AMERICAN IDIOMS (S)
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Idioms starting with S
Here is our list of popular "S" idioms that are used in American English:
Safe and sound:
Safe. Unharmed.
Example: "It was a rough trip but we got there safe and sound."
(To) save money for a rainy day:
To reserve something for some future need.
Example: "I've saved a little money for a rainy day."
(To) save the day:
To produce good results when bad results are expected.
Example: "Colin saved the day by remembering to bring water."
School (someone) (v.): To teach someone a lesson. To show someone how something is (really) done.
Example: "We thought we were the best, but the other team really schooled us."
(A) score to settle:
To get even. To pay someone back for something negative that they did.
Example: "Don't stop me. I have a score to
settle with him."
(To) scratch the surface:
To begin finding out about something.
Example: "We've only begun to scratch the surface in this field."
Screw up (v.): To make a mistake; to do something badly or wrong.
Example: "I really screwed up my audition."
Second nature (to someone):
Easy and natural.
Example: "Scoring goals is second nature to him."
(To) see eye to eye on something:
To have a similar opinion on something.
Example: "Despite their public differences, the two candidates actually see eye to eye on most issues."
(To) see fit:
To deem/believe to be appropriate.
Example: "You can do that any way you see fit."
(To) see the writing on the wall:
To see that something is going to happen.
(To) serve someone right:
To serve as appropriate punishment for someone.
Example: "They put him in jail for 5 years? Serves him right!"
(To) set foot somewhere:
To go or enter somewhere.
Example: "If I were you, I wouldn't set foot in that town."
(To) set one's sights on something:
To select something as one's goal.
Example: "We would like to buy out one of our competitors. We've got our sights set on Sony."
Sharp (adj.): When talking about people = smart, intelligent; when talking about clothes = stylish, high-quality.
Shoot hoops (v.): To play basketball in a casual, informal way.
Example: "Let's shoot some hoops on Friday."
(To be) short on cash: To not have too much money.
Example: "I'm a little short on cash. Could you lend me some money until Tuesday?"
(A) shot in the arm:
A boost.
Example: "The good financial news was a real shot in the arm for Steve's company."
Show, Show up (v.): To arrive.
Example: "We waited for two hours, but they didn't show (up)."
(To) sit on one's hands
To do nothing.
Example: "Everyone expected the board to take action, but they just sat on their hands."
(To) sit tight:
To wait (patiently).
Example: "Sit tight, your mother will be here soon."
Skeleton(s) in the closet:
A shocking/ disturbing secret.
(The) slammer (n.): Jail.
Example: "He was in the slammer."
(To) sleep on something:
To think about something overnight.
Example: "I'm not sure if I want to buy this car. I think I should sleep on it."
Snail mail (n.): Regular physical mail (as opposed to email).
Something (n.): In phrases such as "Wasn't that something!", "something" actually means "something interesting" or "something special" or "something surprising", depending on the context.
Space-case/Space-cadet (n.): Very strange person who always seems to be in his/her own world.
Example: "Peter is a bit of a space cadet. He's always zoning out when I talk to him."
Space out (v.): To lose oneself in thought, esp. when you should be paying attention to something else. To zone out.
Example: "Sorry, I spaced out for a second. What were you saying?"
Split (v.): To leave.
Example: "I have to split. See you tomorrow!"
Split-up (v.): To break up; to stop seeing each other (as boyfriend/girlfriend, husband/wife, etc.)
Example: "Tom and Maria split up last month."
Spook (v.): To scare.
Spread (n.): Collection.
Example: "They had quite a spread of food at the party."
(To) stand up for something:
To fight for, support.
Example: "The elected official promised to stand up for the poor."
Stash (n.): A hidden collection of something, often (but not always) used to refer to hidden drugs.
Example: "Mark's parents found his stash (of pot) under his bed."
Stick to (something): To keep (doing something). To not stop (doing something)
Example: "Cynthia wants to be an actress, but I think she should stick to singing."
(To) stir up trouble:
To cause trouble.
Example: "Sometimes I think she gets great pleasure from stirring up trouble."
Straight (adj.): 1) Direct, clear, honest.
Example: "He wouldn't give me a straight answer."; 2) Heterosexual.
Example: "I'm pretty sure he's straight."
Straight up: Honestly/Honest.
Strike up a conversation: To start a conversation.
Example: "He walked up to the first woman he saw and struck up a conversation with her."
Stuck up (adj.): Snobbish, conceited.
Example: "I don't like her. She's so stuck up."
Stunner (n.): Attractive woman.
Example: "Wow! What a stunner!"
Sucker:
A gullible person or someone who is easily impressed by something (eg. "a sucker for gadgets" = someone who is easily impressed by gadgets)
Sugar daddy/sugar mama(n.): A wealthy man or woman who either supports you financially (pays for you) or gives you gifts, in return for sex or companionship.
Suit yourself:
Have it your way; As you wish;
Example: "I wouldn't walk around that neighborhood at night, but if you really want to, suit yourself."
(To) swallow something hook, line, and sinker:
To believe something (usually a lie) completely.
Example: "Margaret told him a flat-out ( = complete and utter) lie and he swallowed it hook line and sinker."
Sweet (adj.): Very nice.
Example: "That is a sweet car."
(To have a) sweet tooth: To love to eat candy, sweets, etc.
Swig (n.): A drink (out of a bottle).
Example: "Gimme a swig!"
Swing (something) (v.): To arrange (something)/to get (something) done.
Example: "It'll be hard, but we'll probably be able to swing a deal."
