It rains cats and dogs.

cheap tricks

impressive appearance

work-study programme(study while one works)

The whole army is drowned.

be out of kilter

be idiotic

wife and family

go in hot pursuit

a private talk in small voice(talk in whispers)

an excess of demand over supply

innumerable hazards and hardships(risks and hardships)

rock(double up)

unprecedented(as never before; without precedent)

Despise the poor and curry favour with the rich

be extremely conceited and scornful of the world

seven-pace talent

be puffed up with pride(be swollen with arrogance)

unadjustable(discord between husband and wife)

usurp important posts(craftily seize key posts)