Commonly-Used Idioms, Sayings and phrasal verbs - "S" Idioms ppsx

salt away money - to save money My friend has salted away much money from her new job... save face- to preserve one`s good reputation or dignity when something has happened to hurt it Ou

Commonly-Used Idioms, Sayings and

phrasal verbs - "S" Idioms

- something that is never criticized or laughed at even if it sometimes deserves to be

The medical insurance system is a sacred cow of the government and is never

criticized by anyone

sadder but wiser

- unhappy about something but having learned something from the experience

The man was sadder but wiser after he learned that his wallet had been stolen

saddle (someone) with (something)

- to give someone something undesirable or difficult to deal with

I try not to saddle my friend with the problems that I am having at work

safe and sound

- to be safe/whole/healthy

We arrived at our destination safe and sound after a long journey

to be on the safe side

- to take no chances

safety in numbers

- to feel safe by being surrounded by a large number of people

There was safety in numbers when the students went to complain to the principal about their new teacher

sage advice

- very good and wise advice

I waited for my friend to ask me for my sage advice regarding his problems

sail into (someone)

- to scold or criticize someone very hard, to attack someone

When I entered the office my supervisor sailed into me for being late

sail right through (something)

- to finish something quickly and easily

I was able to sail right through the material for my final exam

sail under false colors

- to pretend to be something that one is not

The politician was sailing under false colors when he appealed to the citizens for votes

salt away money

- to save money

My friend has salted away much money from her new job

salt of the earth

- basic and fundamentally good people

The members of our club are all the salt of the earth and are fun to spend time with

same as (someone or something)

- to be identical to someone or something

My sister is exactly the same as the girl who lives down the block

Same here!

- Me too! I agree!

"Same here," I replied when someone said that they were having problems with their Internet provider

same old story

- something that occurs or has occurred in the same way before

It is always the same old story with my friend He borrows money but he never wants

to pay it back

same to you

- the same comment applies to you

"The same to you," the boy said when his friend said that he was stupid

sands of time

- the accumulated tiny amounts of time (like the sand in an hourglass)

The sands of time have done much to change the woman's attitude toward her sister

save face

- to preserve one`s good reputation or dignity when something has happened to hurt it

Our boss was very embarrassed when our company lost a lot of money However, he was able to save face when he showed that the problems were outside of his control

save one`s breath

- to remain silent because talking will do no good

You may as well save your breath and not talk to her as she will not believe you anyway

save one`s neck/skin

- to save oneself from danger or trouble

The man left the scene of the fire as soon as possible in order to save his neck

save (something) for a rainy day

- to reserve something/money for the future

I always try to save some money for a rainy day when I get paid

save the day

- to bring about victory or success (when defeat is likely)

The player saved the day for his team when he played his best game of the season

save up for (something)

- to save money in order to buy something

My friend's brother is saving up for a new digital camera

saved by the bell

- to be rescued from a difficult situation just in time by something that brings the situation to a sudden end

I was saved by the bell and do not have to give my presentation until tomorrow

saving grace

- something that saves someone or something that would otherwise be a total disaster

The man's saving grace was his mathematical ability His other personality traits were very strange

say Idioms

say a mouthful

- to say something of great importance/meaning/length

"You certainly said a mouthful," I said when my friend began to tell me about his complaint

say grace

- to say a prayer of thanks before or after a meal

The bride's father was asked to say grace before the wedding banquet

say one`s piece

- to say openly what one thinks

I said my piece at the meeting and then left quietly by the back door

say (something) in a roundabout way

- to say something indirectly

I had to say what I wanted to say in a roundabout way in order to make my point

say (something) to (someone's) face

- to say something (often unpleasant) directly to someone

My supervisor always complains about me but she is afraid to say anything to my face

say (something) under one's breath

- to say something so softly that almost nobody can hear it

The woman said something under her breath but I could not understand it

say the word

- to give a sign, to show a wish

"Just say the word and I will come and meet you at the airport."

say uncle

- to surrender, to give in

The little boy was forced to say uncle and agree to do what the older boy wanted

.

scale (something) down

- to make something smaller by a certain amount or proportion

The government decided to scale down their plans for the sports stadium

scare (someone) out of his or her wits

- to frighten someone very much

The dog scared the little boy out of his wits

scare (someone) silly

- to frighten someone very much

The mouse scared the girl silly

scare (someone) stiff

- to scare someone severely

The little boy was able to scare his little brother stiff when he decided to hide in the closet and scare him

scare the (living) daylights out of (someone)

- to frighten someone very much

Falling off the bicycle scared the daylights out of the little girl

scare up (someone or something)

- to find someone or something, to gather something with some effort

We were able to scare up a couple of sleeping bags so that we could go camping

scared silly/stiff

- to be frightened very much

I was scared stiff during the horror movie

school of hard knocks

- the ordinary experiences of life

The man learned about life in the school of hard knocks

school of thought

- a particular philosophy

There are many schools of thought about how the government should proceed with its new transportation plan

scout around for (someone or something)

- to search here and there and all over for someone or something

The company is scouting around for a new warehouse for their products

scrape the bottom of the barrel

- to take whatever is left after the best has been taken

The company is scraping the bottom of the barrel if they must give that woman a job

scrape (something) together

- to gather small amounts of money or something (usually with some difficulty) for some purpose

We managed to scrape together enough money to go on a holiday even though

business is very bad at the moment

scrape (something) up

- to find or gather something with some effort

My friend scraped up some money and came to visit me during the summer

scratch around for (something)

- look here and there for something

The woman was scratching around for some money to buy some food

scratch (someone`s) back

- to do something nice for someone in the hope that they will do something for you

"You scratch my back and I`ll scratch yours," the customer said when we talked about the new sales contract

scratch the surface

- to only begin to do or learn something

My friend is interested in classical music but she has only begun to scratch the surface

of what is available

scream bloody murder

- to complain bitterly about something

The woman screamed bloody murder when someone took her parking place at work

screw around

- to loaf about, to pass time without doing anything

I screwed around all morning and did not get anything done

screw up

- to make a mess of something, to cause trouble for someone or something

My travel agent screwed up my travel schedule and I had to stay at the airport

overnight

screw up one's courage

- to build up one's courage for something

I screwed up my courage and went in to ask my supervisor to transfer me to a

different department

scrimp and save

- to be very thrifty, to save up for something

I have been scrimping and saving in order to buy a new laptop computer

scrounge around for (something)

- to look/search in many places for something

We did not have enough wood for the fence so we had to scrounge around the

neighborhood to find some more

seamy side of life

- the most unpleasant or roughest aspect of life

The policeman learned much about the seamy side of life during his many years on the job

search high and low for (someone or something)

- to look carefully everywhere for someone or something

I have been searching high and low for my address book

search me

- I don`t know, How should I know

"Search me," my friend said when I asked him what had happened to the front of his car

search one`s soul

- to study and think about one`s reasons and actions to see if one has been fair and honest

I have been searching my soul to see if I could have prevented my friend's death in the car crash

second-guess (someone)

- to try to guess what someone else intends to do or would have done in a situation

You should never try to second-guess the actions of the firefighters in a dangerous situation

second hand

- not new, used by someone else

We went to a second-hand bookstore to look for the books

second nature to (someone)

- to be easy and natural for someone

Playing a musical instrument is second nature to my friend

second-rate

- to be not of the best quality

The performance of the school choir was second-rate and they need more practice to improve

a second thought

- a thought that one has after thinking about something again

second to none

- to be better than everything

The performance by the opera singer was second to none

second wind

- energy that is regained after being tired

After we got our second wind we continued on our hike up the mountain

security against (something)

- something that keeps something safe, protection against something

The money in the bank is my security against losing my job in the future

security blanket

- something that one holds onto for reassurance or comfort (like a child and a blanket)

The boy uses his computer as a security blanket so that he does not have to go out and meet new people

see Idioms

see a man about a dog

- to leave for some unmentioned purpose (often to go to the restroom)

I drank several cups of coffee and I soon had to stop my car to see a man about a dog

see about (something)

- to check into something

I am going to see about getting the book before next week

see double

- to see two of everything instead of one

I began to see double after I hit my head on the edge of the fence

see eye to eye (with someone)

- to agree with someone

We do not always see eye to eye on things but generally I have a good relationship with my friend

see fit to (do something)

- to decide to do something

I hope that my company sees fit to spend more time training its employees

see no objection to (something)

- to not have any objection to something

I see no objection to my friend coming to the meeting with me

see one`s way clear to (do something)

- to feel able to do something

"When you see your way clear to begin the job could you please come and tell me."

see red

- to become very angry

My friend saw red last night when I told him about the broken dishes

see (someone) home

- to accompany someone home

I saw my cousin home after her visit last evening

see (someone) off

- to go with someone to their point of departure

I went to the airport to see my mother off

see (someone) out

- to go with someone out of a room/house

I went to the front door to see our guests out to their cars

see (someone) to (somewhere)

- to escort someone to a place safely

I saw my friend to the door when he decided to go home

see (something) out

- to finish something, to not quit doing something

I decided to stay with my company in order to see out the restructuring process

see (something) through

- to do something until it is completed

I want to see the building project through until it is finished

see stars

- to think that one is seeing stars as a result of being hit on the head

When I was hit by the opposing player I fell to the ground and began to see stars

see the color of (someone's) money

- to verify that someone has (enough) money

I did not give anybody a ticket for the dinner until I saw the color of their money

see the handwriting on the wall

- to know that something is certain to happen

We saw the handwriting on the wall and we knew that our company was going to go bankrupt

see the last of (someone or something)

- to see someone or something for the last time

I was very happy to see the last of my friend who was visiting me

see the light

- to realize your mistake, to suddenly see how to proceed with something

I finally saw the light and began to work at the same pace as everyone else

see the light at the end of the tunnel

- to foresee an end to something such as a problem or a task

I could finally see the light at the end of the tunnel and I knew that I would finish the work soon

see the light of day

- to be born, to begin

I do not believe that his plans to build a new house will ever see the light of day

see the sights

- to see the important things in a place

We stopped downtown during our holiday so that we could see the sights

see the world/things through rose-colored glasses

- to see only the good things about something, to be too optimistic

She is unrealistic and tends to see the world through rose-colored glasses

see things

- to imagine sights that are not real, to think that one sees something that is not there

He is always daydreaming and imagining that he is seeing things

see through (someone or something)

- to understand someone`s true character or motivation, to understand the real reason for something

I could easily see through the supervisor's attempt to fire the woman from her job

see to it (that something is done)

- to take the responsibility to do something, to make sure that something is done

"Will you please see to it that the garbage is taken out in the morning."

see to (someone or something)

- to take care of someone or something

I will see to the rental car and my friend will see to the airplane tickets

see which way the wind is blowing

- to determine what is the most suitable thing to do

I want to see which way the wind is blowing before I decide what to do about my job

.

seeing is believing

- one must believe something that one sees

Seeing is believing and I did not believe the price of the car until I actually saw it

seize an opportunity

- to take advantage of an opportunity

I seized the opportunity to take the extra class as soon as I heard about it

seize upon (something)

- to take hold of something and make an issue of it

The opposition politician seized upon the mistake of the other politician

sell Idioms

sell like hotcakes

sell out (someone or something)

- to be disloyal, to betray someone or something

The man does not want to sell out his moral values when he begins work for the new company

sell (someone) a bill of goods

- to deceive someone, to get someone to believe something that is not true

I believe that the salesman sold me a bill of goods and the product does not have much value

sell (someone) on a plan or idea

- to convince someone of something

I could not sell my friend on my suggestion that we buy a new computer together

sell (someone) short

- to underestimate oneself or someone else

My friend is selling himself short when he thinks that he will not be good at any other job

sell (something) out

- to sell all of something

They sold the concert out in every city that it went to

sell (something) for a song

- to sell something very cheaply

They sold the furniture for a song

sell (something) off

- to sell much or all of something

The computer company decided to sell off some of their real estate business

sell (something) on credit

- to sell something now and let the purchaser pay for it later

We decided to sell the stereo system on credit

.

send Idioms

send away for (something)

- to write a letter asking for something

I sent away for some information but it has not arrived yet

send (someone) about his or her business

- to send someone away (in an unfriendly manner)

I sent the man about his business when he interrupted my work last evening

send (someone) off

send (someone) packing

- to tell someone to leave, to dismiss someone

The company sent the man packing because of his bad attitude to his job

send (someone) to the showers

- to send a player out of the game and off the field/court etc

The coach decided to send the player to the showers after his poor performance during the game

send (someone) up

- to sentence someone to prison

The judge sent the man up for seven years for robbing a bank

send (something) C.O.D.

- to send merchandise to someone who will pay for it when it is delivered

The company sent the computer printer C.O.D

send up a trial balloon

- to suggest something and see how people respond to it

The company sent up a trial balloon to see how people would react to their new product

separate but equal

- to be segregated but of equal value or quality

The teaching staff and adminstration were separate but equal regarding decisions that were made at the school

separate the men from the boys

- to separate competent people from less competent people

Some people say that joining the military is a good way to separate the men from the boys

serve as a guinea pig

- to allow some kind of test to be performed on someone

The students served as a guinea pig for the school board's plan to change the school curriculum

serve notice on (someone)

- to announce something to someone

We served notice on the apartment manager that we would leave the apartment at the end of the month

serve (someone`s) purpose

- to be useful to someone for a certain need

The small screwdriver should serve my purpose until I find the correct size

serve (someone) right

- to get the punishment or results that one deserves

My friend never studies at all so it serves him right to fail his exam

serve time

- to spend time in jail

The man served time when he was young but now he is a good citizen

set Idioms

set a precedent

- to establish a pattern, to set a policy that must be followed in future cases

The legal case set a precedent that will be followed for many years in the future

set a trap

- to prepare a trap to catch an animal or a person who is doing something

wrong/illegal

The conservation officers set a trap to try and catch the bear

set about to (do something or go somewhere)

- to begin/start something, to prepare to go somewhere

We set about to prepare the office for the move to a bigger building

set back (someone or something)

- to cause someone or something to get behind schedule, to slow down someone or something

The flood set back the efforts of the farmers to plant their crops

set eyes on (someone or something)

- to see someone or something for the first time

I do not know if my friend is here or not I have not set eyes on her since yesterday

set fire to (something)

- to put something to flames

The workers set fire to the building by accident

set foot (somewhere)

- to step or go somewhere

I have never set foot in that restaurant and I never will in the future

set forth (something)

- to explain something exactly or clearly

The manager carefully set forth the terms of the rental contract

set forth (somewhere)

- to start to go somewhere, to begin a trip

We set forth on our holiday at 7:00 this morning

set great store on (someone or something)

- to like or value someone or something

Our company sets great store on their ability to attract good people

set in

set in one's ways

- to lead a fixed lifestyle

My grandfather is set in his ways and he does not like to change his habits at all

set one`s heart on (something)

- to want something very much

I set my heart on a nice holiday this winter but I will not be able to go because I have

no money

set one`s mind at rest

- to free oneself from worry

I told my father the reason that we can`t come in order to set his mind at rest

set one's sights on (something)

- to select something as one's goal

The local politician has set his sights on being elected to a higher office

set out (somewhere)

- to leave on a journey

Marco Polo set out for China many years ago

set out to (do something)

- to decide and begin to try to do something, to attempt to do something

My friend set out to learn Spanish when he went to Mexico

set sail

- to start sailing, to begin a sea voyage

The three women set sail for Hawaii on a small sailboat

set (someone) back

- to cost someone

"How much did your new suit set you back?"

set (someone) back on his or her heels

- to surprise/shock/overwhelm someone

The announcement by the principal set the teachers back on their heels

set (someone or something) free

- to release someone or something

The conservation officers went to the mountains and set the bear free

set (someone or something) loose

- to set someone or something free, to release someone or something that you are holding

The wildlife department decided to set loose the bear that it had captured

set (someone or something) straight

- to explain something to someone

The police officer set the woman straight about how the driving laws operate

set (someone's) teeth on edge

- to irritate someone (often a person or a noise)

The constant noise from the stereo next door set my teeth on edge

set (something) off

- to decorate something through contrast, to balance something by difference

We painted the trim of our house red in order to set off the light colors

set (something) off

- to cause something to explode

The fire set off a large explosion on the ship

set (something) right

- to correct something, to make something more fair

The man made an effort to set things right between himself and his brother

set (something) to music

- to write a piece of music that is related to some written material

The composer has worked hard to set many great stories to music

set the pace

- to decide on a rate of speed to do something that others will follow

The manager of the factory sets the pace for the employees under him

set the stage for (something)

- to prepare for something

The win by our team set the stage for a great final championship game next month

set the table

- to place plates/glasses/napkins on the table before a meal

I set the table for my mother while she was cooking dinner

set the world on fire

- to do something outstanding, to do something that makes one famous

The author has not been able to set the world on fire with his writing but he is trying very hard

set tongues wagging

- to start people to start gossiping

The actions of the supervisor set tongues wagging around our office

set type

- to arrange type for printing

The small printing company worked all night to set type for the local paper

set up (someone)

- to put someone in a position to be manipulated

I do not believe that I lost the money honestly I believe that someone set me up

set up (something)

- to establish something, to provide the money for something

The newspaper company provided the money to set up the new travel magazine The company set up a situation to test the new product

set up (something)

- to make something ready to use by putting the parts together

After we set up the gas barbecue we were able to cook dinner

set up shop (somewhere)

- to establish one's place of work somewhere

The small fire alarm company decided to set up shop in the suburbs of the city

set upon (someone or something)

- to attack someone or something violently

The three young boys set upon the man on the city bus

.

settle Idioms

settle a score with (someone)

- to retaliate against someone, to pay someone back for a past wrong

My boss is trying to settle a score with one of my co-workers for something that happened several years ago

settle down

- to calm down

The baby finally settled down and went to sleep

settle down

- to begin to live a quiet/stable life

My friend settled down and started a family after he finished university

settle for (something)

- to be satisfied with less than you want, to agree to accept something as a second choice

I settled for less than I originally wanted but still I am happy with my new contract at work

settle on (something)

- to decide on something

We finally settled on the fish dinner at the restaurant

settle (someone's) affairs

- to deal with one's business matters, to manage the affairs of someone who cannot manage them

It was very difficult for my friend to settle his father's affairs after he passed away

settle (something) out of court

- to settle a disagreement without having to go through a court of justice

The company was able to settle their lawsuit out of court

settle up with (someone)

- to pay someone what one owes

I settled up with my friend before he left to work overseas

setup

- an arrangement, the details of a situation

My uncle has a very nice setup at his office

seventh heaven

- a state of intense delight

The girl has been in seventh heaven since she got the music award

sever ties with (someone)

- to end a relationship or agreement with someone or something

The large company decided to sever ties with the small advertising company

sew (something) up

- to complete or secure something

The candidate for the nomination sewed up his victory last week

shack up with (someone)

- to live with someone in a relationship without marrying him or her

When my sister was younger she shacked up with her boyfriend for a couple of years

shades of (someone or something)

- a reminder of someone or something

The festival continued with shades of the large festivals of many years ago

shadow of oneself/itself

- someone or something that is not as strong/healthy/lively as before

The professional boxer was a shadow of his former self

shake Idioms

shake a leg

- to go fast, to hurry

"You will have to shake a leg if you want to arrive at the movie on time."

shake (hands) on (something)

- to shake the hand of someone as a sign of agreement about something

I shook hands on the agreement that I had to take on more responsibility at work

shake hands with (someone)

- to shake the hand of someone to greet them

I shook hands with my neighbor when I first met him

shake/quake in one's boots

- to be afraid, to shake from fear

The little boy was shaking in his boots when the large dog approached him

shake off an illness

- to become well/healthy again

shake off (someone or something)

- to get rid of someone or something that is bothering you

I was able to shake off my cold after a weekend of resting in bed

shake (someone) down

- to get money by threatening someone

The gangsters shook the small shop owners down to get some money

shake up (someone)

- to shock or upset someone

The change in policies shook up many people in the company

shake up (something)

- to reorganize something, to reorganize a group of people

The president decided to shake up the company in order to bring new energy into the organization

- to improve one's behavior/performance/physical shape

He has finally begun to shape up and is doing his job much better

shape up or ship out

- to either improve one's performance or leave

The new employee was told to shape up or ship out when his performance was not equal to the other members of the staff

share and share alike

- have/get equal shares of something

We always share and share alike when we are on a camping trip

share (someone's) pain

- to understand and sympathize with someone's pain or discomfort

I tried hard to share my friend's pain after his father died

share (someone's) sorrow

- to grieve as someone else grieves

The neighbors shared the sorrow of the family who lost their house in a fire

shed crocodile tears

- to pretend that one is crying

The man pretended to apologize for his actions but he was only shedding crocodile tears

shed some light on (something)

- to reveal something about something

The speech of the politician did not shed any light on the scandal that he was involved

in

shell out money

- to pay money

I shelled out much money for the new stereo

shine up to (someone)

- to try to please someone, to try to make friends with someone

He is always shining up to his boss in the hopes of getting an increase in salary

shipping and handling

- the costs of handling a product and transporting it

The cost of shipping and handling for some goods that are bought over the Internet are very high

ships that pass in the night

- people who meet briefly by chance but are unlikely to meet again

We were like two ships that pass in the night and I do not think that I will ever see that person again

shirk one's duty

- to neglect one's job or task

The guard was shirking his duty when he spent much of the evening playing cards

the shoe is on the other foot

- the opposite is true, the places are changed

The shoe is on the other foot now that my neighbor has to deal with the same

problems that we must deal with

a shoo-in

- someone or something that is expected to win, a sure winner

The university president is a shoo-in to win another term in office

shook up

- to be upset, to be worried

Our secretary was shook up after the accident and has not been back to work since

shoot Idioms

shoot for (something)

- to attempt to do something, to aim toward a goal

I was shooting for the local spelling championship before I could go on to a higher level

shoot from the hip

- to speak directly and frankly, to fire a gun that is at one's side

The man often shoots from the hip and gets into trouble over what he says

shoot one's mouth off

- to boast or talk too much

The boy was shooting his mouth off about his ability in sports

shoot one`s wad

- to spend all of one`s money, to say everything that is on one`s mind

shoot out (something)

- to stick or throw something outward

The man shot out his foot from under the table and made his friend fall down

shoot straight

- to act fairly, to deal honestly with someone

The salesman always shoots straight when he is dealing with his customers

shoot the breeze/bull

- to talk idly

I met my friend at the supermarket and we decided to shoot the breeze for a few minutes

shoot the works

- to spare no expense or effort to do something

They are planning to shoot the works with the victory celebration for the Olympic athletes

shoot up (drugs)

- to take drugs by injecting them

We were going to a movie when we saw someone shooting up heroin in the alley

shoot up (someone or something)

- to shoot at someone or something recklessly

In many western movies the outlaws come into town and shoot up everything

.

shop around for (something)

- to go to various stores to look for something

We shopped around for a month before we bought a new stereo system

shore (something) up

- to add support to something which is weak

It was necessary to shore up the house after the mud slide damaged the foundation

short and sweet

- brief and pleasant

My visit with my parents was short and sweet

the short end (of the stick)

short for (something)

- something that is a shortened form of a word or phrase

The woman's nickname is short for her name which is very difficult to pronounce

short of (something)

- to not have enough of something

We are short of sugar so I will buy some when I am at the store

short shrift

- rude treatment

The woman received short shrift from her supervisor when she asked for a holiday

a shot in the arm

- something inspiring or encouraging, a boost of energy

His job search got a shot in the arm when the company president called him in for an interview

a shot in the dark

- an attempt at something without much hope or chance of succeeding

The attempt to find the small boy who had fallen into the river was a shot in the dark

shot through with (something)

shoulder to shoulder

- side by side, with a shared purpose

The firefighters worked shoulder to shoulder to help prevent the house from burning

shove (something) down (someone`s) throat

- to force someone to do or agree to something that is not wanted

I do not like him because he is always trying to shove his ideas down my throat

shove off

- to start, to leave

"I think that it is time for us to shove off It is almost midnight."

shove one's way somewhere

- to make a path through a crowd by pushing

We shoved our way into the department store for the big sale

show Idioms

show-and-tell

- to present something interesting to a class (in elementary school)

The little boy took a starfish from the ocean to his school for show-and-tell

show good faith

- to demonstrate good intentions or good will