the likes of
Something like or similar to; something of the same kind as.
I have never seen the likes of John.
It was a chocolate sundae the likes of which Mary would never see again.
the long and the short
the long and short
All that needs to be said; the basic fact; point.
The long and the short of the matter is that the man is no actor.
The money isn't there, and that's the long and short of it.
the lull before the storm
the calm before the storm
Кажущаяся спокойной, но напряженная ситуация, которая может разразиться энергичными событиями.
The sales start on January 1st. The quiet period before that is just the lull before the storm.
Распродажи начинаются первого января. Тихий период перед этим – это просто затишье перед бурей.
We are going to have much difficult work tomorrow. So now is the calm before the storm.
Завтра у нас много трудной работы.Так что сейчас — затишье перед бурей.
the man
The police; a policeman.
I am gonna turn you in to the man.
The boss; the leader; the most important figure in an organization or outfit.
The man will decide.
the matter
be the matter
Not as it should be; wrong. Used in questions or with negatives or if.
Why don't you answer me? What's the matter?
John may be slow in arithmetic, but nothing's the matter with his pitching arm.
If anything is the matter, please tell me.
A: What is the matter, Betty? You look very upset.
B: Yes, something is the matter. I’ve lost my purse!
B: Yes, something is the matter. I’ve lost my purse!
A: Is something the matter, Charles? You don’t look well.
B: No, nothing is the matter. I’m just a little under the weather.
B: No, nothing is the matter. I’m just a little under the weather.
the more --- the more ---
the ---er the ---er
Used in two halves of a sentence to show that when there is more of the first, there is more of the second too.
The more you eat. the fatter you will get.
Get your report in when you can; the sooner, the better.
The bigger they are, the harder they fall.
The more Bill worked on the arithmetic problem, the more confused he became.
the other day
In the recent past.
I saw an incredible parade of elephants along Michigan Avenue the other day on my way to work.
the picture
get the picture
The way things are or were; the facts about something; the situation; what happened or happens.
Where does Susan come into the picture.
When you are looking for a job your education enters into the picture.
Old Mr. Brown is out of the picture now and his son runs the store.
After the fight on the playground, the principal talked to the boys who were watching, until he got the whole picture.