English Idioms

Of American Style
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American Style English Idioms

1. (001.1.) A slap on the wrist:
These four students got caught sneaking a cow into the deans
office. Three got expelled but the fourth got a slap on the wrist, a
weeks suspension. People say his dead is a wealthy man has given
money to build a new gymnasium.
2. (001.2.) Eat crow:
Honey, you know how Larry always brags about what a great
player he is and how he beats anybody around. Well, today I beat him
3 straight sets and really made him eat crow.
3. (001.3.) To short circuit:
My mother stayed up all night cooking for all our relatives and
friends. But when the day came a terrible thunderstorm short
circuited all our plans and we had to eat inside the home.
4. (002.1.) To pull strings:
At first, they said I wasnt qualified enough to get the job.
However, after my uncle who owns stocks in the company called
there and pulled strings, I was hiredright away.
5. (002.2.) To string someone along:
The salesman assured me that the used car I was buying in
perfect condition. But on he way home the car broke down. That guy
was stringing me all along the whole time.
6. (002.3.) To hold the purse strings:
I cant buy anything without my fathers approval. He is the one
who holds the purse strings in my family and he is very stingy with
his money. I think its the time for me to get a job.
7. (002.4.) Second string:
The Lakers have been forced to use second string players ever
since their stars were hurt early in the season. The team has hardly
won a game since. They were really lousy.
8. (003.1) Eyes are bigger than stomach:
Every time we have pizza I take way too much. Last time I
couldnt finish it, but I still ate so much I had to throw up. I guess you
could say my eyes are bigger than my stomach.
9. (003.2.) Butterflies in your stomach:

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When Jennifer came in for her job interview at the law firm she
had plenty of butterflies in her stomach. Luckily, the interview went
well and she got the job.
(003.3.) Bellyache:
When I asked Joe to type the report, he complained about his
sore fingers. Then when I asked him to go an errand downtown he
said his feet hurt. When I invited him to the office party, he said
parties always depress him. That guy is always bellyaching about
something.
(003.4.) Belly up:
I worked for a company that always made money so I thought
my job was safe. But the company run into hard times and finally
went belly up. So now I have to find another job.
(004.1.) Bone of contention:
Who got to use the family care was the bone of contention
between Jo and Betty from the day they got back from their
honeymoon. I fact it was the reason for their divorce.
(004.2.) Make no bones about it:
When Mary asked me what I think of her poetry I made no
bones about it. I told her that its too gloomy and passimistic and
needed more polish. Now of course she is mad at me.
(004.3.) Have a bone to pick with:
Joe, Im afraid that I have a bone to pick with you. Frankly I
dont like the last ad you designed for us. Whats the good time for
you to come over to my office to talk about it.
(005.1.) To feel in your bones:
I feel in my bones that Tim will imprint his name in history some
day. Not only he is brilliant in his own field, but also has his rare sense
of responsibility to all humanity.
(005.2) To bone up:
I hear how hard those Asian students have to bone up for theit
college entrance exams. They study a lot more than us with little time
for fun. But I guess the results are probably worth it.
(005.3.) To throw a bone to someone:
The company gave another man the promotion Brian expected.
But they threw him a bone. They sent him to head up a branch office
way off in Iowa. And thats a dead-end job nobody wanted.
(006.1.) All that:
Hey, I tell you I am all that. Ive got the best looking girlfriend,
the nicest car, the biggest house and the most friends. Did I mention
that I am incredibly modest.
(006.2.) Fly:
Gentlemen, I think Im in love. Look over there, see that girl in
miniskirts? She is so fly. Im going to go and ask her out.

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20. (006.3.) To perpetrate:
That guy Franky is always perpetrating. He always bragging
about how his girlfriend is really fly, but the only woman Ive seen
him with is his mother. He is just a liar.
21. (006.4.) To be ghost:
Boy, am I late! The train to the city leaves in only twenty
minutes. Im just going to eat a quick breakfast, and Im ghost.
22. (007.1.) Buy a pig in a poke:
My brother bought a pig in a poke. He bought an ocean front
property in Florida from a phony salesman. It was on the ocean
alright. In fact, at high tide it was six feet under water.
23. (007.2.) To buy for a song:
You have to be careful when you buy a used car. But I bought
this Ford (1 for a song, about half of what I expected to pay. And Ive
had a good luck with it. It runs like a new car.
24. (007.3.) Buy it:
This guy is always telling people about all the medals he won
for bravery during the war. But I just happen to know he never even
got overseas. He spent the whole war as a supply clerk at an army
base in Texas.
25. (007.4.) Buy the farm:
Bill was the best pilot I knew when I was in the Air Force. But he
bought the farm when his plane was hit by anti aircraft fire twos days
before the end of the war.
26. (008.1.) Hard sell:
I want a cheap car without a lot of extras. But the salesman
gave me a hard sell so I ended up with stuff I didnt need like leather
seats, a sun roof, and a lot of other things.
27. (008.2.) Sell a bill of goods:
My friends, my opponent is selling you a bill of goods when he
promises to spend more money on schools and cut taxes. You ask him
how he can spend more money without raising taxes.
28. (008.3.) Sell down the river:
Our boss promised hed never sell our company to another firm.
But when he got a good offer, he sold us down the river, and the new
owners brought in their own people and fired us.
29. (008.4.) Sell someone short:
Dont sell that man short. He may not look like it, but hes one
of the smartest lawyers in town. Youd be wise to hire him if youre in
trouble. He seldom loses a case.
30. (009.1.) Fib:
Johnny tells everybody he got straight As last September. Im
afraid hes telling a fib. I happen to know he got at least a B, but he is
too embarrassed to admit it.

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31. (009.2.) White lie:
I told Sally a white lie when she asked me how I liked her new
party dress. I didnt like the color or the design but when O saw how
happy she was with it, I told her it looked great.
32. (009.3.) Lie in your teeth:
When the defendant says he didnt shoot the woman, hes lying
in his teeth. His fingerprints were on the gun and he was standing
over the body when the police arrived.
33. (009.4.) Whopper:
Joe went fishing on Moon Lake. He came back all wet without
his rod and reel and told a real whopper. He said he caught a fish so
big it pulled him out of the boat and swam off with his rod and reel.
34. (010.1.) Hunker down:
I still remember my college days. Most of us had a lot of fun
during the first two years. But after that we really had to hunker down
and study hard to graduate.
35. (010.2.) Hold the high ground:
I know we can win this election fight. We hold the high ground
because we have more campaign money and more popular candidate
the other party.
36. (010.3.) Trench warfare:
Tony lost both his parents very young and was brought up by
his uncle in a poor neighborhood where crime and drugs were
common. Life was trench warfare for him, always a struggle.
37. (011.1.) Slap dash ???:
Honey, Im afraid I have to give you a failing grade for your term
paper. Im sorry but its too slapdash. It looks like you wrote it at the last
minute without any serious research.
38. (011.2.) Across the board:
Because of tighter budgets, federal agencies face losing staff
with across the board cutbacks. This means that every US
government agency will be affected at al levels.
39. (011.3.) Back of the envelope:
Mrs Wood, if you ask me what it will cost you to put in these
cabinets, my back of the envelope figure will be $1,500. It could be
more, of course depending on the design you want.
40. (012.1.) Out to lunch:
John, you really have to pay more attention. I just went over the
topic. You must have been out to lunch with your mind a thousand
miles away. Okay, Ill go over it one more time.
41. (012.2.) Backed into the corner:
With the government cutting jobs these days, Im backed into
the corner. My job as a manager is most likely to be abolished. Either
I retire early or get pushed down to a lower grade.

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42. (012.3.) Spell out:
Mr. Brown, you say our companys policy might chang in the
near future to adjust the needs of the market. As staffers, were
concerned. Could you spell out what plans you have in mind.
43. (013.1.) In the cahoots with:
The warehouse security guard was in the cahoots with the gang
that stole hundreds of cases of cigarettes and whisky. He gave them
the key to the building and in return they paid him well.
44. (013.2.) Lip service:
Im sure the mayor of our city will lose in his reelection did this
fall. Solemn promises now is lip service.
45. (013.3.) Hare brained:
A lot of people thought it was a hare-brained scheme to try to
send people to the moon. But on July 20, 1969 the whole world
watched two astronauts set foot on earths neighbors planet.
46. (014.1.) Go bananas:
I was on the freeway the other day in this terrible traffic jam.
Suddenly, the guy in the car next tom me just went bananas. He was
screaming and yelling and then he crashes hiss Mercedes into my
new BMW! Totally out of control!
47. (014.2.) Compare apples and oranges:
Dave says Madonna is the greatest performing artist but Sarah
thinks that Yo Yo Ma is the best. I say they are comparing apples and
oranges. Madonna is a pop singer and Yo Yo Ma is a classical cellist.
48. (014.3.) Hear through the grapevine:
I heard through the grapevine that Mark and Julie just broke up.
I cant believe it. I thought they were going to get married. Julies
sister called this morning to give me the bad news.
49. (014.4.) Lemon:
Only three weeks after I bought my new pickup truck, problems
started. Firrst the doors wouldnt close and then the brakes failed. I
should have known the truck wad a lemon when the dealer gave me
a five hundred dollar discount.
50. (015.1.) Swing voters:
Its hard for voters worried about the future to choose among
the three leading candidates. The voting is going to be pretty close
and the swing voters will probably decide the outcome.
51. (015.2.) Down to the wire:
The race is going down to the wire tonight with all the
candidates on ratio and television making their last appeal to people
to vote for them when the polls open tomorrow.
52. (015.3.) In over ones head:

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John was very good as vice president of our company. But when
he was promoted to president he found himself in over his head. He
simply couldnt handle all the extra responsibilities.
(016. 1.) Mission creep:
Results of the opinion poll show that sending troops over to
Haiti is not a popular idea in the US. They can be stuck there for
months, ending up with more responsibilities. Thats mission creep.
Before you know it, you are deep in it.
(016.2.) Hotbed:
That area of the inner city is really a hotbed for crimes. Why,
just the other day, my roommate was robbed in broad daylight just
one block away from the police station.
(016.3.) Well-heeled:
Judging by their style of life, you know the Jones are wellheeled. They send their kids to a private school, do a lot of
entertaining and travel abroad every summer.
(017. 1.) Football widow:
Jean, lets play bridge or go shopping this weekend. Im sick of
being a football widow. Every Sunday, John and his buddies stay
glued to the TV watching the games all day. Sometimes I wonder if he
even remembers I exist.
(017.2.) Nail-biter:
The merger of our two companies is a real nail-biter. We are
worried about keeping our jobs. I sure wish these big shots settle
everything so they can tell is whats going to happen.
(017.3.) Back on track:
My niece used to be anorexic. Thats an eating disorder that
makes you feel that you are overweight. So you end up starving
yourself. But now she is married and back on track, eating three
healthy meals everyday.
(018.1.) Running scared:
Im going dropping too low in the public opinion polls. That Mr.
Green running against me is doing a lot better than expected. Time to
run scared. Ill have to go call on voters door to door,
(018.2.) Spin your wheels:
Joe has a lot of ideas, but he cant organize them, so he always
ends up spinning hiss wheels. Most of his colleagues have managed
to get promoted but hes still stuck in the same old job.
(018.3.) Bumper crop:
Weve had so much rain this summer that Im afraid well have
a bumper crop of mosquitoes this year. Good for mosquitoes, off
course, but not good for us.
(019.1.) Go south:

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The ad compaign for our company has been running for six
weeks now. But its not increasing sales and its getting pretty
expensive. So weve decided to go south and drop it. Weve asking
another ad agency to design a new compaign for us.
63. (019.2.) To get cold feet:
I took Mary out to dinner to ask her to marry me. But at the last
minute I got cold feet. I asked myself Wait a minute! Is this the
woman I want to to spend the rest of my life with?
64. (019.3.) To cool their heels:
I had a bad day, Honey! The boss was mad for a different
reason, but kept me cool my heels for two whole hours before calling
me into his office to ask about the Jones file.
65. (020.1.) Hogwash:
My opponent says I spent official funds on personal travel.
Thats nothing but hog wash. That man throws all this hogwash at
you, because he has no program of his own to talk about.
66. (020.2.) Take the point:
We all want to ask for a raise but we are afraid to ask Mr. Lee.
But, Betty has volunteered to take the point and go in to talk to him
for us. Now theres a brave woman!
67. (020.3.) Walk a tighrope:
Joes job keeps him at the office at least 60 hours a week. So he
has to walk a tightrope. He has to make sure he has enough time also
for hiss wife and six kids.
68.(021.1.) Behind the 8 ball:
We are really behind the 8 ball. We need to borrow money to
stay in business. But the banks weve gone to so far have turned us
down. If we dont find a bank soon well go bankrupt.
69. (021.2.) Dear John letter:
I thought my girl loved me enough to wait for me to come back
home. But I guess its all over. I got a dear John letter saying she has
met another guy and they are getting married next week.
70. (021.3.) Pay back time:
Now at last its pay back time. I have finally managed to buy
more than half the stock in this crooks company. And I am going to
take control and toss him out on the street where he belongs.
71. (022.1.) Jump the gun:
Im sorry! I shouldnt have jump the gun by announcing our
plans to buy out that company. Now that I let the news out so early,
that company will want a higher price from us.
72. (022.2.) Stick your neck out:
Joe, dont stick our neck out by hanging around with that gang
down the streets. You know the skip school, get into fights with other
gangs and always have trouble from the crops.

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73. (022.3.) Grit your teeth:
Taking care of a family, working eight hours a day and rushing
to evening classes twice a week is tough for Mary. But she grits her
teeth and handles everything as best as she can. She is one tough
lady.
74. (023.1.) Go bananas:
Laura has dyed her hair purple, has a nose ring, and spends
most of her time listening to loud music. I tell you that kid is driving
us bananas. I cant wait for her to grow up.
75. (023.2.) Start off on the wrong foot:
I sure started on the wrong foot on my first day at work. I was
an hour late. Whats more, I pumped into someone in the hall and
spilled his coffee. Guess who it was. Yes, my boss!.
76. (023.3.) Sleeping point:
These falling market price have me so worried. I cant sleep at
night. Im trying to sell my stocks off until I reach the sleeping point,
but it really hurts. Im losing money on every share.
77. (024.1.) Across the board:
Coming this new year, all federal employees in Washington will
receive an across board locality pay adjustment of a small
percentage. Its not much, but I guess its better than nothing.
78. (024.2.) Raise a red flag:
When politicians start about cutting back on social security
benefits or health insurance, this raises a red flag for old workers who
flood Congress and the White House with angry letters of protest.
79. (024.3.) At the drop of a hat:
Gene never hesitates to help anybody in trouble. Once when a
car ahead of hime ran off the road, hit a tree and burst into flames,
he jumped out of his car at the drop of a hat and pulled the driver out
of the wreck.
80. (025.1.) Peanut gallery:
This time Im making a film because I like the script ans it says
something serious about life. It may not be popular up in the peanut
gallery, but Im not going to let the folks up there tell me what kinds
of picture I should make.
81. (025.2.) Give no quarter:
Politics is a tough business! The winners usually give no quarter
to the losers. Look at how the people who have worked for losing
officials are kicked out on the street without work.
82. (025.3.) Draw the line:
I really dont care about money or power. But I felt we have to
draw the line somewhere to let the members of the other party know
that this is how far they can go and no farther.
83. (026.1.) Gimmick:

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What started out last year as a gimmick by our airline to fill

empty seats on slow days has turned into a popular holiday program.
The bargain fare we offered brought thousands of shoppers to the
Mall of America.
(026.2.) Scope out:
Well, you might say we are being extravagant in flying to the
biggest shopping mall in America. But Tom and I really scoped the
mall out. We checked the prices of all the items on our gift list and
got them at real bargain prices.
(026.3.) Elbow room:
Just look at that crowd! Theres scarcely enough elbow room to
move around. Johns parties are great, but I certainly wish he
wouldnt invite many guests.
(027.1.) Jump start:
Jones started a boat building business. He makes fine boats but
he started without enough capital, he needs new investors to give
him the jump start he needs to get established.
(027.2.) Cracker jack:
John is a cracker jack in the ad business and hes done well at
several top companies. With his experience and creative skills, my
guess is hell be a multi-millionaire in the next few years.
(027.3.) Up and coming:
Have you read Marys story in todays paper? This is the second
time in a week her stories made the front page. Shes really an up
and coming reporter.
(028.1.) Ghost rider:
After this train accident the railroad counted only thirty
passengers hurt. But after few days, the toll had doubled. I tell you,
half of the claims were from ghost riders.
(028.2.) Koosh:
Jerrys grades havent to good, you know. Maybe thats why five
companies have already kooshed him when he applied for a job. But
he keeps trying. He is sure theres a job somewhere.
(028.3.) Snake check:
With Publicans in control of Congress, both political parties will
make snake checks on all new bills before they vote. Theyll go over
them with a fine tooth comb, every small details.
(029.1.) Cloud nine:
Have you seen our friend Bob lately? Hes really up on cloud
nine. He finally worked up the courage to ask Sally to marry him, and
believe or not, she said yes!
(029.2.) Go the whole nine yards:

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I hear for their wedding reception Bob and Sally are going the
whole nien yards, the best hotel, the best food and drink, five
hundred guests, and an expensive live dance band.
94. (029.3.) Nine day wonder:
What the name of that guy everybody thought a few years ago
would be the next Elvis Presley? A real nine day wonder. He made one
great album and nobody ever heard from him again.
95. (030.1.) Name dropping:
Harry is a real name dropper. He keeps talking about being a
good friend of the president. The truth is that he shook hands with
him once at a political rally along with 500 other people.
96. (030.2.) Name calling:
There was more name calling in the campaign for senator than I
ever heard before. If you believed all the nasty names they called
each other, you wouldnt vote for either one.
97. (030.3.) The name of the game:
Ok, you guys, I tell you right now that winning is the name of
the game for this team starting right now. Im going to be tough on
you. Cice guys finish last, and Im not a nice guy.
98. (031.1.) Nail down:
Im in Chicago, Mr. Lee. And I have a good news. Ive nailed
down a contract to sell a thousand vacuum cleaners. The customer
signed all papers and Ive already faxed them back to you.
99. (031.2.) As hard as nails:
They offered me a good job at the company but I hear that the
boss is as hard as nails. One little mistake and youre out on the
street the next day looking for a new job.
100. (031.3.) Another nail in the coffin:
You really ought to stop smoking. Every cigarette you light up is
another nail in your coffin. I realize stopping is hard, but if I did you
can too.
101. (031.4.) Hit the nail on the head:
Thanks, Joe. You hit the nail right on the head when you wanted
me to sell that stock right away. Just in time I sold it at 60 dollars a
share before it dropped down to 18.
102. (032.1.) Hacker:
A hacker was arrested for cracking the computer code of a
large bank just to see whether he could do it. But he didnt take any
data, so the just let him off with a stern warning.
103. (032.2.) Geek:
I know theres this idea out there we are a bunch of geeks. But
its just not true. We love computers and spend a lot of time on them.
Apart from this, we are pretty normal guys.
104. (032.3.) Stake out:

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Its still a week from Valentines Day so I send a card to Susie

by snail mail. But on the Valentines Day Ill send a massage by Email just to let her know how much I miss her on that very day.
(033.1.) Talking heads:
For myself, I never watch those talking heads show. Give me a
footlall gamee or a murder story any day! I want plenty of action and
suspense, not just a lot of talk.
(033.2.) Sound bites:
Ratings are up lately for our TV news because we are using
shorter sound bites. We look as hard as we can for bites that attract
attention fast and dont bore our audience.
(033.3.) Stake out:
When I wake up and look outside, there are the reporters
waiting on stake out. I go to court and they follow me right into the
elevator or yell questions. I tell you, ruining my life.
(034.1.) No dice:
I asked Dad to let me have the car on Saturday, but he said No
dice, son because Im just sixteen. Doesnt he know how important
that first day is (was)?
(034.2.) No great shakes:
My trip was no great shakes! I was expecting a major political
scoop but all I got was some routine stories about a local bank
scandal.
(034.3.) No picnic:
Well, I had lot of fun as a freshman, but my courses really got
tough during my sophomore year and life is no picnic now. I cant
even remember the last time I had a decent date.
(035.1.) No laughing matter:
John, making fun of Jane in front of the whole class is no a
matter of laughing. She is very sensitive and easy to get hurt.
(035.2.) No spring chicken:
Hey, I am no spring chicken! I admit it. I am no in my fifties with
my share of winkles here and there. But let me tell you I have no
regrets about the life Ive lived and I plan to continue enjoying it.
(035.3.) No win situation:
Both my parents are very stubborn so they are in no win
situation right now. I wish they would try to set aside their differences
and talk them over. After all, they have been married for twenty
years.
(036.1.) Hand in glove:
Our Senators belong to different political parties. But Im glad
to say they always work together and in glove when it comes to
getting federal money for our state.
(036.2.) Hand down:

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I am sure Senator Johnson will be elected again hand down.

Most people think he has done good job in Congress and nobody has
ever heard of the man who is running against him.
(036.3.) Hand to mouth:
That poor woman won 10 million dollars in the lottery yesterday
must feel pretty good. She has been living hand to mouth with eight
kids and a husband out of work for three years.
(037.1.) Back number:
Son, if you are smart youll learn to use a computer while you
are in high school. Anybody who cant use a computer will find he is a
back number when he tries to get a good job.
(037.2.) His number is up:
For 30 years our congressman has done a pretty good job in
Washington. But this time I think his number is up. He has a smart
young man running against him with a lot of new ideas.
(037.3.) Hot number:
A friend let me drive his car and now I know why its such a hot
number. It handles like a dream, it gets up to 90 kilometers in a ink of
an eye, and it looks like an airplane ready to take off.
(038.1.) Go to pot:
Poor Tom! Since his wife heft him, he has really gone to pot. He
drinks heavily, cant hold a decent job and he also lost so much
weight. He is nothing but skin and bones.
(038.2.) Sweeten the pot:
I went to ten dealers and bought my car from this one. He
sweetened the pot by offering me $1,000 more for my trade-in than
anybody else.
(038.3.) Pot shot:
Governor Smiths marriage scandal has mad an easy target for
his political rival to take pot chot at him. No wonder he has decided
not to run foe reelection.
(039.1.) Chew the fat:
Hey, come on in. We are just talking it easy and chewing the
fat. Pull up a chair and sit down. Do you know good, juicy gossip to
pass along with us?
(039.2.) Fat chance:
I really want to ask Sally out, but I am afraid to ask her. She can
have her choice of any man in this school, a fat chance shed go out
on a date with an ordinary guy like me.
(039.3.) Fat farm:
I bumped into Jenny in a restaurant yesterday. And she looked
at least 10 years younger. Shes been to a fat farm and lost twenty
pounds. And she says she is feeling great.
(040.1.) Pan out:

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Most Americans dream of saving enough money to buy a house

and afford college education for their kids. But that pretty much
depends on how things pan out in life.
(040.2.) Handpandle:
I love to travel by subway, but Is, scared of those homeless
people outside who often handpandle! Once one of them followed me
for two blocks until I gave him a few dollars.
(040.3.) Out of the frying pan and into the fire:
Sure you convinced mom to stop those boring violin lessons!
But that mad it easier to sell us to Sunday school..Dont you realize
we have jumped out of the frying pan and into the fire?
(041.1.) Dress down:
(1) I gave John a good dressing down for being tardy to class
three days in row. Whats more, he will also have to stay after school
and do some extra home works.
(2) I look forward to Fridays because thats when we can dress
down, I just put on my old jeans, tee-shirt and tennis shoes. What a
relief not to be wearing a necktie.
(041.2.) Dress up:
I hate to go wedding! My wife always makes me dress up in a
three-piece suit, and I have to shine my shoes and all that stuff.
(041.3.) Dress to kill:
I really thought that Id to be the center of attention at the
dance because I was dressed to kill. But everybody else was dress in
his best. So I was just one of the crowd.
(042.1.) Rain check:
I would love to go to the movies with you Ben. I am sorry Im
busy tonight, but Ill take a rain check on it.
(042.2.) Rainmaker:
Dave, our business is getting worse every month. Its time to
look for a rainmaker who knows how to bring in new business and
turn the situation around for us.
(042.3.) Rainy day:
When I got a big bonus from the office, I thought about taking a
long vacation in California. But I decided instead to put the money in
the bank for a rainy day when I really need it.
(043.1.) Horse laugh:
Rocky sat down at her table, then jumped up quickly. The girl
told him not to bother. He came back, his face red. We gave him a
horse laugh. We enjoyed seeing this guy with his big mouth getting
turned down.
(043.2.) Laugh out of court:

14

137.

138.

139.

140.

141.

142.

143.

144.

145.

146.

147.

The first scholar who told people the earth was round instead of
flat was laughed out of the court as crazy. But, late scientists proved
that he was absolutely right.
(043.3.) Have the last laugh:
Well, the two brothers, the Wright brothers, certainly had the
last laugh. The machine really did fly. That day, they started the air
age and history will remember them for a long time.
(044.1.) Just for laughs:
Hey Joe! Come on and grab your jacket. Lets go out and have a
couple of beers just for laughs.
(044.2.) Laugh up your sleeves:
We were all laughing up our sleeves at Professor White when he
was writing a math problem on the blackboard. He had a rip on the
seat of his pants and nobody wanted to tell him.
(044.3.) Laugh out of the side of your mouth:
Bill thought he got a real bargain because the car was half of
the normal price. Now he is laughing out of the side of his mouth. The
police told him the car was stolen. So she loses both the car and his
money.
(045.1.) Call the tune:
Helen invited all the campaign workers to her mansion for a
victory party. So, of course she got to call the tune as to who will be
invited and who is asked to make the victory speech.
(045.2.) Tune in:
I can never tune in on rap music. To me its just noisy waste of
time. Can you tell what they are singing a lot? It sounds like some
strange foreign language to me.
(045.3.) Tune out:
Try to think exactly what you did to make your boss tune you
out. Unless he respects you, again theres not much you can do.
Either try harder to please him or start looking for another job.
(046.1.) Change your tune:
Tom almost resigned from VOA but changed his tune in a hurry
when he learned he will get promotion soon. But I still wonder how
much longer he can put up with his domineering boss.
(046.2.) Out of tune:
He is 76 years old, but its amazing to see that he never seems
to be out of tune with the changing times. He spends a lot of time
with young people and always talks about whats important to them.
(046.3.) Dance to another tune:
Before he got married, Joe used to be really wild. He spent all
his salary going out and having a good time. But he is dancing to a
different tune now with his beatiful wife Sally and 2 kids.
(047.1.) Lay all your cards on the table:

15

148.

149.

150.

151.

152.

153.

154.

155.

156.

157.

First, why dont you lay all your cards on the table? I mean all of
your debts and savings so we can figure out what to do about buying
this house. Youll need a lot of cash ??? front.
(047.2.) Under the table:
In certain countries nothing can be done without money
changing hands under the table. This is especially true in places
where officially get paid so little thay have trouble making ends meet.
(047.3.) Turn the table:
Until this year my college had lost 10 football games in a row to
our strongest rival. But last Sunday we finally turned the table on
them and crushed them 35 to nothing.
(048.1.) Top dog:
Yes, I am worried. Mr. Brown has been our top dog for 25 years,
but he is retiring. Three of our senior executives are fighting for his
job, and anybody knows who will end up as new top dog.
(048.2.) Rule the roost:
Mrs Green rules the roost on the school board because day
after day she works so hard for the students and wins the biggest
vote in the elections every two years.
(048.3.) Wear the pants:
The old man still owns the shop and come to work. But his wife
wears the pants now. She decides what goods to buy, signs the
paychecks, and hire and fire the people who work there.
(049.1.) To be on your high horse:
To be on your high horse: Since Betty was elected the president
of the womens club, she has ben h\on her hig horse, ordering the
rest of us around like her personal servants.
(049.2.) To beat a dead horse:
To beat a dead horse: You are only beating a dead horse when
you talk about your opponent stealing the last election. Thats over
and done with. Its much better to talk about his records after he got
elected.
(049.3.) Dark horse:
Nobody expected the Democrats would choose James Polk to
run in 1844. But he was nominated on the eight ballots. Later, this
dark horse was elected in a closed race over a much better known
candidate Henry Clay.
(050.1.) Horse of a different color:
You mean that guy with that beautiful girl is her brother? I
thought he was her boyfriend. Hey! Thats a horse of a different color.
Ill go ask her for her phone number.
(050.2.) Horse and buggy days:
Some people look back to the horse and buggy days as a better
time than now. But remember those were the days before we had

16

158.

159.

160.

161.

162.

163.

164.

165.

166.

167.

movies, TV, modern medicine and all the other things that make life a
lot easier.
(050.3.) Hold your horse:
Dad, please hold your horse before you get mad at me. It was
the other guys fault. The cop said so. So his insurance company will
have to pay for having the car fixed.
(051.1.) To be walking on air:
You know! Bennie is still walking on air about getting that
promotion to head our new San Francisco office. He loves San
Francisco and he will make twice the money he gets paid here.
(051.2.) In seventh heaven:
Mary and Bob are still in seventh heaven a year after wedding.
They were sweethearts all through college and never looked at
anyone else. They are the happiest people I know.
(051.3.) A fools paradise:
For 30 years Mike lived in a fools paradise. He thought his
business partner Charley was the most honest man he knew. But one
day, Charley disappeared with all the stores money and left Mike
completely broke.
(052.1.) To shoot from the hip:
I certainly wouldnt vote for that guy Smith. If the country gets
in trouble, I am afraid he will shoot from his hip without taking time to
think which means he will make matter worse.
(052.2.) To stick to your guns:
Honey, I hear some students at this school are fooling around
with drugs. But I know that you will stick to your guns and keep
saying no to people who want you to try the stuff.
(052.3.) A Shot in the dark:
Man, I know a flunked this exam cold! I didnt know even half
the answers. All I could do was to take s whole lot of shots in the
dark.
(053.1.) Sitting pretty:
My friend Joe has been poor farmer working hard all his life.
But, he is sitting pretty from now on. A big oil company found a big
pool of oil under his land and to day he is a millionaire.
(053.2.) Rolling in clover:
You know my brother Pete? He got lucky and sold some of his
stocks at a huge profit. So he is rolling in clover right now with lots of
money to throw around. But I know Pete. He will be broke in a year
and borrowing money again just to live on.
(053.3.) Happy as a clam:
My uncle is retired now and happy as a clam. He is not rich by
any means, but his pension is just enough to let him live quietly and
visit his daughter in California every winter.

17
168. (054.1.) Top gun:
Mister Simpson hired several top guns among defense lawyers
all over America. Remember, they managed to ??? persuade he jury
that he was not guilty.
169. (054.2.) Off the top of my head:
Senator, off the top of my head, I think I can vote for your bill.
But before I decide, I want to talk to my staff and some voters back
home to see how they feel about it.
170. (054.3.) Blow your top:
Young man, dad is certainly going to blow his top when he sees
this, you are failing both in English and algebra, and barely passing
most of your other courses.
171. (055.1.) Let your hair down:
The president is so busy and has to make so many public
appearances that he seldom gets a chance to let his hair down and
enjoy life the way the rest of us can.
172. (055.2.) Get in your hair:
That kid practicing the drums next door every night is getting
into my hair. I am just about at the end of my patience. One of these
days I am going to call the cops and complain.
173. (055.3.) Hairy:
Honey, it was a hairy flight back form Chicago. One engine quit
on me, my radio wouldnt work, it was snowing hard, really hairy. To
tell you the truth I was scared to death.
174. (056.1.) Shipshape:
Honey, I learned today the boss really trusts me a lot. He told
me he is leaving me in charge while he goes away on vacation
because he knows that Ill keep things shipshape and running
smoothly.
175. (056.2.) To run a tight ship:
My sister works for a boss who runs a tight ship. Come five
minutes late and you lose a whole hours pay. The men all have to
wear suits and the women, dress below the knees.
176. (056.3.) To jump ship:
We were sure surprised when our vice president jumped ship to
work for our biggest competitor. But I cant blame him too much. I
hear they are giving him twice the salary he got here.
177. (057.1.) To rock the boat:
Governor, the state is running out of money. But lets not talk
about raising taxes until the election is over. Youll just rock the boat
and get the voters upset with you.
178. (057.2.) To hold water:

18

179.

180.

181.

182.

183.

184.

185.

186.

187.

188.

189.

The accused claimed he was out of town at the time of the

murder. But his story did not hold water after the prosecutor showed
a videotape of him pointing a gun at the victim.
(057.3.) To be left high and dry:
Bill made good money but he spent every dollar he made.
When he was killed in a crash, his family was left high and dry with no
insurance and enough money to pay the rent.
(058.1.) To be all at sea:
I thought I understood algebra, but I am really all at sea on this
problem here. I just dont understand it. Id sure appreciate a little
help, if you have got the time.
(058.2.) Loose cannon:
Senator, I dont think Bob is the right man for the job. He is
smart but he is a loose cannon. He opens his mouth without thinking,
and you never know what he might say.
(058.3.) To square away:
My wife and I are working every night to fix up the store and
get the goods out on display. We want to square everything away by
Sunday night so we can open for business Monday morning.
(059.1.) Peaches and cream:
Say, did you hear about Sally and Joe? They had a big fight last
week and talk about getting a devorce. But the next day the made
up, and now everything is peaches and cream.
(059.2.) Sour grapes:
Bill was sure he would be elected class president. But when
Marty beat him, he told us he was glad he didnt get the job because
he didnt have time for it. Thats nothing but sour grapes.
(059.3.) To drive bananas:
Mary spends time playing music, talking on the phone, or
admiring herself in the mirror instead of studying or helping around
the house. I tell you, she is driving us bananas!
(060.1.) From top to bottom:
Wait until your mother sees that mud on the floor, young man!
She spent all day cleaning the house from top to bottom for our party
tonight. Better clean it up and be quick about it.
(060.2.) Rock bottom:
Bill, If you need furniture, I can tell you where ot get it cheap.
The store on Main street is going out of business and they are selling
everything they have at rock bottom price.
(060.3.) The bottom line:
Joe, they have been debating the farm bill for two weeks now.
When they finish all arguing, what do you think the bottom line will
be? Will the Repubicans or the Democrats win?.
(061.1.) To smell a rat:

19

190.

191.

192.

193.

194.

195.

196.

197.

This guy offered to sell me this car real cheap. But it was so
cheap I smell a rat. So I got a friend whos a cop to run a check on it.
And sur enough, it turned out to be stolen.
(061.2.) The rat race:
I had a good job in New York but it was such a rat race that I
never had time to enjoy the city. So after two years I quit and got a
job back home where life is a lot more pleasant.
(061.3.) To rat on someone:
Did you hear how cops caught that band of bank robbers? They
found one of the bandits and when they questioned him, he ratted on
his friends to save his own skin.
(062.1.) To pull no punches:
When I saw my brother Joe turn into an alcoholic, I didnt pull
any punches, I told him to think of his wife and kids, stop drinking and
go out to find a job.
(062.2.) To lay it on the line:
I am fed up with George. He doesnt do half as much as the
others. So I called him in and laid it on the line. Either he starts doing
his work lie anybody else, or we fire him at the end of the month.
(062.3.) To let it all hang out:
We agreed to forget our feelings and let it all hang out. Susan
told me everything she didnt like about me, and I told her what
annoyed me about her. You know, it really cleared the air for both of
us.
(063.1.) A fish out of water:
(1) At this affair was a fish out water. For one thing, most of the
speeches were in French and I couldnt understand a word. I never
studied the language.
(2) It was a picnic outdoors on a hot day, so later on,
everybody jumped in the swimming pool and had a great time. But I
was like a fish out of water. You know, I cans swim.
(063.2.) A fine kettle of fish:
(1) There I was, stuck on a lonely road 50 mile from home, after
I was stupid enough to lock myself out of my car. It was dark and not
a house in sight. A fine kettle of fish, I tell you!
(2) He left a fine kettle of fish behind. We couldnt find out what
our money had been spent for, we couldnt tell which members had
paid their dues, and the rent wasnt paid. What a mess.
(064.1.) Neither fish nor fowl:
(1) This book is neither fish nor fowl. It isnt a love story or
murder story, or historical novel, although it has bit of all these. Well,
at least its a fun to read.
(2) This man is neither a Democrat nor a Republican. He called
himself an independent, neither fish nor fowl. He always votes
according to what will help him get elected again back home.

20
198. (064.2.) To have other fish to fry:
(1) Hey Joe, you know Id sure like to help you go raise money
for the Red Cross. But I have other fish to fry. I am the chairman of
the committee to raise money to fix the roof of my church.
(2) Honey, they want me to run for Congress, but I said no. I
have other fish to fry. I need all my time for business so I can retire
when I reach 50 and we can move to Hawaii.
199. (065.1.) To paper over:
(1) Before a primary the candidates inside the party fight hard
against each other. But late they usually paper over their
disagreements to help the party in the general election.
(2) This is a scandle that I dont think we can paper over. Lets
get all the facts, and then make them public. Sure, well get some
bad publicity, but this is the only way to handle it.
200. (065.2.) Paper tiger:
(1) My boss likes to pound on his desk and yell at us when he is
mad, bu the truth is I think he is scared of us. If you, stand up to the
guy, he backs down right away and wont bother you.
(2) When the allied land forces went into action to free Kuwait
from the invader, the Iraqi forces gave up after four days, and the
Iraqi leader turned out to be only a paper tiger.
201. (066.1.) Paper pusher:
(1) Look! Let me talk to your boss! I am wasting my time
talking to a paper pusher like you with no power. I want to see
the guy in charge and I want to see him right now.
(2) Hay, I may look like Im just a paper pusher sitting all
day moving papers from one box to another. But those papers
are the vouchers I have to okay before they write your
paychecks.
202. (066.2.) Walking paper:
(1) You know that surly guy in personnel who growls at you if
you want help? Well, he finally got his walking papers. He made the
mistake of getting nasty with his own boss, so he is out of here.
(2) My sister Rose finally got a divorce from this man. She really
should have handed him his walking papers years ago. He was
unfaithful, drank too much, and even beat her if she said anything.
203. (067.1.) Eleventh hour:
(1) I thought Id lost out because I didnt hear from the
company after I interviewed. But at the eleventh hour, when I was
packing to go back home, they called and said they wanted to hire
me.
(2) Look! This is the eleventh hour for getting contract signed. If
we dont deliver it to the customer by 10 PM tomorrow, we lose the
whole deal. So well work all the night if we have to.
204. (067.2.) Zero hour:

21

205.

206.

207.

208.

209.

210.

(1) All the waiting is over. Its zero hour for the game we are all
waiting for. The players are out on the court and the refree is ready to
throw up the ball and start play.
(2) The result is expected to be very close so both sides are
working hard to get every last vote before the zero hour at 10 oclock
tomorrow morning when the final voting will start.
(068.1.) Happy hour:
(1) The food in that new Italian restaurant across the street is
pretty good, bur business is slow. So they have started a happy hour
in the hope people will stay on and order dinner.
(2) Lets go to that bar on the corner for happy hour after work.
One beer is always enough for me but I love those little meat balls
and other snacks they put on the table free.
(068.2.) Bankers hour:
(1) Joe, come on and get out of bed! You wont be working
bankers hours you know. Youve got to be there bright and early at 7
AM ready to pump gas for the customers.
(2) I am sure most congressmen work hard as I do. But this guy
likes to keep bankers hours: he get there at noon, eats lunch, sees a
few people, and goes home at 4 or % PM.
(069.1.) To keep someone at arms length:
(1) My best friend and I had a failing out over something silly a
month ago. Id love to make it up with her but she still keeps me at
arms length.
(2) Professor Green is one of the greatest authorities in his filed,
but he is so cold and rude that he keeps everybody including his
colleagues ar arms length.
(069.2.) To twist someones arm:
(1) I dont listen to classical music much, but my roommate
twisted my arm to see that movie about Mozart with her. And to tell
the truth, I am glad I did. It turn out to be a great show.
(2) You know, I never wanted to the job but a lot of people
twisted my arm to run, so I went ahead and entered the race. When
my term is u I suppose they will twist my arm and Ill have to run
again.
(070.1.) To be up in arms:
(1) The students are up in arms at the news the school plans to
raise our tuition twenty percent next term. We are holding a big
meeting tomorrow to decide what to do about it.
(2) A month ago, senator Smith was way ahead in his campaign
for reelection. But the voters are up in arms about this scandal he is
mixed up in, and now it looks like he will end up losing.
(070.2.) To cost an arm and a leg:

22

211.

212.

213.

214.

215.

216.

217.

218.

219.

220.

(1) Ever since I was a girl I have wanted to own one of those
Italian sports cars. But they cost an arm and a leg, maybe as much as
150.000 dollars, and I have never had close to that much money.
(2) When my husband and I bought our house ten years ago it
cost an arm and a leg. But weve come to love the place, and you
know today its worth more than twice what we paid for it.
(071.1.) To have a full head of steam:
The convention has settled the arguments about its platform
and nominated its candidates. Now, tonight it has a full head of
steam and is ready to roll at top speed toward November.
(071.2.) To hit the ground running:
Listen guys! We have to hit the ground running here. We want
interview with 3 TV stations, and visits to a school, a hospital and a
factory, plus dinner with big contributors. Ok, lets get moving.
(072.1.) Advance man:
An advance man has to make friends quickly with people he
had never met before. He also musts remember a hundred details
and learn to live on hamburgers and four hours of sleep a night.
(072.2.) Sacred cow:
Our sacred cow is the national social security system that
provides many retired people a pension. This program gets
increasingly expensive every year. However no politician wants to
touch it because older people mean a lot of votes.
(072.3.) Fat cat:
This year the other party is way ahead of us when it comes to
campaign money. They have all the fat cats on their sides. And that
means they can buy twice TV time we can afford.
(073.1.) Bandwagon:
To day more democratic candidates running for Congress and
state offices jumped on the Clinton bandwagon in the hope that some
of his popularity will rub off and help them win too.
(073.2.) Coattails:
Now that President Clinton appears to be way ahead,
candidates for Congress are flocking to ride on his coattails and
improve their chance of winning their own races.
(073.3.) Running scared:
Listen, people! The senator is 25 points ahead in the poll but he
wants us to kepp running scared like we are way behind, Lets keep
working as we can until the polls open election day.
(074.1.) To win by a nose:
Nobody gave Mrs. Green a chance. She was new to politics and
up against a popular politician. But she worked hard to persuade
voters and surprised us all when she won by a nose.
(074.2.) Walk over:

23

221.

222.

223.

224.

225.

226.

227.

228.

229.

The newest poll today shows that presentative Smith is likely to

win in a walk over and go back to his job in Congress for two more
years.
(074.3.) Landslide:
What are the biggest election landslides in modern history?
President Lyndon Johnson in 1964, Nixon in 1972 and Reagon in 1984.
Each beat his rival by more than 15 million votes.
(075.1.) Lame duck:
The senator from my state lost his race to go back there, so he
is a lame duck. He still has 8 weeks left in office, but he has nothing
to do but pack up his papers and look for another job.
(075.2.) Golden parachute:
Congressman Smith got beaten this time. But he found a
golden parachute. He has been hired as vice president of a tabacco
company since he has always been very helpful to their interests.
(075.3.) To land on your feet:
Congressman Jones lost his race for reelection, but he landed
on his feet. He has been appointed as ambassador to a nice little
country in Europe as thanks for his long service to his party.
(076.1.) Lock, stock and barrel:
(1) In the old days the Bell telephone company became the
biggest in the world by buying up a lot of local companies, lock, stock
and barrels, and merging them into one giant corporation.
(2) The firemen did their best but the house burned right down
to the ground, lock, stock and barrels. Nothing left but ashes.
(076.2.) Hook, line and sinker:
(1) When Joe cam back, we swallowed hook, line and sinker his
stories of all the battles he had been in. Later we found hed spent
the whole time as army cook at a base in America.
(2) When people heard the early investors were getting money
back, they believed Ponzi hook, line and sinker. But when Ponzie was
exposed as a fraud the learned their money was gone.
(077.1.) Showdown:
The White House and Congress are headed toward a major
showdown later this week when the Senate votes on whether to
approve the money the President wants for his most important
programs.
(077.2.) Ante up:
After hearing both sides, the judge decided that Jones must pay
his wife the child support she was supposed to get and said he would
have to go to jail if he didnt ante up.
(077.3.) To sweeten the pot:

24

230.

231.

232.

233.

234.

235.

236.

237.

238.

Mary had job offers from 4 different law firms, but she accepted
the offer from the firm that sweeten the pot with the highest salary
plus the use of a company car.
(077.4.) Poker face:
I never know whether my boss likes my work or not. He has a
real poker face which never shows other people how he feels.
(075.1.) Lame duck:
The Senator from my state lost his race to go back here, so he
is a lame duck, He still has 8 weeks left in office, but he has nothing
to do but pack up hiss papers and look for another job.
(075.2.) Golden parachute:
Congressman Smith got beaten this time. But he found a
golden parachute. He has been hired ass vice president of a tabacco
company since he has always been helpful to their interests.
(075.3.) To land on your feet:
Congressman Jones lost his race for reelection, but hw landed
on his feet. He has been appointed as ambassador to a nice little
country in Europe as thanks for his long service in hiss party.
(076.1.) Lock, stock and barrel:
(1) In the old days the Bell telephone company became the
biggest in the world by buying up a lot of local companies, lock, stock
and barrel, and merging them into one giant corporation.
(2) The firemen did their best but the house burned right down
to the ground lock, stock and barrel. Nothing left but ashes!
(076.2.) Hook, line and sinker:
(1) When Joe came back, we swallowed his stories of all the
battles hed been in. Later we found hed spent the whole time as an
army cook at a base in America.
(2) When people heard the early investors were getting money
back, they believed Ponzi hook, line and sinker. But when Ponzi was
exposed as a fraud they learned their money was gone.
(077.1.) Showdown:
The White House and Congress are headed toward a major
showdown later this week when the Senate votes on whether to
approve the money the President wwants for his most important
programs.
(077.2.) Ante up:
After hearing the both sides, the judge decided that Jones must
pay his wife the child support she was supposed to get and said he
would have to go to jail if he didnt ante up.
(077.3.) To sweeten the pot:
Mary had job offers from four different law firms, but she
accepted the offer from the firm that sweetened the pot with higher
salary and the use of a company car.

25
239. (077.4.) Poker face:
I never know whether my boss likes my work or not. He has a
real poker face which never shows other people how he feels.
240. (078.1.) Passing the buck:
When I asked my secretary Miss Brown why had not mailed out
these important letters to customers, she passed the buck to our
office boy for not to having enough stamps ready.
241. (078.2.) The buck stops here:
The difference between my opponent and me is that he has
built whole career on blaming others when things go wrong. I promise
you, if you elect me the buck stop here.
242. (078.3.) Blue chip:
Bill, if you are looking for a good lawyer for that big court case,
you ought to talk to my cousin Bernie. He is a partner in a real blue
chip firm, one of the best in town.
243. (078.4.) Close to the vest:
Everybody is wondering who the president will appoint to the
vacant chair on the Supreme Court. But he is playing his cards close
to his vest, and nobody really knows who it will be.
244. (079.1.) Like clockwork:
(1) I have a great staff working for me. We got to all my
speeches on time, an my TV and newspaper ads worked fine. The
campaign ran like clockwork and I won the election by more than
50,000 votes.
(2) I dont need an alarm clock to wake in the morning. Right at
six oclock, regular as clockwork, there is a dog scratching at my door
to let him out.
245. (079.2.) To turn back to the clock:
(1) You know life was simple then. I was young and healthy. The
whole world was waiting for me. I sure with there was some time
machine I could use to turn back the clock to the 1940s.
(2) I dont know back then, we did not have jet planes,
computers, modern medicine, a lot of things that make life better.
May be, its just as well that we cant turn back the clock after all.
246. (080.1.) Around the clock:
(1) I cant keep my eyes open! I studied for my biology exam
around the clock, from 8:00 yesterday to 8AM to9 day. I managed to
stay awake during the exam but all I want to do right now is to get
back to the dorm and catch up my sleep.
(2) Tune us any time around the clock, seven days a week for
the last news, traffic and sports. Whether its 4PM or 4 in the morning
well be there for you day and night.
247. (080.2.) To kill the clock:

26

248.

249.

250.

251.

252.

253.

(1) Our team was two points ahead with ony three minutes to
go. We tried to kill the clock but we fumble the ball. And the other
team got lucky, they kicked a field goal and won by one point.
(2) We only had a point lead in the last 30 seconds. Then after
the other team missed a shot, our center grabbed the ball so we
could pass it around to kill the clock until all the time was gone.
(081.1.) Stake out a claim:
(1) Boys! This apple pie is great! And Im still hungry. I think
theres a piece left in the kitchen. Ill stake a claim for it, if you guys
dont mind.
(2) Okay, Sally, you get mothers china tea set. But I want to
stake out a claim to those old dishes from France.
(081.2.) Strike it rich:
(1) Did you hear about Jim? What a lucky I have now guy! He
bought a lottery ticket last week. You know the odds of winning
millions to one against you. But he struck it rich. He won 10 million
dollars.
(2) Doctor Jonas Salk worked years to find a way to protect
children from the dread diseases of polio. And 40 years ago he struck
it rich, He found a vaccine that has almost wiped out this killer.
(081.1.) To pan out:
(1) The first time I took the bar exam, I didnt pan out for me. I
flunked badly. But I studied more, took the exam the second time and
I got my license to practice law.
(2) I was a friend of Bill and Rose before they got married. So
when I heard they were breaking up. I talked to them to try to save
the marriage, but I am sorry to say it just didnt pan out.
(081.2.) To hit pay dirt:
(1) I got high grades in school so I thought finding a job I like
would be easy.. But there were so many other graduates already
hunting for work that it took me six months to hit pay dirt.
(2) my friends thought I was crazy to put money into a new
company called Xerox. But I hit pay dirt. The company did so well that
my small investment ended up making me a millionaire.
(083.1.) To make a killing:
(1) Last week, my brother made a killing on Wall Street. In two
days, this stock he bought doubled in price so he sold it off quick at a
100 percent profit just before it went down.
(2) It was a joke of course, but 5 million Americans were
amused enough to pay five dollars apiece for the rocks. And the man
who dreamed up the idea really made a killing.
(083.2.) Killer diller:
(1) To bad you didnt hear that rock band last night in the
football stadium. A real killer diller outfit. I expect the guys to head
straight for the top of sales chart.

27

254.

255.

256.

257.

258.

259.

(2) Oh mum! That English exam was a killer diller. The professor
asked a lot of questions about idioms, and I hadnt studied them. To
tell the truth I am afraid I flunked it cold.
(084.1.) Nitty-gritty:
(1) All right, I have heard what you all think. Now, lets get
down to the nitty-gritty: What doe voters back home think about the
bill and what will it mean for my election campaign?
(2) All right, enough talk! Lets get down to nitty-gritty. I want to
tell me whether you want to sell your company, and how much
money it will be costume to buy it.
(084.2.) Nuts and bolts:
(1) Son, some day the company will be yours. So I want you to
start as an ordinary worker in the factory to learn the nuts and bolts.
Youll know the business a whole lot better.
(2) Well get to things like plot and character. First, well study
the nuts and bolts of writing: How to wwrite a good English sentence
and how to organize your ideas first.
(085.1.) Brass tacks:
(1) I have got get to the airport, so lets get down to the brass
tacks. You are a big customers so Ill cut my price down to $ per shirt
if you agree to buy a thousand. Is it a deal?
(2) The heads of state spent yesterday getting acquaintained
but today they get down to brass tacks and talk seriously about the
general tariff agreement they have come here for.
(085.2.) Bottom line:
(1) Sure, I made a lot more money as a lawyer but I have
always wanted to grow things. And to me the bottom line about a job
is whether you really enjoy what you are doing.
(2) We have three people who look good to me. But the bottom
line is who has the best sale record. And thats Miss Green. Lets go
ahead and give her the job.
(086.1.) Dead ringer:
(1) You have to see this guy. He is amazing. His make-up is so
good he is a dead ringer for President Clinton. In fact, Id guess even
the first lady might have trouble telling them apart.
(2) Mary was really upset last night at the dance. She walked in
and saw another woman wearing a dress that was a dead ringer for
hers. I am afraid it spoiled her whole evening.
(086.2.) Spitting image:
(1) Joes younger brother Billy is Joes spitting image. The first
time you see them together you think they must be twins. But the
fact is Billy was born five years later than Joe.
(2) Its funny thing, All my relatives say the baby is the spitting
image of me. But my wifes relatives say the little boy is a dead ringer
for her. Tell me, what do you think?

28
260. (087.1.) To see red:
When I saw the bill to fix my car, I thought it was way too high.
And I drove it home I really saw red! I had paid 800 dollars and the
car was in worse shape than before.
261. (087.2.) To paint the town red:
Hey, I just got a phone call. We mad the sle. So I want to take
you guys out to dinner and then hit the right spots. We worked hard
for this, so lets go paint the town red.
262. (087.3.) Green with envy:
I hear Joes green with envy because Mary was promoted ahead
of him. He complained that he has worked here longer than she has,
but the truth is she simply does a better job than he does.
263. (087.4.) To get the green light:
Good news! We got the green light we have been waiting for to
start the new project. And the boss is giving us more funds and
people to do the job. Well start next Monday.
264. (088.1.) Jump start:
(1) Last night, Bill drove his girlfriend to a movie and forgot to
turn his headlight off. After the movie, he found his battery was dead
so he had to phone me to come and give him a jump start.
(2) The city did not have enough money to fix the streets so the
mayor borrowed money from the state highway fund to give a jump
start to an emergency project to fill the potholes.
265. (088.2.) One jump ahead:
(1) The man kept one jump ahead of law for two years by
moving to new city every two months. But the FBI caught up with him
in Chicago and took him back to New York to stand trial.
(2) Hey, we have to find one way to get one jump ahead of that
Ford dealer down the street. Maybe we should offer free gas for a
year to people who buy a car before the end of the month.
266. (089.1.) To jump the gun:
(1) I guess Joe jumped the gun when he told everybody Jennie
had agreed to marry him. I just heard that she has announced
engagement to some other guy she went to college with.
(2) The paper jumped the gun with a headline shouting Dewey
defeats Truman. But the final vote put Truman on top and famous
photo has him showing off the paper with a big grin.
267. (089.2.) To jump the tracks:
Our candidate was way ahead in the polls. Then our campaign
jumped the track. The other side found out our man taken kickbacks
from city constructors when he had been our mayor.
268. (089.3.) To jump the trails:
Sorry, boss, I have a bad news. Out project to develop the new
product has jumped the rails. Jones, our technical director was offered
a higher salary and took a job with our competitor.

29
269. (090.1.) Jump through a hoop:
(1) Bill has heard rumors that we have to cut our staff. He has a
wife and six kids and he is scared to death so hell jump through a
hoop for the boss every chance he gets.
(2) You can tell that my brother Joe is crazy about Sally. She has
the poor guy jump through hoops for her. I never thought hed ever
fall that hard for everybody.
270. (090.2.) To jump out of your skin:
(1) When I answered the door and saw my brother standing
there, I almost jumped out of my skin. We had not heard from him
since he went off to war ten years ago and we thought he was dead.
(2) Therw was a flash and a loud bang and I jumped out of my
skin. A bolt of lightning had hit the tree. It spilt the tree in two, but I
was very lucky. I was scared to death but okay.
271. (091.1.) To put your house in order:
(1) Before he died, uncle Bob put his house in order. He paid all
his debt, and left his insurance policies, his will, and other important
papers in a big envelope on his wifes desk.
(2) We have put the house in order in two days. I want desks
clean, the whole place looking good. And we need our accounts
balanced up to date by five oclock tomorrow afternoon.
272. (091.2.)
To clean house:
(1) Folks, send me to Congress and I promise the first thing Ill
do is to clean house. Ill get rid of all those bureaucrats who sit
around all day doing nothing but wait for quitting time.
(2) I want our citizens to know I never tolerate corruption. I am
going to clean house and fire everybody who was involved. And well
do our best to send the worst offenders off to jail.
273. (092.1). To lock horns with:
(1) During the race to be elected President this November,
Senator Dole and President Clinton will lock horns on many issues in
their fight to win the White House for the next 4 years.
(2) Our company will promote someone to Vice President. The
two candidates are Sally Green and me. So it looks like well have to
lock horns to see which one of us wins the job.
274. (092.2). To pul in your horns:
(1) I jumped out so mad I was ready to fight. But when I saw
how big the other guy was, I pulled in my horns fast. I just say, I just
say, hey dont do that again, got in my car and drove away. In a
situation like that, its probably a wise decision to pull in your horns
and walk way from trouble.
(2) I know you mad, but it would be a mistake to lock horns with
Mr. Green. Its a battle you cant win, so I think youd be smart to pull
in your horns and forget about it this time.
275. (093.1). To take the bull by the horns:

30

276.

277.

278.

279.

280.

281.

282.

(1) I am not waiting any longer for the boss to give me the raise
I deserve. Im going to take the bull by the horns, march in and tell
him I want more money or Im leaving for another job.
(2) I have been patient with Dick because he is my wifes
cousin, but he does less work than anybody else we have. Today Im
going to take the bull by the horns and tell him he is fired.
(093.2). To blow your own horns:
(1) I cant stand this guy. He is always blowing his horn about
how much money he makes, how good he is at spots, even how the
grass on his lawn is greener than his neighbors.
(2) Youd never know that Jack has written eight successful
books unless someone else tell you. He is quiet, modest sort of man
who doesnt believe in blowing his own horn.
(094.1). In the chips:
(1) Charley didnt get good grades and we thought he was a
little stupid. But he went to college, went into business for himself,
worked hard, and believe it or not, ended up in the chips.
(2) My friend Pete had plodded along in a low paid job for 20
years. Then a distant cousin he had never met died without heirs and
left him ten million bucks. So now is in the chips.
(094.2). Bargaining chip:
I know this other outfit is a lot bigger, but we have one good
bargaining chip. We have stores in choice locations in California and
they dont. That should get us extra money.
(095.1). When the chips are down:
(1) I had a wife and kid to support. So when the chips were
down, I found out who my real friends were. Pete had plodded along
in a low paid job for 20 years. Then a distant cousin he had never met
died without heirs and left him ten million dollars. So now he is is in
the chips.
(2) Look, with my support slipping the chips are down. If you
dont raise another million this week for more TV ads, I dont think I
have a ghost of a chance to get enough votes to win!
(095.2). To chip in:
Bill, you know Sally in accounting. Well, her mother died last
night. We would like to send flowers. Most people are chipping in 5
dollars. Would you like to chip in too?
(095.3). To cash in your chips:
I just heard that Charley, my best friend in the Army, cashed in
his chips last week in Chicago. I havent seen him in 25 years. But
back then we were as close as any two men could be.
(096.1.) A chip off the old block:
(1) That boy is sure a chip off the old block. He looks almost
exactly like his dad did at the same age. Same eyes, same nose,
same big ears and blond hair. Yes sir, he is Bob all over again.

31

283.

284.

285.

286.

287.

288.

(2) I am bad at math but my wife is an expert accountant. And

my son is a math major just like she was. A chip off the old block you
could say.
(096.2.) A chip on your shoulder:
(1) No wonder Bob Green has no friend at all. He had a chip on
his shoulder when we were in high school and he still has it 20 years
later. He acts like he hates the whole human race.
(2) This man had a chip ion his shoulder because he came from
a famous law school and thought he was smarter than us (we are?).
But when he saw we were smart too, he dropped the chip and god
along fine.
(097.1.) To shoot your wad:
(1) Jack shot his wad on the wedding-clothes, flowers, the
reception, the dinner, the dance band, tickets for the honeymoon.
Now the poor guy has barely enough money to buy himself lunch.
(2) Charley shot his wad on renting a place, buying furniture
and hiring cooks and waiters. At first the business was slow and he
was afraid hed go broke. But things got better and now he is doing
Okay.
(097.2.) To shoot yourself in the foot:
(1) This man met two tough guys in a bar and tried to hire them
to beat up his friend. But he shot himself in the foot. One turned out
to be an undercover cop who promptly hauled him off to jail.
(2) He ended up shooting himself in the foot. A policeman in a
patrol car saw the son ripping down a poster and arrested him. The
publicity this got was so bad it cost the man the election.
(098.1.) Wild cards:
(1) Normally an independent doesnt have much chance. But
this man is a popular TV newsman who has raised money for a big
campaign. He is a wild card who might have a real chance to win.
(2) The Redskins didnt get to the playoffs last year, but they
are supposed to be better this season. In fact, some helpful fans think
they are a wild card to win the superbowl this winter.
(098.2.) Drawing card:
(1) The stars who made the biggest salaries are the ones who
are always a drawing card for any movie they appear in. There arent
many so they are always in great demand by the studios.
(2) This year, Tiger Woods has become the biggest drawing
card in professional golf in a long time. Big crowds follow him from
hole to hole in each tournament he enters.
(099.1.) In the cards:
(1) With a week to go, the public opinion polls have Clinton
running over 15 points ahead of Dole, Right now it certainly looks like
a second term is in the cards for the President.

32

289.

290.

291.

292.

293.

294.

295.

(2) Its probably not in the cards for Chicago to win the national
title again this year. They depend too much on their superstar
Michael Jordan, and even superstars got old, you know.
(099.2.) To play your cards right:
(1) We never thought Pete would amount to much but he is a
good salesman with a smooth tongue. He played his cards right and
now he is rich with more money than he knows what to do with.
(2) Bob, play your cards right! You were wrong, so tell her that.
Let her know how important she is to you. And take her on a second
honeymoon to Hawaii. Make a fresh start with her.
(100.1.) Lions share:
(1) The angry old man changed his will. And his family was
shocked to discovered he had left the lions share of all his money to
a distant cousin most of them had never even heard of.
(2) Well, to his surprise the car was great success. And although
he had been opposed, he tried to take the lions share of the credit by
claiming it was his own idea all along.
(100.2.) To have a tiger by the tail:
(1) Onece you start using heroin, you will have a tiger by the
tail if you get hooked, you will need more and more. It will cost you
more money, and you might have to steal to support the habit.
(2) He found he had a tiger by the tail. Despite his promise he
had to raise taxes to cope with the deficit. And this help Bill Clinton
beat in his try for reelection in 1992.
(101.1.) Loaded for bear:
(1) Stay away from the boss today. He is sure loaded for bear.
He is looking for trouble, and anybody who gets in his way might find
himself out on the street looking for another job.
(2) This time our guys are loaded for bear. They are tired of
those other guys boasting. They will play their hearts out to send
them home with their tails behind thieir legs.
(101.2.) 600-pound gorilla:
(1) Mr Green is the 600-pound gorilla in that firm. Sure, his son
is the president these days, but the old man owns most of the stocks
and he still makes all the important decisions.
(2) This man s the 600-pound gorilla and he expects to be
treated like one. If you have trouble with him even if you are a star,
youll have trouble finding another movie to make in Hollywood.
(102.1.) To loose your cool:
The first time Joan went to the store, they overcharged her. The
second time they charged her double. The third time they did this she
lost her cool and made a nasty scene with her manager.
(102.2.) To go ballistic:

33

296.

297.

298.

299.

300.

301.

302.

303.

304.

Our professor went to ballistic as soon as he found out at least

three people had cheated on the exam. Just for that he made
everybody in the class take the exam over again.
(102.3.) To go zonkers:
When the team from New York fouled our player in the final
minute of the game, everybody in the stadium went zonkers and
started to throw cans and bottles at them.
(102.4.) To blow a fuse:
When the restaurant owner found out that his employees were
stealing food from the back room, he blew a fuse. He fired them on
the spot and chased them out of the building.
(103. 1.) Pink slip:
Honey, I have bad news. I got a pink slip in my pay envelope
today. The boss says I am a good worker, but our business is way
down, and he just cant afford to keep us all working.
(103.2.) Get the boot:
The boss kept warning Bill to get to work on time. But Bill didnt
listen. He kept arriving up to an hour late. So the boss finally lost
patience and gave him the boot.
(103.3.) The heave-ho:
Our company had to give our accountant the heave-ho after we
had an audit that found out over 75,000 dollars was missing from our
bank account and the accountant couldnt explain why.
(103.4.) To downsize:
Our TV sets just couldnt compete with others on the market.
So we closed down that operation and downsized about 600 people
who had been working in that part of the factory.
(104.1.) To kiss off:
(1) Joe has gone to talk to more than 35 firms and had the kissoff from every single one of them. Maybe his problem simply is he
doesnt know how to present himself the right way to employers.
(2) We all warned Charley not to buy that old used car. But he
kiss-off all our advice and got it anyway. And sure enough it spends
more time in the repair shop than out on the road.
(104.2.) To kiss goodbye:
(1) Joe, dont ever loan money to that guy Benny. Two years
ago, I loaned him 300 dollars and he has never paid back a single
penny. I ended up kissing my money goodbye.
(2) I am crazy about Sally and always wanted to ask her to
marry me. But she just told me she is marrying someone else. Its the
worst day of my life. I have to kiss all my hopes goodbye!
(105.1.) Kissing cousin:

34

305.

306.

307.

308.

309.

310.

(1) These man-made fibers like rayon and nylon are kissing
cousins. They are made to look and feel like silk. But I have to tell
you, I still prefer the feel of the real thing.
(2) Each company puts out cars in different models with
different names and prices. But inside, they are real kissing cousins.
Most of the parts are the same no matter what the name.
(105.2.) The kiss of death:
(1) Sir, this man would be the kiss of death to your campaign.
He is the most unpopular politician in the whole state. Hell lose you
twice votes as he could get for you.
(2) I am afraid if we lose him the whole season, it will be the
kiss of death to our chance of winning the Leaghe trophy this fall.
Here I thought this would be our year. Just my luck!
(106.2.) To kiss up to:
(1) Nobody liked Jake because he spent all his time trying to
kiss up to our boss. So we were delighted when Jane Brown got the
promotion Jake was after with all his kissing up and flattery.
(2) Pete goes further than anybody else in kissing up to
the big boss. If the boss ever told us No matter what everybody
thinks, the world is flat, Pete would say Yes sir, it sure looks flat to
me.
(106.2.) To kiss the dust:
(1) I still love those old Westerns. I never get tired of the horse
galloping, the riders chasing each other and in the end the bad guys
getting shot, falling off their horses and kissing the dust.
(2) Well, we found out that we had picked a bad location, and
the cook we hired was drunk half of the time. Also our manager was
stealing half of the receipts so our caffe kissed the dust in six months.
(107.1.) Fair shake:
(1) You might want to try Sammys used car lot on the Maple
Street. I bought my wifes car there and got a good deal. Mention my
name and I am sure he will give you a fair shake.
(2) Our coach has to choose between Bill Jones and I to start as
kicker in our first game. Bill is the coachs nephew, but I have done
my best in practice so I hope Coach gives me a fair shake.
(107.2.) Shake down:
(1) This guy tried to shake her down by threatening to sell the
letters to the papers unless she paid him a million dollars. But she
called the police and that was the and of him.
(2) A youth gang in New York sell what they call Insurance to
restaurants. This is nothing but a shake down. If you dont pay off,
they come around at night and break your windows.
(108.1.) No great shakes:

35

311.

312.

313.

314.

315.

316.

317.

318.

(1) Well, it was no great shakes. The story was mediocre and
the acting was just so so. I was bored except for what new actress.
She cant act but she was one beautiful woman.
(2) I thought the Red Sox had a real chance to win the world
series this year after so long without a championship. But they turned
out to be no great shakes, just like last year.
(108.2.) Shake a leg:
(1) Bob! Hey Bob! Wake up. Its already 9:30 and youve got
that big math test at 10:00 oclock. Come on, man-shake a leg! Come
on, man! You have got to get moving right now.
(2) Honey, wed better shake a leg. The wedding 10:15, so wed
better get moving because we are already late!
(109.1.) Nothing to sneeze at:
(1) So you didnt win million dollars! But you did win ten
thousand, didnt you? Let me tell you friend, ten thousand dollars is
certainly nothing to sneeze at.
(2) Ok honey, you come in the 400 meters, not first. But you
won the silver model and you are the second fastest runner in the
state. Id say thats nothing to sneeze at!
(109.2.) Nothing to write home about:
(1) The story was hard to believe and the acting wasnt very
good either. It was awfully slow. It didnt quite put me to sleep but
this movies sure nothing to write home about.
(2) The only job Pete could find was selling magazine
subscriptions by phone. But its nothing to write home about. Long
hours, low pay and most people are rude when he calls them.
(110.1.) Sweet nothing:
Sis, be carefully of that guy Pete you have a date with tonight. I
hear hes expert at using sweet nothings to get his way with a girl.
Later she finds out thats what they mean nothing.
(110.2.) Here goes nothing:
Well, Jack, here goes nothing! Right now, I wish Id spent a lot
more time preparing. Its a tough audience I hear right now, Id rather
be anywhere else, even at the dentist.
(110.3.) Nothing doing:
I tell you, nothing doing! I just paid $900 to fix y car after that
accident you got into last week. I didnt tell you cant drive my car
again until you learn to be a safe driver?
(110.4.) Nothing flat:
Darling, I had to stay overtime to finish up writing that contract.
But I just finished and Ill be there for dinner in nothing flat. Sorry to
keep you waiting!
(111.1.) Dig up dirt on:
We spent weeks trying to dig up dirt on that guy. Weve talked
to his enemies and looked at court records. The only dirt we found is

36

319.

320.

321.

322.

323.

324.

325.

326.

327.

328.

329.

two traffic tickets for speeding. I hate to say it but the guy looks
clean.
(111.2.) Dish the dirt:
I hear Pete and Mary arent getting along these days. In fact,
they say she is talking a both??? a divorce. Bill, you are their closest
fiend. So come on, dish up the dirt about them.
(111.3.) Sweep dirt under the rug:
The Mayor tried to sweep the corruption at City Hall under the
rug. But a smart TV reporter dug it up anyway and now three top city
officials face criminal charges and may be jail.
(111.4.) Dirt cheap:
Bill bought it dirt cheap, or so he thought. Then he heard it was
haunted by the ghost of a murdered young woman. Now he and his
wife lie awake all night listening for strange noises.
(112.1.) Inside track:
All three have about the same education and experience. But
we are betting on Jack Miller. He has the inside track for a single
reason. He has been dating the bosss daughter.
(112.2.) Fast track:
Lisa Jones is a smart lawyer. She just won 2 cases nobody else
wanted to take. She is on a fast track now. Im betting shell be a
senior partner years ahead most of us.
(112.3.) Track record:
I have been looking at the track record of the senator we have
now. About 80% of time he has voted the same way I would. So I
guess hell get my vote again.
(113.1.) Sidetract:
Instead of putting the bill up for a vote, the chairman simply
sidetracks it by appointing a committee to study the cost and report
back in six months, after the council adjourns for the year.
(113.2.) One track mind:
You want to stay from that man Green. He has one track mind.
He believes the world will end on July 30, and thats all he talks about
to anybody who will listen.
(113.3.) The wrong side of the track:
Nancys parents opposed her marrying Mike because he came
from the wrong side of the tracks. So Nancy and Mike ran away to get
married, then went to West and built a new life for themselves.
(114.1.) Steal someones thunder:
I couldnt believe how he stol our thunder. He told a reporter
about yhe new drug, so the papers gave him credit and not all the
people who actually did the work.
(114.2.) Steal the spotlight:

37

330.

331.

332.

333.

334.

335.

336.

Our rival called a surprise press conference to announce his

plan to cut state taxes 25 percent. He stole the spotlight from us on
TV that night and in the papers the next morning.
(114.3.) Steal the show:
The two stars who play the father and mother are good in the
lead roles, but this young man who plays the son steals the show. I
never heard of him before, but I predict he will be a real star.
(115.1.) Powder puff:
(1) I thought womens basketball was a powder-puff sport until I
went to see my sister play. I was wrong. They dribble and pass better
than men and they play tough defense too.
(2) You are smart, dont invest any money in that business.
They talk big but its just a small powder-puff company. They dont
have enough capital and their marketing program is a joke.
(115.2.) Powder keg:
(1) Despite all the diplomatic efforts to achieve peace, Bosnia is
still a powder keg waiting for a matjc to set off another round of
fighting between the warning factions.
(2) Joe, we are sitting on a powder keg. If the media finds out
about this messy scandal, it will blow our campaign sky high! Our
candidate will be finished and so will we.
(116.1.) To take a powder:
(1) When the police came to arrest him, they found his house
empty. Hed already taken a powder and left the country with the
money. Now they are looking for him in Europe and South America.
(2) Look, Ive told you five times. We have all the office
equipment we need. Ill say it once more. Youve wasted enough of
my time already. Now, take a powder.
(116.2.) To keep your powder dry:
(1) Okay, men, the General liked what he saw. But we still may
ge a surprise inspection any time! Keep your quarters clean and neat
at all times. Remember the old rule, keep your powder dry.
(2) Honey, lets keep all our damage estimates handy. I dont
trust Brown. He may find some excuse not to pay. Well have to sue
him in court. So lets keep our powder dry.
(117.1.) To make both ends meet:
(1) We both make good salaries. But we have trouble making
both ends meet. The problem is we bought a beautiful sailboat but
we didnt realize how much it costs to keep it in shape.
(2) You know, a lot of us enjoy excitement of living in a big city
like New York or Los Angeles. But it easier to make both ends meet in
a smaller city where prices are lower.
(117.2.) To play both ends against the middle:
(1) Ed Green won playing both ends against the middle: one
opponent is conservative and the other liberal. So he let them fight it

38

337.

338.

339.

340.

341.

342.

out with each other while he told everybody he was a moderate who
would see both sides of a question.
(2) Smith got the job by playing both ends against the middle.
The directors picked him because they thought the other two were
too bad-tempered to get along with the office staff.
(118.1.) To hold up your end:
(1) Well, Randy graduated with 3.8 average. So I have to hold
up my end and dig up the money to get him his first car. Say, you
know any dealer where I can get a good price?
(2) I tell you, unless my cousin puts in his share, Ill be broke. I
am afraid I may have to hire a lawyer and go to court to make the
guy hold up his en of the deal.
(118.2.) To get the short end of the stick:
(1) I worked harder than anybody. But every time a promotion
opens up, someone else got picked and I get the short end of the
stick. Its time for me to find a job where they appreciate me.
(2) I was kept dishing out food ad mixing drinks. Finally I got
hungry myself, but all that was left by then were a few stale peanuts.
Boys, I sure got the short end of the stick that time.
(119.1.) High off the hog:
(1) That man Green has never been able to hold a job more
than 6 months. But hes been living high off the hog ever since his
rich aunt died and left him all her money.
(2) With kids out of the nest, at long last they can live high off
the hog. First they will take a tour around the world and then buy a
house in Florida near the beach.
(119.2.) To go whole hog:
(1) Sure, its expensive but I decided to go whole hog. We ate in
the pest places and saw the top Bradway shows. Okay, I spent all my
money, but the family had a wonderful time.
(2) Yes, I went whole hog and bought the big set. My wife was
pretty upset when she saw the bill. So I had to take her out to a fancy
restaurant for an evening of dining and dancing.
(120.1.) To go hog wild:
(1) The kids went hog wild, chasing the poor puppy all around
the house, then fighting over who got to hold it, pet it and give it a
bowl of food.
(2) I went hog wild when O saw this mess. I chased him around,
cornered him and was about to spank him. When he wagged his tail
and liked my hand, I couldnt be mad anymore.
(120.2.) Hog heaven:
(1) Have you tried that new restaurant that serves all you can
eat for 7 dollars? Its hog heaven if you like nothing better than to
stuff yourself until you cant eat one more bite.

39

343.

344.

345.

346.

347.

348.

349.

(2) Jerry gets so tired lifting weights that he barely has the
strength left to get home. But then he is in hog heaven down at the
beach when the girls crowd around to admire all his bulging muscles.
(121.1.) Holding the fort:
(1) Sorry to call you on Sunday Sally. But I have the flu and
wont able to work tomorrow. Could you hold the fort for me a couple
of days? You will? Great! Thanks.
(2) Ben, Im really busy this weel. Ann Green is off at an
academic conference in Chicago. So, Im holding the fort for her and
teaching Frenchman English classes on top of my own.
(121.2.) Left holding the bag:
(1) The lookout ran out of and escaped in the gateway car. But
the man inside the safe didnt hear the sirens and was left holding
the bag when dozen cops burst in with their guns ready.
(2) Mr. brown ran out of the house boiling mad. All the kids
except Danny ran off and left him holding the bag. Well, I agreed to
pay for the window although another boy hit the ball.
(122. 1.) Cant hold a candle to:
(1) The Beatles were fantastic. Their music is still popular 30
years later. They were the greatest. Nobody has come along
afterwards that can hold a candle to them.
(2) Im talking about Michael Jordan, number 23, who plays for
the Chicago Bulls. He has set all sorts of records and won 4 world
titles. Nobody can hold a candle up to him.
(122.2.) Hold your horses:
Please Mom! Hold your horses and let me tell you what
happened. The car had a flat tyre on the freeway and I had to walk
two miles to a gas station to get help.
(122.3.) Hold your phone:
Look, could you hold your phone and stop interrupting me! Do
me a favour and listen to what I have to say. Let me finish the report
before you ask any more questions.
(123. 1.) No holds barred:
(1) Dont take sides. Its going to be no holds barred fight, and
nobody knows how itll come out. Itll get nasty, and each will do
anything to take over the business.
(2) My opponent wants to make this a no holds barred race with
all these rumors about my personal life. But Id like to keep it clean
and not use what I know about his drug habit.
(123.2.) To put on hold:
(1) Gentlemen, I ask that we put on hold this bill to spend
money for schools. It has a couple of things in it we should look at
again, because Im not sure they are worth cost.

40

350.

351.

352.

353.

354.

355.

(2) I dont want yo give up my plan to open 2 stores in the

suburbs. But right now I cant raise the money it takes. So Ill put it on
hold for 6 months and see how it looks then.
(124.1.) Hair raising:
(1) My daughter and her boyfriend had a hair raising time
hiking in the mountains. They met a black bear with her cub on the
trail. But they stopped, stayed quiet and finally the bears ambled off
without bothering them.
(2) It was hair raising! There was a terrible rushing sound, the
windows blew in and I saw tree limbs sailing by. I heard loud bangs
and crushes. I thought my house would blow away.!
(124.2.) Not turn a hair:
(1) When stock market lost 500 points that day, Henry didnt
turn a hair. He told his friends: Sure, Ill hang on to my stocks. They
are a good investment. Theyll go up again.
(2) This expert calmly knelt down beside the package and
opened it carefully. Then without turning a hair he used a wire cutter
to snip the two wires and disarmed the deadly.
(125.1.) To split hair:
(1) Look, lets tell our lawyer to stop splitting hairs on things
like whose name comes first in our ads. I dont care! I am ready to
sign the contract right now if you feel the same.
(2) Look, Granny would be upset to hear you arguing like this.
Lets not split hairs. Well take turns putting our names on plates,
books, pictures. Thats the fair way.
(125.2.) Let your hair down:
(1) Lets not go out honey. Lets rent a couple off movies, call
up and order a pizza, and just stay home and let our hair down
instead of dressing up to go out somewhere.
(1) My sister Gloria really let her hair down at lunch. She told
me Tom is seeing another woman, and she is thinking seriously about
leaving him. Well, I never did like the guy!
(126.1.) Get in your hair:
(1) Look, lets tell our lawyer to stop splitting hairs on things
like whose name comes first in our ads. I dont care! I am ready to
sign the contract right now if you feel the same.
(2) Look, Granny would be upset to hear you arguing like this.
Lets nt split hairs. Well take turns putting our names on plates,
books, pictures.
(126.2.) Bad hair day:
(1) Did I have a bad hair day! First my car wouldnt start so I
was late for work. Mext my computer crashed. Then I forgot a lunch
date with an important client. So I went home with a terrible
headache.

41

356.

357.

358.

359.

360.

361.

(2) I knew it would be a bad hair day when I learned I had failed
my English exam. In history class I found Id left the paper at home
that was due today. And at lunch I spilled a cup of coffee all over
myself with no time to go back and change.
(127.1.) To go nuts about:
(1) Tom went nuts about Mozart after he saw a popular film
called Amadeus about him a few years ago. Now Tom owns a hundred
CDs of Mozarts music and listens to him every night.
(2) I am really nuts about her, so nuts about the girl I cant
sleep when I think about her. But she doesnt pay any attention to me
whatsoever. What can I do about it?
(127.2.) From soup to nuts:
(1) I go to a big mall where 150 shops sell everything from soup
to nuts. You can buy a box of paper clips or a computer, clothes,
shoes, jewelry, books, You name it!
(2) Well, I decided I needed a sun roof, a bigger engine, leather
seats, everything from soup to nuts. So I ended up paying $600 more
than I planned to pay for a new car.
(128.1.) A hard nut t crack:
(1) The victim was found in a room locked from the inside. Hed
been shot, but there was no gun in the room. The police are baffled.
This case is a hard nut to crack.
(2) This old man is a tough nut to crack. He knew all our tricks
so he bargained me down to where I only made a lousy $100
commission on the car I finally got him to buy.
(128.2.) In a nutshell:
(1) Okay, Mike, But Im trying to catch a plane to Chicago and
Im running late. Please keep it short. Just tell me in a nutshell: Is the
Jackson company contract ready to sign?
(2) In a nutshell can you tell me what the man running out of
the store looked like? Age? Hair? Clothes? And did you see the license
number of the car he jumped in to get away?
(129.1.) To miss the boat:
(1) Dad missed the boat! He didnt think much of machine he
had said he didnt want to risk his money. If hed bought that Zerox
stack our family would be rich today.
(2) If you want the lowest price on our cars all year, hurry to our
summer sale. It ends Sunday and you dont want to miss the boat on
the best deal in town.
(129.2.) All in the same boat:
(1) The electric power is out, the water is shut off, the trees are
down, windows broken, roofs gone. Right now all of us in town, rich or
poor, are in the same boat.

42

362.

363.

364.

365.

366.

367.

(2) In the old days a money crisis in a small country in Asia

wouldnt affect the rest of the world. But the way the crisis has
spread teaches us now we are all in the same boat.
(130.1.) To rock the boat:
(1) My friends, if you are smart, dont rock the boat. The boss
likes the way things are now. If you tell him he needs to change
things, you may be out looking for a new job.
(2) If you dont like the mess in Washington, vote for me. When
I go to Congress I promise Ill rock the boat good and hard, and end a
lot of stuff thats going on there.
(130.2.) To burn your boats behind you:
(1) I quit my job, sold my house and car, said goodbye to family
and friends. I burned my boats behind me. Theres no turning back
now. Im off to Paris in the morning.
(2) Tom. I know how you feel. But right now its hard to find
another job. I think you better wait to burn your boats behind you
until you find another place to work.
(131.1.) Tell me about it:
1) Hey! Tell me about it! First, Susies wedding gown caught fire
in the dressmakers. Then, my best man Tom fell and broke his ankle.
Im going crazy trying to find somebody to take his place!
(2) Heah! Tell me about it! This guy drinks, gambles and spends
money like water. But he sure has a way with women. Im worried she
will end up getting hurt wby this guy.
(131.2.) To tell it like it is:
(1) To tell it like it is, I think you are most selfish on earth! You
know why? You dont care about marriage, you dont share any
interests with me. All you care about is your own career.
(2) Sir! Youve dropped 20% in the opinion polls. Ill tell it like it
is. Voters are fed with your silence on gun controls and health care. If
you dont say something quick, Im afraid this theyll vote you right
out of office.
(132.1.) Let me tell you a thing or two:
(1) Let me tell you a thing or two, son! You know I was against
you working after school, but you said you could handle it. Look how
your grades are dropping! Now, stop working and study. Remember,
youre still living under my roof.
(2) Jim, let me tell you a thing or two about marriage. You cant
live on love alone! Youll need a job to pay the rent and food. And
youll be miserable living from pay check to pay check.
(132.2.) Ill tell you what:
(1) I know I promised to take you to the fair grounds. But the
car is broken down and we need to fix it. Tell you what. Lets have a
cookout in our backyard and mommy will make your favorite
strawberry ice cream.

43

368.

369.

370.

371.

372.

373.

(2) Look guys! I know the proposal is due early tomorrow

morning. But Ill tell you what. Ill call Sally. She has a good computer
and I know shell let us use it. The job wont take that long since most
of our work is already saved on theses disks.
(133.1.) Take it easy:
(1) Thats great news Eddie! I am happy you were chosen to
run for your school. But you better take it easy and dont get excited.
You have a lot training to do before the big race.
(2) Honey, Take it easy! They have to be around some place. Ill
help you look. Have you checked your pockets and the table in the
hall? Or maybe you left them in the car door.
(133.2.) Take it or leave it:
(1) I like it a lot. But this is my last day of vacation and I spent
most of moy money. I can only afford to pay $25 for this wood
carving. Thats my final offer. Take it or leave it!
(2) Well, I like the story, and the sets and costumes were
beautiful. But it was too long and it was easy to guess what happens
in the end. I guess I could take it or leave it.
(134.1.) To nail down:
(1) I need new budget figures by four oclock today. I take off
for Chicago at six. I want to get there and try to nail down the
contract before our competition gets there.
(2) I am sure I know who the killer is. But I still have to nail
down all the evidence before I arrested him, because I want to make
sure we put him in prison the rest of his life.
(134.2.) To hit the nail on the head:
(1) Joe, I didnt listen when you tol me I wouldnt like this
college. But you sure hit the nail on the head. The students arent
friendly and I dont like the teachers at all.
(2) Betty. Last night I went to that movie you told me was so
good You hit the nail on the head. It was terrific! I think itll win the
award as best picture of the year.
(135.1.) Hard as nails /Tough as nails:
(1) Joe tells me his new boss is hard as nails. He is cold and
unfriendly, shouts at you for any small mistake, and if you talk back,
the chances are hell fire you on the spot.
(2) Bill is tough as nails. He worked out it the gym and also
practice karate. Last week, two thugs tried to rob him. They picked
the wrong man. He knocked them flat with karate kicks.
(135.2.) Another nail in the coffin:
(1) Every time my wife catches me smoking a cigarette, she
tells me its another snail in my coffin. Sure. I know its real danger to
my health, but Ive never been able to stop.

44

374.

375.

376.

377.

378.

379.

380.

381.

382.

(2) I dont know how we can stay open any longer. Weve lost
money every month foe a year, and if we lose any more this month,
itll be the last nail in our coffin.
(136.1.) Nail-biter:
(1) Last night the gym was packed for our big game against
Michigan for the big ten title. It was close right to the end, a real nailbiter. But we won by one point when our men hit a 3 point basket
with 5 seconds left to play.
(2) This week was a nail-biter on Wall-Street. Prices bounced up
and down as a rubber ball. Investors didnt know whether to sell or
buy more. But prices ended up just about the same.
(136.2.) Tooth and nail:
(1) They fought tooth and nail against the river. Men, women
and children all came to fill sand bags and pile them up on dikes on
the bank to keep the water out of their city.
(2) It was as close as the game could be, Michigan and Iowa hit
a basket to win by a sigle point with only 5 seconds left.
(137.1.) To talk your ears off:
On the train to New York I was next to a man who talked my
ears off about himself. He didnt even stop to catch his breath. It was
the longest three hours Ive spent in my life.
(137.2.) Talk to a blue treak:
Susan is lovely but she has a problem. She talks a blue treak. At
dinner, she chattered away so fast I couldnt get in a word edgewise. I
doubt Ill even ask her out again.
(137.3.) To talk nineteen to the dozen:
Normally Mr. Green is calm and relaxed. But the day we had the
office fire he was talking nineteen to the dozen, shouting orders so
fast we had trouble understanding him.
(137.4.) To talk until you are blue in the face:
I talk to my son til I was blue in my face, about how he needed
to make good grades in high school to get into college. But his grades
show that he wasnt really listening.
(138.1.) Talk in circles:
He was caught standing over the victim with a smoking gun.
His lawyer talked in circles, trying to confuse the jury. But they still
remembered that smoking gun and found him
guilty.
(138.2.) Talk off the top of your head:
Talking of the top of my head, Id say Yes. But I need to go over
the figures for other expenses we have coming up the next 6 months
befor I can tell you for sure.
(138.3.) Heart-to-heart talk:

45

383.

384.

385.

386.

387.

388.

389.

390.

Honey, we need a heart-to-heart talk about this man. He is over

40 and he doesnt have good reputation around town. How important
is he to you?
(139.1.) Sweet talk:
I wish I could sweet talk like Bob. He can sweet talk mother into
doing anything, and he is just as good as sweet talking girls into
going out with him an a date.
(139.2.) Double talk:
Someone asked the candidate whether he would vote to cut
taxes. He gave the crowd a lot of double talk which left us arguing
afterwards whether his answer Yes or No.
(139.3.) Shop talk:
Joe, we get enough shop talk at the office, so lets just relax
tonight. Okay? Now, excuse me. I am going over to get acquainted
with that lovely girl in the green dress.
(139.4.) Talk of the town:
Pete, want to hear the talk of the town these days? The
president of our bank ran away with a pretty cashier and 2 million
dollars of the banks money. It is all people talk about.
(140.1.) A feather in your cap:
(1) Congratulations, Sarah! I am so proud of you. A real feather
in your cap. I know how hard you worked. This makes you the first
doctor weve had in our family.
(2) Thats right. Last night my old school, Michigan, won the big
ten conference title. Quite a feather in your cap. The big ten has
some of the best teams in the whole country.
(140.2.) To feather your own nest:
(1) When he won office, our mayor built a lot of new roads. We
certainly needed them, but later we found out he had feathered his
own nest by taking $2 millions in bribes from the contractors. He
goes on trial in criminal court next month.
(2) This bookkeeper feathered his nest for years with company
money he stole by using false figures. They finally caught him when
they began to wonder how he could live like a millionaire on his small
salary.
(141.1.) Ruffle his feathers:
(1) The food was great. But I could see something had ruffles
her feathers. I found out why when I tried to kiss her good night later.
I had failed to notice her new dress and hairdo.
(2) I sure ruffled my bosss feathers at the staff meeting
yesterday. He got all red in the face and gave me a nasty look when I
criticized the new business plan. But I believe I get paid for telling the
truth and I still have my job.
(141.2.) To make the feathers fly:

46

391.

392.

393.

394.

395.

396.

397.

398.

(1) Honey, if we invite the Green, we cant invite the Browns.

They dont like each other and every time they meet, they get into a
nasty argument and make the feathers fly.
(2) When Sally saw the house, she went to work and made the
feathers fly. She washed the dishes and cleaned everything up in an
hour, Then she told me how upset she was with me.
(142.1.) In fine feather:
Right, Im really in fine feather today. This morning, my boss
told me Im getting the promotion I had hoped for, and Now Im on
my way to take my best girl out to dinner to celebrate.
(142.2.) Birds of a feather:
Go the beaches near Santa Monica and the people you see all
birds of a feather. Everybody around you is young, tan, good looking
and looks great in s swimsuit.
(142.3.) Fuss and feathers:
Mary upset me when she refused to go to graduation ceremony.
She said it was nothing but fuss and feathers, so she told the
university just to mail the diploma to her.
(142.4.) Horse feathers:
Listen, Joe, its been 2 years since I lent you the money. Now,
dont give me any more horse feathers about how hard up you are.
Why, you make more money than I do.
(143.1.) Straight arrow:
(1) I have decided to vote for Mary Maloney instead of the old
guy who has stayed in Washington for so long. Mary tells the truth
and keeps her promises. She is a straight arrow all right.
(2) Bob is a real straight arrow. He does not drink, smoke or
chase girls. I guess O should admire him. But I have to tell you one
thing. He sure is not much fun ast a party.
(143.2.) Straight face:
(1) When I saw him climb out all wet and muddy, it was so
funny, it was hard to keep a straight face. But I knew if I laughed, Id
be in real trouble at the office next day.
(2) Sue usually wins at poker. She keeps the same face whether
she has four aces or nothing at all in her hands. Her cards usually
surprise you, so be ready to lose some money.
(144.1.) Straight from the shoulder:
(1) Charlie. You wont like this but I have to tell you straight
from the shoulder. That woman you go with is already married to a
big pro football player.
(2) Mr. Lee, I am sorry to tell you this but straight from the
shoulder you are not working out like we had hoped. Well have to let
you go Friday with 2 weeks extra pay.
(144.2.) Straight from the horses mouth:

47

399.

400.

401.

402.

403.

404.

405.

406.

407.

408.

(1) Put your bet on number 9. This is straight from the horses
mouth. A jokey told me he is the fastest horse in the race and he is
finally in good shape and ready to win.
(2) Betty, did you hear a giant corporation is buying our firm?
Really, Its straight from the horses mouth. Barbara overheard the
boss telling a friend of his on the phone.
(145.1.) Greenhorn:
This new kid is a real greenhorn, so I asked him to ge get me a
left-handed hammer. It sure was funny. He went round asking
everybody for such a tool. It took him 10 minutes to realize there isnt
any such thing.
(145.2.) Tenderfoot:
A big mistake. Aall he did was complain about cooking over a
campfire and sleeping in a ten with no electricity and no television.
(145.3.) Wet behind the ears:
Im telling you Ed, this guy is still wet behind the ears. He has
no idea of how to start the job. Why, my 10 years old daughter knows
more about computers than he does.
(146.1.) Happy as a clam:
My friend Jim is as happy as a clam right now. He was worried
about finding a good job after he graduates, but a big computer
company has hired him for management training.
(146.2.) Happy-go-lucky:
In Bobs place I would never get out of bed. But he is happy-golucky as ever, greets you with that big smile, tells a few jokes. He
invites you for a drink. What a great guy.
(146.3.) Slap-happy:
The baby was born a month ago but Mark is still slap-happy to
tell the truth, he is getting pretty annoying.
(146.4.) Happy camper:
It was an awful trip,. We took off late. The air was bumpy, the
plane was jammed, the toilets stopped up, the food was terrible. We
sure werent happy-campers when we landed.
(147.1.) Bird-brain:
My daughter is a very smart young woman, but love does
strange things to people. She married this worthless bird-brain who
has trouble adding up 2 and 2 getting 4.
(147.2.) Early bird special:
Mom and Dad are ove 70 and living on pensions. When they eat
out. They always go to this seafood place before 6:00 where they can
eat dinner for 8 dollars. Thats too early for me. I dont get home from
work until seven.
(147.3.) Strictly for the birds:

48

409.

410.

411.

412.

413.

414.

415.

416.

417.

418.

Ten minutes after the film started, Betty whispered, Honey this
is for the birds. I agreed and we got up and walked out. Believe me,
it was awful strictly for the birds.
(148.1.) Seed money:
Bills dad put up the seed money for them to open. They had to
work 14 hours a day. But they are now open, starting to make money
and very happy to be their own bosses.
(148.2.) Front money:
The stock market suddenly dropped and I couldnt get enough
selling my stocks to complete the deal. So I decided to keep the
stocks and let the front money go. Ill make it back on something
else. I always do.
(148.3.) Smart money:
Lots of Republicans will run for the partys nomination for
President in 2000. But the smart money says after all the speeches
the party will nominate Governor of Texas George W. Bush.
(149.1.) Right on the money:
I always listen to Harry Temple on the weekend TV talk shows.
He really knows politics. When he predicts how some political fight
will turn out, he is usually right on the money.
(149.2.) A run for the money:
That other team is tough. After all, they were the champions
last year. But our guys are ready, and I tell you, win or lose well give
those guys a real run for money.
(149.3.) Money in the bank:
Dave, its a sure chance to make money. The location is perfect,
my brother has found great chef and a real bargain on equipment,
Hey, believe me, its money in the bank.
(150.1.) Put your money where your mouth is:
I heard that John! Do you want to put your money where your
mouth is. Meet me at eight Saturday morning, two out of three sets,
and lets find out who she best player is!
(150.2.) Throw money down a rat hole:
Pete! I see your car is back in the garage again. Dont spend
another cent trying to fix it. You are throwing money down a rat hole.
Get rid of it before it falls apart on you.
(150.3.) To take money and run:
Larry, I have another tip on that stock. It is about to go down as
fast as it went up. Sell it quickly and you will still make 35% profit. So
take the money and run.
(151.1.) A slap on the back:
Hey, Fred, come over and give Bill here a good slap on the
back. He is a pound man today. His wife gave birth to twin boys last
night, so he is buying us all drinks.

49
419. (151.2.) A slap in the face:
He kept us waiting 3 hours and then sent a clerk out to tell us
he was too busy, and to come back another day. A real slap in the
face. The clerk didnt even say sorry. Okay, Okay, well remember this
at election time this fall.
420. (151.3.) A slap on the wrist:
Two workers got suspended 2 weeks without pay, The third got
a letter of reprimand, just a slap on the wrist. We all knew why. He is
the nephew of the bosss wife.
421. (152.1.) Slap dash:
I felt sick to my stomach when I saw the professor had given
me a failing grade on the paper. But I did such a slapdash job that I
realize I could not really expect anything better.
422. (152.2.) Slapstick:
I love the clowns falling down, chasing each other, squirting
people with water. Just foolish slapstick, I know, but they make
everybody laugh, from young kids to grandpas.
423. (152.3.) Slap together:
The little speech that Lincoln slapped together was less than 3
minutes. But even today many Americans know it by heart and it still
echoes in the heart of the nation.
424. (153.1.) Like clockwork:
He comes in at 7:30 like clockwork. He always gets coffee and
jelly doughnut, then sits and reads his paper. Right at 8:30 he leaves.
You can set your watch by him.
425. (153.2.) To clean someones clock:
Sure, Phil, I know Yale has won 6 years in a row. But we have a
great team at Harward this year. I tell you, we are going to clean your
clock Satrurday afternoon.
426. (153.3.) Biological clock:
Mollie and I have been married 25 years and her biological
clock is sticking fast. We are not getting any younger, so she will take
some time off her job so we can have a baby,
154.1. Missing
427. (155.1.) Too hot to handle:
This issue can be too hot to handle. If a candidate supports the
right to abortion, he angers voters opposed to it. If he is against i, he
angers voters who support the right.
428. (155.2.) Handle with kid gloves:
Bob is your boss. He is okay except for his hot temper. If you
see him angry, do your best to handle the man with kid gloves.
Otherwise he can bite your head off.
429. (155.3.) Panhandle:

50
If a panhandler looks like he really needs help I usually give him
money. But if you dont have any money on me I resent people who
panhandle and call me cheap or worse.
430. (156.1.) Rub elbows with:
Al, sorry I can make it tonight. Our top people from New York
are coming down to meet us, so Ill have to go and ub elbows with
them. I hate to miss the game, believe me.
431. (156.2.) Hobnob with:
We are out all the time but most of it is just business. But I save
time to hobnob with my old classmates. We try to get together every
Tuesday night for dinner and a few drinks.
432. (156.3.) To hang out with:
Bill, there is nothing else to do tonight so I think Ill go to
McDonalds for a burger and a coke and hang out with a couple of
English majors I know.
433. (156.4.) Schmooze:
Uncle Milt was the best there was. His customers loved to see
him walk in. Hed sit and smoke a cigar, schmooze for an hour and
walk out with bigger orders than anybody else.
157.1. ???
434. (158.1.) To give someone lip:
Look, Bill, thats no way to talk to your dad, dont give me any
more lip, son. You better be home by midnight or you cant use the
car for a month. Do you hear me?
435. (158.2.) Button your lip:
I wont hide the problem from you. But let button your lip about
it outside the office. If the news gets out we might have to close
down, and that will hurt us all.
436. (158.3.) Stiff your up lip:
John, you and I just have to keep a stiff upper lip. Our best
chance of survival is to keep from showing how scared we really
about f\going out of business.
437. (159.1.) Hang on someones lips:
Economics is always boring to me. But Dr. Green was different.
He made economics so lively and interesting that the whole class
would hang on his lips at each lecture.
438. (159.2.) A slip of the lip:
Im sorry. Of course Dr. Smith! Just a slip of the lip, Sir. I know
you are Dr. Smith. I had your English class last year. I guess the
wrong name just popped out.
439. (159.3.) Read my lips:
The Congress will push me to raise taxes and Ill say No, and
they will push me again. All I can say to them is read my lips. No new
taxes.

51
440. (160.1.) Cheap shot:
This is just another cheap shot from my opponent. In college I
tried marijuana twice at parties. I did not like the stuff and it
happened 40 years ago.
441. (160.2.) Low blow (To hit below the belt):
Sir, thats a real low blow. It is either a deliberate lie or it shows
you simply dont know much about the whole issue of national health
care for all Americans!
442. (161.1.) To glad hand:
He is the best! Hell go into a crowd to glad hand anyone he
can reach. They all break into delighted smiles, happy that a famous
man actually shook hands with them.
443. (161.2.) To press the flesh:
Our guy has to get out and press the flesh a lot more. The other
guy is good at that. He is even at the factory gates at 6:00 Am to
meet with workers on the early shift.
444. (162.1.) Slam dunk:
Mr. Clinton scored a slam dunk in his race with Senator Dole. He
won in 31 states including all the biggest states except Texas, and Mr.
Dole only took 19.
445. (162.2.) Full court press:
We thought Florida was safe for us but it is not. Staring now I
want you to put on a full court press. Do everything you can to stop
this guy from gaining more.
446. (163.1.) Squeaker:
Thats right! I was a real squeaker! A total of more than 68
votes were cast, and it turned out that Mr. Kennedy squeaked by with
only a narrow margin of 120,000 votes.
447. (163.2.) Win by a whisker:
She had a good record serving in Congress, but some men were
not sure she was ready, So she wonw by a whisker, 300 votes in a
total 3 million.
448. (164.1.) Landslide:
The 3 biggest landslides in the 20th century belong to Lyndon
Johnson in 1964, Rechard Nixon in 1972 and Ronald Reagan in 1984.
Each won by more than 15 million votes.
449. (164.2.) To blow out:
I think our governor will blow out his opponent. He has done a
good job and people like him. Besides, the man running against him
is someone most voters never heard of.
450. (164.3.) To clobber:
In South Carolina George Bush clobbered John McCain. But in a
couple of days Mr. McCain turned the table and clobbered Mr. Bush in
Michigan to stay in the race.

52
451. (165.1.) To jump on the bandwagon:
I worked hard to help the man who lost the primary. But I am a
loyal member of my party. So Ill jump on the bandwagon and work
for the winner even if I dont like him very much.
452. (165.2.) Home stretch:
(1) The last few weeks down the home stretch it is vital to have
as much campaign money left as possible to knock out your opponent
before he knocks t\you out.
(1) People usually jump on a bandwagon because they want yo
be with winner. But sometimes down the home stretch aa wagon can
lose a wheel and the riders dont reach the finish line first.
453. (166.1.) Fence sitter:
There are so many fence sitters among the voters that the
public opinion polls cannot predict the winner. Well have to wait until
the voters make up their minds.
454. (166.2.) Swing voter:
The question is, how can Mr. Bush gain support enough of the
swing voters to help him win this fall. Or will most of them vote for Al
Gore now that Mr. McCain is gone.
455. (167.1.) Baby kissing:
Senator John Smith has ten children of his own and really
enjoys baby kissing. Kids feel this: A baby will smile and gurgle in his
arms and thus naturally delights the parents and can mean extra
votes.
456. (167.2.) The rubber chicken circuit:
On the rubber chicken circuit I eat a few bites, give my talk and
excuse myself to hurry on to the next dinner. Then stop for a
hamburger on my way back to my hotel for a few hours of sleep
before an early fund raising breakfast.
457. (168.1.) To step up to the plate:
Tomorrow Mr. Clinton will step up to the plate in San Francisco
to tell voters that our foreign policy will be in much safer hands if
they send Vice President Gore to the White House.
458. (168.2.) To touch base /To touch all the bases:
(1) Joe, the boss is not happy about you contacting state
chairmen without consulting him. Youd better learn to touch base
with him or you wont be working here anymore.
(2) Fellows, we have 23 local leaders we have to contact up
there. Make sure we talk to them all. We need to touch all the bases
because we cant win without New York.
459. (169.1.) Lots on the ball:
Mary Green is remarkable. Republicans like her as much as
Democrats. Shes been elected to Congress 5 straight terms. Voters
have learned she really has lots on the balls.

53
460. (169.2.) Ballpark figure:
How much? I can only give you a ballpark figure, but right now I
think our man will win by 6 to 8 points. He has always been very
popular in this state.
461. (170.1.) To go to bat for:
They are 2 old friends of mine. So I really want to go to bat for
them and make some personal appearances with each, I am sure
they will return the favor back in Congress.
462. (170.2.) Right off the bat:
Sorry, I cant tell you right off the bat. Ill know better after I
undergo more tests and decide about treatment. Next week I hope to
be able to tell you more.
463. (171.2.) To throw a curve ball:
He said hed just ask me about my proposal to cut taxes! But
instead he threw a real curve ball. He asked me a lot of questions
about where I got so much money for my campaign.
464. (171.2.) Beanball:
I have just learned that the other side has found old court
papers about me being convicted for drunken driving forty years ago
in college. They will use this as a beanball even though I never had
any trouble since.
465. (172.1.) Pork barrel:
To quote from a Washington newspaper Mr. Bush wants to clean
up some of the pork barrel spending practices that have soured
public on politicians from both parties.
466. (172.2.) Gridlock:
If you want to end this gridlock mess in Washington, the only
way to do it is to send our candidate to the White House and vote for
our people in both houses of Congress.
467. (173.1.) To suck up:
Officials will suck up to big contributors by inviting them to play
in special golf tournaments, lunch with famous sports heroes, and
dine with movie stars in Hollywood studio.
468. (173.2.) To shake down:
Well have lunch with the candidate for supporters who have
given at least $5,000 so far, and shaken them down for a check for
$2,500 right on spot. Most will do it too.
469. (174.1.) To duke it out:
The two really duked it out. Mr. Gore charged Mr. Bush is too
close to the oil companies and Mr. Bush hit back by claiming Mr. Gore
wanted to give Big Oil a huge tax break.
470. (174.2.) To come out swinging:

54

471.

472.

473.

474.

475.

476.

477.

478.

479.

480.

481.

After the party conventions things heat up again. And in

September and October the candidates come out swinging with
charges and countercharges just about everyday of the week.
(175.1.) To bang heads:
I expect them to bang heads on issues like tax cuts, saving
medicare health insurance and abortion. They have differences on
many issues, so theres lots to bang heads about.
(175.2.) To go toe-to-toe:
Voters pay more attention in the fall because election day is
November 7, so candidates really go toe-to-toe attacking their
opponents policies and praisin their own.
(176.1.) In cahoots with:
Mr. Gore claims Mr. Bush is in cahoots with the drug makers to
kepp the cost of medicine high for older people and Mr. Bush says,
No, its Mr. Gore who is in cahoots with them.
(176.2.) Lock, stock and barrel:
Mr. Gore says he is independent of the oil companies but not
Mr. Bush. In Mr. Gores words: They support him lock, stock and
barrel. He supports them lock, stock and barrel.
(177.1.) To go by the board:
In 1913 the old law went by the board. That was when the 17 th
Amendment changed the Constitution to provide the senators be
elected directly by the people.
(177.2.) To fall into line:
After the meeting, Mr. Lieberman showed he would fall into line
on school vouchers. Now, he indicated he did not think they would
work.
(178.1.) In the loop:
John doesnt like his name in the paper. But he is certainly in
the loop. The candidate keeps him fully informed and listens to his
advice before he makes a decision.
(178.2.) Loophole:
For months, I have heard that the parties blame each other for
the laws having these loopholes. The Republicans blame the
Democrats, and vice versa. Right now, I am all mixed up.
(179.1.) On the warpath:
The two major candidates for President, Mr. Gore and Mr. Bush
have been on the war path against each other all year, and they will
stay on the warpath until election day.
(179.2.) To bury the hatchet:
The loser will phone the winner to congratulate hin on winning
and the winner will help to bury the hatchet by saying nice things
about the loser and the campaign he ran.
(180.1.) To go out on a limb:

55

482.

483.

484.

485.

486.

487.

488.

489.

490.

Candidates sometimes go out on a limb with promises they

cant keep. One case is a promise to cut taxes, However, a president
cannot cut taxes unless the Congress first passes a law authorizing
the lower rate.
(180.2.) To gild the lily:
These days it is dangerous for a candidate to go out on a limb
and gild the lily about his life, his practical views or his
accomplishments. Both his opponents side and the media leap at the
chance to check up on his claims and expose any mistakes they can
find.
(181.1.) Lame duck:
Our governor still has 8 weeks left in his term before the man
who beat him is sworn in. But he knows he is a lame duck with
nothing left to do except to packup his papers and his personal
effects and start looking for something else to do to earn a living.
(181.2.) Golden parachute:
In month, he had found a golden parachute. He was named as
a partner in a Washington law firm representing farm organizations
dealing with government agencies involved with programs that affect
American farmers.
(182.1.) To hang loose:
Oh man! That sure was tough! Lets go to the Student Union
and just hang loose, have a beer or two and watch the ball game on
TV. I dont fell like studying tonight.
(182.2.) To chill out:
Joe, dont be foolish! You are the best man the boss has, and he
knows it. So just chill out until he gets over being mad. It doesnt
really sound like its your fault anyhow.
(182.3.) To kick back:
I went to Ocean City for 2 weeks to kick back, to swim, sun, eat
good seafood, sleep late. I met some great new girls. Man! I loved
every minute of it.
(183.1.) A piece of cake:
Thats right! I was scared to death Id flunk it. But Ill tell you, it
turned out to be a piece of cake! Right now I feel happier than I have
felt for a month.
(183.2.) Easy as pie:
I thought it would take all weekend. But writing it was as easy
as pie. I finished it Saturday noon and got the rest of the weekend to
spend with my wife and daughter.
(184.1.) Breakthrough:
Doctor Roberts worked more than 5 years to find a cure for a
rare troical disease. Then one night, when hw was looking through his

56

491.

492.

493.

494.

495.

496.

497.

498.

microscope the breakthrough finally came and he was able to

develop a cure.
(184.2.) To break the ice:
(1) Everyone was nervous at first seeing all our classmates
after 20 years. But then Brad put on some old disco music and before
we knew it everyone was dancing. Brad still knows how to break the
ice.
(2) She says Yes. So I sat down and introduced myself. I was
really starting to break the ice with her when I looked up and there
was her boyfriend, a football star, That was the end of that.
(185.1.) Double up in brass:
Wallace Stevens certainly could double up in brass. He was a
successful insurance executive and at the same time was writing
some of the best poetry this decade.
(185.2.) To play second fiddle:
(1) The main job of an American vice president is to play
second fiddle to the president, to represent him when asked, and to
be ready to take his place if something happens to him.
(2) Yes, it is time to move on. I dont like to play second fiddle
the next 20 years to this conceited young guy with no experience and
not even half my brain and ability.
(186.1.) To pull out all the stops:
Harry, lets us pull out all the stops. Well use our whole
advertising budget this year to sell this. Tell everyone it is cheaper
and better than anything our competitors can offer.
(186.2.) To beat the drum for:
(1) A few of us club members took a bunch of tickets out and
beat drum for the palay with our friends. And we sold enough to fill all
the seats the first time in history.
(2) He is real trouble. People dont like him much. So he is out
early beating the drum for himself, trying to raise campaign money
and find groups to support him.
(187.1.) To sing the blues:
Bobs still singing the blues about losing his girlfriend six
months ago. I guess the guy didnt realize how much he cared for her
until she walked out on him.
(187.2.) To sing a different tune:
(1) All season that team brag theyre number one. Well, if we
play as hard as I know we can, well beat them sing a different tune
at the end of the game.
(2) Mike has been saying all over the town the quarrel is all my
fault. He is lying. And when my lawyer get finished with him, I
guarantee hell be singing a different tune.
(188.1.) A stuffed shirt:

57

499.

500.

501.

502.

503.

504.

505.

506.

My boss is nothing but a stuffed shirt. All he talks about is his

family background, his grades at college. And how other dont have
good manners any more.
(188.2.) To give the shirt off your back:
(1) Hey, old friend, you know me. Any other time Id give you
the shirt off my back. But right now Im afraid Im broke myself. I just
paid college tuition for my kids. I sure wish I could help.
(2) Of course dad gets mad at me sometimes for no good
reason. And he is kind of old-fashioned in a lot of ways. But if I ever
need it, I know hed give me the shirt off his back.
(189.1.) Keep your shirt on:
Come on Charley, keep your shirt on! This time of day there
isnt much traffic, so we have plenty of time to get to the airport and
catch your plane.
(189.2.) To lose your shirt:
(1) Did you hear what happened to Joe? Hes last his shirt. The
poor guy invested all his money in a new restaurant, but it was in a
poor location and it just went out of business.
(2) You say this man promises to double your investment in six
months? Id think twice before Id give him any money. This sounds
like a deal where you can lose your shirt in a hurry.
(190.1.) Break a leg:
Johnny, I know you are seeing admissions director and the dean
find out whether Yale will accept you for law school. I just want to say,
break a leg, old friend.
(190.2.) Knock them dead:
(1) Okay everyone, remember we offer better prices and higher
quality than everybody else. Now take your order books and get out
and knock them dead out there.
(2) Billy, I know youd rather be any place else today but in a
classroom taking the SAT. But its the key to getting into a good
college, So, knock them dead, son, knock them dead.
(191.1.) Sweet talk:
Boby tried to sweet talk me into letting him to take out the
family car out. But when he saw his sweet talk is wasnt working, he
lost his temper and locked himself in his room.
(191.2.) Sweet nothings:
Weve found that a few sweet nothings everyday really helps
our marriage. We know we love each other, but it always makes us
feel good to hear it again from each other.
(191.3.) To sweeten the pot:
The salary the two firms offered was the same. But the firm he
chose sweetened the pot with a company car for personal use and
the promise of a good promotion in six months.

58
507. (192.1.) Sweetheart:
I tell you, its a real sweetheart. Bright red, very sporty looking,
a convertible I love to drive with the top down. Another thing, its a
great chick magnet.
508. (192.2.) A sweetheart deal:
It made a big scandal. The papers found that the builder didnt
submit the lowest bid and he bribed two officials to award him the
contract.
509. (192.3.) Sweetness and light:
Until she became our boss Mary was all sweetness and light to
all. Then, she revealed what she really was, harch, demanding and
short-tempered with everybody.
510. (193.1.) Gung Ho:
(1) Paula is certainly Gung Ho on equal rights for women. You
see her at almost every rally in Washington, chanting slogans and
carrying signs that demand equal rights.
(2) The disposable ones are such a waste. Making them destroy
what little is left of the forests. I am impressed with the truck driver
who is so Gung Ho on environmental protection that carries his own
set of chopsticks and washes them after every meal.
511. (193.2.) Bugaboo:
The stumbling stock prices and low level of consumer spending
are some of the bugaboo that can bring the nations economy down.
512. (194.1.) One and only:
Its about time. Bill and Mary have gone together all through
high scholl and college. For several years they have been each
others one and only. He never looked at another girl and she never
went out with another guy.
513. (194.2.) Two-timer:
My friend Pete is a lonely man these days. He had been going
with Sally for a long time and she thought he was serious about her.
The he started going out with Pauline too. And both found out. There
was a big fuss, and neither one wants to see the two-timer again.
514. (194.3.) Three bricks short of a load:
Elmer isnt bad looking. He is polite, well-dressed, a nice guy.
But Jenny says his trouble is that he is three bricks short of a load.
Hes not very smart at all and barely passes his schoolwork. So she
just isnt at all interested in going out with him.
515. (195.1.) The fat is in the fire:
Im afraid the fat is in the fire: Our biggest customer has just
cancelled his contract with us. It will be hard to stay in business
unless we can find some new contracts in a hurry.
516. (195.2.) To step up to the plate:

59

517.

518.

519.

520.

521.

522.

523.

524.

525.

When our boss died in an auto accident, our number two had to
step up to the plate and take over. And Im glad to say so far hes
doing a great job. Things run smoothly.
(195.3.) To cut the mustard:
Joe tried hard but he was too small and too low to cut the
mustard with the Giants. In other words, Joe didnt live up to his
ambition.
(196.1.) When the chips are down:
After 5 days of play, 3 players were tied at the last hole. The
chips were down and Tiger Woo had to sink a very long putt to win
the tournament.
(196.2.) To turn tail:
We saw this guy bending over the window of our car trying to
break in we yelled at him. He looked around, then turned tail and ran
away.
(196.3.) To knuckle under:
But I am not going to knuckle under to this guy any more. Im
going in and tell him how bad he has treated me, yell I quit, then walk
out and slam the door on him.
(197.1.) Let the cat out of the bag:
Of course I invited her best friend Betty. But when Betty saw
Sue at the market, she forgot it was supposed to be a surprise. She
let the cat out of the bag and told her how glad shed be to see her
next Friday night, She sure spoiled my surprise!
(197.2.) A cat on a hot tin roof:
I admit Im like cat on a hot tin roof these days. So I worried I
keep pacing the floor, too nervous even to sit down, I wont even be
able to get a good nights sleep until I get that letter telling me yes or
no. Its been a bad couple of weeks waiting like this.
(197.3.) Has the cat got your tongue?
Son. I see theres a new dent in the fender this morning. You
didnt say anything about it last night. How come? I want to know
right now how it happened! Whats the matter, Boy Has the cat got
your tongue?
(198.1.) In a bind:
I am in a bind. Dad says lawyers can make a lot of money so
hes help me with tuition and living costs. But Ive always dreamed of
a reporter or a TV newsman. And if I do that, Dad says Ill be on my
own and have to work full time to pay foe my college expenses.
(198.2.) Between a rock and a hard place:
This is tough one. My supervisor and my big boss dont like
each other. One will tell me to do one thing and the other comes
along 2 hours later and tells me to do the opposite. I tell you, this

60

526.

527.

528.

529.

530.

531.

532.

533.

534.

535.

sure puts me between a rock and a hard place. Anybody got any
ideas what to do?
(199.1.) High five:
When we got the good news, we were all giving each other high
fives, even the big boss, who s usually a very dignified guy. You can
imagine low hard we worked to get the contract. We were competing
against four other companies hot after it6 too.
(199.2.) Deep six:
I submitted tis plan to the boss to save costs and make more
money. But the guy gave it the deep six without even showing it to
the board. Sometimes I fell Im just wasting my time at this place.
They dont know a good idea when they see it!
(208.1.) A stick in the mud:
The man next door looks young but hes an old stick-in-the-mud
in his outlook. He never goes out or has friends in. He just sits around
in front of the TV, the great American sedative.
(208.1.) To muddy the water:
The defend is trying to muddy the water by painting the wife as
bad. Whether she was god or bad is not the issue. The question here
is did this man kill a fellow human being in cold blood!
(209.1.) Up your alley:
You studied journalism and took a lot od economics, and worked
for an export firm and know something about business, Its a job
thats right up your alley, Mary!
(209.2.) Up to speed:
I want to bring you up to speed on a television set well have
ready for the market in three months. Please, take notes so you
remember all the features it offers.
(209.3.) Up for grabs:
One of our accountants is retiring and his job is up for grabs.
Youre certainly qualified. If you clal and ask for an interview, I think
youve got a very chance to get it.
(210.1.) Up the wall:
At dinner they sit next to me staring up with those bid sad eyes
like they are starving. This drives me up to the wall. They wont stop
begging until I sneak a bite of food under the table for them. But they
are getting as fat as a pair of little pigs.
(210.2.) Up to scratch:
Joe, I have to tell you, your work is simply bit up to scratch.
Youre slower than others in your department and the results arent
as good. Well give you a couple of months to improve, but if you
cant, Im afraid well have to let you go.
(210.3.) Upmarket:

61

536.

537.

538.

539.

540.

541.

542.

543.

544.

Bob, be smart and shop around in regular jewelry stores. Stay

out of those upmarket places that charge more for the same stones.
Remember they have to pay a lot higher rent and spend a lot more
on furniture just to impress people like us.
(211.1.) To go down the drain:
Joe borrowed my savings to open a coffee shop. It made money
at first, but then somebody opened a bigger place down the street.
This competition put my bother out of business and all the money I
lent him went down the drain.
(211.2.) Down the hatch:
Good, here are our drinks, Lets drink to the news that youve
found the girl of your dreams and are going to marry and start a
family. So lets raise our glasses, old friend, drink up. Down the hatch!
(211.3.) Down for the count:
Mary, Im starting to worry. Our sales have gone down a lot this
year. Unless they pick up the next few months and we can get a new
loan from our bank, Im scared a good chance the company will go
down for a count.
(212.1.) To downplay:
This will double our business for the next three years. But its
stange how he much downplayed such a good news when he told us.
Maybe hes afraid that well ask him for higher salaries because well
all have to work harder now.
(212.2.) Downsize:
This year the decline in business had been difficult for many of
these firms who had done so well easier. Many have had to downsize,
some have gone out of business and people who had been doing very
well are now busy looking for work.
(212.3.) Down to earth:
She comes from a wealth family and went to one of the best
schools in the country, but Im glad to say despite that shes really
down to earth. She understands what we do, is warm, friendly and
treats us like equals, Thats why I say shes truly down to earth.
(213.1.) Prime time:
Prime time is when TV gets most viewers. By 8P.M most of us
have eaten dinner and want to relax and be entertained. But by 11
oclock people are sleepy and ready to go to bed. And by the end of
the late news, a great many are already asleep and snoring.
(213.2.) Shock jocks:
I dont like these shock jocks, but I know people who do. Thats
up to them. The Washington area has over 50 stations. You dont like
shock jocks. Just put a button or turn a dial and hear the news, Mozart
or something els you like.
(213.3.) Snail mail:

62

545.

546.

547.

548.

549.

550.

551.

552.

I use E-mail to keep in touch with most of my friends. But my

girlfriend out in Los Angeles and I still use Snail Mail to write each
other. Why? One good reason is her letters smell so good, and she
cant put perfume on an e-mail note.
(214.1.) A shot in the arm:
During the business recession in 2001 the Federal Reserve
Board lowered the interest rate almost every month or so to make it
easy to borrow money and thus give the economy a needed shot in
the arm.
(214.2.) A shot in the dark:
Im not expert, but since you ask me, Ill take a shot in the dark.
So Ill predict that with Michael Jordan playing, theyll get into the
playoffs for the title. In my opinion, Michael Jordan is the best
basketball player who ever lived.
(214.3.) A shot across the bow:
Before the final vote, several prominent Democrats fired a shot
across the bow of the White House by warning the administration it
wouldnt get the votes to pass the bill before adjournment unless it
included more of what their party wanted.
(215.1.) Like a shot:
You ought to see Pete when he hears you open the door of the
fridge. Hes there like a shot, almost the light goes on inside the
fridge. And he gives me this sad look like he hasnt had anything to
eat for a week and is starving.
(215.2.) Call the shots:
When our boss, Ms. Phillips,. Had to go to the hospital, she
asked Joe Green to take over and call the shots. So hes making all of
the business decisions, running the company and supervising all the
rest of us in our daily work.
(215.3.) Parting shot:
If I was losing my job anyhow, at least I had the pleasure of
telling my boss what I really thought of him, My parting shot was
Never again will I work for a guy as stupid and lazy as you are. Im
glad to be out of this place.
(216.1.) To shoot the breeze:
Joe, do you want to come along to meet Mike and Bob at the
coffee shop? We can shoot the breeze for an hour or two about that
great basketball game last night and relax before we have to study
for that big test in economics tomorrow.
(216.2.) Shoot the works:
Joe, I have to buy an engagement ring for my girl Sally. Ill
propose to her tomorrow. Can you come along with me to the jewelry
shop? Ill shoot the works on the rings, and you know more about
diamonds than I do. Ive never been engaged before.

63
553. (216.3.) To shoot oneself in the foot:
In 1990 a big government budget deficit forced him to raise
taxes. He had shot himself in the foot with his promise because the
other party used this against him in the 1992 election, and he lost his
campaign for the second term.
554. (217.1.) The life of the party:
People who give parties always invite Jenny because they know
shell be the life of the party. She knows everybody in town, helps
guests get to know each other, makes sure they get plenty to eat,
and makes every body fell very comfortable.
555. (217.2.) Party pooper:
Honey, lets not invite John Smith. Hes a real party pooper. He
puts on this sour look like his stomach hurts, has nothing good to say
about anybody, doesnt even smile at other peoples jokes., and
always looks like hed rather be nay place lese.
556. (217.3.) Party line:
You know were in trouble. But lets follow the party line, Tell
people were doing okay, that we have some big new orders in sight,
that were thinking about expanding our offices, and we expect our
stock to go up in the market. ========
557. (218.1.) Call on the carpet:
Mr. Lee finally called Joe on the carpet. He told him he was a
god sallesman but he had to start working a full eight hours a day like
everybody else. If he didnt, then the company would have to let him
go and get someone else.
558. (218.2.) Call the tune:
When the old man left. His young son got the job. Now he calls
the tune and is making a lot of changes, Its too early to tell whether
he can really handle the job, but so far hes doing just fine.
559. (218.3.) Call it a day:
Hey, Mike, look at the clock. Its late, were hungry, and my
eyes are so tired I can hardly se the numbers. Lets callit a day and
look for the mistakes in the morning after weve had a good nights
sleep.
560. (219.1.) Stomping ground:
So you want to Michiganm did you! Well, so did I. Its my old
stomping ground two. I spent four of the best years of my life there.
Its a beautiful campus with those lakes, and I really enjoyed the town
of Ann Arbor, People are nice there.
561. (219.2.) Hangout:
When I was in college, our most popular hangout was the
tavern in the Studen Union. The food was cheap and not too bad,
drinks were cheap and it was a great place to hang out with woman
students without spending too much money.

64
562. (219.3.) Neck of the woods:
My neck of the woods is a little town in Kansas, out in the
middle of wheat fields, I was born and grew upo there, and didnt
know anywhere else until I went away to college. I still go back once a
year just to see my mother and dad.
563. (220.1.) Pinch pennies:
Joe and his wife certainly like to pinch pennies. They both have
good jobs but they drive an old car, buy the cheapest clothes they
can find. Never go to eat or see a movie. But one thing is sure
theyll have plenty of money when they retire.
564. (220.2.) In a pinch:
Im afraid any one of my tires will go flat any time. My spare tire
is bald and leaks air, but O hope in a pinch oitll last long enough to
let me get to the nearest station where I can get some help.
565. (220.3.) Pinch hit:
Mr. Warren was out 2 months recovering from his operation. His
assistant Katie Lee was asked to pinch-hit for him. She is very youn of
course, but she did such a great job that we think shell take over his
office when he retires next year.
566. (221.1.) Bed of roses:
My sister Irene works at a full time job and has two sons to take
care of when she gets home. Her husband Bob tries to help out, of
course, but he just isnt too handy with kids. Believe me, her life
these days in No bed of roses.
567. (221.2.) Bed of nails:
Mike is looking for another job. His boss is rude and very badtempered. And the five people who work for Mie are lazy and
untrained so Mike has to explain everything to them at least three
times, So his job is a real bed of nails for him.
568. (221.3.) On the wrong side of the bed:
Im sorry Im in such a bad mood today. I just got up on the
wrong side of the bed. But our baby cried all night long. And I forgot
to set the alarm so I had no time to eat breakfast. I think after a good
nights sleep Ill be okay against.
569. (222.1.) To drop a bombshell:
That was a time when Americans were sharply devided on the
Vietnam war. The the President dropped a bombshell on voters: He
announced in very clear words hes mad up his mind he would not be
a candidate in the fall.
570. (222.2.) Get the drop on:
Our new software will get the drop on our competitors. It
performs accounting work a whole lot faster than other stuffs on the
market, and weve put a price on it as low as the lower software the
other companies are selling.

65
571. (222.3.) To wait for the other shoe to drop:
This is a board meeting next Friday to vote on whether to give
us a raise. So we are all hopeful but nervous at the same time. But
theres nothing we can do except wait for the other shoe to drop lat
Friday afternoon.
572. (223.1.) To drop the ball:
Were all upset with Lee. We were sur wed get the big contract
with this customer to build a new factory but Lee dropped the ball. He
made mistaes in figuring the budget and now the customer doesnt
want to do business with us.
573. (223.2.) At the drop of a hat:
Jack was small for his age but he had a quick temper and was
always getting into fights with the other boys at the drop of a hat.
Mother and dad used to worry about this, but he learned to control
his temper by the time he got to high school.
574. (223.3.) A drop in the bucket:
Honey, that first house would be perfect for us. But Im afraid
we cant really afford it right now. The money weve been saving to
make the down payment is nothing but a drop in the bucket
compared to what theyre asking.
575. (224.1.) To salt away:
Thats right! Im looking for a job that will help me salt away as
much of my salary as I can save every month, Ill need it to help our
kids go to colleg, and to help us when we retire. Thats a long way off
but its not too early tom make plans.
576. (224.2.) Worth this salt:
At first we werent impressed by Miss Lee. She was quiet and
doesnt have much to say. But after we saw she how fast she
straightened out our budget mess, we knew she was just what we
needed. Now we all agreed shes certaily worht her salt.
577. (224.3.) Back to the salt mines:
Say, look at the time. Its already after one oclock! I hoep you
all enjoyed this and everybody got enough to eat. Well have to do
this again one of these days, but right now Im afraid we have to go
back to the salt mines and get to work.
578. (225.1.) Pretty penny:
Id like to go to a famous private school, but the tuition is a
pretty penny and our family doesnt have that much money. So Ill go
to the state university. I can still get a good education there and Ill
take out a student loan to help pay the tuition.
579. (225.2.) Penny ante:
Mr. Lee opend a penny ante Asian noodle shop, only six tables
with his wife as a cook and himself as waiter. But the noodles were
delicious and cheap, and a few year later he had six larger
restaurants around town and a lot od money in the bank.

66
580. (225.3.) Pennies from heaven:
Sally found this old painting that had been in the attic for many
years. She took it to an art dealer who said it was by a well-known
painter shed never heard of. He paid her $5.000 for it. It was a real
case of pennies from heaven.
581. (226.1.) Turn on a dime:
You know, the car is ten years old and one of these days Ill
have to spend the money to buy a new one. But theres one thing I
love about it, the way it handles. It can really turn on a dime, just like
one a those expensive sports cars
582. (226.2.) Nickel and dime:
Our kids Bill and Susie nickle and dime my wife and me to
death, Its just a few dollars every time, but it never stops, and after a
while ads up to so much money it makes quite a hole in our pockets.
583. (226.3.) A dime a dozen:
Betty, dont let it get you down! To tell the truth, I never
thought much of that guy. Men like him are a dime a dozen. Forget
about him! With your brains, good looks ans personality therell be a
lot of other guys interested in you.
584. (227.1.) Top dollar:
I thought about it long and hard because the other staion in
Chicago offered to pay me top dollar to work for them. But Mary and I
are happy here, the schools are good and this station gave me my
first start. So, I decided to stay right here.
585. (227.2.) Dollars to doughnuts:
I tell you, its dollars to doughnuts that the Los Angeles Lakers
will win the title again, just like last year. They have the best palyers
in the league, plenty of experience, and a great coach. I dont see
hoaw anybody can beat them.
586. (227.3.) Bottom dollar:
Im spending very cent I have on this stock. My classmate says
itll double in a month and be worth ten times as much in a year. So
Im going to bet my bottom dollar on it. My classmate has already
made a lot of money in the stock market.
587. (228.1.) A stitch in time:
My car has gone about 100,000 miles but the engine is still in
good shape. I think tis because I make sure I change the motor oil
every 300 miles. I know most people dont bother, but Im sure
changing oil that often is a real stitch in time.
588. (228.2.) Without a titch on:
Rose had just taken Bobby out of the tub and was drying him
off when she went to answer the phone. Then the doorbell rang and
the little boy ran to answer it. It was the new neighbors coming to call
and they found Bobby standing there without a stitch on.

67
589. (228.3.) To keep in titches:
Ive heard about this movies but I had never senn it. But, Im
glad I did. Ypu cant take the plot serious, of course, but it has one
laugh right after nonother, and jokes keep coming and I predict itll
keep you in stiches right up to the end.
590. (229.1.) In the picture:
Charley, when you get to Los Angeles, be sure to call me every
evening to tell me whats happening, just to make sure to keep me in
the picture. Okay, better get along to airport. And the best of luck. We
need that contract.
591. (229.2.) Picture perfect:
It was a great game all right. The lakers were ahead 99 to 98
with only a few seconds left. But Moses Malone got the ball for Utah,
took it to the other end and with only one second left, shot a picture
perfect basket that didnt even touch the net.
592. (229.3.) The big picture:
Charlie, nice job. But Im on my way to the airport to Paris. Just I
give me the big picture now, like thows in charge of their part of the
project and what his problems are. Put the details in your written
reports and Ill read it later when I have time.
593. (230.1.) From the ground up:
Mr. Kroc started from the ground up with a little hamburger
shop for people who want food fast. Then he had an idea: lease his
fast food idea out to others. The results was thousands of McDonalds
restaurants selling fast food around the globe.
594. (230.2.) To suit down the ground:
Our problem is mom and dad are happy where they are. They
like the neighborhood, the little garden and old shade trees. They
know where everything is. Its where they fell at home, They simply
tell us the old place suits them down to the ground.
595. (230.3.) To get in on the ground floor:
Nobody had heard of Microsoft wnhn it first put its stocks on
sale. But my cousin heard someone says computers would change
the world. So he decided to get in on the ground floor and bought as
much as he could afford. It ended up as the smartest thing he ever
did.
596. (231.1.) Ground rule:
One ground rule is that the most senior reporter present
decides when the conference is over. For years it was a woman
reporter, Helen Thomas. Who would simply say Thanhk you, Mr.
president to signal no more question.
597. (231.2.) Ground zero:
You cant believe how awful my sons room looks: He hasnt
cleaned it for a long, long time. And my daughters room is just as

68

598.

599.

600.

601.

602.

603.

604.

605.

606.

bad. No wonder teeangers have started to call their bedrooms ground

zero.
(231.3.) Hit the ground running:
Lets make sure were all set to go, with our TV and newspaper
ads, mail ads all lined up, and our best-looking cars out in our
showroom. When we bring out the new models we want to hit the
ground running.
(232.1.) On the cutting edge:
Albert Einstein was on the cutting edge of physics. His ideas
revoutionized mordent thought on space and time. And his work
formed the theoreticla base for the exploitation of atomic energy and
brought us in to the atomic age.
(232.2.) To have an edge on:
I think Pete Smith has an edge on his rival in the race for the US
senate from our state. Hes got the experience: Hes been a
Congressman for ten years, and he has a good record to run on. Hes
almost sure to win on next November!
(232.3.) On the ragged edge:
Mary, Im getting scared about our money situation in the firm,
Our sale are down, our costs are way up. Unless we can get a quick
loan somewhere Im afraid well be right on the ragged edge of going
bankrupt!
(233.1.) To hit it big:
This man fired up chicken with his own secret recipe of spices.
And rapidly its fame spread through the South and the the whole
country. Mr. Sanders hit it big. Now Colonel Sanderss Kenturky fired
chicken has chops around the world.
(233.2.) To hit it off:
Bruce and Betty really hit it off right away. They started seeing
each other, then after a year or so decided to get married, Now six
years later they have four kids and are just about as close to each
other as two peole could be.
(233.3.) Hit the spot:
Do you want to kh\now what hits the spot with me when I get
back from running, all hot and thirsty? A great big glass of iced tea
with a squeeze of lemon in it. Theres nothing as refreshing after
good hard exercise. It sure hits the spot.
(234.1.) Hit the books:
This weekend I wanted to go somewhere with my girlfriend. But
Im failing right now in my economics course, so Ill have to hit the
books all weekend long and hope I can remember enough to pass the
exam on Monday.
(234.2.) Hit ones stride:

69

607.

608.

609.

610.

611.

612.

613.

614.

615.

Joe spent his first year leaving a good time. But when he failed
two courses this woke him up. He got serious at last. He started
hitting the books and before long he hit his stride. Now hes getting
good grades and hopes to graduate on time.
(234.3.) To hit the jackpot:
With the dirt off. She saw the picture was a simple farm scene,
but the style looked familiar! So she took it to a museum and learned
shes hit the jackpot. It was a famous folk painter named Grandma
Moses and worth about 25,000 dollars.
(235.1.) Make tracks:
Mary and Chris went around a rocky ledge and found
themselves face to face with a big mother bear with her tow cubs.
The bera growled and the couple made tracks and didnt stop running
til they got back to their car, jumped in and loocked the doors.
(235.2.) Cut an run:
When my neighbors heard the burglats, he turned on the lights
and his two big dogs ran downstairs barking. The burglars decided
theyd better cut and run. They ran away so fast one dropped a bag
of things hed already stolen from somewhere else.
(235.3.) Hit the road:
Lois, its getting late. Its been a great party. But its time for us
to hit the road and get home to bed. Tomorrows a workday and we
all have to get up early.
(236.1.) To weasel out:
My constractor is trying al sorts of excuses to weasel out of our
constract because the supplies are costinf him more then he figured.
But Ive stopped paying him until the work speeds yp. And Ill get a
lawyer and take him to court if I have to.
(236.2.) To skunk:
The Cowboys were supposed to beat us by at least 14 points.
But we caught them by surprise and we skunked them 21 to nothing.
They never came close to the Redskin goal line.
(236.3.) To squirrel away:
I whis I was as smart about moeney as Pete, he squirreled away
enogh to buy a new car and pay foe it in cash. Think og tow thousand
dollars in interest he save by not getting a car loan form a bank and
payin installments for 36 months.
(237.1.) Heavy weather:
John has his heart set on being an engineer. He studies hard in
his math courses, but Im sorry to say he doesnt get very high
grades. So Im really afraid hell run inot heavy weather when he has
to tak calculus next semester.
(237.2.) Under the weather:

70

616.

617.

618.

619.

620.

621.

622.

623.

624.

Thats right. She just phoned to tell me shes under the weather
today. Shes come down with a headache and a bad cough so she
cant go out with me tonight.
(237.3.) Fair-weather friend:
We had the idea that Mac and Mabel were our best friends.
Then we lost most of our money when our business had some bad
luck, and we found out they wer nothing but fair-weather friends. Now
they dont even bother to say hello anymore.
(238.1.) Heavy hitter:
Bill, I want you to find somebody for this job whos a real heavy
hitter when it comes to selling. You know, some one who has lots of
experience managing salesmen, some one who can show us a proven
record of building up sales.
(238.2.) Heavy lifter:
Our big boss here is okay. But the real heavy lifter around here
is his special assistant Miss Higgins. Shes quiet but she works hard,
knows whats going on, keeps the boss infomred, give him ideas.
Were lucky to have someone like her.
(238.3.) Heavy money:
Well, theres at least one thing good thing about it. The outfit
thats buyin us has heavy money behind them. They bought us so
they could use our ideas and out design talent, now well have money
to develop out ideas and market them.
(239.1.) To play the heavy:
An acotor called Jack Palance can play the heavy as well as any
actor I know. He played a hired killer in many cowboy and gangster
pictures, look mancing and brutal, and the audience can be hardly
wait to see him get shot down at the end.
(239.2.) Heavy metal:
Thats right! Okay, I know heavy metal is too loud for some
older people and it bothers them to hear the words shouted into a
microphone. But when I was in college, I thougt it was great, and I
still like to hear it any time I can.
(239.3.) Heavy date:
Bob, Ive got a great seat for the big game tonight. But Ill be
happy to give it to you. I have a heavy date with Betty Lou to night
and I certainly dont want yo break it. I guess Im really getting
serious about her! Here you are, enjoy the game!
(240.1.) Hold your end up:
Joe isnt bad guy but he simply doesnt hold his end up. So I
have to work late everyday to finish what he doesnt do. Weve talked
to him about this and hes promised to do better. If he doesnt Ill go
to our boss and ask him to get someone else.
(240.2.) Dont hold your breath:

71

625.

626.

627.

628.

629.

630.

Sure, I know that he said he ecpects to give us all a nice

increase in our pay this winter, but dont hold your breath, friend.
Dont you remember he made the same promise two years ago and w
are still waiting to see any money.
(240.3.) Hold someones feet to the fire:
Okey, Pete, says after the CEO of that outfit. Keep phoning him,
inviting him to lunch, use any other way you can think of to keep
pressure on him. We really need his business, so do your best to hold
his feet to the fire.
(241.1.). Bugs:
(1) Im afraid Ive got some kind of bugs in my computer. I cant
ope up my Email this morning or get into any of my personal files.
(2) Half the people in my office are out this week with a mild
fever and headaches. It only lasts a couple of days and the doctors
dont know what it is, It just seems to be one of the bugs that seem to
go around every year about this time of winter.
(3) My fiance Gloria is a real bug about abstract paintings. To
me this stuff is just shapes and colors that dont mean anything. But
shes always dragging me off to look at exhibitions and trying to
make me understand how beautiful these pictures are.
(4) Joe, Ill tell you what Ill do. As soon as I get a chace, Ill put
a big in Mr. Jones ear about you and so hell start thinking about it.
(5) Certainly wish Betty wouldnt bug me almost everyday
about buying a new car. Sure, the one we have now is a little old but
runs fine most of the time.
(242.1.) Think on your feet:
Americans still remember President John F. Kennedy 40 years
ago for his skill at thinking on his feet. They have never seen a public
figure quite as good at holding a press conference. Hed call on peole
around the room, and answer their questions without hesitating. But
of all he had a great sense of humor and usually had the reporters
laughing.
(242.2.) Think piece:
Jane, did you read and think piece in the New York Time this
morning by that Senator from Iowa? He thinks the Congress ought to
found more money to promote the sale of American farm products
like corn and soybean to contries overseas.
(242.3.) Think tank:
Bob quit his teaching job and went to work in a think tank that
studies problems of economic development in South Asia. He says he
wants to do more with what hes learned than simply teach Asian
history.
(243.1.) Butterfingers:

72

631.

632.

633.

634.

635.

636.

637.

638.

639.

Petes a hard worker. But he has a tough time holding a

restaurant job. Hes a real butterfingers and keep spilling dishes when
he brings an order to the table.
(243.2.) All thumbs:
Dick isnt real good using tools around the house. Hes all
thumbs. When he hammers a nail hes likely to end up hitting his
fingers instead. And youd be shocked to hear the bad language he
uses when he hurts hinslef.
(243.3.) Two left feet:
In high school I had a hard time learning all the popular dance
steps. At first, you know, it was like I had two left feet. But I kept
trying and now my wife says she ven enjoys taking a turn around the
dance floor with me.
(244.1.) Bad hair day:
Honey, it was a real bad hair day. First my secretary and
acountant both called in sick. Next, the heatind system broke down
and the place ws freezing. The to top it off, our biggest customer
called to say he was cancelling our contract.
(244.2.) To have a day in court:
It may get me in trouble, honey, but at 9:00A.M meeting today
Im going to bring up the question of why our promotions aer so slow
compared to other places. Our boss wont like to hear this but at least
Ill have my day in court.
(244.3.) That will be the day:
Sure, the boss promised us a raise again, but hes done that
before and the finds some excuse not to do it. This time, he said we
can expect a nice raise by January 1. Yeah, sure. That will be the day!
We re a fraid it just wont come true.
(245.1.) Salad days:
In my salad days when I was 18 or 20 I thought I was going to
win fame by writing the great American novels. Well, 20 years late, I
havent done that but Ive written some best seller crime novels that
give my family a good living.
(245.2.) Order of the day:
Every Friday people aer encouraged to dress casually. The order
of the day is supports shirts or T-shirts and blue jeans to celebrate the
last day of work for the week. And just male employees relax by
leaving their necties at home.
(245.3.) Not give someone the time of day:
I really like this girl and Id like to ask her out for coffee for
something and just talk and get to know her better. But she wont
give me the time of day. She just sits and looks right past me like Im
not even there.
(246.1.) As different as night and day:

73

640.

641.

642.

643.

644.

645.

646.

647.

648.

Its hard to believe my brother and my sister have the same

mother and father. Theyre as different as night and day. She has
blond hair and blue eyes. He has brown eyes and black hair. And me,
I dont look much like either of them.
(246.2.) The dead of night:
Sometimes i feels acary when I wake up in the dead of night
and hear strange noises downstairs, creaks and groans. Im pretty
sure its nothing but the old house getting oplder around me, so I tell
myself I dont really believe in ghosts.
(246.3.) Night owl:
Yes, Im a regular night owl. So if you want to talk business with
me, the best time to phone is from 10 at night until tow in the
morning. Thats really the time when I wide awake and ready to work.
Yes sir, Im a real night owl.
(247.1.) Give the eye to:
Willy, dont you look now, but when you get a chance, take a
look at that girl sitting ever there alone, I think shes trying to give
me the eye. Maybe I ought to go over and say hello.
(247.2.) Give the once over:
When I gave her the once over, she finally gave me a nice smile
so I went over to say Havent we me someplace before?. She asked
me to sit down and we get acquainted and look at this, Willu, she
gave me here phoen number!
(247.3.) To size up:
Im settled down all night. I married Barbara about three years
ago, As soon as I met her sized up as the girl I wanted to marry. It
took her two more years to agree, but were very happy and already
have a daughter with another one on the way.
(248.1.) Wear thin:
Joe, remember that money you borrowd six months ago. You
told me youd pay it back in 30 days. But you keep finding reasons
not to retunr it. You already meed it back in 30 days, and I must say
that all your excuses for delay are beginning to wear thin.
(248.2.) Spread too thin:
I am afraid my friend Karen is spread too thin this year. Shes
taking five courses, works 20 hours a week in the bookstore, and is
on the womens baskeball team, she looks tired all the time and
keeps falling asleep in her classes.
(248.3.) Through thick and thin:
Bob and I have been friends since our first day in school 20
years ago. And weve stayed the best of friends through thick and
thin, in high school, college and the airforce, even when we both were
chasing after the same girl in college.
(249.1.) Lay it on thick:

74

649.

650.

651.

652.

653.

654.

655.

656.

657.

About six months ago Charley started to lay it on thick by

telling our boss what a good manager he was and what a pleasure it
was to work for him. And it sur paid off and Charley just got promoted
over all the rest of us.
(249.2.) Thick and fast:
All the repeorters were there with TV cameras, radio
microphoena and notebooks and pencils. And questions came as
thick and fast as a swarm of bees. So quickly it was hard for the
politician to keep up!
(249.3.) Thick as thieves:
Tes, Doris and Mrs. Lee next door are thick as thieves, they look
after each others kids and get together every afternoon for coffee.
Neighbors dont always get along, but Doris and Lee are really thick
and thieves, Im happy to say.
(250.1.) Fair shake:
We like our boss Mr. Lee a lot better than the old one. The best
thing about him is that he gives everybody a fair shake. He gives us
all a chance to compete for promation and he treats every man and
woman on the staff with respect.
(250.2.) Fair enough:
After e talked she finally agreed that she ran the red light and
her insurance company says it will pay for reapiring my car. That was
fair enough, You know, she impresses me as a very nice girl, and Im
meeting her lunch Friday.
(250.3.) Fair game:
My uncle ran for governor so he was fair game for the press.
The reporters dag back into his past and trinted things about him that
happened way back in childhood, But they found nothing that looked
too bad and he did get elected.
(251.1.) On easy streat:
My uncle worked hard twelve hours a day for 20 years to make
his rataurant a success, and it paid off. Now hes on easy street with
enough money to retire and let his two sons run the place for him.
(251.2.) Riding on the gravy train:
Yes, sir! Those oil wells are still pumping oil and bringing in so
much money that the whole family is still riding on the gravy train.
They have more to spend than theyll ever need until the wells run
dry.
(251.3.) The life of riley:
In a few years the value of the stock soared and Joe sold out
with enough to retire on. Now he leads the life of riley. Hes always off
to Paris or Hongkong, stays in the best hotels, eats in the best places
and samples all the pleasures of life.
(252.1.) Dirty work:

75

658.

659.

660.

661.

662.

663.

664.

665.

666.

I have to feel sorry for Jerry in our office. He is the poor guywho
gets all the dirty work like stalling off creditors we owe money and
cant payy. The hardest part of his job is firing people. It isnt easy to
tell them theyre losing their jobs.
(252.2.) Dirty tricks:
When the Allies landed in France, one of the dirty tricks they
used was to put a Royal Navy uniform on a dead man and drop the
body near the coast. In his pocket were false plans to invade the
coast far from the landing beaches at Normandy.
(252.3.) Down and dirty:
The papers say this campaign was as down and dirty as any
they can remember. Both sides circulated unfounded rumors and
spread stories about the other candidates personal life. The voters
were glad when it was over.
(253.1.) Bait and switch:
The ad claimed the shop was selling videos at a price so low it
was hard to believe. So I hurried there but it was a case bait and
switch. The clerk said the cheap ones were all sold out and tried to
sell me other videos at much high prices.
(253.2.) Strictly from hunger:
My sister told me the music was very good but the guys who
were there were strctly from hunger. She said she didnt meet a
simple guy she would never want to date.
(253.3.) Like gangbusters:
Mr. Martin came like a gangbursters. He fired half our people
and organized the rest of us into work teams with longer hours than
before. We had a hard time for a while but at least these days the
firm is makinf money for a change.
(254.1.) Heads up:
I want to give you all a heads up that some big shots from New
York will be here net Monday to see how were doing. So lets make
sure our desks are clean and show them what we are doing. We want
to put on a godd show for them.
(254.2.) Face time:
This guy Joe is the best salesman I vever saw. If he can get 20
minutes of face time with a buyer for a department store hell walk
out with a nice big fat order. Ill vet Joe could tell bathing suits at the
North Pole.
(254.3.) Think outside of the box:
A lot of everyday things we take for granted. Take winshield
wipers on cars for example. The earlier auoto dindnt have wipers
cleaning rain off so drivers could see. But somebody happened to
thnk outside of the box. And now all cars have them.
(255.1.) Run of the mill:

76

667.

668.

669.

670.

671.

672.

673.

674.

675.

This movie had so much publicity I thought it ould be great. But

to tell you the truth, it was just run of the mill. Sur I enjoyed it but its
the kind of film you forget about as soon as you leave the theater.
(255.2.) No great shakes:
Im afraid our Washinton Wizards havent been any great
shakes this year. In fact theyve lost more games than they have won
the most likely they wont even quality for the playoff series. Maybe
next season theyll do better.
(255.3.) Nothing to write home about:
At college I need a way to get to school so I bought an used
motobike. Its nothing to write hoem about. Its hard to start and eats
a lot of gas. But its all can afford to spend and it does get to classes
okay.
(256.1.) Go-to guy:
Michael Jordan is over 40 now, and that makes him older than
anybody else on the team. But in the frantic last few seconds when
his teams is a point or two behind, you just put the ball in his hands.
Hes still the best go-to guy in the game.
(256.2.) To take no prisoners:
This new manager knows the business, I guess. But hes really
tough on our staff. He takes no prisoners. You make one mistake and
hell fire you without giving you a chance to do better, and youll be
out looking for another job.
(256.3.) Dont shoot the messenger:
Say, Bill, dont shoot the messenger! I had no idea what Betty
siad in the letter. So why are you mad at me76o tell you the truth it
was just run ooff Im sorry shes breaking up with you, but I had
nothing to do with it. So dont blame me!
(257.1.) Sorehead:
Mr. White was in charge of our accounting department. And Im
sorry to say he was a sorehead. He got upset at people everyday,
was always rude and short-tempered, and of course nobody in the
whole place liked him.
(257.2.) Fussbudget:
Andy drives us crazy sometimes. Hes a fussbudget who worries
about everything, including small stuff thats not important. He takes
up so much time with this. We never have time for the really
important things we should be doing.
(257.3.) Nitpicker:
Thats right, Mr. Lee knew grammar and punctuation and was
nitpicker when it came to finding mistakes really like that. But he
didnt pay much attention to what the sentences really meant
because half the time he didnt understand the meaning.
(258.1.) To sleep like a log:

77

676.

677.

678.

679.

680.

681.

682.

683.

684.

Bob, last night after I got the promotion Id been so worried

about the last six weeks, I can tell you I was able to sleep like a log
for the first time in more than a month. I dont think I even turned
over in bed all the night long. It was great!
(258.2.) To sleep on it:
John, we dont have to decide right this minute. Lets just sleep
on it and after a good nights sleep , we can make up our minds and
go buy it after work.
(258.3.) Not sleep a wink:
I am so sleepy I cant keep my eyes open. Stayed up until 4AM
for last-minute study for the English exam and when I finally did lie
down I couldnt sleep a wink. I hope I did okay in the test but right
now all I want is to sleep for a week.
(259.1.) Cool you heels:
To make a good impression I got there half an hour early. But
then I had to cool my heels for more than two hours before anybody
would see me. And the man only spent five minutes with me and
then told me they had already hired someone else.
(259.2.) Drag your heels:
They say that Congress will eventually okay the money the
Whit House wants for the new education program, but it will drag
your heels about bringing the issue for a vote and wont vote on it
until the members are ready to go home this summer.
(259.3.) Kick up your heels:
Honey, its been a big hard work. So lets go out tonight and
kick up our heels a litte. We can go to that new French restaurant
everybody says is so good, have a drink, order a good dinner and
relax for the weekend.
(260.1.) Lose your cool:
Im afraid I lost my cool. I called the guy some nsty names and
he jumped out like he was ready to fight. But then a traffic cop
arrived on the scene and manage to calm us down. And it trned out
that the damage wasnt all that bad.
(260.2.) Hopping mad:
My mom and dad were hopping mad when they looked at my
brothers report card from school and saw he that he was failing in
arithmatics and history. So they made him stay home afyer school for
a month instead of going out with friends.
(260.3.) Fit to be tied:
Joe was really fit to be tied one night when he saw his girlfriend
out with a big, good-looking guy. Later he felt pretty stupid when he
found out that the guy she was with is her older brother.
(261.1.) Hot under the collar:

78

685.

686.

687.

688.

689.

690.

691.

692.

693.

694.

We really got hot under the collar when we saw what those
dogs had done to the flowers wed worked so hard to grow. Theyd
dug up some and rolled around on top of others. Now our folower
beds are mess.
(261.2.) Flip your wig:
Say, Eddie, let me try new idea I had to get more customers by
newspaper advertising. You may flip your wig about my plan but we
need to do something quick to get more people to look at our goods.
(261.3.) Raise the roof:
When Dad saw thoes dents, he riased the roof with me. I didnt
get to the car for the whole summer. And I had to pay for the damage
with the money I made by moving the lawn aound the neihborhood.
(262.1.) Slam dunk:
Mr. Clinton scored a slam dunk in his race with Senator Dole. He
won in 31 states including all the biggest states except Texas, and Mr.
Dole took only 19.
(262.2.) Full court press:
We thought Forida was safe for us but it is not. Starting now I
want you to put on a full court press. Do everything you can to stop
that guy from gaining more.
(263.1.) Old chestnut:
Do you hear that new comedian on TV last night? Hes not evy
funny. He takes too long to tell his jokes and they are all oldchestnuts
that Ive heard at least a dozen times before.
(263.2.) Old college try:
Barbara, think seriously about trying out for the basketball
team. In high school your team went to the finals of the state
chapionship and you make the old college try, Im sure the coach will
pick you for the team.
(263.3.) Comfortable as an old shoe:
Joe is a good neighbor, as comfo9rtable as an old shoe. Hes
always cheerful and friendly, and on summer evenings we enjoy just
sitting aound on his porch enjoying the fresh air.
(264.1.) Sock away:
It costs a lot these days to send someone to college. So we are
going tho sock away some money every month to make sure she
starts life with a good education.
(264.2.) To sock in:
Honey, the snow is beginning to come down a lot faster. Im
afraid itll sock in the airport and I wont be able to fly to New York for
that business meeting.
(264.3.) To knock your scoks off:
I want to tell you Betty, that youll love that picture. I promise it
will knock your socks off. Its the best thing Ive seen in a long time.

79
695. (265.1.) Stick your neck out:
I deserve a raise, so I stick my neck out and ask for more pay.
Its taking a chance. He wont like it. I know, but Im ready to risk that
even if he gets mad enough to fire me.
696. (265.2.) To stick in your craw:
I keep giving Charley chances to improve. But these latest
mistakes are too much! They really stick in my craw so tomorrow Im
giving him twoo weeks notice that he is fired. Enough is enough!
697. (265.3.) Stick to your ribs:
Say, Joe. Lets try that new Italian restaurant on First Street.
People say the food is tasty and the prices are cheap. Im really
hungry tonight so I want to eat something that sticks to your ribs.
698. (266.1.) To stick around:
Say, Mary, John is out tonight and Im going to watch Titanic on
television. It is a vary good movie. Why dont you stick around and
watch it with me?
699. (266.2.) Stick up for:
Now quiet down and listen to me, both of you! This time I have
to stick up for Mary. I think shes right. I remember she took care of
the dishes last night. Billy, its your turn to clear the dishes off the
table, wash them and put them away.
700. (266.3.) Stick to your guns:
During the big political campaigns we have quite a few
arguments about whom to vote for. Of course I try my best to change
his mind but he stuck to his guns and most of the time votes for
people Id never vote for.
701. (267.1.) Odds and ends:
Ive never seen so many odds and ends. Faded photos of men
in World War I uniforms, young women is long dresses, and old autos
dated 1910. All sorts of odds and ends that told our family history for
almost a hundred years.
702. (267.2.) Knick-and-knack:
Aunt Alice had more knick-knacks around her home than Ive
ever seen before. Things like a little model of the Stutue of Liberty
from her first visit to New York, and a 1960 campaign button saying
Kennedy for President.
703. (267.3.) Bric-a-brac:
That piece of bric-a-brac is knife that belonged to my dad. He
carried for 60 years. I keep it to help remember all the good times we
had together when I was a young girl and he took me fishing and
camping and taught me how to build a fire.
704. (268.1.) Soft soap:

80

705.

706.

707.

708.

709.

710.

711.

712.

713.

Dont listent to that guy. Hes full of soft soap about what a
great bargain hes selling, but if you read the policy carefully and
compare costs you can see that its really not worth the price.
(268.2.) Soft pedal:
This coach tried to soft pedal his teams chance to win the title.
He said he has very tough opponents to play, his best player is hurt,
so on and so on. But form everything I hear, he really ought to have
the number one team in the whole country.
(268.3.) Soft touch:
Frieddie, why dont yopu tell our friend Bill youre in trouble
with the people you owe and ask him to loan you the money. He has
a good heart and hes a soft touch for people in tight spot. He knows
youll pay him back as soon as you can.
(269.1.) Hard and fast:
I like it. It has the subjects I want to learn and I think my
teachers are great. But I dont like the hard and fast rules for
students. Theyre old-fashioned and very strict, like a band off old
men made them about a hundred years ago!
(269.2.) Play hardball:
With a month to go the race is so close that both sides are
starting to play hardball. Each side is digging into the other
candidates life, looking for anything that can hurt him even if it
happened tweenty or thirty years ago.
(269.3.) Hard act to follow:
John F. Kennedy was young handsome, a fine speaker, and lets
not forget his beautiful wife. So Lyndon Johson, who took over the
White House when Mr. Kennedy is shot found the mudered young
president a hard act to follow.
(270.1.) Hard sell:
This salesman is so aggressive he wouldnt take No for an
answer. He kept on talking for a long time. Finally I got mad and told
him I liked the magazine but his hard sell didnt work on me.
(270.2.) Hard hat:
Back 35 years ago student groups hand hard hats matched in
public demostrations against each thers stands on the war.
Sometimes these ended up to fights with both sides using their fists
on each other.
(270.3.) A hard row to hoe:
But America work up the next day to discover that Truman was
the winner. The campaign had been a hard row to hoe for him, but it
was one of the most remarkable election upsets in American history.
(271.1.) Happy event:
Mike, my best congratulations! I heard you had a happy event
at your house last night. Your are now the father of a healthy eight-

81

714.

715.

716.

717.

718.

719.

720.

721.

722.

723.

pound son. Please give your wife Jenny all our good wishes. We look
forqard to seeing her soon and the baby too.
(271.2.) Happy medium:
When I shop, I try to find gifts that are a happy medium, things
that Im not wuite sure theyll enjoy and appreciate but that arent so
expensive they use up all the money in my bank account.
(271.3.) Happy talk:
When I wake up I tune in on 1040. They have the same news a
all the other stations, of course, but I like the host and his newscaster
the most. Hearing their happy talk makes getting dressed to go to
work a little bit easier to do.
(272.1.) Feel your oats:
Bill certainly feels his oats now that hes been promoted and
tells the rest of us what to do. Somebody ought ot tell him he needs
to take it easy and be the same friendly quy he always was before he
became our new boss.
(272.2.) Corn-fed:
My brother married a corn-fed girl from a small town in Western
Iowa. She bakes the best apple pies and strawberry sweet cake I have
ever eaten and you really ought to take the fresh sweet corn on the
cob she feeds us.
(272.3.) Full of beans:
Joe was so tired and sworn out he looked awful! Then his wife
made him take two weeks off from work, And he got back, he was full
of beans full of fresh energy and looking like himself again.
(273.1.) Crack the books:
I want to see a movie tonight, but I have to stay in to crack the
book. Theres a big physics test tomorrow and tell the truth Ive been
so busy with other things I havent had a chance to study.
(273.2.) Cook the books:
The IRS, the federal tax people, audited that company and
found out it had cooked the books for years to hide most of its profits.
Somebodys likely to end up in jail for cheating on business taxes.
(273.3.) Throw the book at someone:
Dad was pretty mad so he threw the books at me, I cant take
the car out alone for at least a monthe and I have to be home by 9
oclock every night, even on Fridays and Saturdays, He says maybe
thisll teach me to be more careful.
(274.1.) One for the book:
This was the biggest Holywood wedding party in years, one for
the book. Everyone was there actors, producers, directors, and a big
crowd of onlookers outside, standing on tiptoes to get a look at all the
famous faces.
(274.2.) Know like a book:

82

724.

725.

726.

727.

728.

729.

730.

731.

732.

I know my brother like a book. He always comes late but Im

sure hell get here before long. Just like our mother used to say, Bill.s
the type of man who will be lat for his own funeral.
(274.3.) Wrote the book on:
Doctor Adams is one of the best baby doctors in the whole
state of California. We think were lucky to have him take care of our
son Billy. People say he practically wrote the book on health care for
young children.
(275.1.) Hope against hope:
I have no idea where I lost it, in the restaurant wher I took my
sister, in the movie theater, or getting into the car. All I can do is
hope against hope that someone will find it, see my name card inside
and call me on the phone about it.
(275.2.) Pin your hopes on:
Im really anxious to get into one of the best schools in
America, but I have to pin my hopes on getting a scholarship because
the tuition is so high that my family just cant afford it unless I can
get help.
(275.3.) Live in hope of:
My job is hard work, boring and doesnt pay very much.
However, I live in hope of finding work I really like so Ill keep looking
until I find it.
(276.1.) Return to the fold:
The minority group in the party who were against cutting taxes
finally agreed to return to the fold when the majority agreed to make
the cut smaller and to stretch it over several years.
(276.2.) Catch as catch can:
Joe makes a living catch as catch can by mowing neighbors
lawns, doing carpenter work, painting houses, and moving furniture
that sort of work. He wont get rich that way but a least it puts food
on the table.
(276.3.) Cross the Rubicon:
This politician knows he croosed the Rubicon when he left his
own party to run for Congress, Unless he wins, hell have to look for
ather work, because the party he left behind will never let him return
to the fold.
(277.1.) Never say die:
All right men. We are behind now but remember the old saying
NEVER SAY DIE. We can still beat these guys. Lets go back out on the
court ans play better defense. Just dont let them make any more
easy shots and we can go home winners.
(277.2.) No rhyme or reason:

83

733.

734.

735.

736.

737.

738.

739.

740.

741.

I read the article a couple of times and it still makes no sense at

all. I just had no rhyme and reason. I couldnt even tell whether the
writer was for or against the candidate. It was very sloppy writing.
(277.3.) Grin and bear it:
Okay, Charley snores and he likes to tell jokes that nobody
laughs at except him. But apart from that, the two of us get along
fine, so when he tells joke thats not funny, I just grin and bear it.
(278.1.) Hide out:
(1) Thats right. But my grana a lucky. He landed among
reistance fighters against Germans and they helped him hide out
until the Allies landed in Europe in June 1944.
(2) German troops were looking form him so the resistance
fighters moved him from farm to farm ahead of them. His last hideout
was in a haystack in a cow barn. There wasnt much else to do there
so he helped the farmer milk the cow.
(278.2.) Hide your light under a bushel:
My younger sister is really shy and modest. She would never
tell anybody herself that she was a straight A student in college.
She always tried to hide her light in a bushel.
(278.3.) Play hide and seek:
This man got away with almost the million bucks. And he was
able to play hide and seek with the police for almost five years before
somebody recognized him and phone FBI.
(279.1.) Hidebound:
Mr. Adams is certainly hidebound. Hea always talking about the
good always and how bad modern life is. And when you hear him you
get the idea that hed be a lot happier if the American Revolution
never happened,
(279.2.) To tan somebody hide:
Look, son you are only ten years old and youre too young to
start smoking. If I catch you smoking again. Im going to tan your
hide so you wont be able to sit down for a week.
(279.3.) Neither hide nor hair:
I lost the keys to my car weeks ago. Im looking everywhere I
can thing of, but so far Ive seen neither hide nor hair of them. Its a
good thing my husband has a second set of keys but hes afraid Ill
lose them too.
(280.1.) Save your bacon:
Mary had a flat tire on a busy highway about midnight, and she
didnt have a jack to lift the wheel to change the tire. But a truck
driver saved her bacon. He stopped and put the spare tire on the
wheel for her.
(280.2.) Save your breath:

84

742.

743.

744.

745.

746.

747.

748.

749.

750.

751.

752.

Im sorry but I have to ask you to save your breath, honey. We

are just too busy in the office for me to take time off this month. But I
hope we can take that trio next month. We both need a week off.
(280.3.) Save by the bell:
We were afraid wed all lose our jobs. But we were saved by the
bell. Our company got a big contract from the city government just
when the boss was about the announce wed have to close our doors
forever.
(281.1.) Bread and butter:
Good public schl e the bread and butter of real estate firms
when tha\ey sell houses to young couples. Schools are the first things
young people with kids ask about when they look for a house.
(281.2.) Know which side your bread is butter:
Every day Bill gets the office ten minutes ahead of the boss so
he can sit at his desk looking busy when the boss arrives, One thing
is sure. Bill knows which side his bread is buttered on.
(281.3.) The best thing since sliced bread:
Marry, I really like this new software I bought for my computer.
In fact its so good I think its the best thing since sliced bread.
(282.1.) Steer clear:
Mary, yous be smart to stear clear of that place, Everything
thay sell is too high-piced. You could get the same goods a lot
cheaper if you just shop around.
(282.2.) Give a wide berth to:
The clerk at the hotel warned us to give a wide berth to that
particular area after darn unless you go together with a friend, Peole
say itsdangerous place to go by yourself..
(282.3.) Dead in water:
Right now our company is dead in water. Sales are way down
and the banks dont want to loan more money. Wear afraid its time
we started looking for jobs some place else.
(283.1.) At wits end:
Mary is at her wits end with frustration and anger about the
office. She likes the job security and good pay but the work she is
doing has no real meaning. Shes wondering what she sould do.
(283.2.) Bitter end:
I dont want yo see that movie. Since I had spent money for a
ticket, I stayed until the bitter end, but I tell you its the worst movie I
have seen in a long, long time.
(283.3.) At loose ends:
Mary, how about you and me going to the movies this
weekend? Tom is out of the town a few days and Im at loose ends
until he gets back on Monday.
(284.1.) Knock around:

85

753.

754.

755.

756.

757.

758.

759.

760.

761.

(1) I think Ill fly out and xnock around in California for a week.
You know, hit the beach, mybe a little surfing, just take it easy,
maybe spend some time at Disneyland.
(2) Im ordering in lunch for our writers and artists so we can
take some time to knock around some ideas for TV ads for this new
soap they say is so good for a womans skin.
(284.2.) Knock off:
(1) Joe, Im going to knock off work earlu this afternoon. Last
night, I worked four hours overtime to put a new engine in that old
white Cadillac and didnt knocks off till nine oclock.
(2) That woman really has talent. She can nock off a new book
at least once a year and we can count onb it being a best seller.
(284.3.) The school of hard knocks:
I had to go to work when I was twelve, so the only school I
graduated from was the school of hard knocks. But I worked my head
off and learned from my mistakes and I did just fine.
(285.1.) Class act:
I always shop there. Not only do they have top goods and fair
prices, but sales people who are friendly and helpful. Its a real class
act. In fact the best store in town.
(285.2.) Get your act together:
Son, you cant live with us the rest of your life. Its time to get
your act together, settle down and get married, and start living your
own life.
(285.3.) Read the riot act:
I have to read the riot act to my secretary, when she comes in
today. Shes late almost everyday qnd if she doesnt get here on time
shell be looking for a new job!
(286.1.) Go over with a bang:
This play certainly went over with a bang. In fact, after each act
the audience stood up and clapped and cheered for five minutes
before anybody could quiet them down.
(286.2.) A bang-up job:
Larry sure did a bang-up job of selling this contract to our
biggest customer. He worked nights for two weeks getting it ready
but it was worht the extra work.
(286.3.) More bang for a buck:
I think this other system is a better deal for us. Its faster and
has more memory, for the same price. Its will give us more bang for
the buck.
(287.1.) Cold comfort:
Mary was excited about a ski weekend with her fiance. But
instead got sick with the flu. So it was cold comfort to get her
sisterss letter about all her fun on her own ski trip.

86
762. (287.2.) Blow hot and cold:
Brian still blows hot and cold about where to got to college.
Hed rather go away to a place like Haward or Yale, but he knows our
state universitt is about all his parents can afford.
763. (287.3.) Stop cold:
At the party, Susan was happy talking about their trip to
Hawaii. But the sight of her husband talking to Louise stoped her
cold. Hed promised her hed never see that woman again.
764. (288.1.) Cold light of day:
Betty was completely charmed by this good-looking man she
met at the dance. But the next morning, in the cold light of day she
realized he was just a smooth talker who could not be trusted.
765. (288.2.) Break out in a cold sweat:
Holly breaks out in a cold sweat every time she sees lightning
and hears thunder. Lightning se fire to her house when she was only
six, and she and her mother barely goit out alive.
766. (288.3.) Make my blood run cold:
Those ultra-nationalist speeches sound like Nzi Germany and
make my blodd run cold. They promote hatred of minorities and bring
back dreams of an empire thats dead and gone.
767. (289.1.) Soft touch:
Tom is a soft touch for any charisty as long as it helps the
handicapped. You probably know his only daughter is crippled by
polio and lives in a wheelchair.
768. (289.2.) Soft spot:
Jims weak spot as supervisor is his soft spot for any pretty
young woman who comes along. The people who work in his section
are more notable for good looks than for ability.
769. (289.3.) Soft spot in the head:
(1) Look, I must think Im soft in the head if you expect me to
invest any money in shares in this mine.. Id have to see the thing
with my own eyes and make sure it really exists.
(2) It was four years ago when I first noticed Jim was going soft
in the head. He stopped talking to people and started spending the
whole day just sitting by the window looking out at nothing.
770. (290.1.) Blow-out:
Sallys wedding reception was a real blow-out. More than three
handred guests, the best food and drink, a big orchestra for dancing.
Ill bet it cost her father a fortune.
771. (290.2.) Bash:
More than a hundred people came to bash we gave for Johnny
when he left to go to college in California. Johnny had such a good
time that he almost missed his plane.
772. (290.3.) Blast:

87

773.

774.

775.

776.

777.

778.

779.

780.

Sure Im tired but it was worth it. A fantastic blast, at least util
the cops came and made us turn down the sound because people
could hear us two blocks away.
(291.1.) Stag pary:
I dont feel so good this morning. I gave my young brother a
stag party last night because hes getting married today, and we
stayed up way too late and had way too much to drink.
(291.2.) Hen party:
Ill be home tonight to take care of the kids because Susan has
a hen party with women who she went to college with. Friday is my
turn. Im going to a stag party to play poke.
(291.3.) Tailgate party:
We had a tailgate party before the Washington Redskin played
the New York Giants, but that was only good part of the day. The
Giants beat our Redskins by 21 points.
(292.1.) Wing it:
(1) I dont like my job very much. No matter how much time I
spend on a speech for my boss, he wings it when he gets up there in
front of the mike instead of reading it the way I wrote it.
(2) A good talk show host will interview a writer wihout actulally
reading his books. Hell simply read s couple of reviews so he can
wing it when he talks to the writer on his show.
(292.2.) Take someone under your wing:
(1) A welthy couple took her under their wing and fed her and
clothed her. And more important, they educated her to be a pioneer
in education for women in her village.
(2) What Im trying to tell you is to be very careful in fighting
Jones. Just remember hes under the wing of Senator Smith, who can
make a lot of trouble for you if you cross him.
(293.1.) Try your wings:
(1) Say, you are a really good golfer! Did you ever think about
trying your wing as a pro. You know, quit that dull job and see if you
can make some good money on the tournement circuit?
(2) At last Ill have the time to try my wing as a painter. This
has always been my real abition. But I had to go into business when I
was only 20 after my parents died in a plane crash.
(293.2.) Wait in the wings:
(1) This actor has waited in the wings ten years to star in a
Broadway play. He finally got his chance when the star fell sick and
he got to take his place in the leading role.
(2) It might be smart to wait in the wings another six months
will probably lose more money and the stock will be cheaper to buy.
(294.1.) Wet blanket:

88

781.

782.

783.

784.

785.

786.

787.

788.

789.

790.

(1) I cant decide whether I should invite my boyfriends sister

Mary to my party for him. All all, she is his sister. But she is such a
wet blanket Im afraid shell spoil it for all my other guests.
(2) My friend and I were going to the beach this weekend for
some sun and swimming. But the weather forecast threw a wet
blanket on our plans. It says itll be rainy and chilly.
(294.2.) Security blanket:
I was small for my age so I made friends with the biggest boy in
my class. He was my security blanket. None of the kids dared give me
any trouble when was around.
(294.3.) Blanket drill:
Any other time Ill be happhy to go out with you guys. But its
been a long hard day and Im dog-tired. So I think Ill Ill just go back
home to get in some extra blanket drill.
(295.1.) Push around:
Im sick and tired of Mister Jones phushing us around. Im going
to find another job, and when I do, Ill go in and tell him what I think
of him and then slam the door on my way out.
(295.2.) Push your luck:
Look, kid, youve never been in trouble before, so Ill let you go
this time. But dont push your luck. If I catch you stealing again, I
promise youll go to jail!
(295.3.) Pushover:
My friend is a pushover for anybody in trouble. Just yesterday
on our way back form lunch he saw an old man begging, and he dug
down in his pocket and handed him a ten-dollar bill.
(296.1.) Pull for & Pull through:
Hi Jim! You look pretty good today. Everybody at the office says
hello. Were all pulling for you to pull through this operation and get
back to work as soon as you can.
(296.2.) Pull date:
John, the first thing I want you to do this morning is go through
the meat counters and take out everything that has yesterday as the
pull date stamped on it.
(296.3.) Pull your leg:
This memo informed me I was being transferred to Bufflo,
where writer is worse than in almost any other city. Then I saw people
laughing, and I rememberd it was April Fools day my friends were
just pulling my leg.
(296.4.) Pull the plug:
Business has been terrible for six months and is getting worse
everyday, I hate to say this but maybe the best thing to do is pull the
plug and just close up shop for good.
(297.1.) Smell a rat:

89

791.

792.

793.

794.

795.

(1) Whenever that long-haired boy eats here. One of our ash
trays dissappears. Im beginning to smell a rat. Im telling the waiters
to keep a watchful eye on him.
(2) When the policeman saw a light go on in the store at the
midnight, he smelled a rat, he immediately called for help. The police
surrounded the building and arrested three burglars armed with arms.
(297.2.) Smell blood:
(1) Tom certainly smells blood. The governor was his strongest
rival. Now he has decided not to run, Tom has a good chance to win
this election and to go to Washington for six years.
(2) The publicans are smelling blood over the Presidents
Whitewater scandal. It seams the current upproar wont fade away so
easily in congress and the media no matter how hard the president
fights back.
(298.1.) Something smells fishy:
(1) I found this beautiful place, just what I want. But the price is
so low I smell something fishy. There must be a major problem with
basement leaks, or the heating system, or something else is wrong.
(2) My boss has offered me a higher salary if I move to our
branch office. It looks like a good deal but I smell something fishy. We
dont get along and maybe this is just a trick to get rid of me for
good.
(298.2.) Sweet smell of success:
(1) For once in my life Id like to get at least a whiff of the sweet
smell of success. Weve been close to making a whole lot of money
three times, but something has always come along to spoil it.
(2) My friend Hohn knows what the sweet smell of success is,
He had a big house. Three fancy cars and ten million bucks in the
bank. Then the stock market crashed and that sweet smell venished
overnight.
(299.1.) Come up smelling like a rose:
(1) our forward had his worst season this year and the owner
was ready to fire him. But in the US soccer championship he came up
smelling like a rose. He scored two goals including the one that won
the championship.
(2) It looked like Mr. Smiths Career was finished when he was
charged with taking bribes. But he came up smelling like a rose. The
court found him innocent and hes just been re-elected to congress.
(299.2.) Stop and smell the roses:
(1) My hear attact taught me a good lesson. Id been working to
hard, and now its time to learn how to relax and stop and smell the
roses. Now, Im going to take it easy and start enjoying life.
(2) My father had a good long life. He never made a whole lot of
money but his life was richer than what most people have, because
he was wise enough to stop anf smell the roses along the way.

90
796. (300.1.) Rat race:
My, look at the time! Almost two oclock! I got to get back to
the rat race. Ive got clients coming in all afternoon.
797. (300.2.) Treadmill:
Well, it was a great holiday. But Im afraid its back to the
treadmill Monday morning with everybody else. At least I have two
more weeks of vacation at Christmas time.
798. (300.3.) Salt mine:
Ive been working in this place for 29 years. Its a real salt mine
and Im just waiting to finish 30 years and retire and get a good
pension.
799. (301.1.) Foul you own nest:
(1) The mayor could have been elected for ever, But hes
finished now anf may end uo in jail. The papers discovered hed
fouling his own nest by taking bribes to award city contracts.
(2) Everybody tought Larry was lucky to marry Sally, a lovely,
intlligent woman with a good job. But Sally was foolish enough to foul
his own nest by chasing cheap women. So Sally divorced him.
800. (301.2.) Stir up a hornets nest:
(1) Why are you trying to stir up a hornets nest? Our office has
been managed this way for the last twenty years. Dont wast time
complaining about it. Youll just get in a lot of trouble.
(2) The case has stirred p a hornets nest among the press and
congress. Everyone wants to kh\now how this couple got away with
stealing all those secrets for wight years before they got caught.
801. (302.1.) Feather your own nest:
(1) I thought security at the CIA was good and tight. How come
this guy could spy for Russia for so long and feather his own nest with
millio dollars from Moscow? Its really hard to believe.
(2) In his will, Mr. Green told his lawyer to use his money after
he died to build a hospital for the handicapped. Instead, the lawyer
feathered his own nest by using the money to by two apartment
building for hemself.
802. (302.2.) Empty nest:
(1) Your only boy is leaving home pretty soon for colleg, isnt
he? Its going to be tough for the first couple of months once youre
left alone in an empty nest, I tell you It was certainly hard for me!
(2) We get a lot of empty nesters moving to this area. They sell
their big houses they dont need anymore and come here. Warm
weather, clean air, nice people, no crime, you name it! The perfect
place for you!
803. (303.1.) Ball up:
Im all balled up about how to use this new software. Three
people have tried to show me how it works, but each one has a
diffrerent explanation on how to use it.

91
804. (303.2.) Have a ball:
Well, you sure had a ball at the party, didnt you? Dancing anf
talking and drinking with all those people I didnt know. Tpp bad you
dindt have any time to spend with me!
805. (303.3.) Ball of fire:
Jimmy was just an average student in school, and nobody
thought hed do much with his life. But Im glad to say he turned out
to be a ball of fire in the real estate business.
806. (304.1.) Have a lot on the ball:
True, Tammy hasnt published a book for ten years. But I
believe she still has a lot on the ball as a writer. And Im sure the
critics will see that when her new book comes out this winter.
807. (304.2.) Keep the ball rolling:
Mr. Smith started out by telling the group about his own painful
experience with drugs. The loosens people up and they tell their own
stories and keep the ball rolling.
808. (304.3.) Ballpark figure:
According to my ballpark figure the monthly mortage payment
is about 1400 dollars. Since both of us work I think we can handle it
Okay. So, what do you say? Should we go ahead and buy the place.
809. (305.1.) Have a bear by the tail:
All Joe tried to do was end the fight between his two sisters, but
he ended up holding a bear by the tail. The whole family got mad at
him and now nobody well even speak to the poor guy.
810. (305.2.) A bear for work:
Most of us think physics is the hardest subject in school. But not
Tom. Hes a real bear for physics and get straight As. In fact, he
majors in it and wants to teach it later on.
811. (305.3.) Bulls and bears:
Most people I know on Wall street think the market is headed
up, but my friend Green is a real bear. Hes looked hard at it and
predicts it will drop 200 points in the next 30 days.
812. (306.1.) Cut a deal:
After six months of secret negociation the two airlines
announced today they have cut a deal to share their domestic and
international routes and increase their joint share of traffic to Europe
and Asia.
813. (306.2.) A raw deal:
Old Mr. Green sure got a raw deal from that outfit where hed
worked for 30 years. When times got hard and they had to cut staff,
they fired him with two weeks notice and only two weeks of
severance pay.
814. (306.3.) Shady deal:

92

815.

816.

817.

818.

819.

820.

821.

The papers are asking the city council to investigate the roads
commissioner. They thnk hes cut some shady deals with contractors
who paid him bribes under the table to get contracts to repair city
roads and bridges.
(306.4.) Sweet heart deal:
I think its a mistake for the governor to lett state agencies give
so much business to his brothers law firm. Itll mean trouble later. It
looks to much like a sweetheart deal.
(307.1.) Air your dirty line in public:
(1) Talking about your marital problems has long been regarded
as airing your dirty linen in public. Thats one major obstacle facing
women in a getting effective protection against abusive spouses.
(2) Some people think TV and the press have gone too far in
airing the dirty line of high officials in public. They wonder whatever
happened to the right of privacy in this country.
(307.2). Clear the air:
(1) Lets clear the air about that silly argument we had last
week, We both got mat and said things we didnt really mean, So why
dont we shake hans and forget about it?
(2) There have been growing calls for clearing the air over the
Whitewater affair. Thats why the president agreed to an independent
counsel to look into the whole business.
(308.1.) Pull out of thin air:
(1) The compay is flat broke. Unless the boss can pull
something out of thin air and borrow a lot of money by Friday, well
have to fle for bankcruptcy and Ill have to look for other work.
(2) Susan is one of the best script writers in TV. Shell take an
absolutely hopeless script by someone else, pull some new ideas out
of thin air, and end up with a first class show.
(308.2.) Give somebody the air:
(1) Even after she saw Randy out having a good time with
another girl, Mary told her friends that she could never give him the
air. It reminds me of that old sying Love makes people blind.
(2) I hate to tell you this, Joe, but most of your friends think you
ought to give Cynthia the air right now. Shes just too snobbisj for a
regular guy like you.
(309.1.) Come up for air:
(1) Oh boy, Ive spent a whole day working on my tax return. I
still have more to do, but I simply have to come up for air. Lets go
out for dinner so I can forget about taxes for a little while.
(2) My roommate can sit and study for three or four hours I
have to get up and get a coke or a snack, or just walk around for a
while.
(309.2.) Leave up in the air:

93

822.

823.

824.

825.

826.

827.

828.

829.

830.

831.

(1) When the president was assasinated, the question of

leadership was left up in the air. The another general marched his
troops out to grab power and made himself a dictator.
(2) Her fiance asked Mary to wait for him until he comes back
home with his doctors degree. But six months later he left her up in
the air by marrying some woman he met in the US.
(310.1.) Penny pincher:
That old man I was talking to retired with 20 million dollars in
the bank. But he is such a penny pincher that he still buys clothes
second hand and drives a car he bought 20 years ago.
(310.2.) Penny-wise:
Our boss is penny-wise. He makes sure thar we dont throw
away rubber bands and paper clips. But hes not so good when it
comes to big things like buying the best computer system.
(310.3.) A pretty penny:
Have you seen the new car our neighbors bought this week?
Its a Mercedes, and Ill bet it cost a pretty penny. I would guess at
least 45,000 dollars.
(311.1.) No brainer:
Everybody knows its smart to sell stocks when they start to go
down and buy when they start go up. Thats a real no brainer. Even a
moron can figure it out.
(311.2.) Push the envelope:
Test pilots often have to put themselves in danger. Sometimes
they have push the envelpoe to see whether a newly designed plane
can meet the limits that the designers planned.
(311.3.) Cut to the chase:
Okey, Ive heard enough about all the details of this deal. Now
lets cut to the chase. How much money are you gowing to want for
my share and whats in it for me.
(312.1.) Aces high:
Its a pleasure doing business with Mr. Smith. He always gives
us a big order and pays for the goods as soon as he gets our
shipment. One of our best customers Hes aces high with me!
(312.2.) An ace in the hole:
Jack Roe will win because he has a real ace in the hole. Its still
a secret, but the governor will endorse him publicly next week and
that mean a lot extra votes.
(312.3.) Within an ace of winning:
Im really proud of our girls because nobody thought they had a
chance and we came withing an ace of winning the game. It was that
last-second basket that beat us by just a point.
(313.1.) All in the same boat:

94

832.

833.

834.

835.

836.

(1) When the steel plant shut down, we were all in the same
boat. The workers had no jobs, and this meant the shops had no
business. This hit everybody in town and it was really tough all
around.
(2) Lets stop fighting with each other! Nobody in this room can
survive a scandal like this if the media finds out. Were all in the
same boat. If you want to save your job, keep your mouth shut!
(313.2.) All wrapped up:
(1) You know the auto parts maker in Detroit weve been trying
to set up a joint venture with? Well, the deal is all wrapped up. I just
got a call that they agree to our terms and will sign the contract
Monday.
(2) Plans for the subway system that Tysons Corner wants are
all wrapped up. Work will start soon and the system will be
completed in about ten years.
(314.1.) All over but the shouting:
(1) They are still counting the ballots, but its certain Hillary
Clinton will become the first former presidents wife to win a senate
seat in New York. Its all over but the shouting, although the results
wont be official for several hours yet.
(2) The Redskins are ahead by 15 points, and we have only one
minute to go to the end of the game. Its all over but the shouting
now , and the Skins are going to the Superbowl.
(314.2.) All hell breaks loose:
(1) When tribal fighting got intense, all hell broke loose in
Rwanda. Look at the mobs of refugees that fled to Tanzania!
Hundreds of thuosands of frightened people crossed the border to
escape the killing.
(2) the Watergate scandal became public back in 1973 all hell
broke loose in the White House. Some people on the presidents
staff tried to cover it up, but the affair finally made Mr. Nixon resign
from office.
(315.1.) All dressed up with no place to go:
(1) I got a haircut, a shoe-shine and put on my best suit. Then
Sally called and said her mother was sick so she couldnt go to the
prom with me. There I was, all dressed up with no place to go!
(2) The contract is ready to be signed and we are all set to go
to work. But Im afraid were all dressed up with no place to go. The
board of directors just told us to wait until they look it over one more
time.
(315.2.) All the traffic will bear:
(1) This young guy charges all the traffic will bear, at least
three times what it would cost anywhere else. But its hot and
everybody is thirsty so theyll pay their money.

95

837.

838.

839.

840.

841.

842.

843.

844.

845.

846.

(2) Its a high crime area and Kim has the only food store for
miles around. He charges all the traffick will bear. But hes the only
one with the courage to do business here. Just be happy hes around.
(316.1.) Scrape the bottom of the barrel:
Our boss is cheap and wont pay the standard wage for help in
our office. So we have to scrape the bottom of the barrel and end up
hiring secretaries who cant type or spell.
(316.2.) Have someone over a barrel:
I really dont want to work during summer vacation. Id rather
loaf around the house and take it easy. But dad has me over a barrel:
If I dont take a job he wont pay my tuition to go to college.
(316.3.) Give someone both barrels:
I only got a block from the garage when my car broke down
again. I was so mad I went back to the mechanic and gave him both
barrels. I made him agree to fix the trouble for free.
(317.1.) Fish story:
When the fisherman told the townspeople he had seen a
beautiful mermaid on a rock in the river, they knew it was just a fish
story, but the story was so charming that they built a statue to her.
(317.2.) Sob Story:
The guy told me a real sob story, how he was catching a train
to get to his moms funeral but somebody had stolen his wallet. I
didnt know whether it was true or not but I gave him a dollar anyway.
(317.3.) Shaggy dog story:
People leave the room when they see Andy coming. He loves to tell shaggy dog
stories that drag on for a long time. And when he finally gets to the end the stories
never really make much sense.
(318.1.) Cock and bull story:
After Bill didnt come home for three days he told his wife he
was away on a secret mission for the government. But thats just a
cock and bull story. I think he was off with some woman.
(318.2.) Cover story:
The F.B.I. agent got just close enough to the crooked stock
broker to watch him and his friends. The cover story she told him was
that she was a newspaper reporter doing a story on Wall Street.
(318.3.) Inside story:
The North Korean dictator keeps telling the world hes not
building an atomic bomb. But his country is so closed off nobody in
the outside world knows the real inside story.
(319.1.) Button Your Lip:
(1) The boss tells me if I want to keep working here Id better
button my lip about his plan to promote this accountant. But Im
afraid hed risk his own career because you cant trust that guy. So I
dont know what I should do.

96

847.

848.

849.

850.

851.

852.

853.

(2) The smartest idea might be to button up your lip like the
boss says. You have everything now, a happy family and a good job.
Dont bother with problems at work. Enjoy your life outside the office
(319.2.) On The Button:
(1) When my friend Dick predicted that the local soccer team
would win by two goals, he was right on the button even if the team
didnt score their last goal until the game was almost over.
(2) technology weather forecasting is certainly more accurate
than it used to be. For example in the last five days the weather
service has been right on the button predicting record high
temperatures and evening showers on the east coast of the U.S.
(320.1.) Buttoned-down:
(1) I see in the papers that most of the buttoned-down
executives on Wall Street have gone casual with short sleeve shirts
and no ties. Just another reflection of the informal age, I guess.
(2) Hes been one of the most conservative, buttoned-down
members of Congress. But he must have had a change of heart
because hes come out in support of a womans right to choose
abortion.
(320.2.) Buttonhole:
(1) I really wanted to buttonhole Mary after that meeting! She
had promised me shed keep quiet this time. But as usual she ended
up doing most of the talking.
(2) Keep away from Dick this morning! Hes back from vacation
and trying to buttonhole everybody to tell them about what he did.
Hell bore you for half an hour if you give him half a chance.
(321.1.) Dog Tired:
I stayed up all night to finish a history essay, and this morning
my coach made me run five miles in the sweltering heat. Man, Im so
dog tired I cant even walk.
(321.2.) Go to the dogs:
My dad has really gone to the dogs since he lost his job at the
auto plant. All he does now is hang around the house, watch TV and
drink beer.
(321.3.) Rain cats and dogs:
Bob and Susan were just about to exchange marriage vows
when there was a crack of thunder, and it started to rain cats and
dogs. Everyone at the wedding was soaked and the cake was ruined.
(322.1.) To rope someone in:
(1) The health club owner admitted that he roped in young girls
with ads in college papers saying they could join the club for free. But
it was all a trap to sign them up for a long-term, expensive
memebership.

97

854.

855.

856.

857.

858.

859.

(2) Im afraid shes been completely roped in by that loser! You

see, hes got no family and no money. I always believed she was
smart. How can I accept such a marriage! Im so dissappointed her!
(322.2.) At the end of your rope:
(1) With his sayings gone and bills piling up, Tom was at the end
of his rope. Then the good news arrived! A lawyer told him he was
heir to ten million dollars worth of land belonging to his late uncle.
(2) Mary is at the end of her rope. Since her husband lost his
job last year, shes been the sole breadwinner for her family. And now
the doctor says she has cancer. What in the world she can do?
(323.1.) To learn the ropes:
(1) The best way to learn the ropes about politics is to do
volunteer work for a candidate for city office. Youll do everything
from passing out compaign leaflets to arranging political rallies.
(2) Youve worked here ten years now and youve certainly
learned the ropes of running a convinience store. Youre now ready to
be trained as assistant manager for all our stores in the state.
(323.2.) To know the ropes:
(1) Mr, Smith knows the ropes of bureaucracy. He usually writes
better performamce reports about his favorites his favorites than
they deserve just to kepp them loyal to him personally.
(2) Nobody knows the ropes about auto business better than
my uncle Joe. He has been selling cars for thirty years and hes
become an expert at closing deals with customers.
(324.1.) On the ropes:
(1) When this big supermarket opened, it undercut existing
prices and offered mor variety of ethnic foods. Most of the small
shops were on the ropes in a short time and sime have already
closed.
(2) We ought to do something to cheer Mary up. Shes really on
the ropes these days. Shes got passed over for promotion, and a few
days later her husband had a stroke and is still in the hospital.
(324.2.) Enough rope to hang yourself:
(1) Sally is not doing well on this project, but well just stand by
and let her struggle with all the problems. Maybe, well give her
enough rope to hang herself, she will be off the job.
(2) We could ask the chairman to limit the debate. But lets give
him enough rope to hang himself. Let him talk as long as he wants.
The longer he talks the more votes he will lose.
(325.1.) To fight tooth and nail:
(1) When Susan took her case against the company to court,
people in the office were afraid to testify on he behalf. But she went
ahead anyhow. She fought tooth and nail, and won.

98

860.

861.

862.

863.

864.

865.

866.

867.

(2) The townspeople fought tooth and nail against the

governments plan to build the plant. And I, happy to say this
grassroots effort paid off. The government had to give up the plan.
(325.2.) To fight to the bitter end:
(1) Mrs. Lee fought to the bitter end to keep her house, the only
one left after the developers tore down all th others. But after five
years the gave up and took the money and moved.
(2) Ok! A lot of Americans fought to the bitter end to keep the
country from getting into World War Two. But after the Japanese
attact on Pearl Harbor, America had no choice but to go to war.
(326.1.) You cant figh city hall:
(1) Mark spent a whole morning trying to straighten thew fifty
dollars mistake. But after four hours he finally got fed up and simply
paid it. I guess you cannt fight city hall.
(2) O.K! Brenda tried to get a stop-light put in at the
intersection after so many accidents. Peole laughed and said you
cans fight city hall, but she kept after the council and finally got her
light.
(326.2.) Spoiling for a fight:
(1) Be careful! The boss is still mad about losing the contract. I
can tell hes spoiling for a fight. So dont say anything that will give
him an excuse to start yelling at everybody in sight.
(2) Senator Jones came back spoiling for a fight. He thinks the
other party used unfiar tactics trying to beat him so he cant wait to
make trouble for them.
(327.1.) Legal eagle:
We never thought much of Bill in law scholl because he only got
average grades, But he turned out to be a reall legal eagle. In fact
hes so good he charges four hundred dollars an hours.
(327.2.) Rain maker:
Our law firm needs more business, so we got Mr. Lee aa our
rain-maker lawyer last year. You know, he doubled our income and we
had so many work now that weve hired four more lawyers.
(327.3.) Ambulance-chaser:
Since Sally got hurt in the exploison, shes had so many calls
from ambulance-chasers wanting to help her sue the company that
she had to change her phone number.
(328.1.) Tongue lashing:
When I was ten years old my mother caught me smoking a
cigarette in the backyard. She gave me such a tongue-lashing that
Ive never touched another cigarette all my life.
(328.2.) Slip of the tongue:
Im in trouble at home. I called my wife Susan last night
instead of Betty. Susan is my old girlo friend. Just a slip of the
tongue, but Betty is so mad she wont speak to me.

99
868. (328.3.) Forked tongue:
Dont trust that guy. He usually speaks with a forked tongue.
Hell promise you to do noe thing, but more often tha not hell turn
around and do exactly the opposite.
869. (329.1.) Waiting for another shoe to drop:
Business is bad so the firm has to fire 100 employees. They
have already announced the first 50, and now the rest of us are
waiting for the other shoe to drop.
870. (329.2.) The jury is still out:
Well, the first sales figures from New York look good. But weve
waiting to hear the figures from Shicago and Los Angeles. So I have
to tell you the jury is still out.
871. (329.3.) It is not over till the fat lady sings:
You guys know we are only two games behind the leader with
eight games left to play. We still have a chance to catch up.
Remember, its not over till the fat lady sings.
872. (331.1.) To call to account:
(1) Why cant the responsible officials he called to acount for
the Aldrich Ames case? Something must be terribly wrong if they let
one of their own people spy on them for eight years!
(2) The opposition partyasked that new mayor be called to
account for warning that the bridge might not be safe.
873. (331.2.) To square an account with someone:
(1) Marys trying to square her account with the cable company.
She believed they billed her a wrong monthly basic charge. Instead of
$16.75 they want her to pay $33.75 a month for six months.
(2) Its unbelievable how easy it is to square an account with a
credit card company here in the US once you show them their
mistake. It certainly wouldnt be like that back home.
874. (332.1.) To take into account:
(1) We need to take into account whos behind the candidate.
The same corrupt crowd who have controlled the city hall for 20 years
and want to keep on ripping off us taxpayers.
(2) Lets take into account her record before we ask her to
come in as our partner. Remember the last two places she managed
went to bunkrupt in a year! And that really scares me.
875. (332.2.) To have an acount to settle:
(1) I still have an account to settle with that guy. I cant forget
how he spread all those nasty rumors about one when we were after
the same job. Sooner or later, Ill pay him back for that.
(2) That old man certainly settled accounts with those nephews
and nieces who never come to see him. When he died, he left all his
money to cancer research and they never saw o\a penny of it.
876. (333.1.) To get up the nerve:

100
(1) Im trying to get up the nerve to walk in and tell Mr. Green I
want a 20 percent raise, or else Ill look for another job where theyll
pay me what Im realy worth.
(2) Ive been going with Susan for three years, and Im crazy
about her. For six months Ive been trying to work the nerve up to ask
her to marry me, bu Im afraid all shell do is laugh.
877. (333.2.) A lot of nerve:
(1) Youve really got a lot of nerve telling me I spend to much
money when youre out every night drinking, playing poker, and for I
all know chasing other women.
(2) Of all the nerve! How dare you criticize me for being late
this morning? Youre the one who sneaks out half an hour early, At
least I work full eight hours everyday!

================= **** ================

English Idioms
Of American Style

(Original)
Idiom I:
Hadware ID = ID1P.3FEBFBFF00000F13
CD key = 5434.698296880645
Registering Code = 5180 5252 5280 8480 8150.

101
Authentic code (AC): 3382-1750-2041-7106-3652
Idiom II:
Authentic code (AC): 3382-1750-2041-7106-3652
001.1. A slap on the wrist:
These four students got caught sneaking a cow into the deans office.
Three got expelled but the fourth got a slap on the wrist, a weeks
suspension. People say his dead is a wealthy man has given money to build
a new gymnasium.
001.2. Eat crow:
Honey, you know how Larry always brags about what a grea player
he is and how he beats anybody around. Well, today I beat him 3 straight
sets and really made him eat crow.
001.3. To short circuit:
My mother stayed up all night cooking for all our relaitves and
friends. But when the day came a terrible thunderstorm short cicuited all
our plans and we had to eat inside the home.
002.1. To pul strings:
At first, they said I wasnt qualified enough to get the job. However,
after my uncle who owns stocks in the company called there and pulled
strings, I was hired wright away.
002.2. To string someone along:
The salesman assured me that the used car I was buying in perfect
condition. But on he way home the car broke down. Thar guy was stringing
me all along the whole time.
002.3. To hold the purse strings:
I cant buy anything without my fathers approval. He is the one who
holds the purse strings in my family and he is very stingy with his money. I
think its the time for me to get a job.
002.4. Second string:
The Lakers have been forced to use second string players ever since
their stars were hurt early in the season. The team has hardly won a game
since. They were really lousy.
003.1. Eyes are bigger than stomach:
Everytime we have pizza I take way too much. Last time I couldnt
finish it, but I still ate so much I had to throw up. I guess you could say my
eyes are bigger than my stomach.
003.2. Butterflies in your stomach:
When Jennifer came in for her job interview at the law firm she had
plenty of butterflies in her stomach. Lucklily, the interview went well and
she got the job.
003.3. Bellyache:
When I asked Joe to type the report, he complained about his sore
fingers. Then when I asked him to go an errand downtown he said his feet
hurt. When I invited him to the office party, he said parties always depress
him. That guy is always bellyaching about something.
003.4. Belly up:

102
I worked for a company that always made money so I thought my job
was safe. But the company run into hard times and finally went belly up. So
now I have to find another job.
004.1. Bone of contention:
Who got to use the family care was the bone of contention between
Jo and Betty from the day they got back from their honeymoon. I fact it was
the reason for their devorce.
004.2. Make no bones about it:
When Mary asked me what I think of her poetry I made no bones
about it. I told her that its too gloomy and passimistic and needed more
polish. Now of course she is mad at me.
004.3. Have a bone to pick with:
Joe, Im afraid tha I have a bone to pick with you. Frankly I dont like
the last ad you designed for us. Whars the good time for you to come over
to my office to talk about it.
005.1. To feel in your bones:
I feel in my bones that Tim will imprint his name in history some day.
Not only he is brilliant in his own field, but also has his rare sense of
responsibility to all humanity.
005.2. To bone up:
I hear how hard those Asian students have to bone up for theit
college entrance exams. They study a lot more than us with little time for
fun. But I guess the results are probably worth it.
005.3. To throw a bone to someone:
The company gave another man the promotion Brian expected. But
they threw him a bone. They sent him to head up a branch office way off in
Iowa. And thats a dead-end job nobody wanted.
006.1. All that:
Hey, I tell you I am all that. Jve got the best looking girlfriend, the
nicest car, thwe biggest house and the most friends. Did I mention that I
am incredibly modest.
006.2. Fly:
Gentlemen, I think Im in love. Look over there, see that girl in
miniskirts? She is so fly. Im going to go and ask her out.
006.3. To perpetrate:
That guy Franki is always perpetrating. He always bragging about
how his girlfriend is really fly, but the only woman Ive seen him with is his
mother. He is just a lier.
006.4. To be ghost:
Boy, am I late! The train to the city leaves in only twenty minutes. Im
just going to eat a quick breafast, and Iam ghost.
007.1. Buy a pig in a poke:
My brother bought a pig in a poke. He bought an ocean front property
in Florida from a from a phony salesman. It was on the ocean alright. In
fact, at high tide it was six feet under water.
007.2. To buy for a song:

103
You have to be careful when you buy a used car. But I bought this
Ford (1 for a song, about half of what I expected to pay. And Ive had a good
luck with it. It runs like a new car.
007.3. Buy it:
This guy is always telling people about all the medals he won for
bravery during the war. But I just happen to know he never even got
overseas. He spent the whole war as a supply clerk at an army base in
Texas.
007.4. Buy the farm:
Bill was the best pilot I knew when I was in the Air Force. But he
bought the farm when his plane was hit by anti aircraft fire twos days
before the end of the war.
008.1. Hard sell:
I want a cheap car without a lot of extras. But the salesman gave me
a hard sell so I ended up with stuff I didnt need like leather seats, a sun
roof, and a lot of other things.
008.2. Sel a bill of goods:
My friends, my opponent is selling you a bill of goods when he
promises to spend more money on schools and cut taxes. You ask him how
he can spend more money without raising taxes.
008.3. Sell down the river:
Our boss promised hed never sell our company to another firm. But
when he got a good offer, he sold us down the river, and the new owners
brought in their own people and fired us.
008.4. Sell someone short:
Dont sell that man short. He may not look like it, but hes one of the
smartest lawyers in town. Youd be wise to hire him if youre in trouble. He
seldom loses a case.
009.1. Fib:
Johnny tells everybody he got straight As last September. Im afraid
hes telling a fib. I happen to know he got at least a B, but he is too
embarassed to admit it.
009.2. White lie:
I told Sally a white lie when she asked me how I liked her new party
dresss. I didnt like the color or the design but when O saw how happy she
was with it, I told her it looked great.
009.3. Lie in your teeth:
When the defendant says he didnt shoot the woman, hes lying in his
teeth. His figerprints were on the gunand he was standing over the body
when the police arrived.
009.4. Whopper:
Joe went fishing on Moon lake. He came back all wet without his rod
and reel and told a real whopper. He said he caught a fish so big it pulled
him out of the boat and swam off with his rod and reel.
010.1. Hunker down:

104
I still remember my college days. Most of us had a lot of fun during
the first two years. But after that we really had to hunker down and study
hard to graduate.
010.2. Hold the high ground:
I know we can win this election fight. We hold the high ground
because we have more campaign money and more popular candidat the
the other party.
010.3. Trench warfare:
Tony lost both his parents very young and wa brought up by his uncle
in a poor neighborhood where crime and drugs were common. Life was
trench warfare for him, always a struggle.
011.1. Slapdash:
Hohn, Im afraid I have to give you a failing grade for your term
paper. Im sorry but its to slapdash. It looks like you wrote it at the last
minute without any serious research.
011.2. Across the board:
Because of tighter budgets, federal agencies face losing staff with
across the board cutbacks. This means that every US government agency
will be affected at al levels.
011.3. Back of the envelope:
Mrs Wood, if you ask me what it will cost you to put in these cabinets,
my back of the envelope figure will be $1,500. It could be more, of course
depending on the design you want.
012.1. Out to lunch:
John, you really have to pay more attention. I just went over the topic.
You must have been out to lunch with your mind a thousand miles away.
Okay, Ill go over it one more time.
012.2. Backed into the corner:
With the government cutting jobs these days, Im backed into the
corner. My job as a manager is most likely to be abolished. Either I retire
early or get pushed down to a lower grade.
012.3. Spell out:
Mr. Brown, you say our companys policy might chang in the near
future to adjust the needs of the market. As staffers, were concerned.
Could you spell out what plans you have in mind.
013.1. In the cahoots with:
The warehouse security guard was in the cahoots with the gang that
stole hundreds of cases of cigarettes and whisky. He gave them the key to
the building and in return they paid him well.
013.2. Lip service:
Im sure the mayor of our city will lose in his reelection did this fall.
Solemn promises now is lip service.
013.3. Hare brained:
A lot of people thought it was a hare-brained scheme to try to send
people to the moon. But on July 20, 1969 the whole world watched two
astronauts set foot on earths neighbors planet.
014.1. Go bananas:

105
I was on the freeway the other day in this terrible traffic jam.
Suddenly, the guy in the car next tom me jusst went bananas. He was
screaming and yelling and then he crashes hiss Mercedes into my new
BMW! Totally out of control!
014.2. Compare apples and oranges:
Dave says Madonna is the greatest performing artist but Sarah thinks
that Yo Yo Ma is the best. I say they are comparing apples and oranges.
Madonna is a pop singer and Yo Yo Ma is a classical cellist.
014.3. Hear through the grapevine:
I heard through the grapevine that Mark and Julie just broke up. I
cant believe it. I thought they were going to get married. Julies sister
called this morning to give me the bad news.
014.4. Lemon:
Only threee weeks after I bought my new pickup truck, problems
started. Firrst the doors wouldnt close and then the brakes failed. I should
have known the truck wad a lemon when the dealer gave me a five
hundred dollar discount.
015.1. Swing voters:
Its hard for voters worried about the future to choose among ther
three leading candidates. The voting is going to be pretty close and the
swwing votwers will probably decide the outcome.
015.2. Down to the wire:
The race is going down to the wire tonight with all the candidates on
ratio and television making their last appeal to people to vote for them
when the polls open tomorrow.
015.3. In over ones head:
John was very good as vice president of our company. But when he
was promoted to president he found himself in over his head. He simply
couldnt handle all the extra responsibilities.
016. 1. Mission creep:
Results of the opinion poll show that sending troops over to Haiti is
not a popular idea in the US. They can be stuck there for months, ending up
with more respomsibilities. Thats mission creep. Before you know it, you
are deep in it.
016.2. Hotbed:
That area of the inner city is really a hotbed for crimes. Why, just the
other day, my roommate was robbed in broad daylight just one block away
from the police station.
016.3. Well-heeled:
Judging by their styke of life, you know the Jones are well-heeled.
They send their kids to a private school, do a lot of entertaining and travel
abroad every summer.
017. 1. Football widow:
Jean, lets play bridge or go shopping this weekend. Im sick of being
a football widow. Every Sunday, John and his buddies stay glued to the TV
watching the games all day. Sometimes I wonder if he even remember I
exist.

106
017.2. Nail-biter:
The merger of our two companies is a real nail-biter. We are worried
about keeping our jobs. I sure wish these big shots settle everything so
they can tell is whats going to happen.
017.3. Back on track:
My niece used to be anorexic. Thats an eating disorder that makes
you feel that you are overweight. So you end up starving yourself. But now
she is married and back on track, eating three healthy meals everyday.
018.1. Running scared:
Im going dropping too low in the public opinion polls. That Mr. Green
running against me is doing a lot better than expected. Time to run scared.
Ill have to go call on voters door to door,
018.2. Spin your wheels:
Joe has a lot of ideas, but he cant organize them, so he always ends
up spinning hiss wheels. Most of his collegues have managed to get
promoted but hes still stuck in the samw old job.
018.3. Bumper crop:
Weve had so much rain this summer that Im afraid well have a
bumper crop of mosquitoes this year. Good for mosquitoes, off course, but
not good for us.
019.1. Go south:
The ad compaign for our company has been running for six weeks
now. But its not increasing sales and its getting pretty expensive. So weve
decided to go south and drop it. Weve asking another ad agency to design
a new compaign for us.
019.2. To get cold feet:
I took Mary out to dinner to ask her to marry me. But at the last
minute I got cold feet. I asked myself Wait a minute! Is this the woman I
want to to spend the rest of my life with?.
019.3. To cool their heels:
I had a bad day, Honey! The boss was mad for a different reason, but
kept me cool my heels for two wholr hours before calling me into his office
to ask about the Jones file.
020.1. Hogwash:
My opponent says I spenf official funds on personal travel. Thats
nothing but hog wash. That man throws all this hogwash at you. Because
he has no program of his own to talk about.
020.2. Take the point:
We all want to ask for a raise but we are afraid to ask Mr. Lee. But,
Betty has volunteered to take the point and go in to talk to him for us. Now
theres a brave woman!
020.3. Walk a tighrope:
Joes job keeps him at the office at least 60 hours a week. So he has
to wwalk a tighrope. He has to make sure he has enough time also for hiss
wife and six kids.
021.1. Behind the 8 ball:

107
We are realy behind the 8 ball. We need to borrow money to stay our
business. But the banks weve gone to so far have turned us down. If we
dont find a bank soon well go bankrupt.
021.2. Dear John letter:
I thought my girl loved me enough to wait for me to come back
home. But I guess its all over. I got a dear John letter saying she has met
another guy and they are getting married next week.
021.3. Pay back time:
Now at last its pay back time. I have finally managed to buy more
than half the stock in this crooks compay. And I am going to take control
ans toss him out on the street where he belongs.
022.1. Jump the gun:
Im sorry! I shouldnt have jump the gun by announcing our plans to
buy out that company. Now that I let the news out so early, that company
will want a higher price from us.
022.2. Stick your neck out:
Joe, dont stick our neck out by hanging around with that gang down
the streets. You know the skip school, get into fights with other gangs and
always have trouble from the crops.
022.3. Grit your teeth:
Taking care of a family, working eight hours a day and rushing to
evening classes twice a week is tough for Mary. But she grits her teeth and
handles everything as best as she can. She is one tough lady.
023.1. Go bananas:
Laura has dyed her hair purple, has a nose ring, and spends most of
her time listening to loud music. I tell you that kid is driving us bananas. I
cant wait for her to grow up.
023.2. Start off on the wrong foot:
I sure started on the wrong foot on my first day at work. I was an hour
late. Whats more, I pumped into someone in the hall and spilled his cofee.
Guess who it was. Yes, my boss!.
023.3. Sleeping point:
These falling market price have me so worried. I cant sleep at night.
Im trying to sell my stocks off until I reach the sleeping point, but it really
hurts. Im losing money on every share.
024.1. Across the board:
Coming this new year, all federal employees in Washington will
receive an across board locality pay adjustment of a small percentage. Its
not much, but I guess its better than nothing.
024.2. Raise a red flag:
When politicians start about cutting back on social security benefits
or health insurance, this raises a red flag for ols workers who flood
Congress and the White House with angy letters of protest.
024.3. At the drop of a hat:
Gene never hesitates to help anybody in trouble. Once when a car
ahead of hime ran off the road, hit a tree and burst into flames, he jumped
out of his car at the drop of a hat and pulled the driver out of the wreck.

108
025.1. Peanut gallery:
This time Im making a film because I like the script ans it says
something serious about life. It may not be popular up in the peanut
gallery, but Im not going to let the folks up there tell me what kinds of
picture I should make.
025.2. Give no quarter:
Politics is a tough business! The winners usually give no quarter to
the losers. Look at how the people who have worked for losing officials are
kicked out on the street without work.
025.3. Draw the line:
I really dont care about money or power. But I felt we have to draw
the line somewhere to let the members of the other party know that this is
how far they can go and no farther.
026.1. Gimmick:
What started out last year as a gimmick by our airline to fill empty
seats on slow days has turned into a popular holiday program. The bargain
fare we offered brought thousands of shoppers to the Mall of America.
026.2. Scope out:
Well, you might say we are being extravagant in flying to the biggest
shopping mall in America. But Tom and I really scoped the mall out. We
checked the prices of all the items on our gift list and got them at real
bargain prices.
026.3. Elbow room:
Just look at that crowd! Theres scarcely enough elbow room to move
around. Johns parties are great, but I certainly wish he wouldnt invite
many guests.
027.1. Jump start:
Jones started a boat building business. He makes fine boats but he
started without enough capital, he needs new investors to give him the
jump start he needs to get established.
027.2. Cracker jack:
John is a cracker jack in the ad business and hes done well at sevaral
top companies. With his experience and creative skills, my guess is hell be
a multi-millionair in the next few years.
027.3. Up and coming:
Have you read Marys story in todays paper? This is the second time
in a week her stories made the front page. Shes really an up and coming
reporter.
028.1. Ghost rider:
After this train accident the railroad counted only thirty passengers
hurt. But after few days, the toll had doubled. I tell you, half of the claims
were from ghost riders.
028.2. Koosh:
Jerrys grades havent to good, yo know. Maybe thats why five
companies have already kooshed him when he applied for a job. But he
keeps trying. He is sure theres a job somewhere.
028.3. Snake check:

109
With Publicans in cotrol of Congress, both political parties will make
snake checks on all new bills before they vote. Theyll go over them with a
fine tooth comb, every small details.
029.1. Cloud nine:
Have you seen our friend Bob lately? Hes really up on cloud nine. He
finally worked up the courage to ask Sally to marry him, and believe or not,
she said yes!
029.2. Go the whole nine yards:
I hear for their wedding reception Bob and Sally are going the whole
nien yards, the best hotel, the best food and drink, five hundred guests,
and an expensive live dance band.
029.3. Nine day wonder:
What the name of that guy everybody thought a few years ago would
be the next Elvis Presley? A real nine day wonder. He made one great
album and nobody ever heard from him again.
030.1. Name dropping:
Harry is a real name dropper. He keeps talking about being a good
friend of the president. The truth is that he shook hands with him once at a
political rally along with 500 other people.
030.2. Name calling:
There was more name calling in the campaign for senator than I ever
heard before. If you believed all the nasty names they called each other,
you wouldnt vote for either one.
030.3. The name of the game:
Ok, you guys, I tel you right now that winning is the name of the
game for this team starting right now. Im going to be tough on you. Cice
guys finish last, and Im not a nice guy.
031.1. Nail down:
Im in Chicago, Mr. Lee. And I have a good news. Ive nailed down a
contract to sell a thousand vacuum cleaners. The customer signed all
papers and Ive already faxed them back to you.
031.2. As hard as nails:
They offered me a good job at the company but I hear that the boss is
as hard as nails. One little mistake and youre out on the street the next
day looking for a new job.
031.3. Another nail in the coffin:
You realy ought to stop smoking. Every cigarette you light up is
another nail in your coffin. I realize stopping is hard, but if I did you can too.
031.4. Hit the nail on the head:
Thanks, Joe. You hit the nail right on the head when you wanted me to
sell that stock right away. Just in time I sold it at 60 dollars a share before it
dropped down to 18.
032.1. Hacker:
A hacker was arrested for cracking the computer code of a large bank
just to see whether he could do it. But he didnt take any data, so the just
let him off with a stern warning.
032.2. Geek:

110
I know theres this idea out there we are a bunch of geeks. But its
just not true. We love computers and spend a lot of time on them. Apart
from this, we are pretty normal guys.
032.3. Snail mail:
Its still a week from Valentines Day so I send a card to Susie by snail
mail. But on the Valentines Day Ill send a massage by E-mail just to let her
know how much I miss her on that very day.
033.1. Talking heads:
For myself, I never watch those talking heads show. Give me a footlall
gamee or a muder story any day! I want plenty of action and suspense, not
just a lot of talk.
033.2. Sound bites:
Ratings are up lately for our TV news because we are using shorter
sound bites. We look as hard as we can for bites that attract attention fast
and dont bore our audience.
033.3. Stake out:
When I wake up and look outside, there are the reporters waiting on
stake out. I go to court and they follow me right into the elevator or yell
questions. I tell you, ruining my life.
034.1. No dice:
I asked Dad to let me have the car on Saturday, but he said No dice,
son because Im just sixteen. Doesnt he know how important that first day
is (was) ?
034.2. No great shakes:
My trip was no great shakes! I was expecting a major political scoop
but all I got was some routine stories about a local bank scandal.
034.3. No picnic:
Well, I had lot of fun as a freshman, but mu courses really got tough
during my sophomore year and life is no picnic now. I cant even remember
the last time I had a decent date.
035.1. No laughing matter:
John, making fun of Jane in front of the whole class is no a matter of
laughing. She is very sensitive and easy to get hurt.
035.2. No spring chicken:
Hey, I am no spring chicken! I admit it. I am no in my fifties with my
share of winkles here and there. But let me tell you I have no regrets about
the life Ive lived and I plan to continue enjoying it.
035.3. No win situation:
Both my parents are very stubborn so they are in no win situation
wright now. I wish they would try to set aside their differences and talk
them over. After all, they have been married for twenty years.
036.1. Hand in glove:
Our Senators belong to different political parties. But Im glad to say
they always work together and in glove when it comes to getting federal
money for ous state.
036.2. Hand down:

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I am sure Senator Johnson wwill be elected again hand down. Most
people think he has done good job in Congress and nobody has ever heard
of the man who is running against him.
036.3. Hand to mouth:
That poor woman won 10 million dollars in the lottery yesterday must
feel pretty good. She has been living hand to mouth with eight kids and a
husband out of work for three years.
037.1. Back number:
Son, if you are smart youll learn to use a computer while you are in
high school. Anybody who cant use a computer will find he is a back
number when he tries to get a good job.
037.2. His number is up:
For 30 years our congressman has done a pretty good job in
Washinton. But this time I think his number is up. He has a smart young
man running against him with a lot of new ideas.
037.3. Hot number:
A friend let me drive his car and now I know why its such a hot
number. It handles like a dream, it gets up to 90 kilometers in a ink of an
eye, and it looks like an airplane ready to take off.
038.1. Go to pot:
Poor Tom! Since his wife heft him, he has really gone to pot. He drinks
heavily, cant hold a decent job and he also lost so much weight. He is
nothing but skin and bones.
038.2. Sweeten the pot:
I went to ten dealers and bought my car from this one. He sweetened
the pot by offering me $1,000 more for my trade-in than anybody else.
038.3. Pot shot:
Governor Smiths marriage scandal has mad an easy target for his
political rival to take pot chot at him. No wonder he has decided not to run
foe reelection.
039.1. Chew the fat:
Hey, come on in. We are just talking it easy and chewing the fat. Pull
up a chair and sit down. Do you know good, juicy gossip to pass along with
us?
039.2. Fat chance:
I really want to ask Sally out, but I am afraid to ask her. She can have
her choice of any man in this school, a fat chance shed go out on a date
with an ordinary guy like me.
039.3. Fat farm:
I bumped into Jenny in a restaurant yesterday. And she looked at least
10 years younger. Shes been to a fat farm and lost twenty pounds. And she
says she is feeling great.
040.1. Pan out:
Most Americans dream of saving enough money to buy a house and
afford college education for their kids. But that pretty much depends on
how things pan out in life.
040.2. Handpandle:

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I love to travel by subway, but Is, scared of those homeless people
outside who often handpandle! Once one of them followed me for two
blocks until I gave him a few dollars.
040.3. Out of the frying pan and into the fire:
Sure you convinced mom to stop those boring violin lessons! But that
mad it easier to sell us to Sunday School.Dont you realize we have jumped
out of the frying pan and into the fire.
041.1. Dress down:
(1) I gave John a good dressing down for being stardy to class three
days in row. Whats more, he will also have to stay after school and do
some extra home works.
(2) I look forward to Fridays because thats when we can dress down,
I just put on my old jeans, tee-shirt and tennis shoes. What a relief not to be
wearing a necktie.
041.2. Dress up:
I hate to go wedding! My wife always makes me dress up in a threepiec suit, and I have to shine my shoes and all that stuff.
041.3. Dress to kill:
I really thought that Id to be the center of attention at the dance
because I was dressed to kill. But everybody else was dress in his best. So I
was just one of the crowd.
042.1. Raincheck:
I would love to go to the movies with you Ben. I am sorry Im busy
tonight, but Ill take a rain check on it.
042.2. Rainmaker:
Dave, our business is getting worse every month. Its time to look for
a rainmaker who knows how to bring in new business and turn the situation
around for us.
042.3. Rainy day:
When I gor a big bonus from the office, I thought about taking a long
vacation in California. But I decided instead to put the money in the bank
for a rainy day when I really need it.
043.1. Horse laugh:
Rocky sat down at her table, then jumped up quickly. The girl told him
not to bother. He came back, his face red. We gave hin a horse laugh. We
enjoyed seeing this guy with his big mouth getting turned down.
043.2. Laugh out of court:
The first scholar who told people the earth was round instead of flat
was laughed out of the court as crazy. But, late scientists proved that he
was absolutely right.
043.3. Have the last laugh:
Well, the two brothers, the Wright brothers, certainly had the last
laugh. The machine really did fly. That day, they started the air age and
history will remember them for a long time.
044.1. Just for laughs:
Hey Joe! Come on and grab your jacket. Lets go out and have a
couple of beers just for laughs.

113
044.2. Laugh up your sleeves:
We were all laughing up our sleeves at Professor White when he was
writing a math problem on the blackboard. He had a rip on the seat of his
pants and nobody wanted to tell him.
044.3. Laugh out of the side of your mouth:
Bill thought he got a real bargain because the car was half of the
normal price. Now he is laughing out of the side of his mouth. The police
told him the car was stolen. So she loses both the car and his money.
045.1. Call the tune:
Helen invited all the compaign workers to her mansion for a victory
party. So, of course she got to call the tune as to who will be invited and
who is asked to make the victory speech.
045.2. Tune in:
I can never tune in on rap music. To me its just noisy waste of time.
Can you tell what they are singing abot? It sounds like some strange foreign
language to me.
045.3. Tune out:
Try to think exactly what you did to make your boss tune you out.
Unless he respects you, again theres not much you can do. Either try
harder to please him or start looking for another job.
046.1. Change your tune:
Tom almost resigned from VOA but changed his tune in a hurry when
he learned he will get promotion soon. But I still wonder how much longer
he can put up with his domineerin boss.
046.2. Out of tune:
He is 76 years old, but its amazing to see that he never seems to be
out of tune with the changing times. He spends a lot of time with young
people and always talks about whats important to them.
046.3. Dance to another tune:
Before he got married, Joe used to be really wild. He spent all his
salary going out and having a good time. But he is dancing to a different
tune now with his beatiful wife Sally and 2 kids.
047.1. Lay all your cards on the table:
First, why dont you lay all your cards on the table? I mean all of your
debts and savings so we can figure out what to do about buying this house.
Youll need a lot of cash uo front.
047.2. Under the table:
In ceratin contries nothing can be done without money changing
hands under the table. This is especially true in places where officialy\l get
paid so little thay have trouble making ends meet.
047.3. Turn the table:
Until this year my colleg had lost 10 footbal games in a row to our
strongest rival. But last Sunday we finally turned the table on them and
crushed them 35 to nothing.
048.1. Top dog:

114
Yes, I am worried. Mr. Brown has been our top dog for 25 years, but
he is retiring. Three of our senior executives are fighting for his job, and
anybody knows who will end up as new top dog.
048.2. Rule the roost:
Mrs Green rules the roost on the school board beacause day afte day
she works so hard for the students and wins the biggest vote in the
elections every two years.
048.3. Wear the pants:
The old man still owns the shop and come to work. But his wife wears
the pants now. She decides what goods to buy, signs the paychecks, and
hire and fire the people who work there.
049.1. To be on your high horse:
To be on your high horse: Since Betty was elected the president of the
womens club, she has ben h\on her hig horse, ordering the rest of us
around like hher personal servants.
049.2. To beat a dead horse:
To beat a dead horse: You are only beating a dead horse when you
talk about your opponent stealing the last election. Thats over and done
with. Its much better to talk about his recors after he got elected.
049.3. Dark horse:
Nobody expected the Democrats would choose Jame Polk to run in
1844. But he was nominated on the eight ballots. Later, this dark horse was
electes in a closed race over a much better known candidate Henry Clay.
050.1. Horse of a different color:
You mean that guy with that beautiful girl is her brother? I thought he
was her boyfriend. Hey! Thats a horse of a different color. Ill go ask her for
her phone number.
050.2. Horse and buggy days:
Some people look back tho the horse and buggy days as a better
time than now. But rememeber those were the days before we had movies,
T, mordern medicine and all the other things that make life a lot easier.
050.3. Hold your horse:
Dad, please hold your horse before you get mad at me. It was the
other guys fault. The cop said so. So his insurance company will have to
pay for having the car fixed.
051.1. To be walking on air:
You know! Benie is walking on air about getting that promation to
head our new San Fransisco office. He loves San Francisco and he will make
twice the money he gets paid here.
051.2. In seventh heaven:
Mary and Bob are still in seventh heaven a year after wedding. They
were sweethearts all through college and never looked at anyone else.
They are the happiest people I know.
051.3. A fools paradise:
For 30 years Mike lived in a fools paradise. He thought his business
partner Charley was the most honest man he knew. But one day, Charley
disappeared with all the stores money and left Mike completely broke.

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052.1. To shoot from the hip:
I certainly wouldnt vote for that quy Smith. If the country gets in
trouble, I am afraid he will shoot from his hip without taking time to think.
Which means he will make matter worse.
052.2. To stick to your guns:
Honey, I hear some students at this school are fooling around with
drugs. But I know that you will stick to your guns and keep saying no to
people who want you to try the stuff.
052.3. A Shot in the dark:
Man, I know a flunked this exam cold! I didnt know even half the
answers. All I could do was to take s whole lot of shots in the dark.
053.1. Sitting pretty:
My friend Joe has been poor farmer working hard all his life. But, he is
sitting pretty from now on. A big oil company found a big pool of oil under
his land and to day he is a millionaire.
053.2. ???:
You know my brother Pete? He got lucky and sold some of his stocks
at a huge profit. So he is rolling in clover right now with lots of money to
throw around. But I know Pete. He will be broke in a year and borrowing
money again just to live on.
053.3. Happy as a clam:
My unbcle is retired now and happy as a clam. He jins not rich by any
maens, but his pension is just enough to let him live quietly and visit his
daughter in California every winter.
054.1. Top gun:
Mister Simpson hired several top guns among defense lawyers all ove
America. Remember, they managed to persuade he jury that he was not
guilty.
054.2. Off the top of my head:
Senator, off the top of my head, I think I can vote for your bill. But
before I decide, I want to talk to my staff and some voters back home to
see how they feel about it.
054.3. Blow your top:
Young man, dad is certainly going to blow his top when he sees this,
You are failing both in English and algebra, and barely passing almost of
your other courses.
055.1. Let your hair dowm:
The president is so busy and has to mak so many public appearances
that he seldom gets a chance to let his hair down and enjoy life the way the
rest of us can.
055.2. Get in your hair:
Theat kid practising the drums next door every night is getting into
my hair. I am just about at the end of my patience. One of these days I am
going to call the cops and complain.
055.3. Hairy:

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Honey, it was a hairy fligh back form Shicago. One engine quit on me,
my radio wouldnt work, it was snowing hard, realy hairy. To tel you the
truthm I was scared to death.
056.1. Shipshape:
Honey, I learned today the boss really trusts me a lot. He told me he
is leaving me in charge while he goes away on vacation because he knows
that Ill keep things shipshape and running smoothly.
056.2. To run a tight ship:
My sister works for a boss who runs a tight ship. Come five minutes
late and you lose a whole hours pay. The men all have to wear suits and
the women, dress below the knees.
056.3. To jump ship:
We were sure surprised when our vice presiden jumped ship to work
for our biggest competitor. But I cant blame him too much. I hear they are
giving him twice the salary he got here.
057.1. To rock the boat:
Governer, the state is running out of money. But lets not talk about
raising taxes until the election is over. Youll just rock the boat and get the
voters upset with you.
057.2. To hold water:
The accused claimed he was out of town at the time of the murder.
But his story did not hold water after the procecutor showed a videotape of
him pointing a gun at the victim.
057.3. To be left high and dry:
Bill made good money but he spent every dolar he made. When he
was killed in a crash, his family was left high and dry with no insurance and
enough money to pay the rent.
058.1. To be all at sea:
I thought I understood algebra, but I am really all at sea on this
problem here. I just dont understand it. Id sure appreciate a little help, if
you have got the time.
058.2. Loose cannon:
Senator, I dont think Bob is the right man for the job. He is smart but
he is a loose cannon. He opens his mouth without thinking, and you never
know what he might say.
058.3. To square away:
My wife and I are working every night to fix up the store and get the
goods out on display. We want to square everything away by Sunday night
so we can open for business Monday morning.
059.1. Peaches and cream:
Say, did you hear about Sally and Joe? They had a big fight last week
and talk about getting a devorce. But the next day the made up, and now
everything is peaches and cream.
059.2: Sour grapes:
Bill was sure he would be elected class president. But when Marty
beat him, he told us he was glad he didnt get the job because he didnt
have time for it. Thats nothing but sour grapes.

117
059.3. To drive bananas:
Mary spends time playing music, talking on the phone, or admiring
herself in the mirror instead of studying or helping around the house. I tell
you, she is driving us bananas!
060.1. From top to bottom:
Wait until your mother sees that mud on the floor, young man! She
spent all day cleaning the house from top to botton for our party tonigight.
Better clean it up and be quick about ity.
060.2. Rock bottom:
Bill, If you need furniture, I can tell you where ot get it cheap. The
store on Main street is going out of business and they are selling everything
they have at rock bottom price.
060.3. The bottom line:
Joe, they have been debating the farm bill for two weeks now. When
they finish all arguing, what do you think the bottom line will be? Will the
Repubicans or the Democrats win?.
061.1. To smell a rat:
This guy offered to sell me this car real cheap. But it was so cheap I
smell a rat. So I got a friend whos a cop to run a check on it. And sure
enough, it turned out to be stolen.
061.2. The rat race:
I had a good job in New York but it was such a rat race that I never
had the time to enjoy the city. So after two years I quit and got a job back
home where life is a lot more pleasant.
061.3. To rat on someone:
Did you hear how the cops caught that band of bank robbers? They
found one of the bandits and when they questioned him, he ratted on his
friends to save his own skin.
062.1. To pull no punches:
When I saw my brother Joe turn into an alcoholic, I didnt pull any
punches, I told him to think of his wife and kids, stop drinking and go out to
find a job.
062.2. To lay it on the line:
I am fed up with George. He doesnt do half as much as the others.
So I called him in and laid it on the line. Either he starts doing his work lie
anybody else, or we fire him at the end of the month.
062.3. To let it all hang out:
We agreed to forget our feelings and let it all hang out. Sunsan told
me everything she didnt like about me, and I told her what annoyed me
about her. You know, it really cleared the air for both of us.
063.1. A fish out of water:
(1) At this affair was a fish out water. For one thing, most of the
speeches were in French and I couldnt understand a word. I never stuied
the language.
(2) It was a picnic outdoors on a hot day, so later on, everybody
jumped in the swimming pool and had a great time. But I was like a fish out
of water. You know, I cans swim.

118
063.2. A fine kettle of fish:
(1) There I was, stuck on a lonely road 50 mile from home, after I was
stupid enough to lock myself out of my car. It was dark and not a house in
sight. A fine kettle of fish, I tell you!
(2) He left a fine kettle of fish behind. We couldnt find out what our
money had been spent for, we coldnt tell which members had paid their
dues, and the rent wasnt paid. What a mess.
064.1. Neither fish nor fowl:
(1) This book is neither fish nor fowl. It isnt a love story or murder
story, or historical novel, although it has bit of all these. Well, at least its a
fun to read.
(2) This man is neither a Democrat nor a Republican. He called
himself an independent, neither fish nor fowl. He always votes according to
what will help him get elected again back home.
064.2. To have other fish to fry:
(1) Hey Joe, you know Id sure like to help you go raise money money
for the Red Cross. But I have other fish to fry. I am the chairman of the
committee to raise money to fix the roof of mu church.
(2) Honey, they want me to run for Congress, but I said no. I have
other fish to fry. I need all my time for business so I can retire when I reach
50 and we can move to Hawaii.
065.1. To paper over:
(1) Before a primary the candidates inside the party fight hard
against each other. But late they usually paper over their disagreements to
help the party in the general election.
(2) This is a scandle that I dont think we can paper over. Lets get all
the facts, and then make them public. Sure, well get some bad publicity,
but this is the only way to handle it.
065.2. Paper tiger:
(1) My boss likes to pound on his desk and yell at us when he is mad, bu the truth
is I think he iss scared of us. If you, stand up to the guy, he backs down
right away and wwont bother you.
(2) When the allied land forces went into action to free Kuwait from
the invader, the Iraqi forces gave up after four days, and the Iraqi leader
turned out to be only a paper tiger.
066.1. Paper pusher:
(1) Look! Let me talk to your boss! I am wasting my time talking to a
paper pusher like you with no power. I want to see the guy in charge and I
want to see him right now.
(2) Hay, I may look like Im just a paper pusher sitting all day moving
papers from one box to another. But those papers are the vouchers I have
to okay before they write your paychecks.
066.2 Walking paper:
(1) You know that surly guy in personnel who growls at you if you
want help? Well, he finally got his walking papers. He made the mistake of
getting nasty with his own boss, so he is out of here.

119
(2) My sister Rose finally got a divorce from this man. She really
should have handed him his walikng papers years ago. He was unfaithful,
drank too much, and even beat her if she said anything.
067.1. Eleventh hour:
(1) I thought Id lost out because I didnt hear from the company after
I interviewed. But at the eleventh hour, when I was packing to go back
home, they called and said they wanted to hire me.
(2) Look! This is the eleventh hour for getting contract signed. If we
dont deliver it to the customer by 10 PM tomorrow, we lose the whole deal.
So well work all the night if we have to.
067.2. Zero hour:
(1) All the waiting is over. Its zero hour for the game we are all
waiting for. The players are out on the court and the refree is ready to
throw up the ball and start play.
(2) The result is expected to be very close so both sides are working
hard to get every last vote before the zero hour at 10 oclock tomorrow
morning when the final voting will start.
068.1. Happy hour:
(1) The food in that new Italian restaurant across the street is pretty
good, bur business is slow. So they have started a happy hour in the hope
people will stay on and order dinner.
(2) Lets go to that bar on the corner for happy hour after work. One
beer is always enough for me but I love those little meat balls and other
snacks they put on the table free.
068.2. Bankers hour:
(1) Joe, come on and get out of bed! You wont be working bankers
hours you know. Youve got to be there bright and early at 7 AM ready to
pump gas for the customers.
(2) I am sure most congressmen work hard as I do. But this guy likes
to keep bankers hours: he get there at noon, eats lunch, sees a few people,
and goes home at 4 or % PM.
069.1. To keep someone at arms length:
(1) My best friend and I had a failing out over something silly a month
ago. Id love to make it up with her but she still keeps me at arms length.
(2) Professor Green is one of the greatest authorities in his filed, but
he is so cold and rude that he keeps everybody ibncluding his colleagues ar
arms length.
069.2. To twist someones arm:
(1) I dont listen to classical music much, but my roommate twisted
my arm to see that movie about Morzart with her. And to tell the truth, I am
glad I did. It turn out to be a great show.
(2) You know, I never wanted to the job but a lot of people twisted my
arm to run, so I went ahead and entered the race. When my term is u I
suppose they will twist my arm and Ill have to run again.
070.1. To be up in arms:

120
(1) The students are up in arms at the news the school plans to raise
our tuition twenty percent next term. We are holding a big meeting
tomorrow to decide what to do about it.
(2) A month ago, senator Smith was way ahead in his campaign for
reelection. But the voters are up in arms about this scandal he is mixed up
in, and now it looks like he will end up losing.
070.2. To cost an arm and a leg:
(1) Ever since I was a girl I have wanted to to own one of those Itaian
sports cars. But they cost an arm and a leg, maybe as much as 150.000
dollars, and I have never had close to that much money.
(2) When my husband and I bought our house ten years ago it cost an
arm and a leg. But weve come to love the place, and you know today its
worth more than twice what we paid for it.
071.1. To have a full head of steam:
The convention has settled the arguments about its platform and
nominated its candidates. Tonight it has a full head of steam and is ready to
roll at top speed toward November.
071.2. To hit the grounnd running:
Listen guys! We have to hit the ground running here. We want
interview with 3 TV stations, and visits to a school, hospital and a factory,
plus dinner with big contributors. Ok, lets get moving.
072.1. Advance man:
An advance man has to make friends quickly with people he never
met before. He also remember a hundred details and learn to live on
humburgers ans four hours of sleep a night.
072.2. Sacred cow:
Our sacred cow is the national social security system that provides
many retired people a pension. Thie program gets increasingly expensive
every year. However no politician wants to touch it because older people
mean a lot of votes.
072.3. Fat cat:
This year the other party is way ahead of us when it comes to
campaign money. They have all the fat cats on their sides. And that means
they can buy twice TV time we can afford.
073.1. Bandwagon:
To day more democratic candidates running for Congress and state
offices jumped on the Clinton bandwagon in the hope that some of his
popolarity will rub off and help them win too.
073.2. Coattails:
Now that President Clinton appears to be way ahead, candidates for
Congress are flocking to ride on his coattails and improve their chance of
winning their own races.
073.3. Runnung scared:
Listen, people! The senator is 25 points ahead in the poll but he
wants us to kepp running scared like we are way behind, Lets keep working
as we can until the polls open electiob\n day.
074.1. To win by a nose:

121
Nobody gave Mrs Green a chance. She was new to politics and up
against a popular politician. But she worked hard to persuade voters ans
surprised us all when she won by a nose.
074.2. Walk over:
The newest poll today shows that presentative Smith is likely to win
in a walk over and go back to his job in Congress for two more years.
074.3. Landslide:
What are the biggest election landslides in modern history? President
Lyndon Johnson 1964, Nixon in 1972 and Reagon in 1984. Each beat his
rival by more than 15 million votes.
075.1. Lame duck:
The senator from my state lost his race to go back there, so he is a
lame duck. He still has 8 weeks left in office, but he has nothing to do but
pack up his papers and look for another job.
075.2. Golden parachute:
Congressman Smith got beaten this time. But he found a golden
parachute. He has been hired as vice president of a tabacco company sice
he has always been very helpful to their interests.
075.3. To land on your feet:
Congressman Jones lost his race for reelection, but he landed on his
feet. He has been appointed as ambassador to a nice little country in
Europe as thanks for his long service to his party.
076.1. Lock, stock and barrel:
(1) In the old days the Bell telephone company became the biggest in
the world by buying up a lot of local companies, lock, stock and barrels, and
merginf them into one giant corporation.
(2) The firemen did their best but the house burned right dowm to the
ground, lock, stock and barrels. Nothing left but ashes.
076.2. Hook, line and sinker:
(1) When Joe cam back, we swallowd hook, line and sinker his stories
of all the battles he had been in. Later we found hed spent the whole time
as army cook at a base in America.
(2) When people heard the early investors were getting money back,
they believed Ponzi hook, line and sinker. But when Ponzie was exposed as
a fraud the learned their money was gone.
077.1. Showdown:
The White House and Congress are headed toward a major showdown
later this week when the Senate votes on whether to approve the money
the President wants for his most important programs.
077.2. Ante up:
After hearing both sides, the judge decided that Jones must pay his
wife the child support she was supposed to get and said he would have to
go to jail if he didnt ante up.
077.3. To sweeten the pot:
Mary had job offers from 4 different law firms, but she accepted the
offer from the firm that sweeten the pot with the highest salary plus the use
of a company car.

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077.4. Poker face:
I never know whther my boss likes my work or not. He has a real
poker face which never shows other people how he feels.
075.1. Lame duck:
The Senator from my state lost his race to go back here, so he is a
lame duck, He still has 8 weeks left in office, bu t he has nothing to do but
pack up hiss papers and look for another job.
075.2. Golden parachute:
Congressam Smith got beaten this time. But he found a golden
parachute. He has been hired ass vice president of a tabacco company
since he has always been helpful to their interests.
075.3. To land on your feet:
Congressman Jone lost his race for reelection, but hw landed on his
feet. He has been appointed as ambassador to a nice little country in
Europe as thanks for his long service in hiss party.
076.1. Lock, stock and barrel:
(1) In the old days the Bell telephone company became the biggest in
the world by buying up a lot of local companies, lock, stock and barrel, and
merging them into one giant corporation.
(2) The firmen did their best but the house burned right down to the
ground lock, stock and barrel. Nothing left but ashes!
076.2. Hook, line and sinker:
(1) When Joe came back, we swallowed his stories of all the battles
hed been in. Later we found hed spent the wwhole time as an army cook
at a base in America.
(2) When people heard the early investors were getting money back,
they believed Pozi hook, line and sinker. But when Ponzi was exposed as a
fraud they learned their money was gone.
077.1. Showndown:
The White House and Congress are headed toward a major showdown
later this week when the Senate votes on whether to approve the money
the President wwants for his most important programs.
077.2. Ante up:
After hearing the both sides, the judge deicided that Jone must pay
his wife the child support she was supposed to get and said he would have
to go to jail if he didnt ante up.
077.3. To sweeten the pot:
Mary had job offers from four different law firms, but she accepted
the offer from the firm that sweetened the pot with higher salary and the
use of a company car.
077.4. Poker face:
I never know whether my boss likes my work or not. He has a real
poker face which never shows other people how he feels.
078.1. Passing the buck:
When I asked my secretary Miss Brown why had not mailed out these
important letters to customers, she passed the buck to our office boy for
not to having enough stamps ready.

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078.2. The buck stops here:
The difference between my opponent and me is that he has built
whole career on blaming others when things go wrong. I promise you, if you
elect me the buck stop here.
078.3. Blue chip:
Bill, if you are looking for a good lawyer for that big court case, you
ought to talk to my cousin Bernie. He is a partner in a real blue chip firm,
one of the best in town.
078.4. Close to the vest:
Everybody is wondering who the president will appoint to the vacant
chair on the Supreme Court. But he is playing his cards close to his vest,
and nobody really knows who it will be.
079.1. Like clockwork:
(1) I have a great staff working for me. We got to all my speeches on
time, an my TV and newspaper ads worked fine. Tye campaign ran like
colockwork and I won the election by more than 50,000 votes.
(2) I dont need an alarm clock to wake in the morning. Right at six
oclock, regular as clockwork, there is a dog scratching at my door to let
him out.
079.2. To turn back to the clock:
(1) You know life was simple then. I was young and healthy. The
whole world was waiting for me. I sure with there was some time machine I
could use to turn back the clock to the 1940s.
(2) I dont know back then, we did not have jet planes, computers,
modern medicine, a lot of things that make life better. May be, its just as
well that we cant turn back the clock after all.
080.1. Around the clock:
(1) I cant keep my eyes open! I studied for my biology exam around
the clock, from 8:00 yesterday to 8AM to9 day. I managed to stay awake
during the exam but all I want to do right now is to get back to the dorm
and catch up my sleep.
(2) Tune us any time around the clock, seven days a week for the last
news, traffic and sports. Whether its 4PM or 4 in the morning well be ther
for you day and night.
080.2. To kill the clock:
(1) Our team was two points ahead with ony three minutes to go. We
tried to kill the clock but we fuble the ball. And the other team got lucky,
they kicked a field goal and won by one point.
(2) We only had a point lead in the last 30 seconds. Then after the
other team missed a shot, our center grabed the ball so we could pass it
around to kill the clock until all the time was gone.
081.1. Stake out a claim:
(1) Boys! This apple pie is great! And Im still hungry. I think theres a
piece left in the kitchen. Ill stake a claim for it, if you guys dont mind.
(2) Okay, Sally, you get mothers china tea set. But I want to stake
out a claim to those old dishes from France.
081.2. Strike it rich:

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(1) Did you hear about Jim? What a lucky I have now guy! He bought
a lottery ticket last week. You know the odds of winning millions to one
against you. But he struck it rich. He won 10 million dollars.
(2) Doctor Jonas Salk worked years to find a way to protect children
from the dread diseases of polio. And 40 years ago he struck it rich, He
found a vaccine that has almost wiped out this killer.
081.1. To pan out:
(1) The first time I took the bar exam, I didnt pan out for me. I
flunked badly. But I studied more, toook the exam the second time and I got
my license to practice law.
(2) I was a friend of Bill and Rose before they got married. So when I
heard they were breaking up. I talked to them to try to save the marriage,
but I am sorry to say it just didnt pan out.
081.2. To hit pay dirt:
(1) I got high grades in school so I thought finding a job I like would
be easy.. But there were so many other graduates already hunting for work
that it took me six months to hit pay dirt.
(2) my friends thought I was crazy to put money into a new company
called Xerox. But I hit pay dirt. The company did so well that my samll
investment ended up making me a millionaire.
083.1. To make a killing:
(1) Last week, my brother made a killing on Wall Street. In two days, this stock he
bought doubled in price so so sold it off quick at a 100 percent profit just
before it went down.
(2) It was a joke of course, but 5 million Americans were amused enough to pay
five dollars apiece for the rocks. And the man who dreamed up the idea
really made a killing.
083.2. Killer diller:
(1) To bad you didnt hear that rock band last night in the football
stadium. A real killer diller outfit. I expect thse guys to head straight for the
top of sales chart.
(2) Oh mam! That English exam was a killer diller. The professor
asked a lot of questions about idioms, and I hadnt studied them. To tell the
truth I am afread I flunked it cold.
084.1. Nitty-gritty:
(1) All wright, I have heard what you all think. Now, lets get down to
the nitty-gritty: What doe voters back home think about the bill and wwhat
will it mean for my election compaign?
(2) All right, enough talk! Lets get down to nitty-gritty. I want to tell
me whether you want to sell your company, and how much money it will
be costume to buy it.
084.2. Nuts and bolts:
(1) Son, some day the company will be yours. So I want you to start
as an ordinary worker in the factory to learn the nuts and bolts. Youll know
the business a whole lot better.

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(2) Well get to things like plot and character. First, well study the
nuts and bolts of writing: How to wwrite a good English sentence and how
to organize your ideas first.
085.1. Brass tacks:
(1) I have got get to the airport, so lets get down to the brass tacks.
You are a big customers so Ill cut my price down to $ per shirt if you agree
to buy a thousand. Is it a deal?
(2) The heads of state spent yesterday getting acquaintained but
today they get down to brass tacks and talk seriously about the general
tariff agreement they have come here for.
085.2. Bottom line:
(1) Sure, I made a lot more money as a lawyer but I have always
wanted to grow things. And to me the bottom line about a job is whether
you really enjoy what you are doing.
(2) We have three people who look good to me. But the bottom line is
who has the best sale record. And thats Miss Green. Lets go ahead and
give her the job.
086.1. Dead ringer:
(1) You have to see this guy. He is amazing. His make-up is so good
he is a dead ringer for President Clinton. In fact, Id guess even the first
lady might have trouble telling them apart.
(2) Mary was really upset last night at the dance. She walked in and
ssaw another woman wearing a dress that was a dead ringer for hers. I am
afread it spoiled her whole evening.
086.2. Spitting image:
(1) Jes younger brother Billy is Joes spitting image. The first time you
see them together you think they must be twins. But the fact is Billy was
born five years later than Joe.
(2) Its funny thing, All my relatives say the baby is the spitting image
of me. But my wifes relatives say the little boy is a dead ringer for her. Tell
me, what do you think?
087.1. To see red:
When I saw the bill to fix my car, I thought it was way too high. And I
drove it hoem I really saw red! I had paid 800 dollars and the car was in
worse shape than before.
087.2. To paint the town red:
Hey, I just got a phone call. We mad the sle. So I want to take you guys out to
dinner and then hit the right spots. We worked hard for this, so lets go
paint the town red.
087.3. Green with envy:
I hear Joes green with envy because Mary was promoted ahead of
him. He complained that he has worked here longer than she has, but the
truth is she simply does a better job than he does.
087.4. To get the green light:
Good news! We got the green light we have been waiting for to start
the new project. And the boss is giving us more funds and people to do the
job. Well start next Monday.

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088.1. Jump start:
(1) Last night, Bill drove his girlfriend to a movie and forgot to turn his
headlight off. After the movie, he found his battery was dead so he had to
phone me to come and give him a jump start.
(2) The city did not have enough money to fix the streets so the
mayor borrowed money from the state highway fund to give a jump start to
an emergency project to fill the potholes.
088.2. One jump ahead:
(1) The man kept one jump ahead of lawfor two years by moving to
new city every two months. But the FBI caught up with him in Shecago and
took him back to New York to stand trial.
(2) Hey, we have to find one way to get one jump ahead of that Ford
dealer down the street. Maybe we should offer free gas for a year to people
who buy a car before the end of the month.
089.1. To jump the gun:
(1) I guess Joe jumped the gun when he told everybody Jennie had
agreed to marry him. I just heard that she has announced engagement to
some other guy she went to college with.
(2) The paper jumped the gun with a headline shouting Dewey
defeats Truman. But the final vote put Truman on top and famous photo
has him showing off the paper with a big grin.
089.2. To jump the tracks:
Our candidate was way ahead in the polls. Then our campaign
jumped the trackx. The other side found out our man taken kickbacks from
city constructors when he had been our mayoir.
089.3. To jump the trails:
Sorry, boss, I have a bad news. Out project to develop the new
product has jumped the rails. Jones, our technical director was offered a
higher salary and took a job with our competitor.
090.1. Jump through a hoop:
(1) Bill has heard rumors that we have to cut our staff. He has a wife
and six kids and he is scared to death so hell jump through a hoop for the
boss every chance he gets.
(2) You can tell that my brother Joe is crazy about Sally. She has the
poor guy jump through hoops for her. I never thought hed ever fall that
hard for everybody.
090.2. To jump out of your skin:
(1) When I answered the door and saw my brother standing there, I
almost jumped out of my skin. We had not heard from him since he went off
to war ten years ago and we thought he was dead.
(2) Therw was a flash and a loud bang and I jumped out of my skin. A
bolt of lightning had hit the tree. It spilt the tree in two, but I was very lucky.
I was scared to death but okay.
091.1. To put your house in order:
(1) Before he died, uncle Bob put his house in order. He paid all his
debt, and left his insurance policies, his will, and other important papers in
a big envelope on his wifes desk.

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(2) We have put the house in order in two days. I want desks clean,
the whole place looking good. And we need our accounts balanced up to
date by five oclock tomorrow afternoon.
091.2.
To clean house:
(1) Folks, send me to Congress and I promise the first thing Ill do is to
clean house. Ill get rid of all those bureaucrats who sit around all day doing
nothing but wait for quitting time.
(2) I want our citizens to know I never tolerate corruption. I am going
to clean house and fire everybody who was involved. And well do our best
to send the worst offenders off to jail.
092.1. To lock horns with:
(1) During the race to be elected President this November, Senator
Dole and President Clinton will lock horns on many issues in their fight to
win the White House for the next 4 years.
(2) Our company will promote someone to Vice President. The two
candidates are Sally Green and me. So it looks like well have to lock horns
to see which one of us wins the job.
092.2. To pul in your horns:
(1) I jumped out so mad I was ready to fight. But when I saw how big
the other guy was, I pulled in my horns fast. I just say, I just say, hey dont
do that again, got in my car and drove away. In a situation like that, its
probably a wise decision to pull in your horns and walk way from trouble.
(2) I know you mad, but it would be a mistake to lock horns with Mr.
Green. Its a battle you cant win, so I think youd be smart to pull in your
horns and forget about it this time.
093.1. To take the bull by the horns:
(1) I am not waiting any longer for the boss to give me the raise I
deserve. Im going to take the bull by the horns, march in and tell him I
want more money or Im leaving for another job.
(2) I have been patient with Dick because he is my wifes cousin, but
he does less work than anybody else we have. Today Im going to take the
bull by the horns and tell him he is fired.
093.2. To blow your own horns:
(1) I cant stand this guy. He is always blowing his horn about how
much money he makes, how good he is at spots, even how the grass on his
lawn is greener than his neighbors.
(2) Youd never know that Jack has written eight successful books
unless someone else tell you. He is quiet, modest sort of man who doesnt
believe in blowing his own horn.
094.1. In the chips:
(1) Charley didnt get good grades and we thought he was a little
stupid. But he went to college, went into business for himself, worked hard,
and believe it or not, ended up in the chips.
(2) My friend Pete had plodded along in a low paid job for 20 years.
Then a distant cousin he had never met died without heirs and left him ten
million bucks. So now is in the chips.
094.2. Bargaining chip:

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I know this other outfit is a lot bigger, but we have one good bargaining
chip. We have stores in choice locations in California and they dont. That
should get us extra money.
095.1. When the chips are down:
(1) I had a wife and kid to support. So when the chips were down, I
founnd out who my real friends were. Pete had plodded along in a low piad
job for 20 years. Then a distant cousin he had never met died without heirs
and left him ten million dollars. So now he is is in the chips.
(2) Look, with my support slipping the chips are down. If you dont
raise another million this week for more TV ads, I dont think I have a ghost
of a chance to get enough votes to win!
095.2. To chip in:
Bill, you know Sally in accounting. Well, her mother died last night.
We would like to senf flowers. Most people are chipping in 5 dollars. Would
you like to chip in too?
095.3. To cash in your chips:
I just heard that Charley, my best friend in the Army, cashed in his
chips last week in Chicago. I havent seen him in 25 years. But back then
we were as close as any two men could be.
096.1. A chip off the old block:
(1) That boy is sure a chip off the old block. He looks almost exactly
like his dad did at the same age. Same eyes, same nose, same big ears and
blond hair. Yes sir, he is Bob all over again.
(2) I am bad at math but my wife is an expert accountant. And my
son is a math major just like she was. A chip off the old block you could say.
096.2. A chip on your shoulder:
(1) No wonder Bob Green has no friend at all. He had a chip on his
shoulder when we were in high school and he still has it 20 years later. He
acts like he hates the whole human race.
(2) This man had a chip ion his shoulder because he came from a
famous law school and thought he was smarter than us (we are?). But when
he saw we were smart too, he dropped the chip and god along fine.
097.1. To shoot your wad:
(1) Jack shot his wad on the wedding-clothes, flowers, the reception,
the dinner, the dance band, tickets for the honeymoon. Now the poor guy
has barely enough money to buy himself lunch.
(2) Charley shot his wad on renting a place, buying furniture and
hiring cooks and waiters. At first the business was slow and he was afraid
hed go broke. But things got better and now he is doing Okay.
097.2. To shoot yourself in the foot:
(1) This mam met two tough guys in a bar and tried to hire them to
beat up his friend. But he shot himmself in the foot. One turned out to be
an undercover cop who promptly hauled him off to jail.
(2) He ended up shooting himself in the foot. A policeman in a patrol
car saw the son ripping down a poster and arrested him. The publicity this
got was so bad it cost the man the election.
098.1. Wild cards:

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(1) Normally an independent doesnt have much chance. But this
man is a popular TV newsman who has raised money for a big compaign.
He is a wild card who might have a real chance to win.
(2) The Redskins didnt get to the playoffs last year, but they are
supposed to be better this season. In fact, some helpful fans think they are
a wild card to win the sperbowl this winter.
098.2. Drawing card:
(1) The stars who made the biggest salaries are the ones who are
always a drawing card for any movie they appear in. There arent many so
they are always in great demand by the studios.
(2) This year, Tiger Woods has become the biggest drawing card in
professional golf in a long time. Big crowds follow him from hole to hole in
each tournement he enters.
099.1. In the cards:
(1) With a week to go, the public opinion polls have Clinton running
over 15 points ahead of Dole, Right now it certainly looks like a second
term is in the cards for the President.
(2) Its probably not in the cards for Chicago to win the national title
again this year. They depend too much on their superstar Michael Jordan,
and even superstars got old, you know.
099.2. To play your cards right:
(1) We never thought Pete would amount to much but he is a good
salesman with a smooth tongue. He palyed his cards right and now he is
rich with more money than he knows what to do with.
(2) Bob, play your cards right! You were wrong, so tell her that. Let
her know how important she is to you. And take her on a second
honeymoon to Hawaii. Make a fresh start with her.
100.1. Lions share:
(1) The angry old man changed his will. And his family was shocked
to discovered he had left the lions share of all his money to a distant
cousin most of them had never even heard of.
(2) Well, to his surprise the car was great success. And although he
had been opposed, he tried to take the lions share of the credit by claiming
it was his own idea all along.
100.2. To have a tiger by the tail:
(1) Onece you start using heroin, you will have a tiger by the tail if
you get hooked, you will need more and more. It will cost you more money,
and you might have to steal to support the habit.
(2) He found he had a tiger by the tail. Despite his promise he had to
raise taxes to cope with the deficit. And this help Bill Clinton beat in his try
for reelection in 1992.
101.1. Loaded for bear:
(1) Stay away from the boss today. He is sure loaded for bear. He is
looking for trouble, and anybody who gets in his way might find himself out
on the street looking for another job.

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(2) This time our guys are loaded for bear. They are tired of those
other guys boasting. They will play their hearts out to send them home with
their tails behind thieir legs.
101.2. 600-pound gorilla:
(1) Mr Green is the 600-pound gorilla in that firm. Sure, his son is the
president these days, but the old man owns most of the stocks and he still
makes all the important decisions.
(2) This man s the 600-pound gorilla and he expects to be treated like
one. If you have trouble with him even if you are a star, youl have trouble
finding another movie to make in Holywood.
102.1. To loose your cool:
The first time Joan went to the store, they overcharged her. The
second time they charged her double. The third time they did this she lost
her cool and made a nasty scene with her manager.
102.2. To go ballistic:
Our professor went to ballistic as soon as he found out at least three
people had cheated on the exam. Just for that he made everybody in the
class take the exam over again.
102.3. To go zonkers:
When the team from New York fouled our player in the final minute of
the game, everybody in the stadium went zonkers and started to throw
cans and bottles at them.
102.4. To blow a fuse:
When the restaurant owner found out that his employees were
stealing food from the back room, he blew a fuse. He fired them on the spot
and chased them out of the building.
103. 1. Pink slip:
Honey, I have bad news. I got a pink slip in my pay envelope today.
The boss says I am a good worker, but our business is way down, and he
just cant afford to keep us all working.
103.2. Get the boot:
The boss kept warning Bill to get to work on time. But Bill didnt
listen. He kept arriving up to an hour late. So the boss finally lost patience
and gave him the boot.
103.3. The heave-ho:
Our company had to give our accountant the heae-ho after we had an
audit that found out over 75,000 dollars was missing from our bank account
and the accountant couldnt explain why.
103.4. To downsize:
Our TV sets just couldnt compete with others on the market. So we
closed down that operation and downsized about 600 people who had been
working in that part of the factory.
104.1. To kiss off:
(1) Joe has gone to talk to more than 35 firms and had the kiss-off
from every single one of them. Maybe his problem simply is he doesnt
know how to present himself the right way to employers.

131
(2) We all warned Charley not to buy that old used car. But he kiss-off
all our advice and got it anyway. And sure enough it spends more time in
the repair shop than out on the road.
104.2. To kiss goodbye:
(1) Joe, dont ever loan money to that guy Benny. Two years ago, I
loaned him 300 dollars and he has never paid back a single penny. I ended
up kissing my money goodbye.
(2) I am crazy about Sally and always wanted to ask her to marry me.
But she just told me she is marrying someone else. Its the worst day of my
life. I have to kiss all my hopes goodbye!
105.1. Kissing cousin:
(1) These man-made fibers like rayon and nylon are kissing cousins.
They are made to look and feel like silk. But I have to tell you, I still prefer
the feel of the real thing.
(2) Each company puts out cars in different models with different
names and prices. But inside, they are real kissing cousins. Most of the
parts are the same no matter what the name.
105.2. The kiss of death:
(1) Sir, this man would be the kiss of death to your compaign. He is
the most unpopular politician in the whole state. Hell lose you twice votes
as he could get for you.
(2) I am afraid if we lose him the whole season, it will be the kiss of
death to our chance of winning the Leaghe trophy this fall. Here I thought
this would be our year. Just my luck!
106.2. To kiss up to:
(1) Nobody liked Jake because he spent all his time trying to kiss up
to our boss. So we were delighted when Jane Brown got the promotion Jake
was after with all his kissing up and flattery.
(2) Pete goes further than anybody else in kissing up to the big boss.
If the boss ever told us No matter what everybody thinks, the world is
flat, Pete would say Yes sir, it sure looks flat to me.
106.2. To kiss the dust:
(1) I still love those old Westerns. I never get tired of the horse
galloping, the riders chasing each other and in the end the bad guys
getting shot, falling off their horses and kissing the dust.
(2) Well, we found out that we had picked a bad location, and the
cook we hired was drunk half of the time. Also our manager was stealing
half of the receipts so our caffe kissed the dust in six months.
107.1. Fair shake:
(1) You might want to try Sammys used car lot on the Maple Street. I
bought my wifes car there and got a good deal. Mention my name and I
am sure he will give you a fair shake.
(2) Our coach has to choose between Bill Jone and I to start as kicker
in our first game. Bill is the coachs nephew, but I have done my best in
practice so I hope Coach gives me a fair shake.
107.2. Shake down:

132
(1) This guy tried to shake her down by threatening to sell the letters
to the papers unless she paid him a million dollars. But she called the police
and that was the and of him.
(2) A youth gang in New York sell what they call Insurance to
restaurants. This is nothing but a shake down. If you dont pay off, they
come around at night and break your windows.
108.1. No great shakes:
(1) Well, it was no great shakes. The story was mediocre and the
acting was just so so. I was bored except for what new actress. She cant
act but she was one beautiful woman.
(2) I thought the Red Sox had a real chacance to win the world series
this year after so long without a championship. But they turned out to be no
great shakes, just like last year.
108.2. Shake a leg:
(1) Bob! Hey Bob! Wake up. Its already 9:30 and youve got that big
math test at 10:00 oclock. Come on, man-shake a leg! Come on, man! You
have got to get moving right now.
(2) Honey, wed better shake a leg. The wedding 10:15, so wed
better get moving because we are already late!
109.1. Nothing to sneeze at:
(1) So you didnt win million dollars! But you did win ten thousand,
didnt you? Let me tell you friend, ten thousand dollars is certainly nothing
to sneeze at.
(2) Ok honey, you come in the 400 meters, not first. But you won the
silver model and you are the second fastest runner in the state. Id say
thats nothing to sneeze at!
109.2. Nothing to write home about:
(1) The story was hard to believe and the acting wasnt very good
either. It was awfully slow. It didnt quite put me to sleep but this movies
sure nothing to write home about.
(2) The only job Pete could find was selling magazine subscriptions by
phone. But its nothing to write home about. Long hours, low py and most
people are rude when he calls them.
110.1. Sweet nothing:
Sis, be carefully of that guy Pete you have a date with tonight. I hear
hes expert at using sweet nothings to get his way with a girl. Later she
finds out thats what they mean nothing.
110.2. Here goes nothing:
Well, Jack, here goes nothing! Right now, I wish Id spent a lot more
time preparing. Its a tough audience I hear right now, Id rather be
anywhere else, even at the dentist.
110.3. Nothing doing:
I tell you, nothing doing! I just paid $900 to fix y car after that
accident you got into last week. I didnt tell you you cant drive my car
again until you learn to be a safe driver?
110.4. Nothing flat:

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Darling, I had to stay overtime to finish up writing that contract. But I
just finished and Ill be there for dinner in nothing flat. Sorry to keep you
waiting!
111.1. Dig up dirt on:
We spent weeks trying to dig up dirt on that guy. Weve talked to his
enemies and looked at court records. The only dirt we found is two traffic
tickets for speeding. I hate to say it but the guy looks clean.
111.2. Dish the dirt:
I hear Pete and Mary arent getting along these days. In fact, they say
she is talking a bot a devorce. Bil, you are their closest fiend. So come on,
dish up the dirt about them.
111.3. Sweep dirt under the rug:
The Mayor tried to sweep the corruption at City Hall under the rug.
But a smart TV reporter dug it up anyway and now three top city officials
face criminal charges and may be jail.
111.4. Dirt cheap:
Bill bought it dirt cheap, or so he thought. Then he heard it was
haunted by the ghost of a murdered young woman. Now he and his wife lie
awake all night listening for strange noises.
112.1. Inside track:
All three have about the same education and experience. But we are
betting on Jack Miller. He has the inside track for a single reason. He has
been dating the bosss daughter.
112.2. Fast track:
Lisa Jones is a smart lawyer. She just won 2 cases nobody else
wanted to take. She is on a fast track now. Im betting shell be a senior
partner years ahead most of us.
112.3. Track record:
I have been looking at the track record of the senator we have now.
About 80% of time he has voted the same way I would. So I guess hel get
my vote again.
113.1. Sidetract:
Instead of putting thew bill up for a vote, the chairman simply
sidetracks it by appointing a committee to study the cost and report back in
six months, after the council adjourns for the year.
113.2. One track mind:
You want to stay from that man Green. He has one track mind. He
believes thew world will end on July 30, and thats all he talks about to
anybody who will listen.
113.3. The wrong side of the track:
Nancys parents opposed her marrying Mike because he came from
the wrong side of the tracks. So Nancy and Mike ran away to get married,
then went to West and built a new life for themselves.
114.1. Steal someones thunder:
I couldnt believe how he stol our thunder. He told a reporter about
yhe new drug, so the papers gave him credit and not all the people who
actually did the work.

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114.2. Steal the spotlight:
Our rival called a purprise press conference to announce his plan to
cut state taxes 25 percent. He stole the spotlight from us on TV that night
and in the papers the next morning.
114.3. Steal the show:
The two stars who play the father and mother are good in the lead
roles, but this young man who plays the son steals the show. I never heard
of him before, but I predict he will be a real star.
115.1. Powder puff:
(1) I thought womens basketball was a powder-puff sport until I went
to see my sister play. I was wrong. They dribble and pass better thanmen
and they play tough defense too.
(2) You are smart, dont invest any money in that business. They talk
big but its just a small powdewr-puff company. They dont have enough
capital and their marketing program is a joke.
115.2. Powder keg:
(1) Despite all the diplomatic efforts to achieve peace, Bosnia is still a
powder keg waiting for a matjc to set off another round of fighting between
the warning factions.
(2) Joe, we are sitting on a powder keg. If the media finds out about
this messy scandal, it will blow our compaign sky high! Our candidate will
be finished and so will we.
116.1. To take a powder:
(1) When the police came to arrest him, they found his house empty.
Hed already taken a powder and left the country with the money. Now they
are looking for him in Europe and South America.
(2) Look, Ive told you five times. We have all the office equipment we
need. Ill say it once more. Youve wasted enough of my time already. Now,
take a powder.
116.2. To keep your powder dry:
(1) Okey, men, the General liked what he saw. But we still may ge a
surprise inspection any time! Keep your quarters clean and neat at all
times. Remember the old rule, keep your powder dry.
(2) Honey, lets keep all our damage estimates handy. I dont trust
Brown. He may find some excuse not to pay. Well have to sue him in court.
So lets keep our powder dry.
117.1. To make both ends meet:
(1) We both make good salaries. But we have trouble making both
ends meet. The problem is we bought a beautiful sailboat but we didnt
realise how much it costs to keep it in shape.
(2) You know, a lot of us enjoy excitement of living in a big city like
New York or Los Angeles. But it easier to make both ends meet in a smaller
city where prices are lower.
117.2. To play both ends against the middle:
(1) Ed Green won playing both ends against the middle: one
opponent is conservative and the other liberal. So he let them fight it out

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with each other while he told everybody he was a moderate who would see
both sides of a question.
(2) Smith got the job by playing both ends against the middle. The
directors picked him because they thought the other two were too badtempered to get along with the office staff.
118.1. To hold up your end:
(1) Well, Randy graduated with 3.8 average. So I have to hold up my
end and dig up the money to get him his first car. Say, you know any dealer
where I can get a good price?
(2) I tell you, unless mu cousin puts in his share, Ill be broke. I am
afraid I may have to hire a lawyer and go to court to make the guy hold up
his en of the deal.
118.2. To get the short end of the stick:
(1) I worke harder than anybody. But every time a promotion opens
up, someone else got picked and I get the short end of the stick. Its time
for me to find a job where they appreciate me.
(2) I was kept dishing out food ad mixing drinks. Finally I got hungry
melself, but all that was left by then were a few stale peanuts. Boys, I sure
got the short end of the stick that time.
119.1. High off the hog:
(1) That man Green has never been able to hold a job more than 6
months. But hes been living high off the hog ever since his rich aunt died
and left him all her money.
(2) With kids out of the nest, at long last they can live high off the
hog. First they will take a tour around the world and then buy a house in
Florida near the beach.
119.2. To go whole hog:
(1) Sure, its expensive but I decided to go whole hog. We ate in the
pest places and saw the top Bradway shows. Okay, I spent all my money,
but the family had a wonderful time.
(2) Yes, I went whole hog and bought the big set. My wife was pretty
upset when she saw the bill. So I had to take her out to a fancy restaurant
for an evening of dining and dancing.
120.1. To go hog wild:
(1) The kids went hog wild, chasing the poor puppy all aorund the
house, then fighting over who got to hold it, pet it and give it a bowl of
food.
(2) I went hog wild when O saw this mess. I chased him around,
cornered him and was about to spank him. When he wagged his tail and
liked my hand, I couldnt be mad anymore.
120.2. Hog heaven:
(1) Have you tried that new restaurant that serves all you can eat for
7 dollars? Its hog heaven if you like nothing better than to stuff yourself
until you cant eat one more bite.
(2) Jerry gets so tired lifting weights that he barely has the strength
left to get home. But then he is in hog heaven down at the beach when the
girls crowd around to admire all his bulging muscles.

136
121.1. Holding the fort:
(1) Sorry to call you on Sunday Sally. But I have the flu and wont able
to work tomorrow. Could you hold the fort for me a couple of days? You will?
Great! Thanhs.
(2) Ben, Um really busy this weel. Ann Green is off at an academic
conference in Chicago. So, Im holding the fort for her and teaching
Frenchman English classes on top of my own.
121.2. Left holding the bag:
(1) The lookout ran out of and escaped in the gateway car. But the
man inside the safe didnt hear the sirens and was left holding the bag
when dozen cops burst in with their guns ready.
(2) Mr. brown ran out of the house boiling mad. All the kids execept
Danny ran off and left him holding the bag. Well, I agreed to pay for the
window a;though another boy hit the ball.
122. 1. Cant hold a candle to:
(1) The Beatles were fanastic. Their music is still popular 30 years
later. They were the greatest. Nobdy has come along afterwards that can
hold a candle to them.
(2) Im talking about Micheal Jordan, number 23, who plays for the
Chicago Bulls. He has set all sorts of records and won 4 world titles. Nobody
can hold a candle up to him.
122.2. Hold your horses:
Please Mom! Hold your horses and let me tell you what happened.
The car had a flat tyre on the freeway and I had to walk two miles to a gas
station to get help.
122.3. Hold your phone:
Look, could you hold your phone and stop interrupting me! Do me a
favour and listen to what I have to say. Let me finish the report before you
ask any more questions.
123. 1. No holds barred:
(1) Dont take sides. Its going to be no holds barred fight, and
nobody knows how itll come out. Itll get nasty, and each will do anything
to take over the business.
(2) My opponent wants to make this a no holds barred race with all
these rumors about my personal life. But Id like to kepp it clean and not
use what I know about his drug habit.
123.2. To put on hold:
(1) Gentlemen, I ask that we put on hold this bill to spend money for
schools. It has a couple of things in it we should look at again, because Im
not sure they are worht cost.
(2) I dont want yo give up my plan to open 2 stores in the suburbs.
But right now I cant raise the money it takes. So Ill put it on hold for 6
months and see how it looks then.
124.1. Hair raising:
(1) My daughter and her boyfriend had a hair raising time hiking in
the mountains. They met a black bear with her cub on the trail. But they

137
stopped, stayed quiet and finally the bears ambled off without bothering
them.
(2) It was hair raising! There was a terrible rushing sound, the
windows blew in and I saw tree limbs sailing by. I heard loud bangs and
crushes. I thought my house would blow away.!
124.2. Not turn a hair:
(1) When stock market lost 500 points that day, Henry didnt turn a
hair. He told his friends: Sure, Ill hang on to my stocks. They are a good
investment. Theyll go up again.
(2) This expert calmly knelt down besidethe backage and opned it
carefully. Then without turning a hair he used a wirecutter to snip the two
wires and disarmed the deadly.
125.1. To split hair:
(1) Look, lets tell our lawyer to stop splitting hairs on things like
whose name comes first in our ads. I dont care! I am ready to sign the
contract right now if you feel the same.
(2) Look, Granny would be upset to hear you arguing like this. Lets
not split hairs. Well take turns putting our names on plates, books,
pictures. Thats the fair way.
125.2. Let your hair down:
(1) Lets not go out honey. Lets rent a couple off movies, call up and
order a pizza, and just stay home and let our hair down instead of dressing
up to go out somewhere.
(1) My sister Gloria really let her hair down at lunch. She told me Tom
is seeing another woman, and she is thinkin seriously about leaving him.
Well, I never did like the guy!
126.1. Get in your hair:
(1) Look, lets tell our lawyer to stop splitting hairs on things like
whose name comes first in our ads. I dont care! I am ready to sign the
contract right now if you feel the same.
(2) Look, Granny would be upset to hear you arguing like this. Lets nt
split hairs. Well take turns putting our names on plates, books, pictures.
126.2. Bad hair day:
(1) Did I have a bad hair day! First my carwouldnt start so I was late
for work. Mext my computer crashed. Then I forgot a lunch date wwith an
important client. So I went home with a terrible headache.
(2) I knew it would be a bad hair day when I learned I had failed my
English exam. In history class I found Id left the paper at home that was
due today. And at lunch I spilled a cup of coffee all over myself with no time
to go back and change.
127.1. To go nuts about:
(1) Tom went nuts about Mozart after he saw a popular film called
Amadeus about him a few years ago. Now Tom owns a hundred CDs of
Mozarts music and listens to him every night.
(2) I am really nuts about her, so nuts about the girl I cant sleep
when I think about her. But she doesnt pay any attention to me
whatsoever. What can I do about it?

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127.2. From soup to nuts:
(1) I go to a big mall where 150 shops sell everything from soup to
nuts. You can buy a box of paper clips or a computer, clothes, shoes,
jewelry, books, You name it!
(2) Well, I decided I needed a sun roof, a bigger engine, leather seats,
everything from soup to nuts. So I ended up paying $600 more than I
planned to pay for a new car.
128.1. A hard nut t crack:
(1) The victim was found in a room locked from the inside. Hed been
shot, but there was no gun in the room. The police are baffled. This case is
a hard nut to crack.
(2) This old man is a tough nut to crack. He knew all our tricks so he
bargained me down to where I only made a lousy $100 commission on the
car I finally got him to buy.
128.2. In a nutshell:
(1) Okay, Mike, But Im trying to catch a plane to Chicago and Im
running late. Please keep it short. Just tell me in a nitshell: Is the Jackson
company contract ready to sign?
(2) In a nutshell can you tell me what the man running out of the
store looked like? Age? Hair? Clothes? And did you see the license number
of the car he jumped in to get away?
129.1. To miss the boat:
(1) Dad missed the boat! He didnt think much of machine he had
said he didnt want to risk his money. If hed bought that Zerox stack our
family would be rich today.
(2) If you want the lowest price on our cars all year, hurry to our
summer sale. It ends Sunday and you dont want to miss the boat on the
best deal in town.
129.2. All in the same boat:
(1) The electric power is out, the water is shut off, the trees are down,
windows broken, roofs gone. Right now all of us in town, rich or poor, are in
the same boat.
(2) In the old days a money crisis in a small country in Asia wouldnt
affect the rest of the world. But thw way the crisis has spread teaches us
now we are all in the same boat.
130.1. To rock the boat:
(1) My friends, if you are smart, dont rock the boat. The boss likes
the way things are now. If you tell him he needs to change things, you may
be out looking for a new job.
(2) If you dont like the mess in Washington, vote for me. When I go
to Congresss I promise Ill rock the boat good and hard, and end a lot of
stuff thats going on there.
130.2. To burn your boats behind you:
(1) I quit my job, sold my house and car, said goodbye to family and
friends. I burned my boats behind me. Theres no turning back now. Im off
to paris in the morning.

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(2) Tom. I know how you feel. But right now its hard to find another
job. I think you better wait to burn your boats behind you until you find
another place to work.
131.1. Tell me about it:
1) Hey! Tell me about it! First, Susies wedding gown caught fire in the
dressmakers. Then, my best man Tom fell and broke his ankle. Im going
crazy trying to find somebody to take his place!
(2) Heah! Tell me about it! This guy drinks, gambles and spends
money like water. But he sure has a way with women. Im worried she will
end up getting hurt wby this guy.
131.2. To tell it like it is:
(1) To tell it like it is, I think you are most selfish on earth! You know
why? You dont care about marriage, you dont share any interests with me.
All you care about is your own career.
(2) Sir! Youve dropped 20% in the opinion polls. Ill tell it like it is.
Voters are fed with your silence on gun controls and health care. If you
dont say something quick, Im afraid this theyll vote you right out of office.
132.1. Let me tell you a thing or two:
(1) Let me tell you a thing or two, son! You know I was against you
working after school, but you said you could handle it. Look how your
grades are dropping! Now, stop working and study. Rememeber, youre still
living under my roof.
(2) Jim, let me tell you a thing or two about marriage. You cant live
on love alone! Youll need a job to pay the rent and food. And youll be
miserable living from pay check to pay check.
132.2. Ill tell you what:
(1) I know I promised to take you to the fiargrounds. But the car is
broken down and we need to fix it. Tell you what. Lets have a cookout in
our backyard and mommy will make your favorite stawberry ice cream.
(2) Look guys! I know the proposal is due early tomorrow morning.
But Ill tell you what. Ill call Sally. She has a good computer and I know
shell let us use it. The job wont take that long since most of our work is
already saved on theses disks.
133.1. Take it easy:
(1) Thats great news Eddie! I am happy you were chosen to run for
your school. But you better take it easy and dont get excited. You have a
lot training to do before the big race.
(2) Honey, Take it easy! They have to be around some place. Ill help
you look. Have you checked your pockets and the table in the hall? Or
maybe you left them in the car door.
133.2. Take it or leave it:
(1) I like it a lot. But this is my last day of vacation and I spent most
of moy money. I can only afford to pay $25 for this wood carving. Thats my
final offer. Take it or leave it!
(2) Well, I like the story, and the sets and costumes were beautiful.
But it was too long and it was easy to guess what happens in the end. I
guess I could take it or leave it.

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134.1. To nail down:
(1) I need new budget figures by four oclock today. I take off for
Chicago at six. I want to get there and try to nail down the contract before
our competition gets there.
(2) I am sure I know who the killer is. But I still have to nail down all
the evidence before I arrested him, because I want to make sure we put
him in prison the rest of his life.
134.2. To hit the nail on the head:
(1) Joe, I didnt listen when you tol me I wouldnt like this college. But
you sure hit the nail on the head. The stuendents arent friendly and I dont
like the teachers at all.
(2) Betty. Last night I went to that movie you told me was so good You
hit the nail on the head. It was terrific! I think itll win the award as best
picture of the year.
135.1. Hard as nails /Tough as nails:
(1) Joe tells me his new boss is hard as nails. He is cold and
unfriendly, shouts at you for any small mistake, and if uou talk back, the
chances are hell fire you on the spot.
(2) Bill is tough as nails. He worked out it the gym and also practice
karate. Last week, two thugs tried to rob him. They picked the wrong man.
He knocked them flat with karate kicks.
135.2. Another nail in the coffin:
(1) Every time my wife catches me smoking a cigarette, she tells me
its another snail in my coffin. Sure. I know its real danger to my health,
but Ive never been able to stop.
(2) I dont know how we can stay open any longer. Weve lost money
every month foe a year, and if we lose any more this mont, itll be the last
nail in our coffin.
136.1. Nail-biter:
(1) Last night thr gym was packed for our big game against Michigan
for the big ten title. It was close right to the end, a real nail-biter. But we
won by one point when our men hit a 3 point basket with 5 seconds left to
play.
(2) This week was a nail-biter on Wall-Street. Prices bounced up and
down as a rubber ball. Investors didnt know whether to sell or buy more.
But prices ended up just about the same.
136.2. Tooth and nail:
(1) They fought tooth and nail against the river. Men, women and
children all came to fill sand bags and pile them up on dikes on the bank to
kepp the water out of their city.
(2) It was as close as the game could be, Michigan and Iowa hit a
basket to win by a sigle point with only 5 seconds left.
137. 1. To talk your ears off:
On the train to New York I sar next to a man who talked my ears off
about himself. He didnt even stop to catch his breath. It was the longest
three hours Ive spent in my life.
137.2. Talk to a blue treak:

141
Susan is lovely but she has a problem. She talks a blue treak. At
dinner, she chattered away so fast I couldne get in a word edgewise. I
doubt Ill even ask her out again.
137.3. To talk nineteen to the dozen:
Normally Mr. Green is calm and relaxed. But the day we had the office
fire he was talking nineteen to the dozen, shouting orders so fast we had
trouble understanding him.
137.4. To talk until you are blue in the face:
I talk to my son til I was blue in my face, about how he needed to
make good grades in high school to get into college. But his grades show
that he wasnt really listening.
138.1. Talk in circles:
He was caught standing over the victim with a smoking gun. His
lawyer talked in
circles, trying to confuse the jury. But they still remembered that smoking
gun and found him
guilty.
138.2 Talk off the top of your head:
Talking of the top of my head, Id say Yes. But I need to go over the
figures for other expenses we have coming up the next 6 months befor I
can tell you for sure.
138.3. Heart-to-heart talk:
Honey, we need a heart-to-heart talk about this man. He is over 40
and he doesnt have good reputation around town. How important is he to
you?
139. 1. Sweet talk:
I wish I could sweet talk like Bob. He can sweet talk mothe in to doing
anything, and he is just as good as sweeting talking girls into going out with
him an a date.
139.2. Double talk:
Someone asked the candidate whether he would vote to cut taxes.
He gave the crowd a lot of doulble talk which left us arguing afterwards
whether his answer Yes or No.
139.3. Shop talk:
Joe, we get enough shop talk at the office, so lets just relax tonight.
Okay? Now, excuse me. I am going over to get acquainted with that lovely
girl in the green dress.
139.4. Talk of the town:
Pete, want to hear the talk of the town these days? The president of
our bank ran away with a pretty cashier and 2 million dollars of the banks
money. It is all people talk about.
140. 1. A feather in your cap:
(1) Congratulations, Sarah! I am so proud of you. Areal feather in your
cap. I know how hard you worked. This makes you the first doctor weve
had in our family.

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(2) Thats right. Last night my old school, Michigan, won the big ten
conference title. Quite a feather in your cap. The big ten has some of the
best teams in the whole country.
140.2. To feather your own nest:
(1) When he won office, our mayor built a lot of new roads. We
certainly needed them, but later we found out he had feathered his own nest by
taking $2 millions in bribes from the contractors. He goes on trial in criminal court
next month.
(2) This bookkeeper feathered his nest for years with company
money he stole by using false figures. They finally caught him when they began
to wonder how he could live like a millionaire on his small salary.
141.1. Ruffle his feathers:
(1) The food was great. But I could see something had ruffles her
feathers. I found out why when I tried to kiss her good night later. I had
failed to notice her new dress and hairdo.
(2) I sure ruffled my bosss feathers at the staff meeting yesterday.
He got all red in the face and gave me a nasty look when I criticized the
new business plan. But I believe I get paid for telling the truth and I still
have my job.
141.2. To make the feathers fly:
(1) Honey, if you invite the Green, we cant invite the Browns. They
dont like each other and every time they meet, they get into a nasty
argument and make the feathers fly.
(2) When Sally saw the house, she went to work and made the
feathers fly. She washed the dishes, cleaned everything up in an hour, Then
she told me how upset she was with me.
142.1. In fine feather:
Right, Im really in fine feather today. This morning, my boss told me
Im getting the promotion I had hoped for, and Now Im on my way to take
my best girl out to dinner to celebrate.
142.2, Birds of a feather:
Go the beaches near Santa Monica and the people you see all birds of
a feather. Everybody around you is young, tan, good looking and looks
great in s swimsuit.
142.3. Fuss and feathers:
Mary upset me when she refused to go to graduation ceremony. She
said it was nothing but fuss and feathers, so she told the univeirsity just to
mail the diploma to her.
142.4. Horse feathers:
Listen, Joe, its been 2 years since I lent you the money. Now, dont
give me any more horse feathers about how hard up you are. Why, you
make mor money tha I do.
143.1. Straight arrow:
(1) I have decided to vote for Mary Maloney instead of the old guy
who has stayed in Washinton for so long. Mary tells the truth and keeps her
promises. She is a straight arrow all right.

143
(2) Bob is a real straight arrow. He does not drin, smoke or chase
girls. I guess O should admire him. But I have to tell yi\ou one thing. He
sure is not much fun ast a party.
143.2. Straight face:
(1) When I saw him climb out all wet and muddy, it was so funny, it
was hard to keep a straight face. But I knew if I laughed, Id be in real
trouble at the office next day.
(2) Sue usually wins at poker. She keeps the same face whether she
has four aces or nothing at all in her hands. Her cards usually surprise you,
so be ready to lose some money.
144.1. Straight from the shoulder:
(1) Charrlie. You wont like this but I have to tell you straight from the
shoulder. That woman you go with is already married to a big pro football
player.
(2) Mr. Lee, I am sorry to tell you this but straight from the shoulder
you are not working out like we had hoped. Well have to let you go Friday
with 2 weeks extra pay.
144.2. Straight from the horses mouth:
(1) Put your bet on number 9. This is straight from the horses mouth.
A jokey told me he is the fastest horse in the race and he is finally in good
shape and ready to win.
(2) Betty, did you hear a giant corporation is buying our firm? Really,
Its straight from the horses mouth. Barbara overheard the boss telling a
friend of his on the phone.
145.1. Greenhorn:
This new kid is a real greenhorn, so I asked him to ge get me a lefthanded hammer. It sure was funny. He went round asking everybody for
such a tool. It took him 10 minutes to realize there isnt any such thing.
145.2. Tenderfoot:
A big mistake. Aall he did was complain about cooking over a
campfire and sleeping in a ten with no electricity and no television.
145.3. Wet behind the ears:
Im telling you Ed, this guy is still wet bedind the ears. He has no idea
of how to start the job. Why, my 10 years old daughter knows more about
computers than he does.
146. 1. Happy as a clam:
My friend Jim is as happy as a clam right now. He was worried about
finding a good job after he graduates, but a big computer company has
hired him for management training.
146.2. Happy-go-lucky:
In Bobs place I would never get out of bed. But he is happy-go-lucky
as ever, greets you with that big smile, tells a few jokes. The invites you for
a drink. What a great guy.
146.3. Slap-happy:
The baby was born a month ago but Mark is still slap-happy to tell the
truth, he is getting pretty annoying.
146.4. Happy camper:

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It was an awful trip,. We took off late. The air was bumpy, the plane
was jammed, the toilets stopped up, the food was terrible. We sure werent
happy-campers whe we landed.
147.1. Bird-brain:
My daughter is a very smart young woman, but love does strange
things to people. She married this worthless bird-brain who has trouble
adding up 2 and 2 getting 4.
147.2. Early bird special:
Mom and Dad are ove 70 and living on pensions. When they eat out.
They always go to this seafood place before 6:00 where they can eat dinner
for 8 dollars. Thats too early for me. I dont get home from work until
seven.
147.3. Strictly for the birds:
Ten minutes after the film statrted, Betty whispered, Honey this is for
the birds. I agreed and we got up and walked out. Be;ieve me, it was awful
strictly for the birds.
148.1. Seed money:
Bills dad put up the seed money for them to open. They had to work
14 hours a day. But they are now open, starting to make money and very
happy to be their own bosses.
148.2. Front money:
The stock market suddenly dropped and couldnt get enough selling
my stocks to complete the deal. So I decided to keep the stocks and let the
front money go. Ill make it on something else. I always do.
148.3. Smart money:
Lots of Republicans will run for the partys nomination for President in
2000. But the smart money says after all the speeches the party will
nominate Governor of Texas George W. Bush.
149.1. Right on the money:
I always listen to Harry Temple on the weekend TV talk shows. He
really knows politics. When he predicts how some political fight will turn
out, he is usually right on the money.
149.2. A run for the money:
That other team is tough. After all, they were the champions last
year. But our guys are ready, and I tell you, win or lose well give those
guys a real runn for money.
149.3. Money in the bank:
Dave, its a sure chance to make money. The location is perfect, my
borther has found great chef and a real bargain on equipment, Hey, believe
me, its money in the bank.
150.1. Put your money where your mouth is:
I heard that John! Do you want to put your money where your mouth
is. Meet me at eight Saturday morning, two out of three sets, and lets find
out who she best player is!
150.2. Throw money down a rat hole:

145
Pete! I see your car is back in the garage again. Dont spend another
cent trying to fix it. You are throwing money down a rat hole. Get rid of it
before it falls apart on you.
150.3. To take money and run:
Larry, I have another tip on that stock. It is about to go down as fast
as it went up. Sell it quickly and you will still make 35% profit. So take the
money and run.
151.1. A slap on the back:
Hey, Fred, come over and give Bill here a good slap on the back. He is
a poud man today. His wife gave birth to twin boys last night, so he is
buying us all drinks.
151.2. A slap in the face:
He kept us waiting 3 hours and then sent a clerk out to tell us he was
too busy, and to come back another day. A real slap in the face. The clerk
didnt even say sorry. Okay, Okay, well remember this at election time this
fall.
151.3. A slap on the wrist:
Two workers got suspended 2 weeks without pay, The third got a
letter of reprimand, just a slap on the wrist. We all knew why. He is the
nephew of the bosss wife.
152.1. Slap dash:
I felt sick to my stomach when I saw the professor had given me a
failing grade on the paper. But I did such a slapdash job that I realize I could
not really expect anything better.
152.2. Salpstick:
I love the clowns falling down, chasing each other, squirting people
with water. Just foolish slapstick, I know, but they make everybody laugh,
from young kids to grandpas.
152.3. Slap together:
The little speech that Lincoln slapped together was less than 3
minutes. But even today many Americans know it by heart and it still
echoes in the heart of the nation.
153.1. Like clockwork:
He comes in at 7:30 like clockwork. He always getss coffee and jelly
doughnut, then sits and reads his paper. Right at 8:30 hea leaves. You can
set your watch by him.
153.2. To clean someones clock:
Sure, Phil, I know Yale has won 6 years in a row. But we have a great
team at Harward this year. I tell you, we are going to clean your clock
Satrurday afternoon.
153.3. Biological clock:
Mollie and I have been married 25 years and her biological clock is
sticking fast. We are not getting any younger, so she will take some time off
her job so we can have a baby,
154. ???
155.1. Too hot to handle:

146
This issue can be too hot to handle. If a candidate supports the right
to abortion, he angers voters opposed to it. If he is against i, he angers
voters who support the right.
155.2. Handle with kid gloves:
Bob is your boss. He is okay except for his hot temper. If you see him
angry, do yoour best to handle the man with kid gloves. Otherwise he can
bite your head off.
155.3. Panhandle:
If a panhandler looks like he really needs help I usually giove him
money. But if you dont have any money on me I resent people who
panhandle and call me cheap or worse.
156.1. Rub elbows with:
Al, sorry I can make it tonight. Our top people from New York are
coming down to meet us, so Ill have to go and ub elbows with them. I hate
to miss the game, believe me.
156.2. Hobnob with:
We are out all the time but most of it is just business. But I save time
to hobnob with my old classmates. We try to get together every Tuesday
night for dinner and a few drinks.
156.3. To hang out with:
Bill, there is nothing else to do tonight so I think Ill go to McDonalds
for a burger and a coke and hang out with a couple of English majors I
know.
156.4. Schmooze:
Uncle Milt was the best there was. His customers loved to see him
walk in. Hed sit and smoke a cigar, schomooze for an hour and walk out
with bigger orders than anybody else.
157.1.
158.1. To give someone lip:
Look, Bill, thats no way to talk to your dad, dont give me any more
lip, son. You better be home by midnight or you cant use the car for a
month. Do you hear me?
158.2. Botton your lip:
I wont hide the problem from you. But let button your lip about it
outside the office. If the news gets out we might have to close down, and
that will hurt us all.
158.3. Stiff your up lip:
John, you and I just have to keep a stiff upper lip. Our best chance of
survival is to kepp from showing how scared we really about f\going out of
business.
159.1. Hang on someones lips:
Economics is always boring to me. But Dr. Green was different. He
made economics so lively and interesting that the whole class would hang
on his lips at each lecture.
159.2. A slip of the lip:

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Im sorry. Of course Dr. Smith! Just a slip of the lip, sir. I know you are
Dr. Smith. I had your English class last year. I guess the wrong name just
popped out.
159.3. Read my lips:
The Congress will push me to raise taxes and Ill say No, and they will
push me again. All I can say to them is read my lips. No new taxes.
160.1. Cheap shot:
This is just another cheap shot from my oponent. In college I tried
marijuana twice at parties. I did not like the stuff and it happened 40 years
ago.
160.2. Low blow (To hit below the belt):
Sir, thats a real low blow. It is either a deliberate lie or it shows you
simply dont know much about the whole issue of national health care for
all Americans!
161.1. To glad hand:
He is the best! Hell go into a crowd to glad hand anyone he can
reach. They all break into delighted smiles, happy that a famous man
actually shook hands with them.
161.2. To press the flesh:
Our guy has to get out and press the flesh a lot more. The other guy
is good at that. He is even at the factory gates at 6:00 Am to meet with
workers on the early shift.
162.1. Slam dunk:
Mr. Clinton scored a slam dunk in his race with Senator Dole. He won
in 31 states including all the biggest states except Texas, and Mr. Dole only
took 19.
162.2. Full court press:
We thought Florida was safe for us but it is not. Staring now I want
you to put on a full court press. Do everything you can to stop this guy from
gaining more.
163.1. Squeaker:
Thats right! I was a real squeaker! A total of more than 68 votes
were cast, and it turned out that Mr. Kennedy squeaked by with only a
narrow margin of 120,000 votes.
163.2. Win by a whisker:
She had a good record serving in Congress, but some men were not
sure she was ready, So she wonw by a whisker, 300 votes in a total 3
million.
164.1. Landslide:
The 3 biggest lanslides in the 20th century belong to Lyndon Johnxon
in 1964, Rechard Nixon in 1972 and Ronald Reagan in 1984. Each won by
more than 15 million votes.
164.2. To blow out:
I think our governor will blow out his opponent. He has done a good
job and people like him. Besides, the man running agianst him is someone
most voters never heard of.
164.3. To clobber:

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In South Carolina George Bush clobbered John McCain. But in a couple
of days Mr. McCain turned the table and clobbered Mr. Bush in Michigan to
stay in the race.
165.1. To jump on the bandwagon:
I worked hard to help the man who lost the primary. But I am a loyal
member of my party. So Ill jump on the bandwagon and work for the
winner even if I dont like him very much.
165.2. Home stretch:
(1) The last few weeks down the hoem stretch it is vital to have as
much compaign money left as possible to knock out your opponent before
he knocks t\you out.
(1) People usually jump on a bandwagon because they want yo be
with winner. But sometimes down the home stretch aa wagon can lose a
wheel and the riders dont reach the finish line first.
166.1. Fence sitter:
There are so many fence sitters among the voters that the public
opinion polls cannot predict the winner. Well have to wait until the voters
make up their minds.
166.2. Swing voter:
The qustion is, how can Mr. Bush gain support enough of the swing
voters to help him win this fall. Or will most of them vote for Al Gore now
that Mr. McCain is gone.
167.1. Baby kissing:
Senator John Smith has ten children of his own and really enjoys baby
kissing. Kids feel this: A baby will smile and gurgle in his arms and thus naturally
delights the parents and can mean extra votes.
167.2. The rubber chicken circuit:
On the rubber chicken circuit I eat a few bites, give my talk and excuse
meself to hurry on to the next dinner. Then O stop for a hamburger on my way
back to my hotel for a few hours of sleep before an early fund raising breakfast.
168.1. To step up to the plate:
Tomorrow Mr. Clinton will step up to the plate in San Fransico to tell
voters that our foreign policy will be in much safer hands if they send Vice
President Gore to the White House.
168.2. To touch base /To touch all the bases:
(1) Joe, the boss is not happy about you contacting state chairmen
without consulting him. Youd better learn to touch base with him or you
wont be working here anymore.
(2) Fellows, we have 23 local leaders we have to contact up there.
Make sure we talk to them all. We need to touch all the bases because we
cant win without New York.
169.1. Lots on the ball:
Mary Green is remarkable. Republicans like her as musch as
Democrats. Shes been elected to Congress 5 straight terms. Voterss have
learned she really has lots on the balls.
169.2. Ballpark figure:

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How much? I can only give you a ballpark figure, but right now I think
our man will win by 6 to 8 points. He has always been very popolar in this
state.
170.1. To go to bat for:
They are 2 old friends of mine. So I really want to go to bat for them
and make some personal appearances with each, I am sure they wll return
the favor back in Congress.
170.2. Right off the bat:
Sorry, I cant tell you right off the bat. Ill know better after I undergo
more tests and decide about treatment. Next week I hope to be able to tell
you more.
171.2. To throw a curve ball:
He said hed just ask me about my proposal to cut taxes! But instead
he threw a real curve ball. He asked me a lot of questions about where I got
so much money for my campaign.
171.2. Beanball:
I have just learned that the other side has found old court papaers
about me being convicted for drunken driving forty years ago in college.
They will use this as a beanball even though I never had any trouble since.
172.1. Pork barrel:
To quote from a Washington newspaper Mr. Bush wants to clean up
some of the pork barrel spending practices that have soured public on
politicians from both parties.
172.2. Gridlock:
If you want to end this gridlock mess in Washington, the only way to
do it is to send our candidate to the White House and vote for our people in
both houses of Congress.
173.1. To suck up:
Officials will suck up to big contributors by inviting them to play in
special golf tournaments, lunch with famous sports heroes, and dine with
movie stars in Hollywood studio.
173.2. To shake down:
Well have lunch with the candidate for supporters who have given at
least $5,000 so far, and shaken them down for a check for $2,500 right on
spot. Most will do it too.
174.1. To duke it out:
The two really duked it out. Mr. Gore charged Mr. Bush is too close to
the oil companies and Mr. Bush hit back by claiming Mr. Gore wanted to
give Big Oil a huge tax break.
174.2. To come out swinging:
After the party conventions things heat up again. And in September
and October the candidates come out swinging with charges and
counterchages just about everyday of the week.
175.1. To bang heads:
I expect them to bang heads on issues like tax cuts, saving medicare
health insurance and abortion. They have differences on many issues, so
theres lots to bang heads about.

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175.2. To go toe-to-toe:
Voters pay mor attention in the fall because election day is November
7, so candidates really go toe-to-toe attacking their opponents policies and
praisin their own.
176.1. In cahoots with:
Mr. Gore claims Mr. Bush is in cahoots with the drug makers to kepp
the cost of medicine high for older people and Mr. Bush says, No, its Mr.
Gore who is in cahoots with them.
176.2. Lock, stock and barrel:
Mr. Gore says he is independent of the oil companies but not Mr.
Bush. In Mr. Gores words: They support him lock, stock and barrle. He
suppots them lock, stock and barrel.
177.1. To go by the board:
In 1913 the old law went by the board. That was when the 17 th
Amendment changed the Costitution to provide the senators be elected
dirrectly by the people.
177.2. To fall into line:
After the meeting, Mr. Lieberman showed he would fall into line on
school vouchers. Now, he indicated he did not think they would work.
178.1. In the loop:
John doesnt like his name in the paper. But he is certainly in the loop.
The candidate keeps him fully informed and listens to his advice before he
makes a decision.
178.2. Loophole:
For months, I have heard that the parties blame each other for the
laws having these loopholes. The Republicans blame the Democrats, and
vice versa. Rigth now, I am all mixed up.
179.1. On the warpath:
The two major candidates for President, Mr. Gore and Mr. Bush have
been on the warpath against each other all year, and they will stay on the
warpath until election day.
179.2. To bury the hatchet:
The loser will phoen the winner to congratulate hin on winning and
the winner will help to bury the hatchet by saying nice things about the
loser and the campaign he ran.
180.1. To go out on a limb:
Candidates sometimes go out on a limb with promises they cant
keep. One case is a promise to cut taxes, However, a president cannot cut
taxes unless the Congress first passes a law authorizing the lower rate.
180.2. To gild the lily:
These days it is dangerous for a candidate to go out on a limb and
gild the lily about his life, his practical views or his accomplishments. Both
his opponents side and the media leap at the chance to check up on his
claims and expose any mistakes they can find.
181.1. Lame duck:
Our govewrnor still has 8 weeks left in his term before the man who
beat him is sworn in. But he knows he is a lame duck with nothing left to do

151
except to packup his papers and his personal effects and start looking for
something else to do to earn a living.
181.2. Golden parachute:
In month, he had found a golden parachute. He was named as a
partner in a Washington law firm representing farm organisations dealing
with government agencies involved with programs that affect American
farmers.
182.1. To hang loose:
Oh man! That sure was tough! Lets go to the Student Union and just
hang loose, have a beer or two and watch the ball game on TV. I dont fell
like studying tonight.
182.2. To chill out:
Joe, dont be foolish! You are the best man the boss has, and he
knows it. So just chill out until he gets over being mad. It doesnt really
sound like its your fault anyhow.
182.3. To kick back:
I went to Ocean City for 2 weeks to kick back, to swim, sun, eat good
seafood, sleep late. I met some great new girls. Man! I loved every minute
of it.
183.1. A piece of cake:
Thats right! I was scared to death Id flunk it. But Ill tell you, it
turned out to be a piece of cake! Right now I feel happier than I have felt
for a month.
183.2. Easy as pie:
I thought it would take all weekend. But writing it was as easy as pie.
I finished it Saturday noon andf got the rest of the weekend to spend with
my wife and daughter.
184.1. Breakthrough:
Doctor Roberts worked more than 5 years to find a cure for a rare
troical disease. Then one night, when hw was looking through his
microscope the breakthrough finally came and he was able to develop a
cure.
184.2. To break the ice:
(1) Everyone was nervous at first seeing all our classmates after 20
years. But then Brad put on some old disco music and before we knew it
everyone was dancing. Brad still knows how to break the ice.
(2) She says Yes. So I sat down and introduced myslef. I was really
starting to break the ice with her when I looked up and there was her
boyfriend, a football star, That was the end of that.
185.1. Double up in brass:
Wallace Stevens certainly could double up in brass. He was a
successful insurance executive and at the same time was writing some of
the best poetry this decade.
185.2. To play second fiddle:
(1) The main job of an American vice president is to play second
fiddle to the president, to represent him when asked, and to bready to take
his place if something happens to him.

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(2) Yes, it is time to move on. I dont like to play second fiddle the
next 20 years to this conceited young quy with no experience and not even
half my brain and ability.
186.1. To pull out all the stops:
Harry, lets us pull out all the stops. Well use our whole advertising
budget this year to sell this. Tell everyone it is cheaper and better than
anything our competitors can offer.
186.2. To beat the drum for:
(1) A few of us club memebers took a bunch of tickets out and beat
drum for the palay with our friends. Ans we sold enough to fill all the seats
the first time in history.
(2) He is real trouble. People dontt like him much. So he is out early
beating the drum for himself, trying to raise compaign money and find
groups to support him.
187.1. To sing the blues:
Bobs still singing the bllues about losing his girlfriend six months
ago. I guess the guy didnt realise how much he cared for her until she
walked out on him.
187.2. To sing a different tune:
(1) All season that team brag theyre number one. Well, if we play as
hard as I know we can, well beat them sing a different tune at the end of
the game.
(2) Mike has been saying all over the town the quarrel is all my fault.
He is lying. And when my lawyer get finished with him, I guarantee
hell be singing a different tume.
188.1. A stuffed shirt:
My boss is nothing but a stuffed shirt. All he talks about is his family
background, his grades at college. And how other dont have good manners
any more.
188.2. To give the shirt off your back:
(1) Hey, old friend, you know me. Any other time Id give you the shirt
off my back. But right now Im afraid Im broke myself. I just paid college
tuition for my kids. I sure wish I could help.
(2) Of course dad gets mad at me sometimes for no good reason. And
he is kind of old-fashioned in a lot of ways. But if I ever need it, I know hed
give me the shirt off his back.
189.1. Keep your shirt on:
Come on Charley, keep your shirt on! This time of day there isnt
much traffic, so we have plenty of time to get to the airport and catch your
plane.
189.2. To lose your shirt:
(1) Did you hear what happened to Joe? Hes last his shirt. The poor
guy invested all his money in a new restaurant, but it was in a poor loaction
and it just went out of business.
(2) You say this man promises to double your investement in six
months? Id think twice before Id give him any money. This sounds like a
deal where you can lose your shirt in a hurry.

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190.1. Break a leg:
Johnny, I know you are seeing admissions director and the dean find
out whether Yale will accept you for law school. I just want to say, break a
leg, old friend.
190.2. Knock them dead:
(1) Okay everyone, remember we offer better prices and higher
quality than everybody else. Now take your order books and get out and
knock them dead out there.
(2) Billy, I know youd rather be any place else today but in a
classroom taking the SAT. But its the key to getting into a good college, So,
knock them dead, son, knock them dead.
191.1. Sweet talk:
Boby tried to sweet talk me into letting him to take out the family car
out. But when he saw his sweet talk is wasnt working, he lost his temper
abd locked himself in his room.
191.2. Sweet nothings:
Weve found that a few sweet nothings everyday really helps our
marriage. We know we love each other, but it laways makes us feel good to
hear it again from each other.
191.3. To sweeten the pot:
The salary the two firms offered was the same. But the firm he chose
sweetened the pot with a company car for personal use and the promise of
a good promotion in six months.
192.1. Sweetheart:
I tell you, its a real sweetheart. Bright red, very sporty looking, a
convertible I love to drive with the top down. Another thing, its a great
chick magnet.
192.2. A sweetheart deal:
It made a big scandal. The papers found that the builder didnt
submit the lowest bid and he bribed two officilas to award him the contract.
192.3. Sweetness and light:
Until she became our boss Mary was all sweetness and light to all.
Then, she revealed what she really was, harch, demanding and shorttempered with everybody.
193.1. Gung Ho:
(1) Paula is certainly Gung Ho on equal rights for women. You see her
at almost every rally in Washinton, chanting slogans and carryinf signs that
demend equal rights.
(2) The disposable ones are such a waste. Making them destroy what
little is left of the forests. I am impressed with the truck driver who is so
Gung Ho on environmental protection that carries his own set of chopsticks
and washes them after every meal.
193.2. Bugaboo:
The stumbling stock prices and low level of comsumer spending are
some of the bugaboo that can bring the mations economy down.
194.1. One and only:

154
Its about time. Bill and Mary have gone together all through high
scholl and college. For several years they have been each others one and
only. He never looked at another girl and she never went out with another
guy.
194.2. Two-timer:
My friend Pete is a lonely man these days. He had been going with
Sally for a long time and she thought he was serious about her. The he
started going out with Pauline too. And both found out. There was a big
fuss, and neither one wants to see the two-timer again.
194.3. Three bricks short of a load:
Elmer isnt bad looking. He is polite, well-dressed, a nice guyl But
Jenny says his trouble is that he is three bricks short of a load. Hes not very
smart at all and barely passes his schoolwork. So she just isnt at all
interested in going out with him.
195.1. The fat is in the fire:
Im afraid the fat is in the fire: Our biggest customer has just
cancelled his contract with us. It will be hard to stay in bunsiness unless we
can find some new contracts in a hurry.
195.2. To step up to the plate:
When our boss died in an auto accident, our number two had to step
up to the plate and take over. And Im glad to say so far hes doing a great
job. Things run smoothly.
195.3. To cut the mustard:
Joe tried hard but he was too small and too lowto cut the mustard
with the Giants. In other words, Joe didnt live up to his ambition.
196.1. When the chips are down:
After 5 days of play, 3 players were tied at the last hole. The chips
were down and Tiger Woo had to sink a very long putt to win the
tournament.
196.2. To turn tail:
We saw this guy bending over the window of our car trying to break in
we yelled at him. He looked around, then turned tail and ran away.
196.3. To knuckle under:
But I am not going to knuckle under to this guy any more. Im going
in and tell him how bad he has treated me, yell I quit, then walk out and
slam the door on him.
197.1. Let the cat out of the bag:
Of course I invited her best friend Betty. But when Betty saw Sue at
the market, she forgot it was supposed to be a surprise. She let the cat out
of the bag and told her how glad shed be to see her next Friday night, She
sure spoiled my surprise!
197.2. A cat on a hot tin roof:
I admit Im like cat on a hot tin roof these days. So I worried I kepp
pacing the floor, to nervous even to sit down, I wont even be able to get a
good nights sleep until I get that letter telling me yes or no. Its been a bad
couple of weeks waiting like this.
197.3. Has the cat got your tongue?

155
Son. I see theres a new dent in the fender this morning. You didnt
say anything about it last night. How come? I want to know right now how it
happened! Whats the matter, Boy Has the cat got your tongue?
198.1. In a bind:
I am in a bind. Dad says lawyers can make a lot of money so hes
help em with tuition and living costs. But Ive always dreamed of a reporter
or a TV newsman. Qnd if I do that, Dad says Ill be on my own and have to
work full time to pay foe my college expenses.
198.2. Between a rock and a hard place:
This is tough one. My supervisor and my big boss dont like each
other. One will tell me to do one thing and the other comes along 2 hours
later and tells me to do the opposite. I tell you, this sure puts me between a
rock and a hard place. Anybody got any ideas what to do?
199.1. High five:
When we got the good news, we were all giving each other high fives,
even the big boss, who s usually a very dignified guy. You can imamagine
low hard we worked to get the contract. We were competing against four
other companies hot after it6 too.
199.2. Deep six:
I submitted tis plan to the boss to save costs and make more money.
But the guy gave it the deep six without even showing it to the board.
Sometimes I fell Im just wasting my time at this place. They dont know a
good idea when they see it!
208.1. A stick in the mud:
The man next door looks young but hes an old stick-in-the-mud in his
outlook. He never goes out or has friends in. He just sits around in front of
the TV, the great American sedative.
208.1. To muddy the water:
The defend is trying to muddy the water by painting the wife as bad.
Whether she was god or bad is not the issue. The question here is did this
man kill a fellow human being in cold blood!
209.1. Up your alley:
You studied journalism and took a lot od economics, and worked for
an export firm and know something about business, Its a job thats right up
your alley, Mary!
209.2. Up to speed:
I want to bring you up to speed on a television set well have ready
for the market in three months. Please, take notes so you remember all the
features it offers.
209.3. Up for grabs:
One of our accountants is retiring and his job is up for grabs. Youre
certainly qualified. If you clal and ask for an interview, I think youve got a
very chance to get it.
210.1. Up the wall:
At dinner they sit next to me staring up with those bid sad eyes like
they are starving. This drives me up to the wall. They wont stop begging

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until I sneak a bite of food under the table for them. But they are getting as
fat as a pair of lttile pigs.
210.2. Up to scratch:
Joe, I have to tell you, Your work is simply bit up to sratch, Youre
slower thanh others in your department and the results arent as good/
Well give you a couple of months to improve, but if you cant, Im afraid
well have to let you go.
210.3. Upmarket:
Bob, be smart and shop around in regular jewelry stores. Stay out of
those upmarket places that charge more for the same stones. Remember
they have to pay a lot higher rent and spend a lot more on furniture just to
impress people like us.
211.1. To go down the drain:
Joe borrowed my savings to open a coffe shop. It made money at first,
but then somebody opened a bigger place down the street. This
competition put my borther out of business and all the money I lent him
went down the drain.
211.2. Down the hatch:
Good, here are our drinks, Lets drink to the news that youve found
the girl of your dreams and are going to marry and start a family. So lets
raise our glasses, old friend, drink up. Down the hatch!
211.3. Down for the count:
Mary, Im starting to worry. Our sales have gone down a lot this year.
Unless they pick up the next few months and we can get a new loan from
our bank, Im scared a good chace the company will go down for a count.
212.1. To downplay:
This will double our business for the next three years. But its stange
how he much downplayed such a good news when he told us. Maybe hes
afraid that well ask him for higher salaries because well all have to work
harder now.
212.2. Downsize:
This year the decline in business had been difficult for many of these
firms who had done so well easier. Many have had to downsize, some have
gone out of business and people who had been doing very well are now
busy looking for work.
212.3. Down to earth:
She comes from a wealth family and went to one of the best schools
in the country, but Im glad to say despite that shes really down to earth.
She understands what we do, is warm, friendly and treats us like equals,
Thats why I say shes truly down to earth.
213.1. Prime time:
Prime time is when TV gets most viewers. By 8P.M most of us have
eaten dinner and want to relax and be entertained. But by 11 oclcok
people are sleepy and ready to go to bed. And by the end of the late news,
a great many are already asleep and snoring.
213.2. Shock jocks:

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I dont like these schok jocks, but I know people who do. Thats up to
them. The Washington area has over 50 stations. You dont like shock jocks.
Just put a button or turn a dial and hear the news, Mozart or something els
you like.
213.3. Snail mail:
I use E-mail to keep in touch with most of my friends. But my girlfriend out
in Los Angeles and I still use Snail Mail to write each other. Why? One good
reason is her letters smell so good, and she cant put perfume on an e-mail note.
214.1. A shot in the arm:
During the business recession in 2001 the Federal Reserve Board
lowered the interest rate almost every month or so to make it easy to
borrow money and thus give the economy a needed shot in the arm.
214.2. A shot in the dark:
Im not expert, but since you sak me, Ill take a shot in the dark. So Ill
predict that with Michael Jordan playing, theyll get into the playoffs for the
title. In my opinion, Michael Jordan is the best baskeball player who evewr
lived.
214.3. A shot across the bow:
Before the final vote, several prominent Democrats fired a shot
across the bow of the White House by warning the administration it
wouldnt get the votes to pass the bill before adjournment unless it
included more of what their party wanted.
215.1. Like a shot:
You ought to see Pete when he hears you open the door of the fridge. Hes
there like a shot, almost the light goes on inside the fridge. And he gives me this
sad look like he hasnt had anything to eat for a week and is starving.
215.2. Call the shots:
When our boss, Ms. Phillips,. Had to go to the hospital, she asked Joe Green
to take over and call the shots. So hes making all of the business decisions,
running the company and supervising all the rest of us in our daily work.
215.3. Parting shot:
If I was losing my job anyhow, at leasty I had the pleasure of telling
my boss what I really thought of him, My parting shot was Never again will
I work for a guy as stupid and lazy as you are. Im glad to be out of this
place.
216.1. To shoot the breeze: Joe, do you want to come along to meet Mike and
Bob at the coffee shop? We can shoot the breeze for an hour or two about that
great basketball game last night and relax before we have to study for that big
test in economics tomorrow.
216.2. Shoot the works:
Joe, I have to buy an engagement ring for my girl Sally. Ill propose to
her tomorrow. Can you come along with me to the jewelry shop? Ill shoot
the works on the rings, and you know more about diamands than I do. Ive
never been engaged before.
216.3. To shoot oneself in the foot:
In 1990 a big government budget deficit forced him to raise taxes. He
had shot himself in the foot with his promise because the other party used

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this against him in the 1992 election, and he lost his compaign for the
second term.
217.1. The life of the party:
People who give parties always invite Jenny because thewy know
shell be the life of the party. She knows everybody in town, helps guests
get to know each other, makes sure they get plenty to eat, and makes
every body fell very comfortable.
217.2. Party pooper:
Honey, lets not invite John Smith. Hes a real party pooper. He puts
on this sour look like his stomach hurts, has nothing good to say about
anybody, doesnt even smile at other peoles jokes., and always looks like
hed rather be nay place lese.
217.3. Party line:
You know were in trouble. But lets follow the party line, Tell people
were doing okay, that we have some big new orders in sight, that were
thinking about expanding our offices, and we expect our stock to go up in
themarket.
218.1. Call on the carpet:
Mr. Lee finally called Joe on the carpet. He told him he was a god
sallesman but he had to start working a full eight hours a day like
everybody else. If he didnt, then the company would have to let him go
and get someone else.
218.2. Call the tune:
When the old man left. His young son got the job. Now he calls the
tune and is making a lot of changes, Its too early to tell whether he can
really handle the job, but so far hes doing just fine.
218.3. Call it a day:
Hey, Mike, look at the clock. Its late, were hungry, and my eyes are
so tired I can hardly se the numbers. Lets callit a day and look for the
mistakes in the morning after weve had a good nights sleep.
219.1. Stomping ground:
So you want to Michiganm did you! Well, so did I. Its my old stomping
ground two. I spent four of the best years of my life there. Its a beautiful
campus with those lakes, and I really enjoyed the town of Ann Arbor, People
are nice there.
219.2. Hangout:
When I was in college, our most popular hangout was the tavern in
the Studen Union. The food was cheap and not too bad, drinks were cheap
and it was a great place to hang out with woman students without spending
too much money.
219.3. Neck of the woods:
My neck of the woods is a little town in Kansas, out in the middle of
wheat fields, I was born and grew upo there, and didnt know anywhere
else until I went away to college. I still go back once a year just to see my
mother and dad.
220.1. Pinch pennies:

159
Joe and his wife certainly like to pinch pennies. They both have good
jobs but they drive an old car, buy the cheapest clothes they can find.
Never go to eat or see a movie. But one thing is sure theyll have plenty
of money when they retire.
220.2. In a pinch:
Im afraid any one of my tires will go flat any time. My spare tire is
bald and leaks air, but O hope in a pinch oitll last long enough to let me
get to the nearest station where I can get some help.
220.3. Pinch hit:
Mr. Warren was out 2 months recovering from his operation. His
assistant Katie Lee was asked to pinch-hit for him. She is very youn of
course, but she did such a great job that we think shell take over his office
when he retires next year.
221.1. Bed of roses:
My sister Irene works at a full time job and has two sons to take care
of when she gets home. Her husband Bob tries to help out, of course, but
he just isnt too handy with kids. Believe me, her life these days in No bed
of roses.
221.2. Bed of nails:
Mike is looking for another job. His boss is rude and very badtempered. And the five people who work for Mie are lazy and untrained so
Mike has to explain everything to them at least three times, So his job is a
real bed of nails for him.
221.3. On the wrong side of the bed:
Im sorry Im in such a bad mood today. I just got up on the wrong
side of the bed. But our baby cried all night long. And I forgot to set the
alarm so I had no time to eat breakfast. I think after a good nights sleep Ill
be okay against.
222.1. To drop a bombshell:
That was a time when Americans were sharply devided on the
Vietnam war. The the President dropped a bombshell on voters: He
announced in very clear words hes mad up his mind he would not be a
candidate in the fall.
222.2. Get the drop on:
Our new software will get the drop on our competitors. It performs
accounting work a whole lot faster than other stuffs on the market, and
weve put a price on it as low as the lower software the other companies
are selling.
222.3. To wait for the other shoe to drop:
This is a board meeting next Friday to vote on whether to give us a
raise. So we are all hopeful but nervous at the same time. But theres
nothing we can do except wait for the other shoe to drop lat Friday
afternoon.
223.1. To drop the ball:
Were all upset with Lee. We were sur wed get the big contract with
this customer to build a new factory but Lee dropped the ball. He made

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mistaes in figuring the budget and now the customer doesnt want to do
business with us.
223.2. At the drop of a hat:
Jack was small for his age but he had a quick temper and was always
getting into fights with the other boys at the drop of a hat. Mother and dad
used to worry about this, but he learned to control his temper by the time
he got to high school.
223.3. A drop in the bucket:
Honey, that first house would be perfect for us. But Im afraid we
cant really afford it right now. The money weve been saving to make the
down payment is nothing but a drop in the bucket compared to what
theyre asking.
224.1. To salt away:
Thats right! Im looking for a job that will help me salt away as much
of my salary as I can save every month, Ill need it to help our kids go to
colleg, and to help us when we retire. Thats a long way off but its not too
early tom make plans.
224.2. Worth his salt:
At first we werent impressed by Miss Lee. She was quiet and doesnt
have much to say. But after we saw she how fast she straightened out our
budget mess, we knew she was just what we needed. Now we all agreed
shes certaily worht her salt.
224.3. Back to the salt mines:
Say, look at the time. Its already after one oclock! I hoep you all
enjoyed this and everybody got enough to eat. Well have to do this again
one of these days, but right now Im afraid we have to go back to the salt
mines and get to work.
225.1. Pretty penny:
Id like to go to a famous private school, but the tuition is a pretty
penny and our family doesnt have that much money. So Ill go to the state
university. I can still get a good education there and Ill take out a student
loan to help pay the tuition.
225.2. Penny ante:
Mr. Lee opend a penny ante Asian noodle shop, only six tables with
his wife as a cook and himself as waiter. But the noodles were delicious and
cheap, and a few year later he had six larger restaurants around town and
a lot od money in the bank.
225.3. Pennies from heaven:
Sally found this old painting that had been in the attic for many
years. She took it to an art dealer who said it was by a well-known painter
shed never heard of. He paid her $5.000 for it. It was a real case of pennies
from heaven.
226.1. Turn on a dime:
You know, the car is ten years old and one of these days Ill have to
spend the money to buy a new one. But theres one thing I love about it,
the way it handles. It can really turn on a dime, just like one a those
expensive sports cars

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226.2. Nickel and dime:
Our kids Bill and Susie nickle and dime my wife and me to death, Its
just a few dollars every time, but it never stops, and after a while ads up to
so much money it makes quite a hole in our pockets.
226.3. A dime a dozen:
Betty, dont let it get you down! To tell the truth, I never thought
much of that guy. Men like him are a dime a dozen. Forget about him! With
your brains, good looks ans personality therell be a lot of other guys
interested in you.
227.1. Top dollar:
I thought about it long and hard because the other staion in Chicago
offered to pay me top dollar to work for them. But Mary and I are happy here, the
schools are good and this station gave me my first start. So, I decided to stay
right here.
227.2. Dollars to doughnuts:
I tell you, its dollars to doughnuts that the Los Angeles Lakers will
win the title again, just like last year. They have the best palyers in the
league, plenty of experience, and a great coach. I dont see hoaw anybody
can beat them.
227.3. Bottom dollar:
Im spending very cent I have on this stock. My classmate says itll
double in a month and be worth ten times as much in a year. So Im going
to bet my bottom dollar on it. My classmate has already made a lot of
money in the stock market.
228.1. A stitch in time:
My car has gone about 100,000 miles but the engine is still in good
shape. I think tis because I make sure I change the motor oil every 300
miles. I know most people dont bother, but Im sure changing oil that often
is a real stitch in time.
228.2. Without a titch on:
Rose had just taken Bobby out of the tub and was drying him off
when she went to answer the phone. Then the doorbell rang and the little
boy ran to answer it. It was the new neighbors coming to call and they
found Bobby standing there without a stitch on.
228.3. To keep in titches:
Ive heard about this movies but I had never senn it. But, Im glad I
did. Ypu cant take the plot serious, of course, but it has one laugh right
after nonother, and jokes keep coming and I predict itll keep you in stiches
right up to the end.
229.1. In the picture:
Charley, when you get to Los Angeles, be sure to call me every
evening to tell me whats happening, just to make sure to keep me in the
picture. Okay, better get along to airport. And the best of luck. We need
that contract.
229.2. Picture perfect:
It was a great game all right. The lakers were ahead 99 to 98 with
only a few seconds left. But Moses Malone got the ball for Utah, took it to

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the other end and with only one second left, shot a picture perfect basket
that didnt even touch the net.
229.3. The big picture:
Charlie, nice job. But Im on my way to the airport to Paris. Just I give
me the big picture now, like thows in charge of their part of the project and
what his problems are. Put the details in your written reports and Ill read it
later when I have time.
230.1. From the ground up:
Mr. Kroc started from the ground up with a little hamburger shop for
people who want food fast. Then he had an idea: lease his fast food idea
out to others. The results was thousands of McDonalds restaurants selling
fast food around the globe.
230.2. To suit down the ground:
Our problem is mom and dad are happy where they are. They like the
neighborhood, the little garden and old shade trees. They know where
everything is. Its where they fell at home, They simply tell us the old place
suits them down to the ground.
230.3. To get in on the ground floor:
Nobody had heard of Microsoft wnhn it first put its stocks on sale. But
my cousin heard someone says computers would change the world. So he
decided to get in on the ground floor and bought as much as he could
afford. It ended up as the smartest thing he ever did.
231.1. Ground rule:
One ground rule is that the most senior reporter present decides
when the conference is over. For years it was a woman reporter, Helen
Thomas. Who would simply say Thanhk you, Mr. president to signal no
more question.
231.2. Ground zero:
You cant believe how awful my sons room looks: He hasnt cleaned it
for a long, long time. And my daughters room is just as bad. No wonder
teeangers have started to call their bedrooms ground zero.
231.3. Hit the ground running:
Lets make sure were all set to go, with our TV and newspaper ads,
mail ads all lined up, and our best-looking cars out in our showroom. When
we bring out the new models we want to hit the ground running.
232.1. On the cutting edge:
Albert Einstein was on the cutting edge of physics. His ideas
revoutionized mordent thought on space and time. And his work formed the
theoreticla base for the exploitation of atomic energy and brought us in to
the atomic age.
232.2. To have an edge on:
I think Pete Smith has an edge on his rival in the race for the US
senate from our state. Hes got the experience: Hes been a Congressman
for ten years, and he has a good record to run on. Hes almost sure to win
on next November!
232.3. On the ragged edge:

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Mary, Im getting scared about our money situation in the firm, Our
sale are down, our costs are way up. Unless we can get a quick loan
somewhere Im afraid well be right on the ragged edge of going bankrupt!
233.1. To hit it big:
This man fired up chicken with his own secret recipe of spices. And
rapidly its fame spread through the South and the the whole country. Mr.
Sanders hit it big. Now Colonel Sanderss Kenturky fired chicken has chops
around the world.
233.2. To hit it off:
Bruce and Betty really hit it off right away. They started seeing each
other, then after a year or so decided to get married, Now six years later
they have four kids and are just about as close to each other as two peole
could be.
233.3. Hit the spot:
Do you want to kh\now what hits the spot with me when I get back
from running, all hot and thirsty? A great big glass of iced tea with a
squeeze of lemon in it. Theres nothing as refreshing after good hard
exercise. It sure hits the spot.
234.1. Hit the books:
This weekend I wanted to go somewhere with my girlfriend. But Im
failing right now in my economics course, so Ill have to hit the books all
weekend long and hope I can remember enough to pass the exam on
Monday.
234.2. Hit ones stride:
Joe spent his first year leaving a good time. But when he failed two
courses this woke him up. He got serious at last. He started hitting the
books and before long he hit his stride. Now hes getting good grades and
hopes to graduate on time.
234.3. To hit the jackpot:
With the dirt off. She saw the picture was a simple farm scene, but
the style looked familiar! So she took it to a museum and learned shes hit
the jackpot. It was a famous folk painter named Grandma Moses and worth
about 25,000 dollars.
235.1. Make tracks:
Mary and Chris went around a rocky ledge and found themselves face
to face with a big mother bear with her tow cubs. The bera growled and
the couple made tracks and didnt stop running til they got back to their
car, jumped in and loocked the doors.
235.2. Cut an run:
When my neighbors heard the burglats, he turned on the lights and
his two big dogs ran downstairs barking. The burglars decided theyd better
cut and run. They ran away so fast one dropped a bag of things hed
already stolen from somewhere else.
235.3. Hit the road:
Lois, its getting late. Its been a great party. But its time for us to hit
the road and get home to bed. Tomorrows a workday and we all have to
get up early.

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236.1. To weasel out:
My constractor is trying al sorts of excuses to weasel out of our
constract because the supplies are costinf him more then he figured. But
Ive stopped paying him until the work speeds yp. And Ill get a lawyer and
take him to court if I have to.
236.2. To skunk:
The Cowboys were supposed to beat us by at least 14 points. But we
caught them by surprise and we skunked them 21 to nothing. They never
came close to the Redskin goal line.
236.3. To squirrel away:
I whis I was as smart about moeney as Pete, he squirreled away
enogh to buy a new car and pay foe it in cash. Think og tow thousand
dollars in interest he save by not getting a car loan form a bank and payin
installments for 36 months.
237.1. Heavy weather:
John has his heart set on being an engineer. He studies hard in his
math courses, but Im sorry to say he doesnt get very high grades. So Im
really afraid hell run inot heavy weather when he has to tak calculus next
semester.
237.2. Under the weather:
Thats right. She just phoned to tell me shes under the weather
today. Shes come down with a headache and a bad cough so she cant go
out with me tonight.
237.3. Fair-weather friend:
We had the idea that Mac and Mabel were our best friends. Then we
lost most of our money when our business had some bad luck, and we
found out they wer nothing but fair-weather friends. Now they dont even
bother to say hello anymore.
238.1. Heavy hitter:
Bill, I want you to find somebody for this job whos a real heavy hitter
when it comes to selling. You know, some one who has lots of experience
managing salesmen, some one who can show us a proven record of
building up sales.
238.2. Heavy lifter:
Our big boss here is okay. But the real heavy lifter around here is his
special assistant Miss Higgins. Shes quiet but she works hard, knows
whats going on, keeps the boss infomred, give him ideas. Were lucky to
have someone like her.
238.3. Heavy money:
Well, theres at least one thing good thing about it. The outfit thats
buyin us has heavy money behind them. They bought us so they could use
our ideas and out design talent, now well have money to develop out ideas
and market them.
239.1. To play the heavy:
An acotor called Jack Palance can play the heavy as well as any actor
I know. He played a hired killer in many cowboy and gangster pictures, look

165
mancing and brutal, and the audience can be hardly wait to see him get
shot down at the end.
239.2. Heavy metal:
Thats right! Okay, I know heavy metal is too loud for some older
people and it bothers them to hear the words shouted into a microphone.
But when I was in college, I thougt it was great, and I still like to hear it any
time I can.
239.3. Heavy date:
Bob, Ive got a great seat for the big game tonight. But Ill be happy
to give it to you. I have a heavy date with Betty Lou to night and I certainly
dont want yo break it. I guess Im really getting serious about her! Here
you are, enjoy the game!
240.1. Hold your end up:
Joe isnt bad guy but he simply doesnt hold his end up. So I have to
work late everyday to finish what he doesnt do. Weve talked to him about
this and hes promised to do better. If he doesnt Ill go to our boss and ask
him to get someone else.
240.2. Dont hold your breath:
Sure, I know that he said he ecpects to give us all a nice increase in
our pay this winter, but dont hold your breath, friend. Dont you remember
he made the same promise two years ago and w are still waiting to see any
money.
240.3. Hold someones feet to the fire:
Okey, Pete, says after the CEO of that outfit. Keep phoning him,
inviting him to lunch, use any other way you can think of to keep pressure
on him. We really need his business, so do your best to hold his feet to the
fire.
241. Bugs:
(1) Im afraid Ive got some kind of bugs in my computer. I cant ope
up my Email this morning or get into any of my personal files.
(2) Half the people in my office are out this week with a mild fever
and headaches. It only lasts a couple of days and the doctors dont know
what it is, It just seems to be one a the bugs that seem to go around every
year about this time of winter.
(3) My fiance Glia a real bug about abstract paintings. To me this
stuff is just shapes and colors that dont mean anything. But shes always
dragging me off to look at exhibitions and trying to make me understand
how beautiful these pictures are.
(4) Joe, Ill tell you what Ill do. As soon as I get a chace, Ill put a big
in Mr. Jones ear about you and so hell start thinking about it.
(5) Certainly wish Betty wouldnt bug me almost everyday about
buying a new car. Sure, the one we have now is a little old but runs fine
most of the time.
242.1. Think on your feet:
Americans still remember President John F. Kennedy 40 years ago for
his skill at thinking on his feet. They have never seen a public figure quite
as good at holding a press conference. Hed call on peole around the room,

166
and answer their questions without hesitating. But of all he had a great
sense of humor and usually had the reporters laughing.
242.2. Think piece:
Jane, did you read and think piece in the New York Time this morning
by that Senator from Iowa? He thinks the Congress ought to found more
money to promote the sale of American farm products like corn and
soybean to contries overseas.
242.3. Think tank:
Bob quit his teaching job and went to work in a think tank that
studies problems of economic development in South Asia. He says he wants
to do more with what hes learned than simply teach Asian history.
243.1. Butterfingers:
Petes a hard worker. But he has a tough time holding a restaurant
job. Hes a real butterfingers and keep spilling dishes when he brings an
order to the table.
243.2. All thumbs:
Dick isnt real good using tools around the house. Hes all thumbs.
When he hammers a nail hes likely to end up hitting his fingers instead.
And youd be shocked to hear the bad language he uses when he hurts
hinslef.
243.3. Two left feet:
In high school I had a hard time learning all the popular dance steps.
At first, you know, it was like I had two left feet. But I kept trying and now
my wife says she ven enjoys taking a turn around the dance floor with me.
244.1. Bad hair day:
Honey, it was a real bad hair day. First my secretary and acountant
both called in sick. Next, the heatind system broke down and the place ws
freezing. The to top it off, our biggest customer called to say he was
cancelling our contract.
244.2. To have a day in court:
It may get me in trouble, honey, but at 9:00A.M meeting today Im
going to bring up the question of why our promotions aer so slow compared
to other places. Our boss wont like to hear this but at least Ill have my day
in court.
244.3. That will be the day:
Sure, the boss promised us a raise again, but hes done that before
and the finds some excuse not to do it. This time, he said we can expect a
nice raise by January 1. Yeah, sure. That will be the day! We re a fraid it
just wont come true.
245.1. Salad days:
In my salad days when I was 18 or 20 I thought I was going to win
fame by writing the great American novels. Well, 20 years late, I havent
done that but Ive written some best seller crime novels that give my family
a good living.
245.2. Order of the day:
Every Friday people aer encouraged to dress casually. The order of
the day is supports shirts or T-shirts and blue jeans to celebrate the last day

167
of work for the week. And just male employees relax by leaving their
necties at home.
245.3. Not give someone the time of day:
I really like this girl and Id like to ask her out for coffee for something
and just talk and get to know her better. But she wont give me the time of
day. She just sits and looks right past me like Im not even there.
246.1. As different as night and day:
Its hard to believe my brother and my sister have the same mother
and father. Theyre as different as night and day. She has blond hair and
blue eyes. He has brown eyes and black hair. And me, I dont look much like
either of them.
246.2. The dead of night:
Sometimes i feels acary when I wake up in the dead of night and hear
strange noises downstairs, creaks and groans. Im pretty sure its nothing
but the old house getting oplder around me, so I tell myself I dont really
believe in ghosts.
246.3. Night owl:
Yes, Im a regular night owl. So if you want to talk business with me,
the best time to phone is from 10 at night until tow in the morning. Thats
really the time when I wide awake and ready to work. Yes sir, Im a real
night owl.
247.1. Give the eye to:
Willy, dont you look now, but when you get a chance, take a look at
that girl sitting ever there alone, I think shes trying to give me the eye.
Maybe I ought to go over and say hello.
247.2. Give the once over:
When I gave her the once over, she finally gave me a nice smile so I
went over to say Havent we me someplace before?. She asked me to sit
down and we get acquainted and look at this, Willu, she gave me here
phoen number!
247.3. To size up:
Im settled down all night. I married Barbara about three years ago,
As soon as I met her sized up as the girl I wanted to marry. It took her two
more years to agree, but were very happy and already have a daughter
with another one on the way.
248.1. Wear thin:
Joe, remember that money you borrowd six months ago. You told me
youd pay it back in 30 days. But you keep finding reasons not to retunr it.
You already meed it back in 30 days, and I must say that all your excuses
for delay are beginning to wear thin.
248.2. Spread too thin:
I am afraid my friend Karen is spread too thin this year. Shes taking
five courses, works 20 hours a week in the bookstore, and is on the
womens baskeball team, she looks tired all the time and keeps falling
asleep in her classes.
248.3. Through thick and thin:

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Bob and I have been friends since our first day in school 20 years
ago. And weve stayed the best of friends through thick and thin, in high
school, college and the airforce, even when we both were chasing after the
same girl in college.
249.1. Lay it on thick:
About six months ago Charley started to lay it on thick by telling our
boss what a good manager he was and what a pleasure it was to work for
him. And it sur paid off and Charley just got promoted over all the rest of
us.
249.2. Thick and fast:
All the repeorters were there with TV cameras, radio microphoena
and notebooks and pencils. And questions came as thick and fast as a
swarm of bees. So quickly it was hard for the politician to keep up!
249.3. Thick as thieves:
Tes, Doris and Mrs. Lee next door are thick as thieves, they look after
each others kids and get together every afternoon for coffee. Neighbors
dont always get along, but Doris and Lee are really thick and thieves, Im
happy to say.
250.1. Fair shake:
We like our boss Mr. Lee a lot better than the old one. The best thing
about him is that he gives everybody a fair shake. He gives us all a chance
to compete for promation and he treats every man and woman on the staff
with respect.
250.2. Fair enough:
After e talked she finally agreed that she ran the red light and her
insurance company says it will pay for reapiring my car. That was fair
enough, You know, she impresses me as a very nice girl, and Im meeting
her lunch Friday.
250.3. Fair game:
My uncle ran for governor so he was fair game for the press. The
reporters dag back into his past and trinted things about him that
happened way back in childhood, But they found nothing that looked too
bad and he did get elected.
251.1. On easy streat:
My uncle worked hard twelve hours a day for 20 years to make his
rataurant a success, and it paid off. Now hes on easy street with enough
money to retire and let his two sons run the place for him.
251.2. Riding on the gravy train:
Yes, sir! Those oil wells are still pumping oil and bringing in so much
money that the whole family is still riding on the gravy train. They have
more to spend than theyll ever need until the wells run dry.
251.3. The life of riley:
In a few years the value of the stock soared and Joe sold out with
enough to retire on. Now he leads the life of riley. Hes always off to Paris or
Hongkong, stays in the best hotels, eats in the best places and samples all
the pleasures of life.
252.1. Dirty work:

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I have to feel sorry for Jerry in our office. He is the poor guywho gets
all the dirty work like stalling off creditors we owe money and cant payy.
The hardest part of his job is firing people. It isnt easy to tell them theyre
losing their jobs.
252.2. Dirty tricks:
When the Allies landed in France, one of the dirty tricks they used
was to put a Royal Navy uniform on a dead man and drop the body near the
coast. In his pocket were false plans to invade the coast far from the
landing beaches at Normandy.
252.3. Down and dirty:
The papers say this campaign was as down and dirty as any they can
remember. Both sides circulated unfounded rumors and spread stories
about the other candidates personal life. The voters were glad when it was
over.
253.1. Bait and switch:
The ad claimed the shop was selling videos at a price so low it was
hard to believe. So I hurried there but it was a case bait and switch. The
clerk said the cheap ones were all sold out and tried to sell me other videos
at much high prices.
253.2. Strictly from hunger:
My sister told me the music was very good but the guys who were
there were strctly from hunger. She said she didnt meet a simple guy she
would never want to date.
253.3. Like gangbusters:
Mr. Martin came like a gangbursters. He fired half our people and
organized the rest of us into work teams with longer hours than before. We
had a hard time for a while but at least these days the firm is makinf money
for a change.
254.1. Heads up:
I want to give you all a heads up that some big shots from New York
will be here net Monday to see how were doing. So lets make sure our
desks are clean and show them what we are doing. We want to put on a
godd show for them.
254.2. Face time:
This guy Joe is the best salesman I vever saw. If he can get 20
minutes of face time with a buyer for a department store hell walk out with
a nice big fat order. Ill vet Joe could tell bathing suits at the North Pole.
254.3. Think outside of the box:
A lot of everyday things we take for granted. Take winshield wipers on
cars for example. The earlier auoto dindnt have wipers cleaning rain off so
drivers could see. But somebody happened to thnk outside of the box. And
now all cars have them.
255.1. Run of the mill:
This movie had so much publicity I thought it ould be great. But to tell
you the truth, it was just run of the mill. Sur I enjoyed it but its the kind of
film you forget about as soon as you leave the theater.
255.2. No great shakes:

170
Im afraid our Washinton Wizards havent been any great shakes this
year. In fact theyve lost more games than they have won the most likely
they wont even quality for the playoff series. Maybe next season theyll do
better.
255.3. Nothing to write home about:
At college I need a way to get to school so I bought an used
motobike. Its nothing to write hoem about. Its hard to start and eats a lot
of gas. But its all can afford to spend and it does get to classes okay.
256.1. Go-to guy:
Michael Jordan is over 40 now, and that makes him older than
anybody else on the team. But in the frantic last few seconds when his
teams is a point or two behind, you just put the ball in his hands. Hes still
the best go-to guy in the game.
256.2. To take no prisoners:
This new manager knows the business, I guess. But hes really tough
on our staff. He takes no prisoners. You make one mistake and hell fire you
without giving you a chance to do better, and youll be out looking for
another job.
256.3. Dont shoot the messenger:
Say, Bill, dont shoot the messenger! I had no idea what Betty siad in
the letter. So why are you mad at me170o tell you the truth it was just run
ooff Im sorry shes breaking up with you, but I had nothing to do with it. So
dont blame me!
257.1. Sorehead:
Mr. White was in charge of our accounting department. And Im sorry
to say he was a sorehead. He got upset at people everyday, was always
rude and short-tempered, and of course nobody in the whole place liked
him.
257.2. Fussbudget:
Andy drives us crazy sometimes. Hes a fussbudget who worries
about everything, including small stuff thats not important. He takes up so
much time with this. We never have time for the really important things we
should be doing.
257.3. Nitpicker:
Thats right, Mr. Lee knew grammar and punctuation and was
nitpicker when it came to finding mistakes really like that. But he didnt pay
much attention to what the sentences really meant because half the time
he didnt understand the meaning.
258.1. To sleep like a log:
Bob, last night after I got the promotion Id been so worried about the
last six weeks, I can tell you I was able to sleep like a log for the first time in
more than a month. I dont think I even turned over in bed all the night
long. It was great!
258.2. To sleep on it:
John, we dont have to decide right this minute. Lets just sleep on it
and after a good nights sleep , we can make up our minds and go buy it
after work.

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258.3. Not sleep a wink:
I am so sleepy I cant keep my eyes open. Stayed up until 4AM for
last-minute study for the English exam and when I finally did lie down I
couldnt sleep a wink. I hope I did okay in the test but right now all I want is
to sleep for a week.
259.1. Cool you heels:
To make a good impression I got there half an hour early. But then I
had to cool my heels for more than two hours before anybody would see
me. And the man only spent five minutes with me and then told me they
had already hired someone else.
259.2. Drag your heels:
They say that Congress will eventually okay the money the Whit
House wants for the new education program, but it will drag your heels
about bringing the issue for a vote and wont vote on it until the members
are ready to go home this summer.
259.3. Kick up your heels:
Honey, its been a big hard work. So lets go out tonight and kick up
our heels a litte. We can go to that new French restaurant everybody says is
so good, have a drink, order a good dinner and relax for the weekend.
260.1. Lose your cool: Im afraid I lost my cool. I called the guy some nsty
names and he jumped out like he was ready to fight. But then a traffic cop arrived
on the scene and manage to calm us down. And it trned out that the damage
wasnt all that bad.
260.2. Hopping mad:
My mom and dad were hopping mad when they looked at my
brothers report card from school and saw he that he was failing in
arithmatics and history. So they made him stay home afyer school for a
month instead of going out with friends.
260.3. Fit to be tied:
Joe was really fit to be tied one night when he saw his girlfriend out
with a big, good-looking guy. Later he felt pretty stupid when he found out
that the guy she was with is her older brother.
261.1. Hot under the collar:
We really got hot under the collar when we saw what those dogs had
done to the flowers wed worked so hard to grow. Theyd dug up some and
rolled around on top of others. Now our folower beds are mess.
261.2. Flip your wig:
Say, Eddie, let me try new idea I had to get more customers by
newspaper advertising. You may flip your wig about my plan but we need to
do something quick to get more people to look at our goods.
261.3. Raise the roof:
When Dad saw thoes dents, he riased the roof with me. I didnt get to
the car for the whole summer. And I had to pay for the damage with the
money I made by moving the lawn aound the neihborhood.
262.1. Slam dunk:

172
Mr. Clinton scored a slam dunk in his race with Senator Dole. He won
in 31 states including all the biggest states except Texas, and Mr. Dole took
only 19.
262.2. Full court press:
We thought Forida was safe for us but it is not. Starting now I want
you to put on a full court press. Do everything you can to stop that guy
from gaining more.
263.1. Old chestnut:
Do you hear that new comedian on TV last night? Hes not evy funny.
He takes too long to tell his jokes and they are all oldchestnuts that Ive
heard at least a dozen times before.
263.2. Old college try:
Barbara, think seriously about trying out for the basketball team. In
high school your team went to the finals of the state chapionship and you
make the old college try, Im sure the coach will pick you for the team.
263.3. Comfortable as an old shoe:
Joe is a good neighbor, as comfo9rtable as an old shoe. Hes always
cheerful and friendly, and on summer evenings we enjoy just sitting aound
on his porch enjoying the fresh air.
264.1. Sock away:
It costs a lot these days to send someone to college. So we are going
tho sock away some money every month to make sure she starts life with a
good education.
264.2. To sock in:
Honey, the snow is beginning to come down a lot faster. Im afraid itll
sock in the airport and I wont be able to fly to New York for that business
meeting.
264.3. To knock your scoks off:
I want to tell you Betty, that youll love that picture. I promise it will
knock your socks off. Its the best thing Ive seen in a long time.
265.1. Stick your neck out:
I deserve a raise, so I stick my neck out and ask for more pay. Its
taking a chance. He wont like it. I know, but Im ready to risk that even if
he gets mad enough to fire me.
265.2. To stick in your craw:
I keep giving Charley chances to improve. But these latest mistakes
are too much! They really stick in my craw so tomorrow Im giving him twoo
weeks notice that he is fired. Enough is enough!
265.3. Stick to your ribs:
Say, Joe. Lets try that new Italian restaurant on First Street. People
say the food is tasty and the prices are cheap. Im really hungry tonight so I
want to eat something that sticks to your ribs.
266.1. To stick around:
Say, Mary, John is out tonight and Im going to watch Titanic on
television. It is a vary good movie. Why dont you stick around and watch it
with me?
266.2. Stick up for:

173
Now quiet down and listen to me, both of you! This time I have to
stick up for Mary. I think shes right. I remember she took care of the dishes
last night. Billy, its your turn to clear the dishes off the table, wash them
and put them away.
266.3. Stick to your guns:
During the big political campaigns we have quite a few arguments
about whom to vote for. Of course I try my best to change his mind but he
stuck to his guns and most of the time votes for people Id never vote for.
267.1. Odds and ends:
Ive never seen so many odds and ends. Faded photos of men in
World War I uniforms, young women is long dresses, and old autos dated
1910. All sorts of odds and ends that told our family history for almost a
hundred years.
267.2. Knick-and-knack:
Aunt Alice had more knick-knacks around her home than Ive ever
seen before. Things like a little model of the Stutue of Liberty from her first
visit to New York, and a 1960 campaign button saying Kennedy for
President.
267.3. Bric-a-brac:
That piece of bric-a-brac is knife that belonged to my dad. He carried
for 60 years. I keep it to help remember all the good times we had together
when I was a young girl and he took me fishing and camping and taught
me how to build a fire.
268.1. Soft soap:
Dont listent to that guy. Hes full of soft soap about what a great
bargain hes selling, but if you read the policy carefully and compare costs
you can see that its really not worth the price.
268.2. Soft pedal:
This coach tried to soft pedal his teams chance to win the title. He
said he has very tough opponents to play, his best player is hurt, so on and
so on. But form everything I hear, he really ought to have the number one
team in the whole country.
268.3. Soft touch:
Frieddie, why dont yopu tell our friend Bill youre in trouble with the
people you owe and ask him to loan you the money. He has a good heart
and hes a soft touch for people in tight spot. He knows youll pay him back
as soon as you can.
269.1. Hard and fast:
I like it. It has the subjects I want to learn and I think my teachers are
great. But I dont like the hard and fast rules for students. Theyre oldfashioned and very strict, like a band off old men made them about a
hundred years ago!
269.2. Play hardball:
With a month to go the race is so close that both sides are starting to
play hardball. Each side is digging into the other candidates life, looking for
anything that can hurt him even if it happened tweenty or thirty years ago.
269.3. Hard act to follow:

174
John F. Kennedy was young handsome, a fine speaker, and lets not
forget his beautiful wife. So Lyndon Johson, who took over the White House
when Mr. Kennedy is shot found the mudered young president a hard act to
follow.
270.1. Hard sell:
This salesman is so aggressive he wouldnt take No for an answer.
He kept on talking for a long time. Finally I got mad and told him I liked the
magazine but his hard sell didnt work on me.
270.2. Hard hat:
Back 35 years ago student groups hand hard hats matched in public
demostrations against each thers stands on the war. Sometimes these
ended up to fights with both sides using their fists on each other.
270.3. A hard row to hoe:
But America work up the next day to discover that Truman was the
winner. The campaign had been a hard row to hoe for him, but it was one of
the most remarkable election upsets in American history.
271.1. Happy event:
Mike, my best congratulations! I heard you had a happy event at your
house last night. Your are now the father of a healthy eight-pound son.
Please give your wife Jenny all our good wishes. We look forqard to seeing
her soon and the baby too.
271.2. Happy medium:
When I shop, I try to find gifts that are a happy medium, things that
Im not wuite sure theyll enjoy and appreciate but that arent so expensive
they use up all the money in my bank account.
271.3. Happy talk:
When I wake up I tune in on 1040. They have the same news a all the
other stations, of course, but I like the host and his newscaster the most.
Hearing their happy talk makes getting dressed to go to work a little bit
easier to do.
272.1. Feel your oats:
Bill certainly feels his oats now that hes been promoted and tells the
rest of us what to do. Somebody ought ot tell him he needs to take it easy
and be the same friendly quy he always was before he became our new
boss.
272.2. Corn-fed:
My brother married a corn-fed girl from a small town in Western Iowa.
She bakes the best apple pies and strawberry sweet cake I have ever eaten
and you really ought to take the fresh sweet corn on the cob she feeds us.
272.3. Full of beans:
Joe was so tired and sworn out he looked awful! Then his wife made
him take two weeks off from work, And he got back, he was full of beans
full of fresh energy and looking like himself again.
273.1. Crack the books:
I want to see a movie tonight, but I have to stay in to crack the book.
Theres a big physics test tomorrow and tell the truth Ive been so busy
with other things I havent had a chance to study.

175
273.2. Cook the books:
The IRS, the federal tax people, audited that company and found out
it had cooked the books for years to hide most of its profits. Somebodys
likely to end up in jail for cheating on business taxes.
273.3. Throw the book at someone:
Dad was pretty mad so he threw the books at me, I cant take the car
out alone for at least a monthe and I have to be home by 9 oclock every
night, even on Fridays and Saturdays, He says maybe thisll teach me to be
more careful.
274.1. One for the book:
This was the biggest Holywood wedding party in years, one for the
book. Everyone was there actors, producers, directors, and a big crowd of
onlookers outside, standing on tiptoes to get a look at all the famous faces.
274.2. Know like a book:
I know my brother like a book. He always comes late but Im sure hell
get here before long. Just like our mother used to say, Bill.s the type of man
who will be lat for his own funeral.
274.3. Wrote the book on:
Doctor Adams is one of the best baby doctors in the whole state of
California. We think were lucky to have him take care of our son Billy.
People say he practically wrote the book on health care for young children.
275.1. Hope against hope:
I have no idea where I lost it, in the restaurant wher I took my sister,
in the movie theater, or getting into the car. All I can do is hope against
hope that someone will find it, see my name card inside and call me on the
phone about it.
275.2. Pin your hopes on:
Im really anxious to get into one of the best schools in America, but I
have to pin my hopes on getting a scholarship because the tuition is so
high that my family just cant afford it unless I can get help.
275.3. Live in hope of:
My job is hard work, boring and doesnt pay very much. However, I
live in hope of finding work I really like so Ill keep looking until I find it.
276.1. Return to the fold:
The minority group in the party who were against cutting taxes finally
agreed to return to the fold when the majority agreed to make the cut
smaller and to stretch it over several years.
276.2. Catch as catch can:
Joe makes a living catch as catch can by mowing neighbors lawns,
doing carpenter work, painting houses, and moving furniture that sort of
work. He wont get rich that way but a least it puts food on the table.
276.3. Cross the Rubicon:
This politician knows he croosed the Rubicon when he left his own
party to run for Congress, Unless he wins, hell have to look for ather work,
because the party he left behind will never let him return to the fold.
277.1. Never say die:

176
All right men. We are behind now but remember the old saying
NEVER SAY DIE. We can still beat these guys. Lets go back out on the court
ans play better defense. Just dont let them make any more easy shots and
we can go home winners.
277.2. No rhyme or reason:
I read the article a couple of times and it still makes no sense at all. I
just had no rhyme and reason. I couldnt even tell whether the writer was
for or against the candidate. It was very sloppy writing.
277.3. Grin and bear it:
Okay, Charley snores and he likes to tell jokes that nobody laughs at
except him. But apart from that, the two of us get along fine, so when he
tells joke thats not funny, I just grin and bear it.
278.1. Hide out:
(1) Thats right. But my grana a lucky. He landed among reistance
fighters against Germans and they helped him hide out until the Allies
landed in Europe in June 1944.
(2) German troops were looking form him so the resistance fighters
moved him from farm to farm ahead of them. His last hideout was in a
haystack in a cow barn. There wasnt much else to do there so he helped
the farmer milk the cow.
278.2. Hide your light under a bushel:
My younger sister is really shy and modest. She would never tell
anybody herself that she was a straight A student in college. She always
tried to hide her light in a bushel.
278.3. Play hide and seek:
This man got away with almost the million bucks. And he was able to
play hide and seek with the police for almost five years before somebody
recognized him and phone FBI.
279.1. Hidebound:
Mr. Adams is certainly hidebound. Hea always talking about the good
always and how bad modern life is. And when you hear him you get the
idea that hed be a lot happier if the American Revolution never happened,
279.2. To tan somebody hide:
Look, son you are only ten years old and youre too young to start
smoking. If I catch you smoking again. Im going to tan your hide so you
wont be able to sit down for a week.
279.3. Neither hide nor hair:
I lost the keys to my car weeks ago. Im looking everywhere I can
thing of, but so far Ive seen neither hide nor hair of them. Its a good thing
my husband has a second set of keys but hes afraid Ill lose them too.
280.1. Save your bacon:
Mary had a flat tire on a busy highway about midnight, and she didnt
have a jack to lift the wheel to change the tire. But a truck driver saved her
bacon. He stopped and put the spare tire on the wheel for her.
280.2. Save your breath:

177
Im sorry but I have to ask you to save your breath, honey. We are
just too busy in the office for me to take time off this month. But I hope we
can take that trio next month. We both need a week off.
280.3. Save by the bell:
We were afraid wed all lose our jobs. But we were saved by the bell.
Our company got a big contract from the city government just when the
boss was about the announce wed have to close our doors forever.
281.1. Bread and butter:
Good public schl e the bread and butter of real estate firms when
tha\ey sell houses to young couples. Schools are the first things young
people with kids ask about when they look for a house.
281.2. Know which side your bread is butter:
Every day Bill gets the office ten minutes ahead of the boss so he can
sit at his desk looking busy when the boss arrives, One thing is sure. Bill
knows which side his bread is buttered on.
281.3. The best thing since sliced bread:
Marry, I really like this new software I bought for my computer. In fact
its so good I think its the best thing since sliced bread.
282.1. Steer clear:
Mary, yous be smart to stear clear of that place, Everything thay sell
is too high-piced. You could get the same goods a lot cheaper if you just
shop around.
282.2. Give a wide berth to:
The clerk at the hotel warned us to give a wide berth to that
particular area after darn unless you go together with a friend, Peole say
itsdangerous place to go by yourself..
282.3. Dead in water:
Right now our company is dead in water. Sales are way down and the
banks dont want to loan more money. Wear afraid its time we started
looking for jobs some place else.
283.1. At wits end:
Mary is at her wits end with frustration and anger about the office.
She likes the job security and good pay but the work she is doing has no
real meaning. Shes wondering what she sould do.
283.2. Bitter end:
I dont want yo see that movie. Since I had spent money for a ticket, I
stayed until the bitter end, but I tell you its the worst movie I have seen in
a long, long time.
283.3. At loose ends:
Mary, how about you and me going to the movies this weekend? Tom
is out of the town a few days and Im at loose ends until he gets back on
Monday.
284.1. Knock around:
(1) I think Ill fly out and xnock around in California for a week. You
know, hit the beach, mybe a little surfing, just take it easy, maybe spend
some time at Disneyland.

178
(2) Im ordering in lunch for our writers and artists so we can take
some time to knock around some ideas for TV ads for this new soap they
say is so good for a womans skin.
284.2. Knock off:
(1) Joe, Im going to knock off work earlu this afternoon. Last night, I
worked four hours overtime to put a new engine in that old white Cadillac
and didnt knocks off till nine oclock.
(2) That woman really has talent. She can nock off a new book at
least once a year and we can count onb it being a best seller.
284.3. The school of hard knocks:
I had to go to work when I was twelve, so the only school I graduated from
was the school of hard knocks. But I worked my head off and learned from my
mistakes and I did just fine.
285.1. Class act:
I always shop there. Not only do they have top goods and fair prices,
but sales people who are friendly and helpful. Its a real class act. In fact
the best store in town.
285.2. Get your act together:
Son, you cant live with us the rest of your life. Its time to get your
act together, settle down and get married, and start living your own life.
285.3. Read the riot act:
I have to read the riot act to my secretary, when she comes in today.
Shes late almost everyday qnd if she doesnt get here on time shell be
looking for a new job!
286.1. Go over with a bang:
This play certainly went over with a bang. In fact, after each act the
audience stood up and clapped and cheered for five minutes before
anybody could quiet them down.
286.2. A bang-up job:
Larry sure did a bang-up job of selling this contract to our biggest
customer. He worked nights for two weeks getting it ready but it was worht
the extra work.
286.3. More bang for a buck:
I think this other system is a better deal for us. Its faster and has
more memory, for the same price. Its will give us more bang for the buck.
287.1. Cold comfort:
Mary was excited about a ski weekend with her fiance. But instead
got sick with the flu. So it was cold comfort to get her sisterss letter about
all her fun on her own ski trip.
287.2. Blow hot and cold:
Brian still blows hot and cold about where to got to college. Hed
rather go away to a place like Haward or Yale, but he knows our state
universitt is about all his parents can afford.
287.3. Stop cold:
At the party, Susan was happy talking about their trip to Hawaii. But
the sight of her husband talking to Louise stoped her cold. Hed promised
her hed never see that woman again.

179
288.1. Cold light of day:
Betty was completely charmed by this good-looking man she met at
the dance. But the next morning, in the cold light of day she realized he
was just a smooth talker who could not be trusted.
288.2. Break out in a cold sweat:
Holly breaks out in a cold sweat every time she sees lightning and
hears thunder. Lightning se fire to her house when she was only six, and
she and her mother barely goit out alive.
288.3. Make my blood run cold:
Those ultra-nationalist speeches sound like Nzi Germany and make
my blodd run cold. They promote hatred of minorities and bring back
dreams of an empire thats dead and gone.
289.1. Soft touch:
Tom is a soft touch for any charisty as long as it helps the
handicapped. You probably know his only daughter is crippled by polio and
lives in a wheelchair.
289.2. Soft spot:
Jims weak spot as supervisor is his soft spot for any pretty young
woman who comes along. The people who work in his section are more
notable for good looks than for ability.
289.3. Soft spot in the head:
(1) Look, I must think Im soft in the head if you expect me to invest
any money in shares in this mine.. Id have to see the thing with my own
eyes and make sure it really exists.
(2) It was four years ago when I first noticed Jim was going soft in the
head. He stopped talking to people and started spending the whole day just
sitting by the window looking out at nothing.
290.1. Blow-out:
Sallys wedding reception was a real blow-out. More than three
handred guests, the best food and drink, a big orchestra for dancing. Ill bet
it cost her father a fortune.
290.2. Bash:
More than a hundred people came to bash we gave for Johnny when
he left to go to college in California. Johnny had such a good time that he
almost missed his plane.
290.3. Blast:
Sure Im tired but it was worth it. A fantastic blast, at least util the
cops came and made us turn down the sound because people could hear us
two blocks away.
291.1. Stag pary:
I dont feel so good this morning. I gave my young brother a stag
party last night because hes getting married today, and we stayed up way
too late and had way too much to drink.
291.2. Hen party:
Ill be home tonight to take care of the kids because Susan has a hen
party with women who she went to college with. Friday is my turn. Im
going to a stag party to play poke.

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291.3. Tailgate party:
We had a tailgate party before the Washington Redskin played the
New York Giants, but that was only good part of the day. The Giants beat
our Redskins by 21 points.
292.1. Wing it:
(1) I dont like my job very much. No matter how much time I spend
on a speech for my boss, he wings it when he gets up there in front of the
mike instead of reading it the way I wrote it.
(2) A good talk show host will interview a writer wihout actulally
reading his books. Hell simply read s couple of reviews so he can wing it
when he talks to the writer on his show.
292.2. Take someone under your wing:
(1) A welthy couple took her under their wing and fed her and clothed
her. And more important, they educated her to be a pioneer in education
for women in her village.
(2) What Im trying to tell you is to be very careful in fighting Jones.
Just remember hes under the wing of Senator Smith, who can make a lot of
trouble for you if you cross him.
293.1. Try your wings:
(1) Say, you are a really good golfer! Did you ever think about trying
your wing as a pro. You know, quit that dull job and see if you can make
some good money on the tournement circuit?
(2) At last Ill have the time to try my wing as a painter. This has
always been my real abition. But I had to go into business when I was only
20 after my parents died in a plane crash.
293.2. Wait in the wings:
(1) This actor has waited in the wings ten years to star in a Broadway
play. He finally got his chance when the star fell sick and he got to take his
place in the leading role.
(2) It might be smart to wait in the wings another six months will
probably lose more money and the stock will be cheaper to buy.
294.1. Wet blanket:
(1) I cant decide whether I should invite my boyfriends sister Mary
to my party for him. All all, she is his sister. But she is such a wet blanket
Im afraid shell spoil it for all my other guests.
(2) My friend and I were going to the beach this weekend for some
sun and swimming. But the weather forecast threw a wet blanket on our
plans. It says itll be rainy and chilly.
294.2. Security blanket:
I was small for my age so I made friends with the biggest boy in my
class. He was my security blanket. None of the kids dared give me any
trouble when was around.
294.3. Blanket drill:
Any other time Ill be happhy to go out with you guys. But its been a
long hard day and Im dog-tired. So I think Ill Ill just go back home to get
in some extra blanket drill.
295.1. Push around:

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Im sick and tired of Mister Jones phushing us around. Im going to
find another job, and when I do, Ill go in and tell him what I think of him
and then slam the door on my way out.
295.2. Push your luck:
Look, kid, youve never been in trouble before, so Ill let you go this
time. But dont push your luck. If I catch you stealing again, I promise youll
go to jail!
295.3. Pushover:
My friend is a pushover for anybody in trouble. Just yesterday on our
way back form lunch he saw an old man begging, and he dug down in his
pocket and handed him a ten-dollar bill.
296.1. Pull for & Pull through:
Hi Jim! You look pretty good today. Everybody at the office says hello. Were
all pulling for you to pull through this operation and get back to work as soon as
you can.
296.2. Pull date:
John, the first thing I want you to do this morning is go through the
meat counters and take out everything that has yesterday as the pull date
stamped on it.
296.3. Pull your leg:
This memo informed me I was being transferred to Bufflo, where
writer is worse than in almost any other city. Then I saw people laughing,
and I rememberd it was April Fools day my friends were just pulling my leg.
296.4. Pull the plug:
Business has been terrible for six months and is getting worse
everyday, I hate to say this but maybe the best thing to do is pull the plug
and just close up shop for good.
297.1. Smell a rat:
(1) Whenever that long-haired boy eats here. One of our ash
trays dissappears. Im beginning to smell a rat. Im telling the waiters
to keep a watchful eye on him.
(2) When the policeman saw a light go on in the store at the
midnight, he smelled a rat, he immediately called for help. The police
surrounded the building and arrested three burglars armed with arms.
297.2. Smell blood:
(1) Tom certainly smells blood. The governor was his strongest rival.
Now he has decided not to run, Tom has a good chance to win this election
and to go to Washington for six years.
(2) The publicans are smelling blood over the Presidents Whitewater
scandal. It seams the current upproar wont fade away so easily in congress
and the media no matter how hard the president fights back.
298.1. Something smells fishy:
(1) I found this beautiful place, just what I want. But the price is so
low I smell something fishy. There must be a major problem with basement
leaks, or the heating system, or something else is wrong.

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(2) My boss has offered me a higher salary if I move to our branch
office. It looks like a good deal but I smell something fishy. We dont get
along and maybe this is just a trick to get rid of me for good.
298.2. Sweet smell of success:
(1) For once in my life Id like to get at least a whiff of the sweet smell
of success. Weve been close to making a whole lot of money three times,
but something has always come along to spoil it.
(2) My friend Hohn knows what the sweet smell of success is, He had
a big house. Three fancy cars and ten million bucks in the bank. Then the
stock market crashed and that sweet smell venished overnight.
299.1. Come up smelling like a rose:
(1) our forward had his worst season this year and the owner was
ready to fire him. But in the US soccer championship he came up smelling
like a rose. He scored two goals including the one that won the
championship.
(2) It looked like Mr. Smiths Career was finished when he was
charged with taking bribes. But he came up smelling like a rose. The court
found him innocent and hes just been re-elected to congress.
299.2. Stop and smell the roses:
(1) My hear attact taught me a good lesson. Id been working to hard,
and now its time to learn how to relax and stop and smell the roses. Now,
Im going to take it easy and start enjoying life.
(2) My father had a good long life. He never made a whole lot of
money but his life was richer than what most people have, because he was
wise enough to stop anf smell the roses along the way.
300.1. Rat race:
My, look at the time! Almost two oclock! I got to get back to the rat
race. Ive got clients coming in all afternoon.
300.2. Treadmill:
Well, it was a great holiday. But Im afraid its back to the treadmill
Monday morning with everybody else. At least I have two more weeks of
vacation at Christmas time.
300.3. Salt mine:
Ive been working in this place for 29 years. Its a real salt mine and
Im just waiting to finish 30 years and retire and get a good pension.
301.1. Foul you own nest:
(1) The mayor could have been elected for ever, But hes finished
now anf may end uo in jail. The papers discovered hed fouling his own nest
by taking bribes to award city contracts.
(2) Everybody tought Larry was lucky to marry Sally, a lovely,
intlligent woman with a good job. But Sally was foolish enough to foul his
own nest by chasing cheap women. So Sally divorced him.
301.2. Stir up a hornets nest:
(1) Why are you trying to stir up a hornets nest? Our office has been
managed this way for the last twenty years. Dont wast time complaining
about it. Youll just get in a lot of trouble.

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(2) The case has stirred p a hornets nest among the press and
congress. Everyone wants to kh\now how this couple got away with stealing
all those secrets for wight years before they got caught.
302.1. Feather your own nest:
(1) I thought security at the CIA was good and tight. How come this
guy could spy for Russia for so long and feather his own nest with millio
dollars from Moscow? Its really hard to believe.
(2) In his will, Mr. Green told his lawyer to use his money after he died
to build a hospital for the handicapped. Instead, the lawyer feathered his
own nest by using the money to by two apartment building for hemself.
302.2. Empty nest:
(1) Your only boy is leaving home pretty soon for colleg, isnt he? Its
going to be tough for the first couple of months once youre left alone in an
empty nest, I tell you It was certainly hard for me!
(2) We get a lot of empty nesters moving to this area. They sell their
big houses they dont need anymore and come here. Warm weather, clean
air, nice people, no crime, you name it! The perfect place for you!
303.1. Ball up:
Im all balled up about how to use this new software. Three people
have tried to show me how it works, but each one has a diffrerent
explanation on how to use it.
303.2. Have a ball:
Well, you sure had a ball at the party, didnt you? Dancing anf talking
and drinking with all those people I didnt know. Tpp bad you dindt have
any time to spend with me!
303.3. Ball of fire:
Jimmy was just an average student in school, and nobody thought
hed do much with his life. But Im glad to say he turned out to be a ball of
fire in the real estate business.
304.1. Have a lot on the ball:
True, Tammy hasnt published a book for ten years. But I believe she
still has a lot on the ball as a writer. And Im sure the critics will see that
when her new book comes out this winter.
304.2. Keep the ball rolling:
Mr. Smith started out by telling the group about his own painful
experience with drugs. The loosens people up and they tell their own
stories and keep the ball rolling.
304.3. Ballpark figure:
According to my ballpark figure the monthly mortage payment is
about 1400 dollars. Since both of us work I think we can handle it Okay. So,
what do you say? Should we go ahead and buy the place.
305.1. Have a bear by the tail:
All Joe tried to do was end the fight between his two sisters, but he
ended up holding a bear by the tail. The whole family got mad at him and
now nobody well even speak to the poor guy.
305.2. A bear for work:

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Most of us think physics is the hardest subject in school. But not Tom.
Hes a real bear for physics and get straight As. In fact, he majors in it and
wants to teach it later on.
305.3. Bulls and bears:
Most people I know on Wall street think the market is headed up, but
my friend Green is a real bear. Hes looked hard at it and predicts it will
drop 200 points in the next 30 days.
306.1. Cut a deal:
After six months of secret negociation the two airlines announced
today they have cut a deal to share their domestic and international routes
and increase their joint share of traffic to Europe and Asia.
306.2. A raw deal:
Old Mr. Green sure got a raw deal from that outfit where hed worked
for 30 years. When times got hard and they had to cut staff, they fired him
with two weeks notice and only two weeks of severance pay.
306.3. Shady deal:
The papers are asking the city council to investigate the roads
commissioner. They thnk hes cut some shady deals with contractors who
paid him bribes under the table to get contracts to repair city roads and
bridges.
306.4. Sweet heart deal:
I think its a mistake for the governor to lett state agencies give so
much business to his brothers law firm. Itll mean trouble later. It looks to
much like a sweetheart deal.
307.1. Air your dirty line in public: (1) Talking about your marital problems has
long been regarded as airing your dirty linen in public. Thats one major obstacle
facing women in a getting effective protection against abusive spouses. (2) Some
people think TV and the press have gone too far in airing the dirty line of high
officials in public. They wonder whatever happened to the right of privacy in this
country.
307.2. Clear the air:
(1) Lets clear the air about that silly argument we had last week, We
both got mat and said things we didnt really mean, So why dont we shake
hans and forget about it?
(2) There have been growing calls for clearing the air over the
Whitewater affair. Thats why the president agreed to an independent
counsel to look into the whole business.
308.1. Pull out of thin air: (1) The compay is flat broke. Unless the boss can pull
something out of thin air and borrow a lot of money by Friday, well have to fle for
bankcruptcy and Ill have to look for other work. (2) Susan is one of the best
script writers in TV. Shell take an absolutely hopeless script by someone else,
pull some new ideas out of thin air, and end up with a first class show.
308.2. Give somebody the air:
(1) Even after she saw Randy out having a good time with another
girl, Mary told her friends that she could never give him the air. It reminds
me of that old sying Love makes people blind.

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(2) I hate to tell you this, Joe, but most of your friends think you ought
to give Cynthia the air right now. Shes just too snobbisj for a regular guy
like you.
309.1. Come up for air:
(1) Oh boy, Ive spent a whole day working on my tax return. I still
have more to do, but I simply have to come up for air. Lets go out for
dinner so I can forget about taxes for a little while.
(2) My roommate can sit and study for three or four hours I have to
get up and get a coke or a snack, or just walk around for a while.
309.2. Leave up in the air:
(1) When the president was assasinated, the question of leadership
was left up in the air. The another general marched his troops out to grab
power and made himself a dictator.
(2) Her fiance asked Mary to wait for him until he comes back home
with his doctors degree. But six months later he left her up in the air by
marrying some woman he met in the US.
310.1. Penny pincher:
That old man I was talking to retired with 20 million dollars in the
bank. But he is such a penny pincher that he still buys clothes second hand
and drives a car he bought 20 years ago.
310.2. Penny-wise:
Our boss is penny-wise. He makes sure thar we dont throw away
rubber bands and paper clips. But hes not so good when it comes to big
things like buying the best computer system.
310.3. A pretty penny:
Have you seen the new car our neighbors bought this week? Its a
Mercedes, and Ill bet it cost a pretty penny. I would guess at least 45,000
dollars.
311.1. No brainer:
Everybody knows its smart to sell stocks when they start to go down
and buy when they start go up. Thats a real no brainer. Even a moron can
figure it out.
311.2. Push the envelope:
Test pilots often have to put themselves in danger. Sometimes they
have push the envelpoe to see whether a newly designed plane can meet
the limits that the designers planned.
311.3. Cut to the chase:
Okey, Ive heard enough about all the details of this deal. Now lets
cut to the chase. How much money are you gowing to want for my share
and whats in it for me.
312.1. Aces high:
Its a pleasure doing business with Mr. Smith. He always gives us a
big order and pays for the goods as soon as he gets our shipment. One of
our best customers Hes aces high with me!
312.2. An ace in the hole:

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Jack Roe will win because he has a real ace in the hole. Its still a
secret, but the governor will endorse him publicly next week and that mean
a lot extra votes.
312.3. Within an ace of winning:
Im really proud of our girls because nobody thought they had a
chance and we came withing an ace of winning the game. It was that lastsecond basket that beat us by just a point.
313.1. All in the same boat:
(1) When the steel plant shut down, we were all in the same boat.
The workers had no jobs, and this meant the shops had no business. This
hit everybody in town and it was really tough all around.
(2) Lets stop fighting with each other! Nobody in this room can
survive a scandal like this if the media finds out. Were all in the same
boat. If you want to save your job, keep your mouth shut!
313.2. All wrapped up:
(1) You know the auto parts maker in Detroit weve been trying to set
up a joint venture with? Well, the deal is all wrapped up. I just got a call
that they agree to our terms and will sign the contract Monday.
(2) Plans for the subway system that Tysons Corner wants are all
wrapped up. Work will start soon and the system will be completed in
about ten years.
314.1. All over but the shouting:
(1) They are still counting the ballots, but its certain Hillary Clinton
will become the first former presidents wife to win a senate seat in New
York. Its all over but the shouting, although the results wont be official for
several hours yet.
(2) The Redskins are ahead by 15 points, and we have only one
minute to go to the end of the game. Its all over but the shouting now ,
and the Skins are going to the Superbowl.
314.2. All hell breaks loose:
(1) When tribal fighting got intense, all hell broke loose in Rwanda.
Look at the mobs of refugees that fled to Tanzania! Hundreds of thuosands
of frightened people crossed the border to escape the killing.
(2) the Watergate scandal became public back in 1973 all hell broke
loose in the White House. Some people on the presidents staff tried to
cover it up, but the affair finally made Mr. Nixon resign from office.
315.1. All dressed up with no place to go:
(1) I got a haircut, a shoe-shine and put on my best suit. Then Sally
called and said her mother was sick so she couldnt go to the prom with
me. There I was, all dressed up with no place to go!
(2) The contract is ready to be signed and we are all set to go to
work. But Im afraid were all dressed up with no place to go. The board of
directors just told us to wait until they look it over one more time.
315.2. All the traffic will bear:
(1) This young guy charges all the traffic will bear, at least three
times what it would cost anywhere else. But its hot and everybody is
thirsty so theyll pay their money.

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(2) Its a high crime area and Kim has the only food store for miles
around. He charges all the traffick will bear. But hes the only one with the
courage to do business here. Just be happy hes around.
316. Scrape the bottom of the barrel, Have someone over a barrel, Give
someone both barrels
316.1. Scrape the bottom of the barrel:
Our boss is cheap and wont pay the standard wage for help in our
office. So we have to scrape the bottom of the barrel and end up hiring
secretaries who cant type or spell.
316.2. Have someone over a barrel:
I really dont want to work during summer vacation. Id rather loaf
around the house and take it easy. But dad has me over a barrel: If I dont
take a job he wont pay my tuition to go to college.
316.3. Give someone both barrels:
I only got a block from the garage when my car broke down again. I
was so mad I went back to the mechanic and gave him both barrels. I made
him agree to fix the trouble for free.
317.1. Fish Story:
When the fisherman told the townspeople he had seen a beautiful
mermaid on a rock in the river, they knew it was just a fish story, but the
story was so charming that they built a statue to her.
317.2. Sob Story:
The guy told me a real sob story, how he was catching a train to get
to his moms funeral but somebody had stolen his wallet. I didnt know
whether it was true or not but I gave him a dollar anyway.
317.3. Shaggy dog story:
People leave the room when they see Andy coming. He loves to tell shaggy dog stories
that drag on for a long time. And when he finally gets to the end the stories never really make
much sense.
318.1. Cock and bull story:
After Bill didnt come home for three days he told his wife he was
away on a secret mission for the government. But thats just a cock and
bull story. I think he was off with some woman.
318.2. Cover story:
The F.B.I. agent got just close enough to the crooked stock broker to
watch him and his friends. The cover story she told him was that she was a
newspaper reporter doing a story on Wall Street.
318.3. Inside story:
The North Korean dictator keeps telling the world hes not building an
atomic bomb. But his country is so closed off nobody in the outside world
knows the real inside story.
319.1. Button Your Lip:
(1) The boss tells me if I want to keep working here Id better button
my lip about his plan to promote this accountant. But Im afraid hed risk
his own career because you cant trust that guy. So I dont know what I
should do.

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(2) The smartest idea might be to button up your lip like the boss
says. You have everything now, a happy family and a good job. Dont
bother with problems at work. Enjoy your life outside the office
319.2. On The Button:
(1) When my friend Dick predicted that the local soccer team would
win by two goals, he was right on the button even if the team didnt score
their last goal until the game was almost over.
(2) technologyweather forecasting is certainly more accurate than it
used to be. For example in the last five days the weather service has been
right on the button predicting record high temperatures and evening
showers on the east coast of the U.S.
320.1. Buttoned-down:
(1) I see in the papers that most of the buttoned-down executives on
Wall Street have gone casual with short sleeve shirts and no ties. Just
another reflection of the informal age, I guess.
(2) Hes been one of the most conservative, buttoned-down members
of Congress. But he must have had a change of heart because hes come
out in support of a womans right to choose abortion.
320.2. Buttonhole:
(1) I really wanted to buttonhole Mary after that meeting! She had
promised me shed keep quiet this time. But as usual she ended up doing
most of the talking.
(2) Keep away from Dick this morning! Hes back from vacation and
trying to buttonhole everybody to tell them about what he did. Hell bore
you for half an hour if you give him half a chance.
321.1. Dog Tired:
I stayed up all night to finish a history essay, and this morning my
coach made me run five miles in the sweltering heat. Man, Im so dog tired
I cant even walk.
321.2. Go to the dogs:
My dad has really gone to the dogs since he lost his job at the auto
plant. All he does now is hang around the house, watch TV and drink beer.
321.3. Rain cats and dogs:
Bob and Susan were just about to exchange marriage vows when
there was a crack of thunder, and it started to rain cats and dogs. Everyone
at the wedding was soaked and the cake was ruined.
322.1. To rope someone in:
(1) The health club owner admitted that he roped in young girls with
ads in college papers saying they could join the club for free. But it was all
a trap to sign them up for a long-term, expensive memebership.
(2) Im afraid shes been completely roped in by that loser! You see,
hes got no family and no money. I always believed she was smart. How can
I accept such a marriage! Im so dissappointed her!
322.2. At the end of your rope:
(1) With his sayings gone and bills piling up, Tom was at the end of
his rope. Then the good news arrived! A lawyer told him he was heir to ten
million dollars worth of land belonging to his late uncle.

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(2) Mary is at the end of her rope. Since her husband lost his job last
year, shes been the sole breadwinner for her family. And now the doctor
says she has cancer. What in the world she can do?
323.1. To learn the ropes:
(1) The best way to learn the ropes about politics is to do volunteer
work for a candidate for city office. Youll do everything from passing out
compaign leaflets to arranging political rallies.
(2) Youve worked here ten years now and youve certainly learned
the ropes of running a convinience store. Youre now ready to be trained as
assistant manager for all our stores in the state.
323.2. To know the ropes:
(1) Mr, Smith knows the ropes of bureaucracy. He usually writes
better performamce reports about his favorites his favorites than they
deserve just to kepp them loyal to him personally.
(2) Nobody knows the ropes about auto business better than my
uncle Joe. He has been selling cars for thirty years and hes become an
expert at closing deals with customers.
324.1. On the ropes:
(1) When this big supermarket opened, it undercut existing prices and
offered mor variety of ethnic foods. Most of the small shops were on the
ropes in a short time and sime have already closed.
(2) We ought to do something to cheer Mary up. Shes really on the
ropes these days. Shes got passed over for promotion, and a few days
later her husband had a stroke and is still in the hospital.
324.2. Enough rope to hang yourself:
(1) Sally is not doing well on this project, but well just stand by and
let her struggle with all the problems. Maybe, well give her enough rope to
hang herself, she will be off the job.
(2) We could ask the chairman to limit the debate. But lets give him
enough rope to hang himself. Let him talk as long as he wants. The longer
he talks the more votes he will lose.
325.1. To fight tooth and nail:
(1) When Susan took her case against the company to court, people
in the office were afraid to testify on he behalf. But she went ahead
anyhow. She fought tooth and nail, and won.
(2) The townspeople fought tooth and nail against the governments
plan to build the plant. And I, happy to say this grassroots effort paid off.
The government had to give up the plan.
325.2. To fight to the bitter end:
(1) Mrs. Lee fought to the bitter end to keep her house, the only
one left after the developers tore down all th others. But after five
years the gave up and took the money and moved.
(2) Ok! A lot of Americans fought to the bitter end to keep the
country from getting into World War Two. But after the Japanese
attact on Pearl Harbor, America had no choice but to go to war.
326.1. You cant figh city hall:

190
(1) Mark spent a whole morning trying to straighten thew fifty
dollars mistake. But after four hours he finally got fed up and simply
paid it. I guess you cannt fight city hall.
(2) O.K! Brenda tried to get a stop-light put in at the
intersection after so many accidents. Peole laughed and said you
cans fight city hall, but she kept after the council and finally got her
light.
326.2. Spoiling for a fight:
(1) Be careful! The boss is still mad about losing the contract. I
can tell hes spoiling for a fight. So dont say anything that will give
him an excuse to start yelling at everybody in sight.
(2) Senator Jones came back spoiling for a fight. He thinks the
other party used unfiar tactics trying to beat him so he cant wait to
make trouble for them.
327.1. Legal eagle:
We never thought much of Bill in law scholl because he only got
average grades, But he turned out to be a reall legal eagle. In fact hes so
good he charges four hundred dollars an hours.
327.2. Rain maker:
Our law firm needs more business, so we got Mr. Lee aa our rainmaker lawyer last year. You know, he doubled our income and we had so
many work now that weve hired four more lawyers.
327.3. Ambulance-chaser:
Since Sally got hurt in the exploison, shes had so many calls from
ambulance-chasers wanting to help her sue the company that she had to
change her phone number.
328.1. Tongue lashing:
When I was ten years old my mother caught me smoking a cigarette
in the backyard. She gave me such a tongue-lashing that Ive never
touched another cigarette all my life.
328.2. Slip of the tongue:
Im in trouble at home. I called my wife Susan last night instead of
Betty. Susan is my old girlo friend. Just a slip of the tongue, but Betty is
so mad she wont speak to me.
328.3. Forked tongue:
Dont trust that guy. He usually speaks with a forked tongue. Hell
promise you to do noe thing, but more often tha not hell turn around and
do exactly the opposite.
329.1. Waiting for another shoe to drop:
Business is bad so the firm has to fire 100 employees. They have
already announced the first 50, and now the rest of us are waiting for the
other shoe to drop.
329.2. The jury is still out:
Well, the first sales figures from New York look good. But weve
waiting to hear the figures from Shicago and Los Angeles. So I have to tell
you the jury is still out.

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329.3. It is not over till the fat lady sings:
You guys know we are only two games behind the leader with eight
games left to play. We still have a chance to catch up. Remember, its not
over till the fat lady sings.
331.1. To call to account:
(1) Why cant the responsible officials he called to acount for the
Aldrich Ames case? Something must be terribly wrong if they let one of
their own people spy on them for eight years!
(2) The opposition partyasked that new mayor be called to account
for warning that the bridge might not be safe.
331.2. To square an account with someone:
(1) Marys trying to square her account with the cable company. She
believed they billed her a wrong monthly basic charge. Instead of $16.75
they want her to pay $33.75 a month for six months.
(2) Its unbelievable how easy it is to square an account with a credit
card company here in the US once you show them their mistake. It certainly
wouldnt be like that back home.
332.1. To take into account:
(1) We need to take into account whos behind the candidate.
The same corrupt crowd who have controlled the city hall for 20 years
and want to keep on ripping off us taxpayers.
(2) Lets take into account her record before we ask her to
come in as our partner. Remember the last two places she managed
went to bunkrupt in a year! And that really scares me.
332.2. To have an acount to settle:
(1) I still have an account to settle with that guy. I cant forget
how he spread all those nasty rumors about one when we were after
the same job. Sooner or later, Ill pay him back for that.
(2) That old man certainly settled accounts with those nephews
and nieces who never come to see him. When he died, he left all his
money to cancer research and they never saw o\a penny of it.
333.1. To get up the nerve:
(1) Im trying to get up the nerve to walk in and tell Mr. Green I want
a 20 percent raise, or else Ill look for another job where theyll pay me
what Im realy worth.
(2) Ive been going with Susan for three years, and Im crazy about
her. For six months Ive been trying to work the nerve up to ask her to
marry me, bu Im afraid all shell do is laugh.
333.2. A lot of nerve:
(1) Youve really got a lot of nerve telling me I spend to much money
when youre out every night drinking, playing poker, and for I all know
chasing other women.
(2) Of all the nerve! How dare you criticize me for being late this
morning? Youre the one who sneaks out half an hour early, At least I work
full eight hours everyday!

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