Expressions (Eng)

level the playing field

creating a fair situation where everyone has equal chance of succeeding

let bygones be bygones

to forgive and forget

rank and file

ordinary members of an organization as opposed to its leaders

tongue in cheek

ironic, flippant, or insincere way

compliments of the house

free of charge

cup runneth over

having more than enough, boundless gratitude

run of the mill

ordinary

new lease on life

improved quality of life/renewed energy

doe-eyed

wide and innocent-looking eyes

no love lost

strong antipathy between two people

ten a penny/a dime a dozen

common and not that valuable

straight from the horse’s mouth

information from someone who knows best

to be in the red/black

to be losing money

break the bank

very expensive

hit the sack/hay

go to sleep

comparing apples to oranges

comparing two different things that cant be compared

the whole nine yards

everything, to go all the way

a storm in a teacup

big fuss about a small problem

bent out of shape

to get upset about something

bite the bullet

to get something inevitable over with

go on a wild goose chase

to do something pointless

he’s a chip off the old block

the son is like the father

a hot potato

speak of an issue

a penny for your thoughts

a way of asking what someone is thinking

back to the drawing board

starting over from a failed attempt

beat around the bush

avoiding the main topic/speaking indirectly from the issue

best thing since sliced bread

a good invention or innovation

burn the midnight oil

to work late into the night

caught between two stools

difficulty to choose between two alternatives

the devil is in the details

looks good from afar but theres problems as one looks closer

on cloud nine

very happy

clouds on the horizon

impending trouble

cost an arm and a leg

break the bank

cross the bridge when you come to it

deal a problem only when it becomes necessary

play devil’s advocate

to present a counter argument

cut the mustard

adequate enough to compete or participate

dont give up the day job

not very good at something

every cloud has a silver lining

be optimistic in hard times

hear it on the grapevine

to hear rumors

hit the nail on the head

do or say something exactly right

it takes two to tango

actions or communications that need more than one person

miss the boat

missed chance or opportunity

not playing with a full deck

lacking intelligence

off one’s rocker

crazy or inane

on the ball

understands the situation well