1) Easier Said Than Done-something that seems like a good idea, but would be difficult to do-
The doctor advised her to stop smoking and drinking but she is addicted so it is easier said than done for her.
2) Every Cloud Has A Silver Lining-every negative occurrence has a positive aspect to it-
Though he had failed his exam, he realized that every cloud has a silver lining, as now he could focus his attention on things he loved doing.
3) Give The Slip-to escape from someone-
All of us chased the thief but he managed to give us the slip by climbing over the high wall.
4) Go Down Like A Lead Balloon-a total failure-
The joke he cracked went down like a lead balloon.
5) Blood Is Thicker Than Water-family relations and bonds are closer than other relationships-
When you get into trouble, usually your family will be the ones to bail you out, not your friends. After all, blood is thicker than water.
6) As Nice As Ninepence-neat and tidy looking-
Bob's home is as nice as ninepence ever since he has got married.
7) A Bird In The Hand Is Worth Two In The Bush-it is better to hold onto something one has than to risk losing it by trying to get something better-
If I were you, I'd accept the job. It might not be the best job for you, but a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.
8) All Bark And No Bite-full of talk, but low on action-
He has these grand plans of being an entrepreneur and owning a big business, but he never takes any action. He is all bark and no bite.
9) Between The Devil And The Deep Blue Sea-to choose between two undesirable situations-
Trying to please both his boss and his wife puts him between the devil and the deep blue sea.
10) Cock And Bull Story-a story that is obviously not true, especially one given as an excuse-
He gave me some cock-and-bull story about having to be at his cousin's engagement party.
11) To Be On Cloud Nine-be very happy-
He was on cloud nine although he barely passed the exam!
12) At (or On) The Heels Of-following closely after-
He headed off with Sammy at his heels.
13) Black And Blue-full of bruises-
He was beaten black and blue at boarding school.
14) Bite Your Tongue-to stop yourself from saying something that you would really like to say-
I wanted to tell him exactly what I thought of him, but I had to bite my tongue.
15) A Dead Letter-an issue, law, or matter that is no longer important or that no longer has force or power-
The ceasefire agreement was a dead letter as soon as it was signed.
16) Cuckoo In The Nest-an unwelcome intruder in a place or situation-
For Peter, his new father was a cuckoo in the nest.
17) Take A Back Seat-choose to decrease involvement-
After being severely criticized for his choices, he chose to take the back seat in the project.
18) To Bell The Cat-to take great risks, take the danger of a shared enterprise upon oneself-
Who's going to bell the cat and tell dad we wrecked his car?
19) The Cold Shoulder-a show of intentional unfriendliness, rejection-
The new England manager gave him the cold shoulder.
20) Through Thick And Thin-under all circumstances, no matter how difficult-
They promised to stick together through thick and thin.