Brush up on

review, relearn or practice.

Application: "The teacher said I should brush up on my spelling--I need to improve it."

captain of industry

a top corporation officer.

Application: "The president of our company was a captain of industry and after he retired he was appointed to many government boards."

in the works

in preparation, being planned or worked on

Application: "The camera company has a new automatic camera in the works but nobody knows about it yet."

Take a leaf out of someone's book

Do something in the same way as someone else does.

Application: "Maybe I should take a leaf out of Jenny's book and start exercising. She's always in good shape because she exercises every day."

Come full circle

A process has been completed.

Application: "The salmon has returned to the place where it originally hatched. Its life cycle has come full circle."

Above Board

Legal, out in the open, activities not concealed.

Application: "The real estate agent was always above board when dealing with people who were trying to buy a house."

Speak off the Cuff

To speak spontaneously, without much preparation.

Application: "It has gotten to the point where I can now speak off the cuff a lot more fluently than when I first joined the personality development course."

Take on a new light

have a new meaning, see a different meaning

Application: The music takes on a new light if you know the composer.

Here today, gone Tomorrow

Fleeting; lacking permanence.

Application: "His novel attracted a great deal of attention but quickly went out of print - here today and gone tomorrow."

Take a leaf out of someone's book

Do something in the same way as someone else does

Application: "Maybe I should take a leaf out of Jenny's book and start exercising. She's always in good shape because she exercises every day."

Come full circle

process has been completed.

Application: "The salmon has returned to the place where it originally hatched. Its life cycle has come full circle."

Above Board

Legal, out in the open, activities not concealed.

Application: "The real estate agent was always above board when dealing with people who were trying to buy a house."

Speak off the Cuff

To speak spontaneously, without much preparation.

Application: "It has gotten to the point where I can now speak off the cuff a lot more fluently than when I first joined the personality development course."

Take on a new light

have a new meaning, see a different meaning

Application: The music takes on a new light if you know the composer.

Here today, gone Tomorrow

Fleeting; lacking permanence.

Application: "His novel attracted a great deal of attention but quickly went out of print - here today and gone tomorrow."

Be up and Running

be working well, especially a system or a machine, functioning.

Application: "Our computer crashed, but the engineer got it up and running soon again."

Keep a Low Profile

Stay out of public notice, avoid attracting attention to oneself.

Application: "Until his appointment becomes official, Ted is keeping a low profile."

A Paper Trail

a series of memos or letters that record events.

Application: "Computerized voting lacks paper trail, scholars warn."

On a Good Footing

To be on good terms with someone.

Application: "A win tomorrow will put us on a good footing and give us a good platform for when we return to the A-League for the last six games of the season"

Thumbs up

To give approval.

Example: "If Jamie gave the movie two thumbs up, it is probably pretty good."

Beyond the Call Of Duty

much more than expected, go the extra mile

Application: "He went beyond the call of duty in handling this emergency situation."

On a Good Footing

To be on good terms with someone.

Application: "A win tomorrow will put us on a good footing and give us a good platform for when we return to the A-League for the last six games of the season"

Thumbs up

To give approval.

Application: "If Jamie gave the movie two thumbs up, it is probably pretty good."

Beyond the Call Of Duty

much more than expected, go the extra mile

Application: "He went beyond the call of duty in handling this emergency situation."

Brush up on

review, relearn or practice.

Application: "The teacher said I should brush up on my spelling--I need to improve it."

Ducks in a Row

To have things in order.

Application: "If you don't get your ducks in a row, you will never find the information you need on time."

Jump the Gun

act too soon, leave early.

Application: "A good chef waits until the food is cooked. Don't jump the gun"

Give credit where credit is due

Acknowledge or thank someone who deserves it.

Application: "We gave credit where credit is due and thanked the cook for all of the work that she had done."

Drive a hard bargain

To conclude a bargain without making any concessions.

Application: "Although the man drives a hard bargain, I like doing business with him."

Card up your sleeve

If you have a card up your sleeve, you have a surprise plan or idea that you are keeping back until the time is right.
Application: "Lets see what Henry does next. He always has a card up his sleeve."