Словарь американских идиом: 8000 единиц
Шрифт:
[sign off]{v.} 1. To end a program on radio or television. •/That TV newscaster always signs off by saluting./ 2. To stop broadcasting for the day. •/That TV station always signs off after the late movie./
[sign of the times]{n. phr.} A characteristic of the times in which one lives. •/It is a sad sign of the times that all the major lakes and rivers are badly polluted and fish in them are poisoned./
[sign on]{v. phr.} 1. To sign an agreement to become an employee. •/The new cowboys signed on with the wealthy rancher in Nevada./ 2. To start a radio or television broadcast. •/Station WLAK signs on every morning at 6 A.M./ Contrast: SIGN OFF.
[sign one’s own death warrant]{v. phr.} To cause your own death or the loss of something you want very much. •/Mr. Carter had lung trouble, and the doctor told him he would sign his own death warrant if he didn’t stop smoking./ •/When Jim’s fiancee saw him on a date with another girl, he signed his own death warrant./
[sign on the dotted line]{v. phr.} To attach one’s signature on an important document, such as a contract, a bill of sales, etc. •/The seller said to the buyer, "All you need to do is sign on the dotted line."/
[sign out]{v.} To write your name on a special list or in a record book to show that you are leaving a place. •/Most of the students sign out on Friday./ Contrast SIGN IN.
[sign over]{v.} To give legally by signing your name. •/He signed his house over to his wife./
[sign up]{v.} 1. To promise to do something by signing your name; join; sign an agreement. •/We will not have the picnic unless more people sign up./ •/John wants to sign up for the contest./ •/Miss Carter has signed up to be the chaperone at the dance./ 2. To write the name of (a person or thing) to be in an activity; also, to persuade (someone) to do something. •/Betty decided to sign up her dog for obedience training./ •/The superintendent has signed up three new teachers for next year./
[signed, sealed, and delivered]{adj. phr.} Finished; completed; in a state of completion. •/"How is the campus renovation plan for the governor’s office coming along?" the dean of the college asked. "Signed, sealed, and delivered," his assistant answered./ Compare: CUT AND DRIED; HOOK, LINE AND SINKER.
[silence gives consent] If you say nothing or do not say no to something, it means that you agree. — A proverb. •/Don’t be afraid to say, if you don’t like something. Silence gives consent./
[silent majority]{n.}, {informal} The large majority of people who, unlike the militants, do not make their political and social views known by marching and demonstrating and who, presumably, can swing an election one way or the other. •/Sidney Miltner is a member of the silent majority./
[silver] See: BORN WITH A SILVER SPOON IN ONE’S MOUTH, EVERY CLOUD HAS A SILVER LINING, HAND SOMETHING TO ONE ON A SILVER PLATTER.
[silver anniversary] or [wedding]{n. phr.} The twenty-fifth wedding anniversary of a couple; the twenty-fifth anniversary of a business or an association, etc. •/"The day after tomorrow is Mom and Dad’s silver anniversary," Sue said to her brother. "I hope you have a nice present picked out."/
[simmer down]{v.}, {informal} To become less angry or excited; become calmer. •/Tom got mad, but soon simmered down./
[Simon Legree]{n.}, {informal} A strict person, especially a boss, who makes others work very hard. •/Don’t talk on the job; the boss is a real Simon Legree./ •/Everybody avoids the foreman. He acts like a Simon Legree./
[simple] See: PURE AND SIMPLE.
[sing a different tune] or [whistle a different tune] also [sing a new tune]{v. phr.}, {informal} To talk or act in the opposite way; contradict something said before. •/Charles said that all smokers should be expelled from the team but he sang a different tune after the coach caught him smoking./ Syn.: CHANGE ONE’S TUNE, DANCE TO ANOTHER TUNE. Compare: LAUGH OUT OF THE OTHER SIDE OF ONE’S MOUTH.
[sing for one’s supper]{v. phr.}, {informal} To have to work for what one desires. •/I realized a long time ago that I had to sing for my supper if I wanted to get ahead in my profession./
[sing in tune] See: IN TUNE.
[single] See: EVERY SINGLE.
[single out]{v. phr.} To select or choose one from among many. •/There were a lot of pretty girls at the high school prom but Don immediately singled out Sally./
[sing one’s praises]{v. phr.} To extol or praise continuously. •/The audience left the concert with everyone singing the praises of the young piano virtuoso./
[sing out of tune] See: OUT OF TUNE.
[sink] See: HEART SINKS.
[sinker] See: HOOK, LINE AND SINKER.
[sink in] or [soak in]{v.}, {informal} To be completely understood; be fully realized or felt. •/Everybody laughed at the joke but Joe; it took a moment for it to sink in before he laughed too./ •/When Frank heard that war had started, it didn’t sink in for a long time until his father was drafted into the army./ Compare: BRING HOME.