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[port of call] {n. phr.}
1. Any of the ports that a ship visits after the start of a voyage and before the end; a port where passengers or cargo may be taken on or put off; an in-between port.
Savannah is a port of call for many Atlantic coasting vessels.
2. A place you visit regularly or often; a stop included on your usual way of going.
It was an obscure little restaurant which I had made something of a port of call.
His home had become one of my regular ports of call in Boston.
A Dictionary of American Idioms
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[pass on] {v.}
1. To give an opinion about; judge; settle.
The college passed on his application and found him acceptable.
The committee recommended three people for the job and the president passed on them.
2. To give away (something that has been outgrown.)
As he grew up, he passed on his clothes to his younger brother.
Compare: [HAND DOWN].
3. To die.
Mary was very sorry to hear that her first grade teacher had passed on.
Syn.: [PASS AWAY] (3), [PASS OUT] (3).
A Dictionary of American Idioms
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[put in] {v.}
1. To add to what has been said; say (something) in addition to what others say.
While the boys were discussing the car accident, Ben put in that the road was icy.
My father put in a word for me and I got the job.
2. To buy and keep in a store to sell.
He put in a full stock of drugs.
3. To spend (time).
He put in many years as a printer.
He put in an hour a day reading.
4. To plant.
He put in a row of radishes.
5. To stop at a port on a journey by water.
After the fire, the ship put in for repairs.
6. To apply; ask. — Used with "for".
When a better job was open, he put in for it.
The sailor put in for time to visit his family before the ship went to sea.
A Dictionary of American Idioms
5 of 10
[blow hot and cold] {v. phr.}
To change your ways or likes often; be fickle or changeable.
Tom blows hot and cold about coming out for the baseball team; he cannot decide.
Mary blew hot and cold about going to college; every day she changed her mind.
The boys will get tired of Ann's blowing hot and cold.
A Dictionary of American Idioms
8 of 10
[press one's luck] or [push one's luck] {v. phr.}
To depend too much on luck; expect to continue to be lucky.
When John won his first two bets at the race track, he pressed his luck and increased his bets.
If you're lucky at first, don't press your luck.
A Dictionary of American Idioms
9 of 10
[first string] (1) {n.}, {informal}
1. The best group of players on a team; first team; A team.
Dick loved basketball and practiced hard until he was put on the first string.
2. The best group of workers.
Tom learned his trade so well that his boss soon called him one of his first string.
A Dictionary of American Idioms
10 of 10
[darken one's door] or [darken the door]
To appear, as in a doorway; enter someone's home or establishment. — Used in negative imperative sentences especially with "never" and "again".
If you leave this house now, never darken my door again.
After a son shamed his father by having to go to prison, the father told him never to darken his door again.
A Dictionary of American Idioms