follow up
To chase or follow closely and without giving up.
The Indians followed up the wounded buffalo until it fell dead.
Make (one action) more successful by doing something more.
After Mary sent a letter to apply for a job, she followed it up by going to talk to the personnel manager.
The doctor followed up Billy's operation with x-rays, and special exercises to make his foot stronger.
To hunt for (more news about something that has already been in the newspapers, radio or TV news); find more about.
The day after news of the fire at Brown's store, the newspaper sent a reporter to follow up Mr. Brown's future plans.
To print or broadcast (more news about some happening that has been in the news before).
The fire story was printed Monday, and Tuesday's paper followed it up by saying that Mr. Brown planned to build a bigger and better store at the same place.
follow-up
Additional work or research by means of which an earlier undertaking's chances of success are increased.
I hope you'll be willing to do a bit of follow-up.
gallows' humor
Bitter joke(s) that make fun of a very serious matter, e.g. death, imprisonment, etc.
Gallows' humor: When the criminal was led to the electric chair on Monday morning, he said, "Nice way to start the week, eh?"
get the lowdown on
To receive the full inside information on a person or thing.
We need to get the lowdown on Peter before we can decide whether or not to hire him.
great guns
blow great guns
go great guns
Very fast or very hard. Usually used in the phrases blow great guns, go great guns.
The wind was blowing great guns, and big waves beat the shore.
The men were going great guns to finish the job.
Very well; successfully.
Smith's new store opened last week and it's going great guns.
hail-fellow-well-met
Talking easily and in a friendly way to everyone you meet.
John won the election as class president because he was hail-fellow-well-met.
A good friend and companion; buddy; pal.
John just moved to town but he and the boys in the neighborhood are already hail-fellows-well-met.
high and low
Everywhere.
The police were searching for the criminal high and low, but they couldn't find him.
hollow out
To cut or dig out or to cut or dig a hole in; make a cut or cave in; excavate.
The soldier hollowed out a foxhole in the ground to lie in.
The Indians used to hollow out a log to make a canoe.
Joe's father hollowed out a pumpkin to make a jack-o-lantern.