To Set the Ball Rolling

To set/start the ball rolling means to start something happening.



Examples:
I've started the ball rolling by setting up a series of meetings.
The hospital appeal received a gift of £1 million to set the ball rolling.
To start the ball rolling, the government was asked to contribute £1 million.

To Be Up in the Air

If sth is up in the air it means that no decision has been made, often because other matters have to be decided first.



Example:
I may be moving to Canad, but it's still up in the air.

To Take the Bull by the Horns

To take the bull by the horns means to bravely or confidently deal with a difficult, dangerous, or unpleasant problem.



Examples:
I decided to take the bull by the horns and ask him to leave.
Helena decided to take the bull by the horns and organize the show herself.
Nora decided to take the bull by the horns and organize things for herself.
We decided to take the bull by the horns and go to court, instead of paying the fine.

Quick Requests

Making a quick request
Do you have a minute?
Excuse me, am I disturbing you?
Could you just have a quick look at...?
Could you spare a few minutes?
Do you have a few minutes?
Would you mind checking...?
Could you give me a hand with...?

Responding to requests
Yeah, sure.
No problem.
Certainly. Take a seat.
Yes, come in.
I'm a bit busy right now.
Sorry, no time!
I'm sorry, not just now.
Give me two minutes and I'll be right with you.

To Rush from Pillar to Post

To rush from pillar to post means to go from place to place in a panic.



Example:
The poor kid has been rushing from pillar to post.

Apologising & Responding

Apologising
Sorry I'm late.
I'm sorry that...
I'm very sorry about...
I do apologise for...
Sorry about that.
I'm afraid that...

Responding to an apology
Never mind.
That's OK.
That's all right.
It doesn't matter.
Don't worry about that.
No problem.

A Splitting Headache

If you have a splitting headache, you have a very bad headache. You can also say to have a pounding headache. Please note that the word headache is a countable noun, so you should say a headache.



Examples:
I had a splitting headache, and couldn't go to work.
She went home because she had a splitting headache.