This new school is worlds away from the old one I taught at. For one, the kids actually listen!
2) A Word To The Wise-used to say that one is about to give someone advice or a warning-
A word to the wise - don't use Amy's baby shower as an opportunity to announce your engagement.
3) Mind One's P's And Q's-to be polite and well behaved, to mind one's manners-
Be sure to mind your p's and q's when you visit your aunt this weekend!
4) Take Into Account-to think about, consider, or keep in mind someone or something in regards to the future-
We'll be taking into account your years of loyal service while we consider what should be done.
5) Shifting Sands-used in reference to something that is constantly changing, especially unpredictably-
Whether something is accepted depends upon the shifting sands of taste.
6) Drop A Dime-to snitch or inform on someone to a person of higher authority-
Timmy is such a teacher's pet, always ready to drop a dime on any of the other students he thinks are misbehaving.
7) Rest On Your Laurels-to be satisfied with your achievements and not to make an effort to do anything else-
Just because you've got your degree doesn't mean you can rest on your laurels.
8) A Leopard Can't Change Its Spots-one will stay true to one's nature, even if one pretends or claims otherwise-
After our breakup, he came crawling back, trying to convince me that he'd changed, but I know that a leopard can't change its spots.
9) Handbags At Dawn-a confrontation or disagreement that is highly aggressive, emotionally expressive, or dramatic, but which does not end or result in violence-
It was handbags at dawn between the two players, who had been verbally taunting one another throughout the match.
10) Trick Of The Trade-a clever method used by people who are experienced in a particular type of work or activity-
Magazines often improve photographs before they print them - it's one of the tricks of the trade.
11) Let Bygones Be Bygones-to stop focusing on something that happened in the past-
I said I was sorry - can't we let bygones be bygones?
12) Not Have A Snowball's Chance In Hell-to have no chance of succeeding-
If he can't afford a good lawyer, he doesn't have a snowball's chance in hell of winning the case.
13) Live And Learn-an expression used after one has learned something from personal experience-
Well, I'll never try to ride my bike in the snow again - live and learn!
14) Ride High-to experience success, to feel confident and/or exuberant because of success or a pleasurable or uplifting experience-
The candidate is riding high in the polls after a strong debate performance.
15) Go Pear-shaped-go wrong-
We'd planned to go away for the weekend, but it all went pear-shaped.
16) Chapter And Verse-in thorough and exact detail-
She can give chapter and verse on current legislation.
17) You Can Say That Again-said to convey that you agree completely with someone-
He said that it was such a difficult job to be completed in a week and Sam just laughed and replied you can say that again!
18) Ivory Tower-a place or a social circle that is characterized by effete academic intelligence and thus is out of touch with or aloof from the realities of life-
Academics sitting in ivory towers have no understanding of what is important for ordinary people.
19) Cold Turkey-in a sudden and abrupt manner-
I had to quit drinking cold turkey.
20) The Upper Crust-the most affluent, powerful, or influential class in a society; the social elites or aristocrats-
The awards ceremony was a chance for me to mingle with the upper crust.
