to throw (someone) a curve: to introduce an unexpected topic, causing embarrassment (S)
o The first week of class was going very well until a student threw the teacher a curve by suggesting that the textbook was too difficult.
o The director asked us in advance to stick to the meeting agenda and not to throw him any curves.
to make waves: to create a disturbance, usually by complaining
This idiom is similar in meaning to the previous idiom, but the emphasis is on the aspect of complaining rather than causing embarrassment.
o In most companies, an employee who makes waves is not appreciated.
o The meeting was going smoothly until one of the participants made waves about the newly revised compensation package.
to carry on: to continue as before; to conduct, to engage in; to behave in an immature manner
o Even in the face of disaster, the inhabitants carried on as though nothing had happened.
o The business associates decided to carry on their discussion in the hotel bar instead of the conference room.
o I can't believe that John carried on so much just because his dog died. He looked depressed and cried for weeks after it happened.
not on your life: absolutely not (also: no way)
This idiom is used as a kind of exclamation by itself.
o You're asking me to invest in that poorly rated company just because you know the son of the president? Not on your life!
o When a friend tried to get Mark to jump out of a plane with a parachute, he immediately responded, "No way!"
to cover ground: to be extensive, to discuss much material
Forms such as a lot of, too much, too little are used before the noun ground.
o That national commission's report on urban ghettos covers a lot of ground. Many of the recommendations are too costly to implement.
o In his first lecture on Greek philosophers, I thought that our professor covered too little ground.
to mind the store: to be responsible for an office while others are gone
o It seems that all of our employees are taking a lunch break at the same time. I wonder who's minding the store.
o Lynne agreed to mind the store while the others went outside to watch the parade passing by.
to throw the book at: to punish with full penalty, to be harsh on
o Because the criminal was a repeat offender, the judge threw the book at him with heavy fines and a long prison term.
o My boss threw the book at me when he discovered that I had been using company time for personal business. I was severely reprimanded and forced to make up the lost time.
to put one's foot in: to say or do the wrong thing
This idiom is used with the noun phrase one's mouth or the pronoun it.
o Fred really put his foot in his mouth when he called his supervisor by the wrong name.
o I really put my foot in it when I forgot my girlfriend's birthday and didn't buy her anything. She almost lost her cool.
to be up for grabs: to become available to others
this idiom is used when something is highly desirable to many other people.
o When one of the full-time contract instructors stepped down, her nice office overlooking the river was up for grabs.
o Did you know that Senator Stone is retiring and that her Senate seat is up for grabs?
to show off: to display one's ability in order to attract attention (S); to let others see, to expose to public view (S)
This idiom can form the noun showoff for the first definition.
o Elizabeth
o Jacquie showed her large wedding ring off to all her friends.
to learn the ropes: to become familiar with routine procedures at work or school
o The job applicant didn't have much previous experience or knowledge, but she seemed intelligent enough to learn the ropes quickly.
o It took the new schoolteacher a year to learn the ropes regarding administrative and curricular matters.
to keep one's fingers crossed: to hope to have good results, to hope that nothing bad will happen
This idiom reflects the way people cross their fingers to hope for good luck.
o Let's keep our fingers crossed that we got passing grades on that college entrance exam.
o Jerry kept his fingers crossed that the good weather would hold up for the picnic he was planning for the coming weekend.
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