this expression derives from a reference to the entire width of a board, and may mean everything and everybody.

1. the pay raise was across the board. everybody got a hike in pay.
2. he made an across-the-board accusation,blaming everybody on the team.
3. his criticism was across the board. he left anybody out.

An advantage in a game or business that is kept in reserve, or secret until it is needed to ensure victory. the saying comes from the card game of poker.

1. that guy always has an ace in the hole.
2. he always comes up with an ace in the hole.
3. what i need now is an ace in the hole.

a nightcap is a euphemism for an alcoholic drink taken just before the evening ends. it is often used in movies when a man or a woman invites someone to come into their home or apartment after an evening out of town, giving it strong sexual overtones. in essence, it mean to “cap of” an evening with a final drink.

example:

1. it’s still early! how about a nightcap?
2. you’re interested in more than just a nightcap, aren’t you!
3. your problem is that you have one nightcap after another!

something or somebody that is difficult to find.

example:

1. trying to find him that crowd would be like searching for a needle in a haystack!
2. finding something in this store is like looking for a needle in a haystack.
3. finding your office was like looking for a needle in a haystack.

this expression originally referred to being shot at and the bullet just barely missing you. it is now used in reference to a variety of negatives things that could be have happened but didn’t.

example:

1. when i left just before the earthquake i really appreciated that a miss is as good as a mile,
2. when his wife showed up just seconds after his girlfriend left he smiled and said to himself that a miss is as good as a mile.
3. when a speeding car almost hits you, a miss is not as good as a mile.

this is phrase used to conceal the identity of someone who has told you something that was previously confidential or secret.

example:

1. a little bird told me, and you might as well stop asking because i’m not going to tell you who my little bird was.
2. i heard it from a little bird.
3. your little bird is nothing but a tattle tale.

this is and old saying that comes from the sport of bird hunting. when one bird is shot, the others fly away. it is another way saying that it is better to achieve one goal than try to do much and gain nothing,

example:

1. a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.
2. let’s go for a bird in the hand and forget the rest.
3. he was never satisfied with a bird in the hand, and went on to become successful.

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