t by changing the rules at school./ [stitch] See: IN STITCHES. [stock] See: IN STOCK, OUT OF STOCK, TAKE STOCK, TAKE STOCK IN. [stock-in-trade] {n. phr.} The materials which one customarily deals, sells, or offers. * /Imported silk blouses from the Orient are the stock-in-trade of their small shop./ * /Anecdotes are often an after-dinner speaker's stock-in-trade./ [stomach] See: EYES BIGGER THAN ONE'S STOMACH, BUTTERFLIES IN YOUR STOMACH, TURN ONE'S STOMACH. [stone] See: CAST THE FIRST STONE, HAVE A HEART OF STONE, KILL TWO BIRDS WITH ONE STONE, LEAVE NO STONE UNTURNED, PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN GLASS HOUSES SHOULD NOT THROW STONES, ROLLING STONE GATHERS NO MOSS. [stone-blind] {adj. phr.} 1. Completely blind. * /Poor Al is stone-blind and needs help to get across the street carefully./ 2. Highly intoxicated. * /George drank too much and got stone-blind at the office party./ See: GET STONED, THREE SHEETS TO THE WIND. [stone-broke] or [dead broke] or [flat broke] {adj.}, {informal} Having no money; penniless. * /Jill wanted to go to the movies but she was stone-broke./ * /The man gambled and was soon flat broke./ [stone-cold] {adj.} Having no warmth; completely cold. - Used to describe things that are better when warm. * /The boys who got up late found their breakfast stone-cold./ * /The furnace went off and the radiators were stone-cold./ [stone-dead] {adj.}, {informal} Showing no signs of life; completely dead. * /Barry tried to revive the frozen robin but it was stone-dead./ [stone-deaf] {adj. phr.} Completely deaf. * /Sam is stone-deaf so let him read your lips if you know no sign language./ [stone wall] or [brick wall] {adj.} Something hard to overcome; an idea or belief that is hard to change. * /The students ran into a brick wall when they asked the principal to put off the examination./ * /Dick tried to change Father's mind about letting him use the car Saturday night, but he was up against a stone wall./ [stone's throw] or [within a stone's throw] {adv. phr.} Within a very short distance. * /They live across the street from us, just within a stone's throw./ See: HOP, SKIP AND A JUMP. [stool pigeon] {n.} A criminal who informs on his associates. * /The detective was able to solve the crime mainly through information obtained from a stool pigeon./ [stop] See: PUT AN END TO(1), or PUT A STOP TO. [stop at nothing] {v. phr.} To be unscrupulous. * /Al will stop at nothing to get Nancy to go out with him./ [stop by] See: DROP BY. [stop cold] or [stop dead] or [stop in one's tracks] {v. phr.}, {informal} To stop very quickly or with great force. * /The hunter pulled the trigger and stopped the deer cold./ * /When I saw Mary on the street, I was so surprised I stopped dead./ * /The deer heard a noise and he stopped in his tracks./ [stop off] {v.} To stop at a place for a short time while going somewhere. * /We stopped off after school at the soda fountain before going home./ * /On our trip to California we stopped off in Las Vegas for two days./ [stop over] {v.} To stay at a place overnight or for some other short time while on a trip elsewhere. * /When we came back from California, we stopped over one night near the Grand Canyon./ [stop short] {v. phr.} To suddenly stop. * /Jake stopped short when he heard somebody yell out his name loud but there was no one in sight./ [stop street] {n.} A street where cars must come to a full stop before crossing another street. * /Johnny was late because he traveled on a stop street./ Contrast: THROUGH STREET. [stop the show] {v. phr.} To elicit such a strong applause from the audience that the show is interrupted. * /Pavarotti's rendition of "O sole mio" always stops the show./ [stop up] {v. phr.} To block; close. * /If you want to get rid of the leak, you must stop up the two holes you have in the ceiling./ [store] See: DIME STORE, IN STORE, SET STORE BY, VARIETY STORE. [storm] See: TAKE BY STORM. [story] See: OLD STORY, SOB STORY, UPPER STORY. [stow away] {v.} 1. {informal} To pack or store away. * /After New Year's Day the Christmas decorations were stowed away until another season./ 2. To hide on a ship or another kind of transportation to get a free ride. * /John ran away from home and stowed away on a freighter going to Jamaica./ [straight] See: GO STRAIGHT, SHOOT STRAIGHT. [straighten out] {v.} To correct a mistake; make you realize you are wrong. * /The teacher saw Jim's awkward sentence on the board and asked for volunteers to straighten it out./ * /Sometimes only a good spanking will straighten out a naughty child./ Syn.: SQUARE AWAY(2). [straighten up] {v.} To put in order; make neat. * /Vic had to straighten up his room before he could go swimming./ * /Mrs. Johnson straightened up the house before company came./ Compare: PICK UP(6b), SQUARE AWAY. [straight face] {n.} A face that is not laughing or smiling. * /Mary told all the funny stories she knew to try to make Joan laugh, but Joan kept a straight face./ * /It is hard to tell when Jim is teasing you. He can tell a fib with a straight face./ * /When Bob fell into the water, he looked funny and I could hardly keep a straight face./ [straight from the horse's mouth] {slang} Directly from the person or place where it began; from a reliable source or a person that cannot be doubted. * /They are going to be married. I got the news straight from the horse's mouth - their minister./ * /John found out about the painting straight from the horse's mouth, from the painter himself./ [straight from the shoulder] {adv. phr.}, {informal} In an open and honest way of speaking; without holding back anything because of fear or politeness or respect for someone's feelings; frankly. * /John asked what he had done wrong. Bob told him straight from the shoulder./ * /The candidate for Congress spoke out against his opponent's dishonesty straight from the shoulder./ Contrast: PULL ONE'S PUNCHES. [straightlaced] {adj.} Of very strict morals and manners. * /She is so straightlaced that she won't even go out with a man unless she senses that he is serious about her./ [straight off] {adv. phr.} At once; immediately. * /After school is over, you come home straight off, and don't waste time./ * /He asked his father for the car, but his father said straight off that he couldn't have it./ [straight out] See: RIGHT OUT. [straight shooters] See: SHOOT STRAIGHT. [straight ticket] {n.} A vote for all the candidates of a single party. * /Uncle Fred was a loyal member of his party. He always voted the straight ticket./ Contrast: SPLIT TICKET. [strain a point] See: STRETCH A POINT. [strange to say] {adv. phr.} Not what you might think; surprisingly. - Used for emphasis. * /Strange to say, Jerry doesn't like candy./ * /Strange to say, the Indians didn't kill Daniel Boone./ [strapped for] {adj.} Broke; out of funds. * /My brother is so extravagant that he is always strapped for cash./ [straw] See: GIVE A HANG, GRASP AT A STRAW, GRASP AT STRAWS, LAST STRAW or STRAW THAT BREAKS THE CAMEL'S BACK, MAKE BRICKS WITHOUT STRAW. [straw boss] {n.} 1. The boss of a few workers who is himself under another boss or foreman. * /The straw boss told Jim he would have to see the foreman about a job./ 2, A man who works himself and also bosses a few other workers. * /Smith worked better than the other men, so the foreman made him straw boss, too./ [straw in the wind] {n. phr.} A small sign of what may happen. * /The doctor's worried face was a straw in the wind./ * /The quickly-called meeting of the President and his cabinet was a straw in the wind./ [straw poll] {n. phr.} An informal survey taken in order to get an opinion. * /The results of our straw poll show that most faculty members prefer to teach between 9 and 11 A.M./ [straw that breaks the camel's back] See: LAST STRAW. [straw vote] See: STRAW POLL. [streak] See: WINNING STREAK. [streak of luck] See: RUN OF LUCK. [stream] See: CHANGE HORSES IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREAM, SWIM AGAINST THE CURRENT or SWIM AGAINST THE STREAM. [street] See: BACK STREET, CROSS STREET, MAN IN THE STREET, ON EASY STREET, SIDE STREET, STOP STREET, THROUGH STREET. [strength] See: ON THE STRENGTH OF. [stretch a point] or [strain a point] {v. phr.} To permit something different or more than usual; not tell the exact truth or make an exception. * /Mother stretched a point because it was Christmas time and let the children stay up later than usual./ * /It's straining a point to call Joe a hero just because he saved the kitten from drowning in the bathtub./ [stretch of the imagination] {n. phr.} Imaginative attempt or effort. * /By no stretch of the imagination can I see Al as a successful lawyer./ [stride] See: HIT ONE'S STRIDE, TAKE IN STRIDE. [strike] See: CALLED STRIKE, HAVE TWO STRIKES AGAINST ONE, LIGHTNING NEVER STRIKES TWICE IN THE SAME PLACE, TWO STRIKES AGAINST ONE. [strike a bargain] {v. phr.} To arrive at a price satisfactory to both the buyer and the seller. * /After a great deal of haggling, they managed to strike a bargain./ [strike a happy medium] {v. phr.} To find an answer to a problem that is halfway between two unsatisfactory answers. * /Mary said the dress was blue. Jane said it was green. They finally struck a happy medium and decided it was blue-green./ * /Two teaspoons of sugar made the cup of coffee too sweet, and one not sweet enough. One heaping teaspoon struck a happy medium./ [strike all of a heap] See: ALL OF A HEAP. [strikebreaker] {n.} One who takes the place of workers on strike or one who recruits such people. * /The striking workers threw rotten eggs at the strikebreakers./ [strike gold] {v. phr.} 1. To find gold. * /Ted struck gold near an abandoned mine in California./ 2. To find suddenly the answer to an old puzzle. * /Professor Brown's assistant struck gold when he came up with an equation that explained the irregular motions of a double star./ See: PAY DIRT. [strike home] See: HIT HOME. [strike it rich] {v. phr.}, {informal} 1. To discover oil, or a large vein of minerals to be mined, or a buried treasure. * /The old prospector panned gold for years before he struck it rich./ 2. To become rich or successful suddenly or without expecting to. * /Everyone wanted to buy one of the new gadgets, and their inventor struck it rich./ * /John did not know that he had a rich Uncle John in Australia. John struck it rich when his uncle left his money to John./ Compare: PAY DIRT(2). [strike one funny] {v. phr.} To appear or seem laughable, curious, ironic, or entertaining. * /"It strikes me funny," he said, "that you should refuse my invitation to visit my chateau in France. After all, you love both red wine and old castles. "/ [strike one's colors] See: HAUL DOWN ONE'S COLORS. [strike one's fancy] {v. phr.} To please one's predilections; appeal to one. * /The red tie with the yellow dragon on it happened to strike my fancy, so I bought it./ [strike] or [hit a sour note] {v. phr.} To spoil the mood at a gathering by hearing some bad news. * /The news of Mr. Brown's sudden illness struck a sour note during our New Year's Eve party./ Compare: SPIT INTO THE WEDDING CAKE. [strike out] {v.} 1. To destroy something that has been written or drawn by drawing a line or cross through it or by erasing it. * /John misspelled "corollary. " He struck it out and wrote it correctly./ 2. To begin to follow a new path or a course of action that you have never tried. * /The boy scouts struck out at daybreak over the mountain pass./ * /John quit his job and struck out on his own as a traveling salesman./ 3. To put (a batter) out of play by making him miss the ball three times; also: To be put out of play by missing the ball three times. * /The pitcher struck out three men in the game./ * /The batter struck out twice./ 4. To push out an arm suddenly in a hitting motion. * /The boxer saw his chance and struck out at his opponent's jaw./ [strike out at] {v. phr.} To attack someone verbally or physically. * /She was so angry that she struck out at him every occasion she got./ [strike the hour] {v. phr.} To mark or toll the hour (said of clocks or bells). * /We heard the church clock strike the hour of two./ [strike up] {v.} 1a. To start to sing or play. * /We were sitting around the camp fire. Someone struck up a song, and we all joined in./ * /The President took his place on the platform, and the band struck up the national anthem./ 1b. To give a signal to start (a band) playing. * /When the team ran on the field, the band director struck up the band./ 2. To bring about; begin; start. * /The policeman struck up a conversation with John while they were waiting for the bus./ * /It did not take Mary long to strike up acquaintances in her new school./ [strike while the iron is hot] See: MAKE HAY WHILE THE SUN SHINES. [string] See: FIRST STRING, LATCH STRING, ON THE STRING or ON A STRING, PULL STRINGS, PURSE STRINGS, SHOE-STRING CATCH, TIED TO ONE'S MOTHER'S APRON STRINGS. [string along] {v.}, {informal} 1. To deceive; fool; lead on dishonestly. * /Mary was stringing John along for years but she didn't mean to marry him./ * /George told the new boy that he must always call the teacher "Sir," but the new boy soon saw that George was stringing him along./ Compare: ON A STRING. 2. To follow someone's leadership; join his group. * /Those of you who want to learn about wild flowers, string along with Jake./ [string out] {v.} To make (something) extend over a great distance or a long stretch of time. * /The telephone poles were strung out along the road as far as we could see./ * /Mary and Ann did not have much to say but they did not want to go home. They strung out their gossip for a long time./ [string up] {v.}, {slang} To put a rope around the neck of a person and choke him to death; hang. * /The posse strung up the rustler without a trial./ Compare: NECKTIE PARTY. [strings attached] {adv. phr.} With some special proviso or condition that is a handicap. * /John inherited a large fortune but with the string attached that he could not touch a penny of it before his 28th birthday./ [strip] See: DRAG STRIP. [stripe] See: MIDFIELD STRIPE. [stroke] See: AT A STROKE or AT ONE'S STROKE. [stroke of luck] See: RUN OF LUCK. [strong language] {n. phr.} Cursing; swearing. * /When Ned learned that he had been fired, he used some very strong language about his boss./ [strung out] {adj.}, {slang}, {colloquial} 1. Nervous, jittery, jumpy; generally ill because of drug use or withdrawal symptoms. * /The only explanation I can think of for Max's behavior is that he must be strung out./ 2. To suffer because of a lack of something previously accustomed to, such as the love and affection of someone. * /Sue is all strung out for Jim; they've just split up./ Compare: SPACED OUT. [stuck on] {slang} Very much in love with; crazy about. * /Judy thinks she is very pretty and very smart. She is stuck on herself./ * /Lucy is stuck on the football captain./ [stuck-up] {adj.}, {informal} Acting as if other people are not as good as you are; conceited; snobbish. * /Mary is very stuck-up, and will not speak to the poor children in her class./ [stuck with] {adj. phr.} Left in a predicament; left having to take care of a problem caused by another. * /Our neighbors vanished without a trace and we got stuck with their cat and dog./ [study] See: BROWN STUDY. [stuff] See: KNOW ONE'S WAY AROUND(2). [stuff and nonsense] {n.} Foolish or empty writing or talk; nonsense. * /Fred told a long story about his adventures in Africa, but it was all stuff and nonsense./ Often used as an interjection. * /When Jane said she was too sick to go to school, her mother answered, "Stuff and nonsense! I know there's a test today."/ [stuff the ballot box] {v. phr.} To give more votes to a candidate in an election than there are people who actually voted for him. * /It is a crime to stuff the ballot box./ - [ballot-stuffing] {adj. phr.} [stuffed shirt] {n. phr.} A pretentious bore; a pompous, empty person. * /I think that Howard is a terrible stuffed shirt with no sense of humor./ [stuffed up] {adj. phr.} Impeded; blocked. * /Our kitchen sink is all stuffed up so I have to call the plumber./ [stumble across] {v. phr.} To encounter a person or thing, mostly by accident. * /I gave up looking for my old hat when I accidentally stumbled across it in a dark corner of the closet./ [stump] See: TAKE THE STUMP or TAKE TO THE STUMP, UP A STUMP. [style] See: CRAMP ONE'S STYLE, HIGH STYLE. [subject to] {adj. phr.} 1. Under the government or control of; in the power of. * /The English colonies in America were subject to the English king./ * /The principal and the teachers of a school are subject to the school board./ 2. Likely to get or have; liable. * /John is in rather poor health and is subject to colds./ * /The western plains are subject to tornadoes./ 3. Depending on some change, happening, or need. * /The company and the union agreed that the workers' wages should be subject to changes in the cost of living./ * /Agreements made by the President with other countries are subject to the approval of the Senate./ [substance] See: IN SUBSTANCE. [succeed] See: HOWLING SUCCESS, NOTHING SUCCEEDS LIKE SUCCESS. [such and such] {pron.} Something whose name is not mentioned because it does not need to be mentioned. * /George's argument tries to prove such and such to be true, but it does not convince me./ [such-and-such] {adj. phr.} Being one whose name has been forgotten or whose name does not need to be mentioned. * /She told me to go to such-and-such a street and turn right./ * /Suppose, now, that we have such-and-such a group coming to the school, and we don't have enough chairs. What do we do then?/ [such as] {conj.} 1. Of a kind or amount shown or named; of a kind like. * /The explorer took only such men and things as he really needed into the jungle with him./ * /They felt such heat in the jungle as they had never felt before./ * /Many different pies were in the bakery such as apple, cherry, and blueberry pies./ 2. Of the average or ordinary kind; poor; humble. * /Such as the food was, there was plenty of it./ * /The room is not very nice, but such as it is, you may stay there for the night./ [such as it is] Just as it appears or is presented, not being any better or worse than most others of its kind; being average or mediocre. * /This pie, such as it is, is the best I can make./ * /Jane told her grandmother her grades, such as they were./ [such that] {conj.} Of a kind or amount that; so great or so little that; enough that. * /There was such a big line at me movie that we had to wait before we could get in./ * /Jimmy made such noise that his sister told him to be quiet./ * /Mother's answer was such that she didn't say yes and she didn't say no./ [sucker list] {n.}, {slang} A list of easily-fooled people, especially people who are easily persuaded to buy things or give money. * /The crook got hold of a sucker list and started out to sell his worthless stock./ * /Mr. Smith gets so many advertisements in his mail that he says he is on every sucker list in the country./ [suck in] {v.} 1. {informal} To pull in by taking a deep breath and tightening the muscles; flatten. * /"Suck in those stomachs," the gym teacher said./ 2. {slang} To make a fool of; cheat. * /The uneducated farmer was sucked in by a clever crook./ [sugar daddy] {n.}, {slang}, {semi-vulgar}, {avoidable} An older, well-to-do man, who gives money and gifts to a younger woman or girls usually in exchange for sexual favors. * /Betty Morgan got a mink coat from her sugar daddy./ [suit] See: BIRTHDAY SUIT, FOLLOW SUIT. [suit to a T] See: TO A T. [suit up] {v. phr.} To don a uniform or sports outfit. * /The veterans like to suit up for the Fourth of July parade./ [suit yourself] {v. phr.}, {informal} To do what one likes or prefers. * /"I don't care where you want to sleep," he said. "Suit yourself!"/ [sum total] {n.} The final amount; everything taken together; total. * /The sum total of expenses for the trip was $450./ * /Ten years was the sum total of John's education./ [sum up] {v.} To put something into a few words; shorten into a brief summary; summarize. * /The teacher summed up the lesson in three rules./ * /The mailman's job, in all kinds of weather, is summed up in the phrase "Deliver the mail."/ [sun] See: UNDER THE SUN. [sunbelt] {n.}, {informal} A portion of the southern United States where the winter is very mild in comparison to other states. * /The Simpsons left Chicago for the sunbelt because of Jeff's rheumatism./ [Sunday] See: MONTH OF SUNDAYS. [Sunday best] or [Sunday-go-to-meeting clothes] See: BEST BIB AND TUCKER. [sunny-side up] {adj.} Fried on one side only. * /Barbara likes her eggs sunny-side up./ [supper] See: COVERED-DISH SUPPER or POTLUCK SUPPER. [supply] See: IN SHORT SUPPLY. [sure] See: FOR SURE, MAKE SURE, TO BE SURE. [sure enough] {adv.} As expected. * /Charles was afraid he had done badly on the test, and sure enough, his grade was failing./ * /The children saw a familiar shape coming up the street and hoped it was their lost dog. When it came near, sure enough, it was Spot./ Compare: SURE THING(2). [sure-enough] {adj.} Real; genuine. * /Rick found a sure-enough nickel./ * /Martha's uncle gave her a sure-enough pearl on a little gold chain./ * /Jane's uncle is a sure-enough cowboy./ [surefire] {adj.} Without fail; effective; bringing actual results. * /During a campaign the only surefire way to get the sympathy of the voters is to mingle with them in person./ [sure thing] 1. {n.}, {informal} Something sure to happen; something about which there is no doubt. * /It's no fun betting on a sure thing./ 2. {adv.} Of course; certainly * /Sure thing, I'll be glad to do it for you./ Compare: FOR SURE(2), SURE ENOUGH. [surface] See: SCRATCH THE SURFACE. [surprise] See: TAKE BY SURPRISE. [survival of the fittest] {n. phr.} The staying alive or in action of the best prepared; often: idea that those living things best able to adjust to life survive and those unable to adjust die out. * /Life in the old West was often a case of survival of the fittest./ * /With changes in the world's climate, dinosaurs died but many smaller animals lived on. It was survival of the fittest./ * /On the 50-mile hike it was survival of the fittest; only 12 out of 25 Scouts finished./ [suspicion] See: ABOVE SUSPICION. [swallow] See: LOOK LIKE THE CAT THAT ATE THE CANARY. [swallow hook, line, and sinker] See: HOOK, LINE, AND SINKER. [swallow one's pride] {v. phr.} To bring your pride under control; humble yourself. * /After Bill lost the race, he swallowed his pride and shook hands with the winner./ Compare: EAT ONE'S WORDS, [swallow one's words] 1. To speak unclearly; fail to put enough breath into your words. * /Phyllis was hard to understand because she swallowed her words./ 2. See: EAT ONE'S WORDS. [swallow up] {v. phr.} To do away with; absorb; engulf. * /My expenses are so great that they swallow up my modest salary./ [swan song] {n. phr.}, {literary} A farewell or last appearance. * /The famous soprano gave her swan song in La Traviata before she retired./ [SWAT team] {n.}, {informal} Police unit trained for especially hazardous or sensitive law-enforcement assignments; short for Special Weapons and Tactics. * /Joe made the SWAT team of the NYPD due to his athletic skills./ [swathe] See: CUT A SWATHE. [swear by] {v.} 1. To use as the support or authority that what you are saying is truthful; take an oath upon. * /A witness swears by the Bible that he will tell the truth./ * /In ancient Greece a doctor swore by Apollo, the god of healing, that he would be a good doctor./ * /John swore by his honor he would return the bike./ 2. To have complete confidence in; be sure of; trust completely. * /When John has to go somewhere fast, he swears by his bike to get there./ * /We can be sure that Fred will come on time, since his friend Tom swears by him./ [swear in] or [swear into] {v.} To have a person swear or promise to do his duty as a member or an officer of an organization, government department, or similar group. - "Swear into" is used when the name of the group is given. * /Mary and Ann will be sworn into the club tonight./ * /Fred was sworn in as class president./ * /Many new men were sworn into the army last month./ * /At the inauguration, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court swore in the new President./ [swear off] {v.}, {informal} To give up something you like or you have got in the habit of using by making a promise. * /Mary swore off candy until she lost ten pounds./ * /John has sworn off dessert for Lent./ [swear out] {v.} To get (a written order to do something) by swearing that a person has broken the law. * /The policeman swore out a warrant for the suspect's arrest./ * /The detectives swore out a search warrant./ [sweat] See: BY THE SWEAT OF ONE'S BROW. [sweat blood] {v. phr.}, {slang} 1. To be very much worried. * /The engine of the airplane stopped, and the pilot sweated blood as he glided to a safe landing./ 2. To work very hard. * /Jim sweated blood to finish his composition on time./ [sweat out] {v.}, {informal} To wait anxiously; worry while waiting. * /Karl was sweating out the results of the college exams./ * /The search plane signaled that help was on the way. The men in the lifeboat just had to sweat it out./ [Sweeney] See: TELL IT TO THE MARINES or TELL IT TO SWEENEY. [sweep] See: NEW BROOM SWEEPS CLEAN. [sweep off one's feet] {v. phr.} To make (someone) have feelings (as love or happiness) too strong to control; overcome with strong feeling; win sudden and complete acceptance by (someone) through the feelings. * /The handsome football captain swept Joan off her feet when he said so many things to her at the dance./ * /Joan was swept off her feet when the football captain started flirting with her./ * /Mary is swept off her feet whenever she hears a band start playing./ * /John was swept off his feet when he won the contest./ Compare: BOWL OVER (2), CARRY AWAY. [sweep out of] {v. phr.} To leave in an impressive, majestic manner. * /Offended by Tim's remark, Mary swept out of the room with her head high in the air./ [sweep the city] or [country] or [nation] or [world] {v. phr.} To gain great attention or popularity throughout the city, country, etc. * /Pavarotti's unmatched tenor voice swept the world in an unprecedented manner./ [sweep under the rug] {v. phr.} To hide or dismiss casually (something one is ashamed of or does not know what to do about). * /In many places, drug abuse by school children is swept under the rug./ [sweet] See: SHORT AND SWEET. [sweetie pie] {n.}, {informal} A person who is loved; darling; sweetheart. * /Arnold blushed with pleasure when Annie called him her sweetie pie./ * /Nancy is Bill's sweetie pie./ [sweet on] {adj. phr.}, {informal} In love with; very fond of. * /John is sweet on Alice./ [sweet talk] 1. {n.}, {informal} Too much praise; flattery. * /Sometimes a girl's better judgment is overcome by sweet talk./ 2. {v.}, {informal} To get what you want by great praise; flatter. * /Polly could sweet talk her husband into anything./ [sweet tooth] {n. phr.} A great weakness or predilection for sweets. * /Sue has such a sweet tooth that she hardly eats anything else but cake./ [swelled head] {n.}, {informal} A feeling that you are very important or more important than you really are. * /When John won the race, he got a swelled head./ * /Pretty girls shouldn't get a swelled head about it./ - [swell-headed] {adj. phr.} * /After he was elected captain of the team, Bob became swell-headed./ Compare: BIG HEAD. [swell-headed] See: SWELLED HEAD. [swim] See: IN THE SWIM, SINK OR SWIM. [swim against the current] or [swim against the stream] {v. phr.} To do the opposite of what most people want to do; go against the way things are happening; struggle upstream. * /The boy who tries to succeed today without an education is swimming against the stream./ [swine] See: CAST PEARLS BEFORE SWINE or CAST ONE'S PEARLS BEFORE SWINE. [swing] See: IN FULL SWING. [swing one's weight] {v. phr.} To use your personal power to get something done * /The President swings his weight to get laws passed./ * /Mr. Thomas swung his weight to get his son a job with the company./ [switch] See: ASLEEP AT THE SWITCH. [switched on] {adj.}, {slang} 1. In tune with the latest fads, ideas, and fashions. * /I dig Sarah, she is really switched on./ 2. Stimulated; as if under the influence of alcohol or drugs. * /How come you're talking so fast? Are you switched on or something?/ [swoop] See: AT ONE FELL SWOOP. [sword] See: AT SWORDS' POINTS, PUT TO THE SWORD. [sword rattling] See: SABER RATTLING. [sworn enemies] {n. phr.} People or groups or nations that have a long-standing dislike for each other. * /The Israelis and the Arabs used to be sworn enemies but hopefully they will sign a lasting peace accord./ [syllable] See: WORDS OF ONE SYLLABLE. [system] See: PUBLIC-ADDRESS SYSTEM. T [T] See: TO A T. [tab] See: KEEP TAB ON or KEEP TABS ON. [table] See: AT THE TABLE or AT TABLE, COFFEE TABLE, PUT ONE'S CARDS ON THE TABLE or LAY ONE'S CARDS ON THE TABLE, TURN THE TABLES, WAIT AT TABLE or WAIT ON TABLE. [tack] See: GET DOWN TO BRASS TACKS, GO SIT ON A TACK, SHARP AS A TACK. [tackle] See: FLYING TACKLE [tack on] {v. phr.} To append; add. * /We were about to sign the contract when we discovered that the lawyer had tacked on a codicil that was not acceptable to us./ [tag end] or [tail end] {n.}, {informal} The end, farthest to the rear, last in line, nearest the bottom, or least important. * /John was at the tail end of his class./ * /Mary's part in the play came at the tag end, and she got bored waiting./ * /Bill waited at the crossing for the tag end of a freight to go by./ [tail] See: COW'S TAIL, HEADS I WIN, TAILS YOU LOSE, MAKE HEAD OR TAIL OF, TURN TAIL. [tail between one's legs] {n. phr.} State of feeling beaten, ashamed, or very obedient, as after a scolding or a whipping. * /The army sent the enemy home with their tails between their legs./ * /The boys on the team had boasted they would win the tournament, but they went home with their tails between their legs./ (So called because a beaten dog usually puts his tail down between his legs and slinks away.) [tail end] See: TAG END. [taillight] {n.} The rear red light of a car. * /My father was fined $15 for driving without a taillight./ [tailor-made] See: MADE-TO-MEASURE. [tailspin] See: GO INTO A TAILSPIN. [tail wags the dog] Said of situations in which a minor part is in control of the whole. * /He is just a minor employee at the firm, yet he gives everyone orders, a case of the tail wagging the dog./ [take] See: CAN TAKE IT WITH ONE, GIVE AND TAKE, GIVE ONE AN INCH AND HE WILL TAKE A MILE, GIVE OR TAKE, SIT UP AND TAKE NOTICE. [take aback] See: TAKEN BACK. [take a back seat] {v. phr.}, {informal} To accept a poorer or lower position; be second to something or someone else. * /During the war all manufacturing had to take a back seat to military needs./ * /She does not have to take a back seat to any singer alive./ Compare: PLAY SECOND FIDDLE. [take a bath] {v. phr.}, {informal} To come to financial ruin. * /Boy, did we ever take a bath on that merger with Brown & Brown, Inc./ [take a bow] {v. phr.} To stand up or come on a stage to be clapped for or praised for success. * /The audience shouted for the author of the play to take a bow./ * /The basketball team should take a bow for fine work this season./ [take a break] {v. phr.} To have a brief rest period during the course of one's work. * /"You've worked hard. It's time to take a break," the boss said./ [take a chance] {v. phr.} To accept the risk of failure or loss. * /We will take a chance on the weather and have the party outdoors./ [take a crack at] {v. phr.} To try doing something. * /It was a difficult challenge to reorganize our antiquated campus, but the resident architect decided to take a crack at it./ [take a dig at] {v. phr.} To attack verbally; offend; denigrate. * /If you keep taking digs at me all the time, our relationship will be a short one./ [take a dim view of] {v. phr.} 1. To have doubts about; feel unsure or anxious about. * /Tom took a dim view of his chances of passing the exam./ * /Betty hoped to go on a picnic, but she took a dim view of the weather./ 2. To be against; disapprove. * /John's father took a dim view of his wanting to borrow the car./ * /The teacher took a dim view of the class's behavior./ [take a dislike to] Contrast: TAKE A FANCY TO. [take a drop] {v. phr.} 1. To indulge in alcoholic drinks. * /Aunt Liz doesn't really drink; she just takes a drop every now and then./ 2. To lose value; decrease in price. * /Stocks took a big drop yesterday due to the international crisis./ [take advantage of] {v. phr.} 1. To make good use of. * /The cat took advantage of the high grass to creep up on the bird./ * /Jean took advantage of the lunch hour to finish her homework./ 2. To treat (someone) unfairly for your own gain or help; make unfair use of. * /He took advantage of his friend's kindness./ * /The little children did not know how much to pay for the candy, and Ralph took advantage of them./ Syn.: IMPOSE ON. [take after] {v.} To be like because of family relationship; to have the same looks or ways as (a parent or ancestor). * /He takes after his father in mathematical ability./ * /She takes after her father's side of the family in looks./ Compare: LIKE FATHER, LIKE SON; RUN IN THE FAMILY. [take a fancy to] {v. phr.} To become fond of; cultivate a predilection for. * /Aunt Hermione has taken a fancy to antique furniture./ [take a flop] {v. phr.} To fall heavily. * /I took a nasty flop on the ice-covered sidewalk./ [take aim] {v. phr.} To get ready to hit, throw at, or shoot at by sighting carefully. * /When the captain orders "Take aim," raise your gun to your shoulder and sight along the barrel at the target./ * /Before the hunter could take aim, the deer jumped out of sight./ [take a hand in] {v. phr.} To assist in the direction of; participate. * /The University Faculty Club decided to take a hand in helping the recent refugees./ [take a hard line with] See: HARD LINE, HARD-LINER. [take a hike] See: GO FLY A KITE. [take a hint] {v. phr.} To understand an allusion or a suggestion and behave accordingly. * /"I don't like people who smoke," she said. "Can't you take a hint and either quit smoking or seeing me?"/ [take a joke] {v. phr.} Accept in good spirit some derision directed at oneself. * /My brother has a good sense of humor when teasing others, but he cannot take a joke on himself./ [take a liking to] See: TAKE A FANCY TO. [take a load off one's feet] {v. phr.} To alleviate one's fatigue by sitting down during some taxing work. * /"You've been standing there for hours, Jake," John said. "Why don't you take a load off your feet?"/ [take a long breath] See: DRAW A LONG BREATH. [take amiss] or [the wrong way] {v. phr.} To become offended due to a misunderstanding. * /"I hope you won't take it amiss," the boss said to Jane, "that I find you irresistibly attractive."/ [take a new turn] {v. phr.} To start a new course; decide upon a new direction. * /The company took a new turn under Jack's directorship./ [take a nose dive] {v. phr.} To plummet; fall sharply. * /The stock market took a nose dive after the news of the President's heart attack./ [take a notion] See: TAKE INTO ONE'S HEAD. [take apart] {v. phr.} To dismantle; disassemble. * /Boys like taking radios and watches apart, but they seldom know how to put them back together again./ [take a poke at] See: TAKE A PUNCH AT. [take a pot shot at] See: POTSHOT. [take a powder] {v. phr.}, {slang} To leave hurriedly; run out or away; desert, flee. * /All the gang except one had taken a powder when the police arrived./ [take a punch at] or [take a poke at] or [take a sock at] {v. phr.} To try to hit (someone) with the fist; swing or strike at; attack with the fists. * /Bob was very angry and suddenly he took a punch at Fred./ * /Johnny knocked my hat off, so I took a poke at him./ * /I felt like taking a sock at Joe, but I kept my temper./ [take a risk] See: RUN A RISK. [take a shine to] {v. phr.}, {slang} To have or show a quick liking for. * /He took a shine to his new teacher the very first day./ Compare: TAKE A FANCY TO. [take a shot at] {v. phr.} To try casually; attempt to do. * /"Can you handle all these new book orders?" Tom asked. "I haven't done it before," Sally replied, "but I can sure take a shot at it."/ [take a sock at] See: TAKE A PUNCH AT. [take a spill] {v. phr.} To fall down; tip over. * /During the harsh winter, when the sidewalk is covered with ice, many people take a spill./ [take at one's word] {v. phr.} To believe everything (someone) says; to act on what is said. * /If you say you don't want this coat, I'll take you at your word and throw it away./ * /When the king said he wished to be rid of his advisor, a friend took him at his word and murdered the councillor./ [take a stand] {v. phr.} To assert one's point. of view; declare one's position. * /It is time for American society to take a stand against crime./ [take a turn] {v. phr.} To become different; change. * /Mary's fever suddenly took a bad turn./ * /The story took an odd turn./ Often used with "for the better" or "for the worse". * /In the afternoon the weather took a turn for the better./ * /Suddenly the battle took a turn for the worse./ [take a turn for the better] {v. phr.} To start improving; start to get better. * /Aunt Hermione was very ill for a long time, but last week she suddenly took a turn for the better./ [take a turn for the worse] See: FOR THE WORSE. Contrast: TAKE A TURN FOR THE BETTER. [take a whack at] See: TAKE A SHOT AT. [take back] {v.} To change or deny something offered, promised, or stated; admit to making a wrong statement. * /I take back my offer to buy the house now that I've had a good look at it./ * /I want you to take back the unkind things you said about Kenneth./ [take by storm] {v. phr.} 1. To capture by a sudden or very bold attack. * /The army did not hesitate. They took the town by storm./ 2. To win the favor or liking of; make (a group of people) like or believe you. * /The comic took the audience by storm./ * /John gave Jane so much attention that he took her by storm, and she said she would marry him./ Compare: MAKE A HIT. [take by surprise] {v. phr.} 1. To appear in front of someone suddenly or to suddenly discover him before he discovers you; come before (someone) is ready; appear before (someone) unexpectedly. * /The policeman took the burglar by surprise as he opened the window./ * /When Mrs. Green's dinner guests came half an hour early, they took her by surprise./ 2. To fill with surprise or amazemen