cream] {n.} A cosmetic cream for the skin that is […]

vanity case
[vanity case] {n.} 1. A small case containing face powder, lipstick, […]

variety show
[variety show] {n.} A program that includes several different kinds of […]

variety store
[variety store] {n.} A store that sells many different kinds of […]

vibrations
[vibrations] or [vibes] {n.} Psychic emanations radiating from an object, situation, […]

Vietnam syndrome
[Vietnam syndrome] {n.}, {informal} An attitude in government circles that diplomacy […]

visiting nurse
[visiting nurse] {n.} A nurse who goes from home to home […]

voice box
[voice box] {n.} The part of the throat where the sound […]

voiceprint
[voiceprint] {n.}, {technological}, {colloquial} The graphic pattern derived from converting an […]

waiting list
[waiting list] {n.} A list of persons waiting to get into […]

walking papers
[walking papers] or [walking orders] also [walking ticket] {n.}, {informal} A […]

wallflower
[wallflower] {n.} A girl who has to sit out dances because […]

want ad
[want ad] {n.} A small advertisement on a special page in […]

war baby
[war baby] {n.}, {informal} A person born during a war. * […]

warm the bench
[warm the bench] {v. phr.}, {informal} To act as a substitute […]

warm-up
[warm-up] {n.} A period of exercise or practice in preparation for […]

washout
[washout] {n.} A dismal failure. * /As far as investments were […]

weasel word
[weasel word] {n.}, {informal} A word which has more than one […]

weather eye
[weather eye] {n.} 1. Eyes that can tell what the weather […]

welcome mat
[welcome mat] {n.} 1. A mat for wiping your shoes on, […]

wet blanket
[wet blanket] {n.}, {informal} A person or thing that keeps others […]

whispering campaign
[whispering campaign] {n.} The spreading of false rumors, or saying bad […]

whistle-stop
[whistle-stop] {n.} A small town where the trains only stop on […]

white sale
[white sale] {n.} The selling, especially at lower prices, of goods […]

whitewash
[whitewash] {n.}, {informal} A soothing official report that attempts to tranquilize […]

whodunit
[whodunit] {n.} A detective story; a murder story; a thriller. * […]

whole cheese
[whole cheese] {slang} or {informal} [whole show] {n.}, {informal} The only […]

why and wherefore
[why and wherefore] {n.} The answer to a question or problem. […]

wiener roast
[wiener roast] or [hot dog roast] {n.} A party where frankfurters […]

wild pitch
[wild pitch] {n.} A pitch in baseball that is so high, […]

wildcat strike
[wildcat strike] {n.}, {informal} A strike not ordered by a labor […]

windbag
[windbag] {n.} Someone who talks too much; a boring person. * […]

windfall
[windfall] {n.} An unexpected gift or gain of sizeable proportion. * […]

winning streak
[winning streak] {n.} A series of several wins one after the […]

wipeout
[wipeout] {n.} A total failure. * /The guy is so bad […]

wisecrack
[wisecrack] {n.} A joke or witty remark usually made at someone […]

working girl
[working girl] {n.}, {slang} 1. ({vulgar}, {avoidable}) A prostitute. * /I […]

workout
[workout] {n.} A physical exercise session. * /My morning workout consists […]

write-off
[write-off] {n.} A loss. * /This last unfortunate business venture of […]

write-up
[write-up] {n.} A report or story in a newspaper or magazine. […]

writers cramp
[writer's cramp] {n.} Pain in the fingers or hand caused by […]

x-raying machine
[x-raying machine] {n.}, {slang}, {citizen's band radio jargon} Speed detection device […]

yak-yak
[yak-yak] or [yakety-yak] or [yakib-yak] {n.}, {slang} Much talk about little […]

yes-man
[yes-man] {n.}, {informal} A person who tries to be liked by […]

zero hour
[zero hour] {n.} 1. The exact time when an attack or […]

zone defense
[zone defense] {n.} A defense in a sport (as basketball or […]