American plan
A system of hotel management in which meals are included with the room, as opposed to the European plan that does not include meals.
American tourists in Europe sometimes expect that their meals will be included, because they are used to the American plan.
a man can't live by bread alone
Не хлебом единым жив человек.
A man cannot live by bread alone, so he needs to work to earn money.
Не хлебом единым жив человек, поэтому ему нужно работать, чтоб зарабатывать деньги.
as best one can
As well as you can; by whatever means are available; in the best way you can.
The car broke down in the middle of the night, and he had to get home as best he could.
George's foot hurt, but he played the game as best he could.
The girl's mother was sick, so the girl got dinner as best she could.
before one can say Jack Robinson
between two shakes of a lamb's tail
in the twinkling of an eye
Very quickly; suddenly. An overused phrase.
Очень быстро; неожиданно.
Before I could say Jack Robinson, the boy was gone.
She could do it in two shakes of a lamb’s tail.
Она могла это делать быстро и без затруднений.
beggars can't be choosers
People who can not choose what they will have, must accept what they get; if you are not in control, you must take what you can gel.
We wanted to leave on the train in the morning but it doesn't go until afternoon, so we must go then. Beggars can't he choosers.
Mary got a red dress from her sister, although she didn't like red. She kept it because she said beggars should not be choosers.
bite off more than one can chew
To try to do more than you can; be too confident of your ability.
Попытаться сделать больше чем можешь; не рассчитать своих сил; взяться за непосильное дело.
He bit off more than he could chew when he agreed to edit the paper alone.
He started to repair his car himself, but realized that he had bitten off more than he could chew.
It’s a very difficult project and he may find he’s bitten off more than he can chew.
Это очень сложный проект, и он может обнаружить, что это дело ему не по плечу.
When I accepted the position of chairman, I didn’t realize how much I was biting off.
When James registered for 18 units in his last semester at college, he bit off more than he could chew.
burn the candle at both ends
To work or play too hard without enough rest; get too tired.
He worked hard every day as a lawyer and went to parties and dances every night; he was burning the candle at both ends.
can of worms
A complex problem, or complicated situation.
Сложная проблема; запутанная ситуация.
Let's not get into big city politics - that's a different can of worms.
His new job as a waiter turned out to be a can of worms.
Его новая работа в качестве официанта оказалась для него слишком запутанной.
A very restless, jittery person.
Joe can't sit still for a minute - he is a can of worms.