Common American Phrases in Everyday Contexts (183 page)

sever ties with
someone to end a relationship or an agreement suddenly.
The company severed ties with the embezzling employee
.
John has severed all ties with his parents.

Shake it (up)
!
Hurry up!; Move faster!; Run faster!
F
RED
: Move it, Tom! Shake it up! T
OM
: I can't go any faster!
J
ANE
: Move, you guys. Shake it! B
ILL
: Hey, I'm doing the best I can!

Shake the lead out
!
Go to Get the lead out!

The
shame of it (all)
!
That is so shameful!; I am so embarrassed. (Considerable use as a parody. Compare to For shame!)
J
OHN
: Good grief! I have a pimple! Always, just before a date. A
NDREW
: The shame of it all!
T
OM
: John claims that he cheated on his taxes. B
ILL
: Golly! The shame of it!

Shame on you
!
a phrase scolding someone for being naughty. (Typically said to a child or to an adult for a childish infraction.)
J
OHN
: I think I broke one of your figurines. M
ARY
: Shame on you! J
OHN
: I'll replace it, of course. M
ARY
: Thanks, I sort of liked it
.
“Shame on you!” said Mary. “You should have known better!
”

Shape up or ship out
!
Do what is expected of you or get out!; Do better work or you'll be fired! (Naval or nautical.)
H
ANNA
: I've spent about as much time as I want trying to train you to do the simplest tasks around here. I have had it! You're gonna have to shape up or ship out! I
DA
: You mean you're gonna fire me? H
ANNA
: You got it!
You guys are going to have to do better than what you are doing now. Shape up or ship out!

share
someone's
pain
to understand and sympathize with someone's pain or emotional discomfort. (Said in order to sound sympathetic.)
I am sorry about the loss of your home. I share your pain
.
We sympathize about the loss of your mother. We share your pain.

share
someone's
sorrow
to grieve as someone else grieves.
We all share your sorrow on this sad, sad day
.
I am sorry to hear about the death in your family. I share your sorrow.