Meanings

when you are in a state of fear, the smallest thing will startle you

all returns to dust

to lose an argument despite being in the right

to lose an argument despite being in the right

slow down

portcullis

falling-block puzzle game

to drop like a rock (e.g. of reputation, power, influence)

a straw will show which way the wind blows

to understand fully

to reduce (one's) speed

to begin grandly

draining water from pipes (for the winter)

book with missing pages

to lower one's voice

to charge to the company

to look downwards

to behead

pixel defect (on an LCD display, e.g. dead pixel)

falling of fruit