Competition
to get on like a house on fire
have a very good, enjoyable relationship
a level playing field
a situation in which everyone has the same opportunities
in the driving seat
in control of a situation
to be neck and neck
be level with sb in a race or competition
flogging a dead horse
wasting your time on a hopeless situation
move the goalposts
to change the rules for sth, or conditions under which it is done, so that the situation becomes more difficult for sb
keep your eye on the ball
stay focused
ahead of the game
be in front of the competition
a one-horse race
a race or competition that only one of the competitors has a real chance of winning
=> This election has been _ ____ ____ right from the start.
on the ropes
having serious problems and likely to fail
to put one's foot in it
make a tactless comment
be thrown in at the deep end
to start a new and difficult job or activity without having help or preparation
see eye to eye
to agree on a subject
get into hot water
to get into trouble
to be a real eye-opener
something that surprises you and teaches you new facts about life, people, etc.
dog eat dog world
a situation in which people will do anything to be successful
be in the loop/be out of the loop
to have or not have the special knowledge or power that belongs to a particular group of people
a big picture
a wide perspective; a broad view of something
stand one's ground
insist on one's position
by the book
according to established procedure
back to square one
Having to start all over again
back to the salt mines
it's time for me to go back to work
have one's back against the wall
have few choices, be cornered
for a song
at very low cost
pay through the nose for something
pay a large amount of money