speculate in something • speculate on something speculate in something—buy and sell smth. with hope of profit through changes in its market value: These proposals are opposed by traders who speculate in oil. speculate on something—form opinions about smth. without knowing for certain: Do not speculate on what he would have done had he been there. speed zone • speedway speed zone —a section of road subject to a lower than normal speed limit: A plan to turn central Sydney into a 40 kmh speed zone has been met with concern by taxi drivers. speedway —1. a road on which motor vehicles may travel fast: You can see it [mansion] any day you drive up the speed - way . It has stood there for over a hundred years. 2. a racing track for motor vehicles: Fans from around the world converge on the speedway for the best in road racing, super cross and dirt track competition. spend a fortune • spend a penny spend a fortune —spend a large sum of money: Williams was found guilty at his first two trials, and spent a fortune on appeals over an eight-year period. spend a penny—(UK euph.) visit a lavatory: Where’s the bathroom? Us girls are going to spend a penny ! Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase put one’s two cents in—(U.S.) add one’s comments or opinion on the matter (also: throw one’s two cents in): Since the subject has been brought up I feel compelled to put my two cents in . spin control • spin out of control spin control—manipulation of news, especially political news: The conclusion: Either we are being lied to in an effort of spin control , or the people in charge of our government are incompetent. spin out of control —(of activities, events, etc.) change very quickly and in an uncontrolled way: The political situation in Bolivia is spinning out of control , and if the protests con- tinue to intensify, they could spell serious trouble… spine-chilling experience • spine-tingling experience spine-chilling experience —said of a terrifying event or encounter that happens to a person: Have a spine chilling experience amidst the wildlife sanctuaries where you will see tigers in their natural habitat. spine-tingling experience —said of smth. very exciting or thrilling a person gets involved in: It was a spine-tingling expe - rience to hear the call of kiwi in the Wellington hills for the first time in more than a century. sporting girl • sports girl sporting girl—(coll.) a girl with loose morals; a prostitute: Most of the women go out by the day as house-workers. There may be a few sporting girls , but if so they don’t work their own block. sports girl—a girl who is interested in or practices sport: Absolutely radiant and glowing, this active sports girl who loves running, cycling and swimming surprised us with her trim figure. sporting man • sportsman sporting man—a man interested in sport from purely mer- cantile motives (one who gambles at cards, on horse racing, etc.): Every sporting man is flattered if termed a sportsman, but it would be almost an insult to speak to a sportsman as a sporting man. Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase sporting woman—a woman with loose morals; a pros- titute: The existence of a colony of sporting women at Nose Creek was prejudicially affecting the morals and welfare of the community. sportsman—1. a man who is interested in or practices sport: They sought a test which would produce the best all-round sportsman in the world. 2. a man who hunts wild animals or game for pleasure: The sportsman must not expect great suc- cess in cock shooting in a very severe frost. spread oneself out • spread oneself thin spread oneself out—stretch out on the ground, etc.: It’s such a lovely spring day, exactly the kind on which one can spread oneself out under a tree and sleep the afternoon away. spread oneself thin —(coll.) exert oneself; try to do too many things: Your trouble is that you tend to spread yourself thin , so that nothing gets done properly. spreadboard • spreading board spreadboard—a machine that spreads flax and hemp in rope- making: The flax fiber is delivered to the mills, where it is hackled to separate and straighten the fibers, overlapped on a spreadboard . spreading board—a board used by entomologists for insect specimens: To drive a pin smoothly through the insect’s tho- rax, stick it in the cork groove of the spreading board . spring green • spring greens spring green—(of color) light green: The cottages were painted uniformly white, and had blinds of a bright spring- green color. spring greens—a variety of cabbage that matures in spring: Vegetables which can be cooked in this manner—cauliflowers, brussels sprouts, spring greens . spy on someone • spy someone spy on someone—watch or follow smb. secretly, usually with hostile intent: She was constantly spied on , written about, talked about, followed around. spy someone—catch sight of smb.; notice a person: There is great danger if the hippopotamus spies the huntsman before he can throw his spear. square john • square john broad square john —(U.S. sl.) an upright, respectable man: “What does a ‘square John ’ mean? Does it mean an ordinary law- abiding citizen?” Mr. Owen-Flood asked. square john broad —(U.S. sl.) an honest respectable woman: We need a square john broad to give this place a look of respectability. square up to someone • square up with someone square up to someone—show courage in confronting a per- son: In the street was a group of lads obviously waiting for me. I had little option but to square up to them. square up with someone—1. pay smb. the money one owes (leaving a restaurant, checking out of a hotel, etc.): Can I leave you to square up with the waiter? 2. retaliate upon a person: He wanted to “square up” with them, but had no definite plan of action, and was trusting to luck for something to turn up in his favor. stand at ease • stand easy stand at ease—a military attitude allowing less freedom of posture than “stand easy” (personnel aren’t allowed to talk and their hands are clasped behind their back): After the command “Stand at Ease ” was given Lt. Colonel Broome gave a short but never to be forgotten speech. stand easy—a military attitude allowing a greater freedom speculate in something – 304 –