Smell blood
To recognize that someone is in a weak position and can be defeated
(कमज़ोरी भाँपना)
Sentence: The competitors smell blood when the company started losing profits.
Smoke and mirrors (2)
Something that deceives or confuses people
(सच छुपाने की चाल)
Sentence: The magician’s trick was all smoke and mirrors.
Smooth (or plain) sailing (2)
Making good progress without difficulties
(आसान सफ़र; बिना रुकावट के)
Sentence: After the initial problems, it was smooth sailing.
Smooth someone’s ruffled feathers
To make someone less angry or upset
(नाराज़गी दूर करना)
Sentence: He tried to smooth her ruffled feathers after the argument.
Snake in the grass (13)
A treacherous person who pretends to be a friend
(छिपा हुआ दुश्मन)
Sentence: Be careful of him; he’s a snake in the grass.
Snowball effect (2)
A situation that becomes more significant as it continues
(बढ़ता हुआ प्रभाव)
Sentence: One small mistake created a snowball effect of problems.
Snowed under (2)
Having too much work to deal with
(बहुत व्यस्त)
Sentence: I’m snowed under with assignments this week.
So far so good
Everything has been satisfactory up to this point
(फ़िलहाल कोई समस्या नहीं)
Sentence: The project is going well—so far so good.
Soft option (3)
A choice that is easier but may not be best
(आसान विकल्प)
Sentence: He chose the soft option instead of working hard.
Sore point
A subject that makes someone upset when mentioned
(संवेदनशील मुद्दा)
Sentence: Losing the match is still a sore point for him.
Sought after
Wanted by many people; in high demand
(लोकप्रिय)
Sentence: Skilled software engineers are highly sought after these days.
Sound a red alert
To issue a warning about an emergency
(चेतावनी देना)
Sentence: The authorities sounded a red alert due to the approaching cyclone.
Sound as a bell
In perfect condition; completely healthy or functional
(एकदम ठीक-ठाक, पूरी तरह स्वस्थ)
Sentence: After the treatment, he is as sound as a bell.
Sour grapes
Criticizing something you cannot have
(खट्टे अंगूर; अप्राप्य चीज़ को बुरा कहना)
Sentence: He said the job wasn’t good anyway, but it was just sour grapes.
Sow dragon’s teeth
To do something that creates problems for the future
(मुसीबत बुलाना)
Sentence: Spreading hatred only sows dragon’s teeth.
Sow one’s wild oats (3)
To do foolish or wild things when young
(लापरवाह जीवन)
Sentence: He spent his youth sowing his wild oats before settling down.
Sow the wind and reap the whirlwind
Suffer severe consequences from foolish actions
(किये का परिणाम भुगतना)
Sentence: His reckless decisions caused major losses—he sowed the wind and reaped the whirlwind.
Speak of the devil (2)
Said when someone you were just talking about appears
(बात करते ही सामने आ जाना)
Sentence: Speak of the devil, here comes Rahul!
Speak one’s mind (5)
To express your opinions honestly and directly
(मन की बात कहना)
Sentence: She is never afraid to speak her mind.
Speak volumes
To show something very clearly without needing words
(बहुत कुछ कह जाना)
Sentence: His silence spoke volumes about his disappointment.
Spick and span (10)
Very clean and neat
(साफ़-सुथरा)
Sentence: The house was spick and span before the guests arrived.
Spill the beans (27)
To tell a secret, often by accident
(भेद खोलना)
Sentence: He spilled the beans about the surprise party.
Spin one’s wheels (3)
To use energy without making any progress
(बेकार की मेहनत करना)
Sentence: We are just spinning our wheels without a clear plan.
Split hairs (2)
To make unnecessary distinctions about small details
(छोटी बातों पर बहस)
Sentence: Stop splitting hairs and focus on the main issue.
Split one’s sides (2)
To laugh uncontrollably
(जोर से हँसना)
Sentence: The comedian made the audience split their sides.
Spread like wildfire (2)
To become known very fast over a large area
(तेज़ी से फैलना)
Sentence: The news spread like wildfire on social media.
Square deal (2)
Fair and honest treatment
(ईमानदारी का सौदा)
Sentence: Every employee deserves a square deal.
Square meal
A large, satisfying, and nutritious meal
(भरपेट भोजन)
Sentence: After a long day, he enjoyed a square meal.
Square peg in a round hole (4)
A person who is not suited to their environment
(बेमेल व्यक्ति; अनुपयुक्त स्थिति में)
Sentence: He felt like a square peg in a round hole in that job.
Stab (someone) in the back (5)
To harm someone who trusts you
(विश्वासघात करना)
Sentence: He stabbed his friend in the back by leaking the information.
Stand a chance
To have a possibility of achieving something
(संभावना होना; सफलता की गुंजाइश)
Sentence: With hard work, you stand a chance of winning.
Stand in one’s own light (2)
To act in a way that damages your own prospects
(ख़ुद को नुक़सान)
Sentence: By ignoring advice, he stood in his own light.
Stand on one’s own two feet
To be able to support oneself without help
(आत्मनिर्भर होना)
Sentence: She worked hard to stand on her own two feet.
Stand-offish
Cold and unfriendly in manner
(रूखा और दूरी बनाए रखने वाला)
Sentence: He seemed stand-offish at first but later became friendly.
Star-crossed lovers
Lovers destined to have an unhappy relationship
(जिनका मिलन किस्मत में न हो)
Sentence: Romeo and Juliet are famous as star-crossed lovers.
Start (or set or get) the ball rolling (2)
To begin a process or activity
(शुरुआत करना)
Sentence: Let’s start the meeting and get the ball rolling.
Steal a march on (4)
To secretly gain an advantage over someone
(चुपके से आगे निकल जाना)
Sentence: They stole a march on their competitors by launching early.
Steal someone’s thunder (6)
To take someone else’s attention or credit
(दूसरे का श्रेय छीनना)
Sentence: He stole my thunder by announcing the idea before I could.
Steal the show
To be the most impressive or popular in a performance
(सबका ध्यान आकर्षित करना)
Sentence: The young actor stole the show with his performance.
Steer clear of (3)
To take care to avoid something or someone
(दूर रहना)
Sentence: You should steer clear of bad company.
Step (or tread) on someone’s toes (2)
To offend someone by getting involved in their responsibilities
(किसी के काम में दखल देना)
Sentence: I didn’t mean to step on your toes by giving suggestions.
Step up to the plate
To take action and accept responsibility
(ज़िम्मेदारी उठाना)
Sentence: It’s time for you to step up to the plate and lead the team.
Stepping stone
A means of advancement to something better
(सफलता की सीढ़ी; आगे बढ़ने का ज़रिया)
Sentence: This job is just a stepping stone to a bigger opportunity.
Stew in one’s own juices
To suffer the consequences of one’s own actions
(अपनी करनी का फल भोगना)
Sentence: He made the mistake, so let him stew in his own juices.
Stick one’s neck out (2)
To take a risk by doing or saying something bold
(जोख़िम मोल लेना)
Sentence: She stuck her neck out to support the unpopular decision.
Stick to one’s guns (5)
To refuse to change your opinions or plans
(अपनी बात पर अडिग रहना)
Sentence: Despite criticism, he stuck to his guns.
Stick-in-the-mud
A person who is unwilling to try new things
(रूढ़िवादी व्यक्ति; बदलाव में अनिच्छुक)
Sentence: Don’t be such a stick-in-the-mud—try something new!
Sticky fingers (2)
A habit of stealing things
(चोरी की आदत होना)
Sentence: The shopkeeper suspected the boy had sticky fingers.
Stiff-necked
Refusing to change or obey; arrogantly stubborn
(ज़िद्दी और घमंडी)
Sentence: He is too stiff-necked to accept his mistake.
Still waters run deep (2)
Quiet people often have strong emotions or deep thoughts
(शांत चित्त वाले गहरे होते हैं)
Sentence: She rarely speaks, but her ideas are brilliant—still waters run deep.