shed

Related to shed: awning

(one) would (just) as soon (do something)

One would like to or would rather do something. Often used when one is faced with several options. It would be nice to live somewhere else, but I would just as soon go to a local college and stay close to my family. I know everyone is eager to go out tonight, but I'd as soon stay home, to be honest.
See also: soon

blood is shed

1. People are killed as a result of violence. It will be a tragedy if any blood is shed—if even one person is killed or injured.
2. Trouble or problems are caused. Everyone is complacent now, but if blood is shed and layoffs start happening, it will be another story.
See also: blood, shed

cast (some) light on (something)

To reveal information or details about something; to clarify or help people understand something. We've hired a private investigator to help cast light on the clandestine dealings of the baron. These documents we've uncovered cast some light on how the late author's final book was meant to end.
See also: cast, light, on

get shed of (someone or something)

To discard, eliminate, or become free from something or someone. We finally got shed of your younger brother. He's so annoying! Would you please get shed of that filthy couch already?
See also: get, of, shed

my head's a shed

slang An expression of total bewilderment, confusion, stress, or mental agitation. Primarily heard in UK. A: "How's the research for your thesis coming?" B: "Ugh. I've been in the library for nearly 15 hours. My head's a shed." Sorry about the way I acted this morning. There's just a lot going on at work and my head's a shed at the moment.
See also: shed

not shed a tear

To not cry or else demonstrate any emotional reaction to some sad event or situation. My father hasn't shed so much as a tear for as long as I can remember, but I saw his eyes well up when our dog Spot had to be put down. To be honest, I've always hated her guts. Now that she's gone, I'm not exactly shedding any tears.
See also: not, shed, tear

not the sharpest tool in the shed

Not intelligent; dim-witted or prone to stupidity. His new boyfriend isn't the sharpest tool in the shed, but he's pretty good looking! I wasn't the sharpest tool in the shed in school, but I still managed to find a profession I loved.
See also: not, sharp, shed, tool

shed (some) light on (something)

To reveal information or details about something; to clarify or help people understand something. We've hired a private investigator to help shed light on the clandestine dealings of the organization. These documents we've uncovered shed some light on how the late author's final book was meant to end.
See also: light, on, shed

shed (some) light upon (something)

To reveal information or details about something; to clarify or help people understand something. (A more formal version of "shed (some) light on something.") We've hired a private investigator to help shed light upon the clandestine dealings of the baron. These documents we've uncovered shed some light upon how the late author's final book was meant to end.
See also: light, shed, upon

shed a tear

To cry or weep, especially from grief; to grieve or mourn in general. Everyone in the room was shedding tears by the end of the ceremony. Their relationship had soured so much over the years that John didn't shed a tear when he heard of his brother's death.
See also: shed, tear

shed blood

1. To wound or kill someone violently, often by inflicting wounds in which blood literally spills out of the body. A noun or pronoun can be used between "shed" and "blood." The soldier was arrested and court-martialed for shedding blood in the village near the military encampment. I will not rest until I find who is responsible for shedding these people's blood.
2. To sustain serious (and perhaps fatal) injuries, often wounds in which blood literally spills out of the body. A noun or pronoun can be used between "shed" and "blood." I've never shed blood before, so it made my stomach turn to see it pouring out of me. These brave soldiers shed their blood to protect our freedom.
See also: blood, shed

shed crocodile tears

To display false, insincere, or hypocritical sadness or remorse. Derived from an ancient notion that a crocodile will weep to lure in its victims, or that it weeps as it eats them. Jessica shed crocodile tears over the expulsion of her rival, Jacob.
See also: crocodile, shed, tear

shed out

1. Of an animal, to shed a particular coat of hair or fur. It can be used transitively or intransitively. For some reason our mare isn't shedding out her winter coat properly. I know it doesn't look very nice now, but your dog is simply shedding out his puppy fur to make room for a beautiful new coat.
2. To move a sheep that has recently given birth to a different, typically better, pasture. OK, it's time to shed out that sheep now that she's had babies.
See also: out, shed

throw (some) light on (something)

To reveal information or details about something; to clarify or help people understand something. We've hired a private investigator to help throw light on the clandestine dealings of the baron. These documents we've uncovered throw some light on how the late author's final book was meant to end.
See also: light, on, throw
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

get shut of someone or something

 and get shed of someone or something; get shet of someone or something
Rur. to get rid of someone or something. I can't wait to get shut of that old refrigerator. Tom followed me around for months, but I finally got shed of him.
See also: get, of, shut

not shed a tear

Fig. not to show any emotion even when something is very sad. At his uncle's funeral, he didn't shed a tear. They never got along.
See also: not, shed, tear

shed crocodile tears

 and cry crocodile tears
Fig. to shed false tears; to pretend that one is weeping. The child wasn't really hurt, but she shed crocodile tears anyway. He thought he could get his way if he cried crocodile tears.
See also: crocodile, shed, tear

shed (some) light on something

 and throw (some) light on something
Fig. to reveal something about something; to clarify something. (Also with any.) This discussion has shed some light on the problem. Let's see if Ann can throw any light on this question.
See also: light, on, shed
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

shed blood

Also, spill blood. Wound or kill someone, especially violently. For example, It was a bitter fight but fortunately no blood was shed, or A great deal of blood has been spilled in this family feud. Both of these terms allude to causing blood to flow and fall on the ground. The first dates from the 1200s. The variant amplifies the verb spill, which from about 1300 to 1600 by itself meant "slay" or "kill"; it was first recorded about 1125.
See also: blood, shed

shed light on

Also, throw light on. Clarify or explain, as in I was hoping the professor would shed light on how he arrived at his theory, or Can anyone throw some light on where these plants came from? Originally, from about 1200, these expressions were used literally, in the sense of "illuminate," but they soon were used figuratively as well.
See also: light, on, shed
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

blood is shed

or

blood is spilled

LITERARY
COMMON
1. If blood is shed or blood is spilled, people are killed in fighting. So much blood has been shed in this conflict. Angry words have passed between both sides, but so far no blood had been spilt.
2. If blood is shed or blood is spilled when change happens, suffering or trouble is caused. A good deal of political blood was spilled over the deficit reduction package.
See also: blood, shed

shed crocodile tears

If someone sheds crocodile tears, they pretend to sympathize with or feel sadness about someone or something that they do not really care about. Our own government sheds crocodile tears over the loss of life whilst doing absolutely nothing to stop it. Note: Verbs such as weep and cry are sometimes used instead of shed. MPs who weep crocodile tears over the plight of those who earn £10,000 a year insist that they cannot manage on ten times that amount. While her family and friends weep, the politicians cry crocodile tears. Note: The phrase crocodile tears is used in other expressions with this meaning. She regards Washington's expressions of concern now as no more than crocodile tears. Note: There was an ancient belief that crocodiles sighed and groaned to attract their prey, and wept while they were eating it.
See also: crocodile, shed, tear

shed light on something

If something sheds light on a situation, it makes it easier to understand. Is there anything that Moira said that might shed some light on what happened? Note: Cast or throw are sometimes used instead of shed. Perhaps the brothers could cast light on that mystery.
See also: light, on, shed, something
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

cast/shed/throw (new) ˈlight on something

make a problem, etc. easier to understand: This book sheds new light on the role of the CIA. ‘Can you throw any light on the matter?’
See also: cast, light, on, shed, something, throw
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

shed blood

1. To wound or kill in a violent manner.
2. To be wounded or killed: "For he today that sheds his blood with me / Shall be my brother" (Shakespeare).
See also: blood, shed

shed (someone's) blood

To wound someone or take someone's life, especially with violence.
See also: blood, shed
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition.

shed light on, to

To explain or clarify. This term was used literally, in the sense of illuminating something, from the fourteenth century. In the fifteenth century light came to be used figuratively for “understanding.” George J. Adler used the expression in his translation of Fauriel’s History of Provençal Poetry (1860): “On these antecedents that I shall first endeavor to shed some light.”
See also: light, shed
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer
See also:
  • (one) could use (something)
  • cooking for one
  • drive (one) out of office
  • force (one) out of office
  • force out of office
  • as one door closes, another (one) opens
  • as one door closes, another one opens
  • as one door closes, another opens
  • give head
  • give somebody their head
References in periodicals archive
Owner of the company, Stephen Clear, has over 30 years experience of making sheds in Telford.
Manufacturer Tiger Sheds sent freedom of information requests to all police forces asking about the number of shed burglaries from 2014 to 2018.
The acquisition creates a new presence in the Northeast for Tuff Shed, and extends Tuff Shed's service area to all of the contiguous United States.
Donating to animal shelters in need is not new for Shed Defender.
He said:"The Men's Shed would be a huge boost for Stirling.
Representatives of the UK Men's Shed Association and Legion Scotland, together with the council's Veterans Champion Councillor Archie Dryburgh also enjoyed the occasion.
Nathan Sarea, Project Director for Denbigh Men's Shed - and Board member of the national United Kingdom Men's Shed Association (UKMSA) said "We are extremely grateful to the members of the North Wales Masonic Lodges for choosing to support this project and help us get it off the ground."
Rachael, 34, was looking for extra space to grow and develop her business so treated herself (and her shed) to a makeover for the 10th anniversary of her business.
I discovered that if you follow subtle buck trails deep into the woods, you may find a shed along the way.
Here at home my rock python is shedding its skin; the cat sheds hair all over the sofa.
But whatever the reason you buy a shed, it should be a sturdy and watertight structure.
And while Stephen Davies' Swansea shed might not match some entries for creativity - what he does inside his is arguably more inspiring than any of this year's other finalists.
Synopsis: Author Howard Mansfield defines a shed as "the shortest line between need and shelter".
So far, a hedge trimmer has been reported stolen from one shed.