It's not acceptable to pretend to understand when you don't.
sporting house - brothel (not "sports room")
dead president - US banknotes (with presidents' portraits) (not "deceased president")
lover - lover (not "beloved one")
busboy - restaurant busser (not "bus conductor")
busybody - nosy person (not "very busy person")
dry goods - (US) textiles; (UK) grains (not "dried goods")
heartman - heart transplant recipient (not "a person with heart")
mad doctor - psychiatrist (not "crazy doctor")
eleventh hour - last moment (not "11 o'clock")
blind date - first meeting of two people arranged by a third party (not "blind meeting" or "senseless date")
personal remark - personal attack (not "individual comment")
sweet water - fresh water (not "sugar water" or "sweet-tasting water")
confidence man - con artist (not "trustworthy person")