To stab in the back: To betray

Why’d you stab me in the back?

To be in the driver’s seat: To be in control

She is definitely in the driver’s seat.

Music to my ears: Pleasing to hear

That’s music to my ears.

Turn over a new leaf: Start to act or behave in a better or responsible way.

We are.  I’m attempting to turn over a new leaf.

A lump in your throat: A tight feeling in your throat because of a strong emotion, especially sadness.

 I know I get this lump in my throat.

Hold that thought: To pause in a conversation for interruption.

Hold that thought. Leonard. A moment

Open a can of worms: To create a situation that causes a lot of problems.

But someone thinks that will open up a can of worms.

Pull the plug: To stop something from continuing, to end something.

We just pull the plug on publication.

So that’s good.

To ramp up: To increase something, to develop gradually in a certain direction.

It sounds like you’re ramping up for along one. So first you have to ask.

Take at face value: To accept something as it appears to be rather than studying it more closely.

But, are we to take what others say at face value?