I raked my brains to solve this difficult problem.

It is clear that the ideas of both reformers <u><em>ran in the same groove</em></u>.

To have one's heart in one's boots

Sobhraj could be easily arrested because the police were <u><em>tipped off</em></u> in a advance…

To get the hang of a thing

He is always <u><em>picking holes in every</em></u> project.

To have brush with

To disabuse one's mind

The pros and cons