My brother knows exactly how to push my buttons. He annoys me so much.
2) Heads Will Roll-something that is said to mean that people will be punished for something bad that has happened-
Heads will roll if there are any errors in the pamphlets we printed for this networking event.
3) Seize The Day-to take the opportunity to do something at the present moment without worrying about the future-
This is our time. Let's seize the day! We may never get a chance to do this again.
4) Red Tape-official, bureaucratic rules or methods that are typically overly strict, convoluted, or tedious-
Our lawyer was able to cut through red tape and get us an answer from the courthouse.
5) More Often Than Not-most of the time-
More often than not, a student will come up with the right answer.
6) All Sizzle And No Steak-disappointing or anticlimactic-
The film had a lot of hype before its release, but after seeing it, I think it's all sizzle and no steak.
7) No Holds Barred-without limits or controls-
This is comedy with no holds barred, I love it!
8) A Wild Goose Never Laid A Tame Egg-something will not be spontaneously different from that which came before, often used to describe things that are determined by nature and the environment, or else inherited from the generation before-
We must never presume that humanity will be without violence, after all, a wild goose never laid a tame egg.
9) Agree In Principle-to accept the general terms and/or conditions of a deal without having completed or agreed upon the specific details-
The government has agreed in principle that it will cover the cost of building a new school, but so far we haven't seen a clear proposal on how this would be accomplished.
10) Have One's Beady Eye On-to watch something very closely or carefully, to be particularly attentive to or vigilant about something-
The toddler had a beady eye on his toys throughout the party, screaming at any child who dared to play with his things.
11) A Watched Pot Never Boils-when you want something to happen, paying attention to it will make the wait feel much longer-
Would you stop refreshing the page? The results will be posted soon enough, and a watched pot never boils!
12) Above The Salt-of or in a position of high standing, rank, regard, or repute-
Even though my boss is above the salt, he still makes a point of mingling with everyone in the company.
13) Absorbed In Thought-fully and deeply engrossed in a thought or idea, often to such a degree as to be unaware of or insensitive to the outside world-
It's no use trying to talk to Helen when she's absorbed in thought like that, it's as if we don't even exist!
14) Be All The Rage-to be very popular at a particular time-
Long hair for men was all the rage in the 70s.
15) Lost On-unappreciated or not understood, as of an idea-
The joke was lost on the audience, unfortunately. I'll have to rewrite it to be less subtle.
16) Light Years Away-an extremely long time from now in the past or future-
It all happened when I was at college, which seems light years away now that I'm over 50.
17) Butter Up-to be nice to someone, by flattery or other means, before delivering bad news or asking for a favor-
I tried to butter up my father by mowing the lawn before I asked to borrow the car.
18) On The House-paid for by or courtesy of the merchant or the establishment-
Don't worry, this round is on the house for the trouble they have caused.
19) Fall On One's Sword-to accept the responsibility or blame for a problem or mistake-
The CEO fell on his sword when widespread corruption in the company was exposed.
20) Dirty Your Hands-to become involved in something unfair or dishonest-
He refused to dirty his hands by lying about what had happened.
