| No. | Item | Definition |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | back to the drawing board | start over with a new plan |
| 2. | bad to the bone | tough; formidable |
| 3. | ballpark figure | rough estimate |
| 4. | behind the eight ball | in a difficult position |
| 5. | bite the bullet | face something unpleasant bravely |
| 6. | bite your tongue | stop yourself from speaking |
| 7. | blow it | make a big mistake |
| 8. | blow off steam | release pent-up emotion |
| 9. | blow the lid off | expose a scandal |
| 10. | blow the whistle | report wrongdoing |
| 11. | blow your top | lose your temper |
| 12. | boogie down | dance energetically |
| 13. | break even | neither profit nor loss |
| 14. | break the ice | ease initial awkwardness |
| 15. | break your back | work extremely hard |
| 16. | bring home the bacon | earn a living |
| 17. | bring it on | accept a challenge |
| 18. | bring the house down | get huge applause |
| 19. | bring to the table | contribute something useful |
| 20. | burn the candle at both ends | overwork; exhaust yourself |
| 21. | burn the midnight oil | work late into the night |
| 22. | burn your bridges | destroy future options |
| 23. | by and large | generally; overall |
| 24. | by the book | following rules strictly |
| 25. | by the skin of your teeth | barely; narrowly |
| 26. | call a spade a spade | speak plainly and directly |
| 27. | call it a day | stop working for now |
| 28. | call it quits | stop; end the effort |
| 29. | call the shots | be in charge |
| 30. | can you dig it? | do you understand? |
| 31. | catch some Zs | sleep |
| 32. | catch your breath | rest briefly |
| 33. | caught between two stools | stuck between two choices |
| 34. | caught red-handed | caught in the act |
| 35. | change your tune | change your opinion |
| 36. | chew someone out | scold harshly |
| 37. | chew the fat | chat casually |
| 38. | chip on your shoulder | resentful attitude |
| 39. | climb the walls | feel restless or anxious |
| 40. | close but no cigar | nearly succeeded |
| 41. | cold turkey | suddenly; without easing off |
| 42. | cut to the chase | get to the point |
| 43. | dead in the water | unable to proceed |
| 44. | dead to the world | sleeping very deeply |
| 45. | devil’s advocate | one who argues the opposite |
| 46. | dig your heels in | refuse to change |
| 47. | dime a dozen | very common |
| 48. | do a double take | look again in surprise |
| 49. | do the trick | work successfully |
| 50. | don’t harsh my mellow | don’t spoil my mood |
| 51. | down for the count | defeated; unable to continue |
| 52. | down the drain | wasted; lost |
| 53. | easy does it | go carefully; slow down |
| 54. | eat your words | admit you were wrong |
| 55. | face the music | accept consequences |
| 56. | fair and square | honestly; without cheating |
| 57. | fall by the wayside | be abandoned or fail |
| 58. | fall through the cracks | be overlooked |
| 59. | far out | excellent; impressive; cool |
| 60. | fed up | annoyed; had enough |
| 61. | feel the pinch | feel financial strain |
| 62. | few and far between | rare; not many |
| 63. | fight tooth and nail | fight very hard |
| 64. | find your feet | become comfortable in a situation |
| 65. | get a grip | control yourself |
| 66. | get a kick out of | enjoy; find amusing |
| 67. | get cold feet | become nervous and back out |
| 68. | get down | dance; enjoy yourself |
| 69. | get in on the ground floor | join at the beginning |
| 70. | get the ball rolling | start something happening |
| 71. | give it your best shot | try as hard as possible |
| 72. | give me some skin | shake hands; high-five |
| 73. | go for broke | risk everything to win |
| 74. | go with the flow | accept things as they happen |
| 75. | hit the ground running | start quickly and energetically |
| 76. | hold the fort | take care temporarily |
| 77. | hold your horses | wait; slow down |
| 78. | in the ballpark | close to correct |
| 79. | in the same boat | in the same situation |
| 80. | jive turkey | insincere or foolish person |
| 81. | keep a low profile | avoid attention |
| 82. | keep on truckin’ | keep going; persist |
| 83. | lay it on me | tell me; explain |
| 84. | low man on the totem pole | least important person |
| 85. | on the same wavelength | thinking alike; in agreement |
| 86. | out of left field | unexpected; surprising |
| 87. | out of sight | excellent; amazing |
| 88. | play it by ear | improvise as you go |
| 89. | play your cards right | act wisely for advantage |
| 90. | pull out all the stops | use every possible effort |
| 91. | right on | I agree; that’s great |
| 92. | roll with the punches | adapt to difficulties |
| 93. | saved by the bell | rescued at the last moment |
| 94. | step up to the plate | take responsibility; act |
| 95. | the real McCoy | the genuine article |
| 96. | the whole nine yards | everything; the full amount |
| 97. | throw a curveball | present an unexpected problem |
| 98. | throw in the towel | give up; quit |
| 99. | touch base | make contact; check in |
| 100. | up to speed | fully informed; current |
