His efforts to find a solution didn't deserve such savage criticism.

He shouldn't
He shouldn't have been savagely criticized for his efforts to find a solution.

2. If her father hadn't retired, she wouldn't have taken over his work. (STEPPED)

But for...

But for her father's retirement, she wouldn't have stepped into his shoes.

stepped into sb's shoes: fill someone's position.

3.
People became aware of the damage to the ozone layer when an enormous hole was discovered over the South pole.

It was the...

It was the discovery of an enormous hole over the South Pole that made people aware.
4.
When I grow up, I'm going to be really important. (CAT)

When I grow up, I'm going to be a fat cat.

5.
I thought very hard but couldn't remember the answer. (RACKED)

I...
I racked my brain but couldn't remember the answer.
Alex grimaced as he swallowed the foul-tasting medicine. (PULLED)
Alex pulled his face as he swallowed the foul-tasting medicine.
6.

I don't want to be disturbed at all this morning! (ACCOUNT)

On...disturbed this morning.

On no account am I to be disturbed this morning!
He is so ambitious - he's determined that he'll be successful in the company.

He is determined ... in the company. (mark)

He is determined to make his mark in the company.
I thought very hard but couldn't remember the answer. (RACKED)

I... to...
I racked my brain to remember the answer.
Bad salary is usually the reason for the worker's threat to the strike.

The workers usually go...

The workers usually go on strike on account of bad salary.
The young girl stopped working though the salary was very high.

No matter how...
No matter how high the salary was, the workers stopped working.
You must not enter this area unless you are wearing protective clothing.

Entry to this area...

Entry to this area is strictly forbidden to anyone who is not wearing protective clothing.
ms Betty is proud of her singing.

Ms Betty prides...
Ms Betty prides herself on her singing.
You can ring this number whenever there is any difficulty.
Should there be any difficulty,/ Should difficulty arise, you can ring this number.
Thanks to the surgeons' quick acts, his eyesight was saved. (GOOD)

If...
If the surgeons hadn't acted quickly, his eyesight would have gone for good.
It seemed the young man was feeling bitter about his family background. (SHOULDER)

The young man appeared...

The young man appeared to be having a chip on his shoulder about his family background.
The public reaction to the design of the new theater turned out to be bitterly critical. (TEETH)

The way...
The way the public reacted to the design of the new theater turned out to be like a kick in the teeth.
It's bad you didn't try to do your share of the job. (WEIGHT)

You should...
You should have pulled your weight in the job.
His mother's heart sank when she heard the news of his accident. (PIECES)

On...
On hearing the news of his accident, his mother went to pieces.
I felt as if she was trying to deceive us. (IN)

I had the...
I had the feeling that she was trying to take us in.
My brother, who is a professional estate agent, is more than willing to house-hunt for our parents. (ELEMENT)

A
A professional estate agent, my brother is really in his element house-hunting for our parents.
I can't understand why our team have performed so badly recently. (POOR)

It doesn't make...
It doesn't make sense to me why our team have put on such poor performances recently.
It is a good idea for a retired craftsman to do something occasionally to keep his skills. (HAND)

It is advisory that...
It is advisory that a retired craftsman should sometimes keep his hand in.
We were surprised to see that he got mad at our decision. (RED)

Much to...
Much to our surprise, he saw red at our decision.
I am sure that he missed the seven o'clock train.

He can't...
He can't have caught the seven o'clock train.
Alternative medicine is a complete mystery to some people.

Some people are...

Some people are mystified by alternative medicine.
Although he was exhausted, he agreed to join in the activity.

Exhausted...
Exhausted as he was, he agreed to join in the activity.
I am not a solitary person, I'm sociable.

Rather...
Rather than being solitary, I'm sociable.
It seems to be a foregone conclusion that Davis will win the gold medal

There...
There is no doubt that Davis will win the gold medal.
Your attitude will have to change if you want to succeed (leaf)

You...
You have to turn over a new leaf if you want to succeed.
The success of our local theater has made our city famous. (MAP)

The success...
The success of our local theater has put our city on the map.
You may be dismissed if you fail to observe the company's dress code. (RESULT)

Failure to...
Failure to observe the company's dress code may result in your dismissal.
I really think my son is going to be a hugely successful businessman. (HOPES)

I have high...
I have high hopes of my son being a hugely successful businessman.
His exam results will determine what choice he has for further education. (DEPENDENT)

His choice...
His choice of further education is dependent on his exam results.
I really don't like it when you cheated me yesterday. (RIDE)

I'd rather you

I'd rather you hadn't taken me for a ride yesterday.
Don't make a fuss over such trivial things. (MOUNTAIN)

Don't...
Don't make a mountain out of a molehill.
We were amazed to know that he was a liar. (UNTRUTH)

To...
To our amazement, he told an untruth.
Everyday television viewers witness some sort of violence or crime on their screens. (GOES BY)

Hardly...
Hardly a day goes by without television viewers witnessing some sort of violence or crime on their screens.
Some parents are confident that their children will succeed. (HOPES)

Some parents have...

Some parents have high hopes for their children that they will succeed.
It is best for you to give up resistance and to co-operate. (INTEREST)

It is in...
It is in your best interest to give up resistance and to co-operate.
I can't stand your stupid remarks any longer. (ENOUGH)

I've had...
I've had enough of your stupid remarks.
He insisted on absolute obedience and recognition of his right to give orders. (NOTHING)

He...
He insisted on nothing but his rights to give orders.
She bears a strong resemblance to somebody else that I used to know. (REMINDS)

She...
She strongly reminds me of somebody else that I used to know.
You will start to feel better as soon as this drug is effective. (EFFECT)

The moment...
The moment this drug takes effect, you'll feel better.
He had made no effort to conceal his dislike for me ever since I was promoted over him. (GRUDGE)

He has had...
He has had a grudge against me ever since I was promoted over him.
He seems to be more active because he has won a scholarship to study overseas. (LEASE)

That he has won...

That he has won a scholarship to study overseas has given him a new lease of life.
Police arrested Johnson because they think he was involved in the robbery. (SUSPICION)

Johnson was detained... in the robbery.

Johnson was detained on suspicion of being involved in the robbery.
His irresponsible attitude is endangering his career as a doctor. (JEOPARDY)

His career...
His career as a doctor has been put in jeopardy on account of his irresponsible attitude.
It is usual for young children to ask a lot of questions. (APT)

Young... questions.
Young children are apt to ask a lot of questions.
Don't let her give in however hard they try to persuade her. (GUNS)

Make sure she... however hard they try to persuade her.

Make sure she sticks to her guns however hard they try to persuade her.
I couldn't stop thinking about the exam despite playing backgammon with Paul. (MIND)

Playing backgammon with Paul ... the exam.

Playing backgammon with Paul failed to take my mind of the exam.
Being inexperienced was a disadvantage to her when she applied for promotion (counted)

Her ........... when she applied for promotion

Her lack of experience counted against her when she applied for promotion.
I don't mind staying in on Saturday night if I have good company. (AVERSE)

I'm... night if I have good company.

I'm not averse to staying in on Saturday night if I have good company.
I find grammar exercises extremely boring. (STIFF)

Grammar exercises...
Grammar exercises bore me stiff.
I know it's a great shame but we've cancelled the summer party.

Unfortunately,...
Unfortunately, the summer party has been cancelled.
None of the passengers were injured because of the driver's quick reaction.

But...
But for the driver's quick reaction, all of the passengers would have been injured.
Seeing Patricia cry like that made me feel guilty.

What...
What made me feel guilty was seeing Patricia cry like that.
I had to clear the spare room before I could start decorating. (CLEARED)

Only when...
Only when I had cleared my spare room did I start decorating.
Being in prison seems to have changed Kevin's behavior for the better. (LEAF)

Kevin has... he got out of prison.

Kevin has turned over a new leaf since he got out of prison.
I decided right there and then to buy it and now I really regret it. (WHIM)

I... and now I really regret it!

I bought it on the whim and now I really regret it.
I left my last job because I didn't really agree with my manager's approach. (EYE)

I left my last job because I... with my manager.

I left my last job because I didn't see eye to eye with my manager.
I sincerely promise you that I'm telling the truth. (BOTTOM)

I promise you...that I'm telling the truth.

I promise you from the bottom of my heart that I'm telling the truth.
A reliable source told me that the local newspaper is going to shut down. (AUTHORITY)

I...that the local newspaper is going to shut down.

I had it on good authority that the local newspaper is going to shut down.
Don't you think you should be a bit more respectful to them, Edward? (TREAT)

Don't you think you should... Edward?

Don't you think you should treat them with a bit more respect, Edward?
I bet your friend could tell several stories about you. (GOOD)

I bet your friend...

I bet your friend could tell a good few stories about you.
Although Mia was a bit off color, she decided to take the exam. (SET)

Being under...
Being under the weather, she set her mind on taking the exam.
This knife sharpener is completely useless. (DEAD)

This...
This knife sharpener is a dead loss.
Being her only niece, Ann is very precious to her. (APPLE)
Being her only niece, Ann is an apple of her eye.
That he decided to retire early marked the end of his distinguished career. (CURTAIN)

His...
His decision to retire early has brought the curtain down on his distinguished career.
It was more of a business arrangement than a marriage.

It was not...
It was not so much a marriage as a business arrangement.

It was more of a Noun than a Noun = It was not so much a Noun as a Noun
She herself admitted to being rather selfish.

On...
On her own admission, she was rather selfish.
You may not be considered qualified if you don't obey the game regulations.

Failure...
Failure to obey the game regulations may result in your disqualification.
I will only be satisfied if the manager apologizes fully.

Nothing short...
Nothing short of a full apology will satisfy me.
The man's life was one of great poverty.

Throughout...
Throughout his life, the man suffered from great poverty.
Living environment enormously affects our personality development. (EFFECT)
Living environment has an enormous effect on our personality development.
He was unable to solve the problem alone. (BE)
The problem couldn't be solved alone.
He usually invents ridiculous stories like that. (MAKES)
He usually makes up ridiculous stories like that.
The first sign of the disease is blurred vision. (ONSET)
The onset of the disease if blurred vision.
My friend persuaded me to go to the party in fancy dress.

My friend talked...
My friend talked me in going to the party in fancy dress.
I don't understand one word of his document.

I can't make head...

I can't make head or tail of one word of this document.
It was wrong of you to allow a 4-year-old child to walk home alone.

You should...
You should not have allowed a 4-year-old child to walk home alone.
The best solution was thought of by Sally.

Sally came
Sally came up with the best solution.
Alice and Charles did not decide to move to a bigger house until after the birth of their second child.

Only when...
Only when Alice and Charles had their second child did they decide to move to a bigger house.
If there's no reason not to, I'll vote for Carol.
ALL THINGS BEING EQUAL, I'll vote for Carol.

ALL THINGS BEING EQUAL: Nếu không có gì thay đổi.

- if everything happens as expected
They were so worried that they didn't know how they would manage the task in time. (END)

They..., wondering how...

They were at their wit's ends, wondering how...

AT SB'S WIT'S ENDS: In a state of distress that is reached when someone has no more patience
I didn't want to give up while some hope of success remained. (DEFEAT)

I was loath...some hope of success.

I was loath to admit defeat while there was still some hope of success.
It is unwise to draw conclusions too quickly about people's motives. (JUMP)

It is unwise...
It is unwise to jump to conclusions about people's motives.
Surprisingly, a large number of people believe left-handed people are more intelligent. (WIDESPREAD)

Surprisingly,...
Surprisingly, there is a widespread belief that left-handed people are more intelligent.
It is better to give vent to your feelings. (BOTTLE)

It is better...
It is better not to bottle up your feelings.
It will be extremely difficult to get your work finished by the deadline. (UPHILL)

It will be...
It will be an uphill struggle to get your work finished by the deadline.
The appeal of Shakespeare's plays has certainly lasted through centuries. (TEST)
The appeal of S's plays has certainly stood the test of time.
It would be sensible of you to do what he advises. (FOLLOW)
It would be sensible of you to follow his advice.
If you want my opinion, he's useless. (WORTH)
FOR WHAT IT IS WORTH, he's useless.

FOR WHAT IT IS WORTH

- even though it/my opinion may not be important or valuable
He was exasperated with being criticized in public all the time. (TEETH)

He was fed...
He was fed up to the back teeth with being criticized in public all the time.

The only explanation for him being so late is that his train was delayed.
HIS TRAIN must have been delayed for him to be so late.
Could you possibly get here before lunch?
IS THERE any chance you can get here before lunch?
It doesn't matter what happens, we'll still go somewhere nice for your birthday.
COME WHAT MAY, we'll still go somewhere nice for your birthday.

COME WHAT MAY

- whatever happens
You just can't compare the quality of her work with his.
THERE'S NO point in comparing the quality of her work with his.
A rise in temperature in the next century seems likely.
IN ALL PROBABILITY, there will be a rise in temperature in the next century.
* If we delay too long, we are likely to clinch the deal.
THE LONGER we delay, the more likely we ARE TO clinch the deal.

CLINCH
- to get sth
- to win sth
* The brochure gives hardly any useful information.
PRECIOUS little useful information was given in the brochure.
You could be arrested for not giving a breath sample to the police.
REFUSAL to give a breath sample to the police could lead to your arrest.
My boss doesn't allow us to eat at our desk. (LINE)
My boss DRAWS THE LINE AT us eating at our desk.

DRAW THE LINE AT STH

- to never do sth
- to not allow sb to do sth
* Somehow no one found out he had stolen the technical design from another company. (AWAY)
Somehow he MANAGED TO GET AWAY WITH the technical design from another company.
What he told me made me very curious to hear the rest of the history. (APPETITE)
What he told me WHETTED MY APPETITE for the rest of the story.
* Don't eat so many sweets and won't have to visit the dentist so often. (SAVE)
Eating few sweets will SAVE YOU HAVING to visit the dentist so often.
Some people tend to do better in a pressurized working environment. (CONSTANT)
Some people work better when they are UNDER CONSTANT PRESSURE at work.
* Let's hope so-called mad cow disease doesn't break out again. (ANOTHER)
Let's hope there won't be ANOTHER outbreak of the so-called mad cow disease.
There don't seem to be many talented athletes around at the moment. (SUFFERING)
We seem to be SUFFERING FROM a paucity/lack of talented athletes at the moment.
Educationalists don't agree on the value of learning by computer. (EYE)
Educationalists don't SEE EYE TO EYE on the value of learning by computer.
There is sometimes a discrepancy between out outgoings and our earnings. (TALLY)
What we spend doesn't always TALLY with what we earn.

TALLY
- to match or agree with sth
His analysis of the situation was far too complex for me to grasp. (HEAD)
His analysis of the situation WENT RIGHT OVER MY HEAD.

GO OVER YOUR HEAD

- to not understand sth
It was an extremely far-fetching proposal. (EXTREME)
What was being proposed was far-fetching IN THE EXTREME.

IN THE EXTREME
- extremely
The actor suddenly couldn't remember what he was supposed to say. (DRIED)
The actor suddenly DRIED UP.

DRY UP
- to suddenly stop talking because you know not what to say
A house in that district will cost you at least $100.000.
YOU WON'T BE ABLE to buy that house for less than $100.000
The Yeti has very rarely been seen at this altitude.
THERE HAVE BEEN few sightings of the Yeti at this altitude.
It was more of an argument than a discussion.
IT WAS NOT SO much a discussion as an argument.
Their chances of success are small.
IT IS NOT likely they will succeed.
* The committee members said they would remain loyal to the chairman. (PLEDGED)
The committee members PLEDGED their loyalty TO the chairman.
Saying something is not the same as doing it. (WORLD)
There is A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE BETWEEN saying something and doing it.
The house was dirty because no one bothered to keep it clean. (TROUBLE)
The house was dirty because no one TOOK THE TROUBLE to keep it clean.

TAKE THE TROUBLE

- to bother to do sth
In a nutshell, Joseph's not up to the job.
THE LONG AND THE SHORT OF IT, Joseph's not up to the job.

THE LONG AND THE SHORT OF IT

- in a nutshell
- generally
- generally/broadly speaking
* I felt relaxed at Gita's house because her parents greeted me so warmly. (EASE)
Gita's parents MADE ME FEEL AT EASE with the warmth of their greetings.
Since we have encountered many problems, we should stop conducting this research. (HALT)
Since we have encountered many problems, we should CALL A HALT TO this research.

CALL A HALT TO STH

- to put an end to sth
- to put a stop to sth
- to stop/end/halt sth
Fancy you and I meeting in the middle of Africa like this.
IT'S REALLY ODD that you and I should meet in the middle of Africa like this.
Gary is proud of the fact that he is never late.
GARY PRIDES himself on never being late.

PRIDE YOURSELF ON STH

- proud of sth
- to take pride in sth
The goods you want won't come in until next week.
The goods you want are OUT OF STOCKS at the moment.
None of us was expecting to have a test this morning. (BLUE)
The morning's test CAME OUT OF THE BLUE for every one of us.
You can't just decide to go on a safari. You need to plan things very carefully. (SPUR)
Going on a safari isn't a decision you can make ON THE SPUR OF THE MOMENT. You need to plan things very
carefully.

ON THE SPUR OF THE MOMENT

- on an impulse
- on a whim
- on a caprice
- impulsively/whimsically/capriciously
Something told me to say exactly what I thought, but I didn't. (SORELY)
I was SORELY TEMPTED to say exactly what I thought.
The severity of the punishment bore no relation to the seriousness of the crime. (PROPORTION)
The severity of the punishment was OUT OF PROPORTION FOR the seriousness of the crime.
In the area, Thailand is much better than all other countries in football. (SHOULDERS)
In the area, Thailand is HEAD AND SHOULDERS ABOVE all other countries in football.
* Don't you remember anything about your lifetime in London as a child? (RECOLLECTION)
Haven't you HAD ANY RECOLLECTION OF your lifetime in London as a child?
Social scientists find it hard to accept that the fall in birth rate is responsible for the old age of our society.
(RESISTANCE)
There is RESISTANCE AMONG social scientists to the idea that the fall in birth rate is responsible for the old age of
our society.
That rumor about the politician and the construction contract is absolutely false.
THERE IS absolutely no truth in the rumor about the politician and the construction contract.
You can eat as much as you like for $5 at the new lunch bar.
THERE IS no limit on how much you can eat with $5 at the new lunch bar.
You think that fat people are always jolly, but you are wrong.
CONTRARY TO what you think, fat people are not always jolly.
It won't harm us to see what special offers are on at the moment.
WE might as well see what special offers are on at the moment.
He could certainly make a decision on whether learning abroad is a good idea.
THERE IS EVERY likelihood that he will make a decision on whether learning abroad is a good idea.
Tom upset Fiona a bit when he said she behaved like her mother.
Tom RUFFLED FIONA'S FEATHERS when he said she behaved like her mother.

RUFFLE SB'S FEATHERS

- to upset or annoy sb
After she married him, he revealed his true character and she saw him as he really was. (EYES)
After she married him, he revealed his true character and THE SCALES DROPPED FROM HER EYES.

THE SCALES DROP/FALL FROM YOUR EYES: tỉnh ngộ

- you suddenly realize or know the truth
He made an embarrassing mistake when he described his girlfriend as "plump". (FOOT)
He PUT HIS FOOT IN IT when he described his girlfriend as "plump".

PUT YOUR FOOT IN IT/IN YOUR MOUTH: nhỡ mồm

- to say a stupid thing
* After a six-week strike, the workers have started talks to solve the dispute with the management. (ENTERED)
After a six-week strike, the workers have ENTERED INTO NEGOTIATION to solve the dispute with the
management.
* Although found guilty, Robson continued to insist that he was not. (PROTEST)
Although found guilty Robson continued to PROTEST HIS INNOCENCE. (= strongly said he was not guilty)
* I knew that the whole project could never have succeeded right from the start. (DOOMED)
I knew that the whole project was DOOMED TO FAILURE right from the start.

DOOMED TO FAILURE
- unable to be successful
We were all surprised that the plan worked perfectly. (PLAIN)
TO OUR SURPRISED, the plan turned out to be PLAIN SAILING.

PLAIN/SMOOTH SAILING: thuận buồm xuôi gió

- fine/Ok/good
It's not a good thing you keep agreeing with people's ideas like that. (TIDE)
You shouldn't be SWIMMING/GOING AGAINST THE TIDE like that.

SWIM/GO AGAINST THE TIDE

- to not follow what everyone else is doing
I hate it when my colleagues try to get involved in everything in my business. (FINGER)
I object to having my colleagues HAVING A FINGER IN EVERY PIE in my own business.

HAVE A FINGER IN EVERY PIE: chuyện gì cũng xía mũi vào

* Because of his lack of confidence right at the last minute, he backed out of the plan. (FEET)
If he hadn't had COLD FEET at the last minute, he wouldn't have backed out of the plan.
Looking back, I think he was trying to deceive us. (LEG)
IN RETROSPECT, I think he was trying to PULL OUR LEG.

IN RETROSPECT: hồi tưởng

- looking now about sth in the past

PULL YOUR LEG

- to deceive
- to fool
However intelligent he may seem, I don't think he can come up with a sudden solution. (RABBIT)
Intelligent as he may seem, I don't think he can PULL A RABBIT OUT OF THE HAT.

PULL A RABBIT OUT OF THE HAT

- to do sth unexpected to improve difficult situations
To tell the truth, market competitions sometime become very fierce. (RED)
AS A MATTER OF FACT, market competitions are sometimes RED IN TOOTH AND CLAW.

RED IN TOOTH AND CLAW

- fierce

(As predatory animals sometimes cover their teeth and claws in blood of their preys as they kill or devour them)
* We suppose the new models are about ten thousand dollars. (VICINITY)
The new models are supposed to be IN THE VICINITY OF ten thousand dollars.

IN THE VICINITY OF STH

- approximately
- about
We are having problems because we didn't take out medical insurance. (COST)
We are COUNTING THE COST because medical insurance wasn't taken out.

COUNT THE COST: gánh chịu hậu quả

- to have problems because you have done sth wrong
The head master is well-known for his reliability and dedication. (REPUTED)
The head teacher is REPUTED to be a reliable and dedicated person.

REPUTED
- famous
- well-known
My grandfather had completely forgotten that he phoned me last night. (RECOLLECTION)
My father HAD NO RECOLLECTION of phoning me last night.
* When you lie, some gestures can show you are lying.
SOME GESTURES can give you away when you lie.
* My decision to get and dance coincided with the band's decision to stop playing.
THE MOMENT I got up to dance, the band stopped playing.
It's nobody's fault that the match was cancelled.
NOBODY IS TO blame for the cancellation of the match.
Something must be done quickly to solve the problem of unemployment.
URGENT action must be taken to solve the problem of unemployment.
You shouldn't talk to people who will not listen. (FALL)
You shouldn't FALL ON DEAF EARS.
I couldn't make Julie give a definite answer. (PIN)
I couldn't PIN Julie DOWN TO a definite answer.

PIN SB DOWN TO STH

- to make sb make a decision
- to make sb provide details of sth
My husband has had to earn the income since I broke my leg.
My husband has BROUGHT HOME THE BACON since I broke my leg.

BRING HOME THE BACON

- to earn money
James Hogg Ltd. is the only shop that supplies this product. (EXCLUSIVE)
James Hogg Ltd. is the EXCLUSIVE supplier of this product.
I think that my parents cope calmly with everything I do. (STRIDE)
I'm under the impression that my parents TAKE everything I do IN STRIDE.

TAKE STH IN STRIDE

- to deal with sth calmly
* Simon hadn't expected that he would feel so weak after the operation.
THE OPERATION left Simon feeling weaker than he had expected.
When they broke the news, she stayed perfectly calm and controlled. (HAIR)
When they broke the news, she did NOT TURN A HAIR.

NOT TURN A HAIR

- to not show emotions when told sth bad has happened
The police didn't mention whether or not the suspects were armed. (OMITTED)
The police OMITTED to mention whether ot not the suspects were armed.

OMIT (to say/mention sth)

- to refuse to talk about/mention sth
It's not certain that Jones will get the job.
IT IS OPEN TO DOUBT whether Jones will get the job.

OPEN TO DOUBT/DISPUTE/QUESTION
- not certain
The defense contributed enormously to the team's success. (MADE)
The defense MADE AN enormous CONTRIBUTION TO the team's success.
I was about to leave the house when I heard the phone ring. (VERGE)
I WAS ON THE VERGE OF leaving when I heard the phone ring.

ON THE VERGE OF DOING STH

- about to do sth
- on the point of doing sth
My friend persuaded me to go to the party in fancy dress.
MY FRIEND TALKED me into going to the party in fancy dress.
* The thief ran right past you, so I'm sure you saw his face.
YOU must have seen the thief's face because he ran past you.
* There's no way we can agree to this solution. (CONCERNED)
This solution is out of the question AS FAR AS I'M CONCERNED.
When I grow up, I'm going to be really important. (CAT)
I'm going to be a FAT CAT when I grow up.

FAT CAT
- big fish/gun/noise/shot/wheel
- someone so important and powerful
I'm never going to speak to Annie again. She made me look foolish in front of all my friends. (MONKEY)
I'm never going to speak to Annie again. She MADE A MONKEY OUT OF ME in front of all my friends.

MAKE A MONKEY OUT OF SB

- to make fun of sb
- to make a mockery of sb
- to take the mickey/mick out of sb
- to mock/tease sb
You'll have to work harder if you want to pass your exams. (SOCKS)
You'll have to PULL YOUR SOCKS UP if you want to pass the exams.

PULL YOUR SOCKS UP

- to try to improve your work or behavior
* It will be necessary to pay the full amount when you book. (PAID)
The full amount will have to be PAID when you look.
* So many people were really delighted when the government lost the election. (JUBILATION)
There was much JUBILATION when the government lost the election.
* The staff hated Frank's new policies intensely and so went on strike. (HATRED)
So intense was the HATRED for Frank's new policies that the staff went on strike.
I feel it's wrong that this site is going to be redeveloped by the council. (EARMARKED)
I feel it's wrong that this site is EARMARKED FOR redevelopment by the council.
EARMARK (for sth)
- to keep or intend sth for a particular purpose
* What put me off the idea was simply how expensive it was going to.
THE SHEER expense/cost was what put me off the idea.
* The fund-raisers have not officially decided where to send the proceeds of the concert.
NO official decision has been made ABOUT where to send to send the proceeds of the concert.
Every possible effort was made by the orphanage to find the boy's parents.
THE ORPHANAGE LEFT NO STONE unturned in an attempt to find the boy's parents.
Experts say that the fall in the birth rate between 1946 and 1977 caused the drop in the number of school leavers.
THE DROP in the number of school leavers is said to have been caused by the fall in the birth rate between 1946 and
1977.
The ban on hunting was only imposed because the Minister insisted.
BUT FOR the Minister's insistence, the ban wouldn't have been imposed.
We would have had a nice party if he hadn't behaved so badly.
IT WAS HIS behavior that prevented us from having a nice party.
* We would like to have a copy of your new prospectus.
WOULD YOU BE so kind as to send us a copy of your new prospectus.
Why should anybody be proud of the fact that they got rid of 200 jobs?
WHY SHOULD ANYBODY TAKE pride in the fact that they got rid of 200 jobs?
* Travellers consider themselves superior to those who lead a more sedentary life. (DOWN)
Travellers LOOK DOWN ON those who lead a more sedentary life.
I know I don't make clear what I mean sometimes. (EXPRESS)
I know I don't EXPRESS MYSELF clearly sometimes.
I only called the police when I had tried everything else. (RESORT)
I only called the police AS A LAST RESORT.
* The girl's behavior was incomprehensible to the Head Teacher. (LOSS)
The Head teacher was AT A LOSS to comprehend the girl's behavior.
He threatened the officers with violence.
HE MADE threats of violence against the officers.
Whatever the methods used to obtain the result, drugs were definitely not involved.
THERE WAS NO QUESTION of drugs being involved, whatever the methods used to obtain the result.
* It was the ability to incorporate loan words that made English so rich in vocabulary.
ENGLISH BECAME rich in vocabulary because of its ability to incorporate loan words.
To pass the time, I looked through some pictures.
I WHILED AWAY the time by looking through some pictures.
* The manufacturing process was delayed by problems no one had foreseen. (HELD)
The manufacturing process WAS HELP UP DUE TO UNFORESEEN problems.
Eliza would never have got the job if her brother hadn't advised her when she completed the application form.
(WITHOUT)
Eliza would never have got the job WITHOUT HER BROTHER'S HAVING ADVISED HER WHEN completing the
application form.
* "My trainer's foreign accent makes it hard to follow what she says", Sue said. (WHICH)
Sue explained to me that it WAS HER TRAINER'S FOREIGN ACCENT WHICH MADE it hard to follow what he
said.
* The guide point out to us the magnificent carvings above the window. (DREW)
The guide DREW OUR ATTENTION TO the magnificent carvings above the window.
* We ask passengers not to leave their seats until the aircraft door have been penned. (REMAIN)
Passengers ARE ASKED TO REMAIN SEATED until the aircraft doors have been penned.
Keeping calm is the secret of passing your driving test.
AS long as you keep calm, you will pass your driving test.
I left without saying goodbye as I didn't want to wake him up.
RATHER than wake him up, I left without saying goodbye.
1A. So that he would be able to leave the room quickly, Mathew stood by the door. POSITIONED
Matthew ..............................as to be able to leave the room quickly.
Mathew POSITIONED HIMSELF BY THE DOOR - SO as to be able to leave the room quickly
1B. I haven't been told clearly what I'll have to do in my next project at work. REQUIRED.
It hasn't been made...........................me in my next project at work
It hasn't been made CLEAR TO ME - WHAT WILL BE REQUIRED OF me in my next project at work
1C. In my opinion, it was an absolute miracle that they survived the accident. SHORT
The fact that they survived the accident was......................, in my opinion.
The fact that they survived the accident was NOTHING SHORT OF -A MIRACLE/ MIRACULOUS, in my opinion.
1D I tried as hard as I could to make sure that this problem would not arise. POWER
I ...............................................this problem from arising.
I DID EVERYTHING (WITH)IN MY POWER - TO PREVENT /STOP this problem from arising.
1E I don't think it was reasonable of you to complain so much about the service. JUSTIFIED
I don't think you ................................................fuss about the service.
I don't think you WERE JUSTIFIED IN - MAKING SUCH A fuss about the service.
1F Laura was faced by a lot of problems during her childhood. CONTEND
Laura had a .....................................................during her childhood.
Laura had a LOT OF PROBLEMS TO - CONTEND WITH during her childhood.
1G The audience suddenly started to applaud loudly. SUDDEN
All ................................................... from the audience.
All ALL OF A SUDDEN - THERE WAS LOUD APPLAUSE from the audience.
2A David played the main role when the proposal was drafted. INSTRUMENTAL
David ..................................................................... of the proposal
David WAS INSTRUMENTAL IN - THE DRAFTING of the proposal
2B If you hadn't changed the original agreement, everything would have been fine. STUCK
Had ....................................................agreed, everything would have been fine.
Had YOU STUCK TO/BY - WHAT WE ORIGINALLY agreed, everything would have been fine.
2C I think you should have more consideration for those who don't have lives as privileged as yours. SPARE
I think you should .................................................lives aren't as privileged as yours.
I think you should SPARE A THOUGHT FOR - THOSE/ (THE) PEOPLE WHOSE lives aren't as privileged as yours.
2D We decided to stay for longer becasue we were so thrilled by the place. PROLONG
We decided to .................................................. we by the place.
We decided to PROLONG OUR STAY - SO THRILLED WERE we by the place.
2E Competitors were amazed by how shrewdly he conducted his business affairs. MARVELLED
Competitors ................................................ which he conducted his business affairs.

2F I didn't want to give up while some hope of success remained. DEFEAT

I was loath ............................. some hope of success.
I was loath TO ADMIT DEFEAT - WHILE THERE WAS STILL/ WHILE THERE REMAINED some hope of
success.
2G After a long hard journey, I cheered up when I saw my home. SIGHT
After a long hard journey, my spirits .......................................... of my home.
After a long hard journey, my spirits ROSE / (WERE) LIFTED - WHEN I CAUGHT SIGHT of my home.
2H Your attitude to life woul dbe greatly improved by regular exercise. WONDERS
Regular exercise would ................................................at life.
Regular exercise would DO WONDERS FOR - THE WAY YOU LOOK at life.
3A If Tony hadn't interfered, there would have been no problems yesterday, I'm sure. SMOOTHLY
Without Tony's ..................................................yesterday, I'm sure.
Without Tony's INTERFERENCE - EVERYTHING WOULD HAVE GONE SMOOTHLY yesterday, I'm sure.
3B I said that I thought he was wrong about the best way for us to proceed. ISSUE
I ........................................................best we should proceed.
I TOOK ISSUE WITH HIM ABOUT - HOW best we should proceed.
3C He didn't want to get into a position where he might lose all his money. POSSIBILITY
He didn't want to expose .................................................all his money.
He didn't want to expose HIMSELF TO - THE POSSIBILITY OF LOSING all his money.
3D The company received an enormous number of calls responding to the advert. DELUGED
The company ........................................... response to the advert.
The company WAS/ WERE DELUGED WITH CALLS - IN response to the advert.
3E The manager said that he had paid atention to my complaints and would take the appropriate action. NOTE
The manager said that he had ................................................. accordingly.
The manager said that he had TAKEN NOTE OF MY COMPLAINTS - AND WOULD ACT accordingly.
3F WE'll have to make sure that costs are as low as possible or we'll have no money left. MINIMUM
We'll have to keep ................................................................ ourselves with no money left.
We'll have to keep COSTS TO A/THE MINIMUM - OR WE'LL FIND ourselves with no money left.
3G His behaviour at the conference gave him the bad reputation he now has. CONDUCTED
The way ............................................ in the bad reputaiton he now has.
The way HE CONDUCTED HIMSELF AT THE CONFERENCE - (HAS) RESULTED in the bad reputaiton he now
has.
3 H Her work didn't meet the standards that were considered appropriate. CONFORM
Her work ......................................... acceptable standards.
Her work DIDN'T/DID NOT CONFORM TO - WHAT WERE CONSIDERED acceptable standards.
4A The film was so controversial that it was banned in several parts of the world. CAUSED
Such was ...........................................................the film that it was banned in several parts of the world.
Such was THE CONTROVERSY - (THAT WAS) CAUSED BY the film that it was banned in several parts of the
world.
4B He had no idea what was going to happen to him when he walked into that room. STORE
Little ..........................................him when he walked into that room.
Little DID HE KNOW/REALIZE - WHAT LAY/WAS IN STORE FOR him when he walked into that room.
4C You shouldn't let trivial matters worry you so much. PREY
You shouldn't let trivial matters .............................................extent.
You shouldn't let trivial matters PREY ON YOU/YOUR MIND - TO SUCH AN/ TO SUCH A GREAT/TO SO
GREAT AN/TO THAT extent.
4D He became famous but it cost him his privacy. EXPENSE
His rise .........................................of his privacy.
His rise TO FAME - WAS/CAME AT THE EXPENSE of his privacy.
4E I helped Ray, with the result that his business became successful. FAVOUR
I .................................................which his business became successful.
I DID RAY A FAVOUR/DID A FAVOUR FOR RAY - AS A RESULT OF / BECAUSE OF/DUE TO which his
business became successful.
4F I had to wait for the manager for almost an hour before he would see me. BEST
The manager kept ................................an hour before he would see me.
The manager kept ME WAITING - FOR THE BEST PART OF an hour before he would see me.
4G I'll have to consider working abroad if an opportunity doesn't arise here soon. NEAR
Unless an opportunity presents .....................................future, I'll have to consider working abroad.
Unless an opportunity presents ITSELF(TO ME) - IN/WITHIN THE NEAR future, I'll have to consider working
abroad.
4H I wanted to make sure that all my good work wasn't wasted in that way. WASTE
I wanted to make sure that all my good work wasn't wasted in that way. WASTE
I wanted to prevent.........................................in that way.

I wanted to prevent ALL MY GOOD WORK - (FROM) GOING TO WASTE in that way.

Bai 5:
You should never leave this door unlocked under any circumstances.
is
Under .................... left unlocked.
no circumstances is this/the door (ever) to be
There is every certainty that Joel will have finished the report by Monday.
bound
Joel .................... by Monday.
is bound to have finished the/his/her report
One day she's going to become a famous film star.
matter
It's only .................... a famous film star
a matter of time until/before she becomes/is
Because of the appalling weather conditions, some trains will be delayed.
subject
Some trains .................... because of the appalling weather conditions.
are/will be subject to delay(s)
I don't mind which make of car you choose.
consequence
It .................... make of car you choose.
is of no/little consequence to me which/what
I asked Sally to write us a short letter to let us know that she's arrived safely.
drop
I asked Sally .................... to let us know that she's arrived safely.
to drop us a line (in order)
Alan felt that it was unforgivable that Jane hadn't replied to his intention.
failure
Alan felt that .................... was unforgivable.
Jane's failure to reply to his invitation/invite
Marisa thought it would be possible for someone to turn the old vase into a plant pot.
made
Marisa thought that .................... a plant pot.
the old vase could/might (possibly) be made into
When he was at his most successful, the president had enormous influence.
height
At ...................., the president had enormous influence.
the height of his success
Shula is one of the few students to use the library extensively.
majority
Unlike .................... extensive use of the library.
the (vast) majority of (the) students Shula makes
John's comments on the new film were not well received.
go
John's comments on the new film .................... well.
did not/didn't go down (so/particularly/all that/very)
Nobody expected Lucy to resign.
came
Lucy's .................... everyone.
resignation/resigning/decision to resign came as a (total/complete) surprise/shock to
Stefano decided to stay on at the hotel for two more weeks.
extend
Stefano decided .................... two weeks.
to extend his/her stay at the hotel by
I wonder what's happened to Hans; he's normally on time for an important meeting.
unlike
I wonder what's happened to Hans; it's most .................... for an important meeting.
unlike him to be/arrive/come/turn up late OR unlike him not be in/on time
This letter clearly says that you are entitled to attend the meeting.
right
This letter makes .................... attend the meeting.
it clear (that) you have the/every/a right to OR it clear (that) it is your right to
OR clear your right to
It was never explained why George decided to leave.
given
No .................... of George's decision to leave.
explanation was ever given
OR explanations were ever given
I was just about to leave the house when I heard the phone ringing.
verge
I was .................... the house when I heard the phone ring
on the verge of leaving/going out of
I'm sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt the meeting.
intention
I'm sorry, I .................... the meeting.
did not/didn't have any/had no intention of interrupting
Nobody wants to buy second-hand computer equipment these days.
call
There is .................... second-hand computer equipment these days.
(almost/virtually) no OR hardly/scarcely any OR (very/precious) little OR n't/not any call for
Martina was very annoyed that her son had borrowed her new bike.
great
To .................... borrowed her new bike.
Martina's great annoyance her son had
The manufacturing process was delayed by problems no one had foreseen.
held
The manufacturing process .................... problems.
was held up by/because of/due to/owing to/on account of/as a result of unforeseen
Eliza would never have got the job if her brother hadn't advised her when she completed the application form.
without
Eliza would never have got the job .................... completing the application form.
without her brother('s) having advised/advising her when/while (she was)
OR without the advice of her brother while/when/on
'My trainer's foreign accent makes it hard to follow what he says,' Sue said.
which
Sue explained to me that it .................... it hard to follow what he said.
was her trainer's foreign accent which made/was making
The guide pointed out to us the magnificent carvings above the windows.
drew
The guide .................... the magnificent carvings above the windows.
drew our attention to
Chess is a much more skilful game than backgammon.
deal
Playing chess requires .................... playing backgammon.
a good/great deal more skill than
I'd like to drop by and discuss the design of my new website, if that's alright.
if
I wonder .................... and discuss the design of my new website?
if it would be alright to/I could drop by
The only thing I could do was sit and wait.
anything
There .................... sit and wait.
wasn't/was not anything (else) (that) I could do except/other than/but/apart from
The new cinema space will be built as long as the council agrees to our plans for extra car parking space.
subject
The new cinema will be built .................... to our plans for extra car parking space.
subject to the council('s) agreeing/council's agreement/the agreement of the council
There are very few opportunities for Time to play the saxophone these days.
get
Very rarely .................... the saxophone these days.
does Tim get the/any/an opportunity to play
OR (any) opportunities to play
OR a/the/any chance to play/of playing
are asked/requested to remain seated/in their seats
We ask passengers not to leave their seats until the aircraft doors have been opened.
remain
Passengers .................... until the aircraft doors have been opened.
are asked/requested to remain seated/in their seats