Possible Clues:

• Man collaring detective, in a manner of speaking
• ''Go to the dogs,'' e.g.
• "Piece of cake," e.g.
• Man protecting little girl, in a manner of speaking
• Language oddity
• "Apple of my eye," for example
• Under the weather, e.g
• One is 'easy as pie'
• Characteristic style of a period
• 'Talk turkey,' e.g.