stand in with
To be liked by or friendly with. Usually used with well.
John stands in well with the teacher.
stand one in good stead
To be helpful or useful to.
A boy scout knife will stand you in good stead when you do not have other tools.
Julia knew how to typewrite, and that stood her in good stead when she looked for a job.
stare in the face
To be about to meet or to happen to (you.)
Grandmother became very sick and death was staring her in the face.
Defeat stared them in the face, but the soldiers fought on bravely.
To be easy to see; be plain.
Are you looking for your pencil? It's on your desk, staring you in the face.
Their friends all knew that Mary loved John, but John did not see it even though it was staring him in the face.
stars in one's eyes
An appearance or feeling of very great happiness or expectation of happiness.
Mary gets stars in her eyes when she thinks of her boyfriend.
A belief in the possibility of quick and lasting reforms in people and life and an eagerness to make such changes.
Some inexperienced people get stars in their eyes when they think of improving the world.
start in
To begin to do something; start.
Fred started in weeding the garden.
The family started in eating supper.
To begin a career.
Bob started in as an office boy and became president.
To give a first job to.
The bank started him in as a clerk.
start something
To make trouble; cause a quarrel or fight.
John is always starting something.
Jack likes to play tricks on the other boys to start something.
stay in
To remain at home.
The weather was so bad that we decided to stay in all day.
On a rainy day, I like to stay in and read.
step in
To go inside for a quick visit.
It was a cold night, and when the policeman passed, we invited him to step in for a cup of coffee.
When the children started fighting on the playground, a teacher had to step in and stop the fight.
The supervisor asked one of the employees to step in her office for a moment.
To begin to take part in a continuing action or discussion, especially without being asked.
When the dogs began to fight, John stepped in to stop it before they were hurt.
When Bill had done as much as he was able to on his model plane, his father stepped in to help him.