--> It was a rough trip, but we arrived safe and sound.
--> I'm glad to see you here safe and sound.
Save one's breath
to waste no words.
--> Save your breath. I already know what happened.
--> I’ve been sick for a week, so I need to save my breath.
Similar: Waste one's breath.
--> I tried to convince him, but I'm afraid I was just wasting my breath.
Same here
Me too; I agree. (Informal)
--> Bob: I want to eat an apple. Mary: Same here.
Say nothing of
without having to mention what might well be mentioned.
--> Even though I had a headache, I went to work---to say nothing of a fever and cough.
--> He stayed out too late last night---to say nothing of the fact that when he returned he woke me up with all his noise.
Say (something) in a roundabout way
to imply something without saying it; to say something indirectly.
--> Why don't you say what you really mean? Stop speaking in a roundabout way.
--> Some people always speak in a roundabout way.
--> In a roundabout way I told him that I liked him.
Say the word
to give a signal to begin or to stop; to say yes or okay.
--> I'm ready to start any time you say the word.
--> You say the word and we will start singing "Happy Birthday" to him.
Similar: Tell me when.
--> Bob: Don't pour me a full glass of milk. Bill: Okay. You tell me when.
Say uncle
to surrender; to give in. (Informal)
--> I'm going to hold on to you until you say uncle.
--> He refuses to give in. He refuses to say uncle.
Scrape the bottom of the barrel
to select from among the worst; to choose from what is left over. (A Cliché)
--> You really scraped the bottom of the barrel when you bought this car. It looks terrible.
--> I wish they would send me better workers. It seems like they are scraping the bottom of the barrel.
Scratch the surface
to just begin to find out about something; to examine only the superficial aspects of something.
--> I have only scratched the surface. There is much more research yet to do.
--> We don't know yet how bad the problem is. We have only scratched the surface.
Screw up one's courage
to build up one's courage.
--> I guess I'll have to screw up my courage and go visit the dentist.
--> I spent all morning screwing up my courage to take the driver's test.
Second nature
easy and natural for someone.
--> Swimming is second nature to James.
--> Driving is no problem for Bob. It is second nature with him.
Second thoughts
to have doubts about someone or something; to have additional ideas or a change of mind. (Often uses get and have. Compare with on second thought.)
--> I have second thoughts about climbing that mountain.
--> I'm beginning to get second thoughts about eating large meals in the evening.
See about
to attend to; to take care of.
--> I'm too busy. Would you see about getting lunch for us?
--> Please see about getting permission for me to wear school clothes to the meeting.
See eye to eye
to view something in the same way as someone else.
--> We have always seen eye to eye.
--> They don't see eye to eye about the new office rule.
--> We rarely see eye to eye.
See (somebody) off
to accompany someone to a boat, train, plane, etc., so as to say good-bye to them.
--> Tomorrow morning we will see Peter off. He is going to Europe.
--> No one went to the station to see me off.
See the light
to understand something clearly at last.
--> Thanks for your lengthy explanation. I finally see the light.
--> I know you don't see the importance of studying English. But you eventually will see the light.
--> I see the light.
See to (someone or something)
to take care of someone or something, to be responsible for.
--> I hear the doorbell. Will somebody see to answering the door?
--> This bucket needs to be filled with water. Will you see to it?
--> That was a wonderful supper. You rest while I see to washing the dishes.
Sell out
to sell everything; to liquidate.
--> When the electricity went off, all the stores immediately sold out of candles.
--> The store is selling out. If we go early, we might find some real bargains.
Send away for (something)
to order or request something by mail.
--> I can't buy shirts my size locally, so I have to send away for them.
--> I sent away for a catalogue.
Send (something) C.O.D.
to send merchandise to someone who will pay for it when it is delivered. (The C.O.D. means cash on delivery or collect on delivery.)
--> I sent away for a record and ask them to send it to me C.O.D.
--> The package will be sent C.O.D.
