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Fits and starts

“Fits and starts” is descriptive of an activity which is “intermittent, variable in intensity, and prolonged by interruptions”

A rough and tumble career

Don’t often see a journalist’s career described as rough and tumble, but it is certainly appropriate. Makes a lot of sense to me, at least.

Vicious cycle

A vicious cycle works this way: One bad thing leads to another, which makes the original situation worse.

Through the revolving door?

You bet, but let me explain. First, the revolving door.

Keep his counsel?

Keeping one’s counsel is a British idiom, the full term being “keep one’s own counsel”.

In the same pickle?

If you really run a personal debt like that, your problem will be much bigger than whatever fiscal cliff the American government has to face.

Halo effect?

Halo effect describes the situation where one’s positive attitude towards a person can lead to bias in their favor.

Throwing them a bone?

In other words, the bone is a consolation but perhaps little consolation after all, when all is said and done.

Thick and thin?

Thick and thin are opposites. In terms of friendship, it points to the highs and lows of their relationship.

Smoking gun evidence?

Zimmerman initially walked away for free. But a year later he was brought to trial for second-degree murder.

A case of arrested development

Arrested development describes the situation where youngsters have stopped or slowed down in physical growth.

A low-key affair?

In other words, the occasion came and went without making a lot of noise.

Polite society?

These days, as society at large becomes more mobile – not noble – and diversified, polite society is more inclusive.

Striking distance?

Here striking distance means simply a short distance, a distance so short it’s as if the sea is within reach.

Burden of proof?

To paraphrase, people who put out a theory have to prove that theory to be true scientifically.

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