Frequently Used ASL Idioms and Expressions

Note:  Most of these signs are just regular vocabulary signs in ASL.
However, many people for many years have called them "idioms" and "expressions" (probably because the English translations often appear as an expression).  None-the-less, these are fun signs use and well worth knowing.

ASL Idioms and Expressions Video -
 A videotape is available in the lab - you can make a copy.

1. DO-DO-DO             Can mean "what are you doing?" or you are in an awkward situation and wondering how to get out of it.

2. TOUCH+FINISH      "Have you been to ...?" or "I have already been to..."

3. VOMIT! "                   I really hate that" or "I can't stand that" or "That is repulsive"

4. FUNNY^NONE        "That's not funny" or "This is nothing to laugh at

5. FEEL+DEFLATED    Used to indicate a feeling "flat" or "very small" when you have made a blunder or something you thought was correct turns out to be wrong.

6. OUT-OF-SIGHT         This idiom usually is used for something that is fantastic or for an individual who is superior to others.

7. O-I-C                          "Oh, I see"

8. THINK+DISAPPEAR The thought slipped my mind

9. ON-THE-FENCE        Similar to the English idiom.

10. SQUARE-MIND       Blockhead, nitwit.

11. MIND^FROZEN       Shocked, can't think

12. FALL-IN-LOVE        Fall head or heels in love with

13. TRAIN-GONE          Missed out on

14. BLOW-ONE'STOP   Similar to the English idiom

15. WHAT'S-UP              "What's up?" "What's happening" "How are you?" Use this sign when you are with friends not new people.

16. FINE!-wiggle              Used as a reaction to some humorous human error or joke or as a response to a clever or witty remark.

17. MIND+LIMIT            I can't think or take-in anymore just now, or my brain is tired and full

18. I-I-I                            Egotistic, think only of yourself.

19. STINK                       Perform badly

20. SWALLOW-PRIDE  I felt like a fool, gulp! oops!

21. TURTLE-NECK        Humiliated, embarrassed

22. POINT-BREAK-THROUGH  Get your point across, get it into your thick skull

23. BULLDOZE, REJECT Discriminate, outcast, lay-off

24. IN/OUT EARS/EYES  Not paying attention, daydreaming, no comprehension

25. YAK-AROUND        People are talking about it all over, It was all over town7.

26. ONE-UP-ON             Gotcha! take that!

27. BLOW-UP-IN-FACE  Back fire

28. GOBBLE-UP             Consume time, gas, money

29. GRAB-EYES             Fascinating, interesting

30. QUESTION-ON-BRAIN  Puzzled, confused

31. BIG-HEAD                Egotistical, swell-headed

32. FINE!                         Repulsive, Unthinkable

33. COW-IT (1) & (2)  (1) I'm not crazy about that; (2) very slow, taking forever

34. LEGS-IN-AIR           Suddenly stricken ill, or hurt, laid-up

35. BURNING-INSIDE   Feeling upset or angry; stewing

36. PAST-HEAD             I don't get it; over my head

37. MIND-BLANK         Completely forgot about that, can't think of it now

38. NOTHING                 No problem, means nothing to me

39. HUNGRY++              Passionate, horny