perform (something) on (someone or something)
To begin and bring to completion some kind of procedure or activity focused on someone or something. I won't have anything to drink, thanks—I'm performing open-heart surgery on one of my patients tomorrow. He was arrested for performing experiments on animals. We've performed an exhaustive scan on your computer, but we couldn't find any malicious software.
perform miracles
To achieve extraordinary results, especially in trying to improve a situation. The therapist we hired has performed miracles with Johnny's behavioral issues. If we're going to bring this company back to its former glory, we'll need a marketing team that can perform miracles.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
*old warhorse
a performance piece that is performed often. (*Typically: be ~; become ~; perform ~; play ~.) The symphony orchestra played a few old warhorses and then some ghastly contemporary stuff that will never again see the light of day.
perform something on someone or something
to do something to someone or something; to carry out a procedure on someone or something. The surgeon performed a simple office procedure on the patient. Do you expect me to perform magic on this problem?
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
do/perform/stage a disapˈpearing/ˈvanishing act
(informal) go away or be impossible to find when people need or want you: Ian always does a disappearing act when it’s time to wash the dishes.This refers to a magic trick done by a magician in which they make themselves or another person disappear.Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017