In at the deep end

(Dedicated to Dan)

If you are thrown in at the deep end, you are dropped straight into a situation without any warning or preparation.

This can particularly happen when starting a new job.

The origin comes from the swimming pool which has a deep end and a shallow end.

People used to say that the best way to teach someone to swim, is to throw them in at the deep end. (Not something I would advise)

Here's someone who is definitely in at the deep end!

Pay lip service

(Dedicated to Asia)

Here's a strange one!

When you pay lip service to something, you only pretend that you are committed to something but in fact, you are not.

For example, the Directors said they supported the appraisal scheme but in fact, only paid lip service to it. (A common reality!)

But how do we get this phrase? One answer is in church. If you don't know the words to a hymn, you just move your mouth and pretend that you are singing.

One of the best examples of paying lip service you will ever see follows!