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Q

Quick and dirty definition
If you take off the word dirty in this phrase, you have the essence for the term. Quite simply, a quick and dirty definition is a quick explanation. A related idiom would be a 'down and dirty' definition. Both phrases mean the same thing.
Example: Can you give me a quick and dirty definition for the word 'abnormal?'
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R

Rail against someone
When you complain about one particular person you are railing against him. Maybe you dislike his behavior. Essentially, you are hassling him.
Example: She really railed against the Congressman. It's too bad he wasn't there to hear it.

Rain on my parade
If you "rain on his parade" you are spoiling his fun. Perhaps he has a new job with higher wages. If you want to rain on his parade, tell him he'll have to work more hours. Normally, others don't 'want' to rain on someone else's parade, events, though, bring it to light.
Example: I was just beginning to enjoy my job. Why did you have to go and rain on my parade?

Rake in the dough
Someone who is "raking in the dough" is making a lot of money. It is as if he has a garden rake and just raking money into a wheelbarrow. A similar idiom is 'rolling in the dough.'
Example: With that new job, he must be really raking in the dough.

Raw deal
'A raw deal' is similar to 'a bum deal' as discussed earlier. If someone does his work well and still gets fired, he was given a raw deal. It wasn't fair that he got fired like he did.

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R...continued

Ripped off
This phrase means you were cheated. Similarly, a "ripoff" is the noun that means the item was not worth what you paid for it.
Example: When I bought that car, I was ripped off. The dealer knew it was bad but didn't tell me.

Rob someone blind
When someone "robs you blind" they steal everything you have. It can also mean a big ripoff.
Example: When we went on vacation we were robbed blind. Nothing was left.

Rob the cradle
When you "rob the cradle," you are marrying someone who is younger than you usually by at least 5 or 10 years.
Example: Wow, your wife is so young. You sure robbed the cradle when you found her.

Roll on the floor with laughter
If you use the internet chat rooms enough, you'll see this as ROFL. It means laughing hard. Sometimes "with laughter" is omitted.
Example: When he stood up and spoke, he had us rolling on the floor we were laughing so hard.

Roll up the sidewalks at six
Small towns tend to close businesses early. We use this idiom to mean that the entire town, not just businesses, closed for the day. The streets are empty at 6 or 7 at night.
Example: We drove through that town but they had already rolled up their sidewalks. As a side note, as I was writing this ebook, a friend emailed me to ask if they still rolled up the sidewalks at dark in my small town.

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S

Save it for a rainy day
When you save something "for a rainy day" you are simply saving it so that you can use it later. Usually you save money for a rainy day, for a time when money is not coming in as it is now.
Example: We need to put away a little money every month, to save it for a rainy day.

Sick and tired of
We use this phrase quite often. You will definitely hear it. It means to have a very strong dislike or hatred for something that happens repeatedly or overemphasized.
Example: I am sick and tired of all the slow drivers in the left lane of a highway. I am sick and tired of all the people who use the phrase sick and tired.

Sidekick
A "sidekick" is someone who is one person's assistant. The two are inseparable. The sidekick never takes charge. He always assists the person. Robin was Batman's sidekick. Tonto was The Lone Ranger's sidekick. It is also a playful term that fathers might use to describe their "little helper," either their little daughter or son.
Example: "Who's the sidekick you have there?" Oh, that's my little helper.

Sign your life away
When someone signs for a large loan or enlists in the military, he is said to be "signing his life away." It means to sign something that has a long term commitment. We might also use it sarcastically.
Example: When I bought the stereo on credit, I had to sign my life away.

Sit down and take a load off
This phrase is only used when a person who has been working or walking or running a long time comes in and looks physically exhausted.
Example: Sit down and take a load off. Rest a bit.

T

Take my word for it
This is the truth so you must take my word for it. A similar phrase might be "you have my word on it" though that tends to deal with promises.
Example: I know what I'm talking about; take my word for it.

Take off work
"Taking off a day of work" is very common in America. It means that you call in and tell the boss that you are not working today. Also common is "taking a day off."
Example: I need to take off work today because my kid is ill.

Take the party line
When you "take the party line," you are saying just what the party or company or organization would say if they were speaking. Politics is known for doing this to people. They believe something only because the party has stated it.
Example: You need to think for yourself and stop taking the party line.

Take your licks
When you "take your licks," you are taking the "punishment" you deserve because of what you did. The punishment does not have to be physical.
Example: I got in the stock market but it dropped, so I had to take my licks and get out.

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T...continued

That's all she wrote
This simply means 'it's finished.' If a piece of machinery dies, "it's all she wrote."

That's kid's stuff
This expression means "even a kid could do that." It's easy. We might also say, that's child's play.

The check's in the mail
This expression has become a "tongue in cheek" expression. If someone asks you about the money you owe them, the typical response is "the check's in the mail," whether it really is or not. You don't know for certain unless the person says, "literally."

The city never sleeps
Cities tend to have a life of their own, especially at night. Small towns "sleep;" cities don't.
Example: When you wake in the middle of the night and wonder if a store is open to buy medicine, the city never sleeps.

The cutting edge
"The cutting edge" is a term that has become very popular recently. It means the edges of society and not the center where most people live. The cutting edge is for the daring and the risk takers. Cutting edge technology, for instance, is new and innovative technology that is currently not available for the general public. Living on the cutting edge, therefore, is living life on the outer edges of society, daring to be different and risky.

The job's all sewn up
If you have the "job all sewn up," you have the job. It's yours. The only thing left is the paperwork.

The john
This is a crude way of saying the bathroom, restroom or toilet. Men say it.
Example: I need to go to the john.

The judge threw the book at him
If "the judge ever throws the book at you," you're in deep trouble. We usually say this when the judge issues a harsh penalty for a crime.
Example: He must have really angered the judge because the judge threw the book at him.

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T...continued

Tip of the iceberg
This phrase is related to the "just scratching the surface." Scientists tell us that what you see in an iceberg is about 5-10% of the actual ice. 90-95% is below the water's surface. Similarly, when you touch upon the tip of the iceberg, you are just "scratching the surface" of the idea or thought. The majority of the iceberg/idea remains hidden in water. This expression relates to problems that are buried.

Tickle the ivories
This simply means to play the piano. At one time piano keys were made of ivory.
Example: Would you help us out by tickling the ivories this morning for church?

Tie the knot
This phrase means to get married. We use it often.
Example: They finally decided to tie the knot.

Tightwad
A "tightwad" is someone who is very tight with his money. "Penny pincher" is a synonym. It is a derogatory term.
Example: He's such a tightwad. He won't even buy a single rose for his wife.

Time flies
The full expression is "time flies when you're having fun." It means that the hours go by quickly when you're enjoying yourself. In a broader sense, it can mean that the years go by quickly.
Example: Where did the time go today? Time sure flies.

To ace the test
When you "ace" something you get everything right. For example, an "ace" in tennis is when a person serves the ball and the opponent cannot even touch the serve because it was placed so accurately as to fool the opponent. Acing a test is getting everything on the test right. There were no errors.
Example: I was hoping to ace my exams, but got a B. I'm not happy about that.

To air dirty laundry
"To air dirty laundry" means to make private information public. Usually this information is negative and can damage reputations.
Example: Nobody likes dirty laundry, and yet everybody loves it (when it's not theirs).

To ask Webster
"Webster" is a well-known publisher of dictionaries. When you "ask Webster," you are consulting a dictionary to research a dictionary.
Example: That's not what that word means. Let's talk to Mr. Webster about it.

To bark up the wrong tree
If you are "barking up the wrong tree" you are accusing someone of doing something that they didn't do. Or you're implying that somebody is responsible for action that he didn't do.
Example: If a person were to come to me in my office to complain about a product that my company makes, that person is clearly barking up the wrong tree because my department does not deal personally with customers. My department only works with software, for instance. I would tell the person she is barking up the wrong tree. I might say "I'm sorry but you're barking up the wrong tree. We have a customer service department that can handle your inquiry."

To barrel down the road
This phrase means to drive down the road very quickly. It implies recklessness.
Example: We were barreling down the road until we saw the police car.

To be an animal
This phrase means many different things as it applies to humans. It can mean cruel, wild, or heinous. Context is important.
Example: What he did to those people, he's an animal.

To be behind/in front of the power curve
These phrases mean to be either late or early. The military uses it.
Example: Sorry folks, but we're behind the power curve a bit.

To be beside himself
A man who is "beside himself" is either very angry or extremely happy. This is even a confusing idiom for native speakers since the exact opposite emotions can be seen. Obviously context is very important.
Example: He was beside himself when he heard the news.

To be broke/busted
These two verbs mean to not have any money at all. The next time you'll have money again is on payday.
Example: Sorry, I can't go with you to the game. I'm flat out broke.

To be burned
If a person "burns you," it may mean that he betrayed you. It can be as simple as you loaning a friend money and the friend doesn't pay you back (and you never hear from him again). A similar phrase is "double cross." Being burned does not necessarily mean money. It can mean loyalty.
Example: I loaned my friend money and she burned me. I haven't spoken to her in 3 years.

To be cold cocked
If you've been "cold cocked" you were hit hard unexpectedly.
Example: He was cold cocked before he knew what hit him.

To be floored
This phrase means "to be shocked" by the information or news.
Example: She floored me when she told me that I was boring.

To be had
This phrase means you were tricked or fooled.
Example: I found out that I had been had by the best in the business.

To be hard up
This phrase means that you are desperate or destitute. You need money to survive.
Example: After he lost his job, he was hard up for work.

To be hooked
If you are hooked on something, it means that you cannot live without it. You are addicted to it. Drugs, tobacco, alcohol are all things you can be hooked on.
Example: It only takes a few snorts of cocaine to be hooked on drugs.

To be loaded
This phrase can mean two separate things: 1) a person is carrying a lot of money or is worth a lot of money,
Example: Look at that new car! He must be loaded.
and 2) a person is drunk.
Example: Look at the way he's behaving. He must be loaded.
Context is important.

To be old hat
A person who is very good at doing one particular thing is "old hat."
Example: He's an old hat when building houses. He can do it in his sleep.
Or it can also mean old fashioned and out of date.
Example: Windows 3.1 is so old hat. Nobody uses it anymore.
Context is important.

To be on his soapbox again
When a person has strong political opinions and voices them, he is on his soapbox.
Example: I wish he'd get off his soapbox. It's getting boring.
Origin (from phrases.org.uk) Soapboxes were literally used for political rallies in order to raise the speaker above the crowd - he stood on one. If the speaker went on too long for the assembled people, shouts of 'get off your soapbox' were heard! The expression was soon used to try to get anyone to shut up.

To be out cold
A person who is "out cold" is unconscious. Quite possibly he is asleep and shaking him won't wake him.
Example: After George's head hit the pillow, he was out cold.

To be plastered
This phrase means to get really drunk.
Example: He didn't remember much about last night because he was plastered.

To be pretty rank
You stink if you are "pretty rank." It simply means that something stinks. Normally this doesn't apply to people but it can.
Example: I took out the garbage because it was getting pretty rank.

To be railroaded
If you've ever been "railroaded," you know what it's like to be falsely accused with very little evidence.
Example: To save his daughter from jail, he was railroaded into confessing crimes he didn't commit.

T...continued

To be read the Riot Act
Trust me, you don't want someone to "read you the Riot Act." It means you've done something very wrong and you will hear about it. It is a warning and severe rebuke.
Example: When he got home that night, his wife read him the Riot Act because he got drunk the night before.

To do or die
This is it. Either this works or we are completely finished (it rarely means death). We also refer to "do or die" situations. "Sink or swim" is also used to mean the same thing.
Example: He needed to get a C on this test to pass the course. For him it was do or die.

To do time
If you have "done time," you have been in jail. It can also be a joke to mean working at an undesirable business.
Example: He did time in three different states. Did he work in 3 states or was he in jail in 3 states. Without context we don't know.

To draw a blank
Simply, it means that you forgot something you should have known, perhaps a name or telephone number.
Example: Help me out. I'm drawing a blank.

To draw a line in the sand
Someone "draws a line in the sand" to set up a challenge or warning. The implication is this: if you cross this line you'll be in trouble. In other words, I've drawn the line; don't cross it. If you do, there will be a big price to pay.

To draw the line
Everyone has limits to what he can or can't do. Everybody has to draw a line to establish those limits. The limits are different for each person.
Example: You have to draw the line somewhere lest people walk all over you.

To drive a hard bargain
We use this phrase when we have negotiated something and we believe that we "lost" in the negotiations. We would also use it if we were to buy something for children and they "win" in negotiating a price. We would playfully say, "you sure drive a hard bargain."

To drive a point home
You have a point or an idea you are trying to present. In order for that idea to stick in a person's mind, you "drive the point home" with an illustration or example that the person will remember. You make the idea memorable.
Example: He drove the point home with a personal illustration.

To drop a line
"Drop a line" means to write a letter. Usually it is used in written form at the end of a letter. You want the other person to "drop a line when you get a chance." The letter writer is hoping for even a short three or four lines "just to say hi" and that "I'm thinking about you.
Example: Drop a line. I'd love to hear from you.

To drum up more business
When your business is not doing well, the manager might suggest you think of new ways to "drum up more business." Perhaps you'll place more ads, make some phone calls, or pass out business cards. All of these are ways to increase business and make more sales.
Example: Get out there on the streets and drum up more business.

To each his own
This means that each person has his own tastes, desires, values, beliefs.
Example: When I see a person with strange hair colors or styles, I may shake my head and say to myself, "to each his own."

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T...continued

To earn your keep
If you are staying as a guest in someone's house for a few days, you may jokingly ask what you can do to earn your keep. Even though you are a guest, you feel the need to help out in some way.
Example: If I'm staying here for two weeks I want to earn my keep.

To face the music
Nobody likes to 'face the music.' 'The music' here is consequences for your actions.
Example: The four students played a great joke on the principal. Now they must face the music.

To go to the can
This phrase is similar to "the john." It is the bathroom, washroom, restroom, toilet. It is less crude than the john but still very informal. Men will use this phrase more often than women.
Example: I need to go to the can, man. (this is a common rhyme with man)

To go to town!
If someone "really goes to town" they do something really quickly. Context is important.
Example: Did you see those workers eat! Man, they were really going to town.

To goof up
This means to make mistakes. These generally are honest mistakes and not intentional. Sometimes it is used without the preposition "up."
Example: Sorry, I goofed up. I gave his tickets to her.

To harp on it
This idiom is usually used in the negative, "don't harp on it so much." It means not to nag about it. Nagging is annoying; so is harping. You may also hear this as "carping." They are identical in meaning.

To have a hankering for
"A hankering" is a strong desire for, a yearning for something you've enjoyed before.
Example: She had a hankering for a Caesar Salad at the River Front Café.

To have a lot of pull
If you "have a lot of pull," you are "connected" and may have power "to make things happen." Politicians tend to have a lot of pull. If you have pull, you can make a phone call or two to help someone get a job.
Example: I'm not worried. My husband has a lot of pull at his company. He's a vice president there.

To have clout
"Clout" and "pull" as mentioned above is very similar. If you have clout, you have high standing and therefore have a lot of authority or pull (a lot of respect or influence).
Example: Jane has a lot of clout in the industry. When she speaks at a conference, people listen very carefully.

To have him wrapped around her finger
This phrase generally applies to women and children. It means they have power over the man. She tells him that he can't go out, and he doesn't.
Example: One of these days Hank will stand up to his wife. Until then, though, she has him wrapped around her little finger.

To have his act together
You want to be around a person who has his act together. He is prepared and alert, sharp and intelligent, funny and honest. He doesn't criticize. In general, a person who has his act together is a person of noble character.
Example: Why can't you learn from Larry? He's really got his act together.

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T...continued

To have your henchmen in place
'Henchmen' is a broad term meaning a trusted follower. In the common usage, it means people who will do someone's 'dirty work.' So, if your henchmen are in place, you're probably seeking a political office. This phrase is often associate with organized crime.
Example: His henchmen took care of the extra votes he needed.

To keep them guessing
If you "keep people guessing," you are probably unpredictable. If people think you'll respond by saying X, you'll say Y. You are unpredictable.
Example: I like to keep people guessing about me. It makes life so enjoyable.

To make ends meet
If you are able to "make ends meet," you have just enough income to pay all your bills. It is a very common phrase, especially in the lower middle class of America.
Example: He had just enough money this month to make ends meet. Next month he might not be as fortunate.

To make the grade
This phrase means "to be good enough." It is a standard that must be met.
Example: She needs to be able to lift 75 pounds (32 kilograms) to make the grade at the fire station.

To manhandle
If you are "manhandled," you have been "pushed around" by others, either physically or otherwise. You weren't in a fight. You were just pushed around.
Example: After my speech, a few protestors manhandled my supporters.

To mooch
Mooching tends to be related to smaller items, such as food and drinks. A moocher does not bring his own, but takes a little from others in a group.
Example: That little kid was mooching off all the adults present.

To moonlight
To "moonlight" is to have a second or third job in order to have money to "make ends meet."
Example: After he bought the second car he had to moonlight for a few months to help pay for it.

To mull over
This phrase means to "think about" something.
Example: He's mulling over the option of working overtime.

To nickel and dime it
If you buy an inexpensive product, you don't need the salesman "to nickel and dime" it so that it's even more expensive.
Example: You buy a product. A warranty is extra. An extended warranty is extra. Delivery is extra. Shipping is extra. Necessary add-ons are extra. The product is priced at $30. After you have walked out of the store, you have paid $90 for the product because you were "nickel and dimed." You might even hear "nickel and dime it to death."
Example: I wish there was a law that prevented salesmen from nickling and diming you after the sale.

To open up
This essentially means to express yourself, to "bare" your true inner emotions and feelings, to say what's on your mind.
Example: Women, as a rule, tend to open up better and more easily than men.

To pack it up
"To pack it up" means to get ready to leave or go. It has a sense of completion.
Example: You are on a construction project and it's 5 pm. If you pack it up, you'll gather your tools, lunchbox and load up your truck. You'll tell your co-workers "good bye" and go home. You packed it up for the day.

To panhandle
"To panhandle" means to beg for money. A person who panhandles is a panhandler.
Example: Recently the City issued a new law stating that panhandling is not permitted during normal business hours.

To pay under the table
If you are "paying under the table," you are probably helping a person to avoid paying taxes. You are intentionally trying to hide the fact that you are paying in cash (or that the company is accepting it in cash).
Example: If you pay under the table, nobody will ever have to know. You will, however, have to live with your own conscience.

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T...continued

To sweat bullets
If you are sweating bullets, you are very nervous. Sweat is pouring from your face.
Example: He was sweating bullets until he found out the results from the doctor.

To sweep under the rug
When you hide dirt under a rug, the dirt is still there. It's just not visible. This expression means that a project or plan was an embarrassment and people wanted to hide it so they "forgot about it." Actually, the people probably didn't want to deal with it.
Example: Be careful that the project just doesn't get swept under the rug with Jim as manager. He tends to forget things he doesn't like.

To tailgate
"Tailgating" is a bad driving habit. It is following too closely to the car in front of you. About 30 years ago station wagons were very common (now replaced by minivans). All station wagons had tailgates on them.
Example: I hate it when I'm being tailgated. Also, tailgating is a very popular pastime at football games in the Fall and Winter. People will go to games at large stadiums and cook out by their cars. This is also called tailgating but has little to do with this expression.

To take the heat
This phrase refers to someone who personally will take responsibility for a group's actions.
Example: When the boss asked who was responsible for the accounting error, Ted spoke up and said it was him, even though we all knew that we had a part in it. He was willing to take the heat for us.

To the tune of ...
Usually this means "to the sum of%u2026" but it deals with large sums of money, and often with regret.
Example: We bought a motor home last month, to the tune of $55,000.

To throw a party
When you "throw a party," you are merely hosting it.
Example: Beth threw a party last week.

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T...continued again

<Turn the tide
If "the tide" is going with you, you will sail out to sea. If it is against you, you won't go anywhere (and often backwards). Therefore, the tide is turning, it means things are looking more positive for you. Things are starting to go your way.
Example: The organization is huge, but somehow I need to turn the tide so that they'll start thinking my way.

Turn up the heat
To "turn up the heat," means to put more pressure to do something. You can turn up the heat in projects, politics, and relationships.
Example: I need to know if he's committed to me or not. I'll have to turn up the heat a bit.

Two sheets to the wind
This phrase is another way of saying a person is drunk. I have also heard it as "three sheets to the wind."
Example: Don't ask him; he's two sheets to the wind and won't be sober for another day.

Two sides to a coin
If you only hear one side of a story, you're only hearing half of it. All stories have at least two sides, probably more. If, after hearing a version of a story, you think you need to hear the other side, you may use this phrase. The other person's version of the exact same story may be very different.
Example: Mary told me that Ron wasn't treating her well. Since there are two sides to a coin, I wanted to hear Ron's version.

Two to tango
When the phrase "it takes two to tango" is said, usually it relates to blame being placed solely on one person.
Example: A girl becomes pregnant. She blames the boyfriend and lets others know that it is entirely his fault. Someone will tell her, "it takes two to tango, honey." It means that in order to conceive there had to be two willing parties (in this case).

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U

Uncle Sam
This is a euphemism for the United States. Normally it applies to the U.S. government.
Example: Uncle Sam wanted more taxes from me this year.

Up to snuff
This phrase is identical to the next idiom. It means "up to standards."
Example: If this isn't up to snuff in a week, we'll cancel the project.

Up to speed
This phrase is identical to the previous idiom. It means "up to standards." This idiom has an additional meaning. It means to be "brought up to date."
Example: Let me bring you up to speed on what's been happening here lately.

Use every word in the book
A person who "uses every word in the book" is very angry. This is a reference to using all known profanity.
Example: You have obviously done something to anger this person if he uses every word in the book.

V

Variation on the theme
A "variation on the theme" is a reference to a change that could occur in a given situation. It means "something like it."
Example: If I ask what I should wear to the party, a person might respond with "wear what you wear to a wedding or some variation on the theme." In this example, it is up to the individual to wear what he wants, but usually it will be something nice. Possibly it will be with a tie for men and a dress for women. Essentially there is a standard. You can deviate from that standard a little. That is a variation on the theme.

W

Wear out his welcome
If you visit a friend for 2-3 days you're a guest. If you stay for a week, 2 weeks, or a month, you are no longer a guest. You are "wearing out your welcome." They've grown tired of you.
Example: You are welcome here as a guest for 2-3 days, but after that, you risk wearing out your welcome.

Well rounded
Someone who is "well-rounded" is very good in many things. For instance, if he is a good salesman, marketer, manager and co-worker, he is considered well rounded.
Example: Well rounded teens are hard to find.

We're in business
This phrase means that "we are ready to move forward because everything is in line." It can be as simple as connecting electrical wires to constructing an entire building. A similar idiom is "we're good to go."
Example: Just one more decoration on the tree and we're in business.

We're not on the same wavelength
People think differently. That is not a secret. When two people are talking about something but don't seem to be "connecting," then they might not be on the same wavelength. The idea behind this is simple. If you tune your radio station to 550 and another tunes his to 570, you will not hear the same things. One will hear a clear radio station while the other will hear bits and pieces of that radio station.
Example: When we started talking about the building project, we were on different wavelengths. We need more common ground.

Were you born in a barn?
You will hear this phrase when a door to a house or a car is left open. It's a question that really means, "shut the door."
Example: When I got in the car, my mother shouted from the house, "were you born in a barn?" I went back to shut the door.

W...continued

Wiggle his way out
If a person has said something that he regrets saying, he may try "to wiggle his way out" in order to save himself from embarrassment and other "damage."
Example: Politicians wiggle their way out of statements they make all the time.

Windbag
A "windbag" is someone who is always talking. Often the person has little to say but keeps talking anyhow. It is a demeaning term.
Fact or Fiction? Legend has it that Chicago, nicknamed The Windy City, was so named not because of its high wind conditions coming from Lake Michigan, but because of its "windbag" politicians. The earliest record of it being called The Windy City was 1855.

Wise acre
A "wise acre" is a person who makes joking and sarcastic remarks that another person may not find funny. A wise acre often makes "wise cracks" which may refer to dress, hair color, lack of hair, weight or anything slightly demeaning. A wise crack is a sarcastic remark about a person.

Wise cracks
"Wise cracks" are sarcastic remarks.
Example: I'm going to the Overeater's Club and I don't want to hear any wise cracks from you.

Working stiff
"Working stiffs" are generally all blue collar workers. The person puts in at least an eight hour day of manual labor, often more. I have heard working stiffs use the term to describe themselves and I have heard others use it to describe other blue collar workers.

Work around the clock
In today's terminology, it would be 24/7, twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. Many projects require this type of work to complete.
Example: We need to work around the clock to get this project out to the public.

Worry wart
As you might guess, a "worry wart" always worries about something. It is a description of the person. However, it is rarely positive.
Example: Don't be such a worry wart. It's not that bad.

Idioms on Amazon

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Yes man
A 'yes man' is a person who is always very supportive of his superior no matter what. It is a demeaning term because it implies that the yes man cannot think on his own.
Example: Don't try to tell him about the boss. He's a yes man.

You're yanking my chain
If you "yank someone's chain," you're playing a joke, probably a practical joke, on him. We might also say that you are "pulling his leg." It means that you are intentionally lying to make him believe something that he would be shocked to hear. The week I wrote this, I heard the phrase used on a national television program.
Example: He told me that he was quitting his lucrative job to become a professional baseball player. He doesn't even like baseball so I knew he was yanking my chain.

Yuppie
"Yuppie" or yuppy is an acronym that stands for Young Urban Professional. The person generally lives in the city, is under 35 years old (and often much less) and is a white collar professional. Yuppies can be single or married. An offshoot of the YUPpie is a DINK which stands for Dual Income No Kids.

English Dictionaries

What else would you like to see?

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SaintFrantic Oct 9, 2011 @ 6:00 pm | delete

Thanks for sharing

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mgs249 Sep 18, 2011 @ 1:56 pm | delete

This is a cute lens. Sometimes I say some of these idioms, but wonder if I used it correctly. Your site "sets me straight". Thanks. This is a useful lens worth referring to.