chinaman on one's back
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
English · United States 2593
All languages English Tiếng Việt
Where will you be? Anywhere UK & IrelandUnited StatesOnline slangBusiness jargon
Expressions you’ll hear in the US — distinctly American usage first, then widespread staples.
Chinese compliment
a compliment that is actually an insult
Chinese green
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
Chinese overtime
Working long hours without extra pay
Chinese puzzle
A complex problem that is difficult to solve
Chinese Wall
A barrier to communication or interaction
Chinese water torture
A method of torture or persuasion using slow, repetitive actions
chink in the armor
A weakness or vulnerability in someone's defenses
chink up
to pay or give money
chip away
Gradually reduce or wear something down
chip in
contribute money or help to a common effort
chip off the old block
A person who closely resembles a parent in behavior or character
chip on one's shoulder
A grudge or grievance held for a long time
chip shot
An easy task or opportunity
chip up
to cheer up or become more optimistic
chips and dip
A fixed-order word pair (irreversible binomial); full definition pending editorial review.
chirk up
to become or try to become more cheerful
chocolate teapot
Something completely useless
choke off
to stop or suppress something
choke the chicken
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
chomp at the bit
To be impatient or eager to start something
choose one's fighter
Select someone to support or identify with
choose up
to select teams or partners
choose violence
to deliberately cause or escalate conflict
chop down
to completely destroy or eliminate something
chopped liver
completely unimportant or irrelevant
Christmas come early
An event happens sooner than expected
Christmas comes but once a year
One should enjoy and indulge during special occasions
Christmas graduate
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
Christmas tree bill
A bill overloaded with unnecessary amendments
chrome dome
A bald or partially bald person
chrome horn
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
chuck it
to give up or abandon something
chum in the water
Something that attracts people's attention or interest
chum up
to become or try to become friendly with someone
chump change
A small amount of money
church and state
Separation of religious and governmental institutions
circle the drain
to be in a downward spiral and nearing collapse
circuit slugger
A touring performer or athlete who travels to different locations
circular file
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
circular firing squad
A group that attacks its own members
civil tongue
Polite and respectful language
Civility costs nothing and buys everything (Mary Wortley Montagu)
Politeness is inexpensive but can achieve great things
claim someone's life
cause someone's death
clamp down on
to suppress or control something strictly
clap eyes on
to see something or someone for the first time
clap one's hands red
to applaud enthusiastically
clash of the ash
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
class clown
A student who entertains classmates with jokes and antics
clean and sober
Not using or addicted to drugs or alcohol
clean and tidy
A fixed-order word pair (irreversible binomial); full definition pending editorial review.
clean as a hound's tooth
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
clean as a whistle
Completely clean or pure
clean break
A complete and final separation or end to a relationship
clean hands
Having no involvement in something wrong or illegal
clean money
Legitimately earned money, not from illegal activities
clean someone's clock
to defeat or beat someone thoroughly
clean up
to make something clean and tidy
clean up one's act
Improve one's behavior or performance
cleanliness is next to godliness
Maintaining cleanliness is a moral virtue.
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