under one's nose
under the nose of
In sight of; in an easily seen or noticeable place.
The thief walked out of the museum with the painting, right under the nose of the guards.
When Jim gave up trying to find a pen, he saw three right under his nose on the desk.
under one's own steam
By one's own efforts; without help.
The boys got to Boston under their own steam and took a bus the rest of the way.
We didn't think he could do it, but Bobby finished his homework under his own steam.
under one's spell
Unable to resist one's influence.
From the first moment they saw each other, Peter was under Nancy's spell.
under one's thumb
under the thumb of
Obedient to you; controlled by you; under your power.
The Jones family is under the thumb of the mother.
Jack is a bully. He keeps all the younger children under his thumb.
The mayor is so popular that he has the whole town under his thumb.
under one's wing
take under one's wing
Under the care or protection of.
Helen took the new puppy under her wing.
The boys stopped teasing the new student when Bill took him under his wing.
up one's sleeve
in one's sleeve
Hidden in the sleeve of one's shirt or coat and ready for secret or wrongful use.
The crooked gambler hid aces up his sleeve during the card game so that he would win.
Kept secretly ready for the right time or for a time when needed.
Козырь в рукаве, запасной вариант.
Jimmy knew that his father had some trick up his sleeve because he was smiling to himself during the checker game.
If that medicine doesn’t work, I’ve got some other ways of treating you up my sleeve.
Если это лекарство не сработает, у меня есть еще кое-что в запасе.
up to one's ears
Immersed in; covered with.
"Around final examination time," Professor Brown explained, "I am always up to my ears in work."
I’d love to take a week off for a hiking trip, but at the moment I am over my head in work. Maybe next week when I’m only up to my ears!
up to one's neck
Overwhelmed with; submerged in.
"During the summer season in our cottage by the lake," the Allens complained, "we are usually up to our necks in uninvited guests."