He works by fits and starts.

To pay off old scores

The country's economy is beginning to <u><em>look up</em></u> now.

By putting on the mime act, Deepak <u><em>stole some of the thunder</em></u> of Peter's speech.

To speak daggers

Pt. Nehru was <u><em>born with a silver spoon in his mouth</em></u>.

With the existing management, the future of the company is <u><em>in doldrums</em></u>.

There is <u><em>no love lost</em></u> between two neighbours.

To leave someone in the lurch