nose in a book
Busy interest in reading. Used with a possessive.
Mother can't get Mary to help do the housework; she always has her nose in a book.
on the spot
in a spot
upon the spot
At that exact time and at the same time or place; without waiting or leaving.
The news of important events is often broadcast on the spot over television.
When Tom ruined an expensive machine, his boss fired him on the spot.
In trouble, difficulty, or embarrassment.
Mr. Jones is on the spot because he cannot pay back the money he borrowed.
Bill is on the spot; he invited George to visit him, but Bill's parents said no.
In danger of murder; named or listed for death.
After he talked to the police, the gangsters put him on the spot.
once in a blue moon
Very rarely; very seldom; almost never.
Очень редко, почти никогда.
Coin collecting is interesting, hut you find a valuable coin only once in a blue moon.
Once in a blue moon someone grows a very pale marigold, but no truly white marigolds have been raised.
Bill has very little contact with his brother. They see each other once in a blue moon.
Билл почти не общается с братом. Они встречаются совсем не часто.
I visit my relatives once in a blue moon.
Я навещаю своих родственников очень редко.
Snow falls on the city of San Diego, California, once in a blue moon.
Once in a blue moon my wife and I eat at a very expensive restaurant.
once in a while
Not often; not regularly; sometimes; occasionally.
We go for a picnic in the park once in a while.
Once in a while the puppy would run away, but usually he stayed in the yard.
Gary gets a cold once in a while even though he takes good care of himself.
out of thin air
Out of nothing or from nowhere.
The teacher scolded Dick because his story was made out of thin air.
On the way home from town, Tom saw a house standing on the lot that had been empty that morning; it seemed to have appeared out of thin air.
pig in a poke
An unseen bargain; something accepted or bought without looking at it carefully.
Buying land by mail is buying a pig in a poke: sometimes the land turns out to be under water.
put in a word for
To speak in favor of someone; recommend someone.
"Don't worry about your job application," Sam said to Tim. "I'll put in a word for you with the selection committee."
put in an appearance
make an appearance
To be present, esp. for a short time; visit; appear.
He put in an appearance at work, but he was too ill to stay.
The president put in an appearance at several dances the evening after he was sworn in.