Sina Language Department

To get the sack

To be dismissed from your job.

For example:

"He was always coming late, so eventually they sacked him."

Jack / Jill of all trades

A person that is competent with many skills but is not outstanding in any particular one.

This idiom can be negative or positive, depending on the context in which it is used.

For example:

"She can turn her hand to anything, she's a real Jill of all trades."

"To crack the whip ."

To make someone work harder by threatening them.

For example:

"We finished the project on time, but only because I really cracked the whip."

To cook the books.

To modify financial statements and accounting information, especially illegally.

For example:

"We only made a profit last year because our accountant cooked the books."

A big cheese.

An important person, a leader (usually about business).

For example:

"Anita Roddick is a big cheese in Body Shop."

A cash cow.

A product or service that makes a lot of money for a company.

For example:

"The new product has proved to be a real cash cow."