Словарь американских идиом: 8000 единиц

[step up]{v.} 1. To go from a lower to a higher place. •/John stepped up onto the platform and began to speak./ 2. To come towards or near; approach. •/The sergeant called for volunteers and Private Jones stepped up to volunteer./ •/John waited until the teacher had finished speaking to Mary, and then he stepped up./ 3. To go or to make (something) go faster or more actively. •/When John found he was going to be late, he stepped up his pace./ •/After we had reached the outskirts of town, we stepped up the engine./ •/The enemy was near, and the army stepped up its patrols to find them before they got too close./ 4. To rise to a higher or more important position; be promoted. •/This year Mary is secretary of the club, but I am sure she will step up to president next year./ Contrast: STEP DOWN(3).

[sterling character]{n. phr.} A person of irreproachable character; one of the highest professional standards. •/The nominee for the Supreme Court must be a sterling character in every possible way./

[stew in one’s own juice]{v. phr.}, {informal} To suffer from something that you have caused to happen yourself. •/John lied to Tom, but Tom found out. Now Tom is making John stew in his own juice./ •/I warned you not to steal those apples. You got caught, and you can stew in your own juice./

[stick] See: CARROT AND STICK, MORE THAN ONE COULD SHAKE A STICK AT.

[stick around]{v.}, {informal} To stay or wait nearby. •/John’s father told him to stick around and they would go fishing./ •/After work Mr. Harris stuck around to ride home with his friend./

[stick by one]{v. phr.} To support; remain loyal to. •/All of Peter’s friends stuck by him faithfully, in spite of what has been said about him in the press./

[stick in one’s craw] or [stuck in one’s crop]{v. phr.} To make you angry; bother you; annoy you. •/His parents' praise of his brother stuck in Jerry’s craw./ •/Sue’s failure to get a better grade than Ann stuck in her crop./

[stick in one’s throat]{v. phr.} To be something you do not want to say; be hard to say. •/Jean wanted to ask the teacher’s pardon, but the words stuck in her throat./

[stick-in-the-mud]{n.}, {informal} An overcareful person; someone who is old-fashioned and fights change. •/Mabel said her mother was a real stick-in-the-mud to make a rule that she must be home by 10 o’clock on weeknights and 11:30 Saturdays./ •/Mr. Thomas is a stick-in-the-mud who plows with mules; he won’t buy a tractor./

[stick one’s neck out] or [stick one’s chin out]{v. phr.}, {informal} To do something dangerous or risky. •/When I was in trouble, Paul was the only one who would stick his neck out to help me./ •/John is always sticking his chin out by saying something he shouldn’t./

[stick one’s nose into] See: NOSE INTO.