Idioms

to do something by instinct and improvisation rather than by plan

to ask for extra help or reinforcements in a difficult situation

an early warning sign, or a small test group, that reveals a danger or failure before it affects everyone

To take the blame or responsibility for a problem, especially when others avoid doing so.

to regain safety or acceptance after living in secrecy, isolation, or exclusion

to gain such control of a market that competitors cannot operate in it

to be extremely careful about every detail, especially paperwork

deliberately omitting important facts in order to give a misleading impression

choose the safer course when uncertainty makes either option imperfect

to oppose or be the opposite of what is expected, accepted, or sensible

from something impressive or elevated to something absurd or trivial

to deal with the most important or practical details of something

To commit fully to doing something, without holding anything back.

collapse or fail completely, particularly as a business or financial venture

To be involved in too many activities at once.

to be in a position of complete control in a negotiation

after weighing all the relevant facts; ultimately

expected to happen or become available soon

doing the difficult, unglamorous, hands-on work at the front line of a problem or project

the problems or confusion will eventually be resolved

the result is effectively decided although the event has not formally ended

to reach the point of absurd decline, past which a product or franchise loses credibility

maintain the home and its familiar routines while someone is away

to work hard and steadily without distraction

to destroy a reliable source of future profit through greed or short-term thinking

to be completely honest about your intentions or position

To say or do something that causes sudden trouble or excitement.

accept whatever consequences follow from an action

old or growing old, especially when age affects suitability for something

continually busy or active, with no real break

To escape one bad situation only to land in a worse one.

to deal with the price or consequences created by your earlier choices

used as an emphatic rejection of an idea considered intolerable

to make the maximum possible effort, holding nothing back

to risk criticism by stating an opinion publicly

to attack harshly, especially when the target is already vulnerable or beaten

a competitive spiral that drives prices, quality, or standards lower and lower

present an idea tentatively to find out who supports it

to cover the entire range of possible types, reactions, or conditions

to endure a succession of ordeals, attacks, or severe criticism

ordinary, average, unremarkable

personal risk or investment in a venture, aligning your interests with its outcome

to try to resolve a problem widely regarded as extremely difficult or impossible

used to dismiss a story or claim as unbelievable

the person being sought has already left or escaped

the roles or positions in a situation have been reversed

responsibility rests with the speaker, not to be passed on

an irreversible decision has fixed the course of what happens next

something has happened that is likely to cause trouble

a deception or secret scheme has been discovered and cannot continue

the people who hold authority and make important decisions

a minor part controls something much larger or more important

Everything possible; the full extent.

You are free to enjoy all the opportunities life has to offer.

someone previously submissive has begun resisting their mistreatment

that is the particular difficulty or obstacle

to challenge an opponent openly and defiantly

To become more careful and strict about spending money.

acting quickly is essential to the success of the matter

to pursue a career performing on the theater stage

to respond to harm without retaliation, showing restraint or forgiveness

disrupt an established plan or arrangement

young and inexperienced