Work

Lesson 1

off the chain

Title: off the chain

Meaning: extremely good and exciting

Example

I traveled across the American continent, and it was off the chain

bring to the table

Title: bring to the table

Meaning: making a valuable contribution to a group, company, or individual

Example

I wish to bring to the table the issue of the current tax regime and how it affects our businesses

Jack of all trades

Title: Jack of all trades

Meaning: a person who can easily handle a variety of challenges and tasks

Example

My grandfather was a jack of all trades. He had never attended college, but he was an accomplished musician, gardener, piano player, and spoke several languages

in for a penny, in for a pound

Title: in for a penny, in for a pound

Meaning: to complete a task, no matter what it may need

Example

In for a penny, in for a pound, we need to stay up all night and get the report done since we cannot turn it in half-finished

Bigger fish to fry

Title: Bigger fish to fry

Meaning: to have other, more important things to do

Example

You are not worth my time or energy; I have bigger fish to fry

Break one’s back

Title: Break one’s back

Meaning: get through the hardest part of something

Example

I'm tired and need an ice-cold drink. I broke my back at work today on that project

A quick buck

Title: A quick buck

Meaning: to make money quickly

Example

He decided to make a quick buck by selling his CD collection

Easier said than done

Title: Easier said than done

Meaning: to explain that a task is easier to talk about than perform

Example

It's easier said than done when it comes to convincing people that something is true

child’s play

Title: child’s play

Meaning: an informal expression meaning something that is easy to do

Example

If you practice enough, driving will eventually become child's play

Make common cause

Title: Make common cause

Meaning: to enter into an agreement or shared effort, especially for expedient purposes and with a party (or parties) otherwise deemed to be enemies

Example

We have set aside our disagreements and made common cause

Do one’s bit

Title: Do one’s bit

Meaning: to do a share of a task

Example

When people can "do their bit", they are helping support a larger cause