· put out a feeler to do...试探……的反应
the chairman put out a feeler to see people's reactions to his election speech.
· be dead on one's feet筋疲力尽
our boss regards us his slaves. everyday after work.
· land on one's feet安全摆脱困境
with the loan from the bank, the company landed on its feet.
· stand on one's feet自食其力
the chinese communist party decided to stand on their feet during the liberation campaign. people in naniwan were called upon to develop agriculture.
· sit on the fence保持中立
who would you vote for? you bet i won't vote for him. he likes sitting on the fence on important issues.
· play the field不正经干
he is really a playboy, he likes to play the field and is never serious with any one girl.
· burn one's fingers因管闲事而吃苦头
i always tell you to keep away from the scoundrels. now you are burning your fingers.
· have sticky fingers手不老实。有小偷小摸的陋习
the old lady fired the maid because she had sticky fingers.
· the black sheep of the family有辱门楣的人
he lost everything in gabling and was called the black sheep of the family by this relatives.
· take a shine to someone一见就中意
she is an animal-lover. she takes a shine to whatever animal she meets.
· give someone the shirt off one's back为某人慷慨解囊，毫不吝啬的接济某人
he works in the charity organization and strongly believes that he who gives others the shirt off his back will be blessed by the god.
· lose one's shirt输得精光
the man didn't leave las vegas until he lost his shirt.
· know where the shoe pinches知道问题所在
a wise leader should be one who knows where the shoe pinches and knows what to do with it.
· a shot in the dark瞎猜
i didn't know which button was for tv. i pushed one, and tv was turned on. it was mere a shot in the dark.