Patch something up
To mend, repair, or service something to the point of being functional or whole again
Examples
His plan is failing to improve the lives of the people and he’s scrambling to patch it up.
Mr. and Mrs. Smith are trying to patch things up.
Addled brain
A brain with Muddled thoughts or in a constant state of mental haze
Examples
his addled brain/mind
… vainly endeavouring to master some task … which, to the addled brain of the crushed boy of nineteen, was a sealed and hopeless mystery.
— Charles Dickens
Ahead of the pack, in front of the pack
More successful than other people who are trying to achieve the same things as you
Examples
When talking about technology – “Apple is always ahead of the pack when it comes to releasing new products.”
….as an actor, was not that interesting, just one of countless tall, good-looking but undistinguished minor male stars who couldn’t quite make it to the front of the pack
Mad as a sack of ferrets or a bag of ferrets; Like ferrets in a sack or in a bag; a sack of ferrets
Very mad; In a turbulent and tumultuous manner; a disorderly crowd
Examples
…mad as a sack of ferrets
This Sack of ferrets will never go early…
…was deeply repressed and she was as mad as a bag of ferrets.
Will you separate those two? They’ve been arguing like ferrets in a bag this whole time!
Bad moon rising
An impending disaster
Example
Creedence Clearwater Revival’s hit song “Bad Moon Rising” has stood the test of time as a beloved rock anthem.
A sorry state of affairs
A particularly unfortunate, unpleasant, or upsetting situation or set of circumstances
Examples
Their company has been in a sorry state ever since Jonathan took over.
What a sorry state of affairs
It’s a sorry state of affairs when you can no longer be sure how you’ll feed your children each night.
What planet is someone on?
or what planet does someone come from?
What are you thinking? That is an absurd or stupid thing to think or do. (Implies that someone would only do or think that if they were an alien from another planet.)
Examples
“She thinks she can start a business without a plan? Seriously, what planet is she on?”
“Strong and independent” what planet is he on?
Who ate all the pies
A derogatory football (soccer) chant targeting one deemed fat, especially a player or official; Someone who is overweight
Examples
“Who Ate All the Pies? Definitely not you, you’re too skinny.”
The guy who ate all the pies can’t ruffle up a paper bag.
Drunk on/with
So excited by a feeling that you behave in a strange way
Examples
drunk with happiness
drunk with freedom
The man is deluded…honestly he is drunk with power
One’s downfall
Something that causes a downfall (as of a person)
Gambling was his downfall
But others fear the new building will be the downfall of the largest art museum in the West.
Bad decision-making was their downfall.
Liquor was his downfall.
English Journalistic Gems 