Idioms: Look Past, Take Stock of

Look past -
Take stock of -

Example:
"If you look past the immediate economic situation and the recent financial crisis and take stock of the overall picture, the United States is in a great position."

The United States Is Still in an Extraordinarily Good Position | LinkedIn

Idioms: Throw in the Towel

Throw in the towel - To throw in the towel means to quit.

Example:

I was trying to learn Portuguese, but I got frustrated and threw in the towel.

Idioms: Up in the Air

Up in the air - If something is undecided, it is up in the air.

Example:

We're looking for a test market right now, but nothing has been decided yet. Everything's still up in the air.

Courtesy: Common Business Expressions and Idioms

Idioms: Learn the Ropes

Learn the ropes 

To understand how to do a particular job or activity. Learn the ropes stands for learning something new. It is originally a nautical term implying that new recruits had to learn how to tie knots first in order to become true sailors. 

Usage Notes:

Sometimes used in the forms know the ropes (to understand how something is done) and show someone the ropes or teach someone the ropes (to teach someone how something is done):

Example:

1. It'll take some time for the new receptionist to learn the ropes.
2. You'd better find someone to show you the ropes if you're going to fix the car yourself.  
3. This is a new position for him and he will need time to learn the ropes.  

Courtesy:
Free Dictionary, Thesaurus and Encyclopedia
Business Idioms & Phrases

Grammar: Could

'Could' can be used to talk about the past, the present or the future.

'Could' is a past form of 'can'

1. When I was living in Boston, I could walk to work.
2. He phoned to say he couldn't come.
3. I could see him clearly but I couldn't hear him and then the video conference line went dead.

'Could' is used to make polite requests. We can also use 'can' for these but 'could' is more polite. 

1. Could you help me, please?
2. Could you lend me some money?
3. Could I have a lift?
4. Could I bother you for a moment?

If we use 'could' in reply to these requests, it suggests that we do not really want to do it. If you agree to the request, it is better to say 'can'.

1. Of course I can.
2. I could help you if it's really necessary but I'm really busy right now.
3. I could lend you some money but I'd need it back tomorrow without fail.
4. I could give you a lift as far as Birmingham.

'Could' is used to talk about theoretical possibility and is similar in meaning to 'might'.

1. It could rain later. Take an umbrella.
2. He could be there by now.
3. Could he be any happier?
4. It could be Sarah's.

Courtesy: English Grammar Lessons

Idioms: With Bells on

If you go somewhere with bells on, you are delighted and eager to go there.

Example:

Of course I'll be there - with bells on!

Idioms: Ants in One's Pants

People who have ants in their pants are very restless or excited about something.

Example:

I wish he'd relax. He's got ants in his pants about something today.