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difference. * /The bright colors of the birds were set off by the
white snow./ * /A small gold pin set off her plain dark dress./ 2. To
balance; make somewhat equal. * /Her great wealth, as he thought, set
off her plain face./ 3a. To begin to go. * /They set off for the West
in a covered wagon./ Compare: SET OUT. 3b. To cause to begin. * /A
letter from home set off an attack of homesickness./ * /An atomic
explosion is created by setting off a chain reaction in the atom./
Compare: TOUCH OFF. 3c. To cause to explode. * /On July 4 we set off
firecrackers in many places./
[set of new threads] {n. phr.} New men's suit. * /"Nice set of new
threads'" Ed said, when he saw Dave in his new tailor-made outfit./
[set on] also [set upon] {v.} 1. To begin suddenly to fight
against; attack fiercely. * /Tom was walking through the park when a
gang of boys set on him./ 2. To cause to attack. * /Some boys went to
steal melons but the farmer set his dog on them./
[set one's cap for] {v. phr.}, {informal} To attempt to win the
love of or to marry. * /Usually used of a girl or woman./ * /The young
girl set her cap for the new town doctor, who was a bachelor./
[set one's face against] {v. phr.}, {literary} To be very much
against; strongly disapprove. * /The banker's daughter wanted to marry
a poor boy, but her father set his face against it./
[set one's hand to] See: PUT ONE'S HAND TO.
[set one's hand to the plow] See: PUT ONE'S HAND TO THE PLOW.
[set one's heart on] {v. phr.} To want very much. * /He set his
heart on that bike./ also: To be very desirous of; hope very much to
succeed in. - Used with a verbal noun. * /He set his heart on winning
the race./
[set one's house in order] See: PUT ONE'S HOUSE IN ORDER.
[set one's mind at rest] {v. phr.} To relieve someone's anxieties;
reassure someone. * /"Lef me set your mind at rest about the
operation," Dr. Vanek said. "You'll be back on your feet in a week."/
[set one's mind on] {v. phr.} To be determined to; decide to. * /He
has set his mind on buying an old chateau in France./
[set one's sights] {v. phr.} 1. To want to reach; aim for. * /John
has set his sights higher than the job he has now./ 2. To wish to get
or win. * /Owen set his sights on the championship./
[set one's teeth on edge] {v. phr.} 1. To have a sharp sour taste
that makes you rub your teeth together. * /The lemon juice set my
teeth on edge./ 2. To make one feel nervous or annoyed. * /She looks
so mean that her face sets my teeth on edge./
[set on foot] See: ON FOOT.
[set out] {v.} 1. To leave on a journey or voyage. * /The Pilgrims
set out for the New World./ Compare: SET FORTH(2), SET OFF(4), START
OUT. 2. To decide and begin to try; attempt. * /George set out to
improve his pitching./ 3. To plant in the ground. * /The gardener set
out some tomato seedlings./
[set right] {v. phr.} To discipline; correct; indicate the correct
procedure. * /"Your bookkeeping is all messed up," the accountant
said. "Let me set it right for you, once and for all."/
[set sail] {v. phr.} To begin a sea voyage; start sailing. * /The
ship set sail for Europe./
[set store by] {v. phr.}, {informal} To like or value; want to
keep. Used with a qualifying word between "set" and "store". * /George
sets great store by that old tennis racket./ * /Pat doesn't set much
store by Mike's advice./
[set the ball rolling] See: GET THE BALL ROLLING.
[set the pace] {v. phr.} To decide on a rate of speed of travel or
rules that are followed by others. * /The scoutmaster set the pace so
that the shorter boys would not get tired trying to keep up./ *
/Louise set the pace in selling tickets for the school play./ -
[pace-setter] {n.} * /John is the pace-setter of the class./ -
[pace-setting] {adj.} * /Bob's time in the cross-country race was
pace-setting./ * /The country is growing at a pace-setting rate./
[set the stage for] {v. phr.} To prepare the way or situation for
(an event); to make a situation ready for something to happen. * /The
country's economic problems set the stage for a depression./
[set the world on fire] {v. phr.}, {informal} To do something
outstanding; act in a way that attracts much attention or makes you
famous. * /John works hard, but he will never set the world on fire./
* /Mary could set the world on fire with her piano playing./
[setting-up] {adj.} Done early in the morning to make you fresh and
feel strong for the day. * /Tom jumped out of bed and did his
setting-up exercises./ Compare: DAILY DOZEN.
[settle a score] also [wipe out an old score] To hurt (someone) in
return for a wrong or loss. * /John settled an old score with Bob by
beating him./ Compare: GET BACK AT, GET EVEN.
[settle down] {v.} 1. To live more quietly and sensibly; have a
regular place to live and a regular job; stop acting wildly or
carelessly, especially by growing up. * /John will settle down after
he gets a job and gets married./ 2. To become quiet, calm, or
comfortable. * /Father settled down with the newspaper./ * /The house
settled down for the night after the children were put to bed./ * /The
teacher told the students to settle down and study the lesson./
[settle for] {v.} To be satisfied with (less) agree to; accept. *
/Jim wanted $200 for his old car, but he settled for $100./
[settle on] {v. phr.} To decide which one to choose among various
alternatives. * /My parents have been debating what kind of a car to
get and have finally settled on a BMW from Germany./
[settle up] {v. phr.} To pay up; conclude monetary or other
transactions. * /"Let's settle up," Carol's attorney said, when she
sued Don for a hefty sum of money after their divorce./
[set to] {v.} 1. To make a serious beginning. * /Charlie took a
helping of turkey, grabbed his knife and fork, and set to./ 2. To
start to fight. * /One man called the other a liar and they set to./
[set to music] {v. phr.} To compose a musical accompaniment to
verse. * /Schubert and Beethoven both set to music many a famous poem
by Goethe and Schiller./
[set to rights] See: PUT TO RIGHTS.
[set tongues wagging] See: TONGUES WAG.
[setup] {v.} 1. To provide the money for the necessities for. *
/When he was twenty-one, his father set him up in the clothing
business./ 2. To establish; start. * /The government has set up many
hospitals for veterans of the armed forces./ 3. To make ready for use
by putting the parts together or into their right place. * /The men
set up the new printing press./ 4. To bring into being; cause. *
/Ocean tides are set up by the pull between earth and the moon./ 5. To
claim; pretend. * /He set himself up to be a graduate of a medical
school, but he was not./ 6. To harm someone by entrapment or some
other ruse. * /Joe was actually innocent of the robbery, but his
"trusted friends" set him up, so the police found the gun in his car./
[setup] {n. phr.} (stress on "set") 1. Arrangement, management,
circumstances. * /Boy, you really have a wonderful setup in your
office!/ * /I just can't do my work in such a messy setup!/ 2.
Financial arrangement. * /It is a fairly generous setup sending your
uncle $1,000 a month./
[set upon] See: SET ON.
[seven] See: AT SIXES AND SEVENS.
[seventh heaven] {n. phr.}, {literary} The pinnacle of happiness. *
/We were in seventh heaven when the helicopter flew us over the
magnificent Grand Canyon./
[sewed up] {adj. phr.}, {informal} Won or arranged as you wish;
decided. * /They thought they had the game sewed up, but the other
team won it with a touchdown in the last quarter./ * /Dick thought he
had the job sewed up, but another boy got it./ Compare: IN THE BAG.
[sexual harassment] {n. phr.} The act of constantly making unwanted
advances of a sexual nature for which the offended party may seek
legal redress. * /The court fined Wilbur Catwallender $750,000 for
sexual harassment of two of his female employees./
[shack up with] {v. phr.}, {slang} To move in with (someone) of the
opposite sex without marrying the person. * /Did you know that Ollie
and Sue aren't married? They just decided to shack up for a while./
See: LIGHT HOUSEKEEPING.
[shadow] See: AFRAID OF ONE'S SHADOW, EYE SHADOW.
[shaggy dog (story)] {n. phr.} A special kind of joke whose long
and often convoluted introduction and development delay the effect of
the punch line. * /Uncle Joe only seems to bore his audiences with his
long shaggy dog jokes, for when he comes to the long-awaited punch
line, he gets very few laughs./
[shake] See: MORE THAN ONE COULD SHAKE A STICK AT.
[shake a leg] {v. phr.}, {slang} To go fast; hurry. * /Shake a leg!
The bus won't wait./ Compare: STEP ON IT.
[shakedown] {n.} 1. A test. * /Let's take the new car out and give
it a shakedown./ 2. An act of extorting money by threatening. * /It
was a nasty shakedown, to get $500 from the old man, promising to
protect him./
[shake down] {v. phr.} 1. To cause to fall by shaking. * /He shook
some pears down from the free./ 2. {informal} To test, practice, get
running smoothly (a ship or ship's crew). * /The captain shook down
his new ship on a voyage to the Mediterranean Sea./ 3. {slang} To get
money from by threats. * /The gangsters shook the store owner down
every month./
[shake in one's shoes] or [shake in one's boots] {v. phr.},
{informal} To be very much afraid. * /The robber shook in his boots
when the police knocked on his door./
[shake off] {v.}, {informal} To get away from when followed; get
rid of; escape from. * /A convict escaped from prison and shook off
the officers trying to follow him./ * /Tom could not shake off his
cold./
[shake the dust from one's feet] {v. phr.} To depart or leave with
some measure of disgust or displeasure. * /Jim was so unhappy in our
small, provincial town that he was glad to shake the dust from his
feet and move to New York./
[shake up] {v.}, {informal} To bother; worry; disturb. * /The
notice about a cut in pay shook up everybody in the office./
[shake-up] {n.} A change; a reorganization. * /After the scandal
there was a major shake-up in the Cabinet./
[shame] See: FOR SHAME, PUT TO SHAME.
[shape] See: IN SHAPE, OUT OF SHAPE, TAKE SHAPE.
[shape up] {v. phr.}, {informal} 1. To begin to act or work right;
get along satisfactorily. * /If the new boy doesn't begin to shape up
soon, he'll have to leave school./ * /"How is the building of the new
gym coming along?" "Fine. It's shaping up very well."/ 2. To show
promise. * /Plans for our picnic are shaping up very well./
[shape up or ship out] {v. phr.}, {informal} To either improve
one's disposition or behavior, or quit or leave. * /When Paul
neglected to carry out his part of the research work that Professor
Brown had assigned him with for the fifth time, the professor cried,
"Shape up, or ship out, Paul. I have lost my patience with you!"/
[sharp] See: LOOK SHARP.
[sharp as a tack] {adj. phr.} 1. Very neatly and stylishly dressed
* /That new boy always looks sharp as a tack in class./ 2. Very
intelligent; smart; quick-witted. * /Tom is sharp as a tack; he got
100 on every test./
[shed light on] or upon See: CAST LIGHT ON; THROW LIGHT ON.
[sheep] See: WOLF IN SHEEP'S CLOTHING.
[sheepskin] {n.} Diploma. * /Dr. Miller has half a dozen different
sheepskins hanging on the wall of his office./
[sheet] See: SCANDAL SHEET, THREE SHEETS IN THE WIND or THREE
SHEETS TO THE WIND.
[shelf] See: ON THE SHELF.
[shell] See: IN ONE'S SHELL or INTO ONE'S SHELL, OUT OF ONE'S
SHELL.
[shell out] {v.}, {informal} To pay or spend. * /Dick had to shell
out a lot of money for his new car./
[shift for oneself] {v. phr.} To live or act independently with no
help, guidance or protection from others; take care of yourself. *
/Mrs. McCarthy was forced to shift for herself after her husband
died./
[shine] See: RAIN OR SHINE, TAKE A SHINE TO.
[shine up to] {v.}, {slang} To try to please; try to make friends
with. * /Smedley shines up to all the pretty girls./
[shingle] See: HANG OUT ONE'S SHINGLE.
[ship] See: GIVE UP THE SHIP, LANDING SHIP.
[ship come in] All the money a person has wished for is received;
wealth comes to a person. Used with a possessive. * /When my ship
comes in, I will take a trip to Norway./ * /Mr. Brown is just waiting
for his ship to come in./
[ship out] {v.} To begin a journey; leave. * /The army group
shipped out for the Far East today./
[shipshape] {adj.} In perfect condition; in good order. * /After we
left the islands, we left the rented car shipshape for the next
driver./
[shirk one's duty] {v. phr.} To be negligent or irresponsible. *
/If you continue to shirk your duty, you can expect to be fired./
[shirt] See: GIVE THE SHIRT OFF ONE'S BACK, KEEP ONE'S SHIRT ON,
LOSE ONE'S SHIRT.
[shoe] See: COMFORTABLE AS AN OLD SHOE, COMMON AS AN OLD SHOE, FILL
ONE'S SHOES, IF THE SHOE FITS, WEAR IT, IN ONE'S SHOES, SHAKE IN ONE'S
SHOES, SADDLE SHOE, STEP INTO ONE'S SHOES, WHERE THE SHOE PINCHES.
[shoe on the other foot] The opposite is true; places are changed.
* /He was my captain in the army but now the shoe is on the other
foot./
[shoestring] See: ON A SHOESTRING.
[shoestring catch] {n.} A catch of a hit baseball just before it
hits the ground. * /The left fielder made a shoestring catch of a line
drive to end the inning./
[shoo away] {v. phr.} To frighten or chase away. * /When the
children gathered around the new sports car, we shooed them away./
[shoo-in] {n.}, {informal} Someone or something that is expected to
win; a favorite; sure winner. * /Chris is a shoo-in to win a
scholarship./ * /Do you think he will win the election? He's a
shoo-in./ * /This horse is a shoo-in. He can't miss winning./ Syn.:
SURE THING(1).
[shoot ahead of] or [past] or [through] or [alongside of] {v. phr.}
To move or drive ahead rapidly. * /As we had to slow down before the
tunnel, a red sports car shot ahead of us./
[shoot a line] See: DROP A LINE.
[shoot from the hip] {v. phr.}, {informal} 1. To fire a gun held at
the hip without aiming by aligning the barrel with one's eye. * /In
many Western movies the heroic sheriff defeats the villains by
shooting from the hip./ 2. To speak sincerely, frankly, and without
subterfuge. * /"What kind of an administrator will Mr. Brown be?" the
head of the search committee asked. "He shoots straight from the hip,"
he was assured./
[shoot off one's mouth] or [shoot off one's face] {v. phr.},
{slang} To give opinions without knowing all the facts; talk as if you
know everything. * /Tom has never been to Florida, but he's always
shooting his mouth off about how superior Florida is to California./ *
/I want to study the problem before I shoot off my face./ * /The
editor of the newspaper is always shooting his mouth off about the
trouble in Africa./
[shoot one's wad] {v. phr.} {slang}, {colloquial} 1. To spend all
of one's money. * /We've shot our wad for the summer and can't buy any
new garden furniture./ 2. To say everything that is on one's mind. *
/Joe feels a lot better now that he's shot his wad at the meeting./
[shoot out] {v.} 1. To fight with guns until one person or side is
wounded or killed; settle a fight by shooting. - Used with "it". *
/The cornered bank robbers decided to shoot it out with the police./ *
/The moment she opened the door, the cat shot out and ran around the
house./ * /During the last half-minute of the race, Dick shot out in
front of the other runners./
[shoot questions at] {v. phr.} To interrogate rapidly and
vigorously. * /The attorney for the prosecution shot one question
after another at the nervous witness./
[shoot straight] or [shoot square] {v.}, {informal} To act fairly;
deal honestly. * /You can trust that salesman; he shoots straight with
his customers./ * /We get along well because we always shoot square
with each other./ - [straight shooter] or [square shooter] {n.},
{informal} /Bill is a square-shooter./ - [straight-shooting] {adj. } *
/The boys all liked the straight-shooting coach./
[shoot the breeze] or [bat the breeze] or [fan the breeze] or
[shoot the bull] {v. phr.}, {slang} To talk. * /Jim shot the breeze
with his neighbor while the children were playing./ * /Come into the
kitchen and we'll bat the breeze over a cup of coffee./ * /The women
were shooting the breeze about Jim's latest trouble with the police./
* /The fishermen were shooting the bull about the school of sail fish
they had seen./
[shoot the works] {v. phr.}, {slang} 1. To spare no expense or
effort; get or give everything. * /Billy shot the works when he bought
his bicycle; he got a bell, a light, a basket, and chrome trimmings on
it, too./ * /The Greens shot the works on their daughter's wedding
reception./ 2. To go the limit; take a risk. * /The motor of Tom's
boat was dangerously hot, but he decided to shoot the works and try to
win the race./
[shoot up] {v.} 1. To grow quickly. * /Billy had always been a
small boy, but when he was thirteen years old he began to shoot up./
2. To arise suddenly. * /As we watched, flames shot up from the roof
of the barn./ 3. {informal} To shoot or shoot at recklessly; shoot and
hurt badly. * /The cowboys got drunk and shot up the bar room./ * /The
soldier was shot up very badly./ 4. To take drugs by injection. * /A
heroin addict will shoot up as often as he can./
[shop] See: CLOSE UP SHOP, TALK SHOP.
[shop around for] {v. phr.} To make the rounds of various
commercial establishments in order to find the most economical answer
for one's needs. * /We've been shopping around for a larger
condominium that is affordable, and near the university./
[shoplifter] {n.} A thief who steals things from a store. * /The TV
camera identified the shoplifter, who was then arrested and sentenced
to jail./
[shopping center] {n.} A place usually for neighborhood shopping,
where there is a group of stores and shops inside of a large parking
lot. * /There is a bowling alley at the nearest shopping center./ *
/All the stores in our shopping center stay open until nine o'clock on
Friday evenings./
[shopworn] {adj.} A piece of merchandise that is offered below the
usual price because it is slightly damaged or soiled. * /Although
shopworn, the jacket was perfectly usable, so he eagerly bought it./
[shore leave] {n.} Permission given to a man in the Navy to leave
his ship and go where he wants for a certain length of time. * /Jim
went to visit New York when he was given three days' shore leave./ *
/The ship did not dock long enough for the sailors to get shore
leave./
[shore patrol] {n.} The police of a navy. * /The sailors who were
fighting in town were arrested by the shore patrol./ * /The shore
patrol was ordered to search every sailor who went on board the ship./
[shore up] {v.} To add support to (something) where weakness is
shown; make (something) stronger where support is needed; support. *
/When the flood waters weakened the bridge, it was shored up with
steel beams and sandbags until it could be rebuilt./ * /The coach sent
in a substitute guard to shore up the line when Fitchburg began to
break through./
[shorn] See: GOD TEMPERS THE WIND TO THE SHORN LAMB.
[short] See: CAUGHT SHORT, FALL SHORT, FOR SHORT, IN BRIEF or IN
SHORT, IN SHORT ORDER, IN SHORT SUPPLY, MAKE SHORT WORK OF, RUN SHORT,
SELL SHORT, THE LONG AND THE SHORT.
[short and sweet] {adj.} Brief and to the point. * /Henry's note to
his father was short and sweet. He wrote, "Dear Dad, please send me
$5. Love, Henry."/
[shortchange] {v. phr.} To return less money to a customer in a
store than is coming to him or her; cheat. * /I was shortchanged by
the cashier when I got seven dollars back instead of eight./
[shortcut] {n.} A road shorter than the one that people normally
take. * /We can save twenty minutes if we take this shortcut over the
hill./
[short end] {n.} The worst or most unpleasant part. * /The new boy
got the short end of it because all the comfortable beds in the
dormitory had been taken before he arrived./ * /The girls who served
refreshments at the party got the short end of it. When everybody had
been served, there was no cake left for them./
[shorthanded] {adj.} Understaffed; short on workers. * /With
several employees gone for the holiday weekend and two dozen people in
line, the rent-a-car agency suddenly found itself terribly
shorthanded./
[short haul] {n.} A short distance; a short trip. * /The
Scoutmaster said that it was just a short haul to the lake./ * /The
man from the moving company said they did not make short hauls, so we
hired a truck to move our furniture three blocks to our new house./
Contrast: LONG HAUL.
[short list] or [short-listed] {v. phr.} To place on the list of
select finalists for a job. * /Only three of the twenty-seven
applicants were short-listed for the assistant professorial vacancy in
our department./
[short of(1)] {adj. phr.} 1. Less or worse than. * /Don't do
anything short of your best./ 2. Not having enough. * /We did not buy
anything because we were short of money./ * /The girls were asked to
wait on tables because the kitchen was short of help./
[short of(2)] {adv. phr.} Away from; at a distance from. * /The
day's drive still left us a hundred miles short of the ocean./ * /The
golfer's shot fell far short of the hole./
[short of breath] {adj.} Panting and wheezing. * /He ran up six
flights of stairs so rapidly that he was short of breath for several
minutes./
[short-order cook] {n.} A person who prepares food that cooks
quickly. * /Bruce found a summer job as a short-order cook in a
drive-in restaurant./ * /The new diner needs another short-order
cook./ Compare: SLING HASH.
[short shrift] {n.} Little or no attention. - Usually used with
"get" or "give". * /In books about jobs, women's work is consistently
given short shrift./
[short-spoken] {adj.} Using so few words that you seem impatient or
angry; speaking in a short impatient way; saying as little as possible
in an unfriendly way. * /Jim is always short-spoken when he is tired./
* /We were hoping to borrow Dad's car, but he was so short-spoken when
he came home that we were afraid to ask./
[shot] See: BIG CHEESE or BIG SHOT, BY A LONG SHOT, CALL ONE'S
SHOT, CALL THE SHOTS, FOUL SHOT, LONG SHOT.
[shot in the arm] {n. phr.}, {informal} Something inspiring or
encouraging. * /The general's appearance was a shot in the arm for the
weary soldiers./ * /We were ready to quit, but the coach's talk was a
shot in the arm./
[shot in the dark] {n. phr.} An attempt without much hope or chance
of succeeding; a wild guess. * /A was just a shot in the dark, but I
got the right answer to the teacher's question./
[shot through with] Full of. * /His speech was shot through with
praise for the president./ * /Jane's letter was shot through with
hints for a pony./
[shoulder] See: CHIP ON ONE'S SHOULDER, COLD SHOULDER, GOOD HEAD ON
ONE'S SHOULDERS, HEAD AND SHOULDERS, PUT ONE'S SHOULDER TO THE WHEEL,
ON ONE'S SHOULDERS, RUB ELBOWS or RUB SHOULDERS, SQUARE ONE'S
SHOULDERS, WEIGHT OF THE WORLD ON ONE'S SHOULDERS.
[shoulder to cry on] or [to lean on] {n. phr.} A sympathetic person
who is willing to listen to one's complaints and troubles. * /When Ken
left her, Donna needed a shoulder to lean on, and Bob was right there
to fill the role./
[shoulder to shoulder] {adv. phr.} 1. One beside the other;
together. * /The three boys were shoulder to shoulder all during the
working hours./ Compare: SIDE BY SIDE. 2. Each helping the other; in
agreement; together. - Often used with "stand". * /We can win the
fight if we all stand shoulder to shoulder./ Compare: SEE EYE TO EYE.
[shoulder to the wheel] See: PUT ONE'S SHOULDER TO THE WHEEL.
[shout down] {v.} To object loudly to; defeat by shouting. * /Grace
suggested that we give our club money to charity, but she was shouted
down./ * /The crowd shouted down the Mayor's suggestions./
[shout from the housetops] or [shout from the rooftops] {v. phr.},
{informal} To tell everyone; broadcast, especially one's own personal
business. * /Mr. Clark was so happy when his son was born that he
shouted the news from the housetops./ * /When Mary bleached her hair,
her neighbors shouted it from the housetops./
[shouting] See: ALL OVER BUT THE SHOUTING.
[shove down one's throat] or [ram down one's throat] {v. phr.},
{informal} To force you to do or agree to (something not wanted or
liked.) * /We didn't want Mr. Bly to speak at our banquet, but the
planning committee shoved him down our throats./ * /The president was
against the idea, but the club members rammed it down his throat./
[shove off] See: PUSH OFF.
[show] See: GET THE SHOW ON THE ROAD, GO TO SHOW or GO TO PROVE,
ROAD SHOW, STEAL THE SHOW, TALENT SHOW, VARIETY SHOW, WHOLE CHEESE or
WHOLE SHOW.
[show a clean pair of heels] See: TAKE TO ONE'S HEELS.
[show around] {v. phr.} To act as a host or guide to someone; to
show newly arrived people or strangers what's what and where. * /When
Gordon and Rose arrived in Hawaii for the first time, their host
showed them around the islands./
[show cause] {v. phr.} To give a reason or explanation. * /The
judge asked the defendants to show cause why they should not be held
without bail./
[showdown] {n.} A final challenge or confrontation during which
both sides have to use all of their resources. * /You cannot know a
country's military strength until a final showdown occurs./
[showgirl] {n.} One who works as an entertainer in a bar or
nightclub, musical show, etc. * /Several famous Hollywood stars
actually started their careers as showgirls./
[show in] or [out] or [up] or [to the door] {v. phr.} To usher;
conduct; accompany. * /"My husband will show you in," Mary said to the
guests when they arrived at the door./
[showoff] {n.} A boastful person. * /Jim always has to be the
center of attention; he is an insufferable showoff./
[show off] {v. phr.} 1. To put out nicely for people to see;
display; exhibit. * /The Science Fair gave Julia a chance to show off
her shell collection./ * /The girls couldn't wait to show off their
fine needlework to our visitors./ 2. {informal} To try to attract
attention; also, try to attract attention to. * /The children always
show off when we have company./ * /Joe hasn't missed a chance to show
off his muscles since that pretty girl moved in next door./
[show of hands] {n. phr.} An open vote during a meeting when those
who vote "yes" and those who vote "no" hold up their hands to be
counted. * /The chairman said, "I'd like to see a show of hands if
we're ready for the vote."/
[show one's colors] {v. phr.} 1. To show what you are really like.
* /We thought Toby was timid, but he showed his colors when he rescued
the ponies from the burning barn./ 2. To make known what you think or
plan to do. * /Mr. Ryder is afraid that he will lose the election if
he shows his colors on civil rights./ * /We would not help Jim until
he showed his colors./
[show one's face] {v. phr.} To be seen; appear. * /Bill is afraid
to show his face since Tom threatened to beat him up./ * /Judy is a
wonderful mimic but she is too shy to show her face on stage./ *
/After cheating on the test, Chris was ashamed to show his face./
[show one's hand] {v. phr.} To reveal or exhibit one's true and
hitherto hidden purpose. * /Only after becoming Chancellor of Germany
did Adolf Hitler really show his hand and reveal that he intended to
take over other countries./
[show one's teeth] {v. phr.} To show anger; show belligerence. *
/He is a very mild, private person, but during a tough business
negotiation he knows how to show his teeth./
[show signs] See: GIVE SIGNS.
[show the door] {v. phr.} To ask (someone) to go away. * /Ruth was
upsetting the other children, so I showed her the door./ * /Our
neighbors invited themselves to the party and stayed until Harry
showed them the door./
[show up] {v.} 1. To make known the real truth about (someone). *
/The man said he was a mind reader, but he was shown up as a fake./ 2.
To come or bring out; become or make easy to see. * /The detective put
a chemical on the paper, and the fingertips showed up./ * /This test
shows up your weaknesses in arithmetic./ 3. {informal} To come;
appear. * /We had agreed to meet at the gym, but Larry didn't show
up./ * /Only five students showed up for the class meeting./ Compare:
TURN UP(2).
[shrift] See: SHORT SHRIFT.
[shrink] See: HEAD SHRINKER.
[shrug off] or [shrug away] {v.} To act as if you are not
interested and do not care about something; not mind; not let yourself
be bothered or hurt by. * /Alan shrugged off our questions; he would
not tell us what had happened./ * /Muriel shrugged away every attempt
to comfort her./ * /The ballplayer shrugged off the booing of the
fans./ * /Jim cut his hand but he tied a cloth around it and shrugged
it away./
[shudder to think] {v. phr.} To be afraid; hate to think about
something. * /The professor is so strict I shudder to think what his
final exam questions will be like./
[shut] See: KEEP ONE'S MOUTH SHUT, PUT UP or SHUT UP, CLOSE ONE'S
EYES.
[shut down] See: CLOSE DOWN.
[shut-eye] {n.}, {slang} Sleep. * /It's very late. We'd better get
some shut-eye./ * /I'm going to get some shut-eye before the game./
Compare: FORTY WINKS.
[shut off] {v.} 1. To make (something like water or electricity)
stop coming. * /Please shut off the hose before the grass gets too
wet./ Compare: TURN OFF. 2. To be apart; be separated from; also to
separate from. * /Our camp is so far from the highway we feel shut off
from the world when we are there./ * /The sow is so bad tempered we
had to shut it off from its piglets./
[shut one's eyes] See: CLOSE ONE'S EYES.
[shut out] {v.} 1. To prevent from coming in; block. * /During
World War II, Malta managed to shut out most of the Italian and German
bombers by throwing up an effective anti-aircraft screen./ * /The boys
were annoyed by Tom's telling club secrets and shut him out of their
meeting./ 2. To prevent (an opposing team) from scoring throughout an
entire game. * /The Dodgers shut out the Reds, 5-0./
[shut the door] See: CLOSE THE DOOR.
[shut up] {v.} 1. {informal} To stop talking. * /Little Ruthie told
Father about his birthday surprise before Mother could shut her up./ -
Often used as a command; usually considered rude. * /Shut up and let
Joe say something./ * /If you'll shut up for a minute, I'll tell you
our plan./ Syn.: BUTTON YOUR LIP, DRY UP(3), KEEP ONE'S MOUTH SHUT. 2.
To close the doors and windows of. * /We got the house shut up only
minutes before the storm hit./ 3. To close and lock for a definite
period of time. * /The Smiths always spend Labor Day shutting up their
summer home for the year./ * /We got to the store only to find that
the owner had shut up shop for the weekend./ 4. To confine. * /That
dog bites. It should be shut up./ * /John has been shut up with a cold
all week./
[shy] See: ONCE BITTEN, TWICE SHY and BURNT CHILD DREADS THE FIRE.
[shy away] or [shy off] {v.} To avoid; seem frightened or nervous.
* /The boys shied away from our questions./ * /The horse shied off
when Johnny tried to mount it./
[sick] See: TAKE ILL or TAKE SICK.
[sick and tired] {adj.} 1. Feeling strong dislike for something
repeated or continued too long; exasperated; annoyed. * /Jane was sick
and tired of always having to wait for Bill, so when he didn't arrive
on time she left without him./ * /John is sick and tired of having his
studies interrupted./ * /I've been studying all day, and I'm sick and
tired of it./ Compare: FED UP.
[side] See: CHOOSE UP SIDES, FROM SIDE TO SIDE, GET UP ON THE WRONG
SIDE OF THE BED, GRASS IS ALWAYS GREENER ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE
FENCE or GRASS IS ALWAYS GREENER ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE HILL, LAUGH
ON THE WRONG SIDE OF ONE'S MOUTH, ON ONE'S BAD SIDE, ON ONE'S GOOD
SIDE, ON THE SIDE, SUNNY-SIDE UP, TAKE SIDES, THORN IN THE FLESH or
THORN IN THE SIDE.
[side against] {v.} To join or be on the side that is against;
disagree with; oppose. * /Bill and Joe sided against me in the
argument./ * /We sided against the plan to go by plane./ Contrast:
SIDE WITH.
[side by side] {adv.} 1. One beside the other in a row. * /Alice's
dolls were lined up side by side on the window seat./ * /Charles and
John are neighbors; they live side by side on Elm Street./ Compare:
SHOULDER TO SHOULDER. 2. Close together. * /The two boys played side
by side all afternoon./
[sidekick] {n.} A companion; a close friend of lesser status. *
/Wherever you see Dr. Howell, Dr. Percy, his youthful sidekick is sure
to be present as well./
[side of the tracks] See: THE TRACKS.
[side street] {n.} A street that runs into and ends at a main
street. * /The store is on a side street just off Main Street./ * /The
Spellmans bought a house on a side street that runs off Broad Street./
Compare: BACK STREET, CROSS STREET.
[side with] {v.} To agree with; help. * /Alan always sides with
Johnny in an argument./ * /Gerald sided with the plan to move the
club./ Contrast: SIDE AGAINST.
[sight] See: AT FIRST GLANCE or AT FIRST SIGHT, AT SIGHT or ON
SIGHT, CATCH SIGHT OF, HEAVE IN SIGHT, LOSE SIGHT OF, ON SIGHT, SET
ONE'S SIGHTS.
[sight for sore eyes] {n. phr.}, {informal} A welcome sight. *
/After our long, dusty hike, the pond was a sight for sore eyes./ *
/"Jack! You're a sight for sore eyes!"/
[sight-read] {v.} To be able to play music without memorization by
reading the sheet music and immediately playing it. * /Experienced,
good musicians are expected to be able to sight-read./
[sight unseen] {adv. phr.} Before seeing it; before seeing her,
him, or them. * /Tom read an ad about a car and sent the money for it
sight unseen./
[sign] See: HIGH SIGN, INDIAN SIGN, ROAD SIGN.
[sign in] {v.} To write your name on a special list or in a record
book to show that you are present. * /Every worker must sign in when
coming back to work./ * /Teachers go to the office and sign in each
morning before going to their classrooms./ Contrast SIGN OUT.
[sign off] {v.} 1. To end a program on radio or television. * /That
TV newscaster always signs off by saluting./ 2. To stop broadcasting
for the day. * /That TV station always signs off after the late
movie./
[sign of the times] {n. phr.} A characteristic of the times in
which one lives. * /It is a sad sign of the times that all the major
lakes and rivers are badly polluted and fish in them are poisoned./
[sign on] {v. phr.} 1. To sign an agreement to become an employee.
* /The new cowboys signed on with the wealthy rancher in Nevada./ 2.
To start a radio or television broadcast. * /Station WLAK signs on
every morning at 6 A.M./ Contrast: SIGN OFF.
[sign one's own death warrant] {v. phr.} To cause your own death or
the loss of something you want very much. * /Mr. Carter had lung
trouble, and the doctor told him he would sign his own death warrant
if he didn't stop smoking./ * /When Jim's fiancee saw him on a date
with another girl, he signed his own death warrant./
[sign on the dotted line] {v. phr.} To attach one's signature on an
important document, such as a contract, a bill of sales, etc. * /The
seller said to the buyer, "All you need to do is sign on the dotted
line."/
[sign out] {v.} To write your name on a special list or in a record
book to show that you are leaving a place. * /Most of the students
sign out on Friday./ Contrast SIGN IN.
[sign over] {v.} To give legally by signing your name. * /He signed
his house over to his wife./
[sign up] {v.} 1. To promise to do something by signing your name;
join; sign an agreement. * /We will not have the picnic unless more
people sign up./ * /John wants to sign up for the contest./ * /Miss
Carter has signed up to be the chaperone at the dance./ 2. To write
the name of (a person or thing) to be in an activity; also, to
persuade (someone) to do something. * /Betty decided to sign up her
dog for obedience training./ * /The superintendent has signed up three
new teachers for next year./
[signed, sealed, and delivered] {adj. phr.} Finished; completed; in
a state of completion. * /"How is the campus renovation plan for the
governor's office coming along?" the dean of the college asked.
"Signed, sealed, and delivered," his assistant answered./ Compare: CUT
AND DRIED; HOOK, LINE AND SINKER.
[silence gives consent] If you say nothing or do not say no to
something, it means that you agree. - A proverb. * /Don't be afraid to
say, if you don't like something. Silence gives consent./
[silent majority] {n.}, {informal} The large majority of people
who, unlike the militants, do not make their political and social
views known by marching and demonstrating and who, presumably, can
swing an election one way or the other. * /Sidney Miltner is a member
of the silent majority./
[silver] See: BORN WITH A SILVER SPOON IN ONE'S MOUTH, EVERY CLOUD
HAS A SILVER LINING, HAND SOMETHING TO ONE ON A SILVER PLATTER.
[silver anniversary] or [wedding] {n. phr.} The twenty-fifth
wedding anniversary of a couple; the twenty-fifth anniversary of a
business or an association, etc. * /"The day after tomorrow is Mom and
Dad's silver anniversary," Sue said to her brother. "I hope you have a
nice present picked out."/
[simmer down] {v.}, {informal} To become less angry or excited;
become calmer. * /Tom got mad, but soon simmered down./
[Simon Legree] {n.}, {informal} A strict person, especially a boss,
who makes others work very hard. * /Don't talk on the job; the boss is
a real Simon Legree./ * /Everybody avoids the foreman. He acts like a
Simon Legree./
[simple] See: PURE AND SIMPLE.
[sing a different tune] or [whistle a different tune] also [sing a
new tune] {v. phr.}, {informal} To talk or act in the opposite way;
contradict something said before. * /Charles said that all smokers
should be expelled from the team but he sang a different tune after
the coach caught him smoking./ Syn.: CHANGE ONE'S TUNE, DANCE TO
ANOTHER TUNE. Compare: LAUGH OUT OF THE OTHER SIDE OF ONE'S MOUTH.
[sing for one's supper] {v. phr.}, {informal} To have to work for
what one desires. * /I realized a long time ago that I had to sing for
my supper if I wanted to get ahead in my profession./
[sing in tune] See: IN TUNE.
[single] See: EVERY SINGLE.
[single out] {v. phr.} To select or choose one from among many. *
/There were a lot of pretty girls at the high school prom but Don
immediately singled out Sally./
[sing one's praises] {v. phr.} To extol or praise continuously. *
/The audience left the concert with everyone singing the praises of
the young piano virtuoso./
[sing out of tune] See: OUT OF TUNE.
[sink] See: HEART SINKS.
[sinker] See: HOOK, LINE AND SINKER.
[sink in] or [soak in] {v.}, {informal} To be completely
understood; be fully realized or felt. * /Everybody laughed at the
joke but Joe; it took a moment for it to sink in before he laughed
too./ * /When Frank heard that war had started, it didn't sink in for
a long time until his father was drafted into the army./ Compare:
BRING HOME.
[sink one's teeth into] See: GET ONE'S TEETH INTO.
[sink or swim] {v. phr.} To succeed or fail by your own efforts,
without help or interference from anyone else; fail if you don't work
hard to succeed. * /When Joe was fourteen, his parents died, and he
was left by himself to sink or swim./ * /Tom's new job was confusing
and no one had time to help him learn, so he had to sink or swim./
[sit] See: GO SIT ON A TACK, ON THE FENCE also FENCE-SITTING.
[sit back] {v.} 1. To be built a distance away; stand away (as from
a street). * /Our house sits back from the road./ 2. To relax; rest,
often while others are working; take time out. * /Sit back for a
minute and think about what you have done./
[sit by] {v.} 1. To stay near; watch and care for. * /The nurse was
told to sit by the patient until he woke up./ * /Mother sat by her
sick baby all night./ 2. To sit and watch or rest especially while
others work. * /Don't just sit idly by while the other children are
all busy./
[sit down] {v.} To sit on a seat or resting place. * /After gym
class Jim was tired and was glad to sit down and rest./
[sit in] {v.} 1. To be a member; participate. * /We're having a
conference and we'd like you to sit in./ also [sit in on]: To be a
member of; participate in. * /We want you to sit in on the meeting./
2. To attend but not participate. Often used with "on". * /Our teacher
was invited to sit in on the conference./ Compare: LOOK ON.
[sit on] {v.} 1. To be a member of (a jury, board, commission),
etc. * /Mr. Brown sat on the jury at the trial./ 2. {informal} To
prevent from starting or doing something; squelch. * /The teacher sat
on Fred before he could get started with the long story./ * /The
teacher sat on Joe as soon as he began showing off./
[sit on a bomb] or [bombshell] {v. phr.}, {informal} To be in
possession of anything that is potentially disastrous or dangerous. *
/The finance department will be sitting on a bomb unless it finds a
way to cut overhead expenses./
[sit on a volcano] {v.}, {informal} 1. To be in a place where
trouble may start or danger may come suddenly. * /Bob was in that part
of South America before the revolution began. He knew he was sitting
on a volcano./ * /The policemen who patrolled the big city slum area
that summer were sitting on a volcano./
[sit on one's hands] {v. phr.}, {informal} To do nothing; fail or
refuse to do anything. * /We asked Bill for help with our project, but
he sat on his hands./
[sit on the fence] See: ON THE FENCE.
[sit out] {v.} To not take part in. * /The next dance is a polka.
Let's sit it out./ * /Toby had to sit out the last half of the game
because his knee hurt./
[sitter] See: ON THE FENCE also FENCE-SITTER.
[sitting on a powder keg] See: SIT ON A VOLCANO.
[sit through] {v.} To watch or listen until (something) is
finished. * /The show was so boring that we could hardly sit through
the first act./ * /Elaine liked the movie so much that she sat through
three showings./
[sit tight] {v. phr.}, {informal} To make no move or change; stay
where you are. - Often used as a command. * /Sit tight; I'll be ready
to go in a few minutes./ * /The doctor said to sit tight until he
arrived./ * /The gangsters sat tight in the mountains while the police
looked for them./ Compare: STAND PAT.
[sitting on top of the world] See: ON TOP OF THE WORLD.
[sitting pretty] {adj.}, {slang} To be in a lucky position. * /The
new library is sitting pretty because a wealthy woman gave it $10,000
worth of reference books./ * /Mr. Jones was sitting pretty until his
$25,000-a-year job was dropped by the company./
[sit up] {v.} 1. To move into a sitting position. * /Joe sat up
when he heard the knock on his bedroom door./ 2. To stay awake instead
of going to bed. * /Mrs. Jones will sit up until both of her daughters
get home from the dance./ * /We sat up until two A.M. hoping for news
from Alaska./ 3. {informal} To be surprised. * /Janice really sat up
when I told her the gossip about Tom./
[sit-up] {n.} A vigorous exercise in which the abdominal muscles
are strengthened by locking one's feet in a fastening device and
sitting up numerous times. * /Do a few sit-ups if you want to reduce
your waist./
[sit up and take notice] {v. phr.}, {informal} To be surprised into
noticing something. * /Grace had never impressed her teachers. Hearing
that she had won the essay contest made them sit up and take notice./
* /George's sudden success made the town sit up and take notice./
[sit up for] {v. phr.} To wait until after the usual bedtime for
someone's return. * /Mrs. Smith always sits up for her two daughters,
no matter how late it is./
[sit up with] {v. phr.} To be with; particularly to keep someone
ill company. * /Mrs. Brown sat up with her sick husband all night in
the hospital room./
[sit well (with)] {v.} Find favor with; please. * /The reduced
school budget did not sit well with the teachers./
[sit with] {v.}, {informal} To be accepted by; affect. - Used in
interrogative sentences and in negative sentences modified by "well".
* /How did your story sit with your mother?/ * /Bob's poor
sportsmanship doesn't sit well with the coach./
white snow./ * /A small gold pin set off her plain dark dress./ 2. To
balance; make somewhat equal. * /Her great wealth, as he thought, set
off her plain face./ 3a. To begin to go. * /They set off for the West
in a covered wagon./ Compare: SET OUT. 3b. To cause to begin. * /A
letter from home set off an attack of homesickness./ * /An atomic
explosion is created by setting off a chain reaction in the atom./
Compare: TOUCH OFF. 3c. To cause to explode. * /On July 4 we set off
firecrackers in many places./
[set of new threads] {n. phr.} New men's suit. * /"Nice set of new
threads'" Ed said, when he saw Dave in his new tailor-made outfit./
[set on] also [set upon] {v.} 1. To begin suddenly to fight
against; attack fiercely. * /Tom was walking through the park when a
gang of boys set on him./ 2. To cause to attack. * /Some boys went to
steal melons but the farmer set his dog on them./
[set one's cap for] {v. phr.}, {informal} To attempt to win the
love of or to marry. * /Usually used of a girl or woman./ * /The young
girl set her cap for the new town doctor, who was a bachelor./
[set one's face against] {v. phr.}, {literary} To be very much
against; strongly disapprove. * /The banker's daughter wanted to marry
a poor boy, but her father set his face against it./
[set one's hand to] See: PUT ONE'S HAND TO.
[set one's hand to the plow] See: PUT ONE'S HAND TO THE PLOW.
[set one's heart on] {v. phr.} To want very much. * /He set his
heart on that bike./ also: To be very desirous of; hope very much to
succeed in. - Used with a verbal noun. * /He set his heart on winning
the race./
[set one's house in order] See: PUT ONE'S HOUSE IN ORDER.
[set one's mind at rest] {v. phr.} To relieve someone's anxieties;
reassure someone. * /"Lef me set your mind at rest about the
operation," Dr. Vanek said. "You'll be back on your feet in a week."/
[set one's mind on] {v. phr.} To be determined to; decide to. * /He
has set his mind on buying an old chateau in France./
[set one's sights] {v. phr.} 1. To want to reach; aim for. * /John
has set his sights higher than the job he has now./ 2. To wish to get
or win. * /Owen set his sights on the championship./
[set one's teeth on edge] {v. phr.} 1. To have a sharp sour taste
that makes you rub your teeth together. * /The lemon juice set my
teeth on edge./ 2. To make one feel nervous or annoyed. * /She looks
so mean that her face sets my teeth on edge./
[set on foot] See: ON FOOT.
[set out] {v.} 1. To leave on a journey or voyage. * /The Pilgrims
set out for the New World./ Compare: SET FORTH(2), SET OFF(4), START
OUT. 2. To decide and begin to try; attempt. * /George set out to
improve his pitching./ 3. To plant in the ground. * /The gardener set
out some tomato seedlings./
[set right] {v. phr.} To discipline; correct; indicate the correct
procedure. * /"Your bookkeeping is all messed up," the accountant
said. "Let me set it right for you, once and for all."/
[set sail] {v. phr.} To begin a sea voyage; start sailing. * /The
ship set sail for Europe./
[set store by] {v. phr.}, {informal} To like or value; want to
keep. Used with a qualifying word between "set" and "store". * /George
sets great store by that old tennis racket./ * /Pat doesn't set much
store by Mike's advice./
[set the ball rolling] See: GET THE BALL ROLLING.
[set the pace] {v. phr.} To decide on a rate of speed of travel or
rules that are followed by others. * /The scoutmaster set the pace so
that the shorter boys would not get tired trying to keep up./ *
/Louise set the pace in selling tickets for the school play./ -
[pace-setter] {n.} * /John is the pace-setter of the class./ -
[pace-setting] {adj.} * /Bob's time in the cross-country race was
pace-setting./ * /The country is growing at a pace-setting rate./
[set the stage for] {v. phr.} To prepare the way or situation for
(an event); to make a situation ready for something to happen. * /The
country's economic problems set the stage for a depression./
[set the world on fire] {v. phr.}, {informal} To do something
outstanding; act in a way that attracts much attention or makes you
famous. * /John works hard, but he will never set the world on fire./
* /Mary could set the world on fire with her piano playing./
[setting-up] {adj.} Done early in the morning to make you fresh and
feel strong for the day. * /Tom jumped out of bed and did his
setting-up exercises./ Compare: DAILY DOZEN.
[settle a score] also [wipe out an old score] To hurt (someone) in
return for a wrong or loss. * /John settled an old score with Bob by
beating him./ Compare: GET BACK AT, GET EVEN.
[settle down] {v.} 1. To live more quietly and sensibly; have a
regular place to live and a regular job; stop acting wildly or
carelessly, especially by growing up. * /John will settle down after
he gets a job and gets married./ 2. To become quiet, calm, or
comfortable. * /Father settled down with the newspaper./ * /The house
settled down for the night after the children were put to bed./ * /The
teacher told the students to settle down and study the lesson./
[settle for] {v.} To be satisfied with (less) agree to; accept. *
/Jim wanted $200 for his old car, but he settled for $100./
[settle on] {v. phr.} To decide which one to choose among various
alternatives. * /My parents have been debating what kind of a car to
get and have finally settled on a BMW from Germany./
[settle up] {v. phr.} To pay up; conclude monetary or other
transactions. * /"Let's settle up," Carol's attorney said, when she
sued Don for a hefty sum of money after their divorce./
[set to] {v.} 1. To make a serious beginning. * /Charlie took a
helping of turkey, grabbed his knife and fork, and set to./ 2. To
start to fight. * /One man called the other a liar and they set to./
[set to music] {v. phr.} To compose a musical accompaniment to
verse. * /Schubert and Beethoven both set to music many a famous poem
by Goethe and Schiller./
[set to rights] See: PUT TO RIGHTS.
[set tongues wagging] See: TONGUES WAG.
[setup] {v.} 1. To provide the money for the necessities for. *
/When he was twenty-one, his father set him up in the clothing
business./ 2. To establish; start. * /The government has set up many
hospitals for veterans of the armed forces./ 3. To make ready for use
by putting the parts together or into their right place. * /The men
set up the new printing press./ 4. To bring into being; cause. *
/Ocean tides are set up by the pull between earth and the moon./ 5. To
claim; pretend. * /He set himself up to be a graduate of a medical
school, but he was not./ 6. To harm someone by entrapment or some
other ruse. * /Joe was actually innocent of the robbery, but his
"trusted friends" set him up, so the police found the gun in his car./
[setup] {n. phr.} (stress on "set") 1. Arrangement, management,
circumstances. * /Boy, you really have a wonderful setup in your
office!/ * /I just can't do my work in such a messy setup!/ 2.
Financial arrangement. * /It is a fairly generous setup sending your
uncle $1,000 a month./
[set upon] See: SET ON.
[seven] See: AT SIXES AND SEVENS.
[seventh heaven] {n. phr.}, {literary} The pinnacle of happiness. *
/We were in seventh heaven when the helicopter flew us over the
magnificent Grand Canyon./
[sewed up] {adj. phr.}, {informal} Won or arranged as you wish;
decided. * /They thought they had the game sewed up, but the other
team won it with a touchdown in the last quarter./ * /Dick thought he
had the job sewed up, but another boy got it./ Compare: IN THE BAG.
[sexual harassment] {n. phr.} The act of constantly making unwanted
advances of a sexual nature for which the offended party may seek
legal redress. * /The court fined Wilbur Catwallender $750,000 for
sexual harassment of two of his female employees./
[shack up with] {v. phr.}, {slang} To move in with (someone) of the
opposite sex without marrying the person. * /Did you know that Ollie
and Sue aren't married? They just decided to shack up for a while./
See: LIGHT HOUSEKEEPING.
[shadow] See: AFRAID OF ONE'S SHADOW, EYE SHADOW.
[shaggy dog (story)] {n. phr.} A special kind of joke whose long
and often convoluted introduction and development delay the effect of
the punch line. * /Uncle Joe only seems to bore his audiences with his
long shaggy dog jokes, for when he comes to the long-awaited punch
line, he gets very few laughs./
[shake] See: MORE THAN ONE COULD SHAKE A STICK AT.
[shake a leg] {v. phr.}, {slang} To go fast; hurry. * /Shake a leg!
The bus won't wait./ Compare: STEP ON IT.
[shakedown] {n.} 1. A test. * /Let's take the new car out and give
it a shakedown./ 2. An act of extorting money by threatening. * /It
was a nasty shakedown, to get $500 from the old man, promising to
protect him./
[shake down] {v. phr.} 1. To cause to fall by shaking. * /He shook
some pears down from the free./ 2. {informal} To test, practice, get
running smoothly (a ship or ship's crew). * /The captain shook down
his new ship on a voyage to the Mediterranean Sea./ 3. {slang} To get
money from by threats. * /The gangsters shook the store owner down
every month./
[shake in one's shoes] or [shake in one's boots] {v. phr.},
{informal} To be very much afraid. * /The robber shook in his boots
when the police knocked on his door./
[shake off] {v.}, {informal} To get away from when followed; get
rid of; escape from. * /A convict escaped from prison and shook off
the officers trying to follow him./ * /Tom could not shake off his
cold./
[shake the dust from one's feet] {v. phr.} To depart or leave with
some measure of disgust or displeasure. * /Jim was so unhappy in our
small, provincial town that he was glad to shake the dust from his
feet and move to New York./
[shake up] {v.}, {informal} To bother; worry; disturb. * /The
notice about a cut in pay shook up everybody in the office./
[shake-up] {n.} A change; a reorganization. * /After the scandal
there was a major shake-up in the Cabinet./
[shame] See: FOR SHAME, PUT TO SHAME.
[shape] See: IN SHAPE, OUT OF SHAPE, TAKE SHAPE.
[shape up] {v. phr.}, {informal} 1. To begin to act or work right;
get along satisfactorily. * /If the new boy doesn't begin to shape up
soon, he'll have to leave school./ * /"How is the building of the new
gym coming along?" "Fine. It's shaping up very well."/ 2. To show
promise. * /Plans for our picnic are shaping up very well./
[shape up or ship out] {v. phr.}, {informal} To either improve
one's disposition or behavior, or quit or leave. * /When Paul
neglected to carry out his part of the research work that Professor
Brown had assigned him with for the fifth time, the professor cried,
"Shape up, or ship out, Paul. I have lost my patience with you!"/
[sharp] See: LOOK SHARP.
[sharp as a tack] {adj. phr.} 1. Very neatly and stylishly dressed
* /That new boy always looks sharp as a tack in class./ 2. Very
intelligent; smart; quick-witted. * /Tom is sharp as a tack; he got
100 on every test./
[shed light on] or upon See: CAST LIGHT ON; THROW LIGHT ON.
[sheep] See: WOLF IN SHEEP'S CLOTHING.
[sheepskin] {n.} Diploma. * /Dr. Miller has half a dozen different
sheepskins hanging on the wall of his office./
[sheet] See: SCANDAL SHEET, THREE SHEETS IN THE WIND or THREE
SHEETS TO THE WIND.
[shelf] See: ON THE SHELF.
[shell] See: IN ONE'S SHELL or INTO ONE'S SHELL, OUT OF ONE'S
SHELL.
[shell out] {v.}, {informal} To pay or spend. * /Dick had to shell
out a lot of money for his new car./
[shift for oneself] {v. phr.} To live or act independently with no
help, guidance or protection from others; take care of yourself. *
/Mrs. McCarthy was forced to shift for herself after her husband
died./
[shine] See: RAIN OR SHINE, TAKE A SHINE TO.
[shine up to] {v.}, {slang} To try to please; try to make friends
with. * /Smedley shines up to all the pretty girls./
[shingle] See: HANG OUT ONE'S SHINGLE.
[ship] See: GIVE UP THE SHIP, LANDING SHIP.
[ship come in] All the money a person has wished for is received;
wealth comes to a person. Used with a possessive. * /When my ship
comes in, I will take a trip to Norway./ * /Mr. Brown is just waiting
for his ship to come in./
[ship out] {v.} To begin a journey; leave. * /The army group
shipped out for the Far East today./
[shipshape] {adj.} In perfect condition; in good order. * /After we
left the islands, we left the rented car shipshape for the next
driver./
[shirk one's duty] {v. phr.} To be negligent or irresponsible. *
/If you continue to shirk your duty, you can expect to be fired./
[shirt] See: GIVE THE SHIRT OFF ONE'S BACK, KEEP ONE'S SHIRT ON,
LOSE ONE'S SHIRT.
[shoe] See: COMFORTABLE AS AN OLD SHOE, COMMON AS AN OLD SHOE, FILL
ONE'S SHOES, IF THE SHOE FITS, WEAR IT, IN ONE'S SHOES, SHAKE IN ONE'S
SHOES, SADDLE SHOE, STEP INTO ONE'S SHOES, WHERE THE SHOE PINCHES.
[shoe on the other foot] The opposite is true; places are changed.
* /He was my captain in the army but now the shoe is on the other
foot./
[shoestring] See: ON A SHOESTRING.
[shoestring catch] {n.} A catch of a hit baseball just before it
hits the ground. * /The left fielder made a shoestring catch of a line
drive to end the inning./
[shoo away] {v. phr.} To frighten or chase away. * /When the
children gathered around the new sports car, we shooed them away./
[shoo-in] {n.}, {informal} Someone or something that is expected to
win; a favorite; sure winner. * /Chris is a shoo-in to win a
scholarship./ * /Do you think he will win the election? He's a
shoo-in./ * /This horse is a shoo-in. He can't miss winning./ Syn.:
SURE THING(1).
[shoot ahead of] or [past] or [through] or [alongside of] {v. phr.}
To move or drive ahead rapidly. * /As we had to slow down before the
tunnel, a red sports car shot ahead of us./
[shoot a line] See: DROP A LINE.
[shoot from the hip] {v. phr.}, {informal} 1. To fire a gun held at
the hip without aiming by aligning the barrel with one's eye. * /In
many Western movies the heroic sheriff defeats the villains by
shooting from the hip./ 2. To speak sincerely, frankly, and without
subterfuge. * /"What kind of an administrator will Mr. Brown be?" the
head of the search committee asked. "He shoots straight from the hip,"
he was assured./
[shoot off one's mouth] or [shoot off one's face] {v. phr.},
{slang} To give opinions without knowing all the facts; talk as if you
know everything. * /Tom has never been to Florida, but he's always
shooting his mouth off about how superior Florida is to California./ *
/I want to study the problem before I shoot off my face./ * /The
editor of the newspaper is always shooting his mouth off about the
trouble in Africa./
[shoot one's wad] {v. phr.} {slang}, {colloquial} 1. To spend all
of one's money. * /We've shot our wad for the summer and can't buy any
new garden furniture./ 2. To say everything that is on one's mind. *
/Joe feels a lot better now that he's shot his wad at the meeting./
[shoot out] {v.} 1. To fight with guns until one person or side is
wounded or killed; settle a fight by shooting. - Used with "it". *
/The cornered bank robbers decided to shoot it out with the police./ *
/The moment she opened the door, the cat shot out and ran around the
house./ * /During the last half-minute of the race, Dick shot out in
front of the other runners./
[shoot questions at] {v. phr.} To interrogate rapidly and
vigorously. * /The attorney for the prosecution shot one question
after another at the nervous witness./
[shoot straight] or [shoot square] {v.}, {informal} To act fairly;
deal honestly. * /You can trust that salesman; he shoots straight with
his customers./ * /We get along well because we always shoot square
with each other./ - [straight shooter] or [square shooter] {n.},
{informal} /Bill is a square-shooter./ - [straight-shooting] {adj. } *
/The boys all liked the straight-shooting coach./
[shoot the breeze] or [bat the breeze] or [fan the breeze] or
[shoot the bull] {v. phr.}, {slang} To talk. * /Jim shot the breeze
with his neighbor while the children were playing./ * /Come into the
kitchen and we'll bat the breeze over a cup of coffee./ * /The women
were shooting the breeze about Jim's latest trouble with the police./
* /The fishermen were shooting the bull about the school of sail fish
they had seen./
[shoot the works] {v. phr.}, {slang} 1. To spare no expense or
effort; get or give everything. * /Billy shot the works when he bought
his bicycle; he got a bell, a light, a basket, and chrome trimmings on
it, too./ * /The Greens shot the works on their daughter's wedding
reception./ 2. To go the limit; take a risk. * /The motor of Tom's
boat was dangerously hot, but he decided to shoot the works and try to
win the race./
[shoot up] {v.} 1. To grow quickly. * /Billy had always been a
small boy, but when he was thirteen years old he began to shoot up./
2. To arise suddenly. * /As we watched, flames shot up from the roof
of the barn./ 3. {informal} To shoot or shoot at recklessly; shoot and
hurt badly. * /The cowboys got drunk and shot up the bar room./ * /The
soldier was shot up very badly./ 4. To take drugs by injection. * /A
heroin addict will shoot up as often as he can./
[shop] See: CLOSE UP SHOP, TALK SHOP.
[shop around for] {v. phr.} To make the rounds of various
commercial establishments in order to find the most economical answer
for one's needs. * /We've been shopping around for a larger
condominium that is affordable, and near the university./
[shoplifter] {n.} A thief who steals things from a store. * /The TV
camera identified the shoplifter, who was then arrested and sentenced
to jail./
[shopping center] {n.} A place usually for neighborhood shopping,
where there is a group of stores and shops inside of a large parking
lot. * /There is a bowling alley at the nearest shopping center./ *
/All the stores in our shopping center stay open until nine o'clock on
Friday evenings./
[shopworn] {adj.} A piece of merchandise that is offered below the
usual price because it is slightly damaged or soiled. * /Although
shopworn, the jacket was perfectly usable, so he eagerly bought it./
[shore leave] {n.} Permission given to a man in the Navy to leave
his ship and go where he wants for a certain length of time. * /Jim
went to visit New York when he was given three days' shore leave./ *
/The ship did not dock long enough for the sailors to get shore
leave./
[shore patrol] {n.} The police of a navy. * /The sailors who were
fighting in town were arrested by the shore patrol./ * /The shore
patrol was ordered to search every sailor who went on board the ship./
[shore up] {v.} To add support to (something) where weakness is
shown; make (something) stronger where support is needed; support. *
/When the flood waters weakened the bridge, it was shored up with
steel beams and sandbags until it could be rebuilt./ * /The coach sent
in a substitute guard to shore up the line when Fitchburg began to
break through./
[shorn] See: GOD TEMPERS THE WIND TO THE SHORN LAMB.
[short] See: CAUGHT SHORT, FALL SHORT, FOR SHORT, IN BRIEF or IN
SHORT, IN SHORT ORDER, IN SHORT SUPPLY, MAKE SHORT WORK OF, RUN SHORT,
SELL SHORT, THE LONG AND THE SHORT.
[short and sweet] {adj.} Brief and to the point. * /Henry's note to
his father was short and sweet. He wrote, "Dear Dad, please send me
$5. Love, Henry."/
[shortchange] {v. phr.} To return less money to a customer in a
store than is coming to him or her; cheat. * /I was shortchanged by
the cashier when I got seven dollars back instead of eight./
[shortcut] {n.} A road shorter than the one that people normally
take. * /We can save twenty minutes if we take this shortcut over the
hill./
[short end] {n.} The worst or most unpleasant part. * /The new boy
got the short end of it because all the comfortable beds in the
dormitory had been taken before he arrived./ * /The girls who served
refreshments at the party got the short end of it. When everybody had
been served, there was no cake left for them./
[shorthanded] {adj.} Understaffed; short on workers. * /With
several employees gone for the holiday weekend and two dozen people in
line, the rent-a-car agency suddenly found itself terribly
shorthanded./
[short haul] {n.} A short distance; a short trip. * /The
Scoutmaster said that it was just a short haul to the lake./ * /The
man from the moving company said they did not make short hauls, so we
hired a truck to move our furniture three blocks to our new house./
Contrast: LONG HAUL.
[short list] or [short-listed] {v. phr.} To place on the list of
select finalists for a job. * /Only three of the twenty-seven
applicants were short-listed for the assistant professorial vacancy in
our department./
[short of(1)] {adj. phr.} 1. Less or worse than. * /Don't do
anything short of your best./ 2. Not having enough. * /We did not buy
anything because we were short of money./ * /The girls were asked to
wait on tables because the kitchen was short of help./
[short of(2)] {adv. phr.} Away from; at a distance from. * /The
day's drive still left us a hundred miles short of the ocean./ * /The
golfer's shot fell far short of the hole./
[short of breath] {adj.} Panting and wheezing. * /He ran up six
flights of stairs so rapidly that he was short of breath for several
minutes./
[short-order cook] {n.} A person who prepares food that cooks
quickly. * /Bruce found a summer job as a short-order cook in a
drive-in restaurant./ * /The new diner needs another short-order
cook./ Compare: SLING HASH.
[short shrift] {n.} Little or no attention. - Usually used with
"get" or "give". * /In books about jobs, women's work is consistently
given short shrift./
[short-spoken] {adj.} Using so few words that you seem impatient or
angry; speaking in a short impatient way; saying as little as possible
in an unfriendly way. * /Jim is always short-spoken when he is tired./
* /We were hoping to borrow Dad's car, but he was so short-spoken when
he came home that we were afraid to ask./
[shot] See: BIG CHEESE or BIG SHOT, BY A LONG SHOT, CALL ONE'S
SHOT, CALL THE SHOTS, FOUL SHOT, LONG SHOT.
[shot in the arm] {n. phr.}, {informal} Something inspiring or
encouraging. * /The general's appearance was a shot in the arm for the
weary soldiers./ * /We were ready to quit, but the coach's talk was a
shot in the arm./
[shot in the dark] {n. phr.} An attempt without much hope or chance
of succeeding; a wild guess. * /A was just a shot in the dark, but I
got the right answer to the teacher's question./
[shot through with] Full of. * /His speech was shot through with
praise for the president./ * /Jane's letter was shot through with
hints for a pony./
[shoulder] See: CHIP ON ONE'S SHOULDER, COLD SHOULDER, GOOD HEAD ON
ONE'S SHOULDERS, HEAD AND SHOULDERS, PUT ONE'S SHOULDER TO THE WHEEL,
ON ONE'S SHOULDERS, RUB ELBOWS or RUB SHOULDERS, SQUARE ONE'S
SHOULDERS, WEIGHT OF THE WORLD ON ONE'S SHOULDERS.
[shoulder to cry on] or [to lean on] {n. phr.} A sympathetic person
who is willing to listen to one's complaints and troubles. * /When Ken
left her, Donna needed a shoulder to lean on, and Bob was right there
to fill the role./
[shoulder to shoulder] {adv. phr.} 1. One beside the other;
together. * /The three boys were shoulder to shoulder all during the
working hours./ Compare: SIDE BY SIDE. 2. Each helping the other; in
agreement; together. - Often used with "stand". * /We can win the
fight if we all stand shoulder to shoulder./ Compare: SEE EYE TO EYE.
[shoulder to the wheel] See: PUT ONE'S SHOULDER TO THE WHEEL.
[shout down] {v.} To object loudly to; defeat by shouting. * /Grace
suggested that we give our club money to charity, but she was shouted
down./ * /The crowd shouted down the Mayor's suggestions./
[shout from the housetops] or [shout from the rooftops] {v. phr.},
{informal} To tell everyone; broadcast, especially one's own personal
business. * /Mr. Clark was so happy when his son was born that he
shouted the news from the housetops./ * /When Mary bleached her hair,
her neighbors shouted it from the housetops./
[shouting] See: ALL OVER BUT THE SHOUTING.
[shove down one's throat] or [ram down one's throat] {v. phr.},
{informal} To force you to do or agree to (something not wanted or
liked.) * /We didn't want Mr. Bly to speak at our banquet, but the
planning committee shoved him down our throats./ * /The president was
against the idea, but the club members rammed it down his throat./
[shove off] See: PUSH OFF.
[show] See: GET THE SHOW ON THE ROAD, GO TO SHOW or GO TO PROVE,
ROAD SHOW, STEAL THE SHOW, TALENT SHOW, VARIETY SHOW, WHOLE CHEESE or
WHOLE SHOW.
[show a clean pair of heels] See: TAKE TO ONE'S HEELS.
[show around] {v. phr.} To act as a host or guide to someone; to
show newly arrived people or strangers what's what and where. * /When
Gordon and Rose arrived in Hawaii for the first time, their host
showed them around the islands./
[show cause] {v. phr.} To give a reason or explanation. * /The
judge asked the defendants to show cause why they should not be held
without bail./
[showdown] {n.} A final challenge or confrontation during which
both sides have to use all of their resources. * /You cannot know a
country's military strength until a final showdown occurs./
[showgirl] {n.} One who works as an entertainer in a bar or
nightclub, musical show, etc. * /Several famous Hollywood stars
actually started their careers as showgirls./
[show in] or [out] or [up] or [to the door] {v. phr.} To usher;
conduct; accompany. * /"My husband will show you in," Mary said to the
guests when they arrived at the door./
[showoff] {n.} A boastful person. * /Jim always has to be the
center of attention; he is an insufferable showoff./
[show off] {v. phr.} 1. To put out nicely for people to see;
display; exhibit. * /The Science Fair gave Julia a chance to show off
her shell collection./ * /The girls couldn't wait to show off their
fine needlework to our visitors./ 2. {informal} To try to attract
attention; also, try to attract attention to. * /The children always
show off when we have company./ * /Joe hasn't missed a chance to show
off his muscles since that pretty girl moved in next door./
[show of hands] {n. phr.} An open vote during a meeting when those
who vote "yes" and those who vote "no" hold up their hands to be
counted. * /The chairman said, "I'd like to see a show of hands if
we're ready for the vote."/
[show one's colors] {v. phr.} 1. To show what you are really like.
* /We thought Toby was timid, but he showed his colors when he rescued
the ponies from the burning barn./ 2. To make known what you think or
plan to do. * /Mr. Ryder is afraid that he will lose the election if
he shows his colors on civil rights./ * /We would not help Jim until
he showed his colors./
[show one's face] {v. phr.} To be seen; appear. * /Bill is afraid
to show his face since Tom threatened to beat him up./ * /Judy is a
wonderful mimic but she is too shy to show her face on stage./ *
/After cheating on the test, Chris was ashamed to show his face./
[show one's hand] {v. phr.} To reveal or exhibit one's true and
hitherto hidden purpose. * /Only after becoming Chancellor of Germany
did Adolf Hitler really show his hand and reveal that he intended to
take over other countries./
[show one's teeth] {v. phr.} To show anger; show belligerence. *
/He is a very mild, private person, but during a tough business
negotiation he knows how to show his teeth./
[show signs] See: GIVE SIGNS.
[show the door] {v. phr.} To ask (someone) to go away. * /Ruth was
upsetting the other children, so I showed her the door./ * /Our
neighbors invited themselves to the party and stayed until Harry
showed them the door./
[show up] {v.} 1. To make known the real truth about (someone). *
/The man said he was a mind reader, but he was shown up as a fake./ 2.
To come or bring out; become or make easy to see. * /The detective put
a chemical on the paper, and the fingertips showed up./ * /This test
shows up your weaknesses in arithmetic./ 3. {informal} To come;
appear. * /We had agreed to meet at the gym, but Larry didn't show
up./ * /Only five students showed up for the class meeting./ Compare:
TURN UP(2).
[shrift] See: SHORT SHRIFT.
[shrink] See: HEAD SHRINKER.
[shrug off] or [shrug away] {v.} To act as if you are not
interested and do not care about something; not mind; not let yourself
be bothered or hurt by. * /Alan shrugged off our questions; he would
not tell us what had happened./ * /Muriel shrugged away every attempt
to comfort her./ * /The ballplayer shrugged off the booing of the
fans./ * /Jim cut his hand but he tied a cloth around it and shrugged
it away./
[shudder to think] {v. phr.} To be afraid; hate to think about
something. * /The professor is so strict I shudder to think what his
final exam questions will be like./
[shut] See: KEEP ONE'S MOUTH SHUT, PUT UP or SHUT UP, CLOSE ONE'S
EYES.
[shut down] See: CLOSE DOWN.
[shut-eye] {n.}, {slang} Sleep. * /It's very late. We'd better get
some shut-eye./ * /I'm going to get some shut-eye before the game./
Compare: FORTY WINKS.
[shut off] {v.} 1. To make (something like water or electricity)
stop coming. * /Please shut off the hose before the grass gets too
wet./ Compare: TURN OFF. 2. To be apart; be separated from; also to
separate from. * /Our camp is so far from the highway we feel shut off
from the world when we are there./ * /The sow is so bad tempered we
had to shut it off from its piglets./
[shut one's eyes] See: CLOSE ONE'S EYES.
[shut out] {v.} 1. To prevent from coming in; block. * /During
World War II, Malta managed to shut out most of the Italian and German
bombers by throwing up an effective anti-aircraft screen./ * /The boys
were annoyed by Tom's telling club secrets and shut him out of their
meeting./ 2. To prevent (an opposing team) from scoring throughout an
entire game. * /The Dodgers shut out the Reds, 5-0./
[shut the door] See: CLOSE THE DOOR.
[shut up] {v.} 1. {informal} To stop talking. * /Little Ruthie told
Father about his birthday surprise before Mother could shut her up./ -
Often used as a command; usually considered rude. * /Shut up and let
Joe say something./ * /If you'll shut up for a minute, I'll tell you
our plan./ Syn.: BUTTON YOUR LIP, DRY UP(3), KEEP ONE'S MOUTH SHUT. 2.
To close the doors and windows of. * /We got the house shut up only
minutes before the storm hit./ 3. To close and lock for a definite
period of time. * /The Smiths always spend Labor Day shutting up their
summer home for the year./ * /We got to the store only to find that
the owner had shut up shop for the weekend./ 4. To confine. * /That
dog bites. It should be shut up./ * /John has been shut up with a cold
all week./
[shy] See: ONCE BITTEN, TWICE SHY and BURNT CHILD DREADS THE FIRE.
[shy away] or [shy off] {v.} To avoid; seem frightened or nervous.
* /The boys shied away from our questions./ * /The horse shied off
when Johnny tried to mount it./
[sick] See: TAKE ILL or TAKE SICK.
[sick and tired] {adj.} 1. Feeling strong dislike for something
repeated or continued too long; exasperated; annoyed. * /Jane was sick
and tired of always having to wait for Bill, so when he didn't arrive
on time she left without him./ * /John is sick and tired of having his
studies interrupted./ * /I've been studying all day, and I'm sick and
tired of it./ Compare: FED UP.
[side] See: CHOOSE UP SIDES, FROM SIDE TO SIDE, GET UP ON THE WRONG
SIDE OF THE BED, GRASS IS ALWAYS GREENER ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE
FENCE or GRASS IS ALWAYS GREENER ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE HILL, LAUGH
ON THE WRONG SIDE OF ONE'S MOUTH, ON ONE'S BAD SIDE, ON ONE'S GOOD
SIDE, ON THE SIDE, SUNNY-SIDE UP, TAKE SIDES, THORN IN THE FLESH or
THORN IN THE SIDE.
[side against] {v.} To join or be on the side that is against;
disagree with; oppose. * /Bill and Joe sided against me in the
argument./ * /We sided against the plan to go by plane./ Contrast:
SIDE WITH.
[side by side] {adv.} 1. One beside the other in a row. * /Alice's
dolls were lined up side by side on the window seat./ * /Charles and
John are neighbors; they live side by side on Elm Street./ Compare:
SHOULDER TO SHOULDER. 2. Close together. * /The two boys played side
by side all afternoon./
[sidekick] {n.} A companion; a close friend of lesser status. *
/Wherever you see Dr. Howell, Dr. Percy, his youthful sidekick is sure
to be present as well./
[side of the tracks] See: THE TRACKS.
[side street] {n.} A street that runs into and ends at a main
street. * /The store is on a side street just off Main Street./ * /The
Spellmans bought a house on a side street that runs off Broad Street./
Compare: BACK STREET, CROSS STREET.
[side with] {v.} To agree with; help. * /Alan always sides with
Johnny in an argument./ * /Gerald sided with the plan to move the
club./ Contrast: SIDE AGAINST.
[sight] See: AT FIRST GLANCE or AT FIRST SIGHT, AT SIGHT or ON
SIGHT, CATCH SIGHT OF, HEAVE IN SIGHT, LOSE SIGHT OF, ON SIGHT, SET
ONE'S SIGHTS.
[sight for sore eyes] {n. phr.}, {informal} A welcome sight. *
/After our long, dusty hike, the pond was a sight for sore eyes./ *
/"Jack! You're a sight for sore eyes!"/
[sight-read] {v.} To be able to play music without memorization by
reading the sheet music and immediately playing it. * /Experienced,
good musicians are expected to be able to sight-read./
[sight unseen] {adv. phr.} Before seeing it; before seeing her,
him, or them. * /Tom read an ad about a car and sent the money for it
sight unseen./
[sign] See: HIGH SIGN, INDIAN SIGN, ROAD SIGN.
[sign in] {v.} To write your name on a special list or in a record
book to show that you are present. * /Every worker must sign in when
coming back to work./ * /Teachers go to the office and sign in each
morning before going to their classrooms./ Contrast SIGN OUT.
[sign off] {v.} 1. To end a program on radio or television. * /That
TV newscaster always signs off by saluting./ 2. To stop broadcasting
for the day. * /That TV station always signs off after the late
movie./
[sign of the times] {n. phr.} A characteristic of the times in
which one lives. * /It is a sad sign of the times that all the major
lakes and rivers are badly polluted and fish in them are poisoned./
[sign on] {v. phr.} 1. To sign an agreement to become an employee.
* /The new cowboys signed on with the wealthy rancher in Nevada./ 2.
To start a radio or television broadcast. * /Station WLAK signs on
every morning at 6 A.M./ Contrast: SIGN OFF.
[sign one's own death warrant] {v. phr.} To cause your own death or
the loss of something you want very much. * /Mr. Carter had lung
trouble, and the doctor told him he would sign his own death warrant
if he didn't stop smoking./ * /When Jim's fiancee saw him on a date
with another girl, he signed his own death warrant./
[sign on the dotted line] {v. phr.} To attach one's signature on an
important document, such as a contract, a bill of sales, etc. * /The
seller said to the buyer, "All you need to do is sign on the dotted
line."/
[sign out] {v.} To write your name on a special list or in a record
book to show that you are leaving a place. * /Most of the students
sign out on Friday./ Contrast SIGN IN.
[sign over] {v.} To give legally by signing your name. * /He signed
his house over to his wife./
[sign up] {v.} 1. To promise to do something by signing your name;
join; sign an agreement. * /We will not have the picnic unless more
people sign up./ * /John wants to sign up for the contest./ * /Miss
Carter has signed up to be the chaperone at the dance./ 2. To write
the name of (a person or thing) to be in an activity; also, to
persuade (someone) to do something. * /Betty decided to sign up her
dog for obedience training./ * /The superintendent has signed up three
new teachers for next year./
[signed, sealed, and delivered] {adj. phr.} Finished; completed; in
a state of completion. * /"How is the campus renovation plan for the
governor's office coming along?" the dean of the college asked.
"Signed, sealed, and delivered," his assistant answered./ Compare: CUT
AND DRIED; HOOK, LINE AND SINKER.
[silence gives consent] If you say nothing or do not say no to
something, it means that you agree. - A proverb. * /Don't be afraid to
say, if you don't like something. Silence gives consent./
[silent majority] {n.}, {informal} The large majority of people
who, unlike the militants, do not make their political and social
views known by marching and demonstrating and who, presumably, can
swing an election one way or the other. * /Sidney Miltner is a member
of the silent majority./
[silver] See: BORN WITH A SILVER SPOON IN ONE'S MOUTH, EVERY CLOUD
HAS A SILVER LINING, HAND SOMETHING TO ONE ON A SILVER PLATTER.
[silver anniversary] or [wedding] {n. phr.} The twenty-fifth
wedding anniversary of a couple; the twenty-fifth anniversary of a
business or an association, etc. * /"The day after tomorrow is Mom and
Dad's silver anniversary," Sue said to her brother. "I hope you have a
nice present picked out."/
[simmer down] {v.}, {informal} To become less angry or excited;
become calmer. * /Tom got mad, but soon simmered down./
[Simon Legree] {n.}, {informal} A strict person, especially a boss,
who makes others work very hard. * /Don't talk on the job; the boss is
a real Simon Legree./ * /Everybody avoids the foreman. He acts like a
Simon Legree./
[simple] See: PURE AND SIMPLE.
[sing a different tune] or [whistle a different tune] also [sing a
new tune] {v. phr.}, {informal} To talk or act in the opposite way;
contradict something said before. * /Charles said that all smokers
should be expelled from the team but he sang a different tune after
the coach caught him smoking./ Syn.: CHANGE ONE'S TUNE, DANCE TO
ANOTHER TUNE. Compare: LAUGH OUT OF THE OTHER SIDE OF ONE'S MOUTH.
[sing for one's supper] {v. phr.}, {informal} To have to work for
what one desires. * /I realized a long time ago that I had to sing for
my supper if I wanted to get ahead in my profession./
[sing in tune] See: IN TUNE.
[single] See: EVERY SINGLE.
[single out] {v. phr.} To select or choose one from among many. *
/There were a lot of pretty girls at the high school prom but Don
immediately singled out Sally./
[sing one's praises] {v. phr.} To extol or praise continuously. *
/The audience left the concert with everyone singing the praises of
the young piano virtuoso./
[sing out of tune] See: OUT OF TUNE.
[sink] See: HEART SINKS.
[sinker] See: HOOK, LINE AND SINKER.
[sink in] or [soak in] {v.}, {informal} To be completely
understood; be fully realized or felt. * /Everybody laughed at the
joke but Joe; it took a moment for it to sink in before he laughed
too./ * /When Frank heard that war had started, it didn't sink in for
a long time until his father was drafted into the army./ Compare:
BRING HOME.
[sink one's teeth into] See: GET ONE'S TEETH INTO.
[sink or swim] {v. phr.} To succeed or fail by your own efforts,
without help or interference from anyone else; fail if you don't work
hard to succeed. * /When Joe was fourteen, his parents died, and he
was left by himself to sink or swim./ * /Tom's new job was confusing
and no one had time to help him learn, so he had to sink or swim./
[sit] See: GO SIT ON A TACK, ON THE FENCE also FENCE-SITTING.
[sit back] {v.} 1. To be built a distance away; stand away (as from
a street). * /Our house sits back from the road./ 2. To relax; rest,
often while others are working; take time out. * /Sit back for a
minute and think about what you have done./
[sit by] {v.} 1. To stay near; watch and care for. * /The nurse was
told to sit by the patient until he woke up./ * /Mother sat by her
sick baby all night./ 2. To sit and watch or rest especially while
others work. * /Don't just sit idly by while the other children are
all busy./
[sit down] {v.} To sit on a seat or resting place. * /After gym
class Jim was tired and was glad to sit down and rest./
[sit in] {v.} 1. To be a member; participate. * /We're having a
conference and we'd like you to sit in./ also [sit in on]: To be a
member of; participate in. * /We want you to sit in on the meeting./
2. To attend but not participate. Often used with "on". * /Our teacher
was invited to sit in on the conference./ Compare: LOOK ON.
[sit on] {v.} 1. To be a member of (a jury, board, commission),
etc. * /Mr. Brown sat on the jury at the trial./ 2. {informal} To
prevent from starting or doing something; squelch. * /The teacher sat
on Fred before he could get started with the long story./ * /The
teacher sat on Joe as soon as he began showing off./
[sit on a bomb] or [bombshell] {v. phr.}, {informal} To be in
possession of anything that is potentially disastrous or dangerous. *
/The finance department will be sitting on a bomb unless it finds a
way to cut overhead expenses./
[sit on a volcano] {v.}, {informal} 1. To be in a place where
trouble may start or danger may come suddenly. * /Bob was in that part
of South America before the revolution began. He knew he was sitting
on a volcano./ * /The policemen who patrolled the big city slum area
that summer were sitting on a volcano./
[sit on one's hands] {v. phr.}, {informal} To do nothing; fail or
refuse to do anything. * /We asked Bill for help with our project, but
he sat on his hands./
[sit on the fence] See: ON THE FENCE.
[sit out] {v.} To not take part in. * /The next dance is a polka.
Let's sit it out./ * /Toby had to sit out the last half of the game
because his knee hurt./
[sitter] See: ON THE FENCE also FENCE-SITTER.
[sitting on a powder keg] See: SIT ON A VOLCANO.
[sit through] {v.} To watch or listen until (something) is
finished. * /The show was so boring that we could hardly sit through
the first act./ * /Elaine liked the movie so much that she sat through
three showings./
[sit tight] {v. phr.}, {informal} To make no move or change; stay
where you are. - Often used as a command. * /Sit tight; I'll be ready
to go in a few minutes./ * /The doctor said to sit tight until he
arrived./ * /The gangsters sat tight in the mountains while the police
looked for them./ Compare: STAND PAT.
[sitting on top of the world] See: ON TOP OF THE WORLD.
[sitting pretty] {adj.}, {slang} To be in a lucky position. * /The
new library is sitting pretty because a wealthy woman gave it $10,000
worth of reference books./ * /Mr. Jones was sitting pretty until his
$25,000-a-year job was dropped by the company./
[sit up] {v.} 1. To move into a sitting position. * /Joe sat up
when he heard the knock on his bedroom door./ 2. To stay awake instead
of going to bed. * /Mrs. Jones will sit up until both of her daughters
get home from the dance./ * /We sat up until two A.M. hoping for news
from Alaska./ 3. {informal} To be surprised. * /Janice really sat up
when I told her the gossip about Tom./
[sit-up] {n.} A vigorous exercise in which the abdominal muscles
are strengthened by locking one's feet in a fastening device and
sitting up numerous times. * /Do a few sit-ups if you want to reduce
your waist./
[sit up and take notice] {v. phr.}, {informal} To be surprised into
noticing something. * /Grace had never impressed her teachers. Hearing
that she had won the essay contest made them sit up and take notice./
* /George's sudden success made the town sit up and take notice./
[sit up for] {v. phr.} To wait until after the usual bedtime for
someone's return. * /Mrs. Smith always sits up for her two daughters,
no matter how late it is./
[sit up with] {v. phr.} To be with; particularly to keep someone
ill company. * /Mrs. Brown sat up with her sick husband all night in
the hospital room./
[sit well (with)] {v.} Find favor with; please. * /The reduced
school budget did not sit well with the teachers./
[sit with] {v.}, {informal} To be accepted by; affect. - Used in
interrogative sentences and in negative sentences modified by "well".
* /How did your story sit with your mother?/ * /Bob's poor
sportsmanship doesn't sit well with the coach./