Reach/be at fever pitch = be at a state of extreme excitement.

• The football crowd was at fever pitch.
• Excitement at the stadium had reached/ was at fever pitch.
• Campaigning is reaching fever pitch for elections in November.

Get/go beyond a joke = it has stopped being funny and is now a serious matter/ annoying or worrying.

• I don’t mind helping her out occasionally, but this is getting beyond a joke.
• He is very patient and can tolerate anything,  but this is getting beyond a joke.

A pack of lies = a number of false statements made to deliberately hide the truth

• The whole report is a pack of lies.
• You told me a pack of lies.

Talk shop = talk about work/job when you are not at work( with those you work with).

• Even at a party they have to talk shop , i.e  talk about one’s work and this is boring for the other people who do not do the same work.
• Please don’t talk shop.  It’s too boring for the rest of us.

Spread the word = communicate a message to a lot of people.

• We have arranged a meeting for next Thursday so if you see anyone do spread the word.
• Hey, the game is cancelled due to the rain-  spread the word.
• Spread the word that we are leaving in five minutes.

Keep track = to make certain that you know what is happening or has happened to something/someone.

• My sister has had so many jobs , it’s hard for me to keep track (of what she is doing).
• You have so many students.  I really wonder how you keep track of them all.
• (Opp) I’ve lost track of the number of times I’ve lost my keys.

Put on hold = left until a later date ( usually used in the passive)

• Plans for building the extension have been put on hold until our finances are in a better state.
• He put his retirement on hold until he had found a solution.
• I am afraid that the whole matter is on hold just now.

On paper = when you read about it, it may seem OK , but might not turn out to be so.

• The plans look great on paper, but you never know quite how things will turn out , of course.

1. wouldn’t dream of = wouldn’t even remotely think of/ wouldn’t do because you think it is wrong or silly.

• Even if it were lying open on my desk, I wouldn’t dream of reading another person’s letter.
• My father is very generous , but I wouldn’t dream of actually asking him for money.

2. Lead someone astray = cause someone to act or think foolishly or wrongly.

• I’m afraid that this young man has been leading you astray.
• Nobody can lead him astray.

3. Necessary evil = An evil that must be allowed for greater good to result. (Necessary evil may refer to the ‘lesser’ in the ‘ the lesser of two evils’ principle.)

• These days, student loans are a necessary evil in order to get an education that leads to a well-paying job.
• Most Americans accept taxes as a necessary evil.

Take kindly to = be receptive to , attracted by or pleased with;  like something.

• He won’t take kindly to your stepping on his newly planted grass.
• She doesn’t take kindly to anyone drinking her soft drinks.
• I hope they will take kindly to our request.

Don’t know which way to turn or where to turn = to be unsure of what to do or whom to ask for help.

• When he lost his job, he didn’t know where to ask for help.
•  When I had a massive heart attack unexpectedly , I didn’t know which way to turn for meeting my hospital expenses.
• When he was hard up for money during his house construction, he didn’t know which way to turn.

Take pot luck = take whatever food happens to be in the cooking pot ; come to eat whatever happens to be served (without choice).

• You are welcome to join us for supper but you’ii have to take pot luck.
• Come home with me and take pot luck.

Be the luck of the draw = be the result of chance and something that you have no control over.

• You cannot choose who you play against, it is just the luck of the draw.
•  It was just the luck of the draw that we could work so well together.

Give oneself airs and graces = false way of behaving that are intended to make other people feel that you are important and belong to a high social class.

• He was always giving himself airs and graces.
• She has got no reason to give herself airs and graces.

Have it out with someone = to talk to someone about something they have done that makes you angry , in order to try to solve the problem.

• He decided to have it out with her about the troubles caused by her pet dog.
• We wanted to have it out with the domestic help as she had been late for work everyday.

A small fortune = a large amount of money.

• That dusty old painting on the wall could be worth a small fortune.
• You will have to spend a small fortune in legal fees if you sue for compensation.

1. As easy as taking candy from a baby = extremely easy.

• Beating them was the easiest thing in the world.  It was as easy as taking candy from a baby.

2. I would give anything = to want something very much.

• I would give anything to see the pyramids of Egypt.

3. A foregone conclusion = a result that can be predicted with certainty.

• The result of the election seems to be a foregone conclusion.
• It’s almost a foregone conclusion that you will get what you want.

4. Chance one’s arm ( or luck) = to take a risk in order to get something you want.

• The ferryman decided not to chance his luck in the storm.
• He knew he wasn’t likely to win the contest, but decided to chance his arm anyway.