-  A baker’s dozen- thirteen
- A big bug- A person of importance
- A bitter pill to swallow- something that is very unpleasant but which must be accepted
- A bolt from the blue- Something unexpected
- A cock and bull theory- A story that cannot be believed
- A dark horse- a person whose abilities are hidden or unknown
- A fish out of water- to be in an uncomfortable position
- A pretty kettle of fish- a situation that cause you problems
- A white elephant- a useless one
- A whole bag of tricks - Means trying all the clever means to achieve something.
- A wild goose chase- a foolish and unprofitable attempt
- Achille’s heel- Weakness
- All in one piece- safely
- Always makes castle in the air- often dreams of things impossible to happen
- Apple discord- Something which causes quarrel
- At once- suddenly
- At the drop of a hat-instantly
- At your beck and call- under someone’s absolute control
- Backroom boys -People who perform important work but have no contact with the public.
- Be in the red- making a financial loss
- Beat about the bush- speak in around about way
- Bee in one's bonnet -Carrying an idea that constantly occupies your thoughts.
- Black and white- in written form
- Black sheep- A disreputable member of a family or group
- Blood, sweat and tears -Something that requires a lot of effort and hard work.
- Buckle down -Doing some hard work with determination and full attention.
- Carry the torch for -Having strong feelings for someone who cannot be yours.
- Chase your tail- Spending a lot of time and energy doing a lot of things but actually achieving too little.
- Chicken hearted- fearfully
- Close to home -A comment which is true and makes you uncomfortable is close to home.
- Cork up something -Failing to express your emotions.
- Cost the earth- is very costly
- Cream of the crop- best of any group
- Crocodile tear- tears of sorrow that are insincere
- Cut to the quick -Hurting someone deeply or offending them.
- Deadwood -People or things that are no longer useful or necessary.
- Deliver the goods -Do what is expected or promised.
- Die hard- Strongly or financially determined or devoted
- Dog eat dog- competitive for profit
- Dog’s life- a miserable life
- Down in the mouth- unhappy
- Dutch Courage- False courage acquired by drinking liquor
- Eat, sleep and breathe something -Being so enthusiastic and passionate about something that you think about it all the time.
- Explore all avenues-Trying out every possibility to get a result.
- Fan the flames - to make a dangerous or unpleasant mood or situation
worse
- Fanning the flame- to intensity the issue
- Fast track something - Rating something higher on your priority list to achieve the desired result.
- Faux pas- social blunder
- Fever pitch -When a feeling is very intense and exciting, it is said to be at a fever pitch.
- Fine tooth comb -Examining something carefully to not miss out on any details.
- First out of the gate -Being the first one to make a start at something.
- Fish out of water -Feeling uncomfortable in unfamiliar surroundings.
- Fling yourself into -Doing something with a lot of energy and enthusiasm.
- Forty winks- a short sleep
- From hand to mouth- without any provision for the future
- Get a grip on yourself -Controlling your feelings to deal with a situation.
- Get ducks in a row -Getting your things well organized.
- Get the axe -Lose the job.
- Get the show on the road -Putting up a plan or idea into action.
- Gets on my nerves- irritates me
- Go to the dogs- be ruined
- Going Places -Exhibiting talent and ability that will lead to a successful future.
- Golden handshake -A big sum of money given to a person when they leave a company or retire.Â
- Hand and glove- Very friendly
- Hang on by fingernails -Continuing to do something in a very difficult situation.
- Have a bone to pick with somebody- have a reason to quarrel with somebody
- Have an axle to grind- to have a strong opinion about something
- Have on the brain -Thinking or talking about it all day long.
- Have one's heart set on -Possessing a determination to obtain something.
- Head over heels- Excited
- Hear it on the grapevine- spread rumours
- High handed- arrogantly
- Hot under collar- angry
- In a nut-shell-in fewest words possible
- In high spirits- cheerful
- It’s raining cats and dogs- it’s raining heavily
- Ivory tower- place out of touch with reality
- Keep an eye on -watch
- Keep the wolf from the door- to escape from poverty
- Keep your fingers on the pulse -Being constantly aware of the most recent developments.
- Kick the bucket- to die
- Let the cat out of the bag- tell a secret by mistake / Reveal
- Make headway -Progress in what you are trying to achieve.
- Mean business -Being serious about what you announce.
- Mother wit- natural common sense
- Not let grass grow under feet -Don't delay in getting something done.
- On the cards-probable
- Once in a blue moon- very rarely
- Par excellence- above all
- Parish pumps- local politics
- Plum job -A desirable position that is well paid and considered relatively easy.
- Pros and Cons- Favorable and unfavorable factors
- Pull out all the stops -Doing everything you can to make something successful.
- Punch above one's weight-Performing beyond your ability.
- Quaking in its boots- to treamble with fear or nervousness
- Raring to go -Being very eager and enthusiastic about the idea of doing something.
- Rides the high horse- feel proud
- Run -of-the mill- ordinary
- Sail through something -Being successful in doing something without difficulty.
- Separate sheep from goats -Examining a group of people and deciding their suitability
- Shape up or ship out -This expression is used to warn someone that if they do not improve their ways, they will have to leave their job.
- Sink your teeth into -Doing something with a lot of energy and enthusiasm.
- Sixes and Sevens- confused
- Stand one's ground -Maintaining your position.
- Storm in the tea cup-big fuss over trivial matter
- Swan song- the last public performance of an artist or athlete
- Thick and thin – Under all conditions
- Think on your feet -Adjusting quickly to changes and making fast decisions.
- To be in a hot soup- to get into trouble
- To blaze a trail- to initiate work
- To cook somebody’s goose- ensure that somebody fails
- To drive home -to emphasize
- To fly off the handle- to lose one’s temper
- To get a windfall- to get an unexpected fortune
- To pick holes – To critize someone
- To show the white feather- to show signs to cowardice
- To shrug one’s shoulders- to show disapproval
- Tooth and Nail-with all our power
- Tricks of the trade-Clever or expert way of doing something.
- Turned a deaf ear- did not pay attention / Disregarded
- Waiting in the wings -Waiting for an opportunity to take action, mostly to replace someone else in their job.
- Weal and woe- joy and sorrow
- Wear one’s heart on one’s sleeve- show one’s feeling openly
- With bells on -When you are delighted and eager to go somewhere, you are said to go with bells on.
- Wool gathering- day dreaming
- Work like a charm -Works very well or has the desired effect.
- Xerox subsidy - Using the office photocopier for personal use.