Словарь американских идиом: 8000 единиц

[speak for]{v.} 1. To speak in favor of or in support of. •/At the meeting John spoke for the change in the rules./ •/The other girls made jokes about Jane, but Mary spoke for her./ 2. To make a request for; to ask for. •/The teacher was giving away some books. Fred and Charlie spoke for the same one./ 3. To give an impression of; be evidence that (something) is or will be said. — Used with the words "well" or "ill". •/It seems that it will rain today. That speaks ill for the picnic this afternoon./ •/Who robbed the cookie jar? The crumbs on your shirt speak ill for you, Billy./ •/John wore a clean shirt and a tie when he went to ask for a job, and that spoke well for him./ •/It speaks well for Mary that she always does her homework./

[speak of the devil and he appears] A person comes just when you are talking about him. — A proverb. •/We were just talking about Bill when he came in the door. Speak of the devil and he appears./

[speak one’s mind]{v. phr.} To say openly what you think; give advice that may not be liked. •/John thought it was wrong to keep George out of the club and he spoke his mind about it./ Compare: SOUND OFF.

[speak one’s piece] See: SAY ONE’S PIECE.

[speak out of turn]{v. phr.} To say something tactless; commit an indiscretion. •/You spoke out of turn in criticizing Aunt Hermione’s old furniture; she considers herself quite a connoisseur on the subject./

[speak out] or [speak up] {v.} 1. To speak in a loud or clear voice. •/The trucker told the shy boy to speak up./ 2. To speak in support of or against someone or something. •/Willie spoke up for Dan as club president./ •/Ed spoke up against letting girls join the club./

[speak the same language]{v. phr.} To have similar feelings, thoughts, and tastes; have a mutual understanding with another person. •/We both love listening to Mozart. Obviously, we speak the same language./

[speak volumes]{v. phr.} To tell or show much in a way other than speaking; be full of meaning. •/The nice present she gave you spoke volumes for what she thinks of you./ •/A child’s choice of hobbies speaks volumes./ Compare: READ BETWEEN THE LINES.

[speak well of]{v. phr.} To approve of; praise. •/Everyone always speaks well of my sister because she’s so kind./

[speak with a forked tongue]{v. phr.}, {literary} To lie; to say one thing while thinking of the opposite. •/I have learned not to trust Peter’s promises because he speaks with a forked tongue./

[speed trap]{n.} A place where police hide and wait to catch drivers who are going even a little faster than the speed limit. •/Mr. Jones was caught in a speed trap./

[speed up]{v.} To go faster than before; also, to make go faster. •/The car speeded up when it reached the country./ •/Push in the throttle to speed up the engine./ Compare: PICK UP(12). Contrast: SLOW DOWN.