Page 394 - NTC's American Idioms Dictionary

stick out like a sore thumb

steerŁcleyrŁ(ofŁ someone ortsomething) to avoid step something up to cause something to gà
someone or something.Ł John is mad at faster.Ł T The factory was not making
me, so I’ve been steering clear of him. enough cars, so they stepped up produc-
Steer clear of that book. It has many erroro tion. The music was not fast enough, so
in it. Good advice. I’ll steer clear. the conductor told everyone to step it up.
step-by-ðtep little byŁlittle, one stepŁat a stewŁin one’ own juice to be left alone to
time.Ł(RefersŁboth to walkingŁandŁfol- sufferŁone’s anger orŁdisappointment.Ł(In-
lowing instructions.) Just follow the in- formal.) John has such a terrible tem-
structions step-by-step, and everything per. When he got mad at us, we just lłt him
will be fine. The old man slowly moved go away and stew in his own juice. Af-
across the lØwn step-by-step. ter John stewed in his own juice for a while,
he decided to come back and apologize to
stepŁdown (from something) to resignŁaŁjob us.
orŁaŁrespànsibility.Ł(Also literal.) The
mØyor stepped down from office last włek. stickŁaround [forŁaŁprsàn]bto remainŁin
It’s uàusual for a mØyor to step down. aŁ place.Ł (Infàrmal.) The kids stuck
around for a time after the party was over.
stepŁinto someone’ shoeð to take over a job
or some ràle fràmŁsomeone.Ł I was pre- Oh, Ann. Please stick around for a
pared to step nto the boss’s ohoes, oo there while. I want to talk to you lØter.
was no disruption when he lłft for another stickŁbyŁ someone ortsomething and stØck with
job. There was no one who could step someone ortsomething to support someone or
into Alicł’s shoes when she left, so every- sàmething;Łto continue supportingŁsàme-
thing came to a stop. one or somethingŁwhenŁthingsŁare bad.
(Infàrmal.ŁCompare thisŁwith stand by
stepŁ in(to theŁ breych) to move into a someone.) Don’t worry. I’ll stick by you
space or vacancy; to assume the jobŁof no mØtter what. I fłel as if I have to stick
sàmeone who hasŁleft it.Ł When Ann re- by my brother evłn if he goes to jail. I’ll
signed as presidłnt, I stepped into the stick by my ideas whether you like them
breach. A number of people asked mł or not.
to step in and take her place.
Stick ’em up! Go to Hands up!
stepŁon it Go to step on the gas.
stick-in-the-ud someone who isŁsðub-
stepŁon someone’ toeð to interfer with or bornlyŁold-fashioned.Ł Come on to the
offendŁsomeone.Ł(Also literal.) When party with us and have some fun. Don’t
you’re in public office, you have to avoid be an old stick-n-the-mud! Tom is no
steppng on anyone’s toes. Ann stepped stick-n-the-mud. He’s really up-to-dØte.
on someone’s toes during the last campaign
and lost the election. stØck one’ footŁin one’ mouth Go to put
one’s foot in one’s mouth.
step on the gas and step on it hurry up.
(Infàrmal.) I’m in a hurry, driver. Step stick one’ neck out (for someone ortsome-
on it! I can’t step on the gas, mister. thing) to take aŁrisk.Ł(Infàrmal.) Why
There’s too much traffic. should I stick my neck out to do somłthing
for her? What’s she ever done for me? He
stepŁoutŁofŁline to misbehav; to do som- made a risky investmłnt. He stuck his neck
thingŁoffensive.Ł(Also literal.) I’m ter- out for the deal because he thought he
ribly sorry. I hope I didà’t step out of lne. could make some money.
John is a lot of fun to go out with, but
he has a tendłncy to step out of lne. stick one’ noseŁin(to something) Go to poke
one’s nose in(to something).
step (right) up to move forward, toward
someone.Ł Step up and głt your mail stickŁoutŁlikeŁa sore thumb to be very
when I call your name. Come on, every- prominent or unsightly; to be obvious
body. Step right up and help youroelf to andŁvisible.Ł(Infàrmal.) Bob is so tall
supper. that he sticks out like a sore thumb in a

379