To flog a dead horse

The casting vote of the chairman <u><em>clinched the issue</em></u>.

The parliamentary inquiry into the Bofors deal has not <u><em>brought to light</em></u> any star…

To cast pearls before a swine

Something up one's sleeve

The thief <u><em>took to his heels</em></u> when he saw a policeman on the beat.

<u><em>To all intent and purposes</em></u> he is a good man.

To take the bull by the horns

A baker's dozen