A dictionary of Confusable Phrases: More Than 10,000 Idioms and Collocations

spin control • spin out of control
spin control —manipulation of news, especially political
news: The conclusion: Either we are being lied to in an effort
of spin control, or the people in charge of our government are
incompetent.
spin out of control —(of activities, events, etc.) change very
quickly and in an uncontrolled way: The political situation
in Bolivia is spinning out of control, and if the protests con-
tinue to intensify, they could spell serious trouble…
spine-chilling experience • spine-tingling
 experience
spine-chilling experience —said of a terrif ying event or
encounter that happens to a person: Have a spine chilling
experience amidst the wildlife sanctuaries where you will see
tigers in their natural habitat.
spine-tingling experience —said of smth. very exciting or
thrilling a person gets involved in: It was a spine-tingling expe-
rience to hear the call of kiwi in the Wellington hills for the
first time in more than a century.
sporting girl • sports girl
sporting girl —(coll.) a girl with loose morals; a prostitute:
Most of the women go out by the day as house-workers. There
may be a few sporting girls, but if so they don’t work their
own block.
sports girl —a girl who is interested in or practices sport:
Absolutely radiant and glowing, this active sports girl who
loves running, cycling and swimming surprised us with her
trim figure.
sporting man • sportsman
sporting man —a man interested in sport from purely mer-
cantile motives (one who gambles at cards, on horse racing,
etc.): Every sporting man is flattered if termed a sportsman,
but it would be almost an insult to speak to a sportsman as a
sporting man.
Note: 
The expression does not correlate in meaning with the
phrase sporting woman— a woman with loose morals; a pros-
titute: The existence of a colony of sporting women at Nose
Creek was prejudicially affecting the morals and welfare of the
community.
sportsman —
1
. a man who is interested in or practices sport:
They sought a test which would produce the best all-round
sportsman in the world. 2. a man who hunts wild animals or
game for pleasure: The sportsman must not expect great suc-
cess in cock shooting in a very severe frost.