SECTION 2 ^ 16 After the protest the leader of the council was made a ___and forced to resign. 17 If you're at a_end this weekend, why not come round to see us? 18 The ambulance arrived just in the_of time to save the patient's life. 19 We looked in every__and cranny for the lost document, but couldn't find it anywhere. 20 Try to avoid driving along the High Street in the mornings as it's a bit of a_during the rush hour. The missing proverb is: i (You use this to say jokingly that you and someone else must be very | intelligent because you both agree about something.) Section 3: Idioms using verbs This section concentrates on the use of verbs as idioms. Certain verbs are nearly always followed by certain nouns. This section starts by looking at some common verb-noun collocations where the same verb is used for several nouns, e.g. break (your leg, the ice), catch (a cold, fire) and lose (your temper, face). More idiomatic verb-noun combinations are presented next, e.g. get the sack (lose your job), hit the sack (go to bed) and spill the beans (reveal secret information). The rest of the section concentrates on the most common verbs used in idioms, i.e. give, take, break, have, make, bring, come, go, get, keep, pull, put and turn. Some examples are: give someone the cold shoulder (ignore someone) take someone for a ride (deceive someone in order to get money from them) have a lump in one's throat (feel very emotional and close to tears) make a mountain out of a molehill (exaggerate a situation) keep a straight face (stop oneself from laughing) pull someone's leg (tease someone) 'Something's put the wind up him! 21 SECTION 3 Verb + noun collocations Add two more words or phrases to the verbs below. Use each word or phrase once only. Choose from the following: a cold a conclusion a living a speech attention between the lines face fire permission someone a compliment someone's palm thanks the curtains the fort the ice the impression the line the way- your leg your temper 1 ask a question 2 break a promise 3 catch a bus 4 draw a picture 5 give advice 6 hold a meeting 7 lose weight 8 make a profit 9 pay a bill 10 read a book rmtssion the way__ 22 SECTION 3 Verb + noun combinations 1 Two out of the three nouns (in brackets) can go with each verb to form idioms. Underline the noun which does not form an idiom. 1 break (the news, the ice, the time) 2 call (the shots, someone's bluff, the handle) 3 do (a speech, wonders, the trick) 4 get (the message, the bacon, the sack) 5 go (public, places, one's goat) 6 have (words, pieces, kittens) 7 hit (the boat, the sack, the jackpot) 8 jump (the gun, the traffic, the queue) 9 make (a move, a bomb, steam) 10 play (the roof, second fiddle, the fool) 11 pull (strings, the beans, one's weight) 12 run (riot, the gauntlet, reason) 13 see (the ropes, the light, the sights) 14 take (the plunge, the biscuit, the bucket) 15 throw (a party, the fence, a fit) P You catch a disease when it is infectious or contagious (e.g. the 'flu'). Companies can also make a toss, when they lose money instead of making it. It is also possible to say earn a living. Short verb + noun combinations are very common in idiomatic English. It is best to learn each one as a phrase, rather than trying to remember the verb and noun separately. Jump the gun is a reference to a runner starting a race before the gun goes off. 23 SECTION 3 Verb + noun combinations 2 Take a verb from box A and a noun from box B to complete the definitions below. Use each word once only. bury cook drop fly -go- kick lose pop sit smell spill stretch surf talk beans books bucket clanger fence -halves-handle hatchet legs nerve net question rat shop 1 When you go halves , you divide the cost of something equally between you - that is, fifty-fifty. To the ___means to dishonestly change a company's bookkeeping records in order to steal money. If vou___the___, you ask someone to marrv vou. To the is to use a computer to visit various sites on the Internet for information that is of interest to you. When you__the____, you stop quarrelling or arguing with someone and agree to be friends again. To is to talk about your job with those you work with - usually when you are away from your place of work. if vou decide to . vour this means you want to go for a walk - especially after you have been sitting down for a while. SECTION 3 8 When vou embarrassing in front of others. To____the_ way of saying 'to die'. 10 To_ on the you say something is a slightly humorous is to avoid making a decision between two sides in an argument or competition, 11 If you vour , you no longer have the courage you once had to do something (e.g. climb a mountain, make a speech in public). 12 To__ information. 13 To_ the off the is to tell people secret _is to become very angry suddenly - to lose your temper. 14 Jo is to become suspicious about a situation - to think that something wrong or dishonest is happening. Net is short for 'Internet'. Spill the beans refers to the Ancient Greek tradition of using beans to count votes. A jar would be passed around and voters would put a white bean for No and a brown bean for Yes. If the jar was knocked over, you could see which way the vote was going. In Britain during the Slack Death plague, people were encouraged to keep pets at home to smell out and kill rats (smell a rat). 24 SECTION 3 Idioms using give and take A For each sentence in I find a suitable idiom from II. Write your answers in the box. I 1 She promised me she would do it. 2 Daniel completely ignored me this morning when 1 said hello to him. 3 It was supposed to be a surprise party, but Sarah told Thomas about it. 4 The shopkeeper chased the two shoplifters, but they escaped. 5 The audience clapped loudly when the band appeared on stage. 6 Phoebe helped her neighbour with her son's wedding preparations. 7 Javier telephoned his girlfriend after work. 8 My brother lost his job last week. His boss told him to leave after he had refused to work overtime. II a They gave them a big hand, b He gave him the sack. c They gave him the slip, d He gave her a bell, e She gave me her word, f She gave the game away. 9 He gave me the cold shoulder, h She gave her a hand. SECTION 3 Write your answers here: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 e B Replace the words in italics in the sentences below with an idiom from the box. 4 5 (not) take no for an answer take it out on someone take pot luck take something by storm take the floor take things easy take it or leave it take place take someone for a ride take something with a pinch of salt take to one's heels The two boys ran away when the farmer chased them. The two boys took to their heels when the farmer chased them. Let's check the Internet to see if there arc any last-minute, cheap holidays going somewhere tomorrow. It doesn't matter where -we'll just take a chance. Nimah tends to exaggerate a lot. If I were you / wouldn't believe everything he tells you. The new British boy band has been really successful in America. I told him he couldn't borrow my new laptop, but he kept on asking anyway. He just refused to accept my refusal. It was only when he got home after the car boot sale that he found out the TV didn't work. The woman he had bought it from had cheated him. SECTION 3 25 SECTION 7 His doctor told him to relax and avoid stress for a while. 8 Just because someone has stolen your mobile phone, there's no need to behave unpleasantly towards me. It wasn't my fault! 9 $10,000 - and that's my final offer! It's up to you if you accept it. or not. 10 There was an expectant hush as the guest speaker got up to speak. 11 They told everyone that their wedding would be held at St Mary's church on 18th September. Idioms using break, have and make A Arrange the following under the correct verb. There should be five under each. a bee in one's bonnet a bone to pick with someone a chip on one's shoulder a good time a lump in one's throat a mountain out of a molehill a scene even fun of someone one's blood boil one's word short work of something someone's heart the back of something the news BREAK HAVE even MAKE The heel is the bottom back part of a shoe and is what you see when ; someone runs away from you. f To take pot luck used to mean to take whatever food was served from a cooking pot. SECTION 3 B Complete the sentences below using one of the above idioms and making any changes that may be necessary. To help you, a definition is given after each sentence. 1 I honestly don't know what all the fuss is about. If you ask me they're just making a mouniain out of a molehill . (making a lot of fuss about nothing) 2 My father refuses to use a mobile phone. He's got _about mobile phones causing brain tumours, (a fixed idea; is obsessed with the idea) 3 With any luck the company should_ by the end of the year, [make neither a profit nor a loss) You'd better keep away from Julian. He's got _with you about not turning up for the match on Saturday, (a complaint to make) _when young people don't give It really_ up their seat on a bus for older people, (makes me angry) Michael's on holiday somewhere in Spain, so they still haven't been able to_to him of his nephew's birth, (tell him what's happened) Most British people hate_ _in public. That's why they rarely complain at restaurants, (quarrelling; making a fuss) It_Andre's_when Katerina left him. (made him really sad; really upset him) You shouldn't_his clothes. He likes wearing yellow! (laugh or make jokes about) 10 Lucinda has always_ about not going to university, (felt resentful, inferior) If you get angry, your blood pressure normally rises, so if you were really angry it might feel as if your blood was boilinq! 26 SECTION 3 Idioms using bring come and go Complete the newspaper headlines below with a suitable idiom. Write the correct letter (a-n) in the gaps. Choose from the following: a BRINGS THE HOUSE DOWN b BROUGHT TO LIGHT c COMES A CROPPER d COMES CLEAN e CAME DOWN IN THE WORLD f COMES INTO FORCE g COMES TO A HEAD h COME TO LIGHT i COME TO NOTHING j GOES BALLISTIC k GOES BUST I GO DUTCH m GOES FOR A SONG n GO STRAIGHT PLANS TO INCREASE BUS FARES _b ( are revealed) RES b J I m: MIDDLE EAST PEACE TALKS I (fail to produce any results) LEADING GOVERNMENT OFFICIAL 3 f OVER ACCUSATIONS OF CORRUPTION (becomes very angry) ROCK STAR_ABOUT DRUGS PROBLEM (confesses; tells the truth) LEAD SINGER IN NEW MUSICAL HIT (gets lots of applause) z3 12 SECTION 3 OLYMPIC HURDLES RECORD HOLDER (accidentally falls onto the ground, fails) VAN GOGH PAINTING ACCIDENTALLY (sold very cheaply) 3 'HOW I____' BY LEADING SOAP STAR (went from being very successful to being a failure) EX-BANK ROBBER VOWS TO (not break the law any more; to lead an honest life) 10 NEW FACTS IN PLANE CRASH (are revealed) Id 11 MOST YOUNG COUPLES_THESE DAYS (share the costs, especially when eating out) CONCERN OVER NURSING SHORTAGE IN LONDON (reaches a crisis) 3 13 FIGURES OUT TODAY REVEAL THAT ONE IN FOUR NEW COMPANIES_WITHIN THEIR FIRST YEAR (go bankrupt; stop trading) Go Dutch is probably from an American English phrase a Dutch lunch where each of the guests brought along something to eat, The opposite of come down in the world is go up in the world. Annthpr idinm fnr nn hi isf i<; nn tn the* wall 4 27 SECTION 3 Idioms using get and keep Say whether the idioms in the following sentences are used correctly (true) or incorrectly (false). 1 If someone tells you to get a move on they want you to hurry. 2 You would probably feel quite flattered if someone told you that you got on their nerves. 3 I always try to keep in touch with my friends. 4 You'll soon learn. You'll soon get the hang of it. 5 If you say that someone got out of bed on the wrong side, you mean that they are not very intelligent. 6 If something gets your goat, it annoys you. 7 Emotional people would find it hard to keep a stiff upper lip. 8 He was a poor swimmer and found it hard to keep his head above water. 9 He had an exam on Friday and asked me to keep my fingers crossed for him. 10 You would probably feel relieved if you managed to get something off your chest. 11 To get wind of something is to be told a secret. 12 To keep something under your hat is to deceive or cheat someone. 13 To keep a straight face is not to laugh, even though you feel like laughing. True False SECTION 3 14 She told her husband everything - she used to keep him in the dark. 15 Most people would feel quite proud to get the sack. 16 It was really cheap. I got it for a song. She got out of bed on the wrong side this morning. Get one's goat comes from the time when it was common to keep a goat in the same stable as a racehorse to calm its nerves before a big race. If, however, someone stole the goat, the horse would become agitated and perform badly. So the owner would probably be very angry! In the past people believed that left was unlucky and right was lucky. So they believed that if you put your left leg out of bed first, then things would go wrong for you (get out of bed on the wrong side). 28 SECTION 3 II Idioms using pull put and turn For each sentence in I find a suitable idiom from II. 1 Dimitri wasn't being serious! He was just teasing you! 2 Jeanette really frightened Robbie when she suddenly dropped a tray behind him. 3 He spoke very bluntly to me and told me exactly what he thought about the way 1 was behaving. 4 Kate really annoved Christophe when she told him he was a terrible driver. 5 My cat was so ill, the vet decided to end her suffering. 6 Mario will have to work much harder to pass his exams next summer. 7 Lorcn told the man standing next to him that he thought the painting was rubbish. But the man wras the person who had painted it! 8 The prisoner promised never to break the law again. He was a changed man now. a He put her to sleep. b He's turned over a new leaf. c She put his back up. d He put his foot in it. e He was pulling your leg! f He didn't pull any punches. 9 He needs to pull his socks up. h She put the wind up him. SECTION 3 Write your answers here: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 e B Replace the words in italics in the sentences below with an idiom from the box. pull strings put a spoke in someone's wheel put the cat among the pigeons put ono's foot down pull the wool over someone's eyes put something on the map put two and two together turn a blind eye to something 1 His daughter asked to go to an all-night party, but he firmly refused and told her she would have to be home by midnight. His daughter asked to go to an all-night party, but he put his foot down and told her she would have to be home by midnight. 2 They were going to built the highest skyscraper in the world in a bid to make their city really famous. 3 It was his views on whale hunting that really caused a lot of trouble and made a lot of people very angry. 4 I le saw the young boy take the bar of chocolate without paying for it, but he decided to ignore it. 5 Ask your uncle to try and use his influence and contacts to get you the job. 6 I'm too smart for you! You can't deceive me\ When he noticed that both his wife and best friend always went out alone the same evenings every week, he guessed the truth and came to the conclusion that they were having an affair. Tell your daughter you need the car this weekend - that'll upset her plans. tie gol the job by pulling strings! Spokes are the thin metal bars inside a wheel. When a boxer pulls his punches he doesn't hit as hard as he could. Another way of saying / had my cat put to sleep is to say / had my cat put down. Leaf is an old-fashioned word for a page in a book. So when you turn over a new leaf (page) you have a new fresh and clean one to start writing on. 29 SECTION 3 Idioms using various verbs SECTION 3 In each of the sentences below, two of the alternatives are correct. Underline the one that does not fit in. 1 The old man at number 10 has died. He_on Friday morning. (aj)buried the hatchet b) kicked the bucket c) passed away 2 Alberto lost his temper. He a) blew his top b) barked up the wrong tree c) flew off the handle 3 She makes me so angry sometimes. She really_. a) makes my blood boil b) leads me up the garden path c) gets my goat 4 The butcher was very irritable this morning. He_! a) went like a bomb b) bit my head off c) was like a bear with a sore head 5 It's very wet today. It's_. a) bucketing down b) beating about the bush c) raining cats and dogs 6 I couldn't do the bungee jump in the end. I_. a) got cold feet b) chickened out c) missed the boat 7 The market trader deceived us. He_. a) took us for a ride b) led us up the garden path c) pipped us at the post 8 You said something very embarrassing. You really a) dropped a clanger b) blew your own trumpet c) put your foot in it Juliette had a very good relationship with her mother-in-law. They_. a) were like two peas in a pod b) really hit it off c) got on like a house on fire . 10 It's so expensive here._. a) You have to pay through the nose for a flat. b) Flats cost the earth. c) You can get a flat for a 11 I'm tired. 1 think I'll_. a) throw in the towel b) hit the sack c) turn in 12 It's a lot of fuss about nothing._ a) They're making a mountain out of a molehill! b) It's a flash in the pan! c) It's just a storm in a teacup! 13 Kachael doesn't have a job at the moment. She's_______ a) skating on thin ice b) on the dole c) been given the sack 14 It was supposed to be a secret, but she_. a) let the cat out of the bag b) gave the game away c) gave them a piece of her mind 15 Although they both worked, they didn't have much money and_. a) lived from hand to mouth b) found it hard to make ends meet c) were often in the doghouse 16 The film was so frightening, it_________. a) made my hair stand on end b) drove me up the wall c) brought me out in a cold sweat If someone calls you chicken they are calling you are a coward. A trick in the old days was to put a cat in a bag or a sack and sell it as a pig. But if people insisted on opening the sack before buying it then the trick would be revealed (let the cat out of the bag). In England during the seventeenth century there weren't any drains to take away heavy rain, so many pets and stray animals drowned during heavy downpours. So it was not unusual to see their bodies floating down the streets (raining cats and dogs). Section 4: Idioms using prepositions This section looks at idioms that begin with or contain a preposition. Certain prepositions occur more frequently in idioms than others, namely at, by, for, in, on, off and out of. Most of the examples given here are preposition-noun/noun phrase combinations. It is perhaps worth pointing out the difference between the literal meaning of a preposition-noun phrase and the idiomatic meaning. A typical example is the following: When the lights went out we were in the dark. I knew nothing about the plan. I was completely in the dark. The first example is literal and means 'being without light'. The second example is idiomatic and means 'I was kept ignorant. I was not told anything' Here are other examples of idioms found in this section: by a hair's breadth (very narrowly, e.g. She missed having an accident by a hair's breadth.) in deep water (be in trouble) off the record (not official, e.g. You can't print what I say - it's off the record.) on the dot (be precise, on time) our of sorts (slightly ill) Feeling out of sorts 4 31 SECTION 4 Idioms using at Fill in the missing words in the sentences below. The words in brackets after each sentence should help you. Choose from the following: at a loss at a pinch at a rough guess at a standstill at a stretch at death's door at large at loggerheads at short notice at sixes and sevens at the crack of dawn at the drop of a hat at the eleventh hour at your wits' end at will 1 'How many were there at the meeting last night?' 'I'm not sure exactly, but at a rough guess about 300.' (approxunately 300) 2 Barbara and Gordon are always . I can't imagine them ever getting married, {quarrelling) 3 This morning's newspaper headline read: Cold Blooded Murderer Still_! (free, not caught) 4 You can't expect me to work overtime such ! I need to be told at least a day in advance. (with such little advanced warning) 5 The workers went on strike easilv) (suddenly and 6 Like vou, I'm „ _to explain the sudden fall in share prices. I've absolutely no idea what can have caused it. (unable to explain it.) 7 New evidence proving he was innocent was uncovered _. (at the last possible moment before it is too late) SECTION 4 8 I've got room in the car for three people, maybe four _____. (possibly foili, hut with sonic difficulty) 9 A chameleon is a remarkable creature in (hat it is able to change the colour of its skin_.....____. (when it wants to) 10 I may be gelling on a bit, but I'm certainly not_____ yet! I hope to live for at least another ten to fifteen years! (seriously ill; about to die) 11 We got up as we wanted to leave London before the traffic built up. (very early) 12 I'm afraid everything's this week. Both the secretaries are ill and no one knows where anything is. (muddled, confused) 13 Traffic was this morning because of an accident on the M25. (not moving) 14 When her daughter didn't come home on the last bus, Mrs Lee was___• (really worried, not knowing what to do next) 15 The tiling 1 don't like about my present job is that we often have to work up to ten hours_______. (ten hours without stopping) 32 SECTION 4 Idioms using by and for Rewrite the sentences below, replacing the words in bold type with a suitable idiom. Choose from the following: by a hair's breadth by chance by ear by heart by mistake : by no means for good for kicks- for love or money for short for the high jump for the time being 1 The football hooligans admitted to smashing shop windows just for the excitement it gave them. for kicks__ 2 If taxes continue to rise I shall leave this country for ever. 3 Ho vou like my ring? I saw it quite unexpectedly in the window of an antique shop while I was shopping in the Old Town. 4 This piano was a present from my grandmother and I wouldn't part with it under any circumstances whatsoever. 5 The government has decided to drop its plans to raise the school leaving age to eighteen - at least for the moment. 6 His name was (Sen jam in. but lie was called lien - the short form of his name. For at a pinch you can also say at a push. To remember at a standstill imagine the traffic standing still not movino. - in other words. SECTION 4 The car swerved to avoid a cyclist and just missed hitting a pedestrian. Mr Wilson's going to be punished. He's been caught fiddling the accounts. Probably the only really effective way of learning prepositions is to memorise them. He can't read a note of music - he plays everything from memory. It is not in the least uncommon for squirrels to bury nuts in the autumn. I was rushing this morning and accidentally put my jumper on back to front. i 33 SECTION 4 Idioms using in Go from a square in the TOP ROW to a square in the BOTTOM ROW in twenty moves. You can move vertically, horizontally or diagonally. To help you trace the correct route, work out the missing words in the idioms in the sentences that follow. jiffy (^Tong^run^) tight spot dribs and drabs mint condition public dark season nick of time good shape succession stock red flash cash cold blood nutshell rut stitches flesh short change element limelight turns due course broad daylight deep water common prime bag cold sweat shoes doghouse bargain theory favour of vain time hot water pink all know doldrums full swing D Instead of for good, you can also say for keeps. SECTION 4 MOVKS (in this order) 1 The law may be unpopular now, but I'm sure people will soon see how good it is lor the country and themselves /'// the long run_, 2 No one's been told what's going to happen at the conference yet. We're all being kept in the_____________for some reason. Last year was the third year in the championships. that he had won At the trial it was found that the victim had been killed in And that a , ladies and gentlemen, is the government's position at the moment. Although I've been trying hard to pay back my bank loan I'm still nearly £,2,000 in the__.....___. In fact, I've got to go and see my bank manager about it tomorrow. Strawberries cost a lot at the moment because they're not in The audience arrived in___ was completely lull. A coin from 1896 //;______ much as £1,000 al an auction. , but by 7.M) the hall _would probably fetch as 10 Although she is in her early fifties, she exercises regularly and is still in very______. 11 The answer to the examination question came to her in a 12 When she told us the joke about the shark and the octopus we were in_____■ We just couldn't stop laughing. 13 '1 saw the queen yesterday in the______■ She was standing as close to me as you are now.' 14 The journey to Paris was a long one, so they took it in ______to drive. 15 I think I have found the perfect girlfriend at last! We have so much in____■ 16 The main headline in today's Financial limes was: lixecutive in ___Over Alleged Bribes! 17 The robbery happened _____in one of the busiest parts of the town. 18 The thought of getting up to make a speech in public always brought him out in a___. 19 The inexperienced teacher tried in____________to control the unruly class. In the end he had to call for the headteacher. 20 Sorry if I'm not very good company today. I'm feeling a bit in the The opposite of in good shape is in poor shape. If you are feeling sad and depressed (in the doldrums) you can also be feeling down in the dumps. In bookkeeping, sums that were owed were usually written in red ink (in the red). To kill in cold blood is to kill without any emotions - coldly and cruelly. 34 SECTION 4 Idioms using on and off Complete sentences 1-12 by choosing an ending from a-l. 1 It wasn't planned. We did it ... 2 Charles had short legs, so he found it hard ... 3 The students were on tenterhooks as they ... 4 I've been learning Japanese on and off... 5 They arranged to meet outside the cinema ... 6 We just called round ... 7 The two men who escaped from jail at the weekend ... 8 Oh, what's that actor's name? I know it! It's ... 9 Let's meet later at the church. I'll ... 10 They're sending someone from head office to inspect us today ... 11 I can't take any more work on. I've got enough ... 12 Remember, you mustn't print any of it! What I've just told you ... 'What sort of insect is that?' 'Er... it's on the tip of my tongue!' SECTION 4 a is strictly off the record. b on my plate as it is. c on the off-chance that you were at home. d so we'd better be on our toes. e on the spur of the moment. f at 8.:W an the dot. g be off duly by then. h to buy clothes off the pc% i are still on the run. j for about two years now. k waited for their exam results. I on the tip of my tonguel Write your answers here: 1 2 3 4 5 6 - 7 8 9 10 11 12 e - __ In the past, freshly woven cloth was stretched on a framework called a tenter and held tight by small hooks known as tenterhooks. If you are feeling anxious, your body is often tight or tense (on tenterhooks). Thp oooosite ot off dutv is on dutv. 35 SECTION 4 Idioms using out of 4 SECTION 4 Sciy whether the idioms in the following sentences are used correctly (true) or incorrectly (false). 10 11 Enrico ran so fast that he was completely out of breath. I can't see us beating them at tennis this year we're so out of practice. You'll have to stay at a hotel, I'm afraid. We're out of place at the moment. The deuion-Uration got out of hand, so the police were called in. It's difficult to get hold of copies of the book as it's out of print. This TV set is out of condition. I' get il repaired. have to The advanced computer course was really difficult and I felt really out of my depth. She's got a lovely voice - she can really sing out of tune! Most people would be pleased if they found themselves out of pocket. No, you can't borrow my car! It's quite out of the question! I wasn't expecting a letter from her. It arrived quite out of the blue. 12 You probably wouldn't want to go to a party if you were leeling out of sorts. 13 I feel quite fit. I've been out of the running True false 14 This area is normally out of bounds for non-members. 15 l le's not out of the woods yet. He's still verv young and inexperienced. 16 You'd better put those tablets out of reach of the children. It arrived quite out of the blue. The opposite of out of is often in, so you can sing in tune, be in pocket and be in place. To remember out of pocket imagine all your money falling out ot your pocket, so you lose a lot of money. Out of the blue refers to lightning appearing suddenly and unexpectedly in a hli 10 tkv (~*\ /~\ SECTION 4 uD Idioms using prepositions and particles Fill m the missing prepositions or particles in the following sentences. 1 Everything seems to be above board, but there's something that doesn't feel quite right. F just wish I knew what it was. 2 I always thought he was strange. After seeing him at the party I'm convinced that he's__the bend\ 4 5 10 If you have any complaints, then tell me can't stand people who do things ._ my face. 1 my back. My mother is a vegetarian and won't eat meat principle. you, me and the gatepost, 1 don't think the new boss will last more than a few months. This work is taking much longer than 1 thought. rate it'll be Christmas before it's finished. this He didn't have time to prepare a speech so he had to give one _the cuff. 8 Throughout the flight he was very much _ edge, and didn't start to relax until the plane had landed. I wouldn't like to be_her shoes when Vfiss I loffman finds out that she's lost the exam papers. I'd love to come to the concert with you but 1 can't, I'm afraid. I'm_ _mv ears in work this week. steal u. 11 Playing tennis once a week is one way of letting____ 12 He learnt Portuguese_scratch in less than six months 13 The competitors waited be read out. baited breath for the results to 1 SECTION 4 14 Mrs Samuel's daughter is terrible, isn't she? Out hours and never a kind word to anyone. all 15 l bought a computer last year, but I've had nothing but trouble with it. As far as I'm concerned it was money_the draiul 16 The football match had to be postponed _the bad weather. account 'l wouldn't like to be in her shoes! A drain is a pipe for carrying away water. So if you dropped anything down it, you would lose it! The scratch used to be a starting line which was scratched on the ground to show where a race should start from, so from scratch means from the start, beginning. 37 Idioms SECTION 4 using various prepositions 1 Complete the captions by writing the letters (a-l) in the gaps. Use the pictures to help you. Choose from the following: 4 SECTION 4 a at random b behind bars c behind the times d by ear e in a rut f in full swing 9 in the limelight h keep in touch i off the beaten track i on fire k out of order ! out of this world He's very talented. I le plays the trumpet_4___■ The party was_ when they arrived. 'he restaurant was The numbers are chosen _ Promise me you'll alwavs_! He's still Help! Help! My house is_! They're a bit 10 After twenty-five years ot farniing, I lee! I'm _. She loves being 12 Our house is Your coffee machine seems to be_____! A rut is a deep narrow track left in the ground by a wheel. If the ground is muddy, it is very easy for your car, etc lo get stuck in it (in a rut). Prison windows traditionally have iron oars to stop a prisoner escaping. So if you are behind them you are in a orison cell (behind bars). 38 SECTION 4 Idioms using various prepositions 2 Look at what the people are saying and complete the captions, making any changes that may be necessary, Choose from the box below. by the skin of one's teeth by word of mouth down in the dumps fall off the back of a lorry in one's birthday suit off one's head eve^thc moon up to scratch under your hat under the weather up in arms up with the lark 'Guess what? I've passed my exams! Isn't it great - I'm so happy!' She's over the moon 'What's the point of living? My job's boring, my girlfriend's just left me, I'm going bald.' 'You can't heat this time of day! It's so peaceful ... just the ' sound of the birds! I'm so glad I decided to be a milkman!' yft^f W He's He's feeling 'And this is a photograph nf Z^rump lie's an alien, von know... Conn's from out1 of the unions of Jupiter, lie often pops in for tea on a Sunday. She must be ' I he restaurant is so cosy! And file food - I tell you, Moniqtie, it's out ot this world! I he strange is, they don't advertise. II on people telling their friends about., Ihem.' The restaurant gets its customers_ 'The tar suddenly came hurtling towards me and how it didn't hit me I'll never know! 1 tell you - I'm luekv to he alive!' She escaped SECTION 4 'How dare they just cancel their concert like lhat! I've been travelling since 5 a.m. today. I tell you they can't do this! Not with just an hour to go! He's i rumour going embassy th; s assistant is But don't say anything! Keep it 'Do you like my new DVD player? I got it half price. I can get one for you if you like - so long as you keep x„ quiet about it.' The items have probably____ sorry, but I don't think I can come to the oiieetiu;; tunighl. I've got litis shocking cold and a bit of a tcmpcraiuie... I think I'd better just go to bed ' She's feeling a bit The man was Utltoujdl she lud to sit through three jnicrvi.ivs and pass five tests belorc she was ofleieti the job, within months Ihey had sacked her and found someone better.' She wasn't A lark is a type of brown singing bird. Birds usually start singing very early in the morning. You are naked when you are born and the day you are born is your birthday {in your birthday suit). You could also have said he was starkers\ To remember up in arms imagine a group of people with their arms held tn the air, shaking their fists at someone because thev are very angry. 39 SECTION 4 Idioms using various prepositions 3 Choose the best idiom (a, b or c) to complete the sentences below. To help you, the meaning of the idiom is given in brackets after each sentence. we 1 We must _ot all costs ta tch the 7.'M) train. Othervvise won't get to the meeting in time. (a))at all costs b) at best c) at once (Meaning: We must catch it without fail.) 2 He wasn't prepared for the question, so he was forced to answer a) on nil fours b) on the go c) off the top of his head (Meaning: without preparing beforehand; spontaneously) 3 Christmas decorations are nice, but my neighbours have really gone__this year - their whole house is covered in flashing lights. a) over the moon b) over the top c) at half mast (Meaning: They have done more than is necessary or suitable.) 4 They say that when John 1 .ennan first saw Yoko Ono it was a classic case of love_ . a) at first sight b) for keeps c) in a jiffy (Meaning: It was love from the very moment the) siiw each other.) 5 Swimming is something 1 like and urn good at. It's right_...... a) in my element b) up my street c) in my prime (Meaning: It's exactly what I like doing.) 6 The film, which was made__. surprised everyone hv winning three Oscars, including the one for Best I'icture. a) under the counter b) on the air c) on a shoestring SECTION 4 7 She passed her exam_!' a) with open arms b) with flying colours c) with a bang (Meaning: She passed very easily with good grades.) 8 The old man was very weak and was close to death. He was___ a) out of his mind b) over the hill c) on his last legs (Meaning: He was dying.) 9 The critics were unanimous that his latesl book was not______. a) in the bag b) on the ball c) up to scratch (Meaning: not up to the usual standard) 10 You'll be_if the boss ever finds out that you forgot to deliver those parcels on time last week. a) on the carpet b) at fault c) out for the count (Meaning: You'll be in trouble.) 11 I wonder if you can help me, Henri? I'm_and don't know what to do. a) in an ivory tower b) in a jam c) on the wrong track (Meaning: to be in trouble, difficulties) 12 It looks as though another government resignation is_at the moment. a) on the move b) in due course c) on the cards (Meaning: It is going to happen soon.) 13 'Two tins of baked beans, please.' 'I'm afraid we haven't got any _..........at the moment. But we should be getting some more on Thursday.' a) in stock b> on ca (Meaning: available for sale) c) under cover SECTION 4 4 14 Bjorn won't do anything without asking his wife first. She's really got him_. a) under the table b) under her thumb c) under lock and key (Meaning: She makes all the decisions; she is the dominant partner in the marriage.) 15 I'm whether to go to Greece for the summer or not. a) on second thoughts b) on the spot c) in two minds (Meaning: undecided) 'Our new striker is really on the ball!' On the cards is probably a reference to trying to see into the future using a pack of cards. So if something is on the cards, it's likely to happen in the near future. Oi/f>r thn tnn is snmetimss ahhrpviated to 'OTP 40 ju SECTION 4 st for fun 4 Complete the crossword. All the idioms are found in Tests 31-39. Across 1 I wouldn't like to be in your what you did to his car. when Mr Rosenthal finds out 2 They smashed all the windows of the empty house just for_. 6 He slipped as he was crossing the road and a motorbike just missed him by a_'s breadth. 7 She tried hard to remember the name of the hotel - it was on the Lip of her__. 8 I've got too much on my_at the moment. I've really got to learn to say no when people offer me work. SECTION 4 SECTION 4 An 10 The traffic was at a__this morning as half the people living in the city left for their summer holidays. 13 The car's in_condition. It's only had one owner and hasn't gone more than 2,000 miles. 15 Do you think it's a good idea to get married on the_____of the moment? Shouldn't we wait until we know each other better? 18 The musical was dreadful. As far as I'm concerned it was money down the_! 19 They were lucky enough to sec the film star in the_as she left through the back entrance of the studios. 20 I find one of the best ways of letting off_is to go jogging. 21 He was on the_for being late for work again. 23 She was so funny! She had us in_all nigh I. 27 He was arrested and charged with carrying out a killing in cold_. 29 The computers were being sold so cheaply that they must have fallen off the back of a__! 30 She was in two_about hiking the job in Geneva. 31 Can you just tell us in a_the differences between an eclipse of the moon and an eclipse of the sun. 32 There's room for three more in the van - four at a____. Down 1 I think I'll have an early night. I'm feeling a bit out of____________ . 3 She had no time to prepare a speech, so she did it off the_. 4 The local radio company was being run on a_. 5 The new teacher certainly keeps the children on their_! ] don't think I've seen them work so hard before. 9 Oscar does everything his wife tells him to do. He's really under her_. 11 My father and 1 are always at_. We just don't seem to agree on anything. 12 The news quickly spread by word of__. 14 He gave them a very detailed map, as his house was a bit off the beaten_. 15 I've got to apply for this job. It's right up my__. 16 Don't forget to keep in__when you move to Venice. 17 You're going to be for the high_when the boss finds out you've been stealing from the stores. 18 The course was too advanced. She felt completely out of her 22 When you play bingo, the numbers are chosen at_. 24 We drove to the town centre on Sunday on the off_that one or two shops were open. 25 He was over the__when he got a new car for his eighteenth birthday. 26 She passed her final exams with____colours. 27 The governor's resignation came completely out of the_. Kveryone was really surprised. 28 The taxi arrived to take them to the airport at the crack of___.