English Idioms and Idiomatic Expressions
Alphabetical List of Idioms S, page 12
Idioms S, page 12: from: 'sling mud' to: 'smash hit'
- 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."
- 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.
- give somebody the slip
- If you give somebody the slip, you manage to hide
or get away from the person who is following you.
"The police were on his trail, but he managed to give them the slip."
- If you give somebody the slip, you manage to hide
or get away from the person who is following you.
- slip your mind
- If something hasslipped your mind, you have
forgotten about it.
"Oh dear! It slipped my mind that the shops were closed today!"
- If something hasslipped your mind, you have
forgotten about it.
- (as) 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.
"The man was as slippery as an eel. He was arrested for theft several times but was never convicted."
- To say that someone is as slippery as an eel means that
they are difficult to catch and they manage to avoid answering questions.
- slush fund
- A slush fund is an account or fund in politics or
business where money is set aside for various unofficial purposes, often unethical
or even illegal.
"A large commission taken from the slush fund ensured the success of the negotiations."
- A slush fund is an account or fund in politics or
business where money is set aside for various unofficial purposes, often unethical
or even illegal.
- (as) sly as a fox
- Someone who is as sly as a fox is cunning and clever
at getting what they want, especially by deceiving or tricking people.
"Be wary of that insurance salesman. He's known to be as sly as a fox."
- Someone who is as sly as a fox is cunning and clever
at getting what they want, especially by deceiving or tricking people.
- 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."
- If you do something on the sly, you do it secretly or
furtively.
- small dog, tall weeds
- This expression is used to refer to someone who does not have
the ability or the resources necessary to perform a task.
"The task may be too difficult for the trainee - small dog, tall weeds!"
- This expression is used to refer to someone who does not have
the ability or the resources necessary to perform a task.
- small fry
- People or organisations that are considered
unimportant can be referred to as small fry.
"The police seized a large quantity of drugs, and some small fry, but not the organisers they were hoping to catch."
- People or organisations that are considered
unimportant can be referred to as small fry.
- small hours
- The term 'the small hours' means after midnight or
the very early hours of the day.
"Laura worked until the small hours on her speech for the ceremony."
- The term 'the small hours' means after midnight or
the very early hours of the day.
- small potatoes
- Something that is small potatoes is considered
unimportant or insignificant.
"The author's first publication was considered small potatoes but her new book has lead to a change of opinion."
- Something that is small potatoes is considered
unimportant or insignificant.
- it's a small world
- This expression is used by someone who is surprised to meet
familiar people in unexpected places.
"Wow! It's a small world. I never expected to meet a neighbour on a transatlantic flight!"
- This expression is used by someone who is surprised to meet
familiar people in unexpected places.
- 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!"
- A smart alec is an annoying self-assertive person who
tries to show off how clever they are.
- 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."
- A very successful performance in music, films, theatre, etc.
is called a smash hit.
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