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/The rich man's son quickly ran through his money./ Syn.: GO
THROUGH(4). 3. To read or practice from beginning to end without
stopping. * /The visiting singer ran through his numbers with the
orchestra just before the program./
[run to] {v. phr.} To approximate; reach. * /It has been estimated
that the casualties will run to over 300,000 killed by cholera and
starvation in the crowded refugee camps./
[run to seed] See: GO TO SEED.
[run true to form] {v. phr.} To follow a usual way; act as
expected; agree with how a person usually acts. * /The little boy's
actions ran true to form. He bothered his mother until she gave him
his way./ Compare: PAR FOR THE COURSE.
[run up] {v. phr.} 1. To add to the amount of; increase. * /Karl
ran up a big bill at the bookstore./ 2. To put together or make
hastily; sew quickly together. * /Jill ran up a costume for the party
on her sewing machine./ 3. To pull (something) upward on a rope; put
(something) up quickly. * /The pirates ran up the black flag./
[run up against] See: UP AGAINST.
[run wild] {v. phr.} To be or go out of control. * /The students
ran wild during spring vacation./ * /The new supervisor lets the
children run wild./ * /The violets are running wild in the flower
bed./ Compare: RUN RIOT.
[run with the hare and hunt (ride) with the hounds] {v. phr.} To
appear to support both parties in a conflict; to conduct things in
ambiguous ways. * /Critics accused the king of running with the hare
and hunting with the hounds./
[running commentary] {n. phr.} A continual series of remarks. * /My
chiropractor gives me a running commentary on the health care debate
while he is giving me a rubdown./
[rush] See: BUM'S RUSH.
[Russian roulette] {n.} A game of chance in which one bullet is
placed in a revolver, the cartridge cylinder is spun, and the player
aims the gun at his own head and pulls the trigger. * /Only a fool
would risk playing Russian roulette./
[rust away] {v. phr.} To disappear gradually through the process of
rust or corrosion. * /If you refuse to paint those metal bars on the
window, they will soon rust away./
[rustproof] {adj.} Free from rusting or corrosion; permeated with
anti-rust chemical agents. * /My new watch is rustproof and waterproof
and I can wear it while swimming or taking a shower./
[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
THROUGH(4). 3. To read or practice from beginning to end without
stopping. * /The visiting singer ran through his numbers with the
orchestra just before the program./
[run to] {v. phr.} To approximate; reach. * /It has been estimated
that the casualties will run to over 300,000 killed by cholera and
starvation in the crowded refugee camps./
[run to seed] See: GO TO SEED.
[run true to form] {v. phr.} To follow a usual way; act as
expected; agree with how a person usually acts. * /The little boy's
actions ran true to form. He bothered his mother until she gave him
his way./ Compare: PAR FOR THE COURSE.
[run up] {v. phr.} 1. To add to the amount of; increase. * /Karl
ran up a big bill at the bookstore./ 2. To put together or make
hastily; sew quickly together. * /Jill ran up a costume for the party
on her sewing machine./ 3. To pull (something) upward on a rope; put
(something) up quickly. * /The pirates ran up the black flag./
[run up against] See: UP AGAINST.
[run wild] {v. phr.} To be or go out of control. * /The students
ran wild during spring vacation./ * /The new supervisor lets the
children run wild./ * /The violets are running wild in the flower
bed./ Compare: RUN RIOT.
[run with the hare and hunt (ride) with the hounds] {v. phr.} To
appear to support both parties in a conflict; to conduct things in
ambiguous ways. * /Critics accused the king of running with the hare
and hunting with the hounds./
[running commentary] {n. phr.} A continual series of remarks. * /My
chiropractor gives me a running commentary on the health care debate
while he is giving me a rubdown./
[rush] See: BUM'S RUSH.
[Russian roulette] {n.} A game of chance in which one bullet is
placed in a revolver, the cartridge cylinder is spun, and the player
aims the gun at his own head and pulls the trigger. * /Only a fool
would risk playing Russian roulette./
[rust away] {v. phr.} To disappear gradually through the process of
rust or corrosion. * /If you refuse to paint those metal bars on the
window, they will soon rust away./
[rustproof] {adj.} Free from rusting or corrosion; permeated with
anti-rust chemical agents. * /My new watch is rustproof and waterproof
and I can wear it while swimming or taking a shower./
[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