The American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms
Page 113
stand one’s ground Also, hold one’s ground; stand fast. Be firm or unyielding, as in You’ve got to respect him for standing his ground when all the others disagree, or I’m going to hold my ground on this issue, or No matter how he votes, I’m standing fast. This idiom, dating from the early 1600s, originally was applied to an army holding its territory against the enemy, but was being used figuratively as well by the end of the 1600s.
stand on one’s own feet Act or behave independently, as in You’ve got to learn to stand on your own feet and not always listen to your peers. [Mid-1500s]
stand out 1. Protrude, project, as in Those reliefs stand out from the building walls. [First half of 1500s] 2. Be conspicuous, distinctive, or prominent, as in He’s so tall that he always stands out in a crowd. [Mid-1800s] 3. Refuse to comply, remain opposed, as in The one juror is standing out against a guilty verdict. [Late 1500s]
stand over 1. Watch or supervise closely, as in I hate to cook when you’re standing over me. [First half of 1300s] 2. Postpone, as in We’ll have to let this budget item stand over till next year. [Early 1800s]
stand pat Refuse to change one’s position or opinion, as in We’re going to stand pat on this amendment to the bylaws. This expression may be derived from the verb pat in the sense of “strike firmly and accurately.” [Late 1800s]
standstill → See COME TO A HALT (STANDSTILL).
stand still for → See HOLD STILL FOR.
stand the sight of → See CAN’T STAND.
stand up 1. Remain valid, sound, or durable, as in His claim will not stand up in court, or Our old car stood up well over time. [Mid-1900s] 2. Fail to keep a date or appointment with, as in Al stood her up twice in the past week, and that will be the end of their relationship. [Colloquial; c. 1900] Also see STAND UP FOR; STAND UP TO; STAND UP WITH.
stand up and be counted Reveal one’s convictions or opinions, especially when it requires courage to do so. For example, Stop muttering your complaints about the music; stand up and be counted if you want something changed. The counted in this expression alludes to having one’s vote on a matter acknowledged. [c. 1900]
stand up for Also, stick up for. Side with, defend, as in Paul always stands up for what he thinks is right, or Ginny has learned to stick up for her family. The first recorded use of the first term is by Shakespeare in King Lear (1:2), when Edmund, Gloucester’s bastard son, says: “Now gods, stand up for bastards!” The colloquial variant was first recorded in 1837.
stand up to Confront fearlessly, oppose boldly, as in You’ve got to stand up to the boss if you want him to respect you. [Early 1600s]
stand up with Be the principal witness at a wedding, that is, act as best man or maid or matron of honor. For example, Jane asked her sister to stand up with her.
star → In addition to the idioms beginning with STAR, also see BORN UNDER A LUCKY STAR; SEE STARS; THANK ONE’S LUCKY STARS.
starch → See TAKE THE STARCH OUT OF.
star-chamber proceedings An unfair, secret judicial action. The term alludes to an inquisitorial English court that sat without a jury and was famous for its harsh judgments and sentences. Called the Court of the Star Chamber because of the stars gilded on its ceiling, it was abolished in 1641. The name, however, has persisted to the present day.
stare down Cause someone to waver or give in by or as if by being stared at. For example, Insisting on a better room, he stared down the manager until he got it. This expression alludes to staring at someone without being the first to blink or lower one’s gaze. [Mid-1800s]
stare in the face Also, look in the face. Be glaringly obvious, although initially overlooked, as in The solution to the problem had been staring me in the face all along, or I wouldn’t know a Tibetan terrier if it looked me in the face. [Late 1600s]
stark raving mad Totally crazy, as in The constant uncertainty over his job is making him stark raving mad. This term, meaning “completely wildly insane,” is used both hyperbolically and literally. Versions of this expression appear to have sprung from the minds of great literary figures. Stark mad was first recorded by poet John Skelton in 1489; stark raving was first recorded by playwright John Beaumont in 1648; stark staring mad was first used by John Dryden in 1693. The current wording, stark raving mad, first appeared in Henry Fielding’s The Intriguing Chambermaid in 1734.
stars in one’s eyes, have Be dazzled or enraptured, especially with romance; also, be naively idealistic or optimistic. For example, Thinking about their coming marriage, they both had stars in their eyes, or Kit had stars in her eyes when she talked about the millions who would buy her recording. This idiom transfers the shining of stars to eyes shining with love or enthusiasm. [c. 1900]
start → In addition to the idioms beginning with START, also see FALSE START; FITS AND STARTS; FOR OPENERS (STARTERS); (START) FROM SCRATCH; FROM SOUP TO NUTS (START TO FINISH); GET OFF THE GROUND (TO A FLYING START); HEAD START; RUNNING START; TO START WITH.
starters → See under FOR OPENERS.
start from scratch → See FROM SCRATCH.
start in Begin, as in He started in serving, without taking any practice. [Late 1800s] Also see START OUT.
start in on 1. Begin doing something, as in We started right in on the repairs. Also see START IN. 2. Attack, especially verbally, as in Nancy keeps starting in on Carl, complaining about the errors in his work. [Early 1900s]
start off 1. Set out on a trip, as in We plan to start off in the morning. [Early 1800s] Also see START OUT. 2. start someone off. Cause someone to set out or to begin something, as in Mother packed their lunches and started them off, or Paul started them off on their multiplication tables. [Early 1700s] For start off on the right foot, see GET OFF ON THE RIGHT FOOT.
start out Set out on a trip, as in The climbers started out from base camp shortly after midnight. [Early 1900s]
start over Begin again, as in This article is no good; I’ll have to start over. [Early 1900s]
start something Cause trouble, especially a quarrel or fight, as in Stop bringing that up—do you want to start something? [Colloquial; early 1900s]
start up 1. Begin to operate, especially a machine or engine, as in Start up the motor so we can get going. [First half of 1900s] 2. Move suddenly or begin an activity, as in When the alarm rang I started up. [Early 1200s] 3. Organize a new enterprise, as in Starting up a business requires considerable capital. [Second half of 1900s]
state → In addition to the idiom beginning with STATE, also see IN A LATHER (STATE); IN STATE; SHIP OF STATE.
state of the art The highest level of development, very up-to-date, as in This new television set reflects the state of the art in screen technology. Despite including the word art, this term originated in technology, and its first recorded use appears in a 1910 book on the gas turbine. Today it is often used adjectivally, as in This is a state-of-the-art camera, and sometimes very loosely, as in That movie is state-of-the-art Woody Allen.
status quo The existing condition or state of affairs, as in We don’t want to admit more singers to the chorus; we like the status quo. This term, Latin for “state in which,” has been used in English since the early 1800s.
status symbol A position or activity that allows one’s social prestige to be displayed, as in She doesn’t even drive; that car of hers is purely a status symbol. [Mid-1900s]
stave off Keep or hold away, repel, as in The Federal Reserve Board is determined to stave off inflation. This metaphoric expression transfers beating something off with a staff or stave to nonphysical repulsion. [c. 1600]
stay → In addition to the idioms beginning with STAY, also see HERE TO STAY; (STAY) IN TOUCH; (STAY ON SOMEONE’S) RIGHT SIDE; SHOULD HAVE STOOD (STAYED) IN BED.
staying power The ability to endure or last, as in I’m not sure that this young novelist will have staying power, or Our candidate definitely has staying power. This expression comes from racing, where it means “the strength to maintain speed through a race.” [Second half of 1800s]
stay put Remain in a fixed or established position, as in I can’t get that trellis to stay put, or I’m coming, just stay put till I get there. [First half of 1800s]
stay the course Hold or persevere to the end, as in No, he’s not resigning; he’s going to stay the course. This metaphoric expression, alluding to a horse running an entire race, was first recorded in 1916.
stay with 1. Remain in one’s mind or memory, as in That song has stayed with me all these years. [Late 1500s] 2. Keep up with; also, concentrate on, continue with. For example, The runner from Kenya stayed with Mark almost to the finish line, or She has an amazing talent for staying with a problem. [Late 1800s] Also see STICK WITH.
stead → See IN SOMEONE’S SHOES (STEAD); STAND IN GOOD STEAD. Also see under INSTEAD.
steady → In addition to the idiom beginning with STEADY, also see GO STEADY; SLOW BUT SURE (SLOW AND STEADY WINS THE RACE).
steady as a rock Firm, dependable, as in Betty always knows her part; she’s steady as a rock. This simile uses rock in the sense of “something that affords a sure support,” a usage dating from the early 1500s.
steal a march on Gain an advantage over unexpectedly or secretly, as in Macy’s stole a march on their rival department store with their Thanksgiving Day parade. This metaphoric expression comes from medieval warfare, where a march was the distance an army could travel in a day. By quietly marching at night, a force could surprise and overtake the enemy at daybreak. Its figurative use dates from the second half of the 1700s.
steal someone blind Also, rob someone blind. Rob or cheat someone mercilessly, as in Ann always maintained that children would steal their parents blind. The allusion here is unclear. Possibly it means stealing everything, including someone’s sight. [Mid-1900s]
steal someone’s heart Win someone’s love, as in That puppy stole Brian’s heart. [Late 1500s]
steal someone’s thunder Use or appropriate another’s idea, especially to one’s advantage, as in It was Harold’s idea but they stole his thunder and turned it into a massive advertising campaign without giving him credit. This idiom comes from an actual incident in which playwright and critic John Dennis (1657–1734) devised a “thunder machine” (by rattling a sheet of tin backstage) for his play, Appius and Virginia (1709), and a few days later discovered the same device being used in a performance of Macbeth, whereupon he declared, “They steal my thunder.”
steal the show Also, steal the spotlight. Be the center of attention, as in The speeches were interesting but Eliza’s singing stole the show. This idiom alludes to unexpectedly outshining the rest of the cast in a theatrical production. [First half of 1900s]
steam → See BLOW OFF STEAM; FULL SPEED (STEAM) AHEAD; GET UP STEAM; RUN OUT OF (STEAM); UNDER ONE’S OWN STEAM.
steamed up Stirred up, aroused with ardor, excitement, anger, or other strong emotion, as in She was all steamed up about the results. The precise meaning depends on the context. [Colloquial; early 1900s]
steel → In addition to the idiom beginning with STEEL, also see MIND LIKE A STEEL TRAP.
steel one’s heart against Also, harden one’s heart. Suppress one’s feelings for, as in He finally steeled his heart against them and refused the loan, or You’ll just have to harden your heart and tell them the truth. This metaphoric idiom transfers making something hard to rendering oneself insensible or unfeeling. Versions of it date from the late 1500s. Also see HEART OF STONE.
steer → In addition to the idiom beginning with STEER, also see BUM STEER.
steer clear of Stay away from, avoid, as in Dad warned us to steer clear of Dr. Smith and his poor advice. This idiom alludes to guiding a vessel away from some obstacle. Its figurative use was first recorded in 1723.
stem → In addition to the idiom beginning with STEM, also see FROM SOUP TO NUTS (STEM TO STERN).
stem the tide Stop the course of a trend or tendency, as in It is not easy to stem the tide of public opinion. This idiom uses stem in the sense of “stop” or “restrain.” [Mid-1800s]
stem to stern → See under FROM SOUP TO NUTS.
step → In addition to the idioms beginning with STEP, also see FALSE STEP; IN STEP; (STEP) OUT OF LINE; TAKE STEPS; WATCH ONE’S STEP.
step aside 1. Move out of the way, as in Please step aside—I’ve got my arms full of groceries. This usage was first recorded in 1530. 2. Withdraw, make room for a replacement, as in The senior researcher decided to step aside for a younger colleague. [Second half of 1900s]
step by step By degrees, as in You’ll have to go through this recipe step by step. This idiom transfers putting one foot in front of the other to other kinds of progress. [c. 1700]
step down 1. Resign from office, as in He threatened to step down if they continued to argue with him. [Late 1800s] 2. Reduce, especially in stages, as in They were stepping down the voltage. [c. 1900] Also see STEP UP, def. 1.
step in Enter into an activity or situation; also, intervene. For example, The business was doing poorly until Stan stepped in, or They are going to make a mess of the mailing unless someone steps in and shows them what to do. [Late 1400s] Also see STEP INTO.
step in the right direction, a A move that advances a course of action, as in Asking Bill to resign is a step in the right direction. This idiom was first recorded in 1871.
step into Involve oneself or intervene, as in He knew he’d be able to step into a job in his father’s firm, or Jane asked Mary to step into the matter and settle it. Also see STEP IN.
step into someone’s shoes Take someone’s place, as in He’s groomed Harriet to step into his shoes when he resigns. Also see FILL SOMEONE’S SHOES; IN SOMEONE’S SHOES.
step on it Hurry up, go faster, as in Step on it or we are going to be late. This idiom alludes to stepping on a vehicle’s gas pedal. [Colloquial; c. 1920]
step on someone’s toes Also, tread on someone’s toes. Hurt or offend someone. For example, Be careful what you say about her losing weight; don’t step on her toes, or Would I be stepping on someone’s toes if I asked to help out with the party arrangements? This metaphoric idiom transfers physical to emotional pain. [Late 1300s]
step out 1. Walk briskly, as in He stepped out in time to the music. [c. 1800] 2. Also, step outside. Go outside briefly, as in He just stepped out for a cigarette. [First half of 1500s] 3. Go out for an evening of entertainment, as in They’re stepping out again tonight. 4. step out with. Accompany or consort with a person as when going on a date, as in She’s been stepping out with him for a month. [Colloquial; early 1900s]
step out of line → See OUT OF LINE, def. 1.
step up 1. Increase, especially in stages, as in We’ve got to step up production. [Early 1900s] Also see STEP DOWN, def. 2. 2. Come forward, as in Step up to the podium, folks, and I’ll show you how it works. [Mid-1600s] A variant is step up to the plate, literally meaning a batter should go to home plate and prepare to hit a pitched ball. In recent decades it has been transferred to other enterprises, as in The administration needs to step up to the plate and decide what bills it will back.
stern → See FROM SOUP TO NUTS (STEM TO STERN).
steven → See EVEN-STEVEN.
stew → In addition to the idiom beginning with STEW, also see IN A STEW.
stew in one’s own juice Suffer the consequences of one’s actions, as in He’s run into debt again, but this time we’re leaving him to stew in his own juice. This metaphoric term alludes to cooking something in its own liquid. Versions of it, such as fry in one’s own grease, date from Chaucer’s time, but the present term dates from the second half of the 1800s.
stick → In addition to the idioms beginning with STICK, also see CARROT AND STICK; GET ON THE STICK; MAKE STICK; MORE THAN ONE CAN SHAKE A STICK AT; SHORT END OF THE STICK; STAND (STICK) UP FOR; WRONG END OF THE STICK. Also see under STUCK.
stick around Remain, linger, as in I hope you
’ll stick around till the end. This idiom uses stick in the sense of “stay.” [Colloquial; early 1900s]
stick at Scruple or hesitate, as in She sticks at nothing to gain her ends. This idiom, nearly always used in a negative context, was first recorded in 1525. Also see STOP AT NOTHING.
stick by Also, stick to. Remain loyal to, as in The brothers said they’d stick by one another, no matter what, or Phyllis promised to stick to Bert. This idiom derives from stick in the sense of “adhere.” [Early 1500s] Also see STAND BY, def. 4.
stick in one’s craw Also, stick in one’s throat. 1. Unable to be spoken, as in I meant to apologize but the words stuck in my craw. [Early 1600s] 2. Be so offensive that one can’t tolerate it, as in That obscene art exhibit stuck in my throat. [Late 1600s]
stick-in-the-mud A person who is old-fashioned and avoids anything new. It alludes to a vehicle that is stuck in the mud and cannot move forward. For example, Our doctor is such a stick-in the-mud, refusing to try any of the newer medications. The term is also used as an adjective, as in That stick-in-the-mud school board won’t hire any teachers under the age of 30. [First half of 1700s]
stick it 1. Continue what one is doing, endure something to the end, as in I hate large parties but I promised her I’d stick it to the end. [Early 1900s] Also see STICK OUT, def. 2. 2. Also, stick it or shove it up one’s ass. Do whatever you like with it, I don’t want it, as in Do that job all over again? Why don’t you stick it?, or Tell the chef he can take this fish and shove it up his ass. This vulgar slangy idiom, which uses stick in the sense of “thrust inward or upward,” also functions as a variant of UP YOURS. [Second half of 1800s]
stick it to someone Treat someone badly or unfairly, as in The head nurse really stuck it to Judy when she made her take all three shifts. This slangy usage may be derived from STICK IT, def. 2.
stick one’s neck out Make oneself vulnerable, take a risk, as in I’m going to stick my neck out and ask for a raise. This expression probably alludes to a chicken extending its neck before being slaughtered. [Colloquial; early 1900s]