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1 of 10


pad the bill

Categories: money verb
A Dictionary of American Idioms
1 of 10
[pad the bill]  {v. phr.}
To add false expenses to a bill; make a bill larger than it really was.
The salesman padded the bill for his traveling expenses by exaggerating his food expenses.
Categories: money verb
A Dictionary of American Idioms
2 of 10


take off one's hands

Categories: hand verb
A Dictionary of American Idioms
2 of 10
[take off one's hands]  {v. phr.}
1. To abdicate one's responsibility of a person or matter.
"I am herewith taking my hand off your affairs," Lou's father said. "See how you succeed on your own."
2. To buy; relieve someone of something.
He offered to take my old car off my hands for $350.
Categories: hand verb
A Dictionary of American Idioms
3 of 10


calm down

Categories: time verb
A Dictionary of American Idioms
3 of 10
[calm down]  {v. phr.}
To become quiet; relax.
"Calm down, Mr. Smith," the doctor said with a reassuring smile. "You are going to live a long time."
Categories: time verb
A Dictionary of American Idioms
4 of 10


port of call

Categories: call noun
A Dictionary of American Idioms
4 of 10
[port of call]  {n. phr.}
1. Any of the ports that a ship visits after the start of a voyage and before the end; a port where passengers or cargo may be taken on or put off; an in-between port.
Savannah is a port of call for many Atlantic coasting vessels.
2. A place you visit regularly or often; a stop included on your usual way of going.
It was an obscure little restaurant which I had made something of a port of call.
His home had become one of my regular ports of call in Boston.
Categories: call noun
A Dictionary of American Idioms
5 of 10


SWAT team

Categories: informal noun
A Dictionary of American Idioms
5 of 10
[SWAT team]  {n.},  {informal}
Police unit trained for especially hazardous or sensitive law-enforcement assignments; short for Special Weapons and Tactics.
Joe made the SWAT team of the NYPD due to his athletic skills.
Categories: informal noun
A Dictionary of American Idioms
6 of 10


psych out

Categories: informal slang verb
A Dictionary of American Idioms
6 of 10
[psych out]  {v. phr.},  {slang},  {informal}
1. To find out the real motives of (someone).
Sue sure has got Joe psyched out.
2. To go berserk; to lose one's nerve.
Joe says he doesn't ride his motorcycle on the highway anymore because he's psyched out.
Jim psyched out and robbed a liquor store, when he has all he needs and wants!
Categories: informal slang verb
A Dictionary of American Idioms
7 of 10


poles apart

Categories: adjective
A Dictionary of American Idioms
7 of 10
[poles apart]  {adj.}
Completely different.
The two brothers were poles apart in personality.
It was hard for the members to make any decisions because their ideas were poles apart.
Categories: adjective
A Dictionary of American Idioms
8 of 10


top banana

A Dictionary of American Idioms
8 of 10
[top banana] or [top dog]  {n.},  {slang},  {informal}
The head of any business or organization; the most influential or most prestigious person in an establishment.
Who's the top banana in this outfit?
See: [MAIN SQUEEZE].
A Dictionary of American Idioms
9 of 10


line drive

Categories: noun
A Dictionary of American Idioms
9 of 10
[line drive]  {n.}
A batted baseball that is usually hit hard and travels in the air not far above the ground.
The batter hit a line drive to left field for a single.
Categories: noun
A Dictionary of American Idioms
10 of 10


out on bail

Categories: adverb
A Dictionary of American Idioms
10 of 10
[out on bail]  {adv. phr.}
Released from prison because a security deposit known as "bail" has been put up by an individual or a bail bond broker.
The murder suspect was out on a one million dollar bail awaiting trial.
Categories: adverb
A Dictionary of American Idioms