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Push the envelope

To push the envelope is to stretch the limits, to try to break through the old mould, to move into unchartered territories.

Loan shark rate?

Loan sharks are people who lend money to gain immorally high interest.

Mean street, mean city?

“A mean street in a mean city” means a poor street in a poverty stricken city.

Virtual dead heat?

Literally, dead heat means a tied race.

Hat in the ring?

Today, this expression is most commonly seen in articles about politics, where candidates often indicate their intention to enter a race for a public office or another campaign.

Right of way?

The expression "right of way" basically means you have the right to do what you want to on the road, or in other circumstances.

Never really cut out for life in the battlefield?

If something is described as “cut out for” something else, it is suited for that purpose.

Smell the coffee?

People say “wake up and smell the coffee” to tell others to wake up to certain facts that they’re unaware of or are reluctant to face.

Stared him in the face?

If something stares you in the face, it is close by, face to face with you and perhaps crying out loud for your attention.

Cheating death?

From any extremely dangerous situation where the risk of death is great, we say someone has cheated death if they escape unscathed.

Dig deep?

Digging deep suggests we are willing and determined to give a strong effort, going out of our way and even further.

Are schools getting enough bang for their technology buck?

“Bang for the buck” is an American expression that literally translates to “value for money”.

No President has done worse by the middle class

“To do the right thing by somebody” means to treat them fairly and kindly.

Till the coast is clear?

If the coast is clear, it means nobody’s around at all, far or near.

After the fact?

People use “after the fact” only to point out that certain things have come after the event, meaning they’re too late or unhelpful.

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