Needle in a bottle of hay.

Needle in a bottle of hay.

As high as Heaven, as deep as Hell.

As high as Heaven, as deep as Hell.

Put himself upon his good behavior.

Put himself upon his good behavior.

To grow a philosopher's beard.

To grow a philosopher's beard.

The fat's all in the fire.

The fat's all in the fire.

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

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

Cut and come again.

Cut and come again.

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.

A thorn in the flesh.

A thorn in the flesh.