Cambridge - English Idioms in Use PDF

English _
Idlom in
Use
60 units of
vocabulary
reference and
practice
Self-studyand
classroom use
Michael McCarthy
Felicity Q'Dell U 9~R~!}J;>2s~
Contents
Acknowledgemenrs 3
Using rhis hook 4
Learning about. idioms

I What are iJioms?
ii Using your dictionary
Idioms to talk about

Hcalrh
1 Happiness ami ~adness
3 Angcr
4 Knowing and unJersunding
5 Experience ;lnu percepnon
6 Success aoa failure
7 Ha,ing probkms
H Dealing with problems
9 l'ower ana authority
10 Strucruring ,lild talking abour arguments
11 Conversarional responses
12 Praise and criticism
13 Opinions 00 people aod actions
14 Behaviour aod attitudes
15 Reacting to wh;lt othcrs say
16 Danger
17 Effort
1S Ncccss.it) alla desirahility
19 Probability arrd ¡uck
20 Social status
21 feelings
22 Human rclationships
23 $ize and posinon
24 Money
25 Wurk
26 Specd, distarH.T and intC¡1~it)
27 Communicarion 1: commenting un language
28
29
Communicarion 2: gctting rhe lllcssage across
Life and cxperience: proverbs
.-
30 Memory
Idioms from the topie area of ...

31 Time 1: tne pasr and rhe tuture
32 Time 2: clocks and frequency
33 Thc clemcnts
34 Colour
3S Game" and sport
36 Animals 1: describing people
37 Animals 2: dcscribing situations
3B \X'e:1pons and war
English Idioms in Use

39 Food
40 Roads
41 Houses anJ hüuschold objeers
42 Nature
43 Boats and sailing
44 Seienee, teehnülügy and machines
Idioms using these keywords:

45 Finger, thumb, hand
46 Foot, heel, toe
47 Bones, shoulder, arm, leg
48 HeaJ
49 raee, hair, neck, chesr
50 Eyes
51 Ear, lips, müuth, nü~e, teeth, tonguc
52 Heart
53 Brain, mind, hlood and glltS
54 Back
55 Long
56 tine
57 Aet, action, activlty
58 Good and bad
59 Ground
60 Similes and idioms with like
K¡;y 130
List oE phonetic symbols 170
lmlex 171
2 English Idioms in Use

Using this book
Why was this book writtent
lt was written ro help you impro\T your knowledge of idlOms in English. ldioms are fixed
cxpressions whosc meaning is not immediarcly übvious froOl looking at the indivldual words
in the ¡dium. You wilI come aeross a gIcar maoy idioms whcn )'Ol! list!.'rl to and rcad Engli~h.
So ir is important thar you Icarn abum the meanings of idioms and about hov,/ the)" are uscd.
You can use this book either wirh a reacllt'r Of for sclf-srudy.
\X/e wamed ro cncourage languagc le.lrncr~ to ha ve a balanceJ approa.:h ro ¡diollls in Enghsh.
Sometime~ in the pJst, tcachers uStd ro argue rhar ir was a waste nf time fOI Icarncr~ ro study
iJiom~ as rhey llllght start using rhem in an inaccurate Of u1lSuitable \Vay. Bur idioms are in
~uch widc~pIead u~c thar ir i~ ill<lppropriare ro ignore them. This book focuses just on rhose
idieffis which the modern student need.,; te kn0w and ir ·,lÍms to pravi.dc tbe ínformarion and
practice which \vilI heIp you undersrand and use rhem corrcctIy.
How were the idioms in the book selected%

Thcn: .;Irc a grcar man:· iJioll1s in English. but ~()mc of (hem sound rather oId-fashioned or
are nor \"ery wiJely uscd. The 1,000 or so idiolllS which are workcd on in rhis book were all
selecred from those idcmified as slgnificant based on computer scarches of huge LlI1gu.lge
daraba,es: rhe CANCODE corpus of spoketl' English, developed at rhe lJniver~iry of
Nottingham in association with Cambridge Universiry Pres~ and rhe Cambridge lmernarional
Corpus of writren English. Thesc daranases sho\\' us how rhe idiums have actually been uscd
by native "pcakef" nf Engli.sh in cenversations, newspapers, novels. and many Qther cont(;xt~,
The idioms seleered are al! also ro be found in rhe Cambridge lnternatmnal Dictionary n(
ldinms whcre auuitiollal examplcs and usagc notes wiII alsu be found. You can scarch this
dierionar;.: onlinc by going ro rhe following v>-cbsirc: http<//uictionary,cambridge.or¡;
How is the book organisedf

The book has 60 twa-pagc units. Thc left-hanu page pre5ents the idioms rhar are worked 011
in rhe ullit. You will usuaJly find all cxplanation uf the meaning of eaeh idiom, an example of
ir in use and, where appropriare, any specialllot(;~ about its usage, The right-h<lIld pagc
chccks thar you ha ve understood the information on rhe lefr-hanJ page hy giving you J ~crics
of exerclses thar practi.se the ma~erial just pre::.emed. The exercises pay particular attentiun to
checking yaur ulldersranding of the idioms and haw they are used because this is more
important for mast learners rhan being able ro acriycly use the idioms.
The uuits are organised in three sections:
ldioms to talk about ... which groups idioms acwnling ro rhe tOplo.: area thar ¡hey ar(; used
ro talk ¡lbout. Thus, to be snowcd under [ro have an enormOll~ J.mLlunt of work to dol is
induued in Unit 25, \X'ork.
ldioms (mili the topie arca n( .. , whio.:h groups idioms alcording tu the image they Me ba~l:d
011. Thus, hit the roof [re;let in a very angry \lia)'] is included in Unit 41, Hüuses and
household obieers
ldioms using these keywords which group" idioms aecordmg ro key\\·ürds in them. Für
exampk, Unir 48 deals wirh a ser of idioms hased on the word head.
The book also has a kev t() all the eXr;[llSeS anJ an Ludex which li'ir~ the 1,000 idlOms we
deal wirh and indicares'the unirs \\ herc rhey can each be fuund.
4 English Idiom~ in Use

How should I use this book%
As \\lell as the fíO main unlts, rhere are two introductor}" unirs: Ulllt i \X/har are idioms? and
Unit ii Using your dictionary. It is strongly tecommended rhar you work through these units
first. After thar, yOl! Ola)' ",,"ork on the units in any arder rhar sllÍrs yOll.
What else do I need in order to work with this bookt

YO\! need a notehook or file in which you can wrire clown rhe idiOIm th::¡t you stlldy in this
book as well as any uthers thar yOll COllle across elsewhere.
You also need to have acccss ro a good dictionary. \,¡71.: ~trongly recommend rhe Cambridge
lnternatianal Dictionary uf ldioms as this give~ exactly the kind of informarian rhar ¡-Oll need
ro have ahum iclioms. YOl!r reacher, ho\Vever, mal' also be ah le ro rccollllllend other
diuionaries rhar yall will find ll~eflll.
So, we hape that this book will 'shed light' on al] yOl! !leed ro know about English idiams
(see Unit 8) and thar, by rhe rime you finish the llnirs, you'lI be saying: 'English idioms?
A piece of cake!' hcc Unir 17}.
English Idioms in Use 5

What are idioms?
Idio ms and meaning
lclioms are expressions wh ich ha Ve a meaning thar is nar obviü U$ from rhe individual words .
FOf cxamp lc, rhe idiom drille somcbody round the bcnd rncan s lI1ake somebody dllgr), a r
fm strated, but \Ve ClnnQt know rhis ¡ust by looking at the words.
Thc best \Vay ro undcrstand an ¡diom is ro ser ir in contexto If sorncone says:
This ti n opener's driving me round rhe bend! [ think 1'11 rhro\\' ir away and ger a De\\' onc
ncxt time I'm in town.
then the contcxt <!!1d coml11on sC ll se ¡ells liS rhar d rivc round the bend means sornething
di ffc rcnt from driving a car round a curve in [he road. Thc contcxt tclls us the t i Tl opencr is
nor working propcrly and rh ar it's ha ving:1n eHect un [he person using it.
B Types of idioms
{orm example mcanmg
verb + objectlcompleme nt kili two birds w ith one sto ne produce two useful resu lts by
(andlor ad~erbial ) ¡USt do ing one ,lction
pre positio na l phrase in the blink of ,ln eye in an extremely short time
compound abone of co ntention something which people argue

and dis agree o~er
sim il e ' ~ 11111 Ji (os ... a d j ecti ~e ... as dry as abone ~ery dry inde ed
as, or Jike ... noul'l)
bin om ial {wo rd ... (lnd '" word) rou gh and ready crude and la ck ing soph is tication
tr inomjal (word ... word ... ond cool, calm a nd co ll e cted relaxed, in control, noc n er~ous
... word)
whole d ause or sentenee to cut a lon g sto ry s hort to tell the ma in point'l, but not all
the fine details
e Fixed aspects of idioms

Most idi oms are fixed in rheir form, and cannot be changcd or y;] ried. Sometimes , howcvcr,
rhe gram maf or rhe vocabulary ean be varied slightly. Where rhis book or a dietionary gives
informa tiol1 on w hat lall be varied , a lways nOte ir in your Voeab ldary nOtebook .
variation examPle
Occasio na lly ,ln id iom in the a([i~e Government Ministers alw,1ys pass the buck if they are ehallenged
voiee can be u ~ ed in the pa~sive, about poverty_[blame ~omebody else I refuse to accept
responsibility]
T he buck has been passed from Minis ter te Minister. No one
seems prepa red to aecepr [he respomibi li ty.
Some verb -b,1sed idiems ,lIso have There is toO much buck-passíng in government nowadays. N o ene
no un-compound forms aceepts [he blame for anyth ing
One or mo re words in [he idiom Stop act ing th e foollgoat l (s top acting stupid ly]
can be varied.

Exercises
i.1 How much can you guess abollt the meaning of these idioms just by looking at the contcxt?
Tick the boxcs according to what you can undcrstand about the words in boldo
1 JecidcJ J wa~ going to get a place at univerS1ty by hook or by crook. Ir had always beco
ml' dream tu study fOf a Jcgrcc in history.
DOK'TK:-JOWI
YE, NO CAl\"'TTELL
meaos using ¡Ilegal rnethods if ncces'iary ~ ~
meaos nothing will stop me i) Ll
'"
[J
meaos 1 was very detcrmined O O O Sec Unit 17.
2 The go\'crnlllent and rhe l1oino'i are at Ioggerheads; there mal' be a general strike.
DON'TKNOWI
YE~ NO CAN'T TEI.L
mean, have a güüJ relarionship O O O
mearlS hate each orher O O O
meaos disagree very strongly O O O See Unir 22.
3 We had tu pay tmough the nase ro get our visas in f¡ve days instead of rhe usual 30 d31'S.
DO:-;¡', Kt-;O\!"¡
ns :-1O CAN'T TELL
means suffer in sorne way O D
means paya small sum af money O ~ O
mcans paya largt: ,Ulll of mOI1<óy O O O See Unit 24.
i.2 Classify the idioms in the sentences below according 10 their grammatical typc:
Typl.: A '..-erb + objcct/complemem Typc D simik
(and/or adverbial) Type E binomial or trinomial
Typc B prepositional phrase Type F whole c1ause or semence
Type C compound
Should we fly Of go hy train? WhJt art: the pros and cons?
Type: See Unit 10.
2 1'111 havrng scconcl thoughts about going 011 holiddY with Jt:an. She can be;t bit difficult.
Trpe: See Unit 5.
3 WheIl 1 had finished all m}" exams, 1 felt as free as a bird.
Type: See Unit 60.
4 1 don't know mw:;h about design, so 1 g¡lve the decorator a free hand in ml' new flat.
Type: Scc Unit 45.
S She comes from a ratl,er wdl-to-do hmily. She's ::tlways liad a comrortable lífe.
Type: See Unit 24.
6 My old 5chool friend Harrict arrived out of the blue. 1 haJn't St:t:n her for 15 years.
Type: See Unit 42.
i.3 Correct rhe mistakes in the idioms in rhese sentences. Use the clues in braeker5. Use a good
general dictionary or a dictionary oí idiorns if necessary.
:VI}' Earher's four was put clown when 1 said 1 wantt:d a C;lr far my seventeenth birrheh"ry.
Hc sJ.id r was too yOllng. (grarnmar - voiee) See Unit 46.
1 Her words put the cat among the birds; Jim is furious. (vocabulary) Sec Unit 37.
3 You'll be pleased to hear we arrived saund and safe in Perno (binomial) See Unit 16.
4 He was Iying in his teeth when he said he had gm a first-class grade in hlS fxam; rhe tTmh
is he failed. (grarnmar - small word) $cc Unit 51.
English IdJOms in Use 7

Using your dictionary
What do yo u lo o k up?
As ir can be difficulr ro \York out whar an
iJiol11 means evcn when ~' OU kno\v al! [he
individual words in the idiom, you will often
need ro loo k up idioms in n dictio!1ary. If ) OU ;uc
\\'orking with a dictiuna ry on eD-Rom, rhen you
will lla\T no probkm~ finclín).; the idioll1 in
quesrion, but wo rking w irll a trad irio nal diction;lf~',
rOl] ha lT ro find where the id iom is lis red . As ;¡ n idiom consiqs of several words, which u f
rh¡;sc do you look up in )'O U1' Ji ctiunar)'? r or ex.ullple, do rO U tr y tu fino kili [\Vo birds wirh
one stonc undcr kili, fu 'o, birds ur slune, Uf ler rhe car out of the bag undn lel, cal Uf bax?
If you are using titha the Camhridxe
lnlcnwtio/la! Dictionary of ldiollls (C ID l) ur rhe
Call1lmdge Adl'anced Lcamer's Dictionary (CALD ),
rhen the easit:st way of findi ng whar yOll need is
tu look in rhe alphabdica l index ar rhe b:lck uf
rhe book . Th is lisrs JIl rhe expressions in cl lldcd
in rhe dic tionary w irh rhe \Vo ra where :m cntry
for the cxpn.::ssiüll will be found in rhe
dictionary h ighJigbrcd in bold o This ,ho\\"~ rhar in CIDl kilJ [\\,0 birds \V¡l b onc stone will be
fo und under t/Uo and lel rhe cal out of the bag will be iound under cat. In CALO these {\Va
idiorns will be fOllnd llnder kili a nd cal .
lf you are using:l differr.:nr di cri on:1TY, rea d irs inrrodllcrory nores no\\' ro see ho\\" ir d ea ls
Witll idiollls. This w il l avoid rhe frustraríon ~.'Oll IVoll ld otherwi se kd on deciding tu look ¡ Jp
the wrong elClllCnt of the iJiom (¡ [sr.
B What information d o e s yo ur dictio nary give you ?

Your dictionary \Vill rell yOlJ :1 1m nf m her th ings as wel! as rhe me:1.11ing of rh e id iom . As
idioms are llsed in su eh fixed w a ~' ~ , ir i ~ important tu read (he nores in yOllr diet ioIl.H~'
careflllly if y Oll wanr tu use id iolllS as weJl as tu unJcrstanJ rhcm.
YOl] will find a ll rhcse rh ings in a good dicr i onar~' of idiom~:
informarion abom words rhar:!Te intl"rchangeable, e.g . drive/send sb roun d the bend
informar ion a bollt how rh\:' id iom is Ilsed - hrackers, for examplc, ~ho\V if any \\"o rds in rhe
idiol1\ ca n be ldr out, q;. 1 (can ) ftd it in m y bont:s.
11 0tcs abo ut rhc grammo.r of the idiom - rhcre llKl y be notes, for eXJ.111plc, tu SJ.y lh,U ,111 iJioTn
is llsua ll y l1sed in a passive (;onstrucrion or in:l conrin uol1 s fo r111 or in a negariVl' sentcnee
examples of the idiolll in llSe
COlll lllCl lt, on registcr - rhe register l¡¡bels useJ in C IDI are ú¡(ormal, (orllla l. very infurll/al,
old-fashio ll cd, tabaD, IJ/llllorous anJ literar)'
notes about regiona l va ri arions in use - rhis is import:lnr as many Bri rish idioms will so und
vcry stra nge ro .Hl American and \'ice versa
l
it i5 not possible for thi s book to include as much informarion about each idiom as you will (,nd ;n a
. dictionary. So, look up the idioms that you particularly want tO learn from mis book in a dictionary as
well. In your Vocabulary notebook, write any further information or other examples of the idioms in the
comext mat you find In the dictionary.
8 E ~glish Idioms in Use

Exercises
ii.1 Look up {h~ idioms in these scntences in youf dil'tionary. What word is each idiom lisred undcr?
¡ji 2
lr's {he persoll in rhe strcer who picks up the bill for the guvernment's mistakes.
Sh<.; hile! a wunderfld tri? \ 0 AIl.,;tralia, out nQW she's come back clown to earth with a
bump.
3 John had a furious argument w irh his super\'isor, bue he m311agcd tu stand h is ground .
4 H c's feeling very miserable, so rhere's no need for yOIl ro stick {he knifc in too.
5 YOU '[[ bangillg your llcad againsl a b ricK wa11 rrying tu get him ro help yOll.
6 YOl] sea red Ihe living dayliglm out of me by (,;reeping up bdIind me like that.
ii.2 Which word(s) could be lefr out of (he idioms in thcse sentcnccs~
J Ir's alw<1ys harel whcn yOl! han.: ro come back down to carrh wieh a bump aftl'r a holiday.
2 No olle thought she could climh the mountain w ithOl1r oxyg.'n, bm she s\H:ceeded against
aH the odd~.
3 She hit him whcrc ir hurt masr by trllin)!, him that he had always b<:<:n a Jisappaimmcnt tu
his parents.
4 The way he re<lcteJ scared the li ving da ylights OUt of me!
iL3 Which word in each idiom could be ch anged (ur anoth er word?
1 Don't worry abum a thill14 - rm sure lhe campan)' will pick up the bill.
2 ¡ cune back down ro carth wirh a bump whcn l sa\\' lhe pile ot pust waiting fur me afta
rhe weekend .
3 The Mmy haJ ¡osllllan)' uf its men . hm ir man;lged ro stand irs ground .
4 Why Jo crirics seelll tú clljoy stick ing rhe kni fc io to untalcnted actors ;1 nd writers:
5 ] fee] as if J'm hanging m~' head against a hrick waU wirh him ar rbe 1ll0111ent.
6 lt\ a lerrifying film - it sea red rhe living daylights uut of me!
iiA \Vhat 'gram1llatical infonnation does your diclio na ry !live abour chese idioms? Read the
¡ji informarion and then wrire a sentence wirh each ¡dium.

I luok ~1 gift horst in th¡; mouth
2 he pushing up rhe daisies
3 he un rbe brink of
4 tic yoursclf up in knors.
S he rn:m enough
ii.5 Match che regis te r la bcls in [he box wi th the idioms in the semen ces below.
formal humorous informal literary old-faShioned ver,! informal
] rcall )' JOIÚ lih him - lH.:'s suth a slime ball .

2 OK. l'll do the \\'ashing-up. Thcre's 110 peace for rhe wicked!
3 l-Ier f<)mi ly has ¡¡ ..'ed in that vilbge from time immc:morial.
4 My granJI11<1 always llsed lO S;¡y lhar an apple a day keeps the doctor away.
5 Thc food W¡lS so ddicious - \Ve stuffed uur faces .
6 ] hope rhar whar I ha ve said will gi ve you pause fUf rhought.
Eng!ish Idiom5 in Use 9

Health
A Idioms describing health
/VIo..rl:: 11M been .fe.eLi.ng UMu tnf. IoIu,ü,U I for ¡,¡ws. eme ~ he Ulme ¡¡.,to ",ort ~ Uke
d.uU:tI loIumtd. ¡¡.pl Q..i'Id 50 \-.le. tolA. 11i.m to 90 ~"-!:l for el. ftw M.yS W nd1<lrge Mi6 ~3.
Aftu one M.y besw ttle sw., he no l.onge.r feL\; off---CDtw.r 4 o.n.i b!:j fue se.cond. M.y 1'11', l:new ne
1j
s
WQ.$ " " l:t1 e f"O<ld, ro reGO'I'UM . He swt us Q.. posMni Q.r\d. ¡,¡e ,""ue o..l1 gl.a.d.. to I..w.rn tI1o.t 111', ,,"-5 ,
01'1 l:t1e mtnd..6 . BlJ t.I1 e et>d.. of tt1e WW, l'Ie rehlm...a. to ""on: (1.5 .fit Il$ 11. .fid.d,U,7. And l1e'", been {
n:r:: :el~6 eve.r smee. ------- g~tting bi't: - ~

" I
1 looking cxtrcmely ilt 6 gnong bcucr q
J do something ro gain fresh cncrgy and cnthusiasm 7 perfcetl} \\cll '1
4 fcl r llnwell 8 perfccrly \Iell
Informal idioms for mad as fa as a ftddle

"
Thl'rc are many informal idioms which are ¡lsed ro say rhat s.omcone is mad ;
He's nOl al! thcre. Shc\ a basket case screw ~
She's off hcr trolley. He's off hls rocker ~~
He's not right in rhe head . She's one sandwich short of a plcmc
She's gor a screw loase. He's as nutty as a frultcake \.~~
), I
rocker ~ \ trolley
e Informal idioms for die

There are also a lar of very informal idioms mea ning die, f"uf cxample:
Shc's poppcd hcr clogs . She's given up rhe ghost. She's kicked the buckct .
I-Ic's bitten rhe dust . He's fall en off his percho
D Idioms based on medical images
idiom meaning e)(ample
a sore pointlspot a subject which someone would prefer Try not [O mention baldnE!ss whi le he·s
not tO talk about because it makes here - it's a sore spot for him.
them angry or embarl<lssed
give someo ne a do the same bad thing to someone Refusing to lend him monl!y now would
taste/dose of their that they have done to you in order tú give him ataste of his OWI1 medicine -
own medicine show them how unpleasant it i1 he·s never lent you any.
a bitte r pill to unp leasant. but has tO bl! accepted Losing my job was init ially a biner pill
5wall ow to swa llow.
5ugar the pill do something tO makl! something The boss has sugared the oyertime pill
unpl easant more acceptable by offering a la rge extra payment.
have itc hy fe et want to trayel or moye on I can't stay in one place for mo re tha n a
year without getting itchy feer.

Exercises
l. I Put (hese expressions into fOUT groups of idioms rhar share rhe same meaning. (There are two
groups of two idioms alld two groups of four.) Explain rhe mcaning in each case.
give up the ghost be on me road to rccovery bite the dust be on che mend
be as nutty as a fruitcake feel off-colour be not all there fcel under the weather
pop you r dogs be off your tralley fall off your perch be a basket case
1.2 Complete cach of these idioms.

Don't mentian rhe merger ro him - it's a bit nf a spot fOf him.
2 Tclling Joe what you fcel may be a pill for him to swallow, but you
owe it ro him nevertheJess.
3 Warching trave! programmes on TV always gives me feer .
4 J wancler what's happened 10 Sra n - he IOüks like death up!
5 P!ans to pur incrcased funcls ioto educaríon are supposcd to sugar (he
of incrcascd raxarían.
6 Imagine someone as unfir as Rurh going on holiday in the Him alayas. She must ha ve a
loose.
7 A good game of golf at rhe weekend alwal's helps to my father 's
barteries .
Tom was qu ite ill for a while last year, b ur he's as fir as a no\\'.
9 1 was exhausted when 1 got home from work, bur, after a niec eup of tea, l"m as
as ramo
10 Helen won'r understand rhe problem - she's one shon of a picnic.
1.3 Which of the idioms meaning die do these pietures make you think of?
1.4 Mateh each statement on rhe leh with the most likcly response on the right,
1 rve gor ¡tehy feet. Oh dear, l hope he's OK tomorrow.
2 He's as righr as rain now. Yes, but she'll soon ger over it.
3 He's nor right in the head. Where wOllld you like TO go?
4 I'm going ro teU him what J think of him. Thar is a relicf!
5 Dad's a bit off-colour todal" Caad. Give him a close of his own medicine .
6 Failing rhe exam was a bitter pill 1 know, Janc rolcl me he was off his rocker.
·
ro swallow.
l
Why do you think there are so many idiomatic expreuions meaning mad and diel Is ic che same in
your languagel Do you think it would ever be appropriate for you to use any of these English idioms
• for mad or die! If so, in what circumstances! If not, why notl
Engfjsh Idiams in Use II

Happiness and sadness
Extreme happiness
There a re man~' inform;¡ 1 idioms
which mean extremely happy.
(~IC'm-,ch~
,;cIIc,dc-<o-cbc;,-T
s.
( I arn/f~d on IOp uf (he world. J
B Oth e ,. happiness idíoms
idiom meanmg example

get a (real) very muen enjay doing someth ing I get a (real) kick out 01 go ing far a run first
kick out (i nformal) thin g in ,he morning before anyone else
of somethi ng is up.
do someth ing do so mething because it is exciting. Sa nd ra is kee n to have a go al bungee-

far kicks usually something dangero us ju mping - just lor kicks.
(informal)
jump far ¡oy be very hap py and e xci ted abOllt Rowena jumped lo r ¡ay when she heard
some¡hing th at has happened t har she'd won first prize.
be noatingl be very happy ab out something ¡'ve bee n wa lking on air ever since Chris
walking o n air goo d that has happened and I star ted go ing out tOgether.
someth in g so mething makes you fce l very happy lú great to hear frOIn you. lt"s real ly made
makes you r day my day.
e Sadness
DeM Lou.i.se.,
Hope o.1L goe.s weU. witl-1 you.. Unforw.no...t.cl.!:j, e.ve.ryone. he.re. i5 wt of
sorbs l W"ill. l6 d,.o¡.¡n i.t'I &le. tW-mps 2 be..c.aJÁse. he doesn't lil::e h~s
tea.c.he.r tI1~s ye.oJ"". I've. to!.cl hiro thctt iJ:.'s nOt; ttle.e.na
of ttle. l'Jortd}
and. U1o..t he'J- be.tter just gt1.n arti. be4.r ¡e , but I Ü1iY1k he. lil::e.s
bcing (1. mi6U1:j gtA-t6 S c:1.Y1<l so he. c.ompl.oins (tbOlAt her eve.ry n19ht. Pctt
i.s o.l.so sv..mring from :sov-r grapes" be..c.aJÁse. I gol; me. rOCe. m tne.
sc.hool ~ t.ha.t she. WiJ.YIted. . Thi.6 9<0't6 (1. d..o..mvu 0,,7 eve.ry row.l.,
so I'ro reaU.y lookmg forwo..rd.. to sw.ymg wW1 yov. o..t me weekend..
Love.,
~------- ~--~- - --~--'

I slighrlr unhappy nr sligh rly ill s SOllleOlle wbo c011lplaim a ll rhe l ime aTld is
2 unhappy (i n formal) ncve r h:lppy (\'ery informal )
, what has h ap pencJ won'( cause any se rious being jea \ous al10llt somcthing you can'r nave
prohle llls stop Jn occasion fro l1l being en joyilblc
<'Il'cep[ a situarion \"Oll don'r li ke beC:lllSe yOll (SO rJ1et imes dam/,cl1er is uscJ instead of
CJJl '¡ change ir dmnlli'r )
\1 English Idioms in Use

Exercises
2.1 Combine rhe words in rhe bo;.: in arder to m:1kc five cxprcssions meaning extrclI1e1y happy.
Use each word once onl)'.
bits cloud heaven moon nine 01 00 00 ayer seventh ,h,

,h, thrill ed 'o <cp world
2.2 Which id ioms do these pictures makc rO l! rhink of?
2.3 CorreCT rhe mistakes in rhcse idioms.

1 The child \\';1S rhrilled for bits ro nave hcr phoro in rhe p:lp eT.
2 I fel! as if J \Vas floating in ,'Iir as I Tan clown rhe hi1l inro hi s arms.
3 \'{Thy docs .'vlarti look su ouT of son todar?
4 Don 't makc stH:h a fuss. It's nor th l' finish of rhe würld!
5 YOUT {e lephonc CJI! h,lS re;1l1y done 111y d3y!
6 Jill said shc \Vas on c1o\ld Sf\' cn ;¡nd Jack agreed rhar he \Vas in nimh heaven.
7 \Xlhy doc, .:'v lark a lwa ~'s have ro ocsu<.:h a miserable gu rs?
8 StcreorypiG1J[y, happy foorbalJers SJ.y rhar thc~' are ovcr rhe SUll .
2.4 Allswer (hese quesrions.
I \'I?ould a piece of good nl'WS or a piece of had nr:ws be more likely ro make yO\1r day:
2 If you gor IOp marks in an exalll , \\lould you feel down in lhe dumps?
., Arc pwplr: morr: likcl~' to gel a kick out of hot-air ballooning Uf deaning their boots?
4 Do yOll have ro grin J.nd bear ir when )"ou arc happy ur unhappy about solllething rhar
has happcned?
5 lf yO l! are at sUl\leulle's birrhdav pan)', whar would Ix more likely (O pUl a damper on rhe
evcnr - ncws of rhe il1ncss of a <.:lose friend or J. hC3VY showcr of rain?
6 Do peoplc l1Sual1~- enjoy o r not mio)' being in rhe co~1pany of a miserr gUIS?
7 You ha\'e a beiluriful ncw spon) car thar a ("ollcaglle is rarher enviollS of. Wha r is your
col1cJ.gur: !llore likeh tu 5a;-' OUI of SO LII" grapes? '[ love i( s ~reen colour!' or 'O f courSt:,
rh:H model is \Try unrcliablc!'
g ,A. damper is lirerally a rhing pUl on piano strings ro makc rhe sound less loud. How cines
knowing this help you ro unJnsralld rhe idiom u~ing rhe \Vord damfJer?
9 Do yOl! lloticl" anything thaCa !lumber of rhe imagcs il! the happiucss idioills ha re il!
common?
English Idioms in U5C I3

Anger
A Being angry
Thcsc informal ¡dioms can be uscu cither ahour yourself
Uf abuut a third persoo. .
l'm fed up (to the back teeth) with trying ro live on such
a small wagc.
I'rn al my wits' end trying ro keep things in order.
(wíts = inrdligcncc, brains )
l've had it up lO hefe with this organisation! ~-- :-- -
These in for mal ¡dioms are gcncrally used abollt other peop lc.
Yaur bass will havc/throw a fit when he finds out yOl! fargot to reply tú those ¡ctters.
(You can also say go off the deep end / go spare / do his nut / blnw a fuse. )
T hcsc less informal idioms describe other peop!e's anger and are bascd on the \Vord blood.
rf someone's blood is up, rhey are ver)' angry or excited and may rcaer in a violent \Vay.
If yOl! are after somcone's blood, you wanr ro catch rhem in arder ro hurt or pun ish rhem.
If you are out for blood, yOl! are dctermined ro find someone to :ltt;J.ck or blame faf
something bad thar has happened . .
B Angry relationships
idiom meaning exomple

drive so meone up make sameane very angry The neighbours' loud music every night is driving
che w.all (or sometimes very bored) me up the wall.
drivelsend someone make mmeane very angry His lack of cor'lSideration is driving me round
round the bendltwist (or sometimes very bared) the twist.
rub someone up the make sameone annayed JiII always manages to say something to rub her
wrong way farhe r up the wrong way.
getfput so meone's make sameone annoyed Roger put his sister's back up by saying she
back up would never be a good driver.
rume 50meone's make someone annoyed Jo says what she thinks without worrying about
feathe,.s whemer she might be ruffling anyone's featners.
putlsend the cat do or say something that Danny put the cat among the pigeons by
among the pige ons makes a lot of people suggesting that me company might nave ro make
angry or warried some redundaneies.
not be on speaking be so angry with eaeh They haven·t been on spea king terms far years
terms other that they refuse to although neither can remember what they
speak to eaen ather first quarre ll ed about.
give someone an tell 50meone how angry The o ld lady gave the children an earful far
earlul yau are with them nearly knac king her overo
(informa l)
give 50meone a (ell someone haw angry He·1I give me boys a piece of his mind if he
piece of your mind you are with them catc hes mem in his garden.

Exercises
3.' 11m thc exprcssions in the box into pairs that mean more or tess thc samc.
went eff the deep end gave him an earlul drave him up the wal! gave him a pieee of her mind
PUt his back up did his nut rubbe d him up che wrong way sent him round che bend

I Kevin has had ir up ro wirh his work.
2 It's horrible living wirll [wo people who arc nor on speaking
3 lt'l\ rea!ly put the among the pigsons if you try to bring thar \lP at che
meeting.
4 My sister spare when she found our ]'d burnt her new topo
S JCl is your blood now he knows ir was you who told rhe policc.
6 The demotlStcators arc fur ious aud for blood.
7 Your fa rher will rhro\\' a if you go out dn:sscd likc that.
The baby hardly sleeps ar night and heT morher is :'It heT cod o
3.3 Correct cight misrakes in (his paragraph.
Yesterday 1 had terrible roothache . Ir hurr a 1m
and I guess that'5 why I was in abad tcmper aU
day. Ever)'thing ::myone said secmed to put rhe
back up and, in the end, I threw a fuse wirh rhe
persunl sbare my oHice \Vith. Even whcn I'm in a
good mood , she sends me up lhe twisl with he!
constant charrer and yesrerday I had had it off to
here wi~h her after only ten minutes. I really gave
hcr an eyeful and rhe result is rbar \Ve are no
longer in speak ing terms. ! kno\\' !'ll have ro
apologise for doing my rlut5 like rhar, out perhaps
rll wair a while. Ir's much easier ro work when
she isn't ralking ro me! Perhaps I should give ha
a peace of my mind more oftco .
3.4 Answer rbese quesriom.

\ Name one thing thar driyes yon up the wa]l.
2 Find [\Vo idiorns on rhe lefr-ha nd page [har conjure up images of birds.
3 Can you remember a teacher ever going off rhe deep end? If so, what causcd ir?
4 hnd seven idioms on rhe ldt-hand page rhar are ba~ed on parts of rhe bodr.
5 Has arlyone recent!y rubbed rou up rhe wrong way? lf so, huw did they do chis?
6 Which idiom in A on rhe lefr-hand page do you think is usually accompanied by a gesture?
7 Have you ever given someone a piec(' uf your mind? If so, what about?
8 Find an ¡diom on the lcft-han d page connccted wirh electricity.
mllll~ Im~mf mIlrl 11

Knowing and understanding
Knowing and not knowing
knowing meaning
She know5 che system ¡nside out. She knows every detail af iL
When it comes to geography, he certainly knows He has a very goad knowledge af ic.
his stuff.
That book title has a familiar ring to it. I think I It sounds familiar 1 1 think I've heard it before
read it a long time 3g0.
I' m not sure if I know her, but the name rings a I have a vague memory ef someone with that
bell. (very commonly used with name) flame, but (an't remember exactly.
nOl knowing meoning

I haven't (got) I don't have a clue how to use I don 't know at all.
chis camera
I haven't (got) I don't have the faintest idea I reallr do rú know at all.
where she lives.
I haven't (got) I don't have the foggiest (idea) I absolutely don 'c know at all.
what this switch is for.
I can't for the life of me remember her first I can't remember at al!.
name.
I'm a bit out of touch w ith compute rs these days. lused to know about the m, bue don't know the
latest developmeflts.
I'm sorry, that name doesn't ring any bells with I don't think I've ever heard it before; it is
me, (very commonly used with name) unfamiliar,
Coming to conclusions
J didn't actually know where )'ou were stay in g, but Mark said rOu were with a rel arive, So [
pUllwO and two together and guesscd it was that aunt of yours in Manchestcr, Iconcludcd
from the facts 1 knew}
l'm sorry, 1 got (hold of) the wrong end of the stick. 1 thought you \Vere complaining about
something. ¡carne to the wrong condusionl
'¡ think he's gul huId u( lIJe wrung elld u( Ihe stick,'

Exercíses
4.1 Correct the lTIl'itakes in these idioms.

1 I don't haye even a bint idea where he is roda;.; you'll have ro ask somebody ebt,
2 The ritle of rhe en has familiar rings to ir, bU! 1 don't rhink I'vc cver heard it.
3 My causio knows rhe tax laws outside and in, so if you wam advice on your tax, he'U
help YOLl.
4 1 can'r for life rhink what it was 1 carne inro rhe kitchcn foro
5 1 saw Tom and Lily together in a restauratlf looking adoringly inro each ather's eyes.
1 added up two and two, and dec.:ided rhey must he madI}' in ¡ove.
4.2 Use rhe corrected ¡dioms from cxcrcise 4.1 tu rcwrite rhe undcrlincd parts of this para!4Taph.
Use each ¡diom once anly.
I always rhought 1 knew my computer in eveC\' detail, but rhe orher day ir startcd to cra~h
every time 1 opened a cenajn programo \ could nor in anY w~y undersrand \vny it was domg
this, and 1 didn't have anv idea ae al! about what ro do to fix it. 1 rang rhe helpline which 1
had used in thc past, 3nd after about 20 minutcs 1 spoke ro sorneone who said his name \Vas
Patrick, and thar he was there ro help me. He gavc me sorne o.dvicc which sounclcd quite
familiar tu me from previous calh 1 hall made to the sall'le helpline. 1 thought about <'11\ this,
put the fans together, and cuncluded that they give the same adviee to everybady, and rhar
ir's ¡ust ~ way of gettmg rid of l'ou. Thc computer still crashes every time r open the programo
4.3 Write sentences rhat mean rhe opposite of these sentences. Use idiom~ from the left-hand
page and makc any other necessary change~.
1 Yes, tha~ name is ver), familiar ro me. r think {'ve mn her several times.
2 I'm really up ro date wirh TV soap operas these uays. 1 wateh rhem every day.
3 She knows absolutely norhing whcl1 ir comes to rhe history of rhis arca.
4 r correctly interprered what she \vas trying ro te1l me and it solved a big problem.
5 No, sorry, her nallle means nothing ro me. 1 may have met her, 1 jusr can't rememher.
4.4 Complete cach sentence with a different idioDl which refcrs to 'nor knowing·.
1 ho\'.' to use the pnorocopier. Do yOll think you
(ould help me? (weakest of rhe three)
2 [ whefe ¡ [en thar letter ¡ bronght for ron. l'm
really SOfIl'. (stronger than 1)
3 [ what "he\. tal.king abouL She's c.raz~'! (even
stronger rhan 2)
I
lfYOU. have ac.". ss tO the lnternet.go to the Cambridge Inter¡1Qtional Diaionary Ofldiom.,. website at
• dICtiopary_cambridge.orglidioms apd do a ~ear(h under the word knaw.You will get a list of all the
idioms contammg the word know, Choose any three of these that you have nOt seen befare or which
• look IIltereStmg, click on each one to get their meanings and make a note of them in your Yocabulary
notebook. ~ g_.,-'
English fdioms in Use 17

Experience and perception
Learning from experiences
If·· you con soy.
something bad has happened, but yol.l decide lO ['ve decided lO put it down to experience.
learn from it instead of being ups et by it .
rol.! don't know what yaur pasition is or what your I ¡U St want lO know where I stand. that's all.
situatíon is with someone. and it's worrying yOIJ ,
I
something happens or someone says something the event5 f your suggestions have certainly given
that ma kes yol.l th ink very se riously about it. me (oad far thought.
something bad happens lO yol.l and yol.l decide yol.l I've learnt my lesson
will never let it happen agaio,
someone does something stupid which affects the m that will teach him/her a lesson!
in a way that they'lI never warlt to do it aga in,
someone final lr becomes aware of a fan (often I min k helshe's got the message.
used w it h unp leasant fans),
yOU tell me true facts to someone who has I jusr want to setlput the record straight.
believed a differcnt set of facts ull to that mQmerl~
Othet" common idioms connected with pet"ceiving situatíons

I hcard il onlLhrough che grapevine tha r yo u're thinking of leaving the cornpany. Is il Irue?
lhcar.d ir from someone who had hcard ir from sorneo ne. else]
He doesn 't hate you ar aH . lr's complctely untru c. Ir's iust a figment of your imaginarion.
lsomething rOl! have imagined which is nor true]
The Prime Minister seems ro havc lost sight of why she was electeJ. Shc 's brokcn all hcr
promises ro rhe people. [forgonen a centra l, important faet or rrmh abom somerhingJ
What beats me is \Vhy people are prepared to sir in a rraffic jam every moming for half an
hour jusr ro ger ro work . [whar J eannm understand ]
I'm having seeond thoughrs about moving hOlise. 1 Jike this part of rhe city and J'm nar sure
J'd be happy anywhe-re cIsc . [1 decided somerhing, hm now I am no longer sure ahour it]
1 don't know a l! rhe íos and outs of rhe situaríon, hur ir seems rhar David has deeided to
move Out uf the flar he shares with Ruth and :vlonica . jrhe details of]
I
lf an idiom .has a preposition associated with it, e.g. in! and OUt! of, second thought.! about, always write
me preposltlon wim t he idiom in your Vocabu lary noteboo k, as well as any other important structural
information.

Exercises
5.1 [ti each of these convenati ons, the sccond speake r uses an idio rn to repeat wha t the first
speaker says. Complete lhe idioms.
I Martín: Well, Lukc has fin allr ¡eam t tllJ r he can't expcct cvcryollc clsc tu pav fur him.
Philip: Yes,l rhink he's
2 Anne: Well, Shcila will cerrain ly Jeam never ro do thar aga in!
Gerry : Yes, rhar should definircly
3 Frances: His suggesrions afe worth t.1king scrious ly, aren't rhey?
Brad: Yes, ,hey've cenainl}' given liS
4 Will: J oc's wnvinced himse!f rha t his ncighbours aTe drug smugglers. He's juSt eraz)'!
Nick: Ves, J'm sure rhe whole rhing is a
5 Caro!: Well , J rhin k \Ve \Vere righr ro tell her \Vhat rcally happened, don'r you?
Strve: Ves, ir \Vas important ro
5.2 Complete rhe crossword .
, , Across
3 YUl! call hear news through it.
, • 5 Don 'r lose ir.
6 Pm ir
expencnce.
, Down
1 They're nor your firsr rho ughrs.
2 Usually means hits, bu r is used
in an idiom abour nOt
• undcrstanding something .
' 4 Th'T go wirh 'OUTS ' .
5.3 Complete eaeh o f lhese idioms.

I wam ro know . One day you say you love me,
the ncxt day you 5ay I'm iust a friend oIt's drivin!!, me Cfazy.
2 He spenr .[500 oE my money. rll nen:r lend him lIly .:redit (ard again. J've
my
3 I don't know ail thc . and of t he situ".ltion, but I
thi nk one of the directors is going ro resigno There must he a big problem.
4 1 can understand thar she needed help, but me IS
rhar she should as k sorncone as stllpid as Simon ro help hc r!
5.4 Answer these qu estions.
1 T hink of an occasion when yon learm your lesson .
2 Think of somerhing wh ich happened ro you rha !
you decicled ro pur clown ro expcriellce.
3 Have you ever decided ro do somerh ing, rhen had
secolld thoughts abour ir? W hat was it?
4 T hink o f somet hing you heard rcccnd y on the
grapeViTle. Whar was ir?
5 Have you ever bren in a friendship Of relationship
whcre you had ro say '} need [O know where I
stand ' ? Whar was rhe situarian?
- ---

Success and failure
When things go well
Ir something .. (hen ir .
makes al! the difference (to something) has a very good efree! o n 3 si tuaríon o r a th ing
works/goes/runs like a dream works/goeslruns very wel l indeed
works like magit: works immediately and very well indeed
goe5 f!"om strengtn tO strength gets better ano better
does th e trick salves a problem very we ll

is the be-all-and·end-all (of something) is the ma st important th ing (ohen used in the negative:
no! tlJe be-oll-(Ind~nd-alj)
is { turns out to be a blessing in disguise has a gaod effect even though at fint it seemed it would
be bad
o •• and when they don't
Ir··· !hen ..
someone/something is a victim of theirlits success has negative effect$ as well as or instead
theirlits own success of positive ones
someone doesn't have the ghost of a they have no ch3nce at all

chance (of doing something)
someone/s omething gives up the ghost they/it Stop(s) worki ng or they HOp trying to succeed
because they know they will not
someoJ'\~somethiJ'\g
\eaves theirlits they h,we I it has 3\'\ effect (u~u31 Iy \'\eg;¡.tive) that ct>.;mge~
mark (on someone/something) someone or something for ever
Other useful idioms connected with success and failure

I ah.... ays knew Ahmed wou ld go places. He's been an excellent arhlere sincc he \Vas a
teenagero [would be successful (go place; is not useu in the simple tense forms)1
He's a goad writer, but he hasnOt rea ll y ever hit the big time. [been successfu l nationally or
inrern ationally and made lors of mane)"]
He's rcally made a go of rhat resrauranr he bought. He's extended ir and he emplo}"s abaur
ten peapJc now. [been very successful \Vith ]
I
\f a dictionuy or your teacher telh yeu an i¿icm is not use¿ with a particular t ense or has other
grammatical restrictions, e.go ga ploces in e aboye. always make a note about the grammar in your
notebook.
20 English Idiams in Use

Exercises
6.1 Complete these idioms with prepositiol1S.

His Internet company has gane srrength strcngth in the last six
momhs. He 's making a lot of money now.
2 Thc flood ruincd OUt aJd kitchen, bur it was a blessing disguise, because the
insurance company p:.1id fOf a compJetely ocw one.
3 This nc\V model is nor the be-all-and-cnd-aH digital cameras, but ir cretaio!)'
has m¡J,ny techoieal teatures thar others do nm have.
4 Your offcr ro dr¡ve us ro the <lirport makes all rhe di[(crence our [rave] plans.
5 Your p lan ro persuade Lela to joio the committee workcd maglC.
6.2 Use the ¡dioms fron! cxercise 6.1 to rewritc rhe underlincd pans of the semences.
At fírsr \Ve rhoughr the ncw road WQuld spail our vi ll age, but in f3et ir \Vas a positive
deve!opment and rhe village shops are do ing more business .
2 r sprayed the stain remover onto my jacket and ir bad an imroedjate Dositive resulI. (G ive
two answers.)
3 Thi s is nO[ [he absolure hest and mos[ comp!eH' cookery book, but ir does have recipes
froro 100 diffcrent ca un tries.
4 The school has ¡¡!ot bettcr and bettcr ..ince rhe !lew bcad reacher took over.
5 Gerring new Cllrtaios has ~ my fiar in a positive \Va\'. lt feels like a oew one.
6.3 \Vho would be mosl likely 10 say these remarks? Choose Ihe correct answer.
1 Ir IdI irs mark on me.
a) someooe who had ¡use spilt red wine over themselves
b) someone who taught in a ve r}' bad school fo r ten years
e) sorneone who had a \vonderful birrhda y parry
2 I'm a victi m of ID)' own sueeess.
a) someone who woo a lot of money rhen spenr ir all
b¡ a student who always passes every exam they take
e} a popula r reacher whose dass everyone \Vaots ro be in
3 1 don'r think I'H ever hit the big time.
a) a rack musicían who is popular in local clubs
b) an arhlete who has just gor a place in aD Olympic reaID
e) a dentist with a ver}' heav)" schedule of appoinrmems
4 Work ¡so'r the be-aH-and-end-all in my Ji fe.
a) someonc whu is unemployed
b) someone who has a lor of inreresting hobbies
el someone who never finishes a ¡ob they start
6.4 Complete eaeh of these idiollls.
1 T he photocopier has completely the ghosr. We need a new ooe.
2 1 didn't think 1 ghOSí of a of passing the exam,
bur I did.
3 My oew motorbike a dream; ir's fast, but so slllooth and quieto
6.5 Answer tbese questions.
Ji you mah a go of somethi ng, do you sueeeed or fai 1?
2 What should you remember about the gramlllar of the idiom go p/aces?
3 Whar eould you write in your Vocabulary notebook about tbe use uf bc-all-and-end-al!?

Having problems
Describing the problem

]'ve come up against a brick wall. j.. ¡' ve becIl leN holding [he baby. )
[sorlH:rhing is blocking - [othas ha,-c Id! me 10 Jeal widl a
me from doing \\'h~r 1 problcm :donc 1
W3m (u do]
~ The!",";: gOl me over a bar~c1. )-
( 1 pUl my rOOt in ie. ~
Ih;1V(' pUl me in a siruarion where I
[said sorncthing ¡:H;tlcss have no choice Qver wha¡ 1 .:an do]
and emharrassin~1
I' ve come up against
( I'm in dire strails. ~ a stumbling block.
[in a ver}' Jifficult ur [a prüblem which SlOpS me
dangerolls sim:nion] from achieving somcrhing]
( [' ve clUb rnyself iulo a hale. ? --=< I'm clulching al straws oo\\'. 1
Ihal"c rnyself caused a 13m in such a difficulr siruaríon
; problcm rhar wil! be tha! 1 will try anyrhingl
difficulr ro escape from
(infofllul)]
( "ve sprcad rn ysclI too thin , ~ [am unahle to finJ informarian Of

tO achicve sornething l' ti hopcd forj
[am tr ying to do tOO
man)' thing, al the ~ame
So now we are al! going
rime. ",ith the re,ult rhat I
to have ro face the music.
can'r gi\'~ a ny of rhem ¡he
attenrion rhey need l [accept criticism nf punishment fOf wha[
)'OU bave d on~ 1
Fact of life
Taxes are, unforrunarely, a faet of life. [:tn lInplcasant situarian which has to be aeeepred
beca use ir cannot he changed I
A faet of life must nor be contused wirh ¡he phrast' fhe facts oi life, whieh is a sl ightly
indireer (hurnorous ) \Va)' of rcfcrring tu info rmarion abour sexual rcproduction. Another
humorous idiom for the facts of life is the birds and rhe bccs.
Easier said than done

Why don'r )'ou take rhe train ro work? Then )'ou'd avoid al! the traUie ¡ams.
Easier said rhan done! There are no trains ar the righ t rime. Isomcthing you say when
somerhing seerns likc a gond idea, bU[ is difficult to actually do]
I
Make a 'problems' idioms page in yourVocabulary notebook.You will find exarnples of other idioms mar
can be liseó lor talklng abour problems in orher units 01 this book too. As you flnd them, add chem to
this page of your notebook.

Exercises
7. / Match the beginning of each idiom 00 [he len with ir:> ending on [he right.
1 ¡eh holding the wall

2 brick block
J smmbling muste
4 dire baby
5 dtawa barrel
6 have you aYer a scraits
7 faec the blank
7 .2 Put the words in the rig ht arder and makc sentcnces.
done I said / Easier I than
2 too j lO J T ry I spread I thin J nor J yourself
3 I1 1 / {oar / ir Iwish I my f put I hadn 'r / in
4 a Ilife I older I of I Gctting / [aer I is
5 morhcr / [elll and I \Vas I to I the I ir / rhe / abour I becs / Sarah's I decided I time I her I
birds
6 I¡fe I primary f facts I of I the I Children f taught I in ! 5chool I ;1ft
7.3
~
i;' ,. ¡; ,
- .l '. - 1/ I ,"1
. -' <8 (
I , I
7. 4 Complete caeD of these id ioms w irll one word.

\ You'd bener stop t-a!king ar 'fou'lI dig yoursdf into a ¿eeper
2 J hopcd I'd find rhe address r nteded in rhe library, bur 1 drew a
3 If you rake ün any more \'iOrk, you'lI be spreading yourself far too
4 Stranded on the island with no money and no luggage, \Ve were well aware that \Ve \Vere
in dire
S The police explored a rmmbcr of !cads, bm each time t bey carne up against J. brick
6 Not having enough savings to set up a business was a majar srumbling
,
7 [wish 1 could leave my jon, bm they 've got me over a
1 •
Magazines onen ha>/e articles about people's problerns or question amI answer pages dealing with
problems of different kinds, Find an artide or a question and answer page like this and make a not e of
any Idioms that you flnd mere,
English Idloms in Use 23

Dealing with problems
Trying to solve a problem
managing wirh somcrhing rhat
R"-!:l ~ud.ed. <l. bookco..:;e. He 11M bUl1 """k¡,..,g 0:1..0 1 will1 ¡sn'! as good as you would like
pW.nI::s of wood. 01\ btid:s, bu!'- he. WOJ1/:.ed.. some.thing ni.c.er 1 gi"c somtthing a try (informal)
noN . H16 si.6w, So.n<4l, 5(.<99ested,. !x<ljing <l. seLf--Msembly J make 3n eHon (O understand
bool::co..:;e ¡,¡l1en tne pi.ec.es e<lJTIe. in ti. f[.tt po.ck for nim te
P"¡' to9clhu n(.mseLf. Ray h\ew ne ¡'¡(l..!;)l '¡' mOld1 good Cl.t
tnQ../: sort 0+ tning, DL<.t ne J.eci.d..ed. /;J) gUie i.t <l. sl1ot/...,¡,iri l
When he. opene.d. !:he. pru:k, it ruL looI::ed. very COt'lwsing, b"t
he. wo..s J,Uu-mined. ro !Id; to ~ ~ l lt. A{-tex <l. c.ouple
of hWTS, ne l'Io.d sometni.ng thlli looked. o.. I>i.t tike <l.
bookCQ...Se t>v.1:. Wi15 ro..thu wo\lbly. ro be. on tf1e ~ sUk\ try to
l1e G.5l::ul So..nd.y W d1eci:: it for 11(.m. 'Then':s somethi.ng discover
not. '1"iU r'9hlo <lWuC fui.(,,' sl1e so.Ui. '1 tnlnk w!'-'d.. betta rhe truth
get to the bottorr> t>f> it be,for-e !lW p!o\l:. Ij"'-'r boolcs 011 it.' abaut
somerhing
Light and understanding
The reu.nt r~e of fif/:!n:leo..r - o!.d.. d.ow.men{:.s 11M sI1c4. "" gtUt. d.u.1. of
Ü9ht:.011 tI1e polilic<ti wes of tne 1950:5. Some I.mellped:«!.. ~(lÜOn CÚIOUt;
We gOVtm01wt. of We d..o.!j 11M been brtIu.gkt. lo Ught. !U'Ioi soroe Sl.<rprisinI¡
fru:ts o..bou.t !:nI'.. pot.i.ti.cW.ns of tl1e time l1o..ve Dlso W'I'lt. lo ~.
The eonCept of light is often llsed to represent mema! il\umination ai understanding. Thc
idiom bring something to light (usual!y used in rhe passive - see a bove) means ro discover
fans tha r were prcviously unknown. Often, rhough nor always, these fans are about
some1:hing bad or illegaL Come to light gives l ~imib r idea of unknown f.aets bccoming
known . ShedfThro w light on something means ro help pcople understand a situarion .
It's been a very difficulr year, but ar lasr r fedI can see rhe light at th e end of th e tunne\.
Isomerhing makcs you bclieve thar a difficult and unplcasant situaríon is com íng ro an cndJ
The p!"oblem's ove!"

T he Democra tic Party is bchaving as if vicrory was already in the bago [certa in ro ger or
achieve somcrhing (informal)]
! was in despair unti \ ehris iUrned up - the answer to m)' prayers. [something Ol someone
thar you have needed for a lo ng time]
I wanr ro wavc a magic wand and make rhings berrer. ]find an casy way ro salve a prob!eml
I've gor ro rie up a few loase ends before I go on holiday. [dea l with the last few t hings [har
necd tu be done befare somcrhing is completedJ
Once Sheila explains wh)' she acred as she did, evcr)'rh ing will fall inro place. [yo u
undcrsrand somerhing rhar yO\! did nor understand before, or everything goes well]
Atter rhe €lood, it took lIS smne time tO piek up toe pieecs. Itry ro return ro normal!

Exercises
8. I Match each ¡diom on the left with its definiri on on the right.
1 rie up loase ends understand ;lnd dcal w ith sorncrhing
2 come ro lighr try somerhing
3 give sornelhing a shot find an easr solution
4 ger tu grips IVith sorncrhing ¡ust in case
5 make do finish off final ¡¡trie tasks
6 ro be on the s3fe si de uneaver rhe rrurh
7 \Vave a magic wand rnanagc with somerhing of \Vorse qualit)'
8 ger ro the bunom of somcrhing be di5covcrcd
8.2 Complete c3ch of these idioms with an e word.
I l've been bus)' ar work, bur I can see the lighr ar the cnd of rhe nolV.
2 Sarah wamed ro a magic wand and make her son happy again.
3 Jusr wair while 1 ríe up these ends, rhen nI go tO rhe match \Virh yOll .
4 Whcn her parcnts gave heT sorne mOlle)', ir was ¡¡ke rhe answcr [O hcr
5 ¡'ve never tried yog:l before, bur I'd he happy ro give a shoL
6 Thc job iso't in rhe ri ll you've had ao offer in wriring.
~ Thio;. rcsea reh may shcd fresh on rhe causes uf asrhma in children.
8 As ¡ liHened tO the evidenee, everything, began to into place .
8.3 Complete eaeh sentence \Virh an ¡diom from che box, Make any other nccessary ehanges.
bring to ligh t come to light fall into place get to grips wim get ro me bottom of
give it a wh irl pick up che pieces shed light on
1 I'd likl.: tu try that oew bow ling alley. Let's ¡his eveo ing.
2 I'm finding ir quire hard my new role at work,
3 When the business fai led, Paul vaoished, leaving his partner
4 Sorne important new evidenee in rhe IaSt fe\\' days,
5 I hope that wc'll be able what'S been gaiog on.
fi Ncw medie;].l rco;.earch thc causes of h<..:a.rt attacks .
7 As ,oon as I met Joshua's famil)', everyrhing
8 lo rhe investigation iota the ir accounts, a oumher of errors
8.4 Match caeh starernent 00 rhe left with the most likely response on the righí.
1 1'11 wash yOUf ear (ur yuu ! OK, jusI 10 be 00 the safe side.
2 Let's go home now. If on}y ¡ could wave a magic wand!
3 The job 's in the bag! YO\l're the answer ro rny pr:lyers!
4 Wc'd better take umhrellas. Soon. J'vc srill got sorne !oosc ends ro rie up.
5 Can you make do with a pencil? 1 hope you're righr!
6 We jusr don't know what ro d o! Sure, that'lI do fine.
8.S Which idioms do these pictures makc you think 00
4~
2
~
e
:-: ; , I .'"

Power and authority
Laws and rules
Note rhe id ioms in r!lis lenee ro the Editor of a neWsp:lpe r.
¡aking aerio n
SirlMadam,
During the recen! demonstrations in
Ihe cily centre, wc S¡¡W proresters
,"",,01 lh' <itootion. Whnl w, oow
necd is a finn govcmmcnt Iha! is
¡ r l
whieh shou ld be
taken by rhe palier
or the eourts
are complete\y Out
la king lhe law into their own prcpared !O la y clo'oln the law 1 10 ()f control and
ha nds l and attacking Ihe offices of (he big corporations which poli me simply ignore rhe
Ihe company responsible for Ihe OUT e nvironment and to stop bw
polJution of OUT be;\ches. Whik J bending the rul es~ when il is a l be ver)' fir m and
can under~tand how angry ¡hese qucstion uf conmlcrcial ¡nterests. AL clear abour rhe
. protesters must fcel , il is cIear lhe same time, Ihe police mus! takc law, and cnforee it
that Ihe mas! violen! group of tinn aClion agaíns! ¡he mos! violen! making special
demonstnltors, the so-called groups. Only in chis way can we cxceprions; letting
'Na\ure's Command()~; , ba"e sohe Ihe prob\ cm~ we now fate. sume people
bccome a law unto themselves1 Sineerely,
J isubcy the
and that ¡he poliee are fai ling ¡O rules/bws
Laura No rder
Authority and responsibility
lfyeD . then yOD .

carry the can (for something which happens) accept the blame/responsibility alone, even tnough
ot he r people we re responsible
get I let someo ne off the ho ok are free f leave someone free· from all respons ibility
or from a difficu lt sit uation
leave so meone to their own devi<:es allow tnem to decide how to act; do no t cO rltrol or
supervise ehem
are a tlon th e receiving end (of somethirlg. fo r suffer from I are the target of (t he oeher perSOrl's
e)(ample. a persorl's 3rlgerlcriticism) angerfcriticism. etc.)
are at some one's beck and ca l! do everythirlg they tel l you to do. wherlever they
teU you to do it
get yOllr ow n way persuade other people to let you do whae you
want
Power and politics

T he pcople of Swcdcn go to th e p oll s next Sunday. [,p"ülz! vote in a general clectionl
The governmenr's spín doctors always ma ke sure the news is ver)' posit ive. [puh lic relatioos
officers whu meet rhe press/meJia and present events in a way that suits them]
[ think thcre is a hid den agenda in the govcrnment's plans. jan attcmpt !O hicle their rea l intentions]

Exercises
9.1 Which of these pcople are in a good síruarion (from thcir point of view) and which are in a
bad situatian? Thc ¡dioms all come from B 00 the left-hand page.
Tiro has beco let off the hook. 3 Carmen is at everyone's beck and cal\.
2 Sal1y has had to carry rhe can. 4 FioOll has gor heT own \Vay.
9.2 Complete each of these ¡dioms wirh a prcposition.
1 It's wrong to take rhe la\\' your üwn hands.
2 Ir's time J [aid rhe law aod made thtm do their dury.
3 1 would not \Van! tu be ...................... . the receiving end of his bad tempero (Cive two
answcrs.)
4 Oló Bab scems ro have bccome a la"" ............. .......... . himself at work. Hc does ¡ust
""har he 1ikes.
5 Nobody tells you whar ro do. You're just lefr your own devices.
9.3 Rewritc rhe underlincd parr ol cach sentence wirh ao ¡d¡om.
1 ¡ think there is ª n;ason she's not tell!IJf! llS about thar [ctter she senr ro the boss.
2 [rhought 1 \Vas going to have to represent my cbss at the staff- student meeting, but
ther've rold me I don't have too
3 She's an awful boss to work far; rhe secretaries have to do what sh¡; wants wlwnever she
\Vi\nts ir, eight hours a day, scvcn days a wcck.
4 He has had to take a lor of eriricism from the press in recent weeks.
5 They cause all rhe trouble, and [alwavs have ro tale ¡he blame.
6 J don 't want someonc rdling me what' to do all rhe time. I'd rather be allowcd to make my
own dccisjons abOlir how ro do thir1gs.
9.4 Write a semence Of a couple of
semences for each of [hese idioms
. ro show their meaning.
1 a hidden agenda
2 a spin doctor
3 bend the tu les
4 go to the polls
'1 think he must be one of ¡hose slJÍII doctors.·
ti
Read tl"w. editorials an<ilor letters to me Editor in 3n En&li~h-!3f\&u3ge newspaper or wat<.h I listen te
3n Engllsh-13nguage news broadcast on radio IlV I the Internet. Nocice how many idioms occur in
che political news. Make a note of any idioms that are nor in chis unic.

Structuring and talking about argument!
Structuring arguments
On Ü'le Or\t. 11<1J"o1i 1 , I d..on't tl1t.nl: t.n<1.t scl1ootd1i.I.dYe>"I s!1OiJ,ld n\1..Ve

mobiU. ¡*rones. No one 1::110W$ wh.;..t tf1e /re.illtT MtS "''''9 be for
!:joong p«>pLt.'s bro.U15. On l:I1e o/;tIe.r 1111....P, Ü1G!3 Q..re o. u.setv.L w"'!j
for kLO..$ te 9et i.n !:.w.d1 _wiH1 tncir po.Yetlts ¡,.¡11w. thue i.s o.
c.ti5i.s _ ~ 61al: o1S i.t ""'1I l , i.t i.s 51:i.LL (1. "",i.so:UXe wl1en pI10Ylt'..$ 90
off i.n !:he mUid.!.e t>f a. !eS50rl. ro put i.t in A- I1I.ItMltU." t11ere
G.re o.. lot of pros o.nd.. ~ s wW1 rt9¡\J.! to b45 o.nd mob;J.es.
;lnd 2 [hese phrases are used to prescnt two opposite facts Uf two diffcrem ways of Jooking at
(he same issuc
l ¡'In expression which means )'OU accept thar somcthing is true, bUI ir sti!l does not changc )'our
OplllJOll
indicares {har you're dcscribing somerhing ¡]S briefly as yOl! can
s advantages ::md disadvamages
Noun phrases relating to arguments

She's caught in a vicio us cirde. Sh t gcts depresscd, so shc buys sorne new dothes, so she has
no money, which makes her depressed again. [a problem rhar cannot be sol ved hecause ir
causes another problem that causes the first problem again]
Don't Ict's gel onto corruptioll in the poliee. That would rcall y be opcning a can of worms!
la problem which you do nor waTlt ro de;¡1 wirh because 'ir will cause rrouble (informal))
The producer sa)'s eriríes love rhe fi lm, but box-office takings will providc the atid test.
[a key test which will prove the valuc, qualil}' or truth of somcrhing]
Ccrtainly, boarding sehool is hard for ch ildren. The othet side of the coin is rhar the}' learn lO
be independenr. la differenr view, making somerhing look eithcr better or wotse rhan before]
e Talking about arguments

idiom meaning example
ti e yo urself (up) become very cOl'1fused whel'1 you Fiona tr ied tO explain th e problem, but she
in kn o t s are trying to expla in somethil'lg soon tied herself up in knots,
be broughtJcalle d be fo reed to explail'1 your actions The Ministers respOl'1sible should be (a ll ed tO

to aceount and (probably) punished aceount fo r their incompetente,
give 50ml.!O ne be li eve something good about I'm not sure that David is telling the cruth,
the be nefit of someone even though you (ou ld but I'm giving him the benefit of the doubt
th e doubt believe either good or bad
go round in make no progress in an argument We 're going roun d in ei reles.1 wish you 'd
circles or discussion (ome up with a new idea!
won 't budge/give won't modify al'l opinion or ag ree I'm prepared to (ompromise, but Bert won't
a n ineh te even small changes that another budge al'1 inch
person wants
28 English !dioms in Use

Exercises
10.1 Match the beginning of each idiom un rhe lett wlrh ir, ending on the right.
1 a can of cjrde
2 the acid hand
3 a vicious nutsheH
4 in a coin
5 011 rhe other loeh
6 the other side of rhe cireles
7 tie yourself up in worms
8 go round in knots
9 be called to test
10 won't give an account
10.2 What are the situatiOllS describing? Match ao idiom from the bOJ{ wirh each situarion .
. a vidous circle goirlg round in círcles putting It in a nlJtshell the acid test
t)'ing yourself up in knots the pros and cans of a situatían
1 Trving uut a nev·,. invention for the first time.

2 Trying to explain something complcx thar you do not reaH}' undcrstand.
3 The advantages and disadvantages of moving to a different town.
4 Explaining a complicatcd situatíon in rwo mmmes.
5 Trying ro rcach agreement when ncither siJe is prepared ro modify its position.
6 Getting rid of some books so you have space on yo))r booksbclves, then buying mor!;
books beca use you now nave space, ~o you now need ro get rid of more books to dcar a
bit more spa<..:e.
10.3 Complete caeh sen ten ce with an idiom from the box.
a can of worms called te account on the one hand be that as it may
give him the benefn of tne doubt the other side of the coin
In ~ümc wa}'s ¡t's glamorous being a pop ~rar. But

is thar )'ou no longer hay!; any privacy.
2- It'¡; time the5e pett")' <..:rimina15 were for their
irresponsible actlons.
3 1 know Bil!'s a niee friendly person, but, , he srill
has to pul! his weigbr in rhe offiee.
4 1 think Janna might hrrvc the hest pcrsonality for
rhe job, but, on the orher, Mina has more experienee.
5 If he's apologiscd, 1 think you should
6 Ir \Vould be opening ro inquire abour his finan<..:cs.
10.4 Rcwrjre the underlined pan of eaeh semence with an ¡diom.
1 got ven' confu,ed trying ro explain ro Kar] how 1 feh abour hlm.
2 I'd like you to write al1 essay on rbe advantages and disadvantages of working ahroad.
3 To put it briefh, James needs tO produce octter homework.
4 Natasha was prepared to eompromise, but Alex wouldn't col1lpromise at all.
5 You need more money so yOl! work more. You carn more so you spend more. So yol) nccd
ro work morc. Ir never cnds.
EngJisn Jdioms in Use 29

Conversational responses
Emphasis
possible stimulus you say you meon
'fou can borrow my car tonight. Thanks a million! Thank you very mueh indeed.
Did you get the job you wanted? No suc:h luck! Yau're disappointed you were noc
able to do something.
Can I go skiing with you and your The more, the merrier. 'fau're happy for o thers to ¡oín your
friends th is weeke"d! group or actlvi ty.
She's a great teacher! You can say that again! You totally agree with someone.
Come on the roller master wirh me! No way! You do not W<!.nt to do somethil'lg
I don't know how you can drive a There's nothing to ¡t! You think something is easy.
car in London traffic!
You eauld become a model Don't make me laugh! You think somet hing is unlikcly.
It's nearly the cod of the holiday How time flies! '(ou are surprised at how quick ly
airead)'. rime has passed.
We bumped into John 's teaChH in It's a small world. '(ou are surprised at a coincidence.
Venice' e.g. meeting someone unexpectedl)'
or discovering mUHlal friends.
Indifference
possible sdmulus yau soy you mean

What do you think caused the It's neither here nor It is not very important.
problem! there what I thin k.
Who do you th ink is to brame - the It's síx o( one and hall a Two people or groups are equaJly
boss or the workers J dozen of the other. respons ible for abad situation.
What do )'OU thin k of Jed Hart's 1 can take it or leave it. YOlJ do not hate something, but you
aet ing! don 't P<l.rticularly li ke it either.
lu ke's got so mar¡y computer games. I know. You name it, he's Anything you say or ehoose. e .g. You
got It. nome it. he's done it
Life
Get a lire! J This is the ~ It'sfThat's thE! story
~ - -... ofmylife! .....,.¡
(find more intercsting Ihings to do.] [)r's grc.lf ro rebx and .
~
lot to be at work.] ~ [Bad rhmgs :llwa)"s seem !O be
1 ~ happcmllg 10 me. (humorous)]
L~ ___________
IiV~
You have n't
[Something someonc has nor expcrienecd is "er," good

or excitin g and rhe)' should try il. {humorous JI
------
Such ís IThat's life!
!Bad rhings happen and

yuu ca nnor preven! rhem. ]

Exercises
I 1. 1 Complete these dialogues wirh ao icliom fraIn A ar B 00 rhe lcfr-hand page.

A: My ne\\' ncighhour \Vas at sehaol \Virh you !
",
2 A: Is ir OK ií 1 bring .leH ro )'our pany?
e,
3 1\: Do rOl! rhink Anne Of Brian is ro blamc iar thcÍr brcak-up?
B,
. 4 A: Guodncss! Ir's llearly midnight!
",
5 A: Díd yO\! m:mage ro get ti(;ket~ far the cuncen in the cnd?
B:
6 A: Du rOLl like caviar?
B,
7 .-\: He says hc's going ro he Prime Ministcr une dar.
B,
S A: \XroulJ yOl! agrcc to do ovcrtimc for nO cxtr¡l par?
R·
11.2 Complete thcse sentcnces wi rh ao idiom from e 00 rhe lefr-ha nd page.
A: [can'r come out \Vith yOl! bccause l've got ro w3sh nl:>' hair.
e,
2 A: I've nc\'cr SWUIll in rhe Mcditcrranc3n.
H: Ir r('all;.' is wOl1derful!
3. ;\; Yom l\ew girlfriend h,\5 dropped yon ;drcady!
B,
4 A: As sooo as I moved jato 111~' !lelV flat, thl.: ruof startecl leaking.
B,
5 A : Jt 's wonderful being hcre on rhe river when evcryone cisc is ;'Ir würk!
B: You'rc righr.
I 1,3 Correct the mistakes in th ese idioms.
lr\;'I lovely present. ThJ.nks;'l rhousand.
2 You won'r fi nO. ir diffiC\llt ro le;'lrn ro ski. Therc's rc:!l\r nurhing tu rhat.
3 It'5 citlH:r llere or dlere which ho rel you decide ro stay in - rhey 're borh excellent.
4 Ll'r'S l13ve a rCJ.l1y big wedding. The more, rhe merry.
.') You may sa~' rhar ag;:tin! ¡ couldn'r agrl'C \Virh rU l! more!
6 He's travdled ;1 ]oT. YOll S¡lY ir, he's been rhere.
I ,.4 Which idioms do thesc picturcs mak,c you think 00
~~,
I! It is often a good idea to learn a t)'pical conversational response idiom in a pair with a statement that
11 might prornpt it. for example: Do you li/re heovy metol music? I can take it or leave it,

Praise and criticism
A Praise and positive comments
In [hese conversations, che sccond speaker uses 311 idiom ro rcpea! and SUlll up what the fírSI
speaKe r says.
M icko: T hat Jin le \,jllage was lhe mas! wonderfu l, beautiful place I've ever seen.
Tania: Yes, ir rcally was out oí this world, wasn'c ir?
Nora: Professor Breen is rhe besr lecrurer I' ve ever hcard .
Alee: Yeso hc's seco nd 10 no n e, isn't he?
Luey: I'm nor looking forw ard to bcing group !cader after Júhll. H c's so popular and
successfu l.
Fergus: Yes, hc's a ha rd aet 10 fo llow!
Larr y: Oh , 1 do likc DUf !lew sofa. ir looks JUH perfccr here.
Susan: Yeso ir's JUS! made for chis room, ¡sn't ir?
Kirsrl:ll: 1 admire W j)Ji,1m. He defended himself Fer}' weli in the fil ce a f all rhe criticism ;lIld
mo.de sorne good po ims against his c ri tics tuO,
Adria n: Yes, he gave a s good as he got, didn't he?
Emilio: I don't rh ink wt:'1I ger ric kets fo r [he cup final. They're.111 sold :md we'd have ro p.1y
o. huge sum of money ro bu)' sorne on che bl<:ack marke t.
C hr i~: Yes, rhey' re like gold dust,
Mark: Dr Zasta 's resea rc h is incredibly original and he has made soml' important ncw
discoverics,
Nu ria: Yes, he's done sorne rca lly ground-brcaking wqrk ,
B Criticising people
Rcad Alicc's accoum uf sorne problems she had with a cQlleague at work. Note the idiom!>,
Wtll, w\1(.rI I sw.rte.:l wor~1.YI9 w,tl1 l1er , G.t ft,r5t, sl1e friendly and p leasanr, but in a blse
10>0..5 t/JL. SIo>ub'>e.ss .u;d.. lijIt,l, b"t (l.fkr "- I..JUU. $;,e wa y
SÚl.rW g~/gra.fu1g on ~ nuve.s l , a.nd. we. 500" b~(lrl 1 irritating/:mlloying me
to \10...... c. \1I'9Ul\'lwt.5 O'I'er sh<p¡.d tl'l""'9s. If I mMe. e. . w "- l ma ke me suffer J feel gu ilry
5mo,U m\.5t.o.ke. wtUl m!:l ~od: , 511e ",ct.<1A. rjxe me. /1. h(U'd. tease/mock me (you can o.lso say
tim e), ~ov. 1o'l();.J, <1..n<l sl1e wc:o..lA. pol::e fu." oJ:.~ me ,f 1 make (UI! o( me)
5miled ¡¡.t or ,11Q.U.e.cl wtUl "-"!:I of O<'f mole CIlLLe"-91.<e,s, To 5 tú mah' o. bad situation c\'cn worse
6
a.tLi i.nw.1.t to ~'1IS , sl1e b~M\ ta C4.5t. <1$~S 0'r1 criricise my character; suggcst (har !
rtI~ ;,0"e5t¡j, .:tn<i orle <Ll.y. Io>l1w SOrtle roon"'!:! c45"-Wt<lI'td.. was not honest (fo rmal)
frOfl'l some,ol'\(.'s ha.nd.b0-9, sl1e toI.d. pcor'..e 511e tho...gl1t. 1'0. 7 complctdy/tora l1 y (fof negar ive
stoLw 11. , cto,,'t, tI'Ii.nI:: 5;,e 10>0..5 "-" OI.It.- <l..l'ld.-OI.Itl e....11 q ua liries (lf people)
¡>er50rI, \x.ot, 511c. W (l5 u.rt/1.¡,n4! a6k:irIg for 17oob(¿8, dI"Id.. 01'\(. 8 d o ing thing5 rhar \VeTe cerra in to
dJ.;,y I J.<s t IM t "'!:I te.rnpu ~, !:lo... ~"ow , toW. "'er [esule in trouble (rou can also 5ay
e)(tU.tt.y wl1G.t 1 t}¡OL<g'ht of l1 er (I.n<i 110w m"Ó1 \ tUbUXe.ci asking (or ir, which is more
l1u. s¡.,e 11(1.j,,'t spo~erl ta me se,¡,c.e tl1G.t <Ll.y info rma l)
32 En,¡ish Idioms in Use

Exercises
I 2. I Use an idiom in c3ch sen ten ce to rcpea r and sum up what [he other pcrson says.
r A: Di a na was vc r y fricndly and smiling afrer our quarrel, hur in a rea ll y false \Vay.
B, Yes, I kno\\'. One minute she \Vas 3ngry, the ncx t minute shc \Vas
2 A, I trjed tu buy the oc\V Madonn3 CD, but a l! rhe shops had already sold om .
B, Yes, apparenrly rhey're
3 A: If he continucs tu behavc rhe wa)' he is behaving, hc's going lO have big p roblems.
B, Yes, 1 [hink he's just . (G ive [wo answcrs.)
4 A: Bridge Strcet Col lcge is rhe best sehoa! in rhe whole region.
B, Ves, ir's
5 A, ¡ eo jor being Chai rperson, but 1 fin d ir difficult coming aftcr such a popular and
sliccessful Chairperson as Sarah.
B, Ves, shc's ccrtainly
12.2 Correet rhe mistakes in [hese ¡dioms.
1 She reall y g,cts in my nervr,! sometimes.
2 Thc lasr Prcsidenr was an in-and-out cruel
monsrer, 3nd rhe new one is nor much berrer.
3 1 don'r rhink vou should c:ast aspiraríons 0\\ h im.
He's not here to defend himself.
4 T he scienrists d id sorne ground-making research
011 h uman genes .
5 She had J.lread y upser me, but ro aod inju ries
ro insulrs shc told me J WJ.S ugly.
grolllld-breakíl/g work
11.3 Answcr tnese questions.
Whar vtrb and preposirion can be used imtead of make and o{ in rhe idiom make (1111 v(
svmebody?
2 '\{Ihat verb can be uscd instcad oi gel in rhe idiom get 01/ someollc's nerves?
12.4 Complete eaeh of rhese ¡dioms.
Thcy cri ricised her very strongly, but she as guad as she
and made rh em shur u p.
2 This di ning ta ble is just for this room. The \Vood marches rhe doors
perfecl ly.
3 Why are you me sueh J. time? 1 kn()\v 1 \Vas
wrung, bu t 1 said J"m 50rf}'. 1 can 'r do any morc o
4 \\le srJ.ycd ar a luxurious fi ve-sta r hore\. Ir was OUt of
English Idioms in U~e 13

Opinions on people and actions
E'Ialuating people or things
Ir often helps ro lcarn idioms by associ ating them wirh kcywords.
keyword idiom examp/e meonmg

answer have a lot to answer for Parenrs who don 't control are the main caus e 01 the
the ir children have a lot prob1e ms
ro answer foro
crack something is not all ¡t's That restaurant is nal all it's is nOl as gecd as people say
u-ack ed up to be cracked IIp to be. it i~
edge someone/something hilli Thi s compute r has the edge is slightly better than
the edge over over other modcls because
someonelsomething it has SLJch a huge hard d r ive
desire leave a lot to be desired He r spokcn Eng li s h leaves is not as good as it should
(always in simple tense a 1m te be desired. be I as we might <'''pe ct
forms)
ma ke have all the makings of The recent evel11:S have all are li kely to develop into
tne mak'lngs oi a big
po lit ical sca ndal
side on the big/expensive, et¡::. This suit,ase is a bit on the heav ier rhan you want ir lO
side heavy . ide. b,
loss a dead 1055 This boule-opener's a dead completely use less
loss
ready rough and ready The accommodation w.:!.s a crude and lacking
bit ro ugh and rcady. sophistieation
Commenting on people and their actions

Ir someone . then they .
throws the baby out with the bathwater* change rh ing •. but lose good things as well as bad
gets/jumpslleaps on the bandwagon get in volved in 50mething already very successful
plays devil's advocate pretend to be aga inst an idea ~o that orners discuss it
drives someone to distraction make someone very angry or very bored
makes an exhibition of them selves do rh ing. in public thal make rnem lo ok .tupid
does something under false pretences tell lies about who they are or what they're doing
never doeS anything by halves always make a great etron and do things very well
is a laughirlg stock are laughed at I moc ked by everyone
• In former times, before peopk hJ.d bnlhruollls, all (he famil)' wOl.lld ball¡ in UIle bnlhlUb. fir sl [he
maSler of rhe hOllSe WQuld barh, rhen his wife, rhen rhe chil drcn, and InSl of J.JI ¡he bnby. By rhe rime
lhl: bab y was washed, the water wa s so da rk and dirt~' there W:lS :l risk th~t no (me wOl1ld sec the bab y
an)" mor!:, and ir wu uld be [hrowll <lwa y wilh th" diny W¡ll\:r!

Exercises
13. 1 Which ¡dioms on rhe left-halld pagc have [bese kcywords?

kcyword idiom
l1alf
2 baby
3 desire
4 handwagon
5 lau¡.;h
13.2 Use the idioms fro m excrcisc 13.1 10 rcwritc the undcrlincd par{S of [hese semences.
The [lew documentar)' challllel OIl TV is llar as good as ir should be .
. 2 ' My hrorher ¡¡ocs ro enormous rffores ro do c\'crqhin¡: perEced v; he dcsigncd alld bllilt his
own hause, and designcd most of rhe furninm.' too !
3 He thinks e\'<..'r yone is afrad of him, but in faet Cllervom' b\lrhs at him jn secreto
4 Ycs, J think \Ve should changc rhe systcm, but 1 rhillk \Ve should he p ecfu! ro keep....illi:;
good tbjnes ahollt rhe o ld svstem.
5 Five ycars ago, [bere \Vere Ilür m"ny comp:lnies selling on rhe Internet, bur now <,verro ne
has IQincJ in becaus!: ir'$ SO successful.
13.3 Answer these quesrions.
During rhe Jiscussion, Kellr played devil's ddvocatc. c===1!ol~':.~~
Did she agree or disagree \Virh ever)'onc clse? O.xfOI<D
In whdr wa)'?
2 T hc buses ¡har go frum [he a irpun ro rhe ciry are a
bit rO\lgh and rca dy. Are rhe)' nicc lO ride ill?
Ooes rhe idiom mean rhey are usuaUy read)' ro
go when yOl! arrive?
J \'(1alta was acttrrg und~r false pretences when
he worked as an electrician. \'{!har d id Walrer
do which was wrong?
4 Carn[urd University is nar aU ir's crdcked up ro be.
Would you want ro stlldy ¡here? \X!hy? I Why lIur?
5 Your friend haS driven you ro distraerion.
Do you sa y 'Thanks for rhe lifr'? Are yO\l happy
witn himfher: Why? I Why lIot?
13 .4 Complete each of [hese idiorus. Use rhe dues in brackcts.
That ncw motorway projCct has [he uf a clisasrn
for rhe cnvironmcnr. lt \ViII go rhrollgh rhe middk uf a wildlifc arca . (is likdy ro becomc)
2 Zara a real of in class rhe
othcr day. It W,lS so embarrassing! (beha ved in a way rhat made her look stllpi J)
Thc Krona Hotel is a bit expensive
. Couldn'r we sta)" somewhcrc eheaper? (more rhan r W:1l1t ro pay)
4 This ntw digital tamera is a . The batteries mn out
afrer about ttn photo~. (usek-ss, nO goud )
5 1 rhink P;;l.ris rhe oyer otht:r European cities as a
place for a holid<lY. (slighrly herrer)
6 The governm¡;!ll has gor a ro fo r wirh regard ro
unI.:mployml.:llt. (has eauscd a!m of prublems)

Behaviour and attitudes
Behaviour to yourself and others
idiom meanmg exomPle
look rightJstraight behave as if you do not see someone Arm eften looks straight through
through someone eith!!r because you do not notice rau. but I think it mar be because
them or because you are ignoring she's short-sighted.
them
leave someone in the leave someOrle 'le a time wherl they I' m sorry I'm leaving you in ,he lurch,
lurch need you to sur af1d help mem but rve got te get ro a meeting by
10 a.m.
give someone a hardl make th ings difficult for someone The teacher will give you a ro ugh
roughltough time time if yau don't finish the book.
keep a lid on control me level of something in Rolf's been trying (O keep a lid on his
some.thif1g order to stop it jm:re<!.sing emotio(\s, but every now 4r.d ther.
hís anger erupts.
let (yourself) go either take les$ care of your Sophíe used to be so elegant. but
appearance or relax completely and now she's really let herserf go.
cnjoy yourself
blow sometlling out of beha'le al". if something that kas Tke newspaPl!rs ka"," blovlI"I the
(all) proportion happened is much worse than it dispute out of all proportion.
rea rr y is
B Attitudes towards events
M1f..11 we. got to our n~ MSW1.<1.ÜDn, lt W1.l.5 o.. "u!j [on9. c.timb up te the ~e tl1.:lt we we.re
rf..l1tin1¡ . Jo\1n ~gl1t nottIiYIg ~I lt, wt I .fw.rnt lt ql.\ite dJ,ffi.wlt. Howe"er, Wne>1 we got to the top,
ltIe vi.w W1.l.5 so bWJ.<tUv.l ltI.:lt lt t>rw.ghl> o.. w.mp t;o m!:! ~~l . We wue onI.!:l gw.g te bt. thue fm
two wws, so we we.re ciclerml<1e.:l to mD.l::e ltIe m~t ofl lt. Then 1l1!:j mo/tlu r<U"\g to so.y thcJ..t m!:j
qro..nd..mo-ther nM been !:.oJ:e.n i.U. (Uld. ner li.fe W<l.$ 11~ ¡.., ttle boJ.<uo,c.e~. of GOUrse, ey~tnt.n9 . we
~ irrtt> ~5 tl1en o.nd. we ~reed tn.:lt we NW.td.n't ~ of~ s!:<J..!jl.ng <l.W"-!:j t.n
those drwmst.o.nces . We C<1Ugnt ltIe neJ<t pto.ne nOlTle Md. spent fue fW¡\1t tK!Jing to <M1'ew tums
loJith7 fue U1wg\1t U"lGl 511e mi.o/lt m. However, th(l.Yl):: qood..rless, wl1 en we got ro the hospi.Wl., s\1 e
W0.5 si1:ti.ng l.\p CCfl'Ipl.ete.ty recoverw. o.nd. vel'!:j o.poI.oge& tn.:lt sl1e 11M spoi.led, wr n~.
did sOI11erhing rhat orher people found , did no r seeIll at all important whcn
difficulr vcry casily compared [O so m cthing dsc
2 found ir so moving t hat 1 wantcd to cry 6 woulJ llever do somerhing beca use we rhin k
J rake full advanragc of something becJuse it ir lS wrong
may not Jast long 7 start ro :1ccept emotiona.lly Jnd ro deal wirh a
no one knows what will happen ro it in (he difficulr situarion
fmure
ldioms are freQue"t\y used for commemi"g o" your uwn or other~' beha'liour and attitudes.Try to
I . notice how idioms are used in this way when you are reading or listening te English. Note the context
as well as the idiom in your Vocabulary notebook..

Exe rcises
14.1 Which oí these sentences describe basically positive behaviour or altitudes and which
describe bchaviour or attitudcs that are ncgative (at !cast fram lhe speaker's point oí view)?
1 .\1ark looked straight through me whcn 1 walked into rhe hall.
2 Rache! \eft me in rhe luren as she usually docs .
3 Sam has really let him self go since his wife died.
4 Let's make rhe mast uf th is beautiful weather.
5 The hoy's soprano ringing rhrough lhe church brought a ¡ump tu rn)' throar.
6 Rita's husband has bloWI1 rhe argumcnt out of all propunían.
7 lt' ll be grcar ro be able ro let ourselves go once rerm ends.
8 .rhey are gradually coming to rerms wirh rheir loss .
14.2 Complete each of rhese ¡djoms wirh ooe word.
1 The governmcm has heen quite succcssful at keeping a 00 inflation.
2 Hcr boss is srí ll giving her a time for forgetting to circulare his repon.
(Gíve three answers .)
3 In the light of what has happcned sillee, OUT problems then ha ve paled into
4 Jeremy th in ks norh ing beíng interviewed on 1V

5 The newspapers often .. ................. ......... minor stories out of al! proportíon.
6 The beauty of the sunset brought a to mv throat.
7 The tate of m)' application is hanging in the . until my exam [esults
come thtough.
8 1 wQuldn'r of telling anyone your seeret.
/4.3 Answer these questions.
1 Have you cvcr been left in thc lurch? If so, when?
2 Has an)'one ever given you a rough rime? If so, why?
3 Is there ilnything diffimlt rhar )'ou think nothing of doing? If so, what?
4 What do you think it is important tu make the mast of?
5 What \Vas once a big prob1cm for you thar has now paled inro insignificance?
6 Whar sorts of rhings bríng a lump to )'our throat?
7 Can y Ol! t hin k of somethíng thar yOl! have had to come to terms wirh? [f so, \Vhat?
8 What \Vould you never dream of doing?
14.4 Which idioros do these picturcs makc you think of?
1 2 3

Reacting to what others say
Complete phrases
possible stimulus response meani"g of response
I understood everything he said [O Rea llyl You could've You do not believe what sorneone says
me in Freneh. I was ¡use fooled me! abaut something [hal rOl! saw or
pretending nal too expe rienced yourself.
Josh adores cowboy fi l ms~ There's no ac cou nting You can'[ understand why someone
{or taste(s)! likes or does¡ú like something
Are rOl! prepared lO hand in your Yes, ir atl else fail s ' If all other plans do nOl work.
nat ice to stop ¡hem going ahead
wjth their rlans!
What do rOl! think of [he labour The lesser of two It is the less unpleasant of two bad
candidate in the electio(\1 evíls, I ~uppose. opuons.
How did wc get into this terrible One thing just led to A series 01 evencs happened. each
position l another. caused by (he previous one.
It was such a stupid thing lO ~ay lO I know. I'1I never live You th ink [hat you have done
her. it down! something bad or embarrassing that
people will never forget.
My boss just congratulated me on Yeso go on. Strike while Do something immediately while you
my report. Should 1 ask him lar a the iron is ho[. have a good chance 01 success.
pay rise now1
How are you going to live on such I do n't know - one way You are noc sure exactly how yet.
a small salary1 or another. bu( it w ill happen.
Prepositional phrases
38 Eng/ish Idioms ín Use

Exercises
15.1 Match each ¡diom un the ¡eft with its definiríon on the right.
nur on ~()meh()\v
2 une \Va}' or another as a last resoft
3 at rhe top of your agenda exaggcratcd
4 ayer the tap oow
5 if al! e1se fails important
6 strikc \.... hi!c the iron is hot iUJppropriate
15.2 Whích of rhe idioms from A on the 1cft-hand page might the sccond speaker use in these
situations?
AJ lo" en rm" hit ni "'g'" 00 my leteu".
B,
2 A: 1 [cally didll't minJ ,H al! thar 1 didn't win the prize!
B,
3 A: Do you think 1 should go and speak tu hcr now?
B: Ycs,
4 A: \Xlould yuu rather have Smith Uf Junes as yuur buss?
B: I Sllppose Smith's
5 A: \Vil! )"OU walk ro \York if your caI won't start tomorrüw?
K
15.3 Correct the mistake'i in these ¡diorus.
1 lf 1 wcre in your buots, l'd t3kc thl.: ¡ob in Ncw York.
2 Asklllg the l"lanagl1lg Dlrector far hi~ ID was a really stupid mist"kc ro lll.lkc. l'm sure my
colleagues will never lcr me ¡ive ir off.
3 Improving office moral~ i~ said ro be high on !h~ llew boss's calendar.
4 We hadn'r intended ro stay there so long, bur one rhlllg took to another.
5 Take your chance now. Strike while rhe f1ame is ho1.
6 1 can't undersranJ what people see in rhe exhibirion. There's no accounting f(lr likes.
7 Ti al! else falls, 1 suppo~e 1'11 havc ro gü dnd live somewhere elsc.
8 Given rhe choice h~twecn warching football Of golf, 1 suppose football i~ rhe ¡css of t\VO
evils.
15.4 Complete these sentcnces in any wa)' you likc.
1 Jf 1 weTe in shoes, rd
2 •..•.••.•..•..••••..•..•.•• i¡;, ;,;t ;thh;, tt~o,p of my a~enJa at
rhe momento
3 is just nor 00, as tal" as I'm
<,;ull\::erneJ.
4 l'm dcrermincd tu ,aBe wa}" or
another.
5 1 rhink rhar is/was over rhe topo
6 In my opinian, if you compare aod
, rhen ....... . i,
the lesser of nvo eyil,.

Danger
A Getting into danger
The soldicfs were caught napping by the sud den atrack. [gOt ioto tfauble
because rhey were llar paying enough attemian (napping = sleep ing)]
The Hcalrh Minister risked his ¡ob by going out on a limb and cri ticising
th~ proposals put forward by rhe Prime Minister. [srating an opinion or
doing somcrhing diffe rent from anyone cisc . You can also be out on a limb, which means you
a re a lone and bcking supporr from anyone cIsc (Iimb = brge branch of a tree)]
Joho \Vas a weak man, casily led astray by orhers. [influenced so rhar he did bao rhings
!astray = a\Va)' from rhe main path )]
l'd lcave well alone if 1 \Vere yOl!; Jack hates people ro tidy his papers. [try nor ro change or
improve somerhing bccause this might make things worse]
Although it's always panie statioos before rhe performance, everything gocs smoothly as sooo
as the curtain goes up. la time or situarion where you fcel \'cry anxious and have to act
quickly (i nformal)]
Taxcs are a ncecssary evil. Isomclhing you do not like, but you agrcc thal it must exisr Of
happen}
Thank goodness, you're safe and sound. [ was so worried abour rou when J heard about rhe
accidento [rhis phrase simply emphasiscs rhe word sa(e]
B Being close to danger

nave a narrow escape ¡ust manage to avo id danger o r The crew had a narrow escape when
trouble the pilot made a erash landing.
do something by the only ¡ust succeed in doing something We won the match by the skin of
skin of your teeth our teeth.
ratherltoo close for so close in distance or similar in We won the eleetion. but the results
eomfort amount that you are worried Of were rather close for comfort.
frightened
cut tnings fine !eave yourself onl1 ¡un enough time I preler getting to me nation early,
to do something but Lee always euu things fine
sometning sets ala,.m something worries rou because it is The strange look she gave me set
bells ringing a sign that there may be a problem alarm bells ringing.
take you,. life in(to) do something very risky You're taking your life imo your
your hands hands crossing the road here.
your life is in that person can affect whether you When you go into hospital. you put
someone's nands live or die your life in the hands of strangers.
hanging by a thread likely to fail in the near future The economy is hanging by a thread.
on a knife.edge in a very difficult situatíon and there The business is on a financia l knife-
are wo rri es about the future edge and mar go bankrupt.

Exercises
16. 1 Match the beginning of each idiom on the Idt with its ending o n the right.
1 be caught limb
2 ha ve a narro\\' sound
3 53fe and alonc
4 be ]ed escape
5 by the skin of your statlons
6 be panic astray
7 kavc wcll napping
8 gn Out on a teeth
16.2 COrrcct the mistakes in rhese idioms.
\\fhen David suggested rhey should come ;¡nd sta y for a weekend, ir ser alarm dock,
ringing in my mind.
2 The patient's life is hanging by a string.
3 Having ro go ro \York is <lO evil necessiry.
4 \X' hy do sorne pcople always Cut a thing fine?
5 The)' are on a knifc-bladc waiting fOf rhe results uf Brian's medical tests .
6 As rhe building \Vas un fire, he had no choice bur ro put his life in rhe firemen's hand aod
climb out of rhe windo\V and onto thrir ladder.
7 You'll be taking Ihe 1ife in you r han ds if you make a speech like thar tu su eh an audienee.
8 I rhink ir would be more sensible ro kavc good alone .
16.3 Whieh idioms do th ese pictures make you rhink of?
3 5
4 6
16.4 Rcwritc eaeh sentence \Vith an idiam. Use the keyword in b rackcrs .
1 [suppose rhar exams are just sornerh ing rhar )'ou have tu do . (EVIL)
2 Ir was sueh a relicf when Ralph arrived back from his Aretic expedirian fir and healthy.
(SOUND )
3 '{Ol] tOok an enormOllS ris k by agreeing ro go IIp in a hclicopter \Vith such an
incxperienced pilor. (LIFE)
4 The hllrricane sccms to be gctting a hit too ncar to our tuwn and l'm beginning lO fcel
nnher nervous. (COMfORT)
5 If 1 were you, [ wou ldn 'r attempt ro changc rhings . {WELLJ
6 \YJe were in a sratc of chaos before rhe important visiturs arrived , but we managed lO ger
cvcryth ing uncier control in time for rheir visir. (STATIONS)
7 T hc Smi ths almost missed rhe train . (TEETH)
8 I hope rhe orher srudents won't distraer our son from his studies. (LEAD)

Effort
Making an effort
idiom meonmg example

give something use all yaur energy and effan ro do I gave it my alJ, but only managed to
you" al! something come ~ecand in rhe raee,
go all out use a lot al energy and effen to do Jack is going all ou tto win rhe
something ~ontract - I hape he'lI succeed.
go out of rou" way try very hard tO do something, usually Maggie always goes OUt af her way to
to do sometning something niee put new employees at their ea~e.
pull your weight war k as hard as other people in a Jf Sarah pu lled her weight. we would
grou p easily be able lO complete rhe project
on ('me.
by ho o k or by craok us ing whatever methods are necessary Our fomba ll ream is derermined ro
win the championship, by hook or by
craok
pull your finger out rnake more af ~n effort II you don't pull your finger out, you'lI
(very informal) get the sack,
at a push probably possible, but it wi ll be difficult I could finish the report by
Wednesday - al a push, Tuesday.
Trying
You'rc not having Illueh luek threading thar need le, are )lou? Ler me have a go , [trv ro do
sOIllcrhingl
1'11 have a bash at painrirlg rhe fe nee tumorrow ii rOl! like, tmore informal \Yay nf saying
hove a gol
¡ wem rhrough the morions of tid ying the housc, bur my thnLlghts were far away, [did
sOIllething hecause yOll are expected ro do ir, not heeause yo u want tu do it , In uthcr words,
you do ir out wi¡hout purring much eHon or enrhusiasm into itl
as easy as falling
off a log
as eas)' as Iaking
candy from a baby
]cxtremely rasy]
[difficult arld nccdcd a lu! uf dfort]

, .
Exercises
17.1 Match each idiom on [he [eft with its definiríon on the nghr.
I go all Out make an attcmpt
2 be a doddle be difficnlt or tiresome to do
3 go through the motions do yOLlr fair 5haft
4 be hcavy-going do somcthing without cnthu~iJsm Uf eHort
5 pull your weight make a lar of efíart
6 have a bdSh be ver)' eas)" ro do
17.2 Correct the mistakcs in these idioms.
I 1 wi!>h yau'd pull yOUI hand out and help me !11ove [he furniture.
i Sam didn't like the cxam, but 1 thought ir was a slice nf cake.
3 I'm going to get the ¡oh samehaw, by hook and by crook.
4 Salir eDuld, in a push, take over the projecr for yOll.
S The test was as casy as falling off a tree.
6 Don'r worry if yOLl don'r wio the game - just as long as rOl! gl\T rhar your al1.
7 \Vhy don't yOll have rhe go at repainng the washing machinc yourself?
8 Persuadin~ him to do what 1 wdnted was like taking candy from a child.
9 Max will always go out of his road to help others.
l(} [had no problems using rhe puhlic transport system there - it was a chlld's play.
17.3 Complete the idioms in this paragraph wirh prepositions.
The. swm/;s t.n flI!;l dass h1.\.ve. W h<l.not i.n <l.n o..ss~f1fl1e-n/; on Fri.d..o.y Ma.:;o.ko (,5 90Ln9 ¡ill -,
(1) ro ge.t 1.\. gooot mm. MaJe 1A5Uo.l4l jl'-s/; goe.s (l) tl-"Ie flI0U0ns of 1:
wri.til"1g <l.n esstl.!;, UIA/; Itt~s time he's rCl.\.l4l plAt.Lw. hl6 fmger (3) AAd.. Í.6 goi.ng
(4) (5) 1M wo..y to wri.te sOflletl1Lng gooot. He s!l.!js tholo he WQ.J1ts w
ge.t Q.J1 A . (t,) hook or (7) O"ook. Po.t<l s!l.!js he. folAnot the tlSs~nfllen/; ~
o..s ws!;l l1.S toJ:i.nq CQ.YI~ (8) 1.\. bM!;l, bulo So..nru--tI.. s,,--!:!s ilio.i, aliliot.<gh sne. hM ti..
good.. 90 (9) Lt, she. mnot Lt c¡utte hw..v!J-gomg

~---------------
17.4 Rcwrite each undcrlined idiom wirh another idiom which has the same meaning.
A: Do you think 1'11 be able ro manage a ~n{)wboard?
B: Course, you wil!. It's as easv a~ taking candy [rom a baby.
2 A: 1 can'r open this bottle.
B: Let me have a bash.
3 A: How's John getting on wirh hlS new boss?
B: He is going all out tu make a gooJ impre~~ion on her.
4 A: Did you find ir ea~) ro make rhar drcss?
B: It was chi~.
17.5 Which of thc twa speakers in cach case is speaking in a more informal way?
Matt: 1 tbink 1'11 have a bash at making some bread this weekend.
Alcx: 1 think 1'11 have a go at mdking some bread this weekend.
2 Leah: 1 wish you'd pu1l your weight more with the project.
Sam: 1 wish you'd ¡)U1l your finger out anJ help more with the prüject.
.l Tom: Getting him tu Jo what 1 wallt is child\ play.
Sonya: Gerting him ro do what 1 want is a pico: of cake.
English Idioms in Us~ 43

, Necessity and desirability
A Necessity
- ..."
~
Retur n.Path: <g.bookworm@cup,cam.al.uk> Return-Path: <k.estrella@frolick-com>

Mon, 04 Sep 2000 05:37:33 2000 Thu. 31 Aug 2000 12:53:36 -0400
Hi Gerry. Kate.
Good to get your e-mail.Things are fine Mere I feel duty bo und i to (ell yol.l that all is not
and we 're busy. Nothing to complain about, , well in me secretlries' office. Noming to
except thal an extra computer wouldn't go
amiss l ,
I panic about rigllt at the moment, but you
know how
, -
- ~
Rewrn-Pat11: <kJpod@greedroyd.hjnet.co.uk>
= D . _.•
Return -Patll: <Lt.sparks@dow.org>

~ ..
Sl.In,03 Sep 2000 14:25:55 _0400 Tu c.05 Sep 2000 07:37:38 2000
Helio Kim! Dear Lorna,
Thanks ler your e-mail.Your new ¡ob saunas How are you J j' m fine. but \'m a bit angry
great. Things are horrible here, and if push today. Tlle boss has asked me lO go lO London
comes to shove'. \'\\ iu~t na"le to leave. If tomorrow, and I need a trip to london like
need bel,l'll work in a fast foad place just I need a hole in t he head.s I may pretend
I \\!ould he I'ery llseful/good; \Ve need them 1 if ir is rcally neceSSaf y I if I ha ve no choice

1 if [he situariun bccomcs vcry bad, rhis is i I feel that ir is my dut)' I thar 1 feally o ugh[ to
what 1 can do s [don 'r necd ir at i111, and don't wam ir
B Wanting and desirability

In rhese pai rs of senrences, the sccond sentencc mealls mor e or less the sarne as the firsr.
I'm rc,¡Jly rea lly looking forward ro meeting your cousin . ['m clying ro say helio ro her.
(Note: always continuous (ense form)
Norhing would persuade me to ride a motorbike . r wouldn't be seen dcad ridillg one.
(Note rhe -il/g form whell ;l verh follows)
1 lefr home because 1 wanted to be independenr. I jusr wanred ro do my own thing.
l'd do anything far a chanee to mcet the Presicl..:nt . l'd give anything to shake his h,md .
His COJ11ments \Vere just not approp ri ate. They \Vere nar in kceping wirh rhe tone of things.
r wOll ld
never ever comida a job like that. r wouldn 't touch it with a barge pole.
=
(batge pole a long pole u$ed ro push forward a bargc, which is a canal boat)
e Other useful related expressions

Customer: Havc you got a copy of Adval1ced cngfish Grammar?
Bookseller: YOll're in luck. We ha ve jusr onc capy left. fsaid when you ger something good
thar you were noe cxpccting]
Ir's not worth my while buying a new car this monrh. T hey' rc always cheapcr later in rhe
year. [1 will flor hendir from doing it]
You need a dictionary? Take you r piek. Thcre are thrce Jiffercnt unes over there on rhe
bookshclf. [choose whichever you wanrl
-4-4 English Idioms in Use

Exercises
18.1 Complete each of these ¡dioms.

1 \Vauldn 't be working in J. hamburgcr restaurant.
AlJ my friends would laugh at mc . I just CQuldo'! do ir.
2 1 fcel dlity ro go home and sec m)' parcnts at Icast once a manth.
3 I'vc had cnough coffce, thanks, bU[ another one of rhose Jovel)' cakes \Vauldn 't go
4 1 rhink rhar CD player he's rrying ro sell is stolcn. lf 1 were yOll, 1 \IIQuldo'r
ir \Virh a
5 Ir's nor ill)' [rring rhe exam again. I failcd rhe first
· time, and 1'11 probably fail again.
18.2 Complete rhe cross\\Iord.
, , Across
1 1 want ro do rn}' own
3 You're in ......................................... .... ! She's just arrivcd.
, 4 If push comes ro
• Down
2 I don'r waot one 10 !TI)' hcad.
18.3 Now use rhe ¡dioms from rhe crossword to rewri te [hese semences.
1 You are ver)' forruoare. We have ¡liS! une room ¡eh foc tonight.
2 If rhe situarían really becomes bad cnough, we'!1 just have to sell the apartment.
3 1 don'r want to go with a big group of people. [ want to be indepenJcnt.
4 J gor a bill taJay fo r L700 for repairs ro my taro !'m tclling you, rhe Iast rhing r neca in
[his world is a bil l for f70 0 right at [his moment.
18.4 Answer these questions.
Which idiorn comaining rhe word rteed rneans 'if it is rea!ly necessary' I '¡f we are forced
ta act'?
2 \X' h:tt is :mother wa)' of saying 'choose what you want from rhe available selection '?
3 What shoulJ you remember aoom the grammar of the ¡diom with die that means "want
very much ' I 'reall y look forward toO?
4 \"lhat idiom is bascJ OIl the vcrb keep, and mca!lS 'suitablc for' I 'in Ene with'?
18.5 Answer these qllestions for yOllrself.
1 15 there anyonc rhar you would give anything ta meet?
2 ls there something [har you're dying ro do in the nexr few days?
I
ldioms are usually most common in informal texts - like me e-mails in A on che left_hand page. Try to
• . read as many informal English texts as you can. for example. letters to popular maga¡:ines from
reade.rs. Internet chat and newsgroup texts. tabloid newspaper editorials, etc., and note any idioms
• you find. If you would occasionally like to try out some of me idioms you have learne III this book,
then Informal e·mails are a good. natural context tor using them.
English Idioms in Use 4S

Probability and luck
Probabil ity
**** Your \\eek in the stars **** go6 w hcthcr your CL,rrenl relmionship will survivc
¡his wcck. No prizes for gucssing 7 \\'ho is 10 bbmc
You try surnclhing on th~ olT-chllncc l ¡tI work Ihis fO f Ihe problcms. Ho\\'cvcr. you may Sli]] be ablc 10
week and achieve succes~ ¡¡gains! allth!.' odds l . Al gel back logelher. Do no! li,len to orhcrs whcn lh~y
horne you mu~l Ix: careru l nOl 10 takc SOIllCOJlt: say ¡hallhe cards are s tackcd <lgainsl 8 yOll. 1I is
close to you for g rantcd 1 JS, jf you do, jI is :1 ¡¡lw;JYs wrmJl chancing .rullr arm 9. Whl'lhl"r yOlJ I
foregone cunclLls ion~ ¡ha! you will regret il sooner
r,athcr t!¡¡m blcr. Otbcrs haw secn (.:hal1g~s in yuur
sllcceed Uf not is in Ih e lap of Ihe god.~ I O.
I
luve Jire coming a milI.' oW and il is touch -a nd - ************************
hecause rou hope you wil! do or finu ell1phasis and is no! always indudnl in rhe
somcthin g or SOlllconc e\'en if yO l! do nor exprcssion )
think success is very likely 6 nor cerrain (often fo ll owed by whcther)
despire ,1 lor o f problems rllaking ir unli kely 7 ir is ver)" cas)' ro guess (us uall y followed by
¡hat rou \\' ill sun:eed a qucstion 1V0rd)
J yO ll don'r sho\\' you'rc grarcfu l ro SOlllconc 8 you are not likd y ro succeed becausc thcn:
becallse the)" a re \Virh you so often are so Ill;Jn y ohstacles in )'our wa)'
4 rhe resulr is obviolls ro everyont even befo re 9 taking a risk ro ac hiC\' e whar rOl! \Vant
ir happens (informal )
s ha ve seen tlwr sornerhing, usual!y sornerhing 10 Ilot sO!l1crbing thar yOl! can control yoursclf
bad, is likel r ro happen (a mi/e off ados
Luck
possib/e stimuJus yOLJ soy you mean
I got away with missing afternoon Don't push yo u,. lu ck! Dan't try too hard to get what you
sehoo l rast Friday, so I'm gaing to want and risk losing what you
try tak ing a ll 01 Friday off next have ach icvcd
week
Would you li ke to choose which W e'lI t a ke pot luck. We'll take whatever is available
ho te l room you wantl withaut knowing if ir wi ll be
good o r not,
Do you alwap get a gooo llone Jt It's the luck of the draw. Ir's a ma[[er 01 ,hance and you
the riding stables you go to! (draw == competi tion have no control over ir.
where winners are
chose n at ra ndom)
You're play ing against the best player Jll st my luck! You sal' this , usually hum o rously, ta
in the competition! mean that you are always
unlucky.
Díd you manage ta persuade Jan e te No s llch lu ck! You are disappointed you weren't
come on holiday w ith you! ab le to do what you would have
liked to do
I dreamt that Elton John in vited me YOll 5hould be 50 lu c k y! What someane wants ro happen is
tO one af his parties last night! unlikely to happen

Exercises
19.1 Comment on each of these sentcnces. Haw likcly or unlikc1y is ir thar the actian referrcd to
will happen?
1 Againsr all the odds Jack is attempting ro climb rhe mountain without oxygen.
2 Will Mully get rhe job she wants? It's in rhe lap nf rhe gods.
3 No prizes for guessing which role Tom's got in rhe play.
4 The cards are stacked ag:lÍnst her completing her CQUIse.
S fes a foregone conclusion rhar Berh wilJ come top in rhe cxam.
6 1 think it's touch-ano-go whether Rob \Viii pass his driving test.
7 Ler's go ro rhe library on rhe off-chance rhar they'JI have rhe book we need.
S. Creen wil! lose his iob in the Cab~net rcshufflc - yOIl can sce ir coming a mile off.
19.2 Match caeh response from rhe box with a statemcnt.
Don't push your luck! 1'11 take pot luck. lú the luck of the draw. Just my \uck!
No su"-n \\ld,,! YOIl sno\lkl be so \\lCky'.
1 A: Did yOl! WJI1 anyrhing in rhe lonery?

B,
2 A: Your bike has a flat tyrt, l'm afraíd.
B,
3 A: We can't choose which team we play againsr firsr in rhe tournament.
B: 1 know.
4 A: {'ve been getting rbe hesr sales resulrs of anyune on rhe team. I'm going ro ask rhe hoss
for more payo
B,
A: You're wdcome tO come fU[ dinner, bm 1 don't lnow what we're having.
B: Don't worry.
6 A: 1 fcel sure Dad's going to give me a car fOf my hirrhday.
B,
'9.3 Corren the mistakes in these idioms.
They've been married for su long rhar rhe:' rake each urher as granted.
2, We'vt done al! we can. Now (he results of rhe dection are in th<, lap of gods.
3 Alex is chancing the arm a bir onIy appJying tO one univefSity.
4 No prizes for guess who gm the job ia the cad'.
5 The cards were stacked on Ban bcing ablc to persuade him.
6 It was touch-or-go who wcndd win trte match.
7 We could alI see Jan's collapse come.
S 1.et'$ go down ro rhe theatre off the on-chance rhar \ve can get SOlDe tickets thar haYe heen
returncd.
19.4 Choosc si,. cxpressions that 'iOll would particularly hke to learn - three from A and thrcc
fmm B on thc ldt-hand page. Write scntences using the idioms in relation tú a situation that
is significant Tú you personally.
English ldioms 111 Use 47

Social status
Social status and how people see it
exomple meaning
He's ~ery oiee and friend ly, but his brother is ve ry thinks he is ef a high social class and looks down
toffee-nosed. on people of lower class (negative )
Don't try putting on I giving yourself airs and acting as if you were someone ef a higher social
graces. Remember, I know {hat yau come from class than you rea lly are
a very ordinary famitr.
Everyone was shocked to hear he was invol~ed in a sol id, respectable and respected member e f
crime. He was such a pillar of society sociery
Her new boyfriend's a bit ef a rough diamond, a person who seems impo lite f af low educatían at
but he's very nice r.oally. first, but who is usua lly af good character
She's always giving rnoney lO down-and-outs and people who have no home, no money and no job,
anyone who begs in the street who Iive on ¡he streets
We can'( reall y afford new furniture, but we have co r'ltinue to live at the same social standard we
to keep up appearances, m we'lI bu y sorne. have lived ar, even though we have money prob lems
Social status and job/career

These clips from a magazine with stories abollr people in the news contain idioms th<lt rcfc r
ro success Of StatuS in rhc ir careen ,
He was a high-flyer l in the world of She 15 one of several UP-and-CO~

computBrs in the 1990s, and went on lO actresses who have appeared in the new
,..----------- -- -- -~ ._-- -- --,

i He first made a name for himself2 The company needed new hlood 5 and she
! in the world of classiC<l1 musir, then proviued il. Wilhin month s, sales had gone
rose ver)' quickly ro a successfu l pos irion

l becamt' well -k nown
Kenneth Briggs ¡s definitely on his way Upl
J ris ing tu bener and bertcr positiolls
in 1he financial world, He has just joined the
bccoming mo re and more popular/famous
5 a new person from ol1tside the compJny
Other useful idioms connected with social statlJs/situation

! prefer ro keep a low profilc ar work. 1'01 nar inrerested in promot ian , lnor draw atrention
ro Ill)'self; be ullllaticed )
Oh, yOl! musr come ro the pany! Anybo dy who is anyhody \ViII be therc. [a ll the important
people)
Harrict always seems to be thc odd one out. Shc never ~eems to fit in sociaU y. ¡difierent from
everyonc else]
You can't call someone 'uncmployed' any more , The politically correct name is 'unwaged'.
[acceptab lc and Ilon-offcnsive wal' of tal king about particular social groups; usually used i n a
rnocking o r negarive WJy about people who imist on using politically corren languageJ

Exercises
20.1 Correct the mi stakes in rhese idioms.

! He is always rhe odd out one. If all his friends do one sport, he cines ~ differcnt one.
2 When he losr al1 his moncy, he srill tried f{J keep ,lppearances even though he <,auld not
affnrd his lifcslylc.
3 Somerimes it's better to giyc a low profilc at \York. In thar way. nobody asks yOl! ro do
difficult jobs.
4 She bccarne a llame for herself by heing rhe firsr woman ro climh .\1onnt Evercst.
5 He's J.lways putting 011 <liT and gran', but cvcryone knows hc's JUSI an orclinar)' person
wirb a WT)' ordin:\f}' bJckground .
20.2 Rc\.'vri te rhe underlincd parr of cach sentcnce wirh an ¡diam.
1 Al! rhe IDOS! imponanr peorle wil! be ar rhe con ce n on Frida~', so don'r miss ir.
2 It's out sociallv acccptabJe ro refer ro 'underdeveloped' cOllntries any more . [f yOll oon'r
wanr ro offend peop[e, yOll should sav 'devdoping natíons'.
3 He w:ts vored 'Best actor \Vho is qujcklv becoming wd l.known' of 200l.
4 ,hey crnployed a lar of young people as they felr rhey needed new people with fresb ide;!.>.
5 A lot of Ihe pcople who li ve in those huge bouses near rile beach rhink tbey're a better
social c1as5 thJ.¡1 orbrr pcoplc ;llld look down O!l tbcm.
6 My bOS5 gives tlw imnressiun uf lx:ing rJ.thq rude and uucduq,tcd, but hc's a ver)' nicc
guy in fact .
7 Sbc \VaS a \'crv [espectable Olcmber o f socierv, but the!l ir rurncd out she was involved in
rhe illegal drug trade.
20.3 In yo ur Q\V!l words, sa)' what it means if
1 .,. you' re on yOllr \Va)' IIp in your profession.
2 .. . sorm:one is clown ancl out.
3 ... somcone ís a high-flyer in the computa inclustr)'.
4 ... sorneone is roffce-nosed.
20.4 Which idioms do these pictures make )'ou rhink of?
2
\1,
4- -~
~~=-
-_
,~~---
~=
,
1
look in 10ur Votabulary l'lotebook or in otner uniu in tnis book where tnere are no píl:tures ?lnd see
how man1 idioms you could dl"ilw a picture or. Draw simple pictures that might help you tO
• remember three idioms.

Feelings
Feeling good, feeling bad
goodfposiVve feelings badlnegative feelings

exomPle meamng exomple meoning
I amffeel on top of the very happy indeed ¡'ve becn (feeling) a bit depressed I in low
wo,.ld today. rve just down in the dumps spiriu
passed all my exams. lately.
She was thrilled to very happy and excited She', been/felt on edge nervous. agita!ed.
bits when I tcld her all day. anxlous
.he had been picked
for [he team.
Jo was very cool, cal m relaxed. prepared. in I just don 't know what am so tired ar annoyed,
and collected juSt control. nat n!~ r vous tO do about [he I juSt can', deal with
befare me job problem.l'm at the me situation any
interview. end o f my tethe,." , more
When I saw how happy made me fce l very I've had my fill of had enough (often in a
Nancy wa~ with the happy/satisfied exam~ .I hope I never negative sense)
present we gave her, it do another cne fcr
made my day , the rest of my life.
I jumped for joy when felt very gladlhappy I'm sick and tired of have had enough
they tc ld me I didn't about something, studying. I juSt want (always negative,
have tO do the often a reaction ro tO get a job and earn much strcnger than
English test. good news money. hove your til0
~ A tether is a rope used ro Iimit an a nimal's movcmcnts a nd whcre ir can feed. lf rhe animal reaches
th e elld of its tether, it ca n'! find any more grass ro tat, ~() [¡ecomes hungry and unhapp y.
B More reactions to events

In this !cttcr to thc Problems page of :1 m:lg:l7.ine, the context should givc you a good idea of
the mean ing o f rhe idioms in bo ld.
¡~-
\
D
PauIa., I'm 22
e&I' a.nd work In an office In
London. 1 have been going out with a OOy for the
to put my5elf. ¡ asked hlm about It, but he didn't ~
kiDdly to the Idea that 1 was susplclous of hlm. He got
'
~ last sil: months, but lately It has a.ll gone wrong. a bit angry, and told me that that slde ol hlS Ufe ha.d.
¡ When 1 first saw hlm, he jUBt took my brelth 1..,. - I nothing to do with me. I have mind feeUnp aOOut t.his
1\ eoUld hardly speak, he was so atlractlve and InteUigent. news, sometirnes 1 feel positiva. sometlmes veI"j down,
We started golng out, and a.fter a whlle he sald he lavad and 1 don'llmo. which way lo tIlnl. What shoUld 1 do?
l me. I thlnk this gava ma a false sensa of security, and ¡

never thought anythlng ba.d. could happen. But Ihen
Bomaone told ma he was datlng a good frlend of mine.
I The news w!>s so terrible I Just didn'l Imow what had
L hit me, a..nd 1 was eo embarrassed 1 didn't Imow where
Should 1 finlsh with hlm, or should 1 &ccept his rlgh.t t.o
have othar dates apart froro me? I stllllove hlm.
I
Tables like the one in A can help you organise your vocabulary tearning berter. Wherever you can, make
tables in your Vocabulary notebook. Use separate columns for positive and negative expressions, or for
formal and informal ones.
SO English Idioms in Use

Exercises
21.1 Complete each of these ¡dioms with a prcposition.

1 ['ve had my fill meetings. 1 hope we neyer have ;¡nother. They're so horing.
2 She jumped joy when rhey raid heT she had won a trip ro Paris.
3 Jarre has been rhe dumps since her boyfriend went away.
4 He was thrillcd bits when r told him Sara was coming to stay.
5 1 couldo'r faec a1l rhe problems aoy more. 1 was rhe end of my terher.
6 rve bren edge ¡arely, but 1 don't really know \Vhy. Sorr)' if 1 sound impatient.
1 ~ame something you are sick and tired of.
2 When \Vas rhe last time you felt 00 tap of rhe \Varld? Why?
3 Is there aoy place you have visited which is so beautifullt took your breath away?
4 In whar kinds of situations do you ieel on edge?
5 Have yau cver beco in a ,ituation whcn: you Jidn't know whcrc ro put yoursclf? What
was it?
2 J.3 Look at rhese cxtracts from lettees to the problem page of a magazine. Complete in your own
words the sentence bc10w each onc.
3
1'd always been cool, calm and
She told me she was leaVíng me.
collected in my job, bu! suddenly
,: dldn't know what had bit me, Ijust \.~, >./
\ ,..J
When she tald me, 1 1 had always been
2 4
Please help me, 1 don't know I'm writing lo you beca use I'm at
which way to turn. Would it be "the end of my tether. Recently, a
'--- ~-
1 need help, 1 I'm writing because
21.4 Complete each of these idiorus. Use the keyword in brackcts,

1 Meeting her there when I wasn't expecring ro see her _ (DAY)
2 I'm not sure whether 1 want the Job OI not. 1 ________________________________ _ . (MIXED)
3 The good news made me _ (JOY)
4 [got a chance ro go to Canad::¡ for a week. r was __________________ ___________ __ ___ (BITS)
5 He doesn't like people using his computer, so he won't
the idea of sharing one. (KINDLY)
6 lf you're feeling ,wh" don't YOU come out \vlth liS
tonight? (DUMPS)
7 l've Job inter\'iew~ - ~ix III ¡ust two weeks! I never
,want anothcr one. (FILU
1
Watch an English-Ianguage talkshow on TV where people talk about their personal problems.
• Note any useful idioms, check their meaning, then think how they might relate lO you personally.

Human relationships
Goo d reJati o nshi ps
be in someone's good books that person is pleased with you - I'm in the teaeher's good books -
possibly oMIy temporarily 1 helped her tidy the class(oom,
get 0 0 li ke a hOllse on tire get on extremely well with Fortunately, we got on like a
someone house on fire from the starL
keeplgetlbelstay in tOll eh keeplgeubelstay in contan with We must an keep in [Queh aher

with so m e one someone our course is over,
ma ke it up to someo ne do something good for someone I'm sorry I forgot your bin:hday.
you have done something bad 1 prorn 'l se l' n make it up to you ,
ta in the past
ta ke a shi ne to like someone immediately I eould see from her smile that
(informal) she had taken a shine to him.
have a 50ft sp ot fo r feel a lo t of affeetion for one Niek was a naughty liule bay, but
particular person, ohen I could n't help having a 50ft
without know ing why SPOt lor him,
Difficul t reJationships
idiom meoning exomple
be at logge rh eads (01 twO disagree strongly with eaeh other The eauneil and local residents
people or groups) are at loggerheads over the plans
for a new ear park.
be (ta lking) at eross- not understand eaeh other We're talking at cross-purpases.
pu r poses (01 t\'o'o people or because they are trying to do I was referring to my brother and
graups) or say different things you're talking about my father.
h ave it in fo r so m eone be determ ined ro criticise or lean 't understand why he has it
harm someone in for me - I've never done
anything to harm him.
have it out wi t h so m eone talk to someone about something 1 ean't take Ben's selfishness any
they have done in order to solve longer - I'm going tO have it
the problem OUt with him this evening,
r ub so m e o oe up th e wro ng irritate somcone 5he seems to always rub her boss

way up the wrong way.
two -time so m eone have a romantie or sexual 5he refused to believe he was
relationship with tWO people two-timing her unti l she saw
at the same time him with another girL
keep 50meo ne!somet hing prevent someone/something lrom So far this year, I've mar'laged to
at b ay coming near or harmirlg you keep the Hu at bay,
keep yo u r5elf tO you r self prefer ro be on your own and Judy seems nice . But she keeps
avoid talking with or doi ng herself to herself. so I don't
thing~ wit h otkcr pcople krlow mueh about her,
52 English Idl oms in Use

Exercises
22.1 Which of the neighbours referred tu does rhe speaker have a good relatiomhip \.,.ith and
which does he have abad relationship with?
1 get 011 wen wirh sorne of my neighbours bur llut with others. [ get on like a hallse on fire
wirh Anna who lives next dour, but Rob un rhe othcr ;idc has it in fOf me for sorne reasan.
l'm always ar cross-purposcs wirh Janc from alier rhe road, but rm in her husband Pat's
good hook>. ! used to be at loggerheads wirh rhe Browns, but we had ir out and no\V things
are OK. 1 prefer to keep rhe dog from numher 22 at bay and its owner, jack, and 1 a[ways
seem to rub eaeh other up the wrong way. However, I've got a 50ft spat fOf his son, Jirnmy.
22.2 C~rrect the mistakes in these idioms.

1 1 would irnmediately drop any boyfriend that tried to lwo-times me.
2 Susie has taken the shinc to her new teacher.
3 Please stay into touch wirh me once yOIl go home.
4 Nita's boyfriend promised ro make up ir ro her for forgetting her birrhday.
5 There's somerhing abour him thar always rubs me down the wrong way.
6 We try ro be friendly, hut rhe Smith family prefer to keep them to themselves.
7 If you want to leave early, you'd better rry and sray in rhe boss's good book.
8 Rana really seems to ha ve ir out for me todar - I don'r know how I've upset him.
22.3 Choose [he correct answer.
The neighbuur's pet rar is supposed to be fricndly, but I'd rather .
a) nor keep in touch with him b) keep him at bay
2 The union and management have heen ... ever ~ince management proposed lssuing new
contracts.
a) at loggerheads b) at cross-purposes
3 If you fee! so srrongly rhar he is wrong, wouldn't ir he hetter ro .
a) have ir in far him b) have ir out \Virh him
4 Her habit uf finishing every sentence of mine really .
a) rubs me up the wrong wa)" b) makes ir up to me
5 Why don'r you ... wirh m;; aunt when you go ro New York?
al get on Iike a house on fire b) ger in touch
What might a young child do tu try tu get in rhe teacher's good books?
2 If you are at cross-purposes wirh somcone, are you angry or confused?
J Ho\V might yOll try to makc ir IIp ro a friend whase car you've scratched?
4 What are tluee different ways in which yOll can keep in touch with disrant friends? Which
way do )'uu like besr?
5 Are there any rhings rhar people say thar rcally rub you up the wrong \Va}"?
6 What do you think should happen ro someonc who t\Vo-times a hoyfriend or girlfriend?
7 If yuu keep yourself ro yourself, are you lonely?
8 If you takc a shinc to wmeone Of have a 50ft spot fOf rhem, is rbe feeling mutual?

Size and position
Big and large
t hi n k big
-:ake it bi~< _~ .~
~ ~/ LARGF.
/~ ._--,---_ .
~om lar~
~ ~-- ~
~ample meanmg
She's a great singer. She'll make it big ene day. succeed; beconle famous
lú my birthday on Saturday. but I don't want to make it a special occasion; have a big celebratíon
make a big thing of it. so don't ten anrone
If you'r e going te inves t your maneroyou shou ld have ambitious plans and ideas, and be keen to
think big. Put twenty thousand into oil shares. achieve a lot
So! You won ten pounds on the lottery. Big deal! said when something happens but you are not
impressed/excited. even if others are
The characters in his IiIms are always large r than much more exciting and imeresting than average
life . peop le
The threat of an earthquake lo oms large in the something which (Quid happen and which is a huge
lives of the City's inh3bitants. wo r ry for people
B Inch, mUe and distance

Note: Although Briri sh people now use mctric meaSllTemt:nrs, m,my expressions are still useJ
which induJe old measurcments. An inch is 2.54 ccntimetres. a milc is J. 6 kilomerres .
Mar)': [s she willing ro change her mind? Tom: Ir's obv ious Rurh rcaHy likcs Jack.
Ton}': No, she rcfuses ro budge an ¡nch. Noel : Yes, yO\! can see!spot rhar a milc off!
[refuses ro change her position Or [r sricks/srands o ut a mi le.
evcn a littlc bit] [it's ver)" eas)' ro see / obviousJ
Luke: Are yO\! li sren ing ro me? Dave: !t's a very ugly hotel a od the food's awful.
Anne: Sorr)', 1 \Vas miles a way! Fran: Yes, ir's a far cry from rhat lovel)' hotel \Ve
[nar conccntrating, but thinking sta red in last year.
abour someth ing cisc] [ver)' diffe rent frum]
e Othe r relate d expre ssions

Relatives are nice in sm all doses, but can be very boring ii the)' sta y a long rime . [you like
them onlr fur short periods j
His ¡lCW hOLlse cost a smaU forrune. [a hugc amount uf mone)' ]
You can buy sungl<1sses in all shapes and sizes these days. lin a wide variety of types/sizcs, etc.¡
J oss is an unknown quantity. We'Jl have tu be carcfu l with him. Iwc know very IinJe ahout hirnJ
I Networks C3r1 some ti mes help you to ViSU31ise and r emember 3 lot of information more easily than
memorlSing 3 list. Try m3king networks for groups of idloms from diffenmt Unlts in th is book.
S4 Eng/ish Idioms in Use

Exercises
23./ Answcr these questions.

[ In which ¡diom uoes small mean biglhllge~ (cllH': money)
2 In which ¡dio m does big rcally me:Hl sma ll/i nsignificam? (cluc: Ilor impressed)
3 Which idiotn mcans SOIlleone i5 more cxcitinglintcresting than rhe average human being?
4 Wh ich ¡diom with hig mcans ro becomc famous?
23.2 Use ao idiorn in each sentcncc to summarisc the situatíon.
Maria is llar lisrening ro whar Edd ie is saying. Hcr mind is 00 somerhing else .
Maria is
2 There :lfe big chajrs ;lod ~mall chairs, armchairs, garden chairs aod afEice chajrs.
C hairs <lft so Id in
3 OUT old sehool \Vas dark and depressing. OUT OCIV schoo1 is light and pleasanr.
The ocw sehao! is a
4 JeTry loüks ar Jeno), \Vith a romanric look in his eyes. He always \Vallts tu sit llcxt ro her,
and <llways wants to ta lk abollT her.
You can see he's in love. Ir
Or: I-Ic's in love. You can see/spot it
23.3 Complete each of these idioms.
She's 40 nexr week, hut she doesn't \Vant to . She'd prefer
just to go out for a meal wirh her husband rarher rh<ln have a big party wirh lots o f people.
2 For aoy person in <l remporary job, the possibiliry of unemploymenr
, especially in a time of economic recession.
3 T hc unions are prcpared ro disCllSS the problcm, bur the employers willnor
. T hey say th ey ha ~e made rheir fiml oHer, and
that's rhar.
4 \Y./c have a new boss starting next week. !-Ie's a bit of
- nobody has met him or knows mueh abol.lt him.
S J like having friends ro sray in rn y fl<lr, hur on l)' for a coup le of days. In general, friends
are oiee ; if the)' sta )' too long, rhey always irrirare me.
6 \'(le should think whcn we come ro pl an the new
website. There's no point in ha \'ing one single , dull page; we should have lots of links and
video c1ips. and as many colour pierures as possihk, and sound .
23.4 Use a diaionary to check rhe meaning oí thesc idioms aod thcl! wrire a seotence for eaeh anC.
I rhe middle ground the midJle of nowhere be caught in rhe middle
Wdl, ! wanrcd a pet, anu

you're always te lli ng me 1 should
think big when 1 makc decis iOIl$
for th e futuTt: .
English Idioms in Use SS

Money
People's financial circumstatlce s

be on the breadline be ver)' poor More people in Britain are on me
breadline now than thirty years ago.
live in the lap of lu x ury live an extremely comfortable We live simp ly during che rear, but enjoy
life , because you have a lot of living in rhe lap o f luxu ry in a nice hote l
maney for our summer holiday.
well off I well-to-do I having plerny 01 maney Mast of the peop le living here are
well·heeled clearly very well-to-do. but there are a
few poorer familles.
spend money like water spend too much , often without He spends mane)' like w ater - I wonder
thinking about it where he geu ie 0. 11 from.
tighten your belt spend less than rou did befare. rm afra id we' lI have to t ighterl our belu
because yo .., have less money now there's another mO LJth to feed.
make a killing earn a lot of money very easily T he new Internet companies have made
an innant killin g.
be a money spinner be a sLJccessf..,1 way af making My dag_walking business w as quite a

money maney spinner wherl I was at college
Costs
\Y/e had ro pay through the nose ro ger om car repaired, bur;It least it's working now.
\pay a lot of money\
rf yOll say rhar something is a rip-off (informa l), you mean rhar ir is nor worth rhe mone),
rhar you paid for ir.
W/e had ro spend a small fonune on gerring ever)'rh ing we needed for OUT holiday. la lar of
mone)'. (You can a lso say that som t thing cost a small fortune )I
Someone can also makc a small fonune OUT of a business Of they can lose a smal1 fonuoe .
Idioms based on the money metaphor

BU\. i.6 "- ge...erw5 mG.Yl wH O i.6 Ho.ml W pidi: lAP tne- t4bJ'bi.U1 for tl.I'l!ltn~-:- He m~~- W ri.6e: -w ti1-e-
top of- H16 ",..ofe551on il'l fue po!.i.u. force, w,t i.t W(.\.5 a.t (l.. consi.d..uo.ble. priu.2. H16 miUTiage 51.<f{ered..
IJ..$ o.. re51.< tt. Th~5 WIJ..$ wge1y beuw.~e 11i.6 ~n !:o H16 worI:: pioIt po.id. to1 H16 wi.fe's w.reer IJ..$ o..
------ -------
YoI.<r5e IJ..$ soon IJ..$ tncir fi.r~t chW_ c.Q.(l'Ie cti.ong . lAnforWl'II.I.telg, BilL L6 ~ tne priGe .for4 H16
- - - -..... - - - ....~- - - --- -

OJllbl.tiou.sne5s now (.\.5 Hes wi.h I1IJ..$ t.efl< HÍlI1 o..nd.. WJ:en I:l1cir son .
_.....
pay for somcthing, ofren sorncthing thar is not yo ur rcsponsibility (informal)
2 by sac rificing a rOt or by doing somerhing unplcasant in ordcr ro gct ir
1 sropped sorncone from doing somerhing rhar rhey \vere pbnning ro do
experiem:ing rhe unpleasanr conseq uem:r, of
I
H elp yaurself (O remember idioms by making a pictvre of their literal meaning in you r mind (or on a
pi ece of paper if yo u hke draw ing) as you learn them. To help yau remember well41eeled, for Instance,
you might imagine or draw a pair of smart high -hee led shoes.
S6 English Idioms in Use

Exercises
24.1 Pu t these expressions dcscribing ho\\' much money sorneonc has on a seale from poor on the
' leít to rieh on the right.
living in the fap of luxury on the breadline well-to-do well-heeled
24.2 Which persan in each pair of speakers 15 probably more sati.sficd?

Anne: Our !lew husiness venture mcans \Ve're going tO have ro riglucIl ouT bclts.
Bob: We're making a killing with our ncw husiness venture.
2 Colín: OuT ne\\' car cost a sIllall fartulle .
Daisy: OUT ncw elT was a rip-off.
3 Ed, My daugh ter spends mone)' like water.
Frcd: My daughtcr's quite well off.
4 G ill: This business vmeme has put paid ro Qur hopes uf succcss.
Harr~' : This business venture h:l.s brought
SllCCCSS, hut at a considerable p riee.
24.3 Complete cach of these idioms with one word.

Gina is a killing in her ncw job o
2 I \Vas put in the position wherc I had no choice but ro up the tab.
3 We spenr a weekend at the hotel living in rhe of luxury.
4 Our neighbours spent a small on rheir new conservatory.
5 The first book Marvin wrOte turned Out ro be more of a spinner than
anyrhing he has written sincc then.
6 As Zak has losr his job, we're going ro have to OUf bclts for a while.
7 We had ro pay th rough rhe ro ger tickers fOf rhe match.
8 If you don't study now, you'll the price later on in the year.
9 Another exprcssíon rhar mcans spcnd mone)' ¡ike is spel/d mOlle)' like
¡here !Vas uo tomorrüw.
10 He starred his own business after a small forrune on the stock
cX<"hangc and dcciding rhar he shou ld put his luck tu good use.
24.4 Which idioms do [hese pi cm res make you rhink of?

Work
A One man's career
I-Me.n Simon stMted. ",orl:, f1e wo.s o..t tne v~ botiom of Ü1e ~eu l.ad.d.u l . He. I1AA ql.<t.te G\.
d.eo..i-~jdl~ d..ctng ",n~e-miUl tasb. He. $~e..i tnere. for G\. COlA.pl"- of !:jWJS) l>ut tI1en
d..e4d.t.d he ha.,i to get OIAt of "" "'t~ . He. pu.1kd, w.t ~ ttle 5~S <l.YIQ f!l<l.Yl~ed. to per~(,<M..e h'-5
I'I1<mrujer tI1<.l.t he. shoold be .9iNen more re.5ponsibili.4¡. The d.qw.<~ mo..no.<jer qob ttle Stl.d: 6 for
il'lCcmpet.e.nc.e o.nd, Si.mon ~Upped. ¡nt:o hi6 shouJ . Fo. $e~u<1l mon!:h$ he wo.s ",-sne4 off hi6 fut8
o..nd.. he 11M 11i6 worIc ~t w-t'1 te kup 0)1 top of tI1ings. I>t<t he ",as 5001'1 te«l.9~e..i Q.5 <U'l ... p-
G..I"Id.._~I O \jwn9 W$~$$m lU\ o.r.d.. nt.- 'NM h~ntc.d.11 ~ ol.. rVial (.()ffI~ for 0Y1t. cf tI1ti.t ~
jobs. $Unon l1o..d. GÜ.rJll>ed. to Ü'le t:op of &le co.rc.u to.d..d.er 11 .
in :1 \0\\1 posi tion in a \York ~ \Vas disrnisscd from ll is ¡ob (also be

organisation O f hier:uchy give/l fhe sa.-k )
2 job withom a good fnture took over his job
1 boring, Toutino: 8 \'er)' bus)'
~ esc:.lpc fra m n monotonous, had somerhing ver)' difficulr ro do
boring Sit1.l3tio!1 (<;ee píen_Ife 10 occcmiGg more <'Ild more suc.c.cssful
of horse) 11 invite<! ro join a new workplace
5 made a grca¡ cffort to do wh ich had noticed his ralents
somcthing \Vell (sce piaurc \l gOl lO a IOp position in a work
of organ; stops ¡nerease rhe organisatioll or hicrarehy
sound Di an organ)
B Being busy
To he rushcd off you r Ece! is jusr one wa)' uf sayi ng rhat yoh are ver)' busy ae work. H ere are
other idioms which givc the sa me idea .
SO!l1C
Yes, ]'m snowed

Are you very busy al Ul1dcr.
work at the moment? Ycs, f've (c{{ainly
gOl my hands fuI!.
Yes, ]'m up 10 rny

cycs/cars in work. Yes, I'm o n the go
all the time.
e Other idioms connected with work

PlaIls for building ¡he exte nsion have becn pUl on hold unriJ ou r fin:1nces are in a berrer sta re.
[leh until J. later date (usual!y uscd in the passivell
The plans loo k great on paper, bur yOl! never know quite huI'.' things wil! tllrn out, of course.
[when you read abOlir ir, but míghr not mrn our ro be sol
A lot of prepararíon has gone on bchind lhe scenes for rhe opening ccremon)' for rhe
Olympics. [in seere t, ofren when something elsc is hap pening publicly]
Plcase don ', talk shop. It's too boring for the rest of us . [tal k about work when you are not
at v.'orkl
5S EngJish Idioms in Use

Exercises
25.1 Complete each of (hese idioms with one word .

The job looks good 00 but the rcalíty is quite diHereot.
,
2 ]'d hate to work in a run -of-rhe- jobo
3 Mary has becn up to eres in work al! da y.
4 When John retires, his son \ViII ioto his shoes.
5 !vIy causin 's ao up-and - musicían.
6 1 must uy ro get out of a at work.
7 I've bren 011 (he all day.
8 \'(lhy did Kirsry's noss give her rhe
9 1 wis h you wouldn'r talk all the time!
10 Rosic \Vas very thrillcd to be . . humed fOf her new job o
25.2 Which idio ms do these pictures makc you think oH
3
25.3 Match caeh ¡dio m on rhe lefr with its definition 00 (he right.
1 behi nd the sccnes ve ry busy
2 dead-end be dismissed
3 get the sack make an cHan
4 off the record promising
5 00 hold hidden
6 pull out aB the Stops unofficially
7 rushed off your fcet delayed
8 up-and -coming without prospects
Gl.Tt>- ha..ving 50me- lmpoti:.Gl.nt vi6t.tors ne)(1; weel:: cmoi mcmcu¡e-mwt 11(1.5 d.ui.d.td. w pult wt oJL tl1e
(2) to i..mpre5S tI1e'l' , We- Gl.Te- goi.ng to 11Q..~e our woro: (3)
out to get evet!:ltl1mg done in Me . Long-term w..sb hQ..ve- be.en put on (4 ) 50
il1a.t eVU!lil1mg Íh r~ for oo r vi.$ltDrs. An~one who objects 11Q.S be.en told. tJ.1a.t tl1~ wiU
(5) il1e- sG.O:: cmoi evel'"!~one. wl10 W(l.n!;s to (6) tJ.1e. COJee./"
l..o.Mer w¡U l1a..ve tJ.1eir (7) wlt i.<ntiL tl1e. wecl: ~s ov.,... TIle vC5<.tDrs WOL< l<l be
25.5 Wrirc scntences using six oE the idioms froOl the left-hand page about your own work at
present and your hopes an d plans for work in che future.

Speed, distance and intensity
, Speed
idiom mean/ng examp/e
by!in leaps a nd bounds very quickly Club membership has grown by
leaps and bou nds this rearo
get a move on hurry (often used as an arder) Get a move on! You'lI be late for
school
be on the run try to avoid being caught The bank robbers are stíll on the
(espedally by the poliee) run ten years afte r the crime.
fast and rurious full a f speed arld exc itement The car (hase at the end al the
film was fast and furious.
step by step slowl y: gra dually Changes nced to be introduced

(step.by-step when used Stcp by step. not all at once.
as an adject ive before a naun)
drag your feetlheels deal w it h something slowly because We mustn'c d rag our hee ls over
rOl! don't really want to do it implemen ting the new legislatían
Distance and intensity

idiom rneoning example
the word sp re ad the news went from one person tO I lO ld on ly Joy abou t it. b(Jt the
the nen word quickly spread and soon
everyo ne seemed to know.
keep track cont inu e to know what is happening The school likes to keep (rack of
tO someone o r somem ing it'i former pupils.
get off to a flyin g start start we ll The evening got off lO a flying
start as everyo ne was very
impressed by the restaurant.
on the spot immediately or in the place where The police can impose on-the -
(on-the-s pot when used as something ',S happening or has just sPOt fines on people founo orunk
:In adjective before a noun) happened irl the street.
all ovet the place in or '1.0 rr.a.... y pla(.es I look.ed {er ~O\l all o'<er the place.
left, tight and ,entre happening in a lot of places or to People have been coming down
a lot of people with flu left. r igh t and cemre.
reach I be at fever pitch (used of emotions) to get so st rong 8y the end of me match. fee lings
that people can't control them had reached feyer pitch.
be in full swing tO haye been happening lor a The party was in full swing by the
long time and there is a lot of activity tim e we arriyed.
getlgo beyond a joke be/become extremely serious The children 's be haviour has gone
an d worrying beyo nd a joke mis time.

Exercises
26.1 Put the idioms in rhe box jnto twa groups: those focusing 00 time and those focusing 00
place. You can use Oile idiom for both.
all ayer the place by leaps and bounds drag your feet fast and furious get a move Orl
left. right and centre on the spat step by step the word spread
26.2 Match the bcginning of cach scntcIlcc with its cndillg.

1 Juan i5 making prügrcss by a joke.
2 Excitemcnt is at stcp.
3 Wirhin minutes rhe fire brigade was un rhe fun.
4 Thc situarlon has gone beyond rhe place.
5 The holiJay got off to fever pitch.
6 r looked for you all ayer rhe spot.
7 Thc film is about t\Vo men 00 a flying starr.
8 I'I! take you through ir step by Icaps and bounds.
26.3 Choose rhe correct answer.
Gramlma is recovcring .
a) lefr, right "nd centre b) ~tep by step el al! aYer rhe plaee
2 My first day at sehool .
al was ar fever pireh bl kept track e) got oH ro a flying start
3 Why are yau ... ?
al dragging yOIlf heels bl getting a man: un e) going bcyund a joke
4 When 1 arrived at Jane's house, prepararíans for the party wete .
al in full swing b) gerting a move on el dragging théir heels
S Thc {oarbal! mateh was .
al fast and furious h) on the spot el in !caps and hounds
Would you be pleased if yOllI English teacher s.aid you were making progress by leaps
and bounds?
2 Would you be pleased if you were raId that your behaviour at wurk had gane beyond a
joke?
3 What wüuld ruu be expccted to do if you were rold ro get a Illove on?
4 1s ir athlctcs who spenJ l¡fe on the run?
S Do you drag your feet when rou are ill?
6 What kind of films tend ro be fast and furious?
7 Would yuu be pleascd if a party of yOllrs got off to a flying 5tart?
8 Whar can you do ro help yuurself keep track of all your appointmenrs and orhcr
commitrnents?
9 If rhings are al1 over rhe place in a room, whar does tbe room look like?
10 If fcclings teach fever piteh, how are people probahly feclíng?
Engllsh Idioms in Use 61

Communication commenting on
language
Commenting on things people say
[n these remarks, rhe speaker uses an idiom ro rcpear Of sum up the undcrlincd pan of what
hrlshe has ¡ust said .
Jknew~lklla 1 dido'! say jr serjously el[ cven

sajd \Vas completel)' lIntrue. tbjok ahQU! jt. Ir \Vas jusI ao
Ir WJ.S all a pack of 1ícs. off-the-cuff remark.
1 find ir veO' bard ro belicye
he \Vas juSt hugging her beca use
he thoughr she \Vas fediog saJ.
That's a likely story!
I'm sony. Uilld '!celand',
bu! \ meam '\reland'. \t was We d¡do '1 ra1k ahQ!!T any seriQ!ls
just a slip of rhe tongur. ~, )'ou knuw, ¡ust [he wcatheT,
holidays, thar sort of rhing. Ir \Vas
He ¡us! sajd ¡ust small talk [rally.
¡W o comp1err1y
0PRmite rhings. He said he waorcd ro
marry me ;lOÓ ¡ive wirh me, aod in (he
same brcath he said he wanted to go The y askcd me to makc
off tmvdliog 00 his Clwn. a speech, but 1 was so
overwhdmed by rhe preseots
they gave me I eDuldD'r tbjDk
I bav~ a frrling inside I couldn'r IIndcrsrand what of anyrhing ¡O sayo 1 was
me ¡har what she sajd was be w as trying ro trI! me. 1 jusr completely lost for words.
a.lli;.. Ir juSt didn'(
ring true.
I didrú know what he was
abaut. (ve r}" informal)
0'0
B Commenting on the words you are using

YOll ask if I think we should help him . In a word, no. Isaid when rou aTe abour ro give yuur
opioion in a short, Jircct \Va)"]
I think he's behavcd ver}' srnpidly. Hc's an idiur, for want of a bettcr word. [nut quite the exact
Uf best wOfd, but good cnough fur rhe situarion]
1 w as, to coin a phrasc, as sick as a parral. [said Whell you use a phrase that sounds a bit silly]
e Joking and being serious
joking meoning serious meoning

People are always takiog the laughing ar him. Hiccups are funny whcn orher nor something to
mick/mickey out of bim. by copying people have thrm. but they're laugh ato qu ite
funny things he 00 laughing matter when serious
does or says you get rhcm yourself.
We ~houlon>t make \ight of her ueat as a ioke lhe work of three

I h<l'lC lO 00 used aboul M"rious
troubles; shc·s very upset. something that people.lt's no joke. or d ifficu lt
is serious situarions
62 Eng/ish Idioms in Use

Exercises
27 .1 Answer these qucstions.

!f sorneonc says 'Swcdish' instead uf 'Swiss' thcn quickly corrects rhcmsclvcs, what can we
cal! th is?
2 lf SOJl1conc makes peop[e laugh by copying the way someone cIsc talks, wh<H are they
doing ro rhar pcrson?
3 Ji sorncone c<ln'r find words to cxpress thcir feelings, what are rhey?
4 If twO pcople tal k abolir rhe wcather, ar abour hajr sryles, jusr ro pass rhe time, wh~1t kind
oi a conversarían is ir?
5 Jf someone {clls stories ur relates J. series oi ('vents which are a11 deliberatcly un true, what
can \Ve ca l! ir?
27.2 Use the idiQms {rom cxcn.:ise 27.1 to rewrite rhese sentences.
I J didn 't knolV whar tú sayo [
2 Not une word of his story was tr ue . Ir
3 1 didn'r mean ro say ir; ir
4 [didn'r mean ro offend her. [ was ¡UST
5 lt \Vasn't a very serious conversatíon, just

27.3 ReViríte each senten ce wirh an ídiom [har meam rhe opposíte of the underlincd worcls. Makc
any other changes necessary.
\ She's had a big personal problem. We shonld h¡jve a good laugh ¡jI it.
2 H I: IOld me he had studied maths a[ Harvard, and i[ souoded as if be was tt"lIing [he tTurb.
3 She said she was a princess who had lose all ha mOlley and position in a revolution .
Thar's a story anvone can belje\'t'!
4 Shc has to get up at 5 a.m. and dTive 50 miles ro work every day. Jr's grear fuo.
5 1 said 1 thought ~he should get hersclf a boyfriend. h was a ca rdlllly prepared remark.
21.4 Complete rhe crossword.
, ACfOSS
<
3 Do 1 want to be a millionairc?
1 1
In a , no.
4 You can do rhis ro a phrase.
, 5
5 1 don't know what you're on
Down
1 She said ir in rhe same
2 Stop taking rhe
3 For of a bcttcr Viord.

Communication 2: getting the
message across
Ways af expl"'essing yourself
example meaning
The message from doctors and researchers has clearly and ve r)' defi nitely
come through loud a.nd dear: smoking harms
your healeh.
You mustn't be afra id to speak your mind; it's state you r opin ie n very clearly and openl)'
important that e ve ryone hears yo ur views.
5he told me the bad news in a ver)' mattel'-of-fact without any reeri ng or emotion
~y.
B Problems with cornmunication

In these conversations, the second person repeats ur sums up what the first person says using
ao ¡diom.
Bri an: J tald H enry a dozeo times oot to use rhar computer, but he still keeps asking if he
can.
Liz: Yes, he ¡ust won't take no for ao answer.
Arma: Jim just never Stops! You tr), to tel1 him something and he goes 01'1 talking while
you're talking.
Olivia: J kn ow, it's impossi ble to get a word in edgeways.
Rita : J was tryíng ro rel1 Liam [har I know who stole [he key, bU[ he ¡ust kept talking
about how expensiye new locks are, which is a different question altogether.
Steve: 1 know. It's completely beside the point.
Gina: I think Carol comp letely misunde rstood rhe main rhing we were trying ro sayo
Gail: Yes, she completely missed the poim.
e Other useful idioms connected with communication

Don'e ask Ken ro relax . He doeso'r know the meaoing of the word. [it is pointless to tal k ro
him about re laxing; ir's nor in his ch aracter ro do so]
She repeared what the doctor said word for word. [the exact words che doctor had usedl
Tf J were you , I'd read the smalVfine prinr befare you use your new credir cardo [the rules,
restrictions and conditi ons, which are often wrirten in very sma!! letters]
To ask me to look after her rbree ehildren for a wcck is rathet a tall order, don't you thin k?
la task, reguesr or fayou r which is nor reasonable I too big to ask someone tO do]
Whether she is c1eyerer than her brother is a maner of opinion. lsomething different people
wi!! haye diHerenr opinions abo U[ - ir usually means you don'r agree with the idea ]
There 's a question mark (hanging) ayer the furure of rhe renn ís club. [nobody knows if ir wiD
continue ro ex isr or nor]
English is a lingua franca in a lot of eountrics nowadays. r , 1 1I 1~\\;:> 'fl:n: ll k dl a language used
for day-to-day publie communication, which is not the spea kers' own langu<lge]
64 English Idicms in Use

Exercises
28,1 Match each ¡diom on the ¡eft with the situarian in which ir cDuld be used on the right.
1 get:3 word in edgeways She keeps 011 asking, even rhough we said no.
2 miss the point She raId me exacrly what her friend ~aid.
3 speak your mind It's impossible ro inrerrupt her, shc talks non-stop.
4 won't rake no for ao answer Shc didn'r really understand whar 1 wanted to sal'.
5 (repear) word for word He doeso't hide his personal opinions at all.
28.2 Use the ¡dioms fram exercise 28.1 to rcwrite these scntenccs.
1 Hilary wil! never ¡ust accepr a refusal.
2 Joss always sutes his opinions quite open!y.
3 Sally never scems to understand whar we're tfying ro say to her.
4 She raid us everything the tcachet said to her in e\'cry cietaíl.
5 1 tried ro teJl her, but ir \Vas ímpossihle ro interrupt her.
28.3 Answer these qucstions.
1 There's a question mark hanging ayer the whole wildlife afca project.
In yaur own words, what"s the problem?
2 It's no good asking her to help. She doesn't know the mea.ning of the word.
Does she usually help people? Explain.
3 If you [ead rhe small prine, you'lI see you can't get your mane}' back.
Where do we usually find smal! print? Wha.t is another wal' of saying thlS idiom?
4 Tom: Miranda's a brillianr musician.
Sue: That's a matrer of apinion.
Doe" Sue think Miranda'" a bri.lliant musician? Explain.
5 English is a lingua franca in several Asian countries.
ls English rhe officiallanguage in these countries? Explain.
1 rhe government's message to the voters is and clcar: yate
for us and we'll reduce taxes.
2 l rhink it's rather a .•........................ to ask ~tm!ents ro write a 500-word
compasítion in one hOUT. h would take at lea5t rwo hours.
3 That has nothing ro do with what we are talking abollr; it's complete!y
the point.
4 He has a very .............................. wa)' of telling l'ou things: no emotlOn or
·
feelings whatsoever.
l
Try tO collect more idioms connected with speaking, writing and communicating in general. Look up
keywords connected with these topics in a good general dictionary or in an Idlom dictlonary and see
• what idioms you find, for example, words like ta/k, speak, hear. ward, etc.
English /diams In Use 65

Life and experience: proverbs
Proverbs
A proverb is ;] short statemenr usually known by many peop le. Ir sta tes sornerhing rhat is
cnrnrnon experience or gives advice . Here are sorne exarnples.
you soy you mean

Absence make ~ t ne n eart grow ronder. Being apart from someone you loye makes you 10Ye th em more.
Actions speak lo ude r tn an wo rd s, What people do is more important than w hat t hey say.
Tne re 's n o p o int { It's no goo d cryi n g There's no point in getting upse t oyer something bad thaú
a ye r spilt milk. happened when you can't ehange it.
Do n't put all your e ggs in o ne basket. It is not a good idea to put all your eftoru or all your money
into one projeet as. ir it fails, you may lose eyerything
Many nands make lignt work. A ¡ob is done quiekly and easily if plenty of people help.
Blood is thicke r th a n wate r, Family relationships are nronge r than any othcr relationships.
B H a lf prove rbs
There are a number uf prove rbs, which we ofren use on ly half of. The endings are so familiar
that ir isn't ncccssary ro 5ay thClll . Here are sorne examples.
you soy ending of proverb you mean

Too m a ny eoo ks spoil the broth. If too ma ny people work on sorneming, mey
will spoil it
Pe ople w ho live in shouldn't throw stones. People shouldn't criticise ot:her people for
gl a ss ho use s faults t hat they have themselves.
It's t he las t straw that breaks the camel"s back. Something is the last in a series of unp leasant
events. and wh ich finally makes you feel that the
sltuallon cannot continue.
While th e cat's away, the miee will play. When the persan in authority is nor there.
other people will not do what they should do.
Take care o f t he and the pounds will take If you don't waste 5mal l 5ums of money. you 'lI
pe nni eslpe nce care of themselves. end up with plenty of money.
Birds of a featll e r floek togetller. People who have similar cllaracters or interests
will often ehoose to spend time together.
A bird in th e nand is wortll rwo in the busll. It's be tter to keep what you have rat:her tllan to
risk losing it by trying to get mere.
Tne grass is al way s on the othe r side of the Other people always seem to be in a better
gree ne r (ence. si!ua!ion than yOU.
AII work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. Someone who spends all their time working
becomes a boring person
66 English Idioms ir! Use

Exercises
29.1 which proverbs do these picrures make yo u think of?
29.2 Can you find a provcrb on rhe lcft-hand page rha r contradicts caeh of these provcrbs?
1 Too rnany cuoks spoil rhe brorh . 3 Out of sighr, out uf mind.
2 Opposites artracr.
29.3 Write the fír sr b its of these proverbs - rhe bits rhar \\le usual1 y use.
1 and rhe pounds wi l! take care of thcmselvcs.
2 on rhe other side uf rhe {enee .
3 makes Jack a dul! hoy.
4 shouldn't throw stoncs.
5 is wonh two in rhe bllSh.
6 f10c k rogerher.
7 ................ .......... rhe mice wil! play.
8 rhar breaks rhe camel's back .
29.4 What proverbs could you use in these silUations?
YOUf brorher's girlfriend is going abroad foc six monrhs. He is afraid rhar she \ViII lose
¡merest in him while she's a\Vay. YOll (Quid 5ay: 'Dun't worry.
2 A frie nd thinks that he will nor geT a joh heeause the boss's ncphew is inrercs red in rhe
same position . You agree: •
3 Thrce friends offer tu hdp rou build a new shcd. You say : 'Thanks!
4 YOll are diK\\ssing tWO friendo;: Bob who is full of grand promises ;md Ben who says linle,
hm is always very willing ro heJp. You eould say: '1 prefer Ben ........ ....... .................... .... .......................... .
5 A friend of )'ours is very upset thar he has seratchcd his ncw ear. YOl! could sa y: 'Don't
rnake slIeh a fuss.
6 YOllf brother is rhi nking abour tesigning frorn a nO l ver}' well-paid ¡ob in order to spend
time looking fOf something bctter. You rhink he would be hetter to find a ne ....· job firsr.
Yau 5a)': '

Memory
Idioms based on the word memory
idiom meaning examp/e

commit something mak~ yourself remember He never writes phone rvJmben down
to memory something - he jUst commits them lO memory.
take il. strollltfip down remember ~OrM of the h~ppY TMy 'Hent back to me place where
down memo/")' tane ch ings you did in che past they'd spent their honeymoon and
tcok a stroll dcwn memory Jane.
¡og 50meone's make you remember something The poliee are reconstructing the
m emory crime te try to jog che memory of
possible witnesses.
in/within living can be remembered by peapIe Streets lit by gas jamps are still within
mernory still alíve living memor y.
B Idioms containing the word mind

¡diom meaning examPle
come!spring to mind immediately think of something I'd like to get him a special birthday
present, but nothing spring5 to mind.
slip your mind forget about something I was going to ring her to wish her
happy birthday, but it slipped my mind.
bear/keep something remember information wh,en mak(ng .Bearing in mind that it was yo ur fírs.t
in mind a decision or think ing about a matter attempt, I think you did very well.
your mind goes blank you can't think of anyth ing to say When I locked at ene exal1'l <\uestiOn~,
my mind went blank.
cross 'tou r mind think about someehing {or a sr.Ort Of (Curse, \ don't think '10\.1 b-rcke the
time window.The thought never even
crossed my mind.
Out of sight, out of something you say which means Annie hasn't thought of her boyfriend
mind. that, if you do noe see someone, you since he went abread. OUt of sight,
forget about them out of mind!
e Other idioms relating to the topie of memory

idiom meoning exomPle
something is on the yau know ie, but ca n't quite Her name is on the tip of my tengue -
tip of your ton gue remember it what i5 it?
ring a bell thin k yOIl 've heard so mething Jill"s face rings a bell, but I don't think
befare we've ever me t.
a traln of thought a series of consecutive thoughts Oh no! I"ve lost my train of thought.
rack your bralns think very hard I racked my brains, but couldn't think
where I'd left me book
68 Englis/J Idioms in Use

E.xercises
30.1 Complete cach oí these idioms with memory or mind.

1 Out of sight, Out of
1 The class reunían gave liS a great opportunity for a rrip clown lane.
3 I'm sorry 1 fargot to post your letters. It ¡ust slipped my .'"
4 You can't remember what yOl! did Ja st night: Let me jog yOllr
5 Please bear me in if you oeed someone to work 00 this project.
6 r was 50 cmbarrassed thar roy just wcnt blank.
7 Ir nevcr crossed m)' to tell Nigcl abour OUt meeting.
8 Streets fu ll of horse-drawn carriages are still wirhin li ving - just!
9 1 wanted to give her a surprise, bm nothing suitable carne ro
10 Try ro commit yOllr mobile phonc number ro
30.2 Complete each of these ¡d¡orus.
1 I don't think 1 kno\\! him, but his name rings
2 What is [he word for ir? 1 ca n't remember it. Oh dear, it's on ........................... .
3 Tf l rry, 1 should be ablc to remember the reeipe for yo u. Lct me raek
4 Tr)' not to interrupt his train

5 My son is much mote adventurous than 1 was. At his age che thought of travelling abroad
alone would ne\'er
30.3 Answer these qucstions.
1 Which id iom could also be induded in the Proverbs unir (Unit 29) of this book?
2 Find rwa idioms that mention parts of the body other than mind or memor),.
3 What is the literal mcaning of ;og in the idiom ;ug someor/e's memory?
4 Rack is rhe name of a medieval instrument of torture on which peoplc lay and were
stretched. How does ir fir this idiom?
5 What is the literal mcaning of srroll in rhe idiom take a stroll down memory lar/e:
6 What is rhe literal meaning of spring in rhe idiom spring ro mind?
7 What is rhe litera l meaning of rhe word bear in rhe idiom bear in mind?
8 Which of the idioms is based on a metaphor of hea ring something?
30.4 Complete each oí these ¡diams wirh the correct form of a verbo
I .. <1,5 toUl to speo.l:: for me mi.rum on fue slA.bje.ct of

etepl1"",\;5 . A kw i.<iut5 .... ... ....... (1) to mlnti
o.nd. I rtf\'lind..ed. pwpte 110.. ti Í5 o.. 1'JeU.-JO'oOW1l f<t.ct fuo..t
elepI1"",~ 11000I'e o.. vU¡¡ 900d. mtf\'lOty . Thetl, o..fte.r o.. m1.nute
DI" so, m!l mi.nd. (lJ bl.dr.k. I kl1ew
I'd.. reM.. o..t1 o..rtide <l.bwt. tJ..epI1G.f1t.s rec..ent4l> blA.t. el'~lng
I'd.. reM.. 11M m m!l mi.nd. .
. ('1) m!i ~ro.U1s , but. YIOttllng
. (5) w mw.. A frt.er>d..
........ (~) m!i mf,/TIory b!i wJ.i.i>1g w.t. 'eo.rs'
frOl'l'l fue bo.d:: of !:l1e room, but. 50011 I 11M.. c.cm~ d..ried..
lA.p . If 0I141 m!i

........ memo,"J,:..:
...--.. ... w;u~':..:::~:..:9:00d
:.;~;:.:~
:::.:.;":::;h
" ~M ::t';'~'_ .... ..-..------_-.J
Time : the past and the future
looking back, looking forwa rd
One uf the majar divisioll s in idioms invoh'ing rime is henveen rhose rhat look back from
now ioto rhe pasr and those that luük fo rwarJ ¡nra rhe furure.
Looking bac:k
e:.:ample meaning
This camera h as $ccn better d ays. is old and nm working 50 we ll
Mr computer is out of dat e. o ld Jnd Ilot useful or corren any more
She didn't study when she was yaung. but she's doing now what she did rlOt have the opportunity
making uf) fo r lost tim e now. to do previousl'l
People have fallen in lave w ith ane anamer from ,he beginning of time
sin ce/fro m t h e re al" d ot o
l o oking fo rward
example meorllng
E.(ommerce seems to be th e sh ap e o f th ings t o an indication of what i5 likely to become popular
come . in the futll re
Use this room for t h e t ime bei ng umil your temporarily; instead of
new offite is ready.
We are on t h e thresho ld o f exciting new likely to happen very soon

developmenu in medicine
The economy looks healthy in (he s h o r tlmediuml for a shortlmediumllong time in the future
long te r mo
It's o nl y a matter o f tim e before we start to ie will definitely happen, even though we cannoc
colonise ocher planNs say exactly when
I can't say if Ilike che job or not. lt's ea rly days yet it"s tOO soon to say/decide
I n t he long r un YOIJ 'jj see it WJS the righc decis iorl. a long time from rlOW
Other relate d t ime idiom s

He spends money like there's n o tomorrow. lcagerl y and ver}" quickly (Of, more formall y, as if
there was/werc no camorro\\! )1
Al the cnd oí the da)" you have lO be .'1 linle ~elfi~h. [something you say befare stating a ver)'
importanr fact Of ideal
The facr rhar he had been de<ld for a \veek in his ;¡p;¡rtmenr before anybody founJ hilll is a
sign of rhe times . [sOInething that shows th,\t society now is worse (han it was in the pastl
I
Alrhough che idioms on chis page do not all contain the word time, cheir meanings are all related to
. time in some way. Grouping idioms by meaning is another way of learning chem, in addition tO grouping
t/1em by keywords.

Exercises
31.1 Match each idiom 00 the lefr with rhe situarían In which it could be used 00 the right.
1 ir's early days yet Someone shows yon a car \vhich is drivcn by solar cnergy.
2 within living memory YOll ,el! someone about a ver}' aneient tradition.
3 sincc rhe year dor A scientist c1aims tu be 00 rhe poinr uf discovering ;1 cure
for caneer.
4 tlw shape of things to come :,omeone asks you if you lih an English cour5C aftcr only
one day.
5 00 the rhreshold of Someonc i~ !>pellJin~ all their savings carelessly.
6 like rhcre\ DO tornarraw Never, faf as long as anyonc can remcmber, has thefe
been <;0 rnuch rain.
31.2 Write ao appropriatc cornmcn' fOI each uf rhe situations in exercise 31.1 using che ¡djom you
chose.
1 This caf really is
2 People have heen doing this every spnng
3 A sciemist is
4 I've only been to a couple uf lessons.
5 Jim's spending money
6 There's never heen rain like rhis
31.3 Rewritc rhe underlined part of each sentcnce with an ¡diom.

1 So me time soon we \Vi!! inevitahly discover life on other planets.
2 I think the main point is rbat you can llever trust a pülitician.
3 I never learnt the piano as a child, so 1'm solving rhat prüblem now by taking lessons.
4 Looking ar ¡usr rhe next few )'cars, rhe economic sltuarion looks gOüd, hur loüklllg ar the
next 30 to 40 vean. the uurlouk is not so good.
5 This bicycle is a bit old and broken cluwn now. 1 should feally get a new one.
6 Could yOl! use this computer ¡ust tcl11porarilv till the !lew one arrives?
7 Ir's a typjcal thing ahoLlr rhe rime we live in rhar yOL! ean'r speak ro a real human bcing
when yuu telcphone the ballk. AH rou get is an automatic vOlee.
8 This milk has an old date on ir. 1'11 rhrow ir away and open a new carron.
9 It costs a lot of money now, hut ayer a lancer periud it will be a good in\'estment, {'m sure,
31.4 These idioms involving time are nor on the left-hand page. U~¡ng a dictionary if necessary,
see if you can find the missing prepositions, Tben ehuosc rhe mo~t suitable paraphrasc.
11 1 kit as if 1 w-as ... a tim<;: \\'arp as 1. sat in the ancient cottage talking ro the old man.
a) time was passing very slowly b) J {elt as if I had gone bm:k in time ro a differem era
2 My dad can remember the first hume computers, but thar was ... my time.
a) wheu 1 was tOQ yOUilg to use (me b) befare l wa,> bom
3 I h¡1vc a lor uf time ... Gerry; he's a very interestll1g and intelligent persono
a) 1 like and respect him b) 1 spcnd a lot of rime with him
4 1 turned off the water supply in the nlck ... nme. Five minutes later and the wholc house
would have been flooded!
a) just in time to prevenr a disasrer b) very quickly mdeed
5 Shakespeare's plays have stood rhe test ... time. The)' ,lCe as puwerful today as [hey wece
hundreds of years ago.
a) have never been changed b) have llor been weakened by rhe passll1g of time
English /dior11s in Use 71

Time 2: clocks and frequency
Clocks I time passing
I(you. then you .
work against the dock to get someming done/flnished work fas' because you only have limited time
do something in no time at all do it very quicklr
call it a day decide to finish (usually finish working)
don't have a minute to call your own are very busy indeed
do something there and then (or chen and there ) do it immediately, right at mat moment
get up I start at che crack of dawn start very early in che morning
Jake workcd against the dock 10 gel lhe repon finisned before lhe meeting.
The homework is very easr. You 'l! be ab]e ro do it in no time at all.
l'm rcally tired. Let's call it a day no\V and come back 10 ir next week.
Ever since rhe twins were horn, 1 haven't had a minute to call my own.
lf a new idea is suggesred, AlIan is always keen ro try ir Out there and then.
As OUtplanc was lcavíng at 8 a.m ., we had ro get up at the crack of dawn ro be ar rhe
airporr on time.
B Frequency
These idioms refer tO haw often lor how rarely) something happens.
idiom meaning
once in a lifetime never likely tO happen again RARELY
once in a blue moo" very rarely
once and (or aJl finally and defrn itely
off and on { on and off ~ometimes, but not regularly or MJRE FREQUENTLY
c:ontinuous ly
from time to time
nine times out o( ten

sometimes. but nor regularly
almost always
1
FREQUENTLY
Other time idioms

If something goes/works/runs likc clockwork, ir happens exactly as planned and wíthout
problems .
lf yOI.l do something t start hom scratch, you go ri¡;ht back to the beginning and start again.
I
Wherever possible, put groups of idioms omo a sc:ale. like me frequency scale in B above.You could us e
seales for ¡dioms connected with siz.e, feehngs, diffkulties, etc,

Exercises
32. 1 Complete each af these ¡dioms.

1 It ruos like
2 We ser off at the crack
3 We \Vere working against
4 ¡'ve had enaugh . Let's call
5 ir happens th is way nine
32.2 Match each ¡diom on che left with (he sentencc 00 che right which beSl rcfle cts its meaning.
1 chere and then Bi ll plays golf occas ional ly, hut nor often.
2 once in a bluc moon Paula looks afrer (hree kids and has a full-time
jobo
3 in no time a r al1 The doctor examined me immediarely.
4 off and on 1 o oly see Patrick ver}' rarely.
5 doeso't havc a minute to caU hcr Qwn Thc new house \Vas builr ver)' quickly.
32.3 Complete these ¡dio ms with prepositions.
J scratch
2 once a ¡ifetime
3 once and , 11
4 time time
5 work t he dock
6 nioe times te"
32.4 Choosc fout oí lhe ¡dioms rrom cxercise 32.3 and write a scntcncc {or cach onc to iltustrate
its meaning.
32.5 Rewrire rhe underlined part of each d ialogue with an idiom.

1 A: Do you go and see your mother and father very often?
B, Well, occasionally hut Dot on a regular basis.
2 A, Should we wait and do ir as and when we Deed ro?
B, No, 1 rhink we shuuld do ir now, so [bar we never need ro do ir again.
3 A, Shall we rry and speak (Q M r Sanders about it?
B, Wel l, we can rry, but on a lmosr eve ry oCcasion he's too busy ro meet anyoDe.
4 k The boss wants [bis reporr by Friday!
B, Well, we'll ¡ust have (Q work ~ ro ger it finished by then .
5 A, Do you want to go on working a bit Jonger?
B, No, ['ve had enough. Let's fj njsb now.
'It must be the crack o( dawlI .'

The elements
Earth
idiom meoning
He's che salt of the earth. a ve ry good and nonest person
She'd go to the ends of the earth to save her child. do anything possible
The royal couple we re run to ground in Wales. discovered after a lot 01 searching
AII my warn ings fell on stony ground. were ignored
B Air
If )'ou pluck a number o ut of che air, yOIl ,hoose one at randam .
If someone blows hot and co ld, rhey somerimes seem tú like SOlneone or something and
somctimes don't so thar others arc confused abour ho\\' they really fecl.
If you get wind oí something, you hear informa,ion that others hoped to keep ,,('cret.
If )'ou sec how f whieh way the wind is blowing, yOtl decide ro see ho\\' a situarian dcvdops
befare making up your mind ¡¡ball! ir.
e Fire
do ing somerh ing th:H could be
To...nyo.. 16 ~ witl1 .fi.rel, ~recin9 to qo OlAf will1 Ricl::.
dangcrous (play in rhi s idiom is
Rl.<moor5 (lbwt hi;s I'tcl.ent t.e.mpe.- \1<1.1'10 been spreo.d.mg
HounaUy llscd in cominuoU5 tenses)
W:e. 1oJUd,..fiTe,2 !01'ef" 5l.r>ce. H!O moved w fu!O o.Yw-. Of
2 going round ver}' quickly
c.oor5e., mO$t peopl.e $omehmes $G.!j fuing5 in Ü'le \1u.t. of
J without thinking beG1 USC rhey are
the. momwt3 tnG.t fu~ do not rw.lliJ mw.n \U1ci I MIl't
angry or excired
I:::Y'lOW how ml'd1 tlv.tn tne.-!O i;s in fu!O n.<moor5, How!Ol'u,
if ?wpl~ ;J,r~ saying somethir1l!. is
~oo w.n't Hdp fuW:ing tnG.t 1tIen.'s I"(l sl!lOlo:e. loJiti1oot
tme :J.nd you don't knüw whelhcr ir
fin.' . An~How, don't I/.d.d. fv.eL f.o ttle f{¡;u.,($j.fires b!l
is rrue or nor, it prohahly is true
uilici.sing Rid: in {rOllt of To.Il!J<1. <l.S !lOO 'u. only m(l.)::!O hu
I do something te make abad
h .e I1u on hlr'n.
,ituation WOlSC
Water
idiom meoning
in deep water in a difficurt situarion wh ich is hard ro ciear with
out of yotJ,. depth in a situation that you do not have the knowredge or skills to dear with
jump I throw someone do or make ~omeone do som eth ing difficult w ithout giving them any help
in at the deep end
in hat water in a situation where people are angry witl1 you
be between the devil have to choose beN>'een N>'O equally diffiClllt options
and the dee p blue sea
be a drop in the ocea.n be a very small amount in comparison ro what is needed

Exercises
33.1 Match caeh ¡diom on the ldt with jts dcfinition on rhe rig:ht.
I gel wind of somcthing !llove vcry fasr
2 gü t o ,he ends uf the earth nI.; al1 insignificlnt part u f somcthiug
3 spread ¡¡ke wildfire observe hO\\: a situation is devcloping
4 be in deep water make a difficul t simarian worse
5 be a ci Tap in the oeean be in a difficult situarían
6 blow har and co ld hcar J.bout sorncrhing sccrer
7 see how the w ind is blowing reae r in di ffe rent, unpredicrable ways
8 add fu e! to [he flames d o cverything you can
33.2 Rewrite caeh senten ce with an ¡diom. Use che kcyword in brackcts.
1 You' lI be fine wor ki ng far somcune likc rhat - hc 's a very deccm mano (EARTH)
2 UnfoTtunarely, no one paid any atrention ro my advicc. (G ROUND) .
3 Unfortunatcly, hcr angry word" have orll)' made the situation worse. {FUEL)
4 I rhink Rosie must be in t ruubic - ¡he boss has asked ro see her ar once . (WATER )
5 l ance does n 't rcal ly ha\'e rhe experienee to cope wirh his new joh. (DEPTH)
6 Spreading rumours like thar is a Tisky thing ro do. (F!RE)
7 Choosc a numbrr ar ra ndom and mulliply ir by 3 . (AIR )
8 The poliee were unable to fi nd where the eseaped conviets weTe hidi ng. (GROUND)
33.3 Put the words in arder and make scmences.
1 like I T he I of I ncws I wildfirc I spread I thcir I divotee
2 lhe I rhe I sea I devill blue I berween I I'm I deep I and
3 no I fire J T here I sllloke I is I without
4 heat I the f of I Don't I any thing I momem f in f 5ay f tlle
5 and I I I the I eold I hot / he I way I hlo\\'5 I hate
6 rhe 1 thro wn 1 when 1 I I I 1 un iversit)' I end I \Vas / in 1 deep / sta rted J ar
33.4
33.S Look al the diHcrent idioms rclating to carth, air, {in: and water both in th15 unit and in Unit
42. Which abstraer eoncepts do eaeh of rhcsc elemems sccm to rcpresent in the Engüsb mind?
I
He re are sorne more idioms connected with the elements. Look them up in yo ur dictionary. W rite a
• definition and the n write the idioms in sentences of your own.
nor set !he world on tire go up in smoke
• it's 011 water under !he bridge pour cold water on some!hing
!he tide i5 turning make 'llaves
English Jóioms in Use 7S

Exercises
34.1 Match each newspaper headline with its texto
HEALTH SERVICE BUDGET JUST A BLACK HOLE, SAYS MINISTER

2 GOVERNMENT PROMISES TO DEAL WITH GREY AREA OF INTERNET LAW
3 GREEN BELT ROUND LlVERPOOL EXTENDED
4 BLUE-BLOOD CHILDREN NO MORE lNTELLlGENT THAN OTHER$, $AY SC1ENTISTS
e Any claim to the contra.ry s1mply

There was a real naed to protect the could not be provect, sa.1d Doctor
environment from further damage, W1lls, ona of !;he team who
the Director of Planning said. tnvestlgated twenty upper-class
fa.m1lles.
B D
1t was not at a11 clcar what the Every yeac, more and more rnoney
situation was, and it was now time for simply disappears, without any real
governmenls lo CO-opera te lo c1arify results in terms of improvements.
things. she said.
34.2 Answcr these quesrions.

1 Which colour workers work in offices 3nd which ones do physical work?
2 What coJour are you if you wish you had somerhing someonc cIsc has ?
3 Wbat colour are you if you repear somerhing, but tbc orber person pays no artention?
4 Wbat colour is your bank balance when yo u ha ve spent more money than there was in ir?
5 Whar colour lighr do yOll scc when someone gives yOll permission ro do somerhing?
34.3 Use (he idioms from exercise 34.2 to complete rbese sentences.
1 1 was absalutely wirh when she won a rrip to Los Angeles.
2 ¡'rn 750 pounds ......... . .. ..... .. .. rhe , and rhe bank has asked me ro pay it baek
irnmediately.
3 The workers are on strike, but the officc staff are stiH working.
4 You can ralk ro her till you're in (he ; she won't listen.
5 If the city authorities tbe light to tbe new conservarían projeer,
it will begin next year.
34.4 Rewrire rhe underlined part of each sentence with an idiom.
1 J wam ro see a contract in wrjueo form, not jllst 3n informal agreement .
2 J wanted ro apply for a visa, but a friend raId me there are so many forms ro f jll in and
cQmplicated mies, so I' ve decided ro forget ir.
3 My new house has a big garden, but Pm no IJood with plants, so ¡'H probab ly never do
any gardening.
4 Sbe was ca ught JUSI as sbe was stea ling foad from the school kitchen.
5 He's always introducing uojmponam po ints into tbe discllssion whjch distraer evervbody
frQm rhe main argumento
Eng/ish Idiams in Use 77

Games and sport
A Sall games
I srarteJ an activity Jud
!U9ñ!; U1~, I'~e :;bute4 ttle bo.U ~ I O!! t.eUing !}ou w).101; I cJlcouragcd othas ro join in
tni.r.k cm c.Omj>ll.n!j sf1ou!4 J..o now. I www.. W:e tU1!:jone ",ho 110...5 2 you havc ro do something no\\'
~ wmmwts OF <t1.\e5Wlns W spe.at now . The ~o.U ~ m lf'"t befare <ln}' progress can he made
áUrt2 . Dfm'1; fc.rgtt t1IRt wr yV¡!U c.oTf\~ (VI'.- llrJ Ule bolL1 1 quick tú understand and reaet
o..nd.. i.f we cion't o..c.t ~u.icl:!y <1>1<:L d..o sometnmg off OLlt 0I0m Mt~, 011 our own initiativr, wirhu ut
t!1e!J wiU . I ~no¡,¡ NI!:! ptoposoJ.s ..,ill uwotve peopLe d..oi.ng overtime, being asked ro by anrone dsc
wt I l10¡.e. tniU tne worl:::e.rs mQJj o.gre.t w ~ bcl.U.S gwen tne 5 co-operate in arder 1:0 actúe"c
arwm5~ we cUt o1L tn. It's not our .ftw,tt we we i.n tl1i..5 something (us ua!ly used in a
sl.Wo..I:Wn. Diffue.m role.:; &f r.o..x in d.i..fferent (.{JW1UieS me.o.J1 negarive context)
ilio.t we QXe rot comp«il1g 01'1 o. «<eL ~ fitLd.6. 6 in a bit siruation
B Cards
If you play your cards rig hr, you behave in rhe righ t way to achieve what pu wanL Ir is
informal and is aften used in rhe express ion Ir
(you) play (your) mrds right, .
lf you putllay yo ur cards on the rabIe, yon ten someonc hOllestly what you think Of whar
you pbn ro do.
rf rou pass th e buck, rou blame somcone Of makc rhem fcsponsible for sOJ11ething rhat must
he done nexr (from an objecr used in the caed game poker).
lf you foUow suit , you do the same as everyone else has j\lst done. (This is a rderence to
pla ying rhe same suit, ¡.c. hcarrs, diamonds, spades Of cJuhs, in cards .)
lf rou call somconc's blu ff, you rnake someone p rove rha r whar rhey are saying is tme Of
prove that they wdl really do wbt they say they wil! do, fiecause yOll don't believe them . Tú
call someone 's bluff in a L1.rd game is ro force thcm tu sho\\' you their cards.
e Miscellaneous sports and games

sport or gome idiorn meoning
SWlmming take the plunge do something importa.nt or difficult t hat you 've
been thinking of doing for a long time
board games go back to square one go back tO the beginnir"lg of a project, beca use
p rev iou~ attempts have fuiled
archery be wide of the mark be wror"lg or miss what you were crying ro hit
horse-rid ing do something on che do something suddenly, without planning

spur of the moment
(s pur ::; metal on boot
w hich make s horse go
faner)
tarot ca rds (used for be o n t he cards be likely tO happen
fonune.telling)
gambling yo ur best b e t che beH thing you can do to achieve t he resu lc

yo u want
roulette when the chips are dow n when you are in a diffrcult situaríon, especially one
(chips = gamb li ng pieces) which tests whether you can trust people
7S English Idioms in Use

Exercises
35.1 Whicn idiom~ do tnese pi.ctures make yo u think of?
2~ ' .~
(f ;.. . _
4 , 2
,
3 .
-- , - - - -
, " "" "
5
'JL~ ~b
35.2 Match Ihe beginn ing of caeh semence on ¡he [efr wi th irs cnding on the right.
I Jf yOll play )'our canls right, off rhcir OWIl b¡lL
2 \\Ihen the chips Me clown, would be )'OtlT best bC1:.
3 The baU i5 in their COllrt, orhers wi1l soon follo\\' suit.
4 lf )'Oll sign rhe contraer, we dc[icid tu gO away for the weekend.
5 On [he spur of the moment so \Vell h:lvC to wait and ser whar they do.
6 Thc dlildrcn pickcd .M other some flowers you k'arn \Vho rour real friends are.
7 Going by train rathcr rhan bus or cac yO ll should gtt an inviration ro her parry.
35.3 Complete caeh sentence wi1h 3n ¡diom from rhe box.
a level playing fleld put his cards on the cable ioilow suit call /lis bluff off his own bat
on me ball on the cards pass the buck start the ball rolling
Ler's ask Pete for advice - he's llSU¡¡.lIy

2 Thc goveflllllcnt always tries (() whcn rhere afe
ecünomic prob!erns, say ing thc pn:vious rC'f,imc is m h!ame.
3 I'd líke you each to rel! us why you ha ve decided ro do a crcatí"c writing course; Marie,
would rOll , picase?
4 App!icanrs all bave ro agree ro the same cOllditions fOf rhe interview in order ro emure
5 No one asked hím ro he!p - he did ir

6 1f ro u ket:p rour things tidy, the others may
7 Ir is stil! rbar 1'11 ger a contraer for rhe job o
í5He's heen ver)" fr,mk and has ; now we'l1 ha ve to
do rhe same.
9 He c!aims he can speak fluent Japanesc; ler's and
invite him to dinÍlcr with our Japancsl: ~ucsts .
I
Can you find any idioms related to your favourite sport or game? You might be ab le to find some by
• looking up keywords relating to mat SpOrt or game in a good English-English dictionary or a
• dictionary o. f idioms. For example. if you are interened in horse-riding, you might loo k up horse.
saddle, relns

Animals . describing people
In this unit and in Unir 37 \Ve look at idioms connected wirh animals . Here we look j t WJ.)'S
uf dcscribing pcoplc and thcir actions. In Unir 37 wc look at using anima l id ioms to describe
situations .
Animal names
These idioms are based on cumpound nouns rclatcd ro animals.
A person who . ,,.

is a dark ho,.se someone who i5 el ever or skilful in a way that no one knew ar
expected
is a lone wo\f so meo ne wh o does not mix socially with emer peop\e
is a ( old fish someone who is nat very frie ndly and does Ilat show t heír feelings
islacu as a guinea pig /' ))lnl plg ' someo ne w ho acts as a subject in ao experime nt o r t ri al of
something
is a party animal so meone w ho loves parties an d sodalising
woul d lave to be a fly on th e wall someone who would la ve to be present w see an importa nt
private or secret even t
Note a lso :
T here was a fly-on-the-wall documentar)' on TV ¡ast night about hosp ital waiting-roollls .
lprogr;-..mme fil med in ;-.. re:d -life SoituJ.tiün, sometimcs with hidd<.:n cameras]
B People's characters and their actions

John's bark is worse than his bite. [he may seem fierce/tough , bur he is nar realty]
You don 't need ro he afrai d o f him. H e w ou ldn 't hurr a fly. [is tota l!)' h;umless and would
never hurt anyone]
La rry's really got lhe trave! bug ever sioce he \Von thar hotida)' in the Caribhean. [a srrong
dcsi re to rravcl (bug here means virus; rhe original meaoing of bug is a sma ll inseer) ]
She's working ver}" hard for her exams . She's really gorltaken the bit hetween her teeth . [has
sta rted to \Vor k/act in a ver}" de[cfmined way (a bit is a piece of metal put between a horse's
teeth ro control ir)]
T hey've given m e free rein to do whar 1 like in this ocw jobo lcomplete freedolll (reill:> ace
w har you hold in yonr hands to control a hOfse when rid ing)]
Tim: H ow did you know r \Vas gettiog married?
Linda: A l¡ttle bird ra Id m e. [sa id when SOlTIeone has w ld you a sccrer, but yOl! do no! \Van t
ro sa)' who ]
As soon aS rhe meeting was ovcr, we all made a bec1 inc fo r rhe food . \Ve \Vere so hungry!
quick ly and direcrl y to l
fWI:I1t
1 always have buncrflies in m )' stomach just before an exam . [fee! ver)' ncrvous]
1 made a rea l pig of m yself last Tlighr, so l'rn nor going to eat an)' lunc h todar [atc tou much]
I have so m uch work to do rhese days. l'm jusr chasing my tail trying ro catch up. [doing a
lot, bur ir is al1 po intless I wirhou t eHect]
80 Englisn !dioms in Use

Exercises
36.1 Which idiom from [he lcft-hand pagc can be uscd to describe ...
. a pcrson \\'ho has hiddcn Uf uncxpcctcd skills Uf ralenrs tbar no une knows ahollr?
2 . a person \Vho loves parties?
3 . a persun who is the subiect of ¡ln experiment or trial of somerhing new?
4 . a persan who is llor ver)' frienJly?
36.2 Herc are 'iOme fllets abour animals. \Vhich ¡dioms 00 rhe lefr-hand pagc are bascd Oll them?
When you ride a hm,\:. it has a bit in irs rnouth, whid, i., a metal b-.n that hdps you
control rhe horse.
2 A bee cao fly in a straight ¡ioe hack to a place where ir faund food.
3 Wulves usually hum together in a gruup oc pack.
4 Dogs wi\\ ohm h:lTk more out of feaI than out of aggrcssiün.
5 Cats ano dogs ohen run round in cireles thinking their rail is running away from thcm.
6 Pigs have a rt:putatioll for t:ating a lor of food very quickly.
36.3 Use the idioms fram exercise 36.2 lO repeat or sum up what the fint speaker says.
Jack:Harr)' never seems ro want ro go out \Vith otbcr pt:ople.
Pat: No, he's a bit of
2 Liam: Are you busy tbese days?
Chris: Bus)'! lt's ridiculousl 1 rry tO keep up wlth things, hut I'm iust
3 Keith: Dan is in rhe boss's office agJ.in todal" ThJ.t's rhe rhird time rhis week he's gane ro
complain about rhe computers.
~ikc: Yes, he wan't give up. Hc's [eall)' got
4 Orla: You seemed to be enjoying your lunch todal'! .
Fiona: Yes, 1 . 1 fecl so ful! now!
5 Brian: Philip scared everyonc yesterday. He looked really angry.
Eve: Oh, don't worry abaut him. His
6 Alan: Look ar Charles! He's already ralking to a gorgcous girl over there!
Toe: Oh yeah, he always for rhe prettiest girl in
rhe room.
1 Big Joe is quite harmlcss reall]', although he looks tough. He wouldn't
,
2 I airead)' know about Ji\! getting dlVorced. A told
m'.
3 1 hate making a speech ro a big audicm.:c. 1 always get ............................. in rny
4 lt\ a very unu:<.ual schooL The pupils are frte to

do just what the)' like .
.5 r really got the travel afrcr I wcnt on a trckking holiday tu Nep_ll.
can'r wait to go away again.
6 l'¿ lave to be a 011 the. when Nigel tells the hoss
he's rcsigning.
English Idioms in Use a\

Animals 2: describing situations
Cats and dogs
In the 'situaríon' box, note ho\V the 'jf-cbusc' tdls yOl! wherhcr (he idioJl1 is normally lIsed
with things (something), people (you) O f with an impersonal constructio n such as t"ere ís .
situatían idiom meaning

If something goes to the dogs ir goes {mm a good s itlJat ionlcon dition to abad
'"'
you ;J.ccjdentally tel! people a s€cret I something
If you let the cat out of the bag
rOl! shou\¿ \'Iot tell them
If you put the cat among the pigeons yau create a crisis or a problematic situatíon
\f chere is noc (enough) room to swing a cat mere i~ '1ery little room o r spacl': somewhere
Thc country has gane ro (he dogs sinec rhe ocw government raok over.
\'(Ie didn't reH anyone rhe news, but she Jet rhe cat out of rhe bag and no\V evcryonc knows.
Kim 's repon really put the cat among the pigeans. Now ever)'one's in a state of crisis.
Tnere's not enough room to swing a cat in our fiat, su 1 don't think a party is a good idea.
B Other animal-related expressions

In these dialogues, rhe sccond speaker uses an idiorn to repear and surn up rhe situ ation
described by the first speaker.
Ron: E\'er)'one is so selfish . They wou!d 3d! their own mothcrs to get what they want ,
and ther don', ca re how much orher people suffer.
Tania : Yes, it reallr is the law of the ¡ungle. lt's verr depressing.
Ma ry: '«le shou!dn'r even rhink of discussing the voting system fo r rhe comminee . !t·s verr
eomplicated and unfair in manr respecrs, and could r;:¡ ise huge problcms.
Rieky: 1 agree . 1[\ a real can of worms. J lhink we should a\'oid discussing it.
Iris: If )'on ask me, it's a waste of rime compl aining ro Roben. He doesn't take any
noricc, no matrer ho\V ofren )'0\1 do ir or no marrer how angry )'ou ger.
Par: Ycs, ít's likc water off a duck's back.
Roger: \Y/e're alJ overworked anJ in a panie. \Vc'rc rryíng ro sol ve too many prob!ems, <t nd
ending up nor achieving an)'thing!
Nancy: Yes, I ¡¡greco We'rc aH jusr running round !ike headless chickens.
N ote <lIso:
I don't use snail muí1 rhese days . E-mai l's casicr. Ithe post,
often said humoronsl)' whcn conrrasring wirh e-m,l ilj
/,
These are allfclIIJ(1C ar (eelen.
I don'r kno\v if anyone would real1y want a ¡ob like rhis one,
but \vc could pu t o ut feelers and see if anyone is interested.
[make informal cnquiries; tal k to pcople unofficial1 yl
I
When recording idioms in you r Vocabu lary nctebcck. ma ke notes of typica l situat¡ons in which they can
be used. For exampl e: go ro the dogs - rypical situation: a resta urant that was very good before is very
bad now.
82 Eng/is/1 /dioms in Use

Exercises
37.1 Rewrirc each sem en ce wlth aD ¡d lom [har mean s (he oppo site of the underlined words.
I There's plenO' of room aT m)' house .
2 1'11 Jet you know by t..::.m.ail.
3 Peter has flor told anvbody rhe sccret ncws.
4 The ecanomy is getting better and herrer.
5 The office staff \VeTe working very (a lm!\" and efficiend\'.
37.2 Which ¡dioms do these pierun:;; m akc yo u think of?
37.3 Match c3ch o f rh e ¡dio ms from cxcrcisc 37.2 with o ne of these scntcnccs.
a) What shc said has raised same horrible problcms wh ich we'd aU prder to forget.
h) Oh dca r! Thar is really going ro cause huge problems and upset absolmely everybody!
el YOll can ¡nsult him and be really awful ro him, but he ¡lISt never seems ro care ar even
notice .
37 . 4 Answcr tbese q ucstions.
lf you tell sumCOllC a sccrct, whar du you let the cat out uf?
2 What can you put Out in urder tu test whether peuplc afe interested in an idea?
.3 Whar kind of law do wi ld animals obe)'?
37.5 Use a dictionary to find the missing words in these animal idio ms if yo u do not kno w them.
If you thin k you know the ¡dioms, write your am wers and then check thcm in a dicti onary.
11 Make a note of the meaning o f the idioros in your Vocabu lary notebook .
1 take the bull b,' rbe
2 kili nvo birds wirh one
3 ar a snilil's ..• • ............ ...............
4 like a bear wirh a 50re
5 a 's brcakfast.
37 .6 Use the fi ve idioms from exercise 37.5 tu rewrite the underlined parts of this paragraph.
1 was rr),ing ro finish my essay for tn)' English dass by the end of rhe week, but ir all seemed
ro be guing very slnwl)' and 1 was nor ver}' motivared. So 1 decided to faee rhe siwarjon and
Jet positivcly . r staycd up until afrer midnight ever)' day fur four days and worked on m)'
essay. I \vas tired in the morn ings, and wem round feelinv very bJd-tempered an d irritahle al!
day, bur, in rhe rnd J managed to do [\Vo ustiu! things in one go: J fin ished the essay ilad 1
read a number of imponant buuks 1 should have read \veeks aguo {v[y ¡asr essay \Vas a bit of
·
~, but J'ro hoping this one will get a better grade_
l
Think of twO animals which have idioms connected with them in your language. Then use a dictionary
to see if the re are any idioms connected with these an imals in English.

Weapons and war
Idioms based on guns and knives
Ifyou. lhen you .
bite tke bullet nce 'i\ difficlIlt situatían and au deci<:.ively I do lIot a~oid it
jump tne gun do something too SOOIl. before )'Ol! should do it
stkk to 'tour guf\S do¡ú let otner people change 'tour rnindlidea<:.lprintiple<:.
Icok dagge l"S at someone Icok at them in a ver)' angrr or hatefu l way
put the Imife in deliberately do or s"y somHhing re<l\\'1 r.urtfu\ to someone
twist the knife do or say something which makes a bad/hunful situatían even worse
B Idioms connected with firing/shooting

In these dialogues, tllt se..:ond speaker uses an idiom ro repeat part uf rhe qucsrion.
Henry: Have yo \.! ev(;r rried sIlowboarding?
N igel : No, bur J'd like ro have a shO( ae it one day.
Carol: Now lhar you're rhe Head of Department, do you find peopJe aJways bJame you
immed iarely for any probJe11ls (hat arise?
Li7.: O h yes, \'n1 in the firing \ine all the time.
Mick : So it's Peter Smith who makes al! the importanr decisions and has al! the power ?
Rita: Oh yes, Peter Smith caJls lhe shots these days.
Hilary: Ir mllsr ha ve been awful for yO\1, being in the middlc of such a terrible argllrnent
bcrwecn Roz and Barbara?
Jane: Ycs, J was really caught in the crossfire: I found it ver}' difficult.
Aaron: So rOll thi nk we sho uld wait and not ask fUf the funds yet?
Bcth: '(es, J think \Ve should hoJd fire rill the future is more certain .
War and fighting in general

The village pcople are up in arms over rhe plan to build a rnotorway very near rheir homes .
[angry and proresring IOtldly)
Jim's his own worst cllcmy when it comes to gening promotion at work. H e's iust so negative
abour cverything.lhis own attitude/hehaviour will prcvent him from reaching his goal]
¡ rhink ),o u' re fighting a losing banle tryil1g ro get a pay risco Thc boss never listens ro
anrone . Itrying ro achieve somerhing rhar you will probJ.bly fail to achieve]
1 wou ldn't g ive up rh is job till you're absolurely sure you've got the new one if I were ~'ou.
You don't want lO bum your bridges. Ido ",{)mething thar makcs ir impossible to g{) back t{) a
,ituarion rUL! were in befare]
Joe can be ver)' buring som crimes. He always seerns ro have an axe ro grind. Ihas a strong
" iew Uf opinion and wanrs ro persuade n 'cryone he is corren; norma l!y used critical1)'1
\Vhcn ir comes tu the crunch, J wun't Jet you clown. Iwhen a siruation becom es serious or
difficultj
J think we'''e fuund a chink in his anUOUf. [a we3k poim rhar \Ve can exp loi r I t;lke
ad"a ntage of]
84 ElIglish !dioms i¡1 Use

Exercises
38.1 Complete cach of thesc idioms.

1 She \Vas look ing ar me lasr night. [ wonder whar J've done ro upsct htr?
2 Her last rt'mark was so hurtful, espccially as J was already upset. [ think she \Vas just
trying to the cven further.
3 1 rcally rhink yo n should rhe bullct, and go rtnd spea k to him.
4 Shc ro her and didn'r sign rhe contraer. So thcy've changed ir.
5 You'rc rhe gua. Wait ti1! \Ve kn o\\' whose faulr ir \Vas befare yOl! compla in.
6 Freddy rcally puts the in somctimcs . He is capable of saying such cHld things .
38.2 What could yo u 5ay? Using ¡dioms from rhe left-hand page, (e[] SOJ1lcone .
o •• who is rrying ro persllade rhe tcacher ro tell rOl! rhe eX<lm questions before rhe exal11
takes place that they \Vil! not succeed.
2 o" thar if J. real crisis occurs, yOl! wil! be there ro support them .
3 ... chat you yoursel f are the main problem when it COn1es ro trying to save money.
4 ... that they will be the one to face all rhe criticisms aJ1d compb ints in their new jobo
S .. . that you'd like ro try bungee-iumping une day if you ever get {he chance o
6 .. . that they should wait before they scnd a very angry letter they've written .
]8,] H o roscopes afte n use idioms. Read these ho roscop es Olnd thcn sOly or writc exOlcd y what you
would tell a friend with thar birth-sign abollt their future, wirhout IIsing the idioms.
TAURUS Someone GEMINI Two CAPRI(ORN VIRGO You've

)fou thought was a people )fOU like and Someone close to always though t of
good friend will say respect will quarrel )fou will try to teU yourself as a strong,
something very today, and you'U be you w hat to do, but detel"fTlined person,
hurtful today, and caugh t in th e ¡t's time you caUed but someone
later on wiU twist the crossfire. Try to stay t he shots, so.don't be disc()'lers a chink in
k,., ife even further. neutral, 01' you'lI risk afraid to make your your armo ur and
Stay calm and don't losing a good friendo own decísions. makes life difficult for
lo~ your tempero you.
]8.4 Choose the correet answcr.

If you \Vcre up in arms, you'd be .
<1) holding someone you lovc b) pwtesting snollgly
e ) fe ding much stranger t h<1n before
2 If someone puts the knife in, they .

a) m<1ke an important point b) test thc situatian bdorc acting
e) do or S¡\y something very damaging
3 If you bum you r bridges, you .

a) m ake it imposs ible ro rcturn ro a forlller si tuJ.tion b) get extrelllely angry and violent
e) destro)' a good friendship
4 1f yo u h<1ve an axe tu grind. yo u ha\'e .

a) J. serious quarrcl with somcone b) a desire ro hurt sOllleonc
·
el a strong opinian and you wam to persu;l.dc pcople you'rc right
l
If you can, look at a popular English-Ianguage magazine or tabloid newspaper and see ¡f me
, horoscopes contain idioms. Make a note of any idioms you find, especially for your own sur ~Ign.

39 Food
Appetite
If somcrhing makcs yaur mouth water, it makcs yOl! 1V31l[ ro car ir:
One look ar [hose cakcs makcs rny mouth water.
lf rou S3y thar somcone 1las a sweet tooth , rOll ruejO rh:lt rhey particular)' likc s\Vcct things.
The word appetitc can be llsed ro fcfer ro a desirc fUf food Of for somerhing other rhao food.
In rhe S3me W':Iy, whct your appctitc c,m be used to mean awaken a d",úre:
Cinemas use rrailers ro whet "iewcrs' appetitcs and make thtm waar ro sec rhe wholc film.
B Sweet and sour

Swcd rhings are gcncrall ;. considered ro be parricularly pleasanr and luxuriolls. The icíog on
the cake, fOf examplc, rders llut ollly ro rhe sugar cuaring un a cake but also ro sOll1cthing
rhar makes a good situaríon even berrer:
This troph}' is rhe icing 00 rhe cake fOf JlIlie who h¡lS had a great year as a tennis pbrer.
The exprcssion you can't havc youe cake and cal it or you wanl 10 ha vc yOllr cake and cal it
is llsed ro rcfer ro rhe fact thar two gooJ rhings are impossiblc tu do or have at the same time:
He wallts 10 havc his cake and eat it: he wants a wcll-paid SCnlre jo b, bm he docsn't \Vallt ro
have ro IVork cvcnillgs Of wcckc!lcls,
Sour and bitter generally have unplcasant associations in iJioms . If au expcricnce kaves a
sour taslC in your momh, yOH have an unpleasant memmy of iI. lf yO\\ do somcthing to thc
b¡tter en d, you see lt r h rollgh to rh e end cven t hollg h ir takcs a 1ong tlme an d di·
i tlCU 1r.
"
e Spedfic foods
idiom meoning example

have egg 0 11 your face be left feeling stupid or embarrassed You'lI have egg 011 your (aee if your
because o( somethíng you did plan doesn't work!
be the bestlgreatest be fantastic ("Informal) 1 love my walkman. ror me, iú che
thing since sllced best thing sínce sliced bread.
bread
be your bread and be an accivity or ¡ob you do (O get Taxi-driving is his bread and bucter
butter the money rou need though he also writes musíc.
bear fruit produce a posiüve resu!! At last OUT work is bearing fruit.
D In the supermarket
If you say sumcthillg or SOll1cone is tla vour of the manch, ir means rhar thar rhing or person
is very pOplll:lf. This is a referenee to supermarkcts' pracricc uf putting a panicular flavour of
something - srrawberry ice crea m, for example - on special oUer for a ll1onrh:
Flavuur-of-thc-month <leness, Becci Carr, stars in tonighr's TV drama .
The phrase he paSl or pass one's sdl-by d . . . te is oftcn used humorously lO refcr to a person Ol
rhing that is llot \vanred or used ;:my more beeallse rhey are ¡:uo old. lt rdees to the wa y
supcrmarkel food is marked wi rh a seU-by date afrer which the producr must be re moved
from the shdves bdorc it gocs bad :
[ ecrwin[y Eeel as if I've passcd my seU-by dale rhis n1ürning!
1I
86 Eng/ish Idio ms in Use

Exercises
39. 1 Whar might J o 5ay in each situarío n? Match the remarks in rhe box with the simations.
You can't have your cake and eat it. He had egg on his tace!
I was left with a sour tas te in my mouth! It's the best thing since sliced bread!
It provides the bread and butter.
Ju's husband asb hcr what sh!.: thinks o f sorne new compurer software she's llsing.
2 Jo asks her brothcr haw he likcs his new, rather boring jobo
3 Jo'> husband asks her ho\\' she kit after a meeting at work where pcop le said sorne ver),
unplcasant rhings ro caeh other.
4 Jo tells her hushanJ abour her buss - WhOlll she duesn't like - who made a mistake in
sorne hasic figllres at a meeting where .:tll rhe ma in comp::my mJ.nagcrs \Vete presento
5 JO'5 son te lls hcr rhar he's go ing ro ~pend his (Ilor very large) saviogs 00 ao e;<:peosive oew
gui¡ar as wdl aS guing on a trip ro Australia.
39.2 Circ1e the correct word to complete each sentencc.
Although it was too slow-muving for my taste, 1 sat through ¡he fi lm to rhe bitter I "OUT I
sweer end.
2 Watchiog rhar cookery programme 00 TV has really warered (werted I wheucd my
appetitc for trying some Hew recipes.
] AII the eHort MJ.ndy has put into training is beginlling tO bear {ood I (mit I vcsctablcs .
4 Althollgh the por group DKl is bargaio ([lavour I mm: of the month at the moment, their
po plllariry is unlikel y ro last.
S Grandad WJ.S exhaus¡cd after his long walk ¡¡!Id said he had passed his seU- by day I tillle I
ililli.
6 Sraying in a hotel room thar Elvis Presley had once used was really rhe iciog 0 0 rhe
biscuit I cake I sugar.
7 Haviog sm:h a sweet momb ( tonguc 110mb makes it ver)' difficulr for hcr ro luse weighr.
!:\ The wooderfu\ "mel\" hom the kit chcn are re:1\\)' makiog my ,ve" I mot\th I nusc water.
39.3 Match ao idiom from the left-hand page with each of ¡hese definition s.
1 love chocolates and cakes 4 be in an embarrassing position
2 be absolutely fantastic S bring aoom good resules
3 be toO uld ro be useful 6 makc you lVam sumerhing (Givc twu answ([s. )
39.4 Complete rbese sem ences in an y way you like.
.............................. is ner bread and buttcr tnougn
she still hopes ro succccd as an actrtss .
2 always makes my mourh water.
3 seems ro bc flavour of the
manrh in the pop music world at the momento
4 Kale had t:gg on her faee when
·
5 .Far me is Ihe besr tbing since sliced bread .
6 1 hope that will bcar fruie.
l
Look up these food words. in a good dictionary: apple, cheese, jam, tea. Find an idiom for each of them
and write ir In a sentence

Roads
People: character, emotions and relationships
example meaning
Goodbye. 1 nope our paths cross again ~oo n . I hope we meet again soon.
I'm really stuck in "llt in this job.' th ink 1'1 1
¡l Ir! a boring situatíon, with no hope of e>«; tement,
look fo r something (rut = deep track or mark
(leW. ar future prospect!l.
made by a vehid" on che sumee of a road)
This computer's driving me round the bend! It The co mpute r is making me angry and frustrated .
keeps crashing eaeh time I try ro save my work
This book is right up yo ur streetlalley. It's called It's perfect for yOl!; exanly what int ereses yOll.
'How ro make a mil lion in ayear' (alley '" narrow
st reet ar lane w ith bu ildings on eicher side)
Josh is very middle-of-the-road politicall y. Neither left.wing nor right-wing, has no ra dical víew5.
Road idioms that comment on situations

1 rhink rhe govc rn inent is on rhe righr/ wrol1g rrack rhese days. [rh inki ng or acring r i ghtly/wrong¡~1
It's an uphill battle/fighr/stfuggle rrying ro peTsuJde Joe ro get a jobo [a ver)' difficult task]
Thar restaurant's really gone downhill lau:ly. [ir was good, but is nor an)' longer]
She [ives righr off the beaten rrack, bu! she lo ves the peace and q ui et. [in a ver}' isolared place]
The Conservarive Parry is at a crossroads. lar a decisive moment in its hisro ry]
Th is joh 1 have now is a complete dead end. lit has no fll r~lre I no prospecrsJ
be 011 lhe right/wwng track at a aossroads
,~:
f lrYljl " .
an uphill hattleJfightlstruggle off the heillen track a dead {'lid
1 use a bicycle these da ys to go/get frum A to B. [to make simplclrypical journeys[
The new hotel has really put the village on the map. [now everybody has heard of the villagej
\'\Iell, ir's almost rnidnight. \'\le should hit the road. [stan OUT journcy (home)]
Road rage is incrcasing in many countries. [vi olent ineiuents resultillg from trafiie disputes]

Exercises
40.1 Complete each of these idioms fram A on rhe lcft-hand page.

I Airlines me round the ! YOl] GlTI never gl't sImple
intmmaÜOll frum them when yüu phonc them up.
2 1 don't have aoy extreme vicws aboLIr anything. l'm quite .......................................... -
-the-
3 1 didn't like her at aIl, and [hope our never agam,
to be honcst.
4 lt's a good idea ro changc yaur job evcry few rears. It's n:ry rasy ro get stuck
lf YO\I're not careful.
5 This video's up your . [t'5 all abollt how viohns
afe madI'..
40.2 Use the ¡diams from exercise 40.1 to rcwrire rhe undcrlincd parts of rhese scntences.
1 Well, ¡t's been nice ralking to yau. Maybe ,"",el! sec each othcr again sOl11cwhcrc.
2 That TV programme abour hirds l~ just right for YOli. YOl! should watch ir.
3 Jim is fairly neutral when ir comes ro environmcntal issues.
4 The photoeopier makes me absolutclv eraz\'. It always breaks down just when you need it
mmt.
5 1 gave up my joh and went round rhe world. 1 felt 1 had gor ¡nto a bor¡ng routine with no
prospeets tor rhe future.
40.3 True or false? Tick (,1) the correet box. True Falsc
lf someone lives off the beatcn track, they live in the miJJIc oí a
oty. O LJ
2 If a street is a dead end, you can'r drive down ir and out rhe orher
enJ. O O
3 Road rage is when people get angry and violcnt bccaU5e of
problems and arguments while driving. O O
4 If something is an uphill struggle, it\; like the pleasanr fceling of
travdling up a bcautiful hill. '] O
S lf someone is OTI rhe wrong track, rhey aH: dialling a wrong
number on a relephone. O O
40.4 Use idioms from the left-hand pagc 10 ...

1 ... tcll someone it's time ro 5rart a journey.
2 ... tel! someone that rhe bus is the easiest wal' ro travel round in your area.
3 ... tell someone not ro go to the Imperial Hotel as ¡t's not as good as it used to be.
4 ... rell someone that you rhink whar rhey are going ro do is the right course of action.
5 ... tel! someone that a new roek music festival has really made your town famous.
6 ... tel! someone tha.t you think your country is at a.n impoltant and dccisive point in irs
· history.
l
Think of idioms connected with roads, paths and tracks in your language. Do any of them match the
idioms in thls unit? If they don't, try to find OUt the equivalent expression in English. Use a dictionary
• of idioms or another good dlctionary, or go online to dictionary cambrioge.orplidlOTnS

Houses and household objects
Home
Home is rhe place where pcople fee! comfo rt;Jb le ;lod s3fe. If you are/ fce! at horn e
somewherc, you are/ice! comfortablc thcre. If you makc yoursel f a l horne, you relax and
ma ke yourself comfo rtablc. Similarly, if somcthing is as safc as hOU SC5, ir is cxtrcmdy safc.
The implications of what she had said d idn'r comc horne ro m e umil sorne days latero [1 didn 'r
unders tand ir fully)
H er news rcports ha ve rra lly bro ught horne ro me rhe horro[s of \Var. [made me undersrand,
usua l1y somet hing unpleasanr]
Doors and fe nces
11
Doors givc you acccss ro sorncwherc ne\\'.
They don't p:-Jy me ve ry \Ve ll for rhe work 1 do there ar
rhe mament, but at Icast J" ve gOl my fool in rhe d oor.
[startcd wü rki ng at a low leve! in an organisation bccause
you wa nt ro get a better job in t he same organisation
lare r o nl
Doors have keys and hanJles.
F{'malc vorers hold the key ro the parry's succcss in t he

elecrion . [provide r he explanarion for something yo u
could Ilut previous!y unders ra nd l
H er brher fl cw off rhe handlc when shc sa id shc wasn 't
going t() remm ro universiry. [reacted in a very -;m gry way
(informa1)1
A feoce m a r ks the boundary hetween two :lreas of ¡ando
If you sir on (he fenee, yO\l dela)' mak ing a decision or
fa il to chuose berween two a!rernatil't's . UsualJy in rhe
cnd, rhough, yOl! havc to come d o wn on one side Of rhe
orher . Ima ke a choice\
e Household objects
rc¡¡ cred ¡¡ngrily
Alf hit Ü'le cW.i.rIg/roof' tI1ts mOf1'lirlg for no
2 go r up in a had mood and has stJycd in a
reMon <l1; <ill.. I tI1w.g fl l; fle'<t psI:- 9'* out of bul.
had mood ¡d i day
on Ü'le l<WOt'Ig wu,2, bu!; then flts 9trlfr1.end.. ) staying u p late and gcuing up early
expL1.ined.. t.i1¡¡..l:- fle.'s bee..n w.mi.ng !:tIe GIlJ'IIIIJ.e ~
expla ined rhe sit uatíon ro me - pictllre also
boÜ'I md..:s 1 b~5 e of fl i6 ex",,""s. I'm g!.o..Gt sfl e means situatiol1 in get the picmre
pu.!; me in Ü'lt- piGture.~ beco.v.se. l'I()YJ I co.n
[unders tand the situarían (informal)] a nd
und..erst;u,d., wl1!l fle rw.ct:e..:l so U O%4;. However, keep someone in the pieture [kecp someone
I wi611 fl e'<t t<U:e <lo Lu.,f out of ki6 gU1fri.tni's
informed]
booIc 5 o.nd. 90 ro bea. <l1; el.. reMona.b{.(, M e .
, copy somerhi ng somcone clse does, ofren in
order to gain an ad\'antage tltat they ha\'e
90 Englis h Idioms in Use

Exercises
41.1 Match the bcginning of each id iom on the ¡eh with its ending o n th e right.
1 sirring o n the horne
2 gctting yOllr foar in t he handlc
3 gctting out of bcd on the wrong fenee
4 flyi ng off the pictu rc
5 putting sorneone in the ends
6 fccling at doo[
7 burning the candle at both sidc
41.2 Answer these quesrions .
1 ls a decisive persan likely to sir on the fcnce Of com e clown on one side Of the orher?
2 lf a student rakes a holiday job in a big comp;¡ny in arder ro ger a toor in the door, \VhaT
does thar suggest abour the student's plans?
3 In \Vhat circ umstanccs do pcop lc oftcn bum the candil' ar both cnds?
4 Are you more likdy ro S3y th,lt somethi ng important o r someth ing trivial is brought horne
to )'o u?
5 Do you think someonc would be pleased or disp leased jf you rook a ¡caf out o f their
book?
(i If yOtl keep someone in the picture, are you being honesr to rhem or not?
7 How do you fcel if yOll get o ut o f bed on rhe wrong side?
S Jf someone hi t" rhe roof, what soft of muod are rhey in?
41.3 \V~ich idioms do rhesc pictures make you rhink of?
2 3
41.4 Rcwrire rhe undcrlincd part of each 5cntence with an idiom.

Ir w ill take sorne time before the impacr o f rhe ne\\' legislarion is ful! v kit by the person in
rhe streer.
2 Sophie \Vi II make herself ill if she goes on a llow ing herself so littl e slee p.
3 Before you take ove r the project, 1'11 let yon know exactly wh ar rhe sjmar jon \Virh ir is.
4 The paliee think tha! DNA resting will Drovjde rhe evidence neeessary for proving who rhe
murderer must hav e been.
5 .fim's been in a really bad mood aH da v.
6 The governmem c::ln'r postpone mak jng::l (j¡.eision for ever.
7 Rob gers rrally angrv at rhe slighresr provucation rhese da )'s . (Give rwo answers.)
8 Jf you want ro get fit, wh)' don't yOl! do as Katjc has done and join a gym?
41.5 \Vrite sentenees u sing six of rhe idio rns from the left-hand page abaut yOtlr own life or
experiences.
Eng!isn Idioms in Use 9I

Nature
In this unir wr look ar idioms connecred \Virh rhe carrh , rhe pla ners ;;:¡nd rhe air, and othcr
basic clcmel1ts.
The air
The air (or sky) is aften s eell J.S something :Issociatcd \Vith fcclings and cmotions, Uf is in
SOll1C \Vay connected \Virh unknown or fmure c"cnrs . Look ar rhCSt· nelVspapcr clips.
here wa~ a sense uf The discussions have Ilor

T rcl ief in Ihe :;lir l
Whether the government
will change the law on sol ved lhe problem, but
-
when the "not guilly' batball hoolige.nism is up tncy havc hd ped to dear
verdict was announced. in ths airl a t the momento lhe air 5 to a certain
~
I c"eryone co uld f~cl ir
The oews has com e as a Mr W;¡tson said lhe
somerhing new I more exciring
brcath of fres h air~ far news had come out of
l undecid l:d
studcnts wQnied about thc b1ue' and it had
--
rhe high leve ] nf fecs . shockcd everyone. He
. ----
compbclr unexpecredl v ( /he
bllle '" [he sky )
make had feeli ng <; herween
peopJe di sappea r
The earth, planets, ground

Icliums ab ullr rhe eart h ufren refer ro rhe ground benearh our f('et a nd tu being
p r;luica lIrea listic.
Ir. mis means .

someone is a down-to-earth penan they are ve ry practical
you come (back) down to earth with a bang 50mething brings you suddenly back to rea lity
an idea or plan/project bites the dust it fai ls/dies
sameone is (living) on another planet they ha~e no aware ness af the real warld
you are ove .. the moon abour 50met hing you are extremely happy
something isfhits rack bottom ir is as low as it can possibly belga
you find out how the land lies you see how the situation is befare you get i n~olved
a person is uppel'-crust< they belang te a ~ery high social class
~ Thc "lIst is rhe tup surfJcc of ¡ho: carth; under it are ()[he r larces nf very hm roc ks.
Note also :
lf rou a re in (he da r k or somcone kecps you in the dark, yu u a re nur rold i1llportant things
tha r orher people know.
If yOl! are in yo ur cleme nt, yOLl are happ rlrelaxed in rhe sit ua ti on because r Ol! are good ar
rhe t hings ir involvcs .
lf you are o ut of you r el ement, yOLl feell1nhapp ~lu ncom fo rrable because ~ou are not guod at
rhe taSks in vo¡" cd. (t:!cment here refers ro the four basic narur;1.1 elements: carrh, wa te r, fire
and a ir)

Exercises

1 Thc news Out of rhe blue. No one \Vas expecring it.
2 What a crazy idea! 1 think she's living another planer.
3 The price of computcrs has rock bottom this year.
4 1 think we should out haw rhe land líes befare we decide.
S They've me in rhe dark about rhelr future plans. , wish they'd ttll me.
42.2 Match cach qucstion 00 the Jeft wirh rhe must like1y response 00 rhe right.
1 h Anna Concia rrally J prim:cs~? Yes, ir bit rhe dust.
2 1 guess he \\ias dclightcd with the news? Ycs, he was in his element.
3 So your new project failed after all? No, hc's very clown-to-carrh.
4 Díd your long talk with Davld help at all? I don't know, but she's ver)" upper-crllst.
S Oíd your dad cnjol' his golfing holiday? Yes, he was over rhe mooo.
6 ls Alfie a ver)' romantic type uf person? ,'Vdl, Ir did hclp ro d¡;¿¡r rhe alf a bit.
42.3 Rewrite the undcrlined pan of each sentenee wirh an idiom.
I You could feel a sense Ot fear in everyone when rhe pbnes carne ovcrhead.
2 lt reall)' is something new and exciting for us thar rhe compan)" has decided ro move to
London. We are all hored with wo[king in a small rown.
3 Sally was broughr suddmlv baek to reality when rhe bank manager told her she had spent
all her mane}'.
4 Things are ver}' undecided at rhe mommr. ¡'111et you know when a deeisíon is made.
42.4 Answer rhese gucsrions.
Think of one person you know who is down-to-earth and anulh¡;r penon you know who
is just living on another planet. In whar ways are they ~o?
2 When was che laSt time }'ou felt over the mocm, and why?
3 Think of an occasion when ~omeone you hadn'r seen for a ver}' long time sudden!y
appcarcd out of rhe bluc.
4 Think of one siruarion where you luuld personall" say ·I'm in my element heno!'
42.5 The underlined idioms bdow are nor on the left-hand page. Try ro work out rhe meaning of
rhe idioms from contexto If you can'r, then check their meaning in a good genera! dictionary
!JI or in a dicrionary of idioms.
I was shaking like a !caf as I waited ro hear if I h.ld passed rhe exam.
2 ¡ slept like a lag bst nighr. Ir was so guier and the hed was ver), comfortablc.
3 1 hate making big deClsions. [ usually prefer ro just go with rhe flow.
4 It goes againsr rhe grain for him ever ro say he was wrong. It is nor in his characrer ro
_ldmit that he has made a misrake.
I
Look up sun. stor(s). moon, rock(s), sea and mountoins in a good dictionary or a dictionary of idioms.
• What IdlOms do you findi Write the idioms in sentences which illustrate thelr meaning.
. .

Boats and sailing
A Boats
p us h t he boat out spend a lot of manero usually Bill was happy to push rhe boat out
because rou are ce\ebr.lting for his daughter's wedding.
rac k t h e boa t do or say something that causes Party members were ta ld firmly not ro
problems, llsually when you try rack the boat by publidy criticising me
to ch~nge a situatíon that other government ¡UH befare the election.
people do not want to change
miss the boat be toO late to get something ro u Can I sti ll get tickets for the caneert
wam or ha~e I a lready missed the boatl
bum one'~ boatslbridge.s dQ something tnar makes it Don't seU your hOllse to fmance yOllr
imponible for rou ca go back to business - that would be burning your
the situatían ro u were in before boats
be in the sam e boa't oe in the same, usual ly diffitult, lú a pity yau tan't use a dittianary in
sltuatíon you r exam, but at least everyorle's irl
the same ooat.
B Sailin g
steer ele3r o f avo id someOrle ar somemirlg I'd try ta steer clear of Maggie if I were
because it is dangerous for yau you - she 's trouble!
sail elose to th e wind take risks t hat cou ld cause You're sailing a bit clase ta the wind
prob lems or darlger (usua lly used by speakíng to me bass like that!
in the comirluous)
be plain sailin g be very easy I was a bit apprehensive about doing

so mueh in jun one day, but it was all
plain sailing.
be in t h e dold r u ms (of a business) be nat very His business has been in the doldrums
(doldrums = area al sea successlul; (al a person) leel sad for several years now.
w ith no wind) and w ithout energy
p u t/stick yo ur oar in ¡oin a discussian when the othe r I hape John has the sense not to
(oar = long pie ee al wood participants do not want yau ta st itk his oar in at tamorraw's meeting.
used far rowi ng a boat) (informa l)
sh ow someo n e t h e show someone how to do a job As it's your first day at work, Sue will
ro pe s or aetivlty show you {he ropes.
be a n e r vous w r eck be mentally and physically I'm a nervaus wreck aner a day with
(wreck = boat thaú been exhausled (hose te rrible children
destroyed, e.g. by h itting
rocks)
clear the decks (deck '" get ready lar attion We'd better clear ,he decks belore
nat open area on boat) we pa im the room.
be (30 11) a t sea be tonfu sed I' m all al sea with th is computer.
I ~
94 Eng!ish Idioms in Use
Exercises

1 If you miss rhe boat, have yOll losr:l means uf transport Of ao opportunity?
2 If you say that a projecr was plain sailing, are you happy \Virh ho\V it went or nor?
3 If you hum your boats, are you takíng a risk or nar?
4 If a friend is in the doldrums, would yOl! try to calm thcm clown or cheer them up?
5 Are you more likely ro be a nervous wreck jf you're borcd or if you're oycrworked?
6 If you are al[ at sea in a oew job, do yOU !leed someonc ro sho\\'
rOl! the ropes or ro stick
their oar in?
7 If you rack the boat, will people be pleased with you or annoycd wirh you?
8 If you show someone rhe ropes, are yOl! hclping [hem or thrcatelllng [hem?
43.2 Complete cach of these idioms with one word.
1 Things here are very Jiffú;ult, hut ar lea~t we're al] in rhe boae
2 It'1I be hard dimhing the mountain, but should be ......................... . sailing on the way
clown.
3 Everyone would Iike ro dance, so le('5 clear rhe and make as much
space as we cart in rhe middle of the floor.
4 Speaking to rhe press about whar's going on is a bit close to rhe wiud.
5 J know the parry is costing a 1m, hu! you have ro the boat out
occasional1y.
6 Joe's been in the ever since he lost his jobo
7 Trust Simon ro stick his in - he nevcr kno\vs when ¡t's better ro say
norhing.
8 1 don't trust Paul-l'd steer of him if 1 \Vere yOU.
43.3 Here are sorne more ¡dioms bascd on sailing cOlleepts. Match eaeh ¡diom on rhe left with its
explanation on the right. (Note that tack = direetion taken in sailing in arder ro catch the
wind.)
1 change tack he familiar \Virh how things are done
2 know rhe ropes be in a weak mental or physical conJition
3 try a diHerenr rack aer in a way that is not extreme
4 ¡earn the ropes take a diHerent eourse of action
5 be a quivering wreck get to knov...· how to do things
6 steer a middle coursc attempt tO do something in a different way
43.4 Complete each ~eI1tcnce with an ¡diom from the lcft-hand page or from cxereise 43.3.
Lea\'e things as they are - it's berrer not to
(Give nvo answers.)
2 Everyrhing must seem strange ar first, but you'Il soon ......................... .
3 Finish your course before yOl! go travelling - there's no point in .......................... .
4 Parents usually trr ro between leniency and strictness.

5 Sally's very miserable - do you kno\\' why she's
6 The new bol' is bound ro be feeling ................................. on his first day at
sehaol - perhaps yon can help.
7 Things are nor working out - le!'s . (Give two
answers.)
8 1 hate ¡ob intervicws - I'm always before (hcm.
English Jdíoms in Use 95

Science, technology and machines
Engines and cars
Look ar these conversarions. The second spea ker uses an idiom ro agree wirh whar rhe firsr
speaker says.
Eva: \'Ve'JI have ro ger ready to st<lfr work 011 rhe !lew system.
Lars: Yes, we'JI have ro get inro gear, I supposc .
(like puttillg a car inro gear before driving)
Ron : I hare having lisa in m}' caro She a lways tells you ""har you're doing wrong, or when
rhe lights have gone red, and so 011.
Peter: Yes, she's a real back-sear driver, isn't she?
Oiga: I rhínk we'"e spem over rhe budget (hese last three momhs. We'll have ro he more
carefllL
Mick: Yes, we' l! h:we ro pur rhe brakes on our spcndíng; \Ve've paid out sorne Iarge sums.
Hugh : Things are going \Vdl thcse da)'s, aren't they? Everyrhing's working quietly ilnd smoorhly.
Ben: Yes, rhings a re riekiog over nieely.
(A car engine ticks over when ir is running quictly, bU[ rhe car is oor moving.)
\'Vill: \'Vdl, ir was quite an angry meeting, bur 1 rh ink ir was good rhar people could ¡ust sa)'
exacdy whar rhe)' \Vere rhillk ing and ger angry ii rhey waoted too
Mía: Yes, [ rhin k ir was good {hilr rhey were ahle ro ler off steam.
{lk
I e a sream ellgll1e w h h 1ers o ff steam ro re duce r h(' h'g h pressure t hat h bl
III r up
J im:
" "
I'm glad \Ve org:.1l1iscd our own travd il1~re<ld of goillg wirh a grou p, aren'r you?
Russ: Yes, l'm glad \Ve dccided tO go under OUT own stcam.
Electricity, phones and radio

Ifyou . this means .
get your lines/wires crossed there is 3 misunderstanding between you and
someone
are on the same wavelength as SomeOrle you view the world or think in the same way
{wavelength" fíxed position on a radio band.e.g. fMIAM) a~ ttw.m
blow a ruse/gasket (gasket " kind of seal in an engine) you lose your temper and reaer very angrily
te an event
give someone a bu:t:l: you phone them (informal)
Other idioms from the world of technology and machines

The government is back-pedalJing over irs plans ro lower raxes. lis beginning ro sa)' rhe
opposite oi wnat it saiu hcfore, like pushing tne pedals of a bicyde backwards\
His comments really pUl/threw a sp;1nner in rhe works. [spailr somcrhing, c.g. a plan, or
prevcntcd ir from succeeding]
5he 3lwa)'s bu )'s rhe brest, state-of-the-art computer. tone which has a l! [he newesr fearu fes]
P]ans for a !lew bridge across the river are in rhe pipeline. lare heinl,; discussecUprcpJrcd but
are oot public yet]
96 English Idl'oms in Use

I
Exercises
44.1 A.dvert\semeflts otten use id,0ms to seH products. Match cach slogan with its t exto
Want to let off steam tonight? 3 State-of-Ihe-art digital technolon- in youl horne
2 Wc're on your wavelcnglh 4 Give us a buzz tor lower bills
A Local Radio i5 changing, and here at e By 2005, mast TV channels will no

Homestyle FM we believe you'll want longer broadcast in Ihe traditional way.
to listen to us with Qur new Buya Dew TV set now a nd you wiJI be
progranunes fOl" the autum.n. rrady rQr tbe changes.
B Are you pa'liog too much for D At Broadnct.';;:Qffi we. offer mOfe
your mobile phone? Call us on chatrooms where yau can say what
0796534352 and find out how yau th ink abau! evel}'thing than any
you can pay less. other Internet Scrvice Provider.
44 . 2 Agree with what A says. Complete cach response with ao idiom from the lcft-hand page.
1 A: Her e-mail eaused real prob l~ms for uur plans, d idn 'r ir?
B: Yes, ir really
2 A: 1 rhink George is beginning ro cha nge his mind abour joining OUT committcc.
B: Yes, he seel11S tu be
.1 A, Wow! Erie reaHy lost his temper iasr night, d idn'r he?
B, Yes, he absolurcly
4 A, Good. T hings seem ro be niee and quiet and working smoothly.
B, Ycs, ellcryrhing seems tu be (USt quictly
5 A, Ir seeruS rhere was a misunderstanding betwecn uso
B, Yes, r think \Ve
6 A, 1 think we "hould give her a oH üli s evening.
B, Yes, it's prohably a gODd idca tu
44.3 Which idio ms do these picrures make you think of?
44.4 Rewrire each scntenee wieh ao idiom from cxereisc 44.3.

It wok us a long time ro really stan ro do our work pruperly and efficicntly.
2 Brad is ane oí those peoplc who always KUOW S che road bettcr (han che persou driving.
3 There are plans fur a oc\\' railway, but ir will be sOlne yeMs befure rhe projecr starrs .
44.5 Complete each scntence with a prepositio n or parricle.
1 We' re rhe same w<lvelength .
2 !'d prcfer ro go m}' uwn steam.
3 Everyooe neells to let 5team ulcasionally.
4 YO\l've really put a spanner the works.
5 Business is ricking nieely rh ese d<l}'s .
6 We'll have ro put rhe brakes wirh rcgard ro huw much we 5pend .

Finger, thumb, hand
Idioms cOI1nccted with the hand cal) refer to ownership, control, acting and excreising ski\\s.
Idioms based on the fingers

In [hese con \'crsarions, the second speaker rcpeatS (he rneaning of rhe idi o~n in bold.
Alison: Rosa had all rhe statistics at her fingcrtips.
Geoff: Yes, I was arnazed shc was able ro quate them irnmediately.
Ron: I'm gctting my cxarn rc s ul t~ tornarrow. Keep your fi ngers crossed for me!
Pat: Yes, 1 will. 1'11 be w ishing )'O l! good luck all day and hoping you do wel1.
Ben: 1 think he's put his finger on rhe problcm.
Liz: Yes, ¡ thin k he's identificd exactly what's wrong.
Mick: Janc ne\'er lifts a fin ger at horne.
Naney: I knQw. 5he never helps o ut. 5he's so laz)'.
La rr)': He got his finger. burnt in a financial deal in 1998.
Lily: Yes, 1 know. He suffercd badly and lost a 1m of money at rhe rime.
Osear: Pau la has really got green fingers , hasll't she?
Ruth: Yes, everything she planrs in her garden seems ro grow bea utiful ly.
Idioms based on the thumb and the whole hand
example meanmg
The pl3n h3S been given the thumbs upldown. has been 3pprove d (up) or rejected (down)
That office block sticksfstands out like a sore look.s diffe rent from everything els e in ies
thumb next ro ~uch a be3utiful park. environment (i n a negative sense)
k a rule of thumb , always w rite dow(\ !.he cade. as a general, useful rule
The bOH has given me a free hand 3t work allow~ me te take wh3tever action I want to
Ed can turn his hand to any job round che house. has che ski ll/abi li ty to do unfamili3r jobs without
any prev ious experience
Things got out of hand and che po lice arrived. gOt o ut of control
I don 't really h3ve any first-hand know ledge of direct / from experience
nature conse rvatlo n.
Th3t restaurant ha.s changed hands twice. been sold to a ¡)ew owner
I have my hands fuI! wich chree children. am very busy / have a lot of t hings te do
I'd li ke te try my hand at scuba-diving one day. uy it for che first t ime
\ pla.y golf occasi=all-t ¡USt to keep m'f ha.nd in. in o rder noc to \o~e my skilllknowledge
I always li ke to have a dictionary to hand when ava ila ble: nearby

I'm reading English new spapers.
Give me a hand with this big box. wil l you! he lp me, e.g. te carry/lift ir
¡'ve washed my hands of t he whole projec t as it stopped being involved in

caused so many problems.

Exercises
45.1 Complete these ¡dioms with hand(s), finger(s) or thumb(s).

1 [have m}' full at the office rhese days. ,'m doing rwo peop!e's jobs.
2 ['m sony, but rhe plan's been given rhe clown by rhe commirtee.
3 She's becn given a free ro changc rhe emite computer system far rhe
whole company.
4 Yes, he's jusr laz)'. You're right. You've put your OOlt.
S Things are getting out of ; we need sorneone to orgaOlse things
properly.
6 As a rule of you should never use rhe prescnr perfeer in English wirh
words like yesterday OI last year, bm ]ournalists do ir ~ometimes.
7 If you l1ced help wirh yOllr garden, ask Liz - she's got green
8 1 get m}' exam rcsults tomarrow. Keep your crossed far me!
9 Their teenage klds never!ift a at horne; rhey just ¡cave everything to
the parents.
10 That shop has chang~d again. It's owned by someon~ from Hong
Kong now.
45.2 Rewrite the underlined parr of each sentence with an idioOl from rhe left-hand page.
I rhink it \vould be good if you got sorne direct experience of working in a poor CGunrry
befare working for an aid organisation at home.
2 Jerry has withdrawn completdv fram rhe club committee. He was so disgusted that he jusr
quir, and never wants ro sec any of rhem again.
3 That new power station on rhe coast i~ such an ugl" sight! You'd think they would have
built ir ro blenJ in with rhe landscape.
4 Have you ever had a VO at water-skiing? .\Ay sister's got a boat if you would like to try.
5 1 always have to have rhe cookbook righr next to me when l'm trying out a new recipe.
6 I'm too busy ro play football every \veek no"" hm J really should play occasionally, just ro
keep my skills alive.
7 She lost out badlv on the stock exchange. Sh~ bought shares in an Intem~t compan)' thar
went bankrupt.
45.3 Correer the nllstakcs in these idioms.
Do )'ou think you could bring me a hanJ rhis weekend? J have ro move sorne fumiture ro
our summer cottage.
2 If ),ou're rhe sort of person who is prepared ro make your hand to anything, you'l1 be able
ro eam a lot of money; people are always looking for willing workers.
3 I was very plea~ed when rhey rold me my project had heen given the up-thumh.
4 1 dccided ro wash m)' hands wirh the whole idea and ro have no involvement whatsoever
in it.
S Jf you want ro make a good impression ar a hU'iiness meeting, ir is a good idea ro have all
rhe lacts and hgure<¡ in your fingertip.
6 To build a horrible concrete hridge over such a beautifuJ river i5 terrible. Ir stands out like
a slCk thumh!
I
LO. ok ag. ain at the idioms on the left-hand page and see if. you can see any further patt. ern of meanings
• for the dlfferent sets of Idloms connected wlth hands, fingers and thumbs.What do fingers dol Are
the thumb idioms different1 Make a few notes in your Vocabulary notebook and see If your ideas are
• stlll vahd as and when you add new idioms connected wlth the keywords.
Engl¡sh Idioms in Use 99

Foot, heel, toe
Foot
SevClal idioffiS involving the word [OOf Tefer ti) ;;omeone's personal simation.
example meaning
You're an adult now; rou have to learn to stand be inde pendent: loo k after yourself
00 your own two feet.
I' m rushed off my fe et at work excremely busy/hectic
He's famous, but he's a1ways kept both feet 00 always rema ined normal and realistic
the ground.
I accepted che jobo but then got cold (eet. became "fraid to do it
Don't worry. le w ill take rou a while to find your get used to things: feel you can cope
feet . lú alw:ays like chis in a new job
Nancy and I got off 00 the wrong foot. our relationship started badly
The chi ldren are always under my (eet when I'm in my way, disturbi ng my activities
trying to do the housework.
He reallr seems to have landedlfallen on his feet. been very lu cky or successful in a diffi culc situation
He gOt a new job and found a nat withi n a wee k (The idiom is based on the notion that cats always
oi arriving in th e city. land on the ir feet when they fall,)
She lived at home for a w hile. but got itchy feet gOt a desire to tt<lve l
again and we nt off t ravellin g for ayear.
Othcr iclioms with (OO! refer more [O anions .

1 really put my foot in it whcn 1 told [viario 1 hated ltalian food; he's lralian ! ]accidemally
saidJd id somcrhing 'iery emba rr:lssing]
1 rhink yo u should put yo ur foot clown ana 5ay no. lasserr your amhoriry or inclependcnce j
He followed in his t::ttbcr's footstcps aIl J bcc:llllc a doctor. [take rhe sarne course of acrion as
somebodyelsel
Heel and toe

Th csc t\Va idíoms wirh heel rticr to preventing o c s!owing down mo\'cmenr.
[ don't th ink $ar<l wanrs ro join liS; she's dragging hcr hccls a bit. [dclibcratdy bcing slow]
Thcy're digging rhcir heels in ¡md refusing ro compromise. Iref\Jsi ng to cha nge their position)
The boss aJwa~'s keeps us on our toes. [kecps us b us}'; makes us give o ur fu!! energy ro our
workl
I
Whenever you find idioms that seem to have something in common in che ir mea ning (as, with the twO
heel idioms or the (oot idioms referring tO situations), group them toge cher on one page In your
Vocabulary notebook. Add any new ¡dioms chat have similar meanings as you meet them.
[00 English Idioms in Use

Exercises
46 . 1 M atch each idiom on (he \efr \Virh ils definition o n rhe right.
1 have ¡(ehy fter be very busy
2 find yo ur feer start off in abad way
3 be under someone's feer fce! familiar \Vi rh somerh ing
4 landJfall 011 your fcet be restless / want to trave!
S ger off on rhe wron!; fout rcgrct a dccision
6 he Tllshed off yOUT fter rema in connected ro rhe real world
7 get cold feer be constandy in rhe IVa)'
8 stand un your OWIl [\Va feer be lucky/succcssful
9 keep burh feer on rhe ground be indcpendent
46.2 Write sentences w hich relate 10 your life wirh Olny five of rh e idi oms in rh e list in exercise 46.1 .
EXA~lPLE I Of'pliuJ. jW " plau (Ir (lf\ fltv.eriUlA ,,",¡.jers~ aM. Wo.S I.UUp'f'w, M fhUl 1 jaf' wld {Ur.
46.3 Rcwritc these sentences wirh five of the idioms from exercisc 46 .1.
1 r said r would joín Jim 011 rhe protest march, bu[ rhen regretted ir and didn'r go at all .
2 She was ver)" bus)' in rhe shop lasr month, but she's pleased rhar rhe business is doing wel!.
3 He'l! have ro Icam ro make his own de(¡sions no\v rhar he's at co1lege and nor living ar
home any morco
4 Mavis and 1 srarteJ off rarher badly when she first joined the compa ny, but now we're
working ver)' we1l rogether.
5 !'m fce li ng restless these days. rd love ro go off on a backpacking holida y somewhere.
46.4 Which idioms do rhese picru rcs makc you rhink of?
46.5 True or false? T ick (,1 ) rhe correct box. True False
1 Jf rOl! drag yOllr heels, )'Oll deliberJ.tely aet 510\\'1)' or delay something. L O
2 Jf rOll put your foar clown , yOll tel! someone ver)' firm ly ro 3Ct in a
particular \Va y. c
3 If someone keeps you un rour toes, rhey kecp yOll ver)' exeired. c
4 lf yOll follow in someone's footsteps, rhey are your boss and ron are
bdow rhem . o
5 If you d ig your heels in, )'OU are very derermined nor to be persuaded tu
do something yOl! don'r want ro do . o o
I
Use a good dictionary tO find the meanings of t hese idioms if you do not already know them.
• (oot me bill
toe me ¡ine
• hardlnor on me neels o(

Sones, shoulder, arm, leg
Idioms and m e aníng a ssociations
Somctirncs groups of idioms ha ve some aspect uf mt"aning in common. ror cxamplc, our
bOlles are insidc our bod)', thcy have flesh/mcat on thcm and they form our skeleron . Note
how sorne basic associaríans of rhe word bOlle(s) play <1. part in tni"
meaning of rhese idioms.
example meamng association

I have a bone t o pick with you You have done somcthing An imals pick t he fiesh off bones
mat has annoyed me. and we when they eat their prcy.
must discuss it.
Shc's go ing to get mat iob; I can I have a feeling deep in\ide Sones are deep inside uso
feel it in my bones me I art ínstinct.
How ~st ro \.Ise the mcney we f'!ise1 Peop\e are "rguing amI Anim3h flgh, ove r boneslfood.
has become abone of conte ntion disagreei ng ayer il.
leú tr'l and get t o the bare Gel tO lhe hean I me most The bonE<~ are OUT ~kele1.on.
bo nes of (he problem. basic aspects of the pro blem. OUT basie form o
Shoulder and ar m
Main aSSQcia ti on: Shou lders suppon or carry things.
She h as a chip on h er sh oulder about the faet thM she \Vas Ilot promored in her job years
ago. ¡blames orher pC'Ople for something negative thar has happened ro her and goes on
carrying these feelings far ever)
Fiona, can I talk ro you? I"m having a horrible time and 1 !leed a shoulder ro cry on .
¡symparhy Of Stl pp0 rt in rime Df troublc]
You are not alone in raur fighr againsr rhe dmhorirics . \Xfe will stand sho uldcr lO shouldcr
w ith you .jsupport you in a difficu\t time\
I didn'r have much Sllccess trying to get to know that good·looking glly ar rhe pany. He gave
m e th e cold sh oulder. ¡reacred ro me in an unf riendly Of cold way for no abvious reasonl
Ma in association : Arms ho ld and/of control rhings .
I didn'r realJy w a nr ro do the job, hut he twisted rn y arrn and I said yeso rpersuaded me ro do
sOl1lcthing r didn't really wam to do]
1 don't reJ.lI)' WJ.nt to ta lk ro her. I've been rr)'ing ro keep/hold hcr at arm 's lengrh . [keep a
distance berween mysc\f and her]
Leg
J haven't rrally \Van the lottery. I \Vas onl)" pu ll ing your leg. [only joking / trring to fool you J
He'll find ir difficulr ro convince the poliee that he's innocent . He has n 't (gOt ) a Icg to stand
an rrally. [has nothing to support his claim or positionj
I
The re are cen units in chis book t hat dea l wich idioms connE<cted with che body.Try to build a pieture in
your mmd of a human body as yOll worK thrOllgh the lInits ami remember whlch paro of me bcdy are
most strongly associated with id io ms. e.g che hand.

Exercises
47.1 Use idionts to complete the nctwork.

Abone of Th, bOl1es
~
.~~
J have a hone 1 can {cel
47.2 Use the idioms troro exercise 47.J ro re\Vrite these sentences in as bricf a way a, possible.
1 1 wam ro talk ro you about something very annoying thar you hayc done.
2 Thís bDOk will ¡¡ive you ¡he must basic information, but it dceso't go illta great detaiL
3 1 don't think \Ve shoulJ allow the cost to become a matter that we argue abaut.
4 Thcre's going ro be rrouble at work. 1 can really scnse it in a SUbWI1SCious way.
47.3 Choo~c rhe correct answer.

Janct has a chip on her shouldcr becausc she nevcr got a ehance ro go to ulllversity.
a) She is disadvantaged in rrying ro find J joh.
b) She has an ambition she has llor ret fulfiJlcd.
el She (arríes a negative fceling about ir throughollt hl:r life.
2 Briao is pulliog Helen's lego
a) He is aouüyiug heL b) He is trying tO fool hef about somethm¡;.
e) He is attacking her.
3 Louise needs a shoulder ro cry an.
a) She needs ro ,rr publicly. b) She needs a friend ro listtll ro htr troubles.
el She needs something to cry about.
·4 Rita is trying to t\Vist Sally's arm beca use she wants ro horro\\' Sa!ly's ear.
a) Rita is tryiog ro persuade Sally eyen though Sally doe'in't want to do ir.
b) Rita is tryiog ro blaekmail Sally ro do it.
e) Rita is trying ro pay Sally to lend her lar.
5 Loma gaye Mark rhe eold shoulder when he asked her ro go with him ro the 5ehool party.
al She put her head on M<lfk's shoukler in 2. romantic way.
b) She rubbcJ hn shoulder against Mark's as a way of sayiog 'yes'.
el She behavcd in a rathet distant wal' and said '00'.
6 Ciare said she would stand shoulder ro shoulder wirh Irene.
a) She promised ro fighr Irene wirh all her srrength.
b) She promised to stand next ro Irene in a queue for something.
el She promiscd ro support Irene in a diffiw!t situation.
47.4 Write a sentenee or a couple of sentences fOf each of these idioms ro show their meaning.
hold/keep someone at arm's length nor ha I-e a Ieg ro stand on
47.5 Bere are [WO more idioms using ann which are not 00 the left-hand page. Using a dictionary
if necessary, complete eaeh idiom.
11 The tickets for the Miehad Jaekson caneert enst us ao afm and a
rhey were rhe most expcnsiye 1 haye ever bought.
2 1 think 1'11 m)' ilrm <l.nd apply for rhar jobo J know l'm not at all
qualified, but I've gOt nothiog ro lose by applying.
EngJish Jdioms in Use 103

Head
Emotions
Head i~ used in a numher of idioms (hat relate tO emot\OHS and staying (alm and in control.
kccp your hcad
(~d
be banging oc hitting yOllf hcad
[keep c3lm, espccially in a diHicu!r against a brick wal!
or da.ngerous situarion) [<lsk S01l1eone ro do somerhing
which they won't du]
lose your hcad \ '?;,I ~ ( ~P
[panic or lose control] <-- brillg sorncthing ro a head /
laughlscrcamJshom your hcad off something comes to a head
[taugh/scrczmvshour very much [an unplcasant situaríon is so
and very loudly (informal)] bad thar ir has ro be dcalt witb)
1f you can keep your hcad when al! around :lre lus ing rheirs, you'll be a man, m)' son.
(\vrittcll by 19th celHury poer Kipling)
The)' \Vere shouting rheir hcads off llntiJ late at night alld I ¡ust Cüuldrú fal! aslccp.
Try illg ro gct the buys ro tidy their hedroom is ¡ust banging your head against a brick walL
Andy aod Jill had been upset \Virh cach other fUI sume rime, bur rhings evenrually carne lO a
head last night when rhey had a terrihle row.
Thought
SOlllctimes "cad is lIscd in idio!l1s ro Il1C¡j]l rhe pbce where ideas or rhoughrs are produccd.
idiom meonmg example

put ideas into someone's make sameone want to do louisa was always quite happy ir¡
head somechir¡g they had nor wanted che village until Rex started
to do befare (u5ua ll y samething putting ideas into her head
stupid)
get your head (a)round come to fully aceept or I JUSt ean'c get my head around
(usually - can't get (my) head understand something (informal) what's happened. It's been suc h
(a)round) a shock l
off the top of your head without thinki ng about ie for ~ery Off the top of my head, I
long or looking at something couldn't tell you where they live,
ehae has been written abollt it but I eould soon lind out.
Other head idioms ,

pcoplc norice thar person beca use
.- -~ -
, Rf..bec..c.o.. l.s so bw.v.tifv.Lj she. <UwO-Jjs t.u.~ ~tAd..51
, rhey loo!': interesting or auractivc
•.ihwever sne I'lru.b rnw el room. M!:¡ Dro!:l-1u BCln"Ie::¡ i6
b~jy¡1"in9 ro foJl jy¡ l.ove witl1 hu, b~t wr pOJents wwUi
, put " swp to it (illform;>,l)
llave ¡U S! eno ug h money in order ro
lite to Itncd: ~D.t on /;tilo hw,d..<. Th16 16 Q... very oo.s~ : live or kecp a business going (an
o..r-.d.. 11t- l!, 9M9 te 11D..~t- ro wo!"i( ~V!:l imagc from swirn mi ngl
!:jw.Y ~ ~o.mtB
, spcaks ro rhcm angri ly
, hwd. te Io:up l1i6 hw,d.. dJ>ove "'~ . Howeve.r, ne l>ü:t6/ ,
! 5ncq>S /;tIe.i.r h~ offi ¡,f t.he.y WL hin> ro lI¡nore her. sayas little as possible in order tu
avoid arguments
) I'm W\¡-'g úUl'. no/;. te Set i.two!.ved.. - (.t's sc1.m te 10:«9 ,
I~~\
104 English Idiom; in Use

Exercises
48.1 What do ¡bese underlined idioms mean?

1 ! qn'r get my head arouod ho\V m\lch sbe's changed since she meT Joel.
2 Mar}' will DellCT turl1 heads in rbe \Va)' th;H her olcler sistcr uoes.
3 You'1I 1augh yOLlr head off when you sec Bill wea ring a dinncr jachI.
4 Dick hadn 't had time ro prepare a speech, but he spokc vcr)' wcll off rhe ton of bis bcad.
5 If J \Vere yOll, ]'d keep mil head down until rhe situa rían improves.
6 SaJIl wants to USI.: yuur saw ro huild a treehouse - you'd better knock rbar idea 00 rhe brad .
7 My boss snappcd mil bead off JUSI bccausc 1 asked fOf <In extra day off.
8 Ir \Vas rhe fi rsr time rhar Jo anD a had talkcd abour wanting ro work abroad and her iarher
blall1ed her De\\' hoyfriend for pmting ideas ioro heT beaci.
48.2 Complete cach semence with Jn ¡diom fraln the box. Make any other necessary changes ,
bang your head againsc a brick wall bring chings co a head come to a head keep yo ur head
lose yo ur head scream your head off snap 50meone's head off
1 ]\·Iel when she saw a rat under rhe table.

2 When r11e pilar annollncn J rhar rhe plane was having engine problems, al! rhe passengers
behaved calmly and no one
3 I' m tcríng ro gct him tu givc up smoking, but 1
4 you ' ll easily pass yOllT driving test as long as you
5 1 wish he wouldn't when I ask him about his work.
6 Jack anJ Sue ha ve Ilot beta getting on lVell foc sorne time now, but Jack's rudeness ro her
last night and rhey had a blazing ruw.
7 The disagreement over pa} at a meeting yesterday,
48.3 Which idiom s do these pictures make yo u think of?
48.4 An swer these questions,

1 Has anyone ever bitten your head off? Why did rhey do this?
2 Under whar circumstances \Vould yon finó ir hard ro keep yOllr head?
3 Whcn was rhe last time yon langhed your head off?
4 What kind of person lVould turn your head in the streer?
5 Ca n yOl! rhink of someone who has been criticised fo r purting ideas into people's heads?
6 \Xro uld a business be pleased if ir were keeping ¡ts head above water? Wh)' (nor)?
111
11 This unit includes iust some of che idioms based on (he word head, Look in a good dictionary, find
three more ¡dioms and write them down in example sentences,

Face, hair, neck, chest
Face
Our face presenrs rhe im<lge \Ve show people and rhar is reflecred in mast of the idioms wirh face.
idiom meaning examp/e

make/pull a show that yOl! do not like something Emma pulled a face when she heard that Jim
tace by mak ing an unp leasant expression was coming to the pany.
keep a straight not to laugh or change your expression It was a ll l could do tO keep a straight lace
face even though rou warlt to laugh when I saw Jim in hi s new su il.
put a brave race pretend you are happy about Chris was disappointed about nOl getting
on something something when rou are nal happy the ¡ob, hut he's put a brave face on ¡e
take something aceept something as it looks without I dec ided to take his words at face value
at lace value t hinking ahout whewer it might, in although my brother told me I was being
fact, not be quite what it app ears naive.
on the race of it accord ing to the appearance of On the face of it. it's a generous offer. But I
something feel the re might be a trick in it.
race to face wich another person in their presence You should really discuss this with her face
rather than. say, by phone or letter to face .
Hair
Hair io iclioms often has asso(;iations with being callo and in control.
If you S3}' lO SOllleone Kccp your hair oo! (informal ) you mean Calrn clown!
H er boyfriend has di sappeared again. She's rearinglpulling her hair outl
[getting very anxious (usua ll y used with continuous verb form s)]
My boss didn't tum a hair whcn I handed in my notice. [showecl no rcaetion at aH1
e N eck and chest
lt's lAt1wmfort.o.b[.e a.t home o..t tI1e 11'0mwt b€.C.<}.«se m~ two fW1:mms, Tom 0J1d.. Di.d:, Il.re.
o..t e.o.d1 oH1u's throabs 1 olL tI1e Me. lt sto.rl.e.d. L-.lhe.n Tol1' lAsed.. Di.c.k's Wl1'pute.r 0J1d..
mOJ10-9ed.. to d.es!:.ro':j some fi.L¿s. T011' d.ec.Uie.d to moJ::e. (1. cI..eo.Il bre.a.st of it.L . No"" Did:::
....on't l.et hi.m lA.se tI1e w mpuw wi.ti1out bre.:ttning cioto.m \'lit> ne.d:: ~ oJl tI1e ü.me 0J1d.. l1e's
a!w~s gOlng On o.bwt 110vv st.u..pi.d.. fom vvM. Tom ftnds tI1i..s (1. rul. pctin w. tI1e ne.ck 1
OJ1cl he vvl5hes he l-1o...cl nevtr" got. (t. off \'lit> chest 5, blAt ho...cl jv..st l.et Di.ck tI1i.rl:: i..t WM
o... w mplAw vi.rus tI1o...t hM.. d..estroyui hi.;s fi.L¿s. Tom kYloWS he ~s in tI1e wrong, bv..t he
.... i..sl-1es Di.d: woul.d..rt't keep ro..mming it down hit> ti1roo..t b oJl me Me o..l'Id. wov.Ld. j v. st
show 11i.:; OJ1t1O':jOJ1c.e. by gi.ving 11i.m tI1e coLd.. sl1ou.l.cifJ'" 7.
argUlrlg in a very angry way reaJl ya nnoying

1 leU the Huth about whal he had done so lhat \ told him what ht wal'> feeling guihy about
he did nor fee! guilty an)' mure ó foróng him to listen ro his opinions
1 paying close arrention ro what he is doing in ignoring him in a dcliberate wa}'
an annoying oc rh rearening way
Note how idioms wirh thmat or neck ohen describe someone beha\'ing in a \Va)' thar rhe
speaker fincls aggressive or intrusive. Note also how rhe idea (lf a guilty sccrer be ing a weight
on your chest is reflecred in t\Vo idiolllS - make a clean breast of and get it off youe chest.

Exercises
49 . 1 Complete each id iom with a wo rd from th e box . Use sorne of the words more rhan once.
hair m~ck shou\der
I f1 o..verd, bew wJ0!,jt.rlg m!j Job ruwtl!:j cm tne

bu t m!J Cll~\< es Mn't get 0>1 wilh ('.lI..C.h other. Th~
1 or 9;''''''9 w..c.J.1 otl1 er tne wl..d..
wh l.c.l1 ih "'01'51'- . M!:l t6 oJ.w¡¡.ys br e.o.llil.r.g do",n my
b055 • (U'ld.. ro.mmmg
hl,e, reOJ:.hcnOJ!j vU'.W~ do"' n m!J I jW<i nlfYl o.. terrible po.i.rI m tI1e
6. I f1 o..d. to gcl m!:j fee!i¡,gs off m!j <l.Yl<i )~,
sto..nd.i>1g beh,nd. me. 'Yw sl1 wld.
fired.. l ' I ¡.J (l5

' Y()l.('t e-
hos e. told me
9,' he s"-Ui G.n<i, wi.t!-1!)t,\t
50 GU1gr!j il1o.t I p"ttea. (L
fui.:;
wming "'-
.'"
I cieci.d..t.<i ro (A nb,,m:len l'I'ysl'lf ro he:; secret.uy . 5o.<Menl!,J, rwJ.i.5C<i tno.t m!:j bos:> W"-5
wt of tne offi.c.e.
49.2 M atch the beginning o f each scntcnce 00 [he left with ÍTs eodiog 00 the right.
1 You try to kccp a stra ight face when yOl! get very upset abour something.
2 YOll put a b rave face 00 something when yOl! admir ro dOlog somcthing wrang.
3 You can be said ro be pull ing your ha ir OUT when yOl! accept it in a straightforward \Va}'.
4 You make a clean breast of something when you are showing you r anger.
5 You ma}' make a face when yOl! want to control your laughtcr.
6 YOl! take someth ing at face value when yOl! deliberarel}' ignore rhem .
7 YOl! ma}' be told to keep your hair on when you are not pleased abour something.
8 You give someone the cold shoulder when you try to hide }'our disappointmcnt.
49.3 Correct the mistakes in these idioms.
1 Rose's fathe r dídn't pu l! a ha ir when she told him she was going tu get married .
2 [ wish m}' boss would let me get on \Vith my work instead of breathing down the neek .
3 You ~ho u ld teU him direetl)' ho\V you feel rather than ¡USt giving him the cold shoulders.
4 N ína ís ver}' worried about her husband's iUlless, but shc's PUttillg her brave face on it.
S Keep yaur ha ir up!
6 If rou take \Vhar they say \Vith face value, }'ou'll soon get disappoimed.
7 Having [O do homework is such an aehe in the neek!
8 1 have ro teH }'ou a terrible secree. I'll go mad i f I don't get it on my chest soon.
49.4 Wh ich idioms do these picmres make you think of?
English Idicms in Use 107

Eyes
Thc c y l:S are the basis uf a largc nurnber of id io1l1s. Note the idioll1s and rheir meanings in
these paragraphs .
• I ccu!.d.n'¡' bd.Wtt. '"9 ~ I when I fU--~t $Q.W ner . She. Wrl5 50 be.o.v.ü,ful, I
¡ jv.:;f; c.(I(.t.I.d.n't.l::up 1119 ~ off2 hu. I tr-iui 1:0 C<I..W1 hu ~eJ to sa.y helio.
As d. tetuher m!J5df. I knol<J thaltea.chiJ"g is na 1!O.5!j . Yoo /J.l.¡vays I1Me fu ku¡> AA eye m 4
the swdents, bid sometimes !:fJ« ),1st nttYe te Wrn a. bünd eye5 i.f they t>thave badLy. 11!:fJ«
NlU'lt to be a ka.cher,!P' haye ro 90 into the profes~r¡ M.tI1 !J'Ur egu Open6.
I JenYllj tU'Id.. 1 we.re good. -h-i.el"Id.s o..t fU-st, blAl YlOW we d.ol1't:. su ~e te ~1 . 1 I::now
~ t.I1e. .f-o..c.t !:hG.t ¡.,¡e. stoppeti being fTl.ernLs rtli6ul 1\. few ~sa o..t tl1e. Me.
Tc:'/d ;;::'nlC4$t tp"r eye DYU9 this -~ and ~:-:; ;'ue are any speiW!g rrrisWes? M!J'
: computer's thtf. blirl: IO and the speU-ched:er re{tAf'(!.5 lo worl:. 1hese rq;orl.s Me irPportant, a.wi
Df1
, I qJ¡.;a.gs l1aye to h¡I,VeA:up ~ ege- 011 11 how /:he bes:; wi.il retJ.d te them W they toce /,Inady .
I It oJL ho.p¡>el'lea.. in tI1e. t>üri: of llI'I ~ell Q.nd. no 0111'.. cookl d.o o..n!:jtl1u...g 1:0
pte'lent. it. It W~ l1orrittt..e. B\<t tl1e potic.e offi<:.u sto.nding ne.o.rb!:l ~'t W
CU'I ~Il. Thm somill1~ (.(W.~ "'9 . 1 4 whid1 s'riod:e.ci me. VlUl Tflon..
!I
Worl:ing in such a. peor w«ntry opened f1I!J ~ hl I5 how ..r¡pst /;he l<iOrld. is. ft k1M
irdeed a. ruL eye-cpurv16.
coulcln'r believe \Vhar I was sceing 11 observe ca refully

co uldrú Stop looking a¡ her 12 exrremely short time
3 ger her aUentiOIl; make her look al me 13 clicln 't reaer at aU
~ keep your arrention on I~ maJe me look
s ignore bchaviour which yOIl know is wrong 15 made me llnderstand fo r rhe firsr rime
6 aware of all rhe problems rhere cou ld be 16 an evem or situarion rhar [ llnexpecredly
1 agrcc \Viril each othcr bunt sOllwthing from
a surprised/shockcJ people
have a quick look ar
10 is beginning to break clOWII anJ go wrong,
probably becallse ir is old (to blillk means ro
close and open yo nr eyes ver)' quickly)

Exercises
50.1 Writc a suitable response to caen of these remarks with an ¡diurn. Use rhe keyword in brackets.
A: Oh! We're doing 58 and (he speed limit is 50 . There's a poliee car rhefe!
B: Don'r\VOfrr, if it's just over rhe limie (he y usually . (BLIN D)
2 A: Thcre's Perca over there. 1 wonder jf she's secn ll S?
B, [don't know. Let's wave and ser if \Ve can . (CATCH)
3 A, Are )'OU and Sally Ilor friends an)' more?
B, No, Ilor really, we ¡usr dOIÚ . (SEE)
4 k Is the re something wrong w ith this photocu picr?
B, Yes, it's been fa f a while now. (BLINK )
5 A : Was ir an inreresri ng cxperience work ing faf Socia l Sen'ices?
B, Yes, r lcarnt a lar of things. Ir \Vas a real . ( OPE:,,\l )
6 A, Oíd she reaet in an)' \Va)' when you told hcr rhe ;l\vful news?
B, No, she didn'r . (BAT)
50.2 Circlc the corrcer word to complete cach semenec.
I If you wam ro he a professiona l arbitre, you ha~·e ro go ioro ir wirh your ~m open .
2 \Vill you ca sr your ~ over rhis report? 1 have ro hand ir in [omorrow.
3 Eri k is so erazy abollt .\1argarer. Look ar him ! He ea n'r keep bis ~ off hcr!
4 T be events of lasr night rea lly opened ríly eve leves ro just how arrogant he really is.
5 1 couldn 't believe m)' ~ whel1 r saw what a mtss they had maje of the roolll .
50.3 Rewrite rhe underlined parr of eaeh sentcnec with an eye idiorn.
1 An aeeident can happen so quicklv VOl! eillÚ stop it.
2 His hehaviouf ar rhe meeting surprised a few peor le.
3 You should ca ke into considerarjon yOUf ehanees of promorion when taking up a new job o
4 A very strangc sight forced OH' to look as I \Vas driving along [he motorway )"esterday.
50.4 Here ¡tfe sorne randorn exarnplcs from a computer databasc containing lincs from real
!ji eon versations. The figures in diamond bntckets, e.g. <51>, <52>, mean 'firsr speaker', 'second
speaker', erc. Haw many of rhe cxarnples use eye as an idiom, and haw man y use rhe ward
eye in its lireral sen se as 'the organ we see with'? Use a dictionary if necessary.
1 go into town and get erm an eye test. <s 1 > Mm. <s2 > In town.
2 you er keep an eye out for tramps, do you t hen?
3 In your mind's eye h ow are you going to do that?
4 <s1.> So 1'11 keep a general eye on it. And er <s3> Yeah
5 <s 1 > There's something in my eye . There 's that t hing floating
6 difficult to put that t o your eye . You also have to have one eye
7 good offer? <s2> Yeah it caught my eye <s1> Yeah it's
8 I'm casting my eye over this form and I think
9 this year. <s4> Just keep an eye out for it . <s4> Yeah.
10 <s2> You'll have to keep an eye on her. <s I> Yeah. <s2> Oh my
11 so you're about eye level with the monitor.
12 saw her out of the corner of my eye. <s3> Her lipstick is a11 over

Ear, lips, mouth, nose, teeth, tongue
Ear
The association of ear with hearíngllistening is prorninenr in most of rhese idiorns .
example meaning
In my apinion, you should ¡use play it by ea .. respond to the situarían as it oecu(S, don't decide
what lO óo beforehand
Do rou play che guitar from musíc or by ear1 play without musíc: ¡ust by seming che right notes
I couldn't believe rny ean whe n she told me. couldn't belie"'e what I was hearing
Bill i1ever listens when you teU hlm important th ings doesn't listen or par anemian; forgets things
It ¡ust goes in ene ear ¡tnd out the other. immediately
Ga on~ Ten me me gossip.l'm all ean~ \'m very keen to near what you nave to tel! me.
B Other face idioms: lips, mouth, nose, teeth, tongue

Some literal associations rema in strong in these idioms, Bur remembee, these are only
guiddines, aod sorne idioms rnay be less rransparenr in rheír meanings,
Maio association: Lips are associated with sayiogft"lking.
The CQmpany pays lip scrvice to rhe principIe of equal rights foe women. [says it bclieves in,
but does nor cHry outl
1 protnise [won't tdl anyone. My [ips are sealed, [1 shall keep rhe secrer I tel! no one[
Main associarioo: Mouths are associared with spea king ar eatiog.
1 heard about the school by word oí mouth. Everyone said it was good . [by being told directly]
Thase cream cakes an: really mouth-watering I making niy mouth water. Take them away
hefore J eat them al!! [making me \Vanr ro ear them]
Maio associatíon: Noses are assoeiated wirh fee lings/reactions and involvernenr.
Stop pokingJsticking your nose iota uther pcople's business! limcrfering in]
You shouldn'r fum your nose up at 200 pounds a week. It's better than nothing. [refusc1
Thar new secretar)' gers right up everybody's nose. Someone wilI have to taIk ro the boss
about ir befo re it's too late. lannoys!irritates everyonel
Maill association: Teerh are associated with hard work I determination! struggles,
He achieved ir in the reeth of serious opposirion . Idespitc]
1 escaped disaster by the skin oí l1\y teeth. \1 only just escaped" disasterl
\X'c can't change what's happened. We'lI ¡ust have ro grit our teerh and do our best ro carry
on as befare. [accepr rhe situaríon and handlc it with determinarion]
Joe is Iying through his reech. 1 never said ,m)' such rhing! [relling J. deliberate liel
Maio associatioo: Tongues are aS50eiated \Virh speaking.
1 was upset by her remarks, but 1 bit my tongue. [remained silcm; didrl't reaetl
Her n¡lme's on the tip of my tongue, but [ just can't remember it. II kn.ow ir and wit! be able
to remember ír ver)' soon l
I
Where idiems de carry indiNlct asse.ciatiCl"\s 'Hith the\r literal meal'>il'> gs. try to grcup them in sorne WW-¡,
e.g. 'Hps and tongue are assotiated 'Hlth speaking', as mis mar help you ro remember memo
I 10 Eng/ish Idioms in Use

Exercises
51.1 True aI false? Tick (.1) the correet box far these statements. True False
lf someonc plays a musical instrumenr by ear, they C¡ln [cad the
notes dircctly fram a sheet of music. e e
2 lf yaur lips are sealed, ~'ou refusc [O tell urher pcoplc a sccrct you know. e
3 If you escaped by rhe skin of youf tcerh, you ooly jusr cscaped and
carne c10se to disasrer. e CJ
4 If a pcrson ¡;ets up your nme, yOLl are ua:.:}' about rhcm and can"t Stop
rhinking of rhrIll. CJ [J
S If you achieve somerhing m rhe teerh of opposition, you do ir in spite of
thar oppositioll. CJ CJ
6 If informarían spreads by worJ uf l11omh, it is kept as a secrct knuwn
ooly ro a small llumber of people. e [l
51.2 Rewrite each underlined idiom with a literal cxpression thar has rhe same meaning.
~he said sorne very hurtful things ro me, but I just bit m}' tongue, becausc 1 didn't wanr to
show her I was upset.
2 I can't really advise you on huw ro bchave at the intcrvicw. Just pla\' ir bv car, and l'm
sure you'll be grear.
3 The government pays lir service ro low taxe'i, but then puts up indirect taxes wlthout
people realising it.
4 We offcrcd him a holiday J.t our housc ncar rhe bcach, but he tllfned his Ilü~e UD ar ir.
.5 He said, 'Do you wanr ro hear sorne gussip about Tom and Lily?' I said, 'Oh ycs! Tell me.
rm a1l ears.'
6 I wish )'ou wouldn't pob: your n(}~e into other peupJe\ affairs.
7 The table was pilcd high wirh muuth-\vaterinlf dcsserts.
51.3 Correct rhe mistakes in these idioms.
1 There's no poi m talking to her. Ever)'rhing jusr enters one eJ.r and Icen-es rhe orher.
2 I ¡ust didn't beheve in m)' ear when they told me r had won firsr prize.
3 Whcn I kncw how bad the situation was, 1 iusr gruund my teeth and eontinued fighting.
4 The name uf rhe village where he ¡ives is on the top of m)' tungue. Give me a few minutes
and l'll rememher ir.
5 What she said is simply nor rrue. She's lying wirh her tooth.
6 The sighr of aH those dcliciuus pizzas is watering m}' mouth, but I'111 on a diet, so I
shouldn't really havc an}'.
51.4 Here are four more idio111s which are nut on the left-hand page. Using a dictionary if
necessary, choo~c the correct answcr.
1 My heart was in 111y muuth.
a) 1 was feeling ill. b) 1 was fl:eling anxious/nervuus. e) 1 was falling in love.
2 Could 1 have a word in your ear?
al Cuuld you telI me the facts? b) Could r tel! you a secret?
<::) Could 1 speak to )'OU privatdy?
3 These people just live from hancl ro mOLlth.
al They steal food. b) Thcy just earn enough mane)' ro survivc.
e) They ear with rheir hands.
4 The boss was foaming at the mouth when it emerged ho\\' ll1uch money had been losr.
a) He was feeling sick. b) He was spitting ar pcoplc. e) He was ver}' angr)'.
English idioms in Use III

Heart
Feelings

open your heart share your deepest feelings Tony opened his heart lO me.
bare your heartJsoul share secret (often dramatic) I find ir rather painful to ba re my
feelings wim someone else hean te anyone else.
pour yo ur heart out share secret warríes with Imelda poured her heart out to
someone else me - I wished I cculd help her.
your h e art misses/s kips a you suddenly feel so excited or When I first SilW Pat, my heart
beat frightened chat yaur heart beats missed a beat. I knew he would
faster be important lO me.
someone's heart is in the someone is good even il they He is a bit rude sometimes. but
right place sometimes behave the wrong way his hea rr is in me right place.
have a change af heart change your opinion or the way Ben wanu tO buy the boat before
you feel his wife has a change of heart.
break someone's heart make someone very sad (often It breaks my heart te see the
someone who loves you) refugees on the news.
your heart sinks start to fcel sad or worr ied My heart sank as Bob approached.
a man/woman after my own you adm ire them bccause they He loves dogs ~ he's aman after
hea rt do or believe me same as you my own heart'
talk to someone heart-to- you have a serious conversation They had a heart-to -hcart and
heart / have a heart-to-heart and express your fee li ngs opeflly sorted out their differences.
take something to heart u ke something (usua lly criticism) Don't takc it to heart. He really
seriously didn'c mean te upset you
• •..,B Determination
lose heart ser your heart on somerhing I have
[Stop believing rhar )'Ol! can succeed] your heart set on something
[you are determined to achieve
to you e heart's content
somerhing]
[you do ir as much as you want to
because )'ou enjoy ir] know somethi ng by heart I learn
something off by heart
put your heart and soul inlO something [memorise ir so rhar )'Ol! can recire
[pur a grcat dcal of cHort and ir perfecdy J
determinatíon into somerhing]
Paul didn 't lose heart even though he had fai led his driving test six rimes .
Rowena pUl her heart and soul into a project aimed ae helping blind childrcn.
Tom set his hean on I had hi s heart set on emigraring to Australia.
When you've done your homework, you ca n play computer games to yo ur heart's contento
Actors get very good at learning things by heart.

Exercises
52.1 Match caeh remark 00 the 1cft \Virh rhe person \Vho rhe remark might be addressed ro on rhe
[¡ght.
1 Doo'r lose heart! Someone who has a rarher unrealistic amhition.
2 Doo't take it to heart! A lovcd ooe \Vho is causing you grieE.
3 You're a mao afrer m}' own hean! Somconc who has ro give a spccch.
4 Don'r set your heart 00 it! Someone \Virh rhe same tastes.
5 Lcarn ir by hear[! Someone \Vho 15 feeling discouraged.
6 You're breaking rny heart! Someune \Vith a secret ro shan:.
7 Your heart is in rhe righr place! Someone \Vho is upset arrer being criticiscd.
8 Yüu can open yOLlr hcart ro me! A kind person who tries ro do rhe right rhing (hm
doesn't always sueceed).
52.2 Complete cach sentence wirh ao ¡diom fram rhe left-hand page.
1 My when rhe handsomc man smilcd at me.
2 When we are on holiday, the children can ouild sandcastles
\Vhile \Ve lie on rhe beach and read.
3 Jim used to suppart the Green Parry, hut he's ...........................................................................................
4 Jf yOIl ask iZoy to help yOIl, I'm sure he'll and the
job wil! be finished in no time.
S It's not a good idea to to a journalist unless you
want your secrets to become publi, knowledge. (Givc thrcc answcrs.)
6 Your dissertation is nearly finished, ~o don't now.
7 It ro see my brother making such a fool of himself.
(Give two answers.)
8 My when 1 realised par day \Vas snll a \veek away.
52.3 Rewrite each ullderlined idiom with a literal expression that means the same.
Emil)" (1) had ser her heart on getting a promorion. ~he had been (2) puning her heart and
$01.11 into her work, but had !lot yet been offered a better position. So she decided to (3) have
a heart to heart with her ooss. Over several cups of coffcc she (4) poured hcr heart out to
him, telling him al! aoout heT achievements and her ambltions. Her boss listened (5) wirh a
sinking heart. When she had finished (6) baring her heart, he saiJ: 'You're a great \Vorker,
Emily, and (7) vour heart is ccrtainlv in the ril!ht place. In many ways, (8) vou're a woman
after my own heart. Bur you do need ro improve on your people skil!s before \ve can consider
promoring rou. 19) Don't lose heart, rhough. I'm sure you \Vil! make ir one day.' Emily (lO)
took his \'iOrds to hean and \Vas at fint very upset. But then she bought a book called People
Skills and How fo Get Them and dccidcd shc'd (11) lcarn it by heart.
52.4 Answer thesc questions.
1 What might a boy who 1$ very good ar playing the guir,u ser his he:lrt on dOll1g?
2 If you do somerhing ro your heart'g coment, do you do it very wel! or do it a lor?
3 lf you say that someone is a woman after your own heart, do yOil mean that she likes rou
or thar she is Jike vou?
4 Jf you say thatsO~leone's heart is in the righr place, are you praising them?
5 If yOUf heart misses a beat, whú.:h of these might you be: sick, cxcitcd, afraid, in love?
6 Who does a tccnage girl oftcn opcn her heart to?
7 Why might a woman have a change of heart abour getting married and wh:lt would she
then do?
8 What sort of rhing might break a young lover's heart?
English Idrom, In Use I I3

Brain, mind, blood and guts
Bra in
If yon h ave something on the brain (informal), yOl! can't STOp
thinking Of ta lking about one particular thing.
If yOl! pick somco nc's brains , yOl! ask fOf information Of advice
from a person who knows more abour something rhan )'OU do.
The phrase (he brain drain is used to rcfer to the Illovemem o f
highly ski llcd and cducatcd pcoplc fram thci r own countrr ro
another one w here rhey are paid more.
B Mind

be a load /w e igh t off yaur fee l re li eved because a worry is Knowing he was safe was a load
mind removed off my mind.
have/keep an open mind wait until yo u have all the facts Th e PM is keeping ao open rnirld
befare forming an apio¡en unti l the report is readr.
have a mind of its own (of a machine) it doesn't work My word processor seems to
the way you want it tO have a mind of its own.
make up your mind decide 1 made up my mind to leave.

My mind's made up! I'm leaving.
pu tlset someone's mind at help someone to stop worrying If it' U put yo ur mind at rest, ni
rest phone home every day.
at the back of yo ur mind always in you r mind although you The thought of having to make a
don't spend too much time decision soon is always at the
thinking about it back of my mind.
in your mind's e ye in your imagination or memory In my mind 's eye I can ni ll see the
house 1 grew up in.
Blood and guts

If a film is said ro be full of blood and gurs " (informal), ir mcans that it is ver)' \'iolent.
If somerhing is done in cold blood, or in a cold-blooded way, ir is done in a eruelly planned
and unemotional way. lt is st rongly associated wirh the verbs kili and n/urder.
If making somconc tell or give you somcrhing is like gettiog blood Ollt of a ston c, ir is very
difficulr ro do .
If you say you have a gU l feeling/reaccion, you mean rhar fec ling or reaerian is instinctive.
lf you slog/swcat/work yo ur gUts o ut (informal), you work exrremely hard .
• Guts is an informal word far imesrines.
1 14 English Idiams in Use

Exercises
53.1 Match the beginning of each 'ientence with ¡ts ending.

1 Getting him to agrec ro spend mone}' IS like his mind at rest.
2 He's exhausted hecause he's been sJogging ar rhe back of his mind.
3 1'm surc the doctor will ser pick his brains.
4 I've got tha! computer game in his mind's eve.
5 He can still sec heT quiTe clcarly getting blood ~ur of a ~tone.
6 He tries out ro think abour ir, bm it's a!ways cold-blooded.
7 lf you can'r do ir ;:done, you could Try tu his guts out.
8 Crimes of passions are ¡ess horrific rhan rt1urders which are 00 rhe hrain.
53.2 Complete each oí these ¡dioms wirh brain(s), mind, blood or gut(s).
Therc was a large .............................. cirain from rhe UK ro rhe US io the seeond half of
rhe 20th ceotury.
2 Knowing rhar you'rc going ro take respollsibiliry fOI rhe iob i~ a major weight off my
3 My rcaetion is ro truSt him.

4 This horrible ear has a of its own.
5 There is too much blood and .......................... on TV these days.
6 1 can'r finish this erossword. Can r piek your
7 The man was murdered in eald
8 J can see my grandmother's face now in my ................................................. 's eye.
53.3 Complete cach sentence wirh ao idiom from rhe lefr-hand page.
1 The goyernment are rarher worried abOllt ......................................... .
2 1 like borh rhe shirts. 1 cao't whieh onc ro buyo
3 Don'r rhiok too long abanr rhe quesrion. Jusr tell me your
4 Why do people eojul' films tbat are fult uf

5 Don'r decide until ron know al! the faers. Ir'5 besr ro
................................ uonl rben.
6 1 know yuu musr be worried, but l'm sure we can .................................................
7 I've had rhar awful soog cvcr since heariog it on
rhe radio rhis morning.
8 Getting him ro rell me anl'thing ahom his work is Jike
53.4 What do yOIl think is the main metaphorical or non-literal rneaning of thcse words as shown
by the idioms in this unit?
·
1 mind 2 blood 3 br:lin 4 gut5
l
Look up broirl(s), mind, blood and gtJt(s) in a good dictionary. Can you find any other examples of
Idloms using these words! ff so, do they have the same metaphoflcal meanmgs as mose you suggested
• in exercise 53.4! . . c. _.__ _ .,.~.... _. .
English Idioms in Use 1 15

Back
The body

be on someone's back constantly ask sorneone tO do My parenu are alway~ on my
(informal) something or criticise them hack about doing my homework
in an annoying way on time,
you wouldn't be 50,.,.y I you'd be glad when someone 1'11 be glad to see the hack of this
you'd be pleased/gladlhappy leaves ar something ends government. They've been a bit
to see the back of someonel because rou don 't like that of a disappointment.
something persorl or thing
(ould do something with cou ld do something very easily The test was easy. I could've done
one arm/hand tied behind it with one hand tied behind my
your back back!
getlput someone's back up offend someone I put her back up when I

criticised Americans - I didrú
know she ~ame from NewYork.
stab 50meone in the ba~k do something harmfu l ca a Although she's friendly ca my

person who trusted you face, I suspect she'd happi ly sub
me in the back.
do so mething whenfwhile do something while someone As soon as the teadlCr's back
someone's back is turned can't see what you are doing was turned, me children
(usually something mat person surted passing notes ca each
would not approve of) other_
you scratch my back and 1'11 il you help me, 1'11 he lp you We can help each orher - you
scratch yours scratch my back and 1'11 scratch
yours.
know a place/person/thing know a place/personlthing He's a great guide as he knows
like the back Qf ymlr hand extremel,! we\1 tne town like tne b,ck el n¡s
hand.
Position
In these idioms hack has rhe sense either of being disr~nr or nm taking the main rome .
H a plan is 011 the back burner, ir ¡sn'r bcing dealt \Vith no\\' om hasn'r been totall y forgorren.
Jf somewhcn: is at/ in the back of beyond , ir mcans th:1t ir is far from any town.
Jf you take or an acti viry takcs a back seat, somerh ing cisc beco mes more imporranr.
If you say thar somcrhing carne/fcll off thc back of a lorry, yOl! rhink ir has hccn stolcn.
If somerhing comes bylthrough rhe back door, ir comes in a \Va)' thar is nor honest or officia!.
Backward(s)
1 haJ leanúbcnt over backwards ro please her Itrid very 11ard]. However, she left without a
backward glancc [Iefr wirh no rcgrcts Of sad fcclin gs l.
! !6 Eng!ish !dioms in Use

Exercises

lf your boss is always on your hack ahout tidying your desk, is your desk usually tidy and
haw does your boss fccl abour this?
2 lf you put someone's back up, has your re1ationship \Virh thar pcrson improved?
3 What sort of rhing might children do when rhe ttacher's hack is tumed?
4 If someone ~ays You scratch my back and I'lI scrarch yours, what do rhey want you to do?
5 If somconc !caves hame without a backward glance, are rhey happy tu ¡cave?
6 If doing housework takcs a back seat while yOll are revising for yaur exams, which is
more important - housework or revlsion?
54.2 Complete each of tbese idioms with one word.
My aunt loves living miles from anywhere, hut I'd hate ro 1¡ve in rhe hack oE
2 You must have known th:1t:J new TV for rhar price could only have come off the back of
,
3 You won'r get lost if yüu keep with Tom. He knows the mountains like the back of his
4 Although my hosts over backwards to give us a good time, we didn't

really enjoy OUT holiday.
5 1 wouldn't trust Mr Girton. He's charming to your facc, but he'll you
in the back as soon as he gets the chanceo
6 We'd bctter put our discussion of plans for the new building on the back
and get on with trying to cieal with the currem crisis.
7 Smiths must have got the contract through the back ............ - I'm sure at least
Oile orher company put in a cheaper oHcr.
S Amelía is retiring this week and 1 certainly shan't be sorry ro the back
of her. She's always stirring up trouble.
54.3 Match each question on the len with the mmt likely response on the right.
1 Do you know the area well? Somewhere in the back of beyond.
2 Was the test difficult? By the back door, Pm sure.
3 Where is the castle? She's always on my back about it.
4 Where did ~hey get the computer? 1'11 be glad to see the back of ir.
5 How on carth did she get that position? Like tbe back of my hand.
6 Do yOIl like this hot weather? It's taking a back seat at the momento
7 Does your girlfriend hke your motorbike? It feH off the hack of a lorry.
8 How\ your Japanese project going? 1 could have done it with my hands tied
behind my back.
54.4 Rewrite the undcrlined part of each sentence with an idiom from (he left-hand page.
1 Jim offended May hy telling her she was too }'Ollllg ro go out \vith the others.
2 H you do me a favQur rlOW I'\\ do one for you too.
3 Sue tricd hard to give her grandmother an enjoyable holiday.
4 The teacher is always complaininlf about m}' handwriting.
5 Let's postp(lne any discussion of the merger until :-Jfter next week's meeting.
6 My dream ].s ro go off ro a cottage in the middle of nowhere :-Jnd work on a novel.
7 Joe went off ro ¡oin the navy without anv re\!rets.
8 Quick! We can leave now whilc Sasha isn't looking.
EngJish Idioms in Use I 17

Long
Idioms with long used frequently in co nversation
Ben; Hi Jill! r haven'r sccn yo u for ages.
Jill: Ycah, long time no see! [1 havcn't seen yOl! for a long rime]
Ka nc)': He}', what happencd to your plan ro go on holiday wirh Ken?
Rita : Oh, it's a long story. J'II tell rOl! next time I see yO l!. [it's J.!I ver}' complica tcd and
difficulr [O [e11t
Bcrnard: H aw long Jo we normal!y have ro wait till rhey give us an answer?
lvlalcolm: (1augh ing) H ow long is a piece of srring? Ir cau ld be [hrce da ys Uf (hree months!
lThat's an impossible question ro answcr. Used in answcr ro qucsrions bcginning
'Haw long . ?']
Karen: Bm ha\\' ¿ id it h;,<ppen? 1 don'r undc rstand .
Laura: Well, to cut a long story short, Peter fel! in
lave wirh rhe restaurant owner, married het
and nüW he's rhe manager. [rel} the main
points, out no r all the fine det,lí1sj
Sandy: Did you write clown the oames of cveryone
who complaincd?
E IS¡l: Ycs, ['ve got a list as long as your ann! A: What are you dolng?
{very long lisl indced1 B: 1 thillk it's lime to cut a long
stor)' shorl.
Compound idioms
1(.. then.
a .\tory/lecture/speech is long-w inded ' \\'ln dl dl it's too long and boríng
a rask or a process is going to be a long haul :11.1:1/ it's not go ing to be easy and it will rake a long time
someone has a long face they look sad and depressed/gloomy
Idioms with golcome and fongllength

She always goes tu great lcngt hs ro make us feel welcome. [makes a very big cHorr]
H e would go ro any lengths ro avoid meeting Chrisrine; he ha tes her. ¡do anythillg he could]
r think Jane will go a long \Vay; shc's vcr~' cJever and she swdies h¡ud. ¡\ViII be ver)'
sllcccssfu\; rise to rhe top of hcr profcssion1
Helcn and J go back a long way. ¡have known cach orher for many yearsl
Kyoko has rcall y come a long \Vay since slle [irsr started le¡lrning English; she's quire fluent
now. ¡made great progressJ
Note also: 1 ,hink we should take a long, hard look at the cost of;\H this. [considcr c;\refuUy }
J JB Englis/J Idioms in Use

Exercises
55. I Complete cach of these idioms.

My parents <11ways go ro makc ao;; oew friend of
mine fee! weJcome if 1 bring them horneo
2 You've come since the lasr time we played rennís.
You must have been practising hard.
3 Georgina aoó J go . l've known her sioce J 984.
4 My tcacher Olt 5choo1 a¡ways told me 1 would go .......................... .
but she was wrong; l'm stuck in a vcry boring job aod don'r eam mucho
5 J'd he prepared ro go to get thar jobo I've never
wamed anything so much in aU m)' life.
6 lr'5 rime tú take ae our personal finances. 1 think
we're spending too mucho
55.2 Use rhe idioms fram cxercise 55.1 ro make sentenccs uf your OWO, bastd 00 these outlines.
Tell a young peIsan JUSt Icavmg high schoo\ \\'ho has done wel! in rheír exams thar you
think chey have an excellenr career ahead of rhem.
2 Tell someone that rou and yOllr b~st friend hav~ kJlown ~ach orher fOf years and y~ars.
3 TeH someone thar rhe family you srayed with whcn yOll wcre lcarning a ncw !anguage JiJ
everything possible ro make you fee! ar home.
4 Tell somcone who plays rhe violín for you thar you thmk rhey've made grcat progress
since rhe last time you hcard them play.
5 TelJ someone rhar you think you should rcconsider very scriously a pL1l1 you have maJc
with them to sran a business together.
6 Tell someone you would be prepared to do absolutely anythmg ro persuade rhe owner of a
beautiful flar to seU ir to you.
55.3 Which idioms wirh long could you use to answcr someone who said to rOu ... ?
1 Hi! Wow, it's been ages, hasn't it?
2 How long does ir take ro get a eomputer repaired?
3 Hey, what happened ro you and Hilary? I rhoughr you were going to ger married.
4 What happened at rhe meeting lasr nighr? Don't teU me all rhe derails, just rhe main
poinrs.
55.4 What is the opposite of ... ? Use an ¡diom from rhe lefr-hand page in each answer.
1 a short, inreresting leeture
2 a happy-Iooking face
3 a quick, easy proccss
4 a short lisr
I
Durirlg the next week, each time the word long comes up in your reading or when you are speaking
English, note whether it is being used with its ordTr¡ary meanings or in an idiom. Jf any of the idioms
• you hear/read are not in thls unir, make a note of them in your VocabuJary notebook.
English Idioms in Use 1 19

Une
Une as track
ImrG.n I::n.ew he ~(l$ ÍkI ~ forl ?romoiion l.o..st!:ll'Ar Ho..,evel", ~li.5hly,
he 511iA sometnlng ou.t of Une-
2
meeti.ng o.nd.. tl1tlt .. <1.5 tne end. of (
Q.t, "- ~
"'. ,ope.5 for- "- whil.e. I'm rlOt 51,1re w)1(lj; he :;o..úi b\l¡" i.I; Wa..5 1 ! . .
sometl1i.t'1g Ci.l.ort9 l:l1e tu.~ of3 Itle prob~5 of tnr- comp~ bcing Mwn I 'f! /
!'.)(Gl.d.J..y. '
to meffi.c.ie.nt m(U1o..gement. AYI!:ll1ow, 111'.':; tea.mt ttlo..t i.t lh nOt (l. good. ~ / [J G
id..w. t.D :;tq> ou.t. of tLne..~ - G.t !.w.st not in hl!; Une. of ~5 - tU'Id. f1e
Seen'lS to be. grir.g ~/0t'I ttle ~ \.i.nU.6 YIOw. As long Q..5 he d.oesn't ~
~ ~ o.I.orog/on tkt. SOJ;\Ie w-.u 7 o..go..in - oJ; lw.st not OJ.\O.hl h¿:;
got hi.6 ptomo!icn, when he Ul.Yl be one of fue l<1efftcient m~U5
hLmsuf.
~--~~-----..,.-"....---
likely tu get (used abo ur sümerhing good) 5 profession

1 Ilor suitable, ¡har should no! ha ve been ,aid be doing somcthing in a way rhar
(ar sometimcs done) will bring good resu lts
simibr lO oí J. sinlÍbr kind \5Qmetimcs in a
4 hehave in a way rhar is nor what is expected of ron similar \Vay)
Unes as Iimits
idiom meaning exomPle
draw t he line think of or ,reat one thing as At what point does a child stop
different from anothe r being a minar! You have to draw
che line somewhere.
draw (he lioe at 50mething not do something because you I quite like modern fashions. but I
th ink it is wrong or too draw the line at body-piercing!
extreme
draw a lioe under 50mething decide that something i5 finished Leú draw a line under this
and rou are not going to eninl< episode and try to mal<e a
about it again fresh surt.
there is a fine/thin Une two things are verr similar. There is a fine line between
between ()ne thing ano a\though the 51:,ond thing is det1:rrnination and pig_headednes...
another bad whil e the first is not
Unes of writing
Orop me a line when you have a spare momenr. [scnd me a short letter, posrcard or e-mail]
Reading betwcen the lines, 1 think hc's feeling a little looely. [1 am trying to understand his
real feelings from whar he saysJ
Ir is foolish ro sign on the dotted li oc untí! yOD have checked all {he dcraik [formally agree
to something by signing a legal docurnent]
The bottom line is thar children must be protect~d. [rhe mast important faer]

Exercises
56.1 Complete these ¡dioms with prcpositions.

1 1 hupe 1'01 ¡ioe a pay [ise this year.
1 You must rcad the tioes of her 1etter to undcrstand what she's saying.
3 l'd like to design a house rhe ¡ioes of a place 1 read about.
4 I'H help wit/) the play, but ¡ draw the hne raking ,1 speaking role.
5 There's a fine line generosity and extravagance.
6 lt's uncanny how we always seern tu be thinking the samc lines.
7 You weTe quite lineo Don'r do ir again!
8 When OUT h ouse purchase is agreed, we'lI sigo the dotted lineo
9 Jt's time ro dIaw a ¡ioe this sad occurrence and to makc a fresh start.
10 Would you mind having a look at rn}' essay plan and telliog me whcrher rOLl think l'm
goiog rhe right ¡ioes or nor?
56.2 Explain rhe difference in meaning betwccn the sentences in cach pairo
A: Jane drew a Ime under her relarionship wirh Tim.
B: Ja!l~ Jrew the line at a relationship wirh Tim.
2 A: David's a¡;tions were quite out of líne.
E: David's acrions were along rhe right lines.
3 A: Rebecca said she'd trI' ro drop me a line.
B: Rebecea said she'd try ro read bet\Veen the lines.
4 A: Accountancy is Jim's line of work.
B: Jim's in li ne fOf rhe aecountancy joh at our company.
56.3 Match each statement 00 the leEt with the mosr likcly response on rhe right.
1 Drop me a line SOOIl. Why ever noe?
2 You're absolutdr out of line. It was grear.
3 {'m in line fo r promotion. So do 1.
4 What's TonI"s line of work? !'m sorry.
5 Shall we dra\.V a line under ou!" past problems? Of course, 1 \Viii.
6 Nick doesn'r dare step out of line. He's in computer programming.
7 r draw rhe line ar going on strike. That's fine by me.
8 Was my tal k along the right Enes? Congratulations.
56.4 Rewrite the underlined part(s) of cach sentcncc with an idiom from the left-hand page.
1 Please write ro me as afren as you can.
2 What's Natasha's icll?
3 What Panl did was tata1lI' inappropriate.
4 My dream is to open a school similar ro the one ! anended myself as a child.
5 Genius is io sorne wavs very clüse ta insanity.
6 Doing enough exercise is of course essenÚ,J! but too rnuch might be harmfu1. Where does
eoough become too ml!ch?
7 Let's now try to forget our previous disagreements.
8 Marcus should be gctting a new company car this year.
9 We'd Iike to visit you in Australia, but the kev problem is that \Ve just can't afford it.
56.5 WrÍte ~cntences using six oí the idioms from the left-hand page about yourself or people that
you know.
E.nglish Idioms in Use 121

Act, action, activity
ldioms with act have two maio meanings, one connecred simply with doiog [hings, the orher
wirh acting as in a rheatn.' or drama . Idioms with actiOIl can refer to what is happening or ro
whether somethinglsomeone is workingffunctioning normally.
Act
Here, the second speaker uses an idiom to repeat or "um up what the first speaker says.
Josh: The boss saw Jim and Margaret kissing in che aHíce yesterday. He was fur ious.
Simon: Yes, I heard about it. They \Vete caught in the aeL Amazing!
Kim: Lisa should fill Out her app lication for universiry or she'lJ be toO late.
Erica : Yes, ir's time she gor her act togethcr.
Paul: Keirh wams ro joio us now [har \Ve 're doiog \Vell.
Bill: Yes, now thar \Ve'rc successful he W3ll[S ro set in 00 the act!
Edirh: Brian is Cfyíog and sayiog he's ilJ. r don't bel ieve him .
Yvonne: I don'r eirher. I rhink he's just purting on an act beeause he doesn't want tu work.
Note these orher idioms with act:

Ir's always a difficult balancing aet ro please rhe younger people and rhe older ones at the
samc time. [trying to treat the t\Vo groups of people equal1yl
A lot of people rhink the rabloid ncwspapers shou ld clean up their aet and stop destroying
famous people's lives. [Stop doing something fI lot of people don 't like or agrec withj
Stop behaving like a child! You're over 18 now. Act your age! [don't behave in a childish way j
Stop aeting the fool/goat! This is a serious manero [playiog around / nor raking rhings seriously j
Action and activity

Note thar ir would normally be very unusual ro find all rhese simi lar idioms rogerher in one
texto
Norm~~- ita', offi= i6~\1~ of ~I, bL<t. ~ bOSS- hM bun out. of o..cti.oI'I1 for o... wW, so ..
everljOne'5 W1:i.ng i.t W-Slj. He'll prob"-l>t.y be bAd: in o..cti.oI'I l ne)(t wed:. He. So..jJ5 tl1er e. are opPOrtul""li./Us
4
for I'llA.ge ~ms on tI'Ie. \11Urr\«- tJ..l',(\. t\-Itkt we. snov.ld. gtt <J.. su.w~ erf Ü1e. o..c.ti.cn •. ~t L<SlA.o..l1!:l
ne's <liL t:oJk <IJ'I<i 1"10 o..clionS) so L<mS5 he. foU.ot..>s/Wk:u; o... d.i.ffere.nt cOlArse. of o..cl:ion frOTl' l1~s
usuQ.! I'-'~ of d..oing ltill-'l9S, ltien notl1ll-'lg wi.lL ho.;>~.
a very husy place (Iike a beehil'c) \Vith people take pan in somcthing cxcitillg, profit from it
working hard all rhe rime , someonc who promises/s;l.Ys they will do ;l.
2 nor been working in rhe normal way, perhaps lot of cxciting rhings, bur doesn't do them
hecause he's ill & aers in a panicular way (rather formal)
l be back ar work again
122 English Idioms in Us e

Exercises
57.1 Use an ¡diom from lhe left-hand pagc [O repeal or sum up what lhe orhcr person says.
A: Ken has been off work for a coup le of weeks, hasn't he?
B: Ves, he's beco for a whi!e now.
2 A: Doreen is so silly. She 's 31, bur she acts like a tcenagtr sornctirncs.
B: Yes, 1 agrec. She should learn ro
3 A, Eva is always saying what fantas tic plans she has to travel round rhe world, but she
nevcr actually does it.
B, Ves, she's
4 k Bob should go and gel a jobo He finished universi t)' ayer ayear ago and has never had
a jobo
B, Yes, ¡t's rime
5 k I rhink \Ve always have to try la give rhe kids a lor of fun, but ar rhe same time sholV
their parcnts we're giving thcm a scrious educarían.
B, Ves, it's a very delicare
57.2 Complete rhe crossword.
I , 1
Across
1 T une lO ger your act
4 Doo't 00 an act!
5 ! want to in 00 the acto
4 5
Dowo
2 Doo'r aet like this aoimal.
3 Bees are busy rhere.
57.3 Rcwritc thc undt:rlint:d pan of eaeh sentcnec with ao idio m from (he Icft-haod page.
1 He was stealiog a ear, aod (he poliee eaught him IUSI at the mpment wheo he \Vas aeuiog
irusut.
2 [ \Vas out of [he tea m for three weeks with a koee problem, but now ['m PI;l\' jlllO agajn.
3 l think it's time we acred io a differenr way.
4 The film industry should chaoge jI, prcsent wrong \Vav o f doiog thio?,.l and stop makiog
violenr films .
5 Everyone wanrs ro be paft pE (he excjrjng situarion nolY thar we are making a lor of
money. (Give rwo answers.)
6 Our office is a very busv place rhese da ys as we prepare for the launch of our oew
producIs.
I
Try w follow '" panicular dW.me and learn as many idioms as you can c.onnected wim it. For instance,
. ud gives us idioms connected wich che theatre. look up other cheatre words (stoge, curtoin, scene)
• and see if you can find any new id!oms.

Good and bad
Gaod and better
Jo more or do something
CMr d.tw.ghter, SI'IGJOtl, W(l.f\1;;ed.. te be (l.I1 .u.tres5. I l.<sed. te be
betrer rhan ir hJ.s bcen done
U1l'otvd i.n <lro~r tI1w..tre Q.>1d, I ti1iY11:: SI1o.rol'1 wo..nted ro 90 0t1(.
befare
Pd::I:uI ~5b otlr bd::I:u- ~UJlt.nI;l, we ~reetl.. ~<1l s\'Je cwl.d.
1 alchough we did !lOr think ir
90 te sd100t. . Howevu) \>.le m(l.f\"'9ed ro ptrS"'rui.e. hu te do
dr(lJrl(L
WJ.S a sensible thing ro do
o.. sec.rew.rial cwrse &5t - she o..greeJ. tI1Q../; tnih would o..LwCl.!:l5
J be useful in the fmure
5~ .... v "" good. sWul}. Afta c.ompLe.ti.ng fue U'X.Ir5e o..n.:L
.¡ decided no! w do what she
nuner t.o oo..<r re4ef, slle ti'lau.ght bd:tu of' .;L [¿.fe. 0\1 tI1 e s!:.G.ge
~.' ~ --
o.nd. ~ to 90 for o... job in tneolre mllno..gwe.nt- insu.o..d. .
.
had intcndcd ro do
B Best
second best not as good as rhe thing you If rou know what kind of job you want. you
really wam rca \\y shouldn't sen!e ior second best
get the best of both have the advantages of twO Living in France and working in Swiaerland
worlds different things at the same gives them the best of both worlds -
time Swiss salaries and a French lifestyle
for the best unpleasant now but will turn out It may well be that the bre3k-up of their
well in ehe future relationship is for the best.
make the best o( a be positive about a situatíon that le was difficule for her to move to such an
badjob you do not like but cannot isolated place. but she made the most of a
change bad ¡Ob .. nd slowly began te enioy it.
be on your best make an effort lO behave as Jack hates formal parties. but he has
behaviour we ll as possible promised to be on his best behaviour at the
reception ton ight.
Bad, worse and worst

The company has been in abad way ever sincc ir lost a major urder last Jui y. lin a poor
cundírionl
The situation ar school was Jreadfullast Christmas when a numhe r uf teachers were fired
and ir has gone from bad to worse since then. [gor even worse than it was befare]
1 was learning tbe piano, but l've given it up as abad job. 1 COllldn't find time ro pract:isc .
[stopped because [ felt it was not warth conrínuingJ
lf the worst comes to the WOfSt, \Ve'tI seU the home afld move back to my parents. [if the
situaríon becomes very difficu[r ur serious]
I Use me e:umple sent ef'ICes en mis page as motlels, but alter mem a liule jf possible se mat ehey
describe something in your own life.
/24 English Idioms in Use

Exercises
58.1 Complete each of these idioms with good, bad, better, best, worse Of worst.
1 Learning a litrle Japanese should stand )'OU in s[cad when you visir
Japan.
2 Chris has bcen in quite a \Vay ever since he had flu in January.
3 J didn'r wanr ro have a karaoke machine <lt our p~Hty, bm, againsr my
judgernent, 1 agreed.
4 Pcopk whu ¡ive hefe cnjoy the of both worlds: the pea ce of the
counrrysidc, and fast and frequcnr rail connections with the ciry.
5 If The comes ro the , \Ve can always walk home.
6 The headmastcr warned the chilJren to be on their behaviour while
the inspectors w{'rc in the sehao!.
7 When Terr)' \Vas maje redundant, he decided ro make the of a
¡ob ami use his extra time by taki ng a computer CQurse .
The situaríon at the scene of [he disaster seems to be guing frum to
58.2 Put the words in order and make sentences.

, else I to / berrer I Sa rah / has / one / go I everyone / :l lways / than
2 tU I tU I worse I going , be , bad / Condjtions , seem I from
3 the I teied I ro / best I \Ve / \Vas I make I bad la' ¡ob / weather I The / oí / bad I but
4 it / r I [ , rhe I of / her I bem:r I nearly / thought I told / but I nuth
5 very I As / he I never I ambitious I second / Ma rk I settle / is I for I wil l' besr
6 gave / Rose I as I job I up I trjed / ski / a I ir / learn' soon / but I bad I to I to
7 worst I ask / [f I a I we / worst I a lways / Dad I comeS / the / to I can / loan / fOf I the
8 the I happens I Whatever I for / best I happens
58.3 Look al (he pictures and answer the questions.
. . '~
.~ ; .;.','r
~
- ,
. ..
_.-
1"
'
6 [ ls the boy on his best behaviour?
2 What might happen if things go from bad
ro IVorse?
~
' ·7,, ·Y
' .' ; ·'7 '""" . "' " 'o :
.3 HolV are the people at number 10 rrr ing ro
_ """.
, +
1:] n ~ _ ta3
go ane better than their neighbours?
4 In what sense is Mike in abad way?

5 Haw might he make the best oi abad ¡ab?
58.4 Choose t\Va idioms fram each oí the Ihree 5cctions on lhe leÍl-hand page. Then wrile
scntcncc5 about your own personal expcriences.
EXAMPLF.; I'm sw.c4Jmg Engti.sh be.co..v.se. I'm SLAre. lt will sw.nd., me. i.n good.. stw..:l i.n tI1e. fuw.re..
English idioms in Use 125

Ground
The ground, mcaning [he eanh under our feer, is associatcd \Virh a number of idio!lls which
refer ro posirions peoplc occupy in giving 3rguIllcnts aud opiniuns . rhe ground is a lso sccn as
a srarting point from which plans , acrions, etc. can take off, like aplane .
Attitudes, arguments, positions

Agreeing I acceptiog ideas
Wc share a lor of common ground, so 1 [hink \Ve'll work wcll togerhcr. [thillgS we agtee un;
simila r opinions and experienceJ
The idea that organic foad is berrer fOf people as well as rhe Clwironment is gaining ground.
[bccoming more popular/acccprcd]
Disagreeing/opposing
The Prime Minister's speech has cut rhe ground from under ,he feer oí rhe Opposirion . [made
their posirion wcakcr by saying somcthing betterl
She was determined ro hold/stand her ground and nor ro be pcrsuaded by rhe orhers. [refuse
to change her opinion/bchaviourl
1 rh ink you'rc on dangerous grouncl if you try to insisr rhar rhey ch;lnge thc financial s)'stcm .
[hold a view/opinion rhar will probably offendlupset peoplc]
Changing your opinionfargument

For a long rime, neither side would give grouncl, but now it sccms they are rcad)' ro consider
each other's position. leh ange rheir opinion or aeeept the orher side's posiríon]
lt's very diffieult to argue with Rosa; she kceps shifting he ~ ground. lehanging her
opínion/argument]
The ground as starting point

Ir someone . this meons they ..
gets a projectlidea off the ground (or he lp it start off well/successfully (or it stam well/successfully)
if a projectlidea gets off the grollnd)
gets in on the grollnd floor become ¡nvo lved in something right at the beginni ng (and
which is onen successful late r)
prepares the ground (for some activity) create a good/su itable situation for something to take place
Other useful ground idioms

1 fe lc so embarrassed 1 just wished rhe ground would swallow me up. [wished 1 cou ld just
disappear)
Good resr;luranrs are thieklrhin on rhe gro und in rh is town . Ithere;'¡fe a lar / very fewJ
Living oear rhe airporr suits me clowo to rhe ground sinee [ rrave! a lar. Isuits me perfeedy )
As a resulr of rhe media attentioo , she has gOlle (O ground. [hidden, nm ;lppeared in publieJ
This pan of rolVo was my old stamping/sTOruping ground when 1 was a srudem he re ten
years ago. Iplaee where 1 spem a lor o f time)

Exercises
59. ' Complete these idi01llS with prcpO'i,itions.

The ¡\tlin ister cle ve rl ~' cm [he grnunu
her
OppO!lCllts' fecT bv announ cing llCW las curs o
2 He got
rhe ground floor \Virh
c-cOlllmcrcc alld beca me ,1 millionaire when
ir took off.
.1 Good hotels ;lrc th in rhe
ground in rhe sl1l<1 ller ciríes; you have ro go
to the o;;apiral to gc t hotc ls uf imernat iu nal
standard.
4 The projecr has gor rhe
ground quicker and mon: 5rnoorh1)' rhan \Ve
cxpcucd.
S Pan-time work suits me '- \'(lell ¡ think il $lIits )'011 d01/J1I 11) I/!c gro ll lld.'
[h e grmmd ar rhe
momc\\t N:; 1'm trying tu stl1d y al rhe ~ame
time.
59 .2 Use rhe idioms fmm exercisc 59. 1 ro rcwrite rhese SCll tcnces. Makc any orhcr ncccssary
challgcs.
, 'm afraid rhere aren'[ many good cafés in rhe W\YJ1 cenrre.
1 \'{Torking from bu me is pcdcC! fO I mt: as J can look after our small child at rhe sam e time .
.1 Jf rOlI join our company now, 1 promisc yo u :J.re coming into it a l the bt:ginning of som e
reall)' exeiting developmenrs.
<\- R educing thl.: p rice now wi\\ enahk llS t O get a hig :ld\';mtage o\'er Ollf C0l11pe titOfs,
beca use tlll.:y wil! n Ol btó a ble ro Jo [he same.
5 It's a good idea, bUI 1 don 't kno w i f ir \ViII ever bccollle popuhn.
59.3 Rewrire eaeh semen ce wirh an idiom from rhe Jefr-hand page which means rhe npposi te of
th e underl incd words.
She Js:r rhem persuade her and had a meet ing \Virh the ooss ro rell her everyth ing.
2 \'(Ie hJ.ve no id\'óls o r p:pcricllces lIT P Ul share, so we nt:ed tu discuss how we can \Yo rk
togethcr.
3 I rhink VOlI C<1n q l1il\' safel" rai-sl' rhe snhjcn of longcT holidays at the staH meeting.
4 Thal' aH; verv few English Language 5chools in rhe capital ciry.
S The idc;). th ar public transpon is bettl'l" for lhe ellvironllll'l1 l is hecoll1ing les5 popular.
59.4 An swer ¡hese qucs rion s.
If a famous person goes ro grou nd, what uo the y do?
2 How Jo you fed if y011 wish rhe gro und woul d swallow yOIl IIp?
3 Jf som eone refuses [() give gruuncL wllJf do rhey refuse ro do?
4 \'(Ihich idiom 0(1 the lcft·h all d page IllCallS changi ng yu ur positiOIl in an arg ulll ellt?
S One idiom nn the left -h:m" page giyes you a choice bu,,"cen slilmping and 3tomping.
Whar is ir anu whar does ir mean?
6 lf you want to seU a new prouuct in a ne \\' cuuntl"V anu someone has rrcp<lfed rhe grou nd
fo r yo u, what dncs rhar ¡ncJn.)

Similes and idioms with like
In rhis unir \Ve look ar ¡dioms \Virh as o • • (15 ." . 3nd Iike. As ... as ... idiom s makc an adjective
stronger I more inten se, so as blind as a ha! means ver)' blind / with ver)' poor sight indeed.
A As o •• as o •• and like idioms involving animals/birds

Try to mcmorise the keywords. They may hclp you tu remember [he whole idium more casi l)'.
T hcy ;lIso tel! yon somerhing abollt what rhe animals afe associated wirh in Britj~h culnuc.
animal keyword example meaning

boc blind I'm as blind as a bat w itho ut my glasses! can't see
boc hell It must be urgent. She len like a bat out of hell. moving ver}' fast
indeed
bear head He's like a bear with a sore head. very bad.tempcredl
irritable
b.. bus)' !'ve been as busy as a bee all morning. very busy
bird free When I set off ro un d th e worl d. 1 felt as free as a bird. very free
bu ll me colour red ITelling him ~ot to smoke in here is lilte a red rag
to a bul!.
will make him
extremely angry
- ,-
bringldrag things He arrived loaking like something the cat broughtl very scruffyl
'" into che ha use dragged in. untidylmessy
,,1 slippery Be careful. He's as slippery as an eel. changes his attitudel
positian; constantly
escapes control
fish water As the only foatball enthusiast in t he graup, I fele like a uncomfortable
fish out 01 water, because you are
different from other
people
lo. slylcunning I wo uldn't trust her. She's as slylcunning as a fax. very sly/cunning
hawk eyes Janet will see you if you use me computer without sees everything;
permissian.She has eyes like a hawk. never misses anything
o. strong My famer was a big man, and as strong as an ox very strong
B Other common similes

There were tents as far as rhe eye could see ar the rOl:k festival. [covering the landscape]
¡r's as plain as the nose on your face tha r she's in laye with him . [very easy ro see]
Looks a re nut everything. It doesn't matter ii you marry someone who is as ugly as sin as
long as you love e;lCh other. (yery ugl y indeed]
Your suirl:ase is as light as a feather Iver}' lightj . Mine's as heavy as lead [,kd ver), he;l\1'1.
e Other common like idioms

l'ye a lways tried tu avuid exams like the plague. [/pl u!-J ' avuid / have no contact with
so01eth ing unpleasant (the plague is a serious disease which kills man y pcople l]
['m so rry, ¡ forgot ro get your newspa per. J haye a memory like a sieve! I ";1\ -' ver), bad
memory (a sieve is a kitchen rool wirh a plastic ner which separates liqu ids from solids)]
He'll be here like greased lightning if he hcars rhere aTe free tickcrs. (very quickly indeed]

Exercises
60.1 This lisr of animals and the adjectivcs tradirionally associated with them in British culture
have gOl mlxed up. Put the adjectives into the corrcet boxes and write sentences using the
¡diorus.
animal wrong adjective right adjective exomple sentence

1 bu free
2 o, slippery
3 b" ,1,
i--
4 ,,1 busy
5 bird blind
--- ¡ - - - - -
6 fox strong
60.2 Rewrite thesc sentences wieh ¡dioms from the lcft-hand page.
1 1 don't mind carrying this hox. It's extreme!y light. The other one was very ver}' heav".
2 If 1 were yOll, 1 would avoid thar restaurant in every possible way. The foad is awful.
3 Millic never misses anything you do in the aHícc. She ~ees absolutcly everything.
4 r felt completely out of place \vith my dectríc guitar among al! those classical musicians.
5 There are hotels cornpletely covering the landscape all along the eoast.
6 She got up late al1<.I carne down to breakfasr looking scruffy and messy.
60.3 Answer these quesrions.
Which animal has asare hcad?
2 Which animal doesn't Jike red rbings?
3 Whieh animallives in hell?
60.4 Use ao idiom from exercise 60.3 lO complete each sentence.
1 He was very bad-rempered, likc
2 Her comments \vere like
3 He (an off like
1 She drove home like lightnmg rhe moment she heard Patrick had
arrived.
2 Don't ask Robert ro post a letrero He has a memory like a
3 Everyone could see what was happening. It \",as as as rhe nose on your
face.
4 Even if a person is as a~ sin, rhar doesl1 '( mean rhat they drt not gooJ
human heillg~. We should nor jl1dge people by their external appearancc.
60.6 Use a d¡ctionary of idioms or allo~her good dicrionary to find out whích as ... as ... símiles
I are associated with these rhings.
a pancakc
2 a brush
3 gold
4 brass
5 abone
Engllsh Idioms in Use 129

Key
Unit i
i. I by hoo k or by crook
DON""]" "::-IOWI
YES ''0 CAi'\ "T TELL
1lll:anS using ¡Ilegal merhods if necessa ry ::J ::J '"
Illcans nothíllg \Via Stop me O U
mcans l was \,('ry dctcnni ned
2 ar loggerheads
''"" O ['
n ON"T KNOWI
\T:5 :-..'0 C¡\¡"-'T TEl.L
O O
means have a good relationship
means hate raeh other C 'O" '"
U
means disagrec verr srrongly
3 pay thro ugh the nos!:
'"
\)O,, 'T)("';O\\'I
T' ES KO C AN'TTEU .
O U
''""
mcans suffer in sume \Va)'
means paya "mal! sum of money O [j
[1 U
i.2
means paya la rge sum of mone}'
F 2 A 3 D 4 F 5 e '"
6 B
i.3 !vl}' facher p Ul his foa r clown when [ said r wanred;l car fO f my seventccnth hirthday.
He ~aid r \Vas too yo ung.
2 Her words put the ca t among the pigcons; Jim is furiaus .
3 You ' ll be pleased ro hear we 3rrived safc and sound in Peru.
4 He \Vas l)'ing th ro ugh his tecth whell he said he had gor a fírst-class grade in his exam;
che trurh is he failcd.
Unit ii
ii.1 In CIDl and CIDE these idioms are to be found undcr the following hcad words:
1 pick (both)
2 canh (hoth)
3 ground (GOl); stand (CIDE)
4 knife (burh )
5 head (Cml); bang (elDE)
6 daylight, (CIDO; rhis iJiom is llor in CIDE
ii.2 I back <1nd lUith a blll11P can be omitted
2 eirhcr all or fhe could be omined
3 most can be omitted
4 living c(luld be omitted
iL3 bifl cou ld be replaced hy tah
2 IJlllllp could be rcplaced by ballg or ¡olt
3 stand could be rep laced by hold
4 stlcking cou ld be replaced by puttillg
5 bangillg (ould be replaced by hlulng
6 scared could be rcplaced by (righ tencd
I 30 English Idioms in Use

ii.4 Possihle answers:
look a gift hOT'ie in the mouth - always llsed in a negatíve sentence
You shouldn'f look a :sif! horse in the mouth!
2 be pushing up che daislcs - always used in a cUlltinuuus fonn
V/e'/! all he pushing up the daisies b), thmi
be on the brink of - always fol!owed by a noun or an -ing form
Newspaper reports say thal the campany is on the !)rink of financia! disaster.
4 tie yoursclf up in knats - always lIsed reflexivdy
She tied herself up in knots lrying to explain why she had u/ritten to him ¡ike that.
5 be man enough - always followed by an infinitive wirh lo
Are JUu man enuugh lo accept fhe challenge?
ii.5 informal 2 humorons 3 hter;HY 4 old-fashioncd S Yer}' informal
6 formal
Unit I
1, I Thesc twa idioms both mean (eeE {)()ürly / Ilot ver}' wefl:
fed off-wlour
feel under the wearher
These twO idioms both mean be gettin¡; better after an i/!ness:
be on the ruad to recovery
be on rhe mend
These four idioms al! mean be crazy:
be as nutty as a fruitcake
be not al! rhere
be off your troIley
be a basket case
These four idioms al) mean die:
give up the ghost
bite the dLlst
pop your dogs
fall off your perch
1.2 1 Süt<ó 2 bitt<ó[ 3 iteh'j 4 wanned 5 pill 6 serew .., rechar~e
8 fíddle 9 right 10 sandwich
1.3 1 fall off your pereh
2 kick the hueket
3 bite the dust
4 por your clogs
5 gin:; up the ghost
lA 1 I've gur itehy feet, - Where would you likc tu gu?
2 He's as righr as rain now, - Thar is a relicf!
3 He's not nght in the head. - ¡ know, Jane told me he was off his rocker,
4 I'm going to tcIl him what r think uf hilll, - Guod. Give him adose of his own
medicine.
S Dad's a bit off-eoloLlr roday. - Oh dear, 1 hope he's OK tomorrolV.
6 Failing the exam was a bitter pill ro swallow. - Yes, but she·ll soon get over ir.
Engllsh IdJoms in Use 131

Follow up
Therc are probably a lot of idioms relating ro madness and dcath in English bceause these
are diffieult subjects and people feel more comfortablc talking abour them in an inJirect
way. As maoy of rhe idioms used are very informal, ir would he easy to offend 'iomeooe if
you uscd them in an inappropriate siruatiao.
Unit 2
2.1 in seventh hcaven on douu nine on tup of rhe \VürlJ over rhe mo(}n
thrilJed to bits
2.2 1 jump E(Jr joy
2 grin and bear ir
3 be floaring on air
4 do something for kicks I get a kick out of something
5 sour grapes
6 be on tup of rhe world
2.3 1 Tne child was thrilled to hin, tq nave her photo in the paper.
2 1 fdt as if 1 was floating on air as I ran down rhe hill into his arms.
3 Whv does Marti loo k so uut of sorts toda;:?
oi
4 DOI;'t make such a fuss. Ir's nor rhe end rhe world!
5 Your telephone cal\ has really made my day!
6 JiU said she was 00 cluud oioe aod Jack agreed that he was in seventh heaven.
7 Why does Mark always have to be such a misery guts?
8 Stereotypically, happy footballers say rhat they are over the moan.
2.4 1 Go(}d news - if somcthing makes your da)', ir makes you Eee! harpy.
2 No - down in the dumps means miserable.
3 Hor-air ballooning - boor cleaning is not sOTTlcrhing that m8.ny people find exciting.
4 Unhappy - when you grin and bear it, yon trI' ro make the be"t l)f A "ituation that you
are not happy with.
5 Ne\\'s of the i!1ness of a c10se fricnd. A heavy showcr of rain mighr make )üu Jamp
(wet), but ir wouldn'r put a damper on the evento
6 No une enjoys rhe company (Ji a misery guts - being w¡th a miserJble perSOrl can make
you fcc! miserable too.
7 'Of course, that model is very unreliable!' is the son of unpleasant remark that someone
mighr make out of sour grapes.
8 Just as a damper makes a piano quieter, ~() sOll1ething that puts a damper 00 an event
quietens it down, makes it less fun.
9 Quite a lot of the images are based on the cuncept of hJppincss making : . ou fec! as if
you are nor on the ground but up in che airo
Unit 3
3.1 These pairs of idioms mean more or Iess the same thing:
went off the deep cnd / did his nut
gave hlm an earall / gave him a piece of her mind
drave him up the wall / sent him rouod rhe hend
put his back up / rubbed him up the wran!:!. way
3.Z here 2 terms 3 cat 4 wem 5 after 6 out 7 scrcw
8 wirs'
132 English idioms in Use

3.3 Yesterday 1 hacl rerrible toorhachc. lt hurt a lor and 1 gucss rhar's whf 1 was in a b"d
temper 311 day. Everyrhing anyone said seemed to put my back up and, in rhe cnd, 1 blcw a
fuse with rhe person I share my offi¡;e wirh. Even when I'm in a good mood, she sends me
round rhe twist wirh her consram charrer and yesterday 1 had had lr up to herr wirh her
after onl)' ren minutes. 1 really gave hcr an carful anJ the result is rhar we are no longer on
speaking terms. I know 1'11 have to apologise for doing my out like rhat, but perhaps 1'11
\vair a while. lt's much easier ro work when she isn't ralking ro me! Perhaps I should give
her a piece of my mincl more oftcn.
3.4 Possible answers:
The answers to the 4uestioos wirh cvcn numbers here are fairlr fixcd, but rhose \Vith odd
numbers are more open. (The answers given bclow ro the odd-numbercd qucstions are
rhose of one of the authors.) Check your answers wirh your teacher or another good
speaker of English if you are nor 5ure wherher rhey are correcr or noto
1 People sniffing drives me up the wall.
2 purJser rhe cat among the pigeons; ruffle sorneone's feathers
3 Yes, a reacheT once went off rhe deep end when someone flcw a paper aeruplane in rhe
cbssroom.
4 fed up ro rhe hack teerh; your blood is up; after your bloodi out for bJood; ger/put
someone's back LlP; give someone an carful; give someone a piece of your mind
S A friend recently rubbed me up rhe wrong way when he told me somerhing I didn't
want ro hear.
6 I've had it Uf) fa here is usually accompanied by rhe speaker's hand indicaring rhe top of
his/her head.
7 1 sometimes give people who make unsolicited phane calls selling things a piece of my
mind - yes, 1 know they're only doing thelT joo, out lr can be extremely annoying.
blow a fuse
Unit 4
4.1 1 1 daD'r have the faiorest ide8 where he is today; you'll ha ve to ask somebody else.
2 The ritle of the CD has a familiar ring ro it, but I don't think 1've ever heard ir.
3 My cousin know~ rhe r<lx Iaws imide out, so if you want advicc on yOLlr tax, hc'l1 help
you.
4 1 can't for the life of me think what ir was I came ioto the kirchen foro
S 1 saw Tom and Lily together in a restaurant looking adoringly into each other's eyes.
I put two <lnd two togcthcr, and decided they must be madly in lave.
4.1 1 always thuught I kn.ew my computcr imide out, but the other day it startcd to crash
ever:- rime I opened a certam programo I could not for rhe life of me undersrand why ir
was doing this, and I JiJn't have the faintest idea I the foggie~t (idea) I a clue about what
to do ro fix it.
I rang rhe helpline which I had Llsed in rhe past, and afrer ahoLlt 20 minutes I spoke ro
someone who said his name was PatTick, and rhat he was rhere to help me. He gave me
sorne advice which had a familiar ring to it {rum previous calls 1 had made ro the same
helpline. 1 put two and two together, and concluded rhar they give the same advice to
everyb0dy, and thar lr's jusr:-l W8y af getting rid of yOLl. The computer stiH crashes every
time 1 open rhe programo
4.3 No, rhar name doesn't ring any hclls with !lIe. 1 Jon't think 1've mer her.
2 I'm (really) out of touch \Virh nr suap operas these days. I never watch them.

3 Shc knüws \11:[ stuff when it comes tú rhe history of this are2.. { She kn()ws (he histnry of
rhe area insidc out.
4 [gor (ho\cl of ) rhe wrong end of rhe srick and ir caused (a lot of) problcms.
5 H¡;r nam¡; rings a bel\. 1 ma~' have met her.
4.4 1 haven'r (gor) / don'r havc a duc ha\\' to use the pborocopi¡;f. Do VOl! rhink )"0\1 cou \d
hc\p me?
2 r havcn't (got ) / don't have Ihe faintesr idea where 1 lefr rhar letrn 1 broughr fo r yO\l.
I" m rcall y sorr)".
J 1 haven 't (got) / do n't ~\;\\'e the foggicst (idea) wh;'.1 shc\ talk ing. about. She's craLy~
Unit 5
5./ l'hiJi p: Yes, I think he's got the message.
1 Gerry: Yes, thar "hould definitel)' tcach her a lesso n.
3 Brnd : Ves, ¡hey'vc certainly givcn m food fUI tbought.
4 Nick: Yes, ['m sure rhe whole rhi ng is a figm cnr of his imagination.
5 Srevc; Yes, it W<lS imponant ro set/p ut the record straighr.
5.2
I 'S I I
'S
'c, I R I A P e v '[ NI e el
e N I A
o 's I [ I c, H TI
N I I S
'D o w ' N I I
5.3 r walH ro know when: 1 stand. One day )' OU sal' yOIl Im 'e me, rhe ncxr day y(1U say ['m
iusr a fricnd. Jt's drivin¡; me eraz)".
2 He Sptnt fSOO of m)" moner. ['Ilncvcr Icnd hilll my ucdir card again . {'Vl' [camt m)'
lesson.
:1 T don', know aH th-: ins and outs uf lh\! sitU"cl.tion , b\.\t 1 think one <lf the dire<.:tors i~
going to rcsign. Th('[e l1lusr be a big probkm.
4 I can tmdcrsrand rhar shl~ needed help, bur what beat5 mc is rhar shc shou ld J.sk
">01111:0111: as ST\.\ pi¿ AS SimOll lO help hl:i ~
5.4 Possib/c t1nS/{Jcrs:

Check yOllr answcrs w ith your tncher \lf anoclwf )',0od speaker o f English if you are nor
su re wherher rhe)" are correct or not.
J bO\lght a cheJ.p br\lsh to wa~h rhe dish\:5 from SOll1eOIlC wllo camc tu ¡he door selling
rhings. ll earnr m)" lesson - ir fel! ro pieces after J \\'cek!
2 1 flcw wirh a ver)' bad airline on ce. jusr hcclIlse rhe ricket \Vas cheap. T he f1ight was
debrcd ane! \'cry uncomfortab[e. I decidcd not ro c01l1p[ain alld jusr pUf ir clown ro
expcnence .
3 J wanred ro be a diplom:lr wh(.·n J was :lbo\lt J 8. I gor somc informat ion abour rhe joh,
then h;ld second thoughts wben [ rea li sed wha r ir involved .
4 1 heard on rhe grJ.pevine thar SOJ1l\:OIlC r kno\\' has de<.."ided ro take early reriremcnr fmm
his jobo
.) l\1any years ag.o I waSIl'r sure if S(1meone loved me or j\1sr waT1lcd me to be a fr iend, so
1 askcd rhat perso!l d irenl)' to relime w here I srood .
I 34 English Idioms in Use

Unit 6
6.1 His IntnIlct campan) has gane from ,trength to strcngth in rhe las! six months. lle's
making a lor of moncy no\\'.
2 The f100d ruinecl aur olJ kitchell, hut Ir \Vas a hles~ing in disgwse, beGmse the
insurance company paid for a complctely new one.
3 This new mude! is Ilor rhe be-all-and-cnu-all of digital camera~, but ir ccrtainly ha,
rnany technical features rhar others do not have.
4 Your offtr to drive us ro rhe airport makes all rhe diffcrcnce ro our tr;wel plans.
5 Your plan to persuade Lela to join rhe (ommittee worked like magic.
6.2 At firsr we thought rhe new road would spoil our vilbge, hm in bet ir "\-vas a ble<;sing in
disguise <lnd rhe village shops are doing more business.
2 I sprayed rhe sta in remover anto my jacket ana ir workcd likc magic / did the trick.
3 This is nor the be-all-and-end-all of cookery books, but it doe~ haye recipes frOIl1 100
different counrries.
4 The school has gone from strength to srrength sioce the new head reacheT took overo
5 Getting new curtains ha~ made all rhe difference to mv flat. It feds like a new one.
6.3 bl 2 e) .') a) 4 hl
6.4 The phorocopier has completel;; given up rhe ghost. Wc need a ncw onc.
2 I didn'r rhink I h;ad the ghost ot a chance of passing the exam, hut J did.
3 My Ile\\' mororbike works/gocs/ru05 like a drcam; ir's fast, but so ~moorh and quieto
6.5 1 YOl] sLlcceed.
2 We don't use ir with the simple tense forms. So we call say 'She's going places', '1 knew
she wüuld go placcs' Of '5he'1I go plaees, l'm sure', hut not 'She goes places' or 'She weot
places'.
3 That it most ofren oeel1r~ in the neg;ttilc, \Virh Ilot.
Unit 7
7.1 I Ieh holding the hahy
2 brick wal!
3 stul1lbling block
4 dirc strairs
5 drawa blaok
6 have you over a barrd
7 face rhe musie
7.2 1 Easier said rhan done.
2 Try not to spread yoursclf too lhin.
3 I wish 1 hadn't ptlt my foot in ir.
4 Getting older is a facr of life.
S Sarah's mother dceided ir \Vas time to tell her ahour rhe hird~ and the bees.
6 Children are taught the facts of lite in primar} sehoo1.
7.3 I dig yourself into ahoJe
2 be left holding rhe OJoy
3 ;;¡ ,tumbling block
4 c1utch ar str:H\S
5 come up against a hrick \Val!
6 face the mLlsi~
7.4 hoJe 2 hlank 3 rhin 4 straits 5 waIl 6 hlock 7 barre!
English Idloms In Use 135

Unit 8
S. I 1 tie up loo~c cnds - finish off finallmlc tasb
2 come to lighr - be discovered
3 give something a shor - rry somcthl1lg
4 get to grips \Vith somerhing - unJerstand and cical with something
5 make do - rnanage \vith sornething of \vorse quality
6 to be 011 the s3fe si de - ¡US! in case
7 wave a magic wand - fiud an easy solution
8 get ro the bottom of somcthing - uncover rhe truth
8.2 tunnel 2 wave 3 lo()~e 4 prayers 6 bag 7 light
fall
8.3 1 T'd like ro try thar nc\\ bO\vling aller. Let's givc ir a whirl this cvcning.
2 {'m finding ir quite hard to get to grips with my new role at work.
3 When the business failed, Panl vanished, leaving his partner ro pick up the pieces.
4 Sorne important TICW evidence has come / ha, beco brought to light in rhe last few days.
5 r bope rhar we'l1 be able to get ro the bottom of what's been going on.
6 New medical research has shed ( is shedding light on rhe causes of heart atracks.
7 As sooo as 1 met ]oshua's family, everything fell ioto place.
8 In the investigation into their account~, a number of errors have been brought I have
come to light.
8.4 \ 1'11 wash your car for you\ - You're the answer ro my prayers!
2 Let's go horne now. - SOOI1. I've stil\ got some 1005e ends to tic up.
3 The job's in rhe bag! - 1 hope you're righr!
4 We'd better cake lIrnbrtllas. - OK, jllSt ro be on rhe safe side.
5 Can you make do \Virh a pencil? - Sure, that'll do fine.
6 We juSt don'r know what to do! - If only 1 (,:QuId wave a magic wand!
8.5 1 light at the end of the tunneJ
2 pick up the pieces
3 wave a magic wand
4 get to the honom of it
Unit 9
9.1 \ Tirn: good situation. He has been freed from sorne lInplcasant rask or responsihiliry.
2 Sally: bad situation. She has had to take rhe blamc instead of other people.
3 Carmen: bad situation. Sh¡; has ro do what ev¡;ryone else rclls her ro do, whcnevcr they
want it.
4 Fiona: good situation. ,',he has persuaded someone ro let her do what she wanrs.
9.2 into 2 down 3 ar/on 4 unto 5 ro
9.3 I think there 15 a hidden agenda in thar letter she sen! ro the boss.
2 1 thought 1 was going ro have ro rcpre,ent my class at (he staH-stuclent meeting, but
l've got off the hook I they've let me off the hook.
3 She's an awful hoss ro work for; rhe secreraries are at her bcck and caH, eighr hours a
day, seven Jay<; a week.
4 H¡; has been at/on the receiving end of a lor of LTiricism fmm (he press in rtcent weeks.
5 They cause all rhe trouble, and 1 always hav¡; to carry the can.
6 1 don't want someone relling me what to do aH the time. I'd rather be left to my own
devices.

Check your answers with your teacher nr another good speaker uf Fngli,h if you are nor
sure whether rhey are correct or not.
1 1 think there is a hidden agenda in the proposal to reduce rhe staff in order to make rhe
company more efficient. 1 rhink rhey wanr us to do Olorc work fOf the ~ame payo
2 The Prime .\1inister's spin docrors immedíatcly tried ro make the bad situaríon sOl-lnd
positive when rhey spoke ro reporters.
3 The 5ehool bcnt the rules and let him juio rhe lOurse even though he was under 18.
4 In my country we are duc ro go ro rhe pulls ncxt ycar. 1 hope we gtr a new governmcnt.
Unit 10
10.1 1 a can ofworms
2 rhe acid rest
3 a vicious cirele
4 in a nutshcll
S 00 the orher hand
6 rhe orher side of rhe caín
7 tie yoursclf up in knurs
8 go round in eirdes
9 be ealled ro accounr
10 won'r give ao ineh
10.2 1 rhe aeid test
2 ryiog yoursclf up Ín knots
3 rhe pros and cons of a situarion
4 putting it in a nutshdl
5 going round in eireles
6 a vÍeious eirele
10.3 In sorne ways it's glamorous beiog a pup star. But the other side uf the coin is that yuu
no longer have any privaey.
2 [t's time these petry criminals were called ro account for thelr lrresponsible élCtion~.
3 l knuw Bill's a niee frienJly perSOJl, but, be that as it may, he ~till has ro pull his weight
in the aHice.
4 On the one hand, 1 think Jalma might haye rhe hest per~onality far rhe job, but, on the
other, \1ina has more experienee.
5 If he's apologised, 1 rhink yOLl should give him the bendit of the doubt.
6 Ir would he opcning a can of worms to inquire abnut his finances.
10.4 [1 tied myself up in knots trying ro explain ro Karl how 1 felt abour him.
2 rJ like you ro write ao t5say on the pros and eons of working abroad.
3 To put ir in a nurshell, James needs ro produce better homework.
4 Narasha \Vas prepared ro eompromise, hur Alex wouldo'r budge/give ao ioch.
5 You need more money so you warl morco You earn more so you spend more. So yOl!
oeed to work more. It's a vicious cirde.
Unit 1I
1 1.1 1 lt's a small worid.
2 The more, rhe merrier.
3 It's six (lf one and half a dozen of rhe other.
4 How time flies!
Engllsh IdJOms in Use 137

5 No sllch luá!
6 J can take it ur leave ir.
7 Don't makc me laugh!
H No way!
1 1.2 Gel alife!
2 You havcn'r li ved!
3 Ir's!rha r's rhe sro ry of rny lifel
4 Such is I Thar's hfe !
5 This i~ the life!
I 1.3 I Ir's a Invcly present. Th;mk s a million.
2 YOl! won'r find ir difficulr ro learn ro ski . There's really norhing ro it.
3 lt's ncithcr here nor tlH;re which hotel vou decide ro sta}' in - they're horh excellent.
4 Ler's ha ve a rcally big weddil1g. T hc m'ore, rhe merrier.
5 You ca n s;¡y rh <l r again! I couldn'r agree wirh yOtl more!
6 He's cral'elled a lot. You name ir, he's been rhete.
1 1.4 1 Ir's six of onc and hO,lf a doren of rhe uther.
2 Ir's a small world.
3 Huw tilIle fhes!
Unit 12
12. 1 B, Yes, 1 knuw. 011e minute she was an¡ny, the nexr minute she WdS al! sweetness and
Iight.
2 B, Yes, apparcnrly rhey're like gold dust.
3 B, Yes, 1 rhink he 's jusr asking for trouble / asking fUf ir (askillg for it is more
infu[]mdl.
4 B, Ycs, ir's second to none,
5 B, Yes, she's cerminly a hatd act to follow.
12.2 Shc rcally gets on m)' ncrves surnetimes .
2 The lasr Presidenr was an out-and·our cruel rnonSH:r, and rhe !lelV 0111.: is IlOr much
herrero
3 1 dOll't think you shuuld CdSt aspersions on him. He"s l10t he re ro defend hil1lself.
4 The scicntisrs did sorne ground·breaking research 011 human gene~ .
5 She h"d alre,ldy upser me, bll t [O aJd insult to injury shc raId me 1 IVJ.S ugly.
12.3 poke fun at
2 gratc
12.4 The}' criricised her very srrongly, hm she gave as good as she gor and made them shur up,
2 This dining t<l ble is iust made for rhis room. The IVOOJ m<ltches rhe doors perfeerly.
3 \'Vhy ;:!re you giving me such a hard time? J know 1 \Vas IVrong, but I said I'm sorry. J
can't do any more.
4 \'Ve srayed at a lu xurious five -star hotel. Ir \Vas out of this world.
Unit 13
13.1 1 Ilever do an ything by halvl.:$
2 th fO\\' rhe bJ.hy out with the barhwater
, leave a lot ro be dcsired
4 gl.:r/juIllp/lear on rhe bandw<lgon
.5 a lau ¡!hing, s[Ock
I 38 EngJish Idioms in Use

13.2 1 Thc ncw documentary channcl on TV !caves a lot to be dc'¡¡red.
2 My brother never does anything by halves; he designed :md huilt hi~ m\-o hOllSC, and
designed Illusr of rhe furlllture too!
3 He thinks cveryone is afraid oí him, hut in fact he is a lau¡;hillg stock.
4 Yes, 1 think we should change rhe system, but J think \Ve should not throw the baby out
wirh rhe bathwater.
5 hve years ago, thete \Vere not !l1ally (olllpanies selling on the Internet, hut now
everyonc has got/jumpcd/lcapt on the bandwagüIl.
13.3 She pretended ro dlsagree \Virh tveryone cisc 111 order ro make rhem di~cll~~ / thmk
abaut rhings more Jeeply.
2 No, nor níce ro ride in. Rough a/¡d ready does nor refer to tim!.:, but means of low Uf
poor qualiry.
3 He claimed he was a trained elecrrician, hut he was Iying.
4 Probably not, sincc it is not as good a~ people say it is.
5 No. You'd be rathcr unhappy, since you would be very irritated or c.xasperatcd with
your friendo
13.4 That new motorway projcct has aO the makings of a disa~ter fUf the environIllent. It
wi!] go through rhe middle of a wildlifc :uea.
2 Zara made a real exhibition of herse!f in class the orher d<lY. It \Vas so embarrassing!
3 The Krona Hotel is a bit on the cxpensive side. Couldn't we stay somewhere cheaper?
4 This ncw digital camera is a dcad IOS5. The batteries mn out after abolit ten photos.
5 I think París has rhe edgc over orher European citie~ as a place for ,1 holiday.
6 The governll1ent has got a lor to answer for wirh reg:J.rd ro unemploymem.
Unit 14
14. I Sentences 1,2,3 and 6 are basically negative whereas the orhers are positive. J\otice that
the c:ontext of scntcncc 3 suggest5 the take less care of )'()ur a/J/Jearam;e rnccaning oí let
)'ourself go whereas the contexr of sentence 7 suggests the meaning of relax completel)'.
14.2 1 lid 2 hardlrough/tough 3 insignificance 4 of 5 blow 6 lump
7 bJ.lance 8 dream
14.3 Possihle ansIVers:
Check your answers wirh your reacher or anothcr good English speaker if you 8re llar sure
wherher they are correct or noto
Yes, 1 was once leh in the lurch when 1 was preparing foad for a big party and all my
flarmates went out and left me 00 my own preparing food for fift}' people.
2 A bo~s once gave me a bit uf d rou¡!;h time when he wanted a lot of work done ver!,
quickly.
.1 J think nmhing of giviog a ralk in front of a lor of people .
4 r think it is important to make the most of every day you live.
5 Writing a thesis was a big problem at the time, but has now palcd into insignificante.
6 Beautiful music or poetry or childrcn's innocence can bring a lump to my thro:lt.
7 J've had to come to terms wlrh the death of family memoers.
8 J wüuld m:\"er dream of berraying d friendo
14.4 1 is/hangs in rhe balance
2 keep a lid on
3 bIow out of (an) propürtion
Engllsh IdIOms In Use 139

Unit 15
15.1 1 nar 00 - ma ppropriarc
2 une way Of anorher - somchow
3 at the wp of your agenda - important
4 over the tap - csaggeratcd
5 if aH cisc fails - as a taSt resart
6 strike whilc rhe ¡ron is hor - now
15.2 1 Thcre's no accuunting faf taste{s) !
2 You could've fooled me !
3 (Yes, ) strike while rhe ¡ron is hor.
4 (1 supposc Smith 's) the ¡e5ser o f (\Va cvils.
5 lf al! clsc {3ds.
15.3 lf 1 wete in your shoes, l'd take rhe job in New York.
2 Asking rhe M anaging Director for his ID was a rcally stupid mistake ro make. ¡'m sure
m)' collcagues will never let me I¡ve ir down.
3 Improving office mürale is said ro be high on rhe ncw boss's agenda .
4 We hadn't imended to stay therc so IOllg, bm one thing led t O anmher.
5 Take your (hance no\\'. Strikc whi le rhe ¡ron is hor.
6 ¡ can'r nndersrand whar people sce in rhe exhibirion . T here's no accounting for [astes.
7 If aH cisc fails, I suppose 1'11 havc to go and live somewherc cisc.
8 Givcn the choice bctween watching footha.ll Of golf, { suppose football io¡, the [esse,. of tWG
evils.
15.4 Check yo ur answers with your reacheT or a norhcr good speaker of English if yon are l10r
sure whether rhey are correct or nar.
1 lf 1 were in the Prime Minister's shoes, l'd listen tú what the people are saying.
1 Sorting out my study is at the rop of my agenda at the momento
3 Speakíng ro his mother like that is just not 011, as far as l'm eoncerned .
4 l'm determined to visit my nephew in Australia, une \Va l' or another.
5 1 think thar Suc's lurious rcaetíon ro my saying she'd put on a bit of weight was over the
topo
6 In my opinian, if you compare smoking a pipe and smoking cigarcttcs, then smoking a
pipe is the tesser uf two evils .
Unit 16
16. I be caught napping
2 havc a narro\V escape
3 safe arld sound
4 be led astra y
5 by the skin of ro ur teeth
6 be panic stations
7 Icave weJl alone
8 go out on a limb
16.1 When David 5uggeSted they should come and stay for a weekt:nd, it set alarffi bells
ringing in my mind.
2 The parient's life is hanging by a thread.
3 Having to go to work is a nccessary cvíl.
4 Why dG <;OO1e people a\ways cut thin):;s fine?
\ 40 Englisf-¡ ldioms in Use

5 They are on a klllfe-cdgc walting for the results of Brian's medical tests.
6 As the bmlding was on fire, he had no choice hut ro put his life in rhe firemen's haIMk
and climb out of the window and onto their ¡adder.
7 You'lJ be taking your life in your hanus if yüu make a speech like rhat to such an
audience.
8 1 think lt wüuld bc more scnsible to lean" weIJ alone.
16.3 1 be/go out on a limb
2 be caught napping
3 lead someone asrray
4 have a narrow escape
5 set alarm bells ringing
6 OH a knife-edge
16.4 1 1 suppose rhar exams are a necessary evil.
2 Ir was sllch a relicf wheIl Ralph arrived back from his Arctic expedirion safe and sound.
.1 You rook your life in your hands by agreeing to go up in a helicoprer wirh s1.1ch an
inexperienced piloto
4 The hllrricane seems to be getting a bit toO close tu our tOWIl fOl" comforr.
5 [f J WlTC )'ou, 1 would leave well alone.
6 It was panic stations before rhe imponant vlsiturs arrived, but we managed to ger
everything under control in time for rheir visir.
7 The Smiths caught rhe train by the skin of their teeth.
8 1 hope the other students won'r lead our son astray.
Unit 17
17.1 1 go alJ out - make a lor of eHort
2 be a doddle - be very easy to do
3 go through rhe motions - do something withour rnthusiasl1l or rHan
4 be heavy-going - be difficult or tiresorne ro do
5 pul! your weight - do yOllf fair share
tí have a bash - make an attempt
17.2 1 1 wish Y011'd pull your finger out and help me move the furniture.
2 Sam didn'r like rhe exam, bur 1 thought it \vas a piece of cake.
3 I'm going ro get rhe ¡ob somehow, by hook or by crook.
4 Sally could, al a push, take over the project for you.
S The test was as easy a'i falling off a lag.
6 Don't worry if you don't win rhe game - jusr as long a~ you give it your al!.
7 Why don'r )'011 have a go at repairing the washing machine yourself?
8 Pcrsuading him to do what 1 wanted was like taking candy from a baby.
9 Max wil! always go out of his way ro help orhers.
10 1 had no problems using rhe public transpon system there - ir was child's play. (i.e. no
article used in this idiom)
17.3 out 2 rhrough 3 out 4 out 5 of 6 by 8 from
9 ar
17.4 1 Course, you will. lt's as ea~y as fallin¡:; off a log.
2 Let me have a go .
.1 He is going out of his way ro make a gOOG impresslOn on her.
4 Ir \Vas a piccc of cake.
Engli;h Idioms in Use 141

17.5 .\IIa tt, Sam alld Son ya are speaking in a more informal way.
Unit 18
18 . 1 J wou ldn't he seen dead working in a h;:¡mbur¡.;cr restaurant. AlI my friends wou ld ¡augh
¡lt me. 1 ¡ust cou\dn'r do ir.
1 I fec! dur)' bound (O go home and see m)' parents ar lea5t once a monrh.
3 I've had enough coffee, thanks, but another one of those lovcly cdkes woulJll't go amiss.
4 I thin k rh:tt eD pb.yer he'!> tr ying to ~cll is sto len. If 1 \Vere )'ou, 1 wouldn'{ to uch it with
a barge poleo
S lr's Ilot wunh m: while trying the I.:xam again . 1 faild rhe firsr rime, and 1"11 prohahly
fail again.
18. 2 , ,
T H 1 N G
O
't ~ e K
•S H O V [
18.3 Yau'n: in [uek. We have just one room lefr fOf TOnigh t.
2 If push comes to shove, \Ve'U just ha ve to sell rhe aparnnent .
.) I don't W:lnt t o go wit h a big gnmp of people. 1 want lO do my OWll thillg.
4 I gor a bill roday for [700 fo r repai rs ro m}' CH. l'm rell ing )'Otl, 1 !leed a bill fOf !700
¡¡ke 1 !leed a hale in the head right at this momento
18. 4 1 iflleedbe
2 take your pick
3 be dying tu is always in the: conrilluous form (so we don 't sal' '] aJways d ie ro mlén him.')
4 in keepin¡; with
18.5 Pussible GII S1(!crs :
Check )'our answers wirh ~'our re<1cher or anothlér good speaker of English if you are !lor
sure: whethcr rbey are corren Of !lar.
rd possihly give all)'rhing ro meer the: singer Bob Dybn.
2 I'm dyillg to see a visitor frolll Spain \V ho is coming to sta)" ar my hO llse.
Unit 19
19.1 ¡ Ir 's unlikcly he'lI manage [O dimb rhe: Illounrai n \,'ithour ox)!gen.
2 Ir's neither likely llar unlikely - al! tbat is dear is tbar .:\!l oll)' hCfSd f no\\" has no control
ovcr what might happe:n .
J lt's extremely likely )'uu' ll guess h is role correctly.
4 it'" lIntikdy rhat shc 'll be abk to complete hcr COllrse .
5 Ir's extreme!}' likel}', ir even seems cerrain , rhat Berh wi l! come tup,
6 It·s neirher Iikely llar unl ikely rhar Rob will pass - either resu lr seems ro he equally possiblc.
,
7 Ir sounds un likell' that the library will hal'e tht" required book.
It is exrremely likely, the spcJ ke: r is in {au certain, ¡hat C reen wi 1llose hi s jub,
19.2 ,,'o sue:h luck!
2 JLiSt my luckl
J Ir's the luck of rh e draw.
4 Don 'r push yom luck!

S 1'11 take por luck.
6 YOl! should be so lucky!
19.3 Thcy'vc been rnarricJ foe so long tbdr the) take ea<.:h orher for gran red.
2 \X!e'yc done a11 \Ve can. Nüw rhe rcsults of rhe cleerian are in rhe lap oí rhe gods.
3 AJex is chancing his arm a hit only applying ro one nniver~ity.
4 No pri¿cs fOf guessing who gor rhe ¡ob in rhe cnd!
5 'fhe cards were stackeJ against Barr being able to prr<;uaJe him.
6 It W3S tO\\Ch-and-go \vho would win the match.
7 We could all see J3n's collapse coming.
8 Let's go clown ro rhe theatrc Oll rhe off-ehance rhar \Ve can get sorne tichts rhar have
been returncJ.
19.4 Possibl!? ansU'ers:
Check your answers \Virh your teacher or auorher good speaker of English lf you are Ilot
SUTe whether rhey are correct or Ilor.
I went ro rhe theatre on rhe off-ehance and manageJ ro get a ticket.
1 kncw who woulJ WiIl rhe prize - ir was a foregone conclusion.
1 did as much work as 1 could fOf the exa!T1. Now it's in rhe lap of rhe gods.
1 ran all the way ro the starion, but stil! misscJ the tmirl. Just m)' luckl
1 went to the newsagent's ro ask if rhey still had yesterday's newspapers. No such luck!
1 haven't seen the cinema prograll1ille this wcek, so I'1l rakc por luck when 1 go this evening.
Unit 20
20.1 He is always the odd one out. If all his fricnr.h do OIle sport, he Joes a differeJlt one.
2 When he lost a!l hi~ mone)", he still tried to kccp up :lppearances even though he could
not "Horel h¡" (jfestyle.
3 Sometimes it's better to keep a low profíle at lVork. In that way. nobody asks you ro do
Jifficulr jobs.
4 She made a na me for her,elf by being the first ",oman to climb .~tOllnt Evr:rest.
5 He's always putting on airs and graces, hut everyone knows he', ¡llst <In ordlrl:UY per,on
with a ver)' ordinary background.
20.2 1 Anybody who i, anyhody wil! he at the concert on frida)', so don'r mIss ir.
2 It's not politically correct to refer ro 'underdeveloped' countries any more. Jf rou don't
waot to offend peoplc, yüu should say 'Jeveloping natiüIls'.
3 He was voted 'Best up-and-coming actor' of 2001.
4 They employed a lot of young people as they felt they needed new blood.
5 A lot of the people who Uve m those huge houses ne<1f the beach aTe (rarher /a bit / very)
toffce-nosed.
6 My boss is a Tough diamond, but hc's ¡] very nicc guy 111 tacto
7 Shc was a pillar of society, hut rhen it turned out she \Vas iI1\·oI\"ed in rhe illeg¡ll drug
trade.
20.3 You are rising to better positiollS; you are becoming very successful.
2 They ha ve 00 horne, no money amI no lobo
3 The)' are rising very rapidly in the industry and probabl)' making a 10t of money.
4 Thcy think they are bettcr than orher people. especial1y people of a 1üwer social dass.
20.4 1 a pillar of socit'T)'
2 a rough diamond
.3 J. high"flyer
English Idioms In U<;e 143

Unit 21
21.1 1 of 2 fUf 4 ro 5 Olt 6 un

Check your answers with yOUl [cacher or aoother good speaker of English lf you are nor
sure whether [hey are caneet nf noto
1 l'm sick ami tired uf rraHí, jams.
2 1 felt on top uf rhe world whcl1 1 finished writing rhis book!
3 The Victoria Falls in Afrio. took m}' breath away.
4 1 Eeel on edge if a traia oc plane 1 am 00 is huc in departing or arriving.
5 1 gavc a leerure once abüur words that Me very frrqueor and words rhar are nor
frequenr in English. r said [har rhe word 'Bclgium' wa~ 11m frcqucIlt (compareJ \Vlth
'France', 'Italy', etc.), perhaps hecause British peoplc don'r ralk ahollt Bclgiul11. There
\Vere [\Vo Eelgian people in the audience! 1 was ver}' emharrassed.
21.3 Pass/ble answers:
1 \Vhen shc told me, 1 was '0 shocked 1 just stood there.
2 1 need help, 1 don'r know what ro do / how 1 should react/act/behave.
3 1 had always been very relaxed and in control in my job, but suddenly .
4 I'm writing beca1l~e 1 am dcsperate / 1 have 110 idea how I can solve my prohlcm.
21.4 I Meeting her rhere when 1 wasn't expecring ro see her made my day.
2 l'm not sure whether 1 w,mt the ¡oh or nor. J have mixcd feelings (aboutltowards ir).
3 The good news made me jump for joyo
4 1 gor a chancc to go to C¡lnada for a weck. 1 was thril1ed to bit,"
5 He doesn't likc people using hlS computer, so he won't take kindly to the idea of ,haring
one.
6 Jf you're feeling clown in the dumps, why don't y01l come out with liS tonight?
7 l've had my fill of ¡ob intervicws - six in ¡ust t\Yo W"eeks! 1 never want another OIlC.
Unit 22
22.1 The speaker h;l~ a good relarionshlP \Virh Anna, Par, rhe Browns and Jimmy, but has a had
relarionshíp with Rob, ]ane, rhe dog and Jack.
22.2 1 1 would immcdiarely drap any boyfricnJ that tried ro twa·time me.
2 Susie has taken a shinc ro hel' new tcacher.
3 Please stay in touch with me once you go home.
4 Nita's boyfl'iend promised to make it up to her fOf forgerting her birthddY.
5 There's something about him that always rubs me up the wrollg way.
6 We try ro be friendly, bm rhe Smirh famíly prder to kcep themselves to thcll1selves,
7 If you want to lea ve carh-, you'cl better try and stay in rhe boss's good books.
8 Rana rcally sccms ro havc it in fol' me toJay - 1 don't kno\\' how l've upset him.
22.3 b) 2 a) 3 h) 4 a) s b)
22.4 Pussiblc tlllswers;
Check your answers with yollr tea<.:her or another good speaker of English if you are nar
SUfe whether they are corrc<.:t Of llar.
Tradition<¡lIy rbe ehild \V¡JI bnng an <1pple for rhe teacher, hllt they ll11ght try alJ ~orts of
other things like hclping ro tidy up, behaving wdl in th~ das~r()om, and so on.
2 You are confused - alrhough you may not yet rcalise ir.
144 Englrsh IdlOms In Use

3 You mighr pOl)" for rhe repOlir and/or buy rhem f1o\Vers or chocolates, or do somcthing
nice fOf rhem.
4 You can kccp in tuuch by phone, lener or e-mail. 1 like e-mail best because ir is so quick
and easy.
S Ir rubs me up the wrong \Vay whcn pcuplc ~ay Have a nice da)" wht:n you know they
don't particularly mean ir.
6 Tbey should be dropped by both of tbe people rhar rhey were going out with.
7 Yuu ma}' be alone, bur you are not necessarily lonely (i.e. unhappy) - rou ¡ust prder to
be on yOUf own.
Nor necessanly - not III rhe wal' rhar ir is if you ger Otl like a house Otl fire, for
example.
Unit 23
23.1 a small fortune
2 BigdeJI!
3 larger rhan life
4 make it big
23.2 1 vlariJ is miles away.
2 Chairs are sold in all shapcs and sizes.
3 The new school is a far cry from rhe old one.
4 You can see hes in love. Ir ~ticks/stand~ out a milc.
Or: He's III loye. YOll CJtl see/'ipot ir a mile off
23.3 Shc's 40 ncxt week, but she doesn't wanr ro make a big thing of ir. She\l prefer jusr tu
go out fOf a meal with her husband rathcr than ha\T a big pan)' \Vith 10t5 of peoplc.
2 For any person in a temparary ioh, the possibiliry of unempluyment looms large,
especially io a time of economic reccssion.
3 The uniollS are preparcd to disCli'iS [he probkm, but thl' l'mplo~"("fS will IlOt budge an
ineh. They say they havc mJdc their final otter, and rh:n\ that.
4 We have a new boss starting next week. He\ ;¡ hit of an llnknown qllantiry - nohody
has met hi1ll 01" knuws 1lluch about him.
5 I like having friends ro sray in my flat, but onlr for a wllple of Jay~. In general, fril'nds
are nice in 5mall dmes; if rhey stay too long, they always irritate me.
6 We should rhink big when we come to plan rhe new wehslte. There's no point III having
one single, dull page; \Ve should have Ims of links and video clips, and as manv wlour
picrures as possible, and sound.
23.4 Meanings and piJssihle sen ten ces:
the middle gronnd: somethll1g \\'hich n\'0 people who are argl1ing or who disagrec can
agree 00
He is very good at finding the middle gmund in meetings when people are disagreeing.
rhe middle of tlowhere: a place which is remore and isolated, and very far awa)' from cities
or big towns
He owns a loucly summer cottage in lhe lI1iddle uf nuwhere, a perfecl escape (mm the
stresses of cit)' li(e.
be caught in rhe middle: find yourself rrapped between two people who are arguiog or
disagreeing
fim and Mary were hauing a terrible argument dl1d }1U<lS callght ú¡ the middle. 1 (elt very
embarrassed and uncom(ortah!e.
Engllsh Idwms In Use 145

Unit 24
24.1 on [he brcadl¡nc wdl -to-do / wcll-hedcd living in rhe lap of luxur)'
24.2 Bab (So fa r Anne's business vt:nmre has been wsrly rarher rhan profitablc .)
2 Colín (Both cafS cüsr a 1m, out Daisy clearly feels t ha r ir \Vas nor mone)' well spcnt.)
3 Frcd (Ed's dJughrcr is cxtravagant cven rhough she mar h:wr plenry nf lllOney.)
4 Harry (Gill h<1s losf hupe of sllccess.)
24.3 1 making; 2 pick 3 bp 4 farrulle .\ money 6 tighren 7 nose
S par 9 wJ.tcr 10 JIlJ.king
24.4 ¡ive in rhe lap of luxury
2 tightcn )'O UT bdt
3 par through rhe nüsc
4 s pend money like water
5 a rnolley-spmncr
6 a rir-off
Unit 2S
25.1 paper 2 mill 3 ha 4 stcp 5 loming 6 rut 7 go 8 sack
9 shop 10 head
25.2 snowcd ulldrr wi rh work
2 be hcadhuntcd
3 pul! Out all rhe stopS
4 be gil'(~11 rhe sack
5 in a rut ! get out uf a rut
6 (ar rhe borromltop of) rh(; career laddcr
25.3 behind th<: scenes - hidden
2 deaJ-end - witllOm prospecrs
3 ger rhe sack - be di~m i5sed
4 off the record - unofficiallv
5 011 huid - dela)'ed '
6 pul! out al! rhe StOp5 - mak(; an eHure
7 rushcd off yOlH feer - ver)' bus}'
8 up-and -coming - prornising
15.4 1 ~nowcd 2 stop, 3 cut 4 hold S gel 6 c\imn 7 b:mds
g hehind
15.5 Possihlt: allswers:
Check yo ur anjwe rs with ~' Ollr teacher or a norher good speakrr of English if you are nor
SUTe wheth(;r rhcy are correct or nor.
There isn't mllch of a career ladder in m )' profession.

Several people got the sac.:k fr0111 my würkplace la sr rear.
The sraH rhar are left are now IIp to t heir cars in work.
They ctnain ly llave rheir work cut our for them .
The shakc-up has offcred man;lgemelH opportunities for sorne up-and-coming wo r kers.
My -wotking day is very nHely nm-of-thc-mi\\.
146 Engli~h Idioms in Use

Unit 16
26.1 Time Place
by leaps and bounds all Qv-er the place
drag your feer lefr, right ;md centre
fast and furious 00 rbe spot (when ir means in the same place)
get a illove on rhe worJ spread
step by step
on the spat (\V'hen it rncans immedlate/y)
26.2 \ Juan is making progres5 by kaps anu bounds.
2 Excitemcnt is ar fever pitch.
3 Within minutes rhe fire brigade was 00 rhe spor.
4 Thc situatian has gane beyond a ioke.
5 The holíday got off ro a flying 5tart.
6 I lookcd fOf you all ol'er rhe place.
7 The tilm is about two meo on the runo
8 l'!l take }'ou through ir step by step.
26.3 e) 2 e) 3 ,1) 4 a) 5 a)
26.4 1 Yes, beca use she wuuld be complimenring you on your rapid progrcss.
2 No, beca use [he speaker flllds your behaviour seriouslv wOfIying.
3 To hurry.
4 No, ir is crimilldls.
S You mar drag your fect when yOl! are tired (in the literal meaning uf the phrasel out,
as an ¡dlOm, yOl! drag your feet when you .ue reluctant 10 do sornething.
6 ThriHers tend ro be fasr and furious whereas lo\'e stories rend ro be much more ~Iow
moving.
7 Yes, beca use ir suggesrs thar ir is ,uccessful hom rhe very lx:ginlling.
8 You can keep a diary.
9 Very untidy.
10 Very excitcd or angry.
Unit 27
27.1 I a slip 01- the rongue
2 rakíng rhe míck/mickcy
lu;,t for word~
4 small talk
S a pack of líes
27.2 1 dié!Jú kllOy\ what ro sayo 1 was (completely) lost for word,.
2 Not one word of his sto!y was true. Ir was (all) a pack of ¡ies.
3 r didn'r mean ro say ir; it was a slip of rhe tangue.
4 I didn'r men ro offend her. 1 was just taking the micklmickey.
5 Ir wasn't a verr seriaus conversarian, iust small ralk.
17.3 1 Sne's bd '-, big personal probkm. Wc sllOuld not makc light of it.
2 He raid me he had stlléJled maths:lt Harvard, but ir (just) didn'r ring true.
3 She said she was a princess who had loq all her money and pmirion in a revolmion.
That's a likcly stmy\
4 She has ro ger up at 5 J.m. ,wd drive SO miles tu \Vork every dar. It's no ¡oh / laughing
manero
Engfl5h fdioms in Use 147

5 l said I thollght she sholllJ get her';elf a boyfriend. Ir \Vas an off-the-cu ff remark.
27.4 ,
B
,
NI 'w O R D
I A [
'e O I N 'A B o U T
K T T
H
Unit 28
18,' ser a word in edgewa~'s - It's impo~sible ro inrerrupr her, she mlks norHlOp.
2 miss rhe point - Shc Jidn't rcally 1I1lderstanJ whar 1 \\'<HHed ro sayo
3 speak yOllr mind - He doesn'r hide his personal opinions ar all.
4 won'\ take no for <In answer - She keeps on asking, ('vlOn tl\(wgh WIO s.:l.id no.
5 (repeat) IVoru for word - She mld me exactlv whar her friend sa id.
28, 2 1 HiI ¡1f~' \Viii nevcr ta ke no for an answe r,
2 )oss alw,lYs speaks his mind.
3 Salir always seems to miss the point (of wh;lt we're rrying ro say ro her ),
4 She rcpeated word for word ever~.' rhin g the [cacher SJid ro heT.
\ Hied lO tell her, hm ir ,Y3S impossihle to get a word in edgewa)'s.
28.3 The futur e of t11e projcct is ver)' uncerrain. No one knows if ir \ViII eonrinlle.
2 Probably 1l0r. The semence means it is not in her character / IlOT typical of her ro help.
-' Small prinr is llslJ;llly found a r rhe bottorn of contracts, insu ranee polióes,
adveniscmenrs, etc. \Xle can also say fine prillt. .
4 Prohabl), 1l0r. If rou n:pl)' 'That\ a lIlattcr uf opinion', yOll usually do nor agree wirh
rhe other person o
5 Nor nccess:uily an official bnguage, hur a language rhat peopJe use in everydJ.y
business and fur C01l11l1unicarion herwet."n groups \\'ho have diiferent firsr bnguagcs.
28.4 loud 2 tall o rder 3 beside 4 mJ.tter-of-fact
Unit 29
29.1 I [r's rhe last srraw (thar breaks rhe came!'" back) .
2 Birds of a feathef (floek rogerher).
3 Too ll1J.ny cooks (spoiJ rhe brorh).
4 WhiJe the ear's away, (rhe míee will play).
5 There's no poinr / Ir's no good erying over spilt milk.
6 Du¡ú pur al! your eggs in one basker.
29.2 Many hands m akc Jighr work.
2 Birds of a fe;nhe r (flock togerher) .
.3 Absencc makes the heart f;row fonder.
29.3 1 Takc care of the pennies/pcnce and the pounds will take care oí themsdves .
2 The grass is always greener on rhe orher side of the fenee .
-' AU work and no play makes jaek a duU he)\'.
4 People who Jive in glass houses shmddll'r rJ~row srones.
14 8 English Idioms in Use

S A bird in rhe hand is worth two in rhe bu~h.
6 l3irds Qf a fcather flock tugethct.
7 \Vhile rhe cat's away, rhe miec will play.
8 It's rhe {ast straw (hat hreaks the catne\'s back.
29.4 I Absence makes the heart grow foncit'r.
2 BlooJ is thicker rhan water.
3 l\tfany hanos make lighr work.
4 Actions speak loucler rhan words.
S There's no point I It's no good erying moer spilt milk.
6 A bift! in the hand (is wonh two in rhe hush).
Unit 30
30.1 mind 2 memory 3 mind 4 menlOry 5 minJ 6 mind
7 mind 8 memor)' 9 minJ 10 Jllcrnory
30.2 r don'r think I know him, hur his name ring:~ a hel1.
2 \'\Ibat is rhe word for it? I can't remember ir. Oh dear, it's on the tip of my tongue.
3 lE 1 try, I ShOllld be "ble ro remember the rccipc for yon. Let me rack m)' hraim.
4 Try nor to interrupt his train of thought
5 NI)' son is much more adventlrrous than ¡ W8~. At his age che rhought aE travdling
abroad alone would never have crosscd my mind.
30.3 1 Out oi sight, out of mind.
2 rack your bmillS, OH the tip of }'our ronglle
3 push
4 Thinking hard feel5 like srretdüng your brain, makillg ir do somerhing roar is Jiffic.:u)t
for ir tu do.
S leisurely waik
6 Jump
7 C<1-rry
8 ring a bell
30.4 1 eame/sprang
Z went
3 slipped
4 racked
S came/sprang
6 jogged
Unit 31
31.1 1 ir's early da}'., yet - Someone a,ks you if you fikc an English cour~c aún onl~ one day.
2 withill living mcmory - Never, for as long a~ <lnyone can remember, ha, rhere heen so
much rain.
3 sinee the year dor - You rdl ~omeone ahout a ver}' ancient uadition.
4 rhe shapc of thing~ tu come - SOlneonc shows you a ca]' which is drivcn by solar energy.
5 on the threshold of - .:... sciemist claims ro be on rhe point uf discoveting a cure for
cancer.
6 likc t!:ll;'rl;"~ /lO tu!Uurrow - Sumeone is <;pending.1)) their s:1ving, cardessly.
31.2 1 This C8.r rcally is rhe shape of things to come.
2 People have heen duin~ thi~ e\·er~ spring sinee che year dot.
Engli511 Idlom, 10 Use 149

A >.Cicnti"t is on tho: thrcshold of J.is..:u\'crin¡:, a CUl'<.: for canccr.
4 {'ve unly hcen ro a couple uf lessons. It's early day'i yet.
S Jim's spending mone}' like there's no tomorrow.
6 There's never beeu rain hke this within living memor'j.
31.3 Jt's only a matter of time befare we discover Efe on orher planers.
2 At the end of the day. you can never trust a polincian.
3 T nevcr le.unt the piallO a~ a child, so I'rn making up for lost time hy taklllg lessons.
4 In rhe short term, th<.: cconon1ic situatlon looks good, but in the long tcrm, the omlook
i, not so g,ooJ.
5 This bicycle has seen better days. ! should really ger a ne\v Me.
6 Cuuld you use thi~ computer for the time being till the ne\\" (lile arrives?
7 lt's a sign of the times that yon can't sp\.:ak t0 a r\.:i.J human bei[\¡:; wheu yQU tdephone
the bank. All :-ou get iS:lO ;lutomaric voiee.
8 This milk i~ out oí date. 1'11 thro\\' lr ¡1way and open a new carton.
9 h cm!:'> a lot of mOnl':y now, but in the long run it \ViII be a gOüd inve-:.tmerrr, !'m sme.
31.4 in, b) 2 hdore, hl ,:; for,:1.) 4 of, a) 5 oE, b)
Unit 32
32.1 l lt mns like clockwork.
2 \Ve set off ar the crack of dawn.
J \l(Ic were working against the clock.
4 I've h,Hi cnough. Let's call ir a day.
5 It happem [hi~ way nine rimes om of ten.
32.2 1 there and rhen - The doctor examined me imJllediatdy.
2 once in a bine moon - l only see Patrick \'ery rard}'.
3 in no time at <111- The new house was built ver)' quickly.
4 off and on - Bill plays golf occasional1y, but nut ofrcn.
S doesn't have a minute to ca\] her own - Paul.a loob aner three kids ana has a ful.l-timc
¡oh.
32.3 1 from ~crarch
2 once in a Iifetime
3 once and for all
4 from time tu time
S work agaimt the dock
tí nine titnf'S out of ten
32.4 Pussible answers:
Check your answers with your reacher or anorher good spC<lker nf English if you are nor
su.re whether they ate co((ect or nut.
1 I'd lost rhe notes fOI my essay, su 1 llaJ ro starr from scratch.
2 When 1 was offered the chance to stuJ:' in the USA, 1 kne\\' such an upporrunity would
come a10ng on1)' once in a lifetime.
3 The governmenr should do something ro solve rhe problem ot illega! drugs once and fOI
all.
4 J see my cousins from time to time, but nar regularlv.
5 Reseue teams are \Vorkl11g againsr rhe clock ro scarch for ,ufyi\"or'i of the carthquakc.
6 Nine times out of ten if J buy something oIJe day, 1'11 'iee the Silme thll1g cheaper in
another shop thc ver}" nexr da)'.
150 Engllsh Idloms In Use

32.S 1 13: Wd!, off and on. (Or, slightly more formally, from time to time.)
2 B: :--;0, 1 rhink we should do it no\v, once and for all.
3 B: \'{!eJl, we can rry, hut nine rimes out of ten he\ too busy ro meet anyone.
4 B: Well, we'lJ jusr have ro work against the dock tu ger ir finished by then.
S B: No, I'w had enough. Let's call it a day.
Unit 33
33. f J ger wlIld of something - heae about something secret
2 go tu rhe ends of rhe earrh - do everything you can
3 spread fike wildfire - move very fast
4 be in deep water - be in a difficult situatioJl
S be a drop in rhe ocean - be an insignifie:lnt part of something
6 blow hot and eold - reaer in differenr, llnpredictable ways
7 see how ,he wind is blowing - ()b~erve huw a situation i$ developing
R add fud to rhe tlames - make a difficult situatian worse
33.2 YUll'f! he fine \vorkmg for sorneone hke rhar - he's rhe salt of rhe carrh.
2 Unfortllnatel~', rny advice fe1l on stony ground.
3 Unfortunatdy, hee angry worJ~ have onl}' addcd fud to the fue/flames.
4 1 rhink Rosie must he in hot water - the boss has asked ro see hcr ;tt once.
S Lance is real1y out of his depth in hls new joh.
6 Spreading rumuurs lile th,n i~ playing with fin;.
7 Plllek a numbee out of the air and !TIultiply it h y 3.
['he pofiec \Vere unahk ro ron the cscaped convicts to ground.
33.3 The new5 of their divoree spread like wildfire.
2 ['!TI between the devil and the deep blue wa.
3 There is no smoke \vithout fire.
4 Dun't say anything in the hcar of the mOll1cnt.
5 1 hate the wal' he blows hut and cold.
6 1 wa~ thrOwn in at rhe Jeep ead V\-hen 1 startcd uniycrsity.
33.4 play wirh fire
2 pluck a numbee out of the aiT
3 a drup In the ocean
33.S You may give slightly different answers hefe, but basieally earrh scems ro represent heing
pr3ctieal and natural, air seems to represent vaguene~~ ano unccrtainty, wdter seem~ ro
represent difficulty and fire sccms to reprcscnt .1I1ger or passiün.
Unit 34
34.1 Il 2 B ; A 4 e
34,2 White-coi1Jr \vorkef'i würk in offices ano ¡JI/te-colla¡' workers do phy~ical work, llsually
in faetorics.
2 You are grCCI1 with envy.
3 YOll are blue in the faee.
4 Ir is I YOll are in the red.
5 You are given the green Iight.
34.3 1 1 wa" a.bsolutdy green with envy when "he \Von a trip tú Los Angeles.
2 I'm 750 pounJs in the red, and rhe bank has .lsked me ro pay ir back immcJiately.
3 The blue-collar workers are on srrike, but the offiee staff are stilJ working.
English Idioms in Use I5 I

4 Yüu (;311 talk ro hcr ti1l \-üU're blue in rhe facc; she won't listen.
5 If the city authoritics gi~c rhe grccn light to rhe ncw c.:unscrvation projcct, ir wil! bcgin
next year.
34.4 1 want ro ser a <..:ünuaa in black and white, nor jllst an informal agrccmeIlt.
2 1 wanttd to apply fOf a visa, but a [ricnd raid me there is a lot of / too much red tape,
so ['ve deciJcd ro forget ir.
3 My new ¡muse has a hig garuen, but I don't have / havcn'r got green fingers, so 1'11
probably never do 3ny gardening.
4 She was caught red-handed stcaling toad from the ,chool kitchcll.
5 He's al",,"ays lntroducing red hcrrings into rhE' di,cu<;,ion.
Unit 35
35.1 wide uf the mark
2 take rhe plunge
3 Iay/put your cards on rhe rahle
4 back ro square one
5 when the chips are down
6 play ball
35.2 If you play your cards righr, you ShOllld get an invitation ro her party.
2 Wht.:n rhe chips are down, you learn who your real friencls are.
3 The ball is in their collrt, so we'lI have lO wait anJ see what they do.
4 If yau sign rhe contraer, athers will $oon follow suit. .
5 On che spur of the moment we decided to go away for rhe weekend.
6 The children pieked ~other sorne flowers off their own bato
7 Going by train rather rhan bus Of ear would he your hcst bet.
35.3 J Let\ ask Pete far advice - he's usually on the hall.
2 The govcrnment always tries to pass che buck when there are economic problems,
saying the previous rcgime is ro blame.
3 Pd like yOLl each to tellus why yOLl have decided ro do a ereari\'e writing COltrSe; Marie.
would you sran the ball rolling, please?
4 AppJicant~ al! h.l\"e to agrC\: lo the ~ame conditions for rhe intcrview in urder tu ensure
a leve! playing fidd.
5 No one asked hml ro help - he did ir off hi'i own har.
6 If yon kecp your things rid)', rhe otllers may follow suit.
7 It is still on rhe eards rhar 1'11 gct .l contraet for the jobo
8 He's been very frank and has put his eards on rhe rabie; no\\' we'l! haye ro do rhe same.
9 He claims he can speak fluent Japanese; lefs call hi<; bluff and invire hlm ro dinner with
our Japane~e guests.
Unit 36
36.1 a dark horsc
2 a pan)" anim<11
3 a glllnea plg
4 a cold fish
36.2 1 get/haveftake the bir berween your tceth
2 make a beeline for
3 a lone wotf
4 your bark is worse than yom birl'

5 ch,lse your rail
tí l11JkC'1 (real) píg of yourself
36.3 1 Par: No, he's a bit of a lone wolf.
2 Chris: Busy! Ir's ridictllou~! J try ro kcep up wirh rhings, bur I'm ¡usr chasing my tail.
3 Mike: Yes, he won'r give up. He's really got rhe bit between his teeth.
4 Viona: Yes, l made a {real) pig ol myseH. l fce! so full now!
5 Evc: Oh, don'r wony abour him. His bark is worse than his bite.
6 Joe: Oh yeah, he always rrtake~ a beeline for the prettiesr girl in rhe C(lom.
36,4 1 Big Joc is quire hJrmless rcally, although he looks tough. He wouldn'r hurt a fly.
2 1 alrcaJy know abour J¡ll gctting divorced. A liule biTd told me.
3 1 hate rnaking a spee<.:h ro a big audience. 1 always ger buuerflies in my sromach.
4 lt's a very unusuaJ school. The pupils are given Erec rein ro Jo just what they like.
5 1 really got rhe tra\'el hug afrec 1 wenr 011:1 trekkmg holiday ro Nepal. 1 can't wait ¡:o go
awayagain.
6 I'd love to be a fly OIl thc wall whcn Nigd rcl1s the bass he\ cesigning.
Unit 37
37.1 "] There', nor (enough) room ro swing a car at rny house.
2 ['l1let you know b~' mail mai!.
3 Peter has let the cat out of the bago
4 The economy is going to the dogs.
5 The oHice staff wece running round like headless chickens.
37.2 1 put rhe cat among the pigeons
2 a can of worms
3 like water off a duck's back
37.3 h) 1 a) 3 e)
37.4 rhe hag 2 feelers 3 rhe law of rhe ¡ungle

37.5 take the bul! by rhe horm
(rneaning: act clecisively, and face a difficult oc challenging situarion in a wnfident way)
2 kdI two birds wirh one stone
üneaning: produce two useful resu\ts by ¡mt doing one action)
3 at a snail's pace
(meaning: incredibly ~Iowly)
4 like a bear with a sore head
(meaning: someone is beh.lving in a ven hau-lempaeu or irntahle \vay)
S a dog's hreakfast
Imeaning: a mess: sOrnethlllg thar has been done Yef) baclly)
37.6 1 was trying ro finish rny essa)" for my English class b) rhe enu of the week, bur ir al!
seerned ro be going at a snail's pace and 1 was not very motivated. So 1 decided to cake the
bull by rhe horns. 1 srayed up unril afrer midnighr every day for four days and worked on
m)' essay. 1 was tired in rhe mornings, and we!lt round like a bear wirh asare head al! day,
but, in the errd 1 managcd to kill two birds with aue stone: 1 (illi~heJ thc cssay dnd 1 rcad a
numbcr of imponant hooks 1 should have re;¡d weeks ago. My [ast essay W¡lS a bit of a
dog's brcakfast, but ¡'m hoping rhis one will get a betrer grade.

Unit 38
JI},! } 5hc W3J )00):???g (},¡gg('[~ ,?{ me (¿i5( rúg?i{. 1 <,'(j({der <:;(u( {'ce Jorfe m ((jJ:>í;'( {reí?
2 Her Iast rCIllark \Vas so hunful, l:spc<.:ially as 1 \Vas alrcady UpSl:t. I think ~ht: was just
rryi ng ro nvist rhe knife even funhe r.
3 I fea l!y rhink you should bite rhe huller, and go and speak ro him.
4 Shc stuck (O her guns and didn 'r s ign the contraer. So thcy'vc changed ir.
5 You're jumpiog the gUIl. Wait tilJ \Ve kno\\' whosc fault it was befare you comp lain .
6 Fredd)' rea ll y pms rhe knife in somerimes . He is capablc of saying such crue l rh ings.
38.2 You're fight ing a lu~ ing barde trying lo persuadt: ¡he teachcr ro H:lI you ¡he exam
qucstions befare rhe cxall1 rakes place.
2 \'\Ihm ir comes ro rhe cnmeh, J'1I be rhcre ro snpport ~'O\l.
3 r m TIly üwa worst tnemy when ir comes to trying ro save mone}'.
4 YOll'lI be in the firing line in your new jobo
5 I'd like ro have a shot ,H hungl't'-jumping one day if r l'vcr get the chance o
6 (lf I were )'Oll . r d / I think yOll should) hold fi re before yOl! send thar letrer.
38.3 TAURUS Someone GEMINI Two CAPRICORN VIRGO You've

you thoughe was a people you like and Someone close to aJways thought of
good friend will sar respect will quarrel you will try to tell yourself as a st rong,
so methin g very today, and you'lI be you what to do, but determined person,
hurtful today, and caught in che middle I ¡t's time you octed but someo ne
later on will moke it between the two of independen tly I took discovers a wealtnen
even wone I soy them.Try t o stay control of your own of yours I your weok
something even more neutral, or you'lI ri s k life, so don 't be afraid point a nd makes life
hurtful. Stay calm a nd losing a good friendo to make your own diffleult for you.
don't lose your decisions.
t empero
38.4 1 bl 2 el 3 01 4 el
Unit 39
39.1 I Jr's thc best thing sinl:c sliccd bread!
2 Ir provides the hread ;lnd bmter.
3 1 was left \Virh a sour [a5te in my mourh!
4 He had cgg Oll his face!
S You can'r have your cake alld ear ir.
39.2 I bitter 2 whctted 3 fruir 4 flavour 5 date 6 cake
7 tooth 8 mouth
39.3 I have a sweet toorh
2 be rhe bestlgrealesr rhing since slieed bread
3 pass I be pasr your scll -b~ date
4 h,we egg on }'our fa ce
5 bear fruit
6 make yuur mouth waler / \Vher your appetite
39.4 Possif;{e answers:
1 Piano teaching is her bread :md buner rhough "he sti ll hupes ro succeed as an actress.
2 Th e smell of frcsh strawberries always m<1kes ITlr mOllth wa ter.
3 Gcri Halliwcl\ seems ro he fla\" uur oí Ihe \llomh in the pOI' music world al Ihe momem.
154 Englisl1 Idioms in Use

4 Kate had egg 011 her f¿¡l"e when ,he failcd ro recognise the managing director of her
company.
5 Fur me e-mail is rhe hesr rhlllg ~lIlce ~Iiced hread.
6 1 ho¡x rh,ll all uur work on this projea ""'¡jl be,u fruit.
Unít 40
40.1 Air!ines drive me round the bend! Yun can ne\"cr ger simple information from them
when yOll phone rhem up.
2 1 don't have any extreme Vle\Vs about anything. I'm quite middle-of-the-road.
3 1 didn'r like het at a11, and 1 hope our paths never cross agam, ro he honcst.
4 It's a good idea tu l"hange your joh every few ycars. lt's ver)' easy ro get stllck in a rut if
you're nor careful.
5 This vicleo\ right Llp yuur street/alley. Ir's all aboLlt huw violins are made.
40.2 1 Well, it'~ heen niee ralking ro you. Mayhe our paths will cross again 50mewhere.
2 That TV programme ahou! hird~ i~ right up your street/alley. YOl! ,hould watl"h ir.
3 Jim 1S fairly middlc-of-the-road when it comes tO environmentdl isslIes.
4 The phorocopier drives me round the bend. It alway~ bn:aks duwn ¡ust when you need ir
mosto
5 1 gave up my ¡ob ¡¡nd \Vent rounu the \Vorld. 1 kit J had gOt stuck in a rut.
40.3 False. It mcal1S they live in a remutehsubred pbce.
2 True.
3 True.
4 False. It means something is ver}" difficult and problema tic.
5 False. Tt means they are followl1lg a wrong or misguided idea or comse uf anion.
40.4 It's time ro hit the roau.
2 The hus is the easiest way to get from A tu 13 rollnd here I in rhis/my arca.
J The Imperial Hotel has {really) gone do\Vnh¡Jl. Don't go rhere.
4 1 [hink you're on rhe nght track.
S The new rack music festival has really put my/011r ro\\"n on lhe map.
h 1 rhink my cuumry is at a crossroads.
Unít 41
41.1 1 sirting on rhe fence
2 getting your foot in the door
3 getting out of bed on the wrong side
4 flying off rhe handle
5 plltting someone in the picrure
6 feelillg at hame
7 bnrning the cmdle at burh ends
41.2 A aecisive person will come down on one slde ar the other.
2 The ~tudent wants ro \York there in the future, and perhaps \Vuuld like a full-tilllt ¡ob in
rhar company after gracluating.
3 People often hurn the emdle .1t hoth <,nd~ hcfore an exam when they are studying hard.
4 You're more likely ro say that somethl1lg lmportant, something which has sigll1ficanr
consequences, is hrought hame to yot!.
5 Probably pleased hecau~e imitation is said to be 'the sincerest torm uf flarrery' - though
In sume circumsrances people can be annoyed by being copita.
6 Yon are being honest hccause yun are keeping them informea.
Engli5h Idiom5 in U5e ISS

7 You Ecc! irritable al l da y.
S The)' j ee in an angr}' maad.
4 1.3 gel / put me in tite p il.:lUre
2 m:lke )'o urself al ho me
3 fly off die hand le
4 as sa fe as ho uscs
41.4 Ir \\'ill take SOrne ri me befare the impact of the new legisla tio n comes ho me lo / is
bro ughl ho me tu the pt:rson in the streer.
2 Sophic wi11 ma!':c hcrsd f ill if she goes on burning Ihe ca ndle a t bolh ends.
3 Refore you ra ke Mer the projecr, 1'11 pUl you ( (ull ~· ) in thc pic lurc,
4 The poliee rhink that DNA resri ng w ill h oid thc k e)' to p rovi ng who thc mmdcrcr must
ha ve been .
5 Jim got o ut of bed on Ihe wrong side lhis m o rnin ~.
6 T he gcwernment can'r sit on the fcnce for ever,
7 Rob fli es off lh" hand le / hits rhe rooflceiling ar the sJighrcst provoc<Hion these days .
8 Jf yüu wa nt lo gct fit , wb y clon't yo u take a lcaf out of Katie's book and ¡oin a gym?
41,S {lossi(¡le semeuces :
Check your answers with you r tcacher or ano rher good spea ker of English if you are nol
sure wherher the)' are correet or nor.
What's the mantr with Mel:m ie: 5he seems ro have gOl 0 \11 of b"u on the wrong ~¡de.
Picase rnake yourself ar home whi le I go ancl get re:ldy,
My sisu: r's burn ing rhe candlc at both enJs :l r rhe mO!!l1:1H - shc 's gOl exams SOOIl.
I wasn't t\t work last weck . Can you put me in [he p icturc, pIcase?
1 lo \'e bcinJ{ at my brorher's. I real l}' !eel at ho me (here.
Why clOlÚ yo u ta!.:c a lca f o ut of SanJra's book and ger a weekend job ?
U nit 42
42. 1 carne 2 on 3 hit 4 find 5 kept
42.2 1 15 Anno. Conda reall y a princess ? - 1 do n't kllow, hUl she's very uppe r-CTUSL
2 I guess he was delighted \Virh rhe news~ - Yes, he was over Ihc mooll.
3 So yo ur Ilew p roject failed after alt? - Yes, ir bir rhe dusr,
4 Did your long 131k wirh Darid hdp al atl? - WeH, it d id hel p ro clca r rhe air a bit.
S Did your dad cnjo)' his golfing holiday? - Ves, he \Vas in his delll~'n t.
6 Is Alfie a very romantic rype of pcrson ? - No, h e'.~ ver}' clown-ro-carrh.
42.3 1 YOl! co uld fee l a scnse of fc ar in the air wh en rhe planes came ovcrhea d.
2 lt rea ll )' is a hrelUh of fresh air for li S rhar t he company has dccidcd to !llove tu Lo ndon .
We <Irc a ll bored wif h working in a sm all rown .
3 Sa lly ca me (back ) clown ro carth witb a bang w hen the ba nk Ill anager rold her she hacl
spl' nt an hcr mone;•.
4 Things are up in Ih e air at rhe !!loment. I'I J let )'ou kllow when a dccision is made.
42,4 Possiblc aJlSlUers:
Check rOllT answcrS w lth your teachcr o r anorhcr good speaker of English if yo u are not
sure whelher ther are correc r or nor.
My (ather was a very down-to-canh persono He alwa ys had a practical solution [O
proolcnls. Soml"rimes I rhink our political leaders are livi ng on ano ther pl::mct ! T hcy
reaJl}' d o nOI know ho w o rdinar)' people li\'e, and whal rhei r dayolo-d¡IY problems are.
2 I fe lr ovcr rhe muon when 1 he.u d tha t o nt' uf my books \Vas a bcsI-sellcr.
IS6 English Idioms i" U5e

3 An otd friend 1 had not seen for 1:5 years was on a cycling hotida)" and she passed
through rhe village where ¡Iive, and called in ro sa)' helio without any warning:.
4 I'm in my elemem whcn 1'11\ playing music on my guitar Oi on my fiddk íVlolin) wirh
fricl1d~.
42.5 lf you are shaking like a leaf, ir means you are trembling becJ.use you 3re arr3id or
nervou~. íLeaves often tremble in the breeze or wind.)
2 1 slept like a log means J slept very welVdeeply. (A luX is a ver)' ~olid, hea\} piccc of wood.)
3 If you go wirh rhe flow, you let events carry you along, without making any decisions
yourself. (The flow hefe suggests a river flowing along and carrying things wirh it.1
4 If it goes against the grain for you ro say or do somcthing, it means ir is not in your
characrer, or it is againsr your hasil bcliefs and principIes w say/do it. (The grain mcans
rhe natural lines yOLl see io wood. Tf you want ro cut wood with a saw, ir is more
difficult to cut ir agaiost the graio than along the grain.)
Unit 43
43.1 It (;Quid be borh, but the phrase is more likely tu be u~ed idiomatically me<lIling an
opportumrr-
2 Prohably happy beca use ir was eas)'.
3 Yes, you are, because you vvon't be able ro go back tu how rhings were.
4 Checr rhem up becausc thcy are miserahle.
S If you're o\"erworked.
6 To show you rhe ropes.
7 They'lI probably be annoyeJ wirh you - unless rhey also want change.
R Helping rhem.
43.2 same 2 plain 3 decks 4 sailing 5 push 6 doldrums 7 oar
c1car
43.3 J ehange rack - rake a diHerenr enurse of aerion
2 know rhe ropes - be familiar with how rhlOgs are done
3 try a different rack - attcmpt tu do something in a different \Nay
4 learn rhe ropes - get to know how ro do things
5 be a quivering wreek - be in a weak mental or physlcal condirion
·6 steer a middlc course - aet in a way thar is nat extreme
43.4 1 Leave rhings as rhey are - ir'5 hetter not to put/srick your oar in / rack rhe boa!.
2 Everyrhing musr seem straoge at first. but you'lI soon learo the ropes.
3 finish yOUT course before you go rrdl"elling - there's no poiar in burning your
boatslbridgcs.
4 Parents uSllalIy rry ro sreer a middle course between leniency and strictness.
5 Sally's very miserable - do you know why she's in the doldrums?
6 The ncw bol' i'i hound to be feclillg (all) ae sea on his firsr day ar schoo1 - perh,lps you
can help.
7 Things are not working out - let's changc tack I rry a different tack.
8 1 hate job inrerviews - I'm always a quiveringlIlervou~ wreck before them.
Unit 44
44.1 D 2 A 3 e 4 B
44.2 1 B: Yes, ir real1y put!threw a spanneT in rhe works.
2 B: Ycs, he seems tú he back-pedallill.g.

3 B: Yes, he abulurcly blcw a fusc/gaskct.
4 B: Yes, everything seems ro be jusr qUlerly tieking overo
S B: Yes, 1 thillk we: got OUT wires/hnes crossed.
6 B: Yes, ir's probabl~ d guuu idea to give her a bua:.
44.3 in the pipeline
1 get illto ge<lI
3 u back·sear driver
44.4 Ir took us a long timt: ro ger into gear.
2 Brad is a back-sear driwr.
3 There are plans in the pipeline for a new railway.
44.5 on 2 unan 3 off 4 5 over 6 on
'"
Unit 45
45.1 h,lllds 2 thumbs 3 hand 4 finger 5 hand 6 thumb 7 fingns
fingers 9 tingcr 10 hands
45.2 I think i¡ \Vould be good if you gor some firsr-hand experience oE working in J. poor
eountr)" before \vorking far un aid arganisarion at hume.
2 Jerry has washed his hands (completely) of the club CO!11mittee. He \\";l~ so disgusrea
thar he just quir, and nn-er wallts to see any of rht:m again.
3 That new puwer station on rhe coasr stieks/stands out líke a son: thumb! You'd think
they \vould have built ir ro blend in wirh tht: Iandscape.
4 Have you ever tried your hand at water-skilllg? My sisrer', gor a hOM iE you would like
to try.
5 I always have to luve rhe eookbook to hand when I'm trying out a new reeipe.
6 I'm too hu'i)" to play foothall every week no\\', hm 1 reall)" should play oeeasiono.lly, jmt
to keep rny hand in .
.., She got her fingers (badly) burnt on the ~rock exehange. She bought ~hares m an
Internet companr rho.t >vent bankrupt.
45.3 Do ~·ou thillk you coulJ give me a hana rhis weekend? 1 ha ve ro mow some furnirure ro
our summer cottage.
2 [f you're the sort of per~on \'V·ho is prepared ro tum rour hand to anyrhing, you'll be
able to earn a lot of mone}"; people are always looking for wilhng workcrs.
3 1 was very pleascd when they told me my project had been given the thumbs up.
4 1 deciued ro w<l~h ml' hands of rhe whale idt:a and ro have no involvement wharsoevcr
lO lt.
H you wam to makc a ¡;ood impres,>ion at a business mceti.ng, it is ' :; goou i.uee' to llave
all rhe facts and figures at your fingertips.
6 To build a horrible conaete bridge over sueh a beautiful river is terrihle. Ir stands Out
lib.: a sore rhumb!
Follow up
We ~aid at the beginning of rhe unit that hanJs in iJiom~ often refer to ownersblp, control,
acting and exercising skil1s. ldioms which follow those ideJ-s inelude to haue something to
hand (to have it near you, immediately availahle), to he a dah hand at something (ro be
very good / ver)' skilful at something). Fingers seem ro touch thmgs. Thumbs seem ro be
~omerhmg noticeable, visible, as a signal of somerhing, e.g. to thumb a lift meaning ro
hitch-hike. Bur remember, rbese are jmt general guidelines ro meaning, and individual
idioms may suggesr a different kina of mcaning, e.g. lo be u/lder someune's tlmltlb
meaning to be eontrolled hy rhem.
158 Engljsh Idioms in Use

Unit 46
46.1 1 gct ¡rchy- feer - be restless ! V\-ant ro travcl
2 find your feer - fcc] familiar \Vlrh somerhing
3 be under someone's feer - be constantlv in rhe wav
4 landJf~ll on your fcer - be lucky/succes'sful -
') get off un tne wrong foot - stan oH in abad way
6 be rushed off your feer - be ver)' busy
7 get <.:old feer - rcgret a decisían
R stand on your own t\VO feer - be independent
9 keep both feer 011 rhe graund - remain connectcd ro rhe re;]] worlJ
46.2 Passible {lnswers;
Check your answers with your tealher O[ another gooJ speaker of English if you are not
sute whether they are correet or noto
1 1 llSually get ¡tehy fcer ""hen rhe sUrnmtT holidars start, and long ro go away aild travd.
2 Ir took me a few weeks ro find my feer in m}' new jobo
3 The dog is always under my feer when I'm getting ready for work.
4 r ldndcd on Ill)" fed when 1 me¡ my friend Pat and he offer¡:d me a room in hi~ house. Ir
had been so difficult to find accommodation.
5 r got off on the wrong foor wirh my te8cher and we've nel-er liked each other ~ince rhe
first day.
6 1 was rushcd off m)" feet: last week, but fortunarely things are a bit quieter this week.
7 1 arren get cold feer afrer I've made a big deClsion.
8 I had ro learn ro stand on my own two feer when 1 len horne and went to nniversiry.
9 H 1 became ver)' rieh and famou-.,;, 1 hope rd always be abk to keep borh feer Orl rhe
grollnd.
46.3 1 1 said 1 vvould join Jim on rhe prmesr march, hur rilen gOl cald feer and didn'r go ar all.
2 She was rushed off hcr {eet in rhe shop jast l11onth, but she's pleased thar rhe business is
doing wel!.
3 Hc'lI have ro learn ro stand on his o\vn PNO fcet now rhar he" ar college and not livlllg
ar home any more,
4 Mavis aod 1 got off on the wrong faot whell she fir~t joined the comp,lIlY, but 110W
we're workil1g very well rogerher.
5 I've got itchy feet tbese days. l"d love ro go off on a hackpacking holiday some,vhere.
46.4 put your foot in ir
2 follow in someone's foorstep~
J keep someone on rhcir toes
46.5 1 True.
2 True.
3 False. They keep rou busy / working wirh al[ yOllr energy,
4 False. You follow rhe samc eourse of action as rhcl1l, for CX<lll1ple, you rake IIp the same
profession as your motherlfarher.
5 True,
English Idlom~ In Use 159

Unit 47
47.1 The __ b_élr_Cc_ bones
1 have a bOlle __ .to__ Ei.q::_ .~l#1 ... .!d.q~,. ,. 1 can fce! .. _it .. ,0,.,!:r!y... ,~Qng.,?,.
47.2 1 1 have abone to pick with yon.

2 This book wiU give ron rhe bace bones, but ir doesn't go into grcar detail.
3 1 don't think \Ve should allow rhe COS! ro become abone of contention (between us).
4 There's going to be trouble at work. 1 can fcel ir in rny bones.
47.3 el 2 bl 3 bl 4 ,1 s e) 6 el
47.4 l'ossible answers:
1 think you should keep Harold at arm's ¡ength, as he can he a very difi¡eult persono
1 had to admit 1 was wrong. 1 dido't rcally have a lcg to stand on, so it \Vas pointlcss trying
ro defeod my actions.
47.5 leg: rhe ¡diom means thar something is very expensive
2 chance: if you chance your arm, you take a rÍsk in urder to get something you wam
Unit 48
48.1 I 1 ean'r understand/accept how much she's changed since she met )oel.
2 Mary \Vil! ncver attract admiring gazes in rhe way that het older sister does.
3 You'lI find it cxtrcmcly funny when you see Bil! wearing a dinncr jacket.
4 Dick hadn't had time ro prepare a speech, but he spoke very weU without having made
any preparations.
5 If 1 werc yOll, I'd keep a 10w profile / be as inconspicuous as possible untí! rhe ~ituation
improves.
6 Sam wants ro use your saw to build a treehume - you'd berrer put a stop ro rhar plan.
7 My boss reacted very angrily iust because 1 asked fOf an extra day off.
8 Ir was rhe firsr time rhat Joanna had talhd about wanting to wurk abroad and het
father blamed het new boyfriend for giving het ideas.
48.2 1 Me! screamed het hcad off when she saw a tat under the rabie.
2 When rhe pilar announced that the plane \Vas having engine problems, aH the
passengers hehaved calml)' and no one lost their head.
3 ['m trying ro get him ro give up smoking, but I am / have beco baoging my head agaiost
a brick wall.
4 You'll casily pass your driving test as long as you keep your head.
S I wish he wouldn'r snap my head off when 1 ask him about his work.
6 Jack and Sue have not been gening 00 well for sorne time OOW, but Jack's rudeoess ro
her ¡asr night brought things to a head and they had a blazing row.
7 The clisagreemenr over pay came to a hcad at a meeting yesterclay.
48.3 1 bite someone's head off
2 kcep your head clown

3 keep yüur head abüv~ water
4 be banging vour hcad against a brick wall
5 turn heads
48.4 Püssiblc anstuers:
Check your answers with your teacher or anüther good speaker of English if you are not
sure wherher rhey are correct Of noto
1 had my head bitren off by an ex-boss once. It wasn't, 1 think, b~cause of anything
serious that I had done, bu! was simply beca use he was haviog sorne problems at home
at the time.
1 I'd find it hard to keep my head if 1 was in an ernergenc)' situarion in an aeroplane.
3 Perhaps rhe last rime 1 laughed my head off was wJ.tching rhe comed)' 1V quiz sho\v
Have 1 got netus for you.
4 Somcone tall, dark and handsome might turn my head in rhe street or someone weariog
ver)' strikíng clorhes.
5 Various writers, political figures and pop srars have all, at diHerent times, been
criticised for putting ideas ioto young people's hcads.
6 Ir would depend what its expectations were. It might be pleased that ir was not making
a los5; on rhe other hand, it might nor be plca5ed that it was not making a significant
profit.
Unit 49
49.1 1 face 2 tbroat{s) 3 shoulder 4 neck 5 thrnat 6 neck 7 chest
8 facc 9 face 10 hair 11 face
49.2 1 You rry to keep a straight face when you \Van! ro control your laughter.
1 You put a brave face on something when you try ro hide your disappoinrment.
3 You can be said to be pulling your hair out whcn yüu ger ver)' upset about something.
4 You make a clean breasr of something when you admit to doing something wrong.
5 You may make a face when you are nm pleased ahout somerhing.
6 You take sDmcthing at faee value when you accept ir in a snaigbtforward way.
7 You may be rold to keep your hair on when you are showing your anger.
8 You give someone the cold shoulder when you deliberately ignore them.
49.3 1 Rose's farher didn'r tum a hair whcn she told him she was güing to get marricd.
2 I wish my boss wüuld let me get on wirh m}' \vork instcad of breathing down my l1eck.
3 You should tell him direcdy how you feel rathet rhan jusr giving him rhe cold shouldet.
4 Nina is very worried about her husband's illness, but she's putting a brave face on it.
S Keep your hair on\
6 lf you take what they say at face value, you'll soon get disappointed.
7 Having ro do homework is such a pain in the neck!
8 I have to tcl! )'ou a rerribl¡; secret. 1'11 go lllad if 1 don'r get it off my che~t soon.
49.4 1 get it off your chest
1 ram something down someüne's throat
3 put a brave face on something
4 tearfpu\\ your hair out
5 breathe down someone's neck
6 give someone rhe cold shoulder

Unit 50
50 . 1 1 B: Doo'r \Von)', if ifs jusr uver rhe limit, rhey usually turn a blind eye.
2 B: [dun'r know. l.et's \Vave and sce if \Ve can catch her eye.
3 B: No, nm rcally, \Ve jllSt don'r sec eye ro cye.
4 B: Ycs, it's been on rhe blink fUf a while no\\'.
5 B; Yes, J le3rnt a lot of things. Ir \Vas a real eye-opener.
6 B: No, shc didn'r bar an cyelid .
50.2 eyes 2 eye 3 cycs 4 eyes 5 eyes

50.] 1 An accidenr can hap pen in rhe b link of a n eye.
2 His behaviour at rhe meeting raised a few eyebrows.
3 YOll ,huuld a lways havc/kccp ane eye on your chances of p romotio n whcn you rakc u p
;] oew joh.
4 A ver)' strange sight caug ht my eye as I \Vas dr iving along rhe mororwa y yesrerday.
50.4 Lines 1, 5, 6 and 11 use rhe word c)'C in irs literal seose, meaning 'rhe organ wr scc wirh ',
T he rest o f rhe lines use eye in idioms, many of whieh are on rhe left-hand pagr. Hur note
the following:
keep an eye Out for (Iines 2 and 9) : be careful and wateh for somethinglsomeone
in yo ur mind's eye (line 3): in yuur imaginarion
see someone (or somcthing) out uf the comer of your eye (line 12): ser them without
looking srr;light in their direcrion
lf you do nor know rhis last group of idioms, make J nore of them in your Vocabulary
notebook.
Unit 51
51.1 False . Ir means rhe y can play wirhout music .
1 True.
3 True.
4 False. Ir means rhe y annoy or irritate yOLl.
5 Truc .
6 False. lt meJ ns people tel! one J. llother. The idiom is oEren used ro contrJst wirh reading
abour someth ing or seeing an advertisemellr for somerhi ng.
51.2 She said some very hurtfnl rhings ro me, but 1 jusr did nor respond/react, bccJ.usc r
d idn't want ro show her I WJ.S upset.
2 [ ean't really advise :'ou on how ro behave at th e interview. J ust respo nd to rhe situarion
/ aet according to yo ur intuirion, and rm sute yo u'll be grear.
3 The government says/claims ir bclicves in low t:lXes, bm rhcn puts up indi rcet tJ.xcs
withom people reJlising ir.
4 \Y.Ie offered him a holiday al our hOllse near rhe beach, but he rcfused/rcjected it.
5 He said, 'Do yo u want ro hear sume gossip about Tom and Lily?' J said, 'Oh yes ! Tell
me . J'm very eagerlkeen lO hear.'
6 I \vis h y Oll wOllldn't interfere in other people's affairs.
7 T he rabIe W,lS piled high wirh cldicious-Iooking desserts.
51.3 There's no point ralking ro her. Everyrhing just goes in une car and out rhe orher.
2 [ jusr couldn'r hdieve my cars whcll they ruld me [ hacl won fi rsr prize.
3 \Y.Ihen J kllew how bad the situation was J just griucd my tccth and decided ro eontinue
fighting.
162 Engli5h Idioms in Use

4 The llame of rhe viUdge whefe he Iives is on rhe [ip of my tongue. Give me a few
minutes and 1'11 rcmembcr it.
S What ,he said is simply llar true. She's Iying through her teeth.
6 The sight oi all those delicious pizzas 1S making my mouth water, Out I'm on a diet, so 1
shouldn"t [callv have any.
51.4 hl 2 el 3 bl 4 el
Unit 52
52.1 1 DO!l't lose heart! - Someone who i5 feeling discouraged.
2 Don't tah: ir to heart! - Sornconc who 15 upset afrcr being crinósed.
3 You're aman aftcr rny own heart! - Someonc with rhe samc rastes.
4 Don't ser your hean on it! - Someone who has a rathet unrealistic amhirioll.
S Learn ir by hcart! - Someone who has ro give a speech.
6 You'rc brcaking my heart! - A lovcd une wha is causing you grieto
7 Your hcart is in rhe [ight place! - A kind person who tries ro do rhe right thing (hut
doesn'r always succeed).
You can open yuur heart ro me! - Someune with a secret tu share.
52.2 1 M)' heart missed/skipped a beat when the handsome man smiled at me.
2 When we are on holiday, rhe children can huild ~andcastles to their hearts' content
whilc \Ve Iie 00 rhe beach and read.
3 Jim used to support rhe Green Party, but he's had a ehange of heart.
4 If you ask Ro)" tu he1p you, I'm sure he'lI put his heart and sou1 into ir and rhe joh will
be finishcd in no time.
S lt's nor a good ide;) tu bare your hearr/soul / pour your heart out / open your heart tu a
journalisr unless you want yuur secrers ro hecome puhlic knowledge.
6 Your dissertation is ncarlv finished, so don't lose heart now.
7 It breaks my hcart / mak~s m)' heart sink ro sce my brother making such a Iool oI
himself.
8 .\ly heart sank when J realised rhat pay day \vas srill a week a\vay.
52.3 1 was determined to get
2 workiog wirh grear cnergy ;md enthLlSiJ'im
3 have a frank interview
4 told him exactly huw she felt
5 with increasiog discomfort
6 telllOg him all her secrct hopes
7 you (ertainl)' have very good intenrioos
8 we are similar people
9 000'[ despair
10 took what he smd very serioLlsly
11 memorise ir
52.4 He Ollght ser his heart on ~etTing up his own gllitJr grollp, seeing a famous guirarist in
cuneert, etc.
2 YOLl do it a lor.
3 She is like yOLl.
4 You are praising them a litrle, alrhollgh YOIl are also impl),ing that yOll think rheir
behaviour is not torally appropriatc.
S If yout hcart misses a beat, you might be all of these except sick.
6 She opens her heart ro her hest frieod, her diary, erc.
EngJi5h Idiom5 in U5e 163

7 She mighr have fallen in lave wirh somcone else and she might then comcd rhe wedding.
8 The break·up of a rclationship might hreak a young lover's heart.
Unit 53
53.1 1 Getting him to agree to spend moncy is like getting blood Ollt of a stone.
2 He's exhausted hecause he's heen slogging his guts out.
3 I'm sure the doctor wil! set his rnind at resto
4 I've got rhar compurer game on the brain.
5 He can still see her quite dear!y in his mind's eye.
6 He tries nor tu think abour it, hut it's always at the back of his mind.
7 1f you can't do it alone, you couId try to pick his brains.
8 Cnmes of pJ.ssion are lcss horrific than murders which are cold·blooded.
53.2 beain 2 mind 3 gut 4 minJ 5 guts 6 brains 7 blood
mind
53.3 1 The government are rather worríed about the brain drain.
2 1 like both shirts. r can't make up roy mind which one to buyo
3 Don'r think too long abour rhe question. Just te11 me your gut feeling/reaction.
4 Why do people enjoy films that are ful! of b100d and guts?
5 Don't decide unti] rou know al! the facts. lt's best ro have/keep an open mind until
then.
6 1 know you must be worried, but Pm sure we can put/ser youe mind at resto
7 ¡'ve had that awflll song on the braín cver since hearing ir on rhe radio tbis moming.
8 Getting him ro reIl me anything about his work is like getting blood out of a stone.
53.4 These secm ro be the basíe meanings of these parts of the bod)' in ídíoms - although some
of the idioms have moved quite a long way from these concepts and indeed blood in
particular ma}' have several diHereJlt sets of associations for the English speaker.
mind - thinking
blood - emotioll (rhough is aiso used in idioms with the physical meaning of blood)
brain - inteUigence
guts - intcstines or yOllf insides
Unit 54
54.1 Ir almost certainly iSIl't tid}' and your boss doesn't like this because he/she is always
nagging you to tidy ir up.
2 No, it's got worse beca use )'oll've offended that persono
3 They do naughty things that they don't want rhe teacher ro see.
4 They want you to do them a favour of sorne kl1ld.
5 Yes, they are.
6 Revision is more important.
54.2 beyond 1 lorry 3 hand 4 1eantlleanedlbent 5 stab 6 bumer
7 door X see
54.3 1 Do you know [he area weU? - Like the back of roy hand.
2 Was the test difficulr? - ¡ could have done ir with rny hands tied behind my back.
3 Where is the castle? - Somewhere in the back of beyond.
4 Where did they get the computer? - 1t fel! off the hack of a lorry.
5 How on earth did she get thar position? - By the back door, I'm sure.
6 Do you like this hot wearher? - I'lJ be glaJ to ~ec rhe back of it.
164 Engllsh IdJOms In Use

7 Dues yOUf girlfriend like yuur muturhikt? - She's always 011 my back abour ir.
8 How's your Japancsc projcct going? - It's taking a back seat al the momento
54.4 1 Jim put/got May's back up by telling het she \Vas too young ro go out with the others.
2 You scratch my back and 1'11 scratch yOUIS.
3 Sue leant/bent over hackwards ro give her grandmother an enjoyable holiday.
4 The tcachet is always 00 rny back abour my handwriting.
5 Let's pur any discussion of rhe merger 00 rhe back burner until after next week's meeting.
6 My dream is ro go off to a cottagc in rhe back of beyond and work 011 a novel.
7 Joe went off ro join rhe na v)' withaut a backward glance.
Quick! We can ¡eave now while Sasha's back is turned.
Unit 55
55.1 My parcnts always go to great 1cngths to make any ncw friend of mine fee! welcome if 1
bring them home.
2 You've come a long way since the last time we played tennis. You must have been
practising hard.
3 Georgina and 1 go back a long way. I've known her since 1984.
4 My teacher at school always told me 1 would go a long way, but she \Vas wrong; I'm
stuck in a very boring ¡ob and don't cam mucho
5 I'd be prepared to go to any lengths ro ger rhar jobo I'vc llcver wanted anything so mueh
in all my life.
6 It's time to take a long, hard look at our personal finances. 1 think we're spending too
mucho
55.2 Possible anSlUcrs:
1 (You've done very wel!.) 1 rhink you'll go a long way.
2 My best friend (name) and I go back a long way.
3 The famliy 1 stayed with when 1 was learning (name of language) went ro grear lengths
to make me fee! at home.
4 You've come a long way since the last time 1 heard you play.
S 1 think we should take a long, harJ look ar OUf plan to srart a business.
6 I'd go to any lengrhs ro persuade rhe owner ro sell me that beautiful flar.
55.3 1 Ves, long time no see.
2 How long is a piece of string?
3 It's a long story.
4 All right, ro cut a long story short, none of rhe members agreed with any of rhe
committee's propasals.
55.4 1 a long-winded lecrure
2 a long face
3 a long haul
4 a lisr as long as your arm
Unit 56
56.1 1 r hupe I'm in linc for a pay ri~c this ycar.
2 You must read between rhe lines uf her lener ro understand what she's saying.
3 I'd like to design a housc along/ofl the lines of a place 1 read about.
4 1'11 he!p with the play, but 1 draw rhe line at taking a speaking role.
S There's a fine line between generosity and extravagance.

G h's uncanny npw we alway~ ~~tm tu be rhinking along/ol1 the "ame lines.
7 YOll werc quite out of lineo Don't do ir again!
8 When our house purchase is agreed, we'll sigo on rhe dottcd lineo
9 lr's time [O Jraw a line under this sad occurrence and ro make a fresh start.
10 Would yOl! mind having a look at my essay plan and telling me whether yOl! [hink l'm
gOJng along/on rhe right lines nr llor?
56.2 k Jane considered thar hcr previous relationship wirh Tim W¡15 nnw totally overo
B, Jane would Dor considcr staning a relationship \Virh Tim.
2 A, David's actioos were quite inappropriate.
B, David's actioos ....'ere appropriate.
.1 A, Rebccca said shc'r.l tIy [O write ro me .
B, Renceca said she'd try ro rhink more deepl:: about what was meant by the words
thar had been written.
4 A, Accoumancy is Jim's professLon,
B, Jim is likcly ro gcr rhe accauntancy íob at om COlllpany.
56.3 1 Drop me d lílle soon. - Oi (our5e, 1 wil!.
2 You're absolutdy- out of lineo - l'm sorry.
3 I'm in linc for promotion. - Congratularians.
4 What's Tony's líne of w(lrk? - He's in computer programming.
5 Shall we draw a line under our p<lsr problems? - Thar's fine by me.
6 Nick docsn't dare step out of lineo - Wh}' ever llar?
7 1 draw rhe hne 8t guing on ;,trih. - So do l.
8 \X'as my talk along rhe righr lines? - Ir wa~ great.
56.4 1 P!ease drop me a I¡oe as often as rou can.
2 What's Natasha's line of work?
3 What Paul did was totaIly out of line.
4 My clreaIíl is to open a "..:11001 alano¡; the tines of the o-ne I attended myself as a child.
S (In sorne \vays) there is a very finc/thin hnc betwccn geniu;, and insanity.
6 There\ a fine/thin line betwcen doing enough exereisc and doing too mucho Wherc
would yOll draw lhe l¡ne?
7 Let's now rry ro Jraw a ¡ine undcr our previous Ji;,agrecments.
8 Marcus is in ¡inc far a ncw company caf rhis year.
9 We'd like to visit \·ou in Australia, but rhe botwm line is that we just can't afford ir.
56.5 Possible sentences:
Check your answcrs with your teachcr ur anothcr good speaker of Engli<;h if you are llor
sure whether they arc corred or nor.
My colleague isn't speaking to me - 1. think 1. s'J.id wmethin)', uut of lineo
1 asked Isobel ro drop me a line while shc \vas away.
The nottum li!le is that we must ger rid of hooJiganism from fuorb;lll.
1 work fur ao insurancc companv. Whar's your linf uf \Vork?
ReJ.ding henn'en rhe line'i, r rhink my mum's plcascd my brothcr has lcft home.
l read through the Jocument befare I signed on the dotted lineo
Unit 57
57.1 1 B: Yes, he's been out of anion for ,1 while now.
2 B: Yes, I agree. Sh!; should [earn ro act her age.
3 B: Yes, ~'nó al1 talk and no action.
166 English IdlOm-'; in Use

4 B: Yes, it's rime he got his aet together.
5 B: Yes, ir's a ver} dl·1icate balancing ac!.
57.2
'T O 'G [ T 'H [ R
O 1
A Y
'p (,\ T 'G [ T
57.3 He was sreali ng a ear, and rhe poliee eaughr him in the aet (jusr as he was getting into ir).
2 I \Vas our of the {e.1m for rhree weeks \Virh a kuee problem, but now I'm hack in action
(again ).
3 J think ir's ti me \Ve followed/took a different eourse of aeríon .
4 The film indu~rr y should clcan up ¡ts aet and "tup making violent f¡lms .
5 Ever}one wants to get in on the aet / get a slieclpieee of the aetion no\\' rhae \Ve are
m;lk ing a lar of money.
6 OUf office is a h ive of aetivíe)' ehese days as we prepare for rhe launeh of our new
produces.
Unit 58
58.1 1 good 2 bad 3 berter 4 best 5 \Vorsr, wo rst 6 bese
7 best, bad B bad, worse
58.2 Sarah always has ro go une bener rhan ever~' un e else.
2 Conditions seem ro be going from bad ro \\'orse.
3 The weather was b¡¡d, but \\'(' tried ro rn¡¡ke rhe besr o f abad jobo
4 J nearl y told her rhe rru rh , but 1 dlUughr better uf ie
5 As Mark is very ambirious, he willuevcr scttle for second bcst.
6 Rose tried ro learn to ski, bm soon gave it up as abad jobo
7 Jf rhe wors t comes ro rhe \vorst, we c¡¡n always ask D<1d for ¡¡ loan.
S Whatever happens, happcns for rhe bcst.
58.3 No, he isn'r.
2 T he boy might. for example. be ruue tu the impormnt visirors .
3 T hey are trying tu have a bigger amI more imprcssive cae
4 He's hroken his lego
5 He might find he can mioy rhe sympathy of his fr iends ;md the attentions of rhe nurses
as well as tht chance to rc\ax ana watch TV
58.4 Possihle answcrs:
Check yOllr answers wirh your reacher or anarher good speaker of Fnglish ii you are nor
su re whether they are co rreet or nor.
I wanted ro tel! m y boss wh ;H 1 t houghr uf him , but fo rrunarel)" I thought better of ir.
1 did a coursc in te<1ehing English bec<1use 1 thought ir would swnd me in good stead if r
nccded ro work whel1 1 lVas abroa d.
J didn'r really \Vant ro leave t he sehuo l I had taughr in fO f year~, bm ir certainl)' all tllrned
out fOf rhe bcst.
r admire rhe W<1 )' J11 y fr itIld d eL"ided ro l1l<1h [he bese uf ¡¡ bad joh when she was made to
ta kc carly retirernent - shc decidcd to takc \lP painting and a150 bcgan to IVrite the novel
she h"d ¡¡lw¡¡ ys bcen planning.

The situarian wasn't easy in january, but it has certainly gane fram had ro worse
rhroughout the year.
Anna has been in abad way cvcr since her childrcn grew up and left home.
Unit 59
59.1 The Minisrer cleverly cut rhe ground from under her opponents' feer by announcing
new tax cuts.
2 He gor in on the ground floor wirh c-commerce and became a millionaire when it took
off.
3 Good harels are thin on the grouod io the smaller cities; you have ro go ro the capital to
ger horels of interna ti anal standard.
4 The projeu has got off the ground quicker and more smoothly than we expected.
5 Pan-time work suits me down ro rhe ground at the moment as ['m trying to study at
the same time.
59.2 1 I'm afraid good cafés are rhin on the ground in rhe town centre.
2 Working from home mits me down ro rhe ground as ¡ can look aher OUT small child at
the same time.

3 If you join our campan y now, 1 promise you are gettiog in 00 the ground floor of sorne
really exciting developmenrs.
4 Reducing the price now wil! cut the ground frorn under the fcet of our competitors,
beca use they will not be able to do the same.
5 lt's a good idea, but I doo't know if it wiU ever ger off the ground.
59.3 1 She heldlstood her ground and had a meeting with the boss ro tell her everything.
2 We have a lot of common ground, so we need ro discuss how we can work together.
3 I rhink you are on dangerous ground if you raise the suhjecr of longer holidays at the
staff meeting.
4 English Language schools are thick on the ground in rhe capital city.
S The idea that publie transport is better for the environment is gaining ground.
I They do not appear in public and hide from the media.
1 So embarrassed you wish you eould disappear / were invisible.
3 They rcfuse to change their posirion or opinion in a dispute/argumento
4 To shift your graund.
5 (My) stamping/stomping ground. Ir means a place where you spend a lor of rime.
6 Ir means rhar rhey have probably bccn to that coumrj' and made useful contacts for you
or informed people about your campany, so that it will be easier for you to launch your
product.

Unit 60
60.1 amma! nght ad¡ective example sel1tence
1 b:lt blind I'm as bliud as a bat without my glasscs.
2 ox strong Mv brother is as sHong as an ox.
3 b" busy r was as busy as a bee alllast wcek.
4 ,el slippery She's as slippery as an cel. You'll never get a dire~t answer
fmm heT.
5 bird free 1 fclt as free as a bird when 1 [en university.
6 fox sly He's as slv aS a fax. Don't trust him. He'lI find a way (lf
gctting what he want>.
60.2 1 don't mind (;arrying rhi~ bux. Ir's as light as a fcather. The other olle was as heavy as
¡ead.
2 If r were you, r would avoid rhat restaurant like rhe plague. The food is Jwful.
3 Millic never misscs anything you Jo in rhe aHiee. She has eyes like a hawk.
4 1 felt like a fish out of water with m)' electric guitar among aH tllase dassical musicians.
5 There are hütds as faf as the eye can see aH along rhe coast.
6 She got up late and ca me down ro hreakfast looking like sorncthing the cat
brought/dragged in.
60.3 a hear 2 a bull .1 a bar
60.4 1 He was very bad-tempered, like a bcar with a SOfe head.
2 Her comments \Vere like a red rag to a bulL
3 He cm off like a bar out of helL
60.5 greased 2 Sleve 3 plain 4 ugly
60.6 1 as tlat as a pancake, c.g. The landscape ís as {lat as a pan cake.
2 as daft as a brush (daft means silly; used of people)
3 as good as gold (good here rdeIs ro someüne's behaviour)
4 as bold as brass (bold here means cheeky/without any inhibitions)
5 as dry as a bOlle, e.g. 1 must water my planto The soil's as dr}' as a beme.
English Idiams in Use 169

Phonetic symbols
Vowe l sounds Consonant sounds
Symbol Examples SymlJOI Examples

li:! slITP mJ;: Ipl Qut
/i l happy recip~ Ibl hook
¡,¡ Pl ll dinner ItI Iakc
lul foor t.Qyld Pllll Idl 4ug
dQ rhr _ _
fu: ! shQ!:. Ik l o;;:ar kid
1,1 t<d h""d s.i!.Íd Ig l go &l!aramee
1,1 ilfnve fathrr col!.l.lll: /tJI caM mllfm
13:/ bird willk Id]! l oun~
''''
tl!..[ll
h: / sQtt rh!l!1l;bt w;:!.lk Ifl for cough
he! qt blªck 1,1 ¡oye ye hicle
/A/ sQn CIlQJdgh wQoder ID! rhick paili
101 gQt w.íltch sQck 101 mis mothcr
la: ! part h""'t lil.\Jgh IsI s.incr. ri~
Iz! ,,00 hou:).es.
le[1 n¡;vne lJ.tc illnl IJI illop ,!!ugar maminc
hll/ my ide:'l rime /3! plea!!ure us.ual vi.s.lon
/J( I bm: llQ!se Ih l hcar hotel
leal pillr whl:IT. bmr 1m! make
!r~1 hear bIT!: In! !Flme !l0W
/;wl gQ hQmc shQw IT) I bring,
lau! QY' C.<.m: 111 luok whik
IU:J! P!lIT poor lel ( uad
¡jI yOllng
¡wl ~ear

Index
The ",,/l/bus ;" Ihe illdex I1rt: UlIit IIIfmbers 111)/
along rhe ¡ines of sth 56
pagl' IIl1mbers.
nOf go amiss 18
gt>ugo fron¡ A ro B 40 a pa n r animal 36
be on ilbout 27 une way u r an ulher 15
Abscnce makes rhe hca rl grow fond e-r. 29 h:1\'e a lot to answcr fur 13
be broughucal1ed lO accuum 10 n Of take no for an a nswer 2S
Therr's no a ccounting fnr taste(s) ! I j tht answer ro sh's pra yers 8
:10¡¡cid [l"SI 1O (nor) nng a n)' bdls I a bell (wirh me) 4
dtan up )'our aet 57 an)'body wh o is an yboo)' 20
¡le! rhe fooUgO:H i,57 m:\'cr/nut do anythingllh ings by ha lvc:s ! j
ae! )'our agc 57 keC'p up appearances 20
3 halancing aet 57 whet yuue appelile 39
be ;1 h.:ud/wugh Ol e! tu foll ow 12 An appl e a uar kee¡>5 the doctor awa\'. 11
careh sh in ¡he ael 57 a gre)' arc a 34 .
gel in 0/1 Ihe:lCI :i7 a list as Ion!! as rour ann 55
ger )"our ael tOgeth cr 57 chance )'uur arm 19,4 7
pUl u n an 3e t 57 cuSt Isb) a n arm and a leg 47
a piecdslin: of rhe ¡IClion 57 efluid do sr h w irh one armfhan d tied behind
be- back in acrio n S7 )'our hack 54
he out of arríon 57 lwist 5b's arm 4 7
foll,1w/rake a course uf arlion 57 holdlk ecp sb.:lt arm 's Il'l1¡;th 4 7
Ac¡ions spcak louder ¡hall won.ls. 2 9 a cluJlk in your armQur 38
a hivt uf activity 57 bI: \\p in arm5 .1,R
add fu el lO [he fire/flames 33 be asking for itltroo ble 12
add irlS lllt (O iniury 11 C;l~r aspersions o n r 2
pb)' drl"il's ad"ocarc U kad sb astra y 16
be aftee sb's blnod J ar a [considerabk) pricc 24
)'ou can Silr th:H again ! I I a l a push 17
against lall) (¡he) odds ii, 19 ar Ihe "nd of the: day 31
acr rOllr age .'j7 he al cach orher's throat 49
a hidden agenda 9 be al luggcehcads i. 22
al l he tOp uf sb's/the age nda 15 belft'el at horne 41
:1 hrl'ar h of fresh air 42 make )'oursel f al humc 4 1
be: f1ualing/walking on air 2 :l\'oid srh like rh(' pl:lguc 60
be in rhe air 42 h:lI"<: an axc I U gr ind 38
be up in thl." air 42 !!"I/!!O fmm A f() U 40
d ear rhe air 42 be as ~:lsr as rakin¡; ca nd )' fmm :t ha hy 17
pluc k a nu mber Out of th l' air 33 b.! ldr holdi n~ lhe bab)' 7
ai r~ an d graces 20 throw rhe bah), Out wirh l), e bar hwatcr i3
ser ;tlarm bdls ringing 16 back·pcua l 44
all ~a rs 51 Yo u SC ra tch my b ack an d 1'11 scratch \"Ours. 54
a ll over rh e rl<lce 26 ;Ir rhe haek of ro ue min u 53 .
aH \\"ork amlnu piar 29 atlin the: back of be)'ond 54
be all ar sea 43 he s ladlhappy/plcascd/nor SOfT\' ro , ce rhe ha ck
bl." all swectn l."s~ and lighl 12 of 5th 54 .
be all ralk (an u no a"tion) 57 he (like) wa rn off a du ek's back i. 37
gi\"(: sth your a ll 17 be back in acejo n 5 7
gu a ll uut 17 be on 5b's back 54
hal'e all rhe maki ngs of J3 he 0 11 the back bu mer 54
if aJl clse fails 15 b~'lth rough rhe bacl;: door 54
make alJ rhe diffut'nCt" 6 come/hU nff the back o f :1 lor ry 54
no! be all if s crackC'd up to be" J3 could uo srh wir h one armlhanJ tic:J bc:hinu
nO! be al! there 1 ynu r hack 54
o nce :mu fur alJ 31 fed up (tu Ihe back lttth ) 3
bc (r¡ghl ) up rOU! allcrhtrcé! 4 0 ¡.:el/pul sh's back up 3, 54
le:n'e \Ve ll alo ne 16 gu back a long way 55
go bac k 10 5<Juare one 35
English Idioms in Use r7 1

know sth like the hack uf your hand 54 for the time being 31
off rhe baek uf a lorry 54 can't believe your ears 51
srab sb in the hack 54 couldn't helievc yuur eyes 50
rake a back seat 54 ring a bell 30
when/while ,h's back is turned 54 (not) ring <1 belll any bells (wirh me) 4
a backseat driver 44 set alarm bells ringing 16
without a baekward glance 54 green bclt 34
bend/lean uver backwards 54 tighten your belt 24
he in a had wav 58 bend rhe rules 9
give sth up <lS ~ b<ld joh 58 bcndllean over backwanh 54
go fram bad ro worse 58 drive/seno sb mund rhe bendlrwisr i, ii. 3, 40
make rhe best of a had ioh 58 givc sh the benefit of the doubt 10
in rhe bag 8 be besidc the point 28
let [he car out of rhe bag ii,37 he for rhe best 58
belhang in thc balance 14 be un your be~t beha\"iour 58
a balancing aer 57 rnake the best of a had joh 58
a slime hall ii second best 58
be on the ball 35 rhe best of both warlds 58
play ball .") 'i the bestlgrcatcst thing ,inle sli<.:~d bread 39
start the ball rolling 35 your best bet 35
the ballls in your courr 35 agaimt your better iudgement 58
getliump/leap on rhe bandwagon 13 for want üf a bettcr word 27
come (baek) down ro carth with a bang/bump/ go onc bctter 58
¡olt ii,42 have sccn bettcr days 31
be banginglhitting your head against a brick rhink better of sth 58
wall ii,48 at/in the hack of beyond 54
bare your heartlsoul 52 get/g,o beyond a joke 26
the bare bones 47 Big cieal! 13
1 wouldn'r ruulh sb/sth wirh a bargc pole. 18 hit rhe big time 6 ....4
j
sb's hark 15 wor5e rhan rhelr bite 36 rnake a big rhing of n 'ti
have sb over a barrcl 7 make ir big 23
havea bash 17 rhink big 23
Don'r put all your eggs in ane basket. 29 foot rhe hill 46
a basker case 1 pick up [he hill/tao ii,24
he as blind as a bat 60 A liule bird told me. 36
Jike a bat out of hell 60 a bird in ¡he hand 29
nor bar an eyclid 50 as free as a bird i,60
off your own bat 35 birds uf a feather 29
thmw the baby Out wirh rhe bathwater 13 kili rwo birds with one stone i, ii, 37
rccharge your batteric~ 1 the birds and the bees 7
an uphill battle/fightlsrruggle 40 getlhave/rake rhe bit be[ween your teeth 36
fight a losing batde 3 H bite sh's head off 48
keep sb/sth at bay 22 bite rhe bullet 38
be that as lt may 10 bite rhe dust 1,42
the be-all-and-end·all 6 bite your tungue 51
bear Eruir 39 sb's bark is worse rhan their bire 36
bear/kccp in mind 30 be rhrilled ro bits 2,21
be likc a bcar with a SOfe h~ad 37, 60 a hiner pill (ro swaIlow)
grin and bear ir 2 ro the bittcr cnd 39
so's hcart misses/skips a bcal 52 a black hoIe 34
be off rhe beaten track 40 in hlack and wh¡te 34
(it) beats m~ S draw a blank 7
be ar sb's beck and call 9 }our mind gocs blank 30
ger Out of bed on the wrong side 41 he a blessing in disguise 6
be as busy as a bee 60 be as blind as a hat 60
make a becline for sb/sth 36 t\lrn J blind ere 50
the birds and the bees 7 in the blink of an eve 1, 50
before your time 31 on rhe blink SO
be on yOllf hest behaviour 58 a stumhling block 7
behind rhe scenes 25 Blood is [hicker rhan water. 29
17'2 EngtJsh Idioms in Use

blood and guts 53 hum your bridgeslboals 38,43
be after sh's blood 3 bring a lump ro your throar 14
be out for blood 3 bring sth horne tü sb 41
blue blood 34 bring sth ro a head 4S
ger blood out oi a ,tone 5.1 bring sth to light 8
in cold blood 53 be on rhe brink of sth ii
new blood 20 he broughtlcalJed ro account 10
sb's blood is up 3 look like somethmg the cal broughtldragged
blowa fuselgasket 3,44 in 60
blow hot and cold 33 bl: a~ uaft as J. brush 60
blow srh out of (al1) proponion 14 pass the buck i, 35
see how / which way rhe wind 1, blowing 33 kick rhe bucket 1
blue blood 34 not budge/give an inch JO, 23
blue-collar 34 rhe trayel hug 36
between the devil and rhe d<:cp blue se" 33 be hh a red rag tü a bull 60
once in a blue moon 32 ¡ake the huI! bv rhe homs 37
out of rhe blue i, 42 bite the hullet ·38
until you are blue in the face 34 come (back) down ro earrh with a bump/bang/
cal! sb's hluff 35 joh ii
be in che same boat 43 bum ¡he candle ar borh ends 41
miss rhe boar 43 bum your boats/bridges 38,43
push the boat out 43 be un the ba<.:k bumer 54
rock the boat 43 ger/have rour fingers burnedlburnt 45
bum your boats/bridges 38, 43 be as busy as a bee 60
as bold as brass 60 sb's bread and buner 39
abone of contention 47 have butterflies in your stomach 36
be as dry as abone i, 60 give sb a bUll 44
have abone to pick with sb 47 be a piece of cake 17
I (can) feel it in my bones ii,47 have your cake and cat lt 39
the bare bOlles 47 the icing on rhe cake 39
take a leaf al][ of sb's book 41 call it a day 32
be in sb's good books 22 call sb's bluff 35
bum the candle at both endo; 41 call the shots 38
the best of both wurlJ., 58 be at sb's beck and cal! 9
at rhe bottom of rhe (careerlladdcr 25 not have a minute to call your o,vn .32
be/hit rock bottom 42 be calledlbrought ro aCCQunt 10
get ro rhe bouom of 8 cool, calm and collected i,21
rhe bottom line 56 a cart of worms 10,37
be dutv bound ro do 5th 18 carry rhe can 9
by/in J~aps ¡¡nd bounds 26 can't for the Jife of me 4
a brain Jrain S 3 bum rhe candle ar both ends 41
have sth OTI the brain 53 be as eas)" as taking candy from a baby 17
pick sb's brains 53 be on the cards 35
rack your brains 30 , lay/pUl your card, 011 rhe table 35
put the brakes on 44 play your cards right 35
as bold as brass 60 the cards are sracked agaiTIst you 19
put a brave face OTI sth 49 take care uf rhe pence/pennics 29
sb's bread and burter 39 carcer ladder 25
the best/greatest thing since sliced bread 39 at rhe bonom of [he (career) ladder 25
be/live on the breadlinc 24 al lhe top of ¡he (carccr) ¡addet 25
break sh's heart 52 climb ro the top of rhe carcer ladder 25
a dog's brcakfasr 37 carry ¡he can 9
make a clcan brease of ir 49 a basket case 1
a breath of fresh air 42 cast ¡¡,perSlOns un 12
in the same breath 27 eastlrun your eye over 50
take your breath away 21 let the cat out of the bag ii, 37
brcathc down sb's neck 49 look Iike something rhe cat brought/dragged
be banginglhirting )'our head agaiTIst a brick 1Il 60
waU ll,48 nut (cnough) room tu swing a cat 37
come up agamsr a brick wal! 7 putlsend rhe cat among the pigeons i, 3, 37
Englrsh Idioms in Use 173

Wh'¡~ thc cat's o.way, the mice w'¡l play. 29 if rhe WOI"st comes ro rhe w()r~r 58
catch sb in the act 57 lf/when ir come~ ro rhe ~runch Ji;
cateh sb rcd·hand~d 34 be too c\osc fur comfort 16
cateh ~b·s eye 50 see 5th coming la milc off) 19
caught in rhe midJJe 23 commic 5th tu mcmory 30
be caughr m the crosshrc 38 common ground 59
he caught napping 16 a foregonc condusion 19
hl! th~ cciling/roof 41 the pros ancl cons i, 10
lett, right and centre 26 ro your heart\ content 52
chance your arm 19,47 abone of contentioo 47
nor have rhe ghost of a chanee 6 too many cooks 29
change hands 45 cool, calm and ~ul!ected i, 21
change rack 43 see 5rh our of che comer of your eye 50
a change (lf heart 52 politicallyeorrect 20
chase your raí.! 36 COSt (sb) an arm J.nd a lq, 47
ger it off your chest 49 follow/take a course of acrion 57
run round lih a headbs chickcn 37 stcer a middle course 43
be child's play 17 the hall is in )'our court 35
a chink in vour ~rmour 38 at the crack of dawn 32
have a chip on your shoulder 47 Ilot be aJ1 it's cracked up to he 13
whcn rhe chips are down 35 by hook or by crook i, 17
a vicious circle 10 cross your fingcrs 45
go round in eircles l.0 cross yOUf mind .lO
clean up your act 57 at cross-purposes 22
make a clcan breast of ir 49 sb's parhs cross 40
clcar ¡he air 42 get your lines/wires crossed 44
dcar rhe decks 43 keep your fingers crossed 45
IOlla and clear 28 be caught in rhe crossfire 38
stecr clear uf 43 at a crossroads 40
dimb to rhe top of the career ladder 25 when ir comcs ro the cruneh 38
work against rhe dock 32 a ~houlder ro cry ün 47
go/run/work like clockwork 32 be a far cry from sth 23
pop your clogs 1 It's no good / Thcre's no poitlt crying over "pilt
be roo clase fur cumfort 16 mdk. 29
.;ail clase to the wind 43 <lS cunning/sly as a fox 60
bc on cloud ninc 2 cut a lung story short i, 55
Ilot have a clue 4 cut the ground from llnder ,,11·5 fcet 59
dutch at ~traws 7 cut thin.);::. f~n.e 16
the uthcr slde of rhe coin 10 have yOllf work cut ollr 25
ro coin a phrase 27 be a dab hand 45
cold-blüudeJ 53 be as dah as a brush 60
a cold flsh 36 Jouk daggers Jt 38
bJow hot and cald 33 be pushing up (rhe) daisics Il
ger cold feer 46 put a dan1pcner/damper un 2
gi~e sb rhe cold shuuldcr 47,49 on dangerous gwund 59
in cold hluud 53 a dark hor<;e 36
pour cold water un 5rh .B he in the dark 42
cool, en 1m and colkctcd i,21 keep sb in rhe dark 42
come ro light 8 be past / pass your sell-b: date 39
come (ba,k) down tu ~<lrth \Virh a banW1Jllmp/ a[ rhe crack üf dawn 32
¡olt ii,42 An apple a day kecps rhc doctor ;¡w;:¡:,. ii
come a long \Vay 55 at rhe end uf rhe dav 31
come clown on one side or rhe othcr 41 call1taday 32 .
come home ro vou 41 make your day 2,21
come ro a head 48 frighren/scare the (living) daylighrs Out of
come ro terms wirh 14 have seen better days 31
come IIp againsr a bfi~k \Val! 7 it's eady days (yer) 31
come/spring to mind 30 a dead end 40
rhe ,hape of things ro come 31 be a dead loss 13
if push comes to shove 18 wüuld nor be seen dead 18

dead-enJ ¡ob 25 a drop in rhe oeean 33
Kig dea!! 23 be as dry as abone i, 60
look like death warmcJ up he (like) water off a duck's back i, 37
dear rhe decks 43 be clown in rhe dumps 2,21
be In deep w;\tn 33 bitt ¡ht duSt L 42
bdween the devil ami th e deep blue sea 33 like gold dust 12
go off the deep end 3 be duty bOllild ro Jo ~rh 18
jump in the deep end 33 be dying for/to 18
rhrow sb in the deep enJ :1.1 play it hy eae 51
be out of your depth 33 go in one cae and Out rhe orher 51
leave a lor ro be desired 13 have a word in sb's car 51
leave sb to rheir own devices 9 ¡;ive sb an earful 3
hetween the devil and the Jtep blué ,ea 33 ir's early days (yer) 31
play devil's advocare 13 all eaes 51
a rough diaII1und 20 he up tu your ean/eyes (in work) 25
make ",11 the difference 6 can't helieyc your car, 5\
rry a different tack 43 be rhe salt of the eanh .33
dig your heels in 46 come (back) clown to carth wirh a bang/bumpl
dig yourself iTIto a hule 7 jolt 11,42
be in dice srr¡lits 7 go ro the ends of rhe canh 33
be a blessing in disgui~e 6 easieT said than clone 7
drive 5b to distranion 13 be as easy as falling off a log 17
do your own rhmg 1 R be as casy as takin¡; canJ,. [mlll a bdby 17
makc do 8 have your cake ,Jl1d eat ir' 39
a spin doctor Sl be on cdge 21
An ¡lpple J. d<lY keep<; rhe doctor awar. II have ¡he edge over 13
a doddle 1.7 get a wmd in cdgeways 28
a dog's breakJ-ast 37 be as slippery a~ an eel 6(l
go ro thl: dogs 37 have egg on your faee 39
be in the doldrums 43 Don't put all your eggs in one bd~h:l. 29
easier said th¡ln done 7 he in your element 42
br/through rhe hack door 54 be out of your eJcmcnt 42
get your foot in the door 41 if aH else fails .15
give sb a dose/taste of ,heir own medicine a dead end 40
in 5111all dose" 23 at thc cud of rhe day 31
fromlsince the rear dot 31 be ar the end of your terher 21
sign on the dorred lme 56 be at your wirs' end 3
give sb thc bel)cfit of tht doubt lO be atfan the receiving end 9
down-and-out 20 get (hold of) rhe wrong end of rhe s¡il:k 4
down-to-earth 42 go off the deep end 3
bo: down in the dumps 2,21 jllmp !TI the deep end 13
keep your head clown 48 lighr dt the end uf ¡he mnne]
never ]¡v~ ~th down 15 nor he rhe end ni rhe world 2
go downhil! 40 rhrow sh in ¡he deep end .33
~ix of on<.: and halE a dozen of rho: orher ¡ 1 ro the bitrer end 3Sl
drag your teedheels 26, 46 bum rhe candle:lt borh ends 41
look llke something rhe (ar dragg(d/brought go 10 rhe ends of rhe earth 33
m 60 odds and ends i
a br~;n drain 53 tie up loo~e ends 8
drawa blank 7 be yOllr ¡¡Wn wor~r enemy 38
drawa line uncler sth 56 be man enough ro do ,>th ]1
dcaw thl: line (at 5th) 56 he green wirh en ....1' 34
rhe Iuek of the draw 19 a narrow escape 16
go/work like .1 drcam 6 a neeessary evil l6
wOl1ldn't dream of 14 rhe lesser of two evils 15
drive/send sb round rhe bendltwi~t i, ii. 3, 40 make an exhibiüon of YOUfself 13
drive sb to dlstraerion 13 pur "th down ro experience 5
drive sb up rhe wal! 3 ao eye-apener 50
a bacheat driver 44 as far as the eye can see 60
drop "b a lme 56 ca~tfrun your cye ovu 50

careh sb'.; eye SO find your feer 46
h~ve/keep one eye on 50 get eold fcet 46
in rhe blink of an ey~ i, SO get/have irehy feet 1,46
in "OUT mind's eye 50.53 have/keep both/your feet on rhe ground 46
keep an eye on 50 stand on your own t'NO feet 46
keep an eye out for sb/srh 50 sir on the fenee 41
see sth out of rhe corner oi \-uur cvc 50 fever pit¡;h 26
rura ~ blind eye 50 . . be as fir as a f¡ddle
see eye ro eye 50 a level playing f¡cld 35
mi,e (a few) evebrows 50 f¡ght a losing bartle 38
nor bat an eye·lid 50 an uphill fightlbarrle/<;truggle 40
he IIp to your eyes/ear~ (in work) 25 be a figment of yOllr imaginariun 5
can't keep your eyes off 50 have vour fill of 21
couldn'r believe your eyes 50 f¡nd ~ut how the Iand líes 42
have eyes li.kc a luwk 60 fi.nd yOUf feet 46
open sh'" eyes ro srh 50 a fine/thin line 56
wirh yuur eyes opm 50 Cut [hings fine 16
face rhe muslC 7 rhe fine/sma11 prim 28
.1 long faee 55 IlO[ lift a finger 45
he as plain as rhe nose on your face 60 pull youf finger out 17
have egg on your face 39 put your finger on sth 45
keep a srraighr face 49 eross your fingers 45
makelpun ~ face 4<;1 getlhave your fingers burnedlhurnt 45
un rhe face of ir 49 have grecll fingers 34,45
put a brave face nn 5rh 4<;1 keep }"OllT fingcrs cros<;ed 45
<;tuff vour face ii at youe fingertips 45
take 5rh at face value 49 There's no smoke wirhonr fire. 33
lmtil you are blue in rhe faee 34 add fuel tu the fire/flamcs 33
face tu face 49 get Oll like a house 011 fire 22
a fact of life 7 hold fue 38
rhe facts of life 7 no[ set rhe world on fire ,Jo)
fade/pale into inslglllflCanCe 14 play wirh fire 33
lf a11 el,e fai\s 15 he in the firing line 38
nm have rhe faimesr Idea 4 first hand 45
fall into place 8 a cold fisll 36
fall/come off the haek of a IOff) ')4 be like a f¡sh out of water 60
fal! off your perch I have/throwa fit 3
fall on stony ground 33 be as fit as a fidd\e 1
fall/land on your feet 46 add fue! to rhe fIames/fire 33
be ¡lS easy as falling uH d log 17 be as fIat as a pancakc 60
under false pretences 13 flavour of the momh _~9
have a familiar ring (ro it) 4 How time flies! 11
as far as the eye can scc 60 be floatirtglwalking 011 atr 2
he ~ far cry from 5th 23 get in on the ground floor 59
fa,t and fu[iaus 26 go with rhe f10w 42
be ¡lS ¡¡ght as a fearher 60 fIy off the handlc 41
birds of a feather 29 a fly on rhe wall 36
rume sb's feathers 3 wouldn'r hurt a fly 36
fed up {tu the back teeth) 3 get off ro a f1ying s[art 26
1 (¡In) fce! it in m\' bones ii.47 foaming at [he mouth 51
feel/he at horne 41 not have rhe foggiest (idea) 4
fee!/be undee rhe wtathcr follow in sb's footsteps 46
put out {cekrs 37 follow!;uit 35
a gut feelinglreacríon 53 follow/take a course oi actioil 57
have mixed feelings 21 be a hardltough aet ro follow 12
ru<;hed off your feet 25,46 Absence makes the hcart g.row fonder. 29
be \lndee yóur feet 46 give sb food for thought S
CUt the ground from under sb\ feet 59 ~ct rhe foollgoar i, S7
drag your feetlheels 26, 46 You could've fooled me. IS
falllJand on your feet 46 foot rhe bill 46
176 EngJish Idioms in Use

glót y\lm f\)\)t \n dle düm 4 \ getlha\l~ iu:lw ket 1,46
getlstart off on the wrong loot 46 gctlhave your fingers bllrnedJhurnt 45
put your foot down i, 46 getljump/lcap on the hanuwagun 13
put your foot in it 7,46 getllet sh off rhe huok 9
follow in sb's footsteps 46 getlput sb's bclCk up 3,54
a foregone condusioll 19 get/srart off nn rhe wrong foot 46
a small fortune 23,24 gctlbe/sray in tooch wirh sb 12
lose a small fortune 24 getlhavcJtake rhe hir between yOllr reerh 36
make a small fortune 24 glve as good as you ger 12
as cunninglsly ;1, a fux 60 gil'e up rhe ghost 1,6
\inglla tranca 2R nut have the ghost of a chancE tí
as free as a bird i, 60 1l0t look a gift horse in rhe mUllrh 11
give sb free rein 36 give as good as yoo ger 12
give sh ;1 free h,md 4'1 give grollnd 59
a bccath (jf fresh aic .1-2 give tt a shot/whirl 8
frightenJscare rhe Iliving) dayllght<; out ui 11 give sb a buzz 44
bear fruit 39 give sb a dose/taste of thelr uwn medicine
be as nuttv as a fruiteake 1 give sb a free hand 45
add fucl t~ the fircJflallles 33 givcsba haoJ 45
be in full ~Wl11g 26 give sh a haniJroughltough time 12, 14
h,we your hands full 25,45 give sh / get th~ saá 25
poke fun at 11 give sb a piece of )'our mind 3
fast and furious 26 give sb an earful 3
blow a fuscJgasket 3,44 gi\'e sb food fm rhought 5
gain ground 59 give sb free rein 36
blowa gaskctlfuse 3,44 give sb the benefit of the dUllbr 10
ger ¡mo gear 44 give sb rhe eold shoulder 47,49
Cet <l life! 11 give sth the green light 34
get (hold of) the wrong end of rhe srick 4 give ~th rhe thumbs down/up 45
get (sth) off rhe ground '19 give sth up as abad job 58
get I be given the saek 25 give Mh yOllr all 17
get a (real) kiek out of ~th 2 give IIp the ghost 1,6
get a move on 26 give yuu pause for thullght ii
get a word in edgeways 1H not giveJhlldge an inch 10, 23
get blood out of a srone 53 without <l backward glanee 54
get cold feet 46 people who live io glass hOllses 29
get in nn tne aer 57 go a long way 55
gct in 00 rhe grounJ floor 59 go against the grain 42
get into gear 44 goallout 17
get it off your "hest 49 go back a long way 55
get off ro a flying ~tart 26 go back ro sqllare onc 3S
get on hh a ¡muse on fire 22 go Juwnhill 40
get Out of a rut 15 go from bad ro wocse 5H
get out of bed on the wroog ;ide 41 go from strcngth ro strength 6
get uut of hand 45 go in one ear and out the orher 51
get right up sb's !lose 51 go off the deep end 3
gct rhe message 5 go one better 58
ger the piernre 41 go out of your wa)" ro do sth 17
get ro grips wirh 8 go out on <l limb 16
get to the borrom uf go places tí
get wind of .>th B go ruund in eircle<; 10
get your aet togcther 57 go spare 3
get your foot in rhe door 41 gn through the ll1otions ]7
get your head {a)round 48 go ro anyJgre¡lt lengths 55
ger your linesJwires crossed 44 go ro ground 59
get your own w;ly 9 go ro the dogs 37
getlgive sb rhe slck 25 go ro rhe ends of rhe earrh 33
getlgo hevond a jukc 26 go ro the polls 9
getlgu frum A ro B 40 gu under your owo sream 44
get/grate on ,h's nerves 12 go up in ;moke 33
English IdlOms In Use 177

go with the f10w 42 Abscnce makcs [he hean grow tondero 29
go/get beyond a joke 26 no prizes for gucssing sth 19
go/get from A to B 40 a guinea plg 36
go/work likc a dream 6 jump the gun 38
go/run/work like cluckwork 32 stick ro yuur gum 3tl
be on the go 25 a gut feelinglreaction 53
have a go at 17 ,1 miser)' gllts 2
let yourself go 14 blood and guts 53
make a go of 6 sloglsweatlwork your guts out 53
not go amiss 18 have had it up to hete 3
aet rhe goatlfoul i, 57 Keep your hair on! 49
be in the lap of tl1e gods 19 nor turn a hair 49
vour minu goes blank 30 pull/tear yOllr hair out 49
be a~ good as gold 60 si" of one ancl half a dozen of rhe other 11
like gold dust 12 never/not do anyrhinglthings hy halves 13
Ir's no good I There's no point l:r)-ing over spilt givc sh a hand 45
milk. 29 d blrd in rhe hand 29
be as good as gold 60 be a clab hand 45
be in sb', guud books 22 could do sth with one handlarm tied behind
give as good as you get 12 your haek 54
stand sb in good stead 58 first hand 45
airs and graees 20 get out of hand 45
go against the grain 41 give sb a free hand 45
take sb/sth for granteu 19 keep mur hand in 45
suur grapes 1 know sth like the back uf vour hand 54
hear sth on/through the grapevine 5 11\"(; (from) hand ro mouth' 51
rhe grass is always greener 29 on the ol1e hand 10
grateJget on ~b's Dcrves 12 UI1 the other hand 10
likc grcased lighming 60 the !eft hand doesn't kl10w what the right hand
the greatestlbest thing sin.;;c ,liecd bread 39 is doing i
green belr 34 ro hand 45
be green with envv 34 try your hand at sth 45
give 5th the grcen light 34 mm yOllr hand ro sth 45
have green fmgers 34,45 fly off the handle 41
the gras> i, always grccner 29 Many hands m<lke light work. 29
a grey area 34 change hands 45
grin and bear it 1 have your hands full 15,45
have an axe ro grind 38 take the law into yOllf own hands 9
get ro grips with 8 take yOllr life ¡ntu your hand, 16
grit yuur teeth 51 wash your hands of sb/,th 45
ground-breaking 12 vour life is in sb's hand~ 16
be thiek/thin un the ground 59 hang h)' a thn:ad 16
t:Ommon ground 59 hanglhe in rhe balance 14
cut rhe ground from under ,h's feet 59 a question mark (hanging) O\-~r 28
fal! on srony ground 33 hardlhot on rhe heels of sth 46
gain ground 59 be a hard/tough aet tu fullow 12
get (~thl off the ground 59 give sb a hard/rough/tOllgh time 12,14
get in on the ground floor 59 take a long, hard look at ~th 55
givc ground 59 a long halll 55
go ro ground 59 have a ba~h 17
havelkeep buthlyour feet un the grollnd 46 have a hone to pick with sb 47
hold/stand yOUT ground ii,59 have a ehip un your 5houlder 47
on dangerous ground 59 havc a familiar ring (tu lt) 4
prepare the g.wund 59 haveagoat 17
run ro ground 33 have a lot uf time for sb 31
sb's stampinglstomping ground 59 have a lo! tu answer for 13
shift yOUT ground 59 have a mind uf it, own 53
suit ~b down to che gruund 59 havc a snew loose 1
the middk grouno 23 have a shot at 38
wish the ground would swalluw you up 59 have a soft spot for sb 22
178 Engllsh Idioms In Use

haye a swcct tooth 3:J a change of heart 52
have a wnrd in sb's car 51 a man/woman after }'our own heart 52
hayc al! the mabngs of 13 bare )'our heartlsoul 52
haye an axe to grind 38 break sb's heart 52
havc buttcrflies in your stomach 36 bave vour hcart ~et un sth 52
haye egg on }'our face 39 knO\\':/learn sth off bl' heart 52
have eyes like a hawk 60 lose heart 52
hayc green fingers 34,45 open )iour hcart 52
havc had ir up to here 3 pom rOllr beart out 52
hayc it in for sb 22 put rour heart and ~oullDto 5th 52
have ir out with sb 22 sb's heart IS in rbe right place 52
have itehy feet 1 sb's heart ¡s in their mouth 51
haye ffilxed feelings 21 sb's heart misses/skips a beat 52
have sb over a harrel 7 sb's heart ,inb 52
haye second thuught5 i, 5 ,,~t yOllr heart on sth 52
haye seen hetter days 31 take sth ro hearr 52
havc 5th on the brain 53 tu vout hcart's contcnt 52
havc rhe edge over 13 heárt-to-heart 52
have rour eake and eat ir ,9 in ¡he hea! of the momcnt 33
have }'OUT fill of 21 be m seventh heavert 2
havc rOUT hands full 25, 45 heayy-going 17
have vour heart ser un 5th 52 as heavy as lead 60
have ;'·our work Cut Out 2S dig your hecls in 46
have/ger itchy feer 1,46 drag yOllr heclslfeer 26,46
have/get rour fmgers burned/huTm 45 hard/hor un the heels uf sth 46
havcJget/t;:¡ke the bIt bctwcen your rccth 36 likc a bar out of hcll 60
havdkeep an open minu 53 han: had lt up ro here 3
have/keep one eye on 50 a red herring 34
havcJkeep borh/your feN un rhe grounJ 46 ,1 hidden agenda 9
have/throw a fir 3 a high-flyer 20
not have <l clue 4 hit 5b where ir hurts (mosr)
not have a leg ro stand un 47 hit the hig time 6
nat have the faintest idea 4 hit the ceilinglroof 41
nar have rhe foggiest (idea) 4 hit rhe road 40
not have the ghost of a chance 6 hit/be rock hottom 42
havc eyes like a hawk 60 llUr know what hit me 21
be headhunted 25 he hittinglbanging your head agaimt a brick
be banginglhittil1g your hcad ag,lÍllSt a Imd. wan ii,48
wall ii,4S a hive of ~ctivitv 57
be like <l be<lT with a sore hcad .17,60 huid fire 38 .
bIte sb's head off 48 hold the ker tu sth 41
bring sth ro a head 48 hold )iour ground ii
come to a head 48 hold/keep sb at arm's length 47
get yotlT head (alrollnd 4H huid/stand your ground 59
kecp rour head 48 gn (huid of) th~ wnmg eud uf rhe ~tick 4
keep rour head aboye water 4S pur srh 011 hold 25
keep your head down 48 be lefr holding the baby 7
knock sth on the head 48 a black hole 34
Iaugh your head off 48 dig yoursclf into a hale 7
lose rOU! head 48 need sth hke yO\l nccd a hole in the head 18
need sth like Votl need a hole in the head 1S btlfeel ar home 41
nor he right ¡;l the head 1 bring ~rh hume ro ,b 41
off the tor of yuur head 48 come home ro you 41
put ideas ínto sb's head 48 make yuur~elf at homc 41
scream vour head off 48 by hook or by crook i, 17
shout v~ur head oH 48 get/lcr sb uff rhe hook 9
run ro~nd Iike a headless chil'k~n 37 tak~ tht bull bv rhe horns 37
t\lm head~ 4& a dark horsc 3¡;
hear ~th on/through the grap~vill~ 5 not lüük a gift horsc in the mouth n
Absence ll1akes rhe heart grow ¡onder. 2'9 hot/hard on the heels of 5th 46

be in huí w~tcr 33 keep ~b in rhe pldllre 41
bluw hot and cold 33 keep sb on their to~s 46
strike while the iron i5 hot 1S keep ~b/sth at bay 12
get on like a house un fire 22 keep tr:l.ck 26
be as ,afe as houses 41 keep up appearancE"<, 20
people who live in glass huuses 19 keep your fingers cros5ed 45
wuuJdn't hurt a fly 36 Kecp your haif onl 49
hit sb where ir hurts (rnost) ii keep your hand in 45
the icing on the cake 39 keep your head 4:>:
nor have the faimest idea 4 keep yuur head obove water 48
!lot have the fuggiesr (idea) 4 keep your head down 48
pm ideas lnto \0'<' head 4fl keep yourself 10 your<,elt: 22
if !leed blC 18 keep/hear in mind 30
be a flgmem uf your imaginarion 'i keep/bave an upen mind 53
from time immemoria! 1i keeplhave une !Oye on 50
in a nut>hell 10 keep/have both/your fcer on tht, gwund 46
in cald blood 53 keep/hol¿ sb ar arm's !cngth 47
in kecping wlth sth 18 can't keep your eyes off 50
in ,he hag X in keeping with $th lB
Ile in Jinc for 5rh 56 hold rhe key ro 5th 41
be in rhe air 42 kiek rhe hucket 1
be in rhe dark 41 gct <\ Ireal) kiek out of 5th 2
be in the doldrums 43 do 5th fOf kicks 2
be in rhe red 34 kili two birds with Olle stone i, ii, 37
be in your dement 42 make a killing 24
helg~tlstay in t\lueh with sb 22 not takt killdly ti) sth 2 ~
have it in fOf sb 12 un a knife-edgc 16
keep in toueh wirh sh 12 put/stlCk the knife in ii, 38
keep sb in the picture 41 twist the knife 38
put sb in rhe picture 4[ knock 5th 011 the he~d 48
not budge/give an ineh 10,13 tie yourself (up) in knots ÍI, 1(]
add insult ro injury 12 know 5th inside out 4
the i.ns aud (ltltS 5 know sth like thc back of vuur l1J.¡jJ 54
knuw srh inside out 4 know the ropes 43 '
fade/paJe mro insignificance 14 know where you stand 5
add insult to injury 12 know vour ~t\lff 4
strike while the ¡ron is hor 15 know/ie:l.fIl sth oH by heart 52
get/have itchy feet 1,46 noe know tlle me,tning uf the word 28
give sth up as abad job 58 nOt know whm hit me 21
make the best oí abad ¡ob 58 not know wnere tO put yourse!f 2~
jog sb's memory 30 not know wbich wa)' ro rurn 21
be no joke 27 at the buttom of the (career) ladder 25
come (hack) down to earth wirh a joh/klllg/ at [he wp of rhe (career) Jadder 25
bump "li,42 <.:arcer laddcr 25
jump for joy 2,21 chmb to rhe top oE the l:Jreer laddcr 25
against your bener judgement 58 land/fall on )'OUf ieet 46
iump for ¡oy 2, 21 find out how the land Jies 42
jump in rhe deep end 33 take a s[wllltrip dowll menlOry Iane 30
jump the gun 38 be in th~ lap of the god, 19
jump/get/leap un the bandwagoll J 3 in rhe lap of luxur)" 24
rhe \al'.' of the jungle 37 100m large 23
Just my luck! 1<} be larger rhan life 23
keep a lid on sth 14 it's rhe Jast straw 29
keep a low profile lO laugh your h<.:aJ off 48
kccp a straight f;KC 49 Don't make me laugh. 11
keep an eye on 50 a laugbing stock 1J
kecp an eye out fOf sb/sth 50 be no laughing matter 27
keep an open miflJ 53 beeome J \aw un[(l yOllf5elf 9
keep in roueh wirh sb 22 lay duwn rhe Jaw 9
kcep sb in the dark 42 take tbe [aw mto rour own hand,
180 English IdJOms in Use

¡he law oi rhe ¡ungle 37 give sth the green light 34
lay/put your (ard" Oll rhe rabie 35 rnake light of 27
lead sb asrray 16 Many hands make light work. 19
as heavy as Icad 60 shed/throw light OH 8
one thing lead, ro anorhn 15 Iike greased lightning 60
shake likc a lcaf 42 like gold dust 12
take a leaf Out of sb's book 41 A !ikely story. 27
lcanlbend over backward~ 54 be Out on a limb 16
leap/getliump on the bandwagon 13 go out on ,1 limb 16
by/in lcaps <lnd bounds 26 line (Ji work 56
lcarn the ropes 43 ,1 fine/thin line 56
learn your lesson 5 bo; III line for sth 56
learnlknow sth off by heQn 52 he in rhe iirmg line 38
leave a lor ro be deslred 13 bo; Ollt of line 56
¡cave a sour caste in die luomb 39 dr!!w" line under ~th 56
lcave sb in rhe lurch 14 cira"". rhe line (at sth) 56
¡cave sb to their own dcvice$ 9 drop sb a Jinc 56
leave well alone 16 s¡gn on the dotted line 56
lcave vour mark 6 srep out uf line 56
1 can Í:ake ir or leave ir. 11 rhe hottom ¡ine 56
left, righ! and centre 26 lU~ ¡110; line 46
be lefl holding the baby 7 Jlong the lines of sth 56

[he lcft hand doesn't know whar the righr hand along/oH rhe right liHes 56
is doing i alonglon rhe same lines 56
COSt (sb) an arm ,¡nd a leg 47 gel your lincslwires erossed 44
not have a Icg to stand on 47 eead between the Imes 56
pu)) so'.., leg 47 lingua franca 28
hold/kecp sb al <lrm's length 47 pay lip ~ervice ro 51
go tu any/grem lengths 55 :'v1¡ lips are ~ealed. 51
the les'icr of rwo evil .. 15 a li,¡ as long as your arm 55
leam your lesson 5 A linle blrd told me. 36
live (from) hand 10 11lOuth 51
reach sb a lesson 5
livc on ¡¡nother planet 42
let off steam 44
let ¡he cat out of the bag ii, 37
l¡ve/be Oll the breadline 24
never I¡ve 5th down 15
let yourself go 14
people who Iive in glass house, 29
let/ger so off the hook 9
you hawn'¡ lived 11
a lcvcl playing field 35
in/withinliving memor}' 30,3 ¡
keep a lid on srh 14
be a load/weight off your mind 53
lie thro\1gh Hmr reerh i,51
be .15 cas)" as falJjng off a Jog 17
a pack of li~s 27
sleep likc a log 42
find Out how ¡he land líes 42 be M loggerheads i,22
a fact of life 7 a lone wolf 36
be larger rhan Iife 23 a long face 55
ean't for rhe life of me 4 J long h,llll 55
Get alife! 11 a li!ir as long as "OUT ,HIll 55
Such is Me. 11 W111e a long WJ)" 55
rake YOllr life inw VOllr h.Uld~ 16 cut 8 long ,tory ,han i, 55
Thaé,life. 1 1 go a long wa}" 55
It'sfThat's the stor)' of rny life. 11 go bJ.ck a long way 55
the facts of Jife 7 . How long is a piece of string? 55
This is [he life! 11 in rh" long run 31
your Jife is in 5b'~ hands 16 III rhe longlmediumlshort term 31
once in a lifetime 32 !t's a long stor}". 55
nor lift a finger 45 Long time no see. 55
thumh a lift 45 long"winded 5S
light c\t the end of rhe tunnd ukc a long, hard look ar ~rh 55
he all 'weetne~s ,¡na light 12 look dagger\ at 38
be as light as Jo fearher 60 look like death warmed up 1
hring ,rh ro light X look hke something rhe car brouglu/cira.\!,..l!:ed
come to light S in 60
&rglisfr !dil)ms in Use 181

look right/maight through sb 14 a man/woman after vour own heart 52
nO! look a gift horse in rhe mouth 11 he man cnough ro do 5th ii
take a long, hard look:1t sth 55 Many hands rnah light work. 29
100m largc 23 put sth on the map 40
have a serew loose I a question mark (hangingl over 28
rie up loase mds 8 be wide of rhe mark 35
eome/bll off the back of a lorry 54 lcave vour mark fi
lose a small fortune 24 matte~-of-faC! 28
lose hean 52 he a matter (Jf opinioll 28
lose sight of 5 be no laughing matte! 27
lose rOllr head 48 be unly a maner of rime 31
fight a losing h;ntle 38 be rhat as ir may 10
be J. delld lo~s 13 not know rhe meaning of ¡he word 21\
he lost fOf words 27 give sb a doseltasre of rhelf own medicine
rnake up for losr time 31 m th~ medium/longh;horr term 31
have a lot of time for sh 31 cornrnit sth ro memory 30
llave a \ot to answer fm 13 llave a mcmorv like a sieve 60
leave a lo! ro be uesired 13 in/within living memory 30, 31
loud and clcar 28 jog sb·s memory 30
A~tions speak louder rhan wurJ.,. 29 take a stroJLIrrip Jown memory lane )(1
keep a low profile 20 he O!1 the mend 1
be in luck 18 The more rhe merrier. 11
Ju~a IlW luck! 19 ger the messagc i
No sueh luek! 11,19 While rhe ca!'s aIVay, the miee wil! play. 29
push youe luck 19 take thc mieklmickey 27
take pot luek 19 middle-of-rhe-road 40
the luek uf rhe Jraw 19 caught In rhe middle 23
You sh,lUld he so lucky! 19 in rhe middle of no\vhere 23
bring a lump to your thmJt 14 steer a middle eourse 43
leave sb in rhe lureh 14 ¡he middle ground 2J
in rhe bp of luxury 24 ~ee/~pot srh a ruile off 19,23
be made for 12 standlsrick out a mile 23
wave a magic wand S be miles away 23
work like magie 6 lt's no good I There\ nü point crving over spilt
~nail mail 37 milk. 29
make a beeline for sb/sth 36 Thanks a million! 11
make a big rhing of 23 Out of 'lght, Out or mind. 30
make a clean breasr of it 49 at the baek of your mind 53
make a go of 6 be a load/weight offyour mind 5.'1
make a killing 24 bearlkeep ill mind 30
makc a name fOf vourself 20 come/spring ro miud 30
make a real pig of your,elf 36 cross your mind 30
make a small forrulle 24 give sb a piete of your mind 3
make all rhe difference 6 hJI'e a mind of Its own 53
make aIl exhibition of YOllr~df J.j 11J\·e/hcp ,Ill open mind 53
make Jo 8 make up ¡our mind 53
make ir hig 23 puthct sb·s mind at fc,t 53
make ir IIp ro sb 22 slip yOUT mind 30
make light of 27 speak your mind 28
makc the best of abad job 5S yüur mind goes blallk 3D
make rhe most of 14 in your mind's eyc 50,53
make up for losr rime 31 nor have d minute tu <.:all )"our own 32
make up your 11111ld 53 a miscry gms 2
make waves 33 miss the boar 4.1
make your day 2, 21 miss rhe point 28
make sb's mouth water 39, SI ~b's hean misses/skips a beat 52
makc yourself al horne 41 have mixed feelings 21
makelpull a face 49 in thc heat of the ¡"rIoment 33
Don't makc me bugh. 11 on thc spur of the moment 35
have aIl rhe makings of 13 a money-spinner 24

spend money like water 24 go off the deep end 3
flavoUT ot rhe month 39 off ilod on 32
be over the moon 2,42 off the rop of VOUf head 48
once in a bllle moon 32 off VOut OWI1 Oilt 35
The more the merrier. 11 off-~olour 1
make [he mOSl of 14 off-the-cuH 27
gn through rhe motions 17 on ilnd off 32
hr word of mouth 51 on th~ off-chance 19
f~amlng at the mouth 51 be 011 abollt 17
Ieave a sour taste in the 1ll0llth 39 be 00 edge 21
¡¡ve (frum) hand ro mouth 51 he on sh's back 54
make sb', mouth water 39,51 be on rhe ball 35
mouth-warering 51 he 00 rhe card, 35
not look a gifr horse in rhe mouth be 011 the go 15
sb's heart is in thelr mouth 51 be on ¡he rnend 1
get a move on 26 be on the righr track 40
face the musíc 7 be on rhe run 26
make a name for yourself 20 he on the rhreshojd of sth 31
'{uu name it 1 \ be on the Wf(lng tra<.:k 40
he caught Ilapping 16 henotonl5
a narrow escape 16 off and 011 32
a necessary cvil 16 on a knife-edge 16
he a pain ll1 rhe neck 49 011 aod off 32
brearlle clown sb"s neck 49 on paper 15
if need he 18 00 rhe big/expensive, etc. side 13
nred sth like vou need a hole in rlle he,lJ 18 un the blink 50
neither here ~or (here 11 011 the face ot ir 49
ger/grate on sb's nerves 12 on rhe one hand 10
a nervolls/quivering wreck 43 un rhe other hand 10,45
never Jive sth down 15 on the spot 26
new bJood 20 ro he on the safe side 8
in the nick of time 31 once and for all 32
nine times out of ten 32 once in a blue muon 32
be on clolld nine 2 once in a lifetime n
in no time ar al! 32 be Olle sandwich short of a piulil
be sewnd ro none 12 come clown on one SI de or the orher 41
neither here nor there 11 could do sth with oue arm/hand rleu bchind
be as plain as the nose un yOllr faet 60 yOllr back 54
get right up sh\ nose 5 \ Don't put all yonT eggs in one b;¡~ket. 29
No such lu<.:k! 11, 19 go one bet1:er 58
No way! 11 go hack to square one ~~
pa)' rhrough the nose for 5th 1,14 go in ooe ear aod Ollt rhe othtr 51
pokelstick your noge!llto 51 have/keep one eve on 50
turn yOllr nose IIp 51 kill [wo birds with one stun~ i, ii, 37
benoton 15 on [he one hand 10
There's nothing ro ir. 11 one thing leads ro anuther 15
rhink nothing of 14 une \Val' Of anorher 15
in the middle of nowhere 23 lix of one and half a dmen of rhe ather 11
pluck a numbcr out of rhe air 33 rhe odd one out 20
do yOlle nut 3 open sb's eves ro sth 50
in a nutshelJ 10 open your heart 52
be as nutty as a fruitcJ.kc havefkeep:m open mind 53
put/stick yOUt oar in 43 with rour eycs open 50
a drop in the occan 33 be d marrer of opinion 2l:l
rhe odd one our 20 be a rall arder 21;
against (all) (rhe) odds ii,19 OH the otller hand 10
odds and ends 1 six of one and half a dm.en ot the orher 11
he off rhe beaten track 40 the otller sidc of the cain 10
be off vour rocker 1 Ollt 01 the blue 1. 42
be off rOllr trolley 1 out-of-date 31
EngJish Idioms In Use 183

bl." out for blood J mah a real pig uf yours<:lf 36
be Out ()f ¡¡etion 57 pm/send the ca! a mong rhe pigeons 3, 37
lle out of line 56 a biner pill {tu swallow) 1
be out of sons 2 suga r rh e pill 1
he out of rhis world 12 ~ pillar of sociery 20
be OUt of ro ueh wirh 4 b~ in the pipdine 44
be out of your depr h .B feve r pitcb 26
be out of your clerncn! 41 aU o'-er ¡he place 26
ne out 00 J limb 16 b ll inro place S
gel out of ha nd 45 sb's heart in the righ! place 52
gu Out of your \Va )' ro do sth 17 go places 6
go our on a limb 16 avoid sth Eh rhe plague 60
gu all out 17 be plaill ,ai!ing 43
h1ve ir our wirh sb 11 he as plain as t he nose on your ¡aee 60
u ut -ami-out 12 ¡ive on another planet 42
Out of sight_ out of mind. 30 all wmk and no pla y 29
rhe odd one out 20 be chil d's play 17
rhe ins an d OutS 5 play ball 35
be over rhe moon 2, 42 piar de vil's advoca l<: \ 3
be ove r rhe {Up 15 play it by ear j i
do yOl\r OWl1 thil1g \ g play with tire B
hav,", a minJ of ils O\V1l 53 play your card~ right 35
he as stron g as an ox 60 Whi ic rh e eal'S away, ¡he miee w il! play, 29
al a snail's pace J 7 a be! playing iic1d 35
a paek uf lics 27 pluck a numher Out nf rhe air _B
put pai d 10 24 lake the plungc 3S
be a paio in Ihe ned 4 9 There's no point / Jr 's no good crying ovcr spill
pale/fade into insignifica nc e 14 milk, 29
be as fla! as a pancakc 60 a sore pointlspot 1
panic sta rion s 16 be bcside rhe poim 28
on paper 25 mi,s the poin! 2 H
a party a nima l .:;6 pokc fun ar 12
pass your scll- br date 39 poke/st ick your nose ¡nto 51
pass t h~ bud i, 35 1 wou ldn'r [()uch sb/sr h \Vi rb a barge polc_ 18
be past )'Our seU -by Jate 39 politically correcr 20
sb-s palhs cruss 40 go ro the poll5 9
givc YOll pause for rhought ii pop yOllr e!ogs 1
par lip serv;":e tu 51 ta ke pOI lue k 19
par the price for 24 po ur l'o ld WMer on sth 33
pa y through lhe nose fUf ,th i, 24 pour rour hcart out 52
There's no p eaee/r~sl for th e wideJ! 11 rhe answcr to sb's pra yers S
rake care of Ihe penee/penn ies 29 p repare rhe ground 59
peop1e wh o live in giass hOllses 2 9 under fal se prelcnce, 13
tall off ro ur pereh I at a (considerable) pri ce 24
10 coin a phrase 27 pa~- the priee for 24
pick sb's brains 53 rhe fi ne/small prior 2S
piek up the billJlab ii,24 llO prizes fm gucssing , th 19
piek up (he pieees !i kee p a low profilc 20
have a bone tu piek wirh sb 4 7 blo w ,th out of (a ll ) proportion 14
take your piek 1S the pros alld co ns i, 10
be one ,andwich shon of a p icnic pul1 out (all ) rhe stopS 25
ger ¡he picturc 4 1 puJl sb's leg 47
keep sb in rhe pieru re 41 pul1 your finger out 17
p ut sb in the picture 41 pull your weight 17
a piecelslice o i ¡he acrioo 57 pull!make a bee 4 9
be a pieee of l'Jke 17 pull!tcar your ha ir out 49
gi\'e sb a piece of )'our mind 3 push th e boat out 43
Ho", long is a pieee of string? SS push your luck 19
pic k up th e pieces S al a p ush 17
a guinea pig 36 if pusb comes ro shovt 1¡¡

be pu,hing up (thel daisl~, ii i., doing I
[)on't put all yOUf Cgg5 in one oasket. 29 ring a hell .30
not know where w put yUUfsclf 21 h.we a familiar ring (tu ir) 4
put a brave face on 5th 4:< Inot) ríng a helll any he lis (wirh me) 4
put Idea, into sb's head 48 Inot) ring true 27
put ,m an act 57 ret alarm bells ringing 16
put Ollt feelcrs 37 ;¡ ríp-off 24
pUl paid to 24 ruad ragc 40

put sh in ¡he plcture 41 hir the road 40
pUl ~rh down tu experit:nc<: 5 on lhe road to rcco\'ny
PU! "rh on hold 25 hclhit ruck honom 42
put 5rh on rhe map 40 rock the boar 43
pUf the brakes on 44 be off your roeker 1
pU[ two and rwo togerher 4 ".1ft rhe ball rolling 35
pue ~'uur finger on sth 45 hit lhe rooflceiling 41
pnt your foO! down i,46 not (cnoughl room ro <;wing:1 CM ~7
pU{ your foot in it 7, 46 kIlOW Ihe ropes 43
put YOllr heart and ~oullnto 5th 52 le,un the rope~ 4 J
putlget sb's back up 3,54 show sb [he TOpes 43
putllay your cards on rhe rabie 35 ruugh and ready i, 13
put/,end rhe cat among rhe pigeons i, 3, 37 ~1 rough dlamond 20
putl,~t sb's mind al rest 53 give sb d roughlhard/tough tlme 11, 14
put/5er rhe record srraight 5 rub :,h up rhe wrong way 3,22
put/,tiá the knife in ii, 38 ruffle sb's feathers 3
put/,tick your oar in 43 ~ rule of thumh 45
pUt!ÜlTflW ~ spannn in the worb 44 bClll\ the rulc~ 9
an llnknown quantity 23 be un the run 26
a qucstion m::uk (hangingl ov~r 28 111 [he long run 31
a quivering/nnvolls wreck 43 run round like a he,ldless chicken 37
rack your hrains 30 ron to grollnd 33
be like a red rag ro ,1 bull 60 run-of-rhe-mil! 25
ruad rage 40 run/casr your eye over 50
be as [ight as rain 1 run/goJwork ~Iike c1ockwork 32
raise (a few) eyebrows 50 rushcd off your feet 25,46
ram sth clown sb's rhroat 49 be stuck in a rut 40
a gul reacrion/feeling 53 ger out of a rm 25
read hetween the lmes ')6 get I be glven the sack 25
rough and ready i, 13 gel I givc sb Ihe sack 25
ger a (real) kick Out of srh 2 ,afe and sollnd 1, 16
he atlon the receiving cnd 9 be dS ~afc as houses 41
rccharge rOllr baneries 1 ro he on rhe safe SI de 8
putJset rhe record straight 5 easier said thnn done 7
nn rhe road tu recovcry 1 ~;ail closc [O lhe wind 43
red rape 34 be plain ~ailing 43
a red herring 34 b~ tlw salt of tlw carth 33
be ]J1 rhe red 34 ,Ilollwon ¡he same lmes 56
be like a red rag ro a bul! 60 be in the ,ame boat 43
catch sb red-handed 34 he on rhe ~ame w;¡velength 44
give sb free rein 36 in the same brearh 27
pu¡fset sb's mind at rest 53 be one sandwich 5hort of a pIcnic
There's no rest/peace for the wickcd! YOll can say that again! 11
along/on the r¡ght lme~ 56 scarclfrighten the Iliving) dayliglm out of
he a. right as rain 1 behind the scenes 25
he on rhe right track 40 from 5cratch 32
Idt, r¡ght and ccntre 26 Y0l1 5cratch m\ back and 1"11 scratch \ 1)[11-'. q
look rightlstraight rhrough sb 14 .,crcam your h~ad off 48 .
nOl b<.: r¡ght in the head 1 have a screw loose 1
play your card:, right 35 he al! at ,ca 43
sb's hean is in [he right plac~ 51 he[\\'~tn the Jcv¡] and rhe Jeep bluc ,>~a 33
rhe Icfr halld aoesn'r know WIl.1f rile righr h:l1hi 'vlv lirs are sealed. 51
Er¡gllslJ Idioms ir¡ Use 185

takc a back ,ea[ 54 Sil on rhe fencr 41
second best SS six of one ;¡nd half el dozen of rhc other 11
be second to none 12 all shapes and sizes 23
h¡¡ve second rhoughts i, S by rhe skin of your teeth 16, 51
as far as rhe eye can see 60 sh's hcart ~kip~/mlsses a beat 52
bo: gladlha ppyi pleascd/Ilm sorry [O see ¡ht hdCk slcep I!ke a log 42
of sth 54 ;¡ slicdpiece of the action 57
Long time no see. 55 the hest/greatesr thing since sliccd hread 39
see eye [O eye 50 ;:¡ slime b;:¡ll ii
~ee how / which way rhe WlnJ is blowlllg 33 a slip of thc tonglle 17
see sth coming la milI' oH) 19 shp yüur mmd 30
see 'ith out of rhe comer of your el'c 50 be as slippcry as an ecl 60
see/sput sth a mile off 23 slogl,wenlwork your guts uut 53
would not oe seen dead 111 ;:¡s sly/cunning ;15 a fox 60
be past I pa,; ~'our seU-by date 39 a smal1 forrune 23,24
sendldnve so round the oend/twist i, ii, 3, 40 in smaJl doses 23
sendlpur the cat among rhe pigcons 1,3,37 Jr's " small world. 11
pay lip service ro 51 lose a small fortune 24
have your he:u[ set on sth 52 make a smaU furtunc 24
nor set the world on fire 33 small talk 27
set alarm bclls ringing 16 the smalllfine print 28
ser your heart on srh 52 There's no smokc wirhour flrc. :)3
SCUput 5b's mind al rest 53 go up in smoke 33
setfput the record ~tIaight 5 al a snail's pace 37
he in sevento heaven 2 snail mail 37
shake like a leaf 42 be snowed under 25
lhe shape of things lO come 31 a pillar of society 10
al! soapes aud sízes 23 nave a soft spor for sb 22
soed/throw light on 8 a sore pointlspot 1
shíft your ground 59 be l¡ke a hear with asure head 37, 60
take a sbrne to sh 21 stand/srick out likc a sore thumb 45
be in sh's shoes 1S he out of sorts 1
step íulO sb's shoes 25 bare your soullheart 52
ulk shop 25 pUl your heart :md soul mm srh 52
be one sandwich shon oi a picnic safe and sound i, 16
cut a long SlOry shor! i, 55 leave a sour raste in the mourh 39
in the shortJmediumllong [erm 31 SOUf grapes 2
gire it a shotlwhirl 8 pUUthrow a spanner in rhe works 44
have a shot ar 38 go spare 3
C;¡1l the shots 38 Actions speak luuJer thdn würJs. 2;1
a snoulder VJ cry un 47 speak your mind 2S
give sh the cold shoulder 47,49 not be on spcaking tcrms 3
ha'" a <.;hip on vuur shotildcr 47 spend money like water 24
stand ,houlder lO ,houlder 47 !t's no good I Thcre's no poim crying o'cr ~pi1t
soüU! '"Out he::td off 48 milk. 29
if puslÍ comes lO shove 18 a ,pío doctor 9
show sh the ropes 43 a SOTe spotJpoint
be sick and tited 21 have a 50ft spor for sb 22
come down on one side Of the Nhn 41 011 the spor 26
gel out of bed on the wrong side 41 sporlsee srh a mile off 23
on rhe biglcxpenslve, ete. side 13 spread like wildfire 33
the other side of the coin 10 spread yOllrself too rhin 7
to he on rhe s;J.fe side 8 the word spread 26
have ;¡ mcmoty Eh a sicvc 60 ~pri[\glc<Jme [(} mine 30
lose sight of 5 on ¡he spur ot rhe moment 35
Ollr of sight, Out of mlnd. 30 go ba~k to square une 35
be a sign of rhe timcs 31 stab sb in the back 54
sign un the dotted hne 56 the cafds are stacked agamst you 19
be as ugly as sin 60 sh's stampinglswmping ground 5;1
sb's hean sinks 52 know wherc you stand 5

!lUI ha \'C a le)!: tu stand on 47 suga r the p lll I
stand u n your o""n twu ket 46 ¡ollu\\" suit 35
,tand sil in good stt:Jd Sil suit ,b down tu the grounci 5~
stand shoulder to shuulda 4:- el bincr pill (to swaUow) I
stand ¡he fest nt time 3 1 wish ¡he groul'ld wou ld swall ow \ <:'0'..; =;- 5;;'
sta nd yuur ¡,:ruulld ii swcatlslo¡;fwotk yuur guts out 53
stJnd/hold yo ur ground 5';1 have a swec! tooth 39
,tand/stick out a mile 23 ne a ll sweerness ;¡nd light 12
sta nd/srie k out likt' a sore ¡humb 45 I~ iJl full swing 26
set off 10 a f1y in g start 26 nor (eno ugh ¡ room ro swing a cat 37
slan the hall ro]JiJl.g 35 piek up the tablh ill ii, 24
startlge r off o n t he wrong loor 46 la y/put your eards on rhe tab1c 35
,tatc-uf-the-an 44 changc tack 43
panic Slalions 16 trr a d iffert'1lt lack 43
staylbclgp in touch with sb 22 chase ,"our tai l 36
sraod sb in good stcad 5S rakd,,~t!h,lVC rhe hit be!l\"ccn )"Ol![ ¡ccth .16
gu undcf your own steam 44 1 ca n take ir Of k¡ne it 1\
kt off stcam 44 not take k indl y !O 5th 21
Sleer a middle eourse 4 3 not tak e no fOf an answer 1::;
stcer dear uf 43 take el back sea t 54
srep juro sb's shoes 25 t;¡h" ,1 Jt'af Ollt l ,f sh'.> boük 4 1
stcp o ut of li nc 56 tah a lo ng, hard look ~t sth S,
ste p by stcp 26 ¡ah a shille tu sb 22
ger (huid of) rhe wrong end of the srick 4 tak e a srroll/trip down memor y lanc 30
stick 10 your g UllS 3S take cn~ uf the pcnce/pcn nie s 19
stick/poke yom !lose into SI takc po t luek I;¡
stiCk/pUl thc knife in ii. 38 take ~b/sth fot ¡,:ranred 19
stiek/pllt your oar in 43 takt qh al fac~ va llle 49
stick/stand out a ru ile 23 take 5th ro he,lft 52
sricklslJnd out like a sorc thumb 45 ta ke dlt' bllll by the hums 37
.:l laughing stock 13 1;lke (he 1.111" in"m vo!)r Oll'n h;lm!5 ';1
have bllttnflies in your sto mach 36 takc the mickimiekc)' 27
sh's stompi nglstampi ng ground 59 tak e rhe p lunge 35
gel blood out of a none 53 ¡ah your brca th :nvay 21
kili rwo hi ros with one stone i, ii , J? take vOllr Jife ioto \"our hands 16
fal! on stony ¡,:ruund 33 takc }'our pick I S·
pull out (all) the SlOpS 25 takelfolt ow a eourse of ae¡iun 57
A likcly story. 27 tJk e/get!h,lve the bit bet ween vom teerh 36
I(s a long sto ry" 55 ht' all talk (and nu aLt iull ) 57
Ir's{fhar's the story of my lif~" 11 Slllel llt~l k 27
(ur a long swry shorc i, 55 ulk ,hop 2.i
keep a straight face 49 he :1 talt nrda 2.'1
look straightlrigh¡ through sb 1·1 Inl tape "14
pu tlset ¡he record straigh t 5 ¡.!IW ,b ,\ \a~teldusc oí tht' lr ()WIl IlIcdi..:in~
be in dire stmits 7 1('Jve:l sour ta,¡e in rhe 1llo11rh "19
it's ¡he last stra", 29 rhcr'-'"~ nu ,1ceulIntlllg fu r rastel,) ' 15
clutc h at straws 7 t\:~l"h ,h :l I ~ "~ on .'i
be (right) up your stret:tlalley 40 l~ ar/p llll ~"u u r h,\ ir ou t 4 9
go from strength 10 strcngth h h ~' r ht' ,k in 01 )"Ollr tceth 16, S 1
strikc whik ¡hc iron is hOI 15 ied up (ro the b~ck tcc th) .1
How long is a pleee of strinjlJ 55 getlhavcftah th t' bit bet\Vccll your let'th 36
tnke a st rolUtr ip down mcmun" h ne ,0 gr it ~" ou r te eth 51
be as slrong as ~n ox 60 i l1t h ~ tt't't h()fs t h 51
an uphi!! stru gglc/ba tt leliight 4() lie through your tceth i,51
be stuck in a rU I 40 nilll" tilllcs UUt o f ten .12
stuff I"our fa ce 11 111 t ht ,hnrt/lllediu1ll/Ion g lerm 11
kllow YUlIr stuff 4 U JIl\C [O WTJlH wi t h 14
a sfUm"bli n¡: hlox k -; 11()[ he Oll ,;peakinJ< tcrm , "
sb/sth i, a \"id in ¡ ,,1 t h",r¡i ts 0\\11 ,u.:cn~ m:1Cic1te> t 10
Such IS li le" I I ,¡.lIld ¡he tesr uí time 31
English Idioms in USE 18?

be at dw end oC VOllf tether 21 make up for lo"t time 31
Thanks a mil]¡or;! J I ~tand the test of time 31
That's Jifc. 11 from time ro time J2
thcn and there 32 be a sign of rhe times 31
tbere and then n nine times Qut uf ten :>2
There's nothing to ¡t. I I (be) on rhe tip of yOIlf wngllc .iO, 51
he thick on the ground )"9 be sick anJ tircd 21
BJood i, thickcr [han water. 29 ro hand 45
a thinlfine line 56 toC the line 46
be thin 00 the ground 59 keep sb on rheir toeS 46
sprtad vOl1r~elf roo thin i wffee-nosed 20
do yOUf own thing 18 gEt your Jet togcthe.r 57
make a hig thing of 23 pur twO <Iod twO together 4
one thing Jeads tO another 15 a, if there w<ls/were no tomorrow 31
the bestfgrcatest tlúng sin.:c sliced bread 39 Iike [here's no tomurrow 3 I
nevnlnot dI) tu\\"\gslanyll"\lng hy hah"es 13 a slip Qf the tougue 27
the shape of things to come 31 (be) on the tip of your tongue 'lIJ. 5 J
think bwef of 5th 58 hite your tongue 51
think híg 23 toO many cooks 29
thiok nothing of 14 have a 5weet toQ(h .19
This i, rhe life! 11 ar the top of sb's/thc agenda 15
a train of thought 30 ar the top of the (career) ladder 25
give sb fOüd for rhought be on top oí the worlcl 2, 21
give you pause for thought n be over the top 15
have second thoughts i.5 climb ro the top of rhe carece bJdn 25
hang by a thread 1 t; off the top of vour head 48
be on tb'>:. tru:esnold oí sth 3l he toucn-;'\lld-gü 19
he thrilled to bits 2, 21 be out of touch wah 4
be .u each other's throat 49 be/getlstay in tQuch with sh 22
briog a 111mp to your throgt 14 1 wouldn't touch sb/~th with ti barge polco 18
ram sth clown sb's throat 49 be a toughJharu act ro follow 12
throw sb in the deep end 33 give sh a tough/hard/rough time 12, 14
throw the baby out with the bathwJlcr 13 be off the bcaten track 40
throwlhave a fa 3 be on the right track 40
throwlpnt a ,panner in the works 44 be on the Wfong track 40
throw/shcJ light 011 8 keep track 2t;
a rule oi thumb 4'1 a train of thought 30
be under "b'" thumb 4) üw t"\"a.vd bug ,;"
give 5th rhe thumbs down/up 45 Jo the trick 6
standlstick out like a sore thumb 45 take a trip/stroll clown menlOf! lane 30
thumb a liit 45 be off yom troIley 1
tick o\"er 44 be asking [Of trouhle!ir 12
the tide turns 33 (not) ring tfUe 27
tie up 100510 ends 8 trv a different tack 4]
tic yoursclf (up) in knots ii, 10 tr~, HJUr hand at sth 45
could do sth with one armlhanJ tied hehmd light at the enJ of the tunncl
your back 54 not turo a hair 49
tightcn your belt 24 not know which wa\C to turn 21
How time flies\ 11 tUfn a b¡¡ud eyt 50'
be only 9. matter of tinle 31 turo heaJ~ 48
before your time .11 turo yuur hand ro sth 45
for rhe time hcing 31 tum your nose up 51
from rime lmmemonal 11 whenlwhile sh's back is tumcd 54
givc sh u hardlroughltough tinIe 12. 14 ¡he tide tums .3.1
have u lar of time for sb 3 J drive/send sr. round the twistlhenJ i, ii, 3, 40
hit the big time 6 twist sb'~ aUl1 47
in a time wurp 31 twist the knife 38
m no time a¡ all 32 mIO-time sb 22
ll1 the nick of time 31 kili two bircls with one stone i, ii . .F
bmg time no see. 55 stand on your own twO feet 46
188 EngJish Idiom5 in Use

lhe IC5Ser uf t,~o c\"1l, 1 ~ wcll-to-do i,14
pur two anu twO tOgerher 4 when [he <.:hlP' are clown ,5
be .1S ugly .1; sin 60 know whcre you stand 5
b~ undcr bb\ ¡humh 45 nO! kIlOW whcfe ro pur ~'oLlrself 11
he undcr YCl\lr lú¡ -16 whet nmr appetlte _~l)
go undcr yOLlI' U\\ 11 ,[t.lm 44 ';notl be \\'onh }'our while 18
an unknown qllJntltY 1.:; gl\-e ir :l whirl/lhot H
up-and-coming 20,25 In bl.ick .lI1LI white 34
an uphill harrle/fighrlstrllggk 40 white-ClJ1L1r ,~4
b~ Irighll up )'our alley/strecI 40 Thne\ no pcacclrcst fm ¡he wickcd'
he up in arms 38 he wide of Ihe nurk 35
be up in the air 42 <;prc.llllih· "ildrirc 1,
make ir up ro sh 22 gC[ wind 01 ,Ih _H
un your way up 20 ,ai! do,e ro ¡he wind 4J
upper-nust 42 ,ee ho\\' / which \'<n ¡be '~llld l, blüwing 33
take sth at face valuc 4Y ger yOl1f wires/lme, crOlscrl 44
a viciou~ cin.:k I ü wi~h ¡he grounJ \\'uulJ ,w.dl()w }'Oll IIp 59
sb/sth i, a victim ot rhcir/ir\ own SlIcce,<; ¡:; ht ar vour \\'¡r~' end 3
be walkinglflo<uing UIl ,¡ir 2 ,l lun~ walf 36
a fly on the wall 36 ~ woman/man atrrr \'''ur m\'n hearr 51
be banging/hitting ~"uur h~au agalml "1 llrick [,~- word of mOllrh 51
wall 11,48 h'r \\.1111 "i.1 herrer' wUfd 2--:
~ome up .lgúnst a bri<.:k wal1 gn :1 word in cdgé"\\",l~", 1X
urive sh ur lhe waIl 3 h,1\'(·.1 \\'orJ III ,!J', l\H 51
wave a magic wand S in.1 wurd 1.~
for want uf a better word 27 nO[ kno\\' lh.., I11C.llllng o11he \\ofd 2S
look like dearh warmed up 1 ¡h~ word spre'ld 26
in a time warp 31 word [DI woru 2S
wash vour hanus of sb/srh 4') -\cnom <;f'cak l(luder rh,m wordl. 29
he (like) water off a duck\ hac"- i. r be lo<;t for words r'
he in deep water 33 all \vork and no rla~' 1'1
he in hot water 33 he Uf' ro rUl![ e3r5/evc'i 1m ,yorkl 25
be like ;J fish out (Jf water f>(1 have your work C"\1t out 2'
Hlood is thickcr than water. 29 line of work 56
keep your head ahove water 4X :\1an\- hand, mak~ hghl work. 2';)
make sb', mouth waler 39,51 work ag.1ÍIIsr rh~ dock 32
pour C"old water on stn 33 work lrh: rnagic (,
speml mon~y like watcr 24 work/gn like ~ dre'l1n tí
wave ;J magic waml X \,orki~u/i'LlI1 liLe cl"c"-\\<n-k 32
be un rhe same wavelength 44 worki\l()g/,\\,·~¡ ~o"r ~.m~ <l\)r ,,\
makc waves 33 pUl tlnu\\ ,1 '1-'''1111''' Jil lhe \\urk., 44

be in abad way SS h~ or, [ni' 01 rh,' wnrld -:, 2 I
come a long w~y 55 >,- toUr (JI lhi, \\odJ 12
get your own way 9 Ir-, J '111.111 "orld_ I!
gu a long way 55 llUl bl' rh;: ~nJ (Jf IhL' \\'udd
go back a long way 5 ~ 1I.,r _, ¡ rh,' \, orl,1 ",', "r,' ,"
go out of your way to do ,rh 17 ti:, ¡'e"¡ ()r I'ml, "orld, ,~
No way! 11 ,1 (,111 uiwornh ]U,3-
nut know which W.ly ro turn 21 go hum bad to \"'orsc S8
on your way up lO ,h\ hark lS worse than lhe¡r bl1<.: 36
one way Uf anoth..,r 1 'i h~ your OWIl wurst enemv 38
ruh sb up rhe wrong wa} ,), 22 If rhe wor,t COllle> !O rhe wont 58
see how/whieb wal' rIle 11-iml j, hl,)\\-mr: ).-; :'nnri be >~nrth \"nur wJJilc IS
bdfeel unda lh, '~C,!l]¡~r I \\uulun'[ Jte_UlI "i 1-1
b~ ~ \\eight.,'ln.hi "n \, L.I" n'I1',' ,~ ,11l,'r\"u~¡l)ul\tnn¡::. wreck -1'\
pull '''UI \,~idll he' UII 111<; wrong u,lck 40
le.l\t well :1lnn,' 110 !;,'[ ¡h"ld otl ¡he wrong él1d (jI Ihe 'li,-k
well-heeled .:'.-1 ~c'l UUI (Jf bed 011 the wrong ,ide 41
well-oll 24 ,tel "IMt ()~I cm rhe wrong foot 46
Engllsh IdlOms Jn LJsr 189

rub sb up thc wrong WJy 3.22
fromJsince the yea r dot 3 1
kccp )'our~clf to )'oursclf 22
190 En¡lish /dioms in Use

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English _

Learning about. idioms

Idioms to talk about

Idioms from the topie area of ...

English Idioms in Use

Idioms using these keywords:

List oE phonetic symbols 170

2 English Idioms in Use

How were the idioms in the book selected%

How is the book organisedf

4 English Idiom~ in Use

What else do I need in order to work with this bookt

English Idioms in Use 5

compound abone of co ntention something which people argue

e Fixed aspects of idioms

6 English Idioms in Use

English IdJOms in Use 7

B What information d o e s yo ur dictio nary give you ?

8 E ~glish Idioms in Use

¡ji informarion and then wrire a sentence wirh each ¡dium.

] rcall )' JOIÚ lih him - lH.:'s suth a slime ball .

Eng!ish Idiom5 in Use 9

n:r:: :el~6 eve.r smee. ------- g~tting bi't: - ~

Informal idioms for mad as fa as a ftddle

e Informal idioms for die

D Idioms based on medical images

idiom meaning e)(ample

10 English Idioms in Use

1.2 Complete cach of these idioms.

Engfjsh Idiams in Use II

( I arn/f~d on IOp uf (he world. J

B Oth e ,. happiness idíoms

idiom meanmg example

do someth ing do so mething because it is exciting. Sa nd ra is kee n to have a go al bungee-

~------- ~--~- - --~--'

\1 English Idioms in Use

bits cloud heaven moon nine 01 00 00 ayer seventh ,h,

2.2 Which id ioms do these pictures makc rO l! rhink of?

2.3 CorreCT rhe mistakes in rhcse idioms.

English Idioms in U5C I3

idiom meaning exomple

14 English Idioms in Use

3.2 Complete cach of these idioms.

3.4 Answer rbese quesriom.

mllll~ Im~mf mIlrl 11

nOl knowing meoning

16 English Idioms in Use

4.1 Correct the lTIl'itakes in these idioms.

English fdioms in Use 17

If·· you con soy.

Othet" common idioms connected with pet"ceiving situatíons

18 English Idioms in Use

5.3 Complete eaeh o f lhese idioms.

English Idioms in Use 19

works/goes/runs like a dream works/goeslruns very wel l indeed

works like magit: works immediately and very well indeed

goe5 f!"om strengtn tO strength gets better ano better

does th e trick salves a problem very we ll

o •• and when they don't

someone doesn't have the ghost of a they have no ch3nce at all

Other useful idioms connected with success and failure

20 English Idiams in Use

6.1 Complete these idioms with prepositiol1S.