run for it

ahead of the game

from the bottom up

stand about

take A to task

in gear

loom large

run its course

on the nose

run scared

strut one's stuff

house of cards

cut one's throat

hem in

stick one's neck out

run together

from the ground up

save face

deck out

on the map

scratch A's back

break ranks

see red

all walks of life

scratch one's head

skip on

cross off

take a bow

in the doldrums

on one's ear

fool with

scratch the surface

tie the knot

sea change

be messed up

talk shop

see red

wing it

pretty as a picture

fever pitch