Idioms

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wild goose chase

If you are on a wild goose chase, you waste a lot of time searching for something that you have little chance of finding, because you have been given incorrect information.

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sit on your hands

To do nothing about a problem or a situation that needs dealing with.
Every day the crisis worsens and yet the government seems content to sit on its hands.

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cross that bridge when one comes to it

To not worry about a possible problem until it actually happens.
I don't know how we'll pay the bills if you quit your job, but we'll cross that bridge when we come to it.

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kill the goose that lays the golden eggs

To ruin or destroy something that brings one wealth.
To destroy something that is profitable to you.

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break a sweat

Often used figuratively to say that something is not hard for someone to do.
He gave a perfect performance and didn't break a sweat.

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wear many hats

To have many jobs or roles.
He wears many hats: he's a doctor, a musician, and a writer.

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to sell sand in the Sahara

The phrase to sell sand in the Sahara and its variants refer to the supply of something to a place where it is not needed.

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tilting at windmills

It means that you're fighting imaginary enemies and wasting your time worrying about the outcome of the engagement.

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run into a brick wall

To encounter an obstacle or problem that seems impossible to overcome.

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no pain, no gain

Used to say that it is necessary to suffer or work hard in order to succeed or make progress.

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the devil is in the details

The phrase “the devil is in the details” implies that things can go wrong if one does not pay careful attention to the small elements of a larger undertaking.

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cut corners

To save money or time when doing something by not including some parts, actions, or details, so that the result is not as good as it could be.

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under (one's) wing

Under one's care, protection.
I was nervous starting a work at my uncle's company, but it definitely made it easier being under his wing.

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pain the neck

The idiom “pain in the neck” is a common expression used to describe someone or something that causes annoyance or frustration.

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tear one's hair out
pull one's hair out

To be very worried or upset about something.

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silver bullet

A quick and highly effective solution to a complex problem.