1) At Sixes And Sevens-in a confused, badly organized, or difficult situation-
We've been at sixes and sevens in the office this week as the deadline is fast approaching.
2) Polish The Apple-try to win favor through flattery-
It may help your standing with the boss if you polish the apple.
3) Apples And Oranges-two unlike things or people-
Talking about her current book and her previous bestseller is like comparing apples and oranges.
4) Less Is More-used to say that it is more effective to give a small amount of detail, information, etc. than a large amount-
When it comes to Web design, less is more.
5) Float Somebody's Boat-to be what someone likes or is interested in-
Motor racing doesn't really float my boat.
6) Take Your Eye Off The Ball-to not give your attention to what you are doing at the time-
If you're a manager, you can't afford to take your eye off the ball for one minute.
7) Take A Leaf Out Of Someone's Book-to copy something that someone else does because it will bring you advantages-
Maybe I should take a leaf out of Rick's book and start coming in early every morning.
8) Call The Shots-to make the decisions, to decide what is to be done-
Mom calls the shots for Thanksgiving dinner, so you better get her approval for any dish you want to bring.
9) Wishful Thinking-the imagining or discussion of a very unlikely future event or situation as if it were possible and might one day happen-
"Do you think you might be in line for promotion?" "No, it's just wishful thinking.".
10) Gut-Wrenching-making you feel very upset or worried-
Gut-wrenching scenes of bloodshed.
11) Keep On A Short Leash-to maintain strict or tight control over someone-
The boss has kept her assistant on a short leash ever since she hired her.
12) Go Through The Roof-to rise to a very high level-
Real estate prices have gone through the roof.
13) Cull The Herd-to separate or remove people from a larger group-
Universities have long used standardized test results as a means of culling the herd of applicants they receive each year.
14) Sell One's Soul To The Devil-to abandon one's values or morals in return for some highly desired benefit, typically success, power, wealth, etc-
I am afraid we have sold our soul to the devil by agreeing to this partnership.
15) Fizzle Out-to gradually end, often in a disappointing or weak way-
They went to different universities and their relationship just fizzled out.
16) High Handed-arrogantly or inconsiderately overbearing-
The new boss is unbearably high-handed in dealing with employees.
17) Be Up To The Mark-to be good enough-
Her latest batch of work just isn't up to the mark.
18) Hard And Fast-strictly or rigidly adhered to, not to be changed-
A hard and fast rule to maintain silence in the library.
19) Take Up The Reins-to take control of something, especially an organization or a country-
He took up the reins of government immediately after the coup.
20) When It Rains, It Pours-when something good or bad happens, similarly good or bad things tend to follow-
I have a new supervisor at the office, three new assistants to train, and enough work to keep me busy for months - when it rains, it pours.