[swell-headed] See: SWELLED HEAD.

[swim] See: IN THE SWIM, SINK OR SWIM.

[swim against the current] or [swim against the stream] {v. phr.} To do the opposite of what most people want to do; go against the way things are happening; struggle upstream. •/The boy who tries to succeed today without an education is swimming against the stream./

[swine] See: CAST PEARLS BEFORE SWINE or CAST ONE’S PEARLS BEFORE SWINE.

[swing] See: IN FULL SWING.

[swing one’s weight]{v. phr.} To use your personal power to get something done •/The President swings his weight to get laws passed./ •/Mr. Thomas swung his weight to get his son a job with the company./

[switch] See: ASLEEP AT THE SWITCH.

[switched on]{adj.}, {slang} 1. In tune with the latest fads, ideas, and fashions. •/I dig Sarah, she is really switched on./ 2. Stimulated; as if under the influence of alcohol or drugs. •/How come you’re talking so fast? Are you switched on or something?/

[swoop] See: AT ONE FELL SWOOP.

[sword] See: AT SWORDS' POINTS, PUT TO THE SWORD.

[sword rattling] See: SABER RATTLING.

[sworn enemies]{n. phr.} People or groups or nations that have a long-standing dislike for each other. •/The Israelis and the Arabs used to be sworn enemies but hopefully they will sign a lasting peace accord./

[syllable] See: WORDS OF ONE SYLLABLE.

[system] See: PUBLIC-ADDRESS SYSTEM.

[T] See: TO A T.

[tab] See: KEEP TAB ON or KEEP TABS ON.

[table] See: AT THE TABLE or AT TABLE, COFFEE TABLE, PUT ONE’S CARDS ON THE TABLE or LAY ONE’S CARDS ON THE TABLE, TURN THE TABLES, WAIT AT TABLE or WAIT ON TABLE.

[tack] See: GET DOWN TO BRASS TACKS, GO SIT ON A TACK, SHARP AS A TACK.

[tackle] See: FLYING TACKLE

[tack on]{v. phr.} To append; add. •/We were about to sign the contract when we discovered that the lawyer had tacked on a codicil that was not acceptable to us./

[tag end] or [tail end] {n.}, {informal} The end, farthest to the rear, last in line, nearest the bottom, or least important. •/John was at the tail end of his class./ •/Mary’s part in the play came at the tag end, and she got bored waiting./ •/Bill waited at the crossing for the tag end of a freight to go by./

[tail] See: COW’S TAIL, HEADS I WIN, TAILS YOU LOSE, MAKE HEAD OR TAIL OF, TURN TAIL.

[tail between one’s legs]{n. phr.} State of feeling beaten, ashamed, or very obedient, as after a scolding or a whipping. •/The army sent the enemy home with their tails between their legs./ •/The boys on the team had boasted they would win the tournament, but they went home with their tails between their legs./ (So called because a beaten dog usually puts his tail down between his legs and slinks away.)

[tail end] See: TAG END.

[taillight]{n.} The rear red light of a car. •/My father was fined $15 for driving without a taillight./

[tailor-made] See: MADE-TO-MEASURE.

[tailspin] See: GO INTO A TAILSPIN.

[tail wags the dog] Said of situations in which a minor part is in control of the whole. •/He is just a minor employee at the firm, yet he gives everyone orders, a case of the tail wagging the dog./

[take] See: CAN TAKE IT WITH ONE, GIVE AND TAKE, GIVE ONE AN INCH AND HE WILL TAKE A MILE, GIVE OR TAKE, SIT UP AND TAKE NOTICE.

[take aback] See: TAKEN BACK.

[take a back seat]{v. phr.}, {informal} To accept a poorer or lower position; be second to something or someone else. •/During the war all manufacturing had to take a back seat to military needs./ •/She does not have to take a back seat to any singer alive./ Compare: PLAY SECOND FIDDLE.

[take a bath]{v. phr.}, {informal} To come to financial ruin. •/Boy, did we ever take a bath on that merger with Brown & Brown, Inc./

[take a bow]{v. phr.} To stand up or come on a stage to be clapped for or praised for success. •/The audience shouted for the author of the play to take a bow./ •/The basketball team should take a bow for fine work this season./

[take a break]{v. phr.} To have a brief rest period during the course of one’s work. •/"You’ve worked hard. It’s time to take a break," the boss said./

[take a chance]{v. phr.} To accept the risk of failure or loss. •/We will take a chance on the weather and have the party outdoors./

[take a crack at]{v. phr.} To try doing something. •/It was a difficult challenge to reorganize our antiquated campus, but the resident architect decided to take a crack at it./

[take a dig at]{v. phr.} To attack verbally; offend; denigrate. •/If you keep taking digs at me all the time, our relationship will be a short one./

[take a dim view of]{v. phr.} 1. To have doubts about; feel unsure or anxious about. •/Tom took a dim view of his chances of passing the exam./ •/Betty hoped to go on a picnic, but she took a dim view of the weather./ 2. To be against; disapprove. •/John’s father took a dim view of his wanting to borrow the car./ •/The teacher took a dim view of the class’s behavior./

[take a dislike to] Contrast: TAKE A FANCY TO.

[take a drop]{v. phr.} 1. To indulge in alcoholic drinks. •/Aunt Liz doesn’t really drink; she just takes a drop every now and then./ 2. To lose value; decrease in price. •/Stocks took a big drop yesterday due to the international crisis./

[take advantage of]{v. phr.} 1. To make good use of. •/The cat took advantage of the high grass to creep up on the bird./ •/Jean took advantage of the lunch hour to finish her homework./ 2. To treat (someone) unfairly for your own gain or help; make unfair use of. •/He took advantage of his friend’s kindness./ •/The little children did not know how much to pay for the candy, and Ralph took advantage of them./ Syn.: IMPOSE ON.

[take after]{v.} To be like because of family relationship; to have the same looks or ways as (a parent or ancestor). •/He takes after his father in mathematical ability./ •/She takes after her father’s side of the family in looks./ Compare: LIKE FATHER, LIKE SON; RUN IN THE FAMILY.

[take a fancy to]{v. phr.} To become fond of; cultivate a predilection for. •/Aunt Hermione has taken a fancy to antique furniture./

[take a flop]{v. phr.} To fall heavily. •/I took a nasty flop on the ice-covered sidewalk./

[take aim]{v. phr.} To get ready to hit, throw at, or shoot at by sighting carefully. •/When the captain orders "Take aim," raise your gun to your shoulder and sight along the barrel at the target./ •/Before the hunter could take aim, the deer jumped out of sight./

[take a hand in]{v. phr.} To assist in the direction of; participate. •/The University Faculty Club decided to take a hand in helping the recent refugees./

[take a hard line with] See: HARD LINE, HARD-LINER.

[take a hike] See: GO FLY A KITE.

[take a hint]{v. phr.} To understand an allusion or a suggestion and behave accordingly. •/"I don’t like people who smoke," she said. "Can’t you take a hint and either quit smoking or seeing me?"/

[take a joke]{v. phr.} Accept in good spirit some derision directed at oneself. •/My brother has a good sense of humor when teasing others, but he cannot take a joke on himself./