[get to first base] or [reach first base] {v. phr.} To make a good start; really begin; succeed, * /Joe had a long paper to write for history class, but […] A Dictionary of American Idioms

first base

[first base] {n. phr.} 1. The base that must be touched first by a baseball player after batting. * /He got to first base on four balls./ 2. See: [GET […] A Dictionary of American Idioms

third base

[third base] {n.} The base to be touched third in baseball. * /He reached third base standing up on a long triple./ A Dictionary of American Idioms

off base

[off base] {adj. phr.}, {informal} Not agreeing with fact; wrong. * /The idea that touching a toad causes warts is off base./ * /When Tom said that the teacher's explanation […] A Dictionary of American Idioms

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Chinese proverb

Beat your child once a day. If you don't know why, the child does.

to foul one's own nest

[to foul one's own nest] {v. phr.} To compromise unintentionally one's own interests by sharing private information […]

slap-head

[slap-head] {n.} {adj.} A bald man.

Generica

[Generica] Fast food joints, strip malls, sub-divisions as in "we were so lost in generica that I couldn't remember what city […]

[GJ] "Good job", often sarcastic

from rags to riches

[from rags to riches] {adv. phr.} Suddenly making a fortune; becoming rich overnight. * /The Smiths went from rags to riches […]

off the wall

[off the wall] {adj. phr.} Strange; out of the ordinary; stupid. * /He has been making off-the-wall remarks all day; […]

Derek Bok, president of Harvard University

If you think education is expensive--try ignorance.