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1 of 10


eat humble pie

Categories: insulting shame verb
A Dictionary of American Idioms
1 of 10
[eat humble pie]  {v. phr.}
To be humbled; to accept insult or shame; admit your error and apologize.
Tow told a lie about George, and when he was found out, he had to eat humble pie.
In some old stories a boy with a stepfather has to eat humble pie.
Categories: insulting shame verb
A Dictionary of American Idioms
2 of 10


verbal diarrhea

Categories: noun
A Dictionary of American Idioms
2 of 10
[verbal diarrhea]  {n. phr.}
The inability to keep silent; over-talkativeness.
Archibald is a nice guy but he's got verbal diarrhea and he can't shut up for a single minute.
Categories: noun
A Dictionary of American Idioms
3 of 10


jump on the bandwagon

Categories: informal verb
A Dictionary of American Idioms
3 of 10
[jump on the bandwagon] or [get on the bandwagon]  {v. phr.},  {informal}
To join a popular cause or movement.
At the last possible moment, the senator jumped on the winning candidate's bandwagon.
Categories: informal verb
A Dictionary of American Idioms
4 of 10


make headway

Categories: verb
A Dictionary of American Idioms
4 of 10
[make headway]  {v. phr.}
To move forward; make progress.
The university is making headway with its campus reorganization project.
Categories: verb
A Dictionary of American Idioms
5 of 10


make it hot

Categories: informal verb
A Dictionary of American Idioms
5 of 10
[make it hot]  {v. phr.},  {informal}
To bring punishment; cause trouble.
Dick threatened to make it hot for anyone who tied knots in his pajama legs again.
Categories: informal verb
A Dictionary of American Idioms
6 of 10


man of parts

Categories: literary noun
A Dictionary of American Idioms
6 of 10
[man of parts]  {n. phr.},  {literary}
A man who has several different skills, talents, or qualities.
The pianist is a man of parts. He wrote the piece he played, and he also plays the organ and paints well.
Categories: literary noun
A Dictionary of American Idioms
7 of 10


refine on

Categories: verb
A Dictionary of American Idioms
7 of 10
[refine on] or [refine upon]  {v.}
1. To make better; improve.
Mary was asked to refine on her first outline to make it clearer and more exact.
2. To be better than; surpass.
Modern medical techniques refine on those of the past.
Categories: verb
A Dictionary of American Idioms
8 of 10


regain one's feet

Categories: verb
A Dictionary of American Idioms
8 of 10
[regain one's feet]  {v. phr.}
To get back up again after falling down.
Tom fell while he skied down the hill but he regained his feet quickly.
Compare: [TO ONE'S FEET].
Categories: verb
A Dictionary of American Idioms
9 of 10


rid of

Categories: children
A Dictionary of American Idioms
9 of 10
[rid of]
Free of; away from; without the care or trouble.
The puppy is finally rid of worms.
If I could be rid of the children for the day, I would go.
I wish you'd get rid of that cat!
Compare: [DO AWAY WITH], [THROW AWAY] (1), [THROW OFF] (1).
Categories: children
A Dictionary of American Idioms
10 of 10


take a turn for the better

Categories: time verb
A Dictionary of American Idioms
10 of 10
[take a turn for the better]  {v. phr.}
To start improving; start to get better.
Aunt Hermione was very ill for a long time, but last week she suddenly took a turn for the better.
Categories: time verb
A Dictionary of American Idioms