throw up one's hands
To give up trying; admit that you cannot succeed.
Mrs. Jones threw up her hands when the children messed up the living room for the third time.
When Mary saw the number of dishes to be washed, she threw up her hands in dismay.
thus and so
thus and thus
In a particular way; according to directions that have been given.
The teacher is very fussy about the way you write your report. If you don't do it thus and so, she gives you a lower mark.
tie one's hands
tied one's hands
have one's hands tied
To make (a person) unable to do anything. Usually used in the passive.
Since Mary would not tell her mother what was bothering her, her mother's hands were tied.
Charles wanted to help John get elected president of the class, but his promise to another boy tied his hands.
Father hoped Jim would not quit school, but his hands were tied; Jim was old enough to quit if he wanted to.
time after again
time and again
time and time again
over and over
over and over again
Many times; repeatedly; very often.
I've told you time and again not to touch the vase!
Children are forgetful and must be told time and time again how to behave.
The actress studied her lines in the movie over and over until she knew them well.
Children have difficulty remembering rules, so it's often necessary to repeat them over and over again.
Time and again I have to remind Bobby to put on his seatbelt in the car.
time and a half
Pay given to a worker at a rate half again as much as he usually gets.
John got time and a half when he worked beyond his usual quitting time.
Tom gets one dollar for regular pay and a dollar and a half for time and a half.
tired and emotional
Эвфемизм для слова "пьяный", употребляемый в особенности по отношению к известным, уважаемым людям.
When he is not tired and emotional, Vuk Draskovic is a shrewd political observer.
Вук Драшкович, когда он не под мухой, очень проницательный политический обозреватель.
to all intents and purposes
In most ways; in fact.
The president is called the head of state, but the prime minister, to all intents and purposes, is the chief executive.
to and fro
Forward and back again and again.
Father pushed Judy in the swing, and she went to and fro.
Busses go to and fro between the center of the city and the city limits
The man walked to and fro while he waited for his phone call.