• armchair traveller = somebody who reads about being a traveller but doesn't have any experience of doing it.
  His books about his adventures are read by a lot of armchair travellers.
• to be called on the carpet (US) = be criticised by an authority because of doing something wrong.
  She was called on the carpet by her boss because she didn't finish the task in time.
• to roll out the red carpet = give special treatment.
  They rolled out the red carpet when the Prime Minister visited the country.
• to sweep something under the carpet = try to keep something wrong as a secret.
  I'm sure she made a mistake and now she's sweeping it under the carpet.
• to get out of bed on the wrong side = feel angry or annoyed for no particular reason.
  What's the problem with you? I think you just got out of bed on the wrong side.
• not a bed of roses = not an easy situation.
  Working in an office isn't always a bed of roses.
• you've made your bed and you must lie on it = you must accept the results of your actions.
  It was you who decided to resign. You've made your bed and you must lie on it.
• everything but the kitchen sink = too many things.
  She packed a big suitcase for her holidays. She took everything but the kitchen sink!
• a  kitchen sink drama (UK) = a play or film about family problems at home.
  I'm tired of watching this kitchen sink drama!
• to jump out of the frying pan into the fire  = go from a bad situation into a worse one.
  Sheila quit her job in the office and started working for a supermarket. Now she has to work even longer hours. She jumped out of the frying pan into the fire.
• off-the-shelf = available to be bought as it is.
  Cars are sold in an off-the-shelf basis, we don't offer any personalized design.
• to be left on the shelf = not be used or considered.
  His dancing skills were left on the shelf until he became a famous singer.
• to be in the chair = be in charge of a meeting.
  Paul will be in the chair at our next meeting.
• to be on the table = be officially suggested for somebody to consider.
  The offer is on the table, now you have to think if you accept or not.
• under the table = in secret or illegally (usually referred to money).
  The main local authorities received money under the table.
• to go out of the window = disappear or no longer have any effect.
  After drinking, his good intentions went out of the window.
• to close the door on something = make something become impossible.
  The car accident closed the door on her acting career.
• to get in through the back door = achieve something thanks to an unfair secret advantage.
  As his father is a cabinet member, he got in through the back door.
• to lay something at somebody's door = blame somebody for something.
  The problem can't be laid entirely at his door.
• to bring down the curtain on something = cause the end of something.
  His resignation brought down the curtain on his career.
• to smoke like a chimney = smoke a lot.
  If he goes on smoking like a chimney, he will have serious health problems.
• to hit the roof = become very angry.
  Put that back before Dad sees you and hits the roof!
• to have a bun in the oven = (used humourously) be pregnant.
  She can't walk up the stairs, she has a bun in the oven.

We thank Judith Camacho Díaz (from Barcelona, Spain) for her suggestion.

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