Idiom and Phrases - 2

To 'mince one's words' means to choose and speak words carefully, deliberately, or diplomatically to avoid offense or communicate precisely. It's the opposite of speaking bluntly or rashly. The idiom doesn't mean changing suddenly, pulling back, or speaking in a hurry - it's about measured, thoughtful speech.

Example: Her story is too unlikely. It does not hold water.

In tune with - attuned; in agreement with

To 'blow one's trumpet' means to boast about oneself or loudly praise one's own achievements and abilities. It draws from the literal sound of a trumpet drawing attention. The phrase is about self-promotion, not ignoring, making peace, or entering disputes - it specifically refers to calling attention to one's accomplishments.

To 'pay off old scores' means to take revenge or settle past grievances by retaliating for wrongs suffered previously. The 'score' here refers to a debt or grievance to be settled, and 'paying off' means settling it through retaliation. It doesn't mean confessing, exaggerating, or giving money - it's about vengeance for past wrongs.

It means to end a person's privileges; to take away someone's power or freedom to do something.

To 'stand in good stead' means to be useful, helpful, or advantageous when needed, especially in future situations. Something that 'stands in good stead' is a resource, quality, or preparation that will serve you well later. It doesn't mean confessing, dying, or praising - it's about being beneficial when circumstances require it.

It means to stop something at an early stage.

To 'give a wide berth' means to deliberately avoid, keep distance from, or steer clear of someone or something. Originally a nautical term about giving ships plenty of space, it now means avoiding something undesirable. It doesn't mean disclosing, agreeing, or valuing - it's specifically about avoidance.

To 'beat the air' means to make useless, futile, or wasted efforts - attacking or striving without any real effect or achievement. Like a boxer hitting air, the effort produces no result. It doesn't mean discouraging, being hopeful, or being perplexed - it's specifically about wasted, ineffective action.

'Hang together' is an idiom which means 'to stand united' or 'to support each other'.

 To produce chapter and verse means word to word or the exact information about something.

 If someone or something is a lame duck, they are in trouble.

 To turn the other cheek is usually used to describe the action of a person who does not repond to violence with violence.

 'To play to the galleries' means to please people by doing or saying things that will make people admire you, instead of doing and saying something important.