Idioms and Expressions Practice 2

 

Part I: Definitions: Read the following idioms and expressions,along with their
definitions.

at stake – that can be won or lost, depending on the success of a particular action

in the long run - eventually

in your shoes – be in another person’s situation, especially when it is unpleasant or

difficult

off course – off the correct route; not where you intended to be

on the cards – likely to happen

on the spur of the moment – without being planned

out of the blue - unexpectedly

under your belt – already achieved or obtained

with hindsight – having an understanding of a situation only after it has happened,

meaning that you would have done things in a different way

Part II: Sentences: Complete each sentence with a phrase from part one.

1. It seemed like the right decision at the time but, _____________ , he realised he
had been wrong.
2. Now that you’ve got a qualification in English _____________ you’ll stand a
better chance of getting a job in tourism.
3. If large sums of money are_____________, such as when buying a new car, Jeff
and his wife take the final decision together.
4. The clothes that I like best are those that I bought _____________ ; for some
reason I always choose badly when I go shopping for something specific.
5. Last night we got a phone call _____________ from someone we haven’t seen
for nearly ten years.
6. Despite costing more than we really wanted to pay, _____________ our house
turned out to be a very good investment.
  
 

7. All these interruptions are throwing the discussion

 
_____________ so would you save your questions for later,
please?
  
 

Answer Key:
 

1. with hindsight
2. under your belt
3. at stake
4. on the spur of the moment
5. out of the blue
6. in the long run
7. off course