1) To Read Between The Lines-look for or discover a meaning that is implied rather than explicitly stated-
The report does not criticize the research directly, but you can read between the lines that the review committee was not impressed.
2) Save Face-to be able to correct or hide an action that could have caused embarrassment-
The lawyer was not able to save face after his client made such an error at the hearing.
3) Sealed With A Kiss-with love and care-
His presents may be small and humble, but I cherish them because all of them are sealed with a kiss.
4) Air One's Dirty Laundry-to make public something embarrassing that should be kept secret-
I don't understand why people go on talk shows and air their dirty laundry in public.
5) Upper Hand-to have a dominant position or an unfair advantage-
She wanted an upper hand in the business and hence went ahead to buy all the shares that she could find in the market.
6) Put On A Brave Face-to behave as if a problem is not important or does not worry you-
She seems all right but I think she's just putting on a brave face.
7) All Greek To Me-used to convey that you cannot understand what is being said or written-
I tried reading that science journal, but it was all Greek to me.
8) Make A Mountain Out Of A Molehill-to make a major issue out of a minor one, to exaggerate-
You are making a mountain out of a molehill. You wrote one bad essay, it does not mean you are going to fail.
9) Against One's Better Judgement-contrary to what one feels to be wise or sensible-
He persuaded me against my better judgement to join him.
10) On Thin Ice-in a risky or uncertain situation-
The student was on thin ice because he was absent from class too many times.
11) Be Up In Arms-to be very angry-
They're up in arms over the new management structure.
12) Whet Someone's Appetite-to cause someone to be interested in something, to cause you to want more of something-
Predictions of defeat only seemed to whet his appetite for battle.
13) Get Wind Of Something-to learn a piece of information, especially when it has been a secret-
We have a crisis on our hands and don't want the press to get wind of it.
14) Up To Speed-to be updated, to not be behind, to have all the current information-
Before we start the meeting I'm going to bring you up to speed with the latest developments.
15) Bend Over Backwards-to try very hard to do something-
I've been bending over backwards trying to help you, and this is all the thanks I get!
16) Pass The Buck-to blame someone or make them responsible for a problem that you should deal with-
She's always trying to pass the buck and I'm sick of it!
17) Take The Plunge-commit oneself to a course of action about which one is nervous-
She wondered whether to enter for the race, and finally decided to take the plunge.
18) Breathe Down Someone's Neck-to stay close to someone, watching everything that they do-
It's awful having a boss who breathes down your neck all the time.
19) The Be-all And End-all-a feature of an activity or a way of life that is of greater importance than any other-
Getting into Harvard Law School became the be-all and end-all of Tony's existence.
20) Bury The Hatchet-to stop an argument and become friends again-
Susan and Mike agreed that it was time to bury the hatchet. They apologized and decided to be friends again.