Out of character

Out of character - unlike one's usual behaviour.

Example - "Ann's remark today was out of character. It was out of character of her to act so inappropriately"

Image - https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/82/b1/a1/82b1a103e02edaa3e14db355547ec463.jpg

Up for grabs

Up for grabs - available and ready to  be taken.

Example - The last copy of the DVD is up for grabs"

Image - https://idrivesync.files.wordpress.com/2012/08/final1.png

To rise to the occasion

To rise to the occasion - to show that you can deal with a situation successfully.

Example - "In the exam, she rose to the occasion and wrote a brilliant essay"

Image - http://www.prehabbeforerehab.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Rise-to-the-Occasion-Red-and-Black.jpg

To make light of

To make light of - to act as if something is not serious, especially when it is serious.

Example - "They've both had knee injuries but the two friends make light of their weaknesses"

Image - http://image.slidesharecdn.com/tmn1ycir16w0rsabw5dw-signature-b625229eb31cf23d31d42e27b4b53648ca27dca7e68942b496dd9aaa9364ba30-poli-151108094043-lva1-app6892/95/satire-6-638.jpg?cb=1446975989

Basket case

Basket case - someone who is crazy and unable to organize their life.

Example - "She'll never get a job. She's a basket case"

Image - http://www.factfixx.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/basket-case.png

To take a dirt nap

To take a dirt nap - to die and to be buried.

Example - "I don't want to end up taking a dirt nap during this operation"

Image - https://www.colourbox.com/preview/2095209-tombstone-taking-a-dirt-nap.jpg

Even-handed

Even-handed - fair and impartial in treatment or judgement.

Example - "I thought it was an even-handed assessment of her performance"

Image - http://disinherited.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/Execeutor-to-be-even-handed.jpg

Clean as a whistle

Clean as a whistle - perfectly clean.

Image - http://cdn.someecards.com/someecards/usercards/1328656920042_9665044.png

To throw somebody a curve ball

To throw somebody a curve ball - to surprise someone with something that is difficult or unpleasant to deal with.

Example - "Mother Nature threw us a curve ball last winter with record-breaking amounts of snow."

Image - http://boardofwisdom.com/cachetogo/images/quotes/272849.png

To pull something out of the air

To pull something out of the air - to produce something seemingly out of nowhere.

Example - "Where am I gonna get the money? I can't just pull it out of the air"

Image - http://www.endofthreefitness.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/out-of-thin-air.jpg

To blow something out of proportion

To blow something out of proportion - to treat a particular event or problem far too serious.

Example - "It's ridiculous! We have a tiny argument and you blow the whole thing out of proportion"

Image - https://images.onmogul.com/uploads/article/thumbnail/28038/316073d025.jpg?ixlib=rails-0.3.2&ch=Width%2CDPR&fit=crop&h=180&w=295&s=9edd912630309c31f986cc9104f8a292

Snowboating

Snowboating - a show-off; to have a visibly exaggerated idea of one's skills.

Image - http://img.ifcdn.com/images/bd9bf712c79abd32d8d9282c327a23cc8723b540dfd4963f709bdabeed1fa4fb_3.jpg

Button it

Button it - a rude way of telling someone to stop talking.

Example - "Button it, ok!I'm trying to think"

Image - http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/DJTamuff/shush.jpg

To hang your hat on

To hang your hat on - to depend on something.

Example - "The company's earnings were up to 70% last year, but I don't think you can hang your hat on that kind of growth"

Image - https://defendingcontending.files.wordpress.com/2012/08/hanging-up-my-hat.jpg

To sell something/someone short

To sell something/someone short - to underestimate the true value or worth of.

Example - "Don't sell your colleague short; she's a smart lawyer"

Image - http://rlv.zcache.com/never_underestimate_your_opponents_chess_set_poster-r6500fa01e1fe4cec8bc2b85b1d4d9501_t1e_8byvr_512.jpg

Under someone's thumb

Under someone's thumb - under someone's control and management.

Example - "You can't keep your children under your thumb all their lives"

Image - http://www.sep.com/sep-blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/Corbis-AX018976.jpg

Filled to the brim

Filled to the brim - filled up to the top edge.

Example - "I like my coffee filled to the brim"

Image - https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk6YqDsQAK7C5CCyHTnZlUm-TWyy5PHNHctrOjQemlrPtHc_waCH_8K6kaY_YKHD3yL14fXfCX1e_mwuy26_TM51e-9p7CMc0DgKQUvO01_rp12p1dtKmhX3JebRHhVMywcjKwexXWVlwT/s1600/full-to-the-brim.jpg

Crux of the matter

Crux of the matter - the most important point.

Example - "The crux of the matter is that attitudes have changed"

Image - http://www.azquotes.com/picture-quotes/quote-the-crux-of-the-matter-is-that-people-don-t-understand-the-true-nature-of-money-it-is-guglielmo-marconi-91-82-04.jpg

Blithering

Blithering - complete, utter.

Example - "He's a blithering idiot"

Image - https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/46/77/c5/4677c5a1b40409e624ed86be09cf15aa.jpg

Dead man

Dead man - a bottle after the contents have been drunk.

Image - http://www.publicdomainpictures.net/pictures/10000/velka/1-1265899593MCoA.jpg

To hedge one's bets

To hedge one's bets - to protect yourself against loss by supporting more than one possible result or both sides in a competition.

Example - "They're hedging their bets and keeping up contacts with both companies"

Image - http://img.picturequotes.com/2/440/439074/control-was-just-wishful-thinking-and-you-controlled-things-to-hedge-your-bets-to-be-safe-to-guard-quote-1.jpg

Out of the woods

Out of the woods - out of danger or difficulty.

Example - "That pneumonia was serious but Charles is finally out of the woods"

Image - http://data.whicdn.com/images/136854322/large.jpg

Off the hook

Off the hook - freed from an obligation; released from blame.

Example - "Once they found the real culprit, they let Mary off the hook"

Image - http://media.truelocal.com.au/C/E/CE9825F0-4A33-4B75-9EAC-0C676EE983EE/off-the-hook-kosher-fish-and-chips-caulfield-north-takeaways-85e3-938x704.jpg

Common thread

Common thread - a similar idea or pattern to a series of events.

Example - "All of these incidents are related. There is a common thread to all this"

Image - https://b0wie.s3.amazonaws.com/ACommonThread.jpg

Home stretch

Home stretch - the last part of an activity or campaign.

Example - "The political campaign is in the home stretch"

Image - http://theblogofteresa.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/street-road-sign-home-stretch-thumb22808625.jpg

Feisty

Feisty - lively, determined and courageous.

Example - "This is a love story with a feisty heroine who's more than a pretty face"

Image - https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw3IuEA6JJEkgSTQHbjDbH4wE11G-CdKDgzmlG5rHgjyuckSGmai0VLVm_P_SQQVCH8SinIzePgiGp8XHT2jeurD0gMn6hWZTyYqoLlW4I3e0rLpozrZKdGkv0d6yPKEPg1OFE310tuiI/s1600/love_it_when_you__re_feisty_by_jackfreak1994-d47y8jx.jpg

To make allowances for somebody/something

To make allowances for somebody/something - to consider particular things relating to someone/something.

Example - "We try to make allowances for our students' different language backgrounds"

Image - http://www.struggletovictory.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Allowances.jpg

To swear by something

To swear by something - to strongly believe in something.

Example - "Though there's no scientific evidence for this method of finding water, some farmers swear by it"

Image - http://www.bluefocusmarketing.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/Believe_Blue-Focus-Marketing_Rd.jpg

To swallow something hook, line and sinker

To swallow something hook, line and sinker - to believe something completely.

Example - "I made up a story about why I was so late. The boss swallowed it hook, line and sinker."

Image -https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgatWnMFoR0G4dzJSfpRxVHa-6t-gXMavjTuHVCv_PCqlAgxpTb3LCfpnKtCY93JkUgKTScTIkKVvwn6lYwFOqOzh1jDN_f7AfAiDhaEj46STmvIsbPqsSWARv040niJCFiPOxY5_fr05RV/s1600/hook-line-and-sinker+(1).jpg

Lackey

Lackey - a person who is or acts like a weak servant of someone powerful.

Example - "Some celebrities are always surrounded by their lackeys"

Image - http://catlackeys.com/images/Cat%20Lackeys%20Logo.jpg

Friable

Friable - easily crumbled; easily broken into smaller pieces.

Example - "These are friable, so please hand them carefully"

Image - https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/5b/35/43/5b3543a196938bd772bffe3c8cb27ba6.jpg

To manhandle

To manhandle - to handle roughly.

Example - "I was manhandled by the police"

Image - http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/00280/HY04DEO_280874f.jpg

Phlegmatic

Phlegmatic - calm and composed; apathetic.

Example - "These girls, who are generally so phlegmatic, change their character on cleaning day and become frantic"

Image -http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_liwwiicr6d1qi1aq9o1_500.jpg

Querulous

Querulous - complaining in a rather petulant or whining manner.

Example - "She soon became a querulous and demanding person"

Image - http://sherreymeyer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/whining-young-woman.jpg?w=300

Cagey

Cagey - not willing to say everything that you know about something; hesitant about committing oneself.

Example - "He's cagey about what he was paid for his business"

Image - http://izquotes.com/quotes-pictures/quote-there-has-to-be-some-limit-to-what-lawyers-can-take-from-their-clients-otherwise-cagey-attorneys-dennis-hastert-80759.jpg

To pique someone's curiosity/interest

To pique someone's curiosity/interest - to arouse interest; to arouse curiosity.

Example - "The professor tried to pique the students' interests in French literature"

Image - https://cdn.meme.am/instances/500x/63620676.jpg

Faint of heart

Faint of heart - people who are squeamish; someone who is sickened or disturbed by unpleasantness or challenge.

Example - "The pathway around the top of the volcano, near the crater, is not for the faint of heart"

Image - https://dwfoh96rza0z7.cloudfront.net/wp/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/20114316/Picture1-228x138.jpg

Whiz

Whiz - a person who is very skilled at something.

Example - "I'm not a whiz at Math"

Image - http://willingtobe.com/images/7/f/math-loving-freshman-a-whiz-at-gett_1.jpg

Beleaguered

Beleaguered - having a lot of problems and difficulties; put in a very difficult situation.

Example - "The arrival of the fresh medical supplies was a welcome sight for the beleaguered doctors working in the refugee campus"

Image - http://www.azquotes.com/picture-quotes/quote-i-do-a-tv-show-about-a-priest-in-london-and-he-is-also-slightly-beleaguered-and-is-subject-tom-hollander-137-69-08.jpg

Bejeezus

Bejeezus - used as an exclamation.

Example - "That bear scared the bejeezus out of us"

Image - http://m.likesuccess.com/quotes/2/90230.png

Berserk

Berserk - out of control with anger or excitement.

Example - "She went berserk when I told her about her husband"

Image - http://www.askipedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/frustrated-computer-450x450.jpg

Wherever you go, there you are

Wherever you go, there you are - an admonition that one cannot run from one's problems indefinitely.

Image - http://d1zlh37f1ep3tj.cloudfront.net/wp/wblob/54592E651337D2/8DE/D7885/r4nCE_EeCqPOEaLPE02jiA/wherever-you-go-there-you-are.png

Well-oiled

Well-oiled - operating with efficiency.

Example - "Christina and Burke are a well-oiled machine."

Image - https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/ab/f5/43/abf5432ff85fb47e70add110021e8704.jpg

Out of my element

Out of my element - to be unhappy and feel uncomfortable in a particular situation.

Example - "When it comes to computers, I'm out of my element"

Image - http://m.likesuccess.com/quotes/8/357063.png

Puny

Puny - small and weak; not very large.

Example - "I wouldn't mess with him - he makes bodybuilders look puny in comparison"

Image - https://dg6xfr3y1xvv2.cloudfront.net/X135-puny-fanzine-1-lg.jpg

To eat humble pie

To eat humble pie - to admit that you were wrong.

Example - "After boasting that his company could outperform the industry's best, he's been forced to eat humble pie"

Image - https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJLCBUMrIZrdCGzpdBG5xl955IogPGuH5IJRJr9UrNiyXqv7L6PW1k1Ji4IjrMYIIFfZLve4NYDdVNnW_Gb1I-UU3Ssu6lyIFalNYsHS6SQwBzJOLmN0TJ-cKjdUAoQSx2Qv03sjhbRrg/s1600/_20150828_094603.JPG

At warp speed

At warp speed - an extremely rapid speed or state of activity.

Example - "Rumors always travel at warp speed"

Image - http://www.lisayee.com/uploads/1/0/1/7/10171343/3725303.jpg?251

To put someone through the wringer

To put someone through the wringer - to give someone a difficult time; to make someone have a very unpleasant experience.

Example - "They really put me through the wringer in my interview"

Image - http://orig03.deviantart.net/de16/f/2014/303/4/5/trade___lisa_marie_varon_through_the_wringer_by_juacoproductionsarts-d84pdfz.png

You have got to hand it to somebody

You have got to hand it to somebody - expression used to refer to someone who has done something successfully.

Example - "I mean, you have got to hand it to her. She's brought up three children on her own"

Image - http://pad2.whstatic.com/images/thumb/4/4f/Congratulate-Someone-You-Hate-Step-2.jpg/aid1132264-728px-Congratulate-Someone-You-Hate-Step-2.jpg

Scrawny

Scrawny - unatractively thin and bony.

Example - "He had a scrawny physique and a protuberant Adam's apple"

Image - http://upl.stack.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/Scrawny.jpg