8 to sort the wheat from the chaff → see chaff
9 nothing of the sort → see nothing
▸ sort out
1 PHRASAL VERB If you sort out a group of things, you separate them into different classes, groups, or places, for example so that you can do different things with them. □ [V P n] Sort out all your bills, receipts, invoices and expenses and keep detailed accounts. □ [V P n] Davina was sorting out scraps of material. □ [V P n + from ] How do we sort out fact from fiction? [Also V n P ]
2 PHRASAL VERB If you sort out a problem or the details of something, you do what is necessary to solve the problem or organize the details. □ [V P n] The two countries have sorted out their trade and security dispute. □ [V n P ] Have you sorted something out for tomorrow night?
3 PHRASAL VERB If you sort someone out , you make them realize that they have behaved wrongly, for example by talking to them or by punishing them. [mainly BRIT ] □ [V n P ] It was the older women and young mothers who sorted all the troublemakers out. □ [V P n] The crucial skill you need to develop is sorting out the parents.
4 PHRASAL VERB If you sort yourself out , you organize yourself or calm yourself so that you can act effectively and reasonably. □ [V pron-refl P ] We're in a state of complete chaos here and I need a little time to sort myself out.
sor|tie /sɔː r ti/ (sorties )
1 N‑COUNT A sortie is a brief trip away from your home base, especially a trip to an unfamiliar place. [FORMAL ] □ From here we plan several sorties into the countryside on foot.
2 N‑COUNT If a military force makes a sortie , it leaves its own position and goes briefly into enemy territory to make an attack. [FORMAL ] □ His men made a sortie to Guazatan and took a prisoner.
so rt|ing of|fice (sorting offices ) N‑COUNT A sorting office is a place where letters and parcels that have been posted are taken and sorted according to where they are being sent. [BRIT ]
SOS /e s oʊ e s/ N‑SING An SOS is a signal which indicates to other people that you are in danger and need help quickly. □ The ferry did not even have time to send out an SOS.
so -so ADJ If you say that something is so-so , you mean that it is average in quality, rather than being very good or very bad. [INFORMAL ] □ Their lunch was only so-so.
sot|to voce /sɒ toʊ voʊ tʃe I / ADV [usu ADV after v] If you say something sotto voce , you say it in a soft voice. [LITERARY ]
sou|bri|quet /soʊ br I ke I / (soubriquets ) → see sobriquet
souf|flé /suː fle I , [AM ] suːfle I / (soufflés ) also souffle N‑VAR A soufflé is a light food made from a mixture of beaten egg whites and other ingredients that is baked in the oven. It can be either sweet or savoury. □ …a superb cheese soufflé.
sought /sɔː t/ Sought is the past tense and past participle of seek .
sou ght-after ADJ Something that is sought-after is in great demand, usually because it is rare or of very good quality. □ A gold medal is the most sought-after prize in world sport.
souk /suː k/ (souks ) also suq N‑COUNT A souk is an outdoor market in a Muslim country, especially in North Africa and the Middle East.
soul ◆◇◇ /soʊ l/ (souls )
1 N‑COUNT Your soul is the part of you that consists of your mind, character, thoughts, and feelings. Many people believe that your soul continues existing after your body is dead. □ She went to pray for the soul of her late husband. □ 'I will put my heart and soul into the job,' he promises.
2 N‑COUNT [adj N ] You can refer to someone as a particular kind of soul when you are describing their character or condition. □ He's a jolly soul.
3 N‑SING You use soul in negative statements like not a soul to mean nobody at all. □ I've never harmed a soul in my life. □ There was not a soul there.
4 N‑UNCOUNT Soul or soul music is a type of pop music performed mainly by black American musicians. It developed from gospel and blues music and often expresses deep emotions. □ He is regarded by critics as the greatest soul singer of his generation.
5 the life and soul of the party → see life
sou l-destroying ADJ Activities or situations that are soul-destroying make you depressed, because they are boring or because there is no hope of improvement. □ Believing yourself to be in the wrong job can be soul-destroying.
sou l food N‑UNCOUNT Soul food is used to refer to the kind of food, for example corn bread, ham, and greens, that was popular with black Americans in the southern United States and is considered typical of them. [mainly AM ]
soul|ful /soʊ lfʊl/ ADJ Something that is soulful expresses deep feelings, especially sadness or love. □ …his great, soulful, brown eyes. □ …soulful music. ● soul|ful|ly ADV □ She gazed at him soulfully.
soul|less /soʊ lləs/ ADJ If you describe a thing or person as soulless , you mean that they lack human qualities and the ability to feel or produce deep feelings. □ …a clean and soulless hotel. □ …a grey and soulless existence.
sou l mate (soul mates ) also soulmate N‑COUNT A soul mate is someone with whom you share a close friendship and deep personal understanding. □ Steve and I became soul mates, near-constant companions.
sou l mu|sic N‑UNCOUNT Soul music or soul is a type of pop music performed mainly by black American musicians. It developed from gospel and blues music and often expresses deep emotions.