sabre-rattling »
A flamboyant display of military power as an implied threat that it might be used.
|
sabre-rattling »
Any threat, such as one company threatening another with a lawsuit.
|
sack out »
To fall asleep, usually from implied exhaustion.
|
sacked out »
Sound asleep, usually from a healthy exhaustion.
|
sacred cow »
Something which cannot be tampered with, or criticized, for fear of public outcry.
|
safe and sound »
Having come to no harm, especially after being exposed to danger.
|
safety pin »
fastener
|
said and done »
Agreed to and accomplished or finished.
|
sainted »
Simple past tense and past participle of saint.
|
salad years »
The inexperienced, youthful prime of an individual, group, organization or entity.
|
same difference »
It makes no difference; it amounts to the same thing.
|
same old story »
What usually happens, a happening which is not surprising.
|
sauce for the goose »
A short form of what's sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander
|
save face »
To take an action or make a gesture intended to preserve one's reputation or honour.
|
save someone's bacon »
To save someone's life.
|
save the day »
To rescue the situation.
|
saw wood »
To snore loudly.
|
say goodbye »
To separate from someone.
|
say goodbye »
To wish someone farewell upon their leaving.
|
say grace »
To recite a prayer of invocation or thanksgiving at meal time.
|
say so »
power of decision
|
scare out of one's wits »
To frighten someone to such an extent that they behave irrationally.
|
scare the bejeebers out of »
To thoroughly terrify.
|
scare the pants off of »
To scare or startle thoroughly.
|
scared shitless »
Very scared, terrified.
|
scared to death »
Extremely frightened.
|
scarf down »
To eat something quickly.
|
school of hard knocks »
An education consisting of real-world experiences, especially harsh experiences.
|
scissorbill »
And railroad term for someone who refused to join the union or who openly colluded with management to thwart the union.
|
scissorbill »
Someone considered contemptible or foolish.
|
scissorbill »
The black skimmer bird native to the Atlantic states, USA.
|
scope out »
To examine; to scout; to investigate; to check out.
|
scotch mist »
fine rain
|
scrape off »
To remove something by a scraping action.
|
scrape the bottom of the barrel »
To use the least desirable parts of something.
|
scrape through »
To marginally manage to progress.
|
scrape together »
To collect, assemble or gather small amounts , from various sources, with some difficulty.
|
scratch one's head »
To puzzle, ponder, or wonder about something.
|
scratch that »
To disregard, omit, or ignore the previous statement.
|
scratch the surface »
To barely begin; to see or do only a fraction of what is possible.
|
scream »
A form of singing associated with the metal and screamo styles of music. It is a loud, rough, distorted version of the voice; rather than the normal voice of the singer.
|
scream »
An entertaingly outrageous person.
|
scream »
Used as an intensifier.
|
scream bloody murder »
To protest loudly or angrily.
|
screen out »
To use a screen, grate, sieve or similar means to separate large from small objects or particles.
|
screen out »
Figuratively, to exclude.
|
screen test »
movie audition
|
screw back »
To cue the cue ball in such a way as to impart backspin. On impact, the ball will follow a reverse trajectory according to the spin.
|
screw it »
"I don't care enough to continue"; whatever.
|
screw the pooch »
To screw up; to fail in dramatic and ignominious fashion.
|
screw this »
"I don't care enough to continue"; "This is too stressful for me"; whatever.
|
scrimp and save »
To scrimp greatly; to economize; to live very frugally, particularly when saving for something.
|
scrounge up »
To seek or find despite a lack of apparent resources or availability.
|
sea change »
A profound transformation.
|
sea dog »
old sailor
|
sea legs »
Ability to travel by ship without becoming seasick.
|
sea legs »
Alternative name of surimi.
|
sea legs »
The ability, when walking aboard ship, to anticipate the motion of the deck so as to walk steadily without losing balance.
|
seagull approach »
The occurence of casual, ill-informed and hasty decisions or comments made by outside authorities who lack an understanding of the local issues or a real understanding of the facts of a particular situ.
|
seagull manager »
A manager who comes into the workplace or office only on occasion, especially when a problem arises or to criticize or critique employees.
|
seat-of-the-pants »
Done by feel, guess, or trial and error rather than by careful planning, thought or technique.
|
second banana »
A comedian who plays a secondary or supporting role, especially as straight man and traditionally in vaudeville or burlesque theatre.
|
second banana »
A person who serves in a supporting, secondary, or subsidiary capacity; an assistant.
|
second childhood »
A childlike state in any adult, resulting from mental illness, trauma, or other conditions.
|
second childhood »
The period or state of cognitive decline of an elderly person, characterized by childlike judgment and behavior.
|
second fiddle »
A fiddle part in harmony to the first fiddle.
|
second fiddle »
A sidekick or subordinate, or the role of such a person.
|
second fiddle »
The person playing second fiddle.
|
second hand »
used
|
second nature »
A mindset, skill, or type of behavior so ingrained through habit or practice that it seems natural, automatic, or without a basis in conscious thought.
|
second sight »
clairvoyance
|
second string »
In sports, a unit of players that plays behind the first string.
|
second string »
Not as good; of a lower quality or condition.
|
second-guess »
Presumably from trying to guess with second sight.
|
second-guess »
Presumably from trying to improve with a second stab.
|
secret agent »
spy
|
see a man »
A bland euphemism to conceal one's true purpose.
|
see a man »
To go have a drink or to meet one's bootlegger.
|
see a man »
To take one's leave for some urgent purpose, especially to go to the bathroom.
|
see a man about a horse »
A message signaling one needs to go missing for a short while, for any reason, without giving a real explanation.
|
see eye to eye »
To agree with someone; to concur; to get along.
|
see red »
To be angry or irritated.
|
see red »
To receive a red card, and be dismissed from the playing field.
|
see someone through »
To constitute ample supply for one for.
|
see someone through »
To suffice for a time.
|
see someone's point »
To comprehend the meaning that someone is trying to convey.
|
see something through »
To fulfill a commitment.
|
see the forest for the trees »
To discern an overall pattern from a mass of detail; to see the bigger picture, or the broader, more general situation. Generally used in the negative.
|
see the light »
To gain an understanding of something previously not understood, especially in a sudden insight.
|
see the light »
To undergo a spiritual conversion.
|
see through »
To be able to predict or read someone.
|
see yellow »
To receive a yellow card.
|
see you later »
A phrase used at parting, and not necessarily implying that the person being addressed will be seen later by the speaker.
|
see you next Tuesday »
A euphemism for cunt.
|
seeing is believing »
You need to see something to believe it; visible facts cannot be denied.
|
seek and ye shall find »
something can be found if it is looked for.
|
seize the day »
To enjoy the present and not worry about the future; to live for the moment.
|
seize the day »
To make the most of today by achieving fulfillment in a philosophical or spiritual sense.
|
sell »
To agree to transfer goods or provide services in exchange for money.
|
sell »
To be sold.
|
sell »
To pretend that an opponent's blows or maneuvers are causing legitimate injury; to act.
|
sell »
To promote a particular viewpoint; to manipulate towards a desired end.
|
sell »
To trick, or cheat someone.
|
sell a bargain »
A species of wit, much in vogue about the latter end of the reign of Queen Anne, and frequently alluded to by Dean Swift, who says the maids of honour often amused themselves with it. It consisted in the seller naming his or her hinder parts, in answer to the question, What? which the buyer was artfully led to ask. As a specimen, take the following instance: A lady would come into a room full of company, apparently frightened, crying out "It is white, and follows me!" As soon as someone responded "What?" she sold him the bargain, by saying "Mine arse".
|
sell down the river »
To betray, especially in a manner which causes serious difficulty for the one betrayed.
|
sell ice to Eskimos »
To persuade people to go against their best interests or to accept something unnecessary or preposterous.
|
sell like hot cakes »
To sell fast.
|
sell out »
To abandon one's supporters or principles to seek profit or other personal advantage.
|
sell out »
To sell all of a product that is in stock.
|
sell someone a bill of goods »
To deceive or cheat someone.
|
sell wolf tickets »
To make empty threats or promises; to bluff.
|
sell-by date »
The final date on which a perishable product can be legally sold to the public.
|
sell-by date »
Used to indicate that something, or someone, is old and out of date.
|
seller's market »
An excess of demand over supply, leading to abnormally high prices; a market condition favoring the seller.
|
send away »
To dismiss from one's presence.
|
send away »
To send to a particular place for a long time, as a family member, an employee, etc.
|
send away for »
To write to a business or other organisation, requesting a thing.
|
send somebody packing »
To expel or eject somebody; to chase off or force out.
|
send to Coventry »
To ostracize, or systematically ignore someone.
|
send up »
To be put in prison.
|
send up »
To imitate someone or something for the purpose of satirical humour.
|
send up »
To make prices or temperatures etc. rise.
|
send up »
parody
|
senior note »
A bond that takes priority over other debt securities sold by the issuer. In the event the issuer goes bankrupt, senior debt must be repaid before other creditors receive any payment.
|
sent to Coventry »
Ostracised, ignored.
|
separate the wheat from the chaff »
To select only that which is of value.
|
serial killer »
murderer
|
serpentine »
Having the shape or form of a snake.
|
serpentine »
Of, or having attributes associated with, the mythological serpent, such as craftiness or deceitfulness.
|
serpentine »
Of, pertaining to, or characteristic of snakes.
|
serpentine »
Sinuous; curving in alternate directions.
|
serve somebody right »
To happen to someone who is thought to deserve it.
|
serve time »
To be in prison or a similar institute.
|
set aside »
To declare something invalid or null and void.
|
set aside »
To disagree with something and reject or overturn it.
|
set aside »
To separate and reserve something for a specific purpose.
|
set back »
To cost money, as.
|
set back »
To delay or obstruct.
|
set back »
To remove from or allow distance.
|
set down »
Simple sum of parts set + down, to place, especially on the ground or a surface; to cease carrying.
|
set down »
To write.
|
set foot »
To go to a place , or to be there.
|
set for life »
Possessing sufficient resources, especially financial, to last a lifetime.
|
set in »
become established
|
set in one's ways »
Driven by habit; inclined or determined to continue according to one's custom or established preferences.
|
set in stone »
Permanent; certain; firm.
|
set of pipes »
A wind instrument incorporating multiple pipes, such as a panpipe or bagpipe.
|
set of pipes »
Voice for singing.
|
set off »
To begin; to cause; to initiate.
|
set off »
To cause to explode.
|
set off »
To count an addition in one thing against a reduction in something else.
|
set off »
To leave; to begin a journey or trip.
|
set one's cap at »
. Or, more generally, to choose something as a goal.
|
set sail »
depart
|
set straight »
To correct; to make right or true.
|
set the stage »
To prepare; to establish the basis or required conditions.
|
set the Thames on fire »
To achieve something amazing; to do something which brings great public acclaim.
|
set to »
begin work
|
set to work »
To begin working at.
|
set to work »
To begin working.
|
set to work »
To cause to begin working.
|
set up shop »
To establish a business.
|
set up shop »
To physically arrange a shop or workplace.
|
settle for »
To accept or allow something, especially something not entirely desirable.
|
settle in »
To get comfortable or established, as in a new place.
|
settle on »
To make a decision or selection; to decide.
|
settle someone's hash »
To physically or verbally subdue someone.
|
settle upon »
To decide something over other options.
|
sex machine »
Any machine that is used for sexual pleasure.
|
sex machine »
Someone with considerable sexual prowess.
|
sex up »
To arouse somebody sexually.
|
sex up »
To enhance in terms of fashionable appeal.
|
sex up »
To make more palatable or acceptable to the general public; to improve the image or perception.
|
sex up »
To make more sexually attractive.
|
sex up »
To take part in sexual acts with.
|
sexual congress »
Intercourse.
|
sexual congress »
Loose translation of the title of Aristophanes' play Ecclesiazousae, more literally translated as Assemblywomen.
|
sexual enjoyment »
Sexual intercourse that produces physical and psychological pleasure.
|
sexual relation »
Behaviour of a sexual nature between one or more individuals.
|
sexual tension »
Physically induced libidinal unrest arising between two individuals when aware of each other's presence.
|
shack up »
To live together, especially of an unmarried couple.
|
shacked up »
Simple past tense and past participle of shack up.
|
shake a leg »
To get busy; to get going; to be productive.
|
shake on it »
To agree; to close a deal.
|
shake the pagoda tree »
To find a source of easy enrichment; to become absurdly rich in a short time.
|
shank-nag »
To travel on foot.
|
shanks' mare »
One's own legs used for walking; to "travel by shanks' mare" or "ride on shanks' mare" is to walk to your destination.
|
shanks' nag »
Transportation by foot. To "take a shanks' nag" means using one's own legs to walk.
|
shanks' pony »
Transportation by foot.
|
shape up »
To improve; to correct one's bad habits or behavior.
|
shape up »
To take shape; to transform into or become.
|
shape up or ship out »
To either improve one's behavior or else be required to leave; to either improve one's performance in an activity or else withdraw from that activity completely.
|
sharp as a tack »
Very intelligent.
|
sharp cookie »
One who is intelligent, bright, or sharp; especially, one who can identify attempts to deceive or mislead.
|
sharp tongue »
The practice or characteristic of speaking to others in a harsh, critical, or insulting manner.
|
she'll be apples »
Everything will be all right.
|
she'll be right »
OK, no problem, everything will be all right.
|
shell out »
To pay money; especially, to pay a great deal of money.
|
shell out »
To use a program's "shell escape" function to execute an unrelated command or to invoke a subsidiary, interactive shell.
|
shift gears »
To change pace or mode of operation.
|
shift gears »
To change the gear by which motion is transmitted from a powered shaft to another shaft, especially in a motor vehicle.
|
shirtless »
Not wearing a shirt. Having a bare torso.
|
shirtless »
Very poor.
|
shit a brick »
To react strongly or excessively, especially in anger or fear.
|
shit happens »
Bad things happen, and there is nothing we can do about it.
|
shit one's pants »
To be extremely frightened.
|
shit one's pants »
To involuntarily defecate into one's pants or other clothing.
|
shit oneself »
To soil oneself.
|
shit or get off the pot »
To choose between taking action now, or foregoing the opportunity until a later date.
|
shit-eating grin »
A broad smile indicating self-awareness that may suggest self-satisfaction, smugness, discomfort, or embarrassment.
|
shitstorm »
A violent situation.
|
shitstorm »
Considerable backlash from the public.
|
shoo-in »
A candidate or contestant generally agreed upon as the presumptive winner; somebody who is well-liked or widely agreed upon.
|
shoot 'em up »
A short story, novel, television show, film, computer game, or other narrative which depicts considerable gunplay.
|
shoot down »
To shoot , so that the one shot goes down.
|
shoot down »
To the point of preclusion.
|
shoot first and ask questions later »
To act boldly.
|
shoot first and ask questions later »
To take action with serious consequences without delay, preserving the benefit of surprise by not providing indication of one's intent.
|
shoot off at the mouth »
Don't let [presidential press secretary Ron] Ziegler shoot off at the mouth without our knowledge.
|
shoot off at the mouth »
To boast, or brag, or talk too much.
|
shoot off at the mouth »
To disclose some information that was supposed to be secret.
|
shoot one's bolt »
To use up one's resources, especially a singular one or one not readily restored.
|
shoot one's mouth off »
To make reckless or exaggerated statements.
|
shoot oneself in the foot »
To act against one's own interests, e.g., by saying what one is really thinking.
|
shoot oneself in the foot »
To deliberately sabotage an activity in order to avoid obligation, though it causes personal suffering. Origins in first world war trench warfare.
|
shoot the boots »
To kick swiftly and violently, especially in the groin.
|
shoot the breeze »
To chat idly or generally waste time talking.
|
shoot the bull »
To chinwag; to talk idly.
|
shoot the messenger »
To blame a problem on whoever reported it; to hold somebody accountable a problem because he/she brought attention to it.
|
shoot the moon »
To achieve the lowest score possible, such that the player is usually rewarded with bonus points.
|
shoot the moon »
To attain great heights, a high value, or a numerically high measurement.
|
shoot the moon »
To hit the moon, with a rocket or by other means.
|
shoot the moon »
To take a risk which may result in great rewards; to succeed after taking such a risk.
|
shoot the shit »
To chat casually; to gossip.
|
shoot through like a Bondi tram »
To leave in haste.
|
shooting iron »
A firearm, especially a handgun.
|
shore up »
To strengthen, reinforce, or consolidate.
|
short cut »
quicker route
|
short fuse »
The personality trait of being quick to anger.
|
short hairs »
Pubic hair.
|
short leash »
Forcing one to function within a strict set of rules, or under great scrutiny or oversight.
|
short of »
Except; without resorting to; up to the point of.
|
short of »
Insufficiently equipped with.
|
short of »
Less than.
|
short of a length »
Of a ball that pitches short of a good length; a ball that bounces closer to the bowler than the area of the pitch regarded as the best for dismissing or restricting the scoring of the batsman.
|
short on looks »
Plain, unattractive.
|
short sighted »
myopic
|
short strokes »
Bare essentials.
|
short strokes »
The final steps of an undertaking, especially one which has been lengthy or laborious.
|
short temper »
The personality trait of being quick to anger.
|
shot in the arm »
A shot of drug in the arm, to get on a high.
|
shot in the arm »
A stimulus.
|
shot in the dark »
A guess, attempt, or choice made with little or no evidence or knowledge.
|
shotgun »
A gun which fires loads consisting of small metal balls, called shot, from a cartridge.
|
shotgun »
A one-story dwelling with no hallways or corridors, with the rooms arranged in a straight line. Mostly heard in the southern United States.
|
shotgun »
A play formation in which the quarterback is a few feet behind the snapper when the ball is hiked, ideally allowing for an easier pass play.
|
shotgun »
The front passenger seat in a vehicle, next to the driver.
|
shotgun approach »
An approach in which the subject is indiscriminate and haphazard, using breadth, spread, or quantity in lieu of accuracy, planning, etc.
|
shotgun shack »
A house with no internal barrier between the front and back doors.
|
shotgun wedding »
A wedding in which the bride is already pregnant.
|
shoulder to cry on »
Someone offering emotional support to another in distress.
|
show off »
To exhibit; to demonstrate one's skill, talent, etc. for its own sake.
|
show one's true colors »
To reveal how one really is, as opposed to how one has been portrayed.
|
show somebody the door »
To dismiss or reject; to exclude someone who was formerly included.
|
show somebody the door »
To escort someone to the exit of the premises; to expel someone from a room, gathering, etc.
|
show the flag »
Of a naval vessel or military force, to identify itself by displaying the flag of its country of origin, especially in order to establish an authoritative presence and to exert diplomatic or political influence.
|
show the flag »
To display the flag of one's country, especially as an expression of patriotic pride.
|
show the flag »
To represent one's country or some other group in a manner intended to suggest the authority or importance of that country or group.
|
show up »
To appear, arrive, or attend, especially suddenly or erratically.
|
show up »
To make visible; to expose.
|
show up »
To outperform or one-up, often in an arrogant manner.
|
showstopper »
A performance or segment of a theatrical production that induces a positive reaction strong enough to pause the production.
|
showstopper »
Any impediment that prevents all further progress.
|
shrinking violet »
A very shy person, who avoids contact with others if avoidable.
|
shroud »
A covered place used as a retreat or shelter, as a cave or den; also, a vault or crypt.
|
shroud »
A rope or cable serving to support the mast sideways.
|
shroud »
Especially, the dress for the dead; a winding sheet.
|
shroud »
One of the two annular plates at the periphery of a water wheel, which form the sides of the buckets; a shroud plate.
|
shroud »
See also Wikipedia article on Shroud.
|
shroud »
That which clothes, covers, conceals, or protects; a garment.
|
shroud »
That which covers or shelters like a shroud.
|
shroud »
The branching top of a tree; foliage.
|
shrouded »
Concealed or hidden from sight, as if by a shroud.
|
shrouded »
Wearing, or provided with a shroud.
|
shrug off »
To ignore or disregard; to be indifferent.
|
shuffle »
A rhythm commonly used in blues music. Consists of a series of triplet notes with the middle note missing, so that it sounds like a long note followed by a short note. Sounds like a walker dragging one foot.
|
shuffle »
An instance of walking without lifting one's feet.
|
shuffle »
The act of shuffling cards.
|
shuffle »
To get lost in the shuffle: to lack attention when you deserve it.
|
shuffle off this mortal coil »
To die; to divest oneself of one's mortal body.
|
shut down »
To close, terminate, or end.
|
shut down »
To turn off or stop.
|
shut one's face »
To stop talking; to be quiet.
|
shut one's mouth »
To stop talking; to be quiet.
|
shut the hell up »
Indicating disbelief.
|
shut the hell up »
Shut up intensified by "the hell".
|
shy bairns get noot »
(Geordie) Alternative spelling of shy bairns get nowt.
|
shy bairns get nowt »
If you're too shy, or don't ask, you will not get what you want.A' forgot te ask hor for me money back!Wye, shy bairns get nowt
|
shy bladder »
An inability to urinate in the presence of others.
|
sick joke »
A joke which is in poor taste, especially one which depicts as amusing a situation which the listener considers to be tragic or disgusting.
|
sick puppy »
In a morbid or gruesome way.
|
side issue »
An issue or topic which is not of direct significance to a primary concern.
|
sigh of relief »
A reassurance or support, something that reduces stress from an arduous activity.
|
sigh of relief »
A release of stress through breathing motions.
|
sight for sore eyes »
A pleasing sight, something that is beautiful to look at.
|
sight unseen »
Not having seen the object beforehand.
|
sign in »
In order to get into the office after hours, you'll have to sign in at the security desk.
|
sign in »
To sign one's name on a list when entering somewhere.
|
sign in »
To take some action to access a secured program or web page on a computer; to log in.
|
sign of the times »
A symbol of an era; a zeitgeist.
|
sign off »
Term used to describe the closing of a radio or television station's studios and cessation of a broadcasting signal, usually during the overnight hours.
|
sign on »
The time of day when a radio or television station begins broadcasting, usually after being off the air for several hours.
|
sign on »
register as unemployed
|
sign on the dotted line »
To formalize an agreement.
|
signet ring »
jewellery item
|
silence is golden »
Peace and quiet have immense value.Often the best choice is to say nothing.
|
silly money »
Sum of money.
|
silver bullet »
A bullet made of silver, usually with reference to the folkloric belief that such bullets are the only weapons which can kill a werewolf.
|
silver bullet »
A cocktail somewhat like a martini.
|
silver bullet »
Any straightforward solution perceived to have great effectiveness or bring miraculous results.
|
silver screen »
By extension, the movies or that related to movies or cinema.
|
silver screen »
The cinema screen onto which movies are projected.
|
silver spoon »
Wealth passed down or inherited.
|
silver surfer »
An elderly person who regularly uses the Internet.
|
silver-tongue »
The trait of being clever at speaking, often in a deceitful way.
|
silver-tongued »
Eloquent and articulate.
|
simmer down »
To decrease in intensity of anger, agitation, or excitement.
|
since when »
From what time.
|
since when »
Used to indicate doubt as to the veracity of a statement.
|
sing along »
A gathering or event where participants are encouraged to add their voices in song.
|
sing from the same hymnbook »
To make the same or similar statements, especially to express the same opinions in public as a result of a prior agreement.
|
sing song »
us prison
|
sing soprano »
To perform vocal music in a higher pitch than alto.
|
sing soprano »
To suffer castration or an injury to the testicles.
|
sing the praises of »
To commend someone's attributes to others.
|
singing from the same hymnbook »
Present participle of sing from the same hymnbook.
|
singing soprano »
Castrated or injured in the testicles.
|
sink in »
Become clear in one's mind.
|
sink one's teeth into »
To become involved in; particularly in an enthusiastic manner.
|
sink or swim »
To fail or succeed, no matter what.
|
sirloin steak »
cut of beef
|
sit back »
To recline while still in a seated position, with one's back on the frame of the seat.
|
sit back »
To relax, to not exert oneself.
|
sit in »
To attend something for one time, as a visitor.
|
sit in »
form of protest
|
sit in for »
To substitute; to take somebody's place.
|
sit on »
To block, suppress, restrain.
|
sit on it »
To wait or hesitate.
|
sit on one's hands »
Or situation.
|
sit on the fence »
To remain neutral on a certain topic, to not have a stance or opinion.
|
sit out »
To decline to participate; particularly, to decline to dance.
|
sit out »
To escape a hold while face-down by swinging one's legs around into the sitting position.
|
sit out »
To lean out to the windward side of a sailboat in order to counterbalance the effects of the wind on the sails.
|
sit still »
To accept, tolerate, or acquiesce.
|
sit still »
To remain motionless.
|
sit through »
To unwillingly stay seated until the end of an event.
|
sit tight »
To wait patiently.
|
sitting duck »
An obvious or unconcealed target.
|
sitting pretty »
Having a comfortable or certain supply of money or resources.
|
sitting pretty »
In a favorable situation, especially a situation in which one possesses an advantage.
|
six feet under »
Buried six feet underground; not alive; dead.
|
six of one, half a dozen of the other »
The two alternatives are equivalent or indifferent; it doesn't matter which one we choose.
|
sixth former »
senior pupil
|
size up »
To evaluate; to estimate or anticipate the magnitude, difficulty, or strength of something.
|
skate on thin ice »
In a risky, potentially dangerous or delicate situation.
|
skeleton crew »
The minimum number of personnel needed to operate and maintain an item at its most simple operating requirements, such as a ship or business, during an emergency or shut down, and at the same time, to keep vital functions operating.
|
skimp and save »
Alternative form of scrimp and save.
|
skin and bones »
Said of one who is emaciated; very skinny, as from lack of nutrition.
|
skin deep »
superficial
|
skin diver »
underwater swimmer
|
skin in the game »
A stake; something at risk.
|
skinny as a rail »
Especially of a person, very skinny.
|
skip out »
To shirk; to avoid attending or to leave early, especially without permission.
|
skip rope »
To jump over a rope, both of whose ends are held by the jumper or by two others, while the rope is moved under the jumper's feet in a continual rhythm; to play the game of jump rope or exercise by jumping rope.
|
skirt chaser »
A man with amorous intentions who habitually seeks out female companionship.
|
slag off »
To talk insultingly to or about someone or something.
|
slam dunk »
A task expected to present no difficulty.
|
slam dunk »
An impressively forceful dunk.
|
slam dunk »
Tacking on top of the wind of the following yacht in close quarters.
|
slanging match »
A row; an argument in which names are called.
|
slap on the wrist »
A mild or too-mild punishment; a reprimand.
|
sleep around »
To have numerous sexual partners.
|
sleep in »
To sleep late; to go on sleeping past one's customary or planned hour.
|
sleep on »
To consider after a period of sleep, implying a decision will be made the next day.
|
sleep on it »
To postpone a decision until the following day to avoid making a hasty choice.
|
sleep together »
To be intimate with another person in the same bed.
|
sleep together »
To have sex with.
|
sleep with »
To have sexual intercourse with.
|
sleep with »
To share a bed or bedroom with.
|
sleep with the fishes »
To be killed and have one's body disposed off in the sea or other body of water.
|
sleeping at the switch »
Variant form of asleep at the switch.
|
sleeping policeman »
A speed bump.
|
sleepy head »
A very tired person.
|
sleeves from one's vest »
Something non-existent; something of no value or cost.
|
slim chance »
Little or no likelihood of occurrence or success.
|
slip into something a little more comfortable »
To wear something suitable to be stripped off by a lover.
|
slip of the pen »
A mistake in handwriting.
|
slip of the tongue »
A mistake in speech.
|
slip on »
shoe type; to try out
|
slip someone's mind »
To be forgotten; to escape one's memory.
|
slip through the cracks »
To escape notice or lack sufficient attention.
|
slip up »
To err, falter; to make a mistake.
|
slip-up »
A mistake or error; a minor misstep.
|
slippery as an eel »
So crafty, or cunning that they cannot be caught by the police, although it is known that they are acting illegally.
|
slippery as an eel »
So slippery that it is almost impossible to hold with one's hands.
|
slippery slope »
A chain of events that, once initiated, cannot be halted; especially one in which the final outcome is undesirable or precarious.
|
slippery slope »
A logical argument that follows a chain of events or causes and effects to some conclusion.
|
slob »
A lazy and slovenly person.
|
slob »
A term used to insult a lazy, obese person.
|
slop bowl »
One of the four components of the traditional tea set. Tea drinkers emptied their unwanted, cold tea into the slop bowl before refilling their cups with fresh, hot tea.
|
slow burn »
A gradually increasing feeling of anger or frustration.
|
slow down »
Decelerate.
|
slow up »
To slow, slow down, decelerate.
|
slowly but surely »
In a slow, yet careful manner
|
smack of »
To seem like; to appear or give an impression or feeling of; to arouse suspicion of.
|
small arms »
Firearms designed to be carried and fired by a single person; often held in the hand.
|
small change »
A minor or insignificant amount of money.
|
small fry »
One or more children.
|
small fry »
One or more persons or things of relatively little consequence, importance, or value.
|
small fry »
One or more small or immature fish.
|
small potatoes »
One or more persons or things of relatively little consequence, importance, or value.
|
smallpox blanket »
An apparently benevolent offering whose real intent is to disrupt, destabilize or weaken.
|
smart arse »
One who is particularly flippant or insolent or tends to make snide remarks or jokes.
|
smart chance »
A substantial quantity of something.
|
smart off »
To show disrespect verbally.
|
smash hit »
Something that is tremendously popular or successful.
|
smear campaign »
An effort to damage or call into question someone's reputation, by propounding negative propaganda.
|
smell a rat »
To sense something suspicious.
|
smell like a rose »
To be regarded as appealing, virtuous, or respectable; to be untainted or unharmed.
|
smell test »
An assessment of a subject's ability to detect and distinguish odors.
|
smell test »
An informal method for determining whether something is authentic, credible, or ethical, by using one's common sense or sense of propriety.
|
smell test »
An inspection of an object using the sense of smell, as for freshness of food.
|
smell the barn »
To experience heightened anticipation or to act with renewed speed or energy as one approaches a destination, goal, or other desired outcome, like a livestock animal at day's end returning to its barn.
|
smoke and mirrors »
A deceptive, fraudulent, or unconvincing explanation or description.
|
smoke like a chimney »
To smoke tobacco frequently.
|
smoke signal »
A method of long-distance communication sometimes used in ancient and undeveloped societies, consisting of messages conveyed by means of columns or intermittent puffs of smoke.
|
smoke signal »
A type of flare or combustion device sometimes used as a distress signal.
|
smoke signal »
An indirect message or indication, especially concerning a future event.
|
smoking gun »
Evidence, particularly of a crime, that is difficult or impossible to dispute.
|
smooth operator »
A person who accomplishes tasks with efficiency and grace, especially one with verbal skills who is persuasive in interpersonal relationships, negotiation, etc.
|
smooth operator »
A skillful, manipulative person, con artist, or clever scoundrel.
|
snail's pace »
A very slow pace.
|
snake eyes »
Two ones, after rolling two dice.
|
snake in the grass »
A treacherous person.
|
snake oil »
A fraudulent, ineffective potion or nostrum; panacea.
|
snake oil »
A type of 19th century patent medicine sold in the United States that claimed to contain snake fat, supposedly a Native American remedy for various ailments.
|
snake oil »
Any product with exaggerated marketing but questionable or unverifiable quality.
|
snake oil »
Snake oil is a traditional Chinese medicine used to treat joint pain.
|
snap someone's head off »
To suddenly and sharply rebuke or insult a person, especially in response to a harmless remark.
|
snappy comeback »
A prompt, clever retort.
|
snazz up »
To improve appearance or appeal by increasing stylishness or functionality, or by adding other attractive features.
|
sneak off »
To leave a place, or a meeting, without being seen or heard.
|
sneak up »
To approach a person or animal without being seen or heard.
|
sneak up on »
To approach a person or animal without being seen or heard.
|
sneck posset »
A cold reception, closing the door on a visitor.
|
sneck posset »
A fastened latch.
|
sniff out »
To find something using the sense of smell.
|
sniff out »
To find, especially to find something that cannot be seen.
|
sniff test »
An informal reality check of an idea or proposal, using one's common sense or sense of propriety.
|
snipe hunt »
A prank in which a gullible victim is sent off on a fruitless search for a nonexistent item.
|
snot-nosed »
Young and arrogant or conceited.
|
snow in »
By a large snowfall.
|
snow job »
An attempt to persuade a person using flattery or deception.
|
snow on the mountaintop »
Gray or white hair on one's head, especially as an indication of aging.
|
snow on the rooftop »
Gray or white hair on one's head, especially as an indication of aging.
|
snowball's chance in hell »
Little or no likelihood of occurrence or success.
|
snowed under »
Have too much work.
|
snug as a bug in a rug »
Very cosy and comfortable.
|
so far »
Until now; previously; yet.
|
so far »
as yet; up till now
|
so far so good »
Up to this point, all is OK.Well, you've packed your bags for the holiday, bought your tickets, reserved the hotel and put the dog in kennels. So far so good, now let's get to Minorca without any troubles.
|
so long as »
Depending upon some condition or requirement; provided that; if, assuming; as long as.
|
so much as »
Even; suggests a minimum, especially regarding what might be expected.
|
so much for »
An expression of disregard, or resignation; something said upon giving up, quitting, or disposing of something.
|
so on and so forth »
Indicates that a list continues in a similar manner.
|
so quiet one can hear a pin drop »
Said during a lull in a normally bustling place or scene, or as the result of a sudden dramatic or tense moment.
|
so so »
mediocre
|
so so »
average
|
so there »
A defiant expression used to finish a poorly-made argument.
|
so-and-so »
A name used to take the place of an epithet.
|
so-and-so »
A placeholder name, used when a name is not known; a generic name.
|
so-and-so »
Anything generic.
|
so-called »
Same as above, without the negative connotation.
|
so-called »
So named; called by such a name, with a very strong connotation that the item is not worthy of that name.
|
soak up »
Absorb.
|
soap opera »
TV series
|
soapbox »
A crate for packing soap, or, by extension, any inexpensive crude platform raised above the surrounding level to give prominence to the person on it, especially when used for speeches.
|
soapbox »
Especially when only tangentially relevant to an ongoing discussion.
|
sob story »
A sad story told to make others feel sympathy for the teller.
|
sober up »
To become sober.
|
soccer player »
footballer
|
social death »
The alienation of certain people from society to the point of being forgotten, excluded, or ignored in society.
|
socialized medicine »
A politically charged term used to contrast such systems with free market alternatives and emphasize the perceived link to socialism.
|
socialized medicine »
An umbrella term for any system of government-run health care.
|
sod all »
Nothing.
|
sod off »
Go away.
|
soft as a grape »
someone who is limited in their ability
|
soft hearted »
Be kind; Fall for someone
|
soft mick »
An extravagant person.
|
soft sawder »
"How the old boy swallowed my soft sawder and Brummagem notes!" —Tom Taylor, The Ticket-of-Leave Man.
|
soft sawder »
"If she goes to act ugly, I'll give her a dose of "soft sawder"; that will take the frown out of her frontispiece...!" —Thomas Haliburton, "The Trotting Horse" — first usage.
|
soft sawder »
Cajoling or flattery.
|
soft shoe »
A kind of tap dancing performed in soft-soled shoes, popular in vaudeville.
|
soft shoe »
A speech, explanation, sales pitch, or other set of remarks delivered in a restrained or conciliatory manner in order to persuade, distract, or otherwise influence someone.
|
soft spot »
A fontanelle.
|
soft spot »
A point of vulnerability in a defence.
|
soft spot »
A sentimental fondness or affection.
|
soft touch »
A comfortable situation; an easy task or undemanding occupation, especially one which is comfortably remunerative.
|
soft touch »
A person or group which is sympathetic, accommodating, easily overcome, or easily persuaded, especially one which loans or readily gives money to another.
|
softly softly »
Discreet, low-key, careful.
|
softroader »
. This involves increased ground clearance with tyre, wheel, and suspension tweaks, skid plates and refers to mini SUV or wagons.
|
soldier on »
To continue or persist, despite adversity or difficulty.
|
some days you get the bear, other days the bear gets you »
One cannot always overcome a powerful adversary.
|
some people »
Expresses disgust at the actions of a person; a response to a person doing something silly, bizarre, nonsensical or ill-mannered.
|
something awful »
Intensely or extremely; badly; in the worst way.
|
somewhere along the line »
At some unspecified time; eventually or once; at some point.
|
son of the morning »
A traveler.
|
song and dance »
An excessively complex set of instructions.
|
song and dance »
An excessively elaborate story or excuse used to justify something.
|
sort of »
Approximately; in a way; partially; not quite; somewhat.
|
sort oneself out »
To calm down emotionally.
|
sort oneself out »
To organize or solve one's personal problems.
|
sort out »
To clarify by reviewing mentally.
|
sort out »
To fix, as a problem.
|
sort out »
To organise or separate into groups, as a collection of items, so as to make tidy.
|
sort out »
To separate from the remainder of a group; often construed with from.
|
sort out »
To attack physically.
|
sound as a bell »
In excellent condition.
|
sound asleep »
Sleeping still and silently.
|
sound off »
To hold forth about something in an opinionated manner.
|
soup-to-nuts »
Comprehensive; complete; covering all of something.
|
sour grapes »
A putting down or expression of disdain about something that one desires but cannot have.
|
sow one's wild oats »
To indulge in a period of irresponsible behavior, particularly sexually; Often used in reference to young adults or to the recently divorced.
|
sow one's wild oats »
To spread one's genes around by impregnating many females.
|
sow the wind, reap the whirlwind »
Every decision has consequences; a person's actions will come back to him.
|
space out »
To stupefy, intoxicate, disorient, or lose attention or focus, especially by the use of drugs.
|
space out »
To plant seedlings etc at regular intervals with a calculated space between them.
|
spaghetti western »
Nickname for a motion picture produced by an Italian-based company and filmed in Europe, depicting a tale of cowboys and desperadoes set in the American Old West.
|
spanner »
A hand tool for adjusting nuts and bolts.
|
spanner »
A hand tool shaped like a small crank handle, for winding the spring of a wheel lock on a musket.
|
spanner »
A problem, dilemma or obstacle; something unexpected or troublesome.
|
spanner »
A stupid or unintelligent person; one prone to making mistakes, especially in language.
|
spare the rod and spoil the child »
If one does not discipline a child, he or she will never learn obedience and good manners.
|
spare tire »
An extra wheel or tire carried as a replacement in case of a flat.
|
spare tire »
Excess weight or fat accumulated near the waist.
|
spare tyre »
A large stomach and rolls of fat around the waist.
|
spare tyre »
An extra tyre carried in case one of the vehicle's tyres is damaged or deflated.
|
spark off »
To initiate something by providing the necessary conditions.
|
spark spread »
The difference between the cost of the fuel required to produce a unit of electricity, and the price of that same unit of electricity.
|
speak for »
To speak on somebody's behalf.
|
speak for »
To claim, reserve, or occupy.
|
speak for oneself »
Expressing disagreement with an opinion expressed by another.
|
speak for oneself »
To provide an opinion only on one's own behalf.
|
speak of the devil »
An expression sometimes used when a person mentioned in the current conversation happens to arrive on the scene.
|
speak of the devil and he appears »
Alternative form of speak of the devil.
|
speak one's mind »
To state one's thoughts or opinions honestly or frankly.
|
speak out »
To assert or promote one's opinion; to make one's thoughts known.
|
speak to »
To give evidence regarding something; to attest for.
|
speak to »
To address a particular topic.
|
speak to »
To resonate with, to strike a chord in.
|
speak up »
To talk more loudly or plainly.
|
speak up »
To make oneself or one's opinions known; to advocate or assert oneself.
|
speak with a forked tongue »
To speak deceptively; to be duplicitous or untruthful.
|
special needs »
Needs for special care, services or accommodations.
|
spectator sport »
A sporting activity which has a relatively high ratio of watchers to direct participants.
|
spectator sport »
An activity which consists of watching or observing.
|
spectator sport »
Something, especially a process or activity, which is a popular object of observation; an activity which a person prefers to watch rather than to participate in.
|
speed up »
To accelerate, to increase speed.
|
spell out »
From its component letters.
|
spend a penny »
To use the toilet.
|
spic and span »
Perfectly clean.
|
spice up »
To enhance the flavor of something by adding spice to it.
|
spice up »
To make more exotic, fun or extravagant.
|
spick and span »
Alternative form of spick-and-span.
|
spill one's guts »
To confess, or to divulge secrets, typically speaking freely and at length after a change of motive or an incentive.
|
spill one's seed »
To masturbate or to ejaculate when the penis has been withdrawn from one's partner.
|
spill over »
To enter into another zone by way of accident or overcrowding; to overflow.
|
spill the beans »
To reveal a secret; to disclose.
|
spin a yarn »
To tell or create a story, especially one which is lengthy or far-fetched.
|
spin doctor »
news manager
|
spin one's wheels »
To make no progress despite making an effort; to get nowhere.
|
spine-tingling »
Nervy or scary.
|
spit it out »
To overcome reluctance to say something particular or to speak in general.
|
spit the dummy »
To a situation childishly, in an angry or frustrated manner.
|
spit-and-polish »
Paying much attention to outward appearance.
|
splice the mainbrace »
To have a drink.
|
split hairs »
Tedious details; minutiae.
|
split up »
Cease to be together, break apart from the group.
|
split up »
Separate, disassociate, cause to come apart.
|
spoil the ship for a hap'orth of tar »
To have something important fail for want of a small amount of money or effort.
|
spot check »
A cursory inspection or examination or the inspection or examination of a sample of something.
|
spot on »
Exact or correct.
|
sprain one's ankle »
To be pregnant.
|
spread out »
Become further apart.
|
spread out »
To place items further apart.
|
spring fever »
A feeling of invigoration and restlessness associated with the arrival of the warm weather and renewal of nature in the spring season.
|
spring fever »
A feeling of laziness or listlessness associated with the arrival of the warm, comfortable weather of the spring season.
|
spring for »
To pay for; to offer money.
|
spring in one's step »
Enthusiasm, energy or a positive outlook or cheerful attitude.
|
spring onion »
scallion
|
spring to mind »
To appear suddenly in one's thoughts, often as an example of something.
|
spruce up »
To dress or arrange smartly, elegantly, and neatly.
|
spruce up »
To refresh, revamp; to freshen or improve something, especially its appearance.
|
spur of the moment »
Impluse; short notice; a lack of planning.
|
spy on »
To secretly watch; to surveil.
|
square away »
To finish, complete, tidy or put in order.
|
square cut »
cricket stroke
|
square meal »
A satisfying meal, especially suitable for one performing physical labor.
|
square off »
To get ready for a fight.
|
square off »
To get in the fighting position.
|
square one »
The place where one begins; a lack of progress.
|
square up »
To get ready for a fight.
|
square up »
To get in the fighting position.
|
square up »
To pay back money that is owed.
|
squaring the circle »
A hopeless or impossible task.
|
squaring the circle »
The historical problem of how to construct, using compass and ruler, a square having the same area as a given circle.
|
squeaky wheel gets the grease »
The person who complains or speaks up most loudly receives the redress or attention which he or she seeks.
|
squint like a bag of nails »
To squint very much, as though one's eyes were directed as many ways as the points of a bag of nails.
|
squirrel away »
To stash or hide; to hoard, collect, save, or accumulate; to create a reserve, stash, or hoard of some supply, so as to recall a squirrel's burying of nuts.
|
stab in the back »
An act of betrayal or treachery.
|
stage of the game »
A point in the progress of an ongoing dispute or process.
|
staircase wit »
Thinking of an idea or course of action too late to use it effectively, or the tendency to do so.
|
stamp duty »
tax on documents
|
stamp out »
To get rid of, eradicate.
|
stand a chance »
To have a chance.
|
stand back »
To maintain a safe distance from a hazard.
|
stand back »
To abstain from participation.
|
stand back »
To stand a long way behind the wicket so as to catch balls from a fast bowler.
|
stand by »
To wait in expectation of some event; to make ready.
|
stand by »
To remain loyal or faithful.
|
stand by »
To do nothing. To be inactive in a situation.
|
stand corrected »
Said to acknowledge someone who corrects something that one says or writes that was not correct.
|
stand down »
To wait; to stop pursuing or fighting.
|
stand for »
To mean; to symbolize; to represent.
|
stand for »
To advocate, to support.
|
stand for »
To tolerate.
|
stand from under »
To escape something falling or being thrown from above.
|
stand in »
temporary substitute
|
stand in for »
To replace; to act as a double or substitute for.
|
stand in someone's shoes »
To see from another's point of view; to feel what another feels.
|
stand off »
To stand some distance apart form something or someone.
|
stand off »
To prevent any would-be attacker from coming close by adopting an offensive posture.
|
stand on end »
To stand erect, bristle, especially from fear.
|
stand on its own »
To be independent of others.
|
stand on one's own two feet »
To be independent. To survive without any help.
|
stand one's ground »
To attempt to hold a position in battle.
|
stand one's ground »
To maintain or stick by an opinion or position; to remain resolute in the face of opposition.
|
stand out »
To be obvious or conspicuous, in contrast to one's surroundings.
|
stand stock still »
Paul Travers' Adventures, by Sam T. Clover.
|
stand stock still »
To stand completely motionless.
|
stand the test of time »
To remain useful or valued over a long period of time; to last a long time.
|
stand to reason »
To make sense; to seem logical, reasonable, or rational.
|
stand up »
To rise from a lying or sitting position.
|
stand up »
To bring something up and set it into a standing position.
|
stand up »
To jilt or shirk.
|
stand up »
To stand immediately behind the wicket so as to catch balls from a slow or spin bowler, and to attempt to stump the batsman.
|
stand up against »
To defy or challenge someone.
|
standard fare »
Menu items or dining options which are regularly available in a restaurant or other place where food is served.
|
standard fare »
Something which is normal, routine, or unexceptional; something which is commonly provided or encountered.
|
standard fare »
The usual price for travel by air, rail, or another means of transport.
|
stands in »
deputises
|
stare someone in the face »
To be extremely visible and obvious.
|
starry eyed »
natively optimistic
|
stars in one's eyes »
The state of being overly or extremely impressed with something; enchanted with romance.
|
start off »
To begin.
|
start off on the wrong foot »
To begin badly; especially, to begin a relationship badly.
|
start over »
To begin again; to return to the beginning.
|
start up »
To rise suddenly.
|
start up »
To begin to operate.
|
start up »
To begin.
|
stat whore »
Through unscrupulous or tacky means.
|
state of affairs »
A specific situation; a set of circumstances.
|
stately home »
mansion
|
stave in »
To stave from the outside, to crush inward, to cause to collapse inward.
|
stave off »
To prevent something from happening; to obviate or avert.
|
stay put »
To remain in one fixed place.
|
stay the course »
To persist or continue.
|
stay up »
To remain awake, to not go to bed.
|
steal a march »
To start early.
|
steal a march on »
To get ahead of someone or something by starting earlier.
|
steal away »
To leave secretively.
|
steal somebody's thunder »
To detract from somebody's accomplishments or glory; to undermine.
|
steer clear »
To avoid; to dodge; to sidestep.
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stem the tide »
To slow or stop the increase.
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step down »
To resign from office.
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step down »
To gradually reduce something, a little at a time, as an electronic step down transformer.
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step in front of a moving train »
To sacrifice one's own life for a noble and loyal cause.
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step on a rake »
To fall victim to a hazard.
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step on a rake »
To step on the tines of a garden rake, causing the handle of the rake to rise from the ground rapidly, invariably striking the person walking in the face.
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step on it »
To act quickly.
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step on it »
To drive fast; to step on the accelerator.
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step out »
To date, to be in a romantic relationship.
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step out »
To exit a place on foot, often for a short time.
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step up »
To increase speed or rate.
|
step up »
accelerate
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step up to the plate »
To initiate action; to assume a responsibility.
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stepped down »
resigned
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stepping razor »
A dangerous person, who is not to be messed with.
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stepping stone »
A stone that can be stepped on in crossing something, especially a marsh or creek.
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stepping stone »
Something used as a way to progress to something or somewhere else.
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stew in one's juices »
To be alone and self-absorbed in an uncomfortable state of mind, especially while experiencing the unpleasant effects of one's own actions.
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stick around »
To stay; to linger; to remain.
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stick in someone's craw »
To cause lasting annoyance, irritation, or hard feelings.
|
stick in the mud »
A person unwilling to participate in activities, often because he or she believes the activity is not wholly kosher; a party pooper.
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stick in the mud »
More generally, one who is slow, old-fashioned, or unprogressive; an old fogey.
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stick it out »
To persist or continue.
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stick it to the man »
To take some action intended to defy a source of oppression such as globalization, commercialization, big business or government.
|
stick one's neck out »
To take a risk, putting oneself in a vulnerable position.
|
stick one's nose in »
To be nosy; to meddle or interfere in the affairs of another.
|
stick out »
To protrude; to extend beyond.
|
stick out »
To be prominent, noticeable, or obtrusive.
|
stick out »
To persist. See stick it out.
|
stick up »
To put up by sticking.
|
stick up »
To rob at gunpoint.
|
stick up »
To protect one's status.
|
stick up for »
To defend or protect.
|
stick with »
To continue or persist; to stick to.
|
stick with »
To follow or adhere to.
|
stick with »
To remain close by.
|
stick-in-the-mud »
Alternative spelling of stick in the mud.
|
sticker shock »
Disgust, shock, or fright upon learning the price of an item offered for sale.
|
stickhandle »
To deal capably and swiftly with a situation, especially in a manner which deflects potential problems.
|
stickhandle »
To maintain individual possession of the puck or ball by controlling it with movements of one's stick, especially to do so in a skillful manner.
|
sticking at nothing »
Being ruthless
|
sticking point »
A disputed issue or state of affairs that causes an interruption or outright impasse in progress towards some goal or resolution, especially in negotiation or argumentation.
|
sticking point »
The point at which a process or thing, especially a state of mind or emotion, reaches its greatest strength and remains steadfast; sticking-place.
|
sticking-place »
The point at which a process or thing, especially a state of mind or emotion, reaches its greatest strength and remains steadfast; sticking point.
|
sticks and stones »
Evocative of the saying "sticks and stones may (or will) break my bones, but words (or names) will never hurt (or harm) me".1957, Brendan Gill, The Day the Money Stopped
|
sticky fingers »
A petty thief or petty thieves.
|
sticky fingers »
An inclination to steal.
|
stiff upper lip »
The quality of being resolute and showing self-restraint, associated with stereotypical British people.
|
still life »
type of painting
|
still water runs deep »
A person with a calm appearance has, or may have, considerable inner emotion, character, or intellect
|
still waters run deep »
A person with a calm appearance has, or may have, considerable inner emotion, character, or intellect.
|
stir up »
set in motion
|
stir-crazy »
By extension, restless, uncomfortable, or impatient due to inactivity.
|
stir-crazy »
Of a prisoner, mentally unbalanced due to prolonged incarceration.
|
stitch up »
To close by sewing.
|
stitch up »
To maliciously or dishonestly incriminate someone.
|
stock phrase »
A phrase frequently or habitually used by a person or group, and thus associated with them.
|
stone cold »
Very cold; lacking any semblance of warmth.
|
stone dead »
Utterly dead.
|
stone deaf »
Utterly deaf.
|
stone's throw »
A short distance, roughly equivalent to how far a person can throw a stone.
|
stop and smell the roses »
To relax; to take time out and enjoy or appreciate life.
|
stop dead »
To stop suddenly.
|
stop on a dime »
To stop dead; stop suddenly.
|
stop press »
The event or news article important enough to delay or interrupt the print, or require a reprint, of a publication, particularly of a newspaper edition.
|
stop someone in his tracks »
To prevent someone from continuing along a path or way, literal or figurative, he has begun going along.
|
stop the lights »
An interjection expressing exasperation or incredulity. or to illustrate the humour in a situation.
|
stop the presses »
An imperative form used to introduce especially new, important, surprising, or recent developments.
|
stop up »
To fill a hole or cavity, or block an opening or passage, as with a plug.
|
stop up »
To increase the aperture of a photographic lens, moving from an f/stop represented by a higher number to an f/stop represented by a lower number and causing more light to pass into the camera.
|
storm in a tea-kettle »
A big fuss made in a small context.
|
straight away »
Very soon; quickly; immediately.
|
straight face »
A face that is expressionless, especially not laughing.
|
straight from the horse's mouth »
Directly from the source; firsthand.
|
straight from the shoulder »
Done in a direct manner; blunt.
|
straight man »
A member of a team of comic performers who plays a supporting role by helping to set up jokes and punch lines through engaging in preparatory dialog with the principal comedian; a foil who plays such a role in theatrical comedy.
|
straight out of the chute »
Something done immediately, or "from the beginning". Taken from rodeo routine: the bucking bronco, or bull, or the calf for the calf-roping contest is kept in a narrow pen, a chute, until it is released and dashes out to its fate.
|
straighten out »
To make straight.
|
straighten out »
To correct or rectify.
|
straighten out »
To eliminate confusion from or concerning.
|
straighten out »
To correct; to stop doing something wrong.
|
strange bedfellows »
An unusual combination or political alliance.
|
strap on a pair »
To be brave; to show some courage, especially in a situation where one has so far failed to do so.
|
straw poll »
A survey of opinion which is unofficial, casual, or ad hoc.
|
streak of good luck »
A series of lucky events.
|
stretch limo »
long car
|
stretch one's legs »
To walk about, especially after prolonged time sitting or lying down.
|
stretch out »
To lie fully extended.
|
stretch out »
To fully extend a part of the body.
|
stretch the truth »
To exaggerate, often to the point where the truth is obscured or lost.
|
strike through »
Partly obliterate text by drawing a continuous line through the centre thereof, usually to indicate the deletion of an error or obsolete information.
|
strike up »
To start something with somebody else. Usually a conversation or relationship.
|
strike up »
To start something, usually playing live music.
|
strike while the iron is hot »
To act on an opportunity promptly; to avoid waiting.
|
string up »
To die by hanging.
|
string up »
To kill by hanging, especially to lynch.
|
string up »
To suspend by means of rope, cord or similar material.
|
strip away »
To ignore a factor which obscures the reality.
|
strip away »
To remove something bit by bit.
|
strip down »
To remove all of one's clothing.
|
strip down »
To remove inessentials from.
|
strip off »
To remove anything by stripping, e.g. items of clothing or paint from the side of a ship.
|
strip off »
To be removed by stripping.
|
stroke of work »
With "do not do a", to do none of the assigned task at all.
|
strut one's stuff »
To behave, or to perform in a showy or ostentatious manner, especially in a way to impress others; to show off.
|
stuck up »
Snobbish, conceited; believing oneself to be better than others; haughty.
|
stuff up »
To ruin.
|
stuff up »
To make a big mistake.
|
stuff up »
Cause to be blocked.
|
stuffed like a turkey »
Engorged from overeating.
|
stuffed shirt »
One who is overly official or officious; somebody in charge but not necessarily in power or effective.
|
stumbing-block »
A hindrance, obstacle or impediment.
|
stumble across »
To discover or find something by accident.
|
stumble across »
To meet somebody by chance.
|
stumble on »
To discover or find something by accident.
|
stumble on »
To meet somebody by chance.
|
stumble upon »
To discover or find something by accident.
|
stumble upon »
To meet somebody by chance.
|
stumbling block »
A hindrance, obstacle or impediment.
|
stump up »
To pay for something. Often indicating reluctance to pay.
|
stupid is as stupid does »
A person's intelligence may be judged by the wisdom of his or her actions.
|
success has many fathers, failure is an orphan »
Many will seek credit for success, few will accept responsibility for failure.
|
such as »
For example.
|
such as »
Like, of the kind mentioned.
|
such as »
Those who.
|
such-and-such »
A placeholder or generic thing.
|
suck donkey balls »
To be terrible, of extremely poor quality.
|
suck face »
To kiss, especially deeply and for a prolonged time.
|
suck hind tit »
To be last in line.
|
suck hind tit »
To be the youngest or most neglected child.
|
suck hind tit »
To feed from an inferior source of food.
|
suck in »
To cause someone to become slowly more and more involved in a business or situation that is often not to that person's liking.
|
suck into »
To cause someone to become slowly more and more involved in a business or situation that is often not to that person's liking.
|
suck it up »
To put up with something; to deal with something, such as pain or misfortune, without complaining.
|
suck off »
To fellate a man until he ejaculates.
|
suck up »
To absorb fluid.
|
suck up »
To adulate or flatter somebody excessively, generally to obtain some personal benefit or favour.
|
suffer fools gladly »
To be tolerant of stupidity or incompetence in other people.
|
sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof »
No need to worry about the future; the present provides enough to worry about.
|
sugarcoated »
Coated with sugar.
|
sugarcoated »
Made superficially more attractive. This often implies the reality has faults that are being hidden.
|
sum up »
To summarize.
|
summer and winter »
Endured.
|
summer and winter »
To spend extended periods of time with; to test.
|
supposed to »
Permitted.
|
supposed to »
Required.
|
sure as eggs is eggs »
Absolutely certain.
|
sure enough »
Just like one would expect.
|
sure of oneself »
Self-confident.
|
surprise surprise »
An indication that the unsurprising happened, especially contrary to someone's hopes or assertions.
|
swallow one's pride »
To set aside one's feelings of pride and adopt a more humble or appropriate stance.
|
swallow up »
To completely enclose or envelop.
|
swan song »
A final performance or accomplishment, especially one before retirement.
|
swear by »
To wholeheartedly trust.
|
swear off »
To quit or cease completely, or to promise to quit, as of a bad habit.
|
swear on a stack of Bibles »
To make a promise or give one's assurance with great conviction.
|
sweat »
Fluid that exits the body through pores in the skin usually due to physical stress and/or high temperature for the purpose of regulating body temperature and removing certain compounds from the circulation.
|
sweat bullets »
To sweat profusely; especially, to be very nervous or anxious.
|
sweep someone off their feet »
To seduce someone romantically.
|
sweet dreams »
Phrase said to someone before they fall asleep, wishing them a good sleep.
|
sweet hereafter »
Heaven; paradise as enjoyed in the afterlife.
|
sweet tooth »
A liking for foods that are sweet; a weakness for sweets.
|
sweet william »
flower
|
sweeten the pot »
To increase a wager.
|
sweeten the pot »
To make something more desirable.
|
sweetheart deal »
A transaction, contract, or other agreement in which one party provides particularly favorable terms to the other, especially in suspicious circumstances.
|
swim with sharks »
To operate among dangerous people.
|
swim with sharks »
To take a huge risk.
|
swing for the fences »
To act in a way that might generate a very good result, but which also has a large chance of failing.
|
swing for the fences »
To swing at the ball as hard as possible, with the aim of getting a home run, increasing the chance of missing the ball.
|
swing state »
A state which may vote Democratic or Republican, in a given election or generally; a purple state.
|
swing the lead »
To pretend to be unwell so that you do not have to work.
|
swings and roundabouts »
Offsetting gains and losses.
|
swiss roll »
cake
|
switch off »
To turn a switch to the "off" position in order to stop or disable a device.
|
switch off »
To lose interest, and start thinking about something else.
|
switch off »
To alternate between; to trade.
|
switch on »
To turn a switch to the "on" position in order to start or enable a device.
|
switch on »
To change one's expression or appearance as if by turning a switch.
|
sword and sandal »
Of or pertaining to a genre of books or films relating fantasy-adventure tales involving heroic exploits in ancient or biblical times.
|
sword and sorcery »
Of or pertaining to a genre of narratives—including short stories, novels, television shows, films, and computer games—which combines wizardry and other fantastical supernatural elements with violent combat using medieval weaponry..
|
swot up on »
To study particularly hard to learn a subject quickly.
|
| BTW, Why won't you become an editor? |
