Phrases & Expressions

To feel extremely cold, as if the cold has penetrated your body deeply.

• The wind was so cold it chilled me to the bone.
• After walking in the snow, I was chilled to the bone.

Not clear at all; very confusing (often used sarcastically).

• His handwriting is clear as mud.
• That explanation was clear as mud.

To start to be used or to have an effect.

• Several factors will come into play when we make the decision.
• His experience came into play during the crisis.

To be discovered or made public.

• New evidence came to light during the investigation.
• The truth finally came to light after many years.

To be very expensive.

• Buying a house in this area costs an arm and a leg.
• That designer handbag must have cost an arm and a leg.

Things that make life comfortable and pleasant.

• He enjoys the creature comforts of his new home.
• The hotel provides many creature comforts.

To perform calculations or analyze data, especially financial figures.

• Let's crunch the numbers for the new project.
• The accountant will crunch the numbers.

A large amount of money available to spend, often in "have deep pockets".

• The investor has deep pockets and can fund the project.
• Only companies with deep pockets can afford this.

A way of keeping control of people by making them disagree so that they cannot unite against you.

• The manager used divide and conquer to keep the team from uniting against him.
• Their strategy was to divide and conquer the smaller nations.

A fundamental principle, especially in medicine, to avoid causing harm to patients.

• Every doctor learns that the first rule is to do no harm.
• The project's goal is to do no harm.