stars in one's eyes
An appearance or feeling of very great happiness or expectation of happiness.
Mary gets stars in her eyes when she thinks of her boyfriend.
A belief in the possibility of quick and lasting reforms in people and life and an eagerness to make such changes.
Some inexperienced people get stars in their eyes when they think of improving the world.
stew in one's own juice
To suffer from something that you have caused to happen yourself.
John lied to Tom, but Tom found out. Now Tom is making John stew in his own juice.
I warned you not to steal those apples. You got caught, and you can stew in your own juice.
stick in one's craw
stick in one's crop
To make you angry; bother you; annoy you.
His parents' praise of his brother stuck in Jerry's craw.
Sue's failure to get a better grade than Ann stuck in her crop.
stick in one's throat
To be something you do not want to say; be hard to say.
Jean wanted to ask the teacher's pardon, but the words stuck in her throat.
stop cold
stop dead
stop in one's tracks
To stop very quickly or with great force.
The hunter pulled the trigger and stopped the deer cold.
When I saw Mary on the street, I was so surprised I stopped dead.
The deer heard a noise and he stopped in his tracks.
take one's life in one's hands
To face great danger or take great risk.
Driving that car with those worn tires would be taking your life in your hands.
He took his life in his hands when he tried to capture the wild horse.
take the bit in one's mouth
take the bit in one's teeth
To have your own way; take charge of things; take control of something.
When Mary wanted something, she was likely to take the bit in her teeth and her parents could do nothing with her.
thorn in the flesh
thorn in one's side
Something that causes stubborn trouble; a constant bother; a vexation.
The new voter organization soon became the biggest thorn in the senator's side.
The guerrilla band was a thorn in the flesh of the invaders.