Allusions (1-15)

Achilles Heel

weak point

pound of flesh

Someone's insistence on being repaid, even if the repayment will destroy or harm the debtor

sacred cow

something that cannot be interfered with or harmed in any way

Crossing the Rubicon

to take an irreversible step, often involving some danger

pearls before swine

to offer something precious to someone, or a group of people, unable to appreciate the value of what they are being given

once in a blue moon

on a very rare occasion

mrs grundy

an attitude of narrow-minded prudishness

crocodile tears

insincere tears

sirens

Creatures whose songs lure sailors to their deaths

riot act

A call for demonstrators to disperse before being forced to by the authorities

Thirty pieces of silver/betrayed by a kiss

Payment received for an act of treachery

gordian knot

extremely complex problem

all that glitters is not gold

appearances can be deceptive

ivory tower

out of touch with life

sound and fury

a great, tumultuous, and passionate uproar that actually is unimportant or meaningless