Idioms (D)

meaning: wealthy; able to fund/afford a lot of things

1. The project has been a disaster so far, but the owners have deep pockets. They are, however, beginning to get a little angry with the amount of time things are taking.

2. It seems the only way to have a winning football team now is for it to have deep pockets; money has become more important than coaching.

3. The start-up has a good idea, but unless it is able to find someone with deep pockets to bankroll it’s expansion and some marketing, it’ll never be able to break into the market.

meaning: a complete waste (often used for money or time)

1. The project had been going well when suddenly the backers pulled out. six months and half a million dollars straight down the drain.

2. I bought a TV yesterday, only to find it doesn’t work with my satellite connection. All that money down the drain.

3. $10m, and he is totally useless. Our whole transfer budget down the drain.

meaning: to resist pressure from others to do something; to stick to your plan despite others wanting you to change

1. The board thought an offer of $20m was fair, but the other company are digging their heels in, holding out for $30m.

2. Dave wanted to go to Disneyland, but his wife dug her heels in and said she wanted to go to Las Vegas. Eventually Dave agreed.

3. I don’t know why he is digging his heels in over this: if he looked at my proposal he would see it helps both of us.

meaning: to do something you have to, but very slowly because you don’t want to

1. I sent this to the accounts department, but they seem to be dragging their feet on it. I’m not sure what their problem is, so I’m heading down there today.

2. The boss told Dave he had to fire three people from his department, but he has been dragging his feet, trying to think of a new plan.

meaning: finished; dead; cannot come back to life (usually used when talking about an idea or project)

1. “How did your proposal go?”
“Well, every member of the board said they hated it, and the accounts division said we didn’t have enough money. Finally, the boss said he had received a new, better offer, so I think my idea is dead and buried.”

2. No money. No staff. No location. No public interest. I think we can now say our attempt at opening the world’s first soup nightclub is dead and buried.
3. They have been trying to sign the player for the past three seasons, but now it seems the deal is finally dead and buried. They are now looking for other options.

meaning: take special care of the small details when finishing a task; finish up the small details in order to finish a task

1. She is a very careful person, a girl who likes to dot all the i’s and cross all the t’s.

2. Well, the takeover is nearly complete: we’ve agreed on a fee, and decided to relocate the staff to the downtown office. We still need to dot the i’s and cross the t’s, but I think everything will be done by the end of next month.

meaning: (threat) you’re dead

1. “If you touch my girlfriend, you’re dead meat.”

2. “I broke my dad’s binoculars. When he finds out, I’m dead meat. Any idea how I can get out of this?”