Common American Phrases in Everyday Contexts (193 page)

Stop the presses
!
Go to Stop the music!

(stuck) in a rut
staying in an established way of living that never changes.
David felt like he was stuck in a rut, so he went back to school
.
Anne was tired of being in a rut, so she moved to Los Angeles.

stuck in traffic
caught in a traffic jam.
I am sorry I am late. I was stuck in traffic
.
My taxi was stuck in traffic, and I thought I would never get to the airport on time.

Stuff a sock in it
!
Shut up!; Stop talking! (Literally, stuff a sock in your mouth to stop the noise.)
T
OM
: Hey, Henry! Can you hear me? H
ENRY
: Be quiet, Tom. Stuff a sock in it!
F
RED
: Hey, you still here? I want to tell you a few things! J
OHN
: Oh, stuff a sock in it! You're a pain.

Suit yourself
.
You decide the way you want it.; Have it your way.
M
ARY
: I think I want the red one. T
OM
: Suit yourself
.
J
OHN
(reading the menu): The steak sounds good, but I'm helpless in the face of fried chicken. S
ALLY
: Suit yourself. I'll have the steak.

Suits me (fine)
.
Go to (It) suits me (fine).

Suppose
Go to Supposing.

Suppose I do?
AND
Supposing I do?
And what does it matter if I do, and what are you going to do about it? (Not usually with question intonation.)
A
LICE
: Do you really think it's right to do something like that? S
UE
: Suppose I do?
F
RED
: Are you going to drive up into the mountains as you said you would? S
ALLY
: Supposing I do? F
RED
: I'm just asking.

Suppose I don't?
AND
Supposing I don't?
And what will happen if I don't? (Not usually with question intonation.)
B
ILL
: You'd better get yourself over to the main office. T
OM
: Suppose I don't?
F
ATHER
: You simply must do better in school. T
OM
: Supposing I don't? F
ATHER
: Your clothing and personal belongings will be placed on the curb for the garbage pickup, and we will have the locks changed. Next question.