• every cloud has a silver lining

• drink him under the table

• a live wire

• be wise after the event

• sticky-fingered

• get the picture

• a tower of strength

• worthy of the name

• a Job's comforter

• be staring him in the face

• throw a snapper in the works

• do him over

• in the open air

• not long for this world

• mother and apple pie

• put one's money where one's mouth is

• fair and square

• practice makes perfect

• keep one's temper

• mum's the word

• my better half

• over the top

• have other fish to fry

• pay the piper

• stir up a hornet's nest

• much greatly to his surprise

• a fool's errand

• fairweather friends

• Davy Jones's locker

• take a turn for the better worse

• with flying colours