ExpressionDefinitionExamples
behind barsin jail or prisonHe has been put behind bars on a charge of supplying class A drugs.
turn the tables (on somebody)reserve a situation completely so that someone loses an advantage and you gain oneThe plaintiff’s lawyer turned the tables on the defendant’s lawyer this morning by producing some strong new evidence.
get on sb’s nervesannoy somebody a lotYour voice is really getting on my nerves.
have/keep a ace/card/trick up sb sleevehave/keep a secret plan, method, or idea to use when needed to give you advantageThe coach always keeps a few tricks up his sleeve.
get/have something under your beltlearn or achieve something important and usefulHaving a few certificates under your belt is necessary.
die a thousand deaths (1)vehemently oppose to an undesirable action or occurrenceI would die a thousand deaths if he won the competition
die a thousand deaths (2)suffer extreme embarrassment or anxietyI used to die a thousand deaths when I wet my pants in first grade
pass the buckshift/reassign responsibility to anotherPoliticians have two skills: making empty promises and then passing the buck when they fail to deliver on them.
be on an upward/downward trajectoryto be getting higher or lowerInflation is on a upward trajectory.
tickle/tinkle the ivoriesto play the pianoHe’s the piano teacher who taught my daughter to tickle the ivories.
have a good set of ivoriesto have a good piano or good teethHe had a good set of ivories (= teeth)
one’s heart/stomach fluttersto feel excited/nervousEvery time I think about my exams my stomach flutters!
go into orbitto increase or succeed very quickly or to be in a state of extreme activityPrices have gone into orbit this year.
cost/make/be worth a bomb/packet/fortuneto cost/make/be worth a great deal of moneyThat house must have cost a packet! Someone’s making a packet out of this business.
of your own free willbecause you want to do sth rather than because somebody has told or forced you to do itShe left of her own free will.