"to strike out"

"to strike out" is to completely fail at something, including missing an opportunity for success.

MEANING OF BEARING BRUNT

The "brunt" of an impact or blow is the principle or main part of it; most of the force and damage of a blow or attack. To "bear" this is to sustain it, to be the target of it.

MEANING OF COMING TO A HEAD

When things are "coming to a head," a confrontation or point of crisis is being reached, usually after a long period of build-up.

MEANING OF "turn the other cheek"

"turn the other cheek" refers to injury to one's pride through words, not physical injury.

MEANING OF a white elephant

 a white elephant is something that is very expensive to maintain, and which provides absolutely no benefit whatsoever to the owner.

MEANING OF "a fat cat"

"a fat cat" is someone who is very wealthy and, as a result, is able to eat more food than necessary and otherwise enjoy a life of luxury. Thus, they resemble fat, lazy cats that eat, sleep and do nothing useful.

MEANING OF Letting the cat out of the bag

Letting the cat out of the bag, is a metaphor for revealing a secret.