Словарь американских идиом: 8000 единиц

[say a mouthful] 1. {v. phr.}, {slang} To say something of great importance or meaning; say more by a sentence than the words usually mean. — Usually in past tense. •/Tom said a mouthful when he guessed that company was coming to visit. A dozen people came./ 2. {v. phr.}, {informal} To vent one’s honest opinion, even in anger. •/He sure said a mouthful when he told his boss what was wrong with our business./ Contrast: GET AN EARFUL.

[say one’s peace] or [speak one’s piece]{v. phr.} To say openly what you think; say, especially in public, what you usually say or are expected to say. •/John told the boss that he thought he was wrong and the boss got angry. He said, "You’ve said your little piece, so go on home."/ •/Every politician got up and said his piece about how good the mayor was and then sat down./

[says who] or [says you]{v. phr.}, {slang} I don’t believe or accept that. — An expression of rebuff often used to make fun of someone or oppose him. •/"I am the strongest boy on the block." "Says you./" •/"That brook is full of trout." "Says who? I never saw anybody catch trout there."/ •/"You can’t take Mary to the party — she’s my girl." "Says who?"/

[say-so]{n.} Approval; permission; word. •/Father got angry because I took his new car out without his say-so./

[say the word]{v. phr.}, {informal} To say or show that you want something or agree to something; show a wish, willingness, or readiness; give a sign; say yes; say so. •/Just say the word and I will lend you the money./ •/I will do anything you want; just say the word./ •/If you get tired of those pictures, say the word./

[say uncle] also [cry uncle]{v. phr.}, {informal} To say that you surrender; admit that you have lost; admit a defeat; give up. •/Bob fought for five minutes, but he had to say uncle./ •/The bully twisted Jerry’s arm and said, "Cry uncle."/ •/The other team was beating us, but we wouldn’t say uncle./ Compare: GIVE IN.

[scale] See: TO SCALE.

[scale down]{v.} To make smaller or less; decrease. •/John scaled down each boy’s share of food after a bear robbed the camp./ •/Tom built a scaled down model of the plane./ Compare: CUT DOWN.

[scandal sheet]{n.} A newspaper that prints much shocking news and scandal. •/Bob wanted to find out who won the election, but he could find only a scandal sheet./ •/The scandal sheet carried big headlines about the murder./

[scarcely any] See: HARDLY ANY.

[scarcely ever] See: HARDLY EVER.

[scaredy-cat] or [scared-cat] See: FRAIDY-CAT.

[scare away] or [off]{v. phr.} To cause to flee; frighten away. •/Jake is a confirmed bachelor; the best way to scare him off is to start talking about marriage./

[scare out of one’s wits] or [scare stiff] or [scare the daylights out of]{v. phr.}, {informal} To frighten very much. •/The owl’s hooting scared him out of his wits./ •/The child was scared stiff in the dentist’s chair./ •/Pete’s ghost story scared the daylights out of the smaller boys./

[scare to death] See: TO DEATH.