give sb the boot	to fire sb from the job
a lame duck	a person/ company that is a failure
feel the pinch	to suffer because of lack of money
in the red	in debt
hit rock bottom	to reach the lowest point
in the black	in credit, making profit
play with fire	to take dangerous risks
step into sb's shoes	to replace sb
a firm hand	control and disciline
pay dividends	to bring advantages at a later date
a small fortune	a lot of money
mean business	to be serious about what one says, intends
get sth off the ground	to start business, company
bear fruit	to produce goodresults
live on a shoestring	to manage with very little money
burn the midnight oil	to work very late at night to achieve sth
be rolling in it	to be rich
keep one's head above the water	to survive despite financial problems
money down the drain	money wasted
tighten one's belt	to live on a small budget