wet one's whistle
To have a drink, especially of liquor.
Uncle Willie told John to wait outside for a minute while he went in to the cafe to wet his whistle.
win one's spurs
In old times, to be named a knight with the right to wear little sharp spikes on your heels.
A young squire won his spurs in battle.
To win fame or honor.
The young lieutenant won his spurs by leading an attack on enemy machine guns.
Edison won his spurs as an inventor while rather young.
He has yet to win his spurs as a big league ball player.
within an inch of one's life
Until you are almost dead; near to dying. Often used after to.
The bear clawed the hunter within an inch of his life.
The prize fighter was beaten to within an inch of his life.
words of one syllable
Language that makes the meaning very clear; simple, or frank language. Usually used after in.
Mary explained the job to Ann in words of one syllable so that she would be sure to understand.
Some people say that John is cute and mischievous, but in words of one syllable, he's just a brat.
work one's fingers to the bone
To work very hard.
"I have to work my fingers to the bone for a measly pittance of a salary," Fred complained.
world is one's oyster
Everything is possible for you; the world belongs to you; you can get anything you want.
Наслаждаться всеми возможностями и удовольствиями, которые предлагает жизнь.
When John won the scholarship, he felt as though the world was his oyster.
The rich girl acts as though the world is her oyster.
She left college feeling that the world was her oyster.
Она покинула колледж с чувством, что весь мир был теперь в ее распоряжении.
worth one's salt
Being a good worker, or a productive person; worth what you cost. Often used with not or hardly.
Быть хорошим работником или среативным человеком; оправдывать свою зарплату. Часто используется с "not" или "hardly".
Mr. Brown showed that he was worth his salt as a salesman when he got the highest sales record for the year.
When the basketball team did so poorly, people felt that the coach was hardly worth his salt.
Any inspector worth his salt would have checked the papers carefully.
Любой уважающий себя инспектор проверил бы эти документы очень внимательно.
wouldn't put it past one
To think that someone is quite capable or likely to have done something undesirable or illegal.
Congressman Alfonso is insisting that he didn't violate congressional ethics, but knowing both his expensive habits and his amorous escapades, many of us wouldn't put it past him that he might have helped himself to funds illegally.