run the gamut
Display the complete range of something.
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Where will you be? Anywhere UK & IrelandUnited StatesOnline slangBusiness jargon
Expressions you’ll hear in the US — distinctly American usage first, then widespread staples.
run the gauntlet
Go through an intimidating experience in order to reach a goal.
run the show
Be in charge.
save face
Avoid humiliation.
saved by the bell
Narrowly saved.
schoolboy error
Foolish mistake.
screw the pooch
To screw up; to fail in dramatic and ignominious fashion.
see a man about a dog
A euphemistic way to announce one's departure while concealing the true purpose.
see eye to eye
Have similar views.
seeing is believing
You can only really accept that something is true once you have seen it yourself.
sell like hot cakes
Be sold quickly and in large quantities.
sell-by date
A point of being useless.
shoot the breeze
To chat idly or casually, without any serious topic of conversation.
shooting fish in a barrel
Frivolously performing a simple task.
shuffle off this mortal coil
Epheumism for die.
sick as a parrot
Very disappointed.
silence is golden
Staying quiet is often the wisest or most valuable choice.
sing a different tune
Change opinion.
sink or swim
Fail or succeed.
sit on the fence
Avoid making a decision.
sleep with the fishes
To be murdered and thrown into a body of water.
snake in the grass
An unrecognizable danger or hidden enemy.
sold down the river
That one was betrayed.
speak of the devil
Said when a person appears just as they are being talked about.
spill the beans
To reveal a secret or disclose private information, usually accidentally or before the right moment.
spill the tea
To share gossip or juicy details, especially about other people’s business or drama.
stand on ceremony
Behave formally.
stand the test of time
Persist against odds.
steal the show
Attract attention away from the main thing.
step up to the plate
To deliver beyond expectations.
stick out like a sore thumb
Something that is clearly out of place.
straw that broke the camel's back
The last in a line of unacceptable occurrences; the final tipping point in a sensitive situation.
strike a chord
Connects with.
strike while the iron is hot
To immediately take advantage of a positive opportunity, before the situation changes.
sweat bullets
Extrememly anxious.
sweat the small stuff
Worry about small things.
sweet tooth
Liking for sweet things.
take (or grab) the bull by the horns
To deal bravely and decisively with a difficult, dangerous, or unpleasant situation; to deal with a matter in a direct manner, especially to confront a difficulty rather than avoid it.
take a back seat
Be given a less important position or role.
take a bite out of
Reduce by a significant amount.
take a shine
To develop a liking or fondness for someone or something.
take liberties
Treat something freely.
take the biscuit
(UK) To be particularly bad, objectionable, or egregious.
take the cake
(US) To be especially good or outstanding. Alternatively (US) To be particularly bad, objectionable, or egregious.
take the fall
Receive blame or punishment, typically in the place of another person.
take the piss
(UK) To tease, ridicule, or mock someone.
take time by the forelock
Seize an opportunity.
take to something like a duck to water
To learn or adapt to something new naturally and easily.
take up the cudgels
Start to support.
take with a grain of salt
To not take what someone says too seriously; to treat someone's words with a degree of skepticism.
talk dirty
Speak obscenely about sex.
talk the hind leg off a donkey
Talk incessantly.
tell tales
Spread rumours.
the ball is in your court
It is now your turn to act or make the next decision.
the bee's knees
Something or someone outstandingly good, excellent, or wonderful.
the buck stops here
The responsibility lies here.
the die is cast
An event has happened that cannot be changed.
the end justifies the means
Unfair methods may be used if the goal is considered good.
the grass is always greener on the other side
Other people’s situations always look better than your own, usually mistakenly.
the last straw
The final small problem that makes a situation unbearable.
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