words and words

some instances of what i do not understand and most of these are very frequently used, cliche as they say:

1. the big picture: of what? and why big? why not small?
2. think tank: outside the tank does not think?
3. middle of nowhere: if it is nowhere, how can there be a middle?
4. shape of things to come: how is that possible?
5. dust settles: does it?
6. read between the lines: is there anything?
7. think outside the box: which one?
8. go nowhere: same as 3
9. heart of gold: possible?
10.hand over fist: can't be visualised
11. as luck would have it: why not plain luckily?

... more later, perhaps.