Vocabulary: idioms (more)

 To work one's fingers to the bone

   = to work very hard

           A feather in one's cap

             = To be very proud

           To fall on deaf ears

    = to be ignored, unnoticed

            To put lipstick on a pig

          = it is useless

              To lose one's marbles

                  = to go crazy

                     Red tape

    = procedure of a bureaucracy

    delaying or preventing action.

               To  lock horns

              = to quarrel

                  A long row to hoe

                =a long and difficult work

               A poker face

     = an expressionless face

       To cost an arm and a leg

       = to be very expensive...

           To be a stepping stone

    = a stage and means to progress 

           To be a wet blanket

= lacking enthusiasm and enjoyment...

              To learn the ropes

          = learn the bases of an art

             To be at a loose end

        = not knowing what to do

              A loose cannon

        = to be beyond control

     All bark and no bite

= not as dangerous as it looks! 

To be few and far between

                      =to be extremely rare.

      To put your fingers in every pie

     =  involved in several activities

Knocked down with a feather

= extremely surprised

              A fly in the ointment

   = a minor difficulty spoiling pleasure

            "Flying colours"

         = Easily, brilliantly.

              To raise the roof

          = make a lot of noise

              To take the rap for someone

       = take the blame for someone else

        To have a bone to pick with...

  = something to argue about...