be a poor hand at
To be inept, untalented, or clumsy in some activity.
Archibald is a poor hand at tennis so no one wants to play with him.
beat the band
At great speed; with much noise or commotion. Used after to.
The fire engines were going down the road to beat the band.
The audience cheered and stamped and clapped to beat the band.
beer and skittles
Дословно: Пиво и кегли
Сплошные удовольствия и развлечения; потакание своим слабостям.
Сплошные удовольствия и развлечения; потакание своим слабостям.
For Sam, college was beer and skittles. He wasted a lot of time and money.
Для Сэма колледж был одной большой забавой. Он выбросил на ветер много денег и времени.
best bib and tucker
sunday best
sunday go-to-meeting clothes
sunday-go-to-meeting clothes
dress like a million dollars
dressed like a peacock
Best clothes or outfit of clothing.
The cowboy got all dressed up in his best bib and tucker to go to the dance.
Mary went to the party in her Sunday best and made a hit with the boys.
between a rock and a hard place
between the devil and the deep blue sea
Between two dangers or difficulties, not knowing what to do.
Между двух опасностей или трудностей, в состоянии когда неизвестно что предпринять.
The pirates had to fight and be killed or give up and be hanged; they were between the devil and the deep blue sea.
I couldn't make up my mind. I was caught between a rock and a hard place.
Я не мог ничего решить. Я угодил между молотом и наковальней.
The boy was between a rock and a hard place; he had to go home and be whipped or stay in town all night and be picked up by the police.
Мальчик находился между двух огней – он должен был либо пойти домой и быть выпоротым, либо остаться в городе на всю ночь и быть пойманным полицией.
I’m between a rock and a hard place with management. They are determined to jettison a lot of hard-working employees.
between life and death
In danger of dying or being killed; with life or death possible.
He held on to the mountainside between life and death while his friends went to get help.
The little sick girl lay all night between life and death until her fever was gone.
between two fires
between a rock and a hard place
Between two dangers or difficulties, not knowing what to do.
The boy was between a rock and a hard place; he had to go home and be whipped or stay in town all night and be picked up by the police.
When the man's wife and her mother got together, he was between two fires.
big as life
large as life
big as life and twice as natural
The same size as the living person or thing.
The statue of Jefferson was big as life.
In person; real and living.
I had not seen him for years, but there he was, big as life and twice as natural.