American

Related to American: American eagle, delta, American Express

American as apple pie

Exemplary or indicative of American life, interests, or ideals (often stereotypically so). Baseball is as American as apple pie.
See also: American, apple, pie

as American as mom and apple pie

Considered a core principle, value, belief, belief, characteristic, aspect, etc., of the United States of America or its citizens. Sometimes used sarcastically or ironically. A: "I've never really liked baseball." B: "Really? But it's as American as mom and apple pie!" It doesn't surprise me at all that their tax overhaul would turn out this ridiculous—after all, convoluted taxes are as American as mom and apple pie.
See also: American, and, apple, mom, pie

as American as motherhood and apple pie

Considered a core principle, value, belief, belief, characteristic, aspect, etc., of the United States of America or its citizens. Sometimes used sarcastically or ironically. A: "I've never really liked baseball." B: "Really? But it's as American as motherhood and apple pie!" It doesn't surprise me at all that their tax overhaul would turn out this ridiculous—after all, convoluted taxes are as American as motherhood and apple pie.
See also: American, and, apple, motherhood, pie

be as American as apple pie

To be exemplary or indicative of American life, interests, or ideals (often stereotypically so). Baseball is as American as apple pie.
See also: American, apple, pie

the American Dream

1. The belief that anyone can succeed (often with an emphasis on material gain) through hard work. The American Dream feels less attainable the more I am crushed by student loans.
2. The achievement of wealth and success. After years of hard work, we finally have a big house and successful careers. We're living the American Dream.
See also: American, dream

Truth, Justice, and the American Way

A life or lifestyle characterized by freedom, happiness, and equality. Used as a general description of the ideals of the United States of America. Originally the catchphrase of the comic book hero Superman, signifying what he aspires to represent and protect. I really don't like the dark, gritty reimagining they've done with Superman in the new movie. If he's not fighting for Truth, Justice, and the American Way, then he isn't really Superman in my eyes. They believe the purpose of this military intervention is to instill Truth, Justice, and the American Way in the region, but the natives in that country don't necessarily see it that way.
See also: American, and, way
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

*American as apple pie

Cliché quintessential American. (*Also: as ~.) A small house with a white picket fence is supposed to be as American as apple pie.
See also: American, apple, pie

American dream

the idealistic notion that Americans are preoccupied with obtaining certain materialistic goals. The American dream of home ownership, a car in the garage, and a chicken in every pot started in the early thirties.
See also: American, dream
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

American as apple pie

If something or someone is as American as apple pie, they are typical of the American way of life. Jeans are as American as apple pie and old jeans show a touch of class. Note: Apple pie is a traditional dessert that is thought of as typically American.
See also: American, apple, pie

the American dream

COMMON The American dream is the idea that anybody can be successful in life, even if they are born poor. Part of the American dream is building a new business that creates jobs and financial independence.
See also: American, dream
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

as American as apple pie

typically American in character.
1995 New York Times Magazine To reward people for something beyond merit is American as apple pie.
See also: American, apple, pie

the American dream

the ideal by which equality of opportunity is available to any American, allowing the highest aspirations and goals to be achieved.
See also: American, dream
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

as Aˌmerican as apple ˈpie

used to say that something is typical of America: For me, baseball is as American as apple pie.
See also: American, apple, pie
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

Truth, justice, and the American Way

and TJATAW
phr. & comp. abb. a phrase said in response to impassioned declarations about almost anything. (This phrase was used to introduce the Superman radio and television programs.) Sure, Mom and apple pie, as well as TJATAW.
See also: American, and, way
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions

American dream, the

The image of prosperity, achievable through hard work. A political cliché invoked by candidates, it was used by Alexis de Tocqueville in Democracy in America (1835) but may be even older. In 1975 psychoanalyst David Abrahansen was quoted as saying, “The American dream is in part responsible for a great deal of crime and violence, because people feel that the country owes them not only a living but a good living.” A similar cliché of even less precise definition is the American way, evoking an image of democracy, fairness, and other desirable traits.
See also: American
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer
See also:
  • be as American as apple pie
  • American as apple pie
  • as American as apple pie
  • pie
  • be on the warpath
  • be/go on the warpath
  • according to Gunter
  • Jim Crow
  • draw play
  • go out of
References in classic literature
The brave Americans serving our nation today in the Persian Gulf, in Somalia, and wherever else they stand, are testament to our resolve, but our greatest strength is the power of our ideas, which are still new in many lands.
My fellow Americans, you, too, must play your part in our renewal.
Bill Clintons Inaugural Address
Astor became proprietor of one half of the Indian establishments and goods which the Mackinaw Company had within the territory of the Indian country in the United States, and it was understood that the whole was to be surrendered into his hands at the expiration of five years, on condition that the American Company would not trade within the British dominions.
Astoria or Anecdotes of an enterprise beyond the Rocky Mountain
In the matter of truth and high honour I do not believe that the average Frenchman is ahead of the American Negro; while so far as mercy and kindness to dumb animals go, I believe that my race is far ahead.
Herford, whom I had known in Boston, consulted with the American Ambassador, the Hon.
Up From Slavery
Then the foremost flying-machine was rushing between Bert and the American's deck, and then bang!
The flattened ruin of one was floating abeam of the Monitor, the rest had passed, dropping bombs down the American column; several were in the water and apparently uninjured, and three or four were still in the air and coming round now in a wide circle to return to their mother airships.
The War in the Air
"No Americans! Why, bless your soul, it's just alive with them!
excuse me a minute, there's some Americans I haven't seen before."
Tramp Abroad
Maston, "why should not England in her turn belong to the Americans?"
From The Earth To The Moon
The American fur companies keep no established posts beyond the mountains.
Adventures of Captain Bonneville USA in the Rocky Mountains and
The studio was much fuller than it had been in the morning, and there was not the preponderance of English and Americans; nor were women there in so large a proportion.
Of Human Bondage
He watched her disappear through the trap by which she had ascended, and he felt more than ever like the young man in his American tale.
Pandora
And as it is part of the American temperament to foresee everything in business, even failure, the Honorable Harry Trolloppe, judge commissioner, and Francis Drayton, magistrate, were nominated beforehand!
Round The Moon
"Why can't these American women stay in their own country?
Picture Of Dorian Gray