To leave someone responsible for a problem or task. “Everyone went home early and left me holding the baby with all the cleaning up!”

To celebrate the arrival of the new year. “We’re ringing in the New Year with fireworks and champagne.”

To eat or drink too much. “I really made a pig of myself at Christmas lunch.”

Don’t criticize or question the value of a gift you receive. "He complained about the scarf his aunt gave him - talk about looking a gift horse in the mouth!"

To decorate the Christmas tree. “We always trim the tree together on December 1st.”

Be very eager and enthusiastic to go somewhere.  “Are you coming to the Christmas party?” “Of course - I’ll be there with bells on!”

To become very bright or happy (literally or figuratively). “He lit up like a Christmas tree when he saw the decorations.”

To have no chance at all (because a snowball would melt in hell). “I’ve got a snowball’s chance in hell of finishing all this shopping on time.”

To do something completely or enthusiastically. “We went the whole hog this year: decorations, lights, matching pyjamas - everything!"

To have too much work or too many responsibilities. “I’m snowed under with work before the holidays.”

Doing something risky or likely to get you in trouble. "You’re skating on thin ice coming late to the family dinner again!"

A polite way to invite or allow someone to do something. "Can I have another mince pie? - Be my guest!"

To delay or postpone something — like keeping food cold until needed. “We’ve put the project on ice until the New Year.”