Текст книги "Словарь американских идиом: 8000 единиц"

Автор книги: Adam Makkai

Соавторы: Maya Glinberg
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[space probe]{n.}, {Space English} An unmanned spacecraft other than an Earth satellite fitted with instruments which gather and transmit information about other planets in the solar system (e.g., Venus, Mars, and Jupiter) on what are called fly-by missions, i.e., without the craft landing on any of these bodies. •/Both the U.S.A. and Russia have sent up many a space probe in the past decade./

[spade] See: CALL A SPADE A SPADE.

[Spain] See: BUILD CASTLES IN THE AIR or BUILD CASTLES IN SPAIN.

[spar with] See: FENCE WITH.

[speak] See: ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS, CHILDREN AND FOOLS SPEAK THE TRUTH, NOT TO MENTION or NOT TO SPEAK OF, SHORT-SPOKEN, SO TO SPEAK, TO SPEAK OF.

[speakeasy]{n.} A bar during Prohibition where illegal alcoholic beverages were sold. •/Al Capone’s associates met in a Chicago speakeasy to drink and discuss business./

[speaker] See: PUBLIC SPEAKER.

[speak for]{v.} 1. To speak in favor of or in support of. •/At the meeting John spoke for the change in the rules./ •/The other girls made jokes about Jane, but Mary spoke for her./ 2. To make a request for; to ask for. •/The teacher was giving away some books. Fred and Charlie spoke for the same one./ 3. To give an impression of; be evidence that (something) is or will be said. – Used with the words «well» or «ill». •/It seems that it will rain today. That speaks ill for the picnic this afternoon./ •/Who robbed the cookie jar? The crumbs on your shirt speak ill for you, Billy./ •/John wore a clean shirt and a tie when he went to ask for a job, and that spoke well for him./ •/It speaks well for Mary that she always does her homework./

[speak of the devil and he appears] A person comes just when you are talking about him. – A proverb. •/We were just talking about Bill when he came in the door. Speak of the devil and he appears./

[speak one’s mind]{v. phr.} To say openly what you think; give advice that may not be liked. •/John thought it was wrong to keep George out of the club and he spoke his mind about it./ Compare: SOUND OFF.

[speak one’s piece] See: SAY ONE’S PIECE.

[speak out of turn]{v. phr.} To say something tactless; commit an indiscretion. •/You spoke out of turn in criticizing Aunt Hermione’s old furniture; she considers herself quite a connoisseur on the subject./

[speak out] or [speak up]{v.} 1. To speak in a loud or clear voice. •/The trucker told the shy boy to speak up./ 2. To speak in support of or against someone or something. •/Willie spoke up for Dan as club president./ •/Ed spoke up against letting girls join the club./

[speak the same language]{v. phr.} To have similar feelings, thoughts, and tastes; have a mutual understanding with another person. •/We both love listening to Mozart. Obviously, we speak the same language./

[speak volumes]{v. phr.} To tell or show much in a way other than speaking; be full of meaning. •/The nice present she gave you spoke volumes for what she thinks of you./ •/A child’s choice of hobbies speaks volumes./ Compare: READ BETWEEN THE LINES.

[speak well of]{v. phr.} To approve of; praise. •/Everyone always speaks well of my sister because she’s so kind./

[speak with a forked tongue]{v. phr.}, {literary} To lie; to say one thing while thinking of the opposite. •/I have learned not to trust Peter’s promises because he speaks with a forked tongue./

[speed trap]{n.} A place where police hide and wait to catch drivers who are going even a little faster than the speed limit. •/Mr. Jones was caught in a speed trap./

[speed up]{v.} To go faster than before; also, to make go faster. •/The car speeded up when it reached the country./ •/Push in the throttle to speed up the engine./ Compare: PICK UP(12). Contrast: SLOW DOWN.

[spell out]{v.} 1. To say or read aloud the letters ot a word, one by one; spell. •/John could not understand the word the teacher was saying, so she spelled it out on the blackboard./ 2. To read slowly, have trouble in understanding. •/The little boy spelled out the printed words./ 3. {informal} To explain something in very simple words; explain very clearly. •/The class could not understand the problem, so the teacher spelled it out for them./ •/Before the game the coach spelled out to the players what he wanted them to do./ Compare: WORDS OF ONE SYLLABLE.

[spell trouble]{v. phr.} To signify major difficulties ahead. •/The note we just received from the Chancellor seems to spell trouble./

[spending money] or [pocket money]{n.} Money that is given to a person to spend. •/When the seniors went to New York City on a trip, each was given $10 in spending money./ •/Father gave John a nickel in pocket money when he went to the store with Mother./

[spend the night]{v. phr.} To sleep somewhere. •/It was so late after the party that we decided to spend the night at our friends' house./

[spick-and-span]{adj.} Sparkling clean; having a brand new look. •/She is such a good housekeeper that her kitchen is always spick-and-span./

[spill] See: CRY OVER SPILLED MILK.

[spill the beans]{v. phr.}, {informal} To tell a secret to someone who is not supposed to know about it. •/John’s friends were going to have a surprise party for him, but Tom spilled the beans./ Compare: GIVE AWAY(3), LET THE CAT OUT OF THE BAG, TELL TALES OUT OF SCHOOL.

[spin a yarn]{v. phr.} To tell a story of adventure with some exaggeration mixed in; embellish and protract such a tale. •/Uncle Fred, who used be a sailor, knows how to spin a fascinating yarn, but don’t always believe everything he says./

[spine-chilling]{adj.} Terrifying; causing great fear. •/Many children find the movie, «Frankenstein,» spine-chilling./ •/A was spine-chilling to learn that a murderer was in our neighborhood./ Compare: HAIR STAND ON END.

[spine-tingling]{adj.} Very exciting; thrilling. •/Our ride up the mountain in a chair lift was spine-tingling./ •/The children’s plane ride was a spine-tingling adventure to them./

[spinoff]{n.} A byproduct of something else. •/The television soap opera «Knot’s Landing» was considered a spinoff of «Dallas,» with many of the same characters featured in both./

[spin off]{v. phr.} To bring something into existence as a byproduct of something that already exists. •/When Dr. Catwallender opened his medical practice, he also spun off a small dispensary beside it where patients could get their prescriptions filled./

[spin one’s wheels]{v. phr.} 1. Said of cars stuck in snow or mud whose wheels are turning without the car moving forward. •/There was so much snow on the driveway that my car’s wheels were spinning in it and we couldn’t get going./ 2. To exert effort in a job without making any progress. •/I’ve been working for the firm for two decades, but I feel I am merely spinning my wheels./

[spin out]{v. phr.} 1. To go out of control. •/The bus spun out on the icy road and fell into the ditch./ 2. To make something go out of control. •/Tom stepped on the brakes so fast that he spun his car out of control and went off the road./

[spirit away]{v. phr.} To hide or smuggle something out; abduct. •/The famous actress was spirited away by her bodyguards as soon as she emerged from the door./

[spite] See: CUT OFF ONE’S NOSE TO SPITE ONE’S FACE.

[spit] or [piss into the wedding cake]{v. phr.}, {vulgar}, {avoidable} To spoil someone’s pleasure or celebration by doing or saying something harsh or unseemly in an otherwise happy gathering; bring up depressing or unhappy subjects at a supposedly happy time. •/Stuart really spit into the wedding cake when he told Burt in a bragging fashion that Lucy, Burl’s bride, used to be his girlfriend./

[spitting image]{n.} or [spit and image]{informal} An exact likeness; a duplicate. •/John is the spitting image of his grandfather./ •/That vase is the spitting image of one I wanted to buy in Boston./ Compare: LIKE FATHER, LIKE SON.

[spit up]{v.} To vomit a little. •/The baby always spits up when he is burped./ •/Put a bib on the baby. I don’t want him to spit up on his clean clothes./

[split end]{n.} An end in football who plays five to ten yards out from the tackle in the line. •/The split end is one of the quarterback’s most important targets for passes./ Contrast: TIGHT END.

[split hairs]{v. phr.} To find and argue about small and unimportant differences as if the differences are important. •/John is always splitting hairs; he often starts an argument about something small and unimportant./ •/Don’t split hairs about whose turn it is to wash the dishes and make the beds; let’s work together and finish sooner./

[split second]{n.} A very short time; less than a second. •/The lightning flash lasted a split second, and then disappeared./

[split the difference]{v. phr.}, {informal} To settle a money disagreement by dividing the difference, each person giving up half. •/Bob offered $25 for Bill’s bicycle and Bill wanted $35; they split the difference./

[split ticket]{n.} A vote for candidates from more than one party. •/Mr. Jones voted a split ticket./ •/An independent voter likes a split ticket./ Contrast: STRAIGHT TICKET.

[split up]{v. phr.} 1. To separate; get a divorce. •/After three years of marriage, the unhappy couple finally split up./ 2. To separate something; divide into portions. •/The brothers split up their father’s fortune among themselves after his death./

[split-up]{n.} A separation or division into two or many smaller parts. •/The split-up of our company was due to the founder’s untimely death./

[spoil for]{v. phr.} To want something very badly; be belligerent or pugnacious about something. •/After a few drinks it became embarrassingly evident that Hal was spoiling for a fight./ Compare: HANKER AFTER, LUST FOR.

[spoken for]{adj.} Occupied; reserved; taken; already engaged or married. •/«Sorry, my boy,» Mr. Jones said condescendingly, «but my daughter is already spoken for. She will marry Fred Wilcox next month.»/

[sponge] See: THROW IN THE SPONGE.

[sponge bath]{n.} A bath with a cloth or sponge and a little water. •/During the drought the family had only sponge baths./ •/The family took sponge baths because they had no bathtub./

[sponge on] or [off]{v. phr.} To exploit parasitically; depend upon for support. •/He is already forty years old, but he refuses to go to work and sponges off his retired parents./

[spoon] See: BORN WITH A SILVER SPOON IN ONE’S MOUTH.

[spoon-feed]{v.} 1. To feed with a spoon. •/Mothers spoon-feed their babies./ 2a. To make something too easy for (a person). •/Bill’s mother spoon-fed him and never let him think for himself./ •/Alice depended on her mother for all decisions because she had been spoon-fed./ 2b. To make (something) too easy for someone. •/Some students want the teacher to spoon-feed the lessons./

[sporting blood]{n.} Willingness to take risks; spirit of adventure. •/The cowboy’s sporting blood tempted him to try to ride the wild horse./ •/The boy’s sporting blood caused him to run away with a circus./

[spot] See: HIT THE HIGH SPOTS, HIT THE SPOT, JOHNNY-ON-THE-SPOT, ON THE SPOT or UPON THE SPOT also IN A SPOT, SORE SPOT.

[spot check]{n. phr.} A sample check or investigation. •/Internal Revenue Service employees often conduct a spot check of individual returns when the figures don’t add up./

[spotlight] See: STEAL THE SPOTLIGHT.

[spread it on thick] See: LAY IT ON or LAY IT ON THICK.

[spread like wildfire]{v. phr.} To spread uncontrollably and rapidly. •/Bad news has a tendency to spread like wildfire./

[spread oneself too thin]{v. phr.} To try to do too many things at one time. •/As the owner, chef, waiter, and dishwasher of his restaurant, Pierre was spreading himself too thin./

[spring a leak]{v. phr.} 1. To develop a hole (said of boats) through which water can enter, threatening the boat to sink. •/When our small boat sprang a leak, we rapidly returned to shore to fix it./ 2. To be threatened by some oncoming danger. •/Our firm sprang a leak when the vice president suddenly died of a heart attack./

[spring chicken]{n.}, {slang} A young person. – Usually used with «no». •/Mr. Brown is no spring chicken, but he can still play tennis well./ •/The coach is no spring chicken, but he can show the players what to do./

[spring on one]{v. phr.} To approach someone unexpectedly with an unpleasant idea or project. •/Our firm was merely six weeks old when they sprang the news on me that I had to go to Algiers to open a new branch there./

[spring up]{v. phr.} To arise suddenly. •/Small purple flowers were springing up all over our backyard./

[sprout wings]{v. phr.} 1. To enter the stage after a period of development when wings appear (said of larvae that turn into butterflies). •/The dragonflies suddenly sprouted wings and are flying all about in the park./ 2. To become good and virtuous (as if airborne). •/Joe has helped many colleagues in need; he seems to have sprouted wings./

[spruce up]{v.}, {informal} To make clean or neat. •/Mary spruced up the house before her company came./ •/John spruced himself up before he went out on his date./

[spur] See: ON THE SPUR OF THE MOMENT, WIN ONE’S SPURS.

[squad] See: FIRING SQUAD.

[square] See: FAIR AND SQUARE, SHOOT STRAIGHT or SHOOT SQUARE.

[square away]{v. phr.} 1. To arrange the sails of a ship so that the wind blows from behind. •/The captain ordered the crew to square away and sail before the wind./ 2. {informal} To put right for use or action. – Often used in the passive or participle. •/The living room was squared away for the guests./ •/Harry got into trouble, but his scoutmaster talked with him and got him squared away./ Syn.: STRAIGHTEN OUT. 3. {informal} To stand ready to fight; put up your fists. •/Jack and Lee squared away./ Syn.: SQUARE OFF.

[squared away]{adj. phr.} Looked after properly; tucked away; arranged. •/My first two daughters are happily married, but my third one, Jennifer, isn’t squared away yet./

[square deal]{n. phr.} 1. Equitable or fair treatment. •/We are proud to say that at this firm every employee gets a square deal./ Contrast NEW DEAL, RAW DEAL.

[square meal]{n. phr.} A full, nourishing well-balanced meal. •/The refugees looked as if they hadn’t had a square meal in months./

[square off]{v. phr.}, {informal} To stand ready for fighting with the fists. •/The two boxers squared off when the bell rang./

[square oneself with]{v. phr.} To apologize; re-establish friendship with; make amends. •/«Mr. Alien is very angry with you for leaving the firm,» Bob said. «It will take more than a few words and a drink to square yourself with him.»/

[square one’s shoulders]{v. phr.} To stand strong and ready to give battle; be brave. •/Jack squared his shoulders and entered the game./ •/Graduates must square their shoulders and face the world./

[square peg in a round hole]{n.}, {informal} A person who does not fit into a job or position; someone who does not belong where he is. •/Arthur is a square peg in a round hole when he is playing ball./ •/George likes to work with his hands. When it comes to books, he’s a square peg in a round hole./ – Sometimes used in a short form, [square peg].

[square shooter] See: SHOOT STRAIGHT.

[square up]{v. phr.} To liquidate debts and other obligations. •/I want to square up my medical bills before I accept my new teaching assignment in Africa./

[squeak] See: PIP-SQUEAK.

[squeak by]{v. phr.} 1. To barely succeed. •/He was so poorly prepared for his bar exam that he barely squeaked by./ 2. To clear with difficulty. •/The entrance to the corridor in the old Italian castle was so narrow that I barely managed to squeak by it./

[squeak through]{v.}, {informal} To be successful but almost fail; win by a small score. •/Susan squeaked through the history examination./ •/The football team squeaked through 7-6./ Compare: BY THE SKIN OF ONE’S TEETH.

[squeeze out of]{v. phr.} To apply pressure to someone in order to obtain what one desires. •/The police were interrogating the suspect to squeeze information out of him./

[stab in the back(1)]{v. phr.}, {slang} To say or do something unfair that harms (a friend or someone who trusts you). •/Owen stabbed his friend Max in the back by telling lies about him./

[stab in the back(2)]{n. phr.}, {slang} An act or a lie that hurts a friend or trusting person; a promise not kept, especially to a friend. •/John stabbed his own friend in the back by stealing from his store./ •/My friend stabbed me in the back by telling the teacher I was playing hooky when I was home sick./

[stab in the dark]{n. phr.} A random attempt or guess at something without previous experience or knowledge of the subject. •/«You’re asking me who could have hidden grandpa’s will,» Fred said. «I really have no idea, but let me make a stab in the dark – I think my sister Hermione has it.»/

[stack] See: BLOW A FUSE or BLOW ONE’S STACK.

[stack the cards]{v. phr.} 1. To arrange cards secretly and dishonestly for the purpose of cheating. •/The gambler had stacked the cards against Bill./ 2. To arrange things unfairly for or against a person; have things so that a person has an unfair advantage or disadvantage; make sure in an unfair way that things will happen. – Usually used in the passive with «in one’s favor» or «against one.» •/A tall basketball player has the cards stacked in his favor./ •/The cards are stacked against a poor boy who wants to go to college./

[stage] See: AT – STAGE OF THE GAME, HOLD THE STAGE, ON THE STAGE, SET THE STAGE.

[stage fright]{n. phr.} The fear one feels before appearing in front of an audience. •/Many famous actors and actresses admit that they often have stage fright before the curtain goes up./

[stagestruck]{adj.} Desirous of becoming an actor or actress; enamored of the acting profession. •/Milly is so stagestruck that she waits for actresses at the stage door after each performance to get their signatures./

[stage whisper]{n. phr.} A loud whisper intended to reach other ears than those of the person(s) addressed. •/Some jokes should be told in a stage whisper./

[stag party] See: GO STAG. Contrast: HEN PARTY.

[stake] See: AT STAKE, PULL UP STAKES.

[stake a claim]{v. phr.} 1. To claim ownership of land by driving stakes to show boundaries. •/The gold hunters staked claims in the West./ 2. {informal} To claim a person or thing as your own by some sign. Usually used with «on». •/George staked a claim on Dianne by giving her his class ring./

[stamp] See: SAVINGS STAMP, TRADING STAMP.

[stamping ground]{n.}, {informal} A place where a person spends much of his time. •/Pete’s soda fountain is an afterschool stamping ground./ •/When John returned to his hometown many years later, he visited all of his old stamping grounds./

[stamp out]{v.} To destroy completely and make disappear. •/In the last few years, we have nearly stamped out polio by using vaccine./ •/The police and judges are trying to stamp out crime./ Compare: WIPE OUT.

[stand] See: GOAL LINE STAND, HAIR STAND ON END, HEART STAND STILL, LEG TO STAND ON.

[stand a chance] or [stand a show]{n. phr.} To have a possibility or opportunity; be likely to do or get something. •/Fred doesn’t stand a chance of being elected./ •/We stand a good chance of seeing Mary at the party./

[standard time] also [slow time]{n.} Clock time that is set by law or agreement in a country or in part of a country; especially, in the United States: the clock time used between fall and spring, which is an hour slower than the time used in the summer. – Abbreviation ST. •/When we go to bed Saturday night, we will set our clocks back an hour, because Sunday we will be on standard time again./ •/Next week it will get dark an hour earlier, because we will be on standard time./ Contrast: DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME.

[stand by]{v.} 1. To be close beside or near. •/Mary could not tell Jane the secret with her little brother standing by./ •/Would you just stand by and watch the big boys beat your little brother?/ 2. To be near, waiting to do something when needed. •/The policeman in the patrol car radioed the station about the robbery, and then stood by for orders./ •/Lee stood by with a fire extinguisher while the trash was burning./ 3. To follow or keep (one’s promise). •/He is a boy who always stands by his promises./ 4. To be loyal to; support; help. •/When three big boys attacked Bill, Ed stood by him./ •/Some people blamed Harry when he got into trouble, but Joe stood by him./ Compare: BACK UP, HANG TOGETHER, STAND UP FOR.

[stand by one’s guns] See: STICK TO ONE’S GUNS.

[stand for]{v.} 1. To be a sign of; make you think of; mean. •/The letters «U.S.A.» stand for «United States of America.»/ •/The written sign "=" in an arithmetic problem stands for «equals.»/ •/Our flag stands for our country./ •/The owl stands for wisdom./ 2. To speak in favor of something, or show that you support it. •/The new President stood for honest government./ •/John always stands for what is right./ 3. {Chiefly British} To try to be elected for. •/Three men from London are standing for parliament./ •/The governor did not stand for reelection./ 4. {informal} To allow to happen or to be done; permit. – Usually used in the negative, •/The teacher will not stand for fooling in the classroom./ Compare: HAVE IT(4), PUT UP WITH.

[stand in awe of]{v. phr.} To look upon with wonder; feel very respectful to. •/Janet always stands in awe of the superintendent./ •/The soldier stood in awe to his officers./

[stand in for]{v. phr.} To substitute for someone. •/The famous brain surgeon was called out of town so his assistant had to stand in for him during the operation./

[stand in one’s way] See: IN ONE’S WAY.

[stand in with]{v. phr.}, {informal} To be liked by or friendly with. – Usually used with «well». •/John stands in well with the teacher./

[stand off]{v.} 1. To stay at a distance; stay apart. •/At parties, Mr. Jones goes around talking to everyone, but Mrs. Jones is shy and stands off./ 2. To keep (someone or something) from coming near or winning. •/The soldiers defending the fort stood off a large band of Indians./ •/The other schools wanted to beat our team and win the championship, but our boys stood them all off./ Contrast: GIVE GROUND.

[standoffish]{adj.} Stiff; aloof; reserved in manner. •/The famous chess player is hard to get to know because he is so standoffish./

[stand on ceremony]{v. phr.} To follow strict rules of politeness; be very formal with other people. – Usually used with a helping verb in the negative. •/Grandmother does not stand on ceremony when her grandchildren call./

[stand one in good stead]{v. phr.} To be helpful or useful to. •/A boy scout knife will stand you in good stead when you do not have other tools./ •/Julia knew how to typewrite, and that stood her in good stead when she looked for a job./

[stand one’s ground] also [hold one’s ground]{v. phr.} 1. To stay and fight instead of running away. •/The enemy attacked in great numbers but our men stood their ground./ Compare: GAIN GROUND. Contrast: GIVE GROUND, LOSE GROUND. 2. To defend a belief or statement; refuse to weaken when opposed; insist you are right. •/John’s friends said he was mistaken but he stood his ground./ Compare: STICK TO ONE’S GUNS.

[stand on one’s own feet] or [stand on one’s own two feet]{v. phr.} To depend on yourself; do things yourself; earn your own living; be independent. •/After his father died, John had to stand on his own feet and earn his own living./ •/You should learn to stand on your own two feet./

[stand out]{v.} 1. To go farther out than a nearby surface; protect. •/A mole stood out on her cheek./ Compare: STICK OUT(1b). 2. To be more noticeable in some way than those around you; be higher, bigger, or better. •/Fred was very tall and stood out in the crowd./ •/John stood out as a track star./

[stand over]{v.} 1. To watch closely; keep checking all the time. •/Ted’s mother had to stand over him to get him to do his homework./ 2. To be held over for later action; be postponed; wait. •/The committee decided to let the proposal stand over until its next meeting./

[stand pat]{v.}, {informal} To be satisfied with things and be against a change. •/Bill had made up his mind on the question and when his friends tried to change his mind, he stood pat./ Compare: STAND ONE’S GROUND(2).

[stand the gaff]{v. phr.}, {informal} To stand rough treatment; do well in spite of great physical or mental hardship. •/An athlete must learn to stand the gaff./ •/No person running for office gets far unless he can stand the gaff./ Compare: HOLD OUT 2, STICK OUT 2.

[stand to reason]{v. phr.} To seem very likely from the known facts. •/If you have a driver’s license, it stands to reason you can drive./ •/Joe is intelligent and studies hard; it stands to reason that he will pass the examination./

[stand trial]{v. phr.} To submit to a trial by court. •/The case has been postponed and he may not have to stand trial until next April./

[stand up]{v.} 1. To rise to a standing position; get up on your feet. •/A gentleman stands up when a lady enters a room./ 2. To be strong enough to use hard or for a long time. •/A rocket must be built strongly to stand up under the blast-off./ •/The old car has already stood up for twenty years./ Compare: WEAR WELL. 3. {informal} To make a date and then fail to keep it. •/June cried when Bill stood her up on their first dale./

[stand up and be counted]{v. phr.} To be willing to say what you think in public; let people know that you are for or against something. •/The equal rights movement needs people who are willing to stand up and be counted./ •/If you disagree with the group, you should be ready to stand up and be counted./

[stand up for] or {informal}[stick up for]{v.} To defend against attack; fight for. •/John always stands up for his rights./ •/When Mary was being criticized, Jane stuck up for her./ Compare: BACK UP, GO TO BAT FOR, STAND BY, STAND ONE’S GROUND, STICK TO ONE’S GUNS, GO TO BAT FOR.

[stand up to]{v.} To meet with courage. •/Mary stood up to the snarling dog that leaped toward her./ •/A soldier must stand up to danger./

[stand up with]{v.}, {informal} To be best man or maid of honor at a wedding. •/A groom often chooses his brother to stand up with him./

[star] See: FIVE-STAR, SEE STARS, HITCH ONE’S WAGON TO A STAR, LUCKY STAR, THANK ONE’S LUCKY STARS.

[starch] See: TAKE THE STARCH OUT OF.

[stare in the face]{n. phr.} 1. To be about to meet or to happen to (you.) •/Grandmother became very sick and death was staring her in the face./ •/Defeat stared them in the face, but the soldiers fought on bravely./ 2. To be easy to see; be plain. •/Are you looking for your pencil? It’s on your desk, staring you in the face./ •/Their friends all knew that Mary loved John, but John did not see it even though it was staring him in the face./

[stars in one’s eyes]{n. phr.} 1. An appearance or feeling of very great happiness or expectation of happiness. •/Mary gets stars in her eyes when she thinks of her boyfriend./ 2. A belief in the possibility of quick and lasting reforms in people and life and an eagerness to make such changes. •/Some inexperienced people get stars in their eyes when they think of improving the world./ – [starry-eyed]{adj.} Very happy and excited, perhaps with little reason; eager and self-confident about improving human nature and general conditions of life. •/Young people are often starry-eyed and eager to improve the world; they do not know how hard it is./

[start] See: BY FITS AND STARTS, HEAD START, JACK-RABBIT START, RUNNING START.

[start from scratch] See: FROM SCRATCH.

[start in]{v.}, {informal} 1. To begin to do something; start. •/Fred started in weeding the garden./ •/The family started in eating supper./ Compare: GO AT. 2. To begin a career. •/Bob started in as an office boy and became president./ 3. To give a first job to. •/The bank started him in as a clerk./

[start out]{v.} 1. To begin to go somewhere. •/Bill started out for school on his bicycle./ •/Art started out on a voyage around the world./ Compare: SET OUT. 2. To begin a career or life. •/Harry started out as an errand boy in a business office./ •/We all start out in life as helpless infants./ Syn.: START IN. 3. {informal} To give one a first job. •/The garage man started Pete out as a grease rack man./ Syn.: START IN(3).

[start something]{v. phr.}, {informal} To make trouble; cause a quarrel or fight. •/John is always starting something./ •/Jack likes to play tricks on the other boys to start something./ Compare: MAKE SOMETHING OF.

[start the ball rolling] See: GET THE BALL ROLLING.

[start up]{v.} 1. To begin operating, •/The driver started up the motor of the car./ •/The engine started up with a roar./ 2. To begin to play (music). •/The conductor waved his baton, and the band started up./ •/The orchestra started up a waltz./ Compare: STRIKE UP. 3. To rise or stand suddenly. •/When he heard the bell, he started up from his chair./

[stash bag] or [stuff bag]{n.}, {slang}, {informal} 1. A small bag containing marijuana cigarettes or the ingredients for making them. •/The police are holding John because they found a stash bag full of the stuff on him./ 2. Any small bag resembling a stash bag used for small personal items such as lipstick, driver’s license, etc. •/Do you have any room for my keys in your stash bag?/

[state] See: LIE IN STATE.

[state-of-the-art]{adj. phr.} The best and – the latest any field of research can offer; modem; the latest; the most advanced. •/State-of-the-art personal computers may cost a little more than older models, but may be worth the cost for those who need them./ Compare: UP TO DATE.

[status symbol]{v. phr.} Signs of wealth and prestige. •/A new yacht or airplane might be a status symbol to a bank manager./

[stead] See: STAND IN GOOD STEAD.

[stave off]{v.}, {literary} To keep from touching or hurting you. Syn.: WARD OFF. •/The white knight struck with his sword. The black knight staved it off with his own sword./ •/Bill’s warm new coal staved off the cold./ •/They staved off starvation by eating two of the sled dogs./

[stay in]{v. phr.} To remain at home. •/The weather was so bad that we decided to stay in all day./

[stay out]{v. phr.} To stay away from home. •/Her father was very upset because Mary stayed out until 3 A.M. last night./