When she was promoted, her colleagues started to lay on with a trowel, covering her with exaggerated compliments.

To hitch one's wagon to a star is to commit wholeheartedly to an aspirational goal that can ultimately lead to deep fulfillment.

By midnight he was drunk as a boiled owl and could barely stand.

After spending the morning cleaning, she left her flat neat as a pin.

Could you put in a good word for me with the hiring manager if you have a chance?

When I walked into the kitchen, the kids' toys were all over the place like a mad woman's custard, rolling and bouncing in every direction.

After skipping breakfast, I could eat the crotch out of a low flying duck by lunchtime.

His plan was so ill-conceived and he defended it so stubbornly that everyone agreed he was dumb as a doornail.

She covered one wink-a-peep and peered through the keyhole to see who was outside.

When he walked across the yard, he couldn't stop a pig in a passage, and the children giggled at his lopsided stride.