Showing 21-39 of 39
Spare a thought
To spare a thought means to remember or consider someone, especially someone who may be having a harder time. This idiom is often used to encourage sympathy or kindness.The expression comes from the simple idea of giving a small amount of attention or concern to someone else, even if only for a moment.
While we enjoy the holiday, spare a thought for the workers who still have to work today.
Speak of the devil
The idiom speak of the devil means that the person you were just talking about suddenly appears. It is usually said in a light or joking way when someone arrives at the moment they are mentioned.The phrase comes from an older saying speak of the devil and he shall appear. In the past it was a superstition that mentioning the devil might cause him to appear.
We were just wondering where Sam was, and speak of the devil, here he comes now.
Spill the beans
The idiom spill the beans means to reveal a secret. Once the information is shared, it cannot be taken back, in the way that it is hard to put beans back into a container after they have been spilled all over the floor.He spilled the beans about the birthday party.
Stab you in the back
To stab someone in the back means betraying a person who trusted you. It describes harming someone through secret actions or disloyal behavior.The phrase comes from the image of an attack delivered from behind, where the victim cannot see it coming. The image became a metaphor for hidden betrayal.
She felt stabbed in the back when her colleague shared her idea with the boss and took the credit.
Stay on track
To stay on track means to continue working toward a goal without getting distracted or delayed. It means to follow a planned path and making steady progress so that something is finished on time or done the right way.The phrase comes from the idea of trains traveling on railway tracks. As long as a train stays on the rails, it continues toward its destination.
If we stay on track with the schedule, the whole project should be finished by the end of the month.
Steal your thunder
Someone steals your thunder if they take attention or praise away from you, usually by doing what you were about to do first. It could mean taking someone's idea as your own, by doing something big at another event like proposing at someone else's wedding, or by announcing big news just before someone else announces theirs.I was going to announce my pregnancy at Thanksgiving, but my sister announced hers first and stole my thunder!
Step on someone's toes
To step on someone's toes means to upset someone by interfering with their work or responsibilities. It usually happens when a person does something that another person feels is their job or area of control.The phrase comes from dancing or crowded spaces where people can accidentally step on each other's toes. Just like the physical action can hurt or annoy someone, the idiom describes causing irritation by crossing boundaries.
I don't want to step on your toes, but I had a few ideas about how the project could be improved.
Stick out like a sore thumb
Something sticks out like a sore thumb if it is very obviously different from the things around it. This idiom came from how you would hold out an injured thumb so you don't hurt it even more.She wore a bright shirt to work, and stuck out like a sore thumb in the office.
Stick to your guns
To stick to your guns means to refuse to change your decision, even when other people disagree or pressure you.The phrase comes from military imagery, where soldiers remain at their weapons and hold their position instead of retreating. Over time it became a metaphor for standing by your beliefs.
She stuck to her guns despite the criticism.
Stole the show
Stole the show means drawing the most attention and praise during a performance or event. One person stands out more than everyone else.The phrase comes from theater. An actor who receives the strongest reaction from the audience can seem to take the spotlight away from the rest of the cast.
The small puppy wandered into the office and stole the show.