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

stew in one’s own juice • stew oneself
stew in one’s own juice —(also: fry in one’s own grease) suffer
the consequences of one’s own actions; be left to one’s own
devices: I left her to stew in her own juice for a week before
I went to see her.
stew oneself— fret oneself into a state of heated anxiety: The
cashier was stewing himself over the sum of £
1
0 which was
missing.
stick at something • stick to something • stick
with something
stick at something —
1
. continue to deal with smth. or work
hard at smth. (in spite of difficulties): He will stick at his task,
although he’s going to be dumped when his contract expires.
2. refuse to go further; object to smth.: He will stick at a
request to perjure himself. 3. be unable to go further: John
will always stick at higher mathematics — he will never under-
stand the subject.
stick to something —
1
. attach to smth.: This label will stick
to the paper, it is already gummed. 2. limit oneself to smth.:
You’ll be all right if you stick to the main roads, they’re kept
clear of snow. 3. = stick at something 
1
: The question is whether
he has the concentration and discipline required to stick to
his task for four quarters. 4. adhere to smth.; be true to smth.:
When he makes a commitment, he will stick to what he said.
stick with something —
1
. = stick at something 
1
: Even though
the project may come out different … if you stick with the
task, you will succeed. 2. = stick to something 4: President Bush
ought to stick with what he said last night.
stick in with someone • stick with someone
stick in with someone —(coll.) join another person as a com-
panion (to share accommodation, etc.): My mother wants me
to stick in with my uncle, who has no children of his own.
stick with someone —(coll.) 
1
. (also: stick to someone) remain
loyal to a person; stay close (in the face of danger, etc.): Stick
with the gang on those beach parties. There’s safety in num-
bers. 2. (Races) remain level with a competitor: Jim was able
to stick with the leading runner for most of the race. 3. con-
tinue to pay attention to what a person says: Stick with me
for a few more minutes and you’ll see the point.