1) Set Up Shop-to start your own business-
She set up shop back in 1965 with a very small restaurant in the Kings Road.
2) Have Something Under Your Belt-to have learned or succeeded in something that might be an advantage in the future-
Basic computer skills are a good thing to have under your belt.
3) Reinvent The Wheel-waste a great deal of time or effort in creating something that already exists-
You can use the existing blueprints and improve upon them, there is no need to start from scratch and reinvent the wheel.
4) Rhyme Or Reason-logical explanation-
His mood suddenly changed without rhyme or reason.
5) Put Words In Someone's Mouth-to say that someone means one thing when the person really meant something else-
I never said you should leave - don't put words in my mouth.
6) Point-Blank-saying something very clearly in very few words, without trying to be polite or pleasant-
He asked me to work at the weekend, but I refused point-blank.
7) Wee Hours-the early hours of the morning, between twelve o'clock at night and the time when the sun rises-
He was up until the wee hours trying to finish his work.
8) Stepping Stone-an event or experience that helps you achieve something else-
I see this job just as a stepping stone to better things.
9) Not Bat An Eyelid-show no surprise or concern-
She paid the bill without batting an eyelid.
10) Be All Ears-to be waiting eagerly to hear about something-
I'm all ears, tell us what they had to say.
11) Inside Out-thoroughly, down to the last detail-
I have been studying this material for weeks now, so I know it inside and out.
12) Rise To The Occasion-to show that you can deal with a difficult situation successfully-
John was able to rise to the occasion and make the conference a success.
13) Be In Apple-Pie Order-perfect order or neatness-
His room is always in apple-pie order.
14) Keep Someone On Their Toes-cause someone to remain alert and ready for anything that might happen-
He keeps changing the rules, just to keep us on our toes.
15) Strike One's Fancy-to seem interesting or pleasing to oneself-
She has enough money to buy anything that strikes her fancy.
16) Be Below The Belt-very insulting and unfair-
I know she really wants the promotion, but telling the boss about my personal problems was below the belt.
17) Full Of Oneself-to think that one is very important in a way that annoys other people-
I doubt he even thought about what you might need, he's so full of himself.
18) Trials And Tribulations-troubles and events that cause suffering-
The trials and tribulations of marriage.
19) Jump Through Hoops-to do a lot of difficult things before you are allowed to have or do something you want-
I had to jump through hoops to get you that job.
20) Go The Extra Mile-to make more effort than is expected of you-
He is a nice guy, always ready to go the extra mile for his friends.