17-letter words containing s, k, e
- the buckeye state — a nickname for Ohio
- the hawkeye state — a nickname for the US state of Iowa
- the joke is on sb — If you say that the joke is on a particular person, you mean that they have been made to look very foolish by something.
- the plot thickens — People sometimes say 'the plot thickens' when a situation or series of events is getting more and more complicated and mysterious.
- the silken ladder — a one-act opera by Rossini, telling the story of Giulia, who is secretly married to Dorvil; he visits her bedroom every night by climbing up a ladder made of silk. Giulia's guardian, Dormont, expects her to marry Blansac, but she introduces Blansac to her cousin Lucilla; after much confusion, the two couples are joyfully united
- think in terms of — If you say that you are thinking in terms of doing a particular thing, you mean that you are considering it.
- three-strikes law — a law that mandates a life sentence to a felon convicted for the third time.
- to cook the books — If you say that someone has cooked the books, you mean that they have changed figures or a written record in order to deceive people.
- to get to know sb — If you get to know someone, you find out what they are like by spending time with them.
- to keep the books — to keep written records of the finances of a business or other enterprise
- to know the ropes — If you know the ropes, you know how a particular job or task should be done.
- to make ends meet — If you find it difficult to make ends meet, you can only just manage financially because you hardly have enough money for the things you need.
- to make sth clear — If you make something clear, you say something in a way that makes it impossible for there to be any doubt about your meaning, wishes, or intentions.
- to risk your neck — If you say that someone is risking their neck, you mean they are doing something very dangerous, often in order to achieve something.
- to strike a chord — If something strikes a chord with you, it makes you feel sympathy or enthusiasm.
- trackless trolley — trolley bus.
- triskaidekaphobia — fear or a phobia concerning the number 13.
- trucial sheikdoms — an independent federation in E Arabia, formed in 1971, now comprising seven emirates on the S coast (formerly, Pirate Coast or Trucial Coast) of the Persian Gulf, formerly under British protection: Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm al-Qaiwain, Ras al-Khaimah (joined 1972), and Fujairah. About 32,300 sq. mi. (83,657 sq. km). Capital: Abu Dhabi. Abbreviation: U.A.E.
- turkish towelling — woven cloth which is used to make towels, wash cloths, etc
- unofficial strike — a strike that is not approved by the strikers' trade union
- verkhoyansk range — a mountain range in the Sakha Republic, in E Siberia, Russia. About 600 miles (970 km) long.
- video disk player — a device that reads the information on a video disc
- walk on eggshells — to be very cautious or diplomatic for fear of upsetting someone
- wastepaper basket — a standing basket for wastepaper, small items of trash, etc.
- wedding breakfast — meal served at wedding reception
- what does sb know — You can use expressions such as What does she know? and What do they know? when you think that someone has no right to comment on a situation because they do not understand it.
- whiskey rebellion — a revolt of settlers in western Pennsylvania in 1794 against a federal excise tax on whiskey: suppressed by militia called out by President George Washington to establish the authority of the federal government.
- william shoemaker — William Lee ("Willie") 1931–2003, U.S. jockey.
- working substance — a substance, usually a fluid, that undergoes changes in pressure, temperature, volume, or form as part of a process for accomplishing work.
- yorkshire pudding — a pudding made of an unsweetened batter of flour, salt, eggs, and milk, baked under meat as it roasts to catch the drippings or baked separately with a small amount of meat drippings.
- yorkshire terrier — one of an English breed of toy terriers having a long, silky, straight coat that is dark steel blue from the back of the skull to the tail and tan on the head, chest, and legs.