A - Z Database

A - Z Database

Stitch in time saves nine

An old proverb that advises timely action to avoid more work later, dates in English in these exact words from the early 18th century. The concept beh...

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Stitch up

To stitch up someone, used as both verb and noun, means to incriminate, blame or set someone up for something they have not done. It was originally an...

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Stoked

Fired up, excited, US surfer slang from c. 1963.


Stomach

To stomach or have the stomach for something means to have the ability and wherewithal to persist or succeed in some difficult task or assignment and...

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Stone, as a qualifier, in stone blind, stone cold, stone dead, etc.

see Cold as stone


Stone blind

see Cold as stone


Stone cold

see Cold as stone


Stone dead

see Cold as stone


Stone me

see Stone the crows


Stone the crows

Australian exclamation of surprise or annoyance dates from c. 1930 and most probably derives from the annoying presence of crows near new-born lambs o...

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Stoned

US slang from the 1950s that means intoxicated from either alcohol or drugs.


Stonewall

As a nickname, Stonewall was the name given to Confederate General Jackson who stood with his men like a stone wall, at the First Battle of Bull Run i...

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Stony broke

see Broke


Stool pigeon

This expression first made its appearance in America meaning a police informer in the early 19th century. It is thought to derive from the horrendous...

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Stop and smell the roses

To stop and smell the roses means to take time out to appreciate the good things in life. It is thought to be of American origin from the early 20th c...

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