close to San Francisco city but miles away in the Silicon Val - ley . silly money • smart money silly money—1. a ridiculously large sum of money: Buying a house in central London will set you back close to a million quid—it’s just silly money . 2. (rare) a ridiculously small sum of money: Try the new helios range of binoculars, they are just silly money for what you get. Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase mad money(coll.) 1. money for use in an emergency (especially carried by a girl out on a date): He “interviewed” her first date to determine “his intentions for his granddaughter,” then gave her “mad money .” 2. money saved up for personal use (while on holiday, etc.) and spent unpredictably: As long as my mad money lasts, I’m going to have a good time. smart money —(U.S. coll.) 1. money bet or invested by smb. with expert knowledge: In referring to money wagered by per- sons with good tips or information, the term used is “smart money .” 2. said of smart or knowledgeable people: Germany has declared war on Russia, and the smart money says that this is only the beginning. silver fox • silverback silver fox1. a North American fox (Canis Argentatus) with black silver-tipped hairs: She lunched at the Ritz yesterday in a black wig, a battle bowler and her silver foxes . 2. a southern African fox (Vulpes chama): The Cape or silver fox is found throughout the drier regions of South Africa. silverback—a male mountain gorilla (Gorilla gorilla beringei), distinguished by patches of silvery hair: An adult male silverback is the leader and protector of his band, which consists of females and offspring. silverware (UK) • silverware (U.S.) silverware (UK)—articles, especially tableware, made of sil- ver or an alloy of silver: All eight suspects in the case of the stolen silverware were subject to a rigorous interrogation. silverware (U.S.)—1. = silverware (UK): Butler’s corrupt practices reportedly included stealing the silverware from the house in which he was headquartered. 2. metal eating utensils (such as a fork, a spoon and a knife): My personal complaint about many a good meal at a fine restaurant is the state of their silverware . sing a different tune • sing different songs sing a different tune—(also: dance to another tune) change one’s attitude or opinion; act differently: Kelley was at one time pessimistic about the airport’s future. He now sings a different tune . sing different songs—(of two or more people) express different opinions about smth.: The burden of homelessness is great enough without two Government departments singing differ - ent songs . sing like a lark • sing like a nightingale sing like a lark —sing gaily and cheerfully: Amelia came trip- ping into the drawing room in a white muslin frock … singing like a lark , and as fresh as a rose. sing like a nightingale —sing very beautifully: Holland comes from a musical family, his father played banjo and his mother sings “like a nightingale .” Note: Neither expression correlates in meaning with the phrase sing like a canary—(U.S. Underworld) turn informer: You don’t think they’d sing like canaries ? … If they thought it would help them, they’d tell on their mothers. sing the same song • speak the same language sing the same song—(also: tell the same tale) express the same ideas or opinions as another person: After you have been here twelve months, you will sing the same song as I do now. speak the same language —(also: talk the same language) have an understanding with smb. through similarity of outlook: We no longer speak the same language . To them, terms like “democracy” signify the opposite of what they mean to me. single-handed • with one hand tied behind one’s back single-handed—perform smth. alone or unaided: Most of the work was done single-handed with some help from inter- ested local residents and a few friends. Note: The expression is not antonymous in meaning to the phrase with both hands1. with all one’s might; with over- whelming enthusiasm: The government seized the opportunity with both hands . In the ensuing decade, it built countless office blocks and hotels. 2. (in the phrase “grab one’s life with both hands”) take control of one’s life instead of just letting things happen: I want to grab my life with both hands and shake it up a little. To be confident and unafraid to try new things. with one hand tied behind one’s back—(also: with both hands tied behind one’s back) 1. do smth. very easily or without effort: I could do it with one hand tied behind my back , but they wouldn’t give the research to a youngster. 2. being prevented from doing smth. or restricted in one’s freedom to act: They want you and me to participate in this debate about funda- mental freedoms with one hand tied behind our back . singlestick • single-sticker singlestick —a stick fitted with a hand guard, formerly used in fencing: There is a movement to revive fencing with the singlestick , a weapon that was historically used to represent the broadsword, cutlass or saber. single-sticker—(Nautical) a one-mast ship: A well-known sailmaker gives the following instructions for setting the sails of a 40-foot single-sticker . sister ship • sistership sister ship —one of essentially similar ships, especially of the same owner: The firm decided to build a sister ship to the Lady Eliza. sistership —a community of women living together in a reli- gious order, etc.: They are not to be bound by vows, but dur- ing their sistership to obey all the rules of the House. sit for someone • sit in for someone sit for someone—1. serve as a babysitter for a child: It was easier for them to leave Bernard, who stays up forever reading anyway, to sit for his brother. 2. work as a babysitter in smb.’s employ: I sit for Mrs. Franklin every now and then. 3. serve as a model for an artist: She had promised to sit for him just for a lightning sketch. Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase sit up for someone—not go to bed in expectation of the arrival of a person: There are few things more worrying than sitting up for somebody. sit in for someone—attend a session, sitting, etc. as a sub- stitute for a person: I am not a regular member of this com- mittee. I am sitting in for Larry Smith. sit in on something • sit on something sit in on something—1. attend a meeting, discussion, etc., without taking part in it: I was allowed to sit in on the delib- erations of the board. 2. take part or collaborate in smth.: You weren’t invited to sit in on this deal, but you elected to take a hand. sit on something—1. be a member of a committee, a jury, etc.: Representatives of the workers should sit on the board of directors. 2. (coll.) delay dealing with smth.: She’d “sat” on silly money – 298 –