out of the swim
Not doing what others are doing; not active in business or social affairs.
Mary had to stay home and take care of Mother while she was sick, and soon felt out of the swim.
The toy manufacturer who is out of the swim will lose money.
out of the way
get out of the way
put one out of the way
Not where people usually go; difficult to reach.
When little Tommy comes to visit her, Aunt Sally puts her lamps and vases out of the way.
Often used with hyphens before a noun.
Gold was found in an out-of-the-way village in the mountains, and soon a good road and airfield were built.
Jack and Fred found an old gun in an out-of-the-way corner of the empty house.
Not what is usual or proper; strange.
To leave before the guest of honor would be out of the way.
I'm sorry if I said something out of the way.
The night watchman looked around the building, but he saw nothing out of the way.
Not able to stop or bother you.
Tommy wished the visitors were out of the way so that he could have the candy for himself.
over a barrel
over the barrel
In the power of your enemies; not able to do anything about what happens to you; in a helpless condition; trapped.
Bill had Tom over a barrel because Tom owed him money.
Ralph has me over a barrel; I need five dollars, and he won't lend it to me unless I let him use my bicycle.
over the hill
Past one's prime; unable to function as one used to; senile.
Poor Mr. Jones is sure not like he used to be; well, he's over the hill.
over the hump
Past the most difficult part; past the crisis; out of danger.
Mary was failing math, but she is over the hump now.
John was very sick after his accident, hut he's over the hump.
When Mr. Smith was out of work it looked as if his family would have to go on relief, but they got over the hump.
over the top
Out of the trenches and against the enemy.
The plan was to spend the night in the trenches and go over the top at dawn.
Johnny found that he was braver than he thought he would be when his company went over the top.
Over the goal.
Our goal was to collect a half million dollars for the new school building, but we went over the top.
Mary was asked to sell twenty tickets, and she went over the top.
pad the bill
To add false expenses to a bill; make a bill larger than it really was.
The salesman padded the bill for his traveling expenses by exaggerating his food expenses.
pain in the ass
pain in the neck
An obnoxious or bothersome person or event.
Phoebe Hochrichter is a regular pain in the neck (ass).