as happy as a flea in a doghouse
очень счастливый и довольный
Since she moved to a smaller apartment, my mother is as happy as a flea in a doghouse.
С тех пор как она переехала в квартиру поменьше, моя мама неимоверно счастлива.
asking for trouble
"Лезть на рожон"; вести себя вызывающе, опасно.
Going to that dangerous street is really asking for trouble!
Идти на ту опасную улицу — это все равно что искать неприятности!
at one's fingertips
Within easy reach; quickly touched; nearby.
Seated in the cockpit, the pilot of a plane has many controls at his fingertips.
Readily usable as knowledge or skill; familiar.
He had several languages at his fingertips.
He had the whole design of the machine at his fingertips.
at pains
Making a special effort.
At pains to make a good impression, she was prompt for her appointment.
at swords' points
Ready to start fighting; very much opposed to each; other hostile; quarreling.
The dog's barking kept the Browns at swords' points with their neighbors for months.
The mayor and the reporter were always at swords' points.
at the hands of someone
at the hands of something
дословно: В руках у кого-либо или чего-либо
Зависеть от кого-либо или чего-либо.
Зависеть от кого-либо или чего-либо.
We were at the hands of nature as we waited for the storm to end.
Мы были в руках у природы, пока ждали окончания грозы.
at the point of
Very near to; almost at or in.
When Mary broke her favorite bracelet, she was at the point of tears.
The boy hurt in the accident lay at the point of death for a week, then he got well.
ax to grind
Something to gain for yourself: a selfish reason.
In praising movies for classroom use he has an ax to grind; he sells motion picture equipment.
When Charles told the teacher he saw Arthur copying his homework from Jim, he had an ax to grind; Arthur would not let Charles copy from him.