1) Under The Wire-barely in time, at the last moment-
I turned in my report just under the wire.
2) A Ballpark Figure-an estimate-
We're expecting sales of the book to generate around 10,000 dollars, although obviously that's just a ballpark figure.
3) Cut To The Chase-come to the point-
After a few introductory comments, we cut to the chase and began negotiating.
4) Come Hell Or High Water-no matter what happens-
I am tired of working late.I will be leaving the office tonight at five o'clock, come hell or high water.
5) Cross Your Fingers-to hope that something will happen, to hope for good luck-
At this point, they can only stand back, cross their fingers and wait to see if the fireworks go off perfectly.
6) Be In The Same Boat-to be in the same situation, having the same problem-
She's always complaining that she doesn't have enough money. She has to realize that we are all in the same boat.
7) A Hot Potato-something that is difficult or dangerous to deal with-
The abortion issue is a political hot potato in the United States.
8) To The Manner Born-to do something very well and very naturally as if it is usual and easy for you-
He handled his sudden rise to fame as if in the manner born.
9) Green-light-to give permission for something to happen-
If we can't do this movie for $5 million, the studio is not going to green-light it.
10) Strong-arm-to use force and threats to make people do what you want-
We never strong-armed anybody. I told people about the website and they could take it or leave it.
11) Have Your Head In The Sand-to refuse to think about unpleasant facts, although they will have an influence on your situation-
Parents said bullying was being ignored, and accused the headmaster of burying his head in the sand.
12) Take With A Pinch Of Salt-to not completely believe something that you are told, since it is unlikely to be true-
You have to take everything she says with a pinch of salt, because she tends to exaggerate.
13) Put All Eggs In One Basket-to depend for your success on a single person or plan of action-
I'm applying for several jobs because I don't really want to put all my eggs in one basket.
14) Take The Wind Out Of Sails-to make someone feel less confident or less determined to do something-
I was all ready to tell him that the relationship was over when he greeted me with a big bunch of flowers - that took the wind out of my sails.
15) Off The Books-without being included on official records-
The government kept the operation off the books, which raised a lot of suspicion.
16) Out Of Thin Air-out of nowhere, out of nothing-
Pascal's discoveries did not come from thin air - they're based on the work of earlier mathematicians.
17) Have Too Much On Plate-to be too busy-
If you have too much on your plate, I can help you out.
18) Irons In The Fire-having or pursuing multiple opportunities simultaneously-
Although I have been out of work for 6 months, I have a number of irons in the fire.
19) Not All Moonlight And Roses-not always pleasant-
Being in a relationship is not all moonlight and roses, it requires a lot of compromises.
20) Open A Can Of Worms-to create a situation that will cause trouble or be unpleasant-
The investigation into how those expensive trips were paid for certainly opened a can of worms.