Needle in a bottle of hay.

Needle in a bottle of hay.

To be praised by a man who has won his laurels.

To be praised by a man who has won his laurels.

As high as Heaven, as deep as Hell.

As high as Heaven, as deep as Hell.

Leap out of the frying pan into the fire.

Leap out of the frying pan into the fire.

A precious pair of brothers [i.e., rascals].

A precious pair of brothers [i.e., rascals].

To throw a blot on a man's reputation by praising him.

To throw a blot on a man's reputation by praising him.

To say that which is instructive and also pleasing.

To say that which is instructive and also pleasing.

To swallow gudgeons ere they're catch'd.
And count their chickens ere they're hatch'd.

To swallow gudgeons ere they're catch'd.
And count their chickens ere they're hatch'd.

Neither fish, flesh nor good red herring.

Neither fish, flesh nor good red herring.