run a bath
to turn on the taps to fill a bath with water for bathing oneself
Example
None of them could run a bath let alone a country.
Blog
-
Toss-up state; swing state
Toss-up state; swing state
A “swing state” – also referred to as a “battleground state,” “toss-up state,” or “purple state” – is a state that can be potentially won by (or “swing” to) either the Democratic or Republican presidential candidate, depending on the election.
Example
Nevada is regarded as one of the most competitive toss-up states.
-
be qualified to run a Dunkin Donuts
Be qualified to run a Dunkin Donuts
To have the capability of managing a big corporation
Example
This presidential candidate, to me, is not qualified to run, you know, a Dunkin Donuts or a 7-11, let alone the corporation that we call a country.
-
Walk into the lion’s den
Walk into the lion’s den
to deliberately place yourself in a dangerous or difficult situation
Examples
The Minister walked into the lion’s den of his press accusers, looked them in the eye, and fought back.
He walked into the lion’s den, clashed with a journalist while defending his economic policy.
-
Fleece
Fleece
rip off; ask an unreasonable price
If you fleece someone, you get a lot of money from them by tricking them or charging them too much.
Examples
She claims he fleeced her out of thousands of pounds.
“They’ve been fleecing you for decades and decades.”
-
Mob rule
Mob rule
Mob rule refers to a situation where a group of people, often acting with strong emotions and without regard for the law, exerts power and influence over a political system or social order.
Example
She said she would not be silenced and stand proud, firm and unyielding against radical mob rule.
-
Sugar coat; sugarcoat
Sugar coat; sugarcoat
Make (something disagreeable) seem more acceptable or less unpleasant
Example
Do people get fat because they are not working or are they not working because they are fat? And no. I am not sugar coating the “F” word as it’s a dictionary definition.
-
A razor-thin edge over
A razor-thin edge over
A very small advantage over
Example
There is a razor-thin two-point edge between them, according to a recent public opinion poll.
-
A/ the buffoon
A/ the buffoon
If you call someone a / the buffoon, you mean that they often do foolish things.
Examples
I just said he was a buffoon.
He the buffoon – close your ears folks, he was and is always wrong!
-
To be thick
To be thick
To be stupid or dimwitted
To be thick as foes, or bosom buddies.
I told you not to touch that – are you deaf or just thick?
Stop being thick!
English Journalistic Gems 