This page updated January 04, 2005

ASL 103 Supplemental Vocabulary
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.

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.

20. STINK                                    Perform badly

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

22. TURTLE-NECK                    Humiliated, embarrassed

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

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

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

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

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

28. BLOW-UP-IN-FACE           Back fire

29. GOBBLE-UP                       Consume time, gas, money

30. GRAB-EYES                        Fascinating, interesting

31. QUESTION-ON-BRAIN       Puzzled, confused

32. BIG-HEAD                           Egotistical, swell-headed

33. FINE!                                    Repulsive, Unthinkable

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

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

36. BURNING-INSIDE              Feeling upset or angry; stewing

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

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

39. NOTHING                           No problem, means nothing to me

40. HUNGRY++                       Passionate, horny