This is the ninth of twelve pages (9/12) of alphabetically organized idiomatic expressions. These expressions begin with the letters R and S. At the bottom of the page, you’ll find a challenging quiz about these idiomatic expressions.
- right away – immediately; without delay.
Example: I’ll call her right away. - ring a bell (with) – sound familiar.
Example: Does the name John Keats ring a bell with you? - rough it – live without usual comforts.
Example: We had to rough it in a tent with no electricity. - rule out – eliminate as a possibility.
Example: The doctor ruled out a broken bone. - run a temperature – have a fever.
Example: She’s staying home because she’s running a temperature. - run for office – try to be elected to a political position.
Example: He’s running for mayor. - run into (1) – meet unexpectedly.
Example: I ran into an old friend at the store.
run into (2) – collide with.
Example: He ran into a tree while skiing. - run late – be delayed or behind schedule.
Example: I’m running late for my meeting. - run of the mill – average, not special.
Example: The movie was just run of the mill. - run out of – have none left.
Example: We’ve run out of sugar. - save one’s breath – don’t bother speaking.
Example: Save your breath—he won’t listen. - search me – I have no idea.
Example: “Why is it closed?” “Search me!” - see eye to eye (on something) – agree completely.
Example: We see eye to eye on politics. - see (someone) off – go with someone to say goodbye.
Example: I went to the airport to see her off. - see to – take care of something.
Example: I’ll see to the arrangements. - serve one right – be deserved punishment.
Example: It serves him right for being rude. - short for – an abbreviation of.
Example: “Jen” is short for “Jennifer.” - show around – give a tour.
Example: I’ll show you around the office. - show off – brag or attract attention.
Example: He loves to show off his car. - show up – arrive or appear.
Example: She didn’t show up for the meeting. - shut down – stop operating.
Example: They had to shut down the factory. - sign up (for) – register or enroll.
Example: I signed up for yoga classes. - sing another tune – change one’s opinion.
Example: He’ll sing another tune when he sees the cost. - size up – evaluate or assess.
Example: He quickly sized up the situation. - sleep on it – delay making a decision.
Example: I’ll sleep on it and decide tomorrow. - slowly but surely – gradually but steadily.
Example: The company is growing slowly but surely. - snowed under – overwhelmed with work.
Example: I’m snowed under with paperwork. - so far, so good – things are okay up to now.
Example: “How’s the project?” “So far, so good.” - sooner or later – eventually.
Example: Sooner or later, the truth comes out. - speak one’s mind – say exactly what one thinks.
Example: She’s not afraid to speak her mind. - speak up – speak louder.
Example: Please speak up—I can’t hear you. - speak up (for) – defend or support someone.
Example: He spoke up for his friend. - spell out (for) – explain clearly or in detail.
Example: Can you spell it out for me?