tail between one's legs
State of feeling beaten, ashamed, or very obedient, as after a scolding or a whipping. (So called because a beaten dog usually puts his tail down between his legs and slinks away.)
The army sent the enemy home with their tails between their legs.
The boys on the team had boasted they would win the tournament, but they went home with their tails between their legs.
take a load off one's feet
To alleviate one's fatigue by sitting down during some taxing work.
"You've been standing there for hours, Jake," John said. "Why don't you take a load off your feet?"
take at one's word
To believe everything (someone) says; to act on what is said.
If you say you don't want this coat, I'll take you at your word and throw it away.
When the king said he wished to be rid of his advisor, a friend took him at his word and murdered the councillor.
take for a ride
take someone for a ride
To take out in a car intending to murder.
The gang leader decided that the informer must be taken for a ride.
To play a trick on; fool. To cheat or swindle someone.
The girls told Linda that a movie star was visiting the school, but she did not believe them; she thought they were taking her for a ride.
Poor Joe Catwallender was taken for a ride.
To take unfair advantage of; fool for your own gain.
His girlfriend really took him for a ride before he stopped dating her.
To kill someone after kidnapping.
The criminals took the man for a ride.
take into one's head
take it into one's head
take a notion
To get a sudden idea; decide without thinking.
The boy suddenly took it into his head to leave school and get a job.
Grandmother keeps a bag packed so that she can go visiting whenever she takes a notion.
take leave of one's senses
To go mad; become crazy.
"Have you taken leave of your senses? "Jake cried, when he saw Andy swallow a live goldfish.
take off one's hands
To abdicate one's responsibility of a person or matter.
"I am herewith taking my hand off your affairs," Lou's father said. "See how you succeed on your own."
To buy; relieve someone of something.
He offered to take my old car off my hands for $350.
take off one's hat to
To give honor, praise, and respect to.
He is my enemy, but I take off my hat to him for his courage.