• The General Manager was excited because he knew he had already had several major contracts in the bag.

• The boss still had the jitters(忐忑不安）, though he knew that their success was already in the bag.

• A good harvest is already in the bag, though the farmers still have a share of worries.

• Don't be fooled by their babbling. Can't you see that they've had everything in the bag? 别听他们的胡说八道了，难道你还看不出来他们已经到处做了手脚？

• Your trick might work ten years ago. But nowadays few are prone to rise to a bait as easily as you think.你的花招在十年前也许管用，但当今人们绝不像你所想象的会轻易上钩的。

• Look! A fish is rising to the bait.

• Be patient! he is rising to the bait.

Joe had balled up the business, but it was Jack who was blamed for the mess.

Dialogue:

Nancy: John dismissed Joe last week.
Selma: What for? Not for his falling asleep at the switch again, I suppose.
Nancy: No. He balled up John's business by disclosing his company's secret.
Selma: He should have mended his steps.
Nancy: Can the leopard change his spots?
Selma: No. And he will find it very hard to find another job.
Nancy: That serves him right.

•  I thought his lecture would be very informative, but to my disappointment, there was more bark than bite throughout the lecture: there was nothing practically important.

• The boss threatened Joe by saying that he would kick him out of the company, but Joe was certain that there was more bark than bite in his remark.

• There is generally more bark than bite in most of modern publications, either in literally or in academic writings.

• You don't have to take off your gloves to a girl like Jenny: there's more bark than bite in what she says.对像杰妮这样的女孩你没有必要如此不依不饶的。她说起话来只不过是嘴厉害了点儿，可他很少伤害人。