| A | B |
|---|
| ace up your sleeve | a surprise or secret advantage, especially something that is kept hidden until needed |
| Achilles' heel | the one weakness, fault, flaw, or vulnerable spot in one's otherwise strong character |
| add fuel to the fire | to make a bad situation worse; to do or say something that causes more trouble |
| air your dirty laundry in public | to talk about your private disagreements or embarrassing matters in public |
| all ears | eager to listen; sharp, attentive, curious |
| all thumbs | awkward or clumsy, especially with the hands |
| ants in your pants | extreme restlessness or over activty |
| apple of your eye | a person or thing that is greatly loved, treasured, or adored |
| as the crow flies | by the shortest or most direct route; measured in a straight, direct line between two places |
| asleep at the switch | not alert; failing to react quickly; not attending to one's job |
| at the drop of a hat | right away; at once; without delay |
| ax to grind | something to gain for yourself for a selfish reason; an old grudge to repay |
| at the end of your rope | at the limit of your ability, endurance, or patience to do something |
| break a leg | an expression used to wish somebody good luck |
| the bottom line | the most essential or necessary information on a subject |
| beat one's brains out | try very hard to understand or do something |
| beats me | to have no idea or knowledge of |
| bent out of shape | worried, anxious, or upset about something |
| bite off more than you can chew | to take responsibility for more than you can handle |
| blow your top | to become extremely angry |
| by the skin of your teeth | to succeed or meet a goal by a very narrow margin |
| burn the midnight oil | to study or work on something late into the night hours |
| beat around the bush | to avoid giving a direct answer; be vague |
| blow your own horn | to praise yourself or draw attention to yourself |
| bury the hatchet | to settle an argument or make peace an adversary |
| bite the bullet | to do something that is uncomfortable or difficult even though you don't want to |
| bite the dust | to go down in defeat |
| cat got your tongue? | Why aren't you speaking? |
| (let the) cat out of the bag | give away a secret; tell something you shouldn't |
| cough up | to give or contribute |
| cry wolf | to call for help when you don't really need it |
| cry over spilled milk | to be upset about something that can't be changed |
| cost an arm and a leg | very expensive; high-priced |
| come out smelling like a rose | to come out of a bad or embarrassing situation without harm to your reputation |
| cold feet | loss of confidence; fear of doing something |
| cook your goose | to ruin someone's plans; put an end to something |
| cool as a cucumber | very calm; not nervous or emotional |
| climbing the walls | going out of control; becoming frustrated or anxious |
| cast the first stone | to be the first to attack, blame, or criticize someone |
| catch more flies with honey than with vinegar | you can accomplish more by being pleasant than by being disagreeable |
| don't judge a book by its cover | don't pass judgment on someone or something based on your first impression |
| dead as a doornail | without a chance of success; totally hopeless |
| dead duck | a person who is ruined; unlikely to be able to succeed |
| dime a dozen | something that is very common and inexpensive |
| don't count your chickens before they hatch | don't count on something before you actually have it in hand |
| dog's life | a bleak, harsh, terrible existence with little happiness |
| don't look a gift horse in the mouth | don't complain when you get something for free |
| dot your i's and cross your t's | to pay special attention to every detail |
| dressed to the nines | wearing very fashionable, attention-getting clothing |
| drop in the bucket | a very small or insiginificant amount |
| dull as dishwater | very boring or interesting |
