the family way
I’ve heard that Martin’s wife is in the family way.
в кулаке (у кого-л.)
under someone’s thumb; in the palm of someone’s hand; in someone’s pocket
My sister is completely under her husband’s thumb.
The mayor had the local press in the palm of his hand and was never criticised by any of them.
Most of the officials in that country are in the pocket of a few very rich businessmen.
в курсе дела
in the know
Let’s ask Paul. He’s in the know.
в лицо (кому-л.)
to someone’s face
He wouldn’t dare say it to my face!
в лучшем случае
at best
The buses were all late and at best I could only hope to be home before midnight.
в любом случае
in any case/event; at any rate
In any event, I’ll see him on Tuesday.
At any rate we must go tomorrow.
в мгновение ока
in the twinkling of an eye
The new machine can do all the calculations in the twinkling of an eye.
в общем и целом
on the whole; all in all; first and last
On the whole, this was a very good journey.
All in all we haven’t done badly.
She is, first and last, a hard worker.
в объятиях Морфея
in the land of Nod
She was in the land of Nod and I didn’t want to wake her.
в одно ухо входит, а в другое выходит
to go in one ear and out the other
Everything she says to her son seems to go in one ear and out the other.
в одной лодке
in the same boat
When I told her that I was broke she said that she was in the same boat.
в первую очередь
in the first place
In the first place, I don’t have enough money to buy a new house.
в подметки не годиться (кому-л.)
cannot hold a candle to someone
She can’t hold a candle to her mother when it comes to cooking.
в полном разгаре
in full swing
The party was in full swing.
в порядке вещей
all in a day’s work
Dealing with complaints from quests is all in a day’s work to anyone working in a hotel.
в поте лица
by the sweat of one’s brow
I can proudly say that whatever I achieved was by the sweat of my brow.
в своей стихии
in one’s element
She is in her element when she’s singing.
в своем уме
in one’s right mind
You’re not in your right mind! That sounds crazy!
в стельку пьяный
as drunk as a lord
When he came home last night, he was as drunk as a lord.
в ус не дуть
not to give a damn
She was unemployed, but she didn’t give a damn.
в форме
on form
John was back on form and nobody could beat him.
в хороших руках
in good hands
This hospital is excellent – your mother will be in good hands.
в худшем случае
if the worst comes to the worst
If the worst comes to the worst, we’ll have to stay in the hotel for another night.
в чем мать родила
in one’s birthday suit; in the buff/altogether/raw
I used to go down to the beach and swim in my birthday suit.
He always sleeps in the raw.
в шкуре (кого-л.)
in someone’s skin
I wouldn’t want to be in your skin.
важная птица
a big cheese/gun/noise/shot/wheel
She is one of the directors of our company – a big noise.
