a last/final resort
an action you will take if there is no other option
it's more trouble than it's worth
used to say the disadvantages of sth are greater than the advantages
the best of both worlds
a situation in which you have the advantages of two things without any disadvantages
lose face
look stupid or be less respected because of sth you have done
keep your feet on the ground
remain sensible and realistic about life
let your hair down
relax and enjoy yourself
fight a losing battle
try to do sth that will almost certainly fail
too good to be true
used to express doubts about a surprisingly good situation
live/be in a world of your own
spend your time imagining things, and not be aware of things around you
by any chance
used to add politeness to a question
If you don't mind my/me asking
used before a question which you think may be sensitive
the thing is
used to introduce an explanation, and often one that suggests there is a problem
every bit as ... as
used to emphasize the comparative; equally good, bad, interesting, etc.
you never know
used to say that you can never be certain about future events, so anything is possible
Guess what!
used before giving sb surprising or exciting news
believe it or not
used to introduce information which is true but surprising
no wonder
used to emphasize the fact that sth is not surprising
on earth
used after wh-questions to indicate surprise, and sometimes annoyance, about sth
all things being equal
used to say that sth is true if there are no other factors affecting it
for some reason
used to say, often with slight annoyance, that you don't know the reason or don't understand it
I have to admit
used to agree reluctantly that sth is true