| No. | Item | Definition |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | a law unto yourself | ignore rules and act independently |
| 2. | above board | honest and legal |
| 3. | above the law | not subject to rules |
| 4. | answer for it | be held accountable |
| 5. | answer to someone | be accountable to authority |
| 6. | ask for trouble | invite problems |
| 7. | bang to rights | clearly guilty |
| 8. | be duty-bound | obliged by duty |
| 9. | be on the hook | be responsible for something |
| 10. | bear the blame | carry responsibility for fault |
| 11. | blow the lid off | expose a scandal |
| 12. | blow the whistle | report wrongdoing |
| 13. | by the book | according to the rules |
| 14. | carry the can | take responsibility for failure |
| 15. | carry your weight | contribute your share |
| 16. | chickens come home to roost | past actions bring trouble |
| 17. | code of silence | agreement not to inform |
| 18. | come clean | confess the truth |
| 19. | cover your tracks | hide evidence of wrongdoing |
| 20. | crime doesn’t pay | wrongdoing brings loss |
| 21. | cut no corners | do properly without shortcuts |
| 22. | dead to rights | certainly guilty |
| 23. | dig your own grave | cause your own ruin |
| 24. | dig yourself a hole | worsen your situation |
| 25. | do right by | treat fairly and responsibly |
| 26. | do the right thing | act morally correct |
| 27. | do your part | take your share of work |
| 28. | earn your keep | work for your support |
| 29. | face the music | accept consequences |
| 30. | fair and square | honestly and fairly |
| 31. | first come, first served | served in arrival order |
| 32. | get away with murder | escape punishment easily |
| 33. | get it off your chest | confess to relieve guilt |
| 34. | get off scot-free | escape without punishment |
| 35. | get your just deserts | receive deserved punishment |
| 36. | give a free pass | allow without consequences |
| 37. | grin and bear it | endure without complaint |
| 38. | guilty as charged | guilty of the accusation |
| 39. | hold the fort | take responsibility temporarily |
| 40. | hold up your end | do your share |
| 41. | hold your ground | not yield under pressure |
| 42. | honor among thieves | criminals keep a code |
| 43. | in hot water | in trouble |
| 44. | in the doghouse | in trouble with someone |
| 45. | justice is served | fair punishment happens |
| 46. | keep a stiff upper lip | hide emotions and endure |
| 47. | keep the peace | maintain order |
| 48. | keep your hands clean | avoid blame or guilt |
| 49. | keep your head down | avoid attention and trouble |
| 50. | keep your nose clean | avoid trouble or wrongdoing |
| 51. | keep your word | do what you promised |
| 52. | law of the land | the governing laws |
| 53. | lay the blame | assign fault to someone |
| 54. | let it slide | not punish or correct |
| 55. | let off the hook | release from responsibility |
| 56. | letter of the law | exact legal wording |
| 57. | look the other way | pretend not to notice |
| 58. | make amends | repair harm done |
| 59. | make good on | fulfill a promise |
| 60. | make it right | fix the problem |
| 61. | make waves | cause disturbance |
| 62. | no ifs, ands, or buts | no excuses allowed |
| 63. | off the hook | no longer responsible |
| 64. | on the straight and narrow | living properly and honestly |
| 65. | on the up-and-up | honest and legitimate |
| 66. | on thin ice | in a risky position |
| 67. | on your honor | trusting your honesty |
| 68. | own up | admit fault or truth |
| 69. | pass the buck | shift responsibility to others |
| 70. | pay the price | suffer consequences |
| 71. | pay your dues | earn status through effort |
| 72. | pin it on | blame someone for it |
| 73. | play by the rules | act fairly and lawfully |
| 74. | play with fire | risk serious trouble |
| 75. | point the finger | accuse someone |
| 76. | pull your weight | do your fair share |
| 77. | reap what you sow | suffer consequences of actions |
| 78. | right a wrong | correct an injustice |
| 79. | rise to the occasion | meet responsibility well |
| 80. | rock the boat | cause trouble by change |
| 81. | rules are rules | rules must be obeyed |
| 82. | save your own skin | protect yourself selfishly |
| 83. | set the record straight | correct a misunderstanding |
| 84. | set things right | fix a wrong |
| 85. | shift the blame | blame someone else |
| 86. | skate on thin ice | take a dangerous risk |
| 87. | spirit of the law | intended meaning of rules |
| 88. | straight and narrow | morally correct behavior |
| 89. | take the rap | accept blame or punishment |
| 90. | take your medicine | accept deserved punishment |
| 91. | the buck stops here | final responsibility is mine |
| 92. | throw under the bus | betray to avoid blame |
| 93. | toe the line | conform to authority |
| 94. | toe the party line | follow the official position |
| 95. | turn a blind eye | ignore wrongdoing |
| 96. | under oath | legally bound to truth |
| 97. | up the creek | in serious trouble |
| 98. | wait your turn | follow order fairly |
| 99. | wash your hands of it | refuse responsibility |
| 100. | what goes around comes around | actions return to you |
