1) Up A Tree-in a difficult situation-
If the insurance company won't pay for the damage, I'll be up a tree.
2) Rush/Run Off Their Feet-to cause someone to be very busy-
There's only one secretary working for the whole accounts department and the poor woman is run off her feet.
3) Like Moths To A Flame-irresistibly and dangerously attracted to something or someone-
I never understood why people flocked around him like moths to a flame.
4) Sink Your Teeth Into Something-to become completely involved in something-
It was a story you could really sink your teeth into.
5) Rub Shoulders/Elbows-associate or come into contact with another person-
He rubbed shoulders with TV stars at the party.
6) Wet Behind The Ears-lacking experience, immature-
The job put a lot of responsibility on someone who was still wet behind the ears, but he learned fast.
7) A Heavy Cross To Bear-an unpleasant or painful situation or person that you have to accept and deal with-
He lost all his crop to heavy rain. It was a heavy cross to bear for him.
8) Can't Hold A Candle To Someone-to not be as good as the person or thing mentioned-
Her latest book is readable enough, but it can't hold a candle to her earlier work.
9) Salt Of The Earth-a very good or worthy person-
Mrs. Jones is the salt of the earth. She is the first to help anyone in trouble.
10) Talk Turkey-to discuss something honestly and directly-
Ok, let's talk turkey - you are broke and you don't have work. What are you going to do?
11) Talk Turkey-to discuss something honestly and directly-
Ok, let's talk turkey - you are broke and you don't have work. What are you going to do?
12) Blow A Fuse/gasket-to become very angry-
When he told her how much it cost, she blew a gasket.
13) Murky/uncharted Waters-a situation that is not well known and may be dangerous-
After the Wall Street crash, the American economy moved into uncharted waters.
14) The Apple Doesn't Fall Far From The Tree-a child usually has a similar character or similar qualities to his or her parents-
Her daughter soon showed her own musical talent, proving that the apple doesn't fall far from the tree.
15) A Lone Voice In The Wilderness-someone who expresses an idea or opinion that is not popular-
For many years, she was a lone voice in the wilderness who wrote about the need for better urban planning.
16) Work One's Fingers To The Bone-work very hard-
She worked her fingers to the bone to provide a home and food for seven children.
17) Throw A Wrench In The Works-to do something that prevents a plan or activity from succeeding-
We were hoping to get the project started in June but the funding was withdrawn so that rather threw a wrench in the works.
18) Twist Someone's Arm-pressurize someone into doing something that they are reluctant to do-
I didn't want to go to the exhibition, but Linda twisted my arm.
19) Zero Hour-time when something important is to begin-
I have so much studying left to do before the exam, and zero hour is 8 AM!
20) Under One's Wing-in or into one's protective care-
Simon's uncle had taken him under his wing.