KNOW THE MEANING

put on your thinking cap to think of a way to solve a problem: Emily realized that it was time to put on her thinking cap when she did not have enough money to pay her bills.

cost an arm and a leg (informal) to be very expensive: The computer game was one that Robert had always wanted but it cost an arm and a leg.

stacks of (something) (informal) a large amount of (something): I don’t need any more glasses - I’ve got stacks of them,” said David.

have a brainwave to have a sudden good idea: Julie was trying to think of ways to make money and had a brainwave - she would offer her services as a babysitter. do one’s bit to do one’s fair share of a task: “We’ve both got full-time jobs now. It’s important that you do your bit at home,’ said Jane to her husband.

bite off more than one can chew to try to do more than one is able to: “I would like to study medicine,” said Frances, “but I don’t want to bite off more than I can chew.”

have a weakness for (someone/something) to have a liking for someone or something: Debbie to trying to lose weight, but is finding it difficult because she has a weakness for chocolate.

break the bank to leave someone without any money: Maureen wanted to go on holiday to Jamaica but she realized that doing so would break the bank

clear the decks to tidy up and remove unnecessary items in preparation for starting a task: Before James began to make the Christmas dinner he deciced to clear the decks.

have a memory like a sieve to be very forgetful: Jenny asked Frank to get her prescription from the chemist, but he has a memory like a sieve and forgot about it.