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ENGLISH  IDIOMS  &  IDIOMATIC  EXPRESSIONS

ALPHABETICAL  LIST -  S

 



  Idiom Meaning
S  Get the sack / be sacked   If someone gets the sack, they lose their job, usually because they
  have done something wrong.
  "Charlie got the sack when his boss caught him stealing."
   Saddled with debt   If you are saddled with debt, the amount of money that you owe is
  a financial burden.
  "Be careful. If you buy a house that is too expensive, you could be
   saddled with debt for many years."
   Safe bet   To say that something is a safe bet means that it is very likely to
  happen.
  "It's a safe bet that you'll get a good job if you graduate from one of
  the top universities."
   In safe  hands   If something is in safe (or good) hands, it is being looked after by
  a reliable person or organization, and is therefore at no risk.
  "I'll look after Jamie while you go shopping.  Don't worry - he'll be
  in safe hands."
   On the safe side   If you do something to be on the safe side, you want to avoid
  taking any risks.
  "I think I locked the door, but I'll check again to be on the safe side."
   Safety in numbers   This expression means that being part of a group makes people feel
  more secure and more confident when taking action.
  "None of the group went sightseeing alone, knowing that there was
  safety in numbers."
   Sail close to the wind   If you sail close to the wind, you do something dangerous or act
  just within the limits of what is legal or acceptable.
  "He  seems to invest his money well although he often sails close to
  the wind."
   Sail through something   If you sail through something, for example a test or an exam,
  you succeed in doing it without difficulty.
   Take the wind out of someone's
 sails 		  If someone or something takes the wind out of your sails, they
  make you feel less confident, by doing or saying something that
  you do not expect.
  "The Chairman's rejection of our marketing strategy really took the wind
  out of our sails"
   Take something with a pinch/grain
 of salt.		   To say that certain information should be taken with a grain of salt
  means that you doubt the accuracy of the information.
   Salt of the earth   To refer to someone as the salt of the earth means that
  you consider them to be honest and reliable.
   Same boat   If two or more parties in the same boat, they are in the same
  unpleasant or difficult situation. 
  "When the factory closed down, the workers all found themselves
  in the same boat."
   By the same token   If you apply the same rule to different situations, you judge them
  by the same token, or in a similar way.
  "Teenagers should be less rebellious, but by the same token, parents
  should be more understanding."
   What's sauce for the goose is
 sauce for the gander 		  This expression means that if something applies to one person,
  it should also apply to others
  "Women should earn the same salary as men for the same job.
  What's sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander!"
   Save someone's bacon   If you save someone's bacon, you rescue them from a dangerous
  or difficult situation.
  "When Dave was a student, finding a room in return for dog-sitting
  really saved his bacon!"
   Save your breath   If you tell someone to save their breath, you tell them not to waste
  their time speaking, because their words will have no effect.
  "I've already given him the same advice and he won't listen, so
  you might as well save your breath."
    Save one's neck/skin   If you manage to escape from serious danger or trouble, you save
  your neck (or your skin).
  "He saved his neck by jumping off the bridge just before it collapsed."
   Saved by the bell.   If you are saved by the bell, something happens at the last minute
  to rescue you from a difficult situation.
  "Saved by the bell!  A friend arrived just when I realized I had no money
  for the parking metre!"
   Saving grace   A person who has a saving grace has a quality which prevents them
  from being totally bad.
  "She's a horrible person but she has one saving grace, her kindness to
  animals."
   Scales fall from your eyes   When the scales fall from your eyes, you finally understand the truth
  about something.
  "It was only when my neighbour was arrested for theft that the scales fell
  from my eyes and I realized where his money came from."
   Scarce as hen's teeth   To say that something is as scarce as hen's teeth emphasizes that
  it is extremely rare, to the point of non-existence.
  "Take enough supplies.  Water is as scarce as hen's teeth where you're going!"
   Scare somebody out of their wits   If something scares you out of your wits, it makes you very frightened
  or worried.
  "The feeling that their house is haunted can scare people out of their wits."
   Get off/go scot-free   To say that someone got off scot-free means that they escaped the
  punishment they deserved.
  "We were all punished except James who managed to get off scot-free!"
   Scrape the bottom of the barrel   If you scrape the bottom of the barrel, you use the worst or the
  least satisfactory ideas, things or people because you have no choice.
  "When they started to recruit, they had to scrape the bottom of the
  barrel because the best people had already found jobs elsewhere."
   Scratch the surface   When you only scratch the surface of a problem or subject, you
  deal with only a small part of it.
  "Some countries are only scratching the surface of their environment 
  problems."
   Not up to scratch   If something or somebody is not up to scratch, they are not as
  good as they should be.
   Scream blue murder   Someone who screams blue murder shouts or complains very
  loudly as if something very serious has happened.
  "The crowd started screaming blue murder when the football match
  was interrupted."
   Have a screw loose   If someone has a screw loose, their behaviour is strange and they
  appear slightly mad.
  "She wears a fur coat in summer - she must have a screw loose!"
   Scrimp and save   If you scrimp and save, you spend as little as possible over a
  certain period of time in order to save money.
  "The parents scrimped and saved for years so that their children
  would have a college education."
   Sea legs   A person who has sea legs is used to walking on a moving ship,
  or has the ability to adjust to a new situation.
  "It takes a while in a new job to find your sea legs."
   Seal of approval   If a project or contract receives a seal of approval, it receives
  formal support or approval from higher authorities.
  "We can't conclude the deal without the director's seal of approval."
   Come apart at the seams   To say that someone is coming apart at the seams means that
  they are extremely upset or under severe mental stress.
  "Bob has had so many problems lately, he's coming apart at the
  seams."
   Seamy side of life   This expression refers to the most unpleasant, disreputable or
  sordid aspects of life that we normally do not see (just as the
  stitched seams of clothes are generally not seen).
  "Social workers really see the seamy side of life."
   Play second fiddle   If you play second fiddle to somebody, you accept to be second
  in importance to that person, or have a lower position.
  "When the company was taken over, Tom had to play second fiddle
  to the new manager."
   Second a motion   During a meeting, if you second a motion, you formally agree with
  a proposal.
  "She seconded the motion to introduce flexible working hours."
   Second nature   If something you do is second nature to you, it is something that
  you do easily or automatically because you have done it so often or
  for so long.
  "Skiing is second nature to Harry.  He grew up in a ski resort."
   See the colour of somebody's
 money		   If you want to see the colour of somebody's money, you want
  to make sure that the person in question has enough money to pay
  you before you accept to do something.
  "I want to see the colour of his money before shipping the goods."
   See red   If someone sees red, they suddenly become very angry or annoyed
  about something.
  "Discrimination of any kind makes me see red!"
   Seeing is believing   This expression means that when you see something, you can be
  sure it exists,
  or that what you have been told is really true.
  "Mark says bananas grow in his garden, but seeing is believing!"
   Seen better days   If something has seen better days, it has aged visibly in comparison
  to when it was new.
  "My much-travelled suitcase has seen better days!"
   Sell someone down the river   If you sell someone down the river, you betray someone who
  trusts you.
 "When the Trade Union signed the salary agreement, the workers felt
  they had been sold down the river."
   Sell your soul   This is a humorous way of saying that you would be willing to do
  something morally or legally wrong to obtain what you want.
  "He'd sell his soul to get an interview."
   Send a shiver down one's spine   If something sends a shiver down your spine, it makes you feel
  anxious, nervous or excited.
  "That song always sends a shiver down my spine."

 

  Send someone packing   If you send someone packing, you tell them to leave, in a very
  forceful and unfriendly way.
  "When Amanda discovered that Jack had been unfaithful,
  she sent him packing."
   Senior moment   A momentary lapse of memory, especially in older people, or an
  absent-minded action such as putting the cereals in the fridge, is
  humorously referred to as having a senior moment.
  "I found the phone in the cupboard. I must have had a senior moment!"
   Separate the sheep from the goats   If you separate the sheep from the goats, you examine a group
  of people and decide which are good and which are not so good.
  "Examining job applications is the first stage in separating the
  sheep from the goats.
   Set you back    The sum of money something sets you back is the amount it
  costs you.
  "Changing the heating system would set us back about $5 000."
   Set in one's ways   A person who is set in their ways is someone who is unable or
  unwilling to change their ideas, habits or methods, often because
  they are old
  "My grandmother has the same routine every day. 
  She's very set in her ways."
   Set in stone
 		   When something is set in stone, it is permanent and cannot be
  changed in any way.
  "The agenda isn't set in stone; we can add an item if need be."
   Set the records straight    If you set or put the records straights, you  provide facts or
  an explanation of events in order to correct a mistake or
  misunderstanding.
  "An interview on television enabled the actress to set the records
   straight about her health."
   Set the stage (for something)   If you set the stage for an event or a development, you create
  conditions that allow it to happen.
  "The agreement set the stage for their future working relationship." 
   Settle a score     To settle a score means to retaliate against someone or take revenge
  for a past wrong.
  "Jack has made an appointment with his lawyer -
   he has a score to settle with someone."
   Shake like a leaf   If you shake like a leaf, you tremble with fear or nervousness.
  "At the beginning of the interview I was shaking like a leaf."
   Shank's pony   If you go somewhere on Shank's pony, you have to walk rather than
  travel by bus, car, etc.
  "It was impossible to find a taxi after the party  so it was
  Shank's pony for us!"
   Shape up or ship out   This expression is used to warn someone that if they do not improve,
  they will have to leave their job.
  "When Tom started neglecting the customers, he was told to
  shape up or ship out."
   In bad shape   A person who is in bad shape is in poor physical condition.
  "Have you seen Tony recently?  He's really in bad shape."
   Get back into shape   To get yourself back into shape, you need to take exercise
  in order to become fit and healthy again.
   Sharp cookie   Someone who is not easily deceived or fooled is a sharp cookie.
  "You can't fool my grandmother.  She's a sharp cookie!"
   Shed light   If you shed light on something, you help to explain it or make it
  easier to understand.
  "It was hoped that the testimony of the witnesses would shed light
  on the causes of the accident."
   Shelf life   If something, such as food, drink or medicine, has a particular
  shelf life, it must be used or sold before the end of that period
  of time.
  "Dairy products have quite a short shelf life."
   Come out of one's shell   To come out of one's shell means to become less shy,
  more talkative and outgoing.
   Shilly-shally   If you shilly-shally, you hesitate a lot about something and have
  difficulty reaching a decision.
  "Come on! Don't shilly-shally - just make up your mind!"
   That ship has sailed   The expression 'that ship has sailed' means that a particular
  opportunity has passed by and it's now too late.
  "Is the offer this open?" "Sorry, that ship has sailed - you missed
  your chance!"
   Like ships that pass in the night   This expression is used to refer to people who meet briefly and
  are not likely to meet again.
  "The two men met once, like ships that pass in the night, and
  never met again."
   Keep your shirt on!   If you tell somebody to keep their shirt on, you are asking them
  to calm down.
  "Keep your shirt on Bob.  Just give your version of the story!"
   The shoe is on the other foot   When the circumstances have reversed and one person now doing
  what the the other person did in the past, you can say that the shoe
  is on the other foot.
  "I used to advise my children to eat healthy food.  Now my daughter
  is a nutritionist and the shoe is on the other foot - she advises me!"
   In someone's shoes    To talk about being in someone's shoes means to imagine how you
  would react if you were in a similar situation as them.
  "Tom's sales have dropped by 30% this month. I wouldn't like to be
  in his shoes!"
   On a shoestring   If you do something on a shoestring, you do it with very little
  money.
  "When I was a student I lived on a shoestring.
   Shoot yourself in the foot   If you shoot yourself in the foot, you do or say something which
  is against your own interests. 
  " When Julie was asked at the interview if she had any weaknesses,
  she really shot herself in the foot the way she answered."
   Shop around    If you shop around, you visit a number of shops selling similar
  articles in order to compare the prices.
  "You can usually save money by shopping around."
   Shop till you drop   If you shop till you drop, you go shopping for a very long time, until
  you're exhausted.
  "If  you go to London with Julie you'll shop till you drop, so take
  comfortable shoes!"
   Shopping spree   If you go on a shopping spree, you enjoy a lively outing, usually
  with much spending of money.
  "Liza is planning to go on a shopping spree during the sales."
   Shopping therapy   This term refers to the idea that buying things can make you feel better.
  "A little shopping therapy can usually cheer up bored teenagers."
   Window shopping   When people go window shopping, they look at things in shop
  windows, without actually purchasing anything.
  "I haven't been paid yet, so I can only go  window  shopping."
   Short and sweet   Something that is short and sweet is brief but pleasant.
  "It didn't take us long to agree.  Our conversation was short
  and sweet."
   Short fuse   When someone has a short fuse, they are likely to become angry
  easily or quickly.
  "Be careful how you explain the situation. The boss has a very short
  fuse these days!"
   Short shrift   If someone or something gets short shrift, they are given little attention
  or sympathy.
  "When the boss is very busy, he gives short shrift to anyone who
  bothers him."
   Shot in the dark   To refer to a question or statement as a shot in the dark means
  that it is a complete guess, but at the same time it might be close
  to the truth.
  "He didn't know which players had been selected, so mentioning
  Carter's name was just a shot in the dark."
   Shotgun approach   If you use a shotgun approach, you cover a wide range in a
  non-selective, haphazard and inefficient manner.
  "Identifying a specific segment of the market as our target will be
  more effective than a shotgun approach.
   Shoulder surfing   The practice of looking over somebody's shoulder when they are
  using a computer, cash dispenser or other electronic device in order
  to obtain personal information (identification, account number,
  password, etc.) is called shoulder-surfing.
   A chip on the shoulder   If someone has a chip on their shoulder, they feel resentful
  because they feel they are being treated unfairly, especially
  because of their background, their sex or their colour.
   Give someone the cold shoulder   To give someone the cold shoulder means to deliberately
  ignore someone.
  "After giving my opinion, he gave me the cold shoulder."
   Show one's true colours   When a person shows their true colours, their behaviour reveals
  their real nature and shows their qualities and/or weaknesses.
 "In times of crisis people show their true colours."
   Show somebody the ropes   If you show someone the ropes, you teach or explain to them
  how to do a particular job.
  "The manager is busy showing the ropes to two new trainees."
   Shrinking violet   A person referred to as a shrinking violet is a timid or shy person.
  "The witness was no shrinking violet.  She had no difficulty
  expressing herself!"
   Shrug something off    If you shrug something off, you dismiss it as being unimportant.
  "He was aware of the danger but he just shrugged it off."
   Shut the stable door after
 the horse has bolted		   If you shut the stable door after the horse has bolted, you try
  to prevent something bad from happening when it is already too late.
  "Jack decided to insure the contents of his apartment after it was
  burgled. That's really shutting the stable door after the horse
  has bolted!"
   The other side of the coin   When you want to mention a different or contradictory aspect of a
  situation, you refer to the other side of the coin.
  "The house is lovely and spacious, but the other side of the coin is
   that it is far from shops and schools."
   A sight for sore eyes   This expression refers to a person or thing you are happy to see.
  "Sam! You're a sight for sore eyes! Haven't seen you in a long time."
   Raise/lower your sights   If you raise or lower your sights, you raise or lower your
  expectations, or you are more or less ambitious.
  "He had to lower his sights and accept a less well-paid job than
  what he had hoped for."
   Sign of the times   This expression refers to something that shows the nature of today's
  society.
  "The rising level of violence is a sign of the times."
   Sign on the dotted line    If you sign on the dotted line, you formally give your consent
  to something by signing an official document.
  "I consulted my lawyer before signing on the dotted line."
   Signed, sealed and delivered   When an agreement, contract or treaty is signed, sealed
  and delivered, all the legal documents have been signed.
  "It is hoped that the agreement will be signed, sealed and delivered
  before the end of the week."
   Significant other   The term significant other refers to a person, such as a spouse,
  partner or lover, with whom you have a long-term relationship.
   Silver bullet   This term refers to an extremely effective or magical solution to a
  difficult problem.
  "There is no silver bullet that will put an end to unemployment."
   Silver lining   A silver lining refers to the good or pleasant side-effects of an
  unpleasant situation.
  Every cloud has a silver lining means that there is a positive
  or hopeful side to every unpleasant situation.
   Born with a silver spoon in one's 
 mouth.		   To say that someone was born with a silver spoon in
  their mouth means that their family is very rich and privileged.
   Silver surfer   A silver surfer is an elderly person who uses the internet.
  "After just a few lessons my grandmother was ready to join the
  silver surfers."
   Simplicity itself   Something that is simplicity itself is extremely easy to do.
  "Using the tool is simplicity itself; just turn it on and the instructions
  appear."
   Sing a different tune   If somebody sings a different tune, they change their opinion
  about something or their attitude towards something.
  "He had no consideration for people out of work until he lost
   his own job; now he's singing a different tune!"
   Sink their differences   If people or organizations sink their differences, they decide to forget
  their disagreements.
  "We must sink our differences and build a peaceful community."
   Sink or swim   If somebody has to sink or swim, they have to do something alone,
  and their success or failure depends entirely on their own efforts.
  "The sink or swim attitude in the company can be very difficult for
  young recruits."
   Sink one's teeth into something   If you sink your teeth into something, you do it with a lot of energy
  and enthusiasm.
  "When Julie got promoted, she immediately sank her teeth into
  her new job."
   Siphon something off   If someone siphons something off, they transfer something from
  one place to another, often illegally.
  "It was discovered that he had siphoned off money from the business
  into an account in a tax haven."
   Sit on the fence   If you sit on the fence, you avoid taking sides in a discussion or
  argument.
  "It's an important issue.  You can't continue to sit on the fence!"
   Sit up and take notice   A person who sits up and takes notice becomes alert and
  attentive.
  "The announcement of the winner made everyone sit up and
  take notice."
   A sitting duck.   To refer to someone as a sitting duck means that they are
  an easy target to criticize or attack.
   Skating on thin ice   If you are skating on thin ice, you are doing or saying something
  that could cause disagreement or trouble.
  "Don't mention that subject during the negotiations
  or you could be skating on thin ice."
   Skeleton staff/crew   If a business or organization works with a skeleton staff, it is run
  with the smallest number of people necessary.
  "The office is closed the week after Christmas but there will be a 
  skeleton staff to handle essential operations."
   Skin someone alive
 		   If you are angry and threaten to skin someone alive, you mean
  that you are going to punish them severely.
  "If that kid damages my car again, I'll skin him alive!"
   By the skin of your teeth   To do something by the skin of your teeth means that
  you just manage to do it, but that you almost fail.
  "He passed the driving test by the skin of his teeth."
   It's no skin off my nose    To use this expression means that you don't care if something
  happens.
  "It's no skin off my nose if he doesn't accept the invitation -
  I don't care one way or another."
   
 All skin and bone 		   If someone is all skin and bone, they are very thin, or too thin
  "After trekking in the Himalayas, he was all skin and bone."
   Jump out of one's skin   If you jump out of your skin, you are extremely surprised or
  shocked.    
 "Jane nearly jumped out of her skin when the horse put its head
  through the window!
   The sky's the limit    To say "the sky's the limit" means that there is no limit to the
  possibility
  of success or progress for someone or something.
  "How successful do you think the project will be? 
  Who knows... the sky's the limit!"
   Slap on the wrist   If you get a slap on the wrist, you receive a mild punishment or
  you are reprimanded for something you have done.
 "I got a slap on the wrist from my wife for leaving the kitchen in a mess."
   A sledgehammer to crack a nut    Using a sledgehammer to crack a nut means using disproportionate
  force to solve a problem or obtain a result.
  "He called the police because his neighbour was rude? - Now that's
   using a sledgehammer to crack a nut!"
   Sleep like a log
  		   If you sleep like a log, you sleep deeply or soundly.
  "After a day at the beach, I usually sleep like a log!"
   Sleeping /silent partner   This term refers to a person who invests money in a business without
  taking an active part in its management, and whose association with
  the enterprise is not public knowledge.
  "He works alone, but his business is partly financed by a
  sleeping partner."
   Slice/share of the cake (or pie)   When people feel entitled to a share of the benefits or profits, they
  want a (larger) slice of the cake.
  "Since profits are higher this year, the workers feel they deserve
  a bigger slice of the cake."
   Sling mud   To say that someone is slinging mud at another person means
  that they are trying to damage that person's reputation by saying
  bad things about them.
  "During election campaigns, candidates  often sling mud at each
   other."
   It slipped my mind    If something has slipped your mind, you have forgotten about it
  "Oh dear! It had slipped my mind that the banks were closed today."
   Slippery as an eel   To say that someone is as slippery as an eel means that they are
  difficult to catch and they manage to avoid answering questions.
  "That man is as slippery as an eel.  He was arrested for theft several
  times but was never convicted."
   Quick/slow on the uptake   Someone who is quick or slow on the uptake is quick or slow to
  understand what is meant.
  "Please explain the problem in simple words - I'm a bit slow on the
  uptake."
   On the sly   If you do something on the sly you do it secretly or furtively.
  "He made such quick progress that the others suspected him of
  having private lessons on the sly."
   Smack dab in the middle   If something is smack dab in the middle, it's right in the centre.
  "I couldn't hide the stain on my shirt.  It was smack dabble in the
   middle. 
   Small dog, tall weeds
 		   This expression is used to refer to someone you think is incapable
  or does not have the resources to perform a task.
  "It may be too difficult for the trainee - small dog, tall weeds!" 
   Small fry   People or organizations that are unimportant can be referred to
  as 'small fry'. 
  This term also refers to young children.
  "The police seized a large quantity of drugs and some small fry,
  but not the organizers they were hoping to catch."
   Small hours   If you refer to the small hours,  you mean after midnight, or the
  very early hours of the day.
  "Sarah worked until the small hours on her speech for the ceremony."
   Small world   This expression is used by someone who is surprised to meet
  familiar people, events or situations in unexpected places.
  "Wow! It's a small world. I never expected to meet a neighbour
  on a transatlantic flight!"
   Smart alec   A smart alec is an annoying self-assertive person who tries to
  show off how clever they are.
  "Some smart alec interrupted the game claiming that the answers
  were incorrect!"
   Smash hit   A very successful performance in music, films, theatre, etc. is
  called a smash hit.
  "The film 'Titanic' was a smash hit all over the world."
   Smoke like a chimney   When someone smokes like a chimney, they smoke a large
  amount of tobacco on a regular basis.
  "My grandfather smoked like a chimney."
   Smoke signals   To say that there are smoke signals means that there are indications
  that something is probably going to happen.
   "All the smoke signals seem to indicate that the company is going to
  be taken over."
   A smokescreen   A smokescreen is an action or tactic intended to conceal or divert
  attention from your real intentions or activities.
  "His travel business was just a smokescreen for his political activities."
   Smooth the path/way   Someone or something that smoothes the path for something,
  makes progress easier or enables it to happen.
  "Speaking the language smoothed the path for negotiations."
   Smooth somebody's ruffled feathers   If you smooth somebody's ruffled feathers, you make that person
  feel less angry or offended.
  "Tom took the criticism badly, but James managed to smooth
  his ruffled feathers"
   In smooth waters   A business or operation which is in smooth waters is making
  regular and easy progress.
  "The company seems to be in smooth waters these days."
   Snail mail   This term refers to the standard system of mail delivery, or postal
  service, considered very slow compared to electronic mail.
  "More and more people are using e-mail rather than traditional
  delivery services, snail mail.'
   A snake in the grass   This expression refers to someone who pretends to be your friend
  while actually betraying you.
  "I thought I could trust my new colleague but he turned out to be
  a snake in the grass."
   Snowed under   Someone who is snowed under has so many things to do, usually
  work, that they feel unable to cope with it all.
  "With the 'flu epidemic, doctors and nurses are completely snowed
  under."
   Snug as a bug in a rug   This is a humorous way of saying that you are warm and comfortable.
 "Wrapped up in a blanket on the sofa, she looked as snug as a bug
  in a rug."
   A social butterfly   This term refers to a person who has a lot of friends and acquaintances
  and likes to flit from one social event to another.
  "Julie is constantly out and about; she's a real social butterfly."
   Pull up one's socks   If you pull up your socks, you work harder in order to achieve
  something.
  "You'll have to pull up your socks  if you want to pass your exam."
   Have a soft spot   If you have a soft spot for someone or something, you particularly
  like them.
  "My grandfather has always had a soft spot for fast cars."
   Soften the blow   When someone tries to soften the blow,  they do something
  to make an unpleasant event or action easier to accept.
  "In spite of the cash payments given to soften the blow, the loss
  of their jobs was a catastrophe for the miners."
   Sound/smell fishy   If something sounds or smells fishy, you are suspicious about it.
  "Do you believe what she said? Her story sounds fishy to me."
   Sound hollow   If an explanation, apology or promise sounds hollow, it seems false
  or insincere.
  "I don't think he's sorry at all.  His apology sounded hollow to me."
   Sow one's wild oats   A person, usually a man, who sows their wild oats goes through
  a period of carefree pleasure-seeking while they are young.
  "He was advised to sow his wild oats before he got married."
   Spare-part surgery   This term refers to surgery in which a diseased or non-functioning
  organ of a person is replaced with a transplanted or artificial organ.
   Spare tyre   If a person has a spare tyre, they have a roll of flesh around the
  waist.
  "I'd better go on a diet - I'm getting a spare tyre!"
   Speed networking   This refers to a relatively new urban trend which consists in
  making a potential business contact by briefly talking to a series of
  people at an organised event and exchanging contact details.
   Put a spanner in the works   To put a spanner in the works means to cause problems and
  prevent something from happening as planned.
  (In the US, the word 'wrench' or 'monkey wrench' is used instead
   of 'spanner')
   Speak ill of someone   If you speak ill of someone, you say bad or unkind things about
  them.
  "He's very loyal and refuses to speak ill of his colleagues."
   Speak off the cuff   If you say something off the cuff, you say it spontaneously,
  without previous thought or preparation.
  "Politicians are usually careful not to speak off the cuff."
   Speak out of turn   If someone speaks out of turn, either they intervene at the wrong
  moment or they say something tactless or inappropriate.
  "At the first meeting, I was afraid of speaking out of turn.
   Speak the same language   If two or more people speak the same language, they have similar
  tastes and ideas.
  "We work well together because we speak the same language."
   Speak volumes   If something speaks volumes, it expresses a reaction or opinion
  very clearly, with no need for words.
  "The happy smile on the child's face when he opened the box spoke
  volumes about my choice of gift."
   Spick and span   To refer to something, usually a place, as spick and span, means
  that it is very clean, neat and tidy. 
  "The apartment has got to be spick and span before our guests arrive."
   Spill the beans    If you spill the beans, you reveal a secret or talk about something
  private.
  "Come on!  Spill the beans!  What did he say?"
   Spin doctor   A spin doctor is a press agent or public relations officer employed
  to promote a favourable interpretation of events in business or politics.
  "For a long time spin doctors lead us to believe that the situation
  was under control."
    Spin a yarn   If you spin a yarn, you tell a story, usually a long improbable one,
  with distorted truths.
  "He failed the exam and spun a yarn about the exam papers being
  stolen."
   Spinach cinema   Films that are neither exciting nor interesting but are considered
  educational or uplifting, in the same way as certain foods are good
  for your health, are referred to as spinach cinema.
   Spiral out of control   When difficulties or costs spiral out of control, they get worse or
  increase continuously, creating a situation that becomes difficult to
  manage.
  "Some items were expensive but we were careful not to let the costs
  spiral out of control."
   Spitting image   If one person is the spitting image of another, they look exactly
  like each other.
  "Sarah is the spitting image of her mother."
   Splash out   If you splash out on something, you spend a lot of money on it.
  "Sarah's parents really splashed out on her wedding."
   Split hairs   If you split hairs, you pay too much attention to differences that
  are very small or not important.
  "If we start splitting hairs, we'll never reach an agreement!" 
   Spoon-feed someone   If a person is spoon-fed, they are helped too much rather than
  encouraged to think by themselves or use their own initiative.
  "Some teachers tend to spoon-feed their pupils."
   Spot on   To say that something is spot on means that it is exactly right.
  "That's absolutely correct!  Your answer is spot on!
   Spread like wildfire   If something such as news, rumours or gossip spreads like wildfire,
  it becomes widely known very fast.
  "As soon as the nomination was announced, the news spread like
  wildfire."
   Spread one's wings   When someone spreads their wings, they become independent,
  begin to use their abilities and develop their interests.
  "There comes a time when young people must be encouraged to
  spread their wings."
   Spread oneself too thin   If you spread yourself too thin, you do too many things at the same
  time and can't do any of them well.
 "Don't spread yourself too thin or you'll get nowhere! "
   Spur of the moment   If you do something on the spur of the moment, you do it as soon
  as you think of it, without any planning.
  "He decided on the spur of the moment to buy flowers for his wife."
   Square meal   When people talk about a square meal, they mean a substantial
  and satisfying meal.
  "I don't need a fancy restaurant, just a place where I can get a
  square meal."
   Square peg in a round hole   To say that a person is a "square peg in a round hole", means
  that they are not suitable for the job they are doing or the situation
  they are in.
  "Sarah wasn't happy in her her job.  She said she felt like a square
  peg in a round hole."
   Stab in the back   If someone stabs you in the back, they betray you by doing
  something harmful to you when you thought you could trust them.
 "His best friend stabbed him in the back by voting against him."
   At stake   Someone who has a lot at stake is in a risky situation, with a lot
  to be won or lost.
 "He was nervous about signing the agreement because there was
   a lot at stake."
   Stand on ceremony   When people stand on ceremony, they behave in a very formal way.
  "We'd be delighted to come and see you, but please don't stand on
  ceremony with us."
   Stand on your own two feet   If you stand on your own two feet, you are independent and need
  no help from anyone.
  "When young people leave home, they learn to stand on their own
  two feet."
   Stand one's ground   If you stand your ground, you maintain your position and refuse to
  yield or give way.
  "He claimed innocence and stood his ground in spite of the repeated
  accusations."
   Stand (somebody) in good stead   To say that a skill, an ability or previous experience will stand you
  in good stead means that it will be beneficial to you in the future.
  "Being able to speak another language will stand you in good stead
   when looking for a job."
   Stand the test of time   If something stands the test of time, people continue to find it valuable
  or useful after many years.
  "The teaching method has stood the test of time.  It is still used in
  schools today."
   Stand up for
 (someone or something)		   When you defend or support a person, a belief or an idea, you
  stand up for them.
  "A growing number of citizens are standing up for the victims of
  discrimination."
   Stark raving mad   If you refer to someone as stark raving mad, you mean that they
  are completely crazy
  "You're stark raving mad to go sailing in this weather."
   Starter marriage   A starter marriage is a short-lived first marriage that ends in divorce
  with no kids, no property and no regrets. 
   Stars in one's eyes   If someone has stars in their eyes, they are looking extremely happy.
 "She had stars in her eyes when she saw the car she had won."
   State of the art   If something is described as state-of-the-art, it is the most advanced
  model currently available, incorporating the latest and best technology.
   Steal someone's thunder    This expression means to take another person's idea or plan, and
  draw attention and praise away from the originator by presenting or
  using it first.
  "Bob had developed a plan to reduce production costs, but the plant
  manager stole his thunder by announcing Bob's ideas at the regional
  meeting."
   Steal the show   A person who steals the show gets more attention or praise than
  the other participants.
  "The Japanese competitor stole the show at the Olympic Games."
   It's a steal!   If you find something you want to buy for a very low price, much
  lower than what it is worth, you can say "It's a steal"!
  "He's selling it for $10? At that price it's a steal!"
   Let off steam   A person who lets off steam releases surplus energy or strong
  feelings either through intense physical activity or by talking in
  an unrestrained manner.
  "Let's bring the kids to the playground so they can let off steam."
   Under your own steam   If you go somewhere under your own steam, you do so without
  any help from others.
  "There's no need to pick us up.  We'll get there under our own steam."
   Steamed up   If someone is or gets steamed up about something, they become
  very angry, excited or enthusiastic about it.
  "Calm down - there's no need to get all steamed up about it! "
   Stem the tide   If you stem the tide (of events), you stop the development of
  something bad or undesirable.
  "The authorities seem unable to stem the rising tide of violence
   in schools."
   Step on the gas   If someone tells you to step on the gas they are encouraging you
  to accelerate or hurry up in order to get something done quickly.
  "We'd better step on the gas and get these figures printed. The
  meeting starts in half an hour."
   Step out of line   If you step out of line, you behave badly, do something unacceptable
  or break the rules.
  "It was made clear upon arrival that we would be dismissed if we
  stepped out of line.
   Stew in your own juice   If you let somebody stew in their own juice, you leave them to worry
  about the consequences of their own actions.
  "Jack spent last night in prison for starting a fight - let him just stew
   in his own juice!"
   Stick out like a sore thumb   If something sticks out like a sore thumb, it is very obvious or visible
  in an unpleasant way.
  "The modern building sticks out like a sore thumb among the old
  houses."
   Stick something out   If you stick something out, you continue to the end in spite of the
  difficulties or unpleasant aspects of the situation.
 "Life is difficult here, but he is going to stick it out because he is
  determined to succeed."
   Stick out a mile   If something sticks out a mile, it is very obvious or very easy to see.
  "You can see she's had a facelift - it sticks out a mile!"
   Stick to one's guns   If you stick to your guns, you show determination when faced with
  opposition.  
  "The government stuck to its guns in spite of the criticism."
   Sticky fingers   Someone who has sticky fingers has a tendency to steal.
  "Items have been disappearing from the stock recently. 
  Do any of the employees have sticky fingers?"
   On a sticky wicket   If you find yourself on a sticky wicket, you are in a situation that
  is difficult to deal with.
  "They've refused to sign the contract so we're on a sticky wicket now!"
   Sting someone for something   If you sting someone for an amount of money, you make them pay
  for something, usually in a deceitful manner.
  "Not only was the lunch boring but I was stung for 25$."
   Stink to high heaven   If something has a very strong unpleasant smell, it stinks to
  high heaven.
  "Take off those socks - they stink to high heaven!"
   Stir up a hornet's nest   If you stir up a hornet's nest, you do something which causes a
  commotion and provokes criticism and anger.
  "His letter to the Board stirred up a real hornet's nest."
   Stir-crazy   If a person is or goes stir-crazy, they become very agitated or
  nervous because they have been confined to one place for too long.
 "After several days in quarantine, people were going stir-crazy."
   In stitches   When people are in stitches, they are laughing a lot.
  "The story was so funny, everyone was in stitches."
   A stone's throw away   To say that something is a stone's throw away means that it is just
  a short distance away.
  "It's a residential area but the shops are just a stone's throw away."
   Stop dead in one's tracks   If you stop dead in your tracks, you stop suddenly because you are
  frightened or surprised.
  "When Steve saw the snake, he stopped dead in his tracks."
   Stop at nothing   Someone who would stop at nothing would do anything, even
  something illegal or immoral, in order to obtain what they want.
  "He'd stop at nothing if there was a possibility of making money."
   Stop the rot   When you prevent a situation from deteriorating, especially in
  politics or business, you stop the rot.
  "There was so much conflict in the office that a new manager
  was appointed to stop the rot."
   A storm is brewing   To say that a storm is brewing means that the atmosphere
  indicates that there is going to be trouble, probably with outbursts
  of anger or emotion.
  "As soon as we saw Pete's face, we knew there was a storm
  brewing."
   A storm in a teacup   To refer to something as a storm in a teacup means that you think
  that people are making a lot of unnecessary fuss or excitement about
  something unimportant.
   The eye of the storm   If you are in the eye of the storm you are deeply involved in a
  situation which is difficult or controversial and affects a lot of people.
   A stormy relationship   If you have a stormy relationship with someone, you have a lot of
  arguments and disagreements.
  "After a very stormy relationship, they decided to separate."
   Straight as a ramrod   Someone who is straight as a ramrod is a person who keeps a
  straight back and looks very serious.
  "When my grandfather invited us for dinner, he used to sit straight
  as a ramrod at the head of the table."
   Strange bedfellows   This expression refers to the unusual or unlikely association of two
  or more people, companies or states.
  "A car manufacturer and a bakery - strange bedfellows don't you
  think?"
   That's the last straw!   The expression means that  this is the latest unpleasant event,
  and that you cannot tolerate the situation any longer.
   Street smart   A person who is street smart has enough experience and
  knowledge about life in the city to be able to deal with difficult or
  dangerous situations.
  "The kids living in this area are in less danger than us - they're
  street smart."
   Streets ahead   If a person or organization is streets ahead of another, they are
  much better or more advanced.
  "In measures to preserve the planet, the Scandinavians are streets
  ahead of us."
   By no stretch of the imagination   This expression means 'however hard you may try to believe or
  imagine something'.
  "By no stretch of the imagination could he be called handsome."
   Strictly business   An appointment or event that is entirely devoted to business,
  with no leisure or relaxation, is called strictly business.
 "Yes we had lunch together but it was strictly business."
   Strike a false note.   If you strike a false note, you do something wrong or inappropriate.
  "He struck a false note when he arrived at the cocktail party wearing
  old jeans."
   Strike gold   If you strike gold, you find exactly what you need:
  satisfaction, wealth, happiness, etc.
  "I think she has struck gold this time in her new job.
  It suits her perfectly!"
   Strike (or hit) a raw nerve   If something you say strikes a raw nerve, it upsets someone
  because they are very sensitive about the subject.
  "You struck a raw nerve when you mentioned divorce.
   String someone along   If you string someone along, you deliberately mislead them about
  your intentions.
  "Bob finally realized that Mary has just been stringing him along;
  she had no intention of marrying him.
   With no strings attached.   An offer with "no strings attached" is an offer made without
  conditions or restrictions, and requires nothing in return.
  "I managed to get a loan with no strings attached."
   Struck dumb   If someone is struck dumb, they are unable to speak because
  they are so surprised, shocked or frightened by something.
  "The accused was struck dumb when the verdict was announced."
   As stubborn as a mule   If someone is as stubborn as a mule, they are very obstinate and
  unwilling to listen to reason or change their mind.
  "His friends advised him to accept the offer, but you know Jack -
  he's as stubborn as a mule!"
   Stumbling block   This term refers to a problem or obstacle which prevents you from
  achieving something.
  "My father adapted quite well but the language was always a stumbling
  block for my mother."
   On the stump   Before an election, when politicians are campaigning for support and
  votes, they are on the stump.
  "On the stump for months, the candidates attended meeting after
  meeting."
   Sublime to ridiculous   If something goes from the sublime to the ridiculous, it deteriorates
  in quality from serious or admirable to absurd or unimportant.
  "An opera followed by a Mr Muscle contest is going from the sublime
  to the ridiculous!"
   
 Sugar the pill		   If you sugar the pill, you try to make some unpleasant news
   more acceptable by saying something pleasant at the same time.
  "When Tim's parents announced that he was going to boarding
  school, they tried to sugar the pill by telling him he'd be home at
  the weekends."
   Suss out   If you suss out something, such as a situation, you examine it and
  manage to understand it.
  "Ask Jack to explain - he's got it all sussed out!"
   Swallow the bait,   If you swallow the bait, you accept an offer made specially
  to persuade you to do something.
  "When customers see a 'special offer' sign, they  usually swallow
  the bait and purchase the product."
   Swallow your words   If you swallow your words, you admit that you said something
  wrong.
  "He said I'd never get the job, but he had to swallow his words when
  I was appointed."
   Sweat of your brow   If you earn or achieve something by the sweat of your brow,
  you do it through hard work and without help from anyone.
  "I got a comfortable lifestyle by the sweat of my brow. I owe it to
  nobody but myself."
   Sweet nothings   Pleasant but unimportant words that lovers say to each other are
  called sweet nothings.
  "He whispered sweet nothings in her ear as they danced."
   Sweetheart deal  The term sweetheart deal  is used to refer to an abnormally
  lucrative arrangement between two parties.
  "Opponents say that the contract was awarded to the builder as part
  of a sweetheart deal, and is therefore illegal."
    A swelled/swollen head   Someone who has a swelled/swollen head has become proud or
  conceited, usually because of recent success.
  "Larry's promotion has given him a swelled head!"
   Swim against the tide   A person who is doing or saying the opposite to most other people
  is said to be swimming against the tide.
  "Perhaps it's because she always swims against the tide that
  her books are so successful."
   Get into the swing of things   If you get into the swing of something, you become involved in it
  or get used to it and begin to enjoy it.
   In full swing   When something, such as an event, gets into full swing, it is at its
  busiest or liveliest time.
  "When we got back to the office, the Christmas party was in full swing."
   Swings and roundabouts   (What you lose on the swings you gain on the roundabouts)
  This expression refers to a situation in which there are as many
  advantages as there are disadvantages, or what is lost in one area
  can be gained in another.
  "The more you earn, the more tax you pay;
   it's swings and roundabouts." 
 
   Swishing/swishing party   Swishing is the name given to a new fashion phenomenon - a party
  organised to swap second hand clothes.
  Everyone takes along clothes they no longer wear and people can then
  choose the ones they want.

 
 
 

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