before one can say Jack Robinson
between two shakes of a lamb's tail
in the twinkling of an eye
Very quickly; suddenly. An overused phrase.
Очень быстро; неожиданно.
Before I could say Jack Robinson, the boy was gone.
She could do it in two shakes of a lamb’s tail.
Она могла это делать быстро и без затруднений.
beg the question
To accept as true something that is still being argued about, before it is proved true; avoid or not answer a question or problem.
The girls asked Miss Smith if they should wear formal dresses to the party; Miss Smith said they were begging the question because they didn't know yet if they could get permission for a party.
Laura told Tom that he must believe her argument because she was right. Father laughed and told Laura she was begging the question.
behind the eight-ball
behind the eight ball
In a difficult position; in trouble.
В трудном положении; неприятности; в безвыходной ситуации.
Mr. Thompson is an older man, and when he lost his job, he found he was behind the eight-ball.
Мистер Томсон пожилой человек, когда он потерял свою работу, он оказался в затруднительном положении.
Bill can't dance and has no car, so he is behind the eight-ball with the girls.
I'm really behind the eight ball at work. I have too much work to do but we can't afford to hire anyone to help out.
Я в безвыходной ситуации на работе. У меня слишком много работы, а компания не может позволить себе нанять сотрудника в помощь.
behind the scenes
Out of sight; unknown to most people; privately.
Much of the banquet committee s work was done behind the scenes.
John was president of the club, but behind the scenes Lee told him what to do.
behind the times
Using things not in style; still following old ways; old-fashioned.
Johnson's store is behind the times.
The science books of 30 years ago are behind the times now.
Mary thinks her parents are behind the times because they still do the foxtrot and don't know any new dances.
belabor the point
labor the point
To overexplain something to the point of obviousness, resulting in ridicule.
"Lest I belabor the point," the teacher said, "I must repeat the importance of teaching good grammar in class."
below the belt
hit below the belt
In the stomach; lower than is legal in boxing.
В живот; ниже чем разрешено в боксе.
He struck the other boy below the belt.
In an unfair or cowardly way; against the rules of sportsmanship or justice; unsportingly; wrongly.
Совершать что-то нечестное или трусливое; удар ниже пояса.
It was hitting below the belt for Mr. Jones's rival to tell people about a crime that Mr. Jones committed when he was a young boy.
Pete told the students to vote against Harry because Harry was in a wheelchair and couldn't be a good class president, but the students thought Pete was hitting below the belt.
I think it was a hit below the belt when he lied to her.
Я думаю, это было немного нечестно, что он лгал ей.
My friend was hitting below the belt when he criticized me after I told him my true feelings.
Мой друг ударил ниже пояса, когда начал критиковать меня после того, как я рассказал ему о своих истинных чувствах.
beside the point
beside the question
Off the subject; about something different.
What you meant to do is beside the point; the fact is you didn't do it.
The judge told the witness that his remarks were beside the point.