Often shortened to “can’t cut it,” this phrase means you can’t handle a certain task or issue. For Example: “Bill thought about joining the Marines, but he eventually concluded that he just can’t cut basic training.”

Without being prepared in advance. For Example: “The President was asked to give a speech off the cuff, so he wasn’t at his best.”

One thing that is very different from another thing, usually inferior. For Example: “You can’t compare Cornell to Harvard. Cornell is a far cry from Harvard.”

When an important decision must be made. For Example: “When it comes to the crunch, you always want to go with your star player.”  

Pretending to be upset by something. For Example: “He acted really upset about not being invited on the trip, but I think he was just crying crocodile tears.”

In a difficult position with no easy way out. For Example: The full saying is “up the creek without a paddle” which means you’re in a bad situation and don’t really have anything that can help you.

Allowing something to happen without outside influence. For Example: The full saying is usually “let nature take its course” which means “just relax and let’s just see how everything works out in the end.”

Someone who watches a lot of television and is therefore assumed to be lazy. For Example: “Did you invite Greg to the party?” “Yes, I did, but I doubt he’ll come. That guy is such a couch potato.”