| give sb the boot | fire sb |
| a lame duck | sb who is a failure |
| feel the pinch | have financial problems |
| be in the red | in debt |
| be in the black | make profit |
| hit rock bottom | reach the lowest level |
| play with fire | take dangerous risk |
| step into sb's shoes | replace sb |
| a firm hand | control and discipline |
| pay dividends | bring advantages in the future |
| a small fortune | a lot of money |
| mean business | be serious about what one says |
| get sth off the ground | start a business |
| bear fruit | produce good results |
| live on a shoestring | manage with very little money |
| burn the midnight oil | work very late at night to achieve sth |
| be rolling in it | be rich |
| keep one's head above water | survive despite financial problems |
| money down the drain | money wasted |
| tighten one's belt | live on a smaller budget |
