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Словарь американских идиом 8000 единиц - Letter S.
[saber rattling] or [sword rattling] {n.} A show of military
strength usually to frighten; a threat of military force. * /The
dictator marched his troops and tanks along the border of our country
and did some saber rattling./
[sack] See: GET THE SACK at GET THE BOUNCE(2), GIVE THE SACK at
GIVE THE BOUNCE(2), HIT THE HAY or HIT THE SACK, LEAVE HOLDING THE BAG
or LEAVE HOLDING THE SACK.
[sack in/out] {v.}, {slang} To go to sleep for a prolonged period
(as in from night to morning). * /Where are you guys going to sack
in/sack out?/
[sacred cow] {n.} A person or thing that is never criticized,
laughed at, or insulted even if it deserves such treatment. *
/Motherhood is a sacred cow to most politicians./ * /The bold young
governor had no respect for the state's sacred cows./ * /Television
respects too many sacred cows./
[sacrifice fly] {n.} A baseball hit high in the air that helps a
runner score after it is caught. * /Mantle drove in two runs with a
single and a sacrifice fly./
[saddle] See: IN THE SADDLE.
[saddled with] {adj. phr.} Burdened with; handicapped. * /The
business was so saddled with debt that the new owner had a hard time
making a go of it for a couple of years./
[saddle shoe] {n.} A white shoe with a black or brown piece of
leather shaped like a saddle across the top of the shoe. * /Mary wore
bobby socks and saddle shoes./
[safe] See: PLAY SAFE.
[safe and sound] {adj. phr.} Not harmed; not hurt; safe and not
damaged. * /The package arrived safe and sound./ * /The children
returned from their trip safe and sound./ Compare: WITH A WHOLE SKIN.
[safety blitz] {n.} A defensive play in football in which the
defensive safety man makes a quick run to tackle the offensive
quarterback. * /Bob's safety blitz kept Tom from making a touchdown./
[safety glass] {n.} Two panes of glass with a sheet of plastic
between them so that the glass will not break into pieces. * /Safety
glass is used in cars because it does not break into pieces./
[safety in numbers] {n. phr.} Protection against trouble by being
in a group. * /Peter said, "Stay in a group; there is safety in
numbers."/
[safety island] or [safety zone] {n.} A raised area in a highway or
road to be used only by people walking. * /John was half-way across
the street when the light changed. He stayed on the safety island
until it changed again./
[sail] See: SET SAIL, RAKE THE WIND OUT OF ONE'S SAILS.
[sail close to the wind] {v. phr.} To be on the borderline between
legality and illegality. * /The wealthy tycoon sailed close to the
wind during Prohibition./
[sail into] {v.}, {informal} 1. To attack with great strength;
begin hitting hard. * /George grabbed a stick and sailed into the
dog./ Compare: LAY INTO, PITCH INTO. 2. To scold or criticize very
hard. * /The coach really sailed into Bob for dropping the pass./
Syn.: BAWL OUT, LAY INTO.
[sail (right) through] {v. phr.} To conclude easily and rapidly;
finish something. * /The bright young man sailed through the bar exam
in record time./
[sailor collar] {n.} A large square collar like those worn by
sailors. * /Little Timmy's suit has a sailor collar./ * /Mary's blouse
has a sailor collar./
[sail under false colors] {v. phr.} 1. To sail a ship, often
pirate, under the flag of another country. * /The pirate ship flew the
American flag until it got near, then raised the black flag./ 1. To
pretend to be what you are not; masquerade. * /The garage hired Jones
as a mechanic, but fired him when they found he was sailing under
false colors./ * /They found out that Smith was an escaped convict who
had been sailing under false colors as a lawyer./
[sake] See: FOR ONE'S SAKE.
[salad days] {n. phr.}, {informal} The period of one's youth; a
period of inexperience. * /He was silly and immature during his salad
days in high school./
[sale] See: NO DEAL or NO SALE, ON SALE, WHITE SALE.
[sales check] or [sales slip] {n.} A paper which the clerk gives
the person who bought something; a paper that shows what you bought in
a store and how much you paid for it. * /Mrs. Smith checked the sales
slip with what she bought./ * /Mary brought the sales check when she
returned the dress so she could get her money back./
[sales talk] {n.} A speech made to point out all the good reasons
why the sale would help someone who might buy the product. * /Mrs.
Goldsmith gave the man a good sales talk about the new house./ * /The
coach gave a sales talk on exercise in the school assembly./
[Salisbury steak] {n.} A broiled or fried hamburger patty sometimes
containing eggs, milk, bread crumbs, and seasoning. * /James ordered a
Salisbury steak for lunch./
[salt] See: BACK TO THE SALT MINES, TAKE WITH A GRAIN OF SALT also
TAKE WITH A PINCH OF SALT, WORTH ONE'S SALT.
[salt away] {v.}, {informal} To save (money) for the future. *
/Every week Joe salts away half of his pay./
[salt of the earth] {n. phr.}, {informal} One who helps to make
society good and wholesome; a basically good or valuable person. *
/Everyone here considers Syd and Susan the salt of the earth because
they are so generous./
[salt pork] {n.} Very fat pork that has been packed in salt or
dipped in brine for curing. * /Mother cooked beans with salt pork for
supper./
[same] See: AT THE SAME TIME, ALL THE SAME, or JUST THE SAME, IN
THE SAME BREATH, LIGHTNING NEVER STRIKES TWICE IN THE SAME PLACE, ONE
AND THE SAME.
[same here] {informal} And it is the same with me; and the same for
me. - Used only in speech. * /Mary ordered an ice cream soda, and Jill
said, "Same here."/ * /Tom said he was too tired to run any further,
and Bill said, "Same here."/
[sand] See: HIDE ONE'S HEAD IN THE SAND.
[sand lot] {n.} A field, vacant lot, or other open place used as a
sports playing field, usually by younger teams or by amateurs who
can't afford to use anything better. * /Rogers Hornsby, who was
National League baseball batting champion six times, first started
playing on Texas sand lots./
[sand-lot] {adj.} Of the kind seen on sand lots; not professional.
* /The professional football team was so confused by their opponents'
fast play that they acted like a bunch of sand-lot amateurs./
[sand trap] {n.} A low place on a golf course that is filled with
sand to stop the ball. * /The golfer lost four strokes trying to get
the ball out of the sand trap./
[sandwich board] {n.} Two advertising signs worn by a man, one on
his chest and the other on his back. * /The man walking along Main
Street wore a sandwich board saying "Eat at Joe's."/
[sauce] See: HIT THE SAUCE.
[save face] {v. phr.} To save your good reputation, popularity, or
dignity when something has happened or may happen to hurt you; hide
something that may cause you shame. * /The policeman was caught
accepting a bribe; he tried to save face by claiming it was money owed
to him./ * /Bill would not play in the game because he knew he could
not do well and he wanted to save face./ * /The colonel who lost the
battle saved face by showing his orders from the general./ Contrast:
LOSE FACE. - [face-saver] {n.} * /The shop teacher's note was a
face-saver when another teacher thought John and Bill were playing
hookey in town./ - [face-saving] {adj.} * /The note was a face-saving
idea./ - [face-saving] {n.} * /Face-saving is not helped by too many
invented excuses./
[save for a rainy day] See: RAINY DAY.
[save one's breath] {v. phr.}, {informal} To keep silent because
talking will not help; not talk because it will do no good. * /Save
your breath; the boss will never give you the day off./
[save one's neck] or [save one's skin] {v. phr.}, {slang} To save
from danger or trouble. * /The fighter planes saved our skins while
the army was landing from the ships./ * /Betty saved Tim's neck by
typing his report for him; without her help he could not have finished
on time./
[save the day] {v. phr.} To bring about victory or success,
especially when defeat is likely. * /The forest fire was nearly out of
control when suddenly it rained heavily and saved the day./ * /The
team was behind, but at the last minute Sam saved the day with a
touchdown./
[save up] {v. phr.} To put away for future use; keep as savings;
save. * /John was saving up for a new bicycle./ * /Mary saved up
pieces of cloth to make a quilt./
[saving grace] {n. phr.} A single good attribute; a redeeming
quality. * /Felicity is not very attractive but her intelligence and
wit are her saving grace./
[savings account] {n.} An account in a bank, where people put money
to save it, and the bank uses the money and pays interest every year.
* /If you leave your money in your savings account for six months or a
year, the bank will pay interest on it./ Compare: CHECKING ACCOUNT.
[savings bond] {n.} A government certificate given for money and
saved for a number of years so that the government will pay back the
money with interest. * /Mary bought a $25 savings bond for $18.75./ *
/John's father gave him a savings bond for graduation./
[sawed-off] {adj.}, {informal} Shorter than usual; small of its
kind. * /The riot police carried sawed-off shotguns./ * /Jimmy was a
sawed-off, skinny runt./
[saw wood] also {Southern} [saw gourds] {v. phr.}, {slang} To
breathe loudly through the nose while sleeping; snore. * /John was
sawing wood./ * /In Alabama a boy who snores saws gourds./
[say] See: DARE SAY, GO WITHOUT SAYING, I'LL SAY, NEVER SAY DIE,
NOT TO MENTION or TO SAY NOTHING OF, STRANGE TO SAY, THAT IS or THAT
IS TO SAY, YOU DON'T SAY, YOU SAID IT or YOU CAN SAY THAT AGAIN.
[say a mouthful] 1. {v. phr.}, {slang} To say something of great
importance or meaning; say more by a sentence than the words usually
mean. - Usually in past tense. * /Tom said a mouthful when he guessed
that company was coming to visit. A dozen people came./ 2. {v. phr.},
{informal} To vent one's honest opinion, even in anger. * /He sure
said a mouthful when he told his boss what was wrong with our
business./ Contrast: GET AN EARFUL.
[say one's peace] or [speak one's piece] {v. phr.} To say openly
what you think; say, especially in public, what you usually say or are
expected to say. * /John told the boss that he thought he was wrong
and the boss got angry. He said, "You've said your little piece, so go
on home."/ * /Every politician got up and said his piece about how
good the mayor was and then sat down./
[says who] or [says you] {v. phr.}, {slang} I don't believe or
accept that. - An expression of rebuff often used to make fun of
someone or oppose him. * /"I am the strongest boy on the block." "Says
you./" * /"That brook is full of trout." "Says who? I never saw
anybody catch trout there."/ * /"You can't take Mary to the party -
she's my girl." "Says who?"/
[say-so] {n.} Approval; permission; word. * /Father got angry
because I took his new car out without his say-so./
[say the word] {v. phr.}, {informal} To say or show that you want
something or agree to something; show a wish, willingness, or
readiness; give a sign; say yes; say so. * /Just say the word and I
will lend you the money./ * /I will do anything you want; just say the
word./ * /If you get tired of those pictures, say the word./
[say uncle] also [cry uncle] {v. phr.}, {informal} To say that you
surrender; admit that you have lost; admit a defeat; give up. * /Bob
fought for five minutes, but he had to say uncle./ * /The bully
twisted Jerry's arm and said, "Cry uncle."/ * /The other team was
beating us, but we wouldn't say uncle./ Compare: GIVE IN.
[scale] See: TO SCALE.
[scale down] {v.} To make smaller or less; decrease. * /John scaled
down each boy's share of food after a bear robbed the camp./ * /Tom
built a scaled down model of the plane./ Compare: CUT DOWN.
[scandal sheet] {n.} A newspaper that prints much shocking news and
scandal. * /Bob wanted to find out who won the election, but he could
find only a scandal sheet./ * /The scandal sheet carried big headlines
about the murder./
[scarcely any] See: HARDLY ANY.
[scarcely ever] See: HARDLY EVER.
[scaredy-cat] or [scared-cat] See: FRAIDY-CAT.
[scare away] or [off] {v. phr.} To cause to flee; frighten away. *
/Jake is a confirmed bachelor; the best way to scare him off is to
start talking about marriage./
[scare out of one's wits] or [scare stiff] or [scare the daylights
out of] {v. phr.}, {informal} To frighten very much. * /The owl's
hooting scared him out of his wits./ * /The child was scared stiff in
the dentist's chair./ * /Pete's ghost story scared the daylights out
of the smaller boys./
[scare to death] See: TO DEATH.
[scare up] or [scrape up] {v.}, {informal} To find, collect, or get
together with some effort when needed. * /The boy scared up enough
money to go to college./ * /"Will you stay for supper?" she asked. "I
can scare up enough for us all."/ * /He managed to scrape up the money
for his speeding fine./
[scene] See: BEHIND THE SCENES.
[scent] See: THROW OFF THE SCENT.
[schedule] See: ON SCHEDULE.
[scheme] See: COLOR SCHEME.
[school] See: TELL TALES OUT OF SCHOOL.
[school of hard knocks] {n. phr.} Life outside of school or
college; life out in the world; the ordinary experience of learning
from work and troubles. * /He never went to high school; he was
educated in the school of hard knocks./
[score] See: SETTLE A SCORE also WIPE OUT AN OLD SCORE, THE SCORE.
[scot-free] {adj. phr.} Without punishment; completely free. * /In
spite of his obvious guilt, the jury acquitted him and he got off
scot-free./
[scotch broth] {n.} A thick barley soup with vegetables and mutton
or beef. * /Mother cooked a hearty scotch broth for dinner./
[Scott] See: GREAT GODFREY or GREAT SCOTT.
[scout] See: GOOD EGG or GOOD SCOUT.
[scout around] {v. phr.} To search for; look around. * /When we
first came to town, we had to scout around for a suitable apartment./
[scrape] See: BOW AND SCRAPE.
[scrape the bottom of the barrel] {v. phr.}, {informal} To use or
take whatever is left after the most or the best has been taken;
accept the leftovers. * /At first they took out quarters, but they had
so little money that they had to scrape the bottom of the barrel and
paid with nickels and pennies for their lunch./ * /The garage owner
had to scrape the bottom of the barrel to find a qualified mechanic to
work for him./
[scrape together] {v. phr.} To quickly assemble, usually from
scanty ingredients. * /We were so hungry we had to scrape together
some lunch from all kinds of frozen leftovers./
[scrape up] See: SCARE UP.
[scratch] See: FROM SCRATCH, PUT ONE'S MONEY ON A SCRATCHED HORSE,
UP TO PAR or UP TO SCRATCH.
[scratch around for] {v. phr.} To search randomly for something. *
/If you scratch around for a more reliable used car, maybe you'll feel
more confident on the road./
[scratch one's back] {v. phr.}, {informal} To do something kind and
helpful for someone or to flatter him in the hope that he will do
something for you. Usually used in the expression "You scratch my back
and I'll scratch yours." * /Mary asked Jean to introduce her to her
brother. Jean said, "You scratch my back and I'll scratch yours."/
[scratch the surface] {v. phr.} To learn or understand very little
about something. - Usually used with a limiting adverb (as "only",
"hardly"). * /We thought we understood Africa but when we made a trip
there we found we had only scratched the surface./ * /High school
students have only scratched the surface of their subjects, and even
after college graduation, they still find there is much more to
learn./
[scream bloody murder] {v. phr.}, {informal} To yell or protest as
strongly as one can. * /When the thief grabbed her purse, the woman
screamed bloody murder./ * /When the city doubled property taxes, home
owners screamed bloody murder./
[screen test] {n.} A short movie made to see if an actor or actress
is good enough or the right one to play a part. * /Ellen acted well on
the stage, but she failed her screen test./
[screw] See: HAVE A SCREW LOOSE, PUT ON THE SCREWS.
[screw around] {v. phr.}, {vulgar}, {avoidable} To hang around idly
without accomplishing anything, to loaf about, to beat or hack around.
* /You guys are no longer welcome here; all you do is screw around all
day./
[screws] See: TIGHTEN THE SCREWS.
[screw up] {v. phr.}, {slang}, {semi-vulgar}, {best avoided} 1. To
make a mess of, to make an error which causes confusion. * /The
treasurer screwed up the accounts of the Society so badly that he had
to be fired./ 2. To cause someone to be neurotic or maladjusted. *
/Her divorce screwed her up so badly that she had to go to a shrink./
[screw-up] {n.} A mistake; an error; a confusing mess. * /"What a
screw-up!" the manager cried, when he realized that the bills were
sent to the wrong customers./
[screw up one's courage] or [pluck up one's courage] {v. phr.} To
force yourself to be brave. * /The small boy screwed up his courage
and went upstairs in the dark./ * /When his father came home in a bad
mood, it took Pete some time to screw up his courage and ask him for a
dollar./ Compare: WHISTLE IN THE DARK.
[scrimmage] See: LINE OF SCRIMMAGE.
[scrounge around] {v. phr.}, {slang} 1. To search for an object
aimlessly without having one clearly in mind. * /I don't know what's
the matter with him, he is just scrounging around all day long./ 2. To
look around for a way to get a free drink or a free meal. * /Sue and
her husband are so broke they never eat properly; they just scrounge
around from one place to the next until someone offers them
something./
[sea] See: AT SEA, BETWEEN THE DEVIL AND THE DEEP BLUE SEA, HIGH
SEAS, NOT THE ONLY FISH IN THE SEA, PUT TO SEA.
[sea legs] {n. phr.} 1. Adjustment to being in a boat that is
rocking on the sea. * /This is my first transatlantic trip so give me
a day to get my sea legs before you make me dance./ 2. Adjustment to a
new job or situation. * /"I have just been transferred here and I
haven't found my sea legs yet," the new colleague joked./
[seam] See: BURST AT THE SEAMS.
[search] See: IN SEARCH OF.
[search me] {informal} I don't know; how should I know? - May be
considered rude. * /When I asked her what time it was, she said,
"Search me, I have no watch."/
[search one's heart] or [search one's soul] {v. phr.}, {formal} To
study your reasons and acts; try to discover if you have been fair and
honest. * /The teacher searched his heart trying to decide if he had
been unfair in failing Tom./ - [heart-searching] or [soul-searching]
{n.} or {adj.} * /After much heart-searching, Jean told Beth she was
sorry for the unkind things she had said./ * /The minister preached a
soul-searching sermon about the thoughtless ways people hurt each
other./
[search out] {v.} To search for and discover; find or learn by
hunting. * /The police were trying to search out the real murderer./
[search with a fine-tooth comb] See: FINE-TOOTH COMB.
[season] See: HIGH SEASON, IN SEASON, LOW SEASON, OUT OF SEASON.
[seat] See: BACK SEAT DRIVER, FLY BY THE SEAT OF ONE'S PANTS, HOT
SEAT, JUDGMENT SEAT, TAKE A BACK SEAT.
[seat belt] {n.} A strong strap used to protect a person in a
moving car or other vehicle by holding him in his seat. * /When the
plane began to land, Billy and his mother fastened their seat belts./
* /Passengers in automobiles should wear seat belts for safety./
[second] See: PLAY SECOND PIDDLE, SPLIT SECOND.
[second best] {n.} Something that is lower than or not quite as
good as the best. * /Tom liked the deluxe model bicycle; but he could
afford only a second best./ * /Joan chose the best and Mary had to
take the second best./ * /There were ten boys in the race. Jack won
and Fred was a close second best./ Compare: RUNNER UP.
[second best] {adv.} Second; in second place. * /The team came off
second best in the game./
[second-best] {adj.} Next to best; second in rank. * /Mary wore her
second-best dress./ * /Bob was the second-best player on the team./ *
/"I am the second-best student in this school because I was second
best in the Milwaukee competition."/
[second childhood] {n. phr.} Senility; dotage. * /"Grandpa is in
his second childhood; we must make allowances for him at the dinner
table," my mother said, as Grandpa dropped food all over the place./
[second class] {n.} 1. The second best or highest group; the class
next after the first. * /Joe was good enough in arithmetic to be put
in the second class but was not good enough for the first./ Compare:
FIRST CLASS. 2. The place or quarters, especially on a ship, train, or
airplane which people travel who pay the next to the highest fare. *
/Aunt May bought a ticket to travel in the second class on the boat
trip./ Compare: FIRST CLASS, THIRD CLASS. 3. A class of mail that
includes magazines and newspapers published at least four times a year
and costs less for mailing than first class mail. Compare: FIRST
CLASS.
[second-class(1)] {adj.} 1. Belonging in the class that is next to
the highest or next best. * /He was only a second-class math student./
* /His parents traveled as second-class passengers on the boat./ *
/The periodical came as second-class mail./ Compare: FIRST-CLASS,
THIRD-CLASS. 2. Not so good as others; second-rate. * /They were never
given full democratic rights but were always treated as second-class
citizens./
[second-class(2)] {adv.} By second class. * /We went second-class
on the train to New York./ * /I mailed the newspaper second-class./
[second cousin] {n.} A child of your father's or mother's first
cousin. * /Mary and Jane are second cousins./
[second-guess] {v. phr.} 1. To criticize another's decision with
advantage of hindsight. * /The losing team's coach is always
second-guessed./ 2. To guess what someone else intends or would think
or do. * /Television planners try to second-guess the public./
[secondhand] {adj.} Used; not new; preowned. * /Sometimes a
secondhand car is just as reliable as a brand new one./
[second nature] {n.} Something done without any special effort, as
if by natural instinct. * /Cutting tall trees has become second nature
to the experienced lumberjack./
[second-rate] {adj.} Of mediocre or inferior quality. * /The movie
received a bad review; it was second-rate at best./
[second-run] {adj.} Of a movie: Shown in many movie theaters
before, and allowed to be shown later in other movie theaters. *
/Tickets to second-run movies cost much less./
[second sight] {n. phr.} Intuition; prescience; clairvoyance. *
/Some police departments employ psychics to find missing persons or
objects as they are said to have second sight./
[second thought] {n.} A change of ideas or opinions resulting from
more thought or study. * /Your second thoughts are very often wiser
than your first ideas./ * /We decided to climb the mountain, but on
second thought realized that it was too dangerous./ Compare: THINK
BETTER OF.
[second to none] {adj. phr.} Excellent; first rate; peerless. *
/Our new State University campus is second to none. There is no need
to pay all that high tuition at a private college./
[second wind] also [second breath] {n.} 1. The easier breathing
that follows difficult breathing when one makes a severe physical
effort, as in running or swimming./ * /After the first quarter mile, a
mile runner usually gets his second wind and can breathe better./ *
/We climbed with labored breathing for half an hour, but then got our
second wind and went up more easily./ 2. {informal} The refreshed
feeling you get after first becoming tired while doing something and
then becoming used to it. * /Tom became very tired of working at his
algebra, but after a while he got his second wind and began to enjoy
it./
[secret] See: IN SECRET, OPEN SECRET.
[section gang] or [section crew] {n.} A group of railroad workers
who watch and repair a number of miles of track. * /The section crew
was called out to fix the broken bridge./
[section hand] {n.} A worker who repairs railway track; one of the
men in a section gang. * /The section hands moved off the track while
the train went by./
[security blanket] {n.}, {slang}, {colloquial} An idea, person, or
object that one holds on to for psychological reassurance or comfort
as infants usually hang on to the edge of a pillow, a towel, or a
blanket. * /Sue has gone to Aunt Mathilda for a chat; she is her
security blanket./
[see] See: CAN'T SEE THE WOODS FOR THE TREES, LET ME SEE or LET'S
SEE.
[see a lot of] {v. phr.} To go out regularly with someone; have an
affair with someone. * /They have been seeing a lot of each other
lately./
[see about] {v.} 1. To find out about; attend to. * /If you are too
busy, I'll see about the train tickets./ 2. {informal} To consider;
study. * /I cannot take time now but I'll see about your plan when I
have time./ Compare: SEE TO, LOOK INTO, THINK OVER.
[see after] See: LOOK AFTER.
[see better days] {v. phr.} 1. To enjoy a better or happier life. *
/Mr. Smith is poor now, but he will see better days./ 2. To become
old, damaged, or useless. Used in the perfect tense. * /Mv blue coat
is ten years old. It has seen better days./ * /Our car wasn't old, but
it had seen better days./
[see beyond one's nose] or [see beyond the end of one's nose] {v.
phr.} To make wise judgments about questions of importance to yourself
and others; act with farseeing understanding. Used in negative,
conditional, and interrogative sentences. * /He couldn't save money or
make plans for the future; he just never saw beyond the end of his
nose./ * /People who always complain about school taxes would stop it
if they could see beyond their noses and understand the importance of
first-class schools./
[seed] See: GO TO SEED or RUN TO SEED.
[see daylight] {v. phr.}, {informal} To know that an end or success
is near. * /We thought we would never finish building the house, but
now we can see daylight./ * /Sarah thought it would take forever to
read the book for her report, but finally she saw daylight./
[see eye to eye] {v. phr.} To agree fully; hold exactly the same
opinion. * /Though we did not usually agree, we saw eye to eye in the
matter of reducing taxes./ * /Jim did not see eye to eye with Sally on
where they would go for their vacation./
[see fit] or [think fit] {v. phr.} To decide that an action is
necessary, wise, or advisable; choose. * /Jim asked "Dad, what time
should I come home after the dance?" His father answered, "You way do
as you see fit."/ - Often used with an infinitive. * /After much
thought, we did not see fit to join the Smiths on their Caribbean
cruise./ * /The boys were angry because Ed thought fit to report the
fight to the principal./
[see how the land lies] {v. phr.}, {informal} To reconnoiter;
investigate. * /Before going there in person to ask for a job, you had
better see how the land lies and who does what./ Compare: CASE THE
JOINT.
[seeing is believing] Seeing something is good proof. * /Bill told
Joe he had passed his test, but Joe said, "Seeing is believing."/
[see into] {v.} To know or understand the real nature or meaning
of. * /Suddenly the teacher saw into Linda's strange actions./
[see off] {v.} To go to say or wave goodbye to. * /His brother went
to the train with him to see him off./ * /When Marsha flew to Paris,
Flo saw her off at the airport./
[see one home] {v. phr.} To walk a person home. * /"Let me see you
home, dear," Nick said to Jenny at the end of the party./
[see one's way clear] {v. phr.} To know no reason for not doing
something; feel that you are free. * /John finally saw his way clear
to help his friends./ * /Mary had to do her homework and help her
mother before she could see her way clear to go to the movies with
Jane./
[see out] {v.} 1. To go with to an outer door. * /A polite man sees
his company out after a party./ 2. To stay with and finish; not quit.
* /Pete's assignment was hard but he saw it out to the end./
[see reason] {v. phr.} To think or act sensibly, especially after
realizing what the facts are on a certain matter and accepting advice
about it. * /He finally saw reason and reshaped his sales strategy by
lowering the prices as his older brother had suggested./
[see red] {v. phr.}, {informal} To become very angry. * /Whenever
anyone teased John about his weight, he saw red. /
[see service] {v. phr.} 1. To be used over a considerable period of
time. * /This old camera of mine has already seen six years of
service./ 2. To serve in a military sense. * /Colonel Hutchins has
seen service in World War II, Korea, Vietnam, and the Persian Gulf./
[see stars] {v. phr.}, {informal} To imagine you are seeing stars
as a result of being hit on the head. * /When Ted was hit on the head
by the ball, he saw stars./ * /The boxer's head hit the floor, making
him see stars./
[see the beat] See: HEAR THE BEAT.
[see the color of one's money] {v. phr.}, {informal} To know that
you have money to spend. * /The realtor would not show us a house
until he saw the color of our money./ * /Before I show you the
diamond, let me see the color of your money./
[see the last of] {v. phr.} To say good-bye to someone or
something; get rid of something. * /We were glad to see the last of
the winter./
[see the light] {v. phr.}, {informal} To understand or agree, often
suddenly; accept another's explanation or decision. * /I did not
approve of his action, but he explained his reason and then I saw the
light./ * /Bill wanted Harry to help him, but Harry wasn't in the mood
until Bill offered to pay him. Then Harry saw the light./ * /Mary
thought it was fun to date older boys but when they started drinking,
she saw the light./
[see the light at the end of the tunnel] {v. phr.}, {informal} To
anticipate the happy resolution of a prolonged period of problems. *
/We've been paying on our house mortgage for many years, but at long
last we can see the light at the end of the tunnel./
[see the light of day] {v. phr.} To be born or begun. * /The
children visited the old house where their great-grandfather first saw
the light of day./ * /The party was a failure, and Mathilda wished her
plan had never seen the light of day./
[see the sights] See: SIGHTSEE.
[see things] {v. phr.}, {informal} To imagine sights which are not
real; think you see what is not there. * /I had not seen him for
twenty years and when we met on the street I thought I was seeing
things./ * /She woke her husband to tell him she had seen a face at
the window, but he told her she was seeing things./
[see through] {v.} 1. To understand the real meaning of or reason
for; realize the falseness of. * /Mother saw through Johnny's excuses
not to go to bed on Christmas Eve. She knew he wanted to stay up to
see Santa Claus./ * /The teacher saw through the boy's story of having
to help at home./ 2. To do (something) until finished; stay with until
the end. * /Once Charles started a job, he saw it through till it was
finished./ 3. To help and encourage (a person) through trouble or
difficulty. * /Mrs. Miller saw Jane through her sickness./ * /When Mr.
and Mrs. Brown lost their little girl, their friends saw them through
with help and sympathy./ * /His business was about to fail, but his
banker saw him through./ 4. To be enough for; last. * /This money will
see us through the week./ * /Here is a long report to type. Do you
have enough paper to see you through?/ Compare: TIDE OVER.
[see to] also [look to] {v.} To attend to; take care of; do
whatever needs to be done about. * /While Donna bought the theatre
tickets, I saw to the parking of the car./ Compare: SEE ABOUT.
[see to it] {v. phr.} To take care; take the responsibility; make
sure. - Usually used with a noun clause. * /We saw to it that the
child was fed and bathed./
[see with rose-colored glasses] See: LOOK AT THE WORLD THROUGH
ROSE-COLORED GLASSES.
[seed money] {n. phr.} A small grant or donation for others to be
able to start a new venture. * /All you need is some seed money and
you can set up your own desk-top publishing firm./
[seize on] {v.} To make use of (a happening or idea.) * /Bob seized
on the rain as an excuse for missing school./
[seize on] or [upon] {v. phr.} To latch onto. * /Whenever Herb is
in a romantic mood, Irene seizes on it and starts talking about
marriage, which is not what Herb had in mind./
[seize the opportunity] {v. phr.} To exploit a chance. * /His
wealthy uncle offered to send him to Harvard and he wisely seized the
opportunity./
[self-conscious] {adj.} Embarrassed; shy. * /Edith has a freckled
face and sometimes she is very self-conscious about it./
[self-made] {adj.} Having achieved wealth, fame, and success on
one's own without outside help. * /John D. Rockefeller is one of the
most famous self-made men in America./
[self-possessed] {adj.} Confident; sure of one self. * /Before he
made his first million, he used to be shy, but afterwards he became
very self-possessed./
[self-seeking] {adj.} Given to egotism and self-aggrandizement. *
/Al is the most self-seeking person I've ever met, he is not fun to be
around./
[sell down the river] {v. phr.} To give harmful information about
someone or something to one's enemies; betray. * /The traitor sold his
country down the river to the enemy army./ * /The criminal told the
hiding place of his companions and sold them down the river./ Compare:
SELL OUT(2).
[sell off] {v. phr.} To liquidate one's holdings of certain set
items. * /The retired professor had to sell off his rare butterfly
collection to meet his health expenses./
[sell one a bill of goods] {v. phr.} To persuade another to acquire
something useless; defraud. * /We were sure sold a bill of goods when
Alfred persuaded us to buy his custom-built car for which replacement
parts weren't available anywhere./
[sell one on] {v. phr.} To persuade someone to do something. * /We
were able to sell our wealthy uncle on the idea of having a joint
family vacation in Hawaii./
[sellout] {n.} 1. A betrayal or act of treason. * /The spy's
behavior during the Cold War was a classical sellout./
[sell out] {v.} 1a. To sell all of a certain thing which a store
has in stock. * /In the store's January white sale the sheets and
pillowcases were sold out in two days./ 1b. To sell all the stock and
close the store; go out of business. * /The local hardware store sold
out last month and was replaced by a cafe./ 2. {informal} To be
unfaithful to your country for money or other reward; be disloyal;
sell a secret; accept a bribe./ * /In the Revolutionary War, Benedict
Arnold sold out to the British./ * /The dishonest wrestler sold out to
his opponent for a hundred dollars./
[sell short] {v.} To think (a person or thing) less good or
valuable than is true; underestimate. * /Don't sell the team short;
the players are better than you think./ * /Some teachers sold John
short./
[sell snow to the Eskimos] {v. phr.} To sell something to people
who already have a large quantity of the same or similar goods. * /My
Alaskan friend said, "One of the hottest businesses in Alaska is
refrigeration. You could say that I, as a refrigerator expert, am
selling snow to the Eskimos."/ See: CARRY COALS TO NEWCASTLE.
[send C.O.D.] See: C.O.D.
[send off] {v. phr.} To say good-bye to someone ceremoniously. *
/They sent us off to the Mainland from our first visit to Hawaii with
an elaborate champagne party at the pier./
[send-off] {n. phr.} A demonstration of affection or respect at
someone's departure, as a retirement ceremony. * /When our colleague
retired after 35 years of teaching, we all got together at the Faculty
Club and gave him a terrific send-off./
[send one about one's business] {v. phr.} To dismiss someone
summarily; tell one off. * /When Mrs. Atwater discovered that her
daughter's French tutor was an ordinary fortune hunter, she sent him
about his business./ Compare: SEND ONE PACKING.
[send one packing] {v. phr.} To fire someone summarily. * /When the
boss caught Smith stealing from the cash register, he sent him
packing./ Compare: SEND ONE ABOUT ONE'S BUSINESS.
[send to the minors] {v. phr.} To dismiss someone; tell them off;
terminate a relationship. - A baseball term. * /"What did you do to
your girlfriend?" Ernie asked Bert, when Bert started dating Jane. "I
sent her to the minors," Bert answered with a sneer./
[send up] {v. phr.}, {colloquial} To sentence (someone) to prison.
* /Did you know that Milton Shaeffer was sent up for fifteen years?/
[send word] {v. phr.} To send notification to; advise. * /When his
father fell seriously ill, we sent word to Mike to come home as
quickly as possible./
[senior citizen] {n.} An older person, often one who has retired
from active work or employment. * /Mrs. North, the history teacher, is
a senior citizen./
[sense] See: COME TO ONE'S SENSES, HORSE SENSE, MAKE SENSE, OUT OF
ONE'S HEAD or OUT OF ONE'S SENSES.
[separate the men from the boys] {v. phr.}, {informal} To show who
has strength, courage and loyalty and find who do not. * /When the
ship hit an iceberg and sank, it separated the men from the boys./ *
/The mile run separates the men from the boys./
[separate the sheep from the goats] See SEPARATE THE MEN FROM THE
BOYS.
[serve] See: FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED.
[serve a sentence] {v. phr.} To be in jail. * /Charlie served four
years of an eight-year sentence, after which he was paroled and
released./
[serve notice] {v. phr.} 1. To notify one's employer in a formal or
legal manner that one is quitting the former's employment. * /She gave
notice to her boss that she was quitting because of marriage./ 2. To
notify an employee or a tenant that one no longer needs their services
or wishes to have them as tenants. * /The new landlady gave notice to
several families in our building because they were late in paying
their rent./
[serve one right] {v. phr.} To be what (someone) really deserves as
a punishment; be a fair exchange for what (someone) has done or said
or failed to do or say. * /He failed his exam; it served him right
because he had not studied./ * /Bob said it served Sally right when
she cut her finger; she had taken his knife without asking him./
Compare: ASK FOR, HAVE IT COMING.
[serve time] See: SERVE A SENTENCE.
[serve up] {v.} To prepare and serve (as a food). * /Father caught
a trout and Mother served it up at dinner./
[service] See: AT ONE'S SERVICE, CURB SERVICE, LIP SERVICE, OF
SERVICE, ROOM SERVICE.
[session] See: BULL SESSION.
[set] See: GET SET.
[set ablaze] {v. phr.} To cause to burn by lighting with a match or
other incendiary device. * /The criminals poured gasoline on the house
and set it ablaze with a small lighter./
[set about] {v.} To begin; start. * /Benjamin Franklin set about
teaming the printer's trade at an early age./ * /After breakfast,
Mother set about her household duties./
[set afire] or [set on fire] See: SET ABLAZE.
[set aside] {v.} 1. To separate from the others in a group or
collection. * /She set aside the things in the old trunk which she
wanted to keep./ 2. To select or choose from others for some purpose.
* /The governor set aside a day for thanksgiving./ 3. To pay no
attention to (something); leave out. * /The complaint was set aside as
of no importance./ 4. {formal} To refuse to accept; annul; cancel as
worthless or wrong. * /The Supreme Court set aside the decision of the
lower courts./
[setback] {n.} A disadvantage; a delay. * /We suffered a major
setback when my wife lost her job./
[set back] {v.} 1. To cause to put off or get behind schedule; slow
up; check. * /The cold weather set back the planting by two weeks./ 2.
{informal} To cause to pay out or to lose (a sum of money); cost. *
/His new car set him back over $3000./
[set back on one's heels] or [knock back on one's heels] {v. phr.},
{informal} To give an unpleasant surprise; upset suddenly; stop or
turn back (someone's) progress. * /Jack brags too much and it set him
back on his heels when the coach told him he wasn't as good a player
as he thought he was./ * /Jean was doing very well in school until
sickness knocked her back on her heels./ Compare: KNOCK FOR A LOOP,
THROW FOR A LOSS.
[set down] {v.} 1. To write; record. * /He set down all his
important thoughts in his dairy./ * /At the beginning of his letter
Dan set down the date./ Syn.: PUT DOWN. 2. To stop a bus or other
vehicle and let (someone) get off. * /The bus driver set her down at
the corner./ 3. To put into some group; classify; consider. * /When he
heard the man speak, he set him down as a fool./ 4. To explain; think
a reason for. * /The teacher set down the boy's poor English to his
foreign birth./
[set eyes on] See: LAY EYES ON.
[set fire to] {v. phr.} To cause to burn; start a fire in. * /The
sparks set fire to the oily rags./ Compare: CATCH FIRE.
[set foot] {v. phr.} To step; walk; go. - Used with a negative. *
/She would not let him set foot across her threshold./ * /She told the
boy not to set foot out of the house until he had finished supper./
[set forth] {v.}, {formal} 1. To explain exactly or clearly. * /The
President set forth his plans in a television talk./ 2. To start to go
somewhere; begin a trip. * /The troop set forth on their ten-mile hike
early./ Compare: SET OUT.
[set free] {v. phr.} To liberate. * /The trapper set all the small
animals free before the snowstorm hit./
[set great store by] See: SET STORE BY.
[set in] {v.} To begin; start; develop. * /Before the boat could
reach shore, a storm had set in./ * /He did not keep the cut clean and
infection set in./ * /The wind set in from the east./
[set in one's ways] {adj. phr.} Stubborn; opinionated;
unchangeable. * /My grandfather is so old and set in his ways that
he'll eat nothing new./
[set loose] See: LET LOOSE(1a).
[set off] {v.} 1. To decorate through contrast; balance by
difference. * /The bright colors of the birds were set off by the
white snow./ * /A small gold pin set off her plain dark dress./ 2. To
balance; make somewhat equal. * /Her great wealth, as he thought, set
off her plain face./ 3a. To begin to go. * /They set off for the West
in a covered wagon./ Compare: SET OUT. 3b. To cause to begin. * /A
letter from home set off an attack of homesickness./ * /An atomic
explosion is created by setting off a chain reaction in the atom./
Compare: TOUCH OFF. 3c. To cause to explode. * /On July 4 we set off
firecrackers in many places./
[set of new threads] {n. phr.} New men's suit. * /"Nice set of new
threads'" Ed said, when he saw Dave in his new tailor-made outfit./
[set on] also [set upon] {v.} 1. To begin suddenly to fight
against; attack fiercely. * /Tom was walking through the park when a
gang of boys set on him./ 2. To cause to attack. * /Some boys went to
steal melons but the farmer set his dog on them./
[set one's cap for] {v. phr.}, {informal} To attempt to win the
love of or to marry. * /Usually used of a girl or woman./ * /The young
girl set her cap for the new town doctor, who was a bachelor./
[set one's face against] {v. phr.}, {literary} To be very much
against; strongly disapprove. * /The banker's daughter wanted to marry
a poor boy, but her father set his face against it./
[set one's hand to] See: PUT ONE'S HAND TO.
[set one's hand to the plow] See: PUT ONE'S HAND TO THE PLOW.
[set one's heart on] {v. phr.} To want very much. * /He set his
heart on that bike./ also: To be very desirous of; hope very much to
succeed in. - Used with a verbal noun. * /He set his heart on winning
the race./
[set one's house in order] See: PUT ONE'S HOUSE IN ORDER.
[set one's mind at rest] {v. phr.} To relieve someone's anxieties;
reassure someone. * /"Lef me set your mind at rest about the
operation," Dr. Vanek said. "You'll be back on your feet in a week."/
[set one's mind on] {v. phr.} To be determined to; decide to. * /He
has set his mind on buying an old chateau in France./
[set one's sights] {v. phr.} 1. To want to reach; aim for. * /John
has set his sights higher than the job he has now./ 2. To wish to get
or win. * /Owen set his sights on the championship./
[set one's teeth on edge] {v. phr.} 1. To have a sharp sour taste
that makes you rub your teeth together. * /The lemon juice set my
teeth on edge./ 2. To make one feel nervous or annoyed. * /She looks
so mean that her face sets my teeth on edge./
[set on foot] See: ON FOOT.
[set out] {v.} 1. To leave on a journey or voyage. * /The Pilgrims
set out for the New World./ Compare: SET FORTH(2), SET OFF(4), START
OUT. 2. To decide and begin to try; attempt. * /George set out to
improve his pitching./ 3. To plant in the ground. * /The gardener set
out some tomato seedlings./
[set right] {v. phr.} To discipline; correct; indicate the correct
procedure. * /"Your bookkeeping is all messed up," the accountant
said. "Let me set it right for you, once and for all."/
[set sail] {v. phr.} To begin a sea voyage; start sailing. * /The
ship set sail for Europe./
[set store by] {v. phr.}, {informal} To like or value; want to
keep. Used with a qualifying word between "set" and "store". * /George
sets great store by that old tennis racket./ * /Pat doesn't set much
store by Mike's advice./
[set the ball rolling] See: GET THE BALL ROLLING.
[set the pace] {v. phr.} To decide on a rate of speed of travel or
rules that are followed by others. * /The scoutmaster set the pace so
that the shorter boys would not get tired trying to keep up./ *
/Louise set the pace in selling tickets for the school play./ -
[pace-setter] {n.} * /John is the pace-setter of the class./ -
[pace-setting] {adj.} * /Bob's time in the cross-country race was
pace-setting./ * /The country is growing at a pace-setting rate./
[set the stage for] {v. phr.} To prepare the way or situation for
(an event); to make a situation ready for something to happen. * /The
country's economic problems set the stage for a depression./
[set the world on fire] {v. phr.}, {informal} To do something
outstanding; act in a way that attracts much attention or makes you
famous. * /John works hard, but he will never set the world on fire./
* /Mary could set the world on fire with her piano playing./
[setting-up] {adj.} Done early in the morning to make you fresh and
feel strong for the day. * /Tom jumped out of bed and did his
setting-up exercises./ Compare: DAILY DOZEN.
[settle a score] also [wipe out an old score] To hurt (someone) in
return for a wrong or loss. * /John settled an old score with Bob by
beating him./ Compare: GET BACK AT, GET EVEN.
[settle down] {v.} 1. To live more quietly and sensibly; have a
regular place to live and a regular job; stop acting wildly or
carelessly, especially by growing up. * /John will settle down after
he gets a job and gets married./ 2. To become quiet, calm, or
comfortable. * /Father settled down with the newspaper./ * /The house
settled down for the night after the children were put to bed./ * /The
teacher told the students to settle down and study the lesson./
[settle for] {v.} To be satisfied with (less) agree to; accept. *
/Jim wanted $200 for his old car, but he settled for $100./
[settle on] {v. phr.} To decide which one to choose among various
alternatives. * /My parents have been debating what kind of a car to
get and have finally settled on a BMW from Germany./
[settle up] {v. phr.} To pay up; conclude monetary or other
transactions. * /"Let's settle up," Carol's attorney said, when she
sued Don for a hefty sum of money after their divorce./
[set to] {v.} 1. To make a serious beginning. * /Charlie took a
helping of turkey, grabbed his knife and fork, and set to./ 2. To
start to fight. * /One man called the other a liar and they set to./
[set to music] {v. phr.} To compose a musical accompaniment to
verse. * /Schubert and Beethoven both set to music many a famous poem
by Goethe and Schiller./
[set to rights] See: PUT TO RIGHTS.
[set tongues wagging] See: TONGUES WAG.
[setup] {v.} 1. To provide the money for the necessities for. *
/When he was twenty-one, his father set him up in the clothing
business./ 2. To establish; start. * /The government has set up many
hospitals for veterans of the armed forces./ 3. To make ready for use
by putting the parts together or into their right place. * /The men
set up the new printing press./ 4. To bring into being; cause. *
/Ocean tides are set up by the pull between earth and the moon./ 5. To
claim; pretend. * /He set himself up to be a graduate of a medical
school, but he was not./ 6. To harm someone by entrapment or some
other ruse. * /Joe was actually innocent of the robbery, but his
"trusted friends" set him up, so the police found the gun in his car./
[setup] {n. phr.} (stress on "set") 1. Arrangement, management,
circumstances. * /Boy, you really have a wonderful setup in your
office!/ * /I just can't do my work in such a messy setup!/ 2.
Financial arrangement. * /It is a fairly generous setup sending your
uncle $1,000 a month./
[set upon] See: SET ON.
[seven] See: AT SIXES AND SEVENS.
[seventh heaven] {n. phr.}, {literary} The pinnacle of happiness. *
/We were in seventh heaven when the helicopter flew us over the
magnificent Grand Canyon./
[sewed up] {adj. phr.}, {informal} Won or arranged as you wish;
decided. * /They thought they had the game sewed up, but the other
team won it with a touchdown in the last quarter./ * /Dick thought he
had the job sewed up, but another boy got it./ Compare: IN THE BAG.
[sexual harassment] {n. phr.} The act of constantly making unwanted
advances of a sexual nature for which the offended party may seek
legal redress. * /The court fined Wilbur Catwallender $750,000 for
sexual harassment of two of his female employees./
[shack up with] {v. phr.}, {slang} To move in with (someone) of the
opposite sex without marrying the person. * /Did you know that Ollie
and Sue aren't married? They just decided to shack up for a while./
See: LIGHT HOUSEKEEPING.
[shadow] See: AFRAID OF ONE'S SHADOW, EYE SHADOW.
[shaggy dog (story)] {n. phr.} A special kind of joke whose long
and often convoluted introduction and development delay the effect of
the punch line. * /Uncle Joe only seems to bore his audiences with his
long shaggy dog jokes, for when he comes to the long-awaited punch
line, he gets very few laughs./
[shake] See: MORE THAN ONE COULD SHAKE A STICK AT.
[shake a leg] {v. phr.}, {slang} To go fast; hurry. * /Shake a leg!
The bus won't wait./ Compare: STEP ON IT.
[shakedown] {n.} 1. A test. * /Let's take the new car out and give
it a shakedown./ 2. An act of extorting money by threatening. * /It
was a nasty shakedown, to get $500 from the old man, promising to
protect him./
[shake down] {v. phr.} 1. To cause to fall by shaking. * /He shook
some pears down from the free./ 2. {informal} To test, practice, get
running smoothly (a ship or ship's crew). * /The captain shook down
his new ship on a voyage to the Mediterranean Sea./ 3. {slang} To get
money from by threats. * /The gangsters shook the store owner down
every month./
[shake in one's shoes] or [shake in one's boots] {v. phr.},
{informal} To be very much afraid. * /The robber shook in his boots
when the police knocked on his door./
[shake off] {v.}, {informal} To get away from when followed; get
rid of; escape from. * /A convict escaped from prison and shook off
the officers trying to follow him./ * /Tom could not shake off his
cold./
[shake the dust from one's feet] {v. phr.} To depart or leave with
some measure of disgust or displeasure. * /Jim was so unhappy in our
small, provincial town that he was glad to shake the dust from his
feet and move to New York./
[shake up] {v.}, {informal} To bother; worry; disturb. * /The
notice about a cut in pay shook up everybody in the office./
[shake-up] {n.} A change; a reorganization. * /After the scandal
there was a major shake-up in the Cabinet./
[shame] See: FOR SHAME, PUT TO SHAME.
[shape] See: IN SHAPE, OUT OF SHAPE, TAKE SHAPE.
[shape up] {v. phr.}, {informal} 1. To begin to act or work right;
get along satisfactorily. * /If the new boy doesn't begin to shape up
soon, he'll have to leave school./ * /"How is the building of the new
gym coming along?" "Fine. It's shaping up very well."/ 2. To show
promise. * /Plans for our picnic are shaping up very well./
[shape up or ship out] {v. phr.}, {informal} To either improve
one's disposition or behavior, or quit or leave. * /When Paul
neglected to carry out his part of the research work that Professor
Brown had assigned him with for the fifth time, the professor cried,
"Shape up, or ship out, Paul. I have lost my patience with you!"/
[sharp] See: LOOK SHARP.
[sharp as a tack] {adj. phr.} 1. Very neatly and stylishly dressed
* /That new boy always looks sharp as a tack in class./ 2. Very
intelligent; smart; quick-witted. * /Tom is sharp as a tack; he got
100 on every test./
[shed light on] or upon See: CAST LIGHT ON; THROW LIGHT ON.
[sheep] See: WOLF IN SHEEP'S CLOTHING.
[sheepskin] {n.} Diploma. * /Dr. Miller has half a dozen different
sheepskins hanging on the wall of his office./
[sheet] See: SCANDAL SHEET, THREE SHEETS IN THE WIND or THREE
SHEETS TO THE WIND.
[shelf] See: ON THE SHELF.
[shell] See: IN ONE'S SHELL or INTO ONE'S SHELL, OUT OF ONE'S
SHELL.
[shell out] {v.}, {informal} To pay or spend. * /Dick had to shell
out a lot of money for his new car./
[shift for oneself] {v. phr.} To live or act independently with no
help, guidance or protection from others; take care of yourself. *
/Mrs. McCarthy was forced to shift for herself after her husband
died./
[shine] See: RAIN OR SHINE, TAKE A SHINE TO.
[shine up to] {v.}, {slang} To try to please; try to make friends
with. * /Smedley shines up to all the pretty girls./
[shingle] See: HANG OUT ONE'S SHINGLE.
[ship] See: GIVE UP THE SHIP, LANDING SHIP.
[ship come in] All the money a person has wished for is received;
wealth comes to a person. Used with a possessive. * /When my ship
comes in, I will take a trip to Norway./ * /Mr. Brown is just waiting
for his ship to come in./
[ship out] {v.} To begin a journey; leave. * /The army group
shipped out for the Far East today./
[shipshape] {adj.} In perfect condition; in good order. * /After we
left the islands, we left the rented car shipshape for the next
driver./
[shirk one's duty] {v. phr.} To be negligent or irresponsible. *
/If you continue to shirk your duty, you can expect to be fired./
[shirt] See: GIVE THE SHIRT OFF ONE'S BACK, KEEP ONE'S SHIRT ON,
LOSE ONE'S SHIRT.
[shoe] See: COMFORTABLE AS AN OLD SHOE, COMMON AS AN OLD SHOE, FILL
ONE'S SHOES, IF THE SHOE FITS, WEAR IT, IN ONE'S SHOES, SHAKE IN ONE'S
SHOES, SADDLE SHOE, STEP INTO ONE'S SHOES, WHERE THE SHOE PINCHES.
[shoe on the other foot] The opposite is true; places are changed.
* /He was my captain in the army but now the shoe is on the other
foot./
[shoestring] See: ON A SHOESTRING.
[shoestring catch] {n.} A catch of a hit baseball just before it
hits the ground. * /The left fielder made a shoestring catch of a line
drive to end the inning./
[shoo away] {v. phr.} To frighten or chase away. * /When the
children gathered around the new sports car, we shooed them away./
[shoo-in] {n.}, {informal} Someone or something that is expected to
win; a favorite; sure winner. * /Chris is a shoo-in to win a
scholarship./ * /Do you think he will win the election? He's a
shoo-in./ * /This horse is a shoo-in. He can't miss winning./ Syn.:
SURE THING(1).
[shoot ahead of] or [past] or [through] or [alongside of] {v. phr.}
To move or drive ahead rapidly. * /As we had to slow down before the
tunnel, a red sports car shot ahead of us./
[shoot a line] See: DROP A LINE.
[shoot from the hip] {v. phr.}, {informal} 1. To fire a gun held at
the hip without aiming by aligning the barrel with one's eye. * /In
many Western movies the heroic sheriff defeats the villains by
shooting from the hip./ 2. To speak sincerely, frankly, and without
subterfuge. * /"What kind of an administrator will Mr. Brown be?" the
head of the search committee asked. "He shoots straight from the hip,"
he was assured./
[shoot off one's mouth] or [shoot off one's face] {v. phr.},
{slang} To give opinions without knowing all the facts; talk as if you
know everything. * /Tom has never been to Florida, but he's always
shooting his mouth off about how superior Florida is to California./ *
/I want to study the problem before I shoot off my face./ * /The
editor of the newspaper is always shooting his mouth off about the
trouble in Africa./
[shoot one's wad] {v. phr.} {slang}, {colloquial} 1. To spend all
of one's money. * /We've shot our wad for the summer and can't buy any
new garden furniture./ 2. To say everything that is on one's mind. *
/Joe feels a lot better now that he's shot his wad at the meeting./
[shoot out] {v.} 1. To fight with guns until one person or side is
wounded or killed; settle a fight by shooting. - Used with "it". *
/The cornered bank robbers decided to shoot it out with the police./ *
/The moment she opened the door, the cat shot out and ran around the
house./ * /During the last half-minute of the race, Dick shot out in
front of the other runners./
[shoot questions at] {v. phr.} To interrogate rapidly and
vigorously. * /The attorney for the prosecution shot one question
after another at the nervous witness./
[shoot straight] or [shoot square] {v.}, {informal} To act fairly;
deal honestly. * /You can trust that salesman; he shoots straight with
his customers./ * /We get along well because we always shoot square
with each other./ - [straight shooter] or [square shooter] {n.},
{informal} /Bill is a square-shooter./ - [straight-shooting] {adj. } *
/The boys all liked the straight-shooting coach./
[shoot the breeze] or [bat the breeze] or [fan the breeze] or
[shoot the bull] {v. phr.}, {slang} To talk. * /Jim shot the breeze
with his neighbor while the children were playing./ * /Come into the
kitchen and we'll bat the breeze over a cup of coffee./ * /The women
were shooting the breeze about Jim's latest trouble with the police./
* /The fishermen were shooting the bull about the school of sail fish
they had seen./
[shoot the works] {v. phr.}, {slang} 1. To spare no expense or
effort; get or give everything. * /Billy shot the works when he bought
his bicycle; he got a bell, a light, a basket, and chrome trimmings on
it, too./ * /The Greens shot the works on their daughter's wedding
reception./ 2. To go the limit; take a risk. * /The motor of Tom's
boat was dangerously hot, but he decided to shoot the works and try to
win the race./
[shoot up] {v.} 1. To grow quickly. * /Billy had always been a
small boy, but when he was thirteen years old he began to shoot up./
2. To arise suddenly. * /As we watched, flames shot up from the roof
of the barn./ 3. {informal} To shoot or shoot at recklessly; shoot and
hurt badly. * /The cowboys got drunk and shot up the bar room./ * /The
soldier was shot up very badly./ 4. To take drugs by injection. * /A
heroin addict will shoot up as often as he can./
[shop] See: CLOSE UP SHOP, TALK SHOP.
[shop around for] {v. phr.} To make the rounds of various
commercial establishments in order to find the most economical answer
for one's needs. * /We've been shopping around for a larger
condominium that is affordable, and near the university./
[shoplifter] {n.} A thief who steals things from a store. * /The TV
camera identified the shoplifter, who was then arrested and sentenced
to jail./
[shopping center] {n.} A place usually for neighborhood shopping,
where there is a group of stores and shops inside of a large parking
lot. * /There is a bowling alley at the nearest shopping center./ *
/All the stores in our shopping center stay open until nine o'clock on
Friday evenings./
[shopworn] {adj.} A piece of merchandise that is offered below the
usual price because it is slightly damaged or soiled. * /Although
shopworn, the jacket was perfectly usable, so he eagerly bought it./
[shore leave] {n.} Permission given to a man in the Navy to leave
his ship and go where he wants for a certain length of time. * /Jim
went to visit New York when he was given three days' shore leave./ *
/The ship did not dock long enough for the sailors to get shore
leave./
[shore patrol] {n.} The police of a navy. * /The sailors who were
fighting in town were arrested by the shore patrol./ * /The shore
patrol was ordered to search every sailor who went on board the ship./
[shore up] {v.} To add support to (something) where weakness is
shown; make (something) stronger where support is needed; support. *
/When the flood waters weakened the bridge, it was shored up with
steel beams and sandbags until it could be rebuilt./ * /The coach sent
in a substitute guard to shore up the line when Fitchburg began to
break through./
[shorn] See: GOD TEMPERS THE WIND TO THE SHORN LAMB.
[short] See: CAUGHT SHORT, FALL SHORT, FOR SHORT, IN BRIEF or IN
SHORT, IN SHORT ORDER, IN SHORT SUPPLY, MAKE SHORT WORK OF, RUN SHORT,
SELL SHORT, THE LONG AND THE SHORT.
[short and sweet] {adj.} Brief and to the point. * /Henry's note to
his father was short and sweet. He wrote, "Dear Dad, please send me
$5. Love, Henry."/
[shortchange] {v. phr.} To return less money to a customer in a
store than is coming to him or her; cheat. * /I was shortchanged by
the cashier when I got seven dollars back instead of eight./
[shortcut] {n.} A road shorter than the one that people normally
take. * /We can save twenty minutes if we take this shortcut over the
hill./
[short end] {n.} The worst or most unpleasant part. * /The new boy
got the short end of it because all the comfortable beds in the
dormitory had been taken before he arrived./ * /The girls who served
refreshments at the party got the short end of it. When everybody had
been served, there was no cake left for them./
[shorthanded] {adj.} Understaffed; short on workers. * /With
several employees gone for the holiday weekend and two dozen people in
line, the rent-a-car agency suddenly found itself terribly
shorthanded./
[short haul] {n.} A short distance; a short trip. * /The
Scoutmaster said that it was just a short haul to the lake./ * /The
man from the moving company said they did not make short hauls, so we
hired a truck to move our furniture three blocks to our new house./
Contrast: LONG HAUL.
[short list] or [short-listed] {v. phr.} To place on the list of
select finalists for a job. * /Only three of the twenty-seven
applicants were short-listed for the assistant professorial vacancy in
our department./
[short of(1)] {adj. phr.} 1. Less or worse than. * /Don't do
anything short of your best./ 2. Not having enough. * /We did not buy
anything because we were short of money./ * /The girls were asked to
wait on tables because the kitchen was short of help./
[short of(2)] {adv. phr.} Away from; at a distance from. * /The
day's drive still left us a hundred miles short of the ocean./ * /The
golfer's shot fell far short of the hole./
[short of breath] {adj.} Panting and wheezing. * /He ran up six
flights of stairs so rapidly that he was short of breath for several
minutes./
[short-order cook] {n.} A person who prepares food that cooks
quickly. * /Bruce found a summer job as a short-order cook in a
drive-in restaurant./ * /The new diner needs another short-order
cook./ Compare: SLING HASH.
[short shrift] {n.} Little or no attention. - Usually used with
"get" or "give". * /In books about jobs, women's work is consistently
given short shrift./
[short-spoken] {adj.} Using so few words that you seem impatient or
angry; speaking in a short impatient way; saying as little as possible
in an unfriendly way. * /Jim is always short-spoken when he is tired./
* /We were hoping to borrow Dad's car, but he was so short-spoken when
he came home that we were afraid to ask./
[shot] See: BIG CHEESE or BIG SHOT, BY A LONG SHOT, CALL ONE'S
SHOT, CALL THE SHOTS, FOUL SHOT, LONG SHOT.
[shot in the arm] {n. phr.}, {informal} Something inspiring or
encouraging. * /The general's appearance was a shot in the arm for the
weary soldiers./ * /We were ready to quit, but the coach's talk was a
shot in the arm./
[shot in the dark] {n. phr.} An attempt without much hope or chance
of succeeding; a wild guess. * /A was just a shot in the dark, but I
got the right answer to the teacher's question./
[shot through with] Full of. * /His speech was shot through with
praise for the president./ * /Jane's letter was shot through with
hints for a pony./
[shoulder] See: CHIP ON ONE'S SHOULDER, COLD SHOULDER, GOOD HEAD ON
ONE'S SHOULDERS, HEAD AND SHOULDERS, PUT ONE'S SHOULDER TO THE WHEEL,
ON ONE'S SHOULDERS, RUB ELBOWS or RUB SHOULDERS, SQUARE ONE'S
SHOULDERS, WEIGHT OF THE WORLD ON ONE'S SHOULDERS.
[shoulder to cry on] or [to lean on] {n. phr.} A sympathetic person
who is willing to listen to one's complaints and troubles. * /When Ken
left her, Donna needed a shoulder to lean on, and Bob was right there
to fill the role./
[shoulder to shoulder] {adv. phr.} 1. One beside the other;
together. * /The three boys were shoulder to shoulder all during the
working hours./ Compare: SIDE BY SIDE. 2. Each helping the other; in
agreement; together. - Often used with "stand". * /We can win the
fight if we all stand shoulder to shoulder./ Compare: SEE EYE TO EYE.
[shoulder to the wheel] See: PUT ONE'S SHOULDER TO THE WHEEL.
[shout down] {v.} To object loudly to; defeat by shouting. * /Grace
suggested that we give our club money to charity, but she was shouted
down./ * /The crowd shouted down the Mayor's suggestions./
[shout from the housetops] or [shout from the rooftops] {v. phr.},
{informal} To tell everyone; broadcast, especially one's own personal
business. * /Mr. Clark was so happy when his son was born that he
shouted the news from the housetops./ * /When Mary bleached her hair,
her neighbors shouted it from the housetops./
[shouting] See: ALL OVER BUT THE SHOUTING.
[shove down one's throat] or [ram down one's throat] {v. phr.},
{informal} To force you to do or agree to (something not wanted or
liked.) * /We didn't want Mr. Bly to speak at our banquet, but the
planning committee shoved him down our throats./ * /The president was
against the idea, but the club members rammed it down his throat./
[shove off] See: PUSH OFF.
[show] See: GET THE SHOW ON THE ROAD, GO TO SHOW or GO TO PROVE,
ROAD SHOW, STEAL THE SHOW, TALENT SHOW, VARIETY SHOW, WHOLE CHEESE or
WHOLE SHOW.
[show a clean pair of heels] See: TAKE TO ONE'S HEELS.
[show around] {v. phr.} To act as a host or guide to someone; to
show newly arrived people or strangers what's what and where. * /When
Gordon and Rose arrived in Hawaii for the first time, their host
showed them around the islands./
[show cause] {v. phr.} To give a reason or explanation. * /The
judge asked the defendants to show cause why they should not be held
without bail./
[showdown] {n.} A final challenge or confrontation during which
both sides have to use all of their resources. * /You cannot know a
country's military strength until a final showdown occurs./
[showgirl] {n.} One who works as an entertainer in a bar or
nightclub, musical show, etc. * /Several famous Hollywood stars
actually started their careers as showgirls./
[show in] or [out] or [up] or [to the door] {v. phr.} To usher;
conduct; accompany. * /"My husband will show you in," Mary said to the
guests when they arrived at the door./
[showoff] {n.} A boastful person. * /Jim always has to be the
center of attention; he is an insufferable showoff./
[show off] {v. phr.} 1. To put out nicely for people to see;
display; exhibit. * /The Science Fair gave Julia a chance to show off
her shell collection./ * /The girls couldn't wait to show off their
fine needlework to our visitors./ 2. {informal} To try to attract
attention; also, try to attract attention to. * /The children always
show off when we have company./ * /Joe hasn't missed a chance to show
off his muscles since that pretty girl moved in next door./
[show of hands] {n. phr.} An open vote during a meeting when those
who vote "yes" and those who vote "no" hold up their hands to be
counted. * /The chairman said, "I'd like to see a show of hands if
we're ready for the vote."/
[show one's colors] {v. phr.} 1. To show what you are really like.
* /We thought Toby was timid, but he showed his colors when he rescued
the ponies from the burning barn./ 2. To make known what you think or
plan to do. * /Mr. Ryder is afraid that he will lose the election if
he shows his colors on civil rights./ * /We would not help Jim until
he showed his colors./
[show one's face] {v. phr.} To be seen; appear. * /Bill is afraid
to show his face since Tom threatened to beat him up./ * /Judy is a
wonderful mimic but she is too shy to show her face on stage./ *
/After cheating on the test, Chris was ashamed to show his face./
[show one's hand] {v. phr.} To reveal or exhibit one's true and
hitherto hidden purpose. * /Only after becoming Chancellor of Germany
did Adolf Hitler really show his hand and reveal that he intended to
take over other countries./
[show one's teeth] {v. phr.} To show anger; show belligerence. *
/He is a very mild, private person, but during a tough business
negotiation he knows how to show his teeth./
[show signs] See: GIVE SIGNS.
[show the door] {v. phr.} To ask (someone) to go away. * /Ruth was
upsetting the other children, so I showed her the door./ * /Our
neighbors invited themselves to the party and stayed until Harry
showed them the door./
[show up] {v.} 1. To make known the real truth about (someone). *
/The man said he was a mind reader, but he was shown up as a fake./ 2.
To come or bring out; become or make easy to see. * /The detective put
a chemical on the paper, and the fingertips showed up./ * /This test
shows up your weaknesses in arithmetic./ 3. {informal} To come;
appear. * /We had agreed to meet at the gym, but Larry didn't show
up./ * /Only five students showed up for the class meeting./ Compare:
TURN UP(2).
[shrift] See: SHORT SHRIFT.
[shrink] See: HEAD SHRINKER.
[shrug off] or [shrug away] {v.} To act as if you are not
interested and do not care about something; not mind; not let yourself
be bothered or hurt by. * /Alan shrugged off our questions; he would
not tell us what had happened./ * /Muriel shrugged away every attempt
to comfort her./ * /The ballplayer shrugged off the booing of the
fans./ * /Jim cut his hand but he tied a cloth around it and shrugged
it away./
[shudder to think] {v. phr.} To be afraid; hate to think about
something. * /The professor is so strict I shudder to think what his
final exam questions will be like./
[shut] See: KEEP ONE'S MOUTH SHUT, PUT UP or SHUT UP, CLOSE ONE'S
EYES.
[shut down] See: CLOSE DOWN.
[shut-eye] {n.}, {slang} Sleep. * /It's very late. We'd better get
some shut-eye./ * /I'm going to get some shut-eye before the game./
Compare: FORTY WINKS.
[shut off] {v.} 1. To make (something like water or electricity)
stop coming. * /Please shut off the hose before the grass gets too
wet./ Compare: TURN OFF. 2. To be apart; be separated from; also to
separate from. * /Our camp is so far from the highway we feel shut off
from the world when we are there./ * /The sow is so bad tempered we
had to shut it off from its piglets./
[shut one's eyes] See: CLOSE ONE'S EYES.
[shut out] {v.} 1. To prevent from coming in; block. * /During
World War II, Malta managed to shut out most of the Italian and German
bombers by throwing up an effective anti-aircraft screen./ * /The boys
were annoyed by Tom's telling club secrets and shut him out of their
meeting./ 2. To prevent (an opposing team) from scoring throughout an
entire game. * /The Dodgers shut out the Reds, 5-0./
[shut the door] See: CLOSE THE DOOR.
[shut up] {v.} 1. {informal} To stop talking. * /Little Ruthie told
Father about his birthday surprise before Mother could shut her up./ -
Often used as a command; usually considered rude. * /Shut up and let
Joe say something./ * /If you'll shut up for a minute, I'll tell you
our plan./ Syn.: BUTTON YOUR LIP, DRY UP(3), KEEP ONE'S MOUTH SHUT. 2.
To close the doors and windows of. * /We got the house shut up only
minutes before the storm hit./ 3. To close and lock for a definite
period of time. * /The Smiths always spend Labor Day shutting up their
summer home for the year./ * /We got to the store only to find that
the owner had shut up shop for the weekend./ 4. To confine. * /That
dog bites. It should be shut up./ * /John has been shut up with a cold
all week./
[shy] See: ONCE BITTEN, TWICE SHY and BURNT CHILD DREADS THE FIRE.
[shy away] or [shy off] {v.} To avoid; seem frightened or nervous.
* /The boys shied away from our questions./ * /The horse shied off
when Johnny tried to mount it./
[sick] See: TAKE ILL or TAKE SICK.
[sick and tired] {adj.} 1. Feeling strong dislike for something
repeated or continued too long; exasperated; annoyed. * /Jane was sick
and tired of always having to wait for Bill, so when he didn't arrive
on time she left without him./ * /John is sick and tired of having his
studies interrupted./ * /I've been studying all day, and I'm sick and
tired of it./ Compare: FED UP.
[side] See: CHOOSE UP SIDES, FROM SIDE TO SIDE, GET UP ON THE WRONG
SIDE OF THE BED, GRASS IS ALWAYS GREENER ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE
FENCE or GRASS IS ALWAYS GREENER ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE HILL, LAUGH
ON THE WRONG SIDE OF ONE'S MOUTH, ON ONE'S BAD SIDE, ON ONE'S GOOD
SIDE, ON THE SIDE, SUNNY-SIDE UP, TAKE SIDES, THORN IN THE FLESH or
THORN IN THE SIDE.
[side against] {v.} To join or be on the side that is against;
disagree with; oppose. * /Bill and Joe sided against me in the
argument./ * /We sided against the plan to go by plane./ Contrast:
SIDE WITH.
[side by side] {adv.} 1. One beside the other in a row. * /Alice's
dolls were lined up side by side on the window seat./ * /Charles and
John are neighbors; they live side by side on Elm Street./ Compare:
SHOULDER TO SHOULDER. 2. Close together. * /The two boys played side
by side all afternoon./
[sidekick] {n.} A companion; a close friend of lesser status. *
/Wherever you see Dr. Howell, Dr. Percy, his youthful sidekick is sure
to be present as well./
[side of the tracks] See: THE TRACKS.
[side street] {n.} A street that runs into and ends at a main
street. * /The store is on a side street just off Main Street./ * /The
Spellmans bought a house on a side street that runs off Broad Street./
Compare: BACK STREET, CROSS STREET.
[side with] {v.} To agree with; help. * /Alan always sides with
Johnny in an argument./ * /Gerald sided with the plan to move the
club./ Contrast: SIDE AGAINST.
[sight] See: AT FIRST GLANCE or AT FIRST SIGHT, AT SIGHT or ON
SIGHT, CATCH SIGHT OF, HEAVE IN SIGHT, LOSE SIGHT OF, ON SIGHT, SET
ONE'S SIGHTS.
[sight for sore eyes] {n. phr.}, {informal} A welcome sight. *
/After our long, dusty hike, the pond was a sight for sore eyes./ *
/"Jack! You're a sight for sore eyes!"/
[sight-read] {v.} To be able to play music without memorization by
reading the sheet music and immediately playing it. * /Experienced,
good musicians are expected to be able to sight-read./
[sight unseen] {adv. phr.} Before seeing it; before seeing her,
him, or them. * /Tom read an ad about a car and sent the money for it
sight unseen./
[sign] See: HIGH SIGN, INDIAN SIGN, ROAD SIGN.
[sign in] {v.} To write your name on a special list or in a record
book to show that you are present. * /Every worker must sign in when
coming back to work./ * /Teachers go to the office and sign in each
morning before going to their classrooms./ Contrast SIGN OUT.
[sign off] {v.} 1. To end a program on radio or television. * /That
TV newscaster always signs off by saluting./ 2. To stop broadcasting
for the day. * /That TV station always signs off after the late
movie./
[sign of the times] {n. phr.} A characteristic of the times in
which one lives. * /It is a sad sign of the times that all the major
lakes and rivers are badly polluted and fish in them are poisoned./
[sign on] {v. phr.} 1. To sign an agreement to become an employee.
* /The new cowboys signed on with the wealthy rancher in Nevada./ 2.
To start a radio or television broadcast. * /Station WLAK signs on
every morning at 6 A.M./ Contrast: SIGN OFF.
[sign one's own death warrant] {v. phr.} To cause your own death or
the loss of something you want very much. * /Mr. Carter had lung
trouble, and the doctor told him he would sign his own death warrant
if he didn't stop smoking./ * /When Jim's fiancee saw him on a date
with another girl, he signed his own death warrant./
[sign on the dotted line] {v. phr.} To attach one's signature on an
important document, such as a contract, a bill of sales, etc. * /The
seller said to the buyer, "All you need to do is sign on the dotted
line."/
[sign out] {v.} To write your name on a special list or in a record
book to show that you are leaving a place. * /Most of the students
sign out on Friday./ Contrast SIGN IN.
[sign over] {v.} To give legally by signing your name. * /He signed
his house over to his wife./
[sign up] {v.} 1. To promise to do something by signing your name;
join; sign an agreement. * /We will not have the picnic unless more
people sign up./ * /John wants to sign up for the contest./ * /Miss
Carter has signed up to be the chaperone at the dance./ 2. To write
the name of (a person or thing) to be in an activity; also, to
persuade (someone) to do something. * /Betty decided to sign up her
dog for obedience training./ * /The superintendent has signed up three
new teachers for next year./
[signed, sealed, and delivered] {adj. phr.} Finished; completed; in
a state of completion. * /"How is the campus renovation plan for the
governor's office coming along?" the dean of the college asked.
"Signed, sealed, and delivered," his assistant answered./ Compare: CUT
AND DRIED; HOOK, LINE AND SINKER.
[silence gives consent] If you say nothing or do not say no to
something, it means that you agree. - A proverb. * /Don't be afraid to
say, if you don't like something. Silence gives consent./
[silent majority] {n.}, {informal} The large majority of people
who, unlike the militants, do not make their political and social
views known by marching and demonstrating and who, presumably, can
swing an election one way or the other. * /Sidney Miltner is a member
of the silent majority./
[silver] See: BORN WITH A SILVER SPOON IN ONE'S MOUTH, EVERY CLOUD
HAS A SILVER LINING, HAND SOMETHING TO ONE ON A SILVER PLATTER.
[silver anniversary] or [wedding] {n. phr.} The twenty-fifth
wedding anniversary of a couple; the twenty-fifth anniversary of a
business or an association, etc. * /"The day after tomorrow is Mom and
Dad's silver anniversary," Sue said to her brother. "I hope you have a
nice present picked out."/
[simmer down] {v.}, {informal} To become less angry or excited;
become calmer. * /Tom got mad, but soon simmered down./
[Simon Legree] {n.}, {informal} A strict person, especially a boss,
who makes others work very hard. * /Don't talk on the job; the boss is
a real Simon Legree./ * /Everybody avoids the foreman. He acts like a
Simon Legree./
[simple] See: PURE AND SIMPLE.
[sing a different tune] or [whistle a different tune] also [sing a
new tune] {v. phr.}, {informal} To talk or act in the opposite way;
contradict something said before. * /Charles said that all smokers
should be expelled from the team but he sang a different tune after
the coach caught him smoking./ Syn.: CHANGE ONE'S TUNE, DANCE TO
ANOTHER TUNE. Compare: LAUGH OUT OF THE OTHER SIDE OF ONE'S MOUTH.
[sing for one's supper] {v. phr.}, {informal} To have to work for
what one desires. * /I realized a long time ago that I had to sing for
my supper if I wanted to get ahead in my profession./
[sing in tune] See: IN TUNE.
[single] See: EVERY SINGLE.
[single out] {v. phr.} To select or choose one from among many. *
/There were a lot of pretty girls at the high school prom but Don
immediately singled out Sally./
[sing one's praises] {v. phr.} To extol or praise continuously. *
/The audience left the concert with everyone singing the praises of
the young piano virtuoso./
[sing out of tune] See: OUT OF TUNE.
[sink] See: HEART SINKS.
[sinker] See: HOOK, LINE AND SINKER.
[sink in] or [soak in] {v.}, {informal} To be completely
understood; be fully realized or felt. * /Everybody laughed at the
joke but Joe; it took a moment for it to sink in before he laughed
too./ * /When Frank heard that war had started, it didn't sink in for
a long time until his father was drafted into the army./ Compare:
BRING HOME.
[sink one's teeth into] See: GET ONE'S TEETH INTO.
[sink or swim] {v. phr.} To succeed or fail by your own efforts,
without help or interference from anyone else; fail if you don't work
hard to succeed. * /When Joe was fourteen, his parents died, and he
was left by himself to sink or swim./ * /Tom's new job was confusing
and no one had time to help him learn, so he had to sink or swim./
[sit] See: GO SIT ON A TACK, ON THE FENCE also FENCE-SITTING.
[sit back] {v.} 1. To be built a distance away; stand away (as from
a street). * /Our house sits back from the road./ 2. To relax; rest,
often while others are working; take time out. * /Sit back for a
minute and think about what you have done./
[sit by] {v.} 1. To stay near; watch and care for. * /The nurse was
told to sit by the patient until he woke up./ * /Mother sat by her
sick baby all night./ 2. To sit and watch or rest especially while
others work. * /Don't just sit idly by while the other children are
all busy./
[sit down] {v.} To sit on a seat or resting place. * /After gym
class Jim was tired and was glad to sit down and rest./
[sit in] {v.} 1. To be a member; participate. * /We're having a
conference and we'd like you to sit in./ also [sit in on]: To be a
member of; participate in. * /We want you to sit in on the meeting./
2. To attend but not participate. Often used with "on". * /Our teacher
was invited to sit in on the conference./ Compare: LOOK ON.
[sit on] {v.} 1. To be a member of (a jury, board, commission),
etc. * /Mr. Brown sat on the jury at the trial./ 2. {informal} To
prevent from starting or doing something; squelch. * /The teacher sat
on Fred before he could get started with the long story./ * /The
teacher sat on Joe as soon as he began showing off./
[sit on a bomb] or [bombshell] {v. phr.}, {informal} To be in
possession of anything that is potentially disastrous or dangerous. *
/The finance department will be sitting on a bomb unless it finds a
way to cut overhead expenses./
[sit on a volcano] {v.}, {informal} 1. To be in a place where
trouble may start or danger may come suddenly. * /Bob was in that part
of South America before the revolution began. He knew he was sitting
on a volcano./ * /The policemen who patrolled the big city slum area
that summer were sitting on a volcano./
[sit on one's hands] {v. phr.}, {informal} To do nothing; fail or
refuse to do anything. * /We asked Bill for help with our project, but
he sat on his hands./
[sit on the fence] See: ON THE FENCE.
[sit out] {v.} To not take part in. * /The next dance is a polka.
Let's sit it out./ * /Toby had to sit out the last half of the game
because his knee hurt./
[sitter] See: ON THE FENCE also FENCE-SITTER.
[sitting on a powder keg] See: SIT ON A VOLCANO.
[sit through] {v.} To watch or listen until (something) is
finished. * /The show was so boring that we could hardly sit through
the first act./ * /Elaine liked the movie so much that she sat through
three showings./
[sit tight] {v. phr.}, {informal} To make no move or change; stay
where you are. - Often used as a command. * /Sit tight; I'll be ready
to go in a few minutes./ * /The doctor said to sit tight until he
arrived./ * /The gangsters sat tight in the mountains while the police
looked for them./ Compare: STAND PAT.
[sitting on top of the world] See: ON TOP OF THE WORLD.
[sitting pretty] {adj.}, {slang} To be in a lucky position. * /The
new library is sitting pretty because a wealthy woman gave it $10,000
worth of reference books./ * /Mr. Jones was sitting pretty until his
$25,000-a-year job was dropped by the company./
[sit up] {v.} 1. To move into a sitting position. * /Joe sat up
when he heard the knock on his bedroom door./ 2. To stay awake instead
of going to bed. * /Mrs. Jones will sit up until both of her daughters
get home from the dance./ * /We sat up until two A.M. hoping for news
from Alaska./ 3. {informal} To be surprised. * /Janice really sat up
when I told her the gossip about Tom./
[sit-up] {n.} A vigorous exercise in which the abdominal muscles
are strengthened by locking one's feet in a fastening device and
sitting up numerous times. * /Do a few sit-ups if you want to reduce
your waist./
[sit up and take notice] {v. phr.}, {informal} To be surprised into
noticing something. * /Grace had never impressed her teachers. Hearing
that she had won the essay contest made them sit up and take notice./
* /George's sudden success made the town sit up and take notice./
[sit up for] {v. phr.} To wait until after the usual bedtime for
someone's return. * /Mrs. Smith always sits up for her two daughters,
no matter how late it is./
[sit up with] {v. phr.} To be with; particularly to keep someone
ill company. * /Mrs. Brown sat up with her sick husband all night in
the hospital room./
[sit well (with)] {v.} Find favor with; please. * /The reduced
school budget did not sit well with the teachers./
[sit with] {v.}, {informal} To be accepted by; affect. - Used in
interrogative sentences and in negative sentences modified by "well".
* /How did your story sit with your mother?/ * /Bob's poor
sportsmanship doesn't sit well with the coach./
[six] See: AT SIXES AND SEVENS, DEEP-SIX.
[six bits] {n.}, {slang} Seventy-five cents. * /"Lend me six bits
till Friday, Sam," said Jim. "I've spent all my allowance."/ Compare:
TWO BITS.
[six of one and half-a-dozen of the other] {n. phr.} Two things the
same; not a real choice; no difference. * /Which coat do you like
better, the brown or the blue? It's six of one and half-a-dozen of the
other./ * /Johnny says it's six of one and half-a-dozen of the other
whether he does the job tonight or tomorrow night./
[size] See: CUT DOWN TO SIZE, PINT-SIZE.
[size up] {v.}, {informal} To decide what one thinks about
(something); to form an opinion about (something). * /Give Joe an hour
to size up the situation and he'll tell you what to do next./ * /Our
coach went to New York to size up the team we'll face in our
homecoming game./ Compare: TAKE STOCK(2).
[skate] See: CHEAP SKATE.
[skate on thin ice] {v. phr.} To take a chance; risk danger,
disapproval or anger. * /You'll be skating on thin ice if you ask Dad
to increase your allowance again./ * /John knew he was skating on thin
ice, but he could not resist teasing his sister about her boyfriend./
[skating rink] {n.}, {slang}, {citizen's band radio jargon}
Slippery road. * /Attention all units - there's a skating rink ahead!/
[skeleton in the closet] {n. phr.} A shameful secret; someone or
something kept hidden, especially by a family. * /The skeleton in our
family closet was Uncle Willie. No one mentioned him because he drank
too much./
[skid lid] {n.}, {slang} A crash helmet worn by motorcyclists and
race drivers. * /How much did you pay for that handsome skid lid?/
[skid row] {n.} The poor part of a city where men live who have no
jobs and drink too much liquor. * /That man was once rich, but he
drank and gambled too much, and ended his life living on skid row./ *
/The Bowery is New York City's skid row./
[skim the surface] {v. phr.} To do something very superficially. *
/He seems knowledgeable in many different areas but his familiarity is
very superficial, since he only skims the surface of everything he
touches./
[skin] See: BY THE SKIN OF ONE'S TEETH, GET UNDER ONE'S SKIN, JUMP
OUT OF ONE'S SKIN, KEEP ONE'S EYES PEELED or KEEP ONE'S EYES SKINNED,
SAVE ONE'S NECK or SAVE ONE'S SKIN, WITH A WHOLE SKIN or IN A WHOLE
SKIN.
[skin alive] {v. phr.} 1. {informal} To scold angrily. * /Mother
will skin you alive when she sees your torn pants./ 2. {informal} To
spank or beat. * /Dad was ready to skin us alive when he found we had
ruined his saw./ 3. {slang} To defeat. * /We all did our best, but the
visiting gymnastic team skinned us alive./
[skin and bones] {n.} A person or animal that is very thin; someone
very skinny. * /The puppy is healthy now, but when we found him he was
just skin and bones./ * /Have you been dieting? You're nothing but
skin and bones!/
[skin-deep] {adj.} Only on the surface; not having any deep or
honest meaning; not really or closely connected with what it seems to
belong to. * /Mary's friendliness with Joan is only skin-deep./ *
/Ralph crammed for the test and got a good grade, but his knowledge of
the lesson is only skin-deep./ Contrast: BRED IN THE BONE.
[skin off one's nose] {n. phr.}, {slang} Matter of interest,
concern, or trouble to you. Normally used in the negative. * /Go to
Jake's party if you wish. It's no skin off my nose./ * /Grace didn't
pay any attention to our argument. It wasn't any skin off her nose./ *
/You could at least say hello to our visitor. It's no skin off your
nose./
[skip] See: HEART SKIP A BEAT.
[skip bail] See: JUMP BAIL.
[skip it] {v. phr.}, {informal} To forget all about it. * /When
Jack tried to reward him for returning his lost dog, the man said to
skip it./ * /I asked what the fight was about, but the boys said to
skip it./
[skip out] {v.}, {informal} To leave in a hurry; especially after
cheating or taking money dishonestly; sneak away; leave without
permission. * /The man skipped out of the hotel without paying his
bill./ * /"How did you get out of the house after supper, Harry? " "I
skipped out!"/
[skirt around] {v. phr.} To avoid something. * /"Let's not skirt
around the facts," said the attorney to his client. "You must tell me
the truth."/
[sky] See: OUT OF THE BLUE or OUT OF A CLEAR SKY or OUT OF A CLEAR
BLUE SKY, REACH FOR THE SKY.
[sky is the limit] There is no upper limit to something. * /"Buy me
the fastest racehorse in Hong Kong," Mr. Lee instructed his broker.
"Spend whatever is necessary; the sky is the limit."/
[slack off] {v. phr.} 1. To become less active; grow lazy. * /Since
construction work has been slacking off toward the end of the summer,
many workers were dismissed./ 2. To gradually reduce; taper off. *
/The snowstorms tend to slack off over the Great Lakes by the first of
April./
[slam] See: GRAND SLAM.
[slap down] {v.}, {slang} 1. To stop (someone, usually in a lower
position or job) from doing or saying something, in a rough way or
with a scolding; silence. * /When Billy talked back, the teacher
slapped him down./ 2. To put a quick stop to; refuse roughly. * /The
boss slapped down our idea of taking a nap on the job every
afternoon./
[slap in the face(1)] {n.} An insult; a disappointment. * /We felt
that it was a slap in the face when our gift was returned unopened./ *
/Doris thought it was a slap in the face when her boyfriend invited
another girl to the dance./ Compare: KICK IN THE PANTS.
[slap in the face(2)] {v. phr.} To insult; embarrass; make feel
bad. * /John slapped our club in the face by saying that everyone in
it was stupid./ * /I don't want to slap her in the face by not coming
to her party./
[slap one's wrist] {v. phr.} To receive a light punishment. * /She
could have been fired for contradicting the company president in
public, but all she got was a slap on the wrist./
[slap together] See: THROW TOGETHER(1).
[slate] See: CLEAN SLATE.
[slated for] or [slated to be] Going to be; planned or intended
for. * /People think the governor is slated to be president./ * /That
subject is slated for debate at the next meeting./
[slave driver] {n.} A cruel, merciless boss or employer who makes
the people under him work extremely hard for little compensation. *
/Mr. Catwallender is such a slave driver that nobody cares to work for
him anymore./
[sledding] See: HARD SLEDDING or ROUGH SLEDDING or TOUGH SLEDDING.
[sleep] See: BEAUTY SLEEP, LET SLEEPING DOGS LIE, SLEEP A WINK.
[sleep around] {v. phr.}, {slang}, {vulgar}, {avoidable} To be free
with one's sexual favors; to behave promiscuously. * /Sue Catwallender
is a nice girl but she sleeps around an awful lot with all sorts of
guys./
[sleep a wink] {v. phr.} To get a moment's sleep; enjoy a bit of
sleep. - Used in negative and conditional statements and in questions.
* /I didn't sleep a wink all night./
[sleep like a log] {v. phr.} To sleep very deeply and soundly. *
/Although I am usually a light sleeper, I was so exhausted from the
sixteen-hour transpacific flight that, once we got home, I slept like
a log for twelve hours./
[sleep off] {v. phr.} To sleep until the effect of too much alcohol
or drugs passes. * /George had too many beers last night and he is now
sleeping off the effects./
[sleep on] {v.} To postpone a decision about. * /We asked Judy if
she would join our club and she answered that she would sleep on it./
* /We will have to sleep on your invitation until we know whether we
will be free Monday night./
[sleep out] {v.} 1. To sleep outdoors. * /The Scouts plan to sleep
out next Saturday./ 2. To go home at night instead of sleeping at the
place where you work. * /Mrs. Jones' maid sleeps in, but her cook
sleeps out./
[sleep with] {v. phr.} To have a sexual affair with someone; have
sex; copulate. * /It has been rumored in the office that the boss
sleeps with all the girls he hires./
[sleeve] See: CARD UP ONE'S SLEEVE, LAUGH UP ONE'S SLEEVE or LAUGH
IN ONE'S SLEEVE, ROLL UP ONE'S SLEEVES, UP ONE'S SLEEVE or IN ONE'S
SLEEVE, WEAR ONE'S HEART ON ONE'S SLEEVE also PIN ONE'S HEART ON ONE'S
SLEEVE.
[sling hash] {v.}, {slang} To serve food, especially in a cheap,
small diner, a drive-in, or short-order restaurant. * /Jake got a job
slinging hash at the new drive-in restaurant./ * /Jody earned money
for college by slinging hash in a restaurant during the summer./
Compare: SHORT-ORDER COOK.
[slinging match] {n. phr.} A loud, angry quarrel. * /The debate
deteriorated into a most unseemly slinging match./
[slip] See: GIVE THE SLIP, SALES CHECK or SALES SLIP.
[slip a cog] or [slip a gear] {v. phr.}, {slang} To make a mistake.
* /I must have been slipping a cog when I said that I would run for
mayor./ * /Jim hates to sleep outdoors. He's slipping his gears if
he's promised to take the boys camping./ Compare: SLIP UP.
[slip away] {v. phr.} To leave unnoticed. * /The party was such a
bore that we decided to quietly slip away./
[slip off] {v. phr.} 1. To slide off something. * /The children
climbed up the hill but when it was time to come down, they didn't
walk, but slipped off the smooth, old ledges./ 2. See: SLIP AWAY.
[slip of the lip] See: SLIP OF THE TONGUE.
[slip of the pen] {n. phr.} The mistake of writing something
different from what you should or what you planned. * /That was a slip
of the pen. I meant to write September, not November./ * /I wish you
would forget it. That was a slip of the pen./
[slip of the tongue] also [slip of the lip] {n. phr.} The mistake
of saying something you had not wanted or planned to say; an error of
speech. * /No one would have known our plans if Kay hadn't made a slip
of the tongue./ * /She didn't mean to tell our secret; it was a slip
of the lip./
[slip one's mind] {v. phr.} To forget something. * /I meant to mail
those letters but it entirely slipped my mind./
[slip over] See: PUT OVER(2).
[slip through one's fingers] {v. phr.} To escape without someone's
knowing how. * /Policemen surrounded the building, but the thief
managed to slip through their fingers./ * /Mike earns a good wage, but
he doesn't save a penny. Money just slips through his fingers./
[slipup] {n.} A mistake. * /"I'm sorry, sir. That was an
unfortunate slipup," the barber said when he scratched the client's
face./
[slip up] {v. phr.} To make a mistake. * /Someone at the bank
slipped up. There are only 48 pennies in this 50c roll of coins./ *
/If he hadn't slipped up on the last questions, his score on the test
would have been perfect./
[slow burn] {n.}, {informal} A slowly increasing feeling of anger.
* /The boys kept teasing John, and watched him do a slow burn./ *
/Barbara's slow burn ended only when Mary explained the
misunderstanding./
[slowdown] {n.} A period of lesser activity, usually in the
economic sphere. * /We all hope the current slowdown in the economy
will soon be over./
[slow down] {v. phr.} To go more slowly than usual. * /The road was
slippery, so Mr. Jones slowed down the car./ * /Pat once could run a
mile in five minutes, but now that he's older he's slowing down./
Compare: LET UP(2). STEP DOWN. Contrast: SPEED UP.
[slow on the draw] {adj. phr.} Not very smart; having difficulty
figuring things out. * /Poor Eric doesn't get very good grades in
physics; when it comes to problem-solving, he is rather slow on the
draw./
[slow on the uptake] See: SLOW ON THE DRAW.
[slow tune] See: STANDARD TIME.
[slow up] {v.} 1. To go more slowly. * /The truck slowed up as it
approached the toll gate./ * /Construction on the road slows up
traffic./ 2. To become less busy. * /Business slows up at the stores
after Christmas./
[slug it out] {v. phr.} To have a strong verbal or physical battle
with someone; to contest something most vigorously. * /The two
contenders for the lightweight boxing championship were slugging it
out in the ring./ * /The two candidates for Congress were slugging it
out on radio and on television./
[sly] See: ON THE SLY.
[smack-dab] also {Southern} [smack-to-dab] {adv.}, {informal}
Exactly; squarely. * /The ball landed smack-dab at our feet./ * /The
plane landed smack-to-dab in the middle of the
hay field./
[smack one's lips] {v. phr.} To reveal an appetite for; show
enjoyment of. * /Eleanor smacked her lips over the dessert of
strawberries and whipped cream./
[small] See: BIG FROG IN A SMALL POND.
[small frog in a big pond] See: LITTLE FROG IN A BIG POND.
[small fry] {n.} 1. Young children. * /In the park, a sandbox is
provided for the small fry./ 2. Something or someone of little
importance. * /Large dairies ignore the competition from the small fry
who make only a few hundred pounds of cheese a year./
[small] or [wee hours] {n. phr.} The very early hours of the
morning between 1 and 4 A.M. * /My brother was in trouble for coming
home in the small hours./ See: WEE HOURS.
[small talk] {n. phr.} General idle conversation. * /At the party
there was the usual kind of small talk about the cost of living
increase and the war in Africa./
[small-time] {adj.}, {informal} Unimportant; minor; with little
power or importance. * /He has a job as a drummer with a small-time
band./ * /It is a small-time business, but it may grow./ Contrast:
BIG-TIME.
[small wonder] See: NO WONDER.
[smash hit] {n.}, {informal} A very successful play, movie or
opera. * /The school play was a smash hit./
[smell a rat] {v. phr.}, {informal} To be suspicious; feel that
something is wrong. * /Every time Tom visits me, one of my ashtrays
disappears. I'm beginning to smell a rat./ * /When the policeman saw a
light go on in the store at midnight, he smelled a rat./
[smell out] See: FERRET OUT.
[smell up] {v.}, {informal} To make a bad smell. * /A skunk smelled
up our yard last night./ * /Mr. Brodsky's cigar smelled up the living
room./
[smile] See: CRACK A SMILE.
[smoke] See: CHAIN-SMOKE, GO UP IN FLAMES or GO UP IN SMOKE, PUT
THAT IN YOUR PIPE AND SMOKE IT, WATCH ONE'S DUST or WATCH ONE'S SMOKE.
[smoke like a chimney] {v. phr.}, {informal} To smoke very heavily
and continuously. * /"If you continue smoking like a chimney" the
doctor told my uncle, "you'll wind up in the hospital with lung
cancer."/
[smoke out] {v. phr.} 1. To force out with smoke. * /The boys
smoked a squirrel out of a hollow tree./ * /The farmer tried to smoke
some gophers out of their burrows./ 2. {informal} To find out the
facts about. * /It took the reporter three weeks to smoke out the
whole story./
[smoke-out] {n.} A successful conclusion of an act of investigative
journalism revealing some long-kept secrets. * /Journalist Bob
Woodward was the hero of the Watergate smoke-out./
[smoke screen] {n. phr.} A camouflage; a veil; something used to
cover or hide something. * /June hides her commercial interests behind
a smoke screen of religious piety./
[Smokey Bear] or [Smokey-the-Bear] or [the Smokies] {n.}, {slang},
{citizen's band radio jargon} A policeman; a patrol car; frequently
abbreviated as Smokey. * /Slow down, Smokey's ahead!/ * /A Smokey is
on the move, heading east./
[smooth away] {v.} To remove; (unpleasant feelings) take away. *
/Mr. Jones' new job smoothed away his worry about money./
[smooth down] {v.} To make calm; calm down. * /Mrs. Smith's
feelings were hurt and we couldn't smooth her down./
[smooth over] {v.} To make something seem better or more pleasant;
try to excuse. * /Bill tried to smooth over his argument with Mary by
making her laugh./ Syn.: GLOSS OVER. Compare: PATCH UP.
[smooth sailing] See: PLAIN SAILING.
[snail's pace] {n.} A very slow movement forward. * /Time moved at
a snail's pace before the holidays./ * /The donkey on which he was
riding moved at a snail's pace./
[snake in the grass] {n. phr.}, {informal} A person who cannot be
trusted; an unfaithful traitor; rascal. * /Did Harry tell you that?
He's a snake in the grass!/ * /Some snake in the grass told the
teacher our plans./
[snap] See: COLD SNAP.
[snap it off] See: MAKE IT SNAPPY.
[snap one's fingers at] {v. phr.} To show contempt for; show no
respect for; pay no attention to; scorn; disregard. * /John snapped
his fingers at the sign that said "Do not enter," and he went in the
door./ * /The highway sign said "Speed limit, 35 miles per hour," but
when a driver snapped his fingers at it by going 55 miles an hour, a
motorcycle policeman arrested him./
[snap out of] {v.}, {informal} To change quickly from a bad habit,
mood, or feeling to a better one. - Often used with "it". * /Mary was
unhappy when her fiance abandoned her, but she snapped out of it when
she met a new young man./ * /The coach told the lazy player to snap
out of it./
[snappy] See: MAKE IT SNAPPY.
[snapshot] {n.} A small photograph, unlike a professional portrait.
* /We took several snapshots of the scenery while driving around the
island./
[snap up] {v.}, {informal} To take or accept eagerly. * /Eggs were
on sale cheap, and the shoppers snapped up the bargain./ * /Mr. Hayes
told Bob that he would take him skiing, and Bob snapped up the offer./
[sneak] See: QUARTERBACK SNEAK.
[sneak away] See: SLIP AWAY.
[sneak up on] See: CREEP UP ON.
[sneeze at] {v.}, {informal} To think of as not important; not take
seriously. - Used with negative or limiting words and in questions. *
/Mr. Jones was chosen by his party to run for President. He was not
elected, but to be chosen to run is not to be sneezed at./ * /If you
think Mrs. Green's tests are things to be sneezed at, you have a
surprise coming./ * / Is a thousand dollars anything to sneeze at?/ *
/John finished third in a race with twenty other runners. That is
nothing to sneeze at./
[sniff out] See: FERRET OUT.
[snow in] {v.} To block up or trap by much snow; keep inside, *
/After the storm the farmer and his family were snowed in for three
days./ * /The train went off the track and the passengers were snowed
in for several days./
[snow job] {n.}, {slang}, {informal} 1. Insincere or exaggerated
talk designed to gain the favors of someone. * /Joe gave Sue a snow
job and she believed every word of it./ 2. The skillful display of
technical vocabulary and prestige terminology in order to pass oneself
off as an expert in a specialized field without really being a
knowledgeable worker in that area. * /That talk by Nielsen on
pharmaceuticals sounded very impressive, but I will not hire him
because it was essentially a snow job./
[snow under] {v.} 1. To cover over with snow. * /The doghouse was
snowed under during the blizzard./ 2. {informal} To give so much of
something that it cannot be taken care of; to weigh down by so much of
something that' you cannot do anything about it. - Usually used in the
passive. * /The factory received so many orders that it was snowed
under with work./ * /The disabled girl was snowed under with Christmas
letters./
[snuff] See: UP TO PAR or UP TO SNUFF.
[snug as a bug in a rug] {adj. phr.} Comfortable; cozy. * /"Are you
warm enough?" the boy's mother asked. "Yeah," he replied, "I'm snug as
a bug in a rug."/
[so] See: AND SO FORTH or AND SO ON, EVEN SO, EVERY NOW AND THEN or
EVERY SO OFTEN, HOW SO, IN SO MANY WORDS, IS THAT SO, OR SO, THUS AND
SO.
[soak in] See: SINK IN.
[soak up] {v.} 1. To take up water or other liquid as a sponge
does. * /The rag soaked up the water that I spilled./ 2. To use a
sponge or something like a sponge to take up liquid. * /John soaked up
the water with the rag./ 3. {informal} To take up into yourself in the
way a sponge takes up water. * /Mary was lying on the beach soaking up
the sun./ * /Charles soaks up facts as fast as the teacher gives
them./
[so-and-so(1)] {pronoun}, {informal} Someone whose name is not
given. * /Don't tell me what so-and-so thinks. Tell me what you
think./
[so-and-so(2)] {n.}, {informal} A person of a special kind and
usually of a very bad kind. - This word is used in place of a more
unacceptable word or swear word. * /I wish that old so-and-so who
thinks digging is easy work was right here digging now./ * /He called
me a dirty so-and-so and I hit him in the mouth./ - Sometimes used in
a joking way. * /Peter met his friend John and said, "Hello there, you
old so-and-so."/
[so --- as to] - Used with an adjective or adverb before an
infinitive to show a result. * /Who could be so mean as to do a thing
like that?/ * /Ruth wouldn't be so careless as to forget her pen./
Compare: SO --- THAT.
[soap opera] {n. phr.} Radio or television serialized stories of a
sentimental nature, often involving sex, crime, and social intrigue.
These shows often advertise soap products, hence their name. * /The
two longest running soap operas in the United States were "Dallas" and
"Knot's Landing."/
[so as to] See: IN ORDER TO.
[sob all the way to the bank] See: CRY ALL THE WAY TO THE BANK.
Contrast: LAUGH ALL THE WAY TO THE BANK.
[so bad] See: NOT BAD.
[so be it] also [be it so] {adv. phr.}, {formal} 1. Let it be that
way; may it be so. So be it. * /We shall smoke the pipe of peace./ 2.
Very well; all right. * /Will the company lose money by doing this? So
be it, then./
[sob story] {n.} A story that makes you feel pity or sorrow; a tale
that makes you tearful. * /The beggar told us a long sob story before
he asked for money./ * /The movie is based on a sob story, but people
love it./
[social climber] {n.} A person who tries to mix with rich or
well-known people and be accepted by them as friends and equals. *
/People do not like Mrs. Brown very well; she is known as a social
climber./ * /Social climbers are usually soon known and they are not
accepted by those they run after./
[sock] See: TAKE A PUNCH AT or TAKE A SOCK AT.
[sock it] {v. phr.}, also {interj.}, {slang}, {informal} To give
one's utmost; everything one is capable of; to give all one is capable
of. * /Right on, Joe, sock it to 'em!/ * /I was watching the debate on
television and more than once Bill Buckley really socked it to them./
[soda jerk] or [soda jerker] {n.}, {informal} A person who serves
soda and ice cream to customers, usually in a drug store or ice cream
parlor. * /Bob worked as a soda jerk at the drug store all summer./ *
/He is just a soda jerker with no future./
[so far] also [thus far] {adv.} Until this time or to this place. *
/The weather has been hot so far this summer./ * /This is a lonely
road. We have not met another car so far./
[so far as] See: AS FAR AS.
[so far, so good] {informal} Until now things have gone well. * /So
far, so good; I hope we keep on with such good luck./
[soft drink] {n. phr.} A nonalcoholic beverage such as 7-Up,
Coca-Cola, etc. * /She drinks no alcohol; she always orders a soft
drink./
[softhearted] {adj.} Generous; sympathetic. * /Street beggars tend
to exploit the softhearted nature of passersby./
[soft touch] {n.} A person with a sympathetic disposition from whom
it is easy to get help, primarily money. * /My Uncle Herb is a soft
touch; whenever I'm in need I ask him for a quick twenty bucks./
[so help me] {interj.}, {informal} I promise; I swear; may I be
punished if I lie. * /I've told you the truth, so help me./ * /So help
me, there was nothing else I could do./
[soil one's hands] See: DIRTY ONE'S HANDS.
[so it goes] Akin to the French "c'est la vie!" This exclamation
means "that's life." * /Too bad Jim has lost his job but there are
lots of people who are better qualified; well, so it goes!/
[sold on] {adj.} Approving of; well disposed toward; convinced of
the value of. * /When Japanese cars first appeared on the market Andy
was hesitant to drive one but now he is sold on them./
[so long] {interj.}, {informal} Good-bye. - Used when you are
leaving someone or he is leaving you. * /So long, I will be back
tomorrow./
[so long as] See: AS LONG AS.
[so many(1)] {adj.} 1. A limited number of; some * /Our school
auditorium will hold only so many people./ 2. A group of. - Often used
for emphasis. * /The children were all sitting very quietly in their
chairs, like so many dolls./ Compare: SO MUCH. {adj.} * /Bob is always
bragging; his stories are just so many lies./
[so many(2)] {pron}. A limited number; some. * /Many people want to
come to the prom; but the gymnasium will hold only so many./ * /Don't
give the boys all the cookies they want; give so many to Tom, so many
to Dick, and so many to Bob./ Compare: SO MUCH.
[some] See: AND THEN SOME.
[somebody up there loves/hates me] {slang} An expression intimating
that an unseen power in heaven, such as God, has been favorable or
unfavorable to the one making the exclamation. * /Look at all the
money I won! I say somebody up there sure loves me!/ * /Look at all
the money I've lost! I say somebody up there sure hates me!/
[some of these days] See: ONE OF THESE DAYS.
[something] See: HAVE SOMETHING GOING FOR ONE, HAVE SOMETHING ON,
MAKE SOMETHING OF, START SOMETHING.
[something else] {adj.}, {slang}, {informal} So good as to be
beyond description; the ultimate; stupendous. *
/Janet Hopper is really something else./
[something else again] {n. phr.} A different kind of thing;
something different. * /I don't care if you borrow my dictionary
sometimes, but taking it without asking and keeping it is something
else again./ * /"But I don't want a new car," Charles said to the car
dealer, "I want a used car." "Oh," said the car dealer, "that's
something else again."/
[so much(1)] {adj.} 1. A limited amount of; some. * /Sometimes
students wonder if the teacher knows they have only so much time to do
their lessons./ * /If you can't give everyone a full glass of milk,
just put so much milk in each glass./ 2. Equally or amounting to; only
amounting to. - Often used for emphasis. * /Charley spends money as if
it were so much paper./ * /What Mary said was so much nonsense; there
wasn't a word of truth in it./ Compare: SO MANY(1).
[so much(2)] {pron.} A limited amount; some; a price or amount that
is agreed or will be agreed on. * /You can do only so much in a day./
* /Milk costs so much a quart but cream costs so much a pint./
Compare: SO MANY(2).
[so much(3)] {adv.} By that much; by the amount shown; even. - Used
with the comparative and usually followed by "the". * /I can't go
tomorrow. So much the better; we'll go today./ * /John isn't coming to
the picnic. So much the more for us to eat!/ * /So much the worse for
you if you break the rules./ Syn.: ALL THE(2).
[so much as] {adv. phr.} 1. Even. - Usually used in negative
sentences and questions. * /He didn't so much as thank me for
returning his money that I found./ * /Would you so much as get me a
glass of water? No, you wouldn't./ 2. See: AS MUCH AS(2).
[so much for] Enough has been said or done about. - Used to point
out that you have finished with one thing or are going to take up
something else. * /So much for the geography of Ireland, we will now
talk about the people who live there./ * /"I have nothing more to say
to you, Tommy, and so much for that," Mary said angrily./
[son] See: FAVORITE SON, LIKE FATHER, LIKE SON.
[song] See: FOR A SONG.
[song and dance] {n.}, {informal} 1. Foolish or uninteresting talk;
dull nonsense. Usually used with "give". * /I met Nancy today and she
gave me a long song and dance about her family./ 2. A long lie or
excuse, often meant to get pity. Usually used with "give". * /Billy
gave the teacher a song and dance about his mother being sick as an
excuse for being late./ * /The tramp asked us for money and tried to
give us a big song and dance about having to buy a bus ticket to
Chicago./
[sonic boom] {n.} A loud noise and vibration in the air, made when
a jet plane passes the speed of sound (1087 feet per second). * /Fast
jet planes sometimes cause a sonic boom, which can break windows and
crack the plaster in houses below them./ * /We thought there was an
explosion or earthquake, but it was only a sonic boom that shook the
house./
[son of a bitch] or [sunuvabitch] also S.O.B. {n. phr.}, {vulgar},
{avoidable} (but becoming more and more acceptable, especially if said
with a positive or loving intonation). Fellow, character, guy,
individual. Negatively: * /Get out of here you filthy, miserable
sunuvabitch!/ Positively: * /So you won ten million dollars at the
lottery, you lucky son of a bitch (or sunuvabitch)!/ Compare: SON OF A
GUN.
[son of a gun] {n. phr.}, {slang} 1. A bad person; a person not
liked. * /I don't like Charley; keep that son of a gun out of here./
Syn.: BAD ACTOR. 2. A mischievous rascal; a lively guy. - Often used
in a joking way. * /The farmer said he would catch the son of a gun
who let the cows out of the barn./ * /Hello Bill, you old son of a
gun!/ Compare: SO AND SO. 3. Something troublesome; a hard job. * /The
test today was a son of a gun./ Used as an exclamation, usually to
show surprise or disappointment. * /Son of a gun! I lost my car keys./
Compare: SON OF A BITCH.
[soon] See: AS SOON, FOOL AND HIS MONEY ARE SOON PARTED.
[sooner] See: HAD RATHER or HAD SOONER, NO SOONER --- THAN.
[sooner or later] {adv. phr.} At some unknown time in the future;
sometime. * /John will come back sooner or later./ * /Grandpa is very
slow about fixing things around the house, but he always does it
sooner or later./ Compare: OR OTHER.
[sore] See: SIGHT FOR SORE EYES.
[sore spot] or [sore point] {n.} A weak or sensitive part; a
subject or thing about which someone becomes angry or upset easily. *
/Don't ask Uncle John why his business failed; it's a sore spot with
him./ Compare: WHERE THE SHOE PINCHES.
[sorrow] See: DROWN ONE'S SORROWS.
[sort] See: OF SORTS, IN A WAY also IN A SORT OF WAY.
[sort of] See: KIND OF.
[sort out] {v. phr.} 1. To alphabetize; arrange in numerical order.
* /The secretary helped Professor Brown sort out his numerous index
cards./ 2. To clarify. * /"Help me sort out these bills," she begged
her husband./
[so-so] {adj.} Fair; neither good nor bad. * /The children's grades
were just so-so on the test./ * /How is the fishing today? So-so./
[so that] {conj.} 1. or in order that; for the purpose that; so. -
"So that" is usually followed by "can" or "could"; "in order that" is
usually followed by "may" or "might". * /Let's get ready now so that
we can leave when Father comes./ * /Betty saved her money in order
that she might buy a doll./ Compare: IN ORDER TO. 2. With the result
that; so. * /My pencil fell under my desk, so that I couldn't see it./
* /George often told stories that weren't true, so that no one
believed him when he told about a deer in the school yard./
[so --- that] - Used with an adjective or adverb before a clause of
result. * /The bus was so full that I could hardly turn around./ *
/Billy pitched so well that everyone cheered him at the end of the
game./
[so to speak] {adv. phr.} To say it in this way. * /John was, so to
speak, the leader of the club, but he was officially only the club's
secretary./ * /The horse, so to speak, danced on his hind legs./
Compare: AS IT WERE.
[sought after] {adj.} Wanted by many buyers; searched for. *
/Antiques are much sought after nowadays./ Syn.: IN DEMAND.
[soul] See: HEART AND SOUL, KEEP BODY AND SOUL TOGETHER.
[soul-searching] See: SEARCH ONE'S HEART or SEARCH ONE S SOUL.
[sound] See: HIGH-SOUNDING, SAFE AND SOUND.
[sound effects] {n.} The noises made to imitate real sounds in a
play, movie, or program. * /Greg agreed to plan the sound effects for
the class play./ * /The movie was good but the sound effects were not
very true to life./
[sound off] {v.} 1. To say your name or count "One! Two! Three!
Four!" as you march. - Used as orders in U.S. military service. *
/"Sound off!" said the sergeant, and the soldiers shouted, "One! Two!
Three! Four!" with each step as they marched./ 2. {informal} To tell
what you know or think in a loud clear voice, especially to brag or
complain. * /If you don't like the way we're doing the job, sound
off!/ * /George sounded off about how the game should have been
played./ * /The teacher is always sounding off about the students not
doing their homework./ Compare: SPEAK ONE'S PIECE, SPEAK OUT.
[sound out] {v.} To try to find out how a person feels about
something usually by careful questions. * /Alfred sounded out his boss
about a day off from his job./ * /When you see the coach, sound him
out about my chances of getting on the basketball team./ Syn.: FEEL
OUT.
[sound sheet] {n.}, {slang}, {informal} A thin low-quality
phonograph recording frequently bound into books and magazines for use
as promotional or advertising material; it may have either a spoken or
a musical message. * /Don't throw that away; Sue is collecting sound
sheets for her market research course./
[sound truck] {n. phr.} A truck equipped with loudspeakers. *
/During the senatorial campaign, the streets of the big city were full
of sound trucks blaring out messages./
[soup] See: IN THE SOUP.
[souped-up] {adj.}, {informal} More powerful or faster because of
changes and additions. * /Many teen-aged boys like to drive souped-up
cars./ * /The basketball team won the last five games with souped-up
plays./
[so what] {informal} Used as an impolite reply showing that you
don't care about what another has said. * /Roy boasted that he was in
the sixth grade, but Ted said, "So what? I am in Junior High."/ Syn.:
WHAT OF IT.
[sow one's wild oats] {v. phr.} To do bad or foolish things,
especially while you are young. * /Mr. Jones sowed his wild oats while
he was in college, but now he is a wiser and better man./
[space] See: OUTER SPACE.
[spaced out] {adj.}, {slang}, {informal} Having gaps in one's train
of thought, confused, incoherent; resembling the behavior of someone
who is under the influence of drugs. * /Joe's been acting funny lately
- spaced out, you might say./
[space probe] {n.}, {Space English} An unmanned spacecraft other
than an Earth satellite fitted with instruments which gather and
transmit information about other planets in the solar system (e.g.,
Venus, Mars, and Jupiter) on what are called fly-by missions, i.e.,
without the craft landing on any of these bodies. * /Both the U.S.A.
and Russia have sent up many a space probe in the past decade./
[spade] See: CALL A SPADE A SPADE.
[Spain] See: BUILD CASTLES IN THE AIR or BUILD CASTLES IN SPAIN.
[spar with] See: FENCE WITH.
[speak] See: ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS, CHILDREN AND FOOLS
SPEAK THE TRUTH, NOT TO MENTION or NOT TO SPEAK OF, SHORT-SPOKEN, SO
TO SPEAK, TO SPEAK OF.
[speakeasy] {n.} A bar during Prohibition where illegal alcoholic
beverages were sold. * /Al Capone's associates met in a Chicago
speakeasy to drink and discuss business./
[speaker] See: PUBLIC SPEAKER.
[speak for] {v.} 1. To speak in favor of or in support of. * /At
the meeting John spoke for the change in the rules./ * /The other
girls made jokes about Jane, but Mary spoke for her./ 2. To make a
request for; to ask for. * /The teacher was giving away some books.
Fred and Charlie spoke for the same one./ 3. To give an impression of;
be evidence that (something) is or will be said. - Used with the words
"well" or "ill". * /It seems that it will rain today. That speaks ill
for the picnic this afternoon./ * /Who robbed the cookie jar? The
crumbs on your shirt speak ill for you, Billy./ * /John wore a clean
shirt and a tie when he went to ask for a job, and that spoke well for
him./ * /It speaks well for Mary that she always does her homework./
[speak of the devil and he appears] A person comes just when you
are talking about him. - A proverb. * /We were just talking about Bill
when he came in the door. Speak of the devil and he appears./
[speak one's mind] {v. phr.} To say openly what you think; give
advice that may not be liked. * /John thought it was wrong to keep
George out of the club and he spoke his mind about it./ Compare: SOUND
OFF.
[speak one's piece] See: SAY ONE'S PIECE.
[speak out of turn] {v. phr.} To say something tactless; commit an
indiscretion. * /You spoke out of turn in criticizing Aunt Hermione's
old furniture; she considers herself quite a connoisseur on the
subject./
[speak out] or [speak up] {v.} 1. To speak in a loud or clear
voice. * /The trucker told the shy boy to speak up./ 2. To speak in
support of or against someone or something. * /Willie spoke up for Dan
as club president./ * /Ed spoke up against letting girls join the
club./
[speak the same language] {v. phr.} To have similar feelings,
thoughts, and tastes; have a mutual understanding with another person.
* /We both love listening to Mozart. Obviously, we speak the same
language./
[speak volumes] {v. phr.} To tell or show much in a way other than
speaking; be full of meaning. * /The nice present she gave you spoke
volumes for what she thinks of you./ * /A child's choice of hobbies
speaks volumes./ Compare: READ BETWEEN THE LINES.
[speak well of] {v. phr.} To approve of; praise. * /Everyone always
speaks well of my sister because she's so kind./
[speak with a forked tongue] {v. phr.}, {literary} To lie; to say
one thing while thinking of the opposite. * /I have learned not to
trust Peter's promises because he speaks with a forked tongue./
[speed trap] {n.} A place where police hide and wait to catch
drivers who are going even a little faster than the speed limit. *
/Mr. Jones was caught in a speed trap./
[speed up] {v.} To go faster than before; also, to make go faster.
* /The car speeded up when it reached the country./ * /Push in the
throttle to speed up the engine./ Compare: PICK UP(12). Contrast: SLOW
DOWN.
[spell out] {v.} 1. To say or read aloud the letters ot a word, one
by one; spell. * /John could not understand the word the teacher was
saying, so she spelled it out on the blackboard./ 2. To read slowly,
have trouble in understanding. * /The little boy spelled out the
printed words./ 3. {informal} To explain something in very simple
words; explain very clearly. * /The class could not understand the
problem, so the teacher spelled it out for them./ * /Before the game
the coach spelled out to the players what he wanted them to do./
Compare: WORDS OF ONE SYLLABLE.
[spell trouble] {v. phr.} To signify major difficulties ahead. *
/The note we just received from the Chancellor seems to spell
trouble./
[spending money] or [pocket money] {n.} Money that is given to a
person to spend. * /When the seniors went to New York City on a trip,
each was given $10 in spending money./ * /Father gave John a nickel in
pocket money when he went to the store with Mother./
[spend the night] {v. phr.} To sleep somewhere. * /It was so late
after the party that we decided to spend the night at our friends'
house./
[spick-and-span] {adj.} Sparkling clean; having a brand new look. *
/She is such a good housekeeper that her kitchen is always
spick-and-span./
[spill] See: CRY OVER SPILLED MILK.
[spill the beans] {v. phr.}, {informal} To tell a secret to someone
who is not supposed to know about it. * /John's friends were going to
have a surprise party for him, but Tom spilled the beans./ Compare:
GIVE AWAY(3), LET THE CAT OUT OF THE BAG, TELL TALES OUT OF SCHOOL.
[spin a yarn] {v. phr.} To tell a story of adventure with some
exaggeration mixed in; embellish and protract such a tale. * /Uncle
Fred, who used be a sailor, knows how to spin a fascinating yarn, but
don't always believe everything he says./
[spine-chilling] {adj.} Terrifying; causing great fear. * /Many
children find the movie, "Frankenstein," spine-chilling./ * /A was
spine-chilling to learn that a murderer was in our neighborhood./
Compare: HAIR STAND ON END.
[spine-tingling] {adj.} Very exciting; thrilling. * /Our ride up
the mountain in a chair lift was spine-tingling./ * /The children's
plane ride was a spine-tingling adventure to them./
[spinoff] {n.} A byproduct of something else. * /The television
soap opera "Knot's Landing" was considered a spinoff of "Dallas," with
many of the same characters featured in both./
[spin off] {v. phr.} To bring something into existence as a
byproduct of something that already exists. * /When Dr. Catwallender
opened his medical practice, he also spun off a small dispensary
beside it where patients could get their prescriptions filled./
[spin one's wheels] {v. phr.} 1. Said of cars stuck in snow or mud
whose wheels are turning without the car moving forward. * /There was
so much snow on the driveway that my car's wheels were spinning in it
and we couldn't get going./ 2. To exert effort in a job without making
any progress. * /I've been working for the firm for two decades, but I
feel I am merely spinning my wheels./
[spin out] {v. phr.} 1. To go out of control. * /The bus spun out
on the icy road and fell into the ditch./ 2. To make something go out
of control. * /Tom stepped on the brakes so fast that he spun his car
out of control and went off the road./
[spirit away] {v. phr.} To hide or smuggle something out; abduct. *
/The famous actress was spirited away by her bodyguards as soon as she
emerged from the door./
[spite] See: CUT OFF ONE'S NOSE TO SPITE ONE'S FACE.
[spit] or [piss into the wedding cake] {v. phr.}, {vulgar},
{avoidable} To spoil someone's pleasure or celebration by doing or
saying something harsh or unseemly in an otherwise happy gathering;
bring up depressing or unhappy subjects at a supposedly happy time. *
/Stuart really spit into the wedding cake when he told Burt in a
bragging fashion that Lucy, Burl's bride, used to be his girlfriend./
[spitting image] {n.} or [spit and image] {informal} An exact
likeness; a duplicate. * /John is the spitting image of his
grandfather./ * /That vase is the spitting image of one I wanted to
buy in Boston./ Compare: LIKE FATHER, LIKE SON.
[spit up] {v.} To vomit a little. * /The baby always spits up when
he is burped./ * /Put a bib on the baby. I don't want him to spit up
on his clean clothes./
[split end] {n.} An end in football who plays five to ten yards out
from the tackle in the line. * /The split end is one of the
quarterback's most important targets for passes./ Contrast: TIGHT END.
[split hairs] {v. phr.} To find and argue about small and
unimportant differences as if the differences are important. * /John
is always splitting hairs; he often starts an argument about something
small and unimportant./ * /Don't split hairs about whose turn it is to
wash the dishes and make the beds; let's work together and finish
sooner./
[split second] {n.} A very short time; less than a second. * /The
lightning flash lasted a split second, and then disappeared./
[split the difference] {v. phr.}, {informal} To settle a money
disagreement by dividing the difference, each person giving up half. *
/Bob offered $25 for Bill's bicycle and Bill wanted $35; they split
the difference./
[split ticket] {n.} A vote for candidates from more than one party.
* /Mr. Jones voted a split ticket./ * /An independent voter likes a
split ticket./ Contrast: STRAIGHT TICKET.
[split up] {v. phr.} 1. To separate; get a divorce. * /After three
years of marriage, the unhappy couple finally split up./ 2. To
separate something; divide into portions. * /The brothers split up
their father's fortune among themselves after his death./
[split-up] {n.} A separation or division into two or many smaller
parts. * /The split-up of our company was due to the founder's
untimely death./
[spoil for] {v. phr.} To want something very badly; be belligerent
or pugnacious about something. * /After a few drinks it became
embarrassingly evident that Hal was spoiling for a fight./ Compare:
HANKER AFTER, LUST FOR.
[spoken for] {adj.} Occupied; reserved; taken; already engaged or
married. * /"Sorry, my boy," Mr. Jones said condescendingly, "but my
daughter is already spoken for. She will marry Fred Wilcox next
month."/
[sponge] See: THROW IN THE SPONGE.
[sponge bath] {n.} A bath with a cloth or sponge and a little
water. * /During the drought the family had only sponge baths./ * /The
family took sponge baths because they had no bathtub./
[sponge on] or [off] {v. phr.} To exploit parasitically; depend
upon for support. * /He is already forty years old, but he refuses to
go to work and sponges off his retired parents./
[spoon] See: BORN WITH A SILVER SPOON IN ONE'S MOUTH.
[spoon-feed] {v.} 1. To feed with a spoon. * /Mothers spoon-feed
their babies./ 2a. To make something too easy for (a person). *
/Bill's mother spoon-fed him and never let him think for himself./ *
/Alice depended on her mother for all decisions because she had been
spoon-fed./ 2b. To make (something) too easy for someone. * /Some
students want the teacher to spoon-feed the lessons./
[sporting blood] {n.} Willingness to take risks; spirit of
adventure. * /The cowboy's sporting blood tempted him to try to ride
the wild horse./ * /The boy's sporting blood caused him to run away
with a circus./
[spot] See: HIT THE HIGH SPOTS, HIT THE SPOT, JOHNNY-ON-THE-SPOT,
ON THE SPOT or UPON THE SPOT also IN A SPOT, SORE SPOT.
[spot check] {n. phr.} A sample check or investigation. * /Internal
Revenue Service employees often conduct a spot check of individual
returns when the figures don't add up./
[spotlight] See: STEAL THE SPOTLIGHT.
[spread it on thick] See: LAY IT ON or LAY IT ON THICK.
[spread like wildfire] {v. phr.} To spread uncontrollably and
rapidly. * /Bad news has a tendency to spread like wildfire./
[spread oneself too thin] {v. phr.} To try to do too many things at
one time. * /As the owner, chef, waiter, and dishwasher of his
restaurant, Pierre was spreading himself too thin./
[spring a leak] {v. phr.} 1. To develop a hole (said of boats)
through which water can enter, threatening the boat to sink. * /When
our small boat sprang a leak, we rapidly returned to shore to fix it./
2. To be threatened by some oncoming danger. * /Our firm sprang a leak
when the vice president suddenly died of a heart attack./
[spring chicken] {n.}, {slang} A young person. - Usually used with
"no". * /Mr. Brown is no spring chicken, but he can still play tennis
well./ * /The coach is no spring chicken, but he can show the players
what to do./
[spring on one] {v. phr.} To approach someone unexpectedly with an
unpleasant idea or project. * /Our firm was merely six weeks old when
they sprang the news on me that I had to go to Algiers to open a new
branch there./
[spring up] {v. phr.} To arise suddenly. * /Small purple flowers
were springing up all over our backyard./
[sprout wings] {v. phr.} 1. To enter the stage after a period of
development when wings appear (said of larvae that turn into
butterflies). * /The dragonflies suddenly sprouted wings and are
flying all about in the park./ 2. To become good and virtuous (as if
airborne). * /Joe has helped many colleagues in need; he seems to have
sprouted wings./
[spruce up] {v.}, {informal} To make clean or neat. * /Mary spruced
up the house before her company came./ * /John spruced himself up
before he went out on his date./
[spur] See: ON THE SPUR OF THE MOMENT, WIN ONE'S SPURS.
[squad] See: FIRING SQUAD.
[square] See: FAIR AND SQUARE, SHOOT STRAIGHT or SHOOT SQUARE.
[square away] {v. phr.} 1. To arrange the sails of a ship so that
the wind blows from behind. * /The captain ordered the crew to square
away and sail before the wind./ 2. {informal} To put right for use or
action. - Often used in the passive or participle. * /The living room
was squared away for the guests./ * /Harry got into trouble, but his
scoutmaster talked with him and got him squared away./ Syn.:
STRAIGHTEN OUT. 3. {informal} To stand ready to fight; put up your
fists. * /Jack and Lee squared away./ Syn.: SQUARE OFF.
[squared away] {adj. phr.} Looked after properly; tucked away;
arranged. * /My first two daughters are happily married, but my third
one, Jennifer, isn't squared away yet./
[square deal] {n. phr.} 1. Equitable or fair treatment. * /We are
proud to say that at this firm every employee gets a square deal./
Contrast NEW DEAL, RAW DEAL.
[square meal] {n. phr.} A full, nourishing well-balanced meal. *
/The refugees looked as if they hadn't had a square meal in months./
[square off] {v. phr.}, {informal} To stand ready for fighting with
the fists. * /The two boxers squared off when the bell rang./
[square oneself with] {v. phr.} To apologize; re-establish
friendship with; make amends. * /"Mr. Alien is very angry with you for
leaving the firm," Bob said. "It will take more than a few words and a
drink to square yourself with him."/
[square one's shoulders] {v. phr.} To stand strong and ready to
give battle; be brave. * /Jack squared his shoulders and entered the
game./ * /Graduates must square their shoulders and face the world./
[square peg in a round hole] {n.}, {informal} A person who does not
fit into a job or position; someone who does not belong where he is. *
/Arthur is a square peg in a round hole when he is playing ball./ *
/George likes to work with his hands. When it comes to books, he's a
square peg in a round hole./ - Sometimes used in a short form, [square
peg].
[square shooter] See: SHOOT STRAIGHT.
[square up] {v. phr.} To liquidate debts and other obligations. *
/I want to square up my medical bills before I accept my new teaching
assignment in Africa./
[squeak] See: PIP-SQUEAK.
[squeak by] {v. phr.} 1. To barely succeed. * /He was so poorly
prepared for his bar exam that he barely squeaked by./ 2. To clear
with difficulty. * /The entrance to the corridor in the old Italian
castle was so narrow that I barely managed to squeak by it./
[squeak through] {v.}, {informal} To be successful but almost fail;
win by a small score. * /Susan squeaked through the history
examination./ * /The football team squeaked through 7-6./ Compare: BY
THE SKIN OF ONE'S TEETH.
[squeeze out of] {v. phr.} To apply pressure to someone in order to
obtain what one desires. * /The police were interrogating the suspect
to squeeze information out of him./
[stab in the back(1)] {v. phr.}, {slang} To say or do something
unfair that harms (a friend or someone who trusts you). * /Owen
stabbed his friend Max in the back by telling lies about him./
[stab in the back(2)] {n. phr.}, {slang} An act or a lie that hurts
a friend or trusting person; a promise not kept, especially to a
friend. * /John stabbed his own friend in the back by stealing from
his store./ * /My friend stabbed me in the back by telling the teacher
I was playing hooky when I was home sick./
[stab in the dark] {n. phr.} A random attempt or guess at something
without previous experience or knowledge of the subject. * /"You're
asking me who could have hidden grandpa's will," Fred said. "I really
have no idea, but let me make a stab in the dark - I think my sister
Hermione has it."/
[stack] See: BLOW A FUSE or BLOW ONE'S STACK.
[stack the cards] {v. phr.} 1. To arrange cards secretly and
dishonestly for the purpose of cheating. * /The gambler had stacked
the cards against Bill./ 2. To arrange things unfairly for or against
a person; have things so that a person has an unfair advantage or
disadvantage; make sure in an unfair way that things will happen. -
Usually used in the passive with "in one's favor" or "against one." *
/A tall basketball player has the cards stacked in his favor./ * /The
cards are stacked against a poor boy who wants to go to college./
[stage] See: AT --- STAGE OF THE GAME, HOLD THE STAGE, ON THE
STAGE, SET THE STAGE.
[stage fright] {n. phr.} The fear one feels before appearing in
front of an audience. * /Many famous actors and actresses admit that
they often have stage fright before the curtain goes up./
[stagestruck] {adj.} Desirous of becoming an actor or actress;
enamored of the acting profession. * /Milly is so stagestruck that she
waits for actresses at the stage door after each performance to get
their signatures./
[stage whisper] {n. phr.} A loud whisper intended to reach other
ears than those of the person(s) addressed. * /Some jokes should be
told in a stage whisper./
[stag party] See: GO STAG. Contrast: HEN PARTY.
[stake] See: AT STAKE, PULL UP STAKES.
[stake a claim] {v. phr.} 1. To claim ownership of land by driving
stakes to show boundaries. * /The gold hunters staked claims in the
West./ 2. {informal} To claim a person or thing as your own by some
sign. Usually used with "on". * /George staked a claim on Dianne by
giving her his class ring./
[stamp] See: SAVINGS STAMP, TRADING STAMP.
[stamping ground] {n.}, {informal} A place where a person spends
much of his time. * /Pete's soda fountain is an afterschool stamping
ground./ * /When John returned to his hometown many years later, he
visited all of his old stamping grounds./
[stamp out] {v.} To destroy completely and make disappear. * /In
the last few years, we have nearly stamped out polio by using
vaccine./ * /The police and judges are trying to stamp out crime./
Compare: WIPE OUT.
[stand] See: GOAL LINE STAND, HAIR STAND ON END, HEART STAND STILL,
LEG TO STAND ON.
[stand a chance] or [stand a show] {n. phr.} To have a possibility
or opportunity; be likely to do or get something. * /Fred doesn't
stand a chance of being elected./ * /We stand a good chance of seeing
Mary at the party./
[standard time] also [slow time] {n.} Clock time that is set by law
or agreement in a country or in part of a country; especially, in the
United States: the clock time used between fall and spring, which is
an hour slower than the time used in the summer. - Abbreviation ST. *
/When we go to bed Saturday night, we will set our clocks back an
hour, because Sunday we will be on standard time again./ * /Next week
it will get dark an hour earlier, because we will be on standard
time./ Contrast: DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME.
[stand by] {v.} 1. To be close beside or near. * /Mary could not
tell Jane the secret with her little brother standing by./ * /Would
you just stand by and watch the big boys beat your little brother?/ 2.
To be near, waiting to do something when needed. * /The policeman in
the patrol car radioed the station about the robbery, and then stood
by for orders./ * /Lee stood by with a fire extinguisher while the
trash was burning./ 3. To follow or keep (one's promise). * /He is a
boy who always stands by his promises./ 4. To be loyal to; support;
help. * /When three big boys attacked Bill, Ed stood by him./ * /Some
people blamed Harry when he got into trouble, but Joe stood by him./
Compare: BACK UP, HANG TOGETHER, STAND UP FOR.
[stand by one's guns] See: STICK TO ONE'S GUNS.
[stand for] {v.} 1. To be a sign of; make you think of; mean. *
/The letters "U.S.A." stand for "United States of America."/ * /The
written sign "=" in an arithmetic problem stands for "equals."/ * /Our
flag stands for our country./ * /The owl stands for wisdom./ 2. To
speak in favor of something, or show that you support it. * /The new
President stood for honest government./ * /John always stands for what
is right./ 3. {Chiefly British} To try to be elected for. * /Three men
from London are standing for parliament./ * /The governor did not
stand for reelection./ 4. {informal} To allow to happen or to be done;
permit. - Usually used in the negative, * /The teacher will not stand
for fooling in the classroom./ Compare: HAVE IT(4), PUT UP WITH.
[stand in awe of] {v. phr.} To look upon with wonder; feel very
respectful to. * /Janet always stands in awe of the superintendent./ *
/The soldier stood in awe to his officers./
[stand in for] {v. phr.} To substitute for someone. * /The famous
brain surgeon was called out of town so his assistant had to stand in
for him during the operation./
[stand in one's way] See: IN ONE'S WAY.
[stand in with] {v. phr.}, {informal} To be liked by or friendly
with. - Usually used with "well". * /John stands in well with the
teacher./
[stand off] {v.} 1. To stay at a distance; stay apart. * /At
parties, Mr. Jones goes around talking to everyone, but Mrs. Jones is
shy and stands off./ 2. To keep (someone or something) from coming
near or winning. * /The soldiers defending the fort stood off a large
band of Indians./ * /The other schools wanted to beat our team and win
the championship, but our boys stood them all off./ Contrast: GIVE
GROUND.
[standoffish] {adj.} Stiff; aloof; reserved in manner. * /The
famous chess player is hard to get to know because he is so
standoffish./
[stand on ceremony] {v. phr.} To follow strict rules of politeness;
be very formal with other people. - Usually used with a helping verb
in the negative. * /Grandmother does not stand on ceremony when her
grandchildren call./
[stand one in good stead] {v. phr.} To be helpful or useful to. *
/A boy scout knife will stand you in good stead when you do not have
other tools./ * /Julia knew how to typewrite, and that stood her in
good stead when she looked for a job./
[stand one's ground] also [hold one's ground] {v. phr.} 1. To stay
and fight instead of running away. * /The enemy attacked in great
numbers but our men stood their ground./ Compare: GAIN GROUND.
Contrast: GIVE GROUND, LOSE GROUND. 2. To defend a belief or
statement; refuse to weaken when opposed; insist you are right. *
/John's friends said he was mistaken but he stood his ground./
Compare: STICK TO ONE'S GUNS.
[stand on one's own feet] or [stand on one's own two feet] {v.
phr.} To depend on yourself; do things yourself; earn your own living;
be independent. * /After his father died, John had to stand on his own
feet and earn his own living./ * /You should learn to stand on your
own two feet./
[stand out] {v.} 1. To go farther out than a nearby surface;
protect. * /A mole stood out on her cheek./ Compare: STICK OUT(1b). 2.
To be more noticeable in some way than those around you; be higher,
bigger, or better. * /Fred was very tall and stood out in the crowd./
* /John stood out as a track star./
[stand over] {v.} 1. To watch closely; keep checking all the time.
* /Ted's mother had to stand over him to get him to do his homework./
2. To be held over for later action; be postponed; wait. * /The
committee decided to let the proposal stand over until its next
meeting./
[stand pat] {v.}, {informal} To be satisfied with things and be
against a change. * /Bill had made up his mind on the question and
when his friends tried to change his mind, he stood pat./ Compare:
STAND ONE'S GROUND(2).
[stand the gaff] {v. phr.}, {informal} To stand rough treatment; do
well in spite of great physical or mental hardship. * /An athlete must
learn to stand the gaff./ * /No person running for office gets far
unless he can stand the gaff./ Compare: HOLD OUT 2, STICK OUT 2.
[stand to reason] {v. phr.} To seem very likely from the known
facts. * /If you have a driver's license, it stands to reason you can
drive./ * /Joe is intelligent and studies hard; it stands to reason
that he will pass the examination./
[stand trial] {v. phr.} To submit to a trial by court. * /The case
has been postponed and he may not have to stand trial until next
April./
[stand up] {v.} 1. To rise to a standing position; get up on your
feet. * /A gentleman stands up when a lady enters a room./ 2. To be
strong enough to use hard or for a long time. * /A rocket must be
built strongly to stand up under the blast-off./ * /The old car has
already stood up for twenty years./ Compare: WEAR WELL. 3. {informal}
To make a date and then fail to keep it. * /June cried when Bill stood
her up on their first dale./
[stand up and be counted] {v. phr.} To be willing to say what you
think in public; let people know that you are for or against
something. * /The equal rights movement needs people who are willing
to stand up and be counted./ * /If you disagree with the group, you
should be ready to stand up and be counted./
[stand up for] or {informal} [stick up for] {v.} To defend against
attack; fight for. * /John always stands up for his rights./ * /When
Mary was being criticized, Jane stuck up for her./ Compare: BACK UP,
GO TO BAT FOR, STAND BY, STAND ONE'S GROUND, STICK TO ONE'S GUNS, GO
TO BAT FOR.
[stand up to] {v.} To meet with courage. * /Mary stood up to the
snarling dog that leaped toward her./ * /A soldier must stand up to
danger./
[stand up with] {v.}, {informal} To be best man or maid of honor at
a wedding. * /A groom often chooses his brother to stand up with him./
[star] See: FIVE-STAR, SEE STARS, HITCH ONE'S WAGON TO A STAR,
LUCKY STAR, THANK ONE'S LUCKY STARS.
[starch] See: TAKE THE STARCH OUT OF.
[stare in the face] {n. phr.} 1. To be about to meet or to happen
to (you.) * /Grandmother became very sick and death was staring her in
the face./ * /Defeat stared them in the face, but the soldiers fought
on bravely./ 2. To be easy to see; be plain. * /Are you looking for
your pencil? It's on your desk, staring you in the face./ * /Their
friends all knew that Mary loved John, but John did not see it even
though it was staring him in the face./
[stars in one's eyes] {n. phr.} 1. An appearance or feeling of very
great happiness or expectation of happiness. * /Mary gets stars in her
eyes when she thinks of her boyfriend./ 2. A belief in the possibility
of quick and lasting reforms in people and life and an eagerness to
make such changes. * /Some inexperienced people get stars in their
eyes when they think of improving the world./ - [starry-eyed] {adj.}
Very happy and excited, perhaps with little reason; eager and
self-confident about improving human nature and general conditions of
life. * /Young people are often starry-eyed and eager to improve the
world; they do not know how hard it is./
[start] See: BY FITS AND STARTS, HEAD START, JACK-RABBIT START,
RUNNING START.
[start from scratch] See: FROM SCRATCH.
[start in] {v.}, {informal} 1. To begin to do something; start. *
/Fred started in weeding the garden./ * /The family started in eating
supper./ Compare: GO AT. 2. To begin a career. * /Bob started in as an
office boy and became president./ 3. To give a first job to. * /The
bank started him in as a clerk./
[start out] {v.} 1. To begin to go somewhere. * /Bill started out
for school on his bicycle./ * /Art started out on a voyage around the
world./ Compare: SET OUT. 2. To begin a career or life. * /Harry
started out as an errand boy in a business office./ * /We all start
out in life as helpless infants./ Syn.: START IN. 3. {informal} To
give one a first job. * /The garage man started Pete out as a grease
rack man./ Syn.: START IN(3).
[start something] {v. phr.}, {informal} To make trouble; cause a
quarrel or fight. * /John is always starting something./ * /Jack likes
to play tricks on the other boys to start something./ Compare: MAKE
SOMETHING OF.
[start the ball rolling] See: GET THE BALL ROLLING.
[start up] {v.} 1. To begin operating, * /The driver started up the
motor of the car./ * /The engine started up with a roar./ 2. To begin
to play (music). * /The conductor waved his baton, and the band
started up./ * /The orchestra started up a waltz./ Compare: STRIKE UP.
3. To rise or stand suddenly. * /When he heard the bell, he started up
from his chair./
[stash bag] or [stuff bag] {n.}, {slang}, {informal} 1. A small bag
containing marijuana cigarettes or the ingredients for making them. *
/The police are holding John because they found a stash bag full of
the stuff on him./ 2. Any small bag resembling a stash bag used for
small personal items such as lipstick, driver's license, etc. * /Do
you have any room for my keys in your stash bag?/
[state] See: LIE IN STATE.
[state-of-the-art] {adj. phr.} The best and - the latest any field
of research can offer; modern; the latest; the most advanced. *
/State-of-the-art personal computers may cost a little more than older
models, but may be worth the cost for those who need them./ Compare:
UP TO DATE.
[status symbol] {v. phr.} Signs of wealth and prestige. * /A new
yacht or airplane might be a status symbol to a bank manager./
[stead] See: STAND IN GOOD STEAD.
[stave off] {v.}, {literary} To keep from touching or hurting you.
Syn.: WARD OFF. * /The white knight struck with his sword. The black
knight staved it off with his own sword./ * /Bill's warm new coal
staved off the cold./ * /They staved off starvation by eating two of
the sled dogs./
[stay in] {v. phr.} To remain at home. * /The weather was so bad
that we decided to stay in all day./
[stay out] {v. phr.} To stay away from home. * /Her father was very
upset because Mary stayed out until 3 A.M. last night./
[stay put] {v. phr.} To stay in place; not leave. * /Harry's father
told him to stay put until he came back./ * /The rocks can be glued to
the bulletin board to make them stay put./ * /After Grandmother came
home from her trip to visit Aunt May, she said she wanted to stay put
for a while./
[stay up late] {v. phr.} To not go to bed until very late. * /Peter
has to stay up late these days as he is preparing for his
comprehensive exams./ See: BURN THE MIDNIGHT OIL.
[stay with] See: STICK WITH.
[steady] See: GO STEADY.
[steak] See: SALISBURY STEAK, T-BONE STEAK.
[steal] See: LOCK THE BARN DOOR AFTER THE HORSE IS STOLEN.
[steal a march on] {v. phr.} To get ahead of someone by doing a
thing unnoticed; get an advantage over. * /The army stole a march on
the enemy by marching at night and attacking them in the morning./ *
/Jack got the job by getting up earlier than Bill. He stole a march on
him./ Compare: GET THE JUMP ON, GET THE BETTER OF, TAKE BY SURPRISE.
[steal away] See: SLIP AWAY.
[steal one's thunder] {v. phr.} To do or say something,
intentionally or not, that another person has planned to say or do. *
/Fred intended to nominate Bill for president, but John got up first
and stole Fred's thunder./ * /Mary was going to sing "Oh! Susanna,"
but Ellen did it first and Mary said Ellen had stolen her thunder./ *
/Smith heard that Jones was going to offer a new law which people
wanted, so he himself proposed the law first, stealing Jones'
thunder./
[steal the show] {v. phr.} To act or do so well in a performance
that you get most of the attention and the other performers are
unnoticed. * /Mary was in only one scene of the play, but she stole
the show from the stars./
[steal the spotlight] {v. phr.} To attract attention away from a
person or thing that people should be watching. * /When the maid
walked on the stage and tripped over a rug, she stole the spotlight
from the leading players./ * /Just as the speaker began, a little dog
ran up the aisle, and stole the spotlight from him./
[steal up on] {v. phr.} To stealthily approach one; sneak up on
someone. * /The thief stole up on his victim, snatched her purse, and
ran away./
[steam] See: LET OFF STEAM or BLOW OFF STEAM, UNDER ONE'S OWN
STEAM.
[steamed up] {adj.}, {informal} Excited or angry about or eager to
do something. * /The coach gave the team a pep talk before the game,
and he got them all steamed up to win the game./ * /When Mary found
out that Jane had not kept their secret, she became all steamed up./ *
/Bill was all steamed up about the movie he had just seen./
[steel] See: MIND LIKE A STEEL TRAP.
[steer clear of] {v.} 1. To steer a safe distance from; go around
without touching. * /A ship steers clear of a rocky shore in stormy
weather./ 2. {informal} To stay away from; keep from going near. *
/Fred was angry at Bill, and Bill was steering clear of him./ * /Some
words Martha always spells wrong. She tries to steer clear of them./
[stem the tide] {v. phr.} To resist; hold back something of great
pressure or strength. * /The way to stem the tide of juvenile
delinquency is to strengthen education and to pass a stiff gun control
law./
[step] See: IN STEP, OUT OF STEP, TAKE STEPS.
[step all over] See: WALK OVER.
[step down] {v.} 1. To come down in one move from a higher position
to a lower. * /As soon as the train stopped, the conductor stepped
down to help the passengers off./ 2. To make go slower little by
little. * /The train was approaching the station, so the engineer
stepped it down./ Compare: SLOW DOWN, STEP UP. 3. To leave a job as an
official or some other important position. * /When the judge became
ill, he had to step down./
[step in] {v.} 1. To go inside for a quick visit. * /It was a cold
night, and when the policeman passed, we invited him to step in for a
cup of coffee./ 2. To begin to take part in a continuing action or
discussion, especially without being asked. * /When the dogs began to
fight, John stepped in to stop it before they were hurt./ * /When Bill
had done as much as he was able to on his model plane, his father
stepped in to help him./
[step inside] {v.} To come or go inside. * /Mother invited the
callers to step inside./
[step into] {v.} 1. To come or go into. * /The taxi stopped, and we
stepped into it./ * /Mr. Jones called to his secretary to step into
his office./ 2. To begin to do, undertake. * /When the star became
sick, his understudy stepped into his part./ * /When Bill graduates
from college, he will step into a job in his father's bank./
[step into one's shoes] {v. phr.} To do what someone else usually
does after he has stopped doing it. * /When Bill's father died, Bill
had to step into his father's shoes to support his mother./ * /A coach
trains the junior varsity to step into the shoes of the members of the
varsity team when they graduate./ * /When the boss retires, his son
will step into his shoes./ Compare: IN ONE'S SHOES.
[step off] {v.} 1. To walk or march quickly. * /The drum major
lowered his baton and the band stepped off./ 2. or [pace off]. To
measure by taking a series of steps in a line. * /The farmer stepped
off the edge of the field to see how much fencing he would need./ *
/The referee stepped off a five-yard penalty against our team./
[step on it] or [step on the gas] {v. phr.} 1. To push down on the
gas pedal to make a car go faster. * /Be very careful when you step on
the gas. Don't go too fast./ Compare: GIVE IT THE GUN. 2. {informal}
To go faster; hurry. * /Step on it, or we'll be late for school./ *
/John is a slow starter, but he can step on the gas when it looks as
if he might lose the race./ * /Lee was wasting time at breakfast and
his father told him to step on it or they would miss the bus./
[step on one's toes] or [tread on one's toes] {v. phr.} To do
something that embarrasses or offends someone else. * /If you break in
when other people are talking, you may step on their toes./ * /Mary is
pretty, and she often treads on the toes of the girls by stealing
their boyfriend./
[step on the gas] See: STEP ON IT.
[step out] {v. phr.} 1. To go out, particularly socially, as on a
date. * /Paul said to Sylvia, "You look so dressed up tonight - you
must be stepping out, eh?"/ 2. To leave for a short period during the
work day to go to the lavatory or to get a cup of coffee. (Frequently
said by secretaries over the phone.) * /"May I speak to Mr. Kotz?" Roy
asked. "I'm sorry, sir. He just stepped out for a minute," the
secretary answered./
[step out on] {v. phr.} To be unfaithful to one's marriage partner
or steady lover. * /It is rumored that he has been stepping out on his
wife. That's why she's so upset./
[stepped up] {adj.} Carried on at a faster or more active rate;
increased. * /To fill the increase in orders, the factory had to
operate at a stepped-up rate./
[step up] {v.} 1. To go from a lower to a higher place. * /John
stepped up onto the platform and began to speak./ 2. To come towards
or near; approach. * /The sergeant called for volunteers and Private
Jones stepped up to volunteer./ * /John waited until the teacher had
finished speaking to Mary, and then he stepped up./ 3. To go or to
make (something) go faster or more actively. * /When John found he was
going to be late, he stepped up his pace./ * /After we had reached the
outskirts of town, we stepped up the engine./ * /The enemy was near,
and the army stepped up its patrols to find them before they got too
close./ 4. To rise to a higher or more important position; be
promoted. * /This year Mary is secretary of the club, but I am sure
she will step up to president next year./ Contrast: STEP DOWN(3).
[sterling character] {n. phr.} A person of irreproachable
character; one of the highest professional standards. * /The nominee
for the Supreme Court must be a sterling character in every possible
way./
[stew in one's own juice] {v. phr.}, {informal} To suffer from
something that you have caused to happen yourself. * /John lied to
Tom, but Tom found out. Now Tom is making John stew in his own juice./
* /I warned you not to steal those apples. You got caught, and you can
stew in your own juice./
[stick] See: CARROT AND STICK, MORE THAN ONE COULD SHAKE A STICK
AT.
[stick around] {v.}, {informal} To stay or wait nearby. * /John's
father told him to stick around and they would go fishing./ * /After
work Mr. Harris stuck around to ride home with his friend./
[stick by one] {v. phr.} To support; remain loyal to. * /All of
Peter's friends stuck by him faithfully, in spite of what has been
said about him in the press./
[stick in one's craw] or [stuck in one's crop] {v. phr.} To make
you angry; bother you; annoy you. * /His parents' praise of his
brother stuck in Jerry's craw./ * /Sue's failure to get a better grade
than Ann stuck in her crop./
[stick in one's throat] {v. phr.} To be something you do not want
to say; be hard to say. * /Jean wanted to ask the teacher's pardon,
but the words stuck in her throat./
[stick-in-the-mud] {n.}, {informal} An overcareful person; someone
who is old-fashioned and fights change. * /Mabel said her mother was a
real stick-in-the-mud to make a rule that she must be home by 10
o'clock on weeknights and 11:30 Saturdays./ * /Mr. Thomas is a
stick-in-the-mud who plows with mules; he won't buy a tractor./
[stick one's neck out] or [stick one's chin out] {v. phr.},
{informal} To do something dangerous or risky. * /When I was in
trouble, Paul was the only one who would stick his neck out to help
me./ * /John is always sticking his chin out by saying something he
shouldn't./
[stick one's nose into] See: NOSE INTO.
[stick out] {v.} 1a. To stand out from a wall or other surface;
project; extend. * /The limb stuck out from the trunk of the tree./
1b. To be seen or noticed more easily or quickly than others; be
noticeable. * /My house is the only brick one on the street. It sticks
out and you can't miss it./ * /Mary plays basketball very well. The
others on the team are good, but she really sticks out./ 1c. Often
used in the informal phrase stick out like a sore thumb. * /John is so
shy and awkward that he sticks out like a sore thumb./ Syn.: STAND
OUT. 2. {informal} To keep on doing something until it is done no
matter how long, hard, or unpleasant. * /Bill is not a fast runner and
he doesn't have a chance of winning the marathon, but he will stick
out the race even if he finishes last./ - Often used in the phrase
"stick it out". * /Mathematics is hard, but if you stick it out you
will understand it./ Compare: HANG ON(2), STICK WITH(1).
[stick out like a sore thumb] {v. phr.} To be conspicuous; be
different from the rest. * /When the foreign student was placed in an
advanced English grammar class by mistake, it was no wonder that he
stuck out like a sore thumb./
[stick together] {v.} To remain close together in a situation. *
/Stick together in the cave so that no one gets lost./ * /The gang
stuck together after the game./ * /Bill and Bob stick together in a
game or in a fight./ Syn.: HANG TOGETHER(1).
[stick to one's guns] or [stand by one's guns] {v. phr.} To hold to
an aim or an opinion even though people try to stop you or say you are
wrong. * /People laughed at Columbus when he said the world was round.
He stuck to his guns and proved he was right./ * /At first the boss
would not give Jane the raise in pay she wanted, but she stood by her
guns and he gave it to her./ Compare: STAND ONE'S GROUND.
[stick to one's knitting] or [tend to one's knitting] {v. phr.},
{informal} To do your own job and not bother other people. * /The
trouble with Henry is that he is always telling other people what to
do; he can't stick to his knitting./
[stick to one's ribs] or [stick to the ribs] {v. phr.}, {informal}
To keep you from getting hungry again too quickly. * /Doctors say you
should eat a good breakfast that sticks to your ribs./ * /Farmers eat
food that sticks to the ribs./
[stick to the point] {v. phr.} To stay on course during a
discussion; adhere to the topic; not talk about extraneous matters. *
/Stick to the point and stop telling us your life history!/ See: COME
TO THE POINT.
[stick up] {v.}, {informal} To rob with a gun. * /When the
messenger left the bank, a man jumped out of an alley and stuck him
up./ Syn.: HOLD UP. * /In the old West, outlaws sometimes stuck up the
stagecoaches./
[stick-up] {n.}, {informal} A robbery by a man with a gun. * /Mr.
Smith was the victim of a stick-up last night./
[stick up for] See: STAND UP FOR.
[stick with] {v.}, {informal} 1. or [stay with] To continue doing;
not quit. * /Fred stayed with his homework until it was done./ *
/Practicing is tiresome, but stick with it and some day you will be a
good pianist./ Compare: STICK TO. 2. To stay with; not leave. * /Stick
with me until we get out of the crowd./ * /For two months Bill's boss
could not pay his salary, but Bill stuck with him because he thought
the company would soon succeed./ 3. To sell (someone) something poor
or worthless; cheat. * /Father said that the man in the store tried to
stick him with a bad TV set./ 4. To leave (someone) with (something
unpleasant); force to do or keep something because others cannot or
will not. - Usually used in the passive. * /When Harry and I went to
the store to buy ice cream cones, Harry ran out with his cone without
paying and I was stuck with paying for it./ * /Mary didn't wash the
dishes before she left so I'm stuck with it./ * /Mr. Jones bought a
house that is too big and expensive, but now he's stuck with it./
[stick with] {v. phr.} To unfairly thrust upon; encumber one with.
* /In the restaurant my friends stuck me with the bill although it was
supposed to be Dutch treat./
[sticky fingers] {n. phr.}, {slang} 1. The habit of stealing things
you see and want. * /Don't leave money in your locker; some of the
boys have sticky fingers./ * /Don't leave that girl alone in the room
with so many valuable objects around, because she has sticky fingers./
2. Ability to catch a ball, especially football forward passes. *
/Jack is very tall and has sticky fingers. He is an end on the
football team./
[stiff] See: KEEP A STIFF UPPER LIP, SCARE OUT OF ONE'S WITS or
SCARE STIFF.
[still] See: HEART STAND STILL.
[still life] {n. phr.} A term used by artists to describe a
motionless picture of a bowl of fruit, flowers, etc. * /One of van
Gogh's most famous still lifes is a vase of yellow flowers./
[still waters run deep] Quiet people probably are profound
thinkers. - A proverb. * /He doesn't say much, but he sure looks
smart. Well, still waters run deep, isn't that true?/
[stir up] {v.} 1. To bring (something) into being, often by great
exertion or activity; cause. * /It was a quiet afternoon, and John
tried to stir up some excitement./ * /Bob stirred up a fight between
Tom and Bill./ Compare: WHIP UP(2). 2. To cause (someone) to act;
incite to action or movement; rouse. * /The coach's pep talk stirred
up the team to win./ * /When Mary heard what Betty said about her, she
became stirred up./
[stir up a hornet's nest] {v. phr.} To make many people angry; do
something that many people don't like. * /The principal stirred up a
hornet's nest by changing the rules at school./
[stitch] See: IN STITCHES.
[stock] See: IN STOCK, OUT OF STOCK, TAKE STOCK, TAKE STOCK IN.
[stock-in-trade] {n. phr.} The materials which one customarily
deals, sells, or offers. * /Imported silk blouses from the Orient are
the stock-in-trade of their small shop./ * /Anecdotes are often an
after-dinner speaker's stock-in-trade./
[stomach] See: EYES BIGGER THAN ONE'S STOMACH, BUTTERFLIES IN YOUR
STOMACH, TURN ONE'S STOMACH.
[stone] See: CAST THE FIRST STONE, HAVE A HEART OF STONE, KILL TWO
BIRDS WITH ONE STONE, LEAVE NO STONE UNTURNED, PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN
GLASS HOUSES SHOULD NOT THROW STONES, ROLLING STONE GATHERS NO MOSS.
[stone-blind] {adj. phr.} 1. Completely blind. * /Poor Al is
stone-blind and needs help to get across the street carefully./ 2.
Highly intoxicated. * /George drank too much and got stone-blind at
the office party./ See: GET STONED, THREE SHEETS TO THE WIND.
[stone-broke] or [dead broke] or [flat broke] {adj.}, {informal}
Having no money; penniless. * /Jill wanted to go to the movies but she
was stone-broke./ * /The man gambled and was soon flat broke./
[stone-cold] {adj.} Having no warmth; completely cold. - Used to
describe things that are better when warm. * /The boys who got up late
found their breakfast stone-cold./ * /The furnace went off and the
radiators were stone-cold./
[stone-dead] {adj.}, {informal} Showing no signs of life;
completely dead. * /Barry tried to revive the frozen robin but it was
stone-dead./
[stone-deaf] {adj. phr.} Completely deaf. * /Sam is stone-deaf so
let him read your lips if you know no sign language./
[stone wall] or [brick wall] {adj.} Something hard to overcome; an
idea or belief that is hard to change. * /The students ran into a
brick wall when they asked the principal to put off the examination./
* /Dick tried to change Father's mind about letting him use the car
Saturday night, but he was up against a stone wall./
[stone's throw] or [within a stone's throw] {adv. phr.} Within a
very short distance. * /They live across the street from us, just
within a stone's throw./ See: HOP, SKIP AND A JUMP.
[stool pigeon] {n.} A criminal who informs on his associates. *
/The detective was able to solve the crime mainly through information
obtained from a stool pigeon./
[stop] See: PUT AN END TO(1), or PUT A STOP TO.
[stop at nothing] {v. phr.} To be unscrupulous. * /Al will stop at
nothing to get Nancy to go out with him./
[stop by] See: DROP BY.
[stop cold] or [stop dead] or [stop in one's tracks] {v. phr.},
{informal} To stop very quickly or with great force. * /The hunter
pulled the trigger and stopped the deer cold./ * /When I saw Mary on
the street, I was so surprised I stopped dead./ * /The deer heard a
noise and he stopped in his tracks./
[stop off] {v.} To stop at a place for a short time while going
somewhere. * /We stopped off after school at the soda fountain before
going home./ * /On our trip to California we stopped off in Las Vegas
for two days./
[stop over] {v.} To stay at a place overnight or for some other
short time while on a trip elsewhere. * /When we came back from
California, we stopped over one night near the Grand Canyon./
[stop short] {v. phr.} To suddenly stop. * /Jake stopped short when
he heard somebody yell out his name loud but there was no one in
sight./
[stop street] {n.} A street where cars must come to a full stop
before crossing another street. * /Johnny was late because he traveled
on a stop street./ Contrast: THROUGH STREET.
[stop the show] {v. phr.} To elicit such a strong applause from the
audience that the show is interrupted. * /Pavarotti's rendition of "O
sole mio" always stops the show./
[stop up] {v. phr.} To block; close. * /If you want to get rid of
the leak, you must stop up the two holes you have in the ceiling./
[store] See: DIME STORE, IN STORE, SET STORE BY, VARIETY STORE.
[storm] See: TAKE BY STORM.
[story] See: OLD STORY, SOB STORY, UPPER STORY.
[stow away] {v.} 1. {informal} To pack or store away. * /After New
Year's Day the Christmas decorations were stowed away until another
season./ 2. To hide on a ship or another kind of transportation to get
a free ride. * /John ran away from home and stowed away on a freighter
going to Jamaica./
[straight] See: GO STRAIGHT, SHOOT STRAIGHT.
[straighten out] {v.} To correct a mistake; make you realize you
are wrong. * /The teacher saw Jim's awkward sentence on the board and
asked for volunteers to straighten it out./ * /Sometimes only a good
spanking will straighten out a naughty child./ Syn.: SQUARE AWAY(2).
[straighten up] {v.} To put in order; make neat. * /Vic had to
straighten up his room before he could go swimming./ * /Mrs. Johnson
straightened up the house before company came./ Compare: PICK UP(6b),
SQUARE AWAY.
[straight face] {n.} A face that is not laughing or smiling. *
/Mary told all the funny stories she knew to try to make Joan laugh,
but Joan kept a straight face./ * /It is hard to tell when Jim is
teasing you. He can tell a fib with a straight face./ * /When Bob fell
into the water, he looked funny and I could hardly keep a straight
face./
[straight from the horse's mouth] {slang} Directly from the person
or place where it began; from a reliable source or a person that
cannot be doubted. * /They are going to be married. I got the news
straight from the horse's mouth - their minister./ * /John found out
about the painting straight from the horse's mouth, from the painter
himself./
[straight from the shoulder] {adv. phr.}, {informal} In an open and
honest way of speaking; without holding back anything because of fear
or politeness or respect for someone's feelings; frankly. * /John
asked what he had done wrong. Bob told him straight from the
shoulder./ * /The candidate for Congress spoke out against his
opponent's dishonesty straight from the shoulder./ Contrast: PULL
ONE'S PUNCHES.
[straightlaced] {adj.} Of very strict morals and manners. * /She is
so straightlaced that she won't even go out with a man unless she
senses that he is serious about her./
[straight off] {adv. phr.} At once; immediately. * /After school is
over, you come home straight off, and don't waste time./ * /He asked
his father for the car, but his father said straight off that he
couldn't have it./
[straight out] See: RIGHT OUT.
[straight shooters] See: SHOOT STRAIGHT.
[straight ticket] {n.} A vote for all the candidates of a single
party. * /Uncle Fred was a loyal member of his party. He always voted
the straight ticket./ Contrast: SPLIT TICKET.
[strain a point] See: STRETCH A POINT.
[strange to say] {adv. phr.} Not what you might think;
surprisingly. - Used for emphasis. * /Strange to say, Jerry doesn't
like candy./ * /Strange to say, the Indians didn't kill Daniel Boone./
[strapped for] {adj.} Broke; out of funds. * /My brother is so
extravagant that he is always strapped for cash./
[straw] See: GIVE A HANG, GRASP AT A STRAW, GRASP AT STRAWS, LAST
STRAW or STRAW THAT BREAKS THE CAMEL'S BACK, MAKE BRICKS WITHOUT
STRAW.
[straw boss] {n.} 1. The boss of a few workers who is himself under
another boss or foreman. * /The straw boss told Jim he would have to
see the foreman about a job./ 2, A man who works himself and also
bosses a few other workers. * /Smith worked better than the other men,
so the foreman made him straw boss, too./
[straw in the wind] {n. phr.} A small sign of what may happen. *
/The doctor's worried face was a straw in the wind./ * /The
quickly-called meeting of the President and his cabinet was a straw in
the wind./
[straw poll] {n. phr.} An informal survey taken in order to get an
opinion. * /The results of our straw poll show that most faculty
members prefer to teach between 9 and 11 A.M./
[straw that breaks the camel's back] See: LAST STRAW.
[straw vote] See: STRAW POLL.
[streak] See: WINNING STREAK.
[streak of luck] See: RUN OF LUCK.
[stream] See: CHANGE HORSES IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREAM, SWIM
AGAINST THE CURRENT or SWIM AGAINST THE STREAM.
[street] See: BACK STREET, CROSS STREET, MAN IN THE STREET, ON EASY
STREET, SIDE STREET, STOP STREET, THROUGH STREET.
[strength] See: ON THE STRENGTH OF.
[stretch a point] or [strain a point] {v. phr.} To permit something
different or more than usual; not tell the exact truth or make an
exception. * /Mother stretched a point because it was Christmas time
and let the children stay up later than usual./ * /It's straining a
point to call Joe a hero just because he saved the kitten from
drowning in the bathtub./
[stretch of the imagination] {n. phr.} Imaginative attempt or
effort. * /By no stretch of the imagination can I see Al as a
successful lawyer./
[stride] See: HIT ONE'S STRIDE, TAKE IN STRIDE.
[strike] See: CALLED STRIKE, HAVE TWO STRIKES AGAINST ONE,
LIGHTNING NEVER STRIKES TWICE IN THE SAME PLACE, TWO STRIKES AGAINST
ONE.
[strike a bargain] {v. phr.} To arrive at a price satisfactory to
both the buyer and the seller. * /After a great deal of haggling, they
managed to strike a bargain./
[strike a happy medium] {v. phr.} To find an answer to a problem
that is halfway between two unsatisfactory answers. * /Mary said the
dress was blue. Jane said it was green. They finally struck a happy
medium and decided it was blue-green./ * /Two teaspoons of sugar made
the cup of coffee too sweet, and one not sweet enough. One heaping
teaspoon struck a happy medium./
[strike all of a heap] See: ALL OF A HEAP.
[strikebreaker] {n.} One who takes the place of workers on strike
or one who recruits such people. * /The striking workers threw rotten
eggs at the strikebreakers./
[strike gold] {v. phr.} 1. To find gold. * /Ted struck gold near an
abandoned mine in California./ 2. To find suddenly the answer to an
old puzzle. * /Professor Brown's assistant struck gold when he came up
with an equation that explained the irregular motions of a double
star./ See: PAY DIRT.
[strike home] See: HIT HOME.
[strike it rich] {v. phr.}, {informal} 1. To discover oil, or a
large vein of minerals to be mined, or a buried treasure. * /The old
prospector panned gold for years before he struck it rich./ 2. To
become rich or successful suddenly or without expecting to. *
/Everyone wanted to buy one of the new gadgets, and their inventor
struck it rich./ * /John did not know that he had a rich Uncle John in
Australia. John struck it rich when his uncle left his money to John./
Compare: PAY DIRT(2).
[strike one funny] {v. phr.} To appear or seem laughable, curious,
ironic, or entertaining. * /"It strikes me funny," he said, "that you
should refuse my invitation to visit my chateau in France. After all,
you love both red wine and old castles. "/
[strike one's colors] See: HAUL DOWN ONE'S COLORS.
[strike one's fancy] {v. phr.} To please one's predilections;
appeal to one. * /The red tie with the yellow dragon on it happened to
strike my fancy, so I bought it./
[strike] or [hit a sour note] {v. phr.} To spoil the mood at a
gathering by hearing some bad news. * /The news of Mr. Brown's sudden
illness struck a sour note during our New Year's Eve party./ Compare:
SPIT INTO THE WEDDING CAKE.
[strike out] {v.} 1. To destroy something that has been written or
drawn by drawing a line or cross through it or by erasing it. * /John
misspelled "corollary. " He struck it out and wrote it correctly./ 2.
To begin to follow a new path or a course of action that you have
never tried. * /The boy scouts struck out at daybreak over the
mountain pass./ * /John quit his job and struck out on his own as a
traveling salesman./ 3. To put (a batter) out of play by making him
miss the ball three times; also: To be put out of play by missing the
ball three times. * /The pitcher struck out three men in the game./ *
/The batter struck out twice./ 4. To push out an arm suddenly in a
hitting motion. * /The boxer saw his chance and struck out at his
opponent's jaw./
[strike out at] {v. phr.} To attack someone verbally or physically.
* /She was so angry that she struck out at him every occasion she
got./
[strike the hour] {v. phr.} To mark or toll the hour (said of
clocks or bells). * /We heard the church clock strike the hour of
two./
[strike up] {v.} 1a. To start to sing or play. * /We were sitting
around the camp fire. Someone struck up a song, and we all joined in./
* /The President took his place on the platform, and the band struck
up the national anthem./ 1b. To give a signal to start (a band)
playing. * /When the team ran on the field, the band director struck
up the band./ 2. To bring about; begin; start. * /The policeman struck
up a conversation with John while they were waiting for the bus./ *
/It did not take Mary long to strike up acquaintances in her new
school./
[strike while the iron is hot] See: MAKE HAY WHILE THE SUN SHINES.
[string] See: FIRST STRING, LATCH STRING, ON THE STRING or ON A
STRING, PULL STRINGS, PURSE STRINGS, SHOE-STRING CATCH, TIED TO ONE'S
MOTHER'S APRON STRINGS.
[string along] {v.}, {informal} 1. To deceive; fool; lead on
dishonestly. * /Mary was stringing John along for years but she didn't
mean to marry him./ * /George told the new boy that he must always
call the teacher "Sir," but the new boy soon saw that George was
stringing him along./ Compare: ON A STRING. 2. To follow someone's
leadership; join his group. * /Those of you who want to learn about
wild flowers, string along with Jake./
[string out] {v.} To make (something) extend over a great distance
or a long stretch of time. * /The telephone poles were strung out
along the road as far as we could see./ * /Mary and Ann did not have
much to say but they did not want to go home. They strung out their
gossip for a long time./
[string up] {v.}, {slang} To put a rope around the neck of a person
and choke him to death; hang. * /The posse strung up the rustler
without a trial./ Compare: NECKTIE PARTY.
[strings attached] {adv. phr.} With some special proviso or
condition that is a handicap. * /John inherited a large fortune but
with the string attached that he could not touch a penny of it before
his 28th birthday./
[strip] See: DRAG STRIP.
[stripe] See: MIDFIELD STRIPE.
[stroke] See: AT A STROKE or AT ONE'S STROKE.
[stroke of luck] See: RUN OF LUCK.
[strong language] {n. phr.} Cursing; swearing. * /When Ned learned
that he had been fired, he used some very strong language about his
boss./
[strung out] {adj.}, {slang}, {colloquial} 1. Nervous, jittery,
jumpy; generally ill because of drug use or withdrawal symptoms. *
/The only explanation I can think of for Max's behavior is that he
must be strung out./ 2. To suffer because of a lack of something
previously accustomed to, such as the love and affection of someone. *
/Sue is all strung out for Jim; they've just split up./ Compare:
SPACED OUT.
[stuck on] {slang} Very much in love with; crazy about. * /Judy
thinks she is very pretty and very smart. She is stuck on herself./ *
/Lucy is stuck on the football captain./
[stuck-up] {adj.}, {informal} Acting as if other people are not as
good as you are; conceited; snobbish. * /Mary is very stuck-up, and
will not speak to the poor children in her class./
[stuck with] {adj. phr.} Left in a predicament; left having to take
care of a problem caused by another. * /Our neighbors vanished without
a trace and we got stuck with their cat and dog./
[study] See: BROWN STUDY.
[stuff] See: KNOW ONE'S WAY AROUND(2).
[stuff and nonsense] {n.} Foolish or empty writing or talk;
nonsense. * /Fred told a long story about his adventures in Africa,
but it was all stuff and nonsense./ Often used as an interjection. *
/When Jane said she was too sick to go to school, her mother answered,
"Stuff and nonsense! I know there's a test today."/
[stuff the ballot box] {v. phr.} To give more votes to a candidate
in an election than there are people who actually voted for him. * /It
is a crime to stuff the ballot box./ - [ballot-stuffing] {adj. phr.}
[stuffed shirt] {n. phr.} A pretentious bore; a pompous, empty
person. * /I think that Howard is a terrible stuffed shirt with no
sense of humor./
[stuffed up] {adj. phr.} Impeded; blocked. * /Our kitchen sink is
all stuffed up so I have to call the plumber./
[stumble across] {v. phr.} To encounter a person or thing, mostly
by accident. * /I gave up looking for my old hat when I accidentally
stumbled across it in a dark corner of the closet./
[stump] See: TAKE THE STUMP or TAKE TO THE STUMP, UP A STUMP.
[style] See: CRAMP ONE'S STYLE, HIGH STYLE.
[subject to] {adj. phr.} 1. Under the government or control of; in
the power of. * /The English colonies in America were subject to the
English king./ * /The principal and the teachers of a school are
subject to the school board./ 2. Likely to get or have; liable. *
/John is in rather poor health and is subject to colds./ * /The
western plains are subject to tornadoes./ 3. Depending on some change,
happening, or need. * /The company and the union agreed that the
workers' wages should be subject to changes in the cost of living./ *
/Agreements made by the President with other countries are subject to
the approval of the Senate./
[substance] See: IN SUBSTANCE.
[succeed] See: HOWLING SUCCESS, NOTHING SUCCEEDS LIKE SUCCESS.
[such and such] {pron.} Something whose name is not mentioned
because it does not need to be mentioned. * /George's argument tries
to prove such and such to be true, but it does not convince me./
[such-and-such] {adj. phr.} Being one whose name has been forgotten
or whose name does not need to be mentioned. * /She told me to go to
such-and-such a street and turn right./ * /Suppose, now, that we have
such-and-such a group coming to the school, and we don't have enough
chairs. What do we do then?/
[such as] {conj.} 1. Of a kind or amount shown or named; of a kind
like. * /The explorer took only such men and things as he really
needed into the jungle with him./ * /They felt such heat in the jungle
as they had never felt before./ * /Many different pies were in the
bakery such as apple, cherry, and blueberry pies./ 2. Of the average
or ordinary kind; poor; humble. * /Such as the food was, there was
plenty of it./ * /The room is not very nice, but such as it is, you
may stay there for the night./
[such as it is] Just as it appears or is presented, not being any
better or worse than most others of its kind; being average or
mediocre. * /This pie, such as it is, is the best I can make./ * /Jane
told her grandmother her grades, such as they were./
[such that] {conj.} Of a kind or amount that; so great or so little
that; enough that. * /There was such a big line at me movie that we
had to wait before we could get in./ * /Jimmy made such noise that his
sister told him to be quiet./ * /Mother's answer was such that she
didn't say yes and she didn't say no./
[sucker list] {n.}, {slang} A list of easily-fooled people,
especially people who are easily persuaded to buy things or give
money. * /The crook got hold of a sucker list and started out to sell
his worthless stock./ * /Mr. Smith gets so many advertisements in his
mail that he says he is on every sucker list in the country./
[suck in] {v.} 1. {informal} To pull in by taking a deep breath and
tightening the muscles; flatten. * /"Suck in those stomachs," the gym
teacher said./ 2. {slang} To make a fool of; cheat. * /The uneducated
farmer was sucked in by a clever crook./
[sugar daddy] {n.}, {slang}, {semi-vulgar}, {avoidable} An older,
well-to-do man, who gives money and gifts to a younger woman or girls
usually in exchange for sexual favors. * /Betty Morgan got a mink coat
from her sugar daddy./
[suit] See: BIRTHDAY SUIT, FOLLOW SUIT.
[suit to a T] See: TO A T.
[suit up] {v. phr.} To don a uniform or sports outfit. * /The
veterans like to suit up for the Fourth of July parade./
[suit yourself] {v. phr.}, {informal} To do what one likes or
prefers. * /"I don't care where you want to sleep," he said. "Suit
yourself!"/
[sum total] {n.} The final amount; everything taken together;
total. * /The sum total of expenses for the trip was $450./ * /Ten
years was the sum total of John's education./
[sum up] {v.} To put something into a few words; shorten into a
brief summary; summarize. * /The teacher summed up the lesson in three
rules./ * /The mailman's job, in all kinds of weather, is summed up in
the phrase "Deliver the mail."/
[sun] See: UNDER THE SUN.
[sunbelt] {n.}, {informal} A portion of the southern United States
where the winter is very mild in comparison to other states. * /The
Simpsons left Chicago for the sunbelt because of Jeff's rheumatism./
[Sunday] See: MONTH OF SUNDAYS.
[Sunday best] or [Sunday-go-to-meeting clothes] See: BEST BIB AND
TUCKER.
[sunny-side up] {adj.} Fried on one side only. * /Barbara likes her
eggs sunny-side up./
[supper] See: COVERED-DISH SUPPER or POTLUCK SUPPER.
[supply] See: IN SHORT SUPPLY.
[sure] See: FOR SURE, MAKE SURE, TO BE SURE.
[sure enough] {adv.} As expected. * /Charles was afraid he had done
badly on the test, and sure enough, his grade was failing./ * /The
children saw a familiar shape coming up the street and hoped it was
their lost dog. When it came near, sure enough, it was Spot./ Compare:
SURE THING(2).
[sure-enough] {adj.} Real; genuine. * /Rick found a sure-enough
nickel./ * /Martha's uncle gave her a sure-enough pearl on a little
gold chain./ * /Jane's uncle is a sure-enough cowboy./
[surefire] {adj.} Without fail; effective; bringing actual results.
* /During a campaign the only surefire way to get the sympathy of the
voters is to mingle with them in person./
[sure thing] 1. {n.}, {informal} Something sure to happen;
something about which there is no doubt. * /It's no fun betting on a
sure thing./ 2. {adv.} Of course; certainly * /Sure thing, I'll be
glad to do it for you./ Compare: FOR SURE(2), SURE ENOUGH.
[surface] See: SCRATCH THE SURFACE.
[surprise] See: TAKE BY SURPRISE.
[survival of the fittest] {n. phr.} The staying alive or in action
of the best prepared; often: idea that those living things best able
to adjust to life survive and those unable to adjust die out. * /Life
in the old West was often a case of survival of the fittest./ * /With
changes in the world's climate, dinosaurs died but many smaller
animals lived on. It was survival of the fittest./ * /On the 50-mile
hike it was survival of the fittest; only 12 out of 25 Scouts
finished./
[suspicion] See: ABOVE SUSPICION.
[swallow] See: LOOK LIKE THE CAT THAT ATE THE CANARY.
[swallow hook, line, and sinker] See: HOOK, LINE, AND SINKER.
[swallow one's pride] {v. phr.} To bring your pride under control;
humble yourself. * /After Bill lost the race, he swallowed his pride
and shook hands with the winner./ Compare: EAT ONE'S WORDS,
[swallow one's words] 1. To speak unclearly; fail to put enough
breath into your words. * /Phyllis was hard to understand because she
swallowed her words./ 2. See: EAT ONE'S WORDS.
[swallow up] {v. phr.} To do away with; absorb; engulf. * /My
expenses are so great that they swallow up my modest salary./
[swan song] {n. phr.}, {literary} A farewell or last appearance. *
/The famous soprano gave her swan song in La Traviata before she
retired./
[SWAT team] {n.}, {informal} Police unit trained for especially
hazardous or sensitive law-enforcement assignments; short for Special
Weapons and Tactics. * /Joe made the SWAT team of the NYPD due to his
athletic skills./
[swathe] See: CUT A SWATHE.
[swear by] {v.} 1. To use as the support or authority that what you
are saying is truthful; take an oath upon. * /A witness swears by the
Bible that he will tell the truth./ * /In ancient Greece a doctor
swore by Apollo, the god of healing, that he would be a good doctor./
* /John swore by his honor he would return the bike./ 2. To have
complete confidence in; be sure of; trust completely. * /When John has
to go somewhere fast, he swears by his bike to get there./ * /We can
be sure that Fred will come on time, since his friend Tom swears by
him./
[swear in] or [swear into] {v.} To have a person swear or promise
to do his duty as a member or an officer of an organization,
government department, or similar group. - "Swear into" is used when
the name of the group is given. * /Mary and Ann will be sworn into the
club tonight./ * /Fred was sworn in as class president./ * /Many new
men were sworn into the army last month./ * /At the inauguration, the
Chief Justice of the Supreme Court swore in the new President./
[swear off] {v.}, {informal} To give up something you like or you
have got in the habit of using by making a promise. * /Mary swore off
candy until she lost ten pounds./ * /John has sworn off dessert for
Lent./
[swear out] {v.} To get (a written order to do something) by
swearing that a person has broken the law. * /The policeman swore out
a warrant for the suspect's arrest./ * /The detectives swore out a
search warrant./
[sweat] See: BY THE SWEAT OF ONE'S BROW.
[sweat blood] {v. phr.}, {slang} 1. To be very much worried. * /The
engine of the airplane stopped, and the pilot sweated blood as he
glided to a safe landing./ 2. To work very hard. * /Jim sweated blood
to finish his composition on time./
[sweat out] {v.}, {informal} To wait anxiously; worry while
waiting. * /Karl was sweating out the results of the college exams./ *
/The search plane signaled that help was on the way. The men in the
lifeboat just had to sweat it out./
[Sweeney] See: TELL IT TO THE MARINES or TELL IT TO SWEENEY.
[sweep] See: NEW BROOM SWEEPS CLEAN.
[sweep off one's feet] {v. phr.} To make (someone) have feelings
(as love or happiness) too strong to control; overcome with strong
feeling; win sudden and complete acceptance by (someone) through the
feelings. * /The handsome football captain swept Joan off her feet
when he said so many things to her at the dance./ * /Joan was swept
off her feet when the football captain started flirting with her./ *
/Mary is swept off her feet whenever she hears a band start playing./
* /John was swept off his feet when he won the contest./ Compare: BOWL
OVER (2), CARRY AWAY.
[sweep out of] {v. phr.} To leave in an impressive, majestic
manner. * /Offended by Tim's remark, Mary swept out of the room with
her head high in the air./
[sweep the city] or [country] or [nation] or [world] {v. phr.} To
gain great attention or popularity throughout the city, country, etc.
* /Pavarotti's unmatched tenor voice swept the world in an
unprecedented manner./
[sweep under the rug] {v. phr.} To hide or dismiss casually
(something one is ashamed of or does not know what to do about). * /In
many places, drug abuse by school children is swept under the rug./
[sweet] See: SHORT AND SWEET.
[sweetie pie] {n.}, {informal} A person who is loved; darling;
sweetheart. * /Arnold blushed with pleasure when Annie called him her
sweetie pie./ * /Nancy is Bill's sweetie pie./
[sweet on] {adj. phr.}, {informal} In love with; very fond of. *
/John is sweet on Alice./
[sweet talk] 1. {n.}, {informal} Too much praise; flattery. *
/Sometimes a girl's better judgment is overcome by sweet talk./ 2.
{v.}, {informal} To get what you want by great praise; flatter. *
/Polly could sweet talk her husband into anything./
[sweet tooth] {n. phr.} A great weakness or predilection for
sweets. * /Sue has such a sweet tooth that she hardly eats anything
else but cake./
[swelled head] {n.}, {informal} A feeling that you are very
important or more important than you really are. * /When John won the
race, he got a swelled head./ * /Pretty girls shouldn't get a swelled
head about it./ - [swell-headed] {adj. phr.} * /After he was elected
captain of the team, Bob became swell-headed./ Compare: BIG HEAD.
[swell-headed] See: SWELLED HEAD.
[swim] See: IN THE SWIM, SINK OR SWIM.
[swim against the current] or [swim against the stream] {v. phr.}
To do the opposite of what most people want to do; go against the way
things are happening; struggle upstream. * /The boy who tries to
succeed today without an education is swimming against the stream./
[swine] See: CAST PEARLS BEFORE SWINE or CAST ONE'S PEARLS BEFORE
SWINE.
[swing] See: IN FULL SWING.
[swing one's weight] {v. phr.} To use your personal power to get
something done * /The President swings his weight to get laws passed./
* /Mr. Thomas swung his weight to get his son a job with the company./
[switch] See: ASLEEP AT THE SWITCH.
[switched on] {adj.}, {slang} 1. In tune with the latest fads,
ideas, and fashions. * /I dig Sarah, she is really switched on./ 2.
Stimulated; as if under the influence of alcohol or drugs. * /How come
you're talking so fast? Are you switched on or something?/
[swoop] See: AT ONE FELL SWOOP.
[sword] See: AT SWORDS' POINTS, PUT TO THE SWORD.
[sword rattling] See: SABER RATTLING.
[sworn enemies] {n. phr.} People or groups or nations that have a
long-standing dislike for each other. * /The Israelis and the Arabs
used to be sworn enemies but hopefully they will sign a lasting peace
accord./
[syllable] See: WORDS OF ONE SYLLABLE.
[system] See: PUBLIC-ADDRESS SYSTEM.
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Полезные советы/инфо от Face-Off |
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