crystal ball
A ball, usually made of quartz crystal (glass) that is used by fortune-tellers.
The fortune-teller at the fair looked into her crystal ball and told me that I would take a long trip next year.
Any means of predicting the future.
My crystal ball tells me you'll be making the honor roll.
crystal gazing
The attempt to predict future events.
The magician's specialty was crystal gazing.
far cry from
Something very different.
His last statement was a far cry from his first story.
The first automobile could run, but it was a far cry from a modern car.
I enjoyed visiting Seattle, but it was a far cry from the ideal vacation spot I expected.
Ned is enjoying his new job, but his responsibilities are a far cry from what he was told they would be.
for crying out loud
Used as an exclamation to show that you feel surprised or cross.
For crying out loud, look who's here!
For crying out loud, that's the third time you've done it wrong.
hue and cry
An alarm and chase after a supposed wrongdoer; a pursuit usually by shouting men.
"Stop, thief," cried John as he ran. Others joined him, and soon there was a hue and cry.
An excited mass protest, alarm, or outcry of any kind.
The explosion was so terrible that people at a distance raised a great hue and cry about an earthquake.
say uncle
cry uncle
To say that you surrender; admit that you have lost; admit a defeat; give up.
Bob fought for five minutes, but he had to say uncle.
The bully twisted Jerry's arm and said, "Cry uncle."
The other team was beating us, but we wouldn't say uncle.
shoulder to cry on
shoulder to lean on
A sympathetic person who is willing to listen to one's complaints and troubles.
When Ken left her, Donna needed a shoulder to lean on, and Bob was right there to fill the role.