Matasek Idioms3

To get both sides to agree to anything at all meant we had to square the circle.

John called Mary's bluff when she claimed she could prove the theorem in under an hour

They don't have any serious differences. They are just splitting hairs. Don't waste time splitting hairs. Accept it the way it is.

Dr. Anderson was breaking new ground in cancer research. They were breaking new ground in consumer electronics.

If other companies lower their prices, we shall have to follow suit.

She bears a grudge against the judge who sentenced her. I have a grudge against my landlord for not fixing the leaky faucet.

I racked my brains all afternoon, but couldn't remember where I put the book.

He's hoping that this new treatment will help him but I think he's clutching at straws.

She was furious with Dave for forgetting her birthday so I tried to pour oil on troubled waters by offering to take them both out for a meal.

He says that writing does not come naturally to him and he sweats blood over every sentence. I sweat blood every week just to earn enough money to feed my family.