gain ground – make progress/become more popular

beat sb at their own game (inf) – to defeat/do better than sb in an activity considered their
strength
give the game away – reveal a secret or one’s feelings
throw down the gauntlet – challenge sb
gild the lily – spoil sth beautiful by additions
fit like a glove – fit perfectly
move the goalpost – change the rules or demands of the situation
have a lot going for you – have a ot of advantages in your favour
as good as – practically, very nearly
up the grabs (inf) – available for those, who are interested
dig one’s own grave – cause one’s own failure
grind to a halt – slowly stop/come to an end
come/get to grips with – consider seriously and start to take action
get off the ground – begin or start functioning
come to grief – sth is unsuccessful
make a go for sth – have some success
for good – permanently
stick to one’s guns – keep to your opinion
to play havoc with – destroy, to cause damage
to be up and about – recover from an illness
to be on the up and up – improve steadily
up and coming – likely to be successful
ups and downs – good thing alternating with bad ones
quick/slow on the uptake – quick/slow to understand
make a flying visit – make a quick trip
give vent to – express sth freely
speak volumes – be strong evidence of sb’s feelings, merits
drive sb up the wall – make sb angry, annoy
not hold water – not seem reasonable or in accordance with facts
wet behind the ears – inexperienced
make waves – cause trouble
frosty welcome – unfriendly reception
get out of bed on the wrong side – be in a bad mood
give way to – give in, yield
set in one’s ways – fixed in one’s habits/routine
under the weather – depressed/unwell
be all very well – appear satisfactory but in fact not be
get wind of – receive information about sth indirectly
no/little wonder – not surprising
be/have [a] qualified success – be partially successful
give sb no quarter – show no mercy
a race against time – work fast to do sth in time
rack one’s brains – try hard to think
lose one’s rag – become angry inf
rain or shine – in any circumstances
ram home sth – make sth clear and forceful
go on the rampage – rush about violently
raring to go– eager to do sth or go smh
have/get a raw deal – be treated unfairly inf
take it as read – accept sth is true without question
recharge your batteries – take a break to renew refresh yourself
on reflection – after careful thought
be well rid of sth/sb – better off without sth or sb
be taken for a ride – be deceived/cheated
be as right as rain – recover from an illness
hit the road – begin a journey [inf]
do a roaring trade – sell a lot of sth
take the rough with the smooth – accept unpleasant as well as pleasant situations
rub sth in – insist on reminding sb of sth unpleasant/embarrassing
blow the whistle on someone/something – publicly reveal sth illegal or dishonest
case a joint – examine and inspect the place you intend to rob
cook the books – falsify company’s accounts, cheat at bookkeeping
do a bunk – disappear without telling anybody where you are going
fall off the back of a lorry – [of goods] to be stolen
go straight – give up a criminal way of life, not break the law again
get off scot-free – avoid punishment completely
grease someone’s palm – bribe someone. Przekupić
to be on the safe side – do sth to prevent the possibility of sth bad happening
not one’s scene – not like/enjoy
settle a score – take revenge
without a shadow of [a] doubt – without any doubt
talk shop – talk about work or business
if push comes to shove – if a situation becomes really bad/difficult
get on the wrong/bad side of sb – do sth to annoy sb
a sore point with sb – sth that makes sb angry or embarrassed
spick and span – clean and tidy
enter into the spirit of sth – take part in sth with enthusiasm
in the spotlight – receiving a great deal of public attention
go back on one’s word – not fulfil a promise
have words with sb – have an argument
make one’s day – make sb very happy
in deep water – in trouble/ difficulty
an old wives’ tale – false belief [usu about health]
have/keep one’s wits about one – be alert and able to deal with difficulties
the year dot – a long time ago
be born yesterday – be easily deceived/naive
not have it both ways – refuse to make a decision between two pleasant things