out making any progress. * /I've been working for the firm for two decades, but I feel I am merely spinning my wheels./ [spin out] {v. phr.} 1. To go out of control. * /The bus spun out on the icy road and fell into the ditch./ 2. To make something go out of control. * /Tom stepped on the brakes so fast that he spun his car out of control and went off the road./ [spirit away] {v. phr.} To hide or smuggle something out; abduct. * /The famous actress was spirited away by her bodyguards as soon as she emerged from the door./ [spite] See: CUT OFF ONE'S NOSE TO SPITE ONE'S FACE. [spit] or [piss into the wedding cake] {v. phr.}, {vulgar}, {avoidable} To spoil someone's pleasure or celebration by doing or saying something harsh or unseemly in an otherwise happy gathering; bring up depressing or unhappy subjects at a supposedly happy time. * /Stuart really spit into the wedding cake when he told Burt in a bragging fashion that Lucy, Burl's bride, used to be his girlfriend./ [spitting image] {n.} or [spit and image] {informal} An exact likeness; a duplicate. * /John is the spitting image of his grandfather./ * /That vase is the spitting image of one I wanted to buy in Boston./ Compare: LIKE FATHER, LIKE SON. [spit up] {v.} To vomit a little. * /The baby always spits up when he is burped./ * /Put a bib on the baby. I don't want him to spit up on his clean clothes./ [split end] {n.} An end in football who plays five to ten yards out from the tackle in the line. * /The split end is one of the quarterback's most important targets for passes./ Contrast: TIGHT END. [split hairs] {v. phr.} To find and argue about small and unimportant differences as if the differences are important. * /John is always splitting hairs; he often starts an argument about something small and unimportant./ * /Don't split hairs about whose turn it is to wash the dishes and make the beds; let's work together and finish sooner./ [split second] {n.} A very short time; less than a second. * /The lightning flash lasted a split second, and then disappeared./ [split the difference] {v. phr.}, {informal} To settle a money disagreement by dividing the difference, each person giving up half. * /Bob offered $25 for Bill's bicycle and Bill wanted $35; they split the difference./ [split ticket] {n.} A vote for candidates from more than one party. * /Mr. Jones voted a split ticket./ * /An independent voter likes a split ticket./ Contrast: STRAIGHT TICKET. [split up] {v. phr.} 1. To separate; get a divorce. * /After three years of marriage, the unhappy couple finally split up./ 2. To separate something; divide into portions. * /The brothers split up their father's fortune among themselves after his death./ [split-up] {n.} A separation or division into two or many smaller parts. * /The split-up of our company was due to the founder's untimely death./ [spoil for] {v. phr.} To want something very badly; be belligerent or pugnacious about something. * /After a few drinks it became embarrassingly evident that Hal was spoiling for a fight./ Compare: HANKER AFTER, LUST FOR. [spoken for] {adj.} Occupied; reserved; taken; already engaged or married. * /"Sorry, my boy," Mr. Jones said condescendingly, "but my daughter is already spoken for. She will marry Fred Wilcox next month."/ [sponge] See: THROW IN THE SPONGE. [sponge bath] {n.} A bath with a cloth or sponge and a little water. * /During the drought the family had only sponge baths./ * /The family took sponge baths because they had no bathtub./ [sponge on] or [off] {v. phr.} To exploit parasitically; depend upon for support. * /He is already forty years old, but he refuses to go to work and sponges off his retired parents./ [spoon] See: BORN WITH A SILVER SPOON IN ONE'S MOUTH. [spoon-feed] {v.} 1. To feed with a spoon. * /Mothers spoon-feed their babies./ 2a. To make something too easy for (a person). * /Bill's mother spoon-fed him and never let him think for himself./ * /Alice depended on her mother for all decisions because she had been spoon-fed./ 2b. To make (something) too easy for someone. * /Some students want the teacher to spoon-feed the lessons./ [sporting blood] {n.} Willingness to take risks; spirit of adventure. * /The cowboy's sporting blood tempted him to try to ride the wild horse./ * /The boy's sporting blood caused him to run away with a circus./ [spot] See: HIT THE HIGH SPOTS, HIT THE SPOT, JOHNNY-ON-THE-SPOT, ON THE SPOT or UPON THE SPOT also IN A SPOT, SORE SPOT. [spot check] {n. phr.} A sample check or investigation. * /Internal Revenue Service employees often conduct a spot check of individual returns when the figures don't add up./ [spotlight] See: STEAL THE SPOTLIGHT. [spread it on thick] See: LAY IT ON or LAY IT ON THICK. [spread like wildfire] {v. phr.} To spread uncontrollably and rapidly. * /Bad news has a tendency to spread like wildfire./ [spread oneself too thin] {v. phr.} To try to do too many things at one time. * /As the owner, chef, waiter, and dishwasher of his restaurant, Pierre was spreading himself too thin./ [spring a leak] {v. phr.} 1. To develop a hole (said of boats) through which water can enter, threatening the boat to sink. * /When our small boat sprang a leak, we rapidly returned to shore to fix it./ 2. To be threatened by some oncoming danger. * /Our firm sprang a leak when the vice president suddenly died of a heart attack./ [spring chicken] {n.}, {slang} A young person. - Usually used with "no". * /Mr. Brown is no spring chicken, but he can still play tennis well./ * /The coach is no spring chicken, but he can show the players what to do./ [spring on one] {v. phr.} To approach someone unexpectedly with an unpleasant idea or project. * /Our firm was merely six weeks old when they sprang the news on me that I had to go to Algiers to open a new branch there./ [spring up] {v. phr.} To arise suddenly. * /Small purple flowers were springing up all over our backyard./ [sprout wings] {v. phr.} 1. To enter the stage after a period of development when wings appear (said of larvae that turn into butterflies). * /The dragonflies suddenly sprouted wings and are flying all about in the park./ 2. To become good and virtuous (as if airborne). * /Joe has helped many colleagues in need; he seems to have sprouted wings./ [spruce up] {v.}, {informal} To make clean or neat. * /Mary spruced up the house before her company came./ * /John spruced himself up before he went out on his date./ [spur] See: ON THE SPUR OF THE MOMENT, WIN ONE'S SPURS. [squad] See: FIRING SQUAD. [square] See: FAIR AND SQUARE, SHOOT STRAIGHT or SHOOT SQUARE. [square away] {v. phr.} 1. To arrange the sails of a ship so that the wind blows from behind. * /The captain ordered the crew to square away and sail before the wind./ 2. {informal} To put right for use or action. - Often used in the passive or participle. * /The living room was squared away for the guests./ * /Harry got into trouble, but his scoutmaster talked with him and got him squared away./ Syn.: STRAIGHTEN OUT. 3. {informal} To stand ready to fight; put up your fists. * /Jack and Lee squared away./ Syn.: SQUARE OFF. [squared away] {adj. phr.} Looked after properly; tucked away; arranged. * /My first two daughters are happily married, but my third one, Jennifer, isn't squared away yet./ [square deal] {n. phr.} 1. Equitable or fair treatment. * /We are proud to say that at this firm every employee gets a square deal./ Contrast NEW DEAL, RAW DEAL. [square meal] {n. phr.} A full, nourishing well-balanced meal. * /The refugees looked as if they hadn't had a square meal in months./ [square off] {v. phr.}, {informal} To stand ready for fighting with the fists. * /The two boxers squared off when the bell rang./ [square oneself with] {v. phr.} To apologize; re-establish friendship with; make amends. * /"Mr. Alien is very angry with you for leaving the firm," Bob said. "It will take more than a few words and a drink to square yourself with him."/ [square one's shoulders] {v. phr.} To stand strong and ready to give battle; be brave. * /Jack squared his shoulders and entered the game./ * /Graduates must square their shoulders and face the world./ [square peg in a round hole] {n.}, {informal} A person who does not fit into a job or position; someone who does not belong where he is. * /Arthur is a square peg in a round hole when he is playing ball./ * /George likes to work with his hands. When it comes to books, he's a square peg in a round hole./ - Sometimes used in a short form, [square peg]. [square shooter] See: SHOOT STRAIGHT. [square up] {v. phr.} To liquidate debts and other obligations. * /I want to square up my medical bills before I accept my new teaching assignment in Africa./ [squeak] See: PIP-SQUEAK. [squeak by] {v. phr.} 1. To barely succeed. * /He was so poorly prepared for his bar exam that he barely squeaked by./ 2. To clear with difficulty. * /The entrance to the corridor in the old Italian castle was so narrow that I barely managed to squeak by it./ [squeak through] {v.}, {informal} To be successful but almost fail; win by a small score. * /Susan squeaked through the history examination./ * /The football team squeaked through 7-6./ Compare: BY THE SKIN OF ONE'S TEETH. [squeeze out of] {v. phr.} To apply pressure to someone in order to obtain what one desires. * /The police were interrogating the suspect to squeeze information out of him./ [stab in the back(1)] {v. phr.}, {slang} To say or do something unfair that harms (a friend or someone who trusts you). * /Owen stabbed his friend Max in the back by telling lies about him./ [stab in the back(2)] {n. phr.}, {slang} An act or a lie that hurts a friend or trusting person; a promise not kept, especially to a friend. * /John stabbed his own friend in the back by stealing from his store./ * /My friend stabbed me in the back by telling the teacher I was playing hooky when I was home sick./ [stab in the dark] {n. phr.} A random attempt or guess at something without previous experience or knowledge of the subject. * /"You're asking me who could have hidden grandpa's will," Fred said. "I really have no idea, but let me make a stab in the dark - I think my sister Hermione has it."/ [stack] See: BLOW A FUSE or BLOW ONE'S STACK. [stack the cards] {v. phr.} 1. To arrange cards secretly and dishonestly for the purpose of cheating. * /The gambler had stacked the cards against Bill./ 2. To arrange things unfairly for or against a person; have things so that a person has an unfair advantage or disadvantage; make sure in an unfair way that things will happen. - Usually used in the passive with "in one's favor" or "against one." * /A tall basketball player has the cards stacked in his favor./ * /The cards are stacked against a poor boy who wants to go to college./ [stage] See: AT --- STAGE OF THE GAME, HOLD THE STAGE, ON THE STAGE, SET THE STAGE. [stage fright] {n. phr.} The fear one feels before appearing in front of an audience. * /Many famous actors and actresses admit that they often have stage fright before the curtain goes up./ [stagestruck] {adj.} Desirous of becoming an actor or actress; enamored of the acting profession. * /Milly is so stagestruck that she waits for actresses at the stage door after each performance to get their signatures./ [stage whisper] {n. phr.} A loud whisper intended to reach other ears than those of the person(s) addressed. * /Some jokes should be told in a stage whisper./ [stag party] See: GO STAG. Contrast: HEN PARTY. [stake] See: AT STAKE, PULL UP STAKES. [stake a claim] {v. phr.} 1. To claim ownership of land by driving stakes to show boundaries. * /The gold hunters staked claims in the West./ 2. {informal} To claim a person or thing as your own by some sign. Usually used with "on". * /George staked a claim on Dianne by giving her his class ring./ [stamp] See: SAVINGS STAMP, TRADING STAMP. [stamping ground] {n.}, {informal} A place where a person spends much of his time. * /Pete's soda fountain is an afterschool stamping ground./ * /When John returned to his hometown many years later, he visited all of his old stamping grounds./ [stamp out] {v.} To destroy completely and make disappear. * /In the last few years, we have nearly stamped out polio by using vaccine./ * /The police and judges are trying to stamp out crime./ Compare: WIPE OUT. [stand] See: GOAL LINE STAND, HAIR STAND ON END, HEART STAND STILL, LEG TO STAND ON. [stand a chance] or [stand a show] {n. phr.} To have a possibility or opportunity; be likely to do or get something. * /Fred doesn't stand a chance of being elected./ * /We stand a good chance of seeing Mary at the party./ [standard time] also [slow time] {n.} Clock time that is set by law or agreement in a country or in part of a country; especially, in the United States: the clock time used between fall and spring, which is an hour slower than the time used in the summer. - Abbreviation ST. * /When we go to bed Saturday night, we will set our clocks back an hour, because Sunday we will be on standard time again./ * /Next week it will get dark an hour earlier, because we will be on standard time./ Contrast: DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME. [stand by] {v.} 1. To be close beside or near. * /Mary could not tell Jane the secret with her little brother standing by./ * /Would you just stand by and watch the big boys beat your little brother?/ 2. To be near, waiting to do something when needed. * /The policeman in the patrol car radioed the station about the robbery, and then stood by for orders./ * /Lee stood by with a fire extinguisher while the trash was burning./ 3. To follow or keep (one's promise). * /He is a boy who always stands by his promises./ 4. To be loyal to; support; help. * /When three big boys attacked Bill, Ed stood by him./ * /Some people blamed Harry when he got into trouble, but Joe stood by him./ Compare: BACK UP, HANG TOGETHER, STAND UP FOR. [stand by one's guns] See: STICK TO ONE'S GUNS. [stand for] {v.} 1. To be a sign of; make you think of; mean. * /The letters "U.S.A." stand for "United States of America."/ * /The written sign "=" in an arithmetic problem stands for "equals."/ * /Our flag stands for our country./ * /The owl stands for wisdom./ 2. To speak in favor of something, or show that you support it. * /The new President stood for honest government./ * /John always stands for what is right./ 3. {Chiefly British} To try to be elected for. * /Three men from London are standing for parliament./ * /The governor did not stand for reelection./ 4. {informal} To allow to happen or to be done; permit. - Usually used in the negative, * /The teacher will not stand for fooling in the classroom./ Compare: HAVE IT(4), PUT UP WITH. [stand in awe of] {v. phr.} To look upon with wonder; feel very respectful to. * /Janet always stands in awe of the superintendent./ * /The soldier stood in awe to his officers./ [stand in for] {v. phr.} To substitute for someone. * /The famous brain surgeon was called out of town so his assistant had to stand in for him during the operation./ [stand in one's way] See: IN ONE'S WAY. [stand in with] {v. phr.}, {informal} To be liked by or friendly with. - Usually used with "well". * /John stands in well with the teacher./ [stand off] {v.} 1. To stay at a distance; stay apart. * /At parties, Mr. Jones goes around talking to everyone, but Mrs. Jones is shy and stands off./ 2. To keep (someone or something) from coming near or winning. * /The soldiers defending the fort stood off a large band of Indians./ * /The other schools wanted to beat our team and win the championship, but our boys stood them all off./ Contrast: GIVE GROUND. [standoffish] {adj.} Stiff; aloof; reserved in manner. * /The famous chess player is hard to get to know because he is so standoffish./ [stand on ceremony] {v. phr.} To follow strict rules of politeness; be very formal with other people. - Usually used with a helping verb in the negative. * /Grandmother does not stand on ceremony when her grandchildren call./ [stand one in good stead] {v. phr.} To be helpful or useful to. * /A boy scout knife will stand you in good stead when you do not have other tools./ * /Julia knew how to typewrite, and that stood her in good stead when she looked for a job./ [stand one's ground] also [hold one's ground] {v. phr.} 1. To stay and fight instead of running away. * /The enemy attacked in great numbers but our men stood their ground./ Compare: GAIN GROUND. Contrast: GIVE GROUND, LOSE GROUND. 2. To defend a belief or statement; refuse to weaken when opposed; insist you are right. * /John's friends said he was mistaken but he stood his ground./ Compare: STICK TO ONE'S GUNS. [stand on one's own feet] or [stand on one's own two feet] {v. phr.} To depend on yourself; do things yourself; earn your own living; be independent. * /After his father died, John had to stand on his own feet and earn his own living./ * /You should learn to stand on your own two feet./ [stand out] {v.} 1. To go farther out than a nearby surface; protect. * /A mole stood out on her cheek./ Compare: STICK OUT(1b). 2. To be more noticeable in some way than those around you; be higher, bigger, or better. * /Fred was very tall and stood out in the crowd./ * /John stood out as a track star./ [stand over] {v.} 1. To watch closely; keep checking all the time. * /Ted's mother had to stand over him to get him to do his homework./ 2. To be held over for later action; be postponed; wait. * /The committee decided to let the proposal stand over until its next meeting./ [stand pat] {v.}, {informal} To be satisfied with things and be against a change. * /Bill had made up his mind on the question and when his friends tried to change his mind, he stood pat./ Compare: STAND ONE'S GROUND(2). [stand the gaff] {v. phr.}, {informal} To stand rough treatment; do well in spite of great physical or mental hardship. * /An athlete must learn to stand the gaff./ * /No person running for office gets far unless he can stand the gaff./ Compare: HOLD OUT 2, STICK OUT 2. [stand to reason] {v. phr.} To seem very likely from the known facts. * /If you have a driver's license, it stands to reason you can drive./ * /Joe is intelligent and studies hard; it stands to reason that he will pass the examination./ [stand trial] {v. phr.} To submit to a trial by court. * /The case has been postponed and he may not have to stand trial until next April./ [stand up] {v.} 1. To rise to a standing position; get up on your feet. * /A gentleman stands up when a lady enters a room./ 2. To be strong enough to use hard or for a long time. * /A rocket must be built strongly to stand up under the blast-off./ * /The old car has already stood up for twenty years./ Compare: WEAR WELL. 3. {informal} To make a date and then fail to keep it. * /June cried when Bill stood her up on their first dale./ [stand up and be counted] {v. phr.} To be willing to say what you think in public; let people know that you are for or against something. * /The equal rights movement needs people who are willing to stand up and be counted./ * /If you disagree with the group, you should be ready to stand up and be counted./ [stand up for] or {informal} [stick up for] {v.} To defend against attack; fight for. * /John always stands up for his rights./ * /When Mary was being criticized, Jane stuck up for her./ Compare: BACK UP, GO TO BAT FOR, STAND BY, STAND ONE'S GROUND, STICK TO ONE'S GUNS, GO TO BAT FOR. [stand up to] {v.} To meet with courage. * /Mary stood up to the snarling dog that leaped toward her./ * /A soldier must stand up to danger./ [stand up with] {v.}, {informal} To be best man or maid of honor at a wedding. * /A groom often chooses his brother to stand up with him./ [star] See: FIVE-STAR, SEE STARS, HITCH ONE'S WAGON TO A STAR, LUCKY STAR, THANK ONE'S LUCKY STARS. [starch] See: TAKE THE STARCH OUT OF. [stare in the face] {n. phr.} 1. To be about to meet or to happen to (you.) * /Grandmother became very sick and death was staring her in the face./ * /Defeat stared them in the face, but the soldiers fought on bravely./ 2. To be easy to see; be plain. * /Are you looking for your pencil? It's on your desk, staring you in the face./ * /Their friends all knew that Mary loved John, but John did not see it even though it was staring him in the face./ [stars in one's eyes] {n. phr.} 1. An appearance or feeling of very great happiness or expectation of happiness. * /Mary gets stars in her eyes when she thinks of her boyfriend./ 2. A belief in the possibility of quick and lasting reforms in people and life and an eagerness to make such changes. * /Some inexperienced people get stars in their eyes when they think of improving the world./ - [starry-eyed] {adj.} Very happy and excited, perhaps with little reason; eager and self-confident about improving human nature and general conditions of life. * /Young people are often starry-eyed and eager to improve the world; they do not know how hard it is./ [start] See: BY FITS AND STARTS, HEAD START, JACK-RABBIT START, RUNNING START. [start from scratch] See: FROM SCRATCH. [start in] {v.}, {informal} 1. To begin to do something; start. * /Fred started in weeding the garden./ * /The family started in eating supper./ Compare: GO AT. 2. To begin a career. * /Bob started in as an office boy and became president./ 3. To give a first job to. * /The bank started him in as a clerk./ [start out] {v.} 1. To begin to go somewhere. * /Bill started out for school on his bicycle./ * /Art started out on a voyage around the world./ Compare: SET OUT. 2. To begin a career or life. * /Harry started out as an errand boy in a business office./ * /We all start out in life as helpless infants./ Syn.: START IN. 3. {informal} To give one a first job. * /The garage man started Pete out as a grease rack man./ Syn.: START IN(3). [start something] {v. phr.}, {informal} To make trouble; cause a quarrel or fight. * /John is always starting something./ * /Jack likes to play tricks on the other boys to start something./ Compare: MAKE SOMETHING OF. [start the ball rolling] See: GET THE BALL ROLLING. [start up] {v.} 1. To begin operating, * /The driver started up the motor of the car./ * /The engine started up with a roar./ 2. To begin to play (music). * /The conductor waved his baton, and the band started up./ * /The orchestra started up a waltz./ Compare: STRIKE UP. 3. To rise or stand suddenly. * /When he heard the bell, he started up from his chair./ [stash bag] or [stuff bag] {n.}, {slang}, {informal} 1. A small bag containing marijuana cigarettes or the ingredients for making them. * /The police are holding John because they found a stash bag full of the stuff on him./ 2. Any small bag resembling a stash bag used for small personal items such as lipstick, driver's license, etc. * /Do you have any room for my keys in your stash bag?/ [state] See: LIE IN STATE. [state-of-the-art] {adj. phr.} The best and - the latest any field of research can offer; modern; the latest; the most advanced. * /State-of-the-art personal computers may cost a little more than older models, but may be worth the cost for those who need them./ Compare: UP TO DATE. [status symbol] {v. phr.} Signs of wealth and prestige. * /A new yacht or airplane might be a status symbol to a bank manager./ [stead] See: STAND IN GOOD STEAD. [stave off] {v.}, {literary} To keep from touching or hurting you. Syn.: WARD OFF. * /The white knight struck with his sword. The black knight staved it off with his own sword./ * /Bill's warm new coal staved off the cold./ * /They staved off starvation by eating two of the sled dogs./ [stay in] {v. phr.} To remain at home. * /The weather was so bad that we decided to stay in all day./ [stay out] {v. phr.} To stay away from home. * /Her father was very upset because Mary stayed out until 3 A.M. last night./ [stay put] {v. phr.} To stay in place; not leave. * /Harry's father told him to stay put until he came back./ * /The rocks can be glued to the bulletin board to make them stay put./ * /After Grandmother came home from her trip to visit Aunt May, she said she wanted to stay put for a while./ [stay up late] {v. phr.} To not go to bed until very late. * /Peter has to stay up late these days as he is preparing for his comprehensive exams./ See: BURN THE MIDNIGHT OIL. [stay with] See: STICK WITH. [steady] See: GO STEADY. [steak] See: SALISBURY STEAK, T-BONE STEAK. [steal] See: LOCK THE BARN DOOR AFTER THE HORSE IS STOLEN. [steal a march on] {v. phr.} To get ahead of someone by doing a thing unnoticed; get an advantage over. * /The army stole a march on the enemy by marching at night and attacking them in the morning./ * /Jack got the job by getting up earlier than Bill. He stole a march on him./ Compare: GET THE JUMP ON, GET THE BETTER OF, TAKE BY SURPRISE. [steal away] See: SLIP AWAY. [steal one's thunder] {v. phr.} To do or say something, intentionally or not, that another person has planned to say or do. * /Fred intended to nominate Bill for president, but John got up first and stole Fred's thunder./ * /Mary was going to sing "Oh! Susanna," but Ellen did it first and Mary said Ellen had stolen her thunder./ * /Smith heard that Jones was going to offer a new law which people wanted, so he himself proposed the law first, stealing Jones' thunder./ [steal the show] {v. phr.} To act or do so well in a performance that you get most of the attention and the other performers are unnoticed. * /Mary was in only one scene of the play, but she stole the show from the stars./ [steal the spotlight] {v. phr.} To attract attention away from a person or thing that people should be watching. * /When the maid walked on the stage and tripped over a rug, she stole the spotlight from the leading players./ * /Just as the speaker began, a little dog ran up the aisle, and stole the spotlight from him./ [steal up on] {v. phr.} To stealthily approach one; sneak up on someone. * /The thief stole up on his victim, snatched her purse, and ran away./ [steam] See: LET OFF STEAM or BLOW OFF STEAM, UNDER ONE'S OWN STEAM. [steamed up] {adj.}, {informal} Excited or angry about or eager to do something. * /The coach gave the team a pep talk before the game, and he got them all steamed up to win the game./ * /When Mary found out that Jane had not kept their secret, she became all steamed up./ * /Bill was all steamed up about the movie he had just seen./ [steel] See: MIND LIKE A STEEL TRAP. [steer clear of] {v.} 1. To steer a safe distance from; go around without touching. * /A ship steers clear of a rocky shore in stormy weather./ 2. {informal} To stay away from; keep from going near. * /Fred was angry at Bill, and Bill was steering clear of him./ * /Some words Martha always spells wrong. She tries to steer clear of them./ [stem the tide] {v. phr.} To resist; hold back something of great pressure or strength. * /The way to stem the tide of juvenile delinquency is to strengthen education and to pass a stiff gun control law./ [step] See: IN STEP, OUT OF STEP, TAKE STEPS. [step all over] See: WALK OVER. [step down] {v.} 1. To come down in one move from a higher position to a lower. * /As soon as the train stopped, the conductor stepped down to help the passengers off./ 2. To make go slower little by little. * /The train was approaching the station, so the engineer stepped it down./ Compare: SLOW DOWN, STEP UP. 3. To leave a job as an official or some other important position. * /When the judge became ill, he had to step down./ [step in] {v.} 1. To go inside for a quick visit. * /It was a cold night, and when the policeman passed, we invited him to step in for a cup of coffee./ 2. To begin to take part in a continuing action or discussion, especially without being asked. * /When the dogs began to fight, John stepped in to stop it before they were hurt./ * /When Bill had done as much as he was able to on his model plane, his father stepped in to help him./ [step inside] {v.} To come or go inside. * /Mother invited the callers to step inside./ [step into] {v.} 1. To come or go into. * /The taxi stopped, and we stepped into it./ * /Mr. Jones called to his secretary to step into his office./ 2. To begin to do, undertake. * /When the star became sick, his understudy stepped into his part./ * /When Bill graduates from college, he will step into a job in his father's bank./ [step into one's shoes] {v. phr.} To do what someone else usually does after he has stopped doing it. * /When Bill's father died, Bill had to step into his father's shoes to support his mother./ * /A coach trains the junior varsity to step into the shoes of the members of the varsity team when they graduate./ * /When the boss retires, his son will step into his shoes./ Compare: IN ONE'S SHOES. [step off] {v.} 1. To walk or march quickly. * /The drum major lowered his baton and the band stepped off./ 2. or [pace off]. To measure by taking a series of steps in a line. * /The farmer stepped off the edge of the field to see how much fencing he would need./ * /The referee stepped off a five-yard penalty against our team./ [step on it] or [step on the gas] {v. phr.} 1. To push down on the gas pedal to make a car go faster. * /Be very careful when you step on the gas. Don't go too fast./ Compare: GIVE IT THE GUN. 2. {informal} To go faster; hurry. * /Step on it, or we'll be late for school./ * /John is a slow starter, but he can step on the gas when it looks as if he might lose the race./ * /Lee was wasting time at breakfast and his father told him to step on it or they would miss the bus./ [step on one's toes] or [tread on one's toes] {v. phr.} To do something that embarrasses or offends someone else. * /If you break in when other people are talking, you may step on their toes./ * /Mary is pretty, and she often treads on the toes of the girls by stealing their boyfriend./ [step on the gas] See: STEP ON IT. [step out] {v. phr.} 1. To go out, particularly socially, as on a date. * /Paul said to Sylvia, "You look so dressed up tonight - you must be stepping out, eh?"/ 2. To leave for a short period during the work day to go to the lavatory or to get a cup of coffee. (Frequently said by secretaries over the phone.) * /"May I speak to Mr. Kotz?" Roy asked. "I'm sorry, sir. He just stepped out for a minute," the secretary answered./ [step out on] {v. phr.} To be unfaithful to one's marriage partner or steady lover. * /It is rumored that he has been stepping out on his wife. That's why she's so upset./ [stepped up] {adj.} Carried on at a faster or more active rate; increased. * /To fill the increase in orders, the factory had to operate at a stepped-up rate./ [step up] {v.} 1. To go from a lower to a higher place. * /John stepped up onto the platform and began to speak./ 2. To come towards or near; approach. * /The sergeant called for volunteers and Private Jones stepped up to volunteer./ * /John waited until the teacher had finished speaking to Mary, and then he stepped up./ 3. To go or to make (something) go faster or more actively. * /When John found he was going to be late, he stepped up his pace./ * /After we had reached the outskirts of town, we stepped up the engine./ * /The enemy was near, and the army stepped up its patrols to find them before they got too close./ 4. To rise to a higher or more important position; be promoted. * /This year Mary is secretary of the club, but I am sure she will step up to president next year./ Contrast: STEP DOWN(3). [sterling character] {n. phr.} A person of irreproachable character; one of the highest professional standards. * /The nominee for the Supreme Court must be a sterling character in every possible way./ [stew in one's own juice] {v. phr.}, {informal} To suffer from something that you have caused to happen yourself. * /John lied to Tom, but Tom found out. Now Tom is making John stew in his own juice./ * /I warned you not to steal those apples. You got caught, and you can stew in your own juice./ [stick] See: CARROT AND STICK, MORE THAN ONE COULD SHAKE A STICK AT. [stick around] {v.}, {informal} To stay or wait nearby. * /John's father told him to stick around and they would go fishing./ * /After work Mr. Harris stuck around to ride home with his friend./ [stick by one] {v. phr.} To support; remain loyal to. * /All of Peter's friends stuck by him faithfully, in spite of what has been said about him in the press./ [stick in one's craw] or [stuck in one's crop] {v. phr.} To make you angry; bother you; annoy you. * /His parents' praise of his brother stuck in Jerry's craw./ * /Sue's failure to get a better grade than Ann stuck in her crop./ [stick in one's throat] {v. phr.} To be something you do not want to say; be hard to say. * /Jean wanted to ask the teacher's pardon, but the words stuck in her throat./ [stick-in-the-mud] {n.}, {informal} An overcareful person; someone who is old-fashioned and fights change. * /Mabel said her mother was a real stick-in-the-mud to make a rule that she must be home by 10 o'clock on weeknights and 11:30 Saturdays./ * /Mr. Thomas is a stick-in-the-mud who plows with mules; he won't buy a tractor./ [stick one's neck out] or [stick one's chin out] {v. phr.}, {informal} To do something dangerous or risky. * /When I was in trouble, Paul was the only one who would stick his neck out to help me./ * /John is always sticking his chin out by saying something he shouldn't./ [stick one's nose into] See: NOSE INTO. [stick out] {v.} 1a. To stand out from a wall or other surface; project; extend. * /The limb stuck out from the trunk of the tree./ 1b. To be seen or noticed more easily or quickly than others; be noticeable. * /My house is the only brick one on the street. It sticks out and you can't miss it./ * /Mary plays basketball very well. The others on the team are good, but she really sticks out./ 1c. Often used in the informal phrase stick out like a sore thumb. * /John is so shy and awkward that he sticks out like a sore thumb./ Syn.: STAND OUT. 2. {informal} To keep on doing something until it is done no matter how long, hard, or unpleasant. * /Bill is not a fast runner and he doesn't have a chance of winning the marathon, but he will stick out the race even if he finishes last./ - Often used in the phrase "stick it out". * /Mathematics is hard, but if you stick it out you will understand it./ Compare: HANG ON(2), STICK WITH(1). [stick out like a sore thumb] {v. phr.} To be conspicuous; be different from the rest. * /When the foreign student was placed in an advanced English grammar class by mistake, it was no wonder that he stuck out like a sore thumb./ [stick together] {v.} To remain close together in a situation. * /Stick together in the cave so that no one gets lost./ * /The gang stuck together after the game./ * /Bill and Bob stick together in a game or in a fight./ Syn.: HANG TOGETHER(1). [stick to one's guns] or [stand by one's guns] {v. phr.} To hold to an aim or an opinion even though people try to stop you or say you are wrong. * /People laughed at Columbus when he said the world was round. He stuck to his guns and proved he was right./ * /At first the boss would not give Jane the raise in pay she wanted, but she stood by her guns and he gave it to her./ Compare: STAND ONE'S GROUND. [stick to one's knitting] or [tend to one's knitting] {v. phr.}, {informal} To do your own job and not bother other people. * /The trouble with Henry is that he is always telling other people what to do; he can't stick to his knitting./ [stick to one's ribs] or [stick to the ribs] {v. phr.}, {informal} To keep you from getting hungry again too quickly. * /Doctors say you should eat a good breakfast that sticks to your ribs./ * /Farmers eat food that sticks to the ribs./ [stick to the point] {v. phr.} To stay on course during a discussion; adhere to the topic; not talk about extraneous matters. * /Stick to the point and stop telling us your life history!/ See: COME TO THE POINT. [stick up] {v.}, {informal} To rob with a gun. * /When the messenger left the bank, a man jumped out of an alley and stuck him up./ Syn.: HOLD UP. * /In the old West, outlaws sometimes stuck up the stagecoaches./ [stick-up] {n.}, {informal} A robbery by a man with a gun. * /Mr. Smith was the victim of a stick-up last night./ [stick up for] See: STAND UP FOR. [stick with] {v.}, {informal} 1. or [stay with] To continue doing; not quit. * /Fred stayed with his homework until it was done./ * /Practicing is tiresome, but stick with it and some day you will be a good pianist./ Compare: STICK TO. 2. To stay with; not leave. * /Stick with me until we get out of the crowd./ * /For two months Bill's boss could not pay his salary, but Bill stuck with him because he thought the company would soon succeed./ 3. To sell (someone) something poor or worthless; cheat. * /Father said that the man in the store tried to stick him with a bad TV set./ 4. To leave (someone) with (something unpleasant); force to do or keep something because others cannot or will not. - Usually used in the passive. * /When Harry and I went to the store to buy ice cream cones, Harry ran out with his cone without paying and I was stuck with paying for it./ * /Mary didn't wash the dishes before she left so I'm stuck with it./ * /Mr. Jones bought a house that is too big and expensive, but now he's stuck with it./ [stick with] {v. phr.} To unfairly thrust upon; encumber one with. * /In the restaurant my friends stuck me with the bill although it was supposed to be Dutch treat./ [sticky fingers] {n. phr.}, {slang} 1. The habit of stealing things you see and want. * /Don't leave money in your locker; some of the boys have sticky fingers./ * /Don't leave that girl alone in the room with so many valuable objects around, because she has sticky fingers./ 2. Ability to catch a ball, especially football forward passes. * /Jack is very tall and has sticky fingers. He is an end on the football team./ [stiff] See: KEEP A STIFF UPPER LIP, SCARE OUT OF ONE'S WITS or SCARE STIFF. [still] See: HEART STAND STILL. [still life] {n. phr.} A term used by artists to describe a motionless picture of a bowl of fruit, flowers, etc. * /One of van Gogh's most famous still lifes is a vase of yellow flowers./ [still waters run deep] Quiet people probably are profound thinkers. - A proverb. * /He doesn't say much, but he sure looks smart. Well, still waters run deep, isn't that true?/ [stir up] {v.} 1. To bring (something) into being, often by great exertion or activity; cause. * /It was a quiet afternoon, and John tried to stir up some excitement./ * /Bob stirred up a fight between Tom and Bill./ Compare: WHIP UP(2). 2. To cause (someone) to act; incite to action or movement; rouse. * /The coach's pep talk stirred up the team to win./ * /When Mary heard what Betty said about her, she became stirred up./ [stir up a hornet's nest] {v. phr.} To make many people angry; do something that many people don't like. * /The principal stirred up a hornet's nes