IDIOMS FROM YOUR MEMORY

I. Try to complete these idioms from memory.

1. She does a lot of voluntary work; she had a heart of g___________.
2. Don’t expect any sympathy from the boss; she is as hard as n___________.
3. I’m sure Gerry will help you; he’s as good as g___________.
4. You won’t find him very friendly; he’s rather a cold f___________.
5. If you like to eat sweet things, you have ___________.
6. If you have a considerable talent and ability to grow plants, you have ___________.
II. What do we call………
1. an irritating person who knows everything? __________________
2. the person who is the teacher’s favourite? __________________
3. someone who thinks they are the best and says so? __________________
4. a person who is very lazy? __________________
5. a person who used to be your lover? __________________
6. someone who often goes to bed late because they prefer to do things at night?___________
7. someone who gets up early in the morning? __________________
8. something that has been done very badly __________________
9. someone who works very hard and is very eager to do things __________________
10. someone who is very lazy and spending much time watching TV. __________________
11. someone who has a relationship with someone in an effort to get the other person’s money.
12. a man who devoted to his family. __________________
III. Match the two halves to form an idiom:
1. Bird in the hand is worth ____ a. on one’s bonnet
2. Kill two birds ___ b. two in the bush
3. Be as busy ___ c. in a China shop
4. Have a bee ___ d. with one stone
5. Like a bull ___ e. as a bee
6. Take the bull ___ f. cats and dogs
7. Have butterflies ___ g. breaks the camel’s back
8. The last straw that ___ h. by the horns
9. Rain ___ i. in one’s stomach
10 Crocodile ___ j. cat and dog
11 Fight like ___ k. tears
IV. Choose the best answer to the questions below.
1. If you "have the blues", you feel _______
Sick sad hungry
2. I only eat meat once in a _______
green day yellow star  blue moon
3. This job's my _______ to get experience in the industry.
red tape golden opportunity grey area
4. If something happens "out of the blue", it's_______
a surprise  unwelcome embarrassing
5. We were given the _______ to take time off for our holiday.
black sheep green light white lie
6. If you're born with a silver spoon in your mouth, you're born into a _______ family.
Rich strange poor
7. People often show their _______ when they've had too much to drink.
true blues true colours flying colours
8. A _______ told me that you're writing a book.
little bird copy cat quiet mouse
9. I always feel better after a _______ in the afternoon.
clam up cat nap rat race
10. I asked Joe to _______ but he left without me.
smell a rat hold his horses drop like flies
11. If you want Lisa to date you, you'll have to _______
have ants in your pants take the bull by the horns kill two birds with one stone
12. The game's been cancelled because it's raining _______. cows and pigs/ cats and dogs/birds and bees
1
 EXERCISE 7
Look like/look up/look out/look over/ look up to/make ends meet/make up/make up one’s mind
Make a fool of someone Act embarrassingly
Make a point of Make a special effort
Make sense of Be logical and clear, understand
Make way for Allow space for, provide a path for
Mixed up Confused
Music to one’s ears Something that sounds pleasant
A nervous wreck Someone who is very nervous
Next to nothing Very little money, cheap
No harm done There was no damage done
Not at all Not in any way, not to any degree
Not believe one’s ears (or eyes) Be unable to believe what one hears (or sees)
Not think much of Not like
Odds and ends/an old hand/on the whole/ out of sth/ on the tip of the tongue/over and over/mean to
On edge Nervous
On end Consecutively, without a break (days on end)
On hand Easily available
On needles and pins Nervous, anxious
On one’s own Independent
On second thought After reconsidering
On the go Always busy, always moving
Out of sth Not having sth
Out of one’s mind Insane, illogical
Out of order Broken, not functioning well
Out of the question Definitely not, impossible
Over one’s head Not understandable (joke); obscure
1. “Have you _____ _____ this contract yet?” “Not yet. I’ll try to read it this weekend.”
2. “I think I’ll have the prime rib, waiter.” “All right, sir.” “ Wait, no _____ _____ _____ I think I’ll
have the chicken.”
3. Is this story true, or did you just _____ it _____?
4. You can’t get a soda from that machine. There’s a sign on it that says “_____ _____ _____.”
5. Sherry _____ _____ _____ her father because of all the help and good advice he’s given her.
6. I don’t have much cash _____ _____, but I can get some from an automatic teller machine.
7. What a confusing movie! I couldn’t _____ _____ _____ it.
8. “You did a fine job on this research paper, especially on the bibliography.” “Thanks. I _____ _____
_____ _____ getting the bibliography exactly right. I did it _____ _____ _____ until it was perfect.”
9. “What’s Fritz’s cousin’s name?” “It’s _____ _____ _____ _____ my _____, but I can’t quite
remember.”
10. “Hello. I’d like to reserve a room for this weekend.” “I’m afraid that’s _____ _____ _____ _____.
The hotel is fully booked this weekend.”
11. “Do you have any fresh peaches? “Sorry, I’m _____ _____ them. I just sold the last crate of peaches.
12. “Listen to the roar of the engines.” “yeah, it’s _____ _____ my _____. I just love going to thes car
races.”
13. The plane was delayed for hours _____ _____. I thought we’d never get off the ground.
14. “Have you finished moving into your new apartment?” “Almost. There are still a few _____ _____
_____ in my old apartment that I need to move today.”
15. “Brad is busy, isn’t he?” “Yeah, he is involved in so many activities that he’s always _____ _____
_____.”
16. There are so many interesting dishes on the menu that it’s hard for me to _____ _____ my _____
which one to order.
17. If you go into the swamp, _____ _____ _____ alligators.
18. “When will you be informed of the test results?” “Not until Monday, so I’ll be _____ _____ _____
_____ all weekend.”

2
 19. “Do you know what the capital of South Dakota is?” “I’m not sure. Let’s _____ it _____ in this
atlas.”
20. They’re going to tear down those old warehouses to _____ _____ _____ a big new hotel.
21. “I like the painting you bought. Did it cost much?” “no, the artist sold it to me for _____ _____
____.”
22. “How was your final exam, Laurie?” “A couple of questions were tricky, but _____ _____ _____ it
was pretty easy.”
23. I’m sorry I knocked that vase over, I didn’t mean to.” “____ _____ _____.It wasn’t damaged.”
24. I must have nee _____ _____ my _____ when I signed the lease on this apartment. I can’t afford this
much rent.
25. He didn’t _____ _____ break the plate; It was an accident.
26. “I didn’t know you could play horseshoes so well.” “Oh, I’m _____ _____ _____ _____horseshoes.
I’ve been playing since I was a kid.”
27. You must be _____ _____. This isn’t River Street; it’s Laurel Avenue.
28. “How long have you been living alone?” “I’ve been _____ my _____ since I graduated from high
school.”
29. “Did you find that lecture boring?” “____ _____ _____. In fact, I thought it was fascinating.”
30. Christine is so funny, she should be a stand-up comic.” I suppose, but a lot of her jokes go right
_____ my _____. I just don’t get them.”

EXERCISE 6
In hot water In trouble
In the dark
In the long run
In no time
In a nutshell
In the same boat
In person
In store In the future, coming up
Iron out Solve a problem
Join the club Have the same problem
Jump to conclusions From opinions without sufficient evidence
Keep an eye on
Keep an eye out for Look for
Keep on with Continue
Keep track of Know where something or someone is
Keep up with Maintain the same speed
Kill time Spend time doing unimportant things (before an appointment…)
Know like the back of one’s hand Be familiar with
Lay off Put out of work
Learn the ropes Become familiar with, get used to, get the hang of
Leave out Not include, omit
Have someone/sth alone Not disturb
Let sb down Disappoint
Let up Decline in intensity (rain)
Look after Take care of
Look for Try to locate
Look forward to Anticipate (with pleasure)
Look into investigate
1. Will you _____ _____ _____ _____ my dog while I go in the drug store?
2. Kathy’s daughter has such short legs that she has a hard time _____ _____ _____ the other children.
3. The store had to _____ _____ a number of clerks because sales were down.
4. “You must be anxious to go on your vacation”. “I certainly am. I am really _____ _____ _____ the
trip.”
5. Don’t _____ _____ _____. Maybe your jewelry wasn’t stolen after all.

3
 6. “I need to find a new apartment.” “There might be some vacancies in the building where I live. I’ll
_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ one.”
7. The company may lose some money now, but _____ _____ _____ _____ , this is a good investment.
8. Alex complained that no one invited him to nay social events and that he left _____ _____.
9. “Can you hurry over here? I need to see you right away.” “Sure, I’ll be there _____ _____ _____.”
10. “May I help you, sir?” “No, I’m just looking around and trying to _____ some _____ until my wife
finishes shopping.”
11. “Has it stopped raining yet?” “No, but it’s beginning to _____ _____ a little.”
12. “I can’t go to Daryl’s party this weekend. I have to study.” “Guess we’re _____ _____ _____ _____.
I’ve got to study too.”
13. “Should we stop and spend the night at this motel?” “no, let’s ____ _____ driving for a few more
miles.”
14. If you find a baby animal in the woods, don’t touch it. Just _____ it _____.
15. I _____ all over town _____ a good used car, but I couldn’t find one.
16. Stella’s sister _____ _____her baby while Stella is at work.
17. “If you don’t know how to use this software, why don’t you ask Joanne to help?” “I did ask her, but I
am still _____ _____ _____. I didn’t understand a word she said.”
18. The police are _____ _____ the crime.
19. “Did Amada ever complete her project?” “She’s almost finished. She just has a few minor problems
left to _____ _____.
20. Alfred is _____ _____ _____ with his boss because he didn’t finish an important project by the
deadline.
21. “Has Marilyn gotten used to her new job at the bank yet?” “It took her a while, but I think she’s
finally _____ _____ _____ there.”
22. Are you _____ _____ _____ this proposal or against it?
23. “Are you familiar with this neighbourhood?” “I grew up here, so I _____ it _____ _______ _____
my _____.
24. “Is your roommate at home now?” “I have no idea. I can never _____ _____ _____ his comings and
goings.”
25. “I understand that you have a new dean over at the Business School.” “Yes, his name is Dean
Nishiruma. He has a completely different philosophy of business education from the one Dean
Woodford had, so I’m sure that some big changes are _____ _____ for us.?

ADJECTIVES AND ADVERBS

I. Complete the sentences with a comparison using an adjective and a noun from the list.
Old warm quick white tough quiet fresh cold fit clear
a daisy lightning leather A toast A sheet A mouse the hills Ice mud A fiddle
1. I promise not to disturb you. I’ll just sit here and I’ll be ___________________.
2. I am ___________________ in these boots. Look! How thick the fur lining is!
3. Quickly! Find a chair for this patient, nurse. He’s _______________ and I think he’s going to faint.
4. I’m afraid the meal I cooked was a disaster. It took so long to cut and chew the steak. It was ______.
5. Pam’s very good at adding up figures. I always need a calculator, but she’s ___________________.

4
 6. “Have you heard the news about Kevin’s skiing holiday?” “Oh, you mean when he broke his leg on
the airport escalator and spent his holiday in a Munich hospital? That story is___________________.
7. Sam likes sunbathing. He’s getting ___________________.
8. She explained the lesson in such a confusing way that we could understand nothing. Her explanation
was ___________________.
9. The doctor says he’s ___________________, so he can be released from the hospital today.
10. After a good night’s sleep, you’ll feel ___________________.
II. Complete the comparison with “like”. Use the verb and a noun from the list below.
Eat Drink Shake Go Look Run Sing Sleep Smoke Spend m
A leaf A fish A horse A chimney A bomb A drowned rat A hare Water A log A lark
1. He can run very fast. He runs ___________________.
2. Uncle Ken smokes a lot. He smokes ___________________.
3. His wife spends much money shopping every day. She spends money _________________. (like
water)
4. She sings very well. She can sing ___________________.
5. She’s sleeping very well in her chair. She’s sleeping ___________________.
6. She was standing wet through in the rain, looking ___________________.
7. His car is very modern and fast. It goes ___________________.
8. I’ve never seen anyone eat as much food as Patrick does. He eats ___________________.
9. “Last night in the pub. Jim was ordering pints of bitter as if they were glasses of water.” –“Yes, I
know. He drinks ___________________.
10. What’s wrong with Sally? Has she had a shock? She’s shaking __________________.
II1 - Use the adjective in brackets or make an adverb (adj+ly) as necessary
1. (careful) You must read the instructions _______________ before you use the machine.
2. (noisy) Children are always very _______________
3. (angry) Something had happened to him. He had an _______________ look.
4. (beautiful) Don’t you think she paints _______________ ?
5. (free) She will understand anything you tell her. You can talk to her _______________
6. (clear) It’s important that you write all the details _______________
7. (hungry/economical) The population in many African countries are _______________ because they have a lot
of _______________ problems.
8. (good) He plays tennis very _______________
9. (quiet) The boys were so _______________ that I thought they were planning something.
10. (sure) I was _______________ that I had left the camera on the table.
11. (slow) I have to buy a new car. This one is very _______________
12. (warm) They gave us a very _______________ welcome.
13. (comfortable) When I arrived he was sitting _______________ in an armchair.
14. (hard) We worked _______________ all day.
15. (fast) Don’t drive so _______________! It’s dangerous.
16. (easy) It wasn’t _______________ to find their house in the middle of the night.
17. Can I use your phone, please? / (certain) Yes, _______________
18. (happy) When I gave him the present, he looked at me _______________
IV. Choose the correct choice
1.- Our team lost the march because we played (bad/badly). I feel (bad/badly) about losing the match.
2.- I didn’t any problem to find lodging. I found a flat (easy/easily)
This is too (easy/easily) . I need something more challenging.
3.- Your proposal sounds a bit (selfish/selfishly). You behaved (selfish/selfishly)
4.- The house was (terrible/terribly) damaged by the hurricane. That’s (terrible/terribly)!
5.- There was a (sudden/suddenly) change in the weather. The weather has changed (sudden/suddenly)
6.- Everybody at the party was (colourful/colourfully) dressed.
Everybody was wearing (colourful/colourfully) clothes.
7.- I hurt myself (bad/badly) with that edge. The firm wasn’t successful because it was (bad/badly) managed.
8.- Don’t stand on that stool. It doesn’t look (safe/safely)
Fortunately, he sheltered (safe/safely) at home during the storm.
9.- we waited (impatient/impatiently) until they arrived. She sounded (impatient/impatiently) on the phone.
10.- She speaks French (good/well). She speak (good/well) French.
V. Choose two words (one from each box to complete the sentences.

Absolutely reasonably badly Changed enormous ill

Seriously slightly unusually Planned cheap damaged
Quiet long
unnecessarily Completely
5
1.- The party went wrong because it was _______________ __________________
2.- I thought it would be expensive but it was _________________ _________________
3- My grandmother is ______________ __________________ in hospital.
4.- What a huge ship! It is ______________ ________________
5.- Fortunately, my car was only ______________ ______________ in the accident.
6.- My dog is always barking but today it is ______________ _______________
7.- After the redecoration, my flat was _______________ _______________ It looked new!
8.- Don’t make their wait ___________________ _________________ . They’re so impatient!
V. Choose the best answer to the following sentences.
1. I don’t think John looks well". "He seems_____".
a. fairly tired b. fair tired c. fair tiredly d. fairly tiredly
2. "Which do you prefer - the blue china or the white china?". "The white china is_____".
a. definite better b. better definite c. better definitely d. definitely better
3. "Were you pleased with the translation?". "Yes, the job was_____"
a. amazing satisfactory b. amazingly satisfactory c. amazing satisfactorily d. satisfactory amazing
4. "What was you impression of last night's lecture?" "_____ speaking, I thought it was rather boring".
a. Honest b. Honestly c. Very d. Really
5. "How tall is Ralph?". "He's ____ than you are".
a. slight tall b. slight taller c. slightly tall d. slightly taller
6. "How does Amy like her new school?" "Fine. And she's doing_____ in her courses"
a. extreme good b. extremely well c. extremely good d. extreme well
7. What a nice fire you have in your fireplace". "During the winter I like my house_____".
a. warmly and comfortable b. warm and comfortable
c. warm and comfortably d. warmly and comfortable
8. "This perfume is very expensive". "Yes, but it smells_____".
a. exceptional good b. exceptionally good c. exceptionally well d. exceptional well
9. "Your son seems to be an excellent skier". "They say he's_____ for his age".
a. surprisingly competent b. surprising competent
c. competently surprising d. surprising competently
10. "I had a hard time taking notes on the lecture". "I did too. The professor speaks_____".
a. exceeding fast b. exceedingly fastly c. exceedingly fast d. with exceedingly fastness
11. "Do you think Margaret will take the job you offered her?" "I don’t know. She seemed_____ in it, however".
a interest b. interesting c. interested d. interestingly
12. "The students all went to the circus yesterday". "I heard it was really_____".
a. amused b. amusing c. amuse d. amusingly
13. "I was_____ that Jan couldn't come to the party". "Her boss made her work overtime"
a. disappointing b. disappointedly c. disappoint d. disappointed
14. "What a terrible football game!". "I thought it was_____"
a. delightful b. delighting c. delight d. delighted
15. "How_____ we are to hear that you got the scholarship. "Thank you. It was really a surprise".
a. pleasing b. pleased c. pleasingly d. please
16. "Professors Allen's class is the best I have ever been to". "I think it's_____".
a. the most boring b. the most boringly c. the most bored d. most bored
17. "I can’t believe that Jim is marrying the vice-president's daughter". "That they would get married is_____".
a. surprised b. surprising c. surprisingly d. surprise
18. "This handmade cloth is beautiful". "To see such quality is_____"
a. pleasing b. please c pleased d. so pleasantly
19. "How does Jan like her new car?". "She's _____ with it".
a. delighted b. delighting c. delight d. delightful
20. "You look nervous". "This thunder makes me_____"
a. scary b. scare c. scaring d. scared

6
V. Complete each sentence with the most appropriate word from the box.

of the way on strike of range of my control of breath

of order and about of all proportion of character

1. I don’t spend all my time in the office. I get out ______________ quite a lot.
2. She doesn’t usually behave like that. It’s completely out ______________.
3. I wish you’d get out ______________! I can’t get past.
4. After running up the stairs I was quite out ______________.
5. The gunners couldn’t fire at the castle because it was out ______________.
6. This was a small problem which has been exaggerated out ______________.
7. Don’t bother trying the lift, it’s out ______________ again.
8. The railway workers are out ______________ again.
9. I can’t do anything, I’m afraid. It’s out ______________.

VI. Choose the best answer to complete the sentences below.

1. It’s late. We ought to __________ and continue with the work tomorrow.
A. make a day of it B. make our day C. call it a day
2. It’s 20 years ______________ that we came to live here.
A. the other day B. to the day C. this day week
3. Mother had a telephone call from my brother in Australia this morning. She was very pleased, of
course. It really______________.
A. made her day B. was her day C. won the day
4. We visited Sheila this morning and she suggested ______________ and staying for lunch and
afternoon tea. So we did.
A. having a field day B. calling it a day C. making a day of it
5. The language course was excellent. I found that my English improved______________.
A. day in and day out B. to a day C. day by day.