These are all representations of words, places or things. Can you figure them out? Only one solve per person, please.

1. once bitten twice shy

9. as big as life

3. bottom of the heap

3. Top of the heap

6. reading between the lines

5 - an inside job

8. paradise

7. Open house

Bernie

2. stir crazy

Excellent solves! I had "top of the heap" for #3.

I figured that out Pandora, after I posted "bottom" but decided to just leave it. Does it say something about me that my mind immediately jumped to "bottom"

I think Frank Sinatra made "top of the heap" popular. I understand choosing "bottom" though because your first thought is that the bottom is missing.

4. On the edge of insanity

Nice try, but try again.

4. Going right up the wall?

I like Rog's answer, but if that is not it, perhaps mounting/growing/rising insaniity?

A nice variation would have had "insane" going downwards, for "down right crazy!"

Good thinking, Lex!

You got the second word correct: insanity

4. the brink of insanity

4. borderline insanity

or perhaps 'bordering on insanity'

michele's got it! Well done!

Michele