common idioms

[peter123]

Hi there,
I want to ask if the following underlined idioms, expressions or words are still popular among English native speakers.


1. spill the beans
2. The plumber simply gave the job a lick and a promise.
3. His good connections make him an ideal rainmaker.
4. He is a fly in the ointment.

Thanks
pete

 

[Batfink]

The first and fourth is certainly used commonly. I am from Ireland and have lived in Britain for a long time and have never heard 2 or 3.

Maybe another native speaker can verify or comment?

 

[David L.]

1. With how people talk to each other in movies these days - rough, macho - and in the face of 'ratted', 'opened his big mouth', 'opened his fat trap', 'spill your guts', then 'spill the beans' sounds namby-pamby and I wonder if it still has much currency.

2. I remember this from my youth, and I think only the more elderly would know and use this idiom. You might like to resurrect it amongst your crowd- it's a good one.

3 American Philosophical Association:biographical memoirs
For Lew’s firm, it was a matter of no little consequence that he was, in the current idiom, a rainmaker par excellence. Still, it would be a
fundamental mistake to measure his worth to the firm only by the number and importance of the clients he attracted.

I have never heard this idiom before. Will keep searching.

 

[Ouisch]

A "lick and a promise" is quite old and dated, it is used very rarely today. It means to do something in a quick, cursory way, with little regard for detail.

"Rainmaker" is more or less an industry-specific term; it is used to describe a lawyer or attorney who has a knack for using his connections and calling in favors to bring in a lot of business to his firm.

 

[Neillythere]

As an old (and maybe dated) Brit, but not a teacher, I can relate to all except the "rainmaker". Maybe I haven't watched enough "Boston Legal or LA Law!.

I would have no problem using 1 & 4, nowadays.
2 is a ~ maybe, but not 3.