To brandish

To brandish - to shake or wave as a weapon.

Example - "A man leaped out brandishing a knife"

Image - https://i.ytimg.com/vi/b-mEqa0y1NM/hqdefault.jpg

Misgiving

Misgiving - a feeling of doubt, distrust or apprehension.

Example - "We have misgivings about the way the campaign is being run"

Image - http://images.digopaul.com/wp-content/uploads/related_images/2015/09/09/misgiving_2.jpg

Squat

Squat - anything; nothing.

Example - "She didn't know squat about what her boyfriend thought"

Image - http://vignette2.wikia.nocookie.net/uncyclopedia/images/1/1d/Absolutely_nothing.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20050420174213

To float

To float - to suggest a plan or an idea to be considered.

Example - "Laura has floated the idea that we should think about expanding into Europe next year"

Image - http://cdemployees.com/assets/MySuggestion.jpg

Steadfast

Steadfast - dependable; reliable.

Example - "He's a steadfast friend"

Image - http://quotes.lifehack.org/media/quotes/quote-Fiona-Apple-i-have-a-very-steadfast-tendency-to-60930.png

Rude awakening

Rude awakening - severe shock when you discover the truth of a situation.

Example - "They all think she has plenty of money but they are due to a rude awakening"

Image - https://media2.popsugar-assets.com/files/2013/11/07/831/n/1922398/9d62fd4fa48c4072_25.gif

To line up

To line up - to arrange or set up.

Example - "We need to line up a band for the wedding"

Image - https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1848258079/SETUP_logo_black_sml.jpg

Talking point

Talking point - a topic that invites discussion or argument; a subject of discussion.

Example - "We have several talking points we need to cover"

Image - http://www.ejscafe.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/talking_points.png

Burly

Burly - strong and heavily built.

Example - "I saw a burly figure approaching"

Image - https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrD5XeVSaSYjxC8497lHe_71a3oDAznoynggQMIpmOpecTUiKDqII4Nwh943_0j1cxDe5ZxP2xT9F900hyphenhyphennIDT4588bjlQMUXa1D2W52NYuoVOU44HDMWE2t98O5CEdT2cupfgC2rFgw/s1600/Burly+Model+Sheet+FINALFINAL.png

Nimble

Nimble - quick and light in movement.

Example - "Her mind was so nimble and she was so quick to learn"

Image - http://worldofdtcmarketing.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/Nimble.jpg

In the bag

In the bag - assured of success; virtually accomplished or won.

Example - "The coach thought the trophy was in the bag"

Image - http://lovefundforchildren.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/ItsInTheBag_Logo.png

To flail

To flail - to struggle uselessly.

Example - "I was flailing about in the water"

Image - https://carecoordinated.files.wordpress.com/2014/11/cfo-blog-post-6.jpg

Minnow

Minnow - a small or insignificant person or organization.

Image - http://cdn.images.express.co.uk/img/dynamic/128/590x/minnow-fish-hands-644029.jpg

Dodgem

Dodgem - bumper car.

Image - http://www.dodgemhire.net/assets/images/autogen/a_DodgemCar_cutout07_1.gif

Nous

Nous - common sense; practical intelligence.

Example - "If he had any news at all, he would sell the film rights"

Image - http://scottberkun.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/common-sense-1024x682.jpg

To ride on someone's coattails

To ride on someone's coattails - to have one's success dependent on that of someone else.

Example - "I don't think she would get promoted without riding her boss's coattails"

Image - http://imgc-cn.artprintimages.com/images/P-473-488-90/60/6067/JSZD100Z/posters/peter-c-vey-my-new-business-model-is-to-ride-on-the-coattails-of-somebody-else-s-new-new-yorker-cartoon.jpg

On the cusp of

On the cusp of - at the point in time that marks the beginning of something.

Example - "An actor on the cusp of becoming a star"

Image - http://www.quotehd.com/imagequotes/authors34/paul-slattery-quote-we-are-on-the-cusp-of-having-to-make-a-decision.jpg

Hobson's choice

Hobson's choice - a choice of taking what is available or nothing at all.

Example - "He jokingly referred to dinner as a Hobson's choice between soup and salad or salad and soup"

Image - https://davidrohlfingblog.files.wordpress.com/2012/08/take-it-or-leave-it1.jpg

To bean

To bean - to hit someone on the head

Example - "She picked up a rock and beamed him on the forehead"

Image - http://maccollaborations.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/mac_newsletter_winter_2012_brain_injury_soccer.jpg

Gimme

Gimme - something very easy to perform or obtain.

Example - "That was a gimme!"

Image - https://www.dentalelite.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/easy.jpg

Supercilious

Supercilious - behaving as if you were better than other people.

Example - The supercilious art dealer rolled her eyes when we asked if she had anything for under $1,000.

Image - https://thumbs.dreamstime.com/t/haughty-young-caucasian-man-s-portrait-29406908.jpg

To hang someone out to dry

To hang someone out to dry - to leave someone in a difficult or vulnerable situation.

Example - "After losing the election, the party is going to hang him out to dry"

Image - https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUgLNyCVMlA6bS6G3L4gIFykjQ9Ao3iMIjhsfq9KsYApzvbGjUyFykHYDNGddceQAF5qDKl3mpBRdkNpPR5RxByj08r9-MCvU50ai0vs4ILj3ycHMUk3M3YCxOcxd6yEMPUMtrt3gwWoTO/s1600/Hang+out+to+dry.jpg

To hit a wall

To hit a wall - to reach a situation where you cannot make any more progress.

Example - "We're just about to hit the wall in terms of what we can do to balance the budget"

Image - http://i.imgur.com/aJNHjPq.png

To be in the limelight

To be in the limelight - to receive attention and interest from the public.

Example - "He's been in the limelight recently, following the publication of a controversial topic"

Image - http://www.hotel-r.net/im/hotel/fr/lime-light-19.png

Flunky

Flunky - a person who does menial jobs for someone powerful or important.

Example - "A flunky brought us a bottle of champagne"

Image - https://s3.amazonaws.com/lowres.cartoonstock.com/business-commerce-employment-employers-employees-work-job-rmo0539_low.jpg

Pound

Pound - a place where stray animals may be officially taken and taken and kept until claimed by their owners.

Image - https://loveabullfoster.files.wordpress.com/2014/03/pound.jpg

Mousy

Mousy - shy and quiet.

Example - "He had a small, mousy wife"

Image - http://smartgirlsgroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/shy-woman-woman-hiding-face1.jpg

Self-deprecation

Self-deprecation is the act of reprimanding oneself by belittling, undervaluing, or disparaging oneself; excessively modest.

Image - http://cdn.someecards.com/someecards/usercards/that-awkward-moment-when-you-make-a-self-deprecating-comment-and-no-one-disagrees-b1319.png

You can't unring a bell

You can't unring a bell - once something has been done, you have to live with the consequences as it can't be undone.

Image - http://www.jarofquotes.com/img/quotes/53b3a1d92ac09af966e63224b924bbc3.jpg

To have the odds/cards stacked against you

To have the odds/cards stacked against you - to be very unlikely to succeed because you are not in a good position.

Example - "I know the odds are stacked against me, but I wish to run in the race anyway.

Image - http://stealandshare.com/sites/default/files/styles/quote_image/public/stealandshare4apr7.jpg?itok=o5Azbe6Y

To strike home

To strike home - to be understood completely and have a strong effect.

Example - "Her tearful expression made it clear that his nasty remarks had struck home"

Image - http://www.johnhembree.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/impact.png

Besotted

Besotted - completely in love with someone and always thinking of them.

Example - "He was so completely besotted with her that he couldn't see how badly she treated him"

Image -http://static.picassomio.com/images/art/30/0c/c8/liz-mckay-artwork-large-75826.jpg

To fritter

To fritter - to waste time, money or energy on trifling matters.

Example - "I wish we hadn't frittered the money away so easily"

Image - http://christians-in-recovery.org/attach/graphics/Dixon/wasting-time.jpg

To skirt around

To skirt around - to move around and avoid someone or something.

Example - "We talked the whole evening and managed to skirt around Fred"

Image - http://www.retailrealestatelaw.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Circumvention-150x150.jpg

To hit the nail on the head

To hit the nail on the head - to find exactly the right answer.

Example - "Bob doesn't say much, but every now and then he hits the nail on the head"

Image - http://learnhowtowritesongs.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/hammer-nail.jpg

Floored

Floored  - surprised.

Example - "You looked floored when I got here. Wasn't I invited?

Image - http://cdn2.benzinga.com/files/imagecache/1024x768xUP/images/story/2012/shutterstock_128667374_0.jpg

Foreboding

Foreboding - a feeling that something bad will happen; fearful apprehension.

Example - "With a sense of foreboding, she read the note"

Image - http://twolofbees.com//images/content/A_Familiar_Foreboding2011-09-21.png

Neck of the woods

Neck of the woods - a particular region or area.

Example - "I will drop in on you the next time I am in this neck of the woods"

Image - https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/9a/1b/f8/9a1bf82c0d9b10df6d87e6bea6955b06.jpg

Fringe

Fringe - the outer, marginal or extreme part of an area, group, or sphere of activity.

Example - "He has been forced to live on the fringes of society"

Image - http://m.likesuccess.com/quotes/22/1050903.png

To hit home

To hit home - to be understood completely and have a strong effect.

Example - "The president's message seemed to hit home with most people who watched him on TV"

Image - http://www.quotehd.com/imagequotes/authors29/adeel-iqbal-quote-it-hasnt-hit-home-for-these-students-until-their.jpg

The gory details

The gory details - the explicit details of something.

Example - "He told her the gory details of his past"

Image - http://i.quoteaddicts.com/media/q1/332431.png

To rub salt into the wound

To rub salt into the wound - to make a difficult situation even worse for someone.

Example - "When Sheila found out she had failed the test, she was upset. The professor rubbed salt into the wound when he told her that she would not be able to graduate because of her poor mark"

Image - http://nicholsoncartoons.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2012-02-29-Abbott-applies-salt-to-wounds-650x366.jpg

For my money

For my money - in my opinion.

Example - "For my money, they're one of the best bands around"

Image - http://images.clipartpanda.com/public-clipart-public-opinion-businessmen-ties-glasses-business-46058176.jpg

From here to Sunday

From here to Sunday - all over the place; at great length.

Example - "I shudder to think of shopping on Black Friday, when every store from here to Sunday is crawling with consumers"

Image - http://66.media.tumblr.com/1a3a9ec6ff40b89612080309e9dac1d2/tumblr_mo6z5mHGKZ1rcpb92o1_500.jpg

To keep one's wits about one

To keep one's wits about one - to remain rational when threatened or under stress.

Example - "If Jane hadn't kept her wits about her during the fire, things could have gotten much worse"

Image - http://img.picturequotes.com/2/481/480430/i-prefer-to-have-a-great-time-and-to-keep-my-wits-about-me-quote-1.jpg

The buck stops with somebody

The buck stops with somebody - someone takes responsibility for a situation or problem.

Example - "I approved the plan, I'm responsible for it and the buck stops with me"

Image - http://www.quotehd.com/imagequotes/authors18/blane-reese-quote-if-there-was-any-wrongdoing-the-buck-stops-with-me.jpg

Non-starter

Non-starter - an idea, plan or person that will not be effective or successful. 

Example - "This whole idea is a non-starter, as far as I am concerned"

Image - http://www.itnewsafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/shutterstock_72308182.jpg

To take something in your stride

To take something in your stride - to calmly deal with something that is unpleasant and not let it affect what you are doing.

Example - "There are often problems at work but she seems to take it all in her stride"

Image - https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1168/4606564584_646c27f075_z.jpg

To cut someone to the quick

To cut someone to the quick - to injure someone emotionally.

Example - "Your heartless comments cut me to the quick"

Image - https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/1f/70/ba/1f70ba7d86c4f658f92b6b2060ceaa56.jpg

To put a hex

To put a hex - to curse someone to have bad luck.

Image - https://bossip.files.wordpress.com/2012/03/screen-shot-2012-03-24-at-9-58-48-am-e1332597681691.png?w=700