| No. | Item | Definition |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | across the board | applying to everyone or everything |
| 2. | add fuel to the fire | make a bad situation worse |
| 3. | all ears | listening very attentively |
| 4. | all hell broke loose | chaos suddenly erupted |
| 5. | all in the same boat | sharing the same problem |
| 6. | all over the map | inconsistent or disorganized |
| 7. | all talk and no action | promising but not doing |
| 8. | all thumbs | clumsy with hands |
| 9. | an arm and a leg | very expensive |
| 10. | at the drop of a hat | immediately, without hesitation |
| 11. | at your wits’ end | out of ideas or patience |
| 12. | back in the saddle | active again after a break |
| 13. | back to square one | return to the beginning |
| 14. | backseat driver | one who gives unwanted advice |
| 15. | bad blood | lasting ill feeling |
| 16. | bad to the bone | tough or rebellious |
| 17. | ballpark figure | rough estimate |
| 18. | barking up the wrong tree | pursuing the wrong idea |
| 19. | beat around the bush | avoid saying something directly |
| 20. | beat the clock | finish before time runs out |
| 21. | behind the eight ball | in a difficult position |
| 22. | bend over backwards | try very hard to help |
| 23. | beside the point | irrelevant to the issue |
| 24. | best of both worlds | advantages of two choices |
| 25. | between a rock and a hard place | facing two bad options |
| 26. | big fish in a small pond | important in a small setting |
| 27. | bite off more than you can chew | take on too much |
| 28. | bite the bullet | face something unpleasant bravely |
| 29. | blow off steam | release anger or stress |
| 30. | blow your top | become very angry |
| 31. | blue in the face | to exhaustion, without success |
| 32. | bottom line | the most important fact |
| 33. | break the ice | ease initial awkwardness |
| 34. | bring home the bacon | earn a living |
| 35. | bull in a china shop | clumsy, tactless person |
| 36. | burn bridges | destroy future relationships |
| 37. | burn the midnight oil | work late into night |
| 38. | bury the hatchet | make peace |
| 39. | by the book | following rules exactly |
| 40. | by the skin of your teeth | barely; narrowly |
| 41. | call it a day | stop working for now |
| 42. | call the shots | be in control |
| 43. | calm before the storm | quiet period before trouble |
| 44. | can of worms | a complicated problem |
| 45. | caught red-handed | caught in the act |
| 46. | change of heart | a shift in opinion |
| 47. | chase your tail | do busy work without progress |
| 48. | chew the fat | chat casually |
| 49. | chip off the old block | like one’s parent |
| 50. | chomping at the bit | eager to start |
| 51. | circle the wagons | unite defensively |
| 52. | clean slate | fresh start |
| 53. | clear the air | resolve tension by talking |
| 54. | dark horse | unexpected winner or success |
| 55. | dead in the water | unable to proceed |
| 56. | dead ringer | exact look-alike |
| 57. | devil is in the details | small details cause problems |
| 58. | dig your own grave | cause your own downfall |
| 59. | dime a dozen | very common and cheap |
| 60. | disappear into thin air | vanish completely |
| 61. | do a double take | look again in surprise |
| 62. | do or die | critical; must succeed |
| 63. | dog-eat-dog | ruthlessly competitive |
| 64. | eager beaver | overly enthusiastic worker |
| 65. | easy as pie | very easy |
| 66. | eat your heart out | feel jealous or regretful |
| 67. | eleventh hour | the last possible moment |
| 68. | end of the line | the final point |
| 69. | face the music | accept consequences |
| 70. | fair and square | honestly and openly |
| 71. | fall by the wayside | be abandoned or fail |
| 72. | fall through the cracks | be overlooked |
| 73. | feather in your cap | an achievement to be proud of |
| 74. | few and far between | rare |
| 75. | fight fire with fire | use same tactics in response |
| 76. | fish out of water | uncomfortable in new situation |
| 77. | fit as a fiddle | very healthy |
| 78. | fly off the handle | suddenly lose temper |
| 79. | for the birds | worthless or silly |
| 80. | from the get-go | from the beginning |
| 81. | full of hot air | talking without substance |
| 82. | get a grip | control your emotions |
| 83. | get a kick out of | enjoy greatly |
| 84. | get cold feet | lose courage |
| 85. | get down to business | start working seriously |
| 86. | get in on the ground floor | join at the beginning |
| 87. | get off the hook | avoid punishment or blame |
| 88. | get the ball rolling | start something |
| 89. | get the hang of it | learn how to do it |
| 90. | get the show on the road | start the activity |
| 91. | get your act together | become organized and responsible |
| 92. | hair of the dog | drink to cure a hangover |
| 93. | hand over fist | rapidly; in large amounts |
| 94. | hands down | easily; unquestionably |
| 95. | hang in there | keep going; don’t give up |
| 96. | hard pill to swallow | unpleasant truth to accept |
| 97. | have a blast | have a great time |
| 98. | have a bone to pick | have a complaint |
| 99. | have a chip on your shoulder | be resentful |
| 100. | have a short fuse | get angry quickly |
