Meaning: a place where different types of people and ideas live together, frequently blending to create something new.
The United States has been a melting pot of different cultures and backgrounds
Meaning: refers to the people who comment on events but have no power to influence them, such as journalists, broadcasters, or public figures
The royal baby's birth was a historic event and has recently become a trendy topic among the chattering classes
Meaning: find and disclose destructive evidence about someone
After calling my sources at the tabloids, I dug up dirt on the actress
Meaning: unacceptable
Nobody will want to be friends with you if you are considered beyond the pale in your social circle
Meaning: to enter into an agreement or shared effort, especially for expedient purposes and with a party (or parties) otherwise deemed to be enemies
We have set aside our disagreements and made common cause
Meaning: make somebody accountable for their conduct
If Jessica continues with this behavior, I will have no choice but to bring her to book
Meaning: The responsibility for a situation or a problem with somebody
One does not need to blame anybody else for corruption in the republic of India; the buck stops with the leaders of the government of the world's biggest democratic nation
Meaning: say something (by mistake) that upsets, humiliates, or embarrasses someone
Carla put her foot right in it when she congratulated her neighbour on being pregnant. It turns out she's not expecting but had just put on weight
Meaning: to do or say something that makes people feel more comfortable, especially at the start of a meeting or party
Jone suggested playing a party game to break the ice
Meaning: neutral zone between two or more areas
The council proposed to plant some parkland as a buffer zone between the industrial estate and the new housing project
Meaning: rooting out the practice of corruption
No matter how critical it is, Draining the swamps would be just about impossible unless we citizens take action against it in the union
Meaning: a harmless lie
Telling your friend that you like their new haircut, when you really don't, is an example of a white lie
Meaning: to trick somebody
I paid for the package but it was never delivered. After two weeks I realized that I had been taken for a ride
Meaning: speak boastfully about oneself
My father told me never to toot my own horn
Meaning: to lose status, respect or prestige
The Economic and Finance minister's fall from grace gave her detractors great satisfaction