name of the game
The crux of the matter; that which actually occurs under the disguise of something else.
Getting medium income families to support the rest of society - that's the name of the game!
neck of the woods
Part of the country; place; neighborhood; vicinity.
We visited Illinois and Iowa last summer; in that neck of the woods the corn really grows tall.
We were down in your neck of the woods last week.
neither fish nor fowl
neither fish, flesh, nor fowl
Something or someone that does not belong to a definite group or known class; a strange person or thing; someone or something odd or hard to understand.
The man is neither fish nor fowl; he votes Democrat or Republican according to which will do him the most good.
Mrs. Harris bought a piece of furniture that was both a table and a chair. Mr. Harris said it was neither fish nor fowl.
The movie is neither fish nor fowl; it is a funny love story.
neither here nor there
Not important to the thing being discussed; off the subject; not mattering.
Perhaps you did stay up late finishing your homework. That's neither here nor there. You still must come to school on time.
The boys all like the coach but that's neither here nor there; the question is, "Does he know how to teach football?"
neither rhyme nor reason
No emotional or intellectual substance.
As far as I am concerned, his proposal makes no sense; it has neither rhyme nor reason.
new kid on the block
Новичек; вновь прибывший.
I'm just the new kid on the block - I've only been working here for a month.
Я здесь новичок - работаю всего месяц.
nigger in the woodpile
Something unexpected that changes a situation; a hidden factor or trick. Racist and offensive, but commonly used in the past.
I knew there had to be a nigger in the woodpile, because the man was being much too generous.
When the salesman gave him an extra tire for his bike, the boy suspected a nigger in the woodpile.
nineteen to the dozen
Говорить очень быстро, тараторить.
He was talking nineteen to the dozen so I didn't catch the whole story!
Он рассказывал так быстро, что я не понял истории!