Letter S

   SACK

—   sack (vt) (sl.): fire, dismiss  >They sacked him ‘cause he worked too slow.

—   get the sack (sl.): be fired, be dismissed  >She got the sack when she yelled at the boss.

—   give [s/one] the sack (sl.): fire [s/one], dismiss [s/one]  >They’re gonna give Muldoon the sack ‘cause he just can’t do the job anymore.

—   hit the sack (see HIT) 

—   sack of shit (... shit) (vulg.): worthless or contemptible person  >I don’t trust that lyin’ sack of shit all. 

—   sack out (vi) (sl.): sleep, go to bed  >Don’t make up a bed—I’ll just sack out on the couch.

—   sack time (sl.): time spent sleeping, sleep  >I can’t concentrate anymore—I need some sack time.

 *    the sack (sl.): bed, place for sleeping  >Only eight-thirty and he’s in the sack already?

SACKED

 *    sacked out (sl.): having gone to bed, asleep  >He was sacked out on the couch, snorin’ away.

SAD SACK

—   sad sack (sl.): pathetic person (esp. a contemptibly ineffectual one)  >Not him! That sad sack will just mess things up.

SAFE

—   play it safe (see PLAY)

SAID

 *    you said it! (colloq.): that’s exactly right! I completely agree with you!  >You said it! That’s just how I feel.

SAIL

—   sail into (colloq.): assail, attack vigorously (physically or verbally)  >He sailed into her for criticizing his program.

SALE

—   no sale (sl.): (it is/was) unsuccessful or futile, (s/one) refused (it)  >I tried to convince ‘em to go along with it, but no sale.

SALT

—   no/any ... worth his/her salt (see WORTH)

—   salt away (vt) (colloq.): save (money)  >Horace is a real miser—he’s able to salt away half his paycheck.

SALT MINES

—   the salt mines (colloq., hum.): workplace, work (esp. seen as drudgery)  >Vacation’s almost over. On Monday I’m back to the salt mines.  >Bye, dear, I’m off to the salt mines.

SAME

—   be on the same page (as) (see PAGE)

—   be on the wavelength (as) (see WAVELENGTH)

 *    the same difference (colloq.): the same thing, equivalent  >Give me three fives or give me a twenty and I’ll give you a five—it’s the same difference.

 *    (the) same here (colloq.): the same for me, I feel the same, I agree  >She’s having a banana split? Same here.  >My brother’s against it, and the same here.

—    the same old, same old (freq. …ōl, … ōl) (colloq.): the same routine or situation (esp. when uninteresting or unpleasant)  >It was the same old, same old at the department meeting, where it takes forever to get anything done.

SAM HILL

—   what/who/[etc.] in/the Sam Hill ...? (sl.): (intens. expressing impatience, anger, or surprise)  >What in Sam Hill are you doin’ here?  >Where the Sam Hill did I leave my car keys?

SANDBAG

—   sandbag (vt) (colloq.): coerce, intimidate (into doing s/thing)  >They’re trying to sandbag us by threatening to sue.

S. AND M.

 *    S. and M. (colloq.): sadism and masochism, sadomasochism  >He may like to try different sex games, but he’s not into S. and M.

SAP

—   sap (sl.): fool, gullible person  >You’re a sap if ya let ‘em get away with it.

SAPPY

—   sappy (sap´ē) (sl.): foolish, dumb  >What a sappy thing to say, you dummy!

SARGE

 *    sarge (särj) (colloq.): sergeant (also voc.)  >Do what the sarge says.  >Hey, sarge, let’s take a rest!

SASHAY

—   sashay (sa shā´) (vi) (colloq.): walk, move, go (esp. in an unconcerned or impertinent way)  >He just sashayed in and sat down right in the boss’s chair.

SASS

—   sass1 (sas) (colloq.): impudent talk, disrespectful response  >I don’t want any more of your sass, young man! Just do what I tell you.

—   sass2 (vt) (colloq.): speak impudently to, answer disrespectfully  >You sass your mother once more and you’re in big trouble.

SASSY                      

 *    sassy (sas´ē) (colloq.): impudent or disrespectful in speaking  >These sassy kids nowadays don’t have any respect for grown-ups.

SATURDAY-NIGHT SPECIAL

—   Saturday-night special (colloq.): small and cheap handgun (esp. one easily obtained)  >Every gang member with a Saturday-night special is a potential killer.

SAUCE

—   the sauce (sl.): hard liquor  >The way Wilkins is actin’, I’d say he’s been hittin’ the sauce.

SAUCED

—   sauced (sl.): drunk  >They drank a couple of bottles of gin and got pretty sauced.

SAVE

—   save [s/one’s] bacon (sl.): save [s/one], get [s/one] out of trouble or danger  >You owe me, buddy—remember that time I saved your bacon?

 *    save [one’s] breath (colloq.): refrain from speaking or discussing (s/thing) (because it would be futile) (used esp. as a command)  >Save your breath! I’m not interested.

—   save [one’s, s/one’s] hide (colloq.): save [oneself, s/one], get [oneself, s/one] out of trouble or danger  >Ricky’s in deep trouble—I don’t see how he can save his hide this time.  >He saved my hide in the war.

—   save it (sl.): refrain from speaking or discussing (s/thing) (because it would be futile) (used esp. as a command)  >Save it! I’m tired of your stupid excuses.  >Arty started complainin’ about the cost again, but I told him to save it.

 *    save [one’s, s/one’s] neck (colloq.): save [oneself, s/one], get [oneself, s/one] out of trouble or danger  >He doesn’t care who gets hurt as long as he saves his own neck.  >Her testimony saved his neck in court.

 *    save [one’s, s/one’s] skin (colloq.): save [oneself, s/one], get [oneself, s/one] out of trouble or danger  >You’d better tell the truth if you want to save your skin.  >That new government program saved his skin.

SAVVY

 *    savvy1 (sav´ē) (sl.): good sense, practical knowledge, shrewdness  >Ask Victor—he’s got a lot of savvy about these things.

 *    savvy2 (sl.): having good sense or practical knowledge, shrewd  >I trust Gina on this—she’s pretty savvy.

SAW

—   saw logs (colloq.): snore loudly, sleep deeply  >Vern was sawing logs thirty seconds after his head hit the pillow.

—   saw wood (colloq.): snore loudly, sleep deeply  >They’re all in bed, sawing wood.

SAWBONES

—   sawbones (sl.): surgeon, physician  >Some sawbones told her she’d have to have an operation.

SAWED-OFF

—   sawed-off (sl.): short, small  >That tall blonde’s quite a sight next to that sawed-off guy she’s with.

SAX

**   sax (saks) (colloq.): saxophone  >That guy can really play a sax!

SAY

—   I’ll say! (stress I’ll) (colloq.): I agree completely! it’s certainly true!  >I’ll say he’s rich! He’s got loads of dough.  >You’re asking if I want a vacation? I’ll say!

—   (just) say/give the word (see WORD)

—   not say “boo” (see BOO)

—   say/cry uncle (see UNCLE)

—   say what? (sl.): what was that? what did you say? I didn’t hear you  >Say what? Speak louder, will ya?

 *    say what?! (sl.): you don’t really mean that, do you?! I don’t believe what I’m hearing!  >Say what?! The principal, sellin’ drugs?!

 *    say when (colloq.): say when enough has been served, indicate at what point (an amount) is sufficient  >I don’t know how much wine you want, so just say when.

 *    you can say that again! (colloq.): that’s very true! I completely agree!  >You can say that again! Everyone really is mad about it.

 *    you don’t say! (colloq.): Really? How interesting! How surprising!  >I won the raffle? You don’t say!

—   what do you say? (see WHAT)

—   what do you say ...? (see WHAT)

SAYS

—   ... dollars/bucks says (see DOLLARS)

—   says you! (sl.): you’re wrong! I refute that!  >That bunch of losers, take the trophy? Says you!

—   says who? (sl.): you’re wrong! I refute that!  >Says who? No way ya can beat me playin’ pool.

SAY-SO

 *    say-so1 (colloq.): authorization, approval, final decision  >I got to get my boss’s say-so before I go ahead.  >On whose say-so are you to pick up the files?

—   say-so2 (colloq.): assertion, affirmation, report, recommendation  >Don’t invest your money in anything on Wally’s say-so.

 *    have (the) say-so (in/about) (colloq.): have authority (regarding), have decision-making power (regarding)  >The floor manager has the complete say-so about the refund policy.  >You don’t have any say-so in this, so stay out of it.  >We’ll do it my way because I got the say-so.

SCADS

—   scads (of ...) (skadz ...) (colloq.): much (...), many (...)  >I got scads of work to do at the office.  >Bea doesn’t need any more sweaters—she’s got scads already.

SCALES

—   tip the scales at (see TIP)

SCALP

 *    scalp (vt) (colloq.): resell (event tickets) for a profit (esp. an excessive profit)  >They were scalping tickets for ten times the original price.

SCALPER

 *    scalper (colloq.): person who resells event tickets for a profit (esp. an excessive profit)  >The scalpers were doing a good business outside the stadium.

SCAM

**   scam1 (skam) (colloq.): fraudulent scheme, swindle, confidence game  >The old couple lost their life savings in the scam.

 *    scam2 (vt) (colloq.): swindle, defraud, trick in a confidence game  >That so-called sales representative has left town with everyone’s money. We got scammed.

SCARCE

 *    make [oneself] scarce (sl.): leave, get out of sight, hide  >I’m gonna make myself scarce before that jerk comes back.

SCARE

 *    scare [s/one] shitless (... shit´lis) (vulg.): scare [s/one] very much, terrify [s/one]  >He scared me shitless when he aimed the gun at me. 

—    scare the bejesus out of (see BEJESUS) 

—   scare the (living) daylights out of (see DAYLIGHTS)

—   scare the (living) shit out of (see SHIT)

—   scare up (vt) (colloq.): search for and find by chance or unconventionally, collect any way possible  >The police are trying to scare up some witnesses to the shooting.

SCARED

 *    scared stiff (colloq.): extremely frightened  >He’s scared stiff about talking before the group.

SCAREDY-CAT

—   scaredy-cat (skâr´dē kat´) (colloq.) (also voc.): coward, easily frightened person (used esp. among children)  >Come on, don’t be a scaredy-cat—we have a flashlight.  >Are you afraid to hit me back, scaredy-cat?

SCARF

—   scarf down/up (vt) (sl.): devour, eat voraciously  >Willie scarfed two plates of spaghetti down in no time.  >The teenagers scarfed up everything on the buffet table.

SCAT

—   scat (skat) (vi) (colloq.): leave quickly, get moving  >Oh, it’s late! I got to scat.  >Scat! And stay away!

SCENE

—   make the scene (sl.): appear (at a place), attend (an event)  >Janie made the scene about midnight, just as the party was gettin’ lively.

 *    the ... scene (colloq.): sphere of activity in the ... profession, area of activity involving ...  >He’s a big name on the country music scene.  >I’m not into the drug scene at all.

SCHITZO

—   schitzo (see “SCHIZO”)

SCHIZO

 *    schizo (skit´sō) (sl.): schizophrenic (also adv.)  >Do ya really want that schizo travelin’ with ya?  >That schizo lawyer hasn’t been disbarred yet?  >Why is he talkin’ so schizo?

SCHLEP

—   schlep1 (shlep) (vt) (sl.): lug, carry (esp. heavily or awkwardly)  >She had me schleppin’ furniture from one room to another all afternoon.

—   schlep2 (vi) (sl.): move heavily or awkwardly  >There goes old Hiram schleppin’ down the sidewalk.

SCHMALTZ

—   schmaltz (shmälts/shmôlts) (colloq.): excessive sentimentalism  >That play has too much schmaltz for my taste.

SCHMALTZY

—   schmaltzy (shmält´sē/shmôlt´sē) (colloq.): overly sentimental  >How can you stand to watch those schmaltzy old movies?

SCHMEAR

—   the (whole) schmear (... shmēr) (sl.): all of it, the whole set, everything involved  >He gave us names, dates, addresses, contacts—the whole schmear.

SCHMO

—   schmo (shmō) (sl.): foolish or pathetic man, easily tricked man  >Some poor schmo tried to stop Rita, and she hit him.  >Who are the schmoes listenin’ to that con man? 

SCHMOOZE

—   schmooze (shmūz) (sl.): converse informally or intimately, socialize  >He likes to go to Hollywood parties and schmooze with all the celebrities.

SCHMUCK

 *    schmuck (shmuk) (sl.): foolish or ridiculous person, contemptible person (esp. because of obnoxious behavior)  >Who’s that schmuck showin’ everybody the scar from his operation?

SCHNOOK

—   schnook (shnŭk) (sl.): foolish or pathetic man, easily tricked man  >That schnook believed the whole crazy story.

SCHNOZ

—   schnoz (shnoz) (sl.): (person’s) nose (esp. a large one)  >Did ya see the schnoz on that guy?  >A fly flew right up my schnoz.

SCHOOL OF HARD KNOCKS

•    the school of hard knocks (colloq.): life (as a source of practical knowledge gained through contending with adversity) (esp. in contrast to formal education)  >I learned what I needed to be successful in the school of hard knocks.

SCHTICK

—   schtick (see “SHTICK”) 

SCHTUP

—   schtup1 (shtūp) (sl.): copulation, episode of sexual intercourse  >He had a good schtup with his girlfriend.

—   schtup2 (vi, vt) (sl.): have sex (with)  >They had a few drinks, then they schtupped all night.  >He dreamed of schtupping that cute brunette. 

SCI-FI

**    sci-fi (sī´fī´) (colloq.): science fiction  >He reads nothing but sci-fi. 

SCOOP

•    scoop1 (colloq.): exclusiveness (of a journalist or news organization) in divulging a news story  >The Times had a scoop on the story.

—   scoop2 (vt) (colloq.): precede (s/one) in divulging a news story  >They scooped all the other TV stations on the bribe scandal.

 *    the scoop (sl.): the pertinent information, news (esp. when confidential or little known)  >I just got the scoop on what’s goin’ on in the mayor’s office.

SCOOT

 *    scoot (vi) (colloq.): move quickly, get going  >I can only stay a minute, and then I got to scoot.  >Now you kids scoot, or you’ll be late for school.

SCOPE

—   scope (vt) (sl.): look at, study, read  >Let me scope that diagram.

—   scope out (vt) (sl.): look over, inspect, evaluate  >Let’s go scope out the chicks at the dance.

SCORCHER

 *    scorcher (colloq.): very hot day  >Yesterday was a real scorcher—it hit a hundred and eight degrees in the shade.

SCORE

 *    score1 (sl., freq. vulg.): achievement of having sex, sexual conquest  >He thought that flashy chick would be an easy score.

—   score2 (sl.): successful illegal transaction (esp. of drugs)  >The dealer’s plannin’ a big score tonight.  >Lefty made a nice score with them hot cars.

—   score3 (sl.): successful robbery or theft  >The gunman made a good score at the liquor store.  >The bank score was right at closin’ time.

 *    score4 (vi) (sl., freq. vulg.): achieve having sex, make a sexual conquest  >Did ya score with her when you took her home?  >Jeff thinks he’ll score tonight if he treats her nice.

 *    score5 (vi) (sl.): gain an advantage, make a gain, have a success (esp. a large or surprising one)  >The prosecution really scored with that witness.  >If we score big on this deal, we’ll make a lot of dough.

 *    score6 (vi, vt) (sl.): achieve buying or obtaining (an illegal drug)  >He went out lookin’ to buy some coke, but he didn’t score.  >That junkie’s gotta score some heroin soon or he’s in trouble.

—   score7 (vt) (sl.): acquire, achieve obtaining  >Hey, Nick, where’d ya score the new watch?

—   even the score (with) (see EVEN)

 *    know the score (colloq.): understand how things work, know what’s important, have the basic facts  >You don’t have to explain anything—I know the score.  >Trust McCain with this—he knows the score.

 *    score with (colloq.): be successful with, favorably impress  >His nice table manners really scored with her mother.  >The play was a flop—it didn’t score with the public.

—   the score (colloq.): the basic facts, the main points, the current information (esp. of a situation)  >Ask Jack—he’s got the score on applying for a permit.  >What’s the score on the merger proposal?

SCOUT’S

—   scout’s honor! (sl.): I swear it’s the truth!  >The guy really did eat the whole watermelon by himself. Scout’s honor!

SCRAM

—   scram (skram) (vi) (colloq.): leave quickly, go away  >We’d better scram. Looks like trouble.  >Scram and let me sleep!

SCRAP

—   scrap (colloq.): fight, dispute, argument  >The boys got into a little scrap over a football game.

SCRAPE

—   scrape1 (colloq.): difficult situation, predicament, trouble  >I’m in a scrape over some gambling debts.

—   scrape2 (colloq.): fight, dispute  >I hear you were in a scrape with some cowboy in a bar.

 *    scrape the bottom of the barrel (colloq.): use the least desirable, resort to the poorest, use what’s left over  >They’re really scraping the bottom of the barrel if they hired that dummy.

 *    scrape up/together (vt) (colloq.): search for and find by chance or unconventionally, collect any way possible  >Think you can scrape up enough cash for the down payment?  >We can scrape together a team by Saturday.

SCRAPPER

—   scrapper (skrap´әr) (colloq.): fighter, aggressive person, person who doesn’t easily give up  >He’s a pretty good scrapper who knows how to use his fists.  >You got to be a real scrapper to get ahead in this business.

SCRATCH

—   scratch1 (sl.): money  >Two thousand bucks? I ain’t got that kinda scratch.

—   scratch2 (vt) (colloq.): cancel, consider (s/thing) impossible or unworkable  >Scratch the picnic. It’s started to rain.

 *    from scratch (colloq.): from the very beginning, using basic resources, starting with nothing  >This won’t work—let’s start over from scratch.  >She made the cake from scratch.  >You can’t buy that kind of table, so we’ll have to make one from scratch.

—   scratch around (vi) (colloq.): search, seek (s/thing) out  >I’m going to scratch around and see what I can find.

 *    scratch [s/one’s] back (colloq.): do [s/one] a favor, cooperate with [s/one] (esp. in exchange for his/her favor or cooperation)  >I don’t mind scratching his back. He’s scratched mine a lot of times.  >I’ll scratch your back, and you scratch mine.

—   scratch up (vt) (colloq.): search for and find by chance or unconventionally, collect any way possible  >I’ll see what I can scratch up for supper.

—   up to scratch (colloq.): of acceptable quality, fulfilling the requirements, in acceptable condition (used freq. in the neg.)  >That player’s been fielding great, but his hitting hasn’t been up to scratch lately.

SCREAM

 *    a scream (sl.): a very funny or excitingly entertaining person or thing  >This comic’s a scream.  >Cameron’s going-away party was a real scream.

 *    scream bloody murder (colloq.): scream very loudly, complain or protest strenuously  >They were punching the kid and he was screaming bloody murder.  >The customers scream bloody murder whenever we raise our prices.

SCREW

 *    screw1 (vulg.): copulation, episode of sexual intercourse  >He said he had a good screw with her last night.

—   screw2 (vulg.): sex partner  >She doesn’t really love him—she just sees him as a good screw.

 *    screw3 (vi, vt) (vulg.): have sex (with)  >Wanna screw?  >He said he screwed her all night.

**   screw4 (vt) (sl., freq. vulg.): harm through deceit or malice, badly mistreat, victimize  >The bastard screwed me when he took off with my money.  >He really got screwed in the settlement.

 *    have a screw loose (colloq.): be crazy, behave irrationally  >That guy must have a screw loose, because he’s been saying some pretty strange stuff.

 *    screw ...! (sl., freq. vulg.): I don’t care about ...! I want nothing to do with ...! I find ... contemptible!  >If ya don’t like it, screw you!  >Screw it! It’s not all that important.

**   screw around1 (vi) (vulg.): be sexually promiscuous  >He’s married, but he still screws around.

**   screw around2 (vi) (sl., freq. vulg.): pass time idly, work halfheartedly or unproductively  >I wish you’d stop screwin’ around and get down to business.

**   screw (around) with (sl., freq. vulg.): treat without due respect or seriousness, handle capriciously, toy with  >You screw with me and you’ll be sorry.  >I screwed around with the computer but couldn’t get it to work.

—   fuck/screw [s/one’s] brains out (see FUCK)

 *    screw off (vi) (sl., freq. vulg.): pass time idly, work halfheartedly or unproductively  >Stop screwin’ off in school and start doin’ some studyin’!

 *    screw [s/one] out of (sl., freq. vulg.): obtain from [s/one] through deception or unfair means, trick [s/one] out of  >That company screwed Gerson outta his pension by retirin’ him early.  >That crook tried to screw me outta fifty bucks.

—   screw over (vt) (sl., freq. vulg.): harm through deceit or malice, badly mistreat, victimize  >Those greedy lawyers’ll screw ya over if ya let ‘em.

—   screw the pooch (... pūch) (sl., freq. vulg.): make a big mistake, ruin (s/thing), fail dramatically  >Jamie really screwed the pooch when he put the safety valve in backwards.

**   screw up1 (vi) (sl., freq. vulg.): make a mistake, botch things up  >We can’t screw up this time, or we’ll be out of a job.

**   screw up2 (vt) (sl., freq. vulg.): botch, ruin, spoil  >Their dumb argument screwed up our chances to make a deal.

**   screw up3 (vt) (sl., freq. vulg.): injure, hurt severely  >Howard hasn’t been able to work since he screwed up his back.

 *    screw up4 (vt) (sl., freq. vulg.): traumatize, create anxiety in, make neurotic  >You’re gonna screw your kids up bad if ya keep screamin’ at ‘em like that.

SCREWBALL

—   screwball (sl.): crazy or eccentric person (also adj.)  >What’s that screwball mumblin’ about?  >Get outta here with your screwball ideas!

SCREWED

—   screwed (sl., freq. vulg.): crazy, irrational, unworkable  >His idea of sellin’ guitars door-to-door is screwed.

—   be screwed (sl., freq. vulg.): be doomed, be destined to suffer harm or ruin  >We’ll be screwed if we don’t get that loan by next week..

—   (go) get screwed! (vulg.): (interj. to express great anger or contempt to s/one)  >So, ya don’t like it? Well, get screwed!

—   have [one’s] head (screwed) on straight (see HEAD)

SCREW-OFF

—   screw-off (sl., freq. vulg.): person who passes time idly, person who works halfheartedly or unproductively  >You didn’t really expect that screw-off to keep his job for long, did ya?

SCREWS

—   put the screws to/on (colloq.): coerce, put a lot of pressure on  >The boss has been putting the screws to us to get the plans finished.  >If you don’t pay your bills they’ll start putting the screws on you.

SCREWUP

 *    screwup1 (sl., freq. vulg.): mistake, blunder, botch  >Your stupid screwup’s gonna cost us plenty.

 *    screwup2 (sl., freq. vulg.): person who habitually makes mistakes or blunders, botcher  >It’s a wonder that screwup hasn’t been fired yet.

SCREWY

 *    screwy (skrū´ē) (sl.): crazy, eccentric, strange (also adv.)  >If ya ask me, it’s kinda screwy to take the longer route.  >He’s been actin’ screwy since his wife died.

SCROUNGE

 *    scrounge (skrounj) (vt) (sl.): request and receive, acquire through begging (esp. s/thing trivial)  >Can I scrounge a cigarette from ya?

 *    scrounge (around) (vi) (sl.): search, seek (s/thing) out (esp. in an unsystematic or unconventional way)  >Let me scrounge around in the garage for some longer nails.

 *    scrounge up (vt) (sl.): search for and find by chance or unconventionally, collect any way possible  >Willis was able to scrounge up enough driftwood for a good bonfire.

SCROUNGY

—   scroungy (skroun´jē) (sl.): dirty, unkempt, run-down  >Why is such a classy girl goin’ out with that scroungy character?

SCRUB

—   scrub (vt) (sl.): cancel (esp. due to the appearance of an unforeseen difficulty)  >Scrub our plans for the weekend—I found out I gotta work all day Saturday.

SCRUMPTIOUS

—   scrumptious (skrump´shәs) (colloq.): delicious, tasty  >Boy, this cake is scrumptious!

SCUMBAG

 *    scumbag (skum´bag´) (sl.): contemptible or reprehensible person (also voc.)  >Tell that scumbag to get outta here!  >Screw you, scumbag!

SCUMMY

—   scummy (skum´ē) (sl.): contemptible, detestable  >I hate those scummy bums hangin’ around on the sidewalk.

SCUTTLEBUTT

—   scuttlebutt (skut´l but´) (colloq.): rumors, gossip, inside information  >The scuttlebutt is that he’s being forced to resign.

SCUZZ

—   scuzz1 (skuz) (sl.): dirt, grime, filth  >What’s all that ugly scuzz in the sink?

—   scuzz2 (sl.): filthy or repugnant person  >I don’t want that scuzz in my group.

SCUZZY

—   scuzzy (skuz´ē) (sl.): filthy, dirty, repugnant  >Get your scuzzy feet off the couch!

SEAMS

—   come apart at the seams (see APART)

—   coming apart at the seams (see APART)

SEARCH

 *    search me! (colloq.): I don’t know! I have no idea!  >Where Kelly went? Search me!

SEAT

—   (fly) by the seat of [one’s] pants (colloq.): (do s/thing) by instinct or by relying on guesswork (without formal training or technique)  >Those new operators don’t really know their machines—they’re just flying by the seat of their pants.  >Don’t plan this by the seat of your pants. Follow the guidelines! 

SEC

—   sec (sek) (sl.): second (of time), very brief period of time  >I’ll be with ya in a sec. 

SECOND

—   second banana (sl.): person of secondary importance, second highest person in a hierarchy (cf. “TOP banana”)  >He doesn’t like being second banana while his brother runs the show.

SECOND FIDDLE

—   play second fiddle (to) (colloq.): have an inferior role (in rank or influence) (to)  >I don’t think Burgess will be able to play second fiddle in this firm after running his own company for so many years.  >I’m not going to play second fiddle to that dummy!

SEE

—   long time no see (see LONG)

—   see (the) ... (see entry under ... noun)

**   see you! (colloq.): I’ll see you later! good-bye!  >I got to go. See you!

SEEING

—   be seeing/hearing things (see THINGS)

SEEN

 *    have seen better days (colloq.): be in decline, have passed (its/one’s) prime  >This junky car’s seen better days.  >That old actor’s seen better days.

SELFIE

—  selfie (sel´fē) (colloq.): photograph of oneself taken by oneself (esp. when posted on social media)  >Her Facebook page had about a dozen selfies.

SELL

—   sell [s/one] down the river (colloq.): betray [s/one], inform on [s/one]  >That rat went to the cops and sold us down the river.

—   sell/go like hot cakes (see HOT CAKES)

 *    sell [s/one] (on) (colloq.): convince [s/one] (in favor of), persuade [s/one] (to accept)  >Think you can sell Diane on going to Mexico with us?  >He’s sold on the idea.

 *    sell out (vt) (colloq.): betray, join (s/one’s) opposition  >Hanson’s sold us out—he started campaigning for the other side.

 *    sell out (to) (vi) (colloq.): change (one’s) loyalty (to), betray (one’s) principles (by joining s/one) (esp. for mercenary reasons)  >He used to be a liberal, but he sold out to big business.  >They’re trying to bribe you. Are you going to sell out?

SELLOUT

—   sellout (colloq.): person who has betrayed his/her principles or associates, traitor (esp. for mercenary reasons)  >You can’t trust Phil—he’s a lousy sellout.

SEMI

 *    semi (sem´ī) (colloq.): semitrailer, tractor-trailer (of a large truck)  >I looked in my rearview mirror and saw this huge semi tailgating me.

SEND

—   send up (vt) (colloq.): sentence to prison  >He’ll get sent up for a long time if he’s convicted.

SERIOUS

 *    serious (sl.): impressive, consequential, substantive  >I hear he’s been takin’ some serious cocaine lately.  >We’re gonna make serious bucks on this deal.

SET

—   set (sl., freq. vulg.): (woman’s) breasts (esp. large or shapely ones)  >He says she’s got a nice set on her.

—   be all set (see ALL)

 *    set [s/one] back (colloq.): cost [s/one] (a sum of money) (esp. when with sacrifice)  >That sports car must have set him back at least a hundred grand.

—   (set of) pipes (see PIPES)

—   (set of) wheels (see WHEELS)

 *    set up1 (vt) (colloq.): falsely incriminate, rig or contrive evidence to blame unjustly  >I didn’t do it, I tell you! I’ve been set up!

 *    set up2 (vt) (colloq.): lure into a dangerous or unfavorable position (through deceit or manipulation), manipulate to be tricked or hurt  >Don’t you see they’re setting you up to do all the dirty work?  >The victims were set up with promises of free prizes.

—   set up3 (vt) (colloq.): dishonestly prearrange the outcome of (a game or contest)  >They say he set up the game for some big-time gambler.  >They set that up so she’d win.

—   set up4 (vt) (colloq.): have (drinks) served (at one’s expense)  >Set them up all around, bartender! I’m celebrating.

 *    set (up) (for life) (colloq.): in a very good financial situation, having a secure financial future  >If I win the lottery, I’ll be set up.  >Tom’s set for life—he married the owner’s daughter.

SETUP

 *    setup1 (colloq.): arrangement, plan, organization, set of features  >What’s the setup for the party?  >I wish my place was as nice as the setup you got here.  >He’s got a good setup for his accounting business in the new building.

 *    setup2 (colloq.): false incrimination (of s/one), rigging or contriving of evidence to blame (s/one) unjustly  >It was a setup, and Marv got the blame.

 *    setup3 (colloq.): hoax, dishonest prearrangement (of the outcome of a game or contest)  >That lousy player couldn’t have won the match! It had to be a setup.

—   setup4 (colloq.): dangerous or unfavorable position (in which one is placed through deceit or manipulation), swindle  >Your colleagues are after you, so watch out for a setup.  >They took over $1000 from him in that setup.

SEW

—   sew up (vt) (colloq.): have as certain, gain assured success or favorable conclusion regarding  >We had the game sewed up early in the second half.  >I think I can sew up the deal with him over dinner tonight.

SEX KITTEN

—   sex kitten (colloq.): sexy and flirtatious young woman  >He dreams of spending the night with some sex kitten.

SEXPLOITATION

—   sexploitation (sek´sploi tā´shәn) (colloq.): exploitation of sex (through commercial media)  >I hate the sexploitation in these beer commercials.

SEXPOT

—   sexpot (colloq.): provocatively sexy person (esp. a woman)  >When that sexpot walked in, all the guys just stared.

SHABBY

 *    not too shabby (sl.): quite good  >Twenty bucks an hour ain’t too shabby for this kinda work.  >Her singin’s not too shabby for someone so young.

SHACK

—   shack up (vi) (sl.): live together as if married, cohabitate (including having sexual relations)  >They’re gonna shack up for a while before they decide to get married.  >I hear Burt has shacked up with that gal he’s been datin’.

SHADE

—   have it made in the shade (see MADE)

SHADES

 *    shades (sl.): sunglasses  >He thinks he looks cool wearin’ his shades at the party.

SHADOW

—   shadow (vt) (colloq.): follow closely (esp. secretly), trail  >We had O’Conner shadowed to see where he went and who he saw.

SHAFT

—   shaft (vt) (sl.): victimize, mistreat, deceive  >We’ve been shafted! They ain’t honorin’ the contract.  >Every man she gets involved with ends up shaftin’ her.

 *    the shaft (sl.): mistreatment, deceitful or victimizing treatment  >Greene gave Hubie the shaft by takin’ all the credit for their work.  >Those farm workers have been gettin’ the shaft from some growers. 

SHAG

—    shag (vi, vt) (sl., vulg.): have sex (with)  >She walked in and caught ‘em shaggin' on the couch.  >He said he shagged her on the back seat of his car. 

SHAKE

**   shake1 (colloq.): milk shake  >Want a chocolate shake?

 *    shake2 (vt) (colloq.): elude, throw off (one’s) trail  >He followed me for half an hour before I could shake him.

—   how [s/thing] shakes out (colloq.): what the results of [s/thing] turn out to be, how (a situation) develops  >They’re still discussing the budget; we’ll have to see how that shakes out before we make any plans.

—   more (...) than you can shake a stick at (see MORE)

—   shake a leg (colloq.): hurry up, get moving (used esp. as a command)  >Come on, shake a leg! We’ve got to finish by five.

—   shake down1 (vt) (sl.): extort money from, blackmail  >The gangsters have been shakin’ the merchants down, offerin’ “protection.”

—   shake down2 (vt) (sl.): search thoroughly  >The cops shook him down for drugs and weapons.

—   shake in [one’s] boots/shoes (colloq.): be very afraid  >That rattlesnake had me shaking in my boots.

 *    shake on (colloq.): shake hands in agreement regarding  >We came to a settlement and shook on it.

SHAKEDOWN

—   shakedown1 (sl.): act of extorting money or blackmailing  >The cops saw the shakedown happen and arrested ‘em.

—   shakedown2 (sl.): thorough search  >We gave the place a good shakedown but came up with nothin’.

SHAKERS

—   movers and shakers (see MOVERS)

SHAKES

—   be no great shakes (sl.): not be especially good, be unimpressive  >They were really impressed with that new player, but he’s no great shakes.  >The concert was no great shakes.

 *    the shakes (colloq.): bout of trembling, manifested fear  >He gets the shakes if he goes more than four hours without a drink.  >It gave me the shakes when I met up with that grizzly bear!

SHAKE-UP

—   shake-up (colloq.): complete reorganization (of an organization)  >A lot of folks got laid off during the company’s recent shake-up.

SHAKING

—   what’s shaking? (see WHAT’S)

SHAPE

—   (all) bent out of shape (see BENT)

 *    shape up (vi, vt) (colloq.): improve (s/one) in behavior or performance, meet/make meet requirements  >You’d better shape up, or you’ll get fired.  >See if you can shape this kid up—he’s just not working very hard.

 *    shape up or ship out (colloq.): either improve (one’s) behavior/performance or leave/quit (used esp. as a command)  >If you can’t get it right you’ll be looking for another job, so shape up or ship out.

—   whip/lick [s/thing, s/one] into shape (see WHIP)

SHARK

—   ... shark (colloq.): expert at ... (esp. at s/thing to exploit others)  >Some pool shark took him for twenty dollars.  >Don’t play with those card sharks.

SHARP

 *    sharp (colloq.): stylish, elegant, attractive  >That’s a real sharp shirt, man.

—   (as) sharp as a tack (colloq.): very sharp, very smart and quick-minded  >I’m going to hire Luisa—she’s as sharp as a tack.

SHARPIE

—   sharpie (shär´pē) (colloq.): very sharp person, shrewd and clever person  >You can’t trick that sharpie.

SHAVER

—   little shaver (see LITTLE)

SHEBANG

—   the (whole) shebang (... shә bang´) (colloq.): all of it, the whole set, everything involved  >Newton’s just a figurehead. Brownstone’s the one who runs the shebang.  >I want the whole shebang—nuts, chocolate chips, whipped cream, and a cherry.

SHEEPSKIN

—   sheepskin (colloq.): diploma (esp. from a college or university)  >He’s going to give me a great job just as soon as I get that sheepskin.

SHEESH

—   sheesh! (shēsh) (colloq.): (interj. to express anger, surprise, irritation, or disappointment)  >Sheesh! Leftovers again?

SHEET

—   (as) white as a sheet (see WHITE)

SHEETS

—   between the sheets (see BETWEEN)

—   three sheets to/in the wind (see THREE)

SHELL

 *    shell out (vi, vt) (colloq.): pay or give (money), spend (esp. at a sacrifice)  >You’d better shell out—you lost the bet.  >I shelled out fifty bucks for this wax job on my car.

SHELLAC

—   shellac (shә lak´) (vt) (sl.): defeat decisively  >We shellacked ‘em, eighty-nine to fifty-one.

SHELLACKING

—   shellacking (shә lak´ing) (sl.): decisive defeat  >They ain’t gonna forget us after the shellackin’ we gave ‘em.  >They took a real shellackin’ in the semifinals.

SHELVES

—  fly off the shelves (see FLY)

SHENANIGANS

 *    shenanigans (shә nan´i gәnz) (colloq.): mischief, pranks, deceitful activity  >When you’re in the Army they won’t put up with your shenanigans.  >This deal’s not right—I bet there’s some shenanigans going on somewhere.

SHINDIG

—   shindig (shin´dig´) (sl.): party or dance, festive event  >They’re gonna throw a big shindig at Dave’s to celebrate the Fourth of July.

SHINE

—   shine on (vt) (sl.): ignore, choose not to react to  >Just shine the guy on if he starts tryin’ to sell ya somethin’.

—   shine up to (colloq.): try to please or impress, be servile with (esp. to gain favor)  >Watch George start shining up to Moss as soon as he finds out he’s rich.

—   take a shine to (colloq.): come to like (esp. quickly or spontaneously)  >Mrs. Edwards took a shine to my boy and gave him a job for the summer.

—   where the sun doesn’t/don’t shine (see WHERE)

SHINER

 *    shiner (shī´nәr) (sl.): black eye  >Gail says she got that shiner when she walked into a door.

SHINGLE

—   hang out/up [one’s] shingle (see HANG)

SHINOLA

—   not know shit from shinola (see KNOW)

SHIP

—   jump ship (see JUMP)

—   shape up or ship out (see SHAPE)

—   [for s/one’s] ship [to] come in (colloq.): [for s/one] finally to make [his/her] fortune  >When my ship comes in, I’m going to buy me a small ranch up in Montana.

SHIRT

—   keep [one’s] shirt on (colloq.): not become impatient, calm down (used esp. as a command)  >Keep your shirt on! I’ll be with you in a minute.

—   lose [one’s] shirt (see LOSE)

—   would give [s/one] the shirt off [one’s] back (colloq.): be very generous to [s/one], be willing to make any financial sacrifice for [s/one]  >You can count on Duncan—he’d give his friends the shirt off his back to help them out.

SHIT

**   shit1 (shit) (vulg.): bad treatment, unjust dealings  >Why does she put up with that shit from him?

**   shit2 (vulg.): lie, false or exaggerated story, nonsense (also interj.)  >Don’t give me that shit about your bein’ too tired to help.  >That little guy, lift three hundred pounds? Shit!

**   shit3 (vulg.): annoying or tedious work or demands  >Look at all this shit I got to take care of today!

**   shit4 (vulg.): excrement, dung  >Don’t step in that cow shit!

**   shit5 (vulg.): junk, litter, worthless things  >Why can’t they just throw their shit in the trash can?

**   shit6 (vulg.): (one’s) belongings, things in general (that belong to s/one)  >You can put all your shit in that closet.

 *    shit7 (vulg.): contemptible or despicable person  >What a shit he is to treat his kids that way!

—   shit8 (vulg.): illegal drugs  >I know where we can score some real good shit. 

—   shit9 (vulg.): matter, issue  >Some shit came up at the office I gotta take care of.  >What’s this shit about a broken valve on the main line? 

**   shit10 (vi) (vulg.): defecate  >The birds’ll shit on your car if ya park under that tree.

 *    shit11 (vi) (vulg.): become very upset or appalled, become furious  >He’s gonna shit when he sees that big scratch on his new car.

 *    shit12 (vi, vt) (vulg.): lie (to), tell a false or exaggerated story (to)  >It’s the truth—I’m not shittin’.  >Don’t go shittin’ me about all the women you’ve had.  >Believe me—I shit you not.

—   (about) shit a brick (vulg.): become very upset or appalled, become furious  >She shit a brick when she found out her daughter dropped outta school.

—   (about) shit (in) [one’s] pants1 (vulg.): become extremely frightened  >He about shit his pants when he saw that big dog  comin’ at him.  >The burglar’s gonna shit in his pants when the cops show up.

—   (about) shit (in) [one’s] pants2 (vulg.): become very upset or appalled, become furious  >Jay about shit in his pants when he found out his car had been stolen.

—   (as) ... as shit (vulg.): extraordinarily ..., very ...  >That cat’s mean as shit!  >He hit the target just as easy as shit.

 *    beat/knock/kick the (living) shit out of (vulg.): beat severely, beat up  >I told him I’d beat the shit outta him if I ever saw him there again.  >The big guy knocked the living shit outta Shorty.

—   catch shit (from) (vulg.): be severely reprimanded or scolded (by), be severely criticized (by)  >He caught shit from his supervisor for givin’ a customer the wrong info.

—   could give a shit (vulg.): doesn't/didn’t care at all  >I could give a shit if that dummy doesn’t like the way I did it.

—   eat shit (and die)! (see EAT)

—   for shit (vulg.): very bad, awful, worthless  >Your car’s for shit—we’d better take mine.

 *    [neg.] for shit (vulg.): very badly, in a worthless way  >Why’s he on the team? He can’t play for shit.  >This damn thing never did work for shit.

—   full of shit (see FULL)

 *    get/have [one’s] shit together (vulg.): put/have [one’s] affairs in order, get/have control over how [one] lives [one’s] life, get/have things functioning well  >That guy can handle anything—he’s really got his shit together.

**   give a shit (vulg.): be concerned, care, take interest (freq. used in the neg.)  >Go do whatever ya want! I just don’t give a shit!

—   in deep shit (see DEEP)

 *    like shit1 (vulg.): bad, badly  >This tastes like shit! What is it?  >That guy shoots like shit—pull him outta the game!  >She treats him like shit, but he still adores her.

—   like shit2 (vulg.): wholeheartedly, to the utmost degree  >They worked like shit to finish on time.  >We’ve been sweatin’ like shit in this heat.

—   like shit ...! (vulg.): certainly not ...! not really ...! in no way ...!  >She claims she’s a lawyer? Like shit she is!

**   no shit! (vulg., freq. sarc.): really! it’s not a lie!  >The fire’s hot? No shit!  >No shit! I ain’t kiddin’.

—   not know shit from shinola (see KNOW)

—   piece of shit (see PIECE)

—   sack of shit (see SACK)

 *    scare the (living) shit out of (vulg.): scare very much, terrify  >That drunk with the gun scared the livin’ shit outta me!

**   shit! (vulg.): (interj. to express anger, surprise, irritation, or contempt)  >Shit, Terry! Why didn’t ya let me know you were in town?  >Shit! I could beat that wimp with one hand tied behind my back.

 *    ([neg.]) shit (vulg.): nothing at all  >He doesn’t do shit at the office, but he gets paid more than me.  >I pulled out ‘cause I was gonna get shit outta the deal.

—   shit around (vi) (vulg.): pass time idly, work halfheartedly or unproductively  >Let’s stop shittin’ around and get this meeting started.

—   shit (around) with (vulg.): treat without due respect or seriousness, handle capriciously, toy with  >Hey, stop shittin’ around with them fireworks!  >Don’t shit with me, Jack!

 *    shit on (vulg.): treat badly, deal unfairly with, mistreat  >Ya try to give a guy a hand, and he turns around and shits on ya!

—   shit on ...! (vulg.): I don’t care about ...! I want nothing to do with ...! I find ... contemptible!  >Aw, shit on what that idiot thinks!

 *    shit out of luck (vulg.): completely out of luck  >You’re shit outta luck—the last job opening was just filled.

—   shoot the shit (see SHOOT)

—   shovel the shit (see SHOVEL)

**   take a shit (vulg.): defecate  >He’s in the bathroom takin’ a shit.

—   ...er than shit (vulg.): extraordinarily ..., very ...  >It’s hotter than shit outside.

—   the shit ...! (vulg.): certainly not ...! not really ...! in no way ...!  >With my girl?! The shit he did!

—   [for] the shit [to] hit the fan (see HIT)

 *    ... the shit out of [s/one, s/thing] (vulg.): ... [s/one, s/thing] to the utmost degree, ... [s/one, s/thing] extraordinarily (esp. in a neg. way)  >His home movies bored the shit out of us.  >The dogs trampled the shit outta her flower bed.

—   tough shit! (see TOUGH)

 *    up shit creek (vulg.): in serious trouble, in a bad predicament  >You’re gonna be up shit creek if ya don’t pay Big Benny back on time.

—   what the shit! (see WHAT)

—   what/who/[etc.] (in) the shit ...? (vulg.): (intens. to express impatience, anger, or surprise)  >When the shit is this show gonna start?  >Where in the shit did he come from?

—   worth (a) shit (see WORTH)

SHITASS

—    shitass (shit´as´) (vulg.): contemptible or reprehensible person, stupid person (also adj., also voc.)  >Some shitass just knocked over that garbage can for no reason.  >That shitass brother of yours stole my bike.  >Cut it out, shitass! 

SHITFACED

—   shitfaced (shit´fāst´) (vulg.): very drunk  >He got shitfaced at the spring party.

SHITHEAD

 *    shithead (shit´hed´) (vulg.): contemptible or reprehensible person, stupid person (also voc.)  >Some shithead messed with my keyboard and broke it.  >Hey, shithead, don’t touch that!

SHITHOLE

 —    shithole (shit´hōl´) (vulg.): extremely disgusting or unpleasant place (also adj.)  >Why don’t you move outta this shithole and find yourself a nice clean apartment?  >She’s from some shithole town in the middle of nowhere.

SHITHOUSE

—   shithouse (shit´hous´) (vulg.): privy, bathroom (esp. when a separate structure)  >Is there a shithouse at the beach?

SHITKICKER

—   shitkicker (shit´kik´әr) (vulg.): unsophisticated rural person (esp. a young man)  >Things really get wild around here when all the shitkickers come into town on Saturday night.

SHITKICKING

—   shitkicking (shit´kik´ing) (vulg.): rural and unsophisticated, country-and-western  >Tell your shitkickin’ buddies to quiet down.  >All Gary listens to is that shitkickin’ music.

SHITLESS

—   scare [s/one] shitless (see SCARE)

SHITLIST

 *    on [s/one’s] shitlist (... shit´list´) (vulg.): having annoyed or angered [s/one], be the object of [s/one’s] dislike or anger  >Don’t talk to me about Wendell—that bum’s on my shitlist.

SHITLOAD

—  a shitload (of…) (... shit´lōd´ ...) (vulg.): much (…), many (…)  >He made a shitload of money in the stock market last year.  >I’ve got a shitload of math problems to solve for my homework.

SHITS

 *    the shits1 (... shits) (vulg.): diarrhea  >The last time I ate that it gave me the shits.

—   the shits2 (vulg.): very unpleasant or bothersome thing or occurrence, very irritating or boring situation, the worst  >Havin’ to work on Sunday is the shits.  >His gettin’ hurt like that was the shits.

SHITSTORM

—    shitstorm (shit´stōrm´) (vulg.): widespread outrage, extreme controversy, disastrous or chaotic situation  >That politician created a real shitstorm in the campaign with his crude racist comments.

SHITTER

—   shitter (shit´әr) (vulg.): toilet, bathroom  >Where’s the shitter? I gotta go.

SHITTY

**   shitty (shit´ē) (vulg.): very bad, unpleasant, inferior, contemptible  >This shitty camera isn’t worth two cents.  >Keep your shitty hands off my things!

SHITWORK

—   shitwork (shit´wûrk´) (vulg.): annoying or tedious work  >Can’t the secretary do some of this shitwork?

SHLEP

—   shlep (see “SCHLEP”)

SHMALTZ

—   shmaltz (see “SCHMALTZ”)

SHMALTZY

—   shmaltzy (see “SCHMALTZY”)

SHMEAR

—   the (whole) shmear (see “the [whole] SCHMEAR”)

SHMO

—   shmo (see “SCHMO”) 

SHMOOZE

     —   shmooze (see “SCHMOOZE”)

SHMUCK

—   shmuck (see “SCHMUCK”)

SHNOOK

—   shnook (see “SCHNOOK”)

SHNOZ

—   shnoz (see “SCHNOZ”)

SHOCK

**   shock (colloq.): shock absorber (esp. for an automobile)  >This old truck needs new shocks.

SHOES

—   shake in [one’s] boots/shoes (see SHAKE)

SHOO-IN

 *    shoo-in (colloq.): person considered certain to win or be selected  >Howard’s a shoo-in for the job.  >Your opponent doesn’t have any real support, so you’re a shoo-in.

SHOOK

 *    (all) shook up (sl.): very upset or nervous  >These earthquake predictions have got everybody all shook up.

SHOOT

 *    shoot (colloq.): filming or photographic session  >That was a good shoot, people.  >The director’s going to do the shoot right on the beach.

**   shoot!1 (colloq.): (interj. to express anger, surprise, irritation, or disappointment)  >Shoot! I tore my blouse.  >Shoot! I wanted a red sweater, not a blue one.

 *    shoot!2 (colloq.): go ahead and speak! go ahead and ask!  >I want to hear everything. Shoot!  >You got some questions? Shoot!

—   shoot/fire blanks (sl.): have infertile semen, not impregnate during sex  >Brad got a vasectomy, so now he’s shootin’ blanks.

 *    shoot down1 (vt) (colloq.): prove wrong, disparage, reject  >Janson’s colleagues really shot down his hydrogen theory.

—   shoot down2 (vt) (colloq.): bring about the downfall of, ruin the efforts of, turn down  >We’ll shoot down the other candidate on the jobs issue.  >He tried to get friendly with her, but she shot him down.

 *    shoot for (colloq.): strive toward, have as a goal  >I’m shooting for an A on the exam.  >Shoot for the gold medal!

—   shoot for the moon (colloq.): strive toward the greatest or best, have the ultimate as a goal  >Most of her friends are going to go to the local college, but she’s shooting for the moon and applying to Harvard.

 *    shoot from the hip (colloq.): speak bluntly, act brashly, act without due deliberation or caution  >You won’t make it in politics if you keep shooting from the hip like that.

—   shoot [oneself] in the foot (colloq.): cause [oneself] harm (esp. by ineptitude or carelessness)  >They shot themselves in the foot by complaining about Reese to the boss—Reese is his favorite employee.

—   shoot it out (colloq.): exchange gunfire (esp. to resolve a situation)  >They’ll have to shoot it out with the cops if they try to escape.

 *    shoot [one’s] mouth off (sl.): speak indiscreetly or inappropriately  >Don’t go shootin’ your mouth off about my gettin’ fired.  >He starts shootin’ off his mouth every time he has a couple of drinks.

—   shoot square (colloq.): deal honestly, treat (s/one) fairly  >I need someone that shoots square to handle this because it’s real important.

—   shoot straight (colloq.): deal honestly, treat (s/one) fairly  >You can trust Knorr—he shoots straight.

 *    shoot the breeze (colloq.): converse idly, chat  >We spent the afternoon drinking beer and shooting the breeze.

 *    shoot the bull (sl.): converse idly, chat  >Don’t be shootin’ the bull when you’re supposed to be workin’!

—   shoot the shit (... shit) (vulg.): converse idly, chat  >They were just sittin’ around shootin’ the shit.

—   shoot the works (sl.): expend all (one’s) resources, proceed without limits, put everything into (an effort)  >Let’s shoot the works and have a real fancy wedding.

 *    shoot (up) (vi, vt) (sl.): inject (an illegal drug) intravenously  >I saw him shootin’ heroin.  >The junkies were all shootin’ up in the alley.

—   shoot up (vt) (sl.): shoot bullets wildly at or within, damage with gunfire  >They got drunk and shot up the bar.  >Someone shot the road sign up.

—   shoot [one’s] wad1 (colloq.): expend all [one’s] energy or resources, spend all [one’s] money (esp. without fulfilling expectations)  >He can’t gear up for another project—he shot his wad on the last one.  >Doris shot her wad in the first casino she went into.

—   shoot [one’s] wad2 (vulg.): have an ejaculation  >He shot his wad on the sheet.

SHOOT-’EM-UP

—   shoot-’em-up (shūt´әm up´) (colloq.): film or television show with much gunplay and violence  >The only thing good on TV tonight is some shoot-’em-up.

SHOOTER

—   shooter (sl.): shot of hard liquor drunk in one gulp  >How about a vodka shooter?

SHOOTING

—   sure as shooting (see SURE)

SHOOTING MATCH

—   the whole shooting match (colloq.): all of it, the whole set, everything involved  >He lost his house, his car, his investments—the whole shooting match.

SHOP

—   fold up shop (see FOLD)

**   shop around (vi) (colloq.): take time to compare (before committing to s/one or s/thing)  >Don’t marry the first girl you meet! Shop around a little.

 *    talk shop (colloq.): discuss (one’s) business or occupation  >Hey, this is a party, so stop talking shop.

SHORT

 *    short and sweet (colloq.): brief and pertinent  >I’ll make it short and sweet—get to work or you’re fired.

 *    the short end of the stick (colloq.): the worst part of a deal, unfair treatment  >Don’t agree to that—you’d be getting the short end of the stick.

SHORT FUSE

 *    have a short fuse (colloq.): have a short temper, be easily angered  >Watch what you say to him—he’s got a short fuse.

SHORT HAIRS

—   have [s/one] by the short hairs (sl., freq. vulg.): have [s/one] at (one’s) mercy, control [s/one] by threat, have [s/one] in a helpless situation under (one’s) power  >If we can get some hard evidence against that jerk we’ll have him by the short hairs.

SHORTS

—   eat my shorts! (see EAT)

—   take it in the shorts (sl.): suffer a decisive defeat or great loss, receive very harmful treatment  >They really took it in the shorts when their company went bankrupt.  >You’re gonna take it in the shorts if their lawyers find out about this.

SHORTY

—   shorty (shôr´tē) (colloq., freq. pej.): short person (also voc.)  >Who’s the shorty with them?  >What you going to do about it, shorty?

SHOT

**   shot1 (colloq.): chance, possibility  >We got a shot at the championship this year.

**   shot2 (colloq.): opportunity to try, attempt  >He wants a shot at being manager.  >You can do it—let’s see your best shot.

—   shot3 (sl.): blow, strike (esp. with the fist)  >He took a hard shot on the chin.

 *    shot4 (colloq.): worn-out, in useless condition  >He can’t work anymore—his nerves are shot.  >We got to get some new shocks on this car. These are shot.

—   a shot (sl.): apiece, each  >These machines cost us two grand a shot.

**   give [s/thing] a shot (colloq.): give [s/thing] a try, make an attempt at [s/thing]  >I’m not so good at speech making, but I’ll give it a shot.

 *    shot in the arm (colloq.): s/thing that gives new energy or enthusiasm, stimulant  >Getting that new contract was a real shot in the arm for the struggling company.

 *    shot in the dark (colloq.): guess without any basis, wild attempt  >I can’t believe I guessed the answer! It was a shot in the dark.  >I know asking his neighbors is a shot in the dark, but someone just might know where he’s gone.

 *    take/have a shot at (colloq.): make an attempt at, try  >You want to take a shot at figuring out this map?  >You say this game is hard? Let me have a shot at it.

SHOTGUN

—   ride shotgun (see RIDE)

SHOTGUN WEDDING

—   shotgun wedding (colloq.): forced wedding (due to the bride’s being pregnant)  >They had a shotgun wedding, but they seem to be happy.

SHOTS

—   call the shots (see CALL)

SHOULDER

—   chip on [one’s] shoulder (see CHIP)

SHOUTING

—   be all over but the shouting (see ALL)

SHOUT-OUT

—  shout-out (sl.): expression of recognition or appreciation  >Let’s give a big shout-out to Bret for all the good work he did on this project.

SHOVE

 *    shove (vt) (sl., freq. vulg.): go away with, take away (s/thing contemptible or detestable) (used esp. as a command)  >I told him to take his job and shove it.  >Shove your stupid report!

 *    shove/ram [s/thing] down [s/one’s] throat (colloq.): force [s/one] to accept or agree with [s/thing], force [s/thing] on [s/one]  >We didn’t like the recruitment plan, but the boss shoved it down our throats.

—   shove off (vi) (colloq.): leave, go away  >It’s getting late—I’d better shove off.  >You’re getting on my nerves, so just shove off!

 *    (tell [s/one] to take [his/her s/thing] and) shove/stick it (sl., freq. vulg.): insult or rebuke [s/one] regarding [s/thing], emphatically reject [s/thing] associated with [s/one]  >Take your sob story and shove it, you crybaby!  >I told the salesman to take his contract and stick it.  >I don’t want your help. Shove it!

—   (tell [s/one] to take [his/her s/thing] and) shove/stick it up [his/her] ass (vulg.): insult or rebuke [s/one] regarding [s/thing], emphatically reject [s/thing] associated with [s/one]  >Just tell her to take her concerns and stick ‘em up her ass.  >You can shove your disciplinary action up your ass!

—   when/if push comes to shove (see PUSH)

SHOVEL

—   shovel the shit (... shit) (vulg.): tell many lies, habitually tell false or exaggerated stories  >Don’t believe everything Nicky tells ya—he likes to shovel the shit.

SHOW

 *    get the/this show on the road (colloq.): begin (an enterprise or activity), start (a program), get underway  >We got a lot to do today, so let’s get this show on the road.

 *    it (just) goes to show you (that) (colloq.): that is the proof or confirmation (that)  >It goes to show you that you can’t trust a used car salesman.  >I knew that would happen—it just goes to show you.

—   run the show (see RUN)

**   show off (vi) (colloq.): behave ostentatiously, brag  >Brian’s kind of silly today because he wants to show off for his girlfriend.  >That bigmouth’s showing off about all the important people he supposedly knows.

**   show (up) (vi) (colloq.): appear, arrive  >We thought he’d make it to the party, but he didn’t show.  >Guess who showed up at my house last night.

—   show up (vt) (colloq.): show (one’s) superiority over, prove (s/one) inferior, outdo  >He’s mad because his assistant showed him up at the meeting.

SHOW BIZ

 *    show biz (... biz) (colloq.): show business, the entertainment profession(s)  >Show biz is tough to get into.  >Sorry you weren’t a hit, but that’s show biz.

SHOWBOAT

—   showboat1 (colloq.): person who performs in an ostentatious or sensational way (in order to impress)  >Get that showboat off the ice!  >There’s no place for showboats on this team.

—   showboat2 (vi) (colloq.): perform in an ostentatious or sensational way (in order to impress)  >Stop the showboating or you’re off the team.

SHOW-OFF

**   show-off (colloq.): person who behaves ostentatiously, braggart  >I hate show-offs that go around flashing lots of money.  >What a show-off! He’s got to make sure everyone hears about how he won.

SHRIMP

 *    shrimp (colloq., pej.): small person (also voc.)  >Who does that shrimp think he is?  >Watch out, shrimp!

SHRINK

 *    shrink (sl.): psychiatrist or psychoanalyst  >My shrink says I gotta be more assertive.

SHTICK

—   shtick (shtik) (sl.): characteristic speaking or behavioral routine (esp. to entertain or impress)  >That shtick always gets a lot of laughs.  >Chester came on with the Romeo shtick, hopin’ some woman would fall for it..

SHTUP

—    shtup (see SCHTUP) 

SHUCK

—   shuck (shuk) (vt) (colloq.): remove, take off (esp. clothing)  >Shuck your clothes and let’s go swimming in the lake.

SHUCKS

 *    shucks! (shuks) (colloq.): (interj. to express irritation, disappointment, or embarrassment)  >Shucks! I wanted to go, too.  >Aw, shucks! What I did was nothing special.

SHUFFLE

—   get lost in the shuffle (see LOST)

SHUT

—   keep [one’s] mouth shut (see MOUTH)

—   put up or shut up (see PUT)

 *    shut [one’s] face (sl.): stop talking or yelling (esp. when being offensive) (used esp. as a command)  >Hey, shut your face, man, or there’s gonna be trouble!

 *    shut [one’s] trap (colloq.): stop talking (esp. when being offensive or indiscreet) (used esp. as a command)  >Tell him to shut his trap before he tells them the whole plan.

SHUTEYE

 *    shuteye (sl.): sleep  >It’s late—let’s get some shuteye.

SHUTTERBUG

—   shutterbug (colloq.): photographer (esp. an enthusiastic amateur)  >Her husband’s a shutterbug, and he got some nice pictures on their trip.

SHYSTER

 *    shyster (shī´stәr) (sl.): unethical or unscrupulous person (esp. a lawyer)  >Don’t trust that shyster! He’ll cheat ya.

SICK

 *    (as) sick as a dog (colloq.): very sick, very ill  >I got sick as a dog after I ate that stew.

—   sick and tired (of) (colloq.): disgusted or bored (with), no longer able to tolerate (s/thing)  >I’m sick and tired of his constant whining!

SICKIE

 *    sickie (sik´ē) (sl.): mentally unbalanced person, morbid or perverted person  >He likes to pull the wings off flies? What a sickie!

SICKO

 *    sicko (sik´ō) (sl.): mentally unbalanced person, morbid or perverted person (also adj.)  >Some sicko was tryin’ to sell porn to those kids.  >His thinking’s really sicko.

SIDE

—   can’t hit the (broad) side of a barn (see HIT)

—   get a little/some on the side (see GET)

—   get up on the wrong side of the bed (see GET)

 *    on [s/one’s] good/bad side (colloq.): in [s/one’s] favor/disfavor, liked/disliked by [s/one]  >You’d better get on her good side if you want her help.  >I can’t ask him for a favor—I’ve been on his bad side lately.

 *    on the side1 (colloq.): in addition to the entrée or main course, as a side dish  >Give me that combination plate, with a beef taco on the side.

 *    on the side2 (colloq.): in addition to (one’s) regular work or interest  >He works for a big firm and does some consulting work on the side.  >Alice is his steady girlfriend, but he sees a couple of others on the side.

—   the right side of the tracks (see RIGHT)

—   the wrong side of the tracks (see WRONG)

SIDE HUSTLE

—   side hustle (… hus´әl) (sl.): money-making activity outside of conventional employment, side job  >He makes more with his side hustle sellin’ T-shirts on the internet than he does workin’ at the factory.

SIDEKICK

 *    sidekick (colloq.): friend, constant companion  >Hey, where’s your sidekick today?

SIDEWAYS

—   go sideways (sl.): begin to fail, not go as planned (in a negative way)  >If this operation goes sideways that undercover cop will be in a lot of trouble.

SIGHT

—   a damn(ed) sight better (see DAMN)

—   a darn(ed) sight better (see DARN)

 *    a sight (colloq.): person(s) or thing(s) remarkable or distasteful to see  >Him parachuting off the bridge was quite a sight.  >They were a sight after playing in the mud all morning.

 *    out of sight1 (sl., dtd.): fantastic, extraordinary, beautiful  >That drummer’s outta sight.  >Is that your new car? Outta sight!

—   out of sight2 (colloq.): exorbitant, excessively priced  >Tomatoes are just out of sight this season.

 *    sight for sore eyes (colloq.): welcome sight, person or thing whose appearance is reason for relief  >Boy, are you guys ever a sight for sore eyes! We thought everyone had forgotten about us.

SIGNIFICANT OTHER

 *    significant other (colloq.): person who is (one’s) special romantic interest, spouse or sweetheart  >Here’s two tickets—bring your significant other.

SILLY

—   (silly) goose (see GOOSE)

SIMMER

 *    simmer down (vi) (colloq.): calm down, become less angry  >Let Amy simmer down a little, and then I’ll talk to her.

SIN

—   (as) ugly as sin (see UGLY)

—   uglier than sin (see UGLIER)

SING

—   sing (vi) (sl.): inform (on s/one), denounce (s/one)  >If Duane sings to the cops, we’ll all get busted.

SINK

—   sink in (vi) (colloq.): come to be fully grasped or realized, finally become understood  >Jess looks pretty calm—I don’t think it’s sunk in yet just how much trouble he’s in.

 *    sink [one’s] teeth into (colloq.): begin to eat (esp. with enthusiasm)  >I can hardly wait to sink my teeth into a nice, juicy steak.

SIN TAX

—   sin tax (colloq.): tax on products involving vices (esp. on tobacco and liquor)  >Increase the sin tax and you can fund cancer research.

SIRREE

—   no sirree! (see NO)

—   yes sirree! (see YES)

SIS

—   sis (sis) (colloq.): sister (also voc.)  >I don’t know French, but my sis does.  >Hey, Sis, Mom wants you.

SISTER

 *    sister1 (colloq.): black woman (used esp. among blacks)  >Whitey there just insulted one of the sisters.

—   sister2 (voc.) (colloq.): girl, lady (used esp. with a female stranger, freq. in a contentious way)  >If you want trouble, sister, you’re going to get it.

SIT

—   sit (vt) (colloq.): take care of, watch over (for s/one, for a while)  >Who’s going to sit your house while you’re on vacation?

 *    not sit still for (colloq.): not passively accept, not tolerate  >The boss won’t sit still for us coming to work late.

**   ...-sit (vi) (colloq.): take care of (a) ... (for s/one, for a while)  >Would you dog-sit for us next weekend?  >Vivian’s going to house-sit for me while I’m away.

**   sit around (vi) (colloq.): remain idle, take no initiative or action  >Why don’t you get a job instead of sitting around the house all day?  >We can’t just sit around. What’ll we do?

 *    sit on1 (colloq.): delay acting on, not reveal, suppress  >You’ve been sitting on this proposal for six weeks!  >Sometimes that lawyer sits on evidence that the other side’s supposed to know about.

—   sit on2 (colloq.): subdue, squelch, restrain  >If he starts getting rowdy I’ll sit on him.  >Dee Dee’s been mouthing off a lot lately—somebody better sit on her.

—   sit on [one’s] hands (colloq.): fail or refuse to take action, choose to do nothing  >The city’s falling apart, and the politicians are just sitting on their hands.

—   sit there with [one’s] thumb up [one’s] ass (vulg.): not respond, fail to take action  >Don’t just sit there with your thumb up your ass! Help us out!

 *    sit tight (colloq.): wait before taking action, remain patient until it is clear what action to take  >My broker tells me to sit tight until we see which way the market’s going.

SITCOM

**   sitcom (sit´kom´) (colloq.): situation comedy (esp. a television program)  >I don’t watch many sitcoms—they all seem the same to me.

SIT-DOWN

—   sit-down1 (colloq.): period of sitting (esp. for resting)  >I need a little sit-down before we climb this next hill.

—   sit-down2 (colloq): informal meeting (to discuss s/thing)  >We gotta have a sit-down with the whole family to talk this over.

SITTING

 *    be sitting on a gold mine (colloq.): have s/thing very valuable within (one’s) grasp or under (one’s) control  >That farmer’s sitting on a gold mine with all his land, but he won’t sell it to the developers.

 *    be sitting pretty (colloq.): be in a very advantageous situation, be in a good position, have gained wealth or success  >They’ll be sitting pretty if they get that big contract.

SITTING DUCK

—   sitting duck (colloq.): easy target or victim, defenseless person  >That old lady’s a sitting duck for thieves.  >We’ll be sitting ducks if Schultz pulls out his support.

SIX

 *    it’s six of one, (and) half-(a-)dozen of the other (colloq.): it’s all the same, it makes no difference  >That road’s shorter, but this one’s better. It’s six of one, half-a-dozen of the other which way to go.

—   have [s/one’s] six (sl.): watch out for [s/one], be prepared to protect [s/one] in case of danger  >If you wanna take ‘em on, I have your six.

—   six feet under (colloq.): dead and buried  >Moe’ll end up six feet under if he messes with the Mafia.

SIX-FOOTER

—   six-footer (siks´fŭt´әr) (colloq.): person six feet (or a little more) tall  >She’s a six-footer, just like her brothers.

SIX-GUN

—   six-gun (colloq.): revolver that holds six bullets  >He showed up with a six-gun under his belt.

SIX-PACK

**   six-pack (colloq.): package of six cans or bottles (esp. of beer)  >I’ll pick up a couple of six-packs, and we’ll have a little party.

SIX-SHOOTER

—   six-shooter (colloq.): revolver that holds six bullets  >That’s an old six-shooter like the cowboys used to have.

SIXTY-FOUR( THOUSAND)-DOLLAR QUESTION

—   the sixty-four( thousand)-dollar question (colloq.): the critical or most pertinent question  >Why he is here is the sixty-four-dollar question.  >Now just how long can they stay in the air without refueling? That’s the sixty-four thousand-dollar question.

SIXTY-NINE

—   sixty-nine (vulg.): simultaneous oral-genital sex between two people  >He said they did sixty-nine last night.

SIZE

—   knock/cut [s/one] down to size (see KNOCK)

 *    size up (vt) (colloq.): assess, evaluate, form an estimation of  >Size up the situation before you act.  >Susana sized him up, then told him to get lost.

 *    that’s (about) the size of it (colloq.): that’s how it is, that’s essentially the situation  >She kicked Mark out and told him she never wanted to see him again, and that’s about the size of it.

SIZZLE

—   sizzle1 (siz´әl) (vi) (colloq.): be very hot (weather)  >It’s going to sizzle again today.

—   sizzle2 (vi) (sl.): be very popular or successful  >That new group is sizzlin’—their concert sold out fast.  >Hot? His new album’s gonna sizzle when it comes out!

SIZZLER

—   sizzler (siz´lәr) (colloq.): very hot day  >Yesterday was a real sizzler—it broke the record for the date.

SKANK

—  skank (skānk) (sl., pej.): low-class or vulgar woman  >I don't know what Larry sees in that skank—he can do better.

SKATE

—  skate (vi) (sl.): be set free without punishment  >He’ll skate if we can’t get her to testify against him.

SKEDADDLE

—   skedaddle (ski dad´l) (vi) (colloq.): leave quickly, get moving  >I don’t like the looks of this—let’s skedaddle.  >Now, skedaddle or you’ll be late.

SKEETER

—   skeeter (skē´tәr) (sl.): mosquito  >The skeeters are eatin’ me alive!

SKIDDOO

—   skiddoo (ski dū´) (vi) (colloq.): leave quickly, get moving.  >Skiddoo, now, or you’ll miss the bus.

SKID ROW

 *    skid row (colloq.): deteriorated area of cheap bars and hotels frequented by vagrants and poor alcoholics  >He’s some old drunk that lives on skid row.

SKIDS

—   hit the skids (see HIT)

—   on the skids (sl.): in the process of ruin or failure, becoming poor or deteriorated  >The old downtown area is on the skids now.

SKIM

 *    skim (off) (vt) (sl.): remove a portion of proceeds illegally  >They fired him ‘cause he was skimmin’ five percent off the top for himself.  >The casino’s been skimmin’ a third of their take before figurin’ taxes.

SKIN

 *    skin1 (sl.): showing nudity, pornographic  >He’s always buyin’ skin magazines.  >Wanna see a skin flick?

—   skin2 (vt) (sl.): take all the money from (esp. through gambling or deceit)  >They skinned me at poker.  >Looks like ya got skinned by that lawyer.

—   (about) jump out of [one’s] skin (see JUMP)

—   be no skin off [s/one’s] ass (vulg.): be no loss or risk to [s/one], be of little or no concern to [s/one]  >Hey, if ya wanna take drugs, go ahead—it’s no skin off my ass.

—   be no skin off [s/one’s] back (sl.): be no loss or risk to [s/one], be of little or no concern to [s/one]  >It was no skin off his back if ya didn’t pay him ‘cause he knew he would get it from his insurance.

 *    be no skin off [s/one’s] nose (sl.): be no loss or risk to [s/one], be of little or no concern to [s/one]  >So what if she’s goin’ out with someone else? It’s no skin off my nose.

 *    by the skin of [one’s] teeth (colloq.): with very little margin to spare, just barely  >Lyndon passed the test by the skin of his teeth.

 *    get under [s/one’s] skin (colloq.): cause [s/one] great irritation or annoyance  >It really gets under Bart’s skin when he sees his ex-wife having fun with other guys.  >Ignore the jerk—don’t let him get under your skin.

—   risk [one’s] skin (see RISK)

—   save [one’s, s/one’s] skin (see SAVE)

 *    skin [s/one] alive (colloq.): punish or scold [s/one] severely  >Dad’s going to skin you alive if he catches you with his tools.

—   skin in the game (colloq.): a stake or investment (in s/thing)  >He’s not even a stockholder, so he’s got no skin in the game.  >I want my opinion heard because I have skin in the game here.

SKINHEAD

**   skinhead (colloq.): person with a shaved head (esp. a youth with neo-Nazi views)  >There were some damn skinheads there yelling at the blacks in the audience.

SKINNY

—   the skinny (sl.): the pertinent information, news (esp. when confidential or little known)  >What’s the skinny on the new secretary in the front office?  >The skinny is that the cops are gonna start crackin’ down on speeders.

SKINNY-DIP

 *    skinny-dip (vi) (colloq.): go swimming naked  >You don’t need no bathing suit—let’s skinny-dip.  >We went skinny-dipping in the river.

SKINS

—   skins (sl.): drums  >Man, can she ever play them skins!

SKIP

**   skip (vt) (colloq.): forget about, exclude  >Skip it—it’s not important.  >Skip the onions on that burger, will you?

—   a hop, skip, and a jump (see HOP)

—   jump/skip bail (see JUMP)

 *    skip out (on) (sl.): abandon or desert (s/one), escape (from)  >We were countin’ on him, but he skipped out on us.  >He skipped out before the cops got there.

 *    skip town (sl.): quickly and secretly leave a city or town (to avoid a neg. situation)  >He skipped town, leavin’ a bunch of unpaid bills.  >Bud skipped town when he heard you were lookin’ for him.

SKIPPER

—   skipper (colloq.): leader, boss (also voc.)  >Let me get the skipper’s OK.  >What’s the deal, skipper?

SKIRT

—   skirt (sl., freq. pej.): woman  >Benny followed some skirt into that bar a few minutes ago.

SKIRT-CHASER

—   skirt-chaser (sl.): womanizer (cf. “CHASE skirts”)  >You marry that skirt-chaser, honey, and you’re just askin’ for trouble.

SKIRTS

—   chase skirts (see CHASE)

SKIVVIES

 *    skivvies (skiv´ēz) (colloq.): (men’s) underwear, T-shirt and undershorts  >Mrs. Perlman got all upset when he came to the door in his skivvies.

SKULL

—   out of [one’s] skull (sl.): crazy, very irrational  >He’s gotta be outta his skull to challenge the champ.  >I’m goin’ outta my skull worryin’ about her.

SKUNK

—   skunk1 (colloq.): scoundrel, contemptible person  >That skunk ran off with my pen!

 *    skunk2 (vt) (colloq.): defeat (without allowing the opposition to score), defeat overwhelmingly  >We finally scored three points, so at least they didn’t skunk us.

—   (as) drunk as a skunk (see DRUNK)

SKY

—   pie in the sky (see PIE)

SLACK

—   cut [s/one] some slack (see CUT)

SLAM

—   slam1 (sl.): strong criticism, verbal attack, insult  >Her remark about Gerty’s polyester pants was quite a slam.

—   slam2 (vt) (sl.): strongly criticize, verbally attack, insult  >The report really slammed the proposal.

—   the slam (sl.): prison, jail  >He violated his parole and ended up back in the slam.

SLAM-BANG

—   slam-bang (colloq.): directly, squarely, straight (esp. regarding an impact)  >The boy ran slam-bang into the door.

SLAM-DUNK

—  slam-dunk1 (colloq.): easy success, guaranteed positive outcome  >The test was a slam-dunk for Heather—she knew the material backwards and forwards.  >If you can get them to trust you, making a sale will be a slam-dunk.

—  slam-dunk2 (vt) (colloq.): succeed easily in, effortlessly get a positive outcome on  >She’s so gorgeous she’s going to slam-dunk that beauty contest.

SLAMMER

 *    the slammer (sl.): prison, jail  >They’ll throw him in the slammer for ten years for what he did.

SLAP

—   slap down (vt) (colloq.): severely censure or reprimand, silence  >He slapped me down before I could explain the whole thing.

 *    slap in the face (colloq.): insult, rebuke  >Questioning his honesty like you did in front of everyone was a real slap in the face.

 *    slap on the wrist (colloq.): light punishment (esp. unjustly so)  >One year in jail for armed robbery is a slap on the wrist.

—   throw/slap together (see THROW)

 *    slap [s/one] with (colloq.): impose (a penalty or punishment) on [s/one]  >The judge slapped him with a contempt of court citation.  >The city’s going to slap the firm with a ten-thousand dollar fine.

 *    slap [s/one] on the/[s/one’s] wrist (colloq.): punish [s/one] lightly (esp. unjustly so)  >They just slapped him on the wrist because his father’s the mayor.  >Are they going to throw her in jail or just slap her on her wrist?

SLAP-HAPPY

—   slap-happy (colloq.): dazed, giddy  >Everyone walked out of the room kind of slap-happy after watching their travel photos for four hours.

SLAUGHTER

 *    slaughter1 (sl.): decisive defeat  >It was a slaughter—their team was lousy.

 *    slaughter2 (vt) (sl.): defeat decisively  >The home team got slaughtered, sixty to six.

SLAY

—   slay1 (vt) (sl.): make (s/one) laugh hard  >What a funny guy! He slays me.

—   slay2 (vt) (sl.): flabbergast, astound, vex  >It slays me how he insults ya one minute, then asks ya for a favor the next.

SLEAZE

 *    sleaze (slēz) (sl.): contemptible or reprehensible person  >Why do ya hang around with a sleaze like that?

SLEAZEBAG

 *    sleazebag (slēz´bag´) (sl.) (also voc.): contemptible or reprehensible person (also voc.)  >When did they let that sleazebag outta jail?  >Shut up, sleazebag! 

SLEAZEBALL

 —   sleazeball (slēz´bôl´) (sl.) (also voc.): contemptible or reprehensible person (also voc.)  >I don’t want that sleazeball comin’ anywhere near my daughter!  >Stay away from her, sleazeball! 

SLEAZY

**   sleazy (slē´zē) (colloq.): sordid, dirty, contemptible  >He grew up in a real sleazy part of town.  >There were some nude shots of her in some sleazy magazine.

SLEEP

 *    can [do s/thing] in [one’s] sleep (colloq.): can [do s/thing] with great ease or assured success (esp. due to routine experience with it)  >She’s done that presentation so many times she could do it in her sleep.

 *    sleep around (vi) (colloq.): be sexually promiscuous  >She sleeps around a lot and doesn’t even take any precautions.

—   sleep like a log (colloq.): sleep very soundly  >Barry slept like a log last night after the rough day he had.

—   sleep like a top (colloq.): sleep very soundly  >I slept like a top in that comfy bed.

—   sleep on it (colloq.): take time to consider (an idea or proposal)  >That’s a good offer, but let me sleep on it before I decide.

SLEEPER

 *    sleeper (colloq.): person or thing that performs unexpectedly well (esp. after a period of not doing so)  >That movie was the year’s sleeper.  >The player was a sleeper—late in the season he started setting records.

SLEEPYHEAD

 *    sleepyhead (colloq.): sleepy person (also voc.)  >Let’s put this sleepyhead to bed.  >Wake up, sleepyhead!

SLEEVE

—   ace/card up [one’s] sleeve (see ACE)

 *    up [one’s] sleeve (colloq.): hidden and ready to use when needed  >Joey looks real confident. I wonder what he’s got up his sleeve.  >They haven’t won yet—I still have a few tricks up my sleeve.

SLEW

 *    a slew (of ...) (... slū ....) (colloq.): much (...), many (...)  >There was a slew of work to finish.  >Another necktie! I already got a slew of them.

SLICE

—   (how) you cut/slice it (see CUT)

SLICK

 *    slick (sl.): excellent, attractive, clever  >Those are slick wheels ya got on your car.  >She thinks he’s pretty slick.  >That’s a slick way to do it.

—   slick up (vt) (colloq.): make more attractive, improve  >You better slick up your house some before you try and sell it.

SLIDE

—   let [s/thing] slide (see LET)

SLIM

—   slim pickings (colloq.): very poor selection available  >It was slim pickings at the cafeteria because we got there late.

SLIME

 *    slime (sl.): contemptible or reprehensible person  >I don’t trust that slime with my daughter.

SLIMEBAG

 *    slimebag (sl.): contemptible or reprehensible person (also voc.)  >Some slimebag threw up on the sidewalk.  >Get outta my way, slimebag!

SLIMEBALL

 *    slimeball (sl.): contemptible or reprehensible person (also voc.)  >Get that slimeball outta my sight.  >You’re gonna get your butt kicked, slimeball!

SLING

—   [for one’s] ass [to be] in a sling (see ASS)

SLIP

—   give [s/one] the slip (colloq.): succeed in escaping or eluding [s/one]  >He gave the cops the slip in the subway.

—   fall/slip through/between the cracks (see FALL)

 *    slip up (vi) (colloq.): make a mistake or blunder, cause an oversight  >Some inspector slipped up and didn’t catch this defect.

SLIPPING

 *    slipping (vi) (colloq.): losing some of (one’s) talent or ability, in decline  >You’re slipping, man—women always used to love that line.  >I must be slipping. How did that get past me?

SLIP-UP

 *    slip-up (colloq.): mistake, blunder, oversight  >There was some slip-up on the order, and the store delivered the wrong model.

SLOB

 *    slob (slob) (colloq.): messy or crude person (esp. an obnoxious one)  >Look at the filthy place this slob lives in!  >Did you hear the nasty insult from that slob?

 *    poor slob (colloq.): very unfortunate or pathetic person  >The poor slob doesn’t even know why his wife left him.

SLOSHED

—   sloshed (slosht) (sl.): drunk  >Manny got pretty sloshed on tequila last night.

SLOT

 *    slot (colloq.): slot machine  >When we’re in Vegas, he plays blackjack and I play the slots.

SLOUCH

—   be no slouch (... slouch) (colloq.): be fairly skillful, have noteworthy ability (in some activity)  >Darnell’s a pretty good football player, and he’s no slouch at baseball, either.

SLOW

—   slow on the draw (colloq.): slow to react, slow-witted (cf. “QUICK on the draw/trigger”)  >Better explain that to him again—he’s a little slow on the draw.

SLOW BURN

—   do a slow burn (colloq.): become increasingly angry, fume  >She did a slow burn while he insulted her relatives.

SLUFF

 *    sluff (off) (sluf ...) (vi) (sl.): fail to work productively, avoid (one’s) work or responsibility  >He thinks he can sluff off because he’s the boss’s son.  >No sluffin’ on the job!

—   sluff off (vt) (colloq.): ignore, not become bothered by  >I can’t just sluff off an insult like that.  >His yelling didn’t get to me—I just sluffed it off.

SLUG

 *    slug1 (colloq.): hit, blow (esp. with the fist)  >He took a slug right in the nose, but still came back swinging.

—   slug2 (sl.): slow or lazy person  >Who hired that useless slug?

—   slug3 (sl.): shot or drink (of liquor)  >Wanna slug of vodka?

 *    slug4 (vt) (colloq.): hit or strike heavily (esp. with the fist)  >She hauled off and slugged him in the mouth.

 *    slug (away) (vi) (colloq.): strike out, try to land blows (esp. with the fists)  >They slugged away for ten minutes before somebody finally broke it up.  >He went down but came back up slugging.

 *    slug it out (colloq.): fight with the fists until s/one wins  >They went outside the bar to slug it out.

SLUGFEST

—   slugfest (slug´fest´) (colloq.): fight in which many blows are landed, vigorous fistfight or boxing match  >It was a real slugfest, but Johnny finally beat the big guy.

SLUM

 *    slum (vi) (colloq.): associate with people or visit places considered below (one’s) social class  >If you want to slum, I know some cheap girls you’d like to meet.  >Going slumming on the wrong side of the tracks again?

S. & M.

—   S. & M. (see “S. AND M.”)

SMACK

 *    smack1 (sl.): heroin  >He scored some smack in a downtown alley.

 *    smack2 (colloq.): directly, squarely, straight (esp. regarding an impact)  >The skydiver landed smack on the target.

SMACK-DAB

 *    smack-dab (smak´dab´) (sl.): directly, squarely, straight (esp. regarding an impact)  >The truck slid off the road smack-dab into a telephone pole.

SMACKDOWN

—  smackdown (smak´doun´) (sl.): fight, brawl  >What started as a barroom argument ended up in a total smackdown.

SMACKER

—   smacker (sl.): dollar  >Josie left twenty smackers as a tip.

SMACKEROO

—   smackeroo (smak´ә rū´) (sl.): dollar  >I got five hundred smackeroos for that junky old car.

SMALL POTATOES

 *    small potatoes (colloq.): person or thing considered relatively unimportant or insignificant  >Five thousand a month is small potatoes compared to what you can make selling these new imports.  >This guy’s small potatoes—we want to talk to the head man.

SMALL TALK

—   small talk (colloq.) light conversation, idle talk  >They finally cut the small talk and got down to business. 

SMALL-TIME

 *    small-time (colloq.): among the lowest competitive or professional level, unimportant, insignificant  >Playing at county fairs is strictly small-time.  >He was some small-time gambler in Reno.

SMART 

—   get smart with (sl.): speak impudently to, be disrespectful verbally with  >Don’t get smart with me, sonny, or you'll be sorry. 

—   smart off (to) (sl.): speak impudently (to), be disrespectful verbally (with) >You’ll be in trouble if you smart off to that mean cop.

SMART ALECK

 *    smart aleck (smärt´al´ik) (colloq.): obnoxiously self-assured or conceited person, insolent person  >That smart aleck thinks he knows everything about poker strategy.

SMART-ALECK

 *    smart-aleck(y) (smärt´al´ik [ē]) (colloq.): obnoxiously self-assured or conceited, insolent  >I don’t want to hear any more of your smart-aleck remarks.  >That smart-alecky classmate of yours is a real jerk.

SMART ASS

**   smart ass (vulg.): obnoxiously self-assured or conceited person, insolent person (also voc.)  >The boss is gonna fire that smart ass one of these days.  >Keep your mouth shut, smart ass!

SMART-ASS

 *    smart-ass (vulg.): obnoxiously self-assured or conceited, insolent  >He’d better stop the smart-ass comments on how bad we planned everything.

SMART MOUTH

—   smart mouth (sl.): insolent person, person who speaks disrespectfully or impudently  >That smart mouth gets on everybody’s nerves.

SMART-MOUTH

 *    smart-mouth (vt) (sl.): speak disrespectfully or insolently to  >Don’t smart-mouth me, or I’ll break your face!

SMARTS

 *    smarts (smärts) (sl.): intelligence  >Ya gotta have beaucoup smarts to get into that fancy school.

SMARTY-PANTS

—   smarty-pants (smär´tē pants´) (colloq., sarc.): obnoxiously self-assured or conceited person, insolent person (also voc.)  >You mean that the smarty-pants didn’t know the answer?  >You were wrong that time, smarty-pants!

SMASH

 *    smash (colloq.): person or thing that becomes very popular or successful (also adj.)  >He was a smash at the jazz festival.  >The book was a smash hit, but the movie was a flop.

SMASHED

 *    smashed (sl.): drunk  >His friends and him sit around gettin’ smashed on wine coolers every Saturday afternoon.

SMEAR

—   smear (vt) (sl.): defeat decisively  >We smeared ‘em at soccer today.

SMELL

—   smell a rat (sl.): perceive treachery, suspect (s/one) of betrayal  >How could they have known what our plan was? I smell a rat!

—   (smell) fishy (see FISHY)

SMELLER

—   smeller (colloq.): nose (esp. as an organ for smelling)  >My smeller tells me there’s going to be something good for dinner.

SMELLING

 *    smelling like a rose (colloq.): being perceived very favorably, in a favorable position (esp. after a period of disfavor or danger)  >Everyone hated Dawson when he criticized the mayor, but he came out smelling like a rose after the mayor was indicted.  >She was bad-mouthed by everybody last year, but she’s sure smelling like a rose now.

SMIDGEN

—   smidgen (smi´jәn) (colloq.): very small amount, very little bit  >Give me just a smidgen of gravy on my potatoes.

SMILE

—   crack a smile (see CRACK)

SMITHEREENS

—   to smithereens (... smið´ә rēnz´) (colloq.): into fragments, into small broken pieces  >The explosion blew the car to smithereens.

SMOKE

 *    smoke1 (colloq.): cigarette  >Could I bum a smoke from you?

—   smoke2 (vi) (sl.): perform very fast and well, go very fast  >The guy on the drums is smokin’ now.  >We were really smokin’ when the rear tire blew out.

—   smoke3 (vt) (sl.): kill with gunfire, murder by shooting  >He went to the cops, so they smoked him.

—   blow smoke (sl.): exaggerate, mislead, put on a pretense or sham  >They’re just blowin’ smoke when they threaten to sue—they’re tryin’ to scare ya off.

—   blow smoke up [s/one’s] ass (vulg.): attempt to deceive [s/one], lie to [s/one]  >He was just blowin’ smoke up your ass with that bullshit story.

—   put that in your pipe and smoke it! (see PIPE)

—   smoke and mirrors (colloq.): technique(s) or tactic(s) of deception or cover-up  >They’re using smoke and mirrors to make us believe there’s a budget surplus.

—   smoke like a chimney (colloq.): smoke excessively (esp. cigarettes)  >It’s a wonder she hasn’t gotten sick—she smokes like a chimney.

—   smoke out (vt) (colloq.): force out from hiding, bring into the open  >The undercover operation smoked a lot of crooks out.  >We got to smoke out the reason they’re against it.

SMOKEY

—   Smokey (Bear) (sl.): a state highway patrol officer  >Slow down! I see Smokey ahead.

SMOKING GUN

—   smoking gun (colloq.): indisputable evidence, proof (of a crime)  >The canceled check was the smoking gun the investigators had been looking for.  >How can we indict her? There’s no smoking gun.

SMOOCH

 *    smooch1 (smūch) (colloq.): kiss (esp. a hard or wet one)  >She gave him a big smooch on the cheek.

 *    smooch2 (vi) (colloq.): engage in kissing (esp. while engaged in caressing)  >They were smooching in the backseat of the car.

SMOOTH

 *    smooth operator (colloq.): person who can easily manipulate others through charm or subtle persuasion, polished and persuasive person  >Crawford’s a smooth operator—he’ll have the boss convinced in no time.

SMOOTHIE

 *    smoothie (smū´ðē) (colloq.): person who can easily manipulate others through charm or subtle persuasion, polished and persuasive person  >I just can’t say no to that old smoothie.

SMOOTH-TALK

 *    smooth-talk (vt) (colloq.): persuade through charm or manipulation  >The salesman smooth-talked her into buying the most expensive model.

SNAFU

—   snafu (sna fū´/snaf´ū) (sl.): confused or chaotic situation, botched plan or project, blunder  >There was this big snafu on the highway because of an overturned truck.  >This accounting snafu’s gonna cost us time and money.

SNAG

—   snag (vt) (colloq.): grab, obtain quickly and unexpectedly  >I’m going to try to snag that job that’s opening up next week. 

SNAIL MAIL

—   snail mail (colloq.) physical mail delivered by the postal service (esp. in contrast to electronic correspondence)  >I emailed the info to some of the members and let others know by snail mail. 

SNAP

 *    snap1 (colloq.): very easy thing to accomplish or succeed in (also adj.)  >Don’t worry, the test will be a snap.  >This is a snap course for math majors.

—   snap2 (colloq.): energy, vigor, vitality  >Pauline must be feeling good—she’s got some snap in her step.

 *    snap3 (vi) (colloq.): have a nervous breakdown, lose emotional control, go crazy  >With all the stress he was under, one day he just snapped.

—   (about) bite/snap [s/one’s] head off (see BITE)

 *    snap out of (colloq.): overcome, recover from (a neg. state)  >It doesn’t do any good to feel sorry for yourself, so snap out of it!  >I hope the economy snaps out of this recession pretty soon.

—   snap to (vi) (colloq.): improve (one’s) performance, begin meeting requirements (used esp. as a command)  >Snap to or you’ll be looking for another job.

 *    snap to it (colloq.): hurry up, do it fast (used esp. as a command)  >You guys better snap to it if you want to get done on time.

—   snap up (vt) (colloq.): buy or acquire eagerly  >People snapped up his new novel.

SNAPPY

—   snappy1 (snap´ē) (colloq.): fast and energetic  >It’s a real snappy tune.

—   snappy2 (colloq.): elegant, stylish  >That’s a snappy car you’re driving.  >He’s a snappy dresser.

 *    make it snappy (sl.): hurry up, do it fast (used esp. as a command)  >Bring me the paper, and make it snappy!

SNATCH

—   snatch1 (vulg.): vagina  >She covered her snatch with her hands.

—   snatch2 (vulg., pej.): woman or women (seen as sex object[s])  >He says he always has his eye out for snatch at parties.

SNAZZ

—   snazz up (snaz ...) (vt) (sl.): make more attractive or flashy  >You could snazz your car up with a new paint job.

SNAZZY

—   snazzy (snaz´ē) (colloq.): stylish, attractive, flashy  >Did you see his snazzy new convertible?

SNEEZE

—   nothing to sneeze at (colloq.): s/thing to be taken seriously, s/thing not to be viewed or treated with contempt, s/thing of value or importance  >Hey, getting promoted to vice president is nothing to sneeze at.  >A hundred dollars isn’t a fortune, but it’s nothing to sneeze at, either.

SNIFFLES

 *    the sniffles (... snif´әlz) (colloq.): runny nose, head cold  >I’ve got the sniffles. I hope it doesn’t go into my chest.

SNIT

—   in a snit (... snit) (colloq.): irritated or upset, resentful  >Aunt Josie’s in a snit because I forgot to call her like I promised.

SNITCH

 *    snitch1 (snich) (colloq.): informer, denouncer  >Why did you have to go and tell Mom, you snitch?  >He’s a snitch for some detective downtown.

 *    snitch2 (vi) (colloq.): inform (on s/one), denounce (s/one)  >He’s a small-time hoodlum who snitches for the cops.

—   snitch3 (vt) (sl.): steal (esp. s/thing trivial)  >I snitched a cupcake from her kitchen.

SNOOKER

—   snooker (snŭk´әr) (vt) (sl.): deceive, trick, swindle  >If he didn’t give ya a receipt, you’ve been snookered.

SNOOP

—   snoop (snūp) (colloq.): person who pries or meddles (esp. secretively)  >Some snoop was going around asking a lot of questions about our plans.

 *    snoop (around) (vi) (colloq.): pry, meddle (esp. secretively)  >What were you doing snooping around in my room?

SNOOPY

—   snoopy (snū´pē) (colloq.): meddlesome, prying  >I hate snoopy people, so mind your own business!

SNOOT

—   snoot (snūt) (sl.): nose  >The ball hit him right in the snoot.

SNOOTFUL

—   a snootful (... snūt´fŭl) (sl.): a large amount of liquor (esp. enough to intoxicate)  >Jeremy got a snootful last night at the party, and I had to drive him home.

SNOOTY

—   snooty (snū´tē) (colloq.): snobbish, haughty  >I can’t stand her snooty country club friends.

SNOOZE

 *    snooze1 (snūz) (colloq.): short period of sleep, nap  >I’m going to take a little snooze after that big lunch.

 *    snooze2 (vi) (colloq.): sleep lightly or for a short period of time, nap  >I snoozed on the couch for about a half an hour.

SNORT

—   snort1 (sl.): shot or drink (of liquor)  >I just opened a bottle of gin. Wanna snort?

**   snort2 (vt) (sl.): take (a drug, esp. cocaine) by inhaling through the nose  >He started snortin’ coke last year.

SNOT

**   snot1 (snot) (colloq., freq. vulg.): mucus from the nose  >The kid had snot running out his nose.

 *    snot2 (colloq.): obnoxiously snobbish or insolent person  >Why does that little snot talk to me like that?

SNOT-NOSED

 *    snot-nosed (snot´nōzd´) (colloq.): insolent, disrespectful (said esp. of s/one young)  >Tell that snot-nosed punk to shut up.

SNOTTY

 *    snotty1 (snot´ē) (colloq.): obnoxiously snobbish or insolent  >So you went yachting—you don’t have to act so snotty about it.  >They ought to spank that snotty little brat.

 *    snotty2 (colloq., freq. vulg.): having mucus from the nose  >Get your snotty handkerchief off the table!

SNOW

—   snow1 (sl.): cocaine (in powder form)  >They ended up at Larry’s snortin’ snow.

 *    snow2 (vt) (sl.): persuade or trick through flattery or manipulation  >The salesman snowed poor Drew, and he ended up buying the most expensive ring.  >Don’t get snowed by his sweet talk.

SNOWBIRD

—   snowbird (colloq.): person who goes to a warmer climate in winter (esp. a tourist)  >Phoenix is full of snowbirds from the Midwest in December and January.

SNOWED

 *    snowed under (colloq.): overwhelmed (with work or demands)  >We’re snowed under with orders—we got two week’s worth.

SNOW JOB

 *    snow job (sl.): act of persuading or tricking (s/one) through flattery or manipulation  >Mitch did a real snow job on her, and she agreed to his plan.

SNUFF

—   snuff (out) (vt) (sl.): kill, murder  >Someone snuffed him when the drug deal went bad.  >He was snuffed out by a bolt of lightning.

—   up to snuff (colloq.): of acceptable quality, fulfilling the requirements, in satisfactory condition (freq. used in the neg.)  >If your work isn’t up to snuff you’ll be fired.  >I just don’t feel up to snuff today.

SO 

—   so … (colloq.) (introductory word for a narrative or explanation)  >So, I was at the store yesterday when something weird happened. 

**   so far, so good (colloq.): all has gone well until now, things are proceeding well  >So far, so good, this semester. Let’s see how I do on my midterm exams.

—   [neg.] so hot (see HOT)

**   so long (colloq.): until later, good-bye  >So long, Sis—see you next week.

 *    so much for ...1 (colloq.): ... must be considered impossible or unworkable (after an initial effort or attempt), ... has failed  >Well, so much for trying pliers—give me that pipe wrench.  >So much for diplomacy. Hit the jerk!

 *    so much for ...2 (colloq.): ... has just been used up, there’s no more ...  >So much for my paycheck—that was my last five bucks.  >So much for the beer. Somebody better make a run to the liquor store.

 *    so much/bad I can taste it (sl.): (want s/thing) very much  >Jessica wants to marry Roy so much she can taste it.  >I wanted that car so bad I could taste it.

**   so what? (colloq.): it’s of no interest or importance, I don’t care  >I hurt your stupid brother-in-law’s feelings? So what?  >So what if you don’t like the way I do my job?

—   (so) what else is new? (see WHAT)

SOAK

 *    soak (vt) (sl.): overcharge  >They really soak ya in that tourist trap!

SO-AND-SO

 *    so-and-so (colloq.): contemptible or reprehensible person  >Tell that so-and-so to mind his own damned business!  >Some so-and-so stuck their chewing gum under the table.

SOAP

**   soap (sl.): soap opera (esp. on television)  >She sits home all day watchin’ the soaps.

—   no soap (sl.): (it is/was) unsuccessful or futile, (s/one) refused (it)  >He tried to get the engine runnin’, but no soap.  >He wanted to borrow my car, but I told him no soap.

S.O.B.

**   S.O.B. (= “son of a bitch”) (sl., freq. vulg.): contemptible or reprehensible man  >That S.O.B. cheated us.

SOB STORY

 *    sob story (colloq., freq. sarc.): touching story or excuse (used to persuade through sympathy)  >I’m tired of your sob stories about why you’re always late to work.  >This panhandler gave me some sob story about how he lost his job.

SOC

 *    soc (sōsh) (colloq.): sociology (esp. as a course of study)  >Gwen’s a soc major.

SOCK

—   sock1 (colloq.): hard blow, strike (esp. with the fist)  >He took quite a sock on the jaw.

—   sock2 (vt) (colloq.): hit hard, strike (esp. with the fist)  >She socked him in the eye.  >Somebody socked me with a stick.

—   put a sock in it (sl.): stop talking or yelling (esp. when being offensive) (used esp. as a command)  >Hey, put a sock in it, will ya?! You’re givin’ me a headache.

—   sock away (vt) (colloq.): save (money)  >He’s been socking away five hundred a month.

—   sock it to (sl.): use great energy and determination to defeat or impress, overwhelm  >Let’s get in that meeting and sock it to ‘em.  >We really socked it to the audience.

—   take a sock at (colloq.): attempt to hit with the fist  >Dave ended up in jail after he took a sock at a cop.

SOCKS

—   beat the socks off (of) (see BEAT)

—   knock [s/one’s] socks off (see KNOCK)

—   ... the socks off (of) [s/one] (colloq.): ... [s/one] to an extreme degree  >His lecture’s boring the socks off of everyone.

SOFT

 *    soft (colloq.): easy, undemanding  >He’s got a real soft job in his uncle’s company.

—   soft on (colloq.): romantically fond of, in love with  >Mort’s soft on Erica, all the time making eyes at her.

SOFT-PEDAL

—   soft-pedal (vt) (colloq.): de-emphasize, play down (a neg. aspect of s/thing to make it more acceptable)  >Let’s soft-pedal the penalties and emphasize the high interest rates.

SOFT SELL

 *    soft sell (colloq.): subtle or persuasive promotion, low-pressure selling (cf. “HARD SELL”)  >Bruno’s a master at the soft sell—he charms them into buying.

SOFT SOAP

—   soft soap (colloq.): flattery (used to persuade or ingratiate oneself), cajolery  >Arnie will try the old soft soap to get his way with Allison.

SOFT-SOAP

—   soft-soap (vt) (colloq.): attempt to persuade or ingratiate (oneself) through flattery, cajole  >Don’t try to soft-soap me—I’m not going to change my mind.

SOFT TOUCH

 *    soft touch (colloq.): person who is easily persuaded (esp. to give money)  >Snyder’s a soft touch—ask him for the money.

SOFTY

 *    softy (sof´tē/sôf´tē) (colloq.): sentimental person, person whose sympathy is easily gained  >He’s an old softy—he believes every hard-luck story he hears.

SOLID

 *    solid (colloq.): consecutive, in an unbroken sequence (also adv.)  >He finally lost after fourteen solid wins.  >They played poker for two days solid.

—    do [s/one] a solid (sl.): do [s/one] a favor, help [s/one] out  >Hey, do me a solid and fill in for me next Tuesday, will ya?

SOME

 *    some1 (stressed) (colloq.): quite a/some, a/some remarkable  >Boy, that’s some bruise you got there on your arm!  >That player’s got some moves, I tell you!

 *    some2 (colloq.): somewhat, to a certain degree  >I’ve been thinking about it some.  >My elbow hurts some.

—   get a little/some (see GET)

—   get a little/some on the side (see GET)

—   some kind of (a) (colloq.): quite a/some, a/some remarkable  >Man, that is some kind of a car he’s got!  >That town has some kind of gorgeous women!

SOMEBODY

 *    somebody (colloq.): well-known or important person, person having worth or dignity (cf. “NOBODY”)  >He dreams of being somebody some day.  >At least he treats me like a somebody.

 *    somebody/someone up there (colloq.): a divine force, God, luck  >Somebody up there’s watching out for me—if the robber hadn’t tripped, he would have smashed my head with that pipe.

SOMEONE

—   somebody/someone up there (see SOMEBODY)

SOMETHING

—   be on to something (see ON)

 *    be something (else) (colloq.): be extraordinary, be especially impressive or attractive  >What a play! That player is really something on the field!  >Gee, Samantha is something else!

—   have/get something going (see GOING)

—   make something (out) of (see MAKE)

—   ...-something (colloq.): in (one’s) ...s (decade of age) (also noun)  >She’s thirty-something, but he’s over fifty.  >Their new ad campaign targets the twenty-somethings.

—   something awful (see AWFUL)

—   something fierce (see FIERCE)

 *    something tells me (colloq.): I have the impression, I have reason to believe  >Something tells me that we’re not going to finish the game before it starts raining.

—   something terrible (see TERRIBLE)

—   start something (see START)

SOMEWHERE

—   get somewhere (see GET)

SONG AND DANCE

 *    song and dance (colloq.): exaggerated or complicated story (used to persuade or manipulate)  >The kid gave me some song and dance about how he needed money to go to radio announcer’s school.

SONNY

—   sonny (sun´ē) (voc.) (colloq.): fellow, boy (used esp. with a young male stranger in a contentious way)  >Quiet down, sonny!

SON OF A BITCH

**   son of a bitch1 (vulg.): contemptible or reprehensible man  >Keep that lousy son of a bitch away from us!

 *    son of a bitch2 (vulg.): very difficult task, troublesome thing, arduous undertaking  >Gettin’ those shelves in place was a son of a bitch.

 *    son of a bitch! (vulg.): (interj. to express anger, surprise, or irritation)  >Son of a bitch! I cut my hand.  >Son of a bitch! They actually won the game.

SON-OF-A-BITCHING

—   son-of-a-bitching (vulg.): contemptible, reprehensible  >Get your son-of-a-bitchin’ car off my driveway!

SON OF A GUN

 *    son of a gun1 (colloq.): scoundrel, rascal, extraordinary man  >Where’d that son of a gun run off to now?  >Man, can that son of a gun sing!

 *    son of a gun2 (colloq.): hard task, troublesome thing, difficult undertaking  >It’s going to be a son of a gun to get this diagram figured out.

—   son of a gun! (colloq.): (interj. to express surprise, wonder, or irritation)  >Son of a gun! I’ve run out of gas.

SOOPER-DOOPER

—   sooper-dooper (see “SUPER-DUPER”)

SORE

 *    sore (colloq.): irritated, insulted, angry  >Don’t get sore about it—I didn’t mean nothing by it.  >He’s sore because you called him a jerk.

—   sight for sore eyes (see SIGHT)

—   stick out like a sore thumb (see STICK)

SOREHEAD

—   sorehead (colloq.): easily irritated person, resentful or grouchy person  >Don’t be such a sorehead, just because you didn’t win.  >Who cares if that sorehead complains?

SORRY

—   [one’s] sorry ass (see ASS)

SORT

**   sort of (colloq.): somewhat, rather, fairly  >Yeah, I sort of like her.  >He’s sort of weird, but he’s a good guy.

SORTS

—   all sorts (of ...) (see ALL)

SOUL

 *    soul (colloq.): African-American (esp. culturally)  >I know a great soul food place.  >He loves soul music.  >She’s an announcer on some soul station.

SOUL BROTHER

 *    soul brother (colloq., dtd.): black man (used esp. among blacks)  >Who’s the white dude there with the soul brothers?

SOUL SISTER

 *    soul sister (colloq., dtd.): black woman (used esp. among blacks)  >There was a soul sister there singing the blues.

SOUND

 *    sound (sl.): song, piece of music  >I like the sounds on her new album.

—   sound off (vi) (colloq.): speak out loudly and frankly (esp. to complain)  >The crew’s been sounding off about the lousy food.

SOUP

—   soup (sl.): thick fog  >I ain’t drivin’ in this soup.

—   soup up (vt) (sl.): modify to permit more power or speed  >He souped up that old Dodge with dual carburetors.

SOUR

 *    go sour (colloq.): become unpleasant or unacceptable, be spoiled, fail  >Their marriage went sour after he caught her with another man.  >Forget it—it’s a deal gone sour.

SOURPUSS

—   sourpuss (sou´әr pŭs´/souәr´pŭs´) (colloq.): grouchy or irritable person (esp. one who scowls) (also voc.)  >What’s the matter with that old sourpuss?  >Why don’t you ever smile, sourpuss?

SOUSED

—   soused (soust) (sl.): drunk  >She actually got soused on cherry brandy.

SOUTH

—  go south (sl): deteriorate, lose money or value, grow worse  >He lost a lot of money when the stock market went south.  >I’m afraid the political situation in that country’s goin’ south. 

—  south of (colloq.): less than (a number or amount) (cf. “NORTH of”)  >The population of the town’s a little south of fifteen thousand.

SOUTHPAW

 *    southpaw (colloq.): left-handed person (also adj.)  >Have Drew sit on this end—he’s a southpaw.  >The team needs a good southpaw pitcher.

SPACE CADET

—   space cadet (sl.): odd or eccentric person (esp. one who seems dazed or out of touch with what is happening around him/her)  >Boy, is he ever out of it! What a space cadet!

SPACED

 *    spaced(-out) (sl.): odd or eccentric (esp. when seemingly dazed or out of touch with what is happening around one)  >That guy’s really spaced—he’s in his own little world.  >She was actin’ real spaced-out—you could hardly talk to her.

SPACEY

—   spacey (spā´sē) (sl.): odd or eccentric (esp. when seemingly dazed or out of touch with what is happening around one)  >His spacey brother’s just a little too weird for me.

SPADE

—   spade (sl., pej.): black person  >The fight started when that redneck called Jerry a spade..

SPADES

—   … in spades (colloq.): … in great quantity, much …  >That singer’s got talent in spades.

SPAGHETTI WESTERN

—   spaghetti Western (colloq.): low-budget Western movie shot in Europe primarily using Italian actors  >He made a couple of spaghetti Westerns, but never made it big in the U.S.

SPANKING

 *    (brand) spanking new (colloq.): absolutely new (esp. when the newness is attractively conspicuous)  >Donnie found a spanking new bike under the tree on Christmas morning.

SPARE TIRE

 *    spare tire (colloq.): circle of fat around the waist  >When he’s wearing a bathing suit, you can really see his spare tire.

SPASTIC

—   spastic (sl.): awkward and odd person (esp. an annoying one) (also adj.)  >Who invited that spastic along?  >You should have seen his spastic brother tryin’ to play golf.

SPAZ

—   spaz (spaz) (sl.): awkward and odd person (esp. an annoying one)  >How’re we gonna pick up any girls with that spaz hangin’ around with us?

SPEAK 

—    … speak (sl.): specialized language or terminology related to …  >Compos mentis is lawyer speak for “he ain’t crazy.”  >Just tell me what’s wrong with my computer without all the tech speak. 

 *    speak [s/one’s] language (colloq.): have rapport with [s/one], have similar values or attitudes as [s/one]  >Maybe you can make Mae understand—you speak her language.

 *    speak of the devil! (colloq.): here appears the person we are talking about!  >Well, speak of the devil! I was just telling Ned here about you and your new job.

 *    speak the same language (colloq.): have rapport (with one another), have similar values or attitudes  >Let me work with Nolan—we speak the same language.

SPEAKING

 *    not be speaking (colloq.): refuse to speak (to one another), be feuding  >They had an argument, and now they’re not speaking.

SPECS

—   specs (speks) (colloq.): spectacles, eyeglasses  >The print’s real small. Where are my specs?

SPEED

 *    speed (sl.): stimulant drug (esp. amphetamine)  >The guy they arrested was freaked out on speed.

 *    [one’s] speed (colloq., freq. sarc.): what is consistent with [one’s] preference, what reflects [one’s] character or ability  >I like water skiing, but going bowling is more his speed.  >Yeah, that weird guy is Jenny’s speed.

—  up to speed (colloq.): up-to-date (in information or training)  >Let me bring you up to speed on what’s going on.  >Are you up to speed on this model copier?

SPEED DEMON

—   speed demon (colloq.): person who likes to go fast  >I ain’t going if that speed demon’s driving.

SPELL

 *    spell out (vt) (colloq.): explain in very simple terms or excessive detail  >You’re going to have to spell the instructions out for her. She’s not too bright.

SPIC

—   spic (spik) (sl., pej.): Hispanic, Latino  >That stupid jerk just called Miguel a spic.

SPICK

—   spick (see “SPIC”)

SPIEL

 *    spiel (spēl/shpēl) (colloq.): energetic speech or talk (used to persuade or convince)  >Dottie gave us some spiel about why she was the best person for the job.

SPIFF

—   spiff up (spif ...) (vt) (sl.): make more attractive or elegant, clean and put in order  >They spiffed up the guest room with fresh paint and new curtains.

SPIFFY

—   spiffy (spif´ē) (sl.): elegant, attractive, stylish  >What a spiffy car!  >Ya look real spiffy today.

SPIKE

 *    spike (vt) (sl.): add liquor to (a non-alcoholic drink)  >Andrei just spiked the fruit punch with some vodka.

SPILL

 *    spill [one’s] guts (sl.): confess, tell everything, divulge [one’s] most intimate feelings or concerns  >The punk spilled his guts to the cops.  >If ya wanna spill your guts, go see a shrink.

—   spill the beans (colloq.): disclose a secret  >Someone spilled the beans, and now everyone in town knows about it.

SPIN

—   spin1 (colloq.): subjective analysis that favors s/one, interpretation that benefits s/one  >When the defendant’s lawyer puts his spin on the case, it’ll look like the victim was at fault.

—   spin2 (vt) (colloq.): analyze subjectively in s/one’s favor, interpret to s/one’s benefit  >The candidate’s spokesman spun the incident so it looked like it was his opponent’s fault.

—   go for/take a spin (colloq.): go for a short ride (esp. for enjoyment or to evaluate a vehicle)  >Hey, you want to go for a spin on my motorcycle?  >Let’s take a spin in your new car to see how she handles.

—   (so fast that) it will make [s/one’s] head spin (see HEAD)

—   spin a yarn (colloq.): tell a story (esp. a long and complicated or exaggerated one)  >Grandpa was sitting on the front porch spinning a yarn about some guy he knew before the war.

—   turn (over)/spin in [one’s] grave (see TURN)

SPIN DOCTOR

—   spin doctor (colloq.): expert at analyzing subjectively in s/one’s favor, one who interprets to s/one’s benefit  >The administration spin doctors went on all the talk shows to hype the President’s proposal.

SPINNING

 *    spinning [one’s] wheels (colloq.): putting out effort without gaining anything, failing to make progress  >Quit that dead-end job! You’re just spinning your wheels there.

—   [for one’s] wheels [to be] spinning (see WHEELS)

SPIT

—   spit and image (see “SPITTING IMAGE”)

 *    spit it out! (colloq.): say what you have to say! (command used to make s/one who is reluctant speak)  >Stop changing the subject—just spit it out! 

SPITBALL

—   spitball (vi, vt) (sl.): make a rough estimate (about), make an impulsive proposal or suggestion (regarding)  >I’m just spitballin’ here, but I think we’d need fifty to sixty grand for that project.  >The committee spitballed a few ideas on how to handle the situation, but didn’t reach a decision. 

SPITTING IMAGE

—   spitting image (colloq.): exact likeness, the same in appearance (a person)  >Why, she’s the spitting image of her mother.

SPLASH

—   make a splash (colloq.): attract much attention, make a strong and favorable impression, be an immediate success  >She made quite a splash a couple of years ago when she modeled those bikinis on national TV.

SPLIT

 *    split (vi, vt) (sl.): leave  >Hey, man, we gotta split—it’s gettin’ late.  >We split the party around eleven.

—   (about) bust/split a gut (see BUST)

SPOILING

—   spoiling for a fight (colloq.): eager for or seeking a fight  >He’s been spoiling for a fight ever since they laughed at him.

SPOOK

—   spook1 (spūk) (colloq.): ghost  >They say there are spooks in that old house.

—   spook2 (sl., pej.): black person  >That racist moron called Jeremy a spook.

—   spook3 (sl.): spy  >He was a CIA spook in Eastern Europe for years. 

 *    spook4 (vi, vt) (colloq.): frighten, scare  >Deer spook real easy.  >We spooked them with a couple of firecrackers.

SPOOKY

 *    spooky (spū´kē) (colloq.): scary, frightening  >We stayed up on Halloween night telling spooky stories.

SPORT

 *    sport1 (colloq.): fair and congenial person  >Sam will understand—he’s a sport.  >Be a sport and help me out here.

—   sport2 (vt) (colloq.): display (clothing), wear (esp. s/thing new or showy)  >He’s sporting a new hat.

—   sport3 (voc.) (colloq.): fellow, friend (used esp. with a male to show friendliness)  >Good to see you, sport.

SPORTY

 *    sporty (colloq.): stylish, showy, attractive (esp. clothing)  >Where’d you get those sporty loafers?

SPOT

—   spot (vt) (sl.): loan (money)  >I’ll spot ya a hundred till ya get paid.

—   hit the spot (see HIT)

 *    on the spot1 (colloq.): in an embarrassing or difficult position, under pressure to act or resolve a problem  >Those accusations really put Holten on the spot.  >The water commissioner was on the spot during the drought.

 *    on the spot2 (colloq.): here and now, then and there, in the immediate time and place  >The old guy expected the tow-truck driver to fix his car on the spot.  >They say they’ll shoot Hornsby on the spot if they see him.

—   spot on (colloq.): precise, exactly correct  >Your estimate of how much lumber we’d need for this job was spot on.  >I think the professor’s analysis of the situation is spot on..

—   tight spot (see TIGHT)

SPOUT

—   spout off (vi) (colloq.): speak energetically (esp. indiscreetly, pompously, or conceitedly)  >What’s that idiot spouting off about now?  >I’m sick and tired of listening to Curly spout off about all the famous people he supposedly knows.

SPREAD

 *    spread (colloq.): abundance or variety of food (esp. when set out and ready to eat)  >I’m glad I’m hungry—just look at this nice spread.

SPRING

—   spring (vt) (sl.): secure the release of (s/one in custody)  >Some big shot lawyer managed to spring him on a technicality.

—   spring for (colloq.): pay for, accept the expense of  >She’s going to try to talk her old man into springing for a trip to Europe.

SPRING CHICKEN

—   be no spring chicken (sl.): not be very young  >He’s still in good shape, but he’s no spring chicken.

SPROUT

—   sprout (colloq.): child  >Now, who’s this young sprout?

SPUD

—   spud (spud) (colloq.): potato  >How do you want those spuds cooked?

SPUNK

—   spunk (spungk) (colloq.): liveliness, spirit, self-assuredness, pluck  >I like a guy with spunk—he’ll go a long way.

SPUNKY

—   spunky (spung´kē) (colloq.): lively, spirited, self-assured, plucky  >They can’t control that spunky kid of theirs.

SQUARE

—   square (sl.): overly conventional or old-fashioned person, person who disregards what is in style (also adj.)  >Don’t be a square! Get with the new look, man.  >Him and his square ideas! You’d think he was born a hundred years ago.

—   be square (sl.): be even, neither owe nor be owed  >OK, if you give me twenty bucks we’ll be square .

—   be square with (sl.): deal honestly with, treat fairly  >No lie, buddy—I’m bein’ square with ya.

—   fair and square (see FAIR)

—   shoot square (see SHOOT)

 *    square away (vt) (colloq.): put in order, get ready  >We need to get everything squared away at home before we take off.

—   square off (vi) (colloq.): assume a fighting stance, get ready to compete  >They squared off to fight, but the bartender broke it up.  >The Lakers square off tonight against the Suns.

—   square [s/thing] with (colloq.): get (s/one’s) approval or acceptance regarding [s/thing], make [s/thing] in concert or satisfactory with  >They don’t like us leaving work early, but I’ll try to square it with the boss for today.  >I just can’t square what Troy did with what he says he believes.

SQUARE MEAL

 *    square meal (colloq.): substantial or nourishing meal  >Bernie looks like he hasn’t had a square meal in weeks.

SQUARE ONE

 *    go back to square one (colloq.): start again at the very beginning, start all over  >If they don’t accept the plan this time, we’ll just have to go back to square one.

SQUARE PEG

—   square peg (in a round hole) (colloq.): very unconventional person, ill-suited person (for a situation), misfit  >Let’s face it—in today’s world an old-fashioned guy like Nigel is a square peg in a round hole.  >We’re going to have to fire Crenshaw. He’s just a square peg around here.

SQUARES

—   three squares (see THREE)

SQUARE SHOOTER

—   square shooter (colloq.): person who deals honestly or treats people fairly  >If he’s a square shooter, we’ll get along just fine.

SQUAT

—   ([neg.]) squat (sl.): nothing at all  >You’d better explain it, ‘cause I don’t know squat about transmissions.  >The boss’s son does squat around here.

SQUAWK

—   squawk (vi) (colloq.): complain loudly  >What’s that bellyacher squawking about now?

SQUAWK BOX

—   squawk box (colloq.): loudspeaker (esp. of a two-way radio or public address system)  >They just announced the flight on the squawk box.

SQUEAK

 *    squeak by (colloq.): win or gain success (over) by the narrowest of margins  >We squeaked by them, eighty-eight to eighty-seven.

 *    squeak by/through (colloq.): barely survive or prevail (in), barely get through  >I don’t know if I got enough dough left to squeak by till payday.  >Everyone thought he wouldn’t make it, but he squeaked through the academy somehow.

SQUEAKER

—   squeaker (sl.): very close game or contest  >It was a squeaker—we beat ‘em by just one point.

SQUEAKY-CLEAN

 *    squeaky-clean (colloq.): absolutely clean, untarnished or above reproach  >That shampoo got my hair squeaky-clean.  >The guy’s squeaky-clean, a model citizen.

SQUEAL

—   squeal (vi) (sl.): inform (on s/one), denounce (s/one)  >Somebody squealed, and the cops picked ‘em up.

SQUEEZE

—   [one’s] (main) squeeze (sl.): [one’s] sweetheart  >This is Maggie—she’s my main squeeze.  >Is that chick his new squeeze?

—   put the squeeze on (colloq.): pressure or intimidate (into doing s/thing)  >Jenkins didn’t like the plan, but the developers put the squeeze on him and he ended up voting for it.

**   squeeze in (vt) (colloq.): fit (s/one, s/thing) into a tight schedule  >We’re pretty busy today, but I could squeeze you in at 4:15 if that’s OK.

SQUIRM

 *    squirm out of (colloq.): renege on or back out of (an obligation) (esp. in a sneaky or cowardly way)  >I don’t know how she squirmed out of being on the cleanup committee.

SQUIRREL

—   squirrel (sl.): very eccentric or oddly behaving person, crazy person  >All her friends are weird—real squirrels.

—   squirrel away (vt) (colloq.): save or hide (for future use)  >She’s been squirreling away some money for a Caribbean cruise.

SQUIRRELY

—   squirrely (sl.): very eccentric, having odd behavior, crazy  >Remember that squirrely kid at school who’d put mashed potatoes in his pockets?

SQUIRT

—   squirt (colloq.): small or short person (esp. one seen as insignificant or contemptible), impudent young person (also voc.)  >Who does that little squirt think he’s talking to?  >Hey, squirt, you really want to play basketball with us big guys?

STAB

 *    stab in the back (colloq.): treacherous act, harmful action (done to s/one who is unsuspecting or defenseless)  >His reporting his partner to the tax people was a real stab in the back.

 *    stab/knife [s/one] in the back (colloq.): do a treacherous act against [s/one], betray or do harm to [s/one] (who is unsuspecting or defenseless)  >After all I’ve done for you, you stab me in the back by badmouthing me to my boss!  >Grayson knifed him in the back by secretly supporting his opponent.

 *    take/have a stab at (colloq.): make an attempt at, try  >He took a stab at acting, but never got any good roles.  >If you can’t figure the puzzle out, I’ll have a stab at it.

 *    take/make a stab at (colloq.): make a guess at, estimate  >Take a stab at how old he is.  >You want to make a stab at how much the repairs are going to cost?

STACK

—   a stack (of ...) (colloq.): much (...), many (...)  >They got a stack of merchandise to move before they do inventory.  >There’s a stack of people outside waiting to get in.

—   blow [one’s] stack (see BLOW)

 *    stack the deck/cards (colloq.): manipulate circumstances or a situation (to one’s advantage) (esp. unethically)  >Her father-in-law works in personnel, and he stacked the deck so she’d get the job.  >Don’t try it—they got the cards stacked against you.

—   stack up (vi) (colloq.): go along, succeed, progress  >Last year was bad for sales, but this year’s stacking up pretty good so far.

—   stack up (against) (colloq.): compare (favorably) (with), measure up (to)  >How does she stack up against Judy?  >We can’t use your design—it just doesn’t stack up.

—   swear on a stack of Bibles (see SWEAR)

STACKED

—   stacked (sl.): having a very attractive or sexy figure (a woman) (esp. having large and shapely breasts)  >She’s only sixteen, but she’s really stacked!

STAG

 *    stag1 (colloq.): intended for or restricted to men (and freq. having pornographic entertainment)  >The guys went to a stag party.  >She starred in a bunch of stag movies.

 *    stag2 (colloq.): unaccompanied by a date (said esp. of a man)  >Who cares if you don’t have a date? Just go stag.

STAKES

—   pull up stakes (colloq.): leave where (one) is established, move  >If Chet loses his job, we’ll have to pull up stakes and go back to Iowa.

STAMPING GROUND

—   stamping ground(s) (colloq.): (one’s) habitual or favorite place of activity, place (one) frequents, haunt  >I’ll show you around my old stamping grounds from when I was a kid.

STAND

 *    stand on [one’s] (own) two feet (colloq.): be independent, not have to rely on others  >You got to learn to stand on your own two feet, because your daddy’s not always going to be there to help.

 *    stand up (vt) (colloq.): fail to keep a date or appointment with  >She made a date with Matt, but I bet she stands him up.

 *    stand up for (colloq.): defend, vouch for, give support to (esp. under adversity)  >I can’t believe nobody stood up for me when they started giving me a hard time.

**   won’t stand for (colloq.): does not permit, will not tolerate  >Don’t talk back to her, because she won’t stand for it.

STANDING

—   can [do s/thing] standing on [one’s] head (colloq.): can [do s/thing] with great ease or assured success (esp. due to routine experience with it)  >I can make that shot standing on my head.

STANDOFF

—   Mexican standoff (see MEXICAN)

STAND-UP

—   stand-up (colloq.): trustworthy, courageous and dependable  >Henry’s a stand-up guy—he’ll be there for you if things get rough.

STARING

 *    staring [s/one] (right) in the face (colloq.): confronting [s/one], in need of [s/one’s] action or attention (esp. s/thing neg.)  >Let’s pay them off, or we’re going to have a huge lawsuit staring us in the face.

STARS

—   see stars (colloq.): be unconscious or very dazed (by a blow to the head)  >I bet he’s seeing stars after getting punched in the nose.

START

 *    start in (colloq.): begin with, start, take up (esp. s/thing neg.)  >When she started in insulting my brother, I left.  >Just don’t start in on me.  >He started in drinking as a teenager.

 *    start something (colloq.): cause an argument or a fight  >If you want to start something, we can step outside.  >She’s going to start something if she flirts with Julie’s husband.

STARTERS

 *    for starters (colloq.): to begin with, in the first place  >There’s a lot of reasons I’m mad. For starters, you didn’t call to say you’d be late.  >Let’s have shrimp cocktails for starters.

STASH

—   stash (sl.): supply of illegal drugs (esp. one’s personal supply)  >Your pot-smokin’ friends cleaned out my stash last night, man.

STATES

**   the States (colloq.): the United States (used esp. outside the U.S.)  >She headed back to the States after a year in Peru.

STATIC

 *    static (sl.): opposition, trouble, objections  >Think the committee will give us any static over this proposal?  >I don’t want no static from ya—just do it!

STATS

**   stats (stats) (colloq.): statistics  >Forget your hunch—we’re going with the stats.

STAY

—   hang/stay loose (see LOOSE)

**   stay put (colloq.): remain where (one) is, not move  >We’ll stay put here for a few days till we can catch a train going north.  >Stay put till I get back!

STEADY

—   steady (colloq.): person that (one) dates exclusively, sweetheart  >She’s been his steady for over a year.

 *    go steady (with) (colloq.): date (s/one) exclusively  >He’s going steady with a girl he met at church.  >I hear they’re going steady.

STEAL

**   steal (colloq.): item bought for a very low price, good bargain  >I got this watch for only fifty bucks—it was a real steal.

 *    steal/rob [s/one] blind (colloq.): rob [s/one] thoroughly, steal a great deal from [s/one] (esp. when he/she is unaware)  >That crooked accountant was stealing the company blind.

STEAM

—   steam1 (colloq.): energy, power  >I can’t walk any farther—I just ran out of steam.

—   steam2 (vi) (colloq.): show great anger, be furious  >Ruth was steaming after she found out he’d lied to her.

—   steam3 (vt) (sl.): anger, make furious  >It really steams Joe to see his ex-wife drivin’ his favorite car.

 *    let/blow off steam (colloq.): let out repressed emotions (esp. with rowdy behavior), express (one’s) anger (esp. by shouting)  >The students went to a nightclub to let off steam after their exams.  >He came to my office to blow off steam after the boss yelled at him.

STEAMED

 *    steamed (up) (sl.): angry, furious  >Don’t get so steamed up over this.  >Boy, was Harry ever steamed when they tricked him!

STEAMY

 *    steamy (colloq.): very passionate, erotic, arousing  >That movie has some real steamy love scenes.

STEP

**   step on it (colloq.): hurry up (used esp. as a command)  >We’d better step on it if we’re going to get there on time.

—   step on the gas (colloq.): hurry up (used esp. as a command)  >Hey, step on the gas! We got to get this truck unloaded by 10:30.

 *    step on [s/one’s] toes (colloq.): offend [s/one], make [s/one] feel threatened (esp. by encroachment)  >I didn’t realize I was stepping on her toes by talking to her customer.

—   step out on (colloq.): be unfaithful to (romantically or sexually)  >She doesn’t know that her boyfriend’s been stepping out on her.

—   step up [one's] game (colloq.): improve [one’s] performance, (for one to) compete more aggressively  >You need to step up your game if you want to make the team.  >We’ve got to step up our game to keep up with the competition.

—   step up to the plate (colloq.): assume responsibility (for doing s/thing), find the courage to act  >You’re the only one that can take care of this—it’s time for you to step up to the plate.

STEROIDS

 —  ... on steroids (colloq.): especially strong, large or intense  ...  > Carnaval in Rio is like Mardi Gras on steroids.  >That monster truck is a pickup on steroids.

STEW

—   stew (vi) (colloq.): fret, feel annoyance or anger  >Barney’s been stewing about the bad evaluation his supervisor gave him.

STEWED

—   stewed (to the gills) (sl.): (very) drunk  >He staggered outta the bar stewed to the gills.  >She got pretty stewed on apple martinis.

STICK

 *    stick1 (colloq.): equipped with a manual transmission  >Is your car stick or automatic?

 *    stick2 (vt) (sl., freq. vulg.): go away with, take away (s/thing contemptible or detestable) (used esp. as a command)  >If ya don’t like it, you can stick it!  >Stick your lousy job!

—   stick3 (vt) (sl.): deceive, swindle, cause financial harm to  >They stuck him good on that refinancing deal.

—   get on the stick (sl.): start moving fast or energetically, start working faster or harder  >Let’s get on the stick! This ain’t no party.  >If you guys don’t get on the stick, we won’t finish on time.

 *    make [s/thing] stick (colloq.): prove [s/thing] (in a trial), maintain the validity of [s/thing] over time  >They arrested him on an embezzlement charge, but they can’t make it stick.  >That’s a good theory, but can you make it stick?

—   more (...) than you can shake a stick at (see MORE)

—   on the stick (sl.): alert, sharp, competent  >I need someone that’s really on the stick to take care of this for me.

**   stick around (colloq.): remain (s/where for a while), stay nearby  >I’ve been on the road so much I just want to stick around the house for a few days.  >Here comes Greg, and he’s mad. Stick around and watch what happens.

 *    stick by (colloq.): remain faithful or dedicated to (esp. under adversity)  >They stuck by each other through the whole mess.

 *    stick it in your ear! (sl.): (interj. to express great anger or contempt to s/one)  >That’s a bunch of bull! Stick it in your ear!

 *    stick it to (sl.): deal harshly with, take unfair advantage of, mistreat  >That judge sticks it to repeat offenders.  >They really stick it to ya when ya buy refreshments at this theater.

 *    stick [one’s] neck out (colloq.): take a risk, put [oneself] in a vulnerable position (esp. unnecessarily)  >Why should I stick my neck out just so he can get ahead?

 *    stick/poke [one’s] nose in(to) (colloq.): pry into, meddle in, investigate (without invitation)  >I don’t like people sticking their nose in my affairs.  >Don’t go poking your nose into what doesn’t concern you.

 *    stick out (vt) (colloq.): endure, stay with (s/thing) until the end  >Think you can stick out the rest of the semester?  >Her marriage is lousy, but she’s determined to stick it out for the kids’ sake.

—   stick out a mile (colloq.): be very conspicuous or obvious  >That so-called undercover cop sticks out a mile.

 *    stick out like a sore thumb (colloq.): be very conspicuous or obvious  >The nerdy guy in the striped jacket stuck out like a sore thumb at the dance.

 *    stick to [one’s] guns (colloq.): remain firm or resolute, not retreat or compromise  >If you believe you’re right, then stick to your guns and don’t let them push you around.

—   stick to [s/one’s] ribs (colloq.): be hearty, satisfy [s/one’s] hunger (said of food)  >Ah, this beef stew really sticks to your ribs.

 *    stick up (vt) (colloq.): rob, hold up (an establishment) (esp. with a gun)  >Some drug addict tried to stick up a liquor store with a toy gun.

 *    stick up for (colloq.): defend, vouch for, give support to (esp. under adversity)  >I want you all to stick up for the program if they start attacking it.

 *    stick with (colloq.): stay with, remain committed to (esp. through faith or loyalty)  >Stick with me, honey, and we’ll hit it big.  >How much longer are you going to stick with that job?

 *    stick [s/one] with (colloq.): burden [s/one] with, impose (a responsibility, esp. a neg. one) on [s/one]  >The boss is going to stick Grey with that cleanup job.  >I got stuck with taking care of my little brother Saturday.

—   (tell [s/one] to take [his/her s/thing] and) shove/stick it (see SHOVE)

—   (tell [s/one] to take [his/her s/thing] and) shove/stick it up [his/her] ass (see SHOVE)

—   tell [s/one] where to put/stick [s/thing] (see WHERE)

—   the short end of the stick (see SHORT)

STICKER SHOCK

—   sticker shock (colloq.): alarm or dismay at the high cost (of s/thing) (esp. a recently-increased cost)  >Parents suffered from sticker shock when they saw how much the back-to-school supplies were for their kids this year.

STICK-IN-THE-MUD

—   stick-in-the-mud (colloq.): uninteresting or unenthusiastic person, person who refuses to try new things, socially conservative person  >Don’t be such an old stick-in-the-mud—come on along to the casino with us.

STICKS

 *    the sticks (colloq.): rural area (esp. a remote one)  >He comes from some little town way out in the sticks.

STICK-TO-IT-IVENESS

—   stick-to-it-iveness (stik´tū´i tiv nis) (colloq.): perseverance, tenacity, resoluteness  >Does he have the stick-to-it-iveness to make it through that training?

STICKUP

 *    stickup (colloq.): holdup, robbery (esp. with a gun)  >They pulled six stickups before they were caught.

STICKY

 *    sticky1 (colloq.): awkward, tricky, delicate  >It might get kind of sticky if we invite Norma’s ex-husband, too.

—   sticky2 (colloq.): hard to get out of (one’s) mind, hard to keep from thinking of (esp. a song)  >That song we heard last night’s real sticky—I’ve been humming it all day.

STICKY-FINGERED

—   sticky-fingered (sl.): having a propensity to steal  >One of your sticky-fingered buddies swiped my gold pen.

STICKY FINGERS

—   sticky fingers (sl.): propensity to steal  >Keep an eye on that guy when he’s in the store—he’s got sticky fingers.

STIFF

 *    stiff1 (sl.): corpse, dead body, cadaver  >They dumped the stiff in the river.  >This stiff goes to the medical school.

 *    stiff2 (vt) (sl.): deceive, swindle, cause financial harm to  >His brother-in-law left town after stiffin’ him for two thousand dollars.  >They tried to stiff me on this bill.

—   stiff3 (vt) (sl.): trick, victimize, treat unfairly  >That crook set us up and stiffed us!

—   scared stiff (see SCARED)

—   ... stiff (sl.): ... person (esp. a man, esp. seen enviously or as mistreated)  >Why does that lucky stiff deserve a raise?  >The workin’ stiffs are gettin’ the bad end of the deal.

STIFLE

—   stifle it! (stī´fәl ...) (sl.): quiet! shut up!  >Stifle it! I’m sick of your whinin’.

STILL

—   not sit still for (see SIT)

—   still kicking (see KICKING)

STING

 *    sting1 (sl.): fraudulent scheme, confidence game, entrapment  >Tubby was actually plannin’ a sting against some big drug dealer.  >The cops caught a lot of crooks in that sting operation.

—   sting2 (vt) (sl.): cheat, overcharge, harm financially  >She got stung bad when he screwed up her investments.

STINK

 *    stink1 (colloq.): noisy complaint or protest, scandalous fuss  >What's the big stink about that the newspapers have been reporting on?

**   stink2 (vi) (sl.): be very bad, be deplorable, be unjust  >I saw that movie—it stinks.  >The way they treat her stinks.

—   make/raise a stink (about) (colloq.): complain loudly (about), create a big protest (against)  >The homeowners made a big stink about their property taxes going up.  >They’ll raise a stink if you don’t let them participate.

—   stink (at) (colloq.): be very bad (at), perform very poorly (at)  >I don’t want to play poker because I stink at it.  >Don’t pick Rod for the team. He stinks as a player.

—   stink to high heaven (colloq.): have a very foul odor, smell very bad  >That rotten fish stinks to high heaven!

STINKER

 *    stinker (colloq.): contemptible or mean person, rascal  >That stinker left me to pay the bill.

STINK EYE

—   give [s/one] the stink eye (sl.): look at [s/one] with anger or disapproval, glare at [s/one]  >She really gave me the stink eye when I mentioned that her brother was in prison.

STINKING

 *    stinking1 (sl.): contemptible, reprehensible, cursed  >Get your stinkin’ hands off her!  >Keep those stinkin’ punk friends of yours away from here.

—   stinking2 (sl.): extremely, excessively  >We all got stinkin’ drunk that night.  >He can afford it—he’s stinkin’ rich.

STIR-CRAZY

—   stir-crazy (sl.): insane or very agitated due to long confinement, very restless due to being enclosed for an excessive period of time  >That old convict is stir-crazy.  >I’m a little stir-crazy from being cooped up in this house all week.

STITCHES

 *    in stitches (colloq.): laughing uncontrollably  >That comedian kept us in stitches.

STOCK

 *    stock (colloq.): as standard equipment, not customized (esp. on automobiles)  >All-wheel drive is stock on this model.

STOKED

—   stoked (stōkt) (sl.): very excited or enthusiastic, exhilarated  >Everyone’s stoked about winnin’ first place.

STOMACH

—   have a cast-iron stomach (see CAST-IRON)

STOMP

 *    stomp (stomp) (vt) (sl.): defeat decisively, beat up  >The Dodgers stomped the Giants, eleven to two.  >Jimmy got stomped in some bar by two big football players.

STOMPING GROUND

 *    stomping ground(s) (stom´ping ...) (colloq.): (one’s) habitual or favorite place of activity, place (one) frequents, haunt  >He’s probably with his buddies down at Ernie’s Tavern—that’s his stomping ground.

STONED

 *    stoned (sl.): very intoxicated, completely drunk  >Ya don’t have to smoke much of this grass to get stoned.  >He was lyin’ in the gutter, stoned outta his mind.

STONER

—   stoner (stō´nәr) (sl.): habitual marijuana smoker  >The town stoners hang out in that park smokin’ grass every night.

STONES

—   stones (vulg.): courage, boldness, daring  >You got the stones to say that to Big Louie to his face?

STONEWALL

—   stonewall (vi, vt) (colloq.): delay or evade, stall (s/thing politically disadvantageous)  >They’ll never get it passed because the opposition will just stonewall it.  >The President knows more than he’s letting on—he’s stonewalling.

STOOL PIGEON

—   stool pigeon (sl.): police informer  >Some stool pigeon squealed on ‘em.

STOOLIE

—   stoolie (see “STOOLY”)

STOOLY

—   stooly (stū´lē) (sl.): police informer  >The gangster said he was gonna find that stooly and kill him.

STOP

—   stop/turn on a dime (see DIME)

—   stop traffic (sl.): be dazzlingly beautiful (esp. a woman)  >Pretty? She stops traffic!

STORE

—   mind the store (see MIND)

STORM

—   ... up a storm (colloq.): ... with great energy and determination  >He’s in the kitchen cooking up a storm.  >They were singing up a storm around the campfire.

STORY

—   a likely story (see LIKELY) 

—   end of story! (see STORY) 

STRAIGHT

**   straight1 (sl.): heterosexual, not homosexual  >Is Raymond gay or straight?

 *    straight2 (sl.): law-abiding, no longer involved in criminal activity  >He used to steal cars, but he’s straight now.

 *    straight3 (colloq.): honestly, straightforwardly, objectively  >She wouldn’t lie—she’s telling it to us straight.  >It’s best to just deal with him straight.

 *    straight4 (colloq.): conventional, traditional, conservative  >Phil’s pretty straight—I don’t think he’ll go for a game of poker.  >It was a real straight wedding—nothing out of the ordinary.

—   straight5 (colloq.): reliable or correct (esp. regarding information)  >This is the straight stuff—I heard it from the chairman himself.  >You sure that info’s straight?

**   get [s/thing] straight (colloq.): understand [s/thing] correctly, set forth [s/thing] in clear order  >Let me get this straight. You want me to take the blame for you?  >You’d better get your story straight before the police get here.

 *    go straight (sl.): stop being a criminal, become an honest citizen  > Stubby’s been a crook so long I don’t think he’ll ever go straight.

—   have [one’s] head (screwed) on straight (see HEAD)

—   play it straight (see PLAY)

—   shoot straight (see SHOOT)

—   (straight/right) from the horse’s mouth (see HORSE’S MOUTH)

—   (you’re) damn(ed) straight ...! (sl., freq. vulg.): ... is the truth! absolutely ...! have no doubt that ...!  >You’re damn straight he’d better pay me what he owes me!

—   (you’re) darn(ed) straight ...! (därn[d] ...) (sl.): ... is the truth! absolutely...! have no doubt that ...!  >Darned straight I’ll get my money back!

STRAIGHT ARROW

—   straight arrow (colloq.): person who behaves in a very moral and conventional way  >Peters is a straight arrow—no way he’ll go along with that scheme.

STRAIGHTEN

**   straighten out (vt) (colloq.): reform behaviorally, guide to proper or responsible behavior  >Joey was starting to get in trouble at school, but a new counselor there straightened him out.

 *    straighten up (vi) (colloq.): stop behaving improperly, begin to behave responsibly  >You’d better straighten up, young man, or you’ll be in trouble.

STRAIGHT SHOOTER

—   straight shooter (colloq.): person who deals honestly or treats people fairly  >I don’t believe a straight shooter like Gibbons would be involved in something so shady.

STRAPPED

—   strapped (colloq.): lacking funds, in financial need  >Can you let me have it on credit? I’m a little strapped this month.

STREAK

 *    streak (vi) (colloq.): dash naked through a public place (esp. as a prank)  >Some guy streaked across the stage right in the middle of the ceremony.

STREET

 *    on the street(s)1 (colloq.): among marginalized members of society, in the domain of petty criminality or urban poverty  >That rich kid wouldn’t last ten minutes on the street.  >She ran away from home and learned to survive on the streets.

—   on the street(s)2 (colloq.): released from custody, not jailed  >I hate to think what that thug will do when he’s back on the street.

STREET-SMART

 *    street-smart (colloq.): shrewdly practical or clever for survival or success (esp. in a ruthlessly competitive situation)  >These street-smart kids know how to fool a lot of cops.

STREET SMARTS

 *    street smarts (... smärts) (colloq.): shrewd practicality or cleverness for survival or success (esp. in a ruthlessly competitive situation)  >You got to have street smarts to make it in the music business.

STREET-WISE

 *    street-wise (colloq.): shrewdly practical or clever for survival or success (esp. in a ruthlessly competitive situation)  >Only a street-wise guy like him can work with gang members.

STRESS

**   stress out (vt) (colloq.): make overly tense, fatigue from tension or demands  >Everyone was stressed out by the end of final exams.  >Those long meetings stress me out.

STRETCH

—   stretch (sl.): prison term  >Frankie’s doin’ a five-year stretch for fraud.

—   a stretch (colloq.): a doubtful claim, an assertion that lacks credibility, an exaggeration   >It’s a stretch to say he’s a great athlete—he just played for his high school basketball team.

 *    stretch [one’s] legs (colloq.): take a break from sitting, take a walk after being inactive  >Let’s get up and stretch our legs a while, and then we’ll finish the report.

STRIKE

—   hit/strike a (raw) nerve (with) (see NERVE)

 *    strike it rich (colloq.): gain financial success suddenly or unexpectedly  >They really struck it rich with that last marketing plan.

 *    strike out (vi) (sl.): be unsuccessful, not achieve an objective  >Joey tried to get a date with Alice, but he struck out.  >We struck out—they just wouldn’t buy our proposal.

—   hit/strike pay dirt (see PAY DIRT)

STRIKES

—   (already) have two strikes against [one] (see TWO)

STRING

—   on the string (colloq.): subject to (one’s) whim or influence, at (one’s) beck and call, being led on  >She really attracts men—she’s got three or four on the string.

 *    string along (vt) (colloq.): continue to give false hopes to, lead on  >Allen thinks Melissa loves him, but she’s just stringing him along.  >They strung the old guy along for a few months, then took off with his money.

—   string along (with) (colloq.): accompany or follow (s/one) (esp. aimlessly)  >You going shopping? Mind if I string along?  >I strung along with them while they ran a few errands.

—   hang/string [s/one] out to dry (see HANG)

—   string up (vt) (sl.): hang (to death)  >Don’t put ‘em in jail—just string ‘em up!

STRING BEAN

—   string bean (sl.): tall and thin person  >Boy, can that string bean ever pitch a baseball!

STRINGS

 *    pull (some) strings (colloq.): use influence, call on the support of influential associates (esp. in an unconventional or secretive way)  >Al had to pull some strings, but he got the contract with the city.

 *    strings (attached) (colloq.): hidden conditions, unfavorable limitations  >I’ll make sure you get the job with no strings attached.  >That’s too good to be true—there’ve got to be some strings.

STRIPPED

 *    stripped down (colloq.): having just the essentials, with no adornments or extras  >The stripped down model will run you $3000 less.

STRIPPER

**   stripper (sl.): striptease artist  >She worked nights as a stripper to put herself through school.

STROKE

 *    stroke (vt) (sl.): flatter, gratify the ego of  >Don’t believe him, man—the guy’s just strokin’ ya.

STROKES

 *    strokes (sl.): flattery, ego gratification  >Flo’s been gettin’ a lot of strokes at work ‘cause of the great job she’s doin’.

—   different strokes for different folks (see DIFFERENT)

STRONG

 *    (as) strong as an ox (colloq.): very strong  >That wrestler’s strong as an ox.

—   come on strong (see COME)

STRONG-ARM

—   strong-arm1 (vt) (colloq.): force physically or by threat of violence, coerce by force or intimidation  >If he’s reluctant to pay, they’ll strong-arm him.

—   strong-arm2 (colloq.): using physical force or threat of violence, coercing by force or intimidation  >The judge criticized the sheriff for his strong-arm tactics.

STRUNG

 *    strung out (sl.): suffering the effects of drugs, badly addicted to drugs, weak or nervous from prolonged drug use  >How’s he gonna find work if he’s all strung out on crack?  >That addict’s in bad shape, all strung out.

STRUT

—   strut [one’s] stuff (sl.): display [one’s] talent or attractiveness  >Look at that foxy girl struttin’ her stuff on the dance floor.

STUBBORN

 *    (as) stubborn as a mule (colloq.): very stubborn  >Don’t try to change Pete’s mind—he’s as stubborn as a mule.

STUCK

—   stuck on (colloq.): infatuated with, in love with  >Charlie’s really stuck on that girl he’s been dating lately.

**   stuck with (colloq.): burdened with, left with the responsibility for  >How come I always get stuck with taking out the garbage?

STUCK-UP

 *    stuck-up (colloq.): snobbish, conceited  >Why do you want to hang around with all those stuck-up high-society types?

STUD

 *    stud (sl.): sexually attractive man, male who is successful at making sexual conquests (also voc.)  >Wow, look at the stud Shirley’s with!  >Bart thinks he’s a real stud ‘cause he has three girlfriends.  >Think you’re something special with the women, don’t ya, stud?

STUFF

**   stuff1 (colloq.): things, possessions, matter  >What’s all this stuff on the table?  >Grab your stuff and let’s go.  >I can’t get the red stuff off my shirt.  >What did you think of the stuff he said?

 *    stuff2 (colloq.): artistic production  >That author’s stuff is great.  >They do some good stuff at that theater.

—   stuff3 (sl.): illegal drugs  >He got some good stuff from a cocaine dealer he knows.

 *    and stuff (colloq.): etcetera, and so forth, and the like  >She’s really into pop music—she’s been playing and singing and stuff around town.  >I know he’s a good skier because he’s won some prizes and stuff.

 *    know [one’s] stuff (colloq.): be skilled in [one’s] profession or craft, be knowledgeable in [one’s] specialty  >You got to know your stuff to make a living as a broker.  >These researchers really know their stuff.

—   strut [one’s] stuff (see STRUT)

 *    ... stuff (colloq.): ...-type behavior  >I didn’t like some of the weird stuff that gang was into.  >Aw, Mom, taking piano lessons is kid stuff.

 *    stuff [one’s] face (sl.): eat (esp. intently or voraciously)  >While you all were stuffin’ your faces, I was sweatin’ in the kitchen.

 *    stuff it! (sl., freq. vulg.): (interj. to express great anger or contempt to s/one)  >If ya don’t like how I’m doin’ it, stuff it!

STUFFED

—   (go) get stuffed! (sl., freq. vulg.): (interj. to express great anger or contempt to s/one)  >Tell that jerk to go get stuffed!

STUFFED SHIRT

—   stuffed shirt (colloq.): pompous and overly formal man  >Hey, relax, Evan, and stop being such a stuffed shirt!

STUFFING

—   beat/knock the stuffing out of (colloq.): beat severely, beat up  >I can’t believe that little guy knocked the stuffing out of that big construction worker.

STUMBLEBUM

—   stumblebum (stum´bәl bum´) (colloq.): clumsy and inept person  >I just know that stumblebum’s going to ruin all our preparations.

STUMP

 *    stump (vt) (colloq.): baffle, thoroughly puzzle, perplex  >I give up—I’m stumped.  >Those trick questions can stump you.

STUNT

 *    stunt (colloq.): instance of misbehavior, irresponsible act  >Another stunt like that, Hargrave, and you can go look for another job.

 *    pull a stunt (colloq.): do an act of misbehavior, do an irresponsible act  >The stunt that idiot pulled could have gotten a lot of people hurt.

STUPID

**   stupid (colloq.): contemptible, worthless  >Get your stupid things off my desk!  >I don’t want to go to that stupid reception.

STYLE

—   cramp [s/one’s] style (see CRAMP)

—   like it’s going out of style (see GOING)

SUB

**   sub1 (sub) (colloq.): substitute  >Send in a sub, coach.

 *    sub2 (colloq.): submarine  >Nuclear subs can stay under a long time.

**   sub3 (vi) (colloq.): substitute  >She’s subbing for the regular teacher.

SUCCESS

—   howling success (see HOWLING)

SUCK

**   suck (vi) (sl.): be very bad or unpleasant, be deplorable or unjust  >The movie was a flop ‘cause it sucks.  >He’s gonna drop out ‘cause he thinks school sucks.  >Your racist jokes suck.

—   suck face (sl.): engage in kissing (esp. French kissing)  >Her old man don’t know she’s out on the porch suckin’ face with Bobby.

—   suck in (vt) (sl.): deceive, trick, hoodwink  >How’d Olson get sucked in by such a sleazy character?

—   suck off (vt) (vulg.): bring to orgasm by fellatio or cunnilingus  >He paid her to suck him off.

—   suck it up (sl.): endure (a difficult situation)  >When the economy’s this bad, ya just gotta suck it up and wait for things to get better.

—   suck up (vt) (sl.): be very receptive to, thoroughly enjoy  >Tell him he’s great—he sucks that up.  >Kids nowadays really suck up video games.

 *    suck up to (sl.): be servile or obsequious to in order to gain favor, adulate, flatter to gain favor  >Suckin’ up to the supervisor by offerin’ to work late, huh?

SUCKER

**   sucker1 (colloq.): person who is easily tricked or cheated, gullible person, dupe (also voc.)  >There’s always some sucker who will fall for this trick.  >You just got cheated, sucker!

 *    sucker2 (sl.): thing or person (esp. seen as troublesome or contemptible) (also voc.)  >I’ll need some pliers to get that sucker outta there.  >Tell that sleazy sucker to get lost.  >Tough luck, sucker!

 *    be a sucker for (colloq.): be easily attracted to, have a special liking for  >He’s a sucker for pouty blondes.

—   play [s/one] for a fool/sucker (see PLAY)

 *    sucker [s/one] (into) (sl.): manipulate [s/one] (into) (through deception), fool [s/one] (into)  >They suckered me into the casino with five free plays on the slot machines.  >Think we can sucker Thompson into makin’ the delivery for us?  >You’ve been suckered, dummy! 

SUCK-UP

 —   suck-up (sl.) person who is servile or obsequious to gain favor, adulator, servile flatterer (also adj.)  >That suck-up thinks he’s gonna get ahead by agreein’ with everything the boss says.  >Her suck-up assistant’s always tellin’ her what a great job she’s doin’. 

SUDS

—   suds (sl.): beer  >I’ll bring the pretzels, and you bring the suds.

SUE

 *    (so) sue me! (sl.): I don’t care if you don’t like what I do/did! I find your objections contemptible!  >Ya don’t like the schedule I gave ya? So sue me!

SUGAR

—   sugar (voc.) (colloq.): dear, sweetheart  >Hi, sugar. Want to buy me a drink?  >You know your mother doesn’t like me, sugar.

—   pretty please (with sugar on it)! (see PRETTY)

SUGAR DADDY

—   sugar daddy (... dad´ē) (sl.): older man who provides gifts or money to a younger woman for sex or companionship  >She’s lookin’ for a sugar daddy to pay her bills.

SUIT

—   suit (sl.): man dressed in a suit, business executive, man in charge  >Who’s the suit talkin’ to Teddy?  >We got to take this to the suits first and get their OK.

SUN

—   where the sun doesn’t/don’t shine (see WHERE)

SUNDAY

—   [one’s] Sunday best (colloq.): [one’s] best or most formal clothes  >Here comes Jake in his Sunday best. What’s the occasion?

SUNDAY DRIVER

—   Sunday driver (colloq.): slow or overly cautious driver  >See if you can pass this Sunday driver or we’ll never get there.

SUNDAYS

—   a month of Sundays (see MONTH)

SUNK

 *    be sunk (colloq.): be facing inevitable loss or defeat, be doomed  >If we don’t get that loan, we’re sunk.

S’UP

—   s’up? (= what’s up?) (sup/tsup) (sl.): what’s going on?, what’s new?, how are you? (cf. “WASSUP?”)  >S’up with you, bro?

SUPER

—   super1 (sū´pәr) (colloq.): supervisor, superintendent (on a job)  >Ask the super if you can change shifts.

—   super2 (colloq.): superintendent (of an apartment building)  >I’ll ask the super if it’s OK to shut off the gas.

**   super3 (colloq.): excellent, outstanding, wonderful  >It was a super party.  >Your new boyfriend is just super.

 *    super4 (sl.): very, extremely  >We were super tired by the end of the trip.

SUPER-DUPER

—   super-duper (sū´pәr dū´pәr) (sl., freq. sarc.): excellent, impressive, wonderful  >Yeah, that’s really a super-duper bow tie you’re wearin’, Harold.

SURE

**   sure (colloq.): surely, certainly  >It’s sure hot today.  >She’s sure looking good.

—   sure as shooting (colloq.): with all certainty, undoubtedly, indeed  >Stage a rally and, sure as shooting, every weirdo from miles around will show up.  >Adam said he’d win, and sure as shooting, he did.

 *    sure enough (colloq.): unsurprisingly, undoubtedly, indeed  >I get in the bathtub and, sure enough, the darn phone rings.  >It looked like it was going to rain and, sure enough, it did.

 *    sure thing! (colloq.): of course!, certainly!, I’ll gladly do that!  >Sure thing! Help yourself to whatever you want.  >Sure thing! I’ll take care of that for you right away.

SURE THING

 *    sure thing (colloq.): certain winner, assured success or gain  >I tell you, this horse is a sure thing.  >Marlene’s got the inside track for the position, but it’s not a sure thing yet.

SVILLE

—   ...sville (... s/z´vil´) (sl.): a very ... thing or experience, a place of great ... (used with adjs. and nouns) (cf. “... VILLE”)  >This so-called party is strictly dullsville.  >Wow! The beach is babesville today.

SWALLOW

 *    swallow (vt) (colloq.): believe credulously, accept (a lie or deception)  >You didn’t swallow that story about him having a yacht, did you?

—   swallow [s/thing] hook, line, and sinker (colloq.): believe [s/thing] completely, accept [s/thing] unquestioningly, be duped regarding [s/thing]  >What a dummy! He swallowed that crazy story hook, line, and sinker.

SWAP

—   swap notes (colloq.): exchange information, compare observations or opinions  >Teachers like to swap notes on new things they try in the classroom.

SWEAR

 *    swear by (colloq.): have total confidence in, rely on  >My mother swears by this detergent.

 *    swear off (colloq.): pledge to give up, renounce using  >He swore off hard liquor two years ago.

 *    swear on a stack of Bibles (colloq.): swear fervently, avow unequivocally  >He swears on a stack of Bibles that he had nothing to do with the fire.

—   swear up and down (colloq.): swear fervently, avow unequivocally  >He swears up and down he was nowhere near the place when it was robbed.

SWEAT

**   sweat1 (vi, vt) (sl.): be anxious (about), be worried (about) (esp. for fear of loss or failure)  >They look calm, but they’re sweatin’.  >Don’t sweat it! You’ll get your money back.  >I’m really sweatin’ that entrance exam.

—   sweat2 (vt) (sl.): put pressure on, force by intimidation, coerce  >The boss has been sweatin’ us ‘cause the deadline’s near.  >They’re sweatin’ him to pay up.  >Sweat him a little, and he’ll tell us.

**   no sweat (sl.): easily, (with) no problem  >We can finish the job by tomorrow noon, no sweat.  >Ya wanna meet her? No sweat. Come on, I’ll introduce ya.

—   sweat blood (sl.): experience great anxiety, be very worried  >He was sweatin’ blood till the jury came in and acquitted him.

 *    sweat like a pig (sl.): sweat profusely  >Everyone was sweatin’ like a pig in that hot, stuffy room.

 *    sweat out (vt) (colloq.): anxiously await the outcome of  >We had to sweat out the committee’s decision for over a month.  >He’s sweating it out till the test results come back.

—   sweat [s/thing] out of (sl.): get (information) from (s/one) by persistent questioning  >The cops finally sweated it outta Dirksen where the money was hidden.

SWEATS

**   sweats (colloq.): sweatshirt and sweatpants, sweat suit  >I usually just hang around the house in my sweats.

SWEEP

 *    sweep [s/one] off [his/her] feet (colloq.): overwhelm [s/one] favorably, completely charm or enthuse [s/one]  >The realtor swept them off their feet and got them to buy the first house they looked at.  >He swept her off her feet, and they got married within a month.

 *    sweep [s/thing] under the rug (colloq.): hide [s/thing], take steps to keep [s/thing] secret (esp. s/thing embarrassing or illicit)  >They say he should have been arrested, but his friend in the D.A.’s office managed to sweep it under the rug.  >You can’t just sweep a scandal like this under the rug.

SWEET

—   sweet (sl.): excellent, wonderful, beautiful  >Winnin’ the championship was so sweet!

—   short and sweet (see SHORT)

—   sweet nothings (colloq.): amorous phrases, trivial romantic talk (esp. spoken softly)  >He whispered sweet nothings in her ear.

—   sweet on (colloq.): romantically fond of, in love with  >Lew acts kind of funny around Sue—I think he’s sweet on her.

—   take [one’s] (sweet) time (see TAKE)

SWEETEN

—   sweeten (vt) (colloq.): enhance the attractiveness of by adding value to  >The salesman sweetened the deal by adding heated seats free of charge.  >Let’s sweeten the pot—I’ll see your bet and raise you five bucks.

SWEETHEART

 *    sweetheart (colloq.): generous and likable person  >You’re a sweetheart for helping out.

 *    a sweetheart of a (colloq.): an excellent, a wonderful  >It’s a sweetheart of a deal I just can’t pass up.  >Ginger’s a sweetheart of a gal.

SWEETIE

 *    sweetie (swē´tē) (colloq.): sweetheart (also voc.)  >I hear you have a new sweetie.  >Hi, sweetie, how was your day?

SWEETIE PIE

—   sweetie pie (swē´tē ...) (voc.) (colloq.): dear, sweetheart  >But, sweetie pie, you know I love you.

SWEETS

—   sweets (voc.) (colloq.): dear, sweetheart  >Give me a kiss, sweets.

SWEET TALK

 *    sweet talk (colloq.): seductive or persuasive talk, cajolery, flattery  >Cut out the sweet talk—it’ll get you nowhere with me.

SWEET-TALK

 *    sweet-talk (vt) (colloq.): seduce or persuade with words, cajole, flatter  >Watch him—he really knows how to sweet-talk a girl.  >I sweet-talked him into driving us there and back.

SWEET TOOTH

 *    sweet tooth (colloq.): liking for sweets  >Buy her some chocolates—she’s got a real sweet tooth.

SWELL

—   swell (colloq.): excellent, wonderful (also adv.)  >Your brother’s a swell guy.  >Swell! Let’s see that movie.  >She sure sings swell.

SWIFT

—   swift (sl.): ingenious, clever, excellent  >That was real swift how he got ‘em to do what he wanted.  >Pretty swift paint job on your car.

 *    not too swift (sl.): not smart or clever, stupid  >That wasn’t too swift, callin’ the dean a fathead.  >His goofy friend ain’t too swift, is he?

SWIG

—   swig1 (swig) (colloq.): swallow of liquor  >It’s a real smooth scotch. Want a swig?

—   swig2 (vt) (colloq.): drink heartily, take a swallow of (liquor)  >He swigged some vodka and turned red.

SWIMMING

—   swimming in (colloq.): having an abundance of  >Those rich collectors are swimming in expensive paintings.

SWING

 *    swing1 (vi) (sl.): be lively and exciting, be wildly festive  >This place’ll be swingin’ when that band plays.  >Billy really swings when he’s partyin’.

—   swing2 (vt) (colloq.): accomplish as desired, achieve as arranged (esp. s/thing difficult)  >I’ll meet you in Lisbon if I can swing it.  >If Todson swings that deal, it’ll make him rich.

—   swing3 (vi) (sl.): be hanged (to death)  >He’d swing for what he did if I was the judge.

 *    in(to) the swing of (colloq.): fully involved in and adjusted to  >Don’t worry—you’ll get into the swing of things around here in a few days.

 *    swing by (colloq.): come by, stop by (esp. when en route elsewhere)  >I’ll swing by your place on my way to work and pick you up.

 *    swing (shift) (colloq.): afternoon and evening work shift (generally starting at four p.m.)  >My brother works the late shift, and I work swing.

 *    take a swing at (colloq.): attempt to hit with the fist  >He took a swing at me, but I ducked.

SWINGER

 *    swinger1 (sl.): participant in exchanging spouses for sex  >Them and all those other couples they party with are swingers.

—   swinger2 (sl.): wildly festive person, real fun lover  >The nerdy guy that brought his chessboard to the party ain’t exactly a swinger, is he?

SWINGING

 *    swinging (sl.): lively and exciting, wildly festive  >What a swingin’ party!  >This is where all the swingin’ singles hang out.

SWIPE

 *    swipe (vt) (sl.): steal  >Somebody swiped my suitcase at the station.

—   take a swipe at1 (colloq.): attempt to hit with the fist  >Marv took a swipe at the cop before she could get the handcuffs on him.

—   take a swipe at2 (colloq.): make a critical remark about  >He took a swipe at the incumbent governor during his press conference.

SWISH

—   swish1 (swish) (sl., pej.): effeminate homosexual (also adj.)  >Who was that swish I saw him with?  >And don’t bring your swish friends around here no more!

—   swish2 (vi) (sl.): walk or move in an effeminate way (said of a man)  >His gay friend was swishin’ around the party.

SWISHY

—   swishy (swish´ē) (sl.): effeminate (said of a man)  >Why do ya wear those swishy silk shirts?

SWITCH

—   switch off (vi) (sl.): lose interest or goodwill, become oblivious  >When he started givin’ his views on morality, everyone just switched off.

SWITCHEROO

—   switcheroo (swich´ә rū´) (sl.): sudden reversal, unexpected switch  >Quite a switcheroo, him changin’ parties in the middle of the senatorial campaign.

SYNC

 *    in/out of sync (... singk) (sl.): in/out of harmony, compatible/incompatible  >They get along great—they’re really in sync.  >His political views were outta sync with his boss’s.

SYSTEM

 *    the system (colloq.): the established order of government and society  >He wants to be part of the system and make a bundle of money.