American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms

century later.

sleeve

hand. see CARD UP ONE'S SLEEVE; LAUGH UP ONE'S SLEEVE; ROLL UP ONE'S SLEEVES; WEAR ONE'S HEART ON ONE'S SLEEVE.

sleight of hand

Trickery, deviousness, as in By some sleight of hand they managed to overlook all bonuses. This term alludes to the performance of magic tricks with the hands. Its figurative use dates from about 1700.

slice

hand. In addition to the subsequent idiom beginning with SLICE, also see GREATEST

THING SINCE SLICED BREAD; NO MATTER HOW YOU SLICE IT.

slice of the pie Also, slice of the cake. A share of the proceeds or benefits, as in It's reasonable for a heavy contributor to ask for a big slice of the pie. This metaphor for a division of the spoils dates from the late 1800s. Also see the synonym PIECE OF THE ACTION.

slick as a whistle

Very smooth and neat; also, smoothly, quickly, easily. For example, That salesman is as slick as a whistle, or The fence post went in place slick as a whistle. The allusion in this simile, first recorded in 1830, is not totally clear, but presumably it refers either to the ease of producing a whistle or to its clear tone.

slide

hand. see LET RIDE (SLIDE); LET SLIP (SLIDE).

slight

hand. see IN THE LEAST (SLIGHTEST).

slim pickings

A small amount left after others have taken a share. For example, After each of the children took what they wanted of Mother's things, it was slim pickings for the rest of the family. This expression alludes to animals devouring a carcass. [Early 1600s]

sling

hand. In addition to the idioms beginning with SLING, also see ASS IN A SLING.

sling hash

Serve food in a restaurant, especially a cheap establishment. For example, The only job she could find was slinging hash in the neighborhood diner. This term alludes to the inelegant presentation and nature of the food, in effect, tossing hash before a customer. [Slang; mid-1800s]

sling mud at

Insult or discredit someone, as in The paper became famous for slinging mud at movie stars. This term replaced throw mud at, which dates from the second half of the 1700s.

slink away Also, slink off. Depart furtively, as in The shoplifter slipped an item into his coat pocket and slunk away, or After that severe scolding, she slunk off. This term employs slink in the sense of "move stealthily," a usage dating from the late 1300s.

slip

hand. In addition to the idioms beginning with SLIP, also see GIVE THE SLIP; LET SLIP.

slip a cog Also, slip a gear or one's gears. Lose one's ability to reason soundly or make correct judgments, as in She must have slipped a cog or she would never have gone out barefoot in December, or What's the matter with him? Has he slipped his gears? These slangy usages allude to a mechanical failure owing to the cog of a gear or a gear failing to mesh. The first dates from about 1930, the variant from the 1960s.

slip of the lip Also, slip of the tongue or pen. An inadvertent mistake in speaking (or writing), as in It was just a slip of the lip that made me say the wrong name, or She didn't mean it; it was a slip of the tongue, or He intended to write "the honorable" but a slip of the pen turned it into "reverend." The usage with pen dates from the mid-1600s; the others are a century or so younger.

slip one's mind

Be overlooked or forgotten, as in I meant to pick up the wine but it slipped my mind. This idiom was first recorded about 1340.

slip out

1. See LET SLIP OUT. 2. Also, slip away or off. Leave quietly and unobtrusively, as in She slipped out without telling a soul, or Let's slip away before the sermon, or Jason and Sheila slipped off to Bermuda. The use of slip with away dates from about 1450; out from the first half of the 1500s; off from the mid1800s.

slippery as an eel

Elusive, devious, as in When it comes to talking about his investments, Jim's slippery as an eel.

This simile, first recorded about 1412, alludes to the eel's skin, which has tiny scales and is quite slippery when wet.

slippery slope

A dangerous course, one that leads easily to catastrophe, as in He's on a slippery slope, compromising his values to please both the bosses and the union. This metaphoric

expression alludes to traversing a slick hill-side, in constant danger of falling. [Mid-1900s]

slip something over on

Hoodwink, trick, as in Her lawyer tried to slip one over on him, but his lawyer wouldn't let him get away with it, or Don't trust Dan?

he's always slipping something over on his customers. [c. 1900]

slip through one's fingers

see LET SLIP, def. 3.

slip up

Make a mistake, blunder, as in I slipped up and gave the invitations to the wrong people.

[Mid-1800s]

slow

hand. In addition to the idioms beginning with SLOW, also see MILLS OF THE GODS

GRIND SLOWLY; ON THE UPTAKE, SLOW.

slow burn Slowly increasing anger. It is often put as do a slow burn, meaning "gradually grow angrier," as in I did a slow burn when he kept me waiting for three hours. The burn in this idiom comes from burn up in the sense of "make furious." The term was first cited in 1938 and was closely associated with comedian Edgar Kennedy.

slow but sure

Gradual or plodding but certain to finish, as in Slow but sure this book's getting written. This idiom was first recorded in 1562, although the idea is much older. A related phrase appears in the proverb slow and steady wins the race, which is the moral of Aesop's fable about the race between a tortoise and a hare, which stopped to nap during the race and therefore lost.

slow down

1. Delay, retard, reduce speed, as in She slowed down the sled by dragging her foot, or Slow down, Bill; you're driving much too fast. [First half of 1800s] Also see SLOW UP. 2. Become

less active or vigorous, as in Now that I'm in my seventies I find I've slowed down quite a bit. [Second half of 1800s]

slow on the uptake

see ON THE UPTAKE.

slow up

Slacken or cause to slacken in speed, as in The train slowed up as it approached the curve, or Come on, you're slowing me up. [Late 1800s] Also see SLOW DOWN, def. 1.

sly

hand. see ON THE SLY.

small

hand. In addition to the idioms beginning with SMALL, also see BIG FISH IN A SMALL

POND; (SMALL) COG IN THE WHEEL; GIVE THANKS FOR SMALL BLESSINGS; IT'S A SMALL WORLD; LITTLE (SMALL) FROG IN A BIG POND; MAKE A (SMALL) FORTUNE; NO (SMALL) WONDER; STILL SMALL VOICE.

small beer Also, small potatoes. Of little importance, as in Don't listen to Henry; he's small beer, or It's silly to worry about that bill; it's small potatoes. The first term alludes to a beer of low alcoholic content (also called light beer today) and was used metaphorically by Shakespeare in several plays. The variant may have been invented by frontiersman Davy Crockett; it was first recorded in 1836. Also see SMALL FRY, def. 2.

small cog in a large wheel

hand. see COG IN THE WHEEL.

small frog in a big pond

hand. see LITTLE FROG IN A BIG POND.

small fry

1. Young children, as in This show is not suitable for small fry. 2. Persons of little importance or influence, as in She wasn't about to invite the Washington small fry to the reception. Both usages allude to fry in the sense of "young or small fish." [Late 1800s]

small hours Also, wee hours. The hours following midnight, as in I stayed up working through the small hours, or The parents didn't come home until the wee hours. The adjectives small and wee both refer to the low numbers

of those hours (one o'clock, two o'clock, etc.). [c. 1830]

small print Also, fine print. The details in a contract or other document, often indicating restrictions or other disadvantages. For example, Be sure you read the small print before you sign your name to it, or They had the warranty terms in fine print, so you'd overlook the fact that it was only good for a month. This idiom alludes to the fact that such material is often printed in smaller type than the rest of the document. [Mid-1900s]

small talk

Casual or trivial conversation, chitchat, as in We stood around making small talk until the guest of honor arrived. The small in this expression alludes to unimportant subjects of conversation, as opposed to serious or weighty ones. [Mid-1700s]

small time

A modest or minor level of achievement, as in Her success took her out of the small time to prime-time television. This expression was originally used in vaudeville for second-rate theaters and productions. [Early 1900s] Also see BIG TIME, def. 2.

small wonder

hand. see NO WONDER.

small aleck

An impudent or obnoxiously self-assertive individual, a wise guy, as in New teachers often have a hard time coping with the smart alecks in their classes. This expression, dating from the mid-1800s, probably alluded to a person of this description who was named Alec or Alexander, but his identity has been lost.

smart as a whip

Very intelligent or clever, as in Little Brian is smart as a whip; he's only three and already learning to read. This simile alludes to the sharp crack of a whip. [Mid-1900s] Also see MIND LIKE A

STEEL TRAP.

smart set

A fashionable social group, as in This restaurant has been discovered by the smart set. This idiom may be obsolescent. [Late 1800s]

smash hit

An outstanding success, as in She was a smash hit in the role of the governess, or His first book was a smash hit but this one isn't doing well. [c. 1920]

smear campaign

An attempt to ruin a reputation by slander or vilification, as in This press agent is well known for starting smear campaigns against her clients' major competitors. This phrase was first recorded in 1938 and uses smear in the sense of "an attempt to discredit" or "slander."

smell

hand. In addition to the idioms beginning with SMELL, also see COME UP (SMELLING

LIKE) ROSES; STINK (SMELL) TO HIGH HEAVEN.

smell a rat

Suspect something is wrong, especially a betrayal of some kind. For example, When I didn't hear any more from my prospective employer, I began to smell a rat. This expression alludes to a cat sniffing out a rat. [c. 1550]

smell fishy

Be suspect or suspicious, as in His explanation definitely smells fishy; my guess is that he's lying.

This idiom alludes to the fact that fresh fish have no odor but stale or rotten ones do. [Early 1800s]

smell to high heaven

hand. see STINK TO HIGH HEAVEN.

smell up Also, stink up. Cause a bad odor, as in These onions smell up the whole house, or Your old sneakers are stinking up the closet; throw them out. [Mid-1900s]

smile

hand. In addition to the idiom beginning with SMILE, also see CRACK A SMILE.

smile on

Look with favor or approval on, as in The current administration smiles on anyone who gives it helpful publicity. [c. 1400]

smithereens

hand. see BLOW TO SMITHEREENS.

smoke

hand. In addition to the idiom beginning with SMOKE, also see CHAIN SMOKER; GO UP

IN FLAMES (SMOKE); HOLY COW (SMOKE); NO SMOKE WITHOUT FIRE; WATCH ONE'S DUST (SMOKE).

smoke out

Expose, reveal, bring to public view, as in Reporters thrive on smoking out a scandal. This expression alludes to driving a person or animal out of a hiding place by filling it with smoke. [Late 1500s]

smoking gun

Something that serves as indisputable evidence or proof, especially of a crime. For example, There is no smoking gun in the Oval Office; the President had no role in tampering with the evidence.

This expression alludes to the smoke coming from a recently discharged firearm, a normal occurrence until the invention of smokeless powder. [Mid-1900s]

smooth

hand. In addition to the idioms beginning with SMOOTH, also see TAKE THE ROUGH

WITH THE SMOOTH.

smooth as silk

Lacking impediments or obstacles, unhindered, as in The negotiations went smooth as silk. This simile alludes to the slippery quality of silk. [c. 1900] Also see SMOOTH SAILING.

smooth over

Rid of obstructions or difficulties, as in We tried to smooth things over between the families before the wedding but did not succeed. [Late 1600s]

smooth sailing

Easy progress, as in We had a hard time setting up the new computer system but it'll be smooth sailing from here on. The smooth in this idiom alludes to calm waters, free from big waves or roughness, a usage dating from the late 1300s. The transfer to other kinds of easy progress dates from the second half of the 1900s. Also see PLAIN SAILING.

snag

hand. see HIT A SNAG.

snail mail

Ordinary postal service, as opposed to electronic communications. For example, He hasn't taken to his computer so he's still using snail mail. This slangy idiom, alluding to the alleged slowness of the snail, caught on at least partly for its rhyme. [1980s]

snail's pace

A very slow pace, as in They're making progress with testing the new vaccine, but at a snail's pace.

[c. 1400]

snake in one's bosom

hand. see VIPER IN ONE'S BOSOM.

snake in the grass

A treacherous person, as in Ben secretly applied for the same job as his best friend; no one knew he was such a snake in the grass. This metaphor for treachery, alluding to a poisonous snake concealed in tall grass, was used in 37 B.C. by the Roman poet Virgil (latet anguis in

herba). It was first recorded in English in 1696 as the title of a book by Charles Leslie.

snake oil

hand. see under BANANA OIL.

snap at

Speak irritably or abruptly to someone, as in This teacher was always snapping at the children. This use of snap transfers an animal's sudden bite at something to a verbal attack. [Late 1500s]

snap back

Rebound from a setback, recover quickly, as in I think we'll snap back quickly from this business

downturn. This idiom transfers the sudden release of tension on, for example, a branch to other kinds of recovery. [First half of 1900s]

snap judgment

A hurried or impetuous decision or finding, as in George was known for making snap judgments on personnel questions; he rarely bothered to investigate further. This

expression, which uses snap in the sense of "quick," was first recorded in 1841. snap one's fingers at

Treat with contempt, scorn, disregard, as in Peter just snapped his fingers at the speed limit and drove as fast he liked, or Joanne snapped her fingers at the rumor about their bankruptcy. This expression alludes to the gesture of striking one's finger against one's thumb, thereby making a sharp noise. [Early 1800s]

snap out of

Suddenly recover, as in You can't expect an entire economy to snap out of the doldrums overnight.

This expression is also put as an imperative, Snap out of it! telling someone to return to his or her normal state of mind from an undesirable condition such as grief, self-pity, or depression; for example, Snap out of it, Stella; it's over and done with. [1920s]

snappy

hand. see under MAKE HASTE.

snap someone's head off

hand. see BITE SOMEONE'S HEAD OFF.

snap to

Move swiftly and smartly to an action, as in The troops snapped to attention. This phrase is sometimes expanded to snap to it, as in You'd better snap to it if we're going to finish today.

[Early 1900s]

snap up

Snatch for one's own use, as in As soon as they lower the price we intend to snap up the house; it's exactly what we want. [Mid-1500s]

sneak preview

An advance showing of something, as in It was supposed to be bad luck but she gave the bridegroom a sneak preview of her wedding gown. This expression originated in the 1930s for a single public showing of a motion picture before its general release, and in succeeding decades was transferred to other undertakings.

sneeze at

hand. see NOT TO BE SNEEZED AT.

sniff out

Uncover, as If there's anything to that rumor, Gladys will sniff it out. This expression alludes to an animal sniffing for prey. [First half of 1900s]

snit

hand. see IN A SNIT.

snow

hand. In addition to the idioms beginning with SNOW, also see PURE AS THE DRIVEN

SNOW.

snowball's chance in hell, a

No chance at all, as in He hasn't a snowball's chance in hell of getting there in two hours. This idiom, nearly always used negatively, alludes to the traditional view of hell as extremely hot, causing snow to melt at once. [Late 1800s]

snow job

An effort to deceive, persuade, or overwhelm with insincere talk. For example, Peter tried to give the officer a snow job about an emergency at the hospital but he got a speeding ticket all the same. This slangy expression, originating in the military during World War II, presumably alludes to

the idiom SNOW UNDER.

snow under

Overwhelm, overpower, as in I can't go; I'm just snowed under with work, or We were snowed under by more votes than we could have anticipated. This expression alludes to being buried in snow. [Late 1800s]

snuff

hand. In addition to the idiom beginning with SNUFF, also see UP TO PAR (SNUFF).

snuff out

1. Extinguish, put a sudden end to, as in Three young lives were snuffed out in that automobile accident. This usage alludes to snuff in the sense of "put out a candle by pinching the wick," an area itself called snuff from the late 1300s on. [Mid-1800s] 2. Kill, murder, as in If he told the police, the gang would snuff him out. [Slang; first half of 1900s] 3. Also, snuff it. Die or be killed, as in He looked very ill indeed, as though he might snuff out any day, or Grandpa just snuffed it.

[Slang; second half of 1800s]

snug as a bug in a rug

Very cozy and comfortable, as in During the blizzard we had plenty of firewood and stayed in the

cottage, snug as a bug in a rug. This expression, thought to allude to a moth larva happily feeding inside a rolled-up carpet, was first recorded in 1769 and probably owes its long life to the rhyme.

so

hand. In addition to the idioms beginning with so, also see AND SO FORTH (AND SO

ON); AS (SO) FAR AS; AS (SO) FAR AS POSSIBLE; AS (SO) FAR AS THAT GOES; AS (SO) LONG AS; AS (SO) MUCH AS; EVEN SO; EVERY NOW AND THEN (SO OFTEN); GO SO FAR AS TO; HOW COME (SO); IN SO MANY WORDS; IS THAT A FACT (SO); I TOLD YOU SO; JUST SO; NEVER HAD IT SO GOOD; NOT (SO) BAD; ON ONE'S SAY-SO; OR SO; TAKE IT (JUST SO MUCH); WITHOUT SO MUCH AS.

soaked to the skin Also, soaked through. Drenched, extremely wet, as in What a downpour; I'm soaked to the skin, or She fell in the stream and was soaked through. The implication in this idiom implies that water has penetrated one's clothing, so one is thoroughly wet. The phrase to the skin has been so used since about 1600; it and the variant were combined in Randle Cotgrave's Dictionary (1611) as "Wet through, or (as we say) to the skin."

soak up

1.Absorb, take in, as in I lay there, soaking up the sun, or She often went to hear poets read their work, soaking up every word. This usage, alluding to absorbing a liquid, dates from the mid-1500s.

2.Drink to excess, as in She can really soak up her beer.

soap

hand. In addition to the idiom beginning with SOAP, also see NO DICE (SOAP); ON

ONE'S SOAPBOX; SOFT SOAP.

soap opera

1. A radio or television serial with stock characters in domestic dramas that are noted for being sentimental and melodramatic. For example, She just watches soap operas all day long. This term originated in the mid-1930s and was so called because the sponsors of the earliest such radio shows were often soap manufacturers. 2. Real-life situation resembling one that might occur in a soap opera, as in She just goes on and on about her various medical and family problems, one long soap opera. [1940s]

so as to

In order to, as in We took off our shoes so as to avoid scratching the newly finished floors. This idiom is always followed by an infinitive. For a synonym, see IN ORDER TO, def. 5.

so be it

Let it be so, I accept it as it is. For example, If you can't change the reservation, so be it; I'll travel on Monday. This phrase, often given as a translation of the Hebrew (and Greek and Latin) amen, has been employed in the current sense since about 1600.

sober as a judge