To blow things out of proportation: to exaggerate; to make more of something than one should 夸张,夸大

To find out: to learn; to disocver 发现,发觉

To get a handle on: to gain an understanding of 理解,了解

To get one,s act together: to get organized; to start operating more effectively协调(起来),组织(起来),有条有理地筹划,按部就班地行事

To knock oneself out: to work very hard at something 努力做某事

One's heart goes out to someone: to feel sorry for someone 对某人表示同情,理解,体谅

Rant and rave: to talk loudly, often in anger大嚷大叫;严厉训斥;大声抱怨

To sweep something under the rug: to hide something, often a scandal 掩盖,隐藏

Taken aback: surprised 震惊的,惊呆的

To throw the book at somone: to punish or chide aeverely 严惩