UNIT 11 BALANCE IDIOMS

change hands

đổi chủ, usually by being sold

lock, stock and barrel

entirely, completely

make up one's mind

decide, choose.

like a shot

without delay/ hesitation

set an example

encourage/inspire people by your behavior

make a point of

do st in a very deliberate way

play one's cards right

make skillful use of all your adavantages

pull one's leg

tell a lie in order to amuse

be on tenterhooks

(be) very anxious or excited while you are waiting to find out sth or see what will happen

get sb over a barrel

in a situation in which they must accept or do what you want

cross swords with sb over sth

fight/quarrel

come to terms with st

accept and deal w st difficult/ unpleasant

toe the line

be pressured into obeying the rules, policy…

read sb the riot act

threaten sb with severe punishment

egg sb on

to encourage sb to do sth dangerous or foolish

be in two minds about

be unable to decide

walls have ears

be careful what you say because someone might overhear you

waste one 's breath

say st to sb who will take no notice

have a go

try st

blow the whistle on sb

tell sb in authority about st illegal/ secret sb is doing