1. By leaps and bound
Meaning – By very large degrees; rapidly or in quick progress forward
Usage – Our small company has been growing by leaps and bounds over the past year.
2. Toe the line
Meaning – To adhere to the rules of something
Usage – I expect you to toe the line at all times if you want to remain in this college.
3. Stick to guns
Meaning – To remain determined, resolute, or steadfast in one's opinion, belief, or perspective
Usage – I really admire him for sticking to his guns during college, and not submitting to the peer pressure of those around him to drink or do drugs.
4. Take hat off
Meaning – To respect, admire, or congratulate
Usage – I was impressed by that, you have to take your hat off to the guy.
5. Null and void
Meaning – Not legally valid/empty
Usage – The declaration was null and void as it was proclaimed in completely illegal circumstances.
6. Break the ice
Meaning – To make people who have not met before feel more relaxed with each other
Usage – Someone suggested that we play a party game to break the ice.
7. Keep the wolf from the door
Meaning – To do, acquire, or provide something that will allow one or something to narrowly avoid death, ruin, etc.
Usage – We were extremely poor then, and begging for scraps was all I could do to keep the wolf from the door.
8. Fish in troubled waters
Meaning – To try to capitalize on or benefit from a situation, circumstance, or experience that is fraught with disorder, difficulty, confusion, stress, etc.
Usage – Frank is fishing in troubled waters by buying more shares of that company.
9. Look into
Meaning – To literally peer or gaze into a place or thing
Usage – I looked into the playroom and saw total chaos—kids running around in every direction.
10. Smell a rat
Meaning – to recognize that something is not as it appears to be or that something dishonest is happening
Usage – He's been working late with her every night this week - I smell a rat!
11. Let the grass grow under one’s feet
Meaning – Be continually active; do not stand still or be idle
Usage – Don't let the grass grow under your feet, kid. Get to work!
12. Apple of discord
Meaning – Something that causes unhappiness or trouble
Usage – Why aren't you talking to Mary Beth? What is the apple of discord here?
13. A fish out of water
Meaning – One who does not feel comfortable in a new environment
Usage – When Carla transferred to a new school, she felt like a fish out of water because she didn't know anyone there.
14. In the long run
Meaning – Over a relatively long or extended length of time in the future
Usage – I know it's a lot of money to spend on a mattress, but trust me, it will be worth it in the long run.
15. Jumping down one’s throat
Meaning – To react angrily to something that someone says or does
Usage – I made the mildest of criticisms and he jumped down my throat.
Verifying, please be patient.