BRIDGE
to cross one’s bridges before one comes to them – to worry unnecessarily about something that may never happen. ‘I don’t know why you are worrying about Father catching one of those tropical diseases in Africa. His company hasn’t decided yet whether to send him to Africa. Don’t cross your bridges before you come to them.’
that’s (all) water under the bridge – that is all past now, and there is nothing that can be done about it. ‘Yes, it’s a pity you didn’t accept Fred’s offer, but it’s useless to reproach yourself now. It’s all water under the bridge.’
to pull up the drawbridge – to keep visitors out in order to ensure privacy for oneself and one’s family. ‘We enjoy entertaining, but at Christmas we like to pull up the drawbridge and be on our own.’
AVENUE
to explore every avenue – to make the most thorough inquiry. ‘We are exploring every avenue to obtain the information you are asking for.’
TOWER
an ivory tower – a haven from the harsh realities of life. ‘Living in your ivory tower at Oxford, you can’t imagine, can you, what it’s like to go hungry?’ The term ‘tour d’ivoire’ (ivory tower) was first used by Sainte-Beuve (1837) to describe the retreat of the French poet, Vigny.
a tower of strength – a person one can always turn to for sympathy and support in times of trouble. ‘When my parents’ marriage broke up, my eldest sister was a tower of strength to the children. We couldn’t have managed without her.’
EXHIBITION
to make an exhibition of oneself – to invite public ridicule or contempt by one’s behaviour. ‘I wish Henry wouldn’t make an exhibition of himself shouting at the waiter like that. It is so embarrassing.’
MUSEUM
museum piece – something antiquated or worn-out. ‘We can’t go to Scotland in that museum piece. Surely the car-hire company can do better than that.’ The literal meaning is a specimen of an earlier civilisation exhibited in a museum.
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