S
Idioms beginning with "S"
Part of speech, explanation, example sentences, pronunciation
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Contents of S:
[set about] {v.}
To begin; start.
Benjamin Franklin set about teaming the printer's trade at an early age.
After breakfast, Mother set about her household duties.
[set aside] {v.}
1. To separate from the others in a group or collection.
She set aside the things in the old trunk which she wanted to keep.
2. To select or choose from others for some purpose.
The governor set aside a day for thanksgiving.
[…]
[setback] {n.}
A disadvantage; a delay.
We suffered a major setback when my wife lost her job.
[set back] {v.}
1. To cause to put off or get behind schedule; slow up; check.
The cold weather set back the planting by two weeks.
2. {informal}
To cause to pay out or to lose (a sum of money); cost.
His new car set him back over $3000.
[set back on one's heels] or [knock back on one's heels] {v. phr.}, {informal}
To give an unpleasant surprise; upset suddenly; stop or turn back (someone's) progress.
* /Jack brags too much and it set him back on his heels when the coach told him he […]
[set down] {v.}
1. To write; record.
He set down all his important thoughts in his dairy.
At the beginning of his letter Dan set down the date.
Syn.: [PUT DOWN].
2. To stop a bus or other vehicle and let (someone) get off.
* /The bus […]
[set fire to] {v. phr.}
To cause to burn; start a fire in.
The sparks set fire to the oily rags.
Compare: [CATCH FIRE].
[set foot] {v. phr.}
To step; walk; go. — Used with a negative.
She would not let him set foot across her threshold.
She told the boy not to set foot out of the house until he had finished supper.