English Idioms and Idiomatic Expressions 

EMPLOYMENT- JOBS, page 1

from:  'above and beyond the call of duty'   to:  'golden handcuffs'

• above and beyond the call of duty
  • If a person does something which is above and beyond the call of duty, they show a greater degree of courage or effort than is usually required or expected in their job.
    "The fire-fighter received a medal for his action which went above and beyond the call of duty."
    
    
• back-room boys
  • The term back-room boys refers to people who do important work but have no contact with the public.
    "Back-room boys don't always receive the credit they deserve for their work."
    
    
• brain drain
  • The departure of highly qualified people (scientists, engineers, etc.) for other countries, where they have better opportunities and usually better pay, is called the brain drain.
    
    
• busman's holiday
  • A busman's holiday is when you spend your spare time or your holidays doing the same sort of activity as you do in your job.
    "My husband is a chef, so for him time off with the family is often a busman's holiday!"
    
    
• cream of the crop
  • The expression cream of the crop refers to the best people or things in a particular group.
    "As usual, the cream of the crop of this year's graduates were offered the best jobs."
    
    
• dead end job
  • A dead end job is a position with no prospects or opportunities for the future.
    "For the moment I'm stuck in a dead end job but I'm hoping to find something better."
    
    
• dead wood
  • The term dead wood refers to people or things that are no longer considered useful or necessary.
    "The new manager wants to reduce costs by cutting out the dead wood."
    
    
• on the dole
  • A person who receives financial assistance from the government when they are unemployed is on the dole.
    "Their father is on the dole so the family is living on a tight budget."
    
    
• dream ticket
  • If you refer to two people as a dream ticket, you think they would work well together and be successful.
    "Two world champions teaming up for the children's fund-raising project would be a dream ticket."
    
    
• duty bound
  • If you are duty bound to do something, you are required to do it as part of your obligations.
    "Teachers are duty bound to report a pupil's absence from school."
    
    
• eager beaver
  • The term eager beaver refers to a person who is hardworking and enthusiastic, sometimes considered overzealous.
    "The new accountant works all the time - first to arrive and last to leave. He's a real eager beaver!"
    
    
• earn while you learn
  • The expression earn while you learn refers to the possibility of earning a salary while in training.
    "Become an apprentice and get paid while in training. Earn while you learn!"
    
    
• firing line
  • Someone who is in the firing line is in a position to be criticized because of their responsibilities or the position they hold.
    "The managing director of the bank is in the firing line since the fraud was discovered."
    
    
• get the axe
  • If someone gets the axe, they lose their job.
    When a company is restructured, the senior staff are often the first to get the axe."
    
    
• golden handcuffs
  • The term golden handcuffs refers to a large sum of money or a generous financial arrangement granted to an executive as an incentive to stay in their job, or to ensure long-term cooperation after their departure.