ox do your own thing each to his/her own feather your own nest get your own back get your own way have a mind of its own have the devil's own job doing sth/to do sth have the devil's own luck hold your own leave sb to their own devices line your (own) pockets make a rod for your own back Mind your own business! not have a minute to call your own of your own accord on sb's (own) head be it on your own account on your own hook pay sb back in their own coin play sb at their own game save your own skin stand on your own two feet tell its own tale to each his/her own ox be as strong as an ox OYSTER the world is your oyster P mind/watch your p's and q's PACE at a snail's pace can't stand/take the pace set the pace PACES put sb through their paces PACK a pack of lies a pack rat be ahead of the pack pack a punch pack your bags the joker in the pack PACKED be packed like sardines PACKING send sb packing PADDLE be up shit creek (without a paddle) be up the creek (Without a paddle) paddle your own canoe PAGE turn the page PAGEANT be (all) part of life's rich pageant/tapestry PAID put paid to sth PAID-UP be a fully pald-up member of sth 546 PAIN be a pain in the arse/backside be a pain in the ass/butt be a pain in the neck on/under pain of death PAINS be at pains to do sth go to/take great pains to do sth growing pains PAINT be as interesting as watching paint dry be like watching paint dry paint a [bleak/rosy etc.] picture of sth paint the town red paint yourself into a corner PAINTED not be as black as you are/it is painted PAINTING be like painting the Forth Bridge be no oil painting PAIR a safe pair of hands have a [fine/good etc.] pair of lungs show sb a clean pair of heels PALE be beyond the pale fade/pale into insignificance go beyond the pale: see be beyond the pale pale by/in comparison PALL cast a pall on! over sth PALM grease sb's palm have sb eating out of the palm of your hand have sb in the palm of your hand PALSY·WALSY palsy-walsy PAN a flash in the pan down the pan jump out of the frying pan (and) into the fire PANCAKE be as fiat as a pancake PANDORA open a Pandora's box PANIC hit/press/push the panic button panic stations PANTS a smarty pants be caught with your pants/trousers down [beat/bore/scare etc.] the pants off sb by the seat of your pants: see fly by the seat of your pants fly by the seat of your pants have ants in your pants wear the pants PAPER a paper chase a paper tiger a paper trail couldn't [act/argue/tight] your way out of a paper bag not be worth the paper it's/they're printed/written on on paper paper/smooth over the cracks put pen to paper PAPERS get your walking papers: see give sb their walking papers give sb their walking papers PAR be below par be par for the course not be up to par PARACHUTE a golden parachute PARADE rain on sb's parade PARADISE live in a fool's paradise PARAPET put/stick your head above the parapet PARCEL part and parcel PARDON Pardon me for breathing/living! Pardon my French! PARKER a nosy/nosey parker PARKINSON Parkinson's law PARROT be as sick as a parrot parrot-fashron PART be (all) part of life's rich pageant/tapestry be part of the furniture Discretion is the better part of valor. Discretion is the better part of valour look the part part and parcel take sb's part take sth in good part PARTED A fool and his money are soon parted. PARTING a parting shot the parting of the ways Please purchase PDF Split-Merge on www.verypdf.com to remove this watermark. PARTNER silent partner sleeping partner PARTNERS partners in crime PARTS a man of many parts PARTY a bucks party a hen night/party a party animal a party pooper a stag night/party be the life and soul of the party be the life of the party piss on sb's party sb's party piece PASS be like ships that pass in the night come through/pass with flying colors come through/pass with flying colours make a pass at sb pass by on the other side pass muster pass the baton pass the buck pass the hat around/ round pass the time of day things have come to/reached a pretty pass PASSAGE a rite of passage PASSAGES purple passages: see purple prose PAST a blast from the past be a thing of the past be first past the post be past it be past your sell-by date I wouldn't put it past sb PASTURE put sb out to pasture PASTURES greener pastures new pastures pastures new PAT a pat on the back have sth down pat: see learn sthoff pat have sth off pat: see learn sth off pat learn sth down pat learn sth off pat pat sb on the back: see a pat on the back sit pat stand pat 547 PATCH not be a patch on sb/sth PATH be off the beaten path beat a path to sb's door cross sb's path lead sb down the garden path lead sb up the garden path take the line/path of least resistance the primrose path PATHS sb's paths cross PATIENCE the patience of Job/a saint PATTER the patter of tiny feet PAUL rob Peter to pay Paul PAUSE give sb pause (for thought) PAVE pave the way for sth PAVED The road to hell is paved with good intentions. PAY Crime doesn't pay. give/pay lip service to sth hit/strike pay dirt If you pay peanuts, you get monkeys. pay dividends pay its way pay over the odds pay sb back in their own coin pay the price pay through the nose pay top dollar pay your dues pay your way rob Peter to pay Paul there'll be hell to pay PAYS He who pays the piper calls the tune. You pays your money (and you takes your chances). You pays your money (and you takes your choice). PEA-BRAINED pea-brained PEACE a peace offering be at peace with the world There's no peace/rest for the wicked! PEANUTS If you pay peanuts, you get monkeys. PEAR-SHAPED go pear-shaped PEARL a pearl of wisdom PENNY PEARLS cast pearls before swine PEARLY the pearly gates PEAS be like two peas in a pod PEBBLE not be the only pebble on the beach PECKER Keep your pecker up! PECKING a pecking order PEDESTAL knock sb off their pedestal: see put sb on a pedestal put sb on a pedestal PEELED keep your eyes peeled! skinned PEEPING a peeping Tom PEEVE sb's pet peeve PEG a square peg (in a round hole) bring sb down a peg or two off the peg PEGGED have sb pegged PEGGING be level pegging PELL-MELL pell-mell pell-mell: see pell-mell PELT (at) full pelt/steam/tilt PEN a pen pusher pen pushing: see a pen pusher put pen to paper The pen is mightier than the sword. PENCIL a pencil pusher have lead in your pencil: see put lead in your pencil pencil pushing: see a pen pusher put lead in your pencil PENN'ORTH put in! stick in your two penn'orth PENNIES not have two pennies to rub together PENNY A penny for them. A penny for your thoughts. A penny saved is a penny earned. be penny-wise and pound- foolish be ten/two a penny cost (sb) a pretty penny Please purchase PDF Split-Merge on www.verypdf.com to remove this watermark. PEOPLE In for a penny, (in for a pound). penny ante spend a penny the penny drops turn up like a bad penny PEOPLE People who live in glass houses (shouldn't throw stones). PEP a pep talk PERCH fall off your perch knock sb off their perch PERFECT Practice makes perfect. PERFORM perform/work miracles PERIOD a honeymoon period PERISH Perish the thought! PERSON a girl/man/person Friday about/on your person be your own man/woman/person the man/woman/person in the street PET sb's pet hate sb's pet peeve PETARD be hoist by/with your own petard PETER rob Peter to pay Paul PETTING heavy petting PEW Take a pew. PHRASE a turn of phrase to coin a phrase PICK a pick-me-up have a bone to pick with sb have your pick of sth pick and mix pick-and-mix: see pick and mix pick holes in sth pick sb's brains pick sb's pocket pick up steam pick up sticks pick up the bill/tab pick up the pieces pick up the threads of sth pick up your marbles (and go home/leave) pick up/take the ball and run (with it) pick/pull sb/sth to pieces 548 pick/iake up the gauntlet: see throw down the gauntlet pick/take up the slack take your pick the pick of sth PICKLE be in a (pretty/right) pickle PICNIC be a couple of sandwiches short of a picnic: see be one sandwich short of a picnic be no picnic be no picnic be one sandwich short of a picnic make sth seem like a picnic PICTURE be in the picture: see be out of the picture be out of the picture be the picture of [health/innocence etc.] get the picture keep sb in the picture: see put sb in the picture paint a [bleak/rosy etc.] picture of sth picture-perfect put sb in the picture sb's face is a picture the big picture the whole picture PIE a slice of the pie be as American as apple pie be as easy as pie be as nice as pie be pie-eyed eat humble pie have a finger in every pie have a finger in the pie: see have a finger in every pie pie in the sky PIECE a conversation piece a piece/ slice of the action be a nasty piece of work be a piece of cake be a piece of piss be (all) of a piece give sb a piece of your mind How long is a piece of string? say your piece sb's party piece take a piece out of sb the villain of the piece PIECES be shot to hell/pieces be thrilled to pieces bits and pieces go/fall to pieces pick up the pieces pick/pull sb/sth to pieces PIG see also PIGS a guinea pig a pig in a poke eatlike a pig in a pig's eye make a pig of yourself make a pig's ear of sth/doing sth Pig'sarse! squeal like a stuck pig sweat like a pig PIGEON a stool pigeon be sb's pigeon PIGEONS put/ set the cat among the pigeons PIGGY piggy in the middle PIGS Pigs can fly. Pigs might fly. PIKE come down the pike down the pike PilE at the bottom of the heap/pile pile it/them high and sell it/them cheap pile on the agony Pill see also PillS a bitter pill (to swallow) sugar-coat the pill sugar/sweeten the pill PilLAR a pillar/tower of strength from pillar to post PillOW pillow talk PillS pop pills PilOT on automatic pilot PIN see also PINS as straight as a pin be as clean as a new pin pin back your ears pin money pin sth on sb pin your hopes on sth/sb You could have heard a pin drop. PINCH at a pinch feel the pinch in a pinch pinch-hit take sth with a pinch of salt PINK a pink slip be in the pink be tickled pink/to death pink-collar the pink dollar the pink pound PINS be on pins and needles Please purchase PDF Split-Merge on www.verypdf.com to remove this watermark. have pins and needles PINT get/put a quart into a pint pot PIPE a pipe dream Put/stick that in your pipe and smoke it! PIPELINE be in the pipeline PIPER He who pays the piper calls the tune. PIPPED be pipped at/to the post be pipped at/to the post PISS a piss-artist a piss-take: see take the piss a piss-up be a piece of piss be full of piss and vinegar be (out) on the piss couldn't organize a piss-up in a brewery go (out) on the piss: see be (out) onthepiss Go piss up a rope! not have a pot to piss in piss on sb's party Piss or get off the can/pot! take the piss PISSED as pissed as a fart as pissed as a newt pissed out of your head/mind/skull PISSING be pissing inIinto the wind PIT a bottomless pit a pit stop pit your wits against sb/sth PITCH fever pitch make a pitch for sth queer sb's pitch PITCHED a pitched battle PLACE alsb's place in the sun all over the place as if you own the place be in the right place at the right time be out of place between a rock and a hard place fall into place give sth pride of place: see have/ take pride of place have/take pride of place in the first place know your place not a hair out of place 549 place/put your life in sb's hands: see your life is in sb's hands put sb in their place sb's heart is in the right place scream the place down There's a time and a place. PLACES go places have friends in high places PLAGUE avoid sb/sth like the plague PLAIN a plain Jane be as clear/plain as day be as plain as the nose on.your- face be plain sailing PLAN a game plan PLANET be (living) on another planet What planet is sb on?: see be (living) on another planet PLANK walk the plank PLANKS be as thick as two short planks PLATE give/hand sth to sb on a plate have a lot/ enough on your plate have your plate full sb's head on a plate/platter PLATTER give/hand sth to sb on a (silver) platter sb's head on a plate/platter PLAY see also PLAYING a play on words act/play the fool act/play the goat All work and no play (makes Jack a dull boy). allow/give sth full play be child's play bring sth into play come into full play: see allow/give sth full play fair play foul play (if you) play your cards right keep/play your cards close to your chest make a big play of sth make (a) great play of sth make a play for sb make a play for sth play a bUnder play a straight bat play a/the waiting game play away from home play ball play both ends against the middle play cat and mouse PLUG play devil's advocate play dirty play fast and loose with sthlsb play footsie play footsie with sb play for keeps play for time play games play God play gooseberry play hard to get play hardball play hooky play into sb's hands play it by ear play it cool play (it) safe play (merry) hell play (merry) hell with sth play possum play Russian roulette play sb at their own game play sb for a fool play sb for a sucker play second fiddle play silly buggers play the field play the game play to the gallery play with fire play your ace the state of play Turnabout is fair play. two can play at that game When/While the eat's away (the mice will play). PLAYING a level playing field PLEA cop a plea PLEAD I take/plead the Fifth (Amendment) PLEASED be as pleased as Punch PLEASURE mix business with pleasure PLEDGE sign/take the pledge PLENTY There are plenty more where they/that came from. PLOT lose the plot The plot thickens. PLOUGH plough a lone/lonely furrow PLOUGHSHARES beat/turn swords into ploughshares PLUCK pluck sth out of the air PLUG a spark plug Please purchase PDF Split-Merge on www.verypdf.com to remove this watermark. PLUGHOLE pull the plug PLUGHOLE go down the plughole PLUM speak with a plum in your mouth PLUMB plumb the depths PLUNGE take the plunge PLY ply your trade PNEUMONIA if sb/ sth catches a cold, sb/ sth gets pneumonia PO-FACED po-faced POACHER a poacher turned gamekeeper POCKET be in sb's pocket be out of pocket dig/ dip into your pocket have sth burning a hole in your pocket pick sb's pocket put your hand in your pocket POCKETS deep pockets line sb's pockets line your (own) pockets ltve in each other's pockets POD be like two peas in a pod POETIC poetic justice poetic license POINT a case in point a sore point/ spot a sticking point be beside the point be sb's strong point/suit miss the point not to put too fine a point on it point blank point-blank: see point blank point blank point the finger at sb point the way reach boiling point the point of no return There's no point crying over spilt milk. POINTS earn! get brownie points POISON a poison-pen letter One man's meat is another man's poison. What's your poison? POISONED a poisoned chaltce POKE a pig in a poke 550 poke fun at sb/sth poke/ stick your nose into sth POLE be in pole position I wouldn't touch sb/sth with a barge pole. I wouldn't touch sb/sth with a ten-foot pole the greasy pole the low man on the totem pole POLES be poles apart POLICY Honesty is the best policy POLISH spit and poltsh POLITICAL a polttical football POLITICALLY politically correct POLLS go to the polls POMP pomp and circumstance POND a big fish in a small pond PONY a dog and pony show Shanks's pony POOPER a party pooper POOR a poor man's sb/sth a poor relation be as poor as church mice make a bad/poor fist of sth/ doing sth: see make a good fist of sth! doing sth POP pop pills pop the question pop your clogs POPPING sb's eyes are popping out of their head POPULAR contrary to popular beltef/ opinion PORK pork barrel pork-barrel: see pork barrel PORT a port of call Any port in a storm. POSITION be in pole position the missionary position POSSESSED like a man/woman possessed POSSESSION Possession is nine-tenths of the law. POSSUM play possum POST be as deaf as a post be first past the post be pipped at/to the post be pipped at/to the post from pillar to post post-haste POSTAGE fit/write sth on the back of a postage stamp POSTAL go postal POSTED keep sb posted POT see also POTS a melting pot A watched pot never boils. can talk the legs off an iron pot get/put a quart into a pint pot go to pot not have a pot to piss in Piss or get off the can/pot! Shit or get off the can/pot! take a pot shot take pot luck the pot calling the kettle black throw sth into the pot POTATO a couch potato a hot potato drop sb/ sth like a hot brick/potato POTATOES small potatoes the meat and potatoes POTS pots of money POUND An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. In for a penny, (in for a pound). the pink pound your pound of flesh POUND-FOOLISH be penny-wise and pound- foolish POUR pour oil on troubled waters pour your heart out pour/throw cold water on sth POURS It never rains but it pours. POWDER a powder keg keep your powder dry powder your nose take a powder POWER do sb a power of good More power to you! More power to your elbow! the corrtdors of power the power behind the throne Please purchase PDF Split-Merge on www.verypdf.com to remove this watermark. POWERS the powers that be PRACTICE Practice makes perfect. practice what you preach: see practise what you preach PRACTISE practise what you preach PRAISE damn sb/sth with faint praise praise sb/ sth to the skies PRAISES sing sb's/sth's praises PRAWN come the raw prawn PRAYER not have a prayer on a wing and a prayer PRAYERS the answer to sb's prayers PREACH practice what you preach: see practise what you preach practise what you preach preach to the converted PREPARE prepare the ground PRESENCE make your presence felt PRESENT present company excepted present company excluded There's no time like the present. PRESS a full-court press be hot off the press hit/press/push the panic button press the flesh press/push the right button/buttons PRESSED be hard pressed PRETENCES under false pretences PRETEND pretend/say that black is white PRETTY a fine/pretty kettle of fish be in a (pretty/right) pickle be sitting pretty cost (sb) a pretty penny not be a pretty sight not be just a pretty face Pretty is as pretty does. things have come to/reached a pretty pass PREVENTION An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Prevention is better than cure. 551 PREY prey on sb's mind PRICE at a price at any price Cheap at half the price! pay the price What price [fame/success/victory etc.]? PRICK be like a spare prick at a wedding prick sb's conscience prick your ears up PRICKS kick against the pricks PRIDE give sth pride of place: see have/take pride of place have/take pride of place Pride comes before a fall. Pride goes before a fall. swallow your pride PRIM prim and proper PRIME a prime mover prime the pump PRIMROSE the primrose path PRINT be a licence to print money be a license to print money: see be a licence to print money the fine/ small print PRINTED not be worth the paper it's/they're printed/written on PRISONERS take no prisoners PRIZES no prizes for guessing sth PROBLEMS teething problems/troubles PRODIGAL the prodigal son PRODUCTION make a production (out) of sth PROFESSION the oldest profession (in the world) PROFILE keep a low profile PROGRAM get with the program PROMISE give sth a lick and a promise promise (sb) the earth promise (sb) the moon PROMISED the promised land PULL PROMISES Promises, promises! PROOF The proof of the pudding (is in the eating). PROPER good and proper good/right and proper prim and proper PROPHET a prophet of doom PROPORTION blow sth out of (all) proportion PROS the pros and cons PROSE purple prose PROTEST protest too much PROUD do sb proud PROVE prove/ show your mettle PROVES be the exception that proves the rule PROVIDENCE tempt fate/providence PUB a pub crawl PUBLIC air your dirty laundry/linen in public be in the public eye public enemy number one wash your dirty laundry/linen in public PUDDING be in the pudding club over-egg the pudding The proof of the pudding (is in the eating). PUFF huff and puff PULL bring/pull sb up with a start draw/pull in your horns get/pull your finger out haul/pull yourself up by your bootstraps make/pull a face not pull any punches pick/pull sb/sth to pieces pull a fast one pull a rabbit out of the hat pull out all the stops pull rank pull sb up short pull sb's leg pull something out of the bag pull strings Pull the other leg/one (it's got bells on)! pull the plug Please purchase PDF Split-Merge on www.verypdf.com to remove this watermark. PULP pull the rug from under sb's feet pull the rug from under sb/ sth pull the strings pull the wool over sb's eyes pull up short: see pull sb up short pull up stakes pull your socks up pull your weight pull/tear your hair out pull/yank sb's chain PULP beat sb to a pulp PULPIT a bully pulpit PULSE have your finger on the pulse keep your finger on the pulse: see have your finger on the . pulse quicken your/the pulse PUMP prime the pump pump iron PUMPS all hands to the pumps PUNCH a one-two punch be as pleased as Punch be punch-drunk beat sb to the punch pack a punch punch sb's lights out PUNCHES not pull any punches roll with the punches PUNISHMENT a glutton for punishment PUP be sold a pup PUppy puppy fat puppy love PURE be as pure as the driven snow pure and simple: see purely and simply PURELY purely and simply PURPLE purple passages: see purple prose purple prose PURPOSE accidentally on purpose PURPOSES to all intents and purposes PURSE hold the purse strings loosen the purse strings: see hold the purse strings tighten the purse strings: see hold the purse strings 552 You can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear. PURSUIT in hot pursuit PUSH see also PUSHED. PUSH- ING at a push get the push: see give sb the push give sb the push hit/press/push the panic button if/when push comes to shove press/push the right button/buttons push at an open door push the boat out push your luck push/drive sb over the edge PUSHED be hard pushed PUSHER a pen pusher a pencil pusher PUSHING be pushing up (the) daisies PUSS a glamor girl/puss: see a glamour girl/puss a glamour girl/puss PUT a put-up job be hard put to do sth be put on full/red alert: see be on fullIred alert can't put a foot wrong: see not put a foot wrong get/put a quart into a pint pot get/put one over on sb get/put sb's back up get/put the wind up sb get/put your head down get/put your own house in order hold/put a gun to sb's head I can't put a name to her/him. I wouldn't put it past sb lay/put a guilt trip on sb lay/put sth on the line: see be on the line lay/put your cards on the table not know where to put yourself not put a foot wrong not to put too fine a point on it place/put your life in sb's hands: see your life is in sb's hands put a bomb under sth/sb put a brave face/front on sth put a damper/dampener on sth put a dent in sth Put a lid on it! put a rocket under sb Put a sock in it! put a spoke in sb's wheel put all your eggs in one basket put down roots put flesh on (the bones of) sth put hair(s) on your chest put ideas into sb's head put in a good word for sb put in! stick in your two penn'orth put it about put lead in your pencil put on a brave face/front: see put a brave face/front on sth put on the dog put on/up a front put one over on sb put outfeelers put paid to sth put pen to paper put sb at odds with sb: see be at odds put sb in mind of sb/sth put sb in the picture put sb in their place put sb off their stride put sb off their stroke put sb on a pedestal put sb on edge: see be on edge put sb on the right track: see be on the right track put sb on the spot put sb out of action: see be out of action put sb out of their misery put sb out to pasture put sb over your knee put sb through hell put sb through hoops: see go/jump through hoops put sb through the mill put sb through the wringer put sb through their paces put sb's nose out of joint put sb/sth in the shade put sth back on the rails: see be back on the rails put sth down to experience put sth on hold put sth on ice: see be on ice put sth on the back burner: see be on the back burner put sth out of action: see be out of action put sth to bed put sth under the microscope put sth/sb out of their misery put swh/sth/sb on the map put the arm on sb put the ball in sb's court: see the ball is in sb's court put the bite on sb put the boot in put the brakes on Please purchase PDF Split-Merge on www.verypdf.com to remove this watermark. put the cart before the horse put the fear of God into sb put the finger on sb Put the flags out! put the frighteners on sb put the genie back in the bottle: see let the genie out of the bottle put the heat on sb put the kibosh on sth put the lid on sth put the make on sb put the mockers on sth put the roses in sb's cheeks put the screws on sb put the skids under sb/sth put the squeeze on sb/sth put their heads together put two and two together put two and two together and get/make five: see put two and two together put up or shut up put words inIinto sb's mouth put years on sb put your back into sth put your best foot forward put your feet up put your finger on sth put your foot down put your foot in it put your foot in your mouth put your foot to the floor put your hand in your pocket put your hand on your heart put your head/neck on the block put your heart and soul into sth/doing sth put your life on the line put your mind to it put your money on sb/sth put your money where your mouth is put your neck on the line put your shirt on sth put your shoulder to the wheel put your thinking cap on put your two cents (worth) in put/get sb/sth back on track: see on track put/set sb on a collision course: see be on a collision course put/set sb's mind at rest put/set sth in motion put/ set the cat among the pigeons put/ set the record straight put/set the seal on sth Put/stick that in your pipe and smoke it! put/stick the knife in 553 put/stick two fingers up at sb/sth put/stick your head above the parapet put/ stick your oar in put/throw a (monkey) wrench in the works put/ throw a spanner in the works put/throw sb off the scent put/turn the clock back PUTTY be putty in your hands PYRRHIC a Pyrrhic victory QED QED QUAKE make sb quake in their boots: see be quaking in your boots QUAKING be quaking in your boots QUANTITY an unknown quantity QUANTUM a quantum jump a quantum leap QUART get/put a quart into a pint pot QUARTERBACK a Monday morning quarterback QUEEN turn king's/queen's evidence QUEER a queer fish be in Queer Street queer sb's pitch QUESTION a question mark over sth be out of the question beg the question call sth into question pop the question the million-dollar question the sixty-four-thousand-dollar question QUEUE a queue-jumper: see jump the queue jump the queue queue-jump: see jump the queue QUICK aqnickfix a qnick one a quick study as quick as a flash/wink as quick as lightning be quick off the mark be quick on the draw be quick on the uptake: see be slow on the uptake cut sb to the quick make a fast/quick buck RAIN quick-fix: see a quick fIX QUICKEN quicken your/the pulse QUICKEST be first/ quickest off the mark: see be quick off the mark QUID not be the full quid QUIDS be quids in not for quids QUIET be as quiet as a mouse on the quiet QUITS call it quits QUOTE give/quote (sb) chapter and verse quote, end quote quote, unquote RABBIT be like a deer/rabbit caught in the headlights puli a rabbit out of the hat RABBITS breed like rabbits RACE a one-horse race a race against time/the clock a rat race race against the clock race against time/the clock: see a race against time/the clock RACK go to rack/wrack and ruin on the rack rack your brain/brains RAG see also RAGS be like a red rag to a buli chew the rag lose your rag RAGE be all the rage RAGGED be on the ragged edge run sb ragged RAGS go from rags to riches rags-to-riches: see go from rags to riches your glad rags RAIL be as thin as a rail RAILS be back on the rails go off the rails put sth back on the rails: see be back on the rails RAIN see also RAINING. RAINS ask (sb) for a rain check: see I'll take a rain check be as right as rain Please purchase PDF Split-Merge on www.verypdf.com to remove this watermark. RAINBOWS (come) rain or shine I'll get a rain check I'll take a rain check rain on sb's parade RAINBOWS chase rainbows RAINING It's raining cats and dogs! RAINS It never rains but it pours. RAINY a rainy day fund: see save (stb) for a rainy day save (stb) for a rainy day RAISE make/raise a stink raise (a few) eyebrows raise Cain raise hell raise (sb's) hackles raise the roof raise tbe specter of stb: see raise the spectre of stb raise tbe spectre of stb raise tbe tone: see lower tbe tone raise your game raise your hand against/to sb raise/rear its (ugly) head raise/up the ante RAISED raised eyebrows: see raise (a few) eyebrows RAKE arake-otI be as thin as a rake rake over the ashes rake over tbe coals RAM ram sth down sb's throat RAMROD be as stiff/ straight as a ramrod RANCH bet the farm/ranch RANGE at point-blank range RANK pull rank rank-and-fJ.1e: see the rank andfJ.1e tbe rank and fJ.1e RANKS break ranks close ranks join tbe ranks of stb RANSOM a king's ransom hold sb to ransom RAP a bum rap a rap across/ on/ over tbe knuckles a rap sheet beattberap 554 rap sb's knuckles: see a rap across/ on! over tbe knuckles taketberap RAPTURES go into raptures RARING be raring to go RASPBERRY blow a raspberry give a raspberry RAT a pack rat aratfmk a rat race look like a drowned rat rat-arsed rat-assed: see rat-arsed smell a rat RAT·ASSED rat-assed: seerat-arsed RATE at a rate of knots RATTLE rattle sb's cage RAVING be stark raving mad RAW come the raw prawn get a raw deal hit/touch a (raw) nerve in tberaw life in tbe raw RAY a ray of sunshine RAYS catch a few rays catch some rays RAZZLE a night (out) on the razzle: see be/go (out) on tbe razzle be/go (out) on tbe razzle RAZZLE-DAZZLE razzle-dazzle razzle-dazzle: see razzle- dazzle REACH reach boiling point reach for the moon/ stars reach the end of tbe line/road: see be the end of tbe line/road reach tbe end of your rope: see be at tbe end of your tetber reach tbe end of your tetber: see be at tbe end of your tetber REACHED things have come to/reached a pretty pass REACTION a gut reaction READ read between tbe lines Read my lips! read sb like a book read (sb) tbe riot act read sb's mind read the runes read/see the handwriting on the wall: see the writing is on the wall read! see the writing on the wall: see tbe writing is on tbe wall take it as read READY be ready to roll fit/ready to drop ready cash/money rough and ready REAL Get real! the real McCoy REAP AB you sow, so shall you reap. reap a/the harvest of stb reap tbe whirlwind You reap what you sow. REAPER tbe Grim Reaper REAR bring up tbe rear raise/rear its (ugly) head rear-end sth REARGUARD fight a rearguard action REARRANGING be like rearranging tbe deckchairs on tbe Titanic REASON it stands to reason no rhyme or reason without rhyme or reason: see no rhyme or reason REBOUND on tbe rebound RECEIVED the conventional/received wisdom RECEIVING be at/ on tbe receiving end RECHARGE recharge your batteries RECIPE be a recipe for [disaster/ happiness/success etc.] RECKONED be a force to be reckoned witb RECKONING tbe day of reckoning RECORD a track record be a matter of record be on record: see go on record for tbe record go on record off the record off-the-record: see off tbe record Please purchase PDF Split-Merge on www.verypdf.com to remove this watermark. on the record: see off the record put/set the record straight RED a red eye a red herring a red-letter day be in the red be like a red rag to a bull be on full/red alert be put on full/red alert: see be on full/red alert catch sb red-handed go as red as a beet go as red as a beetroot go beet red go beetroot (red) not a red cent paint the town red red-blooded red eye red-eye: see a red eye red-hot red tape roll out the red carpet see red the red-carpet treatment: see roll out the red carpet the red-light district RED-CARPET the red-carpet treatment: see roll out the red carpet REDUCE reduce sb to tears REDUCED in reduced circumstances REFRESHMENT liquid refreshment REFUSAL give sb (the right of/to) first refusal have (the right of/to) first refusal: see give sb (the right of/to) first refusal REGULAR be as regular as clockwork REIGN a reign of terror REIN allow/give sb (a) free rein allow/give sth (a) free rein keep a tight rein on sb/sth keep sb/sth on a tight rein REINS hand over the reins loosen/relax the reins: see tighten the reins take over/up the reins tighten the reins REINVENT reinvent the wheel RELATION a poor relation 555 RELAX loosen/relax the reins: see tighten the reins RELIEF light relief RELIGION get religion RENAISSANCE a Renaissance man RENT a rent boy REOPEN open/reopen old wounds REPENT Marry in haste, repent at leisure. REPUBLIC a banana republic RESISTANCE take the line/path of least resistance REST Give ita rest! God rest her/his soul. head and shoulders above [the others/the rest etc.] I rest my case. put/ set sb's mind at rest rest on your laurels the rest is history There's no peace/restfor the wicked! RETREAT beat a retreat RETURN return the compliment the point of no return REVERT revert to type REVOLVING a revolving door RHYME no rhyme or reason without rhyme or reason: see no rhyme or reason RIBS stick to your ribs RICH a rich seam be (all) pari of life's rich pageant/tapestry filthy/stinking rich strike it rich That's (a bit) rich! RICHES an embarrassment of riches go from rags to riches RIDDANCE Good riddance (to bad rubbish)! RIDDLES talk in riddles RIDE see also RIDING a bumpy/rough ride a free ride RIGHT an easy/smooth ride: see a bumpy/rough ride come/go along for the ride let sth ride ride herd on sb/sth ride (on) a/the wave ride on the back of sth ride out/weather the storm ride roughshod over sth/sb ride the crest of a wave: see be on the crest of a wave take sb for a ride RIDICULOUS from the sublime to the ridiculous RIDING be heading/riding for a fall be riding high RIFF-RAFF riff-raff RIGHT a bit of all right a God-given right be as right as rain be in a (pretty/right) pickle be in the (right) ballpark: see be in the same ballpark be in the right place at the right time be (just/right) up sb's street be on the right lines be (on) the right side of 30/40 etc.: see be (on) the wrong side of 30/40 etc. be on the right track be (right) on the money be (right) up sb's arse be (right) up there with sb/sth get off/start off on the right foot: see get off/start off on the wrong foot give sb (the right of/to) first refusal good/right and proper hang a left/right have your head screwed on (the right way) hit/strike the right note (if you) play your cards right left and right left, right and centre look right/straight through sb make (all) the right noises might is right might makes right MrRight not be right in the head press/push the right button/buttons put sb on the right track: see be on the right track right and left (right) off the bat right-on Please purchase PDF Split-Merge on www.verypdf.com to remove this watermark. [...]... (do as the Romans do) ROOF a roof over your head be like a cat on a hot tin roof go through the roof hit the ceiling/roof raise the roof the roof caves/falls in ROOFTOPS see be off ROCKET get a rocket: see give sb a rocket give sb a rocket go like a rocket it doesn't take a rocket scientist it's not rocket science: see it doesn't take a rocket scientist shout sth from the roof tops ROOM elbowroom not... rod for your own back rule (sb) with a rod of iron be off your rocker go off your rocker: your rocker a roll in the hay be on a roll be ready to roll heads will roll roll out the red carpet roll with the punches roll your sleeves up roll/trip off the tongue ROLLER a high roller a roller coaster roller-coaster: see a roller coaster ROLLING be as easy as rolling off a log be rolling in it be rolling in... rock the boat rock/shake sth to its foundations rock/shake the foundations of sth RIOT read (sb) the riot act run riot RIP let it/her rip let rip RIP-OFF a rip-off Rlp·ROARING rip-roaring ROCKER RIPE at the ripe old age of sth: see live to a ripe old age live to a ripe old age the time is ripe RIPPLE effect RISE get a rise out of sb make (sb's) hackles Rise and shine! rise from the dead rise to the bait... rolling ROMANS ROCK see also ROCKS RINKY-DINK be on the rocks get your rocks off The hand that rocks the cradle (rules the world) ROLL see also ROLLING a road hog be the end of the line/road down the road go down that road hit the road Let's get the/this show on the road one for the road reach the end of the line/road: see be the end of the line/road road-to-Damascus: see your road to Damascus The road to... spectacles ROSES be no bed of roses bring the roses to sb's cheeks come out/up smelling like roses come out/up smelling of roses Everything's coming up roses not be a bed of roses not be all moonlight and roses put the roses in sb's cheeks ROSY Everything in the garden is rosy ROT stop the rot the rot sets in ROTTEN a bad/rotten apple be rotten to the core spoil sb rotten ROUGH a bit of rough a bumpy/rough... up rough give sb a rough time give sb the rough side of your tongue have a rough time (of it): see give sb a rough time if the going gets rough/tough: see when the going gets rough/tough rough and ready rough-and-tumble: seethe rough and tumble of sth rough edges rough it rough justice rough trade take the rough with the smooth the rough and tumble of sth when the going gets rough/tough ROUGHSHOD ride... the life of Riley RING see also RINGING alarm bells start to ring: see set (the) alarm bells ringing have a familiar ring (to it) have a hollow ring: see ring/sound hollow have a ring to it ring a bell ring any bells: see ring a bell ring off the hook ring the changes ring true ring/sound hollow the brass ring throw/toss your hat in the ring RINGER risk life and limb risk your neck RITE a rite of passage... root-and-branch: see root and branch take root ROOTED glued/rooted to the spot ROOTS put down roots the grass roots ROPE be at the end of your rope be money for old rope give sb enough rope (to hang themselves) Go piss up a rope! reach the end of your rope: see be at the end of your tether ROPES be on the ropes know the ropes: see show sb the ropes show sb the ropes ROSE-COLORED rose-colored glasses: see... ring a bell ring off the hook ring the changes ring true ring/sound hollow the brass ring throw/toss your hat in the ring RINGER risk life and limb risk your neck RITE a rite of passage rite -of- passage: see a rite of passage be a dead ringer for sb/sth bells ringing RINGS run rings around/round a ringside ROARING business trade sb rob Peter to pay Paul rob the cradle: see a cradlerobber ROBBERY daylight... rug pull the rug from under sb's feet pull the rug from under sb/sth sweep sth under the mat/rug RUIN go to rack/wrack and ruin RULE a rule of thumb be the exception that proves the rule divide and conquer/rule let your heart rule your head rule (sb) with a rod of iron rule (sb) with an iron fist/hand rule the roost RULES bend/ stretch the rules no hard and fast rules The hand that rocks the cradle . do). ROOF a roof over your head be like a cat on a hot tin roof go through the roof hit the ceiling/roof raise the roof the roof caves/falls in ROOFTOPS. slice of the action be a nasty piece of work be a piece of cake be a piece of piss be (all) of a piece give sb a piece of your mind How long is a piece of