1. to move onward1 and upward：to be promoted； from good to better situation
He hopes to move onward and upward with his current company.
Many young couples try to move onward and upward during their marriage.
2. to call a spade a spade： to be honest， blunt or frank
My wife always calls a spade a spade about her work situation.
Calling a spade a spade on foreign affairs sometimes seems difficult for diplomats2.
3. to play cat and mouse：to play games with aggressive and passive attitude
In business negotiations3， there are always cat-and-mouse games.
The police have played cat and mouse with the murderer.
4. to go on the dole4： to live on public welfare
Thousands of Americans are out of jobs and may go on the dole.
Some people have gone on the dole for years.
5. to be in the hot seat：to be under lots of pressure or in a difficult position
He has resigned from his job because he has been in the hot seat for years.
When testifies before Congress， he will be in the hot seat.
6. to make waves：to make trouble
Many politicians like to make waves in order to be kept in the media.
Teenagers tend to make waves with their parents and teachers.
7. to keep nose clean：to keep away from trouble
The newly released inmates5 are trying to keep their noses clean.
A law-abiding person needs to keep his nose clean.
8. to drive up the wall：to annoy or upset someone
The boy is driving his mother up the wall because of his ill behavior.
If you ask too many questions， you may drive your boss up the wall.
