[down-at-heel] or [down-at-the-heel] or [down-at-the-heels] {adj.} Poorly kept up or dressed shabby; not neat; sloppy. * /John is always down-at-the-heels, but his sister is always very neat./ * /Old houses […] A Dictionary of American Idioms

take to one's heels

[take to one's heels] also [show a clean pair of heels] {v. phr.} To begin to run or run away. * /When he heard the police coming, the thief took […] A Dictionary of American Idioms

set back on one's heels

[set back on one's heels] or [knock back on one's heels] {v. phr.}, {informal} To give an unpleasant surprise; upset suddenly; stop or turn back (someone's) progress. * /Jack brags […] A Dictionary of American Idioms

at one's heels

[at one's heels] {adv. phr.} Close behind; as a constant follower or companion. * /The boy got tired of having his little brother at his heels all day./ * /John […] A Dictionary of American Idioms

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Charles F. Kettering

(1876-1958) U.S. inventorindustrialist You can be sincere and still be stupid.

rgr

[rgr] "Roger" aka "affirmative" or "10-4", radio talk; "Roger that", meaning "message acknowledged".

banana oil

[banana oil] {n.}, {slang} Flattery that is an obvious exaggeration; statements that are obviously made with an ulterior […]

over the top

[over the top] {adv. phr.} 1. Out of the trenches and against the enemy. * /The plan was to spend the night in the trenches […]

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 […]