Engines and cars
get into gear
get ready to start work on something
get your lines/wires crossed
there is a misunderstanding between you and someone
have a narrow escape
just manage to avoid danger or trouble
e.g. The crew had a narrow escape when the pilot made a crash landing
child's play
extremely easy
back-pedalling
beginning to say the opposite of what it said before
a back-seat driver
someone who's always telling you what's wrong about your driving
to be on the same wavelength as someone
do something by the skin of your teeth
only just succeed in doing something
e.g. we won the match by the skin of our teeth
at a push
probably possible, but it will be difficult
e.g. I could finish the report by Wednesday - at a push, Tuesday
put/ throw a spanner in the works
spoilt something, e.g. a plan, etc.)
put the breaks on something
to be more cautious or careful
blow a fuse/ gasket
you lose your temper and act and react very angrily to an event
cut things fine
leave yourself only just enough time to do something
e.g. I prefer getting to the station early, but Lee always cuts things fine.
pull your finger out
make more of an effort
e.g. If you don't pull your finger out, you'll get the sack
state-of-the-art
with all the lastest/ newest features
tick over (e.g. things are ticking over nicely)
things are going well, working smoothly
give someone a buzz
rather/ too close for comfort
so close in distance or similar in amount that you are worried or frightened
e.g. We won the election, but the results were rather close for comfort
have a bash (at)
informal way of have a go
to be in the pipeline
being discussed but not public yet
let off steam
to reduce stress/ high pressure
go under your own steam
to go/ do something on your own
something sets alarm bells ring¡ng
something worries you because it is a sign that there may be a problem
e.g. The strange look she gave me set alarms bells ringing
by hook or by crook
using whatever methods are necessary
be a doddle
very easy to do