started and the record is expected to be released some time in the autumn. 2. for a period of time: There is a class of women who take lodgings, and after staying some time run away with- out paying their rent. sometime—1. = some time 1: I almost forgot to say that the museum is slated for an opening sometime in the autumn. 2. (attrib.) former: He is a man of peace, which goes well with a sometime secretary of defense. some times • sometimes some times —certain times: While there are some times when such a rule is necessary, there are other times when it’s not. sometimes—occasionally; from time to time: We sometimes went hunting deer when I lived in Germany. someone to-be • would-be someone someone to-be—is used with reference to a position or status a person will have in the future: I met my wife-to-be , Elaine, a few months later, and we were married in November. Cf.: a has-been—said of smb. who is no longer effective in what he does: Rocky is now a “has-been ,” spending most of his time retelling old boxing stories. would-be someone—said of smb. intending to be a particular kind of person: Bus conductors are having a busy time dis- suading would-be passengers from trying to board their buses. something else • something else again something else—1. smth. of an altogether different kind: I’ve been known to get pretty emotional at movies on sporadic occasions, but this is something else . 2. (coll.) said of a person or thing so good as to be beyond description: That Rachel is something else , isn’t she? There’s some feeling in the commu- nity that she ought to join up permanently. something else again —is used as a more emphatic variant of something else 1: Contract talks are usually contentious. But the bitterness that broke out at the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra was something else again . Son of God, the • Son of Heaven, the Son of God, the —1. (also: God’s Son) a name of Jesus Christ: Happy is he who can fearlessly stand before the Son of God . 2. a person spiritually attached to God: This is Milton’s longest account of this episode, and it is clear that here the sons of God are pious men. Son of Heaven, the—(hist.) said of the Emperor of China: It is now my privilege to serve him who is in all but official style the Son of Heaven . Son of Man, the • son of man Son of Man, the —a name of Jesus Christ: Receiving Christ into our lives links us each outside of time back to the First Advent of the Son of Man into our world. son of man—(liter.) a member of the human race: Really good romance writing is the most difficult art practiced by the sons of men . sooth to say • soothsay sooth to say —(arch. or liter.) in reality; in fact: This message has been published by many newspapers, and, sooth to say , it has sobered many a man. soothsay —make predictions; foretell future events: Smart people will stop trying to soothsay the future of economics. sorry about someone • sorry for someone sorry about someone—feel bad about a person because of smth. that has happened to him: I’m truly sorry about Billy. His wife has left him. sorry for someone—feel pity for a person; understand smb.’s grief: Letitia feels sorry for all poor people and always gives them money on the street. sort oneself out • sort someone out sort oneself out—1. get oneself into a proper mental or emo- tional state: They are now separated by her decision: he has to sort himself out , show himself to be responsible, a potential father. 2. (of two or more people) settle disagreements: Unless he and Michael can sort themselves out they will bring them- selves into further disrepute. sort someone out—1. (coll.) deal with a person who causes trouble: He’s one of these idiots who fires his rifle off. It’s about time the police sorted him out . 2. (of two or more people) arrange in groups: We sorted the people out , interrogated them, tried to find out what they were working on. South Africa • Southern Africa South Africa—(officially the Republic of South Africa) a coun- try on the southern tip of the African continent: South Africa has experienced a different history from other nations in Africa as a result of early immigration from Europe. Southern Africa—the southernmost region of the African continent including Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa, and Swaziland: The terrain of Southern Africa is varied, ranging from forest and grasslands to deserts. spark plug • sparking plug spark plug —1. a device that ignites the fuel mixture in an internal-combustion engine: Although you can’t see the spark plugs , you can see the spark plug wires that are attached to each of them. 2. a person who is the driving force behind an activity or undertaking: It is thrilling to have someone who is a great role model for the young, who is a spark-plug for the team. sparking plug — = spark plug 1: Pull off the cap of the spark - ing plug so that the engine cannot be started inadvertently. speak about something • speak of something • speak on something speak about something —talk about smth.; discuss smth.: We don’t speak about that unfortunate period in our family his- tory. Cf.: speaking about something—(also: speaking of some- thing ) used to introduce once again the subject that has just been mentioned: The weather affects how we think, move, and feel. Speaking about the weather I have to say, that our natural conditions are very similar to yours. speak of something —1. = speak about something: The colonel very rarely spoke of his war experiences. 2. (of things or actions) give proof in favor of smth.; be evidence of smth. (also: speak for something ): This gift of money speaks of your generosity. speak on something—speak at greater length on a subject; deliver a talk about smth.: I’ve been asked to speak on the future of education for very young children. speak against someone • tell against someone speak against someone—say bad things about smb.; give a speech against a person: Those who spoke against me had never met me. They had never read a word I had written. tell against someone—said of smth. such as age, etc. that prevents a person from being successful: There may be many minor evil habits that he should rid himself of—habits that will tell against him. Note: a) The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase inform against someone— give evidence against a person to the police, etc.: Their property was confiscated by the state or turned over to those who informed against them. b) The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase tell on someone1. have an effect on a person’s health: If there’s something on your mind, it will soon tell on you, so whether you’re depressed, or just plain stressed, seek medical help. 2. (used especially by children) tell about a person who has done smth. wrong (in order to get him into trouble): Should he try to some times – 302 –