heap coals of fire on one's head
To be kind or helpful to someone who has done wrong to you, so that he is ashamed.
Alice heaped coals of fire on Mary's head by inviting her to a party after Mary had gossiped about her.
Jean Valjean stole the Bishop's silver, but the Bishop heaped coals of fire on his head by giving the silver to him.
in behalf of
on behalf of
on one's behalf
In place of; as a representative of; for.
John accepted the championship award on behalf of the team.
As a help to; for the good of.
The minister worked hard all his life in behalf of the poor.
in one's behalf
on one's behalf
For someone else; in your place.
My husband could not be here tonight, but I want to thank you on his behalf.
For the good of another person or group; as a help to someone.
My teacher went to the factory and spoke in my behalf when I was looking for a job.
land on one's feet
land on both feet
To get yourself out of trouble without damage or injury and sometimes with a gain; be successful no matter what happens.
No matter what trouble he gets into, he always seems to land on his feet.
Mary lost her first job because she was always late to work, but she landed on her feet and soon had a better job.
After a series of personal and professional difficulties, it’s amazing that George has landed on his feet so quickly.
Some young adults get into so much trouble at school that they are never able to land on their feet again. They drop out before graduating.
monkey on one's back
An unsolved or nagging problem.
Иметь серьезную проблему, которая мешает преуспеть в чем-либо; иметь очень серьезные неприятности.
"My math course is a real monkey on my back," Jack complained.
Seven games without scoring a goal was a monkey on the back of the famous soccer player.
Семь игр без забивания гола были серьезной проблемой для известного футболиста.
on one hand
Looking at a thing in one of two possible ways; from one point of view. Usually used with on the other hand.
John wants to be a printer or a teacher; on one hand, printing pays better; on the other hand, schools need good teachers.
on one's account
For your good; because you want to help or please someone.
Barry studied hard on his mother's account.
I hope you didn't bring tea to the picnic just on my account.
The teacher stayed in school a little late on Tom's account.
on one's back
Making insistent demands of you; being an annoyance or bother.
My wife has been on my back for weeks to fix the front door screen.
I can't get any work done with the children on my back from morning until night.
Jim could do a better job if his boss weren't on his back so often.