Significato:
13th generation 
tredicesima generazione (nata fra il 1961 e il 1981 e così chiamata in quanto rappresenta la tredicesima generazione di cittadini dalla fondazione degli Stati Uniti dàùcostituzione americana)
n Idioma
a babe in arms
a baby, a child who is still wet behind the ears Dar was just a babe in arms when we emigrated to Canada.
a babe in the woods
"a defenseless person; a naive, young person" He's just a babe in the woods. He needs someone to protect him.
a bad taste in my mouth
a feeling that something is false or unfair, a feeling of ill will I left the meeting with a bad taste in my mouth. There was a lot of dishonesty in the room.
a barnburner
an exciting game, a cliff-hanger When the Flames play the Oilers it's a barnburner - a great game.
a bawling out
a scolding, a lecture, an earful, catch it When I forgot to do my chores Dad gave me a bawling out.
a bee in her bonnet
upset, a bit angry, on edge Aunt Betsy was kind of cranky, like she had a bee in her bonnet.
a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush
having one is better than seeing many When searching for a better job, remember A bird in the hand... .
a bit off/a bit mental
not rational, unbalanced, one brick short Kate talks to the birds. Do you think she's a bit off?
a blank look
eyes show that a person does not understand, the lights are on but... When I called her name, she gave me a blank look, as though she didn't know me.
a blessing in disguise
a problem that becomes a benefit or advantage The rainstorm was a blessing in disguise. It stopped the fire.
a bone to pick
something to argue about, a matter to discuss "Joe sounded angry when he said, ""I have a bone to pick with you."""
a breath of wind
a breeze, a light wind In the evening, the lake was calm. There wasn't a breath of wind.
a budding genius
a child who appears to be very intelligent "The newspaper described Pam as ""a budding genius"" on the violin."
a bull in a China shop
"a big, reckless person in a room full of fragile things; cramp your style" Imagine a 300-pound football player at a tea party, and you have a bull in a China shop.
a bun in the oven
pregnant, expecting a baby Mabel has a bun in the oven. The baby's due in April.
a bunch of malarkey
an untrue story, a lot of bunk, bull """Do you believe what the psychic said about your future?"" ""No. It's a bunch of malarkey."""
a bundle of nerves
"a very nervous person; uptight person" May has so many problems - she's just a bundle of nerves.
a caution
a bold or shocking person, no shrinking violet She is a caution! She told the judge he was all wrong.
a cheap drunk
a person who gets drunk on one or two drinks Jo admits she's a cheap drunk. Her limit is two drinks.
a chicken in every pot
enough food for every family No one will be hungry if there's a chicken in every pot.
a chin wag
a conversation, a visit The grandmothers were talking happily - having a chin wag.
a chunk of change
a large amount of money, a few grand, big bucks I bet that condo cost him a chunk o' change - 300 grand at least.
a cinch
something that's very easy to do.
a clean bill of health
a good report from the doctor, a good checkup You'll never get a clean bill of health if you eat fat meat!
a cliff-hanger
a game that is close until the end, a barnburner Every election in this town is a real cliff-hanger - a close race.
a common thread
an idea or theme that is similar to others There's a common thread in most of Berton's stories.
a contract out on
a contract that pays to have someone killed There's a contract out on Mike. The boss doesn't like him.
a coon's age
many years, a dog's age We haven't been out to the coast in a coon's age. It's been years.
a crush on
sudden feeling of love or romance Judy has a crush on Tim. See the way she looks at him.
a crying shame
a sad event, it is too bad It's a crying shame that they didn't have fire insurance.
a dead ringer
a very close likeness, like a twin Chad is a dead ringer for Mel Gibson. They look like twins.
a different kettle of fish
different, not the same A cult is not a religion. A cult is a different kettle of fish entirely.
a dime a dozen
very cheap, low priced, dirt cheap He can remember when eggs were cheap - a dime a dozen.
a downer (drug)
a drug that relaxes you, a sedative Before bedtime he took a downer to help him relax and sleep.
a downer (sadness)
an event or statement that causes sadness News of the war was a downer. Most of the people dreadedwar.
a dressing down
a scolding, a lecture, a piece of my mind Mother gave me a dressing down when I said bad words.
a drop in the bucket
a small part, a tiny piece, the tip of the iceberg This donation is only a drop in the bucket, but it is appreciated.
a falling out
a disagreement, a break in friendship Guy and Jean had a falling out. They argued about religion.
a fart in a windstorm
an act that has no effect, an unimportant event A letter to the editor of a paper is like a fart in a windstorm.
a feather in your cap
an honor, a credit to you, chalk one up for you Because you are Karen's teacher, her award is a feather in your cap.
a fighting chance
a fair chance, a good chance If I can get a job interview, I'll have a fighting chance.
a fine line
a close relationship, not much difference Sometimes there is a fine line between love and lust.
a fine-toothed comb
a careful search, a search for a detail She read the file carefully - went over it with a fine-toothed comb.
a firm hand
a person who will discipline people The students in Grade 8 need a teacher with a firm hand.
a flash in the pan
a person who does superior work at first I'm looking for a steady worker, not a flash in the pan.
a fleeting glance
a very brief look, a quick glance A fleeting glance from Marilyn would make his heart beat wildly.
a fly on the wall
able to hear and see what a fly would see and hear I'd like to be a fly on the wall in the Judge's chambers.
a fool and his money are soon parted
"a fool will spend all his money quickly; easy come, easy go" After he had spent his fortune, he remembered this saying: A fool and his money are soon parted.
a foregone conclusion
a certain conclusion, a predictable result That he'll graduate is a foregone conclusion. He is a good student.
a free hand
complete authority, freedom to control The President gave Ms. Drake a free hand in choosing the colors.