Phrases & Expressions

To shift responsibility or blame to someone else.

• Don't pass the buck; take responsibility for your actions.
• The manager always passes the buck to his subordinates.

The social hierarchy in a group, especially among chickens, showing who is dominant.

• The new rooster tried to establish the pecking order.
• There's a clear pecking order in the office.

A question asked to find out what someone is thinking about, especially when they are quiet.

• You've been quiet for a while. A penny for your thoughts?
• He stared out the window. "A penny for your thoughts," I said.

To choose which issues are worth arguing about and which are not.

• You need to pick your battles when dealing with teenagers.
• It's not worth the fight; pick your battles.

An official notice telling an employee that he or she has lost the job.

• After the company downsized, many employees received a pink slip.
• He was shocked when he got the pink slip yesterday.

To play music without reading written notes, relying on skill and memory.

• I don't know the song, I'll just play it by ear.
• She never had lessons; she learned to play the piano by ear.

To focus on success in the future rather than on quick results now.

• We need to play the long game with this project.
• Investing wisely means playing the long game.

A point in a process or journey beyond which it is impossible to go back.

• We have passed the point of no return.
• The decision was made; it was the point of no return.

To joke with someone by telling that person something untrue.

• Are you serious or just pulling my leg?
• He's just pulling your leg.

To pretend to be happy or confident when you are actually sad or worried.

• She put on a brave face despite the bad news.
• He tried to put on a brave face for his children.