To overstep one's bounds

To overstep one's bounds - to do more than you are allowed to do or should do.

Example - "This is your house so I do not mean to overstep my bounds"

Image - https://pics.onsizzle.com/my-downstairs-neighbor-thinks-lm-creep-overstep-m-bounds-at-6505318.png

To fight tooth and nail

To fight tooth and nail - to use a lot of effort to oppose someone or achieve something.

Example - "I'm going to fight tooth and nail for that promotion"

Image - http://evilcrayon.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/2012-11-16-Fight-Tooth-Nail.jpg

To surmise

To surmise - to suppose something is true without having evidence to confirm it.

Example - "He surmised that something must be wrong"

Image - http://wordinfo.info/words/images/surmise-2.jpg

To burn bridges

To burn bridges - to make decisions that cannot be changed in the future; to permanently and unpleasantly end your relationship with a person or organisation.

Example - "If you drop out of school now, you'll be burning your bridges behind you"

Image - https://media.licdn.com/mpr/mpr/p/6/005/089/2a0/0daedcf.jpg

The scum of the earth

The scum of the earth - the worst type of people.

Example - "People who abuse children are the scum of the earth"

Image - http://www.azquotes.com/picture-quotes/quote-the-rich-are-the-scum-of-the-earth-in-every-country-gilbert-k-chesterton-71-10-71.jpg

Faux pas

Faux pas - an embarrassing remark in a social situation.

Example - "I'm sorry, did I faux pas?"

Image - http://wordinfo.info/words/images/faux-pas-2.jpg

The world's smallest violin

The world's smallest violin - When someone is whining and you are tired of hearing it, you can play the world's smallest violin to provide musical ambiance to dramatize their annoying whine. This is accomplished by rubbing your index finger and thumb together and saying, 

"This is the world's smallest violin, and it's playing just for you."

Image - http://i.pokeme.com/meme/img/00my.jpg

To fall on deaf ears

To fall on deaf ears - to be ignored or disregarded.

Example - "Their appeals to release the hostages fell on deaf ears"

Image - https://media.licdn.com/mpr/mpr/AAEAAQAAAAAAAAR1AAAAJDkwNjk2OTIzLTc1ZmUtNGU0NS1iNWRhLTI4MjY3ZTg1ZDYxNw.jpg

To sound out

To sound out - to carefully found out what someone thinks or knows.

Example - "I don't know what Jane thinks about your suggestions but I will sound her out"

Image - https://cdn.thinglink.me/api/image/624682146170142721/1240/10/scaletowidth

Straight arrow

Straight arrow - an honest, morally upright person.

Example - "He does not drink or smoke. He's a straight arrow."

Image - http://www.ceylonguidance.com/images/quotes.lifehack.org/media/quotes/quote-George-Saunders-i-was-a-straight-arrow-a-control-213380.png

To breathe down one's neck

To breathe down one's neck - to pursue someone closely; to watch or supervise someone closely.

Example - "My boss is always breathing down my neck"

Image - https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/5f/db/d9/5fdbd9f65a70a96740aa5994ab5ee484.jpg

Yelp

Yelp - a short, sharp cry of pain.

Example - "She uttered a yelp as she bumped into a table"

Image - http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2012/01/04/article-2082022-0F55407B00000578-138_468x420.jpg

Harebrained

Harebrained - ill-judged; very silly or foolish.

Example - "It was a harebrained idea to go for a hike in an area where grizzly bear attacks had recently been reported"

Image - https://s3.amazonaws.com/lowres.cartoonstock.com/business-commerce-consultants-fees-harebrained-raising_money-fund_raisers-rman4329_low.jpg

To fumble

To fumble - to use the hands clumsily while doing or handling something.

Example - "She fumbled with the lock"

Image - http://lowres.cartoonstock.com/animals-bumble-bumble_bee-bee-spill-smash-dmnn14_low.jpg

Alm

Alm - money, food, or other donations given to the poor or needy.

Example - "The hands of the beggars were outstretched for alms"

Image - http://www.churchoftheholyfamily.org/site/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/mother-teresa-feeding-750-750x375.jpg

To deign

To deign - to do something that one considers to be beneath one's dignity.

Example - "She did not deign to answer the maid's question"

Dilettante

Dilettante - a person who cultivates an area of interest, such as the arts, without real commitment or knowledge; a dabbler.

Example - "You can always tell a true expert from a dilettante"

Image = http://i.quoteaddicts.com/media/q5/447206.png

Bereft

Bereft - deprived of or lacking something.

Example - "Her room was stark and bereft of color"

Image - http://www.oldquotes.com/415466.jpg

To lose one's marbles

To lose one's marbles - to go crazy; to lose one's mind.

Example - "What a silly thing to say. Have you lost your marbles?"

Image - http://www.sandylingo.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/Losing-Your-Marbles.jpg

To show somebody the ropes

To show somebody the ropes - to explain to someone how to do a job or activity.

Example - "The new secretary started today so I spent most of the morning showing her the ropes"

Image - http://www.callanonline.com/publicassets/expressions/imgexpressions/showtheropes.jpg

Marauding

Marauding - going from one place to another killing or using violence, stealing, and destroying.

Example - "Witnesses reported gangs of marauding soldiers breaking into people's houses and setting fire to them"

Image - http://onlinesgamestips.com/images/plunder.jpg

To dole out

To dole out - to distribute something to someone.

Example - "The teacher doled out pencils to the students"

Image - https://thegourmandmom.files.wordpress.com/2013/10/img_0933.jpg

Leery

Leery - cautious or wary due to realistic suspicious.

Example - "This city is leery of gang violence"

Image  - https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2432/3879612535_a69c813807_b.jpg

Spiel

Spiel - to speak extravagantly; a persuasive talk.

Example - "He delivers a breathless and effortless spiel in promotion of his new novel"

Image - https://s3.amazonaws.com/lowres.cartoonstock.com/retail-salesmen-sales_tactic-sales_strategy-salespeople-sales_spiel-aton3832_low.jpg

Aquiline

Aquiline - hooked or curved like an eagle's beak.

Example - "He's told me I have an aquiline nose"

Image - http://vocabmadeeasy.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/aquiline.png

Wisecrack

Wisecrack - a sarcastic remark.

Image - https://s3.amazonaws.com/lowres.cartoonstock.com/business-commerce-stock-public_punishment-public-stock_options-wisecracks-bven992_low.jpg

Speed

Speed - something that matches one's tastes or inclinations.

Example - "This is not really my speed. I will have to pass"

Image - https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/564x/40/44/a9/4044a960de03a54d002c343207effc76.jpg

To zip around

To zip around - to move quickly.

Example - "We zipped around the supermarket to get the shopping done"

Image  - https://static1.squarespace.com/static/55c2574be4b0f33d21ef4841/t/5606ed9ae4b053dd464feef8/1443294619743/

To blow off some steam

To blow off some steam - to release emotional tension by talking or getting angry.

Example - "I told her she can call me and talk any time she wants to blow off some steam"

Image - http://media2.intoday.in/btmt/images/stories/angermanagement505_041814044823.jpg

To wait for the other shoe to drop

To wait for the other shoe to drop - to wait for the inevitable next step or the final conclusion.

Example - "He just opened his mail and moaned. Now I am waiting for the other shoe to drop when he finds the subpoena"

Image - http://powerofted.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/nextshoedrop.jpg

Gun-shy

Gun-shy - nervous about doing something.

Image - http://www.quotehd.com/imagequotes/authors20/steve-fernandez-quote-were-not-gun-shy-if-we-see-reviews-from-customer.jpg

Saucer-eyed

Saucer-eyed - eyes wide open, naturally or from an an expression of fear.

Image - https://latimesphoto.files.wordpress.com/2010/07/fa_28_knotts930xx.jpg

Leave to own devices

Leave to own devices - to allow you to decide for yourself what you do.

Example - "There are four hours of lessons each morning, and in the afternoon students are left to their own devices"

Image - http://www.azquotes.com/picture-quotes/quote-if-i-was-left-to-my-own-devices-you-would-see-about-ten-t-shirts-in-rotation-with-maybe-daniel-radcliffe-23-88-60.jpg

Kingpin

Kingpin - the chief person in a group.

Example - "He's showed me a list of suspected drug kingpins in Washington"

Image - https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/6/6a/Kingpinm.png

Mortarboard

Mortarboard - 

Image - http://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/media/english/fullsize/h/hat/hats_/hats.jpg

Neck-deep

Neck-deep - deeply involved.

Example - "I am neck-deep in work"

Image - http://www.quotehd.com/imagequotes/authors23/tmb/jasbir-singh-quote-we-are-neck-deep-in-debt-we-are-left-with-no-other.jpg

One's handwriting is like chicken scratch

One's handwriting is like chicken scratch - very poor, messy or illegible handwriting.

Example - "I can't understand your notes at all! Your handwriting is like chicken scratch"

Image - http://cdn.docjokes.com/i/0e/80/33/3a/40/chicken-scratch-writing_original.jpg?1454435052

To twist someone's arm

To twist someone's arm - to persuade someone to do something that they might be reluctant to do.

Example - "I had to twist her arm a little but she agreed"

Image - http://www.clipartkid.com/images/354/the-twisted-arm-error-the-clean-slate-addiction-site-hZ6U5B-clipart.jpg

To weather the storm

To weather the storm - to reach the end of a very difficult situation without too much harm or damage.

Example - "Bob lost his job, but somehow his family weathered the storm"

Image - http://www.quotehd.com/imagequotes/authors20/frank-lane-businessman-quote-if-you-want-to-see-the-sunshine-you-have.jpg

To drum up

To drum up - to bring something about by persistent effort.

Example - "The manager tried to drum interest up in the computer training classes"

Image - http://www.quotehd.com/imagequotes/authors30/cecil-flowe-quote-people-can-drum-up-all-the-negativity-they-can-drum.jpg

To buck up

To buck up - to get over something; to cheer up.

Example - "Come on, now. Buck up! Things can't be all that bad"

Image - http://www.keepcalmstudio.com/_gallery/300/JvYdr9.png

To have skin in the game

To have skin in the game - to be at risk financially because you have invested in something that you want to happen.

Example - "You take more ownership of something when you have some skin in the game"

Image - https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibX8Xhmyg5IfZHKlBgZ5rFssmTvYKnM7NJnJSQ3PvzN4ZUSlMBnfnYXm88RqyzfQgYGt11Td5TtNMXTFLpRWZPrilkpkP-zi8jsrk8qtCOdZoaHhUl14XGBhHv66WUbh54yFIEvOall4I/s1600/Skin-in-the-Game.png

Hitch your wagon to a star

Hitch your wagon to a star - always aspire to do great things; set high goals. 

Image - http://media.santabanta.com/images/picsms/2014/sms-8828.jpg

To belabor

To belabor - to argue or elaborate in excessive detail.

Example - "Critics thought they belabored the obvious"

Image - http://www.stus.com/sv/images/020404.gif

To cash in

To cash in - to take advantage or exploit a situation.

Example - "Profiteers cashed in during the gasoline shortage"

Image - http://www.shescribes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/cash-in-hand.jpg

A song and dance

A song and dance - a long or complicated statement or story, especially one that is not true.

Example - "She gave me some song and dance about her kids always being sick and not being able to get to the meetings"

Image - http://boardofwisdom.com/cachetogo/images/quotes/549168.png

A day late and a dollar short

A day late and a dollar short - late and ill-prepared.

Example - "You seem to show up a day late and a dollar short all the time. You need to get organized"

Image - http://images.wisegeek.com/stopwatch-and-coins.jpg

To dig your heels in

To dig your heels in - to refuse to alter one's course of actions or opinions; to be obstinate.

Example - "I'm digging in my heels. I am not coming back"

Image - http://i.quoteaddicts.com/media/q1/714096.png

Wake up and smell the coffee

Wake up and smell the coffee! - used to tell someone that they are wrong about a particular situation and must realize what is really happening.

Image - http://images.eggcupandblanket.co.uk/images/products/zoom/1314473177-76054600.jpg

Can it!

Can it! - stop talking; be quiet.

Example - "You should have told him to can it straight away"

Image - http://files.ctctcdn.com/20f8b3a9101/3245ffc6-2c9b-4383-808e-c24a03d9b9a1.jpg

Nail in the coffin

Nail in the coffin - an action that will cause something to end.

Example - "This latest evidence could be the final nail in the coffin for Jackson's case"

Image - http://usofarn.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/filepicker-eX2vlXUQkeOo9KIDsulO_nail_in_coffin.jpg