English Idioms, Sayings and Slang-1

on somebody
a crying shame

I win, Dad says, " 'at-a-boy! Good game!"

'at a girl (that a girl) good work, well done, attagirl
When Judy gets good grades, her mom says,
"'at-a-girl, Judy!"

serious injury (повреждение) or death
The old man described his fight with the bear as a close shave.
That was a close shave!
Мы едва избежали опасности!

опасное, рискованное положение; опасность, которую с трудом удалось избежать/
быть на волоске от чего-л.; чудом избежать чего-л
to have a close shave of smth.,
to miss smth. by a close shave —

The bullet missed by a close shave. — Пуля пролетела на волосок (от него).
You had a close shave, but you knew when you accepted принимать, брать; соглашаться this job that there would be risks.

(тема, предмет, вопрос (обсуждения, лекции и т. п.)) that is similar to others
=an idea or theme that is consistently (последовательно, согласованно) present (присутствующий) in several different areas or things.
=a similar idea or pattern to a series of events.

A common thread through most of the stories is the support from the family.

 What is the common thread in these three novels?
There's a common thread in most of Berton's stories.

искоренение, уничтожение
Во всех заключительных документах красной нитью проходит задача искоренения нищеты.

All of these incidents происшествие, событие are related. иметь отношение, затрагивать; быть связанным 
There is a common thread to all this.

for a very long time
a dog's age =нескончаемо долгое время

We haven't been out to the coast in a coon's age. It's been years.

facts and skills= интенсивный курс
=A crash course in a particular subject is a short course in which you are taught basic facts or skills, for example before you start a new job.

He took a crash course in cooking and bought a
cafe.

The college offers a crash course in Spanish. — Колледж предлагает интенсивный курс испанского языка.
a crash course in conversational English — ускоренный курс разговорного английского языка

be attracted to someone=влюбиться
If you have a crush on someone, you are in love with them but do not have a relationship with them. [INFORMAL]

Judy has a crush on Tim. See the way she looks at him.

a crying shame that — очень жаль, что

It's a crying shame!
Ай-яй! Стыдно! Стыд-то какой! Как не стыдно!

It's a crying shame that they didn't have fire Insurance. страхование от пожара

crying shame that elderly people are not getting their pensions...