usage of a few idioms

[Lost_Soul]

Hi,

I’m studying English idioms by a book written by a British author, and some of the idioms used in the book look suspicious to me (I’m not sure they are in use on the other side of the pond ).
Could you tell me if you use them too, please?
Here they are:

1. On the starting block (meaning at the very beginning).
   Example: I haven’t finished the shareholders’ report yet, I’m afraid I’m still on the starting blocks

2. On the home straight (meaning: Almost finished)
   example: There isn’t much to do on this project. We’re on the home straight now.

3. The finishing line is in sight (meaning: The end is near)
   Example: After six months of continuous research, interviews and writings we’re pleased to say the finishing line is in sight

Thank you in advance.

[Alan]

Hi Alex,

They sound all right to me where I sit in my far flung island.

Alan

[Yankee]

1. On the starting block (meaning at the very beginning).
   Example: I haven’t finished the shareholders’ report yet, I’m afraid I’m still on the starting [color=blue]block. I’d stick with the singular form (i.e. 'starting block’, not ‘starting blocks’).

2. On the home straight (meaning: Almost finished)
   example: There isn’t much (left) to do on this project. We’re on the home straight now. [color=blue]OK (I added ‘left’ only to more clearly illustrate the ‘almost finished’ idea. In my experience, there can be various times (and a variety of reasons) that there isn’t much to do on a project at any given time.)

3. The finishing line is in sight (meaning: The end is near)
   Example: After six months of continuous research, interviews and writings we’re pleased to say the [color=blue]finish line is in sight. [color=blue]I’d use ‘finish line’.