A dictionary of Confusable Phrases: More Than 10,000 Idioms and Collocations

have a new lease of life • make a new life for
 oneself
have a new lease of life —find new enthusiasm and energy
(after a period of illness or sadness): I’m able to do much more
which is absolutely great and I have a new lease of life.
make a new life for oneself —move to another place, change
one’s career, etc., especially to recover from an unpleasant
experience: After the divorce she moved to Buckingham to
make a new life for herself.
have a pied-à-terre • have one’s feet on the ground
have a pied-à-terre —(Fr.) have an extra room or house
which one keeps for use when needed: Ian makes regular visits
to Tuscany and to the island of Mallorca where he has a pied-
à-terre.
have one’s feet on the ground —(also: have both feet on the
ground) have a sensible and realistic attitude to life: The book
is written by a thoughtful, sensitive man who, nevertheless,
has his feet on the ground.
have a pull with someone • have the pull of
 someone
have a pull with someone —(coll.) have influence with a per-
son, especially smb. in a high position: He has a strong pull
with the Managing Director.
have the pull of someone —(coll.) have an advantage over a
person (also: have the pull over someone): That’s where a gen-
tleman has the pull of you. He doesn’t get excited. No gen-
tleman does — or hardly ever.
have a quick one • pull a fast one
have a quick one —(sl.) 
1
. have a drink before one does smth.
else: We had a quick one and admired the bar, then left and
had a wander around the town center. 2. said of a brief and
brisk sex act: I guess I’d been upstairs long enough for him to
think I’d had a quick one off with the girl.
pull a fast one —(sl.) cheat or deceive a person: I signed a
contract on a house, and I think my realtor pulled a fast one
on me.