1.

be/get aˈbove yourself

(disapproving) behave as if you are better or more important than you really are:

She’s getting a bit above herself. She’s only been working for me for two weeks and already she’s telling
me what to do!

2. of (one's) own accord

Voluntarily; of one's own free will.

Police are hoping that the person of interest surrenders of his own accord. No, Ididn't tell him to b
ring anything to dinner. He did that of his own accord.

by one's own choice, without coercion.

I wish that Sally would choose to do it of her own accord. I'll have to order herto do it because sh
e won't do it of her own free will.
3. acid test
Fig. a test whose findings are beyond doubt or dispute. The senator doesn't look too popular just
now, but the acidtest will be if he gets reelected.
A conclusive test. The phrase comes from the 19th
century practice of testing metals in nitric acid to determine ifthey contained gold. Restructuring the organi
zation will be the acid test that determines whether or not it can survivethe sudden downturn in the econo
my.

4. cast (or cut) someone adrift

leave someone in a boat or other craft which has nothing to secure orguide it. 2 abandon or isolate som
eone.
1998 Oldie The various dissenting movements…should be cut adrift and left to their own devices.

5. abet (someone) in
To help someone in an activity, usually an illegal one. If you drove the robber's getaway car, then you abe
tted him in acrime! Everyone thinks you abetted Connie in starting this rumor.

6. give a good (or bad) account of yourself

make a favourable (or unfavourable) impressionthrough your performance or actions.

Behave or perform creditably, as in Harry gave a good account of himself over the last few month
s, or The companywill probably give a good account of itself in the next quarter. This expression t
ransfers a financial reckoning to otheraffairs.
to do (something) well or thoroughly. John gave a good account of himself when he gave his speech last
night.Mary was not feeling well, and she didn't give a good account of herself in last night's game.
 7. have something up one's sleeve
and have an ace up one's sleeve
Fig. to have a secret or surprise plan or solution (to a problem). (Alludes to cheating at cards by h
aving a card hiddenin one's sleeve.) I've got something up my sleeve, and it should solve all your
problems. I'll tell you what it is after I'melected. The manager has an ace up her sleeve. She'll sur
prise us with it later.

To have a secret plan, idea, or advantage that can be utilized if and when it is required. A referen
ce to cheating at acard game by hiding a favorable card up one's sleeve. I've got a few tricks up
my sleeve if he decides to pursue legalaction against me. She has a card up her sleeve if they ev
er try to fire her, since she knows about the boss'sunscrupulous business practices.
8. hold all the aces
and hold all the cards
to be in a favorable position; to be in a controlling position. (Alludes to having possession of all fo
ur aces or all thehigh cards in a card game.)
How can I advance in my career when my competitor holds all the aces? If I held all theaces, I'd b
e able to do great things. I tried to get my points across, but Joan held all the cards and the board
voted forher plan.
9. play (one's) ace (card)
To make use of a resource that one knows or hopes will ensure a decisive and successful outco
me.
She played herace card during the debate by bringing up her opponent's earnings from investme
nt firms that caused the globalrecession just a few years prior. The prosecutor then played his ac
e, showing CCTV footage clearly placing thesuspect at the scene of the crime.
If you play your ace, you do something clever and unexpected which gives you an advantage ov
er other people.Note: In many card games, the ace is the card with the highest score. He told us t
hat he was a very importantcriminal lawyer who had defended men on heavy charges. And then h
e played his ace. He also had a number ofclients who were involved in the gold business.
10. all and sundry
Everybody. Jason bought drinks for all and sundry to celebrate his promotion.
everyone; one and all. Cold drinks were served to all and sundry.
11. walk on air
Fig. to be very happy; to be euphoric. Ann was walking on air when she got the job. On the last d
ay of school, all thechildren are walking on air.

float/walk on ˈair
(informal) be very happy about something: When I passed my driving test, I was walking onair for
days.
12. rolling in the aisles
Laughing uproariously or hysterically. Your jokes are perfect for your speech tonight. You'll have t
hem rolling in theaisles!

rolling in the ˈaisles

(informal) laughing a lot: The comedian was very good indeed. He had the audiencerolling in the
aisles.
13. alive and kicking
Active and healthy. A: "How are you doing after your surgery?" B: "I'm alive and kicking!" I though
t for sure that olddog wouldn't survive the winter, but he's still alive and kicking!
John's completely recovered; he's alive andkicking, or You're quite mistaken; our lawyer is alive a
nd well.
The old prejudices were still very much aliveand kicking.