at the top of one's voice
at the top of one's lungs
As loud as you can; with the greatest possible sound; very loudly.
He was singing at the top of his voice.
He shouted at the top of his lungs.
at worst
at the worst
Under the worst conditions; as the worst possibility.
When Don was caught cheating in the examination he thought that at worst he would get a scolding.
In the least favorable view, to say the worst about a thing.
The treasurer had certainly not stolen any of the club's money; at worst, he had forgotten to write down some of the things he had spent money for.
babe in the woods
A person who is inexperienced or innocent in certain things.
Человек, не обладающий опытом или наивен в определенной области знаний.
He is a good driver, but as a mechanic he is just a babe in the woods.
As a painter, Mary is fine, but she's a babe in the woods as a musician.
В качестве художника Мэри хороша, но что касается музыки – она просто дитя.
back the wrong horse
To support a loser.
In voting for George Bush, voters in 1992 were backing the wrong horse.
back to the salt mines
Back to the job; back to work; back to work that is as hard or as unpleasant as working in a salt mine would be. An overworked phrase, used humorously.
The lunch hour is over, boys. Back to the salt mines!
"Vacation is over," said Billy. "Back to the salt mines."
back to the wall
back against the wall
In a trap, with no way to escape; in bad trouble.
The soldiers had their backs to the wall.
He was in debt and could not get any help; his back was against the wall.
The team had their backs to the wall in the second half.
band together
To join a group to exert united force.
The inhabitants of the ecologically threatened area banded together to stop the company from building new smokestacks.
bark up the wrong tree
To choose the wrong person to deal with or the wrong course of action; mistake an aim.
Совершить ошибку при выборе человека, с которым вести дела; выбрать ошибочный курс, стиль действий.
If he thinks he can fool me, he is barking up the wrong tree.
He is barking up the wrong tree when he blames his troubles on bad luck.
The police were looking for a tall thin man, but were barking up the wrong tree; the thief was short and fat.
The police are barking up the wrong tree if they think Johnny stole the car. He can't drive!
Полиция глубоко ошибается, если подозревает Джонни в краже машины. Он не умеет водить!