hold a candle to

sit on one's hands

show one's hand

have A to thank for

on all fours

white elephant

shut up shop

hit one's stride

go off the deep end

shy clear of

chain gang

to heel

bare one's soul

bent out of shape

draw a blank

sign on the dotted line

sing the praises of

leave for dead

inside job

ease out

with all one's might

sit on one's hands

the bitter end

hit the sack

off the top of one's head

Dear John

sit still for

put oneself right with

play second fiddle

have one's head screwed on

dry run

sitting duck

goof off

hang it up

sitting pretty

taper off

slip through one's fingers

rhyme or reason

close the books

lose one's shirt