To take a leaf out of somebody's book

I want none of your <u><em>back chat</em></u>.

Queer somebody's pitch

Harp on

The arrival of the mother-in-law in the family proved <u><em>a rift in the lute</em></u>.

His phenomenal success shows that he has got the <u><em>midas touch</em></u>.

Spick and span

To lose one's head

He was undecided. He <u><em>let the grass grow under his feet</em></u>.