Hidebound — unwilling to change because of tradition or convention. (1600 CE)
Close to the bone — near enough to truth to offend some people
Ripsnorter — something or someone very strong or violent (1830-40)
A day late and a dollar short — too little too late (1939)
Foregone conclusion — inevitable result (Othello, Shakespeare 1604)
The milk of human kindness — care and compassion for others. (Shakespeare 1605)
Neither rhyme nor reason — makes no sense (c. 1460, Shakespeare 1590)
Sea change — radical transformation (The Tempest, Shakespeare)
