1473 expressions
sort of
What Does "sort of" Mean? What it expresses: degree, approximation, hesitation, qualification What part of the sentence it typically modifies: verb, adjective, whole clause Register: informal How t...
speak of the devil
What Does "speak of the devil" Mean? The idiom "speak of the devil" is used when a person appears unexpectedly just as they are being talked about. It is the shortened version of the older proverb, "S...
spill the beans
What Does "spill the beans" Mean? The idiomatic meaning of "spill the beans" is to reveal a secret or confidential information. It implies divulging something that was meant to be kept hidden, often ...
staggering beauty
What Does "staggering beauty" Mean? Meaning of the collocation or phrasal verb "Staggering beauty" describes something possessing a level of beauty so profound that it is almost overwhelming or ast...
stand up for
What Does "stand up for" Mean? The phrasal verb stand up for means to speak or act in support of a person, a group, or an idea, especially when they are being criticized or attacked. It functions as a...
status quo
What Does "status quo" Mean? The idiomatic meaning of "status quo" is the existing state of affairs; the way things currently are. It often implies a sense of resistance to change or a preference for...
steadily
What Does "steadily" Mean? What it expresses: It is an adverb of manner and degree. It describes an action that happens at a consistent, regular pace without sudden changes or interruptions. It often...
stem from
What Does "stem from" Mean? The phrasal verb "stem from" means to originate, arise, or develop from something. It indicates the source or cause of something else. The meaning is semiidiomatic, as "ste...
sticky predicament
What Does "sticky predicament" Mean? The collocation "sticky predicament" refers to a difficult, awkward, or troublesome situation from which it is hard to extricate oneself. The "stickiness" implies ...
still waters run deep
What Does "still waters run deep" Mean? The idiom "still waters run deep" means that a person who appears quiet, calm, or reserved on the surface may have a rich, complex, and profound inner life. Th...
strictly
What Does "strictly" Mean? What it expresses: The adverb strictly primarily expresses manner (the way an action is performed) and degree or extent (the precision or limitation of a statement). It con...
stroke of luck
What Does "stroke of luck" Mean? A "stroke of luck" is an idiom that describes a sudden, unexpected piece of good fortune or a fortunate event. It implies that the positive outcome was largely due to ...
subject to
What Does "subject to" Mean? Grammatical function: "Subject to" is a prepositional phrase that typically expresses a relationship of conditionality (depending on something else) or susceptibility (be...
subject to chance
What Does "subject to chance" Mean? The collocation "subject to chance" means that something is liable to be affected by random events, luck, or probability. It implies that the outcome is not predet...
subject to whims of destiny
What Does "subject to whims of destiny" Mean? The idiomatic meaning of "subject to whims of destiny" refers to the state of being controlled or influenced by unpredictable and often capricious events,...
subjected to the whims of
What Does "subjected to the whims of" Mean? The expression "subjected to the whims of" signifies being placed in a position where one is forced to endure and be affected by the unpredictable, capricio...
sublime beauty
What Does "sublime beauty" Mean? Meaning of the collocation or phrasal verb "Sublime beauty" refers to a quality of beauty that is so striking and magnificent that it inspires feelings of awe, revere...
subsequent to
What Does "subsequent to" Mean? Grammatical function: It expresses a temporal relationship, indicating that one event or action happens after another. It implies a sequence of events. Typical senten...
subsequently
What Does "subsequently" Mean? Grammatical function: "Subsequently" is an adverb that expresses a temporal relationship. It indicates that one event happens after another in time (chronological order...
substantial change
What Does "substantial change" Mean? The collocation "substantial change" signifies a significant, considerable, or major alteration. It implies that the change is not superficial or minor but rather ...