[put one’s money on a scratched horse] {v. phr.}, {informal} To beton a certain failure; to gamble without a chance of winning. Youbet on the New York Mets to win the World Series? Why
[cut to the bone] {v. phr.} To make the least or smallest possible amount; reduce severely; leave out everything extra or unnecessary from. Father cut Jane’s allowance to the bone for disobeying him. When
Идиома: like an open book Перевод: кто-либо или что-либо, что легко понять Пример: Our boss is like an open book and it is easy to know what he is thinking most of the time.
[down one’s alley] or [up one’s alley] {adj. phr.}, {slang} Suited to your tastes and abilities; what you like or like to do. Baseball is right down Jim’s alley. Compare: CUP OF TEA.
[bats in one’s belfry] or [bats in the belfry] {n. phr.}, {slang} Wild ideas in his mind; disordered senses; great mental confusion. When he talked about going to the moon he was thought to
[take place] {v. phr.} To happen; occur. The accident took placeonly a block from his home. The action of the play takes place inancient Rome. The dance will take place after the graduationexercises. Compare:
[get one’s feet wet] {v. phr.}, {informal} To begin; do somethingfor the first time. The party was at Bill’s house and when Ruth andI got there the party had already started. “Jump right in
[hard line] {n. phr.} Tough political policy. Although moderneconomists were trying to persuade him to open up to the West, Castrohas always taken the hard line approach.
[take ill] or [take sick] {v.} To become sick. Father took sickjust before his birthday. – Used in the passive with the samemeaning. The man was taken ill on the train.
[hit the ceiling] or [hit the roof] {v. phr.}, {slang} To becomeviolently angry; go into a rage. When Elaine came home at three inthe morning, her father hit the ceiling. Bob hit the roof