1. To get one’s own back : to get one’s revenge
2. Yeoman’s service : excellent work
3. On the cuff : on credit
4. Blowing his own trumpet : praising himself
5. Pros and cons : for and against
6. Set their face against : opposed strongly
7. Helter-skelter : in disorderly haste
8. A dark horse : an unforeseen competitor
9. Turned his head : changed him completely
10. To die in harness : to die while in service
11. Within a stone’s throw : very near to
12. Have the last laugh : to be victorious at the end of an argument
13. Struck a chill to the heart : aroused fear
14. To take into account : to consider
15. To mince matters : to confuse issues
16. The pros and cons : consider all facts
17. Came out of his shell : became more sociable
18. Rest on their laurels : to be complacent
19. Lay out : spend
20. By fits and starts : Irregularly
21. To stave off : postpone
22. A wild goose chase : Futile search
23. Fought to the bitter end : carried on a contest regardless of the consequences
24. High and dry : neglected
25. Made no bones about : did not have any hesitation in
26. To be all at sea : lost and confused
27. Takes after : resembles
28. Carry out : execute
29. To take someone to task : to scold someone
30. He didn’t tell me directly, but reading between the lines : Understanding the sense rather than the actual words
31. Made a clean breast of : confessed without reserve
32. Close shave : narrow escape
33. At snail’s pace : very slowly
34. Cut him off without a shilling : disinherited him
35. Red-letter day : happy and significant day
36. Under a cloud : Under suspicion
37. Talking through his hat : talking nonsense
38. Blow over : pass off
39. The green-eyed monster : jealousy
40. Currying favour with : ingratiating itself with
