a step back

noun

action that will be harmful or make things worse

---

across the board

adv

including or applying to all

---

along the lines of

adv

in a similar way or of a similar type

---

at the back of one's mind

adv

in the part of one's mind where memories are kept but not usually thought about

---

balance of power

noun

an equilibrium of power between nations

---

bear in mind

verb

think of something, especially as a warning

---

beg the question

verb

1. to cause someone to ask a particular question.
2. to talk about something as if it were true, even though it may not be

---

bridge the gap

verb

to connect two things or make the difference between them smaller

---

cast one's mind back

verb

to try to remember something that has happened

---

come into play

verb

begin to be used or begin to have an effect

---

down the line

adv

in the future

---

driving force

noun

someone or something that makes something happen

---

early days

noun

an early period of development

---

from scratch

adv

from the beginning

---

full circle

adv

returning to the original place, source, or state after a cycle of developments (esp. in the phrase to come full circle)

---

get a handle on

verb

to have an understanding of something

---

go hand in hand with

adv

closely related to or happening at the same time

---

go without saying

v

to be so obvious that it does not need explanation

---

golden age

noun

1. a time period when some activity or skill was at its peak.
2. any period (sometimes imaginary) of great peace and prosperity and happiness.
3. (classical mythology) the first and best age of the world, a time of ideal happiness, prosperity, and innocence; by extension, any flourishing and outstanding period

---

have the upper hand

verb

to have a position of advantage and control

---

in its own right

adv

because of its own special qualities

---

in the hands of

adv

controlled or owned by someone

---

in (the) light of

adv

in view of, because of, considering

---

in the long run

adv

after a very lengthy period of time

---

keep an eye on

verb

follow with the eyes or the mind

---

last resort

noun

the only choice that remains after all others hand been tried

---

on the face of it

adv

from appearances alone

---

on the other hand

adv

(contrastive) from another point of view

---

on the right track

adv

doing something in a way that is likely to lead to success

---

on the spot

adv

1. without delay or immediately.
2. in a difficult situation.
3. at the place in question; there

---

out of one's hands

adv

not in one's control

---

rule of thumb

noun

a rule or principle that provides guidance to appropriate behavior

---

sit on the fence

verb

to be unwilling or unable to make a decision

---

state of the art

noun

the highest degree of development of an art or technique at a particular time

---

take for granted

verb

take to be the case or to be true; accept without verification or proof

---

take on board

verb

to understand or accept or deal with an idea

---

the big picture

noun

the whole story or idea

---

the bottom line

noun

the main or essential point

---

the high point

noun

the best or most enjoyable part of a given experience

---

trial and error

noun

experimenting until a solution is found

---