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61 70 Idioms

The document consists of various exercises designed to enhance vocabulary and language skills, including filling in gaps with appropriate phrases, rearranging mixed letters into correct words, completing phrases with adjectives or adverbs, and matching proverbs with their meanings. It also includes multiple-choice questions and paraphrasing exercises to practice idioms. Overall, it serves as a comprehensive language learning tool.

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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
16 views12 pages

61 70 Idioms

The document consists of various exercises designed to enhance vocabulary and language skills, including filling in gaps with appropriate phrases, rearranging mixed letters into correct words, completing phrases with adjectives or adverbs, and matching proverbs with their meanings. It also includes multiple-choice questions and paraphrasing exercises to practice idioms. Overall, it serves as a comprehensive language learning tool.

Uploaded by

samiokiety
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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61.

ADJECTIVE + NOUN
GLOSSARY
Fill the gaps with the appropriate phrases.
beaten track easy terms good books
charmed life fair crack great shakes
close quarters first water high dudgeon
common cause full blast safe bet
dim view full bloom tight corner

1. These shoes may be expensive but they are worth the money they cost.
You can see they are of the ............................................... .
2. My father is no ........................................ as a cook, but he leads the field
when gardening is the case.
3. We bought the house on ..............................................., which means we
didn't have to pay the whole price at once. We divided it into several
installments.
4. The leaders of the organization took a/an ...................................... on the
support money because it came from an unknown source, and so they
didn't accept it.
5. I told the children to keep at ............................................ because I didn't
want any of them to get lost while we were walking through the forest.
6. You can only blame yourself for your failure, Jason. You did get a/an
.............................. of the whip but you’re not prepared for the interview.
7. Mr Taylor puts on that hilarious disguise every year for the annual fancy-
dress party. It's a/an .................................. that he’ll be wearing it tonight.
8. Sony was in ......................................... when his application was rejected
soon after he had been promised the job.
9. She always brings him sweets and tells him nice things. No wonder then
that she is in his ................................................................ .
10. Contrary to her divorced and not so affluent sister, Sarah has lead a/an
..................................................... of a wife of a successful businessman.
11. Since the two rival companies have made.................................................
against us, our position on the market has been deteriorating quickly.
12. The place that has been chosen for the film setting is rather off the
.......................................................... . Few people know how to reach it.
13. Look at the roses. Aren't they marvellous? And the geraniums may still
look miserable, but in a few weeks' time you'll see them in .................
.................................... , too.
14. I'm afraid I can't give you back the money that I owe you now. I'm bit a in
a/an ................................................. at the moment as I have lost my job.
15. The young man was driving at ..................................... when the accident
happened. He had no chance to survive the crash.
76
62. RESHUFFLED LETTERS
GLOSSARY
Rearrange the mixed letters into correct words.

1. You do look worn out and have been less effective lately. I think a long
holiday in an exotic place will do you the L D O R W ....................... of
good.
2. Mia says she's going to stand against her boss's sexist attitude. But I
wonder if she'll have the guts to do it when it comes to the N C R U H C
.......................... .
3. Everybody was of the opinion that Alice had cut a fine R G I F E U
............................ at the ceremony. Only Bob criticised her appearance.
4. I've found out it was Ralph who had spread the nasty gossip about me
and Ann. I'm going to give him a C E I E P ......................... of my mind
when I meet him.
5. Imagine the girls' bliss when the bodyguard decided to stretch a OTI NP
..................... and let them into the pop star's apartment for a short while.
6. Neither of them was willing to bury the E H T A H C T .............................
and so they were a long way from being reconciled.
7. Feel safe to give your advice and make suggestions about the project.
The best of them will be considered and taken on O R D A B ................. .
8. Why not go the whole O G H .................... and record all the songs
at once instead of doing just this single one?
9. If the storm keeps raging, we won't be able to hit the D O R A .................
and won't reach Birmingham by midday. And then we'll miss the wedding.
10. It's horrible how political differences can drive a D E G W E .....................
between people and destroy good relationships.
11. I hope someone will knock Bill off his C E H R P ..................... one day.
He's a mere assistant, but considers himself to be as important as the
manager.
12. Don't expect me to support the demonstrations you organize. You know I
hold no I R B F E .............................. for any kind of violence.
13. Eat healthy food and keep doing physical exercise. Fitness will always
stand you in good T D A S E .............................. .
14. I thought you said Monday the 15th, not Sunday the 16th. I'm afraid we
got our E S I R W.............................. crossed and that's why we didn't
meet each other.
15. I remember when they both used to lock S H R N O ...................... about
every opinion, but now they work in perfect partnership.
16. You'll be laughed out of O T C R U .............................. if you claim your
amateurish paintings outdo those by Van Gogh.

77
63. ADJECTIVAL AND ADVERBIAL PAIRS
GLOSSARY

Complete the phrases with the appropriate adjectives or adverbs.

above collected hot proper sundry


betwixt far loose ready thick
breezy high null square truly

1. There is no point in inviting the Wilsons. They are too prim and ...............
a couple to enjoy our wild parties.
2. We don't have any skill requirements. We will accept all and ....................
as anyone can do the job.
3. ‘Dave told the boss that it was only him who worked on the project. He
didn't even mention our names although we helped him a great deal.’
‘That's typical of him. He always plays fast and ................... with people.’
4. We had no umbrellas or even a raincoat, so we got well and ...................
wet when the storm broke out so unexpectedly.
5. 'Which political party do you support, Peter?' 'Well, I'm .............................
and between. Sometimes, it's the left-wing I support and another time
the right-wing.
6. However risky it was, the taxi driver went ............................. and beyond
his responsibility by trying to help the pregnant woman with the baby
delivery.
7. I will not accept your rough and ............................. reports any more. By
now you should have learned to write a detailed report on your daily tasks.
8. The real trouble may arise when somebody finds out your work permit
has been ...................... and void since January. You may be sent home.
9. This part of the city is highly industrialized. Places of natural beauty are
few and ............................... between here. There are only factories and
offices here.
10. The company owner isn't interested in a small-scale venture as he has
already acquired the taste for making money ............................. and fast.
11. How can you stay so cool, calm, and .................................... seeing that
everybody is trying to make a fool of you?
12. Imagine how .......................... and dry we were when it turned out that
our money, passports and tickets had been stolen from our hotel room.
13. Phil never loses his good humour and confident manner. Though he has
nothing to be proud of he's always so bright and .............................. .
14. There was no cheating on our part. We won the competition fair and
.................................. . We were the best team, simply.
15. ‘What's worrying you, honey?’ - ‘I’m ............................ and bothered
about Julia. She's never been late from school.’
78
64. OF- PHRASES
GLOSSARY
Fill the gaps with the appropriate nouns to complete the phrases.
bane creature horns nick spur
breach flights lap root stream
bundle germ lease scum turn
1. The cardiologists say that only the heart surgery may give my husband a
new .............................. of life. I hope everything goes well.
2. Professor Cox is a .............................. of habit. He always has a cup of
green tea before giving a lecture.
3. Suddenly, the bus started skidding off the road and the driver only
managed to put on the brakes in the ............................. of time, thus
averting a tragedy.
4. Patrick has been on the .............................. of a dilemma. He must
decide whether to change his citizenship or leave the country for ever.
5. I'm thinking of giving these dogs away to someone. They are the ............
of my existence with all the troubles they give me daily.
6. For almost twelve years, she had been living in the ............................. of
luxury until her wealthy husband got tired of her extravagance and
asked for a divorce.
7. The judge said that no other offences deserve so much condemnation as
child molestation and that molesters are the ........................ of the earth.
8. I really admire Josh's inventiveness and readiness to help. But the point
is that his ideas are rather impracticable. They're just ............................
of fancy.
9. We would like to build a shopping centre here in the future. But, the plan
is not definite yet. It's only a ............................... of a concept.
10. Many a good relationship has broken up because of money. As they say,
the blind love of money is the .............................. cause of all evil.
11. The violent football fans caught by the police will stand trial for .................
of the peace in a public place.
12. Mr Beck's candidacy cannot be taken seriously. He tends to take
decisions on the .............................. of the moment without giving them
any serious consideration.
13. The young man's situation is no .............................. of laughs. For the
false bomb alarm he caused last month, he may even be given a prison
sentence.
14. 'Can't Leo express himself more clearly?'
'I'm afraid he can't. He's always had that awkward ................ of phrase.’
15. The letter from one of our customers was nothing but a ............................
of abuse. Hence we decided to take him to court.
79
65. MULTIPLE CHOICE
GLOSSARY
Choose the correct answer.

1. I did my....................best to apologise for the mistake, but I couldn't


soften Judy up by even the most honest explanation.
A utmost B level C regular D extreme

2. What you have just said will forever .............. heavy on your reputation.
Nobody's going to justify an insult like this.
A sit B stand C rest D lie

3. At first, the guard refused to let us enter the night club, but on .................
thoughts he took the money and let us in.
A other B second C extra D further

4. It was the hilarious comedian that ............... the show even though the
rock group were supposed to be the special guests.
A stole B robbed C grabbed D seized

5. Before you set off, let me please....................a note of advice. Avoid


shouting as it may trigger an avalanche.
A hit B punch C strike D beat

6. These magnificent surroundings invariably .............. my appetite for


staying longer here. Perhaps, I'll settle down here for good one day in the
future.
A arise B urge C provoke D whet

7. Politicians who are friendly towards common people, smile during


interviews and never say unpopular things always ............... a good
harvest at elections.
A earn B grow C reap D gather

8. Did she tell you she was a witch? She must have taken leave of her ..... .
A mind B brains C senses D logic

9. I wouldn't expect to earn a high income in the first year. The idea of a
chain-trade is only starting to .................... ground in this region.
A receive B gain C win D attract

80
10. How is that possible that the rival company always stays one..................
ahead of us? Someone must be revealing them our investment plans.
A jump B move C thing D act

11. Sheila’s been eating her .................. out because someone else won
the first prize in the painting competition.
A head B tongue C heart D mouth

12. The salesman was ............. packing because he was caught cheating.
A sent B made C let D forced

13. The statement that the defence minister made .............. the question of
whether our military presence in the war-torn country is really necessary.
A pleases B expects C begs D demands

14. Enough of that indulgence! It's high time to take a firm ..................
against pickpockets.
A line B measure C penalty D strike

15. Our hotel was situated right at the foot of the great volcano. We got
scared out of our .................... when it came alive one night.
A powers B senses C wits D moods

16. This winter we'll be arriving in the spa with only five people since the rest
of us cut .................... from our group last summer.
A apart B free C aside D loose

17. Evelyn tends to buy things on a ................. without thinking first whether
she's going to need them or not.
A wick B wit C whim D wham

18. My .................... was in my mouth when I suddenly realized I was lost


alone in the middle of the forest.
A stomach B finger C heart D nose

81
66. PROVERBS & SAYINGS
GLOSSARY

Match the suitable parts of the sayings and proverbs and then write their
numbers next to the appropriate definitions.

1. All work and no play a. calls the tune


2. A rolling stone b. deserves another
3. Fools rush in c. gathers no moss
4. He who pays the piper d. is in the eating
5. It takes all sorts e. make light work
6. Many hands f. makes Jack a dull boy
7. Needs must g. there's a way
8. One good turn h. to make a world
9. The proof of the pudding i. when the devil drives
10. Where there's a will j. where angels fear to tread

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

……. Only the person who gives money for something can decide how it
is spent.
……. You can say whether something is good or not only when you have
tried it.
……. Work is done easily if it is shared by many people.

……. It's good to have some relax instead of working all the time.

……. If someone has done something good for you, you should do the
same in return.
……. Inexperienced people try to do something too difficult or too
dangerous for them.
……. Someone who is determined to achieve something will always find
good means.
……. There's a place for people with all kinds of needs or preferences on
the planet.
……. A person who often changes their places of stay or work has no
responsibilities.
……. Sometimes you have to do something that you would not prefer to do.

82
67. PARAPHRASES
GLOSSARY
Rewrite the sentences using the appropriate idioms.
The original meanings of the sentences should be retained.

be riding for a fall meet sb halfway


hang by a thread pack the house
have a crush on sb poke one's nose into sth
hit the nail on the head split one's sides
keep a tight rein on sb/sth take sb for granted

1. It is not polite to interfere in other people's private matters, Bob.


…………………………………………………………………………………………
2. Do their concerts still attract so big an audience as they did before?
………………………………………………………………………………………… ?
3. You will be risking a failure if you entrust this serious task to Malcolm.
…………………………………………………………………………………………
4. I burst into laughter when I heard about Harry's adventure with the bull.
…………………………………………………………………………………………
5. The hiker's life was in serious danger when he was bitten by a
poisonous snake.
…………………………………………………………………………………………
6. With that comment of yours you did say what was exactly right.
…………………………………………………………………………………………
7. Finally, we reached an agreement by accepting some of our
partner's demands.
…………………………………………………………………………………………
8. As a young girl, I was strongly infatuated with my teacher of Spanish.
…………………………………………………………………………………………
9. It's crucial for us to control the juvenile inmates in a very strict way.
…………………………………………………………………………………………
10. Your husband doesn't show you much respect because you have
always waited on him hand and foot.
…………………………………………………………………………………………

83
68. ANIMALS
GLOSSARY
Do the crossword puzzle. Write in the names of animals.
DOWN
1. As an excuse for his truancies Jack gave the teacher one of his cock
and .................. stories about having been abducted by aliens. Of
course, she didn't believe it.
2. Judy never loses her temper. When her friends quarrel about things, she
is the person that will run with the ............... and hunt with the hounds.
3. I was getting tired of my boss screaming at me and running me down all
the time, and the accusation of embezzlement was the straw that broke
the ..................'s back. I quit the job.
4. It was silly of me to tell Dan about my investment plans. He cooked my
.................. by putting them in operation before me. Now, it's him who
runs a successful ice-cream shop.
5. During the first week, I felt like a/an .................. out of water because I
was new in the team. But, soon my new workmates accepted me and
started to respect my opinions.
8. 'Excuse me! How can I get to the nearest petrol station?' - 'As the
................. flies, it's six kilometres from here if you take this bumpy road.'
9. This machine is an old model. And the one that we're starting to produce
will be a completely different ............. . Ultra-modern and sophisticated.
10. Andy was as sick as a/an .................. when Sylvia refused to date him.
He'd been in love with her for years.
12. When you start a business, you should first earn some money and then
think about spending it on enjoyment. The other way round is like putting
the cart before the .................. .
14. These old buildings here are no use to man or ...................... . They are
ruined and may collapse at any moment.
15. Don't worry about Amy when you move your house. Children can adapt
to new conditions much faster than adults. You'll see she will take to it
like a/an ............................... to water.
20. Can you see those crowds at the box office? We don't have a/an
..................'s chance to see the performance tonight.

ACROSS
3. When our third child was born, we decided to buy a house. In that small
flat there was no room to swing a/an .................. any more.
5. This young man could easily find work in the shipyard, but he doesn't
want to work too hard. So, when he comes to beg for money, we usually
send him off with a ................................. in his ear.

84
6. Robert made an impression of a worried husband when his wife, Nicole,
was so seriously ill. But as soon as she got better, he turned into a
ruthless despot again. Now, I know he only cried ........................ tears.
7. Every time the boss goes on a business trip, everything in the office is in
the shambles. As they say, when the cat's away, the .............. will play.
11. Don't be such an eager ..........................., Paul. The old workmates don't
like a young apprentice to be too keen and make them look lazy.
13. ‘How did you manage to buy a ticket for the concert? When I went to buy
it, they were sold out.’
‘The early bird catches the .................. . Don't you know? I went there
early in the morning.’
14. Uncle Chuck is a real .................. of passage. He has moved his house
at least a hundred times in his life.
16. That elderly widow wearing those teenage clothes is a laughing stock in
our town. She is a/an ........................ dressed as a lamb.
17. With so many applicants for the job of a bodyguard, it was a useful idea
to carry out the tests of physical fitness. It helped us sort out the
................................. from the goats.
18. Why do you always ask your parents what you are supposed to do?
You're grown up now and can do anything you want. Come on! The
world is your .................. .
19. Don't expect Alex to change into a home bird just because he's married
you. He's always been a good-timer. A/an .................. cannot change
its spots, you know.
21. ‘One day I'll become an astronaut and will travel in space.' 'Sure you will.
And .................. might fly.'

85
69. NAMES AND SURNAMES
GLOSSARY

Fill the gaps with the appropriate names to complete the idioms.

Bill Jane Pandora


Bob Joe Bloggs Paul
Dick Joneses Pete
Harry McCoy Sam
Jack Robinson Midas Tom

1. The prime minister says that in order to increase the salaries of the
medical staff, the government might need to cut expenditure on public
safety. In other words, they will have to rob Peter to pay ...................... .
2. ‘You can ask me any question about economy. I know everything about it.’
‘Go on, then, clever ................. . How does deflation differ from inflation?’
3. ‘How long will it take you to fix my shoe heel?’
‘I’ll have done it before you can say ....................... madam.’
4. To change the batteries in the device, you unscrew the cover, take out
the used batteries, put in the new ones and ......................'s your uncle.
As easy as that.'
5. Aristocrats and wealthy people never make good politicians. How can
anyone who has always lived a life of luxury understand the needs of an
average ................. .
6. After the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1941, the US
President Franklin D. Roosevelt decided that Uncle ...................... would
go to war.
7. Betty does not attract many men. She's a plain ...................., always in
the shadow of her more attractive sister, Lucy.
8. ‘It isn't an original paratroopers' jacket, is it?’ - ‘The real ....................... I
got it from my grandfather. He was an infantry paratrooper in Normandy.'
9. Look! Our car has been broken into. Let's call the Old ...................... .
10. By putting all blame for the riots on the Muslim minority, the chief of the
police opened up a real ......................'s box.
11. I need someone really good to do the job. Not just any Tom, Dick or ...... .
12. For ...............'s sake, why have you brought yet another stray dog home?
13. Let's get out of here before someone finds out we're here. Don't be a
peeping ...................... . Haven't you seen enough yet?
14. It's not easy to keep up with the ...................... in this neighbourhood.
Wealthy film producers and stars live here.
15. Every firm that she has established has done a roaring trade. She seems
to have the ...................... touch.
86
70. NATURE
GLOSSARY
Insert the nouns in the appropriate phrases.

air fog ice weather


clouds heaven shadow whirl
earth hell skies wind

1. You may reprimand Steven several times a day, but it will cut no
............................ with him. He's more obstinate than any other child.
2. Judging by the way the reporter praised the English tennis player to
the .............................., he must have been his great fan.
3. I have never done a roller coaster ride. It might be enjoyable, so next
time I am in the amusement park, I will give it a/an .............................. .
4. Once he ruled the corporation with an iron hand. But when he was
dismissed for affairs he lost his sense in life. Now, he's a/an ....................
of his former self.
5. It's rather unlikely that Hugh will work out any practical scheme. He's got
his head in the .............................. all the time. He's more of a dreamer
than a realist.
6. As a security officer, you must keep a/an ................................. eye open
for any sign of danger during the presidential visit.
7. When the confidential files disappeared from the cabinet, we were
prepared to move .............................. and earth to find them and never
let the information be leaked to the press.
8. The recent report of how real the danger of a terrorist attack may be has
put the .............................. up the country citizens.
9. One of the neighbours has given us .............................. for playing
football in the garden although it doesn't even belong to him.
10. We've been on the road for over two days. I haven't slept well and
haven't had a shower for all this time. I must look like nothing on
......................... .
11. When he came round in hospital, he was in a/an .............................. . He
had no idea what had happened to him.
12. The price he gave for the flat seems rather exaggerated. How did he get it?'
'He must have plucked it out of the ..................... , unreasonable as it is.'

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