| Idiom | Meaning | Example |
| spaced out |
feeling strange or unreal, stoned
|
After falling, Jeff was spaced out. He looked dazed and limp.
|
| spade work |
first stage of the work, preparation for later work, pave the way
|
Paul did the spade work for our food bank. He asked each of the
merchants for a donation.
|
| spare me |
please do not tell me, do not bore me with
|
Spare me the gross details of your love affairs. I'm not interested.
|
| speak highly of |
praise, say that a person is great or excellent
|
Angela's former teachers speak very highly of her.
|
| speak of the devil |
the person we are speaking about has just arrived
|
As I walked into the room, Piotr said to Dorota, "Speaking of the devil,
here he is now! Ha ha."
|
| speak out |
say what you think, speak your mind
|
Did you speak out at the meeting? Did you tell them what is wrong?
|
| speak up |
speak louder, crank it up
|
Please speak up so everyone can hear you.
|
| speak volumes |
tells a lot, reveals much
|
Your smile speaks volumes about your career. You like it.
|
| speak your mind |
say what you think or feel, speak out
|
We want you to speak your mind on this issue. State your opinion.
|
| speed up |
go faster, accelerate, step on it
|
Don't speed up when you come to an intersection. Slow down!
|