Idioms S

salt of the earth, the

a very dependable and unpretentious person

salt (something) away

save/ lose face

to maintain/ not maintain a degree of prie in a shameful situation

say a mouthful

to say something of a significant or shocking nature; to say more than one should

scared out of (one’s) wits

so afraid that one is unable to think clearly

second-rate

of inferior quality; not the best

see the light

to understand something clearly

see which way the wind blows

to determine what stance to take based on what others want, even though such actions or words may not be what one sincerely wants to do or say

sell like hotcakes

to sell quickly

sell (someone) a bill of goods (sold a bill of goods)

to sell someone something that is worthless; or to make someone believe something that is untrue. to deceive someone

set (someone’s) teeth on edge

to irritate

seventh heaven, in

blissfully happy

shake a leg

to hurry

ships passing in the night

two people whose lives come together or whose paths cross for a short time

shoot the breeze

to chat or to pass time by chatting; to talk idly

shot in the arm

something that stimulates, boosts, or renews people’s interest

skeleton in the closet

an event in one’s past or family that is embarrassing nd that one would prefer to keep secret

slow burn

to be quietly angry

slow/quick off the mark

slow (or quick) to understand a situation

snowball’s chance in hell

no chance at all

something to crow about

an exceptional accomplishment; an achievement that is worth bragging about

sour grapes

a situation where a person criticizes something or someone out of jealousy

sow (one’s) wild oats

to do foolish or wild things, usually as a youth

speak (one’s) piece

to tell someone how one feels or what one thinks

split hairs

to argue about some detail that is not important

stew in (one’s) own juices

to suffer the consequences of one’s own actions

stick in the mud

someone who is seen as never wanting to take part in fun activities

stonewall

to avoid answering a question directly by being deliberately vague about it, or by talking a lot but not saying anything meaningful

straight from the horse’s mouth

directly from the primary source; directly from the person or people involved

strange bedfellows

people or things that one does not normally expect to find together

strike it rich

to make money; or, less literally, to be wildly successful

stuffed shirt

a man who is tiresome, pompous and self-portant