off the bat

over my dead body

what makes A tick

be messed up

pull oneself up

be news to

in one's mind's eye

draw blood

put down roots

be on a first-name basis with

peter out

precious few

sell one's soul

be messed up

be on it

the best of both worlds

a nail in one's coffin

hedge one's bets

nest egg

be one's own man

one of the boys

linger on

be that as it may

by the side of

out to lunch

in the driver's seat

be the death of

twist A's arm

in antiquity

line out

be to seek

deliver the goods

be under the impression that ~

catch A off guard

loose cannon

get away with murder

bear witness to

know a thing or two

in gear

make a killing