dress down

land on one's feet

half the battle

talk turkey

drive a hard bargain

meal ticket

batten down the hatches

steam up

on the rack

drop the other shoe

be miles away

on the fly

touch up

bite off more than A can chew

dry run

blot out

dish up

speak the same language

lead the field

duck out

have a life of one's own

in miniature

up there

earn one's keep

drive a hard bargain

take a fall

tie A's hands

ease out

force A's hand

to the skies

sitting duck

easy as pie

eat dirt

bring down the curtain on

carry weight

knock around

eat humble pie

on the other side

kick the habit

in rags