still (redirected from stillest)

*still as death

Cliché immobile; completely still. (The reference to death gives this expression ominous connotations. *Also: as ~.) George sat as still as death all afternoon. When the storm was over, everything was suddenly still as death.

See also: death

Better keep still about it. and Someone had better keep still about it.; Better keep quiet about it.; Someone better keep quiet about it.

A particular person ought not to tell about or discuss something. (The someone can stand for any person's name, any pronoun, or even the word someone meaning "you-know-who." If there is no Someone had, the phrase is a mild admonition to keep quiet about something.) Mary: I saw you with Bill last night. Jane: You'd better keep quiet about it. Jane: Tom found out what you're giving Sally for her birthday. Bill: He had better keep quiet about it!

See also: better, keep

have one's heart stand still

Fig. an expression said when one's heart (figuratively) stops beating because one is shocked or is feeling strong emotions. I had my heart stand still once when I was overcome with joy. Lovers—at least the ones in love songs—usually say their hearts stood still.

See also: have, heart, stand

hold still

(for someone or something) and keep still (for someone or something); stand still (for someone or something) to remain motionless for someone or something. Hold still for the doctor and the shot won't hurt. Please keep still for the doctor.

See also: hold

hold still for something and stand still for something

Fig. to tolerate or endure something. (Often in the negative.) I won't stand still for that kind of behavior! She won't hold still for that kind of talk.

See also: hold

jury is still out (on someone or something)

Fig. a decision has not been reached on someone or something; the people making the decision on someone or something have not yet decided. The jury is still out on Jane. We don't know what we are going to do about her. The jury is still out on the question of building a new parking lot.

See also: jury, out

keep someone or something still 

1. Lit. and keep someone Or something quiet to make someone or something silent or less noisy. Can you please keep the baby still? Keep that stereo quiet!

2. Go to keep something quiet.

3. and hold someone or something still Fig. to restrain or control someone or something so that the person or thing cannot move. Please keep your foot still. It makes me nervous when you wiggle it. You have to hold the nail still if you want to hit it.

See also: keep

keep something quiet and keep something still

Fig. to keep something a secret. I'm quitting my job, but my boss doesn't know yet. Please keep it quiet. Okay. I'll keep it still

See also: keep, quiet

keep quiet (about someone or something) and keep still (about someone or something)

to refrain from talking about someone or something; to keep a secret about someone or something. Please keep quiet about the missing money. Please keep still about it. All right. I'll keep still.

See also: keep, quiet

Keep still. 

1. and Hold Still. Do not move. Quit wiggling. Keep still! "Hold still. I can't examine your ear if you're moving," said the doctor.

2. Go to keep quiet (about someone or something).

See also: keep

one's heart stands still

Fig. one's heart (figuratively) stops beating because of strong emotions. When I first saw you, my heart stood still. My heart will stand still until you answer.

See also: heart, stand

sit still for something 

1. Lit. to remain seated without fidgeting during something. The child could hardly be expected to sit still for the opera. Timmy would not sit still for his haircut.

2. Fig. to remain idle rather than act to prevent something; to endure or tolerate something. I won't sit still for that kind of treatment. she would not sit still for an insult like that.

See also: sit

so still you could hear a pin drop and so quiet you could hear a pin drop

Fig. very quiet. (Also with can.) When I came into the room, it was so still you could hear a pin drop. Then everyone shouted, "Happy birthday!" Please be quiet. Be so quiet you can hear a pin drop.

See also: could, drop, hear, pin

still tongue makes a wise head

Prov. If you are wise, you do not talk very much.; You should only speak when you have judged that it is appropriate to do so. Don't chatter about whatever comes to your mind. A still tongue makes a wise head. Kathy really offended Mr. Parker by talking so much about his ex-wife. She needs to learn that a still tongue makes a wise head.

See also: head, make, tongue, wise

still waters run deep.

Prov. Quiet people are often very thoughtful. Jill: I get the impression that Nathan is not very smart. He never says anything. Jane: Don't be so sure. still waters run deep, you know.

See also: deep, run, Waters

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still waters run deep

something that you say which means people who say very little often have very interesting and complicated personalities He's quiet and shy, it's true, but still waters run deep.

See also: deep, run, Waters

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(but) still and all

despite that Her performance wasn't that original but still and all, the audience was really impressed.

See also: and

your heart skips a beat also your heart stands still

you are suddenly surprised, excited, or frightened Ben walked into the room and her heart skipped a beat. When the shark came toward us, my heart stood still.

See also: beat, heart, skip

even better also better still

more satisfactorily Put a goal in front of me - or even better, tell me I can't get something done - and I'll work twice as hard to do it. If you can't get rid of the spots, try using a razor blade or better still a liquid that dissolves gum and paint.

See also: better, even

keep quiet (about something)

to not talk about something You know you can trust me to keep quiet. The governor has kept quiet about raising taxes.

See also: keep, quiet

the jury is still out

no decision has been made, esp. because information is lacking The jury is still out on whether those particular chemicals pose a threat to public health.

See also: jury, out