Idioms

ballpark figure

estimate ammount

on the ball

Meaning of on the ball in English on the ball idiom Add to word list aware of any changes or developments and quick to react to them: We need someone who’s really on the ball to answer questions from the press.

moving the goal posts

to change the rules while someone is trying to do something in order to make it more difficult for them: We'd almost signed the contract when the other guys moved the goalposts and said they wanted more money.

a level playing field

a situation in which everyone has the same chance of succeeding: If the tax systems are different in each European country, how can industries start on a level playing field?

on the warpath

angry and ready to argue or fight: I told my friends to watch out because my mother was on the warpath.

do battle with

to fight or argue in a serious way: You may have to do battle with the insurers because the won`t want to pay up.

fighitng a losing battle

to try hard to do something when there is no chance that you will succeed

half the battle

a large part of the effort or work that is needed: With so many search engines on the Web, deciding which one is best is half the battle.

fighting a running battle

to have series of arguments: I've been fighting a running battle with the financial department, but they won't give us the money

stick to your gung

maintain your point of view: My parents didn’t want me to be an actor, but I stuck to my guns.

hedge our bets

reduce our chances of failure

odds are stucked against us

there are many difficulties

over the odds

more than something is really worth: It's a nice enough car but I'm sure she paid over the odds for it.

come up trumps

to complete an activity successfully or to produce a good result, especially when you were not expected to: John's uncle came up trumps, finding us a place to stay at the last minute.

make no ods

make no difference

play your cards right

do the right thing