To have an axe to grind

To pay off old scores

He does not like to be friendly with Sarita; he always <u><em>gives her a cold shoulder</em></u>…

To take the bull by the horns

The <u><em>mealy-mouthed</em></u> politician succeeded in influencing the voters.

The boy had a <u><em>hair-breadth escape</em></u> from a street accident.

Harassed by repeated acts of injustice. he decided to <u><em>put his foot down</em></u>.

Do not imagine that Dharmendra is really sorry that his wife died. Those are only <u><em>crocodile tears<…

The present syllabus leaves very <u><em>little elbowroom</em></u> for teachers to be innovative.