presence of mind
Effective and quick decision-making ability in times of crisis.
When Jimmy fell into the river, his father had the presence of mind to dive in after him and save him from drowning.
prey on one's mind
To afflict; worry.
He couldn't sleep because his many debts were preying on his mind.
pride must take a pinch
One must endure the minor pains and hardships one encounters while being made pretty. A proverb.
Человек должен умерить свою гордость и проявить смирение. Важно держать свою гордость под контролем и не позволять ей стать подавляющей или привести к высокомерию.
"Mother," Sue cried, "stop pulling my hair!" "Just a moment, young lady," the mother answered, while combing her hair. "Don't you know that pride must take a pinch?"
«Мама, — закричала Сью, — перестань дергать меня за волосы!» «Одну минуточку, юная леди», — ответила мать, расчесывая волосы. «Разве ты не знаешь, что чтобы чего-то достичь, нужно потерпеть?»
During the team meeting, Maria reminded everyone that sometimes pride must take a pinch if they wanted to reach a consensus and move forward effectively.
Во время собрания команды Мария напомнила всем, что иногда нужно ущемить гордость, если они хотят достичь консенсуса и эффективно двигаться вперед.
After the argument, Sarah realized that pride must take a pinch if she wanted to reconcile with her friend and mend their relationship.
После ссоры Сара поняла, что если она хочет помириться с подругой и наладить их отношения, ей придется поступиться своей гордостью.
proof of the pudding is in the eating
Only through actual experience can the value of something be tested. A proverb.
Только через реальный опыт можно проверить ценность чего-либо. Пословица.
He was intrigued by the ads about the new high mileage sports cars. "Drive one, sir," the salesman said. "The proof of the pudding is in the eating."
I'm going to try out my new DVD player. The proof of the pudding is in the eating as we all know!
Я собираюсь проверить свой новый DVD проигрыватель. Обо всем судят по результатам!
pull in one's horns
draw in one's horns
haul in one's horns
To reduce your boasts; calm down from a quarrel; back down on a promise.
He said he could beat any man there single-handed, but he pulled in his horns when Jack came forward.
To cut back from one's usual way of living; reduce spending or activities; save.
After the business failed, Father had to pull in his horns.
As one advances in years, it is prudent to pull in one's horns more and more as to physical activity.
pull one's leg
leg-pulling
To get someone to accept a ridiculous story as true; fool someone with a humorous account of something; trick.
Подшутить над кем-либо; разыграть; одурачить.
For a moment, I actually believed that his wife had royal blood. Then I realized he was pulling my leg.
Western cowboys loved to pull a stranger's leg.
Strangers were often fooled by the cowboys' leg-pulling.
My grandfather is always pulling my leg when he comes to visit us.
Мой дедушка всегда надо мной подшучивает, когда он приходит к нам в гости.
pull something on one
To perpetrate something prejudicial; deceive.
Larry pulled a very dirty trick on Ann when, after going with her for three years, he suddenly married another girl.
pull strings
pull wires
wire-puller
wire-pulling
To secretly use influence and power, especially with people in charge or in important jobs to do or get something; make use of friends to gain your wishes.
If you want to see the governor, Mr. Root can pull strings for you.
Jack pulled wires and got us a room at the crowded hotel.
Bill got a ticket for speeding, but his father is a wire-puller and got it fixed.
It took some wire-pulling to get the mayor to come to the party.