I'm surprised to see you in this neck of the woods.
2) Give Someone Stick-to criticize, judge, or disapprove of someone-
I just know my boss is going to give me stick for that accounting error I made last week.
3) Off Your Own Bat-to do something without anyone else telling you or asking you to do it-
I didn't ask her to buy them a present - she did it off her own bat.
4) Send One To Coventry-to ostracize, to ignore or refuse to communicate with one, typically as a form of punishment-
When I refused to help them cheat, the other students sent me to Coventry.
5) The Greek Calends-a time that is expected to never arrive or occur-
You lent that leech John more money? It'll be at the Greek calends when he pays you back.
6) Cut It Close-to do or complete something very near to its limit, especially of time-
We'll be cutting it close if we leave now, but we should get there just before the movie starts.
7) Yellow-bellied-cowardly-I'm not surprised that Tom didn't come to the rally -
he's too yellow-bellied to defend his beliefs in public.
8) Thick As Thieves-very close or friendly-
I'm sure she tells Ruth everything we say - they're as thick as thieves, those two.
9) Throw A Spanner In The Works-to do something that prevents a plan or activity from succeeding-
The funding for the project was withdrawn so that really threw a spanner in the works.
10) Wipe The Floor With Someone-inflict a humiliating defeat on someone-
They wiped the floor with us in a 3-0 win.
11) Turn Over In Your Grave-to strongly disapprove-
Your father would turn over in his grave if he could hear the way you are talking to me now.
12) Wouldn't Touch With A Barge Pole-do not want to become in any way involved in or with something or someone-
You might think John is attractive, but I wouldn't touch him with a barge pole. He seems like a creep.
13) Get The Gist-to understand the central, essential, or general matter of something, such as an argument, speech, concept, process, etc., without being proficient in the more specific details-
A: "Did you understand what she was saying?" B: "My Japanese isn't great anymore, but I think I got the gist of it.".
14) Villain Of The Piece-someone or something that is seen as being the cause of trouble on a particular occasion-
When the minister was forced to resign, the press was generally seen as the villain of the piece.
15) Be In Your Element-to be happy because you are doing what you like or can do best-
Kate, of course, was in her element, making all the arrangements for the party.
16) Know Where You Stand-to know what your opinion or situation is-
I know where I stand on this issue - I'm against the war.
17) Get A Look In-to have the opportunity to do something or to reveal one's skill in this area-
The boss is so controlling that he never lets the rest of us get a look in.
18) Make A Killing-have a great financial success-
They made a killing with the sale of their London house.
19) Above The Law-not required to adhere to current laws, rules, or standards-
Many computer hackers act as though they are above the law when they steal valuable data from companies and attempt to sell it online.
20) Hard Done By-harshly or unfairly treated-
She would be justified in feeling hard done by after what he did to her.
