To lay the groundwork

To lay the groundwork - to provide the basic ideas or foundation which will be used to build upon later.

Image - https://tm-pilbox.global.ssl.fastly.net/?url=https%3A%2F%2Ftm-prod.global.ssl.fastly.net%2Fuploaded%2Fattachments%2F15013.jpg%3Fv%3Def8be5&h=367

Stakeout

Stakeout - hidden surveillance of a person or a location for the purpose of gathering evidence.

Image - https://i.ytimg.com/vi/em6YbCIEUnY/hqdefault.jpg

To scrounge up

To scrounge up - To persuade someone to give you something for free; to obtain by begging or borrowing with no intention of reparation; to find someone or something somewhere.

Example - "I can always scrounge up loose change."

Image - http://lovelace-media.imgix.net/uploads/95/5d4e4cf0-ff1e-0131-6fe1-0add9426c766.gif?

Liaison

Liaison /liˈeɪz(ə)n/- a person who acts as a link to assist communication or cooperation between people.

Example - If you want to interview someone in particular, see if a media liaison can arrange it for you.

Image - http://drpeering.net/img/CTL.jpg

To scrape the barrel

To scrape the barrel - to be reduced to using things or people of the poorest quality because there is nothing else available.

Example - "The party was scraping the barrel for competent politicians."

Image - http://usercontent1.hubimg.com/9176014_f520.jpg

To rat out

To rat out - to reveal incriminating or embarrassing information about someone especially to a person in authority.

Image - https://41.media.tumblr.com/c1704546e4ab022bbad9f178a65c7dd9/tumblr_mw50wgDv9i1slt5mmo1_500.jpg

Below the breadline

Below the breadline - extremely poor.

Image - http://www.forbiddenplanet.co.uk/blog/wp-content/uploads/2007/11/Below%20the%20breadline%20Zapiro.jpg

Smokescreen

Smokescreen - an action or statement used to conceal actual plans or intentions.

Image - http://www.combatreform.org/M1059GAVINlayingexcellentsmoke.jpg

To spread oneself too thin

To spread oneself too thin - to do so many things at one time that you can do none of them well.

Example - "It's a good idea to get involved in a lot of activities but don't spread yourself too thin."

Image - http://image.slidesharecdn.com/5waystoimproveyourinternetmarketingefficiency-130401191517-phpapp01/95/5-ways-to-improve-your-internet-marketing-efficiency-7-638.jpg?cb=1365017430

ESP (extra sensory perception)

ESP - the supposed ability to perceive events and information by means other than the physical senses; knowledge of an event before it occurs.

Image - https://skepticalteacher.files.wordpress.com/2010/11/esp.png

To counterfeit

To counterfeit - to make an imitation or copy of something; to make fraudulent copies of something valuable.

Example - "This is clearly a counterfeit dollar bill."

Image - http://www.hispanicallyspeakingnews.com/uploads/images/amigo-o-enemigo/Counterfeit_Money.jpg 

Hubris

Hubris - excessive pride or self-confidence.

Example - "The self-assured hubris among economists was shaken in the late 1980s."

Image - http://massimomarinoauthor.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/EGO1.png

To emboss

To emboss - to decorate a surface with raised ornament.

Example - He's got custom-made embossed cards to promote his business.

Image - https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/f5/04/da/f504da2e6dcf44012c8da8f1489993d9.jpg

To collude on

To collude on - to act together through a secret understanding, especially with evil or harmful intent; to conspire in a fraud.

Example - "I once colluded on a bank heist."

Example - https://gigaom.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/1/2014/07/160937622-640x426.jpg

To have a hunch

To have a hunch - to have a feeling that something will happen.

Example - "I had a hunch that you would be here when I arrived.

Image - http://cdn.meme.am/instances/60731690.jpg

To fit the bill

To fit the bill - to have the qualities or experience which are needed.

Example - "I am looking for someone with several years of publishing experience and you seem to fit the bill."

Image - http://i43.tower.com/images/mm101703098/you-fit-bill-for-perfect-friend-suzy-spafford-paperback-cover-art.jpg

To take one's fancy

To take one's fancy - to fascinate.

Example - "I really wanted to earn some of my own money and be able to spend it on whatever took my fancy."

Image - http://www.lola.vn/data/201328/resize612x411aadsc0170copy232564888189.jpg

To galvanize

To galvanize - to shock or excite someone into taking action.

Example - "The urgency of his voice galvanized them into action."

Image - http://static1.squarespace.com/static/558c4ea0e4b04cda07204377/t/55db8ccbe4b0f408c8e1d47b/1440451792276/

To taunt

To taunt - to provoke or challenge someone with insulting remarks.

Example - "Pupils began taunting her about her weight."

Image - http://orig01.deviantart.net/59dc/f/2010/187/e/1/luigi_taunts_mario_by_awesomecas.png

Bewildered

Bewildered - confused and indecisive; puzzled.

Example - "He saw the bewildered look on my face."

Image - http://www.pxleyes.com/images/contests/head-modeling/fullsize/Confused-Tim-4f164b55167d9_hires.jpg

To go against the grain

To go against the grain - to do something that is often the opposite of what is usually done; contrary to the natural inclination or feeling of someone or something.

Example - "It goes against the grain for William to admit he's wrong."

Image - http://96bda424cfcc34d9dd1a-0a7f10f87519dba22d2dbc6233a731e5.r41.cf2.rackcdn.com/gentlewellnesscenter/best-love-quotes-go-against-the-grain-refuse-to-conform.jpg

Eventful

Eventful - with a lot of exciting or unusual things happening.

Example - She's had a very eventful life.

Image - https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/68/Eventful_logo.png

Skeleton in the cupboard

Skeleton in the cupboard - a discreditable or embarrassing fact that someone wishes to keep secret.

Image - https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/34/7d/d4/347dd456d0f382bef6e3ba0b297074b9.jpg

Hard-wearing

Hard-wearing - durable

Example - "I have just bought a pair of hard-wearing boots."

Image - http://img27.imageshack.us/img27/2771/x10rbig.jpg

Agony Column

Agony column - a column in a newspaper or magazine offering advice on personal problems to readers who write in.

Image - http://searchingforstyle.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/agony-aunt.jpg

By happenstance

By happenstance - a coincidental event.

Image - http://zeezoey.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/typewriter.jpg

Helm

Helm - the wheel which guides a boat.

Image - http://www.theatrehouse.com/mm5/graphics/00000001/8372-ship's-helm.jpg

Umpire

Umpire - referee

Example - http://media.mlive.com/whitecaps_impact/photo/jeff-klinghoffer-midwest-league-umpire-5c9301dbde763076_large.jpg

Deranged

Deranged - mad, insane.

Example - There is a deranged gunman at large.

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHZEMe3CJ7l5_uvthCwRgeDvHbIpkPObmkhNa-3nV5W4Z984J7EzA00zPYTPXPXmVBjZxbkrAkI2NDlg3dMx14dUV4do_EU-pIRrdMhpeDoWx4TdvqQ_iCLrHr0UhWOCG2DDmPmlxmoIo/s1600/blog+header+pink.jpg

In hindsight

In hindsight - reconsidering the past with the knowledge one has now.

Example - David realized, in hindsight, that he should have finished school.

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx5MOSBzuGSI2SFC5wYnZe3OWz0hc1Q8d4ZpEhJkToIz2J6Ru8Ons-fuMg9O0iNtOx_VKVbYEtZ5C0TFHKBZ5xOMS8ip3lEYfflsfhBgWGrNJKlA7FGJR0DtqFpIy4hW8VTe0V50I83hFD/s1600/hindsight.jpg

Budding

Budding = beginning and showing signs of promise in a particular sphere.

Example - I have a business that is budding.

Example - http://www.thebuddingbusiness.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/TheBuddingBusiness-e1405774398138.png

To flesh out

To flesh out = to give substance to; to expand.

Image - http://s3.amazonaws.com/theoatmeal-img/comics/flesh_vs_flush/flesh.png

Cushty

Cushty - Very good or pleasing.

Paltry

Paltry - very small or meagre.

Example - "She would earn a paltry $33 more a month."

Image - https://classconnection.s3.amazonaws.com/59/flashcards/3055059/gif/paltry-1410341E0F03EB2B91B.gif

Fluke

Fluke - a surprising piece of luck.

Example - "Their victory was a bit of a fluke."

Image - http://i.ytimg.com/vi/nfiXfqERYJ4/maxresdefault.jpg

To scrimp

To scrimp - to be thrifty and parsimonious; to economize.

Example - "I have scrimped and saved to give you a good education."

Image - https://www.quickquid.co.uk/quid-corner/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/What-You-Shouldnt-Scrimp-On-by-Kelly-Gurnett.jpg

To revamp

To revamp - to give new and improved form, structure or appearance to.

Example - "That was a failed attempt to revamp the museum's image."

Image - http://sharpologist.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/revamp.jpg

Lackluster

Lackluster - lacking in vitality.

Example - "Keep lunch lackluster."

Image - http://i0.wp.com/venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/meh.jpg?fit=780%2C9999

Nonplussed

Nonplussed - So surprised and confused that one is unsure how to react.

Image - http://blog.certainsource.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/businessperson-looking-nonplussed.jpg

To have somebody in stitches

To have somebody in stitches - to make someone laugh a lot.

Example - "She told us a couple of jokes that had us all in stitches."

Example - http://pad2.whstatic.com/images/thumb/1/16/Make-Someone-Laugh-Step-4.jpg/670px-Make-Someone-Laugh-Step-4.jpg

Disgruntled

Disgruntled - angry or dissatisfied.

Example - "Judges receive letters from disgruntled members of the public"

Image - https://trivialperusal.files.wordpress.com/2011/04/disgruntled1.gif

Plush

Plush - richly luxurious and expensive

Example - "She lives in a plush Mayfair flat."

Image - http://www.luxurious-estates.com/wp-content/themes/duotive-three/includes/timthumb.php?src=http://www.luxurious-estates.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/WT1V4877-1.jpg&h=298&w=318&zc=1&q=100

To fall out

To fall out - to have an argument.

Example - "He had fallen out with his family."

Image - http://www.lovedatingdoc.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/Every-time-we-have-a-serious-discussion-we-end-up-arguing-What-should-I-do-667x638.jpg

Scuffle

Scuffle - a short, confused fight or struggle at close quarters.

Example - "There were minor scuffles with police"

Image - http://cdncms.todayszaman.com/todayszaman/2012/03/30/scuffle.jpg

To grapple

To grapple - to try to overcome or deal.

Example - to grapple with a problem

Image - http://www.photos-public-domain.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/grapple.jpg

You're not the sharpest tool in the shed.

You're not the sharpest tool in the shed. - a gentle way to say someone is unintelligent.

Image - http://i1.cpcache.com/product/172718134/not_the_sharpest_tool_in_the_shed_rectangle_magnet.jpg?color=NA&height=460&width=460

You're not the brightest crayon in the box

You're not the brightest crayon in the box - total dumbass.

Image- http://api.ning.com/files/pQ8PE*DabuncMuSbUyq*b2SAnK*2Q7eoPX9B5qLTt0bm6ZVwhOsmUrzTGYGNTRxeXJXz*gC*uyjfgEYhCKQUQttvC2H3s8et/notthebrightest.jpg

Plight

Plight - a dangerous, difficult, or otherwise unfortunate situation.

Example - We must direct our efforts towards relieving the plight of the children living in poverty.

Image - http://vignette1.wikia.nocookie.net/dragonball/images/7/73/Plight_of_the_Children.png/revision/latest?cb=20100501203020

To sponge off

To sponge off - to live by relying on the generosity of someone else.

Example - "He sponged off his parents for years because they never insisted that he get a job".

Image - http://si.wsj.net/public/resources/images/BF-AC090_14rich_G_20120113224922.jpg

Casuist

Casuist - someone who uses clever but unsound reasoning.

Image - https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/f5/b4/76/f5b4761e4c6602dd9dbcff75e825818d.jpg