1. To be above board: To be legitimate, honest, and/or legal.

I expected that big company to try to take advantage of us, but so far all of their dealings with
us have been above board.
2. To put one's hand to plough: To set to work; to begin or get busy working.
We have spent a long time planning our business model, and now it is time to put our hand
to the plough.
3. To pick holes: to try and make an idea or piece of work seem bad by finding all the
things that are wrong or missing.
It was almost impossible to pick holes in his argument.
4. To make a clean breast of something: to speak openly and honestly about
(something that previously has been lied about or kept secret).
I decided to make a clean breast of it/things and admit that I was to blame.
5. To catch a Tartar: To encounter or be forced to reckon with someone or something
that proves more powerful, troublesome, or formidable than one expected.
They thought that I would simply give up if my complaint had to go to court, but they will
soon realize that they have caught a Tartar!
6. To drive home: to emphasize an important point about something (to someone).
The accident drove home the importance of wearing seatbelts to everyone concerned.
7. Have an axe to grind: to have a strong personal opinion about something that you
want people to accept and that is the reason why you do something.
Environmentalists have no political axe to grind - they just want to save the planet.
8. Play second fiddle: to be less important or in a weaker position than someone else.
I am not prepared to play second fiddle to Christina anymore - I am looking for another job!
9. Beg the question: If a statement or situation begs the question, it causes you to ask
a particular question.
to talk about something as if it were true, even though it may not be.
Spending the summer travelling around India is a great idea, but it does beg the question of
how we can afford it.
10. A black sheep: a person who has done something bad that brings embarrassment
or shame to his or her family.
He is the black sheep of the family.
11. Man of straw: someone who has a weak character.
He was accused by his opponents of being a man of straw and lacking in decisiveness.