the power behind the scene/the throne

The building's on fire!

to be on the lam

to go to the devil

to do the talking

to be on the black list

The earth consists of 70 percent water and 30 percent land mass

The ship veered round

The notice of administrative decision is being issued in the interests of legal clarity and certainty

The use of green techniques is far from having fully reached its potential

The line is busy / engaged / occupied

The day turned out to be a fine one

The tackiness of the place was horrific and the ceramic leopard under the piano finished it off

the devil a bit

to be on the list

to go to the land of nod

by the end of December

to be on the scrounge

the best that money can buy

The cards are being reshuffled

The question doesn’t arise

The subject of American credit rating agencies came up

the beginning of the end

The damage can’t have been caused accidentally

The bill, please!