wet behind the ears
Not experienced; not knowing how to do something; new in a job or place.
The new student is still wet behind the ears; he has not yet learned the tricks that the boys play on each other.
what's sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander
What goes for the one, also goes for the other. A proverb.
If Herb gets a speeding ticket, so should Erica, who was right behind him; after all, what's sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander.
what's the big idea
what's the idea
What is the purpose; what do you have in mind; why did you do that; what are you doing; how dare you. Often used to question someone or something that is not welcome.
The Smith family painted their house red, white, and blue. What's the big idea?
What's the idea of coming in here after I told you not to?
I heard you are spreading false rumors about me, what's the big idea?
when the chips are down
When the winner and loser of a bet or a game are decided; at the most important or dangerous time. (From the fact that in gambling games, a person puts chips or money down in front of him to show that he is willing to risk an amount in a bet.)
Tom hit a home run in the last inning of the game when the chips were down.
When the chips were down, the two countries decided not to have war.
where the shoe pinches
Where or what the discomfort or trouble is.
Johnny thinks the job is easy, but he will find out where the shoe pinches when he tries it.
The coach said he wasn't worried about any position except quarterback; that was where the shoe pinched.
whether --- or
whether --- or whether
Used to introduce an indirect question.
You must decide whether you should go or stay.
I don't know whether Jack or Bill is a better player.
Used to show a choice of things, or that different things are possible.
Whether the bicycle was blue or red, it didn't matter to Frank.
whistle in the dark
To try to stay brave and forget your fear.
(From the fact that people sometimes whistle when walking in a dark, scary place to keep up their courage.)
(From the fact that people sometimes whistle when walking in a dark, scary place to keep up their courage.)
Пытаться сохранять спокойствие духа и позабыть о своих страхах.
Tom said he could fight the bully with one hand, but we knew that he was just whistling in the dark.
Tom looks confident but he's just whistling in the dark; he knows he's going to lose his job.
Том только выглядит уверенным, но он просто храбрится, он же знает, что потеряет работу.
wide of the mark
fall wide of the mark
Far from the target or the thing aimed at.
Что-то за пределами ожиданий, далеко от назначеной цели.
James threw a stone at the cat but it went wide of the mark.
The price offered was wide of the mark - it was sold for ten times more!
Предложенная цена была далека от действительности – продали в десять раз дороже!
Far from the truth; incorrect.
You were wide of the mark when you said I did it, because Bill did it.