keep something under your hat = don't say anything to anyone: "I've got something to say to you. But keep it under your hat – it's not public knowledge."

take your hat off to someone = admire someone: "I really take my hat off to people who work full time and study at the same time!"

tied to his mother's apron strings = someone (normally a man) who does what his mother tells him: "He didn't want to come out last weekend, because his mother disapproves of us. He's really tied to her apron strings!"

keep something up your sleeve = keep something hidden for later: "We've been negotiating my new pay and conditions, but I've kept the other job offer up my sleeve for the time being."

all talk no trousers – someone who talks a lot but doesn't act: "I know he told you that he would get you a limousine for the wedding. Don't believe him, though. He's all talk, no trousers."

who wears the trousers? = who has the power in a relationship: "What do you mean, she won't let you come out with us? Who wears the trousers in your house?"

pull your socks up = work harder: "You'll have to pull your socks up if you want a promotion next year."

it will blow your socks off = very hot food: "This is a fantastic stir-fry – it's hot enough to blow your socks off!"

hot under the collar = upset or angry about something: "He gets really hot under the collar about cruelty to animals – he can't stand seeing animals suffer."

it's pants (UK slang) – rubbish: "What did you think of the film?" "Pants!"

get something under your belt – achieve something: "I'm really glad I passed the driving test. Now I've got that under my belt, I can relax for a little while."

belt up = keep quiet: "What's all that noise? Just belt up, would you? I can't hear myself think."

below the belt = unfair: "You know he's really sensitive about the accident. I think it was a bit below the belt to mention it."

the boot's on the other foot = your opponent now has the advantage: "Now that she has been promoted, the boot's on the other foot! You should watch what you say from now on."

get your skates on = to hurry up: "Get your skates on – we're late as it is!"

have the shirt off your back = to steal all you own: "He asked you for how much rent? He'd have the shirt off your back, if you let him."

in only the clothes he stood up in = to only possess what you wear: "After the fire, they were left with only the clothes they stood up in."

get shirty = become angry with someone: "Don't get shirty with me! I'm only reporting the new rules."

skirt around the issue = not talk directly about something: "They skirted around the issue for a while, then got down to the real business."

cloak and dagger = mysterious: "Who's arranging the party? I don't know – it's all very cloak and dagger at the moment."

give someone a dressing down = tell someone off / reprimand someone: "He gave the whole department a dressing down after they failed to meet their agreed targets."

dressed to the nines / dressed to kill = dressed up: "Where are you going, dressed up to the nines?"

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