should

children should be seen and not heard

Prov. Children should not speak in the presence of adults. (Often used as a way to rebuke a child who has spoken when he or she should not.) You may come out and meet the party guests if you'll remember that children should be seen and not heard.

See also: and, children, hear, seen

He who sups with the devil should have a long spoon.

Prov. If you have dealings with dangerous people, you must be careful that they do not harm you. If you're going to hang out with that disreputable bunch of people, keep in mind that he who sups with the devil should have a long spoon.

See also: devil, have, long, spoon, who

How should I know? and Don't ask me.

Inf. I do not know.; Why should I be expected to know? (Shows impatience or rudeness.) Bill: Why is the orea called the killer whale? Mary: How should I know? Sally: Where did I leave my glasses? Tom: Don't ask me.

See also: how

if anything should happen and if anything happens

Euph. If a disaster or emergency happens. I'll give you the phone number of my hotel, so that you can reach me if anything happens. If anything should happen, I want you to look after my children.

See also: anything, happen, if

It's time we should be going.

a statement made by one member of a pair (or group) of guests to the other mem-ber(s), indicating a desire to leave. (Typically, a way for one person in a couple to signal the other, indicating a desire to leave.) Mr. Franklin looked at his wife and said softly, "It's time we should be going." Tom: Well, I suppose it's time we should be going. Mary: Yes, we really should. Alice: So early?

See also: going, time

should have stood in bed

Fig. an expression used on a bad day, when one should have stayed in one's bed. What a horrible day! I should have stood in bed. The minute I got up and heard the news this morning, I knew I should have stood in bed.

See also: bed, have

zigged when one should've zagged

perfomed one deed when another deed would have been better; to do something inconsequentially different from another thing. I don't know why she complained. I guess I zigged when I should have zagged.

See also: one

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Children should be seen and not heard.

something that you say which means that children should be quiet I can't stand all that shouting. Children should be seen and not heard, in my opinion.

See also: and, children, hear, seen

on no account must/should somebody do something   (formal)

if you tell someone that on no account must they do something, you mean that they must never, for any reason do that thing On no account must the contents of this document be shown to any other person.

See also: account, must

You can talk!  (British, American & Australian informal) also You should talk! (American informal)

something that you say when someone criticizes another person for doing something that they do themselves 'He's a terrible driver.' 'You can talk!' And you're telling me I'm lazy? You should talk!

See speak of the devil, speak the same language, speak out of turn

See also: can

You should be so lucky!  (informal)

something that you say in order to tell someone that what they want is not likely to happen A pay increase? You should be so lucky!

See strike it lucky, thank lucky stars