eM T SITS ered TET) Lee Velie el leyi ih Master the 300 most common idioms \Fant and Squne|\ go FER (Plain sans Sandra Anderson & Cheryl Pelteret \Winte X \ GaalContents eavaunwns 9 10 W 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 Knowledge and understanding Memory and mind Communicating Priorities and decisions Relationships Help and encouragement Involvement and interest Starting and stopping Effort Honesty and fairness Deception Anger and irritation Fear and frustration Disagreement Success and failure Progress Expectation Trouble and difficulty Safety and risk Money Authority and control Limitations and restrictions Loving and liking Happiness and sadness Health, illness, and death Appendices Understanding idioms Study tips American English alternatives Answer key Index 10 14 18 22 26 30 34 38 42 46 50 54 58 62 66 70 74 78 82 86 90 94 98 102 106 108 10 112 1254 How to use this book Welcome to Work on your Idioms! Who is this book for? The book is suitable for: + Intermediate to advanced learners + learners who are CEF (Common European Framework) level 81+. You can use the book: + asaself-study course + as supplementary material on a general English course. Book structure Work on your idioms contain: + 25 units covering over 300 of the most common idioms + a comprehensive answer key + appendices which include: a study guide with tips to help you remember idioms and use them correctly, and 2a section covering American English versions of the idioms in the units + an Index to help you find idfoms quickly and easily. Idioms are figurative phrases that exist in all languages. They have a literal meaning, but they also have a figurative meaning, which is not always obvious. They form an important part of everyone's vocabulary and are used both in formal and informal language. They are, however, much more common in informal, spoken English. They should not be confused with slang, which is very often inappropriate in certain social situations. The idioms in this book are grouped by topic to make them easier to remember and to help you use and understand them in everyday situations. The idioms are presented alphabetically and in large bold type over, ‘two pages in each unit, so that you can see them clearly and find them easily. Unit structure Each unit is presented over four pages. The first two pages of each unit present the idioms, together with full sentence definitions, examples, and notes. The second two pages provide exercises to help you practise using the idioms. Each units self-contained, so you can study the units in any order, by selecting the topic you want to study. idiom callitaday have been ding hat day you callita day, you decide to ston daing something yo ‘meaning ‘scorched for hours but had t alt doy when it got dork: ‘example NOTE’ inthe evening, people sometimes say that they are going toc! nish mes Tomorrow is going tobe busy 50 let’ callra nigh. Iesmo secret wont his job when he cals ido. Work on your Idioms ContentsHow to use this book Definitions The definitions of idioms are given in full sentences in simple, natural English, Examples Each definition is followed by at least one example. All of the examples are taken from the Collins Corpus, a huge database of real language from a variety of sources. The examples have been carefully chosen to show ‘common patterns and typical uses of the idiom, so that you can see how it is really used in English today. Notes Notes give you extra information, for example, information about the idioms origin and any particularly difficult or unusual vocabulary init British and American English Most of the idioms in this book are used in both British and American English. However, there are sometimes cases where an idiom has an American English variation, There is a section at the back of the book covering the American English versions of these idioms. Exercises Each unit contains six exercises designed to help you practise using all the idioms from the unit. The examples used in the exercises will help you to understand the idioms in context and help you to be more confident about using them correctly. You will find answers to all the exercises in the Answer key at the back of the book. Your turn! In addition to the exercises, each unit contains a Your turn! activity. These are designed to help you use the idioms to talk about your own ideas or experiences. Other titles Also available in this range are: + Work on your Accent + Work on your Phrasal VerbsKnowledge and understanding get the hang of something Ifyou get the hang of an activity, you learn how to do it well INFORMAL] After a few months you will start getting the hang of the language and expressing yourself quite well. get the picture Ifyou get the picture, you understand what is happening in a situation. INFORMAL] NOTE] This expression is often used when someone does not understand something immediately. ‘Anna was giggling. She was beginning to get the picture. get the wrong end of the stick or get hold of the wrong end of the stick If someone gets the wrong end of the stick or gets hold of the wrong end of the stick, they completely inderstand a situation or something that is said. [INFORMAL] Did 1 get hold of the wrong end of the stick? Was that not what he meant? get your head around something or get your head round something If you get your head around a fact or an idea, you succeed in understanding it or accepting it. [BRITISH, INFORMAL] At first people laughed at me because they simply could not get their head around what I was telling them. It’s hard to get your head round figures this big. go in one ear and out the other If something that you tell someone goes in one ear and out the other, they pay no attention to it, or forget about it immediately. I've told him so many times - it ust goes in one ear and out the other. agrey area Ifyou call something a grey area, you mean that itis unclear, for example because nobody is sure how to deal with it, or it falls between two separate categories of things. Tabloid papers paint all sportsmen as heroes or villains. There Is no grey area in between. not havea clue Ifyou do not have a clue about something, you do not know anything about it, or you have no idea what to do aboutit. INFORMAL] don't have a clue what 'm supposed to be doing. Work on your Idioms Knowledge and understandingUNIT1 jump to conclusions If someone jumps to conclusions, they decide too quickly that something is true, when they do not know all the facts. Forgive me. | thought you were married. | shouldn't jump to conclusions. NOTE You can also say that someone jumps to a/the conclusion, | didm’t want her to jump to the conclusion that the divorce was in any way her fault. NOTE People sometimes use leap instead of jump. The medical establishment was careful not to leap to conclusions. put two and two together Ifyou put two and two together, you correctly guess the truth about something from the information that you have. He put two and two together and guessed what the police were searching for. NOTE) You can say that someone puts two and two together and makes five, to mean that they guess something more exciting or interesting than the truth. Mr Lane's solicitor said that the police had put two and two together and made five, read between the lines Ifyou read between the lines, you understand what someone really means, or what is really happeni a situation, even though it is not stated openly. He didn't go into details, but reading between the lines it appears that he was forced to leave. NOTE) You can also talk about what is between the lines. He didn't give a reason, but I sensed something between the lines. take something on board Ifyou take an idea, suggestion, or fact on board, you understand it or accept it. [BRITISH] NOTE) The literal meaning of this expression is to take something onto a boat or ship. Iistened to them, took their comments on board, and then made the decision. up to speed If you are up to speed, you have all the latest information about something. We try to keep people entertained and up to speed with what's going on in town, NOTE You can say that you bring someone up to speed, or that they get up to speed when you give them all the latest information about something. guess | should bring you up to speed on what's been happening since I came to see you yesterday. The president has been getting up to speed on foreign policy.Exercise 1 Complete the sentences with the words in the box. ear | due | hang | picture | stick | area 1 Iso0n began to get the ___ of the new filing system. 2. Anna doesn't have a____how to talk to children. 3. The difference between telling a lie and not telling the whole truth is a grey —___. 4 | thought she was paying for dinner but ! must have got the wrong end of the —____. 5 Brad tried to remember the directions but they seemed to have gone in one ___ and out the other. 6 The inspector spent a few minutes with the victim and soon began to get the Exercise 2 Match sentence halves 1-6 with A-F to make complete sentences. 1. We saw them together in the restaurant and it was A read between the lines. so easy to 2 Ive told them I'm a vegetar just don’t 3. The real skill of being an agony aunt isbeing ableto. Chad put two and two together and made five. 4 I've learnt a lot about the new regulations andl —_D_ jump to conclusions. run training day to 5. The international dateline is an idea I've never been E get my head around. able to 6 Unfortunately, the children were disappointed; they F_bring you all up to speed. n many times but they B take it on board. Exercise 3 Complete the sentences. Choose the best answers. 1. Then you click’save' and move the file to here. Vo you read between the lines / get the picture / put two and two together? 2. It's going to take me a couple of days to get up to speed / the picture / the wrong end of the stick with the new project: 3 Thisis a very difficult exercise. Ijust can't jump to conclusions / go in one ear and out the other / get my head round it. Don't worry. You'll soon get the hang of it/ jump to conclusions / get the wrong end of the stick. Listen to all the evidence and don't take it on b ‘Adam shook his head; he didn't put two and two together read between the lines / have a clue how to fix this. id jump to conclusions / get your head around it Exercise 4 Replace the underlined words with the correct idioms in the box. get hold of the wrong end of the stick | getthehang ofit | get the picture goinone ear and out the other | haven’tgotaclue | read between the lines You don't have to explain it anymore. | understand the situation. He doesn't listen carefully, and tends to misunderstand, | don't think I'll be able to do the accounts. | know nothing about book keeping. They haven't actually said anything is wrong, but I can sense it It's difficult at first, but after a bit of practice, you learn how to do it. You have to repeat cverything to them. Whatever you say will be foraotten immediately afterwards! oneune Work on your Idioms Knowledge and understandingExercise 5 Use sentences A-F to answer questions 1-6. 1 Whose company has adopted a new way of working? 2. Who is surprised at how strict his working conditions are becoming? 3 Who thinks he will soon have a new boss? 4 Who Is improving his expertise at work? 5 Who is expecting to benefit from recent events? 6 Who wants to work for a different company? Exercise 6 Complete the table. Put the idioms in the correct groups. nothavea clue uptospeed | | get your head around something take something on board | UNIT1 Veejay feels he hasn't a clue how to find a better employer. Nikis getting himself up to speed on the new tax law. Khalid leapt to the conclusion that the CEO would now resign ‘Stefan’s firm has really taken the idea of teleworking on board Cheng put two and two together and hoped this ‘would mean a promotion for him. Xavier can't get his head around all the new rules in the office. getthe wrong endofthestick | agrey area read between the lines | jump to conclusions get the hang of something | getthe picture | puttwo and twotogether | go inone ear and out the other understanding correctly 1 aun You not understanding as Your turn! Think about learning experiences you or people around you have had recently. Use the idioms in this unit to talk about them. For example: | finally managed to get my head around how a car engine works. My parents still haven't got the hang of text messaging. The assistant chef had got the wrong end of the stickMemory and mind bear something in mind or keep something in mind If you tell someone to bear something in mind or keep something in rind, you are reminding or warning them about something important which they should remember. There are a few general rules to bear in mind when selecting plants. Keep in mind that some places are more dangerous than others for women travelling alone. cross your mind atti enone une geen lh Iterossed my mind that she might be lying about her age. food for thought If something gives you food for thought, it makes you think very hard about an issue. This Italian trip gave us all much food for thought. agut reaction A gut reaction Is a reaction that you have immediately and strongly, without thinking about something or being aware of your reasons, NOTE The gut is the tube inside the body through which food passes while itis being digested. ‘My immediate gut reaction was to never write again. lose the plot If someone loses the plot, they become confused or crazy, or no longer know how to deal with a situation. INFORMAL] NOTF A plotis the sequence of events in a story. Vikram’s working so many hours that he's losing the plot ~ he's making mistakes and keeps falling asleep on the job. miles away IF someone is miles avvay, they are completely unaware of what is happening or of what someone is, saying, because they are thinking deeply about something else. You didn't hear a word | said, did you? You were miles away. amind like a sieve Ifyou have a mind like 4 sieve or 2 brain like @ sieve, you have a bad memory and often forget thit He's lost his keys again ~ he's got a mind like a sieve. NOTE) You can use brain instead of mind and you can say is like a sieve instead of have. He lost his car keys but admitted that his brain was like a sieve. Work on your Idioms Memory and mindUNIT 2 off the top of your head Ifyou say that you are commenting on something off the top of your head, you mean that what you are about to say is an immediate reaction and is not a carefully considered opinion, and so it might not be correct. [SPOKEN] I can't remember off the top of my head which plan they used, but it certainly wasn't this one. off your head If you say that someone is off their head or out of their head, you mean that they are very strange, foolish, or dangerous. (BRITISH, INFORMAL] It’ like working in a war zone. You must be off your head to live in that area. on the tip of your tongue 1 Ifa remark or question is on the tip of your tongue, you want to say it, but stop yourself. Itwas on the tip of my tongue to tell him he'd have to ask Charlie. But | said nothing. 2 If something such as a word, answer, or name is on the tip of your tongue, you know it and can almost remember it, but not quite, know this, no, no, don't tell me ... oh, it's on the tip of my tonguet out of your mind If you say that someone is out of their mind, you mean that they are crazy or stupid. [INFORMAL] You spent five hundred pounds on a jacket! Are you out of your mind? 2) Ifyou are out of your mind with worry, grief, fear, etc, you are extremely worried, sad, afraid, etc. She's out of her mind with worry; her husband left the hotel yesterday and hasn't been seen since. NOTE) You can also say that someone is going out of their mind. Iwas so sure that was what she said. Sometimes | wonder'f'm going out of my mind. We have alot of problems in our family. 'm going out of my mind with the worry of ital. rack your brain Ifyou rack your brain, you think very hard about something or try very hard to remember it. They asked me for fresh ideas, s0| racked my brain, but couldn't come up with anything, NOTE) You can also say rack your brains. Alma vacked her brains for something to say. NOTE) The old-fashioned spelling wrack is occasionally used instead of rack in this expression. Bob was wracking his brain, trying to think where he had seen the man before. ring a bell If something rings a bell, iti slightly familiar to you and you know you have heard it before, but you do not remember it fully. The name rings a bell but | can't think where I've heard it. uN12 Exercise 1 ‘Complete the sentences with the words in the box. Some of the sentences have more than one answer. head | mind | brain | thought | bre 1. Doyou have the memory of an elephant or a____ like a sieve? 2. You are mad. Totally, completely and utterly off your —_. 3. He was behaving as if he was out of his. 4 The previous chapters will already have given you plenty of food for 5. Off the top of your ___, what do you know about Vitamin C? 6 Rack your _____and tell me everything you now about him, Exercise 2 Decide if the following sentences are true (7) or false (F). If something crosses your mind, you forget about it. 0 If something rings a bell, it reminds you of something. 1 ifyou have a gut reaction to something, you have spent a long time thinking about it. 1 if you say something off the top of your head, you are very strange and dangerous. if something is food for thought, it makes you think. if you are racking your brain, you aren't thinking very hard. Exercise 3 Choose the best answer to complete the sentences. 1. ‘Do you know anyone called Frascati?/—'Well the name a racks my brains rings a bell ¢ Ismiles away 2 ‘Dr Barth, what is the greatest single thought that ever —__?" a ranga bell b racked yourbrains —_¢ crossed your mind 3. ‘You don't know anyone else who might be free?’~‘Not no! ‘a on the tip of my tongue b crossing my mind ¢ off the top of my head 4 I'm just trying to remember his name; it’s a racking my brains onthe tip of my tongue ¢ crossing my mind 5 ‘Did you ask me a question? I'm sorry, | was a miles away b out of my mind ¢ ringing a bell 6 Somecne mentioned this point recently and I'm to think who it was. a out of my mind bb racking my brains © bearing it in mind Exercise 4 Correct the idioms in these sentences. Business has been very bad and the management seem ta have racked the plot. You can withdraw money at other banks but bear in thought that they might charge a handling fee. You are off your mind if you think I'l help you commit a crim Off the top of his mind, he couldn't think of an excuse she would believe. The after-dinner speaker provided us with plenty of thought food. Her name was on the top of my tongue, but| Just couldn't get It. Personally, | trust my gut action to tell me when I'm right. It crossed my head that | hadn't heard the children for a while, Work on your Idioms Memory and mindExercise 5 Choose the most appropriate thing A-H to say in each situation 1-8. 1. Someone gives you a useful tip for your next trip abroad. 2. You're telling someone about a thought-provoking talk you've Just heard. 3. Aftiend has just told you about an extreme sport he wants to try and you think it’s too dangerous. 4 You're trying hard to remember the answer to a quiz question. 5 Afriend has mentioned someone's name and asked you if you know that person. You aren‘t sure but the name sounds familiar. 6 You realize that you haven't been listening to something a friend has been telling you, because you were thinking about something else. 7. You have to explain why you burst out laughing when you saw your photo in the paper. 8 Someone asks you if you have ever thought about working abroad. Exercise 6 Complete the table with idioms from this unit. remembering and forgetting 1 thinking 1 not thinking logically Your turn! Have you had trouble remembering something in the last few days? Use the idioms from this unit to describe your experience. For example: couldn't remember the Italian word for butterfly yesterday although it was on the tip of my tongue. Sometimes | have a mind like a sieve and by the afternoon, I can't recall anything from my morning lessons. UNIT 2 > thas crossed my mind. B You're out of your mind! C It’s on the tip of my tongue. D The name rings a bell E Sorry, Iwas miles away. F It’s certainly given me food for thought. G Thanks, I'll keep it in mind. H Iwas usta gut reaction. 9 A Fortunately, she knew he had a@ mind like a sieve. 13Communicating at cross purposes If two people are at cross purposes, they think they are talking about or trying to do the same thing as each other, but they are actually talking about or trying to do different things. They had been talking at cross purposes earlier, he realized. They hadn't been offering him a share of the deal tall. come out of your shell IF you come out of your shel, you become less shy and more confident, NOTE) The image here is ofa snail or shellish, both of which go into their shells for protection, She used to be very timid and shy but | think she's come out of her shell NOTE) You can say that someone or something brings you out of your shell when they cause you to be less shy and more confident I think the job has brought her out of her shell find common ground {wo people or groups who generally disagree find common ground, they find a particular subject or opinion that they agree about. Both leaders were keen to stress that they were seeking to find common ground. from the horse’s mouth Ifyou get a piece of information from the horse's mouth, you get it directly from someone who is involved in it and knows the most about it, NOTE) This expression may refer to the fact that you can tell @ horse's age by looking at its teeth, When he tells them, straight from the horse's mouth, what a good assistant you are, they'llincrease your wages. get your wires crossed or get your lines crossed Ifyou get your wires crossed or get your lines crossed, you are mistaken about what someone else means. NOTE People used to say they had a crossed line when their phone call was connected wrongly and they could hear someone else’s conversation. She looked confused at what he said and he began to wonder if hetd got his wires crossed, Heid got his ines crossed: ‘What part of America are you from?” he asked. ‘Sweden; came the reply. go off ona tangent or go off ata tangent If person or piece of writing goes off on a tangent or goes off ata tangent, they start saying or thinking something that is not directly connected with what they were saying or thinking before. NOTF) In geometry, a tangent is a straight line which touches a curve at one point. Our teacher would occasionally go off on a tangent and start talking about something totally unrelated to the textbook. NOTE You cam use other verbs instead of go. The book's theme wanders off on a tangent now and then. 14 Work on your Idioms CommunicatingUNIT 3, hear something through the grapevine or hear something on the grapevine Ifyou hear something through the grapevine or hear something on the grapevine, you are told a piece of ‘news informally by someone who was told it by someone else. NOTF] One ofthe early telegraph systems in America was given the nickname the grapevine telegraph’ because the wires often became tangled, so that they reminded people of grapevines. heard through the grapevine that she was looking for work. She heard on the grapevine that he had come back to London, in black and white Ifyou say that something is in black and white, you mean that you have written proof of it. We havea strict, clear rule in black and white, that this sort of behaviour will not be tolerated. in the loop IF someone isin the loop, they are part of a group of people who have information about a particular thing ‘Not many people knew what was going on but the president was olmost certainly in the loop. keep someone posted Ifyou keep someone posted, you continue giving them the latest information about a situation. She made me promise to keep her posted on developments here while she was in London. let the cat out of the bag If you let the cat out of the bag, you reveal something secret or private, often without meaning to. NOTE) Perhaps from an old trick where a person pretended to sell a piglet in a bag, although the bag really contained a cat. Ifthe cat was let out of the bag, then the trick would be exposed. ‘They dido' tell the cops my name, did they? OF course not she said. They wouldn't want to et the cat out of the bag! put someone in the picture if you put someone in the picture, you tell them about a situation that they need to know about. | believe that | could now produce evidence to prove my case, so let me put you in the picture. spill the beans Ifyou spill the beans, you reveal the truth about something secret or private. [INFORMAL] NOTE) This expression has a number of possible explanations. One refers to an ancient way of voting by placing coloured beans in jars or pots, then tipping the beans out and counting them. He was scared to death Iwas going to spill the beans to the cops. touch base Ifyou touch base with someone, you contact them, often when you have not spoken to them or seen them fora long time. NOTE’ In baseball, batters have to touch the first, second, and third bases to score a run. A brief phone-callis often made to touch base and update the parent on any developments.Exercise 1 Match phrases 1-8 with A-H to make idioms from this unit. 1 gooffat A the bag 2 get your wires B base 3 tobe © atangent 4 keep someone D the beans 5 spill E the picture 6 touch F posted 7 let the cat out of G atcross purposes 8 put someone in H crossed Exercise 2 Complete the sentences with the words in the box. Some of the sentences have more than one answer. out | from | at | in | off | on 1 Keep me____ the loop, will you? 2. Iwish she wouldn't keep going off a tangent. 3. We heard a rumour ____the grapevine, 4 Let me put you ___the picture. 5 Iheard all this straight the horse's mouth, 6 I think they were arguing ____ cross purposes there. 7. She promised me she wouldn't let the cat__ of the bag. 8 She really came of her shell when the singing started Exercise 3 Re-order the phrases to make sentences. Add punctuation where necessary. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 true /it must be / here in black and white / because it's as you develop / keep me / the idea /in the loop every week to / touch base / we meet / have lunch and was moving /that the discussion /off on a tangent /I thought she was doing / she asked him / on how / to keep her posted paid / the office cleanerto / the newspaper reporter / spl the beans the issue of / find common ground on / they managed to /rates of pay going away / the family agreed that / would bring him out of his shell / to university Make sentences 1-6 less formal. Replace the underlined words with the correct idioms A-F. 1 [haven't heard any news yet, but I'l inform you. 2. Itwas meant to be a surprise, but someone gave the secret away. 3. [heard a rumour that Penny and Alan are getting married. 4 It must be true. | heard it from a reliable source. 5 Let's meet up next week just to make contact again. © They support different teams but they agreed with each other when someone mentioned the off-side rule. A let the cat out of the bag B heard on the grapevine keep you posted D found camman ground E heard it straight from the horse's mouth F touch base Work on your Idioms Communicating1. Joand Dee learnt that Bud was being fired when Baz told them what he'd heard from Amit. 2. First the professor was talking about dinosaurs, B then somehow it was the price of oranges! 3 This diamond was found by a workman on a c building site. He told me about it himself. I think we should tell Lee that the time of the meeting has been changed. | thought we were going to the cinema and he E thought I was cooking him dinner! Nobody knew about the baby until Suzi mentioned F maternity leave, Exercise 6 Complete the table, Put the idioms in the correct groups. UNIT3 We got our wires crossed. | got it from the horse's mouth. She let the cat out of the bag. They heard it on the grapevine. Let's put him in the picture. He went off at a tangent. keep someone inthe picture | gooffat/onatangent | hear something on the grapevine keep someone posted | let the catoutof thebag | getyourwires crossed | inthe loop touch base | fromthehorse’s mouth | atcross purposes | spill the beans | in black and whit communicating badly a 2 3 maintaining communication 1 2 3 4 __ _ revealing a secret 1 _ 2 — trusting information 1 2 Your turn! Think about the way you've communicated with people around you recently. Use the idioms from this unit to describe a situation from the last few days. For example: My teacher went offon a tangent and started telling us about her holiday. heard on the grapevine that Petra’s getting married, Sometimes, even let the cat out i friends Sie bag.18 Priorities and decisions the bottom line In a discussion or argument, the bottom line is the most important and basic fact about what you are discussing NOTE) A reference to the last line in a set of accounts, which states how much money has been made. The bottom line is that the great majority of our kids are physically unfit. cross that bridge when you come to it I you say" cross that bridge when I come to it; you mean that you will deal with a problem when, oF if, ithappens. "You can't make me tolk to you" ‘No, but the police cant cross that bridge when | come to it: cut to the chase if you cut to the chase, you start talking about or dealing with what is really important, Instead of less important things. NOTE In films, when one scene ends and another begins the action is said to ‘cut’ from one scene to the next. IF a film ‘cuts to the chase, it moves on to a car chase scene, which is usually fast-moving and exciting. Icut to the chase ~we just don't have enough money forthe project. the icing on the cake Hf you describe something as the icing on the cake, you mean that itis an extra good thing that makes a 00d situation or activity even better. To play for one’s country isthe ultimate experience. To be ina winning team isthe icing on the cake. in two minds Ifyou are in two minds about something, you are not able to reach a decision or opinion about something. Roche was in wo minds whether to make the trip to Oslo. make a mountain out of a molehill Hfsomeone makes a mountain out of a mole! problem as ifit is important and serious. they talk or complain about a small, unimportant Don't make 2 mountain out of a molehill ~it's really nota big deal. on the back burner I you put a project or issue on the back burner, you decide not to do anything about it until a later date. People's dreams have once again been put on the back burner as they concern themselves with surviving from fone day to the next. NOTE) Different prepositions allow you to use the back burner in other ways with a similar meaning, Healthcare workers worry that the expense will push this issue onto a back burner. In this climate, website development is an obvious candidate for the back bummer. Work on your Idioms Priorities and decisionsUNIT4 play it by ear Ifyou play it by ear, you deal with things as they happen, rather than following a plan or previous arrangement. NOTE) If someone plays a piece of music by ear, they play it without looking at printed music. ‘Where will we stay in Gloucestershire?’ ‘Oh, I'm not sure yet. We'll have to play it by ear’: sit on the fence Ifyou sit on the fence, you refuse to give a definite opinion about something or to say who you support in an argument. NOTE) The fence referred to is one that separates two properties or territories and someone sitting on it is unable or unwilling to make a decision about which side to stand on. Which do you prefer: chocolate or vanilla ice-cream? You can't sit on the fence and say you like both of them equally. CNOTE) Verbs such as stay and be can be used instead of si Democrats whoid been on the fence about the nomination, inthe end all voted for him. split hairs Ifsomeone splits hairs, they argue about very small details or find very small differences between things which are really very similar. ‘Many of the cases the reporter mentioned were not, in fact, on the original lst, but let's not split hairs, stick to your guns Ifyou stick to your guns, you refuse to change your decision or opinion about something, even though other people are trying to tell you that you are wrong, NOTE) Think of soldiers remaining in position, even though they are being attacked by the enemy. ‘Once you have decided what is and isn’t acceptable, stick to your guns despite your child's protests. take a back seat I you take a back seat, you allow other people to have all the power, importance, or responsibility. Iwas happy to take « back seat and give someone else the opportunity to manage the project. the tip of the iceberg IF something isthe tip of the iceberg, itis small part ofa very large problem or a very serious situation. sible above the water. Most of it is below the surface. F) Only about one tenth of an iceberg is We get about 2,000 complaints every year and that's just the tip ofthe iceberg. up in the air Han important decision or plan is up in the air, it has not been decided or arranged yet. At the moment, the fate of the Hungarian people is still up in the air. 1920 Complete the sentences with the words in the box. by | of | to | in | on We're just going to play it This is just the tip Let's put that decision the iceberg. the back burner for now. Vm two minds about spending all that money at once, He stuck. his guns in spite of their grumbling. We'll cross that bridge when we come. it Exercise 2 Match sentence halves 1-6 with A-F to make complete sentences. 1 The bottom lines simply A and cut straight to the chase. 2. We're going to play it by ear B but let’s not make a mountain out of a molehil 3. Youwill have to stop sitting on the fence © but won't split hairs. 4 The answer should have a capital letter D and see how the next 24 hours go. 5 Let's skip the introductions E that business is about money. 6 We can't ignore this issue F and show where your loyalty lies. Exercise 3 Choose the best answer to complete the sentence: 1. “They really believe in what | do and they want to enable me to do it! She went on to explain her success: ‘I'm very good, that's ae a thebottomline _b thetipofthe iceberg ¢ the back burner 2. Then he became really ill and had to put all his plans —__. a upinthe air b onthe fence ¢ on the back burner 3. ‘What if you need another operation after this one?’ "Til ‘a make a mountain out of a molehill cross that bridge when | come to it « stick to my guns 4. The President accused his ct of being oversensitive and of ————— a playingitbyear —_b cuttingtothe chase making a mountain out of a molehill 5 For four hours of questioning, Grommek bout by five oclock he had changed his story. a playeditbyear Bb cut tothe chase stuck to his guns 6 She was___ about whether or not to turn back. a splitting hairs b in two minds ¢ upin the air Exercise 4 Correct the idioms in these sentences. The dates for the summit meeting are still up on the fence at the moment. The police say that these numbers could just be the top of the iceberg. He'll do what he can to make you change your mind, but you stick on the back burner. Vd don't want to retire when I'm sixty years old but Ill cut to the bridge when | come to it She forgot her notes so she had to play it by air at the interview. ‘There just isn’t any more money and that sits on the bottom line. After he retires, Ken will be able to sit in the back seat in the family business. |1was proud to work for Ferrari, and to drive their fantastic cars was the icing in the cake. eVausune Work on your Idioms Priorities and decisionsUNIT4 Exercise 5 Complete the sentences with idioms in this unit, changing the verb forms if necessary. | was so pleased just to have passed the exam; coming first was —_____. 2. I can'treally say too much about who else Im going to be working with at the moment because i's ll very much ______and anything could happen, 3. Inever really had a plan for my life. just_________. Neither of us is very ambitious and we have enough money. 4 She introduced herself and then said‘ril____: Ihave all the evidence I need to put you in prison for the next ten years: 5 This is a misleading figure. There will be many hidden costs that we will suggest that £1.4 billion is only —_____. 6 Yet on this key issue, the government has chosen to for themselves. 7 He warned reporters not to __.''m disapp was far worse in 1996! 8 I'm fed up with being the boss so I'm going to. for awhile. over as this project develops. | saying that schools must decide fed, but it’s not heartbreaking; he said. It and let other people do the hard work Exercise 6 Complete the table with idioms from this unit. ‘emphasizing something important 1 showing that something is less important 1 a decision not yet made 1 Your turn! | Have you had to decide how important something | icf z R z 2h Is in your life recently? Use the idioms in this unit to talk about it. For example: | stuck to my guns told my parents I wanted togo travelling, don't know what I'll do after my exams ~ I'l cross that bridge when Icome tot The nurse Thought Jim was making a acetal out of a molehill.Relationships break the ice Ifa person, event or activity breaks the ice, they make people feel more relaxed and comfortable in a social situation. NOTE This refers to the need to break the ice around a ship before it is able to sail. This exercise is usually good fun and can help break the ice fora new, and perhaps rather anxious, group. NOTE) An ice-breaker is something that you say or do to break the ie. This presentation, with a few additional jokes, was a good ice-breaker, get off on the wrong foot Ifyou get off on the wrong foot, you start relationship or an activity badly. NOTE) The*wrong foot’ refers to the left foot. There is an ancient superstition that the left side of the body is connected with bad luck and evil. We got off on the wrong foot the first time I met him, but that’s all forgotten now. NOTE) You can also say start off on the wrong foot. Their relationship had started off on the wrong foot. get on like a house on fire If two people get on like a house on fire, they quickly become close friends. NOTE This expression uses the image of an old wooden house burning suddenly and strongly. went over and struck up a conversation, and we got on like a house on fire, get on someone's nerves If someone or something gets on your nerves, they irritate you. She talks allthe time and it gets on my nerves, give someone the cold shoulder If someone gives you the cold shoulder, they deliberately stop being friendly to you and ignore you. NOTE In the Middle Ages, important guests were given roast meat. Less important people were only given cold meat ~ perhaps a shoulder — left over from previous meals. He was upset to find his previously friendly colleagues giving him the cold shoulder. NOTE You can also say that you get the cold shoulder from someone. Nancy found she was getting the cold shoulder from a lot of people shed thought were her friends. go back along way iftwo or more people go back along way, they have been friends fora very long time, mainly BRITISH] We go back a long way, and she's always kept in touch, always been there for me. 22. Workon your Idioms RelationshipsUNITS hit it off If two people hit it off when they first meet, they like each other and get on well together. Thad to leave because my manager was awful. We never really hit it off leave someone in the lurch If someone leaves you in the lurch, they put you in a difficult situation by suddenly going away or stopping helping you. NOTE. “The lure is a position of disadvantage in a card game called cribbage. My secretary left me in the lurch last month and ! haven't found a replacement yet. on the rocks Ifa relationship is on the rocks, itis experiencing many difficulties and is likely to end. NOTE) The image here is of a ship that is stuck on some rocks. 1's rumoured that their ten-year relationship is om the rocks. on the same wavelength If two people are on the same wavelenath, they understand each other well because they share the same attitudes, interests, and opinions. NOTE You cannot hear a radio broadcast unless you tune to the correct wavelength, Wendy's sister is ten years older than her, and the two are not close. ‘We've never really been on the same wavelength’ said Wendy. save face Ifyou save face, you do something so that people continue to respect you and your reputation is not damaged. NOTE) This comes from a Chinese expression which refers to keeping a calm expression and managing to avoid the disgrace of showing one’s emotions. Most children have a need to save face in front of their friends. sparks fly If sparks fly between two people, they get angry with each other and argue. The group leader Is not afraid to raise difficult issues or let the sparks fly when necessary. treat someone like dirt Ifa person treats someone like dirt, they treat them very badly. As long as unemployment is rising, the bosses can keep treating you like dirt. your own flesh and blood If someone is your own flesh and blood, they are a member of your family. You can't ust let your own flesh and blood go to prison if there’s any way you can help. 23Exercise 1 Look at the sentences below. Which three idioms have the same meaning? Which idiom has the opposite meaning to these three? ‘A Everyone around the table remained silent and I tried to think of a way of breaking the ice, B It’s strange that her two ex-husbands get on like a house on fire! © Ohyes, we go back a long way ~ we went to nursery school together. D Imafraid we got off on the wrong foot because | got her name wrong, E They are definitely on the same wavelength ~ both passionate about green politics. F We didn't really hit it off - we just aren't interested in the same things. Exercise 2 Match sentence halves 1-8 with A-H to make complete sentences. Whenever his mother was in the room, A. definitely on the rocks. It’s his stupid loud voice was aware of sparks flying, Their business partnership was now treated them like dirt. She took his keys and his coat our own flesh and blood. ‘They left because the manager and left him in the lurch, He was rude to her so she's decided that in future that gets on my nerves. We care about you because you are tohelp them save face. We pretended not to notice them leave, she'll give him the cold shoulder. ramones Exercise 3 Choose the best answer to complete the sentences. 1 You have started __________by arriving late for our appointment. a to save face b on the same wavelength off on the wrong foot 2. He's highly educated and she’s got no qualifications at all, but they managed to a getoffonthe wrong foot b hititoff © go back a long way 3. MrSen invited them all to dinner at his house to, a getoff onthe wrong foot —_b get on like a house on fire « break the ice 4 As soon as the prisoners arrive, the guards begin to a treat them like dirt b get off on the wrong foot « leave them in the jurch 5 Luca's personal assistant quit suddenly and______so'm doing some typing for him. 2 left him in the lurch b treated him like dirt € got the cold shoulder 6 They argue all the time now. There's no doubt that their marriage is. a on fire b on the rocks ¢ their own flesh and blood Exercise 4 Correct the idioms in these sentences. When I saw her at the party, she just gave me the cold hands, We used to argue a lot, but now we're getting on like a house in tl We go back on the racks, We met when we were just children, ‘As soon as they met, they hit it on, [find him a bit irritating, He really gets on my sparks, We understand each other well. We're on the same foot, Jurch, Work on your Idioms RelationshipsUNITS, Exercise 5 Replace the underlined words with idioms from this uni the correct form. 1. We get on well, but we have different views on politics. As soon as we start talking about politics, we have an araument - so we tend to avoid the subject. 2. Don't worry -| promised | would help you, and | won't abandon vou. 3. Unfortunately when we first met, we had a disagreement which ruined our relationship. But Im sure that next time we meet, we can become friends. 4. Itried to say something funny just to ease the tension - but| don't think she found it very amusing, 5. Jenny and your brother seem to have eniaved each other's company right from the start - they've been talking together for ages. 6 I think he should resign. His boss shows no respect for him and he deserves better. 7 Most of the time I was terrified, but trying to appear unaffected, | did my best to stay cool, 8 was shocked to hear her speaking to a member of her family like that. Exercise 6 Complete the table. Put the ms in the correct groups. treat someone like dirt | go back along way | get offonthe wrong foot | sparks fly give someone the cold shoulder | get on likea house on fire | get on someone's nerves hitit off | onthesamewavelength | leavesomeone inthe lurch | onthe rocks bad relationships 1 Your turn! Use the idioms in this unit to describe your relationships with friends, classmates, colleagues and family. For example: Ramesh and I 90 back a long way school together. we went to My sister left me in the lurch when she borrowed my last £5 and didn't pay it back Sometimes unlikely friends can get on like a house on fire, 25Help and encouragement bend over backwards or bend over backward Ifyou bend over backwards or bend over backward, you try very hard to help or please someone, even though it causes you trouble, We bent over backwards to make them feel welcome and they didn’t thank us once. be there for someone If you are there for someone, you are ready to listen to their problems and to help and support them. (SPOKEN) Jimmy is a good friend — he's always been there for me when I needed help or advice. give and take Ifyou talk about give and take, you mean the way in which two people or groups ina relationship accept that they cannot have everything that they want and that they must sometimes give the other person or group what they want. All good partnerships involve a bit of give and take. hold someone's hand If you hold someone's hand in an unfamiliar or difficult situation, you help and support them. Tony will hold your hand through the sale, deal with offers and advise on any problems. in the same boat If two or more people are in the same boat, they are in the same unpleasant or difficult situation. Don't worry i you are going bald ~ 40 per cent of men under 35 are in the same boat, keep your chin up Ifyou keep your chin up, you stay cheerful in a dificult or unpleasant situation. Richards was keeping his chin up yesterday despite the continued setbacks. lend a hand or lend someone a hand Ifyou lend 2 hand or lend someone a hand, you help someone to do something IF known you were having trouble, ould have ent a hand. Could you lend mea hand with these books, please? NOTE) | hand is used in many other structures with a similar meaning | used to give Mary o hand with the catering Need « hand with those? Do you want a hand with the children? 26 Work on your Idioms |Help and encouragementUNIT6 look the other way If someone looks the other way, they deliberately ignore something bad that is happening when they should be trying to deal with it or stop it. NOTE) You usually use this expression to suggest that this is a bad thing to do. The government is fully aware of the problem but they just look the other way. meet someone halfway Ifyou meet someone halfway, you accept some of their opinions or wishes, so that you can come to an agreement with them or have a better relationship with them. The opposition is wiling to meet the president halfway on his latest plans for the economy. a pat on the back Ifyou give someone a pat on the back, you praise them for something they have done. The industry can give itself little pat on the back for the positive moves it has made to help its own recovery. “NOTE! You can also say pat someone on the back, or pat yourself on the back. thought the editor would pot me on the back and say, ‘Well done!’ instead he fired me. Today is a good day to pat yourself on the back for bravery and effort. put your heads together If people put their heads together, they try to solve a problem together. If there's a problem, we all just sit down, put our heads together and figure it out, sing someone's praises Ifyou sing someone's or something's praises, you praise them in an enthusiastic way. ‘Smith continued to sing Tony's praises. ‘e's so different, he's so natural; he said. take someone under your wing Iyou take someone under your wing, you start to look after them and make sure that they are well and. have what they need. NOTE) The image here is of a hen gathering her chicks under her wing, She took the youngster under her wing, gave her advice and helped her prepare for the tour. a tower of strength ora pillar of strength If someone is a tower of strength ora pillar of strength during a difficult period in your life, they give you a lot of help or support. ‘My eldest daughter was a tower of strength for me when | was sick. In her terrible sadness she has found Charles to be a pillar of strength. 27Exercise 1 ‘Complete the sentences with the words in the box. over | up | together | in | on | under 1 | phoned to give you a pat __ the back for saving the situation. 2 Let's put our heads__and think of some people who could help. 3. Aswe'te both ____ the same boat, it might be sensible to work together. 4 Most parents bend _____ backwards to treat their children equally. 5 Jane took us _____ her wing and showed us around. 6 try to think positively and keep my chin Exercise 2 Choose the best answer to complete the sentences. 1. There is usually a fair amount of _______and take in a trading relationship. a pat b give © hand 2 They want to negotiate and we're very willing to___ them halfway. 2 meet b bend © hold 3 Hannah was happy to__a hand in practical ways if she could, 2 pat b lend © take 4 For most of the afternoon, Mum had been _Cyril’s praises. 2 giving b putting « singing 5 went to be __ for my kids because my dad wasn't for me. a there b together € over © The government finds it easiest to ___the other way regarding this issue. a look b bend < keep Exercise 3 Answer the questions. If you take someone under your wing, do you ignore or help them? Ifyou keep your chin up, are you being cheerful or miserable? If you give someone a pat on the back, should they be pleased or offended? If you bend over backwards, are you ignoring someone or trying to help them? If someone lends you a hand, are you being helpful, or are they being helpful to you? If you hold someone's hand in a difficult situation, do you need help or do you give help? Exercise 4 Re-order the phrases to make sentences. Add punctuation where necessary. women candidates / bends over backwards / to attract / the party learn that / girls and boys / give and take / there must be / in all relationships lend a hand with / the whole family / the harvest / has to they must / sensible decision / in order to reach a / put their heads together for you / you know / be there / I'l always choose to / what should we / look the other way / do if our elected representatives ousune 28 Work on your Idioms Help and encouragementExercise 5 Match idioms 1-8 with definitions A-H. 1 Keep your chin up.!'m sure everything will be alright in the end. > UNIT6 do everything possible to help 2 If we put our heads together, welll come up with a solution. B nan identical situation 3. You must have made a good impression on the manager-he stay optimistic ‘was singing your praises! 4 The trouble is, so many of us look the other way when we realize D support him there's a problem, 5. know how you feel. 'm in the same boat as you. E being complimentary about you 6 His parents bend over backwards for him but they get no thanks. F deliberately ignore the situation 7 Ilido what Ican for him just now but I can't hold his hand forever. G someone who is helpful and supporti 8 My husband has been a tower of stiength throughout this ordeal, —-H_ work as a team. Exercise 6 Use sentences A-H to answer questions 1-1 1 Who was a kind and supportive mother? 2 Who likes to find a compromise? 3. Who was given a generous welcome? 4 Who found someone to help him? 5. Whois rather pleased with what he has done? 6 Who was a kind and supportive father? 7 Whois managing to remain cheerful? 8 Who thinks that other people have similar problems? Your turn! Use the idioms in this unit to describe how someone has helped or encouraged you, or how you have helped someone else. For example: 'm finding the grammar classes really difficult but it helps to know we're all in the same boat. My colleagues and | put our heads together and submitted the winning proposal. Rakesh gave himself a pat on the back for finishing early, ‘Smith and Burnet’s policy with customers who complain is to try to meet them halfway. ‘Mr Chang took Ewen under his wing and treated him like a son. Lisa told herself there were plenty of girls in the same boat as her. ‘Sven returned from New York singing the praises of American hospitality Sasha hasn't found a job yet, but she’s keeping her chin up. Maria was a pillar of strength when her children had so many problems. Manuelle held his son's hand throughout his marriage break-up. The chickens were in the same boat. 29Involvement and interest not be your cup of tea If something is not your cup of tea, you do feel very interested or enthusiastic about it. 1've never been the greatest traveller. Sitting for hours on motorways isnot really my cup of tea NOTE! You can also say that something or someone is your cup of tea when you like them or feel interested in them. | don't have much time for modern literature. Shakespeare's more my cup of tea. have an axe to grind If someone has an axe to grind, they have particular attitudes about something, often because they think they have been treated badly or because they want to get an advantage. NOTE) One possible explanation for this expression is a story told by the American scientist and inventor Benjamin Franklin (1706-90) about a man who managed to get his own axe sharpened without paying by asking a boy o show him how his father’ grindstone (=a round stone used for sharpening metal tools or weapons) worked. Itwould be best fan independent agency, that doesn't have an axe to grind, could deal with this case. NOTE) You can also say that you have no axe to grind to deny that your strong opinions about something are based on personal reasons The unions insist they have no axe to grind, because they will present workers wherever they are based. in the picture If someone isin the picture, they are involved inthe situation you are talking about. We were a great team. Iwas kept n the picture from the beginning. jump on the bandwagon If someone jumps on the bandwagon, they suddenly become involved in an acti because its likely to succeed or itis fashionable. (NOTE) In American elect ns in the past, p tical rallies (=large public meetings) often included a band, playing on a horse-drawn wagon (=a covered vehicle pulled by horses). Politicians sat on the wagon and those who wanted to show their support climbed on it. There will always be people ready to jump on the bandwagon and start classes in whatever s fashionable, with little or no training, NOTE, Verbs such as climb, get and leap are sometimes used instead of jump. These expressions are usually used in a disapproving way. Alot of people are climbing on the bandwagon of selling financial services to women, keep a low profile Fsomeone keeps a low profile, they avoid doing things that will make people 1 The president continues to keep a low profile on vacation in Maine. them. NOTE] You can also use low-profile before a noun, There is no need for the presence of any police officers. This isa low-profile event. a labour of love A labour of love is a task that you do because you enjoy it or feel strongly that itis worth doing, ‘They restored the Victorian greenhouse, an expensive Jabour of love. 30 Work on your Idioms Involvement and interestUNIT7 mean business Ifyou mean business, you are serious and determined about what you are doing. One of them pointed a shotgun at me. | could see he meant business. a nosey parker A nosey parker is someone who wants to know too much about other people. (BRITISH, INFORMAL] NOE) ‘Parker’ may refer to Matthew Parker, who was an English archbishop in the sixteenth century and had a reputation for interfering in people's business. The village's nosey parker, Oliv, lkes to spy on her neighbours with binoculars. NOTE) ‘Nosey’is sometimes spelled ‘nosy. poke your nose into something or stick your nose into something fsomeone pokes or sticks their nose into something, they interfere in something that does not concern them. [INFORMAL] He has no right to go poking his nose into my affairs. Why did you have to go and stick your nose in? NOTE) Keep your nose out of something means the opposite of poke your nose into something. Nancy realized that this was his way of telling her to keep her nose out of his business. steer clear of something Ifyou steer clear of someone or something, you deliberately avoid them. I'd advice anyone with sensitive ot dry skin to steer clear of soap. try your hand at something IFyou try your hand at something, you try doing It in order to see whether you are good ati. After he left school, he tried his hand at a variety of jobs ~ bricklayer, baker, post man. up to your ears Ifyou are up to your ears in work or in an unpleasant situ involved in it. n, you are very busy with itor are deeply | can't come our this evening - Im up to my ears in reports whet someone's appetite Ifsomething whets your appetite for a particular thing, it makes you want it. Winning the World Championship should have whetted his appetite for more success. NOTE) Most speakers of English only ever use the verb ‘whet’ in this expression, Iti rarely used elsewhere. your heart isn’t in something Ifyour heart isn't in something you are doing, you are not enthusiastic about it. ‘She was a successful teacher, popular with her pupils and her colleagues, but her heart wasn't in it. 3132 Choose the best answer to complete the sentences. 1. Come to our arts and crafts evening and try your at something different. a nose b heart ¢ hand 2. Don'tstick your__into matters that don't concern you. a ears b nose hand 3 Everyone stayed late yesterday — we're up to our in work at the office. a hearts b ears noses 4. The rebuilding of the church organ was a real labour of a love b heart business 5 The new committee at the sports club are making lots of changes and they really mean a heart »b labour 6 We believe that the judge is fair and has no. a axe b bandwagon business to grind. appetite ‘Match sentence halves 1-6 with A-F to make complete sentences. It looks as though more and more companies knew karate and had congratulated the winners but Inever wanted to be famous and I like He has decided that art history He spoke asif |had nothing to do with it,as though Exercise 3 Decide if the following sentences are true (T) or (F). ‘A wasn'tin the picture at all. B my heart wasn'tin it. C the ability to steer clear of danger. D will soon be leaping on the bandwagon. E to keep a low profile. F isnothis cup of tea. 1 Ifyou have an axe to grind, you have certain attitudes that are based on personal experience. 0 2. Ifyou jump on the bandwagon, you don't want to follow others in becoming involved in an activity. 0 3 Hfyou steer clear of something, you want to get involved. 4 If you are up to your ears in something, you are very busy or involved. 1 5 Hfsomeone is a nosey parker, they want to know more information than they need. 1 6 you keep a low profile, you want to become visibly involved in something, 1 Exercise 4 Read the sentences and choose the best explanation. 1. His heart isn’t realy in it. a He hatesit, 2 I'm going to try my hand at pottery. ‘aim going to see what it's like. 3. Itreally sounds as if he means business. a I think he’s serious about it. 4. [made this catd myself. It was a real labour of love. a It didn’t take long 5 Idon‘t want to poke my nose into your business. a I respect your privacy. 6 Id steer clear of that issue, if were you, a Id get involved Work on your Idioms Involvement and interest, He isn’t completely happy with it. 'm not going to continue doing it. | don't think he's serious about it. I worked very hard at it. I want to be involved. I would avoid itUNIT 7 Exercise 5 Replace the underlined words with the correct idioms in the box. really my cup of tea | uptomyears | jump on the bandwagon | steerclear of | mean business have an axe to grind Pat: Hi, George. How are you? George: Hi, Pat. 've been ‘very busy for the last few months, We've taken on a lot of new clients. One of our main competitors, has becn expanding rapidly. It's clear that they “are really serious about succeeding, So my boss has decided to “follow the trend and start expanding too. | don't ‘have a problem about the extra work, but we just don't have enough staff to deal with it all Pat: You should ask for a promotion, George: | would, but then they'd expect me to work even longer hours! So I'm going to ‘avoid that. Anyway, I've been thinking about a career change. 'm beginning to think that software development is “not something | eniov- Exercise 6 Correct the idioms in these sentences. I'm going to steer a low profile and hope nobody asks me to volunteer for anything at the committee meeting. You certainly look like you mean to do business with your rubber gloves and apron on! | wish people wouldn't poke their sticks into my business. | think I'l just jump on the picture and start my diet with the rest of you. It's probably best to jump clear ofthe city centre during the rush hour. I've decided I'm going to try my heart at DIY and redecorate my room, ‘My trip to America the previous year had whetted my nose for foreign travel. It’s amazing how much information a serious nosy profile can find out. eyoununa Exercise 7 Complete the sentences with idioms from this unit, changing the verb and pronoun forms if necessary. 1. Writing this book has been a great pleasure, a true —___. 2. He arrived at precisely nine o'clock, wearing workmen's boots and carrying his tool kit, so we knew he She did nothing to draw attention to herself, trying to. | always try to write the same amount about each of the political parties - | don't Hf you want people to respect you, don't _their private affairs. In the interview with Sir Allan, |______ any questions relating to the court case. After advertising six vacancies, they are now Your turn! Use theioms inthis unit to describe your SOO involvement or interest in things in your life. For aap example: Vm keeping « low profile at college because | haven't completed my assignment. There's a concert tonight but rack music isn't really my cup of tea, x ei Aa He i et do. paling was just not his cup 33