(simile) to come as a hammer blow

(simile) badly dressed

(simile) bolt upright, ramrod straight, straight as an arrow

(informal) to take a hit, to take a knock (to suffer a setback, to suffer something that comes as a shock)

to make a name for oneself

Alternative form of avoir bon fond

(simile, now offensive) to work one's fingers to the bone, to work like a dog, to work like a mule

(figuratively) to speak to someone who doesn't listen; to preach to deaf ears

(simile) to work like a dog, to work like a mule, to work like a horse

(informal) to hit a snag, to find a fly in the ointment