Richard only took over the family Had it not been for his father's early

business because his father retirement, Richard wouldn't have taken

decided to retire early. -> Had over the family business.
We would always take great care We always used to have/keep our wits
when flying at night. (WITS) -> We about us when flying at night.
used
There haven't been such long Not since the release of the last
queues at the cinema since the blockbuster have there been such long
release of the last blockbuster. -> queues at the cinema.
Not
I will only be satisfied if the Nothing short of a full apology from the
manager apologises fully. -> manager will satisfy me.
Nothing short
She was concentrating so hard on She was so wrapped up in her work that
her work that she didn't notice she didn't notice when I came in.
when I came in. (WRAPPED) -> She
was so
The price of the house has been The house has been cut/pared to the
reduced as much as possible bone because the owner needs some
because the owner needs some money.
money. (BONE) -> The house
The permit expires at the end of The permit is not valid after the end of
the month. -> The permit is not the month.
The first sign of the disease is The onset of the disease is blurred
blurred vision. (ONSET) -> The vision.
Don't say anything negative about Don't say anything negative about her
her hair because she's very hair because she's very sensitive and
sensitive and might be offended by might take offence at your remarks.
your remarks. (OFFENCE)
The new teacher was so nervous The new teacher's nervousness drew (a)
that the class reacted mischievous reaction(s) from the class.
mischievously. -> The new
teacher's
Mr. Foster asked me to write this It is at Mr. Foster's request that I am
letter to you. -> It is at writing this letter to you.
The only thing that prevented the Were it not to have been for the death
passing of the bill was the death of of the Prime Minister, the bill would
the Prime Minister. -> Were it have been passed/got through.
Jane persuaded the others to agree Jane brought the others round to her
with her point of view. -> Jane point of view.
brought
The inhabitants were far worse-off The inhabitants are nowhere as badly-

1
twenty years ago than they are off as they were twenty years ago.
now. -> The inhabitants are
nowhere
They designed the stadium to make The stadium was designed in such a
hooliganism impossible. (SUCH) -> way (as) to stamp/rule/iron out
The stadium hooliganism.
My friend took no notice of my My friend turned a deaf ear to my
advice. (DEAF) advice.
He didn't think much of the musical He had a low opinion of the musical
show yesterday. (OPINION) -> He show yesterday.
He was finally able to adjust He finally got into the swing of the new
himself to the new working working conditions.
conditions. (SWING) -> He finally
Some airlines cheat people by Some airlines rip people off by charging
charging them too much for them too much for tickets.
tickets. (RIP)
They believe that the hotel was The hotel is believed to have been just
quite near the beach. (THROW) -> a stone's throw (away) from the beach.
The hotel is
He was too frightened to admit So frightened was he that he couldn't
that he had broken the window. own up to breaking/having broken the
(OWN) -> So window.
I wish he would stop criticising my I'd sooner he didn't find fault with my
work. (FAULT) -> I'd sooner work.
Zoe always makes spontaneous Zoe always acts on impulse when she
decisions concerning her travel makes her travel plans.
plans. (ACTS) -> Zoe always
He really disappointed me when He really kicked me in the teeth when
breaking the promise to help me breaking the promise to help me out.
out. (TEETH)
If her father hadn't retired, she But for her father's retirement, she
wouldn't have taken over his work. wouldn't have stepped into his shoes.
(STEPPED) -> But for
His efforts to find a solution didn't He shouldn't have been savagely
deserve such savage criticism. -> criticised for his efforts to find a
He shouldn't solution.
People became aware of the It was the discovery of an enormous
damage to the ozone layer when an hole over the South Pole that made
enormous hole was discovered over people aware of the damage to the
the South Pole. -> It was the ozone layer.
When I grow up, I'm going to be When I grow up, I'm going to be a fat
really important. (CAT) cat.

2
I thought very hard but couldn't I racked my brain(s) to remember the
remember the answer. (RACKED) -> answer.
I
Alex grimaced as he swallowed the Alex pulled a face as he swallowed the
foul-tasting medicine. (PULLED) -> foul-tasting medicine.
Alex
Linda was very nervous, which Such was her nervousness that she
made her look like a bashful girl. came over as a bashful girl.
(CAME) -> Such
As soon as the funds ran out, they The instant the funds petered out, they
had to abandon the scheme. had to abandon the scheme.
(PETERED) -> The instant
Why did you reveal my plan to I'd rather/sooner you hadn't breathed a
Kathy? (BREATHED) -> I'd word about my plan to Kathy.
David was responsible for the Scarcely had his father retired when
family business as soon as his took charge/was put in charge of the
father retired. (CHARGE) -> family business.
Scarcely
Your encouragement helped to It was your encouragement that helped
make things less grievous after cushion the blow after such a heavy
such a heavy loss. (CUSHION) -> It loss.
was
Tina was crazy about stamps, so Had it not been for her craze for
she spent lots of money on them stamps, Tina wouldn't have splashed
every month. -> Had it out on them every month.
He tried hard but couldn't Try as he might, he couldn't make
compensate for what he had done. amends for what he had done.
(AMENDS) -> Try
Experts think that all dogs evolved All dogs are thought to have been
from wolves. (DESCENDED) -> All descended from wolves according to
dogs experts experts.
We didn't learn he still managed to Not until later did we learn he (still)
live with very little money as a eked out a (miserable) living/an
waiter until later. (EKED) -> Not existence as a waiter.
until
Nobody is certain if the project will It's still touch and go whether the
be permitted to continue. (GO- project will be given/will get the go-
AHEAD) -> It's still touch ahead or not.
Two men stole the old lady's The old lady was robbed of her
handbag. -> The old lady was handbag.
"Without the rapid growth in He blamed the food shortages on the
population there would be fewer rapid growth in population.

3
food shortages". -> He blamed
Not many of the people in Britain Hardly anyone/any of the people in
speak a single word of my Britain speak(s) my language.
language. -> Hardly
I certainly won't change my mind There is no question of my/me changing
about resigning. (QUESTION) my mind about resigning.
Don't tell the boss about the Don't breathe a word about our scheme
scheme. (BREATHE) to the boss.
I really think my son is going to be I have high hopes of/for my son being a
a hugely successful businessman. - hugely successful businessman.
> I have high
I am sure that he missed the He can't possibly have caught the
eleven o'clock train. (CAN'T) eleven o'clock train.
My mother insisted on me wearing My mother pressed the dress on me.
the dress. (PRESSED)
She decided to have five bowls of Having the munchies, she decided to
rice because she was hungry. have five bowls of rice.
(MUNCHIES)
Your empty promises won't have Your empty promises will cut no ice with
any effect on her. (ICE) her.
He is becoming quite famous as an He is making a name for himself as an
interviewer. (NAME) interviewer.
It's possible that the last person to The last person to leave might not have
leave didn't lock the door. -> The locked the door.
last person
The response to our appeal was so Such was the response to our appeal
great that we had to take on more that we had to take on more staff.
staff. -> Such
I will only be satisfied if the Nothing short of a full apology from the
manager apologises fully. -> manager will satisfy me.
Nothing short
It is essential that you tell us It is of the utmost importance that you
everything. -> It is of the tell us everything.
Her arrival was completely She took us completely by surprise with
unexpected. -> She took it her arrival.
It's much easier than everyone It's nothing like as difficult as everyone
makes out. (NOTHING) makes out.
This should be returned to the Please return this to the undersigned as
sender of this letter as soon as soon as possible.
possible. (UNDERSIGNED) -> Please

4
The police need to establish the The police need to establish how fast
vehicle's precise speed at the the vehicle was going at the moment of
moment of impact. (FAST) impact.
Any correspondence from the Any correspondence from the Canberra
Canberra office must be dealt with office must take priority over other
before other matters. PRIORITY matters.
Don't panic about something so Don't make a mountain out of a
trivial. MOUNTAIN molehill.
Two men stole the old lady's The old lady was robbed of her
handbag. handbag.
"Without the rapid growth in He blamed the food shortages on the
population there would be fewer rapid growth in population.
food shortages".
Not many of the people in Britain Hardly anyone/any of the people in
speak a single word of my Britain speak(s) my language.
language.
I certainly won't change my mind There is no question of my/me changing
about resigning. (QUESTION) my mind about resigning.
Don't tell the boss about the Don't breathe a word about our scheme
scheme. (BREATHE) to the boss.
I really think my son is going to be I have high hopes of/for my son being a
a hugely successful businessman. hugely successful businessman.
I am sure that he missed the He can't possibly have caught the
eleven o'clock train. (CAN'T) eleven o'clock train.
My mother insisted on me wearing My mother pressed the dress on me.
the dress. (PRESSED)
She decided to have five bowls of Having the munchies, she decided to
rice because she was hungry. have five bowls of rice.
(MUNCHIES)
Your empty promises won't have Your empty promises will cut no ice with
any effect on her. (ICE) her.
He is becoming quite famous as an He is making a name for himself as an
interviewer. (NAME) interviewer.
He really upset everyone when he He really put the cat among the pigeons
told his secret. (PIGEONS) when he told them his secret.
Your attitude will have to change if You will have to turn over a new leaf if
you want to succeed. (LEAF) you want to succeed.
You may think you are talented but No matter how talented you think you
horses will always show you are are, horses will always bring/take you
not. (PEG) down a peg (or two).

5
I avoided mentioning Jack's Realizing that mentioning Jack's
demotion as I realised that it might demotion might upset him, I let
upset him. (SLEEPING) sleeping dogs lie.
Susan is far superior to me in When it comes to technical knowledge, I
terms of technical knowledge. am no match for Susan.
(MATCH)
It is important that we have to get It is of importance that we have to get
the team to comply with the rules. the team to toe the line.
Winning the prize has made him Winning the prize has gone to his head.
very conceited. (HEAD)
Prompt action from the police Were it not to have been for prompt
helped to reduce the number of action from the police, the fighting
people killed and injured in the would have suffered heavy casualties.
fighting. (SUFFERED)
His efforts to find a solution didn't He shouldn't have been savagely
deserve such savage criticism. criticised for his efforts to find a
solution.
He did not succeed in reaching the In vain did he reach the top of the
top of the highest mountain in this highest mountain in this area.
area.
It's possible that the last person to The last person to leave might have left
leave didn't lock the door. the door unlocked.
The response to our appeal was so Such was the (great) response to our
great that we had to take on more appeal that we had to take on more
staff. staff.
I will only be satisfied if the Nothing short of a full apology from the
manager apologises fully. manager will satisfy me.
It is essential that you tell us It is of the utmost importance that we
everything. (should) be kept fully informed.
Her arrival was completely She took it on herself to come
unexpected. here/there.
It's much easier than everyone It is nothing like as difficult as everyone
makes out. (NOTHING) makes out.
This should be returned to the Please return this letter to the
sender of this letter as soon as undersigned without delay.
possible. (UNDERSIGNED)
The police need to establish the The police need to establish precisely
vehicle's precise speed at the how fast the vehicle was going at the
moment of impact. (FAST) moment of impact.
Any correspondence from the Any correspondence from the Canberra
Canberra office must be dealt with office must take priority (be given

6
before other matters. PRIORITY priority) over other matters.
Don't panic about something so Don't make a mountain out of a
trivial. MOUNTAIN molehill.
Don't panic about something so Don't make a mountain out of a
trivial. MOUNTAIN
In order to make a profit the new No fewer than 2000 visitors a month
leisure centre needs at least 2000 must visit the new leisure centre to
visitors a month. make a profit.
John took my place while I was at John stood in for me while I was at the
the dentist's. dentist's.
I don't think Patrick has ever been To the best of my knowledge, Patrick
camping. has never been camping.
Philip's inability to make decisions Ever since his accident, Philip has been
dates from his accident. unable to make decisions.
Something must be done to solve Urgent action is necessary/essential to
this problem. solve this problem.
It is a foregone conclusion that It goes without saying that Mark will get
Mark will get the job. SAYING the job.
Being her only niece, Ann is very Being her only niece, Ann is the apple of
precious to her. APPLE her eye.
Most people know that becoming It is common knowledge that becoming
an actor is difficult. COMMON an actor is difficult.
In my opinion, computers are more In my opinion, computers are more of a
trouble than they're worth. hindrance than a help.
HINDRANCE
Fiona said she was against the Fiona expressed her opposition to /
proposal. EXPRESSED disapproval of the proposal.
I arrived late because I missed the If I'd caught the 10:30 train, I would
10:30 train. (TURNED) have turned up on time.
In my opinion, these two kinds of In my opinion, there is no comparison
music are completely different from between these two kinds of music.
each other. (COMPARISON)
According to the report, the driver According to the report, the car was
of the car was a policeman. (BEING) being driven by a policeman.
"It's not worth worrying about the I told him that there was no point in
past", I told him. (POINT) worrying about the past.
The author describes his childhood The author's book gives a vivid account
vividly in the book. (ACCOUNT) of his childhood.
This plant often gets attacked by This plant is prone to being attacked by
insects. (PRONE) insects.

7
None of the other team members Terry's idea met with no support from
supported Terry's idea. (SUPPORT) the other members of the team.
Mr. Conrad's son is becoming quite Mr. Conrad's son is making a name for
well-known as an artist. (NAME) himself as an artist.
Those terrapins which survive their Should terrapins survive their first year,
first year may live to be twenty. they may live to be twenty.
Does he know enough English to Is his knowledge of English good
work as a translator? enough for him to work as a translator?
We had a long discussion about the We discussed the problem at length, but
problem, but we couldn't solve it. we couldn't come up with a solution (to
(COME) it).
The reason why my son has been My son has been pulling his socks up
studying hard is that he wants to with an eye to applying for a
apply for a scholarship. (EYE) scholarship.
Mimi knew for sure that her friend Mimi knew without a shadow of doubt
was making fun of her. (SHADOW / that her friend was pulling her leg.
LEG)
To put it bluntly, we are making no In a nutshell, this rehabilitation scheme
progress with this rehabilitation was at a standstill.
scheme. (STANDSTILL)
You may be dismissed if you fail to Failure to toe the line may lead to /
observe the rules. (LINE) result in your dismissal.
The manufacturing process was The manufacturing process was held up
delayed by problems no one had by/because of/due to/owing to/ on
foreseen. (HELD) account of/ as a result of unforeseen
problems.
Many species of wildlife are Many species of wildlife are teetering on
threatened with extinction. the brink/edge of extinction.
(TEETERING)
We would like you to give us a copy Would be so kind as to procure a copy
of your new prospectus. (PROCURE) of your new prospectus for us?
Why should anybody be proud of Why should anybody take pride in the
the fact that they were fact that they went/were on the dole?
unemployed? (ON)
You've eaten so much that it is You've made a pig of yourself, so it
logical you feel sick. (STANDS) stands to reason that you feel sick.
We suppose the new models are The new models are supposed to be in
about ten thousand dollars. the vicinity of ten thousand dollars.
(VICINITY)
My advice is that you get straight If I were you, I would not beat
to the point in the next report. around/about the bush in the next

8
(BUSH) report.
Many people refuse to change Many people refuse to turn over a new
because they always seek the leaf because they always follow the
easiest solution. (RESISTANCE) path of least resistance.
Fancy you and I meeting in the It's odd that you and I should meet in
middle of Africa like this! (ODD) the middle of Africa like this!
Redundancy has caused a lot of Many a domestic problem has been
domestic problems. caused by redundancy.
Tommy is not a very nice guy as he Tommy would be a (very) nice guy if he
is so self-absorbed. (IF / HIMSELF) weren't so full of himself.
All of a sudden, the thief attacked In a flash, the thief did me over and
me and took my purse away. (DID) took my purse away.
The success of that new pop star is That new pop star is a flash in the pan,
only short-lived, and we won't even and her name will fade/sink/slide/slip
remember her name in a couple of into obscurity in a couple of years.
years. (PAN)
Jane didn't get the job because she Jane's failure to get the job was down to
wasn't experienced enough. her lack of experience.
(DOWN / LACK)
Tim liked Mary so much that he was Tim was so enamoured of/with Mary
willing to help her with anything. that he fell over himself to help her with
(FELL) anything.
I really don't like it when you I'd rather you hadn't taken me for a ride
cheated me yesterday. (RIDE) yesterday.
This plant often gets attacked by This plant is prone to attack/getting
insects. (PRONE) attacked/being attacked by insects.
Only when the storm subsided was It was not until the storm (had)
it clear just how much damage had subsided that the extent of the damage
been done. (EXTENT) was clear.
This essay shows a slight This essay is marginally better than the
improvement on the last. last.
(MARGINALLY)
You could be arrested for not Refusal to give a breath sample to the
giving a breath sample to the police could lead to/result in your arrest.
police. (REFUSAL)
The negotiations came to an end The negotiations were broken off when
when the employees refused to the employees refused to give way.
give way. (OFF)
The person responsible for the The person in charge of the
investigation was in error. investigation made a mistake.
(MISTAKE)

9
The city is called Bath because of Bath owes its name to the Roman baths
the Roman baths that were there. that were there.
(OWES)
He was really jealous when he saw He was green with envy upon seeing his
his opponent make it through to opponent advance to the next round.
the next round. (ADVANCE)
Mr. Brown doesn't want employees Mr. Brown has set limits to employees'
to spend more time than is expenditure on travel.
necessary on travel. (LIMITS)
You must concentrate on your work You must apply yourself to your work
more. (APPLY) more.
It wasn't clear to us at the time Little did we know/realise at the time
how serious the problem was. how serious the problem was.
We must reduce the company's Our only/best choice is to reduce the
outgoings. (CHOICE) company's outgoings.
The tourists were unharmed after The tourists were none the worse for
the train crash. (WORSE) their experience in the train crash.
It's clear to everyone that he's There's no denying that he's excellent
excellent at his job. (DENYING) at his job.
I did not attend the farewell party If I hadn't been up to my neck in work, I
last night because I had a lot of would have attended the farewell party
work to deal with. (NECK) last night.
I imagine it was tough for you to It must have been tough/difficult/hard
refuse every beggar that asked you for you to turn down every beggar that
for money. (TURN) asked you for money.
Alice and Charles did not decide to Only when Alice and Charles had their
move to a bigger house until after second child did they decide to move to
the birth of their second child. a bigger house.
Don't make me suffer because of Don't take it out on me just because
your problems! (ON) you've got problems!
It would be easy to make a film Danielle Steel's latest novel lends itself
adaptation of Danielle Steel's to being made into a film.
latest novel. (ITSELF)
Tim insisted on being told the Nothing but the complete / whole
complete disaster. disaster would satisfy Tim.
He never seems to succeed, even However hard he works, he never
though he works hard. seems to succeed.
Alice is the most generous person I I've never met anyone that is more
have ever met. generous than Alice.
Thomas never seems to succeed Much as Thomas studies, he never
even though he studies much. seems to succeed.

10
I never thought that I would win a It had never crossed my mind that I'd
prize. win a prize.
We won't get to the airport in less It will take at least 30 minutes to get to
than 30 minutes. the airport.
This car only cost me five hundred I picked this car up for only five hundred
pounds. (PICKED) pounds.
I tried to talk to Thompson about I tried to have a word with Thompson
the problem but he was too busy. about the problem but he was too busy.
(WORD)
If you don't take care of those Unless you look after those trees, they
trees, they won't last for long. won't last for long.
The best solution was thought of Jolie came up with the best solution.
by Jolie. (CAME)
A rather nasty problem has We've come up against a rather nasty
appeared. problem.
I have called this meeting in order My purpose in calling this meeting is to
to present the latest sales figures. present the latest sales figures.
Mrs. Wilson says she's sorry she Mrs. Wilson sends her apologies for not
didn't attend the meeting having attended /attending the meeting
yesterday morning. yesterday morning.
For further information, please Further information can be obtained by
send a self-addressed envelope to sending a self-addressed envelope to
the above address. the above address.
It's almost nine months since I I cancelled my subscription to that
stopped subscribing to that magazine nine months ago.
magazine.
He makes sure that he isn't He makes sure (that) he distances
associated with policies he himself from policies he disagrees with.
disagrees with. DISTANCES
Students at the school are not The Rainbow Disco is out of bounds to
allowed to go into the Rainbow students at the school.
Disco. BOUNDS
She wasn't speaking seriously. She was speaking with her tongue in
TONGUE her cheek.
We suddenly decided to go far We decided on the spur of the moment
away for the weekend. SPUR to go far away at the weekend.
Danielle Steel's latest novel Danielle Steel's latest novel lends itself
to being made into a film.
Going to and fro with all the cases It's all toing and froing with all the cases
is what I can't stand about that I can't stand about holidays.
holidays.

11
The village shop is now being A national supermarket chain has taken
managed by a national charge over the management.
supermarket chain.
This door is an emergency exit and On no account must this door ever be
must never be locked for any locked because it is an emergency exit.
reason. (BECAUSE)
Yolanda's family persuaded her to Yolanda was talked into entering the
enter the competition. competition by her family.
So many people were really There was much JUBILATION when the
delighted when the government government lost the election.
lost the election. (JUBLATION)
The board had a secret meeting in The board met behind closed doors in
order to discuss changes in order to discuss changes in company
company policy. (DOORS) policy.
Peter was in trouble with his boss Peter was in hot water because he
because he didn't finish an didn't finish an important project by the
important project by the deadline. deadline.
(HOT)
She told everyone that she had She let it be known that she had been
been fired by the company. (SACK) given the sack by the company.
Should there be a problem, contact In the event of a problem, drop a line at
us at all costs. (LINE) all costs.
Although the manager is sluggish, Sluggish as / though the manager is, he
he is a smooth speaker. (GIFT) has the gift of the gab.
Do you think he's been cheating us Do you think he's been cheating us all
from the beginning? (ALL) along.
Congressman Saunders start the Congressman Saunders fired the
argument during a heated debate opening salvo during a heated debate
on capital punishment. (SALVO) on capital punishment.
We all wished to be treated We all wished to be treated as equals.
equally. (AS)
Business has been thriving in the Business has been thriving in the past
past year. I hope it will continue. year. Long may it continue to do so.
(MAY)
She is a quiet woman but her Her passion shines through in her
passion is easy to see in her music. music, even though she is a quiet
(SHINES) woman.
We hope they can forget their We hope they can iron out their
differences and get on with differences and get on with working
working together. (IRON) together.
She rarely spoke, but her brother She rarely spoke, but her brother could

12
could talk a lot. (DONKEY) talk the hind legs off a donkey.
It's time for you to start working It's time you got / put your head down
determinedly and do some revision. and did some revision.
(HEAD)
Thanks, a strong cup of coffee in Thanks, a strong cup of coffee in the
the morning is exactly what is morning is just what the doctor ordered.
needed. (DOCTOR)
I'm very tired, because of travelling I'm very tired, what with travelling all
all day yesterday and having a day yesterday and having a disturbed
disturbed night. (WITH) night.
Do you think we should quit or Do you think we should pack it in or
keep going? (PACK) keep going?
You buy the tickets and I'll pay you You buy the tickets and I'll settle up with
back later. (SETTLE) you later.
I've been very busy all morning. I've been rushed off my feet all
(FEET) morning.
If a child is left alone, he loses his If a child is left alone, he loses his zest
enjoyment of living. (ZEST) for life.
Thomas was not given details of Thomas was kept in the dark about the
the company's new projects. DARK company's new projects.
In the area, Thailand is much Thailand is / stands head and shoulders
better than all other countries in above all other countries in football.
football. SHOULDERS
I'm afraid our problems are just These problems of ours are just the tip
beginning. ICEBERG of the iceberg.
The final version of the plan was The final version of the plan bore/ had
quite different from the initial no/ little resemblance to the final draft.
draft. RESEMBLANCE
I expected the film to be good, but The film didn't live up to my
it wasn't at all. LIVE expectations at all.
You must do something to make You must take steps to make sure/
sure this doesn't happen again. ensure (that) this doesn't happen again.
STEPS
Even though I admire his courage, I Much as I admire his courage, I think he
think he is foolish. is foolish.
He sounds as if he has spent all his He gives the impression that he has
life abroad. (IMPRESSION) spent all his life abroad.
His recent behaviour is outrageous. The way he has recently conducted
(HIMSELF / ORDINARY) himself is out of the ordinary.
My salary is half what I would be in If I had taken/ accepted the job I was

13
the job I was offered in January. offered in January, I would be on twice
the salary I am now/ I would be earning
twice as much as I am now.
Polidori, the right-wing politician, Polidori, the right-wing politician, is
is taking advantage of fear and mining a rich seam of fear and
prejudice. (SEAM) prejudice.
Harry is very knowledgeable about Harry is a MINE of information about/on
the cultures of England. (MINE) the cultures of England.
My father had to rid himself of My father had to be on the WAGON to
alcohol to be healthier due to the be healthier due to the doctor's advice.
doctor's advice. (WAGON)
The children planned to go hiking Had it not been for the storm, the
with full excitement. They have to children would have gone with a SWING
delay because of the storm. to go hiking as planned.
(SWING)
I only realised the full implications It was not until sometime later that I
of what had happened until realised the full implications of what
sometime later. had happened.
It is necessary to free our business We need to free our business from the
from the influence of the dead HAND of bureaucracy.
bureaucracy right now. (HAND)
I'm in two minds about which place I'm caught BETWEEN two stools to
to go on holiday. It's difficult to choose which place to go on holiday.
choose. (BETWEEN)
You've been looking miserable all You've done nothing but MOON
day. (MOON) around/about all day.
His parents allowed him to buy an Having mulled it over for three weeks,
iPhone 12 after they had his parents gave him the GO-AHEAD to
considered it for three weeks. (GO- buy an iPhone.
AHEAD)
Tom is forever teasing Daisy for On account of her spoonerism, Tom is
having spoonerism. (MICKEY) forever taking MICKEY out of Daisy.
My father was livid with anger Having found that I left his car with
when he found that I left his car wear and tear, my father hit the
with wear and tear. (CEILING) CEILING.
'Because of this new evidence, I 'In the light of this new evidence, I have
have no alternative but to release no alternative but to release you.', the
you.', the judge told the accused. judge told the accused.
(LIGHT)
It is important to know the It is important to draw a line between a
difference between a joke and a lie. joke and a lie.
(DRAW)

14
The government recommends a The government favours a carrot and
balance of reward and punishment stick approach to young offenders.
when dealing with young offenders.
(STICK)
Let's all work together, we'll finish We'll have this job done in next to no
this job very quickly. (NEXT) time if we all work together.
He was really jealous when he saw He was green with envy when he saw
his brother's new car. (GREEN) his brother's new car.
His friends incited him to keep He hit the other boys again and again
hitting other boys. (EGGED) as his friends egged him on.
Selina first worked for the local Selina cut her teeth on the local radio
radio before landing a job on a before landing a job on a national daily.
national daily. (TEETH)
My father always wanted to work My father always wanted to practice
as a doctor in a rural community. medicine in a rural community.
(PRACTICE)
I would advise you to wait and see I would advise you to wait and see
what develops. (CAT) which way the cat jumps.
They just sit around, discuss They just sit around, discuss nothing in
nothing in particular and just particular and just produce a lot of hot
produce a lot of empty talks. (HOT) air.
I suppose it's possible that she It is my supposition that she may not
didn't understand my message. have understood my message.
(MAY)
Our car is in the garage for repairs. We are having our car repaired by the
(BY) garage.
'Why don't you relax for a while?' She suggested that I should take it easy
she said to me. (EASY) for a while.
He succeeded in the project, which So successful in the project was he that
caused my amazement. (AMAZED) I was amazed.
You could be arrested for not Your refusal to give a breath sample to
giving a breath sample to the the police could result in your being
police. (RESULT) arrested.
I really like her voice but not her Much as I like her voice, I don't like the
choice of songs. (CHOOSES) way she chooses (her) song.
Don't go to lunch until you have Don't forget to type all these letters
typed all these letters. (HOUR) before lunch hour.
If student numbers fall again, we'll A further REDUCTION in student
have to cancel the class. numbers will mean we have to cancel
(REDUCTION) the class.
I'd prefer a salad to your cooked I'd rather eat / have a salad than eat

15
meal. (YOU) what you cook.
They ran and ran until they were They went on running until they were
exhausted. (OUT) worn out / out of breath.
She was imprisoned for three Her rudeness to the judge earned her a
months for being rude to the judge. three-month imprisonment.
(EARNED)
Everyone is sure that he will beat In all probability, he will win over his
his opponent in the next round. opponent in the next round.
(WIN)
Mike is not the only person who is Mike does not have a monopoly on good
good-looking in that family. looks / being good-looking in that
(MONOPOLY) family.
A friend of ours fixed the car for us. We had one of our friends fix the car.
(FRIENDS)
The police have put barriers around In view of a suspected bomb, the police
the building because of a have cordoned off the building.
suspected bomb. (CORDONED)
I'd discuss the deal with Phil before I'd have a discussion with Phil about the
making a decision. (MIND) deal before making up my mind.
The adverts look exactly the same It's impossible to tell the difference
as the articles in this magazine. between the adverts and the articles in
(DIFFERENCE) this magazine.
Quang Hai has so much talent that So talented a footballer is Quang Hai
many football clubs are interested that many football clubs are interested
in him. (FOOTBALLER) in him.
Getting a later train was our only We arrived at the station only to find
option when we arrived at the that we could do nothing but get a later
station. (BUT) train / to find that we had no choice but
to get a later train.
We weren't surprised by his It came as no surprise to us when he
success in the contest. (SUCCEED) succeeded in the contest.
Did the football team play any Was there any improvement in the way
better last weekend? [ IN ] the football team played?
I need a calculator to arrive at the I need a calculator to figure / work out
total [ OUT ] the total
If I am being honest, I have to say To be honest (with you), the play fell
that the play wasn't as good as i short of my expectations.
expected (SHORT)
Finding the survivors is our number It is of the utmost importance that we
one priority (UTMOST ) find the survivors.
I do not know why France made I don't know what prompted France to

16
such an extraordinary decision. make so extraordinary a decision.
(PROMPTED / SO)
She was concentrating so hard on She was so wrapped up in her work that
her work that she didn't notice she didn't notice when I came in.
when i came in (WRAPPED)
Five actors were competing for the There were five actors in contention for
leading role in the play the leading role in the play.
(CONTENTION)
She began to suffer from irrational She fell prey to irrational fears.
fears. (PREY)
You should always be grateful for I shouldn't look a gift horse in the
what you are given. (MOUTH) mouth.
He had nothing to do with the He refused to take the blame for the
accident. (BLAME) accident.
I firmly believe him to be the He is without a shadow of doubt the
rudest person I know (SHADOW) rudest person I know.
It will be extremely difficult to get It will be an uphill struggle to get your
your work finished by the deadline work finished by the deadline.
(UPHILL)
The appeal of Shakespeare's plays The appeal of Shakespeare's plays has
has certainly lasted through stood the test of time.
centuries (TEST)
If you want my opinion, he's For what it's worth, he's useless.
useless (WORTH)
He was exasperated with being He was fed up to the back teeth with
criticised in public all the time being criticised in public all the time.
(TEETH)
The factory is making every The factory is firing on all cylinders to
possible effort to finish the orders finish the orders in time.
in time. (FIRING)
The mechanic put a lot of effort to The mechanic took great pains to repair
repair the engine of my car (PAINS) the engine of my car.
Years of heavy working in the coal Years of heavy working in the coal mine
mine have undoubtedly have undoubtedly taken their toll on my
undermined my father's health father's health.
(TOLL)
She came to see me when she had Only when she was at a loose end did
nothing to do. (END) she come to see me.
He was finally able to adjust He finally got into the swing of things.
himself to the new conditions
(SWING)

17
Brian couldn't explain how the Brian was at a loss to explain how the
stolen computer got into the boot stolen computer got into the boot of his
of his car. LOSS car.
My grandfather had completely My grandfather didn't have any
forgotten that he phoned me last recollection of phoning me last night
night. RECOLLECTION
There was absolute quietness after You could hear a pin drop after the
the manager said the factory would manager said the factory would be
be closing. DROP closing.
Susie believes this job interview is Susie is setting great store by this job
really important. STORE interview.
Last year, Ralph had a luxurious Last year, he was living in clover, but on
lifestyle, but since he lost his job, being made redundant, he has had to
he has had to make a few changes. make a few changes.
(CLOVER)
While most writers earn only A few writers strike it lucky by creating
modest royalties, a lucky few bestsellers, but earning only modest
create bestsellers. STRIKE / NORM royalties is the norm.
Mike has a more complex Mike has greater depths to him than
personality than you may think you think.
(DEPTHS)
Julie always listen to my complaints Julie always lends a sympathetic ear to
sympathetically about work EAR my complaints about work.
Don't be upset by what she said Don't take what she said to heart.
HEART
Is there enough food for everyone? Do we have enough food to go round?
(ROUND)
For a millionaire like him, money is For a millionaire like him, money is no
hardly a problem. (NO) object.
The painting certainly stole the The painting certainly hogged the
show at the art exhibition. limelight at the art exhibition.
(HOGGED)
The manager praised one particular One particular player was singled out
player. SINGLED for praise by the manager.
Being inexperienced was a Her lack of experience counted against
disadvantage to her when she her when she applied for promotion.
applied for promotion. COUNTED
I always enjoy this film, no matter However often I see it, I never tire of
how often I see it. (TIRE) this film.
Inefficient treatment of customers Treating customers with a lack of
creates a bad impression of the efficiency reflects badly on the

18
company REFLECTS company.
Tim tried to be like one of his As a young musician, Tim modelled
heroes when he was a young himself on one of his heroes.
musician MODELLED
It's impossible to predict how long There's no telling how long it will take to
it will take to do this job. TELLING do this job.
Nobody expected Natalia to resign. Natalia's resignation came as a surprise
CAME to everyone.
The area was completely devoid of There was no vegetation whatsoever in
vegetation. WHATSOEVER the area.
Members can enter the show Entry to the show is free to members on
without paying when they show production of their membership cards.
their membership cards.
(PRODUCTION)
It is difficult to know if such It is difficult to know whether to
questions should be classified as categorise such questions as ones of
ones of law or fact. CATEGORISE law or fact.
Journalists report that there were There are reported to have been minor
minor clashes with security forces clashes with security forces on Saturday
on Saturday evening. TO evening.
Sitting there and doing nothing is I'm afraid that we have no alternative
no longer an option, I'm afraid. but / other than to do something of
ALTERNATIVE value.
Nobody knows if the idea will Whether the idea will catch on is
become popular. ON / GUESS anybody's/anyone's guess.
The only way to explain the rise of The rise of crime rate can only be put
crime rate is that many people down to the loss of religious belief.
have lost religious belief. PUT
The actress learned her lines after Only after hours of rehearsing did the
hours of rehearsing. DID actress learn her lines.
Should a place on the course open We will contact you first should there be
up, we will contact you first. an opening / if there is an opening / in
OPENING the case/event of an opening.
There is a rumour that he has Rumour has it that he has taken up
started living in the port of Leith, residence in the port of Leith, near
near enough to Edinburgh. enough to Edinburgh.
RESIDENCE
Foster was determined that Josh Foster refused to take no for an answer
should agree to sing with Celine. and talked Josh into singing with Celine.
ANSWER
Jim always goes out of his way to Jim always makes a point of including

19
include everyone in the project. everyone in the project.
POINT
The last time I spoke to James was I haven't said anything to/heard
months ago. ANYTHING anything from James for months.
Janet thinks the only thing she can Janet thinks she has no alternative but
do is cancel her skiing holiday. to cancel her skiing holiday.
ALTERNATIVE
Non-passengers are strictly On no account are non-passengers
forbidden from entering the allowed/permitted to enter the
departure lounge of the airport. departure lounge of the airport.
Nancy called her family regularly Nancy made regular contact with her
while she was travelling in Asia. family while travelling in Asia.
CONTACT
I'm ever so sorry but I totally forgot I must confess that our meeting totally
about our meeting. CONFESS slipped my mind.
Only students with an access card Entry to the microbiology labs is
can enter the microbiology labs. restricted to (those) students with an
RESTRICTED access card.
It can be hard to make the right Not having enough time to think may
decision about something when make it hard to reach the right decision.
there is not enough time to think.
REACH
Everyone is criticising the company The company is receiving criticism
for releasing private data about for/has come under criticism for/is
their clients. CRITICISM facing criticism for releasing private
data about their clients.
Was it your idea to promote the Was it you who came up with the idea
company on social media? CAME to promote the company on social
media?
I'm certain that the video will go There is no doubt in my mind that the
viral. DOUBT video will go viral.
They really loved him, but he Much as they loved him, he SEEMED to
seemingly failed to do as expected. let them down.
SEEMED
Although they were small, such However small they were, such
payments were certainly thought payments must HAVE been thought
worth collecting. HAVE worth collecting.
She was so disappointed that all So GREAT was his disappointment that
life seemed to drain from her. all life seemed to drain from her.
GREAT
Football is so important to Scotland Such is the importance that Scotland
that disappointment is inevitable. attaches to football that disappointment

20
ATTACHES is inevitable.
George and Elizabeth were just George and Elizabeth heard a knock on
going to bed when they heard a the door when they were on the POINT
knock on the door. POINT of going to bed.
If you want to be nice and Being nice and understanding in a
understanding in a conflict you will conflict will/may/might
need to try much harder. EFFORT require/involve/demand much more
EFFORT on your part.
Police and other emergency Police and other emergency responders
responders were obliged to break had to force their way into the
the door down to get into the residence.
residence. FORCE
Your ability to make decisions It is your ability to think on your FEET
quickly and adapt makes you a and adapt that makes you a survivor.
survivor. FEET
British writers and artists had a lot It was lack of funding that was the main
of problems in the period mainly BURDEN for British writers and artists in
because there was no funding. this period.
BURDEN
He did not look further back, so he Had he looked further back, he would
didn't see the referee waving play have seen the referee waving play on.
on. HAVE
He drove away very fast. He drove away at breakneck speed.
(BREAKNECK)
Make sure you know what the time Make sure you keep TRACK of the time
is, otherwise you'll miss the start so as not to miss the start of the play.
of the play. TRACK
It didn't take Steven long to show It was only/just a MATTER of time before
his true character. MATTER Steven showed his true character.
If we take everything into account, All things CONSIDERED, the street party
the street party was a great turned out to be a great success in the
success in the end. end.
Everyone was horrified when the To everyone's horror, Ripley was left out
new manager dropped Ripley from of the first team by the new manager
the first team and picked Conway and he picked Conway instead.
instead. LEFT
The company's owners are quite The company's owners are quite radical
radical because they've got rid of a because not only have they DONE away
whole layer of managers, and with a whole layer of managers, but
they've introduced flexible working they've also introduced flexible working
time. DONE time.
The police apologised a great deal The police were very apologetic about

21
for having completely failed to their COMPLETE failure to recognise the
recognise the seriousness of the seriousness of the situation.
situation. COMPLETE
My boss says he has no intention of My boss says he would not/wouldn't
making anyone redundant, even DREAM of laying anyone off, even
though the situation is difficult for though the situation is difficult for the
the company right now. DREAM company right now.
They say New York was a rather New York is supposed to have been a
aggressive city 20 years ago but it rather aggressive city 20 years ago but
feels quite friendly these days. it feels quite friendly these days.
SUPPOSED
Jenny was the person who really It was Jenny who objected to tidying up
didn't want to tidy up after the after the party.
party. OBJECTED
The new software isn't the main The new software isn't the main point
point for discussion tomorrow, but for discussion tomorrow but if the
should anyone raise the subject by subject happens to be brought up by
any chance, I'll give my views. anyone, I'll give my views.
HAPPENS
Reg accepted responsibility to Reg took it upon himself to hand the
hand the press a list of names. press a list of names.
(UPON)
Electricity is getting very expensive The cost of electricity is getting higher
these days. COST / HIGHER and higher.
Unemployment has risen The government is under pressure due
considerably over the last eighteen to an increase in unemployment over
months and the government is the last eighteen months.
under pressure to find a solution.
INCREASE
The minister's resignation from the The discovery of the minister's role in
government was caused by the the financial scandal led to his
discovery of his role in the financial resignation from the government.
scandal. LED
Oh, there you are! I didn't even I was unaware of the fact that you had
know you had gone out! UNAWARE gone out.
Don't get involved in this, John, it This has nothing to do with you so keep
has nothing to do with you. KEEP out of it, John.
I really can't understand why he I am really baffled why he is unable to
can't finish the project on time. finish the project on time.
BAFFLED
Mr. Edwards was sacked partly Mr. Edwards' constant lateness
because of his arriving late to contributed to his being sacked /

22
work. CONTRIBUTED dismissal from the company.
You can't just suddenly decide to Going on safari isn't a decision you can
go on a safari. You need to plan make on the spur of the moment. You
things very carefully. need to plan things carefully.
Cavendish House has long been an Cavendish House has long been an
eyesore. (BLOT) eyesore, a blot on the landscape.
She wants nothing less than to get She has set her heart / mind on getting
that job. It would be a dream come that job.
true. SET
If they ever discover your role in If your role in the incident ever comes
the incident, you will go to prison. to light, you'll go to prison.
LIGHT
Harry plays tennis much better I am not nearly as good a tennis player
than I do. NEARLY as Harry is.
Both candidates for the job are There is hardly any difference between
strong. They are both equally good. the two job candidates.
HARDLY
That child is twice as tall as he was That child's height has doubled in the
two years ago. DOUBLED last two years.
As soon as I arrived at the pub, a No sooner had I arrived than a fight
fight started. SOONER broke out in the pub.
There were very few people who There was virtually nobody / no one
understood what the professor said who understood what the professor said
in the meeting. VIRTUALLY in the meeting.
The bank robbers had disappeared There was no sign of the robbers when
completely by the time the police the police arrived.
arrived. SIGN
She wants nothing less than to get She has set her heart / mind on getting
that job. It would be a dream come that job.
true. SET
If they ever discover your role in If your role in the incident ever comes
the incident, you will go to prison. to light, you'll go to prison.
LIGHT
Harry plays tennis much better I am not nearly as good a tennis player
than I do. NEARLY as Harry is.
Both candidates for the job are There is hardly any difference between
strong. They are both equally good. the two job candidates.
HARDLY
That child is twice as tall as he was That child's height has doubled in the
two years ago. DOUBLED last two years.
As soon as I arrived at the pub, a No sooner had I arrived than a fight

23
fight started. SOONER broke out in the pub.
There were very few people who There was virtually nobody / no one
understood what the professor said who understood what the professor said
in the meeting. VIRTUALLY in the meeting.
The bank robbers had disappeared There was no sign of the robbers when
completely by the time the police the police arrived.
arrived. SIGN
Give me a call only if you have to Unless you run out of gas, don't call me.
buy gas for the car. RUN
Watch the new secretary carefully Keep an eye on the secretary this week
this week to make sure she doesn't to make sure she doesn't make any big
make any big mistakes. EYE mistakes.
You shouldn't be surprised at Kevin It should come as no surprise that Kevin
winning that tournament. COME won that tournament.
There is no doubt at all that the It is a foregone conclusion that the
government will win the election. government will win the election.
CONCLUSION
This is certainly not the last time It is by no means certain that you won't
you will be needed here on a be needed again on a Sunday.
Sunday. MEANS
Whatever happens, don't let Under no circumstances should you let
anyone into the building without anyone into the building without proper
proper identity. identity.
If it wasn't for your arrogance, you But for your arrogance, you would have
would have gotten your promotion gotten your promotion a long time ago.
a long time ago.
I presume you are coming to the Can I take it as read that you are
party Miriam. READ coming to the party Minam?
If that bottle of wine is available to If that bottle of wine is going begging,
be taken because no one else I'll have it.
wants it, I'll have it. (BEGGING)
In a blink of an eye, we thought the For / In a split second, we thought the
bus would crash. (SPLIT) bus would crash.
I'm looking forward to Sunday, the I'm looking forward to Sunday, the only
only thing that I find unpleasant is fly in the ointment being the fact that
the fact that I'll have to sit next to I'll have to sit next to my mother-in-law.
my mother-in-law. (FLY)
Not many people were interested There was not a great deal of interest in
in the scheme. DEAL the scheme.
The last time that subject was There has been no mention of that
mentioned was three weeks ago. subject for three weeks.

24
NO
Keith was not allowed to drive for Keith was banned / prohibited /
two months. FROM forbidden from driving for two months.
There have been three murders in Three murders have taken place in the
the town since Christmas. PLACE town since Christmas.
You can use this ticket as many There is no limit as to how many times
times as you like in one day. AS you can use this ticket in one day.
1998 was the last time Ron and We have not had a visit from Ron and
Angela came to visit us. HAD Angela since 1998.
Nobody knows how the jury will There is no knowing how the jury will
vote. KNOWING vote.
I had to call three times before I I had to make three calls before I found
found Barbara. MAKE Barbara.
There has not been a service in this The last time a service was held in this
church for years. TIME church was years ago.
The newspaper article highly There was high praise for the outgoing
praised the outgoing minister's minister's economic policies in the
economic policies. PRAISE newspaper article.
There is a very good chance that In all likelihood, Kate will be accepted
Kate will be accepted by by Nottingham University.
Nottingham University. LIKELIHOOD
Malcolm does not think he will be Malcolm has doubts / reservations
able to attend the wedding. HAS about his being able to attend the
wedding.
It is not sure if the conference will It is open to doubt / question /
take place after all. OPEN speculation whether the conference will
take place after all.
Why didn't you phone to tell us You might have phoned to tell us that
that you were not coming? MIGHT you were not coming.
There is no way that Alice will pass Alice is bound to fail her driving test.
her driving test. BOUND
If I were you, I would consult an You had better consult an accountant to
accountant to advise you on this. advise you on this.
BETTER
It is very unlikely that they will There is very little prospect of their /
show up now. PROSPECT them showing up now.
It isn't possible that the dog got The dog can't / couldn't possibly have
out of the garden through such a got out of the garden through such a
small hole. POSSIBLY small hole.
We could do nothing about it. There wasn't a thing we could do about

25
THING it.
The plans have changed. IN There has been a change in the plans.
The perfect crime does not exist. There is no such thing as a perfect
SUCH crime.
I think it would be a good idea for It would / might be best to get a second
us to get a second opinion. BEST opinion.
You do not have to pay for any of You are under no obligation to pay for
the goods until you have had one any of the goods until you have had one
month's trial. OBLIGATION month's trial.
Are you likely to have an answer by Is there any likelihood of you / your
six o'clock? LIKELIHOOD having an answer by six o'clock?
They could not tell who had broken There was no telling who had broken in
in and stolen the money. TELLING and stolen the money.
It's absolutely certain he'll be there Beyond a shadow of a doubt, he will be
tomorrow. SHADOW there tomorrow.
It's more than possible that she'll The chances are that she will have
have forgotten all about it. forgotten all about it.
CHANCES
Honestly, I'm not entirely sure of To be honest, I have reservations about
his abilities. RESERVATIONS his abilities.
The scientific world and the There is bitter disagreement between
religious world bitterly disagree the scientific world and the religious
over the future of cloning. BITTER world over the future of cloning.
It is unlikely they will ever see eye There is little chance of their / them
to eye. CHANCE ever seeing eye to eye.
Religious leaders have severely There has been severe criticism from /
criticised what they see as by religious leaders of what they see as
tampering with God's work. SEVERE tampering with God's work.
We must stop experimenting now It is our duty to stop experimenting now
before we reach the point of no before we reach the point of no return.
return. DUTY
It seems that scientists need to There seems to be a need for scientists
interfere with nature. BE to interfere with nature.
Technology has improved There has been an immense
immensely in recent years. improvement in technology in recent
IMMENSE years.
With strict supervision, there will If there is strict supervision, there will
be no abuse. THERE be no abuse.
Support for his point of view has There has been a dramatic rise in
risen dramatically everywhere. support for his point of view

26
DRAMATIC everywhere.
There's no way we can change our There's no way we can turn back now.
minds now. TURN
He was in trouble with the police a He was in trouble with the police a lot
lot when he was younger, but now when he was younger, but now he's a
he has changed and become a reformed character.
much better person. REFORMED
What caused his heart attack? What brought on his heart attack?
BROUGHT
Danny finally saw reason when Danny was brought to his senses by
they threatened to fire him. their threat to fire him.
SENSES
We were refused entry by three We were turned away by three
nightclubs. AWAY nightclubs.
I think having to earn his own Billy was brought down / back to earth
living was quite a shock to Billy. (with a bump / bang) by having to earn
EARTH his own living.
I completely emptied the drawers I turned the drawers inside out but
but couldn't find the address. couldn't find the address.
INSIDE
They refused all offers of help from They turned down all offers of help from
passing motorists. DOWN passing motorists.
This setback seems disastrous now We may be able to turn / use this
but it may be better for us in the setback to good / our advantage.
end. ADVANTAGE
Let's advance the date so we'll be Let's bring the date forward so we'll be
sure of better weather. BRING sure of better weather.
It really put Betty in her place The boss really took / brought Betty
when the boss said she was the down a peg (or two) by saying she was
office junior. PEG the office junior.
His story made me cry. DEEPLY I was deeply moved by his story.
Everyone is sure that the Russians The Russians are heavily favoured to
will win the gold medal. HEAVILY win the gold medal.
I don't seem able to make good I seem to have lost / be losing the knack
cakes any more. KNACK of / for making good cakes.
Mary did really well in the Mary gave a good account of herself in
marathon. ACCOUNT the marathon.
I decided on the holiday in Spain What really clinched the holiday in
because it was so cheap. CLINCHED Spain for me was the low cost.
I think Jack has his own reason for I think Jack has an ulterior motive for

27
helping you. ULTERIOR helping you.
Anyone would react like that. It is perfectly natural for anyone to
PERFECTLY react like that.
Why say it's my fault before you Why have you jumped to the conclusion
know what happened? JUMPED that it's my fault before you know what
happened?
You'll familiarise yourself with this You'll get the hang of this job as you go
job as you go along. GET along.
I got the impression that she was I got the impression that she was at a
rather depressed last week. EBB low ebb last week.
He can go no further with his His career is at / comes to / reaches a
career at this point. END dead end at this point.
As it happened, Keith was on the As luck would have it, Keith was on the
same flight. LUCK same flight.
He put his foot down and refused He wouldn't hear of her going out alone.
to let her go out alone. HEAR
They can't decide whether to move They are in / of two minds about moving
to Ireland or not. TWO to Ireland.
He spoke for a long time about the He spoke at great length about the
effects of the new law. GREAT effects of the new law.
I really didn't feel like entertaining I really wasn't in the mood for
all those people. IN entertaining all those people.
Tell him that whenever he needs Tell him that my car is at his disposal
my car, he can have it. AT whenever he needs it.
He tends to exaggerate the He is in the habit of exaggerating the
importance of his job. IS importance of his job.
The most important question here The burning question here today is
today is whether we accept divorce whether we accept divorce or not.
or not. BURNING
If you can put an initial deposit If you can make a down payment, we
down, we can sign the contract on can sign the contract on the spot.
the spot. MAKE
I'm only here for a minute; I'm due I'm only here on a flying visit; I'm due at
at the hospital shortly. FLYING the hospital shortly.
This turning is notorious for being This turning is notorious for being a
impossible to see from the road. blind spot.
BLIND
He's selling the restaurant as a He's selling the restaurant as a going
fully operational business. GOING concern.
Everyone knows he doesn't see his It is an open secret that he does not see

28
wife any more. OPEN his wife any more.
I doubt this move - in many ways I have reservations / doubts about this
it's good but in other ways it isn't. move - in many ways it's a mixed
BLESSING blessing.
At the moment the normal price for At the moment the going rate for two-
two-bedroomed houses is about bedroom houses is about £68,000.
£68,000. RATE
There will be no further doubt once The acid test will be when we identify
we identify the fingerprints on the the fingerprints on the glass.
glass. ACID
He has selfish reasons for keeping He has a vested interest in keeping that
that plot of land unsold. VESTED plot of land unsold.
Thousands of firms could stop Thousands of firms could go out of
trading due to their difficulty business.
making enough money. BUSINESS
This test is dead easy. LOG This test is as easy as falling off a log.
Like wisps of smoke, memories of Like wisps of smoke, memories of his
his youth in the modern area which youth in the concrete jungle drifted
was always crowded and had through his mind.
almost no trees drift through his
mind. JUNGLE
I definitely do not want you to be I would rather you WERE NOT the one
the one to break the news. RATHER to break the news.
What a pity that he adamantly If only he WERE NOT so adamant about
refuses to meet her. ADAMANT refusing to meet her.
Whatever you do, get him to a You had better get him to a specialist as
specialist as soon as possible. soon as possible.
BETTER
Do you ever wonder what it would Supposing you did not have to work!
be like not to have to work? DID
We can send letters out to all the If need be, we can send letters out to all
shareholders, if at all necessary. BE the shareholders.
We must be at the concert hall It is essential that we (should) be at the
before seven. ESSENTIAL concert hall before seven.
You were lucky you had your credit What if you had not had your credit
card on you. IF card on you?
That's as may be, but I still do not Be that as it may, I still do not agree
agree with you. IT with you.
Whatever happens, I will get to Come what may, I will get to Scotland
Scotland this summer. MAY this summer.

29
All I can say is that nobody wanted Suffice it to say that nobody wanted to
to invite them. IT invite them.
I like anything with chocolate in it. I have a weakness for anything with
WEAKNESS chocolate in it.
The moment I met Trevor, I liked I took a shine to Trevor the moment I
him. SHINE met him.
He definitely has something He definitely bears a grudge against me
against me for getting that for getting that promotion.
promotion. BEARS
June said that she would much June expressed a / her preference for
rather work at home than at the working at home rather than at the
office. PREFERENCE office.
I rather enjoy a traditional English I am partial to a traditional English tea
tea in the late afternoon. PARTIAL in the late afternoon.
Doug does not feel like playing a Doug is not in the mood for playing a
round of bridge. MOOD round of bridge.
My dream is to own an ocean-going There's nothing I would like more than
yacht. NOTHING to own an ocean-going yacht.
Paul didn't want to go to Malta, so Paul opted for Crete rather than Malta.
he went to Crete. OPTED
I liked his in-laws the moment I met I took an instant liking to his in-laws the
them. INSTANT moment I met them.
A change in the law is long It's (about / high) time there was a
overdue. WAS change in the law.
I really think he's absolutely I really think the world of him.
marvellous. WORLD
She wished she had not brought up She bitterly regretted bringing up the
the subject. BITTERLY subject.
My dad is an ardent fan of My dad has a passion for Renaissance
Renaissance architecture. PASSION architecture.
She is fond of animals. SPOT She has a soft spot for animals.
Emily is not very keen on the idea The idea of treasure hunt does not
of a treasure hunt. APPEAL appeal to Emily.
He felt such a fool for saying such a He could have kicked himself for saying
stupid thing. KICKED such a stupid thing.
Neil is fond of ice cream. Neil has a weakness for ice cream.
WEAKNESS
I enjoy the odd Irish coffee. AVERSE I am not averse to the odd Irish coffees.
Whatever you do, don't donate all You had better not give away all the

30
the money to charity. AWAY money to charity.
He always does whatever his son He is always giving / always gives in to
wants. IN his son.
There is some general information This booklet gives some / a general idea
about our company in this booklet. about our company.
IDEA
We'd better be off now as it's It's getting late so we'd better run along
getting late. ALONG / be running along now.
Bill's wife never lets him do what Bill can't run his own life because of his
he wants to. RUN wife.
If only he would stop criticising his If only he would stop running his friends
friends all the time. DOWN down all the time.
Harry will try to organise If you give Harry half a chance, he will
everything if you let him. HALF try to organise everything.
Can you make me ten photocopies Can you run off ten copies of this for
of this, please? RUN me, please?
Gregory promised to come and help Gregory gave his word that he would
us. WORD come and help us.
The wanted man surrendered to The wanted man gave himself up to the
the police. GAVE police.
Mary looks exactly like her mother. Mary is the spitting image of her
SPITTING mother.
The police are almost certain that The Bray Brothers are strongly
the Bray Brothers murdered him. suspected of having murdered him.
STRONGLY
It will be your responsibility to The onus is on you to book
book accommodation for our accommodation for our visitors.
visitors. ONUS
Don't miss seeing "The Graduate" Seeing "The Graduate" is an absolute
when you are in London. ABSOLUTE must when you are in London.
He didn't like our suggestion and He was openly opposed to / hostile to /
didn't try to hide it. OPENLY towards our suggestions.
Carla seems to learn languages Learning languages seems to come
with hardly any effort. NATURALLY naturally to Carla.
It will be extremely difficult for you You will be hard pressed to finish this by
to finish this by Friday. PRESSED Friday.
Bernie finds it quite easy to run ten Bernie thinks nothing of running ten
miles a day. NOTHING miles a day.
The Board of Directors criticised
our new employment policy.

31
CAME Our new employment policy came in for
criticism from the Board of Directors.
I did it exactly as you told me, sir. I did it in accordance with your
ACCORDANCE instructions, sir.
It's imperative that you get them You must get them on the last flight
on the last flight, David. WITHOUT without fail, David.
I paid much less than the retail I bought this for a fraction of the retail
price for this. OF price.
How did the new editor strike you? What was your impression of the new
WAS editor?
Buying large quantities of Buying detergent in bulk saves money.
detergent saves money. IN
It was his hard work that got him He got into university by dint of hard
into university. BY work.
A Bloody Mary consists of vodka A Bloody Mary is a combination of
and tomato juice. COMBINATION vodka and tomato juice.
Is it all right if I finish this work Have you (got) any objection to my / me
tomorrow? OBJECTION finishing this work tomorrow?
I was just going to phone Henry. I was on the point of phoning Henry.
POINT
I was so shocked that I didn't know I was so shocked that I was at a loss for
what to say. LOSS words.
I wish his announcement hadn't I wish his announcement had not come
been so sudden. OUT out of the blue.
I'm really very uncertain about her I really have mixed feelings about her
marrying someone like that. MIXED marrying someone like that.
Even now I get scared when I think I still get goose pimples / bumps when I
about it. GOOSE think about it.
He remained completely calm when He did not turn a hair when the gunman
the gunman stepped out in front of stepped out in front of them.
them. HAIR
I can't resist musicals, and this one I am partial to musicals, and this one
almost moved me to tears. brought a lump to my throat.
BROUGHT
I have a weakness for horror films, I have a weakness for horror films, but I
but this one petrified me. WITS was frightened out of my wits by this
one.
I wish she weren't worried about If only she were not having qualms
changing her job. QUALMS about changing her job.
They were delighted about the They were over the moon about the

32
birth of their baby daughter. MOON birth of their baby daughter.
I think she looked rather annoyed I got the impression that she was out of
about the whole thing. SORTS sorts about the whole thing.
We older children were expected to We older children were expected to
make our own living. KEEP earn our own keep.
The only question is whether the The only question is whether the
President can use his extraordinary President can use his extraordinary
political skills to cause problems political skills to turn the tables on his
for his opponents rather than them opponents.
causing problems for him. (TABLES)
We won't let anyone or anything We won't let anyone or anything stand
disturb our happiness. (WAY) in the way of our happiness.
Everything is available to take Everything is for the taking.
advantage of. (TAKING)
He has experienced a lot so he is He has seen it all.
not shocked. (SEEN)
I was never told about I was never privy to conversations
conversations between top between top management.
management. (PRIVY)
If the dollar decides to drop any Should the dollar decide to drop any
lower, we'll be in serious trouble lower, we'll be in serious trouble.
DECIDE
We'll meet the deadline now that Were it not for the extra staff that have
extra staff have been taken on. been taken on, we wouldn't meet the
FOR deadline.
Your rush to finish the report Had you taken your / more time, there
meant that there were a lot of wouldn't have been so many mistakes
mistakes in it. TAKEN in the report.
If you didn't advise him, he'd never Were it not for your advice, he'd never
make a decision. IT make a decision.
The committee planned the Had it not been for the committee's
ceremony so meticulously that it meticulous planning, the ceremony
was very successful. PLANNING wouldn't have gone off without a hitch.
You obviously were not thinking Had you been thinking straight, you
straight, otherwise you wouldn't wouldn't have done it.
have done it. BEEN
The judge would have passed a Had it not been for the defendant's
harsher sentence if the defendant immediate confession, the judge would
had not confessed immediately. have handed down a harsher sentence.
DOWN
If they hadn't assisted us, we Without their assistance, we would have

33
would have been in trouble. been in deep water.
ASSISTANCE
Your eligibility for the post On condition that you have (enough)
depends on your experience. experience, you are eligible for the
CONDITION post.
With regular watering, the lawn Provided that the lawn is watered
should stay green all summer. regularly, it should stay green all
REGULARLY summer.
If he doesn't advertise his His only chance / hope of selling his
products, he won't be able to sell products is to advertise them.
them. ONLY
You'll lose more weight if you stop Give up taking sugar with your coffee
taking sugar with your coffee. and you'll lose more weight.
We did not get lost because Bernie Thanks to Bernie's excellent navigation,
is an excellent navigator. we did not get lost.
If she had not been careless, we Her carelessness prevented us from
would have got the account. getting the account.
PREVENTED
If Bruce doesn't change his Either Bruce changes his attitude or he
attitude, he'll be out of a job. will be out of a job.
The concert will be held in the open As long as there is no chance of rain,
air, unless there's a chance of rain. the concert will be held in the open air.
LONG
We'll still have to walk to town, Whether it's raining or not, we'll still
even if it's raining. NOT have to walk to town.
You won't be allowed to run in the Only by agreeing to have a blood test
race if you don't agree to have a will you be allowed to run in the race.
blood test. BY
There's a slight chance I'll be late, Should I by any chance be late, start
in which case start without me. without me.
ANY
Unless the form has your signature, If you do not put your signature on / to
it is not valid. PUT the form, it is not valid.
The teacher would have marked If your essay had been legible, the
your essay if he had been able to teacher would have marked it.
read it. LEGIBLE
If the police hadn't intervened Thanks to the police's prompt
promptly, there would have been a intervention, a riot was averted.
riot. AVERTED
If you hand in your resignation, Give up your job and we'll have nothing
we'll have nothing to live on. to live on.

34
The problem cannot be solved Thorough negotiation is the key to
unless there is thorough solving the problem.
negotiation. KEY
We couldn't stay any longer at the But for our lack of money, we could /
hotel because we had no money. would have stayed longer at the hotel.
LACK
If we don't settle this bill today, We'd better settle this bill today, or else
we'll have to pay extra for interest. we'll have to pay extra for interest.
ELSE
You can obtain a full refund only if Only by giving a full week's notice of
you give a full week's notice of cancellation can you obtain a full
cancellation. BY refund.
I'm reading the newspaper because Were there something else for me to do,
there's nothing else for me to do. I would not be reading the newspaper.
SOMETHING
This only happened because you If you had not fallen for his smooth talk,
were taken in by his smooth talk. this would never have happened.
FALLEN
Whatever he did, she promised to She promised to stand behind him
support him. BEHIND whatever he did.
If Laura does not pay the money Laura will stand trial for fraud unless
back, she will be tried in court for she pays the money back.
fraud. TRIAL
He abandoned his promising career If he had not fallen in with a group of
when he got involved with a group criminals, he would have had a
of criminals. FALLEN promising career.
If you paint those letters bright Those letters will (really) stand out if
yellow, they will really be very you paint them bright yellow.
clear. STAND
I don't think I can look after my I don't think I can stand the strain of
sister's children for much longer. looking after my sister's children for
STRAIN much longer.
We didn't think Mrs Beeton's Mrs Beeton's Cookery book has stood
Cookery book would remain the test of time despite / in spite of our
popular, but we were wrong. TEST doubts.
The roof will not last another storm The roof will not stand up to another
if we don't fix it. UP storm unless we fix it.
We expected Anthony to do better Anthony's performance fell short of our
than that. SHORT expectations.
If she keeps playing like this, she She stands a chance of winning the
will become the champion. STANDS championship if she keeps playing like
this.

35
I'm afraid we have no rooms I'm sorry to say that / inform you that
available before the end of the we're fully booked until the end of the
month. FULLY month.
I'm not looking forward to telling I don't relish the thought / prospect /
the shareholders the bad news. idea of telling the shareholders the bad
RELISH news.
Half of the committee favoured the The committee were / was sharply
proposal while the other half was divided on the proposal.
against it. SHARPLY
I feel very uncomfortable near that That man gives me the creeps so I keep
man so I keep away from him. away from him.
CREEPS
You are not allowed near the It is strictly forbidden (for you) to go
generator at any time. STRICTLY near the generator at any time.
Our holiday was absolutely terrific! We had a whale of a time on our
WHALE holiday.
I'm sick of looking at that ugly old I cannot stand the sight of that ugly old
vase. SIGHT vase.
He never helps me because he's He is too bone idle to help me.
too lazy. BONE
You'd better hurry or you'll be late. If you don't step on it / step on the gas,
STEP you will be late.
They've stopped talking to each They're not on speaking terms again.
other again. ON
Military service is not compulsory Girls in Greece are exempt from military
for girls in Greece. EXEMPT service.
Few people support the proposed Few people are in favour of the
changes. OF proposed changes.
I wouldn't like you to inconvenience I wouldn't like you to put yourself out on
yourself on my behalf. PUT my behalf.
I have very little experience of this I am not very well acquainted with this
type of computer. WELL type of computer.
We should make maximum use of We should make the most of this
this opportunity to practise the opportunity to practise the language.
language. MOST
I always know my parents are there I always know I can count on my
when I need them. COUNT parents when I need them.
There's no justification for that That accusation is without foundation
accusation and you know I'm right. and you know I'm right.
WITHOUT

36
You've got the wrong end of the You're under a misapprehension if you
stick if you think he intends to help think he has any intention of helping
you. UNDER you.
I misunderstood completely when I got (hold of) the wrong end of the stick
he said that he was a doctor. STICK when he said that he was a doctor.
We are in a very difficult situation We have our backs against the wall and
and will have to do what the lawyer will have to do what the lawyer says.
says. BACKS
Why don't you two forget your Why don't you two bury the hatchet and
differences and become friends become friends again?
again? HATCHET
Provided that you talk frankly, I'm On the understanding that you call a
willing to listen. SPADE spade a spade, I'm willing to listen.
Older people tend not to want to Older people tend to be set in their
change fixed habits. SET ways.
Now that he's divorced, Sam is Now that he's divorced, Sam is trying to
trying to get his life back to normal pick up the pieces and start afresh.
and start afresh. UP
Our camping trip turned out to be a Our camping trip turned out to be a
series of disasters in every way. chapter of accidents one way or
CHAPTER another.
A police officer should always A police officer should always go by the
follow the correct procedure when book when making an arrest.
making an arrest. GO
The judge gave him the maximum The judge threw the book at him.
punishment allowed. BOOK
She found it extremely difficult to She had great difficulty in reading
understand what was being between the lines.
implied. READING
I wish Bob would follow his I wish Bob would take a leaf out of his
brother's example and help his brother's book and help his mother at
mother at home. LEAF home.
Daniel has promised to speak to his Daniel has promised to put in a (good)
boss about a job for me. WORD word with his boss about a job for me.
His refusal to answer was a sure His refusal to answer spoke volumes
sign of his involvement. VOLUMES about his involvement.
Gayle promised to change her ways Gayle promised to turn over a new leaf
and spend more time at home. and spend more time at home.
OVER
The moment I fixed one tap, No sooner had I fixed one tap than
another started leaking. THAN another started leaking.

37
A short time after he was released Hardly had he been released from
from prison, they arrested him prison when they arrested him again.
again. WHEN
That was the first earthquake Never before had there been an
recorded in that region. BEEN earthquake (recorded) in that region.
We finally managed to find the Only after a five-mile walk did we
cabin after we had walked five manage to find the cabin.
miles. WALK
She only turned to her ex-husband Not until she was desperate did she
when she was desperate. DID turn to her ex-husband.
She's a talented linguist and a Not only is she a talented linguist but
mathematical genius, too. BUT also a mathematical genius.
They could only survive in that Only by drinking a lot of water could
heat if they drank a lot of water. BY they survive in that heat.
I had no idea she could talk so Little did I know how much she could
much. talk.
It's not common for us to have the Seldom do we have the chance of a
chance of a pleasant candlelit pleasant candlelit dinner.
dinner. WE
They will only sign the contract if Not unless we pay the full amount now
we pay the full amount now. will they sign the contract.
It was such a tempting offer that I So tempting an offer was it that I had to
had to think twice about it. AN think twice about it.
If she had blurted out the truth, we Were she to have blurted out the truth,
would have all been arrested. TO we would have all been arrested.
The welcome we received was so Such a touching welcome did we
touching that I felt quite receive that I felt quite overwhelmed.
overwhelmed. A
If he hadn't reacted so quickly, we Had it not been for his quick reaction,
would all have been killed. QUICK we would all have been killed.
He phrased his remark in such a So delicate was the way in which he
delicate way that no one took phrased his remark that no one took
offence. WAS offence.
The violence escalated to such a To such a pitch did the violence escalate
pitch that the riot police couldn't that the riot police couldn't contain it.
contain it. DID
It's just as well the law is no longer Were the law still to be in force, we
in force, otherwise we'd be up to would be up to our ears in debt.
our ears in debt. BE
If you do happen to bump into Should you by any chance bump into
Natalie, give her my best wishes. Natalie, give her best wishes.

38
CHANCE
The committee rarely allows In few cases does the committee allow
appeals against its decisions. FEW appeals against its decisions.
I know there are risks in the plan, Risky though the plan is, we have no
but we have no choice. choice.
They absolutely refuse to reveal his On no account will they reveal his true
true identity. identity.
She never thanked us for all we At no point did she thank us for all we
had done for her. POINT had done for her.
Final payment will be made after Only after the work has been finished
your finishing the work. BEEN will you receive final payment.
Despite his efforts, he failed to Try as he might, he failed to track down
search for the informant. the informant.
Although his fees may seem very Expensive though his fees may seem,
expensive, he did some good work he did some good work for you.
for you. THOUGH
They finally got their money back Only after a two-year wait did they get
after waiting for two years. WAIT their money back.
That's the last time I trust him with Never again will I trust him with my
my money. WILL money.
It may sound strange, but I love the Strange though it sounds, I love the
smell of petrol. SOUNDS smell of petrol.
I'll make sure everyone turns up on I'll see to it that everyone turns up on
time. SEE time.
On no occasion has he not kept his He has never gone back on his word.
word. BACK
She became really unsociable when It went to her head when she married
she married that millionaire. HEAD that millionaire.
I really don't understand what she I really don't understand what she sees
finds attractive about Rimini. SEES in Rimini.
David didn't want to go to David didn't want to go to university but
university but changed his mind he saw the light when his friends went.
when his friends went. LIGHT
We'll read this paper again if We'll go over this paper again if you've
you've got the exam tomorrow. got the exam tomorrow.
OVER
I'll agree with anything you want to I'll go along with anything you want to
do as long as we're back by dusk. do as long as we're back by dusk.
ALONG
No one will help you if you want to You'll have to go it alone if you want to

39
start your own business. GO start your own business.
Hardly had we said goodbye to Hardly had we seen them off at the
them at the gate when they were gate when they were ringing the
ringing the doorbell again. doorbell again.
They've decided to proceed with They've decided to go ahead with the
their programme of cutbacks. programme of cutbacks.
AHEAD
As they couldn't prove his guilt, the Seeing that the evidence was
prisoner was allowed to go free. circumstantial, the prisoner was allowed
EVIDENCE to go free.
Hugh is trying hard, but he will Try as he might, Hugh is fighting a
never win his fight against losing battle against bankruptcy.
bankruptcy. LOSING
If everything proceeds as expected, All being well, I should get out of the
I should get out of the hospital by hospital by early next week.
early next week. WELL
"Let's not spend useless time "Let's not dwell on the past," she said.
thinking about the past," she said.
DWELL
He was expressing his feelings of He was acting out his feelings of
inferiority by being overly inferiority by being overly aggressive.
aggressive. ACTING
She was really disappointed when Her face fell when she heard he wasn't
she heard he wasn't coming. FACE coming.
Last year's losses seem less Last year's losses pale by / in
serious than this year's. PALE comparison with / to this year's.
Being the centre of public attention The trouble with being in the public eye
allows you no privacy. EYE is that you get no privacy.
United beat Liverpool thoroughly in Liverpool was soundly defeated by
the quarter finals. SOUNDLY United in the quarter finals.
Many people believe, quite It is a popular misconception that all
wrongly, that all snakes are snakes are poisonous.
poisonous. POPULAR
Some people earn a fortune buying Some people make a killing buying and
and selling stamps. KILLING selling stamps.
Ben is incredibly witty when he is Ben's wit is razor sharp when he is in a
in a good mood. SHARP good mood.
Helen's become very successful Helen's gone up in the world since she
since she changed jobs. WORLD changed jobs.
They used to live in a big house They used to live in a big house with
with lots of servants, but they've lots of servants, but they've come down

40
become less successful since then. in the world since then.
WORLD
The two countries are about to sign The two countries are on the brink of
a new trade agreement. BRINK signing a new trade agreement.
The favourite horse in the race was The favourite horse was within / in sight
winning easily when it fell. SIGHT of victory / winning when it fell.
He is in social contact with some He rubs shoulders with some very
very influential people. influential people.
SHOULDERS
Politicians are eager to promote Politicians are eager to promote their
their 'happy family' image to gain 'happy family' image to curry favour
support from voters. FAVOUR with voters.
Annabelle is definitely the best in Annabelle is without question / without
the team. WITHOUT doubt / without / beyond a shadow of a
doubt the best in the team.
The rehearsal went off without any The rehearsal went off without a hitch in
problems in the end. HITCH the end.
Their business failed because it Their business failed for want of a little
could not raise a little extra cash. extra cash.
WANT
The escaped convicts are still free The escaped convicts are still on the
after three weeks. ON run after three weeks.
There is absolutely no doubt about By no means is his honesty in question,
his honesty, but there is about his but his loyalty is.
loyalty. QUESTION
It certainly came as a surprise to us The last thing we expected was to win
to win first prize. THING first prize.
I don't think much of anyone who I have a low opinion of anyone who
would cheat a pensioner out of his would cheat a pensioner out of his
money. LOW money.
We'll only be able to afford a Only if we keep a tight rein on our
holiday if we are very strict with expenses will we be able to afford a
our expenses. REIN holiday.
The documentary made me realise The documentary brought home to me
how poor many people are in other how poor many people are in other
parts of the world. HOME parts of the world.
Will you please come to the point I wish you would stop beating about /
and tell me what you want! around the bush and tell me what you
BEATING want!
Andrew rarely says how good he is Seldom does Andrew blow his own
at things, even though he's very trumpet, even though he's very

41
talented. TRUMPET talented.
By agreeing to help him out You'll only be digging your own grave by
financially, you'll only be causing agreeing to help him out financially.
problems for yourself. GRAVE
The military parade was just the The military parade was just the
government showing its power government flexing its muscles before
before the elections. FLEXING the elections.
Were he to speak in a clearer Were he to speak in a clearer fashion, I
fashion, I could follow his would not lose the thread of his
argument. THREAD argument.
Nicola led me to believe that she Nicola gave me to understand that she
would be taking charge of the would be taking charge of the
arrangements. UNDERSTAND arrangements.
Jane is the only member to earn It is only Jane who brings home the
money in her family. BACON bacon.
She got rid of $2 million in energy She threw / chucked / tossed $2 million
stock and bought computer shares in energy stock overboard and bought
instead. OVERBOARD computer shares instead.
I waited anxiously as the results I waited with bated breath as the results
were read out. BATED were read out.
He earns $80,000 a year, compared He earns $80,000 a year, as against my
to my $40,000. AGAINST $40,000.
I was on the horns of a dilemma, I was (caught) between a rock and a
for if I didn't take out another loan- hard place, for if I didn't take out
and go deeper into debt-I could not another loan-and go deeper into debt-I
pay off the debts I already owed. could not pay off the debts I already
PLACE owed.
Farmers are being forced to take Farmers are being forced to play
serious risks with their futures. Russian roulette with their futures.
RUSSIAN
Airport security was extra tight Airport security was extra tight in the
because of yesterday's bomb wake of yesterday's bomb attacks.
attacks. WAKE
Free time is not common for Free time is at a premium for working
working parents. PREMIUM parents.
The dispute continued for months. The dispute rumbled on for months.
RUMBLED
The flood killed many people. LIVES The flood claimed / took many lives.
It's likely that I'll get lost on the There's a good chance that I'll get lost
way, but I'll call if that happens. on the way, but I'll call if that happens.
She'll regret buying that house. She'll rue the day that she bought that

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RUE house.
Health and safety rules are often Health and safety rules are routinely
disregarded. ROUTINELY ignored / flouted.
The universities have shown hardly The universities have shown few if any
any signs of a willingness to signs of a willingness to change.
change. FEW
I was persuaded to play softball I was roped into playing softball last
last night. ROPED night.
It was auspicious when they met The constellations aligned when they
and fell in love. CONSTELLATIONS met and fell in love.
Ruben Carter did time for most of Ruben Carter was left to rot in jail /
his life. ROT prison for most of his life.
The comedian had the audience The comedian had the audience rolling
laughing endlessly. AISLES in the aisles.
Their children will soon be ready to Their children will soon be ready to flee
move away from home. FLEE the nest.
I don't want everyone knowing I don't want all and sundry knowing
about our problems. SUNDRY about our problems.
Money wasn't taken into account Money didn't enter (into) / come into
when he offered to help. EQUATION the equation when he offered to help.
She tried to feel less guilty by She tried to salve her conscience by
inviting him out for a meal. inviting him out for a meal.
CONSCIENCE
Chris and Debbie got married last Chris and Debbie went / walked down
summer. AISLE the aisle last summer.
There are arguments on two There are arguments on both sides of
opposite opinions. AISLE the aisle.
According to everyone, it was a By all accounts, it was a very useful
very useful meeting. ACCOUNTS meeting.
She's a liar who is completely bad. She's a liar who is beneath contempt.
BENEATH

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