Break even

have expenses equal to profits.

Application: "After only three months the company was able to break even and start making profits."

Give someone the green light

give permission to go ahead with a project.

Application: "Our boss gave us the green light to begin work on the new sales promotion."

Gain ground

go forward, make progress.

Application: "Our company has been gaining ground in our attempt to be the best in the industry."

Fill the bill

be just what is needed.

Application: "That new machine should fill the bill as to what we need to finish the job."

Bang for the buck

value for the money spent.

Application: "We were able to get a big bang for our buck when we advertised on the Internet."

In the market for

ready to buy something.

Application: "We have been in the market for a new computer for a long time but still we haven't bought one."

Sell like hotcakes

sell very quickly.

Application: "The children's toys were selling like hotcakes at the end of the year."

piece/slice of the action

a share in the activity or the profits of something.

Application: "The inventor wanted a large piece of the action of the profits from the new computer that he had invented."

Turn over

to buy and then sell something to customers.

Application: "The turn-over at that discount store is very rapid."

double-check

-check something again to confirm.

Application: "We were unable to double-check the costs of the new products before the price list was printed."

Hard sell

sell something by being very aggressive.
Application: "The car salesman gave us a hard sell so we decided to go to another dealer."

Under his own steam

by himself, without help.

Application: "Although Don was injured, he left the field under his own steam".

In the offing

something that is imminent.

Origin: A nautical term to indicate that a ship is visible from the shore and due to arrive soon

Under his own steam

by himself, without help.

Application: "Although Don was injured, he left the field under his own steam".

Raining Cats And Dogs

Raining very heavily.

Application: "Don't forget to take an umbrella with you, it is raining cats and dogs outside."

At the Drop of a Hat

Something that happens suddenly, almost without warning.

Application: "If you get an extra ticket, let me know. I would go at the drop of a hat."

Raise Your Spirits

help you feel positive, help you feel happy.

Application: "If you want to raise your spirits, just have a visit with Kari."

Close but no Cigar

Nearly achieving success, but not quite.

Application: "That free throw was close but no cigar."

Take Stock

count the items of merchandise or supplies in stock, take inventory.

Application: "The department store closes down for 3 days every March in order to take stock."

By leaps and bounds

By large amounts.

Application: "The population of Calgary has grown by leaps and bounds"

Memory like a sieve

If somebody can't retain things for long in his or her memory and quickly forgets, he or she has a memory like a sieve. A sieve has lots of tiny holes in it to let liquids out while keeping the solids inside.

Application: "His memory's like a sieve; especially after taking New Year resolutions!"

Common Ground

shared beliefs or interests.

Application: "If there is some common ground between two groups having different views, working together will be a very easy"

On Pins and Needles

Waiting anxiously, worried.

Application: "Mom will be on pins and needles until we return. She'll be worried."

In the picture

Part of the scene, a factor.

Application: "As Mr. Martin lost the election, he's not in the picture."

Carry the day

win completely.

Application: "The president's new idea carried the day and everyone supported him energetically."

As Keen As Mustard

very enthusiastic.

Application: "There are many youngsters on the team who really are as keen as mustard."

In the Driver's Seat

controlling events or decisions, in charge.

Application: "Huge consumer demand for electricity has put energy companies in the driver's
seat."

Round Robin

Repeatedly taking successive turns in the same order.

Application: "Everyone in this family will take round robin turns putting out the trash."

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."

Part And Parcel

the same as, similar, one and the same.

Application: "Being recognized on the street is all part and parcel of being famous."

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."

Double Take

look again in disbelief.

Application: "She did a double take when the Hollywood superstar walked into the store."

Know something by heart

To know something perfectly.

Application: "Melissa loves Shakespeare. She has seen all of his plays so many times that she knows all the lines by heart."

Next of Kin

closest relatives, members of the family.

Application: "That NGO also aids the emergency services in locating a next of kin in an emergency."

in black and white

in writing.

Application: "The company refused to deal with the customer's complaints until they saw them in black and white."

One-trick pony

someone who does one thing well, but has limited skills in other areas.

Application: "I hope Sullivan doesn't prove to be a one trick pony."

A little bird told me

An implied secret or private source of knowledge.

Application: A little bird told me that we're moving.

In the long run

In the final result.

Application: "The shoe store has been losing customers recently but in the long run they should do very well."

On all Fours

on your hands and knees, crawling around.

Application: "There was Julie, on all fours, looking for her contact lens."

Warm the cockles of your heart

Something that makes you feel happy because it shows that people can be good and kind.

Application: "It's an old-fashioned romance that will warm the cockles of your heart."

Nail it Down

complete it, finalize it, close a deal.

Application: "Don't spend too long on a sale. Try to nail it down quickly."

New kid on the Block

new person in the office or in the class.

Application: "I'm the new kid on the block. I come from Portugal."

Out of the Blue

Suddenly and unexpectedly.

Application: "Late last summer, out of the blue, Sue announced she was getting married and leaving her home country soon. We were all shocked to hear that."

Off the Record

Not to be reported, not official.

Application: "What the President said is not to be printed. It's off the record."

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."

Right As Rain

Completely correct, proper, sound and healthy.

Application: "On the witness stand she appeared to be right as rain, but then she is an actress by profession."

Lose my train of thought

forget my order of thoughts or words.

Application: "Don't interrupt me because I may lose my train of thought."

Safe bet

Probably true. Will probably happen.

Application: "It's a safe bet that your English skills will improve quickly if you study at the English centre."

Fair play

Justice, equal and right action to someone.

Application: The company is very good to work for as they always use fair play when they are bargaining with their employees.

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."