Commonly used english part 86 docx

sucker list - a list of people who can be easily persuaded to buy something The salesman used a sucker list to try and get people to buy his new product.. a sure thing - something that i

stumbling block

- something that prevents or obstructs progress

The issue of salary was a stumbling block in the negotiations between the company and the union

subject to (something)

- depending on something, likely to have something

The purchase of the house was subject to several conditions that we wanted to talk about

subscribe to (something)

- to have a standing order for a magazine or something similar, to give support or consent to something

I subscribe to several magazines but I do not have time to read them

I do not subscribe to our teacher's ideas about many topics

such and such

- someone or something whose name has been forgotten or should not be said

My friend is always trying to borrow such and such from me but I always say no

such as

- of a particular kind, for example

I need various tools such as a hammer and a saw in order to complete the job

such as it is

- in the less-than-perfect condition in which one finds something

I received the old car such as it is but it is not worth very much

suck (someone) in

- to deceive someone

The man always sucks me in with his long and strange stories

sucker list

- a list of people who can be easily persuaded to buy something

The salesman used a sucker list to try and get people to buy his new product

sugar daddy

- a rich older man who gives money to a younger woman for her companionship The woman went on a nice winter holiday with her sugar daddy

suggestive of (something)

- to be reminiscent of something

The movie was suggestive of a time that disappeared many years ago

suit oneself

- to do something one's own way to please oneself

I was able to do everything to suit myself while I stayed with my uncle

suit/fit (someone) to a T

- to be very appropriate for someone

My new job suits me to a T

sum and substance

- a summary, the gist of something

The sum and substance of what the speaker said was very interesting

sum (something) up

- to put something into a few words, to summarize something

The speaker summed up his presentation and asked the audience for questions

sunny-side up

- eggs that are fried on one side only

We asked for our eggs to be fried sunny-side up at the restaurant

supply and demand

- the availability of something compared to the need or demand for something

The supply and demand for used sporting equipment is always very tight

supposed to do (something)

- to be expected or intend to do something

I was supposed to meet my friend but I forgot

a sure thing

- something that is sure to happen, something about which there is no doubt

My promotion to manager is a sure thing according to the president

Sure thing.

- of course, certainly

"Sure thing, I would be happy to help you move next Saturday."

survival of the fittest

- the idea that the most able or fit will survive

It was a matter of the survival of the fittest in the jungle

susceptable to (something)

- to be easily persuaded, to be easily influenced, to likely to become sick

The young boy is very susceptable to the influence of the older boys around him

swallow one`s pride

- to bring one`s pride under control, to become humble

I had to swallow my pride and ask my father for some money

swallow (something) hook, line, and sinker

- to believe something completely

I swallowed everything hook, line, and sinker when my friend told me the story about how he lost his car keys

swamped with (something)

- to be overwhelmed with something

"I am swamped with work at the moment so I can`t meet you tonight."

swan song

- a final appearance

He was a big hit during his swan song at the company last week

swear by (something)

- to have complete confidence in something, to be sure of something

My father swears by the walk that he takes every morning

swear off (something)

- to decide to give up something that you are in the habit of using

swear on a stack of Bibles

- to promise solemnly that what one is about to say is true

The man swore on a stack of Bibles that he did not take any money from the cash register

swear on (something)

- to use something as the support or authority that what one is saying is the truth

The accused criminal was asked to swear on a religious text at the trial to make sure that he was telling the truth

swear (someone) in

- to have a person promise to do his duty as a member of an organization or in a formal position

The new mayor of the city was sworn in at a large ceremony last evening

sweat bullets/blood

- to be nervous, to be very worried

I was sweating bullets during the job interview

sweat (something) out

- to wait anxiously for something, to worry about something

I spent the day sweating out whether or not I would get the job

sweep out of (somewhere)

- to leave somewhere in a dramatic way

The actress swept out of the room after her performance was over

sweep (someone) off his or her feet

- to overcome someone with strong feelings

We were both swept off our feet by the excitement of the ceremony

sweep (something) under the rug/carpet

- to hide or dismiss something casually

The couple always sweep their problems under the rug and never want to discuss them

sweet and sour

- a combination of sweet and sour tastes (found in many Chinese dishes)

The dish had a sweet and sour taste that was very delicious

sweet nothings

- affectionate but unimportant words that you say to a loved one

The boy in the movie whispered sweet nothings into the ear of his girlfriend

sweet on (someone)

- to be in love with someone, to be very fond of someone

The boy was sweet on his next door neighbor when he was a child

sweet-talk (someone)

- to praise or flatter someone to get what you want

My sister tried to sweet-talk our father into giving her the car but he said no

sweetie pie

- darling, sweetheart

swelled head

- a feeling that one is more important than one really is

The man has a swelled head since he got the new position in his company

swift and sure

- fast and certain

I made a complaint to the bank manager and I knew that the answer would come back swift and sure

swim against the tide/current

- to do the opposite of what most people want to do

My friend likes to swim against the tide and never wants to do what others are doing

swing into action

- to start doing something

The members of the rugby team swung into action and cleaned the room after the party

swing (something)

- to make something happen

I do not know if I can swing buying an expensive present for my girlfriend

switched on

- to be in tune with the latest fads/ideas/fashions

My aunt is switched on and knows everything about many recent movies

T

table a motion

- to postpone the discussion of something during a meeting

We tabled a motion to discuss the safety issue at another time

tag along with (someone)

- to go with someone, to follow along with someone

The little boy tagged along with his older brother when they went to the beach

tail between one`s legs

- feeling ashamed or beaten

The salesman resigned from his company with his tail between his legs after he told a lie about his expense account

tail wagging the dog

- a situation where a small part controls the whole thing

It is like the tail wagging the dog when the receptionist is able to control everything in the office

take Idioms

take a backseat to (someone or something)

- to accept a poorer or lower position than someone, to be second to someone or something

I had to take a backseat to my boss when we went on the business trip

take a bath (on something)

- to come to financial ruin, to lose much money on something

My aunt took a bath on the stock market last year and she is afraid to buy stocks now

take a beating

- to lose money

My father took a beating when he sold his car

take a bow

- to bow and receive credit for a good performance

The violinist stopped to take a bow before she went backstage with the orchestra

take a break

- to have a short rest period in one's work

I stopped to take a break after working all morning

take a chance/risk

- to try something where failure or bad fortune is likely

I plan to take a chance and visit my friend without phoning first

take a course in (something)

- to enroll in a class to study/learn something

I am planning to take a course in photography next year

take a crack at (something)

- to try/attempt to do something

"Have you decided to take a crack at writing the entrance examination?"

take a dig at (someone)

- to criticize someone, to say something that will irritate someone

The man is always taking a dig at his wife

take a dim view of (something)

- to be against something, to disapprove of something

Our company takes a dim view of people who do not wear a suit and tie

take a fancy/liking to (someone or something)

- to develop a fondness or a preference for someone or something

The woman took a fancy to the new person who she was working with

take a gander at (someone or something)

- to examine someone or something

I asked the car mechanic to take a gander at the steering system on my car

take a hand in (something)

- to help plan or do something

The man is always ready to take a hand in any work that needs to be done

take a hard line (with someone)

- to be firm with someone, to have a firm policy for dealing with someone

The company takes a hard line with people who come to work late

take a hint

- to understand what is hinted at and behave accordingly

The man is unable to take a hint and does not notice when people are angry at him