hot seat
The electric chair used to cause death by electrocution in legal executions.
Many a man has controlled a murderous rage when he thought of the hot seat.
A position in which you can easily get into trouble.
A judge in a beauty contest is on the hot seat. If he chooses one girl, the other girls will be angry with him.
in great measure
to a large extent
To a great extent; largely.
The Japanese attack on Hawaii was in great measure a contributing factor to President Roosevelt's decision to enter World War II.
in the driver's seat
In control; having the power to make decisions.
Stan is in the driver's seat now that he has been made our supervisor at the factory.
in the same breath
At the same time; without waiting.
John would complain about hard times, and in the same breath boast of his prize-winning horses.
Jane said Bill was selfish, but in the same breath she said she was sorry to see him leave.
In the same class; in as high a group. Usually used in the negative with mention, speak, or talk.
Mary is a good swimmer, but she should not be mentioned in the same breath with Joan.
judgment seat
A place where you are judged; a place where justice and punishment are given out.
Mrs. Smith is so bossy, she always acts as though she is in the judgment seat.
jump the gun
beat the gun
To start before the starter's gun in a race.
The runners were called back because one of them jumped the gun.
To start before you should; start before anyone else.
The new students were not supposed to come before noon, but one boy jumped the gun and came to school at eight in the morning.
The students planned to say happy birthday to the principal when the teacher raised her hand, but Sarah jumped the gun and said it when he came into the room.
knock the living daylights out of
knock the stuffing out of
beat the shit out of
To render (someone) unconscious (said in exaggeration).
Лишить мужества; заставить дрожать, трепетать от страха.
The news almost knocked the living daylights out of me.
Traveling by plane always knocks the stuffing out of her.
Она всегда испытывает страх при полете в самолете.
leatherneck
A member of the United States Marine Corps.
I didn't know your son Joe became a leatherneck.