cancer stick
A cigarette.
Throw away that cancer stick! Smoking is bad for you!
carrot and stick
The promise of reward and threat of punishment, both at the same time.
Кнут и пряник.
John's father used the carrot and stick when he talked about his low grades.
The best method of upbringing is carrot and stick.
Самый лучший метод воспитания – кнут и пряник.
get on the stick
To get moving; to stop being idle and to start working vigorously.
All right, man, let's get on the stick!
hold a candle to
hold a stick to
To be fit to be compared with; be in the same class with. A trite phrase used in negative, interrogative, and conditional sentences.
Henry thought that no modern ball club could hold a candle to those of 50 years ago.
more than one could shake a stick at
Very many; a great many; more than you can count.
There were more people at the game than you could shake a stick at.
I had more assignments for homework than I could shake a stick at.
nose in
nose into
stick one's nose into
Prying or pestering interest in; unwelcome interest in; impolite curiosity.
He always had his nose in other people's business.
To move in close; move slowly in with the front first.
The ship nosed into the pier.
The car nosed into the curb.
rip off
stick it to somebody
(Stress on "off") Steal.
The hippies ripped off the grocery store.
Cheat.
The car dealership certainly ripped me off when I bought this car. It has caused me trouble constantly.
Be careful in doing business with that salesperson. He’ll stick it to you at the first opportunity.
stand up for
stick up for
To defend against attack; fight for.
John always stands up for his rights.
When Mary was being criticized, Jane stuck up for her.
If you don’t stand up for your rights in court, the lawyers will try to stick it to you.
Frank stood up for his friend, who was being put down by other teenagers nearby.