Informal Expressions of Contemporary American English

agree to disagree = to agree to discuss something, but retain one’s opinion

G We have decided nothing except that we agree to disagree.


big stink = a major issue; a scandal; a big argument

G There was a big stink made about my absence.


culture-vulture = an avid supporter of the arts; someone who exploits arts for monetary gain

G Many culture-vultures seem to be long on enthusiasm and short on taste.


drop-dead list = an imaginary list of annoying people whom one could live happily without

G I put Frank on my drop-dead list.

el cheapo [mock Spanish] = the cheap one; the cheapest one; cheap

G The el cheapo brand won’t last.


face time = time spent face to face with someone (as opposed to over the telephone or by email, etc.)

G I need to have more face time with my children.


go into orbit = to become very excited

G Wow, I thought the manager was going to go into orbit, she was so mad.


hit the skids = to decline; to decrease in value or status

G The firm hit the skids when the dollar collapsed.


I don’t mean maybe! = I am not kidding!

G You get over here right now, and I don’t mean maybe!


jack something up = to raise the price of something; to mess something up

G They kept jacking the price up with various charges, so I walked.
G Who jacked up the papers on my desk?


know all the angles = to know all the tricks and artifices of dealing with someone or something

G Rocko knows all the angles. That’s how he keeps out of the slammer.


let something ride = to let something remain as is; to ignore something (for a while)

G Let it ride. It’s not that important.


make a boo-boo = to make an error

G Everybody makes a boo-boo every now and then.


nip and tuck = so close as to be almost the same; neck and neck

G They ran nip and tuck all the way to the finish line, but Tom won the race.


on the chopping block = in serious and threatening straits

G Until this is resolved, our necks are on the chopping block.


pot boiler = a book or other literary work of no value except for the money it earns

G I can write one pot boiler every six months or so.


quick-and-dirty = rapidly and carelessly done

G I’m selling this car, so all I want is a quick-and-dirty repair job.


reinvent the wheel = to make unnecessary or redundant preparations

G You don’t need to reinvent the wheel. Read up on what others have done.


soft pedal something = to play something down; to de-emphasize something.

G Try to soft pedal the problems we have with the cooling system.
G I won’t soft pedal anything. Everyone must know the truth.


telegraph one’s punches = to signal unintentionally, what blows one is about to strike; to signal, unintentionally, one’s intentions

G The mediator telegraphed his punches, and we were prepared with a strong counter argument.


up in arms = angry; excited

G The whole time was up in arms about the planned highway.


vote with one’s feet = to show one’s displeasure by walking out

G A lot of people are voting with their feet. Customers clearly don’t like our goods.


when the eagle flies and day the eagle flies = payday

G I’ll pay you back when the eagle flies.


XYZ = examine your zipper; make sure your fly is zipped up

G XYZ, Fred.


You’ve got another think coming. = You have made an error. Think again.

G If you think I’m going to let you get away with that, you’ve got another think coming.


zoom someone out = to impress someone

G Freddie is trying to zoom out Tiffany again.


SOURCE:
Richard A. Spears
NTC’s Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions
2000