pulse take someone’s pulse punch (as) pleased as punch punch beat someone to the punch punch pack a punch punch pleased as punch punch punch a hole in something punch take a punch at someone punches pull one’s punches punishment glutton for punishment pure (as) pure as the driven snow pure pure and simple pure pure as the driven snow purge binge and purge purpose answer someone’s purpose purpose on purpose purpose serve someone’s purpose purposes at cross-purposes purposes for all intents and purposes purposes for all practical purposes purse control the purse strings purse make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear pursuit in pursuit of something push if push comes to shove push push off push push one’s luck push push someone to the wall push push the panic button push when push comes to shove pushing pushing up daisies put feel put-upon put hard put (to do something ) put put a bee in someone’s bonnet put put a cap on something put put a hold on something put put all one’s eggs in one basket put put an end to something put put a spin on something put put a stop to something put put ideas into someone’s head put put in a good word (for someone ) put put in an appearance put put off by someone or something put put on put put oneself in someone else’s place put put oneself in someone else’s shoes put put one’s back (in)to something put put one’s best foot forward put put one’s cards on the table put put ( one’s ) dibs on something put put one’s finger on something put put one’s foot down (about something ) put put one’s foot in it put put one’s foot in one’s mouth put put one’s hand(s) on something put put one’s hand to the plow put put one’s head on the block (for someone or something ) put put one’s house in order put put one’s mind to something put put one’s nose to the grindstone put put one’s oar in put put one’s shoulder to the wheel put put one’s thinking cap on put put one’s two cents(‘ worth) in put put one in one’s place put put one through one’s paces put put out (about someone or something ) put put out (some) feelers put put someone or something across put put someone or something at someone’s disposal put put someone or something down put put someone or something off put put someone or something on hold put put someone or something out put put someone or something to bed put put someone or something to sleep put put someone or something to the test put put someone or something up put put someone’s eye out put put someone’s nose out of joint put put someone away put put someone down as something bad put put someone down (for something ) put put someone in the picture put put someone off put put someone on put put someone through the wringer put put someone to bed with a shovel put put someone to shame put put someone up to something put put someone wise to someone or something put put some teeth into something put put something by put put something down in black and white put put something down to something put put something forward put put something in put put something off put put something on put put something over put put something plainly put put something right put put something straight put put something through its paces put put something together put put something to (good) use put put something to rest Put Put that in your pipe and smoke it! put put the arm on someone put put the bite on someone put put the blame on someone or something put put the cart before the horse put put the clamps on ( someone ) put put the finger on someone put put the heat on ( someone ) put put the kibosh on something put put the screws on ( someone ) put put the skids on ( something ) put put the squeeze on ( someone ) put put the touch on someone put put to it put put two and two together put put up a (brave) front put put upon by someone NTC’s American Idioms Dictionary 570 Put Put up or shut up! put put up with someone or something put put weight on put put words into someone’s mouth Put Put your money where your mouth is! put stay put put to put it mildly putty putty in someone’s hands puzzle puzzle something out q’s mind one’s p’s and q’s QT on the QT quake quake in one’s boots quality nice and some quality quandary in a quandary quantity an unknown quantity quantity a known quantity quarrel pick a quarrel (with someone ) quartered drawn and quartered queer (as) queer as a three-dollar bill queer queer as a three-dollar bill quest in quest of someone or something question beg the question question beside the question question bring something into question question call someone or something into question question out of the question question pop the question question pose a question question without question question a leading question questions field questions quick (as) quick as a flash quick (as) quick as a wink quick (as) quick as greased lightning quick cut someone to the quick quick make a quick buck quick quick and dirty quick quick as a flash quick quick as a wink quick quick as greased lightning quick quick on the draw quick quick on the trigger quick quick on the uptake quiet (as) quiet as a mouse quiet (as) quiet as the grave quiet keep quiet (about someone or something ) quiet keep someone or something quiet quiet keep something quiet quiet quiet as a mouse quiet quiet as the grave quiet so quiet you could hear a pin drop quit Don’t quit your day job. quite quite a bit quite quite a few quite quite a little quite quite a lot quite quite a number quite quite a something quits call it quits quote quote a price race race against time race rat race race run the good race race Slow and steady wins the race. rack go to rack and ruin rack rack one’s brain(s) racked racked with pain rag chew the rag rage all the rage ragged run someone ragged rags from rags to riches rags in rags rail rail at someone (about something ) rain (as) right as rain rain come in out of the rain rain get a rain check (on something ) rain give someone a rain check (on something ) rain not know enough to come in out of the rain rain pouring rain rain rain cats and dogs rain rain on someone’s parade rain rain or shine rain rain something out rain right as rain rain risk of rain rain take a rain check (on something ) rains It never rains but it pours. rainy save something for a rainy day raise cause (some) eyebrows to raise raise raise a hand (against someone or something ) raise raise (an) objection (to someone or something ) raise raise a stink (about something ) raise raise cain (with someone or something ) raise raise havoc with someone or something raise raise hell (with someone or something ) raise raise hob with someone or something raise raise one’s sights raise raise one’s voice (to someone ) raise raise some eyebrows raise raise the devil (with someone or something ) raise raise the dickens (with someone or something ) raised born and raised raised raised in a barn rake rake someone over the coals rake rake something off rake rake something up rally rally (a)round someone or something ram ram someone or something down someone’s throat ramble ramble on (about someone or something ) rampage go on a rampage rampant run rampant random at random range at close range rank pull rank (on someone ) rank rank and file ranks close ranks ransom pay a king’s ransom (for something ) rant rant and rave (about someone or something ) rant rant (at someone ) about someone or something rap beat the rap rap rap someone’s knuckles rap rap with someone rap take the rap (for someone or something ) rapped get one’s knuckles rapped Phrase-Finder Index 571 rarin’ rarin’ to go rat rat on someone rat rat race rat smell a rat rate at any rate rate at that rate rate at this rate rate rate with someone rate second-rate rate the going rate rather had rather do something rather would rather rattle rattle something off rave rant and rave (about someone or something ) raving stark raving mad ravished ravished with delight raw get a raw deal raw give someone a raw deal raw in the raw razor (as) sharp as a razor razor sharp as a razor reach out of reach reach reach a compromise reach reach an agreement reach reach an impasse reach reach first base (with someone or something ) reach reach for the sky reach reach one’s stride reach within someone’s reach reaction gut reaction read Do you read me? read read between the lines read read one one’s rights read read someone’s mind read read someone like a(n open) book read read someone out of something read read someone the riot act read read something into something read read something over read read something through read read the handwriting on the wall read read up (on someone or something ) ready get ready (to do something ) ready ready to do something ready ready, willing, and able ready rough-and-ready ready when one is good and ready real for real real in a real pickle real the real thing reality in reality reality the reality of the situation rear at the rear of something rear bring up the rear rear in the rear rear rear its ugly head reason It (only) stands to reason. reason listen to reason reason lose one’s reason reason stand to reason reason within reason reason without rhyme or reason reasonable beyond a reasonable doubt receipt acknowledge receipt (of something ) receipt in receipt of something receive receive someone with open arms recent in recent memory reckon reckon with someone or something reckoned a force to be reckoned with recognize recognize one for what one is recognize recognize something for what it is reconcile reconcile oneself to something record break a record record for the record record off the record record one for the (record) books record sound like a broken record red (as) red as a cherry red (as) red as a poppy red (as) red as a rose red (as) red as a ruby red (as) red as blood red catch someone red-handed red caught red-handed red get the red-carpet treatment red give someone the red-carpet treatment red in the red red not worth a red cent red one’s ears are red red out of the red red paint the town red red red as a cherry red red as a poppy red red as a rose red red as a ruby red red as blood red red herring red red in the face red red tape red roll out the red carpet for someone red see red reduced reduced to something reel reel something off refill refill a prescription regain regain one’s composure regain regain one’s feet regard hold someone in high regard regard with regard to someone or something regardless regardless of something regular (as) regular as clockwork regular at regular intervals regular regular as clockwork rehearsal in rehearsal rein give free rein to someone rein give someone free rein rein keep a close rein on someone or something rein keep a tight rein on someone or something relative relative to someone or something reliance reliance on someone or something religion get religion religious religious about doing something relish with relish reluctance reluctance to do something reluctant be reluctant to do something NTC’s American Idioms Dictionary 572 reminiscent reminiscent of someone or something remission in remission repair in good repair reproach above reproach reputation get a reputation (as a something ) reputation get a reputation (for doing something ) reputation give someone a reputation (as a something ) reputation give someone a reputation (for doing something ) reputed reputed to do something reputed reputed to have something request at someone’s request requirements meet the requirements (for something ) reservation make a reservation reservations make reservations resign resign oneself to something resistance the line of least resistance resistance the path of least resistance resonate resonate with someone resort as a last resort respect pay someone respect respect with respect to someone or something respects in many respects respects in some respects respects pay one’s last respects response gut response responsible the responsible party rest at rest rest come to rest rest Give it a rest. rest lay something to rest rest put something to rest rest rest assured rest rest in peace rest rest on one’s laurels result as a result of something result result in something retreat beat a (hasty) retreat retrospect in retrospect return by return mail return in return for ( someone or something) return return someone’s compliment return return the compliment return return the favor return the point of no return rev rev something up rewards get one’s just reward(s) rhyme without rhyme or reason ribs stick to one’s ribs rich rich in something rich rich with something rich strike it rich riches from rags to riches rid get rid of someone or something riddance good riddance (to bad rubbish) ride go along for the ride ride hitch a ride ride let something ride ride ride herd on someone or something ride ride off in all directions ride ride on someone’s coattails ride ride roughshod over someone or something ride ride something out ride ride the gravy train ride take someone for a ride ride thumb a ride ridiculous make someone look ridiculous riding riding for a fall right acknowledge someone to be right right all right right (as) right as rain right get right on something right go right through someone right hang a right right have a right to do something right have one’s heart in the right place right have the right-of-way right have the right to do something right hit someone (right) between the eyes right hit the nail (right) on the head right in one’s right mind right in the right right left and right right make something right right one’s heart is in the right place right on the right track right play one’s cards right right put something right right right and left right right as rain right right at a specific time right right away right right down someone’s alley right right off the bat right right on time right right side up right (right) under someone’s (very) nose right right up someone’s alley right sail (right) through something right say something (right) to someone’s face right serve someone right right set something right right step (right) up right strike the right note right turn out (all right) right when it comes right down to it right work out (all right) right would give one’s right arm (for someone or something ) right yield the right-of-way rights have someone dead to rights rights read one one’s rights Riley lead the life of Riley ring give someone a ring ring have a familiar ring ring like a three-ring circus ring ring a bell ring ring down the curtain (on something ) ring ring in the New Year ring ring something up ring ring true ring toss one’s hat into the ring ringing one’s ears are ringing rings run rings around someone Phrase-Finder Index 573 riot read someone the riot act riot run riot rip let her rip rip rip into someone or something rip rip someone or something off ripe when the time is ripe ripe a ripe old age ripe the time is ripe ripple a ripple of excitement ripple a ripple of protest rise Early to bed, early to rise(, makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise.) rise feel one’s gorge rise rise get a rise out of someone rise give rise to something rise make someone’s gorge rise Rise Rise and shine! rise rise to the bait rise rise to the occasion risk at risk risk risk of rain risk risk of showers risk risk of thunder(storms) risk risk one’s neck (to do something ) risk run a risk (of something ) risk run the risk (of something ) risk take a risk river sell someone down the river river send someone up the river rivet rivet someone’s attention road get the show on the road road have one for the road road hit the road road middle-of-the-road road road-hog road the end of the road rob rob Peter to pay Paul rob rob the cradle robbery daylight robbery Robin all around Robin Hood’s barn Robinson before you can say Jack Robinson rock (as) hard as a rock rock (as) solid as a rock rock (as) steady as a rock rock between a rock and a hard place rock hard as a rock rock rock the boat rock solid as a rock rock steady as a rock rocker off one’s rocker rocks have rocks in one’s head rocks on the rocks roll call (the) roll roll heads will roll roll let it roll roll roll in roll roll one’s sleeves up roll roll out the red carpet for someone roll roll (over) in one’s grave roll roll something back roll take (the) roll roller (as) awkward as a cow on roller skates roller awkward as a cow on roller skates rolling (as) easy as rolling off a log rolling easy as rolling off a log rolling get rolling rolling get the ball rolling rolling have them rolling in the aisles rolling keep the ball rolling rolling rolling in something rolling set the ball rolling rolling start the ball rolling rolling A rolling stone gathers no moss. Romans When in Rome, do as the Romans do. Rome fiddle while Rome burns Rome Rome wasn’t built in a day. Rome When in Rome, do as the Romans do. roof (as) busy as a cat on a hot tin roof roof busy as a cat on a hot tin roof roof go through the roof room Don’t let it out of this room. room not enough room to swing a cat room room and board room take up room roost come home (to roost) roost rule the roost roost The chickens have come home to roost. root get to the root of the problem root Money is the root of all evil. root root for someone or something root root something out root take root rooted rooted in something rooted rooted to the spot rope at the end of one’s rope rope rope someone into doing something rope skip rope ropes know the ropes ropes learn the ropes ropes show someone the ropes rose (as) red as a rose rose red as a rose roses come up smelling like roses roses Everything’s coming up roses. roses a bed of roses rote learn something by rote rotten rotten to the core rough get a rough idea (about something ) rough get a rough idea (of something ) rough give someone a rough idea (about something ) rough give someone a rough idea (of something ) rough have a rough time (of it) rough rough-and-ready rough rough-and-tumble rough rough it rough rough someone up rough when the going gets rough rough a diamond in the rough roughshod ride roughshod over someone or something round (all) year round round in round figures round in round numbers round round out something round round something off NTC’s American Idioms Dictionary 574 round round something up to something round round the clock round round-trip ticket round year round round a square peg in a round hole round the other way round roundabout say something in a roundabout way roundup head for the last roundup row get one’s ducks in a row row kick up a row row tough row to hoe royal the royal treatment rub rub elbows (with someone ) rub rub off (on someone ) rub rub salt in the wound rub rub shoulders with someone rub rub someone’s nose in it rub rub someone out rub rub someone ( ‘s fur) the wrong way rub rub something in rubbish good riddance (to bad rubbish) Rubicon cross the Rubicon ruby (as) red as a ruby ruby red as a ruby ruffle ruffle its feathers ruffle ruffle someone’s feathers rug (as) snug as a bug in a rug rug pull the rug out (from under someone ) rug snug as a bug in a rug rug sweep something under the rug ruin go to rack and ruin ruin go to wrack and ruin ruin in ruin ruin the ruin of someone or something rule as a (general) rule rule rule someone or something out rule rule the roost rule a rule of thumb rule the exception that proves the rule rump rump session run cut and run run do something on the run run dry run run eat and run run get a run for one’s money run give one a run for one’s money run have a run-in with someone run have a run of bad luck run have a run of something run have one’s luck run out run hit-and-run run in the long run run in the short run run make a run for it run make someone’s blood run cold run run across someone or something run run a fever run run afoul of someone or something run run after someone run run an errand run run a risk (of something ) run run (around) in circles run run around like a chicken with its head cut off run run around with someone run run a taut ship run run a temperature run run a tight ship run run circles around someone run run counter to something run run for it run run for one’s life run run in the family run run into a stone wall run run into someone run run like clockwork run run low (on something ) run run off at the mouth run run off with someone or something run run-of-the-mill run run out of gas run run out of patience run run out of something run run out of time run run rampant run run rings around someone run run riot run run scared run run short (of something ) run run someone or something down run run someone or something to earth run run someone in run run someone ragged run run something into the ground run run something up run run that by ( someone ) again run run the gamut run run the good race run run the risk (of something ) run run through something run run to an amount of money run run to seed run run wild runaround get the runaround runaround give someone the runaround running days running running in the running running months running running off and running running off to a running start running out of the running running running high running weeks running running years running runs Blood runs thicker than water. runs one’s luck runs out rush fools rush in (where angels fear to tread) rush give someone the bum’s rush rush in a mad rush rush a rush on something rustle rustle something up rut in a rut rut (stuck) in a rut sack get the sack sack give someone the sack Phrase-Finder Index 575 sack hit the sack sack sack out sacred sacred cow sadder sadder but wiser saddle saddle someone with something safe play it safe safe safe and sound safe to be on the safe side safe to be safe safe Your secret is safe with me. safekeeping for safekeeping safety safety in numbers sage sage advice said after all is said and done said (be) easier said than done said easier said than done said no sooner said than done said when all is said and done said You said it! sail sail (right) through something sail sail under false colors sail set sail (for somewhere ) sailing clear sailing sails take the wind out of someone’s sails saint have the patience of a saint sake arguing for the sake of arguing sake arguing for the sake of argument sake for one’s (own) sake sake for the sake of someone or something salad in one’s salad days salad toss a salad sale for sale sale on sale salt back to the salt mines salt rub salt in the wound salt salt something away salt take something with a grain of salt salt take something with a pinch of salt salt worth one’s salt salt the salt of the earth same all the same same amount to the same thing same at the same time same by the same token same cast in the same mold same come to the same thing same cut from the same cloth same in the same boat (as someone ) same in the same breath same just the same same Lightning never strikes twice (in the same place). same made from the same mold same not in the same league with someone or something same one and the same same same here same speak the same language same tarred with the same brush same the same as someone or something same the same old story same the same to you sanctity odor of sanctity sand bury one’s head in the sand sand hide one’s head in the sand sands the sands of time sandwich one sandwich short of a picnic sardines packed (in) like sardines Save Save it. save save one’s breath save save ( one’s ) face save save someone’s neck save save someone’s skin save save something for a rainy day save save the day save save up (for something ) save scrimp and save saved saved by the bell saved A penny saved is a penny earned. saving saving grace say before you can say Jack Robinson say drop in (to say hello) say get one’s say say go so far as to say something say have a say (in something ) say on someone’s say-so say say a mouthful say say grace say say something in a roundabout way say say something (right) to someone’s face say say something under one’s breath say say that something is so say say the word say say uncle say to say nothing of someone or something say to say the least say What can I say? say What do you want me to say? say You can say that again! saying goes without saying scale scale something down scales tip the scales at something scapegoat make someone the scapegoat for something scarce (as) scarce as hens’ teeth scarce make oneself scarce scarcely scarcely have time to breathe scarcer scarcer than hens’ teeth scare scare one out of one’s wits scare scare someone or something up scare scare someone stiff scare scare someone to death scare scare the living daylights out of someone scare scare the wits out of someone scared run scared scared scared silly scared scared stiff scared scared to death scared You scared me out of my wits. scared You scared the crap out of me. scared You scared the devil out of me. scared You scared the dickens out of me. scared You scared the hell out of me. scared You scared the pants off (of) me. scene arrive on the scene scene burst onto the scene NTC’s American Idioms Dictionary 576 scene come on the scene scene create a scene scene make a scene scene make the scene scenery a change of scenery scenes behind the scenes schedule ahead of schedule schedule behind schedule schedule on schedule schemes the best-laid schemes of mice and men school from the old school school of the old school school school of thought school tell tales out of school score have a score to settle (with someone ) score know the score score settle a score with someone score settle the score (with someone ) scot get off scot-free scot go scot-free scout scout around for someone or something scrape bow and scrape scrape have a scrape (with someone or something ) scrape scrape something together scrape scrape the bottom of the barrel scratch make something from scratch scratch not up to scratch scratch scratch around (for something ) scratch scratch someone’s back scratch scratch the surface scratch start from scratch scratch up to scratch scratch You scratch my back and I’ll scratch yours. scream scream bloody murder scream so mad I could scream scream a piercing scream screw have a screw loose screw screw around (with someone or something ) screw screw someone or something up screw screw up one’s courage screws put the screws on ( someone ) scrimp scrimp and save scrutiny under (close) scrutiny sea (all) at sea (about something ) sea at sea sea between the devil and the deep blue sea sea get one’s sea legs sea son of a sea biscuit sea There are plenty of other fish in the sea. sealed signed, sealed, and delivered seams burst at the seams seams come apart at the seams seams fall apart at the seams seamy the seamy side of life search in search of someone or something search search high and low (for someone or something ) search search something with a fine-tooth comb season in season season off season season open season (on someone or something ) season out of season season silly season seat by the seat of one’s pants seat in the driver’s seat seat in the hot seat seat on the hot seat seat show one to one’s seat seat show someone to a seat second come off second-best second get one’s second wind second get second thoughts about someone or something second have second thoughts about someone or something second in a split second second in (just) a second second in one’s second childhood second in the second place second on second thought second play second fiddle (to someone ) second second nature to someone second second-rate second second to none secret carry a secret to one’s grave secret carry a secret to the grave secret do something in secret secret in secret secret keep a secret secret open secret secret Your secret is safe with me. security lull someone into a false sense of security security security against something see begin to see daylight see begin to see the light see can’t see beyond the end of one’s nose see can’t see one’s hand in front of one’s face see Long time no see. see not able to see the forest for the trees see not see any objection (to something ) see not see farther than the end of one’s nose see not see past the end of one’s nose see see about something see see a man about a dog see see double see see eye to eye (with someone ) (about something ) see see eye to eye (with someone ) (on something ) see see fit (to do something ) see see into something see see no objection (to something ) see see one’s way clear (to do something ) see see red see see someone as something see see someone home see see someone to somewhere see see someone to the door see see something through see see stars see see the color of someone’s money see see the (hand)writing on the wall see see the last of someone or something see see the light see see the sights see see through someone or something see see (to it) that something is done see see to someone or something Phrase-Finder Index 577 see see which way the wind is blowing see wait-and-see attitude seed go to seed seed run to seed seeing seeing is believing seeing seeing things seek hide-and-seek seen have seen better days seize seize the bull by the horns seize seize the opportunity seize seize (up)on something sell get the hard sell sell give someone the hard sell sell sell like hotcakes sell sell ( someone or something ) out sell sell someone or something short sell sell someone a bill of goods sell sell someone down the river sell sell someone on a plan or idea sell sell something for a song sell sell something off sell sell something on credit send get a big send-off send give someone a big send-off send send one about one’s business send send someone or something up send send someone into something send send someone off send send someone (out) on an errand send send someone packing send send someone to the showers send send someone up the river send send something C.O.D. send send up a trial balloon sense horse sense sense in a sense sense lull someone into a false sense of security sense make sense sense sixth sense senses come to one’s senses senses out of one’s senses senses take leave of one’s senses separate separate but equal separate separate the men from the boys separate separate the sheep from the goats separation the separation of church and state serve serve as a guinea pig serve serve notice (on someone ) serve serve someone’s purpose serve serve someone right serve serve time served First come, first served. service at someone’s service service be of service (to someone ) service out of service service pay lip service (to something ) session in session session rump session set all set set (all) set to do something set at a set time set dead set against someone or something set get set set have one’s heart set against something set have one’s heart set on something set not set foot somewhere set one’s heart is (dead) set against something set one’s heart is set on something set set a precedent set set a trap set set eyes on someone or something set set fire to someone or something set set foot somewhere set set forth (on something ) set set great store by someone or something set set in set set one’s heart against something set set one’s heart on something set set one’s sights on something set set one back on one’s heels set set sail (for somewhere ) set set someone or something free set set someone or something off set set someone or something on fire set set someone or something straight set set someone or something up set set someone’s teeth on edge set set someone back ( some amount of money ) set set someone up (as something ) set set someone up (in business) set set something down to something set set something right set set something straight set set something to music set set the ball rolling set set the stage for something set set the table set set the world on fire set set to do something set set tongues (a)wagging set set type set set upon someone or something set set up shop somewhere settle have a score to settle (with someone ) settle settle a score with someone settle settle down settle settle for something settle settle on something settle settle someone’s affairs settle settle ( something ) (out of court) settle settle the score (with someone ) settle settle up with someone sevens at sixes and sevens seventh in seventh heaven sever sever ties with someone sew sew something up sewed get something sewed up sex the opposite sex shack shack up (with someone ) shades shades of someone or something shadow afraid of one’s own shadow shadow beyond the shadow of a doubt shadow shadow of itself shadow shadow of oneself NTC’s American Idioms Dictionary 578 shake give someone a fair shake shake more someone or something than one can shake a stick at shake shake (hands) on something shake shake hands (with someone ) shake shake in one’s boots shake shake someone or something down shake shake someone or something off shake shake someone or something up shake shake something off shake shake the lead out shakers movers and shakers shakes in two shakes of a lamb’s tail shakes no great shakes shambles in shambles shame hide one’s face in shame shame put someone to shame Shame Shame on someone . shame a crying shame shank’s by shank’s mare shank’s go ( somewhere ) by shank’s mare shape in good shape shape in shape shape lick something into shape shape out of shape shape shape someone up shape shape up shape take shape shape whip something into shape share one’s fair share share share and share alike share share someone’s pain share share someone’s sorrow share the lion’s share (of something ) sharing Thank you for sharing. sharp (as) sharp as a razor sharp (as) sharp as a tack sharp at some time sharp sharp sharp as a razor sharp sharp as a tack shave have a close shave she That’s all she wrote. shed shed crocodile tears shed shed (some) light on something sheep separate the sheep from the goats sheep the black sheep of the family sheep’s a wolf in sheep’s clothing sheet (as) white as a sheet sheet white as a sheet sheets three sheets to the wind shell come out of one’s shell shell shell something out shellacking get a shellacking shellacking give someone a shellacking shellacking take a shellacking shift shift for oneself shine rain or shine shine Rise and shine! shine shine up to someone shine take a shine to someone or something ship desert a sinking ship ship leave a sinking ship ship run a taut ship ship run a tight ship ship Shape up or ship out. shipping shipping and handling ships ships that pass in the night shirk shirk one’s duty shirt give someone the shirt off one’s back shirt Keep your shirt on! shirt lose one’s shirt shock get the shock of one’s life shoe (as) comfortable as an old shoe shoe (as) common as an old shoe shoe comfortable as an old shoe shoe common as an old shoe shoe drop the other shoe shoe have the shoe on the other foot shoe If the shoe fits, wear it. shoe The shoe is on the other foot. shoes fill someone’s shoes shoes in someone else’s shoes shoes put oneself in someone else’s shoes shoes step into someone’s shoes shoestring get along (on a shoestring) shoestring on a shoestring shook shook up shoot shoot for something shoot shoot from the hip shoot shoot one’s mouth off shoot shoot something out shoot shoot the breeze shoot shoot the bull shoot shoot the works shooting the whole shooting match shop close up shop shop set up shop somewhere shop shop around (for something ) shop talk shop shop a bull in a china shop shopping go window-shopping shopping window-shopping short caught short short end up with the short end of the stick short fall short (of something ) short for short short get the short end of the stick short in short short in the short run short life is too short short long and (the) short of it short make a long story short short make short work of someone or something short nothing short of something short one sandwich short of a picnic short over the short haul short run short (of something ) short sell someone or something short short short and sweet short short for something short short of something short stop short of doing something short Take a long walk off a short pier. short a few cards short of a deck Phrase-Finder Index 579 [...].. .NTC’s American Idioms Dictionary shot (all) shot to hell shot give something a shot shot give something one’s best shot shot have a shot at something shot not by a long shot shot off like a shot shot shot through... sky’s The sky ’s the limit slack slack off slap get a slap on the wrist slap give someone a slap on the wrist slap slap someone’s wrist slap slap someone down slap slap someone on the wrist 581 NTC’s American Idioms Dictionary slap slap something together slap a slap in the face slate start (off) with a clean slate slate start (over) with a clean slate slate wipe someone’s slate clean slated slated for... every living soul soul heart and soul soul keep body and soul together soul not a living soul soul not tell a (living) soul soul with all one’s heart and soul sound (as) sound as a dollar 583 NTC’s American Idioms Dictionary sound let out some kind of sound sound safe and sound sound sound as a dollar sound sound as if sound sound like sound sound off (about something ) sound sound someone out soup (as)... steal a base steal steal a march (on someone ) steal steal someone’s thunder steal steal the show steal steal the spotlight steam blow off steam steam full steam ahead steam let off steam 585 NTC’s American Idioms Dictionary steam under one’s own steam steamed steamed up steaming steaming (mad) steel (as) true as steel steel have a mind like a steel trap steel true as steel steer give someone a bum steer... stumbling stumbling block stunt pull a stunt (on someone ) stupor in a stupor style cramp someone’s style style go out of style style in style style out of style subject change the subject 587 NTC’s American Idioms Dictionary subject drop the subject subject off the subject subject subject to something subscribe subscribe to something substance form and substance substance sum and substance such as such... take note (of something ) take notice (of something ) take off take one’s break take one’s cue from someone take one’s death of cold take (one’s ) leave (of someone ) take one’s medicine 589 NTC’s American Idioms Dictionary take take take take take take take take take take take take take take take take take take take take take take take take take take take take take take take take take take take take... pleased more dead than alive more fun than a barrel of monkeys more often than not more someone or something than one can shake a stick at than than than than than than than than than than 591 NTC’s American Idioms Dictionary than more than one can bear than more than one can stand than more than one can take than more than someone bargained for than more (to something ) than meets the eye than none other... hither and thither thither hither, thither, and yon thither thither and yon Thomas doubting Thomas thorn a thorn in someone’s side those just one of those things Those Those were the days 593 NTC’s American Idioms Dictionary thou holier-than-thou thought (as) swift as thought thought food for thought thought lose one’s train of thought thought lost in thought thought not give it another thought thought... something ) pass the time pressed for time race against time right at a specific time right on time run out of time scarcely have time to breathe serve time since time immemorial small-time 595 NTC’s American Idioms Dictionary time take one’s time time take time off time take up someone’s time time take up time time tell time time time after time time time and (time) again time time flies Time Time is money... brass tacks to get down to business to get down to cases to get down to something to get down to the facts to get down to the nitty-gritty to get down to work to get off to a bad start 597 NTC’s American Idioms Dictionary to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to . it put put two and two together put put up a (brave) front put put upon by someone NTC’s American Idioms Dictionary 570 Put Put up or shut up! put put up with someone or something put put weight. relish reluctance reluctance to do something reluctant be reluctant to do something NTC’s American Idioms Dictionary 572 reminiscent reminiscent of someone or something remission in remission repair. figures round in round numbers round round out something round round something off NTC’s American Idioms Dictionary 574 round round something up to something round round the clock round round-trip