put thumb on the scales 試著去影響事情的結果

If you put your thumb on the scales, you try to influence the result of something in your favour.

go up in smoke 付之一炬

go up in smoke

to be wasted The research project was canceled, and five years of hard work went up in smoke.

go down in flames also go up in flames

to fail or end suddenly and completely We've seen two big mass-transit plans go down in flames in the last two years. The idea of self-respect went up in flames a long time ago.

trim one's sails 刪減支出

trim one's sails, Informal. to cut expenses; economize:

We're going to have to trim our sails if we stay in business.

sitting on the fence 很難做出決定

sitting on the fence
If you are on the fence, you are not on one side or the other -- this means you have trouble making up your mind about that particular issue.

lay a glove on someone 打擊某人

If you lay a glove on someone, you strike a blow against them in an argument, dispute, etc.  (Mostly used in the negative)

to one's credit 感謝某人

Idioms

19.

do someone credit, to be a source of honor or distinction for someone. Also, do credit to someone.

20.

on credit, by deferred payment: Everything they have was bought on credit.

21.

to one's credit, deserving of praise or recognition; admirable: It is to his credit that he freely admitted his guilt.

make waves 興風作浪

make waves

to shock or upset people with something new or different Her clothes have made waves on the fashion scene around the world.

Usage notes: often used in the form not make waves: We decided not to make waves with our parents and agreed to have a realwedding.