Introduction
not out of the woods
not yet free from difficulties or problems.
take a back seat
deliberately become less actively involved in sth, and stop trying to control things.
My heart sank
used to tell sb that you suddenly felt sad or worried sth.
having said that
used to say that sth is true despite what you have just said.
the next thing I knew
used to say that sth happened very quickly and unexpectedly.
I thought as much
used to say you are not surprised that sth is true.
be hard pressed/pushed/put to do sth.
find it very difficult to do sth.
got out of bed on the wrong side
used to say that sb is in a bad moon.
a sore point
sth that makes you upset, angry, or embarrassed when sb mentions it.
put your foot in it
INF accidentally say sth that embarrasses, upsets, or annoys sb.
it serves sb right (for doing sth)
used to say that you think sb deserves sth unpleasant that happens to them.
wait for the dust to settle
wait for an unsettled situation to become calm
on the ropes
having serious problems and likely to fail.
in a tight corner SYN: in a tight spot
in a difficult situation.
plays her cards close to her chest
keeps her plans or ideas secret.
be get something up his sleeve
has a plan or idea he will keep secret until needed.
strike while the iron is hot
make use of an opportunity immediately because now is the best time to do it.
have a chip on your shoulder
be sensitive about or feel offended by sth, as a result of sth that happened in your past.