stormy petrel is found in the North Atlantic, south to the Newfoundland Banks and the western coast of Africa. 2. smb. who brings discord or appears at the onset of trouble: The stormy petrel from West Bengal is known for her penchant for hurling insinuations at persons holding office. straight actor • straight man straight actor —an actor performing in theatrical productions of the ordinary type (as opposed to a “character actor” per- forming in comedies, etc.): The character-actors have no doubt an easier task than the “straight” actors . straight man —1. an actor who makes remarks or creates sit- uations for the main performer to make jokes about: In vaude- ville and burlesque a straight man works as a “feeder” with the comedians. 2. (sl.) a heterosexual man: John Ritter was a straight man who played at being gay. His life story did make the mind boggle. straight as a poker • straight as an arrow straight as a poker—(of posture) rigid; erect (also: stiff as a poker): He didn’t look a broken-down old man either: straight as a poker , and life enough in him yet. straight as an arrow —1. following a straight line: You won’t get lost if you keep to the track. It’s as straight as an arrow . 2. = straight as a poker: He stood tall, straight as an arrow , handsome, broad-shouldered. 3. honest and moral: He was straight as an arrow . He never lied nor did he ever run away from controversy. 4. (sl.) a heterosexual man: He is as straight as an arrow ! He just likes to have facials done! straight drink • straight drinking straight drink—(of strong liquor) consumed neat or undi- luted: This tequila is fast becoming very popular because it is both a superb mixer and a “straight” drink . straight drinking —heavy drinking unhindered by dancing, entertainment, etc.: If you’re up for straight drinking , go to an izakaya, usually explained as a Japanese pub. straight off • straight out straight off—(also: straight away) at once; without delay: The butler went straight off to Granny, and gave her notice; and she actually raised his wages, and prayed him to stop. straight out—frankly; without reservation: I always know if he’s worried but he never tells me the details straight out . It sometimes slips out in conversation when the crisis is over. straw boss • straw man straw boss —a helper for a boss; an assistant foreman: I was a straw boss . I worked at it a while but I never cared for it. I did not have any power to hire or fire. straw man —(also: man of straw) 1. a respectable man who serves as a cover for a questionable enterprise (also: front man): I suggest that you keep talking with people who were involved, rather than trying to use me as a straw man . 2. a made-up version of an opponent’s argument that can easily be defeated: His speech wasn’t really convincing because he attacked a straw man rather than addressing the real issues. straws in the wind • throw straws against the wind straws in the wind —slight hints that show which way things may develop: There have been other things, straws in the wind , maybe, which give reason to think that contemporary stan- dards are in a process of decline. throw straws against the wind—(also: spit against the wind) engage in futile action or fruitless effort: You will be throwing straws against the wind if you try to do anything for that youth—he is incurable. street legal car • streetcar street legal car—a certified roadworthy car (typically used of an unlikely looking car): For a street legal car you need to know the laws that govern automobiles, such as bumper height and light requirements. streetcar —(U.S.) a public passenger vehicle that runs on metal rails (also: trolley car): Plans have been drafted to replace the large buses with a mini bus and later by a streetcar . street woman • woman in the street street woman —(euph.) a prostitute: So the brothels had been succeeded by houses of convenience, where street-women could rent a room. woman in the street—the ordinary woman; any woman selected at random: She had the political cynicism of the woman in the street . stretch oneself • stretch oneself out stretch oneself—straighten the body and extend the arms, especially when a person yawns: The Jamaican stood up and stretched himself . “Glad you woke me, man,” he said. stretch oneself out—extend one’s legs and body in a straight line while lying: The room was enveloped in darkness. Kedar stretched himself out on the bed without turning on the light. strict in something • strict on something strict in something —careful and scrupulous in one’s princi- ples, etc.: He was strict in punctuality, spiritual in language and phraseology, immaculate in appearance. strict on something—is used with reference to principles, etc. that one expects to be observed by others: The professor of that class was very strict on punctuality. strike at the root • strike root strike at the root—deal resolutely with the origin of a prob- lem, difficulty, etc.: It is in forming such men and women that we can create a community of peace and justice and strike at the root of terrorism. strike root—(also: take root) become firmly established; be generally accepted: Therein lies perhaps the very virtue of a liberal education: prejudice does not as easily strike root in an educated person. strike for something • strike over something strike for something—1. stop working for an employer in order to get more pay, better conditions, etc.: After the airlines show a profit again the unions will strike for higher wages. 2. fight for a cause: Cleomenes followed by a few friends rushed through the streets of Alexandria, exhorting the multitude to strike for freedom. strike over something—is used with reference to the issue that causes the strike: Workers including technicians, lighting and box office staff are among those who opted to strike over the redundancies. strike gold • strike it rich strike gold —1. find gold: Andrew Prichard struck gold along the North Fork of the Coeur d’Alene River in 1881. 2. (Sport) win a gold medal in a competition: India’s women’s hockey team struck gold for the first time in the Commonwealth tour- nament. 3. become rich or successful, especially suddenly or unexpectedly: He struck gold when he took up the challenge of building a palace for king Khalid. strike it rich —1. discover oil or a large vein of minerals: Heflin plays a loner who has finally struck it rich in the Nevada desert. …to get his gold out he must trust an old enemy. 2. = strike gold 3: Lila’s father struck it rich with some weird investments which people thought would fail in two months. strike the bull’s eye • strike the eye strike the bull’s eye(also: hit the bull’s-eye) 1. attain the straight actor – 308 –