have someone by the balls
To have someone at a disadvantage or in one's power.
The kidnappers had the company by the balls for six long weeks.
have something on the ball
To be smart, clever; to be skilled and have the necessary know-how.
You can trust Syd; he's got a lot on the ball OR he's got something on the ball.
heading for a fall
riding for a fall
Behaving in an overconfident way that is likely to lead to trouble; being too sure of yourself; doing something dangerous.
Рубить сук на котором сидишь; вести себя таким образом, который определенно вызовет непреятности.
The student who does not study for exams is riding for a fall.
Mr. Smith has borrowed too much money on his home. He is riding for a fall.
Greg's riding for a fall - he gets to work late and spends hours talking to his friends on the phone.
Грэг роет самому себе яму – опаздывает на работу и часами висит на телефоне с друзьями.
hit on all cylinders
To run smoothly or at full power without any missing or skipping. Said of a motor.
The mechanic tuned the car engine until it was hitting on all cylinders.
To think or work well; to use all your ability.
The football team was hitting on all cylinders and scored a big victory.
Bob began to write his examination, and found himself hitting on all cylinders.
hold all the trumps
To have the best chance of winning; have all the advantages; have full control.
Most of the team wants John for captain and he is the best player. He will he elected captain because he holds all the trumps.
Freddy has a quarter and I have no money, so he holds all the trumps and can buy whatever he wants with it.
hole-in-the-wall
hole in the wall
A small place to live, stay in, or work in; a small, hidden, or inferior place.
The jewelry store occupied a tiny hole-in-the-wall.
When Mr. and Mrs. Green were first married, they lived in a little hole-in-fhe-wall in a cheap apartment building.
A tunnel.
Let's get through this hole in the wall, then we'll change seats.
in all
All being counted; altogether.
You have four apples and I have three bananas, making seven pieces of fruit in all.
In all we did very well.
in any case
in any event
at all events
No matter what happens: surely; without fail; certainly; anyhow; anyway.
It may rain tomorrow, but we are going home in any case.
I may not go to Europe, but in any event, I will visit you during the summer.
Regardless of anything else; whatever else may be true; anyhow; anyway.
Tom was not handsome and he was not brilliant, but at all events he worked hard and was loyal to his boss.
I don't know if it is a white house or a brown house. At all events, it is a big house on Main Street.