English Idioms and Expressions
Alphabetical List of Idioms S-18,
from: 'state of the art'
to: 'step on toes'
- state of the art
- If something is described as state-of-the-art, it
is very modern or is the most advanced model currently available, incorporating the latest and best technology.
"After working in such an old building for so long it will be great to move into our new state-of-the-art facility."
- If something is described as state-of-the-art, it
is very modern or is the most advanced model currently available, incorporating the latest and best technology.
- stay above the fray
- Someone who stays above the fray avoids getting directly involved in conflicts, arguments, or disputes.
- "The boss always delegates controversial matters to a member of the staff
so that he can stay above the fray."
- "The boss always delegates controversial matters to a member of the staff
so that he can stay above the fray."
- stay in the loop/stay in the know
- If you stay in the loop or stay in the know, you are informed about the most recent developments
or are aware of what is happening.
"Make the sure the new intern stays in the loop about the project.”
- If you stay in the loop or stay in the know, you are informed about the most recent developments
or are aware of what is happening.
- stay one jump ahead
- If you stay one jump ahead, you keep an advantage over
others by making sure you are better informed or taking action before they do.
"He is a successful journalist because he always stays one jump ahead of the others."
- If you stay one jump ahead, you keep an advantage over
others by making sure you are better informed or taking action before they do.
- (as) steady as a rock
- A person who is as steady as a rock is strong, calm and dependable.
"My father was as steady as a rock when our family went through a tough period."
- A person who is as steady as a rock is strong, calm and dependable.
- steal a march
- If you steal a march on someone, you do something in
an unexpected or secret way that enables you to gain an advantage over them.
"We were able to steal a march on other retailers by immediately offering a 10% reduction on orders received the first day."
- If you steal a march on someone, you do something in
an unexpected or secret way that enables you to gain an advantage over them.
- steal someone's thunder
- If you steal someone's thunder you take their idea or plan and draw attention and praise away
from them by presenting it first.
"Fred had developed a plan to reduce production costs, but the manager stole his thunder by announcing Fred's idea at the regional meeting."
- If you steal someone's thunder you take their idea or plan and draw attention and praise away
from them by presenting it first.
- 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."
- A person who steals the show gets more attention or praise than the other participants.
- it's a steal!
- If you find something that you want for a very low
price, much lower than what it is worth, you can say 'it's a steal!'.
"He's selling it for $20? At that price it's a steal!"
- If you find something that you want for a very low
price, much lower than what it is worth, you can say '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 that they can 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.
- run out of steam
- If you say that a person, a process or an organised event is
running out of steam, you mean that there is a loss of impetus, energy or enthusiasm.
"The anti-immigrant movement seems to be running out of steam."
- If you say that a person, a process or an organised event is
running out of steam, you mean that there is a loss of impetus, energy or enthusiasm.
- under your own steam
- If you go somewhere under your own steam, you do so without any help from others.
"No need to pick us up. We'll get there under our own steam."
- If you go somewhere under your own steam, you do so without any help from others.
- steamed up
- If someone 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!"
- If someone gets steamed up about something, they become very angry, excited or enthusiastic 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."
- If you stem the tide (of events), you stop the development of something bad or undesirable.
- step into the breach
- If you step into the breach, you do work that someone else is unexpectedly unable to do.
"Steve stepped into the breach when his colleague had a car accident."
- If you step into the breach, you do work that someone else is unexpectedly unable to do.
- step into someone's shoes
- If you step into someone's shoes, you take over a
job or position held by someone else before you.
"William has been trained to step into his father's shoes when he retires."
- If you step into someone's shoes, you take over a
job or position held by someone else before you.
- 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."
- 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.
- step on someone's toes
- If you annoy or irritate someone by intervening in a situation that is their responsibility, you step on their toes.
"I could offer some advice but I'm afraid of stepping on someone's toes."
- If you annoy or irritate someone by intervening in a situation that is their responsibility, you step on their toes.
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