| Predecessor | That comes before / ancestor |
| Plough the sands | Doing that seems impossible or working in vain |
| Play fast and loose | Repeatedly changing one's attitude |
| Turned a deaf ear | To ignore what someone says |
| Meritocrats | Talented people |
| Put heads together | To consult seriously |
| Rise to the occasion | Succeed in dealing with a difficult situation |
| Off-hand | Without previous thought or preparation |
| Green horns | Inexperienced |
| Rub someone the wrong way | Annoy |
| Put one's foot down | To assert one's authority |
| Zealot | A person with very strong feelings about something |
| Quixotic | Hopeful in a way that is not practical |
| Petered out | End weakly |
| See the light of the day | To be made available or become known |
| Debutant | One who makes the first public appearance |
| Banana Republic | A small, poor country with a weak or dishonest government |
| Go banana | Become very angry / act crazy |
| Bark up the wrong tree | Waste effort by pursuing the wrong path |
| Have a ball | Enjoy oneself greatly |
| Take a back seat | Occupy an inferior position |
| Whole new ball game | A completely different situation |
| Dark horse | A little-known person who becomes successful |
| In one’s kitty | A shared fund or collection |
| With bated breath | Feel very anxious or excited while waiting |
| Iota | Very small amount |
| In for a shock | To get a sudden unpleasant surprise |
| Bolt from the blue | Unexpected and unpleasant event |
| Bite the dust | To suffer defeat or humiliation |
| Get the boot from the public | To be rejected or expelled |
| Blood, sweat and tears | A lot of effort and suffering |
| Bear fruits | To give good results |
| Blue-eyed boy | Very dear / favourite person |
| New kid on the block | Someone new who has much to learn |
| Big Cheese | Important person |
| Remain betwixt and between | To remain doubtful or undecided |
| Bite the bullet | To face a difficult situation bravely |
| Fall on one’s sword | To accept responsibility or resign |
| Beat a hasty retreat | To run away quickly |
| A laughingstock | A person or thing that is ridiculed |
| Queer fish | Strange person |
| Pick holes | To find fault |
| Blue blood | Royal |
| Rub the wrong way | To irritate someone |
| Put a spoke in the wheel | To spoil someone’s plan |
| Winning spree | A series of successes |
| Past master | Expert |
| The leading light | A very important member of a group |
