English Idioms Beginning with S
English Idioms Beginning with S
- sabre rattling
- sacked out
- sacred cow
- saddle tramp
- sail close to the wind
- sail the Red Sea
- sail under false colors
- salad
- salad year
- salt away
- salt in the wound
- salt of the earth
- same difference
- same old story
- santa's workshop
- save
- save by the bell
- saved by the bell
- save it
- save one's breath
- save someone's face
- save someone's skin
- save something for a rainy day
- save the day
- save the furniture
- saw logs
- sawdust trail
- saw wood
- say again
- say cheese
- say goodbye
- say grace
- say it all
- say no more
- say that
- say the quiet part loud
- say the word
- say uncle
- say what
- say when
- scared shitless
- scared to death
- scare someone to death
- scare story
- scare straight
- scare the life out of
- scare the living daylights out of
- scare the pants off
- scholar and gentleman
- school of hard knocks
- score off
- Scotch mist
- scrape along
- scrape the bottom of the barrel
- scrape through
- scrape together
- scratch an itch
- scratch beneath the surface
- scratch by
- scratch one's head
- scratch that
- scratch the surface
- scratch together
- scream bloody murder
- scream loudest
- scream one's head off
- screwed up
- screw off
- screw the pooch
- screw you
- sea change
- seagull approach
- seagull manager
- sea legs
- sea load
- seal the deal
- seat of the pants
- second banana
- second childhood
- second fiddle
- second gear
- second guess
- second nature
- second rate
- second string
- second Tuesday of the week
- see a man
- see a man about a dog
- see a man about a horse
- see daylight
- see eye to eye
- see for oneself
- seeing is believing
- see into a millstone
- see one's way clear to
- see past the end of one's nose
- see red
- see stars
- see the dark side of the moon
- see the elephant
- see the forest for the trees
- see the light
- see the light of day
- see the trees through the forest
- see things
- see through
- see which way the cat jumps
- see yellow
- see you later
- see you next Tuesday
- seismic shift
- seize the day
- sell one's body
- sell bargains
- sell-by date
- sell dearly
- sell down
- sell down the river
- seller's market
- sell ice to Eskimos
- selling point
- sell like hot cakes
- sell one's soul
- sell someone a bill of goods
- sell the pass
- send away
- send away for
- send for a toss
- send shivers down someone's spine
- send someone packing
- send to Coventry
- send to dorse
- send word
- sense of craft
- separate the wheat from the chaff
- serve notice
- serve someone right
- serve time
- serve two masters
- serve up
- set a spell
- set back
- set by the ears
- set down
- set eyes on
- set foot
- set for life
- set in motion
- set in one's ways
- set in stone
- set off
- set of pipes
- set of wheels
- set one's cap at
- set one's hair on fire
- set one's heart on
- set one's shoulder to the wheel
- set one's watch back
- set pulses racing
- set store by
- set straight
- set the bar
- set the pace
- set the stage
- set the Thames on fire
- set the wheels in motion
- set the world on fire
- settle for
- settle in
- settle into
- settle someone's hash
- settle upon
- set to work
- set up one's staff
- set up shop
- sew buttons
- sex up
- sex machine
- sex on legs
- sex pact
- sex talk
- sexual congress
- sexual marketplace
- sexual relation
- sexual tension
- shacked up
- shake a leg
- shake like a leaf
- shake out
- shake the pagoda tree
- shake the plum tree
- shallow end
- sham Abraham
- shank nag
- shanks' mare
- shanks' nag
- shanks' pony
- shape up
- shape up or ship out
- share and share alike
- sharp cookie
- sharp elbowed
- sharp set
- sharp tongue
- sheathe the sword
- shed a tear
- shed blood
- shed light upon
- she'll be right
- shift the dial
- shift gears
- shimmy on down
- shirtless
- shit a brick
- shit-eating grin
- shit in someone's Cheerios
- shit one's pants
- shit on toast
- shit or get off the can
- shit or get off the pot
- shit out of luck
- shit stain
- shit stir
- shitstorm
- shitting match
- shock to the system
- shoo in
- shoot down
- shoot 'em up
- shoot first and ask questions later
- shoot from the lip
- shoot holes
- shoot off
- shoot off at the mouth
- shoot one's bolt
- shoot oneself in the foot
- shoot one's load
- shoot the boots
- shoot the breeze
- shoot the bull
- shoot the messenger
- short end of the stick
- short fuse
- short hairs
- short leash
- short of a length
- short on looks
- short sheet
- short strokes
- short temper
- shot across the bow
- shotgun approach
- shotgun wedding
- shot heard round the world
- shot in the dark
- shots fired
- shoulder to cry on
- shove it up your ass
- shove something down someone's throat
- show a clean pair of heels
- show a leg
- show ankle
- show colour
- shower down
- show off
- show one's butt
- show one's cards
- show one's teeth
- show one's true stripes
- show someone one's etchings
- show someone the door
- show up
- show who's boss
- shrinking violet
- shuffle off this mortal coil
- shut my mouth
- shut one's eyes
- shut one's eyes and think of England
- shut one's face
- shut one's gob
- shut one's mouth
- shut one's trap
- shut the door on
- shy bladder
- sick and tired
- sick as a parrot
- sick at heart
- sick list
- sick man
- sick puppy
- sick to the back teeth
- side issue
- sift out
- sigh of relief
- sight for sore eyes
- sight to behold
- sight unseen
- sign in
- sign off
- sign of the times
- sign on
- sign on the dotted line
- silent as the grave
- silent treatment
- silky smooth
- silly money
- silly season
- silver lined
- silver screen
- silver sheet
- silver spoon
- silver tongue
- silver tongued
- simmer down
- simple as kiss your hand
- sing along
- singe one's wings
- sing from the same hymnbook
- singing soprano
- sing off the same hymn sheet
- sing small
- sing soprano
- sing the praises of
- sink in
- sinking ship
- sin tax
- siren song
- sit back
- sit by the fire
- sit in
- sit in for
- sit on
- sit one's ass down
- sit on it
- sit on one's ass
- sit on one's hands
- sit on the fence
- sit right
- sit still
- sit through
- sit tight
- sitting duck
- sitting pretty
- six and two threes
- six feet under
- six of one, half a dozen of the other
- six of the best
- sixth rate
- six ways to Sunday
- size queen
- size up
- skate one's lane
- skate on thin ice
- skate over
- skeleton at the feast
- skeleton crew
- skeleton in the closet
- skeleton in the cupboard
- ski-jump nose
- skin and bones
- skin in the game
- skip a beat
- skip out
- skip rope
- skirt chaser
- skittles party
- skunk at a garden party
- slam dunk
- slam on the brakes
- slanging match
- slap and tickle
- slap leather
- slap on the wrist
- slap someone around
- slave to fashion
- sleep
- sleep a wink
- sleep camel
- sleep in
- sleeping at the switch
- sleeping giant
- sleeping policeman
- sleep on
- sleep rough
- sleep together
- sleep with
- sleep with the fishes
- sleeveless errand
- sleeves from one's vest
- sleight of hand
- slender reed
- sling off
- sling one's hook
- slings and arrows
- slip into
- slip of the pen
- slip of the tongue
- slippery as an eel
- slip someone's mind
- slip through the cracks
- slip under the radar
- slip up
- slop bowl
- slop out
- slow burn
- slower than molasses
- slow march
- slow off the mark
- slow on the uptake
- slow up
- slow walk
- slug away
- slut's wool
- small change
- small fry
- small potatoes
- small print
- small talk
- small wonder
- smart chance
- smart arse
- smash hit
- smash up
- smear campaign
- smell a rat
- smell blood
- smell like a rose
- smell like a tart's handbag
- smell of an oily rag
- smell of the lamp
- smell of the shop
- smell test
- smell the barn
- smell what someone is stepping in
- smile a thousand smiles
- smile from ear to ear
- smoke-filled room
- smoke like a chimney
- smoke out
- smoke signal
- smoking gun
- smooth down
- smooth sailing
- smuggler's bible
- snake eyes
- snake oil
- snap it up
- snap judgment
- snap out of
- snap someone's head off
- snatch defeat from the jaws of victory
- snatch the pebble
- snatch victory from the jaws of defeat
- sneck posset
- snedging
- sneeze on the truth
- sniff test
- snipe hunt
- snip snap
- snitches get stitches
- snot nosed
- snowball's chance in hell
- snowed under
- snow job
- snow on the mountaintop
- snow on the rooftop
- snow out
- snuggle bunny
- soaked to the skin
- soaking wet
- soak up
- so be it
- sob story
- social death
- social ladder
- sock knocking
- soda jerk
- sod off
- so far
- so far so good
- soften the blow
- soften someone's cough
- soften the ground
- soften up
- soft Mick
- soft sawder
- soft shoe
- soft spot
- soft touch
- soft underbelly
- so long as
- solo run
- some old
- someone's heart is in
- someone's heart out
- someone's jaw dropped
- some people
- some pumpkins
- something awful
- something is rotten in the state of Denmark
- something like
- somewhere along the line
- somewhere over the rainbow
- so much for
- song and dance
- son of Adam
- son of the morning
- sore point
- sore thumbish
- sort out
- sort of
- sort oneself out
- so there
- sound asleep
- soup sandwich
- soup to nuts
- sour grapes
- sour note
- sour stomach
- southpaw
- sow dragon's teeth
- space out
- spank the monkey
- spare no effort
- spare someone's blushes
- spare someone the details
- spare tire
- spare tyre
- spark spread
- speak for
- speak for oneself
- speak in circles
- speak of the devil
- speak of the devil and he appears
- speak of the devil and he shall appear
- speak one's mind
- speak out
- speak someone's language
- speak to
- speak up
- speak with a forked tongue
- spear carrier
- special delivery
- special needs
- spectator sport
- speech is silver, silence is golden
- speed merchant
- speed up
- Speedy Gonzales
- spend a penny
- spill juice
- spill one's guts
- spill one's seed
- spill the beans
- spin a yarn
- spin doctor
- spine tingling
- spin one's wheels
- spin out
- spit out
- spit feathers
- spit in the ocean
- spit in the wind
- spit into the wind
- spit nails
- spitting distance
- splash down
- splice the mainbrace
- split hairs
- split on a rock
- split one's sides
- split the difference
- split up
- Spock ears
- spoil somebody rotten
- spoil someone rotten
- spoilt for choice
- spot check
- spot of bother
- spread one's wings
- spread out
- spread the word
- spring fever
- spring for
- spring in one's step
- spring to life
- spring to mind
- spruce up
- spur of the moment
- square away
- square meal
- square on
- square one
- square peg in a round hole
- square shooter
- squint like a bag of nails
- stab in the back
- stab in the dark
- stack up
- staff of life
- stage-door Johnny
- stage of the game
- stage right
- staircase wit
- stalking horse
- stall for time
- stand a chance
- standard fare
- stand behind
- stand by
- stand corrected
- stand down
- stand fast
- stand fire
- stand for
- stand from under
- stand in for
- stand in one's own light
- stand in someone's shoes
- stand in the gap
- stand in the gate
- stand on ceremony
- stand one's ground
- stand on its own
- stand on one's head
- stand on one's own two feet
- stand on someone's shoulders
- stand on the shoulders of giants
- stand pat
- stand tall
- stand the test of time
- stand to reason
- stand treat
- stand trial
- stand up
- stand up and be counted
- stand up with
- stand with
- star crossed
- staredown
- stare someone in the face
- stars align
- stars are aligned
- stars in one's eyes
- start a family
- start a fresh hare
- start over
- star turn
- start with a clean sheet
- start with a clean slate
- star vehicle
- starvin' Marvin
- state of affairs
- stave off
- stay behind
- stay in one's lane
- stay on
- stay put
- stay the course
- stay the distance
- stay tuned
- steady as she goes
- steady hand on the tiller
- steady the ship
- steal a glance
- steal a march
- steal someone's heart
- steal someone's thunder
- steal the show
- steely eyed
- steely nerved
- steely spined
- stem the rose
- stem the tide
- step back
- step down
- step forward
- step into someone's shoes
- step lively
- step on a rake
- step on it
- step on someone's toes
- step out
- step over
- stepping razor
- stepping stone
- step up
- step up to the plate
- stew in one's juices
- stick a fork in something
- stick by
- sticker shock
- sticking place
- sticking point
- stick in someone's craw
- stick in the mud
- stick it to
- stick it to the man
- stick one's dick in crazy
- stick one's foot in it
- stick one's foot in one's mouth
- stick one's head in the sand
- stick one's neck out
- stick one's nose into
- stick one's oar in
- stick out
- sticks and stones
- stick the knife in
- stick the landing
- stick to
- stick together
- stick to one's guns
- stick to one's knitting
- stick to one's last
- stick to one's text
- stick to someone's ribs
- stick up
- stick with
- sticky fingers
- stiff upper lip
- stink a buzzard off a gut wagon
- stink a dog off a gut wagon
- stink a skunk off a gut wagon
- stink eye
- stink on ice
- stir shit
- stir the embers
- stock phrase
- stock still
- stone cold
- stone dead
- stone deaf
- stone's throw
- stonewall
- stop and smell the roses
- stop at nothing
- stop dead
- stop press
- stop someone in their tracks
- stop the bleeding
- stop the lights
- stop the presses
- store away
- storm off
- storm out of the blocks
- storm racked
- stormy weather
- stovepipe
- stovepipe hat
- straight away
- straight face
- straight-face test
- straight from the horse's mouth
- straight from the shoulder
- straight goods
- straight man
- straight out of the chute
- straight shooter
- strain every nerve
- strange bedfellows
- strangle the parrot
- strap on a pair
- straw poll
- straw that stirs the drink
- street appeal
- streets ahead
- streets behind
- stretch one's legs
- stretch the truth
- strike a blow
- strike a chord
- strike a false note
- strike a light
- strike it lucky
- strike it rich
- strike oil
- strike one's flag
- strike someone when they are down
- strike tallies
- strike the tent
- strike up
- strike while the iron is hot
- string along
- string attached
- strings attached
- string to one's bow
- string up
- strip off
- stroke of business
- stroke of luck
- stroke of work
- strut one's stuff
- stub out
- stuck in the mud
- stuck in the Stone Age
- stuck on
- stuck up
- stud muffin
- stuffed like a turkey
- stuffed shirt
- stuffed to the gills
- stuff it
- stuff one's face
- stuff the ballot box
- stuff you
- stumbling block
- suffer fools gladly
- suffer in silence
- sugar and spice
- sugarcoat a bitter pill
- Sunday best
- Sunday driver
- Sunday-go-to-meeting clothes
- Sun worshipper
- sure enough
- surf's up
- suspend one's disbelief
- Sussex Drive
- swaddling clothes
- swallow a bitter pill
- swallow one's pride
- swallow the leek
- swan song
- swap horses in midstream
- swear by
- swear off
- sweat bricks
- sweat bullets
- sweat equity
- sweat of one's brow
- sweat the small stuff
- sweep aside
- sweep away
- sweep out
- sweep someone off their feet
- sweep something under the rug
- sweep the board
- sweet dreams
- sweeten the pill
- sweeten the pot
- sweeten up
- sweet fuck all
- sweetheart deal
- sweet hereafter
- sweet Jesus
- sweet Mary
- sweet Mary mother of God
- sweetness and light
- sweet nothings
- sweet smell of success
- sweet tooth
- sweet young thing
- swell up
- swim upstream
- swim with sharks
- swing and a miss
- swing both ways
- swing for the fences
- swing of things
- swing round the circle
- swing through
- switch off
- switch on
- sword and sorcery
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