[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 […] A Dictionary of American Idioms

go to town

[go to town] {v. phr.}, {slang} 1. To do something quickly or with great force or energy; work fast or hard. * /The boys went to town on the old […] A Dictionary of American Idioms

come down

[come down] {v.} 1. To reduce itself; amount to no more than. - Followed by "to". * /The quarrel finally came down to a question of which boy would do […] A Dictionary of American Idioms

what with

[what with] {prep.} Because; as a result of. * /I couldn't visit you, what with the snowstorm and the cold I had./ * /What with dishes to wash and children […] A Dictionary of American Idioms

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Kingsley Amis

(1922-1995) English author It is no wonder that people are so horrible when they start life as children.

hell and high water

[hell and high water] {n. phr.} Troubles or difficulties of any kind. * /After John's father died he went through hell and […]

put someone on

[put someone on] {v.} To play a joke on someone by saying or doing things that are only pretense; kid. * /When the voice on […]

Napoleon Bonaparte

You can stop while you are raising, but not when you are falling.

many hands make light work

[many hands make light work] If many people work together, even a hard job becomes easier. - A proverb. * /Come on boys, […]

up and at them

[up and at them] 1. {adv. phr.} Actively engaged in a task as if doing combat. * /"You want to know whether he will make a […]