ve, with a hyphen. * /The rock-bottom price of this radio is $25./ [rocker] See: OFF ONE'S ROCKER. [rock hound] {n.}, {slang} A person who studies and collects rocks for a hobby. * /Many young rock hounds grow up to be geologists./ * /Tony is an eager rock hound, and we have rocks all through our house./ [rock'n'roll] or [rock and roll] {n.} A style of popular music with heavily accented rhythm. * /Rock'n'roll appeals mostly to youngsters nine to sixteen years old./ * /Rock and roll became popular for dances about 1954./ [rock the boat] {v. phr.}, {informal} To make trouble and risk losing or upsetting something; cause a disturbance that may spoil a plan. * /The other boys said that Henry was rocking the boat by wanting to let girls into their club./ * /Politicians don't like to rock the boat around election time./ Compare: UPSET THE APPLE CART. Contrast: LET WELL ENOUGH ALONE. [rod] See: HOT ROD. [roll] See: GET THE BALL ROLLING, KEEP THE BALL ROLLING, ROCK 'N' ROLL OT ROCK AND ROLL. [roll around] {v.}, {informal} To return at a regular or usual time; come back. * /When winter rolls around, out come the skis and skates./ [rolling stone gathers no moss] A person who changes jobs or where he lives often will not be able to save money or things of his own. - A proverb. * /Uncle Willie was a rolling stone that gathered no moss. He worked in different jobs all over the country./ [roll out the red carpet] {v. phr.} 1. To welcome an important guest by putting a red carpet down for him to walk on. * /They rolled out the red carpet for the Queen when she arrived in Australia./ 2. To greet a person with great respect and honor; give a hearty welcome. * /Margaret's family rolled out the red carpet for her teacher when she came to dinner./ Compare: WELCOME MAT. - [red-carpet] {adj.} * /When the president visited the foreign country, he was given the red-carpet treatment and welcomed by a great crowd./ * /We gave Uncle Willie the red-carpet treatment when he returned from Hong Kong./ [roll up one's sleeves] To get ready for a hard job; prepare to work hard or seriously. * /When Paul took his science examination, he saw how little he knew about science. He rolled up his sleeves and went to work./ [Roman collar] {n.} The high, plain, white collar worn by priests and clergymen. * /The man with the Roman collar is the new Episcopalian preacher./ * /Many Protestant churches do not require their ministers to wear Roman collars./ [Rome] See: ALL ROADS LEAD TO ROME. [Rome wasn't built in a day] Great things are not accomplished overnight; great deeds take a long time. - A proverb. * /A takes a long time to write a successful novel, but don't worry; Rome wasn't built in a day, as the saying goes./ [roof] See: HIT THE CEILING or HIT THE ROOF, RAISE THE ROOF. [rooftop] See: SHOUT PROM THE HOUSE- TOPS or SHOUT FROM THE ROOFTOPS. [room] See: CONTROL ROOM, POWDER ROOM, UTILITY ROOM. [room and board] {n. phr.} A room for rent with meals included. * /A room alone in that country costs only $10 a day, but room and board together run $22 a day./ [room clerk] or [desk clerk] {n.} A person who is responsible for assigning rooms and providing service to guests in hotels, motels, inns, etc. * /At first-class hotels, room clerks are trained to be at the service of every guest./ * /Sometimes resort hotels in the mountains hire college students as room clerks during the summer./ [room to] See: LIVE IN. [room service] {n.} Service provided to hotel guests in their rooms. Also: The hotel workers who give this service. * /We called for room service when we wanted ice./ * /Room service will install a TV set in your room upon demand./ [room with] {v. phr.} 1. To live in a furnished room with someone as a roommate without having an affair. * /I roomed with him in college for four years./ 2. To live together as husband and wife without the benefit of marriage. * /Dan and Sue have been rooming together for quite a while and people are wondering if they will ever get married./ [roost] See: CHICKENS COME HOME TO ROOST, RULE THE ROOST. [root] See: TAKE ROOT. [root-bound] {adj.} 1. Having a limited amount of space for root growth. * /After seven or eight years day lilies become root-bound and will not bloom well unless they are divided./ 2. Liking the familiar place where you live and not wanting to go away from it; having a sentimental attachment to one place. * /Mr. Jones has lived in Connecticut all his life. He is too root-bound to consider moving to another state./ [root for] {v. phr.} To cheer for; applaud; support. * /During the Olympics one usually roots for the team of one's own country./ [rope] See: END OF ONE'S ROPE, GIVE ONE ENOUGH ROPE AND HE WILL HANG HIMSELF, ON THE ROPES, THE ROPES. [rope in] {v.}, {informal} 1. To use a trick to make (someone) do something; deceive; fool. * /The company ropes in high school students to sell magazine subscriptions by telling them big stories of how much money they can earn./ Syn.: TAKE UP(5a). 2. To get (someone to join or help); persuade to do something. * /Martha roped in Charles to help her decorate the gym for the party./ * /I didn't want the job of selling tickets for the dance, but I was roped in because everyone else was too busy to do it./ [rope Into] {v.}, {informal} 1. To trick into; persuade dishonestly. * /Jerry let the big boys rope him into stealing some apples./ 2. To get (someone) to join in; persuade to work at. * /It was Sue's job to bathe the dog but she roped Sam into helping her./ * /Mother did not go to the first meeting of the club because she was afraid she would be roped into something./ Compare: TALK INTO. [rope off] {v. phr.} To divide into sections by use of a rope. * /The police roped off the section of the street where the president was expected to jog./ [rose] See: BED OF ROSES, LOOK AT THE WORLD THROUGH ROSE-COLORED GLASSES. [rose-colored glasses] See: LOOK AT THE WORLD THROUGH ROSE-COLORED GLASSES. [rotten egg] {n.}, {informal} A person whose character or way of acting is not good. * /His friends have all learned he is a rotten egg./ Often used by children in fun, as of someone who is slow in doing something. * /The boys ran to the river to go swimming and Dick cried, "Last one in is a rotten egg!"/ [rotten to the core] {adj. phr.} 1. Thoroughly decayed or spoiled. * /This apple is inedible; it is brown and soft and rotten to the core./ 2. In total moral collapse. * /The Communist government of Cuba is rotten to the core./ [rough] See: DIAMOND IN THE ROUGH. [rough-and-ready] {adj.} 1. Not finished in detail; not perfected; rough but ready for use now. * /We asked Mr. Brown how long it would take to drive to Chicago and his rough-and-ready answer was two days./ 2. Not having nice manners but full of energy and ability. * /Jim is a rough-and-ready character; he'd rather fight than talk things over./ [rough-and-tumble] 1. {n.} Very rough, hard fighting or arguing that does not follow any rules. * /There was a rough-and-tumble on the street last night between some soldiers and sailors./ * /Many people don't like the rough-and-tumble of politics./ 2. {adj.} Fighting or arguing in a very rough and reckless way; struggling hard; not following rules or laws. * /It took strong men to stay alive in the rough-and-tumble life of the western frontier./ [rough diamond] See: DIAMOND IN THE ROUGH. [roughhouse] {n.} Riotous play or commotion. * /? told the boys they can play in the attic if there is no roughhouse./ [roughhouse] {v.} To play very wildly; be running around as young boys usually do. * /"Stop roughhousing this minute," Grandma cried. "Your father will be home soon."/ [rough it] {v. phr.} To live like primitive people; live with little of the comfort and equipment of civilization. * /Scouts like to rough it in the woods on weekend hikes./ [roughneck] {n.} A low, coarse fellow. * /The only boys in the neighborhood are a bunch of roughnecks, and Mrs. Smith is unhappy about the fact that her son is rapidly becoming one of them./ [rough-shod] See: RIDE ROUGH-SHOD OVER. [rough sledding] See: HARD SLEDDING. [rough up] {v.} To attack or hurt physically; treat roughly; beat. * /Three boys were sent home for a week because they roughed up a player on the visiting team./ * /While Pete was walking in a strange part of town some boys roughed him up and told him to stay out of their territory./ [roughly speaking] {adv. phr.} Approximately; in general terms. * /Roughly speaking, about 250 people attended the annual convention of the Dictionary Society of America./ [roulette] See: RUSSIAN ROULETTE. [round] See: BRING AROUND or BRING ROUND, COME ROUND, GO THE ROUNDS, MAKE ROUNDS, SQUARE PEG IN A ROUND HOLE, YEAR-ROUND. [round-eyed] or [wide-eyed] also [large-eyed] {adj.} Very much surprised; astonished; awed. * /The people were round-eyed when they learned what the computer could do./ * /The children were wide-eyed at the sight of the Christmas tree and didn't make a sound./ [round off] {v.} 1. To make round or curved. * /John decided to round off the corners of the table he was making so that no one would be hurt by bumping them./ 2. To change to the nearest whole number. * /The teacher said to round off the averages./ 3. To end in a satisfactory way; put a finishing touch on; finish nicely. * /We rounded off the dinner with mixed nuts./ * /A boat ride in the moonlight rounded off the day at the lake./ Compare: TOP OFF. [round out] {v. phr.} To complete; make whole. * /He needs only one or two more rare compact discs to round out his collection of Vivaldi./ [round robin] {n. phr.} 1. Something written, especially a request or protest that is signed by a group of people. - Often used like an adjective. * /The people in our neighborhood are sending a round robin to the Air Force to protest the noise the jet planes make flying over our houses./ 2. A letter written by a group of people each writing one or two paragraphs and then sending the letter to another person, who adds a paragraph, and so on. * /The class sent a round-robin letter to Bill in the hospital./ 3. A meeting in which each one in a group of people takes part; a talk between various members of a group. - Often used like an adjective. * /There is a round-robin meeting of expert fishermen on the radio, giving advice on how to catch fish./ 4. A contest or games in which each player or team plays every other player or team in turn. - Often used like an adjective. * /The tournament will be a round robin for all the high school teams in the city./ [rounds] See: GO THE ROUNDS. [round the clock] See: AROUND THE CLOCK. [round trip] {n.} A return trip; passage to a place and back. * /The ticket agent explained that a ticket for a round trip to Hawaii at certain times of the year may cost less than a one-way ticket during the high season./ [roundup] {n.} A muster; an inspection; a gathering together. * /The farmer and his son decided to hold a major roundup of all their cattle to see that none had been stolen by the bandits./ * /The police roundup of all suspected drug dealers took place early in the morning./ [round up] {v.} 1. To bring together (cattle or horses). * /Cowboys round up their cattle in the springtime to brand the new calves./ 2. {informal} To collect; gather. * /Dave rounded up many names for his petition./ [row] See: HARD ROW TO HOE or TOUGH ROW TO HOE, HOE ONE'S OWN ROW, SKID ROW. [royal road] {n. phr.} A quick means of accomplishment; an easy path. * /There is no royal road to learning in order to obtain a university degree./ [rubdown] {n.} A massage. * /The chiropractor gave his patient a powerful rubdown./ [rub-a-dub] {n.} The sound made by beating a drum. * /We heard a great rub-a-dub as the parade marched into view./ [rubber check] {n.}, {informal} A check written without enough money in the bank to make it good. * /Bill got into trouble when he paid his bills with rubber checks./ * /By the time we knew he had paid us with a rubber check, the man had left the state./ * /The rubber check bounced./ [rub down] {v. phr.} 1. To dry the body of (an animal or person) by rubbing. * /Stablemen rub down a horse after a race./ 2. To rub and press with the fingers on the body of (a person) to loosen muscles or prevent stiffness; massage. * /Trainers rub down an athlete after hard exercise./ [rub elbows] also [rub shoulders] {v. phr.} To be in the same place (with others); meet and mix. * /City people and country people, old and young, rub elbows at the horse show./ * /On a visit to the United Nations Building in New York, you may rub elbows with people from faraway lands./ [rub it in] {v. phr.}, {slang} To remind a person again and again of an error or short-coming; tease; nag. * /Jerry was already unhappy because he fumbled the ball, but his teammates kept rubbing it in./ * /I know my black eye looks funny. You don't need to rub it in./ [rub off] {v.} 1. To remove or be removed by rubbing; erase. * /The teacher rubs the problem off the chalkboard./ * /After Ann shook hands with the president, she would not shake hands with anyone else because she thought that the good luck would rub off./ 2. To stick to something touched; come off. * /Don't touch that charcoal, it will rub off./ * /Mary's dress touched the door that Father was painting, and some paint rubbed off on her dress./ 3. To pass to someone near as if by touching. * /Jimmy is very lucky; I wish some of his luck would rub off on me./ [rub out] {v.}, {slang} To destroy completely; kill; eliminate. * /The gangsters rubbed out four policemen before they were caught./ * /The gangsters told the storekeeper that if he did not pay them to protect him, someone would rub him out./ Compare: WIPE OUT, RID OF. [rub salt into one's wounds] {v. phr.}, {informal} To deliberately add pain when one feels shame, regret, or defeat. * /Must you rub salt into my wounds by telling me how much fun I missed by not going to the party?/ [rub shoulders] See: RUB ELBOWS. [rub the wrong way] {v. phr.}, {informal} To make (someone) a little angry; do something not liked by (someone); annoy; bother. * /John's bragging rubbed the other boys the wrong way./ * /Mother's friend called Harold a little boy, and that rubbed Harold the wrong way./ Compare: AGAINST THE GRAIN(2). [rub up against] {v. phr.} To come into contact with. * /In that business one naturally has to rub up against all kinds of people./ [rub up to] {v. phr.} To do nice things for one; flatter a person; gain attention or rewards. * /Mona has the ability to rub up to the right kinds of people, so it's no wonder she is so popular at her work./ [ruffle feathers] or [ruffle one's feathers] {v. phr.} Insult or disturb slightly; offend. * /The author ruffled some feathers by his portrait of his hometown./ [rug] See: PULL THE RUG OUT FROM UNDER, SWEEP UNDER THE RUG. [rule] See: EXCEPTION PROVES THE RULE, GROUND RULE. [rule of thumb] {n. phr.} A simple and practical method that has proven successful or useful in the past. * /It is a very good rule of thumb to look up all unfamiliar words in a good dictionary./ [rule out] {v.} 1. To say that (something) must not be done; not allow; also: decide against. * /The principal ruled out dances on school nights./ * /The play was ruled out by the referee./ * /Jean probably will not go to college, but she has not ruled that out./ 2. To show that (someone or something) is not a possibility; make it unnecessary to think about; remove (a chance). * /We have to find a baby-sitter for tonight; Betsy has a date, so that rules her out./ * /The doctor took X rays to rule out the chance of broken bones./ 3. To make impossible; prevent. * /Father's death seems to rule out college for Jean./ * /Betsy's date for the dance ruled out any baby-sitting that evening./ [rule the roost] {v. phr.}, {informal} To be leader or boss; be in charge. * /Jim is very bossy; he always wants to rule the roost./ * /Who rules the roost in the Smith's house?/ Compare: WEAR THE TROUSERS. [run] See: BLOOD RUNS COLD, END RUN, CUT AND RUN, FIRST-RUN, HOME RUN, IN THE LONG RUN, IN THE RUNNING, ON THE RUN, OUT OF THE RUNNING, SECOND-RUN. [run across] See: COME ACROSS(1). [run after] or [chase after] {v.} 1. To try to find; look for; hunt. * /The Dramatic Club has to run all over town after things for setting the stage when it puts on a play./ 2. {informal} To seek the company of; chase. * /Some boys spend a lot of time and money running after girls./ [run along] {v.} To go away; leave. * /Joan said she had errands to do and must run along./ [run a risk] or [take a risk] {v. phr.} To be open to danger or loss; put yourself in danger; be unprotected. * /A baseball umpire wears a mask and chest protector so he won't run the risk of being hit by the ball./ * /Billy takes a risk of being hit by a car when he runs into the street without looking./ * /I was afraid to run the risk of betting on the game./ Compare: TAKE A CHANCE. [run around in circles] {v. phr.} To waste time in repetitious movements; be confused. * /There was such a crowd in the lobby that I ran around in circles trying to find my group./ [run around] or [chase around] {v.}, {informal} To go to different places for company and pleasure; be friends. * /Tim hasn't been to a dance all year; with school work and his job, he hasn't time to run around./ * /Chuck and Jim chase around a lot together./ - Often used with "with". * /Ruth runs around with girls who like to go dancing./ Compare: GO AROUND, HANG AROUND. [run around like a chicken with its head cut off] See: RUN AROUND IN CIRCLES. [run a temperature] {v. phr.} To have a body temperature that is above normal; have a fever. * /Jimmy didn't look ill, although he was running a temperature./ * /We took the baby to the doctor because he was running a temperature./ [run a tight ship] {v. phr.} To run an organization with a firm hand, with strict rules and regulations. * /Our dean of the college runs a very tight ship; he tolerates no mistakes./ [run away] or [run off] {v.} To leave and not plan to come back; go without permission; escape. * /Many times Tommy said he would run away from home, but he never did./ * /The guards in jail make sure that none of the prisoners run away./ Compare: GET AWAY. [run away with] {v.} 1a. To take quickly and secretly, especially without permission; steal. * /A thief ran away with Grandma's silver teapot./ Syn.: MAKE OFF. 1b. To go away with; elope. * /Mary said that if her parents wouldn't let her marry Phil, she would run away with him./ 1c. To take hold of; seize. * /The boys thought they saw a ghost in the old house last night; they let their imagination run away with them./ Compare: GET THE BETTER OF. 2. To be much better or more noticeable than others in; win easily. * /Our team ran away with the game in the last half./ * /The fat comedian ran away with the TV show./ Compare: STEAL THE SHOW. [run circles around] also [run rings around] {v. phr.} To show that you can do a task much better than; do better than (someone) very easily. * /In spelling, Ruth could run circles around Barbara any day./ * /Frank ran rings around the other boys on the basketball team./ [run down] {v.} (stress on "down") 1. To crash against and knock down or sink. * /Jack rode his bicycle too fast and almost ran down his little brother./ * /It was so foggy that the steamship almost ran down a small boat leaving port./ Compare: RUN INTO(3a). 2a. To chase until exhausted or caught. * /The dogs ran down the wounded deer./ 2b. To find by hard and thorough search; also: trace to its cause or beginning. * /The policeman ran down proof that the burglar had robbed the store./ Compare: HUNT DOWN. 2c. To catch (a base runner) between bases and tag out in baseball. * /The pitcher saw that the base runner was not on base, so he surprised him by throwing the ball to the first baseman, who ran him down before he reached second base./ 3. {informal} To say bad things about; criticize. * /Suzy ran down the club because the girls wouldn't let her join./ Compare: FIND FAULT. 4. To stop working; not run or go. * /The battery in Father's car ran down this morning./ * /The kitchen clock ran down because we forgot to wind it./ 5. To get into poor condition; look bad. * /A neighborhood runs down when the people don't take care of their houses./ [run-down] {adj.} (stress on "run") In poor health or condition; weak or needing much work. * /Grandma caught a cold because she was very run-down from loss of sleep./ * /The houses near the center of the city get more run-down every year./ [run dry] {v. phr.} To dry up; lose the water content. * /After many years of use, our well ran dry./ [run errands] {v. phr.} To carry messages or perform similar minor tasks. * /Peter runs errands for our entire neighborhood to make some extra money./ [run for it] or [make a run for it] {v. phr.} To dash for safety; make a speedy escape. * /The bridge the soldiers were on started to fall down and they had to run for it./ * /The policeman shouted for the robber to stop, but the robber made a run for if./ [run for one's money] {n. phr.} 1. A good fight; a hard struggle. - Usually used with "give" or "get". * /Our team didn't win the game, but they gave the other team a run for their money./ 2. Satisfaction; interest; excitement. - Usually used with "give" or "get". * /People like to watch the champion fight because they get a good run for their money from him./ * /A good student gives a teacher more than a run for his money./ [run in] {v. phr.} 1. {informal} To take to jail; arrest. * /The policeman ran the man in for peddling without a license./ 2. To make a brief visit. * /The neighbor boy ran in for a minute to see Bob's newest model rocket./ Syn.: DROP IN. Compare: STOP OFF. [run-in] {n.} 1. A traffic accident. * /My car was wrecked when I had a run-in with a small truck./ 2. A violent quarrel. * /John had a nasty run-in with his boss and was fired./ [run in the blood] or [run in the family] {v. phr.} To be a common family characteristic; be learned or inherited from your family. * /A great interest in gardening runs in his family./ * /Red hair runs in the family./ [run into] {v.} 1. To mix with; join with. * /If the paint brush is too wet, the red paint will run into the white on the house./ * /This small brook runs into a big river in the valley below./ 2. To add up to; reach; total. * /Car repairs can run into a lot of money./ * /The number of people killed on the highways during holidays runs into hundreds./ * /A good dictionary may run into several editions./ 3a. Bump; crash into; hit. * /Joe lost control of his bike and ran into a tree./ Compare: RUN DOWN. 3b. To meet by chance. * /I ran into Joe yesterday on Main Street./ Compare: BUMP INTO, CHANCE ON, COME ACROSS(2). 3e. Be affected by; get into. * /I ran into trouble on the last problem on the test./ * /When I ran into a problem while making my model airplane, I asked Uncle Mark for help./ [run into a brick wall] or [run into a stone wall] See: STONE WALL. [run into the ground] {v. phr.}, {informal} 1. To do or use (something) more than is wanted or needed. * /It's all right to borrow my hammer once in a while, but don't run it into the ground./ 2. To win over or defeat (someone) completely. * /We lost the game today, but tomorrow we'll run them into the ground./ [run its course] {v. phr.} To fulfill a normal development; terminate a normal period. * /Your flu will run its course; in a few days you'll be back on your feet./ [run off] {v. phr.} 1. To produce with a printing press or duplicating machine. * /The print shop ran off a thousand copies of the newspaper./ 2. To drive away. * /The boys saw a dog digging in mother's flower bed, and they ran him off./ * /When the salesman tried to cheat the farmer, the farmer ran him off the farm with a shotgun./ 3. See: RUN AWAY. [run-off] {n.} A second election held to determine the winner when the results of the first one were inconclusive. * /The senatorial race was so close that the candidates will have to hold a run-off./ [run off at the mouth] {v. phr.} To talk too much; be unable to stop talking. * /"Shut up, John," our father cried. "You are always running off at the mouth."/ [run of luck] {n. phr.} A period of good luck. * /I had a run of luck last Saturday when I went fishing and caught seven big trout within one hour./ [run-of-the-mill] or [run-of-the-mine] {adj.} Of a common kind; ordinary; usual. * /Frank is a very good bowler, but Joe is just run-of-the-mill./ * /It was just a run-of-the-mine movie./ [runner-up] {n.} The person who finishes second in a race or contest; the one next after the winner. * /Tom won the race and Jack was runner-up./ * /Joan was runner-up in the contest for class secretary./ Compare: SECOND-BEST. [running start] {n. phr.} Good progress at the beginning. * /The team was off to a running start, having won the first two games./ * /Contributions of $5000 before the drive began gave the charity fund a running start./ Compare: HEAD START. [run out] {v.} 1a. To come to an end; be used up. * /Jerry almost got across the brook on the slippery stones but his luck ran out and he slipped and fell./ * /We'd better do our Christmas shopping; time is running out./ Syn.: GIVE OUT(5). 1b. To use all of the supply; be troubled by not having enough. * /The car ran out of gas three miles from town./ * /Millie never runs out of ideas for clever party decorations./ Compare: RUN SHORT. 2. {informal} To force to leave; expel. * /Federal agents ran the spies out of the country./ Syn.: KICK OUT, RUN OFF. [run out on] {v. phr.} To leave someone in the lurch; abandon another. * /When Ted ran out on Delores, she got so angry that she sued him for divorce./ [run over] {v.} 1. To be too full and flow over the edge; spill over. * /Billy forgot he had left the water on, and the tub ran over./ 2. To try or go over (something) quickly; practice briefly. * /During the lunch hour, Mary ran over her history facts so she would remember them for the test./ * /The coach ran over the signals for the trick play with the team just before game time./ 3. To drive on top of; ride over. * /At night cars often run over small animals that are blinded by the headlights./ Syn.: RUN DOWN. [run ragged] {v. phr.} To tire out; make nervous by too much worry or work. * /Trying to keep up with too many clubs, sports, and activities in addition to his homework ran Tom ragged./ * /On a rainy day the children sometimes ran Mother ragged./ Compare: WEAR OUT. [run rings around] See: RUN CIRCLES AROUND. [run riot] {v. phr.} 1. To act freely or wildly; not control yourself. * /The monkey got out of his cage and ran riot in the pet shop./ * /John let his imagination run riot, thinking he was hunting lions in Africa./ 2. To be or grow in great numbers or large amounts. * /Daisies ran riot in the meadow./ Compare: RUN WILD. [run scared] {v. phr.} To expect defeat, as in a political campaign. * /The one-vote defeat caused him to run scared in every race thereafter./ [run short] {v. phr.} 1. To not have enough. * /Bob asked Jack to lend him five dollars because he was running short./ * /We are running short of sugar./ Compare: RUN OUT. 2. To be not enough in quantity. * /We are out of potatoes and the flour is running short./ [run that by me again!] {v. phr.}, {informal command} Repeat what you just said, as I couldn't understand you. * /"Run that by me again," he cried. "This telephone connection is very bad."/ [run the gauntlet] also [gantlet] {v. phr.} 1. To be made to run between two lines of people facing each other and be hit by them with clubs or other weapons. * /Joe had to run the gauntlet as part of his initiation into the club./ 2. To face a hard test; bear a painful experience. * /Ginny had to run the gauntlet of her mother's questions about how the ink spot got on the dining room rug./ [run through] {v.} 1. To make a hole through, especially with a sword; pierce. * /The pirate was a good swordsman, but the hero finally ran him through./ 2. To spend recklessly; use up wastefully. * /The rich man's son quickly ran through his money./ Syn.: GO THROUGH(4). 3. To read or practice from beginning to end without stopping. * /The visiting singer ran through his numbers with the orchestra just before the program./ [run to] {v. phr.} To approximate; reach. * /It has been estimated that the casualties will run to over 300,000 killed by cholera and starvation in the crowded refugee camps./ [run to seed] See: GO TO SEED. [run true to form] {v. phr.} To follow a usual way; act as expected; agree with how a person usually acts. * /The little boy's actions ran true to form. He bothered his mother until she gave him his way./ Compare: PAR FOR THE COURSE. [run up] {v. phr.} 1. To add to the amount of; increase. * /Karl ran up a big bill at the bookstore./ 2. To put together or make hastily; sew quickly together. * /Jill ran up a costume for the party on her sewing machine./ 3. To pull (something) upward on a rope; put (something) up quickly. * /The pirates ran up the black flag./ [run up against] See: UP AGAINST. [run wild] {v. phr.} To be or go out of control. * /The students ran wild during spring vacation./ * /The new supervisor lets the children run wild./ * /The violets are running wild in the flower bed./ Compare: RUN RIOT. [run with the hare and hunt (ride) with the hounds] {v. phr.} To appear to support both parties in a conflict; to conduct things in ambiguous ways. * /Critics accused the king of running with the hare and hunting with the hounds./ [running commentary] {n. phr.} A continual series of remarks. * /My chiropractor gives me a running commentary on the health care debate while he is giving me a rubdown./ [rush] See: BUM'S RUSH. [Russian roulette] {n.} A game of chance in which one bullet is placed in a revolver, the cartridge cylinder is spun, and the player aims the gun at his own head and pulls the trigger. * /Only a fool would risk playing Russian roulette./ [rust away] {v. phr.} To disappear gradually through the process of rust or corrosion. * /If you refuse to paint those metal bars on the window, they will soon rust away./ [rustproof] {adj.} Free from rusting or corrosion; permeated with anti-rust chemical agents. * /My new watch is rustproof and waterproof and I can wear it while swimming or taking a shower./ S [saber rattling] or [sword rattling] {n.} A show of military strength usually to frighten; a threat of military force. * /The dictator marched his troops and tanks along the border of our country and did some saber rattling./ [sack] See: GET THE SACK at GET THE BOUNCE(2), GIVE THE SACK at GIVE THE BOUNCE(2), HIT THE HAY or HIT THE SACK, LEAVE HOLDING THE BAG or LEAVE HOLDING THE SACK. [sack in/out] {v.}, {slang} To go to sleep for a prolonged period (as in from night to morning). * /Where are you guys going to sack in/sack out?/ [sacred cow] {n.} A person or thing that is never criticized, laughed at, or insulted even if it deserves such treatment. * /Motherhood is a sacred cow to most politicians./ * /The bold young governor had no respect for the state's sacred cows./ * /Television respects too many sacred cows./ [sacrifice fly] {n.} A baseball hit high in the air that helps a runner score after it is caught. * /Mantle drove in two runs with a single and a sacrifice fly./ [saddle] See: IN THE SADDLE. [saddled with] {adj. phr.} Burdened with; handicapped. * /The business was so saddled with debt that the new owner had a hard time making a go of it for a couple of years./ [saddle shoe] {n.} A white shoe with a black or brown piece of leather shaped like a saddle across the top of the shoe. * /Mary wore bobby socks and saddle shoes./ [safe] See: PLAY SAFE. [safe and sound] {adj. phr.} Not harmed; not hurt; safe and not damaged. * /The package arrived safe and sound./ * /The children returned from their trip safe and sound./ Compare: WITH A WHOLE SKIN. [safety blitz] {n.} A defensive play in football in which the defensive safety man makes a quick run to tackle the offensive quarterback. * /Bob's safety blitz kept Tom from making a touchdown./ [safety glass] {n.} Two panes of glass with a sheet of plastic between them so that the glass will not break into pieces. * /Safety glass is used in cars because it does not break into pieces./ [safety in numbers] {n. phr.} Protection against trouble by being in a group. * /Peter said, "Stay in a group; there is safety in numbers."/ [safety island] or [safety zone] {n.} A raised area in a highway or road to be used only by people walking. * /John was half-way across the street when the light changed. He stayed on the safety island until it changed again./ [sail] See: SET SAIL, RAKE THE WIND OUT OF ONE'S SAILS. [sail close to the wind] {v. phr.} To be on the borderline between legality and illegality. * /The wealthy tycoon sailed close to the wind during Prohibition./ [sail into] {v.}, {informal} 1. To attack with great strength; begin hitting hard. * /George grabbed a stick and sailed into the dog./ Compare: LAY INTO, PITCH INTO. 2. To scold or criticize very hard. * /The coach really sailed into Bob for dropping the pass./ Syn.: BAWL OUT, LAY INTO. [sail (right) through] {v. phr.} To conclude easily and rapidly; finish something. * /The bright young man sailed through the bar exam in record time./ [sailor collar] {n.} A large square collar like those worn by sailors. * /Little Timmy's suit has a sailor collar./ * /Mary's blouse has a sailor collar./ [sail under false colors] {v. phr.} 1. To sail a ship, often pirate, under the flag of another country. * /The pirate ship flew the American flag until it got near, then raised the black flag./ 1. To pretend to be what you are not; masquerade. * /The garage hired Jones as a mechanic, but fired him when they found he was sailing under false colors./ * /They found out that Smith was an escaped convict who had been sailing under false colors as a lawyer./ [sake] See: FOR ONE'S SAKE. [salad days] {n. phr.}, {informal} The period of one's youth; a period of inexperience. * /He was silly and immature during his salad days in high school./ [sale] See: NO DEAL or NO SALE, ON SALE, WHITE SALE. [sales check] or [sales slip] {n.} A paper which the clerk gives the person who bought something; a paper that shows what you bought in a store and how much you paid for it. * /Mrs. Smith checked the sales slip with what she bought./ * /Mary brought the sales check when she returned the dress so she could get her money back./ [sales talk] {n.} A speech made to point out all the good reasons why the sale would help someone who might buy the product. * /Mrs. Goldsmith gave the man a good sales talk about the new house./ * /The coach gave a sales talk on exercise in the school assembly./ [Salisbury steak] {n.} A broiled or fried hamburger patty sometimes containing eggs, milk, bread crumbs, and seasoning. * /James ordered a Salisbury steak for lunch./ [salt] See: BACK TO THE SALT MINES, TAKE WITH A GRAIN OF SALT also TAKE WITH A PINCH OF SALT, WORTH ONE'S SALT. [salt away] {v.}, {informal} To save (money) for the future. * /Every week Joe salts away half of his pay./ [salt of the earth] {n. phr.}, {informal} One who helps to make society good and wholesome; a basically good or valuable person. * /Everyone here considers Syd and Susan the salt of the earth because they are so generous./ [salt pork] {n.} Very fat pork that has been packed in salt or dipped in brine for curing. * /Mother cooked beans with salt pork for supper./ [same] See: AT THE SAME TIME, ALL THE SAME, or JUST THE SAME, IN THE SAME BREATH, LIGHTNING NEVER STRIKES TWICE IN THE SAME PLACE, ONE AND THE SAME. [same here] {informal} And it is the same with me; and the same for me. - Used only in speech. * /Mary ordered an ice cream soda, and Jill said, "Same here."/ * /Tom said he was too tired to run any further, and Bill said, "Same here."/ [sand] See: HIDE ONE'S HEAD IN THE SAND. [sand lot] {n.} A field, vacant lot, or other open place used as a sports playing field, usually by younger teams or by amateurs who can't afford to use anything better. * /Rogers Hornsby, who was National League baseball batting champion six times, first started playing on Texas sand lots./ [sand-lot] {adj.} Of the kind seen on sand lots; not professional. * /The professional football team was so confused by their opponents' fast play that they acted like a bunch of sand-lot amateurs./ [sand trap] {n.} A low place on a golf course that is filled with sand to stop the ball. * /The golfer lost four strokes trying to get the ball out of the sand trap./ [sandwich board] {n.} Two advertising signs worn by a man, one on his chest and the other on his back. * /The man walking along Main Street wore a sandwich board saying "Eat at Joe's."/ [sauce] See: HIT THE SAUCE. [save face] {v. phr.} To save your good reputation, popularity, or dignity when something has happened or may happen to hurt you; hide something that may cause you shame. * /The policeman was caught accepting a bribe; he tried to save face by claiming it was money owed to him./ * /Bill would not play in the game because he knew he could not do well and he wanted to save face./ * /The colonel who lost the battle saved face by showing his orders from the general./ Contrast: LOSE FACE. - [face-saver] {n.} * /The shop teacher's note was a face-saver when another teacher thought John and Bill were playing hookey in town./ - [face-saving] {adj.} * /The note was a face-saving idea./ - [face-saving] {n.} * /Face-saving is not helped by too many invented excuses./ [save for a rainy day] See: RAINY DAY. [save one's breath] {v. phr.}, {informal} To keep silent because talking will not help; not talk because it will do no good. * /Save your breath; the boss will never give you the day off./ [save one's neck] or [save one's skin] {v. phr.}, {slang} To save from danger or trouble. * /The fighter planes saved our skins while the army was landing from the ships./ * /Betty saved Tim's neck by typing his report for him; without her help he could not have finished on time./ [save the day] {v. phr.} To bring about victory or success, especially when defeat is likely. * /The forest fire was nearly out of control when suddenly it rained heavily and saved the day./ * /The team was behind, but at the last minute Sam saved the day with a touchdown./ [save up] {v. phr.} To put away for future use; keep as savings; save. * /John was saving up for a new bicycle./ * /Mary saved up pieces of cloth to make a quilt./ [saving grace] {n. phr.} A single good attribute; a redeeming quality. * /Felicity is not very attractive but her intelligence and wit are her saving grace./ [savings account] {n.} An account in a bank, where people put money to save it, and the bank uses the money and pays interest every year. * /If you leave your money in your savings account for six months or a year, the bank will pay interest on it./ Compare: CHECKING ACCOUNT. [savings bond] {n.} A government certificate given for money and saved for a number of years so that the government will pay back the money with interest. * /Mary bought a $25 savings bond for $18.75./ * /John's father gave him a savings bond for graduation./ [sawed-off] {adj.}, {informal} Shorter than usual; small of its kind. * /The riot police carried sawed-off shotguns./ * /Jimmy was a sawed-off, skinny runt./ [saw wood] also {Southern} [saw gourds] {v. phr.}, {slang} To breathe loudly through the nose while sleeping; snore. * /John was sawing wood./ * /In Alabama a boy who snores saws gourds./ [say] See: DARE SAY, GO WITHOUT SAYING, I'LL SAY, NEVER SAY DIE, NOT TO MENTION or TO SAY NOTHING OF, STRANGE TO SAY, THAT IS or THAT IS TO SAY, YOU DON'T SAY, YOU SAID IT or YOU CAN SAY THAT AGAIN. [say a mouthful] 1. {v. phr.}, {slang} To say something of great importance or meaning; say more by a sentence than the words usually mean. - Usually in past tense. * /Tom said a mouthful when he guessed that company was coming to visit. A dozen people came./ 2. {v. phr.}, {informal} To vent one's honest opinion, even in anger. * /He sure said a mouthful when he told his boss what was wrong with our business./ Contrast: GET AN EARFUL. [say one's peace] or [speak one's piece] {v. phr.} To say openly what you think; say, especially in public, what you usually say or are expected to say. * /John told the boss that he thought he was wrong and the boss got angry. He said, "You've said your little piece, so go on home."/ * /Every politician got up and said his piece about how good the mayor was and then sat down./ [says who] or [says you] {v. phr.}, {slang} I don't believe or accept that. - An expression of rebuff often used to make fun of someone or oppose him. * /"I am the strongest boy on the block." "Says you./" * /"That brook is full of trout." "Says who? I never saw anybody catch trout there."/ * /"You can't take Mary to the party - she's my girl." "Says who?"/ [say-so] {n.} Approval; permission; word. * /Father got angry because I took his new car out without his say-so./ [say the word] {v. phr.}, {informal} To say or show that you want something or agree to something; show a wish, willingness, or readiness; give a sign; say yes; say so. * /Just say the word and I will lend you the money./ * /I will do anything you want; just say the word./ * /If you get tired of those pictures, say the word./ [say uncle] also [cry uncle] {v. phr.}, {informal} To say that you surrender; admit that you have lost; admit a defeat; give up. * /Bob fought for five minutes, but he had to say uncle./ * /The bully twisted Jerry's arm and said, "Cry uncle."/ * /The other team was beating us, but we wouldn't say uncle./ Compare: GIVE IN. [scale] See: TO SCALE. [scale down] {v.} To make smaller or less; decrease. * /John scaled down each boy's share of food after a bear robbed the camp./ * /Tom built a scaled down model of the plane./ Compare: CUT DOWN. [scandal sheet] {n.} A newspaper that prints much shocking news and scandal. * /Bob wanted to find out who won the election, but he could find only a scandal sheet./ * /The scandal sheet carried big headlines about the murder./ [scarcely any] See: HARDLY ANY. [scarcely ever] See: HARDLY EVER. [scaredy-cat] or [scared-cat] See: FRAIDY-CAT. [scare away] or [off] {v. phr.} To cause to flee; frighten away. * /Jake is a confirmed bachelor; the best way to scare him off is to start talking about marriage./ [scare out of one's wits] or [scare stiff] or [scare the daylights out of] {v. phr.}, {informal} To frighten very much. * /The owl's hooting scared him out of his wits./ * /The child was scared stiff in the dentist's chair./ * /Pete's ghost story scared the daylights out of the smaller boys./ [scare to death] See: TO DEATH. [scare up] or [scrape up] {v.}, {informal} To find, collect, or get together with some effort when needed. * /The boy scared up enough money to go to college./ * /"Will you stay for supper?" she asked. "I can scare up enough for us all."/ * /He managed to scrape up the money for his speeding fine./ [scene] See: BEHIND THE SCENES. [scent] See: THROW OFF THE SCENT. [schedule] See: ON SCHEDULE. [scheme] See: COLOR SCHEME. [school] See: TELL TALES OUT OF SCHOOL. [school of hard knocks] {n. phr.} Life outside of school or college; life out in the world; the ordinary experience of learning from work and troubles. * /He never went to high school; he was educated in the school of hard knocks./ [score] See: SETTLE A SCORE also WIPE OUT AN OLD SCORE, THE SCORE. [scot-free] {adj. phr.} Without punishment; completely free. * /In spite of his obvious guilt, the jury acquitted him and he got off scot-free./ [scotch broth] {n.} A thick barley soup with vegetables and mutton or beef. * /Mother cooked a hearty scotch broth for dinner./ [Scott] See: GREAT GODFREY or GREAT SCOTT. [scout] See: GOOD EGG or GOOD SCOUT. [scout around] {v. phr.} To search for; look around. * /When we first came to town, we had to scout around for a suitable apartment./ [scrape] See: BOW AND SCRAPE. [scrape the bottom of the barrel] {v. phr.}, {informal} To use or take whatever is left after the most or the best has been taken; accept the leftovers. * /At first they took out quarters, but they had so little money that they had to scrape the bottom of the barrel and paid with nickels and pennies for their lunch./ * /The garage owner had to scrape the bottom of the barrel to find a qualified mechanic to work for him./ [scrape together] {v. phr.} To quickly assemble, usually from scanty ingredients. * /We were so hungry we had to scrape together some lunch from all kinds of frozen leftovers./ [scrape up] See: SCARE UP. [scratch] See: FROM SCRATCH, PUT ONE'S MONEY ON A SCRATCHED HORSE, UP TO PAR or UP TO SCRATCH. [scratch around for] {v. phr.} To search randomly for something. * /If you scratch around for a more reliable used car, maybe you'll feel more confident on the road./ [scratch one's back] {v. phr.}, {informal} To do something kind and helpful for someone or to flatter him in the hope that he will do something for you. Usually used in the expression "You scratch my back and I'll scratch yours." * /Mary asked Jean to introduce her to her brother. Jean said, "You scratch my back and I'll scratch yours."/ [scratch the surface] {v. phr.} To learn or understand very little about something. - Usually used with a limiting adverb (as "only", "hardly"). * /We thought we understood Africa but when we made a trip there we found we had only scratched the surface./ * /High school students have only scratched the surface of their subjects, and even after college graduation, they still find there is much more to learn./ [scream bloody murder] {v. phr.}, {informal} To yell or protest as strongly as one can. * /When the thief grabbed her purse, the woman screamed bloody murder./ * /When the city doubled property taxes, home owners screamed bloody murder./ [screen test] {n.} A short movie made to see if an actor or actress is good enough or the right one to play a part. * /Ellen acted well on the stage, but she failed her screen test./ [screw] See: HAVE A SCREW LOOSE, PUT ON THE SCREWS. [screw around] {v. phr.}, {vulgar}, {avoidable} To hang around idly without accomplishing anything, to loaf about, to beat or hack around. * /You guys are no longer welcome here; all you do is screw around all day./ [screws] See: TIGHTEN THE SCREWS. [screw up] {v. phr.}, {slang}, {semi-vulgar}, {best avoided} 1. To make a mess of, to make an error which causes confusion. * /The treasurer screwed up the accounts of the Society so badly that he had to be fired./ 2. To cause someone to be neurotic or maladjusted. * /Her divorce screwed her up so badly that she had to go to a shrink./ [screw-up] {n.} A mistake; an error; a confusing mess. * /"What a screw-up!" the manager cried, when he realized that the bills were sent to the wrong customers./ [screw up one's courage] or [pluck up one's courage] {v. phr.} To force yourself to be brave. * /The small boy screwed up his courage and went upstairs in the dark./ * /When his father came home in a bad mood, it took Pete some time to screw up his courage and ask him for a dollar./ Compare: WHISTLE IN THE DARK. [scrimmage] See: LINE OF SCRIMMAGE. [scrounge around] {v. phr.}, {slang} 1. To search for an object aimlessly without having one clearly in mind. * /I don't know what's the matter with him, he is just scrounging around all day long./ 2. To look around for a way to get a free drink or a free meal. * /Sue and her husband are so broke they never eat properly; they just scrounge around from one place to the next until someone offers them something./ [sea] See: AT SEA, BETWEEN THE DEVIL AND THE DEEP BLUE SEA, HIGH SEAS, NOT THE ONLY FISH IN THE SEA, PUT TO SEA. [sea legs] {n. phr.} 1. Adjustment to being in a boat that is rocking on the sea. * /This is my first transatlantic trip so give me a day to get my sea legs before you make me dance./ 2. Adjustment to a new job or situation. * /"I have just been transferred here and I haven't found my sea legs yet," the new colleague joked./ [seam] See: BURST AT THE SEAMS. [search] See: IN SEARCH OF. [search me] {informal} I don't know; how should I know? - May be considered rude. * /When I asked her what time it was, she said, "Search me, I have no watch."/ [search one's heart] or [search one's soul] {v. phr.}, {formal} To study your reasons and acts; try to discover if you have been fair and honest. * /The teacher searched his heart trying to decide if he had been unfair in failing Tom./ - [heart-searching] or [soul-searching] {n.} or {adj.} * /After much heart-searching, Jean told Beth she was sorry for the unkind things she had said./ * /The minister preached a soul-searching sermon about the thoughtless ways people hurt each other./ [search out] {v.} To search for and discover; find or learn by hunting. * /The police were trying to search out the real murderer./ [search with a fine-tooth comb] See: FINE-TOOTH COMB. [season] See: HIGH SEASON, IN SEASON, LOW SEASON, OUT OF SEASON. [seat] See: BACK SEAT DRIVER, FLY BY THE SEAT OF ONE'S PANTS, HOT SEAT, JUDGMENT SEAT, TAKE A BACK SEAT. [seat belt] {n.} A strong strap used to protect a person in a moving car or other vehicle by holding him in his seat. * /When the plane began to land, Billy and his mother fastened their seat belts./ * /Passengers in automobiles should wear seat belts for safety./ [second] See: PLAY SECOND PIDDLE, SPLIT SECOND. [second best] {n.} Something that is lower than or not quite as good as the best. * /Tom liked the deluxe model bicycle; but he could afford only a second best./ * /Joan chose the best and Mary had to take the second best./ * /There were ten boys in the race. Jack won and Fred was a close second best./ Compare: RUNNER UP. [second best] {adv.} Second; in second place. * /The team came off second best in the game./ [second-best] {adj.} Next to best; second in rank. * /Mary wore her second-best dress./ * /Bob was the second-best player on the team./ * /"I am the second-best student in this school because I was second best in the Milwaukee competition."/ [second childhood] {n. phr.} Senility; dotage. * /"Grandpa is in his second childhood; we must make allowances for him at the dinner table," my mother said, as Grandpa dropped food all over the place./ [second class] {n.} 1. The second best or highest group; the class next after the first. * /Joe was good enough in arithmetic to be put in the second class but was not good enough for the first./ Compare: FIRST CLASS. 2. The place or quarters, especially on a ship, train, or airplane which people travel who pay the next to the highest fare. * /Aunt May bought a ticket to travel in the second class on the boat trip./ Compare: FIRST CLASS, THIRD CLASS. 3. A class of mail that includes magazines and newspapers published at least four times a year and costs less for mailing than first class mail. Compare: FIRST CLASS. [second-class(1)] {adj.} 1. Belonging in the class that is next to the highest or next best. * /He was only a second-class math student./ * /His parents traveled as second-class passengers on the boat./ * /The periodical came as second-class mail./ Compare: FIRST-CLASS, THIRD-CLASS. 2. Not so good as others; second-rate. * /They were never given full democratic rights but were always treated as second-class citizens./ [second-class(2)] {adv.} By second class. * /We went second-class on the train to New York./ * /I mailed the newspaper second-class./ [second cousin] {n.} A child of your father's or mother's first cousin. * /Mary and Jane are second cousins./ [second-guess] {v. phr.} 1. To criticize another's decision with advantage of hindsight. * /The losing team's coach is always second-guessed./ 2. To guess what someone else intends or would think or do. * /Television planners try to second-guess the public./ [secondhand] {adj.} Used; not new; preowned. * /Sometimes a secondhand car is just as reliable as a brand new one./ [second nature] {n.} Something done without any special effort, as if by natural instinct. * /Cutting tall trees has become second nature to the experienced lumberjack./ [second-rate] {adj.} Of mediocre or inferior quality. * /The movie received a bad review; it was second-rate at best./ [second-run] {adj.} Of a movie: Shown in many movie theaters before, and allowed to be shown later in other movie theaters. * /Tickets to second-run movies cost much less./ [second sight] {n. phr.} Intuition; prescience; clairvoyance. * /Some police departments employ psychics to find missing persons or objects as they are said to have second sight./ [second thought] {n.} A change of ideas or opinions resulting from more thought or study. * /Your second thoughts are very often wiser than your first ideas./ * /We decided to climb the mountain, but on second thought realized that it was too dangerous./ Compare: THINK BETTER OF. [second to none] {adj. phr.} Excellent; first rate; peerless. * /Our new State University campus is second to none. There is no need to pay all that high tuition at a private college./ [second wind] also [second breath] {n.} 1. The easier breathing that follows difficult breathing when one makes a severe physical effort, as in running or swimming./ * /After the first quarter mile, a mile runner usually gets his second wind and can breathe better./ * /We climbed with labored breathing for half an hour, but then got our second wind and went up more easily./ 2. {informal} The refreshed feeling you get after first becoming tired while doing something and then becoming used to it. * /Tom became very tired of working at his algebra, but after a while he got his second wind and began to enjoy it./ [secret] See: IN SECRET, OPEN SECRET. [section gang] or [section crew] {n.} A group of railroad workers who watch and repair a number of miles of track. * /The section crew was called out to fix the broken bridge./ [section hand] {n.} A worker who repairs railway track; one of the men in a section gang. * /The section hands moved off the track while the train went by./ [security blanket] {n.}, {slang}, {colloquial} An idea, person, or object that one holds on to for psychological reassurance or comfort as infants usually hang on to the edge of a pillow, a towel, or a blanket. * /Sue has gone to Aunt Mathilda for a chat; she is her security blanket./ [see] See: CAN'T SEE THE WOODS FOR THE TREES, LET ME SEE or LET'S SEE. [see a lot of] {v. phr.} To go out regularly with someone; have an affair with someone. * /They have been seeing a lot of each other lately./ [see about] {v.} 1. To find out about; attend to. * /If you are too busy, I'll see about the train tickets./ 2. {informal} To consider; study. * /I cannot take time now but I'll see about your plan when I have time./ Compare: SEE TO, LOOK INTO, THINK OVER. [see after] See: LOOK AFTER. [see better days] {v. phr.} 1. To enjoy a better or happier life. * /Mr. Smith is poor now, but he will see better days./ 2. To become old, damaged, or useless. Used in the perfect tense. * /Mv blue coat is ten years old. It has seen better days./ * /Our car wasn't old, but it had seen better days./ [see beyond one's nose] or [see beyond the end of one's nose] {v. phr.} To make wise judgments about questions of importance to yourself and others; act with farseeing understanding. Used in negative, conditional, and interrogative sentences. * /He couldn't save money or make plans for the future; he just never saw beyond the end of his nose./ * /People who always complain about school taxes would stop it if they could see beyond their noses and understand the importance of first-class schools./ [seed] See: GO TO SEED or RUN TO SEED. [see daylight] {v. phr.}, {informal} To know that an end or success is near. * /We thought we would never finish building the house, but now we can see daylight./ * /Sarah thought it would take forever to read the book for her report, but finally she saw daylight./ [see eye to eye] {v. phr.} To agree fully; hold exactly the same opinion. * /Though we did not usually agree, we saw eye to eye in the matter of reducing taxes./ * /Jim did not see eye to eye with Sally on where they would go for their vacation./ [see fit] or [think fit] {v. phr.} To decide that an action is necessary, wise, or advisable; choose. * /Jim asked "Dad, what time should I come home after the dance?" His father answered, "You way do as you see fit."/ - Often used with an infinitive. * /After much thought, we did not see fit to join the Smiths on their Caribbean cruise./ * /The boys were angry because Ed thought fit to report the fight to the principal./ [see how the land lies] {v. phr.}, {informal} To reconnoiter; investigate. * /Before going there in person to ask for a job, you had better see how the land lies and who does what./ Compare: CASE THE JOINT. [seeing is believing] Seeing something is good proof. * /Bill told Joe he had passed his test, but Joe said, "Seeing is believing."/ [see into] {v.} To know or understand the real nature or meaning of. * /Suddenly the teacher saw into Linda's strange actions./ [see off] {v.} To go to say or wave goodbye to. * /His brother went to the train with him to see him off./ * /When Marsha flew to Paris, Flo saw her off at the airport./ [see one home] {v. phr.} To walk a person home. * /"Let me see you home, dear," Nick said to Jenny at the end of the party./ [see one's way clear] {v. phr.} To know no reason for not doing something; feel that you are free. * /John finally saw his way clear to help his friends./ * /Mary had to do her homework and help her mother before she could see her way clear to go to the movies with Jane./ [see out] {v.} 1. To go with to an outer door. * /A polite man sees his company out after a party./ 2. To stay with and finish; not quit. * /Pete's assignment was hard but he saw it out to the end./ [see reason] {v. phr.} To think or act sensibly, especially after realizing what the facts are on a certain matter and accepting advice about it. * /He finally saw reason and reshaped his sales strategy by lowering the prices as his older brother had suggested./ [see red] {v. phr.}, {informal} To become very angry. * /Whenever anyone teased John about his weight, he saw red. / [see service] {v. phr.} 1. To be used over a considerable period of time. * /This old camera of mine has already seen six years of service./ 2. To serve in a military sense. * /Colonel Hutchins has seen service in World War II, Korea, Vietnam, and the Persian Gulf./ [see stars] {v. phr.}, {informal} To imagine you are seeing stars as a result of being hit on the head. * /When Ted was hit on the head by the ball, he saw stars./ * /The boxer's head hit the floor, making him see stars./ [see the beat] See: HEAR THE BEAT. [see the color of one's money] {v. phr.}, {informal} To know that you have money to spend. * /The realtor would not show us a house until he saw the color of our money./ * /Before I show you the diamond, let me see the color of your money./ [see the last of] {v. phr.} To say good-bye to someone or something; get rid of something. * /We were glad to see the last of the winter./ [see the light] {v. phr.}, {informal} To understand or agree, often suddenly; accept another's explanation or decision. * /I did not approve of his action, but he explained his reason and then I saw the light./ * /Bill wanted Harry to help him, but Harry wasn't in the mood until Bill offered to pay him. Then Harry saw the light./ * /Mary thought it was fun to date older boys but when they started drinking, she saw the light./ [see the light at the end of the tunnel] {v. phr.}, {informal} To anticipate the happy resolution of a prolonged period of problems. * /We've been paying on our house mortgage for many years, but at long last we can see the light at the end of the tunnel./ [see the light of day] {v. phr.} To be born or begun. * /The children visited the old house where their great-grandfather first saw the light of day./ * /The party was a failure, and Mathilda wished her plan had never seen the light of day./ [see the sights] See: SIGHTSEE. [see things] {v. phr.}, {informal} To imagine sights which are not real; think you see what is not there. * /I had not seen him for twenty years and when we met on the street I thought I was seeing things./ * /She woke her husband to tell him she had seen a face at the window, but he told her she was seeing things./ [see through] {v.} 1. To understand the real meaning of or reason for; realize the falseness of. * /Mother saw through Johnny's excuses not to go to bed on Christmas Eve. She knew he wanted to stay up to see Santa Claus./ * /The teacher saw through the boy's story of having to help at home./ 2. To do (something) until finished; stay with until the end. * /Once Charles started a job, he saw it through till it was finished./ 3. To help and encourage (a person) through trouble or difficulty. * /Mrs. Miller saw Jane through her sickness./ * /When Mr. and Mrs. Brown lost their little girl, their friends saw them through with help and sympathy./ * /His business was about to fail, but his banker saw him through./ 4. To be enough for; last. * /This money will see us through the week./ * /Here is a long report to type. Do you have enough paper to see you through?/ Compare: TIDE OVER. [see to] also [look to] {v.} To attend to; take care of; do whatever needs to be done about. * /While Donna bought the theatre tickets, I saw to the parking of the car./ Compare: SEE ABOUT. [see to it] {v. phr.} To take care; take the responsibility; make sure. - Usually used with a noun clause. * /We saw to it that the child was fed and bathed./ [see with rose-colored glasses] See: LOOK AT THE WORLD THROUGH ROSE-COLORED GLASSES. [seed money] {n. phr.} A small grant or donation for others to be able to start a new venture. * /All you need is some seed money and you can set up your own desk-top publishing firm./ [seize on] {v.} To make use of (a happening or idea.) * /Bob seized on the rain as an excuse for missing school./ [seize on] or [upon] {v. phr.} To latch onto. * /Whenever Herb is in a romantic mood, Irene seizes on it and starts talking about marriage, which is not what Herb had in mind./ [seize the opportunity] {v. phr.} To exploit a chance. * /His wealthy uncle offered to send him to Harvard and he wisely seized the opportunity./ [self-conscious] {adj.} Embarrassed; shy. * /Edith has a freckled face and sometimes she is very self-conscious about it./ [self-made] {adj.} Having achieved wealth, fame, and success on one's own without outside help. * /John D. Rockefeller is one of the most famous self-made men in America./ [self-possessed] {adj.} Confident; sure of one self. * /Before he made his first million, he used to be shy, but afterwards he became very self-possessed./ [self-seeking] {adj.} Given to egotism and self-aggrandizement. * /Al is the most self-seeking person I've ever met, he is not fun to be around./ [sell down the river] {v. phr.} To give harmful information about someone or something to one's enemies; betray. * /The traitor sold his country down the river to the enemy army./ * /The criminal told the hiding place of his companions and sold them down the river./ Compare: SELL OUT(2). [sell off] {v. phr.} To liquidate one's holdings of certain set items. * /The retired professor had to sell off his rare butterfly collection to meet his health expenses./ [sell one a bill of goods] {v. phr.} To persuade another to acquire something useless; defraud. * /We were sure sold a bill of goods when Alfred persuaded us to buy his custom-built car for which replacement parts weren't available anywhere./ [sell one on] {v. phr.} To persuade someone to do something. * /We were able to sell our wealthy uncle on the idea of having a joint family vacation in Hawaii./ [sellout] {n.} 1. A betrayal or act of treason. * /The spy's behavior during the Cold War was a classical sellout./ [sell out] {v.} 1a. To sell all of a certain thing which a store has in stock. * /In the store's January white sale the sheets and pillowcases were sold out in two days./ 1b. To sell all the stock and close the store; go out of business. * /The local hardware store sold out last month and was replaced by a cafe./ 2. {informal} To be unfaithful to your country for money or other reward; be disloyal; sell a secret; accept a bribe./ * /In the Revolutionary War, Benedict Arnold sold out to the British./ * /The dishonest wrestler sold out to his opponent for a hundred dollars./ [sell short] {v.} To think (a person or thing) less good or valuable than is true; underestimate. * /Don't sell the team short; the players are better than you think./ * /Some teachers sold John short./ [sell snow to the Eskimos] {v. phr.} To sell something to people who already have a large quantity of the same or similar goods. * /My Alaskan friend said, "One of the hottest businesses in Alaska is refrigeration. You could say that I, as a refrigerator expert, am selling snow to the Eskimos."/ See: CARRY COALS TO NEWCASTLE. [send C.O.D.] See: C.O.D. [send off] {v. phr.} To say good-bye to someone ceremoniously. * /They sent us off to the Mainland from our first visit to Hawaii with an elaborate champagne party at the pier./ [send-off] {n. phr.} A demonstration of affection or respect at someone's departure, as a retirement ceremony. * /When our colleague retired after 35 years of teaching, we all got together at the Faculty Club and gave him a terrific send-off./ [send one about one's business] {v. phr.} To dismiss someone summarily; tell one off. * /When Mrs. Atwater discovered that her daughter's French tutor was an ordinary fortune hunter, she sent him about his business./ Compare: SEND ONE PACKING. [send one packing] {v. phr.} To fire someone summarily. * /When the boss caught Smith stealing from the cash register, he sent him packing./ Compare: SEND ONE ABOUT ONE'S BUSINESS. [send to the minors] {v. phr.} To dismiss someone; tell them off; terminate a relationship. - A baseball term. * /"What did you do to your girlfriend?" Ernie asked Bert, when Bert started dating Jane. "I sent her to the minors," Bert answered with a sneer./ [send up] {v. phr.}, {colloquial} To sentence (someone) to prison. * /Did you know that Milton Shaeffer was sent up for fifteen years?/ [send word] {v. phr.} To send notification to; advise. * /When his father fell seriously ill, we sent word to Mike to come home as quickly as possible./ [senior citizen] {n.} An older person, often one who has retired from active work or employment. * /Mrs. North, the history teacher, is a senior citizen./ [sense] See: COME TO ONE'S SENSES, HORSE SENSE, MAKE SENSE, OUT OF ONE'S HEAD or OUT OF ONE'S SENSES. [separate the men from the boys] {v. phr.}, {informal} To show who has strength, courage and loyalty and find who do not. * /When the ship hit an iceberg and sank, it separated the men from the boys./ * /The mile run separates the men from the boys./ [separate the sheep from the goats] See SEPARATE THE MEN FROM THE BOYS. [serve] See: FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED. [serve a sentence] {v. phr.} To be in jail. * /Charlie served four years of an eight-year sentence, after which he was paroled and released./ [serve notice] {v. phr.} 1. To notify one's employer in a formal or legal manner that one is quitting the former's employment. * /She gave notice to her boss that she was quitting because of marriage./ 2. To notify an employee or a tenant that one no longer needs their services or wishes to have them as tenants. * /The new landlady gave notice to several families in our building because they were late in paying their rent./ [serve one right] {v. phr.} To be what (someone) really deserves as a punishment; be a fair exchange for what (someone) has done or said or failed to do or say. * /He failed his exam; it served him right because he had not studied./ * /Bob said it served Sally right when she cut her finger; she had taken his knife without asking him./ Compare: ASK FOR, HAVE IT COMING. [serve time] See: SERVE A SENTENCE. [serve up] {v.} To prepare and serve (as a food). * /Father caught a trout and Mother served it up at dinner./ [service] See: AT ONE'S SERVICE, CURB SERVICE, LIP SERVICE, OF SERVICE, ROOM SERVICE. [session] See: BULL SESSION. [set] See: GET SET. [set ablaze] {v. phr.} To cause to burn by lighting with a match or other incendiary device. * /The criminals poured gasoline on the house and set it ablaze with a small lighter./ [set about] {v.} To begin; start. * /Benjamin Franklin set about teaming the printer's trade at an early age./ * /After breakfast, Mother set about her household duties./ [set afire] or [set on fire] See: SET ABLAZE. [set aside] {v.} 1. To separate from the others in a group or collection. * /She set aside the things in the old trunk which she wanted to keep./ 2. To select or choose from others for some purpose. * /The governor set aside a day for thanksgiving./ 3. To pay no attention to (something); leave out. * /The complaint was set aside as of no importance./ 4. {formal} To refuse to accept; annul; cancel as worthless or wrong. * /The Supreme Court set aside the decision of the lower courts./ [setback] {n.} A disadvantage; a delay. * /We suffered a major setback when my wife lost her job./ [set back] {v.} 1. To cause to put off or get behind schedule; slow up; check. * /The cold weather set back the planting by two weeks./ 2. {informal} To cause to pay out or to lose (a sum of money); cost. * /His new car set him back over $3000./ [set back on one's heels] or [knock back on one's heels] {v. phr.}, {informal} To give an unpleasant surprise; upset suddenly; stop or turn back (someone's) progress. * /Jack brags too much and it set him back on his heels when the coach told him he wasn't as good a player as he thought he was./ * /Jean was doing very well in school until sickness knocked her back on her heels./ Compare: KNOCK FOR A LOOP, THROW FOR A LOSS. [set down] {v.} 1. To write; record. * /He set down all his important thoughts in his dairy./ * /At the beginning of his letter Dan set down the date./ Syn.: PUT DOWN. 2. To stop a bus or other vehicle and let (someone) get off. * /The bus driver set her down at the corner./ 3. To put into some group; classify; consider. * /When he heard the man speak, he set him down as a fool./ 4. To explain; think a reason for. * /The teacher set down the boy's poor English to his foreign birth./ [set eyes on] See: LAY EYES ON. [set fire to] {v. phr.} To cause to burn; start a fire in. * /The sparks set fire to the oily rags./ Compare: CATCH FIRE. [set foot] {v. phr.} To step; walk; go. - Used with a negative. * /She would not let him set foot across her threshold./ * /She told the boy not to set foot out of the house until he had finished supper./ [set forth] {v.}, {formal} 1. To explain exactly or clearly. * /The President set forth his plans in a television talk./ 2. To start to go somewhere; begin a trip. * /The troop set forth on their ten-mile hike early./ Compare: SET OUT. [set free] {v. phr.} To liberate. * /The trapper set all the small animals free before the snowstorm hit./ [set great store by] See: SET STORE BY. [set in] {v.} To begin; start; develop. * /Before the boat could reach shore, a storm had set in./ * /He did not keep the cut clean and infection set in./ * /The wind set in from the east./ [set in one's ways] {adj. phr.} Stubborn; opinionated; unchangeable. * /My grandfather is so old and set in his ways that he'll eat nothing new./ [set loose] See: LET LOOSE(1a). [set off] {v.} 1. To decorate through contrast; balance by difference. * /The bright colors of the birds were set off by the white snow./ * /A small gold pin set off her plain dark dress./ 2. To balance; make somewhat equal. * /Her great wealth, as he thought, set off her plain face./ 3a. To begin to go. * /They set off for the West in a covered wagon./ Compare: SET OUT. 3b. To cause to begin. * /A letter from home set off an attack of homesickness./ * /An atomic explosion is created by setting off a chain reaction in the atom./ Compare: TOUCH OFF. 3c. To cause to explode. * /On July 4 we set off firecrackers in many places./ [set of new threads] {n. phr.} New men's suit. * /"Nice set of new threads'" Ed said, when he saw Dave in his new tailor-made outfit./ [set on] also [set upon] {v.} 1. To begin suddenly to fight against; attack fiercely. * /Tom was walking through the park when a gang of boys set on him./ 2. To cause to attack. * /Some boys went to steal melons but the farmer set his dog on them./ [set one's cap for] {v. phr.}, {informal} To attempt to win the love of or to marry. * /Usually used of a girl or woman./ * /The young girl set her cap for the new town doctor, who was a bachelor./ [set one's face against] {v. phr.}, {literary} To be very much against; strongly disapprove. * /The banker's daughter wanted to marry a poor boy, but her father set his face against it./ [set one's hand to] See: PUT ONE'S HAND TO. [set one's hand to the plow] See: PUT ONE'S HAND TO THE PLOW. [set one's heart on] {v. phr.} To want very much. * /He set his heart on that bike./ also: To be very desirous of; hope very much to succeed in. - Used with a verbal noun. * /He set his heart on winning the race./ [set one's house in order] See: PUT ONE'S HOUSE IN ORDER. [set one's mind at rest] {v. phr.} To relieve someone's anxieties; reassure someone. * /"Lef me set your mind at rest about the operation," Dr. Vanek said. "You'll be back on your feet in a week."/ [set one's mind on] {v. phr.} To be determined to; decide to. * /He has set his mind on buying an old chateau in France./ [set one's sights] {v. phr.} 1. To want to reach; aim for. * /John has set his sights higher than the job he has now./ 2. To wish to get or win. * /Owen set his sights on the championship./ [set one's teeth on edge] {v. phr.} 1. To have a sharp sour taste that makes you rub your teeth together. * /The lemon juice set my teeth on edge./ 2. To make one feel nervous or annoyed. * /She looks so mean that her face sets my teeth on edge./ [set on foot] See: ON FOOT. [set out] {v.} 1. To leave on a journey or voyage. * /The Pilgrims set out for the New World./ Compare: SET FORTH(2), SET OFF(4), START OUT. 2. To decide and begin to try; attempt. * /George set out to improve his pitching./ 3. To plant in the ground. * /The gardener set out some tomato seedlings./ [set right] {v. phr.} To discipline; correct; indicate the correct procedure. * /"Your bookkeeping is all messed up," the accountant said. "Let me set it right for you, once and for all."/ [set sail] {v. phr.} To begin a sea voyage; start sailing. * /The ship set sail for Europe./ [set store by] {v. phr.}, {informal} To like or value; want to keep. Used with a qualifying word between "set" and "store". * /George sets great store by that old tennis racket./ * /Pat doesn't set much store by Mike's advice./ [set the ball rolling] See: GET THE BALL ROLLING. [set the pace] {v. phr.} To decide on a rate of speed of travel or rules that are followed by others. * /The scoutmaster set the pace so that the shorter boys would not get tired trying to keep up./ * /Louise set the pace in selling tickets for the school play./ - [pace-setter] {n.} * /John is the pace-setter of the class./ - [pace-setting] {adj.} * /Bob's time in the cross-country race was pace-setting./ * /The country is growing at a pace-setting rate./ [set the stage for] {v. phr.} To prepare the way or situation for (an event); to make a situation ready for something to happen. * /The country's economic problems set the stage for a depression./ [set the world on fire] {v. phr.}, {informal} To do something outstanding; act in a way that attracts much attention or makes you famous. * /John works hard, but he will never set the world on fire./ * /Mary could set the world on fire with her piano playing./ [setting-up] {adj.} Done early in the morning to make you fresh and feel strong for the day. * /Tom jumped out of bed and did his setting-up exercises./ Compare: DAILY DOZEN. [settle a score] also [wipe out an old score] To hurt (someone) in return for a wrong or loss. * /John settled an old score with Bob by beating him./ Compare: GET BACK AT, GET EVEN. [settle down] {v.} 1. To live more quietly and sensibly; have a regular place to live and a regular job; stop acting wildly or carelessly, especially by growing up. * /John will settle down after he gets a job and gets married./ 2. To become quiet, calm, or comfortable. * /Father settled down with the newspaper./ * /The house settled down for the night after the children were put to bed./ * /The teacher told the students to settle down and study the lesson./ [settle for] {v.} To be satisfied with (less) agree to; accept. * /Jim wanted $200 for his old car, but he settled for $100./ [settle on] {v. phr.} To decide which one to choose among various alternatives. * /My parents have been debating what kind of a car to get and have finally settled on a BMW from Germany./ [settle up] {v. phr.} To pay up; conclude monetary or other transactions. * /"Let's settle up," Carol's attorney said, when she sued Don for a hefty sum of money after their divorce./ [set to] {v.} 1. To make a serious beginning. * /Charlie took a helping of turkey, grabbed his knife and fork, and set to./ 2. To start to fight. * /One man called the other a liar and they set to./ [set to music] {v. phr.} To compose a musical accompaniment to verse. * /Schubert and Beethoven both set to music many a famous poem by Goethe and Schiller./ [set to rights] See: PUT TO RIGHTS. [set tongues wagging] See: TONGUES WAG. [setup] {v.} 1. To provide the money for the necessities for. * /When he was twenty-one, his father set him up in the clothing business./ 2. To establish; start. * /The government has set up many hospitals for veterans of the armed forces./ 3. To make ready for use by putting the parts together or into their right place. * /The men set up the new printing press./ 4. To bring into being; cause. * /Ocean tides are set up by the pull between earth and the moon./ 5. To claim; pretend. * /He set himself up to be a graduate of a medical school, but he was not./ 6. To harm someone by entrapment or some other ruse. * /Joe was actually innocent of the robbery, but his "trusted friends" set him up, so the police found the gun in his car./ [setup] {n. phr.} (stress on "set") 1. Arrangement, management, circumstances. * /Boy, you really have a wonderful setup in your office!/ * /I just can't do my work in such a messy setup!/ 2. Financial arrangement. * /It is a fairly generous setup sending your uncle $1,000 a month./ [set upon] See: SET ON. [seven] See: AT SIXES AND SEVENS. [seventh heaven] {n. phr.}, {literary} The pinnacle of happiness. * /We were in seventh heaven when the helicopter flew us over the magnificent Grand Canyon./ [sewed up] {adj. phr.}, {informal} Won or arranged as you wish; decided. * /They thought they had the game sewed up, but the other team won it with a touchdown in the last quarter./ * /Dick thought he had the job sewed up, but another boy got it./ Compare: IN THE BAG. [sexual harassment] {n. phr.} The act of constantly making unwanted advances of a sexual nature for which the offended party may seek legal redress. * /The court fined Wilbur Catwallender $750,000 for sexual harassment of two of his female employees./ [shack up with] {v. phr.}, {slang} To move in with (someone) of the opposite sex without marrying the person. * /Did you know that Ollie and Sue aren't married? They just decided to shack up for a while./ See: LIGHT HOUSEKEEPING. [shadow] See: AFRAID OF ONE'S SHADOW, EYE SHADOW. [shaggy dog (story)] {n. phr.} A special kind of joke whose long and often convoluted introduction and development delay the effect of the punch line. * /Uncle Joe only seems to bore his audiences with his long shaggy dog jokes, for when he comes to the long-awaited punch line, he gets very few laughs./ [shake] See: MORE THAN ONE COULD SHAKE A STICK AT. [shake a leg] {v. phr.}, {slang} To go fast; hurry. * /Shake a leg! The bus won't wait./ Compare: STEP ON IT. [shakedown] {n.} 1. A test. * /Let's take the new car out and give it a shakedown./ 2. An act of extorting money by threatening. * /It was a nasty shakedown, to get $500 from the old man, promising to protect him./ [shake down] {v. phr.} 1. To cause to fall by shaking. * /He shook some pears down from the free./ 2. {informal} To test, practice, get running smoothly (a ship or ship's crew). * /The captain shook down his new ship on a voyage to the Mediterranean Sea./ 3. {slang} To get money from by threats. * /The gangsters shook the store owner down every month./ [shake in one's shoes] or [shake in one's boots] {v. phr.}, {informal} To be very much afraid. * /The robber shook in his boots when the police knocked on his door./ [shake off] {v.}, {informal} To get away from when followed; get rid of; escape from. * /A convict escaped from prison and shook off the officers trying to follow him./ * /Tom could not shake off his cold./ [shake the dust from one's feet] {v. phr.} To depart or leave with some measure of disgust or displeasure. * /Jim was so unhappy in our small, provincial town that he was glad to shake the dust from his feet and move to New York./ [shake up] {v.}, {informal} To bother; worry; disturb. * /The notice about a cut in pay shook up everybody in the office./ [shake-up] {n.} A change; a reorganization. * /After the scandal there was a major shake-up in the Cabinet./ [shame] See: FOR SHAME, PUT TO SHAME. [shape] See: IN SHAPE, OUT OF SHAPE, TAKE SHAPE. [shape up] {v. phr.}, {informal} 1. To begin to act or work right; get along satisfactorily. * /If the new boy doesn't begin to shape up soon, he'll have to leave school./ * /"How is the building of the new gym coming along?" "Fine. It's shaping up very well."/ 2. To show promise. * /Plans for our picnic are shaping up very well./ [shape up or ship out] {v. phr.}, {informal} To either improve one's disposition or behavior, or quit or leave. * /When Paul neglected to carry out his part of the research work that Professor Brown had assigned him with for the fifth time, the professor cried, "Shape up, or ship out, Paul. I have lost my patience with you!"/ [sharp] See: LOOK SHARP. [sharp as a tack] {adj. phr.} 1. Very neatly and stylishly dressed * /That new boy always looks sharp as a tack in class./ 2. Very intelligent; smart; quick-witted. * /Tom is sharp as a tack; he got 100 on every test./ [shed light on] or upon See: CAST LIGHT ON; THROW LIGHT ON. [sheep] See: WOLF IN SHEEP'S CLOTHING. [sheepskin] {n.} Diploma. * /Dr. Miller has half a dozen different sheepskins hanging on the wall of his office./ [sheet] See: SCANDAL SHEET, THREE SHEETS IN THE WIND or THREE SHEETS TO THE WIND. [shelf] See: ON THE SHELF. [shell] See: IN ONE'S SHELL or INTO ONE'S SHELL, OUT OF ONE'S SHELL. [shell out] {v.}, {informal} To pay or spend. * /Dick had to shell out a lot of money for his new car./ [shift for oneself] {v. phr.} To live or act independently with no help, guidance or protection from others; take care of yourself. * /Mrs. McCarthy was forced to shift for herself after her husband died./ [shine] See: RAIN OR SHINE, TAKE A SHINE TO. [shine up to] {v.}, {slang} To try to please; try to make friends with. * /Smedley shines up to all the pretty girls./ [shingle] See: HANG OUT ONE'S SHINGLE. [ship] See: GIVE UP THE SHIP, LANDING SHIP. [ship come in] All the money a person has wished for is received; wealth comes to a person. Used with a possessive. * /When my ship comes in, I will take a trip to Norway./ * /Mr. Brown is just waiting for his ship to come in./ [ship out] {v.} To begin a journey; leave. * /The army group shipped out for the Far East today./ [shipshape] {adj.} In perfect condition; in good order. * /After we left the islands, we left the rented car shipshape for the next driver./ [shirk one's duty] {v. phr.} To be negligent or irresponsible. * /If you continue to shirk your duty, you can expect to be fired./ [shirt] See: GIVE THE SHIRT OFF ONE'S BACK, KEEP ONE'S SHIRT ON, LOSE ONE'S SHIRT. [shoe] See: COMFORTABLE AS AN OLD SHOE, COMMON AS AN OLD SHOE, FILL ONE'S SHOES, IF THE SHOE FITS, WEAR IT, IN ONE'S SHOES, SHAKE IN ONE'S SHOES, SADDLE SHOE, STEP INTO ONE'S SHOES, WHERE THE SHOE PINCHES. [shoe on the other foot] The opposite is true; places are changed. * /He was my captain in the army but now the shoe is on the other foot./ [shoestring] See: ON A SHOESTRING. [shoestring catch] {n.} A catch of a hit baseball just before it hits the ground. * /The left fielder made a shoestring catch of a line drive to end the inning./ [shoo away] {v. phr.} To frighten or chase away. * /When the children gathered around the new sports car, we shooed them away./ [shoo-in] {n.}, {informal} Someone or something that is expected to win; a favorite; sure winner. * /Chris is a shoo-in to win a scholarship./ * /Do you think he will win the election? He's a shoo-in./ * /This horse is a shoo-in. He can't miss winning./ Syn.: SURE THING(1). [shoot ahead of] or [past] or [through] or [alongside of] {v. phr.} To move or drive ahead rapidly. * /As we had to slow down before the tunnel, a red sports car shot ahead of us./ [shoot a line] See: DROP A LINE. [shoot from the hip] {v. phr.}, {informal} 1. To fire a gun held at the hip without aiming by aligning the barrel with one's eye. * /In many Western movies the heroic sheriff defeats the villains by shooting from the hip./ 2. To speak sincerely, frankly, and without subterfuge. * /"What kind of an administrator will Mr. Brown be?" the head of the search committee asked. "He shoots straight from the hip," he was assured./ [shoot off one's mouth] or [shoot off one's face] {v. phr.}, {slang} To give opinions without knowing all the facts; talk as if you know everything. * /Tom has never been to Florida, but he's always shooting his mouth off about how superior Florida is to California./ * /I want to study the problem before I shoot off my face./ * /The editor of the newspaper is always shooting his mouth off about the trouble in Africa./ [shoot one's wad] {v. phr.} {slang}, {colloquial} 1. To spend all of one's money. * /We've shot our wad for the summer and can't buy any new garden furniture./ 2. To say everything that is on one's mind. * /Joe feels a lot better now that he's shot his wad at the meeting./ [shoot out] {v.} 1. To fight with guns until one person or side is wounded or killed; settle a fight by shooting. - Used with "it". * /The cornered bank robbers decided to shoot it out with the police./ * /The moment she opened the door, the cat shot out and ran around the house./ * /During the last half-minute of the race, Dick shot out in front of the other runners./ [shoot questions at] {v. phr.} To interrogate rapidly and vigorously. * /The attorney for the prosecution shot one question after another at the nervous witness./ [shoot straight] or [shoot square] {v.}, {informal} To act fairly; deal honestly. * /You can trust that salesman; he shoots straight with his customers./ * /We get along well because we always shoot square with each other./ - [straight shooter] or [square shooter] {n.}, {informal} /Bill is a square-shooter./ - [straight-shooting] {adj. } * /The boys all liked the straight-shooting coach./ [shoot the breeze] or [bat the breeze] or [fan the breeze] or [shoot the bull] {v. phr.}, {slang} To talk. * /Jim shot the breeze with his neighbor while the children were playing./ * /Come into the kitchen and we'll bat the breeze over a cup of coffee./ * /The women were shooting the breeze about Jim's latest trouble with the police./ * /The fishermen were shooting the bull about the school of sail fish they had seen./ [shoot the works] {v. phr.}, {slang} 1. To spare no expense or effort; get or give everything. * /Billy shot the works when he bought his bicycle; he got a bell, a light, a basket, and chrome trimmings on it, too./ * /The Greens shot the works on their daughter's wedding reception./ 2. To go the limit; take a risk. * /The motor of Tom's boat was dangerously hot, but he decided to shoot the works and try to win the race./ [shoot up] {v.} 1. To grow quickly. * /Billy had always been a small boy, but when he was thirteen years old he began to shoot up./ 2. To arise suddenly. * /As we watched, flames shot up from the roof of the barn./ 3. {informal} To shoot or shoot at recklessly; shoot and hurt badly. * /The cowboys got drunk and shot up the bar room./ * /The soldier was shot up very badly./ 4. To take drugs by injection. * /A heroin addict will shoot up as often as he can./ [shop] See: CLOSE UP SHOP, TALK SHOP. [shop around for] {v. phr.} To make the rounds of various commercial establishments in order to find the most economical answer for one's needs. * /We've been shopping around for a larger condominium that is affordable, and near the university./ [shoplifter] {n.} A thief who steals things from a store. * /The TV camera identified the shoplifter, who was then arrested and sentenced to jail./ [shopping center] {n.} A place usually for neighborhood shopping, where there is a group of stores and shops inside of a large parking lot. * /There is a bowling alley at the nearest shopping center./ * /All the stores in our shopping center stay open until nine o'clock on Friday evenings./ [shopworn] {adj.} A piece of merchandise that is offered below the usual price because it is slightly damaged or soiled. * /Although shopworn, the jacket was perfectly usable, so he eagerly bought it./ [shore leave] {n.} Permission given to a man in the Navy to leave his ship and go where he wants for a certain length of time. * /Jim went to visit New York when he was given three days' shore leave./ * /The ship did not dock long enough for the sailors to get shore leave./ [shore patrol] {n.} The police of a navy. * /The sailors who were fighting in town were arrested by the shore patrol./ * /The shore patrol was ordered to search every sailor who went on board the ship./ [shore up] {v.} To add support to (something) where weakness is shown; make (something) stronger where support is needed; support. * /When the flood waters weakened the bridge, it was shored up with steel beams and sandbags until it could be rebuilt./ * /The coach sent in a substitute guard to shore up the line when Fitchburg began to break through./ [shorn] See: GOD TEMPERS THE WIND TO THE SHORN LAMB. [short] See: CAUGHT SHORT, FALL SHORT, FOR SHORT, IN BRIEF or IN SHORT, IN SHORT ORDER, IN SHORT SUPPLY, MAKE SHORT WORK OF, RUN SHORT, SELL SHORT, THE LONG AND THE SHORT. [short and sweet] {adj.} Brief and to the point. * /Henry's note to his father was short and sweet. He wrote, "Dear Dad, please send me $5. Love, Henry."/ [shortchange] {v. phr.} To return less money to a customer in a store than is coming to him or her; cheat. * /I was shortchanged by the cashier when I got seven dollars back instead of eight./ [shortcut] {n.} A road shorter than the one that people normally take. * /We can save twenty minutes if we take this shortcut over the hill./ [short end] {n.} The worst or most unpleasant part. * /The new boy got the short end of it because all the comfortable beds in the dormitory had been taken before he arrived./ * /The girls who served refreshments at the party got the short end of it. When everybody had been served, there was no cake left for them./ [shorthanded] {adj.} Understaffed; short on workers. * /With several employees gone for the holiday weekend and two dozen people in line, the rent-a-car agency suddenly found itself terribly shorthanded./ [short haul] {n.} A short distance; a short trip. * /The Scoutmaster said that it was just a short haul to the lake./ * /The man from the moving company said they did not make short hauls, so we hired a truck to move our furniture three blocks to our new house./ Contrast: LONG HAUL. [short list] or [short-listed] {v. phr.} To place on the list of select finalists for a job. * /Only three of the twenty-seven applicants were short-listed for the assistant professorial vacancy in our department./ [short of(1)] {adj. phr.} 1. Less or worse than. * /Don't do anything short of your best./ 2. Not having enough. * /We did not buy anything because we were short of money./ * /The girls were asked to wait on tables because the kitchen was short of help./ [short of(2)] {adv. phr.} Away from; at a distance from. * /The day's drive still left us a hundred miles short of the ocean./ * /The golfer's shot fell far short of the hole./ [short of breath] {adj.} Panting and wheezing. * /He ran up six flights of stairs so rapidly that he was short of breath for several minutes./ [short-order cook] {n.} A person who prepares food that cooks quickly. * /Bruce found a summer job as a short-order cook in a drive-in restaurant./ * /The new diner needs another short-order cook./ Compare: SLING HASH. [short shrift] {n.} Little or no attention. - Usually used with "get" or "give". * /In books about jobs, women's work is consistently given short shrift./ [short-spoken] {adj.} Using so few words that you seem impatient or angry; speaking in a short impatient way; saying as little as possible in an unfriendly way. * /Jim is always short-spoken when he is tired./ * /We were hoping to borrow Dad's car, but he was so short-spoken when he came home that we were afraid to ask./ [shot] See: BIG CHEESE or BIG SHOT, BY A LONG SHOT, CALL ONE'S SHOT, CALL THE SHOTS, FOUL SHOT, LONG SHOT. [shot in the arm] {n. phr.}, {informal} Something inspiring or encouraging. * /The general's appearance was a shot in the arm for the weary soldiers./ * /We were ready to quit, but the coach's talk was a shot in the arm./ [shot in the dark] {n. phr.} An attempt without much hope or chance of succeeding; a wild guess. * /A was just a shot in the dark, but I got the right answer to the teacher's question./ [shot through with] Full of. * /His speech was shot through with praise for the president./ * /Jane's letter was shot through with hints for a pony./ [shoulder] See: CHIP ON ONE'S SHOULDER, COLD SHOULDER, GOOD HEAD ON ONE'S SHOULDERS, HEAD AND SHOULDERS, PUT ONE'S SHOULDER TO THE WHEEL, ON ONE'S SHOULDERS, RUB ELBOWS or RUB SHOULDERS, SQUARE ONE'S SHOULDERS, WEIGHT OF THE WORLD ON ONE'S SHOULDERS. [shoulder to cry on] or [to lean on] {n. phr.} A sympathetic person who is willing to listen to one's complaints and troubles. * /When Ken left her, Donna needed a shoulder to lean on, and Bob was right there to fill the role./ [shoulder to shoulder] {adv. phr.} 1. One beside the other; together. * /The three boys were shoulder to shoulder all during the working hours./ Compare: SIDE BY SIDE. 2. Each helping the other; in agreement; together. - Often used with "stand". * /We can win the fight if we all stand shoulder to shoulder./ Compare: SEE EYE TO EYE. [shoulder to the wheel] See: PUT ONE'S SHOULDER TO THE WHEEL. [shout down] {v.} To object loudly to; defeat by shouting. * /Grace suggested that we give our club money to charity, but she was shouted down./ * /The crowd shouted down the Mayor's suggestions./ [shout from the housetops] or [shout from the rooftops] {v. phr.}, {informal} To tell everyone; broadcast, especially one's own personal business. * /Mr. Clark was so happy when his son was born that he shouted the news from the housetops./ * /When Mary bleached her hair, her neighbors shouted it from the housetops./ [shouting] See: ALL OVER BUT THE SHOUTING. [shove down one's throat] or [ram down one's throat] {v. phr.}, {informal} To force you to do or agree to (something not wanted or liked.) * /We didn't want Mr. Bly to speak at our banquet, but the planning committee shoved him down our throats./ * /The president was against the idea, but the club members rammed it down his throat./ [shove off] See: PUSH OFF. [show] See: GET THE SHOW ON THE ROAD, GO TO SHOW or GO TO PROVE, ROAD SHOW, STEAL THE SHOW, TALENT SHOW, VARIETY SHOW, WHOLE CHEESE or WHOLE SHOW. [show a clean pair of heels] See: TAKE TO ONE'S HEELS. [show around] {v. phr.} To act as a host or guide to someone; to show newly arrived people or strangers what's what and where. * /When Gordon and Rose arrived in Hawaii for the first time, their host showed them around the islands./ [show cause] {v. phr.} To give a reason or explanation. * /The judge asked the defendants to show cause why they should not be held without bail./ [showdown] {n.} A final challenge or confrontation during which both sides have to use all of their resources. * /You cannot know a country's military strength until a final showdown occurs./ [showgirl] {n.} One who works as an entertainer in a bar or nightclub, musical show, etc. * /Several famous Hollywood stars actually started their careers as showgirls./ [show in] or [out] or [up] or [to the door] {v. phr.} To usher; conduct; accompany. * /"My husband will show you in," Mary said to the guests when they arrived at the door./ [showoff] {n