feather in one's cap
Something to be proud of; an honor.
Что-то чем можно гордиться, почёт.
It was a feather in his cap to win first prize.
That harward degree is a feather in her cap.
Диплом из Гарварда это что-то чем она может по-настоящему гордиться.
From the medieval practice of placing a feather in the helmet of one who won honors in battle.
It’s a real feather in his cap to represent his country in the Olympics.
John earned a feather in his cap by getting an A in physics.
feather one's nest
To use for yourself money and power, especially from a public office or job in which you are trusted to help other people.
The rich man told his lawyer to use his money after he died to build a hospital for poor people, but the lawyer feathered his own nest with the money instead.
The man feathered his nest in politics by getting money from contractors who built roads.
To make your home pleasant and comfortable; furnish and decorate your house.
Furniture stores welcome young couples who want to feather their nests.
fine feathers do not make fine birds
A person who wears fine clothes may not be as good as he looks. A proverb.
Mary is pretty and she wears pretty clothes, but she is very mean. Fine feathers do not make fine birds.
fly by the seat of one's pants
To fly an airplane by feel and instinct rather than with the help of the instruments.
Many pilots in World War I had to fly by the seat of their pants.
Действовать по интуиции.
Without any formal training, he decided to fly by the seat of his pants and try his luck in New York.
Без какой-либо формальной подготовки он решил действовать наугад и попытать удачу в Нью-Йорке.
fuss and feathers
Unnecessary bother and excitement.
She is full of fuss and feathers this morning.
go to any length
go to great lengths
To do everything you can.
Bill will go to any length to keep Dick from getting a date with Mary.
good deal
great deal
A large amount; much. Used with a. Often used like an adverb.
Mrs. Walker's long illness cost her a good deal.
George spends a great deal of his time watching television.
Cleaning up after the party took a great deal more work than the girls expected.
Usually it takes Father half an hour to drive to work, but in bad weather it takes a good deal longer.
Mother likes the gloves Mary gave her, and she uses them a good deal.
George is a good deal like his father; they both love to eat.
good many
great many
A large number (of); very many. Used with a.
We found some fall flowers, but the frost had already killed a good many.
A great many of the houses were knocked down by the earthquake.
Tom has a good many friends at school.
Mary has a great many ideas for interesting programs.