to hold
to hold a grudge against / to hold court / to hold good / …
to jump to jump all over someone / to jump the gun / …
to keep to keep a stright face / keep one's cool / …
to lay
to lay an egg / to lay low / to lay waste to / …
to let
to let off steam / to let bygones be bygones / …
to lose
to lose face / to lose one's cool / to lose heart / …
to make to make a fuss / to make a fool / to make a killing / …
to pay
to pay one's dues / to pay through the nose / …
to play
to play fair / to play hooky / to play it safe / …
to pull
to pull a boner / to pull oneself together / …
to put
to put an end to / put on airs / to put the blame on / …
to run
to run a risk of / run an errand / to run low on / …
to set
to set fire to / set one`s mind at rest / to set sail / …
to stand to stand a chance of / to stand to reason / …
to take
to take place / to take a bow / to take pride in / …
to throw to throw a fit / to throw in the towel / …
to turn
turn a blind eye to / to turn one's back on / …
Some more examples
ravy train = an activity from which people can make money without much effort.
Privatization isn't usually the gravy train that the government promises.
a good egg = a good trustworthy person.
You can trust Mary, she's a good egg.
hard-boiled = tough, not showing any emotions.
My boss is really hard-boiled. He's impossible to fool.
fishy = suspicious.
I think that man's behaviour is a bit fishy. Call the police, please.
money for jam = money earned from a task that is very easy.
Mark has a very easy job. In fact, it's money for jam.
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