2. SHORT END OF THE STICK
The smaller or less
desirable part, rank, task,
or amount. (*Typically:
get ~; have ~; give
someone ~; end up with
~.) Why do I always get
the short end of the stick?
I want my fair share!
She's unhappy because
she has the short end of
the stick again.
3. SPIN A YARN
To tell a tale. Grandpa spun an
unbelievable yarn for us.
4. STRAIGHT AS AN ARROW
Cliché [of someone]
honest or forthright.
(Straight here means
honest. *Also: as ~.)
Tom is straight as an
arrow. I'd trust him
with anything.
5. A TALL STORY
A story or a statement
that is difficult to
believe because it is
too exciting or
interesting: He told
me a tall story about
having met some top
models in a nightclub.
6. THROW DUST IN THE EYES
Mislead someone, as in
The governor's press aide
threw dust in their eyes,
talking about a flight at
the airport when he was
heading for the highway .
This metaphoric
expression alludes to
throwing dust or sand in
the air to confuse a
pursuing enemy. [Mid-
1700s]
7. MONEY LAUNDERING
The criminal act or practice of
processing large amounts of
money obtained through
illegitimate or illegal means,
often in small increments
through banks or other
legitimate businesses, so as to
conceal its source or origins:
One of the clubs downtown
was shut down last week on
charges of suspected money
laundering for a local criminal
enterprise.
9. OLDEST TRICK IN THE BOOK
A way of deceiving someone that is not new: It was the oldest trick
in the book - one man distracted me while another stole my wallet.
10. RIP-OFF
A theft; a deception; an exploitation: What
a rip-off! I want my money back.
11. SMELL A RAT
To suspect that
something is wrong; to
sense that someone has
caused something wrong.
I don't think this was an
accident. I smell a rat.
Bob had something to do
with this. The minute I
came in, I smelled a rat.
Sure enough, I had been
robbed.
12. SMELLS FISHY
To seem suspicious:
Barlowe squinted a
bit. Something smells
fishy here, he
thought. Something
about the deal
smelled fishy—too
good to be true.
13. A PIG IN A POKE
An object offered in a manner that conceals its true value,
especially its lack of value. For example, Eric believes
that buying a used car is buying a pig in a poke.
14. BE SOLD A PUP
To be tricked into
buying something that
is not worth anything:
I'm afraid you've been
sold a pup there. You
should always get an
expert to look over a
second-hand car
before you buy it.
15. A COCK AND A BULL TALE
An unbelievable tale
that is intended to
deceive; a tall tale.
For example, Jack
told us some cock
and bull story about
getting lost.
16. TO BE ON THE FIDDLE
Engaged in deceitful, fraudulent, or dishonest means of
obtaining money. There are always politicians on the
fiddle, looking for ways to use their positions of power to
earn a bit more money.
