English for Today by Ganiu Abisoye Bamgbose (Dr GAB)
S in Idioms
He became the unit head with ~backstair~ influence (nonstandard).
He became the unit head with backstairs influence (standard). A secret or furtive act is described as backstairs.
She told him to pack his ~bag~ (nonstandard).
She told him to pack his bags (standard). To suddenly leave where you live or work, usually because of a disagreement is to pack your bags.
A good mentor should be willing to use his good ~office~ to help a follower (nonstandard).
A good mentor should be willing to use his good offices to help a follower (standard).
Someone’s good offices are the help that they give to other people who are trying to achieve something.
GAB
No comment