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acid batteries buttons cog cylinders fuse grease machine panic plug
rocket running science steam tick ticking wavelength whistles wires
Insert the words from above into the most appropriate sentences below.
1) The team is well trained but next week’s match will be their __________ test. (Performance evaluation)
2) It’s a good telephone but it’s the bells and ___________ that the consumer likes most. (Extra features)
3) If we want this finished before we go home, we will have to put some elbow _____________ into it.
(Make a bigger effort)
4) You should be able to assemble it and have it working in less than 20 minutes. It’s not ______ science.
(Not difficult)
5) We still have until next Wednesday to finish it. It’s not time to hit the ____________ button just yet.
(Take emergency action)
6) We need funding to continue the research but the local authority is talking about pulling the _______.
(Stopping, preventing or discontinuing something)
7) I have taken this machine to pieces, reassembled it and taken it apart again but I still don’t know what
makes it ___________. (Understand how something works)
8) They thought she said the meeting was on Monday but they must have got their __________ crossed.
It was on Wednesday. (Get confused or misunderstand something)
9) I really should stop pushing his _____________ but he is just so easy to wind up. (Provoke)
10) The staff in the office work well together. The boss hasn’t been there for nearly a month but
everything is __________ over perfectly fine. (Operating or functioning well)
11) This office is a well-oiled ____________. (Well-organized and operating or functioning perfectly)
12) The project started well but seemed to run out of _________ towards the end.
(Lose enthusiasm or energy)
13) Jo and Terry work very well together. They are both on the same ____________.
(Share similar opinions or interests)
14) When they told her that she couldn’t go to the party, she really blew a ___________. (Got very angry)
15) She was ill for about a week but she has recovered pretty well and is firing on all ___________ again.
(In working condition – for a person, machine or system)
16) The new school should be up and ____________ by the beginning of September. (Ready for use)
17) He has pizzas down to a ____________. Nobody can make them like he does. (Perfected the process)
18) She decided to stay in at the weekend and recharge her ____________. (Relax and recover)
19) He has a well-paid job but he feels as if he is a very small ____________ in the machine. (Insignificant)
Follow up!
Now write five sentences using the expressions from above:
e.g. This machine uses cutting-edge technology. etc.
Technology Idioms - Origins
Which stories below do you think are the true origins of the expressions?