break a leg

This phrase has its origin in the world of theater. Performers had a superstition
that saying “good luck” would actually bring them bad luck, so “break a leg” was
used instead.

Hit the sack

This phrase originated in America around the late 1800s to early 1900s, when
mattresses used to consist of old sacks filled with hay or straw.

Miss the boat

This phrase has been in use since the 1900s

Pull someone's leg

The phrase first appeared in the late 1800s in America. The origin is not clear,
though there are two popular theories, but both implausible. The first theory says
that thieves used to pull the legs of their victims to put them off guard, so that
they could rob them. The second one refers to hangings that were held in Tyburn,
England. It is said that people were hired to hang on the victim’s leg to give them
a quick execution.

Let the cat out of the bag

The phrase originates from markets where animals were provided in bags and piglets
would be substituted by cats, which when out would be a surprise for the audiences.
The phrase has been around since the 15th century. The first literary origin comes
from “The London Magazine” in the year 1760. In fact, in the time frame of 1750 to
1770 there are many references found for the use of this phrase.

This idiom is one that originated from Holland, now known as Netherlands. Skating
originated from there and skating on thin ice was a phrase commonly used especially
when seas/rivers/streams freeze during the winter and then people skate over them.
In some areas, the ice is thin and can crack, causing the skater to fall into the
freezing water and possibly die if not saved.

Give someone the cold shoulder

“No pain, no gain” is quite an old proverb dating back to the second century. In
The Ethics of the Fathers, the Rabbi writes:

“According to the pain is the gain.”

One of the oldest printed records of the proverb comes from the poet Robert Herrick
in his “Hesperides.” Published in 1650:

No Pains, No Gains.
If little labour, little are our gains:
Man’s fate is according to his pains.
— Hesperides 752.

In 1670, John Rays wrote a Collection of English proverbs, featuring:

“Without pains, no gains.”

In The Way to Wealth (reprinted in 1758), Benjamin Franklin penned the proverb as:
“There are no gains without pains.”

It was made into a famous catchphrase in the 80s
aerobics videos. She shouted, “No pain, no gain”
workouts. From this, we hear the mantra repeated
often by athletic or sports coaches and personal
gym) nowadays.
by Jane Fonda (US actor) in her
and “Feel the burn” during her
all over the western world, most
trainers (probably in your local

Source: www.theidioms.com